Letters From Longtime North End Residents Lament Noise and Quality of Life Problems

As the Boston City Council prepares to vote this week on the Nuisance Control Ordinance, the following series of letters were gathered from longtime North Enders as part of a Boston University student project by Alexander Herrmann on Boston’s North End, curated by Marie Montemarano and shared with permission here on NorthEndWaterfront.com. The letters are unedited, other than for clarity and format.

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This is about the on going problem in the North End of Boston. Before you can understand what this is about you need to know about us. We were born and brought up here in the North End, children and grandchildren of Italian immigrants. They worked hard to pass the pride and respect of the Italian Heritage on to their children.

We went to school here, we grew up with our friends, their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and grandparents. We have a bond that no one can take away from us.

Now, we see, our neighborhood being used as a temporary dumping ground for people passing through, on their way to somewhere else while we watch in horror at the behavior of not only college students but whoever feels like moving here for their own agenda.

Most, have no respect or desire to care about how they are affecting anyone around them. You cannot imagine how many late nights we wake to hear them shouting out Anthony, Anthony!

There were bars and lounges in the North End on every corner, we had after hour clubs through the neighborhood that opened when the clubs closed. When it came time to go home, we would quietly leave so as not to wake our neighbors.

We are suffering because we cannot sleep on weekends because of the drunk young people, we see dog poop everywhere or their little doggie poop bags that are left like a gift in front of your door.

Beer bottles and garbage thrown everywhere from used sanitary pads and tampons to vomit.

We are suffering, we are crying, this is not anger, it is sadness and pain for a place we love.

Sincerely,

Patricia Nutile

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It was my privilege to grow up in the North End during the 50’s and 60’s, a time when we were raised to treat one’s neighbor with kindness and respect. Of course, the times have changed, people, families demonstrate differing values … but the core of the North End has always remained the same. The North End offers a warm, friendly environment in which to learn and grow. Young families who live there grow in the love of parents, grand-parents and learn to respect authority. The churches, schools and community organizations still offer the wonderful guidance which plays such an important role in raising good children and citizens.

One of the issues currently facing the North End with regard to disturbances, disrespect of people and property etc. perhaps may be linked to misunderstanding of culture and values. I am not certain of this, however, I do know that those who are fortunate to live in the North End for even a short period of time are very blessed. They should show their appreciation by being respectful of their neighbors whose family in many cases have lived there for generations. They should know that this respect will be rewarded a hundred-fold by the loving and caring North Enders who have opened their hearts to many in the years past. Let’s hope that hearts and minds will be open in the New Year.

God’s blessing on the North End and on all the people who live there, may there be a renewed harmony and friendship among all neighbors.

Thanks for listening.

Sincerely,

Joann Capone

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I am a life long resident of the North End of Boston. My grandparents emigrated from Italy and moved here in the early 1890’s. Our family has had a continued presence in the neighborhood since then. The character of the North End has changed substantially over the years. Many of these changes have been very positive with some negative consequences. These negative changes are so significant that they affect the peaceful tranquility of our daily lives and have adversely impacted our “quality of life” in our beloved neighborhood.

I, along with many of my neighbors who love and cherish our neighborhood have to contend with students and many young professionals who have complete disregard for our community. House and roof deck parties have become numerous and intolerable. I have personally witnessed young men urinating off of their roof deck on a Saturday afternoon. No one is suggesting that these young folks can’t and shouldn’t socialize, all we ask is for some measure of respect and concern for their neighbors. It is not acceptable to be kept awake until 3:00-4:00 in the morning. THIS MUST STOP!!! The loud voices of men and screeching voices of women reverberate through our narrow streets which serve as an echo chamber. Yes, most of the disturbances can be heard mostly on weekends, but oftentimes they occur sporadically throughout the week.

Is it possible these people can be this loud and and don’t realize that they are disturbing their neighbors? Many of them have complete disregard and treat our neighborhood as their playground. I also have had instances where they have urinated on my entry steps and have vomited on my sidewalk. I agree with my neighbor Michelle Tirella that many of these people have absolutely NO RESPECT for the people in our neighborhood. The bottom line is that they are transient dwellers who could care less. I am not sure of what the mechanism is that would mitigate and possibly eliminate this unacceptable behavior.

I agree with my friend and neighbor Michelle that absentee landlords play a very important role in the changing character of our neighborhood. Many of these landlords don’t monitor their tenant’s actions / activities, leaving many of us at the mercy of these transients. These inconsiderate people are adversely impacting the quality of life in our historic and beautiful neighborhood. Many of us are fed up with this situation and want action that will restore the tranquility we once knew.

We thank the Boston Police Department (BPD) who have been listening to our cries for help during our monthly meetings. In order for us to be successful, we need the continued open dialogue and increased support of the BPD and need an enhanced police presence in our community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

A Concerned Lifelong Resident,

Domenic A. Piso

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I am a woman of 67 years of age. I have lived in the North End all of my life~~and my Parents and Grandparents before me !!! We have always enjoyed a peaceful life~~~owned business and property here.

I am a firm believer in “you reap what you sow” in life !!! I have been an active member of this Community MOST of my life !!! I have dealt with trash~~rodents~~and now noise !!

I alone owned residential and business property for 40 or so years !! You could say, I have met up with all types of people from all

different walks of life !! I have NEVER met up with the likes of SOME of the present-day renters ! I’d like to know~~”What are they thinking”????

If everyone would just practice COMMON COURTESY ~~~there would be LESS PROBLEMS with our living conditions !! Mind you~~~it certainly IS NOT EVERYONE !!!! Believe it or not~~I was young once~~~but we knew respect and compassion for our neighbors !! I am baffled ~~I don’t have any answers, but I do know~~~This cannot continue !!! It isn’t even only the noise ~~ there is constant VOMIT~~URINATION ~~AND VULGARITIES YELLING OUT ~~~ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT !!!!!!

I remember a time in the North End when~~if someone yelled out ~~we went to their assistance for fear they were being hurt by someone !!!

Young adults and families are a good sign that a neighborhood is not running stagnant !!!! We want our community to prosper BUT NOT LIKE THIS !!!

It seems to me that the young adults that have moved here, think that we are against them~~~NO~~But, WE DO expect us to live in harmony !!!

I grew up two (2) children here without this problem arising !!!!!

Thank You, for listening to our plea !!! We just want to sleep at night !!

Janet Gilardi

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My name is Norma Reppucci and I grew up in the North End. After nearly 15 years, I returned three years ago and bought a condo. I’ve been reading the emails that other long time residents have sent and must say that I must agree.

When I moved back, even though I have been involved in the community while I was living somewhere else, I was shocked by the noise and disrespect of not only residents but also the tourists. I know that change is difficult but this type of change is insulting. What is upsetting is that for a while families were not staying in the north end but now there is a growing number of families with children who are staying. The way people scream ,swear and act at night is disruptive and scary to families and children of the neighborhood.

The families have supported the public school and with a new principal it has turned into a progressive and sought after placement for contingent communities to send their children. We have a premier Health Center that serves all members of our community regardless of method of payment and there are strong civic groups that support growth as well as a continuum of respect for the culture of the North End.

I’ve gone to some of the community meetings and although I agree that the police and some politicians have tried to help, I believe the City could do much more. The North End business and real estate taxes produce revenue for the City of Boston but the garbage, parking and general disregard of even small interventions is disheartening. For instance I have heard that more tourists go through the North End than Disney world but there is a lack of secure garbage receptacles and public bathrooms for all the garbage and tourists that crowd the streets . Even the posting of signs that could say “Please Respect the Neighborhood your visiting throw trash in receptacles or Please no loud noises or car honking.”

Parking is impossible and the local parking lots continue to increase their monthly prices without any intervention or help from the city such as mediating discounts for residents of the north end. Included in this is the impact of absentee landlords and partying young adults and it is enough to think about moving out. I have actually thought about it many times since I moved back three years ago but most of my family still lives here and I want to be near them.

Sincerely,

Norma Reppucci

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My name is Maria Prezio, I’m a long time resident and home owner of the North End of Boston.

I hope this letter contributes to the resolution of my concerns.

I grew up In this neighborhood when our streets were clean, and our neighbors (all ages) were respectful and caring of one another. Through the years I have seen many changes take place here. In some respects many were good and others very bad.

Here are a few concerns for many of us.

1. Out of control students and young professionals using this neighborhood as their playground. Loud parties going to all hours of the morning. Beer bottles thrown against buildings along with trash.

2. Filthy streets due to limited trash containers in high traffic areas.

3. Bags of dog mess left in front of our buildings.

4. Trash left outside on non trash days.

5. Homeowners ignoring rodent activity on their property.

Since my intention is to continue my residency here I hope for a restored community.

Sincerely

Maria Prezio

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“Just some ideas”

I remember years ago there was a small brick building in the Paul Revere Mall, known also as the Prado, where tourists and residents could go to the bathroom and it had, as I recall, 6 stalls with a few sinks for hand washing. Right outside the building was a drinking fountain. It was not really clean, as I recall but it worked as a public place. It was nice looking. Is the building still there? The City of Boston maybe could scout for spaces in various playgrounds. Families with children could use them during the day and adults who have to go can use them at night. Keep them open late and restaurants should pay to police detail the North End. It might not be as expensive as you think. It would certainly be more attractive than a portable bathroom!! Maybe the locations can be posted here and there. Jobs can be created for people and policing and cleaning these buildings wouldn’t be a bad idea either. These are “real” concerns for people who live in the North End.

As a former North Ender, I encourage the concerned citizens!

Sincerely,

Julie Ischia

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As a life long resident of the North End of Boston, this letter is a must to write because of the life changing activities/actions in the North End neighborhood.

Growing up in the North End, there were many groups of people hanging on corners, in local clubs, bars both day and night and never did you hear that they were disturbing the neighborhood. Let alone all those who actually lived in the buildings in the North End.

Today, it’s a different story. Students and young professionals (NOT ALL) move in, party mostly on weekends to the point that they are so loud and drunk they don’t even realize that they are disturbing the neighbors. Also, many people both old and young venture into the North End and think nothing of calling out “Anthony”, talking loud, and screaming on the top of their lungs for no reason whatsoever especially during the late evenings and early mornings. Also, some of them feel that this neighborhood is nothing but one big toilet bowel, urinating and vomiting in the streets and in neighbors’ doorways.

The bottom line is these inconsiderate human beings have absolutely NO RESPECT for the?people or neighborhood. I don’t know how they were brought up by their parents. Absentee landlords play a very important role in the changing of the neighborhood. As long as they get their rents, they don’t monitor their tenants actions activities leaving those of us who live here to act as babysitters. These inconsiderate humans are destroying slowly but surely a beautiful neighborhood unless drastic measures are taken to bring back the old neighborhood of peace and quiet.

The Boston Police Department, under the leadership of Captain Thomas Lee of Area A-1, have been listening to our cries for help during monthly meetings and have stepped up to the plate in trying to bring peace and quiet back into this neighborhood.

I won’t even go into how they trash the neighborhood with their household garbage, that’s a whole different story.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter.

Regards,

Michele Tirella
(Original North Ender)

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I would like to express to you my concern for this neighborhood.

I was born, raised and continue to reside in the North End and now own a business here as well. This community has changed immensely from 1960-2012, and albeit as with everything, time does change things, for better or worse.

Although this community has grown over the years with more restaurants and businesses and better housing it has also brought with it an influx of young professionals and students who have little respect for what this community represents.

Loud parties, trash thrown out at inappropriate times and drunkenness throughout the streets has brought this once fine community to its knees.

Our parents and grandparents as well as my own generation have striven to maintain the integrity of this neighborhood . I am expressing my disdain for the fact that, although newcomers and transients add to the commerce, they are not equally committed to respecting or nurturing the community or its residents who have worked so hard to preserve its appeal.

Thank You.

Robyn DellOrfano

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I’m writing you this letter on behalf of all my friends who still live in the North End. I grew up in the North End in the building that my family owned it was a wonderful place to live everyone helped each other and it was a very safe place.

I know things change over the years but we all hope for the best. What I see happening there now is not for the best and that’s too bad.

People have to understand who are moving in now have to realize that they should respect the people who made the North End what it is today. It is a place where you can go and feel like your welcome all the time. Some of the people who are moving in now are abusing everything that my parents and grandparents who worked so hard to make it a great place to live.

It is now my generation who are trying to maintain that safe place to live. It’s too bad that people don’t realize that. I’m not saying not to have parties in your apartment but don’t forget there are other people who live right next door. It’s not like living in your own home in the suburbs, have some consideration for your neighbor. It’s still not to late for everyone to get along. These people really have to understand what the word CONSIDERATION means.

Thank you.

Mag

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See more posts about the noise issues in the North End.

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