Sarah Mitchell chaired the meeting. 21 others attended.
1. Arbor Day Wrap-up
Mark Carrig, Jim O’Donnell, Tom Sheely, Carol Blair, Sandra Alvarado, Lloyd Fillion, Anthony Liburdi, and Sara & Rudy Mitchell each reported on particulars and many contributions. A team of 10 organizers recruited businesses & other institutions as well as residents to make and distribute fliers, plant and mulch trees, donate money, purchase & plant flowers, produce a banner & posters, clean up our sidewalks, gutters, and park, feed the crowd, energize the time with singing, honor the late Sheila Cheimets (the force behind Chester Park as you see it today), and provide a scavenger hunt and acorn-plating for the kids. In addition to those shown on the banner, we are grateful for the energy and commitment of Mt Calvary Baptist Church, Sergeant House, Victory Programs and individual residents. Thank you all!
Yet to come: Our park benches will be refinished under the leadership of Lloyd Fillion, who has been authorized to work with volunteers to clean and oil the benches and to spend up to $600 for materials and equipment. If you can help, email info@chestersquareassociation.org

2. South End Apartments Renovations
Tim Dowd, Regional Manager for The Community Builders (TCB) briefed the meeting on the history of TCB and their intention to renovate 21 buildings in our area beginning in September. Michael Lozano, TCB’s Regional Development Project Manager, responded to questions. These buildings have provided affordable housing for many of our residents for decades. TCB described proposed improvements as including exterior brick wall repointing, drainage and gutters, new kitchens and baths, door and window replacement, and improvements to energy efficiency, fire safety and handicap accessibility. The meeting voted to provide a letter supporting TCB’s intention, for their use in grant applications. TCB will provide a written description of the project ASAP and return to a June meeting with construction plans. If you want to receive updates on this project, please let us know at info@chestersquareassociation.org

3. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, June 5.

Two years ago, Chester Sq. neighbors were fighting to save two trees that stood in the way of a sidewalk café plan. Last Saturday, we joined forces to celebrate 19 new trees for our neighborhood! What a change!
Over 40 adults, plus many young adults and children turned out for Chester Square’s Arbor Day celebration. We planted acorns, enjoyed live music, cleaned up the neighborhood, planted flowers in the park, and reconnected with neighbors as we celebrated spring with our trees.
We put up a poster from http://www.earthgauge.net/2013/national-arbor-day-april-26-2013 showing how one tree, in one year, cools like ten air conditioners; absorbs 750 gallons of storm water; and filters out 60 pounds of air pollution. We hope the 19 trees planted in the Chester neighborhood will grow to cool like 190 air conditioners, absorb over 14,000 gallons of rain, and remove over 1100 lbs of pollutants from the air, year after year.
We’re very grateful the City of Boston’s tree planting program! And to the wonderful neighborhood team that made all this happen!
And, to all of you who enjoy, and care for, and watch out for our urban trees, thank you! May we see our young trees grow to be strong and provide shade and comfort for many, many seasons.

Our April meeting will concentrate on two items:
1. wrap-up of our Arbor Day efforts; and
2. presentation by Community Builders Inc of plans for complete renovations (September 2013 start) for “South End Apartments”, including
– 535, 549, & 551 Mass Ave
– 210, 212, 216, 220, & 224 Northampton St
– 792, 794, 798, 800, 804, & 808 Tremont St
– 38 East Springfield St
If you cannot attend, please email your questions, concerns, comments to info@chestersquareassociation.org
Meeting will be at 7 pm, May 1, at Harriet Tubman House (USES) 566 Columbus Ave.