Meeting Minutes October 14th, 2008

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 7 p.m.
Northampton Senior Center on Conz St.
Attendees: Gerald Budgar, Lisa DePiano, Owen Freeman-Daniels, Marianna McKim, Jim Nash, Lola Reid, Fred Zimnoch, Mary Parker. Guest: Yvonne Freccero.

Friends of the Homeless: Yvonne described her work at the homeless shelter on 43 Center St. in the former Elk’s Lodge. This is an emergency solution that serves 60 meals, has 20 beds plus 6 beds at IC Church in Easthampton. It’s staffed with volunteers or about 40 teams of 4 volunteers between Nov 1 and April 1 with at least 1 professional staff at all times. She looks forward to following the new trend of apartment like homes for the homeless. In this effort we offered to work with her but she indicated that we did not have a legal right to know the location of any shelter prior to finalizing plans. We made no arrangements for further discussions.

General Business: The meeting minutes from the Annual Meeting and Fall Festival were approved. The treasurer reports that our FSB check book balance is $571.86 with further dues expected.

Report from the President:
Local Farming: The effort to help continue farming in the area has been successful with a large grant that will allow a farm to grow hay and corn and possibly with a small stock of animals. Our local farm will no longer be a dairy farm.

Nominating/Membership Committee Report – We are still searching for a secretary. It was agreed that we would share this responsibility among ourselves until a secretary is appointed.

Fifth Annual Meadows Cleanup The Ward Three Neighborhood Association will sponsor a Meadows Cleanup Day on Sunday, Oct. 26. Everyone is invited. If you want to participate, please come to the parking lot of the Northampton Airport. The event begins at 10 AM. We will provide transportation in the Meadows. The airport is located at the end of Old Ferry Road, just beyond I-91. Participants should dress appropriately and be sure they are wearing proper shoes. If you have some gloves, please bring them. We will provide them if you do not. We will also provide a dumpster and trash bags. Please bring a cell phone if you have one. Jerry also said that there was a possibility of Councilor Reckman and David J. Narkewicz submitting legislation to increase the fines for illegal dumping in the Meadows.

Advisory Committee: The city is creating an Advisory Committee required by their plan to have the toxic waste left years ago by Staabs Gasoline (150 Conz St.), and Sabin Coal & Coke, (19 Fulton Ave.) cleaned up. This is basically the area occupied by Pleasant Journey Auto Sales.

Report from the Board
Bridge Street School – Tim Fisher reported that a Committee has been created to examine the needs and requirements for schools in the city for the future. It will examine what funding is available and how best to structure the school system. Tim will form an oversight committee to monitor these activities and allow Ward3 Neighbors to have a voice in its activities. The Board agreed that Tim would be the liaison board member for this committee. Tim will form an oversight committee to monitor these activities and allow Ward3 Neighbors to have a voice in its activities.

Website Workshop - Owen Freeman Daniels is willing to have a workshop that will show board members how to access and add material to the W3NA Blog Website. Place and Time to be announced later.

Sustainability Committee Update – Jim Nash reported that the structure of the Re-Zoning Committee is up for approval by the City Council and is expected to pass.

Traffic Calming Committee Update – An application for a traffic calming study will be submitted to the Transportation and Parking Commission chaired by City Councilor David J. Narkewicz, and then submitted to the City Council for approval.

Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Gerry reported that a design engineering firm has been chosen and an advisory committee meeting should occur.

Report of Business Representative – Owen Freeman Daniels has created a questionnaire that will be delivered to business in our Ward. They will become part of a database of Ward3 businesses along with their needs and concerns. He also noted that Meeting Minutes posted to the WEB can have a tag of Minutes.

Legislative Update from Councilor Reckman – Councilor Submitted a written Report that was read by our President Jerry Budgar.

Update on “Best Practices” Committee- Lisa reported that the work to query the city officials, the public and review the Meadows Planning was completed. There will be a report to the city with 90 days for public comment.

New Business: None

Next Meeting: Our November 11 meeting will start at 7 p.m. at Burger King Restaurant Conference room located at 344 King St., Northampton, MA 01060. (413) 584-6376