Alex Jarrett, City Council Ward 5
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2024
Ward 5 October 2024 Newsletter
Election November 5th; Resolutions on State Ballot Questions 2 & 4
Rail trail closure begins Oct. 28th from King Street to Bridge Road
Budget listening sessions Nov. 13th and 18th
Rag Shag Oct. 31st; Veterans' Day Nov. 11th
Briefs: Nonotuck & Maple zoning change public hearing; Hotel Bridge reprogramming order; Addressing the Housing Crisis panel Oct. 20th; Picture Main Street walk Oct. 27th; Embargo of U.S. Arms to Israel resolution; Tax classification hearing Nov. 7th
Ward 5 September 2024 Newsletter
New police chief appointed
Zoning changes near Nonotuck & Maple proposed
Road updates: Federal Street culvert, Look Park Roundabout night closure; 4-way stops
Parking updates: Electric car charging; 33 King St lot; Fraud alert; Grassy areas
Resolutions: Declaring Northampton a Sanctuary City for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People; In Support of Equitable Public School Funding; In Support of Ballot Question Four
Briefs: Meet Climate Action Director Oct. 6th; Zoning housekeeping changes; Resilience Hub update
Ward 5 July/August 2024 Newsletter
Budget outcome & state advocacy
Proposition 2 1/2 override vote delayed
State primary election September 3rd
Interactive construction map & pothole update
Valley Green Energy begins in November
September office hours downtown & in Florence
Briefs: Transfer Center update; Mass Central Rail Trail & gas resolutions; Permanent CAPA Director; Historic Preservation Plan approved; Gateway Fiber; Valley Bike returns
Ward 5 June 2024 Newsletter
Budget season continues
Spring Community Preservation Act funding
Downtown music & events this summer
Briefs: Northampton Family Fourth Celebration June 22nd; rail trail closure; speed tables
Ward 5 May 2024 Newsletter
Budget season: public hearings May 29th and 30th
Office hours downtown & in Florence
Memorial Day Parade & Florence Summer Concert Series
Briefs: Zoning change; ValleyBike returns; Council Auditor's report.
UPDATE: See this spreadsheet for clarification on the school budget increase percentages. It shows the percentage increase with and without the $1.2 million addition of one-time funds from stabilization to FY2024's school budget.
Ward 5 April 2024 Newsletter
Council meetings now start at 6:30 pm
School budget, budget process & hearings
Department leadership changes
Briefs: Capital Improvement Program; Water/Sewer rates approved; Division of Community Care update; Zoning change update; Resilience Hub meetings continue; ReCenter / Paint collection / RePair; Rule change for disrupted meetings
Ward 5 March 2024 Newsletter
Capital Improvement Program hearing
Water and sewer rates hearing
Shape the future of the Resilience Hub
Anti-hate and Gaza ceasefire resolutions approved
Briefs: Memorial Hall emergency repair; Sewer lining projects; Auditor appointment approved; Citizen-led zoning change; Outdoor dining approval; Water main flushing
Presidential Primary Election March 5th
Ward 5 February 2024 Newsletter
Budget outlook
2024 street and sidewalk projects
Recently approved building projects in Ward 5
Briefs: Lighting ordinance approved; Anti-hate and Gaza ceasefire resolutions; Opioid settlement funding survey
Ward 5 January 2024 Newsletter
The new 2024-25 City Council
Our new School Committee member, Ann Hennessey
Budget outlook January 30th
CPA projects approved
Briefs: Lighting ordinance continued; Main Street: Environmental review and "Name That Campaign"; Elm & West Street traffic safety; Tax abatement process; Arts Council grants & Poet Laureate; Valley Bike; Nuclear war resolution
2023
Ward 5 Nov/Dec 2023 Newsletter
Budget listening sessions Tues. & Wed.
Tax rate, classification, and exemptions
Public comment, hate speech, and hate crimes
Holiday Toy Exchange December 1 & 2
Briefs: Election results; Lighting ordinance hearing continued; Police chief search; Free PVTA buses through 12/31; Lead pipe/water detection; Legislative updates from State Rep. & Senator; Main St resolution passed; Administrative orders
Ward 5 October 2023 Newsletter
Election November 7th
Historic Preservation Plan draft & forum October 30th
Rag Shag parade October 31st
Senior & veteran tax work off program
Briefs: Lighting ordinance update; Flu & Covid vaccine clinics; Main St FAQ & resolution; Coca-Cola update; Broadband forum recording
Ward 5 September 2023 Newsletter
Municipal broadband study & forum Sep. 20
Main Street redesign
Division of Community Care launched
Briefs: 33 King St RFP approved; Specialized energy code approved; New CAPA & HR directors; State of the Northampton Farm; Election update.
Ward 5 August 2023 Newsletter
River flooding, heavy rains & mosquitoes
Business update in Ward 5
Division of Community Care survey
Briefs: Tax bills; 33 King St RFP; Clarke School space at Jackson Street School; Specialized energy code; Commission to Investigate Racialized Harms appointed; Fire Chief change; Pickleball design funded; Election update
Ward 5 June/July 2023 Newsletter
Budget approved
Florence Community Mural Painting
Summer downtown music: Bands on Brewster, Masonic Street Live, Pulaski Park
Music at Bombyx re-opened
Noise ordinance updates
Newsletter archive
Briefs: Community Choice Aggregation; 25 mph speed limit passed; Flood insurance overlay district; Elected officials pay increase; Resilience Hub purchased; ValleyBike update; Specialized energy code; Trail access resolution
Ward 5 May 2023 Newsletter
Budget season: public hearings May 23 and 24
Memorial Day Parade & Florence Summer Concert Series
Music at Bombyx closed down
Election opportunities
Elected official compensation review
Briefs: Affordable housing advocacy group launches June 13th; more on water/sewer rates; Hestia mural restoration; ValleyBike delay; specialized energy code
Ward 5 April 2023 Newsletter
Water/sewer rate increase proposed
25 mph speed limit
Picture Main Street design hearing April 26th
Division of Community Care update
Briefs: School budget, racialized harms commission, two-family reduced lot line, Council on Aging, CIP approved.
Ward 5 March 2023 Newsletter
Capital Improvement Program
ARPA Community Recovery Projects awarded
School budget concerns
Art along the trails
My reading list
Briefs: Fire Dept. support, COVID-19 Remembrance Day, zoning change proposals, all-alcohol license increase, tax increment financing.
Ward 5 February 2023 Newsletter
Northampton High School traffic study
Retail cannabis cap approved
Community Preservation Act projects
Proposed Climate Action and Project Administration (CAPA) Department
Updates & proposals: Downtown parking changes, 2nd quarter financial report, Mayor's fiscal outlook, all-alcohol license increase, Commission to Investigate Racialized Harms resolution, tax increment financing for a new Conz Street hotel.
Ward 5 January 2023 Newsletter
Retail cannabis cap proposed
Community Resilience Hub location identified
Climate Stabilization Fund
Hatfield / North King roundabout meeting - take 2
Updates: Stormwater regulations, facial recognition review, ARPA funds.
2022
Ward 5 Nov/Dec 2022 Newsletter
Tax rate, classification, and exemptions
Housing roundtables
Holiday toy exchange Dec. 2nd & 3rd
Free PVTA bus service through December
Updates: First quarter financial report, prohibiting wild or exotic animals for entertainment.
Ward 5 October 2022 Newsletter
Mayor declines to sign an agreement with Euphorium
State election November 8th
Rag Shag parade October 31st
Safe Speeds initiative
Sidewalks & signs
Updates: St. John Cantius vote, marijuana cap discussions, prohibiting wild or exotic animals for entertainment, zoning change on Chapel Street, Elected Officials Compensation Advisory Board
Ward 5 September 2022 Newsletter
Florence Night Out September 24th
COVID bivalent booster vaccines
Should we cap the total number of marijuana establishments?
St. John Cantius Historic Preservation CPA grant
Community Preservation Committee vacancy
ARPA Community Recovery Fund proposals wanted
Sustainable Northampton Historic Preservation public meetings
Updates: FY2022 budget report, parking meter changes proposed, fossil fuel free new construction home rule petition.
Ward 5 Jul/Aug 2022 Newsletter
Retail marijuana store proposed in Florence
Should we build more housing? (affordability, supply & demand, demographics)
Where should we build? (climate, infrastructure)
Trees and green space
Preservation, deconstruction & demolitions
Conclusions, and future topics (design guidelines, transportation & parking, public housing)
Updates: Senior Services & Planning Directors, plastics ban delay, Taste of Northampton, resolutions on assault weapons and overdose prevention, 130 Pine St rezoning.
Ward 5 June 2022 Newsletter
Bay State Village ValleyBike station grand opening Saturday
Community meetings with the ARPA Advisory Commission
Household hazardous waste collection July 16th
Next month: A special housing issue!
Updates: Budget, animal control facility, mosquito spraying, 130 Pine St rezoning.
Ward 5 May 2022 Newsletter
Budget season: public hearings May 31 and June 1
Dept. of Health & Human Services & Community Care Dept.
BI-QEM update
Complete streets prioritization plan
Florence Congregational Church/Bombyx rezoning
Updates galore: Four resolutions, Safe Routes to School, historic preservation, affordable housing and conservation land, brokers' fees, form based code, wastewater treatment plant upgrades
Ward 5 April 2022 Newsletter
COVID updates: 2nd booster clinics, home test reporting
Bi-QEM's formaldehyde spill
Ranked Choice Voting
Census 2020 redistricting
Brokers' fees public forum April 25th
Ithaca's Green New Deal presentation
Updates: Florence Streetscapes Forum 4/14, Community Care Dept., Form-based code, applications for Barriers to Participation Committee, ARPA update
Bi-Qem Statement 3/31/22
Ward 5 March 2022 Newsletter
COVID updates: Mask mandate lifted; testing & vaccination clinics
Animal control facility
Prohibiting residential tenants from being charged brokers' fees
Capital Improvement Plan
Form-based code public hearing March 24th
5-year contract for police dash cams
Legislative updates: Housekeeping changes, barriers to participation, entertainment at farm stands, face surveillance review, student loan debt
Ward 5 February 2022 Newsletter
COVID-19: Presentation, more testing & booster options
Mayor's annual budget outlook
Character-based zoning for downtown Northampton and Florence Center
New Florence businesses & non-profit arts center
Legislative updates: police dash cams, anti-Semitism resolution, Sojourner Truth, U-Turn ordinance, outdoor dining
Ward 5 January 2022 Newsletter
COVID-19 updates: health advisory, new testing site, mandate
A new term begins
School Committee update from Dina Levi
Tree collection January 8th & 15th
Noise and pollution ordinances
Senior & veteran tax work off program
Legislative updates
2021
Ward 5 December 2021 Newsletter
Property tax update
Community Preservation Act projects
New proposed Council rules
Holiday toy exchange
Vision Zero and High School traffic & parking changes
Ward 5 November 2021 Newsletter
Election results
Florence wayfinding signage
Future zoning discussion & plan merger
Tax classification hearing
Legislative updates
Election Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Ward 5 October 2021 Newsletter
Election November 2nd
Ward & precinct redistricting & population
How should we spend our ARPA funds?
River swimming recommendations and forum Oct. 14th
Legislative updates
Preliminary Election Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Ward 5 August/September 2021 Newsletter
COVID-19 update: Face masks, vaccines
Elections Sep. 28th and Nov. 2nd
Around the Ward: Florence Night Out, Community Fridge
Trees, public input and street design
City Council rules
Legislative updates
Ward 5 July 2021 Newsletter
COVID-19 update: Vaccinations, Senior Center & municipal re-opening
Housing, affordability, and our population
PVTA bus service & a new express bus to Springfield
Summer ReUse Rally July 31st
Legislative updates
Ward 5 June 2021 Newsletter
Budget decisions June 3rd and 17th
COVID-19 update: Vaccinations, face coverings, municipal re-opening
Zero lot line update
Next Picture Main Street forum June 24th
Vote16 update
Legislative updates
Ward 5 May 2021 Newsletter
COVID-19: Vaccinations, face coverings, municipal re-opening
Household hazardous waste collection May 15th
Budget hearings May 25th and 26th
Zero lot line ordinance public hearing
Leaf blowers
Safe and livable streets
Legislative updates
Ward 5 April 2021 Newsletter
Policing Review final report and Mayoral / City Council discussion
COVID-19 vaccination update
Housing decisions & zero lot line changes
Around the Ward: Bay State Village Assoc., David Ruggles Center, Children's Advocacy Center and Women's Suffrage events
Capital Improvement Plan
Annual Street Listing
Municipal broadband survey
Picture Main Street forum #4
Legislative updates
Ward 5 March 2021 Newsletter
COVID-19 vaccination update
Pine / Maple / Mann intersection update
Housing decisions & hearings
Last Policing Review public hearing Saturday
River swimming plans moving ahead
Biomass resolution to oppose state incentives
Legislative updates
Ward 5 February 2021 Newsletter
COVID-19 vaccination clinic open
Florence Center streetscape improvements
Two-family by right updates
Half-scale units zoning proposal
Who is not in the room?
Boards and Commissions that advise or decide on housing issues
Roundabout at North King & Hatfield Streets
Legislative updates
Ward 5 January 2021 Newsletter
Climate Resilience & Regeneration Plan
Public hearing on two-family by right zoning this Thursday
Affordable housing zoning change proposal
Pine Street repaving
Central Valley Tenants Union
COVID-19 update from the Health Director
Policing Review Commission Preliminary Report
Legislative updates
2020
Ward 5 November/December Newsletter
First Policing Review Commission public hearing this Tuesday
Checking in on in-fill development
Housing affordability
Eviction protection and assistance
Using the City's website
Legislative updates
Ward 5 October Newsletter
Upcoming: River swimming forum, Ordinance Review, Community Resources Committee
Public Shade Tree Commission proposed changes & public hearing
Charter changes are moving forward
Election options and voter protection
Policing Review Commission update
Ward 5 September Newsletter
Outreach and gatherings
Zoning proposal: Two-family homes by right
Main Street Shared Streets and Spaces
Resolutions: the Soldiers' Home, anti-racism, light pollution & the Census
Plastic reduction & sustainability ordinance
Policing Review Commission appointments
Ward 5 August Newsletter
August 23: Next Ward 5 gathering on Zoom
Policing Review Commission applications due August 14
School Committee update from Dina Levi
Voting options & poll workers needed
Hill Institute kindergarten program
Mill River water recreation & safety note
Hazardous Waste collection day August 15
Ward 5 July Newsletter
Ward 5 gathering on Zoom
Police budget decisions
Northampton Policing Review Commission and next steps
Open Meeting Law
Conflict of interest and voting on the General Fund
Outdoor dining
Disqualifying contractors who make, design or maintain nuclear weapons
Ward 5 June Newsletter
Budget hearings this Wednesday & Thursday
COVID-19 updates and resources
NPD's response to the death of George Floyd & our budget priorities
Repaving & improvements in the ward
Littering and noise complaints
Ward 5 May Newsletter
COVID-19 updates and resources
Proposition 2 1/2 delay, the city budget, and tax deferral
Census 2020: New challenges
School Committee update from Dina Levi
Legislation updates
Outreach & upcoming events
Ward 5 April Newsletter
COVID-19
Tax deferral & relief
Zoning changes
CPA small grants for invasives removal
Outreach & upcoming events
Ward 5 March Update for COVID-19
COVID-19 resources
Medical Reserve Corps
Neighborhood lists
Upcoming events
Ward 5 March Newsletter
Vote Yes
Senior tax deferral update
Wireless antennas on street poles ordinance (5G)
EMPOWER Act resolution
Census 2020
Upcoming events
Ward 5 February Newsletter
Outreach door-to-door and in the community
Proposition 2 1/2 Override Town Hall Meetings
Proposed zoning changes
Community Preservation Act projects (open space, affordable housing and more)
Main Street redesign
Zoom gatherings
Watch the 12/20/20 Ward 5 Zoom Gathering
8/23/20 Gathering
7/12/20 Gathering