April 12 2018

Meeting of Waban Area Council

Waban Library Center

April 12 2018 7:30pm

Members of Waban Area Council in Attendance:  Patrick Maher, Bob Jampol, Dinah Bodkin, Christopher Pitts, Joe Corkery, Sallee Lipshutz, Isabelle Albeck.

Acting President:  Sallee Lipshutz

Also in Attendance:  Karen Sauer, Gretchen Friend, Barbara Kopans, Ann Wilcox, Barbara Brustowicz, Don Ross

Minutes of 03/08/18 Meeting approved with change suggested by PM.

​         Should we send draft minutes in blast email every month? IA asked for ​WAC Draft Meeting Minutes to be sent out in bulk email as soon as it is ​available.  That is  the procedure of the NHAC and it allows the ​community to read the Minutes sooner after the meeting has taken place ​than WAC procedure which precludes  dissemination of the Minutes ​until they are approved, usually one month later at next  meeting.  The ​concept was favorably received.  Some discussion as to particulars of ​  format.  Bulk blast email will contain link to Draft Minutes posted on ​WAC website as soon as available, which Secretary Bodkin expressed ​would be one week to ten  days after any given meeting.  Proposal ​passed unanimously.  Council agreed   informally to limit blast emails to ​twice per month except in the event of an emergency or specific request ​from City Council.

​After unanimous passage of decision, discussion continued, mainly ​around the issue of not saturating our community with bulk emails.  CP ​stated that our current “open” rate is approximately 45%, significantly ​better than WIS.  SL moved that council vote to continue discussion on a ​matter on which a vote had already been taken.   Motion passed. ​SL asserted that WAC meetings are ​governed by Robert’s ​rules.  CP disagreed.  The matter was left there[1].

 Treasurer’s Report Approved Balance of $1202.20 with $299 of that belonging to Friends of the Quinobequin (unchanged since last meeting).

Burning Issues from the Community 

​         Need for adjustment of traffic light in Waban Square.  “Smart” traffic light   stops cars in all directions even when no one is attempting to cross the street.

​        Accessible parking spot will become available in front of Waban Post Office.

​     Waban Commons:  Fundraising is in full swing.  Donations can be made at  wabancommon.org.  Ready to begin construction.  Can construction ​begin before  the school year is over?

Update on Proposed Change to Citywide Parking Rules

         Proposal, approved by Public Safety and Transportation Committee to ​prohibit drivers from parking at the same meter, on the same ​block or ​in the same public lot twice in one day met a lot of opposition ​when ​presented to full City Council.  Proposal was sent back to Committee.  ​Councilors John Rice and  Andrea ​  Downs expect Committee to ​propose significant changes to current   proposal.

​

Waban Surveys Summary (CP)

         CP reviewed results of Waban Survey, all of which are available at ​WAC website in  Document Archives under Future Planning.  ​Results ​of Waban Survey sparked  discussion at tonight’s meeting of frequency ​of tear downs in Waban v other Newton Villages, aging in Waban, and ​Mayor Fuller’s stated interest in the results of the  Survey.

Zoning Revision and Pattern Book Update

         Several sections of the WAC catchment area are not included in the ​Pattern Book Waban Context Based Area (see WAC website Pattern ​Book page.)  Generally         agreed that architectural harmony is a thin ​criterion on which to base   CBA’s.  Council agreed informally that ​neighborhoods in our catchment area should   not be excluded ​from ​Waban CBA.  Question arose (IA) as to whether Pattern Book         is ​impartial assessment or designed in such a way as to encourage ​development.

Update re Medical Marijuana Dispensary

​No significant changes since last meeting.  RG has reached out to Ron ​Lipof about participating in a community forum but he has not ​responded.   Approval for dispensary at 1152 Beacon St is under way. ​New material re permitting process and City of Newton ​regulations ​can be found at www.mass.gov.  CP agreed to post relevant ​material ​to WAC website.

Waban Village Day May 20

         Goal of obtaining more signatures in order to grow our email list.

Meeting adjourned 9:42.

Respectfully submitted by

         Dinah Bodkin