Chatham Square Association Quarterly Meeting notes - Important local Information

[Lee Cruz]

Chatham Square Neighborhood Association

Minutes of Meeting - January 15, 2020

 

Present: Marian Lemley, Kathleen Flynn, Susan Hackett, Lisa D. Fitch, Robert Roberts, Mary Ann Moran, Sally Esposito, Kat Calhoun, David Hunter, Lee Cruz, Christel Manning David Weinreb, Lauren Bisio.

The Meeting was called to order by Lee Cruz at 6:10PM, and everyone participated in introductions.

 

Economic & Community Development: Christel Manning reported and began by offering a history of this group. Initially the group was formed to interface with local businesses and nonprofit groups, and additionally began to organize events which provided connections with the community. The committee meets monthly, and usually has a hiatus in the summer months. Christel reported on the following:

Riverfest Event – Various groups are being contacted to be part of the programming, which may include IPA Beer, music, kayak or canoe rides and possibly the Animal Bus. A banner painting event is planned prior to the Riverfest event which will include community involvement and serve as advertisement for the event. The project will be led by Joanne Moran of Lots Of Fish. The date, time and place will be arranged and communicated. Also, it was reported that the Arts and Ideas Festival has a Request for Proposal in order to find a new site for their Fair Haven Event, and the committee submitted a proposal.

Community Dining Out Night – The next event will be held at Grand Apizza at 111 Grand Avenue, on January 23, 2020 beginning at 6:00PM.

Mary Wade Construction – David Hunter gave an update on the progress with construction of a new Assisted Living and Memory Care building as follows:

Parking - At the location of 113 Pine Street (opposite the cemetery) a new parking lot has been constructed complete with lighting, fencing and a gate. The lot will be enhanced later this month with permanent lighting and security buttons with panic lighting. Mary Wade is also renting parking space from the Church on Grand Avenue for additional parking. Parking for Families is secured along Pine Street by the main entrance.

Construction - The digging is nearly completed and concrete pouring for the foundation has begun. The project is schedule for completion in the Spring of 2021 and will offer 64 Assisted Living units and 20 Memory Care units. Local businesses can expect to see an influx in business volume as a result of the additional families and friends visiting the expanded campus.

Free transportation is provided by Mary Wade, for individuals who are over 62 years, and who are not covered by Medicaid, and need a ride to a doctors or dentist office. Transportation service can be reached at 203.672.7837 and Luz will assist.

 

Health & Wellness – MaryAnn Moran reported on the activities of this committee, including a review of the Greenspace Projects. This is the planning time of year, and it was reported that two new garden beds will be established at the Fair Haven Library.

Urban Trail Update – It was reported that the Fair Haven Community Health Center has purchased a map of the trails and will display it at the center on Grand Avenue and Maltby Place. 

Chatham Square  Area residents will be working with Urban Resources Initiative interns under the supervision of Chris Ozyck. Contact URI if you would like to become involved in these efforts. Chatham park Cleanup is being organized by Joan Bossan heenan on either March 14th or 21st date to be posted on the events page of the calendar.

 

CSNA Website Update – Lee Cruz distributed an updated description of the CSNA which is on the website, and was approved following suggestions made regarding formatting if possible.

 

Old Business: -- Lee Cruz provided an update on recent grants made to the following: Lombard Street Overpass art project, Bus Stop Art Project on Grand Avenue, FH Trails Map at FHCHC.

Blue Lights – Sally Esposito reported that Blue Lights are working at four or five locations in Fair Haven. Doug Hausladen, Director of Transportation, Traffic and Parking for the City, was instrumental with the implementation the Blue Lights security systems in Fair Haven. A questionnaire will be developed that will be used to measure public awareness and responses regarding the new security equipment. It is hoped that the questionnaire will also serve to improve public awareness.

 

New Business:

Grant Request - Lee Cruz presented a new request for funding from CSNA, Books Up, Guns Down Youth Group: Young Kings Brotherhood. The request was for $500.00 for stipends and food for City Youth who will participate in the Ferry Street Clean up (from Ferry Street Bridge to Grand Avenue) on April 18 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. The request was approved for a maximum grant of $400.00.

 

Fair Haven Community Management Team – The next meeting will be February 6, 2020 beginning at 6:00PM at the Fair Haven Public Library.

 

NPIP - David Weinreb invited all to submit an idea for Neighborhood Public Improvement Program (NPIP) Funds by Friday, January 31, 2020. Details and application are available in English and Spanish here: forms.gle/nSQ1oMPuhXnbNFd9A, you can email at [e-mail] with any questions.

 

Announcements and Reminders – All event information and updates can be found on the website: www.chathamsquare.ning.com.

 

Farmer’s Market is every Saturday until Spring from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at the Metropolitan Business Academy.

Music Haven classical music series is starting on MLK Day, January 20, 2020 at the First and Summerfield Church at College and Elm Street from 2:00PM to 3:00PM.

Closing of the Bridge – A celebration of the Closing of the Grand Avenue Bridge due to repairs will take place on the bridge on Friday, March 6th. Planning is underway for this event to take place and be addressed during the Community Dining Out event. All are invited.

Commission on Disabilities – City of New Haven – Sally Esposito announce the Commission is seeking members and interested individuals can sign up on-line.

Ward 15 Meeting – Robert Roberts announced there will be a meeting of the Ward 15 on January 29th in the Community Room at Chatham and Rowe. Contact Robert Roberts with questions.

New Haven Public Library – The Annual Mardigras Celebration will be held at the Downtown Library on February 25, 2020.

ToastMasters Club - The ToastMasters Club has begun meeting on Monday mornings at 7:15AM and held at Mary Wade.

CSNA will now be meeting on a quarterly basis at Mary Wade. We will try this new system for the coming year and seek feedback from participants at the end of the year.

 

Next Meeting - Lisa Hottin, Director of Development and Marketing at Mary Wade, will chair the next meeting of the CSNA.

Respectfully submitted,

David V. Hunter