News

Hutcheson begins planning for next Willie Lincoln Day

Newburyport City Notebook
Katie Farrell
Published: June 29, 2009

City Hall will be closed for business on Friday in observation of Independence Day. City Hall will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday and will reopen on Monday, July 6 with normal business hours.

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City Councilor Steve Hutcheson is already planning ahead to next year's Willie Lincoln Day.

In September, Hutcheson proposed a resolution to make Feb. 20 Willie Lincoln Day, a local holiday, to honor the son of President Abraham Lincoln. Willie died of typhoid fever at 11 years old on Feb. 20, 1862, during his father's presidency.

Hutcheson saw the day as a way to honor the children and families of those who serve the country and hosted local families during an event at the Custom House Maritime Museum.

In the last few weeks, Hutcheson began planning for next year, sending out an invitation to numerous national and state dignitaries to join in the Newburyport event, including President and Mrs. Obama, Gov. Deval Patrick, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, senators, representatives and others.

The event will be Feb. 20.

While Hutcheson hasn't yet had any responses, he said he wanted to send the invitations out early to allow officials time to plan. Hutcheson said he is looking for other residents to help him organize the event.

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Newburyport was one of 25 public water systems recognized last week by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

During a ceremony at the Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, the city was recognized in the "Medium and Large Community Systems" category with a Massachusetts Public Drinking Water Award.

The award is meant to recognize public water systems for outstanding performance in 2008.The winning systems were in compliance with state drinking water regulations, according to a press release issued by DEP, and had no monitoring enforcements or violations. They submitted all required reports on time, adhered to water management and source protection standards.

MassDEP Deputy Commissioner Gary Moran awarded the winning systems with a certificate of outstanding performance and a Governor's Citation signed by Gov. Patrick.

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Mayor John Moak said he is waiting to see how the Energy Advisory Committee fares with one less member after Jeff Wootan resigned from the group recently. Wootan moved from the city, Moak said. The mayor said the committee is still a good size but will see if it lacks someone with an area of expertise in a certain aspect of the energy field before deciding who to appoint to fill the spot.

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Four residents are being sought to serve on the newly created Newburyport Affordable Housing Trust. Trustees must possess expertise in one of the following areas: affordable housing, planning, real estate and/or lending.

Candidates should send a letter of interest to Moak, 60 Pleasant St., Newburyport or e-mail Lois Honegger at Lhonegger@cityofnewburyport.com by July 15.

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The following meetings have been scheduled for this week. They are open to the public:

Monday

Waterfront Trust, 7 p.m., library

City Council, 7:30 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

Tuesday

Redevelopment Authority, 7 p.m., Firehouse Center for the Arts

Wednesday

Planning Board, 7 p.m., City Hall auditorium

Licensing Commission, 7 p.m., police department

Thursday

Historical Commission, 7:30 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers

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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.