Happy Thanksgiving to You

May we all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

We have frequently been reminded that we would do well to set aside this special day to reflect on the blessings in our lives and to give thanks. As we do so, it is important to also keep in mind that many brave men and women will be away from their families and unable to share time with loved ones. As we gather at tables to serve ourselves, these courageous people will be on duty here and around the world serving us all. I am thankful for them, their sacrifices, and the sacrifices of those who served before them to keep us safe and our American values preserved.

Making our roads safer

This afternoon I joined with legislative colleagues, the families of victims, survivors, administration officials, law enforcement officials, Lieutenant Governor Polito, and Governor Baker, as the Governor signed H.4203, "An Act Requiring the Hands-Free Use of Mobile Telephones while Driving." The bill is the product of years of effort and advocacy, and is designed to make our roadways safer.
You can read the full text of the new law at https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4203.

Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project Update

Project Advisory: Upcoming Route 1 Lane Shifts
• Beginning on Sunday, November 24, roadway configuration changes and overnight lane shifts will take place on the Tobin Bridge and through the Chelsea Curves. These changes will run for the next 2 to 3 weeks.
• 2 travel lanes will continue to be open in each direction on Route 1 during peak travel periods.
• Drivers should take care to pay attention to all signage and move carefully through the work zone.

Hammond Castle Museum Happenings

For the first time in over a decade, Hammond Castle Museum will be open to celebrate with the #Gloucester community this holiday season! Their holiday programs include a craft fair with local and regional vendors, a performance by the Gloucester High School Theatre Program, musical performances including 2 nights of concerts with local singer and songwriter, Chelsea Berry, and their premier event: Santa Arrives at Hammond Castle.

Over the course of two days, they will host 140 children at the Museum for a free Christmas program featuring Santa, Mrs. Clause, Elves and special guest, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. During the Sunday, December 15th event, they will host 60 children and their parents from the Cape Ann YMCA and from Pathways for Children programs. At the Sunday, December 13th program they will welcome 80 children from the greater Gloucester community.

Each child will be given a new, wrapped gift from Santa, enjoy snacks, crafts and sing-alongs with Santa’s Elves, played by members of the Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties. The programs will conclude with Mayor Theken reading “Twas The Night Before Christmas.” These programs are generously sponsored in part by Cape Ann Savings Bank with contributions by Market Basket and Schylling Inc.

Other events include: Meet The Artist Night: Marion Rayner, December 2nd
Marion Rayner is an experienced watercolor artist who’s inspiration comes from the natural beauty that surrounds Cape Ann. She is particularly fond of the landscapes, seascapes and scenes around her home. The opening reception will be from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and Rayner’s show will be available in our Museum Shop through the month of December. Opening reception tickets are free and may be reserved at: https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/meetthenartistmarionrayner/

Deck The Halls December 7th to the 20th
The museum invited local community groups to sponsor a room, deck its halls and trim the tree. Guests can vote for their favorite rooms and a winner will be crowned at the end of the season. The museum will be open for self guided tours daily from Saturday, December 7th through Friday, December 20th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Last tickets will be sold at 2:30 pm. Ticket are: $15 Adults, $12 Seniors and $10 Children. *Please note exceptions: On December 14th - all tickets will be $20 as we will be hosting Myschyffe Managed which will perform renaissance madrigals and more throughout the day. THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH FOR A SPECIAL EVENT.

Holiday Craft Fair with Local Vendors, Saturday, December 7th
What better way to do all your holiday shopping than in a seaside castle offering local crafts? On December 7th, from 10 am to 2 pm, they will be hosting a craft fair in the Great Hall. On hand will be local artisans, sourced from local farmers markets and well-loved local businesses. Ticket are: $15 Adults, $12 Seniors and $10 Children. Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/hammond-castle-museum-holiday-craft-fair/

Gloucester High School Theatre Program: A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Sunday, December 8th
The museum welcomes the Gloucester High School Theater Program’s holiday performance of “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” Based on the classic holiday movie with a clever twist thrown in, the story is staged as a live radio broadcast. Actors portray numerous characters, and sound effects are done through Foley tricks. There will also be a special presentation about Hammond's work on radio technology and his original radio patents will be available for the students to learn more about the invention process. Priced to accommodate families, student and child tickets are $5 and adult tickets are $10. Proceeds from this event will support both non-profits! https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/ghs-theatre-program-holiday-performance/

Senate Sends Flavored Nicotine Ban Bill to Governor

The House and Senate agreed to final version of the bill in this, our final formal session for the year, which contained three amendments which I authored. One, called Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention, will set funds aside to be used for the state's program of reducing the health and economic burden of tobacco use.

Specifically, the amendment requires money collected from fines from this act to be used by the Department of Public Health's Tobacco and Prevention Program. This is a statewide public health program focused on tobacco and nicotine use reduction. It helps nicotine users to quit, and protects children and adults from secondhand smoke. Currently the program is supported by both state and federal funds. These funds also are directed to municipal boards of health to support enactment and enforcement of local tobacco regulations and regional Tobacco-Free Community Partnership work.

Northeast Coastal Coalition Meeting to Discuss Flood Hazards Friday

BOSTON- On Friday, November 22nd, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and members of the Northeast Coastal Coalition will convene at Essex Town Hall to discuss flood hazards and flood insurance.

Two guest speakers have been invited to make presentations, Joy Duperault, Director of Flood Hazard Management Program for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Joe Rossi, Chair and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Coastal Coalition, a nationally recognized non-profit organization working to educate, advocate, and inform professionals and stakeholders regionally and nationally, on flood hazards.

Where: Essex Town Hall
Third Floor Auditorium
Essex, Massachusetts

When: Friday, November 22nd 2019
10 AM to 12 PM

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE ADOPTS STUDENT OPPORTUNITY ACT

BOSTON - Today, the Massachusetts Senate gave legislative approval to a landmark bill that will rework the state's school funding formula for the state’s public school systems. The bill, the Student Opportunity Act, implements many of the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission and it devotes $1.5 billion in new funding for schools. Senators gave unanimous support with 39 members voting in favor.

 “The Student Opportunity Act represents not moths of analysis and debate but rather years of strong collaboration from Republican and Democrat lawmakers working together to achieve a workable solution that represents a benefit to every school child in every school district in the Commonwealth,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester). “High quality public education is a cornerstone of our state’s history and it remains a key to our success.

The bill makes several changes to the existing funding formula, known as Chapter 70, to reflect adequate and equitable funding and policy enhancements in four key areas including:
• Special education enrollment,
• School districts’ employee and retiree health care costs,
• Increases funding for English learners,
• The needs of districts educating high concentrations of students from low-income households.

The final version of the bill incorporates changes long advocated for by Senator Tarr that were components of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. He also worked to make adjustments to the state’s School Building Assistance Authority funding procedures.

“I want to thank the Minority Leader, Bruce Tarr, who has been working on these issues for many years has been a champion for fixing the formula and was instrumental in the Foundation Budget Review Commission and the work we have done since then to make sure this has been a bipartisan effort,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education during floor debate. “The process to develop this bill was deeply rooted in collaboration: across legislative chambers and political ideologies, and with the perspectives of stakeholders from across Massachusetts."

The legislation now moves to the desk of Governor Charlie Baker for his consideration.