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星期三, 11月 29, 2017

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NORTH STATION AREA MOBILITY ACTION PLAN

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NORTH STATION AREA MOBILITY ACTION PLAN
City to implement 18 new projects in North Station area to improve transportation safety and access for all modes of travel 
BOSTON - Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Boston Transportation Department and the Boston Planning and Development Agency today released the North Station Area Mobility Action Plan, a set of transportation improvements and initiatives for the North Station area that includes parts of the West End, North End and Bulfinch Triangle neighborhoods. Developed in partnership with the community, the Action Plan affirms the City of Boston's commitment to implementing 15 improvements in the next five years, as well as three longer-term projects, that will transform how people move around North Station, whether they choose to walk, ride bikes, take public transit or travel in personal motor vehicles. The project advances the goals outlined in Go Boston 2030, the City's long term mobility plan, as well as Imagine Boston 2030, the City's comprehensive planning document.

"I'd like to thank residents and other community members from the West End, North End and Bulfinch Triangle neighborhoods who have volunteered their time and effort to collaborate with BTD and BPDA on this important project," said Mayor Walsh. "For over a year, they have shared their vision and concerns, and prioritized solutions, at community meetings, pop-up sessions and online. We look forward to putting this plan into action alongside the community, and working with them on additional future neighborhood improvement projects."

"As a community we have worked on this for a long time," said North Station area resident Jane Forrestall. "We are happy to see improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists."

"The business community around North Station is looking forward to working with our neighbors and the City to implement the many good projects in this plan," said Jay Walsh, Director of the Downtown North Association. "Improvements to walking, biking, driving and transit will allow our employees and customers to access and move around the neighborhood more easily, and provide a more pleasant place to spend time."

Nearly 2,000 people an hour currently walk on Canal Street during the morning and evening rush hours. Public transit use is high with direct access to commuter rail service, Orange, Green, Blue and Red line subway trains, and MBTA buses, while numerous people take advantage of public bike share docking stations located in the area to incorporate cycling into their daily commute. Traffic on local streets is frequently congested due to a combination of weekday commuters, commercial vehicle deliveries to area establishments, events at TD Garden and private shuttle buses.

"Go Boston 2030 plans for a citywide transportation network that provides people with safe and efficient access on Boston's streets using all modes of transportation," said Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca.  "By incorporating a combination of pedestrian enhancements, protected bike lanes, improved transit connections and updated traffic signal technology, the North Station Area Mobility Action Plan brings us one step closer toward realizing the goals established in Go Boston 2030."
 
"Recent development has revitalized the North Station area, bringing new housing and stimulating the local economy," said BPDA Director Brian Golden. "The North Station Mobility Action Plan develops a strategy to respond to this increase in neighborhood activity, and I thank the community for its feedback and all of the local stakeholders whose funding and involvement will help shape the future of this neighborhood."

Improvements being designed include safer pedestrian access at Charles Circle, street direction changes and parking regulations in the Bulfinch Triangle, and pedestrian priority on Canal Street. Included among the short-term action items are protected bike lanes on Cambridge Street, digitally coordinating traffic signals, a bus lane on North Washington Street, bike lanes and safer pedestrian crossings on Blossom Street, and programs to encourage residents and commuters to get around without driving.
 
The North Station Area Mobility Action Plan is available online here.
 
About Go Boston 2030
Go Boston 2030 is the City of Boston's long term mobility plan.  Go Boston 2030 envisions a city in a region where all residents have better and more equitable travel choices, where efficient transportation networks foster economic opportunity, and where steps have been taken to prepare for climate change.  Whether traveling by transit, on foot, on a bike, or by car, people will be able to access all parts of Boston safely and reliably.  A list of projects and policies have been developed that are being implemented as early action projects in the near term, and a set of long-term projects and policies are intended to be implemented over the next 15 years. To learn more, visit www.GoBoston2030.org.

About Imagine Boston 2030
Go Boston 2030 complements 
Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years. Imagine Boston 2030 will guide growth to support our dynamic economy and expand opportunity for all residents. The plan prioritizes inclusionary growth and puts forth a comprehensive vision to boost quality of life, equity and resilience in every neighborhood across the City. Shaped by the input of 15,000 residents who contributed their thoughts to the plan, Imagine Boston 2030 identifies five action areas to guide Boston's growth, enhancement and preservation, and is paired with a set of metrics that will evaluate progress and successes. To learn more visit, imagine.boston.gov
.

MAYOR WALSH, ASIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CELEBRATE RIBBON CUTTING OF 88 HUDSON STREET


MAYOR WALSH, ASIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CELEBRATE RIBBON CUTTING OF 88 HUDSON STREET

Phase 2 of Parcel 24 created 51 new units of affordable homes in Chinatown

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) and Chinatown residents to celebrate the ribbon cutting of 88 Hudson Street, a development that created 51 affordable new condominiums for working families in Chinatown.  

"For many years, Parcel 24 sat as a vacant lot in our City. Now, the area has been transformed into homes for 51 families," said Mayor Walsh. "We want to ensure residents who have built their lives in Chinatown can continue to live here. I'm proud of the work the City and our partners have done to create these affordable homes for working families in Chinatown, and I thank everyone involved for making this project so successful."

88 Hudson is Phase 2 of the Parcel 24 redevelopment project and represents the culmination of more than a decade of planning, advocacy and hard work to restore the former land owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The first phase, or One Greenway, was completed in 2015 and provided 312 units of rental housing, including 95 affordable rentals, 3,300 square feet (SF) of retail space, 5,000 SF of community commercial space and 135 parking spaces, up to 50 of which are open to the public. The 13,000 SF center open space will be shared by residents of One Greenway and 88 Hudson.

Bordering Chinatown and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, One Greenway and 88 Hudson represent a revitalization of Parcel 24, as the site has historically been known as a vacant lot bordering the Massachusetts Turnpike. Located four blocks from South Station, the development sits at the southern end of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston's linear park that stretches more than one mile.

88 Hudson Street features20 one-bedroom townhomes, 22 two-bedroom townhomes, and nine three-bedroom townhomes. The new condominiums will be affordable to individuals at or below 100 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). Four of the homes will be available to households earning 60 percent or less of AMI, and 42 will be affordable to households earning at or below 80 percent of AMI. The new townhomes are priced ranging form less than $200,000 to $235,000.

The developer of this parcel is the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC), a 30-year old community-based organization, which serves the Asian American community of Greater Boston. ACDC has developed over $100 million in mixed-use real estate that is home to over 1,200 residents in Boston and Quincy. ACDC also runs bilingual financial and housing counseling and homebuyer workshops, youth leadership programs and resident and civic engagement initiatives throughout the year.

"ACDC is excited that we have now added 51 new homes to Chinatown where working families can afford to live, and own their own homes without worrying about rising rent or the threat of eviction. This completes Chinatown's vision of rebuilding of Hudson Street that started 15 years ago," said Angie Liou, Executive Director of ACDC.   

"I moved to America eight years ago with my family and within six years, we were forced to moved five times because a landlord decided to sell the house or because of bad living conditions.Two years ago, I won a lottery for an affordable apartment at 66 Hudson, and that made life much more stable for my family. This allowed me to save money and become a homeowner for the first time in my life. Thank you to ACDC, Mayor Walsh and everyone for this life-changing opportunity," said Man Li Chen, who will be moving into her affordable condo at 88 Hudson with her family soon.

This project has revitalized a historic piece of the Chinatown community, bringing the entire vacant site back to productive use. The development also received overwhelming support from the community, local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

The more than $20.5 million new building has been made possible in part, by a contribution from the City of Boston totaling more than $6 million, including $5.9 million in City of Boston Inclusionary Development funds and $750,000 from the City of Boston's Neighborhood Housing Trust. This substantial City investment enabled the development team to take advantage of more than $4 million in state funding, including $2.1 million from the Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development and Housing Stabilization Funding and $1.9 million in Affordable Housing Trust Funds. Eastern Bank also provided an $8.9 million construction loan to the project. CEDAC provided predevelopment financing for the project.

To date, the Walsh administration has committed more than $100 million in funding to the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Today's announcement also contributes to the City's preservation and anti-displacement goals, outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030, Mayor Walsh's housing plan, and the housing goals laid out in Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years. As part of both plans, Boston has prioritized increasing the overall housing supply, with a focus on creating and preserving affordable housing.

星期二, 11月 28, 2017

綠茵苑第二期剪綵啟用











喜齡會歡慶感恩節 波士頓耆老同樂

【喜齡會歡慶感恩節  波士頓耆老同樂】

大波士頓區中華文化協會喜齡會舉辦「感恩節餐會」、活動主辦人
李國富(第二排左一)、牛頓市前市議員馬惠美(前排左二)、波士頓
僑教中心主任歐宏偉(前排左四)與全體耆老合影
大波士頓區中華文化協會喜齡會於1128日舉辦「感恩節餐會」,由會員準備各式拿手好菜和大家分享,除話家常與敘舊之外,並安排歌唱節目助興,30餘位耆老度過一個溫馨愉快的午餐聚會,大家互道感恩節快樂,氣氛歡喜,場面熱絡。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉應邀出席喜齡會「感恩節餐會」,
轉達僑務委員會委員長吳新興博士及駐波士頓臺北經文處
處長賴銘琪對長輩的問候與祝福
這項慶祝感恩節的餐會由喜齡會召集人李國富先生主辦,他表示雖然已經過了美國的感恩節,但是心中常懷感恩之心,很歡迎所有長輩踴躍出席這項活動,並謝謝大家的支持,讓喜齡會的長輩都能定期聚會,他也感謝駐波士頓臺北經文處及僑教中心的大力支持。


波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉應邀出席致詞,他說,感恩節是一個最適合道謝及感念的日子,特別轉達僑務委員會委員長吳新興博士及駐波士頓臺北經文處處長賴銘琪對與會耆老的問候與祝福;歐宏偉也表示,能再次見到高齡近96歲的黃姆婆婆以及趙鍾英阿姨、May阿姨和許多位已認識十餘年的叔伯嬸姆,更是開心與感動。
波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左二)與黃姆婆婆(右一)、趙鍾英阿姨
(右二)May阿姨(左一)合影

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉()與黃姆婆婆()合影,並祝賀黃姆
96歲生日快樂







星期一, 11月 27, 2017

Fletcher 政治危機會議 2018 三月見


MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS EMME HANDY AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR CITY OF BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS EMME HANDY AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR CITY OF BOSTON

Handy joins City of Boston with more than 10 years of experience in government finance and fiscal management

 
Emme Handy

BOSTON - Monday, November 27, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Emme Handy as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Collector-Treasurer and Chief of Administration and Finance for the City of Boston. Handy brings more than a decade of experience in government finance, administration, and fiscal policy and management to the role.

"I'm pleased to welcome Emme Handy as Boston's new Chief Financial Officer," said Mayor Walsh. "Emme has an impressive record of managing government finances and overseeing operations at a statewide level, and I look forward to adding her expertise to our team to build on our result-driven, responsible and forward-looking strategy to ensure that Boston's overall fiscal health remains strong."

As CFO, Handy serves as the Chief of the Administration and Finance Cabinet, and is responsible for all aspects of financial management for the City of Boston. In this role, she will continue the sound fiscal stewardship of the city's human and financial resources to support the long term growth and stability of the city. Her financial responsibilities include debt and investment management, financial reporting, budget development and oversight, tax administration, and administration of enterprise-wide financial systems. As Collector-Treasurer, she is the custodian of more than 300 City trust funds.

"I am honored to join Mayor Walsh's team and to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Boston," said Handy. "I am eager to get to work implementing the Mayor's vision for the city by building on his strong record of responsible management and financial sustainability."

In collaboration with other City departments, Handy will implement the Mayor's strategic goals, increase organizational performance and manage the city's overall health--which has reached its pinnacle with perfect bond ratings--under Mayor Walsh. As CFO, Handy will oversee many departments, including Assessing, Auditing, Budget, Community Preservation, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Purchasing, Registry, the Retirement Board, Collecting, and Treasury.

Emme Handy joins the City of Boston after serving as the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where she oversaw the development and implementation of the Institute's $400 million annual operating budget and $20 million capital budget. Prior to that, Handy served as the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Fiscal Operations at the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance, where she oversaw the development and management of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' annual $37 billion operating budget. As Budget Director in that office, she directed a team of 20 finance, policy, operations and federal grants management staff in developing a comprehensive, fiscally responsible budget framework for the state, while proactively managing spending and revenue to ensure balanced budgets capable of meeting public needs.

Before joining the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, Handy served as a Fiscal Policy Manager and Analyst for the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means, where she developed $3 billion in annual spending and revenue estimates for the Committee in the areas of public health, mental health, disabilities, and veterans' services.

The Administration and Finance Cabinet ensures that city services are delivered with high quality, with high ethical standards, are financially prudent, are responsive to the needs of the citizens of Boston, and consistent with the laws and ordinances governing municipal government.

Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, the City of Boston achieved its fourth consecutive year of AAA bond ratings, the highest possible credit rating a city can receive. In February 2017, Moody's Investor Services said that, "Boston's AAA reflects the city's strong fiscal management and stable financial position as well as the large and growing tax base," while S&P Global Ratings said that they viewed, "Boston's management environment as very strong." For more information on the City of Boston's budget, please visit budget.boston.gov.

Handy, a Northeastern University graduate, will begin her position as Chief Financial Officer, Collector-Treasurer and Chief of Administration and Finance on January 1. She currently lives in the South End with her husband, Matthew Handy, and daughter, Josephine.

Governor Baker Ceremonially Signs Legislation Increasing Penalties for Handicap Parking Fraud and Abuse

Governor Baker Ceremonially Signs Legislation Increasing Penalties for Handicap Parking Fraud and Abuse
An Act Relative to Handicapped Parking will increase penalties for fraudulent use of disability parking credentials

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker was joined by members of the Senate and House and Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin Deveney at a ceremonial bill signing for An Act Relative to Handicapped Parking, legislation which increases the current penalties for the fraudulent use of disability parking credentials.  The new law also provides the Registrar of Motor Vehicles with additional statutory authority that can be used in the process of reviewing applications and investigating fraudulent claims for handicap placards and motor vehicle license plates.

“The use of disability parking placards should be reserved for our most vulnerable residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We were pleased to work with the Legislature to pass these important protections for those in need of dedicated parking, while increasing penalties for those who abuse the system.”

“This administration and the Registry of Motor Vehicles continue to be supportive of ongoing efforts to address placard abuse and welcome the new tools this legislation provides,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.“We will continue working with our state and local law enforcement partners to hold those who fraudulently use disability parking credentials accountable.”   

The new law amends Chapter 90 in Sections 2 and 24B, and includes the following key provisions:

·       Prohibits the use of a handicap plate or placard used by someone who is using the name of a deceased person.  An individual using a decedent’s placard or plate will be fined $500.00 for a first offense and $1000.00 for a second or subsequent offense;

·       Increases the license suspension for a person who wrongfully displays a handicap plate or placard from 30 days to 60 days for a first such offense;

·       Increases the license suspension for a person who wrongfully displays a handicap plate or placard from 90 days to 120 days for a second offense;

·       Provides that anyone who obstructs the number or expiration date of a handicap placard or otherwise makes its visibility unclear will be fined $50.00;

·       Amends Chapter 90, section 24B to impose criminal penalties for forging, stealing or counterfeiting a special parking identification placard; and

·       Allows the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to refuse to process applications for handicap plates or placards if the applicant does not provide documentation or information required by the Registrar to verify the information contained within the application.
“The goal of this new law is to prevent the use of handicap placards by individuals who do not need them,”said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack.  “Plain and simple, placards are to help people with disabilities.  Those who would use them fraudulently are breaking the law and should be held accountable with higher fines, a license suspension or other criminal penalties that are deemed appropriate.”
“The Registry continues to work with our stakeholders to share information that can be used to curb the fraudulent use of placards,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin Deveney. “Anyone not eligible for a placard and who uses one fraudulently is taking away an option for someone truly in need. A placard may only be used by the person to whom it was issued; placard holders should be guarding their placard as closely as they would their identification card, bank account information or social security number.”

“The abuse of handicap placards is a shameful practice that prevents people with disabilities access to much needed parking close to their destinations. This bill cracks down on offenders and curtails the misuse of placards,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).

“The improper use of handicapped parking is not only disrespectful, it is dangerous,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “This legislation will help ensure that individuals with disabilities and limitations have access to appropriate parking accommodations.”

“The misuse of handicapped parking placards robs municipalities of much-needed revenues and prevents persons with disabilities from finding accessible parking,” said Sen. Eileen Donoghue (D-Lowell). “This law will benefit both disabled individuals and local governments.”

The MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles continues to make progress towards curbing placard abuse through the establishment of the Massachusetts Disability Placard Abuse Task Force, and the creation of an online site for the public to report suspected fraud, https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-disability-parking-abuse.

The Registry is part of the Massachusetts Disability Placard Abuse Task Force that meets quarterly with stakeholders to share information and best practices on fraud reporting procedures, and discuss ways to increase placard training for partners in law enforcement and members of local commissions on disabilities. The task force has representation from the Massachusetts Office on Disability, Boston’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Inspector General, Massachusetts State Police, Boston Police, local police, the Boston Transportation Department and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

星期四, 11月 23, 2017

紐英崙中華公所英文版章程未禁止幹部競選連任

            (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導) 紐英崙中華公所將於1128日召開本年度最後一次會議,訂125日改選下屆幹部。主席在報告中聲明,中華公所行事以英文版公所章程為依據,其中並無禁止職員競選連任條文。
            紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊在會前向大會董事提交了主席報告,重點有六。
            關於黃氏公所及黃光野於530日向薩福克郡高等法院提告,要求廢止中華公所59日所做,有關黃光野的兩項表決案一事,法院於619日同意給予初步禁制令,中華公所其後上訴,但礙於司法程序,在全案解決前,黃光野將保有顧問,以及出席中華公所董事會代表的頭銜。
          關於此事的訴訟日程,包括2017927日,回應申訴,2018326日前做完蒐證報告,2019530日預訂結案,並有法官做出判決。
          7月份的會議中,中華公所董事會投票批准聘用Tarlow, Breed, Hart and Rodgers律師樓的律師Al DeNapoli來為中華公所辯護。此案目前仍處於發現證據過程中。
          關於發展大同村南向停車場一事,中華公所已聘請MunkenbeckDavid Traggorth製作資格要求(RFQ),招標書(RFP)。目前資格要求已送給13家有發展可負擔住宅經驗,或以前曾對此開發案表示過興趣的發展商,包括華人經濟發展協會(CEDC),亞美社區發展協會(ACDC),可負擔住宅保存會(POAH),社區建造者(TCB)EA費雪發展公司,榮門(Wingate),烽火(Beacon)Penrose,以及睿聯置業(Related Beal)。中華公所目前已收到6家發展商的回應,包括ACDC, POAH, TCB, Winn, BeaconPenrose
中華公所的物業小組已和所有六家有回應的發展商面談過,決定邀請榮氏(Winn),烽火,以及亞美社區發展協會遞交競標書。中華公所的招標書將於11月底送交給這些發展商。最後定案的招標書,也附在主席報告中,供中華公所董事參考,置評。
戴維斯公司(Davis)和波士頓華人佈道會(BCRC),中華公所正和波士頓計畫及發展局持續合作,以推動區域計畫案(PDA)申請。有關這一發展案的最後草案,也負載報告後,供中華公所董事參考,置評。
中華公所門前的孔子像,損壞的速度很快,Arthur Choo已為重做,準備了一套規格,也未修理殘障坡道做了準備。中華公所目前只收到兩份競標書,稍後將問在審閱合約上一向很幫中華公所的NEI。這讓中華公所多收到4份競標書。NEI已同意幫中華公所監管合約,內容包括水泥工,以及塑像維修。不過,看起來費用會是在65,000元至70,000元之間。關於此事,物業小組會有更詳盡的報告,並向董事大會要求更高的發包合約權力。
20171112日時,黃光野及黃市公所的律師寫了一封信給中華公所的律師,威脅要申請緊急禁制令以阻止陳家驊尋求連任中華公所幹部。中華公所在回應中指出,中華公所章程英文版並未聲明禁止幹部尋求連任,而且中華公所章程以一文版為準。
該信件也附在中華公所主席報告中。