The North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association July meeting began with a series of important committee reports. Watch the full video above or skip to points of interest using the timeline below.
(00:25) NEWRA President Cheryl Delgreco reminded attendees to send in nominations for the Good Neighbor Award by emailing NEWRA.board@gmail.com.
(1:16) NEWRA Vice President Dave Goggins gave an update from the Boston Harborfront Neighborhood Alliance meeting on Chapter 91, which protects and promotes public access to the waterfront. Meeting attendees learned how neighborhoods can use the Chapter 91 license to affect waterfront development.
(4:18) Robyn Reed gave an update on parks and open spaces. The construction at Langone and Puopolo Parks has begun. There is a new Boston Parks & Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods. Reed also reminded attendees about summer fitness in Boston’s parks and on the Greenway, as well as summer movies at The Gassy and Christopher Columbus Park.
(6:21) Mary McGee discussed a letter she is putting together to send to the new Inspectional Services Department (ISD) Commissioner Dion Irish regarding projects that are being done without receiving zoning relief. She gave the example of 55 Hull Street where a basement has been dug out to put in a living space without any zoning relief that is now causing flooding to neighboring buildings. She is asking NEWRA members to share any other examples to put in the letter.
(9:01) Goggins added that he hopes NEWRA will invite Commissioner Irish to speak at an upcoming meeting on enforcing on short-term rental regulations, building permits that are allowed without zoning relief, and if the North End is being protected from unsafe buildings.
