The North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) held their monthly meeting at the Nazzaro Center on Monday, November 14th. In addition to the normal reports, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz discussed the latest status on the North End Nursing Home, new Airbnb legislation, and a state owned parcel of land at the corner of Cross and Hanover Streets, adjacent to Mother Anna’s.
(7:27 in video) Despite a torn bicep tendon, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz stood in the meeting to report positive news on the North End Nursing Home, where discussions are underway between Partners Healthcare and several other companies looking to operate the nursing home. “We are in a much better place than we were in May or June,” said Representative Michlewitz, who was just elected to his fifth term in office. “Although we have a long road to go, I feel like we are in a great place with Partners.” The operator has assured the Representative that they will come back to the neighborhood and give an update on their plan.
The original proposal called for the North End location to be closed and move the patients and operation to Brighton. In order to make that move, they would have to file with the department of public health. Partners is currently holding the application at the request of several local officials and taking into account the outcry from the North End community.
(21:58) This coming session in January 2017, Representative Michlewitz will be filing a new piece of legislation to help regulate short-term rental businesses like Airbnb. The new the legislation will be comprised of two pieces, regulations for transparency to the landowner and condo association while also adding taxation to this essentially unregulated business.
(30:45) A six month exclusive negotiation has been established between Mother Anna’s restaurant and MassDOT for the rights to buy the property adjacent to Mother Anna’s restaurant on the corner of Cross and Hanover Streets. MassDOT previously released an RFP which received no bids. Representative Michlewitz believes the people who own Mother Anna’s have endured enough with all the trouble of the Big Dig, citing that they deserve to have the option to attain the property and potentially expand their restaurant. Mother Anna’s will have six months of negotiation rights. If no deal can be found the parcel will be reopened up for bid by MassDOT.
NEWNC President John Pregmon and the council wanted to remind people of the Toys for Tots event taking place on December 1st.
