Mayor Appoints Director
Alexandra Veldez has been appointed by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh as Director of Engagement for the City’s Economic Mobility Lab, a team of social entrepreneurs that reaches and tests ideas with the potential to dramatically increase upward economic mobility for low- and moderate-income Bostonians.
“I look forward to seeing her excel in her new role and continue to make sure families can succeed in Boston,†Mayo Walsh said.
Greenway Conservancy to Honor Gov. Baker
For his leadership role on behalf of the Greenway Conservancy, since it’s inception, Gov. Charlie Baker will be honored as the group’s “Gala on The Greenway†scheduled for the June 6 annual fundraiser at Tia’s Restaurant on the Waterfront.
As a private citizen, the governor served on the Founding Board of Directors, and as governor his leadership was instrumental in creating the Landmark 2017 multi-party fundraising agreement for The Greenway.
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Pilot Program in Progress
A pilot program relating to ride-sharing, pick-up and drop-off is currently underway at various Boston locations.
The goal of the pilot designated parking program is to ease congestion caused by cars double parking and to increase safety for passengers entering and exiting vehicles, according to City Hall officials.
Transportation Innovation Conference
MassDOT will hold its eighth annual Transportation Innovative Conference on April 9 and 10 at the DCU Center in Worcester.
The Conference will showcase the latest technologies and equipment and to gather transportation officials, advocates, members of the private sector and municipal officials to discuss trends in the industry, programs and initiatives.
Boston Cultural Grants
Mayor Martin Walsh, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the Boston Cultural Council recently celebrated the 221 Boston arts organizations and projects that have been awarded Boston Cultural Counsel organizational grants, totaling $487,000.
Grants are used for visual arts, theater, film, music, dance and the humanities.
Statewide Airport Study Update Released
A statewide study update has been released which details how Massachusetts’ 39 public use airports generate economic activities and support more than 199,000 jobs with approximately $7.2 billion payroll, according to MassDOT.
Since the most recent 2014 Statewide Economic Impact Study, there has been an increase of approximately 37,000 jobs, $1.1 billion in payroll in economic output.
The study shows how public use airports promote economic growth in cities and towns throughout the state while ensuring people have more options for reaching the places they want to go.
Birth Certificates Available Online
Following the success of the death certificate online service, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh has launched a web application, allowing residents to order Boston-based birth certificates directly from the Registry Department.
“Birth certificates are needed by many of our residents, and this new system will allow greater transparency and convenience, allowing residents easy access to the of vital records,†the Mayor said.
Another Speed Limit Decrease
A proposal to once again lower the speed limit on neighborhood streets from 25 mph to 20 mph is a great piece of legislation that will obviously increase the safety of pedestrians, lessen the potential of vehicle accidents and the possibility of property damage.
Filed by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, the measure needs to be approved by the Boston City Council and the State Legislature.
This should be a speedy process.
IDP Report Released
Boston Planning and Development has released the 2018 Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) annual report detailing how Boston is leveraging the strong development market to create and preserving affordable housing opportunities in every neighborhood in the city.
“In order to maintain a strong middle-class and be a thriving diverse city we must continue to create and preserve housing for individuals and families at a range of income levels,†Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said.
New MassDOT Board Member Appointed
Vanessa Otero has been appointed to the eleven-member of the MassDOT Board by Gov. Charlie Baker.
“Vanessa’s financial management experience, extensive community engagement activities, leadership roles and strict teacher planning, and direct oversight of contracts and grants make her a well-positioned to assist MassDOT as a Board member with budget decisions, project delivery and public management in our many programs and initiatives,†Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollock said.