“BOSTON: The Massachusetts Senate voted 32 to 8 to allow Gov. Maura Healey’s administration to spend a one-time use expenditure of $840 million on the migrant housing issue.

Massachusetts currently spends $75 million per month on the 7,500 migrant families that are living in emergency shelters across the state. That amounts to approximately $10,000 per family.

On Thursday, after extensive debate, the Massachusetts Senate passed S.2708, a supplemental budget which would make additional appropriations to the emergency shelter system while taking proactive and fiscally responsible steps to ensure its long term effectiveness. It also supports workforce training programs for families who have recently migrated to Massachusetts.

The bill requires each family in shelter to receive an individualized rehousing plan; eligibility for shelter after nine months would be contingent upon compliance with the rehousing plan, with certain categorical exemptions. The bill comes on the heels of Congress torpedoing bipartisan, commonsense federal immigration reforms which would have brought assistance to the Commonwealth.

Separately, the legislation permanently codifies outdoor dining flexibility made popular during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The plan passed by the Senate today addresses the state’s fiscal reality while also treating individuals who have migrated to our state with dignity and respect,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “As we continue to navigate through a challenge that has landed on our doorstep because of Congressional inaction, today we are addressing the immediate need to house families, bolstering our existing efforts to support those who have immigrated here in becoming part of our workforce, and providing a roadmap to manage this effort over time. I am grateful to Chair Rodrigues for his work, and to all my colleagues for their thoughtful approach to this pressing issue.”

“The Senate recognized the necessity of continuing to proactively respond swiftly and decisively to meet this unprecedented humanitarian emergency shelter crisis head-on, by not only providing the requisite funds to address this crisis, but also provide a long-term framework to transition these families out of temporary shelters and into permanent housing. With $250 million in emergency funding for FY24, we can weather this challenge as we develop solutions for rehousing families, provide workforce opportunities, and integrate these children into our public school system. We cap temporary shelter stays and limit the amount the Administration can spend going forward.

We also establish a commission to study how to better serve this vulnerable population in the months and years to come. In addition, we dedicate over $10 million in workforce training initiatives to provide for the best in vocational tools available. Lastly, we have made available funding on a monthly basis heading into FY25 to ensure the shelter system has the resources it needs to help families stay housed as they move toward self-sufficiency,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This would not have been possible without the hard work of the Senate Ways and Means staff, and my Senate colleagues, whose invaluable input helped navigate a sound path through this uncharted territory.

I would also like to thank Minority Leader Tarr, whose viewpoint needs to be heard, and especially Senate President Spilka, for her continued steadfast and compassionate leadership through these ever-changing times.”

The legislation authorizes the Office of Administration and Finance to spend $75 million per month for the remaining few months of Fiscal Year 2024 from the Transitional Escrow Fund to help shelter families and promote self-sufficiency, and thereafter in FY25 articulates clear, decreasing amounts that the Office of Administration and Finance can spend per month from the Traditional Escrow Fund for this purpose. It also appropriates an additional $10 million in funds for housing intervention services and workforce supports in the emergency shelter program and provides $15 million to fund settlement obligations and judgements.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s shelter system, the legislation authorizes a family to remain eligible for emergency housing assistance benefits for nine months, with the possibility of 90-day extensions if the emergency housing recipient family is complying with their rehousing plan or meets certain circumstances.

The bill further creates a special commission to study and make recommendations on the sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of the emergency housing assistance program. The commission would also be tasked with studying how to best support and ensure the long-term sufficiency of those seeking shelter while also helping to shore up regional based responses concerning the support of families in need of shelter.

The supplemental budget continues to require the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to submit biweekly reports regarding certain metrics of the Emergency Housing Assistance program. It also contains an array of other measures to support the Commonwealth’s businesses, students, and residents, including:

Allowing a city or town to approve requests for expansion of outdoor restaurant service.
Allowing graduates and students in their last semester of nursing education programs to the practice nursing, in accordance with guidance from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Extends the ability of nurses employed by assisted living residences to provide skilled nursing care in accordance with valid medical orders, provided the nurse holds a valid license to provide such care.
Makes technical changes to certain line items from the fiscal year 2024 budget.

A version of this supplemental budget recently passed the House, the differences will now need to be resolved between the House and Senate.”-The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of March 25, 2024 – March 29, 2024, and they are as follows:

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

• Main relay on Acushnet Ave from Phillips Rd to Bowles St
• Main relay on County St from Cove St to Rivet St
• Main relay on W Rodney French Blvd from Calumet St to Bayview St
• Services on Jouvette St from County St to Crapo St
• Services on Mosher St from County St to Crapo St
• Tie-in work at Arlington St and Central Ave
• Tie-in work at Conduit St and Shaw St
• Tie-in work at Central Ave and Conduit St
• Tie-in work at Central Ave and Church St
• Tie-in work and services on Hicks St from Acushnet Ave to N Front St

Other:

• MassDOT will be staging installation and beam end cleaning and concrete encasements at I-195 East and West bound lanes over Purchase St, County St and State St work is scheduled during the overnight hours starting and is scheduled until May 31st of 2024. Work will take place Sundays to Thursdays. Police will be on site for detour and safety setups.
• MassDOT scheduled to start pavement preservation and related work on Route 140 both north and south bound from mile marker 0.0 to mile marker 5.2 starting April 1st and is scheduled until January 15th of 2026. Work to be conducted during overnight hours. Police details and ramp closures with detours to be expected.
• Contractor (JH Lynch) tentatively scheduled to resume work on April 1st on the MassDOT roadway reconstruction project at the intersection of Rockdale Avenue and Allen Street. Traffic detours will be in place during workday hours of operations.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on a road reconstruction project at West Rodney French Boulevard from Cove Street to George Street. Police details and road closures will be 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 (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future pedestrian bridge across Route 18 impacting parking along Purchase Street between Willis Street and Pearl Street and at the Division of Career Services on Acushnet Avenue. Temporary detours may be in place pending construction activities occurring.  If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
 
Project: Lead Service Line Replacement Program Phase II   General Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00am -5:00pm)
• The contractor will be working Lead Service Line Replacements. Monday the contractor will be on Borden Street between Bay Street and Allen Street, Borden Street between Bay Street and Dartmouth Street. Tuesday on Bay Street between Borden Street and Cottage Street, Borden Street between Grove Street and Bedford Street, Grove Street between Ash Street and Cottage Street. Wednesday on Bedford Street between Ash Street and Waverly Street, Bedford Street between Stetson Street and Meriam Street, Bedford Street between Meriam Street and Page Street, Grove Street between Ash Street and Cottage Street. Thursday on Oak Street between Allen Street and Grape Street. Friday on Page Street between Allen Street and Grape Street, Stone Street between Allen Street and Grape Street. At times during working hours, these locations may be closed to thru traffic with signs posted to detour traffic around work areas. Police details will be on-site allowing access to residents only and assisting with traffic management.

Project: Grape Street Collector Rehabilitation General Contractor: Green Mountain Pipeline Services Subcontractor: Duke’s Root Control and Ribeiro Construction Inc (Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• The subcontractor Ribeiro Construction Inc is scheduled to replace a manhole at the southwest side of Buttonwood Park Pond and a manhole frame at Brownell Avenue and Gaywood Street. There may be a brief lane reduction along Brownell Avenue while work is being completed. Subcontractor will also be installing a drain manhole and 36-in PVC drain at Buttonwood Park between the pond and Kempton Street.

Project: Phase 4 Transmission Main Reinforcement Project   Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• The Contractor will continue replacing a section of the existing 48-in water transmission main north of the railroad crossing at Chipaway Road in East Freetown.”

“NEW BEDFORD – The New Bedford Free Public Library recently debuted its new outreach vehicle, the Mobile Library. An expansion of the Bookmobile program, the Mobile Library delivers books, materials, and other services to patrons who are unable to visit the library, such as those who are homebound, have mobility challenges or live in senior housing or other similar residential facilities.

The idea to expand the Bookmobile program was born in 2019, and the demand for services during the pandemic, when many people called who were unable to access the library in person, further highlighted the persistent need.

“This is another step in our effort to modernize our library system,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “The Mobile Library ensures equitable access and brings library services to every New Bedford resident.”

The Mobile Library is a Ford 500 Series van wrapped in an attractive, inviting design skin. Donned with slogans and a City logo, the Mobile Library has room inside for portable carts with a collection of books curated to meet the needs of patrons at each site. These carts can be wheeled outside, or rolled into a lobby, for easier access.

Library Director Olivia Melo said getting something smaller in size than the traditional bus-sized Bookmobile was a top priority over the three-year process of acquiring the Mobile Library.

“It’s much easier to navigate city streets, and any member of the staff can drive it, whereas the larger vehicle required a driver with a Commercial Driver’s License,” she said. “New Bedford is fortunate to have five library building across the City to meet the needs of residents, but we were lacking a way to bring library services to those who find themselves unable to get to a library branch.”

The Mobile Library has already started delivery services to homebound residents in the North End and to others in nursing homes and senior living centers. It will also be a common sight this summer when it attends festivals, parades and events throughout the City to promote the library and its services.

The Mobile Library was made possible through a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant award through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and almost $80,000 from the State Aid to Public Libraries program.

For questions about scheduling a visit from the Mobile Library, please contact Ned Denby, branch manager, at 508-991-6274. For inquiries about having it attend events, please contact Karen Tolman, senior branch manager, at 508-991-6214.” -City of New Bedford.

On Wednesday morning around 12:10am, a tractor-trailer driving on the Massachusetts Turnpike flipped onto its side, breaking open, dumping some of its cargo of approximately 700 car batteries onto the highway. The broken and burst car batteries subsequently spilled the sulfurci acid onto the road.

The Interchange 90 on-ramp to I-90 westbound was shut down so that the wrecked truck could be uprighted, and debris could be removed from the road. The closure had significant impacts onf travel from I-290, I-395, and Route 12 all the way to I-90 westbound.

An Emergency HAZMAT also arrived onsite to ensure that all the toxic compounds were safely neutralized.

All photos by Environmental Services, Inc. and Auburn Fire Rescue:

A storm in the southern U.S. and another close to the Canadian border in the north formed 1,000 miles apart Tuesday night then began to move on a collision course. The combined storms will eventually merge and arrive on the eastern seaboard and dump an absolute mess on the South Coast.

The converged storm will bring with it everything from snow, drenching rain, and sleet to high wind gusts, thunder and lightning. The timing of the storm with a high-tide and extremely heavy downpours may bring significant coastal flooding that could overwhelm some storm drains and lead to pooling on some area highways.

Accuweather photo.

What makes this converged storm a weather hazard is that the southern, warmer storm brings the thunder, lightning, and rain and the colder northern storm will bring the colder temperatures, snow, sleet and wintry conditions. A double whammy.

While the South Coast will be spared of significant amounts of snow, northern New England will receive 6-12 inches of snow and in some spots as much as 18″. It’s a matter of opinion whether getting significant snow is better than the wintry mess of feezing rain, sleet, and snow we’ll get.

On Saturday around 9:00am the first effects of the merged storms will begin. Heavy rain will start out the day accompanied with winds that will increase as the hours pass. The rain will quickly bring with it flooding and and the commute will be miserable. The rain will persist all day and into the night.

Accuweather photo.

Accuweather photo.

On Wednesday, at a press conference, Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) “We do have our transport program also that’s going to be operational. So, Haitians land in the Florida Keys, their next stop very well may be Martha’s Vineyard.” In the first week of March, DeSantis deployed resources to the state’s southern regions to address potential migration from Haiti.

In response, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley released a statement:

“This week, Rep. Pressley, along with Senator Edward J. Markey and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Yvette Clarke (NY-09) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), urged the Biden Administration to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and pause all deportation flights to Haiti until conditions improve.

“That DeSantis would continue exploiting vulnerable families is unconscionable but unsurprising from a failed presidential candidate seeking to stay relevant,” said Rep. Pressley, Co-Chair of the House Haiti Caucus. “Families fleeing unspeakable violence in Haiti and other countries deserve to be met with compassion—not to be used as pawns in Republicans’ cruel political games. It is far past time to take federal action to stabilize Haiti and save lives. That means immediately halting deportations to the island, redesignating TPS for Haiti, cracking down on arms trafficking to Haiti, supporting a Haitian-led democratic transition, and providing the security, humanitarian, and economic assistance that the island needs.”

As Representative for the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, Congresswoman Pressley serves as Co-Chair for the House Haiti Caucus and represents one of the largest Haitian diaspora communities in the country, with approximately 46,000 Haitians and Haitian-Americans living across the state and over half in the Boston metropolitan area. Additionally, Massachusetts is home to more than 4,700 Haitians with Temporary Protected Status.”-Pressley.house.gov.

“NEW BEDFORD – Narcotics detectives have seized over 100 grams of cocaine from a south-end apartment.

On March 18th, Det. Nathaniel Almeida concluded his investigation into a cocaine distribution operation being conducted out of 12 Roosevelt St., #2. The target of the investigation was JOSE SOTO-TORRES, 46.

A search warrant was executed at the apartment, which led to the discovery of approximately 130 grams of cocaine as well as a small amount of heroin. Also found were packaging materials used in the preparation of narcotics for street-level sales and $161 in cash that was seized as a result of the nature of the charges.

SOTO-TORRES was taken into custody and charged with trafficking cocaine in excess of 100 grams and possession of a class A substance.

If you have any information you would like to share with the police, you can do so by anonymously leaving a tip on our website or by calling 508-99-CRIME.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

“Around 2 a.m. this morning Westport Firefighter/Paramedics, along with on-call firefighters and mutual aid companies from Dartmouth Fire District 3, responded to a structure fire in a neighborhood off of Highland Avenue.

Just a few minutes prior to the structure fire being called in, Station 2 in the north end was dispatched to a medical call, prompting the fire response to come from Station 1 in the south end of town.

On arrival firefighters found smoke coming from the eves and within the home with smoke alarms sounding. The fire, which was discovered in the attic of the home, was quickly knocked down and contained to the area of origin by firefighters.

The damage to the home, while significant, could have been much worse had it not been for the working detectors, which quickly alerted the sleeping family, and firefighters being able to quickly contain the fire to the area of origin.

The Chief, Deputy Chief, Engine 1 & 3, and off duty members responded to the call. Dartmouth Ladder 1 also responded, along with their Chief Officers.

We thank our mutual aid partners, and the sole E911 dispatcher on duty, who was handling radio communications for Police, Fire and EMS at the time of the calls.

The cause of the fire, which is not considered suspicious is under investigation.”-Westport Fire Department.

Westport Fire Department photo.

Westport Fire Department photo.

Westport Fire Department photo.

“The Westborough Police Department in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit for Worcester County are attempting to locate Olivia Colby, 27. Ms. Colby’s phone was last pinged March 14, 2024 within a 25 meter radius of her home in Westborough.

Ms. Colby is white, 5’07” tall and 140 pounds, with brown eyes, and long brown hair with red tint. She has an eyebrow piercing above her right eye and may be wearing a green Army jacket. There are no known vehicles associated with her. There are concerns involving her current well-being.

Anyone with information regarding Olivia Colby or her whereabouts, please contact Westborough Police at (508) 366-3060 or simply call 911.”-Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

“NEW BEDFORD – Whether you’re a longtime resident or a tourist looking for history, culture, and adventure, New Bedford has unique experiences and hidden gems around every corner.

“Explore New Bedford” is the message the City’s Office of Tourism and Marketing is sharing with the world after Mayor Jon Mitchell unveiled the office’s rebranding effort Tuesday night at the New Bedford Harbor Hotel on Union Street.

The “Explore New Bedford” campaign includes the development of a new website, the design of a new logo, and a new marketing campaign focused on locals’ favorite gems in the City.

The centerpiece of the effort is the new “Explore New Bedford” logo. Designed by New Bedford-based Medium Studio, the bold and captivating logo reflects the energy and vitality of the City. Medium Studio thoughtfully crafted the logo to appeal to a diverse range of people to reflect the City’s inclusive nature and its ability to offer something for everyone.

Going live on Friday, March 22, the new tourism website, www.ExploreNewBedford.org, is a digital compass for people looking to explore New Bedford, providing easy navigation, detailed information, trip planners, and a visually appealing interface. It was designed by Patrick Gleavey of PSG Media with user experience as the No. 1 priority.

Lastly, the new marketing campaign features people from across Greater New Bedford showcasing their favorite local gems.

The rebranding effort featured input from internal and external stakeholders with Tourism and Marketing Director Asley Payne and Marketing Manager Amy DesRosiers holding meetings and focus groups with the arts and culture community. The valuable insights gathered from the sessions played a pivotal role in shaping the rebrand and making sure it authentically reflects the City and its stories.

“The City’s emergence from the pandemic was an occasion to reset the City’s tourism messaging,” Mayor Mitchell said. “This new campaign puts the City in a stronger position to capitalize on regional travel and show off the City’s progress in a more advantageous way.”

“This is a significant milestone. It reflects our commitment to showcasing the true spirit of New Bedford and inviting everyone, both visitors and residents, to explore the history, art and culture that make our City unique,” Payne said. “The goal of this project was to really capture the essence of the City’s unique identity. We want to provide a fresh, new experience that attracts visitors from near and far, while also encouraging residents to explore the gems they might not know are in their own backyard.”-City of New Bedford.