These maps from 1873 and 1884 show how Millyard Brook and the surrounding wetlands are a persistent and longstanding feature of Ward 3. See also: May 5 Letter to Gazette: “Don’t relax Northampton’s protection of wetlands” In 1989, Northampton passed a wetlands ordinance – still in effect today – with stronger wetlands protections than minimal […]
Author: NorthAssocAdmin
Text of Springfield’s Ordinance to Protect “Significant Trees”
Springfield has an ordinance that protects trees that are 75+ years old or 3+ feet in diameter. Such trees may be cut down only if they are diseased or damaged, or if the person who wants to cut it down can prove hardship in excess of the public’s interest in preserving the tree. SIGNIFICANT TREES […]
June 1 Hampshire Life: “Northampton’s tree huggers dig in”
This June 1 article from the Gazette’s June 1 edition of Hampshire Life discusses the recent history of trees in Northampton and the work of the Tree Stewards. Some excerpts: [Lilly] Lombard and [Sue] Crimmins, along with a few others, call themselves the Tree Stewards, and they are determined to keep the city green. The […]
May 5 Letter to Gazette: “Don’t relax Northampton’s protection of wetlands”
Joanne Montgomery has kindly given us permission to reprint her letter to the Gazette, published in May 2007: To the editor: I am writing to urge broader coverage of opposition to the city’s proposed Amended Wetlands Ordinance. The city’s new business-friendly proposals would skew the process in favor of developers at the expense of wetlands […]
Proposed Changes to Northampton Wetlands Protection: Making Way for Infill
Below for your reference are the proposed changes to wetlands protection in Northampton, also available as a PDF. Rules for vernal pools, which are to enjoy at least 100 feet of buffer space in a related proposal (PDF), are also under consideration. The Ordinance Committee will discuss these ordinances in a public meeting on July […]
June 15 Gazette: “Concerns build up over condo proposal”
The Gazette earlier reported on Kohl Construction’s June community meeting. While not a new article, excerpts from it are provided here as a reference: …Denenfeld – and her neighbors living on both Northern Avenue and North Street – are concerned that a 5.49 acre, 31-unit condominium subdivision proposed for their neighborhood could strain traffic, ruin […]
Letter to Gazette from Ward 5: “Don’t sacrifice wetlands to encourage development”
Today’s Gazette publishes a letter from Elizabeth Steiniger of Florence: …As a ward 5 resident, I elected my representative to respond to the needs of the ward’s constituents–both human and non-human–rather than represent the perceived needs of the real estate industry… [W]etlands protection serves to mitigate flooding greatly, a fact I am grateful for as […]
NSNA Featured on Home Page of ValleyAdvocate.com
Daryl LaFleur has published a blog entry about NSNA on Northampton Redoubt, his blog at ValleyAdvocate.com. The Advocate is featuring this entry on its home page today. Daryl began coverage of Kohl Construction’s plans last month, writing about it on June 15, and providing several good photos of the plans. In a comment below his […]
Pictures of Kohl Construction’s Condo Plans
Doug Kohl presented these plans to the community on June 13. They show how 31 condo units would be distributed through the forest between North Street and the bike trail.
Community Tree Ordinances and Bylaws for Massachusetts Communities
This Urban Forestry web page from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation links to tree-related regulations from around the state. Deb Jacobs, chair of Northampton’s Tree Committee, pointed us to this page. The next public meeting of the committee is July 24, 6:30pm at the Department of Public Works Office on 125 Locust Street. […]