Meeting Minutes, June 1, 2026
Agenda
- Greetings & Introductions
- Police Report
- Zero Waste Initiative
- Updates & Announcements
- Open Discussion
Police Report
Officer Rosa delivered the report. There was a shooting on Walnut Park on May 8. Other crimes included 6 package thefts (slightly down in number), 4 shoplifting incidents at Walgreens, including 2 arrests, and 2 electric bikes stolen. Neighbors on Dixwell added that they, too, had had electric bikes stolen; they also have had a number of package thefts.
Zero Waste Initiative – with Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee is a JP resident and emergency room physician. She has become involved in reducing plastic, and started JPZeroWaste. She pointed out that plastic never breaks up, instead it breaks into smaller and smaller pieces. Much plastic cannot be recycled; she said only 5% is recycled. Plastic production produces greenhouse emissions. And plastic manufacturers keep coming up with new uses for plastic, so its use spreads. She recommended a Netflix documentary, ‘The Plastic Detox’.
JPZeroWaste has two initiatives: promoting reusable to-go food containers and recycling plastic beer carriers.
Reusable to-go food containers: JPZeroWaste has grants to help restaurants use returnable to-go containers. Restaurants register with Recirclable, with funding from JPZeroWaste. Customers use the Recirclable app to check out and then return the to-go containers. Six restaurants in Jamaica Plain are participating: Ula’s, Gangnam Spice, JP Seafood, Tonino’s, Jadu, and Community Servings.
Recycling plastic beer carriers: Four-top beer carriers cannot be recycled through regular recycling; however, they can be reused. Two stores in Jamaica Plain will accept beer carriers: Blanchard’s and Streetcar Wine & Beer.
JPZeroWaste has other information and suggestions on their website: https://jpzerowaste.com/
Updates & Announcements
We are all wondering when the new Egleston Branch Library will be built. No one seems to have the answer. Boston Public Library published its study of the Egleston Library at the end of 2021, after researching the branch and holding a number of community meetings. Since then, we have heard from time to time that the project is on track, the design is in place, and there is $ in the City’s budget. However, the projected date for closing the Egleston branch and beginning construction keeps being extended into the future.
https://www.bpl.org/egleston-square-project
Juneteenth and the Anniversary of the Naming of Lawson Park will be celebrated on Friday, 6/19/26, 2 – 5 pm at Robert G. Lawson Park.
Next Meeting: Monday, July 6, 6pm