MAYOR JANEY, BOSTON FIRE COMMISSIONER DEMPSEY CUT RIBBON ON NEW FIREHOU

MAYOR JANEY, BOSTON FIRE COMMISSIONER DEMPSEY CUT RIBBON ON NEW FIREHOUSE As Boston’s first new firehouse in 30 years, the City invested $23.5 million into the Engine 42, Rescue 2, District 9 building in Roxbury

BOSTON - Thursday, October 14, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey, Fire Commissioner John Dempsey and Boston Fire Department firefighters today celebrated the ribbon cutting for the first new firehouse built in the City of Boston in over 30 years. The construction of Engine 42, Rescue 2, District 9 Firehouse in Roxbury is a $23.5 million investment in the City’s community and emergency services. The City of Boston Public Facilities Department (PFD), in collaboration with the Boston Fire Department (BFD), worked closely with Dore & Whittier Architects and Boston Building and Bridge on design and construction. The design focuses on both emergency response for the neighborhood and the health and wellness of firefighters.   “I am honored to be part of bringing the first new firehouse in three decades to this community. This building represents an important investment in essential neighborhood services. Emergency responders deserve the highest standard of health and safety measures, and I am proud this new building will take their wellbeing into account,” said Janey. “I look forward to many years of this firehouse serving as a place for our firefighters to live, train, and bravely serve the residents of Roxbury and the entire city.”  A priority for the new firehouse is the health and safety of Boston Fire Department firefighters. As part of the design and construction, the building minimizes particulate contaminants from traveling to the living quarters of the building. The new building will be segmented into three zones (hot, warm and cold) to keep carcinogens from circulating throughout the house. The completed Engine 42, Rescue 2, District 9 firehouse includes:  Three extended apparatus bays, allowing more BFD tactical rescue equipment to be housed at the location 25 seat training room, allowing BFD to keep tactical rescue companies up to date on latest training, and keeping them closer to their houses, instead of training on Moon Island Training deck on the roof, confined space training prop, and training stair tower to allow for simulated training exercises onsite  Fitness room to promote wellness 14 bunk rooms to house two companies Energy efficient building designed to LEED Silver requirements White roof that will be solar ready High efficiency mechanical systems, LED lighting  Additionally, the City of Boston is commissioning an artist to create a long-term public artwork to complement the construction of the Engine 42 fire station. This project is funded by the City's Percent for Art program, which commissions one percent of the City's capital borrowing for the creation of public art. The artwork at Engine 42 will be a site-specific, impactful, focal design feature that aims to enrich the connection between the Boston Fire Department and the surrounding Egleston and Roxbury communities.    The FY22-26 Capital Plan includes other health and safety improvements to firehouse projects as a result of recent programming. Starting in FY16, the Fire Department, in conjunction with the Public Facilities Department, studied best practices for firehouse design. Key design changes include defined zones within the firehouse to prevent contamination of living areas, along with improved personal and gear cleaning facilities. The results of this planning are reflected in the projects to replace firehouses for Engine 42 in Roxbury and Engine 17 in Dorchester, at a total investment of $48 million. The firehouses for Engine 3 in the South End and Engine 37 on Huntington Avenue are also scheduled to be replaced.   The 2.5 story building is 23,000 square feet, replacing the previous single story, 6,400 square foot firehouse, which opened in 1952. As the firehouse was under construction, operations had been reallocated to 121 Armory Street, which is 0.2 miles from the fire station.

Lydia Edwards endorsed by Teamsters Local 122 Campaign for Senate has already been endorsed by Teamsters Local 25

 Lydia Edwards endorsed by Teamsters Local 122

Campaign for Senate has already been endorsed by Teamsters Local 25

 

BOSTON – Lydia Edwards has been endorsed by Teamsters Local 122 and Teamsters Local 25 in the special election to State Senate. Primary Election Day is December 14, 2021. General Election Day is January 11, 2022.

 

“Teamsters Local 122 is proud to endorse the candidacy of Lydia Edwards to the Massachusetts Senate in the First Suffolk & Middlesex District. Local 122 has supported Lydia as a Boston City Councilor, where she has fought for the issues that benefit working families. Her commitment to these issues that make a difference for the better in workers' lives is needed in the State Senate. The residents of this district will be well-served by Lydia Edwards," said John F. Murphy, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 122.

 

“Lydia Edwards is a proven leader who always stands up for our members when greedy corporations are trying to expand profits at their expense,” said Teamsters Local 25 President Sean M. O’Brien. “Lydia Edwards is a relentless public servant who will never stop fighting for better wages, health insurance, retirement benefits and improved working conditions. She also understands the importance of creating coalitions that provide access to job training and other neighborhood resources to help the working class that is too often forgotten by our elected leaders. Teamsters Local 25 is proud and confident to endorse Lydia Edwards for Massachusetts Senate.”

 

Lydia Edwards is a fierce advocate for workers’ rights. In the Senate, she’ll continue her strong record of passing legislation and delivering resources and results for working people. As a member of the United Auto Workers, Lydia knows the power of a union, but she also knows that every worker, organized or not, deserves dignity, fair compensation and freedom from harassment in the workplace. Lydia Edwards has stood with workers in the hospitality industry, service workers at Logan Airport, student workers in our higher education system, teachers, Brazilian immigrant workers and many others.

 

Lydia Edwards is a candidate for State Senate representing the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, following the departure of Senator Joseph A. Boncore. For a full and up-to-date list of endorsements, visit: LydiaEdwards.org/endorsements.

 

Councilor Lydia Edwards is a career advocate, activist, and voice on behalf of society's most vulnerable. She is currently the Chair of the Committee on Government Operations and the Committee on Housing and Community Development in the Boston City Council. Learn more at LydiaEdwards.org/meet-lydia.

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY OF VOTING AHEAD OF NOVEMBER 2 ELECTION

 

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY OF VOTING AHEAD OF NOVEMBER 2 ELECTION Ballot drop boxes now open; early voting begins October 23

BOSTON - Friday, October 15, 2021 - The City of Boston Election Department today announced steps to increase accessibility of voting ahead of the November 2 general election. Additionally, City of Boston ballot drop boxes are now available, and early voting will run Saturday, October 23 - Friday, October 29 at various locations throughout Boston. Accessible Electronic Voting System   The City of Boston has implemented an Accessible Electronic Voting System, which will provide voters with accessible electronic vote by mail ballots for the upcoming general election on November 2, 2021. Boston voters with print or visual disabilities may now request, receive, and return an accessible electronic ballot. The Accessible Electronic Remote Voting System is compatible with screen readers, allowing voters who are blind or low vision to participate in the vote-by-mail and absentee voting programs privately and independently.   The Accessible Electronic Remote Voting System was established by an agreement between the City of Boston, the Boston Center for Independent Living, Bay State Council of the Blind, and the Disability Law Center. The terms of this agreement require the City of Boston to establish and implement an accessible vote-by-mail ballot system for qualified voters with disabilities for the November 2, 2021 general election and every election through December 31, 2025.    The City’s Accessible Electronic Voting System includes, but is not limited to, the following:   Accessible forms that enable Boston voters with visual and print disabilities to apply to participate in the Electronic Remote voting system An accessible vote-by-mail ballot request form that allows Boston voters to self-certify that they have a disability which prevents them from completing a paper ballot privately and independently An accessible ballot An accessible means of ballot certification that is electronically fillable and submissible and permits use of a typed name or other proof of identity or credentials as a substitute for a hand-written signature A web based platform or other accessible mechanism that allows qualified voters to electronically cast their vote   The full agreement can be found here.   “The creation of this electronic vote by mail system shows the City’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities,” said Boston’s Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh. “It is compatible with screen readers and other text-to-speech software, allowing voters to easily navigate the application and independently complete the form fields.”    To obtain an accessible ballot, qualified voters must: Apply through our online portal by clicking here or; Complete and email the forms currently available – 2021 Vote-by-Mail Application (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2021-Vote-by-Mail-Application.pdf)  Absentee Ballot Application (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee/English-Absentee-Ballot-Application.pdf; and Send a written request for an accommodation. The voter’s request for an accommodation should explain that they need access to the Accessible Remote Voting System in order to vote privately and independently because they are unable to effectively access a standard print ballot due to a disability. This written request can be sent via email. Once the voter’s application for an accessible electronic ballot is approved, the voter will receive a secure login and credentials to access the electronic ballot. Voters will be able to mark their votes independently and privately, and then submit the ballot via a secure delivery system using the secure login credential provided through the Accessible Remote Voting System. To assist with navigating the new system or to troubleshoot any issues voters may have when casting their accessible electronic ballot, voters may contact absenteevoter@boston.gov. Qualified voters with disabilities may request an accessible ballot using the online request forms. If they requested a mailed ballot but have not returned it, a voter can request a new accessible ballot online.   Voters may request the accessible vote-by-mail ballot through using this link or by emailing absenteevoter@boston.gov. The deadline to request a vote by mail ballot is 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 27, 2021.   Ballot Drop Boxes Voters who requested vote-by-mail ballots or absentee ballots must have their signed ballot returned to the Boston Election Department by 8:00 p.m. on November 2. Voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballots here. Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned to the Election Department by dropping it off at any of the 20 drop boxes located around the City of Boston. All drop box locations can be found here.  Early Voting Voters registered in Boston can vote early in person at any of the early voting sites from Saturday, October 23 through Friday, October 29, 2021. Early voting hours and locations can be found here.

Commonwealth Returns to Normal Conditions After Above Average Rainfall Totals

 Commonwealth Returns to Normal Conditions After Above Average Rainfall Totals

 

 

BOSTON — With the Commonwealth continuing to experience above average rainfall totals during the month of September, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides has declared all regions in the state at Level 0-Normal Conditions, including the Cape Cod region, which was previously declared at a Level 1-Mild Drought. Due to the declaration, the Commonwealth’s Drought Management Task Force has been deactivated until the state experiences another drought.

 

“It is significant news that the state of Massachusetts is now under normal conditions, and we thank those who implemented water conservation practices to enable resources to fully rebound,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Importantly, due to the ongoing impacts of climate change causing more frequent extreme weather events, we must remain diligent in our efforts to protect our state’s vital water systems in order to prepare for future dry conditions.”

 

Prior to today’s declaration, the Cape Cod region was at a Level 1-Mild Drought; however, since August, the region’s Groundwater and Lakes/Impoundments have fully recovered on a region-wide scale. Additionally, while water systems within the elbow of the Cape Cod Region have not fully rebounded, it is showing an upward trend.

 

“While we are fortunate that drought conditions have ended for now, we should all continue to make indoor and outdoor water conservation part of our regular activities, not just during a drought. This will help us preserve this critical resource and mitigate the effects of future droughts,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Samantha Phillips.

 

To further protect water resources, residents and businesses are urged to ensure indoor toilets, faucets, showers, and other infrastructure are WaterSense efficient. Additional water conservation tips include:

• Continue to exercise outdoor water conservation;
• Plant non-lawn/non-grass landscapes;
• Increase plantings of drought tolerant species and to shift to non-lawn/non-grass landscapes; and,
• Install rain collection systems to help with watering of outdoor plants and vegetable gardens.

 

By taking proactive measures now, the state will decrease stress on water systems during extended periods of dry conditions. For more information on water conservation and what residents and communities can do, visit the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ drought, water conservation, and indoor and outdoor water use pages. Furthermore, in an effort to support municipalities, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) provides technical assistance regarding managing systems, which includes assistance on the use of emergency connections and water supplies.

 

“It is nice to have conditions back to normal across the state as we head into the period of the year when outdoor watering stops and conditions would ordinarily improve,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “We urge residents to continue to follow water use directions from their local water supplier and continue to conserve water in order to preserve future supplies.”

 

While water supplies are currently operating within suitable conditions, everyone is encouraged to also follow any supplementary watering requirements outlined by their community’s Public Water Supplier. Moreover, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not currently experiencing drought conditions, as defined within its individual plan.

 

During ongoing drought conditions, the Commonwealth’s Drought Management Task Force, which is composed of state and federal officials, and other entities, provides Secretary Theoharides with drought status recommendations for her review. The task force will meet again if/when a region in the state is experiencing ongoing drought conditions.