Senator Spilka: Busy Week in the Senate

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Dear Friend, I am pleased to report that last week, the Massachusetts Senate took action on two of my top priority bills and reaffirmed our commitment to lifting all families in the state's Fiscal Year 2016 budget. We passed my resolution encouraging gender diversity on boards of Massachusetts companies; We passed the Innovative Communities bill to connect startups and municipalities; and We took final action on the state budget, restoring funds for critical programs and services. Budget Update Last week, the Legislature took final action on the Fiscal Year 2016 budget, overriding Governor Baker vetoes to enhance support for Massachusetts residents and communities. This final budget reflects a modest spending increase over last year that is within revenue projections. We restored funding to critical programs and services, especially in areas related to education, homelessness, substance abuse and our innovation economy. This is a balanced budget that covers expected costs for the coming year and makes strategic investments to lift families across the Commonwealth. Read more about the veto overrides here. Thank you to my colleagues in the legislature and all advocates and constituents for making your voices heard on these important issues. As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 212, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com

Forward this email Senator Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 212 | Boston | MA | 02133

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Senator Ross: July 2015 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, July 2015 Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, This summer has been a busy one on Beacon Hill. Amid the blistering temperatures, the FY16 budget has been finalized. Not only is it fiscally responsible, but we were able to make key investments in local aid, substance abuse prevention, education, and economic development. This budget also includes the creation of an MBTA Fiscal Management Control Board that will help protect you, the commuters and taxpayers from the inefficiency and mismanagement brought to light by the delays of this past winter. I am proud of the work we were able to accomplish so far, but I am eager to continue fighting for my constituents. Have a fun and safe rest of your summer. Sincerely, VETERANS' SERVICES SECRETARY FRANCISCO UREÑA VISITS DISTRICT Representatives Elizabeth Poirier and Shawn Dooley and I were pleased to welcome the Secretary of Veterans' Services, Francisco Ureña, to Wrentham and North Attleboro on Thursday, July 9th. The Secretary met with area veterans and their families at both the Wrentham and North Attleboro Councils on Aging to discuss pertinent issues impacting veterans across the Commonwealth and how best his department and the legislature can address their needs. I would like to thank Secretary Ureña for taking the time to meet with my constituents and for listening to their concerns. Secretary Ureña is doing a fantastic job for all our heroes across the Commonwealth and it is comforting to know that our veterans have someone who is working for them each and every day. VSOs from Wrentham and North Attleboro stopped by the public forums to discuss the day to day needs of their jobs and many family members took the time to talk with the Secretary about support and healing. "Massachusetts leads the nation in veterans' services thanks to the great support we get from the Legislature," said Secretary Ureña.  "I was proud to join Senator Ross, Rep. Dooley and Rep. Poirier in Wrentham and North Attleboro to engage with local veterans and share the benefits and services Massachusetts has to offer. If you are a veteran or the family member of someone who has served, I encourage you to contact your local veteran service officer to explore the benefits you have available." For more information on Secretary Ureña and the Department of Veterans' Services, please visit the official website at http://www.mass.gov/veterans/. View this email in your browser

Graci Family, St. Mary’s Once Again to Host Bone Marrow Registry Drive

Last year they registered nearly 400 potential bone marrow donors, and from that group there were five potential matches, better than the odds. This year, they hope even more people will stop at their booth for a quick swab of the cheek to register for the National Bone Marrow Registry. 

Registering as many potential bone marrow donors as possible is an important mission for the Graci family, “Because we knew what it was like to wait for a donor and find a match. Without the donors, there is no cure,” says Rita Graci, who is embarking on the second year of her bone marrow registry drive at the Feast of Saint Rocco, from August 14-16.  

“If your loved one, your child, your husband, your brother – if your loved one is sitting there waiting for a cure, you’re hoping to God that they’re going to find a match, and the donor is willing to donate.”

Feast of St Rocco Festival - Aug 13, 14, 15, 16

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The Feast of Saint Rocco will take place in the parking lot of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School in Franklin from August 13-16, but the Graci’s and their volunteers will be manning the booth from the 14-16, on Friday, from 6-10 p.m., Saturday, 12-10 p.m. and Sunday 12-9 p.m. 

Can’t make it to the booth? If you would like to find out more about signing up on the registry as a bone marrow donor, you can visit www.deletebloodcancer.org, email info@deletebloodcancer.org or call (212) 209-6779. 

If you would like to sign up in Kristin Graci’s name, as part of the Feast of St. Rocco blood drive, ask for a kit, and when you submit it, enter GMF002 as the drive number on the registration form.

You can find the full article online here
http://www.franklintownnews.com/content/making-difference-deleting-blood-cancer

You can find the St Rocco Festival schedule here  http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/93

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) - Open House

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold summer Open Houses for prospective students and families on Tuesday, August 11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., on Wednesday, August 26 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and on Saturday, August 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. 

FSPA

The community is invited to tour the facilities, observe classes and rehearsals, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. Prospective students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class during the summer session, which runs through August 21.

Celebrating a milestone 30th anniversary season, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. Founded in 1985 by Director Raye Lynn Mercer and built upon the notion that arts experiences are an integral part of a well-rounded education, FSPA offers an extensive roster of classes in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction. 

FSPA is also the home of the Little Music School, an innovative program teaching children as young as 18 months to play the piano. An unparalleled calendar of performing opportunities features all-student musicals, plays, voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses, musical theater showcases, performing troupes, dance companies, a classical ballet variations ensemble, and instrumental ensembles. Many FSPA students also participate, by audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual season of shows. 

Fall registration is ongoing. For more information, including class schedule and catalogue, call (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.FSPAonline.com.

Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation - 9th Annual Radiothon

Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation annouced its 9th Annual Radiothon to benefit the Olivia Fund for Cancer Care will take place from 6 a.m. 6 p.m. Aug. 24 on WMRC 1490AM.  

It will broadcast live from the Milford Regional Golf Classic at The Franklin Country Club, 672 E. Central St. 

The event will also stream online wmrcdailynews.com.To donate $10, text “Olivia” to 20222.

Continue reading here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150803/NEWS/150809368/1994/NEWS

Tips on Hurricane Preparedness: Be Ready Before the Storm

With thunderstorms rolling through the area this morning, it is a good reminder to be prepared for hurricane season. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) posted these reminder tips recently.

While the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, historically the most active time for tropical storms and hurricanes in the Northern Atlantic is August to October. As such, it’s critical to prepare yourself, your family, your home, and your business for the season. 

While the Commonwealth has been spared from a major hurricane in recent years, Massachusetts is still vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes. Even in a “slow” hurricane season, it only takes one storm to create devastating impacts. Additionally, it is important to understand that while tropical storms have lower wind speeds than hurricanes, they can still produce deadly storm surge and destructive flooding. Hurricane Sandy was downgraded to a tropical storm before making landfall, and it still caused major damage along the Eastern seaboard in 2012. In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene cut through Massachusetts, bringing heavy rainfall that resulted in significant inland flooding and damage. 

Water, not wind, brings the deadliest impacts during tropical storms and hurricanes. In fact, storm surge and flooding from heavy rains are the leading causes of hurricane-related deaths.

satellite view of a hurricane

You can find MEMA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA

or follow their alerts via Twitter  https://twitter.com/MassEMA


Continue reading the article here
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/safety/hurricane-preparedness-be-ready-before-the-storm/

Downtown Project: traffic alert - Milling Operations

Good Morning,

We will be milling sections of Main St tomorrow (Tuesday). The sections include from Lincoln St just past Church St, Main St from School to Emmons St and if time permits, a section of Emmons St (up to the roadway widening area just short of the intersection). Wednesday night we will be milling the intersection of Beaver/Pleasant and Main St so as not to adversely effect traffic during the day (starting after 7 pm). If we do not get to Emmons St Tuesday, we will finish that Wednesday night.

I will see you tomorrow at 8:00 am for our meeting.

Thank You,

Anthony Tavalone

CE III MA DOT

Construction at Emmons and West Central