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Residents and youth back council resolution urging municipal role in transition to clean heat
Summary
Public commenters and a Northampton High youth climate team voiced support for resolution 25.341, which would authorize municipal participation in Massachusetts’ transition to clean heat; councilors postponed fuller debate until Dec. 4 when a cosponsor can attend.
On first reading the Northampton City Council considered resolution 25.341, a measure backing municipal participation in Massachusetts programs to transition buildings off fossil fuels.
Dan Brendel, who identified himself as the council liaison to the youth commission and a member of the Northampton High School Youth Climate Solutions team, said the students "support 25.341" and argued municipal participation would help deliver equitable heating solutions while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Denise Lello, another public commenter, said the resolution would give the city a seat at the table with utilities and the Department of Public Utilities and called the issue one of environmental justice.
Vice President Rachel Maiori said the council would hold a fuller discussion when the cosponsor is present; the item will appear on the Dec. 4 agenda for additional debate. Public commenters asked the council to press the Legislature and utilities to support phased, neighborhood‑based electrification and to resist state proposals they said could undermine local efforts.
