Approved December 13,
2011
McKnight Neighborhood Council
Executive & Emergency
General Board Meeting: November 29, 2011
Meeting
Called to order 6:30 p.m.: (WK verified
quorum present)
Board Members Present (9): Walter Kroll (Pres), Demetrios Panteleakis (Vice Pres), Liz Steven, (Treas), Ceil
Lewonchuk (Asst Secy), Frank Buntin, Donna
Jordan, Ed Kelly, Jesse Lederman, Stephen Thibeau, {Elizabeth
Lederman, Adm. Staff}.
Board Members Not Present
(4), Ben Swan, Jr, (Secy/Clerk), Katie
Foster, Gregory Hession, Arthur Jones
Neighborhood
Members Attending: Marianne Winters
General Agenda
o Situation
Requiring Immediate Action
·
175 Bowdoin Street Project for permanent
housing for ex-offenders being proposed by Hampden County Sheriff Department
and Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council
o General
Board Items
·
2011 Community Service Award nominations
need finalized
·
Finalization of format and planning details
for 12/13 meeting and community pot luck and awards ceremony
·
Clarification of last year’s expenses, budget items and CDBG submissions
Meeting
Minutes
o 175
Bowdoin Street Project—Walter K
presented the facts as known:
·
Project under
development for over a year
·
Facility to open
tentatively in 45 days
·
Claiming
exemption from zoning and code ordinances under Dover Amendment as educational
entity
o Lengthy discussion covering the following:
·
No open communication
with residents or city prior to project being undertaken
·
Oversaturation of
group homes and similar facilities in McKnight neighborhood
·
Inappropriate
location near sensitive programs already in place
·
Inappropriate
location in neighborhood full of single family homes and adjacent to a housing
complex full of numerous school age children
MOTION: (DP moved) that MNC formally oppose the project
at 175 Bowdoin Street; (EK seconded); (WK called the question); Unanimous vote
to oppose.
o
Strategies developed as follows;
·
Continue engagement with Ward 4 Councilor Twiggs for possible City
Council intervention
·
Information gathering relative to the Dover Amendment, funding sources
such as HUD which may require de-leading of property, and Historical Commission
requirements—and a clarification of the relationship of the Sheriff Department’s role in the project and the SMOC
entity.
MOTION: (DP moved) that MNC formally authorize President
Walter Kroll to write a letter to Sheriff Michael Ashe stating the Council’s
concerns and objections; and asking for the withdrawal of the Bowdoin Street
project ; copied to the Mayor and additional City employees as appropriate; (JL
seconded); (WK called the question); Unanimous vote to authorize.
MOTION: (DP moved) that MNC make a request under the
Public Records Law for information relative to 175 Bowdoin Street project from
the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Springfield. (JL seconded); (WK called the question);
Unanimous vote to request.
o General Board Items
·
2011 Community Service Award nominations
need finalized
§ Discussion
of possible applicants and their merits
§ Individuals
selected: Ron Harrell, Jim Boone, and Lt
Colonel Stephen White
§ Liz
Stevens and Kathryn Wright and their work on the Mason Square Library
§ Sonja
Wall and Darlene Arthur for their work on the Rebecca Johnson Park
·
Finalization of format and planning details
for 12/13 meeting and community pot luck and awards ceremony—format set; Liz S
to check and see if Rebecca Johnson chorus can perform
·
Clarification of last year’s expenses, budget items and CDBG submissions—Marianne W
(fy2011 treasurer) brought figures on last year’s expenses; and collaborated with
current treasurer Liz S on clarifying budget items from last year.
o Walter
K adjourned meeting at 7:45 pm.
Submitted
by Elizabeth Lederman, Administrative Staff, 12/13/2011
