How Could Anyone In Their Right Mind Support Register of Deeds Maria Curtatone?

Take a couple of minutes and listen to this recorded interview from a close family member of my opponent, the current Registrar of Deeds Maria Curtatone on how she is accused of physically assaulting her elderly mother. How anyone could support, endorse or donate to her is beyond my imagination. Continue reading How Could Anyone In Their Right Mind Support Register of Deeds Maria Curtatone?

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

By Bob Katzen

“Expanding our forest canopy is one piece of the larger puzzle to combatting climate change in Massachusetts. With continuous heat waves leading to higher energy bills and greater greenhouse gas emissions, our Greening the Gateway Cities Program leverages our state resources and engages residents to help plant trees and enhance public health. Reducing the urban heat island effect is a top priority, and our non-profit partnerships … will help cool our neighborhoods, towns and cities.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

DNA AND STATUTE OR LIMITATIONS (H 4836)

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would amend the law to allow prosecutors to bring rape charges at any time if the perpetrator is identified through DNA evidence collected from a victim. Currently, the 15-year statute of limitations is a barrier to prosecution of serial offenders, as more than 15 years may elapse before a perpetrator is identified through DNA evidence. Continue reading DNA AND STATUTE OR LIMITATIONS (H 4836)

HEALEY SIGNS FIREARMS CHANGES (H 4885)

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law a bill that would change some of the state’s gun laws.

Provisions include cracking down on untraceable “ghost guns;” banning firearms in additional public spaces like schools, polling places and government buildings; expanding the 2018 “red flag” law that allows school administrators and licensed health care providers to petition a court to temporarily take firearms away from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others; closing loopholes that allow the modification of legal firearms into illegal automatic weapons; and providing a legacy clause so all firearms legally owned and registered in Massachusetts as of the effective date of the bill will continue to be legal and may be bought and sold within the state. Continue reading HEALEY SIGNS FIREARMS CHANGES (H 4885)

LONG TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING (S 2889)

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved a bill making changes to the state’s long term care and assisted living industry which supporters said will take “a powerful step towards delivering the high quality and safe care that Massachusetts seniors deserve by substantially strengthening oversight and enforcement while also requiring facilities to create outbreak plans should a health issue arise.”
Continue reading LONG TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING (S 2889)

PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (H 4910)

By Bob Katzen

The House 158-0, approved a bill that supporters say would make major changes and reforms to the state’s pharmaceutical system by lowering the cost of drugs at the pharmacy counter and improving oversight of the pharmaceutical industry. They said the measure protects patients and independent pharmacists by regulating the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry; banning many of the industry’s worst business practices; and reducing or eliminating co-pays for certain chronic conditions.
Continue reading PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS, COSTS AND TRANSPARENCY (H 4910)

BAN ELEPHANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS (H 4915)

By Bob Katzen

The House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that effective January 1, 2025, would ban elephants, bears, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and other wild animals from being used in traveling circuses and other traveling shows in Massachusetts where they would be used to perform tricks, give rides or otherwise participate as an accompaniment for the entertainment of a live audience. Continue reading BAN ELEPHANTS AND OTHER ANIMALS (H 4915)

News ’bout Town….Pick of the Week..Medford

I truly saw Man’s second best friend this week, Kolin Burgoyne, owner of Colleen’s fine, popular Ice Cream, Medford SQ!! I had eye surgery this week and while telling him I could not lift, he added he would like to lift the heavy mulch for me on the isle dedicated to my family…bags of 40 lbs! Nice moment in a busy store and home schedule…I began adorning this isle four years ago
Continue reading News ’bout Town….Pick of the Week..Medford

Registrar Maria Curtatone and Son In Somerville District Court Again

By News Staff

Just shy of three years ago coming up in a few days, Maria Curtatone, her daughter and their friends were accused of destruction of property for destroying Billy Tauro political campaign signs and defacing Somerville/Medford News Weekly newspaper boxes causing a criminal complaint taken out against Curtatone’s daughter. The incident was even caught on videotape surveillance from local shops in the perimeter area. Continue reading Registrar Maria Curtatone and Son In Somerville District Court Again

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: Somerville’s Dumping Ground for Methadone Packs, Condoms etc…

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Ok
Board of Health director Karin Carroll gives out free needles. And also if they bring back 50 needles she gives them 10bucks. Who’s money city?
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: Somerville’s Dumping Ground for Methadone Packs, Condoms etc…

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Street

By Bob Katzen

“Ensuring every student can read is fundamental to all other education goals and right now we are failing miserably. Progress on literacy cannot wait another day. Failure to act is costing our students and threatening their futures.”
— Ed Lambert, executive director of Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, urging legislators to pass legislation that would expand the use of science-based literacy instruction to address the state’s early literacy crisis. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Street

BILLS STUCK IN COMMITTEE

By Bob Katzen

These three bills were all given initial approval by the House in April but have not moved since. They are stuck in the Bills in Third Reading Committee.

EXPAND PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS FOR POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS (H 2890) – Would expand the current law which provides a property tax abatement to the surviving spouses and minor children of police officers and firefighters “killed in the line of duty.” The bill provides that the abatement also go to the families of officers who “died in the line of duty.”
Continue reading BILLS STUCK IN COMMITTEE

PET CEMETERIES (H 4206)

By Bob Katzen

The House has shipped off to a study committee a measure that would require the owner of any property used or to be used for a pet cemetery to file in the Registry of Deeds a dedication restricting the property to be used only for the operation of a pet cemetery. Bills that are sent to a study committee bills are rarely actually studied and are essentially defeated. It is a way to kill a proposal without holding a vote on the bill itself.
Continue reading PET CEMETERIES (H 4206)

APPROVE FIREARMS CHANGES (H 4885)

By Bob Katzen

The House 123-33, Senate 35-5, approved and sent to Gov. Healey a bill that would change some of the state’s gun laws.

Provisions include cracking down on untraceable “ghost guns;” banning firearms in additional public spaces like schools, polling places and government buildings; expanding the 2018 “red flag” law that allows school administrators and licensed health care providers to petition a court to temporarily take firearms away from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others; closing loopholes that allow the modification of legal firearms into illegal automatic weapons; and providing a legacy clause so all firearms legally owned and registered in Massachusetts as of the effective date of the bill will continue to be legal and may be bought and sold within the state.
Continue reading APPROVE FIREARMS CHANGES (H 4885)

Peter Noone at the City Winery Boston, Sunday July 28, 2024 3 pm and 7 pm

By Joe Viglione

In a summer with the Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones and Herman’s Hermits visiting Boston, one would think it is 1964 all over again. In a Zoom conversation July 9th 2024 with the lead singer of the Herman’s Hermits, Peter Noone noted that all three of those groups did play together in the early 1960s.
Continue reading Peter Noone at the City Winery Boston, Sunday July 28, 2024 3 pm and 7 pm

Join Somerville’s Annual National Night Out Event to Enjoy Free Family-Friendly Activities, Music, Food, and More

Browse Over 40 Local Vendors, Hop on a Bounce House, or Cool Down on a Water Slide on Tuesday August 6, starting at 5 p.m.

SOMERVILLE–Community members looking for a night out this summer can look no further than the City of Somerville’s annual National Night Out Event hosted by the Somerville Police Department and the Somerville Office of Parks & Recreation.
Continue reading Join Somerville’s Annual National Night Out Event to Enjoy Free Family-Friendly Activities, Music, Food, and More

Community Notice: Vote by Mail Applications for 2024 Presidential Election from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Starting to Arrive in Mailboxes

SOMERVILLE- The City of Somerville is alerting all registered voters that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has begun mailing a pre-addressed, postage pre-paid Vote by Mail application to every registered voter before each statewide election. If you have already applied to vote by mail for the upcoming election, you will not receive an additional application.
Continue reading Community Notice: Vote by Mail Applications for 2024 Presidential Election from Commonwealth of Massachusetts Starting to Arrive in Mailboxes

Somerville Workers and Small Employers Invited to Attend Employment-Based Residency Information Session

Event hosted by Pathway for Immigrant Workers and the City of Somerville, will be held on Tuesday,
July 30, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. online via Zoom.

SOMERVILLE–
The City of Somerville and Pathway for Immigrant Workers will host a free virtual immigration
legal information session for local employers and lower-wage workers on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Continue reading Somerville Workers and Small Employers Invited to Attend Employment-Based Residency Information Session

Somerville/Medford Remembering Marina (Centofanti) Monteiro

Obituary:

Marina (Centofanti) Monteiro
7/19/2024

Marina (Centofanti) Monteiro, age 53, of Tewksbury passed away on Friday, July 19th, at Lahey Clinic Medical Center of Burlington. Raised and educated in Somerville, she was the daughter of Eva (DiCenso) Centofanti and the late Giuseppe Centofanti. Marina moved to Tewksbury almost 20 years ago. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Marina (Centofanti) Monteiro

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Discarded Needles, Human Feces, Homeless & Drug Addicts Taking Over Dickerman Park on Craigie St Somerville

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

This photo was taken tonight at 9:15 across from Dickerman Park. No lights. Not safe to walk thru the drug addicts set up!

Hey Billy, just wanted to give you a heads up on something. There are homeless drug addicts living at Dickerman Park on Craigie Street. I called the city, they were basically appalled that I called. They actually sighed at me when I said they should not be in there especially with needles with children. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Discarded Needles, Human Feces, Homeless & Drug Addicts Taking Over Dickerman Park on Craigie St Somerville

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Current Registrar Maria Curtatone Has Been In Office There for Over 12 Years and Has NOT Accomplished a Thing

Dear Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

I am deeply concerned of what’s going on at the Southern Middlesex Registry of Deeds of Middlesex County that’s located in Cambridge MA under the current registrar Maria Curtatone. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Current Registrar Maria Curtatone Has Been In Office There for Over 12 Years and Has NOT Accomplished a Thing

EQUAL ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES (H 923)

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would require the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to annually report on progress made toward Title IX compliance in its recreational facilities across the state. Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex and gender discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Continue reading EQUAL ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES (H 923)

REDUCE THE SHORTAGE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS (H 4842)

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that supporters say would streamline the process for foreign-trained dentists to obtain a dental hygienist license in the Bay State. These dentists would have to have at least five years of experience as a dentist in their country and must have obtained a certificate of registration, certifying them as a dentist, from their country’s board of dental examiners or similar board. Continue reading REDUCE THE SHORTAGE OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS (H 4842)

PRESERVE SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS FOR DISABLED SENIORS (H 4841)

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would restore the ability of disabled seniors to receive support from special needs pooled trusts for care and needs that are not covered by MassHealth. Sponsor Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow) said she filed the legislation in response to a new MassHealth regulation that eliminated this support for seniors.
Continue reading PRESERVE SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS FOR DISABLED SENIORS (H 4841)

PROTECT PRIVACY OF PEOPLE SEEKING REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE (H 4844)

By Bob Katzen

The House 159-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would prohibit the sale of cellphone data collected during an individual’s visit to Massachusetts health care facilities that offer reproductive and gender affirming care. Currently, data brokers are allowed to sell data that tracks the location of cellphone users.
Continue reading PROTECT PRIVACY OF PEOPLE SEEKING REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER AFFIRMING CARE (H 4844)

Mayor Ballantyne and City Council Invite Community Members to the Ward 5 “Slice of the City” Meet-Up Event

Connect with the Mayor, city officials, and neighbors over free pizza, refreshments, and kids’
activities at Trum Field playground

SOMERVILLE- Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait, and the City Council invite Somerville Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne and City Council Invite Community Members to the Ward 5 “Slice of the City” Meet-Up Event

Applications Now Open for Nine Income-Restricted Apartments at 154 Broadway, Somerville

Application Period Closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) are pleased to announce that applications are currently being accepted for nine (9) income-restricted apartments at The Guild, located at 154 Broadway. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 1. Continue reading Applications Now Open for Nine Income-Restricted Apartments at 154 Broadway, Somerville

HONK! Festival 2024: 19th annual — save the dates, October 4-6, 2024

[photo credit: Michael Nosal]

NINETEENTH ANNUAL
Festival of Activist Street Bands
SAVE THE DATES October 4-6, 2024
(rain or shine) primarily based in
the vicinity of Davis Square, Somerville
and Harvard Square, Cambridge
FREE AND OPEN TO ALL

(Somerville & Cambridge, MA) By early September, the wheels will be set in full motion for HONK! Festival 2024, this year to be held from October 4-6, with HONK! outdoor band concerts held throughout Davis Square and nearby neighborhoods on that Friday thru Saturday. Continue reading HONK! Festival 2024: 19th annual — save the dates, October 4-6, 2024

Somerville Passes Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 with Major Investments in Core City Services and Workforce Equity

$360 Million Budget Additionally Delivers on City’s Ongoing Commitment to Social Progress and Helping Most Vulnerable Community Members

SOMERVILLE – On June 20, 2024, the Somerville City Council passed the Ballantyne administration’s proposed $360 million Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget, delivering on Mayor Katjana Ballantyne’s key investments in schools, City services, and workforce equity.

“Through the FY25 budget, we’re sustaining the historic investments of the past two years while affirming our resources and dedicated staff can continue driving our community forward,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “I’m grateful for the invaluable support of our City Council. Along with all of our fantastic public servants, I’m ready roll up my sleeves and get to work implementing our new budget.”

Highlights of the FY25 budget include:
More than 36 new, net full-time-equivalent positions for Somerville Public Schools
Funding for union contracts, closing gender gaps, and ensuring fair and competitive wages for City workers.
New City staff positions to help better meet the needs our communities. Newly funded roles include:
Homelessness Coordinator, to address issues impacting Somerville’s unhoused residents.
Wage Theft Coordinator, a role championed by the City Council to help ensure local workers are fully compensated.
Civilian Crossing Guard Supervisor, to support safe routes to school.
A robust array of programming and service initiatives to help protect our residents’ health, safety and well-being including:
Outfit and staffing of new Assembly Row fire station.
A curbside composting pilot to advance climate action goals for energy efficient waste management (funded off budget).
A transition away from rodenticide in City and School buildings to safer approaches to rodent control.
Additional funding for the Affordable Housing Fund (AHTF): $3.3M addition to the fund bringing its total to nearly $30M.

The final budget was passed with minor changes to the Mayor’s May 30, 2024, proposal. To read more about the City of Somerville’s FY25 budget, please visit somervillema.gov/budget

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Cambridge, Medford and Somerville Police Investigating Multiple Shootings, Seeking Information

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge, Medford and Somerville Police Departments have announced ongoing investigations into six separate shootings that have occurred in these communities since June 10, 2024.
Continue reading Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Cambridge, Medford and Somerville Police Investigating Multiple Shootings, Seeking Information

William Tauro: I’m a former victim and I could’ve been a statistic!

I’m a former victim and I could’ve been a statistic! 🙏

My thoughts and opinion of the Trump assassination attempt:

For the past five years since I first ran and announced that I was running for mayor of Somerville, I had six assassination threats. Four were from crackpots, one was from an official former assistant Middlesex County District Attorney who admitted his actions to law enforcement who went stray and one was from somebody who pleaded guilty to the Middlesex County District Attorney of all charges who is going on trial in late July coming up. It’s all public record. Continue reading William Tauro: I’m a former victim and I could’ve been a statistic!

Email Support from DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan

By William Tauro

Please read this email below that was sent to all city employees regarding what Somerville DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan wrote in support of our members at the DPW. Also see the Photo on the windows of DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan who recognizes and understands that there is a big problem in Somerville.

Please read this email that DPW Commissioner wrote in support of our members at the DPW.

Also see the Photo on the windows of DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan.

Dear Members,

Subject: Critical Mass

I wanted to forward this over to you so see that Jill is incredibly supportive and furious over the lack of support for the DPW workers.
Continue reading Email Support from DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan

Somerville Unethically Hires Out of State Political Candidate for City Administrator Position

By William Tauro

This is the same lady that our Somerville mayor wants to make Chief Administrative Officer aka CAO for the amount of $185,466 per year who lives in Rhode Island, and who will be working remotely from Rhode Island on your dime, who is also a candidate for state senate in Rhode Island! She has already started her job since April and we are paying for it!

Your thoughts?

Lammis Vargas announces bid for State Senate District 28 Continue reading Somerville Unethically Hires Out of State Political Candidate for City Administrator Position

HOSPITAL HELIPADS (H 2400)

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would ban non-emergency aircraft from practicing training maneuvers, including simulated landings, practice approaches, turns about a point and power off turns, within a two nautical mile vicinity of a hospital with a helipad. Aircraft would be allowed to fly directly over the helipad as long as they are not performing these maneuvers and are flying at an altitude of over 2,000 feet.
Continue reading HOSPITAL HELIPADS (H 2400)

FIRE CHIEF MUST BE A FORMER FIREFIGHTER (H 2347)

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to legislation that would require that any candidates for appointment to the position of Fire Chief, Fire Commissioner or head of a fire department in any city or town, must have been a uniformed member of the Massachusetts firefighting force of a Massachusetts Fire Department for a minimum of five years.
Continue reading FIRE CHIEF MUST BE A FORMER FIREFIGHTER (H 2347)

CLEAN FUEL STANDARDS (S 2829)

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 1-39, rejected an amendment that would force transportation fuel providers to comply with new clean fuel standards set by the Department of Energy Resources. The amendment would create a credit system to penalize providers who do not meet those standards. Collected credits from public entities will be used to fund projects aimed at clean energy and transportation projects that disadvantaged communities need. Continue reading CLEAN FUEL STANDARDS (S 2829)

Buy Fresh, Affordable Local Produce at the City of Somerville Mobile Farmers Market

SOMERVILLE–The Somerville
Mobile Farmers Market is gearing up for the 2024 season selling fresh produce across the city on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, July 11 through October 26. All produce is sourced from local farms and priced low to make healthy, fresh foods affordable and accessible to all. The mobile market accepts cash, debit cards, SNAP, Fresh Connect, WIC Farmers Market Coupons, and Senior Farmers Market Coupons. Continue reading Buy Fresh, Affordable Local Produce at the City of Somerville Mobile Farmers Market

Somerville/Medford Remembering Maryellen A. Pieroni

Obituary

Maryellen Pieroni, of Arlington, formally Somerville, the daughter of the late John and Catherine
Pieroni, passed away peacefully July 2nd, after a brief illness.

She was predeceased in death by her parents, sister Arlene Pieroni, nephew James Pieroni,
grandniece Olivia Cunningham and grandnephew Jack Cunningham.

Maryellen is survived by her siblings, John of Methuen, Catherine (Peter) Tenneson of Harvard,
Elaine of Methuen, Janice (Vincent) Macone of Stoneham and James (Karen) of Arlington, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Former longtime employee of New England Telephone-Verizon and BU Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or a charity of your
choice. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Maryellen A. Pieroni

Somerville Council on Aging: July Press Outreach 7-1-24

Medical Equipment Program – Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and from the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging is now able to provide Durable Medical Equipment at no cost to Somerville residents. Residents with a documented need for medical equipment must be over the age of 60, or have a permanent disability, and must be otherwise unable to afford or access needed medical equipment. We currently have available: Commodes, Bath Benches, Rollator Walkers, Incontinence Supplies and Transport Wheelchairs (wheelchairs are intended for transport and are not self-propelling or self-breaking.) Continue reading Somerville Council on Aging: July Press Outreach 7-1-24

ArtBeat Festival 2024: Celebrating Somerville’s Vibrant Arts Scene and Helping to Protect Our Local Pollinators

Annual Festival Featuring Local crafts, Performances, Children’s Activities, Food & More Returns on Saturday, July 13, from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

SOMERVILLE – Where else except the City of Somerville can you support local artists, sample a global array of food and join a Punk Rock Pollinator Parade? Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council are inviting the community to do all that and more at the City’s annual ArtBeat Festival on Saturday, July 13, from 11 a.m. -10 p.m. in Davis Square (rain date: Sunday, July 14, at the same time).
Continue reading ArtBeat Festival 2024: Celebrating Somerville’s Vibrant Arts Scene and Helping to Protect Our Local Pollinators

Medford Police Investigating Shooting on June 26 JULY 2, 2024 BY JESSICA WALSH

Photos:Vehicle #1: 2023 silver Toyota Prius with black rims, license plate MA 2RGV4

On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at approximately 8:00 pm, the Somerville Police responded to CHA Hospital in Somerville regarding a report of a male who had arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper torso. The initial investigation by the Somerville Police Department revealed that the incident took place on a part of East Albion Street in Medford, just over the Somerville line. Continue reading Medford Police Investigating Shooting on June 26 JULY 2, 2024 BY JESSICA WALSH

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: Davis case is literally one of the greatest Civil Rights atrocities in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Mr. Tauro:

The Davis case is literally one of the greatest Civil Rights atrocities in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. However, nobody in State government will right the wrong. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: Davis case is literally one of the greatest Civil Rights atrocities in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Somerville Police Department Crime Log 6/25/24-7/01/24

Assault

24037631: On 6/25/24 at approximately 10:37 AM, Somerville Police responded to a business on Beacon St for report of a past assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the two victims who stated they were involved in an argument with a male party inside the store. During the argument, the male suspect brandished a pocketknife. Officers identified the male suspect.

Assault Continue reading Somerville Police Department Crime Log 6/25/24-7/01/24

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

By Bob Katzen

“Ensuring every veteran receives the proper status and respect they deserve is a top priority of the Executive Office of Veterans Services. The injustices faced by LGBTQ+ service members are a stain on our history that we are committed to erasing. Massachusetts is leading the way when it comes to supporting our veterans and this initiative is a crucial step to healing past wounds and fostering a more inclusive military community.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

DELIVERING CARS TO DEALERSHIPS (H 3472)

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would prohibit any car carriers delivering cars to a dealership from parking on a public street or highway. A car carrier operator who violates this law would be subject to a $250 fine and potential license suspension. The carrier company is also subject to forfeiting its carrying permit.
Continue reading DELIVERING CARS TO DEALERSHIPS (H 3472)

REQUIRE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE INFO ON STUDENT IDS (H 1999)

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would require all public schools with grades 6 to 12, and all public and private colleges to include on their student identification cards the telephone and text number for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The bill includes a provision that allows any schools and colleges which have a supply of old ID cards without the 988 line to continue to distribute those IDS until the supply is gone.
Continue reading REQUIRE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE INFO ON STUDENT IDS (H 1999)

APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (S 2834)

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 6-34, rejected an amendment that would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town affected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. Any appeal would have to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability to meet the drinking water supply or wastewater requirements necessary to support the housing units authorized by the law’s zoning provisions; the inability of municipal transportation infrastructure to safely accommodate the increased population attributable to this housing development; any adverse environmental impacts attributable to the development of housing units under this act; and any adverse impacts on historic properties. Continue reading APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (S 2834)

$1 BILLION CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION FUND (S 2829)

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 1-38, rejected an amendment that would create a $1 billion Clean Energy and Climate Action Fund to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, which would distribute funds to efficient retrofits and upgrades that fit into the state’s commitment to reducing emissions from the built environment.
Continue reading $1 BILLION CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION FUND (S 2829)

$3.4 BILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (H 4789)

By Bob Katzen

The House 155-2, approved and sent to the Senate a $3.4 billion economic development package that supporters said includes an array of investments and policy initiatives that aim to bolster support for workers and businesses, particularly in the life sciences, clean energy technology and manufacturing industries, while retaining a larger focus on making Massachusetts more affordable and competitive.
Continue reading $3.4 BILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (H 4789)

BAN HOME EQUITY THEFT (H 4791)

By Bob Katzen

The House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a measure that would prohibit cities and towns that foreclose on properties on which the owner owes back property taxes, from keeping all of the profits when the city or town sells the property at auction. Current Massachusetts law allows this practice. The bill would allow the city or town to keep only the amount owed in back taxes and send the remainder to the owner.
Continue reading BAN HOME EQUITY THEFT (H 4791)

$540 MILLON FISCAL 2024 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4790)

By Bob Katzen

The House 153-1, approved and sent to the Senate a $540 million fiscal 2024 supplemental budget to close out the books for fiscal year 2024. Provisions include millions of dollars in funding for 18 collective bargaining agreements; $26.5 million for cities and towns to prepare for and celebrate in 2026 the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution; $5.5 million for tax abatements for veterans, widows, blind persons and the elderly; and $29.6 million for Income-Eligible Child Care; $2.1 million for Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Services.
Continue reading $540 MILLON FISCAL 2024 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4790)