September 13, 2021 • Meeting Minutes
Police Report 7:00-7:15
We’ll be joined by representatives from the BPD and the MSP
Officer Keany from the BPD presented on crime the last 30 days. This is the police report is since August 12, 2021.
Aug 18, 2021 – between 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM
House break in Pleasant Street • People were home and napping (they work overnights). They broke into via the back porch through the air conditioner unit/Went in through the window, took purse(s) with $1500.00 in them. Also took IDs and SS numbers.
This past weekend:
Sept 10, 2021 • 12:15 PM – Vehicle spotted along D street S. Boston. Drug unit saw this unit and radioed ahead. Someone spotted it up by the JFK T station, pulled it over Col road and buttonwood street. Driver had no license. In the center console – Block 9 MM – 1 round in chamber, 20 in clip. 20 year old from Dot – charged with 4 felonies
Sept 10, 2021 • 1:45 PM – assaulted at Savin Hill Ave and Auckland St. Attempted robbery. He refused and they assaulted him and he went right back at them. He had a cut to his nose. The man then boarded a train and reported it to the MBTA police at Ashmont. 2 black males about 16 – 18 years of age. Went to the Carney to get a stitch or 2 on the tip of his nose.
Question:
Can there be enforcement at the Intersection near the daily = The white posts These started popping up around the city when the child was killed in S. Boston. No one seems to understand why they are there. People park in front of them. The officer will provide the info to C-11 so there are tickets written.
A Special Guest 7:20-7:40
George Huynh, the Dorchester liaison from the Office of Neighborhood Services, will join us to introduce himself
George Huynh is caring, intelligent, and really values our neighborhood and city. He is the new liaison for ONS. Went to BPS, Mather, Murphy. Worked in Fields Corner. Studied PolySci at Yale. Worked in legal services under Mayor Walsh. Patrick Fandel has left the position so George Huynh is taking over his area.
City Updates:
• Tomorrow is the primary for the election. You can vote at your designated spot or drop your mail in ballot in a box. Boston.gov/election.
• The small business relief fund 2.0 launched last Wednesday
• “Get Vaccinated”
George.Huynh@boston.gov
617-635-4873
A Second Special Guest 7:20-7:40
This time we will hear from a representative of Boston Climate Action Network, Ryan Grieser; he will speak about BERDO (Boston Energy and Reporting Disclosure Ordinance) asdfasdf
Ryan Grieser – Boston climate action network
Let’s start to think about ways our organizations can be valuable to each other Ordinance – Currently at city hall – climate related policy
Volunteers living in the Boston area – influencing city policies
• Sea level rise
• Fossil fuel emissions – how to cut greenhouse gas emissions? = BERDO!! Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance
Ryan showed a video about this ordinance
How to hold buildings to a higher standard
Currently BERDO law on books – but only requires large buildings report their energy use. This new ordinance, instead, increases standards required to reduce emissions We can vote later this year
Petition link has been added for us if we choose to advocate for BERDO
Ryan gave examples of the specific buildings that would be part of the ordinance If buildings are not in compliance – options to increase efficiency rates
– Replacing insulation/windows
– Renewable energy (procuring electricity)
– Alternative compliance fund – They could pay into a fund instead of making improvements.
Question:
• What would the compliance fee be? Is there a formula for that?
Related to compliance fund. A $ amount based on C02. Cannot answer fully/
Question:
• Do you have to be a Boston city resident to sign and give support?
It is preferential.
Other Comments:
• Request for homeowners in the city. How to have more guidance from the City? Request for parking?
• Can the city give some of this money for environmental reasons?
• I would like to see changes in zoning so people aren’t losing all of their green space. Neighbors are now having basements that are flooding.
• Solar Panels?
• There is so much information that people are not aware of – how to give people more access to resources.
If in support of this, here is what you can do!!!
Sign petition
Call city counselor
Send a letter from the civic association
Volunteer@bostoncan.org
Next meeting on September 23 – Zoom meeting starting 6 PM. All are welcome.
A Third Special Guest 7:40-7:50
This time we will hear from District 3 City Council candidate Stephen McBride; he’ll share his vision for the district and the city and take some questions
Running for District 3 City Council – Running against Frank Baker.
Lives on Jones Hill
He wants to give back to this city. Turning point in this City’s history. The status quo doesn’t work for everyone. Investment in public schools and health resoruces are available for all, safe and stable and affordable housing. American investment plan = to bring our schools up to the 21st century, bring wifi to people’s homes.
He works in the tech field – invested in science and math and vocational tech. Reduce eviction.
Decentralizing the resources only at Mass and Cass… Opening centers across the city and working with the state and getting sites across the state.
Learning from the mistakes from this pandemic.
Housing and Development = the face of this community is changing.
Update zoning codes that haven’t been adjusted since 1965.
Not taking money from developers for this election.
Mcbrideforboston.com
stephen@mcbrideforboston.com
617-446-3993
Question:
Do you believe in the city of Boston’s residency mandate for city workers?
The city is so unaffordable for so many people (to actually be able to live here). But if they cannot afford to live here, I wouldn’t force them to do so… we need to tackle the affordability crisis works
This is a HOT BUTTON issue….
Question:
For votes that the current district rep previously made on city council, how would you vote differently?
At the height of the pandemic – He voted against the eviction moratorium. The city stands with those folks and to not be evicted. Frank Baker – the lone vote – allowing people to register to vote on election day.
Committee Reports 7:50-8:00, 8:20-8:30
Engagement Committee
Continue to keep up the good work!
Safety Committee
There was no meeting in August. Meeting next Tuesday 7 PM. It has been quiet. We are waiting to hear from Frank Baker’s office (E.g. Columbia road and buttonwood). They have not heard back from BTD or State Police. Hopefully more updates by next Tuesday
Question:
The professor who fell through the stairs at JFK. No one is taking responsibility. We have been complaining about the maintenance there. Can this be added to the list?
Question:
We have video from security cameras over the past 2 weeks. How to report this? People have been trying to get into our backyard and our car. The police were not called. Should we do a police report every time we see something? YES
Jones Hill – There have been a lot of home break-ins. They are meeting about this now. People collecting footage on their ring cameras.
Information can be posted on FB or Next Door. Use these platforms to alert people. People can learn about what is going on. Also email the reps from the safety committee directly.
Community Benefits Committee
We continue advocating for the concept of more comprehensive planning in the city – 10,000 plus units just in our area as well as commercial space. We need better infrastructure. We are engaging with others groups and trying to get some movement on that. We are trying to bring more people and other neighborhoods invested in that process as well.
Billboards Committee
No decisions in the most recent billboard applications. We continue to oppose the proliferation of billboards – esp. electronic but really ALL billboards. Nothing new recently. Billboard on Greater Boston Food Bank that was put up without passing through the appropriate channels. Now OFF currently. They did not pass it through the correct way.
INFORMATION: Abutters meeting on Billboards – Polish club – Boston Street is happening tomorrow night. They want the billboard facing the highway. Can we all oppose this? And get some opposition?
Beautification Committee
Recruiting folks for the beautification committee… It has shrunk to just a few of us in the core. The history of the committee:
Fall:
Bulbs that will bloom in the spring. These are planted – work crew from Suffolk house of corrections to dig. More hands are needed. Bulbs are also available at the Civic Assoc Committee.
Winter:
Wreaths on Savin Hill Ave / Dot Ave
Bucket truck
Decorate the wreaths, etc.
Sell wreathes at the Tree lighting – Ryan playground
Spring:
Seeds – vegetables, flowers
Neighborhood clean ups – Savin Hill and main streets
Late spring plant sale – usu in front of Cristo Rey.
Summer – Curb appeal contest/ looking at gardens with awards and prizes Committee members responsible for the seasonal planting near MorrisseyBlvd.
Responsibilities:
Attend meetings (not really monthly)
The plan is for a meeting in October for the fall and winter
Ideas – what might be great for the neighborhood?
Outreach to community about activities
How we can get donations from community – for items/installation of wreathes New, fresh, creative ideas
If interested contact Elizabeth Doyle
betdoy@hotmail.com
Eversource Presentation 8:00-8:20
• Their team joins us to discuss the installation of a 2.1 mile
underground transmission line, connecting the Andrew Square and Dewar St. substations; flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese
Nicole Bowden – She has been on the project since the beginning. Now about to begin construction. What does this look like?
Also Meredith Boericke – Showed Video/introduction to the project.
Electrical Transmission Grid
2.1 mi underground line – improve the reliability and capacity of the ability to provide electricity to Boston.
Work will begin later this year: Sometime in Oct 2021. The entire project will take about 2 years. They won’t be in any 1 spot for 2 years.
In our area – there is the transition line project through Savin Hill and the Grampian Way neighborhood.
Every segment of the project = detailed traffic management plan
Construction hours – M-F • 7 AM to 6 PM
4 basic phases:
• 8 new manholes
• Trenching and duct bank installation – 100 to 200 foot sections. At the end of each day, all are covered with steel plates
• Cable pulling and splicing – the cable pulling, between two manholes, cables are spliced or joined together. Specialized work zone. Block of days requiring 24 hour work. • Final restoration – repaving on all the Boston owned streets and sidewalks where worked
Leah.gymziak@eversource.com
978- 767-0506
Nicole.bowden@eversource.com
857-499-0805
For Project Updates:
Questions:
What happened to the alternative route that avoided our little neighborhood streets? (Savin Hill Ave, Grampian Way)?
Research and feedback from the community. A lot of construction with the alternative route. This was approved June of 2020. “Other areas are more fatigued”
Will you be repaving or patching what was touched?
Full paving at the end of the project.
What are the work hours
The city will dictate work hours. Not a blanket permit. It will be only in certain areas of the neighborhood.
How long will each phase take?
The duration is dictated by how deep we have to go and how many utilities we need to work around. Typically without issues – get out in 3 days to 5 days to 7 days (100 feet section)
How do you guarantee driveway access for those impacted along the route? You will be allowed back into your driveway… These people addressing our group are in close contact with their contractors. These are the people to be contacting during this process.
Alternative parking?
Eversource is planning to provide alternative parking and helping the community?
Are you moving any other utilities during the work?
The plan is “no”. The design does not call for that specifically
How will you coordinate with this massive construction property happening currently (Bill Brennan) Construction fatigue!
Working closely with Boston parks and Rec to coordinate – invited Bill to meet over the next couple of weeks before shovels go into the ground
Will there be a police detail?
Yes. This plan includes police details – state law. Eversource is paying for these details.
Are there any plans for where the contractors/workers will park their vehicles? We limited parking for contracted vehicles. Crew cabs… bringing people to the work site. The foreman pickup truck and the utility truck are the only ones. Workers have limited parking.
Planning Committee 8:30
Both of these projects were approved by planning:
• There will be a vote on a proposed project at 679-683 Columbia Rd; the Planning Committee previously voted to recommend support for the project
Not changing the footprint of the building. Attach these and construct dormers to the barn. Zoning relief is needed.
7 units in this building – and 6 units in the adjacent building.
Some parking – max out at 11 spaces.
VOTING on the project
And there will be a vote on a proposed project at 182 Sydney St; the Planning Committee voted to recommend support for this project
James Christopher – Update. We’ve gone to the zoning board of appeals. Waiting for decision to be signed by the board / working with BPDA for design review comments. Need signed decision back from the zoning board first. When we have the comments and changes are made.. I will come back and show their intention for the comments.
Upcoming projects and additions in our neighborhood – October 19th – meeting
• Looking forward to the next few months, and Open Floor for Comments
• What else do we want to talk about?
We will see everyone tomorrow evening.