Host and Treasurer: Des Rohan
Corresponding Secretary: Elizabeth Doyle
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Number in attendance: ~15 (In-person); 43 (Zoom)
Police Report (Officer Keaney)
- 9/13, 6:55PM Ryan Playground. Four men were drinking in public. Three left, and the 4th, a 36-year-old male, stayed to finish his beer. He was arrested for public drinking and disorderly conduct.
- Between 5/25 – 10/2, 5 car breaks were reported, of which three were “entered only” due to unlocked doors. Items taken include, loose change, 2 cellphones that didn’t work, and clothes. Don’t leave anything visible in your cars that could entice a break in.
- For Halloween, there will be extra officers on duty to ensure trick-or-treaters safety.
- On 11/1, new recruits will be sworn in. District 11 is getting between 10-15 new officers.
- Concerns from members. The area behind Walgreens harbors lots of vagrants due to the seclusion created by the large bushes and fencing there.
- There are reports of:
- Drug use, public drinking, and discarded empty needles
- Public urination and defecation
- Trash
- Aggressive behavior.
- What can be done?
- Walgreen’s remains unresponsive. It has made many promises that remain unkept.
- If it is an illegal activity, call 911.
- It is a trash problem, call Walgreens, and if they are unresponsive call code enforcement who will come out and issue a ticket.
- A neighbor has requested that the bushes be cut back for better visibility of the problem.
- Homelessness liaisons have encouraged people to move on but have had no effectiveness long term.
- Safety updates on this problem have been communicated with our local, city and state representatives.
- Nolan Murphy from Senator Collins office promised to bring the Walgreen’s issue to his attention.
- There are reports of:
Administrative and Other Business
- The September minutes were approved.
- Speak for the Trees will be holding its fundraiser in the spring at Southline. Details TBA.
- The JFK/UMass T station renovation will be presented at the following two public meetings:
- In-person, Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 6-8 PM at Collegiate Charter School, 215 Sydney Street. Dinner will be provided.
- Virtually on Zoom, Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 6-8 PM. You can join Zoom for that event here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85915878558#success
- The MBTA is looking to rebuild the Savin Hill Bridge over the train tracks. The executive board approved letters of support from the Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association for two federal grant applications the MBTA is pursuing: one through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) to conduct feasibility analysis for replacing the Savin Hill Avenue Bridge which provides access to the Savin Hill Station, and the other through the Reconnecting Communities Program (RCP) for the redesign of the JFK/UMass Station. Letter of Support details can be found HERE and HERE.
- The membership ratified the support letters sent to meet the deadline requested (14 support, 1 opposed, 1 abstain).
- One resident expressed concern that this crucial connection remain open during the rebuild.
- The letters are to secure funding only, and any details and public conversations of the rebuild will occur later.
- Traffic calming measures are being proposed for the Buttonwood Street area. A recent plan shared by the City can be found HERE. We are trying to coordinate a meeting with the City to seek feedback on this plan. A survey to gauge timing of such a meeting and any feedback on the plan can be submitted HERE.
Committee Updates
- Safety Committee (Dianne Lescinskas)
- They will be meeting with Matt Moran of the Boston Transportation Department on the Buttonwood Street changes. Check the CSHCA calendar for details.
- Beautification Committee (Elizabeth Doyle)
- The Annual Bulb Sale will take place on Sunday, October 20 at Savin Hill Park in conjunction with the Halloween Parade.
- Elizabeth showed the various types of bulbs that will be for sale.
- Events Committee (Heidi Moesinger)
- The Community Picnic was moved inside to the First Parish Church Hall due to rain. It was well attended in spite of the weather and last-minute location change. The music and food were great. It was an overall success.
- Art in the Park lead by James Hobin was also successful. There were about 40 or so parents and kids.
- The Mothers’ Group is organizing the Kids Halloween Parade for Sunday, October 20. Meet at McConnell Playground at 3 PM to parade down Savin Hill Avenue to the park for fun activities. People along the route are encouraged to come out and cheer on the kids and/or hand out treats.
- The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Ryan Playground. They are looking for a Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to ride the trolley. A request for $200 donation was made and voted on. Support was unanimous (23 in favor).
- Christmas Caroling will take place in front of Cristo Rey in early December. Details TBA.
- Government Affairs Committee (Don Walsh)
- The next meeting on Tuesday, October 15, will begin to focus on a development plan for the Glover’s Corner area.
- The K-Circle/Morrissey Commission has not been meeting its contractual obligations.
- K-Circle has not been included in the plans, and the public is being given no updates on this crucial component that is allegedly being worked on by a separate group.
- They are not conducting comprehensive planning. The public is not assured that the future developments at Dorchester Bay City and along Morrissey are being properly factored into overall traffic impacts.
- There has been little to no focus on safe connectivity for the residents of the area with the eastern seashore.
- The committee would like to ask CSHCA members to push our representatives on this commission for a vote of No-Confidence in the Commission.
- A vote was taken with the results of: Support: 18; Abstain: 1.
- Community Benefits Committee (Don Walsh)
- The By-Law Amendments were reviewed and voted on section by section. There were 5 votes total.
- In-person votes were unanimous for all sections reviewed – 9 in support for each. Online votes were as follows:
- Article IV, Section 1: 23 Support, 2 Oppose
- Article IV, Section 2: 23 Support, 2 Oppose
- Article IV, Section 6: 23 Support, 0 Oppose, 2 Abstain
- Article V, Section 4: 24 Support, 0 Oppose
- Article VI, Section 5: 25 Support, 0 Oppose
- The next meeting is on Wednesday, October 23, 7 PM at the Savin Hill Yacht Club on Morrissey. It will focus on a discussion of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC), who will manage the oversight of the $750,000 donation. They will write between 12-24 checks per year as per CSHCA request. Their service fee is yet to be finalized.
- The By-Law Amendments were reviewed and voted on section by section. There were 5 votes total.
- Planning Committee (Kristine Hoag)
- The Daily is looking to expand its liquor license to include the third floor “The Nightly.”
- The property will be renovated to include a bar, restaurant, and event spaces in the basement, second and third floor levels with overall seating capacity of 215, and total occupancy of 255 people. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2025 with the third floor to open in the first quarter.
- The menu will be casual Italian with a full bar. Hours of operation will be
- The Daily is looking to expand its liquor license to include the third floor “The Nightly.”
Monday-Friday: 11 AM – 11PM, Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM – 11 PM. The terrace will be open March – November.
- Design concepts and next steps were presented.
- Concerns included:
- Noise levels on the terrace: there have been past events there with no problems reported.
- Entertainment options: No live entertainment is planned to date, only TVs are planned.
- Membership voted to SUPPORT this project. Voting results: unanimous SUPPORT
- The Daily is considering opening another location on Talbot Avenue.
- Concerns included:
- 19 Midland Street is looking to convert a one-family into a three-family.
- Variances are needed on excessive height, not enough set back from the property lines, the 1.22 FAR is in excess of the standard .5.
- An abutter to the rear expressed his opposition due to the insufficient set back from his property line and elimination of the back yard.
- Membership voted to OPPOSE this project. Voting results: 5 Support; 18 OPPOSED;
2 abstain
- 36 Newport Street is looking to convert a 2-family to 4 units with an addition to the rear.
- Variances are needed for insufficient off-street parking, excessive FAR, not enough set back from property lines, excessive height.
- Membership voted to OPPOSE this project. Voting results: 2 Support; 21 OPPOSED; 1 abstain