Eyeing for June, Mayor Janey announces expansion of in-person critical city services

Increased in-person service hours at City Hall, reopening of some BCYF day programs, and staggered reopening of BPL all eyed for June

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 11, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced the upcoming expansion of in-person city services at Boston City Hall, the Boston Public Library system (BPL), and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF). These services will expand access to in-person city services and programming and opportunities for Boston families ahead of summer, as public health metrics continue to improve.

“As the City prepares for summer and our continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we bring more city services back in person, especially as our public health metrics improve,” said Mayor Janey. “I want to thank all of our city departments that pivoted at the beginning of the pandemic to continue to deliver critical services to residents safely. I’m excited to welcome back more residents to City Hall and for the joy that reopening our libraries and city-sponsored summer programming will bring.”

As of May 4, 2021, 44.3 percent of Bostonians are fully vaccinated, and 64.5 percent have received at least one dose. The citywide community positivity rate continues to decrease, dropping to 2.4 percent, with no neighborhoods above the 5.0 percent threshold. New positive tests in the City of Boston decreased by 28 percent over the past week, averaging 80.1 new positive tests per day. The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in Boston remained stable at 2,960 tests, a decrease of 1% in the past week. COVID-related emergency room visits decreased by 6 percent over a two week period, and the percentage of occupied non-surgical ICU beds is 91 percent, under the threshold of 95 percent. We currently have 75 COVID-19 patients in Boston hospitals. That is one of the lowest numbers recorded since the start of the pandemic. 

The Boston Public Health Commission closely tracks six core metrics to monitor the progress of the City’s response, to guide decision making and to shape our response moving forward. The metrics being monitored include trends related to the number of positive tests, overall positivity and how COVID-19 is impacting our healthcare system. 

Due to continuing improvement in the City’s COVID-19 metrics, the following service changes will take effect in the coming weeks:

Boston City Hall

Starting Monday, June 7, 2021, Boston City Hall will be open to the public by appointment only for a fourth day each week. In addition to Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, residents will be able to make in-person appointments on Monday as well. For the latest status of City departments, visit here.

Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library will reopen for limited in-person services in June. With these expanded services, BPL will prioritize bringing back critical services that help residents with economic and educational recovery, and will be scheduling robust summer programming for both adults and youth. All reopening plans will follow the latest public health guidance, and BPL will provide further information in the coming weeks. 

Boston Center for Youth & Families (BCYF)

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) will increase its youth programming to align with Phase Four, Step One of the Reopening Massachusetts plan. This will allow for the expansion of programming for children and youth, including arts and crafts, fitness classes, and game nights. Additionally, BCYF will offer summer day programs at several centers this summer, including Camp Joy, which provides programming for children and young adults with special needs. BCYF will provide further updates about their summer programming in the coming weeks, all in accordance with public health guidance. For more information, visit boston.gov/BCYF.

“Boston’s long fight against COVID-19 is starting to bring the end of this pandemic into view,” said Mayor Janey. “I’ve asked my chiefs of Health and Human Services and Economic Development to take a look at accelerating Boston’s reopening timeline, in light of improving public health metrics across all of Boston’s communities.”

 The City of Boston will continue to monitor public health metrics and adjust services and openings based on the latest COVID-19 data and trends. For more information on reopening, visit boston.gov/reopening.  

Source: Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Janey calls on Eversource to cancel the proposed substation in East Boston

East Boston News

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 4, 2021 - Building on a commitment of environmental justice and protecting public health, Mayor Janey today, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, and GreenRoots advocate Noemy Rodriguez, to urge Eversource to justify or cancel its proposed electrical substation in East Boston. “As mayor of Boston, I will not remain silent when the people of East Boston are crying out,” said Mayor Janey. “From what I have seen, the substation plan is based on flawed projections and flawed priorities. I urge Eversource to prioritize environmental equity and the wellbeing of East Boston residents over their profits.” In February 2021, the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board gave its final approval for an electrical substation near Chelsea Creek in East Boston. Eversource Energy made the initial proposal in 2013, stating the facility was necessary to support the capacity of a substation in Chelsea. Eversource’s initial estimates for projected energy demand have not been met and new, adjusted data has not been shared publicly. Community members have expressed opposition over the proposal, due to concerns about public safety and environmental justice.  “Environmental justice says we need to ask hard questions about who is asked to carry the burden and who receives the benefits,” said Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space Mariama White-Hammond. “I stand with the Mayor and the residents of East Boston to protect those residents who already experience so many burdens. In addition to questioning whether we really need this facility, we need to understand whether or not this facility is in alignment with very real changes that are happening on our planet. I look forward to continuing to work with the community to ensure environmental justice for all residents of Boston.” East Boston is considered a state designated Environmental Justice Community. 64 percent of community members are people of color and 54 percent of the community are immigrants. This area faces a variety of environmental hazards, such as noise and air pollution from Logan International Airport, traffic congestion, storage of fuel, manufacturing processes along the Chelsea Creek, as well as storage of road salt and sand along the Chelsea Creek. The proposed location for the substation is adjacent to City Yards, a highly utilized public park where children play, which could lead to potential safety hazards. Climate change and rapid sea-level rise exacerbate the potential danger of having an electrical substation on the waterfront. The citing of this substation in an environmental justice community already facing several environmental hazards, combined with the exposure to children and the risk of flooding, is unsafe.  "Families in East Boston have been through a lot this past year and we hope that our parks can remain an environmentally safe and inviting space for our children,” said Noemy Rodriguez of GreenRoots. “We carry enough of an environmental burden already; if actually needed this substation should be placed somewhere else." Expanding on Mayor Janey’s commitment to environmental justice and reducing air pollution, last week the City of Boston began accepting applications for the new Community Clean Air Grant program. Funded through the Air Pollution Control Commission, the City is seeking to support locally-driven proposals from residents, nonprofit organizations, and businesses for projects that will produce meaningful, measurable steps to reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and air pollution. There will be three rounds of funding throughout the year for projects that will contribute to the City of Boston’s 2019 Climate Action Plan update, which details specific actions the City is taking over five years to significantly cut emissions across all sectors in order to reach Boston’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The City of Boston will be accepting applications until Friday, June 4th.  Mayor Janey’s Administration is taking steps to recognize and address the risks of climate change, and to protect Boston’s urban ecosystem. Last month, Mayor Janey proposed the following investments for environmental resilience and climate justice in the Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Capital Plan proposal: $48 million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City-owned buildings to create future energy savings.  $5 million for a Climate Ready Boston Harbor study to support the development of a study that will examine the feasibility of measures along and within the Boston Harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change. $20 million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront park along the Fort Point Channel. $1.7 million per year for the ongoing program of street tree planting throughout the city $1.8 million to repave pathways at Dorchester Park  $7.5 million to repave pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility and site conditions $15.5 million to complete the park redesign at Copley Square to optimize resilience to high-traffic events and storm-water $9.4 million to redesign and construct a new Malcolm X Park through the City’s first Equitable Procurement Pilot program As indicated in the 2019 Climate Action Plan update, the City of Boston is taking action to lower carbon emissions and reverse the impacts of climate change. Between 2005 and 2016, the amount of carbon pollution emitted by city operations was reduced by 18 percent. This year, the City announced the completion of $11 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to 14 municipal buildings, representing $680,000 in savings and a one percent reduction in municipal greenhouse gas emissions. In February, Community Choice Electricity began supplying over 200,000 residences and commercial customers with more affordable and renewable electricity. In order to provide high quality, safe, and cleaner affordable housing to our most vulnerable residents, the City of Boston recently awarded $34 million to support the creation of 608 new units that will be built to zero emissions standards. Climate Ready Boston is simultaneously strengthening Boston’s climate change resilience and adaptation with near- and long-term planning through neighborhood-level engagement and solutions.  For more information on how Boston is actively preparing for the impacts of climate change and advancing the vision of a resilient city, visit boston.gov/environment. ###

 

NAGE/SEIU Local 5000 chooses Jon Santiago for mayor of Boston

BOSTON—The National Association of Government Employees (NAGE / SEIU Local 5000) has endorsed Jon Santiago in the race for mayor of Boston. NAGE becomes the latest labor union to throw their support behind Santiago, following Laborers Local 223, the Dorchester-based building trades group. 

“On behalf of the 20,000 NAGE members living and working in Massachusetts and more than 2,000 in the City of Boston, I am proud to announce our support of Jon Santiago for Mayor of Boston,” said David Holway, national president. “This is the most consequential election in the history of Boston and our members believe in Jon Santiago’s ability to unify the city through proven crisis leadership and foster a recovery rooted in equity and opportunity for all.” 

NAGE represents public and private workers including federal, state and municipal employees including first responders, correctional officers, nurses and emergency medical technicians and office workers. NAGE affiliated with SEIU in 1982 and remains committed to empowering union workers of every race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, physical ability and sexual orientation and building lasting economic security for their members. 

“I am honored and humbled that NAGE workers from here in Boston and across our state have placed their trust in me and are joining this movement to build our city back from this pandemic, stronger than ever before,” said Santiago. “By building this coalition of working people and neighbors from every background who share our vision for a recovery rooted in equity and opportunity, we’re going to bring Boston together and strengthen the way our city serves its people. I can’t wait to have the men and women of NAGE / SEIU Local 5000 at our side in this campaign as we write the next chapter of our Boston story.” 

With today’s endorsement, NAGE joins a list of endorsers supporting Santiago for mayor. The group includes Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz of the North End, Assistant Majority Leader Mike Moran and Representatives Kevin Honan of Allston, Rep. Ed Coppinger of West Roxbury and Rep. Dan Ryan of Charlestown. Other notable endorsements for Santiago include Dorchester’s Laborers Local Union 223, community leader Horace Small, former Executive Director of the Union of Minority Neighborhoods, and the Latino Victory Fund. 

Jon Santiago is currently serving his second term as the State Representative for the 9th Suffolk District representing the South End, Roxbury, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston. He is an emergency room physician employed at Boston Medical Center, the city’s safety net hospital. He serves as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has deployed overseas. Prior to these experiences, Santiago served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. He lives in the South End with his wife, Alexandra. 

Source:
Sean Downey
Hilltop Public Solutions
sdowney@hilltoppublicsolutions.com

Mayor Janey announces updates to City of Boston's Reopening Guidance; Will delay state rules by 3 weeks.

Modified and delayed guidance of the latest phase of Reopening Massachusetts plan will allow the City of Boston to prepare for industry-specific needs

(BOSTON - Tuesday, April 27, 2021) - Mayor Janey today announced that the City of Boston will move into a modified version of the state’s current phase of the Reopening Massachusetts plan, effective Friday, April 30. The City of Boston will delay most of the state’s reopening guidance announced today by three weeks, in an effort to accommodate the unique preparations needed by the City. In late March, the City announced that it would not move forward with additional reopening steps until the citywide positivity rate remained at or below 2.75 percent for two consecutive weeks. It is currently at 3.6 percent. However, given improved trends in the positivity rate and other COVID-19 public health metrics, the City will move cautiously to advance reopening efforts. The latest modified update will support Boston’s economic recovery as COVID-19 health metrics continue to improve. All reopening guidance will be subject to current COVID-19 public health data.

As of April 20, 2021, 33.1 percent of Bostonians are fully vaccinated; 55.1 percent have received at least one dose. The citywide community positivity rate continues to decrease, dropping to 3.6 percent, with three neighborhoods slightly above the 5.0 percent threshold (East Boston, Dorchester and Roslindale). New positive tests in the City of Boston decreased by 34 percent over the past week, averaging 144 new positive tests per day. The percentage of available adult ICU beds remains stable, and the percentage of non-surge ICU beds continues to be below the City’s threshold. Boston has had two reported deaths in the past week. 

“In every aspect of Boston's reopening, we will take the right measures, at the right time, to protect our people and businesses,” said Mayor Janey. “As we look ahead to better days, we must remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. Reopening our economy does not remove our personal and collective responsibility to remain vigilant. Thank you to all Bostonians for your continued efforts and cooperation as we reopen our city.”

Effective Friday, April 30, the City of Boston will align with Commonwealth’s updated Face Coverings Order. This states that face coverings will be required at all times at indoor and outdoor venues and events, except when eating or drinking. Face coverings are recommended to be worn both inside and outside during small gatherings at private homes. Face coverings are not required outside in public spaces when individuals are able to remain at a safe distance from others.

Also effective April 30, public gatherings in Boston may increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors, in alignment with the Commonwealth's previously announced limits. In Boston, all private gatherings and events in private residences will remain subject to current capacity limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. However, public and private gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors on June 19 in Boston, three weeks after the higher limits go into effect in other parts of the Commonwealth. The City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission will continue to closely monitor public health data and adjust reopening plans as necessary.

The City of Boston will align with the Commonwealth’s updated guidance for indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks, allowing capacity to increase to 25 percent, effective May 10.

The City of Boston plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume June 1, subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks after the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of the state:

• Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events
• Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments for moderate and high-risk sports
• Singing indoors at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses, subject to the Commonwealth’s Theater and Performance Venue guidance

The City of Boston plans to allow the following industries to reopen or resume starting June 19, subject to certain capacity limits and safety measures, three weeks after the Commonwealth will allow for their reopening in other parts of the state:

• Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50 percent capacity
• Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries for seated-service only, subject to a 90-minute table limit, and no dance floors.
• Food will no longer be required with alcohol service, and 10 people can be seated at a table.

If public health metrics support continued safe reopening in Boston, effective August 22, industry restrictions will be lifted, and 100 percent capacity will be allowed for all industries. This would be three weeks after the Commonwealth takes this step in other parts of the state. Remaining Phase Four, Step Two industries and businesses, including dance clubs and nightclubs; saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and health clubs; and ball pits, would be allowed to reopen on August 22 in Boston. All businesses will be expected to adhere to ongoing safety guidance, and mask wearing will continue to be required indoors.

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) will also hold two upcoming webinars about updated reopening guidance on Friday, April 30th at 2:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 5th at 8:30 a.m. OED also hosts weekly small business calls every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.and Reopen Boston Business Office Hours every Friday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. These meetings ensure business owners, customers, and workers have access to all of the guidance and details necessary to return safely, as Boston reopens. For more information, please visit boston.gov/smallbusiness.

All of this guidance is subject change based on evolving COVID-19 public health metrics. For more information about reopening in Boston, visit boston.gov/reopening. For more information about the state’s reopening plan, visit mass.gov/reopening. 

Source: Mayor's Office 4/27/2021

Read more East Boston news at www.eastboston.com

City of Boston and partners to bring job fair series to incarcerated and returning citizens

Virtual events will include participants from Suffolk County Jail, Suffolk County House of Correction

(BOSTON - Tuesday, April 27, 2021) - As part of the City of Boston’s efforts to reintegrate returning citizens into the community, Mayor Kim Janey today announced a virtual job fair series designed to help current or formerly justice-involved individuals access job openings, educational opportunities, job search skills, and other critical resources. The events, held throughout May, are organized by MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, BeProximate, and Project Opportunity, a City initiative that works to create equitable opportunities for residents with criminal records (CORIs).

“Each year, more than 3,000 people return to Boston upon their release from incarceration,” said Mayor Janey. “These returning citizens deserve the opportunity to create a fresh start and make positive contributions to their community. But that transition depends on our support. A second chance begins with a job prospect, an education pathway, the critical resources for daily living – exactly the things this job fair series promotes.”

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, series partners have worked together to ensure that inmates at Suffolk County Jail and Suffolk County House of Correction can participate in the virtual events. Both facilities are operated by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.  
 
“We know that good, sustainable employment is one of the critical elements for the success of anyone returning to society from incarceration,” said Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. “This is why we offer many different skills-building and job preparedness training programs for the men and women in our care and custody. Unfortunately, the CORI continues to be an obstacle for many returning citizens seeking employment, so access to resources and opportunities like these is extremely important.”

“At MassHire Downtown Boston Career Center, we recognize the significant barriers to employment faced by returning citizens and individuals with CORIs,” said Doreen Treacy VP of Career Services at MassHire Downtown Boston. “We are committed to helping reduce these barriers by equipping jobseekers with the tools they need and connecting them to hiring events and resources.”
 
The event series is free and open to all Massachusetts residents, but requires participants to register at tinyurl.com/JobEdFair. The schedule of events is as follows:
 

    Why and How to Create a Resume: Tuesday, May 4, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Interview Basics: Thursday, May 6, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Job Fair Prep: Tuesday, May 11, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Job Fair: Wednesday, May 19, 1-2:30 p.m.
    Education/Resource Fair: Friday, May 21, 1-2:30 p.m.

 
The job fair will feature Amazon, Flour Bakery, Greater Boston Food Bank, Monroe Staffing, VPNE, and Whole Foods Market, with more employers to come.

Mayor Janey has proclaimed the final week of the series, May 17 - May 21, – which culminates in the job fair and education/resource fair – “Second Chance and Reentry Week” in Boston. The week will include an exhibit and panel discussions organized by BeProximate to advocate for the support of returning citizens. Speakers will include Suffolk County D.A. Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins, and State Rep. Liz Miranda.
 
“In the City of Boston, cross-sector fertilization drives social innovation to address both citywide and neighborhood-specific needs,” said BeProximate founder Diana Saintil. “However, we must extend our politics beyond our personal proclivities to devise cross-sector solutions to address the most salient reentry challenges in housing, employment, health, and education for returning citizens. We must BeProximate to people with empathy. Proximity with apathy is too great a threat to transformational change.”
 
In addition to promoting career development opportunities, the event series also extends the outreach of Project Opportunity, a collaboration of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens, and SOAR Boston. Project Opportunity connects residents with free legal consultation to review the potential for sealing or expunging their CORIs. The City of Boston pays for the cost of accessing a CORI, while partner Lawyers Clearinghouse provides legal consultation and full representation if an individual’s record can be sealed or expunged.

The job fair series also supports the mission of the Mayor’s upcoming 2021 Summer Violence Prevention Plan. The Plan develops a framework to scale up prosocial activities, strengthen intervention efforts, ensure neighborhoods are supported and connected to resources, expand intentional outreach and engagement for specific populations, and provide positive activities and community engagement in public spaces.

Source: Mayor's Office 4/27/2021

Read more local news at http://www.eastboston.com

Charlestown's state Representative Dan Ryan is the latest Boston official to endorse Santiago for Mayor

(BOSTON, April 25, 2021)—Jon Santiago has earned the endorsement of another Boston legislator with Charlestown State Representative Dan Ryan joining his campaign for mayor.


“I’m proud to support Jon Santiago for mayor and am excited to begin campaigning side by side with him,” said Ryan. “Dr. Santiago is a proven leader of teams, a passionate public servant, and front-line healthcare worker that we need in this moment for our city. Jon is uniquely positioned to lead our city through these challenging times and chart a full and equitable recovery for Boston.”


Ryan was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and represents the 2nd Suffolk District including Charlestown. Ryan currently serves as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. In the House, Ryan has been among the body’s leading voices on issues important to veterans. He was also among the most vocal advocates for the landmark 2018 opioid prevention bill, engaging with law enforcement and advocates to expand crisis intervention response training. He and Santiago worked closely together on the milestone Student Opportunity Act, passing a once-in-a-generation package to strengthen public education in Boston and throughout the commonwealth.  


“Dan Ryan is a tireless advocate for Boston at the state house and in his community, and I’m honored to welcome him to our campaign,” said Santiago. “His work on the opioid crisis, issues important to veterans, and expanding public education funding have helped create a safer and stronger Massachusetts. His endorsement is so important in this race, and I look forward to working with him to lead us through a recovery to a post-pandemic Boston that’s stronger than ever before.”


With today’s endorsement, Ryan joins four of his Boston colleagues in the legislature including Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, Assistant Majority Leader Mike Moran, and Representatives Kevin Honan and Ed Coppinger in supporting Santiago’s campaign. Other notable endorsements for Santiago include Laborers Local Union 223, community leader Horace Small, former Executive Director of the Union of Minority Neighborhoods, and the Latino Victory Fund.


Jon Santiago is currently serving his second term as the State Representative for the 9th Suffolk District representing the South End, Roxbury, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods of Boston. He is an emergency room physician employed at Boston Medical Center, the city’s safety net hospital. He serves as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and has deployed overseas. Prior to these experiences, Santiago served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. He lives in the South End with his wife, Alexandra. 

Source: Santiago Campaign 4/25/2021