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Date: 4/6/2021
NORTHAMPTON – At the Northampton City Council’s April 1 meeting, the council approved the first reading of a resolution to declare a climate emergency along with several projects included in the fiscal year 2022 to 2026 (FY22-26) Capital Improvement Plan.
During the communications from the mayor portion of the meeting, Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz reflected on a ceremony earlier in the day after Russian immigrant Irida Kakhtiranova had her deportation case reopened and was able to leave her sanctuary at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence.
“It was a very moving ceremony and I think it was another incredible example of how our community has stood up for its values as a sanctuary city and embraced members of our community who are seeking a pathway to legal citizenship in the United States,” he said.
To start the discussion around a new resolution to declare a climate emergency, Ward 2 Councilor Karen Foster said it was important to unite the entire city in favor of preventing climate change.
“The one paragraph that stands out to me is that I think it is important that we are calling on city government staff, civic groups, businesses, and residents. I think that is important because it is all of us and calling the city to continue to commit to carbon neutrality and climate initiatives,” she said.
Ward 5 Councilor Alex Jarrett said the resolution was a necessity and the city needed to move it along faster.
“This is an issue that as a city we have made considerable progress on but we are moving nowhere near fast enough and so we need to bring the issue to the forefront again and again. There are so many other issues pulling at our attention and they are important, but justice and climate must work together,” he said.
Ward 7 Councilor Rachel Maiore said she hopes the new resolution can serve as a guide for decision making at every level in the city.
“It is really a call for a shift in our mindsets for residents, businesses, municipal government, and larger government bodies. This resolution is aligned with the Climate Resilience and Regeneration plan and I hope it acts as a guidepost that we can carry with us through all of our decision making at every level,” she said.
The council unanimously approved the first reading of the resolution.
During the meeting, the council also approved second readings for the FY22-26 Capital Improvement Plan and the resolution to decriminalize psychedelic plants.
The council also approved a slew of Capital Improvement Plan projects, including $6 million for radio equipment, $450,000 for renovations to Hotel Bridge in Leeds, and $685,000 for Department of Public Works vehicles.
The Northampton City Council next meets on April 15.