2001 Northampton Planning Awards
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Epitomizing the exact opposite of NIMBY : Esther Ralston and Stephen Ferrari
When, with the support of Councillor LaBarge, the city proposed both an infill affordable duplex and a walking trail
immediately next to their home, they worked with the city in the permit public hearing process. Then, instead of simply acquiescing
to both projects, they provided leadership to ensure both projects were implemented. Esther took charge of organizing an informal
Friends of Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area and coordinated building the trail. Steve worked with Habitat for Humanity to direct the
home building process, saving Habitat the funds they typically use to hire such assistance.
Extra-Ordinary Volunteer Commitment: Yvonne Freccero
The community regained a huge asset when Yvonne, after an absence from Northampton, returned to Northampton,
supposedly to retire. During this alleged retirement, she joined the Housing Partnership, became a member of the Next Step
Collaborative, whose charge was to address the homelessness in our community, searched tirelessly for a permanent site for the Cot
Program, chaired the management team that administers the Cot Program, and oversaw the program’s 400-person volunteer effort that
has now grown into its own non-profit organization. She continues to work with the Housing Partnership on efforts to create
additional affordable housing and just helped launch a successful evening meals program for the homeless. When the permanent cot
shelter opens in a couple of months, we should all be aware it would not have happened without Yvonne.
Exemplary Conservationist: Armand LaPalme
The largest donation of conservation land the city has ever received took place several years ago, when Armand LaPalme
bargain-sold the Mineral Hills Conservation Area to the city. With his family’s blessing, Armand ensured that land which he had
cared for over many years would forever be preserved. His donation, however, did not end when the land transferred to the city. To
this day Armand works tirelessly to maintain the property and its trails. Keep an eye out for the full moon where you may see the
shadow of this gracious man sledding down a snow-capped hillside on a winter’s night.
Open Space Preservation: Carolyn Gray and George Peppard
Over the years, the city has received many donations of land, cash, and bargain-priced land. The most generous donation the
city ever received was early last year when Carolyn Gray and Ge orge Peppard provided the financial assistance needed to acquire an
agricultural preservation restriction on a beautiful piece of Park Hill Road farmland. Then, as the final dessert, they placed a
conservation restriction on adjoining land they owned, adding to a contiguous open space corridor.
Extra-Ordinary Board Service, Redevelopment Authority Pioneer: Edward Skroski
In spite of Ed’s 30 years, so far, on the Northampton Redevelopment Authority, the majority of those years as chair, few
people even know that the city has a Redevelopment Authority. Ed’s years of dedication, however, is part of the reason that
Northampton is as successful as it is. The Redevelopment Authority literally built the Northampton Industrial Park, creating a core of
some of the best jobs in the city. They also played a key part in building interest in redeveloping downtown Northampton, and
especially in sparking the Round House plaza redevelopment.
Extra-Ordinary Board Service, Redevelopment Authority & Housing Partnership Pioneer: Richard Abuza
Richard seems to never tire of public service, even though he is now in his 23rd year on the Northampton Redevelopment
Authority, which developed the Northampton Industrial Park, and his 11th year concurrently serving on the Housing Partnership, 7 of
which were as its chair. In addition to his board service, he has found time to bargain-sell a key portion of Fitzgerald Lake
Conservation Area to the city. Richard’s gift of eloquent articulation, sincere compassion, and a strong commitment to the provision
of affordable housing remains an irreplaceable asset to the city.
Extra-Ordinary Board Service, Conservation Commission Pioneer: C. Mason Maronn
To many people, Mason Maronn is the Conservation Commission. Now in his 26th year on the Commission, the majority of
those years as chair, Mason has kept a positive attitude, a broad mind, and a willingness to continue learning, and, most importantly, is
always dedicated to preserving the environment. Mason is the city’s hardworking wetland protector, but one who also understands
development constraints and can fairly implement what is arguably the most arcane of regulations.
Extra-Ordinary Board Service, Conservation, Planning and Zoning: Mark NeJame
Mark is leaving city board service, for now, after twelve dedicated years. Mark’s motto could be “have skills will travel.”
Starting on the Conservation Commission, Mark helped modernize the Commission’s approach to permitting. Then, just as he
mastered the work and life got easy, he moved on to the Planning Board. There he helped the board as it transitioned from being
primarily a permit granting authority into a board with a much stronger planning focus. Then, to meet his new calling, Mark moved
on to the Zoning Board and steered it through a major transition period and helped it emerge as a professionalized Zoning Board of
Appeals. We wait for Mark to leave his valuable, but non-planning, outside board commitments and come back to serve on a city
board again.
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Wayne Feiden, A.I.C.P., Planning Director