MBTA to Spread Dead Bacteria on Red Line in Bio-Terror Test

In order to test sensors that detect biological agents that terror groups could release into subway systems, Homeland Security and the T plan to release dead bacteria at three Red Line stops during off-hours.

The MBTA and Homeland Security plan to release dead bacteria into three Red Line stations this summer to test bio-terror sensors. The agencies held a public meeting about the plan Wednesday. The bacteria, bacillus subtilis, is not infectious even in its live form, according to government documents. The bacteria is used in farming, as a food supplement for humans and livestock and as an ingredient in organic dog food, according to a government Q&A which is attached as a PDF. The tests will be done in Cambridge and Somerville at the Davis, Harvard Square and Porter Stations. According to WCVB, some residents who attended Wednesday's public hearing at the Cambridge YMCA expressed concern about the plan. They also criticized that exact dates …

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City Council Aims to Expand Pay-By-Phone Parking

The council also talked about the gap between the diversity of Boston Public Schools' staff and students. Further, it approved $1 million for public parks during the May 16 regular meeting.

The Boston City Council talked about bringing the latest technology to parking and supported two hearings related to Boston Public Schools: one on efforts to diversity the teacher workforce and the other to discuss recess as an important part of the school day. Councilors also approved $1 million for park maintenance.  Smart Parking Technology Councilor Tito Jackson was with a friend in Washington D.C. They parked their car and began walking away, when he noticed they forgot to feed the meter. "She actually pulled out her iPhone, and paid for the meter with her iPhone," said Jackson, who represents District 7. While the ability to pay for meters using your credit card in Boston in great, the city should also be investing in the latest …

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Ground Broken on on 225 Centre St., a "New Vision" for Jackson Square

Officials and residents celebrated the groundbreaking for 225 Centre Street, the first of 14 buildings to be constructed in the redevelopment of Jackson Square.

Nearly 100 community members, civic leaders, and government officials gathered beneath a white tent Saturday morning near the Jackson Square MBTA station to celebrate the long-awaited groundbreaking of 225 Centre Street. The building, which is the first of 14 to be built in the $250 million redevelopment of Jackson Square, will be mixed-used and include over 100 one, two, and three bedroom apartments. The product of nearly two decades of planning and collaboration, officials lauded the project as a community's vision to reconnect Jamaica Plain and Roxbury and strengthen the City of Boston. Officials expect the building to be completed by the summer of 2013. 

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Post Office Closure Decision on the Horizon, Cost-Saving Plan Presented

The USPS presented a plan Wednesday that would avoid closing some of the rural post offices and instead, reduce the hours of 13,000 rural post offices across the country.

With May 15 as the end date to the United States Postal Service's "moratorium" on post office closures, decisions could be made soon on whether some local branches will stay open.  Despite a new cost-saving measure presented Wednesday for some of the country's rural post offices, local USPS Spokesman Dennis Tarmey said the Postal Service is still going to go through and consider the those post offices on the list of proposed closures.  According to Tarmey, the USPS plans to abide by the moratorium it set back in December and will not make an official decision on post office closures until after Tuesday, May 15. A decision related to the proposed closures is likely to come sometime next week, he said.  Last year the USPS proposed closing as…

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Councilor Linehan Calls for End of City Council Redistricting Battle

The Boston City Council's weekly meeting was short on time, as councilors rehashed redistricting districts.

The Boston City Council's weekly meeting was quick and to the point this week with District 2 City Councilor Bill Linehan once again producing a redistricting map that several of his colleagues did not like for their districts. Linehan did say additional public meetings and hearings will be held prior to a Boston City Council vote on a new redistricting map to represent Boston for the next 10 years.  Said Linehan, "This particular task has been going on for nine months now. This map here demonstrates in my mind all of that work. It presents a map in which discussion, presentation and public discourse was fully vetted. It truly is a map that a majority of our body could support. No map will achieve unamimous support." Then District 4 City …

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Last Chance: Property Tax Payments Due This Week

Don't forget to pay your quarterly tax bill this week.

Welcome to May! The temperature's rising, the days are getting longer, and your quarterly property tax payment is due to the city. You can read a property tax FAQ on the city of Boston's website. What happens if you don't pay? The vig starts running; the city will assess a 14 percent per annum interest rate on the amount owed. And no, the city won't accept the Steve Martin "I forgot" defense.  Click here to pay your tax bill online. And cheer up, because once that payment's processed, you get a whole three months until the next installent comes due. (In many cases, if you have a mortgage, quarterly payments are handled by your lender out the monthly payments you make.)   About this column Hundreds of events are posted on JP Patch each week…

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Ross: Install E-Line Cameras to Catch Cars Flouting Trolley Stop Signs

Universal Hub reports that City Councilor Mike Ross has a plan to catch motorists who blow past stopped E-Line trolleys and endanger T riders.

If you've ever nearly been run down as you stepped off an E-Line trolley, City Councilor Mike Ross has a proposal that might appeal to you. He'd like to install cameras to catch motorists who blow past the "stop" signs on the sides of the open trolley doors. Universal Hub has all the details.