City of Northampton Newsletter

June 27, 2025

City Of Northampton

Jun 27, 2025

Reminder: Less Than a Month Left to Take Out Nomination Papers!

Blue sky background with yellow sunflowers. Text reads "Thinking about running for local office in this year’s municipal election? The deadline to take out nomination papers is fast approaching! Papers must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 21st. If you’re planning to run, don’t wait, visit the City Clerk’s website for important details and get your papers as soon as possible. You can also follow who’s already taken out papers by clicking the link below. " There is clip art of a banner with alternating triangular flags, one blue with white stars, one red and white striped, and so on. There is clip art of a hand putting a vote into a ballot box below the text.

Election Info

Northampton Selected for On-Street EV Charging Study

Blue sky background with yellow sunflowers. Text reads "Northampton has been selected to receive support through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s On-Street Charging Solutions Program, which aims to boost EV adoption by expanding curbside charging access, especially in low income and disadvantaged communities. This program runs through December 2026. Key objectives are: Identify suitable and equitable locations for EV chargers. It does not involve the installation of stations. Address technical and regulatory challenges. Engage with the community to ensure local needs and concerns are addressed. Provide recommendations for future implementation based on feasibility analysis. Some preliminary locations have been identified. As part of the community engagement effort, your support will be key to ensure all levels of the community are heard. The next step is to gather input about the preliminary sites selected. To participate in the survey, please click on the link below or scan the QR code. " There is a black and white QR code in the bottom right corner.

Take the Survey Here!

Free Film Festival for Disability Pride Month

The Northampton Disability Commission, Amherst Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and Easthampton Commission on Disability will host a FREE film festival for Disability Pride Month!

Patrice: The Movie, July 5, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. @ The Marigold Theater, 84 Cottage St., Easthampton (Screened by the Easthampton Commission on Disability)
The Ride Ahead, July 16, 5:00-8:00 p.m. @ Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst (Screened by the Amherst Commission for Persons with Disabilities)
Tallywacker, July 29, 3:30-5:30 p.m. @ Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St., Northampton (Screened by the Northampton Disability Commission)

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: CLOSED CAPTIONING, ASL INTERPRETER, AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS, AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VENUES. MASK IF YOU CAN.

More information and access requests: adacoordinator@northamptonma.gov

New Energy Advocate available to help you save time, money, and energy!

Learn More

Parks & Rec Updates

Northampton Parks & Recreation is off to a strong and sunny start this summer, with our popular camps—KidZone, Camp Hamp, and Teen Expeditions—welcoming their first groups of enthusiastic campers. Even with the hot weather, our campers and staff have shown incredible resilience and spirit. Safety Village begins next week!

From the first splash to the last high-five of the day, the energy at camp has been nothing short of electric. We’ve made the most of the warm weather with swimming at JFK Middle School, extra swim time during our field trips to scenic state parks and plenty of sprinkler fun back at camp. Shady spots have become cozy hubs for crafts, games, and cool-down conversations, while water breaks, and frozen treats help everyone stay refreshed and safe.

And the adventures haven’t stopped there—campers have laced up their skates and challenged their friends at Interskate 91 with skating and laser tag, and they’ve tested their agility and courage while running obstacle courses at Movement Terrain. Whether climbing, skating, splashing, or crafting, our campers are building memories, friendships, and confidence in a summer that’s already off to a great start.

Some campers spots remain in a few sessions of KidZone (grades 1-4) and Safety Village (ages 4-6). Click here.

Sports Skills programs offered too, check out those here.

Text Message Scam Alert!

Blue sky background with yellow sunflowers. Text reads "Fraudulent text messages are circulating claiming you have unpaid tickets and directing you to click on a link to pay. Northampton Parking does not contact individuals by text and never accepts payments via text. People who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from Northampton Parking should not click on the link. Similar scam text messages claiming to represent tolling agencies are also occurring. Parking Administration encourages people to contact agencies directly if an unsolicited text message is received to confirm the status of the ticket. Click on the link below to find out the status of a City of Northampton parking ticket. " There is a clip art image with an exclamation mark reading "fraud alert" in the upper right corner.

Confirm Ticket Status

Parties in the Park: Northampton’s Free Outdoor DJ Series

More Info

Ordinance Review Committee Open Forum

Blue sky background with yellow sunflowers. Text reads "The Ordinance Review Committee wants to hear from YOU. Are there any city ordinances that you think should be removed, changed, or added to make our lives better? Come tell us about it in person at the Northampton Senior Center on June 30 at 6 p.m., or on Zoom at the same time. Pizza and cookies will be available at the in-person meeting on a first-come-first-serve basis as a thank you for spending your dinner hour with us! If you can't make the meeting, please send your request to lkrutzler@northamptonma.gov. " There is an image of the ordinance review forum flyer on the right, which contains the information in the text along with cookie and pizza clip art.

UMass Research Team Installs Bike Counter on Path

A research team from UMass Amherst has installed a bike counter along the bike path in Northampton. The device will collect usage data for at least a year as part of a larger research study.

This initiative is part of a study titled “Can Schematic Bicycle Maps Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions?” being conducted by individuals from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The purpose of this research is to better understand bicycle, electric bicycle, and electric scooter needs and preferences. The study also aims to investigate whether schematic maps can significantly impact the adoption of these more sustainable modes of transportation.

Keep an eye out for the counter, and thanks for supporting data-driven solutions to reduce emissions and improve biking in our community! This survey/questionnaire will ask about your mobility patterns, choices, and preferences, and it will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please click below to complete the survey!

Flyer reads "Help Us Design Better Bike Maps!" The QR code is in the center of the flyer halfway down the page.

Survey

ARPA Updates

For the official start to summer, we want to introduce an ARPA project that is providing an additional opportunity for residents and visitors of all ages to spend some time outside. ARPA funds were awarded to build a dedicated petanque court in Maines Field, which is now open and available for the public to enjoy!

What is petanque?

Petanque is a bowling game of French origin in which a player standing within a circle placed or scratched on the ground throws or rolls usually steel balls down a long, typically dirt or gravel court to stop as close as possible to a smaller target ball (Merriam Webster).

Don't have petanque equipment? The court can also be used to play bocce, which is similar in many ways.

We hope you find some time to get outside and enjoy the wonderful parks and open spaces in Northampton this summer. A special thank you to the Parks and Recreation Department and the Department of Public Works for assisting with this project!

Parks & Recreation

Northampton Public School’s Superintendent’s Newsletter

Superintendent's Newsletter

Dive into Summer Reading at Forbes Library!

Blue sky background with yellow sunflowers. Text reads "This summer we're inspired by our aquatic and amphibious friends: wading into a world of stories and diving deep into learning! This all-ages program runs through the end of August. Pick up your reading tracker in the Children's Department (for kids and teens) or the Reference Desk (for adults). Keep track of your reading throughout the summer to earn a free book and raffle entries for some cool prizes. Prizes and raffle entries will be available starting July 1. Learn more about the annual Summer Reading Program on the Forbes Library website, linked below." There is an image in the bottom right corner that reads "Dive Into Summer Reading! Forbes Library 2025" in front of a colorful illustrated background of the ocean with coral and fish.

Forbes Library

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) News

Division of Community Care

Get Tickets Here

West Nile Virus Identified in Mosquitoes in Massachusetts

This year’s heavy spring rains have created ideal conditions for mosquitoes across Massachusetts, and Northampton is no exception. As many residents have noticed, mosquito activity is unusually high for this time of year. Most of the mosquitoes we see in early spring are what’s known as “nuisance mosquitoes:” they bite aggressively but do not typically carry diseases harmful to humans.

As a member of the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District (PVMCD), the City of Northampton participates in a coordinated approach to mosquito management that includes:

Surveillance and monitoring of mosquito populations
Targeted larval treatments in breeding areas
Species identification and testing for disease
Public education and outreach

While early spring mosquitoes generally pose a nuisance rather than a public health threat, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) recently reported the unusual early detection of West Nile Virus in a mosquito sample from Worcester County. This serves as a timely reminder that mosquito-borne illnesses can emerge earlier than expected, and prevention remains essential.

Protect yourself and your home with these safety tips:

Avoid Dusk to Dawn: Reduce mosquito exposure by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Fix Doors and Windows: Make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside.
Wear Proper Clothing: Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants significantly helps reduce mosquito bites.
Use Repellent: The CDC recommends using repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients, including DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon-eucalyptus. When using repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label.
Eliminate standing water around your home, where mosquitoes breed. Buckets, plant pots, kiddie pools, tire swings, and anything that holds water should be emptied to prevent mosquito habitat (mosquitoes can breed in standing water in something as small as a bottle cap!).

Bright turquoise background that reads "FIGHT THE BITE! You can't get sick if you don't get bit!" In red and black text. There is a clip art image of a mosquito crossed out in a red x.

Department of Health & Human Services

Flyer reading "The Northampton Sidewalk Sales, July 24-27, 2025" In front of an illustrated image of downtown northampton.

Q&A with Mayor Sciarra

Q: Is there an update on this season’s paving schedule?

A: Below is an anticipated schedule for construction projects managed by the Department of Public Works:

1. Bids were opened on June 18, and Warner Brothers is the low bidder and will be mobilizing into the City in the coming weeks for the following streets:

Country Way
Rustlewood Ridge
Morningside Drive
Maplewood Terrace
Birch Lane
Winterberry Lane
Church Street
Northern Avenue
Woodbine Avenue
Fair Street
145-215 South Street

2. Sidewalk Reconstruction on Bedford Terrace, Elm Street, and Florence Road will be bid in the coming weeks for summer/fall 2025 construction.

3. Sidewalk spot repairs for various locations on Village Hill and South Street neighborhoods will be bid in the coming weeks for summer/fall 2025 construction.

4. Design plans are in development with anticipated late summer bidding/fall 2025 construction for:

Carpenter Avenue
Jewett Street
Belmont Avenue
Randolph Place

5. Kingsley Avenue and Florence Street have drainage and sewer considerations, which have delayed plan development. Both are under engineering review and are planned for spring/summer 2026 construction.

6. Eversource will be working to replace its low-pressure gas main in the coming months on several streets. We are unable to pave until their project is complete, and they are expected to work through the winter season. Repaving is anticipated in the summer of 2026:

Sheffield Lane
Hillcrest Drive
Stilson Avenue
Hillside Road
Langworthy Road
Crescent Street
Summer Street

7. Terrace Lane water main replacement and repaving will be bid in the coming weeks for summer/fall 2025 construction.