波士頓市長市情咨文發表耗資二萬七千元

波士頓市長馬丁華殊發表完他的首次市情咨文後，恢復正常工作日程，波士頓環球報卻開始檢討起這場發表會耗資不菲，不下二萬七千多元。

        交響樂廳有賓客二千五百人的場面，遠比前任市長萬寧路（Tom Menino）在芬紐聽（Faneuil Hall）的八百人規模大得多。租用交響樂廳，就花了一萬七千元的費用，也遠比芬紐廳的屬於波市府，使用免費昂貴。

            不過，馬丁華殊麾下的工作人員指出，萬寧路的市情咨文發表會，還是要花製作費的，而且上一次的費用高達一萬八千元。

海南航空將闢波士頓直飛上海航班

消息來源：

民用航空網

海南航空公司已经向美国交通运输部提交申请，计划于2015年第二季度使用波音787飞机开通上海浦东至波士顿的航班，每周三班。

　　海航已经获得了中国监管部门的批准，并将在该航线上使用两级客舱布局的波音787飞机。2014年6月20日海航开通了北京至波士顿的航班。

　　根据海航对上海-波士顿航线运输量及财务预测，运营首年将运送旅客约27500人次。然而，该航线首年运营预计将会亏损300万美元。

　　根据Innovata航班时刻，海航将成为上海-波士顿航线的唯一运营商。

Governors Baker and Pence Wager Friendly Bet for AFC Championship Game

Governors Baker and Pence Wager Friendly Bet for AFC Championship Game 

Boston – Governors Charlie Baker (R-MA) and Mike Pence (R-IN) announced a friendly wager over the results of the upcoming AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. 

In the unlikely scenario that the Indianapolis Colts win, Governor Baker will send Governor Pence a Super Bowl themed cake from Montilio’s Baking Company in Brockton and a box of Boston Cream Pie cupcakes from the Koffee Kup Bakery in Springfield.  This is the second time Governor Baker has wagered the cupcakes from the Koffee Kup. 

Should the Patriots win, Governor Pence will send shredded pork from Shoup’s Country Foods in Frankfort, Indiana, to Governor Baker’s office.  Additionally, the Governor’s office of the winning team will receive local food donations from the losing team’s state for a food pantry of their choice.  The Governors agreed to the friendly wager yesterday on Twitter.

“The Colts are a great team but will discover they are no match for the Patriots in the hunt for the AFC title,” said Governor Baker. “Therefore my friend Governor Pence shouldn’t count on seeing any Boston Cream Pie cupcakes from me.”

The New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts will face off at 6:40PM EST on Sunday, January 18^th.

波士頓成立華埠社區土地信託會 理事九人

 華埠社區土地信託會（Chinatown Community Land Trust）的九名理事，右起，鄭繼良，
梅清嫣，Jeffrey Hovis，梅陳月嫦，陳家傑，李素影，劉仲岳，梁國正。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 華埠社區土地信託會（Chinatown Community Land Trust）14日晚在昆士小學飯堂舉行社區會議，說明有意購買華埠內排屋（row houses），並改造成可負擔住宅，展開穩定華埠社區行動。

            華埠社區土地信託會籌備歷時一年，一月十二日甫註冊成立，現有會長Jeffrey Hovis，財政梅陳月嫦，書記梅清嫣，以及鄭繼良，劉仲岳，李素影，陳家傑，梁國正，伍綺玲等9名理事。他們歡迎關心華埠者加入會員行列，希望藉由控制華埠內公共土地及發展，建造更多永久性可負擔住宅，開闢改善人們生活品質公用空間等行動，來達到避免現有居民流離失所，保障華埠未來穩定這目標 。

李素影（左）主持會議，沈奇樂（右）回答提問。（周菊子攝）

            該會理事們當晚表示，他們將以華埠2010年總體發展計畫內容為依據，參考“杜爹利鄰居（Dudley Neighbors Incorporated）“的社區土地信託成功案例，推動穩定華埠的各項措施，。

1988年時，波士頓重建局批准“杜爹利鄰居“成為麻州121A法人組織，讓該組織得以藉由徵收（eminent domain）私有空置土地權，連同市有土地，邀私營及非牟利發展商，在承租99年等條件下，建造了符合杜爹利社區總體發展計劃要求的可負擔住宅。

Tony Hernandez是“杜爹利鄰居”理事之一。他當晚指出，波士頓市經濟發展長巴洛斯（John Barros）前年參選波士頓市長之前經管的這組織，已在過去廿五年中為杜爹利區打造出225個新住宅，其中95戶由居住者擁有，52 戶出租，77戶共營，另有二塊社區空間，以及一個微型中心。他本人就是其中一名受益者。

華埠社區土地信託會十四日晚在會中以幻燈片指出，過去十五年間，華埠之內共建了5566 個單位，其中只有45%是中低收入住宅。華埠面對極為激烈的豪華化威脅。他們因此成立這組織，希望借用“杜爹利鄰居”經驗，在華埠內推動保留已有政府補貼的可負擔住宅，爭取在十年內建造一千戶新的可負擔住宅，與波市府合作，爭取建造更多的低收入或混合收入住宅，和大學合作，為學生提供宿舍等。

他們希望借助波市府新設立的住宅承購/翻修（Housing Acquisition/Conversion Program）項目，以市有的12號地段，華埠青年會（YMCA）在泰勒街上的舊址，7a地段，中華貿易大樓，所物街（Shawmut Ave.）上空置的聖三一教堂等地為目標，爭取發展可負擔住宅。

           波士頓重建局規劃長沈其樂（Kairo Shen）當晚應邀出席，協助解釋何謂社區土地信託。

根據該會當晚展示的幻燈片，這意味著在平衡土地或樓宇業主利益下，購買或和個別業主，合作社，或非牟利組織所擁有的土地訂立土地租約，並交由社區非牟利組織管理。李素影，駱理德等人指出，保持房屋的永久可負擔性做法之一，是在地契上附加限制，相應細節都將是未來的討論重點。

波市經濟及研究政策主任Karilyn Crockett當晚代表波市長，以及波市經濟發展長巴洛斯出席，強調波市府對華埠社區土地信託的支持。

波市重建局(BRA)資深計畫員Mary Knosas，波市鄰里發展局（DND）住宅發展副局長Theresa Gallagher，波市市議員普莉斯來（Ayanna Pressley)，波市長亞裔聯絡員翁耀漢，亞美社區發展協會行政主任陳潔瀅，華埠居民會共同主席余仕昂，譚道源基金會元理事譚國民，當晚有許多人出席關切。

其中的Mary Knosas和Theresa Gallagher透露，在華埠社區土地信託籌備期間，該兩機構一直都參與討論。

 “華埠社區土地信託會（Chinatown Community Land Trust ）“的九名創會理事包括在塔芙茨大學和東北大學擔任講師的歷史學者陳家傑（Thomas Chen），建築師暨華埠總體發展計畫的共同撰寫者鄭繼良（Lawrence Cheng），屋街居民 Jeffrey Hovis，信義大廈（Metropolitan）居民李素影（Suzanne Lee），信義大廈居民暨 Co Co Head 髮廊東主梁國正（Earnie K. Leung），曾經住在華埠的亞裔文化資源中心（AARW）創辦人之一的劉仲岳（Michael Liu)，曾經住在華埠，前任波士頓華埠社區中心行政主任的伍綺玲（Elaine Ng），堡壘村（Castle Square）居民聯誼會主席梅清嫣（Ann C. Moy），以及屋街居民暨華埠居民會共同主席梅陳月嫦（Marie Moy）等人。

華埠社區土地信託會透露，在全美四十六州有260個社區土地信託。波士頓市繼杜爹利之後，現在新添一個華埠土地信托。

左起，Tony Hernadze夫婦，波市議員普莉斯來（Ayanna Pressley），駱理德，Jeffrey Hovis，李素影，陳家傑，Karilyn Crockett，鄭繼良，
梅陳月嫦，劉仲岳，梅清嫣，梁國正，余仕昂等人會後合影。（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處受邀出席三州州長就職禮

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪(左一)和出席麻州州長
就職典禮的各國領事、代表合影。（圖由經文處提供）

 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪（前右）恭喜羅德島州
新州長雷萌朵（Gina Raimondo）（中）就任。（圖由經文處提供）

(Boston Orange)駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪近日一連獲邀參加麻州，羅德島州，緬因州的新任州長就職典禮，為搭友誼之橋，僕僕風塵。

麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）和副州長白莉朵(Karyn Polito)的就職典禮，一月八日在麻州州政府大樓的麻州眾議會議事廳內舉行。賴銘琪處長和官大鉎組長應邀出席時，還獲安排，與日，韓，西班牙，墨西哥等各國總領事、代表在貴賓室觀禮。

經文處表示，當天的就職儀式由麻州參議會新任議長羅森伯（Stanley Rosenberg）主持，不但有新澤西州州長克利斯帝（Chris Christie），羅德島州州長雷萌朵（Gina Raimondo），還有曾任麻州州長的朗尼（Mitt Romney），威爾德（William Weld），史威芙（Jane Swift），以及曾任麻州聯邦參議員的布朗（Scott Brown）等人出席，讓人確有冠蓋雲集之感。

賴處長等人對查理貝克在就職演說中提及美國前總統甘迺迪（John F. Kennedy)強調，公職人員應具備勇氣，判斷，誠實，貢獻等四種美德，並以之期許他的麻州新執政團隊，都讚許有加。

羅德島州的新任州長雷蒙朵和副州長麥基（Daniel McKee），在一月六日舉行了就職典禮。經文處賴銘琪與副組長陳文昌連袂出席道賀。

緬因州州長Paul LePage順利連任的就職典禮，在一月七日舉行。經文處副處長陳銘俊和新聞組組長朱永昌當天聯袂趕到緬因州首府Augusta市民活動中心，出席大典，會後還參加了該州國際貿易中心為領事團代表舉辦的歡迎會。

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES AMBITIOUS 2015-2016 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES AMBITIOUS 2015-2016 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Files 26 bills new to the City, Focused on Supporting Neighborhoods, Local Economy

BOSTON - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today released an ambitious 2015-2016 legislative agenda, focused on the Mayor’s continued commitment to strengthening neighborhoods and supporting the local economy. The Mayor’s agenda will create tools that will have an immediate impact on Boston, and support the growth and development of the City for the next generation.  

“After 17 years in the legislature and now as Mayor of Boston, I see the impact Boston has not only on the region but on the Commonwealth,” says Mayor Walsh. “I am committed to working with the State Legislature and our local partners from across the Commonwealth to pass legislation that is mutually beneficial to us all. In particular, I want to thank Boston’s state delegation for their support and collaboration on these important initiatives. I look forward to working with them as well as all of my colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives to ensure that we have a successful two year legislative session here in the City.”

Improving the Climate for Local Businesses, Supporting Workers

Filing 56 bills, 26 new to the City’s agenda, Mayor Walsh is proposing two innovative approaches to our business licensing process this legislative session. The first would provide municipalities with increased flexibility for the issuance of entertainment licenses and common victualler licenses, which are required for all food establishments. It would also eliminate the need for certain specialty licenses, reducing the administrative burden for our small and local businesses. This proposal also includes a local option to allow licensed establishments to stay open past 2 a.m. to complement the work of the Mayor’s Late Night Task Force. The second proposal would allow monetary fines to be levied against business owners for license violations. Current enforcement tools, including suspension and revocation of a license, not only hurts the establishment’s owner but also negatively impacts those who work in the service industry. Monetary fines would provide an additional tool to licensing authorities that would hold employees harmless. These changes reinforce and strengthen the Mayor’s efforts to streamline the regulatory process for the important small business community.

Supporting Access to Affordable Housing

As referenced in his State of the City Address, Mayor Walsh will file a local option for a modest property tax incentive for private developers of workforce housing. Through this legislation, the City will designate workforce housing special tax assessment zones in areas that present an opportunity for increased development of middle-income housing. It would be within those zones that property taxes are waived during the two-year construction phase and then phased in to 100% over a 3 year period. This will act as an incentive to maintain affordable rents while only creating a modest reduction in tax revenue for the City during development and stabilization of certain housing projects.

An Equitable Electoral Process

Fulfilling his promise to create a more equitable electoral process, Mayor Walsh is filing a new special act that modifies the nomination paper process for municipal elections in the City of Boston. As it stands now, voters in the City are only allowed to sign one nomination paper for candidates for mayor and district city councilor, and up to four nomination papers for city council at-large candidates. Mayor Walsh’s initiative will allow voters to sign nomination papers for as many candidates as they choose. This change would allow more candidates to meet the threshold required to seek elected office and would provide voters in the City of Boston broader choice when entering the voting booth.

Working to Lower Utility Costs

Mayor Walsh’s new proposals also include the establishment of a home heating commission to study opportunities to shift residents away from inefficient, costly and carbon-intensive heating systems toward cleaner and more affordable alternatives. As a result of rising energy costs, inefficient heating systems, and recent patterns of severe weather, a record number of Massachusetts households are in need of financial assistance to adequately heat their homes. To build upon his past advocacy for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Mayor Walsh is taking a leadership role in facilitating the state-level discussions around the long-term solutions to reducing home heating costs and promoting energy efficiency.

Supporting Veterans

To ensure that Massachusetts veterans receive the benefits their service warrants, Mayor Walsh will file legislation to provide additional financial assistance to military families who are not able to cover funeral and burial expenses for a veteran. The Mayor’s proposal will increase the caps currently in place on both the benefit level that municipalities are able to provide these families and the total allowable expenses, to keep pace with the cost of burials and services.

Increased Access to Recovery Services

As a long-time friend to and advocate for the recovery community, Mayor Walsh will continue to push for legislation, which he had sponsored as a State Representative in prior sessions, that would provide individuals facing first and second time non-violent, drug offenses an opportunity to be evaluated by a licensed addiction specialist. Those with a documented medical need would have access to addiction treatment before continuing with their judicial proceedings. Through his new Office of Recovery Services, this legislation is one part of the Mayor’s plan to ensure that the treatment and recovery systems are in place to support those battling addiction and their loved ones.

In the past legislative session, in partnership with his colleagues at the State House, Mayor Walsh secured a number of state policy changes to benefit the City of Boston. Additional liquor licenses were made available for the first time since 2006, particularly for underserved neighborhoods and Main Streets districts. Also, for the first time since 1906, appointment authority over the Boston Licensing Board was transferred back to the City. Significant changes strengthened our state gun laws, including more comprehensive background checks, and needed reforms to expand access to and the effectiveness of our substance abuse recovery system were made.

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS INTERIM COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS’ SERVICES

MAYOR WALSH APPOINTS INTERIM COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS’ SERVICES

Will Lead Department to Deliver Services to Boston Heroes

BOSTON—Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today that he has selected Giselle Sterling as the City of Boston’s Veterans’ Services Interim Commissioner. Sterling joined the City as a Community Relations Specialist in March 2012.

“I want to continue to elevate the Veterans’ Community, and Giselle is an exceptional leader,” said Mayor Walsh. “She carries a wealth of experience, having enlisted in Marine Corps among other means of public service. She shares my commitment to both improving the quality of life for those who put their lives on the line for us, and I’m pleased she’ll be serving with us in this capacity.”

“I’m humbled at the opportunity to continue working with my fellow veterans,” said Sterling. “The men and women who have worn the uniform for our country deserve to come back to a community that values their commitment, recognizes their strengths and meets their needs. I look forward to my new responsibilities and in moving ahead with serving our veterans as honorably as they have served us. ”

Prior to her appointment, Sterling served in the United States Marine Corps. In 2000 she completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina and was soon after trained as a Field Radio Operator with deployments to Kandahar, Afghanistan; the Philippines; Guam; Diego Garcia and Okinawa, Japan. Giselle was honorably discharged in 2004 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Sterling also previously worked as a Special Event Coordinator for El Mundo Newspaper, and as a Charitable Campaign Coordinator for Action For Boston Community Development, Inc.

The first daughter to be born in the United States to Dominican parents, Sterling was instilled with an appreciation for the arts along with a sense of generational responsibility.

Sterling is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell with a Bachelor’s Degree in English (writing) and a Minor in studio art. She is currently a graduate student in the Sierra Nevada College MFA Low-Residency Creative Writing Program and resides in Boston’s historic North End.

BRA Board approves two new residential projects, athletics complex for Wentworth, and self-storage facility in West Roxbury last night

BRA Board approves two new residential projects, athletics complex for Wentworth, and self-storage facility in West Roxbury last night

BRA-owned building in Chinatown to be renovated for new tenant

BOSTON – In its first meeting of the new year, the Board of Directors for the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) approved $55 million in new development projects that will create 230 construction jobs when they break ground. Of the four projects approved at last night’s meeting, two will create housing in Jamaica Plain and South Boston. Wentworth Institute of Technology received approval to construct a new athletics facility on the site of an existing parking lot that the school owns in Mission Hill. The Board also approved a new self-storage facility that will be constructed in West Roxbury.

In addition to the private developments that were allowed to move forward, the Board of Directors allocated approximately $638,000 in funds to renovate the BRA-owned China Trade Center in Downtown Boston. The BRA has operated the facility since 1993, and in recent years improvements have been made to create energy-efficient systems, redesign the lobby and elevators, and make restrooms accessible to people with disabilities. The latest round of renovations will prepare the second and third floors for a future tenant that the BRA is currently seeking.

New housing and retail slated for Washington Street in Jamaica Plain

Total Project Cost: $3,500,000

Total SF: 27,633

Construction Jobs: 15

An outdated single-story restaurant building at 3383-3389 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain will be redeveloped as a mixed-use residential and retail building under a plan approved last night. The project will create 21 units of rental housing and over 2,300 square feet of ground floor retail space along Washington Street. The building will include a residential storage area, fitness center, and dedicated roof terraces for the fourth-floor penthouse units.

The residences will be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Four of the units will be designated as affordable in accordance with the City of Boston’s Inclusionary Development Policy. The project includes 23 on-site ground level parking spaces.

The development team anticipates an 18-month construction schedule from the time they receive a building permit. The project is being developed by RTP Washington Street, LLC and was designed by Studio47 Architects.

New condominiums to be developed on L Street in South Boston

Total Project Cost: $7,100,000

Total SF: 20,130

Construction Jobs: 32

Moawed Properties, LLC will develop 13 condominium units at 57 L Street, between East Broadway and East Third Street, in South Boston. The $7 million project includes ten two-bedroom units, two three-bedroom units, and one studio. Two of the units will be restricted as affordable. Residents will be able to access convenient parking with 21 on-site and off-street spaces, as well as an enclosed bicycle rack.

The developer will make a $10,000 contribution to the City’s Fund for Parks to support the nearby Christopher Lee Playground as part of the community benefits for the project.

Construction is expected to commence this coming spring. The project was designed by Roche Christopher Architects.

Wentworth Institute of Technology set to move forward with state-of-the-art athletics facility in Mission Hill

Total Project Cost: $30,000,000

Total SF: 110,000

Construction Jobs: 125

Wentworth received approval last night to construct the new Sweeney Field Athletics Complex on their campus in Mission Hill. The 110,000 square foot project will include a state-of-the-art athletics playing field with seating for event attendees atop a single-story parking structure that will accommodate 330 vehicles. The NCAA Division III turf field will be used for varsity and intramural soccer, lacrosse, softball, and flag football.

When not in use by the college, the athletics field will be available for community programming. Wentworth’s Athletics Department will work with neighborhood organizations to coordinate these opportunities. A summer youth sports program will be developed in partnership with the Boston Centers for Youth & Families Tobin Community Center.

Two existing structures on the site that were once part of the Vienna Brewery and are designated as historic buildings will be rehabilitated for future use with oversight from the Boston Landmarks Commission.

Wentworth estimates that the construction period will last approximately 13 months. The college hopes to begin initial site work by the middle of this year so that the facility is ready for use during the fall 2016 athletic season. CDM Smith is the project architect.

CubeSmart to operate new self-storage facility in West Roxbury

Total Project Cost: $14,000,000

Total SF: 154,376

Construction Jobs: 58

Developer VLR-Roxbury, LLC received approval to construct a self-storage facility at 99 Rivermoor Street in West Roxbury off of VFW Parkway. CubeSmart, a self-storage operator that manages approximately 600 facilities nationwide, will run the new facility once constructed.

The project will significantly upgrade an existing industrial warehouse structure by improving the exterior façade and enhancing landscaping in the area, which abuts Millennium Park.