Betsy Olsson-Mackowski
Betsy Olsson-Mackowski's projects
Recent Activity
Supported a comment by Ruthy Bennett on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Supported a comment by Joseph Stein on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Joseph Stein
Place a annual cap on the number of properties purchased by developers. Developers are slowly eating away at town character with outsized McMansions - all in the name of profit.
Place a annual cap on the number of properties purchased by developers. Developers are slowly eating away at town character with outsized McMansions - all in the name of profit.
Supported a comment by Bill Kemeza on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Bill Kemeza
Concord Center, seems to be losing its vitality as shops close.
A significant way to address this is to make the center itself an experience. Walking, lingering, having commodious places to sit, to eat, to talk. Imagine places where our restaurants could have tables outside. Our stores could have displays where folks could take their time.
Consider widening the sidewalks on the Milldam and Walden street by getting rid of street parking. With signage, direct cars to our parking lots (and negotiate more spaces from private sources) to offset the loss of on-street parking.
The current traffic lanes would remain.
Concord Center, seems to be losing its vitality as shops close.
A significant way to address this is to make the center itself an experience. Walking, lingering, having commodious places to sit, to eat, to talk. Imagine places where our restaurants could have tables outside. Our stores could have displays where folks could take their time.
Consider widening the sidewalks on the Milldam and Walden street by getting rid of street parking. With signage, direct cars to our parking lots (and negotiate more spaces from private sources) to offset the loss of on-street parking.
The current traffic lanes would remain.
Supported a comment by Andy Smith on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Andy Smith
Provide a pedestrian bridge to connect Cousins Park with Harrington Park. This would have a huge impact in connecting the two neighborhoods.
Provide a pedestrian bridge to connect Cousins Park with Harrington Park. This would have a huge impact in connecting the two neighborhoods.
Supported a comment by Andy Smith on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Andy Smith
I think it makes a lot of sense. Our two main options for crossing the river are Main St. to the west and Pine St. to the east. In the middle is a vibrant hub of Thoreau Elementary and two strong neighborhoods that would be strengthened even more by a physical pedestrian connection. It could also be seen as a way to connect the community gardens with Marshall Farm. I think we should really push this idea to our community leaders!
I think it makes a lot of sense. Our two main options for crossing the river are Main St. to the west and Pine St. to the east. In the middle is a vibrant hub of Thoreau Elementary and two strong neighborhoods that would be strengthened even more by a physical pedestrian connection. It could also be seen as a way to connect the community gardens with Marshall Farm. I think we should really push this idea to our community leaders!
Supported a comment by Jon Stephenson on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Jon Stephenson
I have two young kids on that side of West Concord who will be eventually going to Thoreau... I want them to be active and consider biking to school but would be extremely nervous about them biking on the main roads. Having a bridge connecting those areas would prevent them from having to bike on busy roads to school... there are a ton of kids in my neighborhood
I have two young kids on that side of West Concord who will be eventually going to Thoreau... I want them to be active and consider biking to school but would be extremely nervous about them biking on the main roads. Having a bridge connecting those areas would prevent them from having to bike on busy roads to school... there are a ton of kids in my neighborhood
Supported a comment by Jon Stephenson on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Jon Stephenson
and a sidewalk along Harrington Ave would be nice - especially if there were a bridge connecting the two areas - then kids could bike safely along that section of road to the bridge...
and a sidewalk along Harrington Ave would be nice - especially if there were a bridge connecting the two areas - then kids could bike safely along that section of road to the bridge...
Supported a comment by Martin Alejandro Padilla on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Martin Alejandro Padilla
I beg that the town builds a walkway or path to keep pedestrians safe. Truthfully, there is no safe way to get from Harrington Ave neighborhood to downtown West Concord. Think about a mother pushing a stroller, a kid wanting to get an ice cream, joggers/runners/walkers or just commuters who would love to take the train and not own a 2nd car... or families that could walk downtown for a bite or soccer matches at cousins park... if the path is too expensive, just build a path and a bridge over the river! I hope we don't need to wait for an accident to be understood.
I beg that the town builds a walkway or path to keep pedestrians safe. Truthfully, there is no safe way to get from Harrington Ave neighborhood to downtown West Concord. Think about a mother pushing a stroller, a kid wanting to get an ice cream, joggers/runners/walkers or just commuters who would love to take the train and not own a 2nd car... or families that could walk downtown for a bite or soccer matches at cousins park... if the path is too expensive, just build a path and a bridge over the river! I hope we don't need to wait for an accident to be understood.
Supported a comment by Jeffrey Kerr on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Jeffrey Kerr
Protect neighborhood integrity by limiting tear-downs, enforcing house-size to lot size limitations and requiring clear disclosure of buyers identity.
Protect neighborhood integrity by limiting tear-downs, enforcing house-size to lot size limitations and requiring clear disclosure of buyers identity.
Supported a comment by Mark Hanson on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Mark Hanson
Land uses that are compatible with environmental improvement such as composting or providing school bus parking closer to CCHS and thereby reducing diesel fuel use by simplifying / reducing total bus miles traveled as presented in 2016 during the discussion of Article 16 are compatible with the spirit of Thoreau's philosophy. Parking buses there under solar panels would be a good step toward meeting the goals of reducing CO2 emissions.
Land uses that are compatible with environmental improvement such as composting or providing school bus parking closer to CCHS and thereby reducing diesel fuel use by simplifying / reducing total bus miles traveled as presented in 2016 during the discussion of Article 16 are compatible with the spirit of Thoreau's philosophy. Parking buses there under solar panels would be a good step toward meeting the goals of reducing CO2 emissions.
Supported a comment by John Boynton on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
John Boynton
Look at creative ways to reuse the remediated landfill at CCHS for recreation. A variety of potential uses have been suggested already. Let's study the options and be in a position to move forward when the remediation is complete.
Look at creative ways to reuse the remediated landfill at CCHS for recreation. A variety of potential uses have been suggested already. Let's study the options and be in a position to move forward when the remediation is complete.
Supported a comment by Tyler Spring on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Tyler Spring
Add a pedestrian bridge over the Assabet River connecting the Baker Ave business parks to West Concord Village. Our 2010 Master Plan recommended such a bridge. After reading GPI's feasibility study provided...
Add a pedestrian bridge over the Assabet River connecting the Baker Ave business parks to West Concord Village. Our 2010 Master Plan recommended such a bridge. After reading GPI's feasibility study provided...
Supported a comment by Wade Rubinstein on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Wade Rubinstein
Adopt complete street policies that create access to safe, comfortable and healthy multimodal transportation options including walking, bicycling and transit. Multimodal transportation should link Concord's neighborhoods, commercial districts, public transportation facilities, cultural districts, parks, bike paths, and recreational facilities.
Adopt complete street policies that create access to safe, comfortable and healthy multimodal transportation options including walking, bicycling and transit. Multimodal transportation should link Concord's neighborhoods, commercial districts, public transportation facilities, cultural districts, parks, bike paths, and recreational facilities.
Supported a comment by Laurel Gerdine on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Laurel Gerdine
Need to think about the future of retail in our two/three town centers. The retail environment no longer supports small local retailers very well and I am not sure it will in the future. A vibrant town center 20 years from now may look completely different, perhaps retail not as a hub, but with services and community gathering areas.
Need to think about the future of retail in our two/three town centers. The retail environment no longer supports small local retailers very well and I am not sure it will in the future. A vibrant town center 20 years from now may look completely different, perhaps retail not as a hub, but with services and community gathering areas.
Supported a comment by Martin Alejandro Padilla on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Martin Alejandro Padilla
A bus between Acton's business areas, Concord and West Concord would be a great way of getting rid of 1 of 2 cars in a family. Specially because you can bike in the summer, but not in the winter...
A bus between Acton's business areas, Concord and West Concord would be a great way of getting rid of 1 of 2 cars in a family. Specially because you can bike in the summer, but not in the winter...
Supported a comment by Ruthy Bennett on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Ruthy Bennett
Some kind of shuttle all over Concord so people dont have to drive their car for a short trip or kids can have another option besides being driven.
Some kind of shuttle all over Concord so people dont have to drive their car for a short trip or kids can have another option besides being driven.
Supported a comment by Gary Kleiman on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Gary Kleiman
Continue to increase access to the West Concord waterfront through trails, interpretive features, picnic spots or boat launches/fishing piers, but maintain natural aesthetic.
Continue to increase access to the West Concord waterfront through trails, interpretive features, picnic spots or boat launches/fishing piers, but maintain natural aesthetic.
Supported a comment by Brian Foulds on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Brian Foulds
Concord Light should work with commercial customers on the installation of energy storage systems to manage building demand and Concord Lights peak expenses. Additional this will allow companies like Crosby's market to remain open during blackouts and keep food from spoiling.
Concord Light should work with commercial customers on the installation of energy storage systems to manage building demand and Concord Lights peak expenses. Additional this will allow companies like Crosby's market to remain open during blackouts and keep food from spoiling.
Supported a comment by Brian Foulds on
Envision Concord
5 years, 8 months ago
Brian Foulds
Concord Light should work with Emerson Hospital to install utility scale energy storage. This system can be used to lower CL rates and ensure the hospital continues to operate during a natural disaster. State incentives are available.
https://www.mass.gov/energy-storage-initiative
Concord Light should work with Emerson Hospital to install utility scale energy storage. This system can be used to lower CL rates and ensure the hospital continues to operate during a natural disaster. State incentives are available.
https://www.mass.gov/energy-storage-initiative
Supported a comment by Catherine Neijstrom on
Envision Concord
5 years, 9 months ago
Catherine Neijstrom
A sidewalk on Harrington is a great idea. The Thoreau School road race goes up Harrington and it's a scary part of the run - so narrow and curvy without a good shoulder. Also there are so many acciidents where Harrington intersects with Main Street. A sidewalk would surely make things safer!
A sidewalk on Harrington is a great idea. The Thoreau School road race goes up Harrington and it's a scary part of the run - so narrow and curvy without a good shoulder. Also there are so many acciidents where Harrington intersects with Main Street. A sidewalk would surely make things safer!
Supported a comment by Martin Alejandro Padilla on
Envision Concord
5 years, 9 months ago
Martin Alejandro Padilla
I beg that the town builds a walkway or path to keep pedestrians safe. Truthfully, there is no safe way to get from Harrington Ave neighborhood to downtown West Concord. Think about a mother pushing a stroller, a kid wanting to get an ice cream, joggers/runners/walkers or just commuters who would love to take the train and not own a 2nd car... or families that could walk downtown for a bite or soccer matches at cousins park... if the path is too expensive, just build a path and a bridge over the river! I hope we don't need to wait for an accident to be understood.
I beg that the town builds a walkway or path to keep pedestrians safe. Truthfully, there is no safe way to get from Harrington Ave neighborhood to downtown West Concord. Think about a mother pushing a stroller, a kid wanting to get an ice cream, joggers/runners/walkers or just commuters who would love to take the train and not own a 2nd car... or families that could walk downtown for a bite or soccer matches at cousins park... if the path is too expensive, just build a path and a bridge over the river! I hope we don't need to wait for an accident to be understood.
Commented on Envision Concord
5 years, 9 months ago
Everyone benefits when they live in walkable areas!
Supported a comment by Valeria Petracchi on
Envision Concord
5 years, 9 months ago
Valeria Petracchi
Add a bike lane or sidewalk on Harrington Ave. Even having Marshalls Farm where many neighbors could ealk, they have to drive because Harrington Ave is a very dangerous road. Commuters drive at crazy speeds and bypass runners, bikers, pedestrians and even little kids on bikes. My kids got yelled at multiple times and I am afraid this won't be a priority until someone gets ran over. All this West concord community could walk to downtown West Concord and Thoreau school if only we had a safe way/ path to walk on...
Add a bike lane or sidewalk on Harrington Ave. Even having Marshalls Farm where many neighbors could ealk, they have to drive because Harrington Ave is a very dangerous road. Commuters drive at crazy speeds and bypass runners, bikers, pedestrians and even little kids on bikes. My kids got yelled at multiple times and I am afraid this won't be a priority until someone gets ran over. All this West concord community could walk to downtown West Concord and Thoreau school if only we had a safe way/ path to walk on...
Supported a comment by coUrbanizer via Text on
Envision Concord
5 years, 10 months ago
coUrbanizer via Text
I visited 4 shops during my stop in West Concord today.
I visited 4 shops during my stop in West Concord today.
Commented on Envision Concord
5 years, 10 months ago
Boston suburbs would benefit from more public transportation options.
Commented on Envision Concord
5 years, 10 months ago
I think Concord already does a great job with this.
Followed Envision Concord
5 years, 10 months ago
Commented on Envision Concord
5 years, 10 months ago
I love Deborah's Natural Gourmet but wish that in addition, West Concord had a year round indoor farmers market featuring locally and/or sustainably farmed produce.
Bike/pedestrian crossing at route 2, so people can easily travel to both sides of town, especially school aged kids riding their bikes.