Opinion

 By Phil Orlandella

NEWRA Membership Office Firsthand Community Involvement

Local residents can learn more about proposed change, impacting the quality of life in the neighborhood before they are finalized or implemented by becoming a member of the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) and have a first-hand say on what occurs in their community.

Members are able to vote to help determine if NEWRA supports or opposes the proposed changes at monthly meetings.

Being a member of NEWRA provides taking on issues before they occur, not after they happen.

Three Choices for Outdoor Dining

While the North End Dining Committee met and discussed the future status of outdoor dining in the North End it is extremely clear that residents are adamantly opposed to the City of Boston renewing the process again or anytime in the future.

Two years ago, the pandemic was beginning to put restaurants out of business.

At that time outdoor dining was suggested and put in place on a temporary basis.

Even then residents opposed the idea, claiming it had many negative aspects on the neighborhood.

The three possible solutions to outdoor dining are, continue the current system, reduce the size of the area and time of operation or close it down for good.