Firefighters Exam

Is firefighting in your future?   The city's firefighting exam is coming up in April.  For more information, see this city flier (pdf) on the exam.   And/or follow the Boston Fire Recruit page on Facebook.   Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 31, and have lived in Boston for at least 1 year.

Waltham/UP Alley Gate Repairs

Union Park NA is spearheading an effort to fix and maintain the gates on the walkable-only alley that runs between Waltham Street and Union Park.  If you would like to help contribute, or want more information ont he project, please take a look at the attached flier.    (View)    (Download)

B/FNA Fundraiser Notice

From the B/FNA:

Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association is having its annual silent-auction fundraiser, next Thursday February 23.

The scholarship is available for South End high school seniors to be used to books, computer and other supplies. Last year we gave out eight $1,000 scholarships. This year the silent auction has an amazing range of items: restaurant gift certificates, framing, hair cuts, manicures and coffee.

The event is from 6 to 8 pm at Estragon, 700 Harrison Avenue, South End. Tickets are $25/advance, $30/door. For more information, tickets and a scholarship application, go to http://blackstonefranklin.org.

Thanks! Hope to see you there.

Andrew Parthum
President, B/FSNA
617 834 2696

"Ink Block" BRA Hearings

Notice from the BRA on a public hearing for development on the Boston Herald site - named by the developers as the Ink Block.  The project overview can be found in these Boston.com and Boston Herald articles

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Project Name: Ink Block (Herald Site)

Project Proponent: National Development

Project Description: National Development (the “Proponent”) is proposing to redevelop the underutilized and soon to be vacant site located at 300 Harrison Avenue in the South End (the “Project”). The Project includes the construction of three new buildings and adaptive reuse of the existing Boston Herald industrial building creating a mix of uses that include new residential and retail activity, and provide public realm improvements. The approximately 548,900 square foot Project in four buildings will create approximately 471 new residential units and a total of approximately 85,000 square feet of retail space, including a grocery store and multiple smaller scale ground floor retail and/or restaurant spaces, The Project is served by a parking supply of approximately 411 spaces, the majority of which will be in the form of structured parking.
Meeting Date/ Place: 6:00 PM, Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Project Place, 1145 Washington Street Boston, MA 02118.

Close of Comment Period: Friday, March 2, 2012

MAIL TO:                             ERICO LOPEZ
BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ONE CITY HALL SQUARE, 9TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02201
FAX TO:                                617-742-7783
PHONE:                                617-918-4429
EMAILTO:                            erico.lopez.bra@cityofboston.gov


Erico J. Lopez
Project Assistant
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
(p) 617-918-4429
(f)  617-742-7783
Erico.Lopez.BRA@cityofboston.gov

City hearing on Commercial trash pick-up times

A Hearing notice from Councilor Arroyo's office regarding commercial trash pickup times:

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We have heard from constituents throughout the City who are awoken at 2, 3, or 4 in the morning by the sounds of garbage trucks in their neighborhood.  Under current state law, the City of Boston can regulate the times for residential trash pick up, but CANNOT regulate the times for commercial trash pick up. To remedy this, I have filed a Home Rule Petition, co-sponsored by Councilor Mike Ross that would allow the City of Boston to regulate commercial trash pick up times.  

On February 27, 2012, beginning at 5:30 PM, there will be a Boston City Council hearing on this matter. I hope that you will be able to attend the hearing to support our legislation.  The details are below and if you have any questions, please contact Joy DePina at 617-635-4205 or at joy.depina@cityofboston.gov.

What:    Commercial Trash Pick Up Hearing
When:   Monday, February 27th at 5:30PM 

Where:  Boston City Hall

5th Floor, Iannella Chamber 

Sincerely,

Felix G. Arroyo
Boston City Councilor At-Large
One City Hall Square, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02201
617-635-4205Felix.Arroyo@cityofboston.gov

Deadline to register for primaries

A reminder that Feb 15th is the last day to register to vote if you would like to take part in the March 6th presidential primaries.   For more information, see http://www.cityofboston.gov/elections/

New Rendering for The Chevron

For those who were at this past Wednesday's ESNA meeting.   The developers of the new building at the corner of Dwight and Tremont have issued a new building rendering, showing a limestone color warmer than shown on some of the renderings presented at the meeting

The new picture can be found on this Boston Globe article.

Street Cleaning - Continuing updates

Hi everyone.   2012 is flying by, and March 1 will be here before you know it, bringing with it street cleaning changes.   As a reminder:

• Street cleaning now runs March 1 - December 31
• Towing begins March 1 this year - no 'grace period'
• Street cleaning is postponed if there is snow on the ground, or torrential rain
• The city's No-Tow web site will list when street cleaning is suspended, as well as let you look up sweeping for particular locations (and register for alerts)

The city should be delivering a generic 'street sweeping changes' flier to everyone's door around mid-February.  They will also be putting a paid advertisement in the South End news, and putting fliers on all cars at the end of February.

The city gave me some street-specific fliers.   If anyone would like to door-to-door flier a single ESNA street, please contact me and I'll get you the fliers.

I've also updated the Eight Streets Street Sweeping page with the new dates and times.  Please note there are a few hiccups.   Bond and PA705 were missing form the city's list, so I'm making sure they are updated.   They city also posted the wrong Shawmut street dates, so I'm waiting for an update on that as well.  Tremont and Washington st will not be changing sweeping dates or times.

Neighborhood Restaurant News

South End patch points us to the bosguy blog, with some local restaurant news/rumors...

February Eight Streets meeting

Hi Everyone!

 

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, February 1st in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting.
7-8:30 - Business meeting. 

On the agenda this month:

• Proposed new building at 512-518 Tremont st.    Building plans will be presented, and they ask for neighborhood support of the project.  A vote will be taken
• Open member discussion

The main agenda item this month will be a new building proposal.    The "Old Dutch Candy" building is on Tremont, between Dwight st and PA 705 (Right next to the community garden).  Plans are for the building to be razed and replaced with a 6 story structure, with retail on the ground floor and a half dozen parking spaces to be accessed from the alley.   The building is slightly below the zoned height limit of 70 feet, and will have plenty of architectural detail.  If you're an abutter or are interested in some new architecture on Tremont, then come to the meeting and get full project details.

The 512/518 Tremont building is the only scheduled agenda item this month, so we'll have plenty of time for Open Member discussion this month.  If you have questions, gossip or neighborhoods issues, we'll have some open time to discuss what's on your mind.

Hope to see everyone there!

Primary elections: Deadlines and Absentee ballots

The Boston Elections department sends us this note concerning the Party primaries.

Important dates:

• Now - you can apply for an absentee ballot
• February 15th - last day to become a registered voted in order to vote in the primaries. (If you're registered already, you're good to go.)
• March 6th - Presidential Primary elections

If you want to join a particular party, you must register with that party by Feb 15.   If you are not registered with any party (unenrolled/independent), you can chose which party primary to vote in when you arrive at the polling location.

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Absentee Ballot Applications Now Available

Request or Renew your Absentee Ballot Application for the March 6 Presidential Primary

The Board of Election Commissioners wants to remind all Boston voters that absentee ballot applications for 2012 are now available. Since an application for an absentee ballot must be submitted and/or renewed by each voter every calendar year, The Board advises voters considering the use of an absentee ballot for the March 6 Presidential Primary to apply now.

Given the unpredictability of early March weather, the elderly, or voters with mobility challenges, may want to consider applying for an absentee ballot for the Primary.  Applications may be obtained by calling the Election Department at 617-635-3767 or can be downloaded from the Department’s webpage: www.cityofboston.gov/elections. If a voter is unsure whether or not his/her absentee ballot request is up-to-date, please call the Election Department.

 The Board also reminds absentee voters that, as March 6 is a Primary, Unenrolled (or Independent) voters should indicate on the application which party ballot (Democrat, Green-Rainbow, or Republican) you wish to be sent. Those who have already indicated party affiliations will receive the ballot of their chosen party, unless a party change has been received no later than 20 days before the Primary.

The last day to register to vote, change one’s voting address, or change one’s party affiliation in time for the Primary is February 15. All mailed forms must be postmarked no later than February 15.

For more information, please contact 617-635-3767 or through www.cityofboston.gov/elections.

Recycle those Christmas trees

The city will begin accepting Christmas trees for recycling on January 3rd and January 10th (Eight Streets recycling days).   Trees ned to have everything removed form them (lights, tinsel, etc), and cannot be in those tree removal bags (take the bag off once the tree is on the curb).  

Trees put out this Saturday will be taken away as trash and not recycled (remember, trash collection is delayed one day this week - pickup is on Saturday, Dec 31).

Trash delayed this week

Happy Holidays everyone!!! And because Christmas is on a SUnday this year, the official City holiday is Monday, December 26th. This year, that means city trash collection, including the South End, is postponed one day this week!!!

 This week only, trash will be picked up Wednesday, Dec 28 and Saturday, Dec 31.  Recycling will be collected on Wednesday.

The week of January 3, trash collection is on the normal schedule.

I know everyone wants to get rid of their holiday trash, but please remember to put your trash out for Wednesday & Saturday.   Trash put out on regular collection days will sit there for an extra day.

Please pass this information onto your neighbors!

January ESNA Meeting

Hi Everyone!

 

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, January 4th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting.
7-8:30 - Business meeting. 

On the agenda this month:

• Construction project at 8/10 Taylor st.   8 Taylor street is the wooden house next to Watson (Taylor) Park.  10 Taylor is the lot next to 8, currently the driveway/car park for 8 Taylor.  Ramy Rizkalla, new owner of 8 Taylor, would like to construction an addition on the rear of 8 Taylor, and on the 10 Taylor property.

This meeting will focus on two issues regarding the proposed construction.  The first is our regular neighborhood process of reviewing a neighborhood project and voting as a neighborhood to oppose or not oppose the project.

The second issue  has to do with building on the 10 Taylor lot.  That lot is currently under a BRA Land Disposition Agreement.  Under the LDA, 10 Taylor is required to be open space for a set number of years (even though the property is physically owned by Mr. Rizkalla).   Our January meeting double as a BRA Public meeting concerning modifying the LDA to allow construction on 10 Taylor before the current LDA expiration.  BRA representative Maria Faria will be on hand to discuss and answer questions on BRA Particulars. 

Mr. Rizkalla has been meeting with the BRA and Landmarks over his designs.  The city has been happy with the way design is progressing, and is generally OK with the building onto 10 Taylor property and the current design of the addition.   Mr. Rizkalla has also been meeting with abutters to discuss the project and it’s local impact.   We hope all abutters will be attending this meeting to discuss their views on the most recent design that will be presented at the Eight Streets meeting.

As with all new construction in our historic neighborhood, there will be strong opinions on all sides.  I invite everyone to attend the next meeting to participate in some constructive discussion on this potential addition to our neighborhood!

Have a great Holiday, and see everyone in 2012

November ESNA Meeting

Hi Everyone!

Our next monthly Eight Streets business meeting will be this Wednesday, December 7th in the Boston Ballet 5th floor board room (corner of Warren & Clarendon streets)

6:30-7 - Neighborhood Networking.   Meet your neighbors in an informal setting.
7-8:30 - Business meeting.

On the agenda this month:

• Construction update - Rob Ferris will update us on construction at 5 Dwight st (finishing up) and 21 Dwight st (just beginning).  He will also ask our support for the groundwater recharging plan for 21 Dwight (plan has already been approved by BWSC).
• 251 Shawmut - The building has been sold and they are ready to begin work.  They seek our approval in two areas.   First are cosmetic changes (Windows, Oriel, roof deck).  They are also seeing support to change the first floor adn basement zoning from Commercial to Residential.
• Open discussion -will include an update on some of the Harrison/Albany emails & articles you've seen floating around, redistricting and 8/10 Taylor.

I hope many of you will be able to make it.   Trash is always a hot topic, but we're going to make this a 'solutions' discussion rather than just a grip session.

A reminder that we meet on the First Wednesday of every month, September through June.  This detailed agenda tends to go out a few days before the meeting because our guest list is often in flux. I put potential topics on the web site as soon as they believe they can attend a meeting, but hold off on this detailed agenda until everyone is 100% confirmed, so everyone can see one final correct agenda.  

 Hope to see everyone a the meeting this Wednesday!  

Tree lighting this Saturday

Yep - December is a mere 2 hours away - and you can kick off the holiday season by attending the annual South End Tree Lighting.  Come for an evening of family fun as the Mayor visits the South End and helps light the tree this Saturday (Dec 3) on the BCA Plaza.  Festivities start at 3pm, and a certain someone from the North Pole should make his appearance for the kids around 4:15.  They'll be plenty of entertainment, and they usually snacks and cocoa.   See the event flier here.

Ringgold: Informal opening & Fall Cleanup

While we tend to forget our parks come winter time, this Saturday, Dec 3 at 9am, Ringgold will have an informal park opening to celebrate the end of construction and the completion of the center area, including plantings, seating and the new fountain.   Come and join them for coffee and muffins to show off the new park and discuss Ringgold's future.   (There will be an official ribbon cutting come spring)

And while you're there, bring your gloves and help doa little Fall clean-up.  (Yes, by the calendar its still fall.  :)  Now that the fencing is down, you can actually get into the park, so time to clean before winter actually arrives.

You can see some fountain photos on the ESNA Facebook Page.  (Like us while you're there!)

Boston Shines

Boston's semi-annual city-wide cleanup, Boston Shines, takes place this weekend.    While Eight Streets doesn't not organize a neighborhood-wide cleanup, individuals are free to clean up their local area, or organize a street-wide cleanup.

Please let me know if you will be taking part in Boston Shines - I'll forward the information to the city, to ensure they have enough rakes, brooms and trash bags available at the BCA Plaza for your use.

If you do clean up, please place bags of trash on a street corner by Noon.   They need to be visible do DPW can see them during their afternoon special pick-up.

Full election results on line

The city has posted overview and detailed election results on line on their web site.

For Ward 3, Precinct 7 - of wich Eight Streets is a part of:

We had 15% voter participation

For district 2 councilor:

• 74.4% voted for Suzanne Lee
• 24.86 voted for incumbent Bill Linehan

For city councilor at large:

• Ayanna Pressley: 23.10%
• Felix Arroyo: 21.79%
• John Connolly: 20.67%
• Stephen Murphy:  12.95%
• Michael Flaherty:  12.83%
• Will Dorcena:  4.55%
• Sean Ryan:  3.55%

Vote!

If all the phone calls and fliers in your mailbox didn't tip you off:  this Tuesday, November 8th is election day.   We're voting to elect Boston City Councilors - a councilor for our district, district 2; and 4 at-large city councilors.


A complete list of candidates and links to their web pages, please see this South End Patch article.


Polls are open 7am - 8pm.   Eight Streets residents vote at Cathedral High School, corner of Union Park and Washington st.


See you at the polls!!!