Traffic Calming on Grove St

Two special temporary speed humps have been installed on the newly renovated Grove St. on a trial basis. Let Laura Hanson at DPW know if you have any comments.

Special Street Sweeping

Street sweeping is now complete except for special areas that will be posted briefly as No Parking to clear access to the curb.

SWAC application deadline extended

The deadline for submitting an application for the Solid Waste Action Committee has been extended from August 17th to August 25th. See prior post for details.

Pulaski Park Utility Work

The DPW is assisting the Office of Planning and Development with utility relocation work that recently started at Pulaski Park. This utility work is being done to to allow the park to meet safety standards for parks and make it eligible for future Urban Self-Help grants, as well as to allow the redevelopment of the Roundhouse parking lot. The work is being performed by Saltmarsh Industries and is funded by the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under parks/infrastructure activities in an income eligible census area.

The utility work is expected to be completed by the end of August. However, some of the sidewalks and ground areas that are disturbed may be left fenced off and unfinished depending on what work the hotel owners are ready to begin by late August, and whether that work requires further disturbance of areas of Pulaski Park.

Look Park Intersection Plans

Additional Look Park intersection plans comparing the road layout of roundabout vs. traffic lights have been posted on the DPW website. The Google Earth image overlay now has both plans as well, where they can be alternately faded in and out over an aerial photo. See plans these by clicking on the title of this entry.

Solid Waste Committee Seeks Members

The Northampton Board of Public Works is creating a new Solid Waste Action Committee (SWAC), whose primary mission will be to plan and implement new waste reduction initiatives. The SWAC will be composed of three BPW members and four residents, with support from City staff.

The first task to be planned by the SWAC will be related to waste diversion education and special collection programs to be held at various locations in the City. The SWAC will perform outreach to residents through Northampton’s numerous neighborhood associations and in the various City wards. Planned events may include collections for unwanted medications, confidential papers (shredding events), paint and household hazardous waste (including mercury-containing products), electronics, styrofoam and rigid plastics. Distribution events may include compost bins, rainbarrels, worm bins and recycling bins. The SWAC may also be involved with procuring equipment and support for public area recycling efforts at community events, as well as other waste prevention initiatives.

Residents are encouraged to submit an application to serve on the committee. In the future the SWAC will also be seeking volunteers to assist with promotion and management at events. The application form may be obtained on-line or by calling the DPW at 587-1570 x106. The deadline for applying is August 17th, and the Board of Public Works will announce the appointments during their regular meeting on August 26, 2009.

Street Sweeping

Sweepers are now completing Ward 3. A few remaining streets around the City will be briefly posted no-parking so sweepers can get in and clean up areas normally parked over with cars.

BPW Informational Meetings Scheduled

The Board of Public Works is hosting two public informational meetings related to the recently completed Solid Waste Management Alternatives Study. The first meeting is on Monday August 17th at 7 p.m. at the JFK Community Room. This meeting will be mainly for a presentation of the study by Stantec and HDR. There will be time for public comment. The second meeting will be held on Monday September 14 at 7 p.m. at the JFK Community Room. A briefer presentation will be made by Stantec and HDR with more time allotted to answer questions posed by the residents in attendance.

Dutch Elm Disease

The DPW has recently removed three Elm Trees infected with this disease. Please contact the DPW if you see any of the symptoms that are typical of Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Symptoms begin as wilting of leaves and proceed to yellowing and browning. For more information on DED please click on the Title above.

Street Sweeping Progress

Street sweepers are now moving into Ward 4; then Ward 3 which will complete City sweeping for this year.