Westcott East Neighborhood Association Aug. 8, 2011 Meeting minutes NEXT MEETING: Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 Persons registering as in attendance: WENA Board: Starke Donnelly, Barbara Humphrey, Alice Honig, Charles Tremper, Damian Vallelonga, Joanne Waghorne, Marilyn Zaleon. WENA members and guests: Jane Begley, Bruno Daniele (SPD), Francesca Pignoni, Philip Roth, 1. Barbara Humphrey called the meeting to order a little past 6:30. 2. Welcome and introductions (no news please) 3. Presentation of July 11 minutes for approval: Barbara Humphrey Marilyn moved and Barbara seconded their approval; passed unanimously. 4. Financial Report: Starke Donnelly Starke announced some $1633.65 remained in the WENA account, one new membership had been received and $150 would be paid to the Westcott Street Cultural Fair (WSCF). 5. Police storefront update: Officer Daniele reported that a string of armed robberies had been reported in the 700-800 blocks of Euclid, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. These may be gang- related. In addition, bicycles have been stolen from SU campus and individual yards and garages. Tow-away zones have been created in an effort to control illegal parking on S. Beech, Harvard, Victoria, and Concord. The police have little authority to control idling vehicles in the Sabastino parking lot, since this is private property. Barbara raised issues concerning the appearance of the Storefront and mentioned that Kate Hammer was willing to facilitate a neighborhood watch for the area. 6. Program/Outreach initiatives a. Networking with Other Neighborhood Organizations and the City i. WCC Newsletter Insert: September issue will include garage sale flyer. ii. Westcott Leadership Roundtable (WLR): garage sale discussed; WENA is the only group to sign on; next meeting Aug. 25. b. UNP: next meeting Aug. 15. Group has been disappointing, with failures in facilitation, delays in producing minutes, etc. c. Westcott Business update: i. Taste of India has still not opened. ii. No news on the former 7-Rays. iii. Questions raised on Co-op’s expansion, if any. 7. Old/New Business a. WSCF: hope to have WENA table separate from SEUNA in front of police storefront. Volunteers needed to “man” the table; hope to have access to internet so Paul can demonstrate Campus Life Now, perhaps using power from Storefront. Folks also needed to march in Parade, celebrating the WSCF’s 20th anniversary. b. Follow up to mayor’s Aug. 2 event in Barry Park i. Meet with WLR concerning a response; many questions not answered satisfactorily. ii. Stop sign at Westcott and Beech to be installed in spring 2012, when the other improvements will be made. iii. No transparent process in place for the JWV house. iv. Quality of life issues involve need to manage conflicts. v. Stickley House: Charles will draft a letter hopefully to be sent with other groups to Audi’s (the owners); mayor would be copied. He will contact Sean Kirst to see if this is a possible column for him. c. JWV update: nothing more. d. Campus Life Now: no report; problems reported with site. e. Garage sale, Sept. 10: help needed for planning etc.; there will not be a central sale for WENA. Items could be given to Peace Council for their sale. f. UNSAAC update; approved: i. Merchant Association: Meeting to be held at Petit shortly. Doug is taking the lead. ii. Historic Walking Tours: No report. iii. Harvard Community Garden: No report. g. Retreat follow up: i. Quality of life issues. Nothing to report ii. Fundraising. Nothing to report. h. Bike rack and public spaces projects: Damian reported that the specifications have been submitted and city is soliciting bids; no firm timeline, but hope rack is in place by time of the Fair. i. I-81 challenge: No upcoming meetings to report. j. Remembrance Place: area at front left of Petit proposed. Memorial bricks to be installed. k. Bulb project: bulbs will be free for the neighborhood. Date is 10/1/11. l. Xavier Woods: proposed development of single family houses in outer Comstock area. Some neighbors are raising concerns. 10. Announcements and good news a. Starke reported that tiles from the original tile project and the Ed Smith project would be installed Thursday (Aug. 11) on side of Petit facing parking lot. b. Alice appreciated the Man of La Mancha and the upcoming Shakespeare in the Park. c. Charles mentioned the plans by All Saints parish to install a memorial to Father Mychal Judd, who died on 9/11 while ministering to the “first responders.” d. Barbara mentioned Women Transcending Boundaries will provide help to clean up and weed prior to the WSCF. Volunteers are needed to help direct this effort. Meet on 9/10/11 at 9 am in front of Moms if you can join Starke to donate time and leadership. 11. Upcoming Events: a. Inner harbor visioning session, Aug. 8, noon, Council Chambers (K. Joy committee) b. Eastside TNT: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 6 p.m. Nottingham High School. c. WSCF: Sunday, September 18, noon-6:30 p.m. d. TNT Citywide Neighborhood Summit, LeMoyne College, Oct. 22.