March 10, 2016 meeting

Announcements:

• Gardening club will have a work day 4/3 and is looking to perhaps broaden their activities beyond the pocket park.
• Elections in May will be for Secretary and Vice President. There are two people interested in Secretary and one willing to serve as Vice President.
• Membership envelopes will be available at meetings starting in May to make it simpler to pay dues.
• Summer Music Slams scheduled for June 15, July 13, and August 17. We will plan to incorporate dessert truck or two and use the Whitneyville Cultural Commons as a rain-location.
• The spring Litter Pick-up days will be May 14 and 15, watch for details. Meet in / drop off bags in the Ralston/Whitney lot.
• Tree trimming will be preceded by signs posted on the trees, there is a 10 day period to object.

Library update from Marian Amodio:

• Changes in the system to bring the library into the 21st century – building on “strong bones.”
• Updated to policies, rules, fines to make using the library easier.
• Updates to Miller – cleaning and working on building maintenance.
• New catalog system at lower cost because we share with many other systems – bonus: can easily see what’s at other libraries.
• New career/job center and adult programs – movies, speakers, etc.
• New collaborations and expansions with grants.
• Whitneyville branch will continue added hours and work on the condition of the building (but this is likely a capital request).

Laine explained the zoning variance applications and encourage use to support. This would allow combing all of the parcels into one and could allow parking to be established.

Paperwork for Whitneyville Cultural Commons 501(c)(3) application is completed and will be submitted soon.

Whitneyville Civic Association meeting

January 14, 7:00-9:00 pm
Putnam Room of 1253 Whitney / Whitneyville Cultural Commons
1253 Whitney Ave

Minutes:

Traffic calming on Mather St. has started.
Mayor Leng updated on the Putnam Bell – truck needed to replace it is broken, but he asked works to borrow/rent a truck; must be above 40F for epoxy to cure.

Annual Election (May 2016): need a vice-president and secretary. Please let the board know if you have questions of are interested in running.

Help with the 2016 Music Slam – Jan would like help with publicity for the three evenings over the summer.

Help with litter pick up in May – need help distributing bags/gloves and actually doing pickup around the neighborhood.

Reminder to pay dues, see Treasurer Deb Weckerle.

Laine Harris & Deirdre Dolan – update on 1253 / Whitneyville Cultural Commons
Nonprofit organization, Whitneyville Cultural Commons, will operate the property and eventually purchase the profit. Civic Association will remain separate with a separate mission, but coordination is encouraged and WCA is welcomed to continue to meet in the space. All are encouraged to join or participate in the WCC.

Chief Wydra, Hamden Police Department
Traffic Calming:
Mather and Servoss / Mather and Waite: line painting at Waite, crosswalk at Servoss (in-street signs are removed for winter – will consider having resident remove sign when it snows instead). Development at 380 is contingent on 4 speed enforcement units (signs that display speed) that would be installed 2 near development, 2 other places on Mather. Longer-term suggestion to reduce clearance on Mather/trail bridge, more like the box culvert at Skiff St. to increase sight lines, reduce hill height.

Community policing initiative:
Outreach to young people: Police Explorer, School Resource Officers (Middle and High School), Police & Youth, and YMCA after school programs. Also, bike patrols have grown, resumed a walking beat and hope to further expand. Citizens Police Academy is a 12 week program that familiarizes participants with law enforcement.

To help police be most effective, they need to know what is happening, so be sure to report all crime – even if it seems minor to you (and you can remain anonymous).

Remember to email jtesta@hamdenpd.com to sign up for Whitneyville alerts.

Roundtable to raise new issues:
Question about Putnam Plaza status – unknown, but suggestion to incorporate trail better into any redevelopment plans.

Kath Schomaker:
MLK, Jr. Event this Sunday @ Friendship Baptist Church, 4:00 p.m., on Edwards Street.

November meeting 11/12/2015

Old Business
Parking update- Liz Helwig

• Meeting report, inclding that Lane offered the circle for employee parking which has helped.

Traffic update – Mike Lockett

• productive traffic calming meeting with the Mayor
• approval for the measures at Waite and Mather
• request for raised crosswalks at Servoss and at King
• Reminder of dues renewal – Deb Weckerly

Kath Schumaker – Council update

• traffic study for 360 Mather is at the Traffic Commission now
• traffic study for Newhall / Middle School project pending
• request to have joint report referred to the state traffic commission not accepted
• state grant for additional parcel at Brooksvale (2/3 cost)
• Olin has finished remediation on the Middle School site, now we can focus on potentially opening the Powder Farm site

We received a thank you from the organizers of the Whitneyville Fall Festival for our contribution to signage

New business
Sargent Testa (jtesta@hamdenpd.com) – speaking about traffic calming and crime prevention (fill in for Chief Wydra who had to attend another meeting)

• Head of community engagement, 26 year veteran
• Explorer program, two police-and-youth programs (one at 60 Putnam)
• Pamphlets on crime prevention
• Email jtesta@hamdenpd.com to sign up to get alerts about issues in Whtineyville
• Don’t be afraid to call the police 230-4000 if you see something strange – the sooner they know the better
• Reports can be made anonymously
• If going on vacation, discontinue mail, call the police to let them know and they can check on things
• At home, small things can help – motion detector/timer lights, dog chain (with or without dog), alarm (sign)
• Keep windows and car doors locked
• Serial numbers of valuables and photos of jewelry – make a copy and give to neighbors
• Scam awareness and identity theft protection
• ATM skimming – jiggle card slot and cover your hand when entering PIN
• HPD has Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

WCA Minutes 9/10/2015
September Meeting, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Introductions
Jan’s first meeting since she was elected president. Has been in the neighborhood since 1978, looking forward to working with the association.

Old business:
– Complaint about overlook trash barrel – it’s now on the pickup route. Alert the town help line if you see trash pileup problems.
– Traffic committee contacting the Mayor about Mather traffic calming plan. See further discussion later in meeting.
– Public parking – sent letter about signage in the public lot and asking for enforcement.
– Davenport-Dunbar plantings on Clifford; Michael is in contact with town, but enforcement is complaint-driven.
– Dave reported on library branch – peeling paint may be fixed/covered, will ask to have hours posted on the new door window.

New business:
– Whitneyville Fall Festival is this Saturday, 9/12 10:00am – 4:00pm. Need someone at the table from 3 to 4 (Deb and Scott will do this). Stop by the table and say “Hi”.
– League of Women Voters candidates forum October 29 7pm to 9pm at Miller Library. We are co-sponsoring with several other civic associations. Send questions for candidates to Jan (president@whitneyville.org)
– Hamden Land Conservation Trust is looking for a Scout Troop to help steward Johnson Pond. There are troops in Spring Glen, but not in Whitneyville.

John Hudak, Regional Water Authority, Environmental Planning Department.
jhudak@rwater.com or www.rwater.com
An informative presentation on the history, real estate, and environmental activities of the Authority, including details on Lake Whitney and the local treatment plant (one of four). Sign up for Lake Whitney Management Plan updates (annually) by contacting ask.whitney@rwater.com

Rep. Mike D’Agostino
Asked for feedback on residential parking issue in the town. Also discussed strategies for engaging town on parking and zoning enforcement issues. Also provided updates on legislature.

Roundtable

Agreed to write an open letter to request town explain why Mather/Waite traffic calming work was not completed as described at WCA May meeting and a pre-project meeting was not held.
Announcement: Hamden Land Trust fundraiser wine tasting and art show, at Whitney Center, 9/17, 5:30-7:30.