SBOL_07_13_2023

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

The Curley Center Is OPEN!

by Rick Winterson

T

he BCYF (Boston Centers for Youth & Families) formally reopened the Curley Community Center at 1663 Columbia Road (Day Boulevard). It was a magical event for many reasons. The Center, although known formally as listed above, is also nicknamed “The L Street Bathhouse” or simply “The L”. It had been closed a yearand-a-half more than originally projected due to the pandemic, legal battles, and shortages of supplies.

The Center has always been an enormously popular facility, in part because it is the one, single community center that possesses its own beach front, which is open only to members. South Boston and the whole citywide membership have missed it very much. The Curley Center project cost just over $30

million. As part of the Center’s renovations, the corridors of each wing have been interconnected, thus forming a quarter-mile long interior walkway from one end to the other. That’s more than the length of four football fields!

The opening event began at 10 o’clock, led by Marta Rivera, the BCYF Commissioner. The ceremony took place in the Center’s K Street lobby. More than a hundred people were on hand to celebrate and observe, along with media from all of Boston’s outlets and many City of Boston officials.

All those in attendance were extremely high-spirited; greetings and laughter were non-stop. Rivera mentioned that there have been 6,000 visitors since the first tour of the Center took place in June. She then introduced Mayor Michelle Wu, who keynoted the event.

Continued on Page 2

Deja Brew Receives Boston Legacy Grant

Marissa and Cathe Walsh

By Carol Masshardt

S

ometimes appreciation can come as a surprise neit her sought nor expected, and such is the case of the Legacy Business Grant presented to popular cof fee

shop/café, Deja Brew, by the Cit y of Boston. T h rou g h nominations by communit y residents, every neighborhood in Boston was invited to enter submissions and Deja Brew was alone chosen for South Boston.

Continued on Page 3

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THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Continued from Page 1

Curley Center Opens The Mayor’s remarks were brief and to the point – she was delighted to see the turnout. She stressed that the Center’s opening is an event for all of Boston to enjoy and remember.

She referred almost apologetically to piping plovers and waiting for a permit to use the Curley Center beachfront after the plovers depart their nests. She also mentioned that her predecessor Marty Walsh had played an important role in getting the Curley Center project started off successfully.

Congressman Stephen Lynch talked extensively about how much the Center had meant to the South Boston community since the 1930s, and indeed, to all of its members. The L Street Brownies – named for their tans, of course – and many, many athletes first worked out at “The L”. He spoke of how he expects the new Center to become a gathering place for seniors – “no more loneliness” – and he praised all the staff at the Center for their patience and hard

work. He said “God bless you all” when his remarks ended. Michael Flaherty spoke eloquently and cheerfully for all of the members of Boston’s City Council, many of whom were present. Several other speakers followed, all adding their praises and gratitude for the Curley Center’s reopening to the public.

A brilliant blue, goldimprinted ribbon was then stretched in front of the beach entrance on K Street. Mary

Burke, who spent 35 years on the Center’s staff, was presented with giant scissors. When the countdown climaxed, she cleanly, well, and truly cut the ribbon.

Pieces of it were distributed to the onlookers. Afterwards, Mary herself cut the ceremonial cake she had received. A closing word about piping plovers. They aren’t especially beautiful birds, and actually, they seem more than a little stupid. Their “nests” are

really just holes they dig in beach sand to hold their eggs. Even Mayor Wu confessed they could be a nuisance. But on Boston’s beaches they are “threatened”, as the conservationists say. In fact, they are considered “endangered” in their nesting areas around the Great Lakes. They nearly went completely extinct in the 1900s and are now on their way back, so let’s try to be patient with piping plovers for the rest of the 2023 summer.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM Continued from Page 1 Deja Brew

Customers enjoying a treat at Deja Brew Introduced this year by the Wu administration, a legacy business is defined as “a longstanding, independent enterprise that makes a strong contribution to commu nit y cha racter...”

Visiting on an ordinar y July morning, there was little doubt that this business on East Broadway lived up to the qu a lif ic at ions. In add it ion to a steady stream of diverse customers, adolescents from non-profits were at work learning firsthand about an independent, c om mu n it y-ba se d bu si ne s s.

Original owner, Cathe Walsh and current owner, her daughter, Ma rissa, had a n u nc a nny a bi l it y to si mu lt a ne ou s ly answer questions, keep a keen eye on a n elder customer who may have needed a seat, naming every teen sitting at the counter, overseeing the staff and preparing a schedule.

Starting in 1996, Cathe Walsh opened Cranberry Café

(same place, different name).

“It was a risk, but I had to make a living. W ho knew if it would work, but it did! Of course, the communit y has changed a lot, but it’s still amazing. We want people to feel comfortable and come back.”

And now, the generations change, and Cathe is tr ying to retire with the support of Marissa, 34. “My mother has worked hard for a long time, and it is her time to rela x” Marissa said. Cathe adds “I’m trying to retire” as if it is a greater task than the daily grind of running the business. The sense of a continued legacy is strong with at least t wo generations of Walsh women, and the possibilit y a third, with commitment and skill.

“I idea lly would like a second location, but we are just coming around now from all that happened, and just to be where we are is good,” sa id Ma rissa. “During t he pandemic we delivered food to f irst responders and unions.

It is about giving back,” she said. After all, she did learn from age six from being with her mother at work everything needed to run the café, and how to f lex when needed.

“Being at a desk would be awful,” she said with certainty.

“I knew that a long time ago.

This is what I love doing.”

“I cried when I hea rd about the award,” said Cathe

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THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

“To be recognized for South Boston is a specia l thing,” “It caught me off guard,” said Marissa, “it’s an honor, but we don’t brag about it.”

C l e a r l y, bra g ging is not familiar to this legac y

business in the City of Boston.

But, taking care of business, customers and the community they love is what led to the well-deserved nomination and Cit y of Boston recognition.

Congratulations, Deja Brew!

BPDA Income-Restricted Rental Opportunity

South Standard 235 Old Colony Avenue South Boston, MA 02127 37 Income-Restricted Rental Units # of Bedrooms

Estimated Square Feet

Rent

Maximum Income Limit (% AMI)

# of units built out for Mobility impairments

10

Studio

465-523

$1,330

70%

2

10

1-Bedroom

625-634

$1,559

70%

2

7

2-Bedroom

935-957

$1,766

70%

1

1

3-Bedroom

1,312

$1,828

70%

-

2

Studio

465

$1,932

100%

-

1

1-Bedroom

632

$2,261

100%

-

1

2-Bedroom

868

$2,567

100%

-

2

Studio

465

$2,350

150%

-

2

1-Bedroom

623

$2,775

150%

-

1

2-Bedroom

956

$3,904

150%

1

# of Units

Minimum Incomes (set by owner + based on # of bedrooms + Area Median Income (AMI))

Maximum Incomes (set by BPDA + based on household size + Area Median Income (AMI))

# of Bedrooms

Minimum Income 70% AMI

Minimum Income 100% AMI

Minimum Income 150% AMI

Household Size

Maximum Income 70% AMI

Maximum Income 100% AMI

Maximum Income 150% AMI

Studio

$39,900

$57,960

$70,500

1

$72,730

$103,900

$155,850

1-Bedroom

$46,770

$67,830

$83,250

2

$83,160

$118,800

$178,200

3

$93,520

$133,600

$200,400

4

$103,880

$148,400

$222,600

5

$112,210

$160,300

$240,450

6

$120,540

$172,200

$258,300

2-Bedroom

$52,980

$77,010

$117,120

3-Bedroom

$54,840

-

-

***Minimum incomes do not apply to households receiving housing assistance such as Section 8, MRVP, or VASH.

Maximum Asset Limits

70% AMI $75,000

100%; 150% AMI $100,000

Do not include retirement. Do include Real Estate.

Applications are available for 17 days, from th th Monday, July 10 , 2023 — Wednesday, July 26 , 2023 To request an application online, visit: www.SouthStandardLottery.com. To have a hard copy of the application mailed to your mailing address, please call (617) 639-3064 Ext 787 or email SouthStandard@MaloneyProperties.com Applications are also available in-person on the following days, dates, and times in the following place(s)

Day

Date

Time

Location

Thursday

July 13

th

3 PM - 7 PM

South Boston Public Library 646 East Broadway Boston, MA 02127

Saturday

July 15

th

10 AM - 2 PM

South Boston Public Library 646 East Broadway Boston, MA 02127

Thursday

July 20

th

3 PM - 7 PM

South Boston Public Library 646 East Broadway Boston, MA 02127

Saturday

July 22

nd

10 AM - 2 PM

South Boston Public Library 646 East Broadway Boston, MA 02127

Fully completed + signed applications must be submitted online or postmarked no later than Wednesday, July th 26 , 2023 Mailed to: Maloney Properties, Inc. 27 Mica Lane ATTN: South Standard Lottery Wellesley, MA 02481 ● ● ● ● ●

Selection by Lottery.

Asset, Use & Occupancy Restrictions Apply.

Preference for Boston Residents.

Preference for Households with at least 1 person per bedroom.

Preference for Households with Mobility Impairments for accessible units.

For more information, language assistance, or to make a request for reasonable accommodations, please call (617) 639-3064 Ext 787 or email SouthStandard@MaloneyProperties.com .

Equal Housing Opportunity

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THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Massport Awards Annual Butler Memorial Scholarship South Boston graduate receives award for college

T

he Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has announced the recipient of the annual scholarship honoring the memory of Tommy Butler, the long-time Massport Director of Government and Community Affairs and son of South Boston. The 2023 Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship was awarded to South Boston resident Riley Joyce.

“Riley has made a tremendous impact on her community through her service,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “She has excelled academically and in her extracurricular activities, and I know she will go on to achieve great things at Providence College.”

The Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who resides in South Boston, is graduating

from high school and has been accepted to an accredited college or university. Butler was the former mayor of the South Boston Boys Club, Youth Counselor and then Director of Little City Hall in Charlestown, former president of the South Boston Citizens Association and member of the South Boston Irish American Society. When he arrived at Massport in 1987 as a manager of intergovernmental relations, he was a licensed social worker who had worked in the Boston Juvenile Court, and for the City of Boston.

Joyce is a graduate of Thayer Academy and will soon attend Providence College. She has volunteered her time at St. Monica’s Food Pantry, Kickoff for Kids, Miss Linda’s School of Dance and tutoring local children.

To be considered for the Thomas J. Butler Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average

Virtual Public Meeting

475-511 Dorchester Avenue Wednesday, July 19

Zoom Link: bit.ly/443Mq3o

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 949 8348

Project Proponent: CORE Development Project Description: The proposed development filing is a PDA Master Plan Area comprised of approximately 21 acres of land, bounded generally by Southampton Street to the south, the Southampton/Amtrak rail yards to the west, private property at 365 Dorchester Avenue to the north, and Dorchester Avenue to the east. The development concept will construct twelve (12) new buildings with significant open space and public realm components as a vibrant mixed-use extension of the neighborhood including ground floor retail, residential units with associated amenities, and commercial development including office, lab, and R&D areas with associated mechanical and support spaces. The total development will be constructed in four phases and include approximately 3,771,000 square feet of new commercial and residential buildings. The masterplan includes four (4) new publicly accessible open spaces totaling approximately 2.9 acres, including a new 1.5 acre green space adjacent to a new, realigned D Street. mail to: Nick Carter Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.5303 email: nick.carter@boston.gov

Pictured L-R: Tommy’s Son, Thomas Butler, Jr., Riley Joyce, Massport CEO Lisa Wieland and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their community service has affected their outlook on life. In her essay, Riley wrote, “Although I am drawn to law and the criminal justice system, I am also looking for a way to help people and give back.”

Applications are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Butler family. Students interested in applying for the 2024 scholarship should visit w w w.massport. com for eligibility requirements.

Dedham Savings Opens New Office in South Boston

D

edham Savings has officially opened its latest location – the South Boston Loan Center – according to an announcement by Peter Brown, President & Chief Executive Officer.

The new Loan Center is located at 472 West Broadway in South Boston.

Situated at an intersection with the busiest Uber drop off/pick up spot in

Massachusetts and just down the street from the Broadway T Station, the location will allow Dedham Savings Mortgage and Commercial Lending staff to assist customers seeking home, condo, or business loans. The site includes office and conference room space, as well as a 24-hour ATM, allowing users to get cash, check account balances, make deposits, and transfer funds.

Close of Comment Period: 7/26/2023

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Mark Ingalls, Dedham Savings CFO; Bob Monahan, Board President for SBNDC; Charles McCarthy and Patrick “Paddy” McDevitt, Principals at East Way Development, LLC and pictured Center speaking to the crowd Peter Brown, President and CEO of Dedham Savings.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

5

A South Boston Beach Update

M Street Beach, from scenic Hicks Park east of the Curley Center

by Rick Winterson

F

or almost 37 years, since its founding in 1986, Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay has been successful in its mission of keeping Boston

and vicinity’s beaches consistently clean and attractive to all residents, and especially to those beach-goers who enjoy salt water swimming.

At present, the twelve (12) major beaches Save the Harbor/Save the Bay supports stretch from Nantasket to Nahant; this includes all of South Boston’s beaches – more than three miles of them, from Mothers Rest to the Pleasure Bay lagoon. We’ll refer to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay as “SH/SB” for the rest of this article.

Chris Mancini is currently the Executive Director of SH/ SB. He is competently following in the very devoted footsteps of Patty Foley and Bruce Berman, along with many others over the years. SH/SB’s head office is located here at 212 Northern Avenue, ot her w ise k now n as South Boston’s Fish Pier.

And SH/SB’s location in the “ol’ hometown” is truly fitting!

Recently, Chris notified us that for the last few years, South Boston’s beaches have been the best and cleanest urban beaches in the U.S. In 2022, Pleasure Bay, City Point, K Street, and Carson Beach tested out at a 100% squeaky clean level. Over the last six years, South Boston’s famous (infamous?) M Street Beach has averaged 97% cleanliness. You can’t do much better than that; our beaches attract swimmers and sunbathers from all over.

Something as common as a sudden rainstorm can affect bacteria levels in local waters and around beaches. This is because the rain, and to an extent the winds that go with them, literally deposit bacteria from the land into waterways and swimming areas. It’s best that you don’t go swimming for a day after a storm hits, but you should recognize

major sources of contaminants a re unexpected spills a nd discharges of pollutants and waste from onshore. Fortunately, these happenings are rare. Boston Harbor and its nearby beaches have really benefited from the decades of cleaning up that has been accomplished.

Thanks are due to the Commonwealth’s elected officials, to technologists, to SH/SB, and to the public. And ongoing testing programs along with better beach protections are being improved upon continually.

It’s July.

Time to hit our South Boston beaches.

Some years ago, South Boston’s then State Senator Jack Hart had a favorite saying that went, “Why spend a week in Martinique, when you can spend every day on Pleasure Bay?” Wellspoken, Jack! In the summer of 2023, your words really apply.

A rocky low tide at K Street Beach next to the Curley Center.

City Point/Old Harbor Beach curves outward to the Sugar Bowl.

The lagoon, Pleasure Bay, and part of its more than a mile of beach.

A mile-long Carson Beach stretches around to Mothers Rest.

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THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Murphy Warns of Dangerous Public Safety Staffing Levels

B

oston City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy on Monday called for renewed urgency around emergency services staffing levels, citing unacceptable risks to public health in all of Boston’s neighborhoods resulting from a response system pressured to a dangerous extent.

Along with City Councilor G a br ie l C ole t t a , Mu r phy filed for a hearing to explore increasing emergency services.

Mu r phy, who c h a i r s t he Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recover y, said the strain that has been placed on the cit y’s frontline response system poses a n a rray of da ngers, from over worked f irst responders to unnecessa r y burdens on the municipal budget through costly overtime expenditures.

“A s a C ou nci l, we’ve dealt with difficult budgeting conversations in recent months,” Mu r phy a dde d . “But no Bostonians are thinking about how the Council debated the public safety budget when they’re waiting for an ambulance to help themselves or a loved one.”

In t he hea ring order, p o i nt i n g to a nt i c i p a t e d population growth, they called

it “incumbent upon the City to review and analyze how this anticipated growth will impact our ability to provide basic city services such as public safety responses under f ire, police, a nd e mer g enc y s er v ic e s .”

Mu rphy sa id t hat t he summer in particular presents challenges, from annual spikes in violence to the health risks to seniors and others from oppressive heat. She noted that, recently, at least one Boston Police of f icer had been forced to work a 24-hour shift. Additionally, emergency calls to 911 have been met w it h delayed responses in mu ltiple neighborhoods due to sta f f ing shor ta ges.

“Particularly in neighborhoods that have been

Fallen Branch Blocks O’Connor Way A sizeable tree branch just fell on O’Connor Way near Andrew Square, between the intersection with Dorchester Avenue and the tennis court. The Way is now blocked off.

Fortunately, no one was injured and the branch did not seem to damage any of the numerous power lines in the area. However, one or two cars parked underneath the tree that held the branch may have sustained damage to their bodywork.

historica lly underser ved, we need to be able to provide rapid, top-qualit y emergency responses,” Murphy said. “That’s very hard to do with thinnedout staffing or with cops, EMTs or 911 who are working the tail end of an overtime shift.

I’m in communit y meetings every week across the city, and people want a more robust public safety and public health presence, not a depleted one.”

Murphy said the city must do a better job of hiring and retaining first responders, citing Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox’s statement to The Boston Globe that the city was “definitely evaluating” leaving the state’s civil service system.

Pointing to Boston’s rising cost of living, Murphy af f irmed

her support for some residency rules, but said the worsening emergency response situation warranted a full eva luation of the civil ser vice system.

Murphy had issued a similar warning last July, when several Boston Police of f icers were mandated to work round-theclock shifts as a result of major events across the city, including the Open Streets festival in Ja maica Plain, a Red SoxYankees game at Fenway, and a festival in the Seaport District.

Such dema nds, Murphy said at the time, both impaired off icers’ mental and physical health, and created a public safet y liabilit y for residents.

Murphy has a lso previously called for increasing class sizes at the Boston Police Academy.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

7

Kay Walsh Honored at SBANP Farewell

by Rick Winterson

I

t was a capstone event on Tuesday morning, a perfectly sunny-but-cool South Boston day. It was held in the magnificent lobby of the CRISPR organization near the beginning of West First Street in the Fort Point area. Perhaps 50 or more friends, associates, SBANP colleagues, and public officials gathered together to say a fond good-bye and farewell to Kay Walsh. Kay’s accomplishments, although many in number, can be summed up simply: Fifty (yes, 50!) years of continuously devoted service to the South Boston community.

The letters “SBANP” stand for the “South Boston Association of Non-Profits” – an organization that has been unique to South Boston for about 20 years and has grown to include almost all of the local agencies

providing any kind of community services here. SBANP’s Board of Directors specifically arranged this farewell event as a joyful tribute to Kay. Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director of the South Boston Neighborhood House, was the Mistress of Ceremonies.

She opened by saluting Kay’s record of accomplishments. They met 30 years ago in 1993 with Helen Allix (another South Boston heroine). In Kathy’s words, “Kay pushed us; she

still challenges us all.” She was always demanding, “What comes next?!?”

Awards from the City and from the Commonwealth followed – City Councilor-at-Large Erin Murphy presented Kay with a Citation.

Council President Ed Flynn gave her a Commonwealth award from Rep. David Biele, who was unable to attend.

Referring to Kay, Flynn said, “She wants everyone to be better.” Impromptu remarks from the attendees were

then offered – from Bob Monahan, Michael Dowling, Sr. Maryadele Robinson, and Mark McGonagle.

Kay’s successful efforts to improve the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the early 2000s were recalled. The ceremonies closed with a presentation from the SBANP Board that recognized Kay Walsh’s many accomplishments.

Kay, we can only wish you a loving farewell and Godspeed. If anyone in South Boston ever earned it, you certainly have!

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THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Rep. Biele Helps Pass $56.2 Billion House FY24 Budget Invests in transportation, local aid, public safety, and public health and recovery services

S

tate Representative David Biele joined h is c ol le a g ue s in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in pa ssing the House’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget.

Funded at $56.2 billion, the House’s FY24 budget provides strong support for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, and among ma ny critic a l investments, includes signif icant funding for education, transportation, hea lth ca re, housing, a nd work force de velopment. “ T he Hou s e bu d g e t responds to the needs of residents through targeted investments in programs and services, such as transportation, public safety and recovery services, that will help individuals and families in our community,” said Rep. Biele. “I am thankful to Speaker

Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, and my colleagues in the House for their support in making these crucial investments in our communit y while a lso increasing resources to the City of Boston for education and local aid from last year’s levels.”

Due to the Commonwealth’s strong revenue collections, t he House’s F Y24 budget provides increased f inancia l support in several critical areas.

Additionally, the House recently passed a comprehensive tax relief package targeted at residents across all income levels that would provide $654 million in direct f inancial relief in FY24. As a result of the same fiscally responsible leadership that has allowed for tax relief, the state’s Stabilization Fund is estimated to stand at a record high of $9.04 billion.

Virtual Public Meeting

118 B Street Residential Project Tuesday, August 1

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3PQ7q9P

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 960 6353

Project Proponent: Dunmoe Group LLC Project Description: The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting for the proposed 118 B Street Residential Project located in South Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Small Project Review Application (SPRA) that was filed and its potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public.

The proposed project is to consist of 37 new residential apartment units, primarily market rate, with six affordable units in accordance with the City’s Inclusionary Development Policy. The project site is occupied by a one- to three-story commercial building, with a street-facing surface parking lot. mail to: Scott Greenhalgh Boston Planning & Development Agency

phone: email:

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4271 scott.greenhalgh@boston.gov

Close of Comment Period: 8/9/2023

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Transportation

To address ongoing safety concerns at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (M BTA) t hat have been identif ied by t he Federa l Transit Administration’s Safety Ma na gement Inspection, the House budget allocates $65 million, as well as $250 million for capital projects, and $5 million to explore the feasibility of implementing a mea ns-tested fare progra m.

Local Aid

The FY24 House budget f unds Unrestricted Genera l Government Aid (UGGA) at $1.250 billion and Chapter 70 educ at ion f u nd ing at $6.584 billion. The budget funds the third year of a sixyear implementation plan for the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), which was enacted in 2019 to ensure that public schools have the resources needed to provide high-quality education to students across the state, regardless of zip code or income level. It provides an additional $30 per pupil in minimum a id supplements, bringing t he m i n i mu m aid total to $60 per pupil.

Locally, the City of Boston is set to receive $230.7 million in Chapter 70 educ ation funding and $222.9 million in Un re s t r ic t e d G e ne r a l Government A id under the House budget-- representing an increase from last year’s budget, and providing additional resources for the City of Boston.

Public Health and Recovery The House budget proposes funding the Department of Public Health at $962 million and the Department of Mental Health at $1.12 billion. Investments include: $584.9 million for adult support services

Rep. David Biele $208.2 million for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), including $3.5 million for opening of five new recovery centers $117.9 million for children’s mental health $42.9 million for the Early Intervention program $1.25 million for prostate cancer awareness, education, and research Public Safety The House budget also includes the following allocations for public safety programs, including: $12.3 million for the Shannon AntiGang Grant Program $59.6 million for the Executive Office of Public Safety $38.4 million for the Department of Fire Services, the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, and our local fire departments. $532.5 million for the Department of State Police $824.2 million for the Department of Correction $702.2 million for the Commonwealth’s 14 Sheriff ’s offices $500,000 to combat human trafficking

Locally, the House budget adopted amendments filed by Rep. Biele to provide for local public safety programs, including funding for dedicated state police patrols along state properties in South Boston, the Boston Fire Depa r t ment Tra ining Academy, a nd the Boston Fire Department’s hazardous m ater i a l s re sp on s e te a m.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

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THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

Massport Awards First Annual Hadden Gray Memorial Scholarship

he Massachusetts Por t A ut hor it y (M a s sp or t) has announced the recipient of the annual scholarship honoring the memory of longtime employee Deborah Hadden Gray. The 2023 Deborah Hadden Gray Memorial Scholarship was awarded to South Boston resident Keara Wilbanks.

“We are proud to name Keara as this year’s Deborah Hadden Gray Me m or i a l Schola rship recipient,” sa id Massport CEO Lisa Wieland.

“Her academic achievement, impressive recommendations and her interest in marine scienc e m a de K e a r a t he standout applicant this year.”

The Debora h Hadden

Gray Memoria l Schola rship is awarded annually to a high school student who is a resident of the City of Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop. Hadden Gray worked for Massport for 20 years and ser ved as Port Director from 2012-2015. She had a tremendous impact on Massport’s Maritime mission as a strong advocate for the Working Port and the jobs and businesses it supported, while carefully balancing the priorities of the South Boston community.

Wilbanks is a graduate of Boston Latin School and she will soon attend Florida Atlantic University. She has worked at the Condon Community Center, and she has volunteered her time helping with community

e vent s a nd nei g hb orho o d beautif ication efforts.

To be c onsidered for the Debora h Hadden Gray Memorial Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their community service ha s a f fected t heir out look on life. In her essay, Keara wrote, “I work at the Condon Community Center and have since I was in tenth grade. I rea lly va lue the communit y that has been created there and I am lucky to be a part of it.”

Applications are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Gray family. Students

Keara Wilbanks

interested in apply ing for the 2024 scholarship should v isit w w w. m a s s p o r t . c o m for eligibilit y requirements. ple a se v i sit Ma s spor t.

Summer Meal Sites and Farmers Markets to Provide Healthier Meals Boston Summer Eats meals are available to youth 18 years and younger for free at over 100 sites

M

ayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Food Justice (OFJ) today announced that 110 Boston Summer Eats meal sites are open and will run throughout the summer until September 1. Boston Summer Eats is an effort to close the summer food gap by making available community-based meal sites at locations such as libraries, health centers, community centers, and farmers markets that are open to all youth 18 and under. The program launched in 2017 with the goal of expanding access to free and healthy meals for youth and teens in Boston.

“Both our Boston Eats program and the Farmers Market Coupon Program support families to access nutritious, healthy and locally produced foods right in their communities with their neighbors,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “By partnering with 110 community meal sites and 22 farmers markets and farm stands, the City is working to build vibrant food access points in every neighborhood to ensure no family is left without a meal to eat.”

Residents who wish to access free meals for youth aged 18 and under can find sites at boston.gov/summereats or find additional locations across Massachusetts by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800645-8333. Hours of operation at summer meal sites vary depending on the site, and most meal sites will offer breakfast and lunch, while some also provide snacks. No registration or identification is required. This year, there will be no “grab and go” options available at sites. Youth will be strongly encouraged to eat on site.

Additionally, farmers market season launched in June, open through October. The Office of Food Justice encourages residents who receive SNAP, P-EBT, and WIC benefits to access programs available at farmers markets, especially the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), where each SNAP dollar spent on fresh produce provides access to $2 worth of food for the household. In addition, the City’s Farmers Market coupons are available for food insecure households from 25 community based organizations and community health centers in Boston, including Allston-Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, East Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury, and South Boston. The goal of the Farmers Markets Coupon

Program is to support households who do not qualify for federal and state programs, including but not limited to

immigrants and refugees. OFJ partners with 25 organizations which distribute coupons to their local communities.

Virtual Public Meeting

147 W. 4th Street Tuesday, July 25

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3Pux8Am

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 759 0670

Project Description: MBCU, 29 A Street Realty Trust and Lincoln Property Company are proposing the construction of a new 15,000 square-foot MBCU Headquarters, an eight-story, approximately 113,000 square-foot office/laboratory building, and a new, 13-story, approximately 111,000 square-foot residential building. 作为波士顿居民和利益相关者，本会议的信息对您来说是至关重要的。可以提供翻译服务以 传达本会议的内容，您无需承担任何额外费用。如果您需要翻译服务，请通过以下方式进行 联系： (stephen.j.harvey@boston.com) (617-918-4418) 会议定于 2023 年 07月25日， 请在会议前5天内申请口译服务 作為波士頓居民和利益相關者，本會議的信息對您來說是至關重要的。可以提供翻譯服務以 傳達本會議的內容，您無需承擔任何額外費用。如果您需要翻譯服務，請通過以下方式進行 聯繫： (stephen.j.harvey@boston.com) (617-918-4418) 會議定於2023年07月25日，請 在會議前5天内申請口譯服務 For more information visit: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/developmentprojects/147-w-fourth-street 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: 8/4/2023

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

Summer Nights On Carson Beach

BCYF Fun Fests Kick Off July 20 at BCYF Condon Mark your calendar and bring your friends and family to a fun and free Neighborhood Fun Fest Party and learn more about your neighborhood community center! The Fun Fest will be held on Thursday, July 20, from 5-7 p.m. at BCYF Condon Community Center, 200 D Street in South Boston.

The BCYF Fun Fest will offer a variety of free activities including music, a cookout, dunk tank, Mega Obstacle Course, DJ and dance party, snow cones and cotton candy, face paint and balloon magic, Hoop Mania, ice cream and Cookie Monstah trucks, special guest performances, giveaways and information about BCYF Condon Community Center’s programming and activities. There will also be fun activities in the swimming pool.

In the case of rain or other weather issues, please check BCYF’s social media pages, @BCYFCenters, for updates.

Additional Fun Fests will be held over the course of the summer at other BCYF centers. Visit Boston.gov/BCYF for dates and locations.

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ree f un summer evenings for teens with dinner and music!

Enjoy kayaking at MA DCR Summer Nights at Carson Beach and interactive arts activities at Moakley Park. Wednesdays from July 12 - August 23.

There will be free dinner, kayaking, volleyball, cornhole,

kite flying, arcade games, art, and more. Please Register as a group or individual to save space and ensure we have dinner for everyone! Music by DJ Ashton Lites.

We want to thank MA DCR, VOLO, and Piers Park Sailing, for being a huge part of our summer teens’ night event, This wouldn’t have been possible without their collaboration.

Spray Pool is Officially Open

M

ayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Skating Club of Boston welcomed children and their caregivers with the

support of title sponsor Bank of America and presenting sponsors College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving and H.P. Hood LLC. For information go to bostonfrogpond.com/spray-pool/

Nine-month-old South Bosotn Seaport resident Daisy Herzog was one of the youngest participants as the Boston Common Frog Pond spray pool reopened on June 27.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

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t’s been a Jekyll and Hyde type season for the South Boston Sr Babe Ruth team at the halfway point of the 2023 campaign. As of this writing, the team of currently right at the .500 mark with a record of 4-4, good for 3rd place in the South Shore Sr Babe Ruth League.

On Tuesday, June 27th, the team traveled down to Brockton for an early evening game at Tukis Park. South Boston starting pitcher Joey Macomber saw his first action of the season on the mound and started out nicely in the first inning after inducing a double play to get out of an early jam. From this point forward, is where Southie’s luck would run out. The Brockton bats came alive and began to “hit it where they ain’t” as what seemed like bloop

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

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Sr Babe Ruth Approaches Mid-Season hit after bloop hit fell in and allowed them to plate 2 runs in each of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings to jump out to a 6-0 lead. The offense just couldn’t get the big hit when needed as 9 runners were left on base in the contest. Tristin Pecevich and Steven Flynn both had multi-hot games for Southie and Geno Juliano and Macomber each added a hit.

The final score from Brockton was 7-0.

Next up on June 29th was the first of two straight games vs Dorchester at Garvey Park. Jerry O’Neil was the starting pitcher for this one and had another strong outing, working a complete game striking out 10 batters while scattering only 4 hits. Southie took the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Ryan McGarrell came around after an arrant throw on a Joe Greene single. Dorchester would then score 2

runs in the top of the 2nd inning before adding another in the 3rd to take a 3-1 lead. Things stayed that way until the bottom of the 4th inning when Greene came back up to bat and proceeded to hit an inside the park 2-run HR to make it a 3-2 game. While still in the 4th inning, Tommy Flaherty then delivered a clutch 2RBI double to left field that plated O’Neil and Flynn. It would stay that way as O’Neil (2-1) fanned the final Dorchester batter in the 7th with the winning run threatening on 2nd base to give Southie a big 4-3 victory.

The team returned to Garvey Park on July 1st hope for a similar result, but Dorchester was able to flip the script, and flip the score from the previous game for a walk-off 4-3 victory of their own. Geno Juliano (2-1/2.29ERA) was the tough luck loser on the mound going a complete

game with 10 K’s. Flynn had 2 hits while McGarrell, Greene, Pecevich, O’Neil, and Flaherty all added 1 hit apiece.

After a short July 4th break, the team was back in action on July 6th for an evening matchup against Wollaston at Coletta Field. The holiday rust showed early and often for the defense as several early fielding miscues spotted Wollaston a 5-0 lead after the first inning. The Wollaston left handed starter kept the Southie bats and base runners at bay throughout the night with several pickoffs and timely strikeouts. Wollaston would add 2 more runs down the stretch and with the goalposts of Veterans Football Stadium visible in the distance, Wollaston would win this one by a touchdown. Jerry O’Neil (2-2/1.93ERA) struck out 4 in his 6 innings of work. Ben Fennelly, Juliano, McGarrell, and Macomber had hits for Southie.

On Tuesday, July 11, South Boston lost to Braintree, 4-0, at Moakley Park. While the bats were fairly silent, Southie pitcher Jerry O’Neil had 13 strikeouts! Photos by Ginger DeShaney

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Compass on the Bay July 20, 2023, 6:00 pm.

Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group will be held in conjunction with our sister community, Standish Village. Call 617-268-5450 or email Director of Community Relations Dean Tricarico at dtricarico@ 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

The Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law

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

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

Summer Golf Course Concert Series Returns July 12

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he Boston Pa rk s a nd R e c r e a t i on Department’s live music offerings continue in 2023 with a series of Wednesday evening summer concerts on the patios at the City of Boston’s t wo golf course clubhouses.

Enjoy local artists playing and a wide variety of musical styles at the George Wright Golf Course Clubhouse at 420 West Street in Hyde Park and the William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse at 1 Circuit Drive in Dorchester.

Held in July and August, the Golf Course Concert Series is part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s yearround Pa rk A RTS progra m.

All shows are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Title Sponsor is Bank of America. Additional support

is provided by the Emerald Neck lace C o n s e r v a n c y.

The William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse concer ts begin July 12 with folk, pop, rock, reggae, blues, and soulinf luenced singer K a liloops, continue July 26 with rising R&B singer & songwriter Amari Alexander, and wrap up August 9 with New England-based solo acoustic artist Jon Holly wood.

The George Wright Golf Course Clubhouse concer ts begin July 19 with a second appearance by Jon Holly wood and continue August 2 with Western Massachusetts-based s i n g e r- s on g w r it e r Gr a y s on Ty, August 16 with guitar, vocal, and violin trio It’s a “J” Thing, and August 24 with Boston’s own country singers on g w r it e r Maddi Ry a n .

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

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