Community Government

State of the Neighborhood: Sal LaMattina & Aaron Michlewitz Speak to NEWRA

Posted on Author Matt ContiComments Off on State of the Neighborhood: Sal LaMattina & Aaron Michlewitz Speak to NEWRA

At the April 14, 2011 meeting of the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA), both City Councilor Sal LaMattina and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz gave updates on various issues in the neighborhood. Courtesy of NEWRA, videos of both speeches are presented below with a timeline index so viewers can skip to topics of interest.

Sal LaMattina Video – Timeline Index
00:20    Hanover Street Initiatives, Enforcement, One-Way Concept, Chronicle Story
02:00    Cross Street Pedestrian Plaza
02:50    DeFilippo Playground/Gassy Renovations
03:36    Eliot School Expansion*
06:25    Problem Property Taskforce
07:15    Haymarket Pushcarts

*Councilor Sal LaMattina also spoke about the Eliot school in a recent March 30, 2011 City Council meeting. Use this link to view that video: Order for a hearing to examine Boston Public Schools’ policies regarding school transportation, student assignment, and the school lottery process.  (Councilor LaMattina’s comments on school busing are at 43:55 in the meeting video with specific reference to the Eliot School at 57:15. The entire school discussion starts at 26:20 and runs through 1:02:20.)

Aaron Michlewitz Video – Timeline Index
00:00    Introduction

01:55    Greenway Reform
            An Act relative to the Rose Kennedy Greenway (H 1803)

              Renews state commitment to funding the Greenway another 5 years.
              Lowers the maximum state funding to the Conservancy from $5.5M to $4.0M
              Gives the Greenway Leadership Council veto power over the Conservancy Budget.
              Subjects the Conservancy to the State’s Open Meeting and Open Records laws.

06:20    Car Rental Fees – An Act concerning car rental fees (H 782)
            Exempts Boston and Cambridge residents from paying the surcharge on rental cars that goes to the Boston Convention Center

07:45    Trash Bill – An Act relative to the removal or transportation of trash (H 1546)
            Would allow cities and towns (specifically Boston) to set time restrictions on the removal or transportation of trash.
            Co-sponsored with Representative Marty Walz (Boston)

09:35     Hanover Street Initiatives/Enforcement
        Proposed state grant with the City to study traffic on Hanover St.

11:20    Eliot School Expansion
        “Growth of Eliot School is the #1 Issue”

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Proposal for Boston’s First Electric Vehicle Charging Facility in Bulfinch Triangle

Posted on Author Matt Conti

Bob O’Brien from the Downtown North Association shares this proposal for a “Green Park & Charge” facility in the Bullfinch Triangle on Friend St., in the former location of the old Mobil Station. The proposal is timely, especially in consideration of electric vehicle introductions as recently described in the Boston Herald.

Click image to enlarge.Dinosaur Capital Partners, a Boston-based development and investment group has a purchase and sale agreement on the now-vacant Mobil Station on Friend Street and they are planning to develop that location as Boston’s first electric vehicle charging and parking facility.

Their proposal is more fully described below and is still in the early stages of planning and permitting.  This proposed use will likely require Zoning Board of Appeal approval and a short-term license from the Boston Redevelopment Authority for continued operation of a surface parking lot at this location.  As with other such BRA licenses, which would likely be granted for a period of two-years, this would be considered an interim use until higher and better development options become viable; and the new prospective owner has indicated their openness to further redevelopment of this site, either alone or in conjunction with adjacent property owners, at the appropriate time. Such a further redevelopment could well include an electric vehicle charing and parking facility as an ancillary use.  

Below is more information from the proponent of Green Park & Charge:
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Mask Orders Ready for Pick Up

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Earlier this month, Maria the Dressmaker put her skills to work making masks to help with the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, Maria has been busy filling orders! Mask orders ready to be picked up are displayed in the image below. Fulfilled orders begin with those placed on April 11 – 13. An envelope with your Read More…
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Neighborhood Night Kickoff at North Street Grille

Posted on Author Matt Conti

The first Neighborhood Night kicked off at North Street Grille this week with $750 raised to toward a turkey drive at the North End / West End ABCD Center. Held on the first Thursday of the month, the series donates 30% of proceeds to a local charity. The next Neighborhood Night is set for December Read More…