DORCHESTER NORTH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
General Meeting – May 8, 2025
Police Report: Captain Sweeney and Officer Downey attended the meeting and gave updates on incidents in our area. This led to a discussion of rowdy groups on mopeds and scooters. You can call 911 to report activity and to provide as much description as possible (location, direction of travel, number of people involved, description of people and vehicles, etc.). However, the BPD cannot pursue them out of concern for safety of other people. If you see an unusual number of scooters and motorbikes being stored or parked somewhere, let the BPD know and they will investigate. If you see a group of scooters or mopeds being parked or gassing up, call 911 and say it is a non-emergency. If you are driving and encounter a group, do not engage.
Crime continues to be about the same level as last year. Police have pursued the issue with the Annapolis Apt. issue discussed last meeting. There were shots at 14 Annapolis St. but the police only found a bee bee gun. An armed robbery at 7-11 store was probably a drug deal that went bad. Someone attempted to steal a cell phone on East Cottage St. The police have been focusing traffic enforcement on Dorchester Ave at Victoria and Savin Hill streets.
Upcoming Construction on Pleasant Street: There was a presentation by the BTD and the D’Allesandro Corporation about the reconstruction for Pleasant Street that will start on May 12th. Some attendees reiterated concerns (re: parking, location of crosswalks, etc.) that had been raised during the initial planning phase. At that time, the neighborhood association affirmed the design in spite of these concerns as the benefits to vehicle and pedestrian safety were desperately needed. The rationale for those changes were briefly explained again. Given the detailed design has been completed, modifications at this time aren’t feasible.
We did ask if, as part of this project, our streetlights could be upgraded to a more attractive and more efficient model and it looks like we are not going to be able to make any lighting changes.
Construction Information
Construction activity is expected to begin Monday, May 12, 2025, at Morrill & Victoria Streets and work toward East Cottage Street. Work at Hesston Terrace will begin after school the school year is complete.
Parking and traffic may be impacted at specific locations, especially during work hours. The project manager has changed the construction plan so that two way traffic will be maintained during the project.
Please observe all posted signage.
Construction at each intersection should conclude within two months, depending on weather or other factors.
Further information on the project is at the end of these minutes.
Go to: https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/project/pleasant-street-traffic-calming-project for more information and to add your name to an email list to receive regular updates.
Planters on Pleasant Update: Due to the ongoing construction on Pleasant Street, we have made the decision to pause the Planters on Pleasant initiative for this year. We look forward to resuming the tradition next spring, when we can celebrate the beautification of our newly renovated Pleasant Street. All donations collected for this year will be applied to the project next spring. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your donation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Updates from Anthony Nguyen (our neighborhood Liaison to the Mayor’s Office) about our ongoing concerns and a couple of new issues:
- Stoughton Street Parking: We are still hoping to find a solution (other than signage that is currently being ignored) to prevent vehicles from parking at the intersection of Bakersfield and Stoughton Streets. The spot in front of the laundromat is reserved for Emergency Vehicles only, but is regularly used by individuals doing laundry or picking up food. When a car is parked there, it blocks visibility for drivers entering the intersection from Bakersfield Street. We have asked for painted lines or flex posts to be installed to prevent people from parking there, but since it is reserved for emergency vehicles, the spot is required to remain open. We are now asking WHY it is reserved for emergency vehicles and if that can be changed.
- Annapolis Street Parking: With cars parked on both sides, it is difficult for larger vehicles, including EMS and Fire trucks, to navigate Annapolis Street. Anthony is going to initiate a neighborhood meeting about this specific topic to get more input.
- Fire Damaged Property at 679-683 Columbia Road: Neighbors want to know what is being done with this property next to Kentucky Fried Chicken in Edward Everett Square.
- Handicap Parking on Mayfield Street: there is a relatively new handicap parking space that was requested by a resident in front of 72 Mayfield. The way the signs were positioned between two driveways essentially converts what was two parking spaces into what is now one, restricted space. Neighbors fully support having the handicap space available, but would like it moved up in order to preserve the second space behind it. With parking so very limited in the area, every single space is valuable and we can’t afford to lose one due to poor sign spacing.
- Handicap Parking if the person who requested it leaves Boston for an extended period of time. Any resident with an eligible handicap parking placard can request a designated parking space in front of their residence. A question came up about what to do with these spaces if the person needing them leaves the city for an extended time (like spending the winter in Florida.) We were wondering if there was any system in place to suspend the restricted parking while they are away and resume it when they return. This would make the space available to anyone in the neighborhood and it wouldn’t sit empty when parking is so limited.
- Urban Chicken Farming: A rooster has been heard regularly in the neighborhood and neighbors wanted to know about the rules and regulations regarding keeping a backyard flock of chickens. The rules for the City of Boston are: Residents can keep up to six hens (female chickens) per household, but roosters are prohibited. Permits and approvals are required, and specific regulations, including coop size restrictions, may apply. The city will not take steps to investigate unless a neighbor files a complaint.
Neighborhood Reminder: Help Keep Mosquitoes at Bay This Summer!
As warm weather returns, so do mosquitoes — and they only need a tiny amount of standing water to breed. In a densely populated urban neighborhood like ours, it’s especially important for everyone to do their part. Mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile Virus and can become a real nuisance in backyards, parks, and shared outdoor spaces. (Water is also beneficial for rats.)
Take a few minutes to check your property for places where water might collect, including:
- Clogged gutters
- Flower pots and saucers
- Kiddie pools and birdbaths
- Buckets, bins, and wheelbarrows left out in the rain
- Trash can lids or any container that can hold water
- Low spots in tarps, outdoor furniture, or grills
Even a bottle cap of water is enough for mosquitoes to lay eggs! Dump standing water weekly, scrub containers where mosquitoes might have laid eggs, and store items upside down or indoors when possible.
By working together, we can reduce mosquito populations and make our neighborhood healthier and more enjoyable for everyone this summer.
Pleasant Street Project Information
The information below is from a project update email:
This month, construction on safer crosswalks and pedestrian improvements is scheduled to begin for the Pleasant Street Calming Project.
The project will rebuild five intersections along Pleasant Street to reduce speeding, make crossing the street safer, and enhance existing green space.
- East Cottage Street/Pond Street
- Willis Street/Taft Street
- Mayfield Street
- Morrill Street/Victoria Street
- Hesston Terrace near the Edward Everett Elementary School
Raised crosswalks and curb extensions
The project will add curb extensions and new crosswalks along Pleasant Street to slow speeding and improve pedestrian visibility.
The project will build raised crosswalks at three intersections evenly spaced across the project area. Raised crosswalks are at the same level of the sidewalk and slow speeds while improving pedestrian comfort and accessibility.
Accessible pedestrian curb ramps
The project will update pedestrian ramps and crosswalks to make them smooth, accessible, and visible.