人生一定要有的八個朋友：
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
*******************
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MAYOR JANEY INVITES RESIDENTS TO HONOR ONE
BOSTON DAY
The day is an opportunity to honor those
who were lost in the tragic events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon,
and reflect on the resilience Bostonians showed in the aftermath.
BOSTON -
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced that on
Thursday, April 15, the City of Boston will again honor Boston's
resilience, generosity, and strength with a day of reflection and service
known as "One Boston Day." The day serves as an opportunity to
honor those who were lost in the tragic events surrounding the 2013
Boston Marathon, and reflect on the resilience Bostonians showed in the
aftermath.
Because of the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, One Boston Day 2021 will not include the
large-scale events and volunteer projects that have happened in past
years. The City of Boston is encouraging residents to celebrate One
Boston Day as an opportunity to share a moment of kindness with family,
friends, neighbors, and fellow Bostonians. While adhering to public
health guidance, Mayor Janey is encouraging Bostonians to take time to
spread kindness. She is asking residents to safely participate in One
Boston Day by downloading our checklist with acts of kindness they can safely do
from home. Mayor Janey is also encouraging people to share their
reflections on the meaning of One Boston Day on social media with the
hashtag #OneBostonDay.
“As we do our best
to keep neighbors safe, we will commemorate One Boston Day differently
than in past years,” said Mayor Janey. “To honor this day tomorrow, I
hope you’ll join us to spread kindness however you can, whether that
means donating to a charity responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,
supporting a small business in your neighborhood, or checking in on an
older neighbor. The positive impact we can achieve together is more
important than ever as we ensure that the City of Boston reopens safely
and equitably, with recovery and renewal in every neighborhood.”
More information
on One Boston Day is available online. Hill Holliday was an early
supporter of One Boston Day and has consistently completed pro bono work
for the City of Boston through the creation of onebostonday.org.
The City of Cambridge
today announced the availability of
$600,000 in grants for Cambridge small businesses
through the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund (MDRF) and the
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA).
The City of Cambridge’s MDRF & CRA
Grant for small businesses
will result in the awarding of grants of up to $6,000 per eligible
applicant, which will not have to be repaid. Grant applications
will only be accepted from April 14, 2021 until May 7, 2021 at
11:59 p.m. EDT.
The
MDRF and CRA Program will prioritize businesses that have
not yet received funding from other programs. There is no
guarantee that small businesses will secure a grant or receive the maximum
amount of funds. Grant funds are based on a business’s documentation. Applications
will be reviewed after the May 7, 2021 deadline. Allowable
business expenses may include Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE), average rent, salaries, utilities, cost of goods, and outdoor
dining infrastructure costs not covered by other programs.
The Grant Program is
being funded with $400,000 from the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund
and $200,000 from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for a
combined $600,000.
Those with questions or in need of
assistance can call 617-349-9775 or email MDRFGrantBusiness@cambridgema.gov. Translation and
interpretation services are available upon request.
MAYOR JANEY PROPOSES FORWARD-LOOKING BUDGET AND CAPITAL PLAN CENTERED ON BOSTON’S REOPENING, RECOVERY AND LONG-TERM RENEWAL
BOSTON -
Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today proposed her Administration’s
recommended $3.75 billion Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) operating budget and
$3.2 billion Fiscal Year 2022-2026 (FY22-FY26) Capital Plan, providing
the resources for the city’s continued robust public health response to
COVID-19, making strategic investments in Boston’s neighborhoods and
residents, and setting the stage for Boston’s equitable reopening,
recovery and long-term renewal. As a result of continued strength in the
local economy and a significant infusion of federal funding from the American
Rescue Plan, the FY22 operating budget proposes a year-over-year increase
of $142 million, or 3.9 percent over FY21, and the Capital Plan
represents a $200 million increase, the largest capital plan ever,
allowing the City of Boston to make meaningful investments in supporting
the local economy and improving city services, infrastructure, and
quality of life issues for Boston residents.
“During the past year,
Boston has come together like never before, and we must take that spirit
of inclusiveness and compassion and translate it into real investments
for the City of Boston and our residents. COVID-19 has brought on
unprecedented economic and social change for our city, and this budget
proposal meets the moment and makes targeted investments to ensure that
as we emerge from this public health crisis we are not going back to
normal, but going forward better than before,” said Mayor Janey. “I am
proud of this budget and the enormous work that goes into running our
City government and providing the services Bostonians need and rely on.
No one can be left behind as Boston recovers from COVID-19, and looks
forward to the future.”
“Despite an
unprecedented year in Boston and around our world, Boston’s strong
financial foundation ensured we had the resources we needed to care for
our City," said Emme Handy, Chief Financial Officer for the City of
Boston. "As we plan for the next fiscal year and beyond, City Hall
will continue to invest in the people of our City, and maintain the
financial prudence necessary to ensure we can continue to educate
Boston’s children, create homes for those that need them, keep our City
safe, and build a City that invests in all.”
“This year’s
operating budget and capital plan provide the needed resources for our
continued response to COVID-19, and sets the stage for our City’s
equitable recovery,” said Justin Sterritt, Boston’s Budget Director.
“This responsible budget builds upon decades of proactive fiscal
management and will provide a financial roadmap for recovery as we look
to respond to the economic, health and social upheaval brought on by the
pandemic.”
Following the
creation of the Office of Equity and Inclusion in 2020 that was charged
with embedding equity and racial justice into all City planning and
operations, the City of Boston Office of Budget Management (OBM) worked
to introduce an equity framework to the budget process this year that
formalizes an analysis conducted to ensure equitable investments across
Boston neighborhoods. The City collected data on which specific groups
were impacted by budget proposals, if those groups had been brought into
the conversation and what, if any, unintended consequences there could be.
Departments funded through the operating budget will develop
implementation plans that will contain performance metrics to gauge their
success, especially as it relates to equity. This approach is part of a
larger partnership between the Administration & Finance cabinet and
the Office of Equity and Inclusion to collaborate on future operating,
capital and federal investments to ensure those investments are rooted in
equitable procurement practices.
To help recover
from the financial and economic impacts of COVID-19, the city is expected
to receive an estimated $215 million in federal funding from the American
Rescue Plan Act for use over the next year. While the City awaits the
formal award from the federal government, the city proposes to dedicate
$100 million of this initial funding over the next year to offset local
revenue declines during the pandemic. This offset will provide
flexibility, stability and fiscal resiliency in city services, while
making near-term investments to Reopen, Recover and Renew Boston
by creating or expanding vital city programs. Since the start of the
pandemic, the City of Boston has redirected resources to respond to the
global public health crisis, including moving to a remote workforce where
possible and developing protocols for safe delivery of in-person services
where required. The City also built the Boston Hope emergency field
hospital, created COVID-19 testing sites, created distance learning
curriculum and deployed new technology to BPS students, supported small
businesses, and provided rental relief to residents.
The FY22 Budget
includes over $40 million in new investments to create a more resilient
city government and set the stage for Boston’s recovery, reopening and
renewal. New investments will provide needed assistance for our most
vulnerable and training and support for those individuals and industries
hardest hit during the pandemic. As the city reopens, the budget addresses immediate needs
and expands services for post COVID-19 programming including in Arts,
Parks, Youth, and Age Strong. This budget is also centered on renewal and
working towards a more equitable future.
In addition to
dedicating $100 Million of federal funding to programs through the City
Budget, Mayor Janey is proposing the creation of Boston’s Equitable
Recovery Coordinating Committeeto ensure the equitable,
effective, and efficient coordination of stimulus resources for the
immediate and long-term benefit of Boston residents and neighborhoods,
especially those who have been hurt most by the pandemic. This first of
its kind committee for the City, will help design and steer these
resources in an equitable way, through feedback and dialogue with the
community. The committee will be composed of stakeholders from across
city government who will consult with external partners and
stakeholders.
The City of Boston
entered the COVID-19 pandemic with a stable financial position thanks to
years of strong fiscal management, which earned the city seven straight
years of AAA bond ratings. In addition, the City of Boston was named by
Moody’s in 2019 as one of the best prepared cities to handle a national
recession. As a result, the City has been able to continue making
strategic investments in priority areas, and has been able to increase
the size of the Capital Plan by over $1.4 billion since FY14, about 80
percent or 7 percent every year.
The City’s $3.2
billion FY22-FY26 Capital Plan is the largest in history and represents a
deep commitment to investing in vital and cherished public spaces and in
the local economy and getting Bostonians back to work. By growing the
capital plan, the City is able to invest equitably in new public spaces
like parks, libraries and schools, and better transportation for all
modes of travel, while also stimulating the local economy at a vital
time.
High-Quality
Education for All Students
Mayor Janey has
made high-quality education for all students in Boston a top priority,
and this budget represents a commitment around fully reopening schools
that are clean, safe, and welcoming; assessing student needs, and
bolstering support and tailoring interventions to improve outcomes; and
reimagining the district to provide the academic and social-emotional
support structures students deserve. The FY22 budget proposal fulfills
the second year of the historic three-year $100 million funding
commitment to Boston Public Schools with $36 million in new classroom
funding dedicated to the district, which is further supplemented by an
additional $123 million in funding from the federal government. In
Boston, public education spending remains over 40% of the entire city
budget, and this year per-pupil spending at BPS will reach $23,500, an
increase of $1,700 over last year. With this budget proposal, total
public education spending, including support for our charter school
students, will increase by $66 million, representing 42% of all new city
funding, the highlights of which include:
BPS Operating
Budget
·Overall
budget of $1.29 billion, with $36 million in new investments for schools
and classrooms to facilitate a safe return to our school buildings and
support our students and school communities through post-COVID-19
recovery;
·$18.5
million to enable schools to maintain existing programming and services,
regardless of enrollment declines;
·$16.9
million to provide a social worker and family liaison in every school,
building on last year’s investment to build a coordinated, multi-tiered
system of support for students and families;
·$1.4
million for the addition of 20 daytime custodians to ensure cleanliness
and sanitation of school facilities as buildings reopen;
BPS Capital Plan
(BuildBPS): $736 million for FY22-FY26, $166M for FY22, 29% increase over
FY21
·$137
million for Boston Arts Academy to design and construct a new facility
that supports the robust academic and performing arts needs of the
student population.
·$193.5
million to design and construct a new facility for the Josiah Quincy
Upper School
·$5.2
million to upgrade school kitchens to expand the implementation of an
innovative fresh food program at an additional 19 schools
BPS Federal
Funding
The BPS budget
will be supplemented by $123 million of funding from the federal
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which
will fund additional FY22 investments, including:
·$10.4
million to aid return-to-school efforts, ranging from school building
maintenance, to online learning and engagement, to ensuring a bus monitor
on every bus;
·$13.9
million for expanding the Hub Schools initiative and implementing
academic supports and interventions focused on high needs students;
·$20.1
million to fund innovative efforts to support closing achievement and
opportunity gaps.
Health, Safety and
Wellness in our Recovery
Mayor Janey has
prioritized the health, safety and wellness of all Bostonians as the City
continues recovering from the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
to help accomplish this, she is proposing the following
investments:
Operating
Budget:
·$4
million in new funding to expand capabilities and services provided by
the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), bringing BPHC’s total
operating budget to $111 million in FY22. This new level of investment
will allow BPHC to build sustainable capacity in its infectious disease
bureau and conduct an after action report on COVID-19.
·$9.1
million in new investments to reopen our city and address immediate needs
and offer expanded services to lay the foundation for a more equitable,
vibrant Boston. This includes new funding for:
·$2
million to expand services for post-COVID programming and services at
departments including Arts, Parks, Youth, Age Strong, Disabilities
Commission and Veterans
·$1.5
million to ensure we can reopen civic spaces, including polling locations
safely
·$1
million to ensure continued robust technology supports and city services
delivery
Capital
Plan:
·$15.8
Million increase in Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) infrastructure,
including a $10 million increase for the Mattahunt Community Center
bringing the project total to $12.7 million, a $2 million increase for
the North End Community Center bringing the project total to $5 million
and $1 million each for BCYF Hyde Park and BCYF Roslindale
·$5.5
million increase for the EMS training facility, bringing the total
investment to $14 million
·$1
Million for HVAC repairs at Police Training Academy
·$24.7
million to design and construct a new fire station at Engine 17 in Dorchester
·$23.5
million to design and construct a new fire station at Engine 52 in
Roxbury
Creating and
Preserving Affordable Housing, and addressing Homelessness
Mayor Janey recognizes
the importance of making sure that residents of all incomes are able to
access quality, affordable safe housing options that meet their needs.
This budget helps support additional affordable housing opportunities,
and puts in place investments to support homeless residents.
·$3.5
million supports housing and homelessness efforts to prevent displacement
and expand housing opportunities for families of every income in all
neighborhoods
·$5
Million to fully support the City’s commitment to City-Funded Housing
Vouchers in partnership with the Boston Housing Authority, piloted in the
FY21 budget.
·$19
million for Phase 3 of the renovation of the Boston Housing Authority’s
Orient Heights development consisting of 119 units of housing, a gateway
park and community center
·$10
million to upgrade public housing units for older residents and residents
with disabilities including Saint Botolph in the South End, Doris Bunte
Apartments in Egleston Square, and Patricia White in Brighton
Expanding
Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity
The citywide
resiliency strategy aims to ensure every resident can reach their full
potential regardless of their background, and to remove the barriers that
hinder Bostonians from having access to opportunities. Under the
leadership and coordination of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the
City is proposing the following investments in areas of equity and
prosperity:
Police Reform
·To
operationalize the recommendations from the Boston Police Reform Task
Force to improve accountability and transparency, this budget makes
targeted investments in the Boston Police Department, while significantly
reducing overtime spending, and includes:
·$21
million, or a 33 percent reduction, in overtime compared to the FY21
spending level of $65 million, making a $43.9 million proposal for FY22,
which will be accomplished by:
·Growing
the size of the sworn force by 30 officers to 2,288 total including two 125
member police cadet classes in FY22
·Increasing
cadet recruits by 50 percent, from 40 to 60
·Increasing
the Medical Triage Unit and clinicians to conduct more regular health
screenings of officers out on injury leave
·$1
million for the new Office of Police Accountability and Transparency
(OPAT) for 10 staff members, including the Executive Director and
staffing for the Civilian Review Board and Internal Affairs Oversight
Panel (IAOP), plus technology support to create dashboards and address
technical needs.
·$1
million investment for racial equity training, included in the Task Force
recommendations
·$2
million for additional Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) clinicians
to assist individuals experiencing mental health crisis
Investing in race
& equity
·$3
million in investments to support the Equity & Inclusion cabinet,
coordinating the efforts of seven equity-based departments, and
supporting citywide wide efforts like the Office of Resiliency and Racial
Equity department’s $1.3 million citywide rollout of racial equity and
leadership training.
·$1.75
million investment in Health and Human Services to coordinate with
Police, and other City and external stakeholders to engage the community,
develop a plan for implementation in Boston and begin training once the
model is fully developed.
Job Training and
Support:
·$4
million for 5,000 youth summer jobs and 1,000 school year jobs
·$4
Million total in job training efforts targeted at affected industries
including, in arts ($1 million), hard hit industries ($1 million), green
jobs ($1 million), Zero Waste and mobility ($1 million)
·$1
million to continue the All Inclusive Boston hospitality and tourism campaign
·$250,000
to expand the Childcare Entrepreneur Fund
·$500,000
to subsidize public transit options
Protecting our
Environment
The City of Boston
has been at the forefront of recognizing and addressing the risks of
climate change, and protecting our environment. As part of the city’s
Capital Plan, 10 percent of all new capital spending has been dedicated
for resilience projects. The highlights of the City’s environment
proposals include:
Capital Plan:
·$48
million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to
identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City owned buildings to
create future energy savings.
·$5
million for a Climate Ready Boston Harbor study to support the
development of a study that will examine the feasibility of measures
along and within the Boston Harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal
flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change.
·$20
million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront
park along the Fort Point Channel.
·$1.7
million per year for the ongoing program of street tree planting
throughout the city
·$1.8
million to repave pathways at Dorchester Park
·$7.5
million to repave pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility
and site conditions
·$15.5
million to complete the park redesign at Copley Square to optimize
resilience to high-traffic events and storm-water
·$9.4
million to redesign and construct a new Malcolm X Park through the City’s
first Equitable Procurement Pilot program
Transforming the
Future of Mobility
In recognizing
that our economic strength is dependent on our ability to move people
around our city to businesses, jobs and homes, this budget proposal
invests in walkable streets, roadway redesigns to improve safety, bridge
repairs, roadway resurfacing, dedicated bike and bus lanes, and
accessible ADA ramps. Building on Boston’s long-term transportation plan,
Go Boston 2030, the FY22 budget proposal makes targeted investments in
public space and improved mobility, including:
Capital Plan:
·$1
billion for mobility improvements to implement Vision Zero through the
Capital Plan, marking a 9 percent increase over last year
·$22
million for dedicated bus lanes to transform several corridors citywide
for rapid bus transit, including the construction of dedicated bus lanes
on Columbus Avenue and Warren Street, and Summer Street marking a $7.8
million increase over last year
·$17.9
million for roadway improvements in Nubian Square from Shawmut Avenue to
Harrison Avenue including six key intersections. The scope of work
includes geometric changes, new traffic signal equipment and timing, bike
lanes, and streetscape improvements
·$9.9
million to design and construct neighborhood Slow Street zones throughout
the city including Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Phase 2, Grove Hall/Quincy
Corridor, Highland Park, Mt. Hope/Canterbury, Chinatown,
Washington-Harvard-Norwell, Redefining Our Community, Dorchester Unified
Neighborhood East, Dorchester Unified Neighborhood West, and West Selden
·$7.9
million to maximize usage in existing high volume bike lanes by
construction bike lane extensions and connections with citywide bike
corridors, and implement new bike corridors
·$6.5
million to design and rebuild Ruggles Street, between Washington Street
and Ruggles MBTA station, adhering to Complete Street guidelines
Investing in the
joy agenda
By prioritizing city
services, programs and infrastructure needs that improve the quality of
life for Boston residents, Mayor Janey has made the joy of residents a
strategic focus throughout this budget. Investments that reflect this
focus include:
·$15
million for the Percent for Art program, which sets aside one percent of
the City’s annual capital borrowing as a budget for the commissioning of
long-term public art projects
·Permanently
waiving late return fines at the Boston Public Library (BPL), a tool to
increase equity in service delivery
·Eliminating
BCYF membership fees at all sites for Boston residents, thus lifting
financial barriers for entry and opening all sites to all residents,
regardless of residential neighborhood - #BCYFree
·$200,000
for programming at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, $250,000 for
expanded programming for BPL & Parks, $500,000 for expanded
programming and Summer Olympics at BCYF, $250,000 for the Youth Development
Fund
·$500,000
to support Open Streets, a new program to encourage safe outdoor activity
on public streets
·Investing
in our neighborhood library branches, with $6 million slated for the
Chinatown branch, $11.5 million for the Roslindale branch, $18.3 million
for Adams branch, and $12.1 million for Egleston Square
For more
information on the budget proposal, please visit budget.boston.gov.
