Begin forwarded message:
From: PBNA Info <info@pilotblock.org>
Date: October 28, 2012 7:30:52 PM EDT
To: PBNA Info <info@pilotblock.org>
Subject: PBNA Fall 2012 News and updates

Fall 2012 News and updates from the Pilot Block Neighborhood Association (PBNA)

Batten Down the Hatches (please)
Or at least secure plants, chairs, umbrellas and other deck and patio items. Don't let them blow off of roof decks if Tropical Storm Sandy brings high winds to the area. 
See City of Boston Hurricane Updates (for school and office closings, modified trash collection schedules, etc): http://www.cityofboston.gov/
 
Special PBNA Meeting - David's Tea
 
DAVIDsTEA is proposing to open a new bulk tea store at 661 Tremont Street and is seeking zoning approval of conditional use 36A (Takeout}.   The shop will sell tea, tea preparation equipment, and gift items, and will also make brewed tea that can be consumed off premises (thus requiring conditional use 36A).  The business has approximately 80 other retail stores in Canada and major US cities.  The corporate headquarters of DAVIDsTEA is relocating from Canada to Greater Boston due to a major investment by Boston based Highland Capital.
Please see Appendix 1 at the bottom of this email for more details from this meeting. 

Vote in our survey;  Your opinion is needed regarding proposed changes in the time that trash can be put out.
 
The South End Forum will be meeting with Boston’s PWD Commissioner Massaro and ISD Commissioner Bryan Glasscock to strategize how the city can address the growing South End concern about the time that trash is on our streets and in our alleyways.   The intent is to reduce time available for scavengers, as well as trash spilling and being wind-blown.
Under consideration is a pilot “12 to 12 initiative” that could significantly reduce the amount of time trash is on the streets. The key components of the proposal are:   (1).  No trash put-outs before midnight; and (2). Noon target for pick up by the City’s trash contractor.   Your opinions are needed in order for the PBNA Board to represent the interest of our association at this meeting. We have developed a quick and easy survey to quantitative the support/interest of the PBNA to this proposal.  Go to the link and share your opinion.   http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M6LT6B5 
  
Fall Clean-up
November 17th.  Mark your calendar!   We normally have a team help spruce up Harriet Tubman Park.   We need the park looking good for expected events in 2013 marking the 100th anniversary of her death. Pictures from past years are here.     This is a fun event, and tools (and maybe people?) are also available to help clean your sidewalk or alley area.
 
Halloween
Halloween is the best night in the Pilot Blocks.    We'll need judges for the decorating contest, so prepare to unleash your inner Paula or Simon and judge your neighbors' decorations.  And start to stock up on candy. Seriously.  (Neighbors have reported handing out up to 500 pieces).   Check out the attached flyer and some fun pictures from 2008 and  2011.
 
Wreaths
 
It's almost time to start planning for winter and the holiday season.  PBNA is moving forward with our annual wreath hanging and fund-raiser activities.  If you enjoy the wreaths on our light posts each holiday season, please consider volunteering to help make it happen. David Mooney will be leading this activity.  Email us. 

New Neighbor - Olives & Grace
Olives & Grace at 81 Pembroke St "features small batch foods and handmade gifts made by emerging artisans across the country.  We host DIY classes, tastings, and encourage guests to create their own gift box collections by selecting gifts from our shelves".  Check it out.
 
Hazardous  Waste
City of Boston Hazardous Waste collection day is 9-2 on Nov 17 at West Roxbury Public Works yard. http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/wastereduction/hazardous.asp

House Numbers

Boston Police have requested we put house-numbers on the rear of our home, facing the alley. If you don't already have your house number in the rear, please consider adding it as a Fall project.   Also, if you will volunteer to help with an effort to ensure all homes have rear-facing numbers, please contact us   
Leaf and Yard Waste
Public Works collects 'leaf and yard waste' for 4 weeks in the spring and 7 weeks in the fall.  We will be collecting leaf and yard waste on regularly scheduled recycling days this Fall starting October 15 through November 30, 2012.
Leaf Waste Guidelines

o   Place leaves, and yard debris in large paper leaf bags or open barrels labeled 'Yard Waste'.
o   Tie branches with string, 3' maximum length; do NOT put branches in barrels.
o   Yard waste in plastic bags will also not be collected.
o   Put barrels, bags and branches on the curb by 7:00AM on your Recycling Day, during the collection dates listed below.
o   Yard waste will not be collected with trash during this period.

 
Free flu shots
Available at South End Community Health Center, 1601 Washington St., every Weds. this fall, as well as other dates. Check their website for full schedule: http://www.sechc.org
 
------------------ 

Admin & Marketing
Have you been wondering what Twitter is all about? Start locally with @pilotblock to follow breaking neighborhood events and communicate with City Hall, then later you can expand to follow your friends, favorite politicians, sports figures, and world events.

Please be sure to share this email with your neighbors.  Print a copy or forward it to anyone who recently moved to the area.
------------------

Appendix 1- David's Tea

Special PBNA Meeting was held on Wednesday October 3, 2012 
DAVIDsTEA is proposing to open a new bulk tea store at 661 Tremont Street and is seeking zoning approval of conditional use 36A (Takeout}.   The shop will sell tea, tea preparation equipment, and gift items, and will also make brewed tea that can be consumed off premises (thus requiring conditional use 36A).  The business has approximately 80 other retail stores in Canada and major US cities.  The corporate headquarters of DAVIDsTEA is relocating from Canada to Greater Boston due to a major investment by Boston based Highland Capital.
 
Presentation:
 
-       DavidsTea was represented by Marty Lindemann, an operations director for the company in Boston.  Topics presented included:
 
o   ·      Provided architectural drawing of proposed store layout at 661 Tremont Street and discussed concept underlying the design.
o   ·      DavidsTea Shops are designed to operate in less that a 1,000 sqft space.
o   ·      Handouts of the Story of DavidsTea with pictures of the look and feel of current stores, what we do, what we sell etc. (http://www.davidstea.com/)
o   ·      DavidsTeas has a history of being a good neighbor in every community it operates.
o   ·      Store will be open daily from approximately 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
o   ·      Trash will be stored inside and picked-up from Tremont Street.
o   ·      Deliveries will be via Tremont Street.  Due to the limited space at 661 Tremont Street, stock will be delivered by small trucks throughout the day.
o   ·      Carry-out will be limited to tea only.
o   ·      Carry-out represents a small part of the business (15 percent or less), but is part of the business strategy at every shop.
o   ·      Distributed loose-leaf tea menus to give a sense of the range of teas that will be sold at 661 Tremont Street.
o   ·      Distributed examples of products that will be sold (tea gift packs, tea samplers etc.)
 
Neighborhood discussion:
 
o   Discussion was led by Patrick Plunkett (PBNA President)
o   Eight members of the PBNA participated representing Pembroke Street and West Brookline Street.
o   One of the key concerns related to the possibility the if DavidsTea were to move out of 661 Tremont Street, the conditional use change to “carry out” would remain at the location.  Follow-up request to the Mayor’s Office clarified this concern.
 “If David’s Tea were to stop doing business at that location the change of use for take-out will cease. This is because take-out is petitioner NOT location specific.”  Hilani Morales, JD; South End/Bay Village Liaison; Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services; City of Boston (Email to Patrick F. Plunkett dated October 10, 2012)
 
Those attending expressed concern with the potential of takeout at 661 Tremont,  but were willing to accept this change as long as it was limited to tea, and the conditional use change was petitioner specific.  There was consensus that the PBNA should not oppose the zoning request with the following conditions:
 
o   Use 36A to be for DAVIDsTEA Only;
o   Carryout limited to Tea only;
o   Operation hours to be between 9:00 am and 9:30 pm
o   The store’s name and logo to be printed on all paper products;
o   Trash receptacles to be maintained in front of the premises;
o   Trash to be stored inside the building (and if feasible compacted) and taken out no more than one hour before pickup;
o   Delivery and trash pickup to be from Tremont Street only

-----------------

---------
info@pilotblock.org
Twitter @pilotblock

Pilot Block is in Boston's South End and includes:  W. Brookline St, Pembroke, Odd Side of W. Newton, Columbus Sq, W. Canton from Columbus to Warren, and connecting portions of Warren & Tremont.   http://pilotblock.org/about.html

---------
info@pilotblock.org
Twitter @pilotblock

Pilot Block is in Boston's South End and includes:  W. Brookline St, Pembroke, Odd Side of W. Newton, Columbus Sq, W. Canton from Columbus to Warren, and connecting portions of Warren & Tremont.   http://pilotblock.org/about.html

---------
info@pilotblock.org
Twitter @pilotblock

Pilot Block is in Boston's South End and includes:  W. Brookline St, Pembroke, Odd Side of W. Newton, Columbus Sq, W. Canton from Columbus to Warren, and connecting portions of Warren & Tremont.   http://pilotblock.org/about.html