People, Power, and Politics

After five and a half terms in the House, Spencer Republican Peter Durant moved across the hall to the Senate on Wednesday after taking his oath of office from Gov. Maura Healey."One of the things that everybody always said was that in the Senate, you get to work more closely with your colleagues. There's a more congenial-type atmosphere, if you will. And I have to say that at least so far, that's been true," Durant said during an appearance with his new Senate Republican Caucus colleagues. To the leader of the branch's little band of Republicans, Sen. Bruce Tarr, Durant's special election win represented proof that the state party's message can resonate. "He has proven that the ideals that we share, the principles that we stand for, are viable in Massachusetts, and the voters in his district spoke loud and clear about that," Tarr said at a caucus press conference before the swearing-in ceremony.

Franklin Town Calendar.

Beacon Hill and Statewide

As standalone bills and policy proposals idle, Beacon Hill continues its budgeting obsession into December. Work on three budget years is now occurring simultaneously. The House and Senate are struggling to finalize spending for fiscal 2023, the Healey administration is monitoring weaknesses in revenues to support the fiscal 2024 budget, and the legislative and executive branches are starting up critical revenue planning for the fiscal 2025 state budget. There's about a month left until formal sessions may resume on Wednesday, Jan. 3 to kick off the second leg of the two-year session. Healey's team is working on a major update to the state's economic development plan, with promises to release a bill in the new year, and gearing up for a pair of signature events next month: her State of the State address Jan. 17 in the House Chamber and the release of her second annual budget, which is due by Wednesday, Jan. 24. Not long after that, on Feb. 7 joint legislative committees must make recommendations on the scores of bills competing for attention. Some of those bills are just emerging for initial public hearings, with joint committees stretching out their hearing schedules. While the House and Senate are largely kicking back with their traditional light holiday season agendas, two joint committee hearings are scheduled for Monday, and four more on Tuesday.

While uncertainty clouds closing the books on fiscal 2023, budget officials from the House, Senate and administration will hold their consensus revenue hearing Monday to solicit expert projections on the state's economic outlook for fiscal 2025. Tuesday will feature a quartet of committee hearings on topics such as health insurance reform, permanent outdoor dining, protected classes, and ranked-choice voting at the local level. A top Healey deputy will offer a glimpse at the administration's economic development plan at an event Wednesday. MBTA goings-on will be aired at a series of subcommittee meetings on Thursday.

Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023

WARREN ON 4: U.S. Sen. Warren talks with Jon Keller about U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and Ukraine, crypto regulation, federal funding for Massachusetts, her reelection run and the Biden campaign. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)

CARNEVALE "ON THE RECORD" | MassGOP chief Amy Carnevale is the guest on "On the Record" and will discuss Spencer Republican Peter Durant's arrival in the state Senate and GOP opposition on Beacon Hill to a $3.1 billion supplemental budget. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)

QUINCY TREE LIGHTING: Active and retired military members will be honored during Quincy's tree lighting ceremony. Mayor Koch attends. (Sunday, 5 p.m., Generals Park, Dunford Drive and McConville Way downtown)

SALVATION ARMY CONCERT: The eighth annual "Sounds of Christmas Concert" is held by the Salvation Army's Massachusetts Division. The event is free. (Sunday, 6 p.m., Boston Kroc Center, 650 Dudley St., Dorchester)

Monday, Dec. 4, 2023

SJC SITS IN BOSTON: Supreme Judicial Court sits with five cases on the docket, one of which is impounded. (Monday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston | Livestream)

GAMING ADVISORY - PUBLIC SAFETY: Public Safety Subcommittee of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee meets and is expected to reprise the discussion the Gaming Commission started about the prevalence of minors using mobile devices to place bets on sports. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)

RTA COUNCIL: Regional Transit Authority Council meets. Agenda items include remarks by Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, an update on issues with driver's licenses at the RMV, and a discussion on increased communication between RTAs and the MBTA regarding service and schedule changes and station closures. (Monday, 10:30 a.m. | Agenda and Access Info)

SENATE SESSION: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

HOUSE SESSION: House is expected to meet in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

AMERICAN REVOLUTION: The education subcommittee of the 250th Anniversary of the Celebration of the American Revolution meets virtually. Agenda features a guest speaker, Abby Chandler, an association professor at UMass Lowell. (Monday, 11 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

GAMING ED SEARCH: Gaming Commission's Executive Director Screening Committee meets as the agency looks for someone to replace Karen Wells. General Counsel Todd Grossman has been serving as acting executive director since Wells departed. The agenda says the committee could go into executive session "in conjunction with the initial screening process to consider specific applicants." (Monday, 11 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)

PUBLIC SAFETY, HOMELAND SECURITY: Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security holds hybrid public hearing on about a dozen bills focused on transportation. Proposals would require seat belts on school buses, improve transparency surrounding the use of facial recognition for driver's licenses, and establish an automated road safety enforcement pilot program for 10 communities. Other legislation looks to crack down on impaired driving. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)

BC CEO CLUB LUNCHEON: Panera Brands Chairman Niren Chaudhary is the featured speaker at the Boston College Chief Executives Club luncheon. Salient Ventures CEO Diane Hessan will lead the fireside chat, touching on "the challenges of succeeding an iconic founder, running restaurants during the pandemic, talent retention, his global experiences, and his leadership philosophy," organizers said. Before joining Panera, Chaudhary was president and COO of Krispy Kreme. Prior to that, he spent 23 years at Yum! Brands, including as global president of KFC. Media is asked to RSVP to ed.hayward@bc.edu. Lunch at noon, program at 1 p.m. (Monday, 12 p.m., Wharf Room, Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER: Vinfen, a health and human services nonprofit, opens an expanded community behavioral health center. It will offer a "full continuum of routine and crisis mental health services and adds overnight crisis stabilization beds." The space includes 13 community crisis stabilization beds, a seven-bed youth unit and a six-bed adult unit. Attendees at the opening reception include Vinfen CEO Jean Yang, Sen. Kennedy, Lowell City Manager Tom Golden, and Lowell General Hospital CEO Amy Hoey. Remarks are slated for 12:30 p.m. (Monday, 12 p.m., 391 Varnum Ave., Lowell)

NURSING DIVERSITY FUNDING: Celebration the fall 2023 nursing student cohort, who are the "first to benefit from $20 million commitment to enhance diversity in the nursing, healthcare provider pipeline." Attendees include House Speaker Ron Mariano, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, UMass President Marty Meehan, and UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. UMass Boston expanded its Clinical Leadership Collaborative for Diversity in Nursing this year, funded by $10 million commitments from both Mass General Brigham and UMass Boston. (Monday, 12 p.m., Campus Center Ballroom, UMass Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard)

MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE AND RECOVERY: Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery holds hybrid public hearing on 20 proposals. A slew of commissions and task forces would be launched through bills dealing with sober homes, treatment disparities for substance use disorders among minority communities, heroin trafficking, suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress disorder. Other legislation seeks to eliminate disparities in mental health care, increase minimum payment rates for behavioral health services, and expand investments in behavioral health care. (Monday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Livestream)

FARMLAND ACTION PLAN: State officials announce the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan, with Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle taking a lead role in outlining the long-range strategic initiative. Other attendees include Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi, Rep. Paul Schmid, and agricultural organization representatives. (Monday, 1 p.m., Farmer Dave's, 437 Parker Rd. Dracut)

ANNUAL REVENUE HEARING: The Healey administration joins legislators to hold the annual hearing on revenue projections, which will lead to a revenue accord to serve as the basis of fiscal 2025 state budget proposals from Gov. Healey and the House and Senate Ways and Means committees. Tax collections so far this fiscal year have underperformed the fiscal 2024 consensus revenue agreement, which called for 1.6 percent growth, or 4.1 percent growth when adding the $1 billion in new projected revenue from the surtax on income greater than $1 million. The same trio of Beacon Hill budget chieftains is in place for this year's hearing - Administration and Finance Secretary Matt Gorzkowicz, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues. The buzz heading into the hearing is about a revenue growth slowdown and calls from business leaders for Beacon Hill to moderate spending growth. Simultaneously, there are continuing calls from the left and the right for more tax and cost of living relief and more spending to make the state more competitive during a time of labor shortages. Hearing managers usually hear from the Department of Revenue, the state Treasury, and an array of economists about their outlooks. (Monday, 1 p.m., Gardner Auditorium | Livestream)

RGGI BOARD MEETS: The Board of Directors of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc. meets via teleconference, with Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony playing a role in the meeting, according to the agenda. The compact's committee elections and operating budget are up for discussion, and "milestone updates" will be offered by executive director Andrew McKeon. (Monday, 4 p.m., Registration)

MWPC AWARDS: Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus celebrates recipients of the Winners Circle Awards, including Sen. Edwards; Rep. Kane; Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation; Brooke Thompson of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts; and Juan Fernando Lopera of Beth Israel Lahey Health. The honorees have "dedicated their careers and lives to advancing causes that align with our mission of elevating women and uplifting & empowering our communities," organizers say. (Monday, 6 p.m., UMass Club, One Beacon St., 32nd floor, Boston)

LEVENTHAL AWARDS: A Better City hosts the Norman B. Leventhal awards to honor contributions to "the built environment in the areas of city builder, the environment, land use, and transportation." Honorees include former A Better City President Rick Dimino, Dukakis Center Director Ted Landsmark, Boston Harbor Now President Kathy Abbott, and NBBJ principal Alex Krieger. (Monday, 6 p.m., Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston)

BOSTON BRIDGE PRESERVATION: MassDOT holds public information meeting on the Richmond Street Bridge preservation project in Boston's North End. The project is scheduled to begin in April 2025. During construction there will be parking restrictions and a six-week closure of Richmond Street between Fulton Street and North Street. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., Nazzaro Community Center, 30 N Bennet St., Boston | More Info)

TAX INCENTIVE LAUNCH: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center opens the application period for the Tax Incentive program, which is intended to support new, long-term jobs in Massachusett for companies involved with life sciences research and development. The deadline to apply is Feb. 2. Eligible companies must be registered in Massachusetts, have at least 10 permanent Massachusetts employees, and guarantee the creation of 10 new jobs in 2024. The program dates back to the $1 billion life sciences initiative that Gov. Patrick signed into law in 2008. Gov. Healey has pledged to continue the commitment to the life sciences sector. (Monday | More Info)

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Financial Services hosts a hybrid public hearing reform, dental and medical malpractice, and ambulance bills. Massachusetts Oncology Patients, Survivors and Supporters (MOPSS) is supporting a Rep. McMurty bill to expand coverage of dental procedures (H 1094). The bill aims to cover medically related dental treatment, and acknowledges specific oral health challenges faced by individuals, particularly head and neck cancer survivors, due to the impact of radiation therapy, according to MOPSS. "The bill holds significance for these survivors by addressing financial barriers to essential dental care that have hindered their overall well-being. By compelling insurers to provide coverage for medically related dental treatment, the legislation seeks to ensure that individuals who have faced head and neck cancer can access necessary dental care without enduring undue financial burdens," says a release from the organization. Other bills before the committee seek to improve patient access to non-emergency medical transportation, and decrease the financial burden of calling an ambulance. A Sen. Rausch bill would expand health insurance access for state employees. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government holds a hybrid public hearing on home rules and miscellaneous bills. A Rep. Lombardo bill (H 2079) would "prohibit cities or towns from failing to enforce federal immigration laws by designating themselves as sanctuary cities" and withhold unrestricted general government aid to cities and towns for non-compliance. Other bills would create a commission to study the effects of unfunded mandates on municipalities, and prevent creditors from publishing notice of a foreclosure sale of a residential property unless it has first offered the city or town an opportunity to purchase the property. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Access Info)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PUBLIC HEARING: Community Policing and Behavioral Health Advisory Council holds a public hearing as it develops its Crisis Services Report. The council is tasked with "creating a crisis response and continuity of care system that delivers alternative emergency services and programs across the commonwealth that reflect specific regional, racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation needs and differences in delivering such services," according to the hearing notice. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Springfield Public Library, 220 State St., Springfield | More Info)

COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Statutory Advisory Board meets virtually. Agenda includes a commissioner report and public comment. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda Livestream)

ELECTION LAWS COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Election Laws holds a hybrid public hearing on home rule and miscellaneous bills. A Rep. Fernandes and Sen. Cyr bill would require disclosure and regulation of campaign expenditures and contributions for certain town meeting articles, calling their bill, "An act relative to dark money in local government." Rep. Vitolo introduced a bill to authorize ranked choice voting in Brookline, and Rep. Driscoll seeks to have Randolph offer bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 | Agenda and Access Info)

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary holds a hybrid public hearing on bills related to protected classes. A Rep. Connolly bill would extend the period in which a worker could file a complaint of workplace discrimination from 300 days to three years after the alleged act of discrimination. Other proposals would create an office of tenant advocacy in the attorney general's office; seek to increase protections from gender-based price discrimination, and discrimination on the basis of height and body size; and strengthen policies against sexual harassment. A Sen. Miranda bill would create a reparations program for the descendants of American slavery and pilot a universal basic income. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Access Info)

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PUBLIC HEARING: Community Policing and Behavioral Health Advisory Council holds its second hearing of the day as it seeks feedback on the development of a Crisis Services Report. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Worcester Public Library, 2 Salem Square, Worcester | More Info)

MILTON ROAD PROJECT: MassDOT holds public hearing on the proposed intersection improvements at Squantum Street and Adams Street in Milton. The project aims to improve traffic and safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Improvements will be made to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle access and safety along the corridor, while also rehabilitating the roadway, including widening areas of the street. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

BIDEN IN BOSTON: President Joseph Biden returns to Massachusetts for a concert fundraiser featuring singer-songwriter James Taylor. Titled "You've Got A Friend In Joe," the event is meant to raise money for the Biden Victory Fund, according to an invitation emailed out by MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan. Ticket prices range from $50 (mezzanine rear) to $500 (orchestra side front) to $7,500 (orchestra center front). The time and address of the event won't be shared with ticketholders until 36 to 48 hours beforehand, Kerrigan wrote. (Tuesday)

NOVEMBER REVENUES: Department of Revenue is due to report on state tax collections for the month of November, which generally produces roughly 6.5 percent of annual revenue. The monthly benchmark is set at $2.527 billion and DOR had collected $919 million by mid-month, a drop of $116 million or 11.2 percent compared to November 2022. (Tuesday)

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023

SJC SITS IN BOSTON: Supreme Judicial Court sits with five cases on the docket. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston | Livestream)

WELLNESS FORUM: The Greater Boston Business Chamber hosts a virtual forum on wellness resources. The final event in their Wellness Reimagined series on how employers can build health and resilience in their workforce, Wednesday's event will focus on making wellness resources readily and equitably available for employees in the midst of a national mental health crisis. Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, Boston Children's Hospital President and CEO Devin Churchwell and Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massanchusetts Sandhya Rao are scheduled to speak. (Wednesday, 11 a.m. | Registration)

HPC ADVISORY COUNCIL: Health Policy Commission Advisory Council meets to review the 2023 Health Care Cost Trends Report, which warned that health care spending in Massachusetts is "moving in the wrong direction" and called for significant policy action by lawmakers to rein it in. Members also plan to discuss reducing administrative complexity. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Agenda | Livestream)

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL: MassDOT and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education host a professional development information session about safe routes to school, focused on pedestrian and bicycle safety. Health and wellness teachers, school administrators, nurses, coaches, paraprofessionals and community partners are encouraged to attend, and can earn a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

AUTHOR TALK: State Library hosts an author talk with Elena Palladino on her book, "The Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley: Drowned By the Quabbin." (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State Library, Room 341 | Livestream)

FUTURE OF WORK - PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Nancy Frates of the Pete Frates Foundation is a featured speaker at a panel discussion on "bridging opportunities for disabled workers." Panelists include Rep. Cutler, co-chair of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee; Chris White, vice chair of the Status of Persons With Disabilities Commission; Matt Curran of NWN Carousel; Fisher College vice president Janet Kuser; and Kyle Merritt of Google Cloud, New England. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Fisher College)

MCB REHABILITATION COUNCIL: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Rehabilitation Council meets virtually. Agenda include a budget update. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda Livestream)

HEALEY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao discusses the Healey administration's economic development plan during a hybrid listening session before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. A council tasked with guiding the planning process first met in May and then held listening sessions throughout the state. State law requires governors to craft and sign the plan within the first year of their administration. Healey's office said the plan "sets long term goals and measurable benchmarks and defines major economic development initiatives and programs." It must be finalized by Dec. 31. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)

CLEAN WATER TRUST: Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees meets. Treasurer Goldberg will chair the meeting. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. | Zoom)

GOLDBERG-HEALEY MEETING: Treasurer Goldberg and Governor Healey sit down for their semi-regular monthly meeting. (Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., Governor's Office)

SOCIAL JUSTICE FORUM: Rahsaan Hall, CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Mass., keynotes the social justice-focused Jack Ward Community Forum hosted by Greater Boston Legal Services. RSVP to development@gbls.org. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Choate Hall & Stuart, 2 International Pl., Boston)

DANIELS-FINEGOLD SETTLEMENT: Judge Patrick King will report on the state of the Daniels-Finegold v. MBTA settlement agreement. The class action lawsuit was filed against the T in 200 by riders with disabilities who could not safely or reliably access the MBTA. The settlement agreement said the T would "comply not only with the letter but also the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the complete understanding that all people with disabilities must have every opportunity to be fully participating members of our community and that fundamental to this opportunity is the right and ability to use public transportation in an equal, effective, and dignified manner." Judge King will provide an update on the MBTA's work towards accessibility compliance in line with the agreement. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. | Register)

LOWELL BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds virtual public meeting on the proposed Rourke Bridge Replacement in Lowell. The bridge over the Merrimack River was constructed in 1983 as a temporary bridge. The replacement bridge will connect Middlesex Street to Pawtucket Boulevard, and seeks to meet federal accessibility standards. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FORUM: MassVOTE holds a public forum on "How to make your local government work for you," as part of its political and civic leadership series. The event will focus on building relationships with elected officials, becoming more civically engaged, and holding elected officials accountable. The virtual forum will be moderated by Celia Johnston Blue, president and CEO of Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition Inc. MassVOTE Executive Director Cheryl Clyburn Crawford is also scheduled to speak. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

MAYORS' DINNER: Massachusetts Mayors' Association holds a holiday dinner. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info)

VINEYARD BEACH ROAD STUDY: MassDOT holds a virtual public meeting to present a review of existing conditions in the area of Beach Road and Five Corners in Tisbury, including for flood vulnerability, road safety and operations. The department is studying Beach Road, Lagoon Pond Road and the Five Corners intersection, and will develop alternatives to improve climate resiliency and public safety. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. | Register)

GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: Candidates seeking the Republican Party's presidential nomination in 2024 plan to hold their fourth debate and the first-ever presidential debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Donald Trump has avoided the GOP debates but doing so has not dented his commanding leads in public opinion polls. (Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST, University of Alabama's Frank Moody Music Building, 810 Second Ave., Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

BALLOT QUESTIONS: Certified signatures for potential ballot questions must be filed with Secretary of State William Galvin's office. It's another necessary step for advocates of potential questions to make it onto the 2024 ballot. Successful campaigns last month had to file at least 74,574 signatures and with city and town election officials for certification. At least a half-dozen petitions appear poised to move forward in the initiative process, including questions to nix the MCAS test graduation requirement, allow the auditor to audit the Legislature, raise the minimum wage for tipped workers and clarify workers' rights for app-based, on-demand drivers. (Wednesday)

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023

MBTA AUDIT SUBCOMMITTEE: The MBTA Audit and Finance Subcommittee holds a virtual meeting. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Access Info)

MUNICIPAL HR MEETING: Massachusetts Municipal Human Resource holds a virtual holiday meeting, featuring a workshop on how to navigate conflicts and maintain "strong, long-term professional relationships," according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Also on the agenda is a session about healthy eating. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m. | Register)

MBTA PLANNING SUBCOMMITTEE: The MBTA Planning, Workforce, Development and Compensation Subcommittee holds a virtual meeting. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Access Info)

REHABILITATION COUNCIL: Massachusetts State Rehabilitation Council's policy committee meets virtually. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | Agenda Livestream)

MBTA SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE: The MBTA Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee holds a hybrid public meeting. (Thursday, 11 a.m., State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | More Info and Access Info)

HOUSE SESSION: House is expected to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

PEARL HARBOR DAY: National Park Service hosts Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day events, starting with a luncheon speaking program at the USS Constitution Museum. A wreath-laying ceremony follows at the adjacent 1943 naval destroyer USS Cassin Young. The vessel, which is marking its 80th anniversary, was named for U.S. Navy Commander Cassin Young who received the Medal of Honor for heroic actions during the Pearl Harbor attack. Speakers include USS Constitution Commander Billie Farrell, Anne Grimes Rand of the USS Constitution Museum, and Boston Veterans' Services Commissioner Robert Santiago. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston)

APPRENTICE TRAINING CENTER: Local 103 IBEW hosts a ribbon-cutting for a new Joint Apprentice Training Center of Greater Boston, which officials say will train thousands of union electrical workers. Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Sen. Feeney and IBEW Local 103 Business Manager Lou Antonellis join. (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., JATC of Greater Boston, 194 Freeport St., Dorchester)

ROUTE 114 IMPROVEMENTS MEETING: MassDOT holds an open house style community public meeting regarding the proposed Route 114 corridor improvement project between Waverly Road and Willow Street/Mill Road in North Andover and Lawrence. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Merrimack College, Crowe Hall, Crowe Hall Executive Room 315 Turnpike St., North Andover)

Friday, Dec. 8, 2023

SJC SITS IN BOSTON: Supreme Judicial Court sits with two cases on the docket. (Friday, 9 a.m., John Adams Courthouse, Room 1, 1 Pemberton Square, Boston | Livestream)

RENEWABLE PROPANE: Eastern Propane holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the start of renewable propane being delivered in southeastern Massachusetts and will educate attendees about the alternative fuel source. Rep. Roy, the House chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, attends. (Friday, 11 a.m., 11 Forge Parkway, Franklin)

SUMNER TUNNEL CLOSURE: The final Sumner Tunnel weekend closure for 2023 begins. MassDOT crews plan to install fire alarm conduits, structural steel and fire pipe, among other work. The tunnel closes to traffic at 11 p.m. Friday and will reopen "no later than" 5 a.m. Monday. Weekend closures will continue in 2024, MassDOT says. (Friday-Monday)