NORTHAMPTON - Negotiations are under way to get the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence to offer Occupy Northampton protesters safe haven on its front lawn at 220 Main St.

The church is extending a conditional invitation to protesters for use of its lawn for a long-term, around-the-clock encampment as part of the nationwide Occupy Wall Street movement.

In an announcement to the congregation released Friday, Unitarian Society Board of Trustees President Cornelia Klimczak said trustees acted in response to a request by Acting Mayor David Narkewicz.

Narkewicz said his office facilitated meetings between the Unitarian Society and protesters to work out an arrangement for protesters to erect tents for winter camping downtown, but not in Pulaski Park, where camping is prohibited by city ordinance.

"The church is close and they have the front lawn," he said. "The Unitarian Society is progressive and committed to social justice, so I see this as a good match to their ideals and mission."

Klimczak wrote in a letter to parishioners, "The Board decided that hosting the protesters was consistent with our mission and agreed to a trial period."

The Rev. Janet Bush of the Unitarian Society said the decision was the congregation's to make. She said she supported the idea.

Occupy Northampton protester Angela Tasca said the group sees its downtown presence as an important part of its mission.

"I think there is a strong feeling that there is important symbolism in our occupation of a highly visible part of the downtown, even if not a public part," she said. "It shows our solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement."

Occupiers have been staying overnight in nearby Pulaski Park, using sleeping bags wrapped in plastic tarps, since soon after the Occupy Wall Street protests started in New York City Sept. 17.

Police intervened Oct. 13 when demonstrators tried to set up tents for overnight camping, said Chief Russell Sienkiewicz.

"The tents were contrary to an agreement we had with the group," said Sienkiewicz. "We asked them to remove them and they agreed."

The group has continued to maintain its 24-hour presence in the park since, he said.

Tasca, of Occupy Northampton, said Friday that the protesters, the city and the Unitarian Society are working together to come to agreement on use of the society's property, the scope of the encampment and the logistics for having people stay there around the clock.

"There have been some stipulations, things like not blocking the signs on the street, no one entering the building or congregating on the front porch," Tasca said. "We are also responsible for trash and sanitation."

"One of the concerns we have is how many people do we allow," she said. "It is hard to say how large the group may grow, but some suggestions are perhaps 12 to 15 people with six tents, while others suggested one tent and several signs."