GOALS AND AGENDA FOR 2007
Sponsor improvements to the Rt. 9 railroad overpass downtown. These will include refurbishing the “Dream” mural, powerwashing the entire bridge and masonry, adding lighting and benches, and adding rain protection for the sidewalks below. We will also install some landscaping barrels near the underpass that would be sponsored and maintained by nearby businesses. We will send a letter to the Railroad with the Mayor asking for permission to restore the mural and install some lighting. The City will pay to repair the railing and install the lighting. We will also ask the Railroad to provide rain protection that will prevent ice from building up on the sidewalk due to dripping from above after the City has removed the snow. We have heard many complaints about this problem. , We will need to raise some money for this project. The Arts Council has committed the money that they have received over the year from trucks hitting the Bridge to the restoration of the mural. They have about $1000 in this account. We think the entire project, including police for traffic control, will cost about$10,000. We hope that we can find a local architect who will produce a rendering of the site as we envision it which we can use in our pitch to the Railroad and our fundraising. We are working actively with the Chamber of Commerce on this project. The members of the Board who are most involved in this are Jim Nash and Bob Reckman. Steve Rogers, our former vice-president, is willing and able to do the work. We hope it might happen this year.
We will work actively with the City and Mass Highway to facilitate communication about the proposed changes to Exit 19. We sponsored a community meeting at Bridge St. School on Jan 17 which was attended by about 70 people. We have written a letter to the Metropolitan Planning Organization via the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission which makes preliminary comments on the 5% plan. We will meet with the Mayor and the Planning Department to hear their views. We have begun to create a list serve of people who are concerned about the project. The address will be I-91Exit19Information. Gerry Budgar, our vice-president, has agreed to chair a subcommittee about this issue. If you would like to be on the list serve for Exit 19, please e–mail him at gbudgar@rcn.com. We have drafted a letter that we will send to Mass Highway as well as a number of people in City government and the press offering our assistance in communicating with the public. We will sponsor an event on Saturday in late April or early May which will combine a walk around exit 19 (so that people can look at the spots where proposed work may happen), another public information session and a social event. The public information session and social event will take place at the Northampton Airport.
--We will sponsor another Meadows Cleanup Day in the fall. This event may also include a social event such as a hayride.
--We are in the process of upgrading our web site substantially.
--We will continue to work on Sustainable Northampton and the Three County Fair Neighborhood Advisory Committee.
Navigation
April 21, 2008
Future Plans
Events
Social at Montview Farm - Sunday September 9 from 1-4 pm at the Montview Farm on Montview Avenue
Rain date Sunday September 16th
There will be music, dancing, a tour of the farm and information about the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and the North Street Neighborhood Association. Please bring a hot or cold dish to share, the Association will provide burgers, dogs, drinks and eating utensils.
Sunday, September 9th
Sunday, October 14th
Annual Meeting - Sunday October 14 from 2-4 pm at the new Council on Aging building on Conz Street.
This meeting will include the election of new officers for the Association, information about the Association and discussion of what we know about the State's plans for Exit 19. We plan to have some snacks contributed by restaurants or delis in Ward 3.
Members of the Board
President
Gerry Budgar
Bridge St.
584-2964
gbudgar@rcn.com
Vice-President
Jim Nash
Montview Av.
218-2202
careerworks@comcast.net
Secretary
Lola Reid
Williams St.
584-9463
lola55@verizon.net
Treasurer
Fred Zimnoch
Pomeroy Terrace
586-1522
zimnoch@crocker.com
Phil Sullivan
Island Rd.
584-9400
sulanco@verizon.net
Lisa DePiano
Henry St.
(610) 955-7168
dips@riseup.com
Owen Freeman-Daniels
Woodmont Rd.
530-1054
owenfd@gmail.com
Councilor
Bob Reckman
Fruit St.
584-8905
bobreckman@aol.com
April 16, 2008
Accomplishments
2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
--We have worked actively with the City in the development of a plan for a “Sustainable Northampton.” There have been a number of public meetings that are opportunities for citizen input. You can find the schedule for these meetings at the City’s web site: www.northamptonma.gov.
--We sponsored Meadows Cleanup Day in the fall. The turnout was good and we collected a dumpster full of trash.
--We sponsored a social event at Historic Northampton that featured the Northamptones.
--We continued to serve on the Three Country Fair Neighborhood Advisory Committee.
--We got the Chamber of Commerce to provide planters for a number of businesses at the corners of Hawley, North and Bridge Streets that local businesses there agreed to maintain.
2005 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
--We sponsored a total of 7 public meetings in cooperation with the Northampton Department of Planning and Development that led to the new Meadows Land Use Plan. The plan was adopted unanimously by the Northampton Planning Board and endorsed unanimously by the City Council.
--We sponsored a Meadow’s Cleanup day in late October that collected a 10 yard dumpster full of trash.
--We sponsored a meeting at the Wastewater Treatment Plant that included a tour of the City’s Flood Control Station.
--The President of the Association and our Council member are members of the Three County Fair Neighborhood Advisory Committee. Other members of the board have also attended meetings of this committee.
--We sponsored two social events.
Bylaws
Draft: August 30, 2007
Amended October 2008
Statement of Purpose: Residents of Ward 3 and its neighborhood businesses will work together to learn about and address important issues and to socialize as neighbors. The Association will create a sense of community and work together to improve conditions of all its residents.
Article 1: Membership
The membership of this association shall be residents, property owners or businesses within Northampton’s Ward 3.
A Voting Member shall be a dues paying resident or business owner within the boundaries of Ward 3. Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote.
Dues will be determined by majority vote at the annual meeting. Yearly dues are to be $10 per voting member or $15 per family. Membership dues shall cover membership from one annual meeting to the next. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of views or opinions contrary to the goals and purposes of the Association.
Article 2: Board Members
The voting members shall nominate and elect a Board of Directors comprised of a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, three at-large representatives from Ward 3A, and three at-large representatives from Ward 3B. The Ward 3 Councilor shall serve as ex-officio member of the B.O.D. There shall also be one at large business representative, whose business is in Ward 3, on the Board.
The Board of this Association shall hold offices for a term of one (1) year or until successors are elected. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting.
The President shall call and preside at all meetings, shall act for and on behalf of the membership of the Association, shall appoint any special committees necessary for the operation of the Association business, and shall act as official spokesperson for the Association.
The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, assume all of the duties of that office and shall be responsible for publicity and notifications of meetings of the Association.
The Secretary shall keep a permanent record of all formal meetings, and all legal documents and legal transactions of the Association. The Secretary shall transcribe the minutes of each meeting and shall maintain a file copy of same and submit a copy of these minutes to the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall keep all financial receipts and a permanent record of all financial business of the association. An up-to-date financial report shall be submitted at each meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for membership.
Any Board member can be removed from office by a 2/3rds majority vote of the dues paying membership after a special meeting has been requested at least seven (7) days in advance.
Article 2A. Roles & Responsibilities
Role of the City Councilor on the Board of Directors:
The Ward 3 City Councilor, by virtue of being popularly elected by the constituents of the ward, automatically holds a seat on the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association’s Board of Directors. As a Board Member the City Councilor is afforded, one vote in Association matters. The City Councilor is free to hold his or her own position on city matters.
Responsibilities:
The City Councilor attends monthly meetings. The City Councilor will serve the Board of Directors by providing informed opinion and advice concerning city matters. The City Councilor will help disseminate the opinions and concerns of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association to our officials in city government. The City Councilor will assist the Association with accessing city officials and services that will support our projects and programs to create a more informed and active constituency. The City Councilor will work with the board to find ways we can better support our neighbors and city.
Role of the President of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association:
The President of the Association is elected to his or her seat at our annual meeting (open to the public) or by the Ward 3 Board to fill an opening due to a resignation. The President is afforded one vote in Association matters. The President’s election is effective for one year or until the next annual meeting. The President is in no way bound to represent the positions of the Board of Directors of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and is free to hold his or her own position on city matters.
Responsibilities:
The President is responsible for meeting schedules, meeting agendas, and the overall stewardship of the organization.The President assists the Association with creating a more informed and active war. The President provides informed opinion and advice concerning city issues. The President makes efforts to seek out and represent the views of his or her neighbors. The President makes efforts to disseminate information from the Association to his or her neighbors. The President supports Association events and activities. The President is the Association’s spokesperson.
Role of a Ward 3 Board Member:
A Ward 3 Board Member is elected to his or her seat at our annual meeting (open to the public) or by the Ward 3 Board to fill an opening due to a resignation. As a Board Member, one is afforded, one vote in Association matters. A Board Member’s election is effective for one year or until the next annual meeting. A Board Member is in no way bound to represent the positions of the Board of Directors of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, or its City Councilor, and is free to hold his or her own position on city matters.
Responsibilities:
A Board Member serves the Association by attending monthly meeting. A Board Member will assist the Association with creating a more informed and active ward. A Board Member is encouraged to participate on an Association sub-committee. A Board Member provides informed opinion and advice concerning city issues. A Board Member makes efforts to seek out views of their neighbors. A Board Member makes efforts to disseminate information from the Association to their neighbors. A Board Member supports Association events and activities.
Article 3. Committees
The President shall have the power to appoint committees as necessary to implement the purposes of the Association.
The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Article 4. Meetings
An annual meeting shall be held during the month of October at a time and place designated by the President.
Not less than 33 percent of the Voting Members shall have the privilege of petitioning a special meeting at any time.
At least five (5) Voting Members must be present to constitute a quorum.
At least a seven (7) day notice shall be provided in advance of any Association meeting except for emergency situations at the discretion of the President.
Every effort will be made to notify all interested parties and members of the Association of upcoming meetings by e-mail, website posting, direct mailing, pamphlets, newsletters, or announcements at regularly scheduled meetings.
All meetings shall be public and open to any interested persons.
Article 5. Nomination, Elections, Annual Reports and Installation of Board Members
A nominating committee shall present a slate of Board Member nominees. Nominations made from the floor at the annual meeting would also be acceptable.
Election of Board Members shall be held on the same day as the nominations. Upon installation of the Board Members whose terms begin at the close of the Annual Meeting, all documents, records, and any materials pertaining to the duties of the office as designated in the bylaws which are in the possession of the outgoing Board Members shall be submitted to the newly elected counterpart within seven (7) days of the installation.
Any vacancies occurring during the year of any Board Member shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors.
Any Board Member may be removed from office for cause by a majority vote of the voting members.
Article 6. Fiscal Responsibility
Expenditure of funds of the Association in excess of $100 will require the signature of the Treasurer and one other Board Member.
Financial records and funds of the Association shall be audited at least once a year by a committee of at least two (2) Voting Members of the Association appointed by the President prior to a new Treasurer’s taking office.
Article 7. Amendment of Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote.
Proposed amendments shall be sent to all members at least seven (7) working days in advance of the meeting where action is to be taken or shall be read at the preceding meeting.
Article 8. General
The rules in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association, the Board of Directors, and all subcommittees in all cases to which they apply and do not conflict with the specific provisions of the Statement of Purpose and Bylaws or any special rules that the Association may adopt.
If any part of the Bylaws or the application thereof is hereafter held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall not be affected thereby, and only the affected portions are declared eliminated.
No member, representative or spokesperson shall be personally responsible for the financial liabilities of the Association.
Mission
This is the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Website.
The Ward 3 Neighborhood Association of Northampton invites you to explore the unique attractions of our community: The Great Meadows with its farms, wildlife, and beautiful Connecticut River waterfront, the 3 County Fairgrounds, oldest operating agricultural fairgrounds in the United States; the Paradise City Arts Festivals, presenters of fairs of fine and functional art; Historic Northampton and its ever-changing exhibits; and, of course, our charming neighborhoods filled with caring, involved people. These are just a few of the assets which make Ward 3 exciting and vital.
The mission of our organization is to preserve and further develop the quality of life available in our community and to involve as many of our citizens as possible in that effort.
