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Meetings
 Our
meetings are the fourth Tuesday of the month except
for August and December when there is no meeting. Generally,
meetings start at 7 PM at the Newton Pavilion, 88 East
Newton Street, 2nd flr, Conference Rooms C & D. (see photo of location
below)
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MEETING ARCHIVES
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*IMPORTANT
NOTICE:
WSANA now has a presence on
 .
All
future meeting notices, agendas,and upcoming events will now be
posted on our Facebook page.
To get the latest meeting agendas, updates,
and other neighborhood related information go to www.Facebook.com/WorcesterSquare
Facebook
users can receive updates and notifications to the page by becoming
a FAN, either by clicking the "LIKE" button on the Facebook
page itself, or by using the "LIKE" button below:
*Non-Facebook
users can also view the new WSANA Facebook site by going to www.Facebook.com/WorcesterSquare
but will not be able to receive notifcations and updates.
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Past WSANA meeting
agendas (prior to moving to Facebook)
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Tuesday,
September 27th 2011
Agenda:
- 7:00 pm The Nominating Committee will present the slate of nominations
for the Executive Board for the October election.
- 7:20 pm Christos Hamawi will discuss the final draft of the
Harrison Ave./Albany Street Project and shifting the WSANA webpage
to Facebook.
- 7:35 pm Bill Smith will fill us in on what has happened since
our last meeting with the Hite building and what prospects there
are for its future development.
- 7:45 pm Michel Laflamme will discuss the
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Tuesday,
July 26th 2011
Agenda:
- 7:00 PM Jim Robertson and Jay Hajj (of Mike's Diner) are buying
the Hite TV building on Worcester Square and Washington Street.
They wish to discuss their plans for the site with us.
- 7:30 PM Discussion of a proposal by Christos Hamawi, our current
webmaster, to move the WSANA website to Facebook.
- 7:50 PM Worcester Square Park Issues: 1) the widespread chaining
of bicycles to the Worcester Square Park fence, and 2) keeping
the park clean.
- 8:10 PM Election of the Executive Board. Since the terms of
those members of the board who were elected to one- or two-year
terms have expired or are expiring, we need to hold new elections.
The first step will be to form a nominating committee.
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Tuesday,
June 28th 2011
Agenda:
- 7:00 PM We will finish the discussion and vote on a series
of proposals affecting parking on Harrison Avenue, 1) for resident
parking on the north side of Harrison Avenue between East Concord
and East Springfield, 2) for the elimination of one space at the
East Springfield/Harrison corner, and 3) for requesting a weekly
arterial street sweeping along Harrison Avenue.
- 7:30 PM Catherine Hunt will discuss recent developments in
the reconstruction of Mass Ave
- 7:40 PM Peter Sanborn will give a short report on the city's
bikeshare program based on what was presented at a recent Landmarks
hearing.
- 7:50 PM All other topics, including the closing of Cru, sidewalk
reconstruction, and elections for expiring executive member positions.
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Tuesday,
May 24th 2011
Agenda:
- 7:00 PM Chris Mitchell of Tobin Mitchell will present concerning
his plans to convert 668 Massachusetts Avenue to four condominium
units.
- 7:30 PM Reports from subcommittees and free forum.
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Tuesday,
April 26th 2011
Agenda:
- 7:00 PM Anil Mezini, who is opening Jaho Coffee and Tea on
Washington Street, will introduce himself and his new addition
to the neighborhood.
- 7:15 PM Daniel Hubbard of Mitchell Properties will introduce
"The Marais" residential project on 19 Father Gilday Street and
ask for a letter of support from us.
- 7:45 PM Make preparations for the Boston Shines cleanup on
April 30, 2011
- 8:05 PM Discuss the hearing on private and public alleys
in Boston being held at City Hall on Wednesday, April 27th
- 8:20 PM Subcommittee reports
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Tuesday,
March 22nd 2011
Agenda:
- 7:05 PM Sue Marsh from Rosie's Place will give a presentation
on Rosie's Place and receive a check from us for $1500 from the
tree lighting fund.
- 7:35 PM Catherine Hunt will discuss the community meeting
the MBTA held about the the number 1 bus.
- 7:45 pm Peter Sanborn will present some ideas he has about
1) resident parking on the north side of Harrison Avenue between
East Concord and East Springfield, 2) the elimination of one space
at the East Springfield/Harrison corner, and 3) making
a request for weekly arterial street sweeping along Harrison Avenue.
- 8:05 pm Subcommittee reports and all other topics of interest.
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Tuesday,
February 22nd 2011
Agenda:
- 7:00 PM The owners of 14-16 East Springfield will present
their plans to improve its facade of and add two floors. I have
attached the drawings of the proposed changes.
- 7:30 PM Residents from the Harrison Avenue at the corner
of Northampton are requesting an extension of South End resident
parking to that area. James Hansen, who lives there, and a representation
from the Boston Transportation Department will discuss the proposal.
- 8:00 PM Councilor Felix Arroyo will give a short presentation
on what he has accomplished in 2010 and then listen to our suggestions
for his 2011 agenda.
- 8:20 PM The members of WSANA made a commitment before the
tree-lighting event to donate a portion of the money raised to
charity. We need to decide how much we will give and to whom.
If you have a suggestion, please bring enough information on that
charity to help us make our decision.
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Tuesday,
January 25th 2011
Agenda:
- 7:00 pm According to a recent article in the South
End News, the groundwater levels in Worcester Square are among
the lowest in the city. Elliot Laffer from the Boston Groundwater
Trust will be at the meeting to discuss the problem and answer
questions.
- 7:30 pm Catherine Hunt will be leading a discussion of how
the MBTA proposes to improve Bus Route 1. She attended the first
MBTA-sponsored meeting last week, but there will be another meeting
with the MBTA on Monday, at United South End Settlements, 566
Columbus Avenue from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
- 7:50pm As many of you know, an uninsured auto struck and
damaged the fence around Worcester Square Park around Christmas
Day. Margaret Dyson, the Director of Historic Parks, is planning
to have that section repaired rather than rebuilt or replaced.
According to what she wrote to me, "the decision to repair or
replace will be made on the basis of the most efficient way to
fix the section and meet the SEHDC standards." We need to discuss
what we would like to have done and get back to her.
- 8:10 pm Michelle Laflamme and others will present the final
roundup and tallies from the Annual Tree Lighting Event. We also
need to choose what charities should receive donations.
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Tuesday,
November 23rd 2010
- 7:00 pm Christos Hamawi will introduce and discuss the work
that has been going on concerning the BRA's
Harrison/Albany Corridor strategic plan. (Please note that
this plan is still a work in progress and will soon be open for
public comment)
- 7:20 pm Michel Laflamme will bring us up to date on preparations
for the Tree Lighting on December 5th. We will also have raffle
tickets ready for distribution.
- 8:00 pm Brief discussions of the Boston Shines Cleanup last
Saturday, plus time for any of the subcommittees to bring us up
to date on any of their areas of concern.
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Tuesday,
October 26th, 2010
AGENDA:
- 7:00 pm Dennis Quilty, who is presenting the potential buyer
for the Immaculate Conception Church (on Harrison Avenue), the
Match Charter School, will present some of their plans.
- 7:30 pm Michel Laflamme will discuss plans for the tree-lighting
event.
- 8:00 pm Frank O'Brien from the Department of Public Works
will listen to our ideas about reconstructing the sidewalks on
Harrison Avenue from Mass Ave to East Concord.
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Tuesday,
September 28th, 2010
AGENDA:
Annual tree lighting discussion
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Tuesday,
July 27, 2010
AGENDA: Updates from committees and general neighborhood
concerns
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Tuesday,
June 22, 2010
AGENDA:
- 7:00 pm Welcome and introductions
- 7:05 pm Kamran Zahedi of Urbanica, the developer
of 691 Massachusetts Avenue, will speak with us about his need
to close Trask Street for four weeks during the month of August
and place a crane for the steel erection in the area.
- 7:20 pm Kathy Stavropolous will describe the
meeting that took place last Thursday between Dan Toomey and Doug
Dolezal of the 9 East Springfield infill project and the residents
of the Porter House. A related letter opposing the project at
9 East Springfield was also sent out. Letter
Opposing Development at 9 East Springfield St
- 7:30 pm Catherine Hunt will talk about some
interactions she has had with various local organizations about
the drug problem in our area.
- 7:45 pm George Stergios will read out a brief
recommendation from Ben Smith (of the Transportation Committee)
about the placement of Big Belly trash compactors in the WSANA
area. Ben will not be able to attend the meeting due to illness.
- 7:50 pm A few minutes of open forum 8:00 pm
Adjournment
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Tuesday,
May 25, 2010
AGENDA:
- 7:00 pm Welcome and introductions
- 7:05 pm Doug Dolezal, the architect for the
infill building on 9 East Springfield Street, will present his
plans and ask for neighborhood support before his appearance before
the ZBA on June 8, 2010
- 7:45 pm The Public Safety Subcommittee will
report to us on plans and contacts they have made since its formation.
- 8:00 pm Discussion and vote concerning the
inclusion of a statement about human rights in the WSANA draft
by-laws.
- 8:15 pm Other issues, including supporting
the South End Garden Tour by subscribing to an advertisement in
their tour book, and the bike
lane on Mass Ave:
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Tuesday, April 27, 2010
AGENDA:
- 7:00 pm Welcome and introductions
- General discussion pertaining
to Leon De Juda's recent request for use of public space for their
construction project and issues/concerns relating to future requests
from other organizations.
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Tuesday,
March 23rd, 2010
AGENDA:
- 7:00 pm Welcome and introductions
- 7:05 pm Larry Cristofori will discuss his
application for a change in legal occupancy to a restaurant on
the first floor of his renovation of 60 East Springfield
- 7:25 pm Nikki Christos will discuss her application
for a sidewalk cafe license at Blunch on East Springfield Street
- 7:35 pm Marie-Claude Mendy will discuss her
application for a sidewalk cafe license at Teranga on Washington
Street
- 7:45 pm Kristin Driscoll will present plans
for a food event after the Boston Shines neighborhood cleanup
on April 24th
- 8:00 pm Discussion of John Corey's request
for a five-year renewal of his permission to use 22 Northampton
Street as a parking lot. According to Google, this is the corner
of Fellows and Northampton. Discuss the MBTA Plan to install solar-powered
trash cans and benches at a few bus stops in or nearby WSANA along
Massachusetts Avenue: inbound and outbound at Albany and Massachusetts
Avenue, and inbound and outbound at Washington and Massachusetts
Avenue. The BTD desires feedback from us on the locations.
- 8:15 pm Finalize the subcommittee selections
Meeting Minutes:
Larry Cristofori from Gulfwing, the developer of 60 East Springfield
gave us a status report on the building, saying that he expected
the renovation to be complete over the summer, and then Patricia
Harrington would be having the restaurant space renovated, which,
depending on the bureaucratic process, would take an additional
several months. Larry had his hearing with the BRA in the morning,
and they granted his request for a change in legal occupancy for
the first floor to be a restaurant. He affirmed again that he intends
to have the restaurant exhaust go to the top of the building (5th
floor), and acknowledged that the BRA had pressed this point on
our behalf, but reminded us that it depends on Landmarks approval
and ultimately, the additional engineering and expense.
Nikki Christos of Blunch on East Springfield requested our support
for her sidewalk cafe license (tables for 12 customers and a rail).
We later voted to support her request (16-0) and write a letter
on her behalf contingent on her providing us with the official drawings
of the site.
Kristin Driscoll of WSANA proposed a food event following the semi-annual
Boston Shines cleanup on the morning of Saturday, April 24th. Her
proposal generated widespread assent and many volunteers to help
out with the event. Anyone absent from the meeting but wishing to
contribute with suggestions or help can contact her at kristin.m.driscoll@gmail.com.
Marie-Claude Mendy, the owner of Teranga on Washington Street,
requested our support for her sidewalk cafe license (tables for
20 customers, a rail around the seating area, and an awning). We
later voted to support her request (17-0) and write a letter on
her behalf contingent on her providing us with the official drawings
of the site and a letter from the immediate abutters in support
of her proposal.
We discussed John Corey's request for a five-year renewal of his
permission to use 22 Northampton Street as a parking lot, at the
corner of Fellows and Northamtpon Street. We reviewed the case and
read the letter from October, 2004 granting our support for parking
lot use for a five-year period. After a brief discussion, we voted
(16-0) to support his request and to write a letter in support of
his proposal.
We discussed the MBTA plan to install solar-powered trash cans
and non-solar powered benches at a few bus stops in or nearby WSANA
along Massachusetts Avenue: inbound and outbound near the corner
of Albany and Massachusetts Avenue, and inbound and outbound near
the corner of Washington and Massachusetts Avenue. Ben Smith of
the newly-finalized Transportation Subcommittee volunteered to take
a look at the proposed sites and report back to us at the next meeting.
We made final nominations and selections for the various sub-committees.
Christos will be posting the final results on the WSANA website
soon. Although it was not on the agenda, the conflict of opinion
arising from Dr. Roberto Miranda's appearance at the last meeting,
in regards to his plans to expand the Congregation Leon de Juda
to the parking lot behind his present building, emerged as a matter
of heated discussion, which was then, by general consent, postponed
to the next meeting, where it will be given the majority of our
time. George Stergios and Michel Laflamme were asked to work together
to define the parameters of the discussion.
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Tuesday,
February 23rd, 2010
- 7:00 pm Welcome and introductions
- 7:05 pm Kamran Zahedi of Urbanica will update
WSANA on the plans for the infill at 691 Massachusetts Avenue.
- 7:35 pm Glenn Knowles, the architect for Leon
de Juda Sanctuary, will update WSANA on the future plans for the
new Congregacion Leon de Juda Sanctuary to be located at 20 Reed
Street.
- 8:05 pm Kristin Driscoll and her architect,
Steve Young, will present their plans to WSANA for a balcony to
the rear of her condo at 32 East Springfield Street.
- 8:20 pm Completion of the discussion and populating
of the Subcommittees.
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Tuesday,
January 26th, 2010
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7:35 pm K.C. and Hania
Kanaan, the new owners of Andre's Cafe, 811 Harrison Avenue,
will make a brief presentation and entertain questions on their
plans for the restaurant
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7:50 pm Discussion of
Subcommittees, including the Nominating Committee, Development
Committee, Infrastructure Committee, Transportation Committee,
Public Safety Committee, Newsletter Committee, Fund Raising/Events
Committee, and Worcester Square Park Committee.
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Tuesday,
November 24th, 2009
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Deferred items: Subcommittees,
691 Mass Ave, Church of Scientology & Alexandria Hotel, Mass
Ave Reconstruction, Corridor Study
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Tuesday,
October 22nd, 2009
- 7:00 pm Welcome and introductions
- 7:05 pm Patricia Harrington on proposed new restaurant
Harry's on Harrison Ave
- 7:40 pm Preparations for Tree Lighting/Non-Sectarian
Holiday Party in December
- 8:00 pm Annual Fall Cleanup on November 14th
- 8:15 pm Organizing support for Home Bill #3588, making
code enforcement citations, "green-tickets," enforceable
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Tuesday,
September 22nd, 2009
- 7:05 Toro meeting regarding trash and other neighborhood
concerns
- 7:15 Boston University Medical Campus and Boston Medical
Center Master Plan
- 7:45 Massachusetts Avenue Reconstruction
- 8:25 Neighborhood concerns/October agenda
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- 7:00 Welcome & Introductions
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Tuesday,
June 23th, 2009
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Tuesday,
May 26th, 2009
- MBTA - Silver Line Service Issues
- Boston Medical Center - Presentation & Update
on Institutional Master Plan (IMP)
- Nominations Committee - Report & Presentation
of Slate for Executive Board (Election @ June 2009 Meeting)
- Update on Mass. Ave. Reconstruction
NOTE:
Change of Meeting Location - Meeting will be Held in Conference
Rooms A/B (Adjacent to Regular Location), 2nd Floor, Newton Pavilion,
88 East Newton Street
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Tuesday
April 28th, 2009
- 7:00 Welcome & Introductions
- 7:10 Proposed Daycare (Pine Village Pre-School), 700Harrison
Avenue, Adam Sinoway, Mitchell Properties
- 7:20 MBTA - Discussion of Silver Line Service
- 7:50 Update on DPW Working Committee, Al Perry
- 8:10 Proposed Development at 691 Massachusetts Avenue,
Kamran Zahedi
- 8:30 Proposed Development at 9 East Springfield St,
Doug Dolezal
- 8:50 Resident Concerns and Voice Out
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Tuesday,
March 24h, 2009
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Tuesday,
February 24h, 2009
- 7:10 State Representative Candidates Forum Discussion
- 7:35 BUMC Presentation (cancelled)
- 7:45 Surprise visit from Aaron Michlewitz - Candidate
for State Senate Seat to replace Sal DiMasi
- WSANA Elections to take place this Spring
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Tuesday,
January 27th, 2009
- 7:10 Update fundraising/Tree Lighting
- 7:15 Alexandra Hotel Update
- 7:45 Mass Ave Reconstruction Update
- Other neighborhood concerns
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Tuesday,
November 25th 2008
- 7:10 Update on Neighborhood Cleanup
- 7:15 Boston Public Library - South End Branch expansion
and renovation discussion
- 7:45 Linda Rubin Royer from Washington Gateway - SoWa
Holiday Market and Neck Ties Event
- 8:00 Carla Richards of BUMC - Updates on new Ambulatory
Care facility, NEIDL lab, and future BUMC student dorms on Albany
Fellows.
- 8:15 Aroa Chocolate on Washington St. plans
to rezone as a restaurant and to expand seating capacity to
24 seats.
- 8:30 Other neighborhood concerns: Rash of car break
ins and need for residents to be vigilant and refrain from leaving
anything of value or interest in view- especially ipods and
navigation systems, but also loose change, sunglasses, or even
small headphones.
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Tuesday,
October 28th 2008
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Tuesday,
September 23rd 2008
- Tree Lighting Ceremony planning/organization
- We would like to start things early this year. We need volunteers
to help get raffle prizes, sell raffle tickets, and help with
the organization and setup of the Tree Lighting Ceremony. It's
a great way to get involved in the neighborhood, meet your neighbors,
and help out your community!
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Mass Avenue reconstruction
project update -The project is beyond
the 100% design completion phase, in what is known as the
PS&E phase, “Planned Specifications and Estimates” The project
was advertised on 9/6/08 and all bids are due back to Mass
Highway by November 4th. All bidders must be pre-qualified
by Mass Highway, and the lowest bidder wins the contract.
Construction is to start in the Spring of 2009 and last approximately
3 years. We will invite GPI and City Officials to our January
or February WSANA meeting to discuss more details, ask questions,
and to prepare residents for the start of construction.
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Resident concerns - South
End Liason Tabitha Bennett was in attendance and listened to
neighborhood concerns.
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Residents reqiested more "Big
Belly" trash receptacles in key high volume Traffic Areas.
Noted areas were Mass Ave and Harrison Ave and Washington Street
in front of Toro/Mike's Diner. Tabitha plans to bring this to
the attention of Public Works.
- Tabitha Bennett informed us that there is a Citywide
neighborhood cleanup initiative scheduled for November 15th and
aksed us to recruit volunteers.
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Residents also noted that there
has been an increase in car break-ins and that everyone should
be cautious and not leave any valuables or visible indications
of valuables (i.e. GPS units, cell phones, ipods, or even loose
change).
- Ambulance and Police Sirens have been blaring
at all hours of the night even during times of light traffic where
flashing lights would suffice and sirens are not needed. Requests
were made to ask that they only use their sirens when truly needed.
- A Tree has died in Worcester Square and is afflicted
with some type of fungus. It needs to be removed promptly to prevent
any spreading of the fungus. Tabitha plans to alert the Parks
Dept.
- A resident noted that the Worcester Square Fountain
needs repair, as the fountain does not spray evenly, consistenly,
and sometimes not at all. We asked Tabitha if the Brown Fund might
be a possibility for securing the funds to repair the fountain.
- Residents complained of increased panhandling
at the busy intersection of Melnea Cass and Mass Ave. Both adults
and large groups of children are walking into traffic asking for
money, creating unsafe conditions for both motorists and the panhandlers.
- Residents complained about double parking on
the block between Harrison Ave and Albany Street on Mass Ave.
Hospital Visitors routinely double park to let off patients and
cause traffic headaches. It is also a very unsafe place for dropping
off patients. Boson University officials should be notified and
discourage this behavior, in favor of dropping patients off in
the appropriate location, the patient drop off at the front entrance
on Harrison Avenue. Tabitha Bennett took note.
- Street Sweeping on Harrison Avenue has been addressed
by Public Works. Tabitha indicated that Public Works will be installing
Street Sweeping signs along Harrison Avenue and that Street Sweeping
will start soon.
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Tuesday,
July 22nd 2008
- BU Medical center
indicated that they will be putting a temporary MRI trailer in
front of the Yawkey Ambulatory Care Building entrance (just behind
the small parking lot) for approximately 30 months, to accomodate
a need for more MRI capacity until a new facility is completed.
The Trailer will include a "Scrim" (an architectural
screen with a picture) to enhance its appearance. Many residents
were disappointed to learn this, and one of our Board Members
is planning to meet with BU representatives to look at all the
possible locations for the trailer to determine if there might
be a more appropriate place to put the trailer, rather than facing
the community.
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Tuesday,
April. 22nd 2008
7:00pm - Introductions and Welcoming
Remarks
Everyone in attendance at the start
of the meeting introduced themselves.
7:10 - Linda Rubin Royer, new
director of Washington Gateway talks about the organization.
Linda Rubin Royer talked about the
role of the Gateway organization, including the various committees
and its funding model. The current boundaries include both sides
of Washington Street from Melnea Cass Boulevard to Herald Street.
She also mentioned that they are interesed in possibly expanding
the borders to include Shawmut Ave and Harrison Ave.
She also pointed out several new
businesses opening up in the district, including Aroa fine chocolate,
Teranga Restaurant, Banq Restaurant, and Anita Kurl salon (among
others). She also mentioned the possiblity of a music organization/facilty
with a cafe moving into the former Sriberg furniture store also
on Washington Street, near Mass ave and Lenox Street. Gateway
is also going to work with WSANA to try to convince the tenants
of sevaral ground floor office spaces on Washington Street to
raise their blinds. She also discussed their goal of finding more
tenants for the remaining vacant spaces. She encouraged members
to consider making a donation to Washington Gateway and thus becoming
a member of the Circle of Friends (and she passed out forms, business
cards, and envelopes), as well as volunteering on one of the many
committees. Some members of WSANA suggested that Washington Gateway
direct more attention to this side of WSANA. She agreed that the
ends of WSANA definitely need more attention. More information
can be found on their website at: http://www.gatewaymainstreet.org/
7:40 - "Boston Shines"
-Annual neighborhood cleanup.
WSANA board member,
Peter Sanborn, requested volunteers for street captains to coordinate
the cleanup on each WSANA street, for the upcoming "Boston
Shines" citywide trash cleanup day. The cleanup takes place
from 9am to 12pm on Saturday April 26th.
Volunteers should
meet at 9am in Worcester Square (near the fountain) on Saturday,
April 26th to pick up trash bags and other tools. Refreshments
will also be served, donated by WSANA businesses.
Peter has asked the
City to allow for pickup of collected trash on the corners of
each of the streets in WSANA on Washington and Harrison. He is
waiting for a response from the City.
In addition, A representative
from John Connolly's office (the current Boston City Councilor
At Large) encouraged residents to identify areas where graffiti
needs to be removed and to contact the city with the address/location
of the graffitti. Mayor's 24 hour hotline is 617 635-4500 Call
them and they will remove the graffitti, free of charge to property
and business owners.
8:00 - DPW South End Forum Update
WSANA board member
Catherine Hunt provided an update on the DPW South End Forum.
The past meeting discussed trash and trash related problems in
depth. Residents are not satisfied with the Trash collection service,
the lack of Trash bins, and a variety of other issues. Glen Berkowitz,
also a WSANA Board Member and WSANA liason to the DPW for this
forum, asked residents to contact him about ideal locations for
more Trash bins, and that the City would consider placing a few
more in high traffic areas. Catherine also informed us that the
city is hoping to eventually replace the old fashioned trash barrels
with the big belly solar powered trash compacting trash bins,
but due to the high cost of those solar powered bins, it is going
to take a while before that becomes a reality.
8:15 - Worcester Square Park Update
The neighborhood made a motion and
voted in favor of WSANA writing a letter to the Parks Department
requesting that they give a key for the Worcester Square Park
gate to "Banshee", a private trash collection company
hired and paid by a consortium of residents of Worcester Square,
so he can gain access to the secured park and supplement the cleaning
done by the city to ensure that the park is always cleaned on
a regular basis throughout the year. (including winter months)
There would be specific terms set that would outline the agreement.
A letter will be drafted and reviewed by residents of Worcester
Square and WSANA board members. An update is expected by the next
meeting on May 26th.
8:30 - Call for Nominating Committee
Volunteers
Morris Tansky, the WSANA President,
asked for volunteers for the WSANA Nominating committee. This
committee is responsible for nominating WSANA members to the executive
board and officer positions. Two WSANA members volunteered.
8:35 - Other Neighborhood Concerns
Trash was the biggest concern. There
were many complaints about the current company hired to handle
the recycling for the City of Boston. Blue bins were not emptied
out properly and in many cases, obvious recyclable materials that
fell out of the blue bins (plastics, glass, paper) are left behind
if they are not in the bins. Unfortunately Trash pickers (and
sometimes the wind) can tip over the blue bins or otherwise disturb
them so the contents spill onto the sidewalk. Residents expect
the Recylcing company to be as conscientious about recycling and
to make an extra effort to collect all visible recyclable items,
even if they are no longer in the blue bins. It is near impossible
for residents to ensure that they remain in the blue bins after
they put them out on the street. Residents also complained about
the Trash collection company and their obvious refusal to collect
trash that falls out of the trash bags. Again, many trash pickers
will tear holes in bags, causing the trash to spill out on the
sidewalks. This trash gets left behind following a pickup. Residents
suggested that better trash pickup efforts are needed, along with
shovels to help collect trash spilled out of the bags due to trash
pickers.
In addition, many restaurants and
businesses in the South End have trash in front of their storefront.
Megan Haggerty informed residents that business owners are required
(as are residents) to keep the sidewalks/area in front of their
property/storefront clean at all times. Any business or property
owner failing to do so is in violation and can be reported to
the city (Mayor's 24 hour
hotline is 617 635-4500) or code enforcement
and the city will investigate.
Megan Haggerty, the Mayor's liason
to the South End, listened to all concerns and plans to address
our issues to the city. She also discussed the new pilot program
that has residents use clear plastic bags for all their recyclables.
One resident noted that these clear plastic bags were hard to
find, since many neighborhood convenience stores and pharmacies
do not carry them. She informed us that Foodies on Washington
Street and Stop & Shop in South Bay should carry them. Some
residents also urged Megan Haggerty to inform the City not to
do away with the Blue Bins altogether, despite any success with
the clear plastic bags, because the blue bins allow trash pickers
an easy way to find the 5 cent returnable bottles without ripping
through bags, which leads to a terrible mess on the sidewalks.
Both options should remain available.
Other residents raised concerns over
pedestrian safety and requested that more signage be posted on
key Washington street crosswalks.
The meeting actually ended around
9:05pm.
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Tuesday,
March. 25th 2008
- "Teranga Restaurant" (Senegalese) proposed for 1746
Washington St. - presented by Marie Claude Mendy
- "CRU" Specialty Wine and Spirits store proposed for
1750 Washington St. - presented by Brant Welty (Former Store 24)
- Bill Smith, Proposed Deck for 42 East Springfield Street.
- Catherine Hunt provides update on DPW Meeting, recycling pilot,
traffic concerns, road reconstructions, street sweeping, etc.
Regular meetings with new DPW Chief to take place. Catherine Hunt
and Glen Berkowitz representing WSANA
- Boston
Shines to take place on Saturday April 26th! Volunteers
needed!
- Worcester Square residents embark on a a privately funded cleaning
intitiative.
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Upcoming Events
Past Events
A
big thanks to Al Perry & all the other WSANA volunteers & area
businesses that helped make
WSANA
's 44th Annual Tree Lighting
a
big success!
Click
Here for the Raffle
Prize List
Click
Here to see Photos
from the Event!
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