Updates/News/Misc:

Boudreau "Boatyard" – 479 Meridian: The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) determination has still been delayed. Gail will call the ZBA July 21^st to see if Boudreau is scheduled at hearing; if so, she will attend.

Hess: We are still waiting to hear from Hess Corporation.

CCRP Brochure: Neda is working on design and has made presentations to sub-committee. We will take final draft before CCAG’s two executive committees for final approval.

ParkARTS – Free Children’s activities at American Legion Park

NOAH and EB-CCAG are co-sponsoring with Boston Parks on Friday’s 9-12 at City Yards from July 11^th to August 15^th. They are doing arts and crafts activities.

Nancei, Jody and Libby are helping with outreach. NOAH is sending flyers out to local youth groups and day camps.

Environmental Chelsea Creek Crew - E3C

Update: E3C members reported that they had just started the program three days ago, and were in their orientation. So far they had learned about Environmental Justice, met with a youth group called Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project from ACE, and went on a boat tour of Chelsea Creek with Tony Gambale (thanks Tony!), Leigh and Vinny.

Meg reported that the group did not yet know what was ahead of them for the summer, but that they would be doing ecological studies at the Urban Wild, surveying with Urban Ecology Institute about people’s attitudes about open space, some clean-ups, etc.

Cashman’s, 62 Nay Street:

An EB-CCAG member asked for this issue to be on the agenda due to broad neighborhood concerns about Cashman’s business operations and disruptions in the neighborhood. Cashman’s has moved from the South Shore to Jeffries Point, and then to Chelsea Creek, where the community has had concerns about their business operations in the past. We discussed people’s concerns, and came up with the following list:

There was also a question about the status of the use of the federal loan Cashman’s received several years ago via the East Boston Community Development Corporation. It was announced at a public event that Cashman’s would be tearing down the Quanza huts to put up new office, and make other improvements that have not been done.

We made a decision to request that Jay Cashman attend a small meeting with EB-CCAG and other neighborhood representatives to discuss the concerns and to see if we can work together to address these issues and make Cashman’s a neighborhood friendly business. We will ask the City for a record of boat passages through the bridge so that we can document the number of times that the Jay Michaels come through. We may invite the Harbor Police to the meeting. The following people volunteered to attend if available: Vinny, Tomasa, John, and Stacey. Stacey will ask Aaron and Helen Mullaney.

E3C member suggested that if meeting doesn’t work, we do a petition drive.

Condor Street Urban Wild/"Cove"

Luke provided the following construction update: * Parks Dept is working on the final "punch list" with contractor (that means making sure everything was done); * The railing around the edge of the park will only be on the pier and the sea wall – not on other portions; * Benches, trash cans and wood guard rail will be installed next week; * There was a fire on the jute mesh (from a cigarette) – contractor will re-do that embankment; * Landscape Contractor has not been watering, and has been told to do so – in order to be paid – should be watering every day until the site is established – probably though September. The trees are warranted (as well as the grasses) for one year; * The meadow grass is New England Conservation Wildlife mix, and includes – milk weed, asters, fox sate, switch grass, etc.; * The water box for the irrigation system is at one of the front entrances – Luke would like to cover up with plant material - or build the entryway around it so that it is hidden.

June 25^th "Cove" clean-up: Meg organized second clean-up with 15 Environmental Careers Organization alumni to finish what were unable to do in April. They cleaned out another small dumpster of junk from the site. Leigh also helped.

Speeding Cars: The police stopped many speeders on their way to the airport. Udpate regarding request to City for traffic calming measures. Stacey submitted a letter to Sal LaMattina at the Boston Transportation Department and then spoke to him. Sal said that they would be able to put in a cross walk, and signs saying, "Yield to Pedestrians" or "Curve". Stacey will follow-up with Sal. If that doesn’t work, follow-up with Booby DiMico at BTD or Matt Amarillo at Highway Dept.

Problems:

Ribbon Cutting celebration – tentatively in August 23^rd (please note, the date has been changed to Saturday, October 4^th at 1:00 p.m.). Ideas include getting Kayem to donate hot-dogs (Vinny will do); block off street for festivities. Get donations from Wal-Mart and Garelick Farms; Get Zumix to do entertainment or bring sound system (Cassandra will ask); Susan will look into performers; Get chairs; No balloons (as environmental issue); Get Fire Boats from Fire Dept. and Mass Port (Vinny to ask); Pony rides (in American Legion Park); Invite Tony C’s family (Vinny will do) for dedication of the "Tony C" rock; Ceremony to christen the Chelsea Creek Clipper (the public art); Get boats from Quarterdeck to do parade of boats (Jody will ask); Lucy, Nancei and Leigh volunteered to attend meeting to help plan event if available.

How to involve local businesses: Form "Friend of Condor Street Urban Wild (or Business Friends of Condor Street Urban Wild). Ask them to sponsor a night in the park (some kind of event), clean-ups, etc. Good people to talk to start: Eagle Hill Auto body (Sam), Angelo’s from Angelo’s Auto body, Channel Fish, etc. Cindy LoPresti (Michael LoPresti’s wife) works for Conoco Philips (Vinny will spoke to her regarding giving space on their wall to put in another mural about the Urban Wild).

Feedback on idea for interpretative signage – people liked the idea, though concerned about the price quoted. We will discuss at August meeting.

Misc: Pastor from Bremen Street church wants to do sunrise service at park; Have an EB-CCAG celebration in the park – potluck supper to celebrate our hard work;