EASTHAMPTON — Mayor Nicole LaChapelle used her recent annual state of the city address to highlight how Easthampton is building a “more resilient city for the future,” covering an array of projects and initiatives under way and in development that she believes will help build a “financially secure, just and equitable community.”

With concerns about COVID-19 still present in the community, LaChapelle worked with E-Media to pre-record her annual address. Much like the previous year, LaChapelle reflected on the impact that the global pandemic had on Easthampton and recognized the efforts of all who dealt with the constant changes and demands imposed by the public health crisis. The mayor also acknowledged that there will likely be upcoming struggles when federal and state pandemic money tapers off and leaves a gap in local funding.

In her speech, which is available on the city’s website and Facebook page as well as E-Media’s YouTube channel, highlights the city’s resiliency planning investing in capital projects and increasing the city’s reserve.

“This is how we build a more financially secure, just, equitable, and resilient city,” she said. “We speak of resiliency in terms of climate change, but it encompasses our mission and vision as a city.”

LaChapelle said the city’s road, sewer and wastewater projects will help Easthampton withstand the “increasingly erratic and severe weather” that comes with climate change.

Each of the city’s projects are in state-designated “environmental justice” neighborhoods — which means that the annual median house is 65% or less of the statewide annual median household income, and/or areas in which minorities make up to 40% or more of the population.

LaChapelle said the projects are “meant to future-proof our city against the changes in the world around us” and create a “cleaner environment as well as expanding economic development possibilities.”

Climate action plan

The city intends to create its first climate action plan to take stock of what steps are necessary to minimize the municipalities’ carbon output. LaChapelle said the plan will act as a guide to electrifying the city’s fleet of vehicles, migrating to more efficient water, sewer and wastewater technology, and negotiating solar pilot programs, which are designed to expand renewable energy for low-income households that do not have the ability to participate in existing low-income solar photovoltaic programs.

She also spoke of how the pandemic exposed the widening gap of inequity of the digital divide and how the city is currently working with the Massachusetts Broadband Institutes’ Municipal Digital Equity Plan program to provide access and affordability to address this gap.

“When people are given the option of working remotely, cities like Easthampton benefit. When businesses can reach their customers and clients remotely, cities like Easthampton benefit. And when we provide affordable access to high-speed broadband, all of our residents benefit,” she said.

Capital projects

LaChapelle also spoke of how the Main Street Transportation Improvement Project has entered the design phase with $13 million in federal funding set aside to build out and execute that plan. The first public meeting on this redesign of Main Street will be held mid-February along with the Pleasant, Green and Mill District.

She also referenced how Easthampton has a number of housing projects in the works, including the 25,000-square-foot mixed-use residential and retail development under construction at 47-49 Cottage St. and Sierra Vista Commons, the tentative name for the estimated $26-$30 million mixed-use residential and commercial center at the former Tasty Top site on Route 10.

“These are projects that just five years ago seemed impossible. Slowly we worked with developers to come in, compiled the capital stack, and these projects are moving off the drawing board and onto the tax rolls,” she said. “We do not just grow for the sake of growth but for a more sustainable future. Denser housing uses fewer resources, are accordingly better for the environment, and ultimately contribute to our tax base more than single family homes on a per acre basis. By building density we are creating a more environmentally and fiscally sustainable and resilient city.”

In terms of investments in human capital, LaChapelle spoke of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, which opened offices in the Keystone Mill building this past year. She said that the chamber’s presence signals that there is a safe space in the city to incubate where there previously was not.

This year, the city is also undergoing its first coordinated review of its spending, division of labor, operations, and policies starting with the internal workings at the Municipal Building. LaChapelle said that the city and school department is working on an audit to identify inefficiencies, overlap and undetected bias, which she feels will provide an additional layer of transparency “to track outcomes” rather than antidote.

“Ultimately a stronger Easthampton means more resilient businesses, organizations, and people. Like any ecosystem, diversity ensures longevity and strength. We will only continue to grow as a resilient city if we continue to change, to adapt, and to include more voices in the conversation,” she said. “Together we can build a more just, compassionate, and resilient city for the future.”

Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.]]>