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Opening a new frontier in the region's offshore wind power push, the federal government on Friday finalized its designation of a two-million acre wind energy area off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said the designated Gulf of Maine area would support President Joe Biden's goals of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030 and 15 gigawatts of floating offshore wind energy capacity by 2035.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
Mon. Mar 18
Franklin Housing Authority Meeting
4:30pm
Master Plan-Land Use & Zoning Subcommittee
7:00pm
7:00pm
Agricultural Joint Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Tues. Mar. 19
10:00am
Franklin School Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Wed. Mar 20
5:15pm
6:30pm
Thurs. Mar 21
Conservation Commission Meeting
7:00pm
STATE HOUSE AND BEYOND
Lawmakers are almost done with their long, public review of Gov. Maura Healey's $58.1 billion fiscal 2025 state budget. The month or so before the House will surface its own spending plan provides an opportunity for top Democrats to cross more items off the massive to-do list. House Speaker Ron Mariano and Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz have been predictably tight-lipped about what else they want to tackle before the mid-April budget debate -- "I don't know, I'm working on the budget right now," Michlewitz replied to that question last week. An upcoming event with business leaders could shed some light. Mariano is scheduled to speak at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum Thursday, and he hasn't been shy in the past about tipping his hand to attendees, like when he used last year's appearance to announce renewed plans to pursue tax relief. Tension between workers and major business interests will also be on the Legislature's agenda Tuesday, when a legislative committee tasked with reviewing potential ballot questions hears testimony on all of the app-based driver measures -- including the path-to-unionization proposal backed by labor groups and the independent-contractor petitions bankrolled by the companies.
The House and Senate have focused more in recent months on their own individual agendas than shared goals, like the Senate's vote Thursday on an early education reform bill that has an uncertain timeline across the hall. Next week could bring them closer to accomplishing one high-profile task that died due to procrastination last term. Senators plan to vote Thursday on House-approved legislation that would create an enforceable ban on "revenge porn," something that 48 other states have addressed but not Massachusetts or South Carolina. There will be a lot more time for compromise in this second attempt: in 2022, Senate Democrats sat on a bill banning revenge porn for more than seven months and surfaced it with mere days left before the term expired, and the two branches failed to get on the same page in that narrow window. Time is running out for Senate President Karen Spilka and her deputies to make a decision on whether they want to make permanent pandemic-era policies like cocktails to go -- which will expire March 31 without action -- despite opposition from package store owners, not to mention the emergency family shelter funding and time limits the House approved as part of the same bill. Look for a Senate version of the House's $260 million fiscal 2024 supplemental budget to emerge soon from Senate Ways and Means. Another bill calling for $200 million toward the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program plus another $175 million in infrastructure grants is headed now to the Bonding Committee, where committee chairs Sen. Edward Kennedy of Lowell and Rep. Michael Finn of West Springfield will need to decide whether to keep the bill moving on what Transportation Committee co-chair Sen. Brendan Crighton says is an expedited schedule.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
TRAHAN ON 4: Congresswoman Trahan is on "Keller At Large" talking about federal migrant aid, Democratic Party election messaging, and the controversy around TikTok. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
ST. PATRICK'S DAY BREAKFAST: Sen. Collins hosts the annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast political roast in South Boston. This year's headliners include all Democrats -- Gov. Healey, U.S. Sen. Warren, Congressman Lynch, Congresswoman Pressley, Senate President Spilka, Auditor DiZoglio, and Boston Mayor Wu. Other guests on the dais include Suffolk County District Attorney Hayden, Boston City Councilor Flynn, City Councilor Murphy, Rep. Biele, and U.S. Navy Commander Chance Smith of the USS Truxtun. An Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the USS Truxtun is visiting the port of Boston for St. Patrick's Day weekend. Breakfast is broadcast on NECN, NESN, Boston Neighborhood Network, and WROL AM 950/FM 100.3. "Exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage" on the Caught In Southie website. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., Ironworkers Local 7 Hall, 195 Old Colony Ave., South Boston)
AUCHINCLOSS ON 5: Congressman Auchincloss is this week's guest on "On The Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
AUCHINCLOSS ON 10: Congressman Auchincloss appears on "At Issue" to talk about U.S. funding for Ukraine, the 2024 elections, and the TikTok bill in Congress. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WBTS-TV Ch. 10)
MBTA ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY: MBTA offers a free St. Patrick's Day shuttle between South Station (Summer Street at Atlantic Avenue) and South Boston (East 1st St. at City Point Bus Terminal) from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The T also plans for bus detours in the area of the Southie parade route, increased daytime Red Line service, and a bypass of Broadway Station during some parts of the day. More info online. (Sunday)
Monday, March 18, 2024
MASSDOT OFFICIALS OUT WEST: Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt tours bridges and roads in Franklin County on Monday, joined by local officials, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, and Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. Members of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments give a brief presentation at the John Olver Transit Center. Attendees include Sen. Comerford, Sen. Mark, Rep. Blais, Rep. Saunders, Rep. Whipps, and Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., Olver Transit Center, 12 Olive St., Greenfield)
GAMING DIRECTOR INTERVIEWS: Mass. Gaming Commission meets to interview two finalists for its executive director position: Clinton Dick, the general counsel at the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, and Dean Serpa, former deputy chief of staff for operations and administration to Gov. Charlie Baker. Following the two public interviews, commissioners are expected to discuss the finalists and vote on the selection of an executive director. The agenda also calls for an executive session for commissioners and staff to "conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the selected Executive Director Candidate." (Monday, 10 a.m., 101 Federal St., 12th floor, Boston | Agenda and Virtual Access)
CONVENTION CENTER TASK FORCE: The Mass. Convention Center Authority Board's Member Task Force meets to review a "proposed workplan." (Monday, 10 a.m., Microsoft Teams | Or dial in to (857) 702-2232, Conference ID: 499 987 761# | Agenda)
RYAN IN EVERETT: Middlesex DA Ryan visits the Council on Aging in Everett to give a presentation on common financial scams that often target senior citizens. (Monday, 10 a.m., Edward G. Connolly Center, 90 Chelsea St., Everett)
DRIVERS BACK CONTRACTOR STATUS: Ride-for-hire and delivery drivers gather in support of a ballot question that would define them as independent contractors, not employees, and make new benefits available. The industry-backed coalition pushing the question will host the event in Springfield one day before a legislative committee holds a hearing to consider the proposal. Press asked to RSVP to Conor Yunits at (857) 276-8479 or cyunits@issuesgroup.com. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., Omnipoint Cyber Cafe, 1666 Main St., Springfield)
HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
HOME ENERGY REBATES: Department of Energy Resources holds a public input session related to its plan to submit applications this spring for the Home Efficiency Rebates Program and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program included in the Inflation Reduction Act. DOER said it expects about $73 million from each program, money that the department plans to deploy "in such a way as to enhance equitable outcomes while building upon the Commonwealth’s existing efforts in building energy efficiency and electrification." (Monday, 1 p.m., Zoom)
STUDENT DEBT ROUNDTABLE: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Massachusetts educators, teacher's unions and students have a roundtable discussion on student debt. Warren and Weingarten will discuss federal efforts to provide student debt relief and a recent report from AFT and the Student Borrower Protection Center "about lending companies’ failures to serve millions of borrowers, including public servants seeking student debt relief through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program." (Monday, 2:30 p.m., AFT Massachusetts, 38 Chauncy St., Suite 402, Boston)
WORKER RIGHTS: City of Boston, the attorney general's Fair Labor Division, the Department of Labor, Greater Boston Legal Services, Justice at Work and Fair Employment Project, and local workers centers like the Matahari Women Workers Center host a workers' rights fair, focused on the rights of women and domestic workers. Child care and food will be provided. Register (Monday, 5 p.m., Location: Bruce C. Bolling Building, 2300 Washington St., Roxbury)
STATE ADMIN COMMITTEE: Monday is the deadline for testimony to be submitted to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on H 4432 relative to the creation of a branch of the Boston Public Library within an affordable housing development in Dorchester. Testimony can be submitted by email to jamie.howell-walton@mahouse.gov or riley.nichols@masenate.gov. (Monday, 5 p.m., More Info)
ORANGE LINE SHUTTLE: Shuttle buses will replace the Orange Line from Jackson Square to North Station "to allow crews to perform critical work to upgrade infrastructure as part of the Track Improvement Program." (Monday through Thursday)
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
MARINE FISHERIES: Marine Fisheries Advisories Commission meets and is expected to vote on new regulations related to the protection of horseshoe crabs. The agenda also calls for discussion of commercial striped bass fishing, commercial menhaden fishing, amendments to sanitary shellfish harvest and handling rules, and black sea bass, scup and summer flounder limits. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Agenda and Access Info)
NESEA CONFERENCE: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association hosts its annual conference and trade show; this year's theme is climate resilience. Speakers include Meg Howard from the Mass. Clean Energy Center, Joanne Bissetta and Paul Ormand from the Department of Energy Resources, and Joel Wool from the Boston Housing Authority. The conference is geared towards people who work in high-performance building and design, energy efficiency, and renewables. Conference runs through Wednesday. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Westin Boston Seaport, 425 Summer St., Boston)
APP-BASED DRIVER QUESTIONS: Lawmakers tasked with reviewing the field of proposed ballot questions dive into one of the most contentious topics of the cycle: work classification and benefits for app-based drivers. It's a topic that top House and Senate Democrats have not wanted to deal with, leading outside interests to pursue lawsuits and now, possible ballot laws. The Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions plans to hear testimony on a labor-backed measure (H 4253) that would allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize as well as the multiple versions of an industry-backed push to classify drivers as independent contractors, not employees, under state law. (H 4256, H 4257, H 4258, H 4259, H 4260). The questions could prompt bitter, expensive campaigns with national implications, and they will go before lawmakers while the attorney general's lawsuit against Uber and Lyft alleging the companies violate existing state labor laws is on the verge of heading to trial. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Room A-2 | Agenda and Livestream)
HIGHER ED MEETING: Board of Higher Education meets virtually. Agenda includes remarks from Education Secretary Tutwiler and Board Chair Chris Gabrieli. The board is slated to approve guidelines for the Massachusetts In-Demand Scholarship Program, which is meant to support students at public and independent colleges pursuing degrees in STEM, health or education. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. |Agenda and Livestream)
DiZOGLIO AT PEOPLE'S ACADEMY: Auditor DiZoglio visits The People's Academy, a "pre-apprenticeship program focused on providing inner city residents with the ability to adopt a trade for life in the copper industry." (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., 8 Sumner Park, Boston)
FISCAL 2025 BUDGET HEARING - PUBLIC SAFETY: Lawmakers continue their review of Gov. Healey's $58.1 billion fiscal 2025 budget bill at a hearing focused on public safety and judiciary spending in the proposal. The Joint Ways and Means Committee will invite testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security, district attorneys, sheriffs, the state judiciary, the State Ethics Commission, the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Mass. Legal Assistance Corporation, the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, Office for Victim Assistance, and the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Worcester State University | Agenda and Livestream)
MUNICIPAL RECORDS: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a webinar about digitizing municipal records. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | More Info)
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: Committee for Supportive Housing Production and Services, part of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, meets virtually. Agenda includes an update on the Olmstead Plan, which stems from a Supreme Court decision that requires states to offer programs and activities for people with disabilities in integrated settings. For access, contact pchan@cedac.org. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda)
BOSTON UNION CONTRACTS: Boston City Council's Ways and Means Committee holds hearing on four dockets containing appropriations to cover fiscal 2024 costs related to collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME Council 93 and SEIU Local 888. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., Iannella Council Chamber, City Hall, Boston | More Info)
SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY: Mass. School Building Authority Board meets, with Treasurer Goldberg presiding. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Zoom)
HATE CRIMES: Victim Support Committee of the Task Force on Hate Crimes meets virtually. Agenda includes a presentation from LA vs. Hate, which supports residents and communities who are targets for hate in Los Angeles County. (Tuesday, 3 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream
HORSESHOE CRAB RALLY: Mass Audubon advocates and other supporters of the horseshoe crab rally after the Marine Fisheries Advisories Commission votes on new protections for the 400-million-year-old species. "These prehistoric creatures are among the world’s most resilient species, and today live along the East and Gulf Coasts of North America and across Asia. Their nutritious eggs provide a vital food source for thousands of migratory shorebirds, including the federally threatened Red Knot," Mass Audubon said. "Unfortunately, overfishing and climate change have severely depleted horseshoe crab populations in Massachusetts." Mass Audubon President David O’Neill will speak. Media should RSVP to agouveia@massaudubon.org. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, 345 Bone Hill Road, Barnstable)
NORTH STRAND TRAIL: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a public meeting about its plan to make improvements along the Northern Strand Trail. The trail is more than 10 miles and connects Everett, Malden, Revere, Lynn and Saugus. DCR's Northern Strand Wayside project, which includes making the park more accessible along the Saugus River, encompasses roughly eight acres. "The new parkland is expected to serve both as a safe and welcoming passive park as well as a wayside on the Northern Strand Trail for users to stop, rest, and explore the site," DCR says. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., | More Info and Register)
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
MUNICIPAL POLICE: The Municipal Police Training Committee's Standards Subcommittee meets. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 31 Maple Street, Milford | Agenda and Livestream)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet in a private caucus. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate President's Office)
MASSDOT BOARD: MassDOT Board of Directors meets. Agenda includes possible action on replacement tunnel lighting for I-93, a status update on "vulnerable users," and discussion of a strategic business plan, fiscal 2025-2029 capital investment plan kickoff, and safety and intersection capital programs. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Transportation Building, 2nd floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Full Agenda)
CHAPTER 70 FUNDING: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a webinar about Chapter 70 education aid. Brian Allen of Worcester Public Schools will discuss the funding formula, including how funding is determined for school districts and how the amount may change based on factors like student enrollment and inflation. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | More Info and Register)
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure accepts only written testimony related to S 2689, a Sen. Rodrigues bill amending the Cranberry Highway Smart Growth Overlay District. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., More Info)
LOWELL - ROURKE BRIDGE: MassDOT holds virtual meeting to give an update on the replacement project for the Rourke Bridge over the Merrimack River in Lowell. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Zoom | Info and Registration | Project Info)
CCC SOCIAL EQUITY CLINIC: CCC's Equity Programming and Community Outreach team hosts the third of six application clinics to support prospective applicants interested in applying for the CCC's social equity program. The program offers free, statewide technical assistance and training to help individuals most impacted by the War on Drugs break into the legal cannabis industry. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., New Bedford Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., New Bedford)
CAMBRIDGE PARK PROJECT: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a virtual public hearing about its construction schedule for rehabbing Lowell Memorial Park in Cambridge. Improvements are planned for pathways, plantings, benches, lighting and walls. (Wednesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)
DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: Massachusetts Women Veterans Network holds a screening and discussion of the "Six Triple Eight" documentary. It's about a battalion of Black women soldiers who in 1945 tackled a two-year backlog of mail in England and France. The event will also include a discussion. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Cambridge Library, 449 Cambridge | More Info)
WESTPORT - TICKLE ROAD: MassDOT holds a public hearing on design of proposed intersection work at Route 177 and Roberts Road/Tickle Road in Westport. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Zoom | Info and Registration)
CITIZEN'S ACADEMY: Middlesex DA Ryan talks about the programs and resources available through her office at Stow Police Department's Citizen's Academy. (Wednesday, 6:45 p.m., Stow Fire Department, 511 Great Road, Stow)
QUEBEC CITY MAYOR HERE: Mayor Bruno Marchand of Quebec leads a "short economic mission to Boston," joined by representatives from Quebec green building and smart building companies and export agency Quebec International. They're in town until Friday on a trip that coincides with the BuildingEnergy Boston conference, according to the Quebec Government Office in Boston. In addition to attending the conference, the group plans to talk with the City of Boston about housing and building decarbonization, visit related project sites, and visit green technology innovation centers. (Wednesday through Friday)
PACHECO IN AUSTRIA: Sen. Pacheco travels to Vienna, Austria, where he will be the keynote speaker and a panelist at the City Academy of Vienna event "Behind the Scenes: The U.S. Presidential Election and Its Impact on Europe," focused on U.S. elections and their impacts on Europe. (Wednesday, Vienna, Austria)
Thursday, March 21, 2024
MASSPORT BOARD: Massachusetts Port Authority Board meets. (Thursday, 9 a.m., One Harborside Dr., East Boston)
MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT, HR: Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources hold their annual joint meeting, which includes a panel discussion about police body-worn cameras. Speakers include Dennis Police Chief John Brady and Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson. Also on the agenda are updates from Massachusetts Municipal Associaton Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine, Danvers Assistant Town Manager Jen Breaker and MMA Legislator Director Dave Koffman. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St., Wrentham | Register)
SPEAKER MARIANO AT BOSTON CHAMBER: House Speaker Mariano speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce government affairs forum about his "policy priorities and strategies to strengthen the communities and economy of Massachusetts." (Thursday, 9:45 a.m., Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, 606 Congress St., Boston | Registration)
EARLY COLLEGE DAY: Massachusetts Alliance for Early College hosts a private briefing with legislators to discuss early college programs and related legislation. Organizers expect about 150 guests, but the event is not open to the public. This week, UMass announced that it plans to triple enrollment in its early college initiative over the next five years. By opening access to free college credits, the program can cut into the high costs of higher education but early college access is also limited due to funding constraints. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Room 428)
SENATE FORMAL: Senators plan to meet in a formal session to take up legislation cracking down on revenge porn and "coercive control," according to lead sponsor Sen. Keenan. The bill, a version of which sailed unanimously through the House in January, would more closely align Massachusetts with 48 other states that already have enforceable bans on sharing sexually explicit images and video without the subject's permission. Advocates have been pushing for years to update state law, but Democrats failed to get a bill over the finish line in 2022 when the Senate waited until the final days of the term to advance a House-approved proposal. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE INFORMAL: House plans to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
AFTER-SCHOOL BRIEFING: Rep. Madaro and Sen. Crighton join Boston After School And Beyond and Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership to brief lawmakers and staff on the need for evidence-based after-school and summer learning programs that could help close opportunity and achievement gaps across Massachusetts. Media interested in attending should contact lgiordano@melwoodglobal.com. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Hearing Room B-1)
DiZOGLIO AT NORTH SHORE CHAMBER: Auditor DiZoglio speaks at a North Shore Chamber of Commerce business expo luncheon about her push to audit the Legislature, a related 2024 potential ballot question, and other "plans for the coming year." (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Boston marriott Peabody, 8A Centennial Dr., Peabody | Registration)
MANDIANT CEO: Boston College Chief Executives Club hosts a lunchtime fireside chat featuring Kevin Mandia, CEO of cybersecurity firm Mandiant, in conversation with Corey Thomas of Rapid7. Media RSVP to ed.hayward@bc.edu. (Thursday, 12 p.m., Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowe's Wharf, Boston)
FLOODING 101: Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Charles River Watershed Association hold an informal "Flooding 101" press briefing. The informal briefing will cover FEMA data, whether the state is "actually getting more rain," which communities are most at risk, and legislation the groups are advocating for to address the issue (Thursday, 12 p.m., RSVP to tviall@mapc.org for access info)
HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS: With nearly a year's worth of attention paid to the state's over-capacity family shelter program, Coalition for Homeless Individuals holds a legislative and budget briefing on programs that provide shelter, transitional services and supportive housing to homeless individuals. The briefing will cover how the system has led to lower street counts, how the state can meet the increased demand on services, and provider challenges to recruit and retain staff. Sen. Feeney and Rep. J. Moran will make opening remarks. Other speakers include Kate Chang from Pine Street Inn, Aaryn Manning from Project Place, Greg Grays-Thomas and Tierney Flaherty from the Boston Public Health Commission, and Vahn Phommasinh from SMOC. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room 428)
DiZOGLIO AT MERRIMACK: Auditor DiZoglio speaks at a women's history event held by Merrimack College's Graduate Student Senate. (Thursday, 4 p.m., 315 Turnpike St., North Andover)
CANNABIS ON MAIN STREET: The Goods and Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition host a networking event and panel discussion featuring CCC Acting Chair Concepcion, MCC Executive Director Ryan Dominguez and cannabis business owners. The theme of the event is "Embracing Cannabis on Main Street." Panelists will be available for media interviews at 5:30 p.m. Media should RSVP to karen@emediajunction.com. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Bow Market, 1 Bow Mkt Way, Somerville)
Friday, March 22, 2024
CRUMBLING FOUNDATION: Sens. Durant and Fattman, Rep. Ferguson, and members of Massachusetts Residents Against Crumbling Concrete watch as a house is lifted to have its crumbling foundation replaced. The Rutland home, like thousands of others in Connecticut and Central Mass., is thought to be victim to concrete that is faulty due to the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite. The bad concrete is thought to have originated at a quarry in Stafford Springs, Conn., and was poured into foundations of homes built between 1983 and 2010. Pyrrhotite expands as it is exposed to water and air over time, leading to V- or Y-shaped cracks in the foundation and the potential for collapse. Gov. Healey and Rural Affairs Director Anne Gobi, who worked on the issue closely as a senator, have also been invited. (Friday, 9 a.m., 4 William Circle, Rutland)
STORMWATER RUNOFF REQUIREMENTS: Commercial real estate development group NAIOP Massachusetts and the 495/MetroWest Partnership hold a virtual info session on the design of an upcoming key permit requirement. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff will share updates on the draft Residual Designation Authority (RDA) permit coming up for public comment later this year, which "will require private commercial, industrial, and institutional properties of one acre or more in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset River Watersheds to control their stormwater run-off in order to reduce pollutants, such as nutrients and bacteria, from entering the watersheds," according to event hosts. (Friday, 9 a.m., Zoom | Registration)
FRANCOPHONIE FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY: Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand and an economic delegation visiting from Quebec join with the Quebec Government Office for a flag-raising ceremony outside Boston City Hall. They will raise the Francophonie Flag to mark Francophonie Month, according to the QGO. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., City Hall Plaza, Boston)
COFFEE WITH REP. LaNATRA: Rep. LaNatra hosts the first of her new monthly event series for constituents called "Coffee and Conversation with Rep. LaNatra." LaNatra and her staff will be available once a month at various coffee shops or restaurants around her district to talk with constituents. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., Early Bird Restaurant, 287 Main St., Kingston)
EMPTY BOWLS: Lasell University hosts its "Empty Bowls" event to raise money for the Centre Street Food Pantry. Middlesex DA Ryan attends. (Friday, 5 p.m., DeWitt Hall, Lasell University, 1844 Commonwealth Ave., Newton)
VALLEY PATRIOT PARTY: Valley Patriot newspaper holds its "20th Anniversary Bash," and Auditor DiZoglio plans to attend. (Friday, 7 p.m., Relief's In, One Market St., Lawrence)
