“Global Learning Charter Public School (GLCPS), a tuition-free public charter school that currently serves 500 students in grades 5-12, recently announced that Tyler Clark has joined the professional staff as a Grade 5 ELA Teacher.

A resident of Swansea, Clark previously worked as a 7th grade ELA teacher at the Thompson Middle School in Newport, RI, as a 5th grade teacher at St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet, MA and as a 3rd grade teacher at St. Stanislaus School in Fall River MA.

Clark earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching English from the University of Mass Dartmouth. He was named teacher of the month for the Diocese of Fall River in February of 2021 and was nominated for the last school year as well. In addition to teaching 5th grade at GLCPS Clark teaches a card magic club for students after school.

“We are pleased to welcome Tyler to our professional staff,” said Dr. Stephen Furtado, Executive Director of GLCPS. “He is a dedicated and talented teacher who brings great energy into the classroom. We value his contributions to our school community.”

Global Learning Charter Public School photo.

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About Global Learning Public Charter School
Open to New Bedford residents, Global Learning Charter Public School (GLCPS) is a tuition-free public charter school that currently serves 500 students in grades 5-12. Launched in 2002 as a Horace Mann charter school, GLCPS became a Commonwealth charter school in 2006. In order to generate a culture of personalization, the school setting and class sizes are deliberately small. Students, faculty and administration know each other well and teachers are able to tailor the curriculum to the needs and level of each student.

GLCPS offers an exciting and challenging interdisciplinary curriculum that follows and builds upon the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Students learn to work collaboratively in teams, use technology meaningfully in their coursework, strengthen all elements of their communication skills, as well as develop the necessary skills to become engaged and ethical contributors to a global society. GLCPS capitalizes on the exceptional resources of the region (for example, marine sciences), and ties these resources to their curriculum and instruction. For further information please contact Amey Bissonnette, Director of Development, at 508-991-4105 or visit www.glcps.org.

“The City of New Bedford will host a Public Engagement Open House at Gomes School (286 S 2nd St, New Bedford, MA 02740) on Saturday, February 11 from 11 AM to 1 PM. All community members are invited to learn about the Citywide Comprehensive Plan process and contribute by sharing their vision for the future of New Bedford.

The Comprehensive Plan is a long-term guidance document for policy and decision-making in a variety of areas, including Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, Transportation & Mobility, Natural and Cultural Resources, Open Space & Recreation, Public Services & Facilities.

Community participation is an integral part of the Comprehensive Plan process and input from city residents will directly inform the goals and strategies that guide the next decade of New Bedford’s development.

“As a regional center known for creative approaches to city building, New Bedford is uniquely positioned to take advantage of what the next decade has to offer,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “We are expanding our industrial port and diversifying our economic base. We continue to elevate our quality of life through public investments in our neighborhoods and city facilities. The most important resource we have for the future is our people — their energy, creativity, their leadership, and their ideas. For that reason, I encourage everyone to participate in this planning process.”

Residents can stop in to the open-house-style event any time from 11 AM to 1 PM to participate in Comprehensive Plan activities and speak with representatives from City departments. Mayor Mitchell will give welcome remarks at the event. Raffles, family activities, food, and drinks will also be provided at no cost. Translation services will be available.

The February 11 event is the first in a series of public workshops and listening sessions that will take place throughout 2023. Each event will provide residents with the opportunity to voice their visions and ideas for the future of our city.

Visit www.newbedfordplan.com to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan process, fill out a feedback form, sign up for updates, and see the event calendar.

Departments available include Parks Recreation & Beaches, Human Resources, Health, Environmental Stewardship, Housing & Community Development, Community Services, Fleet & Facilities Management, and City Planning.

Contact the Department of City Planning with any questions at (508) 979-1488 or Jennifer.Carloni@newbedford-ma.gov.” -City of New Bedford.

“The Mashpee Wampanoags put their trust in Mr. Cromwell when they elected him to represent them. Mr. Cromwell violated and exploited that trust, lining his own pockets through a fraudulent business arrangement with Mr. DeQuattro. Their bribery scheme corrupted and stalled the most significant economic development project in the Tribe’s history. Last spring, a federal jury saw through the lies and found the defendants guilty of their shameful conduct. They were later held accountable at sentencing in November, with Mr. Cromwell receiving a three-year sentence.

Now, thanks to the Mashpee Wampanoag’s current leadership and tenacious legal counsel’s zealous advocacy, our office sought and secured restitution of $209,687.54 from Mr. Cromwell payable directly to the Tribe. This restitution judgment rightly addresses the immense harm these men inflicted upon the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation – harm to its reputation through Mr. Cromwell’s corruption; to its economic development through massive project delays and lost resources; and harm to its financial resources through the significant legal fees and expenses generated in their steadfast support and compliance with our investigation. It is my hope that this judgement closes the door on a dark chapter Mr. Cromwell wrote in the Wampanoag’s rich, extraordinary and profound history. With this corrupt member gone, I am hopeful the Tribe will thrive and flourish.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“In the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell this week filed briefs in two ongoing legal cases to defend and uphold common sense Massachusetts laws and regulations intended to protect Massachusetts residents from gun violence.

“Under my leadership, Massachusetts will continue to lead when it comes to preventing gun violence and that means defending our common sense gun laws that keep families safe,” said AG Campbell. “Today, we are calling on the Courts to uphold laws that protect all of us, especially our children, from the deadly use of combat-style assault weapons, weapons with large-capacity magazines and weapons that do not meet minimum safety requirements.”

On Monday, AG Campbell filed a brief in the First Circuit Court of Appeals in the matter of Granata v. Campbell. The brief argues that Massachusetts handgun safety regulations, as established through regulations issued by the Attorney General and by state statute, do not violate the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. These regulations prohibit the commercial sale of handgun models that do not meet minimum safety requirements to protect against accidents like explosion or unintended discharge. The AG contends in the brief that the regulations protect Massachusetts consumers, gun owners and children against firearms accidents.

On Tuesday, AG Campbell filed a brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in National Association for Gun Rights v. Campbell, opposing the plaintiffs’ motion to temporarily block the Massachusetts ban on the sale and possession of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines. The AG asserts in the filing that combat-style assault rifles and large-capacity magazines—the weapons and accessories of choice in America’s deadliest mass shootings—pose an inordinate risk to the safety of the public and law enforcement officers, with no meaningful utility for individual self-defense.

By filing these briefs, AG Campbell is following through on the commitment she made in her inaugural address to defend Massachusetts’ common sense gun laws in order to prioritize the safety of the public and create safer, healthier communities across the Commonwealth.

Last month, AG Campbell announced her support for legislation filed in the Massachusetts Senate by Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) to strengthen current state law prohibiting the purchase, possession and use of silencers by amending the definition of “silencer” to mirror the definition in federal law. At a time when law enforcement officials are seeing an increase in the purchase and possession of illegal firearms, including ghost guns, and firearm accessories, this bill will strengthen enforcement capabilities and protect public safety by helping to keep these devices out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

Following the United States Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the Attorney General’s Office and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security issued a joint advisory to provide guidance to licensing authorities and law enforcement officials on how the Court’s decision affects Massachusetts’s firearm licensing laws. The advisory confirmed that it remains unlawful to carry a firearm in Massachusetts without a license and details the strong license-to-carry eligibility requirements that remain in place.

These matters were handled by Division Chief Timothy Casey, Assistant Attorneys General Julie Green, Grace Gohlke and Phoebe Fischer-Groban, and Senior Paralegal Julie Collins, all of the AG’s Constitutional and Administrative Law Division. Substantial assistance was provided by Managing Administrative Assistant Sherrie Costa of the AG’s Government Bureau, Law Librarian Kevin Coakley-Welch and Law Library Student Co-op Emma Williamson.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.

With the cold weather upon us its inevitable that this situation is going to happen to one of our readers. There are several things you can do to avoid a costly and messy situation:

1. Drain outside water lines

Water lines in unheated or un-insulated areas are the most at risk for freezing. Turn off your outside faucet lines to the hose.

2. Keep the heat on

Keep the temperature in your house above 21 oC, particularly during extreme cold. Many of us turn the heat down at night to save energy, but it’s best to avoid this when very cold temperatures are in the forecast. You can save yourself a costly water damage repair and insurance claim.

3. Keep a tap dripping!

Pipes can burst when water freezes and then expands. Water won’t freeze as easily if it’s running. When the weather is bitterly cold outside, leave a cold water tap dripping—the bathtub faucet is probably best. If notice the water pressure dropping, it’s a sign your pipes are starting to freeze.

4. Keep interior doors open and garage doors closed

To make sure heat circulates freely, keep bathroom doors open. If you have water pipes in your garage, keep the garage doors closed to prevent freezing.

5. Think prevention… if you’re going away this weekend.

No one wants to come back from vacation to a flooded house, so prep your home before you leave for a long period of time:

Turn off the water main to drain the water pipes.
Starting at the top floor of the house, turn on all the taps and flush the toilets.
Drain your hot water tank—turn off the inlet valve, attach a hose to the tank drain and run the water into the basement floor drain.
Unhook your washing machine hoses and drain them.
Ask a friend to check on your house—your home insurer might require this.
Keep the heating set to a temperature only a few degrees lower than usual.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, as well as closet and attic doors, so warmer air can circulate.

Extra steps you can take to prevent damage

Move exposed pipes
Be sure to Ask a professional to relocate exposed pipes to protect them from freezing, especially if you’ve had issues with frozen pipes in the past.

Insulate pipes
Insulate water pipes in unheated areas of the house, like the basement, garage and attic. Insulated pipes help reduce heat loss and keep water from freezing when temperatures drop. Doing this can also help cut your heating bill.

Thawing frozen pipes

Despite your best efforts, your pipes can freeze during an exceptionally cold spell. If you turn on your taps and only a trickle of water comes out, or the water pressure suddenly drops, you might have a frozen pipe. Here’s what to do:

Shut off the main water valve.
Warm the frozen pipes with a hair dryer, heating pad or portable space heater. Don’t use a blowtorch—it could damage plastic pipes or cause a fire.
If you can’t reach the frozen pipe, or it won’t thaw, call a licensed plumber.
Keep the nearest faucet turned on while treating a frozen pipe. As it melts, water will begin to flow through the faucet.
Check the other faucets in your home—if one pipe freezes, others might too.
Before turning on the water again, check for broken or damaged pipes—when in doubt, call a plumber. Better to spend a little money making sure everything is alright than risk more damage to your home.
If you do have water damage, call your insurance company.

“In anticipation of the frigid weather that is headed our way, YMCA Southcoast is offering warming stations over the next two days to relieve people who may need a place to stay warm or charge a cell phone or tablet. The warming stations are available in the lobby at each of the five YMCA branches: Wareham, New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fall River, and Swansea.

The stations will be open form 8 am through 11 am on Friday, February 3rd and Saturday February 4th. There will be volunteers available for check in in and complimentary coffee will be available.

“Service to all is part of the YMCA’s mission and we strive to step in to help whenever we can,” stated Jim Scherer, President and CEO of YMCA Southcoast.

For any additional information please contact Debbie Fringuelli at 508-269-6826.”

“The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of February 6, 2023 – February 10, 2023, and they are as follows:

Eversource will be working on gas main relays and services on:

• Jack and Bore under 140 off of Phillips Rd
• Cherokee St. from Acushnet Ave. to Tobey St
• Sassaquin Ave. from Acushnet Ave. to Tobey St
• Acushnet Ave from Peckham Rd to Tobey St
• West Rodney French Blvd from Welcome St to Warren Ave (North of Flood Gates)
• West Rodney French Blvd from Woodlawn St to Lucas St (South of Flood Gates)

Other:
• Contractor (various utility companies) will be working at MassDOT’s Kings Highway project transferring wires to new utility pole sets. Minor traffic impacts and lane shifts required.
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future South Coast Rail station platform locations in the city. (Church St at Carlisle St and Wamsutta St at Acushnet Ave.) If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
• Contractor (C Naughton Corp) is scheduled to complete testing of the new 16-in water main at the railroad crossing of Samuel Barnett Blvd between John Vertente Blvd and Duchaine Blvd. They will also completed trench paving and a general clean-up of the work area. There will be a lane reduction with one-way alternating traffic at times during work hours. Construction signage will be posted, and officers will be on site to assist with traffic management as necessary.
“

“A nationally recognized expert on suicide prevention in jails and prisons has agreed to perform a comprehensive assessment of the Bristol County corrections facilities.

Lindsay M. Hayes, who has reviewed/examined more than 3,800 cases of suicide in correctional facilities throughout the country for more than 42 years, will start his BCSO study in the next month.

“Three different corrections professionals recommended Lindsay, and it is easy to see why based on his qualifications and the conversations we’ve had,” Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux said. “We have a blindspot somewhere when it comes to inmate suicides. One of my top priorities is to locate and close that loophole to make our correctional facilities as safe as possible for our inmates and our staff.”

Hayes’ extensive work on suicides in corrections includes:

• He has conducted the only five national U.S. Justice Department-funded studies on suicides in jails, prisons and juvenile facilities.

• He has served as a suicide prevention consultant to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights division and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

• He has been appointed as a federal court monitor in the observation of suicide prevention programs and plans at several corrections facilities under court jurisdiction.

• Previous work with corrections systems and facilities nationwide, including the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and several county jail systems in Mass.·

Hayes’ assessment of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office will examine eight different aspects of corrections suicide and is based on national correctional standards. His work will include studies of BCSO training, screening, communication, housing, supervision, intervention, reporting and follow-up/mortality review. He will then produce a written report detailing his findings, conclusions and recommendations.

“I come in as a fresh set of eyes,” said Hayes, who lives on Cape Cod and previously resided in Mansfield. “Sheriff Heroux reached out to me and was deeply concerned about the suicide rates in the correctional facilities.”

Hayes will start reviewing documents and policies relating to inmate suicides over the next few weeks and will start on-site observation and interviews over the next month.”

Avoid Fire and Carbon Monoxide Hazards During Dangerous Weather.

STOW—With bitter cold temperatures heading our way this weekend, State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey is reminding residents to “Keep Warm, Keep Safe” and avoid fire and carbon monoxide (CO) hazards while heating their homes.

“Home heating equipment is the second-leading cause of residential fires and the main source of carbon monoxide at home,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said. “Working smoke and CO alarms are your first line of defense against these hazards. With furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters working overtime this weekend, be sure they’re installed on every floor of your home and test them to be sure you and your family are protected.

Space Heaters
“It’s important to keep space heaters at least three feet from curtains, bedding, and anything else that can burn,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said. “Plug them directly into a wall socket, not an extension cord or a power strip, and remember that they’re intended for temporary use. Always turn a space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.”

When purchasing a space heater, select one that’s been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Newer space heaters should have an automatic shut-off switch that turns the device off if it tips over. Portable propane and kerosene space heaters are illegal for sale and use in Massachusetts: the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning that they pose is too great.

Fireplaces, Wood Stoves, and Pellet Stoves
Solid fuel heating appliances such as fireplaces and wood stoves have accounted for a rising share of home heating fires in recent years. Open the dampener before lighting a fire; use only dry, seasoned wood; don’t use flammable liquids to start the fire; and keep a three-foot “circle of safety” around the fireplace or stove free of anything that can burn. Shovel ashes from the stove or fireplace into a metal bucket with a metal lid and place it outside on the ground away from the building – not in the trash. Most chimney fires occur because of a build-up of creosote, a tarry byproduct of burning wood: fire officials recommend having your chimney and flue professionally inspected and cleaned each year.

Natural Gas and Oil Heat
If you have a furnace, water heater, or oil burner with a pilot light, keep the three-foot “circle of safety” clear of anything that could catch fire, and don’t store gasoline, painting supplies, or other flammable solvents in the home: their vapors can be ignited by a pilot light. These heating systems should be checked annually by a professional, as well. If you smell gas, don’t use any electrical switches or devices: get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1 right away.

Create and Practice a Home Escape Plan
Everyone should have a home escape plan that includes two ways out of every room, and everyone should be able to open the doors and windows along the way. Remember that children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need extra assistance.

Heating Assistance
Residents struggling to pay for heating bills or maintenance may be eligible for assistance through the Massachusetts home energy assistance program (LIHEAP). No matter what type of heating equipment you use, LIHEAP may be able to help you pay your winter heating bills or maintain your heating system so it runs more safely and efficiently. All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.

More Home Heating Safety Tips
The Department of Fire Services offers a wealth of home heating safety information, including the “Keep Warm, Keep Safe” tool kit for local fire departments, caregivers, and service providers, at www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe.”-Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety.

“Legislation to protect Massachusetts homeowners from unjust home equity theft practices by private, for-profit corporations has been refiled.

The bill seeks to prevent foreclosures on municipal tax liens which result in a homeowner losing 100 percent of their earned equity. Municipalities currently sell tax liens to private companies who then seek to recoup the outstanding debt, plus exorbitant fees, or pursue foreclosure through land court. In several instances, Massachusetts homeowners have lost their residence and the entirety of their earned equity.

The practice has been dubbed “legal larceny” by legal experts and public interest law firms because it robs a property owner of their rightful equity through antiquated state law and land court practices. Only a few states, including Massachusetts, allow cities and towns to take the entire value of a property even when the unpaid tax bill is for a much lower amount.

In August 2022, New Bedford resident Deborah Foss settled a lawsuit against Tallage Davis LLC after losing all of the equity in her home. Foss was unfairly deprived of over $100,000 in equity due to a tax lien worth one tenth of that amount. Pacific Legal Foundation, a public interest law firm, took up her case in an attempt to have the statute declared an unconstitutional government taking without compensation. Foss settled the case to receive urgently needed funds. Two similar cases are currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

SD2129 An Act protecting homeowners from unfair tax lien practices by cities and towns will eliminate a municipality’s ability to take a property owner’s earned equity beyond what is owed in unpaid taxes. This would also apply to private companies that buy the tax liens from cities and towns. Additionally, the legislation ensures that homeowners behind on their tax bill will receive written notice in easy-to-understand language that they have an outstanding tax debt, how to settle the debt, and the consequences for failing to address the matter. Currently, homeowners receive notices filled with legalese that is difficult to understand without an attorney.

“Permitting private, profit-driven companies to prey upon the misfortunes of homeowners, robbing them of every cent of their equity, is unconscionable,” said Senator Mark Montigny.  “What happened to Deborah Foss in New Bedford and others across Massachusetts is simply wrong.  Homeowners must be provided with enhanced protections so that their residences are not stolen under the guise of a bureaucratic process, and that they have every opportunity to settle their debt.  Pushing out senior citizens, people with disabilities, and those facing tremendous personal challenges is atrocious.  Local officials who have allowed this should reverse their decision and provide restitution to anyone who suffered from this predatory practice. Prospectively, I hope my bill to protect homeowners will be expedited through the legislative process and signed by the Governor so that we can put an end to this shameless profiteering.” 

The bill can be accessed on the General Court’s website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/SD2129.”