January 07 Eight
Streets Neighborhood Association Minutes
Announcements:
- Next
meeting Feb 7, 2007.
- Neighborhood
Forum – program for United South End Settlements. Meet the new Boston
police commissioner, Edward F. Davis III. Wed, Jan 17, 2007 6-8PM at the United
South End Settlements, Harriet Tubman House, 566 Columbus Ave, Boston.
- Trees:
put out on street with regular trash
- ESNA Blog:
http://eightstreets.blogspot.com
Business Meeting:
- Athens
II Market – Anna Barounis and George Tsaousidis (new and former
owners of Athens Market) presented at the meeting and would like to add a
beer and wine sales to their new store format. They feel the lower level
would be an excellent Òwine cellarÓ and wine and beer sales fit in with
their new business model (as presented at a previous meeting).
- Presented
pictures of changes to windows. Opening one extra window on the Milford
Street side to make it brighter on the interior. Adding awnings to the
windows. Adding soft lights to the exterior.
- Interior:
originally wanted to just renovate but because of interior problems, they
gutted so they could have a strong, sturdy interior. Added new floors.
Hoping to finish in February 07. While remodeling, they uncovered granite
walls and decided that the basement would be a perfect space for a wine
cellar. The idea was for people to be able to go in to purchase high end
foods and be able to also buy a bottle of wine or beer to go with dinner
to make it easier for neighbors to have dinner at home.
- They
have 105 signatures of approval from Atelier across the street. They
have 35 letters of approval from people in the neighborhood. They have
spoken with Jim KellyÕs office and Meghan Doherty (South End
Neighborhood liaison to the mayor).
- Their
idea is that this will be a high end place and not a place where people
will loiter and peddle outside.
- Neighbors:
- Concern
about back of the store/alley. Concerned about renovations to the back
of the store. There was a lot of noise previously. Anna explained that
the place has been completely renovated because former coolers and
cooling/refrigeration ducts were rancid and needed to be completely
replaced so there should be no issues of noise, rats, etc. Anna and
George invite people to come by to look at whatever they have concerns
about.
- Concerns
about lottery tickets creating trash; neighbors finding used tickets on
the lawns of neighborsÕ buildings. Concerns about trash on street from
boxes, deliveries, etc. Athens II is planning on taking extra care to
keep the exterior of the building clean.
- Concerned
about foot traffic in the alley
- Approx
600 square feet dedicated to the wine/beer area down stairs. This area
will also include greek foods.
- Hours
6AM-10PM
- Vote:
motion to not oppose a beer/wine license. None opposed. Sending a letter with a vote of
non-opposition.
- Open
discussion:
- Ideas
for speakers at future meetings: Property tax increases (perhaps get
Richard Carlson, head of Assessing to come to a meeting, coordinate with
other neighborhood associations)
- Advertising:
idea of doing a door to door newsletter for winter. New home owners
should get flyers. Linda Ciborowski offered to help send out flyers
- Why
to join the neighborhood association flyer.
- Promote
the blog.
- Representative
from Councilor Sam YoonÕs office: Jacob Baker showed up to tell more
about what Sam YoonÕs office can do for the neighborhood. They can help
with letters, potholes, etc.
- Office
of Sam Yoon, City Councilor at Large, Boston City Council, One City Hall
Square, Boston, MA 02201.
617.635.4217; email: Jacob.baker@cityofboston.gov