How is it that a $400,000 maintenance investment by the MBTA in the Waverley station could trigger an obligation to spend tens of millions to make the station fully accessible, or in the alternative, to close the station? This post provides background on the Architectural Access Board, and how it has followed the law (and its own rules) in making this determination.
Author Archives: Will Brownsberger
Belmont Street and Trapelo Road Construction Update
Here’s what to expect over the next few weeks on the Belmont Street/Trapelo Road project, including the latest about traffic signals.
The technical fight about ambulance rates
For municipal government buffs and for the record, here is a discussion of a technical issue that we voted on as an amendment to the recent supplementary/deficiency budget. The issue is insurer reimbursements to municipalities for ambulance service.
Transgender Access to Public Accommodations
The legislature will consider this year legislation to complete the work we started a couple of years ago to provide full legal protection to transgender people. The main unfinished business is to prohibit discrimination in access to public accommodations. I view this legislation as simple and necessary and fully support it. I am a cosponsor and I have long been a supporter of this legislation.
Later Hours for Bars?
I’ve received questions about Senate 127, An Act Modernizing the Business Licensing Process (and the identical House companion bill, House 161). I was pleased to sponsor this bill for the Mayor, because I think it will help some of the city’s neighborhoods become more vital, while at the same time continuing to allow other neighborhoods to express their preferences for less activity.
The Education Aid Conversation for FY17
Over the next few weeks, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will finalize the data underlying the Chapter 70 education aid distribution for next year and begin to explore options for tweaking the distribution formula. Over the past few years, I’ve been particularly concerned to influence the Chapter 70 formula to address the shortfall that Watertown has experienced.