2012: The Year in Review

Incoming Beacon Hill Civic Association President Keeta Gilmore, with outgoing Executive Director Suzanne Besser and outgoing Chair Ania Camargo at the organization’s 90th annual meeting.

Incoming Beacon Hill Civic Association President Keeta Gilmore, with outgoing Executive Director Suzanne Besser and outgoing Chair Ania Camargo at the organization’s 90th annual meeting.

• On Jan. 4, nearly 200 citizens braved the cold to voice their strong opposition to Capital One Bank’s proposed move to the home of the Charles Street Market at 62-66 Charles St. at a Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) Zoning and Licensing Committee meeting.

• On Jan. 6, William Onuoha stepped down as the city’s neighborhood coordinator/district representative to Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Mission Hill and the Fenway to join the staff of Northeastern University.

• On Feb. 9, The Esplanade Association (TEA) presented its long-term vision for the Charles River Esplanade at a public meeting entitled “Esplanade 2020 Unveiled” at the Copley Square branch of the Boston Public Library.

• In February, the Friends of the Public Garden relocated to 69 Beacon St. from its home of nine years at 87 Mt. Vernon St.

• In February, Linear Realty withdrew its application to the city’s Board of Appeal for a conditional-use change that would enable Capital One Bank to occupy 62-66 Charles St.

• In March, Shaina Aubourg was named the city’s neighborhood coordinator for Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Mission Hill and the Fenway.

• In March, veteran officer Tom Lee was named captain of the Boston Police Department’s Area A-1, replacing Bernie O’Rourke, who was promoted to deputy superintendent.

• On May 17, the Beacon Hill Garden Club sponsored its 83rd annual “Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill” walking tour.

• On May 21, Sharon Malt was awarded the 16th annual Beacon Award during the 90th annual meeting of the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) at the Union Club.

Also, at that time, Steve Young was sworn in as new BHCA chairman and Keeta Gilmore as the organization’s president, along with other officers and board members.

• On May 29, MaryLee Halpin replaced Suzanne Besser as executive director of the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA).

• On June 3, the annual Beacon Hill Art Walk took place.

• On Aug. 23, Friends of the Public Garden sponsored “Puppets on the Common,” which brought puppetry to the Boston Common for the second consecutive year.

• On Sept. 16, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) sponsored the annual Beacon Hill Block Party.

• On Sept. 29, The Esplanade Association (TEA) held its biennial “Moon Dance Gala” on the Charles River Esplanade.

• On Sept. 29, Nancy Schön, the sculptor who brought Mrs. Mallard and her family of aquatic birds from Robert McCloskey’s “Make Way for Ducklings” to life in the Public Garden, and the Friends of the Public Garden sponsored a 25th-birthday celebration for the Boston landmark.

• In September, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) launched a Facebook page.

• On Oct. 9, the Beacon Hill Garden Club joined the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) to sponsor the 54th annual Window Box Contest.

• In October, Dan Taylor was elected sixth president of Beacon Hill Village (BHV), succeeding Frank Mead, who was named chairman of the non-profit.

• On Nov. 14, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) held its annual “Garland and Greens” holiday party at Hampshire House to raise funds to decorate neighborhood gaslamps.

• On Nov. 15, the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission unanimously denied an application from the city’s Public Works Department for the proposed design for curb cuts in the Historic Beacon Hill District.

• In November, Suffolk University announced plans to build a new $62 million classroom facility in the Ashburton Place area while selling off two buildings in residential Beacon Hill.

• On Dec. 5, the Beacon Hill Business Association (BHCA) held its annual Holiday Stroll along Charles Street.

• On Dec. 12, the city’s Zoning Commission voted to ban new billboards and other outdoor adverting in Beacon Hill, the Back Bay, the Financial District and Kenmore Square, and to require approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals for new signs in some industrial sections of South Boston and Newmarket Square.

• In December, Anne Brooke was elected as the second president in the history of the Friends of the Public Garden.

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