The first public meeting of the Ward 3 Transportation subcommittee will be Tuesday, September 1 at Northampton Coffee at 6:30 PM. We intend to discuss a variety of topics: the new bike path opening and its future use, the possibility of new train service and a new station, walking buses and increased sidewalks. Please come and bring or tell other people you think would be interested in participating on this committee.
If you can't make it but want to provide some input, contact Owen Freeman-Daniels at OwenFD@gmail.com.
Meeting Minutes August 11, 2009
Board Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 7 PM
Meeting held on Island Road-Phil Sullivan’s home
Present: Fred Zimnoch, Joanne Mackiewicz, Lisa DiPiano, Lola Reid, Phil Sullivan, Bob Reckman, Madeline Weaver Blanchette, Owen Freeman Daniels, Tim Fisher, Jim Nash, Gerald Budgar.
Absent (and highly missed by the note taker, Jim Nash): Marianna McKim
Members of the Public in attendance: Jesse Adams, Jennifer Remillard, Alexis Johnson, Melissa and Glen
00.00
Introductions
00.50
Public Comment
Jennifer Remillard of Island Road spoke to the Board about the traffic concerns of the Island Road neighborhood. She reported that none of the soccer parents are using the park and ride lot at the entrance to Island Road. The Jennifer stated that the consensus of the neighbors is that the families of Western United, not the Northampton Soccer Club, were the most aggressive traffic offenders.
The permit for the Ox Bow soccer fields that adjoin the Ox Bow Marina at the end of Island Road, asks that soccer families adhere to speed limit on Island Road and request they make use of the “park and ride” lot at the entrance to Island Road near Route 5.
Resolutions
1. A committee of Joanne, Owen, Tim, Madeline, and Jennifer, will draft a letter asking the city to explore a broader range of enforcement options.
2. The Island Road neighbors will meet with our traffic calming committee to explore traffic calming options.
3. Bob and Jim will attempt to meet with the leadership of Western United to invite dialog between them and Island Road
25:17
Treasurer’s Report
Fred Zimnoch
1. EXPENSES: None
2. DUES: $155 from 6 members of which 3 are new.
3. BALANCES: Previous $655.31 New $730.31
4. LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = 167 members. Add 3 new members with email addresses from above.
5. LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 1
26:10
Traffic Calming
The Ward 3 Traffic Calming Committee is planning an experimental, temporary street painting at the intersection of Williams and Holyoke Street. They hope to do this next spring. They are also considering a number of designs for the painting in the intersection. One idea suggested by former Board Member Mac Everett is to paint a compass pointing to different sections and features of the neighborhood and city.
An unanticipated obstacle that the Traffic Calming Committee has run into is a requirement by the city to spend all of the roughly $15,000 at once.
27:50
President’s Report
Jerry Budgar report that the get together with other neighborhood groups held at the Three County Fair Grounds was a success. It was well attended. The food was excellent. The conversation was lively and friendly. People expressed an interest in continuing such gatherings.
Mr. Budgar reported that six members of the W3NA board attended function with the leadership of the Morgan Horse Show. Our W3NA representatives expressed our enthusiasm for continuing the show at the fairgrounds and discussed ways to further enhance the shows relationship with neighbors. The show’s president would like us to emphasize that the show is open to the public and that neighbors are encouraged to attend.
Resolutions
1.Phil and Jim will contact Morgan Horse Show leadership and to explore having a parade.
Mr. Budgar also reminded Board Members to “Bring a Friend” to our next board meeting on September 8, at 7 PM at Bridge Street School.
38:45
Dream Mural Discussion
Councilor Reckman reported that the artist who created the mural is not interested in restoring it. The mural is in poor condition. The mural is attached to a Railroad Bridge that due to its poor condition cannot be used by the railroad and any future improvements for restoring rail service would not include that span but the adjoining span.
Councilor Reckman believes the Mural should be removed. There is some funding to remove much of the mural but not all. The board discussed which would look worse.
Resolution
1. Board Members agreed to look at the mural and bridge to discuss further action at our next meeting.
47:20
Nominations Committee
Jim Nash reported that there is a need for Alternates and a Secretary to be added at the Annual Meeting. Also, to be considered is to add a seat for the Ward 3 School Committee representative.
Mr. Nash reported that current members have been asked to contact either himself or Mr. Budgar to express their interest around their continuing service on the board.
An idea proposed during the meeting was to invite Jennifer Remillard onto the board and have Phil Sullivan move into the Alternate role. Both Phil and Jennifer were interested in this idea.
52:00
Bridge Street School Committee
Tim Fisher reported that a new playground is going in at Bridge Street School
53:55
Website Committee
Nothing to report
54:00
Sustainability Committee
Jim Nash reported on the success of the tour of Market and Hawley Street lead by Aaron Helfand of the Notre Dame group. The tour was attended by around twenty people and promoted some interesting discussions around how to promote infill while maintaining a neighborhoods character. It was discussed that Ward 3 had some previous work done to make it a historic district, but they lacked the funding to create the discourse.
64:20
Traffic Calming (Revisited)
Lisa DiPiano reported that Mac and Lola are exploring the idea of wearing traffic calming signs while they ride their bikes.
The committee reported that they have spoken to the neighbors abutting the Williams and Holyoke Street intersection to get their backing for the traffic-calming project. All were supportive.
Speaking to the issue of spending the allotted money all at once, members expressed interest in finding more flexible ways to spend the money.
The committee also expressed a need to recruit new members to the team.
It was suggested that the Traffic Calming Committee do some outreach with the NSNA to begin discussion possible traffic calming plans for the Northern Avenue Project.
74:20
Exit 19 Committee
Mr. Nash and Mr. Reckman reported that the Exit 19 Advisory Committee will be convening soon, likely towards the end of August. Mass Highways has hired a consulting firm to assist with analyzing the data and recommending designs. We are awaiting Mass Highway’s announcement of this meeting.
75:55
Transportation Committee
(and Annual Meeting Date)
The Grand Opening of the Northampton Bike Trail will be on Sunday October 4 at 2 PM at the Depot. This will be our Ward 3 Community Event. Our Annual Meeting will be held at the same location on the same date at 12:30 on the deck at the depot.
87:00
Ward 3 Business Committee
No Report
87:00
Councilor’s Report
Mr. Reckman reported that City Council is exploring ways to hand some of the authority for the landfill decision over to the Planning Board, thus allowing City Councilors the latitude to express their thoughts on the matter. City Council will still retain control of the matter through the city budget.
Mr. Reckman also reported that he hopes that that City Council can agree on the wording for a referendum on the proposed landfill expansion to be placed on the ballot in November.
Mr. Reckman also reported that he hopes that City Council will dedicate a meeting in the coming month to discuss the findings of the Best Practices Committee.
93:10
Candidates Forums
Bob Reckman and Jim Nash reported that they had secured space at Bridge Street School for two dates and proposed two line-ups of candidate discussions. The number of candidates and city offices being determined by the election called for some careful consideration. Bob and Jim felt that three forum would be too many for citizens of the ward. Also, with the likelihood of a voter referendum on the landfill, we may be faced with organizing another forum on the landfill in late October.
Resolutions:
1. The Board unanimously approved the line-ups and dates as proposed by Bob and Jim.
2. On October 14th at 7 PM at Bridge Street School, we will hold our “At Large” Forum featuring candidates for At Large City Council and At Large School Committee.
3. On October 19th at 7 PM at Bridge Street School, we will hold our Mayoral and Ward 3 Councilor Forum, featuring Councilor Reckman and his challenger Angela Plassmann, and the Mayoral Candidates who will be determined by the Preliminary Election.
4. Fred Zimnoch and Jerry Budgar we unanimously approved as timekeeper and moderator. The Board also asked that they further develop the formats around taking questions, opening statements, and keeping things informative and fair.
5. Jim will invite the candidates and seek confirmation of their intentions to participate. However, questions around format by campaigns will be directed to Fred and Jerry.
6. If there is to be a referendum on the landfill, we will seek to partner with another neighborhood organization to sponsor a forum.
119:00
New Business
New Business
Fred Zimnoch:
1. Membership apps at Senior Center for Voting Day. I spoke to Registrar Wendy Mazza and she approved our application for hand out on Election Day. Bob spoke to Patricia Shaughnessy at COA and we can have a table for applications and chairs for folks attending the table. This should be easy for us to do since we all vote and spending a half hour at the table working the crowd should be easy.
a. Primary if necessary will be Wednesday Sept 16th and General Tuesday Nov 3
2. Bob Reckman helped bring the Pomeroy Terrace Pot Hole problem before the DPW meeting (7/13) with Ned Huntley, Jim Dostal, Bob Reckman, Secretary and a part time engineer formally with Tighe and Bond. Ned later emailed and said that he would send some one out to look at this area of the street. I will follow up on this issue.
3. Waste Water Treatment Plant: Effluent Pumps
I spoke to George Brehm (8/9/9) the Director of WWTP about progress installing the new effluent pumps. He reported: old pumps removed, new electrical wiring in, cement pad for pumps finished, using three way valve the effluent is now diverted to storm water stations when river is high as it was yesterday, manufacturer will install custom made pumps in Sept/Oct., pumps will be tested simulating a blocked flow and expect work to be completed by November 2009. George added that current pumps are designed to work for a 100 year flood as did old pumps. More efficient/large pumps would be more expensive. New pumps are hydraulic so that the pump impeller is turned by a vane which is propelled by flowing hydraulic oil. New pumps only require 20 gallons of oil versus 250 gallons for old pumps so this is an improvement
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