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Massachusetts has a new law banning the "inhumane" and "barbaric" declawing of cats, a move that the bill's sponsor says will stop feline suffering from resulting pain, blood loss, and an impaired immune system. "Declawing is an abhorrent practice that most veterinarians view as inhumane," bill sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny said in a statement after Gov. Maura Healey signed the bill. The procedure, which the New Bedford Democrat said is "widely misunderstood" by pet owners, is an amputation of the last bone of each toe on a cat's paw.
FRANKLIN
Mon.
Jan. 13
7:00p
Tues.,
Jan 14
Franklin
School Committee Policy Subcommittee Meeting
6:00pm
7:00pm
Franklin
School Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Weds.,
Jan 15
6:30pm
7:00pm
Thurs.,
Jan 16
7:30pm
* * * * * * * * * *
MEDWAY
Mon.,
Jan 13
Capital
Improvement Planning Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Tues.,
Jan. 14
Mass
Strategic Health Group Meeting (MSHG)
1:00pm
Council
on Aging Board Meeting
2:00pm
4:30pm
PEDB
PH Notice - 20 Milford Street
7:00pm
PEDB
PH Notice-Good Feels, Inc-23 Jayar Rd
7:00pm
Planning
and Economic Development Board meeting
7:00pm
PEDB-PH
Notice 20 Broad Street
7:00pm
Weds.,
Jan 15
School
Committee Negotiations Subcommittee
3:00pm
7:00pm to 8:30pm
Energy
& Sustainability Committee Meeting
7:00pm
Tri
Board Meeting, School Committee, Select Board and Finance Committee
7:00pm
Select
Board Meeting Joint with School and Finance Committees
7:00pm
Zoning
Board of Appeals Meeting-CANCELLED
7:30pm
Thurs.,
Jan 16
Conservation
Commission Meeting
7:30pm
STATEHOUSE AND BEYOND
President Joe Biden's last full week in office will coincide with Gov. Maura Healey's third annual address to the commonwealth on Thursday, remarks that are likely to lean heavily on her plans to implement a host of major new laws, shore up funding for the MBTA, and focus on ways to lower the cost burdens weighing on Massachusetts residents and businesses. Healey may also talk about stabilizing the health care system in the wake of the Steward Health Care bankruptcy, a renewed focus on primary care investments, and the state's enduring interest in safeguarding access to reproductive health care. The week ahead will also likely feature more last-minute actions from the departing president and more preparation for the onslaught of activity that President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to unleash when he takes office Jan. 20. Democrats here have total control of the Legislature, Congressional and statewide offices, and are about to be tested on how they will respond to -- and work with -- a federal government controlled by Republicans, albeit with much narrower margins in Congress. On Beacon Hill, emergency shelter funding and reforms and compliance with a new audit law are commanding early-session attention. The House is in possession of Healey's time-sensitive supplemental spending bill to limit the length of shelter stays and prevent the shelter system from running out of money this month. House leaders haven't signaled when they'll put that bill up for a vote, but it should be soon. Top Democrats are clearly not eager to swing the Legislature's doors open to the type of audit that Auditor Diana DiZoglio envisions. But the auditor has a new voter law authorizing her to examine the Legislature on her side, and it appears the courts will likely need to answer the constitutional concerns that legislative leaders keep raising about the law. How that gets resolved is unclear. A key senator this week said the Senate needs to weigh the matter, and one avenue would be to ask the Supreme Judicial Court for an advisory opinion on particular questions. Supporters of the new law may separately go to court in an attempt to force compliance. House and Senate Democrats are poised to take their biennial swing at making changes to bring more transparency to Beacon Hill. In the last two sessions, those efforts have died in the darkness of conference committee talks. Unlike bills, where public feedback is sought before decisions are made, House and Senate Democrats are privately developing internal rules changes, which will go up for floor votes in the coming weeks. The rules debates precede leadership and committee assignments that serve as a gateway to legislators moving once they get office assignments. The whole thing takes a while. Another checkpoint in the new session hits Friday, which is the deadline for submitting timely-filed bills for the new session. Bills are routinely filed and admitted throughout the session, but the initial big batch of bills forms the basis for getting started. Also coming next week will be new emergency regulations governing the MBTA Communities Act after the Supreme Judicial Court said the controversial law is constitutional, but can't be enforced until the Healey administration re-promulgates regulations. Gov. Healey initially said those would become available by the end of this week, but an official said Friday afternoon the process will take a bit more time.
Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025
CHILDREN'S SCREEN-TIME: Dr. Michael Rich of Children's Hospital is on "Keller At Large" talking with Jon Keller about the impact of digital media on kids, how parents struggle with the negative consequences, and what they can do about them. Rich is the author of "The Mediatrician's Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World." (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV Ch. 4)
MEEHAN ON 5: UMass President Meehan is the guest on "On The Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
Monday, Jan. 13, 2025
ARCHITECTURAL ACCESS: Architectural Access Board meets. An incoming case review deals with the National Guard Armory in Worcester. (Monday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Access)
MASSAGE THERAPY: Board of Registration of Massage Therapy meets. Agenda includes an executive director report and a discussion of proposed regulations. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Access)
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: Hazardous Materials Mitigation Advisory Board meets. Agenda includes a vote on new technicians. (Monday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
OCCUPANCY CODE: Occupancy Code Committee of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations meets. Agenda includes a review of new fire safety code language. (Monday, 10 a.m., Department of Fire Services, 1 State Road, Stow | More Info)
NEAL IN SOUTHBRIDGE: Congressman Neal announces U.S. Department of Transportation funding for the town of Southbridge, joined by Southbridge Town Manager John Jovan and Southbridge Economic Development Director Peg Dean. (Monday, 10 a.m., Town Hall, 41 Elm St., Southbridge)
HEALTH CONNECTOR: With its open enrollment period closing on Jan. 23, the Massachusetts Health Connector holds an event promoting free help that's available for Bay Staters seeking health and dental insurance coverage. Attendees include Health Connector Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier and Reps. Sean Reid, Priscila Sousa and Tara Hong. State law requires all residents to have health insurance, and they can face a tax penalty if they do not enroll in coverage. (Monday, 11 a.m., Grand Staircase)
HEALEY, GOLDBERG MEET: Gov. Healey has her regular monthly meeting with Treasurer Goldberg. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room 227)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets without a calendar. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
HOUSE SESSION: House holds an informal session. Monday's sessions likely feature the adoption of an order to hold a joint session on Thursday to hear Gov. Healey's annual message to the Legislature. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
CORRECTIONAL CONSOLIDATION: Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration meets. Agenda includes an introduction of commissioners and discussion of the group's work. (Monday, 11 a.m., Room 428 | Livestream)
NEAL IN AGAWAM: Congressman Neal announces the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge, joined by Agawam Mayor Christopher Johnson, the city's schools superintendent Sheila Martin, Agawam High Principal Jim Blain, and faculty, staff, and students. (Monday, 12 p.m., Agawam High School, 760 Cooper St., Agawam)
LIBERTY UTILITIES: Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on a five-year forecast and supply plan from Liberty Utilities (New England Natural Gas Company). The forecast is for its Fall River and North Attleboro service area and its Blackstone service area. (Monday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Zoom)
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025
NATIVE AMERICANS AND WEALTH: The Boston Foundation and Boston Indicators host the release of a new report focused on Native American wealth in Massachusetts. The report, from the Institute for New England Native American Studies at UMass Boston, analyzes available data combined with information from focus groups with members of regional tribes and "expats" whose indigenous homelands are outside Massachusetts. It dives into how Native Americans define wealth, historical factors restricting wealth, and opportunities for building and maintaining wealth. The virtual event features a report presentation and a panel discussion. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. | Register)
HIGHER ED: Board of Higher Education meets virtually. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Zoom)
NURSING BOARD: Board of Registration in Nursing Complaint Committee meets. (Tuesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMP: U.S. Postal Service holds a first-day-of-issue event for the Year of the Snake stamp as it celebrates the Lunar New Year. The Year of the Snake starts Jan. 29 and ends on Feb. 16, 2026. Attendees include Luke Grossman, chief financial officer of USPS, and Isabel Kim, CFO of The Asian American Foundation. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Boch Center - Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St. | Register)
TRUMP ENERGY THREATS: Massachusetts Climate Action Network holds a Zoom called "Facing the Federal Fight," focused on the potential of major cuts to energy-saving programs under President-elect Donald Trump. Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, discusses what the Trump administration and Congress are likely to do and what the "key fights" could entail. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: Restorative Justice Advisory Committee meets. Agenda includes an update on advocacy and the committee's 2024 annual report. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
INSURANCE TRENDS: Division of Insurance hosts a virtual event to receive presentations from the Center for Health Information and Analysis and the Group Insurance Commission. The division has been holding hearings investigating rising premium costs and is coming close to wrapping up its work. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Access Info)
BROCKTON DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Brockton Advisory Board meets. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
ARBORWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a virtual public meeting to discuss a design for the proposed reconstruction of the Arborway between Jamaica Pond and the Forest Hills gate. DCR says the project "aims to improve safety of all parkway users and improve multi-modal access to this historic section of the Emerald Necklace between the pond and the Arboretum." (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Register)
IPSWICH CONSTRUCTION: MassDOT holds a virtual public hearing on the proposed reconstruction of Central Street and South Main Street in Ipswich. The project includes roadway and intersection improvements, pedestrian and bicycle accommodations and revised traffic patterns. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. | Register)
NEEDHAM ZONING VOTE: Needham voters go to the polls to decide whether to uphold a zoning plan that would comply with the MBTA Communities Act. Needham Town Meeting approved the zoning reforms in October, but opponents sought a referendum vote to reverse that decision. A yes vote would effectively bring the town into compliance with the zoning reform law affecting 177 communities with or close to MBTA service, and a no vote would effectively cement it as violating the measure. The Supreme Judicial Court recently deemed the MBTA Communities Act constitutional, but said it is not "enforceable" until the Healey administration redoes the regulatory process. Polls in Needham will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Tuesday)
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025
BAYSTATE HEALTH EXEC: Peter Banko, president and CEO of Baystate Health, is the featured speaker at a Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association event. Part of MHA's Executive Insights Series, the conversation will delve into Banko's first six months at the system and his vision for health care. (Wednesday, 8 a.m. | Register)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - KARIN WILINSKI: Governor's Council interviews Needham attorney Karin Wilinski, one of two Juvenile Court candidates whom Gov. Healey re-nominated when the new council term began at the beginning of the month. Wilinski has run her own practice for 30 years and specializes in child welfare cases, investigations, and serving as a guardian ad litem. First-term Councilor Tamisha Civil presides. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
OPTOMETRY BOARD: Board of Registration in Optometry meets. Agenda includes a discussion on telehealth and licensure reinstatement policies. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
ECO DEV OVERVIEW: Commercial real estate industry group NAIOP Massachusetts hosts a panel discussion about the state's economic future and the 2024 economic development law. Economic Development Secretary Hao and Sen. Finegold, who last session co-chaired the Economic Development Committee, are set to speak. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Nutter, 155 Seaport Boulevard, Boston | More Info)
AUTHOR TALK: State Library of Massachusetts hosts an Author Talk with Ellen Douglas and Paul Kirshen of UMass Boston about their report, "Climate Change Impacts and Projections for the Greater Boston Area." The report, published by the Boston Research Advisory Group in 2022, includes an analysis of 101 cities and towns in Greater Boston. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., State Library, Room 341 | More Info and Livestream)
"MONEY TRAIN" DISCUSSION: Transportation for Massachusetts hosts a "Money Train" virtual discussion about the costs stemming from a "car-centric approach to transportation." Researcher Stevie Olson will discuss a paper they co-authored, "The $64 Billion Massachusetts Vehicle Economy." Metropolitan Area Planning Council Assistant Director Julia Wallerce joins. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Zoom)
EARLY ED AND CARE: Board of Early Education and Care meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 50 Milk St., 5th Floor, Boston | More Info and Livestream)
BETSY LEHMAN CENTER: The Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety Board meets. Agenda includes a discussion of the fiscal 2026 budget, 2024 annual report, and a Jan. 29 State House briefing. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL - TIFFANIE ELLIS-NILES: Governor's Council holds hearing on Gov. Healey's nomination of Tiffanie Cherie Ellis-Niles to the Juvenile Court bench. A Brockton resident and past president of the Mass. Black Lawyers Association, Ellis-Niles is managing attorney at South Shore firm Lyles and Niles. Councilor Civil presides. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)
TOBIN BRIDGE: MassDOT's Tobin Bridge working group meets as part of the study to explore long-term alternatives for the replacement of the bridge spanning Chelsea and Charlestown. The meeting includes an overview of existing conditions and "future conditions scenario planning." (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Charlestown Public Library, 179 Main St., Charlestown | Zoom)
LIFE SCIENCES: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's Finance and Compensation Committee meets. Members will discuss compensation "philosophy and strategies," and vote on executive compensation. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., 1075 Main St., Suite 100, Waltham | Agenda)
GREEN LINE ACCESSIBILITY: MBTA staff host a hybrid public meeting to discuss accessibility improvements on the Green Line's C Branch. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington St., Room 103, Brookline | More Info)
REVERE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds a public hearing on the proposed design for a bridge replacement project in Revere, which involves Revere Beach Parkway over Broadway. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Revere City Hall, Council Chambers, 281 Broadway | More Info)
GREAT BARRINGTON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds a public hearing on the proposed design for a bridge replacement project in Great Barrington, which involves Division Street over the Housatonic River. The new bridge will be designed to last 75 years. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Town Hall, 334 Main St., Great Barrington | More Info)
FLOOD MAPPING, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: Boston's Office of Green Infrastructure holds a public meeting about the Community-Based Flood Resilience and Green Infrastructure Planning initiative. City officials want to hear about the public's experience with stormwater flooding. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, 2300 Washington St., Boston | Register)
WIND CONTRACTS: Wednesday is the deadline for the offshore wind projects chosen by Massachusetts in September to execute long-term contracts with utilities and a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Energy Resources. The Healey administration picked some or all of three separate offshore wind projects in the state's latest procurement round, totaling more than 2,600 MW of capacity. But almost a third of that was wiped away late last month when Vineyard Offshore pulled the 800 MW that Massachusetts had selected from its Vineyard Wind 2 project back from contract negotiations, saying the deal was conditioned on Connecticut buying the remaining capacity. Details -- including pricing -- of the projects are not expected to be made public until contracts are filed with the Department of Public Utilities. That step is expected by Feb. 25. (Wednesday)
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
GIC COMMISSION: Group Insurance Commission meets. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
MBTA SAFETY COMMITTEE: MBTA Board of Directors Safety, Health and Environment Subcommittee meets. (Thursday, 9 a.m., State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston | Agenda and Livestream)
MASSPORT BOARD: Massport Board meets virtually. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | More Info)
MATH POLL: EdTrust in Massachusetts and The MassINC Polling Group hold a virtual event to release the results of a statewide parent poll on math. It incorporates insights from more than 1,500 parents with children in kindergarten through 12th grade. The poll comes amid declining math scores on standardized tests like MCAS. Following a presentation on poll results, there will be a panel discussion exploring policy solutions. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Register)
SENATE SESSION: Senate plans to meet without a calendar. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING: MassDOT's Office of Outdoor Advertising meets. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | More Info)
DISABILITY WORKFORCE SUPPORTS: Workforce Supports Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities meets virtually. Agenda includes election of a new chair, as well as a discussion on fiscal 2025 goals and action plan. (Thursday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)
HOUSE SESSION: House plans to hold an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
MUTUAL AID: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds a webinar on fire department mutual aid, including during severe weather or wildfire events. The webinar comes as Massachusetts adjusts to seeing more extreme weather events and on the heels of an extended red flag alert accompanied by small and larger wildfires. Peter Burke and Michael Kelleher, past and current presidents of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, discuss the importance of mutual aid. Dave Celino, chief fire warden at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, discusses past local disasters, wildfires and other situations that required emergency medical services. Glenn Rooney, general counsel for the Department of Fire Services, provides an overview of state laws dealing with mutual aid. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Register)
HPC BOARD: Health Policy Commission Board meets. Members will discuss the new health care reform laws that give the HPC greater oversight authority of private equity transactions and pharmacy benefit managers. Agenda also includes new research on primary care workforce trends, a presentation on the HPC's new Behavioral Health Workforce Center Advisory Group, and a report from Executive Director David Seltz. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | More Info and Livestream)
ORAL HEALTH: Special Commission on Oral Health Prevention meets. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. | More Info)
OPEN SPACE REGS: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs holds a virtual public hearing on proposed regulations tied to a 2022 law dealing with the preservation of open space in the commonwealth. EEA says the regulations are required by the law and "provide procedures and requirements for proposals to change the use or dispose of land or interests in land subject to Article 97" of the state constitution. Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Jan. 22. The law, also known as the Public Lands Preservation Act, codified an administrative process that mandates the replacement of public parks and conservation lands that are turned into other uses, and provided transparency over cash placement in place of designating replacement conservation land. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Register)
RESPIRATORY CARE BOARD: Board of Respiratory Care meets. Agenda items deal with a telehealth policy and a limited license memo. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
NURSING BOARD: Board of Registration in Nursing Complaint Committee meets. (Thursday, 1 p.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
MANCHAUG ROAD BRIDGE: MassDOT hosts a virtual public hearing to discuss a project to replace the Manchaug Road bridge over the Mumford River in Sutton. (Thursday, 6 p.m., More Info)
ASHMERE WATER COMPANY: Department of Public Utilities holds a virtual public hearing on Ashmere Water Company's petition to increase rates. The Hinsdale-based company wants four rate increases over four years, which in total would be a 113% hike for permanent residents and 170% hike for summer residents. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m. | Zoom)
STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH: Gov. Maura Healey delivers her second State of the Commonwealth speech at a joint session of the Legislature attended by a bevy of state officials and dignitaries. Possible themes could include stabilization of the MBTA's budget crisis, implementation of last session's headlining laws, affordability for residents and businesses in Massachusetts, the Democrat governor's preliminary response to the incoming Trump administration, hospital stabilization in the wake of the Steward bankruptcy, and protecting access to reproductive care in the Bay State. The governor's office asks that media attending the speech be in place by 6 p.m. ahead of the joint session. The formal red-carpet program is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m., and Healey is scheduled to start speaking at 7 p.m. Her address will be televised, broadcast on the radio, and streamed live over the internet. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., House Chamber)
STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH - GOP RESPONSE: Rep. Marcus Vaughn, Republican of Wrentham, gives the state Republican Party's official response to Gov. Healey's State of the Commonwealth speech. Vaughn will "outline the GOP's vision for the Commonwealth and present key counterpoints to the Governor's address," the party said. Media can arrive starting at 7 p.m. RSVP to lt@massgop.com. (Thursday, Immediately after the governor's 7 p.m. speech, MassGOP Headquarters, 85 Merrimac St., 5th floor, Boston)
Friday, Jan. 17, 2025
CHELSEA DTA: Department of Transitional Assistance's Chelsea Advisory Board meets. (Friday, 9:30 a.m. | Agenda and Zoom)
MENTAL HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES: Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions meets. Agenda includes a discussion on parents serving as behavior technicians for their children in a "formal service-delivery system," as well as proposed changes to ethical codes and standards of conduct. (Friday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream
BILL-FILING DEADLINE: Two and a half weeks after the 2025-2026 term began, lawmakers face an initial deadline to file new legislation. The end-of-business deadline does not prohibit any new bills from being submitted in the remainder of the term, however. Instead, under Joint Rule 12, most legislation submitted to the House or Senate clerk after 5 p.m. on the third Friday of January in odd years will be first referred to the Rules Committee, and will need to secure that panel's endorsement for consideration. Legislators file thousands of bills every term, most of which do not advance all the way to the governor's desk. (Friday, 5 p.m.)
SPILKA IN HOPKINTON: Senate President Spilka speaks at the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce's "celebration of service" for Tom Kilduff, the chamber's executive director, who has been involved in the community for three decades. (Friday, 7 p.m., Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton)
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025
MLK CONCERT: Springfield Symphony Orchestra holds its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration concert, called "New Musical World." Ticket prices start at $25. The concert includes guest conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson, who in 2005 became the first Black woman to win an international conducting prize. (Saturday, Jan. 18, Springfield Symphony Hall, 34 Court St., Springfield | Tickets)
