Officials Preview New UMass Biolab in Mattapan

There was a sneak preview today to the new UMass Biolabs on Harvard and Walk Hill Street in Mattapan. Close to 100 people showed up to see the state of the art facility. Senator Edward Kennedy, Congressman Michael Capuano and other dignitaries were on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The UMass Labs will produce vaccines for tetanus and other diseases. It is believed to be the largest facility of its kind in the country. The Mass Bio-Labs is the only publicly owned, non-profit manufacturer of vaccines approved by the FDA. The lab is one of the first projects completed on the grounds of the former Boston State Hospital. Housing and recreational facilities are also scheduled to be built at the site. A new public high school is still in negotiation. The lab is seen as an opportunity for jobs and community benefits. Total cost of the project is at about $100 million.

Residents Press for More Security Around Library

Shots fired outside a local library caused neighborhood residents to push city officials for a solution to the crime in Mattapan. While Mattapan's crime rate has been on a steady decline, residents are alarmed about random shootings. Last month, a stray bullet came through the window of the Mattapan Library nearly missing some children. Residents looked for answers last week at a meeting with police, library officials, and city councilor Charles Yancey. The group wants to secure the library and prevent any further shootings. Installing a fence outside the library, cameras and more police protection was what residents demanded. A Boston Municipal Police officer has been stationed at the Mattapan library since last month's shooting. Boston local police squad was questioned by residents for what was seen as a slow response time to the library shooting. Police defended their actions saying they were dispatched immediately to the library but remained outside looking for the suspects and gathering ballistic information. Those inside the library at the time were unaware the police were on the scene and placed repeated 911 calls. Library officials said they will be taking measures to secure the library.

Police Caught Withholding Public Information on Crime

The Boston Herald blasted the Boston Police Department for its communication of incidents like that one at the Mattapan Library. Today's Herald reported that getting information from the local district Police Department is almost virtually impossible. Local news media that rely on official police information have reported their difficulty in working with the Boston Police Department to get details of incidents and talk to high ranking Captains for information. Herald reporters posing as average citizens requested copies of police logs, which are supposed to be public information. In many districts, access to that information was denied. The editor of the Reporter, Bill Forry, calls the police's refusal to give out the information a credibility issue.

Residents Oppose Late Hours at Fast Food Outlets

In a heated meeting this week, two fast food restaurants won approval to extend their hours of operation even in the face of heavy community opposition. Crown Chicken and Crazy Fried Chicken on Blue Hill Avenue came before the community asking to remain open until 1 a.m., one hour beyond their existing closing time. What caused residents concern was that patrons of the two restaurants who do not live in the area were voting on keeping the restaurant open. The B3 Police Department that runs the monthly meetings asked anyone outside of the Mattapan-Dorchester district not to vote which caused some controversy. The two restaurants needed community support before they could present their case for extended hours before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Many local residents had concern that only residents should be allowed to vote on issues that affect their neighborhood and not patrons of an establishment. Further city ordinance typically allows for restaurants to stay open only until midnight. With the later closing time, residents are concerned about the traffic flow to these two establishments. City officials and residents are looking into how to prevent non-residents from voting on community issues in the future. The B3 Neighborhood Association meetings will come together again on the third Wednesday of each month.

Residents Oppose Wireless Antenna on Morton Street

Sprint Wireless got a resounding "No" from Mattapan and Dorchester residents this week to its proposal for antennas on Morton Street. Sprint was asking for the community's support to erect an 80-foot antenna at the site of the former Morton Street Plaza. Health concerns were residents complaint after learning that Sprint already has 6 existing towers in Dorchester and Mattapan. The opposition came even as Sprint engineers explained that the company is heavily regulated to monitor the health effects of cellular towers. Residents weren't buying the news fearing long term effects of these towers. Sprint representatives explained that by law they can not be denied access because of health concerns. Residents still voted against the proposal.

Registration for Fuel Assistance Begins November 1