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Boston, MA ·Thursday, October 22, 2026·☁️56°

The Bulletin

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HPCR likes 1025 River plan

Crime and fire issues also discussed

By Jeff Sullivan · October 22, 2026
HPCR likes 1025 River plan
The current site of 1025 River, which is slated to be replaced with two duplexes · Courtesy Photo
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The Hyde Park Central River Neighborhood Association (HPCR) met recently and went through several issues in the neighborhood.

The organization covers River Street and beyond in Hyde Park. Boston Police Department (BPD) District E-18 Community Service Officer Rico Lucien gave the monthly crime report, and discussed the shooting at 54 Walter St., which took the life of Michael Lorenus, 37, of Milton, on Sept. 26.

“Officers responded to JT Auto Care for a report of shots fire, and found a male suffering a gunshot wound,” Lucien said. “That male was later pronounced deceased. The Homicide Unit is investigating.”

The meeting took place before another shooting that resulted in death in Hyde Park. On Oct. 7, Darryl Aleo, 20, was shot to death at 1171 River St. Christen Peebles, 18, later turned himself in for the crime.

In relation to the 54 Walter St. incident on Sept. 26, BPD District E-18 Captain Joe Boyle said the incident was a targeted shooting.

“It was not random, so there is no threat to the community,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure everybody was aware of that; a lot of people were upset. Overall, Part 1 Crime (crimes involved violence or bodily harm) is down 4 percent, so our numbers look pretty good overall.”

In other news, Boston Fire Lt. Henry Perkins went over several fire incidents in the neighborhood. He said, perhaps surprisingly, that most of the cooking fires they have been responding to lately are coming from electric ovens, mainly because people forget that they’re on. He said also to watch out during Halloween parties, as the department has seen several incidents where smoke or smoke machines were being used to help spread the feeling of the season, but in so doing, resident turned off their smoke alarms. He said that’s not a good excuse. He pointed out that much of the Halloween decorations people put up are not flame retardant in the best of cases, and actively dangerous in the worst, so having operating smoke detectors when a large gathering is taking place is a must.

The HPCR also voted in favor of a proposed development from Alex Aguilar, who is proposing knocking down the current two-family building at 1025 River St., subdividing the lot and putting two duplex buildings on each lot. Attorney representing Aguilar John Pulgini said both new properties will be about 6,000 square feet apiece. The proposal is to have rentals.

HPCR Chair Melanie Daye asked Pulgini and Aguilar for direct connection and communication with the new manager of the building, and asked that information be shared with any new residents about the HPCR so that they can be a part of the community, if they so choose.

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“We want direct communication, pre-, during and post-development, we want those who develop in the community to be part of the community,” she said. “As well as supporting what’s happening in and around our community, not just coming to the meetings with a proposal for development, and then, ‘Okay we’re done we’re gone, bye.’ We’re not looking for that type of interaction, we’re looking for a more closer interaction to support neighborhood fundraisers, neighborhood activities, etc. This development is in our neighborhood, and we want to see the neighborhood as a family/community-oriented space, where those neighbors and the persons who develop that space are interacting with the community holistically.”

Pulgini went through his history in the neighborhood, which is extensive, as he grew up in the Fairmount neighborhood, and said Aguilar will be “accessible” for any concerns.

“It’s his project that he will be managing himself,” Pulgini said, giving his phone number. “I have such a familiar connection with Hyde Park that I always support neighborhood fundraisers and I’m sure Alex, who is relatively new to this part of the city, will do the same.”

Aguilar said his mother bought the property in 1997, lived there for four years, and he moved in after law school. He said his mother has moved on because of dementia. He said he’s had good relations with the neighbors.

“The number of meetings that I’ve already had with the abutters and all of the neighbors ... I did my own separate pamphletting in additional to what was required, but I’m happy to have any conversations, questions on the phone, I’ll even walk the site with you,” he said. “I did that with Melanie this morning, actually, and that was very fun.”

The HPCR eventually voted to support the development.

About the author

Jeff Sullivan Covers local news and community stories.

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