From the July 16, 10 a.m., City Council Committee on Government Operations Working Session: The Committee will hold a working session on a petition for a special law re: An Act Relative to the Zoning Board of Appeal. The Chair of the Committee and sponsor of the docket is Councilor Lydia Edwards.
From the July 23 Public Improvement Commission hearing, 10 a.m., Online:
•34 Winthrop Street, Soley Street; Charlestown – Grant of Location – On a petition by Crown Castle.
From the July 28 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 10 a.m., via Webex:
• 229-231 Bunker Hill St. Applicant: Patrick Mahoney. Purpose: Demolish existing one story restaurant (Grasshopper Café) and erect a new 4 story 3 unit residential building with enclosed garage and roof deck.
Boston Police Task Force Listening Sessions
The City is also providing opportunities for robust public input and community leadership in our work to advance racial justice in Boston. Starting next week, the Boston Police Task Force will be holding online listening sessions on key issues, where residents will have the opportunity to share their experiences and beliefs.
•Implicit bias training: Thursday, July 23, 3 – 5 p.m.
•Strengthening Boston’s existing police review board, known as the Co-oP Board: Wednesday, July 29, 3 – 5 p.m.
•Reviewing the use of force policies: Thursday, July 30, 3 – 5 p.m.
Anyone can join the WebEx meeting on the date and time as an attendee to view and listen to the listening session. Testimony will be accepted in any language (written or spoken via WebEx listening sessions). It will be translated and shared with the Task Force after the sessions. Written testimony will be accepted until August 7. This testimony will be compiled and shared with the Task Force, and will be translated as needed. All attendees who wish to provide spoken testimony during one or more of the listening sessions must indicate this using the same Google Form, no later than 24-hours in advance of a session. Their name will be added to a list of those wishing to speak, and they will be called on, in turn, during the session.
From the July 28, 10 a.m., (Online) City Council Committee on Ways and Means Hearing: A hearing regarding Boston Police overtime. The Chair of the Committee is Councilor Kenzie Bok, and the sponsors are Councilors Kenzie Bok, Andrea Campbell, and Matt O’Malley.
From the July 30, 10 a.m., (Online), The Committee on Education Hearing: Order for a hearing identifying restorative justice practices and the role of the police in our schools. The Chair of the Committee is Councilor Essaibi-George and the sponsors are Councilors Mejia and Janey.
Boston Fire Department Update on Permits
Due to the harsh economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, the Boston Fire Department is extending the expiration date on all existing Place of Assembly and Annual Permits from June 30, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Any issued Place of Assembly Permit or Annual Permit stating an expiration date of June 30, 2020 will now automatically be valid in the City of Boston until September 30, 2020. The invoices for renewal will be mailed out in mid-August, and the permitting cycle for both Place of Assembly and Annual Permits will become October 1 to September 30 of the following year from this point forward.
Reporting Workplace Safety Concerns
•Workers in any size organization have options if they feel they are being pressured into an unsafe situation. Attorney General Maura Healey has created resources for workers to report safety concerns during reopening. They include an online form at the Attorney General’s website and a dedicated Fair Labor hotline at 617-727-3465. People can also find those resources by calling 311.
•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.