I was disappointed to read in the Gazette that the Northampton City Council is considering an alternative to returning to full time in-person meetings. The ability for the City Council to meet remotely is a product of state government attempting to adapt the open meeting law to pandemic restrictions discouraging large public gatherings. At the end of March the emergency provisions permitting remote meetings will expire. I am writing to encourage the Northampton City Council to return to full time in person meetings for the full body of the council and all council committees.
Having been a member of the Northampton City Council for 14 years I understand the important dynamic of in-person meetings. The interaction and debate between members of the council is more spontaneous, deliberations are more complete, issues are better understood and decisions are more transparent when council meetings are held in person.
With the exception of Councilors Jim Nash and Marianne Labarge, the remainder of the current Northampton city councilors have never been required to meet in person in open public session. The time has come for that to change.
The roll of a city councilor is important. Those making the commitment to serve as a city councilor should be expected to arrive in person at Council Chambers, be prepared to face the public and debate the issues facing the city of Northampton. Councilors are also compensated $9,000 per year for their service and are eligible to enroll in the city’s health insurance program. A councilor that enrolls in a family plan through the city’s health insurance program receives a total benefit in excess of $24,400 annually.
This is an election year for the Northampton City Council. I would encourage the voters of Northampton to support only those candidates for council that make a commitment to return to in-person meetings of the full City Council and all of the council committees. The citizens of Northampton deserve nothing less.
David A. Murphy, city councilor (2006-2019)
Northampton