This stone looks like a fish, with it's mouth open.
This stone looks like a turtle.
If it looks like art, it may very well be art.
Meaningless Apathetic Planning Council
On October 18, 2010, The MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) had a meeting in Salem, open to the public, on the discussion of which areas should be developed vs. conserved. Leslie Courtemanche and I attended the meeting and shared information on why it is important to preserve Spring Pond Woods, in Peabody, Lynn and Salem. We were supported by four other Salem residents who carried the same concern. Two others spoke, and another two drew on the map... which areas to conserve.
For the record, this information was shared with the MAPC:
1. Spring Pond Woods was voted by the public as being one of the "1000 Great Places in Massachusetts". It is a culturally important place.
2. Archeological resources are found on site.
3. Historical resources, such as the trees pertaining to one of America's earliest arboretums.
4. An important regional wildlife corridor, stated by the City of Peabody Open Space Plan
5. Wildlife sightings by Leslie C., and bird of prey sightings
6. Maps of vernal pools
7. Watershed areas and topographical maps, giving reasons to protect the hills around Spring Pond.
After the MAPC collected information from the public, a draft was presented yesterday, December 9, 2010. However, the planning council did not incorporate the information into the new draft. Instead, the areas of conservation were worsened, whereas Camp Lion's site is proposed to be nearly half developed over (as seen in orange on map below, lower left parcel). Seems like officials of Salem get to have their way with the MAPC, because on the first map presented back on October, there was no defined area clearly expressing the site to fit a proposed Lowe's and Super Walmart. MAPC is the same regional planning agency that came up with the sceptical traffic study for the area, refuted by Mayor of Lynn. If any of this make sense, please someone explain.
A Salem resident wrote in:
"Comment is due by Dec 17 (to MAPC), and can be emailed to jblaustein@mapc.org .
They (MAPC) say they will be posting material at www.mapc.org/north-shore-planning. Someone (at the meeting last night) requested they include notes they took from the first meeting, as it was felt they did not incorporate much of the input that was given, and not just about Spring Pond. I think everyone in the audience felt frustrated as this seemed very much like a planning exercise with no associated actions or authority to implement."
A few weeks ago I received a warm letter and package from an art school, stating the Senior Project Director from MAPC referred me to them, to assist the school's program, based on my wonderful work, research and community involvement. I figured, since I had left such a great impression with Steven Winter, Senior Project Director of the MAPC, that maybe my work regarding Spring Pond Woods was taken seriously.
With this disappointing news, there is good news too... well, no news is good until the area is preserved. I can not make a public statement yet on what the news is, but it would surely make a good press release, when the time is right.
For the record, this information was shared with the MAPC:
1. Spring Pond Woods was voted by the public as being one of the "1000 Great Places in Massachusetts". It is a culturally important place.
2. Archeological resources are found on site.
3. Historical resources, such as the trees pertaining to one of America's earliest arboretums.
4. An important regional wildlife corridor, stated by the City of Peabody Open Space Plan
5. Wildlife sightings by Leslie C., and bird of prey sightings
6. Maps of vernal pools
7. Watershed areas and topographical maps, giving reasons to protect the hills around Spring Pond.
After the MAPC collected information from the public, a draft was presented yesterday, December 9, 2010. However, the planning council did not incorporate the information into the new draft. Instead, the areas of conservation were worsened, whereas Camp Lion's site is proposed to be nearly half developed over (as seen in orange on map below, lower left parcel). Seems like officials of Salem get to have their way with the MAPC, because on the first map presented back on October, there was no defined area clearly expressing the site to fit a proposed Lowe's and Super Walmart. MAPC is the same regional planning agency that came up with the sceptical traffic study for the area, refuted by Mayor of Lynn. If any of this make sense, please someone explain.
A Salem resident wrote in:
"Comment is due by Dec 17 (to MAPC), and can be emailed to jblaustein@mapc.org .
They (MAPC) say they will be posting material at www.mapc.org/north-shore-planning. Someone (at the meeting last night) requested they include notes they took from the first meeting, as it was felt they did not incorporate much of the input that was given, and not just about Spring Pond. I think everyone in the audience felt frustrated as this seemed very much like a planning exercise with no associated actions or authority to implement."
With this disappointing news, there is good news too... well, no news is good until the area is preserved. I can not make a public statement yet on what the news is, but it would surely make a good press release, when the time is right.
peace on
News: City of Peabody will look into the impact of Lowe's to Spring Pond
Salem News:
To read more click on article above.
peace
Wildlife habitat
Monday, a friend Brian shared a photo of what looks like a fisher cat, lying dead on the edge of Spring Pond Woods, on the sidewalk. Apologies this photo cannot be posted here.
Sunday, Colleen, Rich, Leslie and I went scouting through the woods on Salem's public parcel (which is proposed to be a Lowe's parking lot). We came across the site of a fresh meal. A bird of prey typically plucks the feathers off a bird before having its meal. Walking deeper into the forest, Rich climbed a rock in a dark place, surrounded by dense pines. He scared a big black bird of prey, as it silently flew away. I was watching in the distance, resting on the ground after having enough of the cold weather, to be able to grab a photo. The wing span of the bird was large. Leslie writes "I think it was an owl, because I saw the wide head and facial disc, and because it flew silently."
Sunday, Colleen, Rich, Leslie and I went scouting through the woods on Salem's public parcel (which is proposed to be a Lowe's parking lot). We came across the site of a fresh meal. A bird of prey typically plucks the feathers off a bird before having its meal. Walking deeper into the forest, Rich climbed a rock in a dark place, surrounded by dense pines. He scared a big black bird of prey, as it silently flew away. I was watching in the distance, resting on the ground after having enough of the cold weather, to be able to grab a photo. The wing span of the bird was large. Leslie writes "I think it was an owl, because I saw the wide head and facial disc, and because it flew silently."
News: Salem Public Meeting for Dec 2
Daily Item
Big Boxes Drainage Hot Topic
itemlive.com/articles/2010/12/03/news/news01.txt
Salem News
Planning Board hears drainage plan for Lowe's
www.salemnews.com/local/x622286213/Planning-Board-hears-drainage-plan-for-Lowes
Big Boxes Drainage Hot Topic
itemlive.com/articles/2010/12/03/news/news01.txt
Salem News
Planning Board hears drainage plan for Lowe's
www.salemnews.com/local/x622286213/Planning-Board-hears-drainage-plan-for-Lowes
The Salem Public Meeting, Dec. 2
A month break from the Salem Public Meetings did not resolve the same old issues which returned to the table. Here are a few quick mentions of the meeting. This is not an entire summation.
The Project
Lowe's and Walmart reps repeat this project will have no impact. A storm water system, they say will improve conditions and follow state requirements. However, after questioning from the Salem Planning Board, the drains along Highland Ave will potentially need to be addressed because of the current flooding issues.
The Unions
A few men from the union stood to speak for more jobs. A few members spoke rather cruelly to residents who were there out of concern for their homes. A union man said 'I don't understand why people think the union is uneducated, ignorant and here for short-term jobs.' After the meeting, I asked a union leader why he tells his men who are busy with work to come to these meetings. He said - 'yes there are men who are busy with work... I do not ask them to come.' (We know different. The leaders have been telling the workers to attend the meetings.) I asked, who is paying for all the Lowe's signs, stickers and buttons, in which different unions hold? Reply: 'got it from the printers', blushing as he could not answer. Another person remarked 'Your being used. Do not stand for this project unless they sign a contract with you. Ask them to find another site to build on. This would be the right thing to do."
The Peer Review
An engineer hired by the City of Salem to review drainage studies, spoke many times throughout the hearing on how he has no worries of the project and is confident in the design. In fact he stood to make many statements after a woman who works for the City of Salem (who wears all black) whispered in his ear most of the time on what to say. Excuse me, but is it not the engineer's job to formulate an opinion of his own?
The Board
In the start of the hearing, a board member said "Should we allow photography?" Others on the board said "This is a public hearing, so yes photographs are allowed." (What is there to hide?) I am unsure why many people's hopes of seeing the Salem Planning Board say no to this project, is slim regardless of the concerns by the neighbors. The board has good questions, but "be prepared for this project to pass" everyone is saying... even with the several outstanding issues. Hope is not lost either. There are other agencies making a decision on this project. It is worth going to these meetings, just to make mention of the concerns. A board member said "Call the governor, senator and the state, we're just the Salem Planning Board."
The Nature Advocates and Opponents to the project
Some people spoke of the vernal pools, wildlife, watershed, flooding homes, inadequate storm water pipes on Highland Ave, and bad traffic. One former union member said - 'yes, lets create jobs, but not by raping this land. There are other sites to build on.'
In the crowd was Lynn's Mayor Kennedy, Lynn Councilor Trahant (who spoke for his constituents), Lynn Councilor Daniel Cahill, Lynn Councilor Paul Crowley. I failed to see a Salem or Peabody councilor representing the voices of their concerned residents.
peace
The Project
Lowe's and Walmart reps repeat this project will have no impact. A storm water system, they say will improve conditions and follow state requirements. However, after questioning from the Salem Planning Board, the drains along Highland Ave will potentially need to be addressed because of the current flooding issues.
The Unions
A few men from the union stood to speak for more jobs. A few members spoke rather cruelly to residents who were there out of concern for their homes. A union man said 'I don't understand why people think the union is uneducated, ignorant and here for short-term jobs.' After the meeting, I asked a union leader why he tells his men who are busy with work to come to these meetings. He said - 'yes there are men who are busy with work... I do not ask them to come.' (We know different. The leaders have been telling the workers to attend the meetings.) I asked, who is paying for all the Lowe's signs, stickers and buttons, in which different unions hold? Reply: 'got it from the printers', blushing as he could not answer. Another person remarked 'Your being used. Do not stand for this project unless they sign a contract with you. Ask them to find another site to build on. This would be the right thing to do."
The Peer Review
An engineer hired by the City of Salem to review drainage studies, spoke many times throughout the hearing on how he has no worries of the project and is confident in the design. In fact he stood to make many statements after a woman who works for the City of Salem (who wears all black) whispered in his ear most of the time on what to say. Excuse me, but is it not the engineer's job to formulate an opinion of his own?
The Board
In the start of the hearing, a board member said "Should we allow photography?" Others on the board said "This is a public hearing, so yes photographs are allowed." (What is there to hide?) I am unsure why many people's hopes of seeing the Salem Planning Board say no to this project, is slim regardless of the concerns by the neighbors. The board has good questions, but "be prepared for this project to pass" everyone is saying... even with the several outstanding issues. Hope is not lost either. There are other agencies making a decision on this project. It is worth going to these meetings, just to make mention of the concerns. A board member said "Call the governor, senator and the state, we're just the Salem Planning Board."
The Nature Advocates and Opponents to the project
Some people spoke of the vernal pools, wildlife, watershed, flooding homes, inadequate storm water pipes on Highland Ave, and bad traffic. One former union member said - 'yes, lets create jobs, but not by raping this land. There are other sites to build on.'
In the crowd was Lynn's Mayor Kennedy, Lynn Councilor Trahant (who spoke for his constituents), Lynn Councilor Daniel Cahill, Lynn Councilor Paul Crowley. I failed to see a Salem or Peabody councilor representing the voices of their concerned residents.
peace
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