Thursday, August 10, 2023
Tuesday’s flood has been catastrophic for many of our neighbors in Needham, Dover, and Medfield. During this time of crisis, clear communication is key between you, the town, and myself as State Representative. Click here to read an update on the actions I have taken, a summary of the Town’s response, what you can do in the immediate short-term, and an overview of how the state can respond.
The Town requests that you report all flooding in your home or on public property, as well as blocked catch basins via a link on the Town’s dedicated webpage.
My staff, Imene Bouziane Saidi, the Program Director of the Massachusetts Commission of the Status of Persons with Disabilities participated in the 6th annual State House Ice Bucket Challenge. The Ice Bucket Challenge was created by Pete Frates in support of ALS research nine years ago. This year’s event highlighted the importance of extending remote and hybrid work options for people
District Updates
Needham
- The 6th annual Needham Night will be held on Wednesday, August 16th at Tripadvisor HQ. This event will begin at 5 pm until 7 pm. It will be hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber. The night will include an awards presentation, lawn games, food, and the opportunity to make new connections or reconnect with old friends. To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, click here.
- The Town of Needham is searching for residents to serve on the new Biosafety Committee. This committee will review Biosafety applications and determine if the company is meeting Needham Public Health Biosafety Regulations. Committee members will be selected based on their professional experience or advanced graduate-level studies. Interested individuals can apply for the vacancies, here.
- Free beginner English lessons are being offered by the Needham Community Council. The classes are taught over 13 weeks with morning and evening classes starting on September 11 and 12. All classes will be held at the Needham Community Council. Registration is required and space is limited. To learn more about the program, click here. To sign up for the classes, click here.
Dover
- Join Dover Town Library for a magic show by the Nickelodeon award-winning children’s entertainer, Mike Bent. The event will take place at the Dover Town Library on August 16th from 4 pm to 4:45 pm. No registration is required for the event. To access Dover Town Library’s full calendar of events, click here.
- Enjoy a free guided walk up Hale’s Powisset Peak on Saturday, August 12. The walk will be held from 10:30 am to 12 pm. Walks will not be too strenuous but participants are warned of uneven ground, possibly slippery rocks, and steeper pitches. The event is free, but participants are encouraged to pre-register, click here.
Medfield
- Medfield TV is offering middle school beginner video editing classes as part of its Youth Media Program. Classes will be held from August 21 to August 24. This course is for students aged 11-14 who have a passion for visual storytelling, video editing, and/or public health communications. No previous experience is required to participate. If you are interested in applying, click here for the participant application, and click here for the parent/guardian application.
- Enjoy live music from band, Teddy Larkin & the Haulers at the Zullo Gallery Center for the Arts. The concert will be held on Friday, August 11 at 8 pm, doors will open at 7 pm. The band includes two lifelong friends who are Medfield High Alumni. To purchase tickets, click here.
Norfolk County Arbovirus Report
The hot months of summer bring an increased risk of mosquito-borne
illnesses. West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE or “Triple E”) are viruses that occur in Massachusetts and can cause illness ranging from mild fever to more serious disease like encephalitis or meningitis. Mosquito testing for EEE and other diseases began on June 12. This section of Fresh Garlick will share weekly reportings of Arbovirus in Norfolk County.
Risk Levels:
Needham: Remote
Dover: Low
Medfield: Low
To learn more about mosquito-borne illnesses, click here.
To learn how to protect yourself against mosquito-borne illnesses, click here.
Statewide Updates
- On Wednesday, Governor Maura Healthy signed into law a $56 billion budget for fiscal year 2024. This budget includes a program providing free school meals to all students, in-state tuition and financial aid for high school graduates without illegal immigration status, free community college for MA residents 25 and older, and more. I am immensely proud of our historic levels of investment in education, housing, healthcare, and more, as part of a broad strategy to grow our state’s economy and make Massachusetts more affordable, inclusive, and competitive. To read my press release on the FY24 budget and highlights, click here.
- The sales tax holiday for 2023 will be held on Saturday, August 12, and Sunday, August 13. Retail items up to $2,500, purchased in Massachusetts for personal use on these days will be exempt from sales tax. To learn more about the sales tax holiday, click here.
- A state of emergency was declared due to rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts in need of shelter and services and a severe lack of shelter availability in the state. The state is calling on cities, towns, charities, advocates, faith organizations, and providers to continue to partner with the administration to meet the need for shelter and work. Anyone who can offer assistance should contact the state at shelterhelp@mass.gov or by dialing 211. To learn more about the state of emergency, click here. To learn how the public can help, click here.
- A $375 million bill was signed into law for bridge, road maintenance, and infrastructure to improve transportation across Massachusetts. This is part of the Chapter 90 program which provides funding to municipalities for the implementation of capital improvements on local public ways. This allows municipalities to evaluate their unique transportation needs and goals and allocate funding dollars accordingly to support projects critical to their economic development. To learn more, click here.
- Veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving are eligible for expansion of VA benefits and healthcare. The PACT Act expands VA benefits and health care for veterans and servicemembers exposed to toxic substances while serving. While there is no deadline to apply for the benefits, veterans, and families will get the most of those benefits if filed by August 9. The PACT Act helps veterans get much-needed help related to health conditions caused by exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. If you submit your PACT Act application — or your intent to file — by August 9, you could get benefits backdated to August 10, 2022 — when the PACT Act was passed.
- Avoid Scams:
- Don’t pay to file: It’s free to apply for any type of veterans’ benefits. File your PACT Act claim for free online through the VA’s website or in person at a VA regional Office.
- Don’t pay for help: Scammers may offer help to you to file your application for benefits for a fee or percentage of the benefits you get, Get free help from an accredited representative, here.
Learn more about the PACT Act, here.
