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Date: 10/21/2020
EASTHAMPTON – At the Oct. 14 meeting, the city council voted to move all voting precincts to Easthampton High School on 70 Williston Ave. There will be no voting at White Brook Middle School on Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This change is in effect until the completion of the new elementary and middle school at 200 Park St. At some point the city council will reassess the polling places and they will be reconsidered.
City Clerk Barbara LaBombard said there will be signs at White Brook Middle School to remind and direct those residents to the high school. She is hoping to have electronic signage but LaBombard said she is not 100 percent sure if they will have them in time.
Code Red calls will go out to residents and LaBombard said she will add a scrolling banner to the city’s website as election day gets closer.
Precincts 1 and 2 will be in the cafeteria and lobby and precincts 3,4, and 5 will be in the gym to guarantee there is plenty of space for social distancing.
Daniel Rist, city council vice-president, said they are encouraging the public to use mail-in and early voting to keep election day numbers down.
All voters should wear masks, some will be available for those who do not have one or those who are wearing a mask with a political message. Hand sanitizer will be available. LaBombard said voters can bring their pens if they choose but they will be cleaning the provided pens between each use.
Early voting will still take place at 50 Payson Ave on the second floor. Dates and times can be found on the city’s website.
During the public hearing on Wednesday night, Salem Derby expressed that the Zoning Ordinance Subcommittee is still discussing amending section 10.10 to allow cannabis cultivation, research, and development in new buildings in the Highway Business Zoning District. He expressed that he knew they would not be ready but wanted to allow the public to speak on this matter.
There is a proposed cannabis research and development, and retailer to be located at 93, 95, and 97 Northampton St., the former Tasty Top, and golf course location.
David Bouquillion, who is a part of the Easthampton Advanced Research Park (EHARP) spoke to the ordinance. He said the way it is written is to be able to do their plans in a new building. From their perspective, it makes more sense for them to build a new state-of-the- art building rather than renovate an old building.
John Moriarty, the attorney representing Dennis Courtney who is the owner of the land on Northampton St spoke on behalf of Courtney.
“We are very much in favor of the zone change. This is a process that has been going on in terms of development for about two years at this point. The development is something that would be extremely valuable to the city and of course obviously in my client’s interest to sell his property. Also with the mind to doing so with a developer who is going to be here quite a long time, in terms of the requirements of the investment,” Moriarty said.
Derby said this zoning change would affect the entire district, not just this proposed sight. The council agreed to have the next public hearing for this topic on Nov. 4 at 6:15 p.m. There will be an additional meeting beforehand but no date has been set.
A change to the city’s single-use plastic policy will go into effect in October 2021. This gives the Zoning Ordinance time to work with the health department, businesses to find the right vendors, and work with the community.
The ordinance would eliminate all plastic bags and replace them with paper bags or residents’ reusable bags. It would eliminate single-use plastic containers, polyethylene containers, single-use utensils, and ask that people use compostable containers.
Right now straws are still in question because some people need straws due to a disability. Councilor Owen Zaret said they are encouraging businesses to use non-plastic straws.
The ordinance will also address other plastics like dry cleaning or newspaper bags.
Lindsey Rothschild said when she reached out to businesses on Cottage St. and Union St., she received good feedback. Some businesses were proud to show her that they have already adopted to what will be in the ordinance. Some businesses said they wanted to make the transition but were stuck thinking about certain items they sell. For example, hot liquids.
There will be an option for businesses to apply for an exemption if the cost is too high or they cannot find an alternative. Zaret said the enforcement will be through the Board of Health.
The ordinance committee is now tasked with voting on changing Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. Zaret said the language of the item will be discussed and they welcome feedback from the public.
The committee has been working on this for a year. Zaret said it was a process of connecting with voices of Indigenous people throughout the Commonwealth.
“I am just bringing their voices to the forefront. This is not a place for me to lead, but to help. It took a while to make sure I had the appropriate conversations and connected with the appropriate voices” Zaret said.
Derby is a tribal member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah and supports the ordinance. Zaret said his collaborative was very important because of his perspective.
Mahtowin Munro of the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) helped with the language and the committee received a letter of support from the Taino people.
“We have received a lot of voices of support from a variety of Native American people from around the state. Additionally, the measure has been supported by Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples Day,” said Zaret.
There is no set date for when this will come back to the full council to make a vote.