Northampton City Council approves easements with Valley Community Development Corporation to support affordable housing
December 23, 2025 | Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts
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The Northampton City Council on Dec. 23 approved Order 25.358, authorizing amendments to temporary and permanent easements between the City and Valley Community Development Corporation intended to support affordable housing development in the city. The vote was unanimous among members present.
Councilors moved quickly through the item after the council suspended a rule that allows minority voters to force reconsideration at the next meeting. Councilor Jarrett moved to suspend “rule 4 13 4, reconsideration,” Councilor Maori seconded, and the motion passed on a roll-call vote with eight yes votes and one absence.
Councilor Maori then moved to approve Order 25.358, and a second was recorded. The clerk took a roll-call vote: Councilors Elkins, Jarrett, Klemmer, LaBarge, Maori, Moulton, Perry and Dobbs voted yes; Councilor Rothenberg was absent. The Council President stated, “That passes unanimously.”
The transcript records no extended public comment or substantive debate on the easement amendments during the meeting. The council noted the item had been delayed earlier by a charter objection raised the prior Thursday, and the suspension of the reconsideration rule was presented as a procedural step to prevent further delay.
After approving the easement order, the council moved to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Liore, seconded by Councilor Elkins, and carried on a roll call with the same members voting in favor. The meeting concluded shortly after the approvals.
What the council approved and what remains unclear: the agenda identified Order 25.358 as an amendment to temporary and permanent easements between the City and Valley Community Development Corporation to support affordable housing, but the transcript does not provide the text of the easement changes, any parcel identifiers, or implementation dates. Those specific legal and project details were not specified in the recorded remarks and would be found in the council docket or the order’s written materials.
Councilors moved quickly through the item after the council suspended a rule that allows minority voters to force reconsideration at the next meeting. Councilor Jarrett moved to suspend “rule 4 13 4, reconsideration,” Councilor Maori seconded, and the motion passed on a roll-call vote with eight yes votes and one absence.
Councilor Maori then moved to approve Order 25.358, and a second was recorded. The clerk took a roll-call vote: Councilors Elkins, Jarrett, Klemmer, LaBarge, Maori, Moulton, Perry and Dobbs voted yes; Councilor Rothenberg was absent. The Council President stated, “That passes unanimously.”
The transcript records no extended public comment or substantive debate on the easement amendments during the meeting. The council noted the item had been delayed earlier by a charter objection raised the prior Thursday, and the suspension of the reconsideration rule was presented as a procedural step to prevent further delay.
After approving the easement order, the council moved to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Liore, seconded by Councilor Elkins, and carried on a roll call with the same members voting in favor. The meeting concluded shortly after the approvals.
What the council approved and what remains unclear: the agenda identified Order 25.358 as an amendment to temporary and permanent easements between the City and Valley Community Development Corporation to support affordable housing, but the transcript does not provide the text of the easement changes, any parcel identifiers, or implementation dates. Those specific legal and project details were not specified in the recorded remarks and would be found in the council docket or the order’s written materials.
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