April 7, 2003

Public Forum this Thursday

By Kate Spinner
Daily News Staff

NEWBURYPORT - This Thursday, every resident will have an opportunity to speak directly with their city representatives to discuss hopes and concerns for the future at the city's second Annual Public Forum.

Last year the forum, inspired by Ward 3 Councilor Karen Kelley, drew about 100 residents to the City Hall auditorium, where ward councilors stood --- magic markers in hand --- to take notes on flip charts.

The forum is intended as a way to allow residents input on the budgeting process before the City Council begins to cut line items from the mayor's proposed budget.

A repeat of the same event will take place this year, beginning at 7 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium.

Residents will split up into six groups by ward. Ward councilors will be on hand to lead each group to discussion, and the five-at-large councilors will listen in on the groups.

Ten minutes will be dedicated to comments on what is going well in the city and 30 minutes of discussion will concentrate on the wishes and concerns of residents.

Following the ward discussions, all attendees will gather in a large group to discuss the flip charts and make observations and comments.

Last year popular topics were cuts in educational programs, rising property taxes, development and maintenance of city infrastructure.

Bonnie Sontag, now a member of the Planning Board, helped chair the public forum last year. She said many of the issues that were raised were incorporated into action over the course of the year.

The creation of the Federal Street Overlay District, which allowed the development of historically sensitive buildings and affordable housing on the former St. Louis deGonzague church property, stemmed partially from concerns expressed at the forum last year, said Sontag. She also said the Smart Growth ordinance that was passed last year to curb development while the city rewrites zoning and the proposed Site Plan Review law to regulate commercial and industrial development were supported through the forum.

"I'd say they came out of issues that were generated by the forum," Sontag said.

Additionally, Sontag said the forum gave people a way to communicate with city representatives.

"It gave an opportunity for city councilors to hear directly issues their constituents care about," said Sontag.