CITY APPOINTS NEW ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL DIRECTOR AND VETERINARIAN

 

CITY APPOINTS NEW ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL DIRECTOR AND VETERINARIAN

BOSTON - Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - Boston Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods recently announced that Alexis Trzcinski of Dorchester has been promoted to Director of the Animal Care and Control division of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. Trzcinski has worked in the animal welfare field for over 24 years and began her career at the Animal Rescue League of Boston where she worked in direct animal care and pet adoptions. Prior to being appointed Director, Alexis began working for Boston Animal Care and Control in 2004 and served as the Division's Assistant Director since 2015.  In that role, she organized the expansion of the city's low-cost animal wellness program, worked collaboratively with other humane law enforcement organizations, performed administrative hearings, and ensured that the Division continued to provide high level care for animals in the City's animal care facility in Roslindale.  "I am excited for the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of animals, and build stronger relationships within the community," Trzcinski said. "My passion is helping animals in need. Lucky for me, that is also the mission of this talented team." Trzcinski is committed to the promotion of humane education and community work through organized community events, and further expansion of the City's wellness services. A graduate of UMass Boston, she has lived in Boston most of her life and currently lives in Dorchester with her husband, twin sons, two cats, Bowser and Mack, and her dog, Otter. Commissioner Woods also welcomed Dr. Emily Walz, MPH DACVPM to the Animal Care and Control staff, the division's first full-time staff veterinarian.  An experienced veterinarian who has worked to provide community-based veterinary care to animals in Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, Dr. Walz has also pursued specialized training in public health, community needs assessment, and preventive medicine.   "Both Alexis and Emily bring proven knowledge and success to their roles. These appointments represent a huge win for the animals, the community, and the Department of Animal Care and Control," said Commissioner Woods. "In Alexis, we are elevating a valued employee to a new level of leadership, and Emily will undoubtedly bring fresh ideas to our work." Emily recently moved to Boston and brings her experience in developing community programming to support the special bond between people and their pets.  She is excited to join the team at Boston Animal Care and Control to continue providing high quality care to the animals of Boston and is looking forward to connecting to her neighbors around the city. Dr. Walz holds a BS from Swarthmore College, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota, and is a Diplomate of the American College of American Veterinary Medicine.  She currently resides in Roslindale with her wife, their energetic toddler, two kitties named Pearl and Puma, and an incredibly patient pit bull mix named Elsa.  "I'm honored and excited to be joining the dynamic team at Boston Animal Care and Control and supporting the welfare of animals across the city," said Dr. Walz. "I can't wait to see what this team will accomplish." ### Alexis Trzcinski of Dorchester has been named Director of the Boston Animal Care and Control division Dr. Emily Walz of Roslindale has joined Boston Animal Care and Control as the new staff veterinarian

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FREE COVID-19 TESTING IN GROVE HALL

 MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FREE COVID-19 TESTING IN GROVE HALL 

 

In partnership with East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, the mobile testing team has previously been in Roxbury, Allston, South Boston, Mattapan, and East Boston, ordering 10,874 COVID-19 tests in total

BOSTON - Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, announced that the City of Boston's COVID-19 mobile testing site will now be located in Grove Hall. Testing will be available starting today, Tuesday, September 22 through Saturday, October 3 at 40 Geneva Avenue in Dorchester, across from the Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library. Testing will be available at no cost and for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. No appointment is needed but registration is required. To pre-register, call 617-568-4500 (if you cannot reach this number, please call 617-569-5800 for assistance).   "Our mobile testing team was created to strategically expand testing in neighborhoods most in need because we know this is fundamental for keeping residents safe and healthy," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you to East Boston Neighborhood Health Center for their continued partnership throughout the pandemic."   The dates and hours of operation in the mobile testing site in Grove Hall are:   Tuesday, September 22- Friday, September 25: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.   Saturday, September 26: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.   Tuesday, September 29 - Friday, October 2: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.   Saturday, October 3: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.   This mobile site testing initiative was announced by Mayor Walsh back in May as a way to help fill any gaps in testing availability, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. The site has previously been located in Roxbury, Allston, South Boston, Mattapan and East Boston. In the East Boston pop up site location, there were 2,519 COVID-19 tests ordered. Of results received, approximately 4.9 percent tested positive for COVID-19.   "We are proud to continue working with the City of Boston to set up pop-up testing sites throughout the city," said East Boston Neighborhood Health Center president and CEO Manny Lopes. "By providing sites that are accessible to residents throughout Boston, we can help identify infection and minimize the spread of COVID-19. East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is proud to play a role in this citywide public health response to the pandemic, especially as we enter the fall season."   In addition to the City's mobile testing sites, COVID-19 testing is available at over 20 locations across the city. Mobile testing sites also continue to be available at select locations, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. Individuals can call the Mayor's Health Line with any questions using 617-534-5050. For a complete list of all testing sites, visit here.    The City of Boston has been partnering with community health centers to increase access to testing, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. As of Monday, September 14, 2020, there were 222,242 COVID-19 tests of Boston residents. Out of 222,242 total tests, 7.5% have tested positive, which is down from 7.9% reported through Monday, September 7, 2020. For all Boston residents, the positivity for tests increased slightly from 1.6% for the prior week (September 1-8) to 2.8% for the current week (September 8-14). The latest numbers of cases from the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) by neighborhoods are available here.   Mayor Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee have dedicated over $1,794,825 to expand COVID-19 testing and conduct culturally appropriate outreach and education to community health centers across City of Boston neighborhoods, including Bowdoin Street Community Health Center, Codman Square Community Health Center, The Dimock Center, DotHouse Health, Mattapan Community Health Center, Uphams Corner Community Health Center, Whittier Street Community Health Center, Charles River Community Health, Fenway Health, Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center, Harbor Health, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, South Boston Community Health Center, NEW Health Charlestown, South End Community Health Center, and Brookside Community Health Center. The Fund has also supported telehealth services and equipment at those community health centers as well to connect testing to safe treatment options at home.   Resources and information about COVID-19 are available online. Resources available on boston.gov and through City departments include support for renters and homeowners; small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources. More information on Boston's reopening can be found at boston.gov/reopening.   For additional questions or programs, please visit our coronavirus website or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages.   ###

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR VISIT BOSTON CAMPAIGN

 

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR VISIT BOSTON CAMPAIGN Proposals will shape and execute a branding and marketing campaign to attract tourists

BOSTON - Monday, September 21, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting proposals from consultants, firms, agencies, or other organizations to partner on shaping and executing a branding and marketing campaign to tourists. The RFP is designed to build Boston's brand as a travel destination, increase awareness and active promotion, and drive visits to Boston from diverse local and regional visitors. Completed proposals will be accepted up to October 5, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., and must be submitted electronically via the  Supplier Portal. "With our rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and legacy of arts, culture, and education, Boston has something for everyone," said Mayor Walsh. "The selected campaign will help us showcase all that Boston has to offer as a travel destination, and warmly welcome diverse local and regional visitors to explore our city, while adhering to public health guidelines." As the City of Boston plans to build back stronger and more equitably, the Arts, Culture, and Tourism industry is a critical component to the future success of the City of Boston. The selected campaign will assemble a local tourism campaign to draw diverse tourists to take advantage of all that Boston has to offer as the City safely responds to and recovers from COVID-19. A successful application would examine the ways in which Boston communicates about the offerings of the city, and highlight attractions and events that speak to the experiences of people of color in Boston. As such, part of the evaluation the City of Boston will be using in the selection process will be ensuring the respondent has a plan that demonstrates focus on equity and inclusion. Given the wide range of needed expertise anticipated, the City of Boston welcomes proposals to create partnerships and join with complementary organizations and vendors to provide a comprehensive proposal. Additionally, applicants reflecting the City of Boston's rich diversity are encouraged to apply. The City of Boston is committed to selecting a campaign focused on welcoming all kinds of visitors.  "Arts, Culture, and Tourism are vital to Boston's economic recovery," said Chief of Economic Development John Barros. "Maintaining Boston's economic and competitive advantage depends on a strong recovery in our Arts, Culture, and Tourism industry by showing all that Boston -- both downtown and in our neighborhoods -- has to offer in a way that is appealing and inviting to diverse groups of people locally and across the United States." While contributing 4.83 percent to the Gross City Product, the categories of Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; Accommodation and Food Services made up 10.4 percent  of the City's jobs. The Arts, Culture, and Tourism sectors provide approximately three times the jobs in Boston compared to the nation overall, and create more jobs than either educational institutions or medical institutions. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Boston hosted over 19 million domestic and 1.7 million international visitors per year. Travelers adhering to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Travel Order, effective August 1, 2020, are welcome to visit Boston and responsibly enjoy its many tourist attractions. All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to: Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless they are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health; and quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.  Currently, travelers from low-risk states are exempt from filling out the Massachusetts Travel Form. Travelers to the City of Boston are encouraged to review the latest public health guidance on boston.gov/covid-19. Travelers may also prepare for their visit by learning about the City of Boston's reopening efforts and public health guidelines for businesses at boston.gov/reopening. Given the importance of this economic pillar to Boston's equitable economic recovery and future, this project will be funded by CARES Act Relief Funding. In accordance with the regulations, the project must provide resources or assistance to mitigate effects on health and/or provide economic support. The selected vendor will need to comply with all associated regulations and provide all contracts, purchase orders, invoices, to validate payment. The ending eligibility date for expenses is December 30, 2020.   This announcement is part of the Walsh Administration's ongoing work to support small businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 15, Mayor Walsh announced the City of Boston is extending the outdoor dining season to better serve restaurants and patrons. On May 21st, the City of Boston announced new measures to help restaurants during the ongoing public health crisis, including expanding outdoor seating, and waiving fees for outdoor space. To date, the Office of Economic Development's Small Business Relief Fund has awarded $6.7 million to businesses in need. The businesses receiving grants represent industries most-impacted by closures, policies, or general loss of revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout every neighborhood in Boston. The Reopen Boston Fund, launched in May 2020, continues to offer grants to Boston's businesses of up to $2,000 to assist with reopening costs, including for PPE. More than 1,200 businesses have received direct grants from the Reopen Boston Fund to date, with more than $2.1 million distributed. To further assist the City's small businesses, the City of Boston created a platform to help businesses source the personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies they will be required to have available in order to ensure the safety of employees and customers as industries begin to reopen. Along with industry-specific reopening requirements, the page includes a list of self-identified, local suppliers of PPE and cleaning supplies, information on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' vendor database, and partner organizations helping to connect businesses with vendors. In addition, in July, Mayor Walsh announced a new ramp initiative to increase accessibility to outdoor dining amidst the COVID-19 public health emergency. Restaurants that have been granted a temporary license to have seating in a parking space or on the street are eligible to request a portable ramp.

CITY OF BOSTON HOSTING ENERGY JUSTICE WEBINAR SERIES TO HELP RESIDENTS PROTECT THEIR ELECTRIC ACCOUNT

 

CITY OF BOSTON HOSTING ENERGY JUSTICE WEBINAR SERIES TO HELP RESIDENTS PROTECT THEIR ELECTRIC ACCOUNT

BOSTON - Monday, September 21, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Environment Department will host the Energy Justice: Protect Your Electric Account series to increase energy literacy and potentially help residents save money on their electric bills.  The webinar series will explain the challenges and financial risks associated with retail energy suppliers, as well as how to seek assistance and access resources to protect their electricity costs. The series will also introduce the upcoming Community Choice Electricity program and associated customer benefits.  Scheduled to launch in February 2021, Community Choice Electricity will provide residents with a safer, affordable, more reliable electricity option. The events are free, open to the public, but registration is required. Date  Time Registration Monday, September 21 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm English Djunta ku nôs na un webinar ku inskrison na Wednesday, September 23 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm English 请到 http://energy-justice-man.eventbrite.com 注册 Tuesday, September 29 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm English 請到 http://energy-justice-can.eventbrite.com 網頁註冊 Thursday, October 1 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm English Participa en nuestro seminario web registrándose en Tuesday, October 6 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm English Hãy tham gia hội thảo qua mạng webinar cùng chúng tôi bằng cách đăng ký tại Thursday, October 8 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm English Vin patisipe nan yon seminè nap fè sou entènèt, annik enskri w nan Webinar #1: Cape Verdean Creole interpretation provided. WHEN: September 21 from 6-7:30 PM.  WHERE: Register at energy-justice-eng1.eventbrite.com. Djunta ku nôs na un webinar ku inskrison na energy-justice-cvc.eventbrite.com. Webinar #2: Mandarin interpretation provided. WHEN: Wednesday, September 23 from 6-7:30 PM. WHERE: Register at energy-justice-eng2.eventbrite.com. 请到 http://energy-justice-man.eventbrite.com 注册。 Webinar #3: Cantonese interpretation provided. WHEN: Tuesday, September 29 from 6-7:30 PM. WHERE: Register at energy-justice-eng3.eventbrite.com. 請到 http://energy-justice-can.eventbrite.com 網頁註冊。 Webinar #4: Spanish interpretation provided. WHEN: Thursday, October 1 from 6-7:30 PM.  WHERE: Register at energy-justice-eng4.eventbrite.com. Participa en nuestro seminario web registrándose en http://energy-justice-span.eventbrite.com. Webinar #5: Vietnamese interpretation provided. WHEN: Tuesday, October 6 from 6-7:30 PM. WHERE: Register at energy-justice-eng5.eventbrite.com. Hãy tham gia hội thảo qua mạng webinar cùng chúng tôi bằng cách đăng ký tại http://energy-justice-vi.eventbrite.com. Webinar #6: Haitian Creole interpretation provided. WHEN: Thursday, October 8 from 6-7:30 PM. WHERE: Register at energy-justice-eng6.eventbrite.com. Vin patisipe nan yon seminè nap fè sou entènèt, annik enskri w nan http://energy-justice-hc.eventbrite.com.

波士頓餐廳戶外用餐許可延至12月1日

https://www.boston.gov/departments/small-business-development/support-bostons-restaurants 

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON EMS CELEBRATE NEW EMT GRADUATES

 

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON EMS CELEBRATE NEW EMT GRADUATES

Jocelyn Brandao, a life-long Boston resident, sworn in as a Boston EMS Emergency Medical Technician during today's ceremony in East Boston.  (Mayor's Office photo by Jeremiah Robinson) BOSTON - Monday, September 21, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Boston EMS to celebrate the graduation of 10 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) recruits in a socially distanced, outdoor ceremony at LoPresti Park in East Boston. This graduating class will be assigned to 911 ambulances, strengthening the City of Boston's Emergency Medical Services (EMS). "In our lifetime, we've never seen a crisis quite like the COVID-19 pandemic. And through it all, the men and women at Boston EMS have been on the front lines, leading the City's response with incredible courage and passion," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud to be here to congratulate the men and women graduating today as they join the best emergency medical services department in the country. " Today's ceremony formally acknowledges 10 recruits' successful completion of a rigorous post-hire training program for EMTs at Boston EMS. Already state-certified EMTs prior to hire, this graduating class, completed an additional seven months of classroom and field training. Known as "Recruit Class 2020-1," the recruits were trained in a variety of life-threatening emergency situations, including active shooter incidents, hazardous materials exposure, transportation accidents, recovery services, human trafficking and mass casualty incidents. The training program also included a month-long reassignment to assist with the City of Boston's COVID-19 pandemic response, supporting field operations, dispatch operations and enhanced disinfectant procedures. "Their rigorous training academy began when the City only had one confirmed case of COVID-19 and it continued through the surge of the pandemic in Boston. This recruit class has seen firsthand the courage, passion and heart it takes to do this job," said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley. "Welcome to Boston EMS. You are serving in historic times and you are ready." This academy class responded to nearly 1,400 9-1-1 calls during their training. Those emergency incidents included baby deliveries, cardiac arrests, motor vehicle accidents, shootings, stabbings, strokes, overdoses and more. With guidance from seasoned EMT field training officers, recruits are not only prepared to care for patients, regardless of the circumstances, they also now understand the level of care, clinical excellence and professionalism expected of Boston EMS EMTs. Boston EMS is one of the busiest municipal EMS providers in New England, responding to more than 125,000 emergency medical incidents per year. As a bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Boston EMS is committed to serving Boston's residents through clinical excellence, emergency planning and preparedness, and community outreach. In his FY20 budget, Mayor Walsh added four EMTs to promote diversity and recruitment as well as resources to expand the capacity of Boston EMS's Community Assistance Team, also known as Squad 80. Squad 80 is a two-person team that travels in a non-transport vehicle and answers calls where patients have a low frequency of being transported to the emergency room, making more ambulances available for priority calls that need to get patients to the hospital. It also connects people to our recovery or homeless services and other city programs. In FY21, Mayor Walsh is investing in seven new ambulances, as well as new portable radios to support coordination and communication, new body armor to protect EMTs and Paramedics and new AEDs for patient care.