Called to order at 6:59pm
1. Election of new officers
- Helen Ward (President), Viktor Sjรถberg (Vice President), Michelle Peralta (Secretary), and Liz Hellwig (Treasurer) were elected to the WCA Board
2. Presentation: Ryan Paxton, Director of the Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop — “2024 Parking Lot Renovation and Bioswale Plant Varieties”
- Currently renovating the parking lot to have fully paved lines, parking for school buses, and generally be easier to manage
- Also installing a bioswale which was engineered by the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority — the bioswale will act as a catch basin to help prevent water run-off from entering the Mill River. The water will instead be used to create a rain garden which will also be an educational opportunity for the museum
- Working with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates — the same landscape architects who worked on the Lake Whitney water treatment facility — who will focus on plants that are pollinator friendly, resilient, and native to the area
- Estimated completion date: October 7th
3. Announcement: Books & Co. on Whitney Ave is closing at the end of the year. The building is being sold; Books & Co’s Facebook page has more information
4. Updates on Traffic
- Town of Hamden’s Walkable Sidewalks Project to address issues on Treadwell, Augur, and Davis (towards East Rock Park)
- Semi-final design plans received 9/17/24 — currently in review with the Department of Transportation
- Anticipated start date on construction is 2026
- Mather Street traffic — Speed bumps were to be installed before this fall’s leaf collection, but there are 2 sinkholes that need to be addressed and may delay the installation
- Safety issues on Whitney Ave
- WCA launched a petition drive and gathered over 700 signatures — was also featured in the New Haven Register
- Department of Transportation will conduct a safety audit on October 8th and 9th
- Design phase will take place in summer 2025 with opportunities of community feedback
- Anticipated start date on construction is 2026
- Red light cameras – There is currently a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultants who will make recommendations for the location of redlight cameras
5. New business
- Discussed recent shooting at the Whitneyville Cultural Commons which resulted in multiple casualties and property damage
- Community members are encouraged to learn more about policies and processes to better understand pathways forward
- WCA will help distribute notices of any planning meetings on public safety
Adjourned at 7:55pm