Easthampton meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Easthampton weekly roundup: Concerts rescheduled, housing and budget items on agendas

The Cultural District Subcommittee was the only body with official minutes published this period, deciding to move a summer concert to Saturday, September 26, and add a second concert Friday, November 6, at the Marigold Theater. Most other Easthampton meetings held over the past two weeks have agendas available but minutes not yet published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Cultural District Subcommittee

The subcommittee also discussed a possible partnership with the Chamber for a cultural chaos festival in June 2027, with a future meeting planned to address budget and logistics. No further details on that proposal were recorded in the available minutes.

City Council and Finance

The City Council agenda for July 15 listed a supplemental appropriation of $102,080.00 from Capital Stabilization to MassTrails, public hearings on Eversource utility pole installations on Knipfer Avenue and Greenwood Court, and a Traffic Rules & Orders amendment hearing. Mayoral appointments for EDIC, the Commission on Disability, and the Board of Health were also on the agenda. Minutes are not yet published.

The City Council Finance Committee agenda included a proposed transfer of $2,129.55 from the Reserve Fund to cover salary adjustments across the Auditor and City Clerk offices, broken into six line items ranging from $27.34 to $1,305.07. Minutes are not yet published.

Housing and Community Preservation

The Community Preservation Act Committee agenda for July 16 listed three funding requests: $500,000 for 6 South Street Affordable Housing by NRP Group, $200,000 for 17 Adams Street Affordable Housing by Adams St Tenants Union, and $13,200 for a Housing Production Plan Update by the Planning Department. The committee also planned to review account balances and biannual project reports. Minutes are not yet published.

The Rent Study Committee agenda for July 7 included discussion of a home rule petition to allow Easthampton to implement rent stabilization, with policy parameters such as a cap on rent increases and a working group to draft legislation. Minutes are not yet published.

Public Safety and Ordinances

The City Council Public Safety Committee agenda for July 7 included a General Ordinance amendment to add e-bike regulations, a request for a stop sign at Brook St. and Hendrick St., and a quarterly review of public safety departments. The Ordinance Committee agenda for July 14 listed a new Recreation Coordinator pay plan position, a Cannabis Equity Ordinance, residency requirements for committee members, and a cryptocurrency ATM ordinance. Minutes are not yet published for both.

Health and Licensing

The Board of Health held hearings on 41 Briggs Street and La Veracruzana on July 8, with a continued hearing on La Veracruzana on July 15. The board also planned to review body-art and tobacco regulations. The Licensing Board agenda for July 13 listed one-day licenses for a Polish Polka Party and Chickadee Karaoke at 20 Cottage St., plus new liquor license applications from Chickadee Karaoke (20 Cottage St.) and the Polish Pulaski Club of Easthampton, Inc. (79 Maple St.). Minutes are not yet published.

Conservation and Pond

The Conservation Commission agenda for July 13 included an artist studio construction request at 26 Nashawannuck Street and an emergency certification to dismantle a beaver dam under Everett Street. The Nashawannuck Pond Committee met July 8 and July 13 to discuss shoreline stabilization, a viewing platform, a siltation basin, and the pond management plan. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **July 20 — School Committee Finance Subcommittee:** Review of EPSD FY2026 finances.
• **July 20 — School Committee Policy Subcommittee:** Discussion of timeout, seclusion, and restraint policies, plus medication administration rules.
• **July 20 — Manhan Rail Trail Committee:** Possible new bike/pedestrian sub-committee and trail maintenance updates.
• **July 21 — School Committee:** Vote on accepting an $80,000 Genocide Education Grant from DESE and approval of payrolls and accounts payable totaling over $3 million.
• **July 21 — Development & Industrial Commission:** Member recruitment and marketing discussion.
• **August 3 — 9/11 Tribute Committee:** Election of a new chair and monument design discussion.

Easthampton Meeting Roundup: Tax Warrants, Rent Stabilization Talks, and Upcoming Housing Funding Requests

Easthampton boards and committees held a busy stretch of meetings from June 30 through July 9, covering tax warrants, rent stabilization policy, public safety ordinances, and garden operations. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, so outcomes and vote tallies are not yet confirmed by official records. Several consequential items appear on upcoming agendas for the week of July 13–16.

Board of Assessors — FY2027 Tax Warrants

The Board of Assessors met June 30 to review and sign FY2027 real estate, Community Preservation Act, and personal property warrants. The agenda also listed motor vehicle abatements, FY2026 late exemption denials, FY2026 CPA exemptions, and FY2025, FY2026, and FY2027 pro rata and pro forma real estate bills. The board planned to discuss filling a data collector position. Minutes are not yet published.

Rent Study Committee — Home Rule Petition

On July 7, the Rent Study Committee discussed a home rule petition that would allow Easthampton to implement rent stabilization. Agenda items included setting policy parameters such as a cap on rent increases and solidifying a working group to draft legislation. The committee also reviewed Somerville Anti-Displacement Task Force materials and held a 15-minute public comment period. No votes are confirmed.

Public Safety Committee — E-Bike Regulations and Stop Sign Request

The City Council Public Safety Committee met July 7 to discuss amending the General Ordinances to include e-bike regulations and use rules. The committee also considered a request to install a stop sign on Brook St. at Hendrick St. A quarterly review of public safety departments and a review of traffic rules and orders were also listed. Minutes are not yet published.

Board of Health — Hearings on 41 Briggs St. and La Veracruzana

The Board of Health held two public hearings on July 8 — one concerning 41 Briggs Street and another concerning La Veracruzana. The board also reviewed proposed changes to body art and tobacco regulations and received updates from the Director of Public Health and the Health Inspector. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Housing Authority — Reimbursement and Stipend Motions

On July 9, the Housing Authority considered motions to accept CFAs for EOHLC reimbursement, authorize the executive director as EOHLC signatory, and approve a $17.50 weekly telephone stipend for the executive director and resident service coordinator. The agenda also included accepting June 2026 meeting minutes, warrant, treasurer report, and income/expense report. Vote tallies are not available.

Other Committees

The Community Garden Committee discussed removing an old compost pile to create new plots and managing multifloral rose and thistle with UMASS assistance. The Agricultural Commission reviewed new farmland inventory maps and a t-shirt design. The Arts Coordinating Committee received updates on Cottage Street Cultural District events including Beats on the Boardwalk, Sidewalk Strut, and Floating Sculptures. The Commission on Disability discussed an accessibility ordinance update and World Disability Day planning. The Nashawannuck Pond Committee reviewed shoreline stabilization, a viewing platform, and a siltation basin. All minutes are pending.

Coming Up

Several meetings scheduled for July 13–16 warrant attention:

• **City Council (July 15):** A supplemental appropriation of $102,080.00 from Capital Stabilization to MassTrails is on the agenda, along with public hearings on Eversource utility pole installations and traffic rules amendments. Mayoral appointments for EDIC, Commission on Disability, and Board of Health are also listed.
• **CPA Committee (July 16):** Funding requests totaling $713,200 are on the agenda — $500,000 for 6 South Street Affordable Housing (NRP Group), $200,000 for 17 Adams Street Affordable Housing (Adams St Tenants Union), and $13,200 for a Housing Production Plan update (Planning Dept).
• **Conservation Commission (July 13):** An emergency certification for beaver dam removal under Everett Street and an artist studio construction request at 26 Nashawannuck Street are scheduled.
• **Licensing Board (July 13):** Special one-day licenses for a Polish Polka Party and Chickadee Karaoke at 20 Cottage St., plus new liquor license applications from Chickadee Karaoke and the Polish Pulaski Club of Easthampton, Inc. at 79 Maple St.
• **Historical Commission (July 15):** A continued public hearing on a demolition delay for 100 Briggs St.
• **Ordinance Committee (July 14):** Discussion of a Cannabis Equity Ordinance and a Recreation Coordinator pay plan position.