Month: November 2019

• Welcome & Announcements
  • No December Meeting
• Office of Neighborhood Services Updates – Lina Tramelli
• Boston Police Updates – Officer Simons
  • Congratulations and thank you Sergeant Martin
  • Welcome Officer Cintola
  • Increase in commercial break-ins but we made an arrest
  • Beware of phone scams – don’t give personal information or send money
  • Q: What should I do if I get a call that my number is compromised? A: Make sure you speak to someone.
  • Q: Cross-walks at Maverick are chaos? A: It isn’t a police matter.
  • Q: What about cars double parking? A: We’re not in the business of rushing people; we make people or give them a ticket if they are there after 2 loops.
• Neighborhood Updates – Nat Taylor
  • East Boston Tree Council
  • Beautification Committee
• Revised GSCA By-Law Approval Vote – Shawn Lu / Nat Taylor
  • Q: Do we require a quorum? A: No
  • Q: What is the definition of abutter? A: State definition
  • Q: What types of financial disclosure? Are they allowed to vote? A: Direct only. Yes the are eligible.
  • Q: Could the abutter exception have unintended consequences? A: Yes, but that’s a sign of an engaged neighborhood.
  • Vote: 11 YES 0 No
• Project Presentations:
  • 10 Geneva Street A proposal to erect a 4 story multi-family dwelling (7 units) with parking at grade. 2 nd Presentation / Vote – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • Materials: 1st story masonry; upper stories hearty plank that resembles neighboring buildings
    • Height: 37’2″ and no roof deck or head house; similar to other 4 story buildings on Geneva street. Adjacent 3-story building is 32′ feet.
    • The change of use from industrial to residential is consistent with the Master Plan
    • Project is required to bring in water and sewer and make public realm improvements
    • Q: Can you make it 3-stories with more parking? A: We understand 1-1 parking but the City thinks that is excessive; we are trying to be transparent
    • Vote: Yes 3 – No 8
  • 255 Maverick Street A proposal to raze the existing building and erect a mixed use 4 story building with 9 residential units and one retail unit with parking at grade. 2nd Presentation / Vote – Attorney Richard Lynds
    • Mid-facade decks will be used to break it up aesthetically
    • Height is 37’2″ with an elevator head house which aligns with adjacent buildings
    • Q: Can you commit to street trees? Keeping the rear trees? A: Yes to street tress. There are no rear trees.
    • Q: Will there be retail? A: Yes, low-intensity
    • Vote: Yes 7 – No 4
  • Legislative Update – Representative Adrian Madaro
    • $30M New Police station at base of Eagle Hill! Finally after mid-1800s
    • State budget: Piers Park sailing center included amendment for $50,000; Funded grant for Greenway extension to Winthrop; cross-roads family shelter is getting $245k for workforce development; EBSC is getting $50k for daycare service during relocation; YouthConnect got $25k for a social working position; Vocational Education: $75k for job readiness program at EBHS; $75k for STEM pilot schools in all EB elementary schools
    • Greenway renamed in honor of Mary Ellen Welch
    • I am the vice-chair of transportation; I am EB’s seat at the table; We need more money for big ticket items like ferries, Red-Blue connector, late-night service, Blue Line to Lynn and for reliability (including for the Blue Line); Leadership, House, Senate and Business Community agree its a big issue;
    • Study Opportunity Act to be signed tomorrow to add $1.5b to close opportunity gap (including East Boston!)
    • Hands-free Driving will be enacted soon
    • I respect veterans; new legislation for mental health needs of veterans as state schools
    • Announcements
      • I have been appointed the vice-chair of transportation (new office and added staff)
      • Eastie’s Elves
    • Q: Is the BPS funding going to public schools? A: Yes
    • Q: EBNHC is seeking to develop the parking lots? A: Yes but it is ambiguity and there will be a community process.
    • Q: How will you alleviate congestion? A: I have written a TNC-fee bill. I have a bill on regional ballot initiatives to get things on the ballot to get new taxes. Gas tax is in play. Toll reform (equity and congestion pricing) may be in play.
    • Q: Can Worcester Airport be moved closer to the Mass Pike? A: I would support it.
    • We are experiencing in 2019 the Logan ESPR projections for 2040, so regionalization and mitigation are essential. I am advocating for HEPA filters in our schools. I am advocating for night curfews.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10.