FOREST PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING

NEW BUSINESS:

Friendly's:
Complete violation of Historic District and of 1979 FPCA agreement.  We have an opportunity to
file a complaint.  Belle-Rita asked why there was no notification when Friendly's applied for a
building permit?  A motion was made to write a letter to the Historic Commission and Building
Commission about FPCA concern about violations to the 1979 agreement and the improper
procedures regarding notification.  Motion passed.

Marengo Neighborhood Project:
Martha Moriarty of Concerned Citizens for Springfield addressed the FPCA regarding their
project to beautify the traffic triangle at Marengo, Euclid and Belmont.  They have collected
$1400 from neighbors but need more money.  Paul Sears made a motion to give $200 to this
project and it was passed.

Book Drive:
Book Drive information will go into the newsletter.

Xmain Street:
At the previous FPCA meeting a motion to give the Xmain Street Corporation $500 did not pass. 
Bill Valliere moved to give the Xmain Street group $250.  Many people wanted to ask questions
of the executive director, who we found out, has resigned.  Most at the meeting expressed general
support for Xmain Street but wanted to wait for a new executive director and to ask questions. 
The motion to give $250 failed on a 6 in favor, 9 opposed vote.  A motion passed to request that
Xmain Street come to a FPCA meeting.

Community Improvement Awards:
Many business and individual names were mentioned.  It was decided to let the Community
Improvements Committee bring recommendations to the board.

Education Person:
Without a person heading up the Education/Scholarship Committee it was decided it was too late
in the academic year to make this year's scholarships available.  It was moved and approved to
postpone offering scholarships until we find a person to head the committee and to possibly make
scholarship money available to those who might have missed out on this year's scholarships.

OLD BUSINESS:

Committee Reports:
The Parks Committee report was the only committee report.   Bob Triggs has been meeting with
Park Superintendent Pat Sullivan regarding Bright Nights at Forest Park.  Some of the issues they
discussed were shortening the length of the event from 52 to 45 days, making Barney Hill
accessible to sledding during the event, speedy removal of the structures after then event, traffic
issues and commercial advertising signs in the park.  Sullivan promised to bring these issues to the
park commissioners but made no promises on the outcome or when we would know the outcome. 
Bob was asked to get a specific date from Sullivan on when the FPCA would know the outcome.

Graffiti Removal:
Belle-Rita says not as much graffiti as in past years.  She suggested that FPCA members speak
directly to property and business owners asking that graffiti be removed.

Illumination Night:
To be held Jun 20th.

Sumner Avenue School:
The Subcommittee met at the construction site with school board and DPW staff.  They will also
meet with School Superintendent Negroni regarding bus and fence issues.  School Committee
member Bob McCullum agreed that the process of notifying abutters was not done properly, and
while of no help in this instance, agreed they would change the procedure in the future.

Belmont Laundry:
May 6th will be a planning board meeting on the proposed zone change for Crystal Avenue where
the FPCA (along with neighbors) will oppose the change.  May 26th will be a City Council
meeting to consider the change.  A member of the Planning Commission was at our meeting and
Pat Triggs gave a brief presentation on the position of the FPCA to the proposed zone change.

Other Matters:
- Dues are coming in
- Farmers Market has 11 vendors signed up.  It will start on June 9th behind Goodwill
-Belle-Rita complained about businesses using sidewalk sandwich signs

It was moved and seconded to have FPCA Executive Board meeting start at 7pm, instead of
7:30pm, but the meeting was adjourned before any vote was taken.