[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6212569,"mediaKeyId","3683850-9fb8cad35035130dd156128d88702f0f","parentId",3683850,"title","Council to consider expanding veterans' property-tax exemptions after HERO Act; order referred to consent agenda","audioSeconds",860,"startMs",6296000,"endMs",7156000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683850-9fb8cad35035130dd156128d88702f0f&start=6296&end=7156","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683850-9fb8cad35035130dd156128d88702f0f/thumbnail_6296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212569/Massachusetts/Council-to-consider-expanding-veterans-property-tax-exemptions-after-HERO-Act-order-referred-to-consent-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212569-c93faabc61f13f2a9d0dcfbf646f5ffc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155802&Signature=XwFWoO8jTMJnNJZqcmm~Td7RG5UznC~GcAsScAdDzPT0v1vHP1Fn5NV1vI2PEwEi00DMYnqaZLX7Gmh3CKt7YAbG~QofXVeqvQl~PfxS8fRQty7ekAraTuJjCEKDGNRw2LuKMWbNW8sY~x8jwDEz52JUBwHSljM639ZsmCCiQB8CnEp2vlPXZaDzjpxl0QxEwC-7WtsHo3-zVgpYOsiWBVlYVeZCWmEF-S2rgT8YkUoo2iN9ZMj9MJKvmgBUpaiLUHgVyBN2A2wDzBYAYqCALdwsGLxge6ujLsV~xck498CY26IqCBuM87~jaUIfpwz0z5w182DSt3yoV0j70S8gzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-06-05T22:15:26Z","article","City staff recommended June 5 that the Northampton City Council accept two new local-option provisions in light of the 2024 \"HERO Act,\" enabling automatic annual increases to several categories of veterans' property-tax exemptions.

Principal Assessor Mark Dottrell and the mayor briefed the council on two options added to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 59, Section 5: clause 22I, which permits annual adjustment of certain veterans' exemption amounts based on the Department of Revenue's Consumer Price Index guidance; and clause 22J, a local option allowing an additional percentage increase to exemptions. The administration proposed combining both options so exemptions both track CPI and receive a one-time chosen percentage uplift; the mayor asked the council to consider authorizing an additional 25% uplift under clause 22J in combination with the CPI adjustment under clause 22I.

Dottrell said the city currently administers veterans' exemptions under sections 22 through 22F and that, under the proposal, the typical exemptions would increase in FY2026 both by the expected FY2026 CPI (2.9% in the administration's estimate) and by the additional local percentage selected by the council. He reported that the principal assessor has certified 20 veterans as recipients under chapter 59 section 5 for FY2025.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about eligibility and how the exemptions interact with existing fully exempt categories (for example, veterans with certain service-connected paraplegia or blindness). Dottrell explained the underlying state rules: the statutes determine eligibility (service-connected disability status and related criteria) and municipalities may only accept the added 22I/22J options by a council vote. Councilor LaBarge emphasized the importance of clear language and outreach because some veterans may not be familiar with the changes.

Councilors voted to refer the proposed order to the consent agenda for formal adoption at the next meeting; the item will return to the council for final enactment and a vote to incorporate the change into the FY2026 tax-exemption schedule if the council adopts it.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton City Council | June 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff recommended the council accept two new state-authorized local-option provisions tied to the 2024 HERO Act that would allow Northampton to increase existing veterans' property-tax exemptions annually by CPI (clause 22I) and by an additional percentage (clause 22J). The council referred the order to the consent agenda for final action.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6212574,"Northampton council unanimously backs resolution supporting state Medicare-for-All bill",3094,1073000,4167000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683850-9fb8cad35035130dd156128d88702f0f&start=1073&end=4167","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683850-9fb8cad35035130dd156128d88702f0f/thumbnail_1073000.jpg","/articles/6212574/Massachusetts/Northampton-council-unanimously-backs-resolution-supporting-state-Medicare-for-All-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212574-500edbf396307751b1ab88f44d6d1882/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155802&Signature=nTI7VJQ5BQ3OjO7rUymH0yXb3Ug0um8jqxOrr7YURSsNHcwRjWrHRGqU~-f6qBl1y5C35jxDmwOWR6cCWH1DqpvK9Hh5Yl8kfSqXM0EZfGH4besrQfSSU7DFkD0MQwJbRv4GdgooFdogWBEH65LC3nYJnQfCdkRJmHfkrgILIaIuq5vN71fBZ6hxHGVAABAZWGuykxa2BXlMcYbNyzgC~LmBaTG4hUWpogNUVYwEKgeE23cAHWnefoKdOSd09puHF3nvgCvmmoYZOOeWMZWuojXeFLgGPEzzTGdpWaae8l9ldado~CuJc5q8Br6MYbJK0TjrTS8FvKMrEj3y8MGq7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton City Council voted unanimously on June 5 to adopt a resolution expressing support for an act establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts and urging the state legislature to pass the measure.

The resolution's lead sponsor, Dr. Shelley Berkowitz, identified herself as the author and asked the council to send the municipal endorsement to the state legislature. During the meeting, public commenters including Diane Haley, a registered nurse and member of MassCare, and Dr. Colin Shipman, a family physician from Greenfield, urged the council to support the resolution and argued the change would reduce administrative waste and help local employers and municipalities manage rising health-care costs.

Berkowitz told the council that recent state and national developments make the measure more urgent and cited state-level fiscal pressures and recent actions in other Massachusetts municipalities that have held public discussions of single-payer proposals. Councilors on both sides of the dais praised Berkowitz and the public commenters and said they supported the resolution for reasons ranging from reducing municipal health-care costs to broadening access.

Councilor Moulton moved the resolution and Councilor Dubs seconded the motion. The council adopted the resolution by voice vote; the record shows a unanimous \"aye\" from the councilors present.

Speakers during the public-comment portion connected the measure to local concerns: a nursing union rally at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and reported increases in municipal health-care spending for other Massachusetts cities were cited as reasons to back further study and state-level action. Speakers also urged councilors to consider the resolution as part of broader municipal and state advocacy on health care.

The council will transmit the adopted resolution to the legislature and noted that the municipal vote is an expression of the city's position rather than a binding legal change in state policy.","Councilors voted unanimously June 5 to adopt a resolution urging the Massachusetts Legislature to enact a Medicare-for-All law. The measure was sponsored by Ward 1 Councilor Shelley Berkowitz and was supported by several local health-care professionals and union representatives during public comment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6212579,"Northampton council delays final vote on FY2026 budget after extended public and council debate",3182,4098000,7280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683850-9fb8cad35035130dd156128d88702f0f&start=4098&end=7280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683850-9fb8cad35035130dd156128d88702f0f/thumbnail_4098000.jpg","/articles/6212579/Massachusetts/Northampton-council-delays-final-vote-on-FY2026-budget-after-extended-public-and-council-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212579-5cf9c635bd6223d73be50ad629c1bf3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155802&Signature=Y2FfNLmNex0Jlq2J1pM59olsWwu57B7f9Qq1eXP3xU27FWk~XuGEeqXy1Rtiu~XHGItkjilmgEX-E-22B6a2nfh3DrjMnzSFx61Xs7AQ1ul9xqyw0g1QtSVl5tii~m7Wszs9Fu3lrF3AHdOUdfpbTpeUNDAEpkxSYSErh7cH198ZCZtvggOQRGRMKOykWyozitLNaGA4tHBVE1bUX0~EvRLTIHKKPz920t9VE6Q-XHx4nxZqcn~5G~m-u1WXXeKv379JxtU59uw~mFMTn8poI1PDr1ZHZnabLfPCBoz9-7OXCRIWJs6i4kHCyD69KwI2fmmX61NCTbefNCv6pkcXjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton City Council on June 5 moved to postpone a final vote on the city's proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund budget to the council's next regularly scheduled meeting on June 18, 2025, after extended debate about revenue assumptions, school funding and the effect of cuts on public safety and city services.

Council members and the mayor spent the meeting's budget segment discussing whether to approve the mayor's proposed budget or give councilors time to examine alternative revenue forecasts and proposals for one-time funding. Councilor Perry asked for the postponement to allow \"space\" for colleagues and constituents to review the numbers and provide more input before a final adoption. The motion to postpone was put and adopted by the council.

The debate centered on two competing lines of analysis: the mayor's budget, developed by the finance director, and alternative forecasts and adjustments presented informally by councilors and community members. Director Nardi told the council that the budget includes a $900,000 personnel reserve to cover anticipated contract negotiations and that many local-receipt categories in the FY2026 proposal are above the Division of Local Services (DLS) forecasting guideline of 90% of prior-year receipts. Nardi said the city's total local receipts in the FY2026 plan exceed a 90% conservative benchmark by $362,168. She advised the council that some categories (investment income, certain miscellaneous receipts and state-chaptered items) are inherently harder to project.

Several councilors warned the council against assuming a hidden, large recurring funding source. Councilor Elkins said, \"We are literally in a 0-sum situation,\" noting limits on property tax growth and the long-term effects of spending one-time reserves for recurring costs. Councilor Rothenberg and other councilors argued there are items in the revenue forecast and in the treatment of free cash and capital that merit more scrutiny and could free up funds for increased school funding without cutting departments.

City staff and department heads outlined what cuts of various sizes would mean operationally. The mayor and finance director presented examples of the scale of possible reductions: an across-the-board 8% cut to reach a stronger school funding target would eliminate roughly 51 city positions, reduce fire department staffing from two engines and three ambulances to one engine and two ambulances and remove an entire police shift; a 2% cut comparable to a smaller incremental funding change would still reduce firefighters by about 3.7 full-time equivalents and trim police staffing by approximately 2.4 positions, affecting minimum staffing and increasing overtime. Director Nardi emphasized that some revenue lines are tied to state programs or to activity that does not directly translate to assessor new-growth numbers.

Councilors also pressed staff on Medicaid and ambulance reimbursement flows. Director Nardi explained that Medicaid reimbursements related to school special-education services historically flowed to the general fund rather than directly back to schools; the FY2026 proposal would place certain Medicaid-related receipts into a Northampton Public Schools special-education stabilization fund (an order the council approved earlier in the meeting). Ambulance reimbursement revenue collected by the city is budgeted as general-fund revenue rather than a direct departmental account and has been declining in part because some beneficiaries move from Medicaid to Medicare.

Several councilors expressed interest in additional financial detail and visualizations before taking a final vote. Councilor Moulton, Councilor Elkins and others asked for clear, published spreadsheets comparing the mayor's projections, DLS guidance, and the alternate local-receipt scenarios councilors are developing. Councilor Moulton asked for any alternate proposals to be circulated to the full council in advance of the June 18 meeting so members can assess whether suggested adjustments are sustainable across multiple years.

The council split its consideration of the budget into components to accommodate a conflict of interest recusal by the council president; ultimately the council declined to adopt the general-fund portion on first reading and then voted to postpone the remaining budget orders (solid waste, water, sewer, stormwater and revolving funds) to the June 18 meeting. Councilors agreed to allow staff and outside groups more time to reconcile differences in revenue forecasts and to circulate comparative analyses in advance of the next meeting.

The postponement preserves the council's statutory timeline to pass a budget before the start of the fiscal year but leaves the council with two weeks to reconcile competing forecasts, address public questions and weigh whether to proceed with one-time appropriations for learning recovery or other priorities. The council will reconvene June 18 to resume the fiscal-2026 budget process.","After more than two hours of discussion focused on school funding, revenue assumptions and staffing impacts, the Northampton City Council voted to postpone a final vote on the fiscal 2026 general fund budget to its next meeting on June 18, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

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Council to consider expanding veterans' property-tax exemptions after HERO Act; order referred to consent agenda

Northampton council unanimously backs resolution supporting state Medicare-for-All bill

Northampton council delays final vote on FY2026 budget after extended public and council debate