CSNA meeting minutes (June 2016)

[Lee Cruz]

CSNA meeting, June 15, 2016, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

 

Present: George Morrison, Joan Heenan, Fran Goekler-Morneau, Brenda Brown, Richard Pizzoferrato, Marion Lemley, Tim Byrnes, Sally Esposito, Kathleen Flynn, Christel Manning, Lee Cruz, Pat Bissell, Mark Duda, Carrol Dsa, Paulo Caron, Barbara McDougall, Vinnie Kiernan, Mary Vallejo, Leslie Flowers, Melissa Waldron, David Hunter.

 

Minutes

1. There was no police report today because Sgt. Mayo was absent.

2. Doug Hausladen from city came to discuss traffic calming initiative. There are Community Development Grant funds available for our community to use. Doug proposed a type of flashing beacons that improve pedestrian crossings, especially at parks, schools, and senior housing. Several other neighborhoods have these already, and research shows they work well. He wants us to find 12-15 locations where we’d like to improve crossings (could go in any intersection that currently does not have a traffic light). There were many comments and questions. Follow up meeting was scheduled for June 28 at 6 pm.

3. Kathleen reported on expansion of urban walking trail.

4. Peter Wyrsh from URI talked about various initiatives to create urban oases in our neighborhood. These include Downing street, Front street at intersection w. Lombard, and Dover beach near the Middletown bridge. We’ll be getting teens from Common Ground to help us with this throughout July. Middletown oasis work is Saturdays, from 1 – 3 pm; Front street work is Thursdays at 6:30 pm.

5. Our annual Chatham Square Fall Festival needs a coordinator. Carrol Dsa volunteered to help; but she’s new to neighborhood (living in Hope’s former house on Perkins street) and would need assistance from folks who have done this before. Tambira, Hope, Sally, Lee, Joan, and Fran also expressed interest in helping. Christel will send email to all these to get discussion going.

6. Lee proposed having Dining Out Breakfast instead of dinner this month; everyone liked the idea. Joan will do Soup night in July.

7. Sally reported on kids activities. Homework club is done until fall. Community garden at Clinton Avenue school is back; contact Mark Duda if interested in helping ([e-mail]; 203-809-5933).

8. Lee reported on Strong School redevelopment proposal. We have two prospective development partners, one from Puerto Rico, the other a local guy. Still in process of negotiation with both. Will schedule a community meeting once we have a specific plan in hand.

9. Announcements: Please support Fair Haven Pharmacy (corner of Grand and Perkins, opposite Strong school) because they support CSNA; Mary Wade Home Parade went great w. 700+ participants; Fair Haven Pop-up Festival (Blatchley Ave) during Arts & Ideas was also a big success w. 600 people; Lee did two gastro tours for A&I festival and both were well attended.

Thanks to Christel Manning for taking the minute.