Two summers ago, the band Green Day played a concert at the Hatch Shell. Beacon Hill residents described the aftermath as a near-riot, with concert-goers running through the streets screaming, fighting and smashing windows. The lesson learned from that experience was that residents need to be vigilant in dealing with the MDC and the Esplanade.

Last week, radio station WODS announced that it had made a deal with the MDC to move its summer concert series from City Hall Plaza to the Hatch Shell. The mayor is furious about the move. City Hall Plaza has been often (and rightly) derided as an empty urban eyesore But one of its few bright spots was the summer concert series. Each week, people from around the city would drive, take the T or a bus to the evening events. They were festive times that added life to downtown.

Now that may end. Beacon Hill residents should greet this move with some degree of alarm. Green Day probably will not be part of the concert series. Yet the series has some well-known and very popular artists who can be expected to attract large crowds. My experience in dealing with the MDC on many issues, including parking and street repairs, has led me to conclude that its reputation as one of the least responsive state agencies is deserved. I have little confidence that residents' concerns about noise and security will be uppermost in MDC officials' minds when they organize their concerts.

At the same time, the merchants around City Hall, especially those in the Quincy Market area, depend upon the concert traffic for a good portion of their business. They are disappointed with the move and would like the series to return. Toward that end, Councilor Richard Iannella and I are planning to sponsor City Council hearings on the proposed move. Our hope is to persuade the MDC and radio station to reverse its decision. At a minimum we want to communicate to the MDC the city and residents concerns about security, noise and crowd control. Your input would be welcomed. Call or write with your comments.