Coronavirus Update: Due to public health concerns, the hearings that normally would be held on a week have been postponed or canceled due to the guidance of Mayor Martin Walsh and the order of Gov. Charlie Baker. Some meetings, however, have been moved to an online or teleconference format under the emergency order on the Open Meeting Law issued by Gov. Baker.
From the October 8, 2:00pm City Council Committee on Government Operations Working Session on Docket #0232
The City Council Committee on Government Operations will hold a working session on Docket #0232, Order for a hearing regarding a text amendment for the Boston Zoning Code Relative to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. The Chair of the Committee and Sponsor of the docket is Councilor Lydia Edwards. This matter was sponsored by Councilor Lydia Edwards and was referred to the Committee on January 29, 2020.
From the October 13, 12:00pm City Council Committee on Housing and Community Development Virtual Hearing on Dockets #0848, #0850, #0929: The Committee will hold a virtual hearing on Docket #0848, regarding the establishment of a municipal fair housing testing program in the City of Boston, and Docket #0850, regarding Section 8 Voucher discrimination. Please note the addition of Docket #0929, regarding discrimination in the metro Boston housing market. Docket #0848 was sponsored by Councilors Matt O’Malley, Lydia Edwards, and Kenzie Bok, and Docket #0850 was sponsored by Councilors Annissa Essaibi-George, Lydia Edwards, and Liz Breadon, respectively and referred to the Committee on July 8, 2020. Docket #0929 was Sponsored by Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, and referred to the Committee on August 19, 2020.
From the October 14 Back Bay Architectural Commission hearing at 4:30:
Violations – 4:30pm
329 Commonwealth Avenue: Unapproved installation of HVAC units at rear deck and on top of penthouse roof.
Design Review – 5:00pm
21.0158 BB 341 Commonwealth Avenue: Construct roof deck.
21.0283 BB 358 Beacon Street: Construct roof deck, relocate access hatch and raise parapet wall.
21.0282 BB 208 Beacon Street: At rear elevation add oriel below existing oriel.
21.0284 BB 126 Marlborough Street: Construct roof deck and penthouse.
21.0285 BB 166 Marlborough Street: Construct roof deck and exterior access stairs from existing lower roof deck.
21.0160 BB 53 Marlborough Street & 300 Berkeley Street: At courtyard: remove two existing condensers, replace two windows in-kind, masonry infill at one window and one door; reverse swing of existing door, and install new make-up air hvac unit, with duct penetration through new masonry infill; at roof of 300 Berkeley Street: remove three existing rooftop condensers and install thirteen new condensers on spring isolation dampers; and at entrance to 53 Marlborough Street: replace handrail at entrance.
From the October 20 BU Charles River Campus Community Task Force Meeting from 6:00-8:00pm: Meeting of the Boston University Charles River Campus Community Task Force to discuss the proposed Amendment to the Boston University Institutional Master Plan (IMP). This Amendment seeks to include 16,280 square feet of leased space at 540 Commonwealth Avenue into the existing IMP for academic and administrative use. The public is encouraged to attend. Register for the webinar at www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RTaDvvnMQA2WlPmjbYu6xg.
Outdoor Dining Extension
The Mayor announced an extension of the Outdoor Dining Program beyond its original end date of October 31. Restaurants using private outdoor space can continue to do so for the duration of the public health emergency. And restaurants using public space on streets and sidewalks can continue until December 1. The City will also waive application fees for the use of outdoor propane heaters in dining areas. Restaurants will still need a permit from the Fire Department, and safety regulations around their use will remain in place. Restaurants can use electric heaters without a permit, as long as no cords are crossing sidewalks.
First Thursdays at the Gardner Museum
Beginning today, First Thursdays are back at the Gardner Museum! Entry is free on the first Thursday of each month from 3-9pm, however, timed ticket reservations are required and guests must adhere to all safety protocols once inside. Visit the museum’s ticket website to reserve now. There may still be tickets available for this evening!
Free BPS Breakfast in South End/Fenway
Students who wish to get a free breakfast Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11:30 am., have three sites to choose from in the South End and Fenway. This is the BPS initiative, but other organizations are also serving meals in the area as well.
•Blackstone Elementary School – 380 Shawmut Ave. (South End).
•Boston Chinese Evangelical Church, 120 Shawmut Ave. (Monday, Weds., and Friday
only – South End).
•Boston Latin School – 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur (Fenway).
Reporting Workplace Safety Concerns
•Workers in any size organization have options if they feel they are being pressured into an unsafe situation. Attorney General Maura Healey has created resources for workers to report safety concerns during reopening. They include an online form at the Attorney General’s website and a dedicated Fair Labor hotline at 617-727-3465. People can also find those resources by calling 311.
How to Report a Problem Property
Since taking office in 2014, Mayor Walsh has made fixing quality of life issues a priority in his administration. From investing in Public Works to making sure community policing is a staple in every neighborhood, we are making sure every neighborhood is clean, safe and a great place to live and work in. Unfortunately some properties in Boston need more help than others, and that's why we are here. If you know of a property that fits one of the following criteria: multiple calls to 911, one that's blighted or just a general concern, we encourage you to reach out to your neighborhood liaison.