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Date: 1/9/2024
EASTHAMPTON — At its Jan. 3 meeting, the Easthampton City Council took time to welcome its new members, and reorganize its committees and commit to the work ahead.
New members Tamara Smith, Precinct 5 councilor, and Jason Tirrell, councilor at-large, attended their first council meeting. They replace Daniel Rist, Precinct 5 councilor who decided not to run for re-election again after 27 years, and David Meunier.
The council voted unanimously to approve the reaffirmation of the council’s resolution on discrimination and intolerance. The resolution in part read, “One of the fundamental core values of the City of Easthampton is to treat all persons with respect and dignity … and recognizes that the many races and ethnicities of its citizens have contributed to the strength of character of Easthampton.”
New council Vice President Thomas Peake noted that while he believes the council always does valuable work, he recognized that the council didn’t do a lot of policy work in its last term.
“We have the same challenges as two years ago,” said Peake. “How can we start addressing the challenges and be a problem-solving body?”
Councilor Koni Denham noted that she and Council President Homar Gomez would be hosting office hours on Jan. 8 to listen to the concerns of citizens.
Councilor Brad Riley also encouraged anyone who is having difficulty paying for fuel to heat their homes to seek out fuel assistance. He noted that he would be happy to help if people reached out to him.
Reorganization of the committees meant new chairs for almost all of them. Owen Zaret will lead both the Public Safety and Property committees. Riley will chair the Appointments Committee. Denham will chair the Ordinance Committee while JP Kwiecinski will chair the Rules Committee.
After sending two possible appointments for the Council on Aging and the Manhan Rail Committee to the Appointments Committee, the council wrapped up its brief meeting.