Minutes of the West End Neighborhood Association (WENA) Meeting
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Reiche Community Room
Board members present: Morgan Beede, Leana Good-Simpson (vice-president), Rosanne Graef (treasurer), Cassie Graham, Ian Jacob, Elizabeth Parsons (president), Steven Scharf, Pamela Shaw (secretary), Clifford Tremblay
Board members absent: None
Others present: Dave Argitis, Elissa Armstrong, Joey Brunelle, Sarah Colton, Eli Dale, Christine Grimando, Peter Hall, Suzanne Hunt, Christine McHale, Lin Parsons, Penny Stevens, Spencer Thibodeau, Tony Zeli, Barbara Wood
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 PM and self-introductions followed.
Secretary’s report – Minutes accepted as read.
Treasurer’s report –
- General Fund available funds as of 2/8/2017: $571.35
- Swim for Life balance as of 2/8/2017: $2809.70
Community policing
David Argitis reported on an assault on Pine St. with no arrest as yet, an arrest in the Dearing High School hate crime, and a car break-in. There was a brief discussion of traffic control at two-way stops, and on the Portland Police response to the recently imposed and then lifted immigration ban.
WENA topic for February: Portland’s Comprehensive Plan
Christine Grimando, Senior Planner for the City of Portland ( cdg@portlandmaine.gov ) reported on the status of the City’s latest Comprehensive Plan, which has been in process since 2015. A draft will be posted soon at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/1579/Comprehensive-Plan-2017, where it will be available for at least 30 days. The city invites public review and comments for the plan before it is submitted to the Planning Board.
Board member announcements –
- Liz Parsons announced that the Cumberland District Attorney will be the speaker at the next WENA meeting on March. That meeting will be a potluck supper.
Member reports and announcements
- Joey Brunelle announced that he will be running for an at large seat on the City Council.
- Lin Parsons reported on updates to the Maine Medical Center expansion plans.
- Rosanne Graef announced
- A public meeting to discuss the Americold zoning proposal ;
- Progress on the Swim for Life project,
- Elissa Armstrong reported on the most recent Window Dressers Build and plans for a team to go up to Belfast on March 17 to get trained in process, which could include four people from WENA.
- Steve Scharf said that the City Council meetings he had attended were very quiet and short.
- Spencer Thibodeau reported on Maine Med plans, including divestment of Maine Med properties in the West End, particularly in the Bramhall Square area. He said they are working on solutions for the parking garage.
The meeting adjourned at 7:59
Pamela Shaw
Secretary
