A lengthy and intense campaign by Water Not Waste culminated in the enactment of the Drinking Water Protection Ordinance by Northampton’s City Council last night. The councilors were 6-2 in favor, with David Murphy and Maureen Carney dissenting (Paul Spector, who voted against the ordinance at its first reading in July, was absent from last night’s meeting).
This ordinance prohibits the establishment or expansion of landfills over aquifers or in Water Supply Protection districts. It effectively blocks the expansion of the Northampton municipal landfill as sought by the Board of Public Works.
Here is a complete blip.tv video of the council meeting. It is 3 hours 42 minutes long and was recorded by Adam Cohen.
Here is a 12-minute YouTube excerpt showing the councilors taking their second and final reading of the Drinking Water Protection Ordinance.
Voting in favor: Pamela Schwartz, Angela Plassmann, David Narkewicz, Jesse Adams, Gene Tacy, and Marianne LaBarge. Voting against: Maureen Carney and David Murphy. Absent: Paul Spector.
See also:
Videos: City Council Approves Drinking Water Protection Ordinance 6-3 (7/8/10 council meeting)
Videos: July 1 City Council Public Hearing – Drinking Water Protection Ordinance
Water Not Waste Presentation at the July 1 City Council Public Hearing (PDF)
Department of Public Works: Landfill Studies and Presentations
Department of Public Works Responds to BAPAC Letter (PDF, 10MB)
Video: Mimi Odgers Comments on Water Not Waste Ballot Question Victory (11/4/09)
Solid Waste Management Alternatives Study (PDF, 2.7MB)
Key Portions of the Solid Waste Management Alternatives Study
Republican: “Single-stream recycling scores big in Springfield”
Website: Save the Chesterfield Road Dam
Gazette: “City Council postpones war, dam decisions” (9/2/10)
The so-called “Bring the War Dollars Home” measure calls on the city’s Congressional delegation to oppose further war funding and redirect the federal tax dollars to help meet local needs…
The council agreed in a 5-3 vote to delay a vote until its Sept. 16 meeting at the request of Ward 2 City Councilor Paul D. Spector, a resolution co-sponsor who was absent…
As for a resolution endorsing the preservation of the Upper Roberts Meadow Dam in Leeds, the council postponed discussion until its Oct. 7 meeting.
At that time, councilors will hear the recommendations from an independent consulting firm that is being hired to help settle a dispute between the Department of Public Works and a neighborhood group over whether it makes financial sense to save the dam and harness its water for hydropower.
Video: City Council Meeting of 8/19/10; Upper Roberts Meadow Dam; Extended Producer Responsibility
LaBarge, Spector and Tacy Propose Resolution to Preserve Upper Roberts Meadow Dam (8/13/10)
Video: Social Services and Veterans Affairs Committee Disfavors “Bring The War Dollars Home”
Video: “Public Forum of Resolution: Bring The War Dollars Home, June 23, 2010”
Gazette: “‘Bring the war dollars home’ resolution” (6/24/10)
Gazette: “Northampton confronts thorny question of spending on wars” (6/23/10)