Minutes of the West End Neighborhood Association (WENA) Meeting
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Reiche Community Room
Board members present: Leana Good-Simpson, Rosanne Graef, Cassie Graham, Ian Jacob, Liz Parsons, Steven Scharf, Pamela Shaw, Clifford Tremblay
Board members absent: none
Others present: Dave Argitis, Allen Armstrong, Elissa Armstrong, Linda Atherton, Sarah Colton, Barb DeSerres, Charles Main, Christine MacHale, Lin Parsons, Melissa Smith, Kim Sutton, Lee Sutton, Audrey Tanner, Spencer Thibodeau, Tony Zeli, Wynne Wirth, Elena Wirth
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 PM and self-introductions followed.
Secretary’s report
Minutes from the Sept. 13 meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer’s report
The Treasurer reported that the total in the checking account was $2593.11, with $444.70 available in the general funds account, $154 in the WECANAIP Account, $30 in petty cash; $1550.21 in the Swim for Life account, and 444.20 in the Harbor View Edible Hillside account. A $500 contribution to Window Dressers is being held pending completion of the project.
Community policing
Dave Argitis reported that
- Assistant DA Jennifer Ackerman, who met with WENA members earlier this year, is running for District Attorney.
- Portland Police are running a pilot program for the Body Camera policy.
- Motor vehicle robberies and thefts are increasing so residents should be sure to lock their cars.
- There is an imminent arrest related to a significant drug dealing case.
- Police are addressing an uptick in transients in parks and on the waterfront.
Emergency Preparedness for Families and Neighborhoods
- Roland Schelasin of the Church of Latter Day Saints outlined ways that householders could prepare for water, food and energy needs in case of emergencies.
- Caity Hager, Emergency Management Coordinator, Executive Dept., City of Portland reviewed City and FEMA preparations for emergencies.
- She also invited everyone to sign up for the reverse 911 service Portland uses. (Details have been posted on the resource page of WENA’s website.)
Announcements
- Liz Parsons invited members to make suggestions for new WENA board members to the Nominating Committee.
- Elissa Armstrong invited volunteers to participate in the Window Dressers Build Oct. 15-25 at Maine Irish Heritage Center.
- Ian Jacob reminded members of the Candidates Forum Wed. Oct. 25 from 6:00-8 PM at which candidates for the At Large Council Seat, Joey Brunelle, Bree LaCasse, and Jill Duson will be present.
- Rosanne Graef invited members to a meeting to talk about the traffic box painting project for six boxes along State and High Streets in the West End.
- Kayla Blindert and Kayla Jones from the Cumberland County Gleaning Initiative talked about the Gleaning Initiative and opportunities to glean fruit from parks and from private land with the permission of the landowner, and donate the fruit to food banks.
- Councilor Thibodeau talked about developments on bike sharing, affordable housing, the pesticide ordinance, an Economic Development meeting regarding TIF proposals, the City’s Climate Action Plan, and the District Meeting on November 16 at 6:30 at Reiche School.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 pm.
Pamela Shaw
Secretary
