It is unfortunate and unnecessary that some people seem to believe it’s acceptable to degrade the quality of life and increase the flooding risk of in-town residents in order to preserve open space in the outlying areas. The environment and safety of all parts of Northampton deserve respect.NSNA has called attention for some time now to […]
Continue reading How to Amend the Wetlands Ordinance to Make It Less Harmful to Wards 1-4
After nearly two hours of debate between Northampton’s City Councilors, the Council voted 7-2 to approve the proposed new wetlands ordinance with some minor amendments. Councilor-At-Large Jim Dostal and Ward 7 Councilor Ray LaBarge voted against the ordinance.The ordinance must undergo a second reading, presumably at the next City Council meeting on October 4. The next fourteen […]
Continue reading Breaking News: Council Approves New Wetlands Ordinance 7-2 on First Reading
We would like to present this analysis of the proposed wetlands ordinance as prepared by Hyla Ecological Services. The author is Dr. Bryan Windmiller (PDF of curriculum vitae). This analysis, available as a PDF, is being circulated today to members of Northampton’s City Council. Preface for CouncilorsTo: Northampton City CouncilorsFrom: Coalition to Save Northampton’s WetlandsDate: September […]
Continue reading Hyla Ecological Services Analyzes the Proposed Wetlands Ordinance
Former City Councilor Mike Kirby kindly provides this article to us, a study of a “compensatory wetland” on Carlon Drive. We are concerned that the proposed wetlands ordinance places too much reliance on schemes like these, in exchange for letting developers encroach to within 10 feet of wetlands in our built-up areas. Carlon Driveby Mike […]
Continue reading Carlon Drive: Compensatory Wetland Not Working
Please distribute far and wide! Calling all concerned Northampton residents! City Council meeting this Thursday, September 20, 7pm! Call your Councilors now! An unacceptably weak proposed Amended Wetlands Ordinance will come before City Council on September 20. Northampton citizens are building a broad coalition of individuals, neighborhood groups and conservation organizations to challenge the proposal […]
Continue reading A Call to Action from the Coalition to Save Northampton’s Wetlands
The North Street Neighborhood Association invites the public to a HUGE Neighborhood Tag Sale & Bake Sale on Saturday, September 29, 9am-1pm. This sale will raise funds for the association. Come to North Street between Market Street and Northern Avenue. Download a flyer for this event (PDF). (In case of rain, the date will change to […]
Continue reading HUGE Northampton Tag Sale & Bake Sale on September 29
Alex Ghiselin is a former City Councilor for Ward 5. The Gazette publishes his letter to the editor today: “Don’t let development encroach on our wetlands” To the editor: Northampton has a natural wetland system that protects us from flooding, nurtures biodiversity and filters our groundwater. Allowing development within 10 feet of this system in […]
Continue reading Alex Ghiselin, Letter to Gazette: “Don’t let development encroach on our wetlands”
Several public officials have asserted that the proposed Wetlands Ordinance, scheduled to return to the City Council’s agenda on 9/20, is a continuation of existing policy, or even a strengthening of it. We encourage you to judge for yourself. First we present the current policy, in effect since 10/23/03:While the Conservation Commission has granted limited exceptions […]
Beavers bore the brunt of the blame for rising waters in Barrett Street marsh in 2006, but some believe encroaching development played a role. Let’s revisit a Gazette article from March 17, 2006: Beaver trapping extended, Some still oppose bid to lower marsh in NorthamptonThe Health Department on Thursday granted a 10-day extension on the emergency […]
Continue reading Flooding Around Barrett Street Marsh: Development Eyed as Factor
Daryl LaFleur has just published an article on Northampton Redoubt reporting that Kohl Construction has adjusted its proposal for condos off North Street. Daryl has kindly allowed us to reproduce his article in its entirety: Doug Kohl reduces “footprint” of subdivision proposal due to the discovery of vernal pools in the North Street area wetlandsConcerned […]