Salisbury Rail Trail Connector Opening----Friday, May 17th, 2013 at 2:00 PM

PUBLIC INVITATION

You are cordially invited

Celebrate the Salisbury Rail Trail Connector Opening

WHO: Frank DePaola, Highway Administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation  

State Representative Michael A. Costello

State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives

Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington

Salisbury Board of Selectmen

Salisbury Rail Trail Committee

WHAT: Salisbury Rail Trail Connector Opening

WHERE: At the Gillis Bridge behind Stripers Restaurant, 175 Bridge Road, Salisbury, MA

WHEN: Friday, May 17^th, 2013 at 2:00 PM

“The rail trail connector creates a safe method for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Route 1 and connect to the rest of the Coastal Trails Network. This was a matter of public safety, but the new route also has spectacular vistas along the Merrimack River,” Representative Costello said. “I want to thank the Department of Transportation’s Design Team and Highway Administrator Frank Depaola for his leadership on the project.”

For further information contact Representative Costello’s Office: 617-722-2220

Plastic Bags

I was somewhat skeptical of the need for any municipal regulation of plastic bagging....until last weekend's Spring Clean sponsored by the Parks Commission.  I pulled out a lot of plastic bag remnants from the shoreline along the Merrimack in the Joppa area, along with about 125 of those little plastic discs from the Hookset sewer plant.

This website gives a lot of information about the plastic bag issue:

http://plasticbaglaws.org/

NHS students will be conducting a community presentation on the plight of plastic bags in our environment by presenting to the community the movie, “Bag It.” on 22 May 2013.

Community Showing of "Bag It" 
Wednesday, May 22nd at 7 PM

An informative, inspiring and often funny documentary about plastic pollution, ‘Bag It’ tells the story of the real effects of plastics on the natural environment and human health. This public showing is a part of an ongoing effort to work toward reducing single-use plastic bags in Newburyport. Co-sponsored by Citizens for Sustainable Bagging, Newburyport High School Environmental Club, The Gulf of Maine Institute and Transition Newburyport, the screening will be at Newburyport High School.

 

Look for the Citizens for Sustainable Bagging–Newburyport, MA Facebook page or call Janine Brunell Looker at (978) 499-8570 for more information.

Preservation Week Wednesday - Sunday, May 8-12, 2013

Preservation Week 2013: Women and Preservation

http://www.nbptpreservationtrust.org/

The Newburyport Preservation Trust's 7th annual Preservation Week will be Wednesday - Sunday, May 8-12, 2013. The theme this year is the role of Newburyport women in preservation, and the related skills at hearth and home, and with herbs and healing. Five days of activities for all ages and interests include walking tours, lectures, a brunch, and the annual Historic Preservation Awards. Events are open to the public and many are free. For program information, see the complete schedule on our Preservation Week Page.
Note that some events require registration, some through our web site's Events page, and some by phone through Historic New England's regional headquarters in Newbury (978-462-2634).
Preservation Week offers insight and first-hand access to the rich historic events and architecture that create Newburyport’s character and charm. Anyone who enjoys living in or visiting Newburyport, as well as history enthusiasts and historic homeowners, will find activities that the whole family will enjoy while gaining a greater appreciation for the treasures in this unique and historic community. This year's Newburyport Preservation Week is presented in partnership with Historic New England and the Custom House Maritime Museum. This year the Institution for Savings joins us as a sponsor of "The Herbalist's Garden" lecture on Mother's Day.

Newburyport Chocolate Tour

10th Annual Newburyport Chocolate Tour

When Saturday, May 4th, 1 to 5 pm Add to Calendar    Where Downtown Newburyport Advance Ticket Sales Office at Central Congregational Church  14 Titcomb Street, Newburyport 978-465-0533   Ticket Locations May 4th First Religious Society (Unitarian Church) 26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport or Market Square on the Bullnose Driving Directions

Please join us on Saturday, May 4th from 1 to 5 p.m for the 10th Annual Newburyport Chocolate Tour!   Sample chocolates at over 20 downtown locations. Smile as you savor the silky smooth chocolate melting in your mouth. Know that you have supported three worthy local causes.   RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW! (We are limiting the number of tickets to be sold. Don't risk being disappointed!) Get more information Register Now! You can reserve your tickets online, by visiting the office at Central Congregational Church at 14 Titcomb Street, Newburyport, or phoning 978-465-0533.   HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! Please forward this e-mail to your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and chocolate lovers everywhere! Thank you for your help in making this fundraiser a sweet success.   Sincerely,   Diane Hawkins-Clark, Chair Newburyport Chocolate Tour central.church@verizon.net 978-465-0533

Election 2013 Update

Those who have pulled nomination papers so far:

• Dick Sullivan, Mayor
• Bruce Vogel, Councillor Ward 5
• Larry Giunta, Councillor Ward 5
• Tom O’Brien, Councillor Ward 6

Recent Survey: Local Historic District

Okay, here’s the context of the survey, pretty much exactly as I said in the previous post…

 

On January 29 of this year, I sent an email survey to 426 Newburyport citizens asking them for their feedback on a variety of topics: the Waterfront, Historic Preservation, Parking, the Mayor and the City Council.  

Today I'll share the results concerning an oldie but a goodie, formerly the hottest topic of the day: the Local Historic District.

Recent Survey: Waterfront

On January 29 of this year, I sent an email survey to 426 Newburyport citizens asking them for their feedback on a variety of topics: the Waterfront, Historic Preservation, Parking, the Mayor and the City Council.  In the email, I also shared some of my thoughts on the Waterfront.

Today I'll share the results concerning the hottest topic at the moment: the Waterfront.

I don't claim that these 426 are representative of Newburyport but  then again they might be;-)  A few of them I know well, but most of them I wouldn't know if I passed them on the street.  These are people I've gotten to know because they have emailed or phoned me about schools, taxes, snowplowing, sidewalks, historic preservation, Crow Lane, and all the other exciting issues we have here in Newburyport.  I wouldn't classify this group as 'friendly' to me; many of them really don't like some or most of the stands I've taken over the last few years.

109 (or 25%) of these folks responded to the survey.  Again I make no claim as to this being a statistically valid sample but it's probably as valid as reading the tea leaves of the Letters to the Editor of the Newburyport Daily News. 

Election 2013

Two candidates have pulled papers so far...

Richard Sullivan Jr. for Mayor

Bruce Vogel for Ward 5 City Councillor

5th Annual Asset Builder Awards

Clearing the Streets

With big snowstorms, I tend to get three types of constituent requests:

1) "I live on a small street and it hasn't been plowed."
Easy enough to handle...I call someone at DPS and it is done.  Sometimes it is done before I even make the call, which makes me look super awesome.

The next two types are two sides of a coin:

2) "The plows haven't plowed my street wide enough."  I will make a call to DPS and then two hours later someone on that same street will cal to complain:

3) "The plows keep pushing snow into my driveway and I have to keep re-shoveling."

Folks, please have some patience.  There is a lot of snow out there.  DPS crews have been working all night. 

Even though the Governor has lifted the ban on driving, Newburyport's street parking ban remains in effect.  By not parking on the street, you will be assisting the plow drivers in getting the streets cleaned up.

Feel free to notify me of any issues you may be having.

edcameronNBPT@gmail.com or cell 978-518-0786

Election Season

From Daily News:

January 25, 2013

City announces dates for elections

Newburyport Daily News

NEWBURYPORT — With fall elections and winter inaugurations concluded, city officials have released dates relevant to municipal election in 2013.
Some local leaders, including Mayor Donna Holaday, have speculated that the number of this year’s candidates for City Council might be larger than that of 2011, in part because local issues may have inspired some residents to run for office.
All six ward councilors ran unopposed in 2011.
Also, seven residents volunteered to fill a vacancy on the 11-member council earlier this month, perhaps an indication of increased interest.
The position of mayor will also be at stake.
The mayor’s term will now be four years, and the position will pay a historic high of $98,000 as the result of the passage of a new charter.
The following is a timeline for political activity relating to the municipal election:
The last day to obtain nomination papers for local office is Friday, July 26.
The final date to submit nomination papers is Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The last day to file withdrawals or objections to nomination papers is Thursday, Aug. 22.
The preliminary election is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 17. The last day for voters to register is Wednesday, Aug. 28.
The biennial municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
City officials say that certified signatures of at least 50 voters are the minimum necessary to register as a candidate for the council.