Bolton Hill Notes

Police on the trail of  our graffiti vandal

BPD has identified a man they believe to be the graffiti vandal who has tagged “Kobe” on Bolton Hill public and private property. Residents whose property has been affected have submitted their contact information to the Baltimore Police Department, while the police build the case for a warrant for his arrest. The police have also been given video footage of the suspect as he sprayed his namesake tag in Bolton Hill. He is responsible for numerous acts of graffiti vandalism around Baltimore. Anyone with additional information or experience with “Kobe” is asked to contact Sergeant Gregory Ostrander.

In May the Department of Public Works said it would implement a modified restart of graffiti removal services, suspended since the pandemic, but only on public property. But evidently prodded by the mayor, on June 3 the department changed directions and said it also would remove graffiti from private property, but with a “delayed restart.”

Neal Friedlander stepping down; new board members are wanted 

Newly elected BHCA President Neal Friedlander announced that after 50 years in Bolton Hill, he and his wife will be moving to south Baltimore in September, requiring his resignation at that time. He agreed to notify the nominating committee of the coming vacancy, which will be filled by the BHCA board in the fall.

Benjamin Groff, a member of BHCA’s board, also is leaving the neighborhood and is thus stepping down, moving to the Oakenshawe neighborhood. Residents interested in being consider for board vacancies should send a note with a paragraph of two about themselves and their Bolton Hill passions to nominating@boltonhillmd.org. The nominating committee is especially interested in hearing from renters and people who live in the north part of the neighborhood.

A place for poop at Mosher Park

BHCA’s board agreed to oversee the acquisition of a trash bin for dog walkers to use at Mosher Park, located at Mason and Mosher streets. The cost of acquiring and installing the equipment ranges from $250 to $800, depending on the size of the bin. The Midtown Community Benefits District will remove the contents once the equipment is in place. Dog lovers and others will be invited to contribute, first to the fund, and then into the installed result of that fund.

Memorial Episcopal Church will take the lead on Festival on the Hill

Memorial’s rector, the Rev. Grey Maggiano, has agreed that Memorial Episcopal church will sponsor the annual Festival on the Hill this fall, with support from Bolton Hill Community Association. The long-established outdoor festival will feature food, drink, music, children’s activities, flowers, vendors and more. Volunteer captains are needed to oversee children’s events, vendors, food, and entertainment. If you can volunteer, please notify bulletin@boltonhillmd.org.

DPW seeks comments on “Water for All” discount program

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is seeking public comment on draft regulations to implement of the new Water for All discount program, serving  households with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Water for All Discount Program draft regulations would apply to city residents who receive bills from the city for water and wastewater charges. Residents who are enrolled in DPW’s current discount programs, BH2O Assists or BH2O Assists Plus, on or before June 30, may continue in those programs for one year. However, customers must apply for the Water for All program no later than June 30, 2022.

DPW’s Acting Director Jason W. Mitchell will consider public input before finalizing the proposed regulations. Comments can be emailed to: publicworks@baltimorecity.gov. Use this email subject line: Water for All Comments. Comments are due by Sunday, July 11, 2021. Click here to view the draft regulations.

Midtown Community Benefits District wants you to know….

  • Corner trash cans are for pedestrian litter only, not for household or business trash. If you see someone dumping improperly, report it to 311. You may submit a 311 request online and then email a copy of the case number to service@midtowncommunity.org.
  • Property owners are responsible for keeping tree wells and sidewalks free of weeds. It’s in Baltimore’s city code. Constituents who have removed weeds can submit a service request for Midtown to collect green debris.
  • Watch for a tax bill in July. Midtown Baltimore’s services to residents of Bolton Hill and three adjacent neighborhoods are paid for through an annual special benefits property tax surcharge. Surcharge bills are mailed in early July. If you do not receive your paper statement, click here to determine the amount owed for your property, which can be paid online.

Goodbye for a short while…

The Bolton Hill Bulletin will be taking a summer break; the next issue is in September. The Bulletin is published 10 times a year and distributed to dues-paying members of the Bolton Hill Community Association.  It’s also available on the BHCA website. We welcome your ideas, articles, events, photos and feedback. It is produced by Bill Hamilton, Kylie Perrotti and Marci Yankelov, with regular contributions by BHCA board members and neighbors. Contributors this month include, among others, Jean Lee Cole, Paula Jackson, David Nyweide and Lee Tawney.  

We’re especially grateful to Kylie Perrotti, who has handled the design work for the past couple of years in addition to her career as a professional designer and her other careers as cookbook writer and founder/editor of the Baltimore Supper Club Facebook forum. Now we need a new designer. The pay is fabulous. Resumes or inquiries to bulletin@boltonhillmd.orgPlease support our sponsors.