38° and Clear
Image
At Wednesday Town Council meeting, the Franklin Chapter of the Elks Riders donated $1,000 to the Veteran’s Gift Fund. Veterans Agent Shannon Nisbett (on the right) explained how important the fund is for helping veterans in need.
FRANKLIN WEEK AHEAD
Monday, Dec. 5
Planning Board Executive Session
6:30pm
7:00pm
Library Board of Directors Meeting
7:00pm
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Community Preservation Committee Meeting
7:00pm
7:30pm
Wednesday, Dec. 7.
10:00am
5:00pm to 6:00pm
6:30pm
Friends of Franklin Library Meeting
7:00pm
Thursday, Dec. 8
School Committe Space Needs Sub Committee agenda
5:30pm
Cultural District Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School Board of Trustees agenda
7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Voters in November selected the state's leaders, but many leadership decisions still remain, and some of those will come down in December. The Legislature will pick its leaders in about a month, right after the House and Senate gavel in a new session on Wednesday, Jan. 4. Massachusetts is not one of those states where legislators openly compete for leadership posts. Instead, power, once attained through back-channel talks, largely stays with legislative leaders until they decide to give it up. House Speaker Ron Mariano of Quincy and Senate President Karen Spilka of Ashland are expected to remain in their posts, as are House Minority Leader Brad Jones of North Reading and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr of Gloucester. The Republican Party is at another one of its low points in Massachusetts, and leadership elections that are slowly unfolding will determine whether the GOP tries something different or sticks with party chair Jim Lyons. His unwavering support for Donald Trump has coincided with Republicans being shut out of statewide offices and absorbing more losses within their thin ranks in the state Legislature. If she holds to the schedules of previous governors, Gov.-elect Maura Healey is also expected in the coming days to name some of the top staffers and Cabinet secretaries who will help her lead the executive branch. Tuesday will mark four weeks since her election and while Healey has named transition team leaders, she has yet to fill top jobs on her governing team. The weeks ahead are also critical for anything with two of the Legislature's favorite deadlines -- Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. For instance, the law's scheduled boost in the minimum wage -- to $15 an hour -- takes effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
Judicial Nominations
Entering into his final full month, Gov. Charlie Baker still has the chance to fill open court posts, including one more clerk magistrate job. The Governor's Council has five confirmation hearings scheduled for Wednesday, in addition to its weekly meeting. A Boston radio host floated a rumor Thursday that a sitting Governor's Council member could be in line for one of them. "Hearing Governor's Councilor Bob Jubinville is grabbing vacant clerkship at Framingham District Ct.," talk show personality Howie Carr tweeted Thursday afternoon. The job in question has been vacant for more than two years, but was not included in the list of vacancies published this summer by the governor's nominating commission. The post opened up in 2020 with the death of the last clerk, Clerk Magistrate John DeLuca, according to a court spokeswoman. Jubinville, 76, is a practicing criminal defense lawyer, former state trooper, and Army veteran. He did not return messages from the News Service Thursday. He was first elected in 2012 to the Governor's Council, which has final approval power over the governor's nominees for judgeships, magistrate postings, and other quasi-judicial roles, and he was reelected this fall to a new term set to begin in January. A Milton Democrat, Jubinville often questions judicial nominees about issues related to substance addiction, and in 2015 he encouraged top lawmakers and the Baker administration to consider decriminalizing heroin. Councilors have cooled off a bit since their raucous debates of 2017, which included a spat between Jubinville and Councilor Joseph Ferreira in which Jubinville called his colleague a "bootlicker" and "rubber stamp." Baker this year nominated Jubinville's daughter, Sarah Jubinville, for a District Court judgeship and she was unanimously confirmed by the council. There's still one opening on the District Court bench that Baker could fill over the next month. District Court Judge Thomas Barrett, who has recently sat in the Nantucket courthouse, is expected to retire Dec. 15. Baker usually issues his nominations on Wednesdays, the day the council meets. - Sam Doran
Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022
MASS. BUSINESS: On "Keller At Large," Jon Keller talks with Babson College management professor Peter Cohan about the local "green economy," tech industry job cuts, and the departure of General Electric from its Fort Point headquarters. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
"ON THE RECORD" | U.S. Sen. Warren is the guest on WCVB's "On The Record" program this week. Janet Wu and Sharman Sacchetti host, and a roundtable will feature Democratic political analyst Mary Anne Marsh and Republican analyst Rob Gray. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
BERKSHIRE VIGIL OF REMEMBRANCE: Berkshire County District Attorney Harrington's office hosts an annual Vigil of Remembrance in honor of victims of fatal impaired driving collisions. DA Harrington, Director of Victim Assistance Lisa McCue, and advocate Jason Pilot will speak. (Sunday, 3 p.m., St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Pittsfield)
Monday, Dec. 5, 2022
GEORGETOWN RECOUNT: Georgetown Board of Registrars holds a public recount of ballots in the race for state representative in the Second Essex District. Secretary of State Galvin, who ordered the recount, said incumbent Republican Rep. Leonard Mirra led Democrat Kristin Kassner by 10 votes out of 23,509 cast in the certified results. (Monday, 8 a.m., Perley School Gymnasium, 51 North St., Georgetown | More Info)
TOWNSEND RECOUNT: Townsend Board of Registrars holds a public recount of ballots in the race for state representative in the First Middlesex District. Secretary of State Galvin, who ordered the recount, said Democrat Margaret Scarsdale led Republican Andrew Shepherd by 17 votes out of nearly 20,000 cast in the certified results. (Monday, 9 a.m., Memorial Hall, 272 Main St. | More Info)
SPORTS BETTING PUBLIC HEARING: Mass. Gaming Commission holds a hearing to allow members of the public to weigh in on the three applications for in-person sports betting that commissioners will review in depth -- and potentially approve -- during meetings later in the week. The so-called Category 1 applications came from the only three entities currently eligible for that level of betting license, which allows for in-person betting and up to two online partnerships: Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor in Everett. (Monday, 10 a.m., More Info and Access)
HOUSE SESSION: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT: The Disability Employment Subcommittee of the permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities holds a virtual hearing on initiatives that increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in private employment and in state government. (Monday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Access Info)
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT TRUST: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg chairs a remote meeting of the Economic Empowerment Trust board. For access info, call 617-367-9333 ext. 613. (Monday, 1 p.m.)
BOSTON MIGRANT HEARING: Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune holds a hearing to address the increase in the number of migrant families and individuals coming into Boston. Panelists speaking include representatives from Lawyers for Civil Rights, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Immigrant Family Services Institute, Mutual Aid Eastie, Centro Presente, Brazilian Women's Group, and the TPS Committee. Gov. Baker filed a spending bill in November that would fund over 1,300 temporary shelter units and cover the costs of shelter provider rate increases, a temporary central intake center and placing new students in local schools. The matter sits in the House Ways and Means Committee. Louijeune is chair of the council's Civil Rights and Immigrant Advancement Committee. (Monday, 2 p.m., Iannella Council Chamber, 5th Floor, 1 City Hall Square, Boston)
HIGHER ED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Board of Higher Education Executive Committee meets, with an agenda that includes a strategic review of public higher education finance, approval of strategic plans for Berkshire Community College and North Shore Community College, and approval of new degrees in the sciences for Berkshire Community College and Bridgewater State University. (Monday, 2:30 p.m. | Agenda and Access Info)
MUNICIPALITIES TESTIMONY: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government accepts written testimony on home rule petitions from Lynnfield and Lowell. Legislation to be considered includes a Rep. Jones bill providing for alternate members of the conservation commission of the town of Lynnfield (H 5400) and a Rep. Mom bill relative to the Lowell Civic Stadium Commission and Edward A. LeLacheur Park. (Monday, Testimony Deadline 5 p.m. | More Info)
SPILKA IN CALIFORNIA: Senate President Spilka is in California through Wednesday attending the National Conference of State Legislatures' "Forecast '23" meeting. Conference starts on Monday at 3 p.m. Pacific with an opening general session "about a mental training technique that provides a new map for your mind so that you can make decisions from a place of strength instead of stress." The de-stress session is followed by a 4:30 p.m. talk by Beacon Economics founder Christopher Thornberg about whether there's "really a risk of an imminent recession" or if "the true risks lurk further down the road." Spilka is set to speak on a panel discussion Tuesday morning. She left Massachusetts Dec. 2 to visit family members before the conference began, according to her office. (Monday, Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, 910 Broadway Cir., San Diego, Calif.)
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022
HAMILTON RECOUNT: Hamilton Board of Registrars holds a public recount of ballots in the race for state representative in the Second Essex District. Secretary of State Galvin, who ordered the recount, said incumbent Republican Rep. Leonard Mirra led Democrat Kristin Kassner by 10 votes out of 23,509 cast in the certified results. (Tuesday, 7 a.m., Hamilton-Wenham Recreation Center Gymnasium, 16 Union St., Hamilton | More Info)
SPILKA SPEAKS AT NCSL: Senate President Spilka participates in a panel discussion entitled "The Legislative Forecast: Hot, Hot, Hot!" at National Conference of State Legislatures meeting in California. Spilka is joined on the panel by Washington House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma). Along with NCSL CEO Tim Storey, the lawmakers are scheduled to "offer an insightful look at major issues state legislatures are likely to face in the 2023 session." Conference runs Monday through Wednesday, when Spilka plans to return to Massachusetts. (Tuesday, 7:45 a.m. Pacific, Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, Level 2, California Ballroom AB, 910 Broadway Cir., San Diego, Calif.)
NEWBURY RECOUNT: Newbury officials hold a public recount of ballots in the race for state representative in the Second Essex District. Secretary of State Galvin, who ordered the recount, said incumbent Republican Rep. Leonard Mirra led Democrat Kristin Kassner by 10 votes out of 23,509 cast in the certified results. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Newbury Town Hall, Second Floor Hearing Room, 12 Kent Way, Newbury | More Info)
PLAINRIDGE BETTING APPLICATION: Mass. Gaming Commission will review and potentially vote on the application for a sports betting license from Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville. The applicant will have about an hour to make a presentation and then commissioners will dive into questions for the applicants and commission staff members. There will also be presentations about the applicant's suitability to hold a gaming license in Massachusetts, its financial and economic impact, and the application's technical components. The agenda calls for commissioners to deliberate in a private executive session and then return to the public meeting, potentially to vote on whether to award the license. Though the agenda contemplates a vote, the commission is not bound by that. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
ROAD SAFETY REPORT: Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety releases the 20th edition of its annual report detailing traffic safety countermeasures and ways to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths, called the 2023 Roadmap to Safety. In 2021, traffic deaths in the U.S. spiked to a 16-year high of nearly 43,000 and preliminary 2022 data reveal that fatalities continue to rise, the advocacy group says. The 2023 roadmap will rate each state and Washington DC based on progress toward enacting traffic safety measures, and identify places where state legislatures could close gaps in laws to address drunk driving, distracted driving, teen driving, seat belt and child safety seat use, motorcycle helmet use and automated speed enforcement. Safety advocates, crash victims' loved ones, law enforcement, and representatives from the medical and insurance fields will present the 2023 report at an in-person news conference in Washington, DC, that will also be livestreamed. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Top of the Hill Minuteman Ballroom, Reserve Officers Association Building, 1 Constitution Ave., NE, Washington, DC | Livestream)
SALVATION ARMY MASS. LUNCHEON: Salvation Army Massachusetts Division hosts its annual holiday luncheon, where the group plans to honor New England Patriots Foundation President Josh Kraft with its 2022 Others Award. Boston 25 News morning anchor Elizabeth Hopkins will emcee. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Mandarin Oriental, 776 Boylston St., Boston)
BOSTON COVID RECOVERY: Boston City Council's Committee on Boston's COVID-19 Recovery holds a hearing regarding grants provided by the Boston infrastructure law for COVID recovery. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Iannella Council Chamber, 5th Floor, 1 City Hall Square, Boston | Livestream)
SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education sponsors a school mental health presentation by the Thriving Minds, an initiative to build comprehensive school mental health systems. The virtual presentation to school mental health practitioners and interested educators and administrators focuses on "Planning and Using Tier 3 Interventions." Tier 3 interventions are considered the most intensive interventions that only a small number of students will ever need. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. | Zoom)
TAX EXEMPTION TESTIMONY: The Joint Committee on Revenue accepts written testimony on home rule petitions from Westborough and Reading. Legislation to be considered includes a Rep. Kane bill authorizing the Westborough Board of Assessors to approve additional tax exemptions of qualifying senior residents (H 5391) and a Rep. Jones bill authorizing the town of Reading to establish a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption. (Tuesday, Testimony Deadline 5 p.m. | More Info)
FREDA JOHNSON AWARD: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg is presented with the Freda Johnson Award for Trailblazing Women in Public Finance at the Bond Buyer Deal of the Year Awards Gala. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Guastavino's, 409 E. 59th Street, New York, NY)
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022
HIGH TECH COUNCIL BOARD: Mass. High Technology Council's Board of Directors holds its final meeting of 2022 to "discuss key items and initiatives from this year and our priorities for 2023." (Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., Putnam Investments, 100 Federal St., Boston)
IPSWICH RECOUNT: Ipswich Board of Registrars holds a public recount of ballots in the race for state representative in the Second Essex District. Secretary of State Galvin, who ordered the recount, said incumbent Republican Rep. Leonard Mirra led Democrat Kristin Kassner by 10 votes out of 23,509 cast in the certified results. (Wednesday, 8:45 a.m., Town Hall Gym, 25 Green St., Ipswich | More Info)
DUNSTABLE RECOUNT: Dunstable Board of Registrars holds a public recount of ballots in the race for state representative in the First Middlesex District. Secretary of State Galvin, who ordered the recount, said Democrat Margaret Scarsdale led Republican Andrew Shepherd by 17 votes out of nearly 20,000 cast in the certified results. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Dunstable Town Hall, Lower Level - Grange Room, 511 Main St., Dunstable | More Info)
RATING AGENCY ROADTRIP: Gov. Charlie Baker travels to New York City to join Treasurer Deborah Goldberg on a visit to at least one of the major credit rating agencies. In June 2017, S&P lowered its rating for Massachusetts bonds to AA from AA+, largely due to the state diverting money from its stabilization fund while the economy was growing. In the years since, buoyed by a strong stock market and surplus state revenues, Massachusetts financial managers have socked away billions of dollars into the rainy day fund and boosted it to an all-time high. In June 2016 and April 2019, Baker and Goldberg made a similar trip to tell the rating agencies directly a story of improved financial management. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Hotel 48 LEX, 517 Lexington Ave., New York, NY)
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce hosts chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor Joelle Gamble as part of its economic outlook series. Speakers will discuss record-high inflation, supply-chain issues and high energy costs. In addition to Gamble, the chamber will host Grace Lee, eastern Massachusetts regional president and group lead of New England Government Banking at M&T Bank, E. LaBrent Chrite, president of Bentley University, and Steve Woerner, president of National Grid New England. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., InterContinental Boston, 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston)
MASSDEVELOPMENT MEETING: The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency meets. Agenda items include final approval for bond requests, including projects from the Boston Medical Center Corporation, the Trustees of Hampshire College, United Way of Tri-County, Inc., Cooperative Production, Inc. and Carlson Crossing West LLC, as well as items related to lending and property acquisition. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, 99 High St., 11th Floor, Board Room, Boston)
MGM BETTING APPLICATION: Mass. Gaming Commission will review and potentially vote on the application for a sports betting license from MGM Springfield. The applicant will have about an hour to make a presentation and then commissioners will dive into questions for the applicants and commission staff members. There will also be presentations about the applicant's suitability to hold a gaming license in Massachusetts, its financial and economic impact, and the application's technical components. The agenda calls for commissioners to deliberate in a private executive session and then return to the public meeting, potentially to vote on whether to award the license. Though the agenda contemplates a vote, the commission is not bound by that. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS: Governor's Council interviews Edward McGrath, currently the chief administrative magistrate of the Division of Administrative Law Appeals, for a seat on the Industrial Accident Board. McGrath ran his own law office in Framingham from 2010 to 2015 following 25 years as an attorney at Boston firm Burns & Farrey, P.C. He served for five years on Framingham State College's Board of Trustees, coached the Framingham United Soccer Club in the early 2000s, and was the 2013-2014 president of the Rotary Club of Charles River in Natick. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - TAX APPEALS: Governor's Council holds hearing on Gov. Baker's selection of Nicholas Dennis Bernier, a Democrat and three-time candidate for office, to receive a six-year term on the Appellate Tax Board. Bernier is a partner at Rampart Law Group LLC, which has offices in Fall River, Boston, and Rhode Island, and his practice specializes in renewable energy clients. Bernier campaigned earlier this year for Bristol County sheriff, and if he had won the Democratic primary he would have gone up against Baker's endorsed candidate, incumbent Republican Thomas Hodgson. Bernier finished second out of three candidates with 14,791 votes; winner Paul Heroux, who later beat Hodgson, had 18,426. Bernier also lost the 2012 Democratic primary for his local Governor's Council seat, finishing 37 votes behind future Councilor Oliver Cipollini. He lost a 2006 Democratic primary for the Fourth Bristol House seat by 417 votes to future Rep. Steven D'Amico. He previously worked as field director on Sen. Rodrigues' campaign. Wednesday's hearing is chaired by Councilor Ferreira, who supported the nominee in his sheriff race. Ferreira personally donated $700 to Bernier's campaign in the last couple years, and Ferreira's campaign committee chipped in another $100, according to campaign finance records. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
POLICE CERTIFICATION WEBINAR: Massachusetts Municipal Association hosts a webinar with law enforcement officials to discuss the police certification process in Massachusetts implemented under a police reform law Gov. Baker signed at the end of 2020. Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission Executive Director Enrique Zuniga and Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn participate. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., More Info)
ASHBY RECOUNT: Ashby Board of Registrars holds a public recount of ballots in the race for state representative in the First Middlesex District. Secretary of State Galvin, who ordered the recount, said Democrat Margaret Scarsdale led Republican Andrew Shepherd by 17 votes out of nearly 20,000 cast in the certified results. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Ashby Town Hall, Select Board Meeting Room, 895 Main St., Ashby | More Info)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS: Governor's Council interviews Industrial Accident Board administrative judge Ann McNamara, a Baker appointee seeking her second six-year term on the board that hears workers' compensation disputes. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS: Governor's Council holds hearing on Gov. Baker's pick for a seat on the Industrial Accident Reviewing Board -- Kevin O'Leary, a former spokesman for Speaker Thomas Finneran who currently works as general counsel in the Department of Industrial Accidents. O'Leary was Finneran's director of research and communications from 1996 to 1999, according to his resume, following a year on the staff of Sen. James Jajuga. He earned a juris doctor from Suffolk in 1998 and embarked on a law career at firms including Morrison, Mahoney & Miller, LLP; Williams & Associates; Mullen & McGourty, P.C.; and later as a solo practitioner specializing in insurance defense. O'Leary reported for the Boston Globe in the early '90s. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - SUPERIOR COURT: Governor's Council interviews career prosecutor Michael Cahillane, whom Gov. Baker tapped to join the Superior Court bench. If confirmed by the council, Cahillane would fill the seat vacated in November by Judge Laurence Pierce, according to the governor's nomination letter. Cahillane has worked in the Bristol County District Attorney's Office since 2011, following a decade on the other side of the state in the Northwestern DA's Office. In both offices, he prosecuted murders and other major felonies in the Superior Court, according to his resume, and he also served on the Hampshire/Franklin Drug and Gang Task Force and the Attorney General's Computer Crime Working Group. Cahillane graduated Saint Anselm in 1992 and Suffolk Law in 1999. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets, and could vote on confirmation of Housing Court candidate Eduardo Gonzalez and District Court nominee Nicola Gioscia. Council could also decide on a new six-year term for Industrial Accident Board administrative judge Steven Rose. Council meetings are also an opportunity for Gov. Baker to introduce any new nominations. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
MBTA ACCESSIBILITY HEARING: Retired Superior Court Judge Patrick King hosts a semi-annual public hearing virtually to discuss how the MBTA has progressed toward implementing accessibility improvements as part of the transit authority's 2006 settlement in a class-action lawsuit. The meeting will focus on bus, subway and commuter rail accessibility but not the RIDE paratransit service. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., More Info)
SPILKA RETURNS: Senate President Spilka plans to travel back to Massachusetts from California, where she attended a National Conference of State Legislatures meeting. (Wednesday)
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022
HEALTH CARE PRIORITIES: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation hosts an in-person event to share findings from a new research project outlining the top health care priorities for the incoming governor and legislative leaders. Speakers include Amara Anosike, Director of Behavioral Health Policy and Advocacy, Boston Children's Hospital; Karen Baumbach, Executive Director, Ecu-Health Care; Carlos Cappas, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Lynn Community Health Center; Michelle Durham, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center and Director of Clinical Training, TEAM UP for Children; Colin Killick, Executive Director, Disability Policy Consortium; Juan Lopera, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Beth Israel Lahey Health; Amy Rosenthal, Executive Director, Health Care For All; Jeffrey Keilson, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Development, Advocates; and Assaad Sayah, Chief Executive Officer, Cambridge Health Alliance and Co-Chair, Mass. Health Equity Task Force. (Thursday, 9 a.m., The Colonnade Hotel, Huntington Ballroom, 120 Huntington Avenue, Boston | Registration)
ENCORE BETTING APPLICATION: Mass. Gaming Commission will review and potentially vote on the application for a sports betting license from Encore Boston Harbor in Everett. The applicant will have about an hour to make a presentation and then commissioners will dive into questions for the applicants and commission staff members. There will also be presentations about the applicant's suitability to hold a gaming license in Massachusetts, its financial and economic impact, and the application's technical components. The agenda calls for commissioners to deliberate in a private executive session and then return to the public meeting, potentially to vote on whether to award the license. Though the agenda contemplates a vote, the commission is not bound by that. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
CANNABIS COMMISSION: Mass. Cannabis Control Commission is expected to meet for its usual December business meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m., More Info TBA)
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches likely hold informal sessions. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House and Senate chambers)
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING MEETING: MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing to provide an opportunity for public feedback and questions on recent outdoor advertising applications. (Thursday, 11 a.m., More Info)
WELLINGTON CIRCLE STUDY: MassDOT hosts a virtual meeting of a working group studying multimodal transportation conditions at Wellington Circle in Medford, the panel's fifth meeting. (Thursday, 1 p.m., More Info)
STREETTALK FORUM: LiveableStreets Alliance in partnership with GBH hosts its 12th annual StreetTalk, a forum on transit advocacy, climate justice, green space, housing and urban land use. Panelists include Abundant Housing MA's Kassie Infante discussing MBTA zoning reform; Brookline High School student Jacklyn Thibodeau on how transit impacts the teenage experience; Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition's Shavel'le Olivier exploring the question, "who's responsible for our streets next?"; the MBTA's Assistant General Manager of Service Development Wes Edwards discussing the Orange Line closure; and Maitlyn Lang and Abby Jamiel from CultureHouse and LiveableStreets Alliance on "feel good" tactical urbanism, discussing the proposed Dorchester Greenway. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston | Zoom)
MBTA BUS REDESIGN EQUITY: MBTA staff host a virtual public meeting to present the results of a fare and service equity analysis for the Bus Network Redesign program, which will reshape the network's map of bus routes. T officials expect the project will boost service by about 25 percent across the network over a five-year period but reduce some routes. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
MEDFORD SHARED USE PATH: MassDOT hosts a virtual public hearing to present the design for a proposed shared use path connection at the Route 28 underpass in Medford. (Thursday, 7 p.m., More Info)
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022
GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission is expected to hold a regular business meeting. Commissioners and agency staff are poised to meet in public on 13 of the 17 business days between the start of December and Christmas as they try to make good on their projected "late January" start of sports betting while also dealing with matters at the state's casinos, slots parlor, simulcast centers and horse racing track. (Friday, 10 a.m., More Info TBA)
WESTERN MASS. RAIL COMMISSION: A new commission tasked with studying public entities that could manage a passenger rail extension into western Massachusetts convenes its first meeting. Transportation Committee Co-chairs Rep. Straus and Sen. Crighton will also co-chair the panel, and the agenda calls for an introduction of membership, "open floor for discussion," and a public comment period. Under a transportation bond bill Gov. Baker signed into law in August, the panel is tasked with submitting a report by March 31, 2023 about public entities that could design, permit, construct, operate, fund and maintain passenger rail service in western Massachusetts, projected costs and ridership, and potential service levels. Officials plan to livestream the in-person meeting on the Department of Transportation website. (Friday, 11 a.m., Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield | More Info)
ED LAW MEETING: The Massachusetts Association of School Committees meets to discuss emerging issues in education law. The Massachusetts Council of School Attorneys will present. Agenda items include an update on developments with collective bargaining and strikes, an update on relevant legislation, a report on the status of Foote, et.al vs. Ludlow School Committee, and an update from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education General Counsel's Office on student discipline and regulatory changes. (Friday, 11 a.m., UMass Club, 1 Beacon St., Boston)
