Andrew Square Civic Association, June 2008 Updates:
Andrew Square Civic Association members met on Wednesday, June 11th, 2008, for the regularly scheduled monthly meeting, and to enjoy our annual end of year celebration.
As always,or good friend,Officer Richard Doherty was on hand and provided updates in regard to recent activities in the neighborhood and community. He informed us that the Boston Police Department's Drug Unit has been active in the area, with several arrests made recently in the vicinity of Carpenter Street, Dorchester Street and Dorchester Avenue. He warned area residents to be alert, and to notify Boston Police Department's Drug Unit of problems, or suspicious activities.
Officer Doherty also urged residents to use caution, as a robbery occurred involving theft of a Vinton Street resident's handbag while she was waiting in front of her home for a friend. He also advised that thefts related to motor vehicles continue to be a problem. Car windows have been broken, with various items stolen from vehicles, such as laptops, GPS devices, and cellphones. Officer Doherty has again cautioned area residents and business owners to use caution, to refrain from leaving valuable items (laptops, GPS devices, cell phones, pocketbooks or wallets) inside vehicles in plain view, and reminds everyone to be sure to lock their car doors!
And again, while there has been a decrease in residential break-ins, Officer Doherty urges caution, reminding residents and businesses to be sure to lock doors and windows prior to departure, and to be aware of neighborhood activities. If suspicious behavior is noted, both Officer Doherty urged residents and business owners to stay out of harm's way, and to call 911 immediately!
Officer Doherty reminded residents that cars are being tagged for violations, and asked everyone to be aware of and abide by street cleaning signage in their neighborhood.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Captain Flaherty, Sergeant Joe Watts, and Officer Doherty for their ongoing efforts and assistance, in helping to make our neighborhood a safe and enjoyable place to live. On behalf of Andrew Square Civic Association's members, "We Care About the Square" t-shirts were presented to "Boston's Finest" as tokens of our appreciation. We thank these gentlemen very much for their continued presence and efforts!
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Also on hand was Ms. Patty Donovan, of the Boston Fire Department, who was kind enough to provide us with much information and guidelines in regard to fire safety, as well as literature and brochures. This was very welcome, as the majority of homes in the area are wood-frame dwellings, and area residents have expressed many recent concerns. With the arrival of warmer temperatures and outdoor barbecues, the use of gas and charcoal grills have increased, as well as illegal usage of items such as tiki torches, open fire pits, and chimineas. Ms. Donovan advised area residents to use caution and common sense when using grills, and advised that gas grills should only be located on first floor, ground level decks without overhangs, at least three feet from buildings. Charcoal grills should never be used on porches, decks, fire escapes or balconies. Following her informative presentation, Ms. Donovan was kind enough to respond to questions from ASCA members. Her presentation was much enjoyed and appreciated by all. We thank Ms. Donovan for taking the time to visit with us, and for providing us with valuable information and resources!___________________
Ms. Donna Brown of South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation was also on hand to provide information about her organization's efforts to provide affordable housing and business opportunities in our community. Information can be accessed via their wesite at www.SBNDC.com. This organization was created in 1983, and one of their upcoming projects is the old Station Six building on D Street! We thank Ms. Brown for visiting with us, and for telling us about her organization's worthwhile efforts. ________________________________
The new owner of the old "Joe's Subs" on Dorchester Avenue, Mr. Nassim Jereidini, was on hand to introduce himself, and presented his proposal to open a restaurant with dine-in, takeout and delivery service. He has prior experience in food related businesses, and plans to offer chicken and other dishes, so as not to duplicate the offerings of existing businesses in the area. He plans to upgrade and improve the existing building, and presented architectural plans for viewing, and discussed lighting and signage. He is aware of other plans to improve Dorchester Avenue, and assured that lighting and signage will be in sync with those plans. He requested support from ASCA members and area residents in obtaining a license for takeout food, which was unanimously supported. We welcome Nassim to the neighborhood and hope he will be a frequent visitor to Andrew Square Civic Association meetings! __________________________________
Please access the BRA's website, for a preview and to obtain updates in regard to the Dorchester Avenue Beautification Project via the link provided below.
Over the past two years, Task Force members have met with representatives of the BRA, the Louis Berger Group (transportation, engineering,planning), Von Grossman & Company (streetscape planning) and Highmark Land Design (landscape architect)for the purpose of discussing planning initiatives, including improvements to public transportation, pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, street lighting, signage, traffic enforcement, trash receptacles, greenery, and the need for additional parking. We have also discussed services requested by area residents, such as a Post Office branch, an alternative market (Trader Joe's/Whole Foods), a breakfast cafe, a pharmacy, and other retail businesses.
Task Force Members are as follows: Derek Barcikowski, Beth Bernier, Steve Bieringer, Tamara Holloway, Denise Lynch, Pattie McCormick and Linda Zablocki. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mayor, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston Transportation Department, and the various consultants mentioned above ~ thank you very much!
The BRA Website can be accessed as follows: 1.) Go to www.cityofBoston.gov/bra 2.) Click on "Planning Initiatives" 3.) Scroll down and click on "Planning Initiative #30" (South Boston Dorchester Avenue Improvement Study) Feel free to call or e-mail our South Boston Planner at the BRA, Waterfront Planner & South Boston Neighborhood Planner, One City Hall Square Boston, Ma. 02201 Tel. 617-918-4292; Fax: 617-367-6087 E-mail: Ines.Palmarin.bra@cityofBoston.gov __________________________________________________________
You can also access the link below:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/bra/Planning/PlanningInitsIndividual.asp?action=ViewInit&InitID=113
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As always, we would like to thank all of our elected officials, Governor Deval Patrick, Senator Jack Hart, Representative Brian Wallace, Councilor Mike Flaherty, Councilor Bill Linehan, Councilor John Connolly, and their aides Jennifer Jackson, Carol Houghtaling, Andrew Kenneally and David Nagle, Eric Speed, and Casey Flynn of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services for their ongoing assistance and efforts! ______________________________________
ASCA T-shirts are available again! Be sure to stop by "The Connection" in Andrew Square after 5:30pm and see "Butter" McCormick, our favorite bartender! While you're there, relax, have a drink, watch a game on any one of their big screen tv's in cool comfort, or enjoy the music as well as the good company! Introduce yourself, and say hello to Butter, Tony and Steve!
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DID YOU KNOW? It's easy to recycle ~ just call 617-635-4859 and request an additional recycling bin!
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You can receive police reports periodically via e-mail! Go to no-reply@citizenobserver.com to register, and be sure to register as an Andrew Square Civic Association Crime Watch Member!_______________________________
Development Policy
Andrew Square Civic Association's policy in regard to development was established by our late City Councilor James Kelly, and we honor his efforts on behalf of our neighborhood and community by continuing this policy in his memory.
Through his efforts, it was established that developers shall request a meeting with the Andrew Square Civic Association during a regularly scheduled monthly meeting to present proposed development plans, providing as much information and detail as possible, and would respond to the concerns and questions of members, abuttors and residents at this meeting.
As needed, developers are expected to follow up by meeting with direct abuttors and area residents in an effort to address their concerns, following which it is expected that developers will contact the Andrew Square Civic Association to schedule a presentation of their revised plans to members of the Andrew Square Civic Association during a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
A vote will then be taken to support or oppose the proposed plan, with a letter indicating the stance of Andrew Square Civic Association's members sent to the Zoning Board of Appeal.
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