
Father James DiPerri
Boston (South Boston)
- Committees a part of:
- Advisory Committee
Rev. James M. DiPerri, South Boston representative to the Massport CAC, is a life-long resident of the South Boston neighborhood and has been consistently involved in many civic matters/social justice issues since high school, particularly in the areas of Airport Noise and Seaport operations. He follows a long history of family involvement with others in neighborhood civic concerns and in working with other communities impacted by similar quality of life/health issues. A member of the original Massport CAC during the late 1970s through the 1980s, yet continued to work on Airport and Seaport matters throughout the following years to the present day.
While a senior at Boston College High, in 1979 initiated and led the coordination of other residents in the collection of 5000 signatures from the South Boston community in support of the “Over the Ocean” departure procedures from Runways 22R and 22L. This signature petition was collected during a time-period when these departure patterns were being reconsidered on direct overflights of inner-city neighborhoods, such as South Boston, less than a mile from runway’s end. Also worked with further communities in the Metropolitan area that were also unnecessarily impacted by these runways’ direct overflights, considering other more environmentally sensitive options. Continued efforts in later years to further refine these flight patterns that promoted the necessity of aviation safety, together with possible noise abatement measures. Founding chair of the “Committee For Relief From Airport Noise, Inc” in 1979. Lead plaintiff of a Class-action Federal lawsuit of South Boston residents against the Federal Aviation Administration and Massport in 1981. This Class-action Federal lawsuit was to highlight issues surrounding departures from runways, 22R and 22L, as well as 27, in addition to arrivals on runways 4L and 4R, in addition to ground-noise and pollution generated from Logan Airport. Further efforts being made in working in collaboration with other civically minded people and elected officials, particularly following the implementation of RNAV flight patterns by the FAA that at times adversely impacted communities around Logan Airport through the 2010s -2020s.
Between 1981-1983 earnestly worked as one of two appointed negotiators from the South Boston Residents’ Group with Massport to establish a Park Buffer Zone along the Castle Island Road (Day Blvd) to the federally recognized historic park site of Fort Independence and Massport’s Conley Container Port Facility. Further initiated the upgrade of this same area in 2006, in the establishment of historic lighting and placement of overhead utility wires underground, along this 3000-foot narrow Buffer Zone area. More recent efforts in support of mitigation of seaport activities in area of air pollution generated from ships and seaport equipment, and upgrading of the buffer zone parks, as well as port lighting and re-painting of large container shipping cranes to colors that lessen visible impact on the community and adjacent historic sites.
Ordained a Catholic priest for the local communities of the Boston area in 1988, serving in parishes beginning in Arlington, and later Quincy and Charlestown, in addition to serving on the faculty at Pope John XXIII National Seminary for priestly formation in Weston, MA. Since 2008, has served as pastor of Our Lady’s Parish and Elementary School in Waltham, MA. Throughout his priesthood, Father DiPerri has also supported, at times, civic collaboration between his parish assignments and the Boston neighborhoods. Fully involved in each pastoral assignment, Father DiPerri returns to his family home each week on days off. He remains committed to building inter-community support in working with Massport officials towards the betterment of Airport and Seaport activities for all, while recognizing the importance of the economic necessity of both Airport and Seaport operations for the New England area.
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