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 Sept. 16 License Board Meeting, Online:
•Sombrero Chiquito; D/B/A: Sombrero Chiquito, 197A MASSACHUSETTS Ave., Back Bay. Has applied for a Common Victualler License to be exercised on the above – In one room on the first floor, kitchen and storage in rear. Manager: Bruce Sabokrooh. Hours of Operation: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
•44 Concord Square LLC, 44 Concord Sq., South End. Has applied for a Lodging Houses (Fraternity/Dormitory) License to be exercised on the above – 6 story building. The building contains 16 lodging rooms (16 person capacity), each with its own private bath and small kitchenette. There are three (3) rooms on each floor on floor 1-5, and one (1) room in the basement. Shared laundry facilities are located in the basement. Manager: BRUCE PERCELAY.
From the Sept. 17 Zoning Advisory Board, 1010 Mass Ave., or online, 5 p.m.:
•283 Dartmouth St., South End. Applicant: IContour Anti-Aging Center. Purpose: Change occupancy to include Body Art/Permanent Cosmetics. No construction required.
From the Sept. 17 Emergency License Board meeting, 11 a.m., online:
Notice of Emergency Informational Hearing Regarding Temporary Heaters and Outdoor Dining. You are hereby notified that the Licensing Board for the City of the Boston in partnership with an interdepartmental team including, but not limited to, the Boston Fire Department, the Inspectional Services Department, the Boston Transportation Department, the Public Improvement Commission, the Department of Public Works, the Office of Economic Development, and the Mayor’s Office of of Neighborhood Services (the “Interdepartmental Team”) will hold two (2) virtual informational hearings regarding temporary heaters and outdoor dining.
From the Sept. 17 Boston Groundwater Trust meeting, 3 p.m., online:
•Financial report and update from Fidelity Investments:15
•EXECUTIVE SESSION re: Discussion on legal analysis regarding relationship with the City and Trust Leadership: 30
•Remote monitoring proposal update:10
•BPDA GCOD Revision Update:10
•Executive Director’s Report: 10
From the Sept. 22 Licensed Premise Violations hearing, 10 a.m., Online:
•BOYLSTON STREET HOTEL LLC , D/B/A: MANDARIN ORIENTAL, 776 BOYLSTON St., Back Bay. 4/07/2020: Assault and battery patron on patron.
From the Sept. 22, 11 a.m., City Council Committee on City and Neighborhood Services Hearing: A hearing regarding rodent control and illegal dumping in the City of Boston. This matter was sponsored by Councilors Ed Flynn and Liz Breadon, and referred to the Committee on City and Neighborhood Services.
From the Sept. 22, 2 p.m. Committee on Housing and Community Development Hearing: Cooperative housing in Boston and strategies for its further expansion. This matter is sponsored by Councilor Kenzie Bok and was referred to the Committee on Housing and Community Development on February 5, 2020.
From the Sept. 22 Boston Landmarks Commission hearing, 4:30 p.m., Online via Zoom (HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/88339103373):
Design Review
•Boston City Hall – 1 City Hall Square: Congress Street elevation install flood mitigation barriers at public entrance, window walls, entrance to Mayor’s parking garage, and doorway to fire pump room.
Advisory Review
•Museum of Fine Arts – 465 Huntington Avenue: At Fenway Façade create opening for window to provide natural light to basement area space.
Citizenship Fees to Increase
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is making significant changes to the naturalization application. Starting October 2, it is raising the cost of application from $725 to $1,200 and eliminating the fee waiver for most low-income residents. USCIS is also increasing the permanent residence (green card) application fee and implementing an asylum application fee, making the United States one of four countries to do so. The City of Boston and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) are encouraging eligible Boston immigrants to apply for citizenship before the October 2 fee increases. They can contact Project Citizenship at 617-694-5949 for free, high quality legal help with their application.
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.