September 13, 2010 Civic League Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7 P.M. by the President, Nancy LaMartin.
City Council Member Elizabeth Psimis addressed attendees prior to the regular business session regarding her candidacy for Mayor of Portsmouth. Her record and accomplishments while on City Council includes the following:

Education- A system that is much improved and still improving.

Safety- The adoption of a pay plan for police that has resulted in many benefits for the city such as retaining and attracting quality officers. This has also had a positive result for the firefighters as well.

Economic Development- Three international companies have been attracted to Portsmouth since she became a Councilwoman.

Mrs. Psimis intends to continue leading the City in the right direction and requested the community’s support. She stated that she will be speaking again at a Candidates’ Forum on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at St. Mark’s Baptist Church and encouraged everyone to attend and judge for themselves that she is the best choice for Portsmouth Mayor.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:

The minutes from the last meeting, dated 6-7-10, were read and approved.


Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer reported that there has been no change in the Treasury since the last meeting. There is a balance of $1251.02 in the account.
Yard Sale

Nancy LaMartin reported that the yard sale was successful and brought many people into the neighborhood. There were twelve households who paid to be on the map and numerous other homes that held sales as well. The yard sale was advertised in the newspaper and on Craig’s List. The purpose was to get as many people into the neighborhood as possible to promote the homes that are for sale and raise awareness of Shea Terrace as a nice place to live. The City was very co-operative and mowed the park as well as the yards of several houses in the neighborhood.


Thanks

Nancy thanked Bob Sauls for making and donating the picnic table that was raffled off during the yard sale. All proceeds will go to the Civic League.

Nominating Committee:

Nancy reminded everyone that we need to elect new officers. Pat Pfeiffer will be Chairman of the Nominating Committee. She should be called at 397-6043 for those who wish to hold office or wish to nominate someone else. The election will be at our next meeting in December.


Police Report

Officer Diaz gave a report of crime statistics in the neighborhood since June. The incidents were primarily those in which the victims and the perpetrators were known to one another. There was on record only one crime of a crime done to a stranger. As requested at the last meeting, he arranged for a monitoring of speeders at the north end of Constitution at the turn. However, there did not appear to be a problem with this that could be validated. There was discussion regarding the blind corner at the intersection of Ann and Constitution. Georgeanne made a motion that the Civic League request a no parking sign be installed near this corner in front of the school. The members voted to make this request of the City.



An attendee asked Officer Diaz about parking trailers in the neighborhood. He advised that no large trucks may be parked in the neighborhood Monday through Friday from 7 P.M. to 6 A.M. or Saturday to Monday from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M.



General Discussion -

Rental Issues- all houses being rented are supposed to be inspected by the City prior to new tenants moving in. For enforcement, contact Katherine Koch, Environmental/Zoning Inspector, telephone 393-8522.

Green Space-

There was general discussion regarding the need for a space for children to play. It was acknowledged that the Senior Park is not appropriate due to its location on a busy thoroughfare and was not designed for children. Several residents asked about the area behind the Senior Apartments. It was agreed that the residents need to be vigilant that nothing in the way of additional houses be constructed on this site due to housing density and the flooding issue. This issue is particularly relevant considering a similar area in Port Norfolk that is being developed as dense housing.

It was suggested that a group of volunteers could look into establishing that area as a play area for children. If the City would designate this as a park the thought was that usage as housing would not be considered. Although most of this area has recently flooded very deeply, there is some high ground on the south side that might support recreational activities. Several neighbors were very enthusiastic to organize the project, to be referred to as the Shea Terrace Youth Volunteer Group. Bob Souls and Daniel Izzary Ponce will get together for further planning on this project.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Pfeiffer