Improving the neighborhood

The Union / Park Neighborhood Association (UPNA) of Springfield is seeking approval from the town to be involved in the planning, landscaping and beautification of land at 47 Union St.


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2017-03-04 / Front Page Print article Print Improving the neighborhood Group seeks to improve 2 blighted Union Street properties By TORY JONES toryb@eagletimes.com Union / Park Neighborhood Association President Lori Claffee, right, speaks to a group of citizens on Thursday, March 2 about offering help to improve the appearance of a vacant, blighted building on Union Street, and land near the school that will require groundskeeping after a demolition. — TORY JONES Union / Park Neighborhood Association President Lori Claffee, right, speaks to a group of citizens on Thursday, March 2 about offering help to improve the appearance of a vacant, blighted building on Union Street, and land near the school that will require groundskeeping after a demolition. — TORY JONES SPRINGFIELD — The Union / Park Neighborhood Association (UPNA) of Springfield is seeking approval from the town to be involved in the planning, landscaping and beautification of land at 47 Union St. About a dozen Springfield residents, including UPNA members, Springfield Police Chief Doug Johnston, and two citizens who also serve on the Springfield Selectboard gathered on Thursday at the Union Street School to discuss neighborhood blight, actions to abate that blight, and future plans for buildings at both 47 Union St. and 42-44 Union St. The Springfield School Board has purchased the property at 47 Union St., including a blue apartment building that sits on the lot in front of the school. Demolition is scheduled for this summer. Lori Claffee, president of the UPNA, said at a meeting on Thursday, March 2 that she would like to have interested residents of Union and Park streets involved with planting flowers and other maintenance, following that demolition. “I just thought it would be a nice way to build neighborhood spirit,” she said. Voters approved the Springfield School Board’s purchase and demolition of the home at 47 Union St. in November. The purpose of that $45,000 purchase was to enhance safety, traffic flow, and aesthetics at the Union Street School , according to school board members. The purchase was paid for through funds received from the prior sale of East School. Asbestos removal at 47 Union St. is taking place now or very soon, and the school board will go out to bid shortly for demolition to take place this summer, once school is out, Claffee said. She asked members of the association how they would like to be involved, once it has come down. George McNaughton, who also serves on the town’s selectboard, said the school board may already have a plan in place for landscaping. Claffee said she wanted the project to be a chance for the community to “get involved.” Kristi Morris, who also serves on the selectboard, suggested that if a landscaping plan is already in place, community members could still offer to help with flowers and regular maintenance. McNaughton mentioned that under new stormwater-related rules, there would be a limit to the amount of impervious surface, and that it is his understanding the lot will be grass or trees, not a parking lot. A spring also likely runs underneath that property, making it not an ideal choice for a parking lot, Johnston said. The local garden club, however, may be willing to offer some advice on design, he said. He also said that low-growth vegetation would be helpful in regard to crime prevention in the area, because it would not block the line of sight. Claffee agreed, and said that for people looking to move into the town and looking at the school, “you should be able to see it.” UPNA Vice President Dick Andrews offered the suggestion that an association member attend upcoming school board meetings, and follow the demolition proceedings and offer suggestions of help with the aesthetics. The association voted all in favor, following a motion by Jason Curtis, to send a letter to the school board stating that the UPNA is willing to help out, and would like “input as to the outcome of the property.” He also asked that the association request a sign stating “Springfield supports drug-free neighborhoods” be installed. Claffee said she will present a letter at an upcoming school board meeting. In regard to a second vacant property, 42-44 Union St., across the street from the Union Street School, UPNA members discussed current actions in which the town of Springfield is still trying to obtain the property. A town attorney found that a lien of $25,000 to $30,000 still exists against the property, and the mortgage company has yet to resolve the liens, Claffee said. In the interim, Town Manager Tom Yennerell is trying to obtain permission to demolish the sagging garage and to do basic maintenance to improve the building’s appearance, all according to Claffee. Now that the Fannie Mae mortgage company was found to be the owner, the town can demolish the garage, “so one way or another, the garage is going to come down,” McNaughton said. As soon as Yennerell is comfortable that the town will not end up “hung out,” town officials want to take action to clean up the property, Morris said. The building’s Springfield owners had already been cited under the blight ordinance, but have also taken some steps to remediate the issues, such as putting in windows and a door, McNaughton said. The town is currently working on obtaining a release for that garage demolition, and for UNPA members to do basic maintenance, Claffee said. Painting exterior railings, adding flowers or “weed-whacking” would be within the group’s capacity, and would not require any ladders or roof climbing, Andrews said. “It could make a big difference without a huge effort,” he said. The town’s aim is to try and rehabilitate the building to make it appropriate for someone to buy it, thereby putting it back on the tax rolls, Morris said. Andrews moved to notify the town administration that UPNA is willing to help with “light groundskeeping and light maintenance,” within reach of the ground. The members voted all in favor to proceed with that notification. UPNA’s goals are focused on improving and building safe, vibrant neighborhoods and implementing neighborhood improvement projects. The group’s board of directors and members have also decided to pursue a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, and plans to complete a streamlined application by the end of this month, at a cost of $400. The nonprofit status will allow the group to apply for tax and will alleviate the requirement to pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service, according to Claffee. Anyone who lives in the neighborhood surrounding Union and Park Streets in Springfield can attend meetings and vote. Other residents cannot vote, but are welcome to contribute opinions.