Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Agriculture Day at the State House

Throughout the State House we had many representatives of organizations including Massachusetts 4-H Foundation, the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association, farmers, the state's Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and many others

Charlie Bakerer, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux kicked off the celebration.

7,800 Massachusetts farms maintain nearly 523,000 acres of open space. These farms add $492 million to the state economy and employ more than 28,000 workers.



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Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Greek Independence Day Celebrations and Events

Looking forward to the State House ceremony Friday March 29th at Noon in the House Chamber.






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Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Legislators Night

Proud to stand with ⁦the men and women of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) at their A. Michael Mullane Legislators Night at Florian Hall.

Remarks by ⁦Governor⁩ ⁦Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov⁩ Polito and Speaker DeLeo⁩ were well received.




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Monday, March 25, 2019

North Shore Events With The Massachusetts Health Connector

The Massachusetts Health Connector is kicking off a state-wide tour making stops in communities across the state. They are hoping to establish new relationships with community organizations that may be able to use the Connector as a resource when helping individuals who may be in need of health insurance.

Their first North Shore stops are going to be Tuesday, March 26th.

10 AM
The Open Door Food Pantry- Ipswich
Meet with Open Door Food Pantry Staff.

11:30 AM
Ipswich Chamber of Commerce –
Ipswich Inn, East Street
Meet with Ray and Ron and learn about the Massachusetts Health Connector for Business platform that serves small businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

2:30 PM
@Fishing Partnership – Navigator
Gloucester
Stop in and say hello to Navigator staff that assist individuals and families year round in accessing coverage through the Health Connector.

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Friday, March 22, 2019

Tobin Bridge Project Information Meetings

Beginning in 2019, MassDOT will restart its rehabilitation of the Tobin Bridge and begin rehabilitation of the Chelsea Viaduct which together carry Route 1 through Chelsea, over the Mystic River, and into Boston. MassDOT is undertaking outreach.

MassDOT is undertaking an intense program of public outreach to ensure that residents, abutters, major businesses, and commuters have an opportunity to become fully acquainted with the work and anticipated impacts.

MassDOT is hosting public information meetings, one of which will be held in NEWBURYPORT on 3/25. Meetings are be held as follows – all begin at 6 p.m.:
• 3/26 – Andover Public Safety Building, 32 North Main St.
• 3/27 - Chelsea City Council Chamber – 500 Broadway

https://www.mbta.com/projects/tobin-bridge-chelsea-curves-rehabilitation




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Chloe Leigh Designs Ribbon Cutting

Happy to present a Senate Citation to help celebrate with Chloe Leigh as she cuts the ribbon for her new business at 196 Main Street in Gloucester. Her business, Chloe Leigh Designs, offers handcrafted fine jewelry inspired by our ocean-side environment and her training in the U.S. and in Europe.

Wishing Chloe the very best in her newest venture.



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Monday, March 18, 2019

March for Meals Meals on Wheels America

This morning in Wilmington I helped take part in this annual, month-long campaign which is designed to generate public awareness about senior hunger. Senior Nutrition Programs are a vital component of elder services.

The Meals on Wheels Program prepares and delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors.

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Sunday, March 17, 2019

Wilmington Minutemen Company Installation of Officers

Happy to be invited to witness the Wilmington Minutemen ceremony at their Head Quarters at the Joshua Hardren Tavern in Wilmington.

This was the 51st Wilmington Minutemen annual election and swearing in of officers. They carry on an important tradition of service to the community. Honored to be part of the proceedings with Representative Dave Robertson.





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Friday, March 15, 2019

Tobin Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Beginning in 2019, MassDOT will restart its rehabilitation of the Tobin Bridge and begin rehabilitation of the Chelsea Viaduct which together carry Route 1 through Chelsea, over the Mystic River, and into Boston. MassDOT is undertaking outreach on these projects under a unified approach known as the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project.

MassDOT is undertaking an intense program of public outreach to ensure that residents, abutters, businesses, and commuters have an opportunity to become fully acquainted with the work and anticipated impacts.

MassDOT will host seven initial public information meetings, Meetings will be held as follows – all begin at 6 p.m.:
• 3/18 – Wilmington Town Hall – 121 Glen Road
• 3/19 – Ipswich Town Hall – 25 Green Street
• 3/20 – Peabody Town Hall – 24 Lowell Street
• 3/21 – Saugus Town Hall – 298 Central Street
• 3/25 – Newburyport Town Hall – 60 Pleasant Street
• 3/26 – Andover Public Safety Building – 32 North Main Street
• 3/27 - Chelsea City Council Chamber – 500 Broadway

In addition, MassDOT will also host three municipal forums which will be held as follows – all running from 10AM-2PM:
• 3/19 – Lynn Public Library – 5 North Common Street
• 3/20 – Haverhill Public Library – 99 Main Street
• 3/21 – Lynn Public Library – 5 North Common Street

Regional municipal forums will be set up, without formal presentations or Q&A periods, but rather as drop-in sessions with staff available to answer questions on an as-needed basis for anyone who chooses to stop by.



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League of Women Voters of Hamilton-Wenham, MA Civics Bee

This annual event has become a wonderful gathering of civic-minded fun seekers. With Representative Brad Hill.






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Thursday, March 14, 2019

Medal of Liberty

State law directs that the Medal of Liberty be awarded to the next of kin of service men and women killed in action or who died in service while in a designated combat area in the line of duty or who died as a result of wounds received in action.

While the Medal of Liberty has been presented to hundreds of families since its creation, there are still many Massachusetts families who are eligible to receive the award but have not. In anticipation of the upcoming Memorial Day observance, this April the Medal of Liberty Commission will convene a meeting to review applications for the Medal of Liberty so that those families that meet the criteria will be able to receive it.

Contact my office at 617-722-1600 if I can assist you with the application.

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Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon With The Boxford COA

Terrific gathering at the Family Life Center at First Church in Boxford for the Annual St. Patrick's Celebration. So many good conversations, friends, laughs.











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Monday, March 11, 2019

Rowley Police Officer Scott Hirtle Retirement

A hearty congratulations to Officer Hirtle on his retirement from the department and for his many years of dedicated public service.

With Scott Hirtle and Chief of Police Scott Dumas at the #Rowley Public Library.



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Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Honored by Animal Legal Defense Fund


I was honored to be named as an Animal Defender by the Animal Legal Defense Fund during their National Justice for Animals Week, which took place from February 24th to March 2nd of 2019. This week is dedicated to raising awareness about animal abuse and urging law enforcement, prosecutors, and lawmakers to protect our animals and our communities from abusers. I am honored to receive this recognition which is largely based on my work with legislative colleagues, animal rights groups and Governor Baker to pass the comprehensive animal protection laws known as PAWS I and PAWS II.


Founded in 1979 by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is a national, nonprofit organization of attorneys who specialize in the protection of animals and who work to ensure the enforcement of existing animal protection laws. 



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Friday, March 1, 2019

New Law to Enhance Consumer Credit Data Security

This week, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined legislators and stakeholders for a ceremonial bill signing of an act Relative To Consumer Protection From Security Breaches.

The legislation:
  • Requires consumer consent before any third party can obtain the consumer’s credit report from a credit reporting agency for most non-credit purposes.
  • Requires that credit reporting agencies allow a consumer to place a “security freeze” on the consumer’s credit report at no cost and prohibits credit rating agencies from charging a consumer to lift or remove a credit freeze.
  • Enhances reporting requirements for holders of consumer data that have experienced a security breach and requires these holders to offer free credit monitoring to affected consumers in certain circumstances.
  • Ensures that state agencies charged with ensuring payment of child support obligations and protecting the credit history of children under state care may continue fulfill their statutory responsibilities.
“Signing this bill into law will better protect Massachusetts consumers from the consequences of data breaches and give individuals more control over their data and how it is used,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am thankful to the Legislature for working with our administration to pass a version of this bill that assists consumers while allowing state agencies to perform their statutory responsibilities and comply with state and federal law.”

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Additional MBTA Fare Proposal Public Meeting Added

DATE: Thursday, March 7, 2018
TIME: 7PM
LOCATION: Old Town Hall
20 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810

An additional community meeting will be held in Andover on March 7 to discuss the fare increase proposal. A 6.3% average fare increase has been proposed, which would take effect on July 1.

The time period to submit comments online has been extended to Thursday, March 7, 2019. Comments regarding the fare proposal can also be emailed to fares@mbta.com or mailed to MBTA, Attn: Fare Proposal, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. More information can be found at www.mbta.com/fareproposal.

Details regarding all upcoming community meetings in which the fare increase proposal will be discussed are below. The Better Bus Project and Automated Fare Collection 2.0 will also be discussed at a number of these meetings.

Watertown:
Monday, March 4
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Watertown Police Department Community Room
552 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Topics: Fare proposal, Better Bus Project, AFC 2.0

Worcester: Wednesday, March 6
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Worcester Union Station
2 Washington Square
Worcester, MA 01604
Topics: Fare proposal

Downtown Boston:
Thursday, March 7
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
Topics: Fare proposal, Better Bus Project, AFC 2.0

Andover:
Thursday, March 7
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Old Town Hall
20 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
Topics: Fare proposal presentation

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