NEWRA Supports License Transfer and Occupancy Change

by Phil Orlandella

Boston City Counselor Sal LaMattina was the guest speaker at the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association monthly meeting held in the Nazzaro Community Center.

Counselor LaMattina, who has served on the Boston City Council since 2006, provided updates on city affairs and local projects.

He is currently the Chair of Parks and Recreation and Transportation and Vice-Chair of Ways and Means.

Counselor LaMattina advised residents of the many projects that will take place in the North End over the next several years including a $100,000 in the City’s budget for study for building a new Community Center.

He also mentioned funding or Paul Revere Mall, Rachel Revere Park, Columbus Park, the Eliot School, Puopolo Park and Langone Field and the North End Library.

President Ford Cavallari reported on the Boston City Council’s 10-3 vote to extend the Boston Redevelopment Authority Urban Renewal powers to 6 years a drop from 10 years.

He also mentioned that NEWRA is not a part of an apparent suit on the decision by other neighborhood entities that were originally involved with the opposition against urban renewal in their communities.

Parks and Open Spaces Committee Chair Robyn Reed who also serves on The Greenway Board reported that the committee is currently working on a project to counting the missing and dying trees in the North End.

Results of the project will be submitted to Counselor Sal LaMattina and the Boston Parks Department for possible replacement action.

This is an inventory project not a pruning project she noted.

The Association voted not to oppose the two requests on the agenda.

Mai Phung/Porzio Studio of Architecture has applied to the Board of Appeal to change the allowed use and occupancy of an existing space at 10-12 Fleet Street into a nail salon. The site is currently occupied.

Urban Cantina, Inc. d/b/a “Urban Cantina Mexican Grill”, 74-76 Salem Street has applied to the Licensing Board to transfer its CV 7-Day malts and wine with cordials license to N.E.O. North End Oyster, Inc., d/b/a “North End Oyster.” Closing is 12 midnight. No interior work is currently planned although some interior work may be carried out in the future. The floor plan will remain the same.

The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.