President: Elizabeth Doyle
Vice President: Eileen Boyle
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Special Guest: John McColgan, Pear Square Collaborative
Number in attendance: 20 in person; 41 on Zoom
Police Report (Officer Keaney)
- 10/3, 9:30 PM, 299 Savin Hill Avenue. A large black male was standing outside the window of a female resident. He fled on foot.
- 10/10, 11 PM, 31 Crescent Avenue. A man in a black BMW was exposing himself in public. He is a level 3 sex offender who did time. Cameras have caught footage of him in the act. A warrant is out for his arrest. His description and picture have been distributed throughout Boston. He is facing multiple charges.
- 11/3, 10:44 PM, 944 Dorchester Avenue, Breaking and Entering. A black male, 20-30 years of age, was caught on video prying open a door. He fled empty handed.
- 11/6, 1:45 AM, East Cottage Street. A car ran a red light and was pulled over. He has a suspended license and a warrant out for his arrest. He also had a 9mm firearm in his possession. He is being charged with offenses/felonies.
- C-11 Toy Drive
- It is being planned for December 15 by invitation only.
- It will be limited to about 100-125 kids.
- If you know a family with kids between the ages of 0-12, let Officer Keaney know the address and ages.
- The wrapping of gifts will take place the week before.
Administrative Business and Announcements
- The minutes from 10/02/2023 were approved.
- The Treasurer’s Report was shared with membership. As of 9/30/2023, there is $27,702.39 in the bank account. Tallying income and expenses, we had a net income of $135.68.
- Elections for city councilors is tomorrow. Get out and vote.
- Monday, 12/04/2023 will be the CSHCA Holiday Party following a short general membership meeting starting at 6:30 PM. It will take place in the function room of The Daily.
- Renew your membership now for 2024.
- Monday, 11/13, 7-9 PM, UMass Boston is hosting a Community Meeting where they will share campus and Community updates at the Integrated Science Complex. Refreshments and Parking will be provided. Register Here: https://www.umb.edu/community/community-relations/community-meeting/ or see flyer for more details.
- Elected Officials’ Updates
- Jaycee Bullock representing Senator Nick Collins shared the newsletter for updates.
- Rep. Dan Hunt gave a brief update on the newly formed commission looking into infrastructure improvements in our area pertaining to K-circle and the raising of Morrissey Blvd.
- They are holding their first organizational meeting to map out the details.
- In 3-4 weeks, they should lay out the larger process with MA Dot and other stakeholders regarding the traffic study for the area.
- The Beades Bridge project has been put out to bid.
- Future meetings will be open to the public with notices sent out as to time and place.
- There was a question about the Home Rule Petition to restructure the BPDA that was sent to the legislature.
- Yes, Rep Hunt has seen it. There is a process for city petitions.
- As a city petition is generally “unamendable,” if the legislature requests any changes, it will be sent back to the city council for review.
- Once the city approves the changes, it is sent back for a vote in the house, then the senate, and finally to the governor.
Committee Reports and Voting Items
- Membership voted to approve $100 for the annual tree lighting ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, 11/25/2023 at Ryan’s Playground, 950 Dorchester Avenue at 5 PM. In person votes were unanimous. Online votes were as follows: Support: 15 Oppose: 0 Abstain: 0
- Nominations for CSHCA president.
- The current president, Elizabeth Doyle, will be stepping down at the end of December.
- Bill Walczak has agreed to be nominated for the position, to be voted on at the December General Meeting.
- There were no other nominations at the meeting. If you want to nominate yourself or someone else who agrees to be nominated, please let Elizabeth Doyle know before the next general meeting on 12/4.
- Safety Committee – Slow Down for Savin Hill Campaign
- 70 signs have already been distributed.
- They are looking to make 100 more for distribution.
- A vote was taken to fund the costs of $830. In person votes were unanimous. Online votes were as follows:
- Support: 12
- Oppose: 1
- Abstain: 0
- They hope to share signs with other civic groups to push the message.
- You can sign up for a free Slow Streets campaign sign at this link.
- Beautification Committee (Elizabeth Doyle)
- A vote was taken to approve the $1,200 wreath expense. In person votes were unanimous. Online votes were as follows:
- Support: 15
- Oppose: 0
- Abstain: 0
- Bags of spring bulbs were for sale at the in-person meeting.
- City of Boston daffodils have been planted throughout the neighborhood. Thanks to all the volunteers.
- A vote was taken to approve the $1,200 wreath expense. In person votes were unanimous. Online votes were as follows:
- Events Committee (Michelle Miller)
- Christmas Caroling is planned for December 12 with a rain date of December 13.
- It will be a stationary event this year at front entrance to Cristo Rey pending approval by President Rosemary Powers.
- A members-only Happy Hour is being planned at Boston Bowl for some time in January. A vote on this event will be taken in December.
- Christmas Caroling is planned for December 12 with a rain date of December 13.
- Community Benefits Committee – CBC (Don Walsh)
- The CSHCA 501C4 status is being worked onso we will be able to accept an manage large donations from third parties. Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed by pro bono attorneys and sent to the IRS. Thank you to Des Rohan who is working on this!
- The committee has a draft of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the $750,000 donation being offered to us by Center Court developers pending approval of their project. It outlines the conditions for giving and receiving the money.
- The committee has compiled a wish list on how to spend the money.
- Come to the next CBC meeting on Wednesday, 11/15, 7 PM at the Savin Hill Yacht Club on Morrissey to weigh in on the MOA and list of ideas.
- Membership has agreed to postpone voting on accepting this donation until the December meeting. It should be made clear that any acceptance of large donations does not mean automatic approval of development projects.
- Planning Committee: Vote on 164 Savin Hill Avenue proposal
- Owners want to expand the current 1-family with a side yard to a three-family with below grade parking that would fill the entire lot.
- 7 variances are needed.
- FAR would increase from the current .5 to 1.15.
- This was the developers’ final proposal, and no further changes would be made.
- Planning Committee members had recommended to oppose this project on the grounds it is too big and not in keeping with the character of our neighborhood.
- Membership voted:
- Support 6 (2 invalid)
- Oppose: 21 (3 invalid)
- Abstain: 1
Guest Speaker: John McColgan, Pear Square Collaborative
- John gave a brief overview of the Pear Square Collaborative and its mission to clean up and maintain the artwork at Edward Everett Square. It is registered as a 501C3.
- Brightview Landscaping has submitted a contract for $35,000 for the maintenance and replanting of the flower beds in the area.
- To support this endeavor:
- John has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for these costs.
- Or you can mail a check to Pear Square Collaborative, 203 Savin Hill Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02125
- Visit the Pear Square website to learn more.
- A motion was made and approved to donate $350 to the Pear Square cause.
New Business
At the next meeting, neighbors would like to discuss the towing of the cars of Sydney Street residents who park overnight in the Cristo Rey Parking lot as there are no on-street parking spots. They claim they vacate the lot before school starts in the morning. Elizabeth Doyle has agreed to reach out to President Rosemary Powers.
Next Meeting and Holiday Party: Monday, Dec. 4, 6:30 PM @ The Daily. There will be food and drinks.