Dear neighbors,
Spring is finally upon us and I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather.
We were saddened by the passing of Representative Mel King at the end of March. Throughout his life, Mel worked tirelessly to bring out the best in people and help heal a divided city. He is an example of how words, actions and leadership can make a difference, and he will always be remembered as a racial healer and a family friend.
At the City Council, I filed an ordinance amending the City of Boston code relating to the study and report on the trafficking of illegal firearms, a resolution recognizing Irish-American Heritage Month, and a resolution to inform veterans about the resources available to them through the PACT Act.
As we enter into the 2024 Budget Season, the City Council will begin a series of Ways and Means Hearings starting from the end of April to the end of June. In the past few weeks, I have held budget meetings with District 2 residents to listen to what types of improvements they wish to see in their neighborhoods. I continue to encourage residents to write to me about any specific requests they would like to see in District 2 as we begin this process.
Finally, a reminder to all that street sweeping and the city’s leaf and yard waste programs have resumed.
Thank you, Ed |
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City and District Updates |
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BPDA Meetings
Abutters Meeting - The Clock Tavern, 342 West Broadway, South Boston Abutters Meeting
- Thursday, April 13, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- 58 Telegraph Street, South Boston Abutters Meeting
- Tuesday, April 19, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- 556 East Broadway, South Boston Abutters Meeting
- Monday, April 24, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- 404 West Second Street, South Boston Abutters Meeting
- Wednesday, April 26, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Cannabis Meeting |
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Love Your Block Spring Cleanup Love Your Block Spring Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 22 & April 29 this year. Sign up as a volunteer here: https://bit.ly/40FRuc6. You can learn more at http://boston.gov/love-your-block. Here is the schedule for District 2 neighborhoods:
Saturday, April 22 Chinatown, Downtown, Leather District
Saturday, April 29 Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, South End, South Boston, St. Botolph, West End, Wharf District |
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Renew your MassHealth The MassHealth redetermination period has started. Members should update their contact information and any changes in household, job, income, disability status, pregnancy to continue receiving benefits. Please ensure your health coverage is maintained. To renew your coverage, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/masshealth-eligibility-redeterminations
For assistance, you can call the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 or visit: http://boston.gov/mayors-health-line |
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Street Cleaning Has Resumed Street cleaning resumed on April 1 and will run through until November 30 for all neighborhoods except North End, South End, and Beacon Hill. To check the schedule for street cleaning or to sign up for Street Sweeping alerts, go to: https://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/ |
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Landlord Incentive Program Please note the Mayor's Office of Housing is now offering a Landlord Incentive Program to landlords who sign leases with individuals moving out of homelessness. Some of the incentives include lease-signing, unit retention bonuses, broker fees, and repair costs. To learn more about the program, please contact info@newleasehousing.org or call 857-323-6303. |
FY24 Community Preservation Act (CPA) Eligibility Determination The CPA Eligibility Determination Form for FY 2024 is now available. Every year, the CPA team determines if a proposed project meets the eligibility criteria based on the CPA statute. If your project is eligible, applicants are then invited to submit an application for consideration to the CPA’s nine-member Community Preservation Committee (CPC). You can review CPA’s Eligibility Determination Packet, the How to Apply Page, and complete an Eligibility Determination Form online. The deadline to submit an Eligibility Determination is Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 5 pm. |
Metrolist Affordable housing is one of the biggest issues we face in the City of Boston, and a top concern for many of our seniors, working families, low income neighbors, communities of color, and immigrants. The City of Boston provides a resource called Metrolist that helps you find housing based on your income and provides the most recent affordable housing listings. Please take a look and consider filling out an application for an opportunity to access affordable home ownership. For more information, please go to: https://www.boston.gov/metrolist |
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COVID-19 latest & testing According to the Boston Public Health Commission, COVID-19 positivity in the community is at 2.9%. If you are feeling unwell, please get tested and wear a mask. The BPHC provides free testing in the City. Please visit boston.gov/covid19-testing for available testing sites. I encourage those of you who are not vaccinated or boosted to receive your shots. Vaccines will reduce your risk of COVID-19 infection, and prevent severe illness, and hospitalization.
Vaccine & Boosters The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have now been approved for children as young as 6 months to 17 years of age.
Free COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinics are available in the City. Please visit boston.gov/covid19-vaccine to find a vaccine clinic. Do note that not all locations will carry vaccines for children. You should contact the vaccine sites for more information.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for a booster or which booster to get, the State website provides more information here: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine |
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Council Hearings and Resolutions |
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Ordinance amending the City of Boston code relating to the study and report on the trafficking of illegal firearms I filed an ordinance to require the Boston Police Department to provide an annual comprehensive study and review of the flow of firearms into the City of Boston. This would help law enforcement and policymakers better understand the impact of illegal gun trafficking, and the data collected will help craft strategies to reduce gun violence. Since 2015, there have been more than 1,700 shootings recorded in the City of Boston, with more than 170 shootings and 900 firearms recovered in 2022. Last October, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution declaring gun violence as a public health emergency. We must continue to focus on the issue of illegal gun trafficking, and to investigate, identify, and prosecute gun traffickers. |
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Resolution to inform veterans about the resources available to them through the PACT Act I filed this resolution to inform Boston’s Veteran community about the resources available to them through the “Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins” Act, also known as the PACT Act. This legislation was signed into law last year to address and expand the healthcare needs of U.S. service members who were exposed to toxic substances such as burn pits, Agent Orange while serving overseas. Over 3.5 million veterans are estimated to have been exposed during operations in the Middle East, with many reporting an onset of diseases such as sinusitis, rhinitis, and asthma. Boston Veterans who suffer these conditions should get in touch with the City’s Veteran Services Office and to enroll in the VA Health care system if they haven’t yet. Applying to Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits is free, and applying for the PACT Act benefits before August 10, 2023 will ensure benefits are backdated to August, 10, 2022. |
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Hearing to discuss digital equity and municipal broadband in relation to affordable housing in the City of Boston Last week, Councilor Kenzie Bok, Councilor Julia Mejia, and I held a hearing on digital equity and the digital divide in affordable housing in Boston. We had a productive discussion with Chief Information Officer Santiago Garces and Boston Housing Authority Chief of Staff Joel Wool as well as outside panelists Emilio Dorcely from Urban Edge, Marvin Venay from Tech Goes Home, and representatives from Verizon and Comcast. We spoke about addressing the remaining gaps, working with our Internet Service Providers to increase outreach and resources for digital access, as well as improve high-quality fiber connectivity to affordable housing developments and areas that experience non-competitive service. |
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Hearing to discuss safety of Light Poles, Bridges and Public Infrastructure in the City of Boston Earlier this week, Councilor Flaherty and I held a hearing on the safety of Light Poles, Bridges and Public Infrastructure. We spoke with city officials and the Public Works team with regards to the incident at Moakley Bridge when a pedestrian was struck by a light pole last year and discussed the City’s inspection and audit process for infrastructure as well as repair and maintenance schedules. |
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Kristen and I were honored to once again invite Mrs. Christine Devlin to the St. Patrick's Day breakfast. Mrs. Devlin is a Gold Star Mother as her son, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael Devlin, was killed in the bombing in Beirut. We honor Mrs. Devlin and all Gold Star Families, share in their grief and remember their sacrifice. |
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It was great to join my parents, South Boston neighbors and colleagues in government for the youth Basketball Free Throw Contest and Kickball game sponsored by the South Boston Citizens' Association. Thank you to the SBCA for supporting our youth in the community through sports and educational opportunities. |
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Thank you Age Strong and South Boston Citizens' Association for sponsoring the Senior St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in memory of Tom and Ed Butler. It was wonderful to join my colleagues in government, my parents, and South Boston neighbors for a delicious lunch, great music, Irish step dancing and friendship! |
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I was honored to join the parishioners of St. Mary of the Angels Church and Egleston Square residents at the Good Friday Stations of the Cross. We prayed in both Spanish and English for peace, love, compassion and for those in need, including our immigrant neighbors. |
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