Baker-Polito Administration Announces 10th Annual Leading by Example Awards

Baker-Polito Administration Announces 10th Annual

Leading by Example Awards

Recognizes Energy and Environmental Achievement in State and Local Government

BOSTON – December 8, 2016 –The Baker-Polito Administration today recognized eight Massachusetts state agencies, public colleges, municipalities, and public sector individuals for their leadership in promoting clean energy and environmental initiatives with the 10thannual Leading by Example Awards. Awardees were honored for policies and programs that have resulted in significant energy and emissions reductions, renewable energy installations, water conservation, and the implementation of sustainability initiatives that reduce the environmental impacts of state and municipal operations. The Leading by Example (LBE) program is a division of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and coordinates clean energy and environmental opportunities at facilities owned and operated by the Commonwealth. 

“As Massachusetts works to reduce energy costs, usage, and emissions, our state, municipal, and public partners continue to set an impressive example for others to follow,”said Governor Charlie Baker. “The foresight to embrace energy and environmental innovations throughout the Commonwealth’s cities, towns, universities, and other locations saves taxpayers and ratepayers millions.”

“Massachusetts’ colleges, universities, and municipalities are on the frontlines of energy and environmental innovation,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration is committed to ensuring that the Commonwealth continues to be an example for the positive benefits of adopting clean energy and environmental practices.”

Leading by Example efforts across state government are directly resulting in energy and environmental efficiencies and savings. The Commonwealth has increased the amount of installed solar PV at state facilities from less than 100kW in 2007 to over 14MW in 2016, reduced greenhouse gas emissions 26% since 2004, reduced the use of fuel oil at state facilities by 18 million gallons or 78% since 2006, and has constructed 57 LEED certified buildings since 2006, with 35 at the two highest levels of Gold and Platinum. 

“The Leading by Example program gives our partners across state government the tools they need to contribute to our shared goals of reducing energy costs and meeting our Global Warming Solutions Act goals,”  Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to building up the impressive progress we’ve made as a Commonwealth towards building a cleaner, more cost-effective, and resilient energy future.”

“Today’s award winners are at the forefront of innovative energy program and project development that are resulting in reduced costs and emissions,” Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “State and municipal entities continue to be invaluable partners with the Commonwealth as we work to meet our clean energy objectives.”

LBE Awards were presented to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and the MassDEP Electric Vehicle Incentive Program in the state agency category, Springfield Technical Community College and the University of Massachusetts System in the public higher education category, the Town of Winchester and the Town of Needham in the municipal category, and Matt Coogan of Gloucester/Essex and Julia Wolfe of the Operational Services Division in the individual category.

“The Commonwealth has made extraordinary progress implementing energy and environmental innovation across all levels of government particularly at our colleges and universities,” said Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “The public institutions of higher learning play a special role in our collective efforts to create a clean and health environmental future. They are truly leading by example.”

State Agency Awardees

The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke received an award for actively implementing energy efficiency efforts across its campus to reduce environmental impacts, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs while providing healthcare to Massachusetts veterans. Achievements include the installation of thousands of LED lights, upgrading to high-efficiency pumps, converting 2 roofs to ‘cool’ white roofs, which, along with a number of other measures, have helped the facility reduce energy use an estimated 40%, lower greenhouse emissions by 54% and reduce energy costs by 13% since 2004.

MassDEP’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) was recognized for its efforts to advance the purchase and increased use of electric vehicles throughout Massachusetts utilizing extensive outreach programs and awarding almost 200 grants from Provincetown on Cape Cod to Williamstown in the Berkshires. Since 2013, MassEVIP has awarded over $2 million in grants for public fleet vehicles at state agencies, campuses, and municipalities, as well as Workplace Charging grants to more than 130 MA employers resulting in the installation of more than 330 EV charging stations, supporting two-thirds of Massachusetts’ overall infrastructure of 499 EV charging stations statewide.

Public Higher Education Awardees

Springfield Technical Community College was recognized for its progress and creative approach to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability on campus. Achievements include upgrading insulation and windows in historic buildings, decentralizing and upgrading its heating system to save an estimated $200,000 a year, streamlining its shuttle route to save fuel and reduce emissions, connecting the current energy-efficient renovation of a historic building to the curriculum, and requiring double-sided printing to reduce paper consumption and save approximately $14,000 a year.

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) System was recognized for its impressive sustainability programs across the 5 campuses that successfully leveraged used the UMass Sustainability Council to effectively share best practices and collaborate with the UMass President’s Office. Collective achievements include a 14% reduction in GHG emissions over the 5 campuses despite a growth in building square footage of 35% since 2004, the construction of 18 LEED Certified buildings since 2010, the installation two of the top five largest cleaner-burning natural gas combined heat and power systems in Massachusetts, the development of shared sustainability policies, and publication of a comprehensive annual sustainability report.

Municipal Awardees

The Town of Winchester, designated a Green Community in 2010, was recognized for successfully implementing energy and sustainability initiatives through the collective work of dozens of municipal town committees and volunteers. Accomplishments include dozens of projects implemented by the Energy Management Committee saving over $5 million in energy costs, including a 24% natural gas reduction at the Public Library since 2010, and Sustainable Winchester’s Senior Energy Grant Program that funds weatherization improvements for senior-citizens. 

The Town of Needham was recognized for effectively implementing a wide range of clean energy and water conservation initiatives that benefit the community as a whole. Achievements include the 3.5 MW landfill solar PV system that opened in 2016, generating about 27% of the Town’s public building demand, the participation of over 100 homes in the Solarize Needham program, and the town’s robust water conservation efforts that includes the distribution of free water-efficiency kits for residents.

Public Sector Individual Awardees

Matt Coogan, Planner for the City of Gloucester and the Town of Essex, was recognized for his positive impact in supporting energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives, plus his key role in Green Communities efforts in Gloucester and Essex. Matt’s accomplishments include advancing efficiency upgrades savings hundreds of thousands in energy costs annually at municipal buildings, the creation of an Energy Reduction Plan for the regional school district, and leading public outreach efforts on energy issues like LED streetlights.

Julia Wolfe, Director of Environmental Purchasing at the MA Operational Services Division, was recognized for her achievements in advancing the procurement and use of environmentally preferable products and services throughout state government and municipalities. Julia’s achievements include supporting OSD’s Sourcing Leads to incorporate environmentally preferable products into approximately 50 contracts, leading the multi-state Green Cleaning Products contract sourcing team that reduces environmental impacts and delivers an average 20% cost discount, and earning MA a national award for energy-efficient computer equipment purchasing. In 2015, Massachusetts purchased $385 million in environmental preferable products, saving more than $28 million in annual costs, primarily from energy-efficient products.

“Our collective efforts to reduce energy consumption through conservation and innovative initiates has been paying dividends in Massachusetts and Matt Coogan has been providing outstanding leadership with positive outcomes for the environment and our citizens,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).  “Matt’s work on behalf of Gloucester and Essex is exemplary.”

“I commend Matt for his hard work and dedication in bringing energy efficiency to our schools, public buildings and municipal lighting,” said State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “His cost saving efforts have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings to the communities of Gloucester and Essex.”

155 Massachusetts cities and towns are designated as Green Communities, with 54% of the Commonwealth’s residents living in one of the designated municipalities. The commitment by 155 communities amounts to savings of 2,153,992 MMBtu, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 17,000 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 203,538 tons, equivalent to taking almost 39,000 cars off the road.

Governor Baker Unveils Workers’ Compensation Pilot for Opioid-Related Cases

Governor Baker Unveils Workers’ Compensation Pilot for Opioid-Related Cases

Two-year pilot voluntarily expedites cases, pain management options for injured workers

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker joined Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ronald L. Walker, II and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to announce a new voluntary program to assist injured workers who have settled workers’ compensation claims get treatment for pain management, aimed at limiting the use of opioids or other narcotics.

“Coordinating alternative viable chronic pain management options between an injured worker and their insurance company can reduce the chance of addiction to prescription opioids,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Judges have seen a rising number of overdoses and deaths as these proceedings play out in the courts and this pilot will help resolve cases more swiftly as another tool for fighting the opioid epidemic.”

The program seeks to resolve court cases more swiftly by assigning a care coordinator to mediate treatment options between an injured worker and the insurance company paying for medical care.

“This program is an important tool for changing behaviors and curbing the devastating opioid epidemic impacting Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Instead of sending injured workers home with prescription opioids to ease the pain in the short term, we can assist them in understanding the long-term repercussions and other pain management options available to them.”

Workers compensation cases are handled by judges in the Department of Industrial Accidents, an agency within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

“This program can help to increase trust between injured workers and their insurers to ensure what’s best for an individual’s health and recovery,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said. “We hope the acceptance of this mediation process by both sides will offer opportunities that lead to better care and fewer cases of addiction.”

Massachusetts is one of the first states to implement this type of program for workers’ compensation cases involving long-term opioid use. Ohio launched a similar program in October, and in January, 2017, New York will begin allowing parties to request an expedited hearing before a judge for cases involving over-use of medication.

“It is important that we help individuals get effective treatment in order to recover from addictions and get back to work.  We know that treatments can lead to recovery,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said. “Care coordination is especially important to guide workers to the appropriate treatment and recovery support services.”

The pilot program is designed for individuals with settled workers’ compensation cases, who are still being treated with opioids, but the insurance company seeks to stop payment for continued-use of opioids. These types of cases can take up to a year to settle while an individual is continually prescribed opioids.

“In my courtroom, I have seen too many people become addicted to drugs due to a work injury,”Department of Industrial Accidents Senior Judge Omar Hernandez said. “We felt their frustration and were pleased to work toward a pilot that we believe will help these individuals find a better way to address their injuries.”

The program will be voluntary for both the injured worker and the insurance company. There will be no additional costs to the state to implement the new process, which fast-tracks court proceedings to mediation and assigns a care coordinator. In developing the program, the Department of Industrial Accidents sought input from insurers, injured workers, physicians, and substance-use specialists.

A nine-person committee is being formed to oversee the pilot program, consisting of:

·       Henry Bratcher, of Engelberg, Bratcher & Kenner, a Boston law firm

·       Dr. Roberto Feliz, a specialist in pain management

·       DIA Senior Judge Omar Hernandez

·       Deborah G. Kohl, an attorney who represents injured employees

·       Jessica Muradian, deputy chief of staff for the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

·       Tracey Nicolosi, assistant director of Quality Assurance and Licensing at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health  

·       Judy Walden Scarafile, a registered pharmacist and a member of the Regional Substance Abuse Council for Barnstable County

·       Dr. Tony Tannoury, assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine and director of spine services at Boston Medical Center  

·       AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman

昆士小學12/9早餐會為弦樂隊籌款

BPS Announces Major Investment to Expand Extended Learning Time to Additional 39 Schools Next Year

BPS Announces Major Investment to Expand Extended Learning Time to Additional 39 Schools Next Year

District will provide Extended Learning Time to majority of students; BPS budget for Fiscal Year 2018 maintains school funding formula

BOSTON - Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 - The Boston Public Schools (BPS), through additional funding from the City of Boston, will make a $14 million investment in its Fiscal Year 2018 budget that will allow more than 15,000 additional students in 39 schools to benefit from Extended Learning Time (ELT) next school year -- an effort that is proven to close opportunity gaps for students. With this added investment, BPS will have implemented extended learning time in 57 schools serving over 23,000 students in only three years. "I am proud that Boston will soon provide more time for enrichment, intervention and personalized learning opportunities to a majority of our students," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who has made expanding learning time a major focus of his administration. "Our children need and deserve more time for high-quality instruction. Research tells us that there is a real positive connection between a longer school day and stronger student growth." Under the leadership of BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang and with support from Mayor Walsh, BPS is making the creation of a longer school day a cornerstone of the district's budget for the coming fiscal year, appropriating approximately $14 million for Boston's schools to fund the 40 minutes of added classroom time to more than 15,000 additional students. "I want to commend Mayor Walsh for his ongoing support to expand learning time for our students, who traditionally have received fewer classroom hours than the national average," Dr. Chang said. "This is a critical component in our effort to close opportunity and achievement gaps." According to a statewide study in Massachusetts published in 2012, schools with extended learning showed a "statistically significant" positive effect in 5th grade science, 6th grade math, 8th grade science and 7th grade English Language Arts. Students in ELT schools also outperformed their peers in non-ELT schools in growth measurements on all MCAS tests. "It is clear that a longer school day can contribute to improving student gains," Dr. Chang said. "However, those gains are not achieved simply by providing more instructional hours to students. ELT also provides our educators additional time each week to collaborate as a team to improve instruction and student growth. Our teachers have given us overwhelmingly positive feedback that this is important in creating a culture of quality teaching." By prioritizing long-term financial planning, Dr. Chang has also taken steps to ensure that there will be no changes to the school funding formula in the budget that he will present to the School Committee on February 1st.  BPS uses a weighted student funding formula that allocates money for school budgets based on student need. Despite continuing uncertainties around state funding and other fiscal pressures, BPS is committed to maintaining student weights to provide principals with the confidence needed to start planning for next school year. In FY18, funding directed to schools will increase by three percent, even before employee collective bargaining increases are negotiated. "We have been working hard to identify greater operational efficiencies within BPS and to further streamline our Central Office operations. I am very excited to announce that we are prepared to balance the FY18 budget without any changes to the way schools are funded through student weights," Dr. Chang said, referring to the funding mechanism for schools. "We believe in allowing families to choose the school that's the best fit for their children. To make school choice possible, dollars follow students," Superintendent Chang explained, noting that individual school budgets will be driven by their enrollments and student populations. Eleanor Laurans, Chief Financial Officer for BPS, said the district is developing ways to address the pressures on its budget through a Long Term Financial Plan. The district has kicked off a series of community events to get input on potential ways to unlock dollars to be re-invested in classrooms. "That work has already begun paying off this year," Laurans said. "BPS remains committed to our long term planning effort, which will allow us to maximize dollars that go to school budgets while also identifying additional resources for investment. One of those critical investments will roll out next year as we implement extended learning time." BPS has provided extended learning time to approximately 13,500 students attending more than 30 non-traditional schools, including innovation, pilot, turnaround and Horace Mann in-district charter schools, as well as early education centers. In 2015-16, as part of an agreement with the Boston Teachers Union, BPS implemented extended learning time at an additional 18 elementary, middle and K-8 schools with 600 teachers serving 7,500 students. Combined with the group of schools that will provide extended learning time next school year, a total of more than 23,000 students in 57 schools with 1,700 teachers will benefit from extended learning time. Under Mayor Walsh, the Boston Public Schools has continued to make other key strategic investments aimed at increasing student achievements, closing opportunity and achievement gaps, and putting the most effective teachers in its classrooms. In the past year alone, BPS has invested: $3 million to continue expanding the district's nationally recognized early education programming by adding more than 200 additional pre-K seats at five schools, including the first dual-language K1 class in East Boston. Previously, $1 million had been invested in both FY15 and FY16 for an additional 100 seats each year. $1.2 million to launch Excellence for All, a pilot program designed to provide students starting in the fourth grade the same rigorous instruction and enriched learning opportunities offered to those enrolled in the district's "Advanced Work Class," which is open to only those students who score high enough in standardized tests. $8 million for the Early Hiring Initiative to ensure that BPS schools can better compete with charter schools and suburban districts for the most talented and diverse teacher candidates earlier in the hiring season. "The children of Boston are the city's greatest resource," Mayor Walsh said. "We are deeply committed to ensuring that our students have access to high-quality early educational experiences, expanded learning opportunities and topnotch teachers to help them succeed in college, career and life." For more information on expanded learning in BPS, visit http://bostonpublicschools.org/elt/research.

經略南海･永保太平-收復南海諸島七十周年 紀念特展12月9日開幕

內政部與國史館合辦「經略南海･永保太平-收復南海諸島七十周年紀念特展」，將於今(105)年12月9日至19日在國史館展出。

這次特展分為「歷史經略」、「南疆鎖鑰」及「永續太平」等3大主軸，利用檔案、文物、圖像及影音等資料串連，重現政府收復南海諸島的重要決策與經略歷程，呈現太平島豐富的自然風情與人文風貌，讓社會大眾重新認識太平島，以及政府多年來持續和平經營的成果。

這次特展也將一併呈現相關部會將依據總統指示的原則及作法，持續推動包含生態保育、人道救援及科學研究等相關措施及計畫，彰顯出我國未來南海政策的內涵。

內政部表示，這次特展分為「歷史經略」、「南疆鎖鑰」及「永續太平」等3大主軸，利用檔案、文物、圖像及影音等資料串連，重現政府收復南海諸島的重要決策與經略歷程。此外，由於今年7月12日，有關菲律賓依照《聯合國海洋法公約》所提起的仲裁，仲裁庭作成的仲裁判斷，其中對太平島的認定，嚴重損及我對南海諸島及其相關海域的權利，為此，展覽中也將呈現太平島豐富的自然風情與人文風貌，讓社會大眾重新認識太平島，以及政府多年來持續和平經營的成果

內政部指出，總統已於今年7月19日揭示我國未來處理南海問題的政策基調，這次特展也將一併呈現相關部會將依據總統指示的原則及作法，持續推動包含生態保育、人道救援及科學研究等相關措施及計畫，彰顯出我國未來南海政策的內涵。

這次特展自12月9日(星期五)中午12時起在國史館(臺北市中正區長沙街一段2號)2樓展覽室展出，展期至12月19日(星期一)止，活動期間，開放民眾免費入場，展覽時間配合國史館開放時段及休館規定，歡迎大眾前往參觀。

內政部說明，由於12月12日，恰好是70年前海軍太平艦及中業艦駛抵太平島，完成南海諸島收復的重要歷史時刻，當日現場將安排專人進行定時導覽解說，也將致贈參訪人員太平島精美明信片1套，限量300套。

Sustainable Governance and Enduring Peace:An Exhibition Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Recovery of the South China Sea Islands opens December 9

Sustainable Governance and Enduring Peace: An Exhibition Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Recovery of the South China Sea Islands, jointly organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Academia Historica, will open to the public on December 9.

The exhibition is being held to raise public understanding of Taiping Island and its history, as well as associated administrative measures taken by the government and the importance it attaches to South China Sea issues.

On December 12, 1946, the ROCS Taiping and ROCS Chungyeh arrived at Taiping Island, the largest of the Nansha Islands, carrying officials from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of National Defense, as well as a Navy platoon, meteorologists, and supplies. Their arrival marked the completion of the recovery of the South China Sea Islands by the Republic of China. In the ensuing decades, related ROC government agencies built infrastructure on the islands and incorporated them into the nation’s administrative system, laying a solid foundation for the role that the ROC now plays in the South China Sea.

The exhibition, which focuses on the three themes of “Historical Developments,” “Key to the Southern Territories” and “Sustainable Peace,” features presentations of documents, artifacts, graphics, and audiovisuals so as to recreate the government’s important policy decisions and history of governance in recovering the South China Sea Islands.

The award made by the tribunal on July 12, 2016 in the arbitration brought by the Philippines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea severely undermines the rights of the ROC over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters. Therefore, the exhibition showcases the rich natural and cultural aspects of Taiping Island, in the hope that the public can become reacquainted with the territory and better understand the achievements of the government’s many years of continued peaceful governance there.

President Tsai Ing-wen set out the tenor of the government’s policy in handling South China Sea issues on July 19 this year. As such, this exhibition will also display the relevant measures and projects undertaken by government agencies under the principles and measures specified by the president, including ecological conservation work, humanitarian assistance, and scientific research, thus highlighting the nature of future ROC policy on the South China Sea.

The exhibition runs from noon on Friday, December 9 to Monday, December 19, in the second floor exhibition room of Academia Historica (No. 2, Section 1, Changsha Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City). The exhibition will be free to the public, with opening hours subject to the hours and regulations of Academia Historica. All are welcome.

Guided tours will be provided on December 12, which marks the day that the ROCS Taiping and ROCS Chungyeh arrived at Taiping Island 70 years ago—an important historic moment in completing the recovery of the South China Sea Islands. Visitors on that day will also receive one set of Taiping Island postcards (limited to 300 sets).

SOUTH SHORE USED CAR DEALERSHIP TO CEASE OPERATIONS, OWNER TO PAY RESTITUTION TO CONSUMERS FOR SELLING UNSAFE MOTOR VEHICLES

SOUTH SHORE USED CAR DEALERSHIP TO CEASE OPERATIONS, OWNER TO PAY RESTITUTION TO CONSUMERS FOR SELLING UNSAFE MOTOR VEHICLES

Owner of Auto Number One Failed to Make Promised Repairs; Business Operated in Unlicensed Locations

BOSTON – A South Shore used car business will cease operations and its owner will pay restitution after they were sued for selling unsafe and unreliable used cars, failing to make repairs which were promised or required under warranties, and operating in unlicensed locations, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

“This dealership scammed hard-working Massachusetts residents who were looking for a good deal and sold vehicles that put consumers’ lives, families, and others at risk,” AG Healey said. “Not only were these vehicles dangerous, many of the drivers were left with unreliable or unusable cars and significant debt.”

The consent judgment, entered in Suffolk Superior Court, resolves allegations that Auto Number One, Inc. and its owner Mark Hanna, of Abington, routinely made false representations to consumers that cars were in good working order or would be repaired. 

Pursuant to the settlement, Auto Number One will cease all operations in Massachusetts. The company and Hanna will also pay nearly $25,000 in consumer restitution. An additional $85,000 in civil penalties and attorneys’ fees will be suspended pending the defendants’ compliance with the terms of the consent judgment.

According to the AG’s complaint, which was filed in January 2015, Auto Number One frequently sold vehicles that failed to pass inspection and refused to provide refunds or make repairs or promised to make repairs but then did not do so. Additionally, the complaint alleged that Auto Number One retained vehicles during consumers’ seven-day inspection period, so that consumers would be unable to exercise their rights under the Lemon Aid Law. 

Consumers reported a variety of issues with their vehicles from Auto Number One, including lack of heat, oil and other fluid leaks, a broken catalytic converter, and transmission issues. Many consumers spent weeks or months trying to get their vehicles repaired, often making multiple unsuccessful repair attempts. Several consumers took their vehicles off the road altogether because they could not get them in safe working order. 

Auto Number One has operated out of locations in Weymouth, Quincy, and Abington. The AG’s complaint alleged that Auto Number One advertised and sold vehicles from locations where it was not licensed to do so, including a location on Washington Street in Weymouth and on Adams Street in Quincy. In order to operate as a used vehicle dealership, or to display used motor vehicles for sale, a person must obtain a license from the city or town.

The AG’s Office continues to look into deceptive practices in the auto industry. In September, the AG’s Office sued a Westport used auto dealership for selling unsafe and unreliable vehicles to consumers.

For questions about this case or about the auto industry in general, consumers may call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office.

The matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Ann E. Lynch and Paralegal Sharon Coles of AG Healey’s Western Massachusetts Regional Office and Investigator Anthony Crespi in the AG’s Boston Office. 

MAYOR WALSH BREAKS GROUND ON REDEVELOPMENT OF ORIENT HEIGHTS IN EAST BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH BREAKS GROUND ON REDEVELOPMENT OF ORIENT HEIGHTS IN EAST BOSTON

Boston Housing Authority, DHCD and Trinity Financial celebrate Phase One of multi-phase effort to redevelop Orient Heights

BOSTON - Wednesday, December 7, 2016 - Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), the state's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) along with the development team of Trinity Financial and East Boston Community Development Corporation (CDC), celebrated the groundbreaking of Phase One of the redevelopment at Orient Heights, a 331-unit state public housing development in East Boston. Built in 1951, Orient Heights has long been the most physically distressed property in the Boston Housing Authority's state funded portfolio. "I am grateful to join with our state and community partners as we celebrate the beginning of a new era for the Orient Heights housing development," said Mayor Walsh. "This public housing facility has been the home of many families for decades, and I am proud that with the support of our state and federal partners we are revitalizing current facilities, while creating new living spaces for future residents." The Orient Heights public housing development is owned and managed by the BHA, which undertook a planning process in 2008, funded by DHCD, to consider redevelopment options for the site. The BHA commissioned a master plan with an overall design concept and established the goals for the site's redevelopment-to transform the site into an attractive, energy-efficient and healthy housing community modeled on the successful transformations of the BHA's previous public housing redevelopments at sites such as West Broadway, Maverick, and Old Colony. "Every resident in Massachusetts deserves the opportunity to live in housing that is safe, affordable and modern, and the first phase of the redevelopment of Orient Heights is an important step forward for this community's residents," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I congratulate the City of Boston for embracing efforts to modernize its public housing stock, and look forward to seeing the benefits this transformation will bring to the entire neighborhood." "Strong neighborhoods are the building blocks of strong cities and towns, and this redevelopment project will further knit together the Orient Heights development with the rest of East Boston," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "This public-private collaboration between DHCD, the Boston Housing Authority, the East Boston Community Development Corporation, and Trinity Financial will create a housing development that will bring much-needed new amenities to its residents, while preserving every unit of affordable housing on-site." Orient Heights Phase One includes the demolition of 90 units of existing housing and a decommissioned boiler plant, and the construction of 120 new units of affordable rental housing. The new housing units will be spread throughout four clustered townhouse buildings containing 40 dwelling units and a mid-rise building contacting 80 dwelling units.   All 120 units will receive an operating subsidy-75 percent of the units will receive state public housing operating subsidy and 25 percent of the units will receive project-based subsidy through the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). "Across the Commonwealth, we are making significant investments and working creatively to update and preserve state-funded housing units," said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay. "Our administration is proud to support projects like this that ensure affordability, and create communities that are inclusive, vibrant and strengthen their surrounding neighborhoods." Current Phase One residents of the site worked with a relocation team to find alternative housing options that best fit their needs.  Options included moving to another BHA public housing development of their choice or moving to privately owned housing with a state subsidized MRVP voucher.  Following the completion of this project, residents have the option to return to the redeveloped site when construction is complete or remain in place after initial relocation. "Phase one is the start of a long overdue modernization of the Orient Heights housing development," said State Senator Joseph Boncore. "As we break ground, this project will ensure needed affordable and safe housing in a growing East Boston community." "I am excited about this collaborative effort that will bring much needed investment and improvement to Orient Heights, said State Representative Adrian Madaro. "This project will not only be transformative for residents of the development, but for the entire East Boston community. I thank Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh for making this a priority and I look forward to seeing it become a reality." "I am very happy for the residents of Orient Heights. Our friends and neighbors who live in these affordable units deserve nice spaces to call home," said District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina. The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) authorized a 121A agreement for the project which will result in a streamlined regulatory process, an expedited construction schedule, and continues the tax exempt status for the public housing component.  "Over the past 15 years, MassHousing has worked in partnership with the BHA to revitalize close to 2,000 units of its most physically distressed rental units in the city and transformed housing communities like Maverick Landing, Franklin Hill, Washington Beech, Old Colony, Lower Mills, Heritage and now at Orient Heights, into modern, mixed-income communities for the residents of Boston,'' said MassHousing Executive Director Tim Sullivan. "We are very pleased to be working with the city of Boston, DHCD, Trinity Financial, and all the public and private partners who are committed to the redevelopment of Orient Heights.'' In January 2015, the BHA selected the development team of Trinity Financial and East Boston CDC to work with BHA and DHCD to finalize a redevelopment strategy for the site. This development team will secure financing to implement the redevelopment, and will own and manage the buildings post-redevelopment subject to applicable laws and regulations. The BHA will continue to own the land and will lease the land to Trinity affiliated entities. "We're thrilled to begin Phase One of the Orient Heights development," said Trinity Financial Vice President of Development Eva Erlich. "The multi-phased project will help deliver the type of housing the East Boston community needs: housing that is affordable, energy efficient, accessible, and integrated with the rest of the East Boston community. Phase One will also result in updates and improved housing for the residents in the initial 90 units. We're looking forward to working with our partners to create a development that the entire community can benefit from."    "We are looking forward to working with our development partners Trinity Financial to revitalize the community as we successfully did together at the Maverick development in Eastie several years ago" stated Bill McGonagle, BHA Administrator. The total development cost for Orient Heights Phase One is approximately $51.2 million. The financing plan includes $17.5 million in private equity raised through an allocation of federal four percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits;  tax-exempt bonds for construction financing; $32.725 million in state public housing capital funds from BHA and DHCD; and affordable housing resources from the City of Boston. Today's groundbreaking furthers Mayor Walsh's commitment to increasing affordable housing options for residents and families in Boston.  As part of the sale of the Winthrop Square Garage in downtown Boston, Mayor Walsh will advocate for the allocation of $10 million in funding to be used for additional improvements at Orient Heights. Mayor Walsh's administration to date has built historic levels of affordable housing as part of the effort to create 53,000 new units of housing at a variety of income levels across the city by 2030, including setting a 15-year record for housing completions, surpassing the record of new affordable housing units permitted in a single year, and leveraging the private development market to ensure the continued development of affordable housing in Boston through changes to the Inclusionary Development Policy. About the Boston Housing Authority The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that provides subsidized housing to low and moderate income individuals and families. In addition to conventional public housing communities throughout Boston, BHA offers rental assistance programs. BHA receives federal and state funding in order to provide housing programs to individuals and families. BHA's mission is to provide stable, quality affordable housing for low and moderate income persons; to deliver these services with integrity and mutual accountability; and to create living environments which serve as catalysts for the transformation from dependency to economic self-sufficiency. About Trinity Financial Since 1987, Trinity Financial has pursued a distinctive vision in real estate development, dedicated to revitalizing neighborhoods, strengthening commerce and fostering opportunities through a collaborative urban spirit. Our work spans half a dozen residential and commercial specialties, from multi-unit housing to transit-oriented development. Across that spectrum, Trinity projects demonstrate a high caliber of vision and attention to detail, which sets them apart and has led to sustainable success.