Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This morning, I attended, with some technical difficulties, the fourth meeting of the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council as the House of Representatives appointee and only legislator member. As you may know, the Commonwealth is receiving more than $11.5 million recovered through legal claims arising from the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of opioids. This money is put into the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Trust Fund, which the Council is developing recommendations for the expenditure.
In this meeting, the Council discussed that current status of the Trust Fund, which is evolving as new revenues continue to come into the Commonwealth. The Council also had a robust conversation regarding utilizing a portion of the Trust Fund dollars.
To stay up to date with the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council, click here.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
- On Sunday, October 3, the Charles River Regional Chamber will be hosting the Needham fall Harvest Fair on the Needham Town Common from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. The Harvest Fair will feature booths from local businesses and community organizations. I look forward to seeing you all at the Town Common this weekend!
- In Needham, there will be a special election on December 7, 2021 to fill a Select Board vacancy. Nomination papers are available from the Town Clerk’s office starting Friday, October 1 and must be returned by Tuesday, October 19. Additionally, The Needham Public Health department will begin offering Pfizer vaccine booster clinics on Monday, October 4 for those 65 years of age or older and other qualified individuals. Clinics will be held at the Rosemary Recreation Complex on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 7:00 PM and Fridays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. To register for a clinic, click here.
- In Dover, the Board of Health is offering a free drive-through flu vaccination clinic, by appointment, on Tuesday, October 5 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Dover Highway Department. Vaccines will be administered while you are masked and inside your vehicle and the shots are available for anyone age 3 or older. For more information and to register, click here.
- In Medfield, the Medfield Food Cupboard is hosting a food drive for the month of October. The Food Cupboard is in most need of: 100% juice (juice boxes), jarred pasta sauce, macaroni & cheese, rice pilaf, and canned pasta, chili, and beef stew. You may drop off your items for collection at the DPW trailer in front of the Public Safety building.
Legislative Updates
- On Tuesday, September 28, I testified in front of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government in support of my legislation H.2160, An Act requiring automatic external defibrillators in Norfolk County public buildings. This legislation ensures that each Norfolk County public building is equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator device and require at least one staff member is certified in its use at all times.
- This week, H.4078, An Act extending COVID-19 Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave was signed into law. This bill extends COVID-19 paid sick leave to April 1, 2022 and clarifies that employees may use COVID-19 paid sick leave to care for a family member obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine or recovering. Additionally, this legislation requires there be a public information campaign on the COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. For more information on the program, click here.
Statewide Updates
- COVID-19 booster vaccines are available for individuals 65 years of age and older and individuals 18-64 years of age at risk for severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions, and individuals 18-64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of occupational or institutional settings who have previously received the Pfizer vaccine. If you are eligible, you may find a location through VaxFinder or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line at 2-1-1. For more information on the COVID-19 booster, click here.
