Hamilton-Wenham Fall Festival 2023

 

Enjoyed the 5th annual Local HW Fall Festival, where they bring together local small businesses, live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and fun family activities for a great day for our community.

The festival took place in Hamilton on Railroad Avenue and across the street at the Shops at 300 Main.

Thanks to the festival's sponsors Hamilton Development Corporation and Salem Five Charitable Trust for helping to make this wonderful day happen.

Happy Retirement to Newbury's Fire Chief Doug Janvrin

Honored to have joined in the celebrations at Newbury Fire Chief Doug Janvrin’s Surprise Retirement Party.  Congratulations on your retirement of 36 years of dedicated service to the community.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day | 9.15.23

 

Recently, I had the honor and privilege of joining Representative Donald H. Wong, State Representative Steve Xiarhos, State Representative Jessica Giannino, Essex County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger Committee for a ceremony in recognition of POW-MIA National Recognition Day in our Middleton community.

Gold Star Father State Representative Steve Xiarhos was the guest speaker and shared his story of losing his son, Marine Nicholas Xiarhos. It was a touching tribute and moving ceremony.

This National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony, and so many like it across the Commonwealth and our great nation, honor those who were held captive and returned, as well as, those who remain missing.

Granite Street Crossing Housing Project | 9.14.23

 

Celebrated the new Granite Street Crossing Housing Project - an inter-generational property with apartments for seniors and families. Thank you to Harborlight Homes, the Town of Rockport, Project Funders, Partners, and Granite Street Neighbors.

Kristin Carlson, Director of Real Estate Development, and Andrew DeFranza, Executive Director for Harborlight Homes, thanked everyone who helped bring this project to fruition, the Town of Rockport for their commitment in funding and having the will to complete this effort, and the neighbors of 5 Granite Street who collaborated and worked with HH for years to make the project the right fit for the community.

Learn more about this project: https://harborlighthomes.org/homes/senior-family-granite-street-crossing-rockport-ma/

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

 

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.

If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.

You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide:

https://www.nami.org/.../Related-Conditions/Risk-of-Suicide

Being Prepared for a Crisis:

https://www.nami.org/.../Fami.../Being-Prepared-for-a-Crisis

Read NAMI’s guide, "Navigating a Mental Health Crisis”:

https://nami.org/.../Navigating-a-Mental-Health-Crisis

What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide:

https://nami.org/.../What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Youth...

Need more information, referrals or support?

Contact the NAMI HelpLine:

https://nami.org/help

Senate Gives Final Approval to Tax Relief Measures | 9.28.2023

 

Senate Gives Final Approval to Tax Relief Measures

Today the Senate took action, long in the making, to provide desperately needed tax relief to respond to household budgets under stress and employers struggling to compete in a state whose costs are a major challenge.

I have been honored to not only serve on the conference committee for this legislation, but also to work across the aisle consistently to build consensus and partnership on a matter that has been a top priority for the Senate Republican caucus for years, and a necessity for the people who pay the bills for our state government.

Over the past two years, we have worked to illustrate the heavy burdens being carried by people in our state for things ranging from childcare to housing, and the uphill climb employers are facing on the road to greater prosperity for our economy. This legislation is a major first step that will make a real difference for all of them.

The following provisions are included in House Bill 4104:

• Changes in the tax credit for a dependent child, disabled adult,
or senior, which will increase from $180 to $310 in FY23 and to
$440 in FY24, and will benefit over 565,000 families;

• An increase in the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000,
which will assist approximately 800,000 renters;

• An increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit from 30% to 40%
of the federal credit, which will benefit approximately 400,000
taxpayers earning less than $60,000;

• A doubling of the maximum Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit
from $1,200 to $2,400, indexed to inflation, which will assist
nearly 100,000 seniors;

• The elimination of the estate tax for all estates valued under
$2 million and the establishment of a uniform credit of
$99,600, effective January 1, 2023;

• Provisions allowing municipalities to provide up to $2,000 in
property tax reductions for older residents participating in the
senior work-off program, which is currently capped at $1,500;

• A reduction in the tax on short-term capital gains from 12% to
8.5%;

• The replacement of the current three-prong sales tax
apportionment for Massachusetts-headquartered businesses
that incorporates property, payroll, and sales with a new
system that only factors in sales;

• An increase in the maximum tax credit for septic tank repairs
or replacement under Title V from $6,000 to $18,000, and an
increase in the amount that can be claimed to $4,000 per year;

• The doubling of the lead paint abatement to $1,000 for partial
abatement and $3,000 for full abatement;

• An increase in the statewide cap on the Housing Development
Incentive Program (HDIP) from $10 million to $57 million for
one year, after which the annual cap will be set at $30 million;

• An increase in the annual authorization for the Low Income
Housing Tax Credit from $40 million to $60 million;

• Provisions allowing cities and towns to adopt a local property
tax exemption for renters whose income falls below a certain
level set by the community;

• Language making public transit fares and certain other
expenses eligible for the commuter expenses tax deduction;
and

• Provisions exempting employer student loan payments from
being counted as taxable income by the state.

House Bill 4104 is now on Governor Maura Healey’s desk for her review and signature.

Rockport Council on Aging BBQ | 9.12.23

 

Attended the Rockport Council on Aging BBQ at Rockport's Back Beach and Bandstand. Thanks to Rockport Senior Center, The Friends of the Rockport Council on Aging, and Senior Care Inc.

www.seniorcareinc.org

Ceremonial Resolution | Childhood Cancer Awareness Month | September 2023

Photo Credit: Matthew J. Lee / The Boston Globe

1 in 285 children in the US will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and to show support for families impacted by cancer - four bridges will be glowing gold this evening to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.

I co-sponsored an important Ceremonial Resolution commending Milton Glows Gold, The Michael C. McHugh Memorial Fund, and The Reid R. Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Alliance (Reid's Ride / Reid R. Sacco Adolescent & Young Adult -AYA- Cancer Alliance) for recognizing September 2023 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The Fore River Bridge connecting Quincy to Weymouth, The Zakim and Longfellow bridges in Boston, and the Kenneth M. Burns Memorial Bridge in Worcester will all shine bright gold.

Ceremonial resolution below:

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  SRes136

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

^{_______________}

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

^{_______________}

 

RESOLUTIONS COMMENDING MILTON GLOWS GOLD, THE MICHAEL C. MCHUGH MEMORIAL FUND, INC. AND THE REID R. SACCO ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT CANCER ALLIANCE FOR RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2023 AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

 

            WHEREAS, MILTON GLOWS GOLD, THE MICHAEL C. MCHUGH MEMORIAL FUND, INC. AND THE REID R. SACCO ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT CANCER ALLIANCE ARE RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2023 AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH; AND

            WHEREAS, OVER 40 CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER EVERY DAY, AND APPROXIMATELY 1 IN 285 CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER BEFORE THE AGE OF 20; AND

            WHEREAS, CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH BY DISEASE PAST INFANCY FOR CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES, WITH 1 IN 5 CHILDREN WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER NOT SURVIVING AND THERE BEING MORE THAN 12 TYPES OF CHILDHOOD CANCERS AND 100 SUBTYPES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER; AND

            WHEREAS, GOLD IS THE OFFICIAL COLOR OF CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH BECAUSE GOLD SYMBOLIZES THE RESILIENCY OF CHILDHOOD CANCER HEROES, AND SUPPORTERS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR A GOLD RIBBON TO SYMBOLIZE THEIR SOLIDARITY WITH THE CAUSE; AND

            WHEREAS, NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1990 IN A PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION BY PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH; NOW THEREFORE BE IT

            RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE HEREBY COMMENDS MILTON GLOWS GOLD, THE MICHAEL C. MCHUGH MEMORIAL FUND, INC. AND THE REID R. SACCO ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT CANCER ALLIANCE FOR RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2023 AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND THANKS ALL OF THESE GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR VALUABLE COMMITMENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH; AND BE IT FURTHER

            RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE TRANSMITTED FORTHWITH BY THE CLERK OF THE SENATE TO MILTON GLOWS GOLD, THE MICHAEL C. MCHUGH MEMORIAL FUND, INC. AND THE REID R. SACCO ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT CANCER ALLIANCE.

SUBMITTED BY:
SENATOR TIMILTY
COSPONSORS:
SENATOR PAYANO
SENATOR OLIVEIRA
SENATOR TARR
SENATOR ELDRIDGE
SENATOR LEWIS
SENATOR VELIS
SENATOR KEENAN
SENATOR BRADY
SENATOR MOORE
SENATOR PACHECO
SENATOR COLLINS
SENATOR O'CONNOR
SENATOR FATTMAN
SENATOR DIDOMENICO
SENATOR GOMEZ

9.7.23 Visit to The Food Project | Reynolds Farm | Wenham, MA

Had the pleasure of visiting the Reynolds Farm in Wenham. This is conservation land owned by the town of Wenham – overseen by the Conservation Committee. On this farm, The Food Project of the North Shore runs its non-profit on over 34 acres – growing vegetables and cover crops to create good, healthy soil. Approximately 250,000 pounds of crops are grown per year.

The Food Project is awarded $4 million through the State and Federal Budget. Much of the food grown supports The Food Project’s CSA farm shares and customers in the community. Produce from the Reynolds Farm also supports food access initiatives through the SNAP-HIP farmers’ markets in the City of Lynn and other hunger relief programs.

140 teenage students work at the farm – mostly during the summer months – from Wenham, Lynn, and surrounding areas. They learn how to farm: planting seeds, caring for gardens, and picking vegetables.

Thank you to all the staff, including Ludia Modi, Director of Learning and Programs, and John Wang, Co-Director of Strategy and Organization Support at The Food Project for carrying on this important community initiative. Both started in The Food Project in their teens and now are an important part of the success in carrying on this program.

#wenhamma #TheFoodProject #ReynoldsFarm #statesenatorbrucetarr

Yom Kippur | G'mar Chatima Tovah

Blessed Yom Kippur - May your wishes get sealed in the Book of Life. Have an easy and meaningful fast.

G'mar Chatima Tovah.

Senator Tarr Interview with NBC10 Boston News | RE: Governor's Supplemental Budget

 

In case you missed it, catch my interview with Matt Prichard from NBC10 Boston RE: Governor's supplemental budget.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/mass-lawmakers-grapple-with-how-to-budget-for-migrant-crisis/3141301/

MA Cannabis Control Commission | Call for Transparency and Accountability

 

Events and circumstances at the MA Cannabis Control Commission deserve scrutiny and action. I am working with my colleagues toward that end. On September 8th, I signed a bi-partisan letter with my colleagues requesting the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy bring transparency and accountability to the situation.

Links to recent reports on continuous problems at the MA Cannabis Control Commission are below:

Boston Globe article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/18/metro/legislature-oversight-hearing-cannabis-control-commission/

Boston Herald article: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/09/18/cannabis-control-commissioners-butt-heads-over-acting-pot-chair-role/?clearUserState=true

Gloucester Daily Times opinion article: https://www.gloucestertimes.com/opinion/our-view-whats-the-story-with-the-cannabis-commission/article_aa2d9a2c-a4f0-597e-a01b-d73dd84a7ae9.html

How to Apply for the Municipal ADA Improvement Grants | MA Office on Disability

On July 21st, I sponsored a presentation in partnership with the Massachusetts Office on Disability at Essex Regional Tech.

We reviewed the steps to take to Apply for the Municipal ADA Improvement Grants that MOD is offering. The Massachusetts Office on Disability will continue to accept completed applications through the end of October 2023 for FY2024.

Thank you to Evan George, MOD ADA Grant Compliance Coordinator, and to all who attended, including several DPW Directors and ADA Coordinators from my district. Our presentation focused on the importance of accessibility for all to better serve our communities by improving accessibility.

Evan spoke on grant eligibility, grant types, administration, and the application process. These grants will support capital improvements dedicated to programmatic access and/or removing barriers disabled people encounter at municipal facilities. Again, the Massachusetts Office on Disability will continue to accept completed applications through the end of October 2023 for FY2024.

The following links are for your information and will be quite helpful in completing the application process for your community.

- Link to presentation from 7.21.23 describing in detail
how to apply:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FNEv8WMTatxUUvCMP3UcQU2jEkE0BFz/view


- Link to Apply for ADA Improvement Grant:

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-municipal-americans-with-disabilities-act-ada-improvement-grant

I encourage all municipalities to use this information to apply for available ADA grants to better serve our communities in improving accessibility for all.

MEMA Denies Federal Funding Request for August Storm Flooding

 

My office received the following information from MEMA in regards to denying the Federal Funding Request for August Storm Flooding:

"Thank you for your collaboration and patience as we evaluated the damage caused by the rainstorms in August in northeastern Massachusetts. After collecting and reviewing all submitted damage assessment data, MEMA has determined that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not meet the minimum criteria to pursue a federal major disaster declaration for the August 8th rainstorms. As you know, these criteria (including damage thresholds) are set by the federal government, not MEMA or the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the August 8th rainstorms did not meet the criteria for a federal major disaster declaration.

As discussed previously, to obtain a federal major disaster declaration, the situation must be of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local government. In making this determination, FEMA will consider all the following factors:

1. The amount and type of damages;

2. Estimated cost of assistance (using the established
reimbursable cost thresholds);

3. Localized impacts;

4. The available resources of the state and local governments
and other disaster relief organizations;

5. Insurance coverage in force (consideration of amount of
insurance coverage that is in force or should have been in
force as required by law and regulation);

6. Imminent threats to public health and safety;

7. Recent multiple disasters in the State (disaster history within
the last 12-month period as well as declarations by the
Governor and the extent to which the State has spent its own
funds);

8. Hazard mitigation (extent to which State and local
government measures contributed to the reduction of
disaster damages, especially implementation of measures
required as a result of previous major disaster declarations);

9. Assistance available from other Federal program and other
sources; and

10. Other factors pertinent to a given incident.

Based on these criteria, MEMA evaluated the potential for a federal declaration based on the following factors:

Reimbursable damage thresholds are not met.

The threshold is not simply the total of the costs or value of everything damaged and all monies spent on response. Only certain FEMA-reimbursable cost categories can be included in the damage estimates to meet thresholds. For example, items such as, private property damage, unimproved roads for which a city or town cannot prove maintenance, federally-owned or funded roads, engineering costs, mitigation measures, and damages coverable by property insurance, among other things, cannot be included as costs for the purpose of meeting the threshold for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Act. Based upon the information submitted to MEMA by the impacted cities and towns, the total reported damage estimates fell below the state threshold and below the county thresholds for Middlesex and Norfolk counties.

See table below:

COUNTY AMT. REPORTED THRESHOLD AMT. SHORT
Essex $6,280,481.37 $3,595,640.76 ($2,684,840.61)
Middlesex $571,178.27 $7,246,088.88 $6,674,910.61
Norfolk $1,551,500.00 $3,223,355.64 $1,671,855.64
Plymouth $387,867.97 $2,356,836.36 $1,968,968.39

Total Reported
$8,791,028

State Reimbursable Damage Threshold $12,442,953

As you can see, total reimbursable costs estimates were well below the reimbursable damages threshold and that amount would only decrease further during FEMA’s preliminary damage assessment process.

The storms did not exceed the capability of both the state and local governments to respond, which is a prerequisite for a federal major disaster declaration. Specifically, we do not believe that we will meet the criteria for this storm because:

11. There was not a need to declare a state of emergency to
provide resources and assistance or coordinate a state-level
response;

12. There was a single request for assistance (sandbags
requested by Billerica and provided by Groton);


13. There was not a need to activate the state emergency
operations center to coordinate response; and

14. The state’s reimbursable damages threshold was not met
for the storm.

SBA Disaster Programs outcomes:

MEMA worked with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to facilitate the SBA’s ground survey of damages for eligibility under an SBA Administrative (Agency) Declaration. This assessment was conducted by the SBA on September 6 and 7. Essex County met the SBA’s criteria for an Administrative declaration, which will make both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to individuals, households, and businesses within that county. The contiguous counties of Middlesex and Suffolk will also be eligible to participate in any SBA programs. Norfolk County did not have significant enough impacts to meet the SBA’s criteria.

To qualify or “meet criteria,” the SBA Survey must demonstrate 25 homes and/or businesses with uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of their estimated fair replacement value. Sites for evaluation during the ground survey were identified using Initial Damage Assessment forms submitted by each community.

The SBA began surveys on Wednesday (9/6) in North Andover (Essex County) where the bulk of the locations that met the criteria were identified. The SBA continued to Haverhill where they were able to survey enough viable locations to push Essex County over the required 25 locations that met the criteria for SBA’s program. SBA then moved on to Billerica to survey locations for Middlesex County. While Billerica submitted damage assessments for 128 locations, the SBA survey representative only identified 18 locations had potential to meet the criteria. One location was an apartment complex with 47 units but none of the units met the criteria. Middlesex did not have the damage to meet the criteria to be a primary county. On Thursday, September 7th, the SBA surveyed 43 locations in Needham, but only 16 met the criteria for SBA’s program.

MEMA and the Commonwealth took the necessary steps in this process including working to identify a location community for the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center. In addition, Governor Healey signed the request letter` and MEMA will forward that immediately to the SBA.

Crisis Cleanup:

MEMA activated the Crisis Cleanup program to connect homeowners with assistance for clean up after the flooding. Across the impact area, 74 homeowners requested assistance in Andover, Boxford, Haverhill, Lawrence, Mattapoisett, Needham, North Andover, North Reading, and Tewksbury.

We remain committed to partnering with our emergency management agencies, municipal and legislative officials, small businesses, and other relevant stakeholders for response and recovery."

Senator Tarr Interview with WBZ-TV | RE: Dam Safety in Our District and Across the Commonwealth

In case you missed it, catch my interview with Christina Hager from WBZ-TV Channel 4 News RE: dam safety in our district and across the Commonwealth.

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/i-team-structurally-deficient-dams-massachusetts/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

 

Happy New Year to my Jewish friends, constituents and the community - Shana Tova!

National Blood Shortage: How to Donate Blood TODAY

 

According to the American Red Cross, the national blood supply fell by nearly 25% in August as donor turnout dropped.  Blood donors of all blood types are urgently needed now to ensure patients at hospitals across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BLOOD IN OUR DISTRICT:

Friday, September 15^th from 10 AM – 3 PM @ Our Lady of Hope, 1 Pinewood Rd., Ipswich, MA

Monday, September 25^th from 11 AM – 4 PM @ Our Lady of Good Voyage, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester, MA

Click here to sign up to donate TODAY: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive

Click here to learn more about hosting a blood drive: https://www.redcrossblood.org/hosting-a-blood-drive/learn-about-hosting/why-host-a-blood-drive.html

Hurricane Lee Update: Emergency Coastal Community Resources

As we continue to monitor Hurricane #Lee, please see below list of resources to help prepare you for the impending storm:

• Prepare Your Home: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/prepare-your-home-for-emergencies

• If you live in a coastal community, review the Homeowners Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Hazards: https://www.mass.gov/doc/homeowners-handbook-to-prepare-for-coastal-hazards/download

• For a list of active weather warnings, watches, and advisories from the National Weather Service, see: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ma.php?x=1
  

• The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency - https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-emergency-management-agency - is the state agency that coordinates with federal, state and local government agencies, non-profits and businesses to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies and disasters. For additional information, visit MEMA’s Emergency Information webpage: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/emergency-information.
  
  
• Stay in the Know! Sign up today for emergency alerts for your city or town.  See below list of our Coastal Communities’ Emergency Alerts Sign Up Links:

o   CITY OF GLOUCESTER EMERGENCY ALERTS: https://gloucester-ma.gov/384/Emergency-Alerting

o   CITY OF NEWBURYPORT EMERGENCY ALERTS: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/A4C107CCF3B3

o   TOWN OF ESSEX EMERGENCY ALERTS: https://www.essexma.org/subscribe

o   TOWN OF MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA EMERGENCY ALERTS: https://www.manchester.ma.us/761/Stay-Informed

o   TOWN OF NEWBURY EMERGENCY ALERTS: https://www.townofnewbury.org/police-department/faq/what-codered-alert

o   TOWN OF ROCKPORT EMERGENCY ALERTS: https://www.rockportma.gov/board-health/pages/emergency-preparedness

o   TOWN OF SALISBURY EMERGENCY ALERTS: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/ADE8E3D523BE

Hurricane Lee Emergency Preparedness: American Red Cross Communication

Please see below communication released by the American Red Cross about Hurricane #Lee - a powerful storm in the Atlantic Ocean that may impact our region. We are closely monitoring the storm and partnering with communities that may be affected.

Prepare NOW if you’re located within the path of the storm by following these steps: https://rdcrss.org/3EvXr2u See additional quick links below to prepare for Hurricane #Lee:

• STEPS FOR OLDER ADULTS: https://www.redcross.org/.../how-to.../older-adults.html
• PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: http://redcross.org/.../inclusive-preparedness-resources...
• CREATE A PET EMERGENCY PLAN: https://www.redcross.org/.../pet-disaster-preparedness.html