Category Archives: Environment

The environment, Newburyport, MA, the air, water, minerals, organisms, plants and other external factors surrounding and affecting the ecology and physical environment of Newburyport

Newburyport, DEP Meeting–Landfill, City Hall

The DEP is coming to City hall next Thursday night, September 14, 2006 at 7 PM to address the Landfill issue.

This is an extremely important meeting for the City of Newburyport, MA.

The DEP is coming to discuss health issues as a result of the air quality sampling that was done earlier in the year. The DEP has labeled the findings to be a “health hazard”.

This is a City-wide issue. Not only has the air quality been deemed a “health hazard,” but also the runoff is affecting the Little River and surrounding wetlands.

The hope would be that State officials would understand that we as a City are concerned and would not like to be left with this unfortunate and dangerous situation.

And I also gather that the hope would be to try and get at least 200 people or more to be at City Hall that evening

My understanding is that the DEP will present information on what is currently happening and, hopefully, what is going to be done to fix the problem. They will also answer questions.

As I understand it, this is an opportunity to ask questions of the DEP. And I also understand that the hope is that the tone of the meeting would be civil and constructive and that complaints and war stories would be left for another time.

City Councilor Bruce Vogel has offered to gather questions. Please feel free to send your questions to Councilor Vogel at 978-462-5463 or wardfive@comcast.net.

(The Landfill is in Councilor Vogel’s ward, Ward 5, and I am sure that he will do everything in his power to help everyone on this issue.)

I have no idea if there are fliers out for the meeting. If there are, I would be most happy to pass on the word.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Economic Agenda

In today’s Newburyport Daily News, September 7, 2006 there is a brief article on Mayor John Moak’s economic agenda.

“The city is trying to streamline the permitting process for new businesses…” The Mayor also talks about luring business and industry to the City.

Nowhere does Mayor John Moak mention protecting our historic heritage that is the foundation of our economic survival.

And last night the Wheelwright property came before the Newburyport Planning Board. According to the Newburyport Daily News, the Newburyport Planning Board agreed to divide the property. The front parcel can now be sold as a separate entity and the back parcel can now be considered for a “subdivision.” From what I understand, legally, there was not much the Newburyport Planning Board could do to prevent the Wheelwright land from being divided…sigh.

However, the Newburyport Planning Board has been working hard at what I would consider the City’s best interest. They have been working on an amendment to a zoning ordinance that would help protect our historic heritage and local neighborhood character. Whew.

This is the amendment to Section IX (9) of the zoning code or what I call the “Infill Ordinance,” which was on the Newburyport Planning Board agenda last night.

I have seen the “Proposed Revised Version of Section IX” dated August 28, 2006 and it looks good to me.

Basically any non-conforming one and two family homes are allowed additions of 500 square feet. In my mind that’s a good amount of square footage which would allow a responsible addition or alteration—a very nice kitchen, family room, master bedroom, huge spa.

Anything over that would require coming before the City for a dialogue about what would be proposed. This does not mean that something larger than a 500 square foot addition could not be built. It would, however, be a step towards helping to insure that all parties are working together to keep the historic nature and local and neighborhood character of Newburyport, MA.

This amendment to the zoning ordinance will require a vote before the Newburyport City Council. Last year, for reasons I am still unclear about, a similar amendment to the zoning code did not pass.

My hope is that this year we have a different political climate. That the residents and City Council are beginning to see that we are at a turning point of over development and that we are about to or already are losing our economic base. My hope is that the vote on this zoning amendment is a “no-brainer,” and that the Newburyport City Council will do its part in helping to insure our economic survival.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Wheelwright Property, Approval Not Required—Subdivision

The new owners of the Wheelwright House property, 75 High Street, Willis Lane Investments, LLC, will becoming in front of the Newburyport Planning Board this Wednesday, September 6, 2006, 7:00 PM at City Hall to apply for an ANR – Approval Not Required – Subdivision.

These guys are moving fast. According to the Daily News, August 31, 2006, the firm would like to develop the roughly “4 acre” land at the back of the property and put in a 5 single-family home subdivision.

Newburyport Planning Board
Wednesday, September 6th
7:00 PM at City Hall
75 High Street
Wheelwright Property
ANR – Approval Not Required – Subdivision

And a very big “thank you” to Ulrika Gerth and the Newburyport Current for the front page story on Save Our Town in yesterday’s paper, September 1, 2006. The Newburyport Current also has a great story on the Wheelwright property.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, The Ridge is in Real Trouble

The rape of the Ridge has begun. This is one of my worst nightmares for Newburyport, MA.

The “Ridge” is the area on High Street on the upper side of the roadway that goes roughly from State Street to about Lime Street. It is one of the most beautiful and stately areas of High Street and one of the most beautiful parts of Newburyport, MA.

And folks we have been sold out by the Board of the Wheelwright House, the realtor that listed the property and the lawyer, who ironically was Newburyport’s Mayor for 3 terms and the Mayor under whose administration the Newburyport Master Plan took shape, former Mayor Lisa Mead.

To say that I am beside my self is an understatement. I really thought long and hard about using the phrase the “rape of the Ridge,” but this morning I thought it was more than appropriate.

And many thanks to Stephanie Chelf and the Newburyport Daily News for putting this story on the front page and also having the aerial view of the entire property on page A8.

According to the Newburyport Daily News, August 31, 2006, the property was bought by Todd Smith and Peter Nordbloom of Willis Lane Investments, LLC. Both men are officials of Nordblom Real Estate Solutions of Burlington, “one of the regions largest real estate and commercial property firms.” Believe me, they do not have our best interest at heart.

The firm bought the entire property for $1.6 million. The property is “nearly 5 acres.” That’s a lot of land folks.

Willis Lane Investments, LLC has already put the Wheelwright House, the historic gardens and the carriage house back on the market for $1.3 million. The house and the carriage house “are protected through a preservation restriction that prevents alteration or demolition.” The historic gardens are not protected and it doesn’t mean that the Wheelwright House and carriage house could not be converted to condominiums.

And basically the rest of the property was bought for $300,000…not a bad price folks. And the firm would like to develop the roughly “4 acre” land at the back of the property and put in a 5 single-family home subdivision.

This is on the Ridge.

It sounds from the paper that the firm will have to get a number of permits for the “subdivision proposal.” Thank goodness for that.

Let us not welcome these folks to town. Let us make their lives as miserable as possible. I cannot imagine that the Newburyport Planning Board or residents of this City would be amenable to this proposal.

And for goodness sakes let us start pestering our City officials, especially the Newburyport City Council for zoning amendments that protect our historic assets. This project alone helps destroy our economic vitality.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, What Has Happened to a Beautiful City?

I don’t believe I know Ellen Sklar-Abbott, but she wrote a terrific Letter to the Editor in yesterday’s Newburyport Daily News, August 29, 2006.

The letter is headed “What happened to my city?”

To quote from Ms Sklar-Abbott:

“When I first moved here, there were very strong efforts to keep the downtown from being torn down and a Kmart from being built in Market Square! First it creeps in slowly, a McMansion here, a franchise there, then the charm and the land are gone forever. Don’t say it won’t happen here—it already has and it is so sad. Maybe some call it progress, I call it thoughtless.”

I couldn’t agree more.

And a very big “thank you” to Stephanie Chelf and the Newburyport Daily News for the front page story on Save Our Town in today’s Newburyport Daily News, August 30, 2006.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Woodman Property

The minutes for the Newburyport Zoning Board of Appeals for August 22, 2006 are not up yet on the City’s website because they have to be approved at the next meeting.

But, Albert Decie of Citizens for Environmental Balance (CEB) attended the meeting and passed this on in an email:

“Woodman Farm AKA the Seaport Village 40B project… The lawyer, I believe his name to be Healy, has set up a meeting for 8/30 with the mayor to ask the city to drop the land court case, which might otherwise continue for a year or more. The specifics of the developer’s request to the mayor were not divulged…”

Mr. Decie is concerned. So am I.

So, this Wednesday, August 30, 2006 the developer will ask the Mayor John Moak to drop the land court case. Please see the post “Newuryport, Massachusetts, Woodman Property and Mayor Moak” for more information on the project. You can also put “Woodman Property” in the search box at the right side of the blog and all blog posts concerning this issue will come up.

I wasn’t sure who has the authority to take the Woodman property out of Land Court. I’ve asked around and I believe that the Mayor as “Chief Executive Officer of the City” has that authority (please see the Newburyport Political Blog’s guidelines for disclaimer.) It is my understanding that Mayor Moak could instruct the City Solicitor to settle or drop the case.

Cynic that I am, I assume that this was always the “game plan.” That for reasons I still do not understand, Mayor John Moak would not mind seeing a huge 40B project in that spot.

So if this is an issue that you care about, I would give the Mayor a call or an email and contact your Newburyport City Councilor.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Planning Director, Newburyport, MA

One of the interesting things that has happened being the editor of the Newburyport Political Blog is that I get contacted by members of the greater planning community.

And one of the things that has come to my attention and has yes, been confirmed, is that what I would consider “ideal” applicants, folks who have experience and education in historic preservation, have battled undesirable developers and yes, even had experience with Mr. Karp were ignored by this administration.

I would put a picture of George Cushing being incensed (see previous post), but I am obviously so concerned about this information that an appearance from George Cushing even to me would seem to be inappropriate.

My guess is that Christopher Ryan, will most likely get the nod from the Newburyport City Council. And this blogger will do everything she can to work with him for the good of the City of Newburyport, Massachusetts.

I haven’t seen today’s Newburyport Current yet, but the report in today’s Newburyport Daily News, August 4, 2006 on Mayor Moak’s new pick for Planning Director was somewhat confusing.

In the article (and believe me I know that articles can be edited, so I am sure that there is far more to Christopher Ryan than what was in the Newburyport Daily News write up) Mr. Ryan’s emphasis appears to be on the environment (not that there is anything wrong with the environment, believe me) and management and administration.

To quote today’s Newburyport Daily News:

“When he starts Sept. 1, Ryan said he would be getting to know the planning office staff and the community. He sees his main roles as management and administration, project oversight and as a liaison for special projects.”

(Unfortunately for Christopher Ryan, if he does get confirmed by the Newburyport City Council, he will be spending a great deal of time trying to find a replacement for City Planner, Julie LaBranche, and that’s another post entirely.)

What was not mentioned was anything to do with historic preservation, which in my mind is crucial to the economic well being of Newburyport, Massachusetts and what I would consider to be the epidemic of developers in our fair city. And in my opinion, given what I know about this administration, that is absolutely no surprise.

I look forward to seeing the story on Christopher Ryan in the Newburyport Current as well. I am sure it will shed additional light on Mr. Ryan’s experience and goals.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, The Search for Planning Director

Shephanie Chelf wrote a terrific article in today’s Newburyport Daily News, July 25, 2006 on the search for a Planning Director for Newburyport, Massachusetts.

To quote today’s story:

“Moak declined to release the candidates’ resumes yesterday, citing an opinion from the city attorney. Capriola said the mayor would not release the information out of concern for personal information listed on resumes and cover letters.

Moak’s decision may be a violation of state public records laws. Typically, resumes of finalists are released because they are considered by state law to be public documents. The Daily News obtained resumes and cover letters for the three finalists from others who are involved in the hiring process.”

And so much for an open and transparent government. A possible violation of the state public records laws. My.

Good for Stephanie Chelf that she was industrious enough to get the resumes and cover letters from other folks.

And what do these resumes and cover letters tell us.

One of the things that I know many people are concerned about is that some of the candidates simply do not have enough qualifications for the job, and they are confused as to why they made it into the final cut, and other more qualified candidates did not. As Ms Chelf so tactfully put it, “The three remaining finalists have a range of planning experience.”

Of the three, Laura Harbottle, Town Planner for Scituate appears to be the most qualified, hands down. (You’ll have to read Ms Chelf’s story.)

Christopher Ryan, Town Planner for Walpole, would not strike me as being qualified for the job (at least on paper) of Planning Director in Newburyport, MA. Personally, I would want someone a whole lot more seasoned and experienced.

And Brian White, Senior Planner in Savannah, GA, according to today’s paper, “was informed of the planning position from Maria Capriola, assistant to Mayor John Moak. Capriola worked for the city of Savannah prior to coming to Newburyport.”

Again, not enough experience in my book, and Mr. White appears to agree.

“My educational background is in planning and geography. The position in Newburyport interests me because it would be a challenging opportunity to lead a planning department, but one I feel capable of doing.”

Personally, for such a vital, demanding and sometimes overwhelming job, I would want someone who knew they were capable of doing it and had proven it, not someone who felt they might be capable of doing it. Good grief. No wonder Mr. Moak didn’t want anyone to see these resumes and cover letters.

So good for the Stephanie Chelf and the Newburyport Daily News for doing a first rate story and getting the information that we all wanted to know, even though Mayor John Moak apparently didn’t want to part with it.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Speculation, Newburyport’s New Planning Director

Let’s take a look at the quote by Mayor John Moak concerning the he names of the 5 finalists for Newburyport’s Planning Director that are in the Newburyport Daily News, July 24, 2006.

“I’m not looking for an architect or engineer, I’m looking for a manager. Each has exemplified more of a full service type of planning directorship. That’s what I’m looking for.”

Mayor Moak always said he was looking for a “team player” and a “manager,” so that’s consistent. However that he’s not looking for an “architect” or an “engineer” is quite telling. I gather this must mean he doesn’t want a “big picture” person. He wants someone who will do what he tells them to do.

It’s interesting that only two of the candidates are from Massachusetts. Not only is it going to take 6-9 months to begin to get a handle on all the “players” around here, but I would think (and I’m in unchartered territory here) that the planning and development stuff for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts would be pretty complicated.

Would hate to see the existing personnel in the Newburyport Planning Office bring someone up to speed on all of that stuff. Would add quite a bit to the “job description” for Julie LaBranche and Geordie Vining. If that happened we would definitely have to give them a raise.

Let’s just take Chapter 91 for example and the waterfront. We would definitely want someone who understands that “tide-land rights are one of DEP’s most treasured tools for protection of Massachusetts shorelines and the DEP is not going to roll over and play dead.” (To quote and paraphrase from Jim Roy’s terrific piece in the Newburyport Current, July 21, 2006, “Chaos in Command.”)

And I would imagine that Mayor Moak would not want a big picture person like our former Planning Director Nick Cracknell. Been there, done that. No putting the breaks on folks who might have a loose interpretation of the Newburyport Master Plan. Or have the fortitude to “enforce,” if you will, a fairly literal interpretation of the Newburyport Master Plan.

What I’ve heard folks say is it’s not just Mayor John Moak who wants a more passive Planning Director for Newburyport, Massachusetts, but it’s also Byron Matthews, among others.

I’ve been told that Mayor John Moak does listen to some folks. Three in particular. Yes, Byron Matthews, Dick Sullivan and Josiah Welch (Josiah Welch-that one was a surprise to me.)

And I’ve also been told that Byron Matthews is playing a “Dick Cheney” to Mr. Moak’s “George Bush.”

Whoever the new Planning Director is for Newburyport, Massachusetts ends up being, I’m sure that my version of what is going on is a whole lot different than Mr. Matthew’s version of what is going on (not that I don’t respect Mr. Matthews for all his contributions), and I hope whoever it ends up being, has the fortitude to sit down with me and all those other people out there in Newburyport like me and have a little chat.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Introducing the Newburyport Local Business Wiki

Several years ago, my wife and I moved here to Newburyport. The air is clean, the water is clean, it’s a nice place to live. But most of all we enjoyed the fact that Newburyport is a unique place which has a sense of community and local character. We enjoy the parks, the shops, the waterfront, the beach.

Years ago I worked in another “upscale” town, Greenwich, CT. It was a nice place also, but over time, the main street started to look live every other shopping mall – with quaint little storefronts replaced by The Gap, J Crew, Brooks Brothers, and other chain stores. Newburyport, I thought to myself, was different.

Recently, Allyson Lawless, who posts on the Newburyport Political Blog, wrote a summary of why local businesses are a great thing to have in Newburyport (or anywhere else). I thought that this very much reflected what I felt as well, and decided to put up a site where we, as people who care about the character of our town, can all come together and pool resources, put together a list of to-do’s, document what has been done already, and share information both among ourselves, and to anyone who might care to look at it, whether they are local to Newburyport or not.

Instead of putting up a site with some information, I decided that the best thing to do would be to have a *wiki*, and call it the Newburyport Local Business Wiki (I’ll take any suggestions for a catchier name).

The purpose of a wiki is so that we *all* can contribute – I’m just the administrator, and although I put together some preliminary content to jump-start the wiki, and I’m responsible for user administration, I’m not the person “doing” the site – we can all be contributors. Probably you’ve seen wikipedia (wikipedia.org). This is just like that, but focused on the goal of protecting Newburyport from the onslaught of chain stores.

Any wiki, this one included, is a work in progress. It’s constantly changing, and right now, this one is very new and has very little content so far.

This is how wikis work – a community must build around it so that value can be created. The wiki has a link where you can request a username to log on and help us out!

Gene Volovich
Newburyport

(Editor’s note: For those of you out there in web-land who might be like me and had never heard of a “wiki” before, here is a definition:

“A wiki (IPA: [ˈwiː.kiː] or [ˈwɪ.kiː] [1]) is a type of website that allows users easily to add, remove, or otherwise edit and change most available content, sometimes without the need for registration. This ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki an effective tool for collaborative writing.”

This definition is from “Wikipedia,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki, the free encyclopedia.)

(Editor’s note: The new web address is www.supportnbpt.org/wiki, Support Newburyport Wiki.)

Newburyport, Planning Board Meeting, Russell Terrace

People who have been following the Oleo plan for the Russell Terrace
extension development closely will want to confirm with the Planning Office that it a public hearing for the project is on the agenda for the Wednesday Planning Board meeting, and plan to attend.

The storm water management plan will be particularly interesting in light of the recent “extreme precipitation” events of Mother’s Day weekend.

Sited at the top of the Little River headwaters, it has the potential to have quite a run-off effect on downstream properties.

To paraphrase, this is a case of “where the water meets the road.” It will be important that the drainage plan get the numbers right!

little-river.jpg

This flood photo was taken immediately to the south of the proposed development – notice that the river is over its banks and trees are
in the middle of the river.

Marlene Schroeder

Editor’s note:

Public Hearing
Newburyport Planning Board
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
7 PM
Newburyport City Hall

Newburyport, A Report on the Meeting of the Waterfront Task Force

Dear Citizens,

I am placing in bullet points some highlights of Mayor Moak’s meeting on July 12, 2006 (at the Newburyport police station conference room) regarding the Newburyport NRA central waterfront issue.

* The mayor’s hand out during the meeting is titled, “Central Waterfront Task Committee”; list the various individuals and groups as listed in the Daily news story of July 13, 2006.

* CEB Note: General Law Chapter 39, section 23A list committee or subcommittee however otherwise constituted, deliberating on public business, as a government body and guided by Chapter 39, section 23A of the Open Meeting Law. This is being referred for consideration.

* Susan St. Pierre was invited by the mayor to present a Chapter 91 overview to the Mayor’s central waterfront task committee.

* CEB Note: Susan St. Pierre worked for Roger Forster (directly or indirectly) during the time a hotel was being proposed for the NRA/Public lands.

* CEB Note: The NRA holds the deed for these two lots on the waterfront. The original intent for this creating of an entity to hold the waterfront deed was to keep local politics out of the decision process.

* It was noted several times that all data collected from the mayor’s task force committee was for a presentation to the NRA in the form of a position paper.

* Janet Marcus Chairperson of the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority noted the most recent public waterfront survey would be tabulated shortly.

* CEB Note: A rumor is floating that the current citizens’ survey on the use of the NRA/Public waterfront is indicating the public’s desire as the last survey and referendum before that; some parking (100-150) and mostly park.

* Mayor Moak stated that all he wants is what this group (Mayor’s central waterfront committee) determines as use/needs for the waterfront.

* The Mayor also noted he hoped that the people’s wishes to be in this plan. The mayor remarked about the process, would hate to see it stymie the imagination.

* As of this e-mail, the next Mayor’s central waterfront committee meeting is Aug. 9, 2006, 6 PM at the police station.

The public’s wishes have been expressed loud and clearly by majority votes and voices in referendums, surveys, and in the courts. If wisdom applied, it maybe wise to wait and listen to the most recent citizens’ survey STILL being tabulated. This would be wise if city government is interested in the voice of the people. I refer to the term city government; all officials elected by the people are responsible to maintain that trust of the ballot box.

It would be a grievous sin to allow the two Newburyport Redevelopment Authority lots; the most beautiful waterfront locations on the North Shore; to become an over flow parking lot for Mr. Karp’s Waterfront West project. This would also be a grievous sin towards the Citizens of our community and our Democratic Freedoms.

Albert G. Decie
Citizens for Environmental Balance (CEB)
Newburyport, MA

(Editor’s note: This is an edited version of a much longer email I received from Albert Decie. The longer email is a memo that is being sent to the District Attorney’s office enquiring whether or not the Open Meeting Law has been followed by Mayor John Moak. For the complete memo please contact Mr. Decie.)

Newburyport, The Mayor’s Waterfront Task Force Meeting

According to someone who attended the Mayor’s Waterfront Task Force meeting, it was well attended. In fact the room at the police station apparently was full. And yes, there was a reporter from the Newburyport Daily News.

Evidently folks like Mary Lou Supple and Albert Decie joined the group. And half the group, as someone explained it to me were “interlopers.”

“Interlopers” work for me.

And yes the Mayor was there and introduced the person, Susan St Pierre (I believe Ms St Pierre is with Vine Associates, 253 Low Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts,) who was to explain why Newburyport’s waterfront could be paved over.

As one would expect there were intelligent challenges made to the fact that somehow the Waterfront could get around Chapter 91. (For an explanation on Chapter 91 see earlier post.)

The Mayor apparently assured everyone that he would make sure that the Waterfront Task Force was posted.

Apparently much has been made out of the fact that this most recent meeting was not posted. At least two people have contacted the District Attorney’a Office and the Ethics Commission. Not good PR for Mayor Moak.

As I understand it, the Mayor told the gathering that the Waterfront Survey, from the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority would be one piece of information and the Waterfront Task Force would be another piece of information that would help guide the fate of this important piece of land.

Of course, this baffles me somewhat. It seems an odd way to govern, if the process of democracy is what one is after.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Please Do Not Demolish the Federalist Home on Ship Street

Dear Mary,

Tear down the Ship St Grandee (and rip out its orchard)? I hope it’s a baseless rumor.

The magnetism and magic of the house is palpable to one such as I who is easily lured off course by a promising pile of curbside trash (heaps that give off “value vibes”) and rotting majestic clapboard Federalist houses (with tired ghosts sighing “Save me … “.)

Doesn’t the building have a wonderful color (patina if it was a kneehole desk). It is a real life version of one of those Daily New photos of town in the 1960’s. Do the trees in back bear sweet fruit?

As it stands now, I suppose the house is a reminder of how far Newburyport has come in rehabilitating itself. Is it the last remaining unrestored old heap of a grand house?

I’m so happy to know that there is at least one other person who adores the grand duplex. I have been holding my breath for years in anticipation of this recent development. Ack, there’s that word again.

Thanks for your update. Keep up the great work.

PS. As you know, the design ratios of modern dwellings are based on measurements related to 4’x8′ (the size of sheets of plywood and dry wall). They are studded on 16 inch centers. The windows fit neatly in between. The roof line is nice and straight – never hogged looking. So calming to the eye. Not!

Ed Taylor
Newburyport

Newburyport, Tonight’s Meeting On the Waterfront Task Force Never Posted

Tonight’s meeting concerning paving the Waterfront and the “Waterfront Task Force” was never posted.

I don’t know much, well, I don’t know anything about the “open meeting laws,” but I do know this, it’s always good to have an open and transparent government—it doesn’t hurt to avoid the appearance of being secretive.

I was going to give the mayor the benefit of the doubt here. I thought surely there must have been a slip up somewhere, these things do happen.

However, I just received an email from Albert Decie saying that he in fact did check with the Mayor’s office, and apparently the Mayor’s office did not feel this meeting of the Task Force qualified as a meeting that needed to be posted.

And to quote Mr. Decie in a follow-up email “I just talked with the Police Department conference room scheduling person. The scheduling of the conference room at the police station for this evening at 6 PM is listed as scheduled by Mayor Moak.”

(The fact that anyone who attends this meeting gets to be considered part of the Waterfront Task Force gets odder and odder.)

The whole thing is very odd indeed.

I’m not going to be able to make it tonight. But I would think that the fact that this seemingly informative if not important meeting is taking place without being posted would ensure somewhat of a skeptical crowd.

I’ll be interested to find out.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Meeting About Paving Over the Waterfront

Tonight’s meeting of the Mayor’s “Waterfront Task Force” (6 pm, Wednesday July 12, 2006, at the Newburyport Police Station) will feature a presentation by a representative of the mayor regarding the way(s) in which the Waterfront can be paved and still conform to chapter 91.

Chapter 91 is filled tidelands.

Roger Foster spent over $100,000 getting his chapter 91 license.

The property the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority owns is not only filled tidelands (which the Commonwealth say the public has a right to access the water through,) but also Commonwealth tidelands, which have even more demanding restrictions.

A parking lot is not considered an acceptable use under Chapter 91, only parking for access to the river, boats, etc. So the state might stretch to a 50/50 park/parking, but it is my understanding that the State would not approve 100% parking.

At tonight’s meeting, 6 pm, Newburyport Police Station, I would imagine that the presentation by the Mayor’s representative would be to the effect that that is not necessarily true.

And also it is my understanding that the cost of asphalt has doubled since the Mayor came up with the 3.5 million estimate. Apparently many people felt that the original estimate would be more like 4-5 million.

It is also my understanding that there is no money, whatsoever, to pave the Waterfront.

Again, tonight’s meeting is:

6 PM
Newburyport Police Station
Waterfront Task Force

And again (see earlier post) apparently anyone who attends would be considered part of the Waterfront Task Force.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Citizens for Environmental Balance

I remember the first time I found out about Citizens for Environmental Balance (CEB.)

When the NAID land behind our house was going to be developed for industrial use, my husband and I joined the site walk with a representative from the planning board and the engineering firm. Several people bearing notebooks and green caps could have easily been mistaken for reporters with the number of questions they fired at the crew. Long after the city official and engineer left, we remained talking on Crow Lane next to the landfill and were then invited to continue the conversation at the next meeting of CEB.

CEB, registered as a miscellaneous non-profit group originated in November 1999 under the Mead Administration. They spearheaded the petition to save the abandoned Rt. 95 access road from being reopened as a roadway, land we can now use for passive recreation along the Little River. They ran full speed ahead supporting the Open Space Committee to get the Community Preservation Act passed. They regularly attend city council meetings, planning board and conservation committee meetings, acting as watchdogs to ensure that city government is always representing the public welfare, not the pockets of a select few.

Currently, CEB is keeping an eye on Woodman Farm, Oleo Trust, Little River Transit, Paul Avery and Oak Engineering at 81-83 Storey Ave as well as the management of the recently acquired land parcels, Coffin Island south of Hale Street and the Common Pasture north of Hale Street.

Other issues of concern are the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority and the Waterfront, Waterfront West, the proposed cell tower, and the exploration of wind farm and solar energy potential in Newburyport.

All are welcome to attend CEB meetings to share or gather information of common concern on any of these issues and enjoy the good humor and company of the group. Please call Al Decie at 978-462-2959 for future meeting dates and locations or check the CEB website www.cebport.org.

Kim Kudym
Newburyport

Newburyport, The Task Force and Paving Over the Waterfront

Yes, you guessed it — the issue of the Mayor’s Task Force and paving over the Waterfront.

Evidently at tomorrow night’s meeting of the “Waterfront Task Force” (6 pm, Wednesday July 12, 2006, at the Newburyport Police Station) will feature a presentation by a representative of the mayor regarding the way(s) in which the Waterfront can be paved and still conform to chapter 91.

And apparently anyone who shows up is considered part of the “Task Force.”

To say the least, both of these things appear to be just a little confusing.

Apparently feel free to show up at 6 pm, Wednesday, July 12th at the Police Station and add your 2 cents.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Accurate Information on Open Space

What a relief it was to read Mary Harbaugh’s Letter to the Editor in today’s Newburyport Daily News. Mary Harbaugh is the chairperson of the Newburyport Open Space Committee. And a very knowledgeable and intelligent woman she is.

The Letter to the Editor corrects a great deal of misinformation that was in the Editorial about Open Space that I found so objectionable — the one that basically said enough with open space (see earlier post.)

I thought I would quote part of Mary Harbaugh’s Letter to the Editor that addresses the 126 acres being considered by the City of Newburyport.

“You take issue with the $392,000 sought by the Open Space Committee for the 126-acre Wet Meadows project in the Common Pasture. (The correct amount is $392,000, not the figure you used; the correct acreage is 126 acres, not the 26 acres you mention.) First, of the $392,000, some $150,000 comes from a prior-year CPA open space allocation; more specifically, from a reimbursement grant. It is “recycled” open space money. That means that our request in current-year CPA funds is really for $242,000. In addition, we and our highly experienced non-profit partners are optimistic that about $200,000 of that will be reimbursed by grants and private fundraising. So at the end of the day, our true current-year CPA open space amount is likely to be about $42,000, including legal fees and other acquisition costs. That’s less – much less – than 10 percent of the total current-year CPA fund.”

(Editor’s note: “You” refers to whoever wrote the Editorial in the Newburyport Daily News. And “CPA” is the Community Preservation Act.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Open Space, Not Only Passion but Also Reason and Money

Dear Mary,

I hope many residents will phone their councilors in support of the proposed addition to the Common Pasture project. It is not only passion for open space for its own sake, it is also reason.

Reason tells us that protecting this open space will ultimately benefit the City economically – few cities have their gateway gift-wrapped in beautiful vistas like those of the Common Pasture.

There have been many letters written in support for the various grant monies that have been applied for – grants that have brought a million dollars or more home to this community – and more grant dollars will come.

I am hoping someone will provide you with the money numbers.

Folks will be surprised when they learn how much money has come to the City in support of this project, and how little it will really end up costing the City to protect one of their most important economic, historic, landscape and environmental assets.

Marlene Schroeder