With an overflow audience, the Boston City Council’s final budget hearing opened at City Hall last Wednesday. Among the projects included in the $2.14 billion budget approved for the coming fiscal year, which began on Saturday, are $40 million in improvements to Beacon Hill and the Back Bay.

The council approved the budget in a vote of 9 to 4, allotting to District 8, which also encompasses parts of Fenway, Kenmore, Mission Hill, the West End and Allston, “one of the highest totals in the city,” according to Councilor Rob Consalvo, chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, which oversees the budget review process. District 8’s capital plan grants over $4.5 million for improvements to the Boston Public Library, over $1 million for maintenance to the Public Garden, $539,000 for construction and renovations in Boston Common, and $120,000 for the Clarendon Street Playground.

The final budget, which reflects the input gleaned during 29 public hearings and 72 hours of public testimony, is a 4.5%, or $91.3 million, increase over the budget for the 2006 fiscal year. Other city improvements include a 1percent increase in funds to all public schools, including 350 new kindergarten seats and the addition of 100 police officers on the streets.

Noting that “there’s only so much money to go around,” Consalvo said he tried to balance the city’s long-term needs, such as health care and employee pensions, with its short-term concerns, particularly youth violence, in what is becoming one of Boston’s deadliest years. “By far, public safety was the theme that dominated this process,” he said.

The announcement did not satisfy the chamber’s audience, an estimated 150 teenagers and youth workers lobbying for an extra $5 million for summer jobs. Holding signs that read “9,000 jobs for 20,000 teens is not enough” and “City Councilors: Let’s talk together about what’s best for youth,” the teens hissed when councilors spoke in favor of the budget.

The group, which was organized by Councilor Sam Yoon of Dorchester, had already secured an extra $300,000 for 250 summer jobs after Mayor Menino submitted his version of the budget to City Council on April 12.

“What’s important to remember is because of your efforts and your actions, you now have $300,000 extra for summer jobs,” Consalvo told the audience. “We can’t be all things to all people. We can’t say ‘yes’ to everyone who walks through the door.”

Calling the budget “very imbalanced, antiquated thinking,” Councilor Chuck Turner suggested hiring youth workers instead of police officers. “I think we need to rework the way we think about public safety,” he said. “Police officers in reality don’t stop the drugs from coming in.”

Councilor Charles Yancey called the budget “very modest, unimaginative and timid.” “I believe it’s too expensive not to make this investment,” he said.

Councilors who spoke in favor of the budget faced hissing and chanting. “We have to look at this realistically,” said Councilor Maureen Feeney. “A ‘No’ [vote] says we want to stop city government from doing what it does best. We are constantly challenged to invent new ways to serve the public.”

“There are a thousand jobs out there,” said Councilor Jerry McDermott. “It’s not a birthright for every child in the city of Boston to have a job.”

The teens’ antics escalated into an outburst that caused Council President Michael Flaherty to order an evacuation of the chambers. The demonstration was unusual for City Hall, according to Consalvo. “It doesn’t ever happen,” he later said. “It should happen more.”

The Suffolk University Task Force on the proposed dorm at 10 Somerset Street wants the university to slow down the Article 80 process and let Boston Landmarks Commission act first.

In a June 28 letter to Suffolk’s Vice President for Government and Community Affairs John Nucci, task force Chair Rob Whitney asked the university to extend the deadline for the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s scoping determination concerning its Institutional Master Plan and the 20 Somerset Street dormitory from July 14 to September 15.

The scoping determination, part of the review of proposed developments under Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code, describes the specific issues Suffolk must study and lists questions it must answer. The BRA puts it together after reviewing the university’s original project notification form and comments made for the public. The public will then have another opportunity to be heard.

One of the main reasons the group requested an extension of the scoping determination deadline was the recent issuance of the study report by the staff of the Boston Landmarks Commission, which recommended that landmark status be given to portions of the former Metropolitan District Commission headquarters at 20 Somerset Street, Whitney said. It would help the task force in their deliberations if it knew what, if any, design restrictions were placed on the building.

The commission’s designation hearing for 20 Somerset Street will take place on Tuesday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in room 801. Members of the commission will vote on whether to accept the study report’s recommendation at its next meeting, now scheduled for July 25, but the exact date of the vote will be determined at the July 11 hearing.

“Another reason for the extension request is the task force’s desire to allow for meaningful public participation and feedback in the scoping determination process,” said Whitney. “Since many people will be away in the month of August, the task force proposed that the BRA present its draft of the scoping determination to the task force and the general public on September 6, 2006, with the final scoping determination to be issued on September 15. This would allow time…to review the draft scoping determination and to provide meaningful comments to the BRA prior to the proposed September 15 scoping determination deadline.”

Although no formal answer to the request had been received by press time, Nucci said at the task force meeting that Suffolk would be willing to extend the deadline.

Gerald Autler, senior project manager/planner at the BRA, told task force members that he didn’t think it was necessary to extend the deadline to September 15, and that the BRA would move ahead with its preparation prior to the Landmark Commission’s decision.

Once upon a time pedestrians crossed Leverett Circle by climbing up stairs or a ramp and walking along a narrow pedestrian bridge over a busy Storrow Drive and the Charles Street extension.

Now that Leverett Circle’s redesign is almost finished and the traffic headed to I-93 has been forced underground, pedestrians cross the Storrow Drive section of the circle in three segments governed by traffic signals. They land on traffic islands while crossing two lanes, three lanes and then three lanes again—at least if they are heading to the Science Museum from Whittier Place.

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority’s plan was to rebuild the bridge, and some neighbors say they want what they were promised. But other neighbors are against it, saying this is the time to calm the traffic even more, keep people on the ground and allocate the money toward helping make the Science Park T station, which occupies the circle’s center, accessible to the handicapped.

So state Representative Marty Walz and City Councilor Mike Ross convened a meeting last week at the Science Museum to discuss the intersection and the implications of building a bridge or not. No decision emerged from the meeting, but it became clearer about who wanted the bridge and who didn’t.

WalkBoston, the pedestrian advocacy group, favored keeping people at ground level and making further improvements to lights, signal timing and signs, creating rumble strips to alert drivers that they’re coming into a pedestrian zone and adjusting the radius at certain corners to slow traffic that is turning. MTA officials said that some of these changes were possible.

Some neighbors were against the bridge too. “It’s just plug ugly,” said Jane Wilson of Whittier Place. She also pointed out that using the ramps would mean that a pedestrian would have to walk as far as two football fields, or more than 700 feet, to get across the circle, when crossing at grade would mean a walk of less than half that.

Rob Whitney of Phillips Street and Dan Coleman of Whittier Place said the disabled wouldn’t like the bridge plan either. “Our preference would be to have an at-grade crossing,” said Whitney, president of the Massachusetts Disability Law Center and chairman of its board. Whitney said the first priority is to install elevators at Science Park. Because of the tight space, it might be difficult to fit both elevators and overhead pedestrian bridges at the station.

Whitney suggested creating another crosswalk leading from the bigger pedestrian island directly to the station across the circle, making the distance to the station even shorter for those on foot.

Coleman backed him up. “I’ve been wheelchair-bound,” he said. “It’s a real pain to pull yourself up 600 feet of ramp.”

Green space advocates also had objections to the bridge. “As a park advocate, I want as much green space as possible and not ramps,” said Sandra Steele of West Cedar Street. She pointed to Charles Circle, now undergoing reconstruction at the T station and the surrounding streets and sidewalks, as a model for Leverett Circle. “A bridge is not good for handicapped people,” she said. “It’s not good in ice and snow. Both MGH and the Mass Eye and Ear preferred a crossing at-grade [to ramps and a bridge.]”

She said a bridge would be a waste of money. “If it does get built, no one is going to use it,” she concluded.

But some residents weren’t swayed by these arguments. “I want both,” said Carol Neimera of Whittier Place. “We are entitled to both. I don’t see why we have to choose.”

Jane Forrestall of West End Place agreed. “We need both the bridge and an at-grade crossing,” she said.

At this point the turnpike authority is proceeding with a bridge design, which it expects to have in draft form in the fall. If built, the bridge would become the property of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which would be responsible for maintaining it.

One dream is that the money allocated for the bridge could be used to hasten making Science Park handicap accessible by installing elevators, but such a transfer would have to be worked out. Dan Grabauskas, head of the MBTA, has promised that Science Park will get a makeover, enabling the disabled to reach the station, but funds are not yet in hand for the construction.

CREDIT: John Besser


Since 1988, many pictures of the so-called “most photographed street in America,” Acorn Street, have as their centerpiece an American flag, hung on the home of Charlie and Karin Dumbaugh.

Now photographers have a brand new flag to liven their photos. Charlie Dumbaugh, who flies the flag in memory of his great, great grandfather, Sgt. James Francis Cantwell, replaced the old one, which had become somewhat tattered, with one made by Mount Vernon Street resident, Curt Dietrich of Accent Banner Corporation. The flag, as Dumbaugh tells the story, is a replica of the 80th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry Battle Flag. The regiment was organized in September, 1862 and traveled with the original flag 7,245 miles—1,050 by water, 2,445 by railroad and 3,750 by foot. Sgt. Cantwell, who was in Company G, led 97 enlisted men from this regiment on a series of battles for three years during the Civil War and came back with only 26 men.

The humility and pride of America

In the July 4 issue, it has been our custom to publish this hymn for you to enjoy and sing on Independence Day. The words are moving. They don’t boast. They don’t futilely wave a flag. They don’t pontificate or insist that you believe this way or that to be patriotic.

Instead the hymn asks for God’s blessing. This humility seems appropriate in an era in which we are wreaking incredible havoc on the world.

This hymn celebrates the nation’s natural beauty. Will we have that beauty in 20 years, with global warming not addressed? It celebrates self-control and sternness, two qualities our leaders have not asked of us, even though thousands of our young people are at war.

It equates liberty with law. Those who supervise Guantanamo Bay and spy on American citizens might be surprised to learn that the two are connected.

It hopes for nobility, not lies and deception. The words sing of values we want in our country, not the ones we have recently seen practiced. Perhaps its ideal is unattainable. But on July 4, 1776, the founders of our republic must have felt their goals were just as unreachable.


America, the Beautiful
by Katharine Lee Bates

O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain.
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years.
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea.

PET SERVICES
HOUSE CALL CAT GROOMING. Where your cat feels safest. Contact Cynthia 617-265-1800.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOSTON MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. Needs adults willing to offer 2-4 hours per month to assist local elders who have difficulty managing day to day finances. For more information, Call Deborah at 617-522-6700 or email dgrose@ethocare.org.
CAREER COLLABORATIVE. Practice interviewers needed Fridays 9 a.m.-12 noon to run practice interview sessions for low income people seeking permanent jobs. Individuals with extensive interviewing experience please call 617-424-6202 or email Valerie@careercollaborative.org.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS. The Arlington Boys and Girls Club is coordinating a campaign to support local programs. They are asking people with unwanted cars to donate them for auction with the proceeds going to local clubs. Call 1-800-246-0493.
MADD. Are you or is someone you know the victim of a drunk driving accident? We offer many free services including court-accompaniment, referrals for counseling and literature to help. Call 1-800-633-MADD.
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN. Volunteers needed to play with children living in homeless shelters in your neighborhood and in Greater Boston. A two-hour weekly commitment for 6 months is required. Call 617-287-1900 ext 314 or visit www.horizonsforhomelesschilden.org.
BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER. Being a “Big” means simply sharing a little time with one great kid just like someone once did for you. Become a “Big” today. Call 800-412-BIGS or logon to www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
PARENTS HELPING PARENTS. Needs volunteers with good interpersonal skills and a commitment to strengthening families to facilitate support groups aimed at assisting individuals who are anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated or feeling isolated in their role as a parent or guardian. A commitment of several hours a week for one year is required. Call 1-800-882-1250 or e-mail www.parentshelpingparents.org.
COMMUNITY SERVINGS. Volunteers needed one Saturday per month to deliver meals to homebound individuals with life threatening illnesses. Shifts are from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call Jennifer at 617-445-7777 or e-mail JPOCKOSKI@servings.org.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. Seeks literacy volunteers to tutor adults with limited English writing and reading skills. Two hours a week, compatible with your schedule. One year commitment required, must be 21 years old with a minimum of a GED or high school diploma. Contact Nora 617-859-2446 or VolunteerBPL@yahoo.com.
BOSTON MINSTREL COMPANY. Needs singers, musicians, and song leaders to facilitate sing-along songfests at Boston-Cambridge homeless shelters. Amateurs welcome. Call 617-787-2122 or e-mail Bostonminstrel@aol.com.
MATCH-UP. Interfaith Volunteers needs people to commit to making a weekly visit to an elder in need of companionship. Call 617-482-1510 or visit www.matchelder.org.
THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK. Needs volunteers to inspect and sort donated food at the Food Bank's headquarters at 99 Atkinson Street in Boston. Call 617-427-5200, ext. 5030 or visit www.gbfb.org.
AFC MENTORING. Needs volunteers over 18 experienced with adoption/foster care to mentor adopted children. One year commitment desired. Karlee, 617-695-2441 or karlee@afcmentoring.org.
BLIND AND DYSLEXIC in East Cambridge. Needs volunteers with liberal arts, scientific and/or technical backgrounds to record textbooks. Call Peggy at 617-577-1111, ext 17 for more info. www.rfbd.org/bostonhome.htm.
GENERATIONS INCORPORATED. Needs older adults to volunteer as reading coaches and mentors to children in Dorchester, S. Boston and Roxbury. Training provided. Call 617-423-0408 or see www.generationsinc.org.
WGBH. Needs volunteers to assist with computer projects and office support during weekday business hours, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call Liz Hagyard at 617-300-5715.
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS. Help an adult learn English. Call 617-367-1313 for information.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS. The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program. Work from home or in our Weston office. For further information call 1800-ACS-2345.
SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL. Boston. Opportunities for volunteers. We match volunteers' skills and talents with the needs of the hospital's patients and staff. Training provided. For more information contact volunteer services at 617-573-2740 or jburke11@partners.org.
BOSTON PARTNERS IN EDUCATION. Volunteers needed to tutor 4th grade students in math. Training and placement will be provided. Join this proven program and be a vital part of a student’s success story. Contact Barbara Harris at 617-451-6145 x 620, or apply online at www.bostonpartners.org.
WALKBOSTON. Volunteers needed for walks, legislation and newsletter/e-news committees. Also occasional office work including membership mailings. Call 617-367-9255,www.walkboston.org.
MASS SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELPLINE. Volunteers needed for phone service to help people affected by alcoholism and substance abuse. Must have computer experience. Call 617-536-0501 ext. 201 or see www.helpline-online.com.
BEACON HOSPICE. Volunteers needed to provide support and companionship to patients and their families. Call Laraine Kohler at 617-242-4872.
COMPUTER TUTORS. Volunteers needed for coaching senior and disabled citizens at the Blackstone Apartments. Daytime and evening hours needed. Call Al at 617-557-9121 or email xAlbert3259@aol.com.
BEACON HOUSE. Housing for elderly needs volunteers for front reception desk, a few flexible hours per week. Training provided. Please apply in person at 19 Myrtle St. to fill out an application.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Donations needed: dog and cat toys and treats, blankets and towels for the cages, paper towels, clay cat litter, postage stamps, animal nail clippers, dog and cat collars and leashes. 617-522-5055.
DR. SOLOMON CARTER FULLER. Mental Health Center in the South End needs volunteers for several committees. Call C. Curtiss Carter at 617-626-8726.
MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES. Volunteers needed to read or shop with a blind neighbor. 2-3 hours per week, flexible hours. Training provided. Call Donna Bailey 800-852-3029 or see www.mabcommunity.org.
SAMARITANS OF BOSTON. Volunteers needed to provide telephone counseling on our 24-hour listening line. Help prevent suicide and alleviate the pain of isolation. Training provided. 617-536-2460.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION. Cambridge chapter needs volunteers for its telephone Helpline service to answer caregiver calls. Training provided. Call 617-868-6718.
ADBAR ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S ALLIANCE. Volunteers needed to help with its newsletter, website, grant writing, special events and fund raising. Near Harvard Square. 617-234-8981.
THE BOSTON HOME. Dorchester seeks volunteers of all kinds in this long-term care facility for adults with physical disabilities. Pet visits welcome. Call Sally Gorman 617-825-3905 ext. 299 or gormansally@aol.com.