Meeting Minutes Jan 27, 2010

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
Minutes of Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 , 7 pm "January's Second Board Meeting"
Bridge Street School Library

Present: Fred Zimnoch, Joanne Mackiewicz, Owen Freeman Daniels, Tim Fisher, Jim Nash, Gerald Budgar, Marianna McKim, Phil Sullivan, Madeline Weaver Blanchette, Angela Plassman, Tim Parshall

Absent: Lisa DiPiano, Jennifer Remillard, Lola Reid, Arnie Levinson

Members of the Public in attendance: Bill Mackiewicz, David Narkewicz, and more.

-Meeting started at 7:05 pm.

1. Secretary's Minutes
Maddy: received some feedback through google docs and email
Discussion
Owen: minutes could be less detailed because of audio taping
Action
January Minutes unanimously approved

2. Ward 3 Treasurers’ Report January 2010
Fred: (Basically the same as January's earlier meeting. Shared with board members two hand-outs of graphs depicting significant increases in membership rates over time.)

3. President's Report
Jerry:

-Fairgrounds Redevelopment
State has determined that no EIR needed for fairground redevelopment. Maria Tomosko has sent a letter to the Planning Dept. and the Conservation Commission requesting that citizens have two weeks to view a plan before it goes to hearing.
Discussion
Angela: meeting times should be in the evening for best practices.
Owen: Isn't DPW involved because of the storm water issues?
Fred: The plan has been changed since its initial proposal.
Action
Angela and Tim to notify the board of the plan when they get it.
Angela to convey the request for the 2 week lead time on any hearing.

-Monthly Meeting with the Mayor
Last month Mayor on:
1. Bean Farm: If fields build they will be for local soccer teams, not Western United. They would be ready fall 2012 at earliest. Concerns about $ for maintenance. Believes conditions of neighborhood and infrastructure better equipped than Island Rd. to handle soccer.
Phil: Noho soccer wasn’t the problem on Island Rd, it started with Western. Also, soccer players pay fees for field maintenance.
2. Fair grounds: EIR unnecessary, would delay project and not result in any oversight that the CC cannot do. The concern is storm water run off, and the city is aware of it. Will add a light on Bridge St., and a 3 lane on Old Ferry Rd..
Angela: which side will give up land for the new lane?
Jerry: probably taken from Sheldon field side?
3. 91: Probably will need a tunnel for bike path under Damon Rd. Soon there will be a light at the industrial park, eventually a sidewalk and bike lanes on Damon Rd. and in the industrial park. Would also like to add sidewalks and reduce the speed limit on Conz St.

Action
Topics and people for next month's meeting to be determined at the close of the meeting.

-Update about the “Dream” mural restoration
via Bob: Diane Porcella is receiving lots applicants for the Jury and project proposals. Call the art council if you are interested at 584-1269 ext. 3.

-Island Road traffic situation update
Phil: soccer clubs dropped their request to be excused from the parking lot condition. In June they will be coming back to renew their special permit.

-Exit 19 Advisory Committee update
Marianna: having a meeting with Mass Highway…questions about the numbers they used in recent studies and projections.

-Voter Registration Drive Program Details (tabled for next time)

-Our Involvement in Complete Count for Census
Owen: Valley Young Professionals have developed a flyer to encourage participation in the census by renters and more disenfranchised members of W3. We are looking for $60 to print another 500 flyers. The idea is like a campaign, we would like to ask board members to give out these materials.
Discussion
Jerry: important issue because of funding and congressional seats…
Owen: more flyers coming in Spanish and Chinese…
Joanne: can we have another flyer… that just goes to the heart of it… something inexpensive… with the core message.
Action:
$ for printing approved. Joanne may bring back additional flyer ideas in two weeks.

-Valley Time Trade (tabled for next month)

-Recap of Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser with WW II Club
W3NA board did a great job per Steve Connor. $2000 was raised. Steve so impressed that he would like to do future collaborations.

-Update on Fires Aftermath
Not much to add to earlier meeting's extensive coverage. The letters from W3NA went out, and victims are receiving money.

-Newspaper Flyers
People very frustrated by Republican's throwing of weekly bagged paper advertisements.
David Narkewicz: They have been told that the throwing violates littering ordinance. Other things are being worked on to get an easy opt out for the whole city.

-North St. Kohl Project
Spoke with Adam Cohen, land court denied their request for summary judgment on the paper street issue. They are facing considerable legal expenses to continue their opposition and are looking for support. Kohl may proceed, at least in part.

4. Changes to board membership
Owen:
-W3NA Membership
Owen: drive is somewhat moot b.c. publicity from fires have added so many people. Joanne is working on a new brochure, however, that looks great.
Discussion
Joanne: (passed around a draft) It's only a draft, I'm taking suggestions.
Marianna: Have we received paid and provisional members? Have we sent them a welcome?
Owen: Yes.
Fred: A letter went out to each new member on the to List-serve. What about due changes and annual meeting issue?
Joanne: We changed it back, we have sidestepped that.
Action
Hoping to have a meeting in Feb. before next board meeting regarding some of the addition issues like adding Alternative Reps for 3A and 3B, etc.

5. Update from Bridge Street School Committee/School Committee News
Tim F:
1. District significantly non-compliant in addressing students with special education needs. A parent advisory committee meeting was held 2 weeks ago to address it, the school committee came and is taking the problem very seriously.
2. Pleased to be on the budget and property sub committee.
3. Encouraged regarding children's desire to work with an artist in collaborating on a new mural for the "Dream Mural" restoration.

6. Update on website/web communications issues
Owen: Website getting lots of hits.

7. Sustainability Committee Update – 8:00 pm
Jim:
-Update on Zoning Revisions Committee
2/24 7 pm at JFK public forum on infill, etc.

-Update on zoning notifications letter
No direct reply, but there is a new tone from the planning board that you have to get the info.
Phil: 10 years ago sponsored ordinance that you can't change zoning with notice to abutters.

-Bean Farm
Had a meeting on Sunday and drafted a letter to encourage the purchase for both agricultural and recreational use. Received feedback on the list-serve that some don’t want any agricultural land taken out of use.
Discussion
Tim: don’t feel ready to decide…
Fred: straighten out Island Rd. first. They have years to live with the traffic difficulty no matter what happens at Bean Farm.
Action
Board votes not to approve letter and not to yet endorse even buying the property

-Design Standards Project Update: Could W3NA provide refreshments for a fund-raising event/meeting in early March? We may want to raise money to hire a design professional to provide input to the zoning revisions committee on a vision for W3.

Discussion

Comment: Maybe they should work with traffic calming… overlap.
Jim: Yes, we are working with Lisa and Lola. How your framing the public space.
Comment: Form Based Codes is very clear and apparent.
Owen: Lisa & I working on the Food security project. Need for local food system.
Jerry: There is a lot of agricultural land available in our ward.

Action
Board approves participating in fundraising event.


8. Traffic Calming Committee Update

Comment: This is a big issue in our ward.
Angela: important meeting on traffic calming Feb. 11th at 7 pm at College Church.

9. Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update (no report)

10. Report of Transportation Committee (no report)

11. Report of Business Representative

Jim: Thanking businesses on the website and list-serve for their donations to arson victim's fund.


12. Legislative Update from City Councilor

Angela: Enjoying learning rules of the counsel, motions, etc. Happy with committee assignments: Vet. Affairs, Public Safety, Economic Dev. & Land Use.
-2 counsel meeting: voted for purchase of Bean Farm after asking for significant constituent input. re Bean Farm. Please call me again before next vote in 2 weeks b.c. am committed to representative voting. 727-8770
-Thanked Sheriff Garvey for his help… getting traffic island c/o,
-March 13 office hours at Walter salvo 10-1.

13. Update on “Best Practices” Committee- (no report)

14. Update from Ward 3 block party committee – (no report)

15. Report of Committee on Youth Involvement In The Ward – (tabled for Feb.)

16. Report of Committee studying possible Ward 3 veggie garden tour in 2010

Joanne: Working on finding the gardens. Would appreciate recommendations.
Jerry: We need a date in August.

17. Discussion about establishing a 501(c)3-type organization to oversee land in Ward 3 (tabled for Feb.)


18. CBDG Consolidated Plan (tabled for next year)


19. Update on Neighborhood Watch

Jerry: Glad that some of the problems with terminology and methods have been addressed in an interim meeting. Glad to see Goals/privacy statement.

Owen: Revised the statement a little. The NW is independent and must fit with the values of N’ton. The binder materials from Nat'l Sheriffs Assoc. can be misleading when talking about IDs, terrorism alerts, etc. This doesn’t fit with the character of Northampton so that tool kit will be edited and any document that we produce will control the NW. Will be using the term Block Safety Advocate as opposed to Captain. Training at the Bluebonnet is Feb. 26.
Phil: I met with fire dept. They like this Goals statement. Feb. 21 the sign trailer is going up. 25 new signs in the old locations, then it will be up to NW to say where they want the additional signs with DPW permission. We are sensitive to "over-signing" concern. Also met about the reward fund, it is very important according to police and is nearly at goal. We have received an additional $100 from Rep. Neal for the reward fund and another $100 for NW.
Discussion
Comment: should we vote on the goals statement?

Owen: Depending on how much influence the W3NA will have with the NW will drive whether the board will vote on it…
Jerry: I have a major concern is that Arnie is not here to weigh in.

Tim P: What are the pros and cons on the board's involvement?

Owen: The biggest concern is that block advocates are rogue, and would reflect poorly on the w3NA. The pro is that the NW would have oversight.
Phil: W3NA board will lend NW legitimacy, sustainability/support, and oversight, but would like to put the vote put off.
Marianna: Is it a sub-committee?
Owen: No.

Marianna: Is it a separate entity… what is it attached to?
Owen: W3NA would just provide structure.
Tim F: Arnie should be here, I would like to here from him. I am still worried about cops getting called on bf or gf visiting a neighborhood resident from college.
Maddy: I am still very concerned with the model from the Nat'l Sheriffs Dept. It is associated with Homeland Security and racial profiling.
Jerry: We don’t have to follow that model, we can modify it. Shouldn't throw out the baby with the bath water.

Owen: I was going to add a specific statement in the goals section against racial profiling- hoping Maddy would draft it. In our interim meeting we also talked about having an Ex officio member from Human Rights Committee.
Maddy: Yes, those things are important.

Jerry: Knowing there will be additions, can the board endorse this goals statement?
Action
Board endorses by majority; Maddy and Marianna dissent. One of two board members abstain.

Tim Parhall: The statement is vague, I would like to see more specifics.
Discussion.2

Marianna: Is there kit?
Owen: Arnie has one… it’s about starting up NW, backed by homeland security, but these are only suggestions.
Marianna: Will the training be by the national sheriffs associations?
Owen: Yes.
Jerry: There is still homework here to do.


20. New Business (none)


Addendum:

Mayor's Meeting Agenda:
Discussion

Jim: Bean Farm- where is it at?
Comment: Reverse 911 and other safety measures that City promised post-fires.
Joanne: Dates and details of Damon Road project.
Action
Above 3 topics approved.


-Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Northampton Design Forum to host presentation on Form-Based Zoning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Northampton Design Forum is sponsoring the presentation, “An Introduction to Form-Based Zoning,” on Tuesday, January 26, at 7pm in the A.P.E. Gallery at 126 Main Street. All are welcome to attend and learn about what form-based zoning is, why it has developed as a response to problems with conventional zoning, and how it can help a city become more sustainable. Joel Russell, a member of the Northampton Design Forum and the Zoning Revisions Committee, will present the talk.

At its heart, form-based land use regulation is about designing the physical form of the City to encourage walkable mixed-use neighborhoods. Walkable mixed-use neighborhoods reduce dependence on the automobile and create a comfortable public realm. Unlike conventional zoning, form-based zoning focuses more on the relationship between buildings and the streets and public spaces they shape. By allowing more flexibility of permitted uses, it creates more vibrant places and allows property owners more freedom to use their property in ways that respond to changing market demand. The presentation will also show how form-based zoning has been used successfully in Saratoga Springs, New York, a city of similar size and scale to Northampton.

Joel Russell is a planning consultant and land use attorney whose practice has focused for over 20 years on drafting zoning ordinances that promote sustainability. He is one of the founders of the Northampton Design Forum and currently is Chair of the City's Zoning Revisions Committee. He has drafted several form-based zoning laws, including the one adopted by Saratoga Springs in 2004.

The Northampton Design Forum (NDF) acts as an independent voice promoting excellence in the quality of architecture, and urban design, sustainability, communication and awareness of the planning process in the City of Northampton. In 2009, the NDF sponsored a design team from the University of Notre Dame Department of Architecture in their development of a sustainable vision for Northampton. The talk on forms-based zoning reflects NDF’s continued efforts to serve as a resource and supporter in the ongoing process of design and development in Northampton.


Margaret A. Leonard, MLA
Paradise City Landscape Design
margaretleonard@comcast.net
(413)478-7524

Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser Jan 22nd at the WWII Club

The Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and the World War II Club on Conz Street will be jointly sponsoring a Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser to benefit the victims of the recent Northampton Fires. There will be two sittings for dinner, at 5:30 and 7 p.m. this Friday, January 22nd, at the World War II Club. Members of the Association and the World War II Club are cooperating in this project, and we hope to raise a nice sum to help our friends and neighbors who were victimized by the recent rash of fires in our area.

Most, if not all, of the food for this supper is being donated by local businesses, and other businesses are donating prizes for a raffle that will also be held. We are very appreciative of the generosity of all who have helped make this event possible.

Tickets for the supper are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and toddlers are free. Many Ward 3 Association board members have tickets available. You can also email Steve Connor (teevee[AT]me[DOT]com) to reserve tickets.

I want to thank the World War II Club for being so helpful and supportive in so many ways in the wake of these awful fires. They offered to do whatever they could to assist our efforts after the fires and in fact hosted the organizational meeting of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Watch. They've been a great neighbor and we thank them for all they've done.

I hope to see everyone at the spaghetti supper on Friday!!!

Jerry Budgar
President

Meeting Minutes Jan 12, 2009

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
Minutes of Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 , 7 p.m ‘Arson Aftermath’ Meeting
Bridge Street School Library

Present: Fred Zimnoch, Joanne Mackiewicz, Lola Reid, Owen Freeman Daniels, Tim Fisher, Jim Nash, Gerald Budgar, Marianna McKim, Phil Sullivan, Madeline Weaver Blanchette, Angela Plassman,
Absent: Lisa DiPiano (due to conflict with a class), Jennifer Remillard, Tim Parshall, Bob Reckman
Members of the Public in attendance: Christine Cahillane, Bill Mackiewicz, Marilyn Robin, Maria Tymoscko, Michael Bardsley, Julie Robbins, Meg & Steve Bandarra, and more.
-Meeting started at 7:05pm.

1. Called to order, board members identifying themselves. President's Report
Gerry: Due to the events of the past few weeks and the interest expressed by many of our ward’s residents, we will be dedicating most of our meeting to an open discussion of the recent series of fires, our response to them, and future actions we might wish to take as a result.
Thank you to the board. A once in a lifetime occasion happened, neighbors were panicked - and the board rose to the occasion. Meanwhile Gerry had his own crisis and Owen stepped right up. It is an amazing organization, and as a result, we are seeing a blossoming of interest in neighborhood organizations in Northampton.

2. Housekeeping items
Marianna: December's Minutes unanimously approved.

3. Ward 3 Treasurers’ Report January 2010
Fred:
1. EXPENSES: $42.28 Domain names
2. Contribution from Florence resident $14.26
3. DUES: New members including over payment $67.76 See Note.
4. Renewals $25.00
5. BALANCES: Previous $857.34
6. NEW BALANCE: $936.08
7. Donation Congressman: Richard Neal: $500.0
8. TOTAL CASH RESERVE: 1436.08
9. LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = Previous 177; New = 255
10. LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 12

Note: The reason why the dues collected are not multiples of five is that our web site now accepts dues. It charges 2.9%+$0.30. Thus a $20 donation nets $19.12 while a $15 donation nets $14.26.

4. Changes to board membership
Owen: Because of elections, switching, etc. there have been changes.
Run-down:
-3B will be taking secretary seat...either Jennifer or Maddy will have to formally become the secretary. They will need to decide.
-3B seat open. Lola nominated and then board approved to move from the alternate to regular seat.
-3B alternate seat now open. Owen recommends and then board approved Arnold Levinson. (B.c. Lisa taking business class, he will need to vote tonight.)
-3A Tim Fisher's seat now open as he is ex officio member of school committee. Tim Parshall nominated from alternate to regular member and then board approved. Tim asking about his voting status. Owen says no stipulation that he does not have a vote, but usually ex officio means no voting. Will go with trial period of not voting, as break from past practice. This should be on the agenda in Feb.
-3A alternate seat is still open... no one identified yet. Marianna nominated and then board approved. Note: Christine Cahillane also interested. Discussion of whether to expand board to 2 alternates for each half of the ward.

5. Neighborhood Watch
Owen, Arnie, Phil
Arnie: Thanking people who have volunteered, just about all of the streets have captains. Group email has been established, he is now meeting each captain to walk the street with him/her. The training for captains is by National Sheriffs Association, including training on Feb. 26 8-4 at the BlueBonnet Diner. W3 NW will be a model from the rest of the city. Dept. Sheriff Dave Fenton has been particularly helpful, raising $ for the smoke detectors, organized WWII mtg., the training, etc. Sheriff Garvey has authorized him to do so much. Arnie is still willing to have people call him if they want to volunteer for the NW.

Phil: Rotary Club trailer will advertise the NW for volunteers. It will be placed in a high visibility spot and will include the phone # for a lieutenant in W3A. Rotary has also worked with the police and DPW to authorize 25 new NW signs for the city. They will be at every entrance to the neighborhoods, and eventually inside the neighborhoods. Rotary will maintain them. Boy Scouts will clear brush around them, paint the signposts, etc. Island Road is ready to go. (Rotary has also given additional $ for the reward.).

Owen: NWs can be done alone by citizens, but they are more successful when a formal law enforcement program is backing it. Here, Nat'l Sheriffs Association has lots of resources. We have agreed to have a president and Leadership Team from W3NA. Arnie will be president, with Owen and Phil as Leadership Team to interface with Sheriffs and plan the training curriculum. We will also take initiatives on the community side: recruit to replace captains; manage give-aways of safety products, etc. Now they are looking for more members of the leadership team.

Discussion
Marianne: How is NW related to W3NA board?
Owen: Support has to come from both directions, from law enforcement and from the community. Right now it's kind of de facto that W3NA is chartering or responsible for the NW. W3NA has a lot to offer the NW: bank account; list serve; etc. As a durable community organization we have to keep the NW on people's minds. Sheriffs' Dept. is making badges for the captains with his or her name, identification. Even retinal scan technology is available. People will need these to knock on doors to make a suggestion.
Tim: Be careful of community push-back, be mindful of privacy. If it's too aggressive, too regimented, people will be concerned about privacy, vigilantism... xenophobia.
Owen: There is no fully integrated organization. There is no centralized data base... that will only be within the NW. W3A will not be collecting the information of people's names, cars, etc.
Lola (Maddy concurring): What are the suggestions? It smacks of police state.
Arnie: There are 40 captains. No information from W3NA is going to the Watch. After the fires, I drove around and saw that there were many properties with no lights, that had trash on the porch, etc. Alerting people to these risks would be helpful in preventing future arsons.
Maria: The NW has a decoupled structure. Different streets will have different character.
Tim: Still the board has different opinions. Maybe we can approach Fenton and ask him what to do about the differences.
Maddy: Serious reservations about the NW, has fundamental distaste for W3NA being involved. Is W3NA going to feed the NW information from the list serve, etc.?
Gerry: Understands the concerns... sees need to erect a firewall b.w. to the W3NA and the NW. We need to let people know that we will hold their personal information, and be sensitive to peoples' differences. Need to tell them what we are doing and not doing.
Jim: Everyone is free to participate in discussions. Emotions are strong but in the right place. Maybe we need to bring things down a notch. The DA has done a good job and the community is safer. Business reps want to be part of the process too. There might be a nice reciprocation.
Joanne: I like my privacy, and opinions on this run the gamut. We need to listen to all the concerns. Tie-dyes are better than badges (comment concurring with Jim's). This is an awareness campaign. We need to reach out to our neighbors.
Maria: We are not out of danger here. After the big media show, the Lt. gave some personal tips for keeping one's house safe.
Comment: There is a lot of diverse people by age and investment level in W3. On Market St. maybe a lot people there didn't even know about the fires. We could go door to door and say, "This is something that has been happening."
Arnie: That is why there are 40 captains. More personal contact is helpful. Different streets have different concerns.
Angela: I respect the need for privacy. I think people should just get out and say hi to the neighborhood. There are other [criminal] issues that could come up in the future- drugs in the neighborhood- vehicles at all hours of the night.
Marianna: Still unclear on how W3NA is related. Subcommittee, treasury, website, etc. Do we need to vote?
Fred: Separate account?
Owen: Logistic support, meeting times published, $ support.
Lola: The whole board should decide that.
Maddy: This is totally antithetical to my values. If you have 40 deputized citizens going up to people's houses and making "suggestions," trouble will come back to W3NA board. What if someone stops a neighbor's African-American nephew? People have the right to have a NW, but it shouldn't be part of W3NA.
Maria: The NW wants to exchange names and phone #s. What's wrong with that?
Tim: It's how it is approached by individuals.

Action
Gerry: Let's try to talk this out. Maddy and Lola will you be apart of a dialogue? Tim, Joanne and try to come to some understanding...



6. Relief Efforts for Arson Victims
Gerry: Owen and Phil have worked on it considerably. WWII has volunteered to have a spaghetti supper to raise $ and Steve Connor from the Northampton Veterans Services and the WWII club is here to discuss collaborating on it with the W3NA.
Steve Connor: The club is booked for January 22, so there is still plenty of time. The idea is to have two sittings (5:30 and 7 pm), with 125 people a sitting. We are trying to get everything donated so 100% of the proceeds can go to relief fund. W3NA board and membership can help with cooking, cleaning, prepping for raffles., getting donations from local food places in a coordinated way.. Needs to be coordinated.

Discussion
Suggestion: Obtain a list from the Chamber of Commerce for a roster of local businesses.
Angela: (Had previously begun planning such an event.) Big Y is willing to give some $... gift card, etc.


Action
Tim, Jerry, Lola, etc. will help at the fund raiser spaghetti supper on Jan.22. List went around.


7. Letter from board to the arson victims
Owen: United Way is handling the victim's fund. The parameters are 3K for autos ($500/car), 7K for property damage, 5K home loss, but more than 26K has been raised. This fund is actually receiving too much money. Excess money will go to each household, divided between the victims. However, many of the victims don't know about this fund, and the letter from W3NA will tell them about the fund, and how to access it. The DA's office is willing to hand deliver each letter. The letter will be signed by "all of Northampton," per the mayor's recommendation.

Discussion
Marianne: Let's consider Lisa's idea to give extra money to Holyoke fire victims.
Arnie: Why cap the fund?
Owen: This fund has particular protocols...Anything over will go to the Red Cross.
Arnie: Why can't the excess $ go to the victims in the ward of past fires?
Lola: ...like 67 Hawley St.?
Owen: This fund is not for those interests. Someone should raise fund for those other legitimate causes. We don't want to sap all the other funds... other community interests should be served.
Jonathan Brody: If the DA finds that the older fires were set by the same person... isn't that the same incident? Those victims could become upset.
Owen: Another fund should be set up.
Joanne: How about using this fund as a catalyst? Funnel the energy to other projects...

Action
Board approves the letter as amended (retracting a paragraph regarding Red Cross.) Marianna will deal with putting it on letterhead, etc. See Appendix I.


8. Neighborhood funding opportunities
-Tim: City gets block grant money. City groups may apply and the city vets those applications. There are two funding opportunities: 1) Individual Basis (i.e. motion sensor lights and smoke detectors). For this we'd have to screen recipients for income eligibility, although that is solved by partnering with Valley CDC for a small fee; and 2) General Area Basis (i.e. brighten up street lights on market street). We are trying to strike a balance in cost as opportunity #1 has a better chance of reaching people with a smaller amount of funding, etc. Basically, W3NA could write applications for these grants.

Discussion
Gerry: Are you asking the board for that?
Tim: Yes, W3A would authors the grant(s).

Action
Table until February for further feasibility research.


9. General Neighborhood Safety: Lights and Cameras
Owen: Looking at most practical way to assist people obtaining/installing various private security systems. There is a wide price range of options, mostly it comes down to looking at the amount of area you want lit, and then cost of installation.

Discussion
Arnie: Perhaps Hadley Home Depot would give a price break on various units.
Comment: Perhaps an electrician in our ward would like to bid on a reasonable rate for if a bunch of installation jobs?

Action
Arnie will look into this further.


10. A Second January meeting to complete W3NA regular Agenda
Jerry: We need to have a second meeting. The mayor is going away and we want to be able to present something to her when we see her next month.

Discussion
Marianna: Can we take some things off the agenda? How about January 26th?
Jim: Conflict for lots of people b.c. that is the night of the Notre Dame design meeting. How is Wed. Jan. 27th?

Action
Yes, Tim will try to get the room that night.
-Meeting Adjourned at 9:00pm.



Appendix 1: Letter to Arson Victims from W3NA Board
Dear Neighbor,

The recent senseless fires in our city have challenged our safety and strength as a community. The people of Northampton have responded by offering numerous services and donations in your support and aid. The United Way of Hampshire County has established an account to collect community donations. The fund's protocols are:

-$5,000 for each household whose homes were destroyed by fire.
-A share of $7,000 (up to $2,000 each) for each household that lost other real property like garages, porches and accessory buildings.
-A share of $3,000 (up to $500 each) for an automobile lost to be applied to your deductible.
-The next $10,000 raised will be given to each household whose homes were destroyed by fire. Additional funds beyond this will be divided proportionally to all other victims.

We all want these monetary goals to be achieved and if possible to provide additional support. To collect your share of these funds, you must bring the District Attorney's Victim Notification Letter you have received to the United Way at 71 King St, Northampton (the offices are closed on Martin Luther King Day). We understand that money may not replace what has been lost. We also hope for justice and for personal healing after these events. If you have particular items or needs that others can help you with, please contact Hampshire County Cares at info@hampshirecountycares.org, or call the Mayor's office at 413-587-1249.

We hope that the energies from our neighbors for helping you through this difficult time will also be directed to building our community into a stronger fabric that will not abide these kinds of events in the future.

Sincerely,

The Board of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association,
For all of Northampton

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Board Meeting Agenda Jan 12, 2010

Board Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

7 p.m. Bridge Street School

Due to the events of the past few weeks and the interest expressed by many of our ward’s residents, we will be dedicating most of our meeting to an open discussion of the recent series of fires, our response to them, and future actions we might wish to take as a result.

1. Approval of Minutes – Marianna

2. Treasurer’s Report – Fred

3. Discussion/action on changes of board membership – Owen

4. Neighborhood Watch – Owen, Arnie, Phil

5. Relief Efforts (including Jan. 22 spaghetti supper with World War II Club)

6. Neighborhood safety/lights/cameras/actions

7. Letter From Board To the Victims

8. Neighborhood Funding Opportunities (CDBG, W3NA Funds?)

9. Discussion about holding a second January meeting to complete our regular agenda - Jerry

Ward 3 Neighborhood Watch

Ward 3 Neighborhood Watch 1st Meeting

The first meeting of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Watch will be at 7 PM Wednesday, January 6th at the World War II Veterans Club at 50 Conz St. The meeting is open to all and there will be some time for public comment.

A representative from the Hampshire Sheriff's Office will be present to talk about crime prevention and safety measures that each individual household can take. It will also include ways to make your home less susceptible to a break-in.

We will be looking for volunteers to be Block Captains. A Block Captain will be the point person for their neighbors and be responsible for distributing information to them, getting their contact information, and understanding their situation and concerns. We hope to establish an initial list of Block Captains and build a rudimentary infrastructure to distribute information, news and materials.

We will also discuss the potential for increased surveillance and lighting. This will include technology like motion lights and possibly personal cameras.

Arnold Levinson is the point person for this effort and can be contacted at 413-320-6982.

How To Help, Where To Give

RELIEF FUND FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE DECEMBER 27TH FIRES IN NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS

(NORTHAMPTON, MA) Today the Northampton Neighbors Relief Fund administered by the United Way of Hampshire County was set up to accept donations for those families affected by the fires on Dec. 27 in Northampton. The fund's goal is to raise $20,000 and 100% of the donations raised will go those families affected.

Contributions may be made to this fund at any Northampton Cooperative Bank or online at www.hampshirecountycares.com

More information on how the money raised will be distributed to those affected by the fires is also at www.hampshirecountycares.com.

There is also a fund being created to supplement the current reward to catch the perpetrator/s. The Northampton Arson Reward Fund is being administered by the Northampton Rotary Club Foundation. To contribute, checks made out to The Northampton Arson Reward Fund can be mailed to The Northampton Rotary Club Foundation, PO Box 505, Northampton, MA 01061.

Since it will take some time to assess what physical items the victims need, the most useful contribution for those affected is money. Those who have clothing that they would like to donate to general fire relief may contribute them to the Red Cross People's Center at 2 Chestnut Street or 504 Cottage Street in Springfield.

Because of a recent spate of fires throughout the region, the Pioneer Valley Red Cross fund is depleted. Members of the community are encouraged to consider donating to this wonderful organization as well at www.redcrosspioneervalley.org.

Information on upcoming fundraisers and other events and community news are being posted by the minute at the Facebook Group Friends of Northampton Arson Victims.

--Michael Kusek at communication angle

TRAUMA RELIEF OFFERED

W. Hunter Roberts, Northampton social worker, spiritual counselor and coach, is offering free trauma sessions for anyone directly or indirectly affected by the fires of December 27.
She is willing to work with groups, families, and individuals, to help in any way she can. If you or anyone you know is suffering anxiety, numbness, or overwhelm as a result of the Northampton arson events, you are encouraged to contact her to set up a time for one or more free sessions.

Her email address is hunter@trans-arts.com. Her phone # is 413-523-0562.

Ms Roberts is an MSW, M.Div. trauma counselor with 25 years of experience. For more information, check her web site www.trans-arts.com