The Programs & Services Committee met on Wednesday, April 22. See the report and meeting video.
Approved
- Tree Permit abutter notification — standardized Abutter Notice Letter form — 5-0. The committee voted to split the original docket item into two. Item (1) creates a standardized Abutter Notice Letter form, provided by the Tree Warden, which applicants must provide to abutters before filing. The form will explain why the notice is being sent, how to obtain more information about the permit, and the applicant’s responsibility to submit a Tree Protection Plan. Assistant City Solicitor Jennifer Wilson recommended adding “at a minimum” to the form requirements to allow the Tree Warden flexibility to include additional content. Item (2) for possible amendments on the notification process was held.
- Resolution endorsing primary care access bills H.2537, S.867, and H.1370 — 5-0. Councilor Leary introduced the item, noting that a shortage of primary care physicians leads many people to use emergency rooms for non-emergency care. The bills aim to double primary care investment in Massachusetts, shift payment from fee-for-service to a prospective monthly model, remove copays and deductibles for primary care, and incentivize medical students to become primary care physicians State Representatives Sangiolo, Schwartz, and Lawn, as well as Dr. Wayne Altman of Tufts Medical School and Amantha O’Reilly, representing Senator Cynthia Creem, joined the committee to present the legislation.
Held
- Amendments to the Tree Permit abutter notification process —5-0, due to the absence of committee members and the expected length of discussion.
Present: Councilors Malakie (Vice Chair, serving as Chair), Oliver, Farrell, Charm, and Micley.
Absent: Councilors Krintzman (Chair), Baker, and Bixby.
Also present: Councilor Greenberg.
City staff: Marc Welch, Acting Commissioner of Parks & Recreation; Jennifer Wilson, Assistant City Solicitor; Miles Starkey, Committee Clerk.
