Mayor Michelle Wu has appointed Nicholas Gove as the town’s interim chief of streets, changing Jascha Franklin-Hodge, who resigned final month after overseeing Boston’s contentious bus and bike lane enlargement.
Gove was promoted from his most up-to-date put up as deputy chief of streets for the Boston Transportation Division, a place he’s held since April 2023. His new title is chief of streets, transportation and sanitation.
Wu additionally appointed Gove as interim commissioner of public works.
Each appointments grew to become efficient on Nov. 24, in keeping with two letters the mayor wrote to the Metropolis Council final month. The letters are included on this week’s Council agenda for Wednesday’s assembly.
The mayor’s workplace didn’t reply to a Herald inquiry as as to whether Gove’s appointment as chief of streets will grow to be everlasting or stay momentary till a brand new rent is made to switch Franklin-Hodge.
When confirming Franklin-Hodge’s resignation to the Herald on Nov. 7, the mayor’s workplace mentioned it will present an replace “when we have more to share about this role,” when requested whether or not a substitute had been employed.
Thus far, no public announcement has been made for the chief of streets place, which grew to become a high-profile job through the mayor’s first time period that ends this month.
Franklin-Hodge was appointed chief of streets by Wu in December 2021, and resigned forward of the mayor’s second time period. Wu was reelected final month.
Town’s widespread implementation of bus and bike lanes below Franklin-Hodge’s management drew backlash from residents, grew to become a marketing campaign problem within the mayoral race, and led to a 30-day evaluation final spring that concluded the engagement from the Streets Cupboard was “heavy-handed.”
The evaluation was led by Mike Brohel, superintendent of primary metropolis providers, quite than Franklin-Hodge.
“During the 30-day review meetings, we heard consistent feedback that project communications and community engagement were inadequate, that decisions seemed pre-determined, and that processes too often did not achieve consensus, contributing to a loss of community trust,” acknowledged a metropolis memo issued on the conclusion of the evaluation final April.
“We heard feedback that the tone of some engagements was very heavy-handed and relevant information was not shared, questioning the veracity of the process.”
Franklin-Hodge was paid $191,653 final 12 months, per metropolis payroll data. Gove was paid $166,461 as the town’s deputy chief of streets.
