Minutes from March 5, 2000 Meeting

 

Meeting was held at the home of Ginny White, 511 Trafton Road. 

In attendance were the following:  Sharon O’Reily, Bill Malloy, Bob and Pat Triggs, Don Evans, Jane Hetzel, Ginny White, Amy Gustman, Belle-Rita Novak, Paul Kingston, Russ Seelig, Paul Sears, Karen Thomes, Allen Agnitti, Pat Markey, guest speakers and many neighbors from the Trafton Road neighborhood.

 

Motion made for the suspension of rules. Second.  Vote:  all in favor.

Guest Speakers:

  1. The Pioneer Valley Project presented information regarding the libraries in the City with specific information on Forest Park Library in comparison to the library in Brightwood.  The main issue is that of the hours of operation, the goal is additional hours to be added which would account for 122 hours, which would cost approximately $400,000.00.  Another issue focused on the services available, i.e. computers and reading chairs.  Currently the library association is stating that they are waiting for the renovations to be completed on the Forest Park Branch until more hours are added for operation times.  The PVP is in the process of exploring within the City what neighborhoods and community groups are interested in supporting this request for additional hours.  They are seeking a letter of support from the FPCA.  DISCUSSION-Maureen Posner is already working on this issue.  Motion made in favor to bring the operating standards of the Forest Park Library to that of the Brightwood Library.  Second.  Vote: all in favor. 
  2. Leo Valentine was the second guest speaker.  He is seeking a zone change from Business to Industrial to Business B for the rear section of his property located at 71 Allen Street.   He has owned the building for 15 years.  It is currently vacant and one possible tenant would be interested in operating a laundry type business from the building.  Another tenant would be operating a vocational type of educational program for the learning disabled.  Owners of the business that would be interested in renting to operate a laundry business were present at the meeting.  They presented the information on their current laundry operation, which is located on the corner of Belmont and White Street behind Keiffer & James, Ltd.  The owners are Lou D’Angelo and his daughter.  The type of work already performed consists of a small operation offering laundry services to caterers and Bed & Breakfasts located in the Berkshires.  The water has been tested at the current location and is found to have a low level of pollutants.  The water would empty into the sewer system at the new location.  They have been told that this would be acceptable.  The vocational component was not present to discuss their plan.  Mr. Valentine stated it would be funded through the State for special education students and would probably consist of a woodworking program.  DISCUSSION-The Association would request that he put a restrictive into the deed prior to our support for the zone change.  A question was raised as to who would enforce any covenant in the deed.  A motion was made to oppose the zone change. Second.  Vote:  all in favor.  A second motion was made to oppose any deed covenants on this site.  Second.  Vote:  all in favor.
  3. Kevin Claffey an attorney for Katrin Rouse discussed the property located at 42 Bryant.  Ms. Rouse is seeking a variance on a two family home to have it legalized into a three family home.  When Ms. Rouse purchased the property in 1988 she was informed that the home was a three family.  Since then she has been informed that the third apartment is illegal.  Ms. Rouse lives on Maryland Street.  The Bryant Street property has been maintained well and the current tenants have resided there for some time.  The Building Department records state that the home is a three family.  DISCUSSION-Motion was made for the zoning committee to work with the owner to have a variance limited for the present owner and to oppose a variance unless the variance can be restricted to the present owner.  Second.  Vote:  many in favor- 2 opposed. 
  4. Life Choices was to attend the meeting.  Richard and Diane Wright telephoned Bob Triggs and cancelled.    Many of the people present at the meeting were interested in hearing the Life Choices presentation.  A discussion focused on the home needing to request a variance because it will not be an educational setting or a group home.  The home will be for young pregnant women and their children under the age of 7 years. 

General Business

Minutes:  A motion to accept the minutes from the last meeting.  Second.  Vote:  all in favor.

Treasurer’s report:  A motion to accept the report.  Second.  Voted:  all in favor.  A notice for the membership dues was recently mailed.

Committee Reports:

  1. Community Improvement:  There has been a resurgence of graffiti.  On April 15, 2000 at 9:30am there will be a Spring Clean-Up event.  Make a list of locations that need cleaning.  Anyone interested in helping on that day is invited.
  2. Education:  Karen Thomes will be in contact with Maureen Posner regarding the scholarships for Illumination Night. 
  3. Historic:  There was a Historic Commission meeting on March 2, 2000.  A home on Pineywoods Avenue submitted an application to replace cedar shingles and a porch railing.  Allen Agnitti did not attend this meeting.  Bill Malloy sent a letter to the City Historic Commission regarding signs of excessive size.
  4. Parks:  The Cyr Arena and the renovations for the Mausoleum are topics, which are currently being discussed at the meetings.
  5. Program/Publicity:  No report.
  6. Public Safety:  Ginny White attended the Beat Management Team meeting.  She is now a member.  For the period of time from January-February there were 30 stolen cars, 9 breaking and entering reports, 1 purse stolen.  From February 10-23 there were 8 stolen motor vehicles and 8 breaking and entering involving cars.  Most of the times these occurred due to people not locking their cars and/or leaving items in the car in clear view to an outsider.  In regards to the kidnapping that occurred on Belmont Avenue, the Beat Team is requesting all people to report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods as soon as possible.  A neighbor reporting this car and incident may have saved this child’s life.  The goal of the Beat Team is to increase the numbers of police officers.  Currently there are 7 officers, 9 if the DARE officers are included.  The Beat Team wrote a letter to the Chief of Police with this request.  The Beat Team meetings occur at the Goodwill located on Dorset Street the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm, all those interested are invited to attend.
  7. X Task Force:  The grand opening of the South West Community Health Center will be March 10, 2000.  They are expecting to have 25,000 patient visits each year.  A request has been made to have businesses located at the X to unlock their front doors for customers.  The $50,000.00 grant to study the Chapin Block made a recommendation that a parking lot be coordinated with other businesses.  The appeal for the Café Saigon Bar was filed in Boston, until the appeal is heard; there is a hold on the business moving forward.  A laundry mat will be established in the old Serv U building.  VACA has hired a new bilingual person from Boston, Nghia Trend. 
  8. Zoning:  Regarding the Crystal Avenue suit, the transcript is being typed.  Once it is completed, the bill for cost will be issued.  Scott Hansen is beginning to work on the Historic Lights project.  The light posts may be able to be rented.  They will be period posts and placed at the entrance to the Park and X area.  The possibility of having posts throughout the entire Forest Park Historic district is being discussed.  Because the posts will be rented there will be no costs for the installation. 

 

New Business

The Bing is still seeking money and need to make additional improvements before it can be opened for a fundraiser.  FPCA should consider making a donation to the effort. 

Christmas in April USA-repairs and improvements to the exterior of homes.  This project will be sponsored by Faith United Church.  Applications are being accepted.  The home needs to be owner occupied, paid taxes and meet the income guidelines.  The homeowners need to be elderly.  For more information contact Sharon Gazda.

Food Mart-It is reported that they loose 400 baskets a week.  $100,000.00 has been spent on security.  The store is planning renovations totaling $250,000.00.  If you are shopping in the store, identify yourself to the manager and speak you opinion of the store and its operation.

Anyone interested in utilizing the Dashevsky fund or possible locations for beautification, please contact Jan Hines.

All committees are requested to present information at the next meeting regarding the “job” description of their committee and what has been accomplished during the past month.  Committee reports will be given at each meeting per the agenda.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:45pm.