The Meeting with Newburyport’s Proposed Planning Director

Proposed Planning Director for Newburyport, MA, for a meet and greet, Christopher Ryan.

I don’t know, I’m singularly under whelmed.

What I’d like to hear is someone who wants to protect Newburyport’s historic character, charm and beauty. I’m hearing vague references to historic preservation, nothing with any teeth to it.

I’d like to hear that Mr. Ryan has already studied the Newburyport Master Plan backwards and forwards and is looking forward to its further implementation. (I’m not hearing that. I could be just down right “catty” and say what I’ve heard is that Mr. Ryan has gotten around to downloading it.)

I’d like to be hearing that Mr. Ryan as Planning Director is ready to drive out “bad apple” developers out of town and looking forward to working with developers who have Newburyport’s best interest at heart. Let me tell you, I’m really not hearing that one at all.

“To address the issues of ‘conflict of development.’ Ryan said he wants to ‘look at the various groups and be as inclusive as possible and find common ground. Divisiveness is not good moving forward.’ ” (Newburyport Daily News, August 8, 2006.)

Let me tell you Newburyport, Massachusetts is polarized when it comes to inappropriate development. There is no common ground. I doubt that there ever will be common ground with development that is seen as destructive to Newburyport’s authenticity.

From what I can make out, Mr. Moak’s point of view is that (it sounds like all) development is vital for Newburyport’s tax base, a balanced budget is crucial…historic character, beauty, charm, environment, all things that in my book ensure long term economic health, take second place. (Can you tell that the Mayor and I have a difference of opinion on this one?)

And it sounds to me that Mr. Moak has found a personable and “amicable, engaging” appointee, one who is qualified enough for the Newburyport City Council to eventually approve.

And I think Mr. Moak has found someone who would be what a friend of mine would call a “silencer.” People who have questions concerning certain projects and players in town could be seen as “uncooperative” if they were not willing to seek “common ground” and address “conflict of development.”

Can you tell that this blogger is not what someone might call a “team player” when it comes to inappropriate development that destroys the authenticity of Newburyport, Massachusetts. I think you can definitely count me out on the “developer common ground” thing, the “conflict of development” thing. No offense or anything, but those don’t work for me.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport