NEWNC Supports Takeout Use at Modica’s Mercato

Mendoza Brothers, LLC, 130-130B Salem Street: Monica’s Mercato received unanimous support (7-0) from the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) to add takeout use to the grocery store for the sale of pizza and prepared foods.

Two abutters sent letters of opposition while the Mendoza family secured 400 signatures from residents that supported the change. Attorney William Ferullo represented the Mendoza family.

Boston At-Large City Councilor Michele Wu was the guest speaker. She updated her actions and goals for her first year in office.

Some of the issues she has been involved with and plans to continue to support are: homelessness, small business issues, faster and improved permitting services, health access, an online city service information and several other neighborhood and city needs.

A highly informative presentation on the rehabilitation of the North Washington Bridge (commonly called the Charlestown Bridge) was given by Para M. Jayasinghe a city engineer from BPWD.

He noted the $100 million dollar project for the replacement bridge needs to complement the form and functionality of the iconic interstate bridge, representing a city street over water. The key aspect of the new bridge will be that it is a livable, walk able, multimodal green sustainable bridge, accommodating all users, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, according to a hand-out presented at the meeting.

In addition, the designs call for wider sidewalks, gathering places, innovative accent lighting, protected bicycle facilities, trees and smoother walking surfaces to support the Freedom Trail access.

Once completed in 2020, the bridge will still be four lanes, two in and two out of Boston.

During construction, expected to begin in 2016 or 2017, the lanes will run two lanes into Boston and one lane out.

Some of the negative issues exposed were: skateboarding, fishing and possible diving off the bridge. The traffic patents to access or exit the bridge will basically be the same.

While NEWNC members and other residents at the meeting favored the bridge project, the Board decided not to vote on the issue until final design plans are reviewed and approved.

Jayasinghe told the group, DPWD will hold several other meetings with the community to keep residents informed of the city’s plans.

            The next NEWNC monthly public meeting will be held on Monday, February 9 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.