The MBTA is holding a series of public meetings Tuesday concerning their plans to — amongst other things — cut-off commuter rail train departures after 10PM (weekends, too), which seems to throw a monkey wrench into concerts, sports events, holiday celebrations, and the lives of those who work late — not to mention students, too.
“On February 9th, TEA invites you to join us for Esplanade 2020 Unveiled, the presentation of TEA’s vision for the Esplanade. This meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to hear and comment on the recommendations set forth in Esplanade 2020.”
I was looking through laws currently winding their way through the Massachusetts legislature the other day, and I came across H.1169, and though the seeming majority of public sphere reaction seems to be stuff like this —
It should have noted that state Representatives Byron Rushing and Marty Walz are following Henry Lee’s example in protecting public parks from shadows.
— I don’t know if that’s accurate.
H.1169 seeks to replace a measure from 1990 about what constitutes a “new shadow” in relation to public parks and how much can be allowed on a park or a public space over the course of a day.
Here’s the original definition:
“New shadow,” the casting of a shadow at any time on an area which is not cast in shadow at such time by a structure which exists or for which a building permit has been granted …
Here’s the new definition:
New shadow shall not include a shadow cast (a) by a structure which exists; (b) by a structure for which a building permit has been granted on the date upon which application is made to a permit-granting authority for a proposed structure; or (c) by the proposed structure for which approval is being sought from a permit granting authority if such structure conforms to as-of-right height limits allowed by the Boston, Cambridge or Lynn Zoning Code, whichever is applicable, as in force on May first, nineteen hundred and ninety.
That seems to be pretty specific about encouraging development, no?
The Boston Globe’s website has been down for over an hour. Conversation suggests that there might be a power outage where their servers are.
Deval Patrick calls #OccupyBoston "fascinating" and "powerful."
It’s a great interview. Read it.
In my frenzy at covering protests across the world today, I forgot about my own backyard — or: my backyard-in-name-only, as I live north of that Boston/Cambridge/JP/Somerville set I see as one big place in my head.
I’m glad The Phoenix has that pretty well covered, though.
Photo via.
In which Sen. Scott Brown calls Elizabeth Warren ugly.
As MoJo’s Nick Baumann puts it: “Brown’s comment might seem hilarious to your average bro, but elections aren’t won by bros alone.” And thank goodness for that.
Tito’s out. Hats off to the man who brought an 18 year-old college freshman this.
Above: someone capturing Ortiz winning Game 5 against the Yankees in ‘04.
Elizabeth Warren on Rachel Maddow. (She appears about 9 minutes in.)
