December 2011 Board Meeting Minutes

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Meeting

Tuesday, December 13, 2011    7 p.m.

Bridge Street School Library

 

Present: Jerry Budger, Marian Geller, Joan Rasool, Tamatha Gaumnitz, Gloria Parker, Fred Zimnoch, Owen Freeman-Daniels, Dave Fenton (left after his presentation), Madeline Weaver Blanchette, Rick Clark, Wendy Newton.  Guests: Sydney Stern, Frank Werbinski, Jesus Levya, Carol Brussell, Sigrid Schmalzer.

 

Absent: Jim Nash, Jesse Rosado.

(7:05 start)

 

1.      Approval of Minutes –   Maddy

Denise is not getting the minutes! L

Approved both months …

 

2        Treasurer's Report – Fred

Accepted

1.                  Previous ACCOUNT Balance: = $2823.0

2.                  DUES: = $30.00

3.                  Neighborhood Watch = $178.01

4.                  ACCOUNT BALANCE: $2853.60

5.                  LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = 284

6.                  Total Members:  = 284;

7.                  LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 3

 

LIST SERVE

-I have not updated list serve with Owen's list. Please remind me!

 

3        President's Report – Jerry            

1. Update on Pomeroy Terrace Historic District

Sarah Lavallee – still assembling info on approving newer properties.

 

2. Neighborhood Associations Update - Gateways

First cooperative project is to design welcoming signs at 7 gateways. Two at W3, 1 coming off of Coolidge Bridge or Lampron Park, and 1 at Hokanum and Pleasant Streets.

-questions about plantings, and uniformity of the signs to at least promote the Northampton brand.

 

3. Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People

(Mayor will take questions off the listserve, and we can publish the answers.)

• Fred: Assessors suggesting to City Council that they retain the "factor of 1" in the property assessments (residential and business have the same rates). What are the pros and cons?

Single tax rate is attractive to businesses, but does burden homeowners. Exemptions are tricky.

• Rick: School parking… someone suggested once that the Sheldon Field lot could serve as a shuttle spot. Has that ever been considered?

Joy Winnie has been spoken to by BSS principal. Ongoing issues.

• Wendy: Who do we call to find schedule of repairs of Market/North Street?

Final engineering design elements occurring now- 2012 construction season is the goal, one more neighborhood meeting.

• Owen: Could there be a painted cross walk across Parsons by Bridge Street?

Spoken with DPW person, no memory of one there. They city engineer will check it out, maybe a priority because of school route.

• Sydney: Will he continue the Mayor's newsletter? And, if so, what will the structure be?

Yes, I am also using Twitter and Facebook. Also working with WHMP, etc. for emergency notifications.

 

Next meeting:

Fred: DPW is formulating a policy about the streets vis a vis farmer's markets? And, what about this element "25% may be non-food items," etc., etc.?

Wendy: When, in the process of rebuilding North Street, can we talk about the speeding problem?

(7:54)

 

4. Fairgrounds Redevelopment Update – Bob

Talking about raising money to remove storm water.

 

5. Bridge Street Cemetery Gravestone Repair - Marian

Had a woman who does repairs come down and look- over 200 broken stones, but many more in peril of falling, etc. DPW said would assist, but little structure to provide. Sara Lavallee is encouraging us to apply for CPA money to pay a consultant. It's a very daunting task. Is it too much?

Owen: Partner with Historic Northampton – Kerry Butler.

Rick: Maybe just a obtain a baseline report?

Marian: Will look into this ideas and report back.

(8:09)

                                               

6. Update from Salvo House and Cahill Apartments – Denise

Party on December 22- Seth Mias catering- all welcome.

Salvo available to the public to rent for parties.

People at Cahill would like to talk about forming a tenants' association.

Jerry: Let's make sure we plan an international dinner in January.

 

7. Update on Website Development – Marian

A domain name needs to renewed.

Vote: yes.

 

8. Discussion on future of the Neighborhood Watch

-Basic options are to change or keep stable the relationship between organizations

Dave Fenton: The relationship between the groups is not working, the watch isn't surviving with the separation between the two groups. While safety is an issue for everyone, W3NA isn't endorsing the group and that is harming its effectiveness.  Believes that politics is the reason that the NW hasn't been endorsed by W3NA.

Madeline: Strongly disagree, the issue was the connection to the Homeland Security model of neighborhood watch, potential for invasion of privacy/civil rights, militarization, etc.

Jerry: Maybe switching the focus to weather crisis response would engender more support.

Denise: That is what we did after the storm, giving blankets, making coffee, checking disabled people, etc.

Owen: Perhaps revived leadership is needed. Read letter from David Bardsley- Arnie out of town this winter.

Maddy: We've given the NW as much support as we normally do to any group. Any failure is not the fault of W3NA.

Fred: We can give them more time, but if they don't get it together- forget it.

Wendy: It doesn't seem like there is a NW.

Joan: Maybe ask them to have a meeting in January.  

Marian: I'll go to the meeting, and then report back.

David: It doesn't seem like Arnie will stay with it. Michael may oversee while we transition to new leadership.

Denise: They could meet at our place, with a donation …

David: Could this group contact people via the listserve?

Fred: Yes.

 

9. Proposal by Councillor Owen about constituent services

Owen's office is starting a committee, "the working committee," which will be a group of W3 citizens who get together on a monthly basis to talk about constituent services. The model is collaborative, sustainable problem solving . Let him know if you are interested.

   

4.  Membership Committee - Jim

 -Planning a January meeting.

 

5.      Update from Bridge Street School/School Committee News – Howard Moore NTA

 

6.      Update about Meadow City Conservancy Coalition's efforts  in Ward 3 – Fred

MCCC Report December 2011

-A Board Mtg of the MCCC was held on 12/10 at 28 Pomeroy Terrace. The participants were Maria T., Rick & Marcy Clark, Sigrid S., Jane P., Fred Z., and Sara LaValley from the City of Northampton Office of Planning and Development and a member of Conservation Committee (ConsCom).

-The board elected officers, Jane P. President, Mac E. Treasurer, Marcy Clark Sec. and Directors serving as VP.

-The board also agreed on the details of including the Montview Farm Steering Committee as a permanent standing committee called the "MCCC Standing Comm. on the Montview Conservation Area."

-The license for Montview will be given to the MCCC in a MOU from ConsCom. This will be negotiated between Fred and Sara and will be approved by a vote of ConsCom.

-The RFP for the 2012 growing season will be posted Jan. 15 with a proposal granted by Jan 30. Sara said that the cities fee of $100/acre/year is optional.

-Chris Davis who monitors the endangered Cicindela puritana, commonly referred to as the Puritan tiger beetle may be our speaker for 2012. (He operates NE Falconry in Leveret?)

-Jane P. also suggested a photo contest of the Meadows.

-Jane P. spoke to Laurie Sanders. Laurie said that she is seeking a grant to update her book "Rediscovering Northampton:  The Natural History of City-Owned Conservation Areas. She will review the areas and add new ones. (Hopefully Montview Farms will be added!) The result will be a book for commercial sale with a portion of the royalties given to MCCC. To benefit we need 501.c.3 status.

-We also learned that Forbes Library will repeat Laurie Sanders splendid presentation on the Meadow Conservation area with MCCC as a sponsor. This will give a special view of the Meadows that not many are aware of. It will give us a chance to obtain members.

-If MCCC can at least match Laurie Sanders enthusiasm and efforts on behalf of MCCC we should see a very successful 2012.

 

7.    Sustainability Committee Update – Jim

-Status of public meeting to discuss ZRC's final rec's to the Planning Board

 

8.       Agriculture Committee – Jesse (8:26) NTA

 

9.      Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Frank Werbinski

-Frank is hoping to set up a meeting on January 17 at BSS. Highway department will again reveal the 3 final drawings.

-Joanne Mackiewicz was swiftly appointed to the PAC.

 

10.  Report of Transportation Committee  NTA

Fred: Meeting about Laser system to warn trucks Dec. 20- City Council Chambers

-Power Point report on laser system for truck warning delayed to December 20, 2011.

-Truck Escape route delayed to December 20, 2011

 

11.     Traffic Calming Committee- Lola NTA

 

12.    Legislative Update from City Councillor - Owen 

-Legislatively winding down b.c. of the change in session.

-Economic development office changes afoot, i.e., Terri Anderson is leaving.

-Committee appointments will be swift in January, along with a new president (David Murphy interested)-

-Owen will serve on whatever committee he is needed, although he will try to get on transportation and parking.

-Question about DPW barns- perhaps not enough $ to go forward with the project.

-No news on storm water report… Owen will check on that.

 

13.    Vegetable Garden Tour – Joanne

 -Update on next year's tour

 -Publicizing availability of grant applications, it's on the website

 

14.     Social Committee Report – Owen/Bob NTA

 

15.    Report from Business Representative -  Jim

-Kollmorgan sold to L3

 

16.  New Business

Jesus

DPW will be forming a zero waste committee. And, the reuse committee will be asking to use part of the mass highway as a reuse center. Thirdly, talking about reviving Smith Voc.'s compost program.

 

Ward 3 Storm Water System

I have not heard that the City has received the final report from CDM. I was previously told that there will be adequate time for review. 8:45 adjourned

November 2011 Board Meeting Minutes

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Board Meeting

Monday, November 21, 2011 @ 7 p.m.

Bridge Street School Cafeteria

Present: Jesse Rosado, Joan Rasool, Wendy Newton, Fred Zimnoch, Gerald Budger, Rick Clark, Maddy Weaver Blanchette, Jim Nash, Denise Fernier, Owen Freeman-Daniels. Guests: Sydney Stern, Frank Werbinski, & Jackie Misa.

Absent: Marianne Geller, Tamatha Gaumnitz, Bob Reckman, David Fenton, Gloria Parker, Howard Moore.

7:09

1.      Approval of Minutes –   Maddy

-deferred to next month Maddy will resend to all

2.      Treasurer's Report – Fred

3.      Previous ACCOUNT Balance: = $2585.35

4.      DUES: = $190.00

5.      DONATIONS: =$53.75; Ryan ODonnell (new) Colleen Currie

6.      NEW MEMBERS:  Molly Watkins, James Hatzis, Nina Harper-Elkins, Lu  Stone, Ryan O'Donnell, Tamatha Gaumnitz

7.      Neighborhood Watch =                              $178.01

8.      ACCOUNT BALANCE:                           $2824.10

9.      LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = 283

10.  Total Members:  = 284;

11.  LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 8

LIST SERVE

(Fred has not updated list serve with Owen's list. Please remind him!)

12.  President's Report – Jerry

       

1. Update on Pomeroy Terrace Historic District

Sarah LaValley asking us to take pictures of the additional historic houses in the district. Kesse Rosado will do it.

2. Neighborhood Associations Update - Gateways

Speaking with sign makers. Meeting with CoC re: fundraising.

3. Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People

*What are the plans for solid waste and recycling? DN looking for recycling and reuse as a way to diminish waste. Looking to acquire an additional space for a reuse center for furniture, looking to centralize information to refer people to for reuse options. (Owen saying fees will certainly go up… diversion of waste will be key; reuse, composting [20-30% of material], etc. A new board will be formed for solid waste reduction.)

*Is there a plan for a light at Damon Rd. and Industrial Dr.? Yes. There is a larger plan for that area, trying to break it down into small packets including bike lanes, etc. It's a high priority- as the rail project will be coming in 2 years. ?Public hearing come soon.

*Is there a plan for working on the traffic around BSS? City has been looking at the issue for several years. Ideas have not been followed through with budget crisis. A petition came from Union Street residents, but they did not come to hearing. Another being scheduled. Would like to encourage bus use and biking. (Fred says that residents willing to pay 100% of cost of speed bumps. The temporary ones can't go in now- too late in the season.)

#Next month:

-Fred: Assessors suggesting to City Council that they retain the "factor of 1" in the property assessments (residential and business have the same rates). What are the pros and cons?

-Rick: School parking… someone suggested once that the Sheldon Field lot could serve as a shuttle spot. Has that ever been consider?

-Wendy: Who do we call to find schedule of repairs of Market/North Street?

-Owen: Could there be a painted cross walk across Parsons by Bridge Street?

-Jim: Can we post these to the listserve?

-Sydney: Will he continue the Mayor's newsletter? And, if so, what will the structure be?

4. Fairgrounds Redevelopment Update – Bob

NTA  7:45

5.  Street Cemetery Gravestone Repair – Marian

Very overwhelming project. Marian trying to get together names of those who are interested…

-difficult to even prioritize.

6. Update from Salvo House & Cahill Apartments – Denise

Housing authority did well responding to the blackout. Held a resident meeting.

Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow… everyone is welcome.

(Jerry- talking about an international dinner in the spring.)

7. Website issues

Group of volunteers to update the website, to transition away from Owen's control, etc.

8. Agriculture Committee – Proposed Priorities – Jesse

i.         Making contact with State Commissioner of Agriculture regarding difficulty in accessing local land for young farmers. (i.e., out-of-state farmers lease Meadows land.)

ii.       Making documentary film about history and culture of farming in Ward 3. (Networking with historic society, Northampton Public Access).                      

   

4.  Membership Committee - Jim 8:21

-New member of committee; Maddy.

5.  Update from Bridge Street School/School Committee News –Howard

Moore NTA

6.      Update about Meadow City Conservation Coalition's efforts  in Ward 3 – Fred

MCCC Report November 2011

The annual mtg (11/16/2011) of the MCCC presentation by naturalist, author and NPR commentator Laurie Sanders a great success. I can't imagine a more auspicious beginning for the MCCC.

We now know were the largest river forest and beach are located. We also learned about:

• the geology of our valley,
• the role of native Americans,
• the role of settlers placing names in the Meadows,
• the commercial value of the River for transportation & logging (see note),
• the wild but pastoral landscape that drew 19^th century notables, artists and tourists,
• the green dragon and snap-dragon-hybrid,
• the fleet footed beetle with hypertrophic mandibles and most importantly,
• the etymology of Rainbow Beach from its crescent shape and sequential stripes of erosion.

I was surprised to learn that this awesome presentation was created specifically for MCCC. At the end of her talk Laurie made a strong pitch for donations. It's clear that Laurie a local naturalist of special repute see MCCC as an important force in the Meadows. Laurie has set the standard for our efforts. To that end we need a board mtg in December to consider our next moves.

The newly elected Board in no particular order consists of:

Budgar, Jane	gbudgar@rcn.com	584-2964
Clark, Marcy	rmdclark@comcast.net	586-1636
Clark, Rick	rmdclark@comcast.net	586-1636
Everett, Mac	rivermac1@verizon.net	584-0068
Parshall, Tim	timparshall@yahoo.com	587-9655
Potter, Jane	janepotter@comcast.net	586-3252
Schmalzer, Sigrid	sigrid@history.umass.edu	?
Tymoczko, Maria	tymoczko@complit.umass.edu	586-3908
Zimnoch, Fred	zimnoch@crocker.com	586-1522

Next Board mtg will be  12/4 PM, 12/10 AM and 12/11 PM.

I think all who attended including BBC personages concluded that we did a super job putting together our first annual mtg. The result was some great contributions that Mac will later report!

NOTE: While our CT River is not the mighty Mississippi it does have levees and continues its commercial value. Its green hydroelectricity attracted the billion dollar computer center in Holyoke which will markedly effect the area.

7.    Sustainability Committee Update – Jim

-Split on Council re: King St. zoning.

-OPD talking about rezoning Hawley St. and Conz. St. (Western sides of both streets into central business…) not going to counsel… looking for public feedback.

8.       Traffic Calming Committee Update –  Lola

Holyoke, Hockanum, and Hawley going to 25 MPH.

9.      Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Frank Werbinski

Frank Werbinski: Would like to replace Christine Cahillane on PAC with Joanne Mackewicz. Looking for support of the nomination of the board with the Mayor. Vote: unanimous yes.

-No meeting currently planned.

10.  Report of Transportation Committee  (Owen)

-PVPC: Hartford to Springfield expecting 27 x day. Designing a double track, unclear if $ for a double track. Sooner is the two trips a day from NYC through Northampton knowledge corridor Springfield North. Wayne will do update for W3NA …

->25% phase to connect bike trails within 18 months.

-Mtg 4PM November 15, 2011

Power Point report on laser system for truck warning delayed to December 20, 2011.

Truck Escape route delayed to December 20, 2011

8:35

11.   Update on Neighborhood Watch – NTA

Group seems inactive. Going to invite them next month to ask them to reinvigorate, hand it over to others, or dissolve.

12.    Legislative Update from City Councillor - Owen 

New votes: First vote on tax rate = "factor of 1;" "King St."- new zoning district created, double tree belt, still some big box options.  

Upcoming votes: general obligation bond issues- $20M for Bean Allard, Fire Station, etc.

(Very little in cash reserve/stabilization, affecting negatively S & P future assessments? For now, rates still very good.)

8:55

13.    Vegetable Garden Tour – Joanne

-Update on next year's tour; gardens starting to come in.

-Publicizing availability of grant applications- it was posted on Ward 3 and Owen's websites.

14.     Social Committee Report – Owen/Bob NTA

          

15.    Report from Business Representative -  Jim NTA

Bill Collins agreed to host event for businesses in the Ward.

16.  Ward 3 Storm Water System -Fred

-I have not heard that the City has received the final report from CDM. I was previously told that there will be adequate time for review.

17. New Business

Wendy: concern of lack of lighting and need for clean-up of Market/North/King Street intersections…Question for the Mayor?

Adjourn: 9:02

October 2011 Board Meeting Minutes

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association

Board Meeting

Tuesday, October 11, 2011    7 p.m.

Bridge Street School Library

Annual Meeting Report…

(7:09) Jerry, Fred, Maddy, Marian, Denise, Wendy, Owen, Jim, Joanne, Joan Rasool, Gloria, Jesus, Roger, Howard, Frank.

Missing: Tim P., Bob

1.      Approval of Minutes –   Maddy

-unanimously approved

2        Treasurer's Report – Fred

-unanimously approved

Previous ACCOUNT Balance: = $2524.35

DUES: = $20 Two new members from Lola R.

EXPENSES: =0

Veggie Garden Tic Sales: =                        $41.00

Veggie Garden Profit 2011(final):   $567.23

Veggie Garden Profit 2010:                        $680.16

Neighborhood Watch =                                 $178.01

ACCOUNT BALANCE:                          $2585.35

LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = 283

Total Members:  = 279;

LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 8

Special Reports:

Roger Salloom- Problems with trash on the dike. He has been setting up trash barrels and bags, weekly. It seems a little better than a couple of years ago. He is looking for support to pay for covers, bags, rotating help.

-motion for $35 for bags and covers approved

Jesus – Landfill about to close. City has not clarified what its role is in solid waste. What is the community envisioning?

-Plan: perhaps form a committee, consider a forum.

Wendy: problem with illegal dumping- it is likely to increase.

3        President's Report – Jerry (7:34)

1. Update on Pomeroy Terrace Historic District

-Sarah LaVallee working on all the forms for the houses for Mass Historic District over the next few weeks.

2. Neighborhood Associations Update

-Beautification of gateways project progressing. Working with sign makers, $, etc.

3. Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People

-Held off until next month…

-Any other questions?

-New light on Damon Rd. by Steve Lewis Subaru?

-BSS traffic issue- ? making Union St. one way at certain times of day.

4. Fairgrounds Redevelopment Update

-(Committee meets second Wednesday of the month, so news is always old.) Much discussion about drainage from the fair that would run down Old Ferry Rd., and go under the airport to the river.

-Fair working on closing out barn contracts, trying to secure $ for next phase. New horse shows have been inquiring about bookings.

-Committee is threatening to push out the councilor because it doesn't want public exposure.

5. Bridge Street Cemetery Gravestone Repair (7:50)

-Trying to schedule meeting with Sarah LaVallee.

-Trying to secure information about what the stones (should) look like, who is there.

-? Cataloguing

-? Exploring a larger meeting with other stakeholder groups….

                                                                 

6. Meeting Committee Update

Bob circulated proposal via email.

-Let's increase the social element… tours, food, music, etc.

-Let's make the food better …

Have a virtual full slate…

7. Nominating Committee

NTA

8. Update from Salvo House and Cahill Apartments – Denise

-Spoke with other members about more of a liaison with Cahill.

-Thanksgiving Dinner at Salvo 22^nd 5 pm. $20.

-When are we coming to you? Let's do an international buffet- give us a date!

9. Update on Mayoral, Councillor Forum – Bob

-October 19 Forum. Questions go to moderator.

10. Agriculture Committee – Proposed Priorities – Jesse

-Video documentary of history of farming in the Meadows, etc.

11. Should date of November meeting be changed?

-Yes. How is October 15^th.

   

5…Update from Bridge Street School/School Committee News – Howard Moore

-Enrollment up, so committee is not focusing on closing schools.

-Principals first Friday get together… talking about traffic around the school. Two thoughts- make Union St. one way; increasing parking around the school.

(8:24)

6.      Update about Meadow City Conservation Coalition's conservancy efforts  in Ward 3 – Fred

Mtg of MCCC nonprofit status Committee Oct 5 at 28 Pomeroy Terrace.  Schedule with assigned tasks for completing 501.3.c status. Application should be live and completed for Nov. 5. Annual mtg is provisional for Nov 16^th at 7PM in Library at Bridge Street School. Will annual report, election of officers and new committee if any, and a speaker TBD. Present: M. Tymoczko, J. Potter, F. Zimnoch & Weaver Blanchette. November 16 7 pm annual meeting

7.    Sustainability Committee Update – Jim

-Status of public meeting to discuss ZRC's final rec's to the Planning Board

8.      Membership Committee

-The Membership Committee has not met. The committee has no plans for a
Fall membership drive nor has it made plans to update the brochure. The
Membership Committee will assist with promoting the Annual Meeting and
recruiting new members at this event.

9.      Sustainability Report (Jim Nash)

-All the former Ward 3 ZRC members are interested in having a discussion
with their neighbors concerning last spring's ZRC recommendations. I
envision a panel or roundtable format. The bigger question is timing. It
would be best to convene after the November elections, ideally,
mid-November or December. However, the King Street zoning changes may be
sent to city council in the coming weeks. There is a possibility that a
first and second reading of the proposed changes could happen prior to
the election. This would me a more hastily yet timely event would need
to be scheduled.

We will have answers to this later this week if the Planning Board
approves the changes or decides to deliberate longer.

10.  Business Representative Report

-See Sustainability Report. This is a most important business issue.

11.   Traffic Calming Committee Update (Lola)

-On Sept. 15 we held our neighborhood meeting to discuss next steps regarding the speed humps on Hawley and Williams Streets.  First, DPW's engineer, Laura Hanson, presented the data from the effects of the temporary speed humps, which showed a significant enough reduction in speed to indicate their effectiveness.  Then, Kate Geiss spoke about how pleased the residents of Grove St. are about their permanent speed humps.  Finally, each of the 16 neighbors in attendance expressed their reactions to the temporary speed humps.  There were some concerns about noise but these were considerably allayed after assurances from Laura that the permanent humps are much less noisy and that multiple humps would mitigate the problem of cars speeding up after going over the hump.  In the end the consensus among the residents was that 2 or 3 humps on each of the streets would greatly improve the safety and quality of life in the neighborhood.

Next week we will send a letter to Ned Huntley, DPW Director, officially requesting the installation of permanent speed humps, paid for from the Montview Neighborhood mitigation funds.  We expect him to approve the request and (hopefully) have the humps installed in the summer of 2012 --three years after our traffic calming application was approved by the city's Transportation and Parking Commission.

12.  Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Frank Werbinski

-Update on revised traffic projections. Met with Rich Massey… very encouraged- maybe a minor reconstruction of the intersections.

Bridge St./Damon Rd./Exit 91 & Entrance to 91S if no build… 0.2% a.m./p.m. peak hours… 2700 fewer turns.

-Roundabout will provide traffic calming

-PAC meeting in November

-Frank reported the original estimate of 28% increase in Northampton population that was used for making the design was corrected as not Northampton but all the cities/towns in the area. Future traffic populations estimates will include this larger area.

13.  Report of Transportation Committee 

-Update about sidewalks, bikepath maintenance, train routing, and walking buses

-TPC last meeting…  get from Fred

This Thursday, Pioneer Planning Board about trains.

-Bike path is moving forward with land taking at church… and Oct. 26 7 pm to discuss maintenance of bike paths.

14.  Legislative Update from City Councillor - Owen 

Counsel has been relatively quiet…

Oct. 13 joint meeting about King St. comments… highway business he doesn't support

Oct. 12 charter drafting committee… the review committee made a bunch of proposals, $26000 of mayor's left over salary to pay consultant.

-Agriculture is considering gating Potash Rd.

15.  Vegetable Garden Tour – Joanne (8:56)

-Update on next year's tour

-Establishing an RFP process and setting amount of money to be disbursed from proceeds.

-Comments? Decision of board is final.

Motion: unanimous

16. Ward 3 Storm Water System (Fred)

-The City has yet to receive the final report from CDM.  This has been delayed a little and may slide into September.  When we do receive the final document we will make it available for review in our office here and also available for download from the DPW website.  There will be time to review the report before any public meetings are scheduled.

 USACE dike inspection 9/18/2009; Report 8/26/2011. Posted on city DPW website.

http://www.northamptonma.gov/dpw/engineering/floodctrl/

17. Transportation and Parking Commission Mtg 4PM September 20, 2011 (Fred)

I attended this mtg and presented the comments about truck escape routes. Additionally Laura Hansen the City's Traffic Engineer mentioned that a Laser Warning system was being designed for 3 locations. Rte 91 x19, Pleasant St, and King Street. Money is only available to June 2012. System would be set to detect oversize trucks and flash an appropriate warning light and exit route. Other locations are being considered but money is limited. Chief Sienkiewicz said NPD is called multiple times a week to get trucks out of the RR overpass. Lauren Hansen said that work is being to to tally the rate of strikes and occurrence.

Truck Escape Route will also be on TPC agenda Tuesday Oct 18, 2011.

Adjourned 9:02

September 2011 Board Meeting Minutes

Ward 3 Neighborhood Association

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 @  7 p.m.

Bridge Street School Cafeteria 

Present: Jerry, Marian, Owen, Bob, Fred, Maddy, Gloria, Tim P., Howard, Joanne, Jim

Absent: Phil, Lola, Bernadette

Guests: Joan Rasule, David Fenton, Jesse Rosado, Denise Fournier, gravestone lady

(7:05 call to order)

1.      Approval of Minutes –   Maddy

-no minutes from last meeting yet (secretary away)

-postpone approval until next month

2        Treasurer’s Report – Fred

Ward 3 Treasurers’ Report September 2011

1.                  Previous ACCOUNT Balance: = $2017.81

2.                  DUES: = $0

3.                  EXPENSES: =$38.68 VG food; $4.78 Historical Flyers

4.                  Veggie Garden Tic Sales: =                 $550.0

5.                  Veggie Garden Profit 2011(todate):       $526.23

6.                  Veggie Garden Profit 2010:                $680.16

7.                  Veggie Garden Profit Total:            $1206.39

8.                  Neighborhood Watch =                                    $178.01

9.                  NW3NA Balance =                                         $1,139.95

10.              NEW ACCOUNT BALANCE (7+8+9):         $2524.35

11.              LIST SERVE: for Ward 3ab = Previous 276; New = 276

12.              Total Members:  = 278;

13.              LIST SERVE MESSAGES: for this period = 4

-Approved report

3        President’s Report – Jerry            

1. Discussion with Marian about Committee System

Jerry and Marian met about dividing up committees. This is the function of a vice-president.

2. Update on Pomeroy Terrace Historic District

Meeting last night; unanimous vote to go forward.  Other neighborhoods might be going forward too.

3. Neighborhood Associations Update - Gateways

-Id’d 6 gateways for signs and plantings, met with Mayor and acting Mayor for status update.

-CoC willing to help… it’s moving forward.

4. Monthly Meeting with the Mayor – Topics/People

Last meeting with Clare. Owen present.

-Fall 2009 army core of engineers made assessment of dike… where is the report? At DPW office, Fred looked at it. “Dike should have vegetation removed, pedestrian erosion should be restored, etc.” Dike is “acceptable,” but needs work. DPW looking into permits and funding for these repairs.

-Does the state have purpose of land behind Cutchins? Trying to get it into city control.

-Did the pumps work okay during hurricane? Yes, good test- system worked as it planned, but some systems will need updating and repair in the future.

USACE dike inspection 9/18/2009; Report 8/26/2011. High Level summary of details. Three ratings: Acceptable, Minimally Acceptable, and Unacceptable. Vegetation on dike or within 15 feet must be removed immediately. Erosions from pedestrian traffic must be restored and reseeded by 9/1/2012, and toe drains need TV inspection by 9/1/2012 and every 5 years thereafter. Intake pond at pump sta. must be cleaned of veg. and sed. by 9-1-2012. Dike is acceptable but repairs need to be made. Report signed by H. Farrell McMillan, PE Levee Safety Officer (978)-318-8722 & Scott Michaluk NAE Levee Safety PM (978)-318-8350. DPW is looking into permits, funding, and resources to complete these repairs.

Jim Laurila the city engineers will post reports on the city web site. Complete reports have color pictures of all areas requiring repairs plus details. Report, in my estimation is well done.

Dike was again inspected a few months ago. It will get a further top-down review for stability and hydraulic analysis from UACE of Concord and GZA of Norwood. This will include borings.

5. Fairgrounds Redevelopment Update – Bob

-Dedication of new barns yesterday. Next stage is solving and paying for drainage problem, then going forward with development of multi-use building, etc.

(7:23) Morgan horseshow can be between 9-1300 horses.

-Our annual meeting is there…

6. Bridge Street Cemetery Gravestone Repair - Marian

Last month had a tour by experts in the cemeteries. Sort of at a standstill to decide what direction to go in… CPA funds in the future?

7. Annual Meeting Committee Report – Bob

Sunday, October 23 at 1 pm at Club House at Fairgrounds.

Possible issues of recruitment of members… whether there is money needed or not.

8. Nominating Committee Report

Committee met and has been working hard. Have been looking at board…

Officers agreed: Jerry, Marian, Maddy, Fred, and Jim

-3A Wendy Newton, David Fenton, Joan Rasule

-3B Rick Clark, Jesse Rosado, Bob

Salvo Rep. Denise Fournier

-alternate for 3B needed

9. Presentation on Preserving Ward 3 Farmland – Jesse Rosado

Jesse’s full presentation included at the end of these minutes.

-Questions about insurance versus losses, questions about availability of Montview Farms, questions about Agricultural Commission and its accessibility, questions about access to farmland.

10. Proposal for new Committee on Agriculture, Food

-Discussion: Tim it’s a great idea. Jesse will chair.

11. Update from Salvo House and Cahill Apartments – Denise

-Salvo tenants association is fragile, but it is working. Trying to get special permission for meal preparation for an international potluck event. (Joint venture w W3NA).

-BOH requiring $100 for victualers license and servesafe certification. Need someone to sponsor the fundraiser…

12. Update on Mayoral, Councillor Forum in October - Bob

-Forum for city and Wednesday, October 19, 2011. 7 pm in BSS cafeteria.

Questions will go to moderator. Discussion…   decided that no questions should be shared with candidates first. Worked on timings…

-lots of mayoral debates throughout the city!

4.  Membership Committee - Jim

-Owen sent out email to join the neighborhood organization.  He has 40 people who would like to join… will give Fred excel sheet.

-Need to work on website issues…

5…Update from Bridge Street School/School Committee News – Howard Moore

-BSS enrollment up

-Northampton has a new superintendent- contact him if you are concerned or interested.  He is working on his transition plan. First project is to look at the elementary schools - evening them out, so that all children arrive at JFK equally prepared. (8:13)

6.      Update about Meadow City Conservation Coalition’s conservancy efforts  in Ward 3 – Fred

-Board Mtg MCCC When Wed 9/14 at 7PM Where: 28 Pomeroy. Report on Last Board Mtg; Review Veggie Garden Outreach; Plan for non-profit status; Brief update on WmSt Brook; Next steps to be taken.

7.    Sustainability Committee Update – Jim

-Planning a roundtable discussion about the ZRC’s report.

-Recommendations for King St. have gone to Planning Board and referred out to other committees. Design standards have been added in exchange for a removal of a lot of regulations.  (Currently design standards to retail).

-Owen: says 4M came from Federal stimulus to make a tunnel to get under RR tracks. Can’t really get further N than Walgreens, would be expensive public taking of private land.

8.       Traffic Calming Committee Update –  Lola

-Meeting is September 15 at @ 7 pm College Church on Pomeroy Terrace to get reactions from the neighbors about the temporary speed humps.

-Hawley, Holyoke, and Hokanum..  

9.      Exit 19 of I-91 Committee Update – Frank Werbinski

PAC meeting soon.

10.  Report of Transportation Committee 

-Update about sidewalks, bikepath maintenance, train routing, and walking buses

-Conz St. Pleasant St. intersection slated to be changed. Dangerous. Maybe next 5-6 years. Hearing on September 20^th 4-6 at City Council. (8:39)

11.   Update on Neighborhood Watch – Arnie, Phil, Owen

Arnie had meeting here tomorrow at 7 pm.

12.    Legislative Update from City Councillor - Owen 

-Lot of calls and concerns about crossing in front of Salvo House on Conz. St. There are 5 cross walks. Too many cars to have speed travel.  Upgraded for push button light like on State St. 10K.

-Board of Public Works is establishing reuse committee. Is anyone here interested? App on Owen’s website.

-City is redrafting its charter… likely to contracting with UMass consultant to go through that process. Final draft is in January. With any luck it will be on ballot in 2013. Committee will meet a lot this fall, plus open meetings, etc.

-King St. rezoning is happening. It has been referred out… now ordinance and planning board looking at it. Oct. 13 meeting. Broad brush- going to be less restrictive for retail development, but the street scape is going to be more landscaped… and the walkway to the building must be more landscaped, etc. More details on Owen’s website. It will look different.

-Ward 3’s section is slated to be changed to all central business district… from Main St. to North St. on the East side, except for Edwards Square. This is a zoning change… and abutters were not notified.

-Private citizen has placed two trash barrels on the dike.  Volunteer getting sick of it, the $ and the hauling. (Let’s invite the private citizen to come to next month’s meeting.)

13.    Vegetable Garden Tour – Joanne

-grant application form… questions around that. Please meet and let’s go…

14.    Social Committee Report – Owen/Bob

15.    Report from Business Representative -  Jim

    -Saluting New Businesses in Ward 3-

16.  New Business

Jerry: revisiting issue of notification of property owners when zoning changes were being planned. Several years ago W3NA sent the letter. Edwards Square…

1. Map change
2. Rules of regulations of different zoning categories
3. Map change of neighbor

Debate over whether people are being informed, whether you can call the changes “massive rezoning.”

-Let us ask our councilor exactly what has happened regarding notification. (9:06).

-Maybe letters aren’t the thing… maybe public notice like on Williams St.

-adding an action request to the letter; allowed.

9:14 adjourned

Jesse Rosado’s Presentation

Good evening everyone, my name is Jesse Rosado. Resident of ward three and owner of chef’s fare farm, a first year diversified vegetable garden.

Tonight, I’m going to be talking about the Northampton meadows, the three thousand acre farmland that’s located between the dike that protects our city from flooding, and the Connecticut river. This farmland is a huge resource for the city; it provides local food security, open space for dog walkers, bird watchers, as well as local artist who enjoy painting landscape paintings.

In addition to those things, that land also provides other recreational opportunities such as fishing, swimming, rope swinging, mud trucking, and an airport for hobby pilots.

Tonight I’m going to talk about the farming aspect of this land, as well as offer an idea of how to make it even more productive resource for the city.

This idea, I’m pretty sure, will offer increased food production in a diversified way, increased job and business opportunities for new young farmers, increased property values for the land owners, increased economic activity in the city, as well as increased food security for our residents as well.

In the meadows, there are a couple different types of farmers. Most use single crop industrial farming practices that are a very efficient way to produce vegetables.

Many of those farmers are local, and are a part of farm families that have been excellent stewards of that land for multiple generations.

More recently, the meadows has been experiencing an inflow of new farmers that are setting up diversified vegetable farms, that sell their products at farmers markets, to local restaurants, through CSA’s, and in some cases through home and office delivery.

Ben James and Ona Cory come to mind when I mention that because their farm project (at Town Farm) is an excellent example of what is possible using that farming method. In the (I believe it’s been four years now) they have created and expanded their project very well, and that project has increased economic activity in our city. It’s given us the pretty incredible Tuesday market as well as the newly formed Jackson Street school market. They have created one of the most dynamic CSA’s that I’ve ever witnessed, and they have made possible many opportunities, including internship opportunities for local ag students, and have created jobs for folks who want to work in that industry. That is an incredible amount of good things that have come out of a single farm project.

My idea is about creating more of that. Much of this land (point it out on the map) is owned by retired farmers, who lease that land to others to produce on. At least one of those farmers, and probably more come in from Connecticut to plant up here. The way it works is they lease the land, they bring up a crew of workers and equipment and spend a couple days cultivating and planting.

A couple weeks later, the farmer shows back up to put down nutrients, weed killer, and pesticides. After that, a few weeks later they come back and get their vegetables. Depending on what it is that they are growing, soy beans and horse corn for example that entails bringing a harvester, and loading the product, and then their done.

If the product is cucumbers and squash for example then they come with a crew and pick the field, and then repeat the process a couple few times every week to ten days or so.

The economic activity created for the city by that project is next to nothing. No jobs, no fruit going to the local farmers markets, no money circulating from one city resident buying products from another.

Having said that, I would like the city to come up with a way, to create incentives, that could get those land owners to change their leases from the out of state farmers to local ones. I want to add a little emphasis on the word incentives, because like anyone, farmers don’t like being told what to do.

Is there local farmers, that are eager to take over the leases.

That answer is yes. The current farmers (including myself) will like more land, and also both local agriculture programs at Hampshire College, and U-Mass are selling out because there is so much interest from young people to go into farming. The Smith Vocational school also training young people who want to be in agriculture, and there probably folks from those three places that want to get their start out in the meadows as well

Is there demand for the vegetables that they will produce? The answer again is yes. In his book titled Deep Economy, Middlebury College economics Professor Bill McKibben points out that even during the economic downturn of 08 and 09, foot traffic at farmers markets has increased substantially. In 08, it was up whopping 216% for example

-So I would like to go on, I do have plenty more to say ideas, but I’m going to have to switch gears here as I finish. I cant talk today about the farming community without mentioning the impact that hurricane Irene had on the Northampton meadows. (refer to map
and explain the situation)

Even more sad then the flood itself, is the city’s response to it. Here we are a couple of weeks after the fact; and not a single city representative has shown up to meet with any of the farmers.

Farmers not only lost their crops and investment in them, but they also are stuck with the burden to clean up the trash that floated in with the flood waters, there were trees that fell across roads that farmers had to pull out of the way with their labor and equipment, as oppose to the Department of Public Works labor and equipment. To give you a contrast, if those trees fell in front of the Spoleto Restaurant or in a residential neighborhood the DPW would be right there to clean them up, but for some reason, in the farm land it is different. There is a story going around down there that I think is very interesting. I’m told that a DPW truck had drove down Hocanum Road and right up to the fallen tree. The road was impassable, and so the truck just turned around and went back over the dike, and never came back.

Even though I asked; not one of our cities officials have contacted our Federal or State Congressional delegation to see if there is any help for the farmers through those avenues.

To be frank, the response to the farmers needs have been non-existent. Imagine Mayor Sorno not showing up after the tornado whipped through downtown Springfield.

Imagine if U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont did not go around a and tour the damage that happened to his constituency. I see him everyday on the news, on the internet, on C span, advocating for his people.

It’s obviously the right thing to do when the people you represent is facing a time of crises.

That said; we can talk a lot about good ideas on how to preserve and enhance our farmer community, but first we gotta start with the low hanging fruit.

We got to have government representatives who care enough about their constituency to step up, especially during times of crises. There is a committee forming to launch a write in campaign for the Ward 3 council position in the November election, and I encourage all of you to be involved with that. The second thing is to ask everyone in the city government to explain what happen. Asked them what they did for the farmers that went under water in the storm. I know the answer to those questions and it’s pretty sad, but I also know that this community is full of very thoughtful, good people that will help make it right.

Thank you very much for your time everyone.