Neighborhood Meeting

This meeting was held at 70 St Botolph St on Wednesday, April 22nd,2025.

Chair - Joan Carragher, President, SBNA

Panel Attendees

• Reggie Stewart, Director of Community Relations, District 7
• Riley Nichols, Senator Collins' Office
• John Moran, State Representative
• Ed Flynn City Councilor District 2
• Officer Francis District 4 Boston Police Department
• Lydia Hausle, Boston Transportation Department
• Daniel Milbrand, Boston Transportation Department

1. Welcome and Introduction
The Meeting was opened by Joan Carragher, President of SBNA who thanked 70 St Botolph for hosting the gathering and welcomed all.

Joan called for a moment of recognition for Joe Coppola, owner of Copley House,  who recently passed away. As a long time supporter and friend of the neighborhood, and city, Joe will be honored with a proclamation to be presented to his family at a future date.

2. Community Updates

Neighborhood Cleanup Initiative
SBNA organized a  "rat safari" to address trash management issues in the alley between Fallon and West Newton. Northeastern University donated 25 new trash bins. Claire from SBNA, Mary Decker and Meghan Chiasson from the nearby condo association, organized distribution throughout the alley. The results are improved trash practices in the alley and increased community participation in subsequent cleanup events.

‘Love your Block” Neighborhood Clean Up   
The clean up on April 12th was a huge success despite the weather. Photos up on the SBNA photo gallery on the website. It was supported by The Colonnade Hotel, Copley House and City of Boston. Winter debris was removed in hard to reach areas, trees were mulched and new faces joined up. It was a fun event with neighbors catching up. 

Problem Property Update at 231 West Newton St
Meghan Chiassan from the Condo association gave an update. There has been a court ruling and the owner is no longer allowed to reside in building. She confirmed police will escort him out if he returns. The ruling didn't apply to the second owner (he has not been served). It seems likely he is looking to sell property to pay off substantial legal fees owed. The mortgage company is working with the condo association on a potential foreclosure on the property. The situation has been quieter since the court action and Meghan expressed her gratitude to the community for all the support. She promised to update residents with any new developments.

3. Updates from Elected Officials

Reggie Stewart (Director of Community Relations, District 7,) is the newly appointed Director of Community Relations. He offers assistance with neighborhood issues (rats, trash). There will be no special election for the Boston City Council vacancy for District 7.  The position will be on the regular ballot in the fall. The Preliminary election will be in September and the general election in November.

Riley Nichols (Senator Collins' Office) listed her office’s key priorities which include policy and public health in the South End. Senator Collins conducted a walk through near Mass & Cass with state police. The Legislation updates include:

• Senate Bill S2347 on transportation safety - Creating rules for bikes/scooters ,Increasing fines Requiring public hearings, ensuring disability access for lanes
• Bill to lower barriers to treatment for recurring overdoses - including the following:

                 Allow remote court hearings for civil commitment patients, 
              Require patients who received opioid reversal medications
               to meet with social workers
              Require justice hearing before discharge from state-run hospitals


John Moran (Suffolk District State Representative) provided updates on areas he's working on. Budget changes he pushed for include:

• $62 billion state budget (reduced from governor's proposal)
• Rejected governor's tax increase
• He filed amendments and earmarks for South End

He’s championing legislative reforms which include:
Requiring committees to get reports out within 60 days, ensuring public committee votes and all information be available on MAlegislator.gov. Other areas include he is working on are substance use disorder, anti-book banning legislation and raising income limits for senior tax relief. More details available from the MA legislators website https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JFM1

Ed Flynn (District 2 City Councillor) reiterated that he is focused on quality of life issues including enforcing the ban on public use of drugs and getting drug sellers arrested. He remains committed to the nuts and bolts of community issues including making sure the city works for all residents. He is currently working with his colleagues on budget items

Officer Francis (Boston Police D4) provided the latest crime statistics for district 4. He noted the following: 

• Domestic incidents increased overall district 4
• Non-domestic assaults down
• Residential burglaries at 32 (decrease from previous year)
• 1 Motor vehicle theft

• Recent incidents:
  • Burglary on Huntington Avenue
  • Robbery on West Newton Street

Officer Francis distributed some informational pamphlets and updates are available at the City of Boston Website or link’s on SBNA’s website.

Lydia Hausle, and Daniel Milbrand from Boston Transportation Department gave an update on upcoming transportation improvements happening in the neighborhood. The following streets are scheduled for repaving (late summer):

• St Botolph St (Harcourt to West Newton) 
• West Newton Street (Columbus to Huntington)
• Yarmouth Street (Columbus to Carlton)

Work includes focusing on the intersection of West Newton and St Botolph with new accessible ramps, crosswalk markings, clear corners with concrete barrier, the repaving of the roadway surface with coordination with utility companies so that any planned digging is taken care of before new surface installed. Innovations include the use of high-visibility thermoplastic paint. 

•     The installation of speed humps on West Newton 
  

For more updates go to our construction in the city page
4. Community Discussion and Action Items

Joan opened the meeting to the floor and the following items were discussed:

Federal fund Cuts
Concerns were voiced about potential federal funding cuts. John Moran pointed out that the State has $9 billion surplus in "Rainy Day Fund" but agreed with other officials about the potential impact on 

• Healthcare (33 billion of 62 billion state budget)
• MassHealth/Medicaid (18 billion)
• Infrastructure projects
• Boston Public Schools
• Anti-terrorism programs
• Programs for low-income residents

It was agreed that the City must demonstrate fiscal responsibility, but also do the work on improving business districts and leaders were challenged to be proactive rather than reactive. 

Safety on the Public Roads 
A big concern raised was the use of mopeds for delivery and the challenge of enforcing traffic rules. It was noted that the particular challenge was the lack of identification on bikes. There was a general concensus that any delivery bike should be insured and licenses filed with the city. 
There was interest in illuminated crosswalks with motion sensors.
Residents had issues with lack of enforcement of speeding offenders and trucks who regularly violated the 2-ton weight limit on neighborhood streets. It was noted that Logan Express buses and tour buses frequently drove through the neighborhood despite the “no trucks” signage. Everyone was urged to report truck violations via 311.
Suggestions to prevent trucks using our streets, included using technology to prevent GPS routing of large vehicles. Residents were urged residents to get in touch with their representatives  with issues reminding everyone that the City Councillors -at large have responsibility for all districts.