Radcliffeborough Neighborhood Association

Minutes for last meeting of term before summer break

Jul 31, 2006

MAY 25 MINUTES


I. Jill Muti, Head, Ashley Hall
A. Signed a petition for speed bumps on Smith Street
B. Invited Radcliffeborouogh to meet at Ashley Hall
C. Will Send information to the Radcliffeborough website on Writers and Concert Series
D. Anyone wishing to volunteer at Ashley Hall may call Jill Muti?’s office

II. David Agnew, Partner in Morris Square Development
A. Three affordable homes on property (mid $40k to mid 70k)
B. A very large contribution goess to the Episcopal Church Community Housing Development Corporation.
C. Development will be complete by 2008
D. Robert Ballard comment: the height is much greater than surrounding homes, but has allowed parking coming from behind into the lots, preserving streetscape for pedestrians.
E. ?“Friends of Morris Square?” group will plan events for the area and facilitate some for the neighborhood.
F. Pipes under the pocket parks should prevent flooding in the area.

III. Councilman James Lewis will work with Sgt. Riccio regarding students.( A representative of City police will attend August meeting for update). James Lewis phone # is 219-8018 and he will call back. He reported that at present CPW is working on the crosstown.

IV. Livability committee
A. Goal: a hardcopy livability brochure for the neighborhood.
B. Trash patrolling, noting, and recording problem addresses will help neighborhood to press for fines.
C. Mayor and staff want to consolidate livability issues and handle them efficiently.
D. Bea Aaronson proposed public trash cans?–handsome wrought iron but solid..Robert Ballard reported the city philosophy : ?“If you bring it, you take it home?” for areas fringes to commercial. Pooints to messy boat landing examples as well as extra labor force. After discussion pro and con trash cans, Mr. Ballard suggested running a test area on St. Phillip or Coming, a couple of blocks long. Mr. Agnew suggested asking institutions to put trash cans in front of their buildings. It was pointed out that Ashley Hall keeps open trash cans on the north side of the building.
E. Street Sweeping discussion included the sense that the city did not want to become ?“unpopular?” by using the Savannah system of alternate parking sides to allow for thorough sweeping. Gay Murrill supported Livability committee?’s going to city council for side-switching promotion. Mr. Agnew suggested the same strategy for trash cans: make this a test area.
F. Noise ordinance signs were discussed with Livability. Jane Baker, head of neighborhood life for city, assured Johnny Zervos that we can have noise ordinance signs.
G. Mr. Zervos says that speed bumps on Vanderhorst Street have quieted traffic.
H. Mr. Ballard needs recycling signs posted on Smith and Pitt Streets?–several names or persons in absentia who live on those streets were offered.
I. Bid letting was to be done in June on the study of reversal of traffic to two lanes on Rutledge and Ashley. We want it extended through our neighborhood on Coming as well. The Med U is concerned about emergency vehicles getting through. Mr. Frasier said that its concerns were valid?–discussion ensued about seeking dialogue with the Med. U and the College about the benefits of two-way traffic for safety and Livability. James Lewis said that he would work to support us.
J. Dan Lesesne reported that Bill Stevens says that the change of parking back to more generous times for residents had been approved. ( Update: the city is in the process of changing the signs.)

V. The next meeting is scheduled at the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul Parish House at 6pm, Thursday, August 10. Light refreshments will be served.