The Good Gatzby

So suddenly I'm Nick Carraway? From our blogosphere neighbor, P. Preservationist....

Believe it or not (thankfully), most people come to this City to thoroughly and richly enjoy all that it offers.     Most people are more in tune with Tom Salemi’s Blog rather than a hard-hitting activist site like mine.     While I’m out tripping and cursing on the broken sidewalks, the rest are tipping another glass of fine wine and enjoying a tasty meal at our many restaurants. 

Our time-fighting crusader says he's taking one for the rest of us happy go-lucky folks by fighting so hard for the things, big and small, that make this community so special. And he's right. I'm glad he's out there raising some complex isssues.

I admire his blog. He's often right (which means I agree with him. Take today's post for example.) He's got a really firm grasp of many of the complex issues facing our city. And damn if he isn't prolific.

His site also is a treasure trove of information, although the presentation could be better. His old site was a mess. I'm hopeful his new format will be cleaner.

But I have trouble rallying behind his words at times because I find him to be unreasonable at times. Perhaps that's his intent, but he's not going to get the support his posts warrant without some adjustments. So I'm taking a great deal of liberties to suggest a few other changes to deliver his message more clearly.

First, lose the anonymous tag. I know his secret identify as do most people he writes about. And if they don't they can easily ask around and find out. I never found any of his posts to be controversial enough to warrant an alias.

Second, drop the name-calling. Divisive tags like "dark-siders" and "light-siders" only dilute the message. As Tom Ryan knows, I firmly believe we all have elements of light and dark side. I don't think it's wise to force us to choose sides.

Third, tone it down a little. How does Donna Holaday become Bryon Matthews II by having windows replaced at the Emma Andrews Library. I haven't really seen her "my way or the highway" approach, but I'm not intimate with the details. But if you're going to make the charge, maybe some more evidence. I also don't think it's fair to assign the plans to demolish the downtown to Matthews, but I can't find my Port in Progress book right now. (I do, however, know for a FACT that Terminator II was not better than the first. Empire Strikes Back would have been a better example.) He's also assigned a few other nicknames to people that aren't accurate or fair.

That's it. Just some feedback from a loyal reader. Well, my chardonnay simply MUST be chilled by now. Time to go enjoy life.

 Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year. Thanks for sharing this wonderful community.

Common Census

Is it possible for an article to be both revealing and unsurprising? I'd say so.

Check out this morning's interesting piece by Victor Tine in the Daily News on how Newburyport's changed over the past 10 years. The numbers suggested our community - as measured by median values - is richer, older, more stable, better educated and owners of considerably more valuable homes.

With the exception of home prices and household income, the percentage increases were reasonable small. But all of this will confirm the belief of those who see the community becoming too upscale.

Anyway, great paper today.

Santa Clones

By the way, what are the origins of the Santa parade held this weekend and the tree lighting/arrival held just after Thanksgiving. Does one predate the other?

I came upon the end of the Santa parade last night and saw the big guy atop the fire truck. Cool, but I still think the Coast Guard boat provides a better entrance.

It got me thinking .I wonder if we see Santa too much these days. As a kid, I made one trip a year to see Santa at Jordan Marsh (Mahsh) at Downtown Crossing. We'd look in the window, walk the common, etc., etc. I have some great memories.

Now it seems like Santa is everywhere, which in itself isn't a bad thing. But does too much Santa take away a bit of the magic?

In my mind, Santa is like Jaws: the less you see him the more real he seems.

And please, no Grinch cracks. I love the holiday. Merry Christmas.

Redevelopment Regrets

John Lagoulis turns in another Saturday gem in today's Daily News. But as much as enjoyed the historical perspective I found his personal insight on the demolition of Unicorn Street to be most compelling.

The bathhouse on Unicorn Street was torn down in 1968. In my opinion, it should have never been demolished. It is a piece of history that will never return. It is something that can never be repeated. I liken it to the Jacob Perkins historical mint/printing mill on Fruit Street, which has been restored.

The City of Newburyport replaced the bathhouse on Unicorn Street with a parking lot and a new view of the river. It was sacrificed for a parking lot and no one stepped forward to save it. This historical building slipped through our fingers so to speak.

When I saw that the Unicorn Street bathhouse had been torn down, it affected me deeply. These bathhouses dated back to George Washington's days. They were built of brick and were strong and well constructed. If they could talk, they would have told us many interesting stories. The city's bathhouses were a historical link to our past, and I believe they were possibly the only ones left in America.

I believe many human errors and rather quick and hasty decisions were made by the then redevelopment groups of this city in tearing down the bathhouse. Sadly, during the redevelopment days, it seems many individuals did not bother to take time to foresee the historical value of the bathhouses, among other things in those days, and work to preserve them.

The total, physical demolishment of bathhouses, combined with what appears to be an erasure of the bathhouses (and other properties of historical value) from local literature, should never have occurred. Wouldn't you agree?

It's an opinion not often heard in these parts. Our beautiful downtown came at a price - too high a price - for many who watched it happen.

Parking is Not Dead Yet

Well, one of the benefits of not having time to post earlier this week is I stop myself from looking like a complete idiot. Or more of a complete idiot if you're so inclined.

On Tuesday morning I would have declared parking dead, just as the Daily News did in its headline. I just didn't think the NRA was inclined to lower its asking price, particularly after hearing the revenue number they brought in each year from parking, over $100g each year after management expenses. The city seemed to be getting a good deal at $75,000.

But the NRA has since struck a concliatory tone and seems open to talking further, according to the Daily News. And Mayor Holady, to her credit, isn't giving up. Bob Cronin also suggested in his statement at Monday meeting suggested discussions would continue.

So this thing might go forward afterall.

But I have three concerns:

Short-term: I fear that some councilors who are dead set against paid parking at any price are using the terms of the deal to justify their votes against. Brian Derrivan, to his credit, has come out and said he's against paid parking. I think his position is the wrong one, but I admire him for stating it so bluntly. I do wonder if others on the council share his opposition and will find reason to vote against paid parking no matter the terms.

Medium-term: I'd be surprised if anyone legitimate runs against Holaday this year, but the closer implementation of this gets to the election the less likely it's going to happen. As it is, I wonder if the meters and signage could be in place by the summer time.

Long-term: After hearing NRA member Patty Dorfman state how much the agency is bringing in each year I started to salivate. What happens is a paid parking plan goes through - with the NRA lots included - and it's a booming success, bringing in hundreds of thousands to the city. Where will be the incentive to do anything more with the NRA lots if they prove to be such parking cash cows? Sure we can move the spaces to a parking garage, but we'll have to pay debt service for the construction of the garage. In four or five years, or whenever a garage came to fruition, that might be seen as a budget cut after we've grown accustomed to that revenue.

Just some thoughts...

As an aside, Bill Plante had an interesting piece today.

Well now I feel just terrible.

My outrage was unfair and unwarranted.

Pay-to-park plan dies in committee
NEWBURYPORT — Editor's Note: Due to some technical problems, this story did not appear on Tuesday's Daily News website. Several readers have asked that it be posted on our Website, and it appears here as published in Tuesday's edition.

I sincerely apologize.
I'd still like my 75 cents, however.

Man this guy is prolific

Our Time-Fighting Crusader the Masked Preservationist provides a useful glossary of local terms. I couldn't finish the entire list, but it seems complete.

Good People

A "friend of mine" forgot his wallet in Ganesh after making a Christmas purchase.

He traced his steps back there a few hours later to find it waiting for him.

So thanks, on behalf of my friend.

Parking Thoughts

to come.

But here's a link to Gillian Swartz' take on the Council meeting. I'd link you to the Daily News's article as well, but they played cutesy with the Web site this morning and didn't put the article up.

Which pisses me off a bit because they also didn't deliver the paper to my house this morning so I had to buy it.

You owe me 75 cents, John Macone.

Add: I should note that my delivery person is great. Not sure what happened today. I'm bothered more by the failure of the web site that my subscription fee helped to create.

Newburyport Posts Productions Presents

The State of the City's Paid Parking Plan

Is Paid Parking Dead?

According to this morning's paper, the Mayor is now down to five confirmed yes, a crucial drop from the six she said she had on Friday.

So, what councilors are going to vote for the parking plan? I have no blinking idea.

I'd be shocked if Ed Cameron didn't, and I certainly hope he does since he's my councilor.

As I stated previously, I believe we do need paid parking in this town and I'm confident it won't impact downtown businesses at all. Unfortunately, this parking plan is far from perfect since it only charges for the lots and not street parking. I suspect this will lead to increased traffic problems as visitors trawl for spaces.

I don't really know how the rest will fall. But here's the guess and offerings from our local "experts" - ie. the anonymous posters on the Daily News site.

Councilors Connell, O'Brien and  Earls as likely supporters. Those sound like legitimate picks, although Earls' Ward 2 voters will be directly impacted by the parking changes. I don't know how that will weigh in his decision but seems like a yes.

I'd say Katie Ives is a yes. I haven't talked with her but her progressive street cred would seem to put her in the yes category. Likewise, Steve Hutcheson is probably a negative as I see him more in the conservative/Republican camp.

So this leaves us with Ward 1 Councilor Allison Heartquist. I never met her, and don't know her. But my gut puts her in the yes category. No real reason why other than she works for Mayor Kezer in Amesbury and she strikes me as one would be open to a parking plans.

If she does vote yes, this leaves us with Councilor Ari Herzog as the swing vote. In fact, in the aformentioned Daily News forum, he declared himself to be on the fence.

And I'm guessing he'll vote no.

A no vote would seem to be consistent with the rationale he put forth for opposing the meal tax earlier last month. Read his post.  (By the way, I commend those councilors like Herzog who maintain blogs and use these forums to explain their decisions. As a voter, it's nice to know the extent of the thought that goes into these decisions.)

In his post, Herzog cited the fact that "nearly 40% of the city's households are living in poverty" as his primary reason for opposing the meals and lodging tax.

"I voted the way I did to improve their lifestyles."

I didn't completely see the logic in his point. I understadn that he didn't want to require those 40% to pay more even the slightest bit more (7.5 cents on a $10 meal) than they already do. (By the way, the stat comes from Pennies for Poverty. I have no reason to doubt it although it does sound high. But the troubling food stamp news in today's Daily News certainly supports the statement.)

But I'm guessing people living below the poverty line might not eat out as frequently as those who can afford to do so (or at least think they can afford to so.) In fact, I'd be willing to bet nearly all of the new taxes paid out would come from the 60% above the poverty line. And that doesn't take into consideration the dollars paid by out-of-town visitors, well to do or not. thought that was one of the more attractive elements of the tax, but as I stated in a previous post, I do understand those who are vehemently opposed to any new taxes.

Yet, that 40% will see the benefits of the tax increase: better sidewalks upon which to walk; better schools to send their children and a city that's less dependent on real estate taxes, which would ease the burden on their tax bills or the tax bills of their landlords, which I hope would make their rent more affordable.

So I could envision a scenario where people below the poverty line might have seen benefits from a tax they could mostly avoid.

I suppose the same might be said about parking. People could choose not to park downtown.

But someone who works downtown will be forced to fork over a portion of their income to a parking meter or a parking pass if they want to hold onto their jobs. Or their employer will pay for a permit, taking money away from potential pay hikes.

I do think this fee/tax is potentially more onerous than whatever might have been collected through a meals tax.

So if he's to be consistent, I can't see how Ari Herzog will support it...or any future tax/fee hike for that matter, but there are complexities to every issue.

So parking might be done? We shall see.

Where Has Tom Been

Okay, our time-fighting Masked Preservationist literally made me laugh out loud with this one.

No, I've no plans to die, although I suppose very few people do. In fact, I haven't felt this good in a long time.

I spent the past year relearning how much work a new baby can be, particularly one with chronic ear infections. I also had an unpleasant visit from the Herniated Disc Fairy, which laid me up for a good four or five months. My mind was not where I wanted it to be for public venting.

I'm grateful to the voters for not electing me to the Charter Commission as I would have had little time to spare. However, I still would have been more productive than a few of the folks who did get elected.

But I'm back. It took a friend's suggestion that I had quit blogging to relight the fire. The fire feels good.

Now, to MP's point. His critique is valid. I may be a bit too cavalier in my assessment of the impact of the meals tax and parking, but that doesn't make me wrong. (I'll admit that I thought the meals tax already kicked in, but the fact I didn't know it hasn't demonstrates that the impact will be barely noticeable.)

I see both almost as a matching contribution like we used to get in our 401(k)s. Yes, I'll be contributing money to the city but so will people who until now have contributed nothing directly to our city - the tourists.

And I honestly don't think they'll mind one bit.

Note

Just an aside, I shouldn't have been completely surprised by yesterday's news that Haley's would start selling Abraham's bagels. This appeared in one of the articles on the meal tax back in July.

Linda Garcia, owner of Abraham's Bagels and, as she told the group last night, now a co-owner of Haley's Ice Cream, said customers don't understand the rise in the meals tax.

I should pay closer attention.

Burgers, Bagels and Parking

So, since the city council voted to adopt the local  .75% meals tax, we've seen two new restaurants preparing to open and now the highly awesome creation of Haleybraham's, the combination of Haley's and Abraham's at the Route 1 site of the former.

How can this be?

The tax was supposed to decimate the local restaurant scene. Diners would flock to Amesbury, Salisbury and Newbury to satisfy their culinary cravings. Yet, Newburyport thrives.

In my opinion, doom-and-gloom projections always diminish the value of an argument. I understand and respect those who are simply against any and all taxes. They'd prefer to see cuts on the expense side and I get it. I sometimes think those people see opportunities for savings that don't actually exist, but their preferences are valid.

I'd say the same goes for parking. A paid parking plan will not deter people from coming downtown. Visitors to every place worth visiting are accustomed to paying for parking. People who hold up shopping malls and other small towns as examples of free parking only prove my point. Visitors to Newburyport aren't going to choose a shopping mall over Newburyport because of the parking. They're two entirely different experiences.  It's a day at Fenway versus a night at the movies.

Yet, that is the canard tossed our way. What's really at play is this. First, people just don't want to pay to park. I get it. I prefer free parking myself, but as I've said in the past, paid parking simply makes sense for a local economy driven largely by tourists (as does the meals tax, btw.)

Which takes me to the second point - our's is a local economy driven by tourism. Many in this town don't want to accept this. Instead, they complain about the tourists, see them as nuisances, and wish them to go away. That's all fairly benign behavior, although I'm not sure why people work so hard to make themselves unhappy.

But, in my opinion, that philosophy goes too far when it stands in the way of sound economic policy, and that is precisely what paid parking is.

This Haley's-Abraham's experiment will prove the point. The Route 1 site will have free parking, but I doubt the lines will get any shorter on Liberty Street.

Parking: Where would the money go?

Mayor Holaday showed a bit of bravado this morning by publicly predicting the parking plan will pass. In a hopeful tone, she told the Daily News she already has the six votes she needs, we'll see if they hold until Monday night.

I found a few interesting points in the article. The one that jumped out immediately was the Mayor's plans for the estimated $500,000 paid parking could generate.

Claiming a possible $500,000 in revenues can be earned once the city pays to install the $178,000 pay-to-park machines in the parking lots included in the plan, Holaday has put forth the argument that the time is ripe to look at parking as a revenue source.

"We're already hearing about another 4 percent cut in local aid," said Holaday, who sees the plan as a means of strengthening the city's internal revenue sources to pay for things that residents care about but have been cut amid budget shortfalls at the state level.

She listed foreign language at the middle school among the programs that could be funded with dollars paid for through the paid- parking plan, and the upkeep of city infrastructure that's been falling apart in recent years because of a lack of funds — sidewalks primary among them.

"To be able to use a revenue stream that is not directly tapping into every resident in the city, like property taxes do, is essential," Holaday said.

Wait? No mention of a waterfront park? Jim Roy, a huge Holaday supporter, just last week identified the "entire thrust of her program" to be "financing improvements to the waterfront that a majority of citizens here want to proceed."

So which is it? I'm certainly in favor of the former. We've got too many immediate needs that are currently going unmet. If the measure passes I hope any monies raised are spent on necessities rather than luxuries.

Next: Parking, who's going to vote for it?

We've Won a Major Award!

I have no idea if this has been in the papers. I just wanted to run the photo.

Mayor Donna Holaday will join with school officials and executives from Ameresco, Munro Solar, and Canadian Solar to commemorate Nock Middle School’s solar PV project with a $1,500 donation. The project, one of the largest municipal solar photovoltaic installations in the Commonwealth, produces 502 kW of clean, renewable electricity. Recently, the Ameresco project was nominated for and received an award as part of the “Win with Canadian Solar” contest, available to companies that have completed installations that use Canadian Solar’s modules. As part of the prize, Ameresco was awarded $500 from Canadian Solar for its work at the Nock Middle School, which Ameresco will donate to the City of Newburyport. Additionally, Ameresco and Munro Solar, a subcontracting partner on the project, will each donate an additional $500, bringing the total donation to $1,500

I have no idea where the money will go.

Lighten Up the Leash Laws

So this dog park discussion is interesting.

Let me say upfront. I think an actual enclosed park would be the best approach, but I'm not sure where we'd put one. I never thought I'd write this, but some anonymous posters on the Daily News article actually had some constructive thoughts on this subject. Worth checking out.

(One thought, can we get the state to fence off a small piece of Maudslay for the park?)

But without a dog park in place, I think the next step is loosening the regs a bit on leashes. The plan laid out here seems ambitious. I'm not sure we need four different sites, but it's a good starting point. Gives the Council some wiggle room to look tough and talk them down to two.

I don't believe such a move will really have a great impact on the parks. Most people who need to have their dogs off leash are already doing so. This isn't going to spark a flood of canines to our parks.

But here's a separate thought on this subject. The article says Mayor Holaday charged the ad hoc committee with finding a solution, and I commend her for doing  so. (Not surprisingly, a poster on the article disputes this.) But assuming this is the case, could this be the Mayor's crowning accomplishment for her first year in office if parkign goes down in flames?

I suppose the parking garage site would be another, but that's not going to work without a parking plan.

Good Stuff

I meant to post this morning, but better late...

Today's Daily News was a hell of a good paper. Victor Tine's report on the disappearance of the Great Salt Marsh was chilling and disappointing, and the snow shoveling piece was timely and interesting.

And the article on the diggings at the waste water treatment plant have been fascinating (as ridiculous as that sentence just sounded in my head.)

Anyway, this post is as lame as the paper was good. But I just wanted to give a little love.

Awwww

The generosity of the people in this city never ceases to impress.

BTW, heard a rumor that a reasonably high profile eatery has been sold. I'll try to confirm details when I have a free second (hah!), but if I don't, and someone else does, remember, you almost sort of heard it hear first....kind of.

Good Grades for Kerble

I've quickly grown to like Superintendent Marc Kerble.

I've never met the guy so I base my opinion on what I'm reading in the paper. But I feel the guy has done an admirable job of getting out there and serving as a public face for the school department, something that was sorely needed in my opinion.

He even posts regularly on Facebook (or has someone capable doing it) so he's made himself virtually available, at least.

His predecessor Kevin Lyons seemed more aloof and withdrawn. Perhaps he was stinging from the public beating over his decision to close to Kelley School or maybe that was just his style. No knock against the fellow, he was obviously skilled.

So far, Kerble has done a nice job presenting himself and now you can read his message in the Daily News. And his plan here.

Again, I know it's too early for final - or even mid-term grades - but he's made a nice impression.

Deep Thoughts....

I do love living in Newburyport at this time of year ...


The tree-lighting...

Invitation nights ...

Santa's arrival on the Coast Guard ship ....

The festive decorations festooning our picturesque and federal government-funded downtown...

But man, oh man, this time each year makes me wish I lived in a house with some damn closets so I could more easily find the stuff that kept me warm last winter.

Ah well, to history.

Have You Seen George?

The son of a loyal reader has lost his Curious George sidekick. If you see a stray monkey lying around please let me know.

That is all.

And more parking

Jim Roy goes on the offensive in letter in today's Daily News. I disagree with his assessment. I don't think the council is nitpicking. As I said previously, I think this parking plan is flawed. I'm not sure a flawed parking plan is better than no parking plan.

I also wish we could divorce paid parking from paying for a waterfront park. I know that was the plan at one time, but the monies are needed elsewhere...schools and yes, sidewalks (or maybe we should call it infrastructure.)

Heck, we're talking about shutting of a good percentage of lights in the town to save money but we're going to shovel money into a new park?

Anyway, good to see Jim's writings again. I miss The Liberator.

More on Paid Parking

Ward 4 Councilor/Friend/Neighbor Ed Cameron has an interesting parking related post on his blog.

Ed may need a lighter font. It's a bit difficult to read.

Dog News

Councilor-at-large Ari Herzog has an interesting update on efforts to accomodate city dog owners here. Meanwhile, Brookline may institute a fee for dog owners who use that town's many dog parks. Worth a read.

I can't say I'd be opposed to such a user fee, but I have to ask why are dog license fees for? Shouldn't that money go toward dog-related programs?

Parking Plan Endangered

I'm gonna try to get my blog going on....

The Daily News surprised me a bit this morning with the headline, "Mayor's Parking Plan in Jeopardt." I thought all systems were go for the paid parking plan after the city negotiated agreements with the NRA and Waterfront Trust.

But the council has concerns and I'm not sure they're unfounded. Read them here.

My surprise diminished as I read the article, not only because of the council's stated concerns. I also have my own misgivings.

I do believe we need to charge for parking downtown. We simply are leaving much-needed money on the table by not charging our visitors and residents a reasonable fee to park downtown.

But I never was a fan of Mayor Holaday's inconsistent plan to to charge for parking in the lots while leaving the streets free. Drivers are like water, they'll search far and wide for the path of less resistance (or in this case cost) if its easily available. I felt this plan would lead to increased cruising downtown and excursions into our neighborhoods, which would have led to a hodge podge of resident-only parking restrictions.

I'm not sure why on-street parking wasn't included from the start. I suspect it was a bid to soften any opposition to the plan by assuring residents that they could still park downtown for free, at least on the street. But the overall plan struck me as a half-hearted effort to institute paid parking.

Looking forward to seeing what the full council does.

Uh Oh

I think the Charter Review Commission overreached.

And the winner is Monroe

Folks, from here on in we're spelling Monroe Street with an "o."

We have it on exceptionally good authority that several venerables: Bill Coltin, long time city editor at the Daily News, and Todd Woodworth, noted local historian, had insisted the correct spelling was Monroe, as in President James Monroe.

Add John James Currier to the list and that's three opinions I respect.

No disrespect to the City Councilors, attorneys and the city's street list. But I just think Munroe is wrong.

Wowzie.

Oh my. This was quite a surprise, and a pleasant one at that.

So the NRA is discussing plans to erect some buildings on the DMZ that runs between our downtown and the Merrimack. Any regular readers to this blog might remember that I not only think this is a wise idea, it's a necessary one.

It's foolish for the city and even quasi-public agencies to maximize our resources. And turning the entire DMZ into a park is not maximizing our resources, it's merely fulfilling the fantasies of the battlescarred open water front folks who think such a massive park will draw visitors to Newburyport.

It won't. People have parks. They don't have downtowns. I love going to Portsmouth. I've never been to Perkins Park (or whatever it's called.)

So I'm quite excited that the NRA is still pursuing the idea of very limited, responsible and potentially lucrative development along the water front. (And I'm somewhat bemused that the member cited for crafting that vision, Adam Guild, was appointed to the board by Mayor Donna Holaday, a strident supporter of an open waterfront.)

I don't know Adam Guild, but he and I appear to share some opinions. From the article reporting on Guild's appointment.

"It is apparent that the property that the NRA oversees is vital to the community, whether it is for parking, parks and recreation, or providing space to support city events," Guild wrote in his application letter to Holaday. "The future development of this area is extremely important to me whether it is for possible additions to the Custom House, expansion for the parks and performance areas, or enhancements to attract the community and its visitors to the waterfront while connecting it with our historic downtown."


Drawing people to the waterfront is key for him, Guild said yesterday.

As a parent of two young children, Guild said he would like to see parks and recreation space developed, especially along the waterfront. Performance areas are vital to the city as well, he said.

Guild said he hasn't formulated an opinion on adding buildings and market places to the Cecil Group designs

I didn't attend the meeting so I don't know how Guild came to make this presentation. But this proposal warrants examination.

At the NRA’s meeting Wednesday, member Adam Guild shared his idea for how the Cecil plan could be revised — adding two more buildings for a total of five, while keeping landscaped areas and open space, as well as areas for amenities such as sculptures, gardens, outdoor seating, eating areas and a plaza. His idea also called for underground parking.

Guild’s draft of a design positions the new buildings to conform with the existing properties in order to leave sight lines unobstructed.

“The whole point is not to obstruct the views of the water,” he said.

During a presentation to the NRA, Guild gave a financial outlook for the project, based on preliminary calculations and basic estimates. Using an assumption of 100,000 square feet of buildable space, Guild estimated it could bring in $4 million in rental income and $500,000 in tax income for the city annually.

He estimated it would cost about $43 million to construct the 100,000 square feet of buildings, which could hold restaurants or businesses. “I think we could attract some very good tenants,” Guild said. 

 Yes, I know, we've talked about development in the past. But that doesn't preclude us from doing it again. I don't know if anyone is noticed, but the days of big daddy government are gone. We're on our own to come up the means of supporting the city services we currently have. The lodging/meals tax is one idea. This is another. And cutting costs is a third, but that's never as easy as anonymous posters like to make it sound.

And a park that size could be expensive to maintain. Take a look on page 3 of the paper today. The sinkhole near the boarwalk ultimately could cost $500,000 to fix!

And for those who feel the people voted Donna Holaday into office because she -and not James Shanley - supported an open waterfront are dead wrong. Donna Holaday won for a lot of reasons, not just the waterfront, and although I voted for Shanley I've generally been pleased with her performance. (For example, the doggie park compromise is a wise one.)

But it's wrong to suggest her victory should be seen as an endorsement for an open waterfront. After all, John Moak favored development or parking lots over parks along the water. And had he run for re-election he likely would have cleaned Holadays's clock. Well, that's not true, because neither she nor Shanley would have even bothered running against him.

I'm eager to see where this goes.

Pres. Monroe Visits da Port

From the online version of John James Currier's history of Newburyport:

June 16, 1817] Voted that the Selectmen with ten other Gentlemen be a Committee with full powers to make such arrangements at the expense of the Town, as they may think proper, for the reception of the President Of The United States, on his intended visit to this Town.1


At that date, Ebenezer Moseley, Esq., Col. Abraham Williams, Mr. Robert Clark, Mf. Richard Bartlett and Mr. Stephen Howard were selectmen of Newburyport, and with the following-named gentlemen, William Bartlet, Joseph Marquand, Moses Brown, William Cross, William B. Bannister, Daniel Swett, Joshua Carter, Joseph Williams, Thomas M. Clark and Josiah Smith, were authorized to arrange for the public reception of James Monroe, president of the United States.

On account of inclement weather, and delay in Boston and Salem, President Monroe did not reach Newburyport until Saturday, July twelfth, instead of Thursday, the tenth, as he had intended. He received an address of welcome from Ebenezer Moseley, Esq., and was escorted by a regiment of cavalry, under the command of Col. Jeremiah Colman, to Bartlet Mall, where the children of the public schools were assembled to meet him. From the mall, the Washington Light Infantry escorted him, with the members of his staff and the committee of arrangements, down Market street to Union, now Washington, street, and thence to Green street, down Green to Merrimack, down Merrimack to State and up State street to Gilman's hotel, now Wolfe tavern, where he dined with invited guests and then proceeded on his way to Portland, Maine.3

Munroe or Monroe?

Soooooo.....

I very much appreciate the new street sign at the corner of the street that bisects Oakland Street. The old one was stolen by vandals (who probably shared the same name as the sign so how hard can they be to track down...but anyway) but I couldn't help but notice the name on the sign is misspelled.

Or is it?

The new signs identifies the east-west passage as Munroe Street. The sign didn't really catch my eye until I went walking down the street to the next two cross streets, Tyng and Broad. At each intersection the street sign declares my path to be Monroe Street.

What gives? 

Our Fifth President James Monroe

I always assumed the correct name was Monroe Street, in honor of the fifth president, James Monroe. That seemed consistent with Washington Street, Jefferson Street, Adams Street and Madison Street.

But the city street list has no Monroe Street, only a Munroe.

I was prepared to accept that as the gospel truth. But then I found an online version of the North End Papers (1618-1880) identifying the street at Monroe Street. The street was opened in 1848, so I'm guessing it's the namesake of James Monroe.

Therefore, the sign at the corner of Oakland and Mo/unroe is incorrect as is the city street list.

Any thoughts?

Cool a Conference

I attend a lot of industry conferences throughout the year, and I still maintain that Newburyport would be a damn fine site for one.

We're short one one crucial element - lodging. But the city could still comfortably host a regional or local that could draw 100 or so people.

The Firehouse. The Phoenix Room. Mission Oak Grill. They could all host elements of the conference. Attendees, given ample time, could roam from session to session while enjoying the fresh air and sites and sounds of  our downtown.

Nightly events could include a sail on the Ninth Wave, a harbor cruise or a nice meal and walk around town.

So I was intrigued this afternoon when I saw a number of people walking the downtown with the familiar lanyards and nametags dangling around their necks. The name tags, sports coats and cell phones screamed conference attendee and lo and behold we are hosting one at this very moment.

Firebrand, a local IT company, is hosting the event. So while we're not drawing out of town sponsors, hopefully we're bringing in some out of town guests.

Firebrand Community Conference 2010 - Powered by RegOnline

Maudslay Musing

I may take some guff for this, but while I too would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Maudslay (See the Daily News report on yesterday's celebration.) I must admit it's not one of my favorite parks.

It's beautiful, no doubt. Great place for a wedding, stroll or even a snowshoe.

But it's a bit too manicured for my taste. I prefer a bit more of the wild ala Ravenswood in Gloucester or even Old Town Hill in Newbury.

Still, it's a treasure and I'm glad we have it.

Charter Note

The Newburyport Charter Commission wishes to extend an invitation to all Newburyporters for a public hearing on 9/22/10 from 7-9 p.m. at City Hall Auditorium.  The Commission will be discussing the survey, the preamble that has been created, presentation of remaining timetable, what has been discovered thus far, what has been done, executive & legislative options, citizens’ safeguards, & number of wards.  There will be a question & answer period as well. 

Go Worcester!

For the five years preceding our triumphant (I hope) return to Newburyport, we spent five years living in the Greater Worcester area.

I like Worcester. I'm a sucker for a gritty city with character and Worcester has both in spades. Add in some good restaurants, some nice coffee, and minor league baseball and you've got a winning recipe.

What it lacked, however, was a real downtown. For those familiar with the area, Worcester's core is dominated by a massive, hulking mess of a defunct shopping mall. Even in it's early days in the 1970s, the former Worcester Center Galleria couldn't have been much more than an eyesore.

I'm sure people saw hope in the traffic the stores drew, but such a thing didn't belong in a city.

Essentially, Worcester did what Newburyport did not. It ripped up streets of dilapidated buildings and replaced them with a modern, car friendly shopping center.


The idea worked for a time, but eventually the people with cars had even more modern and more car friendly shopping centers to patronize. New England Development (heard of them?) stepped in with a plan to revitalize the shops by creating the Worcester Common Outlets, but that idea never took hold.

So the downtown Worcester Galleria withered and died. It was near-death when I moved to the area a few years ago.

By the time I left plans were already underway to reclaim the downtown. A group bought the outlet and surrounding properties with the intention to recreate a real downtown with apartments, small store fronts and offices to attract and to keep people downtown. Here's the Web site.

Essentially, Worcester is trying to undo what Newburyport didn't do 40 years ago.

Here's a good take on the rebirth that starts today in the Worcester Telegram Gazette.

Port's Brush with Bed Bugs

Seattle PI political cartoonist David Horsey blogs about an enounter with bed bugs during a recent trip to Vermont, which immediately preceded a stop at a friend's house in Newburyport.

Sounds like he took enough precaution to keep the buggers in the car.

When my wife and I showed up on the doorstep of some friends in Newburyport, Massachusetts, over the weekend, we left our baggage in the rental car, went to their basement and, laughing about the absurdity of it all, stripped off the clothes we were wearing. The garments went in the dryer for a nice long spin. We were relying on reports that bed bugs do not do well in the heat.

Those are good friends indeed.

What am I missing?

Interesting read in the Daily News today about property tax bills in Port growing at a slower pace than in other area communities.

Over the past five years, the average homeowner's property tax bill rose by the smallest percentage increase of all of the communities in the Greater Newburyport area.

From 2005 to 2010, the average Newburyport tax bill grew by 16.7 percent, which is significantly less than the state average of 22.4 percent. The state Department of Revenue also ranks communities by the size of their average tax bill, and that ranking also provided some good news for the city's taxpayers. Newburyport slipped from the 61st highest tax bills in 2005 to the 69th highest in 2010.

But am I wrong in thinking the article gives false credit to former Mayor Moak's "philisophy of creating a tight budget" for the past four years or current Mayor Donna Holaday's work as chairperson of the council's budget and finance subcommittee?

Simply put, I think the credit goes to falling house prices.

I mean seriously. Tax bills are calculated by multiplying our tax rate to the assessed value of property in town. If the value of that property declines, tax bills should go down or remain steady if the drop is close to the 2.5% hike communities are allowed to implement each year. Likewise, if the rate of the increase in value slow, tax bills will grow at a smaller clip.

As far as I know, the city has afforded itself the opportunity to increase our tax levy (the total amount of taxable dollars) by 2.5%, as allowed under Prop 2 1/2. I don't recall Mayors Moak or Holaday leaving any money on the table, nor should they.

Also, Mayor Moak supported one override and one debt exclusions. The former, a permanent raising of the 2.5% cap, got trounced. The latter, which would have temporarily lifted the 2.5% cap, nearly passed. (Earlier this year, Mayor Holaday suggested she might have to consider an override as well, but nothing ever came of it.)

Anyway, this post isn't to criticize either mayor, but I don't think they deserve the credit. I believe the "kudos" should go toward a sagging economy, which severely dented our real estate market, and the voters rejection of the two override questions. (I voted for both, btw.)

Postscript: The Masked Preservationist, who has been the only consistent blogger in town, has a different take on this.

A glimpse of Panera

Found this on the InterWeb. It's what we have to look forward to on Route 113.

What a View

The Globe ran a nice article on a nicer man, our City Clerk Richard Jones, and his passion for art.

I love the scene presented in his current work, a photo of which is running with the article. Upper Green Street remains one of my favorite parts of town.

Shame on Me

As the old saying goes, rifle through  my unlocked car once, shame on you. Do it twice, shame on me.

Yep, it happened again. This time the thieves showed enough courtesy not to empty out our glove box or center console. They just opened them and, quite brazenly I suppose, left them open. They obviously didn't care if we knew they'd been there.

Following the last episode, we've somewhat faithfully locked our car doors at night, but we didn't last night for a number of inadequate reasons.

But we were the lucky ones. A few neighbors up the street from us got hit as well. Unfortunately, they'd left valuables in their cars. Again, it's probably not their habit to leave the cars unlocked, but these things do happen. (Let's put the bulk of the blame on the thieves.)

So once again folks, be sure to lock your cars at night.

Fine with Fine

From Ward 3 Councillor Bob Cronin's email:

Finally, fines on un-retrieved dog waste were increased to $50.00 first offense (second offense $75.00 and third and subsequent $100.00). The section that made it a violation to place waste in City containers was removed after lively discussion. I just couldn’t see a parent at Cashman Park could not being able to discard a bag and having to carry it around until they walked home or someone walking on State Street unable to get a coffee. I also thought it was a self defeating provision that encouraged not picking up after your pooch.

I've got no problem with this decision although I'm not sure it will help the situation. I agree with Cronin's concerns over the proposal to ban dog waste from city trash containers. I believe the city's health director suggested the waste attracted insects and rodents to trash buckets, but a few slices of old pizza is just as likely to draw pests.

Regarding the multiple offenses, how exactly will the issuing officer know that a person has been cited previously? Will there be a database that's accessible from cruiser or animal control officer laptops? Will the ticket writer check the books upon return to the office and send out an additional fine if this is a second or third offense? Will police dispatchers be asked to keep a list of ticket recipients? Are we relying on the honor system?

Pizza, Pizza

Nick's Pizza made an interesting proclamation on its Facebook Page.

Nick's Pizza of Newburyport Thanks to everyone making Yankee Coming Week our best week ever in the history of Nick's Pizza. We sold the most pizzas ever in a one week span. We also noticed many new customers to Nick's Pizza. Thank you ..... Also, Wheat Pizza is coming shortly to the menu.

I'm made no secret of my love for Nick's, so I was happy to hear they had a good week. But apparently, Nick's success goes beyond seven days.

 Nick's Pizza of Newburyport Thank you for the nice comments. Due to the high demand for pizza during the busy times, we may have to increase our capacity from 2 to 4 ovens. The layout of the store would have to change since we don't have much space. This is in the research stage at this time. I need a lot of time to see if this is the right thing to do.

In this city, every new arrival -- Upper Crust Pizzeria -- is often seen as a threat to something tried and true like Nick's. But that's clearly not the case here. Glad to hear Nick's is doing so well and open to trying new things like delivery and wheat pizza crust to accommodate its growing customer base.

I just hope they'll remain at their location and keep their current decor. I do feel as if I've stepped back a few decades when I find my way inside.

Suggestions?

BTW, if we really want to resolve any dog poop issues, I suggest the following steps.

• Can we set aside a small section of each city park for dogs? Just fence in a small five-foot by 10-foot strip where dogs can be encourage to do their business. I suspect this would go a long way to eliminating any stray waste.
• Dog owners need to step up a bit. When you take your dogs out for a walk take along a few extra bags and pick up any stray waste you happen to discover. No, the mess isn't your responsibility, but we should all have an interest in keeping our parks clean.

Any others?

If you have some the Council's Neighborhoods and City Services Committee is meeting Wed. night at 7 pm at the Library.

My Scoop on the Poop

Let this be said up front. I live with a dog, and we have from time-to-time, taken walks together in the city's streets and parks.

There. You know my bias.

And here's my point:  I really don't think this is as big a problem as people want to believe.

Now, let me say, I have been to Atwood Park, the apparent epicenter of the conflict that might lead to a hike in fines charged to negligent dog owner who don't pick up after the dogs. Therefore, I'll accept that poop is a problem at that particular park.

But to suggest that we have a city-wide problem with dog poop is misleading. I walk our streets frequently, and there's not nearly the problem that statements in news reports would have us believe. A faraway reader of these articles would be left to conclude that our city streets are strewn with dog pies, and that's not true. It simply isn't.

However, dog poop rankles people. The very sighting of a pile of poop fires up the same part of the brain that is annoyed by people squawking on cell phone. It's an undeniable signal that one person has no consideration for others. An unclaimed poop is a tiny, smelly monument to selfishness and disregard for other beings on this planet.

So, in most cases, the prevalence and actual footprint of dog poop is exaggerated to reflect that moral outrage. But I'm certain 90% of the dog owners in this town are careful and responsible.

In fact, I thought Councillor-At-Large Ari Herzog posted an interesting fact in his July 13 post on poop:

84 dog offenses were investigated in city parks, on the rail trail, and on Plum Island beach by animal control officers between May 1 and June 26. The crux of the offenses involved dogs without leashes, a separate $25 fine. No fines were given during this period involving the subject of this ordinance.

 If the majority of the calls involved dogs off leashes, this changes the composite sketch of a negligent dog owner. We're not talking about a dog owner who watches his or her dog complete their business and walks away. Instead, we're talking about absentee dog owners who might not know what their dog is up to. So if the "crux of the offenses" is involving leash law violations, why isn't that fine being hiked?

Anyway, back to the matter being discussed. I'm all for the fine hike, but only if we identify dog poop for what it is - litter.

Let's jack up the fee for all littering, which is a far larger problem for this city. Smack the fellow who tosses aside his Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee Cup with the same $100 fine that I'd be hit with if I left my dog's mess behind. Same goes for the downtown merchant standing who insists on tossing her cigarette butts onto Pleasant Street before heading back into her store.

I'm sure this won't be considered because it's politically easier to target a small percentage of the population, but if we really want a cleaner city let's take some bolder steps.

A big thank you

to all the Yankee Homecoming volunteers.


Great job.

YH- The Race

Man, I do enjoy the 5K race, as a spectator not a participant. It's definitely a Top Five day in the Port.

We're fortunate to have the noble 5Kers run right by our house at what must be the toughest part of the course. And watching the mix of determination, sweat and humor is a great sight to see.

Way to go, folks.

p.s. I do think YH should institute a separate category for strollers.

Yankee Homecoming

This will likely lead to a suspension of my Man Card, but I have to say the Crafts Show is pretty damn good this year.

Andaman Rooftop Dining (But No Drinking)

First, I was happy to see the City Council revisited its decision to deny Oregano's the ability to serve liquor at its outside tables.

Councilors approved Oregano's after owner Claude Elias filed a new plan that accommodated the need to allow 8 feet of usable space with 12 feet of pedestrian clearance.

Each restaurant owner seeking to serve alcohol outdoors must meet specific regulations. The restaurant must put up barriers to enclose the area from the public way, and the manager or restaurant personnel must also have a clear view of the alcohol service.

The barricades and the outdoor furniture cannot extend beyond the 8 feet that is required.

At-large Councilor Kathleen O'Connor Ives, a vocal opponent of the Oregano's initial application, voted to support the new design Monday.

"A couple of my concerns were addressed," she said, including allowing space for pedestrian clearance and the tables not "jutting out onto Inn Street."

I'm glad the concerns were addressed. I'm just still not clear on why they weren't addressed prior to the council's prior vote when they denied Oregano's request but approved two others. Either the councilors didn't make their concerns known during the committee meeting held separately from the council meeting or they did raise the point only to have it ignored by the restaurant's owner.

But anyway....

Last week I learned that the Andaman's Thai Restaurant is serving food on the roof top seating on the Water Street Tannery building. They can't, however, serve alcohol. I'm guessing the worry is that restaurant staff can't guard against under-aged diners from sneaking a drink because they won't be watching every second of the meal.

I'm not sure if this is a state or city requirement, but it seems like a serious bit of overreach to me. How many times have you tried to hail a server with no success? It's unrealistic to think that waiters, waitresses and manages can watch every second at every table.

Ah well, no matter. I look forward to dining at what must be one of the best seats in the city.

Just a suggestion

You know what Olde Fashioned Sunday needs? I can sum it up in two words...

Monster Trucks

Or something else perhaps. I'm just spitballing here.

Happy Yankee Homecoming Everyone.

Ah, that's a bummer

I know this sort of thing can happen anywhere, but we were a bit surprised and disappointed when we realized that someone had rifled through the glove compartment in our car on Saturday afternoon.

It would have happened sometime between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with our car parked right in front of our house and us inside.

Just emptied the glove compartment and central storage unit and dumped everything on the front passenger seat. Fortunately, we don't own any electronics. They left the change and -- thank goodness -- our collection of Chuck E. Cheese tickets.

Stay alert citizens.

From the Charter

A commenter directed me to the city charter's reference to pay raises. The question: Can the raise kick in immediately?

Sec. 17A.  Salaries of mayor, city manager and council.

The mayor or city manager and the members of the city council shall receive for their services such salary as the city council shall by ordinance determine, and they shall receive no other compensation from the city, except that a member of a town council in a municipality with a town council form of government may receive a salary for serving as a municipal employee of said municipality in lieu of receiving compensation for serving as a member of said council. No increase or reduction in the salaries of mayor or city councillors shall take effect during the year in which such increase or reduction is voted, and no change in such salaries shall be made between the election of a new council and the qualification of the new council. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable in a city under Plan F.

(Acts of 1985, c. 252, § 2)

In my reading this suggests fiscal year, not calendar year. But I can't be sure. Thoughts?

Brown Square

I admire the new Brown Square, a nice piece of restoration. But I have to ask, did we not have the money to bury some sprinklers? Seems like a lot of work to tote hoses and sprinklers out there whenever watering necessary. (Also, should we really be watering our parks at 3 pm on a hot, sunny summer afternoon?)

By the way

If Inn Street is such a vital public way, shouldn't a crosswalk be in place to protect the throngs crossing Pleasant Street?

The Politics of the Pay Raise

A big question circling the council's decision to raise the mayor's salary is: Why now? Some commenters on the Daily News site suggested Moak deserved a raise, and it's possible he would have run for another term if one was in the offing.


Here's one possible answer: The Charter Review.


Before I continue, let me state emphatically that I'm not a reporter. I don't call councilors to get their private thinking on matters. I may swap the occasional email with a few from time-to-time but haven't done so on this topic. So this is pure speculation and conjecture on my part.


That said, here goes.


It was clear to me back in Jan. that Mayor Holaday's administration (or James Shanley's if he had won) would have a huge influence on the success or failure of whatever proposal the Charter Review Commission comes up with next year.


The commission's recommendation will go before voters in Nov. (on the same ballot as the next mayoral contest.) It's too early to say what that recommendation would look like, but it could call for the creation of a city manager's position to run the city's day-to-day business.


And it's not difficult to see how public opinion of the mayor at the time - Holaday in this case - would impact the vote.  A poor performance by her opens up the door to a vote on changing to a City Manager form of Government; a good job will lead many to conclude that such a move isn't necessary as able managers can be found in an elected official.


Now, the new salary offers another factor for voters to consider. If a city manager position is included in the new change, opponents to the measure can tell voters, "Well, we raised the salary. That should attract a better class of candidate in the future, we don't need a manager. Let's give the new salary a chance to work."


Meanwhile, supporters of the city manager position can use the new salary to blunt criticism that the city can't afford to higher a city manager, who likely would draw twice the current $60,000 salary. City manager boosters can make the argument that for a slightly bigger boost in pay we can get a qualified and trained executive to run the town rather than a city clerk, educator or small business owner.


Seems to me both camps had an interest in seeing the salary go up in 2011 rather than wait until 2012, when the next mayoral term would begin.

Pay Raise Wrong

Onto other council news, while I didn't agree with her stance on Oregano's pursuit of an outdoor liquor license, I completely agree with Councillor-at-Large O'Connor Ives' position on the granting of a mayoral pay raise. It shouldn't have happened, not yet anyway.

In case you missed it in the Daily News:

The City Council agreed last night in a 9-0 vote to approve a salary boost for Holaday, beginning in fiscal year 2011. Councilor Brian Derrivan was absent, and at-large Councilor Kathleen O'Connor Ives voted present.

The mayor's pay will increase to $75,000 for fiscal year 2011, along with a $3,000 annual expense allowance. Starting in fiscal year 2012, the mayor's salary would be $85,000 with a $3,000 annual expense allowance.

Currently, the mayor's salary is $60,000 with two stipends for expenses and travel, which total $5,000. It is the lowest among all mayors in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore.

Like everyone else, I don't dispute the mayor is underpaid. And I'd support any increase to the salary for the person who wins the office in Nov. 2011. However, Mayor Holaday ran for THIS office with THIS salary. I don't feel any responsibility to give her a pay raise based upon five months of work.

Ives, an at-large councilor, said she understands the need to raise the mayor's salary and the compensation is too low.

"I don't question that in the least," she said.

However, she added, she is concerned about the timing of the raise, which takes effect when a mayor is already in office. Ives argued the raise should go into effect at the start of a new term.

"It shouldn't be about any specific mayor," Ives said, adding that she believes Holaday is doing a good job. "I want it to be about the compensation, that's it. Right now, there's a specific mayor."

I also fear what message this sends to unions and citizens. Mayor Holaday correctly voted against giving teachers raises back in Jan., saying we didn't have the money. In parking garage discussions, she's stated the city is broke and can't afford to contribute any sizable sum to its construction, another point with which I agree.

Now this. I know, the increase is merely a drop of water in the city's budget bucket. But it's a symbol, and leaders count on symbols and images to lead. Mayor Holaday just lost a big one.

Add: Councillor-At-Large Ari Herzog briefly addressed this and the Oregano's matter in his blog today. I hope our other blogging councilors will follow suit.

Outside Drinking

Not to put too fine a point on this, but I think the owner of Oregano's got hosed.

I haven't sat through the proceedings and hearings. I haven't even watched the council meeting yet. But I can't understand the Council's decision to reject his application for serving alcohol, as reported in today's Daily News.

At-large Councilor Tom Jones expressed concern about tables moving onto the public way on Inn Street. At-large Councilor Kathleen O'Connor Ives questioned access to Inn Street for commercial and public safety vehicles.

She said yesterday she was against approving Oregano's application that called for flower pots as a barrier to the tables by the public. The barriers must be strong enough that the wind can't knock them over, she said, and light enough to move easily and quickly in case of an emergency.

She also had reservations about the size of the tables, which were too big and encroached onto the property owned by the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority, O'Connor Ives said.

She said the Oregano application was also more complicated than Port Tavern or Agave, as a new doorway would also have to be constructed in order to allow the restaurant staff a clear view to the outdoor tables.

 Unless the owner of Oregano's was being completely inflexible in the size of the tables or the size of barriers, I don't see how this makes sense.

Wind will knock them over? Any wind strong enough to knock over a giant potted plant would make outside service impossible.

Emergency Vehicles? First, there are two or three built-in wooden barriers blocking vehicle access to Inn Street. No emergency personnel - short of a cop on a bike or Segway - is getting through there. Also, why on earth wouldn't a fire truck or ambulance park at Central Parking if they needed to access the central part of the pedestrian walkspace.

Table size? The owner of Oregano's seemed floored by the decision. This leads me to question whether any told him the tables were too large or the barriers were too....whatever. Seems like these conditions could have been met to allow for approval.

Doorway? Could the council just add a condition that the doorway be installed. And if it isn't - say within 30 days - the permission is revoked. OR, just threaten not to issue approval again next year. (Add: OR let Oregano's install a closed circuit camera ala NPD.)

Kudos to Councillor Bob Cronin for getting it right.

Ward 3 Councilor Bob Cronin said the councilors heard of no opposition to the proposal by the fire chief or police marshal.

"I walk downtown a lot; that's a wide area," he said. "I know it's a little bit funky, but I think in the long run, it's a positive to the community, cafe-style dining. I think everybody loves it in the summer. As long as fire and police don't have any public safety issue, I would still support it."

Cronin noted that the applications are granted on an annual basis and would need to be renewed each summer. They also can be revoked.

"We can look at it and say it isn't working," he said. "At least we can try. I think it's going to be a huge draw to the city."

Look, all I know is what I read in the paper and see walking downtown. Maybe there is more to the story. But the council is demonstrating some shoddy play from the cheap seats.

Amazing

A reader saw the last post about the little boy being bit by the cat. He quickly shot an email out to the neighborhood and the feline was found. The cat is vaccinated so the boy can forego the rabies shots.

Thanks to the reader - I'll let him take the bow if he'd like - for acting on this so quickly and for continuing to check this blog which lately has been a complete disappointment to this blogger.

As if I needed another reason to love living here.

Note from a friend

My son was bit by a cat yesterday after school, and we need to find the cat to avoid the rabies series of shots. If you know who owns a light brown, short haired cat with dark brown spots who lives near Toppan's Lane (high school). Call  978-771-3435 if you have some information.

Nantucket North?

I sometimes get a chuckle from reading a visitor's description of Newburyport. This one from a personal blog will give many the creeps. (And yes, we know Blue isn't in Newburyport.)

A quick hop from Boston is the amazing little coast town of Newburyport, where you can stay the night @ blue. If you're not up for a plane to the Vineyard or ferry to Nantucket, this might just do.

By the way

The Rail Trail is deservedly drawing all the attention this past week, but I'm pleased to see Brown Square completed and open and the Inn Street fountain repaired.

The place is looking spiffy.

Once the Rail Trail is open

I had the pleasure of giving friend and commenter PKL a tour of Newburyport last week. He'd been in town for a reunion in Boston last weekend, one that I had planned to attend but had to back out of at the last minute, so he grabbed the commuter rail up from Boston for lunch at Angies, coffee at Plum Island Roasters, and a walk around downtown and the rail trail.

Our conversation about the rail trail led to this little tidbit. Seems like it would be a perfect addition for the Newburyport and Salisbury rail trails, and it's an idea that we've tossed around earlier.

This is unlikely to happen, I admit, but it's interesting to see what someone else accomplished.

Addendum: Imagine if we put the political and financial resources currently directed at enlarging the existing park on the waterfront into this effort? Now THIS would be progress. THIS would draw people to our city. Sure we couldn't shag fly balls on a bridge (safely, anyway) but that's never going to happen on the waterfront park. I'm sure there will be rules against most activities, creating a lovely.

Incidentally

Speaking of the Rail Trail

All Along the trails...
Food. Local eateries will offer free "bites"
Art. Open air artists will practice their craft
Music. Young musicians will play for all to enjoy
Celebration. Ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM in Newburyport with local, state and MassDOT officials
Activities. Children's games, Geocaching, natural and historical interpreters, community group displays and more...

Connect to both trails via FREE ferry boat between Cashman Park in Newburyport and Cove Marina in Salisbury.





See CoastalTrails.org

for more information including parking and

accessible points of entry

FREE PLANTS!!!

Joking obviously. Loving these planters at the bottom of the rail trail hill. Let's some kid ride his bike into the river now!

Parking Garage

You know what? I don't really care much about this parking garage vote.


I don't like either proposal. The drawings I've seen for Titcomb Street concern me. It does look like an imposing structure at the gateway of the city. I envision a parking garage creating an ugly mate to the Horton's Terrace structure that currently stands across from the former Fitness Factory, a pair of oversized book ends blocking too much sky and light. 


I actually do prefer the Green Street site. However, I bow to those concerned about the historical and commercial impact of tearing up and then building on the site. I think it can be done well, and I just find Green Street to be such a superior setting. But the concerns are legitimate.


I wasn't sure why I couldn't get behind either plan. Then Jim Roy helped me out. I missed Ed Cameron's dramatic reading of Jim Roy's statement at the public hearing last week (I arrived late with Boy Two in Tow), but Ed kindly published Jim's written thoughts on his blog here. (Jim submitted a cleaned up version in a letter to the editor here.)


Jim cleared up my confusion quickly with this statement. 

... building a downtown garage is part of a quid pro quo -- without it, we will never have a completed, open, green waterfront in any of our lifetimes. It's that simple. 

After reading that I realized that I didn't feel strongly about the parking garage because I'm not a fan of establishing a park on the NRA lots. (BTW, Jim is just incorrect in stating that ALL of Newburyport wants a park. That's not true.)


I absolutely don't think a wider stretch of grass will add much to the downtown. And I am worried that it will cost us money, too much money. Not only will we not collect taxes on potentially taxable land, but we'll be paying some serious cash out for park maintenance. Money we simply don't have. But let's not go there again.


Perhaps I'd be more supportive of the garage if we were using the lots appropriately, but this whole battle has proven one point that I firmly believe.


Questionnaires, polls and vague, dreamy questions about the waterfront are fine. Sure, ask the people if they want a park downtown and they'll say yes about half the time (maybe more, whatever.)


But when the discussion slips into details: Where are we going to put the cars that are currently parked there? Who's going to pay for the construction of the park? How are we going to maintain a park when we can't fix our sidewalks (Yes, this is a real issue) or properly educate our kids? The support easily slips away.

Slurrrrrrrp

I just had a really good smoothie. Might be the best downtown.

Is Chain-ge a'coming?

The closing of the venerable Newburyport Card & Gift shop -- as reported in The Daily News today -- is most interesting.

It seems to me that if a chain store were to come into Newburyport, this would be the place. I suspect the 2,400-square-foot space is one of the large retail spots downtown.

According to the paper, the owner of the store and building were one of the same. He sold the latter and closed the former when the buyer understandably decided to go into a new direction.

Let's see what happens.

All Aboard

The newest attraction on the Rail Trail. A guaranteed spot for anyone with kids. A very nice addition. It sits just south of the High Street overpass.

Incidentally, here's a last minute request from the Parks Commission.

I know many of you have put in some long hours in the parks recently, but I have a short-notice volunteer opportunity which we need help with this weekend if anyone is interested. We need Trail Counters tomorrow, Saturday, May 1, to count how many people are using the new Rail Trail. If you have any time, an hour, even a half hour, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. please call me, 978-463-3545 or email nportparkscommission@yahoo.com and I will arrange to get you a simple tally sheet to fill out.

And coming in at No. 63

New England Development!!

The magazine Retail Traffic ranks 62 property management firms higher than our Lords of the Castle.

SHAMELESS PLUG

You're all invited to our neighborhood yard sale this Sunday, starting at 8:30 am and ending at 1:30 pm. The Salemi household will actually be participating this year, offering an assortment of sundries and doodads as well as furniture and building supplies. So come on down to Oakland, Walnut, Jackson, Carlton & Collins Streets. As always, my opinions can be bought but they are neither cheap, nor valuable.

Newburyport.org

The domain name is up for sale. I have no idea who owns it but the negotiable asking price is $1,000.

Good luck with that.

Just what are they afraid of?

I'm calling you out Chinese authorities!

Just because I refuse to kowtow to townies and the khaki crowd doesn't mean my voice shouldn't be heard in mainland China!

Mr. Wen .... Tear down this Firewall!!! (I'm poking my mousepad vigorously)

(BTW, do yourself a favor and check in on Knifetricks regularly. Great stuff by PKL.)

Thank You

Dear Anonymous,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the new fence. It's exactly what I wanted.

You're the best.

Warmest Regards,

Tom

An Ode to the Opportunist State

Thanks Anonymous and Bean.

Summer's Blank Slate