Volume 6, Issue 7 (July 26, 2024) | |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you all staying cool and enjoying the summer. July's newsletter includes recent legislative updates, news from my office, district happenings, and resources available at the state level.
We prioritize our constituent outreach and support in my office. In August, I will host four in-person office hours with me or a member of my staff. If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, you are welcome to contact my staff to schedule a meeting. Please see below for our office’s updated contact information.
State Representative Joan Meschino
State House, Room 162, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
Updated phone number: 617-722-2092
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Very truly yours, Joan
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FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | |
House of Representatives Passes Clean Energy Bill | |
On July 17th, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed H.4884 An Act accelerating a responsible, innovative and equitable clean energy transition, aimed at increasing the Commonwealth’s supply of clean energy by setting new renewable energy generation storage procurement targets and by streamlining the state and local permitting process. This legislation builds on my historic 2050 Roadmap bill, passed in January of 2021, and helps us on the path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. I will continue to advocate for legislation that promotes a healthy environment and sustainable economic development for the 3rd Plymouth District and all of Massachusetts. | |
Rep. Meschino Welcomes Members of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women to the House Floor | It was wonderful to welcome Chairwoman Mary-dith Tuitt and other members of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) to the floor of the House chamber this week. The mission of the MCSW is to advance women toward full equality in all areas of life and to promote rights and opportunities for all women. The Commission exists to provide a permanent, effective voice for women across Massachusetts. | |
Rep. Meschino (left) and Rep. Bud Williams (D-Springfield) with members of the MCSW. | |
Thanking Team Meschino's Summer Interns | |
This summer, our office welcomed five interns who engaged in individual research projects, attended events with top state officials, and experienced day-to-day life in the State House. I was impressed by the scope of work that our interns accomplished this summer. They completed meaningful research projects on a wide variety of issue areas including eelgrass restoration, youth mental health resources, affordable housing, community arts funding, and climate resiliency.
Thank you Jane, Aydin, Evelyn, Maeve, and Saman for your work this summer and for bringing great energy to the office. We wish you all the best going forward!
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Rep. Meschino (center) with summer interns. | |
Representative Meschino Thanks Chief of Staff Christopher Altizer for Service | |
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At the end of this month, my Chief of Staff Chris Altizer will be leaving the State House after two years with my office.
If you ask anyone at the State House about their experiences with Chris, they will mention his kindness, his patience, and his sense of humor. Throughout his time here, he has brought these qualities to constituent services, communications, and policy analysis. He has brightened our office, our district, and everyone who has had the opportunity to meet him.
I am so thankful to Chris for his excellent work, and I hope you'll join me in sending him my best as he moves on to his next chapter attending the University of Wisconsin Law School!
I am excited to welcome Jane Fulton (jane.fulton@mahouse.gov) and Harrison Bushnell (harrison.bushnell@mahouse.gov) who will be the new Legislative Aides in my office. Please feel free to reach out to them moving forward.
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Representative Meschino and Chris Altizer in front of the Massachusetts State House. | |
STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | |
MassDOT Sumner Tunnel Closure Continues through August | |
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The MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, which will provide structural upgrades to the century-old southbound tunnel, is in its newest phase of full closure until August 5, 2024. Please check updated schedules for closures here. To learn more about the MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, including weekend closures in August, please visit Sumner Tunnel | Mass.gov.
Please consider taking alternate modes of transit to avoid travel disruptions. The Hingham/Hull Ferry runs daily to Logan Airport, and the full ferry schedule can be found here.
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Hull Ferry Parking Lot Closures Begin at Pemberton Point | |
Portions of the Town of Hull parking lot at the Hull ferry terminal are blocked off for sewer pump station construction work through 2025. For more information about the closures and parking tips in Hull, visit the Town of Hull website. | |
Metropolitan Beaches Climate Workshops Continue Into Fall | |
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Join Save the Harbor and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission on August 21st or September 12th for the MBC Metropolitan Beaches Climate Workshops on Zoom.
The Metropolitan Beaches Commission is focused on how climate change will impact our region's public beaches. They are holding a series of community climate workshops where we will share a suite of tools developed in partnership with the City of Boston and the region’s experts and advocates to increase resiliency and improve coastal defense, while preserving recreational access to our public beaches.
At these Zoom Climate Workshops, they will share tools to increase resiliency and improve coastal defense while preserving access to our beaches. Following the presentation, attendees will workshop strategies that can balance preserving access to recreational resources with community adaptation and resiliency priorities. Both workshops will have the same presentations. Register here.
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Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program Application Now Open | |
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Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $2 billion dollars in funds for environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input.
The deadline to apply is November 21, 2024. Community-based non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. For more information, visit the grant homepage.
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Massachusetts 250 American Revolution Grant Program Now Open | |
The FY25 Massachusetts 250 Grant Program is a competitive grant that awards funds to support programming and interpretation that tell the stories of the American Revolution in Massachusetts and increase tourism to or within Massachusetts. Nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. For more information, visit the Office Travel and Tourism website. The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) will host an informational webinar on August 6th from 2-3pm. Learn more here. | |
Rep. Meschino Visits Sunset Point Camp in Hull | |
On Tuesday, July 9th, I had the pleasure of visiting Sunset Point Camp in Hull. Originally opened in 1919, the summer camp is run by Catholic Charities of Boston and offers day programs for families in the South Shore as well as overnight programs for those on the South Shore and in Greater Boston. I was joined by staff from the camp as well as members of Catholic Charities of Boston including Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO of the organization. Throughout our visit, I was reminded of the importance of these long-standing organizations in building a more connected community. You can read more about my visit to Sunset Point Camp here. | |
Rep. Meschino with Kelley Tuthill and campers from Sunset Point Camp in Hull. | |
Rep. Meschino Staff and Interns Visit 3rd Plymouth District | |
In late July, my staff and I visited the Maritime Museum and Wilson House run by the Cohasset Historical Society, the South Shore Arts Center in Cohasset, and the Hingham Historical Society. Our team learned more about the work that these local organizations in our community do to bring people together and shed light on our storied histories. You can find more photos from our visit here. | |
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(Top left) Rep. Meschino (right) visits the Cohasset Historical Society with Katie Holden and Michael Dick.
(Top right) Rep. Meschino (right) poses with Patrice Maye, Executive Director at the South Shore Arts Center.
(Bottom) Dierdre Anderson, Executive Director of Hingham Historical Society welcomes Rep. Meschino's staff and interns.
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Rep. Meschino Walks in Hingham 4th of July Parade | |
I marched in the Hingham 4th of July parade, which winds its way throughout the historic downtown. I always enjoy seeing the creative ways that our local organizations honor our nation and district. Congratulations to Notre Dame Academy for their “Best In Parade” award this year. | |
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(Left) Rep. Meschino poses for a picture at the Hingham Parade.
(Right) Notre Dame Academy wins "Best in Parade."
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Announcing Office Hours for August
Constituent services are our top priority. We continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, a staff member will be present in the State House. On Mondays, I host in-person office hours in the district with me or a member of my staff.
If you would like to reserve a time slot for virtual office hours or outside of the times listed, please call the office at our new phone number 617-722-2092 or email my Legislative Aides.
- Monday, August 5, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, August 12, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, August 19, 10:00am - 11:00am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, August 26, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
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General Resources
COVID-19 Vaccines
- Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment using the Vaccine Finder
- COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts for assistance / translation services.
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Homebound Vaccination Program information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
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MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov allows residents to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history
COVID-19 Tests, Cases & Treatment
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