Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Board Meeting
November 9, 2010 Bridge St School
Meeting called to order 7:04.
0:35 Approval of minutes from October's meeting: Unanimously approved.
0:47 Treasurer's report
1.Previous Balance: $1841.21
2.DUES: $65
3.NEW BALANCE: $1906.21
4.Note: $178.01 Allocated to Neighborhood Watch
5.LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = Previous 263; New = 272
6.Total Members = 267; New = 4
7.LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 1
6 Members, 3 New; 1 non-voting
Waste Water Treatment Plant: (11/05/2010) No news
Election Calendar for Special Municipal Election To Fill a Vacancy for Ward Three School
Committee.
Deadline to submit nomination papers to City Clerk - November 17, 2010 by 5:00 PM
Deadline for registering to vote for Preliminary Election - November 17, 2010 by 8:00 PM.
Preliminary Election (if necessary) - Ward 3 only December 2, 2010 Polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Deadline for registering to vote of Special Municipal Election -December 22, 2010 by 8:00 PM
Special Municipal Election-Ward 3 only - January 11, 2011-Polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
1:45 Open discussion on priorities and goals for the next year for the board
-Bob: Meadows clean-up? Encourage people in the ward to be involved in and speaking out in a whole bunch of issues that happen in our ward. We should encourage more input and interaction with the city's process.
-Arnie: we weren't successful at all last year; we have a ton of apathy and I don't think we can change the hearts and minds of residents.
-Gloria: expand traffic calming into 3A
-Owen: more social events? Gerry: Perhaps something in January?
-Fred: Will we have another meeting with Neighborhood Associations?
-Tim: Addressing the livability of our ward-- making it a nice place to live and encouraging walk-ability and livability. It would be great if we could have some community gardens in the ward. Commonly used space, perhaps more park space?
-Marian: Social events can encourage additional investment in the area. Foster a barter arrangement throughout the ward?
-Owen: we need more members. Jerry: we need a plan. Arnie: has there been an active effort to let people know what we are doing? Just focus on the members, not necessarily the whole ward?
-Arnie: We should have the senior center more responsive, utilized and engaged, not just for the ward but for the city. Jerry: the term "senior center" is truly poorly named as well. Angela: there may be a bad attitude from management there too.
President's report:
38:00 Enhance relationship with Salvo Tenants
38:45 Neighborhood Associations update: discussion of the buffers between the church and the houses on Edwards Sq.
41:45 Monthly meeting with the mayor-- the board's questions and the mayor's replies were given. Jerry asked if there were questions for this month's session, no one replied.
46:35 The Fairgrounds have gone before the Planning Board and Cons Comm and received approval for new horse stalls and new riding rinks.
50:00 The Meadows clean-up and the landowner's letter. The association had previously sent a letter to the Northampton Meadows Agricultural Association, and Jerry read the reply from the association. Fred: there can be a waiver that people can sign that may release the association from liability, e.g. what the CT Watershed Council does. Discussion. Motion: that the board drops the clean-up project for the meadows and focus on other neighborhood cleanup. Passed unanimously.
1:09:40 Ward 3 historic district: nothing yet.
1:10:00 Nominations & Membership: we will be getting a new alternate, yet the potential candidates come to a board meeting.
1:10:30 Skip to the Councilor's report. [This is where the temporarily recording stops.] The City Councilor is working on rerouting the truck traffic heading to Coca-Cola. Signs will be placed on the route 9 intersections saying No Trucks and Mass Highway will also include a sign near the off-ramp of I-91 directing trucks to Damon Road. The City Councilor is looking into an ordinance for raising the fines for trucks that go through the neighborhoods-- it is only $20 now. The City Councilor also reports that complaints from Day Ave residents, not only with backups but also with people getting out of their cars and pressing the pedestrian crosswalk button to stop traffic. Fred did not believe this, and travels Day Ave often. The City Councilor is open to any ideas from constituents. Owen suggested a stop light at the end of Day Ave. There will be a pumping station upgrade which will be reported Dec 1 to the BPW regarding the Coca-Cola plant addition. There was some confusion amongst the board and City Councilor regarding how much Coca-Cola would be paying for the pumping station.
Jim: will the Catholic church actually be staying on King St?
Bridge St School Report: Deb sent this message to Jerry:
Bridge Street School has been teeming with activity this fall. The after-school enrichment program begun this fall (with funding from NEF and Florence Savings Bank) has been wildly popular with students. They are now planning the programs to be offered in the spring including 2 languages, a yo-yo class, 2 art classes, a gym clas and musical instrument offering a partnership with Northampton Community Music Center.
The first efforts to serve more freshly prepared and local foods in the Northampton Public Schools (Oct 20; "Fresh Wednesday") was a great success at Bridge Street. Enthusiastically supported by the hardworking BBS kitchen staff, they served over 50 parents and teachers the fresh lunch, in addition to a large number of the students. Bridge Street had the largest number of parents attend of all the elementary schools, in a strong show of their support.
We have ongoing efforts to improve the gardens around the school, and recently received some plants donated by a local nursery. Volunteers planted and put down more mulch, we hope to see the fruits of our labor in the spring.
Bridge Street PTO will bring a young yo-yo/dance artist to the school November 15th for a lively performance on overcoming bullying. We support efforts to confront and discuss this relevant topic before it becomes a pervasive problem in our community.
As I watched an older gentleman walk by the Bridge Street playground and watch the children play after school one day, I thought about the rich history of the school and the residents of Ward 3 (and other Wards) who have a connection to Bridge Street. I would like to see if there is interest in a joint "luncheon" where Bridge Street students invite former Bridge Street students (now senior residents) to lunch at the school. I imagine it would foster great memories for both young and old, storytelling, and a greater appreciation for the history of our school. Any thoughts? Maybe we can organize this for the spring.
Meadows City Conservancy: The committee has a draft of bylaws and will be meeting soon to finalize them. As soon as that is done they will be filing them with the state.
Sustainability Committee: Jim had this message:
First Off...the most exciting news surrounds the results of our Smith/W3NA collaboration. The "open space" survey done in September was a wonderful precursor to last weekends' workshop. Added to this was research performed by Smith, Hampshire, and UMASS students through a REAP survey. All this information was presented in a report at the forum. (This report will be distributed when available). At the end of the forum a list of greenspace priorities was developed (attached). I expect that this information will be the foundation for continued discussion in the coming months.
In December, I would like to set aside time at our board meeting to review a confluence of information surrounding land use and zoning.
Traffic Calming: Lola had this message:
Since our last TC meeting Oct 18 (see Annual Mtg minutes) most of our activity has been through emails. The major concern is still the intersection of Holyoke and Pleasant and the crosswalk. Page will take a letter, regarding our concerns about that intersection, to the Transportation & Parking Commission meeting on November 16 and Mac & I may also go to that meeting.
We are also having a committee meeting on Monday, November 14 to discuss this issue and to decide if we want to bring to the city a proposal that they do a wider-reaching study and plan involving Pleasant St. from I91 to at least the Holyoke St. intersection. Also on the agenda are sign painting and Special Detail police presence in the neighborhood.
Exit 19 I-91 Project: Frank sent this message:
The Exit 19 I-91 project continues with more detailed design by Mass DOT and the consulting engineers on concepts 13, (improved intersection) 13A, (single roundabout) 13B, (double roundabout) no build and the TDM concept. A reminder that the next PAC meeting with Mass DOT and the consultants is scheduled for Tuesday December 7th at 6 pm at Bridge Street School. A snow date is scheduled for Wednesday December 8th.
Transportation Committee: The city will plow the bike path from Conz St, Pleasant St up Main St/Bridge St at the railroad bridge this winter.
Veggie Garden Tour: There was a proposal made that the board would use the proceeds for the Vegetable Garden Tour for. Motion: That the board approve the general categories for use of the Veggie Tour: Beautification of neighborhood, Bridge Street School projects, historical uses and preservation in Ward 3, relief for residents in Ward 3 especially victims of crime, music and arts events, and holding some out for funding next year's tour.
Business Rep: Jim had this message:
In December a new coffee shop will be opening at the corner of Market and Main/Bridge. It will feature a variety of coffees, teas, sandwiches, salads, and deserts. (and I believe some wine and beer). I met with one of the owners, Robyn Goodmark and she is very interested in improving the sidewalk area abutting the space. The business would like to place cafe tables along the wall facing Bridge Street. We discussed some traffic calming, parking, and beautification ideas and committed to working on them once the restaurant is open.
New Business:
Phil: The reward fund will likely be unwound, but we will want to write a letter thanking the community for their support.
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Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
Board Meeting
Tuesday, December
14, 2010 7 PM
Bridge Street School
Library
7:05 Called to order
Present: Bob, Owen, Phil, Arnie, Marianne, Maddy,
Jerry, and Fred. Plus, Howard Moore, Sidney Stern, Frank Z., and Michael Bardsley.
Absent: Joanne, Tim P., Lola.
1. Approval of Minutes –
Approved.
Owen: What about the reports? We are just
incorporating them into the minutes and accepting them verbatim.
Plan: Subcommittee minutes should be approved.
Bob: Maybe differentiate between accepting reports
and approving minutes.
Fred: Treasurer’s reports will still be approved, since
that’s the report of an officer and not a subcommittee.
Vote: Differentiation, with Treasurer’s report
exception, wins.
2. Treasurer’s Report – Fred
Vote: Approved.
(Pending
receipt of electronic copy of report.)
7:13
3. President’s Report – Jerry
- Ward 3 House Break-ins According to police, we are coming up on excess of 70 break-ins. Advice: Lock your doors! Suggestions: walk through the neighborhood at night, etc. Keep your remote car alarm by your bed and set it off if you hear something strange. Keep your eyes open to strangers. Arnie is putting together a safety flyer to have the NWA street captains distribute. May also plan an educational meeting.
- Commemoration of the fires We are coming up on second anniversary of tragedy. Maybe a procession or a vigil gathering in Lampron Park.
Michael Bardsley: Let’s keep
the focus on the deaths.
Jerry: Let’s note the public
safety people that responded so well.
Discussion: ?Permanent future
memorial like tree or plaque? This may be something that can be folded in with
BSS and use money from Veggie Garden Tour.
Plan: Going with vigil 6-7
at Lampron Park on 12/27. Publicity to Gazette, etc.
- Neighborhood Associations Update; NTA
7:33
- Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People
No meeting this month, only one
question about soccer people not reapplying for Oxbow permit. Next meeting is this
Thursday.
Arnie: What about the senior
center? How much money is going to it? Are you satisfied. Owen: How old
are the city’s optical scanning voting machine? Have they been a success? Group:
Why don’t the fairgrounds or the city fix the Williams Brook and pipe?
- Fairgrounds Redevelopment Update; meeting last Thursday of the ConCom to modify the terms and conditions of Phase I. In summary, the problem is storm water. Fairgrounds asking to put more water en masse, but less at peak times, into the Williams Street brook. ConCom said okay. Appeal of that decision is probably pending brought by Maria T.
Bob: This is a good proposal,
ConCom got it right. It will diminish peak flow because they put water in all
the time. (Bob is advocating for the fairground’s plan, he is part of the redevelopment
committee.)
Fred: Does the plan have a
parking lot with 5000 cars?
Bob: It has one, but not a
large one.
Jerry: The pipe runs under
our properties and we will be organizing to get the city to address it. The brook
supercharges, the pipe has several failures, and right now two sink holes in
Maria’s yard.
Jim: The fair must be
allowed to update to 21st century standards or it will disappear
entirely. I am suspicious of the amount of conflict over Phase I, particularly
the filing of lawsuits.
Arnie: The problem with the
pipe should be solved before redevelopment.
Maddy: I am concerned that
the plan is not truly modern by 21 century environmental standards. It’s a
throwback with impervious parking lots and metal roofs.
Owen: If change doesn’t come
because of this stalling, the fairgrounds will fold.
Jerry: At the neighborhood
meetings, three plans have been presented. When we have heavy rain, the man
hole covers bounce. This is a serious problem and cannot be fixed cheap. A good
plan for drainage and parking is what the neighborhood wants.
Bob: This is a
misrepresentation of the process.
Fred: The said no pavement,
now the plan has pavement.
Owen: That is phase II.
Phil: I am very concerned
about the plan. I left the committee because of the drainage problems, and I don’t
trust the Fairground committee to deal with the issues.
Howard Moore: The evolution
of the fairground has been increasing activity in a fragile floodplain. Maybe we
need a full revisioning of the space.
- Pleasant Street Corridor Planning Proposal: Working on replacing the pedestrian paddle or its equivalent on the dangerous spot on Pleasant and Holyoke Streets. Working on presenting to the parking commission on their agenda after going to their meeting generally.
- Ward 3 Historic District: A few years ago there was a proposal for creating a federal historical district. Held up by lack of historic narrative that cost $4000.00. Recently Wayne Feiden said CPA $ could be used for this. People are having a meeting in January to revive the process.
8:10
4. Nominating/Membership Committee Report
– Owen
-Discussion about unfilled alternate position for 3B; two
prospects one of which has dried up.
-Discussion about membership drive; this spring board
members should go out to encourage their neighbors to become members- door to
door.
-Outreach materials need redoing because of the elimination
of dues.
5. Update from Bridge Street School
Committee/School Committee News – Deborah Christakos
-Introduction of Howard Moore. Father
of 4, stay-at-home father and lawyer. He would like to increase deliberations
in school committee; believes that saving $3-400,000 is not enough to warrant
closing Bridge Street School; and that a later start time for NHS is important
and possible with creative discussion and planning.
Update on creation of related organization to do conservancy in Ward 3
– Fred
-Meeting on November 27 at BSS.
8:35
Sustainability Committee Update – Jim
-Update on Zoning Revisions
Committee discussions
King St. workshops were held, 3-4
of them. Kevin Lake ran the meeting. There was lots of consensus about
bikepaths and flexible use. There was not consensus about set-backs on the
North end of King St. This material will be sent to the city committees which
will resolve the set-back issue. Looks like some positive new ordinances are
going through which will encourage development of empty spaces. For example, Trumbull
Rd. to the bike path will be a carve-out for a more urban zone.
-Update on zoning notifications
letter
Jerry: Does ZRC have a
process for notifying abutters? This is very important and needs to happen now.
Jim: Before the actual new
regulations are voted on, people will be informed. There has been a lot of
notice; flyers, etc.
-Update on efforts to collect Ward
3 input on rezoning topics for ZRC
ZRC will be looking at developing design
guidelines. We’d like to know what people in the W3 think. The sustainability
committee will be seeking people’s feedback. We are considering special permit
for infill housing, subject to public process and design criterion to allow for
some additional leeway for height and set-backs if you do it right.
Jerry: We need to get more input
on design guidelines from neighborhood residents.
8:46.
Traffic Calming Committee Update – NTA
Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Frank Werbinski
The Mass DOT and engineers had
their last PAC meeting a week ago. The options on the table are: 1) no build;
2) general improvements to Damon Rd/Bridge St.; 3) a single roundabout; and 4) a
double roundabout.
Highlights: The level of
service on the current intersection will fail (queuing, traffic, etc.) by 2034.
Double roundabout gets the best marks for service and queuing (continuous
moving).
8:54
However, slightly more property
taking is possible with the double roundabout in that the slope will be closer
to property owners, although most property impact is from single roundabout.
Owen: What’s the downside
of two roundabouts?
Frank: I may be confusing
for drivers.
Bob: I am concerned about
traffic backing up on the ramp, that is very dangerous.
Frank: Good point, maybe
those lanes could be widened.
Owen: Perhaps we could do
an online survey to poll neighbors?
10. Report of Transportation Committee -
Owen NTA
11. Update
on Neighborhood Watch – Arnie, Phil, Owen NTA
12. Legislative Update from City Councilor – Angela NTA
13. Vegetable Garden Tour – Joanne NTA
14. Social Committee Report – Owen NTA
15. Report from Business Representative
- Jim
-Saluting new businesses in Ward 3. Please go to The Roost
when it opens!
16.
New Business
Fred: Because of poor voting in 3A & B, maybe we
should consider working on that issue.
Owen: I have introduced the idea of an open space and
recreation meeting for wards 3 & 4. Check out online “survey monkey” to let
your ideas be known.
Phil: Rotary checks to arson victims are going to go
out before Xmas. I am looking for ideas
for the accompanying letter.
-Meeting adjourned:
9:13
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