Sara Mitchell chaired the meeting. Seven attended, including two not named below: Jim O’Donnell and Rudy Mitchell
Trash – The City has initiated a pilot program for the area between West Newton St and Mass Ave (including both sides of Mass Ave) to increase enforcement and require that trash be placed at the curb no earlier than 11 pm the day before, and no later than 7 am the day of, trash pick-up.
Northampton St is not included, but we hope to improve conditions there, as well. Lloyd Fillion will follow-up with building owners where problems with sidewalk maintenance and trash recycling are noted.
Tree Planting –
Carol Blair reported the City has agreed to plant trees in two empty tree pits (on Springfield St and Northampton St) and plans to close up the remaining tree pits we found (all on Northampton St) because they don’t meet criteria for separation from light poles and so forth. The meeting asked Carol to inquire further:
– Will these two trees be planted before our Arbor Day celebration April 27?
– Can we hold off on closing the non-compliant tree pits until we have a plan to put more green on the street? If we can’t move the non-compliant pits enough to meet tree planting criteria, perhaps we could plant bushes or flowers in these openings.
– Will there be a possibility of additional trees for Shawmut Ave and Northampton St, which lack the tree lines of the other streets in the neighborhood?
Arbor Day –
We’re planning a clean-up for Saturday (4/27) from 9-11 am, followed by a celebration of our old and new trees.
Tom Sheeley volunteered to design a flier to promote the occasion.
Anthony Liburdi volunteered to distribute the flier and explore coordination with other institutions in the neighborhood.
Lloyd Fillion will bring tools, gloves, bags, etc, as provided by the City that morning.
Email: info@chestersquareassociation.org with your ideas or to offer help.
Residents may bring refreshments to share. Would you make a coffee cake or muffins bring nuts or juice or fruit or …?
Construction –
South End Apartments will totally renovate all of the many buildings they operate in our neighborhood, beginning in September. They will attend our May 1 meeting to present plans and solicit feedback.
Our Next Meeting –
7 pm on Wed, April 3 at Harriet Tubman House (566 Columbus Ave, corner of Mass Ave)
Chester Square Neighbors 