Essex Heritage
Events and Activities
Quarterly Trustee meeting 2.12.13
Due to
continuing Ice and snow issues left over from the gigantic weekend storm, I was
unable to attend the Quarterly Essex Heritage Meeting. The financial reports were presented and
explained. A recently completed audit
report was presented and an explanation.
Copies of the reports are available and will be outlined at the annual
meeting in April in Haverhill. There
were no unusual findings during the audit and the Essex Heritage staff was
complimented on their preparation and diligence before and during the annual
audit. A development report was provided and there is a continuing record of
success in the acquisition on new corporate members. I personally am following
up on several proposals that I have made to local companies. It was reported
that movement on the legislative front continues and we remain hopeful of
positive changes. The need to update
the Commission’s strategic plan is on-going.
Essex Heritage Annual Meeting
It is
certainly not too late to make a reservation to attend an Essex Heritage Annual
Meeting and we welcome your participation.
Here’s the invitation:
The Essex National Heritage Commission
Invites You to Attend its
Annual Spring Meeting
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Winnekenni Castle
347
Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830
8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast Reception
8:30 -
10:00 AM: Business Meeting
Join us for a morning of engagement on Wednesday, April 10,
from 8:00am -10:00am, at Winnekenni Castle! Participate in this free, valuable
networking opportunity that will further connect you with the work of Essex
Heritage and our partners.
We are now accepting applications for the Essex Heritage
Partnership Grant Program!
The 2013 grant recipients will be announced at the Annual
Spring Meeting on April 10th at Winnekenni Castle.
About Winnekenni
Castle
Dr. James R. Nichols, a local physician and inventor, built
the Castle in 1873-1875 as a summer home at this farm which he named
Winnekenni. The idea for the original castle came from England. The Castle was
sold to the city in 1895. In 1967, after a devastating fire destroyed the aging
building, a group of citizens formed the Winnekenni Foundation, which is still
in existence today. Its goal was to completely refurbish the interior of the
building, and make it and its surrounding grounds available to the public for
cultural and educational events.
We hope you will be able to join us! RSVP below or call
978-740-0444.
Please Join Us!
To RSVP to the Annual Spring Meeting please go on-line to www.essexheritage.org or you may call
Jill at 978-740-0444.
Upcoming Essex Heritage Events
·
Sunday, February 24, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm
Featured
Partner Event -
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Wildlife Tracking at the
Arthur Ewell Reservation,
Haverhill Street, Rowley, MA 01969
Join
wildlife-tracking expert Bob Metcalf and learn about the wildlife corridors or
animal highways that exist all around us.
Reservations
required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt
at 978-768-7241 to register.
·
Sunday, March 24, 2013 • 1:00 - 3:00pm
Featured
Partner Event -
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
Signs of Rebirth at the
Willowdale Meadow
Ipswich Road, Topsfield, MA 01983
Look for
signs of the natural world’s rebirth as you tour the trails within Greenbelt’s
Willowdale Meadow, Bradley Palmer State Park, and the Willowdale Mill
Reservation.
Reservations
required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt
at 978-768-7241 to register.
Essex Heritage
Continuing Partnerships
One of the
longest running partnerships Essex Heritage has is with the Essex County
Greenbelt Association. Their continuing
program of Open Land Preservation in this region in the recent year has had a
wonderful effect. Through negotiation
and real estate deals, they have added substantial assets under their
control. Nineteen separate projects have
been acted upon and 445 acres that night have found their way to another use
and are now being conserved in perpetuity. This brings the land under their
conservation control to 15,000 acres.
The Trust was first formed in 1951 and ‘on average” over the intervening
years they have negotiated 15 to 20 deals each year and have added between 350
and 500 acres to their control each year. As communities and entities in the
region have become much more aware of the existence of the Trust, it has been
that much easier to put together deals.
Essex Heritage has found Executive Edward Becker to be a most willing
partner and the preservation of Essex County space is that much easier to
accomplish. Ed is long time Commissioner
of the Essex Heritable Commission and is a great recourse for the entire region
Regional News
UMASS Lowell Considers Expansion To
Haverhill
The
Chancellor of the University of Lowell and former Congressman Martin Meehan has
proposed the University lease space in Haverhill’s downtown and will offer
ongoing educational programs to City residents. This proposed in -town
satellite campus has been warmly embraced and anticipated by Haverhill city
officials.
Preservation Projects Sought in North
Andover
The North
Andover Community Preservation Committee is seeking request for grants to fund
projects that will help preserve the community’s open space, historic
buildings, landscape, affordable housing projects and for land to be used in
the development of recreational assets.
To apply for a grant under this program requests must be received by the
Town by March 8, 2013 and then be considered at the Town’s Annual Meeting in
May 2013. For more information on these
grants including more complete details on the guidelines for application visit www.townofnorthandover.com
Dedication of Historic Districts
Staying on
the preservation theme, more and more local communities are developing historic
districts in their communities. This
effort has been driven in many cases by the community need to preserve historic
properties in their community. In some
cases these movements have had a negative impact on individual residents. That process has to be regularly regulated
to control individual rights.
City of Peabody Council to Hear Housing
Plan
The City of
Peabody City Council will soon be presented a plan that has been developed by
the Planning Department of an affordable housing development plan that will
increase the percentage of affordable housing from 9.1% to the required ten
percent level to gain control of 4B projects.
Danvers, Middleton and Topsfield Police
Chiefs Join Together to work with Mentally Ill
Essex
Heritage is always interested in any effort to accomplish things regionally and
an idea developed by the Police Chief from Danvers, Neil Ouellette, has been
expanded to include Departments from both Topsfield and Middleton The concept that is funded by local grants
is the result of a clear recognized spike in Danvers of Mental Heath Calls. The goal of the program is to prevent jail
time for individuals that have a mental illness. Professional Staffing is being provided
through a grant by the Danvers Department.
Support is provided through the use of a part time employee from Leahy
Health Behavioral Services Mobile Crisis Team three days a week. She is available to respond in potential
suicide calls. This certainly seems to
be a wonderful way for three local communities to work together in a most
critical and socially responsible manner and to handle costs on a collective
basis.
Medical Senior
Disability Issues
Tragedy in South African Olympic sports
It is early
in the process and there will be a trial to determine fault, but the disabled
South African Olympic champion known to many as the “Blade Runner” has been accused of shooting
and killing his girlfriend. Oscar
Pistorius became a hero to many in the summer Olympics in London, and became an
admired world class athlete who overcame the early loss of his legs to
distinguish himself in his efforts in London.
The event is under investigation.
COPAA Support Group
Through the
generosity and support of Cornell O & P and the Cornell Brothers, that own
and operate the facility at Cummings Center in Beverly and other locations in
this region, Cornell O & P Amputee
Association (COPPAA) is offered to amputees of this region. COPAA is managed by MS, Posie Mansfield of
Wenham. “Posie” understands the needs and the mind set of the amputee as she
shares that affliction with the other members of the association which makes
her most aware of the needs of people with handicaps. The primary role of COPPA is to bring
talented resources to speak to the members.
One of the resources she brought to the group was the wonderful
gymnasium and rehabilitation facility at Gordon College where I am currently
receiving therapy.
Now she has
found another valuable recourse from the Longevity Connection at North Shore
Elder Services I help represent the Town of Danvers. The following is a notice from COPAA about
the upcoming meeting.
Ready for the
blizzard of 2013?
Stay warm and stay indoors, hunker down for the duration of
the storm.. I know I really don't have to say that, as we all have a fear of
falling anyway, and we are not about to venture out into a blizzard for any
reason!
We have had a change in our speaker for our Beverly COPAA
meeting next Wednesday, February 13, our regularly scheduled meeting. Ruth
Stone was supposed to come and speak about wound care and prevention of skin
breakdown, but she had an unexpected scheduling conflict, so she cannot make it
this time. Instead of Ruth, though, I am happy to announce that Eileen Lubas,
from the Longevity Connection from North Shore Elder Services will be coming
instead. She will discuss the many services provided by North Shore Elder
Services, and our very own Tom Leonard serves on that board, so it should be a
great meeting. Come with questions for the group, ready to welcome new members
and simply to talk in an informal setting.
Mark your calendars, we meet from 5pm to 7pm on the second
Wednesday of each month. ALL ARE WELCOME
People in the
news
Danvers State Representative Ted Speliotis
who represents Danvers Named Chairman of Important Massachusetts Legislative
Committee.
State
Representative Ted Speliotis, one of the longest serving Legislators on Beacon
Hill has been named to the Chairmanship of the Committee that serves as the
gate keeper committee for all bills that will be heard before the House of
Representatives. It is a very important
Committee Chairmanship and his new role could be very important for the region.
Announcement of the Retirement of Wayne
Burton
The
following announcement provided by The North Shore Community College about the
retirement of President Dr. Wayne Burton is presented FYI. I suppose that I could let the announcement
stand on its own, but I feel obligated to add some personal comments.
I have known
Wayne since he arrived in Salem several years ago. I worked with Wayne when he was the Dean of
the Business School at then Salem State College. I was asked and was proud and pleased to be
one of Wayne’s presenters when he applied for the Presidency at North Shore
Community College and I followed Wayne to the Institution and have served on
the Foundation for that school. Wayne
served as a Trustee on the initial Board of Trustees of Essex Heritage. He also served as the Chairman of the
Nominating Committee at Essex Heritage in his nine-year term. He was one of first Heritage Hero’s named and
his work for Essex Heritage was extraordinary.
Dr. Wayne Burton’s Announcement
It is with
overwhelming feelings of both joy and sadness that I announce my retirement
today – after thirteen years at the helm of North Shore Community College,
effective July 31, I will move on to my next phase of life. I have notified
Rich Yagjian, Chair of the Board of Trustees, of my plans to leave and a press
release will go out later today. In truth, I have been thinking about this
since passing my 68th year last June and facing my sixty-ninth birthday this
June.
I am deeply
grateful to everyone at NSCC for a wonderful experience with an extraordinary
group of dedicated people who with me share a strong belief in and commitment
to educational equity. It is the community of the college I will miss most.
I will do
everything I can between now and the end of July to bring in a decent budget in
the current legislative session and advance all the important initiatives now
underway at the College including the Lynn campus renewal and addition and
Union Street space for culinary and cosmetology. Also, with your help, it is my
intent to give the next president a new strategic plan grounded in the college
and reflective of the culture of inclusion I have tried to nurture since I
began as president in July of 2000.
While the
Commonwealth may consider my leaving the presidency of North Shore Community
College "retirement", I certainly do not. In the next phase of my
life, I plan to enjoy family – with two middle-school grandsons and one more
grandchild on the way by our younger West Coast son and wife, provide service
to my town and state, and work on issues that have become important to me.
I currently
serve on the Advisory Budget Committee of the Oyster River School District and
as the Town of Durham's (NH) representative on the Strafford (county) Regional
Planning Commission involved with regional planning, especially with regard to
careful stewardship of our water resources. I also plan to run for Town Council
in our hometown of Durham and, who knows, I might run for my old seat in the
N.H. House next cycle.
I also
intend to continue my involvement in the national Community College Consortium
on Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (CCCAID) which I currently chair,
carrying the message wider than I can now with the significant responsibilities
of the presidency getting my top priority.
As we all
grow and change with the seasons of life, I ask you to continue our important
work as the college transitions to a new president and an exciting new era for
the college as we celebrate our fiftieth year. I could not have made North
Shore Community College the true beacon of hope and opportunity that it is,
without each of you at the helm with me. Thank you!
Personal
Observations
Slot Parlor Proposal in Danvers
The fact
gathering period for information in the ongoing slot parlor proposal in Danvers
continues. The organization that is
seeking the right to turn a vacant retail space formally occupied by Sports
Authority at the rear of Liberty Tree Center into a slot parlor have met in an
information session with several Danvers Officials. In their original proposal they spoke about
adding a new garage, but that addition no longer appears to be needed. They have indicated that the facility could
mean seven hundred new jobs for the Town.
It is expected that a public hearing on the proposal will take place on
March 5th in a location to be announced, spacious enough to handle the many
residents that want to be heard on this issue.
There appears to be continuing opposition to the facility by nearby
residents. It would certainly appear
that the kind of operation envisioned would certainly mean more local traffic
in an area where there already appears that there is too much traffic according
to local nearby residents. It is unclear
to me to see a reason for approval except for the number of mid-level, at best,
jobs that are proposed would benefit the community. There may be some up front and ongoing fees
that could be beneficial to the community and some of those answers might be
provided at the March 5th public hearing and that night might make the decision
easier when the officials are provided with a complete set of facts.
Retirement of Roman Catholic Pope Gregory
XV1
As a
participating member of the active Catholic religious family, I like a number
of others were surprised by the recent announcement that the present Pope will retire
from active service after an eight year term of office, due to poor
health. We will likely have a new leader
of one of the largest religions in this region by Easter 2013. Pope Benedict will be the first Pontiff to
resign for heath reasons in over 600 years.
From my perspective, I would not expect any monumental changes in major
issues such as abortion, female priests, etc.
What we may see is a new leader of the church who may come from a
non-traditional location like South America, Africa or Asia. That could be a major change as the new Pope
could be our first Black or Yellow skinned leader of the largest organized
religion in the world, and the new leader could come from a location where the
Catholic faith growing faster than the norm in the rest of the world
Sports Update
In this
space each week, I usually present a few words on Boston Professional Teams
successes and failures that is truly one of my passions, but today I report on
an even greater passion, family sports participation. On Wednesday of this week we attended one of
many basketball games we attended this winter.
We now know every signpost along US Route 495 as we have made numerous
trips along that route this winter from our home in Danvers. Our youngest grand-daughter Caroline is a
student at a very competitive public high school in Northborough called
Algonquin Regional. The school has a
great history of winning team championships.
As a freshman she along with a handful of other first year students
participated with the Junior Varsity girls team. They completed a single loss season avenging
their only loss to Wachusetts Regional High School earlier in the season.
.
We traveled
to many events around the area east of Worchester that we never would have made
without the help and support of a GPS.
The basketball season followed a three-loss Girls Junior Varsity Soccer
season that she also participated in as a first year athlete. This has been a wonderful first year at
Algonquin Regional. After a steady
successful diet with our other Grand-daughter Katherine of Danvers in lacrosse
and field hockey I only barely comprehended, basketball is a sport that I
played as a youth and it was a treat and a pleasant change to watch.
I can’t say enough about the level of coaching
instruction Caroline received in both sports and we look forward to a couple of
more seasons watching, rooting for success and enjoying the competition
We skipped a
trip to Florida this winter due to medical conditions and these multiple trips
to Northborough made the recent Fall and Winter of 2012-13 seem to fly by.
After a very
short period of time, we will be back on the road to watch Michael and Julie’s
son Casey perform as a little league pitcher.
