State Sen. Nick Collins was the featured speaker at the October meeting of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association. Seth Daniel photo
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State Sen. Nick Collins was the main speaker at the Oct. 5 meeting of the Columbia Savin Hill Civic Association, where he thanked members for their support in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary, in which he prevailed over challenger Latoya Gayle.
He has no opponent in the Nov. 3 general election.
“We had a decisive victory in the primary and a good part of that was due to the voters of Columbia Savin Hill,” he said, pointing out that 33 percent turnout in the neighborhood was one of the highest in the district.
The senator discussed several matters, but focused on how to help neighbors around Richardson Park move forward with a Dorchester History Garden concept in light of the vagrancy and drug use that is prevalent in the area.
“We need to do a better job at Mass. and Cass because it really affects this community,” he said. “We need to do a better job at interventions…It has become a place where a lot of people congregate and do bad things. If you have that element continuing without mitigation beating the hell out of the area it’s not going to change much.”
On another topic, an audience member asked how pandemic assistance dollars – such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – have affected the city budget. Collins said he believed that the budget grew without consideration for ARPA funds running out.
“The city’s budget grew by $1 billion over four years and not with a growth mindset,” he said. “That gives a budget not built out through a growth strategy.”
Other notes from the meeting:
•Members Michael Keamy and Julienne Kennedy proposed a campaign to approach commercial property owners who have not kept their properties in good condition. The proposed “beautification” effort has identified a handful of sites on Dorchester Avenue between Freeport Street and Columbia Road that could use some updating. They plan to start the effort with a letter to the owners offering support.
•The annual Halloween Parade and Bulb sale will take place this Sunday (Oct. 18) from 3-to-5 p.m. Participants will gather at McConnell Playground in costume and march to Savin Hill Park – where there will be candy, face-painting and pony rides.
•Neighbors on Annapolis Street have petitioned to eliminate parking on one side of their street – which they argue is too narrow for larger trucks and emergency vehicles to navigate. They have succeeded in getting a petition completed and scheduling a meeting with the city, said Cara Gillis.
Copyright © 2026 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. This content may not be re-published or re-used without written permission.
