Thursday, October 26, 2023
District Updates
Needham
- Needham Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday, October 28. From 10 am to 2 pm at the Needham Police Station, you can safely dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Needles, thermometers, inhalers, medical waste, or illegal drugs will not be accepted. For more details, click here.
- The rededication of the new Town Common will take place on Saturday, October 28th at 10 am. The Town Common will be dedicated in memory of Town Engineer, Tony DelGaizo. The event will be held in front of Town Hall.
- The Exchange Club is helping the New England Center for Homeless Veterans in downtown Boston and is asking for donations. The New England Center for Homeless Vets has asked for Large, Extra Large, and XXL underwear bottoms for men and all sizes of tops and bottoms for women. In addition, the Center can use cash cards for Roche Brothers and Dunkin in $5.00, $10.00 or $25.00 amounts. Donations of cash are also welcome and will be converted by the Exchange Club into underwear or cash cards. Donations can be made at the times and places below or through the Exchange Club website. To view donation times or to donate, click here.
- The Charles River Center will be holding a free “Wings for Autism” event on 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.
- Save the date for Needham’s 12th Annual Diversity Summit on Sunday, November 5th. Hosted by Needham Diversity Initiative and Needham Resiliency Network, it will be held at Pollard Middle School from 1 to 5 pm. This year, the theme is Bridging and Belonging: Local Stories and a Roadmap for Change. For more information and to RSVP, click 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
- Join Powisset Farms for a special Halloween Trick or Treat event on Friday, October 27th from 3 to 5 pm. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes and share their festive looks with the goats, sheep, rabbits, and pigs in the Powisset barnyard. Bring a bag to collect treats from barnyard friends, participate in a special Halloween craft, find the hidden pumpkins on our pumpkin scavenger hunt, play pumpkin bowling, and take a hay ride. Food and snacks will be available for purchase. Registration is required for the event, to preregister, click here.
- The Dover Police Department uses Onsolve CodeRed to notify residents about emergencies and significant events in the community. Sign up for notifications here.
Medfield
- A Not-So-Spooky Halloween Family Adventure will be taking place at the Rocky Woods on Saturday, October 28th from 5 to 6:30 pm. Arts and crafts activities will be offered as well as a night walk that will end with s’mores and apple cider. Registration for the event is required, to register, click here.
- There’s still time to donate to the Medfield Food Cupboard as part of Medfield Together’s Food Drive. Donate non-perishable food items such as canned foods in the cooler at 151 North Street. For a list of the most needed items, click here.
- The Medfield Public Schools is offering voluntary screenings of children throughout the school year at Memorial School. The screening is voluntary and is for children ages 2 years, 9 months up to the age of 5 years old. The screening is designed to review a child’s development and to assist in the identification of children to determine eligibility for special education services. To learn more about the screenings, click here.
- Registration is now open for Medfield Foundation’s annual Angel Run, being held on December 3rd at 12:30 pm. 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.
Legislative Updates
- Last week, I voted in the affirmative on An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws, a violence prevention bill that would update our gun safety laws. Here in Massachusetts, we have one of the strongest gun safety laws in the country and one of the lowest rates of death by gun violence. However, new technology and recent Supreme Court decisions have impacted our gun laws while violence persists. The bill was introduced this past summer and has been revised to reflect the feedback and address the concerns voiced by members of the public, including some of our neighbors in Needham, Dover, and Medfield. As an omnibus bill, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws addresses gun safety in multiple areas including licensing, training, ghost guns, prohibited areas, and more. To read more about the bill and to view my statement, click here.
- Effective November 1, 2023, employees receiving Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits may supplement their PFML benefits with any available accrued paid leave (sick time, vacation, PTO, personal time, etc.). This new feature, referred to as “topping off”, will allow employees to supplement their PFML benefits up to the limit of their Individual Average Weekly Wage. This enhancement passed by the legislature is designed to provide individuals with greater financial flexibility and support during their PFML leave. To learn more about the new update, click here.
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
Statewide Updates
- Massachusetts agencies have requested clean energy investments for up to 78,500 low-income and affordable homes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the largest single emissions reduction initiative in United States history. A coalition led by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) submitted the state’s application to the Solar for All competition for $250 million. In parallel, the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank, submitted the requisite information on possible projects in Massachusetts to the non-profit applicants eligible for the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF). This submission would cover 28,000 affordable rental homes. Together, the projects identified for these two competitions represent a substantial potential investment in clean energy upgrades for low-income and affordable housing across Massachusetts. To read more bout the initiative, click here.
- The Department of Public Health introduced performance standards, credentials, and workforce training requirements for local public health departments. The standards aim to ensure consistent, high-quality public health services throughout the state. This initiative is seen as a crucial step to address public health challenges and enhance health outcomes across Massachusetts. Find more at www.mass.gov/dph.
- In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action in higher education, the Attorney General and Governor have issued joint guidance to support the Commonwealth’s higher education and K-12 institutions in their work to further equal access and representation in post-secondary education. The joint guidance emphasizes the importance of improving student pathways from high school to college. To view the joint guidance, click here.
- On November 1st, the Health Connector will officially launch its Open Enrollment period for 2024 health plan enrollment. Open Enrollment runs through January 23, 2024, and is the time when residents of the Commonwealth can enroll in health insurance for the first time, or shop for a new health insurance plan – comparing plans offered by leading carriers to select a plan that best meets their unique needs. December 23rd is an important payment deadline to secure health insurance coverage effective January 1st. It is important that you select a plan and make a payment by December 23 for health insurance coverage effective January 1st. To learn more about open enrollment, click here.
- 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.
