Boy Scouts Present Annual Report to Senate

Each year the Boy Scouts from all over Massachusetts come to the State House to make a report of their activities and progress. They join me in the Senate Chamber during one of our sessions and give a presentation. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers are invited to attend. With more than a thousand packs, troops and teams 262,396 Scouts participated in the achievement of 24,855 Rank Advancements, 1,122 reaching the rank of Eagle, and 216,449 Eagle Scout Service Hours.

The Senate welcomed them with applause and the Scouts, along with various troop leaders and parents seated in the Senate Gallery, went to the Grand Staircase where I introduced them to Senate President Harriette Chandler, Secretary of Veterans' Services Francisco Urena, House Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sánchez, and Representative James M. Kelcourse.

This year, they raised funds for the Good Turn project to benefit the The Boston Foundation's relief effort for the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

TARR AMENDMENTS TO MASSMADE INITIATIVE WILL BOOST LOCAL BUSINESSES

Boston- When the State Senate adopted a bill to support Massachusetts businesses last week, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester) secured two amendments to make the bill stronger and more effective.

On Thursday, the Senate voted unanimously to approve legislation filed by Senator Eileen Donohue (D- Lowell) and co-sponsored by Tarr to assist business making products in Massachusetts. The so-called “MassMade” bill, S178, generally charges the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) with developing tools that can help the state’s manufactures and others.

Tarr amended the bill in two ways:
• First, to expressly include those producing food and beverage products (such as those in the fishing industry, farming, and brewing and bottling) in the scope of those targeted in the bill, • Second, to direct the MOBD to examine the feasibility of developing a web-based platform to facilitate the exchange of information between Massachusetts business about their products and services, as a means to develop a trade network between them.

“Companies making products in our state are a tremendous asset and we need to support them as much as possible,” said Tarr. He added, “In moving forward with this important initiative, we must include the many businesses that are responding to strong demand for locally grown and harvested fish, produce.”

Tarr went on to say that “by making an electronic platform for these local business to talk to each other, we can create a virtual marketplace for trade between them that maximizes sustainability and capture growth potential.”

The legislation requires the MOBD to establish the MassMade program to promote business that are headquartered and produce consumer products. The program would feature a website offering an online directory, freely accessible to business and the public. The website will provide business information, product descriptions, contact information, and website details; and as a resource for consumers by offering search capabilities for consumer products based on criteria including product type, retailers, business locations, and product price.

Senate bill 178, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. ###

MBTA ADVISING COMMUTER RAIL CUSTOMERS TO PLAN AHEAD FOR MONDAY’S COMMUTE

Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Newburyport/Rockport Line customers should allow for extra time

The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services are advising customers to plan ahead and allow for an extra 15-20 minutes for Monday’s commute, particular within coastal areas along the Greenbush, Rockport/Newburyport, and Kingston/Plymouth Commuter Rail corridors.

Following this weekend’s storm surge, MBTA and Keolis have been working make system repairs, and to clear downed limbs and debris from parking lots, station platforms, and pedestrian walkways throughout the MBTA system.

While the MBTA is expecting to return to full scheduled service Monday morning, including ferry service, it is advising customers along the Greenbush, Rockport/Newburyport, and Kingston/Plymouth Commuter Rail lines to give themselves extra time.

The heavy rain, tidal flooding, and debris associated with the recent storm have caused challenges for vehicular traffic along roadways principally in coastal areas. As well, power outages and damage caused to rail infrastructure will require the Greenbush, Kingston, and Newburyport /Rockport Lines to operate on secondary power sources until the power grid is restored to full strength.

“While we are expecting to run full service on both the MBTA and the Commuter Rail systems, ongoing storm cleanup efforts may still hinder some people’s ability to travel,” said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez. “Because efforts to bounce back from the storm are still underway, we urge our customers to allow for extra time to reach stations, and to be mindful that storm restoration efforts may affect regularly scheduled service, especially in areas that were hit the hardest by the storm.”

Throughout the weekend, Keolis and MBTA crews worked around the clock to clear flood water, repair damaged infrastructure, and re-inspect the network following the severe storm that brought tidal surges over three high tides, 2-5 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 85 mph in certain locations.

Since the storm, Keolis and MBTA teams have been working to clear flood water, provide power where it was lost and repair critical infrastructure. Included below are highlights of the necessary work completed to help deliver a normal schedule for Monday.

· Eight train sets, which represents approximately 12 percent of the total fleet, were damaged during the storm from downed trees and other incidents. These 8 sets were repaired this weekend.

· Dozens of downed trees and branches landed on commuter rail tracks. All of these have been cleared and tracks in these sections have been re-inspected.

· Several sections of track were flooded, especially along coastal areas. Teams operated pumps and repaired or restored damaged infrastructure. There are no flooded areas on commuter rail tracks, and gates, signals and switches are operating with some operating on generator power still.

· 50 generators were deployed to provide power where it was lost. In several South Shore communities power remains out, and generators are powering critical infrastructure to ensure safe operation.

· Receding tides along coastal areas washed out sections of rail, specifically the ballast underneath the rail. Approximately 100 tons of stone ballast was delivered to these areas and infrastructure was re-built this weekend.

· Approximately 25 crossing gates were damaged and have been repaired. As teams finish repair work resulting from the severe storm on March 2, Keolis and MBTA teams are already tracking, monitoring and planning for a similar weather event expected on Wednesday.

Customers are encouraged to check schedules for any service-related updates. The MBTA and Keolis will provide updates via Twitter: @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, MBTA.com, T-Alerts, station signage, and onboard announcements. Customers who see or experience issues on the MBTA or Commuter Rail systems can also notify the T at 617-222-3200.

Updates on MBTA Commuter Rail and Ferry Service

BOSTON – The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services are advising customers of cancellations on the Newburyport/Rockport line due to today’s storm surge.

Trains 120, 193, 194, 171, 176, 128, 129, 182, and 183 are canceled this evening to alleviate train traffic. Because of earlier astronomical high tides and heavy periods of rain, trains are operating at reduced speeds through several segments of track that were affected by water inundation.

Because of flooding expected with the arrival of tonight’s high tide, the last two inbound and two outbound trains – 128, 129, 182, and 183 – are being canceled to protect scheduled service for Saturday on the Newburyport/Rockport Line.

Charlestown ferry service will continue to be suspended tomorrow.

Due to anticipated flooding at high tide, the MBTA is preparing to replace Blue Line trains with bus shuttles between Orient Heights and Beachmont Stations after 11 p.m. if necessary. The MBTA will provide updates @MBTA on Twitter, at mbta.com, and through T-Alerts.

Based on the weather forecast, the MBTA is expecting conditions on surface streets to be such that the T will not be able to safely provide alternative bus shuttle service to replace trains 128, 129, 182, and 183.

The MBTA apologies for this inconvenience caused by the cancellation of these trains.

Passengers are encouraged to check schedules for any service-related updates. Keolis will provide these updates via Twitter at @MBTA_CR, MBTA.com, T-Alerts, station signage, and onboard announcements. Area residents who see or experience issues on the network or at commuter rail stations can report these to Keolis at 617-222-3200.

Senator Tarr and President Chandler Call On Congressional Leaders To Secure Public Safety Solutions Senate Lawmakers Call On Congressional Leaders To Secure Public Safety Solutions

This afternoon I distributed this press release.

Boston– The Republican and Democrat leaders of the State Senate today called on Congressional leaders of both parties to pursue legislative solutions that could reduce gun violence in the nation. In a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester) and Senate President Harriette Chandler (D – Worcester) urged federal lawmakers to work collaboratively.

“We urge you to consider and adopt the types of very practical and reasonable provisions that we have legislated to protect our residents. Meaningful and strict background checks, a ban on “bump stocks” and “trigger cranks,” and rejecting so-called “concealed carry reciprocity” legislation that would undermine our state’s licensing system would be a good start,” Chandler and Tarr wrote.

Acknowledging that reaching bipartisan consensus on federal legislation will be challenging, the pair declared that not only is addressing the impact of gun violence necessary doing so was possible if partisan politics yielded to “common ground” protections.

“A foundation of our government is preserving order and keeping the public safe from those who would cause harm; legislative leadership requires attention to constituents’ needs, vigilance and the willingness to work together, regardless of party affiliation, to solve problems while preserving civil constitutional and civil order,” said Senator Tarr.

"The Massachusetts Senate has committed itself to pursuing smart and sensible gun control policy," said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “Our laws and regulations have been successful in keeping our constituents safe, and I hope that our colleagues in Washington can follow the example that the Commonwealth has set.”

The state Senate leaders extended an offer to discuss the Massachusetts model of bipartisanship and the success our state has had in securing the ranking of the safest state from gun violence in the nation.

Tarr and Chandler also cautioned against federal changes that could bypass safeguards adopted in our state that would allow any other state from issuing a concealed carry permit that would be automatically valid in Massachusetts.

Letter to Congressional Leaders From MA Senate by Anonymous M4LzV2 on Scribd

Storm Watch

Here are a few photos I took while out with the Newbury Police Department in the amphibious vehicle. North Shore area high tides expected to rise again shortly before midnight.

FRIDAY’S STORM CONDITIONS LIKELY TO HAVE SERVICE IMPACTS ON MBTA

BOSTON -- Friday’s forecast calls for a severe coastal storm, which will include sustained gale force winds, heavy rain, and astronomically high tides. Conditions are such that they are expected to cause flooding, which may also be accompanied by late-day ice and snow conditions.
Based on the current forecast, the MBTA is planning for significant impacts to the Rockport/Newburyport and Haverhill commuter rail lines as well as the Blue Line.

 Given the high likelihood of interruptions to regular service, the MBTA will implement alternate transportation modes to replace services vulnerable to coastal storm surges. For customers using these services to commute to places of employment, please consider the possibility of significant delays or cancellations for the afternoon commute home on Friday. Please be informed and monitor www.mbta.com, @mbta and @mbta_cr on Twitter, MBTA alerts, as well as broadcast media.