Safety Committee Meeting Minutes, 01/17/2023

Chairs: Dianne Lescinskas, Jennifer Deabler
Minutes: Doreen Miller
# in attendance: 14
Guests: Representative Dan Hunt, Community Liaison Ross Cochran

Savin Hill Bridge Work

• Dianne shared the following email update from Michael Aldridge:

• Updates from Rep. Dan Hunt
  • Two major support beams running the length of the bridge are compromised and have been shored up until the major repairs are done.

• The major work will be sent out to bid. He will let us know the timeline on the bidding and selection process.
  • We can expect work to be done over a few months into the Spring.
  • Dealing with three agencies (Mass DOT, MBTA, and the city) that have jurisdiction over various aspects of the bridge complicates matters.
  • The MBTA is busing to Ashmont and Braintree over the weekends, while the bridge is being worked on.
• Questions and Concerns
  • Why is there pedestrian protection only on the north side? Many people exiting the train station heading east cannot conveniently cross over and thus walk in the street posing a hazard. People running to catch a train (running once every 20 minutes) are not going to go down to Sydney Street to cross over and back up the incline. Two possible solutions are:
    • Remove a barrier on the north side across from the T and put in a temporary crosswalk with appropriate signage to allow people heading east to easily cross over to the protected side.
      • It seems to be an easy fix.
      • There is some rule that cross walks cannot be closer than 1200 feet from one another although we already have crosswalks closer to one another than that in our neighborhood.
      • Dan Hunt will suggest this as a possibility.
    • Put up barriers on the south side as was done on the north side.
      • They would have to remove the planters and the clock to do so.
      • Dan Hunt considers this the preferred solution and will advocate for that.
  • Is there a possibility for total closure of the bridge?  Dan Hunt feels this is unlikely.
• Issues along Morrissey Boulevard
  • The collapsed guardrail along Morrissey at the end of Fox Point Road is dangerous.
    • Doreen sent a letter in the fall to various stakeholders and public officials about the safety hazard of this missing guardrail outlining how cars come down Fox Point thinking it is a connection to the boulevard only to stop short when the pavement ends. It is an accident waiting to happen.
    • It was clarified that this guardrail collapsed many years ago prior to any work done on the house abutting the area, but it was overgrown with underbrush so that it was clear it did not connect to the boulevard. Now that it has been clear cut, it makes it dangerous to confused motorists.
    • Dan Hunt is aware of the issue and only recently brought it up again to DCR, who manages the roadway.
  • Cars drive at highway speeds making it hazardous for pedestrians walking along the boulevard.
    • Would it be possible to advocate for wooden guardrails to be installed to separate the sidewalk from the roadway and make people feel safer walking along the roadway?
      • Dan mentioned the multi-million dollar plan to redesign and raise the boulevard due to flooding issues. He supports reducing the roadway to two lanes in both directions to reduce traffic speeds and make the shoreline more accessible to pedestrians.
      • Doreen noted that this current plan is the fourth attempt in 30 years to redesign the boulevard. The previous plans went nowhere, and it may be years before anything is done. We need protective measures now.
  • DCR is chaotic, mismanaged, and incompetent.
    • There has not been a decent commissioner who lasted more than 12 months in the past 8 years.
    • Four years ago, the governor proposed transferring oversight of Morrissey Boulevard from DCR to Mass DOT.
      • They would create a separate Chapter 82 that would allow Mass DOT to maintain the road but keep it as a parkway.
      • It is in the works.
• Safety Issues at Walgreens
  • This has been ongoing for nearly 2 years.
  • Walgreens was initially responsive but has been unresponsive since the summer.
  • Pictures of people passed out or defecating have been sent to Walgreen executives.
  • Crime continues to rise in that area.
  • Councilor Baker’s office has been helpful in trying to resolve the issues.
  • Updates (Ross Cochran)        
    • As of the end of last week, Walgreens has been officially placed on the Problematic Property list. The consequences of this include:
      • Their paying larger fines,
      • An increase in police presence,
      • An increase in homeless services.
        • Ross will look into when the property will be listed on the Problematic Property website.
  • Keep reaching out to 311 and public officials to document and report ongoing issues.
  • Question, Concerns, and Suggestions
    • How much are they being fined and how do we know if they are paying? Where does that money go? Ross will get back to us on this.
    • What is the state of their revenue and solvency? This will determine if they are looking to shut down or not.
    • How should we continue to communicate?
      • Reach out to 311 and public officials to document issues.
      • Email Ross (ross.cochran@boston.gov) with concerns and he will forward your letters to the appropriate authorities.
      • Ross will look into a possible email address to contact Problematic Property Task Force directly. If it exists, he will share that with us.
    • If Walgreens continues to be unresponsive, does the city have the right to shut them down? Ross will get back to us on this question.
    • If we continue to have no satisfaction from Walgreens or city officials, community members could stage a demonstration in front of the store with signs and pictures of the problems. Let Mayor Wu know this could happen.
  • The chairs will be sent any updates to share with the community.

Next meeting: Tuesday, February 21, 7 PM on Zoom, link on the CSHCA calendar.