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Posted by: firefighter39

Speaking of mergers: why don't they merge the MassPort Public Safety/Police with Troop-F. I see them around Conely Terminal and South Boston.

What is their jurisdiction. How does someone get hired by them? I know they pay well but thats about all I know about them.


Posted by: HousingCop

How about merging Massport Fire Department into the Boston Fire Department as well. Both fight fires right??


Posted by: 48Weeks

They do indeed pay well. You need to have a political connection to the Governor to get that job. No connection, you will not get hired. The Troopers and Massport PD do perform similar jobs at the airport, however, a merger would be very unfair to those who took the MSP test seeing that Massport PD is such a political job. Hold a sign for the Governor (or future Governor) and volunteer for their campaign, this would be your best chance to get that job.


Posted by: firefighter39

Quote:
Originally Posted by HousingCop
How about merging Massport Fire Department into the Boston Fire Department as well. Both fight fires right??
I would agree with you, there should only be one FD with-in the city, I am surprised that this never happened.

Since MassPort PD and MSP do similar jobs why have both. It seems like a lot of redundancy (oh wait, this is Massachusetts) -


Posted by: RPD931

Nothing odd about MassPort fire, most airports have their own FD. Most major airports have their own Police Force, so it is unique that we have MassPort PD and MSP working in there.


Posted by: pickels

Yeah this would be like telling the NYPD and PAPD to merge together. It will never happen.


Posted by: MallPolice

Why not merge the Boston College Police with BPD and the Cambridge Side Galleria Police with Cambridge PD, etc. Hey it would be great for me, but it will never happen


Posted by: fscpd907

Quote:
Originally Posted by MallPolice
Why not merge the Boston College Police with BPD and the Cambridge Side Galleria Police with Cambridge PD, etc. Hey it would be great for me, but it will never happen
Cambridge Side Galleria Police? Are you guys Cambridge Specials or SSPO? Just a question not bashing.......................


Posted by: csauce777

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
I would agree with you, there should only be one FD with-in the city, I am surprised that this never happened.

Since MassPort PD and MSP do similar jobs why have both. It seems like a lot of redundancy (oh wait, this is Massachusetts) -
I cant think of a major city in which the airport doesnt have their own fire department and most have their own police department as well. Airport firefighters have a different specialty than city FF's. Aircraft fires and structure fires are two different animals.


Posted by: csauce777

Quote:
Originally Posted by fscpd907
Cambridge Side Galleria Police? Are you guys Cambridge Specials or SSPO? Just a question not bashing.......................
FYI, I am pretty sure that this is the same guy (mallpolice) who tried to tell me that the Pyramid security company mall guards at the Independence Mall are Kingston Specials. Yeah...I checked on that...not a chance in hell is what I was told.


Posted by: dcs2244

The airport in Rochester, NY is policed by the Monroe County Sheriff. It is outside the city...town of Gates, maybe...so too Buffalo: Erie County Sheriff. Maybe the same in Albany...I don't know, I was only there once and didn't get off the plane.


Posted by: MallPolice

Quote:
Originally Posted by csauce777
FYI, I am pretty sure that this is the same guy (mallpolice) who tried to tell me that the Pyramid security company mall guards at the Independence Mall are Kingston Specials. Yeah...I checked on that...not a chance in hell is what I was told.

Sorry, maybe the rules changed, but when I worked in Kingston I had to go to the PD to get sworn in as a special PO. Maybe you felt that meant I could work details and extra patrols, but that is not what I said.


Posted by: topcop14

The international airport in Tampa Florida is patrol by Tampa Police and I am almost positive that Tampa Fire Department covers the airport as well.


Posted by: Capt. Kirk

I applied for Massport once about 4 or 5 years ago, last minute they changed their mind and wanted applicants that already had a full academy.This was after I had my interview. I never heard anything back and had to keep calling. Finally I got some secretary that gave me the voicemail of a Captain that never called me back.I forget how I found maybe through HR that the job had been filled. Really not very organized, but I didn't have any big juice so they were probably just going through the motions. I have met and worked with some of their guys in Southie and they seem squared away from what i saw.


Posted by: firefighter39

Quote:
Originally Posted by topcop14
The international airport in Tampa Florida is patrol by Tampa Police and I am almost positive that Tampa Fire Department covers the airport as well.

Chicago FD covers O'Hare, LAFD covers LAX. I guess my point may have been missed, it seems like a big duplication having both MassPort and MSP. For example, Hanscom Field has MSP only, with locals as back-up. It seems Lgoan could do the same, eliminate MassPort PD as a separate Dept, just have MSP and use BPD as needed to back-up etc..


Posted by: frank

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
Chicago FD covers O'Hare, LAFD covers LAX. I guess my point may have been missed, it seems like a big duplication having both MassPort and MSP. For example, Hanscom Field has MSP only, with locals as back-up. It seems Lgoan could do the same, eliminate MassPort PD as a separate Dept, just have MSP and use BPD as needed to back-up etc..
Do you think the troopers really want to do the freight terminals and everything too? Probably not, which is why there is Massport PD.


Posted by: dcs2244

The troopers probably don't...unless there are details involved!


Posted by: MallPolice

Who started this merger thread anyway? Mitt Romney! Why not just have one national police and fire force and end all the bitchin"


Posted by: Macop

First you dont need to know the governor to get a job at Massport, although it can't help.

Second I'm not sure of the Kingdston Mall Security now, but when I was in college I hung out with a kid who worked there and they were specials and wore the same uniforms and had a town crusier at the mall and had Id's. The mall paid for all the training, res/int and eqipment. Not the whole force were specials there was only a few guys that were specials. I assume its different now, but it was like that back in the mid 90s. Same with Braintree mall as far as I know, then a new chief came in and put a stop to it, maybe the same happened in Kingston.


Posted by: Macop

Why do any of you care?


Posted by: speccop

Quote:
Originally Posted by fscpd907
Cambridge Side Galleria Police? Are you guys Cambridge Specials or SSPO? Just a question not bashing.......................
MallPolice, you still haven't answered this one...and I'm real curious about this too. I know there's a security company in Cambridge that has their guards sworn in as "constables" (ya, I know), is this the same with the mall too or are they different??


Posted by: dcs2244

Hyatt (Memorial Drive) security are constables as well...they used to be, anyway.


Posted by: ponyboy

I'm almost certain the galleria has Constables.


Posted by: MallPolice

Second I'm not sure of the Kingdston Mall Security now, but when I was in college I hung out with a kid who worked there and they were specials and wore the same uniforms and had a town crusier at the mall and had Id's. The mall paid for all the training, res/int and eqipment. Not the whole force were specials there was only a few guys that were specials. I assume its different now, but it was like that back in the mid 90s. Same with Braintree mall as far as I know, then a new chief came in and put a stop to it, maybe the same happened in Kingston.[/quote]

Funny that they stopped it whereas several police chiefs were once mall security guards, worked for private security agencies and tow truck companies. How we forget where we came from.


Posted by: Mikey682

Quote:
Originally Posted by ponyboy
I'm almost certain the galleria has Constables.
Just place some Citronella candles around it and they'll go away.


Posted by: RPD931

Quote:
Originally Posted by MallPolice
Second I'm not sure of the Kingdston Mall Security now, but when I was in college I hung out with a kid who worked there and they were specials and wore the same uniforms and had a town crusier at the mall and had Id's. The mall paid for all the training, res/int and eqipment. Not the whole force were specials there was only a few guys that were specials. I assume its different now, but it was like that back in the mid 90s. Same with Braintree mall as far as I know, then a new chief came in and put a stop to it, maybe the same happened in Kingston.
Funny that they stopped it whereas several police chiefs were once mall security guards, worked for private security agencies and tow truck companies. How we forget where we came from.[/quote]

So true. It was the same in the Natick Mall and Shoppers World in Framingham. Their security were "specials" up until about 1992. Shopper's World Security was armed, had a cruiser with blues and could assist FPD at calls elsewhere in town as they were specials. I know 3 "older" guys that worked there in the 80's. I remember sometime around 88 or 89 seeing them come screeching into the Bradlees parking lot with blues just as a guy bolted out the front door after shoplifting. It looked like something from COPS.


Posted by: blackjack11j

massport police is the job to have it is one of the hardest to get in Mass
and they pay verry well verry verry well .....


Posted by: soxrock75

Quote:
Originally Posted by blackjack11j
massport police is the job to have it is one of the hardest to get in Mass
and they pay verry well verry verry well .....
Thank You blackjack......."Captain of the Obvious and already Stated!!!!"


Posted by: PVD24

Does anyone know what kind of pay Massport Police make.. and insight on their contract? and how did this conversation turn into the Mall Police thread..lol
Thanks for the info..


Posted by: Channy1984

last I checked it's around $812 to $936 weekly when they had the job posting up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by PVD24
Does anyone know what kind of pay Massport Police make.. and insight on their contract? and how did this conversation turn into the Mall Police thread..lol
Thanks for the info..



Posted by: 7MPOC

A guy I worked with went there, walking in the door with no education was 55,000, MACOP might know a little more.


Posted by: firefighter39

Howie Carr (WRKO radio) has all the salaries posted on his web site

http://www.wrko.com/article.asp?id=50103

http://rope.wrko-am.fimc.net/bulger/022106_massport.xls


Posted by: rg1283

Quote:
So true. It was the same in the Natick Mall and Shoppers World in Framingham. Their security were "specials" up until about 1992. Shopper's World Security was armed, had a cruiser with blues and could assist FPD at calls elsewhere in town as they were specials. I know 3 "older" guys that worked there in the 80's. I remember sometime around 88 or 89 seeing them come screeching into the Bradlees parking lot with blues just as a guy bolted out the front door after shoplifting. It looked like something from COPS.
This is the way mall security should be. Atleast at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield they are Specials and can detain people. I fail to understand how those guys at Target and other Malls have handcuffs and probably don't have any power. Maybe they have cuffs more for a deterent.


Posted by: PVD24

speaking of cuffs... I was at the silver city mall in Taunton, and of course I see Taunton PD there, but then I see security with a duty belt on with 6-8 items on their belt. He had a cuff case with a shiny pair on his duty belt. Are they Specials, or just special..lol


Posted by: rg1283

What about the ones that have like 3 Cellphones, etc on their Belt. Guess they couldn't resist those cute girls in the Kiosks trying to sell phones.

Speaking of cambridge constables, does Mount Auburn Hospital Security have the same power?


Posted by: 2-Delta

Some guys have cuffs as a "restraint" but not to arrest I'm told. Which I don't understand because detaining an individual in your custody would basically be arresting him would it not?? Oh well, it's all a count down till someone gets "nerve damage", then bye bye cuffs.


Posted by: Killjoy

I worked as a store detective in college and we all carried cuffs, even though only a couple of guys were specials...merchants have the right to detain shoplifters until such time they can be turned over the the police. We needed them too! Probably one in six "stops" turned into a fistfight...crooks gave police a lot more respect than "floorwalkers".


Posted by: Investigator25

Just to alter the subject again, Worcester Airport has thier own police/fire dept. The officer's there do both.


Posted by: FrankS

MPA POLICE FACT LIST: The MPA Armed Port Police Unit does not operate in the Airport. The four areas of responsibility for the department are Boston's Seaport District, the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, the Conley Marine Terminal, and East Boston's Piers Park. There is an unarmed MPA Police Unit that operates in the airport. Their primary responsibility is access control to the Logan's north and south perimeter gates. Massport HR lists the armed position's as "Port Officers" and the unarmed positions are "Gate Guards." The politics that some speak about were true in the past. As with any job, politics will always play a role. However, since 9/11, politics has placed in minimal role in the hiring process for the department. As with many departments, Massport has opted to take laterals as opposed to sending new hires to the academy. The current contract the the Armed Unit expired on January 31, 2002. Contract negotiation's are ongoing and a tenative agreement could be reached any day now. After the contract is signed the pay structure will be approximately $59K for a patrolman, $65K for a sergeant, and $75K for a lieutenant. If your an EMT, add 4% to those rates. The departments employs five captains and the pay scale varies. Massport currently pays 100% health insurance for all employees. There are many other incentives, however, don't be fooled, as with most other PD's we have our problems.


Posted by: Vader

The "Armed Port Police Unit"...That sound's pretty intense. Do they use M1A2 Abrams as their cruisers???


Posted by: firefighter39

What is their juristdictional limit, I would assume like any SSPO only on MPA property? I see the State Police also down at the Black Falcon, so why not merge at least there, or do away with MPA and have MSP Police that area, it still seems like a lot of duplication.

I can understand the unarmed gate gaurds at the airport, not wanting to waste a trained PO in that position, and with the pay structure described there does not seem to be much of a savings between thosde base pay rates and a Trooper.


Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
What is their juristdictional limit, I would assume like any SSPO only on MPA property? I see the State Police also down at the Black Falcon, so why not merge at least there, or do away with MPA and have MSP Police that area, it still seems like a lot of duplication.

I can understand the unarmed gate gaurds at the airport, not wanting to waste a trained PO in that position, and with the pay structure described there does not seem to be much of a savings between thosde base pay rates and a Trooper.
All personnel for both units are SSPO'S. The jurisdiction is limited to MPA Property with some exceptions. When cruise ships arrive in Boston, the terminal is the responsibility of both departments. The MPA Police handle the perimeter and interior security of the facility, while the MSP handles traffic enforcement street side and EOD Response Teams. The security measures in place at the facility are regulated by the Federal Government through a program call the Maritime Transportation Security Act. It's basically the same as Airport Regulations that fall under the TSA.

Certainly some aspects of the two departments do duplicate each other, but the overall functions of the departments in relation to Massport are different. For example, Conley Marine Terminal is an international cargo facility that handles all local and international freight for this region. The MPA Police, ICE, CBP and US Argriculture work together to ensure all regulations and safety precautions are taken prior to freight being imported or exported from our country. Same goes for the Cruise Terminal. Could MSP do the work, yes, but when it comes to pay and incentives, it costs Massport a lot more to fund the MSP. The duplication of work usually occurs in the Seaport District. For example, when you arrive at a domestic at one of ours hotels, you may end up with MSP and Boston there as well. For the most part, MPAPD and MSP work well together and actually compliment one another in the varied tasks that need to be accomplished.

I don't think anyone can understand the unarmed gate guard situation. They are sworn SSPO'S, they wear police uniforms, and they make over 1K a week. The story behind the story is that prior to 9/11, the MSP did not staff those access points. It was controlled soley by the gate guards. After 9/11, the FAA mandated that those positions be staffed with armed police officers. MPA, who already have a CJTC Firearms Training Program with the armed unit, could have simply trained those officers and given them firearms. Not so fast, between politics and SPAM and everyone else, it was decided to place MSP Personnel at those points with the gate guards.


Posted by: firefighter39

So since the MSP are armed and sitting at the gates the state could eliminate the $50,000+ / year politcal hacks that are sitting there too!


Posted by: rg1283

Massport is a highly political agency. I don't want to bash the MSP. But quite simply Troopers don't do the same as the Mets once did. The Mets used to park their cruiser in the park and walk around. The MSP just sit in their cruiser and don't get out unless they have to (From what I have seen, it doesn't mean that all Troopers do this). Now I am sure the Mass Port Police do specialized things that the MSP would say they would do, but wouldn't do at all or would do it lazily. Not purposly but mainly because they weren't trained do that type of work. Watching over a Port, etc. What I am trying to say is that Troopers don't want to do these type of operations. Similar to what I said in the MBTA Merger Thread


Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
So since the MSP are armed and sitting at the gates the state could eliminate the $50,000+ / year politcal hacks that are sitting there too!
How they got their jobs is really not the question. As you probably know, anyone certified as a SSPO needs to meets and/or exceed a certain level of training and education. As I said before, any job, be it in the public or private sector, is always going to bear some form of politics.

The Gate Guards perform a vital function in ensuring only authorized individuals and equipment access the ramps and runways of one of the busiest international airports in the world. If you were looking at this issue in a fiscally convertive manner, you would actually arm the gate guard and remove SP from from the check point. MSP personnel that sit at those check points make a lot more than the MPA Personnel.


Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
So since the MSP are armed and sitting at the gates the state could eliminate the $50,000+ / year politcal hacks that are sitting there too!
Just one more point of reference. The Massachusetts Port Authority is a quasi-state government agency. Simply put, Massport is financially self sufficient from the commonwealth. The agency does acquire funding from any public revenue sources with the exception of grant money.


Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankS
Just one more point of reference. The Massachusetts Port Authority is a quasi-state government agency. Simply put, Massport is financially self sufficient from the commonwealth. The agency does acquire funding from any public revenue sources with the exception of grant money.
Just a correction, "The agency does NOT acquire funding from......"


Posted by: firefighter39

SSPO is a bear-bones minimum requierement! You can not tell me that the requierments for SSPO status come anywhere near that of a the full-time academy.

And yes, every job has some form of politics; however, it is like a cancer at MassPort


Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
SSPO is a bear-bones minimum requierement! You can not tell me that the requierments for SSPO status come anywhere near that of a the full-time academy.

And yes, every job has some form of politics; however, it is like a cancer at MassPort
My personal opinion is that the SSPO program needs to be reformed, but is does set I minimum standard that has to be met prior to being certified. The majority of the "gate guards" that are currently employed have attended full time MCJTC Academies. More specifically, prior to 9/11, Massport liked sending them to the Transit PD sponsored academies. Since 9/11 they have only taken people that meet or exceed the minimum for SSPO certification. This is obviously a cost savings measure.

Even with this change in their hiring philosophy, because so many people apply for these positions, Massport typically interviews and hires only people that have completed a full time SSPO Academy or MCJTC Academy.

Once hired, Massport's Training Department makes up for all the areas that the SSPO Program lacks. We have in-house MCJTC instructors for all major categories, including range masters and firearm instructors. I believe it's incumbent up individual departments to make up for where the SSPO Program lacks.

As far as the "Cancer" its just not true anymore. I've been without a contract for almost five years, I have no reason to defend this agency. If you have one open position and you start with 400 applicants and you are able to narrow it down to 20 and these 20 have close to identical resumes, how do you chose?


Posted by: blackjack11j

the gate guards at the air port do have a police academy ,it sounds like a good job mass port police at the airport or sea port it is still a state job.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankS
All personnel for both units are SSPO'S. The jurisdiction is limited to MPA Property with some exceptions. When cruise ships arrive in Boston, the terminal is the responsibility of both departments. The MPA Police handle the perimeter and interior security of the facility, while the MSP handles traffic enforcement street side and EOD Response Teams. The security measures in place at the facility are regulated by the Federal Government through a program call the Maritime Transportation Security Act. It's basically the same as Airport Regulations that fall under the TSA.

Certainly some aspects of the two departments do duplicate each other, but the overall functions of the departments in relation to Massport are different. For example, Conley Marine Terminal is an international cargo facility that handles all local and international freight for this region. The MPA Police, ICE, CBP and US Argriculture work together to ensure all regulations and safety precautions are taken prior to freight being imported or exported from our country. Same goes for the Cruise Terminal. Could MSP do the work, yes, but when it comes to pay and incentives, it costs Massport a lot more to fund the MSP. The duplication of work usually occurs in the Seaport District. For example, when you arrive at a domestic at one of ours hotels, you may end up with MSP and Boston there as well. For the most part, MPAPD and MSP work well together and actually compliment one another in the varied tasks that need to be accomplished.

I don't think anyone can understand the unarmed gate guard situation. They are sworn SSPO'S, they wear police uniforms, and they make over 1K a week. The story behind the story is that prior to 9/11, the MSP did not staff those access points. It was controlled soley by the gate guards. After 9/11, the FAA mandated that those positions be staffed with armed police officers. MPA, who already have a CJTC Firearms Training Program with the armed unit, could have simply trained those officers and given them firearms. Not so fast, between politics and SPAM and everyone else, it was decided to place MSP Personnel at those points with the gate guards.



Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by blackjack11j
the gate guards at the air port do have a police academy ,it sounds like a good job mass port police at the airport or sea port it is still a state job.
YES AND NO: Massport is a quasi-state government agency. Massport's employees are not employed or considered employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massport has is independent retirement system with its own elected retirement board. This retirement system is affiliated with the commonwealths system but the commonwealth has no direct control over it. It's not like the MBTA where they are completely separate. If we were employed directly by the state, we wouldn't have free health insurance and we certainly wouldn't be making the money that we do.

The misconception that I was trying to clear up, is that when people say Massport is wasting "tax payer dollars," their wrong. Massport does not take a single penny from the state.


Posted by: firefighter39

Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankS
YES AND NO: Massport is a quasi-state government agency. Massport's employees are not employed or considered employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massport has is independent retirement system with its own elected retirement board. This retirement system is affiliated with the commonwealths system but the commonwealth has no direct control over it. It's not like the MBTA where they are completely separate. If we were employed directly by the state, we wouldn't have free health insurance and we certainly wouldn't be making the money that we do.

The misconception that I was trying to clear up, is that when people say Massport is wasting "tax payer dollars," their wrong. Massport does not take a single penny from the state.
Spoken like a true MassPort patronage hack. How about the fact that MPA does not pay taxes to cities and towns, in effect stealing from them valuable property tax income. I guess that the fuel tax charged to aircraft owner/operators in not really a tax. Oh, and how about the fees that MPA charges, not a tax either!

If MPA did not charge such high fees the cost of soing business in and around MPA facilities would not be so high (just ask a cab driver). So MassPort, through its patronage, overly inflated salaries, and duplication of effort is "taxing" all the citizens of the commonwealth>


Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
Spoken like a true MassPort patronage hack. How about the fact that MPA does not pay taxes to cities and towns, in effect stealing from them valuable property tax income. I guess that the fuel tax charged to aircraft owner/operators in not really a tax. Oh, and how about the fees that MPA charges, not a tax either!

If MPA did not charge such high fees the cost of soing business in and around MPA facilities would not be so high (just ask a cab driver). So MassPort, through its patronage, overly inflated salaries, and duplication of effort is "taxing" all the citizens of the commonwealth>
This is almost not even worth a response. First, Massport pays tax on all the land was aquired through its initial charter. Second, Massport pays millions of dollars each year to local impacted cities and towns in the form of mitigation packages. Fuel tax's are set and regulated by the commonwealth.

As far as fees, I look at it this way. If you don't like them, don't fly out of Logan. If I didn't like paying $7 for a sausage, $7.50 for a beer, $30 for parking, and $90 for a ticket, I wouldn't go to Fenway to see the Sox play. Being US Citizen's is a great thing; we have the right to chose. Fly out of somewhere else.


Posted by: firefighter39

Well I know for a fact that MassPort does not pay taxes to the towns of Lexington, Corcord, Bedord or Lincoln. And they certainly do not pay the communities millions of dollars


Posted by: firefighter39

Mass. Pike may get Tobin Bridge tolls

Member says panel to urge span transfer

By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff | May 24, 2006

A special state commission will call for transferring oversight of the Tobin Bridge and its millions in toll revenue from the Massachusetts Port Authority to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, according to a key member of the commission.

Such a move would probably force Massport to increase fees at Logan Airport and at its seaport facilities to recoup the $27 million in revenue now generated by the bridge, which drivers pay $3 to cross.

But the Tobin Bridge revenues could help the Turnpike Authority avoid toll increases in the harbor tunnels and on the turnpike, according to a draft of the proposal before the Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission.

The proposal is expected to trigger a turf war between the state's two most powerful transportation agencies.

``I believe there's a majority on the commission to approve this plan," said Kevin J. Sullivan, former state secretary of transportation and member of the 13-member commission, which the Legislature established to develop a plan for reorganizing the state's transportation system.

The commission is expected to submit its proposals by the end of the year to lawmakers, who have the final say on any changes.

Under the proposal, the Turnpike Authority would compensate Massport for the loss of the bridge, proposing a rough value of $280 million.

Commission members supporting the transfer say the 56-year-old bridge, which carries close to 10 million cars a year across the Mystic River, should be integrated into the Metropolitan Highway System, the network of Eastern Massachusetts roadways established a decade ago and operated by the Turnpike Authority. The system has helped the authority pay for the Big Dig.

The draft report says Massport's ownership of the bridge is ``an accident of history."

``From a systemic perspective, it makes sense to include the Tobin Bridge as part of the Metropolitan Highway System, rather than as part of Massport," according to the draft, which was obtained by the Globe. ``Massport operates no road facilities, but the Turnpike Authority operates every other toll facility in the state."

Resistance to the idea by Massport is expected to be fierce. Craig Coy, the authority's executive director, declined to be interviewed. But his spokeswoman said such a move would have serious implications for the authority's financial position, because it relies on the tolls to finance bonds.

``The Tobin Bridge is such an integral part of Massport's bonding and financial structure, and . . . to put such a proposal into effect would be hugely complicated and unnecessary," spokeswoman Danny Levy said last week. ``If it is not broken, why fix it?"

The commission's subcommittee examining the Tobin Bridge issue is chaired by James A. Aloisi Jr., a lawyer at Goulston & Storrs whose private clients include the Turnpike Authority. The authority paid about $330,000 last year in legal fees to Aloisi's law firm.

Aloisi, a politically savvy lawyer who has worked in both Democratic and Republican administrations, has been a significant player in state transportation circles for years. He has served as general counsel to the Turnpike Authority, and his law practice focuses on transportation law.

In his resume, he states that he was the ``principal author" of the legislation that set up the framework for the operation, maintenance, and financing of the Big Dig. He also played a central role in creating the Massachusetts Highway System.

In an interview, Aloisi said he was reluctant to talk publicly about the commission's deliberations before its final report is submitted to the Legislature. But he brushed aside any suggestion of conflict of interest, saying the 13 commission members will make a recommendation as a whole. He said any questions over his role on the commission and his work for the Turnpike Authority are ``fundamentally unfair to me."

Aloisi said that he has not spoken to anyone at the Turnpike Authority about the issue and that, in fact, he leans toward a different option for the Tobin Bridge that would create a public-private partnership.

``My own recommendation will be to put it out to bid for a long-term lease or concession, not to transfer it," Aloisi said. ``What the other members of the subcommittee or commission will think is for them to say. But to pin the transfer idea on me as my idea or to suggest that it is an idea that I am championing is false."

Sullivan agreed, saying that Aloisi should not recuse himself.

``The ultimate decision-makers will be the Legislature and the governor," Sullivan said. ``We are all part of this commission based on our various experience. Mr. Aloisi is clearly within his rights to investigate what I think is a viable public policy initiative."

Sullivan said that his advocacy of the plan stems from his concern that the daily Route 1 commuters using the bridge to cross the Mystic River to Chelsea and the North Shore are paying for nonbridge operations.

``Right now, the toll-payers are subsidizing Massport's seaport operations, as well as its administration," Sullivan said.

``That toll revenue should go 100 percent into the maintenance and operation of the bridge," he said. ``MassHighway and the Turnpike Authority have the expertise to operate and maintain a bridge like this."

Sullivan also said that placing the bridge with a transportation agency would help attract federal funds for repair and maintenance of the bridge.

The Turnpike Authority did not offer extensive comment on the proposal. Spokeswoman Mariellen Burns pointed out that transferring the bridge to the Turnpike Authority has been under discussion and recommended by at least one commission in the past.

``It is a valid issue, and it is worth having a conversation about," Burns said. ``We think it should be thoroughly reviewed."


Oh, this can't be true, MassPort does not "tax" the citizens of the Commonwealth. I guess a subsidy is different from a tax! More politcal hack jobs on the line!!


Posted by: FrankS

"Oh, this can't be true, MassPort does not "tax" the citizens of the Commonwealth. I guess a subsidy is different from a tax! More politcal hack jobs on the line!!"

Google Search: Define Tax (Princeton.edu) = levy a tax on; "The State taxes alcohol heavily"; "Clothing is not taxed in our state"

Google Search: Define Subsidy (Princeton.edu) = a grant paid by a government to an enterprise that benefits the public; "a subsidy for research in artificial intelligence"

I'm mean come on now, what the heck does Prinecton University know. They probably don't even pay taxes for the land they use. World Renowned Leader in Research University Political Hacks!!!


Posted by: firefighter39

BOSTON -- The body of a homeless man was found Friday inside an unused storage container at Conley Terminal along Boston Harbor, authorities said.



The condition of the body suggests the man had been dead for a significant period of time, said David Procopio, a spokesman for the Suffolk District Attorney's office. There was no evidence of foul play, he said.


Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:

BOSTON -- The body of a homeless man was found Friday inside an unused storage container at Conley Terminal along Boston Harbor, authorities said.



The condition of the body suggests the man had been dead for a significant period of time, said David Procopio, a spokesman for the Suffolk District Attorney's office. There was no evidence of foul play, he said.
Proving what exactly...the next time a building burns down should I post it, so we can all see what failures the firefighters in that town are? Sheesh!


Posted by: FrankS

Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighter39
BOSTON -- The body of a homeless man was found Friday inside an unused storage container at Conley Terminal along Boston Harbor, authorities said.



The condition of the body suggests the man had been dead for a significant period of time, said David Procopio, a spokesman for the Suffolk District Attorney's office. There was no evidence of foul play, he said.
Unfortunately, I can't provide comment on open cases.

One thing I will say, is that I'm very grateful for the men and women that have served and continue to serve as members of our armed forces. Given all the activity over the years, I think its sometimes easy to forget the sacrifices that were made and continue to be made on behalf of our country. Although Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness for these sacrifices, I think its important that the citizens of this country continuously remind past and present members of the armed forces that we are forever grateful for their services.


Posted by: Ranger83

Quote:
Originally Posted by HousingCop
How about merging Massport Fire Department into the Boston Fire Department as well. Both fight fires right??
Several neighborhoods in Boston are a mess after every snowstorm - often impassable to fire engines for weeks during the winter. Partly because there's no place to put it.

MassPort has snow melters that are used at the airport after a storm. Then they sit. Instead of being deployted where they'd do tremendous good. So yes, it's too bad Boston Harbor isn't part of Boston.....


Posted by: SouthSideCobras

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger83
Several neighborhoods in Boston are a mess after every snowstorm - often impassable to fire engines for weeks during the winter. Partly because there's no place to put it.

MassPort has snow melters that are used at the airport after a storm. Then they sit. Instead of being deployted where they'd do tremendous good. So yes, it's too bad Boston Harbor isn't part of Boston.....
Ranger83

I am sure MASSPORT PD has no control over "snow melters" does your city/town DPW send plows to help Boston after every snow event?


Posted by: rg1283

I can picture it now a major turf war over the Tobin Bridge. The MPA Police arrive with a bunch of plows and stuff and block the bridge. The MSP then arrive with Helicopters and Boats and even a few old Met Police cars. The Turf War has begun!


Posted by: Macop

I think Fire fighter is just jelous. Jesus shut up.


Posted by: HousingCop

Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthSideCobras
Ranger83

I am sure MASSPORT PD has no control over "snow melters" does your city/town DPW send plows to help Boston after every snow event?
Suppose MassPort sends a snow melter to East Boston after it is done melting runway snow. Either some DPW dope is going to fall into it or burn his hand on the hot water spewing out beneath it. OR some enviornmental tree hugging type will file a lawsuit against the city for the "dirty oil coverd snow" being dumped into the sewage system. You can't plow snow or dump it into the harbor any more due to the granola crowds lawsuits and new EPA regs.
As for firefighter39, he seems to have an axe (and a halligan) on his shoulder against MassPort. Maybe his dime wasn't big enough to get onto the MPFD and he's throwing bombs. All I have to say is you had better attend more political functions my friend. Bitching & whining on here won't get you on board that MassPort FD gig.

FrankS,
You seem to have your s#it together and have beaten FF39 at every post. Now if he'd only shut the F up we could close this thread. Anybody second this motion? Beuller??


Posted by: SPINMASS

second on what housing cop said


Posted by: tazoez

Third on the motion


Posted by: dcs2244

A fourth, HC. Thread Closed.




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