Saint Mark’s Area Civic Association (SMACA) Meeting Minutes
June 28, 2022 7:00pm
Basement of St. Mark’s Church
Minutes by Kendra Beaver, Secretary
Attendees (including speakers): 16

Police Report — Officer Mike Keaney
● June 3: Man on 197 Centre St arrested after threatening a student with a knife
● June 15: Incident of four young people with firearms on motorbikes in Codman Square; two
arrested for disorderly trespassing and one shot himself during the chase
● June 25-26: Five catalytic converters stolen from cars near Adams/Lonsdale St
● July Fourth weekend is always busy; many officers will be out; use your own discretion
reporting things that seems off
○ Call Mike’s office at 617-343-4524 for non-emergencies
Representatives of Elected Officials updates & answers to questions
● Amanda O’Connor, Councilor Baker’s Office (subbing in for Julie Ryan)
○ Call Councilor Baker’s office any tim: 617-635-3545
○ Councilors are currently reviewing and working on the City’s budget
● George Huynh, Boston Office of Neighborhood Services
○ Glad to see SMACA at the Dot Day Parade!
○ Free curb-side food waste/compost pickup starts in August
■ Available for buildings with less than 6 units
■ The City will supply subscribers with all materials you need
■ Learn more & sign up here
○ MBTA bus redesign process is still happening
Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) Executive Director, Symone Crawford
● MAHA’s mission is to educate and mobilize for affordable homeownership opportunities and
remove barriers to first-time homeowners
○ Massachusetts has one of the worst racial homeownership gap
● Resources available: First time homebuyer classes
● Advocacy work: Policy advocacy, engagement with elected & government officials,
collaboration with financial institutions to improve their mortgage programs
● Located just down the road at 1803 Dorchester Ave
○ Walk-in questions are welcomed; the office is open
● Get involved with MAHA here
Jeannie Cai presentation about Boston Little Saigon Night Market
● Nighttime bazaar with street food vendors, merchant vendors, games, and entertainment
(family friendly)
● July 16 from 4-9pm (no rain date)
● Will take place on Dorchester Ave between Park St & Adams St
○ Dot Ave will be closed off from 2:30-9pm
○ No parking will begin at noon
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● More information and updates on their website & Facebook page
● Email [email protected] with questions
Update on the Doherty-Gibson Playground from SMACA President, Mike Folan
● Slower construction because of old water infrastructure on the property
● Equipment was purchased from Germany, which might also face stalls
● Nonetheless, the project is moving along more quickly now
Community Announcements
● Reminder to register/prepare to vote in the state primary (September 6th)
● FYI: Keep an eye out for a SMACA membership survey this summer
● Please remember to renew your membership ASAP if you haven’t already; email us at
[email protected] if you’re not sure
● Please share our new SMACA flyers by forwarding it to a friend virtually or posting them in
your neighborhood by printing them out
● Update on the development project at 150 Centre St: Epiphany School is going to make an offer
on the property, competing with Trinity Financial
○ Community presentation from Epiphany during the virtual Codman Square
Neighborhood Council meeting on July 6th (more info to be sent out via email)
● Welcome to the two new members who attended our meeting this evening: Sara and Catherine!
● SMACA does not meet in July or August — enjoy the summer! Next meeting: September 27th
Meeting adjourned around 7:50pm