By Matt Murphy
State House News Service

Despite agreeing with key elements of the bill, Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed legislation Thursday that would codify the right to an abortion in state law and make the procedure in Massachusetts more accessible by expanding access for women after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The bill known as the ROE Act would also lower the age of consent for an abortion to 16, which the Republican governor said he “cannot support.”

The Christmas Eve action by the governor kicks the issue back to the Legislature, where Baker said he hopes Democrats will reconsider his compromise proposal. After rejecting his proposed amendments this week, leadership in both the House and Senate are more likely to seek to override the governor within the next two weeks and appear to have the votes, even if by just a narrow margin.

Baker vetoed the legislation, which was originally included in the annual state budget, on Thursday afternoon, two days after the Legislature returned the abortion measure unchanged to his desk.

In his letter to lawmakers, Baker said he “strongly” supports a woman’s right to access reproductive health care, including the provision in the bill that would make abortions available after 24 weeks of pregnancy if the fetus would not survive after birth.

He also said he supports eliminating the 24-hour waiting period for an abortion and changes to the judicial bypass process to make abortions more accessible to minors who cannot obtain parental consent.

“However, I cannot support the sections of this proposal that expand the availability of later term abortions and permit minors age 16 and 17 to get an abortion without the consent of a parent or guardian,” Baker wrote.

The Legislature’s version of the bill would also permit abortions after 24 weeks “if it is necessary, in the best medical judgment of the physician, to preserve the patient’s physical or mental health.”

Baker proposed to change the qualifying condition for a later-term abortion to “if a continuation of the pregnancy will impose, in the best medical judgment of the physician, a substantial risk to” the patient’s physical or mental health.

The House voted 107-50 on Tuesday to re-enact the abortion bill (H 5179), giving leadership in that branch a slim cushion of two votes to reach the two-thirds majority needed to override Baker. In the Senate, the margin was a more comfortable 32-8 to reject Baker’s amendment.

Rep. Jay Livingstone, a Boston Democrat and co-sponsor of the original legislation, expressed confidence in his newsletter Thursday that the ROE Act would become law.

“If he vetos it we have enough votes to override that veto and therefore it would become law,” he wrote.

The abortion measure picked up steam following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Democratic leaders argued that the nomination by President Donald Trump and confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett put the legal right to an abortion established by Roe v. Wade in jeopardy, and warranted state-level action.

In additional to clarifying the right to abortion in state law, Livingstone said the bill improves access “by treating 16 and 17 year old pregnant individuals as adults, allows abortion after 24 weeks if there is a ‘lethal fetal anomaly’, and updates the law to incorporate medical terminology instead of anti-choice phrases currently in the law.”

A coalition of reproductive rights groups, including Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, quickly called on the Legislature Thursday to override Baker’s veto.

The ROE Act coalition released a statement describing Baker’s veto as “callous and dangerous” to the health and well-being of women in Massachusetts.

“With this veto, the Governor has made plain that he has no problem imposing medically unnecessary barriers that delay and deny care, and forcing families to fly across the country to get compassionate care. Our abortion laws are broken, and with two recent actions against equitable abortion access, Governor Baker is upholding our broken system,” the coalition said.

Conservative critics of the bill have blasted Democrats for seeking to expand abortion, with the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party Jim Lyons likening the bill’s provisions to “infanticide” and other opponents questioning whether 16 is too young to make such a decision alone.

Billerica Republican Rep. Marc Lombardo tried unsuccessfully when the bill last came before the House to amend it to require physicians to use life-saving equipment “to preserve the life and health of a live birth baby and the patient.”

That amendment was rejected, with Democrats arguing that it was unnecessary and meant to stigmatize women who might seek a later-term abortion.

The House and Senate are next in session on Monday.

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The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of December 28, 2020 – January 1, 2021 and they are as follows:

City Offices will be closed half day on Thursday, December 31st and full day Friday, January 1st.

Eversource:

Eversource will be working on cleanups at the following locations Monday, December 28th to Thursday, December 31st:

• Crapo St. from Grinnell St. to Rockland St.
• South St. from County St. to Crapo St.
• Fair St. from Orchard St. to County St.
• Potomska St. / MacArthur Dr. from MacArthur Dr. to Potomska Dr.

Other:

• Contractor (Island Lighting) will continue electrical work for installation of new athlete field lighting at Buttonwood Park’s Diamond One.
• Contractor (North Turf) will be on site at Hazelwood Park installing the new bowling greens.
• The City will be working on a sewer service at the Victory Pond warming house.
• Department of Public Infrastructure will be filling potholes city-wide on a continuous basis.
• The contractor (Revoli Construction) is scheduled to complete installation of the new water main, service connections, pipe testing and trench paving along King’s Highway between Tarkiln Hill Rd and Route 140 overpass. There will be temporary lane closures during working hours. Traffic signage will be posted, and police details will be on-site. Access will be maintained to all businesses during construction. There will be no contractor work on December 31st or January 1st.
• The contractor (Baystate WinSupply) is scheduled to continue large water meter replacements at various locations throughout the city. There are no anticipated traffic controls for this work. There will be no contractor work on December 31st or January 1st.
• Due to ongoing construction at the High Hill Reservoir residents may experience discolored water. The water is safe, and the discoloration will be temporary. We recommend allowing the water to settle for a few hours and then flushing your service line by letting the bathtub run for a few minutes until the water clears.

** Please note: Contractors will continue to follow guidelines and protocol regarding COVID-19 social distancing while conducting work in construction zone.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation the Department of Public Infrastructure will be closed to the public entry. Office staff is available to assist by email and telephone.

While a box truck and delivery team may not make quite the same kind of entrance as a sleigh and reindeer, My Brother’s Keeper still warmly welcomed the arrival of Southcoast Health’s gifts for area families this past week.

A holiday collection of donations, which had been placed in bins at Southcoast’s Charlton Memorial, St. Luke’s and Tobey hospitals, along with its Fairhaven campus, was transported to the My Brother’s Keeper facility in Dartmouth. From skateboards to cookware, comforter sets to clothing, and video games to craft sets, hundreds of new gifts were contributed by Southcoast Health employees, providers and staff, which benefited more than 50 families.

In addition, Southcoast personnel working remotely due to the pandemic were able to sponsor other local residents through My Brother’s Keeper’s “Adopt a Family” program.

My Brother’s Keeper delivers furniture, food and other items to families in need. Founded in 1988 by a husband and wife working from the basement of their home, today, My Brother’s Keeper is flourishing with 4,000 volunteers and 14 employees at two modern facilities located in Dartmouth and Easton to make upward of 10,000 deliveries each year.

Josh Smith, Director of the My Brother’s Keeper Dartmouth facility, was grateful for the support and participation of Southcoast Health.

“The holidays are always a struggle for the families we serve, and that is especially true this year due to the challenges presented by COVID-19,” Smith said. “Without question, My Brother’s Keeper will serve more families this year thanks to the generous support of our partners like Southcoast Health.”

In recent years, Southcoast Cares programming has led collection drives in support of families throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 2020, more than ever, Southcoast Health has collaborated with hundreds of the region’s not-for-profits to support the community through contributions and volunteerism – a community that itself has stepped up to support Southcoast’s front lines during their response to the pandemic, said Rachel Davis, Director of Community Benefits.

“Our Southcoast Cares program enables us to deliver on our mission of providing health services that extend beyond direct patient care, addressing emerging needs in the community,” Davis said. “The number of gifts collected is just one example of how wonderful our outcomes can be as part of a collective effort. The Southcoast family, following the leadership of President and CEO Keith Hovan, has enthusiastically come together with My Brother’s Keeper to offer aid to our friends and neighbors.”

These programs focus on reducing high rates of chronic disease and increasing access to care, safe and affordable housing, transportation, healthy and affordable food and education and employment opportunities, Davis said, including through Southcoast’s grants program.

This year, Southcoast employees also voted overwhelmingly to use funds previously set aside for holiday festivities impacted by the pandemic for donations to the United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Hunger Commission and Salvation Armies in Aquidneck Island, Fall River and New Bedford.

Other meaningful financial support from Southcoast was given to NorthStar Learning Center, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater New Bedford and Fall River, Health First, SSTAR and the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Davis said.

For more information on the Southcoast Cares program, please visit https://www.southcoast.org/southcoastcares/.

For more information on My Brother’s Keeper, please visit https://mybrotherskeeper.org/.

My Brother’s Keeper photo.

The Massachusetts State Police and the State Police Association of Massachusetts are grateful beyond words to New England Patriots starting center David Andrews, who is supporting the men and women of the MSP and their families through the National Football League’s My Cause, My Cleats program.

To that end, in the Patriots game on Monday Night Football, David will be wearing one half of a gorgeous pair of custom cleats hand-painted in an MSP French and Electric Blue theme. On his other foot, David will wear a cleat honoring a charitable organization he has long supported, the Warrior Dog Foundation, which trains retired military and police dogs to assimilate into post-service forever homes or provides a sanctuary for these heroic animals to live out their lives.

Following Monday’s game, David will autograph the cleats, which are being auctioned online through the NFL Auction site, with the proceeds raised from the purchase of the MSP cleats to benefit the State Police Association of Massachusetts’ Benevolent Fund and the Massachusetts State Police Memorial Foundation.

On Tuesday, David and members of the MSP got to see the cleats, which were designed and hand painted by Mark Corliss of Spilt Milk Tattoo in Hyannis, all on his own time. The cleats were displayed during an MSP K9 Unit training exercise. David, a passionate dog lover whose family includes two German Shepherds, got to observe some of the training as MSP dogs searched the snow-covered field in a series of exercises to locate narcotics, firearms, and other items that had been hidden beforehand by their Trooper handlers.

David’s discussion with members of the MSP K9 Unit showed just how knowledgeable he is about law enforcement dogs, and the members of the unit enjoyed speaking with him about how their care for and train their canine partners. Lieutenant Colonel Scott Warmington, Deputy Superintendent of Department, presented David with an MSP sweatshirt and challenge coin in gratitude of the lineman’s ongoing support of the MSP and of law enforcement in general. Trooper Patrick McNamara, vice president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM, the union that represents MSP officers at the rank of Trooper and Sergeant), and Trooper Phillip Giardino, who runs the Memorial Fund, were also present to express their organizations’ thanks to David.

Proceeds from the auction of David’s MSP-themed cleats will be split between SPAM’s Benevolent Fund and the MSP Memorial Foundation. The Benevolent Fund provides financial assistance to first responders and their families during times when they are unable to perform their duties due to extended illness or injury, and also provides resources to families who have lost a member who served in the public safety community. The MSP Memorial Foundation awards annual academic scholarships to children of MSP employees and also assists families of first responders in need. David and his wife Mackenzie have been the top donors to the MSP Memorial Foundation during each of the past two years.

The other cause dear to David’s heart, the Warrior Dog Foundation, was founded by a former Navy SEAL with the mission of transitioning our nation’s working K9s – who have dedicated their lives to serving our country and our communities — from their operational environment into civilian retirement. The Foundation provides mental and physical rehabilitation to the four-legged veterans so they can be adopted into a forever home; if this is not possible, they are cared for by the Foundation for the rest of their lives. The goal is to help these canine heroes retire and live the rest of their lives with dignity and love. David has supported the Warrior Dog Foundation through customized cleats in previous years, and this year is supporting both the Foundation and the MSP charities. David’s Warrior Dogs cleats are also available to bid on through the NFL Auction site.

We are extremely thankful for all David Andrews has done, and continues to do, for first responders and military and law enforcement dogs. As we watch him make his blocks and protect his quarterback Monday night, we will be reminded once again that he is not only an athlete but a gentleman as well, a champion not only on the field, but off it as well.

All photos by Massachusetts State Police:

“Please join us in congratulating our newest Full-Time Officer, Nathaniel Turgeon!!

In front of family and friends, Ofc. Turgeon was sworn in this afternoon by Town Clerk Pam Labonte.

Please join Chief Richmond and the rest of the PD in welcoming Ofc. Turgeon to the department!”

Acushnet Police Department photo.

“Footprints in freshly fallen snow led NBPD Patrol Officers to arresting Christopher Desousa, 18, 371 Reed St., and Isaiah Malik Poindexter, 19, 130 Summer St., Apt. #1, on Dec. 17 in relation to a series of five breaks in the Buttonwood Park area between Nov. 11 and Dec. 17.

Desousa and Poindexter were both charged with numerous counts of larceny, several counts of break and entry, multiple counts of property-related offenses, destruction of property, and vandalism as a result of the overnight breaks. Both were released without bail by Judge J. Harrington after arraignment at Third District court on Dec. 17.

“I am disappointed in the quick release of these suspects, considering the spree of crime by the individuals, the victims they impacted, and the time and effort invested by our officers. I would imagine this is not comforting to the community and the officers that work so diligently to apprehend criminals and protect the community from victimization,” said Chief Joseph Cordeiro.

Cumulatively, the incidents resulted in the theft of more than $1500, numerous electronics, and wrapped presents along with damaged property at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, Down to Earth, and the Buttonwood Senior Center.
After responding to an alarm at the New Bedford Senior Center at 1 Oneida St. on Dec. 17, Officers located two sets of fresh tracks in the snow heading south towards the woods at Buttonwood Park Zoo. Officers located three bags of presents upon following the tracks.
The tracks then continued up against the fence line heading west. At the same time, two males were located walking west on Hawthorn St. and based on Officers’ findings, Desousa and Poindexter were taken into custody. Officer Kyle King was the arresting officer.

A 59-year-old Raynham man accused of violently assaulting his girlfriend earlier this month was found dangerous by a Taunton District Court judge last week and ordered held without bail for up to 120 days while the case against him proceeds towards trial, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Foster Starks is charged with Kidnapping; Strangulation/Suffocation; Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon; Assault and Battery on a Family or Household member, and Witness Intimidation.

On December 10, Raynham Police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance. On arrival inside the residence, officers observed a large amount of blood smeared on a hallway wall. They spoke with the alleged victim, who appeared to have multiple injuries to her face, and her shirt was covered in blood. There was also a laceration on the right inside of her lip, and several scratches and red marks on her neck as well. She was shaking and appeared highly distraught.

The alleged victim explained to officers she was lying in bed with the defendant, about to watch a movie. The defendant then became upset and starting throwing things around the room. He then jumped on top of her and began striking her in the face. He then put his hands around her neck and choked her to the point that she could not breathe. She was able to free herself but the defendant caught up to her in the living room and began a second strangulation using his forearm. She was able to flee again, and seized a flashlight to defend herself, but he grabbed it from her and hit her with it. He then strangled her for the third time during which she believes she lost consciousness for a short period. He then prevented her from leaving the apartment by holding her down. She was eventually able to flee the apartment and call 911 for help.

The defendant was placed under arrest at the residence, as arraigned on December 11 and was the subject of a dangerousness hearing on December 16. On that date, Judge Edmund Mathers deemed the defendant dangerous and ordered him held. The hearing was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Thompson.

All the information contained in this narrative are allegations at this time. All defendants are presumed innocent, until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
“This is clearly a very violent individual who does not belong out on the street. This is a very violent incident and the victim and the community need to be protected from the defendant,” District Attorney Quinn said.

New Bedford Public Schools staff, volunteers and donors help students have a holiday that is merry and bright.

Like the dream scene in the Nutcracker when the enchanted tree grows larger and larger, Paula Benedetti dreams of growing Christmas is for Kids – an annual project at New Bedford Public Schools that aims to ensure NBPS families have gifts for their children to open this holiday season – whether it is Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. A retired NBPS Dropout Prevention Specialist, Paula saw a need during the holidays among her students and decided to address it head-on by enlisting the help of school colleagues and friends. She started “Christmas is for Kids” with her husband more than twenty years ago.

Every year the project grows, involving more people and more schools. Paula notes, “We have been able to secure a volunteer this year in seven of our schools to assist in identifying families, accepting and storing gifts, and arranging for delivery to students’ homes. My dream is to see the project in every elementary school so that we can identify and respond to all children in need during the holidays.”

Superintendent Thomas Anderson stated, “Ms. Benedetti’s devotion to this project and the commitment of so many NBPS staff, volunteers and donors is a compelling example of the dedication of our school community to the wellbeing and happiness of our children. I commend their responsiveness in addressing this need; it demonstrates proactive empathy and love – a culture of care.”

Additionally, the Superintendent’s Office collected $645 in gifts cards, as well as, toys, hats, gloves, socks and toiletries. Marjorie Fernandes, Senior Executive Assistant to the Superintendent noted, “We were able to support six families, with the remaining items going to supply the district’s McKinney-Vento students.”

Social media has assisted in attracting new NBPS volunteers and donors across the district. Wraparound coordinators, staff, nurses, SACs, guidance and principals identify families from each school involved. Paula explains, “Families are contacted and informed that they have won the school lottery for getting some assistance at the holidays and every child in the household under the age of 18 will receive gifts,” adding, “we work with a school’s list of families and then reach out to donors. Donors know only the first name of the child, their clothing size, toy wish or a favorite item. Donors purchase items and deliver them to the school. A coordinator at the school prepares boxes with family names for delivery. We have great coordinators, such as Nancy Antil at DeValles School and Carrie Lyonnais at Congdon School, who have assisted in making Christmas is for Kids a wonderful success at their schools.”

This year, 382 children will receive presents who otherwise may not have had any gifts to open.

At Campbell School, the team involved several staff, including Kate Donly, Janice Spooner and Principal Lisa Wheelden. Tasks included soliciting donors, gift check-ins, giftwrapping, box assembly and deliveries. Campbell’s efforts will benefit 31 families and 81 children this year.

At Congdon School, Yaitza Mojica-Rodriguez “did it all,” said Principal Darcie Aungst. “Yaitza identified a list of 25 families and 55 children along with their clothing sizes.”

At DeValles School, Kevin Gifford, Nicola Ansdell, and Jarred Varao coordinated all the gifts, including deliveries to out-of-town homeless shelters, where some DeValles families have been displaced. Kevin delivered several truckloads of gifts for both Congdon and DeValles throughout New Bedford and Fall River.

At Keith Middle School, Nurse Kelly Melo and Yallisa Portelain identified 8 families and 24 children, coordinating to locate donors. In addition, Nurse Melo reported that two families and seven children were severely impacted by house fires this year, but that the community responded with great generosity. Paula noted, “We quadrupled the donors for them so they got four times the items plus bicycles, food cards, Walmart gift cards, baskets of supplies for the kitchen, bathroom, toiletries and school supplies.” Jennifer Oliveira at Keith wrapped all the extra toy gifts collected this year.

A Keith Middle School parent expressed deep appreciation for the assistance. “My boys and I will never forget this generosity. What a relief this is for me as a Dad,” he said through tears of joy.

At Normandin Middle School, Health Representative Krystle Empey oversaw the project this year that assisted 11 families and 38 children, working with Paula to find additional donors, many of which were among the staff.

At Pacheco School, teacher Kendra Galary has been an enthusiastic force in the growth of Christmas is for Kids. This year, 120 children at Pacheco School will benefit. Working with Paula and Principal Justine Medina, Kendra reached out to additional donors to provide gifts for children at Pacheco School.

At the Paul Rodrigues Administration Building, Alice Johnson, Jennifer Ferland, Sandi Ford and Andrew O’Leary assisted with multiple aspects of the project, such as wrapping stations, providing secure storage areas and deliveries.

At Rodman School, Principal Kim Marshall identified two families and nine children to receive gifts.

At Taylor School, Colleen Maloney and Principal Rafaela Defigueiredo identified one family and two children to receive gifts, with more participation and volunteers sought for next year.

For more details on volunteering with NBPS Christmas is for Kids in the future, email Paula Benedetti: pbenedetti@newbedfordschools.org.

PHOTO:

On Tuesday, December 22, at about 8:40pm Massachusetts parole officers Nathan Mendes, Robert Mello, Timothy White, and Mychal Grady developed information that a wanted individual was staying at a house on Mason Street Extension in Onset. The parole officers requested the assistance of the Wareham Police Department to serve the warrant. The wanted individual was on parole for murder (in 1986 in Barnstable Superior Court), and currently under investigation for a recent crime in the Boston area, In addition, information was received that the suspect had commented that he was not going to be taken back to jail.

Wareham Police Detective Bryan Whalen along with Lieutenant Peter Flannery, Sergeant Steve Soqui, Officers James White, and Malik Wilkes went to the home with the parole officers. While searching the house, it became apparent that the suspect had secreted himself in the attic space. The officers were unable to access the area safely, and instead surrounded the house at the direction of Lieutenant Flannery. Multiple other off-duty Wareham officers responded from their homes after the request for assistance was sent out.

Wareham Police Department photo.

The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT team responded, along with Plymouth County Sheriff’s De[artment, Massachusetts State police, and a command unit from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council. In addition, an ambulance and EMS Director David Evans staged nearby,

The area was secured, and neighboring houses were evacuated. Shortly before 10:00pm, the suspect began to strike the attic exhuste fan in an attempt to escape. Chief Walcek, using a cruiser loudspeaker directed the suspect to surrender and come out of the house. Within a few minutes the suspect appeared in the kitchen and was placed in custody without incident.

Gino Gaillardetz (56), of Chelsea, was transported to the Wareham Police station by Officers Christopher Smith and Eric Machado, where he was processed before being released to the custody of parole officers.

The SWAT team performed a protective sweep of the home to ensure that no other suspects or weapons were in the residence.

Chief Walcek said, “This potentially dangerous situation involving a convicted murderer was resolved safely by the professionalism and cooperation of several law enforcement agencies.” He added, “this was a team effort, and our off-duty lieutenants, sergeants, officers, detectives, and juvenile detectives who responded from home to assist is typical of the dedication of personnel at the WPD. In addition, our amazing communications officers nor only coordinated incoming resources, they continued to handle regular shift related calls.”

Wareham Police Department photo.

During the incident, Deputies James Loring and Scott Sawler of the PCSD observed a neighbor who had refused to evacuate, come outside of his house holding a firearm. The deputies ordered the man to go back into his house. After Gaillardetz was secured, the deputies observed the male in his doorway again. with the pistol in his hand. Chief Walcek was walking back to his cruiser when the deputies alerted him to the armed individual.

The chief and other officers approached the man who now had secured the pistol. It was determined that he had a lawful firearms permit, however his permit and firearm were seized pending additional investigation.