TitleNNA Board Meeting Minutes

January 19th, 2006
Elizabeth Dyjak's House, 208 Fayette Street


Members Present:
Michael Bowermaster; Bob Craycroft; Elisabeth Dyjak;
Rebecca Gorra; Cleve Helmick; Joel and Can Hodson;
Sara Hollberg; Dave and Anne Jeffrey; Tess Lamb;
Shirley Masters; Ed Miska; Joe and Kristina Sandlin


The meeting was opened at 6:32PM by president Ed Miska

Special Presentation:

Jack Barber of Madison Monroe properties presented to the Board plans for the Stratten building. This is the building at the corner of Lewis and Johnson Streets that previously housed the Community Services Board.

Madison Monroe is renovating the interior from single tenant to multiple tenant use. They are particularly interested in a health club on the ground floor. There is no rezoning or other City approvals needed, and the plans are progressing.

The minutes of the previous meeting were amended and adopted.

Treasurers Report:
Sara reported a balance of $1801.37, with 104 member households in good standing.

Committee Reports:

Community Relations:
There was discussion of the status of the Newtown block grant. Since Steven Verson left the Planning Department, we have not been receiving updates. NNA will check on the status of these funds.

Real Estate:
Various properties bought, sold and on the market in Newtown were discussed.

Newtown Business Guild:
Craig reported via Ed that there were various renovations underway on the Beverley Street corridor. Also, a loan has been secured for renovations to the brownstone townhouses at Jefferson and Beverley Streets.

Old Business:

Ed reported that the Christmas Tree Walk had gone very well, with over 100 visitors at some houses.

It was reported that the letter from NNA regarding the enforcement of Historic Preservation Guidelines had been sent to City Council.

Elisabeth spoke with John glover about building permit renewals and standards of property maintenance. According to Glover, the rules regarding building permits are implemented by the state. Elizabeth also spoke with Rita Wilson concerning the seemingly dormant Front Porch program.

The date of the next "Culture Zone" is still being worked out. Meanwhile, our own Barbara Martin will be performing at the Beverley Street Studios on February 6th.

New Business:

Possible dates for the Winter Event were discussed. Katherine Brown will deliver her presentation on Newtown history and architecture as the keystone to the event.

Shirley moved and Tesi seconded:
The 2006 NNA Winter Event will be held on Febuary 19th, 5-8PM at Trinity Episcopal Church.
The motion passed unanimously.

It was decided that the next newsletter will be published after the Winter Event to publicize the Spring Cleanup and other Spring activities.

There was discussion of the next Spring Cleanup. The Board decided to attempt a coordination with the Newtown Business Guild.

There was discussion of the current status of the Newtown Crime Watch. Joe reported that since the Crime Watch newsletter was discontinued, there was not much for block captains to do. He will talk with Corporal Doug Fry about Crime Watch activities.

There was a brief discussion of an upcoming Candidate's Forum for the May City Council elections. A decision was deferred until we see how many candidates file for the three open seats.

The President commended Sara for composing an excellent letter to members of City Council, as well as Shirley for the Christmas Tree Walk pre-party.

It was decided that the next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 19th during the Winter Event at Trinity Epicopal Church.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45PM.

The Board, ever mindful of the millions of starving children in China, remained to hover around the snack table.


Submitted for your approval by Joe Sandlin, Secretary. Please email me with obvious screwups. The rest will be addressed at the February 19th meeting.