80° and Sunny
Image
Tootie, a puppy up for adoption at MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, sits on the lap of a MSCPA worker during a briefing on animal rights legislation at the State House on Thursday May 1, 2025.. Last week, the House passed animal welfare legislation that envisions a new protocol to seize animals in neglect cases and also removes barriers to public housing for pet owners, without imposing new restrictions on pet shops. The House Ways and Means Committee decided to leave out a core provision in the Senate bill, which passed unanimously in March and banned the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet shops. A Rep. Natalie Higgins amendment that sought to tack the pet shop provision into the House bill was withdrawn. It will be one of the more significant differences negotiators will have to resolve before a final version could go to the governor.
FRANKLIN
New Town Website Does Not Support “Cut and Paste” of calendar entries. Go to https://franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx to view directly. Steve Sherlock from Franklin Matters has kindly compiled and and shared the below information. Thanks Steve!
No matter the summer weather, some Town business continues. One of the busier weeks comes around this week beginning July 19 and running through July 25.
The Design Review Commission looks at signs for a new “Fresh Monkee” which will apparently bring “Truly Healthy Shakes” according to the sign up for review.
More importantly, the Design Review also gives us an initial view of the proposal to replace the Depot Plaza building. The site plan and architectural renderings of the proposal can be found as links in the agenda document.
The Town Council has a potpourri of items on this only meeting of the month of July. Some alcohol license transactions, street acceptance, some more committee appointments, etc.
The Board of Assessors meet briefly on Thursday (at 5:30 PM) and then join the Economic Development Subcmte (at 6:00 PM)for a discussion on “new growth”; the process and how it is calculated. This should be an informative session. Check the agenda for the supporting documents released for this meeting.
Friday closes out the week with the Farmers Market and entertainment provided by Concerts on the Common.
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.
*** Event & Meeting schedule (with agendas) as of Town pages 7/17/26, 9:00 PM ***
Housing Authority
Tuesday, July 21 Time: 4:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07212026-2418
Design Review Meeting
Tuesday, July 21 Time: 7:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07212026-2419
Council on Aging Board Meeting - No Meeting
Wednesday, July 22 Time: 11:00 AM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07222026-2397
Charles River Pollution Control District
Wednesday, July 22 Time: 3:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07222026-2420
Tri-County School Committee Nomination Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 22 Time: 5:15 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232026-2423
Town Council Meeting
Wednesday, July 22 Time: 6:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07222026-2421
Board of Assessors Regular Meeting
Thursday, July 23 Time: 5:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232026-2417
Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting
Thursday, July 23 Time: 6:00 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232026-2422
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting - no meeting
Thursday, July 23 Time: 7:30 PM
https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07232026-2414
*** Looking back at the week that was ***
The light meeting week that was, resulted in 3 broadcasts
Town/ School meetings
Planning Board, Monday, July 13 video - https://www.youtube.com/live/xXY2UHUFMsk?&t=113
Communications Subcmte Mtg, Wednesday, July 15 - Recap and video link available at https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/07/communications-subcommittee-sends-email.html
Conservation Commission Mtg, Thursday, July 16 - https://www.youtube.com/live/45PtMovVL8k?&t=172
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
MEDWAY
Medway’s new website, likewise, does not readily support cut and paste. Go to medwayma.gov.
STATE HOUSE and BEYOND
The Legislature continues to dump
major bills into six-person conference committees, keeping their options
alive for action this month or later this year on a wide variety of
topics with impacts on residents and businesses. At the beginning of her
four-year term, Gov. Maura Healey forced a reorganization of the
Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and created both an
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and an Executive
Office of Economic Development. However, the nexus between housing and
economic development lives on and is brightly illuminated in the $325
million bill that the Senate plans to consider Wednesday and Thursday.
Adopting the kitchen sink approach to legislating whereby the contents
of many pieces of standalone legislation are blended into one megabill,
Senate Democrats have essentially larded a significant menu of housing
production proposals into a bill focused more broadly on economic
development, a key area for a state that has struggled to grow jobs and
attract new residents. Once it clears the Senate, the bill will be
placed into a House-Senate conference. Senators are eager to see the
House act next week or at least by July 31 on a healthcare-related bill -
Speaker Mariano has mentioned taking a run at new prescription drug
policies - to keep hopes alive for Senate-approved measures intended to
fortify the primary care system. Legislative leaders anticipate a less
chaotic runup to July 31 than in past years since the stretch of
informal sessions that will run from August into early January can be
interrupted this year, under new rules, for formal sessions to take up
bills that go into conference by the 31st and emerge later. Bills
currently pending before conference committees address energy policy (H
5151, S 3166), immigrant protections (H 5316, S 3086), child welfare (H
4646, S 3121), public higher education infrastructure (H 4769, S 2993),
environmental borrowing (S 3064, H 5518), data privacy (S 2619, H 5479),
and cellphones in schools and social media regulation (H 5366, S 2581).
Sunday, July 19, 2026
DAVIS
ON KELLER: Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis joins political
analyst Jon Keller on his weekly talk show "Keller @ Large." Davis will
discuss the tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, street
violence and police criticism of later closing times, per Keller.
(Sunday, 8:30 a.m., WBZ-TV)
ROATH
ON NBC: Patrick Roath, a Democrat running against Congressman Stephen
Lynch, joins NBC's weekly political talk show "@ Issue Sit-Down."
(Sunday, 9:30 a.m., NBC 10)
NEWBURYPORT
250: The Museum of Old Newbury, in partnership with the Custom House
Maritime Museum, Lowell's Boat Shop, the First Religious Society,
Theater in the Open, the City of Newburyport and the Greater Newburyport
Chamber of Commerce commemorate the 250th anniversary of the first
public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport. The
event is sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and
Tourism as part of the statewide MA250 campaign. (Sunday, 10 a.m. with
procession at 1:45 p.m. and reading of the Declaration at 2 p.m.,
Downtown Newburyport from Brown Square to Market Square, with a stop at
the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church)
NOBLE
ON THE RECORD: Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble joins
WCVB's weekly political talk show, "On the Record." (Sunday, 11 a.m.,
WCVB)
'A SUMMER FOR
THE BOOKS' ON CITYLINE: WCVB's weekly urban magazine program Cityline
focuses on "a summer for the books." Former Celtics player Robert Parish
discusses his book, "The Chief," Allston- and Melrose-based Molly's
Bookstore Owner Andrea Iriarte Dent shares summer book recommendations,
author Marley Dias talks about her new book, "I Am the Dream Come True,"
and "Segregation Games" author David Faflik talks about how politics
and sports are intertwined. (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., WCVB)
CVI
CONFERENCE: Perkins School for the Blind holds the 2026 CVI Conference
through Tuesday. CVI, or cortical/cerebral vision impairment, is the
leading cause of visual impairment in the U.S., according to Perkins'
website. The conference is meant to convene those living with CVI,
experts in the field and researchers. (Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency
Boston, 1 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston | More Info)
Monday, July 20, 2026
COMMITTEE
ON REVENUE: Joint Committee on Revenue accepts written testimony until
July 31 on four bills. A Rep. Arena-DeRosa bill (H 5526) would create a
means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for debt exclusion
construction projects in Holliston, and a Rep. Cruz bill (H 5537) would
authorize an increase in the local excise tax limit in Salem to help
fund school and municipal facilities. (Monday, 9 a.m. | More Info)
AI
POLL RESULTS: MassINC Polling Group and AI frontier lab Anthropic
release a new statewide poll about Massachusetts voters' attitudes
around AI. The findings explore how residents use the technology on a
daily basis, how they balance opportunities and risks, and their views
on the role of state policy. The event comes as the Senate deliberates
an economic development bill that features AI guardrails, including
requiring major AI developers to create safety frameworks. The bill also
calls for a commission to consider AI regulatory and safety issues,
such as potentially hiring third-party auditors to verify that AI
developers are complying with safety protocols. Registration and
networking starts at 8:30 a.m. (Monday, 9 a.m., UMass Club, 32nd floor, 1
Beacon St. | Register)
OFFSHORE
WIND OUTCRY: Environmental, labor and consumer advocates are joined by
members of Rhode Island's Congressional delegation and Rhode Island
Attorney General Peter Neronha to "call out the Trump administration's
baseless attacks on offshore wind." Since March, the Department of the
Interior has executed a series of controversial settlements, with the
Trump administration committing roughly $2.7 billion to buy out nine
offshore wind leases across the Atlantic and Pacific coasts in exchange
for developer investments in domestic fossil fuel and geothermal
projects. Climate Action Rhode Island / 350 RI, New England for Offshore
Wind, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Sierra Club, National Wildlife
Federation and League of Conservation Voters will be joined by U.S.
Sens. Whitehouse and Reed and Congressmen Magaziner and Amo. Carlos
Avila from the Environmental League of Massachusetts also plans to
participate. (Monday, 10 a.m., Johnson and Wales University, Providence |
RSVP)
SENATE SESSION: Senate meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber | Livestream)
HOUSE SESSION: House meets in an informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m., House Chamber | Livestream)
BOSTON
COASTAL STUDY: Boston Mayor Wu announces the draft Boston Coastal Storm
Risk Management Feasibility Study. The public can comment on the draft
from July 24 through Sept. 18. City officials say the plan will enable
Boston to unlock up to 65% federal cost-sharing on coastal resilience
projects, which could prevent roughly $41 billion in coastal flooding
damages. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Langone Park, 517 Commercial St., North
End)
SENATE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT DEADLINE: Senators have a 2:30 p.m.
deadline to file amendments to the Senate Ways and Means' $325 million
economic development bill (S 3178). The proposal is packed with policies
including those implementing guardrails for AI developers, enabling
duplex construction by right on all residential lots, giving
municipalities control over the volume of available alcohol licenses,
and establishing regulations on micromobility vehicles like scooters and
e-bikes. The House passed its policy-heavy package (H 5576) on July 8
after disposing of almost 700 amendments and adding around $136 million
to the bill's bottom line for a total of $561 million. Representatives
quietly added several policies to the bill including allowing
municipalities to grant tenants the right to first refusal when their
property is for sale, authorizing racing licensees to accept certain
wagers on "historical horse races" and a five-year psychedelics pilot
program. (Monday, 2:30 p.m.)
ROUTE
714 BUS STOP SAFETY: MBTA hosts an event for the public to learn about
the proposed Route 714 bus stop locations being addressed in the first
phase of a project that will convert Route 714 from a "flag stop route"
into a typical route with designated bus stops. (Monday, 6 p.m., Hull
High School Exhibition Room, 180 Main Street, Hull | More Info)
SALEM
BRIDGE/CULVERT REPLACEMENT: MassDOT hosts a virtual design public
information meeting to discuss a proposed project that would replace an
existing culvert, which carries Green Trail, North Street (Route 114)
and a pedestrian path over the North River in Salem, with a bridge or
bridges. (Monday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
DEATON
TOWN HALL: Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate John Deaton holds a
town hall forum, as part of a statewide listening tour. (Tuesday, 11:30
a.m., American Legion Post 151, 100 West St., Leominster)
COMMITTEE
ON ELECTION LAWS: Joint Committee on Election Laws holds a public
hearing on a few bills: a Gov. Healey bill (S 3148) would validate the
2026 annual election in the town of Oakham, two bills (H 5521, H 5539)
would address recall elections in the towns of Sudbury and Danvers,
respectively, and a Rep. Silvia bill (H 5556) addresses polling places
in Fall River. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Room A-1 and Virtual | More Info and Livestream)
PCA WORKFORCE: Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council meets. (Tuesday, 3 p.m. | Zoom)
MIDDLEBOROUGH
RECONSTRUCTION: MassDOT hosts a virtual design public hearing on a
proposed project meant to improve Wareham Street and Wood Street from
the intersection with North/South Main Street to Tiger Drive on Wood
Street in Middleborough. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)
GREENFIELD
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT: MassDOT holds a public
informational meeting to discuss a proposed project that involves
constructing a shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians along the
north side of Route 2A between Colrain Road/Robbins Road and Shelbourne
Road/River Street in Greenfield. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., John Zon Center, 35
Pleasant Street, Greenfield | More Info)
MEDFORD
BUS ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS: MBTA hosts a virtual meeting to hear public
feedback on the changes proposed to bus routes under the Bus Network
Redesign. (Tuesday, 6 p.m. | More Info and Register)
COMMITTEE
ON VETERANS AFFAIRS: Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
accepts written testimony through 12 p.m. on two bills. A Rep. Hong
proposal (H 5508) addresses veterans' housing stability and a Rep.
Tarsky bill (H 5458) establishes a veterans' suicide mortality review
and prevention council. (Tuesday | More Info)
RED
LINE SUSPENDED: A 10-day suspension of Red Line service between Alewife
and Park Street stations begins. The MBTA plans to address track work,
including the replacement of 18 primary floating slabs and six secondary
floating slabs and rail throughout the shutdown area. Other work will
include systemwide radio improvements, Alewife headhouse plaza
renovations, signal upgrade work at Porter, stairway repairs at
Kendall/MIT, power conduit installation at Davis, bridge inspections in
the area of Longfellow Bridge, and drone flight inspections within the
tunnel area, per the agency. Free shuttle buses will make stops between
the stations during the shutdown, the commuter rail will be fare-free
between Porter Square and North Station, and an express shuttle will
operate between Harvard Square and South Station Terminal. The MBTA said
that riders using shuttle bus service "should budget ample extra time."
(Tuesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 30)
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
MHA
WORKFORCE SUMMIT: Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association holds
its Workforce Summit, which will explore current trends, gaps and
emerging opportunities for hospital workers. Secretary of Labor and
Workforce Development Lauren Jones and MHA President Steve Walsh
participate in a fireside chat. A panel on the healthcare workforce
pipeline includes Dennis Collins of the Division of Apprentice
Standards, Jay Prosser of the Nursing Council on Workforce
Sustainability, Julia Matthews of the Massachusetts Board of
Registration in Nursing, and Assistant Secretary for Career Education
Robert LePage; it's moderated by Joanne Marqusee, assistant secretary at
the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Other sessions deal
with operationalizing AI in healthcare HR, the allied health pipeline,
and engaging students through career exploration and community
partnerships. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., MHA Conference Center, 500 District
Ave., Burlington | Register)
COMMITTEE
ON MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: Joint Committee on
Municipalities and Regional Government holds a public hearing on 13
local bills. Bills range from addressing "print-free digital legal
notices" in Wayland and Shrewsbury (H 5486, H 5512), amending the
charter of Bridgewater (H 5544, H 5545), authorizing the Wayland Select
Board to permit the use of land for green burials (H 5485), and filling
the vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable School Committee (S 3118).
(Wednesday, 10 a.m., Room A-1 and Virtual | More Info and Livestream)
GAMING COMMISSION: Massachusetts Gaming Commission holds an open meeting. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. | More Info and Livestream)
SOCIAL
SERVICES BLOCK GRANT: Department of Children and Families holds a
public hearing on the Social Services Block Grant Pre-Expenditure Report
and Intended Use Plan that it submitted to the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services for fiscal year 2027. DCF was awarded nearly
$37 million last year. The grant provides a "flexible funding source" as
states work to protect children and adults from neglect, abuse and
exploitation, among other goals, according to federal officials. Written
comments will be accepted through Aug. 7. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 1
Ashburton Place, Boston | More Info)
SENATE DEMS CAUCUS: Senate Democrats meet in a caucus. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate President Spilka's office and virtual)
HOUSE
FORMAL: House meets in a formal session. Roll calls are expected to
begin after 1 p.m. and following the House's "class photo" for the 194th
General Court. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., House Chamber)
SENATE
SESSION: Senate convenes in a formal session, with plans to take up
Senate Ways and Means' $325 economic development borrowing package (S
3178). Senate President Spilka spokesperson Gray Milkowski said opening
remarks are planned for Wednesday, while a "large portion of Senate
debate will take place on Thursday." The proposal is packed with
policies including those implementing guardrails for AI developers,
enabling duplex construction by right on all residential lots, giving
municipalities control over the volume of available alcohol licenses,
and establishing regulations on micromobility vehicles like scooters and
e-bikes. The House passed its own economic development package last
week, but took a different housing approach by moving to allow for
multifamily zoning by right on property owned by religious institutions.
The House's proposal also included a slew of other policies, including
those that would create a five-year psychedelics pilot program,
authorize racing licensees to begin taking wagers on "historical horse
races," and utilize $1 million reimburse to businesses impacted by
FIFA's "clean zones" at Gillette Stadium during the World Cup.
(Wednesday, 11 a.m., Senate Chamber)
HOUSE
DEMS CAUCUS: House Democrats meet in a private caucus before roll calls
begin in the House's formal session. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., Hearing Rooms
A-1 and A-2)
MASSDOT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MassDOT Board of Directors meets. Agenda and
Livestream TBA. (Wednesday, 12 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, MassDOT Board Room,
Boston | More Info)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Energy Efficiency Advisory Council meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | Register)
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY BOARD: MassDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meets. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. | More Info)
COMMITTEE
ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Joint Committee on Environment
and Natural Resources holds a public hearing on seven bills, six of
which address prohibiting anticoagulant rodenticides in individual towns
including Lincoln, Sharon, Boxborough, Groton, Ayer and Nahant.
(Wednesday, 1 p.m., Room A-2 and Virtual | More Info and Livestream)
FUTURE
OF PAYMENTS AND SALES TRANSACTIONS: Legislative Commission to Study the
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the
Impacts for Small Businesses holds its final public hearing. The public
is invited to participate but must register in advance to be able to
testify at the meeting. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Room B-1 and Virtual | More Info and Livestream)
RIDERS'
TRANSPORTATION ACCESS GROUP: Riders' Transportation Access Group, which
advises the MBTA on transportation issues impacting older adults and
people with disabilities, holds a virtual meeting. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. | More Info and Register)
SPILKA
SPEAKS TO INTERNS: Senate President Karen Spilka gives remarks to 2026
legislative interns. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Gardner Auditorium)
MASSINC
GATEWAY CITIES: MassINC's Gateway Cities Innovation Institute hosts a
reception to launch the Greg Bialecki Leadership Seminar, named for the
former housing and economic development secretary under Gov. Patrick who
died in 2024. The event brings together leaders across government,
business, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector to reflect on the future
of Gateway Cities. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., UMass Club, 32nd floor, 1
Beacon St., Boston | Register)
VETERAN
WOMEN WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Massachusetts Women Veterans Network hosts a
Women's Health Wellness Wednesday webinar titled "Healthy Vision."
(Wednesday, 6 p.m. | Register)
ALLSTON
MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT TASK FORCE: MassDOT's Allston
Multimodal Transportation Task Force hosts an in-person open house to
provide information about "public projects, plans, and initiatives"
happening in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood of Boston. Those updates
will touch on MassDOT's Cambridge Street Bridge Preservation and Lincoln
Street Noise Barrier projects, and the agency will also share
information about the Allston Multimodal Transportation Project, per
MassDOT. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Josephine A. Fiorentino Center, 123 Antwerp
Street, Brighton | More Info)
CHELSEA
PARK: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a public meeting
about a pier improvement project at Mary O'Malley State Park in Chelsea.
Officials say the project aims to "stabilize the existing seawall,
restore recreational use of the earth-fill and timber piers, protect
areas fronted by seawall from future deterioration, and repair damage to
the pavilion walk." (Wednesday, 6 p.m. |Zoom)
DEATON
TOWN HALL: Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate John Deaton holds a
town hall forum, as part of a statewide listening tour. (Wednesday, 7
p.m., American Legion Post 303, 73 Ocean Grove Ave., Swansea)
Thursday, July 23, 2026
HEALTH
POLICY COMMISSION: Health Policy Commission Board meets and announces
awardees for the Promoting Appropriate Transitions to Home investment
program. The initiative looks to support acute care hospitals and
promote hospital-to-home programs, with patients being discharged into
their homes rather than skilled nursing facilities. HPC staff will
discuss findings from the pending 2026 Health Care Cost Trends Report.
Healthcare spending continues to exceed the cost containment benchmark,
driven by pharmaceutical spending and hospital outpatient services. The
agenda also includes an update on the development of the Office of
Health Resource Planning, which was established through the 2024
healthcare market oversight law. (Thursday, 12 p.m. | Agenda and Livestream)
GOVERNOR'S
COUNCIL: Governor's Council holds a hearing on Gov. Healey's nomination
of Lisa McCormack to the Probate and Family Court. For over a decade,
McCormack has worked as judicial case manager and magistrate at the
Berkshire Probate and Family Court. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Berkshire
Innovation Center, 43 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield | Livestream)
SAGAMORE
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PUBLIC HEARING: MassDOT holds an in-person design
public hearing to discuss the Sagamore Bridge Replacement Project in
Bourne. MassDOT will present on the status of the project, proposed
design plans, expected impacts, right-of-way, construction approaches,
detours and traffic management during construction, and next steps,
according to the agency. MassDOT will also provide a "brief update" on
the status of the Bourne Bridge project. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Bourne High
School, 75 Waterhouse Road, Bourne | More Info)
BRIGHTON
PARK: Department of Conservation and Recreation holds a "design
development" public meeting on Leo M. Birmingham Park in Brighton.
Officials say they're envisioning a "universally accessible passive park
with trails, seating areas with game tables, bocce courts, signage, and
nature-based storm water management while highlighting desirable
views." (Thursday, 6 p.m., Zoom)
REPUBLICAN
STATE COMMITTEE: Massachusetts Republican State Committee meets. The
agenda includes reports from the National Committeewoman Janet Fogarty
and Committeeman Brad Wyatt, as well as addresses from candidates.
(Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Irish Cultural Center at 200 New Boston Drive,
Canton)
SENATE:
The Senate continues consideration of a $325 million economic
development bond bill (S 3178). The Senate Ways and Means Committee
redraft includes $100 million for the defense sector, $75 million for AI
development and application, $25 million for downtown and main street
vitality, $25 million for arts and culture, $25 million for robotics
technology and $10 million for food science and agriculture technology.
There's also $100 million in bridge funding to support research at
public universities that are grappling with federal funding cuts. The
legislation also restructures life sciences and climate tech tax
incentives, establishes a Gridtech Deployment Advisory Board, regulates
micromobility devices like e-bikes and scooters, and requires major AI
developers to establish safety frameworks. The package also functions as
a housing bill, with provisions allowing for duplexes to be built as of
right, codifying a statewide site plan review framework that calls for a
90-day decision deadline, supporting the conversion of commercial lots
and buildings into residential units, and creating an alternative
licensure pathway for home inspectors. (Thursday, Time TBA, Senate
Chamber)
Friday, July 24, 2026
COMMITTEE
ON HOUSING: Joint Committee on Housing accepts written testimony
through 12 p.m. on July 28 on a Rep. Davis bill (H 5554) that addresses
tenant representation on the Great Barrington Housing Authority Board.
(Friday, 12 p.m. | More Info)
