Special to the Times-Free Press
At the monthly meeting of the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association (JPNA) in May, members learned of the city’s plan to increase the EV curbside charging stations on several local streets.
Judith Gibson Okunieff, the Zero Emission Vehicle Program Manager for the City of Boston Transportation Department, said that East Boston has more than 3,775 registered electric vehicles, far more than other Boston neighborhoods such as Jamaica Plain with 970, Dorchester with 872, and South Boston with 795. One reason for the large disparity is that many of the rental cars from the airport are registered in East Boston.
Presently there are only four charging stations in East Boston and all are usually in use.
Gibson-Okunieff said that plans call for adding six more locations at 397 Frankfort St. with eight charging ports; 132 Chelsea St. with eight charging ports; eight at 90 London St.; six at 211 Marginal St.; six at 33 Summer St.; and 10 at 62 Addison St.
Greenspot, which currently has charging stations in Newton and Brookline, would be in charge of the installation. However, plans for the electric vehicle stations are a year out and Gibson-Okunieff noted that no engineering plans to date have been started.
It was noted that gas-powered vehicles will get a ticket if they park in EV charging spots.
In other news from the JPNA, Roberto Gomez, the East Boston liaison in Mayor Wu’s Office of Neighborhood Services, noted that the mayor will hold a Coffee Hour for residents at East Boston’s Memorial Park at Porter and Orleans Streets on June 6 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Gomez said speed bumps, which many residents are seeking in their neighborhoods in order to reduce the incidence of speeding, and roadway repairs may be coming shortly to the streets of East Boston.
Gomez also reminded the residents that the noise ordinance is in effect during the summer months. The Boston Municipal Code sets standards for reasonable noise levels. It also sets maximum acceptable noise levels for different times of day. An unreasonable level of noise is anything louder than 50 decibels from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. or anything louder than 70 decibels at any time, except for permitted construction.
City Council at-Large candidate William Onuoha was a guest at the meeting and introduced himself. He noted that his first job after college was working with Mayor Thomas Merino as a community liaison for the Mission Hill area where he grew up. He ended by stressing the need “to take care of Boston residents’ core and basic needs.”
Officer Hugo R. Alvarez of the Boston Police Department mentioned that he spoke to the owner of the former Mt. Carmel Church who said that he will make sure the building is better secured.
Sgt. Joseph Cintolo also said that residents need to be careful of scams. He noted a scam where a person, who claimed to be an employee of Eversource, told a couple that he could help lower the high cost of their energy bills if they gave him $2,000. The man and the $2000 were never seen again.
Cintolo also talked about the summer noise levels and noted that if people see a crime or want to report a crime, they should call 911, not 311.
It was announced that the annual JPNA Pot Luck Dinner will be held on July 14 at Golden Stair Terrace Park. from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The next meeting of the JPNA will be held on June 9.