Baker-Polito Administration Awards $580 Million in Loans to Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $580 Million in Loans

to Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects

BOSTON – January 23, 2017 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that 70 projects, impacting 44 communities across the Commonwealth, are eligible to receive $580 million in 2% interest-rate loans to fund construction and planning projects designed to improve water quality, upgrade or replace aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and cut treatment plant energy use and costs. The State Revolving Fund (SRF) awards were announced by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito at the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) Annual Conference.

“The State Revolving Fund offers substantial funding at an affordable rate, which allows us to increase the availability of safe, clean drinking water and ensure the proper disposal of wastewater, while stimulating our economy through local investments,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Water resources and infrastructure are vitally important to the Commonwealth, as shown by our recent statewide drought, and these funds help to address the needs of municipalities across the Massachusetts.”

“Funding for water infrastructure and treatment plant upgrades are critical to communities across the Commonwealth continuing to provide safe, reliable drinking water to their residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Through these State Revolving Fund loans our administration is committed to working with our municipal partners to secure the capital needed to build the treatment plants and replace the water mains, while integrating renewable energy components into the projects.”

SRF financing is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (MCWT) and funds projects implemented by cities and towns, regional water supply and wastewater treatment districts, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The projects include 50 clean water initiatives (see Table 1) totaling more than $454.9 million and 20 drinking water projects (see Table 1) totaling more than $125.1 million. Communities offered SRF funding in this round must decide to move forward with the project by June 30, 2017 and secure local funding authority.

“When municipalities upgrade water treatment facilities’ equipment and processes and integrate renewable technologies, they are able to reduce energy use and emissions, while saving ratepayers money,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to ensuring that State Revolving Fund loans remain a valuable catalyst for our municipal partners to upgrade their water treatment facilities and practices.”

“The Clean Water Trust provides an essential service to municipalities by financing water infrastructure projects,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. “The Trust has donated nearly $7 billion towards improving water quality, which has both public health and economic benefits across the Commonwealth.”

Six of the projects receiving funding are for renewable energy, energy efficiency or green infrastructure initiatives. These projects involve energy efficiency upgrades to treatment plants and the on-site installation of renewable energy technologies, such as solar cells and wind turbines. Energy use at wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities is a major contributor to overall energy consumption for many cities and towns, with communities statewide spending approximately $150 million per year on electricity to treat 662 billion gallons of wastewater and drinking water. About 30 percent of municipal energy use derives from water treatment. This year, 35 of the new projects are eligible to receive principal forgiveness. Principal forgiveness is awarded to renewable energy projects and for projects in communities that meet the affordability criteria established by the MCWT. The affordability criteria factors in per capita income, unemployment rate and population trends.

“These water infrastructure and treatment plant upgrades and investments are critical to protecting public health and the environment,” said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “These projects will cut air emissions from plant operations, stabilize municipal energy costs and effectively manage precious water resources.”

The SRF is comprised of two programs that have provided nearly $7 billion to Massachusetts projects: the Clean Water Fund, first capitalized in 1989; and the Drinking Water Fund, which began operation in 1999. More information on the two SRF programs can be found here. This year, the Clean Water SRF provides more than $454.9 million in financing for clean water projects across the Commonwealth. Approximately $360 million will fund 16 new construction projects, $64 million will be allocated towards funding six previously approved multi-year projects, $2 million has been allocated to the emergency set-aside account, $5 million will be directed to the Community Septic Management Program to remediate failed septic systems in participating communities, and $23 million will fund 18 proposed planning projects.

“The quality of our water infrastructure and safety of our drinking water necessitates ongoing vigilance,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I'm encouraged by the environmental and economic impacts of this initiative and thank the Baker Administration.”

“The Clean Water Trust funding will provide Haverhill with the opportunity to address continued upgrades to city’s water and sewer infrastructure,” said State Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill), House Chair of the Committee on Ways & Means. “Providing an updated water treatment facility will help to create a more efficient infrastructure that will lower energy consumption and improve water quality in our city.”

“Conserving natural resources and improving access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water are critical issues in Framingham and across the state,” said State Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “This funding is key to upgrading the Worcester Road Pumping Station to best ensure a sustainable, high-quality water supply in our community.”

“Communities all over the state are struggling to keep up with the costs of infrastructure maintenance. Any assistance that the state can give them goes a long way,” said State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I hope to work with MassDEP and the Baker-Polito Administration to address water infrastructure challenges this legislative session.”

“The SRF loan awards will provide the financial opportunity and incentive to make necessary improvements to our water infrastructure on the South Coast,” said State Representative Paul Schmid (D-Westport), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “My communities of New Bedford and Fall River can benefit greatly from the various wastewater enhancements they are eligible for. Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration for prioritizing water quality in the Commonwealth.”

The Drinking Water SRF provides more than $125.1 million in financing for drinking water projects across the Commonwealth. Approximately $95 million will fund 16 new construction projects, $27 million will be allocated towards funding three previously approved multi-year projects, $2 million will fund an emergency set-aside account and $500,000 is allocated for a single planning project. Massachusetts awards infrastructure financing under the SRF, which is administered by the MCWT – a joint effort of MassDEP, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance and the State Treasurer’s Office.

To be eligible for Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF loans, municipalities, wastewater districts and water suppliers filed applications with MassDEP last year demonstrating that proposed projects offer significant public health or water quality benefits, have local funding authorization, and a commitment on the borrower’s part to file a timely loan application. The projects on the 2017 SRF list must now file loan applications and receive MassDEP approval to obtain funding.

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

麻州參眾兩會議員擬給自己加薪40%

兩名熟悉情況者透露，麻州參眾議會議員的加薪案，在兩會議長狄樂歐(Robert DeLeo)和羅森柏(Stanley C. Rosenberg) 協商後，訂定的年薪為142,000元左右，和他們的現有年薪相比，約等於加薪40%。

            這加薪案估計會於週四抵達麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)的辦公桌。該加薪案細節還包括為州長，符合憲法規定人員等其他的人加薪。

            波士頓環球報指民主黨籍的議會領袖們認為在大眾注意力放在華府的權力轉移，新英格蘭愛國者隊在超級盃中贏得名次之際，提案給他們自己加薪到每年175,000元，大概不會引起太多公眾憤慨。

            該加薪案是2014年末由一委員會建議的。原本的提案是總費用大約一年增加100萬元。目前還不清楚該案是否也包括了給州長加薪到185,000元，給符合憲法工作人員加薪到175,000元。麻州州長的現行年薪是151,800元。

            麻州長查理貝克雖曾說過他不會接受加薪，但他未就是否會簽署加薪案表態。

            波士頓環球報指出，一旦加薪案通過，狄樂歐和羅森柏的退休金都將大幅增加，因為那是以他們薪水最高的那三年做計算基礎。

波市長要探討市民證可行性

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RFP TO STUDY FEASIBILITY OF CITYWIDE MUNICIPAL ID PROGRAM

Seeking firms with expertise in program design,  IT security and privacy

BOSTON - Monday, January 23, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to assess the demand and study the feasibility of implementing a municipal ID program in Boston, including an evaluation plan. A municipal ID program would enable Boston to issue ID cards to its residents, many of whom face barriers to obtaining government-issued forms of identification. "We are committed to creating a more inclusive and accessible city for all Bostonians," said Mayor Walsh. "This RFP will allow Boston to determine if a municipal ID program would be beneficial to our residents, particularly the elderly, students and immigrants who may not have access to traditional means of identification like driver's licenses. This study will help us best serve all of Boston's residents." The RFP seeks a consultant to develop possible program designs that incorporate the latest technology standards in IT security, privacy and confidentiality as well as integrate efficiently with existing City services. The City will determine if a municipal ID program is possible, and if so, what option best meets the needs of Bostonians and fulfills Mayor Walsh's mission to create a more welcoming and equitable city. Proposals must be submitted by February 28, 2017 through the City's Supplier Portal.  A final proposal will be selected by the end of March. The City expects the selected consultant to begin working immediately, and to conduct the study within a six month timeframe.   "A municipal ID program is an opportunity to improve the lives of the City's most vulnerable residents, while providing tangible benefits for all Bostonians," said Felix Arroyo, Chief of Health and Human Services. "This study will help us better understand how to tailor a potential program to the needs of all Boston's residents." A successful and viable municipal ID program would be an opportunity for the City of Boston to help residents more fully engage in civic life by increasing their access to city services, banking options, the City's renowned cultural institutions, and more. Municipal ID programs are also designed to increase public safety by giving residents a means of interfacing with law enforcement officers with confidence, thus promoting lasting relationships of trust between public safety officials and the communities they serve. For more information about the Boston Municipal ID Feasibility Study, visit the City's Supplier Portal: boston.gov/procurement and access EV00003956.

波士頓華僑文教中心與民攜手揮毫迎新春

右起，伍振中，黃周麗桃，陳家驊，約翰萊斯，雲雯蓁，賴銘琪，蔣宗壬，吳紹營，歐宏偉，林卓培，池元山等人展示各自的揮毫作品。(橋教中心提供)

“金雞曉啼開盛紀，波城萬戶接豐年"。波士頓華僑文教服務中心1月21日以這麼一幅濃濃吉祥味的春聯，在中心會址慶祝農曆新年，迎接川流不息的200多名社區大眾聯合揮毫。

波士頓中華書法會的知名書法家，林卓培、伍振中、吳紹營與會長周麗桃，這天應僑教中心之邀，在會場即席揮毫，寫出一幅幅詞巧意頭佳的春聯，讓到會民眾帶回家張貼。

右起，陳家驊，樂和萊斯，雲雯蓁，賴銘琪處長夫婦，蔣宗壬等人
聯席揮毫。(橋教中心提供)

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁伉儷、牛頓市議員約翰萊斯(John Rice)、波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬和紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等貴賓在活動開幕時，聯袂揮毫，氣勢格外不同。

與波士頓睽別十餘年的僑教中心主任歐宏偉，去年中回駐波士頓，這還是第一次主辦”新春聯合揮毫"活動，格外花心思佈置場地，不但張掛燈籠，請祥獅獻瑞，還在會場擺出鳳梨、蘿蔔、餅乾、瓜子、三太子等傳統年節食品及擺飾，還有民俗文化種子老師林賢琪提供的雞年拓印卡片，的確給了人提早過新年的感覺。

波士頓中華書法會今(22)日在紐英崙中華公所也舉辦了一場聯合揮毫迎新春活動。

僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右)欣賞林卓培(中)的工筆書法。

小朋友由家長帶到會場試筆。

Many STATEMENTs ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER

 Quad-Caucus Leadership Condemns Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the leadership of the Congressional Quad-Caucus – which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) – issued statements condemning President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders, which were directly targeted at the immigrant community. President Trump signed executive orders that enable the construction of a border wall, increase funding for detention centers on the border, cut federal funding to sanctuary cities and various other anti-immigrant actions. Quad-Caucus leaders issued the following statements:

CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu (CA-27):

“Immigrants are the bedrock of our nation, and building a wall on our southern border, threatening to withhold funds from sanctuary cities and states, and refusing refuge to those fleeing violence and persecution are actions that run contrary to our values as a nation. Unfortunately, rather than focus on securing and unifying our country, President Trump has continued to promote intolerance and divisiveness that will make our communities less safe.

“Welcoming immigrants and refugees into our country has strengthened communities, brought vibrancy to our economy, and cemented the U.S. as a moral leader in the world. American taxpayers should not be forced to foot a massive bill to build an outrageous and ineffective border wall, nor should local law enforcement agents be forced to employ policies that sow mistrust and hamper their ability to fight crime.

“Instead of promoting these senseless policies, President Trump should bring forth comprehensive immigration reform, and focus on bringing our country together rather than isolating entire communities.”

CHC Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01):   

“The CHC stands united against President Trump’s executive orders to build a multi-billion dollar wall and indiscriminately target cities that do not round up people without legal status. These executive orders fail to address our broken immigration system. Instead, they build up hostility toward immigrants and squander taxpayer dollars. 

“Mr. Trump grew support for his multi-billion dollar wall on the false assertions that it would curb unprecedented levels of unauthorized immigration and would be paid for by Mexico. In fact, unauthorized immigration levels have been stagnant for the past eight years and it will be hard-earned U.S. taxpayer dollars, not a foreign government that will finance his monument to division and prejudice. 

“President Trump’s order to halt federal funding to municipalities that do not to turn over all unauthorized immigrants, regardless of the level of the offense will turn neighbor against neighbor, inhibit police departments' ability to ally with communities, and devastate city budgets and services. We are in agreement with Police Chiefs and Mayors across America who believe that the role of local police departments is to fight real crime and keep communities safe, not to act as federal immigration officers.

“Ultimately, Mr. Trump’s measures fall extremely short of a first step toward negotiating an immigration system that provides a tough but fair earned pathway to citizenship or legal status, enhances border security, grows the economy, and is in line with our core American values.

“I urge the President to consider the vast wishes of the American people as he begins to address matters on immigration. The lives of immigrant families, refugees, and American citizens hang in the balance. So too does America’s standing as a beacon of freedom, justice, and hope.”

CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond (LA-02):

“President Trump’s actions today make it clear that he is willing to sacrifice long-term progress for short-term displays of intolerance. Instead of ensuring the safety and security of the American people, the President is prioritizing intolerance and fear-mongering. Instead of focusing on strengthening and supporting our communities through smarter strategies, he is attacking American cities. The President will attempt to spend $20 billion in taxpayer money and seize land owned by American citizens to build a wall when he should be focused on American jobs and protecting the rights of all Americans. Unfortunately, this is only the latest example that President Trump is more concerned with show than substance and is willing to take actions that hurt the very people he claims to represent.”

CPC Co-Chair Raul Grijalva (AZ-03):

CPC Co-Chair Ellison (MN-05):

CPC First Vice-Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02):

“As Americans we are best when we hold our values close. We value the freedom to practice one’s religion without persecution, the freedom of self-determination, the freedom to build a good life for oneself and one’s family – these values are non-negotiable. But President Trump, and the Republicans who support him, are acting as if our shared beliefs, set forth in the Constitution, can be tossed aside.

  

“We are stronger when our decisions reflect our shared values of inclusion and equality. We are safer when we unite against actual threats. Demonizing people in search of a better life only increases ill-will towards us around the world. Forcing local jurisdictions by presidential mandate to assist with civil immigration enforcement will break faith with immigrant communities only to sow fear and mistrust. Militarizing the southern border and making immigration detention mandatory will only waste exorbitant amounts of taxpayer money and ensure vulnerable people continue to live in fear.

“Refugees, by definition, are those fleeing persecution – not persecutors themselves. Closing our borders to refugees fleeing devastation and war is morally indefensible. It’s cruel and it’s un-American.

"Later this year, Congress will have an opportunity to block these discriminatory policies.  The CPC hopes that colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us using the power of the purse to stop these attacks on our fundamental values.

“This isn’t just campaign rhetoric anymore. It’s policy. And it may endanger people’s lives.”

The MIRA Coalition Condemns President Trump's Executive Orders on Immigration

Boston – Continuing the divisive and xenophobic anti-immigrant rhetoric with which he campaigned for the White House, President Trump today issued two executive orders regarding immigration. The first includes unfunded and impractical plans to build a physical barrier along our entire southern border, increase civil detention bed space, and increase the number of Customs and Border Protection officers, while adding new hurdles for those seeking refuge from persecution.  The second executive order increases the number of ICE officers and threatens federal funding for jurisdictions that decline to divert resources to enforce federal immigration law.

“These executive orders are a direct affront to our nation’s long history of welcoming immigrants and refugees who revitalize and strengthen our communities,” said Eva Millona, Executive Director of MIRA. “After less than a week in office, this administration has already signaled to our nation’s immigrants and their children that the promise of the American dream no longer exists.”

Numerous aspects of these executive orders place undue financial burdens on local communities. The Trump Administration’s ambition to deport anywhere from 2 to 11 million people is impossible to achieve without co-opting local police resources to do the federal government's job – something that “sanctuary city” ordinances and policies are designed to prohibit.

These ordinances largely conform to federal law, and President Trump's threats to withhold federal money from the over 350 towns, cities, and states across the country that decline to enforce federal immigration law are on thin ice, constitutionally-speaking. As Justice Scalia pointed out in Printz v United States, the federal government cannot compel states to enforce  federal law. 

“By his words and actions, our new President has made it clear that he intends to rule a nation where communities are divided and pitted against one another,” continued Ms. Millona.“The people of Massachusetts will not sit idly by in the face of such attacks, but will stand united to protect the most vulnerable among us.”

AG HEALEY STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REMOVE FEDERAL FUNDING FROM SANCTUARY CITIES

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it will strip federal funding provided to so-called “Sanctuary Cities” in Massachusetts and across the country.

“Strong, independently-governed communities are part of what makes Massachusetts great. The President’s executive order is an irresponsible attempt to coerce our communities into conducting his mass deportations, and would impact all residents by stripping federal funding for roads, schools, police, health care, the elderly, and assistance for those in need. My office will be watching closely and I will be ready to stand with our cities and towns in the coming days.”

Boston, January 25, 2017 – This is a difficult day for PAIR and for the immigrant community. The President, by Executive Order, has committed his administration to erecting barriers on the U.S. border, uses derogatory words to describe noncitizens, and plans to punish cities that protect the rights and dignity of immigrants. His promises to suspend refugee processing and to ban refugees from certain countries from entering the U.S. is creating much fear and panic in our already vulnerable immigrant communities. The U.S. is a great nation that values freedom, safety, diversity and acceptance. PAIR is committed to these values for all and will continue to protect immigrant rights.

Founded in 1989, PAIR is the leading provider of pro bono immigration services to asylum-seekers and immigrants unjustly detained by immigration authorities in Massachusetts. PAIR serves over 1,000 clients a year and has a successful outcome in 95% of its asylum cases. Susan Cohen, President of PAIR's Board of Directors, makes clear that, “Now, more than ever, we must stand up for the bedrock American value of welcoming, not demonizing, immigrants and refugees who seek safe haven in the United States.  When we protect and defend the rights of immigrants, we underscore the importance of the rule of law in a civil society, and everyone benefits.”

PAIR will fulfill its mission to serve asylum-seekers and immigrants unjustly detained by immigration. We will continue to provide legal orientation presentations in and out of detention; will serve as many asylum-seekers as possible; will conduct asylum intake for those who fear returning to their home country; and will gear up to recruit, train, and mentor as many volunteers as our organization can handle.

We will protect clients like "Zaroon," an internet activist who fled Syria after being targeted by secret police for his postings on Facebook protesting the Syrian government and their treatment of civilians caught in the civil war.  With the help of PAIR and his volunteer team from Ropes & Gray LLP, he won asylum in the U.S. and continues to advocate for democracy and freedom.

PAIR is committed to providing legal resources to clients like "Irtaza," a young Iranian man who was targeted by the government because of his religious conversion.  In his home country, he could not even openly pray without the fear of death.  Thanks to PAIR and his volunteer team at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC, was granted asylum and now enjoys the freedom to practice the faith of his choosing here in the United States.

PAIR will stand by clients like "Zara," a young woman who fled Ecuador after being repeatedly harassed, beaten, and raped due to her sexual orientation. Though she tried to build a life in her home country, she and her partner continued to face severe discrimination and violence. With the help of PAIR, she won asylum in the U.S. and continues to advocate for LGBTQ rights.

“It is a time of great uncertainty, but PAIR will do the important work that is needed to achieve justice, transparency and fairness in the immigration laws for our clients and immigrants in the greater community,” said Anita P. Sharma, PAIR’s Executive Director. PAIR has been holding legal orientation, or “Know Your Rights” sessions for immigration detainees and the general community. If you are interested in a legal orientation session or concerned about your immigration status, call and speak with a staff member at PAIR. If you would like to collaborate or support our work, please feel free to contact us or to donate to PAIR. We are grateful to have allies like you on our side.

In solidarity,
Amanda, Amy, Anita, Elena, Jennifer, and Seth

Anita P. Sharma, J.D., LL.M

Executive Director

PAIR Project

華埠社區土地信託會呼籲把RI地段還給華埠

Community Control of Public Land

by Chinatown Community Land Trust

 

Parcel 12 by the Double Tree Hotel and Parcel R1 on Tyler Street

    The character of Chinatown has shifted since 2000, when the fast-tracked approval of the Millennium/Ritz Carlton launched a rapid succession of luxury towers in and around the neighborhood. Since then, Chinatown's housing stock has doubled, primarily due to the addition of two thousand luxury high-rise units. Luxury development spurred a sharp increase in real estate values, bringing rising rents, land speculation, and a wave of evictions from the privately owned brick row houses.

Keeping Chinatown Chinatown
    Today, Chinatown balances at the tipping point, with the growing number of luxury units threatening to dominate the character of this historic neighborhood, home to so many generations of working class immigrants.  In order to stabilize and preserve Chinatown's working class and small business core, the Chinatown Master Plan Committee proposed several important strategies and goals.

The first goal is to preserve the neighborhood's existing affordable housing. Second is to seek opportunities to turn privately owned buildings into nonprofit community-owned housing for permanent affordability.  But preservation alone cannot keep pace with the influx of luxury housing, so the third goal is to add 1,000 new units of affordable low and moderate income housing from 2015 to 2025. Greater resident control of development is also critical if future development is to support community goals and priorities.

While we celebrate improvements like the Chinatown and Mary Soo Hoo Parks and welcome new neighbors, we need to use every tool at our disposal to keep the feel and character of Chinatown from slipping away—until we no longer feel at home in our historic community.

Public Land for the Public Good
    Chinatown's remaining public parcels are the key to the community's future.  We can reach our community stabilization goals by maximizing affordable housing and providing for important needs like a library and recreational open space. Because public land should belong to the people, public and community needs should be the top priority.

    Public land in the neighborhood includes the state-owned Parcels 25, 26 and 27 that lie between Chinatown, the Leather District and the South End.  There are also City-owned Parcels R1, 12, A, and the China Trade Center building.  Parcel 7A at the corner of Stuart and Tremont has already been designated for a micro-hotel, and a narrow city-owned parcel on Shawmut Avenue across from Castle Square will become green space for the housing development in progress at the Holy Trinity Church site. We must continue to demand that public land should be used for the public good.  

Community Ownership of Land
    One of the best ways to ensure strong community control is through nonprofit community ownership of land.

This was the purpose of founding the Chinatown Community Land Trust—to have a mechanism through which community residents can exert greater control over development and the forces of gentrification.  By owning land and leasing it to the homeowner or developer, the Community Land Trust is able to embed the collectively decided uses for the land into the deed and ground lease agreement. The Community Land Trust is not the developer and does not earn the developer fee; instead it becomes the steward of the land to ensure that it is always used for its intended purpose.

    Why would we want a public parcel to be transferred to community ownership?  Let's take Parcel R1 (former site of the YMCA "Bubble") as an example. This parcel was zoned for residential housing back in the 1960s, but the option to develop the site was later conferred upon Tufts University through a complicated land swap.  With no plans to develop, Tufts Shared Services has leased the parcel for use as a parking lot for many years.  That lease will expire in 2017.  

Time to Reclaim Parcels 12 and R1

It is time for the Chinatown community to reclaim Parcel R1 for community purposes. The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), now renamed the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), is reluctant to turn Parcel R1 over to the community because of its commitment to Tufts Medical Center as an important economic force in the city.

However, at a Town Meeting held at the Quincy School on September 14, the BRA committed to releasing a Request for Proposals to develop Parcel 12 behind the Double Tree Hotel. A public meeting to discuss Parcel 12 will be held on Thursday, January 19^th, 6:30 pm at the Quincy School cafeteria.

Both of these public parcels, as well as two other major lots across the Mass Pike, are currently used by Tufts Shared Services for parking. While Tufts Medical Center has legitimate parking needs, these needs can be consolidated into a multi-story parking garage to free up public land for community development.  

For example, Parcel R1 could become a site for affordable housing with a ground-floor library, while Parcel 12 could incorporate both affordable housing and hospital parking uses. If  these public parcels owned by the community, the significant parking revenues now profiting Tufts Shared Services could be used to create a housing subsidy fund that could keep low income Chinatown tenants in their homes.

This is just one example of the role that community ownership of land can play.  It will be important to gather public input and to consider different scenarios for both Parcels 12 and R1.  But the principle of collective community ownership is one that can put greater control into community residents' hands.

If you are interested in the goal of collective community ownership and would like to participate in community meetings to discuss our vision for the public parcels, please contact the Chinatown Community Land Trust at 617-259-1503 or by email at ChinatownCLT@gmail.com, or come to our Annual Meeting on January 24.

Boston Planning & Development Agency

PARCEL 12 WORKSHOP

Thursday, January 19^th, 6:30-8:30 pm

Quincy School Cafeteria

Chinatown Community Land Trust

ANNUAL MEETING

Tuesday, January 24th, 6:30-8:30 pm

Quincy School Cafeteria

社區控制公共地

   華埠社區土地信託會

當千禧/麗思卡爾頓發展的申請得到火速的批准後，它在附近和周圍建起了一連串的豪華大廈住宅。自此，唐人街的面貌也從2000年開始變化起來。從那時起，唐人街的住房數字增加了一倍，主要是由於增加了兩千個豪華單位建築。 豪華發展促使房地產價值大幅增長，帶來租金上漲，土地投機和私人排屋住戶被房東逼遷的境況。

保存唐人街

今天，唐人街處於一個臨界點，越來越多的豪華單位直接威脅到這個富歷史特徵，和代表著世代工人階級移民的鄰區。為了穩定和保持唐人街的工人階級和小商業核心，華埠整體計劃委員會提出了幾個重要的策略和目標。 

第一個目標是保護鄰區內現有的可負擔住房。第二是尋求機會將私人擁有的建築物變成非牟利社區擁有的住房，以求實現房屋的永久可負擔性。但是單靠保護是無法跟上奢侈住房的流入，所以第三個目標是從2015年到2025年增加1000個新的可負擔中低收入住房單位。如果未來的發展是支持社區，更大的居民控制發展也是至關重要的目標和優先事項。

當我們慶祝唐人街和司徒麗英公園等獲得改善，並歡迎新的鄰居時，我們更需要盡一切力量去保護唐人街的面貌和格調，使之不受到損害，讓我們在這歷史社區一直都感到有家的感覺。 

公地公用

唐人街所剩餘的公共地段是社區未來的關鍵。我們可以通過追求最高額的可負擔住房和滿足重要需求（如圖書館和休閒娛樂場所）來達到我們的社區穩定目標。因為公共土地應該屬於人民，公共和社區的需要應該是最優先的。 

附近的公共土地包括位於唐人街，皮革區和南端之間，由麻省擁有地權的25,26和27地段。還有由波士頓市擁有地權的R1，12，A地段和中國貿易大樓。在Stuart街和天滿街的角落的7A地段已經被指定為建一間微型酒店，堡壘村對面的所物大街上的一個狹窄地段將成為聖三一教堂的住宅發展部份的綠色空間。我們必須繼續要求公共土地用於公共利益。 

社區對土地的擁有權

確保一個強而有力的社區控制的最好方法之一是通過非牟利社區對土地的擁有權。 

這是建立唐人街社區土地信託的目的， 社區居民可以通過這種機制從而更好地控制發展和高檔化的力量。通過擁有土地並將其租給房主或開發商，社區土地信託能夠將集體決定的土地用途嵌入契約和地租賃協議。社區土地信託不是開發商，不收取開發商費，而是成為土地的管家，以確保土地用於其預期目的。 

為什麼我們要將公共地段轉讓給社區擁有權？讓我們以 R1地段（YMCA'Bubble'的前身）為例。這個地段在20世紀60年代被劃為住宅，但是開發這個地塊的選擇，後來經過複雜的土地交換而授予了塔芙大學。由於沒有計劃發展，塔芙共享服務將地段租賃用作停車場。該租賃將於2017年到期。

R1地段和12地段是時候歸還社區

R1地段是時候歸還給唐人街作社區用途了。波士頓重建發展局（BRA）現在更名為波士頓規劃和發展局（BPDA），因為它承諾將塔芙醫療中心作為城市的重要經濟力量，不願將R1地段轉到社區。

相反地，波士頓規劃和發展署在9月14日在昆士學校舉行的社區會議上，BPDA承諾會發佈一份徵求建議書，計劃開發在雙樹酒店後面的12地段。 一個公共會議將在2017年1月19日，下午六時三十分在昆士學校飯堂舉行。

這兩塊公地以及麻省公路的另外兩塊主要用地，目前都被塔芙共享服務（Tufts Shared Services）用作停車用途。雖然塔芙醫療中心有合理的停車需求，但這些需求可以合併成一個多層停車庫，可以納入12地段的住宅/綜合開發項目，釋放R1地段作社區發展。

例如，R1地段可以成為可負擔房屋，及在地下一層設一個圖書館。如果土地是由社區擁有，在 R1地段和 12地段，現在利用塔芙共享服務的大量停車收入可用於創建一個住房補貼基金，可以保持低收入唐人街租戶在自己的家園。 

這只是社區對土地擁有權可以發揮作用的一個例子。收集公眾意見和考慮12地段和R1地段的不同情況是很重要的。但集體社區擁有權的原則是公地可以更好地掌控於社區居民的手裡。 

    如果你對集體社區擁有權的目標感興趣，並希望參加社區會議討論我們對公共地段的願景，請聯繫華埠社區土地信託：617-259-1503，或通過電子郵件聯絡：ChinatownCLT@gmail.com.

華埠社區土地信託會年度社區會議

時間：2017年1月24日，晚上6:30 至 8:30

地點：昆士學校飯堂

討論12地段發展公共工作坊

時間：2017年1月19日，晚上6:30 至 8:30

地點：昆士學校飯堂