The City of Northampton and the Towns of Belchertown, Gill, and Hampden have approved
electricity aggregation agreements with the Hampshire Council of Governments.

This week, Mayor David J. Narkewicz signed the agreement, which was authorized by a 2012 City
Council resolution. Mr. Narkewicz said, "I am especially interested in saving money for
Northampton residents, as well as strengthening our efforts for renewable energy."
Last week, the Hampden Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the Hampshire Council of
Governments Municipal Aggregation agreement. Following the vote, Selectmen John Flynn, Norman Charest, and Vincent Villamaino signed the agreement.

“We are happy to participate with other municipalities in Massachusetts to provide savings to residents of Hampden during these trying times,” Chairman John Flynn explained.

The Town of Hampden becomes the first Hampden County community to enter the program, joining 38 towns and cities in Hampshire, Berkshire, Franklin, and Worcester counties. Hampden joins the other 160,000 people within the Hampshire Council’s Aggregation. Aggregations have
been enjoying significant cost savings across the Commonwealth. The Hampshire Council is
working hard to bring similar savings to western Massachusetts.

Boards of Selectmen in Belchertown and Gill are also among the newest municipalities to sign the
agreement with the Council.

Community choice aggregations are programs in which municipalities gain some control over
energy prices for residential and business customers in their communities. Instead of utilities
setting the price for electricity, towns work together to seek the best prices. Utilities continue to
provide all delivery services, including maintaining power lines and utility poles. Successful
programs include municipalities across the country, saving money for millions of customers.

For more information on the Council please visit: www.hampshirecog.org

Photo courtesy Christine via Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.