Contents

Message from Chairman and Director 1 Planning Region 2 Commission Members and Committees 3 Planning for Local and Regional Growth 4 Transportation Programs 6 Environment and Land Use 10 Eight Towns and the Bay 11 Regional GIS Service Center 12 Local Technical Assistance 14 Management and Coordination 15 MVPC Professional Staff 16 Cover: Historical representation of Spicket River Bridge in Methuen. Community aerial images: Pictometry.

1

From the Chairman and the Executive Director

Chairman Stephen Colyer

Executive Director Gaylord Burke

As I near the end of my fourth and perhaps final year as chairman of the Mer-rimack Valley Planning Commission I am reminded of the legacy that each of us as commissioners representing our communities inherit, maintain, and then pass along to others; a legacy of preserving and enhancing the many wonder-ful assets that we have here in the Merrimack Valley. Our valley has historically been an innovative, dynamic and desirable place to live and work from our early colonial agricultural origins, through the indus-trial revolution with the extensive river-based textile mills, to today's twenty-first century computer, telecommunications, biotechnical and instrumentation facilities. And we enjoy livable communities second to none in the country. I sincerely believe that our commission has contributed significantly to the re-gion’s success stories. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the Commission and work with its dedicated members and excellent staff for the past twenty years, first as an alternate, then as a full commissioner, and finally as its chairman. I am positive that the Commission will continue to provide the highest level of service to the region and its citizens in the years to come. The year 2004 was a hallmark planning year for the region with the comple-tion of Community Development Plans and the initiation of new local eco-nomic development strategies. MVPC is proud to have played a key role in coordinating the development of these plans in collaboration with numerous agencies and communities. In this process MVPC continued to support economic growth and opportunity as well as the provision of needed infrastructure, housing and services. At the same time we worked to maintain the quality of life and the many as-sets of the region. Among the most cherished of these assets are the tradi-tional clustered settlement patterns, town squares and architecture of our com-munities. On the cover of this report is a representation of a unique stone bridge and abutments, much of which is standing next to the magnificent Methuen Memorial Music Hall. As you review this annual report, please note the aerial images we have provided for each of our communities. They illus-trate examples of the unique quality of the environment we work to enhance in our local and regional planning. The accomplishments of MVPC were due to the excellence of its Commis-sioner leadership and the productive work of the staff. Sadly, a key member of the team and an officer of the Commission, Alex Evangelista of Georgetown, passed away during 2004. We’ll miss his upbeat and fair perspective on all matters. MVPC dedicates this report and the year’s accomplishments to his memory.

2

Planning Region

Amesbury

3

MVPC Commissioners

AMESBURY Robert Lavoie ANDOVER Stephen Colyer BOXFORD Holly Langer, Ellen Nestervich GEORGETOWN Alex Evangelista GROVELAND Carole Gist HAVERHILL Richard Borden, Christopher Dekeon LAWRENCE David Abdoo MERRIMAC Raymond Gingras METHUEN Kevin P. Hagerty NEWBURY David Mountain NEWBURYPORT Douglas Locy NORTH ANDOVER Stephen Bullis, Alberto Angles Jr. ROWLEY Vacant SALISBURY Jack Christian, Jerry Klima WEST NEWBURY Robert Phillips AT- LARGE Orlando Salazar

Commission Members and Committees

MVPC Officers

Stephen Colyer, chairman Robert Lavoie, vice chairman Alex Evangelista, secretary Orlando Salazar, treasurer Kevin P. Hagerty, assistant treasurer Gaylord Burke, executive director

MVPC Committees

Executive Committee Finance Committee Personnel Committee Nominating Committee Merrimack Valley Transportation Committee Transportation Enhancement Review Committee Comprehensive ED Strategy Committee

Andover

4

Planning for Local and Regional Growth

Local and regional planning for growth took a major step forward in 2004 highlighted by completion of 12 community development plans and the carrying out of the Haverhill Economic Summit. MVPC played a key role in these initia-tives that helped to prove that the various levels of government and numerous communities and agencies can indeed dovetail their efforts effectively. The past year also saw the long-sought reauthorization for five years of the U.S. Economic Development Administra-tion of which MVPC is a designated Economic Development District. Community Development and Smart Growth Planning: One of the major accomplishments of MVPC during 2004 was paving the way for completion of Community Development Plans by 12 of the region’s 15 communities. The extraordinarily complicated planning process was accomplished under the state’s Executive Order 418 program, which addresses four planning elements: housing, economic development, open space & resource protection, and transportation. Those participating in the program, for which the state contributed up to $30,000 in planning funds each, included Amesbury, Andover, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury. Twelve Merrimack Valley communities took advantage of the EO418 services. MVPC helped prepare the local scopes of services and served as regional administrator for the statewide program. The MVPC region had one of the highest participation rates among the 13 regions in the state. Later in the year, as a follow-up to the EO418 planning program, MVPC became involved in another major develop-ment issue by hosting a seminar on the new state Smart Growth policy. The new Smart Growth law is aimed at en-couraging a range of housing opportunities and choices and sustainable economic development in city and town cen-ters, as well as areas in and near transit centers (Transit Oriented Development). The state’s transportation policy, under Smart Growth, involves a “fix it first” approach and more sensitivity to local design concerns. Haverhill Economic Summit: In November, MVPC co-hosted an economic summit with the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and Haverhill City Hall to showcase the city’s business friendly attitude. A new city marketing website was launched, which includes a Site Profiler tool developed by MVPC that allows users to view, create, and print maps; perform site selection searches; customize and analyze demographic and business data. This “one-of-kind” tool includes Pictometry software, which allows users to view detailed aerial images of every single parcel of land in Hav-erhill. Governor’s Northeast Regional Competitiveness Council: MVPC’s Executive Director serves on the Governor’s Northeast Regional Competitiveness Council, which oversees the implementation of the state’s economic develop-ment plan, one of the few public sector representatives on the Council. The Council has determined that in order to support our region’s key industrial clusters and to facilitate economic growth, the region must focus on six economic development issues: infrastructure, workforce development, education, housing, quality of life, and healthcare.

Boxford

5

Revitalizing Older Industrial Cities: MVPC co-sponsored a report with the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the City of Lawrence, and Northeastern University to carry out an “Urban Economic De-velopment Cluster Initiative.” The Initiative identified “deal breakers” that act as barriers to urban development and highlighted potential public and private sector strategies aimed specifically at overcoming these obstacles to inner city corporate investment. The report is available on MVPC’s website. Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS): In September 2004, MVPC submitted to US EDA its 2004 Update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy report. The CEDS report, available on MVPC’s website, contains a regional overview, key economic development projects, and a wide variety of 2000 Census population, income, housing, and employment data. The 2004 Update, in addition to revising the unemployment discussion, adds several new sections to the regional overview portion of the report. Regional Revolving Loan Fund: The Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corporation (MVED), a nonprofit subsidiary of MVPC, continued to manage a revolving loan fund (RLF) that provides gap financing for companies unable to secure conventional funding. MVED provided a loan to one company in 2004 for $100,000 and to date has created or retained 153 jobs and generated $6.9 million in private investments. Economic Development Public Works Projects: Construction of a new intermodal transit center at South Un-ion and Merrimack streets in Lawrence began in July 2004. MVPC’s recommendation to the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) to earmark $2 million for the project was a critical component in allowing the project to move forward. Eventually, the center, in addition to its commuter rail facilities, is ex-pected to have a parking garage, retail shops, police substation, and shuttle service to Manchester and Logan airports. Also in 2004, construction began on the long awaited Georgetown industrial access road. Merrimack Valley Econometric Model and Forecast: MVPC continued to apply its Regional Econometric model this past year to analyze the region. The region’s specific model predicts employment trends for 23 ma-jor economic sectors and provides insight into where the local and national economy is heading. In the summer of 2004, MVPC purchased a new forecasting tool called TranSight, which calculates the total economic and demographic effects of changes in commuting patterns and/or transportation improvement projects. Data Banks: MVPC analyzed and presented economic and demographic data on the region and its economy for use by local officials, community-based organizations, businesses, developers, and others. Census 2000 data and the most up to date labor statistics are available on MVPC’s website. Regional Industrial Zone Profile: MVPC continued to maintain and disseminate the Merrimack Valley In-dustrial Zone Profile, which lists information on more than 1,700 industrial properties throughout the Valley. The program is web-based and is available on CD-Rom. Commonwealth Capital Technical Assistance: MVPC helped communities prepare their Commonwealth Capital Applications, which are required by the Office for Commonwealth Development (OCD) for a number of state capital spending programs such as the Self-Help Program. The purpose is to promote and reward local and regional smart growth initiatives, such as mixed-use town center zoning and transit-oriented development.

Georgetown

6

Pursuant to federal transportation law, MVPC carries out the region’s official planning work program on behalf of the local/regional/state membership of the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). In this role, MVPC is responsible for many important transportation planning activities including the programming of transportation projects (see FY 2005-2009 Transportation Improvement Program below), undertaking highway and transit analyses as determined to be necessary by the MPO, providing technical assistance to cities and towns on transportation issues and making sure that all these and other actions are conducted through a process that meets federal requirements for involving state and local officials and citizens. Some of the key accomplishments of the Commission’s transportation planning staff are briefly described below.

FY 2005-2009 Transportation Improvement Program: Perhaps the most important responsibility of the Mer-rimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization is to annually develop and endorse the region’s Transporta-tion Improvement Program (TIP). During the spring and summer of 2004, MVPC developed the region’s FY 2005-2009 TIP. Working with MassHighway’s District 4 Office, MassHighway Planning, as well as the Merri-mack Valley Regional Transit Authority, MVPC developed the five-year program of highway and transit projects that are planned for implementation in the region. Projects were scheduled based on their design status and the amount of Federal funding expected to be available each year. State-selected, state-funded projects were also included for informational purposes. The Appendices contain a listing of other regional priority projects for which funding is not currently available. In addition, MVPC transportation staff, working in cooperation with staff from MassHighway District 4 and the state’s Office of Transportation Planning, evaluated and assigned scores to many of the region’s key highway and bridge projects. This was the first time that such a process had been completed for the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) and included in the TIP. Project scores were determined using the Transportation Evaluation Criteria that were developed by the Executive Office of Transportation and Con-struction late in 2003. The Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO) endorsed the document in September. Highway Projects approved for FY 2005 federal funding included: Andover Route 28 improvements; North An-dover reconstruction of the Old Town Center; Lawrence and North Andover continued construction on I-495 and its ramps at the Merrimack River; and Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence resurfacing of I-495. The MVMPO also approved a December 2004 FY 2005-2009 Amendment to include two additional Federal aid highway projects in fiscal year 2005: Andover and Methuen resurfacing of I-93 and Newbury rehabilitation of the Route 1A bridge over the Parker River. Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) projects approved for 2005 include construction of transportation centers in Haverhill and Amesbury, replacement of 18 paratransit vehicles with new vehicles and the purchase of an on-board security camera system.

Transportation Programs

Groveland

7

Route I-93: Lowell Junction Interchange Study: In late December 2003, MVCP released the draft Route I-93 Corridor Study for public review and comment. This study, which was prepared for the Commission by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, examines existing and projected travel and safety issues in the I-93 corridor from the Tewksbury/Andover town line north through Methuen to the New Hampshire state line. One of the most important issues examined in this study was the feasibility of constructing a new interchange on I-93 in the Lowell Junction area of Andover between Dascomb Road (Exit 42) and Route 125 in Wilmington (Exit 41). Based in part on the May 2004 decision of voters in Tewksbury to approve a change in the town’s zoning to allow for the construction of a new mall near this potential new interchange location, the Merrimack Valley Metro-politan Planning Organization agreed to undertake a more in-depth planning-level study of this new interchange concept. During the fall of 2004, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission prepared a scope of services for this study. It is expected that work on the study will begin early in 2005. Route 125 Traffic Study: Haverhill/Plaistow: During 2004, MVPC transportation staff continued work on a traf-fic study on Route 125 on either side of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire state line. This study, undertaken in response to requests made by community officials from Haverhill and Plaistow, New Hampshire, was designed to develop solutions to the recurring congestion problem at the Cushing Avenue/Route 125/Route 121A intersection. The study considers the traffic impacts of potential and proposed developments along the corridor in both commu-nities, and identifies required improvements (such as traffic signals) that would address specific traffic issues. Work this year included the identification and analysis of a seventh roadway improvement alternative for the corri-dor. This alternative would relocate Cushing Avenue in Haverhill and create a new signalized intersection that in-cludes Cushing Avenue, Route 125 and Haffner’s Driveway. South Main Street in Plaistow (Route 121A) would become a right turn in (from Route 125 northbound)/right turn out (from Route 121A southbound) intersection. Transportation Elements of Community Development Plans: Twelve of the 15 communities in the Merrimack Valley completed Community Development Plans (CDPs) in 2004 as part of the state’s new Executive Order 418 program. MVPC prepared the transportation sections of the CDPs or, in the case of Amesbury, a Master Plan, for seven Merrimack Valley cities and towns. This work often included projecting traffic volumes for ‘buildout’ (full development conditions under existing zoning) areas, determining how well intersections are working, and identi-fying high-accident-rate intersections. Regional Off Road Trails Committee Meetings and Data Collection: During 2004, MVPC completed a second round of off-road trail maps in cooperation with the MVPC Regional Off-Road Trails Committee. The Regional Off-Road Trails Committee, made up of interested citizens and town officials from regional communities, was ini-tially established in 2000. The project created a comprehensive set of regional off-road recreational trail maps us-ing MVPC’s Global Positional System (GPS) equipment and involved hours of volunteer effort. MVPC is commit-ted to continuing trail mapping work through transportation planning. In 2004, GPS data was collected and mapped for the following trails: Amesbury - Powow River Conservation Area, Amesbury Town Forest; Boxford and Georgetown – Camp Denison; Haverhill – Crystal Gorge and Crystal Point; Newburyport – Maudslay State Park (under review); West Newbury – Mill Pond Recreation Area Riverbend Conservation Area. MVPC’s GIS department also worked to make the trail maps more informative. The maps pro-duced through the project are available on MVPC’s website at http:www.mvpc.org/transport_sec/trails.htm.

Haverhill

8

2004 Traffic Counting Season: The MVPC traffic counting program for 2004 proved to be very productive, as we collected 168 counts throughout the Merrimack Valley region. There were 15 locations selected by MassHighway with the remaining counts taken from the annual, two, and four year cycles determined by MVPC. These counts are used by MVPC for a number of purposes including the regional traffic model and the measure-ment of traffic growth in the region. This information is also requested on a regular basis from developers and other private sector interests for use in making decisions on business locations and development. Merrimack Valley Region 2004-2005 Unified Planning Work Program: In the summer of 2004, the Merri-mack Valley Planning Commission completed work on the Merrimack Valley Unified Planning Work Program (UWP). This federally-mandated document describes the transportation planning activities that will be con-ducted in the region during the period of October 2004 through September 2005. Included are all major traffic and transit studies that will be carried out by the MVPC or other agencies. Major transportation planning activities for 2003-2004 include a traffic study of the I-495 corridor in both the Merrimack Valley and Northern Middlesex Council of Governments regions, a study of the existing and pro-jected travel needs of the Valley’s disabled population, and the start of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commis-sion’s Route 114 Corridor Study in North Andover and Lawrence. Merrimack Valley Transportation Committee: One of the most important components of the “3C” (i.e. Con-tinuing, Comprehensive and Cooperative) transportation planning process is the involvement of the public in that process. A key component of this public involvement process in the Merrimack Valley region is the Merrimack Valley Transportation Committee (MVTC). This committee is comprised of local planning officials, DPW direc-tors, consultants, interested citizens and others to provide input on the region’s transportation issues. Journey to Work Reports: During the late summer of 2003, the U.S. Bureau of the Census released information for communities in Massachusetts on Journey to Workflows gathered as part of the 2000 Census. This informa-tion consisted of town-level journey to work flows for both those Valley residents who travel to work, as well as for those persons that travel to work in Merrimack Valley communities. In 2004, MVPC performed community level analysis of the changes in overall Journey to Work movement of people in and around the Merrimack Valley region for each of the 15 communities served by MVPC. Regionally, the Census data revealed that the commuting time for Merrimack Valley residents increased on average 4.7 min-utes from 1990 to 2000. The total number of Merrimack Valley residents traveling to work increased 12.4% over that time period, from 130,672 workers to 146,923 workers. This was slightly greater than the 10.5% increase in the region’s population from 288,280 persons to 318,556 persons. MVRTA NTD Ridership Survey: As part of MVPC technical assistance contract with the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA), the Commission is conducting ridership surveys of MVRTA bus routes from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. The surveys are done to ascertain the number of unlinked passenger trips taken on buses, as well as passenger mile data. The ridership surveys are done on a random basis by on-board surveyors who count the passengers on the buses and track where they are boarding and alighting. MVPC is conducting on average four surveys, every other week, with MVRTA staff conducting surveys on the alternate weeks. During 2004, MVPC conducted more than 50 surveys, riding nearly 1,300 miles of bus routes.

Lawrence

9

Technical Assistance for Bicycle and Pedestrian Efforts: In early Spring 2004, MVPC staff produced an extensive list of funding sources for planning, design, and construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. In addition, MVPC ramped up our support of the Coastal Trails Coalition’s efforts to create a network of pedestrian and bike trails connecting Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, and Amesbury. The Coastal Trails Coalition is comprised of these four communities in partnership with the Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) and the National Park Service (NPS). When complete, the network will encompass 17 miles of trails in the four communities, with 13 miles of additional on-road routes. East Haverhill Street/Ferry Street Intersection Study: The Lawrence City Council asked MVPC to study the safety of the intersection of East Haverhill Street and Ferry Street. This unsignalized intersection is in a densely developed neighborhood. It has long been perceived as a dangerous intersection and lies approximately 1,000 feet west of a new elementary school, with many children walking along East Haverhill Street. A preliminary investigation of the intersection’s safety revealed that the intersection has experienced a crash rate approximately four times that of the statewide average rate. MVPC found that the intersection’s safety was lacking. Sight lines at the intersection’s corners are extremely restricted, which may contribute to some crashes. MVPC found that the installation of a traffic signal was not warranted by prevailing engineering standards, and recommended all-way STOP control to improve safety. Review of Proposed Development off Route 133 in Rowley: In response to a request from the Chairman of the Rowley Planning Board, MVPC conducted a review of a proposed development on the south side of Route 133 near the Rowley/Georgetown line. MVPC transportation staff reviewed a preliminary traffic impact report for this proposed development, which was prepared for the project proponent. This report recommends that the proposed main site driveway of the development be signalized and that this new signal will ensure that the nearby National Way/Route 133 intersection in Georgetown will function adequately without being signalized. Staff noted that a previous MVPC traffic study that included the National Way/Route 133 intersection had recommended that this location be signalized should the adjacent industrial area in Georgetown be fully developed. MVPC’s analysis also found that the number of peak hour trips calculated by the developer for weekday evenings and on Saturdays were higher than expected given the assumed land uses for the site and recommended that the town verify what assumptions the developer/engineer were making relative to land use at this location. MVPC prepared a letter to the Rowley Planning Board chairman, which outlined MVPC’s findings. 12th Avenue Technical Assistance in Haverhill: During the spring of 2004, Haverhill officials requested that MVPC collect traffic volume and vehicle classification data on 12th Avenue, near the playground and ball field that sit on either side of the roadway. This data was used as part of an effort to better manage parking and traffic flow in the area. Data MVPC collected showed that more than 350 vehicles/day were using the roadway on a Saturday in April, with many of these being construction vehicles that were using the roadway to access a nearby building site.

Merrimac

10

Environment and Land Use

Increasingly, it is recognized that the health and functioning of our air, water, land, and wildlife resources are inextrica-bly linked to our use of land and the resultant impacts. Protecting our environment in the face of continued regional growth presents an ongoing challenge and requires a collaborative approach to planning. MVPC continued its strong partnership with local, state, and federal officials to provide member communities with a wide array of environmental, land use, and growth management planning services. Merrimack Valley Brownfields Assessment Project: MVPC completed the first year of a two-year regional Brown-fields site assessment program. The program is funded by a $400,000 grant from EPA, and focuses primarily on urban-area sites that are served by public infrastructure (transportation access, sewer and water) and offer the greatest poten-tial for successful redevelopment. First year activities included: 1) establishing and convening a regional Brownfields advisory committee comprised of local delegates, 2) drafting site evaluation guidelines and ranking criteria, 3) holding planning and public outreach meetings, and 4) hiring an engineering consultant (TRC Environmental Corporation of Lowell) to perform field reconnaissance and other technical aspects of the program. The MVPC-TRC project team compiled an inventory of prospective Brownfield sites, evaluated the eligibility of the sites for EPA funding, and initi-ated environmental site assessments on nine priority Brownfield properties. Massachusetts Bays Program/Mass. Bays Estuary Association: MVPC’s environmental program staff provided on-going management, planning, and GIS support to the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program, assisting on vari-ous coastal education and improvement projects. In collaboration with Friends of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and other coastal environmental groups, MVPC helped to establish the Massachusetts Bays Estuary Association (MBEA), a new nonprofit partner of the Massachusetts Bays Program. Regional Water Supply Assets Workshop: MVPC hosted a regional water supply assets workshop and training ses-sion for municipal water suppliers, conservation agents, engineers, and planners. The workshop offered statistical infor-mation and maps of each community’s existing and potential water supply assets and constraints. The information is intended to help municipal suppliers meet current and future water needs, and to predict both the community’s and the surrounding region’s water future.

Regional Septic Management Pilot Project: With a grant from the Coastal Zone Management “CPR Plus” program and assistance from the North Shore Board of Health Network, MVPC developed a data management system for local boards of health in the three Parker Watershed communities of Georgetown, Newbury, and Rowley. The Title 5 data management system will enhance septic system management at the local level by increasing the efficiency of local health personnel to record, retrieve, query, analyze, and update key septic system information. Open Space Design: MVPC, in collaboration with the Green Neighborhoods Alliance, continued to assist communities in drafting Open Space Residential Design bylaws. OSRD is a technique to build new housing and desirable neighbor-hoods while maximizing the open space preserved. MVPC’s environmental and GIS staff began assisting the Newbury Planning Board on the preparation of the natural resources element of the new town master plan.

Methuen

11

Eight Towns and the Bay MVPC’s Coastal Program continued to assist and support the initiatives of the Eight Towns and the Bay Committee (8T&B), the upper North Shore regional partner of the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program. 8T&B is comprised of appointed representatives from Amesbury, Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester, and Rockport. MVPC and 8T&B work collaboratively with these communities to heighten public awareness and understanding of key coastal issues and to foster broader stewardship of coastal resources. Technical assistance, environmental research, and public education were provided on the following projects: Boater’s Guide to the Merrimack River Estuary: The Boater’s Guide to the Merrimack River Estuary focusing on boating activities in and around the “mouth of the Merrimack River” was developed and distributed to boaters in Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury. This brochure includes a GIS map centerfold of the water resources, including mooring areas, no wake zones, and pump-out facilities. The 4-color brochure summarizes, in reader-friendly language, the following: pollution sources from boats and how boaters can reduce pollution; no wake zones and their importance; distance and speed in swimming areas; personal watercraft speed; and pump-out boat information. The brochure also outlines the values of this estuarine ecosystem and its importance as a stopover on the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, as well as its important fisheries and other estuarine resources. Low Impact Development/Smart Growth: Eight Towns and the Bay is actively involved in the Essex County Community Foundation’s County Forum Steering Committee which is a grass-roots, county-wide smart growth initiative, and also a member of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs’ Low Impact Development Task Force. 8T&B developed several presentations on these subjects, for forums, workshops, meetings and outreach events in the region. Development of Water Trails Guide to Great Marsh: Eight Towns and the Bay is developing “a Guide to the Water Trails of the Great Marsh Area”, a coordinated system of identified trails and access points within the coastal marshes and estuaries of the county’s upper north shore to encourage recreational kayakers, canoeists, and other non-motorized boat users to take advantage of natural, historical and cultural resources of the area. These kayakers and canoeists will be informed via a web-based map, with photographs and descriptions of ecological, geological, and historical features, of access locations, scenic routes, estimated travel times, boating safety considerations, environmental attributes, and tide/current-related issues. Photography and fieldwork were completed with the final product to be completed this spring. In addition to facilitating the passive boating use of the Great Marsh region, one goal of this project is to promote stewardship and encourage public interest in the ecological health and historical significance of this region. Merrimack River Estuary Dye-Tracer Study: High levels of fecal coliform bacteria enter the Merrimack River estuary, primarily from stormwater runoff and upstream community combined sewer overflows. Accurate assessment of the impact of each suspected source requires knowledge of time-of-travel, residence time, and dispersion of wastewater discharges and runoff. Assessing the time-of-travel in the Merrimack estuarine reach is complicated by the complex, unsteady, and oscillatory stage and flow patterns that occur due to tides and saline stratification. A conservative dye tracer was used to track the movement and mimic the dispersion of bacteria in the Newburyport tidal basin. Preliminary results indicate a circulation pattern in the estuary that may have an impact on the recently opened clam flats.

Newbury

12

Regional GIS Service Center

MVPC continued to expand its services in the fields of Geographic Information System (GIS), information management and aerial photography, and as a regional GIS service center under the General Laws. EO418 project completion: During 2004 MVPC completed the mapping for communities developing Community Development Plans under Executive Order 418. Maps developed were intended to identify existing areas of Open Space, Housing, Economic Development and Transportation. A second set of maps was produced based on input from municipal officials and the public which were intended to identify those regions most appropriate for open space preservation, areas appropriate for housing development, as well as sites for additional economic development. Given the recommendations for development the transportation corridors were then examined to identify potential problem areas requiring subsequent analysis. Haverhill Means Business project, Haverhill Economic Summit: Working collaboratively with the City of Haverhill and the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, MVPC developed the first of its kind economic development website for the city during 2004. MVPC conducted an inventory of existing commercial and industrial properties and undeveloped land in the City and compiled that information into an interactive database accessible via the internet. Unique to this project was the incorporation of detailed Pictometry imagery that was also made available for each site. The website can be access by selecting the “Site Profiler” at wwwhaverhillmeansbusiness.com. Annual property parcel mapping: MVPC’s Regional GIS Service Center continued to provide property parcel mapping and update services to communities in the region. Working with local assessor offices MVPC updates the property parcel datasets and produces the official assessor maps for five of the 15 member communities. The property parcel data is produced electronically (using geographic information systems) and, once completed, provided the community for use within its own information systems. MassGIS Zoning Grant Program: In 2003 MVPC was awarded funding to update and refine digital zoning data for four communities. MVPC used the zoning bylaws, road data, property parcel data and aerial photography to create electronic zoning data for Georgetown, Lawrence, Rowley and Salisbury. Draft maps were provided to zoning, planning and assessing personnel in each community for review. After the draft maps were returned by the communities in the spring of 2004, MVPC produced the final datasets. NADO Grant completion: In 2003 MVPC was awarded a grant to enhance the existing Industrial Zone Profile. MVPC proposed to develop the “BLIP” (or Business Location Information Portal) to assist with the location of industrial properties in the Merrimack Valley. Working with software awarded through the grant, MVPC developed a web viewer that allows users to access information on industrial sites, zoning, transportation routes, commuter rail and transit stations. This internet viewer represents a prototype of the internet-based search mechanisms the commission plans to establish during 2005.

Newburyport

13

Pictometry Training: MVPC continued to provide training sessions in Pictometry’s Electronic Field Study software during 2004. In addition to conducting regional training sessions where participants from each community attended, MVPC also held community specific training sessions. During the community training events members from various boards were provided instruction in using the software and imagery from their community and were introduced to MVPC’s GeoPAL (Geographic Point Address Locator) product. During the spring of 2005 MVPC will be facilitating another round of photography for participating communities. Transportation Program Support: The GIS staff worked with the Transportation Program to produce a set of trail maps for communities participating in the Regional Off-Road Trails Advisory Committee. As an outgrowth of the regional trail mapping program a trail map was produced for the Pingree Farm Conservation Area in Rowley. Also completed for the Transportation Program were a series of Journey to Work Place of Origin and Place of Work maps. Also during the year a series of census maps was created using updated records provided from the US Census Bureau and data derived from MVPC’s regional economic model. Working with MassHighway and Salisbury, proposed rail trail maps were produced depicting the inactive rail corridor that connects Amesbury to Newburyport through Salisbury. Other work completed on behalf of the Transportation Program included a series of maps showing possible design changes for Route 125 between Haverhill and Plaistow, NH. Infrastructure Management: Working under contract with Newburyport, MVPC used its high accuracy Global Positioning System (GPS) to record the position of water service shut-off valves within a demonstration area in the city. Each water service shut off point was coded with the street address of corresponding property. The goal is to build an electronic dataset to assist in the management of the city’s water distribution system. Other Mapping Projects: MVPC completed a series of smaller mapping and data analysis projects for member communities. For Merrimac MVPC updated the town’s road file based on input from the building inspector and updated the official zoning map. Similar work updating the zoning map was also completed for North Andover. All changes in zoning districts over the past four years were incorporated into this update. Working closely with the fire chief, MVPC created a prototype Fire Response Information Map Series (FRIMS) to depict areas susceptible to wildfires and highlight the water resources (ponds and wetlands as well as hydrants) that would be available to fight fires. For Plum Island a map was prepared depicting parking facilities, public restrooms, boundaries of the national wildlife refuge and all named roads. Website Maintenance: MVPC continued to manage the commission’s internet website during 2004. Updates and new material were provided by the Environmental, Transportation and Economic Development Programs which were then incorporated into MVPC’s website. Internet access to the commission is accomplished by visiting www.mvpc.org.

North Andover

14

Local Technical Assistance

A wide variety of technical services were provided, examples of which are listed below: Amesbury: Parking survey and multi-space parking systems research Andover: Provided geographic point address locator for use with Pictometry Boxford: Provide Chapter 40B minimum acreage calculations; review planning board files for information to assemble regional planning data; review assessors files help in town GIS project Georgetown: Parcel studies; mapping update for 2005 including 51 subdivision lots, four ANR lots and 36 lot line easement changes; proposed recreation path map; technical support; helped compile community develop-ment plan/master plan; helped draft open space/residential design bylaw for planning board; helped prepare stormwater best management practices education materials for highway department Groveland: GPS data acquisition and GIS development initiated for water department; prepare aerial photo-graph-based images of parcels Haverhill: Haverhill/Plaistow border study; Chamber of Commerce data base Lawrence: Provided geographic point address locator for use with Pictometry; Northeastern University As-sessment; Canal Street Area Charette Merrimac: Historical Trail map; zoning advice; Pictometry system assistance with GIS based road data; in-stall Pictometry on PC; provided fire department with GIS road data for Pictometry use; update zoning map Methuen: Provided geographic point address locator for use with Pictometry; provided fire department train-ing in use of Pictometry; initiated UMass field study Newbury: Create map showing town development over past five years; help on master plan data gathering; historic resources draft map Newburyport: Map of Bartlett Pond water resource district; water valve location study; Plum Island phone book; map trails at Moseley Pines Park; transfer of development rights map North Andover: GIS mapping/database, meeting brochure; map and data on town owned buildable parcels; updated zoning maps Rowley: Provided Rowley Village commercial overlay district map; zoning overlay map; open space and rec-reation overview map; review of land area minimums; landscape inventory project; road map for police; auc-tion property maps Salisbury: Aerial maps of town; beach zoning map; maps and information for appeal on state-owned beach land assessments; review two electronic plans; loaded Pictometry on Planning Board computer; zoning and par-cel map of Rabbit Road industrial park area; review development application forms; GIS assistance; submitted Smart Growth technical assistance grant proposal West Newbury: Stormwater data mapping, hydrant GPS locations, parcel study; new existing and potential source maps for water department; town map for road commissioner Regional Local Technical Assistance Projects: Mapped conservation lands, aquifer protection zones, unde-veloped parcels, rivers, streams and trails for Georgetown, Groveland and Boxford area; designed program and applied for federal capitalization funds for regional Brownfields cleanup revolving fund

Rowley

15

Management and Coordination

Joint Meeting With Rockingham Planning Commission: Annual regional awards were presented by the Merrimack Valley Planning Conmmission at its annual dinner meeting, for the first time a joint meeting with the

Rockingham Planning Commission, with the emphasis on breaking down border barriers between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. As Astrid Glynn, deputy secretary of the Massachusetts Office of Transportation and Construction put it, there’s a need to overcome that “funny little dotted line” that separates the two states. She and Carol Murray, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, agreed there should be more such joint sessions. More than 80 state, regional and local officials, commission staff members and border business leaders turned out for the annual meeting, which carried a theme of “Cooperation Has No Boundaries.” The two states and regions are already cooperating fully in transportation issues, such as detailed studies of the I-93 corridor and Route 125. MVPC Chairman Stephen Colyer and RPC Chairman Susan Hastings opened the session with calls for more cooperation to achieve common goals. Sally Cerasuolo-O’Rorke, president of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, which includes communities in both states, praised regional cooperation and called MVPC “a joy to work with” and an “untapped resource.” Murray said it has been a pleasure to watch regional planning agencies grow, and she has long maintained that states and communities cannot function as “islands.” Glynn complimented the efforts of MVPC Executive Director Gaylord Burke in supporting new criteria for judging transportation projects throughout the state. Regional service awards were presented to Kevin Hagerty, Methuen, for his 31 years of local and regional planning leadership; Cerasuolo-O’Rorke for her leadership of the Chamber’s ‘Border Initiative’, and to Glynn, for effectively guiding state transportation policies.

Interregional Cooperation: The Commission continued its active participation with other regional councils at the state, New England and national levels. MVPC provides input to new and existing programs, regulations and legislation, especially through its elected leaders. The chairman and the executive director are most active in this regard and serve on leadership committees. Finances and Outreach: There were no adverse financial findings after a fiscal year audit by an independent public accountant. MVPC continued its outreach and participation policy with numerous local meetings in addition to regular monthly meetings. The commission’s website capabilities were greatly expanded. Commission staff continued to publish its monthly newsletter to area leaders and officials.

Kevin Hagerty, Stephen Colyer

Stephen Colyer, Sally Cerasuolo-O’Rorke

Stephen Colyer, Astrid Glynn

Salisbury

16

MVPC Professional Staff Gaylord Burke, executive director Alan Macintosh, assistant director/environmental program manager Anthony Komornick, transportation program manager Mary Kay Beninati, senior transportation planner Ted Semesnyei , senior economic and community development planner George Burnham, senior transportation engineer Jerrard Whitten, GIS manager/environmental planner/aquaculture specialist Matthew D. Franz, GIS specialist Eugene R. Amiss, Revolving Loan Fund manager Peter Phippen, environmental planner/coastal resources coordinator (8T&B) James V. Terlizzi, transportation planner Daniel Ovalle, field services specialist Jane Healey, transit planner Kiran Guntupalli, transportation planner (part of year) Jenifer D. Dunlap, accountant Nancy Lavallee, office administrator James E. Simmons, communications specialist

Maeve Turner, GIS specialist (part of year)

160 Main Street Haverhill, MA 01830 Tel: (978) 374-0519 Fax: (978) 372-4890 www.mvpc.org info@mvpc.org

West Newbury