The Beacon Hill Business Association's fall general meeting was dominated Wednesday by a presentation from the Beacon Hill Civic Association; and some of the attendees' comments revealed an underlying tension between the two groups.

Convening at the Hampshire House on Beacon St., the business association invited Susie Tapson, a civic association member, to present her group's new community plan. The plan includes initiatives designed to spur community engagement and preserve the historical character of the Hill. One goal is to protect residential housing stock from being converted for non-residential use.

While the meeting's attendees were generally receptive to Tapson's presentation, two business owners said more collaboration was needed.

Babak Bina, co-proprietor of Bina Family Hospitality, on Washington St., argued that the relationship between the two groups had a history of one-sidedness. "When small businesses need their support, they're nowhere to be found," Bina said of the civic association when Tapson opened the floor for comments.

Sara Campbell who Sara Campbell Ltd., a clothing boutique on Charles St., described the challenges she has faced in interacting with the local community. "The business owners have been so kind," Campbell said, "but it's difficult to connect to the residents."

Some efforts are already being made to bring the two groups' goals into closer alignment, such as the newly-formed Joint Charles Street Committee, which is co-chaired by one member from each organization.

Another platform on which both groups are in agreement is the effectiveness of the community's relationship with Project Place, which is helping keep Charles St. clean. Beacon Hill Business Association President Susan Symonds said donations from local business owners have already paid for those newly added services for the remainder of the year.

On a separate note, Symonds had a sweet piece of business news for Beacon Hill residents: Curly Cakes, celebrity chef Todd English's long-anticipated Charles St. bakery, is expected to open during this year's holiday season.