08_28_2025

SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE

THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2025

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Broadway Dressed in Red, White & Blue Broadway is looking more patriotic than ever — and it’s all thanks to one determined South Bostonian: Bob Ferrara.

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hrough his Flags O ve r Bro a d w ay i n it i a t i v e , Bob has been working tirelessly to line East Broadway with American f lags from L Street all the way to Perkins Square!

T his gra ssroots ef for t started with just a few blocks, but thanks to donations from neighbors, local businesses, and groups like the L Street Brownies and Kelly Coyne Conroy and Adopt A Platoon Southie Style, the f lags went up one section at a time. Each f lag — bracket, pole, and installation — costs about $100 per light pole, and the goal was met to have the entire stretch to Perkins Square proudly

f lying red, white, and blue.

Could West Broadway be next?

Bob has sold Flags Over Broadway T-shirts ($20 each) and collected donations — sometimes traveling across New

England to pick up checks — to keep the project moving.

“Just trying to show the rest of the country that South Boston is one of the most patriotic communities in the country,” Bob said. “Always

has been and always will be!”

Thank you, Bob, for your tireless work and community pride — and thank you to everyone who’s pitched in to make Broadway shine with patriotism.

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

South Boston’s SBANP Holds Mayoral Candidate Forum

by Rick Winterson

S

outh B o s t o n’s communit y is ver y politica lly oriented.

And 2025 is the year when most of our local politicians are running for office and are seeking to be elected or re-elected. South Boston Online will make a most important statement right up front: It is vital that you vote this year in both the primary and general elections on Tuesday, September 9 and on Tuesday, November 4, re spect ively.

The off ice of Mayor of Boston is perhaps the most important election contest this year. Tuesday morning our local community group SBANP (the “South Boston Association of Non-Profits”) held a Mayoral Candidates Forum in the Fourth Presbyterian Church. This was very capably directed by Rev. Burns Stanfield, the co-Pastor of the Fourth Church. Stanfield first recognized SBANP’s effort in assembling the Forum, and then he explained the Forum’s format to the audience of approximately 10 0 fol k s who at tended.

Two candidates for Mayor of Boston, challenger Joshua Kraft and incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu, took part in the Forum.

Please understand that the Forum was not a face-to-face debate.

Instead, Kraft and Wu responded separately to three specif ic issues selected by SBANP. Each candidate then spoke about these issues entirely on his/her own. At the end, each candidate was asked about meeting with SBA NP within six months after he or she was elected/re-elected. Then, each candidate was allowed five minutes to make their own statements to the audience.

T he f i r st i s sue w a s “Moa k le y Pa rk /C om mu n it y Health and Safety”, presented by K at h le en C aw le y, a Neighborhood House (SBNH)

teacher, and SBNH Executive Di re c tor K at hy L a f fer t y.

The second issue wa s “L oc a l School Proper t ie s/ E duc at ion”, pre sente d by Courtney Subatis, a teacher and parent in Boston Public Schools.

The third and final issue was “776 Summer Street/Affordable Housing”, presented by Patriot Homes resident Peg Thompson and Donna Brown, Executive Director of the SBNDC (the “South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation”).

As ment ioned, the candidates did not debate with each other; each one offered their own brief, independent thoughts on these three issues.

Regarding safety at Moakley, K raft stated that he would clear up the problem left over a f ter Ma ss/Ca ss wa s shut down, using recovery programs and the Boston police. Wu mentioned placing an increased responsibility for park safety upon the Parks Department.

Both candidates spoke of the need for School Department improvements focused on the Gavin, the Condon, and the Tynan here, along with better use of the lottery. Housing availability (and “affordability” along with it) was the most difficult issue. Each mayoral candidate promised to hold the 776 Summer Street project to its original agreement on providing affordable housing.

The Mayoral Candidates Forum proceeded very smoothly.

It ended promptly at 11 a.m., as planned. The Forum was a ver y worthwhile, informative event; both candidates received enthusiastic applause from the audience. South Boston Online can only suggest that more such Forums be held before Election Day in November. And once again, please be sure to vote in the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, September 9.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

L

abor was mentioned very early in the Bible.

In Genesis, as Adam and Eve were being expelled from Paradise for eating the Forbidden Fruit, God told them, “You shall earn your bread by the sweat of your brow … “. This sounds like a punishment, but when read carefully, it really offers human beings a path to redemption. In the New Testament, the parable of the laborers in the vineyard is an episode in Matthew’s Gospel. It reminds us that like the vineyard laborers, we are all laborers ourselves, but also human beings of equal worth. And St. Paul’s Epistle to Timothy quotes that rhetorical but seriously ongoing question, “For is not the laborer worthy of his hire?”

In the late 1800s, that prolific essayist, Pope Leo XIII, wrote extensively about the “Dignity of Labor”. The effort a worker puts into “a good day’s work” is morally good, he said. And that makes good common sense. Simply stated, a good day’s work earns the person who performed that labor the ability to support a family, help out a friend, and take care of him- or herself. Not bad. If that’s the result of honest labor, then it’s well-earned, in our opinion.

This may sound odd to you, but think about Communism, that most difficult 20th Century system of beliefs, for a few moments. Communism, in its writings, described itself as being dedicated to creating a republic of and for workers. Do you recall the May Day observances in what was once the Soviet Union – the USSR? These observances had nothing to do with the Dignity of Labor or with workers. They were military parades staged in Red Square for the benefit of viewers standing on the Kremlin’s balconies. No, Communism (the philosophy of the working man and woman) ended up ignoring the concerns of its workers, and is now essentially gone from

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Happy Labor Day the face of the earth. It simply did not work in the real world.

Before we get too far afield, let us give some thought to those who must work for the rest of us on Labor Day itself. Certainly, you are aware that public safety laborers – police off icers, f iref ighters, and emergency personnel, even lifeguards on South Boston beaches – watch out for the rest of us on Labor Day. Medical personnel – doctors, nurses,

technicians, hospital staffs, and even those who clean and repair medical facilities – will be there for those of us who need them, just like on any other workday.

If you grab a quick lunch, go out to dinner, enjoy a cold drink, or attend ticketed entertainment on Labor Day, you are benefitting from someone else’s labor – the people behind the counter, the restaurant’s waitstaff, your bartender, or a favorite performer, including

athletes who play (or practice) for Boston teams on Labor Day. Be sure to thank them if you get the chance. How about doubling up on your tip, while wishing those who serve you a “Happy Labor Day”? They’ll be surprised and delighted.

And they’ll always remember your courtesy.

But that’s enough said. Relax and enjoy Labor Day next Monday yourself. Did you know that the first few Labor Days in the 1800s were celebrated on Tuesdays?

HAPPY

Labor Day

FROM SENATOR NICK COLLINS & FAMILY

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Councilors Flynn & FitzGerald to Hold Mass & Cass Hearing Sept. 4th, 6pm At Hampton Inn

oston City Councilors Ed Flynn and John FitzGerald will hold a hearing next Thursday, September 4th at 6:00pm at the Hampton Inn and Suites Conference Room (811 Massachusetts Ave) regarding a resolution to declare Mass & Cass and impacted neighborhoods a public safety and public health emergency, and a humanitarian crisis. Neighbors who would like to attend the hearing in-person may contact City Council Central Staff at meghan.kavanagh@boston. gov. Residents may also provide written testimony at ccc.health@ boston.gov. A livestream of the hearing is also available online at the following link after the hearing: www.boston.gov/city-council-tv.

This matter was originally a Boston City Council resolution offered by Councilor Flynn that

was subsequently blocked by a Council colleague and sent to the Committee on Homelessness, Public Health, and Recovery.

As Chair, Councilor FitzGerald has since worked to schedule an on-site South End hearing to ensure that the lived experiences of residents and small businesses are heard by city officials.

After years of frustration and concern from residents and small businesses in the area, it’s wholly appropriate to finally acknowledge that the City of Boston’s current plan at Mass & Cass has been an abject failure by any standard.

Any reasonable person who visits the area will say unequivocally that what has taken place there on a daily basis for over a decade now - an open air drug market and dealing, public drug use, the trafficking of women, acts of

Happy Labor Day to all the working families that help build our City and Country

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn and Family

serious violence, public defecation and urination, shoplifting, among others - is completely unacceptable.

Just in the last several weeks, reports of serious public safety issues have significantly escalated - including break ins of residents’ cars, local small business establishments, and multiple intruders and thefts in South End residents’ homes.

Neighbors and small businesses continue to bear the brunt of the crisis, with discarded needles and waste scattering neighborhoods.

Neighbors from Nubian Square, Worcester Square, A ndrew Square, Blackstone and Franklin Squares all the way to Downtown Boston and the Boston Common continue to share their frustration and fear for public safety. The situation continues to harm our small businesses, nonprofit partners, and the local economy.

“The status quo of crime and violence spreading from Mass & Cass cannot continue. We need zero tolerance when it comes to public drug dealing and drug use, human trafficking, crime and assaults. On public health, we

need a treatment-first approach for those battling addiction, and detox programs to address underlying mental and behavioral health issues,” said Councilor Flynn. “It is long past time to put wish lists away and make a recovery campus a top priority for the City of Boston.

Services must be decentralized and spread out to locations across the Commonwealth.”

“As Chair of Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery, my hope is that this is a first in a series of hearings around the complex substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness issues in this City, specifically in the South End and its surrounding neighborhoods,” said Councilor FitzGerald. “With this first hearing, we intend to hear directly from our residents and get a baseline understanding of what is being done today, and then have subsequent hearings to give the administration the opportunity to respond to the issues that are brought up.”

For more information, plea se contact C ou nci lor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or E d . F l y n n @B o s t on .g ov.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2025

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From Bartender to Builder

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outh Boston Neighborhood D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation and the South Boston Chamber of Commerce are pleased to present the Thomas J. Butler South Boston Small Business Leadership Award to Joey Arcari, owner of Monarc Development.

Each year during the South Boston Street Fest, the two organizations present the award to a local businessperson who exemplifies service to the community and what Tommy stood for.

Tommy, who spent his career with Massport, was the heart and soul of South Boston — an unwavering community champion whose decades of service reflected his deep roots and fierce pride in the neighborhood. Known for his Irish wit, boundless generosity, and tireless advocacy, Tommy embodied what it means to be a good neighbor and a true South Boston leader.

Congratulations, Joey! When Joey Arcari arrived in the United States from Dublin, Ireland in 1993, he was a college student working a summer job as a bartender in New York City. After that experience, he dropped out of school where he was studying accounting, moved to South Boston, and decided to chase the American dream.

It was a decision that would ultimately shape the dining and development landscape of South Boston for decades to come.

Arcari’s influence on the neighborhood and his generosity to the community earned him the Thomas J. Butler South Boston Small Business Leadership Award given by the South Boston Chamber of Commerce and South Boston NDC. Arcari, 54, will receive his award at the South Boston Street Fest on Saturday, Sept. 20.

“Joey’s vision has been instrumental in the growth of our neighborhood,” said Donna Brown, executive director of South Boston NDC. “He’s not just a business owner; he’s a true community partner.”

Arcari is humble – and a little embarrassed – about the award. “It’s a great honor,” he said, joking that there must have been lots of better candidates.

“I just look forward to continuing the work. I love this town. I think I’ll be doing projects in this town for a long time. The future … there’s still so much potential.”

In 1995, Arcari, along with his brother Mario and partner Jon Cronin, opened the Boston Beer Garden on East Broadway. It was an overnight success. They then opened the Playwright, a huge success, too.

From there, Arcari built Broadway Hospitality Group, which grew into a cornerstone of South Boston’s restaurant scene, encompassing more than 20 establishments. Earlier this year, Arcari sold the company to a New York investment firm, stepping away from the restaurant business to focus fully on Monarc Development — a company he launched five years ago. The name is a tribute to his late mother, Monica Arcari.

While Arcari is now focused on building homes and mixed-use properties, his ties to the restaurant world remain deep. “Restaurants are the life of a community,” he said.

South Boston has been at the heart of Arcari’s work since he moved to the neighborhood in the mid-1990s.

Even though he’s a transplant, he feels like he was born and raised here.

Arcari noted the neighborhood’s transformation. “When I came here in ’96, Whitey Bulger had just left town,” he said, noting it was a different place then. “Today, it’s become such a vibrant, young town. I think it’s the greatest place to live — close to the Seaport, close to downtown Boston, just incredible.”

He now calls South Boston his professional home, since he lives in Brookline. “This is where my office is; this is where I am every day.”

Arcari is actively shaping the future of South Boston and other neighborhoods through his development projects. In South Boston, Monarc is currently selling new townhouses, redeveloping The Playwright property, and has plans to replace the former RE/MAX building with 12 new units. Beyond South Boston, he’s building in Dorchester, Lower Mills, Quincy, and other neighborhoods.

The path to becoming a

developer wasn’t linear. He learned as he went, making mistakes along the way and improving with every build.

“South Boston was such an up-andcoming city, and the opportunity is really there in front of you.”

He credits mentors — particularly the team at Cedarwood Development — for helping him navigate the transition.

Over time, he has built a wonderful team and a vertically integrated approach: buying, constructing, managing, and selling or renting

properties. His wife, Andrea, is a real estate lawyer who is now also his broker.

He is quick to acknowledge those who’ve helped along the way, including Stephen DeSousa, CEO of Broadway Hospitality Group.

“It’s really teamwork,” he said. “I didn’t do this by myself.”

Arcari’s story is one of transformation — of a young man who traded textbooks for bar towels, built a restaurant empire, and is now reshaping neighborhoods as a developer.

ErinforBoston.com

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THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2025

Erin Avoids South Boston

The photograph that accompanies this brief article is of M Street Beach looking eastward. It was taken exactly at high tide on the beach – Friday morning, 11:23 a.m. EDT, August 22, 2025. More than 300 miles away out on the Atlantic, Hurricane Erin still had winds of 100 miles per hour, but she had turned eastward away from the coast. Other than some clouds on the horizon and a cool, northerly breeze, Erin did not effect M Street Beach at all. There was no surf; planes were landing one after another at Logan.

HAPPY LABOR DAY! Every Labor Day, we recognize the achievements and contributions of the hardworking men and women who have built our country, our state, and our city.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

First PTSD Memorial to Be Unveiled in Honor of Veterans and Their Families

The community will gather on Nov. 9 2025 at 1 p.m. at Connery Avenue in Bourne MA for the unveiling of the first PTSD Memorial, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and struggles of veterans, service members, and families affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

This historic memorial stands as a lasting tribute to those who have carried the invisible wounds of war and to the families who have supported them through their journey. It is the first of its kind, dedicated solely to recognizing PTSD as a profound and lasting impact of military service.

Date: Nov. 9, 2025 Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: Bourne National Cemetery Massachusetts National Cemetery - National Cemetery Administration The unveiling ceremony will include remarks from veterans, local leaders, and advocates for mental health awareness. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor those who live with PTSD and those we have lost to it.

This memorial ensures that the struggles of our heroes are never forgotten.

The event is free and open to the public. Community members, veterans, families, and supporters are encouraged to attend.

Thank you and Happy Labor Day State Representative David Biele

The Timothy “Doc” Cook Scholarship Foundation honors the legacy of Timothy “Doc” Cook, a U.S. Navy Corpsman and South Boston native who tragically passed away in March 2013 after battling PTSD linked to his combat deployment. For event updates please follow Timothy “Doc” Cook Scholarship on Facebook.

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Chase and South Boston Neighborhood House Host a Back to School Event

he South Boston Neighborhood House teamed up to host a “Budgeting and Backpacks” event that prepared local families to manage the costs of preparing for the back to school season.

T he e vent of fered a financial workshop, led by Chase Communit y Ma na ger Iva n Cutts Jr, sharing with families the importance of budgeting and local financial resources.

Fol low i n g t he work shop,

Connect Where It Counts!

We are looking for volunteers age 50+ to serve as reading coaches to help South Boston students. $1,000 STIPENDS AVAILABLE! Attend an upcoming information session to learn more!

Sat, Sept 13 at 10:30am South Boston Branch Library 646 E. Broadway

Wed, Oct 8 at 10:30am (Ollie) South Boston Neighborhood House 136 H St.

attendees received a backpack f illed with school supplies.

Volunteers from Chase helped ha ndout backpack s includ ing Fiora lba Shaba , branch manager for the Chase branch in South Boston and a

board member of The South Boston Neighborhood House.

This event was one of four suppor ted by Cha se and loca l organizations to suppor t f a m i l ie s enteri ng the back to school season.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Curry College Launches Aicardi Early Steps in Partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and Literations MILTON, MA – July 30, 2025 – Curry College, in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB) and Literations, is proud to announce the launch of a transformative early literacy initiative aimed at improving reading outcomes for young children in underserved communities in the City of Boston.

In collaboration with BGCB and Literations, Aicardi Early Steps will expand and enhance current Literations high-impact, one-on-one literacy tutoring to students in grades 1 through 4 who are reading below grade level. This after-school program is being funded through a generous donation from Curry alumnus Tom Aicardi and his family. “As someone who grew up in a very under-resourced neighborhood in Boston and struggled as a young child in the public school system, having an after-school program like this would have been a game changer for me,” said Aicardi. “My family wants to give every child in these Boston areas a chance to increase their literacy skills so they can excel in life.”

This partnership comes at a time when statewide data shows that only about half of Massachusetts third graders meet literacy benchmarks, with even more disparities for Black and Hispanic students. The initiative targets these inequities by bringing evidence-based, personalized reading interventions directly to the neighborhoods that need them most— starting with a one-year pilot program at the BGCB locations in South Boston and Blue Hill.

“Investing in early literacy is one of the most impactful ways we can improve lifelong academic and economic outcomes,” said Giordana Basta, Interim Assistant Provost at Curry College. “We are honored to partner with two of Boston’s most respected youth-serving organizations to ensure more children enter fifth grade as confident, proficient readers.”

Key Features of the Initiative Include: •

•

Visit our website: literations.org/volunteer

• •

Expansion and renovation of Literations models at BGCB sites Edgerley Family South Boston Club and Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club, with a goal of reaching at least 100 new students in the first year.

Curry College-led literacy training for all staff and volunteers participating in the new intervention model, grounded in current brain research and best practices.

Enhanced family engagement and literacy resources, improving home support for reading development.

Curry “Purple Pass” experiences to expose young learners to college life and promote long-term educational aspirations.

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Moakley Park’s Future

by Rick Winterson

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oakley Park is a 60-acre green gem. It’s located entirely within South Boston, just to the north of Kosciusko Circle and bordered by Day Boulevard and Columbia Road/ Old Colony Avenue. The Park’s 60-acre figure is worth reviewing briefly – it is equal to just over 2.5 million (2,500,000) square feet. To select two comparisons, a basketball court is less than 5,000 square feet; a football field is just over 50,000 square feet.

Yes, Moakley Park is big!

And the Park is truly “Multipurpose”.

Athletic facilities include the track and football field inside Saunders Stadium (with seating), three basketball courts, three tennis courts, seven (yes, 7) baseball fields, two newly installed pickleball courts, and a street hockey court, which is a memorial to Jackie O’Brien, for many years a supporter of youth sports in South Bsoton.

In addition to sporting pursuits, Moakley Park also serves as a picnic area, a plot for community vegetable gardens, and a playground for the kids.

This playground has an unusual feature. On its edge is what’s called a “Rain Garden”. During warm summer days, five tall spray towers send streams of water for children to safely play in. And the many shaded areas lend a beauty to Moakley that’s hard to match.

Most of its trees are lindens (a.k.a. “basswood”), which are really South Boston’s “neighborhood trees”. We even have a Linden Street that stretches from East Fourth up to Thomas Park.

Moakley Park is a City of Boston park, green space, and athletic facility – open to all Boston residents and close to the JFK Station. But it should be updated, improved, and at this moment, it needs some work, along with more political attention.

Two weeks ago on August 14, Boston’s City Council held a public hearing on various questions about Moakley Park. The hearing was called by Councilor Gabriela Zapata and was attended by District 2 City Councilor Flynn.

In recent years, Moakley Park has been f looded on occasion.

Preventing this will require installing a berm designed for the Park’s particular geology and a site that’s across Day Boulevard from nearby Carson Beach.

Councilor Flynn emphasized the importance of Moakley Park to all the residents of Boston.

This Tuesday, Josh Kraft and Mayor Michelle Wu – both are candidates for Mayor, of course – met with residents of South Boston at the Fourth Presbyterian Church.

The occasion was forum in which the candidates answered questions, including one about problems at Moakley Park, including its safety.

In this case, “safety” meant more policing and necessary clean-ups.

At South Boston Online, we agree with the importance of and future upgrades to Moakley Park. In an informal inspection of the Park, we concluded that more facilities for basketball would be well-used. There is plenty of space for added sports, such as padel (a new racket sport), and perhaps a wall for handball.

There’s room to install outdoor tables and chairs for picnics. When added to nearby Carson Beach and the McCormick Bathhouse, Moakley becomes a unique, outstanding area for sports, recreation, and many other outdoor pursuits.

When you visit Moakley Park, be sure to stop by the statue of John

Brendan Connolly. He was born and brought up in South Boston and attended Harvard. In 1896, he captured the very first modern Olympic champion’s medal for his triple jump. Then please note that Connolly’s statue is much better proportioned than the recently unveiled statue of Tom Brady.

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Summer Camp at South Boston Catholic Acadamy

his year, we wrapped up another great summer for the children in the South Boston Catholic Academy’s Summer Camp Program. We want to say a special Thank You to all those who made it possible, our wonderful families and their children and to our camp counselors, Mrs. Erin Finn, Mrs. Ellen O’Callahan and Ms. Erin Brogan who did a fantastic job organizing and running the summer camps for the children in the Early Childhood Program and

the K2 and Up Students Programs.

Thank you to all our talented summer camp counselors for all their wonderful help and to all those who came and provided different, funfilled activities, as well as, educational programs that the children loved taking part in and learning about... some of which included a visit from our local FireFighters from Ladder 19 and Police Officers. The children loved sitting in a real fire truck and police car and learned how very blessed we are to have these wonderful and caring First

Responders in our neighborhood. The children had a chance to help with fun science experiments. They had a visit from some very cute farm animals that they had a chance to pet and feed, including going for a pony ride.

The children also had fun making all kinds of crafts, such as, coloring their very own, one of a kind, Tie Dye T-Shirts and had lots of fun at the Foam Party. The children had a chance to “Adopt A Stuffie” and listen to great stories, during “Story Time”. They loved the Freeze Pops and Ice Cream

parties, too! Thank you to all those who helped in any way to make this year’s SBCA’s Summer Camp possible!

Now we are looking forward to another great school year as we welcome families old and new to a great new 2025-2026 school year here at SBCA. Looking forward to seeing everyone at South Boston Catholic Academy in September!

New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@ sbcatholicadacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Appropriate Uses of Boston 311 and 9-1-1 Emergency Calls

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t this week’s Boston Cit y Council Meeting, Councilor Ed Flynn filed a hearing order to discuss appropriate uses of Boston 311 and 9-1-1 emergency calls.

With deteriorating conditions at Mass and Cass, the opioid crisis continuing to impact neighborhoods across the city, and other various quality of life issues in our communities, such as noise disturbances at all hours - residents have called attention

to the oftentimes blurred line of when it is appropriate to contact Boston 311 and when to call 9-1-1, traditionally re ser ved for emergencie s.

Boston 311 is the city’s nonemergency information and service line. Boston 311 addresses various quality of life concerns, including broken sidewalks, overf lowing trash, damaged signs, and potholes. The service also provides information such as neighborhood trash days,

Boston Parks and Recreation to host DISCover Ultimate Day on Saturday, September 6

scheduling mattress pickup, and back to school information.

Boston 311 has a “health hazards” category when entering a service request, which includes issues like encampments and needle pickup.

When residents come across an encampment or discarded needles, they may also be in a situation that requires them to call 9-1-1. 9-1-1 is designated as the “Universal Emergency Number” for the United States. The Boston Police Department receives all 9-1-1 calls made from landlines, which are then transferred to the State Police, Boston EMS, or the Boston Fire Department as appropriate.

The Boston Po l i c e Department has noted that residents can call the Captain’s Office, Detectives, or Community Service Office at your local police district, however, non-emergency inquiries should be reported to Boston 311. At the same time, since the early days of the COVID19 pandemic, Boston Police have also encouraged residents

to call 911 for disturbances coming from late parties.

“Wit h open a ir d r u g dealing, public drug u se, d isc a rded need le s in neig hborhood s due to t he opioid crisis - as well as various public safety, public health, and quality of life issues in the city - it is critical for residents and city off icials to discuss when to call 9-1-1 or contact Boston 311,” said Councilor Flynn.

For more in format ion, ple a s e c ont a c t C ou nc i lor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or E d . F l y n n @ B o s t o n . g o v.

Supporting Local Small Businesses

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Boston Ultimate Disc Alliance (BUDA) and USA Ultimate, invites middle school youth to take part in DISCover Ultimate Day on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Garvey Park, 340 Neponset Avenue in Dorchester.

DISCover Ultimate Day is a free introduction to the fast-growing sport of ultimate frisbee, offering players ages 9 to 14 the chance to learn, play, and have fun in a welcoming environment. No prior experience is necessary, and all equipment will be provided. Players only need to bring sneakers or cleats, comfortable clothing, and an eagerness to try something new.

Registration is free and open now at boston.gov/parks-sports. Space is limited, so early sign-up is encouraged.

To stay up to date on news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.

Boston City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy Picked up a delicious birthday cake from Annie’s Bakery & Cafe—loving the chance to support our amazing local small businesses!

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CITATION

Virtual Public Meeting SEPT

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6:00 PM 7:30 PM

181 WEST FIRST STREET: JOINT IAG/ PUBLIC MEETING Register: bosplans.org/ 181W1stSt-JPM911 Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 821 4614

DESCRIPTION: The NPC Project calls for the development of 149 residential units and garage parking for 103 spaces within the building. The existing two-story warehouse building will be demolished to make space for the new four (4) story building along West Second Street and a six (6) story building along West First Street, and the Project Site will be subject to any necessary remediation. The project requires Large Project Review under Article 80B of the Zoning Code.

@BostonPlans

(TO BE VALID, THIS MUST BE NOTICED IN A RELEVANT NEIGHBORHOOD OR CITYWIDE NEWSPAPER BETWEEN AUGUST 27 & SEPTEMBER 3) Notice is hereby given that the City of Boston Air Pollution Control Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on September 17, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83946976326. The Commission will consider the proponent’s request for a modified permit for a facility located at 38 Farnsworth St, South Boston Waterfront in Boston, MA, pursuant to the Procedures and Criteria for the Issuance of Parking Freeze Permits adopted under M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 31C. This modification consists of 18 commercial spaces in a surface lot. The application requests modification of an existing permit for 16 commercial parking spaces in order to permit an additional 2 commercial spaces. Issuance of the permit would withdraw 2 spaces from the South Boston parking freeze bank.

NOTE: In accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, and subsequent legislation with the same purpose, this meeting will only take place virtually. 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, Alice Brown, Executive Director Air Pollution Control Commission

Mail to: Stephen Harvey Planning Department One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 Phone: 617.918 .4 418 Email: stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov BostonPlans.org

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION (APCC) PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

1 CITY HALL SQUARE BOSTON, MA 02201-2021 | ROOM 709 | 617-635-3850 | APCC@BOSTON.GOV

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THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2025

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