In a case that shows the lengths communities will go to stop a housing project from getting built, Methuen officials are trying to leverage the state’s use of a Days Inn motel as an emergency shelter for homeless families to block a development proposal to build 300 units of rental housing on parcel straddling its border with Dracut.
Is a motel room affordable housing? This city is arguing yes.
Posted inEnergy
The case for saving Everett LNG terminal
Now that the Mystic power plant is shutting down, the fear of electricity shortages dissipating, the Everett terminal is being pitched as a hedge against a possible shortage of natural gas for home heating and cooking.
Posted inOpinion
Healey initiatives at cross-purposes on farmland
The Farmland Action Plan is important and long overdue, but the subsequent budget language that puts even more pressure on farms is working at cross purposes against that initiative. Massachusetts ranks 47th in the country for agricultural production, so there isn’t very far to go to hit rock bottom.
Posted inTransportation
Healey laying groundwork for new MBTA revenues
“I’m not going to comment on hypotheticals until I see things,” Healey said, referring to the task force report. “But what I’ll say is that I think as governor I have not been afraid to take this head-on and this administration is not going to be about kicking the can down the road, which frankly is what happened for far too long – years, decades.”
Posted inThe Codcast
New tools for development in Boston
In the past few years, Boston has been reshaping the institutions it uses to guide the city’s growth. This week on the Codcast, Arthur Jemison, Boston’s Chief of Planning and Director of the Boston Planning and Development Agency, talks to CommonWealth Beacon’s Jennifer Smith about these changes, how they fit into a broader vision for Boston’s development, and how they incorporate community involvement in that vision.
Posted inHousing
Boston development retool looms with planning shuffle ordinance
Gears are in motion for one of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s showpiece campaign promises – with a new ordinance filed that would move BPDA operations largely into a city planning department.
Posted inOpinion
Taking on the free community college critics
“Universally free” is a clear message. Clear messages are effective. Remember that the Legislature and the Healey administration made school meals universally free for a similar reason — it’s a barrier buster.
Posted inOpinion
No Degree? No Problem
In a state where around 75 percent of jobs that pay family-sustaining wages require a bachelor’s degree, more than two-thirds of Black and Hispanic residents won’t even be considered.
Posted inCourts
When is a spouse not a spouse under Medicaid rules?
After five years of back and forth on the issue, including three formal hearings, MassHealth denied Tingos coverage, even after he passed away in 2020. The state agency said Tingos’s wife was not “genuinely uncooperative.”
Posted inEnergy
Utilities pursue contracts with Everett LNG terminal
National Grid is seeking state approval to purchase liquefied natural gas from the Everett Marine Terminal over the next six years, a supply arrangement that will drive up the monthly bill of a typical Boston Gas customer during winter months by an average of nearly 1 percent a year.
Posted inOpinion
Book bans are bad for democracy
Massachusetts must fight against the national tide of intolerance promoting book bans, which post a particular threat to marginalized communities.
Posted inState Government
Short takes: Everett soccer stadium in legislative limbo
A bid to ease the way for The Kraft Group to build a professional soccer stadium in Everett for the New England Revolution is caught in legislative limbo on Beacon Hill.
Posted inOpinion
Is it time to rethink municipal financing?
Newton and communities like it need to look at the way they finance municipal government operations and at least look at some possible alternatives.
Posted inHealth Care
House leaders not interested in Steward bailout
“I’ve been so close to this because Ralph was at Quincy when Quincy closed. I’ve been dealing with Ralph [de la Torre] for a long time and I am suspect of everything he tells me,” the speaker said.
Posted inImmigration
Healey’s ‘Washington solution’ to migrant crisis derails
Sen. Ed Markey issued a statement saying he would continue to push for more funding to help Healey support migrants coming to the state, but he said he could not vote for the overly restrictive immigration policies contained in the bill.
Posted inCourts
Former alderman gets two years in federal bribery case that rocked Somerville and Medford
An attempt to bribe Medford’s police chief –- part of a scheme to obtain approvals for a marijuana company that would earn him a six-figure yearly payout – earned former Somerville attorney and alderman Sean O’Donovan a two-year federal prison sentence
Posted inArts and Culture
Boston’s free museum plan leaves out thousands of kids
Under a new seven-month pilot program, on the first two Sundays of every month, Boston Public Schools students and up to three family members will have free admission to several Boston arts and cultural institutions. But the free admission program doesn’t apply to all young people in the city.
Posted inCourts
Healey nominates former partner for state’s highest court
A New York native, Gabrielle Wolohojian was appointed to the Appeals Court by Gov. Deval Patrick, and has authored 900 decisions while sitting on 2,700 appeals since 2008.
Posted inCourts
No easy answers on child protection — but here’s a start
A move by state government to separate a child from their family is among the most difficult decisions government makes. We can create a system that protects children and supports families by following 5 key principles.