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Return to NIA 2006
MRWC's News & Info Alert (NIA) database.
Archive of 2005
NIA #: 05-234
Geographical key words: Ashburnham, Westminster, Southern Monadnock Plateau
Thematic key words: Mt. Hunger, Mid-State Trail, Forest Legacy program, land protection, conservation restriction
Source: Gardner News, 31 Dec. 05, p. 4
Headline: Mt. Hunger land said to be under serious development pressure
Summary: A regional effort is attempting to protect a large amount of land bordering the northern section of the Mid-State Trail, which runs north-state across the entire state. According to the North County Land Trust, one of the groups involved, an application for financial support from the federal Forest Legacy Program may not be answered in time to protect the Mt. Hunger property, a 900 acre parcel in Ashburnham. The Trail crosses from New Ipswich, New Hampshire, passes Mount Watatic, and continues down through Westminster, where 590 acres have been targeted for protection status.
NIA #: 05-233
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: heritage landscape
Source: Gardner News, 30 Dec. 05, p. 2
Headline: Winchendon selected to participate in DCR survey
Summary: Winchendon will be among 37 towns in Mass. participating in a survey of local heritage landscapes. The Department of Conservation and Recreation is organizing the Freedom’s Way Reconnaissance Survey as part of its Heritage Landscape Inventory Program. Landscapes can include scenic roads, village centers, gardens, cemeteries, archeological sites, and more. After identifying such landscapes, communities will be able to apply for funding for heritage landscape protection and related economic development.
NIA #: 05-232
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: Affordable housing, Chapter 40B
Source: Gardner News, 29 Dec. 05, p. 3
Headline: Templeton to hold a Chapter 40B informative seminar
Summary: The town’s legal counsel will offer an affordable housing seminar to town officials next month. The seminar will cover the Comprehensive Permit and information on subdivision planning, zoning and wetlands issues. The Chapter 40B process applies in cases where a town has less than 10 percent of its housing stock considered affordable, and a development project has at least 25 percent of its units so designated. The seminar comes amid concerns that the Chapter 40B process bypasses town bylaws, by allowing developers to build four or five houses on a one-acre lot instead of the one house per acre allowed by the town. There is only one Chapter 40B housing project in town, Daymill Estates, but three Chapter 40B projects have been proposed: Depot Pond Village on Hospital Road, Riverside Estates LLC at 128 Main Street, and The Village at Pond View LLC off Patriots Road.
NIA #: 05-231
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: condominium development, stormwater management, wetlands, flooding, wastewater treatment plant, determination of applicability
Source: Athol Daily News, 22 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: Building hearing continued
Summary: The conservation commission continued its public hearing on a notice of intent for construction of a 40-unit condominium in Petersham Road, due to concerns over stormwater runoff from the three-story structure and parking lot, which could flood nearby wetlands. The builder has agreed to amend the project’s drainage plan to get the commission’s approval, and may install a detention tank and possible additional diversion, such as a split drainage system. The building will be constructed on a ten-acre lot, with one, two and three-bedroom units. Richard Godin, a Petersham Road resident, said there are currently 49 single family homes within a mile and a half stretch of road, and he complained the project will double the number of people living in the area. The commission also gave a favorable ruling to a request for determination of applicability concerning planned upgrades at the town’s wastewater treatment plant; they determined the work would have a negative impact on the Millers River, which is nearby, because the work is within the required buffer zone.
NIA #: 05-230
Geographical key words: North Quabbin
Thematic key words: ecotourism, North Quabbin Woods
Source: Athol Daily News, 22 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: $50,000 to promote tourism
Summary: The North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce received a $50,000 grant from the state that will expand and support tourism initiatives of the North Quabbin Woods project. Funds will be used for a variety of purposes, including developing a new guide to regional attractions, completing the NQW website, updating the Tully Trail map, and supporting area tourism events.
NIA #: 05-229
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: conservation commission
Source: Gardner News, 21 Dec. 05, p. 3
Headline: Conservation Commission seeking new recruits to attend meetings, hearings
Summary: The town conservation commission has only two members, the minimum allowed to conduct official business—and one wants to retire. There are openings for five more members, but the town has been struggling to find them, and could face difficulties if new members are not found. The commission meets weekly to hear from three to nine case hearings, plus field checks for some cases. Preferably, new members would be knowledgeable about the Wetlands Protection Act, but they can also learn once they start.
NIA #: 05-228
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: affordable housing, condominium development
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 21 Dec. 05, p. B3
Headline: Housing expert offers Westminster advice
Summary: Richard Heaton, a development consultant who recently worked for the town’s zoning board of appeals on the Mountain View Estates project, met with the select board and offered advice for dealing with the multiple development projects coming down the pike. Heaton suggested the town increase the ZBA from three to five members, because the ZBA is responsible for placing conditions on the Comprehensive Permit issued to developers of affordable housing projects. Hearings have closed on the Mountain View Estates project, but town officials are still working to define the conditions for the Comprehensive Permit. Issues include: the number of units and the number of affordable units, and the mitigation package—the amount of money the developer must set aside for sewer, water, schools, fire and road upgrades.
NIA #: 05-227
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: open space and recreation survey, water protection
Source: Gardner News, 21 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: Survey benefits city in prioritizing goals
Summary: City officials have the results of a recent survey on residents’ open space and recreational priorities. The survey was sent to 7,000 Gardner residents and 377 completed surveys were received, a 5.4 percent response rate. The results showed strong support among respondents for protection of ponds and water bodies, with 74 percent of respondents ranking them as the cities “most treasured natural resource. Two-thirds of respondents said they want to see Gardner “environmentally sound with a natural setting” in 20 years. The survey results are posted on the town website.
NIA #: 05-226
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: Kingsbury Arms, affordable housing, condominium development, subdivision
Source: Gardner News, 20 Dec. 05, p. 3
Headline: Attorneys still wrangling over Castle Partners decision
Summary: The question of who will perform an independent peer review of the proposed 56-unit Kingsbury Arms development on Livermore Road is holding up the project’s public hearing schedule. 14 of the units would be affordable housing. The town had rejected the project application as incomplete, and indicated it wanted to select the member of the construction or engineering industry to do the peer review study for the town. The state subsequently affirmed some rulings for the developer, leaving the issue of the peer review study hanging. The proposed project is near several other large proposed subdivisions that would add another 101 homes to the area. Local residents are opposing the Kingsbury Arms project, arguing so much development would adversely change the character of their neighborhood.
NIA #: 05-225
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: avian census, bird species, biodiversity
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 20 Dec. 05, p. B3
Headline: Athol-area avian census turns up a few uncommon species
Summary: The 42nd annual winter bird count conducted by members of the Athol Bird and Nature Club on Saturday found a few surprises. 34 Club members counted throughout parts of a 15-mile diameter around Athol, from the Quabbin Reservoir to Gardner. Results are contributed to the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas bird count. Club president Dave Small said the biggest surprise was a boreal chickadee, which is uncommon in Central Mass. Club founder Bob Coyle and his son found a bluebird, normally rare in winter, in Petersham. Owls were way down in the count this year, likely due to the bright moon, which they do not like. Winning most sighted honors was the black-capped chickadee, whose 1,875 sightings far surpassed the second place bluejay, 1,113 of which were seen.
NIA #: 05-224
Geographical key words: Vernon (VT), Massachusetts, New England
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, safety study
Source: Recorder, 20 Dec. 05, p. 4
Headline: Rep. Donelan renews call for Vermont Yankee safety study
Summary: Rep. Chris Donelan is again calling for an independent safety inspection before the federal government allows a 20 percent power increase at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. In the Spring and fall of 2004, Mass. legislators representing communities within 10 miles of the plant requested that the Vermont Public Safety Review Board and the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission require an independent study before allowing a power increase. In renewing his request, Donelan cited “recent news stories about cracks in cooling towers and expert testimony questioning containment integrity.” Entergy Corp., the plants owners, have received approval from Vermont officials to boost power without an independent review, and the NRC may do the same. “Much of the information provided in the process has come from Entergy and has not been verified by inspection,” Donelan said. The plan also was endorsed last week by an advisory group of nuclear power experts from around the country, a decision that surprised opponents of the plan.
NIA #: 05-223
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: Chapter 40B, affordable housing, zoning board of appeals, Mountain View Estates
Source: Gardner News, 18 Dec. 05, p. 3
Headline: Consultant to discuss expectations after approval
Summary: The town is nearing approval of its first Chapter 40B comprehensive permit application for Mountain View Estates, a 136-unit affordable housing project on East Road. Consultant Richard Heaton told the select board to expect a lot of paper and “legalese.” He stressed that Mass. General Law Chapter 40B gives the zoning board a lot of leverage on other boards when it comes to making decisions. Heaton, a former selectman, said some communities have gotten into disputes over zoning board Chapter 40B decisions, and on occasion zoning board members have dropped off the board during a Chapter 40B application. In Kingston, he said, an entire zoning board was asked to resign as a result of a comprehensive permit decision. He said the effect of the state law has been to make what was once a minor town board into a major player.
NIA #: 05-222
Geographical key words: Royalston, Massachusetts
Thematic key words: recycling, solid waste management, pay-per-throw
Source: Telegram & Gazette. 18 Dec. 05, p. B1
Headline: In recycling, Royalston is near the top of the heap.
Summary: A list of recycling rates for Massachusetts towns in 2004 showed Royalston near the top, tied with Southampton at 69 percent; only Blandford was higher, at 70 percent. According to Phil Leger, chair of the Royalston board of health, Royalston recycled 560 of its 814 tons of waste. Leger also cited 119 tons of material composted by the town. Leger said a good solid waste management program is key to a strong recycling program, and that the pay-per-throw system used in town encourages recycling. The state’s recycling average is about 34 percent, and has not increased much recently. According to the DEP, 117 communities in the state have pay-per-throw programs.
NIA #: 05-221
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Millers River, flooding
Source: Recorder, 17 Dec. 05, p. 2
Headline: Athol works to avert river flooding
Summary: Recent efforts to avoid the flooding that occurred near Cass Meadow and homes along Pequoig Avenue the last two winters are so far working. The cutting and mowing of trees and brush currently underway in Cass Meadow appears to be allowing a freer flow of water near the river’s edge. The buildup of slushy ice known as frazil, which caused the flooding the past two winters, has been detected during daily inspections by Fire Chief Jim Wright, without any undue impact so far. Other flood-prevention measures taken include installation of one-way check valves on storm drains by the Little League field, and regular communication with engineers at Birch Hill and Tully Dams.
NIA #: 05-220
Geographical key word: Wendell
Thematic key words: public water supply
Source: Athol Daily News, 17 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: Search goes on for well site in Wendell
Summary: The select board has identified several possible sites for a new town well. A town-owned Cooleyville Road site may once again be in contention after initially being rejected by the conservation commission due to wetlands concern; the DEP has since told the town it may be possible to acquire an exemption from the Wetlands Act for temporary access to investigate the water at the site. Selectman Dan Keller said the 4-acre site is “the best spot for a potential well,” and is also the closest. Andy Hamilton has offered to hook up the town to the Wendell Country Store as a last resort, but the store may not have enough capacity for all six of the town buildings. The town is also considering several other sites, including some on private property.
NIA #: 05-219
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: zoning regulations, Gardner Alliance for Responsible Development, community development plans
Source: Gardner News, 15 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: GARD pushes stronger zoning
Summary: A joint public hearing of the City Council and Planning Board on proposed zoning changes heard feedback from the Gardner Alliance for Responsible Development (GARD) that the proposed changes don’t go far enough. GARD co-chair Alan Rouseau, reading from a prepared statement, said proposed minimum lot sizes in rural areas and in developments where open space is preserved are too small and need to be increased. Other proposed changes to the regulations would create mixed-use developments and ban trailer parks. A related article explained how the process of changing the city’s zoning laws goes back to 2002, when the city began to create community development plans to address issues such as open space and housing. Robert Hubbard, director of community development and planning, said those efforts pointed out the need to overhaul the zoning ordinance, which has only been revised piecemeal since its adoption in 1970.
NIA #: 05-218
Geographical key word: Templeton, Royalston, Hubbardston, Winchendon
Thematic key words: open space, recreational trails
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 15 Dec. 05, p. B3
Headline: Templeton maps out recreational trails
Summary: The Templeton Open Space committee discussed plans for recreational trails with the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, which is conducting a four-town survey. The north-south Ware River Rail Trail, which is owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, connects with four of the five trails discussed. These include the existing Day Mill Trail, a current town priority; a proposed Templeton State Forest-Birch Hill Dam Trail, which would include parts of Winchendon and Royalston; the proposed Baldwinville Village Trail, and the proposed Cook Pond Trail, which would connect with the Hubbardston trail network that runs on to Barre. The Commission has mapped Templeton’s proposed trails and will do likewise for other nearby towns to create a planning map for internal use.
NIA #: 05-217
Geographical key words: Montague, Turners Falls
Thematic key words: landfill
Source: Recorder, 13 Dec. 05, p. 2
Headline: Landfill applicant identified
Source 2: Recorder, 14 Dec. 05, p. 2
Headline: Scrutiny of landfill proposal under way
Summary: The proposal submitted by Covanta Energy Inc. of Haverhill for development of the town’s Turnpike Road landfill site will be reviewed by the select board. The Covanta proposal to bury ash and soils at the 32-acre site was the only one the board voted to accept for review. The board will use the $10,000 submitted by the company, plus an equal amount approved at town meeting for the review. The town rejected outright a proposal from Montague Resources Inc. because it did not address problems with the town’s burn dump, as required. Because only one proposal is pending a technical review, the town is considering looking at Covanta’s financial offer as well, which it would not normally due if several proposals were under consideration to avoid biasing its technical review. A fact sheet on the landfill, including its history and the current decision-making process, will be available Friday at various locations in town.
NIA #: 05-216
Geographical key word: Orange
Thematic key words: riverfront park, Millers River, low impact development (LID), stormwater management, ecotourism, brownfield
Source: Recorder, 13 Dec. 05, p. 4
Headline: Orange to get tourist destination
Summary: With over $548,000 from the state DEP in hand, construction on Phase I of the town’s Riverfront Park is expected to begin in July. The park will be a regional community model for innovative stormwater management techniques, incorporating pervious paving, drainage swales, rain gardens and other “low impact development“ (LID) methods for trapping and treating pollutants. Another major innovation is the use of a former “brownfield” industrial site as the location for the park.
NIA #: 05-215
Geographical key word: Gardner, Westminster
Thematic key words: landfills, solid waste management
Source: Gardner News, 7 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: Gardner landfill preparing to close
Summary: The Gardner landfill on West Street is expected to close in the next week. The waste drop off area for residents will remain open until January. The city is considering operating a curbside collection program for larger items after that. Because the 85,000 tons of trash the city generates annually will now have to go to the Fitchburg-Westminster Landfill, tipping fees for hauling the waste will nearly triple from the current $27 per ton. The city has signed a new five-year hauling contract for $74 per ton with Waste Management, the company currently operating and closing the existing landfill. The city spent about $1.7 million in 2004 for tipping fees and landfill operation, out of s total city budget of $42 million. City officials are considering various ways to meet the increased financial costs, including higher sticker fees, and hope residents will recycle more to keep costs down. Mayor Gerald St. Hillaire said the Fitchburg-Westminster landfill will close in the next decade, and thinks a regional incinerator that burns trash and generates energy is the way to deal wit the region’s solid waste problems.
NIA #: 05-214
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: Schell Bridge
Source: Recorder, 7 Dec. 05, p. 5
Headline: Schell Bridge demolition plans loom
Summary: The state’s Highway Department says it has found a feasible way to demolish the Schell Bridge by dropping it into the Connecticut River and then picking up the pieces. The department, which has been studying the project for several years, has estimated that renovating the bridge would cost several million dollars more than demolition. A local group, the Friends of Schell Bridge, is still trying to save the Bridge and have it placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The group wants the town to rescind the demolition order, and cannot raise funds until the vote is rescinded.
NIA #: 05-213
Geographical key word: Massachusetts
Thematic key words: single stream recycling, Casella, Inc.
Source: Telegram and Gazette, 6 Dec. 05, p. B6
Headline: Statewide 1-stream recycling plan touted
Summary: A program that eliminates the need of residents to sort recyclable materials was previewed last night. The “single-stream” recycling program will be offered in 2006 in most of the state by FCR, a division of Casella, Inc. Pilot testing of the program showed recycling rates of more than 80 percent, and the program is expected to help reduce the strain on the state’s solid waste landfills. Facilities in Auburn and Charlestown will handle the loads from haulers, though the distance may not be economical for Cape Cod and far Western Mass. Sorting of the different waste streams will be done by RecycleBank LLC, which has a contract with Mountain Recycling LLC of Pennsylvania, a company recently acquired by Casella.
NIA #: 05-212
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: Northfield Mountain power plant, Connecticut River, erosion control
Source: Recorder, 2 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: Northfield Mountain gets OK to pump more water
Summary: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave an expedited approval of Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project’s plans to temporarily increase pumping to generate additional electricity. In response to concerns over the effects of such an increase on the Connecticut River (see NIA #05-203), the amendment to the FERC license requires the plant to monitor water levels in the river for any related environmental effects. The Plant must also expedite its next survey of 20 riverbank erosion reference points and incorporate the results into its erosion control plan. Monthly reporting of any noticeable impacts is also required.
NIA #: 05-211
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: landfill, monitoring, compliance
Source: Gardner News, 2 Dec. 05, p. 1
Headline: DEP orders landfill tests
Summary: Ashburnham was recently informed by DEP officials that it is not in compliance for monitoring its landfill on Route 12, which was closed in 1999. The DEP said ongoing testing is required to ensure there is no groundwater or air pollution occurring. The town stopped monitoring the landfill in 2002, due to tight finances. A town meeting will likely be required to vote on approving the needed funds.
NIA #: 05-210
Geographical key words: Brattleboro (VT), Vernon (VT), New England
Thematic key words: Connecticut River, thermal discharge, Vermont Yankee
Source: Recorder, 2 Dec. 05, p. 2
Headline: River advocates challenge Yankee: concerned over proposal to discharge e=warmer water into Ct. River.
Summary: Plans by Entergy, owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, to discharge water that is 1 degree warmer than currently allowed were the subject of a recent public hearing in Brattleboro. The state Agency of Natural Resources has given the plans preliminary approval. The Connecticut River Watershed Council is opposing the plan. Vermont Law School professor Patrick Parenteau said the company is required by the Clean Water Act to minimize its impact on the river, even if such a plan as proposed would save the company money.
NIA #: 05-209
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: Brush Mountain, land protection, land purchase
Source: Recorder, 1 Dec. 05
Headline: Northfield voters ay yes to library, land buy
Summary: Voters approved financing the purchase of the 46-acre Brush Mountain property through debt exclusion by 186 to 47. See NIA # 05-205 for more details.
NIA #: 05-208
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Cass Meadow, Upland Program, seccessional habitat, wildlife habitat
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 30 Nov. 05
Headline: Cass to be better wildlife habitat
Summary: The Upland Program of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is currently cutting trees and brush from Cass Meadow to return it to a genuine grasslands meadow. In addition to removing foreign plant species and allowing natives to return, the cutting should also have the effect of attracting a variety of birds who favor the grassy habitat—indigo buntings, Eastern towees and common yellowthroats among them. Cass Meadow is the 29th project of its type since the Upland Program was created in 1997, according to program coordinator Jill Liske-Clark. She said the Cass Meadow site was briefly used as an airfield in the 1920’s.
NIA #: 05-207
Geographical key words: Gardner, Hardwick
Thematic key words: landfill, Dirty Dozen Award, Waste Management, air pollution, groundwater pollution
Source: Gardner News, 30 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Gardner landfill one of twelve recipients of Dirty Dozen Award
Source 2: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 30 Nov. 05
Headline 2: Gardner landfill closing to a hail of abuse
Summary: The Gardner landfill, operated by Waste Management, was selected by the Toxics Action Center as one of the 12 worst polluters in New England. According to Jamie Cerretti of the Center, the landfill emits odors harmful to residents of Gardner and Templeton. She said air testing by citizens detected elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide, and groundwater testing by the state DEP found toluene, though whether levels were exceeded was not made clear. A DEP spokesperson said the hydrogen sulfide levels were not hazardous, but he had no information on the toluene. A Waste Management spokesman called the group’s claims unfounded. The company is currently capping the landfill, but capping will not guarantee that odors will cease. Members of local groups against the landfill were on hand for a recent ceremony at the Wildwood Cemetery, and said the town needs to make sure the landfill is safe. City Health Director Bernard Sullivan referred all concerns to the DEP, because “they regulate the landfill.” The Hardwick landfill also made the list.
NIA #: 05-206
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: Northeast Utilities, erosion control, Connecticut River
Source: Recorder, 30 Nov. 05, p. 2
Headline: COG calls for increased river erosion control
Summary: The Franklin County Regional Council of Governments (COG) filed comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stating they should require Northeast Utilities to perform additional erosion control work if their application to temporarily boost power this winter is approved. The COG’s comments reflect the concerns of the Connecticut River Streambank Erosion Committee that Northeast’s control efforts are not keeping pace with the “moderate to severe” rate of erosion; FERC has agreed with that contention. The company normally installs rocks and vegetation along close to 1,000 feet of bank per year, according to the COG. The COG is requesting the company stabilize an additional 500 feet of bank and/or repair additional areas to offset the impact of the proposed power boosts.
NIA #: 05-205
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: Brush Mountain, land protection, land purchase
Source: Recorder, 29 Nov. 05, p. 4
Headline: Northfield rejects zoning proposal, approves purchase of Brush Mountain property
Summary: At town meeting, the town voted to purchase the 46-acre Brush Mountain Conservation Area from the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust. The town has received a $70,400 grant towards costs, and the Appalachian Mountain Club has committed $5,000. The town’s portion of the purchase price depends on financing by debt exclusion from Proposition 2&1/2. The Land Trust bought the land based on an agreement that the town would buy it back. The property is crossed by the Metacomet-Monadnock trail.
NIA #: 05-204
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: affordable housing, Chapter 40B
Source: Gardner News, 29 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Town seeking volunteers for Affordable Housing Committee
Summary: A 7-member volunteer committee is being formed to study town-owned properties and suggest existing or new sites where affordable housing might be developed. Town planner Eric Smith said currently about 1.5 percent of the town’s housing stock is considered affordable housing. A home qualifying as affordable housing must have a restricted deed, similar to those used by Habitat to Humanity, according to Smith. A town must have 10 percent of its housing stock qualifying before it can exert control over the State’s Chapter 40B law, which allows developers to bypass local zoning restrictions in exchange for offering 25 percent of units as affordable housing.
NIA #: 05-203
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: Northeast Utilities, river access, Connecticut River, streambank erosion, FERC, Bartons Cove,
Source: Recorder, 20 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: While NU may leave, river access will remain
Summary: Northeast Utilities recent decision to sell its Northfield Mountain generating facility (1,080 megawatts) has raised the question of whether the conditions in its permit for allowing recreational access on its lands will be transferred top the new owner. According to William Gabriel, manager of the Northfield Mountain Environmental and Recreation Center, the license conditions issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will be passed on to the future owner—at Northfield Mountain, as well as at two other hydroelectric plants NU is selling, Cabot Station (51 megawatts) and Turners Falls (6 megawatts). The Northfield Mountain site includes over 25 miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails, and employs six people. The Northfield license also includes the Bartons Cove campground, Quinnetuket II interpretive boat rides, Bennett Meadow wildlife management area, and the Munns Ferry and Riverview picnic areas in Northfield. Conditions for NU to conduct ongoing erosion control along a 20-mile stretch of the Connecticut River are also spelled out in its FERC license; concerns about the pace of that work have been expressed by the Connecticut River Streambank Erosion Committee, a multi-agency group overseeing the work.
NIA #: 05-202
Geographical key words: Westminster, Ashburnham
Thematic key words: conservation commissions, conservation agent
Source: Sentinel & Enterprise, 28 Nov. 05
Headline: Conservation Commissions seeking professional agent
Summary: The conservation commissions for the towns of Westminster and Ashburnham are working jointly to hire a full-time professional conservation agent who will work for both towns doing inspections and responding to residents’ concerns. The move comes in the face of increased activity by both commissions and their feeling they cannot fulfill all their duties on weekends. “We feel that administration of the Wetlands Protection Act does require someone during the day,” said Lois Luniewicz, chair of Westminster’s ConComm. Westminster has usually hired a consultant to deal with increasing project case loads, and tried to hire a part-time agent, unsuccessfully. Both towns will use filing fees from projects brought before the commissions to pay the cost of the new agent.
NIA #: 05-201
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Cass Meadow, Millers River, grasslands habitat, flood control
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 28 Nov. 05
Headline: State plans Cass cleanup
Summary: The conversion of Cass Meadow to a traditional grasslands meadow begins tomorrow, when the State Division of Fisheries and Wildlife starts mowing operations. Trees, shrubs and invasive plants that have grown since farming was abandoned decades ago will be cleared. Located along both sides of the Millers River, near the South Main Street Bridge, Cass Meadow was selected by the state as one of several areas to be returned to an early seccessional habitat—which are now quite rare in the state. The cutting is also expected to alleviate the flooding experienced the last two winters along Pequoig Avenue. There are plans to clear paths, and possibly install a footbridge across the river.
NIA #: 05-200
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: Chapter 40B, affordable housing, condominium development, sewer capacity
Source: Gardner News, 27 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Dymek affordable housing proposal could trigger sewer agreement review
Summary: Several projects planned or proposed for Ashburnham have raised the likely prospect that the town will eventually exceed its current agreement with Gardner for sewer capacity. The current agreement allows 200,000 gallons of Ashburnham’s wastewater per day to be processed by Gardner’s wastewater treatment plants. Gardner officials recently told Ashburnham town administrator Kevin Paicos that they think the 104-unit housing development currently proposed by Dymek Builders for South Ashburnham “will greatly exceed” that allowance. The town is reviewing its inter-municipal agreement with Gardner to determine how to deal with the issue of Dymek tying in.
NIA #: 05-199
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: rail trail
Source: Gardner News, 26 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Rail trail committee moving forward on extension
Summary: Ashburnham’s rail trail committee is requesting that the board of selectmen schedule a Special Town Meeting article to fund the acquisition of additional sections of rail trail. The project aims to create a vehicle-free trail running south from the center of town, and then eventually to Whitney Pond in Winchendon, where it would connect with another line joining the Winchendon and Gardner rail trails.
NIA #: 05-198
Geographical key word: Massachusetts
Thematic key words: Smart growth legislation, cluster housing development
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 24 Nov. 05, p. B1
Headline: Smart growth percs get OK
Summary: So far, not even one town in the state has yet to implement new Smart Growth programs designed to encourage towns to designate special districts near town centers and transit lines that feature denser housing clusters. A bill signed into law by the governor yesterday hopes to change that, by allowing the state to compensate towns and cities for higher school costs associated with additional home building. Such costs have outweighed tax revenues from the new homes. Payments to municipalities of up to $13,000 per additional student in the school system could begin by 2008.
NIA #: 05-197
Geographical key word: Vernon (VT), New England, Montpelier (VT)
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee, nuclear power plant, power boost, energy profits
Source: Recorder, 23 Nov. 05, p. 2
Headline: Panel: PSB should change or reject Yankee power boost
Summary: After hearing how much money Entergy Nuclear expects to make from a proposed 20 percent power boost at its Vermont Yankee plant, the Vermont Nuclear Advisory Panel voted 4-3 to recommend the Public Service Board reject the power boost or order changes in the plan. The company projects a $357 million profit between now and the end of 2012 if power is increased from the current 510 megawatts to 612 megawatts. The Panel also learned that problems leading to an early shut down of the plant could cost Vermont ratepayers more than $450 million in higher costs. The private profit and public risk figures are both “much higher” than those projected when the PSB gave conditional approval to the power boost in March, 2004. Under the existing deal Vermont negotiated in 2003, the state would receive about $20 million, copared to Entergy’s expected $357 million.
NIA #: 05-196
Geographical key word: Templeton, Chicopee River Watershed, Belchertown
Thematic key words: livestock grazing
Source: Telegram & gazette, 21 Nov. 05, p. B1
Headline: Livestock can be good for fields
Summary: The New England Small Farms Institute, based in Belchertown, is encouraging environmentally friendly grazing practices in the Chicopee River Watershed, funded by a $100,000 federal grant. The Chicopee is the state’s largest watershed, covering 721 square miles, and is home to 135 rivers and 842 streams. The watershed includes parts of the towns of New Salem, Petersham, Templeton, Orange, Westminster, and many others. At a recent presentation in Templeton, Institute staff cited research showing that grazing improves the nutrient enrichment of soils and the return of water to streams, compared to raising hay.
NIA #: 05-195
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: The Village at Pond View, Chapter 40B, affordable housing, elder community
Source: Gardner News, 19 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: 55-plus community with 66 units could be coming to Templeton
Summary: Last Monday’s select board meeting featured a presentation by Northwest Development on its proposed 66-unit development on 37 acres off Patriots Road. The Village at Pond View would be a Chapter 40b affordable housing project, with 16 of its 2-story units selling in the low $100,000 range, compared to the low $200,000 range for the other units. Plans call for the project to cover 12 acres, with 3,000 feet of waterfront property, with the remaining 25 acres remaining open space.
NIA #: 05-194
Geographical key word: Wendell
Thematic key words: septic system, public water supply
Source: Athol Daily News, 19 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Public forum on Wendell project
Summary: A town forum will be held December 6th to discuss, among other projects, installation of a septic system to serve all town buildings. These projects are expected to be completed by Feb. 1, 2007. The town is also seeking a parcel of land near the center of town to provide a public water supply. The well would have to be at least 150 feet away from any structures.
NIA #: 05-193
Geographical key word: Warwick
Thematic key words: condominium development
Source: Recorder, 18 Nov. 05, p. 2
Headline: Developer withdraws condo plans
Summary: As the town’s zoning board of appeals labored over whether to grant a fourth continuance on hearings for Brian Gale’s proposed 40-unit condominium development or deny the special permit Gale applied for, and continued to express doubt over its jurisdiction to assess the project’s suitability, Gale withdrew his application at the board’s meeting Thursday. The town’s planning board has sent Gale a letter informing him of its decision to consider his project if he was to create the lots but not sell them. Gale said he does not want to build a subdivision, and is going ahead with some plans for the project, and he is continuing to discuss the project with his lawyer.
NIA #: 05-192
Geographical key word: Montague
Thematic key words: wetlands, landfill
Source: Recorder, 17 Nov. 05, p. 2
Headline: Wetlands found at proposed site for landfill
Summary: A recent inspection of the proposed 34-acre commercial landfill site off Turnpike Road identified several small wetland areas that might affect whether federal jurisdiction is required. Dwight Dunk, a wetland ecologist for the town’s consulting engineering firm, said he thought they were too small and isolated to be of concern. Dunk said his team found three areas each measuring from 400-500 square feet, and one larger area closer to 10,000 square feet. However, the existence of an intermittent and perennial stream near the site could trigger the involvement of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps uses a distance of 500 foot as a standard in determining whether the applicant needs a federal permit, and could require creation of new wetlands areas elsewhere to offset the wetlands lost to the project. Two of the smaller wetlands are within 500 feet of the waterbody, but the larger one is not.
NIA #: 05-191
Geographical key word: Athol, Petersham Royalston, Phillipston, Worcester, Springfield
Thematic key words: DEP shift
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 17 Nov, 05, p. B1
Headline: DEP may shift regional setup
Summary: The DEP has confirmed that several towns now served by its Central Regional Office in Worcester will be shifted to being served by the Western Regional office in Springfield. The change will affect the handling of wetlands, water quality and other environmental issues in several towns on the border of the two DEP districts. A DEP spokesperson said the agency has not decided precisely which towns will be shifted, and that once their plan is completed a public hearing will be held with affected communities. Athol health agent Phil Leger cited several objections to the switch, including longer response times by emergency response teams.
NIA #: 05-190
Geographical key words: Vernon (VT), New England
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee, Entergy, nuclear power plant, power boost, safety plans
Source: Recorder, 17 Nov. 05, p. 5
Headline: Officials concede power boost could reduce safety margins
Summary: The proposed 20 percent power increase at Vermont Yankee would reduce safety margins at the plant, but keep them within federal standards, according to testimony by Entergy Nuclear officials at a hearing of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards held Tuesday in Brattleboro. Nearly all of the 50-plus area residents at the hearing from Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire opposed the increase, citing safety concerns and asking for a more extensive independent safety review.
NIA #: 05-189
Geographical key word: Warwick
Thematic key words: zoning bylaws
Source: Athol Daily News, 17 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Zoning task force begins work
Summary: The first meeting of the town’s new Zoning Task Force was held Wednesday. The task force is a result of the recent special town meeting vote to place a moratorium on condominium development so the town could update its zoning laws. Task force member Ted Cady, also the planning board’s chair, repeated his uncertainty as to whether the state’s attorney general will accept that vote as a legal. Brian Gale’s proposed condo project, meanwhile, is still being reviewed by the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The task force will make the issue of condominium development a priority and hopes to have a report by the annual town meeting in May. A subcommittee will study issues concerning low and moderate income development. Task force members will also meet with regional planners and review examples of relevant bylaws from other towns.
NIA #: 05-188
Geographical key word: Gardner, Northern Tier
Thematic key words: wind power, renewable energy, economic development
Source 1: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 15 Nov. 05
Headline: Mount poised to gauge wind energy possibilities
Source 2: Gardner News, 15 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: MWCC gets $1 million to conduct wind energy study
Summary: Mount Wachusett Community College is expecting to receive a $1 million federal grant to study the feasibility of wind power for the region. Congressman John Olver has worked to secure the funds as part of his Northern Tier regional development initiative, which focuses on towns along the Route 2 corridor from Gardner west to the New York Border. Olver’s vision includes construction of a “string of turbines” from Gardner west. “We’re at the highest point of habitable elevation in the Commonwealth,” said MWCC president Daniel Asquino. “I think it’s ideal.”
NIA #: 05-187
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: Lakeview Estates, condominium development
Source: Gardner News, 15 Nov. 05, p. 4
Headline: Conservation panel issues order of conditions for Lakeview Estates
Summary: Responding to concerns from local residents over stormwater runoff and potential water pollution, the Conservation Commission placed an extensive order of conditions on the Lakeview Estates project planned for near Route 101 and Holt Road. 17 house lots are proposed to be built on 18.5 acres of a 45-acre parcel containing hilly terrain. Conditions include documenting erosion after heavy rains, assigning responsibility for regularly cleaning the site, and making the site’s construction foreman responsible for ensuring all erosion control measures are in place. The commission plans to hire an inspector to ensure compliance. An independent consultant’s report called the project a “massive cut and fill” and concluded “there is no doubt there will be failures.”
NIA #: 05-186
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: solid waste, recycling
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 15 Nov. 05, p. B1
Headline: Winchendon to begin pay-as-you-throw
Summary: Following dissatisfaction among residents with the town’s decision in June to double the transfer station’s sticker fee to $200, the select board discussed and adopted the following plan: A $25 annual sticker fee, a $2 fee per 33-gallon bag brought to the station, and a $5 fee per 50-pound barrel of bulky waste. The new arrangement allows residents to pay according to what they dispose of, and encourages recycling.
NIA #: 05-185
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: flooding, drainage
Source: Gardner News, 15 Nov. 05, p. 4
Headline: Back bay residents inform selectmen about drainage, road problems
Summary: Back Bay residents attended a selectboard meeting to complain and present a petition about drainage problems in their neighborhood. One resident said their backyards are “like swamps,” with yards and cellars constantly flooded. Board chair Jerry Skelton told those assembled that the problem was slated to be fixed by an expected community development block grant prepared by Montachusett Regional Planning Council, but the town did not receive the grant. The town will try again for the next such grant.
NIA #: 05-184
Geographical key word: Warwick
Thematic key words: Pond cleanup
Source: Athol Daily News, 14 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Clubhouse Pond area in Warwick cleaned up
Summary: A truckload of trash was removed Sunday from around Clubhouse Pond in Warwick by the Millers River Fishermen’s Association. The haul included roofing shingles considered to be hazardous waste due to their tar content, according to environmental police officer Anthony Brighenti. The MRFA stock the pond with rainbow trout on a regular basis, and the group is offering a reward to identify the illegal dumpers.
NIA #: 05-183
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: Otter River Estates, residential development, subdivision, open space, conservation restriction
Source: Athol Daily News, 11 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Plans for development discussed
Summary: After discussions with builders (Vertical Planning group) and engineers, the planning board signed off on the Otter River Estates project, an 8-lot subdivision on Otter River Road. The project’s open space was found to be a wetland, and will be marked on the estate plan as being covered by a conservation restriction on each of the two applicable lots.
NIA #: 05-182
Geographical key word: Winchendon, North Central Massachusetts, Rindge (NH)
Thematic key words: bike path
Source: Gardner News, 10 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Winchendon bike path now closer to completion
Summary: The Winchendon portion of a planned 16-mile regional bike path will be entering its final phase in the spring, thanks to a recent land purchase. That final phase could take another three years, on top of ten years of previous construction. The entire 16-mile route may take an additional three to four years to finish, and when completed will extend from Heritage State Park in downtown Gardner, through Winchendon, into Rindge, New Hampshire.
NIA #: 05-181
Geographical key word: Franklin County
Thematic key words: affordable housing, green building, energy efficiency
Source: Recorder, 10 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Nonprofit housing program wins “green” award
Summary: The Greenfield-based non-profit group Rural Development Inc. (RDI) has received the first “Award of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly” for its Home Ownership Program. The award comes with a $75,000 cash prize from the Home Depot Foundation. Of the more than 80 affordable homes built by RDI since 2000, over 40 have been “affordable green” houses. These units include a variety of green features, varying from high-efficiency insulation and mechanical ventilation to solar power systems, high-efficiency gas boilers and flooring made from fast-growing trees. With the help of various program participants and sponsors, homes that would otherwise cost $150-160,000 have been made available for as little as $100,000.
NIA #: 05-180
Geographical key word: Northern Tier, Franklin County
Thematic key words: Economic development
Source: Athol Daily news, 10 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Funding approved
Summary: The House of Representatives approved $300,000 in funding for the Northern Tier Economic Gardening Project. The project would be administered by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments to provide assistance to small firms and entrepreneurs in the region, which stretches from Gardner west to the New York border. The region contains many of the state’s poorest communities, and the project would build on recommendations from a plan prepared under an earlier grant. The bill must be passed by the Senate and signed by the president before becoming law.
NIA #: 05-179
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: Storm water
Source: Gardner News, 1 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Storm Water Committee surveys storm drains, outfalls
Summary: Members of the Storm Water Committee have begun identifying the location of storm drains and outfalls in sections of town, and placing them on a map provided by Earth Tech. The company will now transfer the information into a geographic information systems (GIS) format, and then test the outfalls for pollutants.
NIA #: 05-178
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: wind power, renewable energy
Source: Gardner News, 9 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Wind study granted for Templeton
Summary: The Narragansett Regional School has received funding to research the use of wind power on site. The award from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust will cover purchase of research equipment, a computer, software, a data logger, and a final study analysis intended to help strengthen Congressional support for wind power. According to Sean Hamilton, general manager of the Templeton Municipal Light and Water Co., the cost of a kilowatt has doubled since January, 2004. “Wind will never go up in price,” he noted.
NIA #: 05-177
Geographical key word: Warwick
Thematic key words: Condominium development
Source: Recorder, 9 Nov. 05, p. 2
Headline: Warwick votes to nix condo developments
Summary: Brian Gale’s proposed 40-unit condominium development appears to be in limbo, after town residents voted to add the prohibition of such a type of development to the town’s zoning bylaws. However, planning board chairman Ted Cady suggested that the decision may be struck down by the state Attorney General, since, according to Cady, state laws don’t allow towns to use zoning bylaws to control the type of ownership of land. Under the article approved by voters, a Zoning Task Force will be created to report on condominium developments by November, 2006.
NIA #: 05-176
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: Lakeview Estates, residential development
Source: Gardner News, 9 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Planning Board approves Lakeview Estates
Summary: The site plan for Lakeview Estates, a 45 acre property that would include 17 house lots on 18.5 acres and two designated open space area, was approved by the planning board. The project will be located along Route 101 off Holt Road, near Winnekeag Lake. In response to concerns of local residents, the board included detailed provisions for ensuring that stormwater and maintenance regulations are obeyed; several residents opposed the project. The open space parcels will be off limits to development.
NIA #: 05-175
Geographical key word: Northfield, Turners Falls, Connecticut River
Thematic key words: Northeast Electric, Turners Falls Dam, hydroelectric power facility,
Source: Recorder, 8 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: NU to sell Northfield Mountain facility, Turners Falls dam
Summary: Northeast Utilities (NU), announced it will sell off its Northfield Mountain and Turners Falls hydroelectric plants, as part of a corporate restructuring. The Berlin, CT-based company is the parent company of Western Massachusetts Electric Co., and built the 1,000 megawatt Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project in 1973; NU has been involved with the Turners Falls operation since the early 1900s. The hydro facilities operate under license of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Those licenses are up for renewal in about 10 years, according to Andrea Donlon, Massachusetts Steward for the Connecticut River Watershed Council.
NIA #: 05-174
Geographical key word: Vernon (VT), New England
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee, nuclear power plant, evacuation zone
Source: Recorder, 8 Nov. 05, p. 6
Headline: Vt. Yankee protests lead to arrests of 7
Summary: Seven women were arrested Monday in Brattleboro at the corporate headquarters on Entergy Vermont Yankee, calling attention to safety and health concerns associated with the planned power increase at the Vernon, VT nuclear plant. The women are seeking to have federal officials expand the emergency zone around the plant from 10 to 50 miles, and are calling for an independent safety and health assessments to be performed at the plant. The NRC recently completed a technical health and safety review of the plant and the proposed power increase, and is planning to complete an environmental review shortly.
NIA #: 05-173
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: dam repair, dam removal, small-scale hydro power
Source: Gardner News, 8 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Town may have to fix Factory Pond Dam
Summary: Town officials are considering measures for the Factory Pond Dam off of Route 12, which is deteriorating and in need of repair. The dam, whose private owner is delinquent in taxes and has not been found, was recently reclassified as unsafe and an emergency, but not a high hazard and not a danger to life. Water & Sewer commissioner Leo Collette said the owner originally purchased the dam to install a small hydroelectric power system, but then “utility companies got the state to pass laws charging private owners to generate power, and it became uneconomical.” Collette told selectmen that removal of the dam might also be an option, depending on the cost. Repairs are expected to cost about $300,000, which the town would seek to recover from the owner.
NIA #: 05-172
Geographical key word: Massachusetts
Thematic key words: landfills, solid waste
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 6 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Landfill Exec: Be creative
Summary: Stressing the need for innovation, James Bohlig, president and chief operating officer of Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a company operating in 15 U.S. states and Canada, said in an interview that the waste management industry should find more creative ways to increase waste recycling, and that Massachusetts should rethink its recycling plans. Bohlig believes it is feasible to pay residents and businesses for certain recyclable items in their trash, and that such economic incentives are needed to boost the recycling rate. Rates of up to 90 percent are achievable, according to Bohlig. The DEP estimates that 1.5 million tons of paper, valued at more than $100 million, is thrown out away each year by Massachusetts residents and businesses.
NIA #: 05-171
Geographical key words: Massachusetts, Templeton, Westminster, Hardwick, Central Massachusetts
Thematic key words: solid waste, landfills
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 6 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Waste goal reduced: Opposition puts brakes on landfill growth
Summary: The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is being forced to revise its goal of having no solid waste exported out of start by the year 2006. DEP expects the state to export between 1.1 million and 2.5 million tons of solid waste by the year 2010, depending on whether the state’s recycling rate remains at the current 50 percent or increases to 56 percent. At a public hearing held October 20th in Worcester, recycling proponents said a 61 percent recycling rate is achievable, a figure that would enable Massachusetts to handle all its solid waste management needs without increasing landfill capacity; they are concerned by DEP plans to allow substantially increased amounts of waste to be deposited in many of the state’s 21 operating landfills, including Westminster and Hardwick. According to the Worcester T&G, the achievability of the 61 percent figure was not disputed by John Fischer, a DEP official, in an October 25th interview. Of the 13.1 million tons of trash the DEP says the state generated in 2003, 6.2 tons were recycled, 3.1 million tons were burned, and 630,000 tons were “diverted” as demolition and construction debris.
NIA #: 05-170
Geographical key word: New England
Thematic key words: energy conservation, energy efficiency
Source: Worcester telegram & Gazette, 6 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: An efficient use of energy a must
Summary: In the face of high and rising costs for conventional energy fuels nationally and regionally, renewable energy technologies are likely to see increased development and use. A quicker way to reduce energy costs and fossil fuel use is through increased efficiency, which has already saved New Englanders billions of dollars. The “green” building movement is a major development, with buildings consuming two-fifths of energy in America and generating one-third of its carbon dioxide emissions. According to calculations by the Northeast Energy Efficient Partnership, New England’s rising energy demand could actually decrease with sufficient investment in energy efficiency and cuts in demand for natural gas. One area with high potential for New England is “distributed generation”—with local power plants producing smaller amounts of electricity close to or within factories, hospitals, apartment complexes, etc. With their small scale, reliability and potential to adapt to innovative energy sources, they represent “quintessential New England values: distributed, decentralized and democratic.”
NIA #: 05-169
Geographical key word: Vernon (VT), New England
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee, nuclear power
Source: Recorder, 5 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: NRC recommends approving Vermont Yankee power boost
Summary: A technical review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has recommended that Entergy Nuclear be allowed to boost power production by 100 megawatts, or 20 percent. According to the NRC’s 330-page report, “The commission has concluded that there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner.” Completion of an environmental review is expected in a bout a week, followed by public hearings.
NIA #: 05-168
Geographical key words: Athol, Orange Royalston
Thematic key words: Smart Growth, zoning revision
Source: Athol Daily News, 4 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Smart growth grants for area towns
Summary: Athol, Orange and Royalston have received Smart Growth Technical Assistance grants from the Mass. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA). Athol received $25,500, which the town’s Zoning Bylaws Review Committee will use to hire a consultant to work with town agencies on zoning reform. Orange will use most of its $30,000 grant for rezoning the Village Center, and will also update the town’s residential development and open space bylaws. Royalston’s $30,000 will help to complete zoning review and revision, including bylaws for cluster development and accessory dwelling units.
NIA #: 05-167
Geographical key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: Residential development, condominiums, Chapter 40B, affordable housing
Source: Gardner News, 4 Nov. 05, p. 1
Headline: Dymek plans project in South Ashburnham
Summary: A 90-unit housing project is being planned off New Road and Whitney Drive by Mark Dymek, owner of Dymek Custom Builders. Plans call for 17 four-unit quadriplex condominiums on a 43-acre parcel, and an additional 22 units on a 31 acre parcel off Center street. Under plans expected to be submitted soon, the project would qualify as a Chapter 40B project, with 25 percent of units being considered affordable housing. The parcel is zoned residential, but Chapter 40B allows local zoning to be disregarded. Dymek also hopes to build an additional 14 homes nearby on Whitney Drive, which would not be considered under Chapter 40B. Currently 1.5 percent of the town’s housing stock is considered as affordable housing—below the 10 percent threshold that activates Chapter 40B.
NIA #: 05-166
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: Smart growth, zoning bylaws
Source: Gardner News, 4 Nov. 05, p. 3
Headline: Templeton to receive smart growth grant
Summary: Templeton will receive a $20,500 Smart Growth Technical Assistance grant from the Mass. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA). The town will use the grant to develop a plan that considers various bylaws, including those for cluster development, dwelling units, village centers, green business zones and major residential development. The town has provided a $4,500 matching grant from the Planning Board account to have Montachusett Regional Planning Commission prepare a grant proposal.
NIA #: 05-165
Geographical key word: Orange
Thematic key words: landfill funds, hazardous waste, water pollution
Source: Recorder, 3 Nov 05, p. 3
Headline: Orange board to consider use of landfill money
Summary: The town of Orange is at least considering the possibility of using funds designated for monitoring and closure of the closed landfill site off Jones Street to cover other municipal expenses. The town puts $10,000 a year into the special account, with other funds coming from sticker fees to residents using the transfer/recycling facility at the site. The select board wants more information on possible risks associated with hazardous wastes stored at the landfill, including impacts to a nearby stream. Town administrator Rick Kwiatkowski said he would discuss the issue with engineers from the firm of DuFresne-Henry, which monitors the site for the town.
NIA #: 05-164
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: Brush Mountain, M&M trail, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
Source: Recorder, 2 Nov. 05, p. 2
Headline: Northfield to use state grant to help secure land
Summary: The town of Northfield has received a $70,000 state grant to help with purchase of 46 acres of scenic, forested land along the M&M trail. An additional $59,000 is needed to complete the land protection deal with the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, which purchased the land from the town earlier this year, with the understanding that the town would work to secure the funds to re-purchase it from the Trust.
NIA #: 05-163
Geographical key words: Orange
Thematic key words: riverfront park, Millers River
Source 1: Athol Daily News, 29 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Orange gets $372,935 for park
Source 2: Telegram & Gazette, 31 Oct. 05, p. B1
Headline: Field, trail, park funded: State aids rec projects
Summary:
Orange has received a self-help grant from the state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs in the amount of $372,935. The grant will be used for construction of a riverfront park on the Millers River, on a three-quarter acre lot previously used as a highway barn. Patricia Smith of the town’s Riverfront Committee, said the grant money, which will be combined with another grant as matching funds, will allow project construction to begin. The park will include a small building where canoes and kayaks can be rented. The grant is part of a statewide award of $14 million to help communities acquire or protect land f or natural resource protection (watersheds) or recreational use.
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NIA #: 05-162
Geographical key words: Gardner
Thematic key words: contaminated land, brownfields cleanup
Source: Gardner News, 28 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: City program can help owners clean up contaminated land
Summary:
Gardner has about 100 sites identified by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as potential brownfields, or polluted sites. The city still has just over $100,000 in funds available from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help property owners determine whether their land is contaminated. The program provides up to $2,500 for a Phase I study and between $20-25,000 for a Phase II study. Many of the sites on the state list were small spills that have been cleaned up.
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NIA #: 05-161
Geographical key words: Templeton
Thematic key words: storm water management
Source 1: Gardner News, 28 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Stormwater Committee and Earth Tech flowing to success
Source 2: Telegram & Gazette, 31 Oct. 05
Headline: Illegal drains targeted
Summary:
To aid in identifying the sources of pollution still entering the town’s streams and ponds, the Conservation Commission will identify all storm water drains and outfalls (runoff collection points) in town, working through the town’s four precincts one by one—the Back Bay area in Baldwinville will be first. Once the outfalls are found, Earth tech will place them on a GIS (geographic information system). Earth Tech will then be able to test the outfalls for pollutants and seek funds to fix existing problems. The town is in the 3rd year of a state 5-year stormwater program created to reduce pollution to town water bodies. Under the program the town must provide action in several ways: public education and participation, illicit discharge defect and elimination, construction situation and post-construction runoff control, and municipal housekeeping.
The town Highway Department will assist in identifying storm drains.Highway Superintendent Bud Chase said the town has about 110 miles of roads, and nobody knows the total number of drains, some of which are obscured by vegetation or otherwise not visible from the road.
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NIA #: 05-160
Geographical key words: Vernon (VT), North Central Massachusetts
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee, nuclear energy plant
Source: Recorder, 28 Oct. 05, p. 5
Headline: Panel puts off power boost advice after raucous meeting
Summary:
After holding a contentious meeting Thursday, the Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Panel put off as decision to support the request by Vermont Yankee to boost its energy output by 20 percent. Panel member Timothy Nulty sought to have the panel reject the request for the power increase. Senator Mark MacDonald (D-Orange) argued for a study of the economic impacts to Vermont of rejecting the request. Panel chairman David O’Brien called the argument a waste of “the taxpayers’ time,” saying there are several other important issues the panel needs to deal with. Under an existing arrangement, Vermont would receive some of the additional energy produced by the plant until the year 2012. The panel is scheduled to vote on the power increase request on November 22.
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NIA #: 05-159
Geographical key words: Gardner
Thematic key words: Open Space & Recreation Plan
Source: Gardner News, 27 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Student volunteers to go door to door for Open Space effort
Summary:
Local high school students will go door to door to distribute 8,000 copies of the Survey prepared by the Open Space and Recreation Committee. The Survey will be used to update the town’s open space and recreation plan. Some students will also be involved in following up with residents by phone to encourage a response. A town official said the response rate for such a survey is between 2-4 percent, but hopefully will be higher due to the personal relationships between students and town residents.
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NIA #: 05-158
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: Secret Lake, weed control
Source: Athol Daily news, 26 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Approval to draw down Secret Lake is granted
Summary:
The Secret lake Property Owners Association was given approval by the Conservation Commission to draw down the lake’s water level in hopes of reducing the presence of milfoil. The decision will hold for 5 years, and includes several conditions. The water level may only be lowered a maximum of 2 feet from top of spillway. The maximum draw down allowed per day is 3 inches per day. Return to normal water levels is required in spring.
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NIA #: 05-157
Geographical key words: Gardner
Thematic key words: urban renewal plan
Source: Gardner news, 25 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: City moves toward urban renewal plan
Summary:
The city’s Redevelopment Authority scheduled its first meeting for stakeholders to discuss its new urban renewal plan. The November 17 meeting will be attended by property owners, businesses and town officials likely to be affected by the plan; a later meeting will be held for the general public. Defining the precise location of the urban renewal district is one of the first orders of business. The state Department of Housing and Community Development will is expected to be a major funder of what could be a multi-million dollar project.
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NIA #: 05-156
Geographical key words: Templeton
Thematic key words: wetlands destruction, housing construction
Source: Gardner news, 24 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: DEP visits property after appeal
Summary:
Responding to an abutter’s appeal, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducted a site visit on Rice Road and will review plans to destroy just under 5,000 square feet of wetlands to build a single family home with a driveway 600 feet long and 16 feet wide. The abutter, Frank Moschetti, is concerned about getting flooded with silt on his property, but otherwise does not oppose the project. Original plans for the project involved the destruction of over 7,000 acres of wetlands, but were scaled back because the town’s Conservation Commission can only approve projects under 5,000 square feet.
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NIA #: 05-155
Geographical key words: Westminster
Thematic key words: Deer Run Estates, cluster development, open space
Source: Gardner news, 23 Oct. 05, p. 3
Headline: Board approves Deer Run Estates permits
Summary:
The zoning board of appeals approved, with conditions, a 41-house cluster development for people aged 55 and older. Located off Ellis Road, the 107-acre property will have a total of 85 acres of open space, with smaller houses built on smaller lots. The developer received permission to construct 16 units a year, twice the number that subdivision regulations allow. Measures to reduce noise, traffic and pollution impacts from the project are still being developed.
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NIA #: 05-154
Geographical key words: Montague
Thematic key words: landfill
Source: Recorder, 22 Oct. 05, p. 3
Headline: Montague woman to hold meeting about landfill
Summary:
A local woman concerned that town residents do not know enough about the proposed landfill project has organized an informational meeting on the subject. Carol Flandreau thinks the final decision whether to approve a landfill proposal should be made by vote of all town residents, not at town meeting. Town meeting members represent constituents in the town, but Flandreau said the members have not been discussing the issue with residents and that many people in town don’t know much about the project. The town has put out a request for proposals, and if a developer submits a viable proposal, the matter would go to town meeting for a decision, unless the town creates a new mechanism to allow all residents to vote on the issue.
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NIA #: 05-153
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: Master Plan
Source: 21 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Master Plan Review begins
Summary:
The town’s Master Plan is now being reviewed by the Board of Planning and Community Development. The board began with recommendations from Chapter 1, relating to open space and natural resources. The board, which hopes to complete its review in 2007, will identify the following: the departments and committees responsible for implementing the plan’s recommendations; the status of those recommendations; and outside groups with whom to potentially collaborate. One of the chapter’s recommendations calls for creating a zoning bylaw for a “Ridge Protection Overlay District” that would limit the density and visual impact of residential development to protect their scenic and wildlife value.
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NIA #: 05-152
Geographical key words: Westminster
Thematic key words: affordable housing, Chapter 40B, residential development
Source: Gardner News, 20 Oct. 05, p. 3
Headline: Town planner’ submits affordable housing plan
Summary:
Westminster, with just under 3 percent of its housing stock considered as affordable housing, is putting a plan in place to reach the goal of 10 percent affordable housing. Reaching that goal would allow the town to turn down development plans submitted under the state’s Chapter 40B program that allow developers to bypass local ordinances in return for pricing a percentage of units in a residential development as “affordable”—which in Westminster is based on the lower half of median income. The current plan is being spearheaded by town planner Alicia Altieri. The town has already conducted a housing survey and assessment of housing needs; additional factors being reviewed include the price of home sales and the status of municipal infrastructure. The number of new residential units currently being considered in town is 330, and is expected to increase. The state will have 90 days to review the town’s plan once it is submitted.
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NIA #: 05-151
Geographical key word: North Quabbin Region
Thematic key words: Eco-tourism, North Quabbin Woods Project
Source: Athol Daily News, 20 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Tourism Grant Payment
Summary:
The North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce received the first installment of a $50,000 state grant to promote regional tourism. The 3-year old North Quabbin Woods Project, based in Orange and created to promote economic development based on careful use of the region’s extensive natural resources, will be the main recipient of funds. Various programs and projects by NQW and others will benefit, including the NQW’s website, brochures for area attractions such as for the Tully Trail, and a new regional guide developed by NQW. Two popular annual events, the River Rat Race and the Garlic and Arts Festival, will be expanded to 2-day events. In addition to tourism, the NQW project promotes the region’s forestry and wood products industries.
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NIA #: 05-150
Geographical key word: Vernon (VT), Massachusetts
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee, nuclear energy, nuclear safety, Entergy
Source: Recorder, 19 Oct. 05, p. 5
Headline: Entergy agrees with new operating conditions for boost
Summary:
The Vermont Yankee nuclear plant has agreed to safety conditions set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as requirements to a requested 20 percent power boost. These operating conditions include monitoring of critical components, installation of monitoring devices and a gradual increase in power production. The agreement does not guarantee approval of the request. According to the New England Coalition, a nuclear watch dog group, the company had itself proposed most of the conditions cited by the NRC. Of special concern is the effect of increased power output on the plant’s steam dryers.
Two other nuclear reactors with a design similar to Vermont Yankee suffered steam dryer failures when they underwent similar power boosts. According to the Associated Press, steam dryers are not considered a key safety component.
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NIA #: 05-149
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: housing development, trailer park
Source: Gardner News, 19 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Officials, abutters air concerns at trailer park hearing
Summary:
A 172-unit trailer park is being proposed for the intersection of Routes 101 and 140. At a public hearing of the zoning appeals board, residents and city officials expressed concerns over the proposed project. Residents’ concerns included the effect on area property values and traffic. Officials mentioned water and sewer capacity, among other factors. The proposed plan was factually incorrect in several areas, including the type of soil upon which the analysis of drainage was based.
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NIA #: 05-148
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: solid waste disposal, landfill, transfer station, trash, garbage
Source: Gardner News, 18 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Councilors unanimously back permanent city transfer station
Summary:
City councilors voted unanimously to support the creation of a permanent transfer station to handle residents’ garbage, which would be located at the city landfill. Under an existing agreement with the Waste Management company, residents may currently drop off their trash at the landfill until December 31st. Waste Management, the landfill operator, is in the process of capping the landfill, which is expected to reach full capacity shortly and be closed. Under the current proposal, trash dropped of by residents at the transfer station would be shipped to a landfill out of town. Discussion drew attention to the likely costs involved to the town and residents.
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NIA #: 05-147
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: Great Dam
Source: Gardner News, 18 Oct. 05, p. 3
Headline: Great Dam undergoes renovation
Summary:
After years of delay, construction is now underway to renovate and strengthen the Great Dam. It was identified as a large, high-hazard dam in 1996, with potential to cause extensive damage in a collapse. The original dam improvement project’s design would have eliminated the Great Dam and reinforced the nearby Red Dam as the sole structure. However, a serious error by a surveyor hired by the project’s engineering firm concerning use of the Red Dam led to a lengthy delay and legal battle. A financial payment by the engineering firm to the town allowed the project on Great Dam to proceed.
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NIA #: 05-146
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: zoning bylaws, economic growth, open space protection
Source: Gardner News, 15 Oct. 05, p. 3
Headline: Winchendon bylaws revised
Summary:
For more than a year, the Zoning Revision Task Force has been meeting twice a month to revise the town’s bylaws line by line. The task force is seeking to create bylaws that the average person can understand, and that will promote economic growth and preserve open space and agricultural land. In 2007, the town’s current building cap –50 building permits a year—will expire. Task force member Mark Shea said that by taking a responsible approach to growth, the town hopes to avoid a flurry of building projects maintain the town’s overall character. A completed first draft of the new bylaws should be available for the Special Town Meeting.
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NIA #: 05- 145
Geographical key word: Orange
Thematic key words: Millers River, riverfront park
Source: Athol Daily News, 7 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Riverfront park plans 75 percent completed
Summary:
A public hearing on the proposed Orange Riverfront Park was held Thursday night to review detailed project plans and discuss related matters. A 1600-square foot concession building with bathrooms and bike space will handle boat and kayak rentals, and hopefully bicycles as well when the Greenway between Orange and Athol is completed. Docks will be installed, and there will be handicapped access to the river. Several permits from a variety of agencies are pending on the project, after which the design phase will be complete and construction may begin. The cost of the total project is almost $1 million. Phase 1, estimated at $548,438, will not cost the town any money: A $175,000 grant has been approved from the state DEP and a $372,935 Urban Self-Help grant request for the remainder is pending. Funding is being sought for Phase 2, which includes a sidewalk on East River Street, the docks, and some vegetation.
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NIA #: 05-144
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: Mountain View Estates, affordable housing development, Chapter 40B
Source: Gardner News, 7 Oct. 05, p. 3
Headline: Mountain View Estates may shrink to 136 housing units
Summary:
Responding to the board of zoning appeals’ request to see a down-sized project proposal, revised plans for the proposed Mountain View Estates have eliminated all 28 units intended for people aged 55 and older. The applicant’s attorney said the “landscape” for such units has changed since originally proposed two years ago. The board continued to discuss the proposed project’s likely impacts on town services. The town’s sewer and water pump stations currently operate at nearly full capacity. Town Counsel Alan Seewald said the problem is not with the project, but with the town’s limited capacity. Questions remain about how the project’s filing process should be routed through the town’s various committees.
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NIA #: 05-143
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Millers River, flooding, Cass Meadow
Source: Athol Daily News, 6 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Steps to avoid flooding detailed
Summary:
Fire Chief Jim Wright discussed plans to prevent future flooding of the Millers River by Cass Meadow from damaging homes on adjacent Pequoig Avenue and Shore Drive. Existing plans by the state Division of Fisheries & Wildlife to remove trees and vegetation from the meadow will, by returning the area to now-rare grass and shrub habitats, also help to alleviate the buildup of ice. Wright added $16,000 is being sought from town funds to replace the check valves in selected storm water pipes. Training to monitor river conditions, and improved communications among responding agencies are also expected to help, but Wright also stated local homeowners need to have flood insurance and move valuables to upper floors.
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NIA #: 05-142
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: Mount Wachusett Community College, State Sustainability Program, alternative energy, renewable energy
Source: Gardner News, 6 Oct. 05, p. 1
Headline: Mount receives state conservation award
Summary:
Mount Wachusett Community College received an award from the State Sustainability Program for its innovative environmental efforts. Since converting its heating system to operate from a wood-fueled biomass plant in 2002, the College is estimated to have lowered its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and saved over $600,000. The biomass plant also supports the region’s forest industry and economy. The school is currently experimenting with burning wood chips to produce gas that could be used to make electricity, and has also been active in utilizing solar and wind power.
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NIA #: 05-141
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Millers River, flooding, frazil, Cass Meadow
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 4 Oct. 05
Headline: Tree removal might solve Millers River flooding
Summary:
Plans to remove trees from Cass Meadow later this year are expected to reduce flooding problems associated with buildup of frazil, a slushy ice formation caused by unusual weather conditions of alternating cold and warm periods. Such weather conditions resulted in flooding along the Millers River the past two winters; last winter the river flooded both banks, affecting homes along Pequoig Avenue and Shore Drive. Existing plans by the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to return a large portion of the meadow to grassland and shrubland by clearing stands of birch trees close to the river are expected to allow any flooding to spread out through the meadow and hopefully avoid damage to homes. The state selected Cass Meadow as one of several project for restoring increasingly rare early successional habitats.
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NIA Database #: 05-140
Geographical key words: Westminster, Ashburnham
Thematic key words: Open Space & Recreation Committee, land trusts, Forest Legacy, Mid-State Trail
Source: Gardner News, 4 Oct. 05, p. 4
Headline: Town planner asks selectmen to appoint open space committee
Summary:
The selectboard will consider a request by town planner Alicia Altieri to organize an Open Space & Recreation Committee to update the town’s Open Space Plan. Altieri told the board an updated plan is needed for inclusion in a Forest Legacy grant application that would protect 11 parcels in town. Altieri also briefed the board on the Mid-State Trail project, under which 590 acres in Westminster would be protected. The North County Land Trust would combine the town’s grant application with one from the Bush Hill property in Ashburnham. The select board had questions about the role of the proposed Open Space committee.
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NIA Database #: 05-139
Geographical key word: Leominster
Thematic key words: Doyle Conservation Center, energy conservation, sustainable building materials
Source: Telegram & Gazette, 2 Oct. 05, p. B3
Headline: Doyle Center computes savings: Building is a paradigm of energy conservation
Summary:
The Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster is a state of the art environmental building. It is owned and operated by The Trustees of Reservations, the state’s oldest and largest conservation group. The 14,000 square-foot contains a wealth of innovative building practices and materials, including: solar energy panels, computer-controlled geothermal heating and cooling systems, passive heating utilizing triple-pane windows, bamboo and cork flooring, and desks made from Dakota burl, a sunflower seed byproduct. The Center is available for community events. For more information contact the Center at 978-840-4446; www.thetrustees.org.
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NIA Database #: 05-138
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: gravel pit, groundwater, water monitoring
Source: Recorder, 1 Oct. 05, p. 2
Headline: Northfield gravel pit ordered to stop operations
Summary:
Mitchell Aggregate LLC, A company supplying sand and gravel to area towns, has been ordered to halt excavating by the town of Northfield. The company waited five years instead of the required three to apply for renewal of a special permit allowing excavation on land owned by the Boston and Maine Railroad in West Northfield Near Route 142 and Mount Hermon Road. The company has not ceased operations and is engaged in legal proceedings with the town. According to the town’s attorney, B&M has not done water monitoring at the site as required by the state DEP.
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NIA #: 05-137
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Open Space and Recreation Plan
Source: Athol Daily News, 30 Sept. 05, p. 1
Headline: Open Space Plan being updated
Summary:
The town’s Open Space and Recreation Committee had its first meeting Wednesday to start updating the 2005 Open Space and Recreation Plan, last updated in 2000. The Committee will distribute a Survey to town residents, and reviewed the Survey used in 2000, making several revisions. 5,256 residents received the 2000 Survey, and 832 responded—a 15.8 percent response rate. The Committee meets again on Oct. 13 and Oct. 27 at 7 pm at town hall.
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NIA #: 05-136
Geographical key words: Orange, Leominster, Hardwick, Central Massachusetts
Thematic key words: green building, alternative energy, solar energy, Seeds of Solidarity Farm
Source: Worcester T&G, 30 Sept. 05, p. B3
Headline: ‘Green Buildings’ tour to feature 6 properties
Summary:
Several buildings in the region will participate in a “Green Buildings” open house tour taking place this weekend as part of the National Solar Tour. In Orange, Seeds of Solidarity Farm, owned by Deb Habib and Ricky Baruc, operates with many sustainable features, including: off-grid photo-voltaic power cells, passive solar energy, solar hot water and cooling, and alternative fuel vehicles using biodiesel and grease. Other buildings on the tour include the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster and private homes in Hardwick and New Braintree. The website of the American Solar Energy Society has more info on the solar tour: ases.org.
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NIA #: 05-135
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: Open Space and Recreation Plan
Source: Gardner News, 28 Sept. 05, p. 1
Headline: City searches for a way to relax, recreate
Summary:
The city is updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan and seeking input from all residents; it plans to deliver a survey to approximately 8,000 households. The survey asks questions about important natural resources, recreation opportunities, land protection options (including tax assessments), and visions of the city in 20 years. The non-binding Plan will be used by city officials to prioritize future projects and resources.
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NIA #: 05-134
Geographical key word: Wendell
Thematic key words: dump, landfill, Millers River, water pollution
Source:Greenfield Recorder, 28 Sept. 05, p. 1
Headline: Court: Wendell dump owners must pay state $3M for repairs
Summary:
A state court has ordered DB enterprises and its owners to pay $3 million to the state for costs the state incurred repairing the Mormon Hollow landfill. The landfill received construction and demolition materials in the 1990s. The court ruling cited violations at the site regarding use of required storm water and erosion controls, steep slopes, and migration of liquid. The state hired crews in 2000 to clean up and stabilize the site before it could collapse into the Millers River and nearby Lyons Brook. The closed landfill is 550 feet high —40 feet taller than permitted.
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NIA #: 05-133
Geographical key words: Hubbardston, Barre
Thematic key words: forest reserve, biodiversity, Burnshirt River, Rutland State Park
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 28 Sept. 05, p. B1
Headline: Ware River reserve proposed
Summary:
The state has proposed a Ware River Reserve on existing state land in Hubbardston and Barre as one of eight sites to protect large-scale forest land and promote biodiversity. The reserve’s proposed size is 4,150 acres, including portions in both towns in Rutland State Park and along the Burnshirt River (a tributary to the Ware River). An expert panel developed the statewide plan, with the eight sites selected by state agencies from a list of 32 large, contiguous forest areas developed by the Nature Conservancy. Reserve selection was based on 10 extensive ecological and environmental criteria. The Ware River Reserve was noted for its excellent wetlands habitat. The state is seeking local feedback on the project.
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NIA #: 05-132
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key word: landfill
Source: Gardner News, 27 Sept. 05, p. 3
Headline: Board proposes reopening, expanding landfill
Summary:
A proposal for reopening the town landfill was discussed and debated at an open forum held by the Board of Selectmen. The board presented two options, one for accepting demolition and construction waste materials, and the second that would also include accepting municipal waste. Financially, the board favored the latter option, and presented figures, based on current disposal costs of $65 a ton, that expanding the landfill would cost the town $15.4 million and would generate $24.9 million over 20 years. Engineers discussed a wide range of environmental concerns and possible mitigation measures. Residents were most concerned about noise, pollution, traffic—and the impact to tourism. The state recently approved using 25.5 acres of land to expand the current site.
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NIA #: 05-131
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: Proposed housing developments, Chapter 40B, affordable housing, grassroots opposition
Source: Gardner News, 26 Sept. 05, p. 1
Headline: In a mushrooming housing market, residents want to step back
Summary:
Proposals for more than 538 housing units are currently before town officials. These include duplexes and condominiums designed for single parent families or the elderly, and conventional single family homes. Local officials have sought to scale down several of these projects, which continue to be opposed by several local citizens groups concerned with what they see as excessive and inappropriate development. According to the 2000 US Census, Westminster’s population exceeded 11 percent during the decade, and is one of the fastest growing towns in the state.
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NIA #: 05-130
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: Proposed housing development, Chapter 40B, affordable housing, grassroots opposition
Source: Gardner News, 26 Sept. 05, p. 5
Headline: Zoning board to discuss Kingsbury Arms
Summary:
The hearing on Castle Partners LLC’s Chapter 40B application for the proposed Kingsbury Arms housing development by will be continued by the Zoning Board of Appeals next Tuesday. Under Chapter 40B, a developer may apply for a state building permit by designating 10 percent of the total number of units to be affordable by low-income buyers. Plans for Kingsbury Arms, which would be located on 34 acres on Livermore Road, call for 14 of 56 units to be so designated. Recently, several citizens’ groups, including Stop These Oversized Projects (STOP), Concerned Residents for Orderly Westminster Development (CROWD) and Watchdogs for an Environmentally Safe Town, have formed to oppose several proposed large housing development projects in close proximity. In addition to Kingsbury Arms, these include Pheasant Ridge, another 40B proposal, and Dee Run; both of the latter are targeted to people over age 55.
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NIA #: 05-129
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: multiple housing developments
Source: Gardner News, 21 Sept. 05, p. 3
Headline: Neighbors ask the zoning board to look beyond Deer Run borders
Summary:
Deer Run Estates, a proposed 41-lot cluster development for people over 55 years old, was discussed at a recent zoning board of appeals meeting. The project would be located on 107 acres owned by the Ellis Road Development Trust. Neighbors of the proposed project were present to point out that other projects proposed nearby, including Pheasant Ridge Estates and Castle Partners’ Kingsbury Arms—both if which would abut Deer Run Estates. That could mean a total of 166 homes in what Janice Leclair called “one very small area of town.” Edwin Kaarela of the ZBA reminded those present the board can only consider the proposal before it. The board continued the hearing to Oct. 18.
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NIA #: 05-128
Geographical key word: Massachusetts
Thematic key words: beaver management, trapping
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 20 Sept. 05, p. 1
Headline: State Legislature reconsiders beaver trapping restrictions
Summary:
The legislature’s Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture reviewed over a dozen proposals to loosen restrictions on beaver trapping passed by the 1996 Wildlife Protection Act. That Act, approved by 64 percent of a voter referendum, prohibits use of body-gripping traps. A 2000 revision allows a local Board of Health to issue a permit for a trap when a non-lethal approach has been attempted and a safety or public health issue has been demonstrated. The state’s beaver population is estimated by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to have increased from 22,500 in 1995 to 70,000 today, though the latter figure is not firm.
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NIA #: 05-127
Geographical key word: Northfield, Warwick, Monadnock Highlands
Thematic key words: Quabbin to Cardigan Initiative, Mount Hermon School, forest protection
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 19 Sept. 05, p. 3
Headline: Quabbin to Mount Cardigan meeting postponed until October
Summary:
A meeting to inform Northfield and Warwick residents about the Quabbin to Mount Cardigan Conservation Initiative has been postponed. The project concerns over 3,000 square miles of continuous forest in the Monadnock Highlands stretching from the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts to Mount Cardigan in New Hampshire. With the consolidation of the Northfield Mount Hermon School to its Gill campus, the fate of more than 2,000 acres of land owned by the school on “the ridge” in Northfield hangs in the balance.
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NIA #: 05-126
Geographical key word: Warwick
Thematic key words: Hidden Valley Estates, condominium development
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 19 Sept. 05, p. 2
Headline: Condos caught between ZBA, Planning Board
Summary:
The towns Zoning Board of Appeals and its Planning Board are considering proper jurisdiction for review of the proposed Hidden Valley Estates, a 40-unit condominium project that would be the town’s first development. The ZBA continued the hearing for a special permit until November 17th. An article requesting a moratorium on approving condominium developments was placed on the Oct. 24 special town meeting warrant by the Planning Board. ZBA chairman J. David Engman said the special permit sought was not intended for “mother in law” apartments, nit a large project. A moratorium would not affect the existing proposal, but could have force if the proposal is withdrawn or rejected and a modified proposal was submitted in the future
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NIA #: 05-125
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Millers River Recreation Park, ecotourism
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 17 Sept. 05, p. 2
Headline: Millers River project gets boost from state grant
Summary:
The state awarded a $185,171 grant to the town to design and construct walking trails along the Millers River, and provide canoe access and a parking area. Design work is being done by TerraSphere in Worcester, and local and state officials. Three sites along the river are in the works—on North Orange Road, Shore Drive, and the intersection of Main and Canal Streets. The town will put out construction bids after selectmen vote to approve a contract with the state, with work possibly beginning in the spring.
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NIA #: 05-124
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: Cass Meadow, invasive plant management
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 16 Sept. 05, p. B1
Headline: Nature club targets natural invaders
Summary:
Work crews from the Division of Fish & Wildlife and the Athol Bird and Nature Club will be at Cass Meadow October 8th to remove buckthorn, a non-native plant. Other invasive plants targeted for removal at Cass Meadow include purple loosestrife and Japanese knotweed. These invasive species are non-native, aggressively colonize habitats and crowd out native vegetation. This coming weekend about 300 people will attend the New England Invasive Plant Summit in Framingham to address successful methods of halting the spread of invasive plants—including early detection.
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NIA #: 05-123
Geographical key word: Turners Falls, Montague
Thematic key word: landfill
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 15 Sept. 05, p. 1
Headline: Potential developers tour Montague landfill site.
Summary:
About 25 representatives of various waste management firms toured the proposed site of a town landfill with local officials, in response to the town’s request for proposals to lease the 34 acre site on Turnpike Road and develop and operate a landfill. Final approval by town voters would be required for any plan submitted, and the RFP’s conditions are considered strict. Only a few companies are expected to submit a proposal, which can cost $100,000 to prepare; there is also a $10,000 submission fee and no guarantee the town will decide to approve a landfill operation. The site is generally considered a good one for a landfill.
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NIA #: 05-122
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: open space plan, Otter River stream team, Ware River rail trail
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 15 Sept. 05
Headline: Templeton panel trying to open up conservation land
Summary:
Several groups, including the town’s Open Space Committee, are working to move forward on Open Space Plan that includes trails and recreational fields. The developers of the Ware River Heights project have given open land to the town that connects the Ware River Rail Trail with land parcels near Birch Hill Dam, Day Mill Pond and Narragansett Regional Middle-High School. An October 4th town meeting will vote to accept the gift of the Ware River Heights property. Before the area can be opened to the public, several issues need to be addressed, including: liability issues, development of plans, and permission from the State Department of Conservation and Recreation to use the Ware River Rail Trail. In addition, more work on the Americans with Disabilities Act section is needed before the Plan can be submitted to state authorities.
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NIA #: 05-121
Geographical key word: Warwick
Thematic key words: condominium, development, moratorium, zoning bylaws
Source: Athol Daily News, 14 Sept. 05, p. 1
Headline: Moratorium on Condos is Sought
Summary:
A moratorium on condominium development in town is being sought by the Planning Board. A soon-to-be-formed zoning task force will study the town’s zoning bylaws, and will decide what conditions are applicable to that kind of development.. The moratorium would not apply to Brian Gale’s current application for Hidden Valley Estates to the ZBA. A public hearing on the subject will be held September 29th.
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NIA #: 05-120
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key word: storm water management, water pollution, solid waste management
Source: 12 Sept. 05, p. B6
Headline: Templeton panel chooses a consultant
Summary: The town will choose low bidder Earth Tech to provide the third year of storm water management services. The town is required to complete a 5-year storm water management program to address pollution of several local water bodies. The pollution is thought to be the result of discharges from the storm drain system and outfalls from water sources. As part of the project, the town will inventory and map the storm drain system and outfalls or water sources and the water bodies that receive the drainage. The project also includes the promotion of recycling and other solid waste management efforts.
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NIA #: 05-119
Geographical key word: Gardner, Massachusetts
Thematic key word: forestry, Forest Viability Grant Program
Source: Barre Gazette, 8 Sept. 05, p. 16
Headline: Information meetings to be held on Forest Viability Grant Program
Summary: The Forest and Wood Products Institute at Mount Wachusett Community College is holding meetings to familiarize landowners, organizations and professionals with the state’s Forest Viability Grant Program. The program aims to protect and enhance the ecological and economic health of privately owned forest land by offering business planning assistance and plan implementation grants to landowners with forest-based businesses. Up to $5,000 in technical assistance is available to landowners to develop a Forest Viability Business Plan; landowners with such a plan may be eligible for up to $20,000 in implementation funds. For info on the program call 978-630-9360 or email Joe smith at jsmith@mwcc.mass.edu.
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NIA #: 05-118
Geographical key word: Westminster
Thematic key word: Mountain View Estates, development, subdivision, affordable housing, Chapter 40B
Source: Gardner News, 8 Sept. 05, p. 3
Headline: Mountain View Estates could run afoul of water, sewer capacity
Summary: According to consultants for the town, the proposed 164-unit Mountain View Estates Project may bring the town to capacity on its water and sewer delivery volumes. Consultants discussed flow rates for water and sewer based on 40B affordable housing guidelines, as well as the town’s infrastructure, pump stations and agreements with the City of Fitchburg for water use and sewer discharge. The projects water use is expected to be 59,000 gallons per day. There are other development projects in the works that together raise questions about the town’s ability to deliver adequate services. The pumping stations are limited in their capacity, the consultants said. A public workshop on the project was set for Sept. 21st, and the public hearing will be continued Oct. 6th.
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NIA #: 05-117
Geographical key word: Athol, Millers River
Thematic key word: flooding, Cass Meadow
Source #1: Athol Daily News, 8 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Steps to prevent river flooding are in progress
Source #2: Greenfield Recorder, 9 Sept. 05, p. 2
Headline: Fire chief more comfortable with flood issues
Summary: Fire chief James Wright updated the selectboard regarding efforts to prevent future winter flooding. The removal of vegetation overgrowth at Cass Meadow currently underway is expected to help reduce the potential for flooding significantly. Valves are also being considered for three storm drains. A report by the Army Corps of Engineers also recommends training of firefighters and installing monitoring equipment along the river, which may cost up to $20,000 if not available from ACE. Use of existing temporary and permanent diversion channels is also under consideration.
NIA #: 05-116
Geographical key words: Pioneer Valley, Franklin County, China
Thematic key words: post-carbon future, peak oil, alternative energy, sustainability, self-sufficiency
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 7 Sept. 05, p. 01
Headline: Grassroots group takes on soaring energy prices
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A new group, the Pioneer Valley Post-Carbon Council has formed to explore ways in which the region might become more self-sufficient in the event of reduced and/or more expensive prices for petroleum-based prices. The concept of peak oil is now being hotly debated, suggesting that rising global oil demands, driven mostly by China and the United States, will exceed available supplies and disrupt the global economy. Group member Don Campbell, a solar energy specialist, said the region has a history of self-reliance and inventiveness, and cited as current examples the planned bio-diesel plant in Greenfield, the Pioneer Valley Photovoltaic Cooperative, and Community Involved in Sustainable Agriculture (CISA) movement. The Council plans a series of fall programs that will focus on making communities more self-sufficient in their resource use.
NIA #: 05-115
Geographical key words: New England, Vernon (VT)
Thematic key words: Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, complaint, terrorism, cooling towers
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 6 Sept. 05, p. 4
Headline: Nuclear board dismisses complaint about cooling towers at Vt. Yankee
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A complaint about the safety of Vermont Yankee’s cooling tower was dismissed by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board. The ability of the 33-year old wooden cooling towers to withstand a terrorist attack has been questioned by the New England Coalition, an anti-nuclear watchdog group. The board based its decision on a new analysis of the cooling towers’ integrity conducted by owner Entergy Nuclear. The board is currently reviewing complaints by the coalition and the state of Vermont concerning safety issues from Entergy’s plans to increase power production at the Vernon reactor.
NIA #: 05-114
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: beaver management
Source: Gardner News, 2 Sept. 05, p. 3
Headline: Only the beavers are baffled by the device
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A series of beaver baffles installed to prevent flooding at several locations in town have been effective. The devices, consisting of wire fencing and poles, are placed around culverts, and are cleaned in the spring and fall to ensure good water flow. Beavers, hearing flowing water in the culverts, would naturally attempt to plug the “leaks,” leading to flooding. The humanitarian baffle devices, which allow the beaver to stay safe in their environmental, are becoming increasingly popular, and are being considered by several other towns.
NIA #: 05-113
Geographical key words: Templeton, Baldwinville
Thematic key words: hazardous waste, brownfields, Baldwinville Products, Temple Stuart Furniture Factory
Source: Gardner News, 2 Sept. 05, p. 4
Headline: Stevens pushing for $100k grant to clean up site
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The board of health is investigating alleged claims that drums containing chemicals and ink were buried at the Baldwinville Products site, a former paper mill. The board is sending a letter to the company’s owner, Medi Gabayzadeh, and to Erving Paper Mill asking for information. The board is also considering applying for a “brownfields” grant of up to $100,000 to clean up the 23-acre Temple Stuart Furniture Factory site, including the landfill behind it. The USEPA has been excavation PCB-contaminated soils from homes near the former furniture factory.
NIA #: 05-112
Geographical key word: Wendell
Thematic key words: septic system
Source: Montague Reporter, 1 Sept. 05, p. 7
Headline: Town Center Septic
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A contract for the final design of the septic system for town center is almost ready to be signed, but some issues still remain. Those include the number of private homes, if any, allowed to connect to the system, and the fate of failing and marginal systems in the whole central area. The capacity of the system as designed is 1900 gallons per day, short of the 2000 gpd threshold above which costs can rise substantially. The town’s septic study committee will meet Sept. 13.
NIA #: 05-111
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: cluster development, open space, affordable housing
Source: Gardner News, 27 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Firm submits plan for mobile home park
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Plans for a 177-unit mobile home park were submitted to the zoning board of appeals last week. The plan shows that 31 of the plot’s 88.7 acres would be developed cluster style, with much of the remaining land left for open space and passive recreation. Under the city’s current zoning ordinance, a special permit is required for mobile home parks. A new zoning ordinance currently in preparation would eliminate the opportunity for mobile parks, but the current plan would be grand-fathered in if the new ordinance is approved. Gardner officials have said recently that there is plenty of affordable housing stock in the city, and they consider mobile homes to return too little in taxes; they also acknowledged, however, that elderly people seeking affordable housing have few choices to find single-floor units.
NIA #: 05-110
Geographical key words: Templeton, Baldwinville
Thematic key words: PCBs, contaminated soils, EPA, cleanup, Temple Stuart factory,
Source #1: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 26 Aug. 05, p. B1
Headline: 48 baldwinville homes involved in EPA cleanup
Source #2: Gardner News, 27 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: EPA cleanup of soil contaminated by PCB ends, sampling to continue
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: As part of a phased cleanup of residential properties surrounding the former Temple Stuart furniture factory on Holman Street in Baldwinville, the USEPA recently completed the removal of contaminated soils from 22 properties found to be contaminated with PCBs. PCBs are a mixture of chemicals of very similar structure that have a wide variety of industrial uses, and do not degrade easily; because they have been found to cause cancer in animals, they are considered potentially dangerous to humans, and have not been produced since 1977. The total number of houses that have had contaminated soils removed now stands at 48. All houses have now been backfilled and had fresh material restored, and will have plantings installed in the fall. Later this fal the EPA will sample an additional 30 houses to see if they require cleanup.
NIA #: 05-109
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: open space and recreation plan
Source: Athol Daily News, 26 Aug. 05, p. 3
Headline: Committee being formed
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A committee has been appointed by town manager David Ames to update the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. The committee will be overseen by the Conservation Committee, and will include members of several town departments, as well as high school students and other at-large members. Ames expects the group to work over the next six months to carry out a variety of tasks. Interested persons can contact Ames at 978-249-2496.
NIA #: 05-108
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: zoning, cluster development, subdivision, open space
Source: Gardner News, 26 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Zoning overhaul plan gets tough public scrutiny
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: At an open meeting Thursday, various issues were raised by community members about the proposed zoning overhaul. Consultants hired by the city gave a presentation on the differences between the new proposal and the existing ordinance. Most of the residents in the audience were members of town government. Among other concerns, they questioned the size of the density “bonus” given to cluster style developments that conserve a high amount of open space. The consultants responded that while, on the surface, the bonus is high, it disappears when changes in lot size and open space requirements are figured in. Discussion of the rate of the city’s scheduled housing development highlighted the need to justify any limits to the number of structures built with legitimate planning concerns, such as ability to provide adequate infrastructure.
NIA #: 05-107
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: beaver dams
Source: Athol Daily News, 26 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Beaver dam work will be demolished
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: An 8-foot high beaver dam containing several hundred thousand gallons of water, located within the Templeton Road industrial zone, will be removed by the town. Officials visiting the site determined the dam to be a hazard that requires immediate attention. The method used will be similar to the one used recently in Gardner. After siphoning off some water, a portion of the dam will be removed. During this process, the beaver population (estimated at eight) will be trapped. [Note: The fate of the beavers was not mentioned.]
NIA #: 05-106
Geographical key word: Montague
Thematic key words: landfill, RFP
Source: Montague Reporter, 25 Aug. 05, p. 5
Headline: Selectboard responds on landfill concerns
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A guest editorial by three members of the selectboard responded at length to a previous guest editorial from August 11 that suggested the board had moved ahead to quickly with plans for an RFP (request for proposal) to develop the landfill, and was insensitive to environmental issues and educating and involving the public in the process. Selectboard members detailed their extensive efforts to involve the public in every stage of a process going back 18 months, and likely to continue into 2006 and beyond should a satisfactory RFP be submitted by a developer. The board also elaborated on their efforts to ensure that environmental concerns receive a high priority, while also ensuring that any project proposal be economically attractive to the town. A public meeting on Sept. 7th will focus on the RFP document.
NIA #: 05-105
Geographical key word: Deerfield
Thematic key words: Japanese knotweed, invasive plant management
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 24 Aug. 05, p. 4
Headline: Watershed group gets money to manage Japanese knotweed
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has granted $15,000 to the Deerfield River Watershed Association to manage Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant found in rivers and streams throughout the watershed. The fast-growing perennial plant originated in Asia, and forms dense thickets along roads and stream banks, as well as in yards and disturbed areas. The group will use the funds to remove the plant from selected areas of rivers and streams and create an educational program for the community, including practical information on managing the plant.
NIA #: 05-104
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: landfill closure, capping
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 23 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Gardner landfill being capped
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Waste Management, Inc. has begun capping the city’s landfill, and expects two of the landfill’s three cells to be capped and closed by the end of the year. According to health director Bernard Sullivan, the portion now being capped has led to elimination of many odor problems. It is uncertain whether capping of the third cell will occur before this winter. An odor-free torch will be used to burn off excess methane for the next 20 years. The town has no plans to build another landfill to handle wastes, and will have to ship them out. At a recent planning board meeting, options for using the closed 120-foot high landfill were discussed, including bird watching and star gazing.
NIA #: 05-103
Geographical key word: Connecticut River watershed
Thematic key words: river cleanup
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 22 Aug. 05, p. 2
Headline: Volunteers needed for Conn. River watershed cleanup
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: On October 1st, the Connecticut River Watershed Council is sponsoring the 9th annual Source to the Sea Watershed Cleanup. Over 1,200 volunteers, from more than 40 civic groups, participated last year, hauling in about 30 tons of trash. Despite years of improvement, according to CRWC’s Andrea Donlon, “our rivers are unfortunately still treated like dumping groun ds in some places. To join the cleanup in Massachusetts, contact Donlon at 413-772-2020 or go to www.ctriver.org.
NIA #: 05-102
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: open space plan
Source #1: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 23 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Winchendon open space plan begun
Source #2: Gardner News, 23 Aug. 05, p. 3
Headline: Open Space task force seeks town volunteers
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town is working to revise its open space plan, which expired last year. Since 1990, when the state set the goal of protecting 200,000 acres of land, towns have been required to prepare a new plan every five years. By 2000, the state was halfway to its goal. The new planning effort will be led by Judith Briggs, newly appointed community planning and development agent, with assistance from the planning board and volunteers. With a current plan the town will be eligible to apply for grants for protection of recreational areas, growth management and historic preservation.
NIA #: 05-101
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key words: development, wetlands, Vertical Building Group, smart growth.
Source: Gardner news, 23 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: 120-acre plot brought before ConCom
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The president of Hubbardston-based Vertical Building Group, Martin Wolons, came before the ConCom to discuss wetlands concerns related to his intended development project on a 120-acre plot of land near the intersection of Route 140 and Matthews Street. Wolons brought a map with wetlands locations flagged, and asked the ConCom to confirm his information. The ConCom will schedule a walk-through of the site by the full panel. No details on the building plan were presented by Wolons, who may wait until after he has conformed flagging before deciding on a plan; however, he did say he was thinking in smart growth terms. Wolons met earlier this year with city planner Robert Hubbard to discuss a possible 40R project, which, as part of Governor Romney’s smart growth initiative, would allow building at a higher density in exchange for the community receiving cash payments from the state for each housing unit built; no town has successfully applied for such a projects as of yet.
NIA #: 05-100
Geographical key word: Orange
Thematic key words: Lake Mattawa, property leases, water department
Source: Athol Daily News, 22 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Lake Mattawa’s Point Property Issues Aired
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Residents on The Point at Lake Mattawa met with town officials to discuss property issues involving the town’s water department, which owns the land. The water department seeks to put a pump-operated portable treatment plant on the site and wants some items removed. Residents of The Point have been paying taxes on their properties in lieu of leases since a 1939 town meeting approved the arrangement. Town officials are considering asking voters at town meeting to transfer the land from the water department to the board of selectmen and request the selectmen to enter into long-term leases with residents. 14 summer homes and 18 year round residences currently occupy The Point.
NIA #: 05-99
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: development, wetlands, flooding, conservation commission, Millers River Access Project, Vertical Building Group, open space plan
Source: Athol Daily News, 22 Aug. 05, p. 5
Headline: Conservation Panel Holds Hearings
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: At a recent meeting the conservation commission voted, after extensive discussion with stakeholders, to issue a negative determination of applicability under the Wetlands Protection Act for a nine-lot subdivision at 567 Pleasant Street, with one condition attached, and one commission member in opposition. The commission voted unanimously for a negative determination of applicability for Peter Hill of Laurel Hill Road; Hill has also offered the town a free parcel of land with no access. After extensive discussion with stakeholders, the commission also voted unanimously to approve--with two conditions--a notice of intent for Vertical Building Group of Hubbardston for its 14-unit townhouse project at the site of an old mill; the conditions are for the builder to take full legal responsibility for both the drainage easement and on-site storm water drainage management. With several abutters present, Dave Small then updated the commission on the Millers River Access Project. Their will be three community access points, all designed, cleaned up and paved, at North Orange Street, Shore Drive and Main Street. Funding for the project is still being sought, Small said. The town’s open space plan expires at the end of August, and the ConCom will hold a special meeting Aug. 23rd to discuss ideas for renewing the plan.
NIA #: 05-98
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: sustainable development, eco-parks, conservation, Heritage Mills
Source: Gardner News, 20 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: New Planning and Development director doing what he believes in
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town’s new director of planning and development, Andrew Gast-Bray, seeks to promote economic growth that does not neglect social and environmental needs. Mr. Bray formerly worked in West Virginia to help design eco-parks—partially developed areas of land with the remainder preserved for conservation. Bray said there are not many places doing this sort of thing, and had good things to say about the town’s Heritage Mills project. He praised residents of rural areas for often being highly innovative.
NIA #: 05-97
Geographical key words: Quabbin, Wachusett, Ware River, Central Massachusetts
Thematic key words: water funds, watersheds, resorvoirsm MRWA, PILOT
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 20 Aug. 05, p. A3
Headline: 31 municipalities get water funds
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: 31 communities with land in the Quabbin, Wachusett and Sudbury reservoir watersheds and the Ware River watershed received over $5 million from the state in FY 2005, as part of an ongoing effort to provide greater Boston with clean drinking water. Acting DCR commissioner Stephen Pritchard told area legislators the payment in lieu of taxes comes from the 2.2 million Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) ratepayers in 47 Greater Boston towns. Because the Quabbin’s water is so clean, the MWRA has not had to construct a water filtration system. Pritchard said over $51 million has been paid out directly to communities since 1991 as part of the state’s watershed protection PILOT programs.
NIA #: 05-96
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key words: electric car, conservation
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 20 Aug. 05, p. 2
Headline: Athol man hopes to spark car revolution
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: H. Thomas Colo of Athol has built a prototype electric car using his 1985 Pontiac Fiero. With a 17-horsepower forklift engine under the hood and eight golf cart batteries in the trunk, the car can travel 150 miles on a full charge. The car simply plugs in at night and is unplugged in the morning for a full charge. The car only uses electricity when you step on the pedal. Any car from a salvage yard that can be loaded with batteries can be converted, Colo said. He wants to teach others how to make the conversion from gasoline to electricity for under $1,500.
NIA #: 05-95
Geographical key word: Franklin County
Thematic key words: hazardous waste disposal, pesticides
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 20 Aug. 05, p. 2
Headline: Day set for pesticide, hazardous waste disposal
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Franklin County Solid Waste Management District will conduct their annual hazardous waste collection on Sept. 24th. Households in the District’s member towns may dispose of their waste for free. Paints, cleaning agents and fluorescent lights are just some of the items accepted. Households and businesses
www.franklincountywastedistrict.org.
NIA #: 05-86
Geographic key word: Templeton, Winchendon, Hubbardston, Athol, Petersham, New Salem
Thematic key words: Otter River State Forest
Source: Gardner News, 15 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: First state forest in Bay State celebrates 90th birthday
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Otter River State Forest, created in 1915, today contains over 22,000 acres of managed state forest and conservation land. Management units of the state forest include Lake Dennison in Winchendon, the Women’s Federation Clubs State Forest in New Salem and Petersham, and state forests in Hubbardston, Winchendon and Templeton, plus an Athol tree farm and the Riceville Dam. The Otter River State Forest’s original tract was much smaller and, being former farmland, was in a cleared state. Extensive reforestation was done with white and red pines. The state forest currently offers overnight camping, swimming and paved roads for walking and biking.
NIA #: 05-85
Geographic key word: Warwick
Thematic key words: condominium, wetlands, water supply, zoning
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 15 Aug. 05, p. 2
Headline: Warwick condominium project placed on hold
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Property owner David Gale has asked for a recess concerning a public hearing by the zoning board of appeals on his proposed multi-unit condominium on 85 acres off Route 78 and Paul Road. The request came about after various issues were raised, including the project’s potential impacts on nearby wetlands, the public nature of the project’s water supply wells, and the size of the water treatment system needed.
NIA #: 05-84
Geographic key word: Orange
Thematic key words: riverfront park, nonpoint source pollution, storm water runoff, Millers River
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 15 Aug. 05, p. 3
Headline: Orange winds federal grant for Riverfront Park recreation project
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: [note: see NIA # 05-76] The $224,600 received by the town to help build a riverfront park comes from a Nonpoint Source Competitive Grant, funded by the USEPA and administered by the state’s DEP. The grant is intended to help the town clean up former low-level industrial pollution adjacent to the Millers River and increase the area’s recreational usage. The grant will be used to implement low impact development technologies to prevent polluted storm water runoff from entering the river. The town is looking to find additional grants to cover the project’s construction phase cost of $900,000, including about $150,000 from an Urban Self-Help Grant to cover its required match for the nonpoint source grant.
NIA #: 05-83
Geographic key word: Athol
Thematic key words: economic development, zoning, transportation, master plan
Source: Athol Daily News, 13 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Transportation, Zoning and Economic Development in Athol are Discussed
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town’s board of planning and community development (BPCD) met to discuss the three topics noted in the headline, as part of its review of the town’s master plan. Regarding transportation, the town needs formal representation on both the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission and the Montachusett Joint Transportation Committee. These entities determine which projects receive state and federal funding. The town has 29 miles of road projects that could be eligible for funding. The Zoning bylaws date from 1965 and are being reviewed by a committee; the town hopes to land a $30,000 smart growth grant to help with that process. The board will begin working on strategies for implementing the master plan’s recommendations.
NIA #: 05-82
Geographic key word: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: rail trail
Source: Gardner News, 12 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Local rail trail panel awaits state decision
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town has sent papers to the state Executive Office of Transportation indicating its intent to purchase a strip of old Boston and Maine railroad line that runs between Willard and Cashman Hill roads. The State has 90 days to decide whether it wants to buy the strip first, under the Commonwealth’s right of first refusal. The town approved $20,000 for the purchase at a special town meeting last fall. The state has until Oct. 17 to complete its determination, but the town’s Rail Trails committee hopes to hear earlier of a decision in their favor.
NIA #: 05-81
Geographic key words: Gardner, Winchendon
Thematic key words: bike path, North Central Pathway, economic development, ecotourism
Source: Gardner News, 12 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Federal transport money may help region’s bike path
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: [Note: see NIA # 05-63 for background] Members of the North Central Pathway Committee met with an aide to Congressman John Olver to explain their project’s funding needs. A federal transportation bill passed earlier this year contains $4 million for four bike paths in Worcester County. Committee co-chair Cindy Boucher said about $2.3 million is needed beyond currently available funds to complete the current portions of the trail and those under discussion. Tricia Pistone, Olver’s economic development coordinator for Worcester County, said there is not enough federal money available to fund all of the bike path’s needs, and suggested the project seek other sources of funds. Gardner and Winchendon town officials were also present at the meeting.
NIA #: 05-80
Geographic key word: Erving
Thematic key words: aquifer, groundwater protection
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 12 Aug. 05, p. 4
Headline: Erving buys land
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town has purchased 8.23 acres of land located on a sensitive Zone II groundwater recharge area near the French King Bridge. The $165,000 paid for the land was approved at special town meeting in May. Another special town meeting would be required to place the land in permanent protection or allow other specified uses.
NIA #: 05-79
Geographic key word: Orange
Thematic key words: hazard mitigation plan
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 10 Aug. 05, p. 4
Headline: Selectmen OK draft of hazard mitigation plan
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A draft of the Orange Local Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan was accepted recently by the selectmen. The natural hazards identified include dams, flood areas, fault lines, hurricane tracks and others. The plan is available for review at the town administrator’s office.
NIA #: 05-78
Geographic key word: Westminster
Thematic key words: Muddy Pond, Mid-State Trail, Forest Legacy, open space, land trust, conservation easement
Source: Gardner News, 11 Aug. 05, p. 3
Headline: Muddy Pond area targeted for federal Forest Legacy
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Westminster Open Space Committee and North County Land Trust, Inc., have developed a campaign to fund the purchase of conservation easements on up to 500 acres along the Mid-State Trail in Westminster. The organizations plan to submit a funding application to the federal Forest Legacy program, for money available in 2007. The project is a multi-town effort, with land targeted for protection along the trail in several communities.
NIA #: 05-77
Geographic key word: Orange
Thematic key words: smart growth, zoning bylaws, development
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 10 Aug. 05, p. 4
Headline: Orange applying for smart growth grant
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town is applying for a Smart Growth grant for technical assistance to help revise zoning bylaws. The application was prepared by FRCOG, and is designed to direct development towards the town center and allow commercial and historic buildings to convert to residences. The grant amount, if successful, will be $30,000, out of a total technical assistance budget of $37,000.
NIA #: 05-76
Geographic key word: Orange
Thematic key words: riverfront park
Source: Athol Daily News, 8 Aug. 05, p. 1
Headline: Orange gets $224,600 for Riverside Park
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The state DEP has awarded $224,600 to the town for construction of a riverfront park. The park will be located on 3/4ths of an acre on East River Street at the site of an old town barn, and will include river access for kayaks and canoes and other amenities. The park’s design was approved in May by the board of selectmen. Additional grants are being soughtt to meet the total project cost of $850,000.
NIA #: 05-75
Geographical key words: Gardner
Thematic key words: illegal dumping
Source: Gardner news, 6 Aug 05, p. 1
Headline: BOH voiced approval of allocation of fines to help clean up illegal dumping
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: In response to questions from the Gardner board of health about illegal dumping and using fines for such purposes to help with cleanup, town police chief David Whitaker said littering complaints can be handled in a number of ways. He said the town receives 50 percent of the fine money and the rest goes to the court. Whitaker also said in a letter that such fines could reach $250.
NIA #: 05-74
Geographical key words: Warwick
Thematic key words: housing development, cluster-style development, open space protection
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 6 Aug 05, p. 3
Headline: Warwick residents express concerns about new homes
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A proposed 40-home condominium in Warwick brought 50 residents out to a meeting sponsored by the zoning board of appeals at town hall to ask questions of the developer. Hidden Valley Estates would be a cluster-style development on 85 acres on Route 78 and Paul Road, of which only 25 acres would be developed. Ed Berry, the developer’s consultant, said the condominium association document would specify that the remainder of the land would be conserved as open space “in perpetuity,” and that residents must be at least 55 years old. Berry said the complex would be 500 feet from the road and not visible to passers-by. There were questions about maintaining the senior population there, provision of emergency services, possible increased business, road access, and zoning applicability. ZBA members acknowledged the town’s zoning bylaws are not up to date, being last revised in 1988.
NIA #: 05-73
Geographical key words: Turners Falls, Connecticut River, New England
Thematic key words: logging industry, log drives, wood
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 5 Aug 05, p. 1
Headline: UMass dive team documents logging on Connecticut River
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A UMass professor and his team have produced “Dynamite, Whiskey and Wood”--a documentary on the historic log drives of the region for broadcast on public television. The show focuses on the period 1870-1915, when the river served as a highway for the transport of massive red spruce logs from virgin forests up north downstream to sawmills in Turners Falls, Northampton and Holyoke. Turners Falls figures prominently in the documentary, as the logs often stalled in the narrows above the Turners Falls dam. Breaking up the massive logjams was extremely dangerous work, sometimes requiring the use of dynamite.
NIA #: 05-72
Geographical key words: Mass.
Thematic key words: air quality, ozone, smog
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 4 Aug 05
Headline: Unhealthy air quality predicted
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The DEP issued an unhealthy air quality warning for all of Mass. today due to ground level ozone, also known as smog. The situation is the result of a stagnant air mass coming into the region, combined with the hot sun that turns hydrocarbons into ozone. The hydrocarbons come from the Midwest as well as locally. The “unhealthy” rating comes third on a scale from one to five, meaning the air is or may be unhealthy for “sensitive groups”—for example, people who already suffer from respiratory problems. The DEP air quality hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-882-1497 or online at www.mass.gov/dep.
NIA #: 05-71
Geographical key words: Westminster, Massachusetts
Thematic key words: affordable housing, Chapter 40B, development costs, impact fees
Source: Gardner News, 4 Aug 05, p. 1
Headline: Town Planner: Development will cost town in services
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The results of an impact study made by Westminster’s town planner show that the financial costs of the 164-unit Mountain View development under consideration by the zoning board of appeals may be negative. Westminster Hills, a completed housing development in town with 56 multi-family units and 40 single-family units, was used as the model for the study. The proposed Mountain View project would be classified as affordable housing under Chapter 40B, and have 28 age-restricted units. Using an analysis of what factors draw children, the study estimated an addition of 73 students to the town school system—based on which the town would suffer a fiscal deficit of $111,000 due to town and school costs. Unlike New Hampshire, MA does not have impact fees allowing a town to charge developers to offset the cost of increased services needed due to more residences. The planner, Alicia Altieri, said she has heard there have been discussions on the issue at the state level.
NIA #: 05-70
Geographical key words: North Quabbin, Athol, Barre, Phillipston, Petersham
Thematic key words: Forest protection, land protection, Forest Legacy Program, conservation restrictions, Quabbin Corridor Connection, Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust
Source: Athol Daily News, 3 Aug 05, p. 2
Headline: Forest Protection Funding
Source 2: Greenfield Recorder, 3 Aug 05, p. 1
Headline: North Quabbin gets $2.5M for forests
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The US Congress set aside $2.5 million to fund the purchase of 20 privately owned parcels totaling 2,095 acres in the North Quabbin region, pending the president’s signature on an appropriation for the Interior Department. The group of properties, called collectively the Quabbin Corridor Connection project, would be funded under the US Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, and would fill in many of the gaps in a regional protected area network of about 80,000 acres of land. The 20 pending properties, whose owners have agreed to sell outright or create conservation restrictions at what are considered “bargain” prices, are located in Athol, Phillipston, Petersham and Barre. A total of $3.78 million was sought from Congress for the project, out a total project cost of $4.8 million. A consortium of environmental organizations, government agencies and academic institutions has collaborated on the project.
NIA #: 05-69
Geographical key words: Montague
Thematic key words: sewer system, Connecticut river, wastewater, Clean Water Act
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 2 Aug 05, p. 2
Headline: Montague OKs tax hike for sewer upgrade
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town voted 276 to 233 (a 13 percent turnout) to accept a tax rate increase over five years to pay $2,280,000 to improve and upgrade the sewer system. The sewer upgrade will reduce the frequency with which untreated wastewater enters the Connecticut River. Currently, on average, there are 74 overflows a year totaling about 7 million gallons. The 1972 Clean Water Act prohibits such overflows by requiring towns to eliminate them or be fined. The sewer project will be done in conjunction with a $3.4 million project to upgrade the town’s sewer plant, which will be funded through sewer system user fees.
NIA #: 05-68
Geographical key words: Gardner, southern New England
Thematic key words: certified master loggers, forestry practices, sustainable forestry
Source: Gardner News, 2 Aug 05, p. 2
Headline: Forest and Woods Product Institute recognizes first class of ‘Master Loggers’
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Forest and Wood Products Institute at Mount Wachusett Community College held a ceremony to recognize the first class of certified Master Loggers in Southern New England. The program certifies the environmental safety and business practices of logging companies to ensure that forest products are harvested in a sustainable manner. The certification is based on both classroom and actual work, and a Master Logger must meet or exceed over 100 performance standards in a wide range of environmental and ethical business practices.
NIA #: 05-67
Geographical key words: Rowe, Massachusetts, New England
Thematic key words: nuclear contamination, tritium, Yankee Atomic Electric Co., low level radioactive waste site
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 2 Aug 05, p. 4
Headline: State turns down Yankee request to leave rubble
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The state DEP turned down an application from Yankee Atomic Electric Co. in Rowe to leave tritium-contaminated rubble on the reactor site being decommissioned. In its review of the request the DEP decided that any rubble allowed to be used as fill must have no distinguishable radiation beyond that of normal “background level.” A plant spokesperson said the concrete in the 32 million pound reactor support structure contained “very low levels”—equal to that of a single illuminated “exit” sign. A DEP official said allowing the material to be buried on site would have left it open to being classified a “low level radioactive waste site.” The company will now have to ship the contaminated material off site.
NIA #: 05-66
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: Millers River, Cass Meadow, riverside park, Urban River Visions
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 2 Aug 05, p. B3
Headline: Athol hopeful about riverside park
Source 2: Gardner News, 3 Aug 05, p. 1
Headline: Officials in Athol follow the money trail for river trail
Source 3: Athol Daily News, 4 Aug 05, p. 3
Headline: River Project grant Sought
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Athol town manager David Ames said the town is submitting an Urban River Visions grant application to the state EOEA to develop the Dustin property along the Millers River and Cass Meadow into an environmental park. The $185,111 request would follow an earlier design grant received this summer. The funds would create two parking lots, one to provide access to the meadow for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts, and one for canoeists and kayakers. Ames said the town would then seek to develop nature trails and fishing and boating access to the river at the site to complete the project. To increase the towns’ chances of getting the new grant, town officials are working on participation in the state’s Commonwealth Capital Plan, which is tied to Smart growth policies.
NIA #: 05-65
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: subdivision, development, housing, Friends of Tully Lake
Source: Athol Daily News, 2 Aug 05, p. 1
Headline: Green Light for Second Building Plan
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Athol Planning Board accepted a preliminary plan for a 55-unit subdivision located on a 175-acre lot off Chestnut Hill Avenue. The current applicant, Dreamtime Builders of West Boylston, has a purchase and sale agreement with Greg Duquette, who would maintain ownership of several other lots. The proposal must undergo a site plan review so all town departments can provide input and recommend changes. After the site plan review a public hearing would be required for the definitive plan to be put before potential abutters and other residents. The group Friends of Tully Lake opposes the proposed project because it is very close to Tully Lake and would impact the lake and the surrounding environment.
NIA #: 05-64
Geographical key words: Montague
Thematic key words: landfill, economic developement
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 1 Aug 05, p. 2
Headline: Montague prepares to attract landfill developers
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The town of Montague is finishing a request for proposal (RFP) to send out to prospective landfill operators, in the hopes of earning more than $10 million. Last October, town meeting voted for the town to study the pros and cons of having a new landfill in town and hired a firm to develop the RFP. The landfill would sit on 34 acres abutting a closed, capped landfill site. The RFP will include plenty of environmental considerations, such as air and groundwater monitoring, and leachate pre-treatment. A town meeting vote would be required to approve any contract the board of selectmen negotiate.
NIA #: 05-63
Geographical key words: Gardner, Winchendon, Leominster
Thematic key words: transit funds, bike path, rail trail, ecotourism
Source: Gardner news, 1 Aug 05, p. 1
Headline: Bill bears transit funds for local region
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: US Rep. John Olver announced that a 6-year transportation bill passed by Congress contains $4 million for bike paths in the region. The funds will go toward 30 miles of recreational trails connecting several communities in central and western Mass. Some funds will go to the Central Pathway in Gardner and Winchendon, which runs on old railroad beds. A 4.2 mile proposed trail along Route 12 between Leominster and Fitchburg on a former railroad bed is also expected to receive funding.
NIA #: 05-62
Geographical key words: Orange, Erving, Millers River
Thematic key words: trout, fishermen, wildlife management
Source: Athol Daily News, 1 Aug 05, p. 3
Headline: Seven Tagged Trout in Millers River Caught
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Seven of 21 tagged trout placed in the Millers River by the Millers River by the Millers River Fishermen’s Association have been caught. The trout were released along a stretch of the river that runs from just below the Birch Hill Dam in South Royalston to the Erving Wildlife Management Area. The seven fish were caught in an area of the river between Orange and the Erving Wildlife Management Area. The tagged trout program provides a way to study the environment of the river and the traveling habits of the trout.
NIA #: 05-61
Geographical key words: Orange
Thematic key words: garlic, organic, festival
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 1 Aug 05, p. 3
Headline: Garlic and Arts Festival coming to Orange
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The 7th annual Garlic and Arts Festival will take place Sept. 17 and 18 at the Seeds of Solidarity Farm and surrounding area in Orange. The farm harvests 1.5 tons of garlic bulbs during the last two weeks of July. The event brings together local craftsman and artists to display and sell their work. There will also be a healing arts tent and a community roundtable on local issues. And lots of great food, with garlic!
NIA #: 05-60
Geographical key words: Orange, Turners Falls
Thematic key words: North Quabbin Woods project, Silvio Conte Lab, congressional appropriation, anadramous fish, fish research, natural resources
Source: Greenfield Recorder
Headline: Olver announces money for area conservation, preservation projects
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Rep. Olver announced the US Congress is expected to approve $329,000 this week for renovation of Putnam Hall in Orange, to be used by the North Quabbin Woods project to promote the region’s “underutilized natural resource base.” Another $150,000 is expected for the Silvio O. Conte Anadramous Fish Research lab in Turners Falls.
NIA #: 05-59
Geographical key words: North Quabbin Region
Thematic key words: North Quabbin Woods
Source: Quabbin Valley Voices, August, 2005, p. 13
Headline: Woods project working on multitude of fronts
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The North Quabbin Woods Project works with local businesses, organizations and other community members to promote economic revitalization of the North Quabbin region. According to project director Scott Maslansky, the NQW project is “successfully establishing a regional brand” and developing community support for the brand. The project works closely with local woodworkers to promote high quality wood products, and also manages a guide training program to stimulate the regional ecotourism industry. The NQW website is: www.northquabbinwoods.org.
NIA #: 05-58
Geographical key words: Athol, Royalston
Thematic key words: Tully Lake, Friends of Tully Lake, development, preservation, land protection
Source: Quabbin Valley Voices, August, 2005, p. 6
Headline: Trouble or triumph in store for Tully Lake?
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: In a “My Turn” opinion piece, Elizabeth Farnsworth argues that Tully Lake needs to be protected from a proposed 44-unit subdivision project. She cites a long list of “hidden costs that developers never think about,” including environmental damage and economic costs to the town. According to Farnsworth, 36,000 people a year visit the lake, which has the reputation of being one of the last lakes in MA offering uncrowded shorelines, room to paddle and hike, and great views of woods and the rural countryside. The website for Friends of Tully Lake is: www.friendsoftullylake.org.
NIA #: 05-57
Geographical key words: North Quabbin region, Northern Tier
Thematic key words: geocaching, GPS
Source: Quabbin Valley Voices, August, 2005, p. 2
Headline:Geocaching: Tournament planned in area, uses GPS to find ‘caches’
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary:
The First Great Northern Tier Geocaching Tournament will take place in 13 towns of the North Quabbin region on August 20 and 21. Using hand-held GPS units, teams of geocachers will search at a variety of difficulty levels for hidden “caches” that might be hidden in a rock or hanging from a tree. Caches typically include a logbook and personal information about the person who placed it; for the tournament, caches will include points toward prizes and information on the natural and cultural heritage of the area. The free event is being organized and sponsored by a group of non-profit organizations, state environmental agencies and businesses from the region.
NIA Database #: 05-56
Geographical key words: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts
Thematic key Words: catastrophic failure, nuclear power plant
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 29 July 05, p. 3
Headline: N.H. official satisfied with nuke plant’s safety: Vermont Yankee started up Thursday following equipment failure
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The head of New Hampshire’s emergency management services said Thursday he’s confident the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant is safe, but he told its managers to do a better job with state officials and the public when problems arise. Confusion arose over the use of the term “catastrophic failure” in the plant’s report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Vermont Yankee vice president Jay Thayer said at a news conference the term is an engineering term used to describe a piece of equipment that has stopped working. Thayer acknowledged the term may have set off alarm bells.
NIA Database #: 05-55
Geographical key words: Vernon (Vermont)
Thematic key Words: nuclear power plant, automatic shutdown, catastrophic failure, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 28 July 05, p. 1
Headline: Yankee shutdown caused by massive electrical failure
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, Vermont, suffered a “catastrophic failure” in its electrical switchyard Monday, according to its owners, but the emergency shutdown of the reactor that followed went according to the plant’s design. The 7-foot drop in water levels inside the reactor core was part of the intended shutdown process. An additional seven feet of water remained to keep the nuclear fuel cool. Massachusetts Rep. Chistopher Donelan called upon the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct a complete inspection of the plant, “particularly in light of the pending request to increase capacity there.”
NIA Database #: 05-54
Geographical key words: Erving, Montague
Thematic key Words: aquifer, land purchase, groundwater protection, bikepath, bikeway, bridge
Source: Montague Reporter, 28 July 05, p. 9
Headline: Erving completes Mitzkovitz Purchase
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: On July 25th the selectboard signed a purchase and sale agreement for the 8.23 acre Mitzkovitz property, located near the French King Bridge. The property contains a Zone II groundwater recharge area, and is expected to be protected in perpetuity by the town to safeguard local water supplies. The selectboard also received word from Mass Highway that the replacement of the pedestrian walkway and bikepath over the Millers River, from Erving to Montague, has been completed. The bridge has been closed to auto traffic for years and will be the point of crossing on the Millers River for the bike path that will eventually connect Northfield Mountain Environmental Center to the rest of the Franklin County bikeway.
NIA Database #: 05-53
Geographical key words: Franklin County, Vernon (Vermont)
Thematic key Words: Strontium-90, radiation, contamination, nuclear power plant, Traprock Peace Center
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 27 July 05, p. 1
Headline: Study of baby teeth finds higher levels of strontium 90 near nuke plant
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A small pilot study analyzing the amount of strontium 90 in baby teeth shows that children living closer to the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in Vernon, VT have much higher levels than children living further away. In the study, the average levels of nine baby teeth from children living nearby exceeded the average levels of 17 babies living farther away by 61 percent. Several residents and groups, including the Traprock Peace Center, say the results warrant a larger study and are raising funds to pay for the laboratory work and other costs. A spokesmen for the nuclear plant claimed epidemiologists generally do not consider the scientific methodology of such tooth studies and their results reliable.
NIA Database #: 05-52
Geographical key words: Connecticut River
Thematic key Words: Watershed Council, Clean Water Act
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 25 July 05, p. 1
Headline: New Director ready to dive into water work
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The new executive director of the Connecticut River Watershed Council, Chelsea Gwyther, takes control of a 53-year old organization with 11,000 members. The Council faces an environment of increasing building pressure along the 410-mile river and its tributaries, and a rollback of federal environmental regulations. Gwyther cited public access to the waterway as a priority, along with many other environmental concerns the group works on.
NIA Database #: 05-51
Geographical key words: Athol, Lake Rohunta
Thematic key Words: Planning and Economic Development Committee, Master Plan
Source: Athol Daily News, 21 July 05, p. 1
Headline: Panel Continues Study of Athol Master Plan
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Planning and Economic Development Committee continues to examine the town’s Master Plan and determine how best to implement it. Committee member Dave Small said some efforts are being made to protect land around rivers, ponds and lakes, and to protect and improve access to Lake Rohunta. Small said recommendations have been developed to provide public access to the Millers River at several possible spots, the most likely being off Main Street by the Millers River Environmental Center. The committee also discussed growth issues and business incentives. It hopes to present several recommendations at town meeting in October.
NIA Database #: 05-50
Geographical key words: Athol, Tully Lake, Royalston
Thematic key Words: Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust, subdivision, Friends of Tully Lake, Tully Lake Campground
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 13 July 05, p. 9
Headline: Athol Man says land trust harassing him: Claims Mt. Grace group wants to stop subdivision
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Landowner Greg Duquette said he will be seeking approval for a preliminary plan for a proposed 44-lot subdivision on his 200-acre property on Tully Lake within six months, and feels he is being harassed by Mount Grave Land Conservation Trust in the hopes he will give up on the project. The group Friends of Tully Lake has organized against the development. Group spokesperson Aaron Ellison described the proposed development site as “the last unprotected piece of land around lake,” which he characterized as “a major economic and environmental resource.” Duquette said he sold the development rights three months ago to JCJ Realty Development Inc. in West Boylston as a joint venture with another developer as Dream Time Builders, but retained property ownership.
NIA Database #: 05-49
Geographical key words: Royalston
Thematic key Words: Smart Growth, Commonwealth Capital Program
Source: Athol Daily News, 8 July 05, p. 1
Headline: Smart Growth Grant to be sought
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Selectmen voted Tuesday night to seek a Smart Growth Grant from the state Department of Environmental Affairs. Before applying for the grant however, the town must first “pre-apply” through the Commonwealth Capital Program (ComCap). Kim MacPhee, a member of the open space and zoning bylaw committees, told selectmen up to $30,000 could be available from the grant, but estimated the town would seek around $10,000. The grants require a 15 percent town match. MacPhee said possible uses of the grant money could include paying for a zoning review or implementing aspects of the community development plan.
NIA Database #: 05-48
Geographical key words: Winchendon
Thematic key Words: Great Dam, Lake Monomonac, Mirror Pond, high hazard dam
Source: Great Dam repair project may get under way this month
Headline: Gardner news, 6 July 05, p. 3
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The long delayed repair of the great Dam could finally get underway later this month after an agreement between the town and the engineering firm working on the project was made. According to town manager James Keidler, the company, Weston & Sampson, has agreed to pay the town $50,000 to compensate for a mistake made when the original plans for the project were drawn up. A portion of the dam failed in 1975 and has never been repaired. The dam, which divides Lake Monomonac from Mirror Pond, is classified as a “large, high-hazard dam.”
NIA Database #: 05-47
Geographical key words: Gardner
Thematic key Words: landfill, closure, Waste Management
Source: Gardner News, 6 July 05, p. 1
Headline: Landfill could operate as late as November: Council reviews closure plans
Source 2: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 6 July 05, p. 1
Headline: Life of landfill slightly longer: Waste firm to do capping
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: In a presentation to the Gardner City Council, representatives of Waste Management said the city landfill can continue operating until October or November, beyond its intended September closing date. The construction of a berm gave the facility additional some capacity. Health Director Bernard Sullivan said the city decided to allow WM to cap the landfill rather than offer the job in a public bid, to allow for an expedited and more economical closing and capping by the company already familiar with its operations.
NIA database #: 05-46
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Erving
Thematic key words: zoning bylaw, building restrictions, groundwater bylaw
Source: The Montague Reporter, 30 June 05, p.1
Headline: Erving Caps Yearly Housing Starts at 12
2nd Source: Athol Daily News, 30 June 05, p.1
Headline: Erving Voters Adopt New Zoning Laws To Control New Growth
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary:
In a zoning bylaw passed at special town meeting by the citizens of Erving, a cap will be placed on residential home construction at 12/year, and a new zoning category will be added that includes a restriction requiring 225 feet of frontage and 2 acres for new housing lots. Citizens also adopted a groundwater protection bylaw containing new regulations to protect groundwater quality and quantity from industrial and large agricultural operations.
NIA database #: 05-45
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Athol, Millers River, Partridgeville Brook
Thematic key words: riparian conservation restriction, Millers River Corporation
Source: Athol Daily News, 29 June 05, p.1
Headline: Athol Conservation Commission Supports Proposed Restriction
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Athol Conservation Commission voted to support a conservation restriction proposed by the Millers River Corporation. The restriction would protect 4,100 feet of shoreline along the Millers River and Partridgeville Brook from development.
NIA database #: 05-44
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Athol, Millers River
Thematic key words: Millers River, flooding mitigation, Cass Meadow
Source: Athol Daily News, 24 June 05, p.1
Headline: Officials Seeking Ways to Stop River Flooding
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: In the ongoing effort to prevent the Millers River from flooding Athol again, representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, MEMA, and the Mass Fish and Wildlife Service went out to have a look at Cass Meadow. The F&WS has already been planning on clearing some brush in the river channel, but some other ideas arose such as diversion channels and a 24-hr web cam for further down the line.
NIA database #: 05-43
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Athol, Millers River
Thematic key words: river access, Cass Meadow
Source: Athol Daily News, 24 June 05, p.1
Headline: Millers River Access Park Architect Discusses Plan
2nd Source: The Worcester Telegram and Gazette, 23 June 05
Headline: Athol plans better access to Millers
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Three public parking areas are to be built in Athol to improve access for boaters and fishermen. The improved parking is the beginning of plans to make Cass Meadow an accessible nature park and boat launch.
NIA database #: 05-42
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Erving
Thematic key words: SPDES permit violations, wastewater treatment plant, Erving Paper Mill
Source: Athol Daily News, 23 June 05, p.1
Headline: Erving Treatment Plant In Violation Of Permits
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The largest of Erving’s three water treatment plants was deemed in violation of its permits by the Mass DEP in 2004, based on state parameters of effluent, suspended solids, and PH. The publicly owned plant is operated by Erving Paper Mill as a 30 year agreement. Town selectmen contacted the plant operator and were assured that the issues have been addressed.
NIA database #: 05-41
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Winchendon, Millers River
Thematic key words: historic factory renovation
Source: Gardner News, 23 June 05, p.1
Headline: Toy Towns historical mill plan moves forward
Submitted by: Ivan Usach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Members of the Heritage Mills group toured the abandoned Baxter D. Whitney & Son factory in Winchendon and are continuing with their plan to restore the facility for use as a historically accurate tourist attraction.
NIA database #: 05-40
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: smart growth, development
Source: Worcester Telegram and Gazette, 22 June 05, p. B6
Headline: State to study growth in Athol
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Athol has been invited to participate in a new state program that will focus on assessing smart growth development in town. The smart growth program is designed to reduce the environmental impact of development using a variety of approaches such as reusing abandoned lots, clustering new houses, and creating mixed-use properties.
NIA database #: 05-39
Date: 28 July 05
Geographical key words: Erving, Montague, Millers Falls, Millers River
Thematic key words: International Paper Mill, auction
Source: The Montague Reporter, 16 June 05
Headline: Millers Falls IP Mill Draws $500,000 Bid at Auction
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: A former mill building in Erving and two related parcels of property along the Millers River have been auctioned off for $500,000. The two parcels were owned by International Paper (IP).
NIA database #: 05- 38
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Athol, Orange
Thematic key words: bike trail proposal, Millers River Environmental Park, Orange Riverfront Park
Source: The Gardner News, 14 June 05, p. 3
Headline: Athol/Orange proposal unveiled for 6-mile bike trail
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: At a meeting in Athol on June 13, representatives of Athol and Orange talked about plans for a bike path between the towns. The 6-mile trail would connect the proposed Millers River Environmental Park in Athol with the Orange Riverfront Park. The existing plan has the path running along E. River St. in Orange, along part of Partridgeville Rd. to Daniel Shays Hwy on to Proctor Ave, S. Main St and out at Jones and Canal St.
NIA database #: 05-37
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Templeton
Thematic key words: ATVs, Birch Hill Dam
Source: The Worchester Telegram and Gazette, 10 June 05, p. B4
Headline: Misuse riles some
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Complaints made about degradation at the Birch Hill Dam has inspired the Army Corps of Engineers and police to crack down on illegal ATV use, paintballing, and structures.
NIA database #: 05-36
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Winchendon
Thematic key words: historic garden restoration, Millers River
Source: The Gardner News, 10 June 05, p.3
Headline: Historical gardens on the road to rebirth
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: A garden along the Millers River that once belonged to a mansion in Winchendon is to be landscaped, cleaned up, and turned into a nice public place. The mansion and gardens, located on Front Street, once belonged to toy manufacturer Morton Converse.
NIA database #: 05-35
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: Millers River, MEMA, flooding, Cass Meadow.
Source: Athol Daily News, 10 June 05, p. 12
Headline: Blankets Presented
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: At a meeting to discuss Millers River flooding, the selectboard voted to try ensuring that state agency funds alotted for cutting the brush along Cass Meadow, which is believed to be responsible for last year’s flooding, will not be cut.
NIA database #: 05-34
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Springfield
Thematic key words: salmon, fish, migration, Connecticut River
Source: Athol Daily News, 9 June 05, p. 10
Headline: Ct. River Salmon Run Is Best Since 1999
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Mass Fish and Wildlife officials have announced that they have counted the most salmon migrating up the Connecticut River since 1999. 133 Salmon have been counted this year, whereas in the past five years the most was 77. The salmon population of the Connecticut disappeared in the 1900s and the restoration program, begun in the 1960s, had originally hoped to return 10,000 or more salmon to the river.
NIA database #: 05-33
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Westminster
Thematic key words: Westminster Business Park, proposed industrial park
Source: The Gardner News, 9 June 05, p. 3
Headline: Conservation Commission closes second business park hearing
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Conservation Commission closed the second hearing on the proposed Westminster Business Park. For the process to proceed, the park needs an environmental study done and a notice of intent to cross a wetland but neighbors, who have expressed concerns about degradation of water, roads, and traffic safety, have formed and environmental group to oppose the project.
NIA database #: 05-32
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Ashburnham
Thematic key words: proposed rail trail
Source: The Gardner News, 9 June 05, p. 1
Headline: Ashburnham rail trail plan steaming through
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Ashburnham rail trail committee, part of a nation-wide effort to convert unused railroad beds into recreational trails, has recommended purchase of a section of RR bed between Willard and Cashman Hill roads. The town already owns an abutting stretch, which it hopes to expand.
NIA database #: 05-31
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Westminster, Crocker Pond
Thematic key words: public park, pond acquisition
Source: Athol Daily News, 7 June 05, p.3
Headline: Town now owns Crocker property
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The town of Westminster purchased the 100-acre Crocker Pond property early this month with plans to improve the road and open it as a public park.
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NIA database #: 05-30
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Warwick
Thematic key words: MREC, invasive species, Warwick Community School
Source: Athol Daily, 2 June 05, News p. 12
Headline: Warwick Students Present Invasive Species Materials To Athol B&N Club
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: 3rd and 4th grade students at the Warwick School presented the results of their recent invasive species studies at the Millers River Environmental Center. Each student researched one species and presented it.
NIA database #: 05-29
Date: 7 July 05
Geographical key words: Warwick
Thematic key words: Hockanum Hill Corridor Trail Project, open space
Source: Athol Daily News, 27 May 05, p.1
Headline: $10,000 Grant For Warwick
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The State Dept. of Conservation and Recreation has given the Warwick Open Space Committee a $10,000 grant to purchase a parcel of land along its Hockanum Hill Corridor Trail project. The town used their Chapter 61 right of first refusal to buy the land.
NIA database #: 05-28
Date: 21 June 05
Geographical key words: Royalston
Thematic key words: open space
Source: Athol Daily News, 19 May 05, p.1
Headline: Open Space Committee
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: A member of the newly formed Royalston Open Space Committee reported on its recent doings to the town selectmen on May 17th. Actvities include creating a list of lands up for chapter 61 renewal in the next two years and establishment of a financial plan for acquisition and preservation of those lands.
NIA database #: 05-27
Date: 21 June 05
Geographical key words: Templeton
Thematic key words: wetlands bylaw
Source: Worchester Telegram and Gazette, 18 May 05, p.B1
Headline: Foes defeat new bylaw
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: In the third night of their annual town meeting, Templeton residents undid the wetlands bylaw they passed the previous meeting (see below).
NIA database #: 05-26
Date: 21 June 05
Geographical key words: South Royalston, Millers River
Thematic key words: Birch Hill Dam, trout, fish tagging, riverine habitat
Source: Athol Daily News, 18 May 05
Headline: Tagged Trout Have Been Released Into The Millers
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Tagged trout have been released in a stretch of the Millers River below the Birch Hill Dam in South Royalston as a way to study habitats along the river. Anyone who catches a fish with an aluminum tag on the dorsal fin should remove it and bring it to the Orange Gun Club for a $20 reward.
NIA database #: 05-25
Date: 21 June 05
Geographical key words: North Quabbin, Petersham, Athol, Barre, Phillipston
Thematic key words: landscape-scale, land conservation, Forest Legacy Project, Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust, US Forest Service
Source: Athol Daily News, 16 May 05, p.1
Headline: Conservation Project Is Ranked First In Mass., 3rd In Nation For Funding
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The “Quabbin Corridor Forest Legacy Project”, a landscape-scale conservation effort headed by the Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust, has been recognized for funding by the US Forest Service out of 84 projects nationwide. The 5.2 million dollar project would protect 2,100 acres of forestland from subdivision and development.
NIA database #: 05-24
Date: 21 June 05
Geographical key words: Northfield
Thematic key words: open space, recreation planning, trail access, historic views, conservation grants
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 14 May 05
Headline: Northfield panel nears completion of open space plan
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Northfield Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee is completing a plan to be submitted to the state Division of Conservation and Recreation, which will make the town more eligible for land conservation grants. In a recent survey, the Committee found that local concerns are access to state forest trails, knowing about places with historic names, and having historic scenic views restored.
NIA database #: 05-23
Date: 21 June 05
Geographical key words: Winchendon
Thematic key words: heritage area designation, tourism, cultural history, National Park Service
Source: Gardner News, 12 May 05, p.1
Headline: Toy Town joins proposed Heritage Area
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Winchendon is to be included in a proposed “Heritage Area” designation to promote tourism and interest in the natural and cultural history of significant areas with historical democratic movements. The Heritage Area is part of proposed legislation that would make these areas eligible for technical and financial help from the National Park Service.
NIA database #: 05-22
Date: 3 June 05
Geographical key words: Templeton
Thematic key words: vernal pool, wetland protection, bylaw
Source: Gardner News, 13 May 05, p.1
Headline: Templeton OKs wetlands bylaw
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Templeton residents passed a bylaw strengthening wetlands protection at their Annual Town meeting. The bylaw provides more protection for vernal pools, creates a means of protecting local water bodies from runoff, and gives the town more enforcement power.
NIA database #: 05-21
Date: 3 June 2005
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: Millers River, river flooding, MEMA
Source: Athol Daily News, 13 May 05, p.3
Headline: Meeting on River Flooding
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Athol Officials will meet with Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency representatives at the town hall at 10 am June 2 to discuss the flooding of the Millers River and potential MEMA assistance in a long term solution.
NIA database #: 05-20
Date: 3 June 05
Geographical key words: Greenfield, Northeast
Thematic key words: forest tent caterpillars, winter moth
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 13 May 05
Headline: Caterpillars devour leaves
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: A mysterious recent increase in a number of different caterpillar species throughout the Northeast has scientists puzzled and Greenfield residents concerned for their young trees. This spring’s explosion of forest tent caterpillars seems to be focused around Greenfield, where the leaves of deciduous trees are being decimated. Scientists are also concerned about the appearance of the winter moth, a non-native species, to the extent that a UMass professor has released a European parasitic fly in Hingham that worked to control the moth elsewhere.
NIA database #: 05-19
Date: 3 June 05
Geographical key words: Turners Falls
Thematic key words: Connecticut River, fishway, anadramous fish
Source: The Greenfield Recorder, 12 May 05
Headline: Northeast Utilities’ fishway to open for season Saturday
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Connecticut River fishway at Turners Falls opened Saturday, May 14. The fishway provides upstream passage for anadromous fish such as American shad, sea lamprey, and blueback herring. The fishway is open to visitors from 9-5, Wed-Sun through June 19.
NIA database #: 05-18
Date: 3 June 05
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: Cass Meadow, invasive plants, habitat restoration
Source: Athol Daily News, 12 May 05, p.1
Headline: Meadow Clean-up Scheduled
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife is planning on spraying and cutting invasive plants in Cass Meadow in an attempt to restore the native habitat. The work will begin in August, after birds are through nesting, with a follow up early next spring.
NIA database #: 05-17
Date: 3 June 05
Geographical key words: Athol
Thematic key words: Firefighters, pollutant, groundwater
Source: The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 10 May 05
Headline: Authorities track spill
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: Firefighters in Athol are trying to find the source of an unidentified pollutant flowing into an intermittent brook near Marshall St. The firefighters are trying to catch the liquid using absorbent materials while digging test holes to locate its source. The pollutant seems to be petroleum based and smells like furnace oil.
NIA database #: 05-16
Date: 10 May 05
Geographical key words: Orange
Thematic key words: Millers River, city park, river access, ecotourism
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 26 April 05
Headline: Riverfront park touted in Orange
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: At a meeting on April 25th in Orange, residents got a look at plans for a new riverfront park in downtown. As with Athol, the state awarded Orange a grant allowing them to go forward with this park as part of an effort to promote the region’s ecotourism appeal. The park will be at the takeout for the River Rat Race and provide handicap river access, concessions, and restrooms.
NIA database #: 05-15
Date: 10 May 05
Geographical key words: Athol, Orange
Thematic key words: Millers River, riverside park, Greenway, Cass Meadows
Source: Gardner News, 22 April 05, p.1
Headline: Officials hope to construct a riverfront park
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) has awarded a $64,300 grant to help Athol pay for a riverfront park. The money will go to making final design and documentation plans for a riverside park at Cass Meadows, a riverfront walkway at Exchange St., and a 5 mile walk/bike path to downtown Orange.
NIA database #: 05-14
Date: 10 May 05
Geographical key words: Templeton, Hardwick
Thematic key words: landfill, solid waste disposal, pollution, Casella Waste Systems, Toxic Action Center
Source: Gardner News, 22 April 05, p.1
Headline: Report trashes waste company’s record
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: A report released by an organization called the Toxic Action Center sharply criticized the record of Casella Waste Systems and spurred a demonstration outside the Templeton landfill. The report accuses Casella--which operates landfills throughout the Northeast, including Hardwick and Templeton--of anti-competitive practices and a history of environmental contamination. At the demonstration, members of the Templeton Citizens Against the Dump, a Hardwick-based Anti-Casella group, STOP, and others gathered and gave speeches criticizing both Casella and the state for its weak recycling programs.
NIA database #: 05-13
Date: 10 May 05
Geographical key words: Westminster
Thematic key words: septic system regulations
Source: Gardner News, 22 April 05, p.3
Headline: Health Board approves draft of septic regulations
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Westminster Board of Health voted to approve a draft of the town’s revised septic system regulations. The effort is to make the regulations more compatible with those of the state (Title V). Before they take effect, the new regulations will be reviewed by the town’s attorney and the board will seek comment at a public hearing. No date has been set for the hearing.
NIA database #: 05-12
Date: 19 Apr 05
Geographical key words: Athol, Birch Hill Dam, Tannery Pond Dam
Thematic key words: river level, dam release
Source: Athol Daily News, 13 April, p. 1
Headline: “River Flow Fluctuations of Concern”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Entry prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: An Army Corps of Engineers employee noticed “good sized” fluctuations in the water levels of the Millers River above the Birch Hill Dam. At a meeting of the Millers River Watershed Council on 4/12 he noted that a mechanical malfunction at the upstream Tannery Pond Dam caused the fluctuations, but that the problem has apparently been fixed.
NIA database #: 05-11
Date: 19 Apr 05
Geographical key word: Winchendon
Thematic key words: landfill, dump, solid waste disposal
Source: Gardner News, 13 April, p. 1
Headline: “”Toy Town dump Fee to Double”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Entry prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The town of Winchendon is doubling the cost of a sticker for the solid waste transfer station to $200 because it has been operating at a deficit. To potentially offset this burden, residents now have the option of buying a sticker quarterly rather than for the entire year
NIA database #: 05-10
Date: 12 April 05
Geographical key words: Athol, Old Keene Rd.
Thematic key words: gravel extraction, housing development
Source: Athol Daily News, 23 March 05, p. 1
Headline: “Gravel Operation Approved”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Entry prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Athol Conservation Commission approved gravel extraction on 20 acres off Old Keene Rd. The commission also voted to endorse an 11-house development on 17 acres between Old Keene Rd. and Old Silver Lake Rd.
NIA database #: 05-09
Date: 12 April 05
Geographical key word: Turner Falls
Thematic key words: EPA, industrial pollution cleanup
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 22 March 05
Headline: “EPA finishes cleanup of Turners property,” p. 1
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Entry prepared by Gerhard Epke
Summary: The EPA finished removing 100s of paint containers and soil contaminated with lead PCBs from a property in Turner Falls, across from the Strathmore Mill. The town took the property for less than $10,000 in back taxes and might use it for a parking structure if the mill is to be redeveloped.
NIA database #: 05-08
Date: 12 April 05
Geographical key word: Northfield
Thematic key words: rail trail, bike path, Schell Bridge
Source: Greenfield Recorder, 20/21 March 05,
Headline: “Northfield trail might get rolling soon”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Entry prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Prospects for the Canalside Rail Trail, a bike path from Deerfield to Turner Falls, seem promising with funding on a bill coming before Congress this year. A group of locals are pushing for the restoration and use of Schell Bridge as part of this project, but congressman John Olver (D-Amherst) considers the steel bridge over the Connecticut River too big and out of the way.
NIA database #: 05-07
Date: 12 April 05
Geographical key words: North Quabbin, New Hampshire
Thematic key words: land conservation, forest protection, preservation, Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust
Source: Athol Daily News, 19 March 05, page 1
Headline: Land Preservation Campaign To Be Explained At Meeting In Royalston
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Entry prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: Meeting Held March 24 to discuss the “Quabbin to Cardigan Conservation Collaborative” or “Q2C”. The collaborative works with landowners to protect large blocks of forestland in an effort to benefit forest health and preserve the rural quality of life between here and western New Hampshire. For more information, contact the Mount Grace Conservation Land Trust in Athol.
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NIA database #: 05-06
Date: 12 April 05
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key word: landfill capping
Source: The Gardner News, 18 March 05
Headline: “Concern Grows On Capping Landfill
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Entry prepared by: Gerhard Epke
Summary: The Gardner landfill is slated to close and be capped later this year and local officials are waiting to hear back from the Mass DEP on a proposal to let Waste Management take over that process. While this exchange would save Gardner about $800,000, members of the Public Safety Committee are concerned that the odor problems will continue to affect local residents.
NIA database #: 5-05
Date: 1 March 05
Geographical key word: Orange
Thematic key word: recycling, landfill
Source: Athol Daily News, 24 Feb. – page 1
Headline: “Orange Recycling System is Changed”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: A new vendor, North Shore Recycling is now taking all recyclables at the Orange landfill. The change is expected to save the town about $13,000 a year in transportation costs. And the town will realize a profit on the recycled paper, according to Priscilla Curtis, the facility manager.
NIA database #: 5-04
Date: 1 March 05
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key word: flooding
Source: Athol Daily News, 24 Feb. – page 1
Headline: “Millers River Flowing Freely”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Warmer temperatures and increased water flow from Birch Hill Dam combined to free up ice jam. Flooding of homes on Pequoig Ave. has ceased. Mitigation measures will be assessed in the spring by FEMA and USACE. A fund was set up to assist residents whose homes were flooded.
NIA database #: 5-03
Date: 22 Feb 05
Geographical key word: Athol
Thematic key word: flooding
Source: Athol Daily News, 16 Feb. – page 1
Headline: “Going Down”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: Athol fire chief James Wright said “the river is slowly going down” as a result of the warm weather. “we allowed Birch Hill [dam] to start releasing more water and it went back up a little, but is now going down again.”
NIA database #: 5-02
Date: 15 Feb. 05
Geographical key word: Templeton
Thematic key words: wastewater plant; landfill; PCBs; trash disposal
Source: Athol Daily News, 5 Feb. – page 1
Headline: Board: “Site Assignment Not Needed”
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: The Templeton board of health voted at their meeting Thursday (3 Feb.)
that the work at the waste water plant did not need a site assignment, because it is being overseen by the DEP, EPA and sewer commissioners who had already assigned it. Local residents voiced concerns over PCBs in a landfill behind the plant. The board will draft warrant articles for the May town meeting to allow voters to decide how they will dispose of their trash.
NIA database #: 05-01
Date: 3 Feb 05
Geographical key word: Gardner
Thematic key word: landfill
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette - page 1
Headline: "Landfill cap deal possible"
Submitted by: Ivan Ussach
Summary: MA DEP may allow Waste Management to close and cap Gardner's
municipal landfill at the company's expense. The company has operated
the landfill since it opened five years ago, but is not contractually
obligated to close it.
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