City Council - Property Committee

Property Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes: February 27, 2020 Councilor Zaret called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Members Present: Chair Owen Zaret and Clerk Lindsey Rothschild and Councilor James Kwiecinski (6:03) Also in Attendance: Councilor Dan Rist, Doreen McCarthy of 8 Rabideau Drive, Ellen Desmarais of 134 Oliver Street, Jeremiah Lucy of 134 Oliver Street, Elaine Wood of 9 Overlook Drive, Parks and Rec Commission Member Jim Ramsey of 3 Campbell Drive, Jordan Singleton of 103 Oliver Street, Mr. Breky of Torrey Street Public Speak Time: No comments from the public. Continuing Business: Proposed Dog Park: ● Dan Rist presented a letter to the Property Committee after speaking with Parks and Rec Director John Mason brought forth an alternative site proposal. The proposed site is off Williston Avenue, which is cemetary land adjacent to the Park. (Letter Attached) ● Ellen Desmarais: She is in favor of the downtown proposed location. She lives on Oliver Street adjacent to the proposed Oliver Street location. She was concerned about the impact on Oliver Street. ● Jeremiah Lucey - He lives adjacent to the proposed Oliver Street location and is against that location. He spoke about the amount of wildlife that would be disturbed. ● Elaine Wood is in favor of the new proposed downtown location. ● Jim Ramsey had concerns about the Oliver Street location. ● Councilor Rothschild had concerns about Oliver Street location and was not comfortable progressing in that direction. She was glad that this new option emerged. ● Councilor Kwiecinski stated he did not favor the Oliver Street location for a number of reasons, one of which was the very low number of people who would be able to easily walk to a dog park on Oliver Street. He said that if you drew a circle ¼ mile around the proposed location and within a 1/2 mile around a dog park on Oliver Street, there would be more Northampton residents closer to the park than Easthampton residents. He said that a dog park in the center of Easthampton would be more easily accessible by all residents. He said that the city would likely have only one chance to place one dog park in the city, so it was important to get it right the first time. To put a park on the edge of town makes very little sense. Putting the park in the center of town not only will make it accessible to all, but will likely foster additional visits to downtown businesses, thereby having an economic benefit for the community. ● Councilor Zaret stated that although he is passionate about the dog park and it was his agenda item, he also thought the Oliver Street was problematic.  ● There was discussion as to whether or not to remove the Oliver site from consideration. While the Councilors present agreed that there was not sufficient support in the City Council, they would wait until Councilor Zaret have City Planner Bagg the professional courtesy of discussing with him before removing from consideration. A motion was made by Councilor Rothschild and seconded by Councilor Kwiecinski; it was unanimously voted that a request be sent to the Parks & Rec Commission asking that this location off Williston Avenue be approved for a study to see if it could be used a dog park A motion was made by Councilor Kwiecinski and seconded by Councilor Rothschild; it was unanimously voted that a letter be sent to Jeff Bagg requesting that the Berkshire Design Group do a feasibility study at the Williston location if the Parks & Rec Commission approves the location off of Williston Avenue for a study ● Doreen: She would like the design to include drinking fountains not only for dogs, but also for people as well as obstacle courses for dogs. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilor Kwiecinski and seconded by Owen Zaret, it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of January 28, 2002 A motion was made by Councilor Rothschild and seconded by Councilor Kwiecinski; it was unanimously voted that this meeting adjourn at 6:40pm Respectfully Submitted, Councilor Lindsey Rothschild Clerk to the Property Committee Attached: Letter from Councilor Dan Rist regarding Dog Park Location  CITY OF EASTHAMPTON OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL Easthampton Municipal Building 50 Payson Ave., Ste. 100 Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027-2260 Telephone #: (413) 529-1460 Fax #: (413) 529-1417 Dan Rist City council Feb. 27, 2020, Honorable Members of the Council Property Committee: RE: Dog Park Location I present to you an alternative I would like the committee to consider for the location of The Dog Park. At this writing I’m opposed to the current Oliver St Location for several factors, one of which is its distance from the center of town. Having a location nearer town center would benefit many residents who live in town and do not have the means of taking they’re dog to that location. A location off Williston Ave, which is cemetery land adjacent to the Park, has been presented to me by John Mason. It can be used, away from the road, has water and possible parking. John has indicated that he feels this can pass muster with the Park and Rec Commission, Stewarts of the Cemetery, and he even feels he can do some maintenance. It is close to town, can be set back and given visual and audio insulation with shrubbery. Jeff Bag has indicated that if the commission gives the ok, he can possibly pay for a conceptual design by Berkshire so both locations can be ready for the April public hearing. I attach some maps for your perusal. I request that a formal Property Committee request be sent to The Park and Rec Commission asking that this location be approved for study. This must be done before any other action take place. Thank You, Dan