President: Bill Walczak
Vice President and Host: Eileen Boyle
Treasurer: Des Rohan
Corresponding Secretary: Elizabeth Doyle
IT Manager: Taufiq Dhanani
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Number in attendance: ~16 (in person); 29 (on Zoom)
Administrative Business
- The October Minutes were approved.
- Treasurer’s Report as of 9/30/24
- $19,933.57 in the account
- Still waiting for the large Eversource Picnic donation check. Bill Walczak heard from Mike Fitzgerald of Eversource who says he will drop off the check this week at Bill’s House.
- Members voted to approve a $200 donation to the C-11 Christmas Toy Drive. A basket was passed around for individual donations. Others can donate via Venmo on the CSHCA website. Be sure to indicate what the donation is for, i.e. Toy Drive.
- The Toy Drive serves about 40-80 families.
- Last year C-11 hosted more then 200 kids.
- Officer Keaney will let us know the gift-wrapping date.
- The party is planned for December 20, details TBA.
- Renew your membership for 2025 – $10.00 per individual, details on how to submit are online.
Police Report (Officer Keaney)
- 10/16, 9:15 PM, on Stoughton Street, a speeding car was eventually pulled over on Pleasant Street. The 60-year-old man was driving without a license. A search of the vehicle resulted in 2 bags of heroin and 5 bags of crack cocaine. He was arrested for driving without a license and distribution of Class A and B substances.
- Halloween Night, 10:17 PM, two men were fighting on East Cottage Street, one of whom had a gold chain stolen. The suspect fled on foot.
- Friday 10/29, 17 new recruits were assigned to district C-11 out of a graduating class of 123.
- About 100 kids celebrated Halloween at District C-11 station.
- One comment and request from membership is that next year the police inform residents of street closures into our neighborhood and times. It seems several neighbors had trouble getting home here as Old Colony Terrace was closed off at 4:45 PM.
- Neighbors are grateful for the police presence on Halloween to assure the massive numbers of trick-or-treaters and the neighborhood stay safe.
Updates from Our Reps
- An aide from Representative Hunt’s office
- Was asked for updates on the meeting with the MBTA regarding the graffiti and gaping hole in the fence. Are there plans to repair the hole? He will get back to us on that.
- Promised to take back the message that the residents are upset with the Morrissey Commission not following through on its mandates.
- Liam from Councilor Fitzgerald’s office reported that
- They are currently dealing with school travel resources.
- If anyone needs a ride to the polls tomorrow or has any questions about the election, they are encouraged to call the city.
- The 2025 property taxes passed in City Hall. The home rule petition to the state legislature to relieve the burden on homeowners has not yet been voted on.
- There are currently no updates on the Carney Hospital situation.
- On 11/14 Councilor Mejia was part of a meeting about having an inspector general oversee government operations.
Other Neighborhood Business
- The Hyde Park Squares and Streets group is meeting on November 14 at 6:30 PM at the Great Hall in Codman Square to share and discuss their suggestions regarding the new city development policies. More information including a PDF link for the petition/suggestions can be found on the CSHCA calendar.
- Bob Scannell has raised $40 million of the $70 million needed for the new center in Harbor Point. They have enough money to begin construction.
Guest Speakers
- Eversource Dewar Project Updates (David Cotter, project manager)
- They hope to have all the trenching along Grampian Way, Savin Hill Avenue and Playstead Road completed by Christmas.
- Restoration of the roadway and sidewalks will take place in 2025 depending on the city schedule.
- Question: Will there be any more overnight work, which is disruptive to sleep and shakes these old homes? Not sure, but it is on the table. Residents would prefer extended work hours rather than overnight work.
- For questions and concerns, you can contact David at: David.Cotter@eversource.com
- Ryan Playground Mural (James Hobin)
- James presented pictures and video of the completed mural to the members.
- Pictures of the finished mural can be found on the CSHCA website.
- Work was done by his former students.
- He requested a letter of support for any future projects in the city his team.
- Questions, Concerns, Points of Interest:
- Is there a process for tagging?
- Generally, murals around the city are respected and don’t get tagged.
- If tagging does occur, you can contact James and he will fix it.
- Can we do something about the wall at Savin Hill Bridge that always gets tagged?
- James is willing to advise and work with the city.
- This is the 25th anniversary of the Savin Hill Mural on the side of McKenna’s.
- Is there a process for tagging?
Committee Updates
- Beautification Committee (Elizabeth Doyle)
- They sold about 850 of 900 bulbs. They were approved to spend $400, and they made $360, so it only cost about $40.
- The Christmas Wreaths will be placed a bit lower on every other pole on Dorchester Ave to help reduce costs. The committee needs help with:
- A place to deliver and put together the wreaths. Marc Antoine was so generous to offer his garage last year, but Elizabeth has not yet heard back from him this year.
- Volunteers who will help assemble the wreaths – date, place, and time TBA.
- Hanging the wreaths with the bucket truck the day after assembly.
- If you can help out, please contact Elizabeth.
- Events Committee (Alix Giannetti)
- The next meeting of the Events Committee is Tuesday, November 26, 7 PM, on Zoom – link on the calendar.
- The Caroling Event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 10 with a rain date of Wednesday, December 11, from 5:30 – 7 PM in front of Cristo Rey. Join us at our next meeting to help out with organizing.
- The City Tree Lighting is scheduled for Saturday, November 30, at Ryan Playground on Dorchester Avenue, in the evening, exact time TBA.
- Des would like to see a table with hot cocoa and cookies, but unfortunately members of the Events Committee will be out of town that day.
- If you are willing to help out in setting the hot drink and cookies table up, let Elizabeth Doyle know.
- A $150 donation for cocoa and cookies was approved by membership.
- Elizabeth Doyle will send out an email for volunteers.
- CSHCA reps should also bring a broom to sweep up afterward.
- Government Affairs Committee (GAC) (Bill Walczak)
- A vote by CSHCA membership approved sending a letter of no-confidence to members of the Morrissey Commission as they are not living up to their mandate.
- Committee Chair Jake W. will contact Senator Nick Collins next week with a request for him to look into the following unaddressed issues:
- A lack of comprehensive planning to accommodate all the major developments planned for this area – they have been vague on realistic traffic volume.
- The failure to include K-Circle in their discussions and planning
- The lack of options in addressing flooding with solely a berm being pushed that would cut residents off from the waterfront and block current water views
- The failure to address ecological concerns with regards to the roadway, the bridge, and the need for dredging
- The next GAC meeting is on 11/13 on Zoom – link and details on the CSHCA calendar.
- The next Morrissey Commission meeting #7 is on 11/21 – details on the CSHCA calendar.
- In January, membership will be updated on the Glover’s Corner area with suggestions and ideas for future development.
- Other concerns:
- The state has a reputation of not including all stakeholders in their planning.
- The Fall River commuter line will be operational this spring, adding about 68 trains per day that will come through JFK/UMass station. Meeting and handling this extra commuter load have gone unaddressed.
- Community Benefits Committee (CBC) (Don Walsh)
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dorchester Bay Economics Development Corporation (DBEDC) is posted on the CSHCA website. Members are encouraged to read it and give feedback to Don for any changes or improvements. Highlights include:
- CSHCA will maintain no staff but may hire contractors when necessary.
- CSHCA will put together a budget in December for the following year.
- DBEDC will monitor how money is spent.
- CSHCA will pay DBEDC $50,000 total over three – five years.
- CSHCA will name one person to interface with DBEDC.
- A recent meeting between DBEDC, Don Walsh and Elizabeth Doyle was very fruitful and reasonable.
- When asked about other possible fiscal agents, there were two:
- The Boys’ and Girls’ Club
- Cristo Rey High School
- The pros and cons of each fiscal agent and the MOU will be discussed at the next CBC meeting on 11/20, 7 PM, at the Savin Hill Yacht Club on Morrissey.
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dorchester Bay Economics Development Corporation (DBEDC) is posted on the CSHCA website. Members are encouraged to read it and give feedback to Don for any changes or improvements. Highlights include:
- Planning Committee (Kristine Hoag)
- There were no voting items for this meeting.
- The next planning committee meeting is on 11/12, 7 PM, on Zoom, details on the calendar.
- 35 Sudan Street seeks to add a unit in the basement and change from a 3 to 4 family.
- 29-33 Romsey Street (the old Rice Post) – James Baker is looking to knock down the building and erect housing with 35 units.
- Residents are against this for the following reasons:
- Too dense, too many units in an already dense neighborhood.
- Not enough set back from property lines.
- A lack of green space.
- Jessica, a direct abutter, will be on a plane for the meeting date, but would like to submit her comments. She is encouraged to send her written comments to Kristine Hoag.
- Residents are against this for the following reasons:
- ZBA dates have been set for the following:
- 11/19 – 20 Hinckley Street
- 11/26 – 19 Midland Street (convert from 2 to 3 -family), and 36 Newport Street (convert from2 to 4 family).
- We need to rethink how we consider the city in projects.
- The city continues to push density where it is not always appropriate.
Other and New Business
- Election questions – The pros and cons of the MCAS question were discussed with an explanation of what yes and no votes mean.
- Herb Chambers has sold Expressway Toyota on Morrissey Boulevard to a R.I. Toyota dealer.
- Honda is moving to Braintree.
- The Annual CSHCA Christmas Party will be on Monday, 12/2, 7 PM, at the Dorchester Yacht Club preceded by a brief CSHCA meeting. It will be in person only – as there is no technology available. If anyone has raffle items to donate, let Des Rohan or Eileen Boyle know.