Blogs
Term limits in Northampton
Newly elected city council president Jim Dostal has proposed term limits for the position he recently acquired. That is a decision for the council to take up and decide upon. For what it’s worth, why stop there?As Mary Clare Higgins begins her fifth term as...Truth and Reconciliation: Healing the Wounds of Racism-activist Naomi Tutu to speak at at Mount Holyoke College
On behalf of the Weissman Center for Leadership and the Liberal Arts at Mount Holyoke College, I write to share with you information on two upcoming public events featuring visionary activist and global educator Naomi Tutu. She will deliver the first spring lecture in...Pulaski Park Request for Proposals
The Northampton Board of Public Works (BPW) is soliciting schematicdesign proposals for Pulaski Park. During construction of the proposedhotel, the rear section of the park will be significantly altered.These changes include filling in the slope leading down to the...The Risks of Revitalization, are Convention Centers all that they're made out to be?
David Devine had an interesting article recently in the Tucson Weekly entitled, "The Risks of Revitalization." You can read the article here. It relates to the inherent risks involved when developing convention centers, and I found similarities to the...Landfill odor meeting Thursday, February 28 @ Finn-Ryan Road School @ 7 PM
From Citizens United for a Healthy Future:The chronic noxious odors are caused by chemical gas emissions at the Northampton Regional landfill. The DPW will be discussing work to be done at the landfill to try to address some of the noxious odors. The DPW is conducting...House passes bill by wide margin: Kocot and Story sign onto House bill 2840, which is now bill 4534. Bill exempts senior citizens earning $60K or less from Prop. 2 1/2 overrides
The Boston Globe is reporting that the bill passed in the House, Thursday, February 28 by a wide margin. To my knowledge there has been no mention in the local press of the bill, until today. Why this wasn’t news BEFORE the House vote is beyond me as the bill...CANCELLED TO BE RESCHEDULED Raise your voice about the future of the internet
Western Massachusetts Broadband Forum From Save the internet.com:Raise Your Voice About the Future of the Internet in Western Massachusetts. One-third of the towns in Western Massachusetts have no access to high-speed internet, while many other communities have...Northampton landfill odor forum draws musicians
Appalachian Still perform, "You don’t put a Landfill on top of an Aquifer" at the landfill forum held last Thursday at Finn-Ryan Road School. The above video was recorded by Mary Serreze of the Community Radio Hour and Northamptonmedia.com. Mary has...Desperate times call for innovative measures…
Detroit Free Press has an interesting article today regarding the merger of police departments as a cost cutting measure. With Northampton facing a budget shortfall in the upcoming year, perhaps it is time for local leaders to begin thinking about joining some of our...Watch Youtube videos of site preparation at Smith College for their new Science and Engineering Center in the Green Street/Belmont Ave. area of Northampton
Jeff Massimino lives adjacent to the building site and contributed these 15-second videos to Northampton Redoubt. There’s more to follow…REPRISE: Round House, the past, present, and future
undated photo Round House and proximity circa 1960(see more in gallery to the left)I attended the recent Round House parking lot environmental cleanup update meeting held at 5:30 PM Monday April 23, 2007 at the MacDonald House at 49 Old South Street in Northampton.Of...Save the Barnes aquifer meeting covered by Kelsey Flynn of Paradise City Blog
Kelsey covered last night’s meeting. You can read her write-up here Citizens United Meeting: Wednesday, March 12th , 2008 from 7 – 8 PM SAVE THE AQUIFER – PROTECT DRINKING WATER – STOP THE LANDFILL EXPANSION You are invited to a Meeting to help...REPRISE: OSHA levies fines over the Round House site cleanup
Dan Crowley of the Daily Hampshire Gazette is reporting on OSHA violations that occurred at the Round House parking lot cleanup. I first covered the issue in the spring and summer of 2007 and reprise those posts today, in this new context. Also, I have moved the photo...Videos and photographs of a walking tour of North Street Northampton's Mill Yard Brook and vernal pools
Douglas Kohl granted me permission to revisit his North Street area property from time to time, so March 5 I toured the area as the rain was letting up, and recorded some video clips. Doug is planning to construct 26-31 market rate housing units in the area and is...Northampton mayor Higgins says Community Development Block Grant funds, “cannot be used for schools,” but can they?
Well, sort of. There are certain school related activities where it is permissible to access Community Development Block Grant funds. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), activities include, "all improvements and facilities that are...Public Hearing with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women March 26, 2008 from 7-9 PM @ UMass Campus Center 904-908
In Honor of International Women’s Month, Everywoman’s Center invites allinterested individuals and organizations to provide truth and testimonyregarding the status of women’s lives in Massachusetts!Public Hearing with the Massachusetts Commission on...Northampton residents sue developer Douglas Kohl to resolve questions of title and rights-of-way
Press ReleaseContact: Brad Shimel, Esq., 413-586-3480Northampton Residents Sue Developer Douglas Kohl to Resolve Questions of Title and Rights-of-WayNorthampton, MA, March 13, 2008: A group of neighbors living near a proposed 26-unit condominium project on undeveloped...Landfill discussion on Masslive.com brings with it relevant information
Someone was busy last night over at the Masslive.com Northampton Forum at http://www.masslive.com/forums/northampton/. The information from a couple of posts seemed important so here it is: "1. The existing landfill DOES leak and HAS contaminated area ground...Former Northampton City Councilor enters the blogosphere with “Crack is Back,” but did it ever leave?
Local activist Mike Kirby’s new blog endeavors to shed light on the goings’on in the Paradise City. Check it out… http://kirbyontheloose.blogspot.com/Press Release: 42 Northampton citizens seek enforcement of zoning regulations pertaining to the landfill, allege city not following its own rules
Citizens United for a Healthy FutureNorthampton/Easthamptonwww.savingparadise.infoFor questions contact:Dr. Jo-Anne Bessette at 413-584-5284jsophie@comcast.netNorthampton, Massachusetts – 42 citizens of Northampton, in a formal zoning enforcement request...Public comments delivered to the Northampton City Council regarding Northampton Landfill public forums
Tonight I represent the Advisory Committee of the Paradise City Forum, as well as myself as a private resident of Northampton. I don’t envy the position that you are in as a legislative body, over the proposed landfill expansion in Florence. You have been given...Northampton High School Amnesty International Club & Amnesty International Local Group #76 present: Facing the Death Penalty
Sunday, March 30, 2008, 3:00 pmLittle Theater, Northampton High SchoolSpeakersSHUJAA GRAHAMExonerated Survivor of 3 Years on California’s Death RowDeath Penalty Abolition ActivistProject Board Member:Witness to InnocenceJourney of HopeSCOTT LANGLEYHuman Rights...Northampton Community Preservation Committee funding recommendations
Funding Recommendations from the Community Preservation Committee– Feb 1, 2008 Funding Cycle HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT: Preserving the Elm Street Historic District in the 21st Century – comprehensive update of design standards and update of historic...“How is this green?”-Mike Fedora on the status of Hannum Brook and the aquifer tributary. Join us for a walking tour of leachate!
Glendale Road property owner (and keeper of horses), Mike Fedora, toured me around his land which happens to sit adjacent to the Northampton landfill. Mike said that when he bought his parcel thirty years ago that the aquifer tributary which feeds into Hannum Brook...Hey Northampton, here is all you ever wanted to know about why landfill liners are likely to fail
Environmental Justice has a great website with many fun to know facts on landfills. http://www.ejnet.org/landfills/Zero Waste America also has a great website. Contained therein is a wealth of information on landfills, including videos, photos, reports and links to...What others are doing: Seattle, WA's strategy for handling waste
Zero Waste StrategyNEW RECYCLING & SOLID WASTE SERVICES Latest Updates from the Seattle City Council: On July 16, 2007, after eighteen months of work led by Council member Richard Conlin, chair of the Environment, Emergency Management, and Utilities (EEMU)...A year in the life of a vernal pool from the Northampton Wildlife Committee and the Nonotuck Land Fund
From John Body:Hello Everyone, Well, even though it doesn’t look like spring out there today, things are happening! Ducks are migrating back, chipmunks are yelling at hikers from off the trails, and it seems some salamanders have moved to the vernal pools. As...Resolution regarding Northampton City Council responsibility for holding public meetings on proposed landfill expansion passes first reading
April 3, 2008 Upon the recommendation Councilor M. LaBarge & Councilor Bardsley RESOLUTION REGARDING CITY COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOLDING PUBLIC MEETINGS ON PROPOSED LANDFILL EXPANSION WHEREAS, the Northampton City Council will act as the granting authority...Minutes from EDHLU on Chapter 43D and expedited permitting
Below are excerpts from the most recent sets of minutes available of Northampton’s Economic Development, Housing, and Land Use committee. They outline the thought process that has gone on regarding steam-lining the permitting process for commercial development...See the USS New York warship as forged from the steel of the former World Trade Center buildings
USS New York Built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the former World Trade Center, it is the fifth in a new class of warship – designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready...Easthampton council to hear Dr. Robert Newton regarding Northampton's proposed landfill expansion, Northampton Ordinance Committee and DPW to discuss landfill this week
Movement of leachate plume (above) Barnes Aquifer "X" at top center denotes landfillFor questions, please contact City Councilor J.P. Kwiecinski:Home/Office (413) 527-0010Cell (413) 575-6009 JP@realtor.comOr jpcouncilor@verizon.netOn April 16th 2008 –...Debra J'Anthony hired as new executive director of the Academy of Music in Northampton
With no fanfare, the board of trustees of the Academy of Music Theatre have hired a new executive director, Debra J’Anthony, who resigned from the Shea Theater in Turners Falls earlier this year after sixteen years of service as its executive director. In a...Residents brainstorm ways to save money in Northampton
The Northampton Education Action Team has published a preliminary school closure assessment report on their website, neatonline.net. You can read the full report by clicking here (PDF). The report examines perceived errors in the enrollment and class size premises as...Robes for the council? Mike Kirby weighs in on Monday's Ordinance Committee meeting in Northampton
On Monday, April 14, the Northampton city council’s ordinancecommittee met. The committee is beginning to developrules for itself in anticipation of an application by thedepartment of public works (DPW) and mayor Higgins for a heavy public usespecial permit that...Easthampton city councilors hear more on Northampton's landfill expansion proposal
Smith College geology professor Dr. Robert Newton addressed the Easthampton city council on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (I suggest clicking on Google Video so you can view the presentation on a larger screen.) Video courtesy of Mary Serreze of...No new roads? How about this one!
Would you be apprehensive about driving across this bridge? A reader sent me these photos and even in the small scale they are breathtaking. There’s been talk in past years of building a through-way from Williamsburg to the University of Massachusetts. How about...Jesus Leyva and the Pioneer Valley Guildhouse to sponsor General Public Forum @ Jackson Street School on April 29. Forum co-sponsored by City Councilor Michael Bardsley
Guildhouse founders Jesus Leyva, Rafi Kurts, and Kenny Jean-Babets If you could tell 100 residents of Northampton one thing, what would it be? General Public Forum For residents of Northampton and the Pioneer ValleySponsored by the Pioneer Valley Guildhouse and City...The dispostion of Northampton's James House-Is Higgins' proposed adult literacy program the best use for the municipal building?
Recent Minutes from the Economic Development, Housing, and Land Use Committee on the James House (December 2007 & February 2008) Mayor Higgins said the building was bought by the City in 1994 for a new police station, then rented to the court system. The court...A view from above…
Watch a PowerPoint presentation of images of earth from above. It’s a great look at the planet. There are rumors that astronaut Sunita Williams took these, but that is unconfirmed. See if you can locate Northampton. (PowerPoint viewer needed-click on the arrows...Tonight's the night the council will decide on how it will proceed regarding public meetings, hearings, or forums on Northampton's proposed regional landfill expansion-Was Stantec report sloppy?
On tonight’s Northampton city council agenda is the resolution for holding public forums on the proposed landfill expansion, as well as the amendment as put forth by Councilors Carney and Reckman, to hold public hearings with as of now undetermined rules. In my...Emails concerning the proposed landfill expansion distributed among members of the Northampton City Council
It appears that communications regarding the proposed landfill expansion have been taking place between members of the Northampton City Council. Click here to download in PDF format a series of emails between City Councilor Robert Reckman and other councilors, Mayor...Three County Fair to host open house Wednesday, May 7 @ 7PM to discuss future use of its grounds
From the Ward Three Neighborhood Association listserv:Open House:WHEN : WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 7 PMWHERE: FAIR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ON FAIR ST.THE THREE COUNTY FAIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS HIRED BULLOCK, SMITH AND PARTNERS TO PREPARE A MASTER PLAN FOR REDEVELOPMENT...Local mainstream media catching up to story of former Northampton cafeteria worker losing health insurance benefits retroactively
A staff writer at one of the local papers of record, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, finally picked up the story of a former long-time Northampton cafeteria worker who was told by Northampton Mayor Higgins that she had lost her health insurance eligibility retroactively....I beg to differ, Public FORUMS do not equate to Public HEARINGS, will Northampton's city council act in fear or with courage?
With regards to the Northampton city council conducting a series of public FORUMS on the proposed landfill expansion, the esteemed editors of the Daily Hampshire Gazette opine in their May 8 edition that the council should, "cease debate about holding such...Many thanks to Valley Advocate readers
Third PlaceJust a note to express my thanks to all of those who cast a vote for Northampton Redoubt in the recent Valley Advocate "Best Of" Reader’s poll. We showed third overall, first in Hampshire County, as the independent Springfield Intruder was...Conservation Event tonight in Florence-issues affecting animals and wildlife
From John Body: Sorry for the short notice: Dear Wildlife Advocates, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is hosting an informational meeting on Monday, May 12, 7-8:30PM at Cafe Evolution, 22 Chestnut Street, Florence. You are invited to meet with Ms....Best Practices public forum May 13
Tuesday, May 13th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.Community RoomJFK Middle School100 Bridge Road, FlorenceThe Best Practices Committee will be holding a live open public forumfor discussing the decision making process of the northampton citygovernment as well as for people to...Council rejects sponsoring public forums on the proposed landfill expansion on a 5-3 vote
At Thursday’s City Council meeting in Northampton there will be a request from Councilor Michael Bardsley to remove tabling of the Resolution regarding City Council responsibility for holding public meetings on the proposed landfill expansion. Whether you...Dump doubles as community center in Wellesley, Mass.
Local resident Ed Hagelstein has been lobbying the city for some time to create a “swap shed” in Northampton. If this can work elsewhere, why not here?Cultivating the arts and culture, a worthy undertaking yes, but not all it's cracked up to be…gentrification and economic inequality possible consequences
A staff writer for one of the area’s local paper’s covered a recent appearance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst by State Senator Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst. In the article Sen. Rosenberg touts the impact of the arts and culture on the area...Northampton BPW's monthly landfill update meetings drawing ever more people
According to a meeting attendee, the number of people attending the BPW’s monthly landfill update meetings at Finn-Ryan Road School is growing. Two months ago with little promotion there were two members of the public, a month ago there were eight, and last...Adam Cohen and the North Street Neighborhood Association provide video footage of Northampton Best Practices Committee forum and meeting
May 20, 2008 Best Practices (website) meeting to discuss public forum May 13, 2008 Best Practices (Google group) public forum Visit the North Street Neighborhood Association to view photographs of the public comments as they were written by attendees at the forum....Building commissioner's landfill actions appealed-Zoning Board of Appeals to address complaint June 12
On behalf of landfill abutters, Boston attorney Peter L. Koff has filed an appeal of Northampton Building Commissioner Tony Patillo’s action regarding the current operations of Northampton’s regional landfill. Patillo ruled that operations of the landfill...Memorial Day tributes
On behalf of all who have served. From Tiffany Jo Allen From Whitney Houston From Edburns123 From Robin23hofMoving towards zero waste-a presentation by Toxics Action
From Citizens United for a Healthy Future:“Moving Towards Zero Waste” – Presentation by Toxics ActionToxics Action will be giving a presentation on Zero Waste @ the Wednesday, June 11th Citizens United for a Healthy Future meeting.The meeting starts...Reasons for cultivating the arts and culture
As promised, here is more on the arts and culture as excerpted from a recent public policy analysis I and two other University of Massachusetts graduate students undertook. They would be Ryan Kidder and Sorin Dan, the latter from Romania. (My apologies again for the...Mary Serreze speaks with Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins and DPW Chief Ned Huntley recently on Valley Free Radio WXOJ FM regarding the city's proposed landfill expansion
From Mary:On Thursday, May 22, Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins and Department of Public Works Director Ned Huntley stopped by my studio to record an interview about the proposed landfill expansion. I wanted to give them a chance to present their reasons for...Notre Dame School of Architecture might consider Northampton planning & sustainability: June 2 @ 7:30 PM in council chambers behind city hall
From the Sustain Northampton listserv:Hi Everyone,It’s been a while since I’ve written on this listserve, but I’ve been following the discussions with interest, and want to take a moment now to let you know about an exciting opportunity we may have...DAR House needs our help
The DAR House recently canvassed the neighborhood with the following:WE NEED YOUR HELP!DAR House (see more in gallery to the right)THE DAR HOUSE built in 1753 is a standing monument in the South Street Neighborhood. It is seen every day by hundreds of people who drive...E-Edition
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