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-9. 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.
This is the 5th year for this cleanup event, which has always been very successful.
If you have any questions, please call Bob Reckman at 413-584-8905.
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
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
Update On Recent Events Oct 2008
To: Members of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
From: Jerry Budgar, President
Re: Update on Recent Ward3 Events
I just wanted to update everyone on our very well attended and
successful Annual Meeting and Harvest Festival held last Sunday at the
Montview Neighborhood Farm. We counted close to 100 ward residents
popping in over the two-hour period to learn about the projects we're
involved with, talk to members of our committees, tour the Montview
Neighborhood and Town Farms to see two examples of new agricultural
pursuits in our ward, enjoy great food from Ward 3 chefs and local
restaurants, and vote in our Annual Meeting.
At the Annual Meeting, the membership ratified a number of job
descriptions for our officers and directors that had previously been
approved by the board. Members also endorsed the board's desire to
use a consensus/supermajority model when coming to decisions on major
policy issues and a majority model when voting on such operational
issues as budgets and expenditures. Also approved was a measure
increasing the size of our board by two associate members, one for
Precinct 3A and the other for Precinct 3B. These folks will vote
when one of the three board representatives from his/her precinct
cannot attend the meeting. Anyone interested in becoming an associate
member should contact me at: gbudgar@rcn.com
I'd like to thank Vice President Jim Nash for coordinating the myriad
details of our Annual Meeting and Harvest Fest, and Councillor Bob
Reckman for securing tables and chairs from Northampton Rental
Center, a cheese and fruit platter from Deborah Lynch of East Side
Grill, and two big trays of panini from Claudio Guerra of Spoleto
Express. And thanks also to Szawlowski Farms for donating a huge bag
of Meadows-grown potatoes that our own Ed Glowatsky turned into
incredible French fries for all!
The next event on our Ward 3 calendar is the annual Meadows cleanup
scheduled for Sunday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We'll all
gather in the parking lot of the Northampton Airport at 10 and be
driven to areas of the Meadows that need attention. We'll supply
gloves if you bring the willingness to help keep this wonderful part
of our ward and city clean. Thanks in advance to BNB Waste for
donating use of a dumpster and J.C. & Co. for use of a dump truck to
ferry trash from work sites to the dumpster.
Last but certainly not least, it's time to pay your dues. We only ask
$10 for an individual and $15 for a family membership. Help us help
you by sending along your 2008/9 dues checks, made out to the Ward 3
Neighborhood Association, to P.O. Box 64, Northampton, MA 0l060-0064.
Your dues will help us represent Ward 3's concerns before city
government and help keep you informed and up-to-date about those
issues and concerns.
Finally, a hearty thank you to those who support us in one of the many
ways you can: by attending our events, sending us dues, joining one
of our committees, or volunteering to help us with events and/or
tasks. We are very grateful.
Jerry Budgar
President
From: Jerry Budgar, President
Re: Update on Recent Ward3 Events
I just wanted to update everyone on our very well attended and
successful Annual Meeting and Harvest Festival held last Sunday at the
Montview Neighborhood Farm. We counted close to 100 ward residents
popping in over the two-hour period to learn about the projects we're
involved with, talk to members of our committees, tour the Montview
Neighborhood and Town Farms to see two examples of new agricultural
pursuits in our ward, enjoy great food from Ward 3 chefs and local
restaurants, and vote in our Annual Meeting.
At the Annual Meeting, the membership ratified a number of job
descriptions for our officers and directors that had previously been
approved by the board. Members also endorsed the board's desire to
use a consensus/supermajority model when coming to decisions on major
policy issues and a majority model when voting on such operational
issues as budgets and expenditures. Also approved was a measure
increasing the size of our board by two associate members, one for
Precinct 3A and the other for Precinct 3B. These folks will vote
when one of the three board representatives from his/her precinct
cannot attend the meeting. Anyone interested in becoming an associate
member should contact me at: gbudgar@rcn.com
I'd like to thank Vice President Jim Nash for coordinating the myriad
details of our Annual Meeting and Harvest Fest, and Councillor Bob
Reckman for securing tables and chairs from Northampton Rental
Center, a cheese and fruit platter from Deborah Lynch of East Side
Grill, and two big trays of panini from Claudio Guerra of Spoleto
Express. And thanks also to Szawlowski Farms for donating a huge bag
of Meadows-grown potatoes that our own Ed Glowatsky turned into
incredible French fries for all!
The next event on our Ward 3 calendar is the annual Meadows cleanup
scheduled for Sunday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We'll all
gather in the parking lot of the Northampton Airport at 10 and be
driven to areas of the Meadows that need attention. We'll supply
gloves if you bring the willingness to help keep this wonderful part
of our ward and city clean. Thanks in advance to BNB Waste for
donating use of a dumpster and J.C. & Co. for use of a dump truck to
ferry trash from work sites to the dumpster.
Last but certainly not least, it's time to pay your dues. We only ask
$10 for an individual and $15 for a family membership. Help us help
you by sending along your 2008/9 dues checks, made out to the Ward 3
Neighborhood Association, to P.O. Box 64, Northampton, MA 0l060-0064.
Your dues will help us represent Ward 3's concerns before city
government and help keep you informed and up-to-date about those
issues and concerns.
Finally, a hearty thank you to those who support us in one of the many
ways you can: by attending our events, sending us dues, joining one
of our committees, or volunteering to help us with events and/or
tasks. We are very grateful.
Jerry Budgar
President
Annual Meeting 2008 Minutes
WARD 3 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Annual Meeting October 5, 2008
Held at the conservation field on Montview Ave., Northampton
(in conjunction with Farm Fest & Fall Social)
Approximately 65 adults and 15 children attended the whole event; about 35 attended the meeting.
Jerry Budgar, President, called the meeting to order at about 2:30.
The minutes of the last Annual Meeting were passed out and approved. The Treasury balance was announced as $386.99 (plus dues collected today).
Nominating Committee Business
1. Jim Nash presented the committee’s description of the roles of the board members: the representatives, the president, and the councilor. (These descriptions had been displayed since 1:00 on site for all to read. They can be read on our website: wardthree.com) Acceptance of these role definitions as part of our by-laws was moved and approved by the members present.
2. Jim then presented and read the consensus rules proposed by the Nominating Committee-- majority and super-majority models. These new rules were also approved by the members. [see our website]
3. The President and the Nominating Committee proposed that the 12-member Board of Directors (consisting of four officers, the ward councilor, 3 representatives for precinct A and 3 for B) be expanded to 14 by adding one alternate for each of the precincts. This was approved by the members.
4. Ten board members were reelected as a slate. Lola Reid has resigned her position as secretary after two years and was voted in by the members as Ward 3B representative, succeeding Mac Everett who is stepping off the board. [Mac will remain active with the Traffic Calming Committee etc.] The remaining three directors (secretary and alternates) need to be nominated and voted in at a later board meeting.
President’s Annual Report
The following remarks were written and read by Gerald Budgar:
This has been a very active and productive year for the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association. We are an issue-oriented and results-oriented organization that deals with the concerns of the people who live and work in our neighborhoods. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and hardworking board whose members represent virtually every Ward 3 neighborhood. I serve on many boards, and I can honestly say this is one of the best I've served with!
From our founding around the concept of preserving the Meadows and flood plain, we have considerably expanded the range of issues in which we're involved, everything from agriculture in our ward to homelessness, from traffic issues to crime, from Exit 19 of I-91 to the future of the Bridge Street School, from the Fairgrounds redevelopment proposal to environmental issues affecting Ward 3. And, I might add, we're not shy about making city officials aware of our concerns and the issues that need attention. Having our Councilor, Bob Reckman, as a member of the board has been very helpful in this effort.
Before Jim and I were elected president and vice president last year, we met to talk about our priorities for the organization. We felt the association had successfully passed through the first phase of a group's existence, the founding phase, when the group was organized and all the elements of an organization put into place. Jim and I felt we wanted to take this association to the next level by increasing the number of people involved in our work and programs.
We decided we would work to establish a series of committees that would allow the interested and talented people of Ward 3 to get involved in the issues and projects that concern them. Jim agreed to take responsibility for getting our committees up and running, and he's done a magnificent job at it. We currently have three committees that we invite interested residents to join. One concerns sustainability and the impact the city's new plan might have on Ward 3. Another committee is concerned with traffic calming and is preparing a program for the Hawley Street area that might serve as a prototype for the rest of the city. Our third committee studies Exit 19 of I-91, to make certain Mass Highway considers the views of our residents as it prepares to revise the roadways near the Coolidge Bridge. You can speak with representatives of those committees right after this meeting. Jim is always looking for issues and concerns around which to form new committees, so speak with him if you have ideas.
The association has also worked this year to build bridges with others in Ward 3. We have wanted to get involved with the Bridge Street School community and are pleased that a number of parents are here as part of their effort to save the school, an effort that our board has endorsed. We have established linkages with the North Street Association. And the Business Representative on our board, Owen Freeman-Daniels, is about to embark on a survey of hundreds of businesses located in our ward and establish a Business Advisory Council as ways to keep our board aware of issues our businesses would like to have us bring to the city's attention.
In the few short years of our existence, the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association has become widely known throughout the city as perhaps the most active neighborhood-based group in Northampton. We have had individuals from other wards ask how they might replicate what we've done, and we plan to share our experiences with them to help them organize.
And we couldn't do what we do without the support of so many others in Ward 3. Whether you volunteer for a committee, give us advice or expertise, pay the minimal dues that sustain our operations (and you can do so right after these remarks), or come to our events, we value and appreciate your support. I also want to thank the officers and board members who have worked so hard to make this such a successful year. It's now time for everyone to talk with our committee folks, look at the exhibits we've set up, enjoy some good food and company, and tour the two adjacent farms that are part of a significant increase in the large agricultural industry in our ward. Thank you for coming, and I hope you have a great afternoon with us.
The meeting adjourned and the members returned to eating, painting of traffic calming signs, visiting the Montview and Town farms, and playing ball games.
Submitted by Lola Reid, outgoing board secretary.
Minutes of Annual Meeting October 5, 2008
Held at the conservation field on Montview Ave., Northampton
(in conjunction with Farm Fest & Fall Social)
Approximately 65 adults and 15 children attended the whole event; about 35 attended the meeting.
Jerry Budgar, President, called the meeting to order at about 2:30.
The minutes of the last Annual Meeting were passed out and approved. The Treasury balance was announced as $386.99 (plus dues collected today).
Nominating Committee Business
1. Jim Nash presented the committee’s description of the roles of the board members: the representatives, the president, and the councilor. (These descriptions had been displayed since 1:00 on site for all to read. They can be read on our website: wardthree.com) Acceptance of these role definitions as part of our by-laws was moved and approved by the members present.
2. Jim then presented and read the consensus rules proposed by the Nominating Committee-- majority and super-majority models. These new rules were also approved by the members. [see our website]
3. The President and the Nominating Committee proposed that the 12-member Board of Directors (consisting of four officers, the ward councilor, 3 representatives for precinct A and 3 for B) be expanded to 14 by adding one alternate for each of the precincts. This was approved by the members.
4. Ten board members were reelected as a slate. Lola Reid has resigned her position as secretary after two years and was voted in by the members as Ward 3B representative, succeeding Mac Everett who is stepping off the board. [Mac will remain active with the Traffic Calming Committee etc.] The remaining three directors (secretary and alternates) need to be nominated and voted in at a later board meeting.
President’s Annual Report
The following remarks were written and read by Gerald Budgar:
This has been a very active and productive year for the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association. We are an issue-oriented and results-oriented organization that deals with the concerns of the people who live and work in our neighborhoods. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and hardworking board whose members represent virtually every Ward 3 neighborhood. I serve on many boards, and I can honestly say this is one of the best I've served with!
From our founding around the concept of preserving the Meadows and flood plain, we have considerably expanded the range of issues in which we're involved, everything from agriculture in our ward to homelessness, from traffic issues to crime, from Exit 19 of I-91 to the future of the Bridge Street School, from the Fairgrounds redevelopment proposal to environmental issues affecting Ward 3. And, I might add, we're not shy about making city officials aware of our concerns and the issues that need attention. Having our Councilor, Bob Reckman, as a member of the board has been very helpful in this effort.
Before Jim and I were elected president and vice president last year, we met to talk about our priorities for the organization. We felt the association had successfully passed through the first phase of a group's existence, the founding phase, when the group was organized and all the elements of an organization put into place. Jim and I felt we wanted to take this association to the next level by increasing the number of people involved in our work and programs.
We decided we would work to establish a series of committees that would allow the interested and talented people of Ward 3 to get involved in the issues and projects that concern them. Jim agreed to take responsibility for getting our committees up and running, and he's done a magnificent job at it. We currently have three committees that we invite interested residents to join. One concerns sustainability and the impact the city's new plan might have on Ward 3. Another committee is concerned with traffic calming and is preparing a program for the Hawley Street area that might serve as a prototype for the rest of the city. Our third committee studies Exit 19 of I-91, to make certain Mass Highway considers the views of our residents as it prepares to revise the roadways near the Coolidge Bridge. You can speak with representatives of those committees right after this meeting. Jim is always looking for issues and concerns around which to form new committees, so speak with him if you have ideas.
The association has also worked this year to build bridges with others in Ward 3. We have wanted to get involved with the Bridge Street School community and are pleased that a number of parents are here as part of their effort to save the school, an effort that our board has endorsed. We have established linkages with the North Street Association. And the Business Representative on our board, Owen Freeman-Daniels, is about to embark on a survey of hundreds of businesses located in our ward and establish a Business Advisory Council as ways to keep our board aware of issues our businesses would like to have us bring to the city's attention.
In the few short years of our existence, the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association has become widely known throughout the city as perhaps the most active neighborhood-based group in Northampton. We have had individuals from other wards ask how they might replicate what we've done, and we plan to share our experiences with them to help them organize.
And we couldn't do what we do without the support of so many others in Ward 3. Whether you volunteer for a committee, give us advice or expertise, pay the minimal dues that sustain our operations (and you can do so right after these remarks), or come to our events, we value and appreciate your support. I also want to thank the officers and board members who have worked so hard to make this such a successful year. It's now time for everyone to talk with our committee folks, look at the exhibits we've set up, enjoy some good food and company, and tour the two adjacent farms that are part of a significant increase in the large agricultural industry in our ward. Thank you for coming, and I hope you have a great afternoon with us.
The meeting adjourned and the members returned to eating, painting of traffic calming signs, visiting the Montview and Town farms, and playing ball games.
Submitted by Lola Reid, outgoing board secretary.
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