Wednesday, June 12, 2013

What's happening in the 10th Norfolk district


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Bill allows regionalization of dispatch services

In May, I was joined by Franklin Town Adminstrator and Fire Chief Gary McCaraher at the State House to testify in favor of House No. 2189, an Act establishing a district to operate a regional public safety communications and dispatch center for the Towns of Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.  It would allow the Towns of Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham, through their respective town council and boards of selectmen, to enter into a written agreement for the purpose of establishing a district to construct, equip, operate and maintain a consolidated regional public safety communications and dispatch center. You can read the Milford Daily News report on the bill by clicking here.
  
Combining the dispatches for all of the towns will improve the response times, save taxpayer dollars, and make the citizens of the region safer. The bill would also give the towns quicker access through joint resources. Dispatchers at a regional center will have state-of-the-art tools and the latest technology. Rather than facing the numerous distractions in a typical police station, the dispatchers in the regional center can focus exclusively on taking calls and alerting first responders. The consolidation of resources and enhanced technology will allow dispatchers to stay on the line with a caller during an emergency—providing CPR instructions, for example—while another dispatcher follows through with lining up the response resources. And the dispatchers will receive training that will get them up to, and keep them at, professional standards set by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International. In short, the center will offer amenities that communities could not afford by going it alone.
The bill mirrors Chapter 156 of the Acts of 2010 which established a regional dispatch center for the towns of Cohasset, Hingham, Hull & Norwell. Regional dispatch centers have also been formed in Essex County. The state encourages communities to regionalize emergency dispatch centers because it allows cities and towns to cut the cost of providing those services to residents. It also is a more efficient way of providing the service.
Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham have already been provided with grant money through the State 911 Department Regional and Regional Secondary PSAP and Regional Emergency Communication Center Development Grant program to complete construction of the center and fund operations for three years, but they are unable to proceed without legislative approval of this bill. The State 911 Department  supports the development and startup of regional and regional secondary PSAPs and regional emergency communication centers, to maximize effective emergency 911 and dispatch services as well as regional interoperability.
As always, it is an honor and privilege to represent Franklin and Medway. Thank you for your support in the effort to make Massachusetts a great place to work and live.
Sincerely,

Medway forum on economic development

The Medway Economic Development Committee held its inaugural business workshop to discuss attracting new business to the area and help existing companies make the most of resources to keep them here and help them grow.

The emphasis was on how Massachusetts is working to keep businesses in Massachusetts while drawing in new industry. many of the area business and industry leaders described how they used some government resources to help them grow.
You can read more about the forum by clicking here.


Franklin's BMAC makes top 3 for greatest job in the world

Brittany MacLeod (aka BMAC), a 2009 Franklin High School graduate wants to become Australia's first "Chief Funster," one of six new positions that the country's tourism department has sought to fill through the "Best Jobs in the World" contest.
MacLeod, a 2013 graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., has earned a place among the top 3 applicants for Funster in Chief. To get there, she had to beat out 600,000 people from 196 countries.
The job description opens with, "If you're the life of the party, always in search of the best events and coolest festivals, then why not do it for a living?" In her role as Chief Funster, she would be based in Sydney, the country's largest city, spending a year traveling across New South Wales to promote exclusive festivals and events via new media.
You can learn more about her campaign by clicking here. You can get a glimpse at all three finalists by clicking here. You can view video of Brittany being honored by the House of Representatives by clicking here, and Rep. Roy's endorsement by clicking here.

Gun forum sets civil tone

On May 30, Dean College hosted our gun violence forum featuring a panel of legislators, Franklin's police chief, two college professors, and the Executive Director of the Gun Owners Action League.. The event was well received in the community and was helpful in sorting through many of the issues surrounding this volatile topic.

The information and comments provided by the panel were thoughtful, engaging, and material to the discussion, highlighting the difficulties faced by legislators in this area. The forum also made it clear that by sticking to the facts and avoiding hyperbole, we can have a civil discussion on reducing gun violence.

You can read the Milford Daily News story on the forum by clicking here. The event was captured on video by Franklin TV and will be replayed over the next several weeks on local cable access in both Franklin and Medway. Click here for the latest program guide.

Passing the plate for charity
Our license plate bill was featured in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette last week. House Bill 3136 would reduce the number of initial applicants required to purchase specialty plates in advance, and those additional ones during the first two years from 1,500 to 500. So, instead of 3,000 applicants, 1,000 would be sufficient.

By lowering the initial threshold for specialty plates, we can help charitable groups who are finding it difficult to raise money and keep their programs going. It's a revenue-neutral bill and a way to help charities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. And it has bipartisan support in the House.

To view the full story, click here.

Moving Wall a fitting tribute

Last week, Medway MA was the temporary home to the Moving Wall. Rep. Roy was given the honor to speak at the opening ceremony. As he noted, many Americans answered the call to duty on the battlefields of Vietnam. The Wall offered a time to extend tributes of thanks and share collective memories of these troops, to reflect on the valor of the fallen, and the bond of freedoms that unite Americans. As President John F. Kennedy once said: "A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers."  

Office hours

Medway – June 8th, 10:00-11:00AM, Coffee Sensations - 116 Main Street Medway, MA

Franklin – Tuesday, June 11, 8:30-9:30AM, Franklin Senior Center - 10 Daniel McCahill Street Franklin, MA 
Franklin – Saturday, May 22, 9:30-10:30AM, The Cake Bar - 17 E Central Street Franklin, MA
Walk-ins are welcome and no appointments are necessary. You are also invited to call the State House office at (617) 722-2400, stop by Room 134 in the State House, email Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov, or schedule an in-district appointment..


Franklin residents honored at HOPE breakfast

At a very special legislative breakfast focusing on people with differing abilities, Rep. Roy had the honor and privilege to present a citation to the Jim & Kathy Stoffel for their assistance with Karen Mackie and their heroic efforts to save her life on Christmas Day. 

Congratulations Jim & Kathy and thank you for the great contributions to our community.

Copyright © 2013 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved.

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