JPNC Meeting Minutes – December 29, 2009
Attendance: Andrea Howley, Pamela Bender, Michael Reiskind, Jesse Abair, Karley Ausiello, Steven Backman, David Baron, Red Burrows, Dave Demerjian, Jeremy Harold, Ben Knappmiller, Steven Laferriere, Stephen Lussier, Edith Murnane, Daniel Perez, Jay Zoldak.
Other Attendees: Capt. John Greland (Boston Police Department E-13), Sgt. Eric Krause (Boston Police Department E-13), Melina Muñoz (Office of State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz), Kelsey Correia (Office of Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez).
Called to Order at 7:04pm at Curtis Hall by Andrea Howley.
1. Announcements –
- There were no announcements.
2. Neighborhood Input – Police Report on robbery and homicide at Tedeschi’s on December 26
- Captain John Greland and Sargent Eric Krause from Jamaica Plain District E-13 presented details captured on cameras and from interviews. They summarized both the step-by-step of the incident and what is known of culprit’s appearance.
- Photos of the getaway car can help, but they are not clear enough to get a license plate number.
- The robber spent 20 minutes casing the store and sitting on benches outside. He was apparently waiting for the store to be empty.
- A getaway driver is also involved.
- The store clerk handed over the money in a bag, and yet he was still shot.
- The robber was very calm, so he is likely an experienced con, “this was professional,” “stone cold and heartless.”
- The victim, Surendra Dangol, lived in Somerville and has family in Nepal. There is a fund set up by Citizens Bank.
- There a many details posted on the web, including on youtube.com.
- Overall, shootings are down for the year in JP, and house breaks are down; but street robberies are up, and there were 300 car breaks this year.
3. Minutes –
- The minutes from the previous (November 24, 2009) JPNC meeting were handed out. There were two corrections needed: Samantha Roy is an aide in the Office of Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez, not Rep. Liz Malia, and in item 4, it should read “Elections for Open Seats”. Motion by David Baron to approve the minutes from the November 2009 meeting with two corrections. Seconded by Red Burrows.Passed 15-0-1 (late).
4. Old/New Business –
- Andrea Howley said that to encourage outside participation in JPNC meetings, there will be a new part of every upcoming agenda – Neighborhood Input. It will be a time slot of 20 minutes for outside presentation.
5. Committee Reports –
- Ad-Hoc Outreach/Website Committee – Steve Backman reported that the Committee met on December 7. Most of the initial content is ready, but there needs to be a final push within a few weeks to get the technical work done. It is still hoped to have it functioning by January 1. jpnc.org has been obtained as a domain name. There was a discussion on how it will work, who will post on the website and on what basis, and how updates will be done. Initially, the Committee will be responsible for updates, but once past the initial period, they will train and authorize others to do the same. The Committee will develop good practice to manage the website. Steve Backman offered to make a presentation when it is up and running. The next Ad-Hoc Website Committee meeting will be on January 11 at 6:00pm.
- Housing & Development Committee(H&DC) – Steven Laferriere reported that the Committee met on Tuesday, December 15. The Healthy Housing Guidelines that were presented last spring will be brought to the Zoning Committee to insure coordination between both Committees. Newer members of the JPNC will be invited so they can familiarize themselves with the Guidelines. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:30pm at the Bowditch School.
- Parks & Open Space Committee(POSC) – Andrea Howley reported the following issues were heard at the POSC on December 15: 1) The POSC raised just under $1000 for the zoo, at various events, and the Committee plans to continue fundraising. 2) A new chair is needed for the Committee. 3) The POSC needs a new place to meet, but will be meeting at the same time – the third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:30pm at JP Licks.
- Zoning Committee – There were four requests looked at by the Zoning Committee at their meetings on December 3 and December 17. 1. 3563 Washington Street; request by Verizon New England to construct a prefabricated concrete hut for telephone equipment. Verizon has owned this location for many years and uses the equipment for land lines and DSL. This is a forbidden use in a residential zone. The neighbors were opposed to the existing equipment, because the lot has not been well-maintained. The Zoning Committee deferred the issue to a new hearing on January 21.2. 221-225 Wachusett Street; request by Elias Saleme to combine adjoining parcels and construct three new townhouses. It was felt that the developer has given the community the bad choice of either approving the request or building an ugly development as-of-right. After two neighborhood hearings, the Zoning Committee recommended denial. Steve Laferriere asked whether the developer was a local resident. Pam Bender asked whether the developer will go to the Zoning Board of Appeal with the neighborhood denial or will build as-of-right. Dave Baron was not sure. 3. 60 Yale Terrace; request by Christina Fritsch to erect a three-storey addition to a one-family dwelling. The existing building is already three stories. The Zoning Committee recommended approval. 4. Meyer Street; request by Nicola Gangemi to enclose rear porches on second and third floors. The owner is experiencing water problems in the open porches. The Zoning Committee recommended approval. Motion by Red Burrows to recommend denial on 221-225 Wachusett Street, and recommend approval on 60 Yale Terrace and 6 Meyer Street. Seconded by Stephen Lussier. Passed 16-0-0. The next Zoning meetings will be on Thursday, January 7 and Thursday, January 21 at Curtis Hall at 7:00pm.
- Public Service Committee – Michael Reiskind reported that the Public Service Committee meeting was held on December 1 at Curtis Hall. The agenda was focused on the City’s plans to bring low-cost WiFi to the neighborhoods. The City has pilot projects in Grove Hall and the Fenway. There has also been a project by some Dorchester health organizations, called DotWell, with the health organizations paying for it themselves. The Committee is exploring a similar approach with local JP partners. There was a request for a fortune tellers license as accessory to a botanica at 146 South Street. This was approved by the JPNC in September 2007, but at the nearby address of 142B South Street. The Public Service Committee agreed that the request was substantially the same request and approved it again. The City Hall hearing was on December 16, so the matter was sent to the JPNC Executive Committee. The next Public Service Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, January 5 at 7:00pm at the Old Cheverus School. On the agenda will be a hearing for new beer & wine license for a restaurant at 2 Perkins Street where Zon’s had been.
- Jackson Square Community Advisory Committee(CAC) – Red Burrows reported that the CAC met on December 1. This was a meeting with Councillor Turner and Senator Chang-Diaz to help present an overview of the development. The next meeting will be on Thursday, January 7 at 6:00pm, probably at Julia Martin House. The agenda will focus on the Kelly Rink. The disagreements may become an issue, although the developer seems inclined not to build the rink.
6. New Business –
- Michael Reiskind nominated Carlos Icaza for the open slot in Area A. He does live in Area B, but has previously served on the JPNC from Area A and so far there have been no other nominations from Area A. Members spoke about the importance of not having an open seat if people are willing to serve. The nomination process will remain open again next month.
- Andrea Howley reminded committees to finalize their lists of members and have them ready by the February 2010 JPNC meeting.
The next meeting of the full JPNC will be on Tuesday, January 26.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:17pm.
(Minutes submitted by Steven Backman and Michael Reiskind)