|
News from Beacon Hill
Council Votes to Buy Fernald Center Site
This week, the Waltham City Council voted to buy most of the 200-acre Fernald Center site for $3.7 million. The Commonwealth will continue to operate the Marquardt Nursing Center and also keep several buildings. The City will use approximately $2.7 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding to purchase nearly 140 acres while Waltham's general fund will buy 40 acres for $795,668.
Gov. Romney moved to close the Fernald School and auction off the 200-acre state land without community input. To respond to this, Rep. Stanley authored and passed legislation to establish the Fernald Reuse Committee and gathered support of over 100 legislators to reject Gov. Romney and Speaker DiMasi's attempted to permanently change the state land disposition process. Rep. Stanley's leadership resulted in the preservation of local control over state land disposition and the diversion of overdevelopment of the Fernald land.
I&I poses triple threat to Waltham's public health, natural environment and economic foundation
The Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Committee presented its report during a Special City Council Meeting on Monday, Nov. 24th at the City Council Chambers. The attached document contains the report of the City Council's Special Committee on Inflow & Infiltration (I&I). The report highlights the serious threat I&I poses to Waltham's public health, natural environment and economic foundation and offers short and long-term solutions. Please take a moment to read the full report.
According to the report, the City of Waltham must make I&I a priority. With 10 Sewer System Overflows (SSOs) already reported in 2014, the City still has a significant amount of work to do. The problems that exist in Waltham are largely due to the infrastructure problems throughout the City; inadequate policies and management of the current program; and the unfair and inequitable method of requiring all of the costs of fixing the problem to be borne by local businesses and developers.
Like many communities throughout the Commonwealth, the City's sewer infrastructure is aging and in need of significant investment. Approximately $10 billion worth of residential, commercial and industrial real estate is served by Waltham's sewer system. More importantly, approximately 60,000 residents and 58,000 employees rely on the service and safety of the City's sewer system. Ensuring that the system functions properly must be a top priority for the City
Earlier this year, the I/I Advisory Committee, proposed by Rep. Stanley and approved by the Council, formed to provide the business community and ratepayers with an opportunity to advise the City Administration and City Council on strategies to improve the City of Waltham's I/I removal policies. Rep. Stanley serves as the liaison between the committee and the City Council and City Administration. The goal of the committee is to seek new solutions that will enable the City to correct the I/I problems in the shortest period of time with the least economic impact on residents and businesses.
Patrick Administration - Transition 2015
The Patrick Administration Transition website provides a number of resources and tools for the Governor-Elect's team in order to make the transition process run smoothly. Click here to view the website.
State Administration releases details on Rep. Stanley's Downtown Parking Management Assistance Program The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) announced that municipalities will now be able to apply for Parking Demand Management Plan (PDMP) funds. Rep. Stanley filed the amendment on behalf of this important grant program which resulted in its inclusion in the Commonwealth's Economic Development Bill, now Chapter 287 of the Acts of 2014. This new program is administered by EOHED in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Eligible entities may apply for funds immediately and awards will be made on a rolling basis. The goal of PDMPs is to support municipalities that are growing and require use of best practices that manage demand through improved utilization of supply and through demand-pricing mechanisms. Under this program, the City of Waltham is eligible to receive up to $100,000 in grants to be used for a downtown parking management study or to assist with the implementation of a downtown parking management plan. In the past, cities and towns have sought to resolve parking issues by only constructing new garages. While this may seem like a quick fix at the time, building garages requires communities to make a major capital outlay for construction, find and allocate continued funding for operations and maintenance. In addition to the high costs of construction and maintenance, parking garages also use up valuable land in downtown areas that could otherwise be put into productive, revenue-generating uses for the community. As a result, there is increasing interest in implementing measures that manage demand through improved supply and through demand-pricing mechanisms. The PDMP program was originally funded at $1 million through Rep. Stanley's amendment earlier this year but was reduced to $200,000 as part of Governor Patrick's 9c Cuts on November 19, 2014. Grants will generally not exceed $50,000, but municipalities that demonstrate an average daily visitor population of at least 30,000 are eligible for priority grants of up to $100,000. Rep. Stanley serving on Enough Abuse Campaign Board Rep. Stanley is serving as a Board member on the Enough Abuse Campaign. The Enough Abuse Campaign is a grassroots movement gaining momentum across the country. Developed in Massachusetts, the Campaign has been adopted by New Jersey and Maryland and has now been launched in New York and California. To learn more about the group, visit http://www.enoughabuse.org/. The Enough Abuse Campaign will hold a Training of Trainers in January 2015 to prepare participants to educate parents, youth, professionals and other concerned adults in the community about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. Trainers must agree to present a minimum of four training sessions on a volunteer basis in their community or area within the next 12 months. To be considered for this training opportunity and to be certified as an Enough Abuse Campaign Trainer, participants must be willing to commit to the full two days of training. If you are interested, please contact Rep. Stanley or Jetta Bernier, Executive Director Massachusetts Citizens for Children at 617-742-8555 ext. 2 or jetta@masskids.org. Work, Community, Independence (WCI) Selects Rep. Stanley as its Representative of the Year Work, Community, Independence (WCI) recently selected Rep. Tom Stanley as its Representative of the Year for 2014. WIC based its decision on Rep. Stanley's ongoing support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. WIC will honor Rep. Stanley at its Annual Awards Banquet and Dinner on Tuesday, December 9th at 6pm at the Hellenic Cultural Center on 25 Bigelow Avenue in Watertown. More than 250 250 individuals, family members and staff will attend the event. Work, Community, Independence is a private non-profit agency providing 24 hour and less than 24 hour homes and apartments and employment/day supports to people with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. "To foster the greatest possible degree of independence and competence for individuals with intellectual disabilities" has been WCI's goal for four decades. WCI encourages individuals "to live, work, be a part of the community and achieve their optimal lifestyle." WCI provides flexible options to people it supports as each individual's needs are different. Rep. Stanley Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony at Walden Pond State Reservation Rep. Stanley attended the Walden Pond Visitor Center Phase 1 Groundbreaking Ceremony with Governor Deval Patrick, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett, DCR Commissioner Jack Murray, and Senator Mike Barrett. Funding for the project was included in the Environmental Bond Bill passed earlier this year. The project includes a new visitor's center, solar canopy and two electric vehicle charging stations at DCR's Walden Pond State Reservation. The $8 million investment includes new visitor center powered by solar parking canopy and electric vehicle charging stations. The new near net-zero energy Visitor Center will be a model of green technology, featuring sustainable building materials, a super insulated building, high-efficiency windows and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. The new building will feature interior and exterior exhibits, public bathrooms and larger meeting and administration space. The project will also include pedestrian safety improvements and greater accessibility for people of all abilities. The first phase of the Walden Pond improvements project includes the installation of utilities, a new septic system and the construction of a 100 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) parking lot canopy. The canopy will power the new Visitor Center and the rest of the park.
America's First Day Hikes 2015 On January 1st, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will host America's First Day Hikes 2015 at 12 park locations across the Commonwealth. With over 450,000 acres, spanning Boston to the Berkshires, Massachusetts state parks boast a variety of beautiful settings for year-round outdoor recreation, and each hike will offer a unique natural and cultural environment. The First Day Hikes tradition began more 20 years ago in MA, and has now become a national event. 2015 will mark the 4th consecutive year that all 50 states have held First Day Hikes. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. To learn more and access a list of hikes, click here. Governor Patrick Swears-In Fourth Statewide Youth Council Gov. Patrick swore in the 2014 - 2016 members of the Governor's Statewide Youth Council. The 28 members, representing all14 counties of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are the fourth Youth Council class and will serve for two years. Gov. Patrick established the Youth Council Executive Order in April of 2008 to encourage young people to become involved in their communities and to participate in tackling the state's biggest challenges, such as education reform, teen violence, and climate change, and by assuming leadership and planning roles. Applications to the Council are reviewed by the Governor's Office and a working group, comprised of current Council members and Adult Sponsors, as well as state and private sector employees. Members range from ages 14-20. The Youth Council holds formal bi-monthly meetings, focusing on the Governor's priorities of education, economic development, civic engagement, and community outreach, and advising the Governor as representatives of all Massachusetts youth. In addition to bi-monthly meetings, members also gather independently to discuss issues happening in local communities and how state government can partner with these communities to create solutions. The Members were selected by an application review committee for their excellence in leadership and their outstanding potential to create change in their communities. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services in coordination with the Governor's Office of Community Affairs oversees council meetings and activities. Both offices worked together through a grassroots effort that included 350 young people and 83 community-based organizations from around Massachusetts to develop the Youth Council in 2008. Gov. Patrick Announces $1.5 Million for Water Technology Innovation To Support Massachusetts Emerging Water Innovation Industry Gov. Patrick announced $1.5 million in funding to build on the Patrick Administration's efforts to make Massachusetts a hub for the emerging water innovation sector. Governor Patrick was joined by University of Massachusetts Amherst and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials as they announced $4.1 million in federal funding for a national center for drinking water innovation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Water Infrastructure Bill, signed by Governor Patrick in August, calls for $1.5 million in investments from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for water innovation. The federally funded center, announced today by the EPA, will be one of two national research centers focused on testing and demonstrating cutting-edge technologies for small drinking water systems. The Patrick Administration, through MassCEC matched the federal investment with a $100,000 grant. 25 Law Enforcement Officers and One K-9 Honored at 31st Annual Hanna Awards Ceremony Gov. Patrick honored 25 law enforcement officers and one K-9 from state and local law enforcement agencies during the annual Massachusetts State Trooper George L. Hanna Awards for Bravery ceremony. The 31st annual presentation included 11 awards to 25 police officers, one posthumously, and one canine. MIT Officer Sean A. Collier was shot and killed while on active duty on campus during an encounter with the suspects of the Boston Marathon bombing. Trooper George L. Hanna was a 10 year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police Department. On the night of February 26, 1983, he was mortally wounded during a traffic stop in Auburn. Hanna left behind a wife and three children. This award, named in his honor, has become a symbol of prestige within the law enforcement community and the Commonwealth. Gov. Patrick Designates 13 New Green Communities Gov. Patrick announced the designation of 13 new Green Communities. With a total of 136 participating cities and towns, more than half of all Massachusetts residents now live in a Green Community. In addition to recognizing the new communities, Governor Patrick celebrated the success of seven communities in achieving the program's 20 percent energy use reduction goal and released the program's first ever progress report links to PDF file. The newly designated municipalities include Ashburnham, Belmont, Dalton, Dudley, Everett, Goshen, Halifax, Lanesborough, Millville, Pembroke, Upton, Warwick and Wellfleet. The communities were awarded designation grants totaling more than $2 million to support clean energy projects. The seven designated communities that have achieved a 20 percent reduction in municipal energy use are: Arlington, Belchertown, Cambridge, Natick, Palmer, Springfield and Sutton. Green Communities grants have already supported more than 500 completed projects across the Commonwealth, projected to deliver annual energy cost savings of nearly $4 million. March of Dimes looks for support to reduce smoking among pregnant women The March of Domes plans to launch a smoking cessation campaign in 2015 and is seeking support from the MA legislature. One out of 10 women smoke during pregnancy in the United States. The group would like the lawmakers to help them boost awareness of smoking-related birth problems, which can be linked to 23 to 34 percent of all Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cases. In 2013, the Commonwealth spent 4.4 percent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended $90 million on anti-tobacco programs, ranking behind 34 other states and Washington, DC. According to the March of Dimes, approximately 5 to 8 percent of all pre-term births are related to smoking, and 13 to 19 percent of low birth-weight babies can be attributed to smoking during pregnancy. Patrick Administration Announces Grants to 23 Communities to Help First Responders Reverse Opioid Overdoses The Department of Public Health (DPH) announced grant awards to 23 communities across Massachusetts to help first responders save lives by providing funding for opioid overdose response training and naloxone units that can be used to reverse overdoses. Police and fire departments in communities with high incidences of fatal opioid overdoses will share in $600,000 in funding under the pilot program, which was included in the FY15 budget signed by Governor Deval Patrick. Communities receiving grants includes: Barnstable, Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, New Bedford, Quincy, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, Stoughton, Taunton, Weymouth, Winthrop and Worcester. Winter Heating & Energy Savings Resources In preparation for the upcoming winter, please be aware of winter energy efficiency and renewable energy resources available to Massachusetts consumers. The most up to date information including energy efficiency programs and rebates, do-it-yourself options and help with utility/fuel bills and fuel assistance can be found here. MA DPH Responds to Ebola Virus Outbreak The recent outbreak of Ebola virus in western Africa has attracted worldwide attention and a coordinated response from public health authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) among many others. Here in Massachusetts, DPH infectious disease and emergency preparedness specialists are closely monitoring the ongoing response to Ebola in Africa - just as we do for any other outbreak of illness or disease. To learn more, click here. Edward M. Kennedy Institute Announces March 2015 Public Opening The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate (EMK Institute) announced it will open to the general public with a formal dedication in March of 2015. Housed in a beautiful 65,000 square-foot facility designed by world renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, the Institute will be a dynamic center of learning and civic engagement. It will use cutting-edge technology to convey the history of United States Senate and its pivotal role in America's development and governance. The Institute is located next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The location, on the University of Massachusetts - Boston campus on Columbia Point, will enrich the cultural and educational life of Boston and the region and serve the country as a center of national and international scholarship and public discourse. As construction nears completion, a planned rollout will bring the Institute to life in stages in the next year with three tracks of targeted outreach, public activities, and initial programming leading up to the public dedication next March. For more information about the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, please visit www.emkinstitute.org. Follow the Institute on Twitter @emkinstitute. Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvement Project Update Throughout the months of September through November 2014 the MBTA will be continuing construction of major improvements on the Fitchburg Line. This is the second year of a 3-year improvement project to improve track, signals, bridges, and stations to reduce trip time and increase service reliability. To facilitate the efficient completion of this work, weekend service has been suspended on the line from July 12th through November 16th, 2014. Click here for additional information. Government Center Station Closure
Government Center Station is closed for two years while crews work to reconstruct the station into a fully accessible, safer, modern, more comfortable facility. During the Station's closure, both Blue and Green Line trains will pass through Government Center Station but will not stop there. For more information, click here.
MyLegislature Website Features Improvements
Updates to the public website will allow users to personalize their experience when navigating bills, committees, hearing information and connecting with legislators. Through "MyLegislature" users can create a user-id and password to access their secure MyLegislature account. Users can identify specific bills, hearings, committees and legislators that they are interested in following and their personalized homepage will display each selection. Any hearings scheduled for their selected committees will automatically be included in their MyLegislature hearing list. In addition, users can further personalize MyLegislature by identifying any accessibility needs. The updated website also includes an easy-to-use format to connect with legislators. The public website can be found at www.malegislature.gov.
Check out the Massachusetts Business One-Stop
Are you doing business in Massachusetts or just getting started? Our one-stop business portal has the information and tools to help you succeed. Click here to learn more.
Resources to help you find a job
Finding a job can be difficult, so Massachusetts offers a number of programs and services to help job seekers find work. Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers connect workers and employers through job fairs and workshops, while the office of Labor and Workforce Development offers detailed job hunting information, including tips on writing a resume and cover letter, interviewing and networking, as well as career planning advice. The state also offers a variety of training opportunities for job seekers to obtain the education and skills needed for good paying jobs and careers. Additionally, special Section 30 Training Benefits programs exist for the unemployed. Please click here to learn more.
Mobile ticketing for Commuter Rail available
Commuter Rail customers: Buy your single-ride, 10-ride tickets, and monthly passes via the MBTA's new mobile app for smartphones. Single and 10-ride tickets are now available for the Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport Lines. Purchase your monthly pass from your smartphone. No waiting required. Please click here to learn more.
MassDOT RMV Customer Service: New Number MassDOT announced a new telephone number for Registry of Motor Vehicles business and transactions, 857-DOT-8000/857-368-8000. The number serves the RMV's Call Center which answers an average of 45,000 calls each month. Over the next year, customers will become familiar with the 857-DOT area code and exchange as MassDOT offices across the Commonwealth transition to the new number. The telephone transition will result in annual phone bill and maintenance savings of approximately $422,000.
Find Volunteer Opportunities at Connect & Serve Connect & Serve is a free web-based volunteer portal administered by the Massachusetts Service Alliance. The Connect & Serve website is a valuable resource for organizations who recruit volunteers and for individuals who wish to find fulfilling volunteer opportunities in their communities. Click here to find a volunteer opportunity near you. Connect & Serve's user-friendly design has many features to increase the visibility of opportunities across the state, including a quick search function highlighting impact areas, an easy zip-code radius search, and a monthly service projects calendar. All volunteer opportunities are promoted through a statewide collaboration with volunteer connector agencies to build awareness to a wider audience in all regions of the state.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
WIC is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC's goal is to keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under 5 healthy. To apply for WIC, call 1-800-WIC-1007 or contact a WIC Program in your community. Please click here for more info.
SAVE Partners with Veterans' Services to Support Veterans & Their Families
The fundamental principle of the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment (SAVE) program is to advocate for veterans who are not able to obtain the benefits they have earned due to institutional or personal barriers. The program's primary mission is prevention of suicide and mental health distress through the identification of issues facing veterans when they return from service and proactively providing them with access to benefits and services that may address these issues and result in positive transitions back to civilian life. SAVE acts as a liaison between veterans and their families and the various agencies within the federal and state governments. To learn more, please click here.
Mass 2-1-1, in Partnership with United Way, Partners with Department of Veterans Services
To learn more about the services available to veterans by MA 2-1-1 and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services, the chief advocate for veterans and their families in the Commonwealth, please click here. 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services Information and Referral. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. 2-1-1 makes it possible for people to navigate the complex and ever-growing maze of human service agencies and programs. By making services easier to access, 2-1-1 encourages prevention and fosters self-sufficiency. It also is hoped that it will reduce the number of non-emergency calls inappropriately made to 911. Drivers Encouraged to "Donate Life"
Massachusetts drivers can register as organ donors on their driver's license or online through the Donate Life New England registry. About 99 percent of all Massachusetts residents who designate themselves as organ and tissue donors do so through the Registry of Motor Vehicles at RMV branches and on its website.
Improved Benefits and Discounts for Drivers
Drivers around the state are able to take advantage of more discounts and expanded benefits as the competitive marketplace continues to mature. Managed competition went into effect April 1, 2008, ending the fixed-and-established system under which the state set auto insurance rates. The new system created a marketplace that allows companies to compete for consumers through rates, discounts, and benefits. Since the start of the reform, 13 new companies have entered the state, including three of four biggest carriers in the country (Allstate, Progressive and GEICO).
To shop for a better auto insurance policy, visit www.mass.gov/autorates, research carriers' websites, and meet with insurance agents. For more info, visit the Massachusetts Division of Insurance's website, (www.mass.gov/doi) an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Follow the Office at www.mass.gov/consumer.
Foreclosure Resource Center
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's web page offers resources for consumers, data and analysis, research and articles from our publications and information on policy and regulations related to foreclosures. Please click here to learn more.
Tour 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. .To schedule a tour, please contact pamela.schofield@state.ma.us or call 617-727-2590 or email the reference department directly using the above number or e-mail reference.department@state.ma.us. You may also contact Rep. Stanley's office for assistance. You may wish also to visit the library's blog.
Job Opportunities with the Commonwealth of MA
A number of job listings are posted on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website.
| 
