Selectboard vote to oppose Question One

SELECTBOARD'S MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2008
SELECTBOARD'S MEETING ROOM -6:00 P.M.
MINUTES

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Present: Selectboard Members Carlene C. Hamlin, Chair; Gregory R. Sheehan; Robert G. Judge; John R. Hine;
Marilyn G. Ishler; Town Administrator Michael A. Szlosek

...

9.
DISCUSSION OF BALLOT QUESTION #1 -ROBERT JUDGE
SB Member Judge handed out information pertaining to Question #1 on the Election Ballot for November 4, 2008. He stated that he feels if question #1 passes, it would be very bad for the Town and, therefore, he strongly recommends that fellow Board members oppose Question #1.

SB Member Ishler stated that she previously was not in favor of the Board taking a stand. However, as it will have a dramatic effect on local aid she now feels they need to take a stand. She noted that both Amherst and Northampton have taken a stand to oppose Question #1.

Chair Hamlin noted that there is no one present to speak in favor of Question #1 and, therefore, there is not a fair discussion on the pros and cons. She noted that the Selectboard previously voted not to take issue on a ballot question with regard to the Charter move.

Following discussion, SB Member Ishler moved that the Selectboard take a position in opposition of Question #1 on the November 4th Ballot with regard to the elimination of the state tax. The motion was seconded and the Board voted three in favor of the motion and two opposed (SB Members Hamlin and Sheehan opposed).

South Hadley Settles Clean Water Act Violations

Good information from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission

Martha:

Thank you. This subject is on our August 26 agenda. All Selectboard members have received information, including a CD “Valley Vision 2.” I hope you can attend our August 26 meeting.

- Bob

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From: Martha Johnson [mailto: mjggdi@comcast.net ]
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 10:38 AM
To: bob judge
Subject: Fwd: Green Resources online

Bob, Catherine Miller of PVPC sent these sites. I would think these would be VERY IMPORTANT RESOURCES for each of select board members to look at and be informed about as you/they deliberate about town issues. They are also up on CPAC site under references and resources. I found them fascinating. Let's get on board and be a part of the Western Mass network for sustainable practices. South Hadley is one of the 43 communities that signed on to participate, per last year's select board decision. Part of our participation will require on going education about what this all means. It's really our only way forward under current circumstances. Martha

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From: Miller, Catherine [mailto:Cmiller@PVPC.ORG]
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:59 PM

The website for the Pioneer Valley Sustainability Network is www.pvsustain.com

The website for the Sustainable Development code is:

http://law.du.edu/images/uploads/rmlui/rmlui-sustainable-betaV1-1.pdf

The website for the Local Government Sustainability Toolkit is:

http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/cabinet/reductionreuse/SustainabilityToolkit.pdf

South Hadley Historical District project work continues

South Hadley Wastewater Treatment Facility

Comments about South Hadley Falls

From: Anonymous
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:41 AM
To: Bob Judge
Subject: Re: South Hadley Comprehensive Plan "Issue Gatherings"

Hey Bob,

Thank you, I'll try my best to attend...

My main interest/area of input would be anything regarding:

- Economic development in the Falls.

- Smart growth = mixed-use of Texon building. This needs to happen, it's a unique structure with major historical significance and this is the town landmark. Look at the town emblem/seal. If this is demolished, a great opportunity and proof of the industrial past of the city is gone forever.

- Pushing the town officials to look for developers for the redevelopment of Michael's Market. Right now, this is embarrassing for the town. The first thing you see driving over the bridge is a boarded up building, a liquor store and tattoo parlor.

- Taking vacant lot/corner by Main/Bridge (eminent domain if need be) for real estate development. Complete eye-sore and highly visable area for potential commerce. It'd be amazing to re-build the Cowan Block.

- Overriding building codes so that new buildings can be built on Main Street. I bet we can find hundreds / thousands of communities near water/floodplains that have built rather than made excuses like SH has.

- Utilizing the vacant lot near Haas Electric on Main Street. This looks horrible. Waste of potential development space.

- Moving forward on the Riverside Park.

- Utilizing the water-front

Frankly, Main Street in Holyoke looks more vibrant and interesting than Main Street in South Hadley. The absence of actual buildings, historical buildings, and abundance of vacant lots in the Falls really hinders the economic development unless new structures are created and the Texan building is revitalized. Imagine if the empty lots of where filled by five 3-5 story buildings with retail on street level, a few restaunts. That would give the Falls some hope as far as a real rebound. The falls has the highest population density in the town, most people per dwelling but lacks progressive direction and real identity. South Hadley doesn't have a downtown which is a major killer. This is the place to start.

• If we are to have an effective environmental policy, downtowns are important.
• If we are to have an effective transportation policy, downtowns are important.
• If we are to have meaningful historic preservation, downtowns are important.
• If we want Smart Growth, downtowns are not only important but irreplaceable.
• If a local official wants to claim the treasured mantle of fiscal responsibility, downtown revitalization is imperative.
• If we want to avoid Generica, downtown is essential to establish differentiation.
• If the community is going to compete in economic globalization without being swallowed by cultural globalization, downtown revitalization has to be central to the strategy.
• If new businesses, innovative businesses, and creative businesses are going to be fostered and encouraged, a community will need a downtown where that can take place.
• If we are to have buildings with meaning, buildings with value, buildings with values, they will be downtown.
• If we are to have public places of public expression, we need a downtown.
• If a community is going to embrace diversity instead of hide from it, celebrate diversity instead of deny it, then that has to take place downtown, it ain't gonna happen anywhere else...."

- Donovan Rypkema

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Ambulance Duties to be shared in South Hadley"

Route 47 span in South Hadley being replaced