麻州Healey州長宣布撥款1500萬元資助 6 計劃建 829 戶住宅

麻州州長Maura Healey指Revere市和波士頓是距離車程10分鐘，又有全美
第一個公共海灘，是個十分理想的住宅大樓所在地。（周菊子攝）

麻州住宅及移居社區廳長 Ed Augustus。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導)麻州州長奚莉（Ｍaura Healey）和麻州住宅及移居社區廳長（Housing and Livable Communities Secretary）Ed Augustus，瑞維爾市長Patrick Keefe等人在瑞維爾市（Revere）聯袂宣佈，將撥發1500萬元給獎勵開發住宅計畫（Housing Development Inceptive Program，簡稱HDIP），資助門戶城市的6個開發項目，將為麻州建造829個住宅單位。

獲得資助的這6個項目，有2個在瑞維爾市薩福克下城（Suffolk Downs）的Portico 1和2，以及秋河市（Fall River）的Bedford街閣樓（Bedford Strret Lofts），費奇堡市（Fitchburg）主街533號，Haverhill區域廣場（District Square），羅爾市（Lowell）Merrimack 484號，以及伍斯特（Worcester）珍珠街（Pearl）17號。

The HYM 投資集團執行合夥人Thomas N. O'Brian描述該公司項目。
（周菊子攝）

奚莉州長說，獎勵開發住宅項目（HDIP）是個很有力的工具，她從上任以來，新設住宅及移居社區廳，並指派Ed Augustus出任廳長後，經由HDIP計畫，迄今已建，正在建，將要建造的住宅單位總數，上看10萬戶。

住宅及移居社區廳廳長Ed Augustus也說HDIP是鼓勵建造房屋最有效力的工具之一，自從希莉州長在2023年10月簽署這法案後，就把HDIP每年募集的經費，從3000萬元增加到了5700萬元，容許麻州政府在2024年內發出去7200萬元，在門戶城市內建造了1554戶新住宅。

今日也是奚莉州長簽署“可負擔住家法（Affordable Home Act）”

麻州政府展示建造房屋目標。

一週年，加上在奚莉州長任內通過的把閒置州有土地改建為住宅，商業用地轉為住宅、《麻州地鐵管理局社區法》、設立「動力基金」以及大幅增加的住房稅收抵免和補貼等措施，已爲解決麻州居民房荒問題，帶來極大進展。

此外，奚莉-Driscoll政府還在全州範圍內簡化許可申請，批准了750多個附屬住宅單位施工，確保購屋者有明確的房屋檢查全，在做重大財務決策時，不會被迫忽視潛在問題，如果沒有聘請經紀人，就不會被迫繳納經紀費，從而節省購屋或租屋時的成本。

6項獲得補助的建造房屋案概況為：

Bedford Street Lofts – Fall River （秋河市）

由城中發展（Downtown Development）的 Anthony Cordeiro承辦，獲發250萬元，將建造52個住宅單位。

 

533 Main Street – Fitchburg （費奇堡市）

由The Tocci 集團開發，獲發100萬元，將建造17個住宅單位。

 

District Square – Haverhill 

由Lupoli 公司開發，獲發300萬元，將建造124個住宅單位。

秋河及羅爾市項目。

 

484 Merrimack – Lowell （羅爾市）

由新皇家責任有限公司（ New Royal LLC）的Patrick Tighe承辦，獲發130萬元，將建造24個住宅單位。

 

Portico 1 and 2 – Revere （瑞維爾市）

由The HYM 投資集團開發，共得500萬元，將建造473個住宅單位。

 

17 Pearl – Worcester （伍斯特市）

由HHM Cube Properties開發，獲得200萬元，將建造139個住宅單位。

Governor Healey Awards $15 Million in Housing Development Funds to Build 829 Homes in Gateway Cities  

Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off 2025 Funding Round with Six New Projects 

REVERE — Today Governor Maura Healey and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus announced $15 million in Housing Development Inceptive Program (HDIP) awards to create 829 new homes in six Gateway Cities, kicking off the program’s first funding round of 2025. 

The announcement took place in Revere, which is receiving two awards for the overall development of market-rate housing on the former Suffolk Downs site with the Portico 1 and 2 projects. The additional five awardees in the funding round include the Bedford Street Lofts in Fall River, 533 Main Street in Fitchburg, District Square in Haverhill, 484 Merrimack in Lowell, and 17 Pearl in Worcester. 

“These HDIP awards are a powerful tool in helping our Gateway Cities create housing and revitalize our downtowns, neighborhoods and underutilized properties,” said Governor Healey. “Our expansion of the HDIP program under my tax cuts package has played a critical role in driving the nearly 100,000 new homes that have been built or are under development since we took office. These awards are helping communities build the housing they need, supporting local economies and ultimately making housing more affordable and attainable for everyone.”  

“People in Massachusetts are excited to build a life, a career, and a family in our great state, and we know they need reasonably-priced housing options that help them achieve those goals,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By supporting these exciting projects in six Massachusetts cities, we’re strengthening our communities, creating more affordable housing, and building a brighter future for us all.” 

“I’m proud to be part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, which really grasps the importance of partnering with our communities to build more housing of every kind," said Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus. “HDIP is one of the most effective tools we have to spur market-rate housing development in Gateway Cities. The developments receiving awards today not only create more homes, they are also transformative – restoring pride and helping create the type of neighborhoods where people aspire to live.” 

Signed by Governor Healey in October 2023, the annual HDIP program cap was raised to $30 million annually with a one-time increase of $57 million. This resulted in the administration awarding a total of $72 million to create 1,544 new housing units in Gateway Cities in 2024. HDIP is an effective and valuable tool for the state’s Gateway Cities to produce more market-rate housing to support economic development, expand the diversity of the housing stock and create more vibrant neighborhoods. 

Today’s announcement follows the recent one-year anniversary of Governor Healey signing the Affordable Homes Act into law, which was the state’s most ambitious investment in housing in history. This law – combined with the administration’s other initiatives such as converting vacant state-owned land into housing, commercial to housing conversions, the MBTA Communities Law, creation of the Momentum Fund, and sizable increases in housing tax credits and subsidies – are already delivering results for the people of Massachusetts. As a result, more than 90,000 new homes have been built or are in development since Governor Healey took office.   

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is also delivering immediate relief for Massachusetts residents amidst the housing shortage. Over 750 ADUs have been approved by local authorities thanks to statewide simplification of the permitting process, homebuyers have a clear right to a home inspection and cannot be pushed to ignore potential issues or unexpected expenses as they make a major financial decision, and renters cannot be charged a broker fee if they did not hire the broker, saving them money and reducing upfront costs when moving. 

Below are the six awardees:  

Bedford Street Lofts – Fall River 

Sponsor: Downtown Development; Anthony Cordeiro   

HDIP award: $2,500,000   

Total units: 52 

533 Main Street – Fitchburg 

Sponsor: The Tocci Group   

HDIP award: $1,000,000   

Total units: 17 

District Square – Haverhill 

Sponsor: Lupoli Companies   

HDIP award:  $3,000,000   

Total units: 124 

484 Merrimack – Lowell 

Sponsor: New Royal LLC; Patrick Tighe   

HDIP award:  $1,300,000   

Total units: 24 

Portico 1 and 2 – Revere 

Sponsor: The HYM Investment Group   

HDIP award:  $5,000,000 

Total units: 473 

17 Pearl – Worcester 

Sponsor: HHM Cube Properties   

HDIP award:  $2,000,000   

Total units: 139 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES PILOT TO ENSURE BOSTON’S OLDER ADULTS REMAIN STABLY HOUSED

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES PILOT TO ENSURE BOSTON’S OLDER ADULTS REMAIN STABLY HOUSED

BOSTON - Monday, August 25, 2025 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced $200,000 in funding for the SHORE-UP pilot (“Stabilizing Housing for Our Resident Elders Under Pressure”), a program designed to keep vulnerable older adults in their homes until they can access permanent homes that they can afford. As Boston’s population ages and more seniors become vulnerable to eviction and displacement, the City will use the SHORE-UP pilot to explore effective ways to enable eligible older adults from Boston to remain in their homes for long enough to access subsidized housing off existing affordable waiting lists.  “Our older residents have built Boston over their decades of leadership and neighborhood activism, and they continue to anchor our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We must continue to find every resource to support our seniors staying and thriving across Boston. This program will help keep older adults in our neighborhoods, close to their friends and families, with a pathway to long-term affordable housing.” Many of Boston’s older adults are on extremely low fixed incomes, with 21 percent of Boston residents age 65 or older living below the poverty level. Among Boston households led by these seniors, more than a third (35 percent) are severely cost-burdened: approximately 10,000 senior households spend more than half their modest income on housing. At the same time, waiting lists for subsidized affordable housing are long, and residents are often not admitted on timelines that match their immediate housing crises. More than 11,000 seniors are currently housed across BHA housing opportunities, but approximately 10,000 seniors 65 and older are on the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) waitlist today. BHA funds roughly 7,000 units of housing designated for the elderly and disabled community, between public housing (about 3,000 units) and buildings supported by project-based vouchers (about 4,000 units). The SHORE-UP pilot would allow eligible older adults from Boston who are facing eviction or displacement to temporarily remain in their homes, by helping to bridge the gap between their incomes and their rents, while they await approval for long-term subsidized housing. Low-income older adults participating in this bridge subsidy program would pay up to 30% of their income towards rent, mortgage, or other housing costs, with the bridge subsidy making up the difference. This approach will prevent the spiral of negative physical and mental health impacts that often accompany an older adult being plunged into homelessness even for a short period.    The City of Boston, including the Mayor’s Office of Housing, Age Strong, and the Planning Department, along with the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), will work in collaboration with Mass Senior Action Council, the Mass Coalition for the Homeless, individual Boston seniors, and other non-profit organizations to shape the pilot program. Having the voices of older residents at the table, contributing ideas and sharing lived experiences will help build a program model that best meets the needs of Boston’s older residents.   "We are excited to work with Mayor Wu and her team on developing a new pilot subsidy program to help stabilize senior renters who are at risk of displacement and homelessness while they wait for long-term affordable housing. This will be a valuable new tool to ensure that those who have contributed to our city’s success are not left out of its future," said Linda Freeman, Mass Senior Action Council Boston Chapter. "For many years, we have seen long-time residents, now senior friends and neighbors, being forced out of their homes after a new owner doubles the rent or a spouse passes away, leaving only one income. We appreciate the Wu Administration for making it a priority to ensure seniors who helped build this city are not pushed out of their homes and community." The City’s recently released anti-displacement plan proposes a package of new and enhanced tools and resources to help Boston’s older adults with housing stability. These tools include new financial planning services for older adults living on a fixed income, the continued support of legislation to provide tax relief for older adult homeowners and support for S.475/H.4015, legislation that would establish a statewide short-term housing bridge program for lower income older adults who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness. While continuing to advocate for expanded state funding, making a City investment now allows Boston to develop and begin to implement a program model this year.   This work is urgent, because as area housing costs continue to rise, older adults on fixed incomes are having an increasingly difficult time affording their market rate apartments. In response, Boston’s older adults are applying to live in income-restricted senior housing, including housing developments owned and managed by the BHA. While the BHA and other operators have thousands of units dedicated to housing low-income seniors, the wait lists for this housing are long. The SHORE-UP pilot will identify older adults who are at risk of eviction or displacement but also close enough to receiving permanently affordable housing that a bridge subsidy can effectively protect them from the many negative health and personal impacts of becoming homeless while they wait. "We're excited to be a part of creating this new tool to help our older residents," said Emily K. Shea, Age Strong Commissioner. "Many of our older adults live on fixed incomes and struggle with economic insecurity. Every bit of assistance, especially additional housing support, helps our older residents age better in Boston."  “The most difficult part of our work is the gap between how many people on our waitlist need an affordable home and how many we can serve,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “We are thrilled to partner with the Mayor, city departments, and advocates for our most vulnerable seniors to identify situations where a small bridge subsidy would make all the difference for older adults until we can welcome them into our homes.” “While we continue to build additional affordable homes for our older adults, the SHORE-UP program will ensure that many of our residents do not become homeless while they wait to be offered a home that they can afford,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing.  “The Mayor’s Office of Housing looks forward to working with our older adults, dedicated non-profits, Age Strong and the BHA to design and implement this important pilot”.   At the same time, Mayor Wu is also pushing to make more affordable homes for seniors available. In response to a shortage of affordable homes for Boston’s older adults, the Wu Administration has made significant efforts to increase the supply of income restricted homes for this population. Since taking office, 439 new income-restricted units targeted at older adults have been completed and 315 are currently in construction. These new developments, located in neighborhoods across Boston, will provide affordable housing solutions while allowing older Bostonians to remain connected to the communities they have contributed to over many years. These developments include: Projects Completed or Nearing Completion: 74 homes at the William Barton Rogers Middle School/The Pryde 43 homes at 9 Leyland Street 50 homes at Bartlett Place, Building D 23 homes at 41 North Margin St 42 homes at Grace Apartments 10 homes at BHA Amory Street, Phase 1 55 homes at BHA Old Colony, Phase 3C (New homes) 78 homes at BHA J.J. Carroll (New homes) 64 homes at BHA J.J. Carroll (Replacement homes) Projects In Construction: 39 homes at 3371 Washington St Elderly 63 homes at 1201 River Street 30 homes at 150 River St 48 homes at Cheney St Apartments 99 homes at 900 Morrissey Blvd 36 homes at Hamilton at Mt. Everett Boston is working to build a city that is a home to everyone - where everyone can both live well and also age well. Since 2022 Mayor Wu and the Age Strong Commission have: Launched regular benefits access fairs in all neighborhoods of Boston to help older people maximize income and connect to all the programs and benefits for which they are eligible.   Tripled the amount of ongoing programming provided for older adults across Boston, including adding an extra day of programming in West Roxbury, expanding programming sites across Boston neighborhoods, and opening the bilingual East Boston Senior Center.  Launched the Expanding Engagement grant opportunity to increase social connection and reduce isolation awarding over $1.8 million to over 70 partner organizations to expand social opportunities for older people.   Created a Behavioral Health Strategic Plan for older adults and launched the Behavioral Health grant opportunity, awarding over $1.5 million to 15 partner organizations across Boston to expand access to critical behavioral health services for underserved older adults. Expanded the Older Adult Property Tax Work Off Program which allows eligible older adults to work off up to $2000 in property taxes by volunteering in a city department.   About the Age Strong Commission  For us, strength comes in many forms. Strength of community. Of cultures. Of experiences. Strength to embrace new chapters and opportunities. We believe that Bostonians who are 55+ make our city strong and vibrant. Our mission is to enhance older adults’ lives with meaningful programs, resources, and connections so we can live and age strong in Boston together. For more than 50 years as a Commission, Council on Aging, and Area Agency on Aging, Age Strong provides programs and services to Boston’s older adults, including information and referrals, help with housing, nutrition, health insurance, transportation, volunteer opportunities, events/activities, and more. Age Strong publishes Boston Seniority Magazine, a free monthly publication distributed to over 350 locations. www.boston.gov/agestrong.  About the Boston Housing Authority As the largest housing provider in Boston, we foster sustainable communities by providing quality affordable housing through public housing and rental assistance programs to more than 62,000 residents. Publicly-funded housing programs are a contemporary and humane solution to the housing challenges our city faces. BHA’s programs bring stability, opportunity, and peace of mind to thousands of low and moderate-income families and individuals across Boston, and to the city as a whole. We empower vital communities to improve quality of life, encourage self-sufficiency, and create economic opportunities. Our residents are the lifeblood of our community – our neighbors, friends, and coworkers. For many, BHA is the difference between home and homelessness. www.bostonhousing.org   About the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) The Mayor’s Office of Housing is responsible for housing people experiencing homelessness, creating and preserving affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can obtain, maintain, and remain in safe, stable housing. The department develops and implements the City of Boston’s housing creation and homelessness prevention plans and collaborates with local and national partners to find new solutions and build more housing affordable to all, particularly those with lower incomes. For more information, please visit the MOH website.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Wins $3.5 Million in Federal Funding for West-East Rail

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Wins $3.5 Million in Federal Funding for West-East Rail 

Funding award advances Boston-Albany Corridor to next phase of the federal Corridor ID Program   

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated $3.5 million secured by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to continue advancing West-East Rail. This federal funding was awarded to the Rail and Transit Division, through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID). It will be used to support the Boston-Albany Corridor Service Development Plan (SDP), which is an essential step in expanding and enhancing train service connecting Boston and Albany, New York, through Springfield. 

“We are full steam ahead on building West-East Rail, and this latest federal funding win brings us one step closer to delivering this for Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’m grateful for the hard work of our MassDOT team to secure this funding. Together, we’re going to expand rail service across the state to improve commutes, reduce congestion and usher in new housing and economic development opportunities.” 

“We know that rail service is transformative not only for our residents and visitors, but also for our businesses and local economies,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “MassDOT has been making important progress with our federal, state and local partners to deliver West-East Rail, and this funding will help us build on that.” 

“I’m pleased to join the Healey-Driscoll Administration in celebrating yet another milestone in the advancement of West-East Rail. With the Corridor ID Program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, much of which was drafted in the Ways and Means Committee during my time as chairman, I take great pride knowing that Massachusetts continues to benefit from our historic legislative achievement,” said Congressman Richard Neal. “I’m grateful to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, who continue to prioritize West-East rail. There is significant demand for improved and expanded passenger rail service, an initiative that promises to strengthen regional connectivity, stimulate new housing opportunities, and spur economic development throughout the Commonwealth.” 

“West-East Rail is on the way with this latest $3.5 million grant, and I am proud to have worked with Governor Healey and our federal delegation to have now secured a total of $150 million in federal funding to make it a reality,” said Senator Ed Markey. “West-East Rail is about more than SIMPLY building a train route – it’s about building a connected economy, expanding opportunity, and forging a brighter and more sustainable future for residents across Massachusetts and our region.” 

“West-East rail will mean faster and safer travel, better jobs, and a stronger Massachusetts economy,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Massachusetts leaders have worked together over years to make West-East rail a reality, and we’ll keep fighting to get it done.” 

The Corridor ID Program is a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and creates a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation and funding through FRA’s Federal-State Partnership-National Network Program. The funding awarded builds on $108 million in FRA funding that Massachusetts secured in 2023 for corridor infrastructure projects to support additional Amtrak service between Boston and New Haven, Connecticut, via Springfield. Massachusetts also won $37 million in 2024 for the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project to design track, signal and infrastructure improvements at Springfield Union Station. These upgrades will ultimately increase rail capacity and reduce congestion – as part of the broader Compass Rail vision.  

The SDP will outline MassDOT’s implementation plan for service expansion and is developed cooperatively with FRA. The SDP will demonstrate the feasibility of a Boston to Albany intercity passenger rail route, and it will detail the necessary steps to implement the service. It will identify the purpose and need for the service, include a comparative analysis of viable alternatives, define the recommended capital projects to enable the service, and evaluate the operational, network, and financial impacts of the service and infrastructure investment. It will also include an operating plan, a corridor project inventory and an investment case. Further, it will require significant engagement with the public and relevant stakeholders, and it will define a governance structure for project implementation and future operation. 

“Every investment we make in our transportation network is an investment in people, in their families, their futures, and their ability to stay connected to the places and opportunities that matter most,” said Transportation Secretary & CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are deeply grateful to our federal partners for believing in the promise of the Boston to Albany rail corridor. This is more than a route between two cities. It is a lifeline for the communities in between, opening doors to economic opportunity, environmental progress, and a stronger, more united Massachusetts.” 

“This latest victory for Compass Rail speaks to the importance of not only the Boston-Albany connection, but of the role that passenger rail will play in fueling regional economic growth in the decades to come,” said MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. “It is imperative to keep prioritizing these investments so future generations of Commonwealth residents and visitors can have reliable rail connectivity, more economic opportunities, and enhanced quality of life”.  

“This award reflects our continued efforts to aggressively pursue federal dollars and enhance our infrastructure,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “I am thrilled to celebrate the progress we have made on West-East rail, which will boost economic opportunities across the state.” 

"West-East Rail is about more than what's fair; it's about equity and opportunity. This federal funding will help ensure that families and businesses from Palmer to Springfield have the same access to jobs, housing, and economic growth as those in Boston,” said Senator Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow). “I want to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration for keeping the West-East rail project right on track and keeping regional equity a priority for the Commonwealth." 

"The work on West-East Rail is an imperative generational project for the Berkshires and Western Massachusetts, and it will only come to fruition when the team keeps pushing, taking each and every opportunity to secure funding to take the next steps,” said Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield). 

Compass Rail is made up of existing and proposed West-East and North-South services intersecting at a robust hub in Springfield. Compass Rail – Passenger Rail for the Commonwealth – is a vision for intercity passenger rail within Massachusetts and beyond. The goal of Compass Rail is to enhance mobility, expand transportation choice, and support economic development goals through transportation investments. Compass Rail integrates existing MassDOT-supported services with new, proposed services in a unified vision. 

Existing services supported and managed by MassDOT under the Compass Rail banner include the following Amtrak-operated routes: 

• Vermonter between Washington, D.C. and St. Albans, VT with Massachusetts stops in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield 

• Valley Flyer between New Haven, CT and Greenfield with Massachusetts stops in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield 

• Hartford Line and Northeast Regional between Springfield and New Haven, CT or Washington, D.C. 

• Berkshire Flyer, a seasonal, pilot service, between Pittsfield and New York City. 

West-East Rail would offer new Compass Rail services that focus on improved connections between western and eastern Massachusetts. This includes ad Inland Route to operate between Boston and New Haven, CT via Springfield and the Boston & Albany Corridor via Pittsfield. 

For more information on Compass Rail, please visit https://www.mass.gov/compass-rail. 

MassDOT continues to seek additional financial resources to grow its passenger rail program and improve transportation across the state. The Healey-Driscoll Administration currently has approximately $1.27 billion dollars in pending federal transportation funding applications.  

MAYOR WU APPOINTS RACHEL SKERRITT TO BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MAYOR WU APPOINTS RACHEL SKERRITT TO BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

BOSTON - Monday, August 25, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the appointment of Rachel Skerritt to the Boston School Committee. The Boston School Committee is the governing body of Boston Public Schools (BPS). Skerritt will serve the remainder of the term that ends on January 1, 2028. Skerritt currently serves as a Chief Strategy Officer at Attuned Education Partners, which supports PK-12 and charter school systems, education champions, and non-profits nationwide with planning and implementation. She is a BPS alumna, and BPS parent, as well as a former BPS teacher, district administrator, and school leader. “I’m thrilled to appoint Rachel Skerritt to the Boston School Committee,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Rachel is a remarkable public servant who has devoted her career to investing in our young people and working in partnership with BPS communities. As we build on our momentum to make BPS the first choice for families across Boston, Rachel’s leadership and expertise as a BPS school leader, administrator, teacher, alum and parent will be impactful in moving our work forward.” “The trajectory of my life was changed due to preparation and experiences I had as a Boston Public Schools student,” said Rachel Skerritt. “BPS also shaped my identity and philosophy as an educator, with many of my formative leadership experiences taking place in our schools and at the central office. In addition, I proudly wear the hat of BPS parent, and look forward to the honor of serving on the Boston School Committee in service of students and families across the city as we collaborate to ensure success in career and life for all of our young people.”  “We look forward to serving alongside Rachel in this important work,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson. “Our Committee, alongside BPS and the City, is committed to ensuring we deliver a stronger, more equitable future to our students. Through her expertise and dedication, we are confident that Rachel will be a collaborative colleague and a trusted ally to Boston’s school communities.”  “Rachel’s extensive educational leadership experience and her deep connection to the Boston community will serve as valuable assets to our students and families,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “As a BPS graduate, educator, parent, and former principal, she brings lived experience and professional expertise that will help us continue building a district where every student can thrive. We are excited to have her join us in this mission and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Boston School Committee as we expand opportunities, elevate students’ voices, and work together to ensure all Boston’s young people have the tools they need to succeed.”  Skerritt has 20 years of educational leadership experience with an extensive history of responsive, mission-driven engagement across diverse school and district contexts. Prior to joining Attuned, Rachel served for five years as Head of School at Boston Latin School (BLS), the nation’s first public school and the top ranked public high school in Massachusetts. There, she led a community of 2,400 students and 200 staff through seismic shifts in teaching and learning due to the global pandemic, and she served on a task force appointed by the Boston School Committee to restructure the admissions policy for the city’s three exam schools in service of greater racial, geographic, and socio-economic equity. Rachel assumed leadership of BLS after her role as Deputy Chief of Leadership Development for DC Public Schools, designing professional learning for the system’s principals and amplifying the district’s residency for aspiring administrators. Previously, she successfully led Eastern Senior High School through federal turnaround status, implementing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and raising the school’s graduation rate to among the highest in the district. Before her move to Washington, DC, Rachel was Chief of Staff for BPS. She assumed the Chief of Staff position after her first school principalship at Another Course to College, a small pilot high school in Boston. Rachel began her career as an English teacher, imparting her love of literature and writing to seventh, tenth, and twelfth graders. She holds a BA in English and a Masters in Secondary Education from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters in Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a Masters in Leadership from McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. She grew up in Dorchester and is a resident of Roslindale. The School Committee is responsible for: Defining the vision, mission, and goals of the Boston Public Schools; Establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; Hiring, managing, and evaluating the Superintendent; and Setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement.   The School Committee meets approximately twice per month during the school year to adopt, review and modify policies and practices that support teaching, learning and improved student achievement. With the exception of executive sessions, Committee meetings are open to the public, feature public comment periods and are broadcast on Boston City TV.

麻州昆士市2025 破紀錄 5名亞裔參選市議員、學校委員

昆士市市議員候選人袁自強（左起）、陳天偉，以及學校委員候選人梁錦輝。
（周菊子攝）

 （Boston Orange 周菊子昆士市綜合報導）麻州昆士市今年的市級選舉，共有27人角逐市議員和學校委員會委員席位，其中亞裔候選人高達5人，大破歷年紀錄。昆士市9月2日的初選，和11月4日的大選結果，讓人倍感期待。

Andrew Nguyen Pham年僅28歲，要為亞裔發聲。（周菊子攝）

            在這5名亞裔候選人中，有4人為華裔，1人為越南裔。他們分別是競選昆士市不分區議員席位的袁自強 （Ziqiang Yuan），Andrew Nguyen Pham（譯音，范阮安），競選第六區市議員的陳天偉（Christopher Chan），以及參選學校委員會委員的李啟文（Kaiman Lee），梁錦輝（Tom Leung）。

            根據美國人口統計2023年數據，以人口數計，排名麻州第八的昆士市有居民101,636人，其中33,030人為亞裔，18,559人為華裔。亞裔佔昆士市總人口32.5%。這百分比和2020年的30.7%，顯示亞裔人口在昆士市的份量更重了。

李啟文要爭取農曆新年成為學校假日之一。（圖片來自李啟文競選網站）

            然而翻看昆士市的選舉歷史，今年慶祝建市400週年的昆士市，曾經參選公職的亞裔，迄今屈指可數，僅有已於2009年當選，連任至今的麻州眾議員陳德基（Tackey Chan），2015年當選後一路連任，已宣佈今年不競選連任的昆士市不分區市議員梁秀婷（Nina Liang）。另外2名曾經參選昆市市議員的華裔，有伍國光，以及富士（Fuji）餐飲集團創辦人梁戰士。

            今年的昆士市選舉，競爭最激烈的是不分區市議員，3個席位，有8人角逐。9月2日的初選，將淘汰其中2人，留下另外6人參加11月4日大選。這是昆士市近8年來第一次需要為不分區市議員席位辦理初選。

            3名在位不分區市議員，梁秀婷已宣佈不競選連任，Noel T. DiBona和Scott S. Campbell將爭取留任。

                  其餘的不分區市議員席位參選人有袁自強，Andrew Nguyen Pham，以及Herbert Alie Shaughnessy III，Jackie A. Carvey，Hannah Kaplan，以及曾經當選過昆市市議員的Anne M. Mahoney。

                  袁自強在她的競選網站上寫著，她擁有遺傳學博士學位，1999年他申請到獎學金，進美國佛蒙特大學做博士後研究，8年後決定走出學術象牙塔，深入社會。她和經營軟體公司的德裔丈夫Heiko，是在波士頓華埠的太極俱樂部相遇結緣的。她的政見包括任期限制，公平加薪，財政紀律，透明問責，讓昆士市成為安全，公平，由社區驅動的城市。

                  Andrew Nguyen Pham在網站上稱自己是一名持證註冊會計師，要保護納稅人的錢，恢復民眾對政府的信心，解鎖Wollaston海灘的潛力，打造美國第一位的勞動力。

            昆士市的分區議員，共分6區，今年第六區的分區市議員席位競爭最激烈，包括在位市議員William P. Harris，共有4人參選。

            陳天偉（Christopher Chan）是一名IT分析師。他在網站上對自己介紹，主要就這一句，但關於昆士市面對的議題，以及他個人的立場，卻說了很多，包括要推動可負擔性，改善交通，增加透明度，講究責任與能力，注重合作，溝通，要探討長島橋議題，催促公共工程局修牆補路。他甚至還設立了中文網頁，幫助華裔選民了解他的立場與政見。

                  第六區市議員的另外2位參選人為Deborah Anne Riley，James M. Coffey。

                  選民將在這4名第六區市議員候選人中選出2人進入11月大選。

            學校委員會委員部分，任期4年的6名學校委員席位，有3人是去年當選的。今年有3個席位要改選，共6人參選，所以不辦初選。

            香港出生，在昆士市居住已20多年，現為西南中學家長會共主席的李啟文 （Kaiman Lee），和有特許金融分析師資格，現任Brown Brothers Harriman副總裁的梁錦輝(Tom Leung)，將和在位的Tina M. Cahill，曾經當選過學校委員會委員的Frank Santoro，以及參選的Kate Campbell，Marsha A. Roos等人，在11月4日的大選中競爭。

「南京照相館」、「哪吒 2」在波士頓放映 未激起任何火花

"南京照相館“海報。（圖片來自網路）

          （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓綜合報導）大波士頓地區的AMC電影院系，近日正在放映2部備受華人社區矚目的電影，「南京照相館 （Dead to Rights）」和”哪吒2 (哪吒之魔童鬧海)”。目前已知的最後一場日期，依序為8月27日及28日。

           「南京照相館 （Dead to Rights）」是一部歷史劇情片，以1937年南京大屠殺這段歷史為背景，描述一群平民在戰亂中躲進照相館避難，冒險揭露日軍暴行的故事。7月底在中國大陸上映後，創下單日票房過億的歷史紀錄。

根據“貓眼專業版”網站，「南京照相館」一片，迄今上映30天，票房已高達26.9億元人民幣。

哪吒2。＊（圖片來自網路）

這部影片在中國大陸剛上映時，締造極高熱度，網路上以「南京照相館」為題材的正負評論視頻也如雨後春筍般湧出，還有視頻從“洋人”角度說，他們從來不知道有這段歷史。資深影評人焦熊屏在唐湘龍主持的臺灣「觀點/正經龍鳳配」節目中指出，這部片的英文名稱為「Dead to Rights」，意味著“鐵證如山”。

2024年美國當舖老闆Evan Kail將一本有30多張南京大屠殺彩色照片相冊，無償捐給中國，今年2月26歲的法國年輕人馬庫斯（Marcus Detrez），由其好友中國短視頻博主松松（鍾灝松）陪同，捐出其祖父留存的600多張日本侵華戰爭時期照片這些事，也一下子又在火熱起來。

8月22日，新浪財經和網易都引用觀察者網嚴珊珊寫的一篇「海外票房遇冷？主流媒體集體失聲」文稿，指「南京照相館」這片選在日本無條件投降80週年的2025年8月15日這天到美加上映，一週之後卻在美國的票房統計網站上仍無票房統計數據，《紐約時報》、CNN、NBC等美國知名媒體和CBC、CTV等加拿大主流媒體也隻字未提「南京照相館」，冷落程度和該片在中國大陸的備受關注，落差極大。

和「南京照相館』有著類似背景，原訂七月底在中國大陸推出的另一部片「731」，據傳內容過於暴力，血腥，映期已押後至9月。

「哪吒2：哪吒之魔童鬧海」是「哪吒之魔童降世」這奇幻喜劇動畫電影的續集，同樣由可可動畫的“餃子 （楊宇）”執導兼編劇。今年1月29日在中國內地上映之後，空前成功，票房10天就超過「長津湖」的57.5億人民幣，比第一集的50.36億元高出10倍，成為中國內地票房最高電影。截至6月30日在中國大陸下片，總票房高達154.46億人民幣，成為全球票房最高的非英語電影，以及全球票房最高，有21.93億美元的動畫電影。

這部以明朝小說「封神演義」為基礎，用中國傳統神話人物哪吒為原型的動畫片，也在華人圈中掀起哪吒熱，還有人製作了哪吒表情包，勸世圖帖，繪本。

「南京照相館 （Dead to Rights）」目前在AMC Boston Common 19，AMC Causeway 13，AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20，AMC DINE-IN Framingham 16等影院放映，每日放映時間不同，至少將放映至8月27日。

「哪吒之魔鬼鬧海」則在AMC Boston Common 19，AMC Braintree 10，AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20，AMC Tyngsboro 12等電影院上映至8月28日止。

麻州長Healey譴責川普政府取消撥給麻州交通廳的3200萬元

         (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州州長奚莉（Ｍaura Healey）今(22)日批評川普政府取消了麻州交通廳（MassDOT）去年贏得的近3200萬美元聯邦資金。

這筆資金原定用於支持購買用於交通項目的瀝青、玻璃、鋼材和混凝土等建築材料。該計畫旨在創造製造業就業機會，並提升美國在清潔製造業領域的領導地位。

奚莉州長表示，川普總統聲稱他希望把製造業的就業機會帶回美國，提升美國在製造業的領導地位，卻取消了數以千萬元計，可以創造製造業就業機會的經費，進而損害全美各州購買修繕道路和橋樑所需建築材料的能力。

奚莉州長說，失去這些聯邦經費，將使期待道路得以修繕，交通更便捷，地方經濟因而更有活力的社區，繼續面對基礎設施不佳的挑戰。

麻州交通廳廳長Monica Tibbits-Nutt表示，儘管川普政府的決定將延誤麻州改善交通的進展，但不會動搖該部門對人民的承諾，他們將繼續和聯邦政府的合作夥伴協力合作，找尋解決方案，爭取推動關鍵項目所需的資金。

麻州交通廳（MassDOT）上週收到通知，由於川普政府通過的「大而美法案（One Big Beautiful Bill Act）」，撤銷了低碳交通材料項目，交通部將取消已於2024年11月授權波發給39州的12億元經費，其中包括要發給麻州交通廳的31,933,577元。