CSHCA Meeting Minutes, June 2022

CSHCA General Membership Meeting June 6, 2022
President: Elizabeth Doyle, Vice-President: Eileen Boyle
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Number in attendance 68

BPD Updates – Officer Keamy

• 5/5, 8:50 PM – motor vehicle with no taillights stopped. A bag of ecstacy pills was on the dashboard. Driver was arrested on drug possession charges with intent to distribute.
• 5/12, 9:40 PM – Robbery via shotgun at Savin Hill Wine and Spirits, 1051 Dorchester Ave. Gun was wrested away from the suspect who fled on foot. It was loaded with 4 rounds. Suspect was an unknown light-skinned male.
• 5/25, 5:20 PM – Drunk 52 y.o male urinating at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club was arrested for indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.
• K5/25 1:30 PM – Man in street waved down officers to report gunshots on Dorchester Ave. Parked cars were hit. Four days later a resident on Pearl Street reported a bullet had hit a window and lodged in the closet.

Questions and Concerns:

• The harassment of Mayor Wu during the Dorchester Day Parade – it is a city hall law department issue. Technically people have the right to protest.
• Increase in vagrancy by Walgreens near Doris Street and Auckland – Police will be on the alert to move them along. A new Homeless Outreach officer of the BPD will be sent over.

Beautification Committee Updates on Plant and Bake Sale, Sat. June 11 (Elizabeth Doyle)

• It will take place in front of Cristo Rey High School from 9 Am – 1 PM
• Thanks to Heidi for reaching out to Home Depot and Star for plant donations.
• Elizabeth will pick up plants on Friday from Home Depot.  Heidi will get plants from Star.
• There will be a raffle for donated items from local businesses – gift cards and a bottle of Bailey’s.
• The Daily is donating a tray of baked goods.
• Flyers will be posted this week locally, on social media, and via Constant Contact.
• There is a zoom meeting this Wednesday to finalize plans and commitments.
• If you want to donate baked goods or your time, contact Elizabeth. Late morning hours from 11 Am – 1 PM generally need coverage.

Events Committee Updates (Michelle Miller)

• The May 15^th Park Tour was a success. Around 20 people attended. It was videotaped and will be posted along with photos on the website.
• Upcoming events being planned
  • Savin Hill Happy Hour with Aaron Bear – Weekly. Bring your own drinks and instruments to sing and play along at the top of the Hill. Details to follow.
  • Book Swap –  mid-July, details forthcoming.
  • Native American Event, anticipated July 31, from 1-2 PM at the top of Savin Hill Park. Details to follow. We are requesting the CSHCA match the $250 donation commitment from The Dorchester Historical Society.
  • Food Tour –  From Fields Corner to Savin Hill. Sampling at a select number of restaurants. Target date: early August.
  • Community Picnic, August 13, at Patten’s Cove. There will be food, games, music, ice-cream.
• Marketing/Budget
  • The committee is requesting coverage of
    • 50% of immediate event costs (~ $1000)
    • Marketing costs ($1,400) for generator and tent for CSHCA use at any event, as well as for name tags, flyers, swag.
  • Questions and Suggestions
    • Love Your Block money – was looked into. It is more for project-based improvements, not events.
    • For a generator –
      • In the past the IBEW union on Freeport Street donated a generator for events. Check with them.
      • Check with DCR and the city for the types of generators and fuel types allowed and permitting.
    • Better Beaches Program via Save the Harbor Save the Bay has grants available for events by the water – about $5,000. (Dan Hunt)

Updates from Dan Hunt

• The broken fence along the expressway by McConnell Park – a contract has been put out to replace the fencing and install slats.
• A Gate at the Dorchester Yacht Club – DCR is committed to installing one once the park project is completed and signed off on.
• Drag Racing on Morrissey Boulevard – It is also a problem on Gallivan Boulevard and some side streets. The state police are working on developing specific response teams for this problem. More information will be forthcoming.

Questions and Concerns from the floor

• Maintenance along Columbia Road from K-Circle to Edward Everett Square, including the on- and off-ramps. Basic mowing of the grass would be appreciated. Dan Hunt will follow up on this.
• The Striping at Buttonwood Street – a work order has been submitted.
• Call Mass Parks community relations telephone number for concerns: 617-626-1250.

Dan Hunt’s Committee work updates

• $110 million of federal money has been received for schools, PPE, and unemployment.
• MA legislature has allocated $5 million in discretionary funding for vaccines, rapid tests, and PPE)
• $600 million is being allocated towards public housing for a grant program for new affordable housing construction.
• $200 million was spent on broadband expansion.
• Boston Schools have received $350 million directly.
• There is $2 billion remaining in the MA budget for allocation.

Questions and concerns from the floor – 

• The lack of comprehensive planning for the 10,000+ units in proposed and current development for our area. We need a plan for infrastructure that addresses all impacts of this massive development.
• Dan Hunt met with Mayor Wu and the new BPDA director Arthur Jamison. They are committed to improving the coordination between the city’s liaisons and the BPDA.

Dan Hunt’s personal email for further concerns: danhuntforrep@gmail.com

Outreach and Engagement Committee Updates (Marc Antoine)

• He set up a table with flyers at the Dorchester Day Parade and recruited one new member.
• He asked for help with tabling at future events, both CSHCA and other local events people may be aware of. Reach out to Marc or Heidi.
• The committee will be flyering homes with Cristo Rey students this Wednesday and Thursday.  As the area is expansive, help is needed to continue to flyer homes not reached. If you are willing to help with this, contact Marc.
• The Merchant Member Campaign- the committee is requesting $150 to cover printing and mailing costs, and a vote to approve the merchant member donation tiers.
  • Postcards
  • Phone banking as a follow up.
  • In-person – if anyone has a connection with any local business owner, please reach out to Marc or Heidi.

Recognition of public officials in attendance

• Julie Ryan from Councilor Frank Baker’s office: Julie.ryan@boston.gov, 617-635-3455
• Thomas Mannion from Councilor Murphy’s office: 617-635-3115
• George Huynh, community liaison from Mayor Wu’s office: George.huynh@boston.gov
• Councilor Michael Flaherty: Michael.F.Flaherty@boston.gov

Planning Committee Updates (Kristine Hoag)

• 18 Midland, 2 to 3 family. The committee voted 13-2 recommendation in support.
• 37 Pearl Street, 2 family to 8 units. No recommendation vote was taken.
• 57 Grampian Way – add three rooms in the basement with laundry. ZBA date of 6/16. The committee voted 9-7 to recommend opposition to the project.
• The Beat liquor license – near unanimous support with one opposition vote.
• The Beat, aka Southline, 6-story building – the committee voted 9-4 in opposition.
  • Mike Loring and David Manfredi presented on the proposed development plans at Southline (formerly The Beat).
  • Direct abutters of the project spoke in support of the set-back 6-story structure over the much longer and intrusive 4-story building.
  • Members voiced a need for a commitment from the developers not to build any further/closer if the 6-story structure were to be supported, which the developers were not set to provide at the meeting.
• Next Tuesday’s agenda, 6/14
  • 53 Grampian Way – expansion of the attic to create dormers
  • 887 Dorchester Avenue – commercial garage conversion to an eyelash studio.
  • 1154-1156 Dorchester Avenue – proposed 20 units, approved by the BPDA and has a ZBA date of 6/21
• Planning meets throughout the summer.
  • Follow the by-laws on any potential voting items.
  • Motion – Planning and E-Board can vote on “non-controversial” items and write a letter of support or opposition stipulating the vote is reflective of the committee, not general membership. For “controversial” items, a special meeting should be called for the entire membership to vote. This motion was carried by a show of hands 27 (of 35 in attendance) in support.
  • Caveat to the motion: we should come up with a definition of “controversial.”

Friends of Patten Cove and Community Benefits

• Members are concerned that we are being left out of the process when it comes to the allocation of community benefits money.
  • Catherine O’Neil is happy to forward ideas and requests from CSHCA to BPDA and CAC to negotiate how funds are spent.
  • This Wednesday the Friends of Patten’s Cove is meeting at McKenna’s. Contact Catherine O’Neil for details.

Safety Committee updates (Jennifer Deabler)

• For illegal fireworks, call 911. There is not yet any special city number.
• Dirt Bikes on the hill: Police have a no chase policy. They can create an enforcement team to investigate and send out citations. C-11 will be invited to the next safety meeting to discuss this issue.
• Sydney St and Savin Hill Ave intersection:
  • A potential redesign has been called for to enhance pedestrian safety. BTD has surveyed the area.
  • They are negotiating the use of parking signs with restricted times with businesses there.
  • C-11 has promised more traffic patrols.
• Faded crosswalks in neighborhood have been reported to Councilor Frank Baker – they will be repainted.
• Damage to Alpine Way has been reported and will be fixed.
• Comment from the floor: The asphalt patch on the sidewalk in front of The Daily needs to be properly cemented as it creates a tripping hazard to pedestrians. 

Items voted on at the General Membership

• Funding $250 for the Native American Event passed. 25 in support, no opposition.
• Marketing and Miscellaneous for Events Committee $1,460 – passed: 23 in support, 1 in opposition, and 5 abstained.
• Costs for summer events $1,075 – passed: 24 in support; 1 opposed, and 4 abstained.
• Merchant Member Campaign costs $150 of the Outreach and Engagement Committee (OEC) passed: 24 in support, no opposition.
• New Merchant Membership tiers passed: 23 in support, no opposition, one abstained.
• Planning – 18 Midland project passed: 28 supported, 2 opposed, 1 abstained.
• Planning –  Southline’s liquor license passed: 22 supported, 3 opposed, 1 abstained.
• Planning – Southline’s 6-story building passed: 18 supported, 15 opposed, 3 abstained.