NEWNC Minutes for September 2011 Monthly Meeting

Monday, September 12, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet St. 

Call to order and roll call: Ryan Kenny, Donna Freni, Anne Devlin Tagliaferro, Marie Simboli, Philip Frattaroli, Stephen Passacantilli, Jonathan Sproul, Giancarlo Tiberi.

Meeting Protocol: Marie Simboli, vice president, read the meeting protocol.

Committee Reports:

• Parking – Ryan Kenny updates that James Mansfield from City is here at tonight’s meeting to present.
• Public Safety – Ryan Kenny read David Marx’s Public Safety report from the last public safety meeting on Aug. 21.
• By-Laws— Ryan Kenny updates that there was an overhaul of NEWNC By-Laws will be finalized by next meeting and posted for general public to view.
• Greenway – Donna Frenni update that little damage resulted from Hurricane Irene; Greenway Open Market will end on Sept. 17; Chinatown Event Sept. 30^th – 12:00pm –1:00pm; Sept. 11 event– 1,000 military care packages distributed to troops throughout the world. Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick, Vicki Kennedy were among notable speakers at the event.  Sept. 11 will be an ongoing event for future years.

Meeting Agenda:

227 Hanover Street, Hot Tomatoes (Formerly Lulu’s and Lyndell’s bakeries)  – Daniel Toscano (617)646-4428, Phil Gonsalvo owner and operator of Hot Tomatoes

1.)   Conversion of the usage from bakery to small take out restaurant

2.)   Common Victualler (CV) License – allows Hot Tomatoes to sell goods

Flyer went out across the neighborhood about the upcoming meetings.

Daniel Toscano gives an overview of the floor plans (see attached floor plan)  and gives overview of Phil, the owner/operator and the menu.

NEWNC Questions:

Anne Devlin Tagliaferro, – What does the signage look like? 

Daniel Toscano & Phil Gonsalvo -- It will be umbrella wrap (similar to the old Hot Tomatoes signage on North Street)

Jon Sproul – Why are you moving? 

Phil Gonsalvo --Because the old building was sold and the new landlord raised the rent.

Residents Questions:

Anne Pistorio  – There was a large sign on Paul Revere Park. Are you going to put up a sign there?

Phil Gonsalvo – No, that was from the old owner.

Stephen Passacantilli – No one can put up signs on Paul Revere Park anymore.

Joyce Stephens– How are you going to do deliveries?

Phil Gonsalvo -- Pedicabs

NEWNC Vote:

Anne Devlin Tagliaferro motions to support the CV License (Stephen Passacantilli seconds).  The Council votes 7-0 to unanimously support the CV License.

Anne Devlin Tagliaferro motions to support the change of use from a bakery to a small take out restaurant. (Stephen Passacantilli seconds).  The Council votes 7-0 to support the CV License.

Salem Street Sewer Project -- Irene McSweeney, Tom Bagley – Deputy Director for Communications for Boston Water and Sewer 

Tom Bagley welcomes and thanks the neighborhood and introduces Irene McSweeney.  Irene McSweeney Presents the Salem Street Sewer Project.

NEWNC Questions:

Ryan Keeny -- How will you notify residents about the parking restrictions?

Irene McSweeny -- Two weeks notice, Letter to Landlord, No Parking Signs, Email, Flyers building individual,

Ryan Keeny recommends 8am-5pm as work hours instead of the proposed 7:00am-4:00pm. Ryan also asks if there are any weekend restrictions.

Irene McSweeny – No Weekend Restrictions.

Stephen Passacantilli -- Will there be a temporary pipe above ground?

Irene McSweeny -- only during the relay if you are in Stillman Place.

Stephen Passacantilli -- How severe is the rodent disturbance?

Irene McSweeny -- The vibration will make them want to move, so that is why we kill them before we start.  If they don’t kill them, then they will come out and bait the borough hole.

Residents Questions:

Anne Pistorio asks a three part question

Question: What is the age of the sewer system?

Answer: Early 1900’s, late 1800’s – it’s brick.

Question: Do all of the restaurants have active grease contracts?

Answer: Not Sure

Question: What happens with private sewer system?

Answer: Boston Sewer has no authority of private sewer systems.

Concerns about the start date – it is a two week process, we would have enough time to do a sufficient amount of baiting

Dominic P – Salem Street – two types of trash pick up)city and private : start at 8am end by 5pm. Will the road surface change? The commission does temporary paving, then permanent paving and the city may require the Commission to do the whole road.  By next fall, all of the permanent repair should be done.

NEWNC Vote:

Council recommends 8am-5pm work hours instead of 7:00-4:00pm Anne Devlin Tagliaferro motions, Stephen Passacantilli seconds. NEWNC votes 7-0 to unanimously support for 8:00am-5:00pm work hours instead of 7:00-4:00pm.

Update on Parking Tickets – Jim Mansfield, Transportation Department 

Jim Mansfield gives parking update:

From June – August:

13,000 – Total Tickets

3,000 Resident Parking Violations

Year Round Street Cleaning will continue

Ryan Kenny – where does the TD Banknorth stand on paying extra BTD works to write tickets during games?  Like Fenway?

Jim Mansfield: Fenway pays some of the police details, but no one pays the transportation department. 

The best number to alert the city about parking violations is 617.635.3125.

North End Stories Project: Jeanne Dasaro

Will collect stories of Italian American Families that live in the neighborhood. Does not want to recreate a book, but create an image of the neighborhood. 

Ways you can help?  If you are interested in sharing the story, please contact or looking for project sponsors.  Contact information on the handout.