City Services

Peters Named New Jamaica Plain Liaison for City Hall

By |

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu recently named Caroline Peters as Jamaica Plain's new neighborhood liaison. “I’m excited to get to know the city and neighborhood I love through a new lens, not only as a Jamaica Plain resident but also as an extension of City Hall,” said Peters via press release. “The opportunity to contribute to efforts small and large in JP and help deliver on Mayor Wu’s goals is a privilege I take seriously and look forward to embarking on.”
Peters majored in Spanish at Macalester College and received a Fulbright English teaching assistantship grant in Colombia after graduating. Upon returning to the U.S., Peters worked at local universities in Boston including Boston University’s Center for English Language and Orientation Programs where she supported international students. Peters earned a certificate in Spanish/English translation from UMass Boston.

490 Views
City Services

City Offers Free Tax Services for Bostonians Earning $70K or Less

By |

Tax Day. April 15 is quickly approaching -- and the city's Boston Tax Help Coalition provides free tax preparation and filing services to Boston area residents earning $70,000 or less. 

This service is offered at more than two dozen neighborhood tax sites or completely online. There is one tax site in Jamaica Plain. The BTHC Legal Services Center (122 Boylston St.) is open Sundays from 1:45 to 4:45 pm. Appointments must be made by calling 617-390-2555.

348 Views
City Services

Snow Emergency Declared: What You Need to Know Starts with Parking Ban in Effect at 10 PM on Monday

By |

Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency on Monday ahead of the forecasted winter storm. What does that mean for you? To start a parking ban is in effect starting at 10 pm on Monday night. Once the snow emergency goes into effect, vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will be towed. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and to call 311 for non-emergency related issues.

473 Views
City Services

Initiate Franklin Action Park Plan! City Hiring Full-Time Administrator and Maintenance Staff for Franklin Park

By |

Mayor Michelle Wu said that the city will be hiring a dedicated full-time administrator and six new full-time maintenance and natural resources staff that will bring dedicated staff for Franklin Park to its highest level in more than 50 years. During Wu's State of the City Address on Tuesday, she said the city will act on the recommendations of the Franklin Park Action Plan, and hire the new staff members. Currently, the park has three dedicated maintenance staff, and city will also begin the process for community input and design to reimagine and invest in a home for the Elma Lewis Playhouse. “The Franklin Park Coalition is thrilled to celebrate Mayor Wu’s significant new investments in Franklin Park,” said Rickie Thompson, President of the Franklin Park Coalition, via press release. “The Coalition has been advocating for renovations and additional staffing for a significant time.

567 Views
City Services

BPS Families Receiving Free Admission to Boston’s Cultural Institutions Thanks to City Pilot Program

By |

As part of Mayor Michelle Wu's State of the City address on Tuesday, she announced a new pilot program partnership between cultural institutions that will allow Boston Public School students and their family free access to the Children's Museum, Museum of Science and more. In an experimental pilot program, starting in February 2024, on the first and second Sundays of each month, every BPS student and up to three family members will get free admission to the Boston Children’s Museum, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. Families will show a BPS school ID or an electronic pass to gain admission, said Wu. The city and institutions will track attendance and also develop plans to extend the pilot. "We are thrilled to partner with the city and our colleagues to bring free cultural experiences to BPS students and their families,” said Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science.

860 Views
City Services

Presentation and Q&A: Learn About White Stadium Rehabilitation on Jan. 11

By |

The proposal to rehabilitate Franklin Park's White Stadium to turn into the home field of a new women's soccer league team, better serve Boston Public Schools and community events, will be discussed in a virtual public meeting on Jan. 11. The city. Boston Public Schools, and Boston Unity Soccer Partners are partnering together to make renovations that would include adding spectator viewing areas, a concourse, bathrooms,  space for retail, space for food/beverage area, entertainment amenities, locker rooms, press/media space, and more. The unnamed as of yet National Women's Soccer League team is planning to start playing at the site in 2026.

716 Views
City Services

Take City’s Survey to Help Shape Boston Squares & Streets

By |

The city would like your input on how to enhance small areas near transit as part of its Squares + Streets initiative. The focus of the Boston Planning & Development Agency's (BPDA) Squares + Streets initiative will be on housing, public space, cultural amenities, and transit assets, which all reflect the unique needs of each area, according to the BPDA's website. The city defines Squares + Streets as "important places of gathering that connect residents to essential goods, transit options, services, and job opportunities." The city will develop small area plans in a 6 to 9 month window. The small area plans will modify zoning with the purpose of supporting housing and thriving business districts, create infrastructure projects to address transportation and public space needs, and programs and funding to promote small businesses, as well as arts and culture.

1,095 Views
City Services

City & Boston Schools Discussing ‘A Reimagined White Stadium’ in July 13 Virtual Meeting

By |

City officials are hosting a meeting to discuss revitalizing Franklin Park's White Stadium to be the "centerpiece of Boston Public Schools athletics" on July 13. White Stadium was constructed in 1945 in the Playstead area of Franklin Park, and since then it has held many sporting events -- football games, track meets, and a lot more. Sadly, the stadium is in disrepair, isn't up to code and doesn't meet accessibility requirements, said the city. But the city is planning a signifiant investment in the stadium and athletics facilities. After a recent assessment, desired improvements will include an expanded staff office, a modern press box, improved locker rooms, and an 8-lane track, according to the city's website.

1,043 Views
City Services

Franklin Park Advocates Want You to Contact Councilors to Ask Them to Override Mayor’s Budget

By |

The Franklin Park Coalition (FPC) is imploring Bostonians to contact the six city councilors who are not supporting the budget package that includes an amendment for additional Franklin Park maintenance. And time is short because the last city council budget vote is Wednesday at noon (City Hall, 5th Floor). In an email newsletter, FPC said District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who has the whole park in her District 7 and chairs the Ways & Means (Budget) Committee, " ...asked us to show up for one last chance to pass the City budget with funding for Franklin Park maintenance and management." Due to the sale of downtown's Winthrop Square Garage, the city provided $28 million to Franklin Park Coalition. $5 million will remain as the principal while the interest it generates will be available as cash every year: 70% for maintenance and 30% for programming. The maintenance projects and cultural/recreational programs are chosen via a vote by the trustees of Franklin Park.

1,288 Views
City Services

Talk with Mayor Wu at Mozart Playground on Friday

By |

Mayor Michelle Wu Neighborhood Coffee Hours will bring her to Jamaica Plain's Mozart Playground on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am. The coffee hours is a mayoral tradition that provides a unique opportunity to speak directly with the mayor and staff from city departments such as the Boston Planning & Development Agency, Boston Transportation Department, and more. Come talk to the mayor about open space, bike lanes, composting, or does she like cats and/or dogs. As always, Dunkin’ will provide iced coffee, Munchkins, lawn games and gift card giveaways. Fresh fruit will be provided by Star Market, and each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant provided by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, while supplies last.

988 Views