Meeting Minutes: October 9^th meeting minutes were accepted.

Greater Boston Environmental Justice Network – Mon. Nov. 18^th – 5:45 p.m.

NOAH has purchased land on Border Street (across from Shore Plaza) for housing – Phil Giffee’s available to meet anyone who is interested in learning more about this project. The idea is to develop approximately 16 units of housing – in three to four decker houses for homeownership opportunities.

Urban Wild construction update: The project is currently within the budget, and seems like we may have money for at least part of fence (will need to raise more). Salt marsh planting will begin this Friday. Parks Dept is replacing crushed stone paths with cement (w/ aggregate) - they will explain this at Dec. meeting. Parks has suggested that B. and Woody put in art project in the spring, as contractor will not be able to pour concrete before then, and as construction will still be going on, it will be ok to bring truck on-site. Leigh is working on design for center stone of art piece. See Leigh if interested.

National Parks Service – rejected our request for technical assistance to help develop a design for the rail trail and brochure due to federal budget cuts. CCAG and Urban Ecology is requesting Charlie Tracy from NPS to meet with staff to brainstorm how we may more forward this year without their assistance.

In case of snow, we will meet the following Wed of the month (the third Wed). We will only change the meeting if the Harborside is closed.

CCAG – Comparative Risk Assessment Mtg – Wed. 11/20 6 P.M. in Chelsea to review final recommendations.

Chelsea Greenspace invited us to have a joint CCAG holiday party. All agreed. Roseann will send out notice.

Stacey will not be here 1/8. Committee voted to change Jan. meeting to 1/15.

Mass Association of Community Development Corp Convention – Saturday, Nov. 23^rd. Stacey is attending this movement building convention, and requested others to attend.

Nancei circulated a short survey regarding proposed Runway 14/32 that the Committee completed. It is for a study a friend is conducting for school.

Tony reported that there are two abandoned house barges in serious disrepair, about 8 feet below the water tied up on the Chelsea side of the river near Walton’s (across from the Urban Wild). The owners (Andrew Chasen) filled these barges with scrap Styrofoam about 10-15 years ago, and have been at various sites in the Boston Harbor/Chelsea Creek. When they sink, there will be Styrofoam all over the Chelsea River – both an environmental and navigational risk (e.g. if there were another oil spill). Brian from TBHA reported that he has already witnessed Styrofoam coming off these barges with the rising tides. Coast Guard can’t do anything about this – it involves the Army Corps of Engineers. Tony will follow up with Greg Nolan at representative Capuano’s office. Brian will also look into the issue.

Boudreau Boatyard - Leigh, Stacey and Vinny reported:

EB-CCAG submitted written testimony (based on comments made at October meeting) and members (Leigh, Gail, Anna Lane, Helen McCormick, Stacey and Joe Mason (Land-use Council) attended the Board of Appeals Hearing on 10/22 to oppose Boudreau’s request to get a variance to allow a "salvage yard". Boudreau’s lawyer said not seeking a variance, but appealing a denial for a permit by Boston Redevelopment Authority. In addition to EB-CCAG, the following were present, or sent representatives to oppose: Mayor’s Office, Environment Dept. BRA, Inspectional Services Dept., Rep Petrucelli and Councilors Scaphicchio and Hennigan. This case will come before the Board again on Dec. 17^th at 9:30 at City Hall, 8^th floor conference room.

There was a story in the Globe on October 27^th with a quote from Anna Lane.

At Oct’s meeting, Committee voted to submit nomination to Toxic’s Dirty Dozen "Award". Stacey submitted based on comments made at meeting, and letter submitted to Board of Appeals (which was reviewed by several members) (these comments are in Oct. 9^th meeting minutes). Toxic Action selected Boudreau, and quickly informed that we would need to meet ASAP to organize a press conference first week in December. We had ad-hoc meeting on 11/12 with Leigh, Vinny, Gail, Anna Lane and Stacey. Decided: a) Press Conference on 12/3 at 10:30 at boatyard (if it’s raining, Stacey will bring a tent); b) The following will speak: Anna Lane, Stacey, Aaron…and we will invite politicians and ISD Commissioner Joyce; c) We will present a big copy of the award, as well as a "Clean up your Shipyard, and Get out of Jail Free" – Leigh is making both. Toxics Action’s goals for the Dirty Dozen Awards are to "to raise the profile of toxic pollution statewide and boost local efforts to fight toxics in our communities. The nominations can be for any type of site or facility, existing or proposed, including, but not limited to: Manufacturers; Waste treatment facilities; Hazardous waste sites; "Sick buildings", etc.

Belle Steele – There is a proposal to develop a self-storage facility at 150 McClellan Highway. The site is right behind the MWRA building next to Chelsea Street Bridge and at the beginning of the rail line (the potential bike/walk path along the Chelsea River).

Consultants introduced themselves with their backgrounds: James Lydon and L.E. Imge Erguvanli from Daylor Consulting Group and Stephen Foley from STF Enterprises.

They provided following information, as part of presentation and in response to comments made: 1) Lewis Grossman Company is the proposed purchaser/developer. They are long-term real-estate holders and good managers (created the first TJMaxx). They improve property and hold onto for long-term; 2) Proposal is to create 1000 self-storage unit; average size is 85 Sq. feet. Want to keep building same size, but make it three floors inside, reclad the building, put on new room (membrane), and add false windows; 3) Largest truck coming to the site would be a box truck; 4) There will be a computer pad to get in, and video camera surveillance 24 hrs/day; 5) There is no such facility within a mile; 6) There will be 112 units accessible by truck on either side for small businesses; 7) The only sign will be in the space where there currently is a sign; 8) Grossman’s doesn’t own building yet. They’ve already met with a lot of people, but if the idea is vetoed, they will not go ahead. To date, it’s the only thing being proposed for this building. The positives they’ve heard is that is creates little traffic, improves and eyesore and is a non-airport related use; 9) They must go through Article 80 Review Process with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) (for large projects). As part of this process, they must look at impacts on the environment (traffic, air quality, etc.). First there is the Project Notification Report (filed 11/8, comments due 12/9 though Mr. Lydon said that they would extend the comment period for 2 weeks after a public meeting). If the BRA feels that they’ve answered all of their questions, they may be waived from the rest of the review process and would not need to do a Final Project Form; 10) They have plans to do landscaping – small areas at the opening of the building; 11) Dept. of Environmental Protection has ordered that the site be capped with asphalt; 12) They have no access rights to Addison Street; 13) They will not add any billboards to the site; 13) A spur of the railroad line runs into the building; on the river side, it is outside of the Belle Steel property line, on the Route 1A side, it is owned by MBTA; 14) When questioned as to whether would allow a public walkway through their site, responded that did not have the appropriate people here tonight. Need to speak to Dana Wolff, project manager. Though stressed that Grossman’s is very civic minded; 15) Coastal Zone Management determined that the site is not subject to Chapter 91 (the law requiring public access).

Comments from EB-CCAG members: 1) Many looking for highest and best uses along the river…this does not seem to be an appropriate place for this use. Would be better away from the river; 2) Asked Grossman’s to give right of way for a pedestrian path by the property, to endow a rail trail, clean-up the shore line (even if they wouldn’t own that portion; 3) Suggestion made that the site would be better used as open space.

Decisions made: 1) Ask Trust for Public Land if they could help us get access to the rail trail around the site; 2) Send comments to the Boston Redevelopment Authority – stating that this is not best use along the Chelsea Creek, and most importantly that EB-CCAG and the Greenway Council are interested in getting access along the rail trail to create a pedestrian/bike path; 3) We need clean industry with more blue collar jobs (this will only create 6 jobs); and 4) CCAG held a visioning process this year; no one approached with information regarding this project.

EB-CCAG Year-in-Review: Once again, we did not have enough time in the agenda, this time due to the Belle Steel building issue. Recommendation was made to have Year (and a half) Review in January (pending no time sensitive issues).

January 15^th February 12^th March 12^th April 9^th May 14^th June 11^th July 9^th August 13^th September 10^th October 8^th November 12^th December 10^th