Westcott East Neighborhood Association Nov. 14, 2011 DRAFT Meeting minutes NEXT MEETING: Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 Persons registering as in attendance: WENA Board Members: Lori Brown, Starke Donnally, Tony Gigliotti, Alice Honig, Barbara Humphrey, Jill Ouikahilo, Doug Roth, Charles Tremper, Marilyn Zaleon WENA members and guests: Lula Atherton, Officer Bruno Daniele, Kate Hammer (SU), Councilor-at-Large-elect Helen Hudson, Ben Lockwood (Housing Visions Unlimited), 5th District Councilor Nader Maroun 1. Barbara Humphrey called the meeting to order at 6:35 2. Welcome and introductions (no news please) 3. Presentation of October 10, 2011 minutes for approval: Charles Tremper. Doug Roth moved and Tony Gigliotti seconded their approval; passed unanimously. 4. Financial Report: Starke report a balance of $1864.09. 5. Police storefront update: Officer Daniele reported two sets of arrests had been made in the armed robberies. The second arrests on Oct. 26 brought this spate of crimes to an end. One 16-year-old and one juvenile were arrested, with the possibility that a 3rd person may have been involved. Car break-ins and illegal parking continue; so far, no cars have been towed. Barbara Humphrey compiled a list of public safety and quality of life issues (printed on the back of tonight’s agenda) and proposed that these form the basis of either a separate meeting or a significant part of the regular December meeting. 6. Program/Outreach initiatives a. Networking with Other Neighborhood Organizations and the City i. WCC Newsletter Insert: None for December. ii. Westcott Leadership Roundtable (WLR): next meeting is Dec. 8. Barbara will take the list of safety/quality of life issues to the group. b. UNP: Next meeting is Nov. 21. Barbara will take the list of safety/quality of life issues to the group. Discussion turned to snow removal. Everything is set for the “small” project to cover Euclid, Lancaster, Westcott. Nader reported that a number of the council members would be discussing the issue, but no major changes were anticipated for the coming season. c. Westcott Business District N. Roth will be taking the proposal for the parking waiver to the planning commission. Details are available on city web site. 7. Old/New Business a. Ben Lockwood of Housing Visions presented additional details on the plans for 2233 Esat Genesee: work with VA to build 50 units of housing for homeless veterans, mainly one-bedrooms, independent, supported living; seen as permanent not transitional. Two case workers and property manager onsite; 24-hour security being looked into; community aspect among residents important; medical care and counseling to be available onsite. New building will have a smaller foot print than existing structures which will be razed; new fencing and landscaping to be installed. Construction will begin in May 2012 if approved. Will be a LEED platinum building. Concerns were raised about the numbers to be housed here, the lack of 24-hour supervision and other supportive services, as well as smoking and other problematic behaviors. b. Remembrance area: In front of Petit. Individuals and groups may purchase bricks to memorialize those who have contributed to the neighborhood. WENA members asked to consider for whom we might want to purchase a brick. How to identify the area and the possibility of a bench were also discussed. c. Bulb Project contribution: Pete Wirth has asked WENA for a contribution. Starke moved and Alice Honig seconded donating $50. Approved. d. Gustav Stickley house: Charles and Barbara reported on the meeting with Norman Roth. SU interest in the building was discussed; Kate Hammer will see if more detailed information is available. Uncertainty expressed as to intentions of the Audis who maintain the landscape, but do nothing on the house itself. Leaking and other water damage apparent inside and out. e. UNSAAC project updates: i. 2012-2013 applications submitted; evaluation process will include a brief interview. ii. Harvard Community Garden: Alice moved and Tony seconded reassigning the fence project to UNPA. Approved. iii. Westcott Merchant Association: Tony moved and Jill seconded the hiring of Chris Fowler, selected from among 4 candidates interviews. Approved. iv. Historic Walking Tours: First tour, a trial event, held Oct. 16; despite the rain, it proved successful. f. Quality of life issues: have been folded into the public safety concerns to be discussed either at December meeting or a separate meeting. g. Fundraising ideas for WENA: no discussion h. Bike rack and public spaces projects: Action deferred until spring 2012. 8. Announcements and good news: Time ran out 9. Upcoming Events: a. Save the rain celebration: Palace Theatre, Nov. 16, 5 p.m. b. Westcott Winter weekend: various locations, opportunity for shopping for holiday gifts, Nov. 25-26.Eastside TNT: c. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., IT at Levy.