The Northampton City Council is changing its meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, effective for its next meeting on May 2 and for all council meetings going forward.

The council recently approved the change, with councilors agreeing that starting earlier would make it easier for both councilors and members of the public to attend the meetings, which can frequently stretch close to midnight, providing challenges for those with day jobs.

“It’s only a half hour, but I think it makes a difference at night between getting home at 11 versus 10:30, or 11:30 versus midnight,” said Ward 7 councilor Rachel Maiore.

Following the passage of the order in March, council President Alex Jarrett said it was important to ensure people were aware of the time change. “We wouldn’t want people potentially to miss the public comment period,” he said.

Ward 6 councilor Marianne LaBarge agreed that the change was a positive one, noting that constituents have previously complained about the time, given the meetings are held downtown where parking is scarce.

“I know for a fact that in Ward 7 and Ward 6 and Ward 5, people have said they just don’t like coming down here at 7,” she said. “They can’t understand why this was never looked at.”

Northampton Farmer’s Market to open Saturday

The Northampton Farmer’s Market makes its return for the 49th year this Saturday, with vendors selling locally-grown fruits, vegetables, eggs and syrup, among other products.

The market opens on Gothic Street from the hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the street closed off to vehicle traffic during that time. Some of the products sold at the first market will include spring-dug parsnips, potatoes and hanging decorative plants, according to Rick Tracy of Intervale Farm, who helps run the market.

Other vendors that have previously participated in the market include Pepin Farm in Easthampton, known for strawberries, asparagus and sweet corn, and Zawalick’s Sugar House of Northampton, offering a variety of maple products.

The market will run every Saturday until Nov. 9 this year.

The city’s other farmer’s market, Grow Food Northampton’s Tuesday Market, opened April 16 and is held every Tuesday in the plaza behind Thornes Marketplace.

Hospital preps for community blood drive

Adults interested in donating blood will have an opportunity to do so at a community blood drive at Cooley Dickinson Hospital on May 14.

The Northampton hospital is partnering with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center to bring its blood mobile to Northampton. The blood mobile will be set up in the parking lot in front of the hospital’s North Building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Blood donation is a vital act of generosity that saves lives,” said Catherine Reed, administrative director for clinical Services at Cooley Dickinson, in a statement. “We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our community in ensuring that our patients have access to the vital blood supply they need.”

All blood donors will receive a $10 gift card for Panera Bread. A photo ID is required for blood donation. Donors are also advised to drink extra water and eat before donating blood.

Those interested in making an appointment may do so by visiting the hospital’s online donor portal. Those with eligibility questions may email BloodDonor@partners.org or call 617-632-3206.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.