麻州長Healey宣佈2700萬元房屋發展金 資建547戶新房

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Largest Housing Development Incentive Awards in Program History 

LOWELL – Today, Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus announced $27 million in Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) awards to create 547 total new units in 11 Gateway Cities across the state.

“We expanded the HDIP program in our tax cuts package because it has a proven track record of spurring housing development in Gateway Cities and lowering costs,” said Governor Healey. “Our Gateway Cities are vital centers for industry and culture while also being positioned to help provide the housing we need to meet the demand. These funds help make projects possible that will create hundreds of homes, revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen our communities.”

Last fall, as part of a $1 billion tax cuts package signed by the Governor, the annual HDIP program cap was raised from $10 million to $57 million in 2023 and will be $30 million annually going forward. That increase allowed the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to fund all 13 project applications this round. 

“This funding boost helps us do even more to address our housing needs now,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “In approving all of these projects, we’re able to make a big impact to cities across the state as we work to make Massachusetts more affordable for everyone.”  

HDIP is a tool for the state’s Gateway Cities to create more market rate housing to support economic development, expand diversity of housing stock and create more vibrant neighborhoods. 

“These projects are a direct result of the governor’s tax relief bill,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus. “Our vacancy rate is at an all time low, and these awards will create much needed multi-family housing across our state. We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to pass the Affordable Homes Act this year to create much-needed housing across all income levels in the state.”   

"I am thrilled to welcome the announcement of tax credits for market-rate housing development through the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). This initiative will significantly benefit our community, particularly through the development of the Hildreth Building and Isobel Lofts,” said Lowell Mayor Daniel P. Rourke. “We are grateful to Governor Healey and her administration for their commitment to addressing housing needs and fostering economic growth in our city."

“Today’s announcement of the first 2024 HDIP awards marks a significant step forward in addressing economic development in Lowell's central business district,” said Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “We are proud to collaborate with Governor Healey and the Healey-Driscoll Administration in this effort. The HDIP program is a vital tool for cities like Lowell, fostering residential growth, economic development, and neighborhood stabilization. The Hildreth Building and Isobel Lofts projects will provide 76 new residential units. This development is an exemplary model of what can be achieved through state and local partnerships, and we are excited to see the positive impact these developments will have on our community.”

Below are the thirteen awardees: 

Linnell Landing – Barnstable   

·         Sponsor: Jacob Dewey of CCR Holdings  

·         HDIP award:  $690,000  

·         Total units:  15  

Ringside Residences –Brockton  

·         Sponsor: Joseph Goncalves of New Vision Enterprises  

·         HDIP award:  $2,500,000  

·         Total units:  50  

Sacred Heart Lofts – Fall River  

·         Sponsor: Charles Haijar of Hajjar Management Company  

·         HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

·         Total units:  36  

Union Belt Company Lofts – Fall River  

·         Sponsor: Anthony Cordeiro of Downtown Development.    

·         HDIP award:  $2,500,000  

·         Total units: 46   

Franklin Block – Haverhill  

·         Sponsor: Jonathon Cody of AtlanticInvestments    

·         HDIP award:  $1,300,000  

·         Total units: 21  

Wrights Block – Holyoke   

·         Sponsor: Bill Womeldorf of Urbanist Development  

·         HDIP award: $2,000,000    

·         Total units: 19    

The JAV – Lawrence  

·         Sponsor: Johan Lopez of Jowamar Companies LLC  

·         HDIP award:  $2,200,000  

·         Total units: 24 

Hildreth Building – Lowell  

·         Sponsor: David Steinberg of RCG LLC  

·         HDIP award:  $2,500,000  

·         Total units:  50  

Isobel Lofts – Lowell 

·         Sponsor: Justin McFarlane of Nine Zero Two Development   

·         HDIP award:   $2,000,000 

·         Total units: 26  

Wright Building Block – Pittsfield   

·         Sponsor: A.C. Enterprises of Lou Allegrone 

Phase 1:  

·         HDIP award:  $2,581,672    

·         Total units: 21  

Phase 2: 

·         HDIP award:  $1,518,014  

·       Total units: 14  

5 Broad Street – Salem  

·         Sponsor: Bill Luster of Charing Cross Realty  

·         HDIP award:  $1,500,000  

·         Total units:  16   

Parsons Apartments – Springfield  

·         Sponsor: Joyna Filippides of Davenport Advisors  

·         HDIP award:  $630,000  

·         Total units:  11 

Chestnut Place Office Conversion – Worcester    

·         Sponsor: David Greaney of Synergy  

·         HDIP award:  $2,500,000  

·         Total units: 198   

麻州政府慶祝校餐全面免費成功舉辦 首年供應2100萬份校餐

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Highlights First Year Successes of State-funded Universal Free School Meals   

21 million more meals served; thousands more students participating, many eating locally sourced food  

EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today released data from the first year of state-funded universal free school meals, showing major increases in student participation compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes at a time when recent data analysis from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that state universal free school meal policies reduced food insufficiency among children. 

 

The 2022-23 school year was the first for state-supported universal free school meals, and compared to the 2018-19 school year:  

·               12.2 million more lunches were served

·               61,500 more students ate lunch every school day

·               9 million more breakfasts were served

·               43,400 more students ate breakfast every school day  

“Almost 7 out of 10 Massachusetts students are eating school lunch, which means over half a million students are getting nutritious meals,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We were proud to make universal free school meals permanent with the Legislature, and the combination of state and federal funding means that breakfasts and lunches are available to all students to help them stay healthy and succeed in school.” 

 

“In addition to benefiting students and families, the state’s investment in universal free school meals has also been an investment in school nutrition programs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “With more predictable revenue, schools and districts have been able to invest in locally sourced food and have produced impressive menu options.” 

 

Universal free school meals have provided districts with a more stable and dedicated nutrition funding stream. Districts can use that funding to invest in meal quality, including offering more locally sourced options. Some of this year’s school cafeteria offerings were featured in the Terrific Tray competition, a contest run by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in partnership with Massachusetts Farm to School. Each month, schools submitted a photo and description of their best tray, and a winner was chosen. At the end of the school year, the public voted on the winning tray. This year’s winner was Littleton Public Schools for their chicken fajita bowl; mozzarella cheese, balsamic, and tomato stack with produce from a farm in Sharon; a corn salad with cherry tomatoes from a farm in Acton; and apples from an orchard in Groton. 

 

“We’re proud to be at the forefront as Massachusetts leads the way in using state funds to support our students’ food security, health and wellbeing, especially due to leadership from Governor Healey and the state legislature. This data shows what we know to be true – universal free school meals increase participation and reduce food insecurity,” said Education Secretary Patrick A. Tutwiler. “That stability is good for students and schools alike, and schools have produced some beautiful meals!” 

 

A few of the Terrific Tray winners:      

 

Waltham Public Schools       Littleton Public Schools              Pittsfield Public Schools  

(November winner)       (2023-24 school year winner) (March winner) 

“Students’ basic needs must be met in order for students to excel at grade level or beyond, and supports like universal free school meals build the foundation for that work,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “It’s great to see school meals using local ingredients, and I’m happy to highlight the important work of school nutrition staff.” 

 

The 2022-23 school year was the first year of state-supported universal free school meals, and with Governor Healey’s signing of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, Massachusetts became the eighth state to make universal free school meals permanent. 

 

Total meals served and participation from the first year of universal free school meals in Massachusetts (2022-23):  

·       97.5 million total lunches served, 

·         557,000 students ate lunch every school day, 

·         44.5 million total breakfasts served, and 243,000 students ate breakfast every school day. 

CITY OF BOSTON OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES NEW PLANNING DEPARTMENT

CITY OF BOSTON OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES NEW PLANNING DEPARTMENT

BOSTON - Monday, July 1, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today marked the first official day of the City of Boston’s new Planning Department. This is the first time in 70 years that Boston has had a Planning Department, restoring planning as a core function of City government. The majority of Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) staff have transitioned into jobs with the City of Boston and are now employees of the new Department.  The establishment of the Planning Department is a major piece of Mayor Wu’s vision to transform planning and development in Boston, and complements other initiatives including a home rule petition to end urban renewal and establish a new mission focused on resilience, affordability, and equity; the establishment of the Planning Advisory Council; citywide zoning reform, including the “Squares + Streets” initiative to increase the availability of housing near transit, the modernization of the development review process and a design framework for guiding future development.  “Our goal to make Boston a green and growing city depends on planning together for our brightest future,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “With our new Planning Department, we will be able to unlock a future for our City that truly centers Bostonians’ needs and brings communities together in making Boston home for generations to come.” “I’m glad we could see the Mayor’s vision through and create a Planning Department for the City of Boston,” said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. “This was a tremendous effort led by dedicated and determined staff who focused on every detail to support our employees through this transition. I am excited to launch this new Department, which will shape the future of our great City, and ensure it is planned equitably, for years to come.” The Planning Department is charged with developing comprehensive short and long term plans for Boston’s built environment, establishing a consistent and predictable zoning code for the city, advancing exceptional and inclusive design standards, providing predictability to guide development that is responsive to community needs, and planning for the effective use of public real estate. It is through these actions that the Department will address Bostons’ greatest challenges of resilience, affordability, and equity. The Planning Department will work to build trust with communities through transparent processes that embrace predictable and responsible growth. The new Planning Department includes the divisions of planning & zoning, development review, urban design, and real estate, as well as support staff. Moving forward, the Planning Department budget will be reviewed through the City’s budget process, like all other City departments. Staff of the Department will support the BPDA Board, which will remain the City’s Planning Board, reviewing development projects, planning and zoning initiatives, and land acquisitions and dispositions. Planning Department staff will also support the other parts of the Planning Cabinet which includes the Boston Civic Design Commission, Zoning Commission and provide recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeal.

郭競儒、陳仕維9月返臺出席僑務會議 波士頓5人續任僑務榮譽職

波士頓僑務座談出席者合影。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處 (TECO Boston) 6月28日晚在僑教中心舉辦” 「113年僑務委員會議海外先期座談會」。波士頓僑務委員郭競儒及陳仕維聽取僑團首長建言，將於9月赴臺轉達僑委會。當晚有5名僑務榮譽職人員獲發續任聘書。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右五)和僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右一)、2名僑務委員
陳仕維(右四)，郭競儒(左五)，以及紐英倫中華公所主席雷國輝(右二)，
和獲續聘的5名僑務榮譽職人員合影，左起依序為黎雯、馮文鸞、蔣宗壬
、阮鴻燦、以及許炳煌(右二)。(周菊子攝)

              會議主席，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏當晚代表僑委會，頒發僑務榮譽職續聘證書給諮詢委員蔣宗壬，阮鴻燦，僑務顧問馮文鸞，許炳煌，以及僑務促進委員黎雯等5人，稱許波士頓僑界和諧、團結，強調僑委會及政府部門都重視僑胞意見，將據以為制定政策，服務項目的參考，敦請僑胞踴躍發言。

              紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝當晚應邀列席，並藉開場致詞機會，表達了傳統僑社心意，希望僑委會在關注臺僑之餘，也照顧來美已久，一直以來支持著民主、自由與中華民國的老華僑。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(中)和波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(左一起)，2名
僑務委員郭競儒、陳仕維，以及紐英倫中華公所主席雷國輝。(周菊子攝)

                          僑委會每年在舉辦全球僑務會議之前，都會敦請各地僑社，從各方面提供建言，供做未來制定工作與服務項目的參考。今年鑒於海外的局勢變化，僑委會事前特地發給僑團首長們一份長達10頁的會議中心議題說明，期許僑胞們從合作防範統戰，團結保護台灣的角度，分別從僑民聯繫，僑教政策，僑商服務等三大領域思考。                                                                      僑委會為僑胞歸納出海外統戰的5大面向，包括指出中國政府在全球53個國家設立有102

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(中)和僑務委員郭競儒(左)、陳仕維(右)。(周菊子攝)

所「警僑事務服務站」，蒐集情資，監控異議人士；孔子學院改頭換面的以其他名稱繼續運作；以「中國和平統一促進會」等組織煽動統一言論，影響僑界對臺灣政府的向心力；藉由地方華文媒體，以不實訊息批評臺灣政府的海外僑務工作；透過「臺獨勢力繼續執政將使兩岸關係更惡化」等言論，詆毀台灣民主發展成果等。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右二)頒發僑務榮譽職續任聘書。(周菊子攝)

         波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮當天主持會議，請30多名出席的僑團首長，分別就僑民聯繫，僑教政策，僑商服務等三大領域，發表建言。他也簡述了僑委會為僑胞們整理的資訊，包括希望僑胞們利用僑務電子報，數位科技，以及臉書粉專，Line， X，Instagram、Youtube等1+6的多元訊息平台，還有Taiwan Plus，來獲取有關臺灣政府重大政策與施政的正確資訊。            

 

鄭增壽(中)有3點建言。(周菊子攝)

              30多名出席會議的僑團首長，發言踴躍。僑務諮詢顧問蔣宗壬，僑務顧問許炳煌、馮文鸞，波士頓榮光會理事長鄭增壽，該會前任理事長石家孝，慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏，紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君，波士頓台灣龍舟隊隊長邱偉哲，波士頓世衛協進會共同會長Riva Chen等人分別就會議的三大領域發言。

許炳煌表示應培養年輕人。(周菊子攝)

              許炳煌談及，從波士頓經文處從1972年成立以來，他親眼見過許多僑團興衰，僑團首長左右偏移，在老僑逐漸凋零之際，培養年輕人刻不容緩，而想要年輕一輩支持臺灣，邀他們組團訪台，認識並培養出對台灣的感情，應該是最有效的做法之一。

              僑教中心主任潘昭榮回應指出，僑委會在北美積極推廣海外青年英語教學營，歡迎16歲以上高中生，大學生，到臺灣偏鄉教學一個月，此外也正積極鼓勵，尤其是傳統僑社的年輕世代到臺灣參訪，今年就預訂有紐英崙中華總會首度組織青年團於11月到臺灣。

彭淑敏請僑委會提供暑假作業。(周菊子攝)

              鄭增壽提出三點，一是希望容許僑民在海外就能投票，二為請臺灣相關單位關注，旅遊景點票價，不應出現國人與外籍人士有巨額價差情況，三為盼相關單位在中華公所，地方市鎮圖書館等地，擺放及提供更多有關台灣的觀光景點資訊。

              關於海外僑民投票一事，Riva Chen持反對意見，她指通訊投票有問題，網上投票會有駭客問題，容易發生做弊情況，宜慎重考慮。

曾返臺投票者舉手。(周菊子攝)

                           彭淑敏提出，希望僑委會提供暑期教材，並安排教育部資助到波士頓的年輕學者或老師，也支持僑校教學。她還建議臺灣充分利用本身的資訊科技優勢，為海外青年提供實習機會，將可增加臺美兩地資訊人才的交流，也更能吸引學子到台灣求學、深造。 

             僑教中心主任潘昭榮和2名僑務委員會後表示，在9月份的僑務委員會議召開前，僑胞們如有建言，隨時都可向他們反映。

僑胞踴躍發言。(周菊子攝)