DEPENDABLE CLEANERS DEMONSTRATES IT'S A GOOD NEIGHBOR
For the month of September Dependable Cleaners will donate 10% of its dry-cleaning sales to the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club. They've promised them a minimum donation of $1,500. According to the owner of Dependable, Christa Hagearty, "I'm excited about partnering with them. The Boys and Girls Club was a huge help to us in helping us to staff our store, so this is the least we can do to thank them".  I realize this is late notice, as we are almost to the end of the month, but clear out your closets and get your dry-cleaning down to Dependable. As of Sept 19th, the total was at $1260, so it looks as if the minimum will be exceeded.
 

FIRST MEETING OF THE SEASON
The first meeting of the general membership was long and somewhat contentious (are they ever not contentious?). The primary issue was to grant the Dorchester Bay EDC and Spire Inc. our blessing to proceed with their plans for the Bay Street Site even though they were still in flux and had changed two times over the past week. Some members thought that since the direct abutters are the seniors in the Savin Hill Apartments and all of the meetings had been held there, that they should have an opportunity to weigh in on the redesign. Due to time and deadline constraints, Dorchester Bay EDC had to move quickly and did not have time to consult with the abutters. The majority of the membership voted to allow the partnership to proceed. Another issue, which received less scrutiny than was warranted due to the late hour, is the burying of fiber optic cable along Morrissey Blvd. I think I speak for most when I say that our neighborhood seems to be the "path of least resistance" when it comes to linking Boston with points to the south. Consider the 8 lanes of xway, 6 lanes of Morrissey, 2 red lines, 2 (soon to be 3) commuter rail lines and helicopter flight path. So I think it is wise of us to question "what is in it for us?" They have promised to replace all of the sidewalks along Morrissey. Does this include both sides? Are they going to build in capacity for future needs so they don't have to dig again? The principals involved will appear before the planning committee.
I realize that everyone has an opinion about every issue that is discussed at the general meetings, but in the interest of time and redundancy, I for one (and I am sure I speak for many) would appreciate people limiting their comments to those that have not already been raised by others and try not to monopolize the meetings. ~Paul F Nutting
 

PRESIDENT'S CHOICE
The recipient of September's President's Choice Award was Helena Cybulski. She is a long time member of the community and has been a dedicated proponent of veteran's issues. Helena has also been an active member of the Dorchester Day Parade Committee for eons and has been nominated as this year's Vice President of the parade committee.
 

HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY
On Saturday,October 14th, Boston Public Works will conduct its bi-annual hazardous waste collection day at UMASS from 9AM-2PM. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of old paint, batteries, chemicals, pesticides, tires,etc. Be sure to bring proof of residency. These items should not be included with your curbside trash pickup, because they will eventually find their way into the environment & our bodies. If you need more info, call 635-4959. Many have noticed TVs are no longer taken in the trash pickups. These are now classified as hazardous waste (due to mercury in the tube). If you need to dispose of an old TV, call 635-7574 and the City will retrieve it.
 

NEW REPRESENTATIVE TO DORCHESTER BAY EDC
Due to the resignation of Rich Kerr as our representative on the Board of Directors of the Dorchester Bay EDC, a new board member was selected from our membership at the last executive board meeting (which is open to all). Several people had expressed interest, but it was decided that Ruth Davis, co-chair of the planning committee, would be our new representative. Congratulations Ruth, your superior organization skills and ability to thoroughly examine all sides of complex issues should serve us well.

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH SPIRE
Included in this newsletter is the latest (and final) version of the Memorandum of Agreement with Spire Corp. Please review it, as it will be voted on at our October meeting.
 

GUEST COMMENTARY BY NORA MC DONNELL
We all know that today's technology and fast paced environment have made it difficult to maintain the "neighborhood" feeling we experienced growing up. There is always something to do, someone to see or somewhere to go.  There just isn't enough time to take an interest or to get involved.  Besides it'll bother someone else and they'll do something about it. Sound familiar?
Well, Iíd like to challenge each and every one of you to do something positive for our community this month: one extra act of kindness. Perhaps it's as simple as talking to your next door neighbor or putting your trash in a container rather than in the street or someone's yard. Encourage others to get out of the car rather than HONKING that horn, that way folks might actually get to sleep on Friday night or sleep in on Saturday morning.  Enjoy the music but remember it's your radio station not mine!
Sometimes acts of kindness are disguised. Picking up the phone to report "strange" activity near your home, public drinking or drug activity is a positive step for the neighborhood. Just imagine how nice it would be if the 75 + folks that were at our last civic meeting took the time to perform one extra act of kindness this month. Just imagine!

PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT
ZBA HEARINGS
1023 Dorchester Avenue
Thomas Bray seeks to establish legal occupancy for 7 apartments. Currently its legal occupancy is 2 units. The Association has repeatedly voted to oppose Mr. Bray's petition to legalize this "rooming house." Mr. Bray is back! We'll take another vote at the October general meeting.
30 Pond Street
Elba Rudder is looking for a curb cut in order to access a one-car driveway. This will also be voted on at the October meeting.

GENERAL INFORMATION
All are welcome to attend our meetings. We meet at the Little House on the last Monday of the month at 7 PM. To become a voting member, an interested person only needs to commit to regular attendance. After attending 3 consecutive meetings, you're in! Please consider it. DRG
 

TREASURER REPORT
Starting balance/Sept.11,2000 = $1,426.65
INCOME
Sept. 50/50 = $ 23.00
Dues = $ 10.00
EXPENSES
Memoriam Donation = $50.00
Postage = $20.60
Ending Balance = $ 1,389.05

DORCHESTER DAY PARADE COMMITTEE
The Committee meets the third Thursday of each month in the breakfast room in the lobby of the Susse Chalet highrise.  Membership is open to anyone and you are encouraged to attend. Next year's parade is on Sunday, June 3rd. $10,000 Drawing is April 26th at Florian Hall.