AG HEALEY FIGHTS FOR RULE TO LET WORKERS KEEP THE TIPS THEY EARN

AG HEALEY FIGHTS FOR RULE TO LET WORKERS KEEP THE TIPS THEY EARN Joins Coalition of AGs in Submitting Comments to the U.S. Department of Labor

BOSTON – Joining a coalition of 17 attorneys general, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today expressed her opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind a rule that allows employees to keep the tips they earn. 

The attorneys general today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) regarding its plan to repeal a 2011 rule clarifying that gratuities are the sole property of employees, and that employers cannot retain any portion of an employee’s tips. Under the Trump Administration’s proposed rule change, employers would be allowed to pocket tips earned by employees who are paid the federal minimum wage.

            “When customers pay tips, they expect that money to go to workers,” said AG Healey. “This proposed rule change allows employers to keep all the tips for themselves, tricking customers and depriving low-wage workers of the wages they earn.”

According to the Economic Policy Institute, repealing the rule could result in employers taking up to $5.8 billion of workers’ earned tips. USDOL, which is spearheading the rule change, reportedly decided to shelve an economic analysis that highlighted the billions in gratuity earnings that workers could lose.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are required to pay their employees the federal minimum wage. Employers can meet this requirement either by paying employees the full federal minimum wage – currently $7.25 per hour – or by paying a lower cash wage, no less than $2.13 per hour, and making up the difference with the tips that the employee earns. The latter practice is known as a “tip credit.” The Trump Administration’s proposed rescission of the 2011 rule would allow employers who pay employees $7.25 per hour to claim the employees’ tips for any purpose.

Massachusetts law does not permit employers to share any portion of an employee’s tips, and the proposed change will not legally impact the rights of Massachusetts service employees.  However, the rule may cause confusion among employers and employees alike and may result in improper tip retention by employers.

AG Healey’s Fair Labor Division is responsible for enforcing the prevailing wage, minimum wage, payment of wages, overtime, tip pooling, child labor, and Sunday and holiday premium pay laws.

The Division regularly enforces the Massachusetts tip payment statute. Since January 2015, the Division has taken enforcement action against 19 employers for violating the state’s tip payment law. In all, employers were cited more than $700,000 in restitution and penalties. Last year, the Division cited aCohasset inn for inaccurately reporting tip amounts on payroll records and for failing to pay the correct service rate to at least one employee. In 2016, the AG’s Office cited a Worcester restaurant owner for illegally retaining tips that should have been distributed to the service staff. 

Workers who believe that their rights have been violated in their workplace are encouraged to file a complaint at www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor. For information about the state’s wage and hour laws, workers may call the Office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465 or go to the Attorney General’s new Workplace Rights website www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor for materials in multiple languages.

The attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia sent today’s joint letter. 

波士頓台灣人運動協會打乒乓聯誼 帶"臺灣動起來"

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪鼓勵運動協會舉辦更多不同比賽。
(周菊子攝)

        (Boston Orange 周菊子牛頓市整理報導) 波士頓臺灣人運動協會2月4日在波士頓僑教中心聯誼打乒乓球，特地邀駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪夫婦擔任開球嘉賓，作該會推廣「臺灣動起來」的啟動儀式。

該會副會長陳盈杰表示，波士頓臺灣人運動協會是今年1月才成立的大波士頓最新僑團之一，將視僑教中心的場地使用情況，計畫每週三下午5點至8點，以及每週六下午2點至5點為練球，聯誼時間，歡迎會員出席。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉致詞。(周菊子攝)

陳盈杰說明，該會的成立目的就是要透過運動加強來自臺灣鄉親的聯繫、交流。經創會成員們討論議決，將以會員制模式運作，每年繳費取得會員資格者，才能參加該會所規劃辦理的各項活動。不同活動將視性質，另外酌收相關費用。該會非常歡迎鄉親踴躍加入。

楊義煌(中)捐贈了一個計時器。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪在會上為「臺灣動起來」致詞，直指運動是最好的健身，聯誼活動。他表示這是繼去年四月，辦事處成立一支只准輸不准贏的壘球隊之後，再一次希望藉著體育活動，能促進年輕世代的彼此交流，認識，為僑社注入新的活力，如果成效不錯，希望運動協會在打乒乓球之外還能舉辦更多比賽活動，例如網球賽，羽毛球賽等等。賴銘琪還特地感謝楊義煌捐贈了一個計時器，笑說那是提醒僑胞們，要適時休息，不要過度運動。

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦開球，運動協會
副會長陳盈杰(右)做球判。(周菊子攝)

                      波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉表示，舉辦體育型活動是促進僑胞聯繫交流的新方向，也能鼓勵青年世代更加瞭解僑務工作，進而認同與支持服務僑社的工作，希望將來有更多人能加入僑務志工行列。他也藉機會轉達了僑委會委員長吳新興博士對與會僑胞鄉親的問候與祝福。

              2月4日下午，出席開球儀式的貴賓包括紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長彭淑敏、中華民國同學會聯合會顧問張重華、頂大學人計畫訪問學者蒙志成教授、成功大學校友會顧問李鎮日等各界喜好運動人士。他們在賴銘琪夫婦開球之後，也輪流上場小試身手，現場歡笑聲不斷。(部分文稿內容由波士頓僑教中心提供)

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO EXPLORE LITIGATION AGAINST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES INVOLVED IN OPIOID CRISIS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO EXPLORE LITIGATION AGAINST PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES INVOLVED IN OPIOID CRISIS

BOSTON - Monday, February 5, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a Request for Information (RFI) to inform the City of Boston's approach to potential litigation against pharmaceutical companies and other entities contributing to the opioid crisis. The City seeks to gather information from qualified law firms, universities, think tanks, hospitals, governmental entities, researchers, and any other interested parties to help inform the City's approach for developing best practice legal and other strategies to recoup public money in the form of damages arising from the City's use of its public services to combat the resulting opioid crisis. The RFI asks that interested applicants evaluate the financial, social, and other costs caused by the reckless dissemination of opioids and the misleading information about the safety and purpose of their use. "The pharmaceutical industry is the main offender and sustainer of the opioid crisis," said Mayor Walsh. "They were irresponsible in their practices and turned their heads the other way to increase profits, causing irreversible devastation to our families and significant damages to cities nationwide. In Boston, we are addressing the opioid crisis from every angle, from creating the first municipal recovery office to investing in more services and building a state-of-the-art recovery facility on Long Island. We, like so many towns and cities across the country, have invested the time, money and resources. Now is the time to finally hold the pharmaceutical industry responsible." Based upon the responses received, the City may enter into an agreement for legal services with a qualified attorney or law firm. The City may also choose to explore other contracts, projects and remedies to address this growing public health crisis. The goals of any litigation or other endeavor shall be to recoup public money in the form of damages arising from the City's use of its public services to respond to the opioid epidemic; and create long-term solutions including rehabilitation services and support networks for all impacted residents of the City of Boston and their families. Having been in recovery for over 20 years, Mayor Walsh understands firsthand how easily addiction can take hold and how difficult it can be to recover. In his first term, Mayor Walsh made expanding access to recovery services in Boston a priority by creating the Office of Recovery Services to study substance use in Boston and lead the city's strategy around substance use disorders, addiction and recovery. This is the first and only municipal recovery office in the nation. In addition, Mayor Walsh mandated the life-saving medication naloxone (Narcan) be carried in every public safety vehicle in the city in his first two weeks in office and launched a new 24/7 hotline through 311 to help people struggling with addiction access all levels of recovery services. Continuing these efforts into his second term, Mayor Walsh announced in his inaugural speech earlier this month that his Administration will rebuild the Long Island Bridge and invest in a comprehensive, long-term recovery facility on Long Island. These new services will offer a continuum of care, from harm reduction, to detox, to residential treatment, to transitional housing and ongoing peer support, and equip people with the opportunity to rebuild a life. All responses or questions to the RFI should be submitted to John Natoli at John.Natoli@boston.gov. The City shall accept responses up to noon EST on March 12, 2018.

Department of Public Utilities Reduces Utility Rates, Launches Further Investigation

Department of Public Utilities Reduces Utility Rates, Launches Further Investigation

Federal Tax Reform Benefits Commonwealth Ratepayers

BOSTON – February 5, 2018 – To ensure Massachusetts ratepayers receive the benefit of recent federal tax cuts, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) ordered NSTAR Electric Company (NSTAR) and Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo), together doing business as Eversource Energy, to reduce rates due to the federal tax law in their base rates that will take effect on February 1, 2018. Additionally, in an effort to capture savings for ratepayers in the Commonwealth, DPU opened aninvestigation to analyze how the recently enacted federal tax reform may affect gas, electric, and water utility rates for Massachusetts utility customers.

As a result of the reduction in the tax expense and the rate consolidation of the companies, the DPU’s Order reduced the recently approved rates for Eversource Energy by approximately $56 million. Eversource customers will now see an approximately $20 million, or 1.8 percent, decrease in rates, instead of the approximately $36 million increase that was initially approved by the DPU. 

“Through the reduction of rates for utility customers, coupled with an investigation into possible additional savings from federal tax reform, the Department of Public Utilities remains committed to ensuring that utility consumers are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost,”said DPU Chairman Angela M. O’Connor.

Under ratemaking principles, utilities in Massachusetts subject to DPU regulation are allowed to reflect a representative level of tax expense in their rates.  This DPU investigation, docketed as D.P.U. 18-15, will consider how regulated utilities should account for the corporate tax savings created by the federal tax law. Utilities are required to review the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and file proposals with the DPU by May 1, 2018 for approval to reduce rates to reflect the effects of the tax law.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $5.65 Million to Combat Gang Violence in Cities

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $5.65 Million to Combat Gang Violence in Cities

Grants impacting 27 cities and 12 partners will bolster outreach to at-risk youth, support gang task force personnel

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Dan Bennett announced the release of $5.65 million in competitive grant funds to communities and local partners to bolster their efforts to combat gang violence. The awards were made to 15 sites across 27 cities and 12 research partners through the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, which targets gang violence in the Commonwealth. With today’s announcement, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $26 million through the program since taking office.

“The Shannon Initiative employs a toolkit of techniques, from education to diversion and suppression, that help enable communities to make a significant impact on youth violence and gang activity,” said Governor Baker. “The Commonwealth has formed a number of important partnerships with cities and organizations through this initiative and we look forward to continuing that work this year to positively impact the futures of many young people and make our streets safer for everyone.”

“The cities and local partners selected for these grants have demonstrated their commitment and creativity in combatting gang violence that threatens the safety of everyone in their communities,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We value the partnership we have with the Legislature that allows us to make these bipartisan investments every year and build stronger and safer communities.”

“These funds are vital to assist us in our efforts of addressing gang violence in Boston,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans. “I wish to thank Governor Baker and Secretary Bennett for their continued support and ongoing commitment to this very important program.”

The grants provide funds to communities that demonstrate high levels of youth violence and gang problems, a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners and a commitment to coordinated prevention and intervention strategies. Funded strategies include social intervention and opportunity provision programs, as well as gang task force personnel costs and overtime.

“The communities and partners who take part in this program have given themselves the tools necessary to make a serious impact on youth violence and gang activity,”said Secretary Bennett. “The disruption of illegal activity makes these communities safer while getting young lives back on track.” 

“The Shannon Community Safety Initiative is based on a positive youth development framework to ensure that youth have the people, places and opportunities that help them thrive and lead to positive, productive and healthy lives,” said Fall River Program Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey. “It is the caring adults like the mentors, case workers and outreach workers who work daily with the youth at places like schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCAs and connect them to recreational, educational and employment opportunities. This is what makes Shannon so successful.”

“The Metro Mayors Coalition is honored to continue working with law enforcement and community partners to support prevention strategies for at-risk youth in Greater Boston,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which staffs the Metro Mayors Coalition (MMC), a group of 14 cities and towns who collaborate in addressing common issues confronting urban core governments. MAPC manages the grant for the MMC communities of Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop, alongside 18 local community groups. “We thank Governor Baker and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for their ongoing support of this critical program to help prevent youth violence and gang involvement.”

Sites chosen by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to receive an award demonstrated high levels of youth violence and gang problems within their locality, submitted a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners, and committed to providing a coordinated prevention and intervention strategy.

The municipalities and research partners awarded are as follows:

Shannon CSI Grant Sites:

Boston - $1,075,915.41

Brockton - $290,000.00

Fall River - $381,000.00

Fitchburg (incl. Gardner) - $142,709.24

Haverhill (incl. Methuen) - $130,000.00

Holyoke (incl. Chicopee) - $385,000.00

Lawrence - $214,700.00

Lowell - $528,000.00

Lynn - $189,851.22

Metro Mayors Coalition (incl. Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Winthrop) - $307,162.00

New Bedford - $330,654.00

Pittsfield - $70,697.56

Springfield - $595,000.00

Taunton (incl. Attleboro) - $74,310.57

Worcester - $490,000.00

Local Action Research Partners (LARP):

Clark University - $44.944.66

Community Resources for Justice - $ 44.989.32

Institute for Community Health - $39.999.65

Kelley Research Associates- $37.500.00

North Shore Community College - $23.573.00

Roger Williams University - $ 40.000.00

Salem State University- $30.333.34

University of Massachusetts, Amherst - $44.802.00                                       

University of Massachusetts, Boston - $ 45.000.00

University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Haverhill/Methuen Site) - $ 26.953.00

University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lawrence Site) - $ 26,953.00

University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lowell Site) - $ 44,952.03

波市長剪綵慶華埠重見圖書館 張可仁盼未來和昆士高中圖館合併

波士頓市長馬丁華書為華埠圖書館啟用剪綵。(鄺寶蓮提供)

波士頓市長馬丁華殊說明五年前就答應華埠要建圖書館。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 與華埠睽違了50多年的華埠圖書館，2月3日在波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)親自出席剪綵，數百名社區民眾圍觀慶賀的熱絡中，終於回到波士頓華埠民眾中間，暫時座落在中華貿易大樓。

波士頓市政府指出，這是個臨時圖書館，將服務三到五年。永久性的波士頓華埠圖書館，仍待研究規劃。昆士高中校長張可仁期盼，將來重建昆士高中新校舍時，能把該校圖書館和永久性的波士頓華埠圖書館合而為一，讓社區與教育結合的更緊密。昆士小學校長司徒玉英表示，學校和社區的圖書館二合為一在波士頓市已有前例，絕對可行。

2月3日的波士頓華埠圖書館開幕剪綵，不但有波士頓市長馬丁華殊親自出席剪綵，也有波士頓公共圖書館館長David Leonard親自主持，麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，代表華埠的波市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)，甫卸任波市議會議長的不分區市議員吳弭，波士頓公校總監張欽棠，華人前進會名譽主席李素影紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊，亞美社區發展協會行政主任劉安琪，波士頓同源會會長譚雯颯，紐英崙華人歷史協會會長曾雪清等人特地出席道賀。

范王柳娥期望華埠圖書館是個不同族裔者彼此交流，學習的地方。
(周菊子攝)

當年推動組成波士頓華埠圖書館之友的范王柳娥，華人前進會前行政主任駱理德，帶領青少年呼籲政府承諾把圖書館還給華埠的梁慧文都獲安排在開幕式中感性致詞。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊憶述當初競選波士頓市長時，他和競爭對手共12人，面對著華埠青少年追問，一旦當選後，支不支持還給華埠一個圖書館。他們這些候選人全都回答”會”，他很高興今天自己初步實踐了諾言。

梁慧文敘述華埠青少年爭取圖書館努力了20年。(周菊子攝)

馬丁華殊說明，在中華貿易大樓的華埠圖書館只是個暫時措施，三到五年後，會另建永久性的華埠圖書館。在2018的會計年度內，波士頓市預計會花1400萬元在圖書館項目上，接著的2019到2022年，還會在圖書館上再繼續投資1億零200萬元。

座落在波約斯頓街2號中華貿易大樓地下的波士頓華埠圖書館，佔地約1500平方呎，從設計，建造，購置傢具，設備，波市府共投資了大約100萬元，共有收藏品2500項，膝上型電腦20部。館內將安排有5名員工，其中永久性的圖書館員將會說中文，其他的兒童部圖書館員，館務助理，兼職館務助理，兼職監理人員預計也會是會說中文者。

波士頓市公校總監張欽棠(中)和昆士高中校長張可仁(右)，昆士小學
校長司徒玉英(左)。張可仁期盼將來昆士高中新校舍的圖書館將來
和永久性的華埠圖書館合併為一。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙華人歷史協會理事暨波士頓華埠圖書館之友會創始人之一的范王柳娥在市長之後致詞。她指出，華埠圖書館不只是移民會使用，一名在波士頓出生，九十餘歲過世的老人家曾告訴她，當年從圖書館借過一本關於愛爾蘭婦女移民到波士頓的書，獲得很多啟發。她自己小時到華埠圖書館，總喜歡界童話故事書，因為那些書總有一個歡樂結局。波士頓華埠圖書館的推動，也和那些童話故事一樣，有了個快樂結局。她希望波士頓華埠圖書館將來會成為不同族裔，新移民和本地居民聚會、交流，彼此學習的地方。

華人前進會前行政主任駱理德(右)和波士頓華埠圖書館之友會長都為
華埠圖書館成真高興不已。(周菊子攝)

梁慧文是1997年，16歲，到華人前進會實習時，才在聽范王柳娥講華埠歷史時知道，早年華埠有個圖書館。她們都好奇，當年的那個華埠圖書館到哪兒去了呢，為華埠爭回一座圖書館，從此成為她們的使命。她們做問卷調查，開社區會議，呼籲人們寫請願信，遊說民意代表們。20年過去後，如今她已是有3個小孩的母親，她非常高興華埠終於有了圖書館，當年許多人告訴她們不可能，但事實證明，只要有信心，只要堅持，只要社區團結，不可能也會變為可能。

其他或安排致詞者，包括在講台前當眾唸了一首詩的華埠居民會執委陳丹心，推動華埠圖書館不遺餘力的駱理德，以及後來應邀擔任波士頓華埠圖書館之友會會長的一名塔芙茨大學教授。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(右四)和出席剪綵嘉賓，右起，駐紐約中領館
領事馬超，王軍，波市公校總監張欽棠，華人前進會名譽主席李素影，
麻州眾議員麥家威(Aaron Michlewitz)，華埠居民會執委，波士頓市議員
愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)，華埠居民會執委馬華。(周菊子攝)

2月3日到波士頓舉辦說明會，向社區解釋假冒中領館電話詐欺事件的駐紐約中領館領事王軍也出席了剪綵儀式，並送給波士頓華埠圖書館數百本書，由波士頓市長代表接受。

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(左)，梅氏公所主席梅麗梨(右)都出席致賀。
(周菊子攝)

亞美社區發展協會行政主任劉安琪。(周菊子攝)

波士頓同源會會長譚雯颯。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華埠圖書館的標誌。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華埠圖書館外左側，放有李燦輝教授製作的波士頓華埠圖冊海報。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑教中心揮毫迎春招瑞犬來旺

現場嘉賓即席揮毫，左起：陳文浩、林卓培、歐宏偉、Brenda Noel、

蔣宗壬、賴銘琪及雲雯蓁夫婦、伍振中、黃周麗桃。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(前排左五)與志工、書法家及民俗文化

教師合影。

(Boston Orange) 波士頓華僑文教服務中心2月3日年味十足，200餘人揮毫迎春，學做拓印，捏麵人，帶著祈福天燈、狗年金幣，自製春聯回家，要旺旺一整年。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，牛頓市議員Brenda Noel，紐英崙中華公所中文書記雷國輝、財政陳文浩和波士頓中華書法會會長黃周麗桃、林卓培，以及吳紹營、伍振中、張洋等本地書法名家等人在會場聯袂即席揮毫，更是氣勢非凡。

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪致詞。

賴銘琪在活動開場致詞中，稱許中華書法會每年參加，協辦農曆新春的聯合揮毫活動，讓僑胞鄉親在海外也能感受到濃濃的張燈結綵，喜氣春聯掛滿堂的熱鬧過年味道。他也說明，今年是他在本次處長任內最後一次參加揮毫迎春，要藉機會感謝各界僑胞的長期支持駐處僑務工作，關照他們夫婦。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉和波士頓中華書法會商定的今年揮毫主題訂為「瑞犬來旺．揮毫迎春」，會場不但準備有紅色宣紙，筆墨，鼓勵出席來賓隨著應邀出席的書法家吳紹營、伍振中、張洋，以及兩名書法會會長黃周麗桃，林卓培的示範，一起學寫毛筆字，體會真草隸篆楷行等各種不同書法字體，翻查傳統春聯詞句的樂趣，還特地請僑教中心志工團，把會場佈置得喜氣洋洋，年味十足。

去年，波士頓僑教中心請民俗文化教師林賢琪以年節為主題，在會場示範拓印版畫製作，反應極佳。歐宏偉主任今年特地邀她再到會場，以”狗年來旺”為主題，再來一次現場教學。

今年還有兩位藝師，鄭秀花和李睿庭專程從台灣來參加活動，在現場示範捏麵人、臺灣天燈、事事如意飾品和狗年旺旺金幣等民俗文藝展品的製作，會場氣氛也因此格外熱鬧。(文稿及圖片內容由波士頓僑教中心提供)

兩位臺灣藝師，李睿庭(右起)、鄭秀花邀駐波士頓臺北經文處處長

賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦、牛頓市議員Brenda Noel和僑教中心主任

歐宏偉一起示範他們教作的祈福天燈。

左起，吳紹營、歐宏偉、Brenda Noel、蔣宗壬、賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦

、伍振中、黃周麗桃等會嘉賓及書法名家聯袂揮毫。

書法家吳紹營(右)寫吉祥話，賴銘琪夫婦在旁欣賞。

中華書法會會長林卓培夫婦(中)寫了兩幅「天道酬勤」，分別送給

僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左)與紐英崙中華公所中文書記雷國輝(右)

波士頓地區民俗文化教師林賢琪(左)示範拓印版畫。

波士頓地區民俗文化教師林賢琪(左)與處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦合影

李睿庭和鄭秀花(左起)等兩位臺灣藝師向牛頓市議員Brenda Noel、

僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右二)等人展示事事如意飾品、狗年金幣、

臺灣祈福天燈和捏麵人等民俗手工藝。

波士頓市長為華埠圖書館開幕剪綵

MAYOR WALSH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS CELEBRATE OPENING OF CHINATOWN BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

BOSTON - February 3, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and library community members today celebrated the opening of Boston Public Library Chinatown at 2 Boylston Street in the China Trade Center. The event marked the return of library services to the neighborhood for the first time in more than 50 years, and a $1 million investment in library services in Chinatown. Regular library hours will begin on Monday, February 5, at 10 a.m. "I'm so proud that today fulfills our promise to the Chinatown community, and brings library services back to this neighborhood for all to enjoy," said Mayor Walsh. "So many Chinatown residents have waited decades for this day, and the opening of this space marks our commitment to ensuring all neighborhoods have the resources and support they need. I look forward to residents benefitting from this space and services." In his 2017 State of City address, Mayor Walsh pledged to bring library services back to Chinatown. The location will operate for three to five years while plans for long-term library services in Chinatown are developed. Planning firm Miller Dyer Spears worked with the Boston Public Library (BPL), the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services and the community to develop long-term requirements for a library services program in the neighborhood. Their completed planning study is available here. "BPL Chinatown demonstrates our commitment to our communities and the importance of physical libraries' presence throughout our city. Chinatown is a vibrant, evolving neighborhood and Boston Public Library is eager to bring long-term services to the neighborhood," said Boston Public Library President David Leonard. The BPL Chinatown location represents an investment of almost $1 million in bringing library services to Chinatown. BPL Chinatown includes bilingual staff, books, newspapers, and periodicals in English and Mandarin, children's programming, a 2,500 item collection, DVDs in English and Mandarin, holds pick-up, immigration and citizenship information, laptops for in-library use, and WiFi. Hours are Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. All are welcome to utilize its services. "Residents, including youth, have worked for many years to return library service to Chinatown," said Suzanne Lee, President Emeritus of the Chinese Progressive Association. "We are happy this is finally a reality, and we will continue to work toward a permanent solution." The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) owns the Chinatown Trade Center and served as the project manager for the build-out of the temporary library services space. In order to expedite the process to open BPL Chinatown, last year the BPDA extended an existing contract with Bargmann Hendrie + Archtype Inc., the architectural firm overseeing the BPDA's overall renovation of the China Trade Center, to also include design and build- out supervision for the library services. In July of 2017, the BPDA awarded the construction contract to Northern Contracting Corporation, Inc. In addition to housing the new library services, the China Trade Center is also the home to several non-profit agencies that provide essential services to Chinatown residents, including the International Institute of New England and the Urban College of Boston. "Over the past several years, the Boston Planning & Development Agency has worked to bring providers and services to the China Trade Center that benefit the people of Chinatown," said Brian Golden, Director of the BPDA. "After many years without a library in Chinatown, we are pleased that the Chinatown Trade Center can serve as the temporary home of BPL Chinatown and look forward to working with BPL and the community to find a permanent home for library services." The opening of BPL Chinatown highlights Mayor Walsh's commitment to investing in all Boston neighborhoods, delivering exceptional city services. Nearly $14 million of library projects expenditure are planned across the city in fiscal year 2018, and Mayor Martin J. Walsh is investing $102 million in funding for library projects slated for fiscal year 2019 - fiscal year 2022. The Adams Street, Dudley, Parker Hill, Roslindale and Uphams Corner branches are currently in various stages of planning and renovation. Most major renovations or new construction projects undergo a programming, design, and construction phase, which always include significant community engagement at each step to gain input, feedback, and insight from users. More information on can be viewed online. (From Boston Mayor's office)