The Boston Planning and Development Agency has received two more applications for a tax break to convert an office building into housing, this time in the South End and Bulfinch Triangle.
The latest submissions, both from Boston developer Greg McC…
Your Hometown Radio
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The Boston Planning and Development Agency has received two more applications for a tax break to convert an office building into housing, this time in the South End and Bulfinch Triangle.
The latest submissions, both from Boston developer Greg McC…
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Lawmakers started negotiations Monday on a bill that’s expected to eventually inject hundreds of millions more dollars into the state’s family shelter system and put time limits on how long homeless families can stay in the system.
Ways and Means Chairs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues will lead the negotiations, as they also both work on their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.
Michlewitz, Rodrigues and conferees Reps. Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Todd Smola and Sens. Cynthia Friedman and Patrick O’Connor held their negotiations open to the public for about two minutes Monday, before voting to go into executive session and closing the discussions to outsiders.
In opening statements both chairs emphasized the urgency of the negotiations.
“I look forward to working with all of you to get this rectified as quickly as possible. You and I are experienced at it,” Rodrigues said to Michlewitz. “So I’m sure we will accomplish that goal quickly.”
The House version of the fiscal 2024 spending bill (H 4466 / S 2711) directs $245 million towards the shelter system, while the Senate bill would authorize the Healey administration to pull from an $863 million state savings account called the transitional escrow fund across both fiscal 2024 and 2025.
State officials estimate that funds already appropriated for the shelter system will run out sometime this spring.
The Senate bill also calls for making permanent pandemic-era provisions allowing expanded outdoor dining and a graduate student nursing program, but in a contrast from the House, it would not allow restaurants to continue selling alcoholic beverages to go — a pandemic-era policy that expired at the end of March since lawmakers failed to renew it before then.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, and all of you, on this supplemental budget bill trying to get it done as quickly as possible. We have some obviously important pieces in there that are of immediate need. And I know we share a desire to see this get to the governor’s desk as soon as we can,” Michlewitz said.
Much of the debate will revolve around the use of reserve funds, which have grown since an influx of federal dollars during the pandemic and state budget surpluses allowed lawmakers to tuck away historic amounts.
Both House and Senate bills also look to cap how long a family can stay in shelter — a departure from the state’s 40-year-old policy that qualifying homeless families can stay in state-run housing for as long as it takes to get on their feet.
Representatives and senators are looking to restrict stays to nine months. The Senate would allow officials to award one or more 90-day extensions to shelter residents who meet criteria, such as single parents of children with disabilities or those who need an extension to avoid losing a job. The House would offer three-month extensions to those who are employed or enrolled in a job training program, pregnant women, people with certain disabilities, veterans and those facing domestic violence risks.
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Would you get married at a Market Basket?
That’s what the beloved supermarket said on Monday — April Fool’s Day — it will soon be offering: #MoreForYourDollar Weddings.
“Walk down the aisle in your favorite aisle. You’ll exchange vows with your loved one in an intimate ceremony, then guests will enjoy a Market’s Kitchen dinner and Bakery cake at the reception,” Market Basket said in a Facebook post.
The post includes an edited image of a happy couple in their wedding finest kissing in the middle of the cereal aisle, flanked by plenty of bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Hundreds of people flooded the comments to get in on the April Fool’s fun.
“Plus you could pick up the bouquets in the flower section,” one person wrote.
“Our Floral Department has you covered!” the Market Basket account replied.
Another person even shared what appeared to be their own wedding photos taken at a Market Basket.
Market Basket is, of course, no stranger to getting into the spirit of holidays — it has a Christmas-season customer service decoration competition that gets pretty intense every year.
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A few years back, Dunkin’ Donuts dropped the donuts and changed the company’s name to just Dunkin’.
Now, they’re bringing back the donuts. Sort of.
As part of an April Fools’ Day stunt Monday, the company announced that they’re changing their name to “DONUTS’”.
“It’s April 1, which means it’s time for some spring cleaning, and we’re not joking around! Out with the old and in with the new, as they say,” the Canton-based company said in the release. “Today, April 1, 2024, we are proud to announce that we are changing our name to DONUTS’. A few years ago, we moved to a first name basis with America and dropped “Donuts” from our name, but now we’ve changed our minds. DONUTS’ sounds way better than Dunkin’, don’t you think!?”
They even created a line of “DONUTS’” merchandise, with beige, white and pink sweatshirts with the new name emblazoned on the front.
“Grab a donut and get runnin’ because the crew neck sweatshirts won’t last long (like maybe just today!),” the company said.
“To all the donut lovers out there who have followed our journey and been with us from the beginning, we hope this change brings a smile to your face,” they added. “Afterall, we’ve been known to sprinkle some lighthearted fun into your daily routine. How do you like them donuts?”
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Three people were injured in a crash involving a school bus in Lowell, Massachusetts, on Monday morning.
Lowell police said they responded around 9 a.m. to a report of a crash involving a school bus at the intersection of Andover and Nesmith streets.
Responding officers found the school bus on its side, with two adult occupants suffering from minor injuries. They were taken to a local hospital for treatment. There were no children on the school bus at the time.
The adult driver of the vehicle that struck the school bus also suffered minor injuries in the crash. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No further details were released.
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A car flipped over, landing on its roof on the sidewalk following a multiple vehicle crash in Newton, Massachusetts, on Monday morning.
The crash was reported shortly before 11 a.m. on Walnut Street at Commonwealth Avenue near Newton City Hall.
Two or three vehicles were involved, one of which rolled over and came to rest on its roof. Police said there was no entrapment and no serious injuries were reported.
The vehicle that flipped over suffered severe damage, and a second vehicle, a gold Kia SUV, had major front-end damage as well.
No furhter details were immediately available.
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