MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF JULIE BURROS AS CHIEF OF ARTS AND CULTURE

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF JULIE BURROS AS CHIEF OF ARTS AND CULTURE

BOSTON - Friday, May 18, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the departure of Julie Burros, Boston's first Chief of Arts and Culture in more than 20 years. As Chief, Burros oversaw the development and ongoing implementation of Boston Creates, the city's first ever cultural plan, and worked as an advocate for the arts community across new policy creation, including the Percent for Art program, which devotes funding to public art for new capital projects. Her last day with the City of Boston is June 29, 2018, and Kara Elliott-Ortega, Director of Planning and Policy at the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, will serve as interim Chief of Arts and Culture. A posting for the role of Chief of Arts and Culture will be made available on the city's career center website. "Arts and culture are part of Boston's storied past, but they are also at the heart of our contemporary identity, powerfully expressing who we have been, who we are, and who we hope to be," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud of the significant strides we've made in establishing Boston as a municipal arts leader, and bringing the arts closer to the heart of all we do. I wish Julie the best in her future endeavors, and look forward to continuing our important work to support this growing sector of our economy." Demonstrating his commitment to supporting arts and culture in Boston, Mayor Walsh established the Arts and Culture cabinet in 2014 after being sworn in as Mayor, and established a cabinet-level role for leadership of that office. Julie Burros was selected to lead the office, following a national search for the position. The Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston is responsible for overseeing the staff of the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, the Boston Art Commission, Boston Cultural Council, and the Strand Theatre. In addition, the Chief works to create a vehicle through which the city can increase diversity and inclusion in the arts, seek grants and sponsorship opportunities, and secure funding and support for Boston's arts community. The City's Arts and Culture cabinet seeks to grow the arts in Boston across all artistic disciplines, from theater to dance, to the visual arts to public art.   Since the office was first established in 2014, it has fostered the growth and well-being of the cultural community and promoted participation in the arts. Recognizing the importance of creativity across all policy areas, the cabinet works to promote access to arts and culture to all residents, making Boston a municipal arts leader. Key areas of work include supporting the cultural sector through grants and programs, as well as the production and permitting of art in public places. Key successes of the cabinet include: Creation of Boston Creates, Boston's first cultural plan, which is a 10 year initiative, driven by the voices of thousands who participated in the planning process, to align public and private resources to strengthen cultural vitality over the long-term, and weave arts and culture into the fabric of everyday life. Establishment of Boston AIR, the City's first artist-in-residence program, through which artists, community members, and City employees work on projects that help reframe social conversations and bolster City initiatives. Distribution of over $1.8 million in Boston Cultural Council organizational grants to local arts and culture organizations throughout the City. Development of the Opportunity Fund, a grant program that provides $1,000 grants to local artists for meaningful one-time opportunities including professional development, local arts events and community arts experiences. In 2017, $100,000 was distributed through the Opportunity Fund, and the amount of funding doubled to $200,000 in 2018. Creation of the  Artist Fellowship Award that invests in individual artists living and working in Boston by providing $10,000 to five artists to recognize exceptional original artistic work while helping the recipients advance their careers and continue their work in Boston. Launch of the Artist Resource Desk a user-friendly single point of entry for high quality constituent services specifically geared for the needs of artists and creative entrepreneurs. Implementation of the City's Alternative Space Pilot Program, through which the City partnered with local businesses and institutions to make underused private spaces available to artists. "With the launch of many new programs completed and the implementation of the Boston Creates Cultural Plan well underway, it's a fitting time for me to transition to my next chapter and undertake new creative challenges," said Burros. "It has been an honor to serve in Mayor Walsh's cabinet and to play a leading role in the dramatic expansion of municipal arts support championed by Mayor Walsh. Later this summer I will be joining Metris Arts Consulting to spearhead a national cultural planning practice." Burros will assume the position of Principal Cultural Planner at Metris Arts Consulting, a consulting firm based out of Easton, PA that provides high caliber planning, research, and evaluation services to reveal arts' impacts and help communities equitably improve cultural vitality. Mayor Walsh continues to prioritize arts and culture in the City of Boston, and in his budget and capital plan, set aside significant funding for the department, with investments including: $1.7 million in new capital funding, along with a new dedicated project manager, to oversee the implementation of the Percent for Art program, building on the $1.7 million dedicated last fiscal year. This innovative model funds public art projects as part of the City's capital plan. Funding to support the second round of an artist fellowship program in response to feedback received in the Boston Creates process. The fellowship supports elevating Boston creatives. Five artists were awarded funding in the last fiscal year. An $18 million investment in the development of a new Upham's Corner Branch Library and $3.4 million going toward life safety renovations at the Strand Theatre, both part of the effort to develop Uphams Corner into an Arts and Innovation District. For more information on Mayor Walsh's commitment to arts and culture, please visit here.

115 Winthrop Square moves forward, paving way for affordable housing and parks investments

115 Winthrop Square moves forward, paving way for affordable housing and parks investments

Nine development projects, generating 1,171 residential units approved at BPDA Board meeting 
 

Boston – Thursday, May 17, 2018 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors approved a total of nine development projects representing $1.6 billion in investments at the May Board meeting.  Altogether, the projects will generate 1,171 residential units and 2,306 jobs once construction is complete.

Following a comprehensive public process, the Board approved the 115 Winthrop Square project, paving the way for a $163 million payment to the City of Boston that will be invested in affordable housing and open space. Mayor Martin J. Walsh has committed funds to the Boston Common ($28 million), Franklin Park ($28 million), the Emerald Necklace ($11 million), Boston Housing Authority's Old Colony development in South Boston ($25 million) Orient Heights development in East Boston ($10 million), and $5 million for a City-held fund to benefit the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The project is expected to generate over $15 million a year in property tax revenue and make significant investments in affordable housing and workforce training programs.

Development Projects

115 Winthrop Square to bring dynamic, mixed-use tower, creating a more vibrant, resilient downtown

Live: Up to 500 residences, a significant investment in affordable housing in Chinatown, $4 million contribution to IDP fund
Work: 3,500 permanent jobs created, with 2,800 construction jobs with a commitment to diversity and inclusion
Connect: Passive Housing principles,LEED Platinum, Great Hall, and an enhanced pedestrian realm
Size: 1,650,000 square feet

The 115 Winthrop Square project will replace a City-owned, dilapidated garage with a mixed-use tower containing more than 1.6 million square feet of residential, office, retail, restaurant, parking and other commercial space. The project will bring public realm and pedestrian improvements to the Financial District, and will be an economic driver for the entire city, creating an estimated 2,800 construction jobs and 3,500 new permanent jobs. The project is expected to contain up to 55 stories, with a building height of approximately 664 feet.  

The central public feature of the project is the Great Hall, an approximately 12,000 square foot space that will serve as a cultural and commercial anchor for the project. The Great Hall will create a new pedestrian path between Federal and Devonshire Streets and strengthen the connection to an enhanced Winthrop Square Park. The space will serve the public, providing the operational structure and architectural scaffolding to accommodate and implement a variety of programmed educational, civic, performance and cultural experiences.

To ensure economic inclusion, the City of Boston has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Millennium Partners to promote economic inclusiveness and equity and provide participation, access and training opportunities. The MOU will enhance opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses (WBEs and MBEs) by providing at least fifteen percent of the contract value of its construction and architect contracts for these firms. 

The project will satisfy the City of Boston’s Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) by creating off-site income-restricted rental and homeownership units, and will contribute an additional $4 million to the IDP fund. 

Design and programming of the project will continue to evolve in coordination with the City, the BPDA, and the public. 

In addition to the $163 million payment to the City of Boston that will support affordable housing and open space, 115 Winthrop Square will generate significant benefits for residents of Boston, including:
 

• Advance the sustainability objectives of the City through the development of an energy efficient, resilient and environmentally friendly Tower that will strive to achieve LEED Platinum certifiability and adopt the principles of “Passive House Institute” design in the office component;  
• Fund $125,000 annually for forty years to maintain and improve the Boston Common, Boston Public Garden and the Commonwealth Mall;
• Contribute $250,000 to fund a Downtown Planning Study;
• Contribute $150,000 to the City of Boston Transportation Department to fund a bus rapid transit plan;
• Generate an estimated $120,000 per year assessment toward the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID);
• Collaborate with the BID regarding public safety and quality of life issues in the downtown neighborhood, including the payment to the BID of $200,000 towards agreed public safety and security initiatives;
• Generate approximately $4,795,500 in housing linkage funds and $960,250 in job linkage funds for the benefit of the City, or equivalent job and/or housing creation programs;
• Upgrade street lighting, traffic improvements, traffic signal timing and signalization in areas surrounding the site.

In 2015, the BPDA kicked-off a robust and transparent process to secure the most value for the City-owned garage and ensure that any proceeds would come back to the City to directly benefit the residents of Boston.  After receiving six proposals, the BPDA, in coordination with the City, determined the response submitted by Millennium Partners to be the most advantageous proposal for redevelopment of the garage site. 

1550 Soldiers Field Road and 21 Soldiers Field Place to create 249 new units, act as a gateway location on the Charles River in Brighton

Live: 249 new residential units, including 38 Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) homeownership units
Work: 170 construction jobs
Connect: Transit-oriented, new crosswalk and sidewalk improvements
Size: 223,000 square feet

As proposed, this Brighton project will result in the construction of 211 market-rate units in a six story building, located at 1550 Soldiers Field Road. In addition, the project will generate 38 income-restricted homeownership units at 21 Soldiers Field Place in a five story building. There will be approximately 175 on-site parking spaces for both building components, including 148 spaces in an underground garage at 1550 Soldiers Field Road, and 27 ground-floor garage spaces at 21 Soldiers Field Place. 

The rental units currently planned for 1550 Soldiers Field Road include 68 studios, 87 one-bedroom units, and 56 two-bedroom units for a total of 211 units. Garage and service vehicle access will be provided from Soldiers Field Place. The income restricted homeownership units planned for 21 Soldiers Field Place include four studios, 24 one-bedroom units, eight two-bedroom units, and two three-bedroom units for a total of 38 units. 

The project will contribute $10,000 to the City of Boston's Parks and Recreation Department Fund for Parks. 

70 Leo M. Birmingham Parkway to bring 79 homeownership units, 10 new IDP units to Brighton

Live: 10 new IDP units, a new active streetscape, complete street sidewalks, landscaped green areas, access to brick patios and decks and an abutting park
Work: 150 construction jobs, supportive housing for growth at Boston Landing and vitality of Market Street Business District
Connect: 50 bike storage spaces, proximity to the new Boston Landing MBTA station, support for planned infrastructure improvements
Size: 117,626 square feet

This project will revitalize an underutilized site with 79 homeownership units, on-site garage parking, related open space, sidewalk and site improvements. The project will combine three parcels of land and replace two existing, underutilized commercial structures to incorporate a new six-story residential condominium building. 

The project includes $70,000 to fund public realm improvements along Leo M. Birmingham Parkway, including necessary upgrades to the traffic signal at the Lincoln Street and Leo M. Birmingham Parkway intersection. These improvements will provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity for the residents and visitors of the new development to the Boston Landing commuter rail station, MBTA bus routes along Leo Birmingham Parkway, as well as other destinations in Brighton. In addition, a $30,000 contribution to the City of Boston's Parks and Recreation Department Fund for Parks will be made.  

55 West Fifth Street to bring 18 residential units, five IDP units, and below-market rent for a local retailer to South Boston

Live: Nine IDP units, a common rooftop deck
Work: 100 construction jobs, 1,600 square feet of retail space
Connect: Transit oriented development, 50 bike storage spaces
Size: 11,507 square feet

As originally approved at the August 2016 Board meeting, this project consisted of the demolition of an existing building and the construction of a five-story, mixed-use building with 32 residential rental units and four affordable units. In February of this year, a Notice of Project Change (NPC) was submitted for the project and proposed the following: (1) An increase in the building height from 50 feet to 60 feet, (2) The addition of 18 residential units, bringing the total to 50 (3) The addition of five income-restricted units, bringing the total to nine (4) The addition of approximately seven off-street parking spaces, bringing the total to 43, (5) An increase of approximately 11,057 square feet of gross floor area, (6) A reduction of approximately 453 square feet to the ground floor retail space, bringing the total to approximately 1,600 square feet of retail/commercial space.  

The approximately 1,600 square feet of retail/commercial space will be offered at below market-rate rent. The proposed changes to the Originally Approved Project are consistent with the vision and guidelines of PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue. 

As a result of these changes, the proposed development will consist of the construction of a six-story, 45,757 square foot mixed-use building that will include 50 residential rental units, including nine income restricted units, approximately 43 parking spaces, and approximately 1,600 square feet of ground floor retail/commercial space. 

East Boston’s 152 Liverpool Street project to create 30 jobs, 23 residential units

Live: 23 new residential units, 3 new IDP units
Work: 30 direct jobs, 1,910 square feet of retail space
Connect: Nine parking spaces, 23 bike storage spaces and 0.3 miles to Maverick Square
Size: 26,220 square feet

The 152 Liverpool Street project will demolish the existing automobile repair facility that currently occupies the site and construct a five story, approximately 23,010 square foot mixed-use building with approximately 23 residential rental units, including three income-restricted units, approximately 1,910 square feet of retail/commercial space, approximately nine off-street vehicle parking spaces, and at least 23 on-site bicycle storage spaces. As currently proposed, the 23 residential units are anticipated to consist of two studio units, eight one-bedroom units, twelve two-bedroom units, and one three-bedroom unit.

287 Maverick Street to revitalize former industrial site, yield 38 new residential units, five IDP units in East Boston

Live: 38 residential units, five IDP units, revitalization of a former industrial site
Work: 50 direct jobs, 2,180 square feet of retail space
Connect: 30 parking spaces, 38 bike storage spaces, 0.4 miles to Maverick Square
Size: 43,830 square feet

The proposed project is located at 287-293 Maverick Street in East Boston. The site is currently occupied by a garage and warehouse, and is approximately eight minutes walking distance from the MBTA Blue Line subway and bus service at Maverick Station.

The project will construct a five-story, mixed-use building with 38 homeownership condominium units, five income-restricted units, retail/commercial space, 30 off-street vehicle parking spaces, and at least 38 on-site bicycle storage spaces. The 38 residential units are expected to consist of two studio units, 10 one-bedroom units and 25 two-bedroom units. 

In addition to revitalizing the former industrial site, the project will provide a number of public benefits to the East Boston neighborhood, including, but not limited to: pedestrian access improvements and new widened sidewalks, a $30,000 contribution toward a neighborhood transportation analysis, planning initiative, or public realm improvement(s), and a $5,000 contribution for the Crossroads Family Center, Inc. to support the organization’s mission and the services provided to support families as they transition from homelessness to independent living and self-sufficiency.

40 Rugg Road approval to bring 34 affordable units, new retail and art gallery space to Allston

Live: 34 IDP units, a public community space, access to 11,000 square feet of public open space on-property
Work: 14 permanent jobs, new retail space, a gallery with additional maker space for artists
Connect: 239 new bike storage spaces, LEED Gold certification
Size: 282,170 square feet

The 40 Rugg Road project site is comprised of five parcels located in Allston. The site is currently occupied by four existing industrial buildings ranging between one to two stories, including associated surface parking areas, sidewalks and temporary trailers. Nearby there are two parcels with an existing four-story masonry building and a five-story 36-unit condominium building currently under construction. The project site is located near the new Boston Landing MBTA Commuter Rail Station and is in close proximity to several MBTA bus routes.  

As proposed, the project will include the development of two new six-story residential buildings called Building A-B and Building C, respectively. The buildings will include ground floor retail space, ground floor work and gallery space reserved for local artists, and an automated parking structure for 168 vehicles. The buildings will contain 265 rental apartments, 34 of which will be affordable. Eight of the affordable units are specifically reserved as and designed to be artist live/work units. The current makeup of the project includes 86 studios, 118 one-bedroom units, and 61 two-bedroom units. There will also be a new green space created within the project site with direct access from each building’s ground floor amenity areas for use by its residents. Building A-B will be located in an “L”-shape configuration along the southern and eastern boundaries of the project site; Building C will be located in a “C”-shape configuration on the northern side of the site, wrapping around the parking structure.

The project will provide a number of community benefits for the surrounding neighborhood, including a contribution of $80,000 to Penniman Park. 

Massport Marine Terminal Parcel 6 to create over 120 new maritime jobs, over-the-counter seafood shop

Work: Over 120 new maritime industrial jobs, with an additional seafood shop and the new International Longshoreman’s Association Union Hall
Connect: Expanded infrastructure, with new utilities, Bollard Way, and expanded off-street parking
Size: 220,000 square feet

This project will construct 220,000 gross square feet of seafood processing facilities and accessory parking on Parcel 6 of the Massport Marine Terminal. The project combines approximately 115,000 square feet of gross floor area of seafood processing facilities on Sub-Parcels 6A and 6B, and approximately 101,300 square feet of parking in a mixed-use space on Sub-Parcel 6C. The Massport Marine Terminal (MMT) Parcel 6 Development is located on Fid Kennedy Avenue within the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (the RLFMP), formerly the Boston Marine Industrial Park. Currently the project site is vacant, mostly asphalt-paved land. 

MMT Parcel 6 consists of an approximately 6.5 acre portion of the 29.5 acre MMT. The MMT is land leased by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and to the east, by a new road to be constructed as part of the proposed project, with the working name of “Bollard Way”. An accessory and supporting mixed-use parking structure is included in the project proposal to satisfy a need of the marine industry not serviced by public transportation. The project is expected to be developed in three sub-parcels, with associated infrastructure improvements to adjacent Shore Road. The proposed buildings will be of varying heights but all under 50 feet.

Herb Chambers Jaguar Range Rover Dealership aims to contribute meaningfully to the Commonwealth Ave. streetscape with new, first-class facility

Work: Over 13,300 square feet of retail and over 3,300 square feet of office space
Connect: Upgrading sidewalks for pedestrian safety, proponent to work with Boston Transportation Department Planning Team on analysis of intersection of Harvard Avenue and Brainerd Road
Size: 191,321 square feet

The Herb Chambers Companies will develop a new Jaguar Land Rover auto dealership at the locations currently occupied by the Herb Chambers Honda and Herb Chambers Infiniti dealerships at 1186-1190 and 1192-1198 Commonwealth Avenue. The intent is to develop a category-leading, first-class new facility that will contribute meaningfully to the Commonwealth Avenue streetscape. The proposed project will be contemporary in style, featuring a streamlined design. It is expected to be three stories high, with a maximum height of 59.5 feet, and will therefore be slightly lower in height than the immediately adjacent residential building. The proposed project will contain approximately 192,321 square feet of building area, and will include showrooms, offices, service bays, vehicle storage, and customer amenities, including lounges. The preliminary plans indicate that the project will be supported by 537 off-street parking spaces located within the building, and approximately 58 surface spaces.

中華頤養院年會強調"為成功合作"

昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch)(右四)出席中華頤養院年會，與該院首長
及嘉賓合影。右起，麻州眾議員陳德基，陳仕維夫婦，柯奇市長，
中華頤養院董事陳秀英，董事長雷偉志，華人醫務中心執行長衛優俊
(Eugene Welch)，中華頤養願新執行長William Graves。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子昆士市報導)中華頤養院康復中心5月15日晚在昆士市龍鳳酒樓舉行年會，介紹新任執行長William Graves，並以”為成功合作(Partnering for success)”為主題，邀請麻州公共衛生局助理局長陳倩演講，請得昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)致詞。

               中華頤養院康復中心(South Cove Mnaor at Quincy Point Rehabilitation Center)董事會主席雷偉志在開場致詞中指出，與社區、熱心人士合作是中華頤養院營運成功的秘訣之一。他特地重新介紹了該院的的14名創始人，以及16名現任董事會董事。

三名傑出女性，左起，麻州公共衛生局副局長陳倩，中華頤養院
董事陳秀英，邦克丘社區學院校長余慕潔。(周菊子攝)

昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)和陳秀英因為中華頤養願遷址而結緣。
(周菊子攝)

               在總結2017的年度報告中，雷偉志指出，中華頤養院仍在繼續不斷的成長，發展，改善，建了新網站，推出首個年度訴求(annual appeal)，還聘請了新的執行長William Graves。

               昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)當天應邀作開幕致詞嘉賓，麻州公共衛生局助理局長陳倩(Elizabeth Chen)做主題演講。中華頤養院院長陳力報告了該院2017年的營運概況。

               柯奇表示，從陳秀英為中華頤養院和他接觸以來，他們就成了好朋友。他很高興中華頤養院的遷入，為昆士市華盛頓街帶來非常正面影響，如今昆市市中心重建，華盛頓街的地位也將更形重要。

中華頤養院董事會主席雷偉志感謝該院創辦人，董事及員工。
(周菊子攝)

               陳倩以她個人的成長經歷為例，闡述”為成功合作”的中華頤養院年會主題，強調中華頤養院當年創建，靠熱心人合作，將來成長，仰賴社區支持。她透露，她們全家當年從台灣遷居波士頓，就因為有著諸如陳毓璇，阮陳金鳳，陳秀英等等社區內熱心人士的扶助，才得以安居樂業，她們幾兄弟姊妹才能在穩定的生活環境中順利求學，就業。

在中華頤養院服務逾12年的院長陳力報告2017營運概況。(周菊子攝)

               中華頤養院年會的重點之一是頒發傑出員工獎，史德勒學習中心/中華頤養院基金會副主席May Chin以及董事Alice Rose代表獎學金委員會頒獎給Tina Guan，Sherrile Vergara 等兩名護士。該獎學金旨在支持該院員工接受培訓，求學深造，在專業上追求更進一步的發展。

康復單位護士經理Andrew Hsai，以及Amor Llaga因合作確保該院病患24小時都能得到照顧，堪為傑出模範，獲頒丁/穆加(Ting/Mugar)傑出領袖獎。

               另一項丁/穆加特別獎頒給了Jenny Zheng，表揚她獲選成為波士頓環球報的”2018年向護士致敬”代表人物。Jenny Zhang所照顧病患的女兒，Lillian Andruszkiewicz寫信給波士頓環球報提名，表示Jenny Zheng讓他們全家，尤其是她87歲，有嚴重聽障的老母親，都感到受尊重，被照顧，很貼心。

Alice Rose (左二起)，May Chin頒發獎學金給得獎者。(周菊子攝)

               中華頤養院創辦於1985年，2014年搬到昆士市華盛頓街288號，並擴大了復健部門，為院內老人家設立了許多個小型居民社區。                                                                                                             中華頤養院的創始人包括陳毓璇，阮陳金鳳，陳家驊，陳鐵堅，陳秀英，黃令南，梅伍銀寬，吳文津，以及現已辭世的朱曉東，陳郁立，李實卿，黃兆英，克文珍(Martha Jane Hackett)，喬治史立德(George A. Schlichte)等人。

Jenny Zheng(右)獲頒特別獎。(周菊子攝)

Leonard Lai頒發傑出領袖獎。(周菊子攝)

               

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2 Million in Community Compact IT Grants to 45 Cities and Towns

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2 Million in Community Compact IT Grants to 45 Cities and Towns

Grants fund technology improvements to help drive innovation and transformation, and enhance service at the local level

MILTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today announced $2 million in technology grants will be awarded to 45 cities and towns across the Commonwealth, benefiting more than 120 municipal entities, through the Community Compact Information Technology (IT) Grant Program. Today’s announcement brings the total number of municipal IT grants issued over the past three years to 144, assisting more than 250 communities with $6 million in grant funding to modernize their technology systems and deliver service to their residents more efficiently.

Lt. Governor Polito made the announcement while visiting the Milton Fire Department, which will receive a $46,800 grant to purchase software to enhance tracking and reporting of critical fire department data while also allowing for the integration of the police and fire call dispatch systems.

“We are proud of the work the Community Compact Cabinet is doing to strengthen critical partnerships with the Commonwealth’s cities and towns,” said Governor Baker. “As the use of technology continues to expand in our everyday lives, these grants provide an opportunity to deliver better service at the municipal level to our residents.”

“The IT grants are a great way to support cities and towns who develop best practices and are resourceful in solving major technological challenges,” said Lt. Governor Polito, Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet. “When an emergency call comes in, first responders need access to the most up-to-date information to save lives, and Milton’s project to upgrade and integrate their systems with this grant will mean improved services for residents and better productivity for firefighters.”

Cities and towns have used the IT grant funding to upgrade their websites, implement new systems that allow residents to apply for permits and licenses online, improve the security and capacity of municipal IT systems, digitize records, and develop other solutions to costly technological challenges.

In addition to the IT grants, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded $7 million in technical assistance grants and $4 million in efficiency and regionalization grants since starting the Community Compact Program in 2015.

“The Baker-Polito administration is pleased to partner with cities and towns that are striving to improve the customer experience and maximize available resources,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “Throughout the budget development process we keep the needs of local communities top of mind.”

Examples of Community Compact IT Grant Program Initiatives in this round of funding:

·       Beverly will transition to a full consolidation of its fire and police dispatch services into one operational facility. Dispatch operations will be combined from two separate locations to one central operating location with installation of modernized and upgraded equipment.

·       Wareham will implement an e-permitting system allowing the town to track the 12,000 permits and licenses it issues annually, make up-to-the-minute status updates and allow for coordinated review and sign-off by multiple departments, reducing wait times for residents and businesses.

·       Revere will implement a new cloud-based document management system designed for use by all departments, increasing performance and efficiency.

·       Medway will purchase a new system for tracking usage, eligibility and payment at its town recycling center, increasing efficiency, improving service to residents and lowering costs by identifying and eliminating unpermitted use.

·       Orange and the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District will put in place a new IT infrastructure that will accelerate the consolidation of IT services and hardware for the school district and the Town, thereby improving the speed of applications, offering new ways for residents to interact and transact with government, and helping accelerate the school district’s E-Learning initiative.

·       Ashland will purchase new software for its fire department to better track emergency calls, reporting, asset management, permits and inspection data, and maintenance management.

·       Northampton will develop a regional system to help document and analyze the local opioid crisis.

For a full list of awardees and projects, click here.