Dear Neighbors: 

I hope that you are having a wonderful summer! As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded of what an honor it was to be sworn into the Massachusetts House of Representatives on January 6th, 2021, to represent the14th Suffolk District. I am proud of the work we have accomplished working together during my first term and wanted to share the updates below.
Updates
AT THE STATE HOUSE
I am excited to have a new office at the State House! Stop by Room 21 to chat about any legislative issue or if you need help with any matter. Our new phone number is 617-722-2140. We are happy to schedule meetings in our State House office as well as our District office, located at 678 Truman Parkway in Hyde Park. 
The past few months the Massachusetts legislature has passed several important pieces of legislation supporting the needs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. During the last few months of session, we passed multiple, much needed bills to support our veterans. We also passed legislation to further develop the offshore wind industry, further support clean energy in Massachusetts and to help reduce carbon emissions. We passed legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles and the House also passed a bill that would create a Women’s Rights History Trail program promoting education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in Massachusetts. Massachusetts joined over 20 other states in legalizing sports betting on both professional and collegiate sports. In addition, our most recent work included passing an act relative to equity in the cannabis industry, an act addressing barriers to care for mental health and an act expanding protections for reproductive rights. Please reach out to our office if you need additional information on any of these bills. 
FY2023 BUDGET
I was proud to vote for a thoughtful and responsible FY23 budget this summer that makes major investments in the 14th Suffolk District, the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Funded at $52.7 billion, the FY23 budget continues its strong commitment to cities and towns, and includes significant investments in health care, education, housing, and workforce development, among other priorities. I am so grateful to my colleagues for supporting the amendments I filed to provide funding for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, the Menino Arts Center, Riverside Theatre Works, Resources for Recovery, Inc., an organization in Hyde Park dedicated to helping those in recovery for substance abuse disorders, and the VITFriends organization which supports and advocates for those individuals who have Vitiligo. 
TRANSPORTATION BOND BILL
The Massachusetts Legislature passed a transportation and infrastructure bill authorizing over $11.3 billion for transportation and infrastructure projects, including $400 million for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to address ongoing safety concerns identified by the Federal Transit Administration’s Safety Management Inspection and $275 million for the East-West passenger rail project. I am thrilled that this bill included $1.9 million for critical environmental and pedestrian safety improvements to Meadow Road in Readville. This work by the City of Boston will include storm-water mitigation, new sidewalks, streetlighting, guardrails and pedestrian friendly enhancements among other improvements, which will help address illegal dumping, encroachment by commercial vehicles, and other threats to this protected natural resource. 
MBTA CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN (CIP) 
I am proud to announce that the FY23-27 MBTA Capital Investment Plan (CIP) includes an allocation of $200,000 for a sound/noise study in the Readville and Hyde Park neighborhood of the City of Boston. The issue of noise around the Readville station, the MBTA Readville Commuter Rail Yard and along the Fairmount line have been an issue for many years. The issue continues today with many complaints about reverberating or vibrational noise being heard and felt, especially overnight. Many community groups in Hyde Park, Readville and the town of Milton have complained about the issue. This sound/noise study will be an important step to finally determining a source of the noise so we can work together on solutions to this problem. I was happy to author a joint letter with Rep. Bill Driscoll, Senator Mike Rush and Councilor Ricardo Arroyo advocating for this important funding allocation for our community. 
RIVER STREET BRIDGE UPDATES
Senator Rush and I recently received an update from MassDOT regarding the River Street bridge closure. They are still working through the inspection of the underside of the bridge. Progress is hampered by the need to move shielding out of the way for the inspection and the fact that the Contractor/Inspectors are only getting 1-2 hours of access a night due to the high speed rail line and the MBTA traffic. On a parallel path, they are working with their contractor to order material and get their construction plans in place. At this time, they are looking at a full replacement of all stringers and some repairs to the existing floor beams in addition to all new decking. Barring any additional surprises, the work is hoped to be completed sometime in the Fall.  
We will continue to get additional updates and we will let the community know when we have new information to share. 
ORANGE LINE CLOSURE 
The MBTA announced its plans to accelerate major track and maintenance work on the Orange Line during a 30-day shutdown of the entire line beginning at approximately 9 PM on August 19 through September 18 with service resuming on Monday, September 19, to improve service, safety, and reliability on a faster timeline. 
The major revitalization work to take place on the Orange Line during this 30-day shutdown will deliver a number of projects over five years faster than originally planned, and will result in track replacement, upgraded signal systems, and station improvements. The MBTA will also be able to accomplish required track maintenance associated with Federal Transit Association (FTA) directives as quickly as possible. 

Alternative Travel Options for Orange Line Riders:

Enhanced Commuter Rail Options: Orange Line riders who must commute downtown are strongly encouraged to use the Commuter Rail as an alternative as the MBTA is making a series of changes in service to accommodate the change in travel patterns: 
1. All Zone 1A, 1, and 2 fares can be paid simply by showing a CharlieCard or CharlieTickets on ALL Commuter Rail lines. Since many Orange Line riders drive to or transfer between buses and the Orange Line, the MBTA is making it easy to access the Commuter Rail before riders get to the Orange Line by allowing all riders to utilize Commuter Rail stations in Zones 1A, 1, and 2 by showing their CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to a conductor.   
2. During these 30 days, most passing south-side Needham and Providence Line Commuter Rail trains will stop at Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. On the north-side, Haverhill Line Commuter Rail trains will stop at Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station. During these 30 days, riders can show their CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to the conductor to access the Commuter Rail. Riders should review the latest Commuter Rail schedule changes as a result of adding these stops, which will be available soon. 
  
Seek existing MBTA bus and subway alternatives. Riders can use other existing MBTA bus and subway services to complete their trips. 
  
Consider working from home. During this 30-day shutdown, Orange Line riders who are able to work from home are strongly encouraged to do so. The MBTA encourages employers with hybrid work policies to allow employees to work from home as much as possible. 
  
Alternative shuttle bus service will be provided. Earlier today, the MBTA Board of Directors approved an approximately $37 million contract for shuttle bus service to Yankee Line, Inc. Alternative shuttle bus service will also be provided by MBTA buses. Shuttle bus service will operate in both directions, connecting Oak Grove and Forest Hills stations to downtown Boston. Riders should expect that this alternative shuttle bus service will take longer and be less reliable than regular Orange Line train service. The MBTA is currently discussing options with the City of Boston for how to best service the downtown area and will provide updated information soon. This service will be at no cost to riders and fully accessible. 
  
Parking: The MBTA will continue to charge for parking at MBTA lots and facilities at Orange Line stations, and will communicate lost-parking impacts related to staged shuttle buses in advance if necessary. 

You can find more information here.
LOWER NEPONSET RIVER DESIGNATION
This Spring, I was thrilled to attend an important press conference in Mattapan where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the adding of the 3.7 mile stretch of the Lower Neponset River to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The Lower Neponset River runs through environmental justice communities in the City of Boston, and access to and cleanliness of this river is an equity issue. Until the contamination is cleaned up, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is unable to begin further projects protecting these communities from potential flooding and other issues caused by climate change. In addition, the designation and subsequent remediation will allow our District’s, and the entire City of Boston’s, residents to enjoy this important natural resource now and for generations to come. I was proud to author a joint letter during the EPA public comment period with Senator Mike Rush supporting this historic effort. 
ROSLINDALE ESOL STUDENT RECOGNITION DAY 
I am always excited to celebrate Roslindale’s adult learners and volunteers at the Roslindale ESOL Student Recognition Day which was held on Tuesday May 17, 2022. Thank you to the Roslindale Adult Literacy Planning Group and ABCD for your outstanding efforts. Congratulations to all the volunteers and participants for all your hard work!  
ANNUAL FOWL MEADOW CLEAN UP
I am so grateful to Keep Hyde Park Beautiful, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly at another fantastic Fowl Meadow cleanup which occurred on March 27, 2022. Once again, I was proud to support this effort which cleaned up over 1,000 feet of the Fowl Meadow an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) along Meadow Road in Readville. 
Small business walkthrough with Mayor Wu and the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
Roslindale Library Ribbon Cutting
Hyde Park Youth Basketball All Star game, where we honored Jim Michel for all his years of dedication and service to the youth of Hyde Park
Hyde Park Art Association's Annual Exhibition at City Hall
The Menino YMCA's ribbon cutting for their renovated outdoor space
Reimagine Hyde Park Conversation
Haitian Flag Day Celebration at City Hall
The groundbreaking of the Pryde, Boston's first LGBTQ-friendly housing development for older adults
Hyde Park's Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Park 54's Ribbon Cutting
The City of Boston Age Strong Commission's and Ethos' Senior LGBTQ+ Pride Luncheon
Hyde Park Planet Fitness Ribbon Cutting
Hyde Park's National Night Out Celebration
Ethos Summer Barbecue at the Elks
"Touch a Truck" Event in Readville
Mayor Wu's Hyde Park, Roslindale, and West Roxbury Coffee Hours
National Rededication Ceremony for the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial on Beacon Hill
Resources
As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can be helpful in any way.
www.reprobconsalvo.com