January Meeting Notes
Date: January 9, 2025
Police Update: Officer Downing introduced the new C11 Commander. Captain Sweeney spoke briefly and shared his enthusiasm for being part of our neighborhood. It was clear from his words—and from the warm introduction by his officer, who expressed genuine excitement about having him on board—that he is eager to work with our community. We thank Captain Sweeney for his participation and encourage everyone to join us in giving him a warm welcome.
He also mentioned that they have received 11 (I believe) new recruits and they are being deployed to address problem areas.
He expressed appreciation the dedication of the officers in C-11 and cited one example where an officer saw a vehicle behaving strangely. As he followed it, it fled. Later a firearm was found along the road; the driver had tossed it as he fled.
Use 911: Captain Sweeney encouraged us to use 911 for anything that needs immediate attention. Don’t call or come to the station. The station will just call 911 themselves and that delays getting attention to the matter. Don’t use 311 as the police don’t look at the information until the following weekday. All calls are prioritized and responded to as soon as there are officers to dispatch. Captain Sweeney mentioned an incident of indecent exposure at Columbia Road and Annabel St. bus stop. The person reported it 3 hours later at the police station – too late to have any chance of pursuing the individual.
Follow-up from Previous Meetings
Annapolis Street Parking Ban Proposal
- Concern: A resident of Annapolis Street raised concerns about narrow conditions caused by parking on both sides of the street, making it difficult for large vehicles (e.g., trucks, school buses, and emergency vehicles) to navigate.
- Proposed Solution: Restrict parking to one side of the street.
- Next Steps:
- Anthony Nguyen, our Neighborhood Liaison to the Mayor, reported that a majority of neighborhood support is required for such a change.
- A petition could initiate the process, but it is unclear how the neighborhood (including residents of nearby BHA apartments) is defined in this context. He did say that the input of the triple decker residents would have more weight.
- Anthony expressed the caution that the city wants to avoid a situation where a change is made and there are significant complaints. The onus is on us to make sure that we get input from all stakeholders that are affected.
- Current Status: Only several residents has requested this change, and community interest remains unclear.
Annabel Street One-Way Proposal
- Concern: A resident raised concerns that Annabel Street is too narrow to accommodate two-way traffic, often leading to mid-street standoffs as drivers wait to see who will pull over.
- Proposed Solution: Change Annabel Street to a one-way street.
- Next Steps:
- A petition showing support from the majority of Annabel Street residents would be required to initiate the process with the city.
- The neighborhood must clarify if there is significant interest in pursuing this change.
- Current Status: The issue was initially brought up over a year ago but has not been revisited since, and community interest is unclear.
Parking Issue at Stoughton and Bakersfield Streets
- Concern: An emergency-vehicle-only parking space on Stoughton Street (in front of the laundromat) is frequently used for illegal “hot parking,” creating a visibility hazard for drivers entering from Bakersfield Street.
- Challenges: Ticketing has not been effective, and physical barriers cannot be installed as they would restrict emergency vehicles.
- Recommendations:
- Continue reporting illegal parking to 311. The hope is for more ticketing enforcement to encourage a shift in culture to improve compliance.
- Work with business owners in the area to remind customers not to park there.
Community Updates
Boston Family Days
Starting this month, Boston’s cultural institutions will offer free admission on the first and second Sundays of every month from January 2025 through December 2026 for:
- Boston elementary and secondary school students, children enrolled in Boston Pre-K classrooms, and two family members.
- Participating venues include the Boston Children’s Museum, ICA, MFA, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Franklin Park Zoo, Museum of African American History, JFK Library and Museum, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
679 Columbia Road Fire
- Update: The fire-damaged property next to KFC, originally slated for condo development, is now seeking a demolition permit.
- Questions Raised:
- Is the property a historical landmark?
- What were the circumstances of the fire, and what are the developer’s next steps?
- More information is needed.
Social Gatherings for Dorchester North
- Discussion: Neighbors expressed interest in organizing small, informal gatherings such as block parties, backyard events, or potluck dinners in spring and summer.
- Next Steps: Identify individuals willing to host and develop a schedule.
Next Meeting
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Format: We aim to hold a hybrid meeting, but public meeting space availability is still pending.