A gateway into the City will be the site of a new piece of public art to welcome people to Northampton. In recent years, Bob Reckman, Ward 3 City Councilor and the members of the neighborhood opened discussions about the care and maintenance of the “Dream” mural, installed on the east side of the railroad bridge over Rte 9 funded by the Northampton Arts Council in 1991. It is in poor shape and cannot be repaired. Leland Johnston, the artist who created it, believes it is time for something new in that location. The cost to refurbish the mural was staggering and an article about the condition of the “Dream” mural appeared on September 17 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Three groups or individuals expressed their interest in funding a replacement within the next 2 days by contacting Councilor Reckman. The first was a donor who prefers to remain anonymous. The second was Chartpak, Inc a Leeds based company that sells a wide range of art supplies and had been looking for a way to contribute to the local arts scene and the City. In addition to money they are happy to contribute any of their products that could be used at no cost. The third group was the newly created Business Improvement District (BID). Reckman, working together with Mayor Clare Higgins, brought the project to the Northampton Arts Council.
Bob Reckman arranged a meeting with the Mayor, Robert Rodak, Vice President & General Manager of Chartpak, Sasha De Marino, Director of Education at Chartpak, Dan Yacuzzo, Executive Director of the Business Improvement District (BID) in Northampton, the Director of the Northampton Arts Council, Bob Cilman, and Diane Porcella a consultant to the Council. All agreed that it is key that both the neighborhood community and City residents be involved in the selection process. The BID is already working to improve the bridge appearance with power washing, already underway, new lighting and improvements to the railings at the edge of the sidewalk. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Pan Am Railways are also working to protect this area for its regional transportation and historic values.
The Northampton Arts Council, with the support of the City, will develop a steering committee to create a plan and process that will prepare the bridge for new art, build a long term maintenance plan, create an application package and review process that will attract artists from Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden and Berkshire counties to this high visibility project. The steering committee will examine the core needs and how to manage this important opportunity and significant financial contribution. They will establish a jury to choose among the respondents and once the list has been narrowed there will be a chance for the public to see these proposals and let jury members know their responses in person before the jury makes the final selection. The scope and importance of the project demands time and diligence to make a piece of art that reflects Northampton and the request will go out before the year end. The anonymous donor, Chartpak and the BID saw a need and a way to help make a change. This project may become a blueprint for how future public art in Northampton can be conceived and funded. It is bittersweet to remove Johnston’s “Dream” but its removal signals a fresh way of looking at this space, and other spaces around the City.
For more info: Bob Cilman 413 587 1247 nacads@comcast.net Northampton Arts Council, Inc. 240 Main Street, Memorial Hall Northampton, MA 01060
T 413.587.1269 arts@northamptonma.gov nacads@comcast.net www.northamptonartscouncil.org
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Minutes of Board Meeting Tuesday, October 13, 2009 7 p.m - Bridge Street School Library
Present: Fred Zimnoch, Joanne Mackiewicz, Lola Reid, Bob Reckman, Owen Freeman Daniels, Jim Nash, Gerald Budgar, Gloria Parker, Marianna McKim, Lisa DiPiano, Jennifer Remillard , Madeline Weaver Blanchette, Tim Parshall
Absent: Tim Fisher
Members of the Public in attendance: Bill Mackiewicz
00:30 Minutes of September 8, 2009 was unanimously approved.
Treasurers report – October 2009 1. EXPENSES: Food for Annual Meeting $22.68 2. DUES: $145. One new member 3. BALANCES: Previous $659.71 4. NEW BALANCE: $782.03 5. LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = 168 added 1 member Joanne Hoyt 6. LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 8 7. MEMBERSHIPS: At last years annual meeting we collected $180 and 2 new members. We added quite a few members after last forum so we should be prepared with applications for 10/14, 10/19 and 10/25. I will bring them along with timer and buzzer. Also we should be prepared to man/woman the Ward table during the popular polls in 11/3/9, 12/8/9 and 1/19/10.
03:00 Waste Water Treatment Plant - Fred WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY (WWTF): George Brehm, Director of WWTF 10/6/9. The manufacturer (moving water industries, Deerfield Beach, Florida) of our effluent pumps has delayed installation until 1/29/10. This was caused by dispute over what pump curves to use. (Pump curves characterize the pump. They are usually a graph with a curve of throughput in gallons per minute versus pump speed in rpm). The installation engineer’s sea (scientists-engineers-architects) consultants of 215 First Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts want to hasten the project. In any case the system should be ready before the next food season. Storm water pump facility: George Brehm, Director of WWTF10/6/9. The Army Corp of Engineers inspected the storm water pump facility that they designed after the great flood of September 1938. It became operational in 1940 or almost 70 years ago. Ned Huntley was present at the inspection and told them that replacement diesel engines for the pumps have been budgeted for last five years. They may appear in next year’s final budget. George thinks the report will cite excess vegetation & brush around the facility. Plans now are to trim vegetation after the leaves fall off the trees. 10.14.09-Additional information on the storm water pumps from Bob George Brehm explained that the pumps at the flood control station are all in good shape. The problem is with the engines that drive them. One is a relatively new diesel that is fine. The other two are very old gas engines for which it is increasingly hard to get parts. The WWTP is also dependent on good mechanics to keep them running. One of them retired last year so they are concerned about their ability to keep them running in the long run as they loose people who are good tinkerers. There have been requests to capital improvements for the last 5 years to replace the engines, which cost about $100,000 each. George said this is not an emergency now but if the City could buy one new engine that would provide a lot of peace of mind for the City. If both old engines failed in a flood we would have a real problem on our hands.
07:00 President’s Report 30 people at annual meeting; afterwards watched the grand opening of bike path. Gerry welcomed Tim Parshall TimParshall@yahoo.com the new board member representing Ward3A and Jennifer Remillard, remillardj@comcast.net from Ward 3b.
Gerry announced that he does not want to be president next year. Part of the president’s responsibilities are membership on the Mass Highway’s Exit 19 Advisory Board and the Three County Fairs Advisory Committee.
Neighborhood presidents met on the 29th at Florence Civic Center at 7pm. • Zoning Revision committee will be meeting with all groups to review cluster housing regulations. • Florence Civic Business Association meets with the mayor on a monthly basis. Gerry spoke with mayoral candidates about meeting with Ward 3 Board members on a monthly basis. After the election, a request to meet monthly with the mayor will be initiated by Gerry.
Exit 19 Advisory Committee will meet on November 16, 2009 at JFK at 7pm.
Meadows Cleanup will be held on Sunday, October 25th from 10-2.
Salvo House Watch Program- Gerry connected with the President of the Salvo House and Officer Victor Caputo. Reports are that their watch program have been successful.
The Complete Count Committee – Tim Fisher will serve on the City’s committee to ensure that everyone living in Northampton be counted in the census.
Farmer Charlie informed Gerry that he will not be grazing Angus cows because of the work entailed in keeping them. His cash crops will be corn and hay.
Gerry spoke with Angela Plassman because he was disturbed about how the conversation and discussion at our September meeting ended. She stated that if she was voted in as Ward 3 councilor then she would be a board member, but would not vote.
21:30 Dream Mural – Bob Memo distributed to board got to the Gazette’s article. Private funding has been secured by the Arts Council and they will be handling this project.
32:30 Island Road Planning Board continued the hearing until Jan 14th with four conditions to Clubs. Fall traffic count, number of games, number Suggestions; A total # of games and practices per club should be determined. They’ll be a determination in January as whether or not to remove the condition of auxiliary lot. Enforcement of the amendment seems to be the real issue with this situation. Impact of letter: Letter turned up the heat; ZBA made a decision.
50:20 Nomination Chair 3A will need an alternate when Tim Fisher becomes the school committee representative. Christine Cahillane has expressed interest in filling this position. There will be a Secretary vacancy in January; Jennifer Remillard expressed interest.
53:30 School Committee Report – Gerry read Tim Fisher’s report to the Board. Enrollment is down by 20 students. Per Mike Diemand, a Central Services employee said there are no such plans for a turnaround at Bridge Street School. He said that they had done a study several years ago. The results were that they are between the rock of the park and the hard place of the cemetery. He said that they stopped at that point and has not done anything about this issue since then.
57:40 Web Communication Owen created a calendar on website that lists events on left hand side. Anyone can add a calendar event – following posting rules. Not profits, federal, state, local governments; committee meetings. Website can be more relevant if postings are placed in a timely fashion. It was decided that the web committee convened to further discuss posting rules and bring to board for more approval.
Another suggestion is to create a list serve just for the Board. This will Reduce inbox emails and provide a forum for discussion during Board meetings. It will be either Google or Yahoo.
68:18 Sustainability Zoning Revision Committee is charged with ensuring that the sustainability plan is used as a framework for any zoning revisions. Jim has expertise with the help of Owen to the specifics of the plan which we feel needs to be brought to focus during this process. We want to avoid recreating the wheel. The Chicken and hen subcommittee seems to be a test case on how to apply the plan to zoning issues and how to notify and communicate with constituents.
72:00 Traffic Calming Committee Lola gave a recap of what the committee has been doing for 2.5 years. They want to set up a clarification meeting with Laura Hanson. Area of concern map for Hawley-Williams area was revised by Lisa based on the input received from residents. This is creating a good framework for specific projects that they will request from the mitigation fund. Meeting at 10 on Thursday at Lola’s with committee members; meeting on the 20th with transportation and parking commission. Christine and Jennifer may want to join this committee.
80:00 Candidate Forums There are plenty of questions for the candidates tomorrow. Name plates have been made for each candidate. We are looking for a microphone. School Committee candidates will go first. Folks can put literature on table. Candidate signs are outside. Candidates can use hallway for any campaign tables. People can stand up and ask 30 second questions from the room. Board members are non-partisan and will not show political favorites.
100:30 Exit 19 The Mayor has asked for another name to submit to Mayor for replacement of Mara. Six board members want to submit only the name of Frank Werbinski to the Mayor. It was decided that Jim would speak with the Mayor regarding her request.
109:30 Transportation Committee The Department of Public Works (DPW) Parks' department takes care of the Northampton Bike Path. The Board of Public Works (BPW) tells the DPW what to do. So it is the DPW that plows the Northampton Bike Path. We should petition the BPW to get the new one plowed.
113:30 BID is up and running; Snow may be able to be pushed onto the street. Paradise City Tavern’s license is under review. They are applying for use of lot to have big events. Chamber will be hosting a debate at 8am on the 19th with a focus on economic development.
116:40 Bob is trying to schedule a meeting with councilors to discuss Best Practices.
117:00 Residents on Orchard Street would like to have a block party in the spring called Orchard Festival. Food, music, martial art demonstrated. A subcommittee was formed to plan this block party.
119:30 Police arrested person for a car fire on the corner of Pomeroy and Williams. 121:10 Lisa and Joanne continue to identify gardens for the Garden Tour scheduled in next summer.
123:00 New Business Owen suggested that we sponsor a voter registration drive for the senate elections in December and January.
The Ward 3 Neighborhood Association will be holding two Candidate Forums as follows:
Wednesday, October 14th: School Committee At-Large City Councilor At-Large
Monday, October 19th: Ward 3 City Councilor Mayor
Both start at 7 p.m. at the Bridge Street School.
We will be asking those running for public office questions that come from our members and from the audience attending each of the forums. We think this is a good way to let the people of Ward 3 get answers to the questions that are on their minds. It's also a good way to make certain that concerns involving Ward 3 get a hearing from the candidates before the election.
We're interested in receiving questions for the candidates from you. Please send your name, phone number, question, and the electoral race you wish to address, to Jerry Budgar at gbudgar@rcn.com or call him at 584-2964. As part of the procedures approved by the board of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, we will read the name of the person submitting each question so no anonymous questions will be used in our forums.
These forums are free and open to the public, and we hope everyone will attend to hear what those who want to represent us in city government have to say about the important issues of the day.
Minutes of Annual Meeting October 4, 2009 Held at The Deck at Union Station
Approximately 30 attended the event.
Jerry Budgar, President, called the meeting to order at about 12:30.
Treasurer's Report The balance of the account is $659.71.
Nominating Committee Business 1. Jim Nash presented the committee’s description of the role of the School Committee Representative on the Board of Directors. They were generally similar to the previously adopted role of the City Councilor. This role was moved to be added to the association's by-laws and approved by the members present.
2. Jim also stated that this year we were going to enter into a conversation about whether elected representatives like the City Councilor and School Committee Representative should be able to vote on the Board of Directors.
3. Election of the Board of Directors The following was the results of the election held at the annual meeting:
Ward 3 B Board Members Lisa DePiano Madeline Weaver Blanchette Jennifer Remillard Lola Reid (alternate)
Ward 3A Board Members Tim Fisher Gloria Parker Joanne Mackiewicz Tim Parshall (alternate)
Treasurer Fred Zimnoch
Secretary Marianna McKim
Business Representative Jim Nash
Vice-President Owen Freeman-Daniels
President Gerald Budgar
City Councilor Determined by ward wide election
School Committee Representative Determined by ward wide election
President's Report "On behalf of the officers and directors of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, I want to welcome you to our Annual Meeting. I want to thank the board members who helped put this event together, and I hope everyone is having a good time.
"We want your opinion on a matter your board has been discussing. Should the City Councilor and School Committee Representative be voting or non-voting members of the board? We will be talking about this over the next year so we want to know how you feel about it."
[A short discussion was held regarding this matter during the meeting. Members wanted to know whether elected officials could form a majority of a quorum under the rules of the association.]
"The Ward 3 councillor serves on our board as liaison between our organization and city government. I’d like to ask Councillor Bob Reckman to give us a brief, and I mean brief, update on what issues that affect Ward 3 have been coming before the council and city government. [See Addendum]
"This has been another very active and productive year for the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association. Since this is not a board of shrinking violets, we’re not shy about making city officials aware of our concerns and the issues that need attention. I can assure you City Hall knows who we are!!!
"Among the accomplishments of the past year are the following: -Establishing a Bridge Street School Committee to keep the board updated on issues related to the future of the school. -Establishing a Transportation Committee to focus on issues like bikepaths, the return of passenger rail service, and sidewalks for walkability. -Meeting with Northampton Police Department officials to help us create a Meadows Watch program. -Helping the Salvo Tenants Association develop a successful watch program in their building. -Holding a successful forum on the recent override election. -Supporting Jim Nash’s successful application for membership on the Zoning Revisions Commission. -Preparing letter urging city government to notify property owners when rezoning their parcel. -Holding a social event with officers and boards of other neighborhood groups to investigate possibility of collaboration on issues and projects. -Sent letter to Pioneer Valley Planning Commission endorsing study of returning rail passenger service to Northampton. -Heard a presentation on homelessness from Yvonne Freccero of the Friends of the Homeless -Cosponsored a reception for leadership of the Morgan Horse Show to encourage them to stay in town. -Held a Neighborhood Design Forum with Aaron Helfand of Notre Dame about design standards for infill under the city’s new Sustainability Plan. -Continued efforts to build stronger relationships with North Street Association, Bridge Street School PTO, and other neighborhood organizations, among others. -Worked with Rep. Peter Kocot to secure a $50,000 grant to help a Ward 3 farmer reposition his business from dairy to beef cattle and corn and hay production so he could remain in farming.
"Before Jim and I were elected president and vice president two years ago, our priority was to get more people sharing in the Association’s work through 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’s done a magnificent job getting these committees up and running.. We currently have five committees that we invite interested residents to join. Besides the Bridge Street School and Transportation Committees mentioned above, other committees are: Sustainability, Traffic Calming, and Exit 19 of I-91.
"I want to thank Jim, who will be moving from vice president to business representative. Jim has been a tireless worker, taking responsibility for getting our committee system up and running, and doing an endless number of tasks that required a responsible hand. We are all indebted to Jim for his years of service on the board, and we’re glad he’ll be back to participate in our activities as liaison to the ward’s business community.
"A few days ago, our new vice president, Owen Freeman-Daniels and I sat down to again chart the future course we wish to pursue for this organization. Our focus will be on building membership, having greater representation from a wider cross-section of the ward participating in our activities.
"Owen will take responsibility for not only further building the committee system, but for building our membership. He hopes to put together a committee that will present the board with recommendations on things we can do to grow membership and involvement. He wants to look at things like our dues structure, event sponsorship, and networking as possible ways to bring more Ward 3 folks into our operations. We look forward to discussing these in the months ahead.
"We have several events coming up this month. On October 14 and 19, we will be sponsoring two candidate forums for those running for office. The first forum will feature discussions among the four candidates for school committee at large and the three councillor at large hopefuls. On the 19th, we’ll talk with the two candidates for Ward 3 councillor and two seeking the job of mayor. We want Ward 3 residents to submit the questions to be asked of those candidates. Owen has cards available for you to write your questions. Please note the office you’d like the questions directed to and your name. And come to the forums, both at 7 p.m. at Bridge Street School, to hear what these folks have to say.
"On Sunday, October 25th, we’ll do our annual Meadows Cleanup. We’ll gather at 10 a.m. at the airport and disperse to areas where trash needs to be removed. We usually remove a huge dumpster full of bottles, tires, old appliances, rugs, furniture, and other items the slobs have left behind. The farmers and landowners are grateful and we all feel good afterwards that we’re helping protect these wonderful and environmentally-sensitive lands. Please join us.
"I want to close by thanking everyone who helped make this such a successful year for us. From board members to committee members, from Ed Glowatsky making his wonderful French fries at our events to Jack Finn providing tables and chairs. From the merchants who contributed items and food for our events to public officials who came to our meetings to discuss programs and projects. From Phil Sullivan who hosted the board for our July and August meetings at his incredible property to Bridge Street School which provided space for our meetings. We thank you all for playing a part in helping us try to make Ward 3 an even better place to live, work, and enjoy. We look forward to another year of success. Thank you very much."
City Councilor Robert Reckman presented his thanks to the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and gave a brief legislative update.
The meeting was adjourned and many members walked to the bridge of the new bike path for the opening celebration.
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