By Katie Farrell Lovett
NEWBURYPORT — Apart from the mayor's race, the battle brewing in the city's easternmost neighborhoods may well be the most closely watched in Tuesday's election.
Veteran Ward 1 Councilor and waterfront activist Larry McCavitt, 66, is up against self-described "no-name" challenger Allison Heartquist for the seat representing the riverside section of the city stretching from Plum Island to the eastern end of downtown.
Waterfront issues dominate Ward 1, which has the most coastline of the city's six wards, meaning it faces problems other wards don't see, such as the erosion problems on Plum Island and concerns over the future development of the waterfront. The ward is made up of narrow streets, older homes and homes in close proximity to their neighbors.
The spotlight shines on the race because it so often shines on McCavitt in his pursuit of public access at the waterfront both on his own and with the group he founded, the Friends of Chapter 91, a group dedicated to fighting for a state law that regulates development in coastal tidelands.
In recent years, McCavitt has appealed various rulings by the Department of Environmental Protection to grant licenses and permits to those projects that he says don't fit the purposes set forth in the Chapter 91 law. In doing so, McCavitt been willing to challenge wealthy waterfront residents, the mayor's office and the city's largest land owner, Stephen Karp.
While some see McCavitt as an unflappable advocate, his actions have also earned him foes. Despite significantly less political experience, Heartquist, 39, has had success generating support within the ward.
"I've gone to 95 percent of the homes in Ward 1, and people are looking for a change," Heartquist said yesterday. "They're looking for someone who will listen, who doesn't necessarily have all the answers, but is willing to do research and find a solution to problems."
Her signs can be seen across the ward, unlike McCavitt, who does not use campaign signs, in part on environmental principle.
McCavitt campaigns in the ward on his knowledge and expertise of the waterways and protecting public access, and his "track record of performance," he said.
This year, McCavitt said voters are recognizing him when he shows up at their door and are happy to see him.
"They're saying 'good job, carry on, thank you for your service to the ward and to the city,'" he said. "I get a lot of thank-yous."
Chapter 91 law prevents the state from giving away the right to public land belonging to the people for commercial or residential development without consideration of public access. It's something McCavitt ardently watches in Newburyport.
Observers recently saw him fight a decision for years in which the city allowed a Water Street property owner the right to convert the city's last remaining clam shack into a residential home.
When the issue of the clam shack is brought up, McCavitt gets positive feedback, he said.
"People are disappointed, for one, that the court ruled that I did not have standing enough to further protest the allowance of the clam shack," he said. "People like the idea that I stood up and fought to try to reverse the zoning board of appeals."
Heartquist said she's heard only a few comments about the clam shack; although, she said, "Unfortunately, I think Larry is known as the clam shack guy."
Instead, constituents are focused on sidewalks, education and respect, she said.
"People have been extremely supportive," Heartquist said.
Among her supporters, according to the campaign finance report filed this week, are Mark Roland, the owner of the clam shack that McCavitt battled in court. He gave Heartquist's campaign $150. Also, Newburyport Marinas, a company owned by Stephen Karp and New England Development donated $100 to her campaign.
McCavitt has had run-ins with New England Development and their local property managers, Ann and Chuck Lagasse. He fought the expansion of the Hilton marina, a pending license issue at Michael's Harborside, the size of the walkway in front of the Black Cow, and the Lagasse-proposed waterfront restaurant Fin 51, which never opened.
Heartquist said yesterday her treasurer, John Brooks, has been overseeing her campaign donations and referred questions about donations to him.
It's unclear if the donation from Newburyport Marinas was given as a donation from a corporation, which is prohibited under campaign finance law. Brooks said yesterday he did not have the information on the Newburyport Marinas donation in front of him, but said it was given by a person who is part of the marina.
Roland said yesterday that Heartquist is "very bright and articulate."
"We need a fresh, new attitude, and I think she's a strong candidate," he said. "We needed a fresh new approach, someone with new eyes and a different vision. She has a broader range of ideas and subjects."
Roland said he feels that Heartquist will be open to talking with constituents, whether she agrees with them on a topic or not, something he said is lacking right now.
"I really felt that this position should have someone that should talk to the people," he said. "That's something we don't have right now. Not once in two years was I called or visited by my Ward 1 councilor (about the clam shack)."
Following a meeting with Tony Green, a member of Karp's development team, McCavitt said New England Development is agreeing to his suggestion to add a space for public viewing near Michael's Harborside where it meets the Rail Trail. They also have agreed to correct a noncompliance issue for the Chapter 91 license by extending the walkway in front of Black Cow to the required 10 feet, McCavitt said.
"People are worried about what's going to happen with the future waterfront with Karp," McCavitt said this week. "In the wake of the White Hen issue, I think a lot of people are concerned about whether Mr. Karp will pay any attention to their needs and their desires."
With a background working for a municipality — Heartquist has worked on and off for the town of Amesbury for three years and is currently the executive assistant for Mayor Thatcher Kezer — she said she was approached by people who urged her to run for office in Newburyport.
She had been considering it for some time, she said, as she loves working for a municipality.
"I think Mr. McCavitt is obviously a very bright man," Heartquist said. "We differ on a lot of aspects when it comes to priorities with the ward. So I think it's great the voters of Ward 1 now have a choice."
"I think the waterfront is key," Heartquist said. "We live in a beautiful part of Newburyport."
