Minutes – December 5, 2018

Present:          Caitie Eck, Sheila Pastor, Ann Martindale, Artis Henderson, Terry Leary, Donna Ellswick (phoned in)

Absent:           Jordan Parrott, John Podczerwinsky, Brad McGrath

Guests:           Erik Schaum, Michelle Nugent, Bob and Judith Andrews

  1. Call to Order by the President – Caitie Eck
  2. Report of the Nominating Committee –Ann Martindale (a) Proposed Directors:  Caitlin Eck, Donna Ellswick, Artis Henderson, Terry Leary, Ann Martindale, Brad McGrath (Historic Preservation Commission  representative), Michelle Nugent and Sheila Pastor.  (b) Proposed Officers:  President-Caitlin Eck, Vice President-Sheila Pastor, Secretary-Artis Henderson and Treasurer-Ann Martindale.  (c) Proposed Honorary Directors:  Pearl Moulton (2013), Tom Veal (2014), Jordan Parrott (2018) and John Podczerwinsky (2018).
  3. Election of Directors by 2017-2018 Board of Directors.  The proposed Directors were elected unanimously.
  4. Election of Officers by Newly Elected Board of Directors.  The proposed Officers were elected unanimously.
  5. Approval of minutes of meeting of last meeting (Nov. 14, 2017).  The minutes were approved.
  6. President’s Report.  Caitie Eck reported that Triangle decorating last weekend was a little sparsely attended, but a success. The Lawn Party was a success. Christmas decorations look good.
  7. Treasurer’s Report.  Ann Martindale submitted the Treasurer’s reports filed with these minutes for Fiscal Year Sept. 1, 2017 – August 31, 2018 and for Fiscal Year 2018 – 2019 to date.
  8. Report of Historic Preservation Commission Representative.  (a)  Amendments to Chapter 114 – Historic Preservation: In Brad’s absence, Ann advised that the City Council will consider these amendments on Jan. 7th and at a Feb. 4th public hearing. These have already been approved by HPC and the Planning Board.  Ann thinks the draft recently presented to the Planning Board does not reflect editing requests made at previous meetings.  She also noted that the City has not been putting up agenda packages on the City website in recent months and will check into both these issues.  The issues she’s concerned about right now: the effect of FEMA requirements on building heights. Her concern is that the regulations say the height of a new building in a historic district should be reasonably similar to the neighborhood, but how do you measure height? From ground floor or as viewed from the street? Another issue: there should be buffer zones around historic districts to keep height restrictions in check. (b) New Design Guidelines for Historic Districts: HPC to consider Jan. 24. Ann was the only one at meeting, and she spoke.
  9. Old Business: (a)  Property at 2610 Providence Street.  Michelle advised they there  are signs up trying to rent the apartments for $1100 a month/ 2 bedrooms. “They look nice. They did a nice job,” she said, adding that the new owners have painted the outside and resurfaced the parking lot. (b)  Warehouse at 2801 Michigan. The owners rejected an offer from a group of Dean Park residents last spring.  Michelle said she talked to a developer who said it would be a small project and that it won’t work for someone to pay their price. (c) Dean Park Events for 2018-2019. Artis reported that the next event is the Progressive Dinner in January. Michelle will send out information and start working on it. A $10 per person charge will cover the wine for the dinner and a personalized souvenir glass per person. A date was set for BBQ and Blues — April 13, 4-7 p.m. (d) Status – deanpark.org. Ann said, “I think it’s a great thing to have, and people like it.”  (e) Community maintenance. The Board discussed putting together a Dean Park Help Squad which could, if it chose, offer maintenance help to residents of Dean Park unable to maintain their yards and also help maintain public spaces.  Ann: “I think we should be results-minded rather than punitive or thinking people will take advantage. What’s good for Dean Park?” We start off by announcing that that a Help Squad exists and we’re ready for projects.  If people need help, they can contact us. Artis will design a flyer announcing the Dean Park Help Squad “If you need help or you’d like help.” We’ll create an anonymous gmail account.
  10. New Business  (a) Bylaw Amendment to permit Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. Ann requested that this item be postponed. (b) Community initiatives – Dean Park projects. The Board discussed other community initiatives, including fund-raising options.  (c) Formation of Committee for Dean Park Centennial Celebration in 2020. A committee was formed to include Caitie, Sheila, Michelle, Artis, Ann and Terry.  (d)  Adoption of Budget for 2018 – 2019.  Ann agreed to amend the draft budget for review and adoption at the next meeting. (e) Other new business. Michelle brought up the idea of banners on street posts for the 100th anniversary celebration.  She said they would be professionally done, very nice. “We’d ask the city to put a little money into us.”  She said brackets would not be that expensive, $100 a piece, possibly on the budget for next year. Ann said she may not be in favor of having banners up all the time is a residential neighborhood, that she associates banners with commercial areas.
  11. Next Meeting Date:  The next meeting is set for January 23, 2019.
  12. Adjournment

Respectfully submitted, Artis Henderson, Secretary