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 […]
Month: September 2007
How to Contact Ward 3 City Councilor Marilyn Richards
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*****@co*****.net . You may also leave a message for her with Lyn Nuttelman Simmons, Clerk to the Council, at 587-1210.
Northampton Circulates Revised Wetlands Ordinance Ahead of October 4 Vote
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 […]
Press Release: Northampton, MA Citizens Campaign to Protect Their Urban Wetlands, Prevent Flooding; 16,978 Postcards Mailed to Voters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEmail in**@no********.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 […]
New York Times: “Beneath Booming Cities, China’s Future Is Drying Up”
China offers a vision of what can happen when water resources are not respected in a drive for growth. Today’s New York Times reports: Water pollution is so widespread that regulators say a major incident occurs every other day. Municipal and industrial dumping has left broad sections of many rivers “unfit for human contact…”A century or […]
Gazette: “City board swamped by minutes backlog”
Today’s Gazette reports on problems citizens are having obtaining recent minutes from Northampton’s Conservation Commission: The commission’s minutes from sessions this year still have not been made available to the public. Minutes from meetings last year are now being posted on the city’s Web site with the help of an intern…The Conservation Commission’s minutes have […]
Greenfield Conservation Commission Declines to Weigh in on City’s Bid to Ease Wetlands Restrictions
Wednesday’s Republican reports: The Conservation Commission last night voted not to take a position on the city’s bid to ease wetlands restrictions to facilitate development.“I don’t think we should get involved … We’re supposed to be neutral,” commission member Charles N. Koch said…The proposals come from the city Planning Department, and specifically from Marlene Marrocco, […]
Boston Urban Forest Coalition Aims to Plant 100,000 Trees
EarthWorks is a non-profit organization working to create a healthier and more sustainable environment in Greater Boston. Their August newsletter relates the following inspiring news. We note the critical importance of private citizens and organizations working together with government: Boston Urban Forest Coalition Aims to Plant 100,000 Canopy Trees…Throughout Boston, canopy trees help to shade […]
The 11th Hour
Seen this month in the window of Pleasant Street Theater…See also:Breaking News: Council Approves New Wetlands Ordinance 7-2 on First ReadingAfter 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 […]
Existing Home Sales Fall for 6th Month; Home Prices Post Biggest Drop in 16 Years
AP reports today: The National Association of Realtors said that sales of existing single-family homes dropped by 4.3 percent in August, compared to July. Sales at a seasonally adjusted annual rate dropped to 5.5 million units, the slowest pace since August 2002……many analysts believe that sales and prices will fall further as the housing market […]