Easthampton City Council takes care of money matters

EASTHAMPTON — In a relatively short meeting March 4, the Easthampton City Council transferred money for legal fees and received a few short updates from Mayor Salem Derby.

The city council approved an interdepartmental transfer from mayor clerical salary to city attorney professional services to cover legal fees.

Finance Committee Chair Thomas Peake explained that the current budget has $0 for legal fees, as previously agreed upon by the city council, so now the city council needs to approve the funds to pay for those fees when they come due. Peake described it as a “difficult line item to project.”

In his mayoral update, Derby noted that CitySpace had received a $3 million earmark that would be celebrated this week and that the city would certify $3 million in free cash, which represents new growth in the city, and that free cash would be moved to the stabilization fund.

He also added that he is working with the Chamber of Commerce to provide more opportunities for residents to meet with him.

After Councilor Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid voiced concerns about a new camera attached to city hall, noting concerns about mass data collection and invasion of privacy, Derby said he’d share the city’s policy about the retention of footage with the councilor.

Theymayor’s request to create a request for the state legislature for the reinstatement of expired liquor licenses was sent to the rules committee.