OWD issues report
More than 100 local organizations that provided job training, education, career coaching, English instruction, youth programs and apprenticeships opportunities to Boston residents from July 2017 to June 2018 shared in the over $14 million Martin J. Walsh Office of Workforce Development (OWD) funding according to a recently released fiscal Year 2018 OWD Annual Report.
The FY 18 annual report: A Better Boston for Everyone, features many of the different participants who strengthen Boston’s Workforce Development System, including employers, workers, students, researchers and public servants.
Also highlighted are several new OWD initiatives of the past fiscal year.
Mayor names two to leadership positions
Mayor Masrtin Walsh has named two women to leadership positions.
Natalie Urtubey was named as Director of Small Businesses and Celina Barrios-Millner as Director of Equity and Inclusion in the Office of Economic Development.
Urtubey has extensive knowledge of Boston’s neighborhoods and small businesses that will help create growth strategies and build partnerships across community stakeholders.
Barrios-Millner has two decades of experience in creating opportunities in disenfranchised communities through neighborhood engagement and strategic policy development.
She will manage and enforce BRJP in the City of Boston and BPDA construction projects.
Tactical Public Realm Guidelines announced
New city guidelines will create opportunities for activating public space across the city, according to Mayor Martin J. Walsh.
Tactical Public Realm Guidelines, a project included in Goal Boston 2000, outlined easy to install and low-cost design suggestions on how to reclaim surplus roadway space and city neighborhoods for people-focused uses such as plazas, parklets, outdoor cafés and street murals.
“We’ve heard from residents and local businesses in our neighborhoods that a vibrant public realm is a critical part of what brings communities together†Mayor Martin J Walsh said.
“It’s our goal in the coming years to enhance the streets, sidewalks and public spaces in every neighborhood in Boston to be safer but also more enjoyable. These guidelines will go a long way to helping achieve that goal,†he added.
City takes more guns off the streets
A coordinated one-day gun buyback day “Piece for Peace†was held by Boston Police at six city locations on December 15.
Curing the designated day, police collected illegal firearms at several locations.
Any person that turned in a weapon was not charged with possession of an illegal weapon and was given a $100 Target gift card.
Mayor Martin Walsh and Police Commissioner William Gross in collaboration with physicians and medical professionals set the one-day buyback campaign in motion as a proactive move to take guns off of Boston streets with an organized plan.
“Here in Boston, we know that even one lost life to gun violence is one too many,†Mayor Walsh said.
MassDOT Drafts Bicycle Plan
MassDOT is asking Massachusetts residents to review and provide feedback on its Draft Bicycle Plan which is currently available for comment.
The focus of the plan is making the state’s transportation system more sustainable, safe for people to walk, bike and take transit for more of their daily trips.
The draft plan defines a vision in which all people have a safe and comfortable cycling option for short trips, like biking to work, to school or run errands, recreation or to reach transit locations
For information on the plan and to provide feedback visit www.mass.gov/service.details/bicycle-plan.
First Pair of Orange Line TRAINs delivered
The first pair of Orange Line vehicles have been completed on time and the MBTA is committed to completely replacing the Orange and Red Line Fleets to improve reliability for riders.
Manufacturing 404 subway cars, including 152 new Orange Line and 252 Red Line vehicles is the T’s goal.
“Since taking office, our Administration has prioritized improving the core infrastructure of the T and over the next five years, the T is planning to invest $8 billion to continue these efforts,†said Governor Charlie Baker.
Mayor appoints two School Committee
Ouoc Tran has been appointed and Jeri Robinson reappointed to the Boston School Committee by Mayor Martin Walsh.
Both was sworn in on January 7 at the Bolling Building.
“Ouoc is a great addition to the Boston School Committee,†the Mayor said. “I’m also proud to reappoint Robinson.â€
Cadet Program for Woman Firefighters sought
The City is seeking to establish a Cadet Program for the Boston Fire Department (BFD) to recruit and train more women to serve as active firefighters.
Mayor Martin Walsh will formally file his proposal in the State Legislature with his overall package of requests.
The City currently has almost 16 female firefighters on a force of approximately 1,500.
MBTA granted extension PTC system
The MBTA has received federal approval for its alternative schedule and sequence for implementation of its Positive Train Control (PTC) Program.
Granted by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the approval extends the deadline for the full system deployment to December 2020.
PTC is a federally mandated control system that automatically decreases train speed when needed, reduces train collisions and prevents human error.
Work to install the PTC infrastructure of the MBTA Commuter Rail network is in various stages of completion and testing on each line.
City files transportation and environmental bills
A six environmental and transportation legislation package has been submitted to the State Legislature by the City of Boston.
The request will strengthen the state’s commitment to the goals to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Mayor Martin Walsh’s legislative agenda bills on the work of the Administration to ensure equity, opportunity and resilience for all residents by strengthening current systems and creating new tools to adapt, mitigate and invest in local transportation and the environment.
Trail projects application available
The deadline for applications for funding MassTrails program is Friday, February 1 according to MassDOT.
A competitive funding program MassTrails allows municipals in public entities to expand and connect networks off road, shaded-use pathways and recreational trail in Massachusetts.
A total of approximately $5 million in matching grants will be available in the first round of funding in Fiscal Year 2020.
Technical assistance and resources to individuals, municipalities, non-profits and other public entities to design, construct and maintain high-quality trails is also available.
19 EMT Recruits graduate
The Great Hall at Faneuil Hall was the site of a graduating ceremony for 19 EMT recruits that successfully completed a rigorous six-month training program. Mayor Martin Walsh, BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, joined families and others in the graduation ceremony.