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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Brookline embraces its 'unofficial mascot' — the turkey — in new public art project
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
While we await Meb’s big return to Boston and America’s big return to the moon, here’s what to know today:
From (feathered) foes to friends: Brookline’s relationship to the town’s prolific roaming wild turkeys has been described as a “war” between man and bird by various writers and news outlets. Residents were briefly encouraged to act aggressively toward the turkeys. Columnists mused about lassoing and eating them. But now, Brookline officials are taking a new approach toward their longtime foes: Celebrating them with public art.
- Zoom in: The town plans to install 10 life-size fiberglass turkey sculptures this year to “add a touch of whimsy and charm” to squares like Coolidge Corner, Brookline Village and Washington Square. And they’re offering $1,000 to Brookline residents to help bring the plan to fruition. “We’re looking for artists to design and come up with different creative themes for these turkeys,” Brookline economic development planner Aaron Norris told WBUR’s Fausto Menard.
- Zoom out: The “Turkeys Around Town” project is part of a larger public art initiative in Brookline — funded by federal COVID-19 recovery funds — that also includes murals and painted utility boxes. “Public art and placemaking was identified as one of the things that business owners, Brookline residents and all kinds of different stakeholders within Brookline were interested in seeing more of in our commercial areas,” Norris said. In total, they’re aiming to install 45 permanent public art installations by 2025.
- Why turkeys? Norris said they want to build off “momentum.” They’ve been trying to proclaim the turkey as Brookline’s “unofficial mascots” in recent years, from poster art to a documentary on the town’s love/hate relationship with the birds.
- Get involved: You can apply through March 29 to paint the first five turkey sculptures this spring. (Click here to see a map of the initial sculpture locations.) Brookline has also launched an online poll to gather theme ideas for the second round of sculptures this fall.
$$$: Gov. Maura Healey’s administration has officially revoked a $140,800 state grant from Milton, due to the town’s noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Law following last week’s referendum. The grant was intended for seawall and dock upgrades at Milton Landing — a project that town officials say is now on hold. State officials say it’s just the first of the “significant grant funding” Milton will miss out on because of its breach of the state housing law.
- What’s next: Housing Secretary Ed Augustus says he’s hopeful the state can work with town leaders to draft a new zoning plan that complies with the law. Milton’s Planning Board and Select Board expect to meet over the next week to discuss the matter.
PSA: Another option to get around the current Green Line closure in these not-too-cold temps? Ride a bike! Blue Cross Blue Shield and the City of Boston are partnering to offer free $20 Bluebikes credits to help out Green Line riders during the 18-day diversion. The credit can be used for both normal Bluebikes or their new e-bikes.
- How do I get the credit? All you have to do is enter the code “MBTA2024” in the Bluebikes app. (Click the “Rewards” tab to find it.) There are no residency or location rules — and you really don’t even have to be a Green Line or MBTA rider.
A wrench in the gears: Opponents of the (already slowed down) efforts to redevelop Franklin Park’s decaying White Stadium are escalating their push to halt the project with a lawsuit. Right now, the plan has been to revitalize the park to house a professional women’s soccer team. However, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy is leading a lawsuit seeking to stop the “privatization” of the park — a description Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called either “a misunderstanding or a misrepresentation.” Read more here about the legal debate.
Heads up: The Charlestown locks pedestrian walkway by TD Garden is reopening today, after a nearly monthlong closure. However, state officials say the walkway will continue to close twice a day for about 30 minutes through June 2024 to let migrating fish in the Charles River through.
P.S.— If you liked our podcast Violation, we have a new listening recommendation for you. WBUR and ZSP Media are launching a new murder mystery podcast called Beyond All Repair, hosted by Amory Sivertson. The first episode will premiere on March 7, in the Violation feed, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to the trailer.
