NORTHAMPTON — The city’s Parking and Transportation Commission is considering the use of laser-triggered warning signals to direct tractor-trailers away from the  notorious “truck-eating bridge,” a downtown railroad underpass with an 11-foot clearance. In 2006 The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission recommended installing the ”Overheight Vehicle Detection System” warning stations as part of a study that examined reasons why [...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was published on Thursday morning, Sept. 8 with the headline, “King Street Re-Zoning Hearing Tonight.” The meeting was held that night, and we are preparing a report on that meeting. NORTHAMPTON – A complex package of zoning ordinances proposed to encourage commercial development and enhance design standards along King Street, the [...]

NORTHAMPTON — The sun came out just in time for Sunday’s groundbreaking celebration at the Bean and Allard Farms, a 180-acre land preservation project in the Mill River floodplain here. The large crowd represented both sides of Northampton’s political aisle: there were more bicycles than cars; a bluegrass band was playing; kids wearing team gear [...]

Lawsuit Claims Planning Board Requirement for Rail Trail Access Would Place Undue Burden on Church   NORTHAMPTON – The Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield, a non-profit corporation, has filed a lawsuit in Hampshire Superior Court to stop a Planning Board requirement that the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish provide bike path access from its Sacred [...]

In a letter to the building commissioner, Angela Plassmann’s lawyer denies the mobile home was illegal and rails against “secret informants” who turned in his client to authorities. NORTHAMPTON – It’s case closed down in the building department, now that former city councilor Angela Plassmann’s unauthorized mobile home has been removed from her property in [...]

The city’s building commissioner has determined that the “trailer” on former city councilor Angela Plassmann’s property is really a mobile home that fails to meet state and local regulations for the floodplain. To say nothing of unpaid property taxes. . .   NORTHAMPTON – The mobile home on former city councilor Angela Plassmann’s property in [...]

While the Catholic church’s expansion plan on King Street gets the nod, confusion over whether a 3-2 Planning Board vote constituted passage or rejection leaves some participants with a sour aftertaste.   NORTHAMPTON – The Planning Board has approved a site plan by the city’s Roman Catholic parish to build a new 14,350 square-foot parish [...]

NORTHAMPTON — A group formed to advocate for the Mill River wants to create a public-access greenway along its riverbanks — a long-range goal shared by Wayne Feiden, the city’s planning director. The Mill River Greenway Initiative went public on April 1 after 18 months of work. Its membership is open to all. The group’s [...]

Give Me a Bucket Loader, Parking Manager Tells City Capital Committee NORTHAMPTON – Parking Manager William Letendre made his case Wednesday for a $145,000 bucket loader, a piece of equipment he said is needed to remove snow from city parking lots in a timely manner. Because of equipment breakdowns during recent heavy snowfalls, Letendre told [...]

The measure will create Planning Board architectural review powers on one side of West Street in anticipation of more development by Smith College NORTHAMPTON — Smith College, as an educational institution, doesn’t need to comply with many of the city’s zoning laws.  But if a measure before the City Council passes on Jan. 20, Smith will [...]

City will get 35 acres for a new Mill River Greenway project and 24 acres for the Florence Fields ballparks in purchase from Trust for Public Land. NORTHAMPTON – The city yesterday purchased 60 acres of land along the Mill River in Florence for use as conservation and recreation fields, and partnered with the state [...]

The proposed 1.5-mile bike path would skirt the railroad tracks, I-91 and the Connecticut River, right past a proposed rowing center and soccer field planned at the Lane Construction site. NORTHAMPTON – The city’s long-term plan to build a new bike path from Damon Road to Hatfield got a boost this week with news that [...]

CITY GETS $500,000 GRANT TO BUY AND START BUILDING ATHLETIC FIELDS NORTHAMPTON – The city has received a $500,000 grant to buy, design and start construction on the Florence Fields Recreation Area on Meadow Street, Mayor Mary Clare Higgins stated in a press release today. The grant, from the state Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for [...]

After meeting with neighbors late Wednesday, Father John Connors agreed to take another look at plans for a new parish house at the Sacred Heart Church on King Street. Connors also agreed to postpone a site plan hearing until December. *** NORTHAMPTON – A face-off expected at tonight’s Planning Board was avoided late Wednesday when [...]

Manhan Rail Trail Bridge Over Rt. 10 To Be Installed Sunday, Again.  NORTHAMPTON – The erection of a pedestrian-bicycle bridge over Route 10, linking rail trails here and in Easthampton, will take place this Sunday, Sept. 26, according to city Planning and Development Director Wayne M. Feiden. The several-hour process will close Route 10 to [...]