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Springtime on Morning Street - Corey Templeton
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New This Month ~
* March 29th Members Meeting
* Big Events Planned for Spring/Summer, 2016!
* Proposed Bylaws Updates
* Portland Water District Rate Hike Proposal
& Public Hearing
* City Council Set to Vote on New Planning Board
Nominees
* Adopt Your Sidewalk & Curbside!
* City Partners With Friends of the Eastern Promenade
on proposed East End Waterfront Access project
* The Lightning Round: Neighbor Profile of Abby Elington
* MHNO Begins Sidewalk Audit
* City of Portland Seeking Crossing Guide Applicants
* Retailers & Businesses Line-Up for 58 Fore Street
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MHNO Board of Directors Meetings
The MHNO Board of Directors meets the second Monday of the month at 6pm at the MHNO Hill House, 92 Congress St., Portland. Our meetings are open and while guest speakers should be on the agenda prior to attending, all members are welcome to attend. Our next meeting will be March 14, 2016. If you'd like to speak at one of our board meetings, please reach out to us at
Info@MunjoyHill.org
MHNO Hill House Directions
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Portland Water District Proposing Rate Increase
The Portland Water District (PWD) is proposing a 3.7% increase in revenue, effective as soon as May 1, 2016 which would raise the average cost per residential water bill by an estimated .71 per month. The proposed hike follows increases approved in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The increase would not affect wastewater fees but would in fact raise the bills of both residents and businesses. Residents are encouraged to attend a public hearing and question & answer session on March 14 at 4:00pm. The location is the Jeff P. Nixon Development Center located at 225 Douglas Street in Portland. More materials and information related to the proposed increase is available at the PWD's corporate office at 225 Douglas Street. For additional information on the Portland Water District,
visit their website here.
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Eastern Waterfront - Google Maps Image
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City Begins Planning for Proposed Eastern Waterfront Access Improvement Project
The City of Portland is partnering with Friends of the Eastern Promenade on the proposed East End Waterfront Access Project (EEWAP). A preliminary stakeholders meeting was held in mid-December and jointly facilitated by FoEP and Bill Needelman, the city's Waterfront Coordinator. EEWAP seeks to increase recreational safety and public access to Casco Bay by developing improvements for non-motorized, personal watercraft within the East End Beach area. Initial planning is focused on understanding the existing uses, needs and constraints of the East End Beach community boating facilities, identifying overall goals of the site, exploring options for expanding safe public access to the water and establishing an active participant base for moving the process from concept to development and implementation.
The City is currently in the process of hiring a professional engineering consultant, and seeks to hold a public forum before Memorial Day to hear from boaters, park users and neighbors. The engineering phase of the project will be funded via a Maine Coastal Program Shore and Harbor Planning Grant, with additional funds provided by FoEP. Design and construction will be funded 50/50 by a Maine Small Harbor Improvement Program Grant and by FoEP. The process will be collaboratively managed by the City of Portland and Friends of the Eastern Promenade.
More details, including a date for the public forum, will be coming soon and publicized across the MHNO's web presence, social media, newsletters and at EasternPromenade.org
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MHNO Begins Comprehensive Audit of Sidewalk Risk Areas
One of our major goals in addressing Munjoy Hill's infrastructure pressure points has kicked-off earlier than anticipated thanks to the efforts of the MHNO board and our dedicated volunteers.
In late February, a small team of volunteers along with MHNO President Jay Norris began efforts to audit and catalogue risky spots throughout the community's sidewalks. These areas are being noted for location, photographed and categorized by severity. The project is labor intensive and time consuming, but the outcome will significantly support our efforts on safety and livability through public messaging and by directly engaging the City of Portland to push for a timeline in addressing a significant and growing safety concern.
Munjoy Hill is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the state of Maine. The community of residents 65 and older is also robust, making sidewalk infrastructure even more critical in our efforts toward a safer community.
We see this effort as among our highest callings, in directly addressing Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization's purpose set forth in our original Articles of Incorporation: "To promote the general improvement and quality of life in the neighborhood commonly known as Munjoy Hill, in the city of Portland.."
We look forward to providing updates via our Board of Directors' meetings, the Members Meetings and within our newsletters, social media pages and The Observer Online.
To be involved with this effort, please reach out to us at Info@MunjoyHill.org
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Munjoy Hill Observer Set to Relaunch Early Spring!
As reported throughout the fall and winter, the Observer extended its annual winter break through March while we worked on making it better, easier to find and accessible to all. We're proud to say we're nearing the relaunch of our beloved community newspaper as the Observer transitions to a full time web presence which will be more dynamic, easier to read and filled with Portland and Munjoy Hill centric news! We have a full planning team in place, engaged and down to working on the logistics, site specifics and official launch date. If you're interested in contributing content, photography or want to help update the site once we're up and running, let us know! It's a brand new venture to us and we're always happy to receive more input and ideas. It's your paper & website too, so get involved! Contact us at
Observer@MunjoyHill.org
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Portland Seeks A Few Good Crossing Guides ~ Applications Being Accepted
Calling all responsible college students, stay-at-home parents, retirees & good neighbors with a few hours to spare each week! The City of Portland has put a call out for school crossing guides, 10 hours per week with a starting salary of $10.50 per hour, (floaters start at $11.50 per hour). Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and own your own transportation. It's a great part time position with all school holidays and summer vacation off. Those interested should contact
Kevin Ready at 874-8910 between the weekday hours of 9:00am & 4:00pm; or apply in person at City Hall, 389 Congress Street.
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Retailers & Businesses Already Seeking Space at Portland Co. Complex
Retailers and other business owners are already making plans to set-up shop on Munjoy Hill according to developers of the former Portland Company complex at 58 Fore Street. That's according to Jim Brady, principal manager of development company CPB2, LLC which owns the site.
"Based upon the recent approvals, we're now being approached by a number of potential office and retail tenants as well as locals interested in future home rental and ownership opportunities." Brady said last week.
"We're excited about these prospects, but we realize there are additional future planning board and historic preservation board reviews and approvals which still lie ahead, prior to being in a position to begin construction on the site."
On February 16, the Portland City Council voted to approve a historic district that would allow Brady's company to tear down the former erecting shop on the site while preserving seven other buildings and creating a public plaza on the Eastern Waterfront. That measure was strongly opposed by several residents of the East End and throughout Portland's historic preservation community.
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The Lighting Round ~
Snapshots of Neighbors from
Around The Hill
Who: Abby Elington, popular barista at Hilltop Coffee, 4-year Munjoy Hill resident, native of Northwest, Arkansas, lover of arts, fashion and creepy movies.
MHNO
: What's on your mind these days?
Abby Elington:
Work, being happy and winter. I love the New England winters but also glad it's been a little better this year.
MHNO: You're a long way from the mountains of Arkansas..
AE: Yeah, like a lot of people, work and the charm of Maine pulled me here. I took a job offer as a fashion merchandiser and when I decided to move on from that, I couldn't leave Maine. I mean, who would?
MHNO: Watching anything good right now? We hear House of Cards drops the new season this week.
AE: Yeah, I'm really into The Bachelor! {laughs}. Peter Donatelli got me hooked on it, now we compare notes the morning after each episode.
MHNO: But it's, you know, fake. Right?
AE:
Ha! For sure, it's all fake but I can't help trying to get as many people as I can to check it out. It's great if you're a hopeless romantic like me.
MHNO: What's been your favorite haunts this winter?
AE: I LOVE Shays for food! But for cocktails you can't beat Sonny's. I love that place.
MHNO: Favorite Beer?
AE: Anything cheap Mexican. {laughs} I think I like cheap Mexican beer because it's crisp. But for local beers you can't beat Oxbow. It's definitely my favorite place in the summer months. I hear they've started a Honky Tonk night there on Thursdays, which sounds amazing!
MHNO: Any favorite movies you're dying to see?
AE: Deadpool is hillarious! I especially can't wait to see The Witch. I hear it's brilliant.
MHNO: What keeps you busy when you're not keeping customers caffeinated & happy or watching The Bachelor?
AE: I do a 'zine (magazine), a self published thing called
Wood. It's all things fashion and girl culture, what's happening with women.
MHNO: That sounds amazing and it must keep you busy.
AE: Definitely. It's my alternative to social media. You can pick it up downtown at Strange Maine.
MHNO: I can't let you go before I ask about the ink. Do the tattoos tell a story or just art?
AE: Yeah, they're all post-breakup tattoos.
MHNO: ALL of them? That's heavy.
AE: Oh yeah. They're like my own little reminders of the people who were in my life but are no longer a part it. They're oddly inspiring to me.
MHNO: Should I ask? How many do you have?
AE: {laughing} I've lost count!
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| MHNO Ugly Sweater Party at Oxbow |
MHNO Events! Get Involved, Show-Up & Stay-Tuned for a BIG Summer!
Part of our rebuilding efforts this year have evolved around an even more active Events Committee lead by MHNO Board member Molly McCarthy; and there's so much happening that we can't fit it all here, but we'll give you a teaser and insist you stay-tuned for some great opportunities to get out, party and meet your neighbors this spring and summer!
MHNO's Spring Fling Event & Fundraiser coming in April!
East End Summer Festival! Saturday, June 18th, 11am-3pm
Annual April Stools Day with Friends of the Eastern Promenade!
DATE: Saturday April 23, 2016 (Rain date Sunday, April 24th)
TIME: 9am - Noon
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
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Image: Gabe Souza Portland Press Herald
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City Council Set to Vote on Three Recommended Members to Planning Board
Members of the nominating committee to the city's Planning Board have recommended three applicants to serve on the vital body which oversees planning and construction throughout the City of Portland. Council members are set to vote on the three nominations for appointment at their meeting this Monday. Candidates selected from several applicants are:
Kristien Nichols, a graduate of Southern Maine Community College and financial services employee with Norway Savings Bank, (no physical address is provided in her resume published by the City.);
Lisa Whited of 45 Heather Rd. in Portland, a chief transformation officer with Workplace Transformation Facilitation, LLC and a co-chair of Portland's Future PAC who worked on the 'No on #2' campaign regarding the 58 Fore Street complex last fall, and
Maggie Stanley of 7 Pleasant St. in Portland, an architect with Goduti-Thomas Architects in Portland.
MHNO reached out to both City officials and local media in hopes of securing at least one new member of the board from the East End community. Based on the information provided, neither of the three final candidates appear to be East End or Munjoy Hill residents.
The City Council will meet Monday, March 7, 5pm at Portland City Hall.
Click here to view the full agenda and packet which includes the submitted letters and personal resumes of the candidates selected by the Planning Board's nominations committee.
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Thanks for the Elbow Grease CenterPoint Church!
Our new friends & neighbors (and MHNO members) Pastor Ben Thornton & his wife Jess haven't been around very long, but they're already making a big impression around the neighborhood. From helping to map critical sidewalk issues around the Hill for cataloguing dangerous spots, to helping our Hill House sign back up and standing strong, to helping us repair and install some years-old lighting issues at our Community Policing office, we can't thank them enough, but we'll keep letting them know what good neighbors they've already become. Thank you Cole, Ben and Jess for helping make MHNO and Munjoy Hill more welcoming, safer and sign-friendly for all! :)
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A Reminder - FixIt! Portland Is Your App to Getting Things Done!
It's here, it's easy and it's on your phone if you'll just download the free app! It's Fix It! Portland, the City's new customer service tool that allows citizens quick and easy access to reporting quality of life issues. Encounter a pothole? See a street light that needs fixing? Need an inspection? Trash pick-up missed? Report it using the online form Here, or download the Fix It! Portland mobile app for your smartphone via the Apple or Android App Store.
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Clean Sidewalks & Curbsides Make
Beautiful Neighborhoods!
A winter with light snowfall means streets and sidewalks are beginning to reveal themselves after months of coverage in leaves, ice and snow. Unfortunately, it's been pretty messy under that layer of fall and winter. Many neighbors have noticed heavier than normal stray trash along sidewalks and curbsides where wind has strewn loose paper, plastic and other trash from recycle bins. It's so bad in fact, we're asking everyone to 'adopt a sidewalk'. Please be sure trash and recyclables are packed carefully, and be a good neighbor by picking-up stray pieces which have blown onto lawns, sidewalks and the curb. And if you're in the mood to be a real Gold Star Munjoy Hiller, help tidy-up along the curbside and sidewalk of neighbors who may not be doing such a great job of it themselves; and stay tuned for details on our annual April Stools community cleanup day!
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We're Thankful to Our Generous Sponsors for their Continued Support, & Encourage You to Support the Businesses of Munjoy Hill and Those Who Love It!
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Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization | 92 Congress St. Portland, ME 04101 | Info@MunjoyHill.Org | www.MunjoyHill.org
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