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Date: 12/12/2023
EASTHAMPTON — A discussion of the city’s plans and a litany of appointments to town boards and committees made up the bulk of Easthampton City Council’s Dec. 6 meeting.
Planning Director Jeff Bagg provided an update on the potentially dangerous intersection at Parson and Ferry Streets, particularly with people trying to take a left from Parson Street onto Ferry Street. He expects work to begin the week of Dec. 11 on moving the dilapidated fence on the back two feet and cleaning up the brush, both of which are limiting drivers’ line of sight. In the future, Bagg explained that they would like to see the retaining wall also moved back but that is a more complex project.
“This is something minor we can do to make that intersection a little bit safer,” said Bagg.
Council President Homar Gomez noted the city’s yes vote on ranked choice voting at the November city election. With 1,722 votes, 60 percent of voters approved the proposal. No further discussion was had.
The council approved four mayoral appointments, two each to the BEES committee and the Energy Advisory Committee. It also approved 42 re-appointments to a wide range of boards and commissions in the city.
The only financial move on the agenda involved moving $12,848 from the reserve fund to pay the city of Northampton for the seal of weights and measures positions. Councilor Daniel Rist explained that this position is contracted out.
The council also approved its 2024 calendar, with most meetings remaining on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. A few were moved to another day because of holiday conflicts. The council will meet only once monthly during July and August.
During public speaking time, two community members spoke about their concerns about the comments made during the Nov. 15 meeting when the council was discussing antisemitism in the community. Councilor Owen Zaret noted that there had been “some concerning remarks” made during the meeting. He did not specifically say what those remarks were, but he also noted that the mood in the room had made multiple people feel dismissed.
“We need to continue to fight and reject the hatred,” said Zaret.