Not playing with the computer - especially Photoshop - has done my wrist a world of good and although I would like to get back into my usual routine I'm told that I need to take several more days off.
There is, however, something that many of you want to know:
"Why did everyone vote 'No!' at the public hearing last Monday?"
I was not at Village Hall, but starting the minute the hearing ended and in the days since then I have received Emails and 'phone calls as well as had several sidewalk conversations with many of the people who were there and, in most cases, their accounts agree.
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Upon entering the building they found a display announcing the Process for Public Hearing:
"A 5 minute allotment per person.
Please stand when speaking.
State name and address.
Please show courtesy to others and refrain from comments or background conversations when they are speaking.
Thank You."
Please stand when speaking.
State name and address.
Please show courtesy to others and refrain from comments or background conversations when they are speaking.
Thank You."
Everyone with whom I spoke said that the hearing, which began at 7:00 and ended at 8:30, was very orderly and only one speaker was interrupted. Otherwise, only the whispered comments from the "peanut gallery in the back row" contributed an occasional distraction.
The Putnam Street people got to voice their opposition to the proposed zoning change and construction, proposing, instead, to see the property used as a park or community garden. Two families of young professionals who had recently bought houses in the village received applause after they had finished addressing the board giving their reasons for having chosen Waterville as their new homes. Former Mayor Nora Keating spoke, as well, saying "We had no choice but to take down the old mill no matter what the cost." She also addressed the late Dick Brown's attempts to have past boards adopt a Comprehensive Plan, stating, "If we had one in place, we would not have to deal with spot zoning to Planned Development." (Dick would have liked that!)
Those who spoke in favor of Mr. Sullivan's propoal included Tom Eisenhut, Jim Younes, Mark Mowery, Dale Meszler, Lee Pavlot and Art White all of whom spoke in favor of increased growth and the need for more apartments appropriate to the needs of young professionals and that single mothers with children should not be viewed as a negative influence.
While many Putnam Street residents expressed concerns about an apartment complex's possible negative affects on the value of their own property, Dave Sullivan said that houses in that part of village are undervalued and he believes his project would increase property values not decrease them.
After everyone had been heard, Trustee Tom McNamara proposed taking a vote. Although Mayor Ostrander urged them to discuss everything, first, the other trustees agree with McNamara and the voting proceeded:
Trustee McNamara: No
Trustee Woodhouse: No (at which point a super majority could not possibly have been reached.)
Trustee Treen: No
Trustee Bogan: No - but favored an option that had been suggested that would allow Mr. Sullivan to return with a plan/proposal for fewer (two) structures (as allowed in "Industrial" zoning) and more green space.
Mayor Ostrander also voted No, but with that option as a condition.
And so, as you can see, nothing was really finalized.
Questions remain:
- Will Mr. Sullivan return with another proposal taking us back to "square one"?
- Is there an existing "conflict of interest" that has not been addressed?
- For how many years was the property actually for sale?
For that question I have an answer. While researching the status of the so-called "comprehensive plan" on-line via Google, I accidentally found the following in the unofficial Board Minutes of July 1, 2013:
16. “Mayor Report – asked Att.
Getman if we could announce in paper that Putnam St property was for sale,
reply was yes. He asked if it would be to our benefit to set up with Realtor,
and it (was) agreed to start with add in paper before getting a realtor.”
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I want to express my sympathy to Dr. Francis Chabot and his family on the recent death of his brother, "Chris," who passed away on May 7th at Harding Nursing Home.
1961 -2015.
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