May 16, 2003

Follow up on forum reveals need for communication

By KATE SPINNER

Staff writer

NEWBURYPORT -- At last night's follow up on the public forum held last month, participants came to the conclusion that residents and city officials alike could improve their communication skills.

Last month, residents in all wards expressed concerns about delays in the implementation of the Community Preservation Act (CPA), the condition of schools, development, the condition of city streets and sidewalks, rising taxes and fees, downtown parking, senior and youth services, and the police department.

When discussing solutions to those concerns, the approximately 25 residents and participating city officials repeatedly requested better communication and more long-range planning.

Albert Decie of Russell Terrace said that the city needs to come up with an action plan for the implementation of the CPA that was passed by voters in November.

Additionally, Ward 2 resident Sheila Mullins said the Community Preservation Committee, once it begins meeting, should post its agenda and any decisions it makes on-line for transparency.

Similarly with schools, School Committee member Bruce Menin, said the city needs to create a long-term action plan for school maintenance and building, and then ensure that the public is aware of those plans.

Ward 5 City Councilor Brenda Reffett added to Menin's suggestion by saying the school department, the school committee and the city council need to work together to develop plans so that they are coherent when announced to the public.

Councilor-at-large Audrey McCarthy said a mechanism needs to be set in place to inform all households about the condition of the schools and the city's building plans.

Planning and disseminating information were needs residents and city official cited when talking about how to address road and sidewalk conditions as well.

Ward 3 Councilor Karen Kelley said the city could better utilize Geographical Information Systems to keep track of maintenance on streets and sidewalks.

Olga MacFarlane, a Ward 6 resident, said the city should produce a quarterly newsletter informing residents of what needs the city is projecting and what projects are occurring. She said that now it seems as though the city performs maintenance, such as sidewalk repair, only when someone complains.

Councilor-at-large John Pramberg said people sometimes feel slighted when they see the city creating soccer fields, or working on projects such as the Bartlett Mall restoration, when their own streets and sidewalks are in poor condition. Pramberg said people often do not realize that several of those projects are paid for through grants or private donations.

McCarthy said that if people know exactly how the city is spending tax money, people will feel better about paying their taxes. Like MacFarlane, she suggested that the city publish a list of goals and a schedule for projects so that people recognize what services they receive for the money they contribute.

As far as regulating development, residents agreed that the city should continue its work on zoning changes.

To address downtown parking, Reffett suggested that the City Council and the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority -- the entity that owns the waterfront parking lots -- come together to nail down a concrete plan for the waterfront and parking alternatives.

A similar suggestion, bringing the mayor, the school committee and the Youth Commission, was made to enhance youth services and to possibly build a teen center.

For the Senior Center, MacFarlane said the city department heads need to get together and make a decision. The city is considering a lot behind the Greenleaf Street Fire Station as the new site for a Senior Center.

Residents expressed few concerns about the police department last night, but Menin said the police should show a stronger commitment to "community policing."

Resident Gloria Braunhardt said the police have recently become more involved with the community.

Decie said the comments expressed last night on all topics show that there is a need for more "intercommunication" between the public and city departments.

"Now we have to follow up on what we've done in the follow up," said Moak.