Baker square NEWS

In this issue


In the community

  •  Board of Trustees
  • Community Engagement Committee (CEC)
  • Project and policy updates
  • Don’t forget – important reminders
  • Did you know?

In the neighborhood

  • Events
  • Resources

Your contacts


In the community
Board of Trustees

Open meeting: The next open meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Park Mill Function Room.

Save the date: The annual meeting of unit owners is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26.

Trustee seats: Two Board of Trustee seats for three-year terms will be up for election at the June annual meeting. If you would like to learn more about the role of the Trustees, please contact any existing Board member (see contacts below) or the Management Office.

Community Engagement Committee (CEC)

Recent events

  • Thank you for your survey responses. Please email Claire Hughes if we have not followed up with you or if you have new ideas.
  • In an enlightening four-part lecture series, Mary Beth Alger shared her knowledge of and passion for Early Modernism. It was enjoyed by all.
  • Performing one of Bach’s most enduring and demanding works, the Goldberg Variations, Christopher Walter delighted residents with his breathtaking performance and talk.
  • Thank you to all who donated to the book and clothing drive – the overflowing bins were incredible! The donations benefited More Than Words, a terrific non-profit that gives the most vulnerable young adults in Greater Boston – those who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school – the opportunity to change their lives through job training. Missed the drive or have more to give? They will pick up eight or more boxes. Learn more.


Upcoming events

Conflict resolution workshop
Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 pm in Park Mill Function Room – offered by our Forbes neighbor, Louisa Williams. RSVP required – Text or call Sarah Brooks, 781-367-4135. More information.

Neponset River Spring Cleanup ­– seeking volunteers!
Save the date: Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. – noon
Various sites across the Neponset Watershed. Locations to be determined.
This Earth Day, show your love for the Neponset at one of our biggest cleanups of the year. We are hoping to have a clean-up site here around the Baker/Central Ave area! Stay tuned for more info or email Claire Hughes for information.

Looking ahead
For the spring and summer, we are planning an outreach event by Madre Osteria at 88 Wharf, a potluck on the patio, and a yard sale. Crafting and movie nights are planned for the fall.

A calendar with CEC events is available on the owner section of the Baker Square website.
–submitted by Sarah Brooks and Claire Hughes

Project and policy updates

Forbes fire alarm panel: The Forbes fire alarm project has been in the permitting process with the Boston Fire Department since 2020 and we are excited that the project has finally begun. The existing fire panel, which was installed in 1989 and has reached the end of its useful life, will be taken out of service when the new panel is fully operational. The panel project will include new devices, such as horns and strobe lights and connect the building’s existing smoke management system, which is also being upgraded.

Nardone Electric is working in both the units and common areas of the building. In the common areas, you will hear drilling and the running of wires through the ceilings. Holes will be made in the ceilings as needed to run the wiring and there will be cables hanging from the ceilings in some areas. We are coordinating access with individual unit owners to schedule the work needed in the units. As of now, the sixth floor units and common areas are nearing completion and construction on the fifth floor has begun.

EV charging station survey: At the January open meeting, the Board reviewed the possible locations for the EV charging station, the costs, the specifications, accessibility, possible future expansion, and current uses of the spaces. To obtain resident feedback on the two proposed locations, a survey was distributed on February 21.The survey will assist the Board in its decision-making process and will be open through March 6. If you did not receive the survey, please contact the Management Office.

Here is a copy of the January presentation, which provides helpful information.

Park Mill elevator: The Board has selected Atlantic Elevator to complete the Park Mill elevator modernization. The timeline, contract, and lead time on the materials are currently being finalized. Once finalized, a meeting will be scheduled with the community to discuss the project.

Website: The Baker Square website is now live at https://bakersquarecondos.com/. The password-protected owners section of the site has pages containing important information for residents, key policies, downloadable documents, a calendar of events, the Baker newsletters, and a list of the Baker resident committees. Passwords have been sent to owners by email. If you did not receive it, please contact [email protected].

There are also two pages of listings for those who wish to have their unit numbers and/or phone numbers and/or email addresses visible to other residents, and for those who wish to let it be known that they offer services that may be found valuable to other residents. These listings are voluntary and should be submitted to [email protected]. Residents are also welcome to suggest additions or edits to the website.

Insurance: The master insurance policy was renewed on February 15, 2024. Owners were sent a copy of the renewal electronically and by USPS. What should be covered in your personal HO-6 Unit Owner policy is spelled out in the unit owner letter from Baker Square’s insurance agent, Hub International. It is recommended that this information be shared with your homeowner’s insurance carrier (HO6) to confirm that your coverage is adequate and aligns with the master policy. Please note that if improvements are made, it is the owner’s responsibility to notify the Trustees.

Moves & large-item deliveries: As a reminder, both moves and large-item deliveries, such as furniture and appliances, must be scheduled in advance with the management office and are allowed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Moves, deliveries, or removal of large items are NOT permitted on the weekends. Violations of these rules will result in fines.
Each building has specific requirements regarding entrance, elevator use, and parking of delivery trucks, which are explained in the Baker Square Condominium Resident Handbook on p.11.

                                                   
Dog license renewals: City of Boston dog licenses expire on March 31, 2024.For the safety and security of all residents, our regulations require proof of a current City of Boston dog license each year. Please plan ahead and forward a copy of your current license to the Management Office to remain in compliance.DCR Park: Although the DCR park adjacent to Baker Square is not the property of the Condominium, it is used frequently by our residents. When using this area please follow the DCR regulations.

Owner information forms: If you have not recently updated your unit owner information form or any of your information has changed, please complete the form and submit it to the Management Office at your earliest convenience. Having updated information forms assists the Board and management in communicating with owners and tenants efficiently and effectively.

Luggage carts: Have you ever needed the handy luggage cart, which can be found on each building’s main floor – but it’s not there? The carts are for the use of all residents and should be promptly returned to the main floor common area. Please do not keep the cart in your unit or on your floor for extended periods. Remember contractors are not permitted to use the carts.

Mattresses: The City of Boston no longer picks up mattresses from buildings with more than six units. Mattress disposal can be scheduled with the Condominium’s private trash pickup. This must be scheduled with the management office in advance and the cost is $100 per piece to be charged to the unit owner. Unit owners have also used Junk King for mattress removal. For more information on mattress removal visit Mattress Recycling Options on the City of Boston Website.

Book Club: Open to all residents, the book club meets in-person and virtually with monthly selections alternating between fiction and non-fiction. Next month’s selection is On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come. The discussion will be hosted by Sarah Brooks in the Park Mill Function Room, Sunday, March 17, at 7:00 p.m.

Total number of Units in Baker Square: 175 Units
1241 Adams Street – Forbes – 76 units – 6 floors
1243 Adams Street – Park Mill – 22 units – 3 floors
1245 Adams Street – Baker Mill – 58 units – 6 floors
1245 Adams Street – Carriage House – 2 townhouses
1255 Adams Street – Water Mill – 17 units – 3 to 4 floors


In the neighborhood
Events

Neponset River meeting
Lower Neponset Superfund Site Community Advisory Group Informational Meeting
A public informational hybrid meeting for the Lower Neponset River Superfund Site will take place on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EPA will share a site update and explain what Community Advisory Groups (CAG) are all about.

There are many ways to join:

  • In person Hyde Park Community Center (BCYF) located at 1179 River Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136
  • Online
  • Phone 1 (646) 828-7666, then dial 1601636105#

Meeting ID: 160 163 6105 Pass code: 21952095

Ashmont Hill Chamber Music
Sunday, March 10, 4 p.m. – The Ashmont Hill Chamber Music presents The Bach Project, Peabody Hall, Church of All Saints, 209 Ashmont Street, Dorchester. Purchasing tickets online is recommended.

Heritage Music Series – Forbes House Museum
The new Heritage Music Series begins with a talented and widely acclaimed duo, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason on Friday, April 12 at the First Parish Milton Meetinghouse, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. concert. Tickets: $30/person, $25/member and $35 at the door.
More information.

Zero-Waste Drop-Off Days
Boston residents with proper identification can bring their household hazardous waste and certain waste ban items to a Zero Waste Day for safe disposal. Paper shredding is offered at all events. Learn more.

Lower Mills Merchant Association
Our neighbor and business community liaison, Carlos Vargas, reports that the Lower Mills Merchant Association is meeting in April and will be discussing holding a spring/summer stroll.

Resources

Age Strong Commission – support for residents 55+
The City of Boston has a program called the Age Strong Commission that offers services to residents 55+ within the city. In addition to sharing information on free events and volunteer opportunities for older adults, the Commission has an advocacy program that offers Medicare/health insurance counseling, application assistance for benefits, referrals to legal, financial, and medical experts, and more.
Learn more.

ReSupply – A resource for unwanted furniture and household goods
ReSupply, a Veteran-operated company based in Boston, provides an in-home fee-based pickup option and works with local nonprofits to give unwanted furniture and household goods a second life. Learn more.

Your Contacts

Trustees
Laura Gleason, Chair, F609, [email protected]
Leslie Giddings, Secretary, F111, [email protected]
Mary Beth Alger, WM303, [email protected]
Matthew Booth, B306, [email protected]
Sherry Catlin, F603, [email protected]
Tom Tanury, WM301, [email protected]
Perry Yeldham, B108, [email protected]

Condo Management Office 
Park Mill, to right of the entrance
Meghan Grzybinski, Baker Square Condo Association, 617-296-2287, [email protected]
https://barkancompanies.securecafe.com/residentservices/baker-square/userlogin.aspx
After Hours Barkan Emergency Contact Number : 1-800-570-9145
Boston Police 617-343-4911 (quicker than 911)
State Police 617-698-5840 (for state property: park, boat ramp, bike path)

If you have information you would like included in future newsletters please contact Mary Weafer, [email protected]

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Baker Square Condominium
1241 -1255 Adams Street
Dorchester, MA 02124

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