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Northampton Housing Partnership elects Hannah as vice chair and welcomes new member
Summary
The Northampton Housing Partnership approved minutes, unanimously elected Hannah as vice chair and welcomed a new member, Chris, a Baystate physician. The group also reviewed onboarding materials and next steps for member orientation.
The Northampton Housing Partnership approved minutes from its Dec. 1, 2025 meeting, unanimously elected Hannah as vice chair and welcomed a new member identified as Chris, a physician at Baystate who said he is joining to learn more about the intersection of housing and public health.
Chair Bev Bates opened the meeting by asking members to introduce themselves for the benefit of the new member. Bates said she is the Partnership’s new chair and described her career in nonprofit housing development. Longtime member Richard Abusa described his experience as a property manager and his role on the Northampton Redevelopment Authority.
Gwen Nabad, newly elected Ward 1 city councilor, told members she can continue to serve and vote on the Partnership despite her council role. Nabad said she was recommended for a six-month Massachusetts Housing Leadership Academy fellowship and will bring a project focused on a Northampton housing solution to the Partnership as part of that program.
A motion to approve minutes from the Partnership’s Dec. 1, 2025 meeting was made and seconded; the recorded roll-call vote resulted in approval with three yes votes and one member (Hannah) passing because she had not attended that meeting. Later in the meeting, Gwen Nabad moved to nominate Hannah for vice chair; the motion was seconded by Chair Bev Bates. The Partnership conducted a roll-call vote and elected Hannah unanimously.
New member Chris introduced themself as a Baystate physician who works in hospital medicine and teaches residents; Chris said they returned to Western Massachusetts to be more involved in town affairs and are interested in housing’s effects on public health. "I'm looking forward to learning from all of you and the opportunity," Chris said.
The meeting closed after brief logistical items and a motion to adjourn that carried by voice vote.
Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (12/01/2025): Mover recorded as Richard Abusa; seconded by Gwen Nabad. Result: approved (3 yes, 1 pass/abstain). - Elect vice chair (Hannah): Mover Gwen Nabad; seconded by Bev Bates. Result: approved (unanimous). - Adjourn meeting: Mover Richard Abusa; seconded by Gwen Nabad. Result: approved (unanimous).
Next steps include sending key onboarding materials (recent housing plan and local reports) to the new member and preparing a short historical summary of the Partnership for future new members.
