MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD ON

OCTOBER 3, 1999

 

The meeting was held at Liz Bramson’s home.  Present were:  Bill Malloy, Jane Hetzel, Jeremy Cole, Bob and Pat Triggs, Belle Rita Novak, Brenda and Ron Davis, Allen Agnitti, Sandra Collins, and Paul Sears. 

 

Three amendments were made to the secretary’s report.  One correction-Belle Rita Novak will not be on the nominating committee. The committee will be comprised of Pat Triggs, Bill Malloy and Paul Sears.  The second correction was to include in the total fee for the Crystal Avenue lawsuit the additional $2,000.00 which was paid to a prior law firm.  The third correction was to include the discussion regarding the purchase of 500 flower bulbs, which will be available to members to plant in specific areas.   The secretary’s report was approved pending these corrections.

 

The treasurer’s report was not provided, as Don Evans was not present.  Bill Malloy did state that Don continues to work on the membership list, sorting and deleting some names.  Mention was made that of the 475 mailings that are sent out this includes local Churches, Synagogues, the Mayor and City Council members many of which do not pay the membership fees.  There have been a few instances in which Churches and Synagogues have paid the fee. 

 

Crystal Avenue Law Suit

The fund raising letter has resulted in $1,500.00 being donated thus far. 

The appeal date has been corrected to be October 15, 1999-there was an error in the court process with the filing of the docket number. Regarding the bond request-if Belmont does make a bond request there will be a hearing date scheduled for the judge to decide on the request.   A question was raised regarding the time frame for the bond request.  Does Belmont have a specific time frame with in which to make the bond request?  No one knew the correct answer to this question; the question will have to be discussed with Mark Draper.  No one knows at this point what Belmont would do if we file the appeal. 

 

The House Tour

The committee is still meeting and acquiring a list of names.  The tour was discussed and members provided additional names of people to approach to perhaps have on the tour.

 

The Historic District Topic

The question was raised as to what stance the Historic Committee should take when attending Historic Commission meetings.  In years past the FPCA gave the historic committee person the right to make any decisions at the meetings.  If in question that person could discuss the concerns with a few key people, i.e. the President and perhaps members-at-large.

This topic brought about a discussion regarding neighborhood people having knowledge of the building regulations.  The discussion resulted in the following ideas:

1.      The article that was published in the newsletter last year on building regulations for the historic zone will be published again.

2.      The regulations will be added to the new membership packet for new home buyers.

3.      The topic for the annual meeting in February will be an informational meeting on historic zones and what this means to the neighborhood.   Contractors will be invited as well as Phil Dromey from the Historic Commission.  Information regarding the meeting will be distributed during the House Tour in December. 

4.      A list of qualified contractors who focus on historic issues will be developed and also distributed during the annual meeting.

 

During the annual meeting committees will submit written reports to help decrease the discussion times to enable more time for the guest speakers to present their information.  The annual meeting will possibly be held at the Forest Park Church in an effort to recognize them for their wonderful renovations on the Church exterior.

 

The issue of street distribution for the newsletter was briefly discussed.  Paul Sears volunteered to distribute the newsletters on Maplewood Terrace and Sandra Collins agreed to distribute them on Longhill Street.

 

Liquor License

There will be a hearing at the Planning Board on October 6, 1999 at 7:00pm regarding the opening of the establishment on the corner of Dickinson and Sumner.  The owner is interested in opening a restaurant/bar called Saigon Café.  The owner is requesting a full liquor license.  There will be a hearing before the liquor commission on October 21, 1999 at 4:00pm.  A motion was made that at this point the FPCA will oppose this request based on what information is currently known.  The motion was seconded, voted and passed.

 

Parks Committee

Beginning October the clearing of the sledding area at Red Hill will begin.

 

Bing Theater

Kevin Sears is the representative attending the meetings.  The proposals have been narrowed down to two possibilities.  Both proposals are theater/dining establishments.

 

Taco Bell

If you are near the Taco Bell area and notice that there is a garbage problem, please go into the building, request to speak with a manager, identify yourself as a FPCA member, and ask them to clear the area.   Taco Bell has been compliant in heeding this request.

 

Belle Rita stated that there would not be a need for a formal graffiti clean-up day this Fall due to a lack of need.  She also stated that if people are interested in carrying some cleaning supplies in their car, she has some to distribute.  She also mentioned for people to carry an old mop handle with the metal end to use to remove the paper notices stapled to telephone polls. 

 

Belmont Laundry

Belmont Laundry purchased the vacant lot next to Lortie Reality.  Gas lines were installed in the lot last week.  The area is zoned as Residence A and Belmont Laundry is seeking a zone change.

 

Concerned Citizens

The Belmont/Keith Street home is still on the market.  The price has been reduced two times now and is currently, $110,000.00.  Buyers have to be income eligible.

Another Concerned Citizens home on Lester Street was recently sold.

 

Brainstorming

There are 2 lots at the end of Orange and Dickinson across from Frank’s Package store, which are vacant.  Some apartment buildings were torn down.  Brainstorming ideas were discussed as to what would be some possible uses for the land. 

 

Motion made to adjourn the meeting, seconded and passed.  Meeting ended at 8:30pm.

 

The next meeting will be Sunday, November 7, 1999 at Belle Rita Novak’s home at 112 Manchester Terrace.