Monthly Archives: July 2006

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

Newburyport Planning Director Finalists

The names of the 5 finalists for Newburyport’s Planning Director are in today’s Newburyport Daily News, July 24, 2006.

To quote Mayor John Moak, “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.”

Since the candidates resumes were not available to the Newburyport Daily News on Friday, I thought I would Google them. So here’s the Google stuff.

*Laura Harbottle, Town Planner for Scituate, MA.*
* Lots of Google stuff on this young lady, including a picture. She looks like someone Mayor John Moak could get along with. And of all the names I ran by someone in the Planning and Development world in Massachusetts (no, it was not Nick Cracknell and no, it wasn’t anyone in Newburyport, MA), Ms Harbottle was they only one that they had heard of. The fact that Ms Harbottle is on Mayor Moak’s list is apparently encouraging.

*Christopher Ryan, Town Planner for Walpole, MA*
* No Google information on this gentleman.

*Ronald Meyer, Planning and Development Director for Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.*
* Lots of Google information on Mr. Meyer. Mount Pleasant appears to be slightly larger than Newburyport, MA.

*Brian White, Senior Planner in Savanna, GA*
* No Google information on Mr. White. Savanna, Georgia always struck me as being a southern sort of Newburyport, MA. The winters in Savanna have got to be a whole lot better that the winters in this seaside city North of Boston.

*Nick Colonna, Senior Planner, Leesburg, VA*
* No Google information on Mr. Colonna. Cannibal City, Newburyport, MA, might be quite something for anyone from out of state, or even in state. Wow! Being Planning Director in Newburyport, Massachusetts is not for the faint of heart.

It’s kind of sad that I’m reduced to Googling candidates to find out anything about them. If this was a process that Mr. Moak was proud of, certainly our mayor would let us all know about the people who are up for Planning Director in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Open and transparent government, that’s what I’m looking for.

And just as a btw…whoever ends up being Planning Director for Newburyport, MA, you know that there will be lots of Google stuff on them. Just Google “Nick Cracknell, Newburyport.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Freedom on the Internet is in Danger

Freedom on the Internet is in danger. Although this is not a “local” issue, it affects all of us who use (and enjoy) the Internet, much less those who are financially dependent on it.

This is taken from www.savetheinternet.com-FAQ

“What’s happening in Congress?

Congress is now considering a major overhaul of the Telecommunications Act. The telephone and cable companies are filling up congressional campaign coffers and hiring high-priced lobbyists. They’ve set up “Astroturf” groups like “Hands Off the Internet” to confuse the issue and give the appearance of grassroots support.

On June 8, the House of Representatives passed the “Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006,” or COPE Act (H.R. 5252) — a bill that offers no meaningful protections for Net Neutrality. An amendment offered by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), which would have instituted real Net Neutrality requirements, was defeated by intense industry lobbying.

It now falls to the Senate to save the free and open Internet. Fortunately, Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) have introduced a bipartisan measure, the “Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2006” (S. 2917), that would provide meaningful protection for Net Neutrality.

On June 28, the Snowe-Dorgan bill was introduced as an amendment to Sen. Ted Stevens’ (R-Alaska) major rewrite of the Telecom Act (S.2686). The committee split down the middle on the measure, casting a tie vote of 11-11.

Though meaningul Net Neutrality protections were not added to Stevens’ bill, the fight for Internet freedom is gaining serious momentum as the bill moves toward the full Senate later this year. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has threatened to place a “hold” on the entire legislation unless it reinstates Net Neutrality and prevents discrimination on the Internet.”

What you can do.

You can sign a petition that is below, and it will automatically be sent to your “elected representatives.” It’s actually pretty cool, and I would suggest that everyone who has a stake in keeping the Internet open and free sign the petition.

This is what you will find when you arrive at the “ network neutrality ” link.

“Right now Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the First Amendment of the Internet — a principle called “network neutrality” that preserves the free and open Internet. Congress needs to hear from you today or they will hand over control of what you do online to companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.

Politicians are trading favors for campaign donations from these companies. They’re being wooed by people like AT&T’s CEO, who say “the Internet can’t be free.” Sign this petition to tell your elected representatives to protect Internet freedom now. When you fill out the information and push submit, we will automatically send it to your Members of Congress.”

Please pass this information on to anyone who might like to know. (And by the way, this information was on the Dally Show and you can find that clip on the main page of www.savetheinternet.com.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, The Interviews for Planning Director

I’ve heard all kinds of things about the interview process that’s going on for Newburyport’s Planning Director and none of it’s good.

To quote an unnamed source, “The Mayor wants a Planning Director who’s a dope that he can manipulate.” Harsh words from my unnamed source, however, reading between the lines in today’s Newburyport Current, July 21, 2006, it seems that that particular sentiment might in fact be true.

Ulrika Gerth is not only a first rate editor of the Newburyport Current, but she is also a first rate reporter. I was hoping against hope that Ms. Gerth would have a story on the search for Newburyport’s new Planning Director, and she didn’t disappoint.

Doug Locy the chair of the Newburyport Planning Board and James Shanley a Newburyport City Councilor on the council’s Planning and Development Committee both decided not to participate any further in the interview process.

What I have heard is that some of the candidates are so under-qualified that they would have to be trained by the existing personnel in the Planning Office. Ouch.

To quote from today’s article in the Newburyport Current:

“It’s the mayor’s appointment so he was kind enough to offer us the opportunity to participate. That’s nice,” Locy said, “but I felt like I was being used.”

Having been on a mayor’s committee and having resigned myself, I know exactly what it feels like to be used for political purposes. I didn’t exactly think it was enjoyable at all. So I’m very sympathetic to what Doug Locy has to say.

And a further quote from Ms. Gerth’s article.

“I was asked to be brought on to add what I think is false legitimacy to the process,” Shanley said. “The panel made it look open, but in reality it’s not. If the new planning director turns out to be a bummer (the mayor) can say that ’you participated,’ so that’s why I walked.”

Good for James Shanley. Everything I’ve heard so far would indicate that yes indeed, what Mr. Shanley has to say is “on the money.”

So, I hope the Newburyport City Council is up to the task of turning down mayoral appointments for Planning Director until we as a City get someone who is worthy of the task, if that is what is required.

At the very least we as a City would require a qualified candidate not a “bummer” or a “dope” and not one that would actually need to be trained for the job.

I want to be so wrong. I want Mayor John Moak to come up with a winner, someone we can all work with and be proud of. However, if Mayor Moak does not, I for one am counting on the Newburyport City Council to be courageous, repeatedly if necessary, and do the right thing.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, 11-13 Ship Street, A Ray of Hope

Apparently the folks at the Newburyport Preservation Trust have been in touch with Mr. Minot Frye, the Wenham developer who has bought that wonderful federalist home at 11-13 Ship Street.

It appears at this point that Mr. Frye is open to discussions with the Newburyport Preservation Trust about issues that the community has concerning this property and the issues of historic preservation.

Thank goodness that we as a City now have the Newburyport Preservation Trust.

And thank goodness that the Newburyport Preservation Trust is willing to act as a mediator on behalf of historic properties such as this one, the concerns of the surrounding community and the developer in question, in this case Mr. Minot Frye.

How lucky we are. And if something actually good comes of this discussion with Mr. Frye, boy do we as a City owe the Newburyport Preservation Trust one big “thank you.” (Personally, I think we all owe them one big “thank you” now for making this incredible gesture.)

George Cushing (of Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall) the new political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog was so excited even at the vague possibility that something positive could come about, that he has given the very attempt at negotiations a big “thumbs up.”

george8.jpg
George Cushing giving the attempt at
negotiations a big “thumbs up”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Planning Director, Newburyport, MA

I’m not surprised, unfortunately, however I am very discouraged if not downright angry.

In today’s Newburyport Daily News, July 20, 2006, written by Stephanie Chelf, there is an article about how Doug Locy, the chair of the Newburyport Planning Office and City Councilor James Shanley of the Planning and Development Committee, both resigned from the interview process for Newburyport’s new Planning Director.

Both of these men have tremendous integrity and care deeply about the future of Newburyport, Massachusetts.

To quote from today’s Newburyport Daily News:

“NEWBURYPORT – Two city officials asked by Mayor John Moak to be part of the planning director interviews withdrew from the search committee, saying they did not support the way the mayor was handling the hiring.

City Councilor James Shanley and Planning Board Chairman Doug Locy decided not to participate in the interviews of eight semi-finalists because they felt the committee was being forced to follow the mayor’s office guidelines, interview candidates they had not chosen and ask predetermined questions.

‘I can’t do it,’ Shanley said. ‘I’m not going to mouth questions someone else has given me.’

Both Shanley and Locy withdrew from the process late Friday…

‘With all do respect, I still believe the structure of the interview and selection process that you’ve proposed compromises our ability to fully review each candidate’s experience and knowledge in city planning,’ Locy wrote in an e-mail to Moak….’In my career I’ve interviewed many engineers and managers for positions in my organization and I’ve had training in the interview process. I’ve never heard of a interview process, the type of which is being proposed here.’ “

As anyone who has followed the Newburyport Political Blog would know, I feel that who the new Planning Director is that Mayor John Moak appoints is crucial to the future of Newburyport, Massachusetts. That two outstanding men cannot accept the process in which the candidates are being selected is really, really bad news.

Thank goodness that the Newburyport City Council has to approve the appointment. And if Mayor John Moak does not appoint an acceptable candidate for Planning Director, I hope that the citizens of Newburyport will phone their City Councilors in droves and let them know just how strongly they feel.

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, Mr. Karp and the “Mall Goes Undercover”

Wow! With a big “thank you” to Allyson Lawless. I got introduced to “The Newburyport Local Business Wiki ” which is administered by Gene Volovich.

This site is really, really brand new, in fact it looks like it is still “under construction.”

However, it has a very interesting link to an article on www.slate.com, by Andrew Blum called “The Mall Goes Undercover, It Now Looks Like A City Street,” posted on April 6, 2005.

Here is an excerpt from the first paragraph of Mr. Blum’s article:

“Like insecure teenagers, malls keep changing their style. They are ripping away their roofs and drywalled corridors; adding open-air plazas, sidewalks, and street-side parking; and rechristening themselves “lifestyle centers.” This new look may remind you of something: a vibrant urban street. Yet, while these new malls may appear to be public space, they’re not public at all—at least if you want to do anything but shop. They represent a bait-and-switch routine on the part of developers, one that exchanges the public realm for the commercial one. They’re also enormously successful—by the most recent count, there are about 130 lifestyle centers scattered around the country.”

I find one of the most unnerving lines in that paragraph is “They represent a bait-and-switch routine on the part of developers, one that exchanges the public realm for the commercial one.”

And if Allyson Lawless and Gene Volovich are right, it does sound exactly the kind of thing that Stephen Karp might have in mind for Newburyport, MA. And I gotta tell you, that makes me feel a little ill.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Stephen Karp and Downtown Newburyport

I don’t like surprises. And even though the outgoing Chamber of Commerce president advised me not to pre-stress over Stephen Karp’s plans (in particular chain stores) and to take a wait-and-see stance, I just couldn’t be so patient. So I did a little more research and this is what I found out.

The style of development Mr. Karp champions is called “lifestyle centers.” In an article published in the Boston Business Journal titled “Karp talks retail development, little about Fan Pier.” (October 29, 2004) I learned that retail development, as we’ve known it, is no longer a massive complex on a large track of land accessible only by car. The new design is aimed at developing retail “hot spots,” that look like urban open-air cityscapes and they’re popping up all over the place. The article lists several Karp projects and which market the “hot spots” are geared to.

“…Places such as Plymouth, where Karp is nearing completion on the first phase of a 500,000-square-foot center, and Leominster, where he has proposed a 475,000-square-foot retail center, are being transformed into retail ‘hot spots.’

While lifestyle centers won’t replace regional malls — the developments are an alternative, said Karp — there are few new malls being built these days for lack of available land.

Enclosed malls have high operating costs and need to be built big enough to accommodate two department stores to cover costs.

Lifestyle centers, which Karp said are easier to build, offer the same amenities as malls but are geared toward people with high incomes.”

After reading the article I began to think how naive all of us are. Our downtown is, for all intent and purposes, owned by one retail developer whose primary objective is to create a “lifestyle center” that serves the affluent. The parking issue on the Waterfront?- it is my belief that it is not going to end in anything that will serve the current residents of Newburyport. The likelihood of a senior center being built anywhere downtown? It is my belief that it is not going to happen.

Look what’s happening in Nantucket. There are numerous articles written by the “Nantucket Independent” that document the painful demise of a community and the building of a commercial empire. Take this for example from an article dated January 4, 2006.

“Yesterday, the Fee family announced that it will not reopen its downtown business following 37 years on Steamboat Wharf. In another blow, the Nantucket Cookie Company, owned by Andrew and Donna Fee and run from the Henry’s kitchen, is now for sale for lack of a new location.”

Another short article dated February 1, 2006 reports the closing of a thirty-one year old art gallery. The closing scenario went like this:

The Spectrum leased the building for 31 years. After Karp purchased multiple Nantucket commercial locations last year, Spectrum co-owner Bud Heidebur was approached by Wyner (Henry Wyner, leasing agent for Karp’s Nantucket Island Resorts company) who explained that another party was interested in paying a significantly higher rent than the Spectrum was being charged.

Heidebur and his partners decided they could not afford to spend that much and closed the local store after its lease ended at the first of the year.

How many scenarios like these are being played out right now in Newburyport? My guess would be many.

So now I know – no surprises. It looks like there could be parking on the Waterfront -ramrodded down our throats by the Mayor and the people who will benefit the most from more commercial space. It looks like there could be larger upscale and chain stores where there are modest sole proprietor shops. And it looks like there could be a pseudo downtown that’s more like a outdoor mall than a community center that serves its city residents.

Allyson Lawless
Newburyport

Newburyport, A Possible Political Consultant

Someone gave me this delightful creature in the anticipation that one day our local political journal could say something not so nice about me and I would need some comforting.

Well, that was very sweet, but the creature is a frog, not a toad.

The creature’s name is George.

george1.jpg
George

In fact he claims that his name is George Cushing and that he is from Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall in Newburyport, MA. Well, quite frankly I don’t think he’s telling the truth, a) he’s too flashy and b) he appears to have way too much attitude for a New England Yankee frog.

Quite frankly I think George, if that’s even his real first name, wants us all to think he’s a native, but I don’t think that’s going to work.

However, he does have the makings of a first rate political consultant for the Newburyport Political Blog. Those beady, insightful and skeptical eyes, they work for me

George spent last night reading the entire blog from start to finish. (Very industrious of George – good sign.) And his response to a lot of the stuff was “oy vey.”

george4.jpg
Oy Vey

See what I mean about not being a New England Yankee frog. “Oy vey, came much too naturally to George.

George Cushing was also quite incensed by some of the goings on, although in the big picture, I don’t things are that bad.

Now I debated long and hard on whether or not to put this picture of George being incensed on the Newburyport Political Blog, wondering if it indeed violated the blog’s guidelines. However, George Cushing, already taking on the role of local political consultant, felt that the picture, although possibly somewhat offensive, did not in fact violate the blog’s guidelines.

george2.jpg
George Cushing Incensed

And finally, George at times wanted to just cover his eyes about things that are going on in our small New England city.

george6.jpg
George trying to cover his eyes

But I’m afraid that George is just going to have to sit up and take a look at what’s going on just like the rest of us.

It remains to be seen after his foray into blogdom, just how often George Cushing from Frog Pond at the Bartlett Mall will actually makes an appearance on the Newburyport Political Blog.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

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

New Planning Director for Newburyport, MA

I don’t know why I just can’t get “hot and bothered” by Mayor John Moak’s upcoming appointment of a Planning Director for Newburyport, MA.

Ulrika Gerth wrote a fantastic article in the Newburyport Current in Friday’s issue, July 14, 2006. I think one of the most discouraging quotes in the article is from Doug Locy, the Chair of the Newburyport Planning Board, “If the mayor is fair and open and we’re part of the decision process, that’s fine. We won’t know until afterwards.”

I hate to keep feeling so discouraged and cynical about our mayor and the new Planning Director for Newburyport, who, I take it, will be named by August 1, 2006, according to today’s Newburyport Daily News.

I was enormously relieved to see that Doug Locy, Ed Ramsdell, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Geordie Vining of the Planning Office (I couldn’t figure out if Julie Labranche was on there or not), all people I absolutely trust, are on the search committee.

However, my fear is that Mayor John Moak would not heed what I am sure would be their very astute and valuable recommendations, and might listen instead to different ears.

And as Doug Locy has said we just won’t know until after the decision is made.

However, the decision does have to be approved by the Newburyport City Council. The Newburyport City Council in the past has turned down other Planning Directors that they thought might not be appropriate.

I trust that this Newburyport City Council will be very much on top of this appointment since it is an appointment that so many of Newburyport’s citizens care so much about.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

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, 11-13 Ship Street—Sold

Magical places, yup 11-13 Ship Street is what I would consider to be one of those magical places. It is a two family federalist home. The property goes back to Smith Street. And in the back of the house is the most delightful orchard. The property has a wonderful spirit to it and a remarkable sense of place.

The property sold in March to 1804 Associates, LLC at 16 Grapevine Road in Wenham, Massachusetts.

The fairly substantiated rumor is that whoever these folks are, they are going to demolish the property and put up a “replica.” Ouch.

I’ve been in contact with the Newburyport Preservation Trust and unfortunately at this point they do not know anymore than I do.

I did a little snooping to try and find out who the buyers, 1804 Associates, might be. All I could find out was that 16 Grapevine Road is a residential area in Wenham, Massachusetts that is owned (this is courtesy of www.salemdeeds.com) by a Mr. Minot Frye.

The only thing I could find about Mr. Frye on Google was a paper on real estate risk management written in 1998. That’s it. It is not even clear whether or not Mr. Minot Frye is actually part of 1804 Associates.

It is clear however, that someone from out of town has bought this remarkable property, and it appears that their first response is demolition. Ouch.

When I talked to the folks at the Newburyport Preservation Trust they said that they would try and get in touch with the buyers and explain the financial incentives for historic preservation.

It would be really horrible to see this remarkable property destroyed.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport