Amid departure, Northampton City Council Prez Jarrett calls for lower temperature amid ongoing debates

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By James Paleologopoulos

Published January 1, 2026 at 10:10 AM EST

After serving Ward 5 in Northampton, Massachusetts, for the past six years, outgoing City Council President Alex Jarrett says he plans to stay engaged in the community – all while exploring ways to heal divisions in a city that’s seen tumult both inside and outside the council chambers.

WAMC Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos reports.

This piece originally aired on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

Related Content

News

Northampton city councilors hit by lawsuit filed by outgoing colleague

James Paleologopoulos

All year, Northampton, Massachusetts, saw plenty of intense school funding and city budget debates. But as the City Council held its last regular meeting Thursday, it became clear another hurdle was on the horizon — a lawsuit filed by an outgoing councilor.
News

Northampton city council clears high school geothermal project, but not before councilor objections

James Paleologopoulos

The city council in Northampton, Massachusetts, has greenlit several green-minded efforts for the city’s school district – all building toward the city’s carbon neutrality goals. Through a special fund and borrowing, the projects will cost about $12 million – with most of it going toward a geothermal heating system for Northampton High School.The projects received unanimous approval from the city’s school committee – but the council needed a special meeting to get them across the finish line.WAMC’s Samantha Simmons spoke with Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief James Paleologopoulos about the development.