Chester Square Area Neighborhood Association

Draft Minutes for the May 7^th meeting

Convened at the Mt. Calvary Church, 541 Mass. Ave.

Meeting called to order at 7:03p.m.

16 residents in attendance, and also a representative of the Mayor and of Councilor Jackson.

1.    The April minutes were approved as is.  A request was made that draft minutes be placed on the website shortly after each meeting to provide increased information for those not in attendance.

2.    Spring Cleanup- Several attendees volunteered for a) mulching, (Lloyd, Solomon, Mark) b) pruning of city trees, (Bud) c) tool pickup (Stephanie)  d) food tables (Sara). Flower box planting will be assisted by a neighbor from Claremont Assoc.  Each person should supply their own flower box, and purchase the flowers, with soil provided by CSANA.

3.    The By-Law modifications process was introduced, with copies of possible revisions distributed, as well as their being on the website.  The process will occur over the next several months, with a certain section of the by-laws considered each month and changes voted upon.  In September at the fall party in the Park, a meeting will be called to ratify the entire package.  No sections were discussed at the meeting, though one resident made known several issues with the modifications that she had, including the lack mention of the website under the secretary’s job description, and also that any item to be voted upon be noticed be publicized in advance of the meeting in which the vote is to be taken. Please see the by law changes here: by laws amendments 5.1.14 (1)

4.    Estelle’s.  The chair noted the withdrawal of the support letter due to the Estelle’s change of plans without notification to the organization. As well the chair noted the subsequent renewal of support subject to conditions ensuring the pedestrian right of way being preserved. Estelle’s goes before the PIC on May 15^th.

5.   Two Sub Committee’s formed.

Lee, Carol, Bud and Tom will review parking restrictions and also the issue of  several Northampton St. public alleys being fenced off by Roxie Homes for private parking.  As well there was much discussion regarding the failure of the city to address the non functioning cross walk lights at the intersections of Mass. Ave with Tremont St. and with Washington St.

Stephanie and Solomon will begin planning for the Fall event.

6.  Daniel Polanco of Councilor Jackson’s office addressed the issue of illegal occupancy at 243 Northampton; he is working with the BRA and ZBA to have a citation issued.  He also is addressing the concern about work done at 233 Northampton without permits.  Finally, he indicated that he is addressing the issue of the lack of progress with the Scientology development of the Alexandra Hotel.  Bud spoke of the interest by the Washington gateway Main Streets Board of Directors in the stretch of Washington St. from Massachusetts Avenue to Dudley, with an effort to develop the stretch for more business activity and to make that stretch more walkable.  The attorney for Scientology is on that Board of Directors and reported that the Scientology  headquarters in NYC is crafting a response to the CSANA letter.

7.  The meeting adjourned at 8p.m.

Lloyd Fillion, Secretary.

There has been death in the staff at Harriet Tubman House, and the facility will not be open tonight. Our meeting will now be hosted at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, at 541 Massachusetts Avenue. The church is located in the row house across from the opening in the park gate on the west side of the park.

Chester Square Area Neighborhood Assoc.

Draft minutes for March 5, 2014

Harriet Tubman House, Columbus Avenue

The meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m. with 15 residents in attendance and briefly by the Mayor’s Office new South End Liason, Jordan Deasy.

1.  The minutes from January were approved.

2.  Stephanie Avanessian was voted in as treasurer.

3.  Jordan Deasy was introduced as the new Office of Neighborhood Services coordinator for the South End.

4.  Lloyd Fillion reported on the South End Forum meeting of Feb.10^th, indicating that their agenda, as distributed at the end of January, was passed without change. Discussion regarding their proposal that the South End be a “space saver” free area of the city raised a question of the boundaries of the South End for this purpose- whether or not it included Northampton St.  Jordan Deasy was not clear regarding this question.  The issue of private sewers was raised with the BWSC chief engineer both asserting that the BWSC would not be responsible for private sewers and yet noting that a judge had ordered them to take that responsibility in one instance in Dorchester; this has interest for many owners of property at the ends of Mass. Ave. and Northampton St., between Tremont and Shawmut. There was also some concern regarding the authority of the South End Forum to represent the entire South End as their authority appears to have been self generated with no formal feed to or from at least this association.

5. A brainstorming regarding possible projects for this year was held, with many ideas surfacing.  There will be a follow up meeting on Saturday, March 22th at 10a.m., tentatively at Sara Mitchell’s house at 241 Northampton St. Issues raised including plans for plants in the parks, outreach to other neighbors through a door to door. (See the attached invitation brunch invite 3.22)

6.  The lack of work on the Scientology building was briefly discussed and a motion was passed to send a letter making inquiries regarding their intentions whether to develop or to sell.

7.  Neighbors of the South End House of Pizza raised concerns about the odors coming from their venting system.  A motion was passed to send a letter to the business directing their attention to this concern, requesting remediation and that the business be invited to the April meeting to report on their response.

8. In response to a question about 243 Northampton Street, there was no information to be shared, though it is believed that the Board of Appeal considered the issue (regarding total number of units to be developed).

9.  A break-in at 562 Mass. Ave. was mentioned; access was via the exterior fire escape, which gains access to the roof.

10. Joshua Fiedler and Michelle Laboy are intending to enter a city wide contest for the design of public furniture.  They are seeking neighborhood support for this potential addition to Chester Park.  A motion was passed that they prepare a design for presentation at the March 22^nd meeting (see item 5 above) with a vote to approve or abstain at that time.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30p.m.

Next meeting is April 2^nd

Submitted by Lloyd Fillion, secretary