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A rendering shows The Embrace, a creation of artist Hank Willis Thomas and the MASS Design Group, as it will appear in situ. [Courtesy/Embrace Boston]. As she prepared to speak at the unveiling of The Embrace, a Boston Common monument honoring the lives and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Gov. Maura Healey said the memorial is particularly meaningful given the "narrative" of Boston (and Massachusetts generally) as a ‘racist place.’ SHNS
FRANKLIN WEEK AHEAD
Tues. Jan 17
COA Meeting (POSTPONED ONE WEEK)
10:00am
COA Meeting (POSTPONED ONE WEEK)
10:00am [AS POSTED ON TOWN CALENDAR]
6:00pm
Community Preservation Committee Meeting - CANCELED
7:00pm
Weds. Jan 18
1:00pm
Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting
5:30pm
7:00pm
Thurs, Jan 19
Senior Coffee Hour w/ State & Local Officials
8:30am
8:30am
7:30pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Gov. Maura Healey and House and Senate Democrats emphasized with great fanfare last week that they were ready to get to work, but so far much of the work has entailed hiring staff, figuring out office space logistics, and coming up with legislative proposals. In the week ahead, Healey and the new Legislature will be joined by two new constitutional officers -- Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell of Boston and Auditor-elect Diana DiZoglio of Methuen -- while Treasurer Deb Goldberg will be sworn in for a third term and Secretary of State William Galvin for an eighth term, which means he's embarking on his 29th year in that office.
Coming off five months of informal sessions, House and Senate leaders haven't identified any topics requiring quick action now that formal sessions are allowed again. Upon their reelections as branch leaders, House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka have broadly laid out topics important to them, and scores of advocacy groups are outlining areas where they believe urgent action is warranted. So far, there's been no rush to bring bills to the floor, and legislators themselves are focused on getting their own proposals filed by a biennial deadline that hits on Friday. Rules debates in each chamber, which traditionally occur before formal legislative business ramps up, have not been publicly scheduled. Top Democrats usually don't announce their leadership teams and committee assignments until sometime in February, although Mariano this week alluded to making "quick" choices. For certain, senators and representatives are angling behind the scenes to try to score favorable slots that come with higher pay and influence and can serve as career stepping stones.
For Healey, who was elected in a runaway win nearly 10 weeks ago, the tight labor market appears to have reached to the highest echelons of the executive branch she now oversees. The governor is still searching for Cabinet picks to oversee veterans' services, the sprawling health and human services secretariat, and a new housing secretariat that she pledged to create due to the urgency of the state's housing affordability crisis. Healey has yet to officially outline any legislative proposals but says work on her fiscal 2024 budget proposal is underway. The administration and legislative leaders need to agree by Jan. 31 on a fiscal 2024 tax revenue estimate, but don't plan to call economic experts to offer their views on the latest trends until Jan. 24. When they do testify, those experts are likely to note that economic growth has slowed, amid rising interest rates, and point to forecasts of a mild recession in the coming months. The labor market, consumer spending, and tax receipts have been holding up. January is a big month for collections, and one of the first big budget decisions facing Healey and budget chief Matt Gorzkowicz will be whether to stick with or raise the estimate of available revenues for this year's (fiscal 2023) budget. Through the first six months of fiscal 2023, tax receipts are running $56 million or 0.3 percent less than collections in the same period of fiscal 2022, when collections experienced an historic surge, but are also running $1.087 billion or 6.5 percent higher than the year-to-date benchmark. This is also the time of year when municipal officials look to hear from the state about plans for revenue-sharing to the cities and towns that make the state tick. Healey administration officials are among those who plan to talk with mayors, select board members and local officials at the Massachusetts Municipal Association's annual meeting, which begins Friday in Boston, with Healey assigned a 10-minute speaking time slot at 9:40 a.m.
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023
SULLIVAN ON 4: NAACP Boston Chapter President Tanisha Sullivan talks with Jon Keller about the new Martin Luther King Jr. monument on Boston Common, King's legacy, Boston's establishment of a reparations task force, and the NAACP convention coming to Boston. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
DISTRICT ATTORNEY CRUZ ON 5: Plymouth County DA Cruz is the guest on "On The Record" with Ed Harding. Sharman Sacchetti is off this week. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
Monday, Jan. 16, 2023
WORCESTER MLK COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Quinsigamond Community College hosts the 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast, featuring a keynote address from U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. The event will also recognize scholarship winners and community service award honorees. Attendees are asked to bring a new, age-appropriate book related to MLK or diversity for second and third grade students. The books will be distributed to students in Worcester and Fitchburg public schools. Doors open at 7 a.m. (Monday, 8 a.m., Quinsigamond Community College, Athletic Center, 670 West Boylston St., Worcester)
BOSTON MLK BREAKFAST: Jelani Cobb, a writer for The New Yorker and dean of the Columbia Journalism School, is the keynote speaker at the 53rd annual MLK Memorial Breakfast hosted by the nonprofit Martin Luther King Memorial Breakfast Committee. Organizers said it is the "longest-running celebration of its kind in the United States." The event was started by St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church and Union United Methodist Church. The theme of the 2023 breakfast is "Reclaiming Our Rights: Education and Activism," and the event is expected to draw a guest list of area politicians, activists and community leaders. (Monday, 9 a.m., Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston | More Info and Tickets)
CLARK MLK DAY EVENTS: Democratic Whip Katherine Clark makes a series of stops to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and to "reflect on the enduring legacy of Dr. King's work to end bigotry, discrimination, and injustice." Clark will be at Malden City Hall at 10 a.m., then at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 70 W Emerson St. in Melrose at 11:30 a.m., and finally at the West Medford Community Center at 111 Arlington St. in Medford at 12 p.m. Clark's office said the events are open, but that press RSVP to press.clark@mail.house.gov is "required." (Monday, 10 a.m., Multiple Locations)
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023
SPORTS BETTING HEARING: Mass. Gaming Commission holds a public hearing to accept input on nearly 10 sets of regulations related to sports betting and the sports betting licensing process, which is underway. (Tuesday, 9:15 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
MOBILE BETTING REVIEW -- DAY SIX: After starting the process in early January, Mass. Gaming Commission resumes its review of the six applications it received for mobile sports betting licenses that will not be tied to an existing casino or slots parlor. Mobile betting is expected to launch in March. The six applications, which the commission is going through in alphabetical order through Jan. 20, came from Bally's Interactive, Betfair Interactive US (d/b/a FanDuel), Betr Holdings, Crown MA Gaming (DraftKings), Digital Gaming Corporation USA, and PointsBet Massachusetts. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
HOUSE SESSION: House meets in an informal session. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
ECON SECRETARY HAO SWEARING-IN: Yvonne Hao is scheduled to be sworn into office as housing and economic development secretary. Gov. Healey chose Hao to lead the Executive Office of Economic Development, and she will have her title change to just economic development secretary when Gov. Healey follows through with plans to split the existing Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development into two distinct Cabinet posts. Gov. Healey has not yet named a housing secretary. Hao will become the first woman and person of color to lead the state's chief economic development secretariat. Hao has been active in the Bay State business community, serving on the boards for CarGurus, Flywire, Gentherm, ZipRecruiter and Bose. She is also vice chair of the board of trustees of Beth Israel Lahey Health, and is a trustee emerita for Williams College, her alma mater. Gov. Healey administered the oaths of office for five Cabinet members on Jan. 6, but still has several other positions to fill. Like the governor's earlier Cabinet inaugurations, the swearing-in ceremony is closed to the press. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Governor's Office, State House)
LABOR CHIEF JONES SWEARING-IN: Lauren Jones is scheduled to be sworn into office as labor and workforce development secretary. In the interim period between Gov. Healey's inauguration and the swearing-in, undersecretary of labor and workforce development Mike Doheny, a Baker administration holdover, has served as acting secretary. Jones most recently worked as executive vice president at the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and held a number of roles under Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, in state government working for Gov. Patrick and at the nonprofit Apprenti. At Mass. Business Roundtable, Jones served as co-chair of the Workforce Solutions Group, and has sat on the boards for the Massachusetts Workforce Association, Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the Boston Private Industry Council, was on the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education's executive committee, and served on the Future of Work Commission. "Lauren Jones has a proven track record of collaborating with businesses and labor to expand workforce development opportunities, attract new businesses to our state, and give both workers and employers the support they need," Gov. Healey said. Gov. Healey administered the oaths of office for five Cabinet members on Jan. 6, but still has several other positions to fill. Like the governor's earlier Cabinet inaugurations, the swearing-in ceremony is closed to the press. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Governor's Office, State House)
HARWICH SIDEWALK HEARING: The Department of Transportation holds a public hearing on the design of the proposed sidewalk installation on the south side of Route 28 from Bank St. to Saquatucket Harbor. The project only proposes sidewalk on the south side of the street and plans to keep the existing 1-foot wide shoulder "due to the context of the existing area and the potential for numerous negative impacts to abutters," according to the MassDOT proposal. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St., Harwich)
GAMING REVENUE: Mass. Gaming Commission is due to report December gaming revenue from Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor. The facilities generated a cumulative $93 million in gross gaming revenue in November, which translated to $25.95 million in state tax and fee revenue that month. Since casino-style gaming launched here in 2015, the state has taken in $1.261 billion in revenue. (Tuesday)
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023
GAMING COMMISSION: Mass. Gaming Commission meets with an agenda that includes an administrative update from Executive Director Karen Wells and potential votes on a series of eight regulations related to sports wagering. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
MOBILE BETTING REVIEW -- DAY SEVEN: Mass. Gaming Commission resumes its review of the six applications it received for mobile sports betting licenses that will not be tied to an existing casino or slots parlor. Mobile betting is expected to launch in March. The six applications, which the commission expects to be going through in alphabetical order through Jan. 20, came from Bally's Interactive, Betfair Interactive US (d/b/a FanDuel), Betr Holdings, Crown MA Gaming (DraftKings), Digital Gaming Corporation USA, and PointsBet Massachusetts. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
AG CAMPBELL SWEARING-IN: Former Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell is scheduled to be sworn into office as attorney general in a ceremony at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Gov. Healey administers the oath of office. In taking over for Gov. Healey in the attorney general's office, Campbell will be the first Black woman attorney general in state history after making history as the first Black woman elected statewide in Massachusetts this November. But, this won't be her first "first." Campbell became the first Black woman to serve as Boston City Council president in 2018. Campbell will follow in the footsteps of former Massachusetts AG Edward Brooke, who became the first Black attorney general of any state in 1962. Campbell, a former deputy legal counsel under Gov. Deval Patrick, came in third in Boston's September 2021 mayoral race. When the Democrat announced her bid for the attorney general's office, Campbell said she has "dedicated her life to fighting for greater opportunity" and that the attorney general "is not just the top law enforcement official of the commonwealth, she must be an advocate for fundamental change and progress." Her family's story -- her mother's death in a car crash, her father and brother cycling in and out of the prison system, and her twin brother's death 10 years ago in Department of Correction custody -- featured prominently in her campaign. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are limited. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston)
GOLDBERG SWEARING-IN: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg takes the oath of office for her third four-year term, making her the second-longest tenured constitutional office behind only Secretary of State William Galvin. The Brookline Democrat netted 68 percent of the vote in November, when she faced off against only Libertarian Cristina Crawford. Goldberg's office said her children -- son Evan and daughter Meredith -- will administer the oath. Senate President Karen Spilka plans to preside. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Senate Chamber)
PLYMOUTH, BARNSTABLE OPIOID ROUNDTABLE: Sen. Moran of Falmouth hosts a roundtable discussion about the ongoing opioid epidemic, substance use treatment and prevention. Greater New Bedford Community Health Center CEO Cheryl Bartlett, a former Department of Public Health commissioner, moderates. Media RSVP to stephen.maher@masenate.gov. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Falmouth Public Library, 300 Main St., Falmouth)
MWRA BOARD: Mass. Water Resources Authority Board meets virtually to get an annual litigation summary (in executive session), to discuss the agency's "ongoing contribution to wastewater based epidemiology," to consider a series of personnel appointments, and to approve the submission of the proposed fiscal year 2024 Capital Improvement Program and proposed FY24-28 spending cap to the MWRA Advisory Board. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Agenda and Access Info)
DiZOGLIO SWEARING-IN: Former Sen. Diana DiZoglio is scheduled to be sworn into office as state auditor in a ceremony at Methuen High School. Gov. Healey administers the oath of office, Governor's Councilor Duff emcees the event, and Congresswoman Trahan offers remarks. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg attends. Reception follows. "I'm humbled by the responsibility and trust that Massachusetts has placed in me to serve as the people's Auditor," DiZoglio said. "I learned the importance of community by growing up in the Merrimack Valley, and I'm excited to share this evening with those from across the Commonwealth who share our vision for a more transparent, accessible and accountable state government." In the Legislature, DiZoglio periodically spent time railing against top Democrats in both branches. She defeated Chris Dempsey in the Democratic primary and Republican Anthony Amore in the general election. DiZoglio succeeds three-term Auditor Suzanne Bump, who was preceded by Auditor Joe DeNucci, who held the post from 1987 until 2011. Like DiZoglio, both Bump and DeNucci served in the Legislature before being elected auditor. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., 1 Ranger Road, Methuen)
ROUTE 128 STUDY: The Department of Transportation hosts its third and final virtual public information meeting for the Route 128/Interstate95 Land Use and Transportation Study. The study will establish land use, housing, and economic development assumptions for the segment of Route 128/I-95 between Newton and Lexington. It will "develop and analyze alternatives, present policy and infrastructure recommendations and develop an implementation plan to advance this corridor into the future." At the public information meeting the study team will introduce draft recommendations and provide an update on the alternatives analysis. The public will have the chance to comment on the recommendations. The draft final report will be available for a 30 day public comment period in spring 2023. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Registration)
FALL RIVER - ROUTE 79 IMPROVEMENTS: The Department of Transportation holds a virtual public information meeting on the Route 79/Davol St. Corridor Improvement project. The department is redesigning the mile-long corridor that runs along the Taunton Riverfront in Fall River to "improve mobility, connectivity, and safety along and across Route 79 and Davol Street, connecting the neighborhoods to the Taunton River while promoting economic growth by creating new development parcels to contribute to economic development." The meeting will go over the project timeline and design and construction information. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. | Access Info)
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023
FUTURE OF NEW ENGLAND ECONOMY: Susan Collins, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and other economists consider how hybrid work and changes in where people live will impact housing, commuting, and the economy in the New England region. The conference is hosted by the New England Economic Partnership, the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and MassBenchmarks at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute. In addition to economists like Alan Clayton-Matthews from Northeastern University, the event will also feature a panel of experts in specific policy areas, like housing and health care. Registration is closed, but a live stream will be available starting at 9 a.m. More Info (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston)
CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Mass. Association of Health Plans hosts a virtual policy briefing on its soon-to-be-released report on the state of children's mental health in Massachusetts. "The report aims to inform elected officials, policymakers, and the community at large of the crisis and challenges that currently exist; and provide recommendations that will address the ongoing problems and improve the lives of children and their families," organizers said. The briefing will feature a panel discussion with subject matter experts representing providers, schools and advocacy organizations. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Register)
MBTA AUDIT MEETING: MBTA Board of Directors Audit and Finance Subcommittee meets virtually. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Access Info)
ANTI-HATE TASK FORCE: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan hosts a virtual Anti-Hate Anti-Bias Task Force meeting to discuss initiatives to address "incidents of hate" in Middlesex County. The district attorney launched the task force in 2020, after reports of incidents of anti-Semitic graffiti in Arlington and Bedford, the defacing of a George Floyd mural in Stoneham and a man alleged to have driven into a crowd of Black Lives Matter protestors in Newton, according to Ryan's office. The group includes lawmakers, faith leaders, educators, youth leaders, community advocates and law enforcement. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Contact sarah.lamson@mass.gov for access information)
MBTA WORKFORCE MEETING: MBTA Board of Directors Planning, Workforce, Development and Compensation Subcommittee meets virtually. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Access Info)
MOBILE BETTING REVIEW -- DAY EIGHT: Mass. Gaming Commission resumes its review of the six applications it received for mobile sports betting licenses that will not be tied to an existing casino or slots parlor. Mobile betting is expected to launch in March. The six applications, which the commission expects to be going through in alphabetical order through Jan. 20, came from Bally's Interactive, Betfair Interactive US (d/b/a FanDuel), Betr Holdings, Crown MA Gaming (DraftKings), Digital Gaming Corporation USA, and PointsBet Massachusetts. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
MBTA SAFETY MEETING: MBTA Board of Directors Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee meets virtually. Officials could address a new federal report that appears to reflect another delay, this one for two years, in the agency's adoption of train safety technology. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | Access Info)
EARLY CHILDHOOD WEBSITE: The Rennie Center for Education and Research Policy and the MA Early Childhood Funder Collaborative host a launch event for a new educational website Early Childhood 101. The site features an interactive tool that maps the current landscape of supports for young children and their families in Massachusetts. "By mapping and describing the landscape for children 5 and under, we aim to help a larger audience understand where and how to support Massachusetts' youngest children. We hope this will move the needle for further investment and political focus on coordinating and improving the early childhood 'non-system,'" the Rennie Center said in a press release. Politicians and advocates seem to be gearing up to put early childhood on the legislative agenda this session. Gov. Maura Healey has said she supports making child care free for the lowest-income families, limiting child care costs for most families to no more than 7 percent of their income, and significantly increasing pay for early educators to address workforce shortages in early education. The costs of anticipated early childhood care system investments are not known yet. Rep. Adrian Madaro and senior director of programming at Families First Magda Rodriguez will speak at the launch event. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | Register)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE SESSION: House holds an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
NEW BEDFORD CPA PROJECTS: New Bedford's Community Preservation Committee hosts the second of three virtual community meetings to allow residents to review and offer feedback on project applications seeking Community Preservation Act dollars. Communities that adopt the CPA, like New Bedford, can levy a surcharge on property taxes to preserve open space, renovate historic structures or build new athletic fields, among other things. It also unlocks additional state funds for those projects. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
ADA RETROFITS HEARING: The Department of Transportation holds a virtual public hearing on the design for proposed American Disability Act retrofits to existing pedestrian curb ramps in Framingham, Leominster, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sudbury and Worcester. (Thursday, 6 p.m. | Access Info)
ROUTE 1A STUDY: The Department of Transportation holds its fifth public meeting on the Route 1A Corridor Study. The study will assess potential uses of MassDOT and MBTA rail parcels located between Route 1A and the Chelsea Creek, and evaluate the Route 1A corridor between Bell Circle in Revere and Day Square in East Boston. It will help "identify opportunities to improve connections for people walking, biking and taking transit, and address safety issues and potential impacts of climate change," according to the department. (Thursday, 6 p.m. Access Info)
ASHBURTON ENTRANCE CLOSES: State House's Ashburton Park Entrance off Bowdoin Street is closed for renovations starting Thursday. Building administrators have moved on to fixing up this lobby following the renovations at the Gen. Joseph Hooker Entrance on Beacon Street, which reopened Jan. 3. The Hooker Entrance will be the sole point of entry for members of the public until the Ashburton entrance reopens, save for ADA wheelchair access which will be through Door 12 on the Bowdoin Street sidewalk (near the guard shack). Project is slated to run through the fall. (Thursday)
Friday, Jan. 20, 2023
MMA MEETING: The Massachusetts Municipal Association holds its annual meeting and tradeshow. More than 1,000 MMA members are expected to attend in-person for the first time since 2020, for the event themed, "Connect, Engage, Be Inspired!" Gov. Healey will open the session on Friday morning at 9:40 a.m., followed by psychologist and author Elizabeth Lombardo to deliver the opening keynote speech at 9:50 a.m. with advice for improving mental resilience. Lt. Gov. Driscoll will discuss her experiences as a woman in politics and local government at the Women Elected Municipal Officials Leadership Luncheon at 12 p.m.. Journalist and longtime host of WCVB Channel 5's "Chronicle" Anthony Everett will speak at 6 p.m., "sharing stories from his travels around Massachusetts." Workshops cover topics such as working from home, the latest in labor law, strengthening municipal cybersecurity, "Electric Vehicles 101," meeting municipal housing goals, and "hot topics" in municipal law. (Friday, Healey speaks at 9:40 a.m., Hynes Convention Center)
PLAYFUL LEARNING INSTITUTE: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education holds a question and answer session for school districts to learn more about the Playful Learning Institute grant opportunity. The pilot initiative aimed at preschool through third grade students seeks to "provide participants with the tools and strategies needed to embed playful learning that supports deep dives into content, creates equitable access to learning, and creates varied opportunities for assessment across content areas." The department will select about five schools to participate in the pilot, which will begin in the spring and run through the 2023-2024 school year. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Register)
MOBILE BETTING REVIEW -- DAY NINE: Mass. Gaming Commission is expected to wrap up its review of the six applications it received for mobile sports betting licenses that will not be tied to an existing casino or slots parlor. Mobile betting is expected to launch in March. The six applications, which the commission began going through in alphabetical order on Jan. 6, came from Bally's Interactive, Betfair Interactive US (d/b/a FanDuel), Betr Holdings, Crown MA Gaming (DraftKings), Digital Gaming Corporation USA, and PointsBet Massachusetts. (Friday, 11 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
RED SOX WINTER WEEKEND: For the first time in two years, the Boston Red Sox open their "winter weekend" event in person at MGM Springfield and the MassMutual Center across the street. The two-day event gives Sox fans a chance to get autographs from players and coaches, features activities like indoor Wiffle ball, and will also include a town hall-style meeting with Red Sox team leadership Friday night -- expect fans to have questions about the team allowing shortstop Xander Bogaerts to leave in free agency, the questionable timing of Trevor Story's elbow surgery and the diminished state of the Sox lineup as the 2023 season approaches. Manager Alex Cora, third baseman Rafael Devers, pitchers Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Chris Sale, Kenley Jansen, and Garrett Whitlock, infielder Trevor Story, and first baseman Triston Casas are among the current players expected to attend. The team also made a point of highlighting that hall of famers David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice and Wade Boggs are confirmed to attend, as are Red Sox alumni Luis Tiant, Dwight Evans, Lou Merloni, and Will Middlebrooks. Red Sox owner Tom Werner said this week that he and John Henry do not plan to sell the Red Sox, despite the ownership group turning its attention to other endeavors like the Pittsburgh Penguins and reportedly considering the purchase of an NFL franchise. Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe said that Werner's appearance at a press conference to announce a massive extension for Devers was the first time that a Red Sox owner had attended a press conference in two years and 11 months. Tickets for the winter weekend festivities cost $95 for adults and $40 for children 14 and under, but the Red Sox give their season ticket holders a bit of a break -- $85 for adults and $35 for kids. (Friday, MGM Springfield, 1 MGM Way, Springfield)
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023
MMA MEETING: The Massachusetts Municipal Association holds its annual meeting and tradeshow. More than 1,000 MMA members are expected to attend in-person for the first time since 2020, for the event themed, "Connect, Engage, Be Inspired!" In the morning, mayors, town administrators and managers, select board and city and town councilors meet for their annual business meetings. Trade show will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Workshops in the afternoon cover topics such as strategies to cool hostility, clean energy, mental health and policing, and funding opportunities through the federal bipartisan infrastructure law. CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities, Clarence Anthony, and executive director of the International City/County Management Association Marc Ott, will close out the weekend of events with a "fireside chat" about diversity, equity and inclusion. (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hynes Convention Center)
