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Garlick Press – Thursday, July 06, 2023

Jul 10, 2023

Garlick Press – Thursday, July 06, 2023

Thursday, July 06, 2023

 

District Updates

 

Needham

  • The Red Cross will be holding a Community Blood Drive at the Center at the Heights on Monday, July 10th from 1-6 pm. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-733-2767 or schedule an appointment online at www.RedCrossBlood.org using the code NeedhamCBD.
  • Free sunscreen dispensers are ready to use at the Rosemary Recreation Complex Pool, Greene’s Field, and DeFazio Park. The free sunscreen dispensers are provided in collaboration with Impact Melanoma. The sunscreen is 100% all-natural, eco-friendly, reef-safe, and SPF30. To learn more on how to stay sun-safe and Impact Melanoma’s mission, click here.
  • The Summer Reading Program has begun at the Needham Library. The Summer Reading Program offers rewards to adults and children for reading books. The program will run from July 1 to August 27. To register for the Summer Reading Program, click here.

Dover

  • The Town of Dover is accepting applications from residents to fill vacancies in town committees. This is a great opportunity to serve your community. Interested individuals can access the applicant interest form, here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To view openings, click here.
  • The Caryl Community Center Project Club is seeking Middle and High School students to be a part of the Community Center project. The club is seeking students with interests in architecture, project management, construction, or interior design. Fill out the interest form here. For any questions, contact Ruth Townsend at carylfeedback@doverma.gov.

Medfield

  • Bellforge Arts Center hosts Summer Sounds featuring Heather Scott and Talia Rose on Wednesday, July 12. The event will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm and all ages are welcome. Admission is free but registration is encouraged, to register for the event, click here.
  • Celebrate 312 years of the Peak House with self-guided tours starting July 8. The Peak House is one of Medfield’s most iconic historic building, learn more about its famous resident John Jesse Franic and see his art from the 1890s. Tours will be available every second Saturday until October 14th. To find tickets for the event, 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

 

  • The Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) is offering three separate two-week sessions of swimming lessons at 17 state-operated swimming pools across the commonwealth. The three separate sessions run from July 10 to August 18th with each session lasting approximately thirty minutes. The lessons are free of charge but registration is required. To view lesson locations and how to register, click here.
  • Two new initiatives will aim to expand opportunities for LGBTQ and disability-owned businesses. A new interactive online map was also implemented to help state agencies, cities, towns, and contractors identify certified diverse business partners. To learn more about the initiative, click here.
  • The Department of Transportation launched an interactive online dashboard compiling data about passenger vehicles in Massachusetts. The data includes whether they run on fossil fuels, electricity, or a hybrid power source, the estimate of vehicle miles traveled, and average mileage. To access the dashboard, 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.
  • The Registry of Motor Vehicles Announces standard driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status available soon under Work and Family Mobility Act. As of July 1, newly eligible Massachusetts residents can apply for their learner’s permit and road test to obtain a license. To learn more about this bill, click here.
  • The Sumner Tunnel will be closed seven days a week from July 5th to August 31st, 2023. During this time, the blue line on the MBTA will be free to riders. Detour options and more information on the closure can be found here.
  • The maximum unemployment benefit period for new claimants will now automatically adjust from 30 weeks to 26 weeks. This is a result of recent estimates from the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that the 12-month average local unemployment rate in each of the Commonwealth’s eight designated Metropolitan Areas is now at or below 5.1%. The adjusted benefit period will apply only to new unemployment claims filed on or after July 2, 2023. Claimants who have filed claims for unemployment benefits prior to July 2, 2023, will remain eligible to receive up to the 30-week maximum benefit that was in effect at the time they filed their claim. To learn more about this change, click here.
  • The Commonwealth launches the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank. The Massachusetts Community Climate Bank is the nation’s first green bank dedicated to affordable housing. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and MassDevelopment, they will ensure that each entity’s capabilities are leveraged to support the identification, development, financing, and execution of clean energy projects, beginning with the affordable housing sector. To learn more about the new climate bank, click here.
  • MassHealth offers resources for members as eligibility redeterminations continue. As of April 1, if a member updates their account with new eligibility information, their coverage may change. Below is a list of resources provided for members:
    • MassHealth Customer Service: (800)841-2900
    • MassHealth Enrollment Centers: Make an appointment to receive in-person or virtual help, click here.
    • Enrollment Assisters: Get help from a Certified Application Counselor in your community, click here.
    • Disability Special Accommodations Ombudsman: (617)847-3468
  • MassNotify, the official COVID-19 exposure notification system for Massachusetts was discontinued with the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. The public is still encouraged to follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 guidance.
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