News

Amesbury town notebook: Patrick left with reminders of Amesbury

By Katie Farrell
Staff writer
Published: July 21, 2008

Gov. Deval Patrick and his staff left with some mementos from Amesbury on Wednesday night. The Amesbury Chamber of Commerce gave Patrick and his staff gift bags donated by local businesses.

Included in the packages were a fleece blanket and coffee mug, provided by the Provident Bank; an Amesbury T-shirt embroidered by Rosa's Alterations; gift certificates to local restaurants; a T-shirt from the Powow River Grille; a candle from Wick'd Kool; baked goods from Phat Cats Bistro and a Sept. 11 memorial provided by Ben's Uniforms.

Envelop The Moment assembled its own gift package to include in the governor's canvas bag.

"They loved them," executive director Stefanie McCowan said. "They were very appreciative."

Patrick was in town to conduct a "town hall"-style meeting with the public in the Upper Millyard.

In an interview prior to the meeting, Patrick said he remembered the "strong sense of community" he found in Amesbury when he toured the town with then-Mayor David Hildt during his campaign for governor.

Patrick said they took a walk through the downtown and heard the concerns of residents. On minds then, Patrick said, were issues that still remain a top issue today: local aid and property taxes.

"I understand that," Patrick said.

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As the town continues its legal fight with the developer of the 40B project Eagle Point, the abutters to the proposed housing complex are pledging their support to town officials.

Tracey Chalifour, who has served as the leader and spokesperson for the group of neighbors, said last week they are happy the town is continuing its battle.

Amesbury has appealed a ruling by the state Housing Appeals Committee that will allow for the building of Eagle Point, a 56-unit garden-style apartment and townhouse complex.

The Eagle Point project is proposed on Clark's Road, a street that can be accessed from Route 110 and the Point Shore neighborhood. The development would be spread over 19 two-story buildings with a mix of two and three units in each.

"We're definitely monitoring it (the legal process)," Chalifour said. "It's been a bad project from the start; we still think that it's not the right fit for that parcel."

"We'll be involved ... as long as the town wants to stay entrenched in it, we'll be right there with them," Chalifour added.

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Whether a restaurant will move into 36 Main St. remains to be seen.

A petition was first filed with the town last fall to open a restaurant called Roobar at the downtown location, but since then, the applicant has yet to come before the Planning Board or provide the town with the additional information it has requested.

"We've been waiting since last year," Town Planner Nipun Jain said.

Jain said he will continue to contact the applicant in hopes of moving the process ahead.

"I'll keep trying," he said. "I definitely want them to succeed."

Steve Wilson, of Jones and Wilson LLC, who is listed as the applicant on the paperwork filed with the town, did not return a phone call seeking comment last week.

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Discussion during the library trustees' Sept. 10 meeting will include a review of a proposal by building consultant Sunny Vandermark. The trustees would like Vandermark to review the current building program and update it. The program is eight years old, having been drafted in 2000.

Vandermark has submitted a proposal to the town with an estimate of $6,000 for her work — money that is not included in the current budget. A library building program is a necessity to secure state funding for a building expansion/renovation project.

Library Director Katie McDonough said she also expects the conversation to include discussion about forming a building committee. Trustees were encouraged during a meeting last week to start thinking about who should be on such a committee and when it will be formed, McDonough said.

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The following meetings have been scheduled for this week. Check with the town clerk's office for last-minute changes:

Monday

Planning Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, auditorium

Tuesday

Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall, auditorium

Municipal Council, 7:15 p.m., Town Hall, auditorium

Wednesday

Workshop on Roads and Sidewalks, Master Plan Implementation Committee, 6:30 p.m., Cultural Center

Thursday

Design Review Committee, 5:15 p.m., Cultural Center

Lakes and Waterways, 6:30 p.m., Health Center

Board of Appeals, 7 p.m., Town Hall, auditorium

Katie Farrell covers Amesbury for The Daily News. She can be reached at 978-462-6666, ext. 3232, or by e-mail at kfarrell@newburyportnews.com.