City of Northampton Newsletter
February 27, 2026
Northampton Youth Cinema Festival 2026
Celebrating the Next Generation of Visual Storytellers
We will celebrate a nearly two-decade legacy of cinematic excellence in the Pioneer Valley. After a successful student-led relaunch three years ago, the Northampton Youth Cinema Festival (NYCF) continues to serve as a vital platform for filmmakers aged 21 and younger to bring their visions to the big screen.
By partnering with local students, we ensure that our city’s rich history of independent cinema remains vibrant, evolving with the diverse and fresh voices of our community’s youth.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: The Workroom, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA
Call for Entries
Are you a filmmaker with a story to tell? We are looking for original works across all genres: Narrative, Documentary, Animation, and Experimental.
Submission Deadlines:
Earlybird: March 1, 2026
Regular: April 1, 2026
Final Call: April 21, 2026
Notification: April 24, 2026
How to Submit: Visit filmfreeway.com/NYCF to upload your project. Note: Principal creators must be 21 or younger. Films should be under 30 minutes (under 20 minutes preferred).
Contact Information For inquiries, please contact: Brian Foote, Director of Arts and Culture Phone: 413-587-1069 | Email: arts@northamptonma.gov
Share the Warmth: Thank You for Showing What Community Care Looks Like
During one of the coldest stretches in recent years, the City of Northampton Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Community Care (DCC), hosted its “Share the Warmth” Clothing Drive from January 12 through February 20 to support community members most vulnerable to extreme winter conditions.
Throughout the drive, there was a critical need for winter clothing, including coats, sweatshirts, thermal layers, hats, gloves, socks, and boots. Donations of winter gear such as blankets, sleeping bags, tents, and tarps were also greatly needed as temperatures repeatedly fell below freezing.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the community, 1,271 pounds of clothing and winter supplies were donated. Contributions included 198 jackets, 259 sweaters, and many shirts, pants, thermal items, gloves, hats, and scarves. In addition, 58 pairs of boots and 15 sleeping bags were donated, along with blankets, backpacks, umbrellas, and tents.
Cold weather poses significant health risks, especially for individuals without stable housing. This winter has brought unusually bitter and lasting cold spells. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures increases the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other serious health complications. During this especially harsh winter, warm clothing and protective gear served as essential, often lifesaving, tools, and this outpouring of support helped ensure that many community members were better protected from the elements. This incredible outpouring of support is a powerful reminder that Northampton is a community that truly cares. Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, and helped make this effort possible. Your compassion and generosity made a meaningful difference when it mattered most.
Board of Health Invites Public Dialogue on Nicotine-Free Generation Policy
The City of Northampton Department of Health and Human Services and the Northampton Board of Health will host a community forum on Thursday, March 5, providing an opportunity for open dialogue and public discussion about a proposed Nicotine-Free Generation (NFG) policy. Community members are encouraged to attend to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and share perspectives. No deliberations or votes will occur at this forum.
The Nicotine-Free Generation policy is a forward-looking public health approach that would gradually phase out the sale of nicotine products to future generations by establishing a birth-year cutoff for legal sales. Nearly all lifelong nicotine addiction begins during adolescence, when the brain is especially vulnerable. Preventing initiation during these years is more effective than treating addiction later and helps protect future generations without affecting current adult consumers. While youth cigarette smoking has declined, tobacco companies continue to introduce and market high-nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches that appeal to young people. NFG allows communities to respond proactively to these evolving products rather than after addiction has taken hold.
Over the past year, the Board of Health has reviewed the policy in public meetings, considering background research, experiences from other Massachusetts communities, and implementation factors. The Board is now seeking public input before making decisions.
The regularly scheduled Board of Health meeting on Thursday, March 19, will provide an additional opportunity for public comment. During this meeting, the Board will receive testimony, review information, reflect on feedback shared during the community forum, and deliberate on potential next steps.
Public Forum: Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9833577075?omn=87507003442
Or call 1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID 983 357 7075
Board of Health Meeting: Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 5:50–7:30 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86147100429
Or call 1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 861 4710 0429
For more information, please contact the Northampton Department of Health and Human Services at (413) 587-1215 or healthdept@northamptonma.gov.
Black History Month Reminds Us Health Is Collective
Health is shaped by communities, systems, and resources, not just individuals. Black History Month highlights how structural inequities have affected access to quality care and essential resources, contributing to disparities in maternal health, chronic disease, mental health, and life expectancy for Black Americans. Recognizing this history is key to advancing health equity.
Black Americans have long transformed public health. From Dr. Charles Drew’s life-saving blood banking innovations to Dr. Joycelyn Elders’ leadership as U.S. Surgeon General, and countless nurses, organizers, and community health workers, their work shows that public health thrives on equity, justice, and community care. Today, grassroots vaccination efforts, mental health initiatives, and prevention programs continue this legacy.
The Northampton Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) embodies this approach through harm reduction, public health nursing, and the Division of Community Care (DCC). This Black History Month, we honor Black leadership not just through reflection but through action: acknowledging privilege, confronting disparities and social determinants of health, and investing in equity to build a healthier, fairer future for all.
Annual Street Listing Campaign Update
After a slight delay, the annual street list is finally reaching mailboxes. We kindly ask that you review the information on the form for accuracy and return the signed listing within 10 days of receipt, if possible. At the bottom of the census, you’ll find an application to license your dog for the upcoming licensing season.
2026 Dog Licenses
Note that 2025 tags expire on March 31, 2026; a late fee is applied beginning May 1st, 2026.
Avoid delays in getting new tags:
Make sure to provide a copy of the vet’s paperwork showing that the rabies vaccination is in good standing.
Send the right fee: $10.00 for altered pet(s); $20.00 for unaltered pet(s)
Include a $20.00 late fee for each pet if you did not license your pet in 2025, but were required to.
New to Northampton? If you have licensed your pet for 2026 in another Massachusetts community, simply provide a copy of an active license and we can issue a transfer license for $1.00.
Intending to Marry?
Are you planning an upcoming marriage ceremony? Don’t forget to file your intentions in the City Clerk’s Office at least 3 days prior to the marriage! In Massachusetts you can file your marriage intentions in any city or town and solemnize the marriage in any other city or town. Your solemnizer must have the license in hand in order for the ceremony to be performed. A marriage license will expire in 60 days if the ceremony does not take place. For more information about getting married, check out our webpage HERE. You can also use the link on the web page to schedule an appointment to complete the paperwork necessary to obtain a license.
Would you like to vote by mail this fall?
The quickest way to request a vote by mail ballot for the September 1, 2026 State Primary and/or the November 3, 2026 State Election is to use the ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM on the Secretary of State’s website. If you cannot use the online system, may we suggest filling out THIS FORM and emailing it to: voting@northamptonma.gov
Early voting prior to each election will take place at City Hall in the Hearing Room, second floor. Dates and times will be announced over the summer.
Summer Camp Programs 2026
Registration will open Monday, March 2, 2026, at 9:00am for Parks & Recreation Summer Camps! This includes Safety Village, Camp Kidzone, Camp Hamp, & Teen Expeditions. Learn more below!
Unity Basketball
Join us for FIVE nights of FREE basketball, community, pizza, fun and competition!
Unity Basketball is run with the goal of encouraging communication between young people and community responders in a fun and competitive setting.
Each session will start off with skill-building drills & games and be followed by a break for some pizza & community speakers. Sessions will conclude with organized scrimmages against their peers! The program will be led by members of the local community partners. Registered players will receive a t-shirt for participating in the program. Though this is a fee event, pre-registration is required as it enables us to organize each night effectively. Click here to view the program flyer. Haga clic aquí para ver el folleto en español.
Program Details
For: Youth in Grades 5-8
Days: Mondays
Dates: (5 sessions) March 16, 30 | April 13, 27 | May 11
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Fee: FREE!
Registration: Please complete the Google Form to register for one, some or all sessions
Please note that pre-registration is required to help us organize each session effectively!
Location: JFK Middle School Gym
100 Bridge Road, Florence, MA. Enter via the back of the school through the glass doors across from the tennis courts.
Lil’ Sluggers T-Ball
Players learn teamwork and cooperation, build self-confidence and self-esteem, exercise and have fun! Lil’ Sluggers T-Bal Baseball is for youth ages 4-6 years old and serves as an introduction to the sports of baseball and softball in a fun and active environment. The Northampton Parks & Recreation Department recognizes that this is often a family’s first experience into the world of organized sports and strives to make a rewarding experience. Click here to view the flyer. (Haga clic aquí para ver el folleto en español).
For: Ages 4-6 (must be 4 as of August 31, 2026)
Dates: Saturdays, April 25 - June 13 (makeup June 20, if needed)
No program on 5/24 - Memorial Day Weekend
Time: 9:00 - 10:15 AM and/or 10:30 - 11:45 AM
Location: TBD
Fee: $50.00 ($60.00 non-residents)
Includes a team t-shirt and hat!
Financial assistance is available to residents who qualify. Click here for further information.
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.4 Million to Support Priority Restoration Projects
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $1.4 million in grants to support river and wetland restoration. The funding, provided by the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) was awarded to twelve communities, including eight projects through DER’s Priority Projects Program and one project through DER’s Culvert Replacement Training Site Initiative. These projects will help to strengthen resilience to climate change, reduce flood risks, improve water quality and public safety, and restore vital wildlife habitat. The City of Northampton received the following award as a Priority Project:
· Nashawannuck Brook Restoration; Northampton
o Award: City of Northampton; $154,650
o This project is restoring floodplain connection, enhancing stream habitat, creating wetland habitat, and replanting the riparian corridor on a former golf course in Northampton. This award will support construction.
Thank you very much to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Division of Ecological Restoration.