The Committee to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood, Inc. (CSS/CON) MONTHLY BOARD MEETING (Virtual, via Zoom)
CSS/CON DIRECTOS PRESENT:
Chris McArdle, President; Cheryl Zeiner, Resident; Donna Swarr, Colt Park Foundation; Kathy Shaw, My Sister’s Place; Anne Snyder, Resident
CSS/CON DIRECTORS NOT PRESENT: Kevin Buckenridge, Resident; Jack Hale, Church of the Good Shepherd; Bernadine Silvers, Vice President; Michael Zalenski, Riverfront; Emily Wolfe, Sheldon Oak; Kate Pacelle, Resident; Mary Ramdeen, Resident; Kim Sinclair-Secretary; Donna Williams, Treasurer
RESIDENTS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND OTHERS PRESENT:
Jose Rivera, Hartford Fire Dept; Alexander Castro, COH Dept. of Development Services; Kimberly Alexander, Office of Community Outreach; Kim Gauthier, Hartford Next; James Collins; Karen Brown, Dutch Point
The July 2023 meeting was called to order by Chris McArdle at 5:40; Roll call was taken by Kim Gauthier and a quorum was not present.
Chris McArdle, CSSCON Strategic Plan
Introduced digital copy of the 2000 Strategic Plan for CSSCON and showed the digital copy. Chris went over the important points to be included, information about what parts of the plan have been completed, and areas for update. He gave an overview of the report, focusing on the maps that indicated traffic flow, changes to pedestrian crossings, and specific pieces of land in the NRZ. Chris requested volunteers to help develop a new strategic plan. Donna Swarr asked to see strategic plans look like from other NRZs.
Chris spoke about the use of consultants by other NRZs and named several other sources of help such as Catch A Fire and Pro Bono Partnership. Donna mentioned Trinity College as an additional resource. She has used students from the college for similar projects and has been pleased with the results. The students would need a mentor from the community to guide their work. It would help if the community mentor has development experience.
Donna will put together the proposal to submit to Trinity for assistance. James Collins indicated that he would work with Donna Swarr. There are city resources that can also be tapped into such as the Department of Development Services. Donna Swarr also recalled assets and guidelines available from Hartford Next. Kim Gauthier will have discussions with Marion Griffin and will provide resources to the Board.
Jose Rivera, Hartford Fire Dept.
The number of incidents in CSSCON for the month of June was 99, up slightly from the month of May. There was one fire in CSSCON but there were three fires of note in the city, two involving fatalities. One fire was arson and is being investigated by Hartford Police Department, one was caused by unattended cooking, and the third by a hoverboard which overheated while it was charging. Officer Rivera reminded everyone to follow manufacturer’s directions for Lithium and Ion batteries, encouraged renters to have insurance, and gave a reminder about the fire alarm program.
Alexander Castro, COH Dept. of Development Services
Alexander provided follow up related to the problems on Wawarme Avenue due to the presence of the food trucks. Erin is aware of the situation and she has been working with the mayor’s office to find an official solution to the problem. There are discussions about ways to mitigate the situation. He is unsure if the food truck park will be closing. Donna Swarr reported that signage will be installed that states the park, including food truck area, is closed from dusk to dawn. A great deal of the problems begin on Sunday at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm and goes on until 8:30 pm or 9:00 pm, which is dusk during the summer months.
The DDS has not received a request from Eversource about doing work on Wawarme Avenue. Chris McArdle reported that Eversource reached out to the CSSCON and he had a conversation with them. Eversource is still surveying in the area which is why DDS may not have received paperwork.
The Planning and Zoning Department met the night of the CSSCON meeting. There is a text amendment related to overlay section CX1 and the Connecticut River overlay that will examine prohibitions for use related to ecological preservation, transit promotion, and campuses. The second text amendment related to refacing signs. Signs created before the regulation couldn’t be reface, but this amendment would allow refacing with nonconforming uses.
Anthony Gaudino, Hartford Police Dept.
Was not able to join the call. Chris will follow up with him.
Kimberly Alexander, COH Office Community Engagement
There were thirteen 311 reports, several bulky waste violations. Kimberly will check to see if she can include the locations within CSSCON where incidents occur.
National Night Out is August 1st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. There will be two events that evening, one in Keeney Park and one in Goodwin Park. Any organization that wants to have a table or donate a raffle prize can contact Kimberly.
Chris McArdle asked Donna if it would be possible to have next year’s National Night Out in Colt Park. Donna reported that they are avoiding evening events due to the vandalism and security issues going on. A police officer will be posted at the pool to keep teens from breaking in at night. Chris asked Kimberly to highlight the problems in Colt Park with Janice Castle.
Donna Swarr described an atmosphere of aggression in the park that hasn’t been seen in past years. She believes the vandals are groups of teens who are bored but that the behavior on Wawarme Avenue could be a factor. There are fights and racing competitions. She reported that twice in the past two weeks, there were incidents of individuals under age 25 who were on the basketball court and who began stealing from and attacking little kids on the play scape. There were also individuals who went to Clemente Field to interrupt a soccer game.
Chris asked Donna to document the activities in the area that she shared with the board. He will follow up about the issue with the Mayor’s Office and make comments on behalf of the NRZ board. Kathy Shaw considered contacting the COO, Thea. Donna has already done that.
Chris McArdle opened the floor for any other comments. Donna Swarr shared that the face painting event sponsored by the Colt Park Foundation was a great success. It was great to have the event close to the pool. The kids enjoyed it.
There is another event on Sunday, August 6th, the Puerto Rican Heritage Day. Donna asked any organizations that would like to participate and have a table to let her know. Participating organizations should have a family friendly activity. She mentioned Hartford Next, the Hartford Police and Fire Departments.
Chris called for any final comments. Cheryl Zeiner made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Donna Swarr.
The meeting adjourned at 6:41 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kim Gauthier, Hartford Next
Accepted by _________________________________ Date ____________________________