OHNC Meeting Agenda
Orient Heights Neighborhood Council (OHNC) meeting agenda for Monday, March 21.
Location: Zoom
Meeting starts at 6:30 pm, but the Zoom link will open at 6:00pm to get acclimated. The meeting will be recorded.
Zoom meeting link: https://bit.ly/3tcJlhH
Passcode: OHNC
Meeting Information and Protocol
• All participants will be muted upon entry and during presentations. Questions and comments to those presenting can be asked using the chat or “raise hand” feature of the Zoom platform. If there is a lull in conversation you may feel free to unmute but please be considerate of others attempting to participate at the same time. All submissions submitted via the chat will be read aloud by the OHNC host. Anyone unable to use the chat feature is welcome to email questions and comments to [email protected] and they will be passed on to the presenters.
• Attendance will be taken via a Google Form and responses will only be accepted from the start of the meeting until the end. Marking your attendance ensures your voter eligibility. Voters must have attended two out of the three regularly scheduled OHNC meetings or be an abutter to the property being voted on. The sign-in form will be posted in the Zoom chat at the beginning of the meeting and throughout.
• A recording of the meeting, meeting minutes, responses to any questions not answered during the meeting, and copies of the presentation slides, if available, will be provided following the meeting via Facebook and email. Meeting recordings are always available on our YouTube channel.
• Voting: During the pandemic voting will take place online via a Google Form. Board members vet all votes to ensure that the individual is eligible as either an abutter to the property or an attendee of two out of the last three meetings. All responses are confidential and not accessible to anyone but board members for the purpose of confirming voter qualification. Once votes have been tallied all Google Form submissions for that vote are deleted.
Agenda
• Announcements & General Presentations
• Public Safety
• Sergeant Joe Cintolo or Officer Tom Domenico and Officer Mosley provide an update on activity for Boston Police District A-7.
• Doug Johnson with the MassDOT Route 1A Project Team seeks feedback from residents about both the Route 1A Corridor study itself as well as the corridor in general. This input will help develop strategies for addressing issues on Route 1A and devise potential uses of the rail corridor along the Chelsea Creek.
• Design Review Committee 3/3/2022 Meeting Recap
• 92, 96 and 104 Waldemar Avenue- a proposal to raze existing structures and erect 3 new residential structures each with 5 units and 5 parking spaces (previously scheduled for the Feb DRC meeting)
• Meeting Recording Link: https://youtu.be/a0PyIsB8V1o.
• Development Presentations & Vote
• No proposals are up for a vote this month.
• Adjournment
• Old Business / New Business / General Community Updates
• Have news you’d like to share? Excited about a new effort in the neighborhood? Feel free to share any comments, feedback, updates, etc. during this time.
• The OHNC is currently looking for a new board to take over all roles (President, Vice President, and Secretary) as the current board terms are coming to a close this July.
• If you are thinking of running for the board feel free to contact any current board members with questions.
• Nomination of officers will be accepted at the June 20th 2022 meeting with nominations allowed in written or verbal form at that time.
• Elections for the new board will be held at the July 18th 2022 meeting
• New officer duties will commence at the September 2022 meeting
• The next OHNC Design Review Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, April 7th, 2022 at 6:00pm.
• The next OHNC meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
Massport Celebrates Women in Construction Week
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) is celebrating Women in Construction Week and honoring the contributions of the women who have been involved in Massport’s construction projects. This week, pictures of some of the women who work in the Capital Programs and Environmental Affairs (CPEA) Department, which manages all construction projects at Massport, are on display throughout the terminals at Boston Logan International Airport.
“We thank the women of Massport for their hard work and dedication in all of our initiatives,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “Our goal at Massport is to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into our organizational DNA. Celebrating Women in Construction Week is just one way we celebrate diversity and encourage more women to work in construction, architecture, engineering, and other related fields.”
According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise only 11% of all the people working in construction and 27% of all people who provide architectural, engineering, and related services in 2021. By comparison, Massport’s CPEA Department, which manages all Massport construction projects–from the planning phase and design, to construction and maintenance, is comprised of nearly 40% women.
“I’m proud to say that a diverse group of women are part of the decision-making process in every construction project at Massport,” said Dr. Luciana Burdi, the first female Director of the CPEA Department. “A diversity of thought is important as we build world-class facilities that serve diverse people.”
Women in Construction Week was started by the National Association of Women in Construction in 1998 to raise awareness and celebrate the work of women in the construction industry across the country.
Senior Nutrition Program Celebrates 50th Anniversary
This March, Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) joins the Administration for Community Living and senior nutrition service providers across the country to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the national Senior Nutrition Program.
Since 1972, the Senior Nutrition Program has supported nutrition services for older adults. Funded by the Older Americans Act, local senior nutrition programs serve as hubs for older adults (60 and older) to access nutritious meals and other vital services that strengthen social connections and promote health and well-being.
“Senior nutrition is now more important than ever,” says Angie Fitzgerald, Director of Nutrition Services at MVES. “Each year in the U.S., up to half of adults age 65 and older are at risk of malnutrition, and more than 10 million face hunger. In communities throughout the U.S. – including our communities – older adults sometimes lack access to the high-quality, nutritious food they need to remain healthy and independent.”
As part of the Senior Nutrition Program network, MVES’ Nutrition Services Program, including Meals on Wheels, helps older adults in our community by promoting healthy eating, decreasing social isolation, and improving health. “Our program also provides connections to home and community-based services that can support independence and overall well-being. We deliver 3,000 meals a day to our 11 communities and have 15 meal sites,” says Fitzgerald.
“My favorite dish is the Boulet (Haitian Meatballs). It reminds me of my childhood and how my mom used to make them. I am excited whenever they are on the menu!” says Meals on Wheels consumer Marie Gabrielle Gattereau.
For 50 years, senior nutrition services have helped create healthy, strong communities where all members can flourish regardless of their age. That is why MVES proudly recognizes this milestone anniversary of the national Senior Nutrition Program and its tremendous impact on the health and well-being of older adults in our community. Together, we look forward to another 50 years and beyond!
Learn more about our nutrition program and services by contacting us at 781-324-7705 or visiting mves.org.
Warmer Weather Warning: Be Mindful of Outdoor Smoking Hazards
With a week of warmer weather in the forecast, State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey is asking residents to be mindful of the fire hazards when smoking outdoors.
“We’ve got some nice weather in the forecast this week, and after a long winter everyone wants to spend a little more time outdoors,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “If you still smoke, please be mindful of the fire hazards when you step out to smoke on a stairway, porch, or balcony.”
Fires often start when smokers drop butts in planters or near the side of buildings, where dried vegetation, mulch, or debris can catch fire. They can also start when cigarettes are ground out on railings, steps, or floors, allowing embers to drift and ignite flammable materials. In a densely built neighborhood, that fire can quickly spread to other buildings and put many people at risk.
“There are no smoke alarms on the outside of the house, so an exterior fire can grow to a dangerous size before anyone is aware of it,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said. “There’s no safe way to smoke, but if you must smoke then do it responsibly. Use a sturdy ashtray with water or sand and put it out, all the way, every time.”
The Department of Fire Services created a series of video and audio clips to promote the proper disposal of smoking materials on porches and balconies. They are available in English and Spanish for fire departments, fire educators, social service providers, and state or municipal agencies to use free of charge. Visit the DFS YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/DFSOSFM and view the Smoking Fire Safety playlist.
“Of all the smoking safety steps you can take, the most effective one is to quit,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “You’ll enjoy many more years of fresh air.”