Click on link below to read March 26th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online March 26th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online (2) Continue reading March 26th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online →

By Bob Katzen

“Things are different than they were the last time I was here. Last time I was here, we had money. I could be a hero.”
—House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) at the beginning of his speech to members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a proposal that would require all public schools, with grades 6-12 students, to maintain free menstrual products, including sanitary napkins and tampons in restrooms and to make them available in a “convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking the products.” Continue reading FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS (H 563) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to legislation that would change some language in the 50-year-old law that created Councils on Aging in local cities and towns. Continue reading CHANGE LANGUAGE IN LAW THAT CREATED COUNCILS ON AGING (H 624) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a proposal that would require banks and other mortgage lenders to provide additional information on a monthly basis to their borrowers including the balance of principal remaining; a confirmation of the most recent payment received; the balance of any escrow accounts; and a description of any payments from those escrow accounts. Continue reading REQUIRE BANKS AND OTHER MORTGAGE LENDERS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (H 933) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to legislation that would designate March 10th as COVID-19 Remembrance Day to honor all the people, especially older adults and people with disabilities, who died or were stricken with COVID-19. Continue reading COVID-19 REMEMBRANCE DAY (H 2987) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would prevent condominium associations, neighborhood conservation districts and historic district commissions, from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting owners from installing EV charging equipment in or near an owner’s parking space. Continue reading ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATIONS IN CONDO PARKING SPACES (H 1303) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, in conjunction with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to conduct a safety review of current safety practices and implement recommendations to reduce the risk to human life and safety. Continue reading CONDUCT SAFETY REVIEW (S 2708) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 12-27, rejected an amendment that would require the state take into account an individual’s length of residency in Massachusetts when determining priority in securing emergency shelter. Continue reading TAKE INTO ACCOUNT LENGTH OF RESIDENCY IN BAY STATE (S 2708) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 8-31, rejected an amendment that would require resettlement agencies to consult on a monthly basis with the Governor’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to ascertain the projected availability of space in the state’s shelter system. It also prohibits resettlement agencies from undertaking resettlement activity when it is foreseeable that the shelter system will exceed capacity.
Continue reading RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES MUST CONSULT WITH STATE (S 2708) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 32-8, approved a supplemental budget that includes an additional $250 million in funding for the Emergency Assistance Program that funds the emergency family shelter system which houses migrants. Continue reading SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET INCLUDING $250 MILLION FUNDING FOR SHELTERS (S 2708) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 40-0, approved a proposal that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission— commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners.
Continue reading REVENGE PORN AND TEEN SEXTING (S 2703) →

SOMERVILLE – The Somerville Public Library Board of Trustees is actively seeking one enthusiastic individual to join their ranks, and we welcome applications from all Somerville residents. This is a chance for community members with diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives to contribute their passion for libraries to our vibrant community. Continue reading Join the Somerville Public Library Board of Trustees →

Obituary

Mrs. Doris Mae (Foster) Langone, of Tewksbury and formerly of Somerville, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. She was 91 years young. Born and raised in Somerville she was the daughter of the late Hilda (March) and Harold Foster. Following the sudden passing of her mother Hilda, she was lovingly raised by her cherished aunt Irene (March) Dobson. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Doris Mae Langone →

Obituary

Fowler, Marjorie Rose (Loveless) – Of Somerville, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. She was 92 years old. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Marjorie Rose Fowler →

Today, March 21, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its 2022 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis showing that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program were 21% lower in 2022 compared to 2013. This includes a 26% decrease in air releases. During this 10-year period, releases from manufacturing facilities decreased by 9% while the value added to the U.S. economy from manufacturing increased by 14%. While overall releases increased by 1% from 2021 to 2022, there was a 6.5% increase in the number of pollution prevention activities reported under the TRI program compared to 2021. Continue reading Toxic chemical releases have declined 21% in 10 years according to new Toxics Release Inventory data →