MEETING MINUTES – December 11, 2002

Attending: Vinny Ieni, Leigh Hall, Lucy Del Muto, Ana Maria Gomez, Nancei Radicchi, Sal Matti, Antonio Gambale, Roberta Horn, Arthur Horn, Robertson Ward, Grace Zuccaro, Stanley Buonagurio, Aldo Oirano, Patricia Fidler, Florence D’Avella, Edith DeAngelis, Susan Voloshian, Christopher Blackler, Anjie Preston, Paul Sutton and Lucas Murray (Boston Parks), Sarah Kelley (Boston Harbor Association), and Morgan Wilson and Stacey Chacker (NOAH).

• CCAG Holiday Party (w/ Chelsea) – Mon. 12/16 at 7:00 at Isabelle’s Café in Chelsea.

• Chelsea Creek Vision Plan: Stacey, Aaron, and Roseann are commenting on the 1^st draft report. Anyone is welcome to review the next draft (when it has been cleaned up).

• We held a Comparative Risk Assessment (CRA) Resident’s meeting in Chelsea in November. Pat, Leigh and Nancei were there from E.B. with Chelsea residents. Came up with a good list of recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to follow up on the CRA. We will share these at another meeting. The main recommendation is to have EPA form a multi-agency and inter-agency group to coordinate and share data and other information regarding air and water quality in the Chelsea Creek area. We are in the process of setting up a meeting with the EPA Regional Administrator, Bob Varney, and will have representatives from the CRA Residents Committee attend that meeting.

• EPA asked CCAG and Urban Ecology Institute (UEI) staff to participate in a meeting with the EPA Regional Administrator and Linda Fisher (Asst Director in D.C.) to share information how EPA Region 1 works with groups they are providing grants to. Many groups were there. Afterwards, they asked CCAG and UEI to take EPA staffers on a tour of Chelsea Creek. This was a last minute request. We will follow-up w/ letters to Mr. Varney and Ms. Fisher. It was a good opportunity to highlight the problems and opportunities around Creek, as well as all of the good community work.

• Stacey explained that CCAG is in the process of formalizing a partnership with UEI in order to do fundraising and publicity together. EB-CCAG endorsed this idea wholeheartedly.

• Barges with Styrofoam on the Creek: Tony and Brian from the Boston Harbor Association followed up with each other. Brian contacted Coastal Zone Management who sent us a "Derelict Vessel" report to be submitted to Dept. of Environmental Management. Stacey and Tony will fill out if needed. EB Sun-Transcript writer called Stacey to inform CCAG that Attorney General Riley and the Dept. of Environmental Protection filed lawsuits against Walton Systems and Chasen (owner of the barges w/ Styrofoam) for polluting the Chelsea River, and to get a quote from CCAG. Stacey gave a quote and told him to call Tony for another quote. Aaron will follow up with the Attorney General’s office for more information. Jay Ash, Chelsea City Manager, said that the lawsuits are partly due to pressure from the community (aka, CCAG!).

• Boston Greenspace Alliance is holding a public forum focusing on the importance of Parks and Greenspace on Sat. Feb. 1^st from 8:30 to 2 p.m. at the Great Hall, Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester. Nancei and Ana Maria would be interested, and suggested that B. Amore may also be interested.

• Charles/Felton Neighborhood Assn requested CCAG members to attend a potluck to provide info on what we do in Waltham. Nancei and Susan volunteered. Susan will contact them.

1. Condor Street Urban Wild If anyone has questions, call Luke at 635-4505.

Luke Murray from Parks Dept. provided the following update and information:

• He got a call from to inform him that the silt boom (a barrier in the water) was letting silt get out of the Urban Wild into the Creek. Luke looked into it and believes that it was just due to the installation of the salt marsh, but will keep an eye on it. What he did notice is that the boom is keeping garbage from the Creek from getting into the Urban Wild!

• The project is on budget (which is great!).

• Contractors will probably stop before the New Year, and start up again in early spring – depending on the weather. The new completion expected completion date is June 2003. He checks up on contractor 2-3 times/week. Basically contractor they are moving the soil into the mound. Doing a lot of preventative work for erosion control. They are using jute mesh on top of the soil, and using crushed concrete as a sub-material to help stabilize the soil. They’ve also started driving piles for the pier – however, were unable to go to the required depth. They are now dealing with a structural engineer to see if the piles are steady enough as they cannot go deeper. They will begin to build the pier, but as they cannot put the railings on until the seawall is in (spring), they will put up a gate to keep people off the pier.

• Water system: there was adequate funds to put in the water system, so he made a critical decision to install the system as it needs to be done before earth moving is completed. It will allow for manual irrigation – with 12 quick cuppler valves interspersed throughout the site. Don’t need to be drained in the winter. Basically, it’s a brass fitting that can accommodate a garden hose or an impact sprinkler.

• The current hill is not in its final shape. This hill contains the majority of contaminated materials from the site, and will be capped with plastic and then 3 feet of clean soil. There was more contaminated soil on site than Parks anticipated, thus they need to spread an additional 6 inches of contaminated soil throughout the whole site (the cost to haul it off site would be exorbitant).

• 50% of the salt marsh is planted (the rest will be done in the spring) in a clay silt material that holds it in, but doesn’t impact root development. Great Meadows from Riley is doing the salt marsh. Parks is holding back 60% of their contract fee during the 3-year maintenance/warranty period that Great Meadows provides. This maintenance period is from Spring 2003 to Spring 2006.

• Contractor got the Boston Water and Sewer Commission drain line in, with a new pipe and catch basin. This has helped to reduce/eliminate flooding on Condor Street in heavy rains.

• Material for walkways: Originally the walkways were to be bluestone dust. However, he proposed concrete with aggregate (stones that can be in different colors) for the following reasons: 1) Boston Sand and Gravel (who used to own this site) gave $50,000 in cash and $25,000 in donated materials (specifically "flowable fill", or concrete); 2) He has had negative experiences using bluestone dust at other sites; big maintenance issue – weeds grow throughout, it pushes up borders. B. Amore told him that she prefers concrete (but would like to pick out the color stones for the area with their piece). He says it’s a more durable product, and although is a little bumpy, is still wheelchair accessible.

• Aiming for April to get the public art installed. May not include second piece (the bronze boat).

• Cobblestones: Contractor would like to use these for curbing (on borders of walkways) instead of concrete. This would save $6000, and in long term would be more durable. All agreed that this would be a good re-use of the cobblestones.

• B. would like to do something with the old boat pieces and bollards on site. She would also like to drape the old chain on site over the where the N-Star channel marker is (N-Star has an utility easement on site). He will talk to B. about this, and it having contractors put aside.

Participants posed questions regarding the following issues – responses follow:

• Fire Truck access to the pier – doubtful a truck could get there, though fireboats would have easy access. Since pier is so small, if there were a fire, it would probably burn before any fire truck/boat could get there.

• Trash pick-up: There are several trashcans on the site. Parks will pick up regularly.

• Maintenance: As part of supplemental environmental project (SEP), Parks Dept has a dedicated fund of $10,000/year for 15 years for maintenance. Parks can sub-contract with a private landscaper to do this job. Paul Sutton, the new Urban Wilds Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating this.

• Fencing: discussed whether site should have fencing in front of the site (currently not enough resources for a whole fence (unless it was chain-link, which no one wants). Luke explained that there is a big incline right at the sidewalk, and suggested that may not need fencing across the whole site, but that it would be nice to accentuate the entrances. Tony suggested putting bollards and chain.

• Lighting: Question regarding adequate lighting. Nancei pointed out that we’ve discussed this issue and decided that as it is a "wild" site, it would be best to leave no internal parks lights as that impacts plant and wildlife ability to live there (they need darkness too). However, it was pointed out that lights are needed on the street. Luke said to talk to Joe Banks at the DPW Street Lighting Division.

• Graffiti on public art: It was suggested that the rocks be sprayed with an anti-graffiti product. This will not be done as B and Woody said this would discolor the stones. Luke said that Parks has a power wash system to remove graffiti.

Stacey reminded all that NOAH will be hiring a Program Coordinator to 1) coordinate environmental youth program; 2) do organizing around the Urban Wild – with a Friends Group (or EB-CCAG sub-committee) that could act as a crime watch and/or develop special recreational/cultural programs at the site (e.g. Catch and Release Fishing programs, nature walks, concerts, etc); and 3) work with Chelsea to co-coordinate a couple cross-Creek events (such as past boat tours). This position will be partially funded with $12,500/year of SEP funds (that EB-CCAG endorsed at a past meeting).

We will make a decision re: walkway material at Jan. 15^th meeting. Luke will bring in pictures of concrete paths with crushed aggregate and Leigh will take pictures of an example of this material in front of the Museum of Science. Luke will go to Boston Sand and Gravel to look at their aggregate, and will look into the possibility of doing chemical staining to the concrete.

• Leigh reported that we held a press conference on 12/3 with about 12 people in freezing weather (Anna Lane who spoke was quite the trooper!). The EB Sun-Transcript, Globe and Neighborhood Network News covered the event. Stacey reported that the ISD Commissioner called at 11:05 to see where the conference was (due to freezing weather, it was over! but was a positive sign that he showed up). Stacey sent copies of the new articles to the Board of Appeals and all of the politicians.

• Vinny reported that the date for the Board of Appeals Hearing, scheduled for 12/17 has been changed. No new date is set yet. Leigh, Lucy, Bobby and Stacey will attend (if they are available).

• Vinny reported on the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) Public Hearing held on 12/9. Vinny, Bobby, Arthur and Gail attended. Consultants stated that they did not owe EB anything for developing a self-storage unit. Development will provide 2 full-time and 4 part-time jobs.

• We reviewed the draft comment letter from CCAG to the BRA (as part of the Article 80 Review process). Stacey will incorporate comments and mail in before the 12/23 deadline. In the draft, one of our requests is that they pay for a design plan for a pedestrian/bike pathway on the rail trail.

Morgan Wilson, NOAH Real Estate Project Manager came to the meeting to discuss a proposed development project at this corner and get feedback. He showed three different site plans and explained each one. He also provided the following information, some in response to comments below:

• Each plan has a further "set back" than other housing in the area (that means that the house is set back further from the sidewalk (and in this case has shrubbery in the front). The plans are trying to fit in with the rest of the neighborhood in terms of character of housing.

• For affordable units, required to have .7 spots/unit (or 11 spots for 16 units).

• The primary concern that he has heard in previous meetings is the need for additional parking. NOAH is talking to Shore Plaza (which is across the street) about long-term leasing of many spots (only about ½ are used on a regular basis).

• In order to purchase any NOAH homes/condos - people need to apply and qualify to enter the lottery. Purchasers must be below 80% of median income. Federal law requires that NOAH advertise in several languages and outside of the immediate neighborhood. NOAH advertises in the Spanish papers (which are regional - thus the common complaint that NOAH is advertising in Lawrence).

• NOAH is proposing 15-16 units ((condos) for homeownership) in order to keep units affordable. The problem is that building and land acquisition costs have gone up and money sources have decreased. So in order to be able to financially complete a project, need to develop enough units to have it help pay for itself. Estimates that units will cost about $140,000-$160,000.

• NOAH agrees that we need to preserve open space. We are trying to incorporate into the site plan with more greenery in front of each building and trees and shrubs in the parking areas. In addition, NOAH is working with committees such as EB-CCAG to get more open space. However, there is also a housing crisis. Also, it is beneficial to introduce homeownership in an area with so much rental housing to help improve it.

• Some of the buildings four floors. However, this would not cause shade effect on neighboring houses as the new housing would be at the bottom of a reasonably steep slope, and thus would not tower of neighboring houses.

• NOAH purchased this piece of property for $405,000.

Comments:

• Edith expressed opposition to the plan. Stated that she had collected 700+ signatures in 1997 asking for more community gardens and that Border/Condor was one of proposed sites. Stated that she has always been a strong advocate for NOAH, but that she does not agree with this project. Said that:

• Nancei recommended equal parking spots and housing units. Don’t depend on Shore Plaza or street for parking. She believes that every adult living there will have a car - which could be up to 32 cars.

• Susan pointed out that City workers are required to live within Boston, and that many do not make enough to do so - thus need for affordable housing. However, expressed concern about housing low-income people all together. Also expressed problem of slumlords charging too much rent.

• Vinny discussed the 40B rule that states that each town needs to have a certain percentage of affordable housing. Many agreed that there should be more affordable housing in the suburbs.

• Bobby expressed concern regarding 4 story buildings stealing sunshine from neighboring housing due to shade impacts.

• Others expressed concerns re: density and parking, and shade on other units. However, as it was late, we did not have time to take comments from everyone.

All meetings, unless otherwise indicated will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Harborside.

In case of snow (and the Harborside is closed) our meeting will be held the following Wednesday.

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