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BOSTON - Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston's executive order to
exempt all establishments from the plastic bag ban ordinance will stay
in place until September 30.
This transition period will allow stores to
use up any single-use plastic bags that they have purchased during the
emergency. The five-cent per bag fee will also not be in effect.
"In
March, we suspended the City's ban on plastic bags and the 5-cent fee
for paper bags in order to give both stores and customers more
flexibility during this difficult time," said Mayor Walsh. "While we're
extending that suspension to best serve businesses and residents, I want
to be clear that the Boston Public Health Commission and the state
Department of Public Health have said that reusable bags are safe and
people should feel free to use them."
On
October 1, all provisions of the plastic bag ban ordinance will come
back into effect. This includes the elimination of most single-use
plastic bags and the requirement for the five-cent fee.
The ordinance
still allows the ISD Commissioner to grant exemptions on a case-by-case
basis. Residents in Boston are now able to use reusable bags if they
would like to.
More information about the City's plastic bag ban is available on boston.gov. The City's previous guidance on allowing plastic bags during the COVID-19 health emergency is available on boston.gov.
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Showing posts with label #BosMayor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #BosMayor. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Mayor Walsh announces ordinance allowing plastic bags extended to Sept. 30
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Walsh announces distribution of $4 million to support small business in every neighborhood, in most impacted industries due to Covid-19
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New platform created
to help businesses source personal protective equipment and cleaning
supplies to protect employees and customers as economy begins to reopen
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(BOSTON - Thursday, May 21, 2020) -
Continuing a policy of rapid, equitable, and transparent relief and
support from the COVID-19 pandemic to all Bostonians, Mayor Martin J.
Walsh announced that nearly $4 million in debt-free grants have been
distributed to over 1,100 small businesses in every neighborhood across
the City of Boston through the Small Business Relief Fund, including the $2 million distributed to businesses earlier this month. The businesses receiving grants represent industries most-impacted by closures, policies, or general loss of revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout every neighborhood in Boston.
"I've said it many
times: small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy, and they
provide residents with the services they depend on every day," said
Mayor Walsh. "Through the Small Business Relief Fund we have been proud
to support Boston's small businesses with a swift and direct infusion of
funds through a fiscally responsible and equitable system that will
help businesses stay open, pay employees, and strengthen our local
business districts."
Of the nearly $4 million
that has been distributed, the top five industries funded represent
small businesses in the most-affected industries, including hospitality,
personal care, arts and recreation, retail, and healthcare and social
assistance (home childcare, family services, personal and home care
aide, etc). Of the businesses receiving grants so far, 95% have 15 or
fewer employees, 52% are owned by people of color, 49% are women-owned,
and 46% are immigrant-owned. Grants from the Small Business Relief Fund
have been crucial to the survival of many Boston businesses, and serve
as a lifeline for businesses that experienced difficulty navigating or
accessing financial assistance through the Federal CARES Act. A full
list of businesses that have received funding is available here.
"I
want to thank Mayor Walsh and the Economic Development Office for all
of their hard work and help. Natalia and the Small Business team made
the entire process very easy and the steps that the city has taken to
keep us informed, as well as assist those in need, has blown me away.
I've strengthened my faith in this city because of this experience,"
said Kandace Cummings of Anita Kurl Salon in the South End.
"Thank
you for your support in this time of hardship, this gesture has made me
feel part of a community," said Ramon Zapata, of the AlbertStyle Barbershop in
Dorchester.
Managed by the Mayor's Office of
Economic Development (OED), this fund was designed to disburse grants
through a streamlined process without having to assume additional debt,
which can be used to address rent, fixed debts, payroll, accounts
payable, lost sales, lost opportunities, and other working capital
expenses. Through a combination of City, Federal, and private funds, a
total of $7.5 million has been made available to fully fund all
remaining eligible grant requests that were submitted during the
application process.
To further assist the City's small businesses, the City of Boston has created a new platform
to help businesses source the personal protective equipment (PPE) and
cleaning supplies they will be required to have available in order to
ensure the safety of employees and customers as industries begin to
reopen. Along with industry-specific reopening requirements, the page
includes a list of self-identified, local suppliers of PPE and cleaning
supplies, information on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' vendor
database, and partner organizations helping to connect businesses with
vendors.
As business owners, employers, and
employees navigate an evolving COVID-19-related assistance landscape,
the Economic Development Office has created a Federal Assistance Guide, Financial Relief Handbook and FAQ document,
all of which are continuously updated. Small Business conference calls
will continue every Tuesday at 3pm to communicate policy updates, answer
questions, feature relevant City of Boston departments, and
troubleshoot the ecosystem of funding available from the state, federal,
and private industry.
The City of Boston has created a number of useful guides and resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The Open Businesses in Boston and Support Boston Restaurants
platforms have helped businesses to publicly share that they are open
and direct residents into supporting local establishments. The above
resources and more industry-specific guidance are accessible on boston.gov/covid19-businesses. For all coronavirus updates from the City of Boston, please visit boston.gov/coronavirus.
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Friday, March 29, 2019
Mayor Walsh's column: Celebrating One Boston Day
by Mayor Martin J. Walsh
Every year on the third Monday in April, tens of thousands of athletes gather in Hopkinton, and begin the 26.2-mile journey to Boylston Street in Boston. All along the Marathon route, spectators cheer on their friends, family members, and complete strangers. It brings our city together like nothing else. That’s why the Boston Marathon is much more than a road race. It’s a celebration of everything Boston stands for -- our grit and heart; our resilience and hope.
In recent years, the Marathon has come to stand for something even bigger. April 15, 2013 left our city reeling -- it was one of our city’s darkest days. But it also showed us the generosity and compassion of everyday people. We came together as one community, as one Boston, and we showed the world what it meant to be Boston Strong. We showed that we would never let the darkness win. And we vowed to take back the finish line.
Over the last six years, we have turned the Marathon into a movement. April 15th will always be One Boston Day. It’s a Citywide day of service, reflection, and healing. It serves as a way to celebrate the resilience, kindness, and strength demonstrated by the people of Boston and around the world in response to the tragedy. We honor those we lost, and those whose lives changed forever, with acts of kindness, big and small. It’s a day when Boston shines brightest. And it’s a tradition that we will continue for years to come.
This year, for the first time since 2013, One Boston Day and the Marathon fall on the same day. It will still be a citywide day of service. I call on everyone to do something good for your community on Monday or the weekend leading up to it. Go to OneBoston Day.Org and tell us what you will do.
This year, we are also finalizing our work on permanent markers on Boylston Street to honor the lives that were lost near the finish line on April 15, 2013. Artist Pablo Eduardo is working closely with families to honor their loved ones in a meaningful way. These markers will reflect our City’s spirit after the tragedy: bent, but not broken.
This remembrance consists of stone markers on two separate sites. Bronze and glass pillars will rise and twist into each other, representing the lives lost. The markers will forever serve as a symbol of hope, representing our city’s resolve. We look forward to their completion this coming summer.
Until then, please join us in preparing for the fifth annual One Boston day on April 15, 2019. I encourage you to visit OneBostonDay.org, to see the acts of kindness planned by individuals and organizations throughout the city and around the world. Last year, we counted more than 43,000 individual acts of kindness. Bostonians shared their projects on social media, and the hashtag #OneBostonDay was trending nationwide. This year, as we get closer, we’ll be highlighting the projects people are planning. Whether it’s volunteering at a food bank, or helping your neighbor with a household project, there are countless ways to honor this special day. I hope that the stories of others’ actions inspire you to get involved this year, and for many years to come.
For 123 years, the Boston Marathon has represented the strength of the human spirit. Now, along with One Boston Day and our permanent marker, we will continue to show the world what it means to be Boston Strong.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Boston receives $26.3 million federal HUD grant for homelessness
(BOSTON - Wednesday, January 30, 2019) - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the City of Boston has received nearly $26.3 million in federal funding in support of Boston's homelessness programs. Boston was awarded the funding as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the results of its annual 2018 McKinney Homeless Continuum of Care funding competition.
"Our city's success depends on providing opportunities for all of our residents, making sure everyone has a safe, stable home and the support they need to succeed," said Mayor Walsh. "These funds will help us do the work of getting homeless Bostonians access to critical services and housing. I want to thank HUD and the entire Massachusetts delegation for their continued support."
"We commend Mayor Walsh and his team, along with our local homeless service providers for their dedicated efforts towards helping our homeless neighbors find stable housing," said David Tille, HUD New England Regional Administrator. "HUD is proud to provide this funding to the City of Boston team to assist in furthering their plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness."
The Walsh Administration, which has made ending homelessness a priority, will apply this HUD funding to programs that support Boston's Way Home, the City's plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness. Through the efforts of Boston's Way Home, Boston has ended chronic veteran homelessness, and has housed 1,600 formerly homeless people.
The programs funded cover a range of services and supports, including housing search, the creation of housing for chronically homeless people, rapid re-housing funds, and stabilization services to allow newly housed chronically homeless individuals to receive the supports they need to succeed.
Organizations funded include Bay Cove, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Casa Myrna, FamilyAid, Heading Home, HomeStart, Kit Clark Senior Services, Project Hope, Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, Metro Housing Boston, New England Center and Home for Veterans, Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, and Victory Programs.
During Mayor Walsh's inauguration in 2018, he announced the launch of Boston's Way Home Fund, which has a goal of raising over $10 million over the course of four years to create 200 new units of supportive, sustainable, long-term housing for chronically homeless men and women. After one year, $5 million has already been pledged in support of this effort.
On Wednesday, Mayor Walsh will lead Boston's 39th annual Homeless Census. Mayor Walsh and City and State officials, civic, faith, non-profit and business leaders and volunteers as they canvass Boston for the City's annual homeless census. The census will record information about all homeless individuals in Boston, including those who are living on the street, in emergency shelters, domestic violence programs, transitional housing, and in specialized programs serving homeless youth and veterans.
The Continuum of Care is a federal program designed to end homelessness by supporting community-wide systems of care, providing funding not only to state and local partners, but also to nonprofit providers who are part of the Continuum. This approach creates a more strategic use of resources, while improving coordination and integration between programs. It has also been found to improve data collection and performance measurement; and has the benefit of allowing communities to tailor programs to the particular resources, organizations, and challenges of that community.
The application for the 2018 Continuum of Care competition was submitted by the Supportive Housing Division of the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development, in partnership with all of the organizations that make up Boston's Continuum of Care, including the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Pine Street Inn, HomeStart, and many other housing providers across the City. The application consisted of hundreds of data points and narratives about Boston's system and programs, along with 45 individual project applications to support thousands of the most vulnerable Bostonians on a path to permanent, sustainable supportive housing. So far, HUD has only announced Continuum of Care funding for renewal projects, and expects to announce a second round of funding for new programs at a later date. The City has applied for an additional $3 million in funding for new programs.
For more information on Boston's plan to end homelessness in Boston,
please visit here.
Source: Mayor's Press Office
"Our city's success depends on providing opportunities for all of our residents, making sure everyone has a safe, stable home and the support they need to succeed," said Mayor Walsh. "These funds will help us do the work of getting homeless Bostonians access to critical services and housing. I want to thank HUD and the entire Massachusetts delegation for their continued support."
"We commend Mayor Walsh and his team, along with our local homeless service providers for their dedicated efforts towards helping our homeless neighbors find stable housing," said David Tille, HUD New England Regional Administrator. "HUD is proud to provide this funding to the City of Boston team to assist in furthering their plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness."
The Walsh Administration, which has made ending homelessness a priority, will apply this HUD funding to programs that support Boston's Way Home, the City's plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness. Through the efforts of Boston's Way Home, Boston has ended chronic veteran homelessness, and has housed 1,600 formerly homeless people.
The programs funded cover a range of services and supports, including housing search, the creation of housing for chronically homeless people, rapid re-housing funds, and stabilization services to allow newly housed chronically homeless individuals to receive the supports they need to succeed.
Organizations funded include Bay Cove, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Casa Myrna, FamilyAid, Heading Home, HomeStart, Kit Clark Senior Services, Project Hope, Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, Metro Housing Boston, New England Center and Home for Veterans, Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, and Victory Programs.
During Mayor Walsh's inauguration in 2018, he announced the launch of Boston's Way Home Fund, which has a goal of raising over $10 million over the course of four years to create 200 new units of supportive, sustainable, long-term housing for chronically homeless men and women. After one year, $5 million has already been pledged in support of this effort.
On Wednesday, Mayor Walsh will lead Boston's 39th annual Homeless Census. Mayor Walsh and City and State officials, civic, faith, non-profit and business leaders and volunteers as they canvass Boston for the City's annual homeless census. The census will record information about all homeless individuals in Boston, including those who are living on the street, in emergency shelters, domestic violence programs, transitional housing, and in specialized programs serving homeless youth and veterans.
The Continuum of Care is a federal program designed to end homelessness by supporting community-wide systems of care, providing funding not only to state and local partners, but also to nonprofit providers who are part of the Continuum. This approach creates a more strategic use of resources, while improving coordination and integration between programs. It has also been found to improve data collection and performance measurement; and has the benefit of allowing communities to tailor programs to the particular resources, organizations, and challenges of that community.
The application for the 2018 Continuum of Care competition was submitted by the Supportive Housing Division of the City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development, in partnership with all of the organizations that make up Boston's Continuum of Care, including the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Pine Street Inn, HomeStart, and many other housing providers across the City. The application consisted of hundreds of data points and narratives about Boston's system and programs, along with 45 individual project applications to support thousands of the most vulnerable Bostonians on a path to permanent, sustainable supportive housing. So far, HUD has only announced Continuum of Care funding for renewal projects, and expects to announce a second round of funding for new programs at a later date. The City has applied for an additional $3 million in funding for new programs.
For more information on Boston's plan to end homelessness in Boston,
please visit here.
Source: Mayor's Press Office
Friday, September 20, 2013
Ernani Jose DeAraujo: In Support of Dan Conley
The following letter was submitted by Ernani Jose DeAraujo on September 19, 2013
[Editor's note: All East Boston residents are invited to submit letters of support for their mayoral candidates. Contact editor@eastboston.com.]
Dear friends and neighbors:
I ask that you please consider voting next Tuesday for our District Attorney, Dan Conley for mayor of Boston.
Dan and I share a mutual legal mentor, an esteemed jurist who speaks highly of Dan’s integrity as a lawyer and thoughtfulness as a prosecutor. As DA, Dan brings justice to victims of crime and works with other law enforcement to keep us safe. Dan has directly managed one of the most successful District Attorney’s Offices in the United States. This experience—of being a good manager, trusted voice to the public, and thoughtful prosecutor dealing with the most significant matters of life and death—gives me confidence that Dan will have the ability and motivation to successfully manage our city government as mayor.
Since Dan announced his candidacy for mayor, I have personally observed his engagement with residents to hear their concerns and provide workable solutions to their problems. When East Boston residents expressed to Dan their concern over taxis and tolls, Dan promised that he would work with residents to put forward a solution that he could champion as mayor. From those discussions was born Dan’s 5-point action plan for East Boston that called for taxi fairness for our neighborhood and a moving of the tolls onto Massport property. Dan’s creation of the 5-point plan showed me how he will deal with residents’ concerns as mayor: Dan will listen first and then listen again for a solution from residents who many times know best on how to improve their neighborhoods. Dan will take what he’s learned from residents and use his experience and guidance from experts to fashion a solution. I want Dan’s approach to problem solving in our next mayor.
Dan has impressed me with his commitment to political independence. No one has been more of leader on the casino issue than Dan Conley. Back in April, Dan took issue with the movement for a casino in Boston and called for more transparency and public engagement in the process. He was the first to propose a citywide vote to engage all residents of Boston on the casino issue and to permit a casino in East Boston only if both the city and East Boston residents said yes. He was also the first to decry the call for a low turnout special election for the casino and championed having the vote on the general election day of November 5th. While Dan respects the right of voters to decide the existing Boston casino application, if that application were to fail Dan would oppose any new casino or slots application for Boston while he is mayor. If you believe in transparency and a fair development process as I do, Dan has been on our side from the beginning and paid the political price for standing by the people. We need Dan’s political courage in our next mayor.
There are many other great candidates on the ballot for Tuesday’s election. A younger generation of leaders—Rob Consalvo, Felix Arroyo, and John Barros—have contributed so much to this race and will doubtless influence our city for decades to come. Dan asked me to entrust him with my vote so he can lead our city government for the next 4 years from good to great. I hope you do the same and vote Dan Conley on Tuesday. Thank you.
[Editor's note: All East Boston residents are invited to submit letters of support for their mayoral candidates. Contact editor@eastboston.com.]
Dear friends and neighbors:
I ask that you please consider voting next Tuesday for our District Attorney, Dan Conley for mayor of Boston.
Dan and I share a mutual legal mentor, an esteemed jurist who speaks highly of Dan’s integrity as a lawyer and thoughtfulness as a prosecutor. As DA, Dan brings justice to victims of crime and works with other law enforcement to keep us safe. Dan has directly managed one of the most successful District Attorney’s Offices in the United States. This experience—of being a good manager, trusted voice to the public, and thoughtful prosecutor dealing with the most significant matters of life and death—gives me confidence that Dan will have the ability and motivation to successfully manage our city government as mayor.
Since Dan announced his candidacy for mayor, I have personally observed his engagement with residents to hear their concerns and provide workable solutions to their problems. When East Boston residents expressed to Dan their concern over taxis and tolls, Dan promised that he would work with residents to put forward a solution that he could champion as mayor. From those discussions was born Dan’s 5-point action plan for East Boston that called for taxi fairness for our neighborhood and a moving of the tolls onto Massport property. Dan’s creation of the 5-point plan showed me how he will deal with residents’ concerns as mayor: Dan will listen first and then listen again for a solution from residents who many times know best on how to improve their neighborhoods. Dan will take what he’s learned from residents and use his experience and guidance from experts to fashion a solution. I want Dan’s approach to problem solving in our next mayor.
Dan has impressed me with his commitment to political independence. No one has been more of leader on the casino issue than Dan Conley. Back in April, Dan took issue with the movement for a casino in Boston and called for more transparency and public engagement in the process. He was the first to propose a citywide vote to engage all residents of Boston on the casino issue and to permit a casino in East Boston only if both the city and East Boston residents said yes. He was also the first to decry the call for a low turnout special election for the casino and championed having the vote on the general election day of November 5th. While Dan respects the right of voters to decide the existing Boston casino application, if that application were to fail Dan would oppose any new casino or slots application for Boston while he is mayor. If you believe in transparency and a fair development process as I do, Dan has been on our side from the beginning and paid the political price for standing by the people. We need Dan’s political courage in our next mayor.
There are many other great candidates on the ballot for Tuesday’s election. A younger generation of leaders—Rob Consalvo, Felix Arroyo, and John Barros—have contributed so much to this race and will doubtless influence our city for decades to come. Dan asked me to entrust him with my vote so he can lead our city government for the next 4 years from good to great. I hope you do the same and vote Dan Conley on Tuesday. Thank you.
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