CSNA meeting minutes (October)

[Nathalie Bonafe]

Minutes

October 19, 2016 ~ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

The Mary Wade Home

 

Present: Marian Lemley, Lee Cruz, Brenda Brown, George Morrison, Mary Ann Moran, Dana Landry, Ph.D., Mattie M. Hooks, John Roberts, Leslie Flowers, David Hunter (facilitator), Sally Esposito (notetaker)

 

Guests: Officer S. Travaglino #83 and Officer L. DeCrescenzo #303

 

• Welcome, especially to new members attending. 

• Health & Community Gardening

• Community and School Gardens: Mary Ann\Sally: Mary Ann reported that a representative of Leeway asked the Landtrust for help with their garden.  The Landtrust will now include it with the Fair Haven gardens.  She reported that the Clinton Av. School garden is still going and encouraged everyone to take food. The Grand Acres garden serve as the site for growing seedlings for all Landtrust gardens throughout the City.  Lee suggested that Leeway get in touch with the Food Policy Council to get help with nutrition.
• Urban Trail & Maps update – Kathleen\Lee: Lee reported that they are still working with the Community Foundation to get a card with the map

Interested in working on health issues contact Lee (203-668-7074) or MaryAnn at [e-mail]

• Economic & Community Development – Lee

• Community Dining Out: Grand Apizza 10/26, 6-8 pm: Lee reported that the Economic Development Committee selected Grand Apizza this month to thank George for his help with the Harvest Festival.  A HUGE thanks goes to George of Grand Apizza!!  In addition to Carol D’sa, George was instrumental in helping CSNA volunteers set up the stations for the City Health Department inspection and enabled us to pass with flying colors. 
• Planning for Riverfest 2017 to begin: planning is starting so contact Christel to be involved in planning.
• Cleanup of Strong School Playground: Lee reported that Mark is working on it and there is an issue regarding which City agency is responsible. 
• Other Eco. & Community Dev:

Interested in this work group? Contact Christel at [e-mail]

• Strong School building – Lee Cruz: CSNA’s proposal did not work financially.  One developer submitted a proposal to the City but the City would not share it as they did one other time with The Independent.  A discussion followed as to possible next steps including whether or not to file an FOI request, ask SPACE’s lawyer to request a copy, wait until the City holds a public meeting, contact the media, or see if The Independent could possibly see the proposal that was submitted.

• Finance Report- Treasurer-Sally: As of Oct. 19, the account balance is $6,629.22.  Since the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016, cash donations from Start Bank, Mary Wade Home and Salsa Restaurant were deposited.  Harvest Festival items The Kings of Harmony, the popcorn machine and supplies, and the festival signs were paid directly by donors.  All reimbursement requests received have been submitted to United Way.

• Web site: – website coordinator- Lee: Leslie suggested adding a “wish list,” information about volunteering, and directions for donating to the website.

• Reports & Announcements:

• Harvest Festival at Chatham Square Park – Sally\Mary Ann\Carrol: The festival went very well.  The last minute need for a City Health Dept. license required setting up the food distribution per City regulations.  Carol did a great job of handling the permit process and George from Grand Apizza attended and was a huge help with setup and preparing for the City inspection which went well.  All events took place in and around the center of the park.  Fran Morneau set up the student art exhibit under a tent.  The City provided a Salsa dance teacher, Bregamos Community Theater loaned its dance floor, Rich and Brenda transported and set it up, and all had a great time.  The traditional horse and carriage rides, popcorn, lemonade, pizza from Grand Apizza, and Chabaso bread were distributed to all. 
• Community Soup Night at the Pellegrino’s: George M. attended and reported that there was a great turnout with lots of kids and great food.  John asked whether one could be held at the Library.  A discussion followed as to what this might look like.  Inviting a food truck like the event at Grand Vin is a possibility.  Spring would be better due to weather issues.
• Sidewalk Improvements at Chatham Square Park: Many acknowledged the beautiful new sidewalk and thanked the City especially the City Engineer, Parks & Recreation, NHPD, and Public Works for the exceptional work in getting this accomplished.  A thank you event was proposed.  Lee took a photo timeline of the work and offered to put together an electronic thank you card that can be signed, sent, posted, and shared even on See-Click-Fix.   
• Farmers Market at Q River Park every Thursday 3-6pm till Oct 27 and will return the first Thursday after July 4, 2017.
• Mary Wade Home Future Plans – David Hunter: David thank all who signed letters and/or testified at the Board of Zoning Appeals hearing regarding the Mary Wade project.  David mentioned that before her passing, Architect Regina Winters was involved in preserving historic elements of some of the Mary Wade houses.  He would like to recognize her contribution in some way.
• Grand Avenue closed at railroad crossing near East St. – Lee reported that the work is two days behind schedule and Grand Av. will be open by the end of next week.
• Fair Haven Branch Library: John announced the Celebrate New Haven Collaborative City-Wide Photo Collage with local artist Rashmi.  Submit your Fair Haven photos to [e-mail] or visit the Library for assistance.  John also reported that there will be a “Night Out” with City Librarian at the Fair Haven Branch.  In line with Mayor Harp’s October “Month of Kindness,” John offered to do in home outreach that could include reviewing Library services, reading to a senior, etc., to a Fair Haven Senior.  Contact John at 203-946-8115 to arrange a visit.
• Kerry Brown is organizing a group of neighborhood children in costume to visit residents the morning of Oct. 29^th, the Sat. before Halloween.  Contact Kerry for more information.
• The New Haven Chorale is offering a free concert at Trinity Episcopal Church at 2:00 pm on Oct. 29^th.  More information will be posted on the CSNA website.
• The Mary Wade Christmas Bazaar will take place Fri., Dec. 1^st and Sat., Dec 2^nd at Mary Wade.  Marian Lemley is coordinating the event and requested donations of items that can be sold.  Contact Marian at Mary Wade to donate.
• Lee reported that there will be a Contra dance fundraiser for New Haven Farms.  It will be held Friday night at 7:30.
• Lee invited people to take and/or shar a book in the book exchange at his house at 29 Clinton Av.  He also said 29 Clinton is designated as one of three New Haven monarch butterfly sanctuaries.  The others are Hooker School and Lighthouse Park.

 

• Police\Safety: Police District Sgt. Anthony Maio 203.676.8661 sent his regrets for not being able to be here.  He asked Officers Travaglino and DeCrescenzo to attend.  Officer Travaglino will be finishing his training and coming to Fair Haven as a walking beat.  The fatal shooting this week on Ferry St. was not a robbery. That area has had longtime issues. There has been an increase in robberies in the area and NHPD could get a grant to continue the robbery detail.  A request for lighting the cemetery on Pine St. was presented to the officers.  Members thanked officers for attending and for their help with issues on Pine and on Downing.

 

2016 meetings schedule & facilitators:

November 16 –  John R.      December: End of year potluck dinner

Please save the date for the Annual Planning Retreat: January 21, 2017, 10 am-2 pm; Snow date: January 28th