The Garlick Press – Monday, April 12, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

In November of 2019, I voted in the affirmative to pass the milestone  Student Opportunity Act. This bill was the long awaited overhaul of the Commonwealth’s  funding formula for public education. The bill committed $1.7Billion over 7 years in Chapter 70 funding for schools to  address inequities and support special education students, English language learners, and low-income students while supporting increased costs of healthcare to Districts. While many Districts will receive substantial funds no District was harmed.  Due to the unprecedented uncertainty and cratering of the state budget because of COVID-19 last year, school districts received funding level with the previous fiscal year.

Yours in Service,
Denise

Local Updates

• In Needham, The League of Women Voters of Needham has assembled an online Gateway to the Needham Election that includes the Voter Guide of candidates for town-wide office and Town Meeting Member, recordings of candidate forums and interviews, voting information, and public service announcements. The League does not support or oppose candidates—it supports voters as they make informed voting decisions. To access the Gateway, click here.
• In Dover, the Board of Health has shared a COVID-19 update for the Dover community. This update includes information on cases in Dover and in the Dover-Sherborn Schools and information on the vaccine. To view the update, click here.
• In Medfield, the Department of Public Works will be performing two scopes of work in April to continue to locate sources of infiltration and inflow into the Town’s sanitary sewer system. Starting today, Monday, April 12, the first phase of the work will include locating manholes during daytime hours, the second phase will begin Wednesday, April 14. For more information, click here.

Local Calendar

• In Needham,
  • the Needham Unite Against Racism Working Group will be meeting tonight, Monday, April 12, at 6:00 PM via Zoom. The meeting will include a public listening session on the interim report to Town Meeting and review of the working group recommendations to date. For the meeting information, click here.
  • the Needham Human Rights Committee Discrimination Complaint Process Subcommittee will be meeting on Tuesday, April 13 at 10:00 AM via Zoom. The subcommittee will be reviewing and discussing the Town of Needham Discrimination Complaint Process. For the meeting information, click here.
• In Dover,
  • the Water Resources Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, April 14 at 8:00 AM via Zoom. The committee will be discussing public water supply entities. For the meeting information, click here.
  • the Board of Selectmen will be meeting on Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting will be available on the Town website. For the meeting information, click here.
• In Medfield,
  • the Board of Water and Sewerage will be meeting on Tuesday, April 13 at 2:00 PM via Zoom. The agenda for this meeting includes a discussion on the Filtration Project and updates from the Medfield Department of Public Works Director. For the meeting information, click here.
  • the Zoning Board of Appeals will be meeting onWednesday, April 14 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The agenda includes two permit requests and administrative items. For the meeting information, click here.

Statewide Updates

• The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women will be hosting The Girls Initiative, which is a series of virtual round table conversations that provide a space for girl identified youth in Massachusetts to advocate for themselves and their community. Sessions will be held on Tuesday, April 20 and Wednesday, April 21. For more information, click here.
• The Massachusetts Health Connector will be hosting a webinar titled “Need health insurance? New savings are here through the Health Connector” on Thursday, April 15 at 9:30 AM via Zoom. The webinar will cover general information on the Health Connector, an overview of how the American Rescue Plan helps make coverage more affordable, and tips for applying for coverage. To learn more, click here.

Reopening Updates – Phase 4: New Normal

• Massachusetts is currently in Phase 4, Step 1 of the Massachusetts reopening plan. Indoor and outdoor stadiums, areas, and ballparks will be permitted to operate at a 12% capacity limit. Additionally, gathering limits for event venues and public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor and indoor gatherings at private residences will remain at the same limit. Dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other event and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. To learn more, click here.
• If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used by the Administration to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the form.

Resources

• If you are in need of resources, information, or support, please visit my website for a list of resources. Additionally, our local boards of health, the Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:

• Needham Health Department Updates
• Medfield Updates
• Dover Updates
• Department of Public Health: Click here or Call 2-1-1.
• Reopening Massachusetts
• COVID-19 Travel Order
• Centers for Disease Control

Please remember social distancing and wearing a mask is the most effective tool to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to these updates, my office is still accessible so please continue to reach out and we will get back to you.

Email: Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov

Phone: 617-722-2380