Meet the candidates: Northampton City Council Ward 6

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On Tuesday Nov. 4, Northampton residents will cast ballots in the general election for mayoral, City Council, and School Committee candidates. Early voting began on Saturday, Oct. 18, and scheduled voting hours can be found on the city’s website.

There are currently two candidates running for one City Council seat to represent Ward 6: incumbent Marianne Labarge and challenger Chris Stratton. The Shoestring asked each candidate an identical set of questions in preparation for these profiles, which are listed in the same order as they’ll appear on the ballot.

Marianne Labarge

Marianne Labarge is the incumbent in the race, having served 13 terms as city councilor for Ward 6. A Northampton native, Labarge said her history of public service speaks to her dedication to improving the city.

In her quarter-century as Ward 6’s councilor, Labarge said, she has served on “nearly every committee on the Council.” Looking back on her accomplishments over the years, she emphasized her record of supporting the city’s conservation efforts, like prioritizing the promotion of green spaces and walking trails and co-sponsoring the Water Protection Ordinance in 2011, which prevented the expansion of the Glendale Road landfill. 

“We helped conserve the quarry at Turkey Hill Road to preserve the rural character of the land, provide recreational opportunities, protect wildlife, and reduce urban sprawl,” Labarge said.

When asked about the biggest issues facing Ward 6 and the city, Labarge pointed to fiscal concerns, such as the rising cost of living, lack of affordable housing and inadequate funding towards public schools. 

“It is obvious that the cost of living in Northampton is a top concern,” she said. “Seniors, disabled people and working families are tapped out. A cycle of regular property tax overrides is developing, and we need to break it.”

Labarge expressed dissatisfaction with public school funding levels in the city, but pointed to the decline in state support as a source of the district’s gaps in capability and resources. She advocated for the City Council to work with the School Committee during budget hearings to offer direct input on education funding.

While some residents have called on the city to reduce annual budget surpluses and direct that funding towards the schools, Labarge called the surplus necessary, “because as we support our operations, we also want to make sure we have funds to support our infrastructure.”

Labarge said her 26 years of experience working in Northampton municipal government distinguishes her from her opponent. 

“Many residents know me in and throughout the city. I care about my residents,” she said. “[Chris Stratton]’s going to have a lot to do as the city councilor.”

Labarge said she identifies as socially liberal and fiscally conservative, with a particular passion for women’s rights. 

“I believe I have an obligation to my residents in Ward 6,” she said, “and I will continue to be a persistent, tireless, and effective worker.” 

Chris Stratton

Raised in Connecticut and spending a combined 20 years in Boston and New York, Chris Stratton said his background in mechanical engineering has provided him with unique problem-solving, research, and communication skills that he hopes to bring to City Council. A Northampton resident since 2020, Stratton said he was inspired to run out of a desire for a more responsive and detail-oriented city government.

“I see the City Council often getting in line behind a proposal from the mayor very quickly before they’ve really taken the time to understand what it means and what the consequences for people are going to be,” said Stratton.

Stratton, who has the endorsement of the Support Our Schools and Services political action committee, named insufficient funding and poor staffing levels in public schools as major issues in Northampton. He proposed city investment in an early reading intervention program to prevent student underperformance, and suggested that the City Council opt into more direct influence over the budget via Chapter 329 of the Acts of 1987.

Stratton also argued that the city should adjust estimates for taxes on hotel rooms and restaurant meals so that those funds can be put towards services, reducing the necessity of property tax increases.

Regarding his opponent, Stratton said he and Labarge recognize similar issues in the city, but disagree on their solutions. 

“She has a lot of good accomplishments, but she doesn’t have any solutions that she’s not already tried,” Stratton said. “If you keep doing what hasn’t worked, that doesn’t get us anywhere.” 

Stratton also said he wants council meetings to involve residents more by allowing councilors to ask questions during public comment periods. The city should give residents’ expertise the same level of recognition as a department head or a design consultant, he added.

Identifying as a liberal Democrat, Stratton said he wants to focus on having local conversations, even across fraught divisions. He emphasized his goal of encouraging the city to serve its people. 

“I tend to be a person who finds a part of the problem that’s not being addressed, and I’m pitching in on the local issues, where I think I can really do something and bring a factual analysis to the deliberation of the city council,” Stratton said.