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Rep. Stanley requests review of the State Building Code in regards to fire prevention for wood-frame construction projects
Rep. Stanley, Rep. Lawn and Sen. Barrett sent a letter to Richard Crowley, Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations & Standards (BBRS) regarding the fire at the 260-unit apartment complex in Waltham. Similar fires involving wood-frame construction are occurring across the nation, including one that occurred in Dorchester, raising significant concerns regarding the safety of this construction practice. Moreover, a majority of these projects are constructed with engineered wood, which burns faster than traditional wood and causes supporting materials to collapse quickly.
In the aftermath of the July 23rd blaze; the Waltham City Council unanimously passed a resolution on July 31st calling for the Waltham Legislative Delegation to investigate the 2009 change in State Building Code that allowed wood-frame construction in buildings up to five stories and to potentially file legislation to correct any deficiency in the State Building Code. Since the Waltham City Council resolution was passed, authorities have reported (8/10/17) that despite no initial indications of suspicious activity, the July 23rd blaze was indeed caused by arson after all other possible causes were eliminated.
While the investigation is ongoing, the State Fire Marshal and member of the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), Peter Ostroskey, stated he has convened a working group of fire and building specialists to study how to best safeguard wood-frame projects, including to clarify to cities and towns common issues regarding interpreting and enforcing of the State Building Codes.
The Waltham delegation encourages the BBRS to work with the legislature in communicating to the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns their responsibly to enforce the state's fire safety program guidelines at construction sites as well as suggestions for best deterrents and public safety measures.
Rep. Stanley Formally Condemns Neo-Nazi and White Supremacist Groups
At the press conference
Representative Stanley joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to support a resolution that unequivocally denounces white nationalism and neo-Nazism, and condemns the hatred, bigotry and violence these groups consistently espouse. The resolution will be transmitted to the Mayor of Charlottesville, Governor of Virginia and President of the United States. In highlighting Massachusetts' historic role in promoting civil rights and justice, the resolution emphasized that the values of these groups stand in irreconcilable conflict with the founding principles of both the Commonwealth and the nation.
Following the signing of the resolution, legislators joined Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito in a moment of silence for the Charlottesville victims. The legislation, which was filed in the wake of the Charlottesville tragedy, states that "intolerance has led to senseless acts of violence that continue to terrorize members of ethnic and religious communities." It urges law enforcement agencies and elected officials to condemn white nationalist and neo-Nazi ideology, vigorously pursue justice in response to hate-fueled violence and work to ensure the protection of marginalized and targeted communities.
Rep. Stanley hears bill related to municipal finance and zoning
As a member of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, Rep. Stanley recently heard testimony at a public hearing regarding local bills and general legislation concerning municipal finance and zoning. At the hearing, Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone testified in support of H.3882, an act authorizing the city of Somerville to impose impact fees for any development project for the purposes of funding the Green Line Extension.
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone testifying in support of H.3882
Rep. Stanley Supports MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant
Rep. Stanley cosigned a letter supporting the Massachusetts Statewide Municipal Stormwater Coalition's application for the MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant. Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC) is a member of the Coalition and includes Lincoln and Lexington.
The coalition consists of 105 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. The development and implementation of a statewide stormwater education and outreach program will have an immense benefit for our region and local communities. This project will help provide the support and guidance needed to meet permit requirements, while reducing the financial burden on towns and cities. This grant will continue to support and build collaboration already being fostered by the statewide coalition to share resources, training, and best management practices related to stormwater management.
Calling all Massachusetts Artists, Makers, and Creative Entrepreneurs! New Survey!
Artmorpheus and the Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition (MALC) have collaborated to create on-line tool, By Artists for Artists, to better determine how many artists of all disciplines, makers, and creative entrepreneurs are living and working in Massachusetts and to better assess their needs.
Everyone's help is needed in getting the word out across the Commonwealth. Unlike many studies, all of the aggregate data collected from this tool will be shared.
The survey is using a broad and inclusive definition of artists working in all disciplines. It encompasses: visual artists, musicians, composers, writers, poets, playwrights, new media artists, film makers, crafts people, actors, singers, performance artists, graphic designers, lighting designers, dancers, choreographers, and the like. The 2017 survey was also expanded to include makers and creative entrepreneurs.
The project builds on the 2009 "Stand Up and Be Counted" project, the first-ever Massachusetts statewide survey of working artists of all disciplines. The 3,500 working artists who participated in the 2009 survey helped to change policies to benefit the communities of the creative sector.
The project is funded in part by grants from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and private donations. One must be a resident of Massachusetts to complete the survey. If you would like more information, please contact Kathleen Bitetti or Liora Beer at
MassArtistsSurvey@gmail.com. The online survey can be accessed at
www.artmorpheus.org and at
www.artistsunderthedome.org.
In Wake of Major Equifax Data Breach, AG Healey Launches Investigation & Urges Consumers To Protect Themselves From Identity Theft
Following reports of a major data breach at credit reporting agency Equifax Inc. compromising the personal information of hundreds of millions of consumers nationwide and nearly three million in Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey launched an investigation into the breach and urged consumers to take immediate steps to protect their information against identity theft. The AG's Office has contacted Equifax to review the circumstances of the breach and the steps the company is taking to address it, and will determine whether the company had proper safeguards in place to protect consumer information.
According to Equifax, the data breach potentially affects approximately 143 million consumers nationwide, with stolen information primarily including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some cases, driver's license numbers. Equifax has notified the AG's Office that nearly three million Massachusetts consumers were affected. Equifax has established a phone number - 866-447-7559 - for consumers to check if they have been affected by the breach or who have additional questions.
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, you will need to take additional steps to protect your credit and your personal information. For more information on how to protect yourself, please see the FTC's step-by-step guide at
https://identitytheft.gov/.
Baker Administration Unveils Bill to Strengthen Penalties for Dangerous Drug Distribution, Witness Intimidation
Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett announced a public safety legislative reform package updating drug scheduling and witness intimidation statutes and strengthening penalties for the illegal distribution of drugs resulting in death and solicitation to commit murder.
The four provisions of the Baker-Polito Administration's legislative package address: Linking state drug classifications, with the exception of marijuana and other drugs already classified in Massachusetts, to emergency federal drug scheduling, allowing state law enforcement and prosecutors to more swiftly respond to the influx of new and dangerous synthetic drugs; Defining the illegal distribution of dangerous drugs resulting in death as manslaughter punishable by a minimum of five years in prison -- the same standard to which a driver under the influence who takes an innocent life is held; Bolstering and clarifying witness intimidation statutes to ensure prosecutors have the ability to protect witnesses and their families from retaliation both before and after a trial; and updating state law to treat solicitation of murder-for-hire as a felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Baker Administration Visits New State Police Homeland Security and Preparedness Division
Governor Charlie Baker, Public Safety Secretary Dan Bennett and State Police Superintendent Colonel Richard McKeon highlighted the recent creation of a new State Police division focused on combating threats to Massachusetts and the nation posed by extremists and narcotics traffickers, collecting and analyzing criminal intelligence, and protecting large-scale events and critical infrastructure.
The State Police Division of Homeland Security and Preparedness will consolidate and enhance counter-terrorism, opioid interdiction, and criminal intelligence operations currently spread throughout other divisions. The new, dedicated division will significantly increase the Department's effectiveness and efficiency in these mission areas. The FY18 budget signed by the governor created the new division and allowed for a new State Police Class of 145 recruits.
The new Division is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Dermot Quinn and consists of two main sections, the Commonwealth Fusion Center and the Preparedness and Planning Section. Each section is under the command of a Major, who reports to the division commander, who in turn will report directly to the Colonel/Superintendent of the Department. The establishment of these sections as two integral and coordinated parts of the new division will allow for more fully dedicated and expanded efforts in these critical homeland security areas of operation.
$72 Million Will Create, Rehabilitate and Preserve Nearly 2,000 Housing Units
Governor Charlie Baker announced $72 million in housing subsidy funds and additional state and federal tax credits to 25 projects in 17 communities for the creation, rehabilitation, and preservation of 1,970 housing units across the Commonwealth, including 402 units reserved for very low-income families and families making the transition out of homelessness, building on the Baker-Polito Administration's commitment to increasing the production and preservation of affordable housing for all residents.
The administration is awarding over $72 million in housing subsidy funds, including federal HOME funds and state capital funds. Additionally, the Department of Housing and Community Development is awarding more than $28 million in state and federal low-income housing tax credits, which will generate more than $180 million in equity for these projects. The awards will create or preserve 1,978 rental units, including 1,698 affordable units, in 25 projects across the state. Three projects will reserve units for individuals with disabilities, two are transit-oriented developments and three projects will include Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) units, including a building dedicated to youth aging out of foster care.
Governor Baker Nominates Meghan Spring to Woburn District Court and Thomas Barbar to Middlesex Probate and Family Court
Governor Baker has nominated Meghan S. Spring to serve as an Associate Justice of the Woburn District Court and Thomas J. Barbar to serve as an Associate Justice in the Middlesex Probate and Family Court. Spring, after practicing in both the private and public sectors, has served as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Lowell District Court since 2013; Barbar has over 20 years serving clients in the private sector specializing in family law, probate litigation and estate planning.
The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. In civil matters, District Court judges conduct both jury and jury-waived trials, and determine with finality any matter in which the likelihood of recovery does not exceed $25,000. The District Court also tries small claims involving up to $7,000). The District Court's civil jurisdiction also includes many specialized proceedings, including abuse prevention restraining orders and civil motor vehicle infractions.
MA Turnpike Tollbooth Demolition--Finalist for National Award!
The Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers & Scientists (MOSES) announced that the MA State Turnpike tollbooth demolition project is a finalist for a national transportation award! MassDOT's "All Electronic Tolling" has been recognized as one of the top 12 transportation projects of the year by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Of the 12 finalists, one project will be selected by online voting to be the national winner. The winning project will receive a $10,000 contribution for scholarships or charity and will be announced at the AASHTO annual meeting in Phoenix on Wednesday, September 27. VOTE! Cast your vote for MassDOT to become the People's Choice Award winner by visiting
https://americastransportationawards.org/2017-nasto-region-projects/massachusetts-department-of-transportation-all-electronic-tolling-project/.
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