Northampton facing $2.4M budget gap

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz says that the city is facing a $2.4 million dollar budget gap.

City officials are trying to figure out how to make-up the difference. But if they cannot, Mayor Narkewicz says it's possible the outcome may result in layoffs.

The Mayor held his first of six budget presentations on Tuesday at Northampton's senior center.  He said that the city continues to struggle as state aid continues to decrease. The city's largest expense is education. In fact, about 60% of the general budget being spent on the city's schools. 

If they cannot find the money to fill the budget gap though, the school superintendent recommends cutting more than two dozen teaching and staff positions; something that does not sit well with some city residents, like Norman Lafoe.

“I think it would hurt the children of the city as well as the parents,” Lafoe said.

“$2.4 million is a scary number, there's no doubt about that. When you think of how long it would take an individual to earn $2.4 million dollars that gives you an idea of the scope of the problem,” Peter Jones of Northampton told 22News.

The mayor has been holding "budget talks" for the public. For a complete list of dates and times you can find them on Northampton's city website .