City of Boston Update 1.9.21

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CITY of BOSTON
 

Back Bay and Beacon Hill Neighborhood Newsletter
 
 
 

Announcements

MODIFIED PHASE 2, STEP 2 OF REOPENING PLAN EXTENDED IN BOSTON

In an effort to reduce the further spread of COVID-19 after the holidays and its impact on Boston’s health care system and essential services, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the City of Boston will remain in a modified Phase Two, Step Two of the Reopening Massachusetts plan for at least three more weeks. The current state of reopening in Boston includes restrictions announced by both the City and State in mid-December and can be found on our reopening website.
Learn more, here.

IN 27TH ROUND OF FUNDING, BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND AWARDS GRANTS TOTALING OVER $780,000 TO 39 ORGANIZATIONS

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee last week announced the Boston Resiliency Fund’s 27th funding round. These grants represent over $780,000 in funding to 39 organizations in Boston, serving communities by increasing food and health care access, supporting individuals facing homelessness and assisting seniors. Since its launch at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, $34 million has been raised, and $30.3 million has been distributed to 366 organizations.
“The Boston Resiliency Fund has been an essential provider to Boston nonprofits, building a network of support to help the most vulnerable Bostonians. The organizations granted have been vital to ensuring those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are supported,” said Mayor Walsh. “Thank you to every organization who has partnered with the City of Boston in providing resources to our community.”
Learn more, here.

MAYOR SIGNS ORDINANCE TO CREATE OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

In maintaining his commitment to making Boston a national leader on police reform and creating long-lasting, systemic change, Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined members of the Boston Police Reform Task Force, Chairman Wayne Budd, and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross to sign the ordinance creating the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT) in a virtual ceremony. The office creates a single point of public access to a new standard in police accountability and community oversight, and will house and support the newly created Civilian Review Board, and the Internal Affairs Oversight Panel that builds on and strengthens the existing Community Ombudsman Oversight Panel (CO-OP) board. It also creates the overarching Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT) Commission, which collectively holds subpoena power for the OPAT, Civilian Review Board, and Internal Affairs Oversight Panel. 
Learn more, here.

MORATORIUM FOR NONESSENTIAL PUBLIC HOUSING EVICTIONS EXTENDED THROUGH FEBRUARY 2021

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Administrator of the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Kate Bennett announced an extension on the moratorium on nonessential evictions for BHA public housing residents until March 1, 2021. The moratorium offers housing stability to BHA’s public housing residents and reduces coronavirus risks associated with the processing of its nonessential eviction cases. Nonessential evictions include all eviction proceedings except for those related to criminal activity, and those that are necessary to protect the health and safety of BHA residents, employees, and others. 
Learn more, here.
Holiday Decorations

All wreaths, lighting fixtures, wires, and other related items must be removed from City property no later than February 2, 2021. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 
Please contact Eric Prentis at Eric.Prentis@boston.gov, or Rob Lewis Robert.LewisA@boston.gov , if you have any questions.

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. You can look them up here. For more information on problem properties, visit here.

Licensed Wireless Providers in Your Neighborhood

In response to community feedback and in an effort to continue Mayor Walsh’s goal of a transparent City of Boston, residents are now able to see every small wireless facility operating in the City of Boston limits. See here for more details.

Traffic Advisories and Road Closures

Have a question or a concern about roads in the City of Boston? There are great resources to find help, and you can sign up to receive traffic advisories for special events in Boston.

To receive updates, click here.
 
Public Notices

Zoning Board of Appeals

Regularly scheduled ZBA public hearing where community members can offer testimony on appeal cases before the Board of Appeals. A full copy and description of variances sought can be obtained in the office of the Board of Appeal, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 4th Floor, any weekday between 8am-4pm with the exception of legal holidays. 

Licensing Board

Licensing Board hearings are typically held on Tuesdays (violations), Wednesdays (transactional), and Thursdays (voting). 

Boston Cannabis Board

The Boston Cannabis Board typically meets on the second and third Wednesday of the month. Hearings conducted on the second Wednesday of the month are for new applications and proposed changes to existing Licensees. Hearings conducted on the third Wednesday of the month are the BCB’s voting hearing on items heard the prior Wednesday. Should there be no items to be heard by the BCB in a particular month hearings may be cancelled at the BCB’s discretion.

Find the City of Boston’s public notices databases here.

Events and Meetings

Civic Academy: Child Care

What: The Office of Public Service and Community Outreach is hosting virtual Civic Academies where residents can get information about City initiatives. The first Civic Academy of 2021 will cover child care in the City of Boston. Panelists will discuss the resources and tools their organizations offer to residents and child care providers.
When: Monday, January 11 at 6 p.m.
Where: Register at bit.ly/childcareCA or by emailing publicservice@boston. gov .

State of The City 2021

Mayor Martin J. Walsh will deliver his annual State of the City address virtually on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Mayor Walsh’s address will be live streamed at boston.gov and major local networks. 
 
Community Choice Electricity Virtual Office Hours

The Community Choice Electricity program will provide Bostonians with greater local control over the electricity that powers their homes and businesses. The program launches in February 2021. City staff will be holding virtual “office hours” over the month of January for anyone who has questions about the Community Choice Electricity Program. Learn more, here.

Boston Cannabis Board Hearing

What: The Boston Cannabis Board (the “BCB”) will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Please note, the BCB’s virtual voting hearing will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Items of Interest:
When: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: More info.

Photos
Earlier this week Mayor Walsh signed an ordinance to create the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency. The ordinance builds on the Administration’s dedication to enacting swift reforms on policing, through recommendations by the Boston Police Reform Task Force.

General Reminders

  • Learn more about the reopening process: www.mass.gov/reopenin g .
  • When going outside, wear a face covering, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart), and avoid mass  gatherings.
  • Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID19 at buoy.com/mass.
  • Apply to the Rental Relief Fund. If you are at risk of being evicted, visit our eviction page for resources in 11 languages.
  • There are three new funds that offer grants to support Boston’s small businesses. 
  • For information on all the resources, as well as a map of meal sites, visit boston.gov/Food.
  • Get connected to financial relief and resources with the Financial Navigators program. 
  • Help Toys for Tots meet their donation goals. Visit boston-ma.toysfor tots.org  for more information.

Stay Informed

Receive the latest COVID19 info from reliable sources. Visit: bphc.org/coronavirus; boston.gov/coronavirus; mass.gov/2019coronavirus. Call: 311 or 211.

The City of Boston has two dashboards to provide statistics on COVID-19 cases in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. View them here.

The City of Boston has a free texting service to provide daily updates and information about the coronavirus. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to opt-in for English. Language and communications access remains a priority for Mayor Walsh, so this text service which was available in Spanish, Haitan Creole, French, Cabo Verdean Creole, and Portuguese, now includes Somali, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Russian.
  • Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish
  • Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol
  • Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French
  • Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole
  • Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese
  • Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali
  • Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese
  • Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic
  • Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese
  • Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian
Updates in 10 total languages can additionally be accessed through boston.gov/coronavirus# multilingual-help . Each language has its own page and hosts multilingual print materials distributed citywide. 

The state has launched an interactive map, to help residents understand how the virus is spreading in their communities. It’s available at: mass.gov/info-details/ community-level-covid-19-data- reporting .
 

Your Back Bay and Beacon Hill Liaison: Shanice Pimentel

Born and raised in Boston, Shanice attended Roxbury Prep Charter School and Phillips Academy in Andover. In her spare time, Shanice enjoys supporting local cultural and artist events.

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City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh
  
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