THURSDAY DECEMBER 07, 2023
SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
Construction Concerns in Andrew Square
by Rick Winterson
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meeting ca lled by t he CD C C (t he C om mu nit y Development & Construction Concerns) was at the corner of Preble Street and Old Colony Avenue. It was an outdoor meeting; approx imately 50 people showed up. Da n Ly nch f rom C ong re ssma n Lynch’s off ice convened the meeting in the Rotary Liquors parking area right after 10 a.m. The CDCC is an ad hoc neighborhood committee formed by residents who live near the Preble/Old Colony traffic rotary. The purpose of this meeting was to address concerns about a project underway across from the rotary at 309 Old Colony Avenue, especially the project’s scaffolding/staging over the
adjoining sidewalk. Several people from City Hall, the State House, and police stations attended. The Andrew Square Civic Association (ASCA) and the “Ollie”, the South Boston Neighborhood House, were there as well. As a note for the future, the CDCC will stay in existence so that residents can continue to work together in support of a safe, attractive neighborhood in the vicinity of the traffic circle. The meeting attendees asked many questions and tried to address several issues with the project that now extends from the variety store southward to the corner of Preble. The scaffolding (or the staging that forms a pedestrian pathway) was the main item of interest. It has become a gathering place for derelicts, possibly from the Continued on Page 2
Spirit of Giving
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homa s “ To m” McCarthy is the Commander of the Fitzgerald VFW Post #561 here in South Boston. Last Saturday in front of the Library, Tom and Tina Ronca-Magoon were collecting Christmas donations to be given to veterans currently living at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home.
Clothing, toiletries, and any useful items (as well as cash donations, if you chose) were welcome. Tom and tina would like you to know that there’ll be another collection for the Soldier’s Home this coming Saturday, December 9, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. This second collection will take place in front of the Fitzgerald VFW Post #561 at 715 East Furth Street.
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Continued from Page 1
Community Meeting now closed Mass/Cass area, who are unfortunately using and abusing illegal drugs. This is a menace to pedestrians who try to pass under the staging/ scaffolding. At times, simply walking this block is outright unsafe; at least two assaults have occurred. Also, hundreds (yes, hundreds) of miniature shots of liquor are being consumed there daily, resulting in a significant trash build-up. Nails protrude from the plyboards that shield the windows. There’s a question as to whether the scaffolding has been properly permitted. As a final note, numerous narcotic needles are being found next to the Ollie and on nearby Moakley Field where children are always playing. Minutes before the CDCC meeting, a used narcotic needle was found on St. Monica C hu rc h ’s w a l k w ay acros s Preble from the project site. Clean-up followed by rigorous enforcement is obviously needed. Un d e r Dan Ly nc h ’s
guidance, the CDCC meeting was efficiently run – it lasted for precisely one hour. Despite the antagonism (one attendee dumped a box full of empty shot bottles in front of the property owner and his architect), the meeting actually turned out to be productive. Ad hoc speakers included John Piekutoski of J&J Services, City Councilorat-Large Erin Murphy, Liaison Lydia Polaski, the Ollie’s Kathy L a f fert y, a nd ma ny ot her residents and officials. Linda Zablock i, the President of ASCA, read an action-oriented
Gate of Heaven Parish News
All are welcome to come to the monthly Coffee and Conversation on Sunday, December 10th after the 9:00 a.m. Mass In the Downstairs Hall at Gate of Heaven Church
paper summarizing issues at the rotary traffic. There was an ongoing question whether proper permitting had been issued for the scaffolding; the project’s architect insisted this has been done. Enforcement issues were bluntly brought up. And it was confirmed that many of those hanging out in “encampments” around the Old Colony rotary tra f f ic a nd Moa k ley Field
c a me f rom Ma ss/Ca ss at Atkinson and Southampton – the “original encampment” – after it was closed last month. We will see whether regular enforcement, proper permitting, and community efforts resolve the problems at Preble and Old Colony. These problems are “real”, and they need immediate attention. Be sure to ca ll 911 or 311 in the meantime.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
Project Ellie Delivers Gift Bags to Homeless Shelters
ecently, the Michelle and Patti Collaborative, which is a part of the nonprofit, Project Ellie, had a big gift bag making event at Patti’s house in South Boston! They put together bunches of gift bags for Pine Street Inn’s outreach vans (PSI is New England’s largest homeless services provider.) and some more personalized gift bags for the teen residents at Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Boston’s only homeless shelter for teens. The ladies involved were busy, but were able to mix in some holiday cheer as well!!
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Naa-Jauh Benton: Emerging Leader By Carol Masshardt
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t t went y-t h re e, Naa-Jauh Benton, a graduate student at Tufts University, is determined to combat inequities. She had a strong start working in her teen years at the SB Action Center, and the Condon Community School and an internship with the Boston Police. Other than her time as a student, graduating with honors from Bridgewater State University, she has only lived in South Boston. “I feel like the main thing I received here was an education” she said, and it began at the Condon School, “I still remember the core values of looking within yourself, knowing your strengths, and getting better and helping others. They contribute to who I am today, and I am thankful for Barbara Kelly and Deborah Flaherty who helped me develop my interest in community work. And, of course, my mother, Beverly Benton, is the main supporter in my life. She was alone and still taught us my brother, Quaddell, and me, right from wrong and she taught and protected us,” she said. Continuing at Rogers Middle School and the Snowden International High School, Naa-
Jauh takes education seriously as she continues in a Master’s in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Leadership at Tufts, and has her sights set on a PhD in Public Policy, preferably at Harvard. “I hope to be someone who bridges and closes gaps,” she said. “I have seen how people are treated differently. There are more resources and access for the majority to important things like housing, and even basic information can be wrong. Look at the Seaport, and it is a fun place to go, but there is poverty and need right here, and you wonder how they connect, and who gets the needed attention. I am deeply bothered by injustice and discrimination and will work hard for change,” she said. In whatever policy position she has, and one can imagine her choices will be many, Naa-Juah is bound to bring her reflective intelligence, love of cultures and the full experience of growing up in South Boston to the tasks at hand. She also has other sustaining interests. “I like art and think about a small, side business in accessories, Croc charms, that kind of thing,” she said, but her energy quickly returns to world and local issues. “I really love South Boston” she
Naa-Jauh Benton said even acutely aware of its pitfalls. “It is where I live and people I love. I also would like to travel to Cape Verde,” she said, “and learn more languages.” I only speak English, some Japanese and Spanish,” It is understandable, given the world as it is, that many people of all ages and backgrounds disengage, but Naa-Juah Benton is not one of them. “Yes, I see hope. I see it through education, and the way we can evolve as people. Small changes can still make a difference and contributing with compassion and
Holiday Concert at Branch Library The South Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library presented a marvelous Holiday Concert last Saturday at mid-day. It was skillfully performed by the UMass Boston String Quartet. The presentations varied from classical to modern, including Adagio for Strings, Angels from the Realm of Glory, and John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War Is Over). It was a glorious performance. Our Branch Librarian Jane Bickford and her Staff deserve much credit for presenting this concert, as well as for many other activities they bring to the Branch Library’s public room. The musicians – Alexer Esteban and Alex Gonzales on violins, Justina Martini on viola, and Soonbee Kwan on cello – are music majors at UMass Boston, and are directed by Concertmaster Kenneth Bok.
diligence is good for the person and everyone else,” she said. “I think Naa-Juah means something to do with excellence and prosperity, “she said. Her mother had vision in the name and in the values she perpetuated. Naa-Juah’s leadership began at home and at the Condon School and through all her education since. It w ill undoubted ly lead to positive change in roles that she will work hard to achieve and will be exciting to see!
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
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Mass/Cass Returns by Rick Winterson
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ver several years, S out h B o s ton Online has reported on Mass/Cass, as it grew from its original location at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Melena Cass Boulevard to its final location along Atkinson and Southampton Streets. Eventually, Mass/Cass turned into a massive colony of substance abusers, who became ever more violent. Our most recent article on Mass/Cass showed Atkinson Street in early November, after the occupants had been dispersed and the area was cleaned up. It looked good. But Ma s s/C a s s seem s to have returned elsewhere. A sm a l l enc a mpment resembling Ma ss/Ca ss ha s sprung up on Dorchester Avenue, in the patch of woods located by the bridge (now closed) that passes over the Expressway and commuter rail tracks. This encampment is a few blocks south of Andrew Squa re, across Dorche ster Avenue from Kemp Street in the Mary Ellen McCormack project. It consists of a large ma keshif t tent constructed from blue plastic sheets, just as the tents at Mass/Cass were. Nearby, a small ground-level shelter actually has a sad-looking Christmas wreath on top. The area around this encampment has been strewn with an enormous
clutter of human trash and waste. We believe the encampment was first set up late last week, on or shortly before Thanksgiving Day itself. Whether it continues
to be occupied by anyone is uncertain, but an access hole has been cut in the chain-link fence surrounding the patch of woods. Over the weekend, at least one
woman was reliably reported to be exiting the encampment. This has been reported to the City of Boston for remediation and/or removal.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
The Gavin Foundation: An Update by Rick Winterson
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his y e a r, t he Gavin Foundation turned 60 years of age. Brief ly, it was founded and initially called “The Gavin House” back in 1963, when the Gavin family of South Boston decided to open their own home to male alcoholics who wanted to get into recovery. This was a historic happening – the Gavin House has since grown into the Gavin Foundation, which has multiple locations offering recovery programs and in-depth profe ssiona l t reat ment for individuals addicted to alcohol and other substances. And the original Gavin House at 675 East Fourth Street still serves that vital purpose. We feel it fits the Holiday Season to describe the Gavin positively, and even with seasonal joy – it has hugely benef ited South Boston and
many other neighborhoods. Joh n Mc G a h a n, t he current President of the Gavin Foundation, gra nted South Boston Online an interview on Monday. We met at his office in the Devine Recovery Center at 70 Devine Way. We were quite impressed with the way John handled our interview, while simultaneously seeing to various Foundation issues that arose while we were talking. He really knows what he’s doing. We asked John about major cha llenges t he Foundation faced in 2023. He immediately brought up the long overdue closi ng of Ma ss/C a ss at Southampton and Atk inson Street, which over several years had become a center of drug and alcohol abuse in Boston. It first began at the intersection of M a s s a c hu s e t t s Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard (hence the nickname “Mass/
John McGahan, President of the Gavin Foundation Cass”). As you know, Mass/ Cass finally was successfully closed this year on November 1 – good news for all of Boston. John said, “I’m proud that the Gavin Foundation could be helpful in this effort.” Many specia l a rra ngement s were made to handle the closing. As an example, he mentioned the Gavin House branch in Quincy accepting several people from Mass/Cass, who wanted to get into recovery. John then firmly and quickly pointed out that the closure was an enormous joint effort that included many other agencies such as Dimmock and the Shattuck in Jamaica Plain. He referred to the closing as “A victory. We’re done! This is it.”, and he called the closure effort in November, “A partnership with the Cit y of Boston.” John extended an invitation for the public to attend the Gavin’s annual Holiday Party. This will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, at the McKeon Post. For many in recovery, this will be their first sober Christmas in a long while. It will be a joyful celebration. Special gift bags will be given out by Santa Claus to all residents in recovery. Your donations are requested – these will bring smiles to the faces of those in recovery and equally important, hope to their hearts a lso. The Holiday Party will invite resident men and women
from seven halfway and graduate hou se s in Sout h Boston, D o r c h e s t e r, Cha rlestow n, and Quincy. In total, these number 208 men and women residents, all of whom reside in Gavin Foundation’s facilities. And if you need more figures, please recognize that the Gavin Foundation serves more than 10,000 people every year, from all over South Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, and beyond. W hen asked about the Gavin Foundation’s goals for 2024, John replied, “I want to open a Women’s Graduate House.” The Gavin Foundation already operates Eileen’s House, a women’s half way house in Lower Mills. A Graduate House is a place where people in recovery can live for a while at a reasonable rent, after they finish their stays in halfway houses. These transition places were once called “three quarter houses” (or even seven eighth houses). And you are aware of the extremely diff icult rental situation in Boston. The need for a female Graduate House early in 2024 for Boston’s women in recovery has become urgent. Highly urgent! With our closing question, we asked John McGahan how the Gavin Foundation accomplishes so much every year. He simply and emphatically replied, “We have a great team!” John then added, “People do recover, you know. We offer hope and recovery here.”
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
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The South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund Awarded a Record-Breaking Sixteen Students $2,500 in Scholarships Grants
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he South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund awarded a recordbreaking Sixteen $2,500 scholarships as well as the inaugural Ed Buccigross $5, 0 0 0 S c hol a r-A t h le t e
Scholarship Grant recently at the Curley Community Center The Board applauds these youth for all that they do in their schools and in the community. Since its founding in 1995, the Fund has awarded scholarships to 249 deserving South Boston scholars
for a grand total of $411,000. The Fund was established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to provide scholarship grants to South Boston students who are academically excellent, have a reasonable family need, and demonstrate good citizenship
The 2023 Recipients: MARGUERITE GREENE Thayer Academy Ed Buccigross $5,000 ScholarAthlete Scholarship Grant Attending Wellesley College
KATE FIASCONARO Boston Collegiate Charter School Bob Nichols Memorial Scholarship Grant Attending Stonehill College
LYLLIE AUSTIN Archbishop Williams Amazon Scholarship Grant Attending Quinnipiac University
JOHN HAMILTON St. Sebastian School Massport Scholarship Grant Attending Providence College
NASHLEY VILLAR BERNABEL
BRENNAH HYNES Dexter Southfield Kevin Dwyer Scholarship sponsored by Michael Sheehy Attending Saint Anselm College
Boston Latin Academy “L” Street Brownies Association Scholarship Grant Attending Suffolk University NOLAN CONROY Boston Collegiate Charter School Amazon Scholarship Grant Attending Virginia Tech ISABEL ELIAS Boston Latin School Ed and Pat Sheehy Memorial Scholarship Grant Attending Northeastern University
RILEY JOYCE Thayer Academy SB Sports Hall of Fame Trust Fund Scholarship Grant Attending Providence College MAE LAFFERTY The Cambridge Matignon School Folan Family Memorial Scholarship Grant Attending New England College
and community involvement. Participation in athletics is not required in order to apply for the scholarship. The grant program is educational in nature and serves all South Boston high school graduates regardless of where they attend school.
Dexter Southfield Perry DiNatale Realty Scholarship Grant Attending Northeastern
MOLLY WALSH The Cambridge Matignon School SB Sports Hall of Fame Trust Fund Scholarship Grant Attending University of New Hampshire
GERALD MEAGHER O’NEIL Boston Collegiate Charter School John Cunniff Scholarship Grant Attending Bridgewater St. University
BISRAT YEMANE Boston Latin Academy SB Sports Hall of Fame Association Scholarship Grant Attending Bentley University
GIANNA LEONE
CECELIA MEDICO Dexter Southfield Amazon Scholarship Grant Attending Saint Anselm College ISABELLA THOMAS Archbishop Williams School SBSports Hall of Fame Trust Fund Scholarship Grant Attending Saint Anselm College EDDIE TIRABASSI Boston College High School Amazon Scholarship Grant Attending Fairfield University
The Board of Trustees acknowledged the late, and beloved, Ed Buccigross for his tireless efforts in ensuring the annual success of the scholarship program, and for his 28 years of service on the Board.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
HAMHEIM: TeenTheater Debuts
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Honoring Women In Law Enforcement Council President Ed Flynn honored the women officer members of Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement. Thank you for service and your advocacy of supporting women in law enforcement and advocating for more women to join law enforcement.
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he word “HA MMHEIM” possibly got your attention (we hope!). It’s the title of “A Cabaret Musical Mash-Up” of compositions by Marvin Hamlisch and Stephen Sondheim, noted American songwriters for more years than we can count. It was conceived, produced, and presented last weekend by that musical center of South Boston, “The Fourth Presbyterian Church”. And it
was delightful. H A MMHEIM was delightful in no small part due to the talented acting and singing of 12 teenagers, who performed in front of sellout audiences. Both individua l soloist s a nd t he ensemble joy f ully rendered the most critically popular parts of many smash-hit musicals. A personal favorite: “Send in the Clowns”. But the whole production was excellent – really excellent!!!
Virtual Public Meeting
804 E. 7th Street January
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6:00 PM -7: 30 PM
Zoom Link: bit.ly/3uq27oS Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 050 7622
Project Description: The Notice of Project Change (NPC) proposes the conversion of the existing 3-storybuilding into a residential building with sixteen (16) residential units and sixteen (16) garage parking spaces.
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: 01/10/2024
BostonPlans.org
@BostonPlans
Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
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Enjoying the Early Childhood Center Playground
t was a beautiful Fall Day at our South Boston Catholic Academy Early Childhood Center Playground. The Pre-schoolers (Toddlers and K0 students) enjoyed the golden orange leaves fa lling from their special tree, in their very own playground, that gives them shade on the sunny days! Now all the students at SBCA and ECC are getting ready for Advent, Christmas and
the winter season. This past Sunday, December 3, was the First Sunday of Advent. In the Catholic Church, the Advent season reminds us about the importance of Jesus Christ in our lives, prepares us to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth at Christmas, and refers to his second coming at a future time. Catholics consider a ll three comings when they celebrate Advent. T he Advent w reat h is
traditionally made of evergreens in a circle, symbolizing God’s unending love. It includes four candles, three purple and one pink. Each candle specifically s y mb ol i z e s t he C h r i s t i a n concepts of hope, peace, joy and love, with these candles being lit subsequently throughout each week of the Advent season starting with the First Sunday of Advent leading up to the Fourth Sunday of Advent and
then it is Christmas. The first graders in Ms. Byrne’s class made their very own special Advent Wreath to bring home to their families. They also have a classroom Advent Song: “See the candles burning bright, one by one, each week we light. Advent is a time to wait. Not quite time to celebrate. When this waiting time is through, it’s Christmas joy for me and you”. Great job grade 1B!
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
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Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group December 21, 2023, 6:00 pm This group will be held in conjunction with our sister community, Standish Village. Call 617-268-5450 or email Program Director Erin Bollinger at ebollinger@compassonthebay.com for more information and to register for the virtual meeting. This is a virtual event sponsored by Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
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Christmas Tree Pop-Up at Castle Island Brewery Back for the second year, there will be full size trees, Apartment trees, decorative baskets and kissing balls. Pop-ups run Saaturday and Sundays, 12-8 p.m. through December 17th,
ZONING HEARING The Zoning Commission of the City of Boston hereby gives notice, in accordance with Chapter 665 of the Acts of 1956, as amended, that a virtual public hearing will be held on December 13, 2023, at 9:00 A.M., in connection with a petition for approval of the Map Amendment Application No. 764, and a petition for approval of the Master Plan for Planned Development Area No. 144, CORE on the Dot, filed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority d/b/a the Boston Planning & Development Agency. Said map amendment would amend “Map 4, South Boston,” by adding the designation “D,” indicating a Planned Development Area overlay district to approximately 927,908 square feet (21.30 acres) of land bounded generally by the commuter and freight rail lines to the west, Dorchester Avenue to the east, 363– 365 Dorchester Avenue parcel to the north, and Southampton Street to the south. Said Master Plan would allow for the development of new buildings with significant open space and public realm components as a vibrant mixed-use extension of the neighborhood including ground floor retail, civic and cultural uses, residential units with associated amenities, commercial development including office, lab, and R&D areas with associated mechanical, accessory and ancillary support spaces. The development will include new public and private streets, sidewalks, bike paths, and accessible public realm spaces and will also include café areas, open spaces, civic and public service spaces, and recreation areas for public use and enjoyment, distributed throughout the Master Plan area. This meeting will only be held virtually and not in person. You can participate in this meeting by going to https://bit.ly/BZC_Dec2023. Copies of the petitions and a map of the area involved may be obtained from the Zoning Commission electronically, and you may also submit written comments or questions to zoningcommission@boston.gov. Interpreting services are available to communicate information at this hearing. If you require interpreting services, please contact the following: zoningcommission@boston.gov or 617-918-4308. The meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2023. Please request interpreting services no later than December 8, 2023.
For the Commission Jeffrey M. Hampton Executive Secretary
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023
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