Minutes from our March 24 meeting

HIGHLANDS COALITION MEETING NOTES
March 24, 2008


The Highlands Coalition met at Ford School. Those that came early watched a DVD of the Peace Rally held in December. The meeting began at 7:02 PM. There were 40 people in attendance. David Gass had everyone introduce themselves at the beginning of the meeting.

Restoring Voting for 4-1 and 2-4

The handicapped ramp at Ford was certified handicap accessible in October. We have been working on this issue for over a year and raised $600 to pay the engineer. The plan was given to City Clerk Mary Audley in October to give to Mike Donovan to sign off. We had been told by Paul Crawley that we might have to wait until the next census before a change of voting places could be made. Leslie Greenberg asked Councilor Collucci at the meeting if he would help us with this issue. He said he would look into it.

Leticia Carrasco announced the Highlands Coalition Blogspot and encouraged people to add comments.

Foreclosures

David and Leslie addressed the issue of the many foreclosures in Lynn and specifically in the Highlands. Leslie reported that people needed to do 2 things if they were in danger of of losing their home; talk to their bank and get a lawyer. People could contact Neighborhood Legal Services who would advise them without a charge.

Development Area Grants

Brandi Walker from LHAND talked about the $3000 grants that will be given to 21 homeowners to fix the exterior of their house. She explained the process and advised those people who had not filled out a form to do so immediately. The end of the grant period is June 27, 2008. If okayed, people have to complete the work and have it inspected by that date. After filling out a form, a letter stating that they had been accepted to the program would be sent out. The work has to be done by a licensed contractor. Of 8-9 present, several attendees have already been accepted. Even though the grant was desigignated for the Rockaway area, if there is extra money, other streets in the Highlands will be considered.

Community Garden

On April 29th at 1PM, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the community Garden at the side of
school. This would be a multi-cultural garden with seeds planted from different countries. Dave said the cost would be about $25,000. He has received some grant money and was waiting to hear from 10 other grants he submitted. Tech teachers and students will build the garden. He was trying to get donated supplies for the irrigation system. Two contractors at the meeting are willing to help with the project.

Area Clean-up.

Tom Sheehan from Ward 3 talked about a neighborhood clean up on Saturday, May 10 from 8:30 am to
3pm.. He received $500 from SCI to organize this. People will meet at Ingalls School for supplies and
then go to their area to clean. Highlands people would meet at Ford School and clean up specific areas.
After the clean up, there would be a lunch at Ingalls School, speakers etc. There would also be a barrel
swap, bring your old barrel and get one with a secure lid that would comply with the Lynn Trash
ordinance, which was handed out. Councilor Colucci said he would arrange for the sweeper before then.

New Business

Marisol Santiago and Blessing Edinowe from Neighbor 2 Neighbor talked about their organization and
the issues they were working on, including Cori Reform and Closing the Tax Loophole. They asked that
people call Senator Tom McGee and ask him to support these bills.


Announcements / New Business

Dave Gass talked about the LINC lobby day on Thursday and invited people to join him.

Dr. Crane talked about the school budget cuts and how devasting it was going to be. Many teaching
positions and programs would be cut.

Leslie talked about Health Care, program that Romney pushed through and its problems. She discussed
Single-Payer and advised folks to call or e-mail the Presidential candidates.

Calvin Anderson discussed the LHAND grant that allowed his neighborhood to have small bins on poles
for litter. He already discussed this with a Highlands person who will submit for a SNIF grant. People
would be asked to adopt a litter pail attached to poles and be responsible for it. We could push this at
the Neighborhood clean up on May 10th.

Dave had 2 videos, one from the Peace Rally and one from planting the trees. They were $5 each or
2 for $8. The money would go into the Highlands Fund. Fifty dollars was collected.

Meeting ended at 8:30 sharp.

Submitted by: Leslie Greenberg, acting Secretary