LaMattina: Keeping the North End in Good Shape

City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina is pleased with some of the work that he, residents and members of neighborhood groups have done in the North End.

But he wants to make life even better for all who live in this part of the city.

“It’s been a nice year in the North End in regards to some of the work we’ve done …  and what I’m doing in City Hall and the neighborhood,” LaMattina said during the recent meeting of the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC).

LaMattina thanked the NEWNC for their work and reiterated he wants everyone to keep up their efforts.

“We started (the Problem Properties Task Force) about five years ago to address some of the problems,” he said.

Those problems include keeping the noise at a reasonable level in the neighborhood per the Nuisance/Noise Control Ordinance LaMattina sponsored (which was signed by the Boston City Council) and that he believes will help target loud parties.

“I hope it’s going to work,” he said.

LaMattina praised Captain Thomas Lee of District A1 for his help with the initiative.

“We’ve been working with Captain Lee and are very fortunate to have him on the police force,” LaMattina said. “He is very, very responsive to this neighborhood.”

LaMattina also mentioned how pleased he is with progress at the community’s school on Charter Street.

“I’m very happy about the expansion of the Eliot School,” LaMattina said.

As for animals in the North End, LaMattina said “I am very excited to be working with RUFF (Responsible Urbanites For Fido),”  – a neighborhood group with a mission of advocating for the rights and interests of Boston dog owners, promoting responsible dog ownership (emphasizing respect for the rights and interests of neighbors, the community and one's companion animals); educating the community about dog behavior and other issues influencing canine-human interactions; and working to promote safe and healthy recreational venues for dogs on- and off-leash that allow responsible dog owners to exercise and socialize their dogs.

LaMattina also talked about on-going priorities including resident parking, fixing sidewalks and lighting on Salem Street, trash and street cleaning.

He said street cleaning will be expanded.

“This year, we did have snow so it will delay street cleaning,” LaMattina said. “Speaking of snow, we survived the blizzard of 2013 .. and I want to thank the Public Works Department (for the excellent job its personnel performed).”

As for trash, LaMattina listened to comments from members of NEWNC and residents and their opinion on the problem.

“We have to work on this,” LaMattina said and mentioned everyone needs to put their trash out in orange bags.

That may not be the only solution but all agreed that the goal is to get the streets in the North End cleaner.

“We have made a lot of progress …  I’m willing to work with you on this issue,” LaMattina said to the group at large.