Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 7 p.m.
Bridge Street School Library
1. 7:05 Approval of Minutes – Maddy
February minutes approved unanimously with correction by Lola.
2. Treasurer’s Report – Fred
2. DUES: None
3. Expenses: $18.38 Traffic calming
4. NEW BALANCE: $1376.95
5. Note: $300.00 Allocated to Neighborhood Watch
6. LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = Previous 259; New = 263
7. LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 6
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, $15 donation nets $14.26 and $50 donation nets $48.25.
3. President’s Report – Jerry
-Angela invited two NPD officers to explain about the efforts. There has been lots of misinformation and it's not "martial law."
-Meadow landlowners have formed an association, John Bobola is president, so that they have a coordinated ability to trespass people misusing their land. This is aimed at ATVs damaging crops, being dangerous and is not directed at people walking, fishing, hunting. The latter activities are welcomed by the landowners.
-They are adding no trespass signs at entrances to meadows at Hokanum and Old Ferry Rd. (4 signs in reserve)
Jim: 40 mph speed limit is inappropriately high.
7:32 Time issues
-Agenda is so jammed-packed that will move to a model of committees preparing written reports and the meeting will serve as a time to ask questions.
Fairground Redevelopment
-Matter went to the CC hearing; Tim P. heard the case.
-Right now approval on the initial phase- taking down decrepit barns, putting up 3 new barns. (Must move it along for Morgan Horse show.)
-Will be looking at these issues in phase II:1. drainage
2. parking and traffic
Meeting of Neighborhood Association Presidents
-Trying to develop network. Now up to 8 neighborhood associations, every ward but 2.
-Planning a social meeting… in late May
Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People
Tim: concerns about the new train; would like to have a neighborhood meeting to discuss.
Tim: Will there be a tunnel under the tracks for bikepath? Engineers may be out here in a couple of weeks looking at the areas.
Marianna: Concerns about Best Practices: What is the status?
There is a council initiative to establish the plan - "City School" is part of that, along with changes to website, public comment period review, changes to meeting times, etc. "Best practices is permeating the process."
Owen: Is there a process for the Roundhouse lot now that the hotel deal is dead.
There are many problems with that lot, including a brownfield issue. There are concerns that contamination may have reached the Maplewood Shops area. For these reasons, the gas company needs to stay in the game. Mayor would like to form a group to study the redevelopment b.c. it's an inexpensive time to build.
Update about the “Dream” mural restoration
-Bridge St. School is finalist. Can view and comment in a book at NAC.
Island Road traffic situation update
Our Involvement in Complete Count for Census (Owen/Joel)
-However, lowest at Holyoke and Pleasant and streets east.
Owen has downtown display/ Fred will help (Noon-4 pm Saturday) to encourage further participation.
Valley Time Trade (Owen) NTA
7:53 Green Northampton Expanded Recycling Proposal - Lola
-Does W3NA want to plan one for June?
Vote: Yes, virtually unanimous.
Committee: Lola Maddy Joanne Owen
8:05 Marianna: we need to discuss the nominating process; it should be more formalized. Perhaps this could be a springboard for a future discussion.
Gerry: maybe a retreat for dealing with that b.c. process issues can drag the meeting down for the public.
-There is a grim budget outlook; 1 million "in the hole."
-The good news is that Bridge Street School will get some $ for capital improvements- help with flooding, etc.
-Dream Mural pending (see above.)
-Discussing adjusting high school start time; it's a hot topic.
-Discussing anti-bullying initiatives through the health department.
6. Discussion about establishing a 501c(3)-type organization to oversee land in Ward 3 -Maddy, Fred, Chris
I have arranged to have Robert A. LeVite of Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation at Umass Extension in Worcester a lawyer with specific interest in conservancy and CRs give a one hour presentation on this subject. He is available evenings the week of April 19th. I assume we can get Bridge St School. He will do Q&A so make a list of questions BEFORE the mtg. Preferred dates are Wed. & Tues. followed by Monday & Friday.
Discussion
Arnie: Board support for becoming 501(c)(3)
7. 8:20 Sustainability Committee Update – Jim
-Update on Zoning Revisions Commitee and recent Forum
There was great turn out at the meeting.
On the website is a synthesis of information that was gathered.
Discussion
Marianna: Maybe have the presentation done in W3NA?
Owen: City shouldn’t come in and tell us about the ward.
Gerry: Lot of focus on W3; gave him a good sense of their perspective on density.
Arnie: could show it as a group.
Marianna: The power point is very clear. I consider "design control" red flags. I don’t want it to be like Nantucket.
Jim: We're talking about suggestions about building heights and set-backs; very leery of saying what you can and cannot do.
Owen: I don’t think the presentation needs to be redone. Why not have board members do it, watch the power point to prepare for a guided discussion.
Plan:
Workshop on these topics for W3NA this summer: Next meeting we'll start to plan it.
8. 8:35 Traffic Calming Committee Update – Lola, Lisa
Met with Laura and Ned on March 22; discussed solutions including temporary speed humps going in soon; pedestrian paddles at cross walk on Pleasant street/Holyoke; center line on Pomeroy Terrace; traffic circle on Montview/Henry/Venturers.
-The kiosk and street painting more controversial, may have to be done by volunteers.
Discussion
Can we use the Bridge Street School idea on the Holyoke Street RR bridge?
Plan
Will propose to Ned.
1. Neighborhood members of PAC met with Mayor to tell her about our direction and get her feedback. She fully supported pushing back Mass Highway. They told her that the matrix that is being developed there and she was mostly supportive of round-abouts; she didn’t see grandscale plan as necessary.
2. Meeting with Rich Massey; DOT; engineering firm people; Ned Huntley, and some residents.
Highlights:
1) matrix to rank options will include a no-build option
2) discussed the ranking criteria; includes traffic, pedestrians, crashes, community impact, aesthetics, open space, light, wetlands, cost, duration, impact, etc.
3) why is the full access intersection an advantage.? Wording was bad, but has the advantage of taking traffic out of Damon Rd. and Bridge St.
4) what stage are we at? Probably nothing on damon road for 5-6 years.
May 10 6:00 PAC meeting
June 14 6:00 Bridge St. School meeting for the public
Tim P. and Owen planning meeting on the RR.
11. Update on Neighborhood Watch – Arnie, Phil, Owen
-Had a meeting of street coordinators and executive committee. went well; but b.c. there is no crisis so less interest
-other wards want the neighborhood watch to run their programs
(people who informed the police after talking to arnie precipitated the recent drug bust)
-Made additions to goals statement; people can weigh in
12. Legislative Update from City Councillor – Angela
1. Public Comment at City Council; lectern form now for concerns- now there can be more follow-up.
2. stretch code; voted in opposition
3. voted in favor of all other energy plans
4. purple bag issue: drafting an ordinance
5. fire at walter salvo house: trash shoot
6. open office april 24 10-1
7. two streets need to be paved: 1) conz in the fall; 2) maybe north street soon
8. discussing Day Ave. signage; e.g. no left turn, and proposing a stop sign on Hancock St.
13. Update on “Best Practices” Committee- Lisa NTA
-need 3 person committees
15. Report of Committee on Youth Involvement In The Ward – Maddy
-planning spring meeting
16. 9:19 Update on Ward 3 veggie garden tour on August 1 – Lisa/Joanne/Lola
Need a larger committee!
Plan
-event on August 1
-Maddy, Owen, Lola Gloria could help day of.
-will use listserve to reach out to other people
17. Report from Business Representative - Jim NTA
18. New Business
For the next meeting with the mayor:
1. Will they paint the RR bridges and fix the signs when they start renovations on the RR?
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