McKnight
Neighborhood Council, Inc.
Board of
Directors Meeting
Tuesday, January
10, 2012: 6-8 pm
Rebecca
Johnson School, Music Room
55 Catharine
St., Springfield MA
AGENDA
6:00 – 6:15 pm: OPEN MEETING, WELCOME
o
Introduction, Board of Directors
o
Audience Introductions
6:15—6:45 GUESTS
o
Avdey and
Kirrel Adzigirey of Albany Street Auto, 370 Albany Street, appearing before the Council
to seek a letter of support for a special permit petition to the Springfield
City Council. .
o
Carol Kroll,
representing the Tapley Street Apartments, appearing to ask for a letter of support for
their application to the state for historic-related funding to repair damage
from the October snow storm.
6:45—7:00 pm:
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
o PRESIDENT’S REPORT: (Walter
J. Kroll)
o VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT: (Demetrios
Panteleakis)
o SECRETARY’S REPORT: (Ben
Swan, Jr & Elizabeth Lederman, admin staff)
·
Minutes of December 13, 2011 meeting (see attachment)
o TREASURER’S REPORT: (Liz Stevens)
·
Monthly financial report
7:00—7:15 pm: Old Business
o
175 Bowdoin Street—future development by SMOC
7:15—7:30 pm: New Business
o
Open to the Floor
7:30—7:50 pm: COMMITTEE
REPORTS – Any committee updates (5 minutes each)
o
Standing
Committees
·
Rail Trail (Liz Stevens)
·
Public Safety (Walter Kroll)
·
Housing & Code (Demetrios Panteleakis)
·
Good Neighbor (Ceil Lewonchuk)
o
Ad Hoc
Committees
·
Community Center (Demetrios Panteleakis)
7:50--8:00 pm:
Wrap Up—Final Business, Open to Floor
8:00 pm—Close Meeting
Next
McKnight Neighborhood Council Meeting
Tuesday, February
14, 2012 6:00-8:00 pm Rebecca Johnson School
Approved February 14,
2012
Minutes McKnight Neighborhood Council
Board Meeting: January 10, 2012
Meeting
Called to order 6:05 p.m.: (WK verified
quorum present)
Board Members Present (8): Walter Kroll (Pres), Demetrios
Panteleakis (Vice Pres), Ben Swan,
Jr, (Secy/Clerk), Liz Steven, (Treas),
Ceil Lewonchuk (Asst Secy), Ed Kelly, Jesse
Lederman, Corey Singleton {Elizabeth
Lederman, Adm. Staff}.
Board Members Not Present
(5) Frank Buntin, Katie Foster, Arthur Jones,
Donna Jordan, Stephen
Thibeau
Neighborhood
Members Attending: Colin Kirby, Simone Mason, Warren Clark,
Councilor Henry
Twiggs, Karen
Twiggs
Guests: Daryl Moss, Avdey
Adzigirey, Kirrel Adzigirey, Kathy Kroll
Welcome
by Walter K; board member introductions; audience introductions.
GUEST PRESENTATIONS
o
Avdey and
Kirrel Adzigirey of Albany Street Auto, 370 Albany Street, appearing before the Council
to seek a letter of support for a special permit petition to the Springfield
City Council.
·
Demetrios P gave a summary of his interview of the applicants and their
property reporting that the proposed auto repair business would serve as repair
center for the fleet of ambulances which the applicants also operate on St
James Avenue as National Ambulance; serve additional business with fleet servicing,
and also be open to the public
·
Facility is in old Verizon building—has been upgraded with state of the
art equipment and was exceptionally well done; with ample and appropriate
parking and an above average security fence
·
Very positive recommendation offered
·
Business hours 8 am to 6 pm, Monday—Friday; with on call service vehicle
for repairs 24/7
·
Taxes are paid
·
Councilor Twiggs present and supporting recommendation
MOTION: (JL moved) to approve letter
of recommendation; (DP seconded); (WK called the question); Unanimous vote.
o
Kathy Kroll representing Home City Housing on the
matter of Tapley Court Apartments on Bay Street, appearing to ask
for a letter of support for their application to the state for additional historic-related
tax credits to repair damage from the October snow storm. Received approval in September for $2 million
dollars for repair expenses to slate roof and windows. October snow storm damages requiring an
additional $250,000 in repairs.
·
Architect
Charles Schmidt & Assoc , original architect from 1984 restoration, checked
windows and roof; Roofers will be
examining shortly
·
Application deadline January 17.
Letter of support needs to be mailed from Council directly to Mass
Historic Preservation
·
Counselor Twiggs
reporting he has met with group and also submitted letter of support.
·
Board members
offered praise for renovation of building and its continued architectural value
in the neighborhood
MOTION: (DP moved) to approve
letter of support for historical tax credit; (LS seconded); (WK called the
question); Unanimous vote.
OFFICER’S
REPORTS
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: (Walter Kroll)
o Walter
K deferred—will report activity in
committee reports.
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT: (Demetrios Panteleakis)
o Demetrios P—no activity
to report.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: (Ben Swan; Elizabeth
Lederman, staff)
o Minutes of Board Meeting
December 13, 2012, submitted for acceptance. BS called for corrections or
additions.
MOTION: (JL moved) to accept as presented;
(LS seconded); (WK called the question); Unanimous vote to accept.
TREASURER’S REPORT: (Liz Stevens)
o Liz S explained current
budget report. Bookkeeper has listed
CDBG budget total as $13, 500. Should be
12, 500. Motion to accept tabled pending
bookkeeper corrections.
OLD BUSINESS
o
Walter K reporting the appointment of Corey
S to an open seat in District 3, noting that he has been a lightning rod at 15
Girard Street, stepping up to the plate and being proactive with resident
issues.
o
Report on 175 Bowdoin Street by Walter K:
·
Originally a joint venture between SMOC and
Sheriff’s department. Sheriff has
withdrawn since Council sent letter outlining problems with that location and
the overall status of group homes in the neighborhood.
·
Councilor Twiggs brought forth a resolution
in December for a hearing by the Public Safety Committee on the Bowdoin Street
project and the oversaturation of group homes in McKnight; City department
heads have been directed to gather information; hearing will be scheduled once
the information is available
·
Council submitted FOIA request to City on
12/05/11
·
Neighborhood Services Deputy Director Ed W
met with mayor and SMOC and has directed
SMOC to contact the Council; SMOC has yet to do so
·
Demetrios P noted that despite the fact
that SMOC has made no overtures to the Council, work is moving forward at the
property
·
Colin K reporting that an individual appears
to be living on site
·
Property has not been issued certificate of
occupancy; inquire with City about
status
·
Demetrios P observed that stopping the project is unlikely since SMOC
is claiming exemption from zoning under the Dover amendment; but they are
required to observe safety codes
·
Ben S asked if there was a venue to which
an appeal can be made to dispute the Dovert Act exemption; Demetrios P
responding that it almost always prevails when disputed
·
Ben S remarked that if project cannot be deterred, then we should require it
be the best facility possible
·
Simone M observing that CT has licensing
rules for these types of facilities which she helped write and inquiring if
SMOC has credentials for the population they plan to serve
·
Walter K answering that SMOC has not
revealed new plan since Sheriff withdrew
·
Elizabeth L reporting that City Attorney
projected cost estimate of fulfilling FOIA request will be approximately
$300—discussion followed as to potential benefits of information; agreement
that it is important to uncover the process of how the decision for this
project came about.
MOTION: (BS moved) to authorize
up to $300 in MNC funds for FOIA request costs; (JL seconded); (WK called the
question); Unanimous vote to authorize.
NEW BUSINESS—OPEN TO THE FLOOR
o
Councilor Twiggs observed that he has
learned that the City has still not provided the list of City owned properties
in McKnight that was requested; will follow up.
o
Jesse L reporting that City Council appeal
of building permits issued for biomass incinerator to be heard on January 25 by
the Zoning Board of Appeals. Encouraging
residents to attend and show the City Council their support.
o
Jesse L reporting that new City Council
president Fererra announced that he intends to visit each of the neighborhood
councils
o
MOTION: (JL moved) to invite
President Fererra to February meeting (BS seconded); (WK called the question);
Unanimous vote to invite.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
STANDING COMMITTEES
o Rail Trail (Liz Stevens)
·
Liz S reporting MNC
has received $2000 grant from Partners for a Healthier Community to use for the
Rail Trail.
·
Liz S
recommending that money be used to surface the first several hundred feet of
the trail that adjoins the perimeter of the Rebecca Johnson Park with a stone
dust composition, which is the preferred material for hiking trails. Map distributed showing proposed area.
·
Corey S raised
concern about safety of area and a hiking trail in that location because drug
dealing is known to take place. Liz S
explaining that it actually discourages illegal activity because the space
becomes more public and is used more. Corey S and Liz S to discuss trail
development and plans at a future time.
·
Liz S has checked
with Planning officials re possibility of partnering with the City to
collaborate, along with volunteer labor, so money can be used for
materials—received initial positive response—need to present idea to Mayor
·
Liz S willing to
dedicate herself to coordinate communication and plans with City
MOTION: (BS moved) to use $2000
grant for initial development of stone dust trail; (CS seconded); (WK called
the question); Unanimous vote.
o Public
Safety (Walter Kroll)
·
Walter K
reporting that December Watch/Beat meetings were quiet—a few break-ins reported
and some petty theft. January meeting to
focus on youth at risk—who do you call and who can help? ROCO and the Mayor’s Violence Task forces as
resources for information. Juvenile
Commissioner to talk about the process of juvenile probation.
o Housing
& Code (Demetrios Panteleakis)
·
Demetrios P
reporting that activity has been focused completely on sorting out the
situation on Bowdoin Street since November
o Good
Neighbor (Ceil Lewonchuk)
·
Ceil L reporting
that she has sent out 22 letters this month to residents who have bought
property in McKnight during last year.
AD HOC COMMITTEES
o Community
Center (Demetrios Panteleakis)
·
Ed K asking about
status of church property on corner of St James and Clarendon. Elizabeth L noting that sign says price has
been reduced. Demetrios P to make
inquiries.
8:00 ADJOURNMENT: MOTION:
(BS moved) to adjourn; (JL seconded); (WK
called); motion carried.
Submitted
by Elizabeth Lederman, Administrative Staff, 02/14/2012.
