Celebration of the grand opening of Café Sarina at Nunan Florist & Greenhouses Inc. in Georgetown

The start of a new venture is exciting and best celebrated with a party. I was delighted to help Steve Flynn and his family, friends and staff as they expand the family business to include a locally sourced, farm-to-table café and restaurant. Named Café Sarina to honor Steve’s granddaughter, Sarina Flynn who born with Downs Syndrome, the cafe features breakfast, coffee, weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner. I wish them much success and many happy customers.

Also at the location is their Garden Golf center and Kallie’s Kones ice cream shop, Helping us celebrate - Representative Lenny Mirra, Selectman Joseph Bonavita and Selectman Doug Dawes.

 

 

National Night Out In Wilmington

I had the opportunity to once again participate in Wilmington’s National Night Out at Rotary Park for a community-building event that promoted police and community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods more caring places to be.

Located across the street from the Wilmington Public Safety Building, the event featured games for children, police and fire vehicle displays, equipment displays, demonstrations, good food, and more. Importantly, people had the opportunity to collect information regarding crime prevention.

There were representatives not only from the Wilmington Police Department, but also from local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies talking with members of the community and explaining their agency’s role.

Congratulations Wilmington for a great success. Your volunteers and hard work made Rotary Park bustle with energy.

A Special Recognition for US Navy Veteran Douglas Bryant

Middleton resident Douglas Bryant was the guest of honor recently at the Newburyport Veterans Luncheon where Mary Ann Nay, my Community Outreach Specialist, presented him with a Senate citation, jointly with State Senator Diana DiZoglio, in recognition of his dedication and service to our Commonwealth and nation.

Mr. Bryant, now 93 years old, enlisted in US Navy at the age of 17 and went on to serve in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. He retired from the service in 1967 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

The event, a luncheon for 200 military veterans at the annual Yankee Homecoming Veterans Luncheon, also featured remarks from U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Mark A. Milley.

Mr. Bryant recently authored a book about his experiences, “The Navy Gave Me Shoes”, which describes his training in the Navy Submarine Service. Still a teenager, he first entered the Sea of Japan in 1944. His work was vital and dangerous - one in five submariners did not survive World War II.

Among those attending the event were Senator Diana DiZoglio, Representative James Kelcourse, Representative Lenny Mirra and Newburyport’s Mayor Donna Holaday,

TARR, ROBERTSON AND GORDON SECURE SUPPORT FOR BUZZELL SENIOR CENTER IN STATE BUDGET

Boston– Wilmington’s legislative delegation, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, Representative David Robertson, and Representative Ken Gordon, succeeded in securing $30,000 in the new state Fiscal Year 2020 budget for necessary repairs and renovations at Wilmington’s Buzzell Senior Center.

 “Every time I have come through the doors of the Buzzell Center I’ve found it to be a welcoming and vital place full of active and engaged citizens, volunteers and supportive staff – what they do here makes this place worth fighting for,” said Senator Tarr. “I want to help Terri so that she can keep the center going strong in order that others will always feel as welcome as I do.”

“It was a pleasure working with Senator Tarr on behalf of Wilmington. The Senate and the House have shown an investment in public education by increasing state aide to our schools, which also helps slow the rate of growth of our property taxes, as well as increased the funding for roads and bridges. I especially enjoyed working to help secure funding for improvements to the Buzzell Senior Center kitchen and other facilities, which is not just a special place for our seniors but the entire town,” said Representative David Robertson (D –Tewksbury) “It’s always been a well-used facility and these improvements will go a long way.”

The center, located across from the Wilmington High School at 15 School Street, was the subject of two state budget amendments.

“How extremely fortunate that we have the support of Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Robertson to offer these amendments to help us with our work,” said Terri Marciello, Director of Elderly Services. “They know how important our senior center is to the community and they have supported Wilmington’s seniors in many forms.”

Representative David Robertson filed, with the support of Representative Ken Gordon (D – Bedford), budget language that would provide $20,000 for the center. The appropriation request was adopted by the House in May.

Senator Tarr authored an amendment, which gained to popular support in the Senate, to raise the funding level for the Wilmington center to $30,000. The Tarr amendment was adopted.

Tarr, as Senate Minority Leader, selected one of the six committee members who worked to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the $43.1 billion budget. They reached consensus recently on a compromise spending plan for the new fiscal year that began on July 1.

Tarr, Robertson and Gordon wrote to the conferees in June urging the panel to include in the final Conference Committee report the Senate’s higher amount.

Seafood Festival Sunday

If you plan on attending the Boston Seafood Festival on Sunday, August 4th, at the Boston Fishing Pier, keep a look out for the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association. They’re a highly regarded non-profit organization and they will be there to promote the fishing industry and the men and women who produce a nutritious food source that supplies the world. Did you know that Gloucester is the oldest fishing port in the country? It’s true.

The festival is hosted by Boston Fisheries Foundation and showcases a number of seafood vendors. There will be food trucks, ice cream, live music, a shucking contest, many chef demonstrations and lots of seafood.

For more information about the Festival held in Boston you can visit the website https://www.bostonseafoodfestival.org

TARR, NGUYEN AND MIRRA CHAMPION BUDGET PROVISION FOR BOXFORD FIREFIGHTERS

$50,000 Measure Funds Personal Protective Equipment 

Boston- Firefighters in Boxford will be receiving state funding for the protective clothing they wear, known as “turnout gear,” as a result of amendments added to the state’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget Boxford’s state legislative delegation. Those amendments came as a result of joint efforts by state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) in the Senate, State Representative Tram T Nguyen (D- Andover) and Representative Lenny Mirra(R- West Newbury) in the House.

Boxford’s state legislative delegation successfully championed amendments to both the House and Senate budgets, and as a result, $50,000 will be made available for the purchase of units of protective gear necessary for Boxford’s full-time and on call firefighters to respond to emergencies.

“This particular initiative is intended to protect Boxford’s firefighters who regularly put themselves in harm’s way in order to save lives and protect property. Turnout gear is one of the most important things that can protect them from serious harm,” said Senator Tarr. “That’s why it’s important for the state to partner with towns like Boxford to meet the costs of purchasing gear that can cost as much as $12,000 for each set.”

“Our first responders serve the community in many incredible ways, which is why I am proud to have worked with the state delegation to obtain $50,000 in local earmarks for Boxford’s Fire Department,” said Representative Nguyen. “With this money, our firefighters will be able to purchase turnout gear necessary to combat fires and save lives. We are very thankful for their dedication to public service and know that this funding will benefit the entire town!”

"The safety of our firefighters is of utmost importance to all of us, so I'm happy and proud to have worked with Representative Nguyen and Senator Tarr in securing these funds for their turnout gear,” said Representative Mirra. “We want our safety personnel to return safely to their families every time they're called out to help us."

A growing body of research indicates that turnout gear must be cleaned after each use in a fire scene, in order to address properly the exposure to toxins and contaminants that can pose serious health risks to the wearer. In order to achieve this, and maintain necessary readiness status, departments most often must purchase and maintain two sets of gear for each firefighter. That, in turn, translates into a major expense because the cost of one set of gear can be as much as $12,500.

Ironically, flame retardant fabrics and materials such as carpeting and furniture, while treated chemically to slow flames, burns hotter and off gasses chemicals which are cancer-causing when ignited. Access to a second set of personal protective equipment is rapidly being seen as imperative.

Firefighter Turnout Gear Funded

I met today with Gloucester Fire Department's Chief, Eric Smith and WBZ News Radio's Kendall Buhl to discuss the firefighter protection funding plan that I authored and secured in the state budget. The plan directs the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to provide $500,000 for the purchase of firefighter turnout gear.

Firefighters regularly put themselves in harm’s way in order to save lives and protect property and  turnout gear is one of the most important things that protects them from serious harm. That’s why we need to support local departments in making sure that their members have enough gear, and that it’s in good condition.

Working with Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, I was able to secure a separate turnout gear grant of $50,000 specifically for Gloucester firefighters.

The protective gear, known as personal protective equipment, is made of fire resistant materials, typically a blend of artificial fibers such as Kevlar. These articles are designed to prevent serious harm when firefighters come into contact with chemicals, electricity, fire or other dangers.

A growing body of research indicates that turnout gear must be cleaned after each use in a fire scene, in order to address properly the exposure to toxins and contaminants that can pose serious health risks to the wearer. In order to achieve this, and maintain necessary readiness status, departments most often must purchase and maintain two sets of gear for each firefighter. That, in turn, translates into a major expense for municipalities.

Ironically, flame retardant fabrics and materials such as carpeting and furniture, while treated chemically to slow flames, burns hotter and off gasses chemicals which are cancer-causing when ignited. Access to a second set of personal protective equipment is rapidly being seen as imperative.