Baker-Polito Administration Receives Federal Funds for Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Projects

Baker-Polito Administration Receives Federal Funds for Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Projects

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a grant of $1,068,481 in federal funds for three coastal ecosystem resiliency projects in East Bridgewater, Scituate and Yarmouth. All three projects were previously designated Priority Projects by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER).

“Massachusetts continues to take a leading role in understanding and preparing for climate change impacts like sea level rise and coastal flooding with the help of grants like this and the Climate Change Executive Order we signed last fall,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These funds will support important restoration and dam removal projects that will improve the resiliency of vital wildlife habitat.”

 “Our Administration is committed to safeguarding the Commonwealth’s coastal communities, the first to feel the impacts of coastal flooding and storm damage,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The projects identified by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration will work to improve public safety while also improving ecological conditions for wildlife.”

All projects will be funded through Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants, administered by NOAA Fisheries, which is dedicated to the development of healthy and sustainable coastal ecosystems through habitat restoration actions. Once implemented, these projects will directly build resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities through removal of dams and hydrologic reconnection of rivers to floodplains and tides to wetlands.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of NOAA Fisheries and their commitment to working with us in our efforts to build resilient coastal ecosystems, communities and economies,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “These efforts are especially important as Massachusetts faces changing climate conditions, rising tides and more intense storms.”

“Healthy salt marshes not only buffer storms but are fertile grounds for juvenile fish, rare plants and coastal water birds, among other wildlife,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George N. Peterson, Jr. “These projects will lessen flooding risks, benefit wildlife and provide better opportunities for outdoor recreation.”

Information about the three projects is listed below:

Project Title:   Carver Cotton Gin Dam Removal and Satucket River Restoration Project

Recommended NOAA Funding: $212,871

Summary:  The Department of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological Restoration, The Nature Conservancy and partners will remove the Carver Cotton Gin Dam in East Bridgewater, rated as a “Significant Hazard” dam by the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety. The dam jeopardizes an upstream bridge and is the first dam from the ocean without fish passage on the Satucket River. This removal is part of an effort to improve ecosystem resiliency by connecting major tributaries of the Wild & Scenic Taunton River with the main stem, Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Project Title:  Hunters Pond Dam Removal and Bound Brook Restoration Project

Recommended NOAA Funding: $192,566

Summary:  In an effort to strengthen ecosystem and community resilience to changing environmental conditions, the Town of Scituate, in partnership with the Division of Ecological Restoration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will remove the Hunters Pond Dam. The project will open up approximately five miles of riverine corridor.  The project will also restore tidal ebb and flow to Hunters Pond, floodplain function within a nine-square-mile coastal watershed, and improve water quality in Bound Brook.

Project Title:  Parkers River Tidal Restoration Project

Recommended NOAA Funding: $663,044

Summary:  The Town of Yarmouth and the Division of Ecological Restoration are leading a federal, state, and local partnership to eliminate a severe tidal restriction on the Parkers River. The project will replace a degraded and undersized state bridge on Route 28, a primary transportation corridor on Cape Cod, with a modern 30’ wide bridge. This restoration project will reduce damage to infrastructure by allowing storm surge to flow more rapidly out of the estuary following major storm events. The project will also improve fish passage, salt marsh growth and improve the overall health of the Parkers River estuary by reducing nitrogen loads. The NOAA grant will be matched by Town of Yarmouth, Community Preservation Act funds and is also supported by a Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resilience Grant awarded to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from the Department of the Interior. DER recently awarded $1 million in DOI funding for this project.

“Yarmouth is very appreciative of NOAA’s support on this important project that provides many benefits to our community,” said Yarmouth Interim Town Administrator Bob Lawton. “Eliminating this tidal restriction is vitally important to improving the overall health and resiliency of the Parkers River Estuary.”

“The Town of East Bridgewater and the Board of Selectmen have been waiting many years for the cleanup and renovation in the area and we applaud all the effort by anyone concerned to finish this project,” said East Bridgewater Selectman David Sheedy.

“Support like this is critical as the Commonwealth and local communities help lead the way nationally with use of nature-based approaches to reduce the impact on people from such things as coastal storm surge and inland flooding,” said Alison Bowden, director of rivers, coasts and oceans for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts.

“We are pleased that this project will improve spawning habitat and have a positive long term impact upon our fishing industry,” said Martin J. O’Toole, Chairman of the Scituate Board of Selectmen.

“This grant will provide funds that are critical to improving overall ecosystem resiliency in East Bridgewater,” said State Senator Walter Timilty (D-Milton). “I would like to thank the Division of Ecological Restoration of the Department of Fish and Game, the Nature Conservancy, and the town of East Bridgewater for their commitment to protecting our environment from changing climate change conditions while also restoring a vibrant wildlife habitat.”

“I commend the Town of Scituate for continued successful efforts to restore key natural systems through this grant and other resiliency projects. Healthy rivers, brooks, and marshes offer critical habitats for fish, land mammals, and other marine life and act as a natural buffer between homes and businesses and coastal threats like flooding and storm surge,” said State Representative Jim Cantwell (D-Marshfield). “I am grateful to Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, Secretary Beaton, and Commissioner Peterson for consistently recognizing and prioritizing coastal resiliency in our communities.”

“Coastal resilience continues to be an increasingly important issue for our communities,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “Bound Brook has long been deserving of this project and I am eager to see the tidal flow restored and the floodplain brought back to its original function.”

The mission of the Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment.  The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is responsible for promoting the conservation and enjoyment of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land protection and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and wildlife species, and ecological restoration of fresh water, salt water, and terrestrial habitats. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

中国人民大学教授在麻州大学波士顿校区分享老龄化问题研究成果

中国人民大学教授在麻州大学波士顿校区分享老龄化问题研究成果

        3月13日，应麻州大学波士顿孔子学院和麻州大学波士顿校区老年学系的共同邀请，中国人民大学老年学研究所所长杜鹏教授在麻州大学波士顿校区做了关于中国的人口老龄化及政策演变的精彩讲座。老年学系主任杰弗里∙伯尔（Jeffrey Burr）主持讲座，麻州大学波士顿校区副校长、教务长温斯顿∙朗利（Winston Langley）在讲座前致辞，对中国人民大学和麻州大学以孔子学院为纽带，加强学术交流和其他领域合作，表示赞赏和充满期待。

        杜鹏教授首先介绍了中国人口老龄化的现状和发展趋势，接着分析了随着老龄化进程，在政策制定、社会服务的整合、乡村的人口老龄化和城市化的影响、性别问题、家庭责任的变化、公平等各方面遇到的挑战，然后介绍了中国在应对这些挑战方面做出的政策性改变和一些新近实施的举措。

        讲座受到听众的热烈欢迎和积极反馈。虽然时至中午，听众们仍然意犹未尽、提问不断。随着老龄化问题越来越成为一种全球关切，以及中国人民大学和麻州大学波士顿校区在老年学研究领域在各自国家所处的领军地位，令这种对话更加饶有趣味。

        麻州大学波士顿校区副校长、教务长温斯顿∙朗利（Winston Langley），副教务长斯凯乐∙科本（Schuyler Korban）、夏宗国、艾瑞∙杰克森（Ira  Jackson）等在讲座后会见了杜鹏教授。杜鹏教授还分别同老年学系主任、教师和学生进行了会谈和交流。双方深入探讨了两校在老年学领域的交流与合作，取得许多积极成果。孔子学院也希望更多发挥两校桥梁、纽带作用，更好地促进两校相关领域合作与交流。

        麻州大学波士顿孔子学院成立于2006年，由麻州大学波士顿校区和中国人民大学及中国人民大学附属中学共同建设。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2017 CITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE TO BOSTON RESIDENTS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2017 CITY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE TO BOSTON RESIDENTS

BOSTON - Friday, March 17, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced applications are now available for the 2017 City of Boston Scholarships. The City of Boston Scholarship program is designed to support higher education, and is available to Boston residents interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in Massachusetts. "For the last 20 years, the City of Boston Scholarship Fund has provided more than 2,000 residents with the financial support needed to further their education," said Mayor Walsh. "Our students are the foundation of Boston's future, and I encourage anyone interested in pursuing higher education to apply for this scholarship. Investing in our residents means investing in the future of our city." Candidates must be Boston residents who have graduated from high school or have completed G.E.D. programming by the time the awards are made. Additionally, candidates must be planning to attend, or currently attending, a two- or four-year accredited post-secondary institution within Massachusetts. The City of Boston Scholarship fund provides up to $2,500 per academic year towards tuition, and relies primarily on generous voluntary contributions from individuals, organizations and corporations to further the goal of having more Boston residents complete a post-secondary education. During the 2015-2016 academic year, the scholarship program awarded a total of $250,000 to over 100 students representing almost every neighborhood of Boston, over 20 local high schools and 20 local colleges/universities. "The cost of college tuition has increased by 45 percent in the last decade - a price rising faster than nearly any other good or service in America," said Boston Chief of Education Turahn Dorsey. "Over the coming year, the Mayor's Education Cabinet and the City's Scholarship Committee will work with local students, educators, higher education officials, and college access experts to identify ways to to ensure that all Boston students find an affordable way to reach - and complete - a postsecondary education." Residents who fit the criteria are encouraged to apply here. The deadline to submit applications for incoming freshmen is Friday, May 5th at 5:00 p.m. For applicants who are renewing their scholarship, the deadline is Friday, June 30th at 5:00 p.m. For more information on the City of Boston Scholarship, visit Boston.gov.

CAPAC Requests Meeting with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly

CAPAC Requests Meeting with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (NY-14) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, requesting that he meet with CAPAC to discuss pertinent issues impacting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The letter follows a House Democratic Caucus meeting hosted earlier today during which the Secretary committed to meeting with CAPAC members. CAPAC Leaders and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Crowley released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“It is clear that President Trump’s recent executive orders targeting immigrants, Muslims, and refugees have negatively impacted Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and caused widespread fear in our communities. Asians account for 14 percent of the undocumented in this country, and four out of the five countries with the largest Muslim populations in the world are in Asia. AAPIs across our country are anxious and have grave concerns with the Muslim Ban 2.0 and the Trump Administration’s new immigration enforcement actions.

“Not only are policies like the heightened ICE raids and Muslim Ban separating families, but they are also fueling widespread discrimination and contributing to the dangerous political rhetoric and hate violence targeting South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, and Middle Eastern communities.

“This is why during the House Democratic Caucus meeting today, I asked Secretary Kelly to meet with CAPAC members to discuss our critical concerns. I am glad that Secretary Kelly committed to doing so. We in CAPAC look forward to meeting with him to get the answers we need to ensure that AAPIs – and all Americans – can live safely and without fear in our country.”

Congressman Joe Crowley (NY-14), Chair of the House Democratic Caucus:

“Democratic Members of Congress have serious and detailed questions for the Department of Homeland Security. While we do appreciate that Secretary Kelly took the time to meet with the caucus today, more interactions and briefings are critically needed. Secretary Kelly should quickly follow through on his promise to meet with lawmakers and schedule a meeting with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus."

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), CAPAC Immigration Task Force Chair:

“While I appreciate that Secretary Kelly came to the House Democratic Caucus meeting, we still need clearer answers from him on policy. Since February, I have written the Secretary five letters—one received only a standard form response, while the other four went unanswered completely. I am pleased that the Secretary told me he would meet with CAPAC to continue our discussion about detention, immigration enforcement, the Muslim Ban and oversight of ICE and CBP. In order for members of Congress to provide adequate oversight to the agencies that we are tasked with protecting, we will need regular engagement and responses to our questions and concerns. I look forward to a more detailed conversation very soon on these serious issues."

Governor Baker Recognizes MBTA Electricians for Swift Life-Saving Actions

Governor Baker Recognizes MBTA Electricians for Swift Life-Saving Actions

Pictured, left to right: Governor Charlie Baker, Kevin O’Brien, Edward Reynolds, Stephan Nadolna, Richard Ryan and MBTA General Manager Brian Shortsleeve

  

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today joined MBTA Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve, and Local 103 Union Representative Lou Antonellis as he presented MBTA Wirepersons Kevin O’Brien, Edward Reynolds, Richard Ryan and MBTA Green Line Inspector Stephen Nadolna with citations for their roles in helping to save a man’s life in Government Center Station.

“These individuals went above and beyond the call of duty when they utilized quick-thinking and safety skills training to respond and successfully save a man’s life,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are honored to recognize the valiant efforts of these dedicated public servants.”

BPDA批准9項發展計畫 波市將新增47戶可負擔住宅

BPDA Board approves nine development projects
Over half of residential units approved will be affordable

Boston – Friday, March 17, 2017 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) board of directors approved nine development projects at the March meeting, including five new projects and four Notice of Project Changes (NPC). In total, the new development projects represent 91 residential units, 47 of which are affordable, and are valued at $157.7 million. During construction, these projects will put 312 trades people to work and will create 94 direct jobs when construction is complete. In total the projects represent a total of 436,085 square feet.

New Development Projects

Viet-Aid Project to bring affordable housing to Bowdoin-Geneva
Live: 41 affordable residential units, including five homeless set-aside units
Work: 60 construction jobs
Connect: Dorchester Community Food Co-op identified as tenant for retail space
Project Size: 49,597 square feet

The Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Inc. (Viet-Aid) will build a mixed-use four story development consisting of 41 residential units, a 6,057 square-foot commercial retail space and 46 parking spaces at 191-195 Bowdoin Avenue. As currently proposed, all 41 units will be affordable.

Eleven units will be made affordable to households earning up to 30 percent of area median income (AMI), and the remaining 30 units will be made affordable to households earning up to at 60 percent AMI. Five units will also be designated as homeless set-aside units.

The unit mix will be a combination of 13 one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units and 5 three-bedroom units. The Dorchester Community Food Co-op has been identified as a potential tenant for the 6,057 square feet of retail space. The Co-op is a grassroots initiative to build a community and worker-owned grocery store that makes healthy food accessible and advances economic opportunity through neighborhood engagement.

The project is located within short walking distance to the Four Corners/Geneva Commuter Rail Station to the west, the Fields Corner Red Line Station to the south and multiple bus line service.

Construction is expected to begin in 2018, and the total development cost is approximately $18,700,000.  

New hotel to bring 64 guest rooms to 88 North Washington Street
Live: 64 hotel rooms
Work: 12 retail and property management jobs
Connect: Four minute walk to North Station, adjacent to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
Project Size: 36,013 square feet

LIMAC Realty, LLC will develop a new 36,013 gross square-foot, 68 key, 14-story hotel at 88 North Washington Street, consisting of a first floor lobby, a second floor mezzanine, and 12 levels of guestrooms. In total, the structure is proposed to be 128 feet tall and the total development cost will be $16,500,000.

The developer worked closely with the community throughout the process, and in response to community feedback, approximately 16 feet of height and six hotel rooms were removed from the proposed project.

The developer will make a $36,000 contribution to the City of Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department to be used for the Parcel 2 park upon issuance of the building permit for the proposed project.

Boston College Field House will create home for athletic events, support spaces
Live: $856,000 to Boston’s Neighborhood Housing Trust
Work: 208 construction jobs, $171K in Neighborhood Jobs Trust payments
Connect: Implementation of 2.8 million gallon stormwater storage tank
Project Size: 115,700 square feet

The Boston College Field House will be located near the intersection of Beacon Street and Chestnut Hill Driveway, next to the parking garage on Shea Field within Boston College’s Lower Campus in Brighton.
The 115,700 square foot Field House will be home to athletic events as well as the support spaces that are necessary for indoor practice for the football program, other varsity sports, club and intramural sports, and recreational activities.

As proposed, the Field House will enclose a synthetic turf surface large enough to support a full-size football field with a 20-foot run-off space on all sides. Additionally, the project will include a new 11,000 square foot weight room, which will replace the existing weight room. Other spaces will include various athletic support uses, such as strength and conditioning coaches’ offices, a first aid room, a hydration space, restrooms and a large storage room. A welcoming lobby will be located at the main entrance of the Field House. The existing baseball and softball fields will be relocated as part of the Brighton Athletic Fields project recently approved by the board.

In addition, the project will allow for the storage of up to 2.8 million gallons of stormwater in underground concrete storage tanks beneath a portion of the Field House. During normal storm events the tanks will capture runoff. During significant storm events, particularly when a quarter inch of rain falls in less than 30 minutes, pipes will direct stormwater that currently ponds at the surface at Alumni Stadium and the Beacon Street Parking Garage to the new underground tanks. The tanks are designed to handle flooding from a 25-year storm event.

Based on current plans for the project, Boston College will provide an estimated $856,226 in housing linkage funds and an estimated $171,451 in jobs linkage funds to the Neighborhood Housing Trust and Neighborhood Jobs Trust, respectively.

Brighton’s 212-214 Market Street to bring 29 residential units, community benefits
Live: 29 housing units, 25 market rate, four affordable units
Work: 40 construction jobs, 1,045 SF of new retail space, $9.8 million investment
Connect: $24,000 in community benefits
Project Size: 35,755 square feet

The 212-214 Market Street project is located between Market Street, Saybrook Street, and Lawrence Place in Brighton. The proposal consists of 29 residential units, a 1,045 square-foot commercial retail space on Market Street and 32 garage parking spaces with access via Saybrook Street. Bicycle storage and a trash/recycling room will be located within the building.

As currently proposed, the 29 units will consist of 25 market rate units and four Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) units. The unit mix will be five one-bedroom units, 16 two-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units with a den and five three-bedroom units.

This project will also donate $4,000 to the Allston-Brighton Friends of Daly Field to improve the fields and facilities used by Allston-Brighton Little League and Brighton High School athletics. In addition, there is a commitment to donating $10,000 to the Oak Square YMCA towards Summer Camp Scholarships to benefit Brighton youth, a $5,000 donation to Faneuil Gardens Apartments for improvements to the on-site youth center, and a $5,000 donation to Boston Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) Youth Soccer Program (D-14 Brighton). The total commitment to the community amounts to $24,000.

420 West Broadway to restore aspects of historic theatre, bring 42 residential units to South Boston
Live: 37 market-rate units, 5 affordable units
Work: 50 construction jobs, 1,350 SF of new retail space, $18M investment
Connect: $20,000 in community benefits including improvements to Buckley Playground and a contribution to St. Peter’s Academy
Project Size: 44,000 square feet

420 West Broadway will transform the former South Boston theatre that has been vacant and under-utilized since the 1980’s into a mixed-use, six-story, 44,000 square-foot development. The proposal consists of 42 residential units and 42 garage parking spaces with vehicular access via Athens Street. Aspects of the original theatre entrance will be renovated and restored for the residential entrance and a 1,350 square foot commercial retail space on West Broadway. Bicycle storage and a trash/recycling room will be located within the structure of the building.

As currently proposed, the 42 rental units will consist of 37 market rate units and five IDP units. The unit mix consists of 12 studios, 19 one-bedroom units and 11 two-bedroom units. The construction cost is approximately $12,000,000 and total development cost is approximately $18,000,000.  

The project will include a contribution of $10,000 to the Buckley Playground, located between Bolton Street and West 3rd Street. A $10,000 community contribution will also be made towards St. Peter’s Academy in South Boston.

Five units will be made affordable to households earning no more than 70 percent of the AMI and a $138,000 contribution will be made to the IDP Special Revenue Fund.

Notices of Project Changes

Jackson Square Recreational Center will serve thousands of Boston youth
Work: 9+ permanent jobs, 100 part-time jobs for neighborhood youth, 115 construction jobs
Connect: Affordable recreational and educational programming for 26,000+ youth within 1.5 miles of center
Project Size: 75,000 square feet

The proposed Jackson Square Recreational Center, located at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Ritchie Street in Jamaica Plain, will provide an affordable, multi-use indoor recreational space with an emphasis on serving youth and family. The NPC approved will provide the addition of a full second story to accommodate an indoor turf field. The first floor will be used as an ice rink for 10 months of the year, and will be converted to a turf field in the summer months. The project is located adjacent to the Jackson Square MBTA station on the Orange Line.

Board gives greenlight for amendments to Mattapan’s Brooke Charter High School project
Work: 40 permanent jobs, 150 construction jobs
Connect: School for 600 ninth through 12th grade students, 180 eighth grade students; outdoor garden and learning area, auditorium and gymnasium (already available to the community)
Project Size: 95,000 square feet

The approved Brooke Charter High School project will be located at 198-260 American Legion Highway and Kingbird Road in Mattapan, known formally as 150 American Legion Highway. The project will include the construction of a 95,000 square foot new school building to accommodate approximately 780 students in grades eight through 12. The building will include core and specialty classrooms, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, an auditorium, administrative spaces, and various support spaces. The project will also include outdoor educational space, a garden area, approximately 60 off-street parking spaces and loading/circulation areas.

Updates to the Goddard House project, originally approved in 2016, presented to and approved by BPDA Board
Live: 19 voluntary IDP units, adaptive reuse of the Goddard House
Work: 109 construction jobs, close proximity to the Longwood Medical Area
Connect: Adjacent to the Emerald Necklace, four minute walk to the Green Line
Project Size: 150,000 square feet

Located at 201-221 South Huntington Avenue, the Goddard House project will sit on the site of the now relocated Goddard House Assisted Living Center. Approved changes to the project will include reducing the project size by approximately 15,000 square feet, eliminating 18 dwelling units and 18 vehicle parking spaces, yielding a total of 149 apartments, 65 vehicle parking spaces, and 149 bicycle parking spaces.

101-105 Washington Street NPC approved, to generate 70 residential units
Live: 70 rental units, including nine affordable units
Work: 100 construction jobs
Connect: $50,000 contribution to build Hubway station, close proximity to “B” Line on the MBTA’s Green Line.
Project Size: 99,645 square feet

The 101-105 Washington Street project, originally approved in 2016, is located in Brighton - one block north of Commonwealth Avenue and less than a half mile from Brighton Center. The board’s approval of this NPC will modify the project to 70 rental units and 70 parking spaces. In addition, for the project to maintain compliance with the IDP, it will include nine affordable rental units and generate an IDP contribution of $30,000.

About the Boston Planning & Development Agency
As the City of Boston’s urban planning and economic development agency, the BPDA works in partnership with the community to plan Boston's future while respecting its past. The agency’s passionate and knowledgeable staff guides physical, social, and economic change in Boston’s neighborhoods and its downtown to shape a more prosperous, resilient, and vibrant city for all. The BPDA also prepares residents for new opportunities through employment training, human services and job creation. Learn more at www.bostonplans.org, and follow us on Twitter @BostonPlans.

昆士市要訂新條例管理"不在場房東"

(Boston Orange)昆士市議會打算訂立”不在場房東(absentee landlord)”新規則，要求不住在出租物業的房東辦理登記，申請出租許可，並規定物業需由市政府檢查。

這新規定還針對業主列出一系列違反市府法令罰則，諸如噪音，固態廢棄物，動物管制條例等。處罰包括罰款，以及吊銷出租牌照。

根據提案，出租許可證定價25元，在任何一年內無洽當許可就出租可罰200元。

新法令定義的“不在場房東”，可以指任何一個住在昆士市以外的個人，在昆士市以外的企業， 或是任何一個不論其居住地點何在，信件是寄到郵箱的人。

根據提案，凡是不在昆士市45英里半徑居住或工作的房東，必須指定一名本地聯絡人，作為屋主的代表。

這法令是由市議員Bill Harris 及Brian Palmucci提出，將在市議會條例委員會的下一次會議中討論。

波士頓大雪 華埠喜無恙 (圖片)