Co-chairs: Dianne Lescinskas and Jennifer Deabler In attendance: 34 participants
Updates from Rep. Dan Hunt
- Fireworks and Beach Issues
- He met with neighbors last year about the problems.
- It was suggested and he requested that a gate be installed to the Dorchester Yacht club.
- DCR and the city are in conversation about the redesign of McConnell Park.
- Technically the park is closed dusk to dawn. DCR has limited resources available. They are
- working on a budget amendment to address the underfunding issues.
- They are in discussion about opening up the boat ramp at Rainbow park in the long term.
- Morrissey boat ramp will soon be re-opened by the end of this month.
- Continue to email suggestions and concerns to co-chairs Dianne or Jennifer.
- Buttonwood Street
- Drug paraphernalia have been found at the pocket parks along Columbia Road. These parks are
- under the purview of DCR and Mass Dot.
- He is in discussion about reclaiming these parks as city assets.
- They are looking at possible solutions to the speeding problem and the stop sign at Buttowood
- and Grafton. Ideas include selective enforcement to be followed up by the troopers, 3-D
- crosswalks, and reduced parking.
- For further questions and concerns email Dan Hunt: repdanhunt@gmail.com
- K-Circle
- The Morrissey Project is further along in the process than prior studies. $40 million ha been
- authorized for the portion between the Beades Bridge and Bianculli Boulevard at the UMass lights. The delay revolves around just how high they need to raise the roadway to prevent flooding.
- There is a separate $2 million study underway for K- circle to Bianculli Boulevard. They hope to keep the process moving along.
- One resident raised the potential problem of increased cut-through traffic in Savin Hill if the plan incorporates a U-Turn at the Savin Hill Yacht club.
Trooper Aaron Richardson Updates
- There will be patrols to monitor the intersection at Morrissey and Freeport to catch cars going through the red lights.
- He will look into having the signal timing reconfigured to facilitate better traffic flow at that intersection.
- The troopers will be beefing up patrols down the beach in shifts over the night hours.
- There will be a “Zero Tolerance” policy in effect.
- Issues raised by a resident on Denny Street:
- This past week motorbikes were doing wheelies in the parking lot, along the boardwalk, and down Denny Street.
- Dorchester Yacht Club parking lot was completely trashed. o Tenean Beach was also completely trashed.
- People are openly barbecuing despite the no BBQ signs.
- Solutions
- Residents on streets abutting the beach have created a phone tree.
- In addition to calling 911, you can call the State Police Barracks at 617-740-7710.
- Installing a gate to the yacht club is a good solution to deter late night partying. The gate is part of the McConnell Park project. Representative Dan Hunt will connect with Ryan Woods to confirm.
McConnell Park Redesign and Construction
- The fencing is being installed tomorrow, Wed. 5/19, with demolition beginning next week.
- The area will be baited this week to reduce the rat population prior to digging.
- According to the notice sent out, there will be no parking in McConnell lot for the duration of the construction.
- Parking during construction will depend on where the demolition staging is placed. Dan Hunt is working to see if they could use the DYC lot to free up some parking in the McConnell lot for area residents.
- For any rat problems, contact ISD: Flavio Daviega at 617-304-0961
Aisha Miller, Chief of Civic Engagement, Updates
- Fireworks at the Beach
- Call 311 first, so they can track and prioritize the hot spots and send out the police.
- If danger of fire, contact the fire department (911).
- The Firework Task Force is being proactive.
- Direct mailing from Phantom Fireworks has been stopped.
- Billboard advertising for fireworks will be taken down per the AG.
- People are being stopped at the NH border and fireworks confiscated.
- Truckloads of fireworks from MI are being intercepted.
- It seems fewer fireworks are being purchased this year.
- Some ideas for deterrence include having a parked cruiser at key locations.
- Schools with parking lots where there have been problems in the past are being included on the conversation.
- Education is key in making people understand the traumatizing effects on animals, autistic individuals, veterans, babies, etc.
- A city-wide media campaign is being launched next week.
- For further questions and concerns contact Aisha Miller at 617-749-8608.
Slow Streets/Vision Zero
- There is a focus on working with Patrick Fandel regarding the issues on Denny Street.
- Savin Hill applied for slow streets years ago. The program is currently behind in funding and staffing. The Safety Committee co-chairs are in the process of reapplying. If anyone is interested in helping out with the additional paperwork and renewal application, contact Jennifer or Dianne.
- The Pleasant Street redesign is moving forward. The next steps are:
- Outreach to residents
- Collecting traffic data
- All issues with traffic lights should be directed to 311.
- A crosswalk to Savin Hill Park is being reviewed. An engineering team needs to redesign the sidewalk to install an ADA compliant ramp to facilitate the placement of this crosswalk.
Final Shared Announcements
- The coyotes are back! Be mindful of pets and small children.
- The Zoom meeting for 1320 Dorchester Avenue project for 80 micro-units is this Thursday,
- May 20, 6-7:30 PM.
- Please register to attend http://www.bostonplans.org/news-calendar/calendar/2021/05/20/1320-dorchester-avenue-public-meeting and
- Submit public comments to support or oppose.
- The next Safety Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 PM.