Sara Mitchell chaired the meeting. Seven attended: Jim O’Donnell, others named below.

Tree Planting –
Carol Blair presented the results of a survey she and Lloyd Fillion completed in order to identify potential locations for new street trees. A list of 41 possibilities was submitted to the City’s Tree Warden. The majority of these were on Shawmut Ave and Northampton St.

Arbor Day Saturday, April 27
Planning includes street clean-up, collecting & planting acorns w/ kids (in pots for them to take home), quiz/scavenger hunt, tent, music, food, flier, and donations. A follow-up planning meeting will be held April 10. Tom Sheeley and Sandra Alvarado will do a flier. Mark Carrig will distribute the flier and solicit businesses for contributions. Anthony Liburdi will arrange for Victory House volunteers to distribute the flier.

Sidewalks
Lloyd Fillion asked that notes on the March meeting be corrected to show that he was asked to contact neighbors (whose sidewalks are used to store trash /recycling barrels) on Northampton St only. Lloyd reported these contacts had been effective in removing some bins but others, apparently relating to a non-resident landlord, remain. He indicated the next step would be to contact the City for enforcement. The meeting asked Lloyd to do that.

Business listings on CSANA Website –
Mark Carrig asked that our website list of businesses be updated, removing businesses no longer in the neighborhood and adding his, Carrig Kitchens.

Next meeting 7 pm, May 1 at USES, 566 Columbus Ave

Location: USES Tubman House, 566 Columbus Ave (at corner of Mass Ave)

1.  Secretary’s Report
2. Treasurer’s report
3. Tree Planting: Requesting 41 street trees for Shawmut and Northampton Streets
4. Arbor Day – Saturday, April 27
5. Recycling bin update
6. Other Business
7. Next Meeting Date

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)

Location: USES Tubman House, 566 Columbus Ave (at corner of Mass Ave)

1. Secretary’s Report: Notes from Feb 6 meeting
2. Treasurer’s report

• Current Balance
• Anticipated Costs
• Wish list
• Fundraiser

3. Trash

• Pilot project to reduce trash exposure
• Information brochure for new residents (trash, parking, CSANA, etc.)

4. Arbor Day – Saturday, April 27

• Tree & flower planting
• Trimming holly near fountain in Chester Park
• Clean-up
• Celebration

5. Parking
6. South End Apartments – schedule presentation on planned renovations
7. Other Business
8. Next Meeting Date