Northampton Redoubt
House bill No. 5055 would bring regional justice center and intermodal transportation center to Northampton's King Street, and $250K for the Academy of Music
Full text of House Bill 5055 here:Item: 1102-5600 Provided that $350,000 be expended for the master plan and engineering of a regional justice center and intermodal transportation center to be located on King Street in the city of Northampton.Item: 8000-3500Provided...Memorial to Freda Robertson and the LaPalme family-visionaries who helped to preserve the Mineral Hills
You are invited to attend a memorial to Freda Robertson, the spirit of the Turkey Hill Quarry, part of the Mineral Hills Conservation Area. Her vision helped preserve the Mineral Hills. 1:00 pm Saturday, August 9, 2008, Rain or shine. Take Ryan Road to Turkey Hill...Forbes Library seeking election memorabilia
Northampton election memorabilia wanted for exhibition Do you have any memorabilia of a past election in Northampton? This Fall the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum will have exhibits throughout the library featuring archival material, photographs...Fitzgerald Lake Conservation area needs your help Saturday, August 9
Last Chance for a Canoe and Kayak outing to Remove Water Chestnut from Fitzgerald Lake Conservation AreaSaturday August 9 1p.m., (probably 2-3 hours)North Farms Road entranceVolunteers have spent approximately 65 hours on the lake removing invasive water chestnut...Environmental Health Study review in western Massachusetts
For questions contact:Dr. Richard Clapp(617) 638-4731Well known epidemiologist and Boston University Environmental Health Professor, Dr. Richard Clapp is working together with Dr. Madeleine Scammell also from Boston University and Molly Jacobs of UMass Lowell in their...Norman Foster and green design
Northampton is preparing for the Notre Dame design studio planned for this September by the Northampton Design Forum, and is also looking at rewriting its zoning code. Much could be gained, and much could be lost, or we could simply cycle back to the status quo....AG Coakley grants Northampton Council on Aging and Senior Center funds to promote energy conservation
According to Legal Newsline, Mass. Attorney General Martha Coakley, "will give $56,755 in grant funds to six municipalities and eight non-profit organizations in an attempt to help customers lower their monthly energy bills." If divided evenly that would...Gearing up to fight global warming
"Global warming tops the news. But does the environmental movement have the ability to create the political change needed to make a real difference? Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger say a more proactive course is needed. As founders of The Breakthrough...Plasma gasification device takes on trash
"With landfill space at a premium, a machine that vaporizes trash seems like a miracle. But does it send the wrong message in our disposable-loving economy?" Janet Babin reports for Marketplace. Visit Marketplace for more interesting talks.Northampton summer construction 2008
bike path by Veterans Field housing by Veterans Fieldbike path by Felt Building on West StreetSmith College’s Ford HallFord HallFord HallFord HallHospital Hill housingHospital Hill housingHospital Hill housingHospital Hill housingHospital Hill roadHospital Hill...Three Northampton rezoning committee meetings, videos courtesy Adam Cohen and the North Street Neighborhood Association
Northampton rezoning committee July 28, 2008. View proposed land use map and read the draft ordinance at the North Street Neighborhood Association. ad hoc Northampton rezoning committee August 4, 2008 ad hoc Northampton rezoning committee August 11,...Citizens United for a Healthy Future to visit The Enviro Show on Valley Free Radio 103.3 FM tonight @ 7 PM
Linda Hiesiger and Mike Fedora, representing Citizens United for a Healthy Future, to visit with the folks at The Enviro Show tonight. The Enviro Show has been on the air since August 2005 highlighting issues of environmental concern, locally and nationally. Check out...Northampton's new phone system pegged at $1.358 million
August 21, 2008Upon recommendation of the Mayor and Finance Committee the sum of $710,000 is appropriated for the installation of a fiber-optic wide area network; that to meet such appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow...Meet the Noho Hooperstars and join the bicycle and hoola hoop procession September 12
According to their website the Noho Hooperstars appear every Wednesday afternoon in Pulaski Park. "our mission is to never pay for cable tv and to create our own entertainment! we also strive to avoid gyms, competitive sports, and any structured...Northampton Regional Landfill special permit hearings and why you might want to attend, guest editorial by Florence resident Robert Aronson
Now that the venue for the special permit hearings has been established. We can watch for the rules to emerge. The Chief Quasi-Justice engaged in crafting them a fifteen year cog in the machine of the proponents. This at a minimum will provide the illusion of fullness...Best practices public forum, Monday, August 25 @ JFK Middle School, Bridge Road in Florence @ 5:30 pm
The public process which created a Land Use Plan for the Meadows in 2005 is the focus of a public forum Monday, August 25 at JFK Middle School. The City’s Best Practice Committee is bringing together many of the original participants to create an accurate story...Transperformance Tuesday, August 26 @ 4 pm @ Look Park
Transperformance 18 Letters and Numbers:A Presentation of the Northampton Arts Council and the PTOs of Northampton’s Public SchoolsFor Immediate Release/August 11, 2008Contact: Northampton Arts Council, 413-587-1269Bob Cilman, Sondra Peron or Diane...New police station costs could exceed $20.747 million
Recently I watched the video of the recent presentation by the police station building committee, courtesy Adam Cohen and the North Street Neighborhood Association. You can watch the video here. The building committee consists of police lieutenant Scott Savino,...Ozone 1957-2001 animated graphic
Ozone 1957-2001DESIGN NORTHAMPTON WEEK SEEKS COMMUNITY INPUT
From Sunday September 7 through Saturday September 13 citizens of the City of Northampton will play host to a unique public process crafted to help shape the future of their city. Each year students from Notre Dame University’s Urban Design Studio, under the...New blog in the valley-“walk the walk” with photographer and writer Andrea Burns
Andrea Burns visited Denver this week to cover the Democratic National Convention. Check out her blog here for pictures of Ellen Goodman, Ron Kovic, of "Born on the Fourth of July" notoriety, and some of the protests staged outside of the convention.Also,...Reflecting on labor is the bottom dropping out on wage earners
Marketplace Economics editor Chris Farrell on inflation and wage rates (7 minutes)mushrooms can save the world
Quite an amazing talk. "Why you should listen to him: Entrepreneurial mycologist Paul Stamets seeks to rescue the study of mushrooms from forest gourmets and psychedelic warlords. The focus of Stamets’ research is the Northwest’s native fungal genome,...Eating locally not necessarily better?
Commentator and research fellow Will Wilkinson of the Cato Institute weighs in.Refresher on Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals landfill zoning enforcement proceedings-next up September 11
Video from 6/12/08 85-minutes ZBA Members: Sara Northrup David Bloomberg Barry Smith Video from 6/26/08 180-minutes My apologies for audio difficulties. 42 residents filed a zoning enforcement request with Northampton’s building commissioner seeking to halt...Leading Business Magazine Forbes Honors Northampton based Freedom Center in International Fundraiser; Anniversary Celebration Planned
Forbes, a leading international business magazine, has chosen the Northampton, MA based Freedom Center, an alternative mental health organization run by and for people diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, to be featured as their charity of the month in September....Some social commentary: Handlebars by Flobots
Lyrics to Handlebars: I can ride my bike with no handlebars No handlebars No handlebars I can ride my bike with no handlebars No handlebars No handlebars Look at me, look at me hands in the air like it’s good to be ALIVE and I’m a famous rapper even when...Northampton Design Forum takes flight
Adam Cohen strikes again with his video camera and captures the opening presentation of Northampton Design week. Also at the North Street Neighborhood Association website is a handout PDF that accompanied the presentation. Public donations are still needed....Ira speaks at the Northampton Design Studio, citizen Jenna Wikler makes recording
I was fortunate to have some time yesterday to attend a morning session of the Northampton Design Forum at 126 Main Street in Northampton, at the A.P.E. Gallery. Participating in a round-table discussion, I found Professor Phil Bess and the students professional,...September 11 memorials, construction begins
Conservation and bicycle trail events from Valley Land Fund, Broad Brook Coalition, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, and FNTG
From John Body Here are some great events coming up this weekend: Saturday, September 13: Hike into East Meadows of Northampton with Harvey Allen We’ll look for fall migrants and have a look at the beautiful Baye Ponds in the Meadows, which were preserved by...Roboticist Dr. James McLurkin to appear at Springfield Symphony Hall (with his robots) free and open to the public
Roboticist James McLurkin (with his robots) Sunday September 14, 2008 -2 p.m."Dances with Robots: How They Work, What They Do" An Interactive Investigation of Swarm RobotsCo-sponsors: Hasbro, Inc. and PeoplesBank...Northampton arts council awards $2,500 grant to storefront Art; seeking applicants
The third BJ Goodwin Memorial Fund award was granted this month to storefront ART, a residency and exhibition program that uses empty storefronts to provide artists and the community greater access to the studio, exhibition and gathering space. The Board of Directors...TIF-TIF-TIF
The Northampton city council will be voting on a resolution Thursday night which would approve the Wright Architectural Millwork project as a certified project within the Northampton Industrial Park Economic Opportunity Area, would grant them a five percent Tax...Five College Women's Studies Research Center Upcoming Events Fall 2008
The following events will be held at the Five College Women’s Studies Research Center, 83 College St., South Hadley, on the Mount Holyoke College campus unless otherwise noted. All events are free, open to the public and fully handicapped accessible. On...Councilor Narkewicz moves to reform council rules-council votes no in 5-4 vote
The councilor from Northampton’s fourth ward, David Narkewicz, moved Thursday night to reform council rules as they pertain to committees that city councilors can serve on. In a five-four vote the ordinance amendment failed which means that it will not come back...Appointees of appointees will determine Northampton's zoning
As part of its sustainability initiative Northampton is undertaking a review of its zoning regulations. The planning board, a government agency that is appointed by the mayor with city council approval, will be charged with appointing the rezoning committee. I would...Arcosanti, AZ-a lesson in sustainability
From Arcosanti’s web site: "The idea of "going green" is nothing new. The concepts have been out there for years. All you have to do is drive about 70 miles north of Phoenix to find a community that has been living “green” for more...View video of the BPW landfill health studies forum
As a public service Adam Cohen and the North Street Neighborhood Association have posted a video of the health studies forum that was held Sept. 23 at JFK Middle School at Northassoc.org. Included there is a link to a PDF of the set of slides presented by the Mass....Robert Neuwirth on shadow cities
Cities-suburbs-do we know where we’re going to? Robert Neuwirth speaks on squatter cities and how they operate. While Northampton struggles to define infill and its character, from a global perspective squatter cities may become more the norm than the exception....September 25 Best Practices Committee meeting on Vimeo thanks to Adam Cohen and the North Street Neighborhood Association
Northampton, MA: Best Practices Committee, 9/25/08 from Adam Cohen on Vimeo. For more information visit the North Street Neighborhood Association here.Video Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals landfill zoning enforcement hearing, Sept. 11, 2008
I actually had time to attend the ZBA meeting Sept. 11 in order to complete the video documentation of the landfill enforcement hearing. The board voted unanimously to uphold the building commissioner’s ruling that the landfill is operating within the law, that...Folklore no more
After sifting through records in the city’s human resources department and stumbling upon a new policy, in July of 2007 I conducted an interview with Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins regarding a change she made to the city’s group health insurance...How to register to vote in Massachusetts-deadline October 15
From the Mass. secretary of state website:Who may register? Only a person who is: a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Massachusetts, and 18 years old on or before election day How can I register to vote? By Mail: Mail-in registration forms are widely available. To...Lawsuit filed against city of Northampton
News Release – Lawsuit filed against City of Northampton, MA seeking relief regarding continuing zoning violations and nuisance conditions. Northampton, Massachusetts – Four residents of Northampton who are direct abutters of the Northampton Regional...In times of economic troubles perhaps it's time to consider a four day work week for some municipal employees
In today’s economic climate it is no surprise that most people are nervous, worried and counting their pennies, if they are fortunate enough to have any. In Northampton as elsewhere workers and retirees are losing value in their savings and pensions plans. At...Springfield Public Forum presents Roger Mudd in free lecture Tuesday evening at Springfield Symphony Hall
Springfield Public Forum "Great Speakers, Great Discourse, Free to the Public" Join us on Tuesday, October 14th at 7:30 pm and get the "insider’s perspective" on some of the most defining moments of the 20th century and the media that...Second lawsuit filed against the city of Northampton, this one looking for relief of nuisance conditions pertaining to its regional landfill
News ReleaseNorthampton, Massachusetts – Four residents of Northampton who are abutters of the Northampton Regional Sanitary Landfill on Glendale road have today filed a complaint in Superior Court in Northampton seeking relief from the nuisance and damages...A sign of what?
Some of these signs are pretty funny… This is not…there’s been ample media coverage of the recent vandalism and burning of presidential candidate Barack Obama’s political lawn signs in Northampton. Some are calling it a hate crime with racial...More on political signs
Read full article here.Stantec and the Northampton landfill's sunk costs
Early this past summer When I contacted Ned Huntley, Chief of the Northampton Department of Public Works, I was hoping to learn more about how the DPW functions, how it is funded, and specifically how much the city has remunerated Stantec, the environmental firm that...For all those tons, what do we get? We're not talking about coal here but is Northampton selling its soul for a mountain of trash?
According to DPW chief Ned Huntley the landfill operation generated most recently about $3.2 million in revenues and its solid waste enterprise fund contributes $468 thousand per year to the city’s general budget through a host community fee. The $468 thousand...Former mayoral candidate Gene Tacy alleges foul play over future city council landfill vote
Landfill Song by Andrew Woodland On Friday, July 11, 2008 Northampton City Council President and Board of Public Works member Jim Dostal appeared on radio station WHMP. Regarding the Phase 5 landfill expansion proposal Mr. Dostal, who has historically supported...The City Thinks: Considering China
Springfield Public Forum "Great Speakers, Great Discourse, Free to the Public" Dear Friend of the Public Forum, The City Thinks: Considering Chinabegins Thursday, October 30. Join us and learn more about China through cultural and educational programmingfor...Three Best Practices meetings courtesy Adam Cohen and the North Street Neighborhood Association
The Best Practices Committee is charged to present draft recommendations to the City Council by December 4, so now is indeed the time for members of the public to submit their suggestions. Do so at the Best Practices Suggestion Box. As always thanks to Adam Cohen and...Civil complaint filed against the city of Northampton for alleged violations of the Wetlands Protection Act
News Release – Northampton, Massachusetts – Eleven residents of Northampton have today (Oct. 31, 2008) brought a civil complaint in Hampshire Superior Court against the City of Northampton requesting injunctive relief against the City of Northampton...Majora Carter details her fight for environmental justice
From TedTalks: In an emotionally charged talk, MacArthur-winning activist Majora Carter details her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx — and shows how minority neighborhood suffer most from flawed urban policy. Majora Carter is a visionary voice...Best Practices Committee begins final report
The Ad-Hoc Committee on Best Practices in Northampton Decision-Making (Best Practices Committee) is entering the final phase of its activities and beginning the preparation of a draft final report to the Northampton City Council. The draft report will be submitted to...Northampton city council president Jim Dostal resigns from Board of Public Works
Thursday evening at-large city councilor Jim Dostal tendered his resignation from the Board of Public Works and was immediately replaced by M.J. Adams, of the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. Councilor Dostal did not explain his sudden decision to resign....E-Edition
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