Guest columnist Loli Viana: Outgrowing austerity in Northampton

There comes a time when even the most well-intentioned frameworks outlive their usefulness. When the structures that once protected us begin to hold us back. Northampton prides itself on its fiscal prudence over the last decade, but the current budgeting framework — once necessary and right — is no longer serving our city. The refusal to acknowledge this shift and the reluctance to move toward a more needs-based approach are now causing real harm. It’s undermining our city’s ability to meet its most fundamental responsibility: to serve its people.

The mayor has often cited guidelines from the Department of Revenue (DOR) to justify overly conservative revenue estimates. But guidelines are not mandates. Would the DOR recommend sacrificing essential public services in order to boost an already healthy reserve account? In my view, responsible governance means applying those guidelines with judgment and balance in service of the community’s real and present needs — not as a shield for austerity.

The continued underfunding of our schools isn’t just a budget issue. It reveals a troubling absence of strategic vision from those in power, and a failure of leadership at a time when bold thinking is needed. The strength and future of any community lies in its children: the education we provide, the opportunities we ensure, and the message we send about what and whom we value. Our public schools are not a line item to be squeezed; they are the very foundation of community vitality. Public safety, economic development, property values, mental health, long-term stability — all are deeply interconnected with the health of our public education system.

If we truly value education as a public good, we should come together as a community to explore who else can invest in it. In this moment of constraint, tax-exempt institutions rooted in Northampton have an opportunity — and, I would argue, a responsibility — to step up. Smith College, with 150 years of deep ties to this community, has made valued contributions over the years. However, those voluntary efforts do not reflect the scale, consistency, or shared responsibility that a PILOT agreement would represent. It is time to renew discussions about securing sustained, meaningful investment that reflects a true partnership with the city. I recently noticed a banner on campus that read: “College. Community. Generosity.” Given the stakes, now is the time to turn that sentiment into action.

Finally, to those reading, I’d like to say: your voice matters. Democracy may feel fragile right now, but it remains one of the most powerful tools we have. Local elections shape our daily lives: our schools, our streets, our shared future. Please, make sure you are registered to vote this year. Show up. Because when we do, real change is possible. Northampton can choose leaders with the vision, courage, and commitment to move us forward.

Loli Viana lives in Northampton.