Shutting T stations after protests only creates dangerous situations for people who just want to get home, several Boston city councilors said today.
But the council did not formally go on record with a resolution calling on the T to stop shutting stations near vigil and protest sites at their regular Wednesday meeting because two councilors objected, which means it will instead go to a council committee for a hearing before the council votes. Read more.
Councilor Kenzie Bok checked into meeting from normally busy intersection at Charles and Beacon.
Workers at the Boston Transportation Department have begun inventorying city-owned traffic cones and barrels as they ready for a coronavirus-related effort to claim parts of some city roads for expanded sidewalks to allow for greater social distancing among pedestrians - including patrons at restaurants that would be forced to reduce their indoor seating once the governor gives them the OK to re-open their dining areas - a BTD official told city councilors today. Read more.
City Councilor Michael Flaherty says that the case of a man charged with threatening him and his campaign staff and injuring two Boston police officers highlights Boston's needs for better mental-health care - and that he hopes that, this time, the man can get the care he needs. Read more.
Councilor Flaherty discusses the ballot question as former Councilor Chuck Turner listens.
The City Council yesterday approved a non-binding question on this November's ballot that asks voters whether they would approve formally changing Dudley Square's name to Nubian Square. Read more.
City Councilor Michael Flaherty (at large) says he has the solution to many of Boston's parking woes: No, not making people pay for residential parking permits, which he opposes with the blinding fury of 10,000 suns, but making people with handicap placards pay for metered spaces - and then ticketing them if they stay more than two hours. Read more.
Mary Church of Jamaica Plain announced today she's running for an at-large city council seat - because of incumbent Councilor Michael Flaherty's comments about cars earlier in the week:
After his comments yesterday about his family's five cars and how T bus stops take up too much damn space, Michael Flaherty now has his own hashtag: #fivecarflaherty. Also, shhh, nobody say a word, but somebody updated his Wikipedia page.
A City Council committee will consider whether it makes sense to let Boston Police officers continue working past the current retirement age of 65 if they're willing - and able to continue passing physicals. Read more.
The City Council agreed today to take a look at how to make Newbury Street safe for pedestrians - especially those in wheelchairs or pushing strollers - on sidewalks increasingly cluttered with signboards advertising local shops. Read more.
City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Ed Flynn say that with the South Boston waterfront nearing a buildout - what with 20,000 residents forecast for 2030 - it's past time to begin thinking of public amenities, from a police station to a library and schools. Read more.
The Boston City Council yesterday agreed with a request from Councilor Michael Flaherty (at large) to look at adding an optional 13th year to city high schools. Read more.
City Councilors Michael Flaherty (at large) and Ed Flynn (South Boston) want the BPDA to shove developer's plans for more than 1,300 condos and apartments at the old L Street power station into a drawer until after the developer and Massport can proved the developers actually have the right to build a giant residential complex next to a truck route feeding into the nearby working port area. Read more.
City councilors Josh Zakim (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Mission Hill) and Michael Flaherty (at large) say it's time to curb a proliferating number of road races that tie up neighborhood streets, particularly in the Back Bay, but also in the Fenway and Beacon Hill. Read more.
The City Council today approved an effort by at-large Councilor Ayanna Pressley to begin looking at how to increase the number of trees in Boston - especially with developers increasingly tearing down mature trees as they plant their towers and complexes. Read more.
Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty (at large) announced today he won't join the race for the DA's seat Dan Conley is giving up: Read more.
Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley announced today he will not seek re-election this fall. Read more.
Essaibi-George, DaRosa, Flaherty, Garrison, King, Payaso, Pressley, Wu.
All eight of the candidates running for at-large seats on the Boston City Council expressed reservations about the idea of Amazon building its second headquarters in Boston - with or without tax subsidies - at a forum in Roslindale tonight. Read more.
Giving addicts a place where they could shoot up under medical supervision would save lives and clean up neighborhoods, several doctors - and one heroin addict - told several Boston city councilors at a hearing today. Read more.
At-large Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George says she's had enough with suburban parents who try to sneak their kids into Boston public schools - and no longer just the exam schools, but even pre-school, inclusion and special-ed programs.
At-large Councilor Michael Flaherty, meanwhile, is venting similar ire against suburbanites - and even people from New Hampshire - who use "mattress addresses" to get on the civil-service lists for jobs as Boston police officers and firefighters. Read more.
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