Joyce Hampers, President of The Newbury Street League, has made a significant announcement. After many years of persistent hard work, it has secured A Facelift for Newbury Street. In a partnership between The Newbury Street League and the City of Boston the following improvements will be taking place:
Streetlights: Mayor Menino was asked to take a close look at the condition of the streetlights on Newbury Street. Thankfully, the Mayor has “a thing about street lights.” He immediately sent Joanne Massaro, Commissioner of Public Works, to the rescue. Joanne, Glenn Cooper, Director of Street Lighting, Will Onouha, The Mayor’s Neighborhood Coordinator, Tom Brennan and Michele Messino walked the entire street and, a week later Joanne called with the great news. She had met with the Mayor and they had agreed that new streetlights would be installed along Newbury Street. The new lights will be 17’ tall (the current lamps are 13’). The light will be a frosted acorn style with a black cap and finial top. If all goes according to plan, installation should start in late summer 2010 and will take approximately 10 weeks, with a goal to complete the project by mid October, just in time for the stringing of the Holiday Lights.
Trash Barrels: The Newbury Street League has agreed to sponsor new trash barrels for the street. Representatives are now working with the City on a design that will be practical from an economic and aesthetic standpoint yet will withstand the sands (or graffiti) of time.
Trees: The League has always stated that the trees on Newbury Street are a priority - whether dressing them up in lights for the holidays, replanting those that have died, installing tree pit fences, or weeding and mulching for the summer season. After working hard for 2 years to get certain trees replaced, Tabatha White, new to the Boston Parks Department in the spring of 2009, came to the rescue, and was soon on the street planting trees. Again in March, she came and walked the entire length of Newbury Street, identified trees for removal, stump grinding, and replacement and compiled a full list of the work to be performed. Her dedication to her job is unbelievable. Many of you may remember John, the young man the League hired last year to weed and mulch the tree pits, and sweep and maintain the street during the spring/summer season. He will be back at work starting next week. Last year 8 tree pit fences were sponsored by our members, with guidance from the Garden Club of the Back Bay. This year the League will pay half for anyone who would like to sponsor a tree pit fence.
Sidewalk Repair: The City is working with the utility companies to have any blacktop fill in our sidewalks replaced with concrete for a uniform look. This work will start in late April.
For more information on the work of the Newbury Street League, log on to www.newburystreetleague.org.
