SBOL_05_06_2021

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

South Boston Community Health Center Distributes 20,000 Vaccines

by Rick Winterson

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here’s no question that we are making significant progress in combatting the COV ID19 pa ndem ic .

Pa ndem ic protocols a re being pa r t ly loosened; medical officials and professionals confirm that the Coronavirus surge is “receding” (to use their word). The major key to the success of our efforts ha s undoubted ly been t he discovery, development, delivery, and dosage of countless millions of vaccine injections all over the United States, which have been administered locally by our own medical personnel, assisted by many volunteers. It has been a resoundingly successful effort!

A press conference was held by South Boston’s

Congressman Stephen Lynch delivers his congratulations to the SBCHC and its hard-working vaccination staff during his recent press conference.

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, 8t h Congressiona l District, which took place at the South Boston Communit y Hea lt h C enter (t he SBCHC) la st Thursday. The Congressman’s

press e v e nt specif ica lly re c o g n i z e d t he e f f e c t i ve , efficient way the SBCHC had set up its vaccination center and then administered 20,000 dosages (so far) both rapidly

and conveniently to its South Boston patient s a nd loc a l residents. Capably led by Health Center CEO Bill Halpin and Chief Medica l Of f icer Dr. Nisha Thakrar, the SBCHC Continued on Page 3

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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Increased Fines for Large House Parties in Southie Councilors Flynn & Flaherty File Hearing Order to Discuss Increased Fines for Large House Parties Disturbing Neighbors’ Quality of Life

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oston City Councilor Ed Flynn & Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty are calling for a hearing at this week’s City Council meeting to discuss increasing fines for large house parties, and ways to provide stricter enforcement rules regarding large house parties, indoor gatherings, and the city’s noise ordinance. There have been an overwhelming number of reports of large house parties in South Boston that are disruptive to their neighbors, with many residents highlighting noise and trash removal issues as negatively impacting their quality of life. This hearing order aims to discuss the possibility of substantially increasing the fines for large house parties, so that the city can ensure that both noise and public health regulations are followed.

Neighbors have reported large house parties, oftentimes between 30-40 people, hosted by renters with absentee landlords. Even as more people are getting vaccinated, large

house parties are concerning not only because of their potential to become superspreader events, but also due to their noise and impact on the quality of life for our residents. These partiers often disturb neighbors with loud noises at all hours of the day and night, and leave behind trash and litter on the street which attracts rodents and pests. In Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Order #63, it stated that no private gatherings be more than 10 persons in a single enclosed, indoor space, and failure to comply may result in a civil fine of up to $500 per violation. Last fall, Councilor Flynn and Councilor Flaherty held a hearing with the administration and city officials on this issue.

However, despite the Governor’s order and public health guidance, there are many reports of large house parties all over the city, with 600 911 calls in one weekend alone in South Boston. Residents are to report large house parties to the Boston Police Department at 911, which can trigger the Inspectional Services Department’s Investigation & Enforcement team to review the properties, potentially place them on the city’s Problem Properties List

and issue a $500 fine, with the owner of the property required to address these violations. Aside from issuing fines for violating the Governor’s COVID-19 orders, the City of Boston should also look to issue increased fines, perhaps starting at $1,000 for a first offense, and explore $2,000 for a second offense, and $3,000 for a third offense for those that repeatedly violate the city’s noise ordinance.

“I’ve heard from literally hundreds of neighbors that are outraged over these huge house parties in South Boston. Time and again we’re seeing renters, from absentee landlords, who want to extend their college frat days every Thursday to Sunday at all hours while showing blatant disrespect for their neighbors next door; young families, our seniors and persons with disabilities. The neighbors that helped to build this city, that live here and contribute to their community, that are paying increased property taxes while dealing with more quality of life issues - they’ve had enough,” said Councilor Flynn. “This is not only a public health issue with potential superspreader events in COVID-

19, but it will undoubtedly continue to present these quality of life issues beyond it. It’s critical that the City of Boston get a handle on this and look to increase the fines for those who violate state and city regulations, so that we help keep our neighborhoods peaceful, healthy and clean. I look forward to continuing to work with Councilor Flaherty, the Boston Police, ISD, public health officials, neighbors, and civic organizations on this issue.”

“Enough is enough. These out of control parties have been a burden on South Boston and communities across the city for too long,” said Councilor Flaherty. “We have tried to control them with the tools currently available to us, but these landlords and their tenants are not getting the message. It is time to hit absentee landlords and their tenants in the pocketbooks with increased penalties. We have no other choice if we stand any chance of improving the quality of life for our residents.”

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

Happy Mother’s Day Wishes to all Mothers God Bless all mothers on this upcoming Mother’s Day weekend and always, from all of us at South Boston Catholic Academy!

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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Continued from Page 1

Vaccine vaccination staff ’s performance to date has been outstanding.

A lso at tend ing Ly nch ’s press conference were State Rep. David Biele, City Councilor Ed Flynn, and Councilor-at-Large Michael Flaherty. Patrick Forde, an Aide from State Sen. Nick Collins’ office, represented the Senator. First came a guided tour of the vaccination center, followed by a gathering in the press tent outside. Many members of the SBCHC staff, including Director of Clinical Operations Jocelyn Guggenheim and Nursing Director Andrea Smith, also attended the press conference. But please note that vaccinating at the same, highly efficient pace continued without stopping a ll during the press conference – even though it was raining that day.

South Boston Online will mention a few numbers, to show just how well the SBCHC has been performing. A fter last fall’s COVID siege, the SBCHC got its vaccination center set up in just three days. And this was despite being in old buildings that required modern, efficient ventilation as well as many other ser vice features.

The SBCHC has 10,000 patients, most of whom come from South Boston, of course. However, some come here from the South End, Milton, Braintree, and even the North Shore.

The

Dr. Nisha Thakrar, Chief Medical Officer at the SBCHC, conducts a tour of the Center’s COVID vaccination site on Silver Street, between E and F.

South Boston’s elected officials at the Health Center nearly 20,000 dosages, including those for 94% of its personnel, makes our Health Center the busiest one (for its size) in Ma s s ac hu se t t s. Vac ci n at ion follow-ups have numbered some 2,700. The SBCHC was the first operation to become what is called a vaccination “Hub”.

Every week since it was opened, the SBCHC has exceeded its pre v iou s week vac ci nat ion

numbers.

A nd government funding available for all such centers has now reached $7.6 billion ($7,600,000,000). We are all very, very serious about overcoming t his pa ndemic.

Congressma n Ly nch delivered his hea r t felt c ompl i me nt s a nd t h a n k s to the Health Center as his press conference progressed.

Rep. David Biele stated how

proud he was of the number of vaccinations that had been administered. Councilor Flynn added, “It’s great to be here.

Thanks to all the staff.” In her closing rema rk s, Chief Me d ic a l O f f ic er T h a k r a r mentioned the crucial roles and the long, hard work schedules that have been f illed by the Health Center’s skilled, highly motivated nurses.

Happy Mother's Day!

THANK YOU TO ALL THE MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, STEPMOTHERS, GODMOTHERS AND MOTHER FIGURES FOR YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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Dan McCole – A Recent Profile

by Rick Winterson

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an McCole is best known for his artistic creations, especially his skillfully tinted watercolor paintings. His in-depth talents need no reviewing. All that needs to be said is, “When you first see a painting by Dan, you immediately know it’s his.”

Dan attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston.

For many years, the school trained and developed local artists, some of whom are still active in the arts.

Among them were comic book artist Bill Everett (the creator of “SubMariner”) and Robert McCloskey (illustrator/author of “Make Way for Ducklings”). Vesper George was known for employing many of its graduating student artists as instructors while they developed their own careers. Dan studied under the highly regarded Boston watercolorist, James Wingate Parr – “A great instructor, who taught each student at his or her own level”,

according to Dan. He worked summers in Provincetown so he could continue to train with Parr, and that brought about his first art sale – for all of $40, to Henry Ford, Jr., who was visiting the Cape.

But here’s the odd part: After graduating, Dan went to work for the Herald as an illustrator for ten years. He opened up the Weymouth News and then sold it. After that he gypsied with the Transcript in Dedham, worked in Plymouth for five years as Register of Deeds, and consulted with an Irish paper here for a couple of years. The odd part is that in all that time (35 years), Dan did only one painting, which he hung on his own wall.

But the artist in him couldn’t be denied. In 1985, Dan took up art again by enrolling in watercolor classes in Duxbury. He entered art shows and exhibits, accepted an occasional commission, and expanded his offerings by creating prints from his original paintings. He and local oil painter Norm Crump

Michael Flaherty Boston City Councilor At-Large

Among Dan’s own personal favorites is this striking scene, based upon the view down a road in Galway, Ireland, that’s entitled “Going into Exile”. opened their own gallery in the Seaport on Northern Avenue. And he worked for the Herald once again, staying in the news business until he retired in 2001. Dan’s favorite story about himself tells when he actually burst into the Herald’s press room and yelled, “STOP the ______ presses!!!” And they stopped (A Herald headline stating that Gore had won the 2000 Presidential election was mistakenly being printed).

It has been another 35 years since Dan returned to creative work. He has evolved into a very fine, distinctive artist who creates full time, mostly in watercolors. He has also overseen volunteer crews, who created three notable murals around here – in Andrew Square (from an old MBTA photo), and two from paintings by Ireland’s John Skelton, on the Curley Center’s beachfront (“Bringing the Boat In”) and on the McDonough Sailing Pavilion (“Launching the Curraghs”).

Dan jokingly insists that he now has become a “big time artist”, because his well-known watercolor of the Clydesdales in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was stolen from his and Norm’s gallery some years ago – just like the theft from the Gardner Museum. But when asked about the themes behind his works of art, he quite seriously replies, “I want them to be records of the times, or of times gone by.”

Look carefully at Dan’s painting (photo attached) that he calls “Going

into Exile”. The small, distant figures to the left of center are leaving Ireland to immigrate into the U.S. They will never return, not even for a visit.

The crowd assembled on both sides has sent them off after a farewell gathering that resembled an Irish wake. Note the lines of the houses that converge on those in the distance - departing forever. The painting tells a story, not only of Ireland but also of everyone who ever immigrated here.

When asked about his plans for future works of art at the end of this interview, Dan emphatically stated, “I still have a million subjects I’d like to do!”

A McCole original in the works – he plans to paint City Hall and the State House in its background, along with the Capitol Building, to reflect Secretary Marty Walsh’s new position in D.C

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

Garden Evenings Still Happen

by Rick Winterson

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here still are garden areas in and around South Boston. That’s in spite of the 21st Century urge we all seem to have, which forces us to build or expand something into and onto every scrap of open space South Boston possesses. In addition, the time we spend in the late-afternoon, early-evening commuter rush has become more of a bad joke about obstacle courses than anything else. But there are still exceptions to these “modern customs”.

The garden to the rear of the Morris residence in City Point is an

example. It is set upon a rectangular plot of ground that roughly approximates the Ancient Greek ideal of the “perfect rectangle” – the one that, among its other virtues, is considered most pleasing to the human eye. With a central pathway paved with brick and surrounded by flowering trees and plants, the Morris’s garden combines the classic with the informal. The red and yellow tulips were just past their peak, the weeping cherry tree was in bloom, and the azaleas’ red buds were coming in. The gate ajar at their garden’s back border seemed to extend a soundless welcome to anyone who happened to be walking by.

Instead of commuting, as Vespers passed and Compline approached the Morrises served a high tea. This was carefully composed of quiche avec brocoli, a spikily tart relish, and of course hot tea – not iced. The urge to recall relaxed, more leisurely times (better times?) was irresistible, so we conversed, looked back for a while, and then recalled them.

Happy Mother’s Day

State Representative David Biele

“Happy Mother’s Day to my mom & all mothers on this special day!”

City Councilor Ed Flynn

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On the Road to Success From Southie to Penn State: McRae Wiederer has Always Known her Career Path A dog named Boo solidified McRae Wiederer’s goal to become a veterinarian.

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n second grade, the daughter of Ed Wiederer and Ginger DeShaney decided she wanted to be a vet. But she only lived with cats, so when she befriended Boo at the Paraclete Center, before she was even a student there, she asked the staff if she could walk the dog every once in a while to see if being a vet was something she really wanted.

“I said I wanted to be a vet in second grade, but that’s just something second-graders say,” said McRae. “So I wanted to confirm that I wanted to be a veterinarian. And that’s what taking care of Boo did.”

Her friendship with Boo -- and two Adventures in Veterinary Medicine sessions (middle school and high school) at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, which was “ more confirmation that I wanted to be a vet” -- led McRae to commit to Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College to study veterinary and biomedical sciences.

She selected Penn State for its honors college: “It will give me a leg up at the school and provide access to a lot of opportunities I might not have otherwise.”

She is looking forward to going to a Big Ten school, McRae said. “I want that traditional college experience, cheering on Division 1 teams and studying what I want to study.”

McRae eventually participated in the Paraclete’s robotics program

and science classes. “A lot of the stuff I learned in school was just very basic stuff, but it wasn’t enough,” she said. “I wanted to know more things and the Paracelete offered specific classes. And the robotics program set me up well for the O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science.”

The Paraclete is just one Southie institution that has had an impact on McRae. She also credits Miss Linda’s School of Dance, Gatey Basketball, and Little League Baseball with shaping the person she is today. South End Soccer (which has players from Southie) is also a big part of her life.

McRae has taken dance classes from Miss Linda for the last 12 years.

“It’s been my only creative outlet,” said the O’Bryant senior, noting everything else she does is sports- or academic-related. McRae will look to continue tap dancing at Penn State.

Gatey basketball set up McRae for her high school team. “I was better off for high school basketball because of the foundation I received in the Gatey league,” she said.

South End Soccer has led her to excel on her high school soccer team and South End travel teams. For the last two years, she was captain of the O’B team.

After aging out of T-ball, McRae played Southie Little League Baseball, one of only a few girls in the league for the seasons she played. “Little League made me very competitive,” she said. “I needed to prove to the coaches that I had as much a right to be there as all of the boys.”

McRae boasts a 4.7 grade-point

Paraclete Center dog Boo helped McRae Wiederer solidify her plans to become a vet. average on a 4.0 scale. She’s taken nine AP courses in high school.

While remote learning was not ideal for her, McRae worked hard to continue her streak of straight A’s through middle and high school. She is currently in the hybrid learning model.

McRae chose the O’Bryant for its math and science focus. As a freshman, she was selected for the biomedical pathway, “which set me up for vetrelated opportunities.” She learned the skills necessary to determine diagnoses and how to write medical papers as the class required reports on different diseases every week.

Her favorite classes have been math and history. “Math is very practical and very logical,” traits McRae espouses. “History makes less sense to me but it’s fun to learn,” she said, noting she’s had amazing history teachers at the O’B. McRae is a member of National

Honor Society, the O’B ScholarAthlete Advisory Committee, and the Scholar-Athlete Ambassador Program. She is currently a manager of the O’B softball team.

During her senior year, she was part of the Sunrise Movement, where she did phone banking for candidates, endorsements, and worked on a statehouse campaign for more transparency.

In addition, she just finished up an internship with Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay and works there in the summer as a junior program assistant.

How does she do it all? “I hold myself to extremely high standards and I make sure I fit my schoolwork in around everything else,” she said.

The O’Bryant is one of the schools holding its graduation at Fenway Park.

“I just think it’s nice we’re having a graduation at all,” McRae said.

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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Resolution Filed to Allow Students Additional Year of School Councilors File Resolution in Support to Allow Students to Opt-into An Additional Year of School Due to COVID-19

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ouncilors Ed F ly n n f i le d a resolution this week co-sponsored by Councilors Liz Breadon and Matt O’Malley in support of the state bill H.D. 4120, “An Act relative to the educational needs of students whose education was negatively impacted by the COV ID-19 emergency.” This resolution would send the Boston City Council ’s support for t he passage of this bill, which will allow students to stay for an additional academic year if their education has been impacted by the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted all of our students, as they were forced to adjust to remote learning and changing learning environments.

As a result, many students have experienced tremendous learning loss, and felt unprepared for graduat ion. St udent s w it h disabilities a re pa rticula rly impacted by COV ID-19 and learning loss, as many require in person instruction and services.

Many of these students would also like to stay for an additional year, but some may reach 22 years of age and will be aged-out of the school system by 2022.

H.D. 4120, known as “An Act relative to the educational needs of students whose education was negatively impacted by COV ID-19 emergency”, the

O’Connor Way Housing Fully Occupied Donna Brown, the Executive Director of the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (the SBNDC), has informed us that the SBNDC’s recently opened Senior Housing Development at 5 O’Connor Way is on its way to being completely occupied. All of the 46 affordable, one-bedroom units in the O’Connor Way have been committed. Those units that are still empty will be moved into during the next couple of months.

The O’Connor Way Senior Housing building itself was designed and constructed so as to be LEED certifiable.

sponsored by Rep. Edward Coppinger, would allow students the option of staying in school for an additional year. Under the bill, students who are scheduled to graduate in 2021 or 2022 from a district high school or charter school can opt into an additional year of schooling if the student or their guardian determines that the student’s education has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would also allow students receiving specia l education who will be 22 and are due to graduate in 2021 or 2022 to opt into an additional academic year.

“This past year has been extremely difficult for many of our students, especially students with disabilities. Students had to

navigate the stress of COVID19 while adjusting to the new reality of remote learning, and many are feeling unprepared for graduation both emotionally and academically,” said Councilor Flynn. “H.D. 4120 will help address learning loss, and give students and their parents the choice to stay in school for an additional year so that they are better prepared before they graduate from school. I want to thank Councilor Breadon and Councilor O’Malley for their partnership, and look forward to passing this resolution so that we can send our support for this bill.”

For more information, ple a s e c ont a c t C ou nci lor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

“The Current” Opens Five Summer Pop-ups

by Rick Winterson

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ince 2019, “The Current” in Boston Seaport has been formed from with-it, modern startup shops of many kinds. These days, the shops in The Current are usually referred to as pop-ups; currently (please pardon the pun), their mission is more formally described as “a visionary approach to retail incubation”. These shops – five of them – are all located within eyecatching black frontages having door numbers from 85A up to 85G Seaport Boulevard. They are arranged in a reversed “L” adjacent to the Seaport Common and along the Boulevard itself.

The Current’s five Seaport popups all opened over the weekend except for STUDS, which opened its doors yesterday. These five shops are named injeanius, Myoli Bay, Love Child, STUDS, and booty by Brabant. They’ll be open seven days

every week, with hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The Current’s season will last at least until August of this year.

There’s a not-so-hidden advantage when you add The Current’s pop-ups to one of your shopping trips: Walking by all five of them while taking quick looks inside each one will take you only fifteen minutes or so. And their locations next to Seaport Common mean that you can sit down, take a break, put down your packages, and catch your breath during or just after viewing five shops that offer attractive, highly varied product lines. “injeanius”, owned by Alison O’Brien, has been (very) successfully operating in The Current since last fall, and has recently expanded into an additional pop-up next door that vends tops and accessories. But her basic line is Jeans, Jeans, and more Jeans (mostly blue). Alison

Alison O’Brien, owner of “injeanius”.

Joey Santullo, founder of Myoli Bay.

and injeanius are now so successful that she plans to permanently locate her enterprise in Boston Seaport sometime next year.

Myoli Bay is new to The Current. It’s the brainchild of majority owner Joey Santullo.

The core products in Myoli Bay are swimsuits and beachwear made from whizzy new polymers created by liquef ying and spinning sustainable, fashionable threads from recycled bottles.

Joey, who plans to pursue an MBA at Vanderbilt next year, exemplifies how high-tech ops can appear anywhere these days.

The next pop-up on the Common is Love Child. Owners Crystal Mills and Colleen Dunleavy first opened Love Child just around the corner on E Street, and then moved to 364 West Broadway. Their Seaport pop-up is really a branch shop.

With Mother’s Day coming up, all you need to know is that Love

Child’s unique offerings combine floral designs with custom cocktail recipes and mixing equipment.

STUDS is an aptly named sensation from New York City – STUDS is totally devoted to ear piercing and earring shopping, along with selfies to check everything out as you go. Earrings include trend-driven studs, hoops, huggies, and dangles for all your earscaping (love that word).

Piercing is performed professionally and stress-free by appointment only.

Visit www.studs.com; go to @studs.

Finally, “booty by Brabants” (a.k.a. “BBB”) has returned to Boston Seaport for the fifth time. Founder and CEO Kelly Brabants is known for her South American beach vibe that, not-so-oddly, combines with an emphasis on health, safety, and premium service. And please familiarize yourself with “booty’s” own new word, “Athleisure”. It’s highly descriptive, as is their trademark of the upside down heart .

Shelf after shelf of jeans in “injeanius”.

Myoli Bay

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

Athleisure offerings at booty by Brabants.

Seaport Love Child’s nicely designed interior.

booty by Brabants frontage on Seaport Blvd.

STUDS (by appointment) on Seaport Blvd.

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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Chasing the Cup

By Ginger DeShaney

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he Ferrara Cup sat in a place of honor Saturday at Evans Field. Under a white tent and cordoned off, the Cup, festooned with colorful ribbons, cast a shiny glow and drew many admirers.

The City Kids FB U8 soccer teams are playing for this beautiful Cup, which is named in honor of a big fan of the program.

“The Cup is named after Bobby Ferrara of DCR, who has gone above and beyond in helping us,” said Mark Slater, who organized the City Kids program last year during the pandemic when youth soccer leagues were shut down. “[Bobby] goes way above and beyond. He’s a big supporter of what we are trying to do.”

The U8 team that wins the championship will win the Cup, which is a replica of the Champions League trophy, Mark said. Each player on the championship team will get to bring

the Cup home for two weeks. After it circulates through the team, the Cup will have a place of honor at Roza Lyons, where owner Rob Fitzharris has built a nice mahogany cabinet for it.

The Cup, nicknamed “Big Ears” for its large handles, was on display Saturday but will be put away until the playoffs.

“It’s a bit of fun,” Mark said.

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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World War II Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday

Ottavio Cerullo celebrates his 100th birthday

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orld War II Army Veteran Ottavio Cerullo rang in his 100th birthday in style on April 26th alongside his sister and the residents and staff of Compass on the Bay in South Boston. Affectionately known as Ott, the Memory Support Assisted Living community pulled out all the stops for his birthday, including a giant cake

made by the community’s dining team, balloons, a surprise birthday video with all of his friends, and special citations from State Representative David Biele and Boston’s Commissioner of Veterans Services Robert Santiago recognizing Ottavio’s service.

Local Southie residents may remember Ottavio after a request for cards for his 99th birthday last year drew widespread attention and a celebratory car parade down Columbia Road. While Ottavio did get to enjoy some time on Compass on the Bay’s porch over the weekend, waving to well wishers driving by, he was most excited to spend the milestone birthday with his sister Yolanda, who also lives with him at the community.

“It’s such an honor to be able to celebrate Ottavio’s life like this, and we’re so grateful to the members of our community who pitched in to make his day so special,” said Compass on the Bay’s Executive Director Jenna Petrenko. “This was an event that I know I’ll never forget.”

Located on Columbia Road for more than 25 years, Compass on the Bay is an Assisted Living Community dedicated exclusively to those with Memory Loss. For more information

State Representative David Biele (left) delivers official citations to Ottavio Cerullo (center) and his sister Yolanda Cerullo (right) recognizing their service

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CompassontheBay.com. To view more photos and videos from Ottavio’s birthday celebration, visit www.

Facebook.com/CompassontheBay.

Virtual Public Meeting

PLAN: South Boston / Dot Ave Transportation Study #3 Tuesday, May 11 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3dPI88i Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 639 2768

Event Description Please join the BPDA and BTD for an overview of the draft PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue Transportation Plan - a collaboration with the community, other City departments, and state agencies. The 2016 PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue recognized that as the study area changes in land use and density, the transportation network needs to change in order to make it safe and efficient for all modes of transportation—walking, biking, transit, and vehicles.

A presentation of the draft Transportation Plan and its recommendations will be followed by Q&A and comments. The draft Transportation Plan will also be available for review and comment prior to and after the meeting at bit.ly/plandotave We invite you to join the BPDA and the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) for this project’s third virtual meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 6:00–8:00 PM. Please reach out if you require any interpretation or translation services.

Contact: Naoise McDonnell Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4458 | naoise.mcdonnell@boston.gov bostonplans.org

@bostonplans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Rep. Biele Supports Passage of $47.7 Billion House Budget Includes over $431 million for the City of Boston; invests in education, recovery, and public services

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a s t we e k , St a t e Representative David Bie le joi ne d h i s colleagues in the Massachusetts Hou s e of R epre s ent at ive s in passing the state budget for f iscal year 2022 (FY22).

Funded at $47.7 billion, the House budget ma kes a strong commitment to cities and towns, and includes significant i nve st ment s i n educ at ion, mental health and substance a dd ic t ion ser v ic e s, publ ic hea lth, and public ser vices.

The House FY22 budget does not cut ser vices a nd does not ra ise ta xes, both made possible due to strong revenue collections, increased federal reimbursement, and by leveraging funds from the state’s Stabilization Fund. The budget does not appropriate anticipated American Rescue Plan (AR P) funds, as the House awaits the issuance of spending parameters by the federa l government. “ T h i s bu d g e t i nve s t s programs and services, including e duc a t ion, pu bl ic s a f e t y, recovery ser vices, and public health, to help residents across our community. The budget also makes crucial investments in local aid for the City of Boston to help support local services,” said Rep. Biele. “I am thankful to Speaker Mariano, Cha ir Mich le w it z a nd my colleagues in the House for their support in making these crucia l investments in our youth, families, and seniors.”

Locally, the City of Boston is set to receive over $431 million in local aid. Under the House FY22 budget, the Cit y of Boston will receive

$223.7 million in Chapter 70 education funding, an increase from last year’s budget, which fully funds the first year of a six-year implementation plan under the Student Opportunity Act. The House budget also includes over $208.2 million in Un r e s t r i c t e d G e ne r a l Government Aid for the City of Boston, representing an increase from last year, and providing additional resources to Boston.

Ref lecting a strong c om m it ment to prov id i ng access to care and treatment for individuals with a substance u se d i sorder, t he Hou s e budget allocates $160 million for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, and includes language filed by Rep. Biele to increase funding for localized treatment and recovery services.

The House FY22 budget also a ut h or i z e s f unding for public sa fet y ser vices, including state police patrols along Day Boulevard, Carson Beach, M Street Beach and Ca st le Isla nd, a s wel l a s support for the Boston Fire Department Training Academy.

The House FY22 budget a lso supports public hea lth services at the South Boston Communit y Hea lt h Center, localized efforts to increase food access and food security for vulnerable residents and families, a nd f unding for work force development programs.

The House FY22 budget wa s relea sed on April 14, 2021, following a review of the Governor’s proposal and a series of budget hearings by the House Committee on Ways and Means.

A fter debate and consideration over a thousand proposed a mend ment s, t he FY22 budget passed by the Hou s e of R epre s ent at ive s u n a n i mou sly (16 0 - 0) a nd now goe s to t he Senate.

THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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BPDA Income-Restricted Home Ownership Opportunity 33-39 Ward Street, South Boston, MA 02127 www.WardStreetLottery.com 2 Income-Restricted Home Ownership Units # of Units # of Bedrooms AMI Price 1 2 Bedroom 80% $221,900 1 2 Bedroom 80% - 100%* $288,700 *This unit is available to those who earn more than 80% but less than 100% of AMI Maximum Income Limits (set by the BPDA + based on household size + AMI) Household size 80% AMI 100% AMI 1 $66,650 $83,300 2 $76,200 $95,200 3 $85,700 $107,100 4 $95,200 $119,000 5 $102,850 $128,550 6 $110,450 $138,050 Maximum Asset Limits 80% AMI 100% AMI $75,000 $100,000 Does not include retirement. Does include Real Estate To learn more about eligibility + the BPDA screening requirements, please visit: http://www.bostonplans.org/housing/faqs#application-lottery-questions

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Fully completed + signed applications must be submitted online or postmarked no later than Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Mailed to: Maloney Properties, Inc., Attention: Ward Street Lottery 27 Mica Lane, Wellesley MA 02481 ● ● ● ● ●

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For more information, language assistance, or to make a request for reasonable accommodations, please call Maloney Properties, Inc. at 781-992-5309 US Relay 711 | Email: WardStreet@maloneyproperties.com

Equal Housing Opportunity

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THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021

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