In a 6-1 vote the Northampton city council passed an amendment to section 22-1B of the Code of Ordinances of the city, which would regulate which city agencies councilors may serve on. At large councilors Dostal and Bardsley were not present. Councilor Murphy, who currently serves on the Central Business Architecture Committee, cast the lone dissenting vote. The council will take its second reading on the amendment when they next meet. It is possible that the council may institute a grandfather clause and permit Councilor Murphy to serve out his tenure on the CBAC until after the next municpal election in 2009.
The amendment reads as follows:
(3) In order to maintain a clear separation of powers in Northampton government, sitting members of the City Council may not hold membership on the following boards, committees, and commissions:
(a) Board of Almoners
(b) Board of Assessors
(c) Board of Health
(d) Board of Public Works
(e) Board of Registrars
(f) Central Business Architecture Committee
(g) Community Preservation Committee
(h) Conservation Commission
(i) Elm Street Historic District Commission
(j) Historical Commission
(k) Housing Authority
(l) License Commission
(m) Northampton Redevelopment Authority
(n) Planning Board
(o) RecreationCommission
(p) Tree Committee
(q) Trust Fund Committee
(r) Zoning Board of Appeals
