Lilly Lombard: Northampton Needs a Comprehensive Tree Program

Lilly Lombard, coming off the successful launch of Grow Food Northampton, has turned her attention to Northampton’s stock of trees. She presented her case for a comprehensive tree program to the city’s Energy and Sustainability Commission on June 12. See the first 39 minutes of this video by Ruth McGrath: Here is Ms. Lombard’s presentation […]

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Residents Express Concerns about Rezoning at Ordinance/Planning Board Meeting

Here is a YouTube video of the complete May 13 meeting of Northampton’s Committee on Elections, Rules, Ordinances, Orders & Claims, followed by a joint meeting of the committee with the Planning Board. Here is the agenda of these meetings. This video was recorded by Ruth McGrath. The joint meeting with the Planning Board begins […]

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Video: Urban Forests = Cleaner, Cooler Air

This four-minute video from the American Society of Landscape Architects describes how trees benefit cities. “…a single large healthy tree can remove greater than 300 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year… Through their leaves, trees also provide evaporative cooling, which increases air humidity. Shaded surfaces may be 20-45 degrees cooler, and evapotranspiration […]

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Video: “An Illustrated Talk on The Natural History of Our Meadows”

Here is a YouTube video of “An Illustrated Talk on The Natural History of Our Meadows”, a presentation by naturalist Laurie L. Sanders, author of Rediscovering Northampton: The Natural History of City-Owned Conservation Areas. This presentation was part of the 11/16/11 annual meeting of the Meadow City Conservancy Coalition. This recording was made by Adam […]

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Video: Debate on Community Preservation Act

Here is a YouTube video of the complete 11/3/11 debate on the Community Preservation Act sponsored by Paradise City Forum (see flyer). This video was recorded by Adam Cohen. Below are two short excerpts from the debate. CPA critic Jesus Leyva expresses concern that if property is conserved in a way that removes it from the tax […]

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Video and Text: Arnie Levinson Campaign Kickoff Speech

Here is video and text from Arnie Levinson’s May 9 campaign kickoff speech published on his website. He seeks the open Ward 3 city council seat. Mr. Levinson is director of Ward 3’s Neighborhood Watch Program. Opposing him is Owen Freeman-Daniels (website), vice president of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, who was the campaign manager […]

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Making Smart Growth Better: Critiques, Guidelines, Cautions

As the Zoning Revisions Committee discusses what infill and Smart Growth should mean for Northampton’s urban residential neighborhoods (preview the ZRC’s proposals for these neighborhoods and come to their March 30 meeting), let’s review some insights from other cities: Washington: “Infill Development: Strategies for Shaping Livable Neighborhoods” (June 1997) Cities seeking investment in older urban neighborhoods […]

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See Zoning Revisions Proposals for URA, URB and URC Ahead of March 30 Meeting

Here are rezoning proposals (summary and details) to be considered by the Zoning Revisions Committee at its March 30 meeting (7-9pm, City Council Chambers). The proposals aim to increase density moderately while preserving the character of Northampton’s traditional neighborhoods. We urge concerned citizens to attend the meeting.The proposals below have been suggested by individual members of […]

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March 23: Smith College Landscape Studies students to show their work

The Ward 3 Neighborhood Association announces: Smith College Landscape Studies students to show their work March 23DATE: March 23rdTIME: 7-8:30 PMPLACE: Bridge St School CafeteriaPlease come to see some new ideas and give your feedback toward the completion of their final products.Design topics include: Bridge Street Cemetery Sustainable Back-yard Agriculture A Permaculture Plan for the […]

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Photo Essay: “A Frosty Morning” by Tom McCurry

North Street neighbor Tom McCurry has kindly shared these photos taken earlier this month. He writes, “When I went outside with my dogs this morning, I immediately noticed the hoary frost which covered everything, including our back steps. After eating breakfast, I donned my long underwear, grabbed my camera and went to the Norwottuck Rail […]

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