President: Bill Walczak
Vice President: Eileen Boyle
Treasurer: Des Rohan
Corresponding Secretary: Elizabeth Doyle
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Guests: Senator Nick Collins, James Hobin
# in attendance: 21 (In-Person); 33 (on Zoom)
Police Report (Officer Keaney)
- 8/8, 4:35 AM, 735 Columbia Road (Blake House). Report of a breaking and entering in progress. The 38 y.o. suspect was apprehended and arrested by 34 Pond Street with empty bags. He had been recorded on the Ring Camera.
- 8/28, 12:40 PM, 14 Pearl Street. A drug raid yielded 5 bags of crack cocaine. 40-year-old male was arrested for class B substances.
- 8/30. 2:12 PM, a theft took place on Savin Hill Avenue and Playstead Road. The 21-year-old suspect was arrested on Caspian Way. He had 3 warrants out for his arrest, one for larceny.
- 9/7, Neighborhood Block Party on Pleasant Street. Two teens were arguing at 54 Pleasant. A 15-year-old with a backpack was detained. His backpack contained a loaded 9mm firearm. He was arrested on 3 separate felonies.
- Questions and Concerns
- A new business on Dorchester Ave between Romsey and Sudan Streets called Munchie Station has been causing a lot of traffic havoc with their delivery mopeds and permanently parked commercial vehicle.
- ISD has been notified.
- Kristine Hoag will reach out to the business to get details of the issue.
- Who has jurisdiction at the Pear Square?
- Three separate police districts cover different corners.
- Ryan Playground is unsafe due to the drug and homeless issues there.
- A new business on Dorchester Ave between Romsey and Sudan Streets called Munchie Station has been causing a lot of traffic havoc with their delivery mopeds and permanently parked commercial vehicle.
Notices and Announcements
- Updates from John McColgan’s about Pear Square include:
- The art and restoration project is underway thanks to $30,000 in fundraising.
- Brightview Landscape Services is restoring and maintaining new plantings.
- The bricks have been power washed.
- Boston’s Arts and Culture Department has contracted Daedalus sculpture service company to evaluate public sculpture needs and will prioritize the Pear Square’s artwork for renovation and maintenance to begin next year.
- The MBTA has reduced fares for seniors, low income and people with disabilities and on Medicare. For more information go to their website.
- The Strand Theater has three upcoming performances “Is this America?” celebrating the life and legacy of civil rights activist Fanny Lou Hamer on September 20, 21, and 22. Reserve tickets here.
- “No Swimming” signs have been posted at Savin Hill and Malibu Beaches due to elevated levels of pollution. Since the summer season is officially closed, there will be no more water testing this year.
Administration,
- The Minutes from June 3, 2024, were approved.
- Treasurer’s Report: As of July 31, there is $22,914 in the account.
Ryan Playground Mural Project (James Hobin)
- Local artist James Hobin will oversee and direct the mural project at Ryan’s Playground.
- James is noted for the mural on the side of McKenna’s and various artwork at Savin Hill T station.
- He will involve BPS students and connect with kids in the art program at the Boys and Girls Club.
- He presented his vision of what will grace the metal panels there – a series of various colored dots and images.
- In addition to the $3,000 pre-approved for this project, membership voted to approve another $500 to cover the cost of materials.
Senator Nick Collins – Updates
- Graffiti
- Painting and whitewashing constitute an endless battle.
- The state will allocate money to local associations to address the issue by installing artwork by local artists.
- The T will partner with communities on the art images.
- K Circle
- This is being studied separately from but in conjunction with the Morrissey project.
- There are several old trees within the circle that could potentially be an issue.
- Beach Water quality
- Several local beaches continue to suffer from toxic pollutants.
- Three projects are underway at Savin Hill, Tenean and UMass to address water quality and how to capture and discharge storm water.
- $1.5 billion has been allocated to clean up the harbor, which should lead to cleaner beaches.
- They are asking the Federal government for money to improve water quality.
- Carney Hospital 3.0
- The hospital has closed due to mismanagement. There were interested parties, but they were turned down. Why?
- He would like to see the state maintain emergency, mental health, and senior services as the tools and resources are there.
- The state needs to take the property by eminent domain. There is historic precedence with the property of GE, which the state took over, leased back, and eventually sold.
- The state is working on a plan and portfolio.
- Also, Marion Manor is closing as well.
- Mass and Cass
- This is a problem area for drug abuse and homelessness.
- The drug traffickers need to be arrested.
- Intervention and treatment are essential. The city needs to support the building of treatment facilities.
- BMC, Beth Israel, and Mass General need to become involved in post discharge treatment.
- Late Night Partying at the Beach
- They have increased the public safety budget.
- A parked tow truck seems to be a good deterrent as no one wants their car towed.
- Questions, Concerns Requests
- When will the T work on the Dorchester Avenue bridge be complete? They hope to reopen the bridge in October of this year.
- There has been an increase of engine breaking on the highway leading to increased noise levels. Can we have MA DOT post “No Engine Braking” signs along this stretch?
Committee Reports
- Executive Committee
- The E-Board recommends the establishment of a new Dorchester North Committee. The temporary chair will be Bill Bonnice until they meet.
- Membership voted to approve this committee.
- Community Benefits Committee (Don Walsh)
- Center Court has promised $750,000 to CSHCA.
- An outside non-profit such as the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation will manage the money for us as we are not equipped to handle such large amounts.
- The law firm Ropes and Grey is compiling the details and terms. Once it is complete, it will be brought to membership for approval.
- The By-Laws are online to review changes for a vote in October. Two changes from the June proposal include:
- Reducing the amount the E-Board can approve without a membership vote from $1,000 to $500 – for which any approved expenditures will be reported to the membership.
- Committees will need to submit their annual budget requests to the E-Board before a membership vote in November.
- Safety Committee (Jennifer Deabler)
- The committee met over the summer in regard to the traffic issues at Buttonwood, when traffic calming measures there were presented.
- Beach safety measures were also discussed.
- Planning Committee (Kristine Hoag)
- The two planning votes for Midland Street and 36 Newport Street have been postponed to the October meeting.
- The Planning Committee recommends opposition to both these proposals.
- There is a ZBA date for 20 Hinckley Street on Tuesday, September 10 at 11:30AM.
- Public Health Committee
- They are looking at ways to address the PCB toxins in the mud at our local beaches.
- Local resident John Rich has suggested replacing the bridge with a viaduct to allow for greater water exchange and flush.
- Beautification Committee (Elizabeth Doyle)
- The annual bulb sale will take place at the Halloween Parade on October 20.
- Funding of $400 is requested to purchase the bulbs, the proceeds of which will be returned. Last year they sold out.
- Government Affairs Committee (Jake W)
- Morrissey Commission
- Short term improvements such as new sidewalks are underway thanks to Mary Knasas.
- The commission had promised to meet monthly. The next meeting is TBD.
- Planning Glover’s Corner
- There was a plan that was approved but is now defunct.
- Our goal in discussion plans for this area include:
- Being proactive in telling the city what we would like to see.
- Addressing the housing crisis in a realistic way.
- Preventing overdevelopment that will negatively impact our community.
- Come to the next meeting on Wednesday, September 18 to discuss these issues. The zoom link is on the CSHCA calendar.
- Morrissey Commission
- The Events Committee (Michelle Miller)
- The Community Picnic
- Saturday, September 21 (rain date: 9/28), at Patten’s Cove, 12 – 4 PM
- Two bands: Sand Machine and the Savin Hillbillies
- Food, games, and raffles.
- Thanks to Eversource for its $2,500 donation and to City Councilor Fitzgerald for his $250 sponsorship towards the bands.
- Art in the Park
- Sunday, September 29, 2-4 PM at Savin Hill Park near the Basketball courts (rain date: Sunday, October 6)
- An open-air Art Studio with James Hobin and local artists with fun activities for all ages.
- A request for $400 to cover materials and stipend. Membership voted to approve.
- The Community Picnic
- The Mother’s Group Halloween Parade, October 20
- Membership voted to approve a request for $250 to sponsor this event.
Other Business
- The Boston Water and Sewer work along Savin Hill Ave to Caspian Way will be completed in October.
- Eversource Gas Line project
- This should be completed in about 2 months.
- When they install new lines to homes, they are not always dependable returning as promised on the same day to turn the gas back on. If this happens to you, call the non-emergency line, and someone generally comes out within 30 minutes.
- Temporary paving will eventually be replaced with permanent repaving within the year.
- There is an ongoing conversation about putting in a dog park in that area on Springdale Street to keep dogs off the ballfields.