NSNA members Steve Hathaway and Adam Cohen visited with Bill Dwight today on WHMP radio, a response to Dwight’s previous discussion of infill and the merits of North Street concerns on July 26. Cohen and Hathaway emphasized that NSNA is not against all infill, but that it deserves a critical look when acres of green space […]
Month: August 2007
Poem: “Dear Neighbors”
NSNA member Joyce Devine kindly shares another poem with us, “Dear Neighbors”…See also:Poem: “We Have Faith”Photo Essay: The Forest Behind View Avenue
Sustainable Northampton: An Open Letter to the Cecil Group
Northampton’s Planning Board will hold a two-hour workshop to review the Sustainability Plan (PDF) on August 9 and possibly again later in the month. While public comments will not be taken at these workshops, the public is encouraged to email comments to sustainablenorthampton@cecilgroup.com. Here is an expanded version of comments we recently sent to Cecil […]
Safety Valves to Infill: The Grow Smart Northampton Plan of 2003
[Revised August 7, 2007]Northampton’s Planning Board and City Council Industry Committee endorsed the “Grow Smart Northampton” (PDF) plan in 2003. This plan, a precursor to recent Sustainable Northamption planning, does support infill. Specifically, the plan suggests, “Increase by 10 percent the density of housing in and within walking distance of downtown.” (p.13)At the same time, […]
As Hurricane Threat Builds, Has Complacency Set In about Flooding?
It has been some time since a major flood struck Northampton. That doesn’t mean the threat has gone away. On the contrary, AccuWeather believes that conditions are favorable for New England to experience a significant hurricane in the relatively near future [2006 article]: “The Northeast is staring down the barrel of a gun,” said Joe […]
Alewife Study Group: Impact of Development on Wetlands and Flooding
Lew Weitzman, a member of the Alewife Study Group, provides a valuable discussion of wetlands issues and regulatory approaches in “Cambridge’s wetland protection laws – ideas for improvement” (1999). It would be a shame if excessive infill development in Northampton led to the problems experienced in Cambridge. Here are selected passages from Weitzman: Background to the […]
Intermittent Streams Merit a 100-Foot Buffer Zone in Hopkinton
To help fulfill Northampton’s vision as a progressive, environmentally-aware community, we will be presenting ordinances from other Massachusetts communities relating to trees and wetlands. Here is a bylaw from Hopkinton’s Wetlands Protection Regulations (PDF) requiring a 100-foot buffer zone around intermittent (and continuous) streams. We note that just such an intermittent stream, Millyard Brook, runs through the […]
Clean Water Action Massachusetts: “Support The Right of Citizens to Appeal DEP Wetlands Decisions”
Clean Water Action Massachusetts is circulating the following email bulletin today:Support The Right of Citizens to Appeal DEP Wetlands Decisions Take Action Now: Send a comment to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the public record by August 13th in support of the right of citizens to appeal DEP wetlands decisions… Over 400 concerned […]
Conservation Commission to Take Up Kohl’s Wetlands Delineation on August 23
Northampton’s Conservation Commission plans to discuss Kohl Construction’s wetlands delineation on August 23, 5:30pm at City Hall. Concerned citizens are urged to attend this hearing. Kohl Construction is doing business as Northern Avenue Homes and Tofino Associates. Here are the details: Northampton Conservation CommissionAgendaDate: Thursday August 23, 2007Time: 5:30 PMPlace: City Hall Hearing Room (use back […]