Priority 3: Protect Human Potential

Positive Work at the South End

By Kim Hallee

The neighborhood residents began meeting in October 2001 as a result of the City Planner and others who coordinated efforts to assess interest in improving the neighborhood. Information, ideas, comments and criticisms of the South End neighborhood were collected; those outcomes were shared in a subsequent meeting and from there priorities were set with a plan of action developed.

Four subcommittees were formed reflecting the points of interest, need and concern. They are as follows: crime and safety, streets, parking and sidewalks, recreation and culture, and housing.

The crime and safety group has initiated work developing a "safe house" program. Homes will be identified with a "smiley face" that indicates this is a safe place were one can seek refuge from a bully, or unsafe situation. This is a home that has folks who have received and passed a security check. They are prepared to help a child who arrives home to an empty house. The child could then seek refuge at a designated home until their parent returns or other action is taken. This committee is also distributing fliers on home and neighborhood safety. Information such as: when you go on vacation tell a neighbor and ask him to keep an eye on your house and stop the mail and newspaper. Report mysterious footprints in the snow or unfamiliar people hanging around your home. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and get to know them. Familiarity reduces the likelihood of crime.

The streets, parking and sidewalk team have familiarized themselves with the neighborhood infrastructure. Recommendations made are: remove the second sidewalks on Gray Street south side and Kennebec Street east side, add a full sidewalk to south side of Sherwin Street, paint cross walks, and lastly improve the Gold Street sidewalk. Enforcement of the trash code and rewriting of the code to include both garbage and rubbish to be placed curbside in the a.m. were initiated by this group. Road sign needs were identified and reported to the Safety Council. Police enforcement of violators of "No Parking" zones has also occurred due to the efforts of this group awareness. They also noted chimneys in need of repair during their drives and reported the findings to Code Enforcement; letters of concern were sent out by the Code department.

The recreation and culture committee has been focusing on the development of the South End Skate Park and Ice Rink. A fund raising committee separate from the SENAssn. is working to procure funds for the development and purchase of skate park equipment. The South End neighborhood is in favor of placing the park in a segment of the already established Green Street Park. Efforts are being made to develop and finance an ice rink for winter use of the skate park space. Enhancement of the playground equipment at the G/S Park is a noted need. The Grove Street playground is in need of new hot top for its basketball courts. The playground equipment could use some sprucing up as well. A South end Spring Parks Cleanup is slated for April 20th 1000 to 1200. Vacant lots will become "green spots"- neighborhood vegetable and flower gardens tended by surrounding families.

The r/c committee is also working with the Franco-American Cultural Society of Central Maine. The establishment of a cultural center "down the Plains" will be a group effort. Plans for a self guided walking tour of old Water Street have begun. Historic photos will grace the walls of buildings that once were the commercial mainstay of this working class Franco-American neighborhood.

The housing committee has identified homes and yards that could use "some fixin' up". We have reported these findings to the Code Enforcement Officers for follow up. We have also meet with KVCAP and the City Planner to learn about housing grant and loan opportunities for purchasing or improving homes. The housing group will initiate a neighborhood cleanup in June. During our May SENAssn. meeting we will host the landlords of the community. This meeting will provide an opportunity to share the purpose of our association and invite the landlords to join in our efforts to improve our living space. We feel landlords have a responsibility to empower their tenants to be good neighbors by providing them with information regarding trash and recycling, hazardous materials disposal and yard and neighborhood maintenance. Landlords also must model good neighbor behavior by maintaining clean, well-kept units and show by example that they too care about their community. Tenants like all homeowners must participate in good neighbor conduct as well. Many of the rental units are occupied by Section 8 Housing applicants. These folks receive an apartment inspection upon arrival, yearly and at the discretion of the tenant or landlord. The Waterville Housing Authority manages the Section 8 application/placements and they have been encouraged to become a part of our Association.

The work of the four committees is in concert with the enterprises of City Hall and nonprofit groups that inhabit our neighborhood as well. Certainly the identified needs and efforts speak to the desire and justification for the City of Waterville to seek grant moneys to improve and rehabilitate this most cherished and important area within her boundaries.

Kim Hallee is co-chairwoman of the association's Housing Committee.