MAYOR WALSH RELEASES FIRST HOUSING PROGRESS REPORT

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES FIRST HOUSING PROGRESS REPORT

Quarterly Update Shows City on Target to Meet Mayor's Housing Goals, Outlines Where Improvement is Needed 

BOSTON - Thursday, May 21, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today publicly released the administration’s first progress report on achieving the housing production goals laid out in his ambitious housing plan, “Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030.” The plan, released in October 2014, called for increased transparency into housing policy, including quarterly releases of data and an end of year Annual Report. This is the first report in that series.

“I am extremely proud of the progress that the City has made in increasing the supply of new housing that will reach the market,” said Mayor Walsh. “But in order to create a thriving, healthy and innovative city, we must work harder to ensure that everyone who wants to live here is able to. This report shows that Boston 2030 is more than just a thoughtful plan; it is a true blueprint for action.”

The City of Boston’s data demonstrates that the City is on target to meet the Mayor's goals of creating 53,000 units of housing by the year 2030. In the first quarter of 2015, 1,187 units of housing were created, bringing the total number of new units of housing created since the inception of the plan to 13,017.  This represents 128 percent of the target production level needed to reach the City's goal of creating 53,000 units by 2030. In addition, another 825 units of housing were approved through the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), bringing the City's total number of units permitted or approved to more than 21,000 units.

This quarter, the City also achieved 121 percent of its target rate for creating 6,500 units of low-income housing by 2030. To encourage continued development of affordable housing, this week Mayor Walsh awarded nearly $39 million to support affordable housing developments in neighborhoods throughout Boston. The funding, which will create or preserve 1,194 housing units, uses $27 million of federal and local resources through the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) and uses $11.7 million in linkage funds through Boston's Neighborhood Housing Trust.

The City reached 88 percent of its quarterly target to reach 20,000 units of middle income housing by 2030, with 551 units created this quarter, and 3,740 units permitted to date. Analysis of the data appears to show an increase in middle income housing creation.  When this quarter’s new housing starts come on the market, projections indicate that nearly half of the units will be affordable to middle income households, in comparison to 26 percent in 2014.  

“Boston is well on its way to achieving the level of production needed to house its growing population,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). “Middle income housing still remains a challenge, which is why we strongly support Mayor Walsh’s efforts to address barriers related to zoning, permitting and the cost of construction.”

No new units of senior housing were created this quarter; however, the City has permitted 284 new units of low-income senior housing, which is 89 percent of the target rate needed to reach 1,500 units by 2030. The elimination of the Federal 202 program has meant that it has been a year since the last elderly housing project started construction; however, passage of a new line item in Mayor Walsh’s Fiscal Year 2016 City budget would mean that the City can begin to rebuild the senior housing pipeline and to fund new projects again. The City also filed state legislation in January to create a new affordable senior housing program using existing state housing bond bill funds.

Additional data points in the report include:

• Dorm Production. No new undergraduate dorm beds were produced this quarter, while 1,983 have been produced to date. This represents 58 percent of the target rate needed to reach 16,000 beds by 2030; however, 2014 was a record year for dormitory construction completions, with nearly 1,400 new dorm beds coming on line.
• Transit-oriented development. 75 percent of the City’s new housing starts are within a 5 minute walk of major transit.
• Foreclosures. Although the homeowner foreclosure rate has declined, foreclosure filings are rising. This is a statewide phenomenon that the City is investigating, and strategies will are being developed for deployment in Q2 of 2015.  

The entire report can be found here.

MAYOR WALSH ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND SAFE SUMMER

MAYOR WALSH ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO HAVE AN ENJOYABLE AND SAFE SUMMER

BOSTON – Friday, May 22, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined City officials to highlight the cross-departmental measures the City of Boston is taking to keep residents and visitors safe this summer.  

"Summer should be a time of joy and fun, and the City of Boston has wonderful programming lined up for City Hall Plaza and in parks and community centers across the neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh. "We encourage people to make the most of summer in the city. But it’s also a time when certain risks are higher, so please: be smart and be safe." 

In addition to the City’s significant investment in summer jobs, paid internships, summer school, and summer camps and activities, the Mayor also emphasized the need to specifically connect with those most at risk and in need.

Police:

• This summer, BPD’s 41 newest recruits will be part of increased police presence in Districts B-2 (Roxbury), B-3 (Mattapan), and C-11 (Dorchester), areas of the city that have been identified as crime hotspots.
• BPD will be emphasizing police presence in parks and other open spaces, and will proactively be monitoring house parties and night clubs.
• BPD will be cracking down on illegal scooters and mopeds.  A study by BPD indicated that scooters and/or mopeds were involved in 292 incidents in a seven month period. 
• Streetworkers and violence interrupters neighborhoods most impacted by violence will continue to work hard over the summer months within their communities to reach disconnected and gang-involved youth and get them the supports and services they need to succeed.

Fireworks:

• All types of fireworks are illegal and not allowed in Boston, as throughout Massachusetts.
• Sparklers, which burn at over 1100 degrees, firecrackers and other hand-held fireworks can cause permanent injuries, especially with young children.

Outdoor Fires and Grilling:

• No outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimineas and bonfires.
• Charcoal grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the wind and never leave unattended. When done, dispose of the ash in a metal container once completely out.
• Propane tank grills are only allowed on first floor porches with steps to the ground. Do not place propane tank grills near air conditioners or up against a building. Make sure all connections are tight and never carry propane tanks into a home.
• Grills should always be used in a well-ventilated area. 

Window Guards:

• Windows should always be opened from the top. Anything a child can climb on – beds, furniture, toy chests – should be kept away from windows to prevent unintentional falls. Children should always be supervised.
• Homes with children under the age of seven should have window guards installed on windows above the first floor. Many local hardware and home improvement stores carry window guards. Boston residents can buy subsidized window guards at Boston Building Resources (www.bostonbuildingresources.com).

Deck, Porch and Roof Usage:

• Property owners are encouraged to utilize decks, porches and roof tops for their intended purpose while keeping in mind its allotted capacity. If any of the following conditions are found, property owners should immediately refrain from using the structure until repairs are made: Split or rotting wood; wobbly handrails or guardrails; loose, missing or rusting anchors, nails or screws; missing, damaged or loose support beams and planking; excessive movement of the porch when walked on; and swaying or unstable porches.
• Roof Tops: Although flat roofs may seem ideal for summer activities such as parties, grilling or sun bathing, property owners and tenants must keep in mind that use of “flat roofs” must be permitted by the Inspectional Services Department for assembly or recreational activity. Roof tops that are not be equipped with railings or proper egress can lead to potential safety issues.
• Decks & Porches: When using a deck or porch, property owners and/or tenants should be aware of the weight placed on the structure. Decks and porches designed and built to code are constructed to withstand a reasonable load. However, the number of people and outdoor furniture should be considered when determining if a structure is being utilized properly.    
• As with anything, normal wear and tear plays a factor in the maintenance and upkeep of a structure. Property owners should take the age and structural integrity of the decks and porches into consideration. Older decks may need to be updated. Please note: decks can only be located in the rear yard. 

Water and Swimming Safety:

• Children and adults should NEVER swim alone. Young children should always be within an adults arm’s reach when swimming. Alcohol should be avoided when playing water sports or when boating. Its effects can be heightened in the heat. Remember to drink lots of water and avoid dehydration.
• Swimming should only take place in designated areas.  

Heat Safety:

• For protection against the harmful rays of the sun, adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-15 or higher and wear protective, loose fitting clothing, including long sleeve shirts and hats.
• Never underestimate the seriousness of heat-related emergencies. The elderly, young children and those with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to the effects of heat. Always check in on family or neighbors who may be at risk heat exhaustion or heat stroke as temperatures climb.
• Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicle, for even short periods of times.
• If you become lightheaded, confused, weak or faint, stop all activity and immediately find shade or a cool area to rest. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately.
• Try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body can cool itself.
• Drink plenty of fluids, making sure to avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. During hot weather, increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level.
• The homeless can become dehydrated rapidly due to a lack of access to water or shelter from the heat. If you observe someone who appears in distress, please contact 911 immediately.
• The City of Boston will declare a Heat Emergency after temperatures have reached 90 degrees or higher for three or more consecutive days. During a Heat Emergency, cooling centers will be open across the City.
• Residents can sign up for Alert Boston, the city's emergency notification system, to receive emergency alerts on by phone, email, or text. Sign up online: http://www.cityofboston.gov/oem/alertboston.asp.

Animal Bites: 

• To reduce the risk of rabies, make sure pets are up-to-date with their rabies vaccine; do not allow pets to roam free; and do not leave pet food outside. 
• Avoid contact with and feeding of stray and wild animals, and wear gloves while handling pets that have been wounded by other animals. Secure trashcans and cap your chimney so that animals cannot get into them​Bicycling injuries increase in the summer months.

Bike Safety: 

• Always wear a helmet. Helmets are the single most effective safety device available to reduce bicycle-related head injury and death. A properly fitted helmet should sit on top of the head in a level position, and should not rock forward, backward or side-to-side.
• Helmets benefit riders of all ages and Massachusetts law require riders ages 16 and under to wear a helmet. Low cost helmets are available through the City's partnership with Boston Medical Center. 
• Cyclists need to indicate turns and stops with hand signals and should stay visible by wearing bright clothing and using a headlight or taillight if riding at dusk or at night.

Mosquitoes and Ticks:

• Mosquito bites can spread West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), while attached ticks can spread Lyme disease.
• If you are in a grassy, brushy or wooded area, apply a DEET containing repellent that will protect against mosquitoes AND ticks. Always check yourself, children and pets for ticks after returning indoors and remove attached ticks immediately using tweezers.
• Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks to prevent mosquito bites. Limit you time outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and apply an approved mosquito repellent.

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) Summer Programs:

• BCYF offers a variety of summer day camps and programs at their community centers (www.cityofboston.gov/BCYF/centers/). BCYF will also operate free weekday drop in Summer Fun Stops for youth at 8 locations throughout the city with a flexible schedule to make it convenient for parents and young people. Visit the BCYF website for the most up-to-date information:www.cityofboston.gov/BCYF/programs/summer.asp.
• Other programs include:
• Summer Girls programming offering several girls-only events across the City including a skate night, beach party and dance off.
• Teen Nights from 8 to 11 p.m. at four community centers
• Super Fun Stops for teens-only from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at three park-based Fun Stop sites.
• Camp Joy, operating since 1946, for Boston's residents with disabilities and their siblings 
• Teen employment programs and pre-employment programs including SUPERTeens and Snap Shot
• Neighborhood Block Parties on select Thursday nights in July and August from 5-7 p.m. a different BCYF center or pool with a free cookout, activities and lots more.
• Forty-five Streetworkers and Violence Interrupters  – the largest number ever – working with high risk and proven risk youth to get them the support and services they need. 

Boston Parks Department Summer Programs:

The Boston Parks Department hosts participatory and performing arts events through the ParkArts program during the summer months. Programs include music concerts, movie nights, a marionette puppet series, watercolor painting workshops, and craft workshops. In addition, the Boston Parks Department, in partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission, are hosting free fitness activities in parks citywide, including yoga, boot camp, tai chi, zumba and more. For a list of these events please visit www.cityofboston.gov/parks.

This past year, Mayor Walsh moved the citywide recreation unit back to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.  The Recreation Unit offers many sports programs throughout the summer including Boston Neighborhood Basketball League, baseball, softball, tennis and golf programs. We also offer three free sports centers for kids in Dorchester, East Boston and South Boston that teach fundamentals of training and condition, sportsmanship, nutrition, wellness and self-esteem. 

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BOSTON RANKED #1 IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

BOSTON RANKED #1 IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

BOSTON - Thursday, May 21, 2015 - For the second year in a row, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) named Boston the most energy-efficient city in the United States, according to its 2015 City Energy Efficiency Scorecard.

"It is an honor Boston has been recognized as America's most energy-efficient city," said Mayor Walsh. "Our goal is to help Boston residents and businesses save energy and money, and through collaborative efforts with our utility partners, Eversource and National Grid, we are creating a thriving, healthy and innovative Boston. I look forward to continuing these efforts for both our environment and residents."

The a biennial report ranks large U.S. cities on policies and other actions to save energy. ACEEE included 51 cities in this edition of the Scorecard, up 17 from the 2013 edition of the report.

“Our findings show that cities continue to be laboratories of innovation when it comes to energy efficiency, with many pushing the envelope for more energy savings in the last few years," said ACEEE research analyst David Ribeiro, the lead report author. "Cities are also improving their approaches when it comes to tracking and communicating their efforts to save energy. By capturing these efforts in the Scorecard we hope local leaders from cities of all sizes can learn best practices from each other and deliver the benefits of energy efficiency to their communities, such as a stronger economy and a cleaner environment.”

“Clean energy is a vibrant part of the Massachusetts economy – employing close to 100,000 people –and this accomplishment further bolsters Massachusetts and the City of Boston’s credentials as a leading global hub of clean energy,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Alicia Barton.

Cities were evaluated on what actions they are taking to reduce energy use in five key areas: government operations, community initiatives, buildings, utilities and transportation.

ACEEE cites four areas that helped the City of Boston take top honors in the report --community-wide initiative, building policies, energy and water utility policies, and transportation. 

Highlights include:

• The progress the City has made towards its Climate Action Plan goals, which has been supported by the Mayor’s Greenovate Boston initiative and by the business and institutional leaders on the Boston Green Ribbon Commission;
• The dedicated outreach and effective partnerships the City has formed with community groups and utility companies to bring energy savings to residents and small businesses through its Renew Boston program; 
• The City’s ability to expand and invest in self-financed building improvements through energy performance contracting, the Renew Boston Trust initiative which Mayor Walsh announced in December 2014; and
• The implementation of the City’s Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance, which requires all large buildings to rate and report their energy use to improve energy management, starting in 2013.

Joining Boston in the top five rankings were New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Seattle.

To read the report and its key findings and recommendations, and to view the interactive infographic, visit:http://aceee.org/local-policy/city-scorecard. 

Governor Baker Statement on Senate Passage of MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board

Governor Baker Statement on Senate Passage of MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board

                                                                       

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker issued a statement on the Senate’s passage of a budget amendment establishing a fiscal management and control board to oversee the MBTA:

“Establishing a focused, dedicated group of experts to diagnose and fix the problems of the MBTA is an important first step toward creating the world class transit system the Commonwealth deserves and I am pleased the Senate acted on this measure tonight.  I thank Speaker DeLeo for his leadership on this issue, and the House for also including an important provision aimed at granting the T the necessary flexibility to increase both the system’s efficiency and the speed at which reforms may be enacted – and I look forward to the Senate adopting the bipartisan measures to fix our rapid transit system.  Taxpayers contribute over a billion dollars to this system every year while millions of riders depend on it to get to work and pay the bills, so we owe it to them to act now and fix the T.” 

中華耆英會週年慶籌款十五萬元 新康樂樓六月剪綵

 中華耆英會董事長梅炳鈿（左一），行政主任梅伍銀寬
（右二起）頒獎給梅許影屏，梅永生。陳建立（右）
宣讀他為恭賀這倆夫婦做的詩一首。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)中華耆英會五月廿日在龍鳳酒樓舉辦週年聯歡宴，頒獎表揚對該會卓有貢獻的梅永生，梅許影屏夫婦，宣佈新康樂樓即將於六月份竣工，啟用，籲請大眾慷慨捐款，競標拍賣品，造福廣大耆英。

            這場週年慶活動，共籌得大約十五萬元。

中華耆英會董事長梅炳鈿（右起），董事余國峰夫婦，
經文處副處長陳銘俊，耆英會行政主任梅伍銀寬及董事
陳建立等人在會上合影。（周菊子攝）

            中華耆英會董事長梅炳鈿，行政主任梅伍銀寬在開幕致詞中指出，該會成立四十三年，隨著社區茁壯，在所有熱心人士支持下，她們才得以為華埠耆英提供文化上，語言上都更切合他們需要的服務，也幫助耆英們更容易的獨立自主生活。

            中華耆英會斥資三千五百萬元的康樂樓更新，擴建工程，從2009年社區討論，預定動工到2013年第一期竣工，再到現在的第二期也將於六月竣工，一路經歷不少波折，但都在耆英會主任梅伍銀寬的長袖善舞，華埠社區及美國主流社會對耆英的愛護中，兵來將擋，水來土淹的克服了。

波士頓警察局A-1區警長梅志強( Ken Fong,左）特地出席，
祝賀父母領獎。（周菊子攝）

            梅伍銀寬當晚會在會上表示，新康樂樓的租戶們馬上就可以享受到新耆英中心準備的美味中餐了。該樓耆英及地方人士，都可以上新康樂樓，尋求翻譯，填申請表等等的協助。新中心還將提供健康及營養教育講座。這一切的一切，都因為社區大眾等等人的關愛，才得以實現，她們非常感恩。

            中華耆英會在週年慶上，還頒獎給該會創辦人之一的梅永生，以及擔任該會董事多年，出力極多的梅許影屏，藉以聊表感謝。

            該會在活動節目冊上，介紹了他們倆夫婦。梅永生早年在香港瑪麗皇后醫院放射科做X光師，1950年代與妻子攜手移民來美，開辦製衣廠，洗衣店，為不下250名新移民創造了工作機會。

波士頓華人佈道會主任牧師陳卓明（右）夫婦特地出席，
祝賀該會創辦人之一得獎。（周菊子攝）

            過去這些年來，梅永生不但曾擔任梅氏公所主席，中華廣教學校董事，更是波士頓華人佈道會的十八名創始人之一。梅許影屏在丈夫的影響下，也積極服務社區。華埠社區內的中華頤養院擴建，紐英崙中華公所圖書館重建等等造福社區的事，他們都積極參與。

            中華耆英會當晚還頒獎表揚了老人居家服務公司，“波士頓耆英居家護理（Boston Senior Home Care）“的行政主任Linda S. George。

中華耆英會工作人員合影。前排右二起，梅麗梨，
梅炳鈿，梅伍銀寬，以及黃桂蘭，張青梅等人。
（圖由中華耆英會提供）

            當晚的餘興節目，包括獨唱與黃金拍賣。陳娟，鄺文慧依序演唱了“今夜你的模樣”，“憑著愛”。得款將全捐給中華耆英會的十項黃金拍賣，包括梅國治的攝影作品“美麗的後灣”，“霧鎖東江”，“桂林”；林卓培的繪畫作品“豔陽花”；梅芬芳的攝影作品“永恆之岸”，“力量”；馬滌凡捐出的手工刺繡掛毯；范鵬飛的攝影作品，兩幅“風吹大地”，以及波士頓W酒店的一晚豪華住宿，連同Jacob Wirth餐廳禮券五十元。

波市再少一名華裔主管 沈其樂月底離職

波士頓市府與波市計畫長沈其樂（Kairos Shen）之間的“辭職”或“解雇”事件，才曝光，就在不到一日間落幕。波士頓重建局廿日確定，沈其樂將於本月底離職。

            根據一項為補償因政治因素被開除員工的法令，沈其樂將可申請把退休金提高到每年七萬一千元，並從卸職起，直至離世時，每年都可領取。

            沈其樂廿日晚現身在中華耆英會年度籌款晚宴上，但對他涉及的離職狀況三缄其口。

            波士頓重建局局長高登（Brian P. Golden）已指派該局資深計畫員雷德（Tad Read）做代理計畫主任（acting director of planning）。

            波士頓環球報在報導沈其樂離職事件時指出，全美大城市的計畫首長，每年都在劍橋市聚會。哈佛大學設計研究院的市區計畫及設計教授Jerold Kayden表示，沈其樂的同僚們，都很敬重他。他認為這事對沈其樂打擊不小，但坦白說，並不讓人意外，一個政府的新領導總會希望起用自己人。

圖片說明：

            沈其樂（左）廿日晚出席中華耆英會籌款晚宴。（菊子攝）

波市議員選舉候選人出爐 林乃肯將同額當選

  波士頓市議會議長林乃肯（中）舉起V字型手勢，為他將同額當選而高興。
昨（廿一）晚，他與陳毓禮（右），陳偉民（左）等人為吳弭辦了一場
籌款會。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓今年的市議員選舉，現已大局底定。轄區包括華埠的波士頓市議會議長林乃肯（Bill Linehan）無人挑戰，將同額當選。不分區市議員席位，六人爭四席，將不辦初選。

波市選務局表示，由於參選人數不多，今年將不辦理不分區市議員初選，九個分區議員選舉，也有七個區因人數少不辦初選。

波士頓市今年的市議員選舉，十三名在位議員全都競選連任。其他參選人不算太少，但不是沒有知名度，就是沒有競選經費，許多人認為今年的市級選舉不包括市長一職，一般民眾的關注興趣，也就沒那麼高了。

波市選務局代理局長唐納文（John Donovan）表示，今年的競選活動肯定沒那麼熱烈，很多人會等到九月八日的初選過後，才開始競選活動。

照規定，不分區市議員至少九人參選，每個分區至少有三人參選時，選務局才必須辦理初選。但是今年的選舉，只有六人爭不分區市議員席位，七個分區的候選人少於兩人。

要名列選票，參選不分區市議員，必須遞交一千五百格符合資格的支持選民簽名。分區議員必須至少遞交兩百個住在轄區內，有資格投票居民的簽名。波市官員還得檢閱簽名是否有效，才做最後確認。

參選者可在七月二日之前退出選舉。

三名無人挑戰，江同額當選的分區市議員包括，東波士頓的拿馬提納（Salvatore LaMatinna），南波士頓的波市議會議長林乃肯（Bill Linehan），歐馬利（Matt O’Malley）。

尋求連任的四名在位不分區市議員為海德區莫菲（Stephen J. Murphy）， 多徹斯特區普斯莉（Ayanna Pressley），南波士頓米高法拉提（Michael F. Flaherty），以及南端的吳弭（Michelle Wu）。

有意角逐不分區市議員席位的有兩人，包括在2013 年參選時，得票數排第五的一名老師兼多徹斯特店東。為參選，她已經籌得三萬九千元。財庫數額之高，在一眾參選人中排名第二，僅次於米高法拉提。另一人為南波士頓居民Brian D. Fuller。

根據競選及政治財務辦公室的申報資料，曾經參選波士頓市長一職的米高法拉提，在不分區市議員參選人中，財力最雄厚，有十三萬八百七十二元在手。

在五月初時，普斯莉有 $46,384，莫菲有$34,944，吳弭最少，只有 $6,675。

才當媽媽的吳弭表示，做為一名新生兒的母親，又要兼顧政策工作，參加社區活動，實在沒什麼時間籌款，不過上週她籌得的款項已增加到一萬三千元了。