Mayor Marty Walsh has started his second year into his first term while Governor Baker has started his second week in the corner office and already the policy proposals are in full force. Whether it is the growing pains associated with parking in downtown neighborhoods or extending bars and restaurants to 4 a.m., it seems like change proposals are flowing. This week, check out some interesting articles that almost all North End residents can relate too in one way or another.

Unlimited permits strain Boston’s parking system

An onging issue in downtown Boston continues to be residential parking. Boston offers residents a parking permit for every car they own, with no limit on the number held by each household. There are nearly 94,000 residential permits in Boston, though most homes in Boston have just one residential permit, the Globe found more than 300 have five or more. Estimates say that there are 4,000 permits for 1,500 spots in the North End, read more at, The Boston Globe.

Pols slow to embrace Marty Walsh’s late-night push

Mayor Walsh renewed his push to extend late-night hours for bars and restaurants, something Governor Baker is happy to talk about with the Mayor. State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, who represents the bar- and restaurant-heavy North End, noted that it will take some time to figure out how to weigh the economic benefits of the bill against any disruption from late-night revelry. Continue reading at  The Boston Herald.

On that subject, also read:

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh refiles bills to reduce regulations on local businesses, extend city’s bar hours past 2 a.m.

Mayor Walsh refiled a bill to not only allow bars to stay open as late as 4 a.m., but to remove regulations on things like billiards tables and fortune tellers. In an effort to make the city more appealing to young professionals, with the help of North End State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Walsh is pushing a second major change to the city’s liquor regulations that would reform the way punishments for violations are issued. Read what other plans and regulations are proposed at, MassLive.

A Faneuil Hall for Bostonians

The architect who designed Faneuil Hall Marketplace noticed a shift from local businesses to national chains and tourist shops. His assessment was not far off, the marketplace attracts 20 million visitors per year. But howmany Boston residents make it a point to visit the marketplace? The idea of the area being for Bostonians If the Hub is serious about a new “new” Boston in the decades to come, the Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a great place to start. Read some recommendations on where to start at, The Boston Globe.

Extended school day yields mixed results in Boston

A proposal to implement longer school days phasing in a group of 15 to 20 schools each year for the next three years is in progress for Boston schools. Allowing the school system to keep a watchfull eye on the implementation and progress.The latest proposal would add 40 minutes a day to more than 50 elementary, middle, and K-8 schools over the next three years. The plan won support from the Boston Teachers Union. Once fully implemented, the change would cost $12.5 million annually. At the moment, 38 Boston schools have an extended day, including the Eliot K-8 Innovation School in the North End, continue reading at, The Boston Globe.

Boston Releases Plan For Action On Climate Change

John Barros, the Boston’s chief of economic development, recalled what Boston’s Long Wharf looked like last January after a nor’easter brought record high tides. As the city prepares for rising sea levels and climate change it is hard to ignore the thought of the ocean rising 2 to 5 feet. This is one of the many concerns that officials like Barros are taking into account while the City hopes to cut 25% of emissions over the next 10 years. Continue reading and listen in at WBUR Boston.

Old School Meets New School in the North End of Boston

Whether it is the Freedom Trail, the famous North End deserts, the Paul Revere House or the overall Italian culture, the neighborhood certainly has something to offer for everyone – and that goes for everyone of all ages! View this blog posts at The Daily Basics.

Boston’s CityFeast celebrates 10 years with 10 of the North End’s best restaurants

January 25th will be the 1oth year of CityFeast, “Dining out to Conquer Diabetes” featuring some of the North End’s favorite restaurants. Whether it is Antico Forno, Aria Trattoria, Bricco, Lucca, Lucia or any of the other famous places, there is something for everyone. Read more about the cause and event at, Masslive.

Councilors to try again to shield older residents from effects of gentrification

City Councilors Bill Linehan and Steve Murphy are trying to persuade the state legislature to install tax incentives for Boston residents over 55 who meet certain income requirements. The tax break would allow these residents to defer parts of their property tax until they sell their homes. This is the third time Linehan and Murphy have sought the legislative authority needed to let Boston grant deferrals to residents over 55 who have lived in their homes for at least ten years and who make below certain levels defer up to 50% of their annual tax bills. Read more detials on the proposal at, UniversalHub.

Boston Harbor Cruises to repower high speed cat

Boston Harbor Cruises will be drydocking their high speed catamaran Salacia, Provincetown Ferry for a $2.6 million dollar engine refit. The new upgrade will include four MTU 12V 4000 M64 diesel engines that will reduce emissions and increase efficiency and reliability. While the Salacia underwent an extensive $1.5 million interior overhaul last year, this year the focus is on the engine refit which will last about two months. View the post at the Marine Log.

Find any other interesting news the past few days? Great, comment below or shoot us an email!