Flynn Calls For Office of Pest Control in City of Boston

In a key effort to tackle the persisting issue of rats in the City of Boston, Council President Flynn is calling for a hearing on the creation of an Office of Pest Control to lead rodent mitigation operations. This follows a recent hearing in which Councilors Flynn, Breadon, Coletta and city officials at the Inspectional Services Department, Public Works and Code Enforcement discussed the City’s multi-pronged approach towards tackling pest control. Council President Flynn will introduce this hearing order at this week’s Boston City Council meeting.

Since the pandemic, pest control has become a major quality of life issue for residents as food sources moved from restaurants directly to residents’ homes, as well as an uptick of reports of rodent activity and sightings to the city. At the hearing, the Councilors noted that this issue of pest control has become a top constituent complaint across neighborhoods in Boston.

“We have to step up our efforts to address this serious public health and quality of life issue,” said Council President Flynn. “While I commend the

Public Works and Inspectional Services team for the great work that they are already doing, we need additional resources and to designate one point person in the City that has overall responsibility and authority on all matters relating to rats and pest control. The creation of an Office of Pest Control would provide the attention and oversight that our neighbors and taxpayers deserve to oversee the City’s rodent mitigation efforts.”

Council President Flynn noted that he is following the development of New York City’s rodent control plans closely and that he has spoken with Mayor Wu’s administration about the creation of a pest control office. Council President Flynn envisions that the responsibilities of this position would in large part include educational outreach, as well as collective coordination with several municipal departments, residents and neighborhood associations to address this public health emergency.

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

Polish Flag Raising at City Hall

11:00 am

Polish Flag Raising on City Hall Plaza - Reception immediately following in the Piemonte Room, City Hall, 5th floor

The South Boston Spring Stroll, Thursday, May 4, starting at 4 p.m. Shop, Sip & Save at the South Boston Spring Stroll

In a celebration of spring, the South Boston Chamber of Commerce and South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (SBNDC) are excited to promote the annual Spring Stroll on Thursday, May 4, starting at 4 p.m.

The Chamber and SBNDC invite you to come out that night and leisurely stroll along Broadway and beyond with your neighbors, friends, and family for an enjoyable evening of incredible discounts, refreshments, and other special promotions from boutiques, salons, and specialty shops. Start or end your evening with a bite to eat or a beverage at one of your favorite restaurants. This is a great time to start your Mother’s Day shopping!

This one-night event will feature the Late Risers strolling along East and West Broadway from 5-7 p.m. Free Pedicabs will be available from 6-8 p.m. to whisk you along Broadway and beyond to and from your favorite business establishments.

For more information and updates visit: southbostonchamber.org/spring-stroll

Participating businesses (with more to come):

Bohdii, 398 W. Broadway

Bringing Up Baby, 663 E. Broadway

The Broadway, 726 E. Broadway

City of Boston Credit Union, 455 West Broadway

Deirfiúr Home, 735 E. Broadway

Habit, 703 E. Broadway

HarborOne Bank, 14 W. Broadway

House of Ivy, 699 E Broadway

Indulge Day Spa, 637 E. Broadway

JP Licks, 397 W. Broadway

Love Child, 364 W. Broadway

LUXE Home Interiors, 66A L Street

Join Boston’s Polish-American community on May 21st, as we raise the Polish flag over City Hall Plaza. The flag will fly in honor of Polish Constitution Day and Polish Fest Boston. The event is sponsored and hosted by Erin Murphy, Boston City Councilor, At-Large.

12:00 pm

Polish Club Boston and the community will be recognized by Boston City Council on the council floor

Micro Plant Studio, 365 W. Broadway

The Paramount, 667 E. Broadway

The Point Clothing Lounge, 135 Emerson St. Publico, 11 Dorchester St.

Stapleton Floral, 635 E. Broadway

It Takes a Community: Fran Dempsey

boss and neighbor. An employee, Junior, works at one of the two always busy bays, while Fran wrestles with a difficult tire. Junior speaks easily even as he focuses on a mass of auto parts. “Fran, I love the guy, everyone does. He is the best. He knows everyone and everything and is great to work for. He’s honest. How long have I worked here? Not long, just about eight years,” he said. There have been changes in the community and changes in cars over the years.

By Carol Masshardt

It is rare for a community to have an auto mechanic that seems to be universally trusted, and one in love what he has been doing since the early 1970’s. South Boston can count itself among the lucky with Fran Dempsey of Fran’s Auto Body on 43 Preble St.

“I’m a Southie guy,” said Fran as if this phrase alone told the story of his growing up on L. St., working at “Billy Higgins Exon” and Emerson Auto before opening his own place in 1993. “It’s pretty simple,” he said. “This is my town and I love what I have been doing, and all my customers. I do the right thing and word gets around.”

Now at sixty-eight, a father of four and grandfather, this is not the first time Fran has been singled out. He was awarded an Unsung Hero award some years ago, and he knows, but doesn’t dwell on his outstanding ratings on every known auto repair review site. His customers with cars new and old are treated honestly and as he says services are offered “at a good price.” Quality and price, with concern for customers, are at the core of his business, but there is more.

Fran Dempsey is a beloved

“Cars are more complicated,” Fran explained, “but you have more information with computer systems.” The neighborhood has had some stark changes, too. “There are far fewer families and look around,” he said. “It is so different.”

Still, he thinks about cars and the mistakes people make and perhaps always have. “They neglect oil changes, and drive with engine lights on, and drive in overheated cars,” he said, naming but a few preventable repairs. His lot is filled several deep with Chevy’s, Jeep’s Toyota’s and an Audi on an ordinary day.

Fran, married to Maureen, graduated from South Boston High, and played ball at M. St. Park and hockey around town. His memory is sharp and experience with cars is unparalleled. In fact, if he can ever be convinced to retire, he has, along with a family, some antique cars and a Harley just waiting for his attention.

One quality unlikely to ever change is his motivation to “try like crazy to help.” On a given morning he had a thorny damaged tire on the vehicle of a woman needing to get to work, ceaseless phone calls with new jobs needing attention yesterday, and a full lot of cars left in his good hands. His conflict seems more in telling callers to “bring it in tomorrow” when he wishes he could do it immediately.

A neighbor, Roy Henderson, doing some painting, stopped to offer his view, as I wrote this interview on the go as Fran was over and under cars, and talking to waiting customers and his crew.

“I just want to say how much he helps the community. Take me, for example, He gave me this painting job when I didn’t have a dime in my pocket. He gave me work, and he is a wonderful guy. God bless him,” said Henderson.

There is a reason Fran

Dempsey earns five stars for services otherwise known to cause stress and dissatisfaction, when we all think our cars should run forever and at minimal expense. There is a reason someone who has known Fran from the old days, or who has moved in last week, or is passing through, notices his physical and mental energy. Meanwhile, he hints at retirement but, fortunately for South Boston people and their cars, it is a passing thought as an over-headed car is towed in.