Special to the Gazette
The Jamaica Pond Association (JPA) held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 1, via Zoom, with chair Kay Mathew presiding over the session.
Jordan Frias from District 6 Councillor Ben Weber’s office was on hand and introduced the office’s new chief of staff, Bonnie Delaune.
Frias informed the group that Councillor Weber made a number of amendments that were accepted by the full council for inclusion in the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including an additional arborist for Jamaica Pond, free legal representation for tenants facing evictions, and rental vouchers for certain undocumented immigrants.
Caroline Peters, the Jamaica Plain liaison from Mayor Wu’s office, spoke briefly. She suggested that officials from city departments should be made aware of agenda items for future JPA meetings that pertain to their departments with the hope that the officials will be able to attend the meetings to make comments and answer questions.
JPA member Franklyn Salimbene presented an update on the MBTA’s plans to modernize the Green Line that will feature cars and platforms that will be fully-accessible. Saliimbene noted that the design of necessity will be extremely complicated, especially along Huntington Ave. and So. Huntington Ave. He said the project is expected to be completed in three-to-four years.
Kevin Moloney presented the report of the Zoning Committee. There was one matter, a licensing issue for a liquor license for a new coffee shop/wine bar at 767 Center St. in the former location of Espresso Yourself.
Maya Mukhopadhaya, the petitioner, said that the new establishment, Jadu, will be a coffee shop during the day and a wine bar in the evening that also will offer beer, cordials (liqueurs), and small-plate food items.
After the members asked some questions, they approved the application. The establishment still must go before the city Licensing Board to obtain the license. The anticipated opening of Jadu is set for September.
JPA member Michael Reiskind presented the reports regarding the most-recent meetings of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council and the Business and Professional Association.
As to the latter, he noted that District 6 Councillor Weber and Councillor at Large Henry Santana spoke at the June 19 meeting.
The next meeting of the JPA is set for Monday, September 9.