Executive Summary
The Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks held a virtual hearing on August 21, 2026, to consider conservation restrictions for two city-acquired parcels and several appointments to the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board. The conservation restrictions involve land at 0 Dale Street in Hyde Park and Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston, both funded through the Community Preservation Act. The committee also reviewed the reappointments of six current BERDO Review Board members and the new appointment of Camilo Escuava-Zapata. No public testimony was provided, and the dockets were held for future action by the City Council.
Meeting Information
- Date: August 21, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Governing Body: Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks
- Meeting Type: Committee Hearing
- Chair: Councilor Brian Worrell
- Councilors Present: Councilor Edward Flynn, Councilor Erin Murphy
Dockets 1403-1409: Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board Appointments
The committee reviewed several messages in order for the confirmation of appointments and reappointments to the BERDO Review Board.
Nominees for Reappointment (Terms expiring 2029):
- Docket 1403: Samir Amadi (Term expiring May 23, 2029)
- Docket 1404: Jessica Boatwright (Term expiring April 24, 2029)
- Docket 1405: Steven Ellis (Term expiring May 26, 2029)
- Docket 1406: Hassan Faruqi (Term expiring March 19, 2029)
- Docket 1407: Lori Ferris (Term expiring July 13, 2029)
- Docket 1408: Gail Lattimore (Term expiring April 24, 2029)
Nominee for New Appointment:
- Docket 1409: Camilo Escuava-Zapata (Term expiring July 20, 2029)
Discussion:
- Councilor Flynn and Councilor Murphy expressed their support for the nominees and thanked them for their service.
- Camilo Escuava-Zapata provided a statement regarding his background as an Afro-Latino resident of Dorchester and a campaign organizer with the Union of Concerned Scientists. He highlighted his expertise in sustainable development, conflict resolution, and clean energy advocacy. He stated, "I focus on translating technical information into language that people and communities can understand... I'm hoping that I can bring those perspectives and support the board and implementation of the BERDO ordinance."
Dockets 1401-1402: Conservation Restrictions
Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Director of Design and Construction for the Parks Department, presented on two conservation restrictions required for parcels acquired using Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds.
Docket 1401: 0 Dale Street (Sharon Woods Addition)
- Description: A 44,137+ square foot heavily wooded parcel in Hyde Park (Parcel 1808198000).
- Action: Approval of the receipt of a conservation restriction to be held by the Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation.
- Background: Acquired via eminent domain on June 26, 2024. This parcel completes a city block of permanently protected open space.
Docket 1402: 190-198 West 8th Street (Sister Mary Veronica Park)
- Description: A 4,655 square foot pocket park in South Boston.
- Action: Approval of the receipt of a conservation restriction to be held by the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation.
- Background: Acquired through a purchase and sale agreement approved on July 28, 2025.
Key Legal and Financial Details:
- Both acquisitions were funded by the Community Preservation Act open space acquisition funds.
- Director Baker-Eclipse noted: "The Community Preservation Act statute requires that for any parcel that's acquired with community preservation funds have a conservation restriction placed upon it. This is in addition to the permanent protection that's provided by Massachusetts Constitution in Article 97."
Public Testimony
- No members of the public signed up or provided testimony during the hearing.