Thursday, August 31, 2017

Welcoming a former Minority Leader

Today I was honored to welcome former State Senate Minority Leader David Locke to the informal session of the Senate. David, who served in the Senate from 1969 to 1993, came to the State House as our guest to graciously participate in an oral history of the Senate project, I am leading in partnership with Senate President Stan Rosenberg. Former presidents William Bulger, Thomas Birmingham, Robert Travaglini and Therese Murray and former Senate minority leaders Brian Lees and Richard Tisei have also agreed to participate in the oral history of the Senate project.




                 (From left to right, Clerk of the Senate William Welch, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, Former Senate Minority Leader David Locke, Senator Joseph Boncore, Assistant Clerk Michael Hurley)

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Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Manchester Nets $500,000 MassWorks Harbor Grant

I was very pleased to welcome Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito to Manchester-by-the-Sea to announce a $500,000 MassWorks grant in support of the Manchester Harbor Dredging Project. This is the first dredging project to receive funds from the Baker-Polito Administration through the MassWorks Program.

This award will support Manchester’s working harbor that brings in approximately $6 million worth of lobsters each year. In addition, the project will support two marinas that employ approximately 75 people. The $500,000 will leverage $1 million committed by the town to begin work on the shovel-ready project so as not to miss the dredging season which runs September through February. The dredging of Manchester Harbor will begin this fall.

Dredging and maintenance of navigable waterways is of critical importance to coastal communities on the North Shore. Manchester Harbor supports both commercial and recreational boating for docking, mooring, loading and unloading of supplies, and harvested seafood. Harbormaster Bion Pike and other Manchester officials have been uncompromising in their diligence and efforts to advance the project. The Baker-Polito administration has made significant progress on marshaling resources for dredging and this grant, the first of its kind in years, is testament to those efforts and will be vital to the success of the harbor’s dredging.

With Karyn Polito Representative Brad Hill









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Monday, August 28, 2017

Luch With The Manchester Council On Aging

I had a very enjoyable time with the Manchester Council on Aging recently. We were all out at Tuck's Point Chowder House for lunch with featured lobster rills, chicken salad, and of course lots of chowder. The turnout, weather, and food were all wonderful. Bill Foley entertained us and Representative Brad Hill and I enjoyed talking with everyone. This was a beautiful day.











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Friday, August 25, 2017

Like to know how to stay in touch?

You can find me here at Tarr Talk or at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SenatorBruceTarr/, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SenBruceTarr, or at my State House office 617-722-1600.

If you already follow me on one of these sites, please share this post to your network.




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Thursday, August 24, 2017

MBTA Commuter Rail Weekend Update

The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services announced today that weekend service on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line will resume September 2. This route was temporarily shut down on weekends for the installation of positive train control (PTC) safety equipment.

Starting Monday, August 28, off-peak passengers traveling between Rockport and Gloucester will be bussed to and from these two stations for a five-week period as the T replaces a four-mile stretch of track. Commuter rail officials estimate that the combined ridership between Rockport and Gloucester on these eight off-peak trains is approximately 80 - 90 passengers each day.

Here is a list of trains requiring bus service between Rockport and Gloucester starting Monday, August 28. Passengers planning to ride these trains should arrive at stations at regularly scheduled times.

Train No. Departure Time & Station
Inbound
  • 112 11:00 AM from Rockport
  • 114 12:30 PM from Rockport
  • 116 1:50 PM from Rockport
  • 118 3:20 PM from Rockport
Outbound
  • 105 8:35 AM from Boston
  • 107 10:35 AM from Boston
  • 109 12:00 PM from Boston
  • 111 1:50 PM from Boston

Normal weekend service will resume on the entire Boston-Rockport/Newburyport Line beginning Saturday, September 2nd.

Passengers with questions about this service diversion plan should call the commuter rail’s customer service line at 617-222-3200 or visit www.MBTA.com. KCS is the MBTA’s operating partner for the commuter rail.

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Dog Days of Summer

One year ago today, I joined Governor Charlie Baker, Senator Mark Montigny and Representative Lori Ehrlich and others for the bill signing of An Act Preventing Animal Suffering and Death. The State House bill signing ceremony helped raise awareness that pets should not be left in vehicles unattended in extreme weather.

Too many times people have wondered what to do as an animal suffers in a locked car. Now there's a definitive answer backed by the protections of this law.

Major provisions of the law include measures that: • Restrict dog tethering or leaving a dog outdoors in extreme weather or when a weather advisory, warning or watch is issued, • Allow citizens and officers to free animals confined in a locked car after making reasonable efforts to locate the vehicle’s owner, • Set penalties, up to $500, and possible criminal animal cruelty charges for owners who neglect animals in vehicles, • Provide immunity from criminal or civil liability for those who take actions to release a trapped animal.








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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Newburyport/Rockport Line Update

The MBTA continues working on the Newburyport/Rockport Line. Today, they released the following advisory on their work schedule as they install the Positive Train Control (PTC)systems.

This weekend will involve rock drilling work and should be the final weekend for this kind drilling work as it relates to PTC.




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Monday, August 21, 2017

Gloucester Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast

Stage Fort Park in Gloucester was pancake central yesterday morning as the Rotary flipped flapjacks for good food, good fun and good causes. This annual event, which happens at the same time as the Gloucester Waterfront Festival, raises money for the Rose Baker Senior Center, North Shore Health Project, and the Cape Ann YMCA Teen Leaders. Congratulations to the Gloucester Rotary Club for another terrific event.









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Essex County Cooperative 100th Anniversary Celebration

100 hundred years ago the Essex County Co-operative came alive to supply customers with their needs.  This past week, I presented a proclamation to Co-Op Board President David Johnson on behalf of Governor Charlie Baker​.  Senator Lovely and Reps. Hill and Speliotis presented a Joint Resolution from the House and Senate. 


It was great to see hundreds of people joining in the celebration of the 100th anniversary.













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Friday, August 18, 2017

North Reading's Caitlin Galvin Wins State House Intern Award

Join me in congratulating Caitlin Galvin, a rising North Reading senior and intern in my State House office this summer, for being awarded first place in the 2017 Summer Legislative Intern Essay Contest.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of introducing Caitlin at a State House ceremony where she read her winning essay. Inspired by the work of Attorney General Maura Healey, Caitlin’s essay centered on the value of making contribution, no matter how small, towards improving the lives of others. My staff and I appreciated her efforts and good work in my office this summer. Speaker Robert DeLeo, Representative James Kelcourse, Senate President Stan Rosenberg’s Chief of Staff, and other legislators were present. It was wonderful that Caitlin’s family joined us for the celebration.














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Thursday, August 17, 2017

Massachusetts Is No Place For Hate

Today, Senate President Stan Rosenberg and I offered a Senate resolution, which the Senate unanimously adopted, condemning the violence and philosophy of organizations espousing racist, anti-Semitic, or anti-immigrant ideologies. We resolved to continue to promote social justice, protect people from hatred and bigotry, and encourage law enforcers to protect and serve those who may be victimized.

We joined Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Politio, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and House and Senate colleagues at a State House ceremony to stand together to reaffirm that Massachusetts is the birthplace of American liberty and civil rights for all.

I welcome you to read the resolution and join with me in saying “No” to the fomentation of hatred, xenophobia, and bigotry in our Commonwealth and in our country.









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