Plans for the Rail Trail are moving ahead, senior project manager Geordie Vining reported last week. The city has begun purchasing some "enhancements" or features for the trail, including sculptures, he said.
Vining said the funding for the project comes from Community Preservation Account money, grants and a variety of donations. He said maintenance and care of the trail and its elements will likely be a "hybrid" approach, as the city's Public Works department is short-staffed with city-wide responsibilities. Volunteers and the Parks Commission will likely help with its care, he said, as he also hopes to find funding for a stipend to pay a caretaker who will help manage and oversee the trail.
Whether the trail will be plowed in the winter for year-round use "remains to be seen," said Vining.
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Connor's Cellar, a proposed new bistro on Prince Place, was approved for a liquor license by the city's License Commission last week in a 3-2 vote, chairwoman Peggy Brown said. The board has been told a neighbor of the building will appeal the decision.
Brown said she will be following up on the process but assumes the license won't be released until a decision on the appeal is made.
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Mayor John Moak met with Gov. Deval Patrick last week to discuss the fiscal stress facing Newburyport and the need for the state to provide necessary tools, revenues and reforms so that cities can protect essential services, according to a press release issued by his office. The meeting occurred during a gathering of Massachusetts Mayors' Association.
During the discussion, Patrick outlined the state's fiscal condition and talked about the difficult choices facing cities and towns and state government. Moak cited issues that must be prioritized for savings and reform, including passage of legislation to give communities greater control over health insurance plans and measures to address the rising burden of pension costs, according to his office.
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Local historian and author Nancy Weare will give a lecture at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge Thursday, July 23 on ""Plum Island, The Way it Was."
The lecture will run from 7 to 8 p.m. and is free. No registration is necessary. Coffee and pastries will be available for sale with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Parker River, a non-profit organization that supports the refuge. This lecture will be held in the Visitor Center Auditorium, 6 Plum Island Turnpike. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
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Sign-ups are still ongoing for summer swim lessons at the YWCA. Classes meet either once a week for eight weeks or four days a week for two weeks.
The YWCA is also offering "Scamper Camp" for 3- to 5-year-olds from 8:45to 11:45 a.m., and "School's Out, Summer Fun" for first through fourth grades at the Kelley School Youth Center.
For more information and registration forms, visit www.ywcanewburyport.org.
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IC-Haiti is seeking donations for their community-wide yard sale on Aug. 1.
The sale will raise proceeds to benefit IC-Haiti, a nonprofit group of community members affiliated with Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Boniface Haiti Foundation.
Since forming last year, IC-Haiti has collected about $40,000 in donations and lent aid to the village of Fond des Blanc.
The group will accept yard sale donations at the IC school gymnasium on Saturday, July 18 and Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The yard sale is Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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The Bridge Gallery is offering citizens a chance to paint outdoors with Bridge Gallery artists on Wednesday mornings during July and August, if the weather permits.
Participants can meet at the Gallery on Wednesdays beginning July 8 at 10:30 a.m. The group will choose sites to paint in downtown Newburyport and must bring their own supplies.
The Bridge Gallery is located at 1R Water St. For further information contact Joanna Hammond, 978-388-3230.
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The Pettengill House is starting collections for its annual back-to-school "Operation Backpack" drive.
The social services agency is looking backpacks and school supplies for students in pre-K through grade 12. This includes: backpacks for all ages, spiral notebooks, binders, loose leaf paper, markers, scissors, colored pencils, pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, book covers, pencil cases, crayons, pencil sharpeners, folders, glue, protractors, etc.
Gift certificates and donations are also appreciated. Checks can be made payable to The Pettengill House, Inc. and note "Operation Backpack" on the memo line. All donations are tax-deductible.
Donations can be dropped off at Stone Ridge Properties, 40R Merrimac St., Brown's Wharf; The Fitness Factory, 75 Merrimac St.; Hope Community Church, 11 Hale St., and the Institution for Savings, Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank and Provident Bank branches.
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The following meetings have been scheduled. They are open to the public:
Tuesday
Conservation Commission, 7 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers
Thursday
Harbor Commission, 7 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers
Fruit Street Historic District Committee, 7 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers
Street Tree Committee, 7 p.m., City Hall, second floor conference room
City Council Planning and Development Committee, 7 p.m., City Hall auditorium
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Katie Farrell covers Newburyport for The Daily News. She can be reached at 978-462-6666, ext. 3232, or by e-mail at kfarrell@newburyportnews.com.
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