Gloucester Center Stage Performance Center Dedication

It was an honor to join the Gloucester Stage for a special celebration recognizing two of their most valued and committed supporters, Susanna Natti and Alan Willsky.

In tribute to their unwavering dedication to the arts and the Gloucester Stage community, the theater has been renamed the "Natti-Willsky Performance Center" as part of their 2025 Building Renaming Ceremony.

I was proud to share remarks at this meaningful event and to celebrate the incredible impact Susanna and Alan have made. Their generosity will inspire creativity and community for years to come.

Matt Pritchard NBC 10 Interview

📢 Missed it LIVE? Watch my interview with NBC10 Boston Political Reporter Matt Prichard RE: the recent adoption of my Regional EMS funding amendment in the FY26 Budget 📢

https://www.nbcboston.com/.../mass-ems-funding.../3727285/

Merrimack Valley Food Bank Launch

Congratulations to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc. on the official public launch of their Feed & Nourish Campaign! 🍽📢

This marks an exciting new chapter as they settle into a new facility designed to serve more families, improve operations, and strengthen the fight against hunger.

Their work is vital to our communities, and this move will allow them to grow and support even more people in need.

Let’s help them continue their mission—learn more and support the campaign: [https://mvfb.org/feed-and-nourish/](https://mvfb.org/feed-and-nourish/) 💚

MassDEP 2026 Clean & Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Project Solicitation Deadline

 📢 MassDEP 2026 Clean & Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Project Solicitation Deadline Details Below📢 

💧 SRF Loan Program offers affordable financing options to cities, towns, and public water utilities to improve water supply infrastructure and drinking water safety. 

💧 The program helps with federal and state water quality requirements of wastewater treatment plants and collection systems; issues related to watershed management priorities, stormwater management, and green infrastructure; and financial assistance to communities to make loans available to homeowners with septic system problems. 

💧 Project Evaluation Forms/applications for the 2026 Intended Use Plan will be accepted until 12:00PM on July 25, 2025.

More information on the SRF program can be found on MassDEP’s website, including information from past briefings and presentations on SRF programming: https://www.mass.gov/.../state-revolving-fund...

Mass Cultural Council FY'25 Festival and Projects Grant Awardees

📢Tarr Announces Mass Cultural Council FY'25 Festival and Projects Grant Awardees 📢

Congratulations to the FY'25 grant recipients who are benefitting from the Festival & Projects Grants in our district! The total investment for this program in our community this year is $32,500.

Festival and Project Grants are used to support organizations that celebrate, preserve, and inspire creativity by funding activities that provide public benefit using the arts, humanities, or sciences.

Link to the FY'25 Funding List: https://massculturalcouncil.org/.../funding-list/page/4/

 

MassDOT Gloucester Advisory

📢MassDOT Advisory for Gloucester: Overnight Lane Closures on Route 133 (Essex Avenue)📢

Lane closures scheduled nightly, Sunday, June 1, through Friday, June 13 from 8 PM to 5 AM.

GLOUCESTER – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be implementing nightly lane closures along Route 133 (Essex Avenue) between Route 128 and the Essex town line in Gloucester.  These closures will occur nightly, Sunday through Friday, from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following morning, starting Sunday, June 1, and continuing through Friday, June 13.  The work will allow crews to conduct pavement resurfacing and related work safely and effectively.

Two-way traffic will be maintained to the extent possible.  Alternating traffic and/or detours will be used as needed to complete the work safely.  

This work is being completed under a District Wide Resurfacing contract with D&R General Contractors serving as the prime contractor.  

Appropriate signage and law enforcement details will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. 

Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. 

All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice. 

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:

🚧Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.

🚧Dial 511 and select a route to hear real time conditions.

🚧Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.

TARR IN THE NEWS 5.28.25

TARR IN THE NEWS | 5.28.25

'Maura Healey’s hiring freeze begs the question of who should follow suit: Bruce Tarr'

By Matt Medsger | Boston Herald 

"“The governor has illustrated the impact of personal costs on the state budget by implementing a hiring freeze,” he told the Herald.

Her reaction, Tarr said, begs the question of whether a hiring freeze could make a difference elsewhere in state government.

“A serious question remains as to whether the quasi-public agencies will take similar action to control costs in the face of an uncertain future, and the costs that could be avoided by not filling open positions, many of which are highly compensated,” he said."

Read the full article here: https://www.bostonherald.com/.../maura-healeys-hiring.../