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September 2008
The elementary schools in the Butchers Hill neighborhood continue to improve – test scores are up at Commodore Rodgers which is significant considering that there are many grades involved and a wider range of ‘high risk’ students in the population mix. Construction is ongoing at Patterson Park Charter School to accommodate the growing student population. Thanks to all who participated in the Adopt a Teacher program. Both principals will be at the September meeting to give a brief overview of their successes and plans for the upcoming year. Pursuant to the bylaws, we will select a nominating committee that will present a slate of officers for the BH executive committee at the November meeting. Look at www.butchershill.org/parking for everything you ever wanted to know about parking issues in Butchers Hill. And then there’s CHAP (Commission for Historical and Archi-tectural Preservation). At last, after years of discussions and presentations Butchers Hill will have the opportunity to decide if we want to expand the area from the current three blocks to encompass more or even all of BH with an Historic District designation. You’ll soon get all the details in the mail, but basically being a CHAP district helps prevent new construction or renovation that is not in keeping with the historic character of the neighborhood. We’ve invited CHAP to give a short presentation and answer questions. This is in anticipation of CHAP mailing a packet of materials and a “for or against” reply card to every homeowner in BH. The packet will give detailed information about every aspect of the procedure and the historical guidelines. Our Land Use Committee recommends all of BH becoming a CHAP district. If you haven’t already had a knock on your door about peti-tions for angle and permit parking, expect one soon. We’re in high gear on wrapping up this issue and I’ll be posting the results in the next few weeks. The Association works very hard to make Butchers Hill a great neighborhood to live in. Accomplishing this comes down to just two things, volunteers and membership. Look through the newsletter at the many activities and committees and think about what you can do to help. There are no volunteer activities that take up an inordinate amount of time, so please pitch in! (The Membership Committee is in need of a few more volunteers). Even if you don’t have any spare time, joining the Association by paying dues allows us to undertake a number of projects. Unfortunately, our paid membership is down this year from last year. Please use the application below to sign up or renew. -Barry Glassman
SEPT. 13th A DAY IN THE PARK - to have FUN, listen to LIVE JAZZ, enjoy GREAT GRILLED FOOD and to VOLUNTEER
HELP: set up, direct traffic, deliver coffee/food to vendors, talk with vendors, man the food booth or the Butchers Hill Flea Market booth (donations can be brought to the Lombard Street entrance) and direct folks at the end of the day with breaking down. This is a great, fun day that the Butchers Hill Association provides for the community (free space to Southeast non-profits) and schools - but it totally depends on volunteers to keep it going. Please give a bit of your time. Contact Tori, 410-675-4948.
2008 SAVE THE DATES! REPORT ALL CRIME, HOWEVER SMALL. We have had a rash of car and building break-ins in the neighborhood and one known arrest for a car break-in, thanks to an observant neighbor. SE Police need to know and so does your Crime Committee (we compile a monthly report as well as provide info to assist police when we see a pattern). Officers are deployed on the basis of need. Just reporting to your insurance company does not help us get the kind of police coverage we deserve. Also if you see suspected drug activity repeatedly at a location, a good number for reporting that kind of activity is 410-666-DRUG. This is not a response number; it is to give intelligence to assist in targeting police efforts. Carolyn Boitnott, 410-522-4991. BHA COMMITTEES AND MONTHLY MEETINGS
BUTCHERS HILL GENERAL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 3RD Meeting: 7:00 PM St. Andrew's Church hall, Chester & Lombard. Contact
Barry Glassman.
Butchers Hill Association Summary of General Meeting Notes 08/06/2008 Committee Reports
Guest Speakers –
THREE BUTCHERS HILLS There have traditionally been three sets of borders for Butchers Hill—the National Historic Register District, the Baltimore City Historic District, and the area of the Butchers Hill Association. Now two of these areas may be changing, based on community initiatives. The National District is the largest of our Butchers Hills, and was established in 1982. It stretches from the south side of Fayette down to and including the south side of Pratt, with a small southern extension for a few structures facing Patterson Park south of Pratt. This district also includes the east side of Patterson Park from Baltimore to Fayette, and the full block between Washington and Chapel from Baltimore to Pratt. Within this area, established in 1982, tax credits are available to those who rehabilitate structures according to federal guidelines. The City also has a Historic District that was established in the 1980s and comprises two separate tracts. One is the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Baltimore and the other is the 2200 block of Pratt. Within these areas, exterior modifications must conform to guidelines administered by the City’s Commission on Historical and Architectural Preservation. Based on earlier discussions in the community, CHAP will soon canvas property owners to find out whether we want the City Historic District to be expanded to cover the whole neighborhood. The third Butchers Hill is the area covered by the Butchers Hill Association. At its start, BHA was concentrated in the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Baltimore Street, the focus of our earliest rehab efforts. Gradually, we expanded to cover almost all the National Historic District, and BHA now accepts memberships from anyone in that District. (BHA Membership is non-exclusive — folks may belong to more than one neighborhood association.) Now, thanks to what Barry Glassman calls “unprecedented and extraordinary” discussions among the Presidents of Butchers Hill, Fells Prospect, and Upper Fells Point, there is tentative agreement (subject to further discussion and ultimately member ratification) that BHA will be officially recognized as including the west side of Washington between Pratt and Baltimore and the West side of Patterson Park down to, but not including, the day-care center. Stay tuned, as they say, a “new” Butchers Hill or two may be coming to a neighborhood near you! — Rick Gilmour HOUSE TOUR: Help is needed on the day of the House Tour, Sun., Oct. 12. If you are available to help during the tour, or before, please let us know ASAP. Please contact Sue Noonan and/or Dee Lundelius. One volunteer with email and organizational skills needed – task to be completed prior to the tour. Visit our website for complete General Meeting notes, newsletters, “moving in” information, BH history, BH Artists, and so much more at www.butchershill.org COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Thank you to all who contributed to the Adopt a Teacher campaign. BHA will be distributing $2965 to 72 teachers between PPCS and Commodore Rodgers. The 2 principals will be at September’s General Meeting to briefly talk about their successes and plans for the upcoming year. The next committee meeting is in October. THE NATIONAL HEALTHY HOMES FESTIVAL will be held on September 12, 13, and 14, 2008 at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland from 10 AM to 6 PM each day. The Festival is free and open to the public. Please join us in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up and thrive in a Healthy Home! For more information visit www.leadsafe.org/festival SEPTEMBER IN PATTERSON PARK UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 & 7 12:30-9 pm both days. Admission is FREE. Near the corner of Linwood and Eastern Aves. BUTCHERS HILL FLEA MARKET Saturday, Sept. 13, 9am – 3pm. Near the Pagoda.
MOVIES IN PATTERSON PARK PRESENTS: Sept. 13, Akeelah and the Bee. Rated PG (rain date 9/15) For more information: http://www.pattersonpark.com/Calendar/calendar.html STREETSCAPE COMMITTEE QUESTIONS: Did you know that the best way to report a problem is on-line at http://baltimorecity.gov, and then click on “311 online”? The recommendation for anyone with access to a computer and a trash or other city problem is to bypass the phone and enter the problem directly online. It will provide better accountability and tracking for these issues. Do you have enough leaves in the fall to warrant a request to the city to provide a one-day leaf vacuum service at our major intersections? The City has a new piece of equipment for vacuuming leaves that would relieve the burden of bagging. The Streetscape Committee wants to know if enough people are interested for us to organize a Saturday for households to rake leaves to their major intersections. Please respond to Connie Brines. WANTED: DONATIONS FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS The department of pediatrics is in need of electronics (game systems, video games, game controllers) and movies (DVD and VHS) to be used in the Fast Track and emergency department. Games can be new or used, but must be in good condition. Contact: Karen Tong. Has your family lived in a house for 100 years or more? Contact Baltimore Heritage, call 410-332-9992 or email at hopkins@baltimoreheritage.org. Baltimore Heritage and City Councilman Jim Kraft would like to honor such families with a plaque for the outside of the house and a certificate of appreciation as a Centennial House family.
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