People, Power, and Politics

The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, now known as the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, will host the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual summit this week. .When thousands of state lawmakers, legislative aides, industry lobbyists and other politicos flock to the newly renamed Thomas Michael Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston next, it may mark a record-breaking affair. More than 8,000 people have registered for the National Conference of State Legislatures annual summit, a tally that is "almost certainly the second-largest legislative summit NCSL has ever held," according to Tim Storey, the bipartisan organization's CEO. Legislative leaders said they expect 9,000 people to travel to Massachusetts for the event. [Runner1928/Wikimedia Commons]

FRANKLIN

New
Town Website Does Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar
entries. Go to https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
However, Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has compiled and and
shared the below information. Thanks Steve!

“There was a distance between you and I

A misunderstanding once

But now we look it in the eye” *1

Oh, how I wish that were the case.

Most problems are within our realm to correct. The problem resolution needs to start with a clear definition of the problem to be solved, a civil discussion around the proper, accurate data involved, and then the pros and cons of the choices to let the greater good prevail.

This first week of August 2025 has a light schedule of meetings. The Housing Authority has a special meeting to review a plan for the trees on their property. The Board of Health is scheduled to meet but they may not as there is not a published agenda at this time.

The Police Station Building Committee gets together on Wednesday to tour the existing facility. The public is welcome and there will be specific dates and times in September/October for the community to participate in a tour. Work is also underway on a video tour for those who may not be able to go in person.

The Conservation Commission has the first of its 2 scheduled August meetings on Thursday to close out this week of Town meetings.

*** Meeting schedule and agendas as of Town page 8/1/25, 8:00 PM

Franklin Housing Authority Meeting

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 4:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1840

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETINGS

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 5:00 PM

no agenda at this time

Police Station Building Committee Meeting

Wednesday, August 6 Time: 5:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08062025-1801

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, August 7 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/459?fileID=5437

*** Looking back at the week that was ***

The Planning Board met on Monday, Ju;y 28, 2025. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/esjFezYI2ls

The Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aomZAxoWXRw

Town Council Quarterbacking with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer was published recapping the almost 5 hour meeting of July 23, 2025 ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/07/4-hour-plus-town-council-meeting-try.html

Franklin artist Amy Adams revealed her ‘wind phone’ in Natick on Sunday, the video of her remarks is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXkf_qo7Tiw&

For all the meetings and cultural events, check out the calendar at Franklin.news where each day, that day's events are posted on the top of the page, the TV and radio schedules are on the bottom, and all the other goodness falls in-between.

Town calendar -> https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx

Community calendar -> https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

Subscribe for the daily dose of information -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Subscribe for the weekly dose of information -> https://www.franklinmattersweekly.org/p/subscribe-for-email.html

*1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo and the lyrics ->

https://genius.com/Tom-cochrane-life-is-a-highway-lyrics

MEDWAY

Medway’s
new website, likewise, does not readily support cut and paste. Go to
medwayma.gov

STATE
HOUSE and BEYOND

Massachusetts lawmakers wrapped up major work for the summer this week, but some of them plan to be back in Boston next week to join colleagues from around the country at the three-day National Conference of State Legislatures annual summit. The Legislature sent Gov. Maura Healey bills investing nearly $1.2 billion in local road projects (H 4307), expanding the legal shield around reproductive and gender care (S 2543), and authorizing $259 million in spending including pay raises aimed at luring private attorneys back to work representing indigent clients (S 2575). Healey's signature on those bills, and any amendments she might offer, could come next week, which could also bring about a better understanding of how state tax revenues shook out when fiscal year 2025 ended June 30. Next week also brings a biennial deadline for anyone or any group interested in trying to bring an initiative petition to the 2026 ballot. To get in the mix, petitioners must by Wednesday afternoon file the language of their proposals and signatures from at least 10 registered voters. House Speaker Ron Mariano said in June that he has "been railing against government by referendum" and claimed that "it doesn't work." But while the ballot law approach is time-consuming and expensive, interest groups unable to get the Legislature to move on their priorities have occasionally gotten their way in recent years by going around lawmakers and directly to the voters. The NCSL summit will give Massachusetts lawmakers and their counterparts around the country, who operate in the silos of their states, a chance to mingle and learn from each other about the different approaches to policy, economic and fiscal challenges. Thousands of elected officials from both major parties will assemble at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center as home-state hosts Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka help kick things off Monday morning.

Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025

BABSON WORKERS ACTION: Custodians, tradespeople and groundskeepers at Babson College as well as members of 32BJ SEIU plan to distribute leaflets at the Pan-Mass Challenge highlighting their contract talks with Babson College. Organizers say workers are seeking raises that would keep up with inflation and participation in employer-paid union benefit funds. (Saturday, Aug. 2, 6:45 a.m., Outside 292 Forest St., Needham)

WORRELLS CANVASS FOR WU: Brothers Rep. Chris Worrell and Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell launch a campaign canvass for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in Dorchester. "Hundreds of campaign volunteers and supporters" will knock on doors across Boston over the weekend, according to Wu's office. (Saturday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m., Elmhurst Street Park)

Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025

LYNCH ON KELLER: Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch joins political analyst Jon Keller's weekly "Keller at Large" talk show. Lynch will discuss the impact of Trump administration policy on labor, teacher strikes and her thoughts on the need for new taxes on corporations. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)

DOLAN ON NBC: Governor's Councilor and public defender Mara Dolan sits down with political reporter Matt Prichard to discuss Dolan's first eight months on the Governor's Council and the bar advocate work stoppage. (Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC10 Boston)

FLYNN ON OTR: Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn joins "On the Record," WCVB's weekly political talk show. (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB)

ADMIN TOURS SOWA: Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle and staff from MDAR tour the SoWA Open Market, kicking off the Healey administration's celebration of Massachusetts Farmers Market Week. (Sunday, 12 p.m., SoWa Open Market, 500 Harrison Ave., Boston)

JEWISH COMMUNITY AT ICE: Hundreds of Jewish community members plan to gather at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's local field office in Burlington as part of an action coinciding with Tisha B'Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Amid escalating federal immigration enforcement actions, organizers say participants will "call out the harm being done by ICE." The event is organized by T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism - Massachusetts. "Tisha B'Av is a somber holiday, commemorating the destruction of ancient Jewish temples," organizers say. "To rebuild sanctuary in the Commonwealth, participants will demand that our Massachusetts elected officials do everything in their power to protect immigrants and build a Commonwealth that upholds the dignity and safety of all people." (Sunday, Aug. 3, 4:30 p.m., 1000 District Ave., Burlington)

Monday, Aug. 4, 2025

SPILKA, MARIANO AT NCSL KICKOFF: Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano speak at the opening session of the 50th annual National Conference of State Legislatures, titled "Getting From Division to Dialogue in State Capitals." More than 8,000 people have registered for the three-day conference and organizers say they expect 9,000 people to travel to Massachusetts for the event. More than 1,600 legislators are expected to attend. The event has a projected "positive economic impact" of $11.2 million, according to Spilka. The opening session is expected to "explore what lawmakers, legislative staff and others can do to turn down the temperature and restore civility in the public square," according to organizers. (Monday, 9 a.m., Thomas Michael Menino Convention & Exhibition Center | Agenda)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council's Equity Working Group meets. (Monday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)

SENATE: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)

HATE CRIMES TASK FORCE: Hate Crimes Task Force meets virtually. Agenda includes an update on hate crime legislation, plus updates from the Commonwealth Fusion Center and the Municipal Police Training Committee. (Monday, 2 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

TAUNTON INVESTMENT EARNINGS: Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell and Chief Financial Officer Patrick Dello Russo host a press conference to "share information regarding the City's record-breaking investment earnings." (Monday, 3 p.m., Taunton City Hall, Second Floor, 15 Summer St., Taunton)

SPILKA AT TD GARDEN: National Conference of State Legislatures hosts an evening Opening Celebration as part of its 2025 legislative summit in Boston. Senate President Spilka is set to speak. (Monday, 7 p.m., TD Garden, Boston)

Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025

BUILDING CERTIFICATION: Building Official Certification Committee meets. Agenda includes an executive director report, board counsel report, examination approval packets, applications for certification packets and new employee report forms. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Division of Occupational Licensure, One Federal St., Room 6201 | Agenda and Livestream)

STATE PENSION FUND INVESTMENTS: The Massachusetts Pension Reserve Investment Committee meets. Treasurer Goldberg chairs the meeting. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. | Visit https://www.mapension.com/events/ for information about how to join the meeting)

LABOR GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones announces Career Technical Initiative grants. CTI is a program that addresses the demand for skilled talent within the construction, building trades, and manufacturing sectors in Massachusetts. Local officials, leaders from the Commonwealth Corporation and officials from the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School join Secretary Jones. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 115 Amesbury Line Road, Haverhill)

MEDICAL EXAMINER'S HEARING: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner holds a hearing on a proposed increase to the fee charged for viewing deceased individuals who are intended for cremation or burial at sea. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 720 Albany St., Boston | More Info)

SPILKA, JFK LIBRARY DIRECTOR CHAT: Senate President Spilka moderates a fireside chat with JFK Library Director Alan Price as part of the NCSL Leaders' Lunch during the organization's legislative summit in Boston. (CLOSED PRESS) (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston)

COLLEGE LOAN HELPLINE: Massachusetts Education Financing Authority hosts a college loan "helpline." The free event offers one-one-guidance for comparing and weighing college loan options, calculating the actual cost of borrowing, and making college finance decisions. "Our college financing experts are here to help navigate the complexities of the college loan process, simplifying it and helping students reach their future goals," Julie Shields-Rutyna, MEFA's senior director of college planning, education and training, said in a statement. "Anyone simply curious about the college financing process, or those with very specific, direct questions should take advantage of this free resource." The event runs through 2 p.m. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

TARIFFS AND CONSTRUCTION: Commercial real estate organization NAIOP hosts a virtual discussion about how tariffs are "reshaping the construction supply chain." Speakers include Shawmut Construction's Director of Business Development Mike Christopher and Senior Director of Estimating Dan Doherty, SullyMac President John McLaughlin, Cives Steel Company Regional Sales Director Brock Bessey and J.C. Higgins President Tammy Ferland. (Tuesday, 12 p.m., Zoom)

GUARDIANSHIP, CONSERVATORSHIP: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds a webinar about recent changes in the Probate and Family Court tied to guardianship and conservatorship of adults. (Tuesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

ADDICTION DISCUSSION: Addiction Performance Project presents a reading of "Long Day's Journey Into Night," which is meant to spur discussion about the impact of substance abuse and addiction on individuals, families, caregivers and communities. The reading is co-presented by the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, among other organizations. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, 149 Dudley St., Boston | More Info)

ALL ABOARD NCSL "MASSACHUSETTS NIGHT": National Conference of State Legislatures hosts "Massachusetts Night," where attendees will be able to board the USS Constitution and the Cassin Young destroyer. According to organizers, the evening includes historical reenactments, a fife and drum presentation and food and drinks, along with tours of each ship. Senate President Spilka attends. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Charlestown Navy Yard | More Info)

SOMERSET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS: MassDOT holds public meeting about a proposed project for safety improvements in Somerset at the intersection of Route 6 and Lees River Avenue. The intersection was previously included in the "Top 200 Crash Clusters" list for 2015-2017. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Somerset Public Library, 1464 County St., Somerset | More Info)

ADU FINANCING: Boston Home Center hosts a free workshop on creating a financing plan for accessory dwelling units. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Register)

SPILKA MENTAL HEALTH AWARD: Mental Health America Regional Policy Council meets. Senate President Spilka will receive the 2025 State Legislative Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Champion award. (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Press RSVP to gray.milkowski@masenate.gov)

JULY REVENUES: Department of Revenue is due to report on state tax collections from July, the first month of fiscal year 2026. DOR generally does not have monthly tax revenue benchmarks in place for July's figures, so the point of comparison tends to be to the previous year's July. July 2024's collections totaled $2.648 billion, $18 million or 0.7% less than actual collections in July 2023. As of this July 15, DOR said it had collected $980 million -- $24 million or 2.4% less than during the same period in July 2024. (Tuesday)

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025

PRIM REAL ESTATE: The PRIM Real Estate and Timberland Committee meets. Treasurer Goldberg will attend. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. | Visit https://www.mapension.com/events/ for information about how to join the meeting)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Executive Committee of the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Zoom)

ANNUAL VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON: Secretary Galvin hosts an annual luncheon to thank the volunteer summer tour guides, most of whom are high school students. The Doric Docents, senior volunteers, will also be in attendance. The speaking program will begin at 12 p.m. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Great Hall)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL HEARING: Governor's Council holds a hearing on Gov. Healey's nomination of William Powers to the District Court. A trial attorney with more than 26 years of experience, Powers has worked as a solo practitioner in Hampden County and as a bar advocate for indigent defendants. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Council Chamber | Livestream)

EDUCATION IN MASSACHUSETTS NCSL SPOTLIGHT: National Conference of State Legislatures holds a session spotlighting education in Massachusetts. Speakers include Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, Senate Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico, House Assistant Majority Leader Alice Peisch and Harvard Graduate School of Education professor Paul Reville, who served as education secretary under Gov. Deval Patrick. (Wednesday, 11:15 a.m., Thomas Michael Menino Convention & Exhibition Center)

"SAFE FOR SWIMMING" REPORT: Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center showcases "Safe for Swimming?" a new report about harmful bacteria at beaches in Massachusetts. The report contains a state-by-state dashboard that allows the public to see bacteria test results from coastal beaches. They plan to present the report at Constitution Beach in East Boston, which had bacteria levels indicating risks to swimmers on 24% of days tested last year. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Constitution Beach Park, 799 Bennington St., Boston)

ADMIN TOURS WORCESTER MARKET: Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle and staff from MDAR tour the Worcester Out to Lunch Market, the second of three tours as part of the Healey administration's celebration of Massachusetts Farmers Market Week. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Worcester Out to Lunch Market, Worcester Common, Worcester)

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL: Governor's Council meets, and could vote to confirm Lauren Greene and Hector Zumbado to the District Court, and Thomas Townsend to the Superior Court. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Council Chamber | Livestream

MASSHEALTH, HEALTH CONNECTOR COVERAGE: MassHealth and Health Connector officials hold a webinar about enrolling in or updating insurance coverage. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

MUNI LEGAL UPDATES: Massachusetts Municipal Association holds members-only virtual panel of attorneys, who will discuss recent legal issues that affect cities and towns. Topics include cannabis social consumption, accessory dwelling units bylaw decisions, and establishing local policies tied to federal immigration enforcement. (Wednesday, 12 p.m. | Register)

CLEAN WATER TRUST: Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees meets. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. |

BALLOT Q DEADLINE: The close of business Wednesday marks the first key hurdle in the lengthy process to put proposed new laws on the 2026 ballot and proposed Constitutional amendments on the 2028 ballot. Backers must submit the proposed text and signatures from at least 10 registered voters with the attorney general's office by the end-of-day deadline to remain in the mix. If a question is not filed by then, supporters would need to wait another two years. The attorney general's office will review each measure to determine whether it meets Constitutional requirements, and typically certifies petitions by the first Wednesday in September. After that point, campaigns must collect 74,574 voter signatures and file them with local election officials for certification by Nov. 19, a tall task that every cycle tends to whittle down the field. (Wednesday, 5 p.m.)

'TRUTHS AND TARIFFS': Boston Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement holds a community discussion called "Truths and Tariffs." It will explore the policies, pricing structures and economic barriers that affect small businesses, including those led by women and marginalized entrepreneurs. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., 2300 Washington St., Boston | More Info)

SPILKA TAKES THE BATON: National Conference of State Legislatures annual legislative summit draws to a close with a concert. Senate President Spilka "conducts the Boston Pops Orchestra for a rendition of Stars and Stripes," according to her office. (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Leader Bank Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston)

Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025

HAZARDOUS CODE COMMITTEE: Hazardous Code Committee meets. The committee is part of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Livestream)

BUILDING CODE APPEALS: Building Code Appeals Board holds virtual hearings. Dockets include properties in Pittsfield, Wellesley and Boston. (Thursday, 9 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

SHARED APPRECIATION MORTGAGES: Attorney General Campbell's office holds a public hearing on a regulation that looks to create reporting requirements for shared appreciation mortgage entities, disclosure requirements to protect borrowers, and outline "prohibited acts and practices." Campbell previously tussled with Gov. Healey and the Legislature over a law that effectively protected BlueHub Capital, which has faced allegations of misleading homeowners into shared appreciation mortgages. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 21st floor, 1 Ashburton Place, Conference Room 3, Boston | More Info and Livestream)

FIRE PREVENTION, PROTECTION: Fire Prevention and Fire Protection Advisory Committee meets. Agenda includes a legal counsel review and a discussion about the objective of the committee. The committee is part of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Agenda and Livestream)

PRIM ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT: PRIM Administration and Audit Committee meets. Treasurer Goldberg will attend. (Thursday, 10 a.m. | Visit https://www.mapension.com/events/ for information about how to join the meeting)

HOUSE: House meets in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)

SENATE: Senate plans to meet in an informal session. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)

ANTISEMITISM COMMISSION: Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism meets, with a focus on higher education. Pedro Martinez, the recently installed commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, introduces himself. Agenda also includes presentations from Eitan Hersh, professor of political science at Tufts University; Rabbi Aaron Fine, executive director of UMass Hillel; Leonard Saxe, director of the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University; and Rachel Fish, special advisor to the Brandeis University President's Initiative on Antisemitism. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Room A-2)

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Community Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Commission meets. (Thursday, 3 p.m. | More Info and Zoom)

PRESSLEY AT FILM FEST: U.S. Rep. Pressley participates in a fireside chat with Rev. Al Sharpton and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) about "the power of joy as a political act, cultural anchor, and driving force behind justice" as part of the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Oak Bluffs | More Info)

MONTEREY BRIDGE REPLACEMENT: MassDOT holds design public hearing for a project in Monterey to replace the Curtis Road bridge over the Konkapot River. The project involves a full bridge closure and detour, officials say. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Monterey Town Hall, Meeting Room, 435 Main Road, Monterey | More Info)

Friday, Aug. 8, 2025

COSMETOLOGY, BARBERING HEARING: Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering holds virtual hearing on proposed regulations to "remove unnecessary requirements and assist in business operations." The changes involve updating building requirements and reducing minimum school sizes, according to the hearing notice. (Friday, 9:30 a.m.| More Info and Access)

YOUTH, YOUNG ADULT SUPPORT SERVICES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a public hearing on updating rates for certain youth and young adult support services. Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. (Friday, 10 a.m. | More Info and Access)

NURSING FACILITY USER FEES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a public hearing on regulations tied to nursing facility user fees that took effect as an emergency on July 3. The regulations are in response to the fiscal 2026 budget and changes in federal law for health care-related taxes. The rates will be set each year to "achieve total assessment collections equal to 6% of revenues received by the taxpayers (i.e., nursing facilities)," according to the hearing notice. (Friday, 11 a.m. | More Info and Access)

HEALTH CARE SERVICES: Executive Office of Health and Human Services holds a public hearing on rates for the "Money Follows the Person Demonstration services." The health care services, paid for by MassHealth, help people transition out of nursing homes and hospitals and back to community-based settings. The changes, dealing with the effective date of regulations, do not adjust the current rates, which officials say are "adequate." (Friday, 1 p.m. | More Info and Access)

ADMIN TOURS SHEFFIELD MARKET: Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle and staff from MDAR tour the Sheffield Farmers Market to cap off the Healey administration's celebration of Massachusetts Farmers Market Week. (Friday, 3:15 p.m., Sheffield Farmers Market, 125 Main St., Sheffield)

SERVICE PLAZAS INVESTIGATION: The Department of Transportation faces a deadline to provide answers and documents to the Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee amid a probe of the decision to award a 35-year contract for highway service plaza operations to Applegreen. Committee chair Sen. Montigny sought a copy of the request for proposals issued, criteria the board used to evaluate bid responses, a summary of the monetary difference between the winning and runner-up bid, answers to whether any board members or MassDOT employees were contacted by bidders' representatives or registered lobbyists, and more. Global Partners, whose bid was unsuccessful, has launched a public-relations campaign alleging a conflict of interest behind the decision to award the contract to Applegreen. In his letter, Montigny said "failure to provide the requested information by the above-stated deadline will compel the committee to take further necessary action." (Friday, 5 p.m.)

MASS. FILM INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Massachusetts film industry leaders sit on a "Making it in the Massachusetts Film Industry" panel on the first day of the Fan Expo Boston. The three-day expo is "a large playground for all fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming that attracts hundreds of thousands of people in Boston," according to organizers. Friday's panel is "a candid convo about how to break into the biz," per the agenda. Massachusetts Film Office Director Meg Montagnino-Jarrett, chair of Emerson College Department of Visual and Media Arts Shaun Clarke, and Lisa Simmons, artistic director and curator of the Roxbury International Film Festival, are among panelists. (Friday, 6:30 p.m., Room 160A, Thomas Michael Menino Convention and Exhibition Center | Agenda)

Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025

PRESSLEY DOCUMENTARY: A documentary about U.S. Rep. Presley, "She Dared to Dream: Ayanna Pressley", gets its world premiere as part of the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. Documentary was produced by NAACP Image Award winner Abby Ginzburg. (Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m., Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center, 100 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs | Tickets)

SALES TAX HOLIDAY: The state's sales tax holiday falls on Aug. 9-10, and applies to most retail items up to $2,500 that are bought for personal use. Purchases from corporations or businesses are still taxable. Items that don't qualify for the sales tax holiday include meals, motor vehicles, motorboats, telecommunication services, gas, electricity, tobacco products, marijuana products, and alcoholic beverages. Clothing is also generally exempt unless the item costs more than $175. (Saturday, Aug. 9 | More Info)

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