Boston Herald
May 6, 2005

Massport $nubs Eastie
Activists: Promises unfulfilled

By Casey Ross

While doling out hefty raises to managers and building an $85 million
runway, Massport is stiffing East Boston residents on park improvements and
youth programs meant to improve life in the shadows of Logan International
Airport, officials said.

``They have disconnected from the neighborhood entirely,'' community
activist Richard Salini said. ``In the old days, you could call a (Massport)
director if something wasn't right, but now they don't talk to you unless
they have to.''

He and other officials said the commencement of runway expansion and
increasing passenger levels at the airport do not square with
belt-tightening that has delayed several improvement projects in recent
years.

In the weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Massport
began cutting back on neighborhood projects amid plummeting passenger levels
and demands to reform security. East Boston officials said cutbacks included
a popular youth sailing program, construction of a park at the Navy fuel
pier, landscaping on Maverick Street and other programs.

While officials condoned delays in 2001, they said Massport has no
excuse in 2005, especially when it's handing out $600,000 in bonuses to top
managers.

``Patience has gotten a little worn out in the community,'' Rep.
Anthony Petruccelli (D-East Boston) said. ``I don't think Massport is
walking away, but they are dragging their feet.''

A spokeswoman for Massport vehemently denied the agency has been
skimping on neighborhood commitments, reeling off a long list of
contributions to local businesses, academic scholarships and summer
programs. The agency also spent $15 million to build Piers Park and
continues to pay for its security and maintenance.

``Massport has never turned its back on our neighbors,'' spokeswoman
Danny Levy said. ``Our commitment to East Boston in particular has been long
and deep. We are proud of our record.''

Massport began paying East Boston to offset airport impacts in 1979 and
has given $8 million to the community since the latest agreement was reached
in 1997. However, neighborhood activists said large sums of money are
siphoned away to pay for services Massport has stopped providing.

The most expensive example is youth sailing at Wood Island, a free
summer program that gives children an opportunity to take lessons their
families would otherwise be unable to afford. Massport initially invested $4
million to create the program but has stopped making $220,000 annual
payments to keep it going.

``They didn't give us 20 cents after 9/11, let alone $220,000,'' said
Salini, who is among those scrambling to keep the program operating.
``(Massport) goes by the letter of the law and interprets (the agreements)
however they want.''

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