Next year, the City of Boston will re-configure the Walter-Bussey Street intersection by the Arboretum. This plan has been in the works for the last few years. This re-configuration will bring safer pedestrian access to the intersection and will include curb bump outs to slow traffic at those turns and a dedicated left turn lane on Walter St. The city is putting in the underground infrastructure for traffic lights but will not install the actual traffic signals until they analyze the traffic patterns following construction completion.

You can view the planned design here: Walter & Bussey Plan.

Thanks to Councilor Tim McCarthy’s office for providing the design to LANA and their advocacy. Thanks also go out to Councilor Matt O’Malley’s office for their involvement and especially former Councilor Rob Consalvo who worked on this issue for years.

Please note this Walter-Bussey re-configuration is separate from any plans by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for the Walter-Centre intersection, which is managed by the state. LANA has requested that DCR coordinate with the city in their planning.

Lastly, LANA continues to work with the city and Councilors McCarthy and O’Malley for the entirety of Walter Street and also South Street. Both streets suffer from rampant speeding and lack sufficient safe crossing points. LANA is hoping to see speed radar signs that display vehicle speeds, pedestrian crossing lights, and other measures to make the streets safer. We will keep the neighborhood posted as we work on these issues.

Please be advised that the Emerald Society of the Boston Police annual Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Road Race is this Sunday, September 27th, beginning at 11 a.m. The course runs through a long swath of our neighborhood including South St and Walter St. Some restrictions will be in place Sunday morning on those streets,

BRA project manager Chris Tracy sent the following message yesterday regarding the 100 Weld St development proposal:

Hello All,
Thank you for your participation in the BRA process on the proposal at 100 Weld St thus far. I am writing to notify you that this proposal will not be presented at the BRA Board of Directors meeting this Thursday (9/17).
Based on the dialogue at our public meeting on August 27 and the public comments received by the BRA we have asked the proponent to consider this feedback and respond accordingly. In particular, the BRA has heard from the community that the size and massing of the proposal is too large, therefore, we’ve asked the proponent to reconsider the size and massing of the building.
I will be in touch when next steps are determined, if you have any questions in the meantime please don’t hesitate to ask. The link below can provide you with all of the project information.

Update: the new fixture being installed at the Walworth/South/Congreve St intersection next to Fallon Field is going to be a traffic light. The contractor is supposed to clean up the debris left there asap after some residents rightfully complained. There have been some issues with the ledge in that spot, so construction and installation is expected to finish by the end of August. Thanks to BTD and Councilor Matt O’Malley’s office for the update.

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) would like to advise residents and community members in Roslindale and West Roxbury of upcoming sprayings to help control the mosquito population in selected areas.

In West Roxbury, spraying is planned for neighborhoods in the vicinity of VFW Parkway that are located between Baker Street and Russett Road including streets near Vermont Street, Montview Street and Shermer Road.  In Roslindale, spraying is planned for streets in the vicinity of Walter Street that are located between Hewlett Street and Weld Street. The Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project will use truck mounted aerosol sprayers application to complete the work on Tuesday, June 17th between dusk and 11:30 PM. If spraying is postponed, it will be conducted on Thursday, June 19th.

The spray formulation utilizes the pesticide sumithrin to control the mosquito population. Mosquito control applications of sumithrin do not pose a significant risk to people or pets due to the chemical’s low toxicity and small amount used in spraying. As with any pesticide, people are advised to minimize their exposure to the chemical. If people see a spray truck approaching, they should go indoors for a few minutes while the spray dissipates. Residents are also advised to close any windows that face the street during the scheduled spraying hours.

While the pesticide poses little risk to people, BPHC and the Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project attempt to minimize the amount of aerosolized spraying that is done in the City of Boston. Other methods of mosquito control, such as applying larvicides to catch basins and wetlands around the city, are a priority.

To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding, BPHC advises residents to limit places around the home where standing water can collect. People should turn over unused flower pots, buckets, wheelbarrows, and garbage cans; remove leaves and other debris that can clog gutters and trap water; dispose of or cover old tires; and cover swimming pools when not in use.

Community members that have questions about the sprayings can contact the Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730. BPHC and the Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project ask that neighbors reminder those without access to email of tomorrow’s planned sprayings.

For more information on mosquito-borne illness, call the Boston Public Health Commission at 617-534-5611 or visit www.bphc.org/mbi.

In response to community interest, LANA has formed a new Fallon Field Task Force.  This task force will work to improve Fallon Field by organizing neighborhood improvement efforts and by working with the city to address feedback from the community.  We will initially focus on the playground, but we welcome comments on any aspect of the park.

If you have feedback on your experiences at Fallon Field, please leave a comment.  We want to hear what you  like about Fallon Field, and what you’d like to see improved.  If you’d be willing to join us on the task force (you can contribute as much or as little time as you would like), please either mention that in the comments or send us a note through our contact page.  And, of course, feedback is always welcome at our bimonthly meetings – we’ll meet next on Monday, June 11th at 7:00 PM.

Over the next two weeks, the Arnold Arboretum is offering four events at the Weld Hill Research Building.

Weld Hill: Science and Sustainability

Julie Warsowe, Manager of Visitor Education
Friday, October 21, 1:00-2:00pm
or Wednesday, October 26, 4:30-5:30pm.
Location: Weld Hill Reseach Building

Take a guided tour of the state-of-the-art Weld Hill Science and Administration Building. Learn about some of the cutting edge plant research and explore the “green” building and landscape design. Limit 10 people.

Wicked Bugs: The Louse that Conquered Napoleon’s Army and Other Insect Monstrosities

Amy Stewart, Writer and Gardener
1 Session: Sat Oct 22, 2:00-3:15pm
Location: Weld Hill Research Building

In a follow up to her very successful New York Times bestseller Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart tackles the insects, worms, and spiders that have tormented humankind for centuries. In this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world, Stewart has tracked down over 100 of our worst entomological foes—creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. With wit, style, and exacting research, Stewart has uncovered the most terrifying and titillating stories of bugs gone wild. She will share some of her discoveries in her inimically comedic way. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Fee: $5 member, $15 nonmember

Autumn Colors: A Mystery Revealed

David Lee, Tropical Biologist, Florida International University

1 Session: Tue Oct 25, 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Weld Hill Research Building

Part of the magic of living in New England is the stunning display of autumn foliage. But how, exactly, does the shift from greens to crimsons, yellows, burgundies, and oranges take place? And why are we treated to such a display? David Lee, who has spent his career studying the intricacies of color in plants, will explain some of the biological processes that take place within a deciduous plant come fall and also the signals  to humans and animals that are communicated through plant pigments.

Fee: Free member, $15 nonmember

Wood Decay Fungi Common to Urban Living Trees in the Northeast

Christopher J. Luley, Ph.D.  Urban Forestry LLC

1 Session: Thu Oct 27, 9:00am–4:00pm
Location: Weld Hill Research Building

In this workshop, Chris Luley of Urban Forestry LLC in Rochester, New York will introduce the wood decay fungi common to urban trees, their identifying characteristics and decay pathways, and methods and equipment available to test for decay. He will also present the results of a recent research study on visual assessment, sounding, and Resistograph testing for decay in urban trees. This program will take place in the classroom with some demonstrations in the landscape. Morning coffee is included; please bring your lunch.

Fee: $90 member, $120 nonmember
Offered with the Ecological Landscaping Association

For more information, visit the Arnold Arboretum’s Adult Education page.