The Stanley Report
Lexington, Volume 5, No. 9September 2010
In This Issue
News from Beacon Hill
Lexington Corner
Upcoming Events

Tom Picture

Rep. Thomas M. Stanley
9th Middlesex District
 
TomandJay
 
Rep. Stanley with Rep. Ruth Balser and Rep. Jay Kaufman at the State House
 
Fenway
 
Rep. Stanley with Rep. Ayers (D-Quincy) at the Autism Bill Signing at Fenway Park
 
Flag
 
Statue and Flag 
John Adams Court House
 
John Adams Court House
 
 Beacon Street
 
Beacon Street 
 
 Chamber1
 
House Chamber, State House
 
Chamber2
 
Side View, House Chamber 
 
 Chamber3
 
House Seats
 
TMS Nurses Hall
 
Rep. Stanley in Nurses Hall
 
Skyline
 
Boston Skyline
 
Hall of Flags
 
Hall of Flags
 
 Tomatoes
 
Harvest
 
Farm2
 
Farmers' Market
 
  
Apple Picking
 
 
Charles River 
 
State House
 
State House Tour
 
If you'd like to arrange a State House tour, please call (617) 727-3676.
 
Rep. Stanley Reads1 
 
If you'd like Rep. Stanley to visit your classroom, call
(617) 722-2310.

Contact Information:

 

State Representative

Thomas M. Stanley

State House, Room 167

Boston, MA 02133

(617) 722-2810

 [email protected]
Dear Friend, 

It is my pleasure to deliver September's edition of The Stanley Report, my monthly update from Beacon Hill. Please feel free to pass this e-mail along to your friends, family and co-workers and let them know they can subscribe to receive my monthly newsletter by emailing me

Thanks for reading, and for giving me the opportunity to represent you in the legislature.  As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (617) 722-2310. 

Sincerely,

Signature 

Thomas M. Stanley

News from Beacon Hill
 
State Primary Election Day: September 14, 2010
 
Be sure to head to the polls Tuesday, September 14, 2010 to vote in the State Primary Election. Polling places will be open from 7:00am - 8:00pm statewide.  To learn more, please click here.
 
Rep. Stanley Joins Gov.  Patrick at Cubist Pharmaceuticals Event

 
Gov.  Patrick and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Susan Windham-Bannister joined company employees and local officials at Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Lexington to highlight the company's expansion in Massachusetts. The Governor participated in the company's "Raising the Roof" ceremony, marking the beginning of a construction project that will add an additional 104,000 square feet of lab and associated administrative space to Cubist's existing lab facility by early 2012.
 
The Life Sciences Center, charged with implementing the State's ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative proposed by Governor Patrick in 2007 and signed into law in June of 2008, awarded a tax incentive of $1.7 million to Cubist last year to facilitate their expansion plans in Lexington. As part of the tax incentive agreement Cubist has committed to creating 58 new jobs this year.
 
"Cubist's expansion is great news for our local economy in Lexington, and for the entire region," said Rep. Stanley.  "It is terrific to see the state's Life Sciences Initiative bringing new jobs and economic opportunity to our communities."
 
House Gives Final Approval to Vital Records Registry Bill

The House approved legislation to establish a statewide database of all vital records, including birth and death certificates and marriage licenses.   The database will make it easier for city and town clerks to access vital records when someone needs copies of birth or death certificates.  Also, the records will be
 available immediately electronically, alleviating long waits to retrieve such information.  The bill, which will bring the state in line with new federal legislation mandating all birth certificates be checked against death certificates, will head to the Senate for approval.

Autism Waiver Enrollment
 
The Department of Developmental Services is conducting a new application process for parents of young children with autism to apply for the Children's Autism Waiver Program.  Applications are due between September 20th and October 1st.  Additional information and applications can be found here.
 
Gov. Patrick Announces Highest Public School Funding Level In History Due To State-Federal Partnership

The Governor allocated $204 million from the federal Education Jobs Fund to school districts across the Commonwealth, bringing state support for public schools to its highest level in history. A combination of state and federal dollars totaling $4.07 billion will ensure all school districts receive more state aid - at least $25 per student - than they did last year. The new funding, which followed the announcement that Massachusetts secured $250 million in federal Race to the Top dollars, will support an estimated 2,700 teaching positions.

On August 10th, President Obama signed the Education Jobs Fund into law, providing $26 billion nationwide to preserve jobs for teachers and other school-based employees. The Commonwealth's $204 million appropriation will be directly distributed to school districts through the state's education funding formula and combined with state and federal funds to ensure that every school district across the state meets its foundation level budget for the 2010-2011 school year. With this new infusion of federal funding, the Governor is able to fully fund Chapter 70 without the need to use about $60 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds available for general government purposes.
 
Constituent Tours offered by the State Library
 
The State Library welcomes Rep. Stanley's constituents to the library and arranges tours for school groups or other groups who wish to view the premises and see some of its special holdings.  Staff can show materials about Rep. Stanley's district and about subjects of interest to Waltham and Lexington.To schedule a tour, please contact [email protected] or call 617-727-2590 or email the reference department directly using the above number or email [email protected].  You may also contact Rep. Stanley's office for assistance. You may wish also to visit the library's blog.
 
Fall Publication of Abandoned Property Listings Available 
 
Abandoned Property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends and contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes.  After three years of no customer-generated activity, most accounts are considered "abandoned" and are turned over to the Treasury.  An updated list of abandoned accounts is published twice annually as new accounts are turned over to the Commonwealth. There is no time limit to claim abandoned property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.  Please click here to check the Abandoned Property list.  The newly released list includes 2 accounts over $100,000, 3 accounts between $50,000 and $100,000, and more than 250 accounts in excess of $5,000.  In addition to bank accounts, the new accounts include 100 abandoned safe deposit boxes, 25 owners of mutual funds and 7,652 owners of stock. 
 
Massachusetts State Treasury presents a Fun Financial Education Game for Adults
 
The Financial Education Department of the Massachusetts Treasury has teamed up with Doorways to Dream (D2D) Fund to bring to you a "Massachusetts 2010 Financial Entertainment Contest," with "Celebrity Calamity," an online financial education game tournament. While focused on fun, this game aims to empower participants to master personal finance skills, improve confidence in financial decision making and increase responsible consumer behavior.  To learn more, please click here.
 
State Receives $800,000 Grant to Support Counseling Programs for Spring Flood Victims
 
The Patrick Administration announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the state's Department of Mental Health (DMH) $800,000 in funding to provide disaster and crisis counseling for individuals impacted by the flooding caused by severe storms in March.
Record rainfall earlier this year affected thousands of Massachusetts residents and business owners in seven counties across the Commonwealth. With these funds, DMH's MassSupports program will be able to better provide individual and group crisis counseling, basic supportive or educational contact, public education, community networking and support to flood victims. Teams will consist of mental health professionals and para-professionals trained to deliver crisis counseling services in impacted areas.
 
State Agricultural Officials Launch Website Featuring Statewide Farmers' Market Guide, Interactive Agricultural Tourism Map
 
With the harvest season at its peak, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) launched a new website dedicated to connecting Massachusetts residents and visitors to the Bay State's rich agricultural offerings. The new MassGrown & Fresher website makes it easy to find farmers' markets, culinary- and agri-tourism destinations, and agricultural fairs. The site includes a guide to agricultural fairs, a crop availability chart, a culinary and farm events calendar and information for how to find and purchase locally grown products. The site, www.mass.gov/massgrown, has been getting over 10,000 visits per month since its beta launch in April.  Click here to access the site's interactive Google map that allows users search for agricultural destinations within a particular radius.  
 
AARP Tax-Aide looking for volunteers
 
Last year, some 24,000 older, low- and middle-income Massachusetts taxpayers received assistance and tax preparation from the nation's largest, free tax assistance program, AARP Tax-Aide. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue is proud to partner with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the training of volunteers, 600 of whom provided help to individuals returning their state and federal income taxes.
 
The commitment to work with clients in locales such as public libraries and senior centers extends from Feb. 1 to April 15.  This is a meaningful and challenging opportunity for community service. We'd like to hear from anyone who has volunteered in the past as an AARP Tax-Aide.  To learn more, please click here.

Employers can Apply for Federal Funding to Reduce Cost of Insurance for Retirees
 
Massachusetts employers can apply for newly available federal funding that will help them reduce the cost of providing health insurance to their employees who retire early. Employers are encouraged to apply early, as funding is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
 
The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program was established by Congress as part of the Affordable Care Act, with $5 billion in funding. The program provides reimbursement to participating employment-based plans for a portion of the cost of health benefits for early retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses and dependents. Employers who are accepted into the program will receive reinsurance reimbursements for medical claims for retirees age 55 and older who are not eligible for Medicare, as well as their spouses, surviving spouses and dependents.
 
Health benefits that qualify for relief include medical, surgical, hospital, prescription drug and other benefits between $15,000 and $90,000. Claims incurred between the start of the plan year (often January 1) and June 1 are credited toward the $15,000 threshold for reimbursement. However, only medical expenses incurred after June 1, 2010, are eligible for reimbursements under this program.

Unless the funding expires sooner, the Early Retiree Insurance Program ends on January 1, 2014, when early retirees will be able to choose from the additional coverage options that will be available through the health insurance exchanges created under the new national health reform law. Employers can access the program application online.  
 
Federal Grants Are Available
 
Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal grants. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proud to be the managing partner for Grants.gov, an initiative that is having an unparalleled impact on the grant community. Learn more about Grants.gov and determine if you are eligible for grant opportunities offered on this site. Grants.gov does not provide personal financial assistance. To learn where you may find personal help, check out Government Benefits, Student Loans andSmall Business Start-up Loans. 

RMV Customer Service: Road Test Online Booking
 
Road tests can now be booked online at www.mass.gov/rmv. The newest customer convenience to the RMV online branch could help reduce the demand on the call center by approximately 260,000 callers a year. In the last 18 months, MassDOT RMV has made the online branch the busiest by adding a dozen new website transactions which resulted in 39% more customer traffic.

MassDOT RMV examiners conduct 2,500 road tests a week at 29 locations throughout the state. During a two week test launch of the new online feature, more than 1042 permit holders booked a road test through www.mass.gov/rmv. Those who prepay for the exam when they book online also save themselves a trip to an RMV branch once they've completed the road test.

Bay State Gas Residential Past-Due Balance Forgiveness Program
 
Residents struggling to pay overdue utility bills are finding it a bit easier now with help from the Bay State Gas past-due balance forgiveness program. The program provides qualified customers with assistance in budgeting for their current natural gas bills, while each month also forgiving a portion of past-due balances. To take advantage of the forgiveness program, current Bay State customers must first qualify for the company's residential assistance rate. Anyone interested in more information should speak with one of Bay State's specially trained call center representatives by calling 1-800-688-6160. Please click here to learn more.
 
MBHP Announces Apartment Listing Service 
 
The Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) announces the release of a major upgrade to its unique, free online apartment listing service. Located at www.mbhp.org, the service now includes the ability for property owners to post photos of their apartments and to include mention of more amenities. Additionally, addresses will be linked to an online map service so prospective tenants can see the location of the properties. The improved online service provides the Greater Boston region with a unique, free, real-time option for searching for affordable housing.

Listing an apartment is easy. Property owners and managers can submit their information via an online form and have it posted within 24 hours. Enhancements to the site allow property owners to include photos of their units, give owners more choice in describing amenities, and automatically link the apartment's address with an online map service.
 
Online access to statewide community resources
 
Mass 2-1-1 online directory is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families. Click
here to learn more about Mass 2-1-1.
   
AARP launches new web tool to help lower drugs costs
 
AARP launched its new Doughnut Hole Calculator, a free web tool that can help residents "avoid the dreaded coverage gap" which can leave folks stuck with thousands of dollars in unbudgeted spending. Click
here to access this calculator.  According to the AARP, in 15 minutes visitors can view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, look up lower cost drugs for their conditions, create a Personal Medication Record and print out personalized letters to their doctors to help start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions. 
 
Apply online for Food Stamps or Health Insurance and Health Assistance!
 
You may be able to complete a Food Stamps or Health Insurance and Health Assistance Programs application online. A simple screening survey asks questions about people in your household and compares your answers with the program rules. For more information, please click
here
 
Job Opportunities with the Commonwealth of MA

There are a number of job listings posted on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts home page. For more information, click
here.
 
Lexington Corner 
 
"What Are We Doing About Our At-risk Youth?"  
 
At the League of Women Voters of Lexington's First Friday Forum on October 1 a panel of local experts will discuss issues of at-risk youth in Lexington.
 
Results from the 2009 "Youth Risk Behavior Survey at Lexington High School" indicated that health education continues to have a positive impact on student decision making, although parents and friends are still most important in decisions about sex and other risky behaviors.  The survey also showed that stress continues to be a problem for students at LHS.
 
Addressing the issue will be Jennifer Wolfrum, Assistant Coordinator for Health and Laurie Henry, Clinical Social Worker of Lexington's Human Services Department; and Julie Fenn, Prevention Specialist and Jim Retman, Police Resource Officer for the Lexington Public Schools.
 
This is the first in a series of 2010-2011 First Friday Forums hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lexington to promote awareness and understanding of public policy issues.  Coffee will be available at 9:30 a.m. and presentations will begin at 9:45 in the Community Meeting Room on the lower level of Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue.  The library is easily accessible by Lexpress and from the Minuteman Bikeway.  For more information or to carpool, contact the League at 781-862-6435.  All League forums are open to the public at no charge.
 
Lexington Fire Department Dedicates Memorial 
  
The Lexington Fire Department and the Lexington Firefighters Aid and Relief Association dedicated the newly-constructed Lexington Fire Department Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. The memorial located at Fire Headquarters, 45 Bedford St., was constructed last fall but a dedication ceremony was delayed.   Attendees included the Board of Selectmen, town department heads, state senators and representatives, and retired and active firefighters and their families.
 
Wondering About Mental Health Services?
 
Project INTERFACE is a FREE mental health and wellness resource and referral service offered by the Freedman Center at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Project INTERFACE strives to improve access to mental health and wellness information and services for children and families. To learn more about anxiety, bullying, depression, divorce, grief/loss and more and resources available to help, please click
here. You may also contact the Helpline at 617-332-3666 X 411 for resource information and/or mental health provider referrals from a mental health professional experienced in working with children and families. The work of Project INTERFACE is supported in part by the Massachusetts Child Access Project and Saint Elizabeth's Hospital.  
 
Nonprofit Spotlight: Art Without Borders
 
The ART Without Borders (ARTwb) members believe that art, through its commitment and interrogation, is one of the most direct avenues for people to use to better understand each other, respect each other's values, and promote peace. Art makes the community and the world a better place in which to live. Behind the pure esthetic, the ARTwb members believe that artists help individuals to have the freedom and ability to make meaning, formulate ideas, ask hard questions and imagine promising alternatives for the world and ourselves. This is why artists are such an important part of any society, but also why they are among the first ones to be the victims of human rights violation or deprivation.

ARTwb wants to participate in the building of a much better world through its programs, and advocate for the artist's human rights in the world. ARTwb is a non-profit organization 501(c) (3), incorporated in April 2006, which supports the cause of artists' human rights in America and in the world. Please click
here to l
earn more about ARTwb.
 
Lexington Food Pantry
 
In November 1990, the Lexington Food Pantry opened its doors to distribute non-perishable food to residents in need of food assistance.  Open on Saturday mornings, the Food Pantry is currently distributing food to 60-65 families from Lexington, Lincoln, and Winchester.  For more information, please click here.
 
Volunteer Drivers Needed One Day per Month
 
If you are retired, have a flexible work schedule, or have available time during the day, please consider becoming a volunteer one day a month for Lexington's F.I.S.H. (Friendly Independent Sympathetic Help), a community-service organization.  F.I.S.H. has been providing free rides to medical appointments for over 30 years for Lexington residents, but our 130 volunteer drivers and phone callers cannot meet the current client demand.  Drivers typically volunteer to drive for one day a month and can choose to provide round-trip rides to destinations either in Lexington and vicinity or in the greater-Boston area. "Phone F.I.S.H." volunteers make calls from their homes for a few hours on a given day to assign F.I.S.H. clients needing a ride to the volunteer drivers.  Being a F.I.S.H. driver or Phone F.I.S.H. is a very rewarding experience and we hope you will consider helping out your fellow Lexingtonians who have become very dependent on this unique service. For more information about volunteering for F.I.S.H., please call F.I.S.H. President David Horton at 781-862-3293.
  
 
Stanley Report to highlight Lexington non-profit orgs

If you'd like your organization highlighted in the Stanley Report, please let Rep. Stanley know!  To allow more members of our community to hear about your organization's good work, please submit your upcoming community events, announcements and any other information about your organization.  If interested, please email Tara Conklin or via mail to Rep. Tom Stanley, State House, Boston, MA 02133.


Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Lexington Calendar & Events (as announced in the Lexington Minuteman)

Lexington Arts and Craft Society: Back Door Gallery
 
The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society opens a second gallery to showcase the works of the artists and craft persons. Bi-monthly new works by its nine guilds: Basketry, Ceramics, Decorative Arts, Metalworkers, Needle Arts, Painters, Polymer Clay, Weavers and Woodworkers are on display in the Gallery which is located at 130 Waltham Street, 3rd door, parking lot entrance.  The gallery is open every weekday from 9am- 4pm and features works that are rotated on a bi-monthly basis to keep a new selection all the time. For more information call 781-862-9696 or visit http://www.lacsma.org/.
 
Chess club, Starbucks, 60 Bedford St., Lexington, Fridays, 7 to 9 p.m. Lexington Chess Club meets every Friday when school is held that day and on the following Monday. Free, children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit
http://groups.google.com/group/lexchess.
 
Needle arts guild Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, 130 Waltham St., Lexington, meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and the second, fourth and fifth Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 781-862-9696 or e-mail [email protected].
 
Photo exhibit 'Treasured Lands: The Fifty-Eight National Parks in Focus' photos by Quang Tran. National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, Feb. 20-Oct. 17. Free. Hours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am-4:30 pm, and Sunday, noon-4:30 pm. Free. For more information, call 781-861-6559 or visit www.nationalheritagemuseum.org.
 
La leche league   
The La League provides breastfeeding support and information through monthly meetings with accredited leaders and mother-to-mother support.  The Lexington group meets the second Thursday of each month at the Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave. The Lexington group attracts women from Lexington and surrounding towns.  For more information, call Francesca at 781.862.4762, Ann Marie at 781.863.1689, or Shari at 781.270.0944. 

Moving On Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Merriam St., Lexington. Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m. Moving On is a nondenominational, on-going conversation and social group which provides a comfortable environment for now single adults to re-enter a fuller life after the loss of a partner through death, divorce or relationship termination. A $2 per person donation covers the room rental. For more information about this nonprofit group, contact John, 781.790.1708 (Waltham), [email protected]; Marti at 978.256.5872 (Chelmsford); or Phil at 978.922.3690 (Beverly). 

Fix It Shop Lexington Senior Center, 1475 Mass Ave., Lexington. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon. A Fix it Shop is held for the repair of small items. Drop-off and pick up only during the above times. Labor is free, repair parts at cost. Donations accepted. 

Volunteers sought Lexington Senior Center, 1475 Mass Ave., Lexington. The Friend to Friend Program at the Lexington Senior Center is looking for volunteers to spend a few hours a month to help isolated seniors keep in touch with everyday activities. Volunteers could help a senior with vision impairment pick up some groceries or a prescription, get a haircut, attend a special luncheon, or just have a cup of coffee and chat. People are carefully matched according to the time they have available and what they would like to do. Currently, there are several seniors looking for a friendly volunteer. Call Charlotte Rodgers, 781.861.0194, for more information. 

Newcomers Club Lexington Newcomers Club welcomes new residents to town. Consider joining the Lexington Newcomer's Club, a non-profit social organization, to meet friends and learn about the town. Visit lexington-newcomers. Org for more information or call Marjoleine, membership chair, 781.274.9822, to join.
 
Exhibit
National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington. Ongoing. The National Heritage Museum opens "Sowing the Seeds of Liberty: Lexington and the American Revolution," its new cornerstone exhibition. The new long-term installation is designed to stimulate new ways of thinking about the battle at Lexington on April 19, 1775. In addition to describing the battle and events that led up to it, the exhibition will explain why members of this small farming community were willing to take arms against their own government to protect a way of life, Through an engaging mix of objects, documents, images, re-creations of historic environments, and interactive elements, people of all ages will be able to learn about the roots of the American Revolutions. "Sowing the Seeds of Liberty" will replace "Lexington Alarm'd," the museum's current exhibition on colonial life that has been on view since April 19, 1995. Free and open to the public. Call 781.861.6559 or visit nationalheritagemuseum.org for further information.

NAMI Support Groups The Central Middlesex affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, serving Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, and Stow offers daytime and evening support groups for families and friends: Bedford, last Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9:30 pm, First Church of Christ, 25 Great Road, Routes 4, 62 and 225, Bedford; West Concord, first Thursday of each month, 12:30-2:00 pm, West Concord Union Church, 1317 Main Street, West Concord; Stow, -third Saturday of every month, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Fellowship Hall, First Parish Church in Stow, near the intersection of Rt. 117 and Rt. 62. Call 781.982.3318.