Daily Archives: January 10, 2017

Urgent Advocacy Alert for Winthrop Square Proposal

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Now is the time to let the Boston Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and your elected officials know your opinion about the Winthrop Square development proposal and the threat of shadows on our parks.  Below is a picture of where the new shadow would fall should this immense building be erected.

The deadline for BPDA public comment period on the Winthrop Square proposal is January 20, 2017 (NEW DATE). Please email the Project Manager, Ms. Casey Hines, at casey.a.hines@boston.gov as well as call your elected officials including the City Council and the Mayor with your comments about shadows and our parks.

Individual messages are the most impactful, and please include your personal thoughts about these iconic parks.

We have included some of the important talking points about the Winthrop Square proposal.

Winthrop Square proposal violates the State’s shadow laws
Preserve sunlight, prevent shadow creep in our historic parks
Amending the shadow laws would set precedent for future developers to seek exemptions resulting in more shadows on the two parks.
There should be a comprehensive, long-term development policy, not one-off decisions or exceptions
Boston Common and the Public Garden are national treasures and would be damaged by the shadows. Both are on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and are City and National Landmarks.

Below is the list of emails (formatted so you can copy and paste) and phone numbers of the elected officials, City Councilors, and the Mayor.

Mayor Marty Walsh 617-635-4500 mayor@boston.gov

State elected officials:
Byron Rushing 617-722-2783 byron.rushing@mahouse.gov
Joe Boncore 617-722-1634 joseph.boncore@masenate.gov
Aaron Michlewitz 617-722-2220 aaron.michlewitz@mahouse.gov
William Brownsberger 617-722-1280 william.brownsberger@masenate.gov
Jay Livingstone 617-722-2396 jay.livingstone@mahouse.gov

Boston City Councilors:
Michelle Wu 617-635-3115 michelle.wu@boston.gov
Frank Baker 617-635-3455 frank.baker@boston.gov
Andrea Campbell 617-635-3131 andrea.campbell@boston.gov
Mark Ciommo 617-635-3113 mark.ciommo@boston.gov
Annissa Essabi George 617-635-4376 a.e.george@boston.gov
Michael Flaherty 617-635-4205 michael.f.flaherty@boston.gov
Tito Jackson 617-635-3510 tito.jackson@boston.gov
Sal LaMattina 617-635-3200 salvatore.lamattina@cityofboston.gov
Bill Linehan 617-635-3203 bill.linehan@cityofboston.gov
Timothy McCarthy 617-635-4210 timothy.mccarthy@boston.gov
Matt O’Malley 617-635-4220 matthew.omalley@boston.gov
Ayanna Pressley 617-635-4217 ayanna.pressley@boston.gov
Josh Zakim 617-635-4225 josh.zakim@boston.gov

Comments can also be left on the BPDA Winthrop Square page.

http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/115-winthrop-square

Thursday, April 6 – Sunday, April 9 – UMass Keystone Project

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The Keystone Project is an intensive, 3–day, retreat style training at the Harvard Forest that focuses on forest ecology and stewardship, wildlife management, and land protection. The training consists of both indoor and field sessions, as well as informal time to learn from fellow participants. In addition, each participant is given substantial take–home resources. The Keystone Project educates forest owners and community leaders who have a significant impact on their communities. Keystone Cooperators can own forestland, be involved in the care and stewardship of a property, or be an active community leader.

Next spring, the program will take place on: Thursday evening, April 6, through Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2017. Applications will be accepted starting now, and the application deadline is Monday, March 6, 2017. For more information about Keystone or to download an application please visit https://masskeystone.net/, or contact Paul Catanzaro at 413.545.4839 if you have any questions.

Saturday, January 21, 1:00 pm – Listening to a Continent Sing

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The Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center present Donald Kroodsma on Saturday, January 21 at 1 pm at their headquarters at 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls for a free lecture based on his book Listening to a Continent Sing: Birdsong by Bicycle from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  Birdsong expert Donald Kroodsma will discuss his ten week, ten state bicycle journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, lingering and listening to our continent sing as no one has before.  On remote country roads, over terrain vast and spectacular, from dawn to dusk and sometimes through the night, he gained a deep appreciation for the natural symphony of birdsong many of us take for granted. Come along and marvel at how expressive these creatures are as Kroodsma leads you west across nearly 5,000 miles – at a leisurely pace that enables a deep listen.  For more information visit www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org.  The program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Montague Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.