Please enjoy this recording of the September 5 edition of Occupy the Airwaves on WXOJ – Valley Free Radio. Stephen Linsky and Emikan Sudan interviewed Adam Cohen, webmaster of NorthAssoc.org, and Kent Johnson, a local data analyst and tree advocate. The participants discussed the Sovereign Builders proposal for 12 homes off of View Avenue, and […]
Kent Johnson of Aldrich Street recently prepared this analysis of the potential loss of trees in the View Avenue parcel that Sovereign Builders is proposing to develop. He submitted it to Northampton’s Conservation Commission and has graciously allowed us to share it with you here (PDF). We were particularly struck by how much cooler the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]