The Boston Guardian

October 25, 2019 Vol. 4 Issue 23 Bok, Nassour in Final Face Off

Photo: Joe Walsh Most Fortune Tellers Are Not Licensed By Joe Walsh Boston’s professional soothsayers Photo: Courtesy Jennifer Nassour With Halloween quickly approach- appear to be spreading their elusive Kenzie Bok, forum moderator Peter Nessen and Jennifer Nassour ing, some Bostonians might turn wisdom without one. It remains By Joe Walsh licensing and the proposed sale of the an approach that she says would satiate unclear whether these renegades’ lack away from cool-headed rationality Both candidates for City Council Hynes Convention Center at a forum the city’s rabid demand for housing and of city approval makes their psychic and toward the spiritual, seeking life District 8 say they are committed to Tuesday night. The winner of this year’s eventually ease prices. Bok, meanwhile, predictions any less accurate. advice from a local psychic, tarot card election, to be held on November 5, listed a broad range of strategies like According to city records, only four building more affordable housing reader or fortune teller. fortune teller licenses were issued or in Boston, but they offered differing will replace Councilor Josh Zakim to inclusionary development rules, tenant City officials are here to help. renewed in Boston last year, even approaches to contend with the area’s represent most of Beacon Hill, the Back protections and developing on public Per state law, anybody who tells though more than a dozen psychic housing crunch. Bay and the Fenway. land. fortunes for money must apply for businesses appear to operate citywide. Kenzie Bok and Jennifer Nassour Nassour focused on producing more To build more housing, Nassour a city license. However, most of Continued on Page 2 faced off on housing, marijuana housing units throughout the region, Continued on Page 2 When Older Windows Scary Cute Become Controversial By Dan Rabb A dispute over a South End family’s right to replace their historic windows has sparked debate about preservation priorities throughout the city. In May 2018, homeowners Gary Stoloff and Alice Stone sought to replace the windows on their 19th century Rutland Square brownstone. Their windows, some original to the building, had deteriorated after more than a century of New England weather. More importantly, they say, the antique glass did little to keep out the cold, necessitating storm windows that looked out of character with the historic building. While the couple knew that any We don’t monkey around when treats this year. Drivers, be change to their home required it comes to candy. mindful of street closures and permission from the South End Children of all ages can see a trick or treaters making their Landmark District Commission, list on page 9 of where to enjoy rounds. The only scares that they were confident in an approval. Photo: Joe Walsh their sweets and other Halloween night should be in good fun. Continued on Page 2 The Boston Guardian 2 | October 25, 2019 Landmarks their mandate is to preserve the contention in Boston preservation removal of historic material from a history.” original windows rather than the circles, and which direction the scales building is best avoided. According Windows are a particular point of Continued from Page 1 historic aesthetic of the home or tip varies from one neighborhood to Greg Galer, executive director of sensitivity among preservationists, neighborhood, even if those windows historic district to another. In the the Boston Preservation Alliance, according to Galer. He says market- Unlike the original windows, the remain obscured behind storms. Back Bay, for instance, such window replacing original windows or other ing by window companies leads visually identical replacements could “There’s people in City Hall who replacements are typically permitted, objects, even with reproductions, many owners of historic homes to be fitted with double-paned glass, take great comfort in knowing according to a former member of means the loss of a unique artifact. thoughtlessly install anachronistic allowing the storms to be removed that there’s something historically the Back Bay Architectural District “Sometimes the preservation replacements. and returning the house to its original accurate in my building that no one Commission briefed on the dispute. community gets a little overly focused “A lot of junk has gone in over the else can appreciate,” said an exasper- “We allow people to do that in on detail, but part of the ethics and years, so the preservation community appearance. Stoloff, a contractor who ated Stone. “They’re choosing to die the Back Bay,” she said. “We have standards of preservation is that if does tend to get hung up on them,” routinely works on historic homes, on the hill of preserving the historic to balance the needs of preservation you’re going to make changes, you he said. hired a well known restoration materials and sacrificing the unifor- with the needs of residents and want to make them reversible,” Galer It’s a sticking point that a frustrated company to perform the work. mity and the historic look of the homeowners.” said. “Storm windows can come and Stoloff says he knows all too well. Yet the Landmark Commission neighborhood and that’s not right.” Members of the South End go and can be upgraded or modified, “They really have a hair across rejected the project. In commission This question of whether conserv- Landmark Commission said they but once you remove the original their ass with windows,” Stoloff minutes submitted as evidence in the ing historic building materials trumps could not comment on the case due fabric, it’s gone forever; especially said of the Landmark Commission. homeowners’ ongoing lawsuit against maintaining a building’s original to the ongoing litigation. Yet some old glass that can be funky and says “Meanwhile, my original sash is the city, commissioners argued that aesthetic has long been a source of preservation experts agree that any something about the building’s hidden behind a storm window.”

Fortune Tellers drastically from nine years ago, when Requirements for a license are few. quartet of licensed fortune tellers. She and lost money, the fortune telling 17 fortune tellers were on city books. Applicants must submit to a battery explained that a license allows her to industry might have some credibil- Continued from Page 1 Officials were unable to divine the of hearings, list out the services they advertise her business and place signs ity issues. Some psychics believe reason for this change. plan on offering, pay a nominal fee outside her downtown storefront professional licensing, as strange as it This suggests that the vast majority of “I do not have any insight into why of $50 and prove at least a year of city without risking tickets from the might seem, could address this lack of the city’s psychics, palm readers and the number of licenses has decreased residency, a rule apparently meant to police or complaints from neighbors. public trust. discourage fly-by-night carpetbag- Mitchell believes it is reasonable cardsmiths are unlicensed. over the years,” said Lesley Hawkins, One psychic who strives for gers. These licenses must be renewed for the city to keep track of fortune Even more mysteriously, the the executive secretary for Boston’s professionalism is Rosemary The annually. tellers, though she blamed the steep number of licenses has dropped Licensing Board. Celtic Lady, the pseudonym for a Still, enforcement against decline in the number of licenses on Colorado medium who runs the unlicensed oracles is limited. In a recent exodus of longstanding local American Association of Psychics & recent years, the Boston Police psychics. Psychic Mediums. Rosemary tries Department’s Licensed Premise Unit “Rents got too high,” she said. “A to distance herself from disrepu- does not appear to have written a lot of psychics got out of Boston.” table fortune tellers and their false single citation for telling fortunes Nonetheless, scores of Boston without a license, according to fortune tellers continue to advertise promises, instead preferring to listen Hawkins, though The Guardian their services without the veneer of to clients’ problems and offer advice, found a 2001 ticket for unlicensed government approval that a license she explained. She believes licensing fortune telling in city records. offers. Most of these unlicensed could distinguish honest operators So if most of Boston’s fortune psychics either declined to comment like her from scam artists. tellers can get away with plying their or did not respond to requests. “It is a good thing if people can mystical craft without permission, Evidently, they failed to foresee The prove that they’re legit and everything, why did four local psychics bother to Guardian’s calls. and they’re not crystal ball people,” renew their city licenses this year? Truth be told, after centuries of Rosemary The Celtic Lady said. “We Gail Mitchell, owner of Lilah’s false predictions, botched tarot card have to separate ourselves from that Palm & Card Readings, is part of this readings, misleading crystal balls kind of energy.” Forum neighborhoods become capital storage “It’s supply and demand,” she said. units,” Bok said. “I want them to remain “We need to work with our communi- Continued from Page 1 as communities.” ties and work with our builders.” Bok also supported the city’s new The candidates also discussed the pitched a $250 million development restrictions on short-term rentals, fate of the Hynes Convention Center, fund, fueled by contributions from the noting that rental listing services like another neighborhood touchstone. area’s largest nonprofit and for-profit Airbnb could take scores of inexpensive State officials hope to sell the Hynes, employers. She said the city’s Payment apartments off the open market. which they have cast as outdated and in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program, Nassour, on the other hand, focused underutilized, and use proceeds from which asks tax-exempt nonprofits to on the trash and disruption that Airbnb the sale to fund an expansion of the donate to city coffers, could serve as a units can bring. Boston Convention and Exhibition The candidates expressed particularly source of capital. Center. “Everyone should be participating in sharp disagreement on rent control, a Bok sharply criticized the state’s plan, the community that they’re bringing controversial policy that state law has bemoaning the lack of community employees into,” Nassour said. prohibited since 1994. Bok believes input on a sale that would impact In contrast, Bok proposed building it is worth discussing certain policies residents and businesses alike. Nassour affordable housing on city-owned that fall under the definition of rent property and strengthening the city’s control, including tenant protections or agreed that the community should have inclusionary development rules, which restrictions on rent increases for seniors. a larger say in the Hynes’ fate, and she require new residential construction Nassour disagreed, noting that in promised to convey these concerns to to include affordable units. She communities where rent control exists, Governor Charlie Baker, who endorsed was particularly interested in co-op the policy has historically led to less her. apartment buildings, which she says are housing production and higher rents “I’m close with the governor, and we disconnected from the area’s speculative, on non-restricted apartments. This runs have been for a very long time,” Nassour investor heavy real estate market because contrary to her ultimate goal of adding said. “This is one of those issues where they are jointly owned by tenants. more units to Greater Boston’s tight the City Council can work with the “I don’t want to see our downtown housing markets. state.” October 25, 2019 | 3 The Boston Guardian Downtown Boston Weed Dispensary Won’t Sell ‘Nips’ By Dan Rabb Association (MPPA) last Wednesday that his A Downtown medical cannabis clinic seeking company would see customers on an appoint- city permission to reopen as a recreational pot ment-only basis, which he says would prevent lines shop is promising to enact firm restrictions to outside the store. Mayerson also promised that if a eliminate lines and public smoking. At least for line was to form, he would close the store for the now. day. Patriot Care, which has operated a medical “The only caveat to that is when we open up marijuana facility on Milk Street since 2015, is in the morning, people are waiting for that first currently petitioning city regulators and neighbor- appointment, and we can’t let people in until we’re open,” said Mayerson. “That might be the only hood groups in its quest for a license that would time you see some people outside.” allow it to convert to a so-called adult use dispen- To deter public smoking in the area surrounding sary. A division of Canadian cannabis conglom- the proposed dispensary, Mayerson says his erate Columbia Care, the company already runs company will require a significant minimum recreational dispensaries in Greenfield and Lowell. purchase before customers are able to purchase Some Downtown residents have expressed joints or other ready-to-use marijuana products. Photo Courtesy of Downtown BID concern that a flood of customers to a recreational Comparing the restriction to bans on hard liquor Rosemarie Sansone and Ronald Druker dispensary will create lines on the sidewalk and “nips” enacted in some municipalities, he argues lead to public marijuana consumption through- the policy will discourage those looking to get high Sansone Receives out the area. They say the daily mob scene at the right away on Boston Common or surrounding nearby NETA dispensary in Brookline would streets. be ill suited to a downtown neighborhood that Yet as to whether these restrictions will be kept Prestigious Award already struggles with congestion, open drug use in place permanently, Patriot Care executives have and illegal drug dealing. been unwilling to make any firm commitments. By Dan Rabb staffer for former Attorney General and Lieutenant In response to these concerns, Patriot Care “Is this forever? I don’t have that answer for A driving force behind the transformation Governor Frank Bellotti and then as an at-large officials have verbally promised neighborhood you today,” Mayerson told the MPPA. “There’s of Downtown Crossing, Downtown Boston city councilor. After nine years in office, she joined groups that they will take steps to eliminate lines questions about how to work out the details Business Improvement District (BID) President the administration of Mayor Ray Flynn. and discourage the sale of “pre-roll” cannabis around this.” and CEO Rosemarie Sansone was feted by city Sansone credits her time in the Flynn products, at least in the short term. This raises red flags for some residents. They officials and business leaders last week for her point to an agreement Patriot Care signed with administration with laying the groundwork Patriot Care CEO Bob Mayerson told a meeting decades of public service. of the Midtown Park Plaza Neighborhood Continued on Page 8 The former city councilor received the Norman for her current work Downtown. In her role as B. Leventhal Excellence in City Building Award in Director of the Office of Business and Cultural Land Development at a ceremony last Tuesday at Development, she coordinated high profile the Boston Harbor Hotel. Presented by business events like the Tall Ships and Concerts on the advocacy nonprofit A Better City, the award Common while simultaneously assisting with recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the city’s built environment. social services initiatives as a board member of At the helm of the Downtown BID, Sansone the newly opened Long Island shelter. has played a leading role in the area’s development In a presentation prior to Tuesday’s award from the Combat Zone into a robust business, retail ceremony, Flynn said Sansone emerged as a and residential district. Her advocacy and political community builder who could bring contentious wrangling are credited with helping lure businesses groups together for a common cause. to the formerly run down neighborhood. The BID, created to promote economic “She connected the cultural glory of Boston and development through neighborhood improve- Downtown Boston’s business community to the ment initiatives, has grown to include programs neighborhoods of the city,” he said. “She was a ranging from infrastructure repairs and public art sophisticated politician too. She knew how to get to job training for the homeless, all with the goal of things done and she knew how to open doors.” making Downtown more attractive to employers. After leaving City Hall, Sansone returned to While Sansone grew up in the suburbs and calls Lexington home, she says her connection to Downtown as Suffolk University’s Director of Downtown, and its business community, began Public Affairs before taking her current position long before heading the Downtown Crossing with the BID, where her nine years in charge have Partnership in 2007, which transitioned to the seen the area revitalized as a hub of city life. BID in 2010. As a child, Sansone would travel Her proudest moment, she says, was the opening into Boston each Sunday with her father, the of the Burnham building, which sat for years as a owner of a North Station restaurant. He would take his daughter on long tours of the downtown half-constructed scar in the heart of Downtown neighborhoods, trips she says became formative Crossing. Sansone says the building’s completion, memories. with the neighborhood’s first grocery store on its “My dad used to take me to this neighborhood first floor, symbolized the area’s physical rejuvena- when I was very young to walk the streets with tion and its emergence as a true neighborhood. him and learn about all the different facets of the “It’s something I still think about to this day,” retail businesses and its history,” Sansone said. “It’s been part of my life since forever.” she said. “It continued the transformation of This connection continued into adulthood as the neighborhood, and it indicated that we had Sansone launched a career in city politics, first as a achieved some of what we had started.” The Boston Guardian 4 | October 25, 2019

coral or onyx, which can be used for trances or The police officer was informed by security that spells. When asked for identification, the man an unknown male was spotted rummaging through knew he was at the wrong place. He slammed his a tool box. The store is still under construction and ID on the counter then stormed out, presumably not set to open until All Hallows’ Eve. Crime & to head toward the nearest metaphysical store. The trespasser was seen wearing gray pants, blue The officer took the ID and mailed it to the listed hoodie and a company badge that appeared to be address. fake. How the man entered the construction area unishment was unknown. Maybe he came through the wall or P Trick or Treat maybe he had been there all along, but he did say At about 10:30 am on October 15, an officer he was there to clean. responded to a call for vandalism in progress at The security officer proceeded to call his boss to By Caroline Broderick Public Alley 404. confirm the validity of the ghostly man’s presence. District 4: 650 Harrison Avenue, 617-343-4457 Upon arrival, the caller informed the officer that This angered the suspect, but he vanished from District A-1: 40 New Sudbury Street, 617-343-4627 two men were seen spray painting the rear of his the scene per the security officer’s wishes without building. The spray paint of choice? A lovely shade a fight. Witch’s Brew Detectives agreed to follow up about the camera of tickle me pink. Though a fine color, it did not go On October 14 around 7:30 pm, a victim made footage. well with the caller’s color scheme. A Real Pain in the Neck a report at the District 4 police station for larceny at This could all have been avoided if the reporting One officer responded to El Pelon Taqueria, 92 Caffé Nero, 114 New Edgerly Road. Searching for Jewels party had left a bowl of candy corn outside. Just a Peterborough Street, for a breaking and entering Around noon that day, the victim sat outside the One officer responded to a disturbance on classic case of trick or treat. report on October 19 around 7:55 am. café with a friend. Then came the double, double October 15 around 3:20 am at 7-Eleven, 532 After the vandals realized they were spotted, they The restaurant manager had arrived to open toil and trouble. The fire burned and the caldron Commonwealth Avenue. fled down Huntington Avenue. Officers checked up shop at 7 am. What he found would send bubbled. Somewhere out there, a witch was The store clerk explained a man had entered the the surrounding area with no luck. shivers through his bones. The glass front door was looking for a stranger’s bag as the last ingredient for store during the bewitching hour looking quite shattered, food was thrown about and it appeared her brew. intoxicated. The man proceeded to ask the clerk Who You Gonna Call? the cash register was scoured. Eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and for a Juul product. Abiding by the law, the clerk On October 17 around 8:25 am, an officer After checking surveillance, the manager saw an money of bag! requested an ID in order to determine if the man responded to a radio call for a fallen tree near 15 unknown male break in just 45 minutes before. It was an hour later that the victim would was above the age of 21. Symphony Road. The male combed through the register, only to stand up and realize her bag had gone missing. This simple question irked the man to no end. If there is something strange in your neighbor- find nothing to put into the blood bank. Then Thankfully, the manager said there were cameras He may have not been asking for e-cigarette hood, who you gonna call? If there is something he grabbed some food, but there was nothing outside. All the victim needed was a police report. products, but possibly in search of jewels such as weird and it don’t look good, who you gonna call? satisfying enough to sink his fangs into, so he threw Pick up the phone and call District 4. This even it on the ground. applies to ferocious winds that rip trees out from The smell of garlic was in the air and the man the ground then onto multiple vehicles. dashed out of the restaurant. Officers collected The officer discovered three cars were trapped fingerprints but the sucker is still out there under a large tree. One car was covered completely somewhere. from trunk to hood, this kept the owner from accessing the vehicle. Another owner was able to Hit and Skele-Run escape, but all cars were left with nasty dents and On October 19 around 2:15 am, an officer scratches. One vehicle even suffered from a warped responded to a radio call for a hit and run at the bumper. intersection of Jersey and Queensberry Streets. The officer cleared the road of debris, added the The victim, who was driving a white Nissan incident to City Hall’s “tree list” and submitted the Sentra, had a bone to pick with another driver. case on the 311 app. After halting at a stop sign, a gray sedan rear ended the victim. As the victim continued and pulled The Cleaning Ghost over, the other car fled toward Park Drive with no Around 10:35 pm on October 17, an officer attempt to stop. responded to a radio call for trespassing at J. Jill, There was no sorrowful bone in that person’s 100 Huntington Avenue. body. The incident was far from humerus. October 25, 2019 | 5 The Boston Guardian On Beacon Hill Esplanade Once Did Not Exist

Photo: Courtesy of Joe Cuccio It’s All for The Flag! By Joe Walsh each play, a contrast with more sluggish and By Joe Walsh studied the Esplanade’s history. Beacon Hill’s fastest growing sport is a new riff individualistic sports like baseball. For centuries, the lower Charles was a stagnant, on an old pastime. Caldera says the sport incorporates the strate- The Charles River Esplanade, with its tree lined polluted tidal estuary. Residents of the Back Bay Playoffs start next week for the Hill House gic aspects of tackle football, but without the paths and natural seeming beaches, can appear youth flag football league, a program that roughness and concussion risk that comes from removed from Boston’s built environment. and Beacon Hill tried to ignore the Charles, includes 150 co-ed players from Beacon Hill allowing contact. He cast Hill House’s league as However, this landscape is entirely manmade. separating the noxious and muddy river from and across Boston. Participation in the league a safe alternative to tackle football, which has The Esplanade’s fields, islands and beaches were newly reclaimed land by a seawall and a row of grew by 50% since its inaugural season last faced growing concerns about concussions at the built from scratch over the last century, and even homes facing away from the river. year, drawing families interested in the game’s professional and youth levels. the Charles River itself is a manmade basin. The By the late 19th century, though, public officials dynamic pace of play and lack of contact. “A lot of the rules in place are meant for the area’s evolution from polluted mudflat to park turned their attention to the river. “It’s a pretty unique offering,” said Marshall safety of the children,” Caldera said. “This allows makes the Esplanade a little-known feat of human Some officials proposed filling in the river, but Caldera, Hill House’s athletics manager. “I don’t the same enjoyment of the sport, without the engineering. others saw its potential as an open space. By the think flag football is something that’s offered in health and safety risks.” “I don’t think there’s anything else quite like early 1900s, local advocates convinced the state to each neighborhood.” As a unique offering with broad appeal, flag this,” said Karl Haglund, a state Department of build a wide river basin ringed with public parks, Before the league was formed, Boston football attracts families from beyond Hill Conservation and Recreation employee who has Continued on Page 8 lacked an NFL-sanctioned youth flag football House’s core Beacon Hill constituency. Kids program, Caldera explained. The demand was from as far as Dorchester and West Roxbury clear, though, with some Hill families traveling are enrolled, Caldera said, and Hill House has as far afield as Westwood to participate in flag partnered with Match Charter School in Allston OneOne island. island. Fourteen Thirteen homes. InInfinfiniteite memories. memories. football. After a strong first season, Hill House to extend the league to its students. had enough participation this year to form 16 Teams are not assigned geographically, so a teams across four separate leagues, serving kids typical team could include players from across from kindergarten through 7th grade. the city. This broad level of participation allows Some families are drawn to the sport, Caldera kids to make new friends from throughout says, because football has become a mainstay in Boston, Caldera noted. Boston’s sports scene, an ascent due in no small “It’s a bit more far-reaching,” he said. “It’s been part to the New England Patriots’ dynastic exciting to see that kind of mixture.” success. The league’s wide popularity also helps Hill Plus, the rules of flag football are structured House to recruit coaches. Almost 30 people have to encourage participation, Caldera explained. volunteered to coach a team this year, including Teams play five-on-five without any linemen, parents of players and community members, meaning that virtually everybody is required to according to Caldera. move around and work collaboratively during Continued on Page 8

Nantucket houses are available to rent by the Nantucket rentals week in the summer time. available year-round Shorter term rentals are ClTHE COPLEY GROUP (508) 901-9877 nantucket collection available throughout [email protected] the year. www.thecopleygroupnantucket.com In the Fenway The Boston Guardian 6 | October 25, 2019 Residents Losing Sleep Green Thumbs Over Fenway T Work More than 60 volunteers gathered at Fenway Victory Gardens last weekend to take care of park upkeep, prepare the gardens for the winter and enjoy an afternoon of grilling. By Joe Walsh disruption that locals have called erratic A flood resiliency project has brought and difficult to predict. Noise from the a torrent of weekend construction to the Fenway station project often combines with Fenway Green Line station, leaving some nearby developments and other T projects, neighbors tired of frequent nighttime noise. residents added, leading to a constant din of The MBTA is installing a set of steel doors construction in a rapidly growing corner of at the portal where Green Line trolleys the Fenway. emerge from underground and enter Almost immediately after the project Fenway Station. These doors will close if the began, nearby resident Sandeep Karnik tunnel is at risk of being overwhelmed by was awoken by heavy machinery, bright water, preventing a repeat of the disastrous floodlights and State Police cruisers. Since 1996 flooding of Kenmore Station. This then, he says the noise emanating from the system, along with the nearby Muddy River Fenway station has become detrimental dredging project, will protect key local to quality of life, especially as the project Photos: Joe Walsh infrastructure from storms, according to T stretches well into its second year. officials. “There’s all kinds of noise, there’s all kinds Construction on the portal project began of heavy equipment,” he said. “It was a in May 2018, and work will stretch across pretty rowdy scene.” 10 more weekends between now and next Kathy Greenough from the Audubon spring. T officials say this work must take Circle Neighborhood Association says the place over the weekend and overnight to project is especially frustrating because of a prevent construction from interfering with perceived lack of communication, with bouts regular Green Line service. of construction often stopping and restart- “The primary advantage of a weekend ing with little warning. MBTA officials note diversion over other work windows is the that they reached out to community groups, time available to improve the system,” said but Greenough said most of the T’s outreach Angel Peña, the T’s chief of Green Line did not take place until after the project was Transformation. set to begin. Some Fenway residents, however, are fed “We were just incensed that we didn’t know up with the loud noise and blinding lights about such a large project,” Greenough said. that the project generates, a persistent Continued on Page 8 October 25, 2019 | 7 The Boston Guardian In the South End More Money Coming To Methadone Mile By Dan Rabb to a handful of specific city programs, from The Walsh administration’s renewed efforts street outreach teams and sober shelters to the to address the crisis at Mass Ave and Melnea expansion of women’s drop in centers and the Cass Boulevard may get a million-dollar boost STEP program, which offers job placement as from Beacon Hill lawmakers. an incentive for sustained sobriety. Yet how this Legislation approved by the House last money will be divided between these services week would direct $1 million in state funding and how it will be spent is in the hands of city to Boston’s expanding drug treatment and officials. homelessness services in Newmarket and “The money is going to the City of Boston, the South End, a plan branded by the Walsh so it will be largely up to them to figure out exactly where that money is going to go,” administration as Mass and Cass 2.0. Currently Photo: Courtesy of CBT Architects under consideration by the Senate, the six Santiago said. figure earmark would more than double the Administration officials do not have a specific $750,000 already committed by Governor plan for how they will use this additional Bay Village Readying Charlie Baker to support the city’s initiative. income, according to Jennifer Tracey, director According to Representative Jon Santiago, of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services. As the provision’s lead sponsor whose district part of the state’s supplementary budget, the For Years of Suffering includes the South End, the cash infusion will funds would be a one-time infusion and must By Dan Rabb neighborhood,” said Bethany Patten, president provide needed resources for those struggling be spent by June 30, restrictions that Tracey Bay Village residents should brace themselves of the Bay Village Neighborhood Association with addiction and help ease the burden on says complicate its potential use. for years of constant construction that is likely to (BVNA). “It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be “There’s a lot of challenges around that, so neighborhoods disproportionately impacted impact the neighborhood’s quality of life. dusty and it’s going to be ugly.” we’ll work with our partners to understand by the opioid crisis. The potential construction chaos comes courtesy The Boston Planning and Development Agency “We have a tremendous opportunity to how it should be spent,” she said. “You can’t of two planned residential towers, already approved granted approval in early October to the proposed address this hard hit area, a neighborhood hire people generally with money that’s not by city regulators, that would sit directly across 310 foot tower at 201 Stuart Street, a condo and that has become the epicenter of the opioid sustained, but you are able to address some the street from each other on the neighborhood’s retail development rising 20 stories over the existing epidemic,” Santiago told the House Chamber. urgent needs and fill some gaps in the short northern border. The two enormous projects, just Motor Mart Garage. Its nearby counterpart, a 19 “To put it quite plainly, this bill’s million-dollar term.” feet apart, could bring a hurricane of construction floor retail and residential mix at 212 Stuart Street, investment to increase comprehensive public Santiago cautions that the million-dollar noise and traffic disruptions along Stuart Street. received approval in 2017. health services will not only save lives, but will earmark’s inclusion in the final supplementary Although the start dates of both projects are extend a lifeline to an embattled community.” budget is not a done deal. The bill still needs to Some residents are worried. If approved, the funds will be restricted Continued on Page 8 “It’s two massive projects against a tiny little Continued on Page 8 The Boston Guardian 8 | October 25, 2019 Legal Notice Classifieds Call (857) 265-3022 Custom Flooring CITATION ON PETITION FOR NOTICE AND ORDER: PETITION Back Bay FORMAL ADJUDICATION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN & Millwork parking spaces needed Commonwealth of Massachusetts OF A MINOR –Wide Plank & Long Length Flooring 2 single or tandem The Trial Court –White Oak & Antique Heart Pine Probate and Family Court Commonwealth of Massachusetts Between Newbury & Suffolk Probate and Family Court The Trial Court –Genuine Mahogany Decking 24 New Chardon Street Probate and Family Court Marlborough, Mass Ave Boston, MA 02114 Suffolk Probate and Family Court T.S. Mann Lumber 978-249-2206 (617) 788-8300 24 New Chardon Street & Gloucester Docket No. SU19P2235EA Boston, MA 02114 www.MannLumber.com 617-536-4277 Estate of: James W. Keough Docket No. SU19P1948GD Date of Death: 07/24/2019 In the interests of Xyaderis S. Mercedes To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adju- of Boston, MA T Work Noise schedule is designed to limit neighborhood dication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Minor Representative has been filed by:Robert Keough disruption. The project is taking place at of Dorchester MA requesting that the Court enter Continued from Page 6 the same time as a series of track and signal a formal Decree and Order for such other relief as NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: 1. Hearing Date/Time: A hearing on a Petition upgrades on the same branch of the Green Michael K. Gillis Esq. of Newton MA be appointed for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor filed on as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve 08/22/2019 by Iveliss Torres of Quincy, MA will be Greenough and Karnik say they Line, reducing the amount of time that With Corporate Surety on the bond in an unsuper- held 11/06/2019 08:30 AM Guardianship of Minor understand that the T needs to work on construction projects disrupt T service, vised administration. Located at Hearing 24 New Chardon Street, 3rd weekends and at night, but they would according to Peña. Regardless, weekends and Important Notice Floor, Boston, MA 02114, Probation Department. 2. Response to Petition: You may respond by filing like the agency to better mitigate the noise. nighttime remain the most efficient times to You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition a written response to the Petition or by appearing in from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right person at the hearing. If you choose to file a written Greenough believes an occasional break take care of this essential work, officials say. to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your response, you need to: from construction activity would help “The MBTA works diligently with our attorney must file a written appearance and objection File the original with the Court; and at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of residents stomach the disruption. contractor to minimize construction-related 11/12/2019. Mail a copy to all interested parties at least five (5) business days before the hearing. “They need to give people a break,” impacts,” Peña said. “However, some of This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which 3. Counsel for the Minor: The minor (or adult on be- Greenough said. “People need to be able to the work must be constructed at night to you must file a written appearance and objection if you half of the minor) has the right to request that counsel object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely writ- be appointed for the minor. sleep.” minimize adverse impacts to Green Line ten appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit 4. Counsel for Parents: If you are a parent of the of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return date, The MBTA maintains that its construction service.” action may be taken without further notice to you. minor child who is the subject of this proceeding you have a right to be represented by an attorney. Unsupervised Administration Under the If you want an attorney and cannot afford to pay for Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) one and if you give proof that you are indigent, an Esplanade Amid this criticism, the state invigorated the attorney will be assigned to you. Your request for an Esplanade in the 1930s, adding gently sloping A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC attorney should be made immediately by filling out the in an unsupervised administration is not required to Continued from Page 5 beaches, sheltered lagoons with boathouses, file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Application of Appointment of Counsel form. Submit Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice the application form in person or by mail at the court treelined paths and concert venues. A donation by regarding the administration directly from the Personal location where your case is going to be heard. Representative and may petition the Court in any 5. Presence of the Minor at Hearing: A minor over filling a critical need for new parkland while also benefactor Helen Storrow also allowed the state to matter relating to the estate, including the distribution age 14 has the right to be present at any hearing, solving the river’s pollution problem. build the tree lined islands that are now signature of assets and expenses of administration. unless the Court finds that it is not in the minor’s best interests. The first step, completed in 1908, was to build a parts of the park. Witness: Hon. Brian J. Dunn, First Justice of this Court Date: October 1, 2019 dam at the end of the river and redirect sewage to The new design was instantly popular, with Felix D. Arroyo, Register of Probate Date: August 23, 2019 scores of residents flooding onto the Esplanade for Felix D. Arroyo, Register of Probate Boston Harbor. This dam eliminated the Charles’ mudflats, turning the river into a relatively clean events, exercise and boating. The park was disrupt- Coorssen, co-founder of the Downtown Boston basin with consistent water levels. The state ed, however, by highway planners. Despite earlier Pot Restrictions objections from Storrow, the state tore up part of Residents’ Association, Patriot Care’s willingness simultaneously reclaimed a strip of land aside the Continued from Page 3 the park in the 1950s to add a parkway, ironically to violate its agreement puts their credibility in Back Bay and Beacon Hill, creating a narrow grassy naming the road after Storrow’s husband. As a question. park and riverside walkway named the Esplanade. concession, the state added a small amount of neighborhood groups prior to the approval of “You said that even if recreational was allowed This original design was widely seen as unsuccess- their medical dispensary in which the company you would not take that step; that’s a commitment parkland. ful. A seawall blocked access to the Charles, and Since then, the Esplanade has become a center- promised not to pursue a recreational license you made,” said Coorssen at last week’s MPPA very few trees were planted, a concession to Beacon should adult use be legalized. For those like George meeting. “I don’t know what’s changed.” piece of Boston, yet few visitors notice that the park Street residents worried about losing their view of is manmade, says Margo Newman, former chair Bay Village both projects simultaneously. She’s also concerned the river. Resident Earl F. Gates wrote in a 1915 of the Esplanade Association’s board. She believes about how years of building noise and vibrations review that the park had fallen short of its potential. the park is popular because of its human built Continued from Page 7 will affect residents in the townhouses right near “Only an occasional figure braves the glitter history, which has kept the Esplanade relevant to Stuart Street. and heat of the sunlight on the unprotected modern needs. uncertain, 212 Stuart’s developers listed June “I feel incredibly sorry and incredibly bad for the esplanade,” he wrote. “The visions of our dreamers “It wasn’t always considered successful,” she 2020 in a recent memo to subcontractors. Work people who are living right there who are going to of dreams remain what they were a few brief years said. “Civic activists made this parkland become on the Motor Mart tower is farther off, but with be bearing the brunt of this,” she said. ago – visions.” parkland.” construction of 212 Stuart expected to last nearly Also irking Bay Village residents is a perceived two years, it is possible the two projects could lack of communication from the developers Flag Football kids to the sport, while also teaching them overlap, potentially amplifying disruptions for Bay of 212 Stuart. The company’s construction values like teamwork and strategic thinking. Village residents. impact planning received approval from Boston Continued from Page 5 “I could get a double victory,” Knous Even if the two towers are not built simultaneous- Transportation Department, according to city said. “The opportunity is to teach them ly, Motor Mart’s estimated 30 month construction officials, but Patten says she has heard nothing For coach Scott Knous, the flag football timeline means Bay Villagers would face nearly about a start date or mitigation measures. program has invigorated his love of football, the fundamentals of the game, but more four years of major development right in their “We don’t know what’s going on because we which dates to his days as a running back at importantly, to learn how to coexist and back yard, a rude awakening for a neighborhood haven’t heard anything from the developer,” she Lake Forest College. He enjoys introducing work together as a team.” that has thus far been relatively unaffected by the said. “The information to the neighborhood on city’s building boom. 212 has stopped.” “This is new to us,” said Bay Village resident Many in Bay Village fear the new towers are the Methadone Mile $ Appropriations Committee, Santiago says he Nancy Morrisroe. “We haven’t had projects like vanguard of a wave of large project development, still needs to convince fellow legislators that this before that have this kind of impact.” according to Patten. With empty lots along Continued from Page 7 Mass and Cass 2.0 deserves such a significant While these may be new issues for the neighbor- Arlington Street selling for record prices in recent influx of taxpayer dollars. hood, the BVNA’s Patten says she knows what’s months, she says they do not want to see their clear the Senate and the Joint Appropriations “As a representative of the South End, we’re coming once the two towers break ground. She brick rowhouses obscured behind towering glass Committee before landing on Governor Baker’s obligated to address the issues of the neighbor- worries about pedestrian safety and traffic impacts and steel. desk. Even with the provision’s co-sponsor hood,” he said. “But we had to make the case where Stuart Street intersects with Columbus “It’s a big concern in the neighborhood,” Patten Representative Aaron Michlewitz at the helm to our colleagues that this affects the whole city and Arlington, especially if work is performed on said. “We don’t want to be boxed in.” of the budgeting process as chair of the House and the surrounding areas as well.” October 25, 2019 | 9 The Boston Guardian Halloween Calendar Saturday, October 26- Saturday, October 26- Halloween Eat & Treat. Enjoy treats Sunday, October 27 Sunday, October 27 with friends and family before trick or Haunted Halls. Raffle, photo Pumpkin Palooza. Free pumpkins, magic treating. Free. Fenway CDC, Morville booth, activities, DJ and family shows, pumpkin carving and train rides. House Community Room, 100 Norway Free. The Lawn on D. 12 pm. friendly costume contest. For more St. 5:30 pm. information visit mos.org. $21-$26. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park. Sunday, October 27 Claremont Neighborhood Halloween 9 am-5 pm. SoWa Spooktacular. Final open market of the season and the annual at Wellington Green. Wellington St at Saturday, October 26 Halloween bash with pumpkin Columbus Ave. 5:30-7 pm. Myrtle Street Playground BOO! painting, face painting and costume Party. Bake sale, games and crafts. contest. Free. SoWa, 450 Harrison Ave. Pilot Block Neighborhood Assc. Myrtle Street Playground, Myrtle St 10 am-4 pm. Grown Up Ghoul Get Down. Post & Irving St. 10 am-12 pm. trick or treating fun. Costumes PRU BOO! Trick or treat in the encouraged, not required. Bring drink Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Prudential Center at over 50 partici- pating stores followed by a children’s of choice and snacks to share. 125 Contest. Prizes awarded by a panel concert and activities. $5 donation to Pembroke St. 8:30-11 pm. of judges for best owner and pet receive a trick or treat bag. Prudential combo, local representation, most Center. 11 am-1 pm. Beacon Hill Women’s Forum Ghost Friday, November 1 creative, best group and spookiest. Tour. Learn about the spooky side of Free. Faneuil Hall, West End. 12 pm. KidsJam Halloween Monster Mash Seaport Hotel’s Annual HOWL-O- Boston on a Ghosts & Gravestones Dance Party. Monthly family dance WEEN. Costume party for four-legged Frightseeing tour. $40. Marriott Long party with a spooky Halloween twist. friends with cash bar, special treats, Wharf Hotel, 200 Atlantic Ave. 7 pm. Boston Children’s Museum, The prizes and activities. Free. Seaport Hotel, 1 Seaport Lane. 11 am-1 pm. Thursday, October 31 Common, 308 Congress St. 6:30-8 pm. Doggone Halloween Parade. Prizes Annual Pumpkin Pageant & Dog go to the scariest, most creative, best Costume Contest. Face painting, of show and best dog and human pumpkin carving, dog costume duo costumes. Treats provided. parade, local bites, beer and wine. Pre-registration required. Downtown Free, $10 dog costume contest entry. Crossing, 9 Summer St. 12-1:30 pm. 12-3 pm. For more information, visit FriendsOfFortPoint.org 14th Annual North End Neighborhood Halloween Party. Tadpole’s Annual Halloween Block Costumes, pizza, games, crafts, music Party. Music, food, games, bounce and more. BCYF Nazzaro Center, house, petting zoo and more. Free. North Bennet St. 3-6:30 pm. Chandler St at the corner of Clarendon Titus Sparrow Park Halloween St. 2-4 pm. Party. Refreshments, entertainers, pre trick-or-treat fun. Titus Sparrow Park. CSTO Haunted House. Castle Square 5-6 pm. Tenants Organization will host a haunted house for ages 5-21. Free. 476 Halloween Party at Ringgold Park. Friday, November 1- Tremont St. For youth 10 and under, Glow sticks for children and costume Clarendon St Playground prizes. Ringgold St. 5 pm. Trick-or- Saturday, November 2 Halloween Party. Games, crafts and 5:30-6:30 pm. For youth 21 and under, 6-7 pm. Call (617) 482-4605 treating begins at 6 pm. Dia De Los Muertos Celebration. prizes. Costumes encouraged but ext. 14 for more information. Submit a photograph and memory of not required. $10 per family. 260 Halloween at the Gibson House. Clarendon St. 2-4 pm. The Gibson House will open its doors a departed loved one to boston.gov/ Season 9 Kick-Off Halloween Party. DiaDeMuertos to be displayed at the Fresh Ink Theatre ushers in new season offering treats to trick or treaters. Free. Harvest Fest and Halloween 137 Beacon St. 6 pm. citywide altar by October 30. Copley with food, drink and costumes. $25. Costume Party. Games, crafts, face Square. 903 Boylston St. 7 pm. painting, bake sale, free pizza and cider. Free. Phillips Street Play Area, Sunday, October 27- Phillips St between Anderson and Friday, November 1 Trick-or-Treating Street Closures: Garden Streets. 12-2 pm. Celebrate Halloween at Boston South End Beacon Hill Children’s Museum. Come in costume Pembroke Street from Warren Avenue to Pinckney Street and Mt. Vernon Street Haunted Graveyard Tour. Hear the and trick or treat for non-candy items Tremont Street surprising history of the burying at different exhibits. 308 Congress St. from Joy to Charles Streets ground with spooky and lurid tales Waltham Street Chestnut Street from Walnut to Charles 6-8 pm of the South End. Free. South End Tuesday, October 29 Streets Burying Ground, 2118 Washington Spooky Walking Tour. Presented by West Cedar Street from Revere to Chestnut St. 3 pm. Back Bay NABB, join neighbors for a ghost walk Streets Boston Costume Dash. 5K on of the Back Bay. $20. Starts at Trinity Marlborough Street from Berkeley to Anderson Street from Myrtle to Pinckney the Esplanade with hundreds of Church, ends at Public Garden. 7 pm. Fairfield Streets costumed runners followed by a 21+ To RSVP or for more information, Side streets from Beacon Street to Comm Streets after party for dashers. $35. Charles contact SpecialEvents@NABBonline. Ave Branch Street from Charles Street River Esplanade. 3-6 pm. com 5:30-8:30 pm 4:30-8:30 pm The Boston Guardian October 25, 2019 | 10 Our Local Real Estate

By Caroline Broderick With all that the Fenway, Back Bay and South End neighbor- hoods have to offer, it can seem nearly impossible to decide on which one to settle in. Each have strong communities, highly desirable architecture and remarkable homes. Why not have easy access to all three? On Saint Stephen Street, the three neighborhoods meet and foster an area booming with culture, kinship and history. In close proximity, all practical necessities such as restaurants, grocery stores and parks, neighbor popular artistic venues like Boston Symphony Orchestra, Huntington Theatre Company and Christian Science Plaza. The cheery single family townhome at 30 Saint Stephen Street perfectly matches the surrounding area with its classic Boston red brick exterior and modern renovated interior. The second floor is as comfortable and bright as the first. Here, Falling into the category of an Arts & Crafts style home, there residents can relax in the spacious living room. A large built in are light-filled rooms, natural materials and several notable entertainment center lifts the room up with its light color and decorative aspects. This townhouse has four bedrooms, three full utilizes space nicely by providing room for storage and decor. baths, two parking spots and an enclosed outdoor patio. Enjoy a cozy higher view of the greenery outdoors through the Original ornamental moldings are etched up the three floors of oriel window’s adorable built in seat. the grand winding staircase. On the first floor, residents will find An additional large bedroom with a full bath is accessible from a bright white framed demi-lune window in the dining room. the main floor. Due to its location, this room is perfect for an This half circle window takes up nearly the entire wall, presenting office or in-law suite. This bedroom has access to the large gated a calming view of the tree lined street and front garden. back brick patio. Laundry and storage space can also be found Through a dramatic rounded archway, which mimics the on this floor. rounded statement window, visitors can make their way into the As you walk up to the third level where two bedrooms and one $2,395,000. Two off street parking spots come with the home. kitchen. Never fear running out of counterspace in this gracious en-suite bath can be found, a multi-paneled skylight will show Located in the Symphony area of the Fenway, all needs are room. The counter stretches out into a peninsula, providing glimpses of blue skies and sunshine above. All bedrooms have within walking distance such as Whole Foods, CVS Pharmacy, breakfast bar seating for up to four. With wooden cabinetry, hardwood flooring and windows with white trim, cohesive with hardware store, endless restaurants, coffee shops and parks. matching fireplace and interior wooden shutters, the kitchen is a other molding found throughout the home. Contact Leslie Adam of Coldwell Banker Beacon Hill at (617) homey central area and has plenty of room to host. 30 Saint Stephen Street has 2,473 square feet and is priced at 901-3664 for more information. October 25, 2019 | 11 The Boston Guardian

BREWSTER & BERKOWITZ REAL ESTATE

Beacon Hill Townhouse - 160 Mount Vernon Street This inviting and aesthetically pleasing four story townhouse built in 1871 is in excellent condition. The current owners, who have resided there for 34 years, have brought the house into the 21st century while retaining historic details. There is sensational light and lovely views from both the front and rear. The house has a wonderful, spacious roof deck, gracious rooms, central a/c and a beautiful garden which has been on The Beacon Hill Garden Tour. The building foundation has been underpinned and the garden level has been totally renovated. There is a full on-site parking space. This is a “must-see.” $6,250,000 [email protected] ~ 617-367-0505 visit our website www.brewberk.com