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413-746-6206 mcknightcouncil@yahoo.com McKNIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, INC. Previous Meeting Minutes
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: January 13,
2009 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession (President) Chair,
*Tony Anthony, *Stephen Gray, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice
President), *Denise Moccia, *Liz
Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr. (Secretary), *Marianne Winters (Treas.),
Jesse Carman Jr., Stacey Drew, Ann Gillard, Sandra Hession, Ceil Lewonchuk,
Karan Parkin, Anne Richmond, Stephen Thibeau, Mike Wiersma, Kat Wright
(*Members of the Board) Guests: Sgt. James Brown, Hampden
County Sheriff’s Dept.; Don Mitchell, Springfield Neighborhood Housing
Services; Juan Rodriguez, co-owner Blue Eagle Restaurant; Steve Weiner,
attorney for Mr. Rodriguez Meeting
called to order 7:15 p.m. 9 Board members
present.
Board members not present: *Abdullah
Abdul-Rahim, *Kwesi Albury,
*Geri Gardiner, *Chip Gorra, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick
Shubrick PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GAH noted
quarterly reports from committee chairs are now due for period July 1
through December 31, 2008, showing what progress has been made on MNC’s
CDBG contract scope of service. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes
of Dec. 9, 2008:
KW asked for corrections to be made in list of board members present;
TA
moved
to accept minutes as corrected, LS
seconded.
Motion
passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters offered report but
noted an inadvertent blank cell in the spreadsheet; therefore she will
correct the mistake and resubmit the
report. PRESENTATIONS:
·
Don
Mitchell
gave a presentation of home ownership programs and financial products
being offered by Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services; he was invited
back for a broader presentation and possible workshop, for which MNC can
provide publicity. ·
Strategic
Planning:
Marianne Winters presented preliminary data & graphics based on 52
surveys compiled; still a small response from youth surveys. Anne Richmond
said next steps will be meeting with board strategic planning group in
Jan-Feb, and plans to have a draft of the plan for March board meeting,
and final plan for April. Will continue to accept surveys until the end of
January. REPORTS:
All committee reports were tabled so
that the council could hear the application for liquor license, Blue Eagle
Restaurant. NEW
BUSINESS: §
BLUE
EAGLE RESTAURANT, Worthington St., Application for a liquor
license: TA
moved
that MNC provisionally support the application with the following
conditions: that security be beefed up in the parking lot and inside the
restaurant, and that the applicant curtail operating hours to 12 midnight.
SG
seconded.
Discussion: LS asked on what basis should we ask that he curtail his later
closing hour; TA said to discourage criminal activity. BS noted the
restaurant is located in a residential neighborhood, and that most
restaurants close at 12 midnight, most bars close at 2 a.m. TA amended
his motion to recommend closing at 1 a.m. in the spirit of compromise. JL
said that he is in favor of security, he thinks it is shortsighted to
restrict hours; JL offered a friendly amendment to delete the early
closing condition; there was no second; the
amendment died.
GAH
moved
that MNC recommend the application be approved with the recommendation to
the Planning Board that the owner makes an effort to provide security
precautions to the exterior of the property; LS seconded.
BS said he is supportive of the recommendation but has concerns; and that
because he participated in this discussion and vote, he will recuse
himself when the application comes before the Planning Board, on which he
sits. Vote was called: 6
voted AYE, 2 voted NAY; motion
carried. §
COMPLAINTS
brought by Jesse Carman Jr., Thompson St., on 2
issues: 1. Property
at 71 Thompson St. is vacant, trash has accumulated, garage is loaded with
trash; has called code enforcement, but no action taken yet. MNC Housing Committee
will follow up. 2. Tractor
trailer truck again parking overnight on empty lots behind the River Inn;
would like council to get the truck to move out; was told by code
enforcement that tractor cannot be parked on a city street; asked if there
is a city ordinance against through traffic by heavy vehicles in
residential streets; SH noted there is such an ordinance on the block of
Thompson St. between State and St. James. BS
moved
that WK include request for signage on Thompson St. when he meets with
DPW; WK
seconded.
Motion
passed. OLD BUSINESS: None
reported. 9:15 pm - GAH adjourned the meeting
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: December 9,
2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession (President) Chair,
*Kwesi Albury, * Tony Anthony, * Jeri Gardiner, *Stephen Gray,
*Walter Kroll, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios
Panteleakis, *Liz Stevens,
*Ben Swan Jr. (Secretary), *Marianne Winters
(Treas.), Khalia Albury, Deb Albury, Karen
Bogdanovich, Todd Crosset, Olivia Douglas, Stacey Drew, Archie Emmanuel
Jr., Lorraine Emanuel, Lisa Gaudreau, Sandra Hession, Ceil Lewonchuk,
Curtson Martin, Anne Richmond, Ed Sellers, Mike Stevens, Luz Swan, Ray
Talbot, Stephen Thibeau, Carol Waterman, Mike Wiersma, Khamron Willis, Kat
Wright (*Members of the Board) Guests: Zeddie Perry, Jackie
Mitchell, Whitney Mitchell, Alill Wilson, Antonia Scott, Willem Mae Dyer,
Patricia Wilson, David Jacks, Mary Rucks, Deborah Baez, Brice Akers, India
Akers, Queen Akers, Mathew Akers, Marcellis Akers, Ailene Click, Donna
Seymour, POTLUCK SUPPER provided by members of
the council GUEST PERFORMERS: Springfield
Community Carolers, Zeddie Perry, Choral
Director STRATEGIC PLANNING: Tammie Streeter
reported on progress with neighborhood surveys, several people in the room
filled out the survey on the spot; prize drawings were held for those who
submitted a survey, one for adults and one for
youth. Meeting
called to order 8:25 p.m. 11 Board members
present.
Board members not present: *Abdullah
Abdul-Rahim, *Chip Gorra,
*Rodrick Shubrick, *Jim Llewellyn
(Vice Pres.), PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GAH gave a
brief report. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes
of Nov. 11, 2008:
LS moved
to accept minutes as written, BS seconded. Motion
passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters reported that the
council has money in the account. REPORTS:
All committee reports were
tabled. §
MASON
SQUARE LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(Liz Stevens, Chair) LS asked that anyone interested in the issue of
restoring library services to Mason Square write the Mayor, particularly
if they are in favor of taking back 765 State Street by eminent
domain. NEW
BUSINESS: §
MNC
FURNITURE & RECORDS: SG that the property of the council currently
stored in the basement of the Kibbe house be moved. TA volunteered to
store it in his basement. OLD BUSINESS: None
reported. DP
moved to adjourn; LS seconded. Motion
passed. 8:35 pm -
Adjournment
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: November 11,
2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession (President) Chair,
* Jeri Gardiner, *Jim
Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Walter Kroll, *Denise Moccia, *Liz
Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr. (Secretary), *Marianne Winters (Treas.),
Karen Bogdanovich, Viv DeAngelo, Stacey Drew, Lisa Gaudreau, Sandra Hession, Ceil Lewonchuk,
Curtson Martin, Ed Sellers, Ray Talbot, Stephen Thibeau, Kat Wright
(*Members of the Board) Guests: Sgt. James Brown, Hampden
County Sheriff’s Department; John P Slosek, Jr., owner, Slosek Insurance.
Meeting
called to order 7:10 p.m. 8 Board members
present.
Board members not present: *Abdullah
Abdul-Rahim, *Kwesi
Albury, * Tony Anthony,
*Chip Gorra, *Stephen Gray, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH – Guest Sgt. Brown
presented information on program, meeting at Zion Baptist Church first
Wednesday each month; working with MNC, SPD, open to all residents;
tracking calls, want to designate persons in the community to make crime
report calls for those who can’t or won’t make the call; best way to
coordinate with MNC is to use our public safety committee network, build
team on each block, receive feedback from both Sheriff’s Dept and SPD.
Council consensus is to collaborate with this effort. Contact information:
Sgt. James Brown, 858-0957; james.brown@sdh.state.ma.us
HOME INSURANCE – Guest John Slosek
presented information on how to fully and properly insure older houses, of
which we have many in our neighborhood; in current fiscal climate, values
change, deductibles are going up, homeowners should be cautious about
language on ‘functional replacement’, ordinance & law coverage (cost
to demolish & clear debris), personal liability, sewer & drain
back-up, lead paint, companies charging larger premiums if you make a
claim, etc. Informational literature was
distributed. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GAH
addressed the following: o
Letter
(2003) between Mass. Attorney General and Springfield Urban League
including confidentiality clause, declared this ought to be the last
secret deal in city politics. o
Attended
City Council meeting 11/5/08 on subject of using eminent domain to take
back the Mason Square Library; many citizens spoke in favor; council vote
was 5-4 in favor; noted that our power is in persuasion, numbers &
leadership, cooperating with all neighborhood
councils. o
McKnight
hike-bike trail meeting with Pat Sullivan, Spfd Parks dept on Oct. 15 and
public presentation of UMass student designs held Oct 22, well
attended. o
MASS
Inc. economic development Springfield study, advised checking their
website; MNC needs to remain a part of this
process o
Meeting
with Ed Whitley, Neighborhood Services – not
yet o
Invitation
to Mayor Sarno to attend an upcoming MNC meeting – has not yet been
done o
Monthly
& Quarterly reports from committee chairs from now on should include
progress on CDBG scope of service lists, which was based on committee work
plans; BS asked that the CDBG scope of service be posted on the MNC
website o
Declared
MNC Youth Team official, named Jeri Gardiner chair (eke mentor, monitor,
guidance counselor), charged Youth Team with developing and carrying out a
plan of activities based on the scope of service, and to hold regular
meetings to accomplish goals. o
Asked
that each committee identify small do-able projects that MNC can
accomplish, and to connect with citywide improvement
projects. o
Reminded
all that proposed agenda items and ideas must go through the Executive
Committee to be placed on the agenda. o
Executive
Committee met Nov. 3; Report
attached. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes
of Oct. 14, 2008:
JL moved
to accept minutes as written, WK seconded. Motion
passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Reported items
formerly estimates on FY09 budget are now actual dollar figures. Proposed
budget amendments based on those figures, including $500 for printing
surveys, and $200 for youth stipends to collect surveys; also adjusted
newsletter ad revenue to reflect actual receipts. JL asked if MNC policy
is still to save non-CDBG funds received this FY for use in next FY? GAH
suggested the board vote to expend the $500 and the $200 cited and to
suspend the rule to hold back funds until FY10 at least temporarily. MW
moved
to amend budget as stated and to override the FY hold-back rule if need
be; BS seconded. Motion
passed. Report
attached. OLD
BUSINESS: ·
BAYSTATE HEALTH CENTER
/ MASON SQ HEALTH TASK FORCE:
o
MWinters, MNC
representative on the advisory committee for this project, reported:
Baystate Medical Center is building major addition; in lieu of taxes to
City is putting money into 2 neighborhoods most affected by the expansion,
i.e. North End and Mason Square. Share to Mason Sq is $700,000 over 7
years. Process was on a roll, then suddenly a proposal emerged to change
it into the “Mason Square Health Task Force” – a vote MW abstained from
because it was a substantially different thing than originally presented
and would dilute the effort to get money into the community for health
initiatives. Since then, two (2) allocations have been made outside of the
process, going to MLKCC and Dunbar CC as sole source funding (no bid),
e.g. paying for two (2) full-time staff positions at Dunbar to ensure rest
of money is distributed. MW bringing issue to MNC because she is concerned
that the money will disappear, not be distributed throughout the
community. MW asked that MNC write a letter stating the money was
promised; there are health indicators in the community, and asking where
the money is. The idea is to increase grants to provide opportunities for
neighborhood people to pursue good health options, and to allow community
representatives on the task force to guide them in distributing that money
equitably. o
LS
asked if there have been opportunities for neighborhood councils to put
forth proposals; MW replied that the committee brainstormed some ideas but
there have been no opportunities for constituent representatives to bring
proposals. o
JL
is concerned about the sole source disbursement because that could happen
again and the money could disappear.
o
MW
moved that the board write the letter she proposed and make
appropriate request to the organization on behalf of the McKnight
Neighborhood to result in tangible benefits to the neighborhood in a
timely way and to make an accounting of what they have distributed so far.
JL seconded. MW suggested the letter could propose a specific project,
e.g. support for the rail trail. Motion
passed. ·
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Update: o
MW
reporting: Surveys are available in printed form and on line, asked that
board members return surveys before Dec. 9th meeting, asked
that prizes be secured for the drawings; consensus was that prizes be
things donated, not purchased as council budget is tight. o
Dec. 9th
potluck party – asked that board members commit to bringing a food
item. o
Board agreed to a
shorter than normal business meeting, focus on community fellowship REPORTS:
§
COMMUNICATIONS
– (Jim Llewellyn and Ben Swan Jr., Co-Chairs) Met Oct. 30, Report
attached. §
DEVELOPMENT
& PLANNING
– (Demetrios Panteleakis, Chair, not present) No
report. §
FINANCE
& FUND RAISING
– (Marianne Winters, Chair) o
Meetings
have been restarted after hiatus, with following priorities: (a) develop
policy & procedure document for finance; (b) complete 2-year
audit. o
Tony
Anthony, Asst. Treasurer has assumed responsibility for
fundraising. o
Met
Nov. 3; Motion noted in report not made. Report
attached. §
GOOD
NEIGHBOR
– (Greg Hession, Chair) No
report. §
HOUSING
– (Denise Moccia, Chair): DM reported no meeting of this committee was
held since last board meeting; reported on Princeton Street lot tested
negative for oil & may be on near future auction; contact will be
attempted with owners of carriage house between Florida & Bowdoin
streets; letters drafted to 2 property owners re intentions and clean-up.
Report
attached. §
P.E.S.T.
(Tony Anthony, Chair, not present)
No report. §
PUBLIC
SAFETY –
(Walter Kroll, Chair) WK reported he sent letter to Mayor and Police
Commissioner asking for more police presence in McKnight to deal with
increased traffic issues. Report
attached. §
MASON
SQUARE LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(Liz Stevens, Chair) LS reported on status: Recent letter revealed that
Urban League and state Attorney General made a confidential (secret)
agreement that if the building at 765 State Street is sold, the UL can
accept only what they paid ($700,000) plus something for inflation (about
$100,000) and anything over that would go to the SLMA (the seller) or,
now, to the City. The Mayor will not make any decision until the City
Solicitor Pikula has rendered an opinion on the letter (promised within 30
days). Report
attached. §
RAIL
TRAIL:
o
Liz
Stevens reported a meeting with City Parks director, Patrick Sullivan on
Oct. 15, to redesign the proposed playing fields behind Rebecca Johnson
School to include that terminus of the rail trail. o
LS
also reported on successful community presentation of the UMass student
plans for the rail trail, held at Bergen Circle on Oct. 22. Mike Tully,
new project manager for City Parks dept was present as well. o
Report
attached. NEW
BUSINESS: §
None
raised. WK
moved to adjourn; BS seconded. Motion
passed. 9:15 pm -
Adjournment
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: October 14,
2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession (President) Chair,
*Kwesi Albury, * Tony Anthony, * Jeri Gardiner, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Walter
Kroll, *Denise Moccia, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr. (Secretary),
*Marianne Winters (Treas.), Deborah Albury, Lowdean M.
Boyce, Olivia Douglas, Archie Emmanuel Jr., Lisa Gaudreau, Sandra Hession, Nikki Johnson,
Ceil Lewonchuk, Dimry Lovejoy, Filicia Mack, Phylicia Mack, Dimry Mack,
Karan Parkin, Anne Richmond, Marvenia Shubrick, Rhodaja Shubrick, Rhayanna
Shubrick, Roderick Shubrick Jr., Ray Talbot, Stephen Thibeau, Michael
Wiersma, Kat Wright (*Members of the
Board) Guests: Ed Whitley, Deputy Director
of Neighborhood Services, Springfield; Sgt. James Brown, Hampden County
Sheriff’s Department; Tammie Streeter, MNC Strategic Planning Consultant
Meeting
called to order 7:10 p.m. 10 Board members
present
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GAH declared
formation of new board committee –
P.E.S.T. (Policy Engagement & Systems Transformation), Tony
Anthony, Chair. RAIL TRAIL REQUEST: LS announced she
is meeting tomorrow with Patrick Sullivan, Director of the Parks
Department, to discuss the McKnight Rail Trail, particularly its
confluence with the proposed design for the Rebecca Johnson School
playground & would like volunteers to accompany her. Asked that those
willing to do so let her know by the end of this meeting. LS also met with
Vice Principal Dr. Edison Santana of the school. GAH described the rail
trail location and noted there is a presentation of UMass student designs
of what the trail could be, scheduled on Wed., Oct. 22, at 6:30 pm at
Bergen Circle community room; encouraged members to make a good showing
and encourage others to attend. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes
of Sept. 9, 2008:
TA moved
to accept minutes as written, JL seconded. Motion
passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Reported MNC the
FY2009 CDBG contract has not been received, was told it is in “accounting”
but not what the hold-up is. Nevertheless, we can still submit our
1st quarter reimbursement request. Received FY08 3rd
& 4th quarter payments in Sept. Presented financial report
to Sept. 30, 2008; Correction: Total expenses YTD should be
$1,256.95. GUESTS: Pres. GAH introduced Ed
Whitley, who oversees our CDBG contract and scope of service, and who is
also a McKnight resident.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMMITTEE: Consultants Anne Richmond &
Tammie Streeter – Report on progress & presentation of the draft
McKnight Neighborhood Surveys, of which there are two: Adult and Youth
versions.
GUEST: Rhodaja Shubrick on the
up-coming Kidney Walk. Ms. Shubrick spoke on the extent of kidney disease
and need to raise funds for treatment, and on her personal experience as a
recipient of a kidney from her father, Rodrick. MNC board has committed to
support of the Kidney Walk. OLD
BUSINESS: ·
PRIMUS MASON
LOT –
JL reported the Springfield Preservation Trust is interested in working
with MNC to improve this overgrown lot at the corner of Dartmouth &
Bay streets; JL made the following motion, BS seconded:
Resolved that: 1.
The McKnight
Neighborhood Council will pursue partnering with the Springfield
Preservation Trust to construct a memorial that honors Primus Mason on the
site of the Mason family property at the corner of Dartmouth and Bay
streets in the McKnight Historic
District. 2.
The McKnight
Neighborhood Council will continue to request that the parcel of land on
which the Mason’s house stood be withheld from any future city auctions
until such time as a course of action is charted to create the
aforementioned memorial or the project is abandoned. o
Discussion: Parks Dept. would
have to be part of plan, they already maintain triangle parks, could
easily take care of this one as well; ST noted the lot is the first
property outside the historic district, asked whether historic district
could be extended to include it; concern about undesirable elements using
it & cost to build; could look for donors; WK asked if abutters have
been approached. Motion passed.
·
ZONING ORDINANCE
CHANGES – Tony Anthony
reported on his reading of the City’s proposed changes, particularly
Article 4, Use Regulations, as they pertain to the neighborhood; noted
these are still proposals that have not yet been voted into law. Also
stated he is not offering legal advice, but a brief
review. o
These proposals can be
accessed at www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning
o
Combination of levels
of review; commercial has greater review than private;
o
Most useful feature is
a table that shows review levels broken down by categories; definitions of
categories; which boards, commissions, etc. have review
jurisdiction. o
Gave
example of lodging/ accessory apartment in residence: can rent 800sf or
1/3 of family residence, but 1200sf must remain as primary residence;
noted in hard times people may want to rent, we should be
aware. o
BS
asked about parking structures proposal that 2 vehicles, garage can use
10% of the lot or up to 1,000sf; current law is that building it needs a
permit from the city. o
Other
examples, family day care (6-10 children); conversions from one to
2-family or multi-family homes; home-based
businesses. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
§
PUBLIC
SAFETY –
(Walter Kroll, Chair) WK reported: Asked for block volunteers; working
with Sheriff’s Dept on neighborhood watch; met with Deputy Police Chief
Cochrane on reduced staffing, problem speeding, connecting thru
‘neighborhood stat’ program; will continue to report crime; contacted City
Councilor Tosado re their safety subcommittee. Report
attached. §
HOUSING
– (Denise Moccia, Chair): DM reported o
Of
the two problematic lots behind River Inn, between Thompson and
Westminster streets, one is owned by the City and the other by “Monmouth
Street Defense Committee” (aka David Gaby) which owes $38,000 in 19-years’
worth of back taxes; she emailed C. Dietz at Office of Housing & is
waiting for a reply. JL reported the Spfd Preservation Trust has asked the
City that $100,000 of the historic properties restoration grant be used
for 52 Westminster St., included in a new RFP on the property. o
Question
on deteriorated carriage house on Bowdoin Street, which is shared between
two owners, one on Bowdoin & the other on Florida St., who cannot
agree on who will repair it.
Report
attached. §
GOOD
NEIGHBOR
– (Greg Hession, Chair) No report. §
FINANCE
& FUND RAISING
– (Marianne Winters, Chair) No report. §
DEVELOPMENT
& PLANNING
– (Demetrios Panteleakis, Chair) No report. §
COMMUNICATIONS
– (Jim Llewellyn and Ben Swan Jr., Co-Chairs) JL reported work on website
is progressing; newsletter will be printed and ready for delivery by
tomorrow. Report
attached. §
MASON
SQUARE LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(Liz Stevens, Chair) No report. §
P.E.S.T
–
(Tony Anthony, Chair) o
TA
characterized the committee purpose as problem-solving (finding ways to
have the system work for residents; creating mechanisms to get around
roadblocks when they occur) and changing regulations and laws to increase
MNC influence; o
Committee
met to begin to develop strategies, benchmarks, expectations, & using
tools such as educating ourselves, legal action, political action,
political issue and candidate forums, local media, etc. as needed;
primarily to be pro-active. o
Ideas
to be considered: When hirings occur in City staff, can we be informed? BS
noted we provided previous mayor with a top 10 list of issues, our
proposed solutions, & he acted on them; can do the same now; ST noted
the tax page on City website is not as informative as it was; MW suggested
collaborating with other council on events on various issues. Committee mission
document attached. NEW
BUSINESS: §
MASS
INC.
Economic development project public meeting Thurs., Oct. 16 at Central HS
BS
moved to adjourn; JL seconded. Motion
passed. 9:45 pm -
Adjournment
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: September 9,
2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession (President) Chair,
* Tony Anthony, * Jeri Gardiner, *Chip Gorra, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Stephen
Gray, *Walter Kroll, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick
Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr. (Secretary), *Marianne
Winters (Treas.), Frank Buntin, Jesse Carman Jr., Archie Emmanuel Jr.,
Lisa Gaudreau, Sandra
Hession, Eunice Kirby, Mary Kirby, Ceil Lewonchuk, Dimry Lovejoy, Filicia
Mack, Phylicia Mack, Dimry Mack, Karan Parkin, Ricardo Rodiji, Stephen
Thibeau, Kat Wright (*Members of the
Board) Guests: Darryl E. Moss, Springfield Mayoral
Aide; Norma Hicks, Donna G. Seymour Meeting
called to order 7:10 p.m. 13
Board members present
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GAH
announced formation of new board committee, Good Neighbor Committee (see
below); Looking for people to volunteer.
GUESTS: Neither scheduled guest was
present. SECRETARY’S REPORT: Minutes of Aug 12, 2008: DP moved to accept minutes as written, SG
seconded. Motion
passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Reported MNC
received $6,000 from the City, representing the 3rd &
4th quarters of last fiscal year. No written report submitted;
her computer is down; will send report when computer is running
again. OLD BUSINESS: ·
BROWN STREET:
Re: S Thibeau’s proposal to block off Brown at Bay: Referred to Public
Safety Committee to find out what the City requirements are.
o
Several Brown
Street residents were present to oppose the proposal; presented a petition
in opposition signed by several residents; believe it is unsafe to block
it, need access for ambulance and fire trucks; cited 13 elderly residents;
changing Brown to one-way has slowed down traffic; SPD has equipment to
keep drugs & drinking down. o
ST argued in favor
of blocking, citing stopping drug traffic would improve property values.
o
LS described the
process of getting this kind of change, including homeowners’ petition,
notification by Traffic Commission; and suggested asking someone from the
blocked streets in Forest Park how they did it and how they feel about it
now. o
WK proposed a
meeting between Brown St. residents and Traffic Commission, SPD Lt. Trites
(Sector F liaison) and Public Safety Committee to work out a solution that
makes Brown Street safer. o
BS Noted Sector F
Police beat team meeting, which he chairs, meets on 3rd
Thursday of the month; also available is Sheriff’s neighborhood watch
group on first Wednesday of the month; argued for responsible ownership of
our own community, cleaning up, cutting overgrowth where illegal
activities can hide, etc. o TA moved to move the question of blocking Brown Street to the Public Safety Committee to discuss and report back; LS seconded. Motion passed. Mayoral Aide Darryl Moss was introduced at this
point. ·
MASON SQUARE
LIBRARY: (Liz Stevens, Chair, MSL Advisory Committee):
o
Reported MSLAC, a committee of the 5
neighborhood councils surrounding Mason Square, has been meeting since
2004 with one goal, To get a library back for this
neighborhood. o
Recently Mayor Sarno made a site
selection, Mosque #13, and announced and then went to the Library
Foundation for money from the Annie Curran Trust Fund, which the Library
Foundation was set up to manage.
o
Library Foundation approved an
architectural report on Mosque #13 be made on possibility of renovation,
at what cost, and whether there are any environmental concerns. The
building has a large open ground floor space and a second floor in the
back. We will know all of that with the architect’s report, due in a month
or so. o
JG asked about the architect’s figures
in the Library Site Search Committee report; LS noted there were general
figures included, but it was not an actual architectural
report o
Question was raised about
eminent domain taking of the former library
building; D Moss responded that eminent domain could be a long process and
the issue is getting a library as soon as
possible. o
CL asked, since Domenic Sarno was a
City Councilor when the original sale of the library was done in secret,
why was he so secretive about this deal; he could have notified the MSLAC.
LS concurred that a press conference was held in public without telling
anyone in the MSLAC and the deal was announced before he asked for
funding, although he has now talked with the Library Foundation; D Moss
responded that we had every right to be hurt, but that a number of things
were happening that were politics & not on the up and up, that the
Mayor had to proceed that way so other elements would not destroy the
deal; Mayor worked off the package from the site search
committee. o
DP noted private parties were involved
in the transaction & probably had a confidentiality
agreement. o
JG asked about
cost, with a purchase price of $950,000 plus renovation, is there a limit
to cost? Also noted Springfield citizens are still paying off the bond for
renovating the library building. o
CG moved
that in the interests of time the chair not entertain any additional
comment from the floor and recognize only board members. TA seconded.
Votes 5 Aye, 6 No; motion failed. ·
FOLLOW-UP
C.A.P.E.R. (Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report
FY08): Annual report filed by the City with H.U.D. on disbursement
& outcomes of the CDBG grant. Treas. MW reported she read the report
and does not think there is anything we need to comment on, except that
there ought to be more transparency on the work of each neighborhood
council. The entire CDBG grant to Springfield was $7
million. ·
STRATEGIC PLAN
PROCESS – Treas. MW called for volunteers to develop and do the
survey; second meeting of the committee scheduled for next Thursday;
charged each committee of the board to name key pieces of the process.
Hopes to have a draft plan ready in 5 – 6 months and completed this fiscal
year. ·
SPRINGFIELD
KIDNEY WALK – RS & KW reported: Sat., Oct. 18, from 9:30-Noon,
Forest Park – MNC board has voted to support and has a
team. ·
GIRARD AVE.
CLEAN-UP – LS reported: Thurs., Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – In place
are trash pick-up, yard work on tree belt, painting 7 garages; white paint
donated by graffiti task force (Mike Cass), also lending brushes &
rollers; still need ladders. WK reported: idea came from Public Safety
Committee; Park dept will cut grass, City will take trash; partnering with
Springfield College students, Bergen Circle residents; good example of our
walking the walk; did get letters of permission from owners for the
work. ·
McKNIGHT RAIL
TRAIL – LS reported: She & DP met with UMass professor &
students, sent specs re trail surfaces; date will be set for public
presentation, focus is to get a design package and field measurements;
2-mile ‘linear park’. DP offered staff at MassMutual to do engineering;
need to go back to City for FY09 budget inclusion.
·
NEW:
Complaint about overgrown lot behind River Inn (State St.) between
Thompson and Westminster, and back to the duplex on Thompson. BS
moved to contact Code Enforcement to cut & clean up that lot;
TA seconded. Discussion – lot is being used to park large trucks. BS
amended the motion to refer to Housing Committee to take action; TA
seconded. Motion as amended passed
unanimously. ·
REBECCA JOHNSON
SCHOOL PLAYGROUND – LS, nothing yet to
report. ·
380 BAY ST.
– Update: ST reported it is in the process of being shut down. Noted
this is key to the rail trail. ·
25 ST. JAMES
AVE. – DM asked if Mr. Bruce would be present at another MNC board
meeting to present his plans for this property. GAH will look into
it. ·
DEP. DIR. OF
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES – Pres. GAH noted new Dep. Dir. will be present
at next MNC board meeting; job description attached. Asked that members
get any issues to GAH so that questioning is done in an orderly
fashion. COMMITTEE REPORTS: §
OFFICE
RELOCATION – LS – No report. §
PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE – WK reported: Vandalism rate has gone up in late
afternoon, the time of day when kids are walking home from school, does
not want to see repeat of last year; noted MNC has a good relationship
with SPD through Deputy Chief Cochrane and Lt. Trites; have done good job
responding to complaints; still have to get issues reported and we will
follow up; welcome participation from the people in the neighborhood.
Report
attached. §
HOUSING (Denise Moccia,
chair): DM suggested dividing up responsibilities to monitor code
enforcement by neighborhood districts, each person to give her a short
list to forward to City, in order to relieve her of covering the whole
neighborhood; noted she is more focused on moving abandoned properties.
GAH offered to coordinate with the Good Neighbor Committee to address
issues before code enforcement is brought in. JL noted Housing Office has
become more responsive over past few months. No written
report. §
GOOD NEIGHBOR
COMMITTEE: Pres. GAH reported: Divided G.N.Com into 3 parts:
(a) Welcome, CL will coordinate, asking for volunteers to prepare welcome
packets, get funding from local businesses, welcome new neighbors; (b)
Emergency Help, ST will identify emergencies arising for people (elderly,
infirm, truly needy) who need help with their property (cut grass, paint,
clear sidewalks, shovel show, etc.); (c) Neighborhood Improvement, GAH
will chair subcommittee to beat Code Enforcement to the problem (litter,
overgrowth, junk & trash, etc.), will present items to MNC board to
approve any letters citing code problems to owners/renters before they go
out. Report attached. §
FINANCE &
FUND RAISING – Treas. MW reported this committee is open to any
new volunteers; will be working with auditor to audit last 2 years before
we make the case that we are viable; There is a parallel track between
Fund Raising and Strategic Planning efforts. No written
report. §
DEVELOPMENT &
PLANNING – DP reported: D&PCom now meets 3rd Thursday of the month, but may have to move
it; Met with David Panagore (report attached); Met with Al Chwalek (Spfd
DPW), will meet with him & WK re crosswalks and flashing lights on
Bay, Worthington, St. James at entrances to neighborhood, noted that
time-frames are behind but money is in place with state matching funds;
Also addressed paving of Worthington, St. James, Dartmouth & Bay; will
meet with WMECo on street lighting. BS suggested we could volunteer to
paint traffic light poles. Report attached. §
COMMUNICATIONS: JL reported
there is a dire need for more volunteers on this committee. Committee
raised price of newsletter ads (from $25 to $35) with no objection from
regular advertisers, found it non-productive to leave piles of newsletters
at advertisers’ places of business; agreed compiling the neighborhood
business directory is a high priority, goal is to publish a booklet as
soon as possible, including neighborhood businesses, at-home businesses
and trades people; began exploring MNC conducting other events and
activities. Report attached. NEW BUSINESS: §
104 PRINCETON
ST. – BS asked that since the house burned
down & it’s now a hole in the ground, do the owners have a grandfather
clause to rebuild a 2-family; DM noted the property is not in the local or
national historical district, so there is no design review process at
all. §
ARISE – Pres. GAH
asked if MNC should invite this community activist organization to make a
presentation; tabled to next meeting. §
FORMAT – DP asked if
agenda could put committee reports first; agreement was to put guests
first. §
McKNIGHT
N.C. – Sec. BS noted MNC is seen as one of the most
organized of the 17 neighborhood councils – all volunteers - &
therefore have strength in the City; encouraged all to come back, join
committees, participate. §
BUCKINGHAM
ST.
PARKING – SH noted the
letter of complaint from Ms. Sypher; WK has spoken with her and will meet
with her to try to resolve the issue. §
PRIMUS MASON
LOT – DP reported that Development Dept wants to know if
we will re-address what to do with this city-owned property; JL reported
he brought the question to the Springfield Preservation Trust for
consideration, & they are interested. ANNOUNCEMENTS: ·
PRESERVATION TRUST House tour,
Sunday, Oct. 19, 4-7 pm, 5 houses around Thompson Triangle; registration a
JL’s house, 108 Dartmouth. Need one more house. BS moved to adjourn; TA seconded. Motion passed. 9:10pm - Adjournment McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: August 12, 2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession (President) Chair, * Tony
Anthony, *Chip Gorra, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Stephen Gray, *Walter
Kroll, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Liz Stevens, *Ben
Swan Jr., *Marianne Winters (Treas.), Karen Bogdanovich, Anne Bradley,
Walter Crutchfield, Buddy Crutchfield, Caroline Cunningham, Marjorie
Guess, Sandra Hession, Mary Kirby, Ceil Lewonchuk,
Donald Mitchell, Ray Talbot, Stephen Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Kat Wright
(*Members of the Board) Guests: David Panagore, Springfield Chief Development
Officer; City Councilor Tim Rooke; John Slosek; Ruth B. Loving; Morris
Jones; John Malone Meeting called to
order 7:10 p.m. 10 Board members present NEW
DIRECTOR: Pres. GAH swore in Namer “Chip” Gorra, who assumed his seat on
the board. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: President GAH cited need to
restaff the standing and ad hoc committees of the board, tabled until
later in the meeting. Then introduced guest David Panagore. GUEST: D.Panagore addressed
the subjects of (a) Housing related issues, (b) the Primus Mason
historical lot, (c) UMASS Dartmouth Urban Initiative project, and other
issues. Notes on Mr.
Panagore’s remarks are attached to these minutes. GUEST: John Slosek offered to
forego his presentation on insurance for older Victorian homes because of
the Council’s time constraints; GAH thanked him and agreed to place him on
the agenda for October meeting. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of July
8, 2008: JL moved to accept
minutes as written, LS seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Proposed FY09 budget attached: MWinters
moved to approve the
FY09 Budget, which began 7/1/08 and runs to 6/30/09; TA seconded.
Discussion: MWinters explained changes and new line items – reduction in
insurance premium because MNC no longer maintains an office, reduced
telephone cost, increase in communication costs include all printing and
website, increase in stipend for office manager and addition of
consultants. The budget as approved will be submitted as part the
Council’s CDBG funding contract with the City of Springfield. In the
current FY08 budget, although MNC anticipates a surplus by the end of
FY09, current cash flow is negligible because we are still waiting for
3rd and 4th quarter payments on our FY08 CDBG grant.
Vote was called. Motion to approve the FY09
budget as proposed passed unanimously. Budget
attached. FY09 CONTRACT WITH CITY OF
SPRINGFIELD:
a. Objective 2, Action 1: Asked to change “involving 20%
of residents” to “involving 5% of residents” as being more achievable.
Consensus was to make the
change. b. Objective 1, Action 1: Asked that number of
properties to be improved be changed from “10” to “5” as being more
achievable. Some discussion ensued; final consensus was to change
the number to “5 to 10”. c. Objective 1, Action 1: Asked that list of ‘Partners’
also include Department of Economic Development, other city departments
and other agencies; final consensus was to add to
the list, “and others as appropriate”. Vote was called.
Motion was amended to approve the contract with the
changes to the Scope of Service as cited. Motion passed unanimously. 2. JL moved to authorize
President Gregory A. Hession to sign the Contract with the City of
Springfield for FY09; SG seconded. Motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: ·
MASON SQUARE
LIBRARY: (Liz
Stevens, Chair, MSL Advisory Committee):LS made the following motion, M.Winters
seconded: Whereas: The Mason Square Branch Library does not have enough
space in its current location to house its full collection nor to fully
service the Mason Square community; And
earlier this year this council supported the acquisition of the McKnight
Home at 684 State Street for a new location for a branch library, using
the power of eminent domain if necessary. And
at the request of the Springfield Library Foundation, an architectural
review was done of the McKnight Home and the former Mason Square Fire
Station.
And
that architectural review of the McKnight Home and the former Mason Square
Fire Station indicates that neither building is suitable for a public
library branch, I
move that the McKnight Neighborhood Council support acquiring the former
Mason Square Branch Library by the City of Springfield, using the power of
eminent domain.
Discussion: Former City Councilor Morris Jones, Ruth Loving and
Marge Guess addressed the issue positively; LS noted that library site
search committee had looked at all available options and had run out of
suitable possitilities, and that the one building that fits and suits is
the one constructed to hold the weight of a volume of books, i.e. the
former library building at 765 State St. Marge Guess noted that as
citizens we are still paying off the bond raised to renovate that building
for public use eight years ago. It was also noted that the African
American collection built up over the years is in storage and unavailable
to the community. Asked how the eminent domain taking would be financed,
LS informed that the money would come from the Annie Curran Fund managed
by the Springfield Library Foundation. Noted that the process regarding
eminent domain is for a City department (e.g. the Library Dept.) to make
the request to the Executive (i.e. the Mayor) who then files the eminent
domain taking. Vote was
called. Motioned passed unanimously.
President GAH will write
letter to inform the Mayor, City Council, Finance Control Board., and
copied to Springfield newspapers. ·
FOLLOW-UP ON 380 BAY ST.: Car repair business –
Cars are moved from city property but the business is on-going; operator
has been served by DEP & OSHA; R.Talbot noted that Bay Area council is
also concerned, as this is on the border between our councils, and they
will press for compliance as well. ·
ZONING
ORDINANCE CHANGES TA volunteered to read and report back next
meeting. ·
REBECCA JOHNSON SCHOOL
PLAYGROUND LS volunteered to represent MNC on the steering
committee ·
SPRINGFIELD KIDNEY
WALK
KW passed around a sign-up
/ pledge list; noted MNC board has already approved participation; date
Oct. 18. ·
GIRARD AVE.
CLEAN-UP BS asked for additional volunteers to work on Humanics in
Action Day project; City departments and resident group from Bergen Circle
are
signed on. COMMITTEE REPORTS: §
HOUSING (Denise Moccia,
chair): DM reported 33 Florida St was taken by the City; Lot on Dorchester
St did not sell in the recent auction, but an abutter wants to buy it; and
the City GIS website has changed so that some information is not longer
available, which is not a good thing. §
FURTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS TABLED §
COMMITTEE
CHAIRS: Pres. GAH asked committee chairs to reach out and
recruit people to serve on each committee §
GOOD NEIGHBOR
COMMITTEE: GAH will call a meeting soon, wants at least 10
members; reiterated that in addressing problem properties there will be no
unofficial communication by members of the GN committee or by individual
board members. NEW BUSINESS: §
BROWN
ST. S.Thibeau asked that his proposal to block Brown St.
be included on the next agenda. TA moved to adjourn; JL seconded. Motion passed. 8:55pm - Adjournment
Notes on Remarks by David Panagore at August 12, 2008
Meeting of McKnight Neighborhood Council David Panagore,
Springfield Director of Economic Development, was invited to address the
subjects of (a) Dep. Dir. of Neighborhoods, (b) McKnight Rail Trail, (c)
Housing tax title & other related issues, (d) the Primus Mason
historical lot, (e) UMASS Dartmouth Urban Initiative project, (f) zoning
modifications, & (g) next city property auction. The following notes
are from that portion of the meeting: a.
Neighborhoods – His
department will hire soon a deputy director of neighborhoods who will
report directly to him; wants strong neighborhoods, to attract business
& revitalize the city. b.
Rail trail – There
is money in budget for UMass student design department to study the 2-mile
rail trail site this fall. c.
Housing – tax title
process – The city as landowner wants to move these properties along; city
has moved to RFP, especially the larger properties. McKnight is special
because the historic district already has an RFP process the other
neighborhoods do not; noted that every property in the historic district
will have to go through the Historic Commission. Through zoning
modifications that are being worked on, there will be a site plan review
process, the community will get to comment on the look of any development,
something McKnight already has through Historical Commission. Planning
department is trying to expedite the process so the city is not left with
empty lots or dilapidated houses; they are developing a ‘pattern book’ of
house designs / ‘general principles’ guide for developers. Cited 3 basic
categories: (1) gable front vernacular (standard New England design in
Victorian, Colonial or Craftsman styles), (2) bungalow, and (3)
duplex. In CDBG FY09 grant
a total of $150,000 (city-wide) is set aside for historic rehabilitation
for “significant properties” – so the city does not lose housing stock,
considering it will cost $150K-$200K to build new. Over time, department
hopes to identify more sources of funding (but has not done so to date)
for purpose of doubling staff in housing department, residential
development in tax title department and more outreach. Q from DM: In or
out of the historical district, what standard applies? Can we extend the
historic district to the rest of McKnight? A: It is tough to impose strict
rigorous standards; barring that, the pattern book (cited above) can give
design review on tax title properties, tell developers to follow good
design principles & confer with neighborhood associations on design.
Hopes to get people to adopt good design voluntarily over time; has asked
for money for consultants to develop more house designs (up to 12). d.
Primus Mason lot,
294 Bay Street, as an historic site. The right sort of house should be
built there because it is in the historic district. Q from SG: The
question was whether the lot can be developed as a park incorporating the
history of Mr. Mason, perhaps including a model based on Mason’s home. A:
Can take it up with Pat Sullivan (Director of Parks and Buildings
Management). This year McKnight will get money for the rail trail so there
will not be funds for a park not on the city plan; with tax title
properties there are approvals required (not so on non-tax title
properties). Q from LS: McKnight
council requested that the Primus Mason lot be taken out of the recent
auction (which it was) because we have a long-term idea for a park there;
several years ago UMass design students incorporated the lot as a park in
their design studies for the Bay Street project. A: City planners ask the
neighborhoods to tell them their priorities. Q from D.
Panteleakis: Last thing we need is another park, rather have a new
neighbor build a house, live in it and pay taxes; suggested the discussion
be tabled to another meeting. ST noted a park would be better than another
2-family house that failed. e.
Urban Initiative by
UMass Dartmouth: through Mass Insight think tank - $200K to study how to
help mid-sized cities; doing analysis to assess the strengths and
weaknesses of Springfield to answer question of what will the next
economic driver be for Springfield. Comparing to ‘like communities’
(150,000 people, “center of our own universe”) to establish benchmarks,
create some targets. Second phase next year will be to build a roadmap to
a model healthy community, from the community itself, wide spread process
of community engagement to develop a consensus. By September, hope they
will be doing more visible outreach. f.
Zoning
modifications: It is a process, will move forward only with community
input; in 45 days, have received 225 comments so far; will go to Planning
Board not before October. g.
Next city property
auction - date not set, will be posed on website, hope to have each
month. McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: July 8, 2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession (President) Chair, *Abdullah
Abdul-Rahim,
*Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Stephen Gray, *Walter Kroll, *Denise Moccia,
*Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan
Jr., *Marianne Winters (Treas.), Deborah Albury, Kwesi Albury, Tony
Anthony, Jeri Gardiner, Lisa Gaudreau, Sandra
Hession, Ariel Perez, Kat Wright (*Members of the Board) Guests: Susan Bernardy; Tammie Streeter, strategic
planner Meeting called to
order 7:15 p.m. 11 Board members present INTRODUCTIONS BOARD ELECTION REPORT:
1. Pres GAH reported a Nominating committee had not been
formed in time to prepare a slate; asked KW to conduct the election of
officers. 2. KW reported that in the absence of a Nominating
Committee, nominations for officers will be accepted from the floor. 3. TA moved to postpone vote
to August 12 meeting; WK seconded. Discussion: Purpose of motion is to
give a Nominating Committee time to meet & report back. LS volunteered
to serve, asked anyone interested in being an officer contact her to put
their name on a list. DP noted the open meeting mode fits this
organization and that last year nominations were taken openly from the
floor, each candidate having a chance to speak. JL strongly urged the
election be held at this meeting, using the same format as last year,
giving each candidate one minute to state his or her position. TA
withdrew his motion; WK
withdrew his second. 4. Nominations were then taken from the floor as
follows: a.
President: Greg
Hession, Demetrios Panteleakis b.
Vice President: Jim
Llewellyn, Walter Kroll c.
Secretary/Clerk:
Ben Swan Jr. d.
Treasurer: Marianne
Winters e.
Assistant
Secretary/Clerk: Denise Moccia f.
Assistant
Treasurer: Tony Anthony 5. Voting was by secret ballot; members D. Albury and L.
Gaudreau tallied the votes 6. Results announced: a.
President, Greg
Hession b.
Vice President, Jim
Llewellyn c.
Secretary/Clerk:
Ben Swan Jr. d.
Treasurer: Marianne
Winters e.
Assistant
Secretary/Clerk: Denise Moccia f.
Assistant
Treasurer: Tony Anthony PRESIDENT’S REPORT: President GAH noted two items:
(1) Gov. Patrick’s important proposal to fix Armory Street from Genesee to
Federal streets, including the two bridges (DP reports Development Dept
will have a plan to share as soon as it is available); (b) GAH spoke with
Davis Foundation representative about their receipt of City funds to study
establishing a Local Educational Foundation, reported they say they have
already spent $10million in Springfield, they intend to put together a
staffed organization to establish educational benchmarks, and are willing
to appear before this Council at a future meeting. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of June
10, 2008, Annual Meeting: WK moved to accept
minutes, LS seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Financial report and proposed FY09 budget
attached.
FINANCE &
FUND RAISING (Marianne Winters, chair):
COMMITTEE REPORTS: §
COMMUNICATIONS (Jim Llewellyn
& Ben Swan Jr., co-chairs): JL reporting. No meeting last month. Next
meeting scheduled for 6 pm, Fri., July 11, at 108 Dartmouth St. No written report. §
DEVELOPMENT &
PLANNING (Demetrios Panteleakis, chair) DP reported committee
has not met since MNC annual meeting; also reported D. Panagore,
Development Dept., has told him it is expected that $30,000 will be
allocated for an engineering study of the rail trail FY09; has meeting
with same Fri., July 11 re dates of execution; has meeting with DPW
director Chwalek re McKnight 2008 Revitalization Plan on signage, flashing
lights, crosswalks, etc., and what has been done and what we expect from
the City; proposed this committee meet within next 60 days to look again
at business organization to keep money in the neighborhood and to use a
business overlay (re physical appearance of businesses) similar to that at
the X. DP confirmed he has presented the McKnight 2008 Revitalization Plan
to Mayor Sarno and 4 City Councilors. No written report. §
FINANCE &
FUND RAISING (Marianne Winters, chair): See above - Treasurer’s Report §
GOOD
NEIGHBOR (Greg Hession, acting chair): o GAH
reported this committee is not fully formed yet and has not yet met;
intends to meet before next monthly meeting; envisions at least 3
subcommittees (a, contact people in neighborly way to keep their
properties up; b, encourage commercial entities to keep a neat appearance;
c, welcome new neighbors and help people who need help; hopes this will
allow MNC to be more visible and more effective in the neighborhood. o Humanics Day in Action Project: Springfield College
wants project proposals by next Saturday, June 12; KW asked if MNC could
choose one or two. Discussion postponed to end of meeting. §
HOUSING (Denise Moccia,
chair): Report attached. o DM
reported on guidelines recently released on IN-FILL HOUSING CONSTRUCTION;
-
DM and JL attended
meeting of Planning Dept.; both found the document too non-specific,
attempting to cover whole city with general guidelines for contractors
without taking particular needs of different neighborhoods into account.
-
DM noted that
single and 2-family homes are not required to do a design review according
to this plan; if MNC wants this to change, we would have to get the City
Council to pass a design review ordinance, which it has never done before.
DP volunteered to draft a design review
proposal to the City Council.
-
SG suggested MNC
get permission to place signs in lots to be auctioned stating buyer would
have to come to MNC for design review -
TA noted low
housing market and high gas prices are driving City’s need to increase its
tax base with taxable properties over those in tax title; looking for
young families to become property owners. -
DA noted with
regard to higher construction costs these days, a number of designs can be
chosen as examples for builders, showing what would be acceptable to MNC
design review -
DP iterated that
MNC is against speculation in housing market (buy low & sell fast for
a profit) and for increasing family home ownership in the neighborhood
-
BS noted we will
need to be diligent and object whenever it is needed; MNC needs to put a
STOP in place, e.g. for the historic Primus Mason lot at the corner of
Dartmouth and Bay streets – which should be reserved for public use. o City HOUSING AUCTION is scheduled for July 15 – five
buildable lots in McKnight are included, as well as 5 McKnight houses in
tax title, 2 or 3 of which were on the MNC list discussed with C. Dietz,
Spfd Housing Dept.; DP noted that this is a good example of how MNC’s work
over the past year has affected the work of the City in our
neighborhood. §
PUBLIC
SAFETY (Walter Kroll, chair) Report attached. o WK
reported committee is still seeking community feedback/ information, asked
that council members encourage that in our neighbors; visited monthly
meetings of a community watch group, sponsored by Hampden Cy. Sheriff’s
Dept., that meets at Mt. Zion Church & Indian Motocycle Bldg, feels we
can work with them as their goals are the same as ours for public safety;
Also reported more break-ins of vacant houses, arrests made and need for
neighborly vigilance; JL noted usually an increase in crime in the summer;
DP reported Spfd Parking Authority has been ticketing illegally parked
cars on Bay, Brown & Catherine streets. §
OFFICE
RELOCATION (Liz Stevens, chair) LS moved that MNC
relocate monthly meeting place to Rebecca Johnson School beginning August
12, 2008; WK seconded. Motion passed
unanimously. Asked that a letter of thanks be written to S.T.C.C.
for letting us meet at Scibelli Hall this past several months. OLD BUSINESS: §
MASON SQUARE
LIBRARY: LS asked that her motion regarding MSL be postponed
to Aug. 12 meeting, and be taken up as the first issue. Consensus was to
comply because time was short. §
380 BAY STREET,
CAR REPAIR BUSINESS (Corner of Gifford St.): Update, GAH
reported the business is still not in compliance, most but not all the
cars have been moved from the rail trail, area has been cleaned up
somewhat. Consensus was to allow time for the City to pursue their
citations. §
ZONING ORDINANCE
CHANGES: GAH asked for volunteers to study the document and
report back to the Council. NEW BUSINESS: §
REBECCA JOHNSON
SCHOOL – Playground Steering Committee: To volunteer to
serve on this committee, members are to contact KW. §
SPRINGFIELD
KIDNEY WALK – Oct. 18, 2008: RS asked for
MNC support for this fund-raising event. KW moved MNC field a team
to walk; MW seconded. Motion passed
unanimously. §
MASON SQ.
FARMER’S MARKET – MW encouraged all to use this resource, starts
Sat. July 12 in parking lot of Mason Sq Health Center. §
THOMPSON TRIANGLE
FOUNTAIN: DP reported it was damaged by kids playing in it
& the affected parts sent out for repair. §
HUMANICS IN
ACTION DAY PROJECTS – Sept. 18, 2008: Suggested
projects: o Girard Ave./ Bergen Circle Clean-Up: LS moved to accept this
as our project and have KW submit its proposal to Springfield College; DP
seconded. Motion passed
unanimously. o 52
Westminster St., house in tax title, badly neglected, overgrown, damaged
roof; and 47 Westminster St., vacant, make it look more livable (both
referred to Housing Com for action before Sept.) o Corner Bowles & Bay; BS is going to follow up o Primus Mason lot, corner Dartmouth & Bay;
historic lot; is on City auction list: §
PRIMUS MASON
HISTORIC LOT: BS moved to write letter to Spfd Housing Dept to remove this
lot from the July 15 auction; JL seconded; LS amended
motion
to ask DP to make this request of C. Dietz at their scheduled meeting, JL
seconded, BS accepted amendment. Amended motion passed unanimously. §
S. JAMES
AVE.: SG asked a letter be written regarding distressed
properties on this street; GAH referred it to the Good Neighbor Committee;
DP asked that standards set out in 2008 McKnight Revitalization Plan be
kept in mind. BS moved to adjourn; SG seconded. Motion passed. 9:30pm - Adjournment McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: June 10, 2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A Hession
(President) Chair, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Stephen Gray, *Walter
Kroll, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr., *Marianne Winters (Treas.),
Sandra Hession, Ceil Lewonchuk, Karan Parkin,
Anne Richmond, Raymond W. Talbot, Stephen Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Kat
Wright (*Members of the Board) Guests: Richard Ricketts, operator of business at 380 Bay
St. Meeting called to
order 7:10 p.m. 7 Board members present PRESIDENT’S REPORT: President GAH noted agenda will
cover forming a new committee (Good Neighbor Committee), zoning change
public meeting report, council elections on Sat., June 14, and appointing
a nominating committee (per council by-laws) SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of May
13, 2008, Annual Meeting: WK moved to accept minutes, LS seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Financial report attached.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: §
BOARD
ELECTIONS (Kat Wright, Election Commission chair): JUNE 14, 2008 Report attached o Notices have been posted and published; 4 nomination
petitions received (still leaving 2 vacant seats in District #3); no
papers filed for youth-at-large seat; write-ins and board appointments are
still available to the board. o New
election posters and a new McKnight banner will be set up. o Election commission (KW, Sandra Hession, Steve
Thibeau) will staff the voting table; additional presence of other board
members was requested. Ballots will be tallied
immediately after the voting, at 2 pm, and the results announced. o Program of activities and Summer Sign-Up Fair is
still in progress, but will include at least 5 organizations there in
person, and several more sending table information. o KW
asked for volunteers to set up and to clean up on Saturday. §
COMMUNICATIONS (Jim Llewellyn
& Ben Swan Jr., co-chairs): JL reporting. No meeting last month.
Pointed out newly updated “old” McKnight logo – designed by Karan Parkin –
on the banner and election posters. No written report. §
DEVELOPMENT &
PLANNING (Demetrios Panteleakis, chair, not
present) No written report. o LS
reported that she has learned City Planning & Development Department
has put money into FY09 budget to study development of the McKnight rail
trail and plans to put money into the FY10 budget to build it. o WK
reported this committee is now meeting monthly with Carl Dietz, City
Office of Housing, bringing him a ‘master list’ and a ‘moving list’ of
property issues that the City needs to address. o GAH asked if the 2008 McKnight
Revitalization Plan had been presented to the City; WK stated
DPanteleakis had presented it to the Mayor, to 4 City Councilors and to
Chief of Planning & Development Dept. §
FINANCE &
FUND RAISING (Marianne Winters, chair): No written report. o Negotiations on-going with two candidates for
strategic planner position, with the possibility that they can
collaborate; both candidates had great, although different ideas; $1,000
is set aside in current budget for this purpose; assumption is that there
will be funds available from our CDBG grant to continue the process into
FY09. Timeline will be to have the report/plan done by mid-year to third
quarter of FY09. o MNC
needs a volunteer auditor to audit last two years (FY07 & FY08) so
that the council has a firm bottom line going into FY09. Plan is to be
done by this summer to early fall. Asked board to send to Marianne
recommendations of persons to conduct the audit. o Several of the last years’ annual reports to the MA
Secretary of State were not filed; KW is researching the make-up of former
boards of directors to complete these reports. MNC’s tax exempt status is
suspended until the reports are current o Fund-raising: Marianne is on planning committee for
how Baystate Medical Center will use the community benefit portion of its
expansion program, targeted neighborhoods are Mason Square (which will get
$2.8 million over 7 years) and the North End. Marianne represents MNC on
health issues in Mason Square, proposes that MNC apply for funds to
promote use of the McKnight Rail Trail when the time comes for RFPs. o WK
suggested a possible fund-raiser for MNC would be to develop and sell a
community calendar, showing neighborhood events, birthdays, photos, etc.
Consensus was positive. §
HOUSING (Denise Moccia,
chair, not present): No written report. o JL
reported on three carriage houses in McKnight slated for demolition (on
Monmouth St., falling into the rail trail; on Buckingham & on
Westminster, both roofs have fallen in). JL spoke with Bob McCarroll, who
said they have deteriorated to a condition that is a health and safety
hazard; at this point the City will demolish and send a bill to the owner
(can be expensive – e.g. $20,000 or more); faced with these costs, owners
sometimes will opt to fix the property. Also that there is no current City
ordinance to prevent “demolition by neglect” except code enforcement. o For
the future, JL suggests when we see a building go into disrepair, we
should call code enforcement to prevent further deterioration. City is
working on an ordinance to make “demolition by neglect” a crime. It was
suggested this might be a job for the Good Neighbor Committee; also
suggested an article in next McKnight newsletter; suggested MNC research
deconstruction companies that specialize in saving materials (one is
local, works with people coming out of jail back into the community). o CL
reported 205 St. James Ave. was sold, second dumpster added; she
understands new owner is cleaning it out and will sell it. o Faith Baptist Church (Rev.
Amos Bailey) at St. James Ave and Clarendon has a new roof. o Fire damaged house at 90 Clarendon behind the church
is being fixed. o House at Thompson and Bay has been cleaned out. §
PUBLIC
SAFETY (Walter Kroll, chair) No written report. o WK
reported no meeting last month. However, there has been a notable increase
in Police activity and presence since May, including traffic stops,
closing of Big Bass Club. LS noted a police lock was placed on the door,
the occupants have been seen moving equipment out of the building (we
don’t know whereto). o BS
noted street and lots along Girard Ave. are badly trashed, asked for a
volunteer group including people from Bergen Circle to organize a clean-up
with City help. o BS
also asked if the pink-&-gray house at 327-329 Bay (corner of Girard)
can be saved; noted that even though it is in poor condition, Carl Dietz
has stopped demolition plans more than once because he thinks it can be
rehabbed. It was suggested it might serve as a police substation and
community center if the house behind it could be demolished for parking.
WK noted the property is on the ‘moving list.’ o 35 Princeton St.: MWiersma
noted the house, vacant & for sale, has had smoke alarms sounding
steadily since last Saturday. SG said for liability reasons Fire Dept will
not reset any alarms they turn off. Is this a problem for the SPD flex
squad? Consensus was MWiersma should call the realtor as a representative
of MNC. §
OFFICE
RELOCATION (Liz Stevens, chair) Reported that a $100 annual fee
to the City gives us use of Rebecca Johnson School all year; will meet
with Principal Pina-Council after school lets out for the summer (next
week) to arrange possible meeting place there. The music room was
suggested by the Principal. NOTE: July 8 MNC meeting will remain at STCC
location. NEW
BUSINESS: §
380 BAY
STREET, CAR REPAIR BUSINESS (Corner of Gifford St.):
Richard Ricketts (RR), operator of this shop, asked
for a run-down of complaints about his business so that he knows what
needs to be corrected. WK cited cars stored for some time on rail trail,
on city property, along the street; some not registered; becomes a blight
on the neighborhood; also sometime work on Sunday disturbs church-goers
next door. GAH shared with RR the City citation which had been sent,
presumably, to the property owner, regarding lack of proper permits for
the type of business being done on site; RR said he had not seen the
citation before as he is not the property owner. RR explained he had
purchased several cars at auction, but the auction house was very slow in
sending the titles to, so he has to store the cars until he gets the
paperwork; he is fixing and getting rid of them, and will not be buying
any more from that auction. RR said he moved 8 cars last week, 3 cars
remain on city property. ST noted the only business permit at that site is
for welding and that had expired. RR said he has a business permit he took
out 3 years ago, but only last year took a leave of absence from his City
job to start this business. GAH pointed out the City citation says this is
an illegal auto repair and illegal junkyard, and that MNC wants to make
sure this business comes into compliance with the City regulations. BS
concurred, saying MNC does not want to see a business driven out
unnecessarily. MNC will work with him to come into compliance. RR agreed
to move the cars as soon as possible. §
GOOD NEIGHBOR
COMMITTEE: New committee of the board was proposed by Pres.
GAH: General purpose to welcome new neighbors, write aspirational letters
to encourage neighbors to fix up & bring their properties up to code
and Historical District guidelines, and to offer help to those who cannot
do the work themselves. BS moved that said
committee be established and the President define membership; JL seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. o GAH
appointed Steve Gray and Steve Thibeau to the committee, and will ask
Abdullah Abdul-Rahim and Rodrick Shubrick to serve as well. It was noted
that non-board members can serve; Ceil Lewonchuk and Mike Wiersma were
both added to the committee. o AR
asked that the committee develop a list of resources; WK asked to
accumulate referrals to provide to contractors; BS suggested that where
someone is in distress and on the verge of being fined MNC can ask the
City to hold off. KW noted there is currently no federal or state money
available to help individual property owners repair their homes. o It
was agreed that GAH will call the first meeting and that the committee
will define its own mission and scope of activities, and report back to
the next board meeting. §
PROPERTY AT
BOWLES & BAY STREETS: SH reported
that City Planner Scott Hanson called to say that WMECo is looking to sell
the bit of their property at the corner of Bay and Bowles streets and
wanted to know if MNC has input on what should be done with it. There is
no electrical equipment left on the site; it is cleaned out, concrete,
fenced. Sent to Development & Planning Committee. §
ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGES: Several members attended
the public meeting held earlier this evening at Rebecca Johnson School.
The document is available on-line at City Planning Office website. Affects
primarily small businesses, building trades and homeowners. GAH has a copy
for anyone who wants to study it. §
MASON SQUARE LIBRARY: Rally scheduled tomorrow, June
11, at 6 pm at Rebecca Johnson School to support taking the original
library building from Urban League of Springfield by eminent domain. City
Council is holding a public information-gathering meeting of the Committee
of the Whole on this subject at 7 pm also at Rebecca Johnson School. In
addition, the Library Foundation, stewards of the Anne Curran Fund and
other trusts being turned over from the Museums Assn., meets at 4 pm at
Central Library to receive report of the architect who did a structural
and hazardous materials assessment of the old Mason Square Firehouse. §
BROWN STREET: ST asked MNC to sponsor proposal to
make Brown Street a dead end. No action was taken. §
LOCAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION: KW asked MNC to be aware
that City Councilor Bud Williams has put a hold on a $25,000 grant, that
the City Council had previously approved, to the Davis Foundation to study
the need for a Local Educational Foundation in Springfield. The LEF is a
national program of the Public Education Network, which requires grantees
to consult and collaborate widely with all segments of the local
community. Williams wants the Davis Foundation to comply with the PEN
guidelines. BS moved to invite Davis
Foundation to present their proposal to July 8 MNC meeting; GAH seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. BS moved to adjourn; SG seconded. Motion passed. 9:15 pm - Adjournment McKnight Neighborhood Council ANNUAL MEETING Board Meeting: May 13, 2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A. Hession
(Pres.), Chair, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.), *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim,
*Stephen Gray, *Walter Kroll, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios
Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Ben Swan Jr. (Secy.), *Marianne Winters
(Treas.), P.J.Bailey, Anne Bradley, Alysia Bryant, Karen Bryant, Lola
Caldwell, M. Carter, Conrad Chaffee, Marva Craigwell, Beverly Daniels,
Jeri Gardiner, Lisa Gaudreau, Michael Grant, Jamie Gray, Richard Gray,
Marjorie Guess, Sandra Hession, Rosalind L. Hodges, Alan
Howard, Sarah Howe, Ed Kelly, Liam Kelly, Alonzo Kenney, Elizabeth
Lederman, Ceil Lewonchuk, Charles Markham, Deborah McCurdy, Michael
McCurdy, Keturah Moore, Erin Panteleakis, Karan Parkin, Ariel Perez,
Marilyn Prendergast, Aaron Richardson, Arian Richardson, Austin
Richardson, Anne Richmond, Jose Rosario, Raymond W. Talbot,
Stephen Thibeau, Beth Ward, Armani Ward, Gloria Wilson, David Wright, Kat
Wright (*Members of the Board) [54] Special Guest: Commissioner William J. Fitchet (Spfd. Police Dept.) Guests: Mayor Domenic Sarno; City Councilors James J. Ferrera III, William Foley, Patrick Markey,
Bud Williams; Alvin Allen (Spfd. Econ.
Devel. Ofc.), Chelan Brown, DeJuan V. Brown Sr.,
DeJuan T. Brown Jr., DeVron Brown, DeVon Brown, Kathleen Brown (SPD),
Tyrone Dawkins, Lewis Hackman, Nawana Holloway
(Mosque #13), Lionel Jardine (F.O.Eagles),
Mo Jones, Ruth B. loving, Darryl Moss (Mayor’s
Ofc.), Neel, Donna Seymour, Tammie Streeter,
Latasha Wilkes; Marci Izard (Press TV40), Brian R.
(Press TV22) [26] Meeting called to
order 7:10 p.m. 10 Board members present PRESIDENT’S REPORT: President Gregory A. Hession
welcomed all to the Annual Meeting; noted major agenda items, presentation
of McKnight 2008 Revitalization Plan and address by Police Commissioner
Fitchet, following brief council business meeting and Annual Report by
Council Committee Chairs. Especially noted upcoming Council elections to
be held Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Rebecca Johnson School; encouraged
neighbors present to consider running for a seat on the Board of
Directors. Reviewed some Council accomplishments over past year, including
giving up the Catherine Street office for financial reasons, hiring a
part-time administrative assistant, strengthening Council committee
structure and tapping competent committee chairs, holding a public
‘envisioning exercise’ for the first time to begin strategic planning for
Council’s future work, taking initiatives to get Springfield attention
& presence in neighborhood re housing and other quality of life
issues. Expressed hope that the Council can continue to build on this
solid foundation. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of April
8, 2008: DPanteleakis moved to
approve, WKroll seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Reported on work of
Treasurer’s office and Finance Committee to organize Council financials,
and to begin financial / fund-raising plans for the future. Noted
requirement for a 2-year audit (FY07 & FY08) & asked for a
volunteer. Year To Date financial report was submitted; noting the Council
is in good shape financially through the end of this fiscal year. Financial report attached. COMMITTEE REPORTS: President GAH noted Council has moved its monthly
meetings to STCC and that the meetings are open to everyone. Following are
reports from the committee chairs, constituting the Council’s Annual
Report: §
COMMUNICATIONS (Jim Llewellyn
& Ben Swan Jr., Co-chairs): JLlewellyn reporting. Report attached. o McKnight Council website is being redesigned pro bono
by resident Karan Parkin, a professional web designer, will have a updated
look, be interactive and should be done this summer. o McKnight Newsletter is being published on a regular
basis (bi-monthly), has more diverse voices writing, has local
advertisers; encouraged neighbors to patronize our advertisers, asked for
volunteers to deliver. Currently board members are each delivering about
150 newsletters by hand. o Neighborhood Fair – working on a ‘signature event’ to
bring the whole community together annually; very preliminary stages but
would welcome volunteers. o Business directory – Ben Swan Jr. is heading effort
to list all commercial and home businesses in the neighborhood so that we
can patronize each other’s business locally. o Phone tree – will develop a calling system to alert
neighbors to events and issue. §
FINANCE &
FUND RAISING (Marianne Winters, Chair): [See above, Treasurer’s Report] §
HOUSING (Denise Moccia,
Chair): DMoccia reporting. No written report. o McKnight Council got the City to finally address
79-81 Princeton Street: property abandoned for 10 years or more, has
failed RFD process for rehabilitation several times, has been a hazard and
eyesore to neighbors, unfortunately we are going to lose the house because
the City has promised that it will come down; it is in the next round of
demolitions. o Property at 52 Westminster Street will be
rehabilitated; Vocational students will be doing the work, supported by a
grant and City money. o Group from the Council had a meeting with the City
Office of Housing acting director, Carl Dietz, to present a short list of
properties in tax title that need attention as soon as possible; Dietz
promised to move them through the process more quickly than in the
past. o Got
City Office of Housing to agree that the City will work with an architect
to design more appropriate standards for new construction in the
neighborhood. §
PUBLIC
SAFETY (Walter Kroll, chair): WKroll reporting. Report attached. o This committee had three goals: (1) to create a
relationship with the Springfield Police Department to bring forth issues
to them from the citizens of the neighborhood; (2) to increase public
awareness and the need for people to report crime, and to develop a
process that would make it easy in multiple ways for people to have
confidence that what they report will be addressed; (3) to ensure
accountability by following up with the SPD and with our neighbors that
issues have, in fact, been addressed satisfactorily. o Committee is in touch regularly with Dep. Cochrane,
Lt. Trites and Community Liaison K. Brown at SPD. o Committee chair, WKroll, has been meeting monthly
with SPD to follow up. So far, every issue that has been brought forth has
been taken care of. Noted new Flex Squad is looking into
non-911 issues. o Appealed to neighbors to step up, perhaps to be a
‘quarterback’ for each street; suggested a neighborhood block watch. Noted
the keys to making it work is public awareness, willingness to report, and
effective follow-up. §
DEVELOPMENT &
PLANNING (Demetrios Panteleakis, chair) DPanteleakis
presenting the McKnight 2008 Revitalization Plan. Plan attached. o Noted that the Plan will now be presented to Mayor
Sarno, to Development Chief Panagore, and to the City Council. Goal is for
the City to budget for the Plan. Thanked all who worked on the Plan for
many months. o Noted the Plan is concrete; it is concerned with
physical attributes of the neighborhood that we want to see today, not
years from now. Said that Panagore and Dietz are ready to support the
Plan. City has agreed in principle that there will be a single liaison
person the Council can work with to implement the Plan; that person has
yet to be named. o Plan being presented tonight is a beginning; Council
intends to look at it again next year and in following years. o Noted the order of items being presented are not in
any way prioritized, each part is as important as every other part of the
Plan; the Council wants it all. o Final version of the McKnight 2008 Revitalization
Plan was then presented as a PowerPoint with DPanteleakis giving an
explanatory narrative. SPECIAL GUEST: Springfield Police Commissioner
William J. Fitchet WKroll, Safety Committee
Chair, made the introduction. Commissioner Fitchet spoke for about a half
hour and then took questions from the assembly for another 45 minutes. President
GAHession closed the meeting at 9:15 pm. 9:15 pm - Adjournment McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: April 8, 2008 PRESENT: *Jim Llewellyn
(Vice Pres.) Chair, *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, *Stephen Gray, *Walter Kroll,
*Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Ben Swan Jr., *Marianne
Winters (Treas.), Meredith Boone, Conrad Chaffee, Jeri Gardiner, Lisa
Gaudreau, Luzed Guzman, Sandra Hession, James Holmes, Adiz Ibrahim,
Thomas Kubik, Ceil Lewonchuk, Margaret Martin, Shayena Martin, Carl
Moccia, Yasir Osman, Karan Parkin, David Stein, Luz Swan, Raymond W.
Talbot, Stephen Thibeau, Kenneth Walker, Michael Wiersma, David Wright,
Kat Wright (*Members of the Board) Guests: Pedro Almonte, applicant for beer & wine license
at 346 Bay St.; Carla Nieves, interpreter; Barbara Kelly Meeting called to
order 7:10 p.m. 8 Board members present BY-LAWS: Chair JL and member SH read through each
proposed change to the By-Laws, and each change was discussed and voted
on, as follows. Note: Three people left the meeting before voting; Total
members present: 28. Full copy of By-Laws showing original wording and
adopted wording is attached. §
Art. I, Sect.
III: Fiscal Year. Change to delete annual audit. Change to this by-law was defeated
unanimously. §
Art. II, Sect.
I.B: Non-discrimination. Change from adherence to “City’s affirmative
action goals/plans” to broader, more generic language, “shall not
discriminate…” Change to this by-law was
adopted unanimously. §
Art. III, Sect.
I, Para. 1: Board, number of members. Change from “fifteen” to “a maximum
of fifteen(15).” DP moved to modify proposed
change to state “…a maximum of fifteen(15) and a minimum of ten(10)…” WK
seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Amended change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. III, Sect.
I, Para. 2: Board, number of representatives in each district. Change from
“four(4)” to “up to four(4).” Change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. III, Sect.
I, Para. 3: Board, at-large seats. Change of age limit for Youth at-large
representative from 18-20 to 14-20 years of age. MWinters moved to amend paragraph by elimination of
general at-large representative and replacement with two(2) youth
representatives; AAR seconded. Amendment defeated. RT moved to amend paragraph to have no upper age
limit for either youth or general at-large representatives; there was no
second. Amendment
failed. BS moved to amend
paragraph by changing general at-large representative age limit to “14
years of age or over.” ST seconded. Amendment passed. Amended change to this by-law was adopted. (Vote: aye
18, no 7) §
Art. III, Sect.
II, Para. 4: Election Procedure. Change election of at-large candidates
from even to odd numbered years, to reflect reality. Change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. III, Sect.
II, Para. 7: Election Procedure. Replace delivery of notice to each
residence to posting on Council website. Change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. III, Sect.
II, Para. 8: Election Procedure, restriction on chairperson of election
commission. Change to eliminate “sitting MNC Board member.” Change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. III, Sect.
II, Para. 9: Election Procedure, proof of residency. Change to “prove…to
satisfaction of … election commission.” Discussion: AAR, WK & ST felt
this language is too loose; old language specifically requires showing
license, utility bill, library card, etc. Change to this by-law was defeated unanimously. §
Art. IV, Sect. I:
Officers. Change eliminates requirement for Assistant Secretary and
Assistant Treasurer & eliminates service limit to 5 consecutive years
in any one office. BS moved to restore term
limit to five(5) consecutive years; MWinters seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Amended change to this
by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. IV, NEW
Sect. VIII: Removal [of board member] for cause. Discussion: By-law as
written does not specify a list of ethical or fiduciary standards or
violations. New Section VIII of by-laws
was defeated. (Vote aye 7, no 18.) §
Art. IV, OLD
Sect. VIII: Recall. Change reduces from 15% to 5% number of resident
signatures to force a recall. Change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. V, Sect. II:
Quorum. Change requires five(5) rather than two-thirds of board. Change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. VI, Sect.
III: Annual Meeting. Change requires posting of notice in public places
and on Council website instead of delivery to every McKnight residence.
Change to this by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. VII, Sect.
III: Board Committees. Changes requirement that majority of any committee
be non-Board members to an “ideal” of such a majority. DP moved to clarify what executive session can
discuss by replacing phrase “personalities or litigation” in last sentence
to “personnel issues and pending litigation.” MWinters seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Amended change to this
by-law was adopted unanimously. §
Art. VIII, Sect.
I: Indemnification. Change is to eliminate the entire article. Change to this by-law was defeated. (Vote aye 20, no
6.) GUESTS: Application for beer & wine license at
346 Bay St.: (Board member BS and member JG left the meeting during this
portion of the meeting; both serve on the Springfield Planning Board and
will have to hear the application there.) Applicant Pedro Almonte chose to
answer questions posed to him by members present. He was accompanied by
his friend and interpreter Carla Nieves. Council gave the applicant 45
minutes to make his case and answer members’ questions. DM moved to oppose the beer & wine license at
346 Bay Street; DP seconded. Motion passed
unanimously. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: No report, as President GAH not
present. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of Feb.
12, 2008, and March 11, 2008: WK moved to accept minutes for both meetings, AAR
seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Nothing out of the
ordinary to report. Financial report
attached. COMMITTEE REPORTS: §
COMMUNICATIONS (Jim Llewellyn
& Ben Swan Jr., Co-chairs): JL reporting. Deadline for next newsletter
is Monday, April 21; should be available for delivery last week of April.
Report attached. §
DEVELOPMENT &
PLANNING (Demetrios Panteleakis, chair) DP reported he met
with SPD Commissioner Fitchet, who said he will support the public safety
sections in the 2008 McKnight Revitalization Plan. No written report. §
FINANCE &
FUND RAISING (Marianne Winters, Chair): No written report. §
HOUSING (Denise Moccia,
Chair): DM noted that three carriage houses in McKnight have been
identified for demolition by the City Structural Survey Board (under Code
Enforcement Commissioner Steve Desilets). She will follow up with the
Historical Commission. No written report. §
PUBLIC
SAFETY (Walter Kroll, chair): WK reported on the newly
formed SPD ‘Quality of Life Flex Squad.’ Their direct phone number is
750-2371. SPD is following up at Big Bass Club on Bay Street as a public
nuisance. BS noted the Sector F Beat Management Team meeting is set for
Thursday, April 17, 5:30 pm at the Indian Motocycle Bldg. Report attached. §
OFFICE
RELOCATION (Liz Stevens, chair, not present) No report. ANNUAL MEETING & BOARD ELECTION PLAN: Member
& administrative staff person KW proposed a plan & time line for
both required events, and called for volunteer committees to oversee them.
Proposed Election Plan attached. §
ANNUAL MEETING:
BS moved to hold Annual Meeting on Tuesday,
May 13, 2008, from 7-9 pm; DP seconded. SG amended motion to hold Annual
Meeting at Rebecca Johnson School; BS seconded. Amended motion passed unanimously. §
BOARD ELECTION:
KW noted those board members whose terms expire June 30, 2008; they are
Gregory Hession, Ben Swan Jr., Liz Stevens, Walter Kroll, and Sven Martin.
In addition a seat in District 3 and the Youth At-Large seat are vacant
through June 30, 2009. DP moved to hold Board
Election on Saturday, June 14, 2008, 10 am to 2 pm at Rebecca Johnson
School; WK seconded. Motion passed
unanimously. §
ELECTION
COMMISSION: DP moved to appoint KW chair of
2008 election commission; BS seconded. Discussion: Call for volunteers to
serve; election commission is responsible to carry out election plan.
Motion passed unanimously. §
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Tabled
to a future meeting. NEW
BUSINESS: §
KEEP SPRINGFIELD
BEAUTIFUL: Saturday, May 3, 2008, 8 am to 12
noon; Board members asked to
sign up to clean a vacant lot in the neighborhood; Liz Stevens is the
point person for this event, will take the list to KSB coordinating group;
Flyer to recruit neighbors to help in cleaning specific lots was
distributed to members. §
SPRINGFIELD
BUSINESS INCUBATOR: Report by RS & KW on their visit was
postponed. §
RECOGNITION: Member CL noted
article that ran in The Republican about the Key Players Project
originated by former MNC board member and officer Todd Crosset; suggested
a follow-up article in McKnight newsletter. §
PROPOSAL: Member RT asked
that MNC support a proposal to install a police camera at Brown & Bay
Streets to stem illegal traffic and other illegal activity. Related to
that location, ST said all six properties there are mis-zoned Residence A
and are in violation of code. It was suggested these issues be taken up by
both the Public Safety and Housing committees. BS moved to adjourn; WK seconded. Motion passed. 9:45 pm - Adjournment
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: March 11, 2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A. Hession
(Pres.), Chair, *Stephen Gray, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice Pres.),
*Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Liz Stevens, *Cindy
Williams, *Marianne Winters (Treas.), Jim Boone, Conrad Chaffee, Alexander
Cruz, Josiane Cruz, Andrea Garde, Jeri Gardiner, Sandra
Hession, Ceil Lewonchuk, Karan Parkin, Stephen Thibeau, Michael Wiersma,
Kat Wright, (*Members of the Board) Guests: None Meeting called to
order 7:10 p.m. 9 Board members present PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. Hession reported on his
attendance at a meeting of neighborhood council presidents sponsored by
the City Planning Department, and that although the City made a
presentation showing that it is making an effort, they apparently do not
view the neighborhood councils as genuine partners in those efforts and
that we in the neighborhood councils need opportunities for true democracy
to work, which will be a struggle. Asked that we promote the idea that
projects in the neighborhoods ought to go to the neighborhood councils for
approval before they go to the various departments, boards and commissions
of the City. Noted there is a reason for all the development activity
going on now, after years of neglect. The McKnight Council’s
revitalization plan is the best thing we could have done to further those
activities. Note: Executive Committee met
March 3 to set this agenda. Report
attached. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of Feb.
12, 2008: Tabled until next meeting TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Financial Report through Feb. 10, 2008, Budget
changes will be proposed at next month’s meeting. Awaiting word on
viability of new grant [to promote technology in African-American
community]; 501c3 status is being renewed. Revenue realized from
newsletter ad sales. According to Ivette Cruz at Development Dept, MNC
will receive up to $10,000 more on our CDBG grant. Treasurer asked each
committee chair to submit budget recommendations in their areas of work so
that the budget for the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year will
reflect real work needs. COMMITTEE REPORTS: §
COMMUNICATIONS (Jim Llewellyn
& Ben Swan Jr. [not present], Co-chairs): JL reporting. Website
development, newsletter, business directory are all proceeding on
schedule. Report attached. §
FINANCE &
FUND RAISING (Marianne Winters, Chair): Committee began work on a
3-year strategic plan for increasing MNC revenues. No written report
at this time. §
HOUSING (Denise Moccia,
Chair, not present at time of report): Michael Wiersma reporting. Noted the
79-81 Princeton Street is out on RFP for demolition. 74 Yale Street will
be open for tour next week; MWiersma intends to go through the house. 291
Bay Street was demolished without notice to MNC; process should be
protested.
DP noted D.Panagore agreed we should have liaison with the City on
these matters. Next housing committee meeting on Monday, March 24, at 108
Dartmouth St.
No written report. o
On the matter of the
application for liquor license at 346 Bay Street, GAH noted that the
applicant failed to appear before the Planning Board for their scheduled
hearing; the letter (approved by MNC board last month) was handed to Scott
Hanson at Development Dept; MNC agreed to inform Hanson if applicant shows
up at next MNC meeting. SThibeau noted the application does not meet the
code and zoning requirements in several areas to be heard by the Planning
Board. Planning Board may hear the application again April 2; KW will
monitor their schedule and keep MNC board informed via email. §
PUBLIC
SAFETY (Walter Kroll, chair): Still trying to get a meeting
on public safety with Mayor Sarno for the neighborhood. Spoke with City
Councilor Bud Williams about a public meeting; Councilor Williams said he
would ask Acting Commissioner William Fitchet to attend, and will try to
book Rebecca Johnson School auditorium for Tuesday, March 25. If that is
the date, we could publicize with a flyer insert into the MNC newsletter;
LS offered to hang a sign at her house and at DP’s house. No written
report. §
OFFICE
RELOCATION (Liz Stevens, chair): Has asked STCC to extend MNC
use of this room past April, but has not yet heard back from them.
No
written report. §
MASON SQUARE LIBRARY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE (Liz Stevens, chair): Committee met with Mayor Sarno and
attended Library Commission meeting last week; Mayor stated at both
meetings he is requesting funds from the Library Foundation to pay for a
structural and hazardous waste study of the two top choices for a new
library: the old Fire House and the McKnight Mansion. At subsequent
meeting of Library Foundation, they authorized architect Steve Jablonski
to conduct intense those studies on both buildings, which will take an
estimated 4-6 weeks. §
DEVELOPMENT &
PLANNING (Demetrios Panteleakis, chair): See
below. NEW
BUSINESS: §
Resident Andrea
Garde spoke to the recent death of Gary Lewis,
who had wide involvement with trying to make McKnight better and was a
vital part of our neighborhood. She would like to see something done in
his memory, such as renaming Thompson Triangle for him or erecting a
memorial. She plans to approach the Parks Department and individual City
councilors on the idea. Gave example of part of Bay Street being
designated Rev. Morgan Way, without changing the official name of the
street. No action taken. COMMITTEE REPORT: §
DEVELOPMENT &
PLANNING (Demetrios Panteleakis, chair): Presenting
most recent updated version of the “2008 McKNIGHT REVITALIZATION PLAN” –
DP reporting: Committee met with David Panagore, Development Director;
reviewed every element of the plan; his recommendations were incorporated
into the version before this meeting. Following MNC board approval,
Panteleakis will produce a Power Point presentation to show at next MNC
meeting; Panagore asked that Pres. Hession and Panteleakis make
presentations of the plan to other neighborhood councils. Next steps are
to bring it to the Mayor and to City Council (we do not need a City
Council vote of approval before action is taken on the plan). After that,
MNC should designate who from this board will work to execute various
parts of the plan. Panteleakis noted the Rail Trail has the strongest
chance to make it into the City’s budget for next year; MNC ought to focus
on the McKnight section of the trail, and if successful other
neighborhoods will follow. o
D. Panteleakis moved to accept the plan as presented; JL
seconded. Discussion: LS asked that
the plan be amended to include two items under
housing section: (1) That abutters have the first
option to buy any empty lot being sold by the City; (2) That any new building being erected on an empty lot
adhere in size and façade to buildings within 1,500 feet (a similar
regulation is in place in Roxbury MA, part of Boston). Question raised if
the latter includes both in- and outside the historical district;
consensus was to include both, but defer to Historical Commission
standards inside the district; question of prohibitive cost may be a
factor; Panteleakis suggests we make the recommendation knowing it will be
vetted legally. D. Panteleakis amended his motion to approve to include the two amendments
proposed; JL accepted the amendments. Motion passed unanimously. SPECIAL SESSION: §
“ENVISIONING A
FUTURE FOR McKNIGHT” – Exercise facilitated by M. Winters. Everyone took
part. To close, GAH asked that, for the council to build on this,
committee chairs need to seek out people and bring them in on various
parts of these projects to do what they can. MWinters
noted there is $1,500 built into the revised budget to develop a strategic
plan; KW will be paid $500 to draft the initial report from this raw
material, and we have advertised in the newsletter for a writer to do the
final plan. OLD BUSINESS: §
BY-LAWS CHANGES: Reminder the
April 8 meeting is a Membership Meeting; to vote changes to the by-laws,
20 members are required; KW asked that every person on the board bring at
least one friend to the meeting. JL moved to adjourn; DP seconded. Motion passed. 9:20 pm - Adjournment McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: February 12, 2008 PRESENT: *Gregory A. Hession
(Pres.), Chair, *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn (Vice
Pres.), *Denise Moccia, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan
Jr. (Sec.), *Marianne Winters (Treas.), Jim Boone, James Florek, Sandra
Hession, Thomas Kubik, Ceil Lewonchuk, Yasir Osman, Karan Parkin, Stephen
Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Michael Wiseman, Kat Wright, (*Members of the
Board) Guests: One unidentified Meeting called to
order 7:14 p.m. 9 Board members present PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GAHession addressed 3
issues:
Note: Executive Committee met
Feb. 4 to set this agenda. Report
attached. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of Jan.
8, 2008: KWright, administrative staff, reported
correction in reporting the scheduling for tonight’s agenda and the March
agenda. JL moved to approve minutes with
corrections noted; LS seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treas. MWinters: Financial Report through Feb. 10,
2008, shows (new)
expenditures under Communications for newsletter and new phone system, and
(new, unrestricted) revenue from newsletter ad sales and a grant that Ben
Swan Jr. applied for several months ago. Regarding the grant, BS will
spearhead a project focused on promoting technology among Black
youngsters; BS will obtain the grant requirement details and report back
to the Council. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Also reported he now has an
open meeting monthly with Deputy Chief Cochrane and Lt. Trites; So far
every issue brought to them has resulted in some action: (1)
SPD sting and raid
on Bass Club on Bay Street last Friday, 2 people arrested, club closed;
Dep. Ch. Cochrane suggests citizens press the Mayor for continued
attention to the problem; GAH proposed a letter be sent from MNC to Mayor
on the Bass Club; consensus approval; individuals can also write (LS
already has). (2)
SPD are watching
so-called ‘hot spots’ including speeding and drug selling activity; (3)
An individual was
identified as a drug dealer and SPD is in need of more information (which
has been supplied); (4)
WK advocates
traffic stops because speeding drivers are people not vested in the
neighborhood and may point to criminal activity. JL noted traffic
patrols/stops give police a visible presence out on the street, which may
deter unwanted activity. SThibeau reiterated that Brown
Street is one way, signs are up, violations still occur; Also reported
application for a new day care in Bay Street church next to Bass Club was
made to City Council, which might make that section a school zone (alcohol
and drug activity thus prohibited). WK said he would
like the SPD to be more pro-active. AAR noted SPD is second largest in the
state, has a low response time compared to other cities, and that they are
trained to re-act, not pro-act.
Report attached.
1. Paving, etc.: Requests made to add Catherine Street
as it connects to Dartmouth; Thompson and Princeton as they all run
through from State Street to St. James or Worthington. CL noted St. James
Avenue was dug down & repaved 12 years ago, but that near Tapley
Street it is in serious need of repaving. City Development Dept will pave
one street a year; MNC gets to choose which one. Sidewalks and
streetlights will be similar to those on Walnut Street. JL noted focus
should be on McKnight’s main traverse arteries. 2. Refurbishment, etc.: City asked for the long list, we
don’t know everything about these properties and are asking the City to
clarify status and deal with them. The property list will be fluid over
time. Question raised if the Plan should refer to a separate list to be
current at any given point in time; consensus that the categories are
correct and in place, and list of properties to receive attention be
updated quarterly. WK explained that the Plan before the board is meant to
be submitted for the City’s FY09, and therefore refers only to a one-year
period. GAH will rename the document the 2008 Revitalization
Plan and it will be revisited annually for submission to the City. ST
asked if the Historical District referred to in the Plan is the Local or
the Federal district; this question will be followed up and clarified. 3. Property standards, etc.: Effort is to be pro-active;
relevant statute citations have been added next to each item. Section (b)
concerning MNC writing a friendly letter to scoff-laws was added to
encourage compliance. ST suggested this information be included in a
Welcome Packet (which was discussed at a previous board meeting). AAR
noted these standards are a good first step, but that MNC ought to
consider providing assistance to those neighbors who need help to comply
with these regulations; such an offer of help can be added to the letter.
MWinters suggested forming a partnership with another organization (e.g. a
church group) to regularly get together to help unable neighbors fix up
and clean up; also suggested an annual neighborhood good neighbor clean up
award; GAH proposed a committee to coordinate with those who could do such
work. BS noted Sheriff’s Department can clean up non-profit properties but
not privately owned properties. GAH said we will ask for help from the
City for those things we can’t handle (e.g. downed trees). JL recommended
that the letter state we will be in communication with the resident or
owner to address whatever the issue is. 4. Tax Incentives: This section, with clarification and
correction of part (b) seems OK. ST asks that “resident” be defined; GAH
will get clarification. 5. Public Safety, etc.: Question about speed limits, WK
said they are not consistent and ought to be consistent at 30 mph.
Question raised on definition and wording of section (d) regarding
commercial traffic; WK said that means anything over 2 tons or 18 wheels;
idea is to keep through traffic of these large trucks off the side
streets; JB recommended addition of a phrase emphasizing that this is a
residential neighborhood (& therefore such big rigs be kept out).
Clarification was asked on suggested locations of crosswalks; consensus
was to say they should be placed at major intersections, and give
examples; WK will compile a master list of such intersections. BS also
recommended traffic lights and other utility poles and signage posts be
painted. WK reiterated the efforts underway to work with Springfield
Police Department (see Public Safety Committee report). 6. Business Overlay, etc.: Covers general description of
various business districts in McKnight, STCC Enterprise Center, home
offices, and future development of an overlay district, development and
promotion of business associations within McKnight. Question raised on
what we are asking of the City; requesting nothing specific at this time,
although the example of the ‘X’ business zone has been adopted by the
City, similarly Indian Orchard, and McKnight would eventually ask the City
to incorporate business overlay zone like those, mutually agreed upon
between MNC and businesses in McKnight (e.g. MNC already began work on a
“Gasoline Alley” association, but that project is in limbo currently). JL
asked if we can encourage people to take advantage of federal and state
empowerment zone programs; JB noted there may be façade grant money
available; MWinters suggested there may be grant money available to
enhance the McKnight website to incorporate the business directory, etc.
ST noted we ought to discourage some types of business, such as bars, as
incompatible. 7. Rail Trail: A good deal of work has already gone into
investigating this project. JL suggests the Plan focus on what we would
like the City to take on regarding the rail trail; LS will edit down this
section to reflect. 8. Community Center: Section has been modified because
the building originally mentioned as a possible site is not available; JL
noted the Springfield Museums Association has funds to establish a
McKnight museum cum community center if they can find a suitable site
that is central and reflects the nature of the historic district; McKnight
is the only area of the city that does not have a community center of any
sort. Possibilities mentioned: Fire House, McKnight Mansion, or one of the
historic homes in tax title. GAH said that he will make the
agreed on changes and corrections to the master document and recirculate
the Plan as soon as possible to board and everyone attending this meeting.
BS reminded the board that the Revitalization Plan remains a draft until
this council approves it. NEW
BUSINESS:
BS moved to adjourn; JL seconded. Motion passed. 9:30 pm - Adjournment
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: January 8, 2008 PRESENT: *Gregory Hession,
Chair, *Stephen Gray, *Jim Llewellyn, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios
Panteleakis, *Liz Stevens, Geri Gardiner, Sandra
Hession, David Stein, Sara Takacs, Michael Wiersma, Kat Wright, (*Members
of the Board) Guests: Patrick Markey, City Councilor Meeting called to
order 7:05 p.m. 6 Board members present PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GH addressed 6 issues:
SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of Nov.
13, 2007: LS moved to approve minutes as submitted; CL
seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Marianne Winters not present
(excused); No report. GUEST: RE: Mason Square Branch Library: Patrick
Markey presented report on meeting between Domenic Sarno and the Mason
Square Library Advisory Committee that took place on Dec. 21, 2007. All
sites that the search committee considered in 2007 were discussed,
including the former funeral home property at 684 State Street which had
recently sold for $75,000. This property became a focus of interest; Sarno
asked to hear from the councils of the affected neighborhoods. Markey just
came from Bay and Old Hill council meetings, where both councils supported
converting this property to a branch library (and other community
functions). A structural/ architectural assessment would have to be done;
the Library Foundation retains architect Stephen Jablonski who could do
this work. LS reported she has consulted an architect who knows the
building and whose opinion is that the building is structurally sound
enough to support books. DP noted from a planning point of view a library
is a perfect use to clean up a neighborhood gateway area. CL asked about
funds available; LS replied that city money must be used if the property
is taken by eminent domain and that Curran Fund moneys can be used only
for any library portion of the building. Report of meeting attached. LS moved to accept the
resolution, which she then read; DP seconded. Resolution reads as
follows:
Whereas: The Mason Square
Branch Library does not have enough space in its current location to house
its full collection nor to fully service the Mason Square community; And the McKnight Home has
space for a full-service library; And the McKnight Home has
additional space for other possible Springfield community uses, including
the Read Write Now literacy program, the Mason Square Senior Center,
office and meeting space for neighborhood councils or other public
purposes; And the McKnight Home property
already has more than adequate parking; And the McKnight Home is
handicapped accessible (outside ramp and interior elevator); And that purchasing the
building would save an historic site, its having been the home of William
McKnight, one of the founders and builders of the McKnight neighborhood;
Resolved: This
Neighborhood Council supports the acquisition of the McKnight Home at 684
State Street, at the corner of Thompson Street, by the City of Springfield
for the purpose of moving the Mason Square Branch Library to that
location. We are in favor of the City using its power of eminent domain if
necessary to purchase the property. Motion passed unanimously. Request was made to send a
letter of support to Mayor Sarno and to Councilor Markey. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
NEW
BUSINESS:
JL moved to adjourn; LS seconded. Motion passed. 8:30 pm - Adjournment McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: December 11, 2007 PRESENT: *Gregory Hession,
Chair, *Stephen Gray, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn, *Denise
Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan
Jr., *Cindy Williams, *Marianne Winters, Meredith Boone, Sandra
Hession, David Stein, Sara Takacs, Dolores Teriacca, Michael Wiersma, Kat
Wright, (*Members of the Board) Guests: Deb Alli; Ivette Cruz, Deputy Director of
Neighborhood, Office of Community Development; Craig Della Penna, Executive Director, Northeast
Greenway Solutions, & General Manager, Central Highlands Conservancy
LLC. Meeting called to
order 7:05 p.m. 9 Board members present PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GH addressed 5 issues:
SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of Nov.
13, 2007: LS moved to approve minutes as submitted; JL
seconded. Motion passed. GUEST: Craig
Della Penna presented a program describing the history and possibilities
of converting former railroad beds to recreational trails, with a
particular focus on the McKnight section of the Highland Rail line.
Questions asked of Mr. Della Penna included
Discussion followed:
GUEST: Ivette
Cruz informed board that MNC needs to inform Cathy Bono, Office of
Economic Development, of intention to have CDBG funds designated for
historical preservation be spent as per our project plan, and to list all
other areas of our plan that may be eligible for these funds. Also informed meeting that the
City Office of Neighborhoods will be restructured in January 2008. TREASURER’S REPORT:
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Tabled until January meeting.
OLD
BUSINESS: Tabled. NEW
BUSINESS: Pres. GH distributed ‘Idea Sheet’ for all members to consider
top priorities for action by MNC; asked that everyone bring ideas to
January meeting for discussion. This in lieu of brainstorming ideas at
this meeting, time having run out. 9:30 pm - Adjournment: JL moved to adjourn; DM seconded. Motion passed.
McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: November 13, 2007 PRESENT: *Gregory Hession,
Chair, *Luzed Guzman, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn, *Denise
Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan
Jr., *Marianne Winters, Ayyub Abdul-Alim, Ed Kelly, Ceil Lewonchuk,
Stephen Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Kat Wright, (*Members of the Board) Guests: Maurice Nichol & John Case (WMECo), Chris
Norquist (Burns & McDonnell Engineering), Pam Frost
(Interpreter) Meeting called to
order 7:10 p.m. 7 Board members present GUESTS: WMECo
representatives presented its Springfield Cable Project to improve
reliability of electrical transmission infrastructure within the City.
WMECo’s Preferred route for such underground cable upgrade is entirely on
Carew Street; however, an alternate route runs through McKnight from
Clinton substation downtown, up Worthington to St. James, Page Blvd., and
Roosevelt, over to a proposed new East Springfield work center &
substation near Carew & Roosevelt. Both routes would connect the two
substations. Presentation included description of the work to be done and
timetable for completion. Construction would take 30 months, beginning in
2009 and lasting through 2011. WMECo Report
attached. Questions asked of WMECo
representatives included o
Cable
Project: Permitting & regulatory process – WMECo is on
track with approvals from Mass. Energy Facilities Siting Board, and City
departments of planning & zoning, & City Council; o
Final stage of project is
repair of streets affected - full lane resurfacing where work was done; o
All will be underground
including cable and several splicing stations (accessed thru manholes at
street level). o
Disused
substation at Bowles & Bay Streets: MNC requests
clean up; WMECo noted & will do. o
Dark streetlights: Streetlights are owned by WMECo,
when they are out, anyone can report pole number or nearest house number
to WMECo customer service (785-5871 or www.wmeco.com);
MNC can submit to WMECo a list of dark streetlights needing repair. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GH attended seminar at WNEC
to aid non-profit groups in acting in a more entrepreneurial manner;
recommends MNC continue to work on clearly defining goals and objectives,
identifying and focusing efforts on what we do well; and having identified
such activity, be project focused and look for resources to support same
rather than looking for grants and then work to them. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of Oct.
9, 2007: BS moved to approve minutes as submitted; DP
seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: MW presented an estimated
re-budget showing a slight surplus rather than a major deficit once MNC
vacates rented office space; will contact each committee chair to solidify
funding needs for remainder of FY08 and present a final adjusted budget
for board approval at December meeting. BS asked what changes in indemnity
insurance specified in MNC by-laws would be needful and / or helpful and
whether the premium would be less without office coverage; MW will check
& report back. MW noted the lease on current MNC office space has been
terminated as of the end of November 2007. BS moved to accept financial report; JL
seconded.
Motion passed. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
It was noted that
there are more houses in the neighborhood boarded up and for sale;
question raised if these are in foreclosure. Problem noted that 4 empty
houses have been stripped of pipes and interior fixtures in the last 2
weeks; WK said he would inform Dep. Chief Cochrane, SPD, of the thefts. DP
asked that anyone email him or DM re any house of interest. GH summarized
that MNC can be an information funnel to the City and to the community.
Report
attached.
o
Newsletter should be published
ASDA re new board make-up, closing of Catherine St. office and move to
STCC for meeting; board members agreed to hand deliver newsletters; recent
demographic information shows 1805 households in McKnight, therefore MNC
can print just 2000 copies (not 3000); o
Email is getting spam, much of it pornographic, and
therefore BS has set up a new address at Yahoo (mcknightcouncil@yahoo.com)
(previous email addresses will be shut down); o
JL has set up yahoo groups but
not all board members have signed in; are urged to do so. o
MW moved that In recognition of the importance of a
functioning and active communications committee that Sven Martin be
removed as chair and that a special meeting of the Executive Committee be
called at which time we jump start a plan for communications and elect a
chair; BS seconded. Motion passed. o
GH called for additional
volunteers to serve on this committee; JL agreed to do so; BS said he
might be willing to serve as chair.
OLD
BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
9:10 pm - Adjournment: JL moved to adjourn; DM seconded. Motion passed.
McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: October 9, 2007 PRESENT: *Gregory Hession, Chair, *Stephen Gray, *Luzed Guzman, *Walter Kroll, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr., *Cindy Williams, *Marianne Winters, Deborah Albury, James Florek, Sandra Hession, Alonzo Kenney, Ceil Lewonchuk, Jamie Morace-Gray, Stephen Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Kat Wright, (*Members of the Board) Guests: City Councilor James J. Ferrera III; David Gaby Meeting called to
order 7:07 p.m. 10 Board members present PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Pres. GH described structure for
this meeting will be as each committee reports out, there will be
discussion among the board and then from public in attendance, and then a
vote if one is required; asked that each person keep comments limited and
to the point. Also:
SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Minutes of Sept.
11, 2007: Board member BS noted
correction to clarify his amendment to the motion to find a new location
for MNC, Page 4 of 4, to read “that the purpose is to better allocate our
resources.” DP moved to approve minutes of
September 11, 2007, with correction; BS seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: MW presented current budget
status as of Aug. 31, 2007; once board committees determine goals,
including possibly moving to less expensive quarters, MNC can adjust and
submit the budget to reflect those changes. MW met with I.Cruz re: MNC’s
billing to the City for first quarter (July 1-Sept. 30, 2007). City will
pay first quarter and advance on second quarter, total of $6,126.43,
within about 10 days. Bank balance is about $115. Report and notes
attached. LS noted she has in her possession a computer donated by
Baystate Medical Center to MNC. LS moved to
accept financial report; WK seconded. Motion
passed. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
9:25 pm -
Adjournment: DP moved to adjourn; DM seconded. Motion passed. McKnight Neighborhood Council Special Board Meeting: August 28, 2007 PRESENT: *Gregory Hession,
Chair, *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, *Luzed Guzman, *Walter Kroll, *Jim
Llewellyn, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick
Shubrick, *Ben Swan Jr., *Cindy Williams, *Marianne
Winters, Sandra Hession, Kat Wright, (*Members of the
Board) Guests: None Meeting called to
order 7:20 p.m. 11 Board members present AGENDA: Business of
this meeting is to consider for approval the sub-recipient Community
Development Block Grant contract with the City of Springfield. Chairman GH
characterized the contract as general boilerplate Federal grant language;
the contract is from HUD in the amount of $13,500. He said he had read
through the contract several times and did not find anything that would be
harmful to the Council; noted that the City places certain qualifications
on the use of the funds, includes a City code of conduct and a HUD code of
conduct; state open meeting rules apply. Copies of the contract were
passed around and the floor opened for discussion. MW noted that
enumerated Goals/Activities and Budget specific to McKnight Council are
part of the contract, and that there is some flexibility allowed;
suggested that in future board meetings one person be designated to report
progress on each of the stated goals/activities. BS noted that in
past years we have been allowed to amend the budget; he read aloud the
activities spelled out in the contract. DP moved to accept the contract; MW seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. GH will complete
the paperwork and submit the contract to the City as soon as possible. Old Business: GH asked that the
board consider a more efficient way forward, asking the question: “What
can this Council actually do?” He then proposed a number of issues, asking
the board to be prepared to address them at the next meeting,
including: §
Finding alternative office / meeting space that would
save money §
Devising a system for issuing letters, persuasive
rather than accusatory, from the Council to neighbors who have messy
properties, noting such letters should be factual and not personal §
Developing some clout to get derelict properties
cleaned up, rehabilitated or demolished; noted that there are different
issues involved with private business properties, private city properties,
and personal properties derelict but not in city control, each type
needing its own strategy §
Assigning various board members to represent the
Council at particular City boards, commissions and councils, including
City Council, Historical Commission, License Commission, Library
Commission, Planning Dept., Housing Dept., Police Dept., and others §
Considering sidewalks and streets §
Getting the walking trail back on the table for
Council action §
Putting together before next meeting a method for
board members to communicate more easily. DP volunteered to
be Council liaison with David Panagore re Planning/Development, noted
there is much information on City Master Plan on these issues; suggested a
double approach: Short Term Team and Long Term Team; stated plans for
sidewalks and streets are already in the planning stages, and the Council
needs to get into the mix and expand that plan, getting what we want on
the Master Plan now and in the budget for the next fiscal years. Also
noted that there is Federal grant money available now to pay for police
officer patrols in the neighborhoods after dark. Concerning Council’s
current inefficient meeting form, he suggested having sub-committees do
the work and bring recommendations to the board meetings for a vote, that
executive session (board only) be used to decide goals and priorities,
that at regular board meetings public opinions ought to be taken first and
then board members discuss and vote. MW requested that
the board do a real planning process together, and include people not
present tonight, in order to set priorities and works plans. JL suggested,
regarding sharing ideas, that a Yahoo group (or similar on-line group) be
set up. AAR noted not
everybody has a computer. DP said he is
willing to put his ideas out on an email or drop off copies to those
without email, for comment and discussion. BS said we also
have the Council website and the newsletter, and that he would like to see
representatives from every street who could participate by disseminating
Council materials. WK suggested need
to develop a marketing campaign, to put things on the website that affect
people, that people need to see “what’s in it for us.” He offered to help
upgrade the website. 8:15 pm - Adjournment:
JL moved to adjourn; DP seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
McKnight Neighborhood
Council Board Meeting: September
11, 2007 PRESENT: *Gregory Hession, Chair, *Stephen Gray, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn, *Sven Martin, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Ben Swan Jr., *Marianne Winters, Jesse Carman Jr., Sandra Hession, Shelly Hill, Alonzo Kenney, Ceil Lewonchuk, Stephen Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Kat Wright, (*Members of the Board) Guests: Carl Dietz, Acting Director of Springfield Department of Housing; David Gaby; Patrick Markey, candidate for City Council Meeting called to order 7:12 p.m. 10 Board members present SECRETARY’S REPORT, Board member MW noted
correction: change initials on 8/14/07, Page 2 of 3, from MW to Michael
Wiersma. DP moved to approve minutes of both
August 14, 2007 board meeting as corrected and August 28, 2007 special
board meeting; LS seconded. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: MW thanked past treasurer LS for her work in cleaning up MNC accounts. MW presented a new format for financial report (Attached), showing FY08 budget, CDBG share, other income; and actuals for July & August 2007, total YTD, and current payables and receivables. She reported that MNC is operating on a deficit budget and that because City is now paying out CDBG funds as cost-reimbursement rather than advance payments as before MNC will have to address the change in the cash flow situation. MNC will need to address budget issues by: (1) approving a revised budget, (2) adopting a reasonable fundraising strategy that builds the fund balance, and (3) adopting a board fundraising strategy as first step with board pledges. These issues can be addressed by a finance/fundraising committee. Current month’s strategy will be to pay only expenses that are covered by CDBG funds. For October MNC will receive balance sheet for FY07, more complete cash flow projection, and possibly a small amount (approx. $200) carried over from FY07. Currently, checking account is at $91.17 and savings at $64.24 for a total of $155.41 as of August 31, 2007. DP suggested MNC ask City for the employee part of the CDBG funds up front for the year. That would amount to $5,000 cash on hand, would earn interest, and would ease cash flow. JL so moved, DM seconded. Motion passed. OLD BUSINESS: Hearing no objection to changing the order of the agenda, Chair GH invited Carl Dietz from City Dept of Housing to address specific property issues. §
Porch handrails, which standard
obtains, historic district guidelines or safety/building code? CDietz
reported no official word from Massachusetts Historical Commission, but
did get official statement from Dept. of Public Health. DPH says minimum
liability standards are applicable to all properties, even those in
historical districts. The state sanitary code, pre-1997, applied then;
since 1997 the building code of that year applied. LS asked for clarification: if it is necessary to rebuild handrails on a building built in 1895, for example, do you follow the Historic Commission and replace them exactly as they were in 1895, or are you now expected to meet newer safety codes? CDietz was unable to get a clarification whether replacement of parts or the whole system was allowed either way. DGaby said no local government can mandate code different from a higher body; and that the issue needs to be argued with local building inspectors who have ordered non-historical replacements. DP agreed and also added that state law cannot violate federal law; suggested MNC set a process via committee to develop and opinion on how to advocate for the neighborhood in this matter. PMarkey suggested MNC could ask for a legal opinion from the city solicitor. SG noted that people chose to live in McKnight because of the historical style of the homes DP said the city Historical Commission has granted a hardship waiver from requiring historical replacements if necessary. § Consensus was that this is an issue the board should pursue §
79-81 Princeton Street: CDietz stated
he turned investigation over to the ‘environmental contractor’ who
determined the cost to do in-place remediation was about $55,000, as
previously suggested. Housing department has no money to do that; but they
do have money for demolition, which would cost about the same amount;
Housing Dept may have a ‘package available’ by mid-November, and should be
able to take the building down and reseed the lot next spring. GH asked for the opinion of the board. BS asked for clarification on the cost of demolition, and the difference in cost between remediation and demolition. CDietz said the costs are about the same; about $55,000 would cover the tear down and removal of oil. DGaby said an empty lot is less valuable for sale; said City has money to demolish but not rehabilitate properties because of language in a home bill that doesn’t mention alternatives. ST said saving questionable 2-family houses is not helping the neighborhood; concentration should be on saving good single-family houses. Abutter AKenney said the house has been vacant for years, many raccoons are living there; kids have tried to set fire to it. Abutter SHill said a squatter is using the house; resident raccoons have ruined her garden. The house is too far gone; It is either going to burn down or fall down. BS said we should not miss the boat on opportunities for funding to rehabilitate properties, generally, rather than to demolish; argued that MNC should be more pro-active to avoid demolitions. LS said there are properties that if we can save we should do so; called for a clarification of the law to let City remediate or demolish. In the case of 79-81 Princeton raccoons and fire hazard give us no time to argue about it; the remedy has to be taken as soon as possible – before winter. CDietz noted that Housing Dept is “definitely looking at other options for saving these things.” JL asked if the City would put the lot up for sale for construction, would abutters have first options, and would a builder be allowed to build a 2-family house to replace that 2-family house. CDietz replied that the City RFP would have to be competitive. §
DP moved that the sense of the
council is to tear down 79-81 Princeton Street; DM seconded. Motion passed. § Jesse Carman Jr., 48 Thompson St. complains (1) Mayor’s office told him he had first option when the City sold the lot next to his, that he cared for over the years, yet suddenly a house was built there without anyone notifying him; (2) excessive noise and traffic of tractor trailer trucks on the street, trucks parking in empty lot across the street from his house, Traffic Dept says they can do nothing; (3) loud noise and music coming from the Cozy Courtyard (an open-air entertainment venue at 666 State St., just behind Carman’s house), last time until 2:30 a.m. DP said the whole neighborhood deals with noise, litter, speed, reckless driving, no enforcement, no traffic lights or other safety measures – and that these issues can be taken on aggressively through the MNC committees. DM said MNC should write a letter to owners of Cozy Courtyard, noting that they promised this council they would keep the entertainment there low key and over by 10 p.m. each night. LS said MNC should send letter to City and to the Boyntons regarding what they promised us regarding the operating limitations. BS suggested MNC can petition that Thompson be declared a non-commercial street; noted the owners of Cozy Courtyard have a liquor license and the City License Commission will enforce the terms of it; suggested MNC can write a letter to Lic Comm regarding any violation by a business neighbor, but that it would be good courtesy to contact the business neighbor first. §
DM moved to write such a letter
to Mr. And Mrs. Boynton reminding them of the promise they made to this
council, DP seconded. Motion passed. JCarman asked about the garbage and litter issues. GH said he would like MNC to deal with business nuisances, city nuisances and residential nuisances differently, considering different origins. SM noted that when he lived in Worcester, that City declared zero-tolerance zones to clean each area by dispatching several city departments at once, including sanitation, police, etc.; suggested MNC could encourage Springfield to do the same; would like to see his street, Girard Ave., cleared of drugs and speeding traffic. MW said MNC should look at nuisances in a comprehensive way; work on them through committee; build a critical mass to address at City level with more impact. § Consensus was that these nuisance issues can be addressed by MNC Public Safety Committee COUNCIL
BUSINESS: § Election of Assistant Secretary: GH deferred election of assistant secretary to another meeting. §
Committee Assignments: GH called for
discussion of committee structure to address neighborhood needs; and
presence by MNC board members at key City council, boards, &
commissions: those suggested are City Council,
Historical Commission, License commission, Planning Board (noting that
board member Swan is a member of that board), Building Code Enforcement,
Community Development, DPW/Public Works, Housing Dept, Parks &
Recreation, Planning & Economic Development Dept, Police Dept. DP suggested committees to focus on three major areas: Housing, Safety & Neighborhood Development; suggested people on MNC committees could rotate attending City boards & commissions. GH noted a need for Grants/Fund-Raising; old Events committee could come under that; Communication, including newsletter, website, email, etc. MW said MNC Exec Comm can make assignments to City meetings DM said it is important for someone from each district of McKnight to be on the housing committee § Consensus was to have five committees; GH asked for volunteers to chair each committee: 1. Development – Demetrios Panteleakis 2. Housing – Denise Moccia 3. Public Safety – Walter Kroll 4. Communications – Sven Martin 5. Fund-raising/ Grants – Marianne Winters § Yahoo Group: JL reported he has set up a free Yahoo group for communication among the board of directors and asked if the board wants to activate it. BS noted that decisions cannot be made outside the public forum of the MNC; there was agreement by consensus JL volunteered to moderate the group and to set up another group for the neighborhood at large. § Consensus of the board was to activate both groups. § By-Laws Changes: GH said MNC by-laws need to be changed to reflect the needs of this council, and not some boiler-plate corporation; asked board for sense of how that can be done soon. SHession said that MNC is required to notify the membership when the voting will take place and publish proposed changes; this board has not yet had a discussion about the proposed changes and needs to do that. It was noted that the proposed changes worked out a few months ago are posted on the website. GH asked the board come to the October meeting prepared to discuss the proposed changes. ST asked that the term “resident” in the by-laws be specifically defined. LS said that at ‘meeting #1’ MNC will discuss changes, at ‘meeting #2’ members (neighbors) might want to ask questions, too; suggested changes be dealt with in sections. GH proposed to see at the next meeting what changes we have that need to further discussion and consensus; most of the changes are not controversial. MW suggested an open, public special meeting of a sub-group of MNC to address the changes SHession said the major by-law up for discussion is the one requiring MNC to provide indemnity insurance for every board member, noting we do not have it and have not had it for a long time because we do not have the money for it. She checked with the insurance company and found the premium would be about $1000. § It was agreed that the board will discuss the proposed changes to the by-laws at the October meeting. §
New office space: GH asked for a
motion to set up an ad hoc committee to come back to the October meeting
with possible places and costs. LS volunteered to chair the committee; board members have already signed up to serve and a good deal of work has already been done to locate sites. § LS moved that the office relocation committee find a new location for MNC by next meeting; MW seconded. BS offered amendment that the purpose is to better allocate our resources; LS accepted the amendment. GH offered amendment that the location be in the McKnight neighborhood; LS accepted the amendment. Motion passed. NEW BUSINESS: § DGaby reported a ‘rumor’ that the old Byron Funeral Home building was to on the agenda of the Historical Commission, to consider demolition. LS will call Scott Hanson and let board know. § JL reported that at last Hist Comm meeting, unanimous approval was granted for new windows at 103 Bowdoin St. 9:15 pm -
Adjournment: JL moved to adjourn; WK seconded. Motion passed.
McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: August 14, 2007 PRESENT: *Ben Swan Jr.,
Chair, *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, *Stephen Gray, *Luzed Guzman, *Gregory
Hession, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn, *Denise Moccia, *Demetrios
Panteleakis, *Rodrick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, *Cindy Williams, *Marianne
Winters, Lisa Gaudreau, Jamie Gray, Sandra Hession, Shelly Ann Hill, James
E. Holmes, Alonzo Kenney, Ceil Lewonchuk, Yasir Osman, Ray Talbot, Stephen
Thibeau, Michael Wiersma, Kat Wright, (*Members of the Board) Guests: Carl Dietz,
Acting Director of Springfield Department of Housing; David Gaby Meeting called to
order 7:15 p.m. 13 Board members present
SECRETARY’S REPORT, LS moved to approve minutes of June 12, 2007 Annual
Meeting and July 10, 2007 board meeting; LG seconded. New board member DP abstained since he
was not present at those meetings. Motion passed. TREASURER’S REPORT: LS reported that MNC savings
account is at $1013.91 and checking account at $760.16. There are no
outstanding debts. A total of $1,181.38 is due on current bills, plus $400
for staff stipend. She will transfer $950 to checking to cover the bills.
Appointment with Ivette Cruz scheduled for 8/16 to close out grant for
2006/07. (Report attached). ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS: Floor was opened to
nominations for officers. The following were nominated: §
For President: SG nominated Gregory Hession, who
accepted the nomination; WK nominated Demetrios Panteleakis, who accepted
the nomination; AA-R nominated Denise Moccia, who declined. §
For Vice President: DP nominated Walter Kroll, who
accepted the nomination; Luzed Guzman nominated James Llewellyn, who
accepted the nomination. §
For Treasurer: DM nominated Liz Stevens, who accepted
with reservations; JL nominated Marianne Winters, who accepted the
nomination. §
For Assistant Treasurer: MW nominated Luzed Guzman,
who accepted the nomination; LS nominated Cindy Williams, who accepted the
nomination. §
For Clerk/Secretary: DP nominated Ben Swan Jr., who
accepted the nomination §
For Assistant Secretary: DM nominated Marianne
Winters, who accepted the nomination LS moved that each candidate speak to their
candidacy; AA-R seconded. Motion passed unanimously. After each
candidate spoke, the floor was opened to questions & answers from the
candidates, a secret ballot was taken of the Board. CL and SH tallied the
votes. Old Business: DM moved that while ballots were being tallied, the
Board move to deal with issue of 79-81 Princeton St.; LS seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. Status of 79-81 Princeton Street: Carl Dietz,
Acting Dir., Springfield Housing Office, representing the City, said he
does not have intimate knowledge of the property or its history, but said
last prospective developer, Jim Morrissey, estimated clean-up would cost
at least $55,000. DM said it has
been out to RFP six times so far; DEP report states the house should be
lifted and soil treated or the house demolished and soil treated; in DM’s
opinion the house even if it were in prime condition is not worth much;
asked CD How many more times will the City put out RFPs on
this property and then have them dropped by the developer when the
clean-up is made known? SG stated that the
City as owner has an obligation to make it clean; his question is How do
we persuade the City to step up to clean the soil before the property can
be sold, with a goal to keep restorable housing? Also, when will the City
clean the property? CD promised to
bring it up with Sal Calvanese, tax title custodian, and David Panagore,
development chief. GH asked if
potential developers were told about the environmental problems before the
bid process. Michael Wiersma
said he looked at the property as a possible bidder and was not
informed. GH asked if the
$55,000 clean-up figure was based on traditional methods. CD said it was. LS stated that the
Council had reasonable expectations that someone from the City would come
with full understanding of the problems and offer some solutions, or
proposals for solutions; she expressed disappointment in the City and
disappointment that Mr. Dietz is instead learning about it from us. She
asked CD to return to another McKnight meeting with answers SAH stated her
property abuts from the Amherst Street side; her opinion is that the house
cannot be saved, it must come down and the soil cleaned; she has applied
to the City to buy the lot to incorporate into her yard, or it could be
used for a neighborhood park or garden. DM said Princeton
Street is outside the historic district, so we cannot look to the Historic
Commission to save the house; even tho she does not advocate tearing down
structures, this is not a special house anyway; showed photos of neglect
& debris inside the house. SG said someone has
to spend the money to clean the site, whether the house is demolished or
raised; suggested the City give someone a grant to fix it. BS asked that the
City get a cost to demolish and CD to come back with answers or a
direction for this property. LS again asked Mr.
Dietz to return in September with answers. AK, who lives next
to this property, said he hopes it doesn’t catch fire and threaten his
house, that kids have several times tried to set the house on fire; his
choice is to tear it down. CD agreed to return
to next meeting with answers from the City. 50 Princeton Street: LS moved to address this property; CW seconded. Michael Wiersma got
the RFP for this property, is moving forward to purchasing it, is now
waiting for signatures from the City to go forward (which was supposed to
happen in May), has heard nothing at all since June; asked What is the
hold-up? Asked Mr. Dietz for follow up on this property. 347 St. James Ave.: SG noted that
this house has been hit twice by cars, once from St. James Ave. and once
from Princeton Street; also noted that the handrails are gone or have been
changed from traditional style. It was noted that
CD is also currently handling City Code Enforcement; questions were raised
about porch railing code and whether the Sanitary code regulations trump
the historic district regulations or visa versa. LG said she was coded on
railings, went to Historic Commission for a variance, but most people
don’t know they can do that. DP suggested the Historic Commission be asked
to amend their website to address these issues. DM stated plain porch
railings are less expensive than restoration railings. LG said she found
the cost to replace similar railings at $800 per post, too expensive to
do. 42 Bay Street: BS asked if MNC
should write a letter of support as requested by developer Jim Morrissey
for his plan to purchase and combine front and back lots, and build a
2-family house. SG said the house design is more fitting to the
neighborhood than what HAP has proposed (on other lots in McKnight). DM said she looked
at this proposal and other Morrissey proposals carefully, noted he has a
lot of rental properties; her opinion is that MNC ought to push more for
home ownership than rentals. She said Forest Park gets what they want and
McKnight gets what the City thinks we deserve. DM said if we don’t
ask for more we’ll never get more. DG said combining
the 2 lots is a good idea regardless; but he sees 76 Bay Street (also
developed by Morrissey) as poorly executed, and suggests MNC may want to
reserve endorsement. GH noted that
Morrissey’s covenant in deed at 42 Bay Street is for owner occupancy for 3
years. LG thought the
house plan looked nice, that Morrissey was passionate about his plans and
has already completed a project of similar quality; said this is an
upgrade from what we have had up to now; asked Is a higher
standard achievable? Said she does not see why MNC should deny a letter
of support. DP said the City is
on a big upswing, that plans for downtown and neighborhoods are huge, and
he believes now is the right time to demand the standard we want to see –
for the next 20-25 years; said it is time to set expectations with
developers, the City, etc.; State Street and Bay is the gateway from State
into McKnight. LS moved McKnight Neighborhood Council be willing to
support combining the 2 lots, as proposed by Jim Morrissey, and that,
although we think the design presented looked good, we would prefer a
one-family home be built on the site; DM seconded. Motion passed. Election
results: Results of the
election of officers was read out: Thirteen ballots
were cast. Elected to office
were: §
President, Gregory Hession §
Vice President, James D. Llewellyn §
Treasurer, Marianne Winters §
Clerk/Secretary, Ben Swan Jr. §
Assistant Treasurer, Luzed Guzman §
Assistant Secretary – Because all three nominees
declined the office, there will be a vote taken at the next board
meeting. New business: 1.
DM asked that David Panagore be invited to the next
board meeting to address the Bay Street Corridor proposals, which he
promised to do at his last appearance here. 2.
BS asked that Edgar Alejandro of WMECo be invited to
next meeting with their proposal for ISO grid improvements to be installed
down Bay Street to State, or down St. James Ave. to Carew (both
underground); also asked that he address the substation at Bowles and Bay
streets. 3.
BS asked that the next meeting also address board
committee assignments and designated MNC attendees at meetings of City
boards, councils and commissions. 4.
CL asked about the block party on Dartmouth Street;
WK said it was held at their house under threat of rain, called it a
success; 35-40 people attended. 5.
CL asked about tree removal at Bowdoin and
Worthington; BS said this was Rocco Terriaca’s plan for handicap-van
access to his property at 103 Bowdoin, as MNC approved last. 9:35 pm -
Adjournment: MW moved to adjourn; LG seconded. Motion passed.
McKnight Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: July 10, 2007 PRESENT: *Ben Swan Jr.,
Chair, *Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, *Stephen Gray, *Luzed Guzman, *Gregory
Hession, *Walter Kroll, *Jim Llewellyn, *Denise Moccia, *Liz
Stevens, *Cindy Williams, Stephanie Anderson, Sandra Hession, Yeanni
Kopellas, Sara Takacs, Raymond Talbot, Stephen Thibeau, Kat Wright,
(*Members of the Board) Guests: Jim Morrissey,
preferred developer for 46 Bay St.; Rudy Perkins, HAP; Quintin Fowlkes,
Mayoral Aide Meeting called to
order 7:10 p.m. Five sitting Board members present. After
swearing-in of new board members, ten were present in total. SECRETARY’S REPORT, LS reported minutes of June 12,
2007 Annual Meeting were not yet available. TREASURER’S REPORT: LS reported that currently, MNC
savings account holds $2,812.80 and checking account holds $67.04. There
is enough to pay MNC insurance premium. Next advance on CDBG funds will be
available as soon as reports are filed with Office of Housing; that should
occur next week. SEATING OF NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS: KW presented
election report (attached). Those re-elected, Abdullah Abdul-Rahim and
Denise Moccia, and those newly elected, Stephen Gray, Luzed Guzman, Walter
Kroll, Jim Llewellyn, and Cindy Williams, were all sworn in by President
Swan. New Board members Sven Martin, Demetrios Panteleakis and Marianne
Winters were not present, and will be sworn in at another time. ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS: GH moved to hold election of officers until August
meeting, since 3 new members were not present; AAR seconded. Motion passed unanimously. GUESTS: 1.
76 Bay Street:
Jim Morrissey reported this apartment
building, the rehabilitation of which MNC approved in early 2006, is very
close to completion – and may be occupied as early as August. Parking
off-street was the biggest problem to be solved, and is now secured. An
awning will be added over front door. Offered to give MNC board a tour
when the building is ready. 2.
42 Bay
Street: Jim Morrissey was named preferred
developer in May 2007; Needs letter of endorsement from MNC in order to
proceed. He proposes a 2-family house built on this lot &
“land-locked” lot behind, the combination of which provides permit-able
conforming lot for this purpose (60ft frontage and deep enough to allow
parking). Proposed design is 3-story, one apartment on first floor, and
second on second and part of third floors, similar to house at 16-18
Cherry St.) Separate entrances, front and side, which also gives access to
divided basement space. Siding is vinyl clapboards with decorative siding
in peaks. Energy efficient design & utilities. Does not own property
now, but hopes to take title and begin construction by Labor Day. Plan has
been submitted to Planning Board. Property is deed restricted to be owner
occupied.
LS moved to close discussion and vote at
August meeting; JL seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3.
HAP- New house on
Thompson Street: Rudy Perkins shared plan for a 1-family
house to be built on Thompson Street; asked for support at hearing before
Historical Commission July 19. Lot is next to 45-47 Thompson (HAP-built
duplex that MNC approved in past). Design same as HAP house on Florida St.
and several houses HAP is now building in Old Hill and Six Corners
(Pembleton, Orleans, Tyler). Plan includes energy efficient heating
system, full basement, insulation-full attic; footprint 22x30; to be
priced around $115,000 for first-time home buyer only. MNC raised concern
whether design appropriate among large Victorians; RP will take message
back to rethink mass and architectural details, said HAP is working with
Preservation Trust and Historical Commission on design issues. 4.
HAP – Other
questions: LS asked what HAP needs from MNC today;
RP said he is sharing information, does not need a letter of endorsement,
but it would not hurt. AAR expressed concern that such projects are going
ahead with or without MNC support; RP said his concern is to make good
relationships with the neighborhood councils whether HAP is proposing to
build one house or 15 houses. DS asked if HAP is considering any
rehabilitation on abandoned properties in the neighborhood; RP said they
don’t have anything in the works now, but are always looking for new
projects. Asked about other lots on Thompson Street on which HAP had
preferred status, he said that had expired on the lot that abuts the
restaurant (Cozy Café) across from 45-47, and HAP had no plans currently
for that lot. Old Business: 1.
Block
party: LS moved to hear SA on plans
for block party; DS seconded. Motion passed unanimously. SA reported she plans to contact SPD tomorrow about
closing off the short leg of Dartmouth Street between the Dartmouth
triangle and the vacant Mason lot. Date is Saturday, July 28, 2007, from 3
to 7 or 8 pm. Nehemiah Ministries will pay for renting a “bounce house”
and generator. Several members present signed up to help plan and run the
event; SA plans to contact them with a list of tasks, ideas, etc.,
including clearing and clean-up of the area. QF suggested Hampden County
sheriff’s department can clear and clean-up on short notice. MNC’s
insurance policy covers this event. 2. Volunteer Staff Position: BS informed
board that Marguerite Boone has left the position, and that KW has made a
proposal to take it up. MNC Executive Committee met last week and agreed
to the proposal (attached), which was then read. KW started work
today.
LS said that supervising the previous person was a burden to her,
and she welcomes an independent worker in the job. AAR brought up the fact
that the job was once a full-time paid position, then a part-time paid
position, and he asked Mayoral Aide Fowlkes to look into making it a paid
position again; QF agreed to do so. KW asked for vote of confidence from
the board as a whole; JL moved to give KW a vote
of confidence; LS seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3.
CDBG Quarterly
Advances & FY2008 CDBG Action Plan and Budget: LS & BS
meet next week with OHNS to complete. 4.
Code
enforcement: a.
79-81 Princeton
Street renovation: Board agreed to make this the primary
subject of the August meeting; representatives from city will be present
to address status. b. 103 Bowdoin Street: Owner has
been unable to sell this former boarding house, but is asking the city for
permission to occupy the carriage house; went before City Council on
it. c.
50 Princeton
Street: DS asked Mayoral Aide Fowlkes to check the status,
since she has been told the person who won the bid has not been able to
occupy, and is awaiting some action from the Mayor’s office. 5.
Office
relocation: MNC pays $6,000 in rent plus another $2,000-plus in
utilities for current office space, out of total CDBG allotment of $8,500.
Question raised is whether MNC should continue, considering how little we
use the space, or ought the council seek in-kind storage and meeting
space, and use the CDBG grant money more productively. Re STCC -BS said he
had a meeting over a year ago with STCC Pres. Rubenzahl who offered
meeting space, and suggested contacting the board of the Enterprise Center
to ask for office space there. GH proposed a
3-person ad hoc committee to get the task done. QF offered a list of organizations in the
neighborhood that might offer in-kind space. President Swan called for volunteers to form an
office relocation committee; the following people signed up: Jim
Llewellyn, Denise Moccia, Liz Stevens, Abdullah Abdul-Rahim, Steve Gray,
Stephen Thibeau & Quintin Fowlkes. KW agreed to disseminate
contact information to the committee. 6.
By-Laws
Revisions: GH, who chairs the committee working on the
revisions, reported that the by-laws were written for a larger
organization than MNC, and revisions proposed two months ago were meant to
simplify. He reported that since the May meeting on the by-laws, other
revisions have been brought up, and suggests that anyone who wishes to
propose a revision or has an argument to keep a current provision call him
to discuss. Noted that more than one option can be proposed for any change
to be voted on by a membership meeting, which must consist of at least 20
members to be binding. KW noted that proposed changes must be published
before the meeting on which they are voted, and suggested that the vote be
taken in stages so that we are not voting on the entire document all at
once. BS ruled that 15 minutes be set aside at the
August meeting to present changes in the hope that we can vote on them in
September. 7.
Mason Square
Library: The MSL Advisory Committee is standing by until the
MSL site search committee is done. BS reported that Site Search Committee
has reviewed 9 sites, and narrowed the search to 4 sites. At a meeting
last Monday, architect Steve Jablonski presented a cost analysis of those
sites, and recommended the old firehouse as his preferred location. The site search committee has scheduled a final
meeting for 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 13, 2007, in the Central Library
community room to reach its decision on a recommended site to present to
the Mayor. 8.
Brown
Street: ST and RT reported that since the street was
changed to one-way (at their request, with support from MNC board),
traffic and crime problems have gotten worse. Drug deals are being made at
the corner of Brown and Bay, prostitution is occurring, and drivers are
speeding the wrong way up Brown Street. Several suggestions were made on how to
handle the situation. BS suggested this is an
important issue to bring before the Police Beat Team monthly meeting;
noted the next such meeting is at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 19 at Bergen
Circle, 15 Girard Ave. He also said he will try to have someone from the
traffic bureau in attendance. AAR suggested they might way to have State
Police there as well. New
Business: 1.
Newsletter: KW proposed a smaller, more frequent newsletter, and
called for volunteers for a communications committee to produce the
newsletter. The following people signed up: Luzed Guzman, Walter Kroll,
Jim Llewellyn. 2.
Board contact
list: JL asked that a list of all board members,
including contact information, be sent to everyone on the board. KW agreed
to do so. 9:35 pm - Adjournment: GH moved to adjourn; AAR seconded; Motion passed.
McKnight Neighborhood Council Inc. REPORT ON 2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION § Election was held on Saturday, June 30, 2007, at 38
Catharine St., from 12 Noon until 5 p.m. § Election commissioners Kathryn A. Wright and Sandra
Hession were present for the entire polling time. § In all, 44 votes were cast: 22
votes in District #1
11 votes in District #2
11 votes in District #3 The following were elected outright:
District #1: (Two seats were
vacant)
Abdullah Abdul-Rahim for a 2-year term (11 votes)
Demetrios Panteleakis for a 2-year term (15 votes) District #2: (Three seats were vacant)
James D. Llewellyn for a 2-year term (10 votes)
Denise Moccia for a 2-year term (11 votes)
Walter Kroll for a 1-year term (11 votes)
[Jon Wilbon received 1 vote, and was not elected] District #3: (Four seats were vacant)
Roderick Shubrick for a 2-year term (6 votes)
Cindy Williams for a 2-year term (2 votes)
Sven Martin for a 1-year term (1 vote)
(One seat remains vacant) General At-Large (One seat was vacant)
Marianne Winters for a 2-year term (33 votes)
[Demetrios Panteleakis received 1 vote, and was not elected to this
position]
[Sven Martin received 1 vote, and was not elected to
this position] Senior At-Large (One seat was vacant) There was a 3-way tie:
Steven Gray for a 2-year term (2 votes) – Accepted the
position
[Mattie Jenkins (2 votes) – Declined]
[Marjorie Guess (2 votes) – Declined]
[Ceil Lewonchuk received 1 votes and was not elected to
this position] Youth At-Large (One seat was vacant) Luzed Guzman for a
2-year term (3 votes) [Imani Hines Coombs received 2 votes and was not
elected to this position. Note that Ms. Hines Coombs is 15 and therefore
does not qualify for the position under the current MNC by-laws] July 10, 2007 Submitted by
Kathryn A. Wright 2007 Election Commissioner, McKnight Neighborhood Council Inc.
McKnight
Neighborhood Council Board Meeting: June 12, 2007 ANNUAL MEETING Meeting held at Sabor a
Quisqueya Restaurant, 326 St. James Ave. PRESENT: *Ben Swan Jr., Chair, *Abdullah
Abdul-Rahim, *Ceil Lewonchuk, *Denise Moccia, *Greg
Hession, *Roderick Shubrick, *Liz Stevens, Stephanie Anderson, Jasmine
Bosworth, Anne Bradley, Michael Ferrier, Katie Foster, Paul Foster, Walter
Kroll, Jim Llewellyn, Carl Moccia, Keturah Moore, Karan Parkin, Mike
Stevens, Luz Swan, Alice Swan, Stephen Thibeau, Sandy Hession, Gloria
Wilson, Marianne Winters, Kat Wright; Chris & Marguerite Boone
(staff). GUESTS: Quintin Fowlkes, Mayoral Aide; Bettye Anderson Frederic,
Deputy Director, Springfield Dept. of Health &
Human Services; Joshua Shanley, Principal, MassReady; Representative from Red Cross Spfd. Restaurant provided a buffet, paid for by HHS
department. Seven board members
present. CALL TO ORDER: 7:15 p.m. SECRETARY’S
REPORT: Rescheduled to
July meeting TREASURER’S
REPORT:
PRESENTATION: Meeting was opened to
presentation and training on emergency preparedness sponsored by
Springfield Dept. of Health & Human Services. Josh Shanley of
MassReady conducted the training. OLD
BUSINESS: Ben Swan Jr.,
President, presented a report on the 2006-2007 Year in Review. The topics
covered are those listed in the attached agenda. In conclusion, Pres. Swan
spoke of 2007-2008 Hopes and Concerns, as listed in the agenda. NEW
BUSINESS: Pres. Swan introduced Quintin Fowlkes,
new aide to Mayor Ryan. QF announced several events of interest, including
an anti-hunger day at Magazine Park on 6/22, and a heads-up on Humanics
day in September where Springfield College is looking for a “big project”
to engage 2500 students. MNC ought to consider and submit a “big project”
to be tackled. MOTION TO ADJOURN: passed unanimously Meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m.. ATTACHED: Agenda of this meeting
ATTACHMENT TO
MINUTES OF 6/12/07: McKnight
Neighborhood Council 2007 ANNUAL MEETING Tuesday, June 12, 2007 – 7:00
pm AGENDA Open Meeting §
TREASURER’S REPORT: Liz Stevens §
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Year in Review: Ben Swan Jr. Changes of Note Brown Street One-Way
Traffic Thompson Street
Developments 103 Bowdoin Street Volunteer Staff Position –
Marguerite Boone 14-16 Buckingham Street
Demolition CDBG Quarterly Advances Financial Recovery Burglary FY
2008 CDBG Action Plan and Budget Council Activities Mason Square Community
Coalition (Weed & Seed) State Street Alliance Economic
Development Initiative Somali Children Tutoring –
Sisters in Struggle Keep Springfield Beautiful
Citywide Cleanup Campaign Magazine Park Cleanup Code Enforcement 2 Newsletter Publications
(Autumn, Spring) Mason Square Library o Advisory Committee o Mayor’s Site Search Committee §
Zone Ordinance Re-Writing o State Street Overlay §
Sector F community Police Beat Management Team o
Current Projects in Neighborhood § Federal State Street Corridor Project § CVS Colvest Group § 76 Bay Street 8-Unit Apartment Building § Worthington Street – Metro Center § 25 St. James Avenue – Mr. Ron South §
NEW BUSINESS: o
EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS – Springfield Department of Health & Human Services o
Hopes and Concerns § Old Mason Square Firehouse Restoration § 79-81 Princeton Street Renovation § By-Laws Revision § Office Relocation § Indemnity Insurance § Mason Square Branch Library Relocation § Block Party § Tapley Street, St. James Avenue, and Martone Place
Development § 217 St. James Avenue (Corner s/Clarendon) Christian
Faith Baptist Church § Magazine Street Family Sports Center o
Other Close Meeting to Enjoy Refreshments
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