Holliston * new date & time*  

 Monday, February 25
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Holliston Town Hall, Room 105
703 Washington Street

Update as of 1600 (400 PM) on Thursday, February 7th

A significant snowstorm/blizzard is forecasted to impact Massachusetts beginning on Friday February 8th, lasting into Saturday February 9th. Snowfall across much of Massachusetts is expected to be approximately 1-2 feet with locally higher amounts. In addition to snowfall, strong damaging hurricane force winds (gusts up to 80 mph along the coast, up to 50 mph within the Rte 95 corridor, and up to 40 mph further inland) are expected which could lead to widespread power outages. In addition, moderate to major coastal flooding is anticipated along much of the coastline during the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides.

Travel may become nearly impossible with blowing/drifting snow and near zero visibility during the height of the storm (Friday afternoon into Saturday morning). Motorists are asked to stay off the roads if they can during the storm to allow snow plows to clear the roads.

• MEMA Winter Weather Tips and Information
• Download the FREE Ping4alerts! app to get information on your smartphone (iPhone and Android devices)
• Weather information can be obtained from the National Weather Service (NWS)
• NWS Boston (covering eastern and central Massachusetts). NWS Boston website NWS Boston Facebook page
• NWS Albany (covering Berkshire county) NWS Albany website  NWS Albany Facebook page
• For non-emergency assistance and information, call 2-1-1 or visit www.mass211.org
• Visit www.mbta.com for bus, subway and commuter rail service alerts and www.massport.com for Logan Airport information
• Other preparedness tips:
• Monitor the progress of the storm - timing and areas of greatest impact can change
• Listen to directions of Public Officials.  
• Have a full tank of gas.  Gas stations may be impacted by power loss.
• Prepare for extended power outages.  Have emergency kit with flashlights, extra batteries, portable radio, bottled water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, etc.
• Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Have sufficient heating fuel.  If using emergency emergency generator, understand how to run it safely, operating it outdoors away from any open window.
• If your water supply could be affected by a power outage, (well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings and minimize opening the door.  Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours; a freezer for 48 hours.
• Restoration of power will not begin until the storm subsides and conditions are safe for utility workers.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on elderly relatives and neighbors. 
• Treat any downed wire as a 'live' wire.

In these challenging times, we need to maintain our focus on improving the business climate; by freezing the unemployment insurance rate, we protect businesses from increased costs as we work together to support economic growth.

The unemployment system is primarily funded by the state's employers. By law, as the funds in the unemployment system become depleted, employers' contributions increase. Freezing the rate at Schedule E will save the average employer from having a near 30% increase for unemployment insurance per employee while workers would continue to receive the same benefits.

Furthermore, the bill decreases funding for legislative offices by 1% and authorizes $30M from the Rainy Day Fund to address ramifications of mismanagement at the state crime lab.

This legislation passed by House also includes $45M for Homeless Family Shelters and $3M for unexpected costs to state agencies as a result of Hurricane Sandy.