COMMITTEES

Standing Committees

Photo: (c) Vin Catania

Architecture Committee

Update the Beacon Hill Architectural Architectural Handbook, include updated information on the website and supplement with a book.
Continue the lecture series
Review the applications for approval included on the monthly agendas of the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission
Plan another Green Building Forum
Work on ways to build public awareness of the committee

City Services Committee (formerly, Clean Beacon Hill Committee)

Initiate same day trash pick-up
Persuade residents to use stronger bags for trash pick-up
Coordinate activities with Green Committee
Ask for stricter enforcement/ better coordination with ISD
Survey and work with city on getting potholes and brick sidewalks repaired
Survey and report dim gas lanterns
Educate and reduce numbers of rats
Educate community about health issues caused by dog owners not picking up after their dogs.
Work with city to clean up newspaper boxes
Devise ways to clean up Charles Street

BHCA Green Committee

Support and encourage sustainable living for Beacon Hill residents and businesses, with a primary focus on:

Membership Committee

Increase BHCA membership by 20% with the help of our BHCA board:

Identify and bring in potential new members from all categories by advising on membership public relations materials
Revise dues category
Establish a new administrative rolling membership for Founders
Sponsor receptions for new members and a Founders Reception

Parks and Public Spaces Committee

Public Relations Committee

Evaluate BHCA website with goal of streamlining content, making it easier to navigate.
Work with transition from paper communications to creating/generating more interest and use of electronic delivery of BHCA communications to membership (invitations, newsletters, etc.)
Work with the Membership Committee to help create a messaging for membership benefits.

Safety Committee

Work with Boston Police
- Get language for 911 calls from Captain O’Rourke
- Attend monthly neighborhood Safety meetings
- In addition to regular reports, get reports on vandalism and # of calls to 911
Develop a communication strategy to educate neighbors on best safety practices, involving articles in BHT, Courant, newsletter, public meetings
Educate: Messages: call 911, call classification system (key words to use), car theft (don’t leave anything in your car), get to know your neighbors

Traffic and Parking Committee

Develop an on-going working relationship with the appropriate people in the City'sTransportation Department so that requests from the committee will be respected and thus, when appropriate, acted upon.
Continue to work with the appropriate city personnel to develop procedures for issuance and enforcement of street occupancy permits for contractors on Beacon Hill.
Assess the need to take steps to reduce vehicle speed on Beacon Hill.

Tree Committee

Work to preserve and restore the street trees
Maximize the joint resources of the community and the City to enhance the trees program
Maintain and protect the trees and replacement of those that are dead, dying, and hazardous.
Plant 10 new trees

Zoning and Licensing Committee

Represent the neighborhood in zoning and licensing matters within the neighborhood.
Advise the board of the BHCA’s standing policies on zoning and liquor licensing, as well as on the operation of zoning and licensing in the city of Boston
Advise the board on whether to petition the Boston Zoning Commission for an amendment to the Boston Zoning Code to extend the applicability of rooftop equipment regulation to Beacon Hill.
Advise the board on whether to update the Boston Zoning Code regarding antennae placement for mobile phones.
Brief the board on the operations of zoning and licensing in the city of Boston and on the standing policies of the board on these subjects.

Charles Street Design Committee

Hold a series of community-wide meetings to discuss the status of Charles Street
Work with the Beacon Hill Business Association to establish priorities for any improvements for Charles Street
Incorporate neighborhood ideas into a proposal for the City
Proceed with a transportation related study for inclusion of bike lanes along Charles Street
Study traffic calming features and pedestrian enhancements at intersections
Encourage the City to allocate capital funds to prepare a master plan for streetscape and historic signage improvements

Holiday Decorating Committee
Plan and execute the decorating of over 1100 gas lamps for the holidays

Planning and Research

Winter Dance Committee
To plan and execute the BHCA’s annual Winter Dance, a thank you event to our Annual Appeal donors.