CSHCA Meeting Minutes, February 2022

General Membership Meeting, February 7, 2022 7:00pm

Meeting Minutes

Police Report 7:00-7:20

We’ll be joined by representatives from the BPD

C-11 Officer Mike Keaney

Jan 25, 2022 • 6:50 PM Pedestrian struck 112 Savin Hill Ave. woman crossing street. Not seriously hurt. She declined help. Red pickup truck – hit and run. Witnesses took a video – able to get the plate. The truck was in the Neponset area. The suspect summoned for leaving the scene

Jan 26, 2022 • 8:30 PM

18 Hartley Street there were shot fired. A single round was fired from the 3rd floor of 14 Hartland. The bullet went through window of the residence at 18 Hartley • 35 year old man residence with a LTC was cleaning his Glock 9mm – this was loaded. He took out the magazine but neglected to take out the round in the chamber. The one round went through the window of the house next door

The police confiscated his LTC. 2 shotguns, one gun was seized. He’ll have to go to Dorchester court to answer to those charges

Jan 25, 6:30 PM and Jan 28 at 12:30 PM:

Robberies at Pleasant St. Market $700 and cigarettes taken. Black male, pulled knife each time during robberies, the detectives at on the neighborhood several times

Feb 3, 2022 • 4:45 PM • saw him on the corner staring into the store. Put on a hoodie over his head. Officers followed him, knife and grabbed register with the other. Locking him up for the 3 robberies and another convenient store on Hancock St. 41 years of age Annapolis street area.

Question about dirt bikes – people riding ON Savin Hill/rock hill? Nothing of a criminal element has been happening. Throughout the commonwealth, dirt bikes being stolen. They know we are not going to chase them. Maybe stolen, etc. Aggressively driving around the top, parking motor cycles and go up on the hill. Driving through the tennis courts and there are kids and dogs in the park. It is considered “Disorderly Conduct”. In the fall there were motorbikes in the park, and told to leave.

How can the police address this so the behavior isn’t being reinforced by them getting away with it again and again.

Break ins on S. Sydney Street?

On a ring camera, someone approached at 2:15 AM – they were knocking on the door, looked in the mailbox… no other updates.

A Special Guest 7:20-7:35

Representatives from UMass-Boston’s Coalition Against Gentrification will join to talk about their concerns and advocacy surrounding Dorchester Bay City

A group from UMASS Boston

Steve Striffler, lives on Sumner, Faculty at UMASS, Union

Concerned about the development project – Dorchester Bay City – Extremely large. Some of the issues such as affordable housing, 1700 housing units, massive retail space, transit problems, issues with public subsidies, land is owned by UMASS, nervous about the lack of community generative institutions.

We are reaching out and looking for allies

Seeking for UMASS to be a voice for better development

Tim Sieber – Lived in Dot for decades, also worked at UMASS Boston in 1974. A lot of us care about this area. Up to 3000 of our students are low income tenants living in S. Boston and Dot. The other half are from these areas and need inexpensive housing. The way the plans look for Dorchester Bay City – how to lift up Dorchester families. 15% affordability, for moderate income people, not low income.

Dorchester Bay City will push people out and further gentrify the area. We need a clear, community benefits agreement. Housing rights? Will this destabilize rents?

We are not against development – we want a plan that is tailored to people already living in Dorchester. We don’t need the arrival of only affluent people. We would like more responsiveness from them

Bianca Ortiz – Wythe

One concern about our campus and the direction UMASS Boston is going, and concerns regarding local residents and local communities. There had been a child care program on campus which was cut due to budget issues… we feel this project is a big red flag. They feel the project is making money at the expense of local residents. Environmental concerns of sea rise, a deeply flawed community process, feeling excluded

Question: List of demands read from a variety of campus organizations. Did that letter get a response? Who did it go to? What is your dialogue with administration about these issues?

Answer: Copy of demands sent to city counselors about a year ago, as well as to the former Mayor Janey. No response. Now going through demands again and updating language as the plans are unveiled. We will send it to the new administration in hopes of getting a meeting with Baker and Wu.

Our original documents were incorporated into the BPDA – was part of an official community review process. No immediate responses yet.

Question: I’m concerned about the timeline with the BPDA. I reached out the chancellor – their response was that they, UMASS, has handed it over to the BPDA. They feel it is out of their hands. Next step? Get Mayor Wu’s attention? Concern about the environmental impact – it seems like it will turn into the Seaport.

Answer: We have reached a barrier in that all of this is happening through the Board of Trustees, we have pushed the Chancellor and leadership, hard to get accountability to make this project more equitable.

Question: Should we sit down with the media? That is how to get attention

Question: This project has grown to 3 empire state buildings. It is near Carson Beach – We used to park the car, we will now lose access to the water, also next to the protected green space and shore… These buildings are so huge. We need more details about it, not transparent, pushed too fast. The big problem is BPDA – they are not neutral. On the website – it shows only 6 stories and green space. This is not accurate. When asked BPDA to show these buildings/ high rises, they need to show a realistic picture which only confuses the public. It is really 25 stories. Residents need to see this.

Question: Displacement theory? What causes displacement?… people who want to move here need to be rich or they will displace someone. How to have more housing without resident displacement. Also – the Zoom meetings have made information and community meetings more accessible. What the concern is with the community process during the pandemic.

Answer: Lack of affordable housing. Right now Accordia is suggesting -out of 2900 housing units, half of those would be affordable which means upper middle class (60% AMI). These units are also not suitable for multi-generational housing. This will hijack rents and increase them even more.

Question: If we don’t build more houses, we will have a housing crisis? How to be more friendly to people coming in and joining our neighborhood.

Answer: There needs to be needs met for this neighborhood, that not everyone can afford $2000 rent. How to make this more equitable. There is a digital divide with WIFI.

Question: I want to sign onto your letter you are sending to the Mayor. Accordia is not transparent, the last meeting was stacked with supporters and others, performative. The mayor would want to join.

Mike sent a link to a petition.

Question: There doesn’t seem to be anything altruistic attached to this development?

Question: We are pleased to have UMASS involved – how do we get together? Let’s schedule a

two hour meeting between Dorchester Bay City and the community

Another Special Guest 7:35-7:45

Update from the Boston Parks and Recreation Department on the work being done at McConnell Park

Started construction in May, anticipating wrapping up in the Spring. Winter work as weather permits. We will add fencing, We’ve seen construction delays due to supply chain issues, fencing delayed, manufacturing is challenging, orders are finally starting to show up. In the spring, finishing final paving and planting. Around parking area… coordinating with Eversource, lawn areas and handing that over, permits fall 2022 to get grass on the fields, we both sodded and seeded

Goal: To improve public safety and a defined vehicular pathway between Playstead and Denny. Co-benefits = climate resiliency, flood pathways, shade, inclusive play, expanding recreational activities

Questions: There is a lack of barrels and maintenance of trash? The barrels have now been removed and the trash is blowing everywhere? How often would they be monitored and emptied?

Answers: We do take the barrels out when we do construction. We prioritized doing the East side before the fields and parking lot, so there have been a lot of people going through. There WILL be trash cans installed inside McConnell Park. There may be more trash barrels out seasonally. Boston parks dept doesn’t monitor any trash removal on the beach. That is DCF. North of that line is the Boston Park and Rec. I can’t speak to what is happening with DCR.

Question: Can you do a site visit with us re; the progress on the ground?

Update about Denny and Springside? I was disappointed to see the changes and not be informed of it. People may have disabilities, blindness, etc. It doesn’t seem accessible.

What is the difference between public and private right of way?

Who can we contact if this isn’t working? Handicapped spaces, etc. Seeking whale stops.

Trees planted on private right of way? We are paying for the fence line in the private way?

Answer: Curb alignment on the plan is the same today. The difference – the sidewalk on the N. Side of Springdale street was removed and the sidewalk on the S side was widened to make up for that loss. It is a private way but will be plowed.

The disabilities commission was involved. The island has a cross walk, our goal is public safety. It’s not as far as it could go, it is not perfect, but improved.

The trees are in the overall construction process- we wanted to replace the trees in kind. The fence line is private way

Question: It’s a huge improvement – but as all know is that maintenance is seldom what happens. Is there a maintenance plan for the park? And if so, how do we get a copy? There seems to be little organization of maintenance through the parks department – can you bring this to their attention?

Answer: There is not a plan. I cannot speak to that. Yes, I can bring this to them.

Question: If they could circle back and talk with the abutters and make sure the residents signs go back up… Parking lot as well – 7 days per week and not 5 days per week. There was no resident parking on the weekend. There are concerns.

Answer: The parking lot is for park use. Off hours, it is used for resident parking. Weekends are a

high park use time. Maybe that is why that decision was made. It should be resident parking overnight. 2 hour parking during the day and on weekends.

Committee Reports 7:45-8:30

Proposed Events Committee?

Vote on the formation of this committee expected in March meeting
You’re invited to read and comment on the Mission and Purpose
Introduction of future votes on proposed purchases to support local events

Plan for committees?

• Events committee – mission and purpose – creating community through events

Planned event – park tour

• Request for funding of voice amplifier – speakers easier to hear

• Heidi doesn’t want to facilitate events outside of OTB unless others join from other neighborhoods. “I don’t know what you guys want”. “We need people involved from all areas to work together”.

Save the Harbor, Save the Bay project?

Maybe join with the engagement committee?

Engagement Committee

No one present.

At events meeting – one member was new to the neighborhood. Perhaps we put a video together to put on YouTube or our website? How to engage people that way?

Planning Committee

An update and vote on opposing 1154-1156 Dorchester Ave as it goes through BPDA processes
A vote on generally endorsing the Planning Principles

• We are not voting on the project at 841 Columbia road. They went in front of planning. There were some abutters who rejected the development. They withdrew their case from the DBA. Pulled out from the Feb 15th date.

Tomorrow night’s meeting: A vote at the Beat. They are looking to allow some animal testing. They are looking for a vote on a change of occupancy – can we change the wording to include “mice”

Votes:

Opposition to the project on 1154 and 1156 Dot Ave. Project in June- there was objection to the size and scope of the project. Building height, number of units, only 3 parking spaces.

They came back in Dec. with a larger project, zero parking, height went up 70 feet and 4”… there was objection to the design of the building. There was unanimous rejection of the project

BPDA board – doing a presentation. They say to mitigate the impact of the height on the street, the height still remains 70 ft. 4”… still higher than June.

The community as a whole rejected this and haven’t had a voice.

After the BPDA board, there will be another opportunity for them to come back and present before they go to the ZBA. We will have a voice on the project. If the planning committee unanimously rejects this project for 2 meetings, the civic association wants to be heard as part of this process.

Question: Are you looking for a motion to oppose this project?

Answers: Yes, Yes…..

Question: The building is higher? It was always that…

Answer: Yes, it has increased in height. In June it was 50’ 4”.

Now there are 70 feet. Your presentation was 5 stories.

Question: The guidelines BPDA Glover’s Corner… Buddy Christopher says they are following all

the guidelines for Glover’s Corner.

Answer: This is not Glover’s Corner.

This project is too large, too many units. This is about the community having an opinion.

Buddy Christopher made the decision to go to the BPDA board. They are going to the BPDA board this week.

Question: The drawing showed a 3 story building next to the 6 story building as the same heights. It was very deceptive.

VOTE TAKEN to support a letter opposing the project: vote was supported 30-5, with two members formally abstaining.

Safety Committee

Last month a meeting – representatives from the Baker and Collins office – safety of Morrissey Blvd. It is a dangerous place to drive and cross as a pedestrian. Freeport Street intersection, UMASS Boston intersection, lack of patrol and enforcement of speeding. State Troopers are understaffed. Only one trooper per shift to patrol the road. The group’s feedback was brought back to Nick’s office.

Intersection of Savin Hill Ave and Sydney Street. Pedestrian being struck 2 weeks ago. Concern about that intersection. Poles, cars double parking…. People from Baker and Collin’s offices, people from C-11 coming out and enforcing parking restrictions there….

Phone call with Sgt. Golden – asked the shift commanders of C-11 to step up the enforcement.

Several meetings and communication with Baker office, Collins office, etc.

The Next meeting is next Tuesday 7 PM • All are invited • Julie from Frank Baker’s office will be at the meeting next week

Community Benefits Committee

You’re invited to read and comment on the Mitigation Recommendations on funds that may be available via surrounding developments

Try to determine what we want to see happen to mitigate the negative impact of huge projects in our area. E.g.; Dorchester Bay City…. We are calling it a community advisory committee. How would we like to see community development funds allocated or used. 76 million dollars that we can access, and advise the city on how they should spend the money. The developer has already decided how it is going to go…. Of the 76 million dollars – some go to housing, some to job training, non-profit organizations.. Dec 7, this committee presented our priorities, we prioritized the top 5.

2015 document drafted and put in feedback beginning in June throughout the summer. We sent around a few versions. There have been 2 meetings – CSHCA principles for development

It is stated parking is a big concern.

Some people have only seen this for up to 10 days.

These principles have been going around for years. Developers need to know what we want and what we don’t want.

There is a vote to be proposed about our community values, but many people note that they have not read or heard of this document. The question becomes how to apply this document

How many renters were involved in drafting the principles/values of the community?

VOTE TAKEN: 22 voted to generally endorse the Principles, 12 opposed, and 5 formally abstained from voting

Beautification Committee

No updates right now.

Miscellaneous 8:30-?

Don’t forget to renew your membership!
Elections for leadership positions in May

The positions start in June.