Meeting Minutes July 12, 2010
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association (7 p.m.)
July 13, 2010
Attendance: Phil Sullivan, Jennifer Remillard, Gerry Budgar, Owen Wilson, Jim, Lola, Fred, Lisa, Arnie, Gloria, Marianna, Joanne, Bill; Angela Plassmann
Approval of Minutes: Approved
Treasurer’s Report: Get from Fred – Motion to Accept – Approved
President’s Report: 1. Social Events – Christine, Jennifer, Phil, Gloria : need to think of annual meeting: Hampshire Life Calendar: publicity to get more people to attend annual meeting: refer to social committee
2. NA update: Attended Ward 4 and 1, both are doing extraordinarily well; interim boards, by-laws. Will pick up more in the fall. Very good folks stepping forward to get involved. Presidents of NA met (bluebonnet) want to get together the wards collaboratively; want to get gateways in the city more together; thinking of a unified look into the city. Looking at it without making commitments; mayor’s office is excited about. Possible assistance from Smith Voke (Mike Cahillane Sr. is a trustee and looking into this). WE would be responsible for Coolidge Bridge and Pleasant Street. Every ward would take away something from this.
3. Jim has talked about Suzanne and Wayne about area around Hockanum for greens. OPD is interested in proposal.
4. Neighborhood groups are doing planning with sustainability. Jim would check with the person, Aaron, from Notre Dame re: sustainability around neighborhood.
5. Monthly meeting with the Mayor: No meeting in June, no issues brought. Arnie would like to have meeting re: spending, no rainy day fund; projects with spending have us in jeopardy in bankrupting the city; need a plan. Fred: Angela said there should be a meeting with department heads for budget. Wants to have issue brought to the Mayor. Owen: bollards being removed from bike path, will the path be plowed now? Jennifer: traffic calming throughout the city; Missing Stop sign at end of Island, when will it be replaced; Fred: construction w/Exit 19.
Owen: Nomination – resignation by Angela Plassmann (see Angela’s letter and enclosed State Ethics letter) – Concern of financial benefit and improper influence. It is Owen’s opinion the City Councilor can perform by filing a form 23b3. no undue influence from previous councilor.
Joanne: thought letter received from Angela was appropriate and well written. – Joanne said even at UMass they had to sign an ethics statement. Sometimes it is confusing as to what is ethical and no. I read that letter and felt no malice in delivery or any of it. Appreciates it. Not friends, never knew her before. Never knew who she was. Has to say that she doesn’t feel any of this. She is protecting us, her constitients. We have done things muddy. That has hit the nail on the head. That we know of. Be issue specific. Taking whole letter into context.
Fred: we don’t do anything that would interfere with Angela being on Board
Angela: willing to be present at meetings; last few weeks has been scrutinized over meetings held and it is the perception of others. Interpretation from private legal counsel and state ethics commission in case things are heard here which will come forth at city council meetings. Has resigned from Fair Grounds redevelopment committee. There is no reason city councilor should not be on it as city is very influenced by this. She believes she has made the right decision.; Will attend meetings, cemented that is not a voting member and has not been. Filing the forms for every time there was a conflict may not be ok, as what if a form is not submitted and someone perceived; needs to be cautious not breaking law.Elain Rioux said that she might want to be careful of being on these boards and reach out to state ethics committee. She mailed letter to board. News agency has brought against her stating open meeting laws violated.
Letter was about voting member status (she is not a voting member on the other items). Law states if you have an atv or dirtbike you cannot ride on a public way or private property; she is taking actions as a land owner. Private land overs only. Police are enforcing laws on the books, nothing is new.
Letter says not voting, she will be attending and not voting (cemented that with letter) and no does not vote on other boards. Not leaving board high and dry. Will continue to be here at meetings; happy to be here and involved. Was on the agenda, now there is a resolution. Not meant to be offensive. Supports mission; not in best interest in cc being a voting member; had concerns for bob being on here.
Fred: Bob was on committee. (A: that was the past).
Gerry: had question that concerned him: there are many other organizations in ward 3 but we are the only one you asked an advisory about; he thinks there is one other that will be issue: are you attending all of the board meetings. Are you going to be on the Farmers; you benefit directly, was anything filed: you benefit because program is down there. Gerry suggests a ruling needs to be filed tomorrow. On behalf of board you are cordially invited, hopes that we can be here for constituants. See tape:
Additional rep for 3A and 3B.
Jim: roles within by-laws are here for us; the councilor is free to vote their conscious. Wants to be clear: one of things that really gets me angry is that being associate with us some how taints the perception of us. We have a diverse board, we try to represent the ward, we can reflect whats going on out there. If you want an idea of the ward, we have people who represent that. We had two former councilors on this board, Bob Reckman, Marilyn Richards. Takes offense that we have done things muddy. What have we done? What is tainted? Yes we may have made some mistakes; we have never done anything unethical. That is what bothers me. we want to avoid that. Would like to clarify what issues are there.
Joanne: unfortunately Jim it is all interpretation. On form: do not have to be a paying member…it does not say donations.
Marianna: If you file this form can you be on the committee for W3NA. offended, could file form and be cleared.
Lisa; doesn’t matter if you vote; glad you are here and not a concern that they don’t vote; owen, Jennifer and fred concur.
Owen: Will be reaching out to all of the board members..see tape…message on list serve for serving. We may have a balloted election come the fall. Owen will speak with everyone before fall. If it turns out self nominated and may need running. If someone wants to run, they can be nominated by one person, on the floor. Joanne did the brochures. Everyone thank Joanne. Not enough to cover the entire ward; hopes that 25-40 people will be targeted. Owen has suggestions.
Marianna: what is the process for slate and/or ballot.
J: Can we set up a booth at the Elections Sept. 14th for DA election?
A: see tape:
Break:
8:16 Veggie Garden tour:
There is a list of things that need to get done—though there are a lot of posters hung. We need volunteers for hanging posters, and volunteers for each of the gardens 2 each for the whole 4 hours, perhaps 1 person for 2 hours in the morning, 1 for 2 hours in the afternoon. More volunteers: for the Tuesday Market to sit at one of the tables for promotion, also at the Saturday farmers market, and people to sell tickets. All tickets are numbered, board members take a number to sell. Tickets come with a map. Send info to NCTV?
8:33 Conservation Coalition:
Meeting was held and decided to create articles of incorporation and a name. One class of dues-paying members that are residents and property-owners of Northampton, one class of volunteers and donators. Jim: is the board of W3NA endorsing the work that this new Conservation Coalition is doing? Broad Brook holds the CR for Montview Farm, and those people should be included. Owen: motion that W3NA endorses the creation of this new Conservation Coalition. Fred will try to put an endorsement together for September’s meeting.
8:45 I-91 Exit 19 Committee Meeting
Frank sent update.
8:48 Councilor’s Update:
Voted for putting the police station override onto the ballot, but we just had a prop 2.5 override last year so it may be ‘raw’. Voted for prohibiting the landfill from expanding over the aquifer, will continue to vote that way. There will be a Neighborhood Watch clean-up on August, 14 10-12 and then a BBQ from 12-2.
8:53 Sustainability Update:
The Chamber of Commerce made a proposal for King St, which has been referred to the outreach committee of the Zoning Revisions Committee. We want to do a good job with the outreach aspect of this. This leads to the work that W3NA can do in the neighborhood with talking about zoning issues and a visioning process that we should take on. Fred: will we ever see the results of the survey that the Smith students took for their class? Jim: we can put it online.
9:02 Traffic Calming:
We finally have a yellow line in the road. We will be getting portable speed bumps soon.
9:03 Neighborhood Watch:
Event on August 14th
9:04 Army Corps of Engineers
There has been no report yet but they are supposed to cut down the trees on the dyke.
9:07 Meadows Ride
Phil: can take a ride into the Meadows to review all the blight there.
Angela, Bill M, Marianna, Lola, Fred, Gloria, Lisa, Jerry, Conservancy Coalition people (Fred’s suggestion)
Agenda for Board Meeting Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 7 PM
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
Agenda for Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Supper at 6 p.m., Meeting at 7
Home of Phil Sullivan on Island Road
Please note:
We have been asking all committee chairs to email the board a written report of their committee’s activity BEFORE our meeting, and this has worked very well and allowed us to get through more material than usual. Please continue to send committee reports out to the board before the meeting so they can be read and digested before we gather. Thanks for your cooperation on this. Jerry Budgar
The post-meeting “Board Night Out” at the Paradise City Tavern last month was very successful, so we might have initiated a new tradition. For the July and August meetings, we can discuss whether we want or need to visit Paradise City after our meeting. We’ll certainly pick up the tradition in September.
As is traditional for our July and August meetings, Phil Sullivan has graciously agreed to host us at his incredible home for a 6 p.m. supper for the board. Lisa has let everyone know what to bring for the potluck. We will conduct an open business meeting at 7 to which everyone is invited.
1. Approval of Minutes – Maddy
2 Treasurer’s Report – Fred
3. President’s Report – Jerry
Neighborhood Associations Update
Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People
Island Road traffic situation update
Valley Time Trade (Owen)
4. Nominating/Membership Committee Report – Owen
-Update on membership drive and new brochure
-Discussion of adding Additional Alternative Reps for 3A and 3B
-Voting status of city councillor/school committee representative
-Composition of the Nominating Committee
5. Update from Bridge Street School Committee/School Committee News – Tim F.
6. Update on creation of related organization to do conservancy in Ward 3 – Fred
7. Sustainability Committee Update – Jim
-Update on Zoning Revisions Committee discussions
-Update on zoning notifications letter
-Design Standards Project Update
7. Traffic Calming Committee Update – Lola, Lisa
8. Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Frank Werbinski
10. Report of Transportation Committee - Owen
-Update about sidewalks, bikepath maintenance, train routing, and walking buses
11. Update on Neighborhood Watch – Arnie, Phil, Owen
12. Legislative Update from City Councillor – Angela
13. Discussion to finalize arrangements and assignments for Ward 3 veggie garden tour on August 7 – Lisa/Joanne/Lola
-Update on garden tour issues
14. Report from Business Representative - Jim
15. New Business
Agenda for Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Supper at 6 p.m., Meeting at 7
Home of Phil Sullivan on Island Road
Please note:
We have been asking all committee chairs to email the board a written report of their committee’s activity BEFORE our meeting, and this has worked very well and allowed us to get through more material than usual. Please continue to send committee reports out to the board before the meeting so they can be read and digested before we gather. Thanks for your cooperation on this. Jerry Budgar
The post-meeting “Board Night Out” at the Paradise City Tavern last month was very successful, so we might have initiated a new tradition. For the July and August meetings, we can discuss whether we want or need to visit Paradise City after our meeting. We’ll certainly pick up the tradition in September.
As is traditional for our July and August meetings, Phil Sullivan has graciously agreed to host us at his incredible home for a 6 p.m. supper for the board. Lisa has let everyone know what to bring for the potluck. We will conduct an open business meeting at 7 to which everyone is invited.
1. Approval of Minutes – Maddy
2 Treasurer’s Report – Fred
3. President’s Report – Jerry
Neighborhood Associations Update
Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People
Island Road traffic situation update
Valley Time Trade (Owen)
4. Nominating/Membership Committee Report – Owen
-Update on membership drive and new brochure
-Discussion of adding Additional Alternative Reps for 3A and 3B
-Voting status of city councillor/school committee representative
-Composition of the Nominating Committee
5. Update from Bridge Street School Committee/School Committee News – Tim F.
6. Update on creation of related organization to do conservancy in Ward 3 – Fred
7. Sustainability Committee Update – Jim
-Update on Zoning Revisions Committee discussions
-Update on zoning notifications letter
-Design Standards Project Update
7. Traffic Calming Committee Update – Lola, Lisa
8. Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Frank Werbinski
10. Report of Transportation Committee - Owen
-Update about sidewalks, bikepath maintenance, train routing, and walking buses
11. Update on Neighborhood Watch – Arnie, Phil, Owen
12. Legislative Update from City Councillor – Angela
13. Discussion to finalize arrangements and assignments for Ward 3 veggie garden tour on August 7 – Lisa/Joanne/Lola
-Update on garden tour issues
14. Report from Business Representative - Jim
15. New Business
Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour August 7, 2010
WARD 3 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO SPONSOR WARD 3 VEGETABLE GARDEN TOUR
Local residents will have an opportunity to celebrate the agricultural and food-growing heritage of Northampton and talk with farmers and gardeners about growing local food as the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association sponsors its Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour on Saturday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The self-guided tour will showcase eight diverse gardens and small farms in Ward 3. Some gardens are located in the meadows and floodplain and others represent urban gardening where small spaces can be transformed into substantial food-growing operations.
The selection of gardens in the tour ranges from one featuring heirloom tomatoes and seed collection to others focusing on fruit and berry production, utilizing raised beds built from recycled materials, and growing with mulch or plastic to retain warmth and moisture and reduce weed growth. Many of the gardens employ sustainable and organic techniques that are rapidly growing in popularity.
“We think this event will give people an opportunity to see Ward 3 in a way they might not have known it before,” notes Jerry Budgar, president of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and one of the individuals whose gardens are featured on the tour. “While many think of us as an urban ward in the city’s core, we love the fact we have this magnificent agricultural land and soil located so close to the city center. The juxtaposition makes Ward 3 a very unique and wonderful place to live. Our area of the city is undergoing a revival and expansion of agriculture and food production, and we want to showcase some of these efforts with this event.”
Those participating on the tour will be able to talk with gardeners and farmers about the food varieties they grow, get tips on methods to encourage healthy plant growth, and discuss ways to fend off such negatives as animal pests, insects, and airborne viruses and bacteria.
Tickets for the Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour, with a map and garden descriptions, are available at the A2Z Science Store on King Street, Deals and Steals on Pearl Street, and Serio’s Market on State Street. Tickets will also be available at upcoming Saturday and Tuesday Farmers Markets in Northampton. Tickets are $8 if purchased in advance and $10 if purchased on the day of the tour.
Further information about the Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour can be obtained from Tour Chair Joanne Mackiewicz at (413) 374-0550, Lola Reid at 584-9463 or at the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association website at www.WardThree.com
Local residents will have an opportunity to celebrate the agricultural and food-growing heritage of Northampton and talk with farmers and gardeners about growing local food as the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association sponsors its Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour on Saturday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The self-guided tour will showcase eight diverse gardens and small farms in Ward 3. Some gardens are located in the meadows and floodplain and others represent urban gardening where small spaces can be transformed into substantial food-growing operations.
The selection of gardens in the tour ranges from one featuring heirloom tomatoes and seed collection to others focusing on fruit and berry production, utilizing raised beds built from recycled materials, and growing with mulch or plastic to retain warmth and moisture and reduce weed growth. Many of the gardens employ sustainable and organic techniques that are rapidly growing in popularity.
“We think this event will give people an opportunity to see Ward 3 in a way they might not have known it before,” notes Jerry Budgar, president of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and one of the individuals whose gardens are featured on the tour. “While many think of us as an urban ward in the city’s core, we love the fact we have this magnificent agricultural land and soil located so close to the city center. The juxtaposition makes Ward 3 a very unique and wonderful place to live. Our area of the city is undergoing a revival and expansion of agriculture and food production, and we want to showcase some of these efforts with this event.”
Those participating on the tour will be able to talk with gardeners and farmers about the food varieties they grow, get tips on methods to encourage healthy plant growth, and discuss ways to fend off such negatives as animal pests, insects, and airborne viruses and bacteria.
Tickets for the Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour, with a map and garden descriptions, are available at the A2Z Science Store on King Street, Deals and Steals on Pearl Street, and Serio’s Market on State Street. Tickets will also be available at upcoming Saturday and Tuesday Farmers Markets in Northampton. Tickets are $8 if purchased in advance and $10 if purchased on the day of the tour.
Further information about the Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour can be obtained from Tour Chair Joanne Mackiewicz at (413) 374-0550, Lola Reid at 584-9463 or at the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association website at www.WardThree.com
Volunteer to Work at the Ward 3 Vegetable Garden Tour
As we all know, Ward 3 has a long heritage of agriculture and growing
food, and the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association hopes to focus attention
on this important element of Ward 3 life by sponsoring a Ward 3
Vegetable Garden Tour on Saturday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The tour will include eight veggie gardens located throughout Ward 3,
each with distinctive characteristics and utilizing different farming
and growing techniques. Those taking the tour will be able to speak
with the farmers and gardeners about the varieties they plant, their
special techniques to encourage plant growth and development, and answer
questions about growing food that people might have.
Tickets, which are $8 if purchased before the day of the tour and $10 on
that day, will be available at A2Z Science Store, Deals and Steals, and
Serio's Market as well as from board members of the Ward 3 Neighborhood
Association.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the Vegetable Garden Tour and
hope our members will pitch in to make this a great day. We need three
people to help with setup in the morning, four individuals to take
two-hour shifts (10 to noon or noon to 2 p.m.) at each of the eight
gardens, four people to set up and monitor the refreshment table, and
folks to staff tables at the Saturday and Tuesday Farmers Markets in
town to promote the tour and sell tickets for it. If you would like to
volunteer, you can call either Joanne Mackiewicz at 413-374-0550 or Lola
Reid at 584-9463. They will be glad to discuss the tasks that need to
be done and tailor a shift that meets your needs.
While the board of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association has not made a
final determination about the use of proceeds from the Vegetable Garden
Tour, there's considerable interest in providing small grants to Ward 3
neighborhoods to do beautification and improvement projects and offering
small grants to Bridge Street School to help underwrite valuable
classroom experiences for which no funding is otherwise available.
We hope everyone will take this self-directed Vegetable Garden Tour and
see things about Ward 3 that will surprise you, such as the range of
gardening options our residents undertake and the beautiful scenery that
surrounds some of the gardens on our tour.
If you are able to spare a couple of hours to help with this unique
program, we would be most grateful to have your participation.
Jerry Budgar
President
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
food, and the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association hopes to focus attention
on this important element of Ward 3 life by sponsoring a Ward 3
Vegetable Garden Tour on Saturday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The tour will include eight veggie gardens located throughout Ward 3,
each with distinctive characteristics and utilizing different farming
and growing techniques. Those taking the tour will be able to speak
with the farmers and gardeners about the varieties they plant, their
special techniques to encourage plant growth and development, and answer
questions about growing food that people might have.
Tickets, which are $8 if purchased before the day of the tour and $10 on
that day, will be available at A2Z Science Store, Deals and Steals, and
Serio's Market as well as from board members of the Ward 3 Neighborhood
Association.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the Vegetable Garden Tour and
hope our members will pitch in to make this a great day. We need three
people to help with setup in the morning, four individuals to take
two-hour shifts (10 to noon or noon to 2 p.m.) at each of the eight
gardens, four people to set up and monitor the refreshment table, and
folks to staff tables at the Saturday and Tuesday Farmers Markets in
town to promote the tour and sell tickets for it. If you would like to
volunteer, you can call either Joanne Mackiewicz at 413-374-0550 or Lola
Reid at 584-9463. They will be glad to discuss the tasks that need to
be done and tailor a shift that meets your needs.
While the board of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association has not made a
final determination about the use of proceeds from the Vegetable Garden
Tour, there's considerable interest in providing small grants to Ward 3
neighborhoods to do beautification and improvement projects and offering
small grants to Bridge Street School to help underwrite valuable
classroom experiences for which no funding is otherwise available.
We hope everyone will take this self-directed Vegetable Garden Tour and
see things about Ward 3 that will surprise you, such as the range of
gardening options our residents undertake and the beautiful scenery that
surrounds some of the gardens on our tour.
If you are able to spare a couple of hours to help with this unique
program, we would be most grateful to have your participation.
Jerry Budgar
President
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
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