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Garlick Press – Thursday, October 12, 2023

Oct 12, 2023

Garlick Press – Thursday, October 12, 2023

Thursday, October 12, 2023

 

Statement on Violence in Israel

I abhor the acts of terrorism by Hamas on the people of Israel. I stand with President Biden in our country’s support of Israel’s right to defend itself. My thoughts, words and actions also include the people of our country, Commonwealth, and District who are grieving and may also be traumatized in these perilous times.

-Representative Denise C. Garlick

Legislative Updates

  • I voted in the affirmative on the Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act. Named after the first woman to serve as US Secretary of Labor and Boston native, Frances Perkins, the legislation would require employers with 25 or more employees to disclose a salary range when posting a position, and that protects an employee’s right to ask for salary ranges in the workplace. Read a summary of the legislation here.

 

 

District Updates

Needham

  • On Sunday, October 15th, the Becca Schmill Foundation is hosting a “Walk-About” for Fentanyl Awareness in Needham and is seeking volunteers to help distribute door hangers throughout town (no need to knock or talk to anyone). Please see this flyer for event details and to sign up.
  • The Charles River Center will be holding free “Wings for Autism” events on October 14th and November 4th for families and their children with special needs, to practice a trip to the airport. Please click here for more information and to register.
  • In partnership with the Needham Council on Aging, the Exchange Club of Needham will be dedicating its “National Day of Service” on October 28th to helping Needham seniors with a “Clean Up / Fix Up / Spruce Up” day. Seniors who would like to request a “Clean Up or Fix Up or Spruce Up” or help with minor repairs in their homes are invited to call the Council on Aging at (781) 455-7555 and ask for Aicha Kelley (please indicate what kind of work needs to be done).
  • Needham Youth & Family Services presents “Candid Conversations for 4th and 5th Graders” every Thursday at the Needham Town Hall. The event will include interactive games, skill building, and developing self-awareness, and communication skills. The event will be held every Thursday through November 2nd from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Highland Room at Needham Town Hall. Register for free online here.
  • Needham’s Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2498 invites local students in public or private schools to participate in their two Student Scholarship Essay Contests. The contest for high school students, “The Voice of Democracy”, requires applicants to write and record their essays while the contest for middle school students, “Patriots Pen”, requires a written essay only. The application deadline is October 31st. Learn more here.

Dover

  • The Dover Police Department uses Onsolve CodeRed to notify residents about emergencies and significant events in the community. Sign up for notifications here.
  • The Dover Board of Selectmen is seeking residents to serve on its new Town Financial Investment Advisory Working Group. Residents with interest and experience in municipal finance are needed to review Dover’s current financial investment policy and strategy, as well as the services provided by the Town’s financial advisors and managers. To be considered, please email mdisciullo@doverma.gov with a brief expression of interest and relevant experience.
  • Dover’s Board of Health will be offering a Flu Clinic on Friday, Oct. 13th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Garage (for adults and children 9+). Registration is required and can be done online at http://bit.ly/DoverVaccineSignup or by calling 508-785-0032, ext. 232. Vaccines will be billed to health insurance. An Informed Consent form is also required and is available on the Board of Health web page. Please bring the completed Informed Consent form with you to the clinic.
  • The Dover Town Library has many interesting activities planned for the month of October. Click here to see their calendar of events.

Medfield

  • The Town of Medfield is holding a special election on October 24th for the Tri-County building project, the last day to register to vote is October 14th at 5 pm. The election will be held on the second floor of Town Hall. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact COA Volunteer/Program Coordinator Lois Abramo via e-mail or phone (508-359-3665, ext. 201).
  • Medfield Council on Aging is in urgent need of volunteers to drive local seniors to medical appointments. Driving duties are typically local and relatively short since appointments are for routine care, such as dentist visits, tests, and annual exams. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact COA Volunteer/Program Coordinator Lois Abramo via e-mail or phone (508-359-3665, ext. 201).
  • Help support Medfield Animal Shelter through Randy’s Rally for Rescues. Randy’s Automotives will be collecting donations of cat litter, paper towels, pet food, and more until October 31st. For Medfield Animal Shelter’s wish list, click here.
  • Registration for Medfield Foundation’s annual Angel Run is now open. The Angel Run 5K is a community “fun” raiser and family event. It brings members of the community together for a festive event to generate funds in support of Medfield residents in need. In 2006, family and friends created the run in remembrance of Natasha Domeshek. The Medfield Foundation Inc. (MFi) took up the tradition in 2012 and has raised over $280,000 with your help. Please continue the tradition of helping residents in need and register to run, walk, or stroll in 2023. To register, click here. For questions, email info@medfieldfoundation.org.

 

 

Statewide Updates

 

Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Holds Inaugural Celebration

The Commission held its inaugural celebration in the Great Hall of Flags at the State House, this year marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Led by a keynote speech from Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, the event honored employees with disabilities, policymakers, employers, service providers, and stakeholders of the disability community.

The event focused on two Commission goals this year, promoting disability employment as an answer to the workforce crisis to improve Massachusetts’ competitiveness across industries and to focus on the workforce serving individuals with disabilities that is in crisis.
  • The Biden administration has relaunched a website for Americans to order up to four free tests per household in anticipation of a potential increase in COVID cases during the fall and winter months. At-home testing is essential to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the number of new cases across the Commonwealth as the weather gets colder and more events move indoors, increasing the risk of transmission. To place an order, visit COVIDTests.gov.
  • The Massachusetts Bureau of Community Health and Prevention is conducting a community health equity survey and wants to hear from you. All responses are anonymous and cannot be traced back to you. To complete the survey, click here.
  • The EOPSS Office of Grants and Research (OGR) makes available several funding opportunities for local municipalities/police departments and nonprofits to competitively solicit funding to address security protection, prevention, intervention, and suppression programming needs. Organizations from municipal police departments to non-profit organizations are eligible for grants. For a full list of available grants, click here.
  • A Governor’s Youth Advisory Council was established to advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the entire administration. The Youth Council will advise the administration on critical issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, the environment, housing, and youth violence. Applications are being accepted to join the Youth Advisory Council through October 14th for Massachusetts residents aged 16-21. To read more about the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council, click here.
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