The Stanley Report
A monthly update from Beacon Hill
Tom Stanley - Representing the 9th Middlesex District of Massachsuetts
April 2016, Waltham - In This Issue:
State Rep. Thomas M. Stanley
State House, Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2230
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Rep. Stanley met with officials from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Workforce Solutions Group and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable to discuss improving workforce development programs in the Commonwealth.



Rep. Stanley speaking with MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack.



Rep. Stanley Attended the Waltham Partnership for Youth Linking Education and Business Breakfast.



Rep. Stanley attended the Waltham Education and Beyond Foundation's 9th Annual Educate Your Palate Event.



Rep. Stanley speaking at the GWArc's Waltham City Leaders Forum.



Rep. Stanley attended the Discover Waltham sponsored "Say Hi Waltham" Social Media event for REACH against domestic violence.



Two local advocates from the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation Timmothy Seale of Waltham and Susan Doubek of Bedford, came in to visit as part of Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House.



Congrats to Waltham Hero Award Recipients. 





Rep. Stanley spoke with parents and staff about the importance of early education at Waltham Creative Start's annual legislative breakfast.



Rep. Stanley with Isaiah Johnson & Marie-Steffi Dol who represented Waltham at Student Government Day at the State House. 



Student Government Day at the State House, House Chamber. 



 Rep. Stanley helps deliver 
Meals on Wheels. 



Rep. Stanley hosted Chairwoman Williamson from Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) on his cable show.



Rep. Stanley met with Lauren Palumbo (left), COO, and Ashley Stanley (right), Founder and Executive Director of Lovin' Spoonfuls to discuss their mission to facilitate the rescue and distribution of healthy, fresh food that would otherwise be discarded. 



Gore Place



Rep. Stanley presented Charles Webster Potter Place's "Employer of the Year" award to Home Depot at the 2016 Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition Award Ceremony.



Gold Dome



State House



Rep. Stanley at the Discover Waltham event



State House gates opened to welcome Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Boston. 



Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visits the Commonwealth.



Go Celts!
NEWS FROM BEACON HILL
House Ways & Means Committee Releases budget proposal with increases for public education, local aid and Councils On Aging
 
The House Ways and Means Committee this week held a press conference on the Committee's fiscal year budget proposal. As a member of the Committee, Rep. Stanley is pleased to announce that Waltham will receive over $10 million in Chapter 70 education aid from the state as well as an additional $9.2 million in unrestricted aid under the House Ways and Means budget. State aid to Waltham under these two items combined is increased by $680,000 over fiscal year 2016 levels. 
 
Additionally, the Massachusetts Councils on Aging and seniors will also see a boost. Rep. Stanley helped lead the charge in securing over 130 signatures from House members in a letter to leadership to increase the formula grant multiplier from $9 per senior per year to $10 per senior. This measure was included in the fiscal year 2017 House Ways and Means budget, giving our Councils on Aging the resources needed to serve the Commonwealth's aging population.


Chairman Brian Dempsey, Rep. Stanley and the House Ways & Means Committee present budget proposal at press conference

House Approves $200 million for Local Infrastructure Needs
 
Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in passing legislation that includes a $200 million bond authorization for Chapter 90 funding to help municipalities complete road, bridge and infrastructure improvement projects. Waltham is expected to receive $1.62 million and Lincoln $267,633 in Ch.90 funds with passage of this bill. 
 
Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Legislation Reducing Barriers to Re-Entry for Individuals Convicted of Drug Offenses
 
The Legislature unanimously passed legislation to ease the transition for those convicted of drug offenses to re-enter society, hold employment and care for their families by repealing the automatic suspension of drivers licenses and a subsequent $500 reinstatement fee for all drug convictions. The legislation provides certain exceptions for drug trafficking convictions and takes effect immediately.  Governor Charlie Baker signed the legislation into law.
 
Rep. Stanley and MBTA Caucus Meet with Sec. Pollack
 
The MBTA Caucus, of which Rep. Stanley is a member, met with MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack to get an update on the MBTA's operating budget and investment in maintenance and reliability in FY17. Rep. Stanley had the opportunity to discuss highway, transit and rail networks/services expansion projects as well as increasing bicycle and pedestrian networks to divert traffic from Waltham neighborhoods with the Secretary.

Rep. Stanley, Sec. Pollack and the MBTA Caucus

Survey! Massachusetts English Language Arts and Math Standards Review
 
The Department of Education (DOE) has been focused on reviewing English Language Arts (ELA) and math learning standards to help develop the next-generation MCAS, which is scheduled for administration in classrooms across the Commonwealth in the spring of next year.

To solicit feedback from a wider range of educators, parents, and the broader public, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE), has created an online survey to allow individuals to make suggestions about specific aspects of the standards. It's important that we all make our voices heard. Click here and respond to the survey by the end of May 2016. All feedback will be shared with the educators on the review panel.

Rep. Stanley Supports Adult Day Health Rate Increases For Seniors
 
Rep. Stanley and his colleagues in the House signed and sent a letter to Secretary Marylou Sudders to encourage MassHealth to include a rate increase for Adult Day Health programs. This rate increase is important to help Adult Day Health programs across the state provide valuable services to our communities and some of our most vulnerable populations. By providing health care support, seniors in our community are able to avoid entering expensive nursing homes, and prevent or delay more expensive health care services. Despite the great resources that Adult Day Health programs provide, they are not being adequately supported by MassHealth.  Adult Day Health provides services to 14,200 participants and their families through 149 programs state-wide. The program provides crucial support to some of our most vulnerable populations and aids the overall health of our communities.
 
MWRA Board Approves $100 Million in Funding To Remove Lead Service Lines
 
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) announced that it has approved a program to make available $100 million in interest-free loans to its member water communities to fully replace lead service lines. Waltham and Lexington are eligible for this program.  MWRA is the process of updating a survey of community lead service lines, but current estimates are that as many as 28,000 - or 5.6 percent of the total 500,000 service lines - contain lead.
 
MWRA has an aggressive and effective program to address lead in customers' homes which includes a stable and well-protected water supply and an effective corrosion control program begun in 1996. These efforts have resulted in the MWRA system, as a whole, being consistently below the Lead Action Level since 2004. However, some individual communities have exceeded the Lead Action Level and many homes still have lead service lines.
 
The estimated average cost to fully replace a lead service is typically between $3,000 and $5,000. Based on that estimate, MWRA believes the $100 million program should cover removal of all lead services in its service area. Partial replacements which remove only the portion in the street, but leave the portion on private property would not be eligible for the new program, as current research clearly indicates little public health benefit from a partial replacement.
 
Under the proposal, each community would develop its own program, tailored to their local circumstances. The pace of spending will depend on the level of interest by both communities and homeowners, and on any future regulatory requirements for lead service line replacement. The funds will be paid back to MWRA by communities over 10 years at zero interest.
 
MA Selected to Lead National Revolutionary Fiber and Textile Manufacturing Innovation Institute
 
Massachusetts will serve as the national center for the nation's first Revolutionary Fiber and Textile Manufacturing Innovation Institute. Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), an independent nonprofit founded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been selected to run a new, $317 million public-private partnership announced today by US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. The AFFOA-led project is part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), a federal advanced manufacturing initiative. Key participants in the project include MIT, the University of Massachusetts, Quinsigamond Community College, and fiber and textile industry partners throughout the Commonwealth. The institute also includes several other key public and private sector partners from across the nation, focused on a common goal of revolutionary fiber and textile manufacturing.
 
As part of the Commonwealth's commitment to innovation in advanced manufacturing, the Baker- Administration is pledging $40 million in matching funds to support capital projects at the Manufacturing Innovation Institute.
 
Rep. Stanley Fights to Protect Ratepayers and our Environment
 
With an omnibus energy bill coming up for consideration in the near future, Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter to Speaker DeLeo requesting that this legislation not include any provisions for constituent ratepayers to bear the cost of  any proposed natural gas pipelines in the state.  Rep. Stanley and other cosigners of the letter feel that this energy legislation should be focused on off-shore wind energy and increased transmission capacity of hydropower and that additional pipeline capacity with costs borne by ratepayers should not be part of this proposal.

Rep. Stanley Meets with Loving Spoonfuls
 
Rep. Stanley recently met Lauren Palumbo COO, and Ashley Stanley, Founder and Executive Director of Lovin' Spoonfuls.  Lovin' Spoonfuls is dedicated to food recovery in the Greater Boston area, facilitating the rescue and distribution of perishable, prepared and unserved foods that would otherwise be thrown away and wasted.
 
Lovin' Spoonfuls collects fresh food from dozens of food retail locations including Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joe's, and Hannaford Supermarkets, as well as multiple local farms, wholesalers, and bakeries. This food goes directly to local food assistance entities including Pine Street Inn, Boston Rescue Mission, Haley House, and Community Servings, among many others.  Founded in 2010, it has rescued more than 3,500,000 pounds of fresh food in the Greater Boston area.  Learn more. 


 Rep. Stanley met with Lauren Palumbo (left), COO and Ashley Stanley (right)

Rep. Stanley supports public education initiatives
 
The Waltham School Committee passed a resolution urging the Waltham legislative delegation to pass legislation adopting the findings of the Foundation Budget Review Commission.  Rep. Stanley sent letters to the school committee and city council in response to the resolution to show that Tom supports the Foundation Budget Review Commission as well as a number of other bills and budget initiatives this session.  Click here to read the letter.
 
Rep. Stanley Supports Nursing Home Quality Jobs Initiative
 
Rep. Stanley cosigned a letter to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Dempsey urging them to include the Nursing Home Quality Jobs Initiative in the House Ways and Means Committee's FY2017 budget recommendation.  The Nursing Home Quality Jobs Initiative provides both policy and funding solutions that would ensure a "quality job" for our state's dedicated nursing home workforce.  The initiative will benefit the Commonwealth's nursing home residents, their families and the dedicated direct care workers who provide high quality, compassionate care to individuals who can no longer live safely in the community.
 
This multi-pronged Initiative provides nursing home workers a pathway to a living wage by funding an immediate and accountable $90 million direct care wage pass through and requires the state to fund an annual inflationary wage increase in subsequent years.  In addition, the Initiative seeks to increase the number of direct care staff working in nursing facilities by funding a Certified Nurse Aid Scholarship Training Program and additional training opportunities to enhance supervisory and leadership skills within nursing facilities, which will help to retain staff--a key measure of quality.
 
Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter Supporting the Councils on Aging Budget
 
Rep. Stanley cosigned a letter to Chairman Dempsey asking him to raise the Council of Aging budget in Line Item 9110-9002 from $9 per elder per year to $10 per elder per year. The number of seniors in MA is surging and by 2020 older adults will comprise 24 percent of the Commonwealth's population.  The current funding is based on the 2010 census and the senior population has grown by approximately 220,000 older adults since the census. More individuals are stepping through the doors of our local councils on aging each day and they deserve our full support.

This week, the House Ways and means Committee announced that the Massachusetts Councils on Aging and seniors will see a boost in funding. This measure was included in the fiscal year 2017 House Ways and Means budget, giving our Councils on Aging the resources needed to serve the Commonwealth's aging population.

Stanley Senior Center

Rep. Stanley Sponsors Senior Circuit Breakers Tax Credit Presentation
 
Rep. Stanley sponsored a Department of Revenue (DOR) presentation at the Waltham Council on Aging where a representative from the DOR spoke about the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.  Learn more about the credit.
 
Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter Supporting Community Mediation Grant Program Funding
 
In a letter to Chairman Dempsey and Chairwoman Spilka, Rep. Stanley and other legislators requested a FY17 appropriation of $991,000 for the MA Community Mediation Center (CMC) Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (MOPC) as the state dispute resolution agency.
 
The CMC Grant Program was established in FY13 to broaden access to dispute resolution for all Massachusetts citizens.  Data reported in MOPC's Annual Program Evaluations for the past three years demonstrates that community mediation continues to be a cost-effective public service with a substantial return on investment.  For every $1 dollar invested by the State in community mediation through this grant program, there has been $15 returned to the State in cost-savings and leveraged resources. 
 
This community mediation infrastructure funded through the operational grants provided by this grant program is currently being utilized by the MA Trial Court, the MA Attorney General's Office, the MA Department of Revenue and the Department of Corrections, as well as by local police departments, county sheriffs, housing authorities, public schools and community colleges. The $241,000 increase requested over $750,000 appropriated in FY 2016 would fund more staff hours at local centers to further serve these agencies.  It would also enable the centers to do more outreach to increase access to services statewide for primarily low income citizens and conduct more fundraising to stabilize their operations and further leverage the State's investment.

2016 Firefighter Exam
 
The state's Human Resources Division (HRD) announced that the 2016 Municipal Firefighter examination and our recruitment campaign is underway.  The written examination is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2016 with a last filing date of March 1, 2016.  An additional processing fee will be applied to applications filed after March 1, 2016, so we ask that candidates be encouraged to apply early.  Applications will not be accepted after March 21, 2016.  Additionally, candidates are encouraged to apply early because the physical component of the examination, known as the ELPAT, is already underway in Hudson, MA. Learn more.
NEWS FROM WALTHAM
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Publish your events in The Stanley Report!
 
We want to hear from you!  The Stanley Report is a great way to spread the word about an upcoming event.  Please forward any community, civic or nonprofit upcoming events that you would like included in next month's Stanley Report.  If interested, please email Mark Phillips, Rep. Stanley's legislative assistant, with information about your event.  

WATCH CDC Awarded Community Investment Tax Credits
 
Waltham's WATCH CDC was awarded $100,000 under the Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC) by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Department of Housing and Community Development! CITC allocations enable Community Partners to engage local residents and stakeholders to work with and through community development corporations (CDCs) to partner with nonprofit, public, and private entities to improve economic opportunities for low and moderate income households and communities across the Commonwealth. WATCH CDC promotes affordable housing, adult education and leadership development in Waltham. 
 
Rep. Stanley speaks at hearing on Piety Corner
 
Rep. Stanley recently spoke in favor of the City purchasing the land at Piety Corner at a public hearing held at Government Center. At the hearing, he mentioned his support for the Mayor and the City Council to purchase the land and then make improvements to the troublesome intersection.  He agrees with Waltham's Traffic Engineer and Traffic Commission who also recommended major improvements be made at the intersection.  A modern intersection will result in a safer roadway not only for motorists, but also for pedestrians and bikers as well. Rep. Stanley believes the City can use its strong bond rating and existing traffic mitigation funds leftover from previous nearby projects should be used to improve infrastructure throughout the city.

Belmont Savings Bank Foundation announces Charitable Giving Community Grant Initiative
 
The Belmont Savings Bank Foundation announced a $30,000 community grant initiative as part of its charitable giving initiative in Waltham. Local residents will nominate charities that will then be eligible for a donation based on voting. After a nomination and voting period, the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation will invest in five programs located in Waltham. Applications should include efforts for health, education, affordable housing or youth programs. The nomination deadline is April 22, 2016 at 5 p.m. Following April 22, all approved organizations will have a 26-day period to drive voting which will take place on the Foundation website.
 
Nominations must be an eligible 501(c)(3) in Waltham, and the use of funds from the Foundation must be dedicated to a specific program that occurs in the city and primarily benefits local residents. Winners will be announced June 9th at the Westin. Learn more

Waltham Land Trust's Green Space Blues Jam
 
The Green Space Blues Jam will take place on May 21, 2016. Hobbs Brook Management will again graciously host the event, which will include a diverse menu with lots of options, plus a huge salad bar, fancy appetizers, and delicious desserts. Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the ticket price, which is $50 for WLT members and $65 for non-WLT members (join at a discounted rate and pay the member price). For more info, please email Sonja at [email protected] or click here.

Rep. Stanley Attended Waltham Creative Start Annual Legislative Breakfast
 
Rep. Stanley attended Waltham Creative Start's Annual Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, March 22nd.   Families, community members and staff met with legislators, thanked them for their support and shared stories on why quality early childhood education is so important.  
 
Help clean up the Charles on April 30th
 
The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Annual Statewide Park Serve Day is Saturday, April 30th. With the help of volunteers, and DCR staff, DCR will be sprucing up park facilities, cleaning coastlines, cleaning and maintaining trails, planting flowers, and more. There will be an invasive plant species identification and removal gathering at the Charles River Reservation in Waltham on Park Serve Day. This activity will include a training on invasive plant identification and removal, which they will then perform along the river banks under supervision. Some tools will be provided. People interested in just removing trash should come between 9:30-11am to pick up supplies.  Please meet at the back right corner of the Shaw's Parking Lot at 130 River Street in Waltham. The event will run from 9am-12pm. Learn more.

Waltham Public Library Offers Events
 
The Waltham Public Library offers many events for residents of all ages. To view a calendar of events, click here

Meals on Wheels program
 
Through Minuteman Senior Services, the Meals on Wheels (MOW) program delivers lunch to homebound seniors who are unable to provide their own meals, and who meet certain guidelines. Special dietary considerations are available for those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. This daily check in by a volunteer driver may be the only social contact an elder has and helps reduce the isolation often experienced by disabled seniors. Drivers are trained to identify and report observations or emergencies that might indicate a medical problem or the need for more intervention.  Learn more

Italian Opera Gala Dinner and Concert
 
The Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra invites residents to an evening full of delicious food, favorite Italian Opera classics and fun raffles. The dinner and concert will take place on Saturday April 30, 2016 (Drinks 6:00 PM, Dinner 7:00 PM, Concert 8:00 PM) at Dassault Syst�mes, 175 Wyman Street in Waltham.  The evening will include arias and scenes from Italian operas with soloists from "The Bostonians" and chorus from Boston Latin School. Learn more.

News from the Waltham Symphony Orchestra
 
The Waltham Symphony Orchestra is comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians from the Waltham and Greater-Boston communities who donate their time, talents, and skills in an effort to make classical music accessible to all. The WSO is dedicated to enriching the community through interdisciplinary, multiethnic, and inspiring programming both in the concert hall and in, both, chamber music and educational outreach programs. During each concert season, the WSO presents works composed by living American composers (many of them local to the Greater-Boston or New England areas), as well as exploring genres from our global musical culture.  Learn more

Boston Brain Tumor Ride
 
The Boston Brain Tumor Ride is an event to raise awareness and much-needed resources to fund critical brain tumor-specific programs to improve the lives of all those affected by brain tumors. This year's ride starts and ends at 200 West Street in Waltham on Sunday, May 15, 2016, and is expected to draw over 700 riders, 64+ volunteers, and 100+ spectators.  Hosted by the National Brain Tumor Society, the Boston Brain Tumor Ride offers individuals and teams a chance to honor and remember loved ones, connect with others interested in the brain tumor cause, and helps to educate the local community on the diverse needs of the brain tumor community. Learn more
ABOUT REP. STANLEY
State Representative: 2001 - Present 
City Council: 1998 - 2004, 2006 - 2015
Council President: 2003
 
State Committees:
 
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
 
Education:  Suffolk University (MPA), Bentley University (BS - Management), Mass Bay Community College (AS - Business Administration)
 
Board Member: Waltham Drug Task Force, Waltham Partnership for Youth, Waltham Family School Advisory Board, Waltham Safe and Healthy Schools YRBS Steering Committee, Waltham Community Day Center (Honorary), Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Advisory Board, Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative, Waltham Community, Enough Abuse Campaign 
 
AwardsWork, Community, Independence - Human Service Advocate of the Year, 2008 COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, 2003 MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, 2007 Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, 2006 Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, 2003 Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center  
 
Personal: Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss
Children: Ryan, age 22, Parker, age 13