A little birdie told me…

that the Kent St. Parking lot was full to the brim again for the road race. I didn’t see it myself, as i was holed up in the X cave, but i trust this particular birdie. Another mark against Ed Cameron’s plan.

You know it’s Yankee Homecoming when…

you see more than one car a day drive the wrong way down State St.

And you can really tell the difference between natives and newbies when that happens, newbies desperately try to stop the person and explain to them that it is a one way street, natives just laugh at them and hope they get a ticket.

Unfortunatley, this has become typical…

This story in yesterday’s Daily News is absolutely despicable. I was very happy to hear that they halted the construction, but i’m a bit concerned that there might not be any fines levied. Granted the damage, for the most part is done, but there must be some kind of consequence for such a flagrant act. I would hope that the building inspector or the planning board, or whoever ultimately makes the decision, would pull the owners special permit and not allow a second home to be built on the lot. Since the original house is more or less entirely gutted, it would be reasonable to allow the owners to fully renovate or restore it, at this point there is preserving it, but to allow them to flaunt the rules set forth, which they agreed to, and face little or no consequence would be inexcusable. Residents are sick of developers getting away with murder in this town, and are especially sick of seeing someone buy up an old home, and suddenly cram another house or two onto its lot. I hope the city shows some back bone and does what is right here. It reminds me, unfortunately, of a similar case on Low Street, the homes that were built on the corner of Zabriskie Dr. There was historical home there, which the developers agreed to preserve as part of their building permit, and instead they tore it down with no notification to the city. There was plenty of outrage and the city did nothing, allowing them to continue construction on the two new homes. What is the point of requiring permits if they can be openly ignored and the project can continue as planned. What incentive do developers have to follow the rules and preserve a home if they can tear it down and build 2 homes and only receive a slap on the wrist or a minimal fine? It would be a better cost benefit for them to pay the fine and sell 2 brand new homes on a lot, than to restore a historic home along with one new home. Again, i hope the city comes through on this, or else Newburyport is in serious trouble.

Riverfest – The day after

Thank god that’s over, its like the fireworks times 10, all for a bunch of bands that aren’t even good. Anyway, guess which parking lot was full to capacity despite the lack of snow? Thats right, the Kent St. parking lot was so full in fact, that cars were parking on the grass, not to mention that Washington St. itself was lined with cars. Ed Cameron had better hope tourists don’t discover there is a parking lot there, seems people aren’t opposed to walking a mile to get downtown.

Very dissapointing…

The council vote 8-3 to redesignate Cushing Park for a senior center. Frankly I’m shocked that 8 councilors could ignore the feelings of an entire neighborhood. While there is some hope in the decision (they can still chose another site if one arises, etc) it doesn’t look good for the folks around Cushing Park. With 5 years to raise the required funds, I wonder if the council would change their mind when they see fewer seniors in Newburyport in 2013 than there are now? Who knows, but again, for everyone in that neighborhood, I’m sure the council didn’t mean to disenfranchise you…

More Senior Center fun…

I’ve been batting around the whole concept of the senior center all day, weighing pro’s and con’s and trying to think of what to write, but as I sit down to my computer, the City Council is in discussions about the site, and so whatever I write here will be to late to change anyone’s mind. I will say this, if the council decides to push ahead with the plan to re-designate the park, move the emergency parking, and build a senior center, I would hope that the people in that neighborhood have a vote in it. Let them decide what is best for their neighborhood, rather than forcing it down their throats. After all, it will directly affect them, more than any other neighborhood.

I still feel there are better alternatives, and why has no one mentioned the small community center at Horton Terrace? Can’t that be expanded?