Northampton City Council

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.

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.

For two nights in late-August, the BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity in Florence was filled with Northampton residents and a slew of candidates.Organized by the League of Women Voters and broadcast by Northampton Open Media, the forums saw locals vying for city council seats and the mayor’s office answer questions on budgets, school funding and city projects. Alexander MacDougall, who has reported on the sheer size of the council candidate pool over the past few months, was on the panel asking questions.

For a second year in a row, Northampton's city council has failed to pass a budget. By default, the mayor's original proposal will go into effect. Critics say it comes up short on school funding, even as the mayor says more funding has been found.

Looking to avoid a potential showdown, the city council in Northampton, Massachusetts, punted a recent budget vote – squeezing in more time for debate.

Well before a July deadline to submit nomination papers, Northampton, Mass. is already primed for a busy election season. Both the city council and school committee are seeing significant turnover, with at least seven officials not seeking reelection so far. WAMC spoke with daily Hampshire Gazette reporter Alexander MacDougall about how things are shaping up and how one issue in particular is already looming, as candidates collect signatures: funding for Northampton Public Schools.

Starting next week, new construction and major renovation projects in Northampton, Massachusetts will need to be fossil fuel-free, with some exceptions.

Officials in Northampton, Massachusetts, have advanced language that could lead to the city requiring new construction and major renovation projects be fossil fuel-free, with some exceptions. An ordinance was advanced to the city council this week, amid concerns voiced by some residents and architects.

After lengthy debates, job cuts and protests by locals and school officials alike, leaders in Northampton, Massachusetts are trying to avoid another tense school budget season next year.

A $3 million budget override question intended for voters in Northampton, Massachusetts this fall has been rescinded – following a special city council meeting.