Photo gallery at eastboston.com
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Mayor Walsh, Boston EMS and Massport open new EMS Station in East Boston
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| Photo credit: Mayor's Press Office |
Building on his commitment to improving emergency response times citywide, last year Mayor Walsh announced a second ambulance would be dedicated to East Boston, bringing additional capacity to serve the neighborhood's residents.
"This second ambulance will bring major benefits," said Mayor Walsh. "It will help EMTs move more quickly and efficiently throughout East Boston, increasing capacity if there is an emergency happening at Logan Airport. It will reduce response times for our residents who need immediate medical care, saving even more lives."
Under Mayor Walsh, citywide response times for Priority 1 calls were 6.3 minutes in 2018, down from 6.4 minutes in 2017. Boston EMS responds to more than 125,000 calls all across the city each year, 7,700 of those incidents are in East Boston.
"Boston EMS is a national leader in emergency medical services. And this opportunity to add additional resources to serve residents and visitors to the city of Boston with this new facility is an important one," said EMS Chief James Hooley. "We are happy to be here in East Boston today with Mayor Walsh and Massport."
Mayor Walsh, EMS and Massport collaborated on the expansion of the station at Logan to give EMS a permanent home which can serve not only the airport but the entire East Boston neighborhood.
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| Photo: Mayor's Office |
"At Logan Airport, we work collaboratively with Boston EMS, and when the City wanted to add a second ambulance to service East Boston, it only made sense that we upgrade and expand the existing facility," said Massport Acting CEO John Pranckevicius. "It is part of Massport's mission to be a good neighbor to our surrounding communities. This new facility will provide dividends to the growing East Boston neighborhood and to Logan Airport for many years ahead."
Mayor Walsh's FY20 budget includes additional resources to promote diversity in recruitment classes for the EMT City Academy program as well as resources for another Community Assistance Team, also known as Squad 80. Squad 80 is a two-person team that travels in an SUV and answers calls where patients have a low frequency of being transported to the emergency room. Squad 80 frees up city ambulances, making more ambulances available for priority calls that need to get patients to the hospital. It also connects people to our recovery or homeless services and other city programs.
The FY20-24 Capital Plan allocates an additional $375,000 for design and construction of a new EMS garage with staff amenities in the Seaport district. Both investments will allow the City's services to transform and expand as the City's population does the same.
Today's ribbon cutting falls in the middle of the 45th Annual National EMS week, a week designed to honor and celebrate the men & women who provide day-to-day lifesaving services.
About Boston EMS
Boston EMS is the primary provider of emergency medical services for the City of Boston and is a nationally recognized leader in the field of pre-hospital emergency medicine. The department leverages the latest advances in both medicine and technology to bring high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Boston. Boston EMS also plays a key role in the City's emergency preparedness efforts and provides community programming designed to educate the public about important health and safety topics.
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Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Kiwanis Bike Safety Rodeo is this Saturday in East Boston (May 18)
The East Boston Kiwanis Club and Boston Police Department Station 7 invite East Boston youth and families to the annual Bicycle Safety Day Rodeo this Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Salesian Boys and Girls Club parking lot, corner of Bennington and Byron streets.
The rodeo will feature free bike helmets for children, a chance to win a new bike, a bike safety check, refreshments and music, a Boston Police K-9 demonstration and other activities for kids.
For more information contact Leah at BPD District 7 Service office at 617-343-4752.
(File photographs courtesy of Kiwanis)
Guest column: Mayor Walsh on Capital Investment Plan: How we are investing in East Boston
By Mayor Martin J. Walsh
Every spring, we release our Capital Investment Plan which funds the critical improvements to our infrastructure and facilities in Boston over a five-year period. It is a reflection of our priorities, and is guided by the voices of over 15,000 residents who offered input for our citywide plan, Imagine Boston 2030. Our Capital Plan funds the essentials of community life -- our schools, streets, libraries, and parks, including climate and resilience projects. It’s a commitment to all those who call Boston home and to our future generations.
Here in East Boston, we’re making investments across a wide range of projects, including parks and open space, streets and transportation, our schools’ infrastructure, and our delivery of City services.
We know how vital parks and community spaces are to building community in your neighborhood, that’s why we are Investing in high-quality and accessible community and gathering spaces for our residents. $8.9 million will be allocated to complete the building renovation to the BCYF Paris Street pool. This renovation includes upgrades to the mechanical systems, bathrooms and locker rooms, along with the pool deck, lighting and entryway. One million will be used to convert the former Orient Heights branch library into a new senior center for East Boston’s older residents, giving them a place to gather, and connect with others. In addition, Noyes Park will be updated and rehabilitated using $4.8 million to update the play lot, courts, fields and lighting.
We are also investing in the future of the infrastructure of East Boston, by funding high-quality facilities and infrastructure to better serve residents. Our biggest investment is $30 million to design and construct a new East Boston Police Station to aid in keeping the East Boston community safe. In addition, we are making a $3 million investment to rehabilitate the vital McArdle bridge. Finally, $2.2 million will be used for building repairs to the Engine 5 fire station. These improvements include a new roof and gutters, masonry work, window and door repairs, and drain improvements for the station.
We are investing in the future of Boston by funding our schools, with $900,000 for a new masonry project at the Adams School. This project will address needed repairs for the school.
We also know how vital it is to protect our city from the growing effects of climate change. That’s why we are investing $3.3 million in citywide climate resiliency planning efforts. This major investment includes Jeffries Point and Porzio Park in East Boston.
Now that we’ve submitted Boston’s budget, where do we go from here? First, to the City Council, where it will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary. After it’s gone through that process and secured approval, it will go into effect, starting in July 2020 and running throughout the next 12 months. We hope you will continue to provide your valuable input on what we as a city can do to raise up your community. If you’d like to learn more about the Capital Plan and how this budget was created, go to budget.boston.gov.
Every spring, we release our Capital Investment Plan which funds the critical improvements to our infrastructure and facilities in Boston over a five-year period. It is a reflection of our priorities, and is guided by the voices of over 15,000 residents who offered input for our citywide plan, Imagine Boston 2030. Our Capital Plan funds the essentials of community life -- our schools, streets, libraries, and parks, including climate and resilience projects. It’s a commitment to all those who call Boston home and to our future generations.
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| Mayor Walsh: File Photograph: EastBoston.com |
Here in East Boston, we’re making investments across a wide range of projects, including parks and open space, streets and transportation, our schools’ infrastructure, and our delivery of City services.
We know how vital parks and community spaces are to building community in your neighborhood, that’s why we are Investing in high-quality and accessible community and gathering spaces for our residents. $8.9 million will be allocated to complete the building renovation to the BCYF Paris Street pool. This renovation includes upgrades to the mechanical systems, bathrooms and locker rooms, along with the pool deck, lighting and entryway. One million will be used to convert the former Orient Heights branch library into a new senior center for East Boston’s older residents, giving them a place to gather, and connect with others. In addition, Noyes Park will be updated and rehabilitated using $4.8 million to update the play lot, courts, fields and lighting.
 |
| File Photograph: Courtesy Mayor's Press Office |
We are also investing in the future of the infrastructure of East Boston, by funding high-quality facilities and infrastructure to better serve residents. Our biggest investment is $30 million to design and construct a new East Boston Police Station to aid in keeping the East Boston community safe. In addition, we are making a $3 million investment to rehabilitate the vital McArdle bridge. Finally, $2.2 million will be used for building repairs to the Engine 5 fire station. These improvements include a new roof and gutters, masonry work, window and door repairs, and drain improvements for the station.
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| The McArdle Bridge connecting Meridian Street to Chelsea. File photograph: EastBoston.com |
We are investing in the future of Boston by funding our schools, with $900,000 for a new masonry project at the Adams School. This project will address needed repairs for the school.
We also know how vital it is to protect our city from the growing effects of climate change. That’s why we are investing $3.3 million in citywide climate resiliency planning efforts. This major investment includes Jeffries Point and Porzio Park in East Boston.
Now that we’ve submitted Boston’s budget, where do we go from here? First, to the City Council, where it will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary. After it’s gone through that process and secured approval, it will go into effect, starting in July 2020 and running throughout the next 12 months. We hope you will continue to provide your valuable input on what we as a city can do to raise up your community. If you’d like to learn more about the Capital Plan and how this budget was created, go to budget.boston.gov.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
East Boston Democrats elect convention delegates.
From the Ward 1 Democratic Committee:
At a meeting this morning, local Democrats eleted delegates to represent Ward 1 at the September 14, 2019 Democratic Convention in Springfield.
The following are ex officio delegates:
Michael Sulprizio, Ward Committee Chair
Adrian Madaro, State Representative
Gabriela Coletta, State Committeewoman
Carol Aloisi, Secretary Mass Democratic Party
The following 10 Females were elected:
Lydia Edwards
Susanna Starrett
Vicki Dzindzichashvili
Tania DelRio
Gladys Oliveros
Sandra Nijjar
Giordana Mecagni
Margaret Farmer
Gail Miller
Alyssa Vangeli
Female Alternates:
Joanne Fitzgerald
Magdalena Ayed
The following 10 males were elected:
Aneesh Sahni
Kannan Thiruvengadam
Brian Gannon
Stephen Gingra
Anthony Gesualdi
Ricardo Patron
Benjamin Downing
Matthew Barison
Adrian Velazquez
Jason Ruggiero
Male Alternates:
Joseph Ruggiero
Zachary Hallopeter
More about the convention here.
At a meeting this morning, local Democrats eleted delegates to represent Ward 1 at the September 14, 2019 Democratic Convention in Springfield.
The following are ex officio delegates:
Michael Sulprizio, Ward Committee Chair
Adrian Madaro, State Representative
Gabriela Coletta, State Committeewoman
Carol Aloisi, Secretary Mass Democratic Party
The following 10 Females were elected:
Lydia Edwards
Susanna Starrett
Vicki Dzindzichashvili
Tania DelRio
Gladys Oliveros
Sandra Nijjar
Giordana Mecagni
Margaret Farmer
Gail Miller
Alyssa Vangeli
Female Alternates:
Joanne Fitzgerald
Magdalena Ayed
The following 10 males were elected:
Aneesh Sahni
Kannan Thiruvengadam
Brian Gannon
Stephen Gingra
Anthony Gesualdi
Ricardo Patron
Benjamin Downing
Matthew Barison
Adrian Velazquez
Jason Ruggiero
Male Alternates:
Joseph Ruggiero
Zachary Hallopeter
More about the convention here.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Walsh appoints Santiago as Commissioner of Veterans' Services for City of Boston
"I am proud to name Robert as the next Commissioner of Veterans' Services, taking on an important role by making sure veterans in our city are well-supported and know that their service to our country will always be appreciated," said Mayor Walsh. "Robert has proudly served our nation, and has shown through his work over the last three years that his commitment to serving our veterans in Boston is unwavering."
In 2016, Santiago joined the City of Boston as Deputy Commissioner at the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Services. Prior to joining the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Services, Santiago served 20 years in the Navy in diverse duty stations including sea duty on four warships; and overseas tours in Belgium, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Japan. Santiago participated in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Eastern Exit, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. His final duty station was in Boston onboard America's Ship of State, the USS CONSTITUTION which is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. He retired from military service in 2008 while onboard USS CONSTITUTION.
"I am grateful to Mayor Walsh for this opportunity to serve the veterans of Boston," said Santiago. "I remain dedicated to promoting the Mayor's agenda to serving all veterans no matter the zip code, status, or orientation."
Santiago is on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Veterans Services Officer Association and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Santiago is also a member of the leadership team for the Homes for the Brave initiative which is part of the Mayors' Challenge to end Veterans' homelessness. He currently resides in Jamaica Plain with his husband, Robert Torres.
Formerly led by Commissioner Giselle Sterling, the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Services strives to recognize and engage our veterans and their families; advocate for assistance in their time of need, and connect them with the services they've earned.
The primary program of OVS is known as Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 115 and facilitated through the local Veteran Service Officer. Chapter 115 acts as financial help for veterans experiencing homelessness and low-income Veterans and their families. These benefits also include military burial assistance, subsidies on medical expenses and the decoration of veterans' graves and hero squares for Memorial Day. OVS also hosts Operation Thank a Vet, a program for volunteers to canvass identified Boston Veterans to thank them for their service and share information about critical resources that are available to them from the city, state and federal government.
To date, an average of 10,000 veterans receives financial assistance each month from the Department of Veterans' Services in Massachusetts with approximately 450 from OVS, the most in the Commonwealth. Through the Operation Thank a Vet program, the City has spoken to over 1,500 veterans and thanked them for their service as well as informing them of critical City services and resources.
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