Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) Committee Reports

The November 2019 North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) meeting started with a series of notable reports by council and committee members. Follow along or jump to items of interest in this video timeline.

NEWNC President Brett Roman opened with some thank you’s and reminders:

• Roman congratulated the city councilors elected in Boston’s recent municipal election. He also thanked all the community members and businesses who participated in the North End Clean Streets Initiative first annual cleanup.
• The 10th annual holiday toy drive in memory of Mark Frattaroli is in full swing. Donations will be accepted through December 17.
• NEWNC has approved their early application review amendment to the bylaws which will permit applicants to reach out to the council with at least one month’s notice on projects to receive suggestions from the council before filing with the Zoning Board of Appeals and having a formal hearing for a vote at a NEWNC meeting.

(2:41) Maria Lanza from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services

• To sign up for emergency alerts for the winter, go to boston.gov/cold. This will help with parking bans, school closings, city hall closings, etc.
• Last week Mayor Walsh announced milestone implementation of Boston 2030 projects. Over half of the projects are now underway – 21 are in implementation, 17 in design. Visit boston.gov/goboston2030 to read about all the projects.
• The Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour will be Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m. at the Paul Revere Mall.
• Parcel 2 preferred design project meeting will take place Tuesday, November 19, from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
• The urban renewal community meeting for the Downtown Waterfront / Faneuil Hall renewal plan will be Thursday, November 21 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

(6:44) Carmine Guarino, Greenway Committee

• Sunday, December 8 will be the candlelit walk with peace and harmony at the Armenian Heritage Park from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

(7:27) Brett Roman, Harborfront Neighborhood Alliance

• Saturday, November 16 the Friends of the Boston Harborwalk are hosting a walking tour of the North End and Charlestown Navy Yard starting at 10am at the Mirabella Pool. Tickets ($10) are available on EventBrite.

(8:11) Ashley Leo, RUFF Liaison

• The park will be cleaned in the coming weeks and the water will be shut off for the winter.
• November is the month of giving for RUFF. This year they are supporting the Animal Rescue League. Donations can be dropped off at Polka Dog on Salem Street in the North End.
• December 8 at 1 p.m. Santa Paws will be visiting the dog park. Have your photo taken with Santa and your dog!

(9:20) Jody Faller, Resident Parking / Traffic Committee

• Results from the resident poll regarding issues of interest regarding parking and traffic: A potential designated pickup areas for ride hailing services received 29% of votes. Right now there is a pilot program in the Fenway area. NEWNC is reaching out to the city to see if they would extend this program in other areas. The next biggest category of votes was “other” (also 29%). This included general availability, street cleaning issues, and the North Washington Bridge replacement project.

(12:18) Vice President John Pregmon

• On December 8, the Saint Agrippina Society is hosting their 25th annual event for the kids. Children under ten can come, meet Santa, and receive a gift.
• On Friday, November 9 the 4th annual basketball bonanza took place at the Nazzaro Center. Over forty kids participated!

Ricky Grant, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Chief of Community Engagement was supposed to present at this meeting on homelessness and drug use; however, due to a last minute scheduling conflict he could not attend. Grant will join the December NEWNC meeting.

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