NEWRA group discusses movie production

Discussion on the return of the production crew for the movie "What’s Your Number?" to re-shoot a scene on Cooper Street was one of the agenda items for last week’s NEWRA monthly meeting held in the Nazzaro Community Center.

Filming will take place on Saturday, June 19 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. using a six foot helicopter to film the top of 14 Cooper Street.

Traffic re-routing will take place and 10 parking spaces will be secured. Off street parking will be made available at the North Margin Street lot.

Several residents made a few suggestions based on the two days of filming that took place in May in the same area.

David Kubiak recommended better traffic re-routing signs and more notice to the community from City Hall and the film crew.

Another attendee suggested that the backup sound from moving vehicles should be lessened.

Zoning, Licensing and Construction Committee co-chair David Kubiak reported that after four years of discussion on groundwater issues in the community, sewers are being cleaned on several streets and other related work is also taking place.

Victor Brogna, ZLC Committee co-chair reported that plans for Parcel 13 are out for bidding for the Armenian Heritage Memorial.

The project, financed by the group also included maintenance of the parcel, which is expected to be complete by next spring.

Parks and Open Spaces Committee chair Anne Pistorio reported that a map of the areas 20-25 parks and open spaces is in the making.

The history of each place, location, directions and usage will be depicted on the map once it’s completed.

The potential developers of the former Paesano Restaurant, 76 Salem Street, Nick Cerundolo withdrew his request to open another eatery because the landlord leased the site to another person for more money.

The Association also approved the sending of two letters relating to local issues to the proper authorities.

A letter will be sent to Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Department of Transportation expressing concerns of allowing daytime passage of hazardous vehicles on Commercial Street and recommending a complete ban of these vehicles using the historical and residential neighborhood.

Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina, Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Senator Anthony Petruccelli also wrote letters to Secretary LaHood expressing their concerns on hazmat vehicles traveling through the neighborhood.

A letter will also be sent to Peter D. Gori of the Boston Redevelopment Authority reflecting the Association’s comments on the BRA’s Final Draft Use and Development Guidelines from the Greenway District Planning Study.

The letter suggests that the study will produce and develop guidelines that will promote public vision and protect the public’s enormous investment in the great project.

Suggestion included: A great public park enjoyed by all, a reconnection of the neighborhoods and district that were separated by the Central Artery viaduct, an opportunity to enhance and complement neighborhoods and other downtown districts. A means of connecting and inviting the City and its citizens and visitors to the waterfront and Boston Harbor, and a catalyst for development and strengthen commercial activity and property values immediately along the Greenway and within the neighborhood and commercial districts that surround it.

The BRA has extended the Final Draft Use and Development Guidelines for the Rose Kennedy Greenway from June 22 to July 20. A meeting will be held on this date at 5:30pm at Boston City Hall, Room 900 to present final plans to the BRA Board.

The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, July 8 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street.