South Boston Today April 7 2022

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April 7, 2022: Vol.10 Issue 14

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Spurring New Housing Is Good But What’s The Deal With Resident Parking

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n January 2022, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has signed an amendment to eliminate parking minimums for affordable housing developments. At the time Wu said in a statement, “This action will help take down barriers to the creation of new affordable housing across the city. We need every tool in our toolbox to address our city’s housing crisis. Eliminating parking minimums removes an outdated standard from our zoning code and will spur new housing to make it easier for Bostonians to live and stay in our city.”

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April 7, 2022

EDITORIAL Could Elon Musk Be The Man To Stop The Suppression Of Free Speech?

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his newspaper doesn’t make it a habit of editorializing about multi billionaires. But we thought the story about Elon Musk and his purchase of more than 74 million shares of Twitter shares, making him the largest share holder in that ‘big tech/social media company, was worth commenting on.

Why? Because many South Bostonians along with so many millions of other Americans are social media users, many Twitter users included, and are concerned about the way these big tech companies seem to have joined forces to squash opposing views and the precious freedom of speech rights of Conservative Americans in particular.

We don’t know all that much about Mr. Musk, other than he’s listed as the world’s richest person, is the founder and CEO of the Tesla Company, and sends rockets into space. But something else he does is he seems to have a major problem with those big tech companies that pick and choose who may express views and who they will deny that privilege. Musk has criticized Twitter as of late for banning people it doesn’t agree with and can-

celling their accounts.

Twitter has cancelled and banned former President Trump, Tucker Carlson, several Conservative Hollywood actors who refuse to toe the leftist line dictated by Tinsel Town and a growing number of others who express different views than what Twitter demands. And yet, Twitter has no problem with the Taliban, the radical leaders in Iran who scream ‘Death to America’, Vladimir Putin and every crazy left leaning racist spouting hate on channels like

MSNBC, CNN and the like.

Their accounts remain active.

As South Bostonians, many remember well how, through the years, even to this day, the media has so often distorted the news in regard to incidents that have taken place in our community and has blatantly suppressed facts.

We’ve grown accustomed to it, but it doesn’t make it right.

So when someone like Elon Musk, with his massive resources and far reaching influence, steps forward and also says to do so is wrong,

and singles out not just the news media but big tech itself and then steps in, and puts his money where his words are and says he plans to make changes to Twitter’s policies of stifling free speech, it gives hope and brings joy to the majority of folks who consider the freedom to express differing views a sacred right.

It also sends shivers down the spines of those big tech censors who thought because they were so powerful; they could get away with

it forever. The word is that Mr. Musk’s announcement has Twitter employees and thought police furious as well in a panic. They’d call it being ‘triggered’.

Again, as most South Bostonians have always championed the right and ability to express themselves, it’s been disheartening to watch those rights slowly being chipped away. We hope the upcoming plans of Elon Musk will send a clear message to censors everywhere that those days are numbered.

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Information Center The

Americans Aren’t Believing The Phony Reasons For High Gas Prices SOUTH BOSTON TODAY John Ciccone

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ast week’s editorial in this newspaper focused on the Massachusetts’s state senate overwhelmingly voting down a bill to suspend the Bay State’s tax on gas at the pump. States around the country are doing it to give their citizens at least some break in cost, even if temporary when it comes to filling our tanks. Of course, this being Massachusetts it was overwhelmingly defeated by the Democrats. This of course came as a surprise to no one. Taking a little tax revenue from liberal politicians and giving it back to the actual taxpayers when it is needed would be like trying to pry roadkill from the jaws of ravenous wolves. As predicted, many of those at the state house who opposed this bill had excuses why it would be a bad idea, all of them bogus and ridiculous.

This brings me to the rising gas price situation that’s hurting so many people and small business round the nation. The excuses as to why prices at the pump are going through the roof coming out of the White House and backed up by the media are beyond bogus. They are outright lies. And much to the disappointment of leftists in this country, no one is buying these excuses for a minute. Everyone knows that it’s because of the policies of the Brandon Administration. That’s right, I said EVERYONE knows.

Even those who are die hard leftist Trump haters and insist its being caused by other reasons know why it’s happening but just won’t admit it. They fool no one. It’s difficult to dispute cold hard facts, but it is what it is: When Trump was president, the price was below 2 dollars for regular. It’s now above 4 dollars and climbing to 5 dollars The reasons for the increase and now even shortages in some loca-

Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at jciccone@southbostontoday.com

tions; reasons that every American with a functioning brain has easily figured out are these: Brandon shut down pipelines and stopped so much of the domestic drilling that much of our own supply has been choked off. By that move, our country went from finally being energy independent, to now being held hostage once again by the likes of OPEC and Putin. Radical environmentalists, who now lead the Democrat party around by the nose, want fossil fuels eliminated. So, they are pushing and pushing hard to kill American energy use and production.

These people see the hardship the high price of fuel is causing; making food costs climb and everything else Americans need to live their lives. And the truth is many of them want people to feel the pain. As far as they’re concerned, the more suffering, the quicker Americans will relent and switch to electric vehicles and solar roof panels on their homes. The environmental radicals: including people in the media, in Hollywood and in government have no problem paying 20 dollars a gallon if it comes to that and they hope it comes to that. They have no concept of what it’s like to live in the real world. Of course, while they push for ‘alternative’ energy sources for the rest of us, they still travel around in private jets and gas guzzling limos and yachts but that’s ok. As far as they are concerned, they’re special.

Last week, Brandon announced he would release millions of barrels of oil from the Strategic fuel reserves. These reserves are meant for national emergencies and would play a major role in our country’s national security when and if needed. If his plan were to be put in place, it would lower the cost per gallon by about 5 cents and last

about a week before prices climbed back and he knows it. Then he said he’d be willing to buy oil from Communist countries like Venezuela and terrorists nations like Iran and at outrageous prices – anything but tap our county’s vast oil and gas resources. The truth is the liberals in charge care nothing about America’s national security. This is even more evident by their refusal to secure our borders.

The plain truth is this. The fuel shortage is NOT caused by the war in Ukraine. That’s easy to see. The hardships that millions of Americans are going through now are being

inflicted by a cold, calculating bunch that have and have always had a dislike for our country. They hate our Constitution and the Founding Fathers who created it. They dislike the military, the police, the Capitalist system that has given the US so much prosperity and they firmly believe that American citizens have far too much freedom. To their way of thinking, the government should have total control of the people and they should have total control of the government. And this is why it’s so important to throw them out on their ‘tails’ come the next election and see to it that they never return to power.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education.

We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives.

These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.

Careful what you text The head of the Chicopee School Department was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday morning at her Belchertown home and charged with lying to investigators. Superintendent Lynn Clark allegedly sent 99 text messages from “fictitious” phone numbers to a candidate for police chief in Chicopee attempting to pressure that individual to withdraw. Clark later admitted that she had sent the messages after trying to deflect blame on to other possible suspects people, including other city officials, the candidate’s colleagues or even another member of her own family, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins.

AGs to N.F.L.: Fix your culture or we will Attorney General Maura Healey is one of six attorneys general

threatening to investigate workplace conditions at the N.F.L. unless the league takes steps to address allegations of harassment and intimidation of women and minority employees, Ken Belson and Katherine Rosman of the New York times report.

A letter led by New York Attorney General Letitia James was sent to N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell outlining the state chief legal officers “grave concerns” with the workplace culture at the league’s New York headquarters. Joining New York and Massachusetts were Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington state. For Healey, the action is in keeping with her office’s willingness play on the national stage, whether its involved taking on the Trump White House or suing Uber and Purdue Pharma.

The T ignored her until the me-

dia came calling Hannah Rosenberg was injured in a Green Line crash last summer for which federal investigators determined the driver of the trolley to be at fault. But when she tried to get the MBTA to cover her $1,000 out-of-pocket medical bills, she was greeted with silence. For eight months. The Globe’s Sean Murphy tells Rosenberg’s story, and explains how it took a call from him to put Rosenberg’s claim on the fast track.

Climate change a problem the next generation can’t escape College students like Maddy Roop didn’t envision their futures being about stopping and adapting to climate change. But when it’s in your face every day, some see little choice: “I don’t want to, like, literally throw my whole life away to fix this problem that is not my problem,

April 7, 2022

really. But I have to. Because what else can I do? My planet’s dying,” said UMass Lowell student Maddy Roop. GBH “Morning Edition” hosts Jeremy Siegel and Paris Alston talked with UMass student and Juliette Rooney Varga, a professor and director of UMass Lowell’s Climate Change Initiative, to better understand how climate change is, well, changing, how young adults make decisions about their future.

Russian runners banned from Boston Marathon The Legislature has directed the divestment of state pension funds from Russian corporations.

Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered the cancellation of state contracts with Russian firms. And now the Boston Athletic Association says Russian runners are no longer welcome. The Herald’s Rick Sobey reports that with the Boston marathon less than two weeks away the BAA has decided to ban Russians living in Russia and Belarusians living in Belarus from competing in the road race.

The sanctions remove 63 entrants continued on page 6

Boston Marathon 2022:

$15 Commuter Rail Marathon Pass and MBTA Service Information for April 18

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oday the MBTA announced service information and a special Commuter Rail fare for the day of the 2022 Boston Marathon.

To find the best Marathon viewing location on the T, customers are encouraged to visit the MBTA’s Boston Marathon Guide at mbta.com/ Marathon, which highlights MBTA stations closest to the Marathon route and includes helpful information on purchasing fares, parking, and more.

The MBTA also reminds customers that face coverings are required on all MBTA vehicles and within the system with more safety information available at mbta.com/ridesafer. $15 Commuter Rail Marathon Pass: On April 18, the MBTA will offer a special $15 Marathon Pass valid for all-day, unlimited travel on all

Commuter Rail lines through all zones. This special $15 Marathon Pass is available for purchase beginning April 11 through April 18 on the mTicket app and from ticket offices at North, South, and Back Bay Stations. The $15 Marathon Pass is also available aboard trains via cash or credit card on April 18 only.

Customers should note that the $15 Marathon Pass cannot be purchased at fare vending machines, and is not valid for subway or bus travel.

MBTA Service Information for the 2022 Boston Marathon: For public safety reasons, Copley Station is closed for the entire day on April 18. Customers are instead encouraged to use Arlington Station (serving all Green Line branches), Prudential Station (Green Line E branch), Hynes Convention Center Station (Green Line B, C, and D branches), or Back Bay Station on the

Orange Line. From approximately 10 AM to 6 PM, above-ground Green Line stops at South Street (B branch), Kent Street (C branch), and St. Mary’s Street (C branch) will be closed.

The Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines will operate a regular weekday schedule on April 18 with additional service before and after the race.

Buses will operate a regular weekday schedule on April 18, though some bus routes will be detoured to accommodate the Marathon and other festivities. Customers are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts for more information on these changes.

All Commuter Rail lines will operate a regular weekday schedule on April 18.

All commuter boat and ferry service as well as The RIDE service will operate a regular weekday schedule. The RIDE may be detoured to accommodate the Mara-

thon and related events.

Bicycles are prohibited onboard all MBTA subway vehicles (including folding bicycles) for the entire day on April 18. Backpacks, coolers, cans, bottles, and large items are not permitted at the Marathon.

Parking Information: Customers planning to park in an MBTA garage or lot on April 18 should allow additional travel time and note that some garages and lots may fill very quickly due to heavy parking demand. Real-time parking capacity information for Alewife, Beverly, Braintree, Route 128, Salem, Quincy Adams, Wonderland, and Woodland continues to be tweeted from @MBTA_Parking.

For more information, visit mbta. com/marathon, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA and @ MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, or Instagram @theMBTA.

April 7, 2022

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES PROGRESS TOWARD ELECTRIFYING CITY VEHICLE FLEET BPS to purchase twenty electric school buses in pilot program to launch fleet electrification: Central Fleet Management to train BPS students and City fleet managers in electric vehicle maintenance

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ayor Michelle Wu announced major strides toward electrifying the City’s vehicle fleet as part of a Green New Deal for Boston. The Mayor shared that Boston Public Schools (BPS) will be launching an electric school bus pilot program, deploying 20 buses during the 2022-2023 school year. These electric buses will replace existing diesel buses. This initial procurement is the first step toward full electrification of the school bus fleet by 2030. Mayor Wu also recommitted to growing Boston’s green jobs workforce by launching the electric vehicle (EV) “train the trainer” program, a partnership between the Public Works Department and Madi-

son Park Technical Vocational High School. This program will enable the City’s Central Fleet Management team to train students and City fleet managers in electric vehicle maintenance through Madison Park’s Automotive Technology Program.

These announcements build off the Wu administration’s commitment to building a Green New Deal City and previous announcements to reduce vehicle emissions in Boston.

“Climate justice is racial and economic justice. And this moment requires an urgent, all hands on deck approach from every level of government to reduce emissions and boost the health, safety, and opportunity of our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Not only are we working to electrify our school buses and municipal fleet for cleaner air throughout our neighborhoods, but these workforce development pipelines connected to electric vehicles will help support career pathways into the green economy.”

Boston Public Schools and the City of Boston’s Environment Department are working to reduce vehicle emissions by electrifying the City’s yellow school bus fleet, converting diesel school buses to

electric vehicles, with the goal of full electrification by 2030. As a first step, BPS will launch an electric school bus pilot program with an initial procurement of 20 buses, using BPS’s operating budget and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, with the goal of deploying within the next 8 to 10 months. Longer term, BPS will work to replace additional big buses each year, and then move to replacing smaller buses until the entire fleet is electrified.

Later this month, BPS will also launch a request for information (RFI), seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders on electrification strategies, existing initiatives in other cities, and exploring potential solutions to local challenges to electrification. This RFI will provide the City with information on what local private businesses, supply chain experts, and electric school bus and charging providers may have an interest in partnering.

BPS currently has 739 buses, which constitute 11 percent of the City’s municipal emissions. Since 2016, BPS has been working to replace diesel buses with buses that run on liquid propane, an interim so-

lution to reduce emissions and costs.

Propane bus technology offers lower air pollution than diesel buses, and transitioning from diesel to propane has provided opportunities to navigate fleet management for vehicles that have limited re-fueling points, priming BPS’s ability to work with electric school buses that may have range limitations that affect route assignments. Electrification will eliminate tailpipe emissions, address air quality and noise concerns around school pick-up and drop-off, offer a healthier work environment for bus drivers and monitors, and potentially offer cost savings over the entire bus life cycle.

As the City expands its electric vehicle fleet, the administration is also working with BPS to train the next generation of green economy workers through a new “train the trainer” electric vehicle maintenance program at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. Beginning this May, the Public Works Department’s Central Fleet Maintenance (CFM) Division will begin the first-ever “train the trainer” class for fleet mechanics from Public Works, Boston Police continued on page 6

6 Housing continued from front page

The Boston City Council unanimously passed the text amendment to the zoning code at a meeting last October, put forward by president pro tempore Matt O’Malley and councilor Kenzie Bok. “The need to build affordable housing in Boston has never been more vital, with half of Boston’s renters being rent-burdened,” said O’Malley.

“Eliminating parking minimums is an impactful and commonsense policy solution that can provide transformative relief for affordable housing builders.”

The move ends parking minimums for residential developments where at least 60% of the units are incomerestricted at 100% of the area median income (AMI) or below. The zoning change will not eliminate all parking at qualified residential projects but rather will allow each individual project to determine the amount of off-street parking necessary based on the needs of the project’s residents, rather than the existing, outdated formula, according to the city. In the case of the 3368 Washington St. development, it is moving forward after developers reached a settlement with a nearby property owner who filed a lawsuit over parking. The project will bring affordable and permanent supportive housing to Boston.

But what about the situation in the Charlestown Navy Yard where a little known about nor publicly vetted discretionary parking agreement between the developer of the Ropewalk Building and the Boston Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) not only waived parking requirements but both the Authority and the Owner of the property ‘snookered’ the tenants.

WCVB broadcasted the following story on this very topic.

Tenants of an apartment building in Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard say they were blatantly misled about the parking situation there, and that has resulted in them being unable to get permission to park on the street.It’s all because of a deal signed years ago between the developer and the city, which no one told them about.’

Maddie Walsh and Ed Hoogasian both rent apartments in The Ropewalk, a newly renovated Navy Yard building in the shadow of the Tobin Bridge. That makes them residents of Charlestown and eligible to get resident parking permits — or so they thought.

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

“We had a pass in August and then the next month we get a letter from the city saying this isn’t valid anymore,” Hoogasian said. “We started getting tickets left and right. The city actually began issuing permits to residents who moved into The Ropewalk last summer, but then a month later suddenly revoked them. Walsh says she’s probably spent $600 on parking tickets since then. In 2018, the developer of The Ropewalk, a company called Vision Properties, signed what’s called a “Transportation Access Plan Agreement” with the city of Boston. In the agreement, the developer promised that “residents who own vehicles will be required by lease to provide proof of parking arrangements at a nearby parking facility.” In other words, they’d have to get a garage spot instead of parking on the street. But the developer failed to tell prospective tenants. Leases reviewed by NewsCenter 5 have only one line about parking, which simply says: “No parking is allowed on the landlord’s property without the landlord’s permission.” Vision blamed the city for revoking street permits because the agreement has no language specifically “referring to tenants not being able to apply for resident parking,” which is true.

The city, it was uncovered, has dozens of these agreements, and would not answer questions about what it actually does to ensure developers follow through on their end of a deal — in this case, tell prospective renters that they’d be on their own to find parking.

This same issue is coming home to roost in South Boston with attorneys representing residential developers in South Boston Proper invoking a practice wherein the Zoning Department claims it has the power to allow developers to make a side agreement related to parking in the neighborhood and its request for additional livable space. However, the authorization language giving it the option to do so has not been produced by the City upon the request of civic associations, nor can any documentation be found in a public search.

With attention being given by News Center 5 in the case of the Charlestown story, this issue will be front and center in future zoning variance applications going forward.

WU Electric Fleet

and Boston Public Schools on how to safely service and repair EVs, adding new EV educational capacity to Madison Park’s Automotive Technology program.

Graduates of the program will be certified to teach the proper and safest way to repair and maintain EVs to students. The program will be offered to City fleet mechanics, seniors in the automotive program at Madison Park, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology students, and adult learners through the Career Technical Institute program at Madison Park.

“I am excited to see this policy come to life and am grateful for the partnership with the City to take these critical steps to upgrading our school bus fleet,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent. Dr. Brenda Cassellius.

“I am even more excited that our students at Madison Park are so integral to this new initiative and will have the opportunity to learn skills and make connections that will support them as they pursue careers. Thank you Mayor Wu and the entire team at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology for this wonderful opportunity to electrify our school buses and create pathways for our students.”

“The Public Works Department has always placed a strong emphasis on continuing education and training for our fleet mechanics and interns enrolled in the Madison Park Automotive program,” stated Director of

April 7, 2022

Fleet Maintenance, Bill Coughlin.

“We know that electric vehicles are here to stay, and by training future generations how to repair and service EV’s, we’re equipping them with a skill-set to acquire good paying jobs in the automotive marketplace.”

Beginning in the fall, electric vehicle maintenance will be added as part of the core curriculum for students participating in the Madison Park Automotive Technology program. Madison Park and the Public Works Department have had a longstanding partnership that goes back almost a decade, with CFM providing coop opportunities for students and professional development opportunities to staff and serving on the Automotive Technology program advisory board. Many alumni of the Madison Park Automotive program have gone on to careers as mechanics with the Public Works Department.

The City has been making progress on its commitment to installing EV charging stations throughout Boston’s neighborhoods for both municipal use and for residents.

The City currently has 66 active EV charging plugs. In December 2021, Mayor Wu announced that more than 15 additional charging plugs are planned for installation in 2022 and early 2023.

This builds on the City’s efforts to reduce vehicle emissions as outlined in the Fleet Utilization Policy.

In February, Mayor Wu appointed the Executive Director to lead Boston’s Youth Green Jobs program.

Window continued from page 4

from the marathon field. “We believe that running is a global sport, and as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine,” said BAA President and Tom Grilk.

Underserved in some of Boston’s neighborhoods of color This one will need a little time to ferment. But rest assured Beacon Hill lawmakers will be watching closely. The Globe’s Danny McDonald writes that three Boston city councils want permission to hand out 200 additional liquor licenses in the city to businesses in Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury and Hyde Park where there are relatively few restaurants allowed to serve alcohol. The proposal is being pitched as a way to support restaurants and small businesses in those neighborhoods, but it would first require approval from the City Council and then the Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker.

Traditionally, the Legislature has closely guarded its control over liquor licenses, to the frustration of many local officials.

April 7, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Rep. Lynch Announces Funding for New Martin Richard Fieldhouse in Dorchester

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.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) announced funding for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester, the Martin Richard Foundation and Boston Public Schools was included in the government funding package that has been signed into law. This spending package for Fiscal Year 2022 provides $1,000,000 in funding to support the partnership’s plan to develop a fieldhouse and outdoor athletic and recreational facilities for youth development and family engagement.

“I am extremely happy that this critical funding was included for the Boys and Girls Club, the Martin Richard Foundation and Boston Public Schools to create a fieldhouse that will provide a safe and educational site for our community’s children,” said Rep. Lynch. “Bill and Denise Richard have been friends for many years and this facility will provide families and children with more access to early education, care,

academic support and character and leadership development.

“I give great credit to Bill Richard and Bob Scannell for their hard work and dedication in spearheading this effort and my colleague Councilor Frank Baker for his continued support. And none of this would have succeeded without the amazing work of Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey who worked to ensure this funding was included in the final bill.”

“I want to thank Congressman Lynch for his steadfast advocacy for the proposed Dorchester Fieldhouse” said City Councilor Frank Baker. “This significant new investment in a state-of-the-art facility is necessary for the future development of our children and families; not just on the Columbia Point peninsula, but all across the City of Boston. This is needed in our neighborhood as it will serve as a place for our youth to gather and build lasting relationships

among their peers.”

“On behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, I express our gratitude for Congressman Lynch’s longstanding commitment to Boston’s children and families,” said Bob Scannell, President/CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester. “BGCD has been an anchor in Dorchester for nearly 50 years, and, thanks to Congressman Lynch, the Club looks forward to serving this community and Boston’s youth for generations to come. This critical investment will bring the Dorchester Fieldhouse - a fully accessible, state-of-the-art youth development facility - to Harbor Point. The Dorchester Fieldhouse will be right next to the McCormack and the Dever schools, and every aspect of the site’s design and programming has been intentionally planned. The new facility will be a vibrant, flexible gathering space that will foster personal growth and nurture a sense of community.”

7 “With this support, Congressman Lynch once again demonstrates the leadership necessary to get big things done for our community,” said Bill Richard, Co-Founder of the Martin Richard Foundation.

“His commitment to our city and his constituents continues to be his top priority even as he champions legislation and funding for working people across our country.

This facility is just another example of how government can help all people - uniquely designed to meet the next generation of students; located intentionally to attract and impact kids most in need and programmed with elements that allow for a forward-thinking, approach to sustainability, health, wellness, and culture for all kids of all abilities.”

This community project request was funded in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development bill of the appropriations package, which in full provides $1.5 trillion in discretionary resources that will help support American families, protect our national security and strengthen public health. H.R. 2714 makes historic investments in creating jobs, funding benefits for our veterans and expanding affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. It also strengthens lifesaving biomedical research through increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, invests in clean energy technology and supports underserved small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Jerome Smith, Head of Community Affairs, New England Region, Amazon; U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh; and Jim Brett, President & CEO, New England Council attended a luncheon program sponsored

by Amazon and hosted by the New England Council at the Seaport Hotel.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

The

Wine Guy

The Lighter Side

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oon enough, the better weather of mid spring will be here, (though if April is any indication as of today, it might be a longer wait!) and the wines to have will all be white and rose.

There’s still time, however, to have a few good lighter reds; here are some to consider…

Soter Vineyards ‘North Valley’ Pinot Noir 2017, is a Pinot Noir that exhibits strong aromas

of bright red fruits, with baking spices and underbrush. The nose is bright and high- toned - very expressive. Medium- bodied on the palate with a darker fruit profile, the wine is sleek and silky in texture. On the palate, you’ll find black mission figs and plums, with some anise, black pepper and a little forest floor note. In the finish, the wine reveals clove and hints of espresso. Soft, youthful tannins are nicely balanced with good acidity.

A surprisingly seamless wine for the money.

Louis Jadot, Beaujolais Villages, 2019. This dense and fruity wine was made by Burgundy negociant Louis Jadot. Rich cherry fruits have a balance between dry tannins and juicy fruitiness. The Gamay grapes used to make it quickly turn ripe, giving this wine a pleasant, medium finish. You can try this one with Grilled Lamb Chops and asparagus.

Somewhere along the way, Lambrusco got a bad rap, and people began to see it as a sickly-sweet beverage for not-serious drinkers.

I’m sure there is some bad Lambrusco out there, but it’s possible to find great bottles of this light red, fizzy wine from Emilia-Ro-

magna, and you will be delighted at how refreshing, savory, and food-friendly the wines are. The 2018 Medici Ermete Lambrusco Reggiano Concerto is a great one to have at the end of the day, out on the patio- light effervescence, notes of cherries, plums and figs with a nice finish make this one a great pairing with burgers, pulled pork or pasta dishes.

The 2017 Markham Merlot, Napa, California, is made from

April 7, 2022

several of its Napa vineyards and the relatively short skin contact time, as well as over 30% of it aged in New Oak, gives this one a lighter overall body, with notes of apricot and baking spices on the nose, a nice mouthfeel and a longer than expected finish. Put some Spareribs on the grill, fix a Spring salad and some French-style green beans and enjoy!

Talk To The Wine Guy at jdris8888@gmail.com

Supporting the Efforts at the Poland-Ukraine Border help, to do something. Me, my sister Sonia and a few friends with Polish roots are going to the Poland-Ukraine border to assist with this crisis. We need to fundraise and collect items to bring with us that are so desperately needed.

I hope you can help. Here are any of you know a few things we’re doing to get my mom was born this done: to Polish parents in Fill A Suitcase - Urgent Needs a Displaced Persons camp in Drive,Wednesday, April 6 – Germany post World War 2. My Wednesday, April 13 grandmother at a young age was Drop-off between 12-6pm at the taken from her home and her Stitch House 846 Dorchester Ave. family to work in a labor camp Needs include: Toothpaste/ in Germany and my grandfather brushes, Bar Soap, Wet Wipes, was a Polish Army POW. This Aspirin/Acetaminophen/Ibucrisis in Ukraine has been difprofen, Anti-biotic Ointment, ficult for me to turn away from. I First Aid Kit supplies, Feminine have been trying to find a way to Hygiene products

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Polish Club Fundraiser Saturday, April 9 7-11pm $20 at the door plus lots of raffle opportunities Please join us! We’re also accepting raffle donations for this evening.

Safety Supply List for Ukraine Amazon Wish List Consider a purchase direct from this list created in response to Ukraine needs https://www.amazon.com Donate Directly via Venmo @AnnissaEGeorge Please note “Ukraine Support Fundraiser” in note section If you have a larger contribution or a donation for our fundraiser April 9, please call Annissa (617) 594-1841 directly to discuss.

Thank you in advance!

April 7, 2022

9

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Virtual Public Meeting

Virtual Public Meeting

51 Melcher Street

330 C Street Wednesday, April 20

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3tdutzn

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 324 0184

Project Description:

Tuesday, April 19

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3LxUW18

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 061 0646

Project Proponent: GI Partners Project Description:

The proposed project consists of a new six-story 74-room hotel, with a ground-floor restaurant, situated at 330 C Street in South Boston. The lot size is approximately 8,202 square feet and is currently occupied by a vacant single-story concrete block building which formerly housed a repair garage.

The Project will involve the conversion of the existing approximately 97,000 square foot office building at 51-61 Melcher Street to life science use. While the existing building envelope will not be expanded, the Project will include physical changes to the interior and minor upgrades to the exterior of the building, including to loading facilities and mechanical equipment. The Project provides an exciting opportunity to develop additional life science laboratory and supporting office space to accommodate the burgeoning life sciences industry in Boston. The Project will meet the commercial needs of the Fort Point neighborhood while maintaining the existing historic character of the neighborhood.

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

mail to:

Close of Comment Period: 4/29/2022

BostonPlans.org

phone: email:

Nick Carter Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.908.5303 nick.carter@boston.gov

@BostonPlans

BostonPlans.org

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Virtual Public Meeting

363 E Street Tuesday, April 26 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Family Owned & Operated Since 1929

617-268-4662

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3L2oG5I Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 348 4476

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Project Description: The Proponent is proposing to construct a new residential development consisting of approximately 26,647 gross square feet of floor area, with twenty-four (24) residential units including, twenty-one (21) two-bedroom units and three (3) two-bedroom townhouse-style units, within a four (4) -story building of approximately forty-three (43) feet in height. The Proposed Project site consists of 9,411 square feet of land and was the former rectory building of St. Vincent de Paul Church, a former and now deconsecrated place of worship. The Proposed Project will also include twenty-five (25) garage parking spaces for motor vehicles, utilizing an automated lift system, as well as twenty-six (26) interior bicycle spaces for residents and sixteen (16) exterior visitor bicycle spaces.

mail to:

phone: email:

641 East Broadway South Boston, MA 02127

The Evolution of Oil heat

MCM Properties

Stephen Harvey Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4418 stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov BostonPlans.org

MetroEnergyBoston.com

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

mcmproperties.com

10

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

April 7, 2022

South Boston Holy Week Church Services Schedule Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel Stations of the Cross 3:pm at Gate of Heaven Church, Friday April 8th Holy Thursday: 7:pm at St. Brigid Church

Good Friday:

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered

by Compass on the Bay

3:pm Gate of Heaven, 4:pm St. Augustine Chapel,7:pm St. Brigid Easter Vigil: 7:30pm at Gate of Heaven Easter Sunday Mass Schedule Sunrise Service at Castle Island – 6:am 8:am St.Brigid, 9:m Gate of Heaven, 10:30am St.Brigid, 12:Noon Gate of Heaven (No 6pm Mass)

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pril 21, 2022, 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 617268-5450 or email Program Director 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, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston.

St. Monica and St. Peter Churches

Palm Sunday: Regular Schedules Holy Thursday : Mass of the Lord’s Supper Bilingual Mass 7:pm St. Monica Lithuanian Mass 7:pm St. Peter

Good Friday

Lithuanian Service 3:pm St. Peter English Service 5:pm St. Monica Spanish Service 7:30pm St. Monica

Easter Vigil

English 5:pm St. Monica Lithuanian 7:pm St. Peter Spanish 7:30pm St. Monica

Easter Sunday

Regular Schedules

Holy Week Begins This Sunday-Palm Sunday

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SBT Staff Report

his coming Sunday, April 10th is Palm Sunday. This is one of the Holiest times on the Christian Calendar, observed by the faithful worldwide. Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the week before his death on the Cross and the Resurrection that followed.

Some churches refer to it as Passion Sunday. Traditionally, Masses and Services are more solemn and subdued than during the rest of the year. Palm Sunday actually marks

the beginning of Holy Week, which is the most sacred time of the year for the 2.4 Billion Christians around the world and it all concludes on Easter Sunday.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem the large crowd greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with the palm branches, as well. All of this led up to the beginning of his journey to the Cross. Palm Sunday marks the sixth and final Sunday of Lent. It’s the opportunity for Christians to reflect on the final week before the Crucifixion and the Res-

urrection which is of course marked

by Easter Sunday.

In South Boston, traditionally, our churches see even larger crowds than usual. Palm Sunday is the day when parishioners and members of the congregation come and receive the Blessed Palm branches, provided by the various churches as has been the custom for centuries. These palms are then displayed in Christian homes year-round and then replaced by new palms the following year. They are usually hung in a family room for all to see as a reminder of Holy Week and Easter itself. Another practice by

some is to cut the palms into smaller sections and attach them in the shape of a Cross.

For more information regarding Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday schedules, you can contact South Boston’s local churches for days, times of Masses and Services.

South Boston Today will have the schedule of Masses and Services for Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday in this week’s issue next week’s issue as well.

Note: South Boston’s Albanian Orthodox churches will celebrate Holy Week and Easter Sunday the following week. South Boston Today will print the schedule for those services in our next week’s edition.

April 7, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

South Boston Catholic Academy News

March Highlights

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n March 17, the 2nd graders did a special writing activity in class. The prompt was “If you came across a leprechaun’s pot of gold what would you do?” All the students did a terrific job with their writing activity. One student, Hayden DeGroen, wrote: “I would count how many coins are in the pot.

After that I would split it in half and give half to the homeless and the other half to a food bank. I would donate the money because I want the homeless people to have a roof to live under and food to eat. We should all be grateful that we have a school to go to, a house to live at, and food to eat. I would also give them the

money so they could buy their kids presents for Saint Patrick’s Day, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Hanukkah. I care for the homeless. We should all donate to care and care about the homeless.” Quoting her teacher, Ms. Olsen… “I was not only blown away by the organization of her writing and details, but obviously her kindness! This was 100% thought up on her own. It reminded me exactly of what our Principal, Dr. Civian, discusses during our morning meetings in the gym. She was demonstrating exactly what our school is all about!”

Congratulations to South Boston Catholic Academy’s 6th graders

Liam Long and Alana McNamara for writing SBCA’s winning essays for the Max Warburg Courage Curriculum. Each student in grade 6 wrote essays on “Courage in My Life.” The Max Courage Curriculum and essay contest are inspired by the legacy of Max Warburg, a 6th grader who showed courage and determination in the face of his battle with leukemia.

The students’ essays were entered along with hundreds of others from local, national, and international schools, both public and private. The winning essays will be published in a bound book, The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond, Volume 31. The books are given to every sixth grader, and to all school libraries. Each student who participates in the Courage Curriculum also receives a Certificate of Participation.

The essay contest winners and their

11 teachers will be honored at the annual spring Awards Luncheon, where the students receive the Warburg Fellows Award. This year’s award luncheon was held on May 25, 2022 at Venezia Boston.

Shout out to our students in grade 6A for writing letters to pair with a care package for a school in Ukraine. The student’s letters were so heartfelt and kind. We are so proud of all our thoughtful students!

“Everyone has a Story: From Idea to Book”…On March 24, we welcomed Author and Storyteller Norah Dooley to SBCA. She taught the students in grades K2 to 6 all about the Art of Writing and Storytelling.

New families are welcome to email Mrs. Jamie Brown at j.brown@sbcatholicacademy.org for more information about South Boston Catholic Academy.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

April 7, 2022

This week,

Danny shared his thoughts on some of the top stories in the sports world:

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iger Woods is back. And while I normally find myself rooting for an underdog to rally on Sunday and beat him or any other favorite, this time, Woods is a true underdog, and I hope he’s the one putting on the Green Jacket this Sunday at Augusta National. It’s crazy to think that Woods almost lost his right leg after a horrific car crash just over a year ago. Now, he’s getting ready to compete in The Masters, for what is to be an emotional comeback story, even if Woods misses the cut.

Woods wouldn’t be coming back though, if he didn’t think he could win the prestigious major tournament. When asked earlier in the week at a press conference if he thought he could win this year’s Masters, he quickly replied with conviction, “I do.” As if we even needed to hear those words come out of his mouth. Of course, Woods thinks he can win The Masters this year. Why else would he play?

Woods explained that it’s not his swing or his actual golf game that’s in question at the moment.

It’s the amount of walking that needs to be done throughout the

entire tournament, especially if he does make the cut and is in contention on Sunday.You can’t ride in a cart in the pros. And anyone who thinks he should get some type of special exemption is wrong. Not only do I think you’re wrong, but Woods thinks you’re wrong too.

It would be an unfair advantage, and it’s just not going to happen.

If Woods wins The Masters this weekend, then he’ll have to do it by walking all 72 holes.

Given the severity of Woods’ right leg injury, we’ll just have to wait and see if all that walking will be an issue. But if it’s not, and Woods’ golf game is as good, right now, as he implies by saying he thinks he can win The Masters, then this is going to be must-see TV. And with Woods being +5000 to win, obviously I’ll be rooting for Tiger the underdog.

—The Red Sox begin the 2022 regular season this weekend at Yankee Stadium. And what do you know, Chris Sale won’t be healthy enough for a roster spot.

Sale has been placed on the 60-day injured list with a stress fracture in his right rib cage. He suffered the injury while working

out on his own during the lockout.

But can we really blame the lockout? I don’t think so. The lanky lefty returned from Tommy John surgery late last season, and so, the last couple of years have been quite the adventure for Sale, since his five-year, $145 million extension began in 2020.

According to Red Sox reporter Ian Browne this week, manager Alex Cora expressed some optimism when it came to Sale’s current recovery timetable with the rib injury. The MRI showed that there’s some healing,” said Cora.

“I think now, it’s just a matter of see how he feels and we’ll go from there. There’s some improvement and we feel good about it, but obviously [we need to] see how he reacts to treatment and all that stuff, and we keep building up and go from there.”

I’m one of Sale’s biggest fans, and even I’m becoming frustrated with his injuries. He missed all of 2020, then missed most of last season, and now we won’t see him again until June, at the earliest.

That’s one of the reasons the Red Sox have the fourth-best odds to win the AL East, at +600. The Toronto Blue Jays are the favorite to

win the division at +180, the New York Yankees have the second-best odds at +230, and the defending AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays have the third-best odds at +240. The Baltimore Orioles have the worst odds at +15000.

The Red Sox won 92 games last year and advanced to the ALCS, where they lost to the Houston Astros in six games. So, it does seem a little odd to me that they’re not getting much love in Vegas at the moment. When it comes to projected win totals for 2022, the Red Sox’ over/under is 85.5.

Seems like a fair number. But it also seems like a low enough number that you should take the over without any hesitation.

These Red Sox might not win the World Series, but they can definitely get to 90 wins again, and they have a much better shot to win the division than the Vegas odds might show. My prediction: Red Sox win the AL East with 94 wins and advance to the postseason for the second straight year, where they’ll be one of the most dangerous offensive teams still standing.

Follow Danny on Instagram @ DannyPicard.

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April 7, 2022

13

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

SPORTS TODAY RED SOX PLACE SALE ON IL AS Tweet 2022 SEASON of the Week BEGINS IN NEW YORK

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ture in his right rib cage. He suffered the injury during a throwing session just before the lockout ended.

Since Sale’s five-year, $145 million contract extension kicked in for the 2020 season, the veteran lefty has made just nine starts, thanks to Tommy

PATRIOTS ACQUIRE PARKER IN TRADE WITH DOLPHINS

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SBT Staff

he New England Patriots completed a trade with the Miami Dolphins over the weekend, sending a 2023 third-round draft pick to Miami, in exchange for wide receiver DeVante Parker and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick.

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SBT Staff

s if it were even a question once he showed up to play a few practice rounds at Augusta National, Tiger Woods will make his official return to golf by playing in The Masters this weekend.

Woods was out indefinitely after a serious car crash 14 months ago that left him with a serious, and poten-

tially career-ending right leg injury.

Now, Woods is not only returning to play at the 2022 Masters, he even feels like he has a chance to win his sixth Green Jacket.

When asked by a reporter if he thinks he can win this year’s Masters, Woods replied with no hesitation, “I do.”

Woods, 46, practiced several times at Augusta National earlier in the week, and initially called his re-

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 Boston at NY Yankees 4 P.M. FS1

NBA THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Boston at Milwaukee 7:30 P.M. TNT NHL FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Boston at Tampa Bay 7 P.M. NESN/NHLN GOLF THURS, APRIL 7 - SUN, APRIL 10 The Masters 3 P.M. CBS/ESPN

John surgery. In those nine games he started at the end of last season, Sale went 5-1 with a 3.16 ERA. In last year’s postseason, Sale started three games, going 0-1 with an ERA of 8.00.

Nathan Eovaldi was named the Red Sox’ opening day starter against

Parker, 29, has two years remaining on the four-year, $30.5 million contract he signed with the Dolphins. His cap hit in 2022 will be $6 million, while his cap hit in 2023 will be $6.3 million.

Last season, Parker played in just 10 games due to injury. In those 10 games, he had 40 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns. Parker’s best season was in 2019, when he caught 72 passes for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns.

Miami drafted Parker out of Louisville with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Parker be-

TIGER RETURNS AT THE MASTERS

MLB THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Opening Day Boston at NY Yankees 1:05 P.M. NESN

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Boston at NY Yankees 7 P.M. ESPN

SBT Staff

pening Day is finally here, and the Boston Red Sox begin their 2022 season with a three-game series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx this weekend. The bad news is, the Red Sox will be without starter Chris Sale.

Sale, 33, has been placed on the 60-day injured list with a stress frac-

WHATTOWATCH

the Yankees. Following their threegame series in New York, the Sox will travel to Detroit for a threegame series against the Tigers, before returning to Boston for the home opener at Fenway next Friday against the Minnesota Twins.

came expendable this offseason after the Dolphins acquired star wide receiver Tyreek Hill in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, and then giving Hill a $120 million extension.

Parker’s trade to New England marks just the fifth trade between the AFC East rival Patriots and Dolphins in the Bill Belichick era. Needless to say, everyone in Foxboro is hoping the Parker trade can be just as beneficial as the 2007 trade between the Pats and Dolphins that sent Wes Welker to New England.

turn a “game-time decision.” During his press conference on Tuesday, Woods explained that walking all 72 holes on the weekend was his biggest concern.

“I can hit it just fine,” said Woods.

“I don’t have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint. It’s now walking is the hard part. This is normally not an easy walk to begin with. Now given the conditions that my leg is in, it gets even more difficult. You know, 72 holes is a long road, and it’s go-

ing to be a tough challenge and a challenge that I’m up for.”

Woods also added: “I don’t show up to an event unless I think I can win it. So that’s the attitude I’ve had. There will be a day when it won’t happen, and I’ll know when that is, but physically the challenge this week is I don’t have to worry about the ball striking or the game of golf, it’s actually just the hills out here. That’s going to be the challenge, and it’s going to be a challenge of a major marathon.”