53° and Patchy rain nearby
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About 76,000 people have been removed from the MassHealth rolls since March, and officials continue to forecast the biggest impacts are around the corner as a massive reevaluation of eligibility ramps up this fall.--SHNS
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. Oct. 23
FRANKLIN REC. DEPT. ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
7:00pm
7:00pm
7:00pm
Tues.Oct 24
7:00pm
7:00pm
Franklin School Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Weds. Oct 25
5:00pm to 6:30pm
Musical BINGO: Disney Edition!
6:30pm
6:30pm
7:00pm
Thurs. Oct 26
7:30pm
Satu. Oct 28
Franklin Fire Open House - Saturday October 28th
10:00am to 2:00pm
10:30am to 12:30pm
Franklin Police Halloween Party
2:00pm to 6:00pm
4:30pm to 7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
With three-plus weeks left until their next scheduled break, the House and Senate are on course to deliver another late spending bill, with no concrete plans in place to take up a supplemental budget closing the books on the fiscal year that ended in June. The branches have each approved bills designed to require some employers to disclose pay ranges to employees offered promotions or new positions and in postings seeking outside candidates. If Democrats can iron out differences between their mostly similar bills, that legislation could reach Gov. Maura Healey's desk before the break begins on Nov. 15. House and Senate Democrats don't appear to have a long to-do list before the break, but are expected to push forward their own version of a $2.15 billion supplemental budget bill (H 4090) proposed by the governor more than a month ago. Funding recommended in that bill intersects with the unfolding drama over the governor's decision to stop guaranteeing shelter to asylum-seeking families pouring into the state from other countries, despite the obligations of the state's right-to-shelter law. Healey says there's no more shelter capacity. While her administration tries to rotate families out of shelters and into jobs and more permanent housing, House Democrats say they don't have a handle on how much more money is necessary to deal with the humanitarian challenge, a problem that appears to be holding up consideration of a bill that's supposed to just tie up loose fiscal ends each fall. The administration is also facing blowback from the Massachusetts Nurses Association over a series of upcoming "listening sessions" about maternal health care access, which the union blasted as a "hastily put together process with no advance notice."
Debate resumes Monday on the topic of overdose prevention centers, also known as supervised consumption sites, where individuals could use pre-acquired drugs under the watch of trained professionals who could intervene to prevent a dangerous overdose. MBTA overseers will meet Tuesday for the first time since agency officials revealed problems with the Green Line Extension are much more significant than previously disclosed, and had been known among some T staff as far back as 2021. Gov. Healey's first two judicial nominees could win confirmation Wednesday, when the Governor's Council is set to meet and might vote on the nominations. The Senate will convene a formal session Thursday to take up bills dealing with access to HIV prevention medication and no-cost menstrual products. And with the weather growing chilly, Friday marks the start of an annual campaign to make Bay Staters aware of financial heating aid available to them.
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023
HEALEY ON 4: Gov. Healey talks with Jon Keller in a pre-taped interview about future plans for tax reform, revelations over the state of the Green Line, and her plans for fixing the MBTA's problems. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
ROONEY ON 5: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Rooney is the guest on "On The Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
AUCHINCLOSS AT TEMPLE BETH SHALOM: Just more than two weeks since Hamas launched terrorist attacks against Israel, U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss will discuss "the Jewish community coming together during this difficult time" at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham. (Sunday, 2 p.m., Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham)
Monday, Oct. 23, 2023
PRO BONO WEEK: It's Pro Bono Week and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute is highlighting an online resource for legal professionals who want to give their time to meet the legal needs of low-income people. Volunteers can search 50 organizations at www.massprobono.org to find a pro bono opportunity that suits their skills, interests, and availability. "With a few clicks, lawyers, paralegals, and law students can find ways to reduce the justice gap, while organizations can share opportunities with over 2,000 volunteers ready to give back," said Brian Reichart, attorney at the Websites Project. Mass Pro Bono is managed by the Massachusetts Legal Aid Websites Project at the Mass Law Reform Institute. (Monday)
REPRESENTATION IN HIGHER ED: Gov. Healey makes an announcement with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell related to equity efforts in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on race-conscious admission. The announcement is part of a "Statewide Convening on Advancing Representation in Higher Education" that will also feature U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Department of Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega, and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley. Conference is closed to the press after intro remarks. (Monday, 10 a.m., UMass Boston Campus Center, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston)
HEALTH AND WELLNESS PANEL: Mass Cultural Council holds a panel discussion called "Health & Wellness through Creativity," designed to explore how participating in the arts can improve personal and public health. Speakers on the panel include Vanessa Ford of the Community Music School of Springfield, Cristina Huebner Torres of Caring Health Center, Maria Silvia of Latino Counseling Center, Adrienne Hundley of Art Pharmacy, and Käthe Swaback of CultureRx, a Mass Cultural Council pilot program that also examines the relationship between arts and wellness. Expected attendees include Michael Bobbitt of Mass Cultural Council; Sen. Mark and Rep. Domb, co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development; and Sens. Oliveira and Gomez and Rep. González. Door opens at 9:30 a.m. (Monday, 10 a.m., Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State St., Springfield | Register)
CHEMICAL BAN: U.S. Sen. Ed Markey joins U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe and Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff to celebrate the Biden administration’s announcement to ban trichloroethylene, a toxic chemical that Markey's office said he raised concerns about starting in 1980. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Anderson Regional Transportation Center, 100 Atlantic Ave., Woburn)
HOUSE: House holds an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE, RECOVERY: Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery holds hybrid public hearing on seven bills dealing with harm reduction. Proposals from Reps. Dylan Fernandes and Marjorie Decker and Sen. Julian Cyr (H 1981 / S 1242) would create a 10-year pilot program to launch overdose prevention centers -- also known as supervised consumption or safe injection sites -- where people with substance use addiction can take pre-obtained drugs while being monitored by trained staff. A new poll from Beacon Research found that 85 percent of Democrats support the sites, which are illegal under federal law, as do 63 percent of unaffiliated voters and 53 percent of Republicans. Other bills before the committee would decriminalize the personal possession of controlled substances and connect people with a screening to identify what resources they may need for substance use disorder and mental health issues, housing, employment, food and legal aid. (Monday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Livestream)
RACING HEARING: Mass. Gaming Commission holds a hearing on the application from Plainridge Park Casino to host live horse racing in 2024. The track, which has been the only venue for live horse racing in Massachusetts since June 2019, plans to hold 110 live race days from mid-April through November. This year, it expects to have run 107 live race days by the time the season ends next month. Plainridge Park runs harness racing and multiple efforts to revive thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts have fallen through in recent years. Licensed horse tracks are among a small group of entities eligible to seek in-person sports betting licenses in Massachusetts, an incentive that some think may help make the development of a thoroughbred track here more appealing. The commission is under a firm statutory deadline of Nov. 15 to review and act on the racing application. (Monday, 11 a.m., Plainville Town Hall, 190 South St., Plainville | Agenda and Access)
MASS. GROWTH CAPITAL CORP. | Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation brings together nonprofit technical assistance providers for its annual meeting. Organizers plan to discuss topics important to small business growth and economic development. Expected attendees include MGCC President & CEO Lawrence Andrews, Executive Office of Economic Development Undersecretary Ashley Stolba, and Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses Co-chairs Rep. Paul McMurtry and Sen. Pavel Payano. (Monday, noon, Clark University, Higgins Center, Tilton Hall, 950 Main St, Worcester | More Info)
CHILDREN & FAMILIES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities hosts a hearing to consider legislation affecting the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. EOHHS is the largest cost center and service provider in the state budget, representing more than $29 billion of the roughly $56 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2023. Many of the bills on the agenda deal with supports and health care records for children, particularly those in foster care. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)
GUV, LAWMAKERS MEET: Gov. Healey, President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, and Lt. Gov. Driscoll gather for a private leadership meeting, followed by a press availability. (Monday, 2 p.m., Senate President's Office)
CHICOPEE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY: Sen. Oliveira and the Chicopee legislative delegation are slated to present a $50,000 ceremonial check to Mayor Vieau. It represents fiscal 2024 budget funding for pedestrian safety, which will be used to buy rapid flashing beacons, solar-powered speed indicators and other signage, according to Oliveira's office. (Monday, 3 p.m., Chicopee City Hall Auditorium, 274 Front St., Chicopee)
MATERNAL HEALTH LISTENING SESSION: Department of Public Health holds a maternal health listening session in Springfield. Officials say they "want to hear directly from people who have experienced difficulty with our maternal health system in order to learn, make recommendations to improve services, and help more people give birth safely." The Massachusetts Nurses Association on Friday criticized the Healey administration for "hastily" organizing the series of listening sessions without conducting outreach to communities and advocates. "The MNA believes this process is a sham that calls into question the validity of the administration’s true commitment to addressing a growing maternal child health crisis in our state," the association said. (Monday, 6 p.m., Community Music School of Springfield, 7 State St., Springfield | More Info)
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023
BOARD OF ED: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets. Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley will present goals for the 2023-2024 school year, which include training targets for districts, making online resources more accessible, implementing so-called high-quality instructional materials in the classroom, launching a new approach to early literacy instruction, creating more opportunities for accelerated learning, and targeting support for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Board members will discuss chronic absenteeism and first quarter reports from chronically underperforming schools. There will also be a presentation on new civics education initiatives, which include an expansion of civics project showcases, "Investigating History" for elementary grades, and a field test of a new MCAS grade 8 civics assessment. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 75 Pleasant St., Malden | Livestream)
EQUITY IN EDUCATION: Rep. Manny Cruz of Salem offers remarks at a State House News Service/MassterList event focused on equity in education and student pathways to economic opportunity. The event features a panel discussion with education leaders of color on how Massachusetts can give students a jumpstart on their future, close persistent equity gaps, and create a cooperative culture of success. The leaders were interviewed as part of a project commissioned by the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, in partnership with Latinos for Education and EdTrust Massachusetts. Emerson Foster, head of human resources U.S business unit for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, will give the opening remarks. Refreshments and networking begins at 8:15 a.m. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., MCLE, 10 Winter Pl., Boston | Register)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Banking and regulatory matters are on the agenda at a Joint Committee on Financial Services hearing. Topics targeted by legislation include mortgages, bank fees, retirement plans and the racial wealth gap. A pair of bills also call for new measures to protect seniors and adults with disabilities from financial exploitation, an issue in the spotlight as a result of increasingly common scams in the digital era. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)
MBTA BOARD: MBTA Board of Directors meets. T officials have just revealed that large stretches of the new Green Line Extension will need to be widened to meet construction standards. Agenda topics include a planned overhaul of bus service, a contract amendment for a Quincy battery electric bus maintenance facility, and the Sumner Tunnel construction project. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., State Transportation Building 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Livestream)
STATE ADMIN COMMITTEE: State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee hosts a hearing in the State House's largest hearing room to weigh bills dealing with lobbying, business regulations, the state's open meeting laws and state agency. The agenda is a potpourri of proposals, from establishing a pathway to carve Massachusetts out of daylight savings time to guaranteeing a right for the public to comment at any open public meeting. Some of the measures are more lighthearted in nature, like a proposal to dub "Cookies and Cream" as the state's official ice cream flavor (H 3107) or declare that the "Jurassic Armored Mud Ball shall be the official sedimentary structure of the Commonwealth" (H 3129). (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Gardner Auditorium | Agenda and Access Info)
CASHLESS WAGERING: Mass. Gaming Commission meets in Plainville for the second day in a row to receive a demonstration on cashless, contactless, cardless wagering technology at Plainridge Park Casino. Staff from the slots parlor and its parent company, PENN Entertainment, will give commissioners an overview of the technology and demonstrate it. PENN said the technology, which is not yet available in Massachusetts, allows players to link a bank account to or deposit money into a "PENN Wallet" on a smartphone app so that the phone can be used to gamble at slot machines. It also lets gamblers "establish deposit limits for custom time limits that cannot be changed until the established time has elapsed." The commission meeting will not be livestreamed, but a recording will be made available afterwards. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Plainridge Park Casino, 301 Washington St., Plainville)
FAMILY LEAVE PRESS CONFERENCE: Sen. Jason Lewis, Rep. Ken Gordon, Mass. AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch and others hold a press conference to call for legislative changes to improve public awareness of the state's paid family and medical leave program and to ensure that workers know about the benefits available to them. Organizers said more than 200,000 Massachusetts workers have used the program to take paid time off in the first two years since the benefit became available, but "even though workers and businesses contribute to PFML in every paycheck, many workers still don't know about the benefits they’ve earned, or encounter barriers to accessing the life-changing program." Lewis and Gordon have two related bills up for a hearing later Tuesday before the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Senate President Spilka plans to give brief remarks. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 437)
REVENUE COMMITTEE: Three weeks after Gov. Healey signed into law a roughly $1 billion tax relief package, another slate of tax-related bills go before the Revenue Committee at a public hearing. Several proposals filed by Democrats seek to repeal Chapter 62F, the law voters approved in 1986 that imposes a cap on annual state tax collections and requires any overage to be returned to taxpayers. After the law triggered an historic $3 billion in refunds, the Democrat-controlled Legislature and Gov. Healey have agreed to keep the law in place, but in the new tax law changed how the relief flows through the program. Other areas of interest include the new income surtax on high earners that voters approved in November and the estate tax, both of which similarly were adjusted in the tax law. Business groups and other tax relief supporters continue to argue that policymakers need to embrace changes to make Massachusetts a more competitive environment and more affordable for its residents. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room B-1 | Agenda and Access Info)
CREDIT CHECK BRIEFING: Legislative briefing on the so-called Fair Chance in Employment Act from Rep. Cutler and Sen. Barrett (H 1434 / S 1144) that would prevent the use of credit checks in hiring and employment decisions. Organizers say the practice "has been shown to discriminate against Black and Latinx workers, as well as older workers and low-income individuals." Cutler, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, hosts the briefing alongside Barrett, the National Consumer Law Center, Eastern Bank and other advocates. "Employers and advocates will debunk the false narrative of credit checks being 'good hiring practice' and highlight the systemically oppressive nature of the practice," organizers say. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room 350)
VETERAN REINTEGRATION: Veterans Reintegration Advisory Committee meets. Agenda includes a discussion about peer-to-peer interventions. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 600 Washington St., Second floor conference room | Agenda and Livestream)
HOUSING COMMITTEE: Condominium issues come before the Housing Committee, including bills that deal with condo owners installing electric vehicle charging stations, a proposal to create an office of the condo ombudsman, bills related to condo elections and administration, and legislation directing the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities establish and run a program to provide assistance to seniors and people with disabilities to make accessibility modifications to their homes. The committee will also take testimony on home rule petitions from Salem, Somerville and Lowell. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-1 | Agenda and Access)
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS HEARING: Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development holds a hearing on bills related to employees rights and benefits, with multiple bills focused on the state's paid family and medical leave law. Rep. Ken Gordon and Sen. Jason Lewis want to remove a reference to a specific IRS form, a change that bill (H 1889 / S 1198) supporters say would restore eligibility for PFML benefits to some workers classified as independent contractors. The 2018 law that created the PFML program made "covered contract workers" who received a 1099-MISC tax form eligible in some situations. But the IRS changed the name of that form to 1099-NEC in 2019, and bill supporters said the state's Department of Family and Medical Leave interpreted the change as ending eligibility for tens of thousands of contract workers. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room B-2 | Agenda and Access)
MUNICIPALITIES COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government hosts a hearing on municipal finance, personnel and home rule petitions. One of the proposals calls for pre-service training for members of local boards and commissions, another would establish a commission to study the distribution of unrestricted local aid, and the committee will also take testimony related to various municipal reserve funds, for things like water infrastructure and special education. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Hearing Room B-1 | Agenda and Access)
BLACK EMPOWERMENT ADVISORY: Black Empowerment Advisory Committee, created by Gov. Healey in February, holds a listening session to discuss "issues related to the economic prosperity and well-being of Massachusetts' Black community, including education, health care, housing and workforce development." (Tuesday, 6 p.m., New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford | More Info)
HEALTH CARE LISTENING SESSION: Department of Public holds a listening session on "essential services" in Athol. It's part of a review by the Healey administration of residents' access to essential health services in northern Worcester County, which comes in the aftermath of the contentious closure of a maternity unit Leominster. "The review will include an assessment of hospital services, community-based care, and social supports," officials said in the advisory. "The goal is to develop strategies to optimize the experiences and outcomes for individuals and communities affected by these closures." (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Athol High School, 2363 Main St., Athol | More Info)
TOBIN BRIDGE REPAIRS: MassDOT staff host a public meeting to discuss planned cleaning, painting and repair work on the Tobin Bridge. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Williams School Cafeteria, 180 Walnut St., Chelsea | More Info)
ARBORWAY MAINTENANCE MEETING: MBTA staff host a public meeting to discuss designs and plans for a new Arborway bus maintenance facility that will support a fleet of battery electric buses, or BEBs. Officials say the new facility, slated to be built next to an existing bus depot at the corner of Washington Street and Arborway in Boston, will have the capacity for an expanded fleet of 60-foot buses that can transport more riders. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., English High School Auditorium, 144 McBride St., Boston)
MATERNAL HEALTH LISTENING SESSION: Department of Public Health holds a maternal health listening session as officials look to improve birth safety. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Northshore Community College - Lynn campus, 300 Broad St., Lynn | More Info)
NEWTON CORNER TRAFFIC: MassDOT staff host a virtual public meeting to discuss planned traffic signal and safety improvements at Newton Corner. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Zoom)
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023
DEVELOPER PERMITTING: NAIOP Massachusetts, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, holds a "crash course" workshop on how to navigate the "permitting maze" and environmental review process in Massachusetts. Held over two half-days with the second session starting at 9 a.m. Thursday. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. | Registration)
METRO AREA PLANNING COUNCIL: Metropolitan Area Planning Council holds its fall meeting. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Zoom)
"RECOVERY WORKS" SYMPOSIUM: Mass. Rehabilitation Commission and Advocates for Human Potential host a virtual symposium about how people recovering from substance use disorders could play a key role in the state's labor force. Corporate Wellness Collaborative Founder Lisa Ulbrich is the keynote speaker. Reps. Hendricks and Livingstone plan to speak. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Register)
SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY: Mass. School Building Authority meets remotely. Treasurer Goldberg chairs. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Contact Maria.Puopolo@MassSchoolBuildings.org for access)
MIDDLESEX OPIOID TASK FORCE: Middlesex County DA Ryan hosts a meeting of her Opioid Task Force. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Contact Madeleine.H.Gearan@mass.gov for access)
SEAFOOD DAY AT STATE HOUSE: For the first time since the pandemic, Seafood Day returns to the State House. Fishing Partnership Support Services, the Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership and Massachusetts Seafood Collaborative are the hosts and plan to showcase the diversity of fish species caught and landed in Massachusetts, the economic benefits of the seafood industry, and the dedication and skill of commercial fishermen. Organizers say the sector employs more than 90,000 people. Samples of a wide variety of seafood will be served. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Great Hall)
FEDERAL FUNDS PARTNERSHIP: Lt. Gov. Driscoll holds first meeting of the Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership for Municipalities and Tribes to provide updates on federal funding opportunities and resources for technical assistance and state matching funds. It's part of the Healey administration's push to maximize federal funding for the Bay State. Quentin Palfrey, the administration's director of federal funds and infrastructure, will oversee the partnership and the meetings will run in partnership with the Regional Planning Associations and the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Healey on Thursday announced a proposal to deploy about $750 million in interest earned on the state's stabilization fund over the next three years to attract more federal funding. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Register)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets and could vote on whether to confirm Gov. Healey's first two judicial nominees: attorneys Adam Sisitsky and Tracy Duncan, both tapped for the Superior Court. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources holds a hearing on legislation related to hazardous waste, septic systems, sewers and toxic management. A bill (H 886) is on the docket to deal with combined sewer overflows, when sewage is dumped into public waterways. Some Massachusetts cities and towns have combined sewer systems, in which surface runoff is put through the same pipes that carry sewage. When it rains a lot, the combination can overwhelm the systems. To prevent sewage backups into homes and streets, relief points are built into the wastewater systems to discharge some of the sewage and rainwater into the nearest body of water. "They happen almost every time it rains. If you're putting on a raincoat to go out for errands, more than likely discharge is occurring somewhere in the system," Katharine Lange, policy director at Mass Rivers Alliance, said Thursday during a briefing on the legislation. "And we saw that -- certainly this summer, we had record amounts of rain, which unfortunately also meant record amounts of sewage pollution." Other bills on the docket deal with septic system guidelines of Title V, municipal sewer infrastructure funds, and one would set specific requirements for the labeling of non-flushable wipes as a way to protect sewer systems. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Hearing Room A-2 | Agenda and Access)
COMPTROLLER BOARD: Advisory Board to the Comptroller meets virtually. Agenda includes a timeline overview of when three financial reports -- the Statutory Basis Financial Report, the Annual Comprehensive Report and the Statewide Single Audit Report -- dealing with fiscal 2023 are expected to be published. (Wednesday, 1:30 | Agenda and Livestream)
SPILKA, MASSHEALTH IN FRAMINGHAM: Senate President Spilka holds news conference with officials from MassHealth, the Health Connector, and Health Care For All to talk about MassHealth redetermination process and "ongoing efforts in Framingham to ensure MassHealth members know what they need to do to stay covered." (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 560 Waverly St., Framingham)
"SEX ED ISN'T SPOOKY" RALLY: Healthy Youth Coalition hosts "Sex Ed Isn't Spooky" rally in support of the Healthy Youth Act (S 268 / H 544). The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education just voted to update the state's health education standards, and rally organizers say the act would require the department to regularly review and update the standards. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., in front of the State House | More Info)
ELLEN STORY COMMISSION: Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression holds an event to recognize Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Co-chairs Sen. Liz Miranda and Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley will give remarks; Samantha LaCroix, Count the Kicks Boston ambassador, will give a presentation on kick-counting for stillbirth prevention; and Dawn Fuentes of Awake IntuMind will discuss the impacts of loss on parental mental health. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Agenda and Access)
EASTHAMPTON DIGITAL EQUITY: Easthampton holds a public input session as it begins a six-month planning process in connection with its selection by the Mass. Broadband Institute to be in the first cohort of communities to build out a digital equity plan. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Mountain View School, 200 Park St., Easthampton)
BOSTON CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM: Black Local Organizing Committee (BLOC) hosts at-large Boston City Council candidate forum. Jacquetta Van Zandt is the moderator. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., 150 American Legion Highway, Dorchester | More Info)
VIRTUAL MATERNAL HEALTH SESSION: After a series of in-person events, the Department of Public Health holds a virtual listening session about maternal health as it continues to seek input from the public. People are asked to consider speaking if they've been pregnant; a relative of someone "who became very sick or died while pregnant or giving birth"; a maternal health care provider; or other individual affected by maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Registration)
ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN FITCHBURG: Department of Public Health holds a listening session about essential health services in Fitchburg in the aftermath of the closure of a maternity unit in Leominster. It's also part of the Healey administration's review of essential health services throughout northern Worcester County. "Our administration is deeply concerned about the Leominster closure and health care access generally across northern Worcester County," Gov. Healey said in a statement last month. "We are committed to ensuring that all Massachusetts residents have access to high-quality health care, including safe and equitable maternal care." (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave., Fitchburg | More Info)
NEW BEDFORD INTERCHANGE: MassDOT staff host a public meeting to discuss a planned rehabilitation of the Interstate 195 and Route 18 interchange in New Bedford. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Hayden McFadden Elementary School, 361 Cedar Grove St., New Bedford | More Info)
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023
WOMEN FIGHTING HUNGER: Greater Boston Food Bank hosts its annual Women Fighting Hunger breakfast. Health and Human Services Secretary Walsh will be honored at the event. Treasurer Goldberg also plans to attend. (Thursday, 8 a.m., InterContinental Boston Hotel, 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston | More Info)
CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUMMIT: Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, with Boston Children’s Hospital, hosts its second annual Children's Behavioral Health Summit. Speakers will include Attorney General Campbell; DMH Commissioner Brooke Doyle; Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Co-chairs Rep. Madaro and Sen. Velis; Dr. Kevin Churchwell, President and CEO of Boston Children's Hospital; and Joe Mitchell, President of Franciscan Children's. It's $199 to attend for MHA members and $299 for non-members. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., MCLE Conference Center, 10 Winter Place, Boston | More Info)
STATE RETIREMENT BOARD: Mass. State Retirement Board meets virtually. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Email MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us for access)
INCLUSIVE ELDER CARE: Sen. Eldridge joins Mass. State Association of Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly for a briefing on programs that serve nursing home eligible adults aged 55 and over who have Medicare and Medicaid, just Medicare, or private insurance. Representatives from the eight PACE programs in Massachusetts will be available to offer information and resources about their programs, and to discuss MassPACE legislative priorities. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Room 428)
HOUSE: House plans to hold an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet behind closed doors in a private caucus ahead of a 1 p.m. formal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)
"WOMEN OF INFLUENCE" LUNCHEON: NAIOP Massachusetts and Nutter host a "Women of Influence" luncheon, bringing together a panel of female executives. Speakers include Carol Gladstone, the former commissioner of the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, Tishman Speyer managing director Jessica Hughes, and IQHQ Development director Kim Thai. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Nutter, 155 Seaport Blvd., Boston | Register)
SENATE FORMAL: Senate plans to hold a formal session. Two redrafted bills released Oct. 19 by the Senate Ways and Means Committee feature on Thursday's calendar. One of them (S 1353, redrafted as S 2480), sponsored by Sen. Cyr, would permit "a licensed pharmacist to prescribe, dispense or administer HIV prevention drugs if the patient meets certain requirements," according to a committee summary. The other (S 1381, new version S 2481), originally filed by Sen. Jehlen, aims to expand availability of no-cost menstrual products in places like temporary housing, primary and secondary schools, and correctional institutions. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Senate Chamber)
GRID MODERNIZATION: The state's Grid Modernization Advisory Council meets as it continues to review utility companies' Electric Sector Modernizations Plans. It is slated to be the final meeting of review before the council starts to discuss draft recommendations next month. The council will also hold at least two public listening sessions as it reviews the plans until Nov. 20 at the latest. Final versions are to be submitted for Department of Public Utilities approval in January. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Register)
AUTISM COMMISSION: Autism Commission holds its quarterly meeting virtually. For access info, contact Carol.M.Gracia@mass.gov (Thursday, 2 p.m. | More Info)
NEW ENGLANDER OF THE YEAR AWARDS: New England Council presents its New Englander of the Year awards at its annual dinner. This year's recipients are NBC10 Boston and NECN anchor Latoyia Edwards, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless President Dr. Jim O’Connell, American Tower Corporation board Chair Pamela Reeve, and National Hockey League Players’ Association Executive Director Martin Walsh. Former WBZ-TV anchor Rev. Liz Walker is the special guest. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, 450 Summer St., Boston)
40 UNDER 40 DISCO PARTY: It's time to break out the Donna Summer, Bee Gees and Sister Sledge wax. Boston Business Journal holds disco-themed cocktail party to celebrate the newest class of 40 Under 40 honorees, which the publication describes as "the Bay State's movers and shakers - achievers, innovators, and leaders in their field." Guests are "encouraged to pull out their grooviest attire for this disco-themed cocktail reception," the business journal says. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston | More Info)
LEOMINSTER MATERNAL HEALTH: Department of Public Health holds a maternal health listening session in Leominster following the controversial closure of the maternity ward at UMass Memorial Hospital. Mayor Dean Mazzarella has said the hospital "failed miserably" in its plan to close the facility and didn't consider vulnerable residents in the community. The Department of Public Health deemed the ward an essential service, but officials didn't have the authority to keep it open. Gov. Healey last month called for a statewide maternal health review, plus a review of essential health services in northern Worcester County. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., City Hall, Leominster | More Info)
DISABILITY AND MATERNAL HEALTH: Department of Public Health holds a virtual maternal health listening session for "disability self-advocates." (Thursday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Registration)
NORTHERN TIER RAIL STUDY: Massachusetts Department of Transportation holds a virtual public information meeting in connection with its Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study, which is "examining the potential benefits, costs, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield and Boston, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along this corridor." Organizers say the study team "will share an overview of the study's background, review the public workshop, present the development and evaluation of the Phase 2 alternatives, and garner feedback." (Thursday, 6 p.m., Webinar Access | More Info)
BOWKER OVERPASS REPLACEMENT: MassDOT staff host a virtual public meeting to discuss a proposed replacement of the Bowker Overpass over Interstate 90. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING ADVOCACY: Four organizations host a workshop on legislative advocacy for the deaf and hard of hearing community. The workshop will focus on testifying at hearings, writing testimony, and how to get bills out of committees in the Massachusetts legislative process. Hosts are Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf, Deaf Inc., Center for Living and Working, and Disability Policy Consortium. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Register)
DORCHESTER HEIGHTS MONUMENT RESTORATION: National Parks of Boston and the South Boston Citizens' Association will host a Dorchester Heights Monument Open House. The National Parks of Boston began the $30 million project at the monument on Sept. 15 and rehabilitation work is scheduled to be completed by March 17, 2026, Evacuation Day, during the nation's 250th birthday year. The monument and its surrounding area remain closed to the public during the restoration. The work will include structural upgrades, masonry restoration, and improvement of the monument’s foundation, superstructure, exterior enclosure, roof, interior stairs, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. The program features an overview of plans for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution by Superintendent Michael Creasey, a talk about the monument restoration from Historical Architect Lance Kasparian, and details about the landscape treatment plan by James Mealey, landscape architect at the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School, 650 E. Fourth Street, Boston | More Info)
Friday, Oct. 27, 2023
AMBULANCE RATES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a virtual public hearing on an updated supplemental pay structure for nonpublic ambulance providers. The regulation reflects different pay rates depending on EMS regions and types of ambulance providers, such as for-profit or non-profit and affiliated with a hospital. "EOHHS is making these changes, subject to federal approval, to increase MassHealth members' access to medical services, and further the sustainability of services provided by nonpublic ambulance providers," according to the hearing notice. Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. (Friday, 9 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)
SPILKA IN FRAMINGHAM: Senate President Spilka speaks at a legislative breakfast held by the Learning Center for the Deaf. (Friday, 9 a.m., 848 Central St., Framingham)
HEATING HELP AWARENESS: Sen. Montigny and Rep. Cabral join MASSCAP, the Mass. Energy Directors Association and PACE, Inc. to launch an annual statewide awareness campaign connecting families to available heating aid, like the Mass. Home Energy Assistance Program. The campaign will include TV and digital ads across the state as well as local outreach. (Friday, 10 a.m., PACE, Inc., 32 Madison St., New Bedford | Livestream Options)
QUABBIN PARK CEMETERY: Friends of the Quabbin celebrates $5,000 secured through the new state budget for the Quabbin Park Cemetery. Sen. Jake Oliveira will present the check, and the money will be used to purchase a bronze plaque to commemorate and list the 41 veterans of the American Revolution who are buried at the cemetery. (Friday, 12:30 p.m., Quabbin Park Cemetery, off Route 9, Ware)
NEW BEDFORD BUSINESS: New Bedford Economic Development Council holds its annual meeting which features the premiere of "Small Business, Big Impact," a film about New Bedford entrepreneurs. (Friday, 4 p.m., New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford | Registration)
