EASTHAMPTON — After months of discussion in subcommittees, the Easthampton City Council voted to institute a 25 mph speed limit citywide in thickly settled business areas where the speed limit is not posted.
City Council President Salem Derby presented the matter to the whole council, noting that he has been on the public safety subcommittee for decades, and pedestrian safety and speeding are the issues that come up the most.
He noted that the proposal would include increased signage at the city’s gateways — five locations — raising awareness of the citywide speed limit. That signage would cost $1,500.
“One thousand five hundred dollars seems like a small price to pay,” said Derby, especially if that signage could save a life.
Councilor Brad Riley agreed, “If we only save one life, it’s well worth the $1,500.”
Derby added that he would hope patrol officers would also use interactions with those going above the speed limit to educate them on the new limit and the value of it.
Areas with higher posted speed limits would be able to petition to have the speed limit lowered for safety reasons.
Several councilors mentioned that this should only be the start of projects aimed at making Easthampton’s streets safer for vehicles and pedestrians.
Mayor Nicole LaChapelle also provided a brief summary of the nearly $62 million fiscal year 2026 budget to the council. Copies of the budget binder are available online and were made available at various locations around the city on May 8. She explained that she gave two directives to departments when they created their budget: no position or wage reductions and to add 4% to their expenses.
After meeting with each department to discuss their needs, the mayor said she was presenting a budget that was equitable in operations, but not in percentage. She explained that the budget is set up to maintain the “long-term stability” of the city in unknown financial times.
LaChapelle noted high points of the budget: retirement funds still on track to be fully funded by 2032, debt ratios within policy, healthy reserves and a high bond rating. However, she also explained that many costs have spiraled upward, including an 18 percent increase in health insurance costs.
In other moves, the council approved $69,382 for the Lathrop Community to continue its work on removing invasive plants on its land and $201,875 to the Valley CDC for mortgage subsidies and financial literacy programs. It also moved the potential appointment of Lt. Chad Alexander as the new police chief to the appointments committee.
