General Membership Meeting Minutes – June 3, 2024

President: Bill Walczak
Vice President: Eileen Boyle
Treasurer: Des Rohan
Minutes: Elizabeth Doyle (temporary fill in for Doreen Miller)
Number in attendance on Zoom: 43 in person: 25

REMINDER: NO CSHCA GENERAL MEETINGS IN JUNE OR JULY

Call to Order and Welcome to new E-Board Members; Juliana Jackson and Michael Panagako

Police Report (Officer Keaney)

  • May 18 A man parked on Pleasant Street in an  Audi found inebriated asleep at the wheel. 
  • May 19 at 11:48 am a Drug Bust on XXX was found with a wide variety of drugs on his possession. Fentynol. Cocaine, Vicadin and other pills.  He was arrested and taken into custody
  • Dot Day parade went well according to Officer Keany. No issues to be reported
  • If you are concerned about crime-related activity please call Officer Keaney at 617-343-4524

Donation to Dorchester Boys and Girls Club

  • The EBoard voted to donate $1,000 to the DBGC general fund and $200 to the Music Program.  At the meeting, this donation was approved by the Membership.

Presentation from Eversource

  • Michael Fitzgerald from Eversource gave an update on their work in the neighborhood.  There are two major areas: North in the Mary Ellen McCormick neighborhood and South in the Savin Hill neighborhood.
  • The project goal is to connect the Andrews Square an Dewer Street Substation.
  • Work in Savin Hill will continue through 2024 and Phase 2 will continue into 2025
  • Work will continue on and off on Old Colony, Grampian Way, Savin Hill Ave and Playstead Road.
  • Impacts include; fewer parking spaces during the daytime, some construction noise and partial road closings.
  • Next phase will include restoration including restoring 18 sidewalks, paving of roads and tree planting.
  • Still no decision on the Dog Park
  • Mike can be reached at 617-939-4834.  Ian Quin can be reached at iquin@burnsmcd.com

May General Meeting Minutes were Approved

Presentation by Xavier Lopez from the Boston Transportation Department gave a the proposed project on Columbia Road (from Franklin Park to Moakley Park)

  • The goals of the project are universal access, improve transportation access, connect people regardless if they walk, bike, use the bus or drive.
  • Project will be phased and there will be community conversations regarding visual impact, safety concerns and corridor re-design. Xavier can be reached at xavier.lopez@boston.gov  Project Website: boston.govcolumbia-road

Mural Project in Ryan Playground To Be Continued at a later date

Peter Brando working on a Block Party on Pleasant Street this summer. Will need approvals.  Date to be determined??

Committee Reports:

  • Events Committee
    • Surfrider Beach Clean-Up, Sunday, June 9th
    • Annual Community Picnic scheduled for September 28
    • Neighborhood Yard Sale  – September 7 rain date 9/14
    • Fall Art in the Park with James Hobin date TBD
  • Government Affairs Committee
    • Morrissey Blvd Commission 3.5 Meeting to take place on Monday, June 10 at 6:00 at Southline
  • Community Benefits Committee
    • There is still confidence and as far as we know  CSHCA will receive the 750K gift  from the Center Court Developers
    • A vote was taken to vote on the proposed changes to the bylaws except Article IV Section 2.  Bylaws changes must have a 2/3 favorable vote.  The changes did not pass.  The vote was 16 in favor, 10 opossed
    • Changes can be reviewed at https//www.columbiasavinhillcivic.org/cshca-bylaws-review-draft-april-2024/  The vote did not pass
  • Beautification Committee
    • The Plant and Bake sale was a success.  Almost all of the plants and baked goods were sold and we made a $500 profit.  Left over plants were planted in the neighborhood (thanks Julianne)
  • Planning Votes
    • Bon Beaute Salon 1362-Dorchester Avenue – Proposal to add micro blading/permanent cosmetics to existing license:
      • Unanimous SUPPORT (26 votes in support)
    • 20 Hinkley Street – Proposal to build a single family home on a 2.000 sqft/ lot:
      • OPPOSED – (5 support, 27 opposed, 4 abstain, 4 invalid votes = 1 support, 3 opposed
    • 33 Crescent Avenue – Proposal to raze the existing two-family building and construct a three story nine unit building with front and rear balconies and six parking spaces.
      • OPPOSED (6 support, 28 opposed, 3 invalid votes=1 support, 2 opposed.