About Our Cause

A group of concerned citizens from towns surrounding the Ipswich River watershed have formed an organization to investigate environmental risks and community impact associated with the proposed 20 Elm St. apartment complex development.

Do you have a specific concern about a well, wetland, wildlife or other issue we should know? 

 
Select an option
 

Upcoming Events

ZBA Hearing (CANCELLED), Nov. 14, 2019

The continuation of 20 Elm public hearing before ZBA, originally scheduled for Nov. 14, is cancelled in consideration of the current legal appeal underway with the Housing Appeals Committee.

 

Help Support Us

We need your financial support to properly defend the Ipswich River Watershed and the 15 downstream communities against the 20 Elm Street, North Reading development.  Funds raised will allow us to hire consultants and attorneys to produce meaningful

information that support our claims (environment,

traffic, public safety, density, etc.) during the Zoning

Board of Appeals Committee hearings.  With your

help, this project can be prevented from happening!

 

By check via mail to:

Defend Ipswich River Communities

P.O. Box 695

North Reading, MA 01864

 

Current News and Info

Information Archive

June 24th 2019 Newsletter #2

See a copy of the June 24th Newsletter by clicking HERE

August 5th 2019 Newsletter #5

See a copy of the July 22th Newsletter by clicking HERE

July 8th 2019 Newsletter #3

See a copy of the July 8th Newsletter by clicking HERE

July 22nd 2019 Newsletter #4

See a copy of the July 22th Newsletter by clicking HERE

Aug. 19, 2019 Newsletter

See a copy of the Aug. 19 DIRC newsletter by clicking here. 

August 8th ZBA Meeting Roundup

See a copy of the Aug 8th ZBA Meeting summary by clicking HERE

Letter to ZBA from DIRC Attorney

Click here to see the Aug. 8 letter to the North Reading ZBA from Attorney Dan Hill explaining why this project should be denied. 

ZBA Public Hearing, Aug. 8, 2019

​Click here to see DIRC's Attorney Dan Hill present key concerns to the ZBA at the public hearing on Aug. 8. 

​ZBA Aug. 22 Hearing; Safe Harbor Invoked

See a wrap up of the Safe Harbor declaration by ZBA at the continued Aug. 22 hearing. Click here to see the town's presentation at this hearing showing the statistics that support the Safe Harbor declaration.

Sept. 3 Newsletter

Read about DIRC's successful fundraiser, adding $12,000 to our coffers for legal and other expert counsel to oppose the 20 Elm project. Learn about what "Safe Harbor" means and how a town can meet the criteria that provides the basis to decline the project.

Sept. 10 Safe Harbor Appeal Update

See a copy of Safe Harbor appeal news HERE.

Sept. 19 Don't Be Conned by Yebba

Learn why it's critical to attend Town Meeting Oct. 7 and why Developer Nick Yebba's ad is an insult to North Reading voters. Click HERE.

Sept. 27 Bring Friends to Town Meeting/ORAD Appeal

Increase turnout at Town Meeting by bringing your Friends. A YES vote on Article 7 allows the town to defend against the developer's appeal of the state's 40B calculation showing North Reading meets 40 requirements. Read more here.

Oct. 9 Town Meeting Success/ZBA Appeal Meeting Oct. 10

Oct. 7 Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved $125,000 in funding for a legal appeal to the DHCD decision against North Reading's Safe Harbor declaration. The ZBA will meet Oct. 10 to make the decision on whether to initiate the appeal now that funding is available. Read more here.

Check out our newsletter for the latest updates