South Cove Manor to Host Annual Meeting and Dinner on May 15th

South Cove Manor to Host Annual Meeting and Dinner

Elizabeth Chen, Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is featured speaker

South Cove Manor at Quincy Point, a non-profit rehabilitation and skilled nursing care community, will hold its Annual Meeting and Dinner “Partnering for Success” on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at China Pearl Restaurant, 237 Quincy Avenue, Quincy. South Cove is celebrating its 33rd anniversary since its founding in Boston, and its 4^th year in its Quincy location. 250 guests are expected to attend including Mayor Thomas Koch, State Representative Tackey Chan, and Quincy City Member Nina Liang.

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch will give opening remarks, and Elizabeth Chen, Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is the featured guest speaker.

As Assistant Commissioner, Ms. Chen oversees health care licensing, safety, quality, and determination of need for nearly 2,000 health care facilities, 300,000 health care professionals, and 400 emergency medical services. Her career in health care incorporates 20 years in the bio/pharmaceutical industry, and 10 years in academia, including a term as president of the New England College of Optometry. Elizabeth received her PhD in gerontology from the McCormack Graduate School at UMass Boston, MPH in health policy from the Harvard School of Public Health, MBA in international management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA in organizational behavior from Yale University. Her roots are in Boston’s Chinese community, having immigrated at age 7 from Taiwan.  She credits much of her success to early, as well as continued, nurturing from Chinese community leaders.

The evening’s highlights will include the presentation of awards to outstanding members of the South Cove staff.  Schlichte Learning Center/South Cove Manor Nursing Facilities Foundation Scholarships will be awarded to two staff members to support professional growth, advanced training, certification or courses to complete degree requirements. Scholarships will be presented by Vice Chair May Chin and Board member Alice Rose.

Ting/Mugar Outstanding Leadership Awards will be presented by Board member David Ting to staff members who have contributed to constructive and strategic change in service, care, finance, or operations policy.

Founded in Boston in 1985, South Cove Manor moved in 2014 to a new and expanded state-of-the-art building at 288 Washington Street in Quincy.  The new campus significantly expanded South Cove’s rehabilitation capacity, creating a series of small resident communities for elders. 

South Cove Manor at Quincy Point’s specialty is providing short term rehabilitation services to elders after a hospitalization or illness. South Cove serves everyone who needs their care, and is proud to be a multicultural community with particular focus and accommodations for Asian elders. The center consistently achieves the highest quality ratings from both the Commonwealth and nationally and has been named as one of the country’s top nursing centers year after year by US News & World Report. www.southcovemanor.org

(From South Cove Manor)

$11.7 Million Awarded for Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Programs in Massachusetts

$11.7 Million Awarded for Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Programs in Massachusetts

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that Massachusetts has received an $11.7 million federal grant to continue its public health response to the opioid epidemic and bolster community overdose prevention, outpatient opioid treatment, and recovery services across the Commonwealth. This is the second consecutive year the state has received the funding, bringing the two-year total to $23.8 million.

“The opioid and heroin epidemic have led to heartbreaking addiction and losses for too many families in the Commonwealth, and this critical funding will increase support for important services like recovery coaches and medication-assisted treatment,” said Governor Baker. “Massachusetts is one of the only states in the nation to see a slight decrease in opioid-related deaths, but there is much work to be done to address this public health crisis, including passage of our administration’s bill, the CARE Act, to build on opioid prevention, intervention, recovery and treatment.”

“Crucial funding programs like this and our administration’s pending legislation, the CARE Act, will allow Massachusetts to dedicate resources for programs that work and lead to long-term recovery results for Massachusetts families and individuals who are fighting addiction,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

This grant, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is the second round of funding authorized under the 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law in December 2016. The funds address the opioid crisis by increasing access to treatment, reducing unmet treatment needs, and reducing opioid overdose-related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment and recovery activities for opioid use disorder. It supports existing statewide services managed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.

“We continue to implement the Governor’s Blueprint across the public health spectrum from prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. Our current efforts target particularly high risk populations, including pregnant and parenting women and previously incarcerated individuals,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “This grant will support access to treatment and recovery support services, as well as crucial prevention efforts currently underway.”

In addition to this new federal funding, through administrative actions, the Baker-Polito Administration will invest up to $219M over five years from the state’s 1115 Medicaid waiver, starting in the fiscal year 2018, to meet the needs of individuals with addictions and/or co-occurring disorders. These funds will expand residential recovery services, increase access to medication-assisted treatment, add new recovery coaches and navigators, and implement a consistent clinical assessment tool throughout the treatment system. Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has doubled spending to address the opioid crisis and added more than 1,100 treatment beds, including 748 adult substance use treatment beds at different treatment levels, and certified more than 162 Sober Homes accounting for an additional 2,184 beds.

“This new funding is vital to our efforts to expand our prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery programs and services so we can continue to promote solutions that help stem the tide of this deadly, preventable disease,’’ said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH.

Key components of the grant funding include:

Overdose Prevention Initiatives

·       Increase outreach, education and training on overdose prevention and naloxone through the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) program in communities with a significant number of opioid overdoses.

·       Expand and enhance community first responder initiatives to provide follow-up, in-person, outreach and support services after 911 calls for an overdose.

·       Provide overdose prevention training and technical assistance for health and human services providers throughout Massachusetts

·       Improve access to naloxone at pharmacies throughout the state.

Treatment and Recovery Support Programs

·       Bolster the Opioid Access to Recovery (ATR) program focused on individuals affected by opioid addiction in the cities of Boston, Springfield, Worcester and New Bedford.

·       Expand access to the Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) at currently funded community-based sites.

·       Improve re-entry treatment and recovery support services for previously incarcerated individuals at correctional facilities, including access to pre-release Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), treatment and recovery planning, and post-release linkages to services, recovery support and case management.

·       Increase access to peer-support programming, including coaching, to assist pregnant, post-partum and parenting women with their recovery.

In November, the Baker-Polito Administration announced its second major legislative effort, known as the CARE Act, targeting the opioid crisis since taking office. The plan includes increasing access to treatment and recovery services, addressing gaps in the care provided after detoxification, strengthening education and prevention efforts, and securing regulatory relief from the federal government to increase treatment access.

To learn more about the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts, and how to get help for substance use disorders, visit mass.gov/opioidresponse or contact the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at (800) 327-5050.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY'S FIRST EVER ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY'S FIRST EVER ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY

Mayor Walsh announces first accessibility survey to guide the City's strategic planning and policy development

BOSTON - Thursday, May 10, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities has launched the City's first-ever survey to collect information and learn what the most significant accessibility-related needs are in Boston so that we can shape the City's strategic priorities. Anyone who lives, works, or visits the city and has thoughts about disability-related access is invited to take the survey. "I commend the Commission for the incredible work they are doing to assess residents' needs so Boston can be a safe, healthy, and accessible city for all," said Mayor Walsh. "We will continue to prioritize equitable access for all until there are more opportunities than barriers, and where accessibility is built into everything we do." "The Commission's survey will serve as the foundation for the City's disability strategic master plan," said the Mayor's Chief of Health and Human Services, Marty Martinez. "The survey will guide our efforts in more robust planning that will ensure Boston is accessible to people of all abilities." This survey comes on the heels of a larger citywide public input initiative. Last year, the city released its first citywide plan in 50 years, Imagine Boston 2030: a comprehensive plan which will guide growth to support our dynamic economy, and expand opportunity for all residents, create livable neighborhoods, and be a waterfront city for generations to come.   The survey will complement the Imagine 2030 plan and add disability related data to help the City with strategic planning and policy development that will make Boston accessible and inclusive of people. The Commission is doing extensive and deliberate outreach with an emphasis on reaching out to people with disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, as well as advocates and professionals who work in the disability community. "We want this data to be reflective of the voices from every neighborhood and community in the City of Boston," said Disabilities Commissioner Kristen McCosh. "This survey will guide us to create a strategic plan and framework to support the disability community within Boston for years to come." We encourage everyone to participate in the Accessibility Survey that is available online through June 30, 2018. The Office of Disability can also offer hard copies by mail or can help you complete the survey by phone call our office at 617-635-3682 or use of TTY by dialing 617-635-2541.

Elaine Ng Named Chief Executive Officer of TSNE MissionWorks

From TSNE Mission Works:

Elaine Ng Named Chief Executive Officer of TSNE MissionWorks

By Sandy St. Louis, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing

Boston, MA - May 3, 2018 – TSNE MissionWorks(formerly Third Sector New England), a $50 million organization that provides management consulting, shared operational services and capacity building support to other nonprofits, is proud to name Elaine Ng as its new Chief Executive Officer. Elaine has been serving as Interim Director of Operations for TSNE MissionWorks for two years and, in June, she will succeed Jonathan Spack, who retired in 2016 after 34 years at the helm of TSNE MissionWorks, and Lee Swislow, who has been serving as Interim CEO.

As a 25-year veteran of the nonprofit and education sectors, Elaine has a passion and commitment for organizations that shift the paradigm of equity and access. Most recently, she held the positions of Strategic Planning Director for Special Education for Boston Public Schools, and Executive Director of the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.

“It is a privilege to assume leadership of TSNE MissionWorks at a time of such exciting growth and possibility for the organization,” said Elaine Ng. “We will continue to build on our great work as we position ourselves to become even more relevant to our partners and to the nonprofit community.”

Founded 60 years ago, TSNE MissionWorks operates the NonProfit Center in Boston, provides fiscal sponsorship for 80+ nonprofits across the country and offers consulting and trainings that serve a wide range of nonprofits pursuing organizational excellence. TSNE MissionWorks also has several grant-making programs aimed at building diverse and inclusive organizations and communities.

“I believe deeply in our mission of strengthening organizations and leadership in the nonprofit sector,” said Ng. “For the groups we work closely with that means developing practices that allow our clients to become more adaptable, resilient and inclusive as we build towards equity.”

“The Board of Directors was looking for someone who could position TSNE MissionWorks as a catalyst for extraordinary progress in the nonprofit sector,” said Tammy Dowley-Blackman, Board President, TSNE MissionWorks. “Building on our outstanding programmatic and operational support and what we have learned through our research, Elaine has the skills and experience to inspire and challenge our sector to continue to reach for excellence and lead us into the future.”

The appointment follows an extensive, nationwide search that resulted in three finalists after 350 prospects were reviewed by the search firm BoardWalk Consulting in Atlanta, GA.

About TSNE MissionWorks

TSNE MissionWorks (formerly Third Sector New England) (www.tsne.org) is a nonprofit management support and capacity building organization that works with hundreds of nonprofits across the country. Our mission is to provide information and services to build the knowledge, power, and effectiveness of individuals, organizations and groups that engage people in community and public life. The ultimate intention of our work is to create a more just and democratic society.

In addition to its robust mix of services for nonprofits, the organization has published several groundbreaking original research projects that have been widely reviewed and shared with the sector including: Valuing Our Nonprofit Workforce compensation studies (2017, 2014 and 2010), Opportunity in Change (2017, with The Boston Foundation), Leadership New England study (2015), Funding Learning Networks for Community Impact (2013), Step-by-Step: A Guide to Achieving Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (2010), Creative Disruption a sabbatical study (2009), and the Executive Directors Guide (2002, 2010, new edition coming in 2018).

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES ROXBURY SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES ROXBURY SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

The latest workshop series installment will feature contracting opportunities with various City of Boston departments, as well as free small business coaching

BOSTON - Thursday, May 10, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Office of Economic Development today announced the Small Business Center will launch its third workshop series on Monday, May 14th in Roxbury's Dudley Square at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building at 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury. Following two successful installments in Mattapan and East Boston, the Roxbury Small Business Center will offer six free workshops focused on small business growth through contracting opportunities, financial and legal resources, and networking opportunities for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and small business support organizations. "We saw great attendance and interest in our first two Small Business Centers in Mattapan and East Boston, and I look forward to continue building opportunities for small businesses in Roxbury and neighborhoods throughout the City of Boston," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "As a historic, commercial hub of Boston, Dudley Square is the perfect location to build on our outreach to neighborhood entrepreneurs and small business owners as we seek to offer support and streamlined assistance to small businesses, local hiring, and vibrant commercial districts." In partnership with Boston Main Streets and local business support organizations and experts retained through the on-site business assistance program, the Small Business Centers in Mattapan and East Boston hosted close to 400 small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout 17 different workshops that covered important topics including financial literacy, legal and leasing guidance, and workshops for immigrant entrepreneurs. "Supporting Boston's small businesses that add character and heart to our neighborhoods, employ our residents, and contribute immensely to our thriving economy is a top priority for Mayor Walsh and our economic development strategy for Boston," said John Barros, Chief of Economic Development. "By breaking down barriers, increasing access, and opening doors to opportunities, expertise, and networks, small businesses and entrepreneurs now have more resources to achieve their individual goals and be successful. I am eager to build on the success we have seen in Mattapan and East Boston, and look forward to working with all of the partners to assist small business in Roxbury and every neighborhood in the City of Boston." Data shows that the businesses which most frequently attended workshops included food-based businesses, companies seeking contracting opportunities, as well as cooperative or employee-owned organizations. Workshops that saw the most attendees were focused on access to capital, tips for lean business planning, and guidance on winning public contracts. "We were thrilled to host the second Small Business Center in East Boston, which presents an extraordinary and unique opportunity to bring together current and aspiring entrepreneurs with resources, expertise, and partners both in the private and public sector," said Max Gruner, Executive Director of East Boston Main Streets. "The seven weeks of one-on-one mentoring and group presentations we hosted last fall were invaluable to both the East Boston and larger Boston business community." The Roxbury Small Business Center will offer six workshops of high-impact professional training, networking and one-on-one coaching sessions beginning Monday, May 14 through Monday, June 25. Based on feedback from the small business community and prioritized in the City of Boston's first ever Small Business Plan, workshop topics range from leasing and legal assistance, to tips on accessing capital resources, to specific guidance and best practices on contracting opportunities with government organizations. Spanish interpretation will be available for each workshop and coaching session.

MAYOR WALSH TO HOST INTERNATIONAL MAYORS CLIMATE SUMMIT IN JUNE

MAYOR WALSH TO HOST INTERNATIONAL MAYORS CLIMATE SUMMIT IN JUNE Secretary John Kerry, Administrator Gina McCarthy to offer remarks BOSTON - Wednesday, May 9, 2018 -Building on Boston's commitment to leading the way on addressing climate change, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced Boston will welcome mayors and leaders from public and private sectors to Boston in June for an International Mayors Climate Summit hosted at Boston University. The one-day program will feature John Kerry, 68th United States Secretary of State, in conversation with Bank of America Vice Chairman, Anne Finucane, and remarks by Gina McCarthy, 13th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The summit will focus on best practices and steps city leaders can take to address climate change globally and in their own communities. "Climate change is not an issue a city can solve by itself -- but Boston's leadership can be far-reaching," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to welcoming leaders who share in our commitment to addressing climate change to Boston this summer. Together, we will continue to make our cities and our country stronger as we move forward on this very real issue." The International Mayors Climate Summit will serve as a critical opportunity for some of the most influential mayors and leaders to strategize, collaborate, and learn from one another about approaches to the global crisis on climate change. Mayors will convene on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as the acceleration of renewable energy, and how to prepare for the impacts of climate change, including discussions on climate migration. "Whether the topic is resiliency, emergency preparedness, the challenges of concentrated populations, or the carbon footprint of urban industries - the role of cities in addressing climate change is one of the most important discussions of our time and there is no better place to be having that discussion than in Boston," said John Kerry, 68th United States Secretary of State. "I am honored to be joining our host and my own Mayor, Marty Walsh, and his colleagues in this conversation." "Climate change impacts the health, safety and security of our residents, the physical integrity of our neighborhoods and the well being of our natural resources," said Gina McCarthy, 13th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. "Strong Mayors are the change makers we need to face climate change head on." "We are focused on bringing together the entire financial sector to create innovative ways to deploy capital and create partnerships that accelerate progress," said Anne Finucane, Vice Chairman, Bank of America. "The transition to a low-carbon economy will take the public, private and non-profit sectors working together to create change. The International Mayors Climate Summit provides an important forum to further this work." The summit will take place on Thursday, June 7th at Boston University, a summit sponsor. Mayor Walsh is also hosting the U.S. Conference of Mayors 86th Annual Meeting at the Marriott Copley Place June 8th - 11th. "We are pleased to host mayors from around the world to the International Climate Summit at Boston University," said Boston University President Robert Brown. "The action of cities and institutions will be critical to addressing the enormous challenges presented by climate change. Through our Climate Action Plan, Boston University has committed to carbon neutrality by 2040 and is taking the steps needed to become a resilient campus. We welcome the opportunity to participate in the critical conversations that will take place at the Summit." Boston is taking bold action on climate to become a carbon neutral, climate ready city as outlined in its updated Climate Action Plan. The 2014 Climate Action Plan update serves as Boston's roadmap for reaching its goals of reducing carbon emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change. The goals are supported by Imagine Boston 2030, the first citywide plan in 50 years, that helps to ensure that climate plays a role in aspects of city planning. The city's current climate initiatives are laying the groundwork to advance its climate goals and to accelerate progress. Carbon Free Boston is analyzing the options and pathways to achieve deep decarbonization. The initiative is weighing the costs and benefits of technologies and policies across key action areas including electric power, buildings, transportation, and waste. As part of this effort, Zero Waste Boston is exploring pathways to turn Boston into a zero waste city through planning, policy, and community engagement. Additionally, Climate Ready Boston is bolstering Boston's climate change resilience with near- and long-term planning. It is actively advancing Boston's vision of a resilient city through a comprehensive citywide vulnerability study, a community outreach program, and neighborhood-level implementation projects. All of these initiatives will inform the upcoming update of Boston's Climate Action Plan next year. In addition, Mayor Walsh is a co-chair of Climate Mayors (Mayors National Climate Action Agenda or MNCAA), a network of 402 U.S. mayors representing over 69 million Americans -- working together to strengthen local efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policy making. Climate Mayors recently released a statement in support of the current federal standards on vehicle fuel efficiency in response to the Trump Administration's efforts to roll back this important policy. Mayor Walsh is also North American Vice Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, an international network of the world's major cities addressing climate change.

波士頓市長將赴愛爾蘭領"城市自由"獎

MAYOR WALSH TO RECEIVE CEREMONIAL "FREEDOM OF THE CITY" AWARD ON HIS SECOND INTERNATIONAL TRIP TO IRELAND

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 9, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that he will be visiting Ireland from Thursday, May 10 to Monday, May 14, 2018. On his trip, he will meet with Irish officials and address the public on Boston's important economical and cultural ties to Ireland, receive several ceremonial awards, and participate in the unveiling of Kilkerrin Rock.    "Ireland and the Irish culture hold a special place in my heart, and are a large part of Boston's overall identity as well," said Mayor Walsh. "Our economic and cultural ties to Ireland are undeniable, and it's beneficial for Boston to continue to embrace, support and learn from other countries and cities. I'm honored that our work in Boston is being acknowledged overseas." While in Ireland, the Mayor will spend time highlighting the importance of cultural richness, acceptance of immigrants, and economic partnerships as well as take time to honor tradition and help start new customs. During his trip, he will attend the following events: Mayor Walsh Receives the "Freedom Of The City" Award - May 11, 2018 The "Freedom of the City" is a ceremonial award, given by a local government to those who have served in an exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the City wishes to bestow an honor. Mayor Walsh will be accepting this award and joining past recipients such as John F. Kennedy, Pope John Paul II, John Hume, Hillary Clinton, Richard Daley, Nelson Mandela, Ms. Garry Hynes, President Michael D. Higgins and Senator Billy Lawless. Mayor Walsh Visits the Emigrant Commemorative Centre - May 12, 2018 Four years after Mayor Walsh helped unveil a stone marker at the site of a planned Emigrant Commemorative Centre in Carna, Co. Galway, the new emigrant center is completed, and the Mayor will be returning to cut the ceremonial ribbon. The Emigrant Commemorative Centre will serve as a monument and a symbolic gathering place for the community and their descendants. The Centre educate visitors on the changing face of the rural Gaeltacht area and Galway's rich immigrant history. Mayor Walsh Joins Local Officials for Kilkerrin Rock Dedication and Unveiling - May 13, 2018 Mayor Walsh will join local dignitaries in the presentation and dedication of the Kilkerrin Rock in his honor. The rock has been inscribed with the words, "To all of our brothers and sisters who had to leave their families and homes, some never to return, in search of a better life abroad," along with the Mayor Walsh's name, the date, and the Irish and US flags intertwined. Mayor Walsh to be Named the First Freeman of Galway County - May 14, 2018 Mayor Walsh is being recognized for his achievements and will be named the first ever Freeman of County Galway, proposed by Connemara area Councillor Sean O' Tuairisg. The title of Freeman is a prestigious honor, ceremonial in name. It is typically bestowed upon visiting dignitaries, celebrities and valued members of the community.

Councilors Edwards, Wu Announce Support for Revised Short-Term Rental Regulation

Councilors Edwards, Wu Announce Support
for Revised Short-Term Rental Regulation

Balanced proposal will enable homeowners to earn supplemental income
while ending de-facto corporate hotels

City Councilors Lydia Edwards and Michelle Wu are backing a revised ordinance filed today by the Walsh administration to regulate the short-term rental industry.

“I fully support the city’s efforts to regulate short-term rentals while providing an opportunity for homeowners to earn supplemental income,” said City Councilor Lydia Edwards, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Housing and Community Development. “This legislation will prevent speculative activity that has taken rental units off the market, displaced tenants and hindered the city’s efforts to provide stability for all of Boston’s residents.”

“This ordinance offers reasonable regulations of short-term rentals to close corporate loopholes, protect our housing stock, and stabilize neighborhoods,” said City Councilor Michelle Wu. “I’m proud to support this legislation as the Mayor and City Council work together to stem Boston’s housing crisis.”

The legislation creates a framework for homeowners to earn supplemental income by listing a bedroom in their unit year-round, the entire unit in which they reside, or a single adjacent unit in their owner-occupied, two-family or three-family home. Investor units, which have plagued neighborhoods like the North End, Chinatown and East Boston, would be prohibited under the legislation.

The Boston City Council has been working in partnership with the Walsh administration and state officials to regulate the short-term rental industry. In March, Councilors Wu and Edwards offered revisions to an initial proposal by the Walsh administration, many of which are reflected in the new ordinance.

MAYOR WALSH FILES AMENDED ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH FILES AMENDED ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN BOSTON

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 9, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that he has filed an amended citywide ordinance establishing guidelines and regulations to better track and regulate short-term rentals in the City of Boston. The updated ordinance is the result of collaboration with the Boston City Council and conversations among residents, advocates, and public and private stakeholders that reflect the shared goal of providing economic opportunities for residents and temporary accommodation for visitors, while preserving Boston's housing stock. The regulations put forth modify Mayor Walsh's original ordinance filed in January, and further aim to capture the growth of Boston's growing home-share industry, while including deterrents to prevent operators from monopolizing Boston's housing market with short-term rentals. In addition, the regulations provide a standardized framework for regulating these units that both meet the needs of the evolving industry, provide protections for occupants and minimize the impact on surrounding neighbors of these units. "Thoughtful regulation of short-term rentals that balance our efforts to preserve housing affordability with the growing demand for short-term rentals is key to keeping our communities stable,"said Mayor Walsh. "Boston is a great place to live and visit, and we look forward to responsibly incorporating the growth of the home-share industry into our work to create affordable housing options for all." The ordinance allows for greater flexibility for property owners looking to list their primary residence as a short-term rental, as well as for owners of multi-unit properties. The ordinance takes a three-tiered approach to classifying short-term rental units: Limited Share Unit: consists of a private bedroom or shared space in the owner-operator's primary residence, in which the operator is present during the rental. The fee associated with this classification is $25 per year. Home Share Unit: consists of a whole unit available for a short-term rental at the primary residence of the owner-operator (unit in which operator resides for at least nine months out of a 12 month period). The fee associated with this classification is $200 per year. Owner-Adjacent Unit: consists of an owner-occupied two- or three-family building, in which the owner lists a secondary unit as a short-term rental for up to 120 nights per year. In addition, the owner is able to list their primary residence for an unlimited number of nights-per-year. The fee associated with this classification is $200 per year. "This ordinance offers reasonable regulations of short-term rentals to close corporate loopholes, protect our housing stock, and stabilize neighborhoods," said Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu. "I'm proud to support this legislation as the Mayor and City Council work together to stem Boston's housing crisis." The regulations also provide protections for the occupants of the short-term rental unit by prohibiting any property with outstanding housing, sanitary, building, fire or zoning-code violations from being listed. In addition, the operator is required to provide notice to abutters of a short-term rental unit within 30 days of approved registration. The regulations require the unit to register with the City of Boston each year to verify compliance with the provisions of the ordinance, and pay an annual license fee. Penalties will be incurred to any person who offers an ineligible unit as a short-term rental, fails to register, or fails to comply with a notice of violation. To assist with the enforcement of regulations, booking platforms will be required to provide the City with monthly data and information relative to the short-term rental listings that detail the location and occupancy numbers. In January, the City released a Request for Information (RFI) to identify software solutions that will enable operators to register and renew short-term rental units online, and facilitate the enforcement of the conditions of allowable short-term rental use. The City is currently reviewing responses to the RFI. Today's announcement builds on Mayor Walsh's commitment to addressing the housing demands in Boston. To date, the Walsh Administration has committed more than $100 million in funding to the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Today's announcement builds on the City's preservation and anti-displacement goals, outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030, Mayor Walsh's housing plan, and the housing goals laid out in Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years. As part of both plans, Boston has prioritized increasing the overall housing supply, with a focus on creating and preserving affordable housing. Since the launch of the housing plan, 24,454 new units have been permitted. When complete, these developments will be enough to house 48,600 new residents, and begin to relieve pressure on rents in existing housing.  Of these, 4,649 new income-restricted units have been permitted, of which 2,234 are targeted to low income households. There are an additional 4,240 deed-restricted units in the City's development pipeline. Data shows that the availability of short-term rental units has a direct correlation to housing costs. A 2016 study by UMass Boston found a 0.4% increase in rent prices due to increases in AirBNB listings, and a nationwide UCLA student also found a 0.42% increase. In addition to rent increases, the commercialization of short-term rentals in residential dwellings and residential neighborhoods has the potential to reduce availability of long-term housing for owners and tenants alike, and is contrary to the Administration's goal of adding 53,000 units of housing across a variety of income levels by 2030. In addition to creating new housing, the Walsh Administration is focused on protecting the tenancies of Boston's residents, launching the nation's first Office of Housing Stability in 2016.  In addition, Mayor Walsh has strengthened tenants' access to information by creating the city's first online guide to the eviction process.

中華專業人員協會青年學者講座談電腦科技(圖片)

紐英崙中華專業人員協會講座系列，邀得Ultron創辦人楊子逸
博士(右起)，台科大助理教授張以全，刻在哈佛訪學的交大副教授
陳柏安分享。專協會長彭淑敏(左三)，講座主持人Stonehill學院
教授蘇信豪(左二)，專協理事康麗雪等人會後合影。(周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟人文學校慶母親節 學生獻花奉茶

駐波士頓臺北經文處處長徐佑典致詞。

         (Boston Orange)波士頓慈濟人文學校5月6日慶祝母親節，全校100餘名學生獻康乃馨，奉茶點，感謝媽媽的照顧，會場洋溢溫暖，歡愉氣氛。

波士頓慈濟人文學校齊君明表示，該校每年都慶祝母親節，安排學生奉茶獻花，青年志工帶唱手語歌，藉以提點學生，要以實際行動發揚孝道，傳承中國的人文精神。

徐處長的子女也向母親杜麗雲獻康乃馨，表達謝意。

駐波士頓臺北經文處新到任處長徐佑典，這天一家四口聯袂出席，和波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉一起支持波士頓慈濟的孝親活動。

在會場活動中，徐處長的一子一女，也加入慈濟學生的”感恩母親”行列，向母親杜麗雲獻花，奉茶，表達心意。

慈濟人文學校學生奉茶，向媽媽表達感謝心意。

致詞時，徐佑典表示，以前他在華府駐美國代表處服務時，會送孩子到駐美代表處的中文學校上課，以期子女不忘本，保留讀說寫中文能力，慈濟人文學校做得更進一步，不但教中文，還強調人文精神，要求學生體味中華傳統文化，發揚孝道，實在很難能可貴。他代表中華民國政府向慈濟及所有的母親們獻上敬意與謝意。

慈濟青年志工帶唱手語歌，增進親子感情，場面溫馨熱絡。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉一向很支持慈濟的活動。這天他致詞時，週到的感謝了波士頓慈濟負責人吳建發，以及所有的慈濟師兄姐，人文學校教職員，指出是他們的辛勞與付出，學生們對才能對我國傳統孝親價值有更深刻的實踐與體認。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供_