EASTHAMPTON — For the first time in nearly two decades, Precinct 4 will soon have new representation.
Salem Derby, who has served as interim mayor since July with the departure of Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, joined the council in 2003 and has remained in the Precinct 4 seat since. With Derby running for mayor, candidates Robert “Bob” Peirent and Amanda Newton are vying for Derby’s seat.
With municipal elections one week away, the two candidates on Monday shared their top priorities for the precinct while discussing their overall role as a councilor at a forum held at Easthampton High School.
Moderators, state Rep. Homar Gómez, D-Easthampton, and resident Jean Pao Wilson, read an introduction for each candidate and candidates answered questions in alternating order. Questions were submitted online from the public and chosen based on frequency of which they were submitted.
Responses were presented in alternating order and a full video is available on the Easthampton Media website and YouTube channel.
Introductions
Newton, a lifelong resident of Easthampton, graduated from Easthampton High School as a valedictorian and currently works as a third-grade teacher at the Smith College Laboratory School. After graduating Mount Holyoke College, Newton began a career as a public school teacher in Springfield while completing a master’s degree in education at Westfield State University.
As a mother to a second-grader, Newton said she has balanced her career with the challenge of raising a child in a changing world. She is running for City Council to bring an intergenerational perspective to local government and to represent the voice of families, women balancing careers, parenthood, caregiving and community life.
Peirent and his wife have lived on South Street in Easthampton for almost 35 years, treasuring the unique city of Easthampton. He has spent his 42-year career working with communities across Massachusetts as a consulting engineer, Department of Public Works director, acting town manager, city engineer and more. He has collaborated with staff and officials at all levels of government, knowing how to work with all stakeholders to “get things done.”
As a believer in public service, he said he will apply his experience and reasoned approach to achieve the common goals of good schools, affordable housing, reasonable tax rates, safe streets, a sustainable environment and opportunities for all ages.
Top priorities
If elected, Peirent said his top priority would be fixing the dangerous South and Main Street intersection. Although the issue is a complicated one because the state Department of Transportation owns part of the intersection, he feels he can get it done.
“First step in putting that together would be to put together a team, assemble all the data,” he said. “… I think with my experience and background, I’m in the ideal position to make this happen.”
Newton said her first priority would be keeping Easthampton affordable by supporting new housing options, referencing 385 Main St., which combines housing and preservation. Next, would be supporting the city’s Climate Action Plan, as well as walking and biking in the city.
“Finally, I want to simplify communication with residents in Precinct 4. I want to make it easy for residents to follow projects as they move forward and understand how decisions affect their everyday lives,” she said.
Supporting residents
Candidates were asked how they would best understand the perspective of their constituents.
Newton said it’s important to understand the needs of constituents, and if elected, she plans to offer regular meeting hours for residents.
“I want to gather perspectives before making decisions, especially when it directly affects Precinct 4 residents, such as with traffic changes or new construction,” she said. “I do have progressive values and believe in standing up for marginalized groups.”
She said in times when the majority viewpoint does not reflect her progressive values, part of being a leader is standing up for your views even when it’s not popular.
Peirent said this is a problem he has dealt with for the past 13 years, working with cities and towns.
“You hear from the public, but you typically hear from a very small piece of the public, and many times, a cross-section of the public really isn’t representative of the community. So you have to work. You have to make yourself accessible,” he said.
When he was the DPW director for the town of East Longmeadow, he said he made it a point to meet as many people as he could face to face. He added that it takes work and you have to understand the demographics of your precinct.
Park Street infrastructure
Candidates were asked for input on the MassDOT Safe Routes to School proposal for a Park Street side path and how the proposed widened sidewalks would affect residents in the winter.
Peirent said he is very familiar with the project and started talking to former City Planner Jeff Bagg about it in February 2022. He said it’s a great project, but it comes with some impact. The city is discussing maintenance options for the side path and has connected with Williston Northampton School about the possibility of partial responsibility for maintenance.
“I maintain 75-feet of side path that was constructed as part of the Mountain View School project right now. So it’s a lot of work …” he said. “I can do it, but I know not everybody can do it. So I definitely do not believe that it’s reasonable to expect the residents to maintain it and expect the city really needs to think this thing through (before booking easements).”
Newton said she is excited that the city is striving to create safe routes to school for all children. She said Park Street does feel unsafe and recalled one day when she walked to a friend’s house leaving White Brook Middle School.
“People avoid riding on it as a result and we need complete streets so that it’s accessible for all wheels, not just bikes, but wheelchairs as well,” she said.
She supports the project and said since it’s going to be essentially equivalent to a bike path in width and use, she feels it should be the responsibility of DPW to clear snow and ice.