Public Records Requests

In July 2016, Governor Baker signed a bill, Chapter 121 of the Acts of 2016, "An Act to Improve Public Records", making changes to the existing Public Records Law. Changes to the law took effect on January 1, 2017.

One notable change in the law requires cities and towns to designate a Records Access Officer. The Records Access Officer (RAO) is responsible for receiving, tracking and responding to public records requests.

The City Clerk serves as the City of Northampton's central Records Access Officer:

City Clerk’s Office 
Pamela L. Powers, City Clerk
210 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1224
Email the City Clerk

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For department specific Records Access Officers see below. If you do not see the department you need listed, then submit your request to the City Clerk (see above):

Mayor's Office
Alan Wolf, Chief of Staff
210 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1067
Email Alan Wolf

City Council
Laura Krutzler, Administrative Assistant to the City Council
210 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1210
Email the City Council

Finance Division (Office of the Assessor, Office of the Auditor, and Office of the Treasurer/Collector)
Charlene Nardi, Finance Director
210 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1255
Email Charlene Nardi

Department of Public Works
Donna LaScaleia, Director
125 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1570
Email Donna LaScaleia

Fire Rescue Department 
Andy Pelis, Assistant Fire Chief/Operations Supervisor
26 Carlon Drive, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1039
Email Andy Pelis

Police Department 
Julie Gaudreau, Supervisor of Records
29 Center Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1186
Email Julie Gaudreau

Northampton Public Schools 
Michele Jarvis, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
212 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1331
Email Michele Jarvis

Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School 
Dr. Andrew Linkenhoker, Superintendent
80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1414 Ext. 3406
Email Dr. Linkenhoker

Public Record Request Form
Form image Opens in new window


Use of this form is not required to submit a public records request.

Helpful Links



Fees

  • The first two hours of work performed to respond to a public records request will be performed at no cost. After that, the city may charge up to $25/hour.
  • If fees are being assessed, a records access officer shall provide a written, itemized, good faith estimate of any fees that may be charged to produce the records prior to complying with a public records request within ten business days.
  • The charge for black and white paper copies or printouts of records of any size susceptible to ordinary means of production shall not exceed $.05 per page, for both single and double-sided black and white copies or printouts.
  • The records access officer shall not assess a copying fee for electronic copies or copies transmitted via facsimile. However, the actual cost of a storage device may be assessed.