Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Recently, the residents of Dover gathered to demonstrate respect and support for the people of Ukraine. The road to the American Legion Post was packed with cars, children and families played on the front lawn, and music, the smell of good food and light-filled the halls upstairs and down. The spirit of purpose and goodwill was everywhere. The anxiety, fear, frustration, and anger that accompanies the insidious dangerous COVID virus and variants and has fueled divisions, distrust, toxic rhetoric, and actions of hate was clearly not present. In trying to help the people of Ukraine we were healing by calling on our better selves. We acted in unity and with purpose and compassion. I want to share with you an excerpt of a crowd-sourced poem by Needham Town Manager, Kate Fitzpatrick that is helping me to call on my better self-please join in this work.
“We long for civility.
We long for a city where people focus more on what we have accomplished, with pride and amazement, and focus less on what remains to be done, with frustration and criticism.
Where people come together to meet real challenges with resolve and good humor, and a willingness to work collaboratively. Where finding a reasonable compromise is considered a win.
Where we can disagree, without being disagreeable, and people are civil, respectful, and supportive, even in the face of disagreement.
Where broad generalities and stereotypes are not raised over differences of opinion.
Where there is an appetite for increased listening to others, and where opinions are allowed to evolve and change.”
To read the entire poem, click here.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
- In Needham, the Town has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the state Department of Housing and Community Development’s Massachusetts Downtown initiative. This funding will give Town officials the resources to develop a marketing strategy aimed at promoting small businesses in Needham Center. To support this work the Town is looking for feedback from residents, businesses, employees, and visitors through a short survey. To take the survey, click here.
- In Needham, the Needham Human Rights Committee has issued a statement regarding anti-Russian sentiment. To read the statement, click here.
- In Dover, the Dover Recycling Committee has announced the Swap Shop will re-open in April following a two year closure. Residents will be able to drop-off reusable items that are functional, clean, unbroken, and complete. Acceptable items include books, household goods, and games/puzzles (with all pieces). For more information, read the newest edition Dover’s monthly newsletter.
- In Medfield, the Town has entered into an agreement with Trinity Financial to develop the Medfield State Hospital on a provisional basis. The Medfield State Hospital Development Committee will be holding an information and listening session on the proposal and process on Wednesday, April 6 at 7:00 PM at the High School Library and on Zoom. For more information, click here.
Legislative Updates
- On Wednesday, March 30, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives in voting in the affirmative on H.4358 – An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, which allocates $200M in funding for local repairs to roads and bridges. Funding will be allocated to communities based on a formula that accounts for the number of miles in a community, the residential population, and the working population.
Statewide Updates
- This week, Massachusetts received federal approval to provide Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) to school-age children and their families through school year 2021-2022. P-EBT is a federal program, administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that promotes increased food security for families whose children receive free and reduced-price school meals. For more information, click here.
- The Department of Public Health (DPH) has shared resources for protecting yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19. The best protection against COVID-19 and getting vaccinated and staying up to date on your vaccine, DPH also recommends six other tools you can use for protection. To view this resource, click here.
Resources
If you are in need of information, resources, or support please visit my website for a list of resources regarding unemployment assistance, food assistance, housing, and mental health. Additionally, for town specific information visit the Towns of Needham, Dover, and Medfield‘s websites.
If you are in need of assistance, my office is still accessible by phone and email so please contact my office and we will get back to you.
Email: Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov
Phone: 617-722-2582
