Northampton City Council approves $25K for superintendent search amid leadership change

The Northampton City Council convened on June 18, 2025, to address several financial orders as part of their ongoing fiscal management for the upcoming budget year. The meeting began with a proposal to group and approve four budget orders related to enterprise funds, specifically for sewer, water, stormwater, and flood control, along with a revolving fund for energy and sustainability. The motion, made by Councilor Perry and seconded by Councilor Mould, passed with a vote of 7 to 2.

Following this, the council moved to authorize payment for a prior year invoice amounting to $312.75 for work completed at Ryan Road School. A motion to suspend the rules to expedite the vote was made and passed unanimously, leading to the invoice approval.

Next, the council discussed reprogramming various Information Technology Services (ITS) accounts to support ongoing projects. The rationale for these transfers included enhancing operational efficiency and consolidating funds from completed projects. The council agreed to refer this item to the consent agenda for the next meeting.

The council also addressed a reprogramming order for $5,134 from a completed security project to upgrade lighting and rigging at Northampton High School's auditorium. A motion to suspend the rules for immediate voting was made and passed, resulting in unanimous approval.

A significant item on the agenda was the appropriation of $355,850 from parking receipts to replace the outdated parking system at the EJ Gehr III garage. The current system, installed in 2014, has become obsolete, and the council voted to suspend the rules for immediate consideration, passing the order with 8 votes in favor and 1 against.

The council then introduced the fiscal year 2026 cash capital for various projects, noting that while this funding is available now, future budgets may not include similar cash capital due to anticipated increases in school and public safety funding. The council agreed to refer this item to the consent agenda for the next meeting.

In a discussion about end-of-year budget transfers, the council reviewed a proposal to transfer funds to cover various expenses, including employee insurance and IT services. This consolidated approach aimed to streamline the process compared to previous years. The council voted to refer this item to the consent agenda.

Lastly, the council addressed a request for $25,000 in free cash to fund a search for a new superintendent for Northampton Public Schools, as the current superintendent is set to leave in June 2026. This funding request was made to alleviate pressure on the school budget, and the council discussed the implications of the superintendent's departure.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's focus on fiscal responsibility and planning for future needs while addressing immediate budgetary concerns. The next meeting is scheduled for July 10, where several of these items will be revisited for further discussion and approval.