JP HANDYWOMAN
Neighborhood Resource Hub
Neighborhood Resource Hub
Welcome to the Neighborhood Resource Hub!
Every community has its own set of helpful resources and local know-how.
This page gathers useful links for homeowners, including utilities, parking information, community groups, donation options, libraries, and trusted neighborhood shops so you can quickly get connected and feel at home.
New Homeowner Resource Hub
Pick your neighborhood
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Jamaica Plain -
Roslindale -
West Roxbury
Essential Town Services in Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and West Roxbury
Utilities
Gas Service
National Grid
Start, transfer, or emergency gas odor reporting
www.nationalgridus.com
Electric Service
Eversource
Start service or report outage – www.eversource.com
Water and Sewer
Boston Water and Sewer Commission
Water bills are separate from gas and electric. Bills are quarterly.
www.bwsc.org
Tip: Many JP homes have high water pressure. Consider installing a water-pressure-regulator if above 70 PSI.
Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste
City of Boston Trash and Recycling
• Trash day varies by street
• Yard waste is seasonal
• Mattress pickup must be scheduled
Find what can be curbside recycled here:
https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/recycling-boston#accepted-items
Find your collection day:
www.boston.gov/trash-and-recycling
Important:
• No plastic bags in recycling
• Sidewalks must be shoveled after snow
Bulk Item Pickup:
The City of Boston collects special items, such as refrigerators and TVs, at most residential addresses.
They collect up to ten (10) special items for each household every calendar year.
Schedule your pickup at the link below:
https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/special-collection-items#/special_item
Parking and Transportation
Resident Parking Permits
Required for most on-street parking in JP.
Snow emergencies temporarily change parking rules.
Apply online through City of Boston https://www.boston.gov/departments/parking-clerk/resident-parking-permits
Street Cleaning
Strictly enforced. Seasonal schedule changes.
Public Transportation
MBTA
Orange Line and bus routes serve Jamaica Plain.
Commuter Rail from Roslindale Village and multiple bus routes serve the neighborhood.
Commuter Rail from West Roxbury and Highland stations, plus multiple bus routes.
www.mbta.com
Bike Transportation Resources
Find bike path maps and resources here: https://www.boston.gov/departments/boston-bikes/plan-route
Bike Repair Shops
Jamaica Plain –
Ferris Wheels – 66 South Street, Boston, MA 02130 – info@ferriswheelsbikeshop.com
(617) 524-BIKE – https://www.ferriswheelsbikeshop.com/
Bikes Note Bombs – 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA –
1-617-522-0222 – https://bikesnotbombs.org/bike-shop/
Roslindale –
Busted Knuckle Bike Shop – 159 Belgrade Ave, Roslindale, MA – (617) 942-2900 – https://www.facebook.com/bustedknucklebikes/about/?_rdr
West Roxbury –
Adi’s Bike World – 1754 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132 –
617-325-2453 – https://www.adisbikeworld.net/index.html
Snow and Winter Rules
Snow Emergency Parking Ban
Certain roads become emergency arteries. Vehicles will be towed.
Sidewalk Shoveling Requirement
Property owners must clear sidewalks promptly after storms. Fines apply.
Check alerts:
www.boston.gov/snow
Public Safety
Boston Police Department
Jamaica Plain – District E 13
Roslindale – District E 5
West Roxbury – District E 5
Emergency: 911
For non- emergencies, call 3-1-1 or (617) 635-4500
Boston Fire Department
Smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance inspections are required for property sales.
Emergency: 911
Property, Permits, and Inspections
Boston Inspectional Services Department
Most construction requires a permit.
Street dumpsters require a permit.
www.boston.gov/departments/inspectional-services
Note: Some West Roxbury properties fall within conservation or wetlands areas requiring additional review.
Trees and Neighborhood Services
Street Trees
City-owned trees require city approval for removal.
Report non emergency issues such as broken street lights or unshoveled sidewalks: www.boston.gov/311
Dog License Application
The City of Boston strictly enforces the licensing of dogs as a health assurance to the public and as a safety and identification measure for your pet. To this extent, dog owners may be subject to fines if their pet remains unlicensed.
Apply here:
https://www.cityofboston.gov/animals/licenseapp/
Community and Neighborhood Connections
Boston City Councilors
Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury City Councilor –
Ben Weber – https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-council/benjamin-j-weber
Ben Weber Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/councilor.ben.weber/
Roslindale City Councilor –
Enrique J. Pepén – https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-council/enrique-j-pepen
Enrique J. Pepén Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/councilorenriquejpepen/
Neighborhood Facebook Groups
Jamaica Plain Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/jamaicaplainma
Jamaica Plain Centre South Main Streets – https://www.facebook.com/jpcentresouth/
Roslindale Message Board – https://www.facebook.com/groups/QuirkyRoslindaleMessageBoard
Roslindale Village Main Streets – https://bostonmainstreets.org/districts/roslindale-village-main-street/ and https://www.facebook.com/roslindalevillagemainstreet/
West Roxbury Connect – https://www.facebook.com/groups/639547626202086
West Roxbury Main Streets – https://www.facebook.com/westroxburymainstreets
JP, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Brookline families listserve – JP Moms – https://www.tinyhood.com/jpmoms
Libraries and Learning
Boston Public Libraries
Jamaica Plain
Connolly Library – 433 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 – (617) 522-1960 – https://www.bpl.org/locations/connolly/
Jamaica Plain Library – 30 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, (617) 524-2053 – https://www.bpl.org/locations/jamaica-plain/
Roslindale Library – 4246 Washington St, Roslindale, MA 02131 – (617) 323-2343 – https://www.bpl.org/locations/roslindale/
West Roxbury Library – 1961 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132 – (617) 325-3147 – https://www.bpl.org/locations/west-roxbury/
Food and Local Markets
Farmer’s Markets
Jamaica Plain – https://jamaicaplainfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/
Roslindale – https://www.roslindale.net/farmers-market
West Roxbury – https://www.templehbt.org/corey-street-farmers-market
City-Wide Directory- https://www.boston.gov/departments/food-access/boston-farmers-markets
Home Maintenance Resources
Hardware Stores
Jamaica Plain
Yumont Hardware – 702 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 – (617) 524-4572 – https://stores.truevalue.com/ma/jamaica-plain/18796/
Roslindale
Roslindale Hardware – 4407 Washington St. Roslindale, MA 02131 – (617) 323-8639 – https://roslindalehardware.com/
DB&S Lumber and Home Improvement – 3870 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA 02131 – (617) 524-2100 – https://www.dbslumber.com/?
West Roxbury
Atlas True Value Hardware – 1871 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 – (617) 325-9494 – https://stores.truevalue.com/ma/west-roxbury/3389/
Locksmiths
Jamaica Plain – Roslindale – West Roxbury
All In One Locksmith – Viktor – allinonelocksmiths@gmail.com – (617) 997-7976 – https://allinone-locksmith.com/
Garden Centers
Mahoney’s Garden Center -449 Western Ave, Brighton, MA 02135 – (617) 787-8885 – https://mahoneysgarden.com/mahoneys-gardencenter-brighton/
Allandale Farm Garden Center – 259 Allandale Road, Brookline, MA 02467 – (617) 524-1531 – https://allandalefarm.com/garden-center
Limited hours in winter
Donations, Consignment, and Recycling
Master List - Formatting and details to be added
Everything Free JP – https://www.facebook.com/groups/173271113519810/
Buy Nothing Roslindale – https://www.facebook.com/groups/123205038371506/
Buy Nothing West Roxbury – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1142229299227082/discussion/preview
Buy Nothing West Roxbury 2.0 – https://www.facebook.com/groups/610424863329619/
Metal recycling – James Grant in Hyde Park.
Clothing – Warm Up Boston, Heal the Hood, and Dress for Success.
Dishes and small furniture – Savers, Good Will
Books – VA library, More Than Words
Textile recycling – City bins distributed throughout the city
General items – Boston Thrift Shop and Savers.
Building material or tools – Boston Building Resources or Habitat for Humanity – Restore.
Medical Equipment and New Toys – the Native American Center.
Arts and Craft Supplies – Make and Mend is a craft thrift store in Somerville.
Things That Surprise New Residents
• Snow rules are enforced quickly
• Parking tickets are frequent and expensive
• Some streets are narrow and require careful winter parking
• All dogs must be licensed with the City of Boston
Brookline
Gas Service
National Grid
Start, transfer, or emergency gas odor reporting
www.nationalgridus.com
Electric Service
Eversource
Start service or report outage
www.eversource.com
Water and Sewer
Brookline Department of Public Works
Water and sewer bills are issued by the Town of Brookline.
www.brooklinema.gov
Tip: Many Brookline homes have older plumbing systems. Consider testing water pressure and installing a pressure regulator if above 70 PSI.
Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste
Town of Brookline Trash and Recycling
• Trash day varies by street
• Yard waste is seasonal
• Special pickup required for bulky items
Find your collection day:
www.brooklinema.gov
Important:
• Recycling rules are strictly enforced
• Snow must be cleared from sidewalks promptly
On-Street Parking
Parking Restrictions
Daytime Parking: No driver shall park any vehicle for longer than two (2) hours on any individual street during the daytime (6 a.m. – 2 a.m). This rule does not apply on Sundays and public holidays.
Overnight Parking: No driver may park on any street for longer than one (1) hour at nighttime (2 a.m. – 6 a.m.) on any day of the week. Drivers may apply for Resident Overnight Permits or Visitor Overnight Permits.
Snow Emergencies: No car may park on any street once a snow emergency has been declared. To learn if Brookline has called a snow emergency, listen to the local broadcast media outlets or call the DPW at 617-730-2610.
Resident Parking Permits
Required in many Brookline neighborhoods.
Apply through the Town of Brookline.
Street Cleaning
Strictly enforced. Seasonal schedules vary by neighborhood.
Public Transportation
MBTA
Green Line C and D branches serve Brookline, along with multiple bus routes.
www.mbta.com
Snow and Winter Rules
Snow Emergency Parking Ban
Designated emergency routes must be cleared. Vehicles may be ticketed or towed.
Sidewalk Shoveling Requirement
Property owners must clear sidewalks promptly after storms. Fines apply.
Check alerts:
www.brooklinema.gov
Public Safety
Brookline Police Department
Brookline Fire Department
Smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance inspections are required for property sales.
Emergency: 911
Property, Permits, and Inspections
Brookline Building Department
Most construction requires a permit.
Dumpster permits required for street placement.
Historic Preservation
Certain properties fall within historic districts requiring additional review.
Trees and Neighborhood Services
Street trees are managed by town. Approval is required for removal.
Report non-emergency issues:
www.brooklinema.gov
Farmer’s Markets
Brookline – Brookline – https://www.brooklinefarmersmarket.com/
Jamaica Plain – https://jamaicaplainfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/
Roslindale – https://www.roslindale.net/farmers-market
West Roxbury – https://www.templehbt.org/corey-street-farmers-market
Boston-Wide Directory- https://www.boston.gov/departments/food-access/boston-farmers-markets
Things That Surprise New Residents
• Brookline is a separate town, not part of Boston
• Overnight on-street parking is prohibited
• Parking enforcement is active and consistent
• Some streets are narrow and require careful winter parking
• Trash rules differ from Boston
• Historic district regulations may limit exterior changes
Newton -
Needham
IN DEVELOPMENT
What Our Clients Say
Testimonials
As a first-time homebuyer, and a small business owner of Monumental Market, I was excited to take on the responsibility of maintaining a home - but I didn’t have the time to learn everything through trial and error. The New Homeowner Orientation and Manual service gave me a clear, simple, and completely personalized plan. Marie’s knowledge is truly unmatched; she was thoughtful and thorough, walking through my home from top to bottom, explaining the essentials in a way that felt manageable rather than overwhelming. The result was a customized maintenance plan for my home’s specific systems and covered important homeowner basics that tells me exactly what needs to be done, how often, and how to handle issues if they arise. I now feel confident, organized, and far less stressed! I can’t recommend this service enough for anyone who wants to care for their home proactively instead of reactively.
Kelsey Munger - Owner of Monumental Market
Working with Marie the JP Handywoman was a pleasure. She is competent, capable, thorough and an excellent communicator- she gave an accurate and fair estimate, completed the project on time and followed up afterwards. I was so happy with her work, and she has a great sense of humor as well. Highly recommend!
-Katrine Burkitt, Owner of Sunnyside Organizing
Who We Are
Our Origin Story
JP Handywoman was inspired by my own difficulties tracking the required maintenance tasks for our JP home.
Despite over 10 years of work in construction, I was failing at maintaining my home.
There were simply too many tasks, each with a different recommended maintenance schedule, to keep track of.
I created a tool to keep track of all the tasks and easily run a report of all past-due and upcoming tasks.
JP Handywoman’s mission is enable busy homeowners to focus on their lives, not their home’s to-do list, with confidence that their home is properly maintained and nothing is falling through the cracks.
— Marie Meehan, owner
We serve Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Brookline, Dedham, Needham, Newton, and Wellesley.
- Call Us Today