Thanks Mr. McNicoll, as usual you seem to have been right on. Talked to a BOS supervisor, got a story along the lines of:
"Changed criteria for terrain, due to results of a few incidents, going on for awhile now, 1000 or 2000 ft obstacle clearance was standard, but with some deductions was previously allowed. Now there are more restrictions. Expect it all through the country, some airways mea's going up....there were reductions for non preciptous terrain, the FAA has tightened the criteria..."
Guess that's it.
Stan