I talked to Jack Mee, the Building Inspector and Zoning Officer in Walpole, Massachusetts where Christopher Ryan, the Mayor’s appointment for Newburyport’s Planning Director worked as of last week.

I figured who better to know the Town Planner (Christopher Ryan) than the Building Inspector. And Mr. Mee was very forthcoming and extremely helpful. (Jack Mee said it would be ok for me to not only quote him, but also use his name.) What a nice guy.

Well according to Jack Mee, it’s good news folks.

History: As I understand it the Town Planner before Christopher Ryan did work at another venture along with the job as Town Planner and that turned out to be difficult for the Town of Walpole to negotiate. So, when Mr. Ryan wanted to teach, the town, because of previous experience, was somewhat apprehensive.

Walpole’s Building Inspector, Jack Mee seemed to think very highly of Christopher Ryan.

Apparently Mr. Ryan set up a “Design Review Committee” for the Town of Walpole. Boy, this works for me.

My understanding is that Mr. Ryan is well aware the political upheaval concerning Nick Cracknell’s leaving, and understands that the community might well be distrustful of him if he were to follow in Nick Cracknell’s shoes.

Mr. Mee, thought that Christopher Ryan would be mindful of the community’s welfare; that Mr. Ryan is capable of being extremely tactful, but in Mr. Mee’s words (I hope I have this right, I am a blogger, not a reporter), Mr. Ryan “would not be a puppet for the mayor.” Whew.

From my point of view it would be really important that the new Planning Director for Newburyport, Massachusetts not to give the green light to all our hungry developers. One would hope that Mr. Ryan would know how concerned so many of us are about developers who see Newburyport, MA as such a wonderful opportunity to make a buck. And from what Jack Mee has told me, it does appear to be encouraging. And if Mr. Ryan is confirmed by the Newburyport City Council, only time will tell.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport