Thursday, June 17, 2021

North Shore Chamber Headquarters Reopening, Ribbon Cutting and Open House

Tonight, I visited the newly renovated offices of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and got some insight on their new initiatives to support businesses on the North Shore to grow and prosper. Think Big. 

With Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Karen Andreas and her team, and Senator Joan B. Lovely.




 


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Sales Tax Holiday

After sponsoring Sales Tax Holiday legislation for years, I'm happy to report that the House & Senate have resolved to secure August 14-15 for a sales tax holiday this year. #TaxFree

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Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Rolling Rally To Prevent Elder Abuse

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. Cape Ann and North Shore cities and towns are planning a set of rolling rallies with SeniorCare, local police departments, and councils on aging to raise awareness of elder abuse. 

Residents are invited to grab noisemakers, decorate their cars and join these rallies: 

Beverly: Thursday, June 17, at 10 a.m. Meet at Briscoe School, 502 Cabot St. 

Manchester By The Sea: Friday, June 18, at 11a.m. Meet at the parking lot behind Town Hall, 10 Central St. 

 Rockport: Tuesday, June 29, at noon. Meet at the Rockport High School auditorium parking lot, 24 Jerden's Lane.


 


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Olin Chemical Superfund Site Virtual Informational Meeting

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be holding a virtual public informational meeting to update residents on remedial activities at the Olin Chemical Superfund Site in Wilmington, MA. 

A representative from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will also be available to answer questions about the Wilmington Childhood Cancer Study.

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

The meeting is being hosted on the free-to-access platform Microsoft Teams. Using Microsoft Teams will allow attendees to view the presentation as it is being given. When you click the link below to join the meeting, you will have an option to either open or download the Microsoft Teams application, or to join directly through your internet browser.

Meeting URL to join the Olin virtual meeting-

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19:meeting_YzQ0ZWI0ZDItMTU0OS00NDk5LWJiOTMtZWQ2YzE1NGI4Mjhi@thread.v2/0?context=%7B%22Tid%22:%2288b378b3-6748-4867-acf9-76aacbeca6a7%22,%22Oid%22:%22bec6712d-4fb1-42d5-9768-08bc16298a17%22%7D

If you are unable to join via Microsoft Teams, you may join by phone by calling +1 857-299-6148, then entering code 843451080# Materials: (presentation links to be added) Closed Captioning will be provided

For more information:

Sarah White, Community Involvement Coordinator

Phone: 617-918-1026

white.sarah@epa.gov

Melanie Morash, Remedial Project Manager

Phone: 617-918-1292

morash.melanie@epa.gov

Josh Fontaine, Remedial Project Manager

Phone: 617-918-1720

Fontaine.joshua@epa.gov


 

 


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Post Pandemic Policies

Last night, the House and the Senate adopted a final version of a post-emergency bill and sent it to Governor Baker. I talked with Alison King of NBC10 Boston at the State House about the post-state of emergency components in an Act Relative to Extending Certain COVID-19 Measures Adopted During the State of Emergency, Senate bill 2475. 

Some of those components include: 

  • Allowing remote meetings of public bodies until April 20, 2022; 
  • Temporarily reinstating remote permissions for representative town meetings, nonprofit member meetings, notary services, and reverse-mortgage loan counseling; 
  •  Extending eviction protections, 
  • Adding flexibility for assisted living residences; 
  • Continuing the ability of medical assistants, podiatrists, phlebotomists, and certain military personnel to administer COVID-19 vaccines; 
  •  Requiring that takeout and delivery drinks be sold at the same prices as those consumed on-site; 
  • Granting special permits for expanded outdoor dining, which would otherwise expire in 60 days, will be valid until April 21, 2022 under the bill; 
  •  Billing protections for COVID-19 care.

You can read the bill here- https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2475




 


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Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Commonwealth Launches “Mass VaxMillions” Vaccine Lottery Program

Prizes Include Five $1 Million Winners; Five College Scholarships 

The Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway for residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated residents 18 and older will have the opportunity to enter to win of five, $1 million cash prizes. Fully vaccinated residents between 12-17 years of age may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.

Eligible residents will be able to enter the drawing beginning July 1. Drawings will be held once a week for five weeks beginning the week of Monday, July 26 and continuing through the week ending Friday, August 27.

“The Commonwealth leads the nation in vaccinating our residents, with almost four million people fully vaccinated, and our goal remains ensuring everyone that wants a vaccine has access to one,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The VaxMillions Giveway is one of the many ways our administration is encouraging people to get the vaccine, and we are grateful for the partnership of Treasurer Goldberg and the Mass State Lottery in developing the program.”

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are hopeful that this new initiative will encourage even more residents to get the COVID vaccine and help return our Commonwealth to a new normal.”

“The Massachusetts State Lottery is proud to join Governor Charlie Baker and the Department of Public Health to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of every person across the Commonwealth,” said Deborah B. Goldberg, Massachusetts State Treasurer. “The Lottery has decades of experience and know-how to hold drawings with the upmost integrity and our team is excited to fulfill an essential role in this initiative.”

“We greatly appreciate the trust that Governor Baker, his administration and Treasurer Goldberg have in the Mass Lottery to assist in the implementation of this important public health initiative,” said Michael Sweeney, Executive Director, Massachusetts State Lottery. “The Mass Lottery has worked diligently to build a reputation as one of the most successful lotteries in the country and it is an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility.”

The Commonwealth is launching the Massachusetts VaxMillions giveaway as one of many strategies to increase awareness of the availability and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage residents to get vaccinated to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe. Beginning July 1, Massachusetts residents will be able to enter the VaxMillions Giveaway online. If you do not have access to the internet or require assistance, there will be a call center available. Sign up information and call center contact info and hours will be made available prior to July 1.

Massachusetts residents 18 years of age and older, who have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, will have a chance to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes.

Massachusetts residents between 12 and 17 years of age who have received two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will have a chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants via a 529 College Savings Plan managed by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). Funds in a 529 plan can be applied to cover tuition, room and board, and related expenses at any college, university, or technical or trade school or other post-secondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Winners with a qualifying disability may elect instead to receive an equivalent financial contribution to a special needs trust or federally qualified ABLE account to cover qualified expenses.

Only lawful, permanent residents of Massachusetts who are fully vaccinated can apply. Residents must have received their vaccine doses within Massachusetts. Residents must be fully vaccinated prior to submitting their entry.

There are over 900 vaccination locations across the Commonwealth, with appointments and walk ins widely available. Residents seeking a vaccine can visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to find a vaccine location that is convenient for them.

For more information on the Mass VaxMillions Giveaway, visit mass.gov/VaxMillions.


 

 


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Flags for Heroes Project

In recognition of Flag Day and as a way to honor the heroes in our lives, the Rowley Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Ipswich, MA organized a beautiful dedication ceremony and a public display of 3 by 5 foot American flags on 10 foot poles on the South Village Green in Ipswich. You can visit the flags through July 4th. 






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Saturday, June 12, 2021

Pentucket Regional School District Site Visit

There's tremendous progress being made on the new @Pentucket Regional School District's three-story state-of-the-art school facility that combines middle and high school students in one building on a unified campus. PRSD serves students from Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury. 

State Senator Diana DiZoglio, Representative Lenny Mirra and I toured the building, which is to be completed in spring 2022 and officially opened that fall, with Superintendent Justin Bartholomew. 

In January, I attended a beam signing ceremony with a small group including Superintendent Bartholomew, Assistant Superintendent Brent Conway, Pentucket Regional High School Principal Jonathan Seymour, Representative Mirra and members of the School Committee, Building Committee, town officials and citizens. 




 




















 


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Monday, June 7, 2021

Too Hot for Spot

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory. The heatwave means that it is "Too Hot for Spot". As the thermostat continues to climb be sure your pets stay cool. If you take your pet out for a ride in this heat and have to leave them unattended just remember, although it may feel like only a couple minutes in the car, it can quickly become “Too Hot for Spot!” After only 10 minutes the temperature inside a car can exceed 120 degrees – even with the windows rolled down three inches!

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Camp Rotary's 100th Year Anniversary & New Dining Hall

What a wonderful time at Camp Rotary in Boxford. They are kicking off a yearlong celebration of the camp and the opening of their new dining hall. Camp Rotary is a nonprofit, educational, overnight camp for boys and girls ages 7 - 15. 

I toured the camp and presented them with an official Senate Citation to mark these milestones at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Best of luck for a great season.


 









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Saturday, June 5, 2021

Reinventing Ocean Research And Underwater Robotics - Celebrating The Grand Opening of Hefring Engineering's New Production Facility In Gloucester With A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Contributing to the vibrate marine and life science based blue economy of Cape Ann I was very happy to help Hefring Engineering with the opening of their new operations on the inner harbor. They are pioneering new technologies for observing the world’s oceans. https://hefringengineering.com/ 

https://hefringengineering.com/








 


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