Agenda
- Greetings & introductions
- Police Report
- Office of Neighborhood Services – info on City services
- Housing Committee
- Updates & announcements
- Open discussion
Police Report
Officer Cepeda gave the police report:
– The police car continues to be stationed in the Square.
– The past month had a lower number of sick assists.
– The drug unit is active in area. On 6/12, there was a drug arrest in the parking lot at Atherton & Washington.
– On 6/18, police recovered a firearm at Amory & Columbus based on the shot activator; ballistics were also discovered behind Kelly Rink
– On Beethoven St., a residential alarm went off, and when police investigated, the suspect opened the door; he was arrested.
Officers Cepeda and Darosa did a walk through of the St. Mary of the Angels property with Parish members and discovered needles and miniature liquor bottles, but no signs of anyone sleeping on site. They noted the Church has no cameras and that there is a hole in the border fence; Alvin said the Parish Council is looking into the matter and considering next steps.
Neighbors on West Walnut Park are having trouble with people using one neighbor’s yard as a bathroom. Officer Cepeda advised putting up a no trespassing sign, getting a description of the offender, and calling 911. Another neighbor with a similar issue said she solved a similar problem by putting up a fence.
We discussed auto incidents. Officer Murray reported there has been an increase in car thefts where the car taken has the keys in it. He said the E-13 police car stationed in the Square has helped with 6 auto accidents that occured there in the past 2 weeks.
Caroline Peters – Our liaison with the City’s Office of Neighborhood Service
Caroline told us that representatives from various City departments are available to attend neighborhood meetings to give info about their work and to speak with residents on their specific concerns and questions. She suggested hearing from Inspectional Services Department, as they have done recent walk-throughs in the area related to rodent control. In addition to rodent control, ISD provides a number of other services that residents may be interested in. People also suggested meeting with the Department of Public Works, especially as regard to water & gas lines, and sidewalk and street maintenance. There was also interest in hearing more about how cable internet service providers are chosen. Caroline will facilitate ISD attending our next meeting.
Atherton neighbors raised the issue of ongoing repairs to gas and water lines that have shut down the street for weeks at a time. They received no info on the timeline for repairs, including no notice from National Grid. Caroline offered to look into it and get more information.
Housing Committee
34 Olmstead St. – Owner is seeking a variance to add a bedroom and bath to each unit in this 2-family, with no change to the footprint. ESNA Housing Committee supports this variance as a sensible addition that supports the current renovation of the property; we note support from immediate abutters.
24 Notre Dame St. – this project is going to the ZBA at the end of July. ESNA Housing Committee is not opposing this proposal for a 5-story 26-unit condo building, but is asking for further BPDA design review after ZBA approval.
3336-3338 Washington St. (former Exodus Bagel site) – this proposal is not in the ESNA area, but the HC asked for an additional public meeting that we could attend; our interest in the site is its location at an important and active intersection and its location within the Plan JP/Rox area. The developer agreed and will hold a second meeting in July. The proposal is to build 8 units, including 5 apartments and 3 homeownership units, and to keep 1 commercial space.
Updates & Announcements
Friends of Robert G. Lawson Park hosted a very successful Juneteenth/Park Anniversary event on 6/19 in Lawson Park. Despite the heat, there was a great turnout. The event was to honor the Anniversary of the naming of Lawson Park and the legacy of Mr. Lawson, and to celebrate Juneteenth. Speeches were made by Ericka Lawson, Rep. Marcus Vaughn (grandson of Robert Lawson), and ESNA member Alvin Shiggs. The crowd enjoyed refreshements and music, and face painting by Make Up Artist Brea.
Status of Lawson Park Redesign – The Parks Department and the Friends of Robert G. Lawson Park are in the process of selecting a landscape design team to lead the redesign of the Park with funds awarded by the Community Preservation Act.
Status of the Peace Garden – On 6/26, the City of Boston signed the deed for the Peace Garden, completing its purchase from the former owners, Clear Channel. As many know, this is a momentous event! The next step is for Clear Channel to remove its billboard from the site. The Peace Garden Friends Group will work with the Parks Dept. to open the site for public use. If you are interested in joining the Peace Garden Friends Group, please email eglestonpeacegarden@gmail.com
Reading Frederick Douglass Together – plans are in the works for the ninth annual reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech, ‘What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?’ The event will most likely be on a weeknight, with food, and hopefully an outdoor location. This will be a public open reading with a facilitated discussion.
(Subsequent to meeting: Date will be Wednesday, 8/21/24, 5:30 pm at Egleston Y)
Next meeting:
Monday, August 5, 6:30 pm