WHAT IS THE LAND USE COUNCIL? HOW YOU CAN BECOME A MEMBER FOR FREE!!!

by Joe Mason, President, L.U.C.

What is The East Boston Land Use Council? Who does it represent? How can I join? These are some of the questions I receive on a routine basis.

First: we are a group of volunteers who meet every other Thursday night 7 p.m. at the East Boston Social Center located at 68 Central Square East Boston. Our members are from every section of East Boston, and from all walks of life.

We do not get paid, or accept any money from any source for the operation of The Land Use Council. (Private, public or from any City, State, or Federal Government agency)

Expenses we have, such as postage, copies etc. are paid for from a petty cash fund supported by donations from our members. Second: We represent the best interest of the community of East Boston, and its future. We also represent the best interest of residents that may, or may not be affected by a development project."

To quote from our by-laws: The goal of  the Council shall be to enhance the quality of life for the East Boston community, to protect the community from exploitation, discrimination, and uses of resources and property that are considered to be a threat to the general welfare of East Boston.

Third: Anyone can join who is 18 years of age or older, and an East Boston Resident. You become eligible to vote by attending at least three out of the previous six meetings. These rules are the same now as they have been since I have become both a member, and the President, over the last ten years. No changes have ever been made to these basic rules of the Council.

Here are some other facts about the Council! At our open to the public meetings you have the following rights;

• You may attend any meeting,
  you may be heard at any meeting,
• you may join if you want, or only attend meetings of your choice,
• when you become a member you get to vote,
• you have a right to expect a safe, respectable, civilized meeting room at all times.

Here is what you DO NOT have a right to do:

• Disrupt the meeting, or bother, intimidate, or threaten anyone -- members, non-members, the public, or the building where we meet.
• We reserve the right to ask you to leave the meeting if you cannot act in a civilized manner.
• Furthermore, we also reserve the right to refuse entrance to anyone who on a regular basis causes any of the problems mentioned and who continues to do so after being warned of the consequences of not stopping this kind of behavior.

I am responsible for you while you attend our meetings at all times. This is something I take very strongly, and with a lot of pride.

The current members are a great bunch of people who have a lot of pride in East Boston -- and its future. So come on down, and have a cup of coffee, soda, or munch on a snack, you may find out you know someone who is a member. Remember it only costs you your time, and love of East Boston and without question, YES KIDS are welcome. One final clarification, and for the last time! We do not get paid for what we do! Everyone donates his or her time for free, including myself. This is the nuts, and bolts of the East Boston Land Use Council.

For more information, or to be added to the council's e-mail list, please send an e-mail to  eblandusecouncil@aol.com, or jmason023@aol.com  or send mail to:

The East Boston Land Use Council
2 Neptune Road, Suite #352,
East Boston, MA 02128.

Submitted by Joe Mason to Eastboston.com on 12/28/2009.

2010 Land Use Council Meeting Schedule

Land Use Council by-laws

Zoning Board of Appeal Hearing List