Board of Directors Meeting
Special
Annual Meeting FY 2010-2011
Tuesday, June
14, 2011: 6-8 pm
Rebecca
Johnson School, Music Room
55 Catherine
St., Springfield MA
AGENDA
6:00 pm – Open Meeting
Welcome
from McKnight Council President Walter Kroll
Community Pot Luck & Social
6:30 pm: Walter Kroll, Introducing Guest Speaker,
Aaron Williams
6:30—7:00 pm: Local
Videographer Aaron Williams presenting updates on his current work-in-progress,
A History of Mason Square
7:00—7:15 pm: Introduction
of the Board of Directors
Audience Recognition
Election Update &
Candidates’ Remarks
7:15—8:00 pm: Annual Year End Reports
OFFICER’S REPORTS
o
PRESIDENT’S
REPORT: (Walter J. Kroll)
o SECRETARY’S REPORT: (Liz
Stevens & Elizabeth Lederman, admin staff);
§ Approval
of Minutes from May 10, 2011 meeting
o TREASURER’S REPORT: (Marianne
Winters)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ad Hoc Committees:
o
Mason
Square Library (Liz Stevens)
o
Rail
trail/RJS Playground (Liz Stevens)
Standing Committees:
o
Youth
(Jesse Lederman)
o
Public
Safety (Walter Kroll)
o
Housing/Code
(Walter Kroll)
o
Communications
(Marianne Winters)
o
Finance
& Fund Raising (Marianne Winters)
8:00 pm –
Close Meeting
Next
McKnight Neighborhood Council meeting:
Tuesday, July 12. 2011, 6:00-8:00 pm
Rebecca Johnson School, Music Room
Approved July 19, 2011
Minutes McKnight Neighborhood Council
Special Annual Meeting: June 14, 2011
6:00
pm—Welcome and Opening Remarks by President Walter Kroll
Board Members Present (10): Walter
Kroll (Pres.), Liz Stevens,
(Clerk/Secy.), Ben Swan, Jr, (Asst Clerk/Secy), Marianne Winters (Treas.); Gregory
A Hession, (Asst. Treas.), Donna Jordan, Ed Kelly,
Jesse Lederman, Ceil
Lewonchuk, Denise Moccia, {Elizabeth Lederman, Adm. Staff}.
Board Members Not Present
(4): Frank
Buntin, Katie Foster, Chip Gorra, Arthur Jones
Neighborhood
Members & Guests Attending: Too
numerous to list, see sign in sheets.
Approximately 60 people in attendance.
6:00 pm—6:45 pm:
Community Potluck & Social
GUEST
PRESENTATION
°
Aaron Williams presented an update on his video
work in progress on the history of Mason Square. He explained the importance of not losing
history, and how the identity of a neighborhood and community can be infused
with the dignity and vitality of its past as it moves ahead and evolves into a
more robust and creative future. He
shared interesting facts about the Square’s history, took questions from the
audience, and described his continuing work in putting together his current
video work. He continues to welcome
contributions of material from the community, and invites people to volunteer
to help with the project with expertise, support and contributions.
BUSINESS MEETING
(WK verified quorum
present.)
o Introduction of the Board of Directors
o Recognition to Ed Whitley from Neighborhood Services
o Recognition to Ward 4 Councilor Henry Twiggs and his wife—Councilor
Twiggs praised the MNC Council and its work; mentioned that he and Rep Swan
will be a holding meeting to provide FEMA information to homes and businesses
in Ward 4 that were impacted by the tornado
END OF THE YEAR OFFICER REPORTS
PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Walter Kroll)
o Remarks
on upcoming Block Party and Board Elections happening on Saturday June 18. Five individuals have turned in nomination
forms. Some seats are still open,
encouraged write in votes from interested persons; and the importance of
volunteering your own particular talents and interests for committee work.
o Announced
public safety meeting with police and fire officials to discuss numerous fires
on Bowdoin Street for Tuesday June 21.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: (Liz Stevens, Elizabeth
Lederman, staff)
o Minutes of Board Meeting,
May 10, 2011, submitted for acceptance.
LS called for corrections or additions.
None offered.
MOTION: (MW moved) to accept as presented;
(JL seconded); (WK call for discussion);
(WK called); motion carried unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT: (Marianne Winters)
o
MW reported that accountant Amy Grabowski is finishing updating the
books, and that the end of the year report will be posted on web site
soon. Once the books are done, the
Council will seek bids from accountants to handle the books on an ongoing
basis. Benefits include a stable and
sustainable financial structure, which will also free up the treasurer to
concentrate on fundraising.
AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
MASON
SQUARE LIBRARY (Liz Stevens, Chair)
·
LS reported that the Library successfully
reopened on April 13 completing the work of this committee; and that she and
Kat Wright were stepping back. A non MNC
based committee directly associated with the library is now in the planning
stages, and will include representatives from each of the surrounding Mason
Square neighborhoods.
RAIL
TRAIL/ RJS PLAYGROUND: (Liz Stevens, Chair)
·
LS reported that steady progress has been
made this year on the Rail Trail. Plans
are moving swiftly toward securing the land appraisal, which will be followed
by the environmental assessment and engineering survey.
·
Councilor Twiggs providing letter of
support for project, and in process of getting letter of support from State
Street Alliance to submit to grant sources
·
Need working group to regularly walk the
trail for maintenance and clear
·
RJS Playground almost complete; serves dual
purpose of school playground and public park after hours; also has rail trail
access.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
YOUTH
: (Jesse Lederman, Chair)
·
Call for members ages 13-18. See flyer in newsletter.
·
Described completion of project to educate
the public on the dangers of toxic incineration and the Youth Council’s work to
help stop the biomass incinerator in Springfield—partnering with Stop Toxic
Incineration, Arise, and neighborhood councils.
Permit revoked by City Council on May 21.
·
Currently working on idea to stage
three-day concert festival at Thompson triangle in August.
PUBLIC
SAFETY: (Walter Kroll, Chair)
·
Recognition to Officer Charlie Ramos,
Sherriff’s department liaison to Neighborhood Watch
·
Reported on the strengthening of the
communication network which has taken place over the past year between the
Watch, the Sherriff’s Department, and the Springfield Police Department—which
has created the fundamental groundwork necessary for being able to respond
effectively to safety problems when they occur—an example being the upcoming
meeting on the Bowdoin Street fires.
·
Past year highlights included sponsoring
the DA debates, participation in the Blue Knight programs and Safe Neighborhood
Nights
·
Two block party events, co-sponsored with
Watch, have successfully brought neighborhood residents out to connect with
each other and have provided visibility for both the Watch and the Council
HOUSING/CODE:
(Walter Kroll, Chair)
·
WK reported on continuing work of
effectively funneling housing and code issues as they arise to the appropriate
city departments so they can be addressed
·
DM reported on the process of following tax
title properties to auction, which has included properties at 62 Bay Street and
46 Welsley. 79 Thompson and 74
Yale. 380 Bay Street continues to be a
problem; currently has 13 years of back taxes.
·
Audience discussion on 69 Bowdoin Street,
which the city has targeted for demolition.
GH advises that city attorney
Lisa Desousa is the person to contact for any discussion since the matter is
now under the purview of the housing court.
COMMNICATIONS: (Marianne Winters, Chair)
·
MW reporting that web site will be
expanding and promoting business directory in coming year
·
WK reporting that newsletters available at
tonight’s meeting, were mailed out today to all neighborhood residents
GOOD
NEIGHBOR: (Ceil Lewonchuk, Chair)
·
CL reports that the welcome packet from Jim
Boone continues to be given to each new resident
NEW BUSINESS—Open to the Floor
o
Bowdoin Street residents presented concerns
about the recent series of fires on that street. Lengthy discussion on how to make the street
more secure. Suggestions included
erecting a blockade on the street restricting the flow of traffic—a solution
described as successfully employed at Marengo Park in the Forest Park section
of the city. DJ will confer with Marengo
Park resident to learn specifics. JL
expressed concerns about community perceptions and repercussions given the
proximity of the adjacent housing project.
WK observed that the situation required a patient examination of the
various elements contributing to the problems the street was experiencing; and encouraged residents to attend the
upcoming Tuesday meeting with police and fire department to discuss fires.
CLOSING BUSINESS & REMARKS
o
CL reported on her very positive experience
with the Lutheran volunteers who removed the overgrown wisteria from her porch
as part of the Minor Home Repair Project on June 4.
o
BS announced that MNC had received energy
saving light bulbs from Weed & Seed which he would distribute to residents
after the meeting closes.
o
WK thanked everyone for coming and
participating, and encouraged everyone to attend the spring block party
scheduled for June 18.
8:00 pm ADJOURNMENT: MOTION:
(BS moved) to adjourn; (JL seconded); (WK
called); motion carried.
NEXT MNC MEETING: Tuesday, July
19, 2011
REBECCA JOHNSON SCHOOL,
55 Catherine Street
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Submitted
by Elizabeth Lederman, Administrative Staff, 07/19/2011.
