Week in Review: Rutherford Ave. Meeting, Local Crime Stats and Another Shuttle

Life gets busy, and Patch certainly understands that. So with that in mind, here are a few stories you might have missed on Charlestown Patch this week:

1. Surface or Underpass? Charlestown Residents Crowd Final Meeting To Discuss Rutherford Avenue Changes—Charlestown residents who turned out for one final community meeting on the Rutherford Avenue corridor project Thursday night argued passionately for their sides—revisiting old concerns and raising new questions, too.
2. Boston Police: Crime Is Not Up in Charlestown—A recent attack on a woman walking home from the T station has spurred much talk in Charlestown lately about public safety and increased crime. But Boston Police officials say, numbers wise, crime is actually down in the neighborhood.
3. —In anticipation of the “fiscal cliff” combined with projected tax revenues that are more than half a billion dollars lower than previously expected, Gov. Deval Patrick on Tuesday released a revised budget designed to deal with the gap.
4. CNC Awards 2012 Mitigation Grants—Eighteen local organizations will begin or continue good work in Charlestown with the help of mitigation grants awarded through the Charlestown Neighborhood Council. Council member Peg Bradley announced the 2012 recipients at the Tuesday, Dec. 4 meeting held at the Knights of Columbus. 
5. Nonprofit Eyes Navy Yard for New ‘Enviro-Museum’—An organization that works to teach children about science and environmental action is hoping to open a new museum in Charlestown Navy Yard, in Building 114.
6. Can’t Get to City Hall? New ‘City Hall to Go’ Truck Will Come to You—What happens when you mix city hall with a food truck? A bright red, brand new "City Hall to Go" truck traveling through Boston's neighborhoods where residents can perform select city services like requesting birth or marriage certificates or paying parking tickets.
7. Stop and Shop Announces Free Shuttle Schedule—Stop and Shop has joined other area supermarkets companies in offering a free shuttle service to Charlestown residents while the former Johnnie’s Foodmaster is closed. In addition, the Charlestown Neighborhood Council is distributing a complete list of all the shuttle services available.
8. Police Reports: iPad Stolen in High Street Break-in—An unnamed suspect was arrested Sunday, Dec. 2 after he allegedly broke into a house on High Street and stole an iPad and credit cards.
9. Neighborhood Council Launches New Website—The Charlestown Neighborhood Council on Monday launched a new website. Located at charlestownneighborhoodcouncil.org, the website lists the names and email addresses for all council members and committee members as well as upcoming meeting dates, agendas and minutes.
10. PHOTOS: Santa Claus Comes To Charlestown—The man in red visited with children Saturday during the Holiday Stroll.

“Deck the House” Holiday Contest

Patch is looking for the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—with a $100,000 grand prize awarded to the winner’s local school district. Charlestown residents can enter the contest by visiting the “Deck the House” contest page and uploading a photo or video showing their house decorations. Entries will be accepted through Dec. 16. Along with the grand prize winner, Patch will select 24 regional finalists and pay up to $500 of each finalist’s utility bill.

Talk About It

Charlestown Patch is all about you—the news and issues that matter to Charlestown readers. That’s why we occasionally ask readers to respond to polls, talk about local or state issues and submit their own photos and videos as part of our online community.

• Should Police Be Able to Search Your Cell Phone Without a Warrant?
• Cycling Deaths: Who’s to Blame?
• Do You Feel Safe Riding the T?
• What’s Your Favorite Christmas Song?
• What Should William and Kate Name Their Baby?

Did we miss something? Send news tips, comments and suggestions to becca.manning@patch.com.