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Ward 6 forum spotlights school funding, municipal authority and local services
Summary
Ward 6 incumbent Mary Anne Labarge and challenger Chris Stratton debated school funding (Chapter 70), the Resilience Hub’s suitability, DPW staffing shortages and whether the council should have greater budgetary tools.
Chris Stratton, a Ward 6 candidate, told voters he would prioritize schools and core municipal services and criticized recent capital projects he called fiscally misdirected. Mary Anne Labarge, the long‑serving Ward 6 councilor, emphasized constituent service, local conservation wins and experience delivering traffic and ADA improvements.
Why it matters: The Ward 6 exchange focused on whether the city should press ahead with large projects or redirect resources to schools, public safety and frontline services. Both candidates agreed on the need for more affordable housing but parted ways on site selection, parking trade‑offs and how to fund ongoing operations.
School funding featured prominently. Stratton cited state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education findings that special‑needs students are under‑served locally and said the city has recurring revenue—including about $2.8 million in unexpected interest income—that could be redirected toward staffing. Labarge urged reform of the Chapter 70 school‑funding formula and a review of the required local contribution to secure more state resources for Northampton.
On the Resilience Hub, Labarge said she supports the concept and has conducted site visits, but she deferred questions about ongoing operating costs to the mayor’s office. Stratton called the chosen building "unsuited" and disputed the valuation and assessment process, saying outside organizations withdrew from the project amid concerns.
Both candidates described DPW staffing as a pressing operational concern; they said competitive pay and better communication between council and department leaders are necessary to recruit and retain employees. Labarge cited recent contract renewals and local contracting to keep services running, while Stratton said younger workers compare take‑home pay with private sector opportunities.
What’s next: No formal actions were taken at the forum. Candidates urged votes on Nov. 4 and emphasized continued dialogue about budgets, staffing and housing priorities.
