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Date: 5/24/2022
EASTHAMPTON – During a May 18 public hearing, the Easthampton City Council approved nine different supplemental appropriations to cover costs for specific items relating to the Department of Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department, housing and the Information Technology Department.
Eight of the nine appropriations passed unanimously including $156,130 for housing sustainability and a financial literacy program, close to $27,500 for the fiscal year 2022 (FY22) IT Department payroll, $148,000 for fire and ambulance expenses – including for personnel and equipment – $49,800 to fund design services for upgrades to the Liberty Street pump station, $15,000 for tree work, $93,500 for the snow and ice deficit from FY22, $40,000 to cover fuel costs for the remainder of FY22, and $4,000 to cover trash removal and pickup for the remainder of FY2022.
In a vote of 8-1, the City Council also approved $89,864 for one Tesla police cruiser, police conversion equipment, and two electric vehicle charging stations. According to Cassie Tragert, the conservation agent for Easthampton, the city pursued a grant in late 2021 through the state’s Green Communities program to help pay for the two Tesla vehicles. One of the vehicles was purchased using the federal drug forfeiture account, while the second one was included in this appropriation, which will also cover retrofitting the two vehicles.
“As a green community, we need to keep pursuing avenues to decrease our dependency on fossil fuels,” said Tragert, referring to the reason for pursuing this grant. “Electrical vehicles are something we can do in that favor.”
According to Police Chief Robert Alberti, the Tesla cruiser will be used for traffic and parking complaints and can also be utilized for other duties throughout the city. According to Alberti, the battery life for the Teslas, based on information from the manufacturer, can last up to 12 to 15 years. The Fords they have now, meanwhile, last up to five years. He also argued that many other police departments in other communities have had success with these vehicles.
“It’s important we go after Green Community Grants, and I’m grateful for all of the research Cassie has done,” said Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, adding that Tesla was the only vehicle available that met the requirements of a safety cruiser. LaChapelle also emphasized the fact that other environmentally friendly options could be available down the road for places like the Fire Department.
Despite the positive vote, there was some opposition from the public with regards to spending more money on the Police Department, as well as some hesitation from a couple of councilors. “Not only does the Easthampton Police Department not need another vehicle at this time, it’s another instance in a pattern of the Police Department acquiring funds and equipment with a lack of public input,” said Easthampton resident Donovan Lee. “It would not be an ecological benefit to buy a car we don’t need.”
District 3 Councilor Thomas Peake admitted that he initially had trepidation about this appropriation due to the brand, and the reputation of CEO Elon Musk, who Peake said he finds erratic and disturbing. “I like the idea of us electrifying our fleet a lot, but I do have a little trepidation about the company,” said Peake.
At-Large City Councilor Koni Denham, who was the only one to vote no on the appropriation, said she appreciated all the research that went into this but acknowledged the supposed issues other communities have had transporting people due to the Tesla’s compactness.
“As someone who grew up in extreme poverty, I would find it exceedingly challenging to be pulled over in my community by a luxury vehicle,” said Denham. “I think that sends the wrong message to a working-class community like this.”
The other notable item was the $156,130 for housing sustainability and an 18-month financial literacy program that Assistant Planner Jamie Webb said will help low to moderate income homeowners and renters with housing counseling services. The appropriation will also assist with up to $25,000 first-time homebuyer down payment assistance grants. The City Council was overwhelmingly supportive of this.
“Anytime we can help to make housing more affordable for moderate and low-income households and make it easier for them to understand financing housing, it is one of the primary tenants of the CPA legislation,” said District 5 Councilor Dan Rist.
LaChapelle also read her preliminary message about the FY23 budget, which will be heavily discussed in meetings across the next few weeks. Over $29.6 million is being proposed for education, and the finance budget hearing for that section of the budget is scheduled for May 31. Other dates can be found in the May 18 City Council agenda packet.