Island Neighborhood Association of Waltham
Executive Board Meeting Minutes
March 17, 1999
The meeting began at 7:05 p.m. All present were asked to sign the attendance sheet. Eleven persons did so. The recording secretary keeps all attendance sheets on file.
Secretary's Report: Minutes from the last Executive Board meeting were e-mailed to all persons on our list.
Treasurer's Report: The balance in our account is currently $567.49, with the addition of four new members.
Gloria Champion, head of the Conservation Commission, was introduced as our guest this evening. She has also newly joined the INA. She has been a very helpful resource to us in the past, and was this evening, as well.
OLD BUSINESS
Correspondence: None received. Sent: Two letters were drafted that will be sent in the future; one by the membership committee and one by the Cove and Grove Committee. These will be discussed more fully in their committee reports. Steve R. asked Dan D., via e-mail, about the "new" booms under the bridge at Cram's Cove. He is awaiting a response.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Zoning and Development Committee:
Lela C. was not present this evening. Stephen presented for that
committee. He had attended the March 3 Capasso presentation of
their plans for the Rumford Ave. property. He saw the rendering
of the proposed building and believes it is rather handsome. A
copy of it was passed around the Board to look at. It will be
included in the next newsletter. The property is currently not
zoned, as it belonged to the City of Newton. Prior to work
beginning, the owner must request a commercial zoning (this
spring) from the city, so that work can begin in the fall. Cram's
Cove-During a separate meeting to discuss this issue, a
"revised draft" of the associations' position, and
proposed actions regarding the cove was developed. This draft is
to be circulated amongst INA members and relevant others to raise
questions and make suggestions. Stephen received some feedback at
the meeting and had received some prior to it, as well. Attila
Klein has volunteered to do the core samples needed of the cove.
However, someone else would have to do the lab analysis (a costly
procedure).
Bart N. raised a concern the that cove was identified as an ice fishing area by the MDC as per a map printed in the Boston Globe several weeks prior. He suggested we contact the MDC about our concerns over people possible eating fish from the cove, and ask the MDC to remove it from the map and/or post signs about pollution/contamination there. Some members felt signs warning of contamination would be harmful to the reputation of the neighborhood.
PIP for 225 Crescent St.- This has been put off temporarily, due to the amount of work involved. Stephen R. felt that there was enough going on in the neighborhood to keep the committees very busy, therefore we didn't need to go looking for more things to get involved with.
Membership Committe
Adrian passed out a draft of a letter for new members.
He is looking for feedback, as well as asking committee chairs to
submit a brief description of their committee's foci to be
included in the packet new members would receive. Adrian also
passed out ideas for a logo, based on a map Lesya S. provided
him.
He's also looking for feedback on that. Block Party- June 19 (Rain Date: June 26). Many questions were raised, such as location (Logan Park or Forest Grove?), cost for food, dissuading the use of alcohol, getting permits, need for port-o-lets, portable toilets and the need for a police officer. If it's to be located in Logan Park, Adrian feels the neighbors should be notified in advance. This will be featured in the next newsletter. A planning committee is needed. Anyone interested attend a meeting April 20, 7:00p.m. at Hovey House.
Historical Committee
Sam P. was not present. Rachel R. represented the
committee. The committee would like to interview Mrs. Goode
before they move away, however, she has been hospitalized and is
not available to be interviewed now. Rachel hoped to audio tape
the interview. Stephen volunteered to videotape it, as long as
some one is apprenticing him, and can pick it up after this.
Rachel went to the hall of records at the library. She went
through information back to the mid 1800's. She has retrieved a
lot of interesting information, such as: the island was
originally called Morse Meadow Island. She is available to go do
further research on Tues. and Thursdays, and will e-mail members
to join her in her quest. She was encouraged to share this
information in the newsletter.
Cove and Grove Commitee
Bart N. reported that the MDC has confirmed the April
10th date for the clean up. The MDC ranger may not attend, but
may send his assistant, instead. We hope to convince him to
attend, if only for a brief time. The MDC will help and support
the INA in the clean up.
Bart shared a letter drafted to the MDC to ask them to remove the culvert at Purgatory Cove to increase water flow and accessibility by boat into the cove. He also shared a copy of an article from the Newton Tab regarding the cooperation between the City of Newton and the MDC, which he will include in this letter. Bart will pass on copies of The Islander to three Newton Aldermen. The next meeting is April 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Improvement and Planning Commitee
Some people have told Stephen they are interested in
getting involved. Hopefully more information will be available at
the next meeting.
Newsletter/Communications Commitee
The March newsletter is out. It looks great. It needs
your submissions, no matter how big or small, clever or droll.
Jim VD. Has also set up a web site that's part of his personal
site. Visit it at www.JimandBarb.net. Stephen passed out copies
of the content of the web site. Look them over, or visit the
site, and bring feedback to the next meeting as to what
should/shouldn't be on it. The board should also consider having
it's own page, instead of piggybacking on someone else's . It's
not expensive (approx. $ 70/year) if you shop around.
Ruth L. has put together a data base of the membership directory. Stephen asked those present to look over his copy and correct/update it. Ruth can print out labels, just give her advance notice. A directory will be available, hopefully at the next meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
WCONA- State Senator Steven Tolman Steve Tolman will be their guest speaker on March 24, 1999 at Waltham's Government Center. Time is uncertain right now. -Chamber of Commerce's "Meet your Regional Public Officials" night at the Best Western TLC on March 18, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $12.50 ( includes dinner). Call 894-4700 for information.
Ron Vokey, of Waltham's Building Dept., will present at our April meeting. Date to be confirmed (either 4/14 or 4/21). There was an article in the Boston Globe 3/14 regarding Mike Silva's neighborhood "showing force" at the City Council meeting at the beginning of March. They were there (and so were some INA members) to protest Arkwright' s proposal to expand their building by 3 times the size allowed "by right" (i.e., without requiring a special permit or zoning variance)
Arkwright first asked the council for a two week delay, and at the next meeting withdrew their proposal. The Globe seemed to portray it as a victory for the residents of the area. Gloria C. brought up the fact that this was double-edged sword, since four of the council members who will be running for mayor did not have to vote on the issue, so it is unclear of their position. Joris N. passed out flyers regarding the conference: "Toxics Action 99" It's being held at Boston College March 27 and 28.
Gloria C. shared information with the group about Earth Day '99. It is April 17 from 10-3 (rain or shine). She encouraged the INA to have a table there to get members, seek donations, share information, etc. It will be held on the Common unless it's raining, then at Government Center. She also shared information with the group about Earth Day 2000. On April 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kennedy School there will be a presentation and speakers talking about that celebration.
Gloria C. attended the Mass. Conservation Commission's Conference. She passed out a listing of miscellaneous environmental web sites to members. Gloria C. also shared pamphlets on the Wetlands and Rivers Protection Act, as well as guides to vernal pools, printed by the Mass. Audubon Society. Thanks Gloria!
DEM Grant- We did not receive it. That is disappointing, however it was a way for us to start building bridges, and was good practice. There are many other grant sources to seek out. If interested in seeking out other grant opportunities, speak to Steve R.. Lesya S. is willing to go with someone to the Grant Makers Library in Boston to seek out grants. Contact her if interested.
Gloria C. shared that on April 5 at 3:00 p.m. there will be a presentation at Faneuil Hall on ways to get Federal money back in the budget, so states can access it. Space is limited, so call Gloria if interested in attending.
Waltham School Building Plan: Steve R. spoke with Sue McIver, Principal of Fitch Elementary School, about monitoring the plan. Sue thinks it will be revised many times before becoming close to completion. Steve will be in contact with some individuals on the task force who live in the area.
Nightcap's Corner Association: Ginny Gardner asked Steve about our association. Steve and/or Adrian volunteered to go to one of their meetings to present on our association, and vice versa. This will aid in any future need to work together on projects that concern both associations. Mayoral and Council Campaign: Does the INA want to have a "Meet the Candidate" Night? Think about it.
NEW BUSINESS
Lesya S. is arranging a potluck dinner at her house with Kelly McClintock, the new head of the CRWA. Lesya S. contacted an individual at the Waltham Traffic Commission regarding her concern over the increase in traffic in the area, especially on Rumford Ave., due to the new offices being built by Capasso Realtors, and possible tenants at Parker-Hannifin. She was given a form to complete stating her request. She would like this issue to be included in the Neighborhood Improvement Planning Committee. Lesya S. also brought up the issue of safety concerns regarding the new Woerd Ave. boat launch (i.e. will it be gated at night?, what about parking?, what about water safety/liability?). Steve still has not heard from Dan D. about the date for the public hearing; he assumes it will be some time in April.
ACTION ITEMS: Review the web site information for the next meeting (www.JimandBarb.net). Give Adrian feedback on his letter for new members, and the INA logo mockups he made up. Give Steve feedback on his memo regarding Cram's Cove. Invite Marc Rudnick to a future meeting. Discuss the Mayoral and Council campaigns. Meeting Adjourned at 9:40 p.m.