Local Updates
- In all towns, the in-person early voting period began on October 17 and will continue through October 30. Early voting is taking place each day during this period at the Needham Town Hall, Dover Town House, and Medfield Town Hall. For information on specific hours for early voting, click here.
- In Needham, the Gift of Warmth is a program available to Needham residents with overdue utility bills or residents at risk of having a utility shut off. This program is administered by the Needham Health and Human Services Department. To speak with a staff member on this program call Needham Public Health at 781-455-7940. To support the program, click here.
- In Dover, the Town of Dover has released an advisory for Halloween. The Board of Health has several recommendations for celebrating the holiday, including participating in sponsored activities. To read the advisory, click here.
- In Medfield, the Townwide Master Planning Committee will be holding the final virtual master plan public forum. In this forum, there will be a discussion on the implementation plan for the master plan. To learn more, click here.
Local Calendar
- In Needham,
- the Select Board will be meeting on Tuesday, October 17 at 6:00 PM via Zoom. The Select Board will be discussing the rail trail mural project and the small cell wireless facility policy. For more information, click here.
- I will be joining the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber with Senator Rausch and Senator Rush for a Legislative Roundtable: A conversation with Needham’s Beacon Hill delegation on Wednesday, October 28 at 4:00 PM via Zoom. We will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and residents and the states response. To register for the event, click here.
- In Dover,
- the Capital Budget Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The committee will be discussing the FY22 capital budget requests and provide a green community update. For more information, click here.
- In Medfield,
- the Board of Health will be meeting on Thursday, October 29 at 3:30 PM via Zoom. These meetings are held on a weekly basis during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. For more information, click here.
Statewide Updates
- Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill that provides the opportunity for workers unemployed between the end of July and early September to receive expanded unemployment benefits from the federal government. Individuals employed for the six week period may be eligible for $300 in expanded benefits. This bill has now been sent to Governor Baker.
- Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate enacted a $5.4 billion budget that will cover funding in the state through November. The legislature is currently working on a long-term FY2021 budget.
- The Department of Public Health is monitoring the presence of mosquito-borne diseases in Massachusetts, including West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Currently, Massachusetts has found positive mosquito samples of WNV and EEE and there are 5 known human cases of EEE and 8 known human cases of WNV. To learn more, click here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 3: Vigilant
- 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.
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
