Eight Streets Neighborhood Association
Meeting Minutes, 4 August 2004
Greeting & Introductions & Announcements:
- A representative from the North American Chinese Volleyball Association came to promote the 60th annual volleyball tournament. To be held September 4-6 in Boston near the Graybar building. He encouraged everyone to attend to learn more about the event. Local businesses interested in sponsoring, or getting an ad in the programme, contact Norman Eng at 781-398-9179
- Gail Simon presented to the group with her idea of opening a high end Beer Boutique in or around the eight streets area. She has not secured a location as of yet but is in the process of doing this and wanted to gather feedback from the neighborhoods to see if there would be a positive response to her business idea. It did generate many questions but overall feedback seemed positive. Concerns were surrounding the possibility of the concept changing to something different after gaining our support for the initial concept, as well as general concerns over loitering, trash, etc.
- Update on Washington Union - 3 additional stories planned. 24-27 units, retail on 1st floor. Plans stull haven't been officially submitted to BRA.
- Traffic on Waltham - John is trying to find out BTDs plans for Herald and Albany - hopefully if that traffic clears up post big-dig, people will cose that route over Waltham
- Membership renewals are due Sept 1.
Meeting:
The focus of the discussion was mainly focused on two ideas. One was on building interest, promoting, and increasing membership in the Eight Street Neighborhood Association.
Increasing Membership: Eight Streets needs to promote the neighborhood association to get more people involved. Discussion covered the following:
- Time was spent discussing the letters that John McLachlan wrote which invite new people to attend the meetings, convince old members to come back, and address the ongoing issue of trash. Overall feedback was very positive and talk turned on how best to distribute. All agreed that the Eight Streets Neighborhood Association needs an “identity” and work will begin on developing a logo and letterhead, which can be used on the letters to be distributed.
- Several of the folks said that they would try to help spread the word about the neighborhood association and to try to bring at least one new member with them to the next meeting.
- To promote the NA, we could rent a space at the South End Open Market to help spread the word. Set up a table to hand out brochures. Would this increase visibility??
- Tag sale in Ringold park. Get neighbors and neighborhood businesses to participate. Set up a table with brochures to spread the word. Might be a nice 'spring cleaning' type of event. If there is interest, we need to start planning NOW.
Trash Initiatives: members discussed the issue of trash and tried to come up with ideas for helping the problem. Some ideas were
- to use more trash cans, reduce use of inappropriate trash bags (shopping bags, grocery bags, etc), and trying to report trash pickers to the police.
- Discussion of distributing flyers was positive
- Try to look after your building and maybe the two or three buildings on either side of you.
We take this time to welcome Heather Slaby to Eight Streets leadership, who has offered to take role of Secretary for the ESNA.
Adjournment