The Garlick Press – Thursday, November 16, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I wanted to share with you that last week I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the state budget for fiscal year 2021. This budget has proposed unique challenges as we are in the midst of a public health and economic crisis which has resulted in increased demand for services while we experience a revenue shortfall. Despite these challenges, the House of Representatives has produced a balanced budget that supports and stabilizes programs with no cuts to services. This will allow us to continue to address the challenges before us and ensure services can continue beyond the pandemic.

This $45 billion budget addresses key areas of need that have been highlighted at this moment including investments in public education, local aid, housing stability, public health, food security, developmental services, and the environment, to ensure that our people and our towns can sustain services, protect health and safety and promote economic stability.

The budget now moves to the Senate, which will be debating the budget this week.

Yours in Service,

Denise

• In Needham, Town leaders will be holding a joint meeting on Thursday, November 19 at 4:00 PM to discuss the pandemic and the Town’s response and ongoing efforts to keep Needham safe. The meeting will be broadcast live on the Needham Channel.
• In Dover, the Board of Health issued a COVID-19 Update on Friday regarding cases and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving can be a high risk holiday, so people are encouraged to take many safety precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19. To read the update, click here.
• In Medfield, Medfield TV will host a live broadcast of the Cultural Alliance’s 6th Annual Holiday Stroll and MEMO’s Tree Lighting on Friday Dec. 4 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your own home this year. More information at www.MedfieldCulture.org.

• In Needham,
  • the Needham Commission of Disabilities will be meeting on Tuesday, November 17 at 5:30 PM via Zoom. At this meeting, Jessica Moss, Assistant Director for the Council on Aging will speak about advocacy and social work resources. For more information, click here.
  • the School Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The committee will be discussing an update on student learning in middle school and a report on racial literacy. For more information, click here.
• In Dover,
  • the Community Center Building Committee will be meeting today, Monday, November 16 at 6:00 PM via Zoom. At this meeting, the committee will discuss Criteria for Success and Program Alternatives. For more information, click here.
  • the Board of Selectmen will be meeting on Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The board will be discussing their quarterly goals and will hear an update from the Town Administrator. For more information, click here.
• In Medfield,
  • the Planning Board will be meeting today, Monday, November 16 at 7:30 PM via Zoom. At this meeting, the Board will be discussing change of use determination and preparing for the Annual/Special Town meeting. For more information, click here.
  • the Board of Selectmen is holding a Tax Classification hearing on Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The issue being discussed is whether all five classes of property shall be taxed a the same rate or different rates. For more information, click here.

• Massachusetts has updated the list of lower-risk states that travelers are not required to fill out the Massachusetts Travel Form and do not need to quarantine. Currently Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Hawaii are the states designated lower-risk. For more information, click here.
• Ahead of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Department of Public Health has issued information to help keep our friends, families, and communities safe. This includes information on activities to avoid and safety precautions people should consider. To read this, click here.
• Massachusetts is offering free asymptomatic testing to individuals in communities that continue to see high positivity rates. Residents in Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lynn, Marlborough, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Springfield, Winthrop, and Worcester. To learn more, click here.

• The State is currently in Phase 3 of Massachusetts Reopening. 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.

• 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