SBOL_01_11_2024

THURSDAY JANUARY 11, 2024

SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Mayor Wu’s “State of the City” Address

by Rick Winterson

P

romptly at 7:30 on Tue sd ay e ven ing , B o s t o n’s Mayor Michelle Wu took the stage to deliver her address describing Boston’s “State of the City”. This covered the twelve months that have elapsed since her first progress report on Boston last January. In addition to 2023, many of her comments

dealt with 2024 and where Boston is headed in the years beyond.

As in 2023, Wu’s “State of the City” event was held in the MGM Music Hall, a 5,000-seat venue at Fenway Park. It appeared to us that the Hall was completely filled For a half-hour prior to the Mayor’s address, loca l musicians pleasantly entertained t he g a t he r i n g a u d ie nc e .

Unfortunately, just as Mayor Wu went onstage, a couple of Palestinian protesters jumped up in front ofthe Hall’s stage, hoisted a Palestinian f lag, and then started yelling “Cease Fire NOW!” Leaf lets were thrown from the balcony; a banner saying “Boston Complicit in Genocide” was draped over the balcony railing. Police promptly Continued on Page 2

Celebrating Three Kings Day

City Councilor Flynn and South Boston En Accion Host Event

C

it y C ou nc i lor Ed Flynn and S out h B o s t on En Accion Executive Director Mercy Robinson celebrated

Three Kings Day with a wellattended community supper Wednesday evening at the West Broadway Community Center.

“I’m honored to partner with Mercy on this wonderful Three Kings event,” Councilor Flynn said, noting it’s an important Continued on Page 4

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Continued from Page 1

Mayor Wu t h re w t he demon s t r ator s out.

Mayor Wu kept her composure by stating, “This is our democracy at work.”

To her credit, Mayor Wu didn’t let her talk be affected by the demonstration. She spoke by rote for a half-hour, seemingly with great conf idence.

She really appeared to be enjoying herself as her talk progressed.

Right up front, she emphatically stated, “The State of our City is strong!”, which garnered the first of many rounds of applause from the audience.

In recognizing that housing, especially affordable housing, is perhaps the most important and difficult issue in Boston right now, Wu said something that could become a local City slogan: “It all begins with housing, because home is the place where

everything starts.” She went on to speak of currently keeping 400 families in their homes during 2024, concluding with telling the audience that Boston recently approved a ten-year high number of affordable housing units and that federal assistance ($100,000,000) for 3,000 public homes is available to Boston over the next ten years.

And look for Boston’s “Squares and Streets” rezoning effort that is beginning as you read this.

Education was also a key

topic in the Mayor’s address.

Among the items she mentioned were several steps that will improve Boston public schools’ access to college level courses.

Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, and UMass Boston are all taking part in a project called “Year 13”.

You’ll soon hear much more about these programs, some of which offer a way to obtain a full first year of college credits. And there’s a wide spectrum of other

BPS improvements on the way – free access on Sundays to museums, the aquarium, and the zoo, along with electric school buses and the renovation of White Stadium.

Among many other topics, the Mayor thanked the City’s employee in her address. The police took 800 guns off the streets last year and closed Mass/ Cass. Boston’s firefighters fought some 300 fires. Thousands of street potholes were filled and paved over. Mayor Wu ended her address at 8:02 – exactly in a half-hour, which included many rounds of applause. In closing, she repeated her initial reference to “home”, saying, “Thank you, all of you, for making Boston a home.” We can only suggest that you get a copy of the Annual “State of the City” address.

T hen, be sure t hat your comments on Boston’s 2 023 -2 024 prog re s s a re made loudly and clearly.

Mayor Wu Also Highlighted: Collaborating on a public health-led approach at Mass & Cass that has removed encampments and helped hundreds of people find housing and begin a path to recovery; Partnering on a community-driven safety plan that has achieved the lowest levels of gun violence on record; Negotiating a new police contract that sets a national precedent for community policing, including discipline reform, detail reform, and investing in officer education; Launching a $10 million life sciences workforce initiative with industry to connect residents with careers in the life sciences, and diversify and strengthen the sector at a moment of groundbreaking achievement by Boston-based companies; More than doubling the amount awarded to businesses owned by people of color and Boston-based companies through City contracts, including through the City’s nation-leading sheltered markets program to address racial disparities in contracting. Mayor Wu also announced a $9 million investment to build local businesses’ capacity to compete for more and bigger contracts; Restructuring the BPDA to elevate planning and design; modernizing development review, and launching the first comprehensive rezoning in decades, Squares & Streets, which kicks off next month. In July, BPDA staff will transition to the City—restoring planning as a core function of City government.

Drafting a zero net carbon zoning proposal to help make Boston the greenest city in the nation; Adding e-bikes to Bluebikes and, in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, launching the lowest-cost annual bikeshare pass in America; Tackling traffic by using machine learning to measure trends, model traffic flow, detect when and where congestion is worst, and help optimize signal timing to unclog key corridors.

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Letter to the Editor Councilors Murphy and Flynn Concerned Non-BPS Students being Excluded Free Admission to Boston’s Cultural institutions for BPS Families (Mayor Michelle Wu announced an unprecedented partnership between the City a n d l ea ding c u lt u ral i n s t it u t ion s to m a k e Boston Public School s students feel at home in the places that show them the world. The program builds on existing access programs at each institution, while, for the first time, creating a common f ree access e x per ience coordinated by the City.

In an experimental pilot, starting in February 2024, on the first and second Sundays of each month, every BPS student and up to three family members will get f ree admission to the Boston Children’s Mu seum , the Franklin Park Zoo, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium.

Families will show a BPS school ID or an electronic pass to gain admission. The City and institutions will work together to publicize the prog ram and track attendance, and develop plans to extend this pilot).

Just moments a f ter t he announcement, we heard from parents, fa milies and school leaders from across the cit y, from PJP Catholic Academy in Dorchester, to the Jewish Day School in Brighton, to a South End private school, who

felt excluded a nd cautioned t h at f i n a nc i a l c on s t r a i nt s could keep them and others from enjoying all that Boston’s museums, art, and recreation centers have to offer. W hile we are happy to hear the BPS students and families will be able to more easily access many

of Boston’s social hubs, we want to ensure that a ll Cit y k ids are included. We join in the concern that deserving students and families will be left out if non-BPS students are denied the same free access to these cultural institutions. We will continue to advocate for every

Boston student and family as this program is launched and unfolds, and we look forward to the continued work of making sure no one gets left behind.

Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn

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Continued from Page 1

Three Kings Day day, especially in the Latinx community. “I just want to say thank you, Mercy, for the great

work you do in the community.”

Mercy was happy to see everyone come out for the event.

“When we come together as a community, when we get to know each other as neighbors, we have love for one another.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

We really are changing the structure of the community.”

At-large Councilor Erin Murphy noted that Councilor Flynn, during redistricting, talked a lot about SBEA and how it works hard to uplift the voices

of its residents and make sure they are receiving the support they need from City Hall.

Councilor Flynn’s assistant, Ana Calderon, a member of SBE A, provided translation and helped ser ve the food.

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THURSDAY JAUARY 11, 2024

Technology Is Here; Let’s Take Advantage of It

by Rick Winterson

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e have always felt that South Boston is a uniquely memorable place, due to its history, geography, and sense of community. And in addition, there’s no question that technology is rapidly developing everywhere, including here in the old hometown itself. Science is rapidly making discoveries that quickly lead to technical developments all over the Earth. To use the popular technical jargon, many people in the sciences are making “quantum leaps” of discovery right now. Do any of these “quantum leaps” have an effect on or in South Boston? Let’s look at some scientific achievements so you can form your own opinion.

First of all, you know that modern solar energy cells are a way to generate power without adding any “greenhouse gases” to the atmosphere. Currently, solar cells are made mostly from silicon, but another material called “perovskite” – a calcium titanium oxide – is better than silicon at absorbing sunlight and converting it to electricity cleanly and eff iciently.

Perovsk ite was first discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains; it has recently been found in Arkansas. Solar cells from silicon with added perovskite are super-efficient.

Secondly, medical science has made advances that are nothing short of colossal. Think about the anti-COVID vaccines, which were first developed in the extremely short time of just four months. Lately, medical science has also come up with a treatment for sick le cell anemia based upon CR ISPR, the gene editing technolog y.

A nd successf u l weight-loss drugs, such as Mounjaro and Wegov y, are ma k ing news even though they are really expensive and their long-term effects, besides loss of weight, are still not very well known.

We ’ l l expa nd upon “Life Sciences” and “Energ y Generat ion” here, bec au se both are becoming connected to the South Boston scene: Energ y G ener at ion i s essential (of course) for our daily heating and lighting. Fuel is required to energize vehicle travel, in both private and public transport. Energy costs a lot also, and as we mentioned above, most current energ y sources contribute to the atmosphere’s greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide and methane.

Last year, by all measures, was the worst global warming on record.

It led to storms, brush fires, polar icecap melting, and local f looding from wind-driven tides.

Charging autos and trucks with electricity from nuclear power plants and heating homes with solar panels on roofs are two highly effective ways to reduce pollution and carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Furthermore, there are other ways to ma ke add itiona l major improvements in energy generation here in Boston. For example, small modular reactors (called “SMR s”) are nuclear generators of electric power that can be safely and easily located near neighborhoods. Heat pumps are devices powered electrically that can heat or cool buildings.

Life Sciences have become a part of South Boston; many have located here. Now, think about the economic effect that the Life Sciences have had on the South Boston scene,

especially over in the Seaport District. Vertex was the first to relocate here and is now highly successful – their Seaport headquarters employ many; their life science discoveries have brought t hem much added business.

Foundation Medicine is relocating to the new WS Development building at 400 Summer Street. Eil Lilly and Company, the worldwide $30 billion pha rmaceutica l corporation, is moving into the new Necco Way Point building

in Fort Point that was originally going to be the headquarters for Genera l Electric.

We will continue to report occasionally on scientific and technical advances that affect South Boston.

These could include high-tech computer chips and more life science discoveries.

A rtif icia l Intelligence (now called “AI”) has experienced phenomenal growth just since 2022. Please remember that OpenAI’s “ChatGPT” was chosen as the 2023 Word of the Year!

Virtual Public Meeting

43 Preble Street J ANUARY

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6:00 PM -7:30 PM

Zoom Link: bit.ly/47rqzEb Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 528 7518

Project Description: The proposed project consists of 31 new residential home ownership units with 5 affordable units as well as approximately 759 square feet of ground floor commercial space.

mail to: Stephen Harvey Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617-918-4418 email: stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov

Close of Comment Period: 2/9/2024 Website: bit.ly/43-preble-street

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

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THURSDAY JANUARY 11, 2024

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Boston Police Recruitment Drive at the Curley Community Center in South Boston BPD In The Community Officers assigned to the C-6 Community Service Team held a recruitment drive at the Curley Community Center gym. They were joined by longtime Boston resident and Congressman Stephen Lynch who also did his part in helping to drive recruitment for the upcoming Massachusetts Civil Service Exam. If you’re interested in a career in law enforcement and want to join the first established police force in America, go apply for the Civil Service Exam today.

The application deadline is January 16, 2024, follow the link below to sign up now.

BPDnews.com/ joinbpd

PUBLIC NOTICE: FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION ON MCCA CYPHER STREET REMEDIATION PROJECT On Thursday, January 11 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority will host a community discussion at CRISPR Therapeutics, located at 105 West First Street in South Boston, regarding an upcoming soil remediation project on Cypher Street.

MCCA officials will be presenting and available to answer questions.

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THURSDAY JAUARY 11, 2024

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Gate of Heaven Parish News All are welcome to come to the monthly Coffee and Conversation on Sunday, January 14th, 2024 after the 9AM Mass In the Downstairs Hall at Gate of Heaven Church

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION (APCC) PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Boston Air Pollution Control Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on January 17, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/86329377111. The Commission will consider the proponent’s request for a modified permit for a facility located at 244-284 A St, South Boston, MA, pursuant to the Procedures and Criteria for the Issuance of Parking Freeze Permits adopted under M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 31C.

The Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law

Criminal Defense Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accidents Establishment of Corporations, LLCs Wills & Estate Planning Real Estate Litigation Probate No Charge for Initial Consultation

82 West Broadway South Boston, MA (617)269-1993 pgannon@paulgannonlaw.com

This modification consists of 345 commercial spaces and 70 residential excluded spaces in a garage. The existing facility consists of 814 commercial parking spaces. This permit modification is to demolish the existing surface parking lot in order to redevelop the site and build an underground parking garage. Issuance of the permit would return 469 spaces to the South Boston parking freeze bank.

NOTE: In accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting will only take place virtually at https://us02web. zoom.us/j/86329377111. If you are unable to access the internet, you can call 1-929-205-6099, enter Meeting ID 863 2937 7111 # and use # as your participant ID. Translation and sign language interpreters will be provided upon prior request. A copy of the application is available for public inspection at Boston City Hall, Room 709, from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday (by appointment only), or you may request a digital copy by email at APCC@boston. gov. Questions should be directed to: APCC@boston.gov or 617-635-3850.

For the Commission, Katherine Eshel, Interim Executive Director Air Pollution Control Commission

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South Boston Catholic Academy News

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ur wonder f u l students in Mrs. Kellie Defelice 3A class did a fantastic job leading the students, families, faculty and staff at South Boston Catholic Academy in the School Mass on Monday, January 8, 2024, which celebrated the Baptism of our Lord.

The students did an outstanding job participating at this Mass as Greeters, Readers, and Bringing up the Gifts to the Altar. The SBCA Children’s Choir also did an amazing job singing. Thank you to Mrs. Kellie Defelice, our Music Teacher, Mr. Carol Bunyi and our Parish Music Director and Organist, Ms. Kathy Clancy.

Our Parochial Vicar, Father Peter Schirripa, was the celebrant at this Mass. Father Peter spoke about the importance of our Baptism.

“Baptism is the sacrament of

regeneration and initiation into the church that was begun by Jesus, who accepted baptism from St. John the Baptist and also ordered the Apostles to baptize in the

name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. (Matthew 28:19).

Just as each person’s Birthday is special and unique, so is the day on which each of us is Baptized.

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