No Matter how long or short your stay, you are a valued part of our neighborhood
Hey there new Residents! Browse this website for lots of useful local resources and information. Get in touch with us - we would love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].


What we are talking about..

For more local news, check out the Scoop on the Stoop on our "Who we are" page.

Holiday Wreath Sale! 

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A Symbol of Strength and Community

$18 per wreath!

This year we are eager to create a beautiful tribute that honors the memories of those we have
lost while visually showing the bonds we share during this holiday season.

We hope to see every building
adorned with a wreath!

You can pre-order your wreath here or email us   Be sure to include your name, address, email address, and the number of wreaths you would like.

The price will remain at $18 for a 12- inch Balsam Wreath with bow

PICK-UP DATE and LOCATION
Saturday, December 6, 2025,
10am to noon.
Midtown garage alley entrance 
Public Alley 404,
between St. Botolph Street and  Huntington Avenue. (It’s the alley that runs behind the Mid-Town Hotel). Entrance into the Mid-Town Hotel garage for wreath pick-up will be marked.
Delivery is available!

DON’T MISS OUT – THE LAST DAY TO ORDER A BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY WREATH IS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19.
The Home Big Wishes Drive Online
Help us make a positive impact
on young lives...
SBNA Drive Dec 1st - 16th 2025
We will have the link live soon ....keep checking back here...

We continue our holiday tradition of contributing to The Home’s annual Big Wishes Gift Drive. In past years, our generous contributions have helped to support children and families in need with toys and essentials that bring joy and comfort to children and families served by The Home. This year, we are asking our neighbors to contribute directly through our own dedicated link on our website ensuring that each child receives gifts and essentials that suit their needs.
(We won't be collecting toys) Please help us make a positive impact on the lives of others while strengthening the bonds within our neighborhood. 

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The wonderful Stained-Glass Walking Tour led by our very own neighbor, Dan d'Heilly, was fascinating and informative. This was a collaborative event presented by the Friends of Titus Sparrow Park and SBNA. Despite the freezing temperatures, over 30 people turned up and learned about Sainted Glass Row. For more info on all things stained glass, click here. For details about more events and walks by Titus Sparrow click here.
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Resident Parking Changes
Due to the long-overdue and much-welcomed renovations for our neighbors at the 70 St Botolph Apartments, you’ll notice new scaffolding and parking restrictions on that block. The project required taking 9 resident parking spots for construction and resident needs. After our appeal to the Boston Transportation Department, they agreed to remove 9 parking meters on St Botolph St. between West Newton and Follen Streets. These meters were spotted being removed Friday September 26th in the morning! Please pay attention to the new parking options. Thank you to Nick Gove and the Boston Transportation Department team, our neighborhood liaison Maccon Bonner, and the Office of Neighborhood Services team for making this happen. Thanks also to our elected officials John Moran and Ed Flynn for their support.
Mass & Cass Intersection
Frustrated residents crowded into a hotel meeting room on Thursday, Sept 4th 2025 to grill Boston City Councilors about illicit drug use and crime at the intersection known as Mass and Cass in the South End. For more details, go to our Safety page 

Annual BBQ 

The annual SBNA BBQ is a community favorite, and brings together so many neighbors and friends, and we want to thank all who made the 2025 Annual BBQ day possible:

Star Market Copley House, GTI, South End Emporium, 7-ELEVEN, The View, and all the fabulous volunteers (especially the grill team!), and those who brought food to share. 
We also thank our elected officials who stopped by to join us.
It was wonderful to see all age groups mingle and get to know each other. The background music from the Camella Latin Jazz Band was toe-tapping yet not too loud to interfere with chatting! 
The Popular Jelly Bean Counting Contest was back and won by Wes !
We had a fun competition to win two tickets to the View Boston at the top of the Pru. 

Click here for photos of the event.

Lorraine Steele

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We’re all still a bit shocked, but we lost an amazing woman a few days after the fun of the BBQ. Lorraine Steele, an absolute fixture in our neighborhood, unofficially dubbed the “Mayor of Durham Street”, gardener extraordinaire and SW Corridor champion, vital board member of the SBNA including as social chair and then treasurer, dear friend to us all, and devoted partner to Lee…there are not enough words to describe how much she meant to us and how much we will miss her. There was a private memorial service for her and plans are in the works for a community Celebration of Life in her honor. We will share the details when it is scheduled. In the meantime, next time you are walking down Durham Street or the SW corridor gardens, enjoy the beauty and send a smile to her memory.

Click here for Lorraine's Obituary 

Thank you, Lorraine, for all you did for us, for all you did with us - and for being our friend, our neighbor, and a joyful presence in our lives.

Grace Lillian Seay

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More sad news about another wonderful long-term resident on Durham Street.  Lillian Seay, who supported the association for many years, died on July 12th, 2025. Lillian was born on August 15, 1945, the youngest of five children to Howard and Mary Seay. She was educated in the Boston Public School system, Boston Clerical, the University of Massachusetts, and Northeastern University. Lillian loved her church, family, and education. It was rare that she spoke to you without leaving a few points to ponder. Rest in peace Lillian.
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ROAD WORKS
Hurrah! As announced at the annual neighborhood meeting in April, the transportation department has started on neighborhood projects on the schedule:
For the latest news, go to our city construction page

CROSSWALK UPGRADES
THe West Newton @ St. Botolph intersection is is completed with an upgrade this summer (2025) (new accessible ramps, and crosswalk markings. rebricking of pavements to be completed.

SPEED HUMPS
Speed humps on W. Newton( to be constructed after repaving) Click here for more details 

NEARBY REPAVING (LATE SUMMER)
  • St. Botolph (Harcourt to W. Newton)
  • W. Newton (Columbus to Huntington)
  • Yarmouth (Columbus to Carleton)
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Neighborhood Meeting Minutes from Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 are now available. Thank you to everyone who attended and special appreciation to the officials who joined our discussion. Access the complete minutes here.
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We Loved our Blocks on Sat April 12th!
Rain Drops may have kept falling on our heads but they didn't defeat us. A huge thank you to everyone for making the Love Your Block event a great success, despite the bad weather.
The mulch got distributed around the trees, new faces turned up and we all felt very proud of what was achieved.  A shout-out to the wonderful staff at the Colonnade Hotel, who kept our spirits up with warm beverages, pastries, and elbow grease. We were grateful for Copley House, and the spirit of our recently passed neighbor  Joe Coppola spurring us on.  None of this would have been possible without the  City of Boston. From Paige, in the office of civic organization, orchestrating it all, Errol and Richard provided the tools. while Josh and his colleagues from public works, diligently kept the area clear with cheer and goodwill.
For photos of the event click here!
Trash Talking
Northeastern University!
A big thank you again to our great neighbors, Northeastern University. On Wednesday, April 9th, AVP Dave Isberg from Northeastern's Office of City and Community Engagement and his team delivered 20 rolling bins to the alley behind Follen Street and West Newton Street. Mary Denker, from the board of the residents' association for several buildings abutting this alley, took delivery of them and, with SBNA's help, replaced several old covered bins with holes. It takes a neighborhood!

RATS BEWARE - New Sensors!

The Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP) is a new initiative to combat the rodent population in the city of Boston. 
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The Environmental Sanitation Division recently got 275 rodent sensors to place around the city. These sensors will go in areas where rats have been a problem before. The goal is to create a network that helps the city find and fix rat issues faster, and over time, bring the rat population down.

Rodent sensors are small, smart devices that can tell when rats are nearby. They’re usually placed along walls or near food, and they work by sensing motion, heat, or sound. These sensors are changing how we deal with rats by helping us take action before the problem gets worse:
  • Instant alerts: The sensors send a message right away when they spot rat activity
  • Helpful data: They collect information about where and when rats are active, so we can predict where problems might happen next
  • Safe tracking: The sensors don’t use poison or bait, which makes them safer for kids, pets, and wildlife
  • Remote monitoring: Teams can check the sensors using apps or computer dashboards, so they can act quickly


Welcome

to the Saint Botolph

Neighborhood Association!

We are the Association of the St. Botolph District, which was developed in the 1850s as a residential neighborhood and is a historical site protected by the St. Botolph Historic District Commission. It consists of twelve -block area east to west, and its boundaries are Huntington Avenue, Copley Place, the Southwest Corridor Park, and Massachusetts Avenue. The nine streets are Albemarle, Blackwood, Cumberland, Durham, West Newton, Follen, Garrison, Harcourt, and St Botolph St. The St. Botolph area was formed during the large-scale reclamation of Boston tidal lands, which took place during the Nineteenth Century. During 1857, the decision was made to fill in the Back Bay area to provide space for the expansion of the city. The filling of Back Bay, including the St. Botolph District, provided the opportunity for urban planning and residential design as it had never been previously known in Boston. Situated in the Back Bay and bordering the South End (via the Southwest Corridor Park), St. Botolph residents enjoy the benefits of easy access to many thriving commercial areas while enjoying the quiet ambiance of a comfortable residential neighborhood.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead.
We are a small and vibrant community where racism and violence has no place. We welcome open dialogue about how we can, as a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens help change the issues that directly affect our community. We welcome your thoughts. [email protected]


Who was St. Botolph?
​It's believed that the word "Boston" is a contraction of Saint Botolph's town. Saint Botolph is the Patron Saint of Travelers and was a Benedictine monk who traveled in England in the 7th Century. His feast day is celebrated on the 17th of June! And did you know , he was a great fan of Facebook - and encourages everyone to like our Facebook Community Page - for more details join our mailing list at the bottom of the page.
History has its eyes on us…

A little background on preservation in our neighborhood...
In 1981, the St.Botolph neighborhood was designated a historic “architectural conservation district,” one of only 10 such districts currently within the City. (More information about this is available on our website on the Who we are page and for a fascinating and more in depth historical background on the St. Botolph District, please see St. Botolph Architectural Conservation District Study Report).

As an extra support to the Saint Botolph historical district, SBNA has an Architectural Review Committee to help residents early in the planning process to determine project compliance with the Standards and Criteria. The SBNA's fearless Architectural Review Committee Leader is Lee Steele. (He is always happy to answer any questions).

Choosing to live in this neighborhood makes us all stewards of preservation.
But wait... there's more.....
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Free curbside food waste collection is here!
Check out our Rodent/Recycling page
In August 2022, the city launched a free, curbside food waste collection service for residents!. To participate, residents must live in buildings with 6 units or less.  It's working to help mitigate rodents so Sign up today here!
New Trees on the block!
What a welcome sight to see on Monday morning Dec 5th, 2021, a team from the city busy planting trees in the neighborhood. We urge everyone who has a new tree on their block to throw some water in the green water bag to give the young trees the best chance of survival. For more tips on tree care click here for the City of Boston website. Want to know the names of trees in Boston? Check out this fascinating survey on the Urban Forest
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New Trees on the Block
In November Todd Mistor, the head of Urban Forestry, planted a beautiful new elm tree in front of  230-232 West Newton.  
Thank you Todd!
Redistricting - what it means for our neighborhood
Every ten years, the legislature has to redraw its districts.
Our previous Senator, William Brownberger's district has been redrawn and so he is no longer our senator. Click here for more details on the new redistricting maps. Our new senator for the 9th Suffolk district is Senator Nick Collins

What districts are we in?
We straddle two districts District 2 and District 7. District 2 covers from West Newton to Harcourt Street and the streets between and District 7 covers the neighborhood from West Newton to Mass Ave and the streets in between. For more details on our government representatives, click on our Government page

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Our community spirit continues to bloom as we build on April's momentum and embrace all that Summer has to offer in our beloved St. Botolph neighborhood.
Despite the rain, hardy Southwest Corridor Park stewards braved the elements for their annual plant sale fundraiser. Discover photos from this inspiring event and learn how you can support the extraordinary work of these dedicated volunteers by clicking here.
TRASH TALK 
One of the challenges new residents encounter is where to dispose of trash properly. Please help us control the rat population by keeping trash in covered bins. Have problems with your landlord providing adequate bins- let us help you - email us

PLEASE BE knowledgeable, responsible, and reliable about trash disposal. The city has updated the trash and recycling rules for the city Click here for more details

KNOWLEDGEABLE: Please find out where your trash belongs/where your buildings’ bins are and let us know if you need help obtaining bins. DO NOT PUT YOUR TRASH OUT ANY OLD DAY OF THE WEEK! Trash is picked up on Monday and Thursday mornings -

RESPONSIBLE:  Please be considerate of your neighbors - your friends - and follow the rules for your building and general city rules. See below.

RELIABLE: Learn where your trash goes, follow the rules, and do it every week and we can then fight the increase in the rat population.
If you see something that needs fixing, like a missing sign, vandalism, or trash problem, 311 it! Download the 311 app on your phone to make it easier. Something stolen? 911 it! The way we get attention to problems in our area is to let the city know.
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We are an Award Winning Neighborhood!
What a great start to 2025!. We have become an award-winning neighborhood thanks to 3 Durham and golden-thumbed gardeners, Lee and Lorraine Steele!
The Garden Club of the Back Bay has awarded the prestigious Magnolia Award unanimously to 3 Durham Street! The garden’s many elements impressed the committee, including its hardscape, evergreens, annuals, perennials, and window boxes. They were particularly taken with the tree hydrangea and the thoughtful attention to detail in the plantings along the driveway, which soften the curb. The garden is also designed to remain attractive during the winter months.
Lee and Lorraine Steele have lived at 3 Durham Street and tended the garden for 45 years! The Back Bay Garden Club was especially pleased to highlight a different part of the Back Bay this year. Congratulations Lee and Lorraine and all at No 3. -  Woohoo!

Trash Rules

ALL TRASH MUST BE PLACED IN A CONTAINER
WITH A LID.
All trash must fit inside the barrels and have a lid. Having an overflowing barrel or unkempt trash can result in a code enforcement violation. Your landlord or your HOA should provide a large rolling bin or dumpster large enough to hold all trash. Bags, grocery bags, or cardboard boxes can not be used as trash bags.

DISPOSE OF TRASH AND RECYCLING PROPERLY behind your own property and not behind properties nearby. (This is a code violation to dump illegally)  Contact your Landlord/Building Management to find out where your trash should go. If you need help don’t hesitate to contact us.

FREE BLUE RECYCLING BINS AND SMALL GREEN FOOD WASTE BINS are available for your building – all you have to do is ask for one - please call 311 or 617-635-4500. For more information go to Boston.gov's trash/recycling page

TRASH COLLECTION DAYS ARE MONDAY AND THURSDAY Put out covered bins after 5 pm the evening before or before 6:30 am on collection day.

Speaking of BBQs check out the safety page for tips on BBQ in the neighborhood and what is allowed - click here
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​Neighborly Northeastern!

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to our friends at the Community Engagement Office at Northeastern University. The plexiglass on our community billboard (located outside of the 7-11 on the St Botolph street side) was vandalized a few times and when we asked the NU team if they could recommend a company that we could use to fix it. They immediately insisted that they would take care of it, and they did, at no charge to us. Shout-outs to John Tobin and Dave Isberg for simply defining what being a good neighbor means. 
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Bowled Over by Bowling!
Thanks for joining us for some Bowling Fun on Monday, December 2nd, 2024! It was another terrific evening for neighbors to hang out and connect.
For more photos of the event click here.
It's not too late to give a donation to the Home for Little Wanderers  click here for more details.
Become a Member!

We are grateful for your support. Annual dues are $20 per year per person or $40 per year per household (April to April). Additional contributions are sincerely appreciated to defray operating costs such as communications, events and refreshments.
Being a member also allows you to be part of the decision making within the association, including voting at elections. Go to our members page for more details JOIN US
Rodents, Recycling, and Trash.
Our neighbor Susan Schadler has reminded us that the food waste program has more free bins to distribute. Check here useful tips on our Rodents, Recycling, & Trash page.

New to the Neighborhood?

Whether you're planning your move, or have just arrived, check out these helpful resources below. If you are looking to reserve parking for your moving day, want to learn about resident parking permits, trash and recycling, rights and responsibilities as a resident, or voter registration, check out this helpful ​City of Boston resource. For safety issues click on the news updates from the Boston Police. To report something to city click on 311.

​Useful Resources & City of Boston Services

NEW !the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating/energy bills.
For more details click here

 


Email: [email protected]
BOS:311
Police: 911 or 617-343-4250
Fire: 911 or 617-536-1500
Lighting:
​617-635-7576 or 617-635-7500
Power Outage: 800-592-2000
Gas Leak: 800-572-9337
Trash and Recycling:
Missed pick-up: 617-635-7573
Improper disposal: 617-635-4896
Electronics/fridge pickup: 617-635-7574
Boston Recycles: 617-635-4959
Boston Water and Sewer: 617-989-7000
Street and Sidewalk Repairs:
Department of Transportation Missing Street Sign: 617-635-3124
Department of Public Works Potholes: 617-635-3050
Sidewalk issues: 617-635-7555
Other City Services:
Rodent Control: 617-635-5352
Noise Complaints: 617-635-3850
Graffiti Removal: 617-635-3850
Voting: 617-635-4635

Leaf and Yard Waste

 Public Works picks up leaf and yard waste from April to December on scheduled days. They also hold drop-off events during the year. Leaf and yard waste will not be collected curbside on non-collection weeks.  At this time, curbside collection remains on schedule.

Official Sources of Coronavirus information
Please use the websites below as trusted sources of information related to COVID-19: 

WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE – WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?

Check out all the info we collected and write to us

with any questions or suggestions you might have.

Location
​

​You can find News & Updates at our bulletin board outside the
​7-Eleven at the corner of Saint Botolph and West Newton Street.

    Let me know what's happening!


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