Volume 6, Issue 8 (August 30, 2024) | |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you gearing up for a fun, relaxing holiday weekend. August'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 September, I will host three 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 Labor Day Weekend!
Very truly yours,
Joan
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FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | |
Flex Pool Fund Incorporated into Housing Bond Bill | |
One of my priority bills was included in H.4707, An Act relative to the Affordable Homes Act. This portion of the bill provides a flexible package of funding to support the creation of affordable housing in Massachusetts. Supportive housing has proven successful across the United States, and is a cost-effective, highly efficient means to assist Massachusetts’s most vulnerable residents. The bill also includes a measure I championed which ensures that money spent in the bill is consistent with our state's climate goals. You can read more here. | |
Rep. Meschino celebrating Father Bill's partnership with Manet Community Health in Quincy in May | |
Rep. Meschino Wins Home Rule Petitions for 3rd Plymouth | Senator O'Connor and I secured home rule petitions for Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset. S.2407 continues Hingham’s senior means-tested property tax exemption allowing senior homeowners the continued ability to afford living in Hingham. H.4037 transfers certain parcels of land in the town of Cohasset for general municipal purposes and for telecommunications leases and easements. H.4099 extends the leases of three important businesses in Hull: Jake’s, Mezzo Mare, and Steamboat Wharf Marina. The extensions will allow all three businesses to continue to contribute to Hull’s community and economy. All three bills have been signed into law by Governor Healey. | |
Rep. Meschino Bills Receive Favorable Reports | Bills that I filed on the topics of drought mitigation, community media centers, and youth voter engagement have all received favorable reports. H.861 proposes the creation of a drought management task force within the Executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). It would also allow the EEA to require regional water conservation during a declared drought, creating an effective and unified response to drought conditions across the Commonwealth. H.4631, based on the model of cable franchises, would impose a fee on digital streaming providers which are using public rights of way in order to sell their services to Massachusetts residents. This would allow for increased funding to community media centers across the state. H.705 would allow seventeen year olds who will be eighteen by the general election to vote in the preceding primary, encouraging young people to develop strong voting habits early. These three bills did not pass this session, but I am optimistic about their chances in the upcoming session. | |
Rep. Meschino votes in the House Chamber | |
Electric Buses Amendment Included in Climate Bill | |
My amendment to the climate bill regarding EV school bus procurement was passed. This legislation establishes a phased standard for when public motor vehicles serving public purposes must be electric. It incentivises the purchase of zero emission vehicles, assisting the Commonwealth on the path to achieve the emission goals laid out in the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050. | |
Rep. Meschino Secures Funding in FY25 Budget | |
In the FY25 budget, I secured funding for three key groups in the 3rd Plymouth District. The Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research received $40,000 for funding a micro-credentialing program for youth that will focus on coastal research and geospatial climate resilience. The Anchor of Hull received a programming grant of $25,000, which will be used to boost the Anchor’s regular weekly programming and recovery meetings for those impacted by substance use disorder. Finally, the Hingham Unity Council received a programming grant of $35,000, which will go towards the programming budget for inclusion events in the community. | |
STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | |
Hingham and Hull Win Destination Development Grants | |
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The Destination Development Grant Program is a competitive grant program that awards funds to strengthen the economy of Massachusetts through destination development projects that enhance tourism sustainability and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation. In this round, preference was given to projects related to climate resiliency, rural communities, cultural districts, and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. This award round consists of approximately $5.98 million in capital funding to 61 awardees.
The Hingham Historical Society won a $200,000 grant to renovate the Old Ordinary House Museum, and the Hull Lifesaving Museum won $125,000 to restore the interior of its historic boathouse.
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(Left) Old Ordinary House Museum, part of Hingham Historical Society
(Right) Hull Lifesaving Museum
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MBTA Announces Ferry Schedule Changes for Labor Day Weekend | |
The Hingham/Hull/Logan to Boston Ferry will be operating on a Sunday Schedule on Labor Day, September 2. The direct Hingham to Boston route will not be operating. For more information, please visit the MBTA website. | |
Hull Ferry Parking Lot Closures Continue 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. | |
MBTA Announces Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program | |
The MBTA announced that it is expanding access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders beginning Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The launch will also include the availability of in-person support at five locations around the MBTA service area in partnership with Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) network. An additional 31 locations will become available for service over fall 2024. Please visit the MBTA website for more information. | |
Massachusetts Primary Date Approaches | |
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The Massachusetts Primary Elections will take place on September 3, 2024. For general information about elections in the Commonwealth, visit the Secretary of State’s website. For town-specific voting information, visit your town’s website:
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Rep. Meschino Visits Cohasset and Hingham Farmers Markets | |
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(Left) Rep. Meschino speaking at Hingham Farmers Market
(Right) Rep.Meschino with volunteers at Cohasset Farmers Market
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In honor of National Farmers Market Week from August 4th through 10th, I enjoyed visiting the Hingham and Cohasset markets. These organizations are a bright spot in our communities and a place to connect with neighbors. In Hingham, we gathered to honor and remember the life and wonderful legacy of Hingham Farmers Market President Mark Cullings. Mark was a community builder and touched the lives of each person he came across. | |
Rep. Meschino Attends First Annual Agent Orange Ceremony in Hull | |
On August 10th, I attended Hull's first annual ceremony for Agent Orange Day. In a beautiful ceremony, the Town's War Memorial Commission dedicated a stone in honor of all Vietnam Veterans that have died in Hull due to the agent orange chemical used in the war. Our thoughts go out to the individuals and families who have been affected and continue to be affected. | |
Rep. Meschino Tours New Public Safety Facility in Hingham | |
Rep. Meschino with Congressman Lynch (center) while touring the public safety facility | |
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On August 1st, I toured the new public safety facility in Hingham with Congressman Lynch, town officials, and others. Congressman Lynch announced a pending federal grant to aid in the project. I will continue to support local infrastructure.
📸by Joshua Ross
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Announcing Office Hours for September
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, Jane and Harrison.
- Monday, September 16, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, September 23, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
- Monday, September 30, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
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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