The September 27 Republican reports that the city of Greenfield will buy and raze a 4-family house on Beacon Street to resolve persistent flooding problems there: “The deal will allow the city to avoid the costly installation of larger culverts to keep an underground brook from flooding the property…“The development has eliminated a large amount […]
Continue reading Greenfield’s Quarter-Million-Dollar Flooding Fix Includes Razing a 4-Family House
In a 7-2 vote, Northampton’s City Council gave its final approval to the new Wetlands Ordinance on Thursday night.Those voting in favor:Councilor At-Large Michael BardsleyWard 1 Councilor Maureen CarneyWard 2 Councilor Paul SpectorWard 3 Councilor Marilyn RichardsWard 4 Councilor David NarkewiczWard 5 Councilor David MurphyWard 6 Councilor Marianne LaBargeThose voting against:Councilor At-Large James DostalWard 7 […]
Continue reading City Council Enacts New Wetlands Ordinance, Including 10-Foot Buffers
Not only is respect for trees and wetlands scientifically sound, it’s extremely popular. As of today, the North Street Neighborhood Association’s petition has garnered 3,174 signatures, including 2,010 from residents of Northampton. The petitions began circulating on July 21. They call upon Mayor Clare Higgins and the Northampton City Council to: 1) Pass an ordinance to […]
Continue reading NSNA Petition Signature Total Vaults Over 3,000
Today’s Gazette publishes a letter from Suzanne Beck, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce: “Wetlands law will help city secure a sustainable future”. Ms. Beck believes the new ordinance will create “new no-disturb areas of 10 to 50 feet”.Regardless of the merits of the other parts of the proposed ordinance, a 10-foot wetlands […]
Continue reading Our Response to Suzanne Beck’s Letter to the Gazette
This week’s Valley Advocate has two articles addressing wetlands. At the front of the paper, editor Tom Vannah pens “Between the Lines: No Time to Relax — The Wetlands Protection Act is under attack”: …West Brook is one of the most closely studied trout streams in the United States. I’ve run into many federal fish biologists […]
Continue reading Two Articles on Wetlands in the Valley Advocate
Today’s Gazette features a brief mention of our campaign to preserve wetlands buffer zones (“Group campaigns for wetlands”) and a letter from Jim Levey of Northampton, “Proposed wetlands measure deserves everyone’s support”. Mr. Levey believes our positions are “not based on fact”… I support the proposed wetlands ordinance, a culmination of over two years’ work […]
Continue reading Our Response to Jim Levey’s Letter to the Gazette
In September 2001, the EPA published “Threats to Wetlands” (PDF) to encourage conservation. We reproduce excerpts here, emphasizing some passages with red type. While the national rate of wetlands loss has slowed since the 1970s, Northampton threatens to go against this trend with its proposed wetlands ordinance. This ordinance invites developers to encroach as close […]
The phone number published on the Northampton City Council web page for Ward 3 Councilor Marilyn Richards has been disconnected. We encourage citizens to contact her at her public email address, jo*****@*****st.net. You may also leave a message for her with Lyn Nuttelman Simmons, Clerk to the Council, at 587-1210.
Continue reading How to Contact Ward 3 City Councilor Marilyn Richards
The City of Northampton has released the current version of the proposed Wetlands Ordinance. We reprint it below. This version incorporates amendments approved at the first reading of the ordinance before City Council on September 20. The Council voted 7-2 to approve the ordinance as amended. The second and final reading will take place at the City […]
Continue reading Northampton Circulates Revised Wetlands Ordinance Ahead of October 4 Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEmail in**@********oc.org for more informationNorthampton, MA Citizens Campaign to Protect Their Urban Wetlands, Prevent FloodingCitizens of Northampton, MA are campaigning to preserve the buffer zones around the city’s urban wetlands from development. Northampton has a proud tradition of environmental stewardship and sustainable growth, but on October 4, Northampton’s City Council plans to vote […]