MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

 

BOSTON - Thursday, July 29, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today released findings and recommendations following her charge to Attorney Stephanie Everett and the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency to deliver a plan for review and reform of the police department internal affairs procedures, based on Director Everett’s investigation into the Patrick Rose case. The report reviews what internal affairs policies and procedures were in place during the time of the Rose case. The report further identifies which of those policies and procedures have appropriately been changed since 1995 and recommends additional reforms where needed. “In 2021, there is a new opportunity to ensure this never happens again. We must implement the 2020 Task Force recommendations and establish OPAT and its public boards with urgency, said Mayor Janey. “I am grateful to Stephanie Everett for her work leading and building OPAT. I thank the Boston Police Department for its cooperation and efforts to advance its policies to meet the demands for equity and justice in our city.” The following are Director Everett’s findings and recommendations from her review of the Rose case: Finding #1: Ensuring Thorough, Independent Internal Investigations In 1995, there did not appear to be clear policies and procedures in place to ensure a thorough and independent response by the Boston Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division upon notice of a complaint. Recommendation #1: Start Investigations Within 48 Hours of Notification It is recommended that the Boston Police Department’s Bureau of Professional Standards shall, upon receiving information from the Court, an officer’s supervising officer, or other credible source, that an officer has been charged with violating Massachusetts General Law c. 265, Section 13a-29, as may be amended, prioritize this matter and seek to interview witnesses within 48 hours, where appropriate for the witnesses. Finding #2: Ensuring Appropriate Action from a Sustained Finding The Boston Police Department did not take sufficient steps to discipline or terminate based on the Internal Affairs Division’s sustained finding of misconduct. Recommendation #2: Make Discipline from Internal Affairs Investigations Visible, Predictable and Just It is recommended that this same discipline matrix should also be used for recommendations resulting from IAD investigation. In addition to guidance that will be provided by that matrix, the Boston Police Department is also developing and will promulgate this year new policies involving members of the force accused of sexual assault and domestic violence.   Finding #3: Ensuring Oversight of the Internal Affairs Investigations The third finding is that there was no independent oversight of the Internal Affairs Division’s investigations. Recommendation #3: Mayor to File Amendment to OPAT Ordinance to Alert OPAT of Criminal Charges Brought Against Officers When the IAD receives information from the Court, an officer’s supervising officer, or other credible source, that an officer has been charged with violating Massachusetts General Law c. 265, Section 13a-29, as may be amended, notification will be sent to the POST Commission and to the Office of Police Accountability & Transparency for the offense and the initiation of an investigation. The full Rose Case Policy & Procedure Review can be accessed here. This builds on the work of the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency.  Since her appointment in early May, Director Everett has been steadfast in advancing several key police reforms, even as she works to staff the new OPAT organization. Already, OPAT has solicited nominees to the new Civilian Review Board. On May 21, Mayor Janey submitted a letter to the City Council requesting nominations for the Civilian Review Board by June 7. The City Council finally began its process to nominate Civilian Review Board members last week and set an extended deadline of August 30. Nominations from several community-based organizations are expected by July 31. Second, the new Internal Affairs Oversight Panel had its first public hearing in June. Third, OPAT has been working to coordinate compliance with new state police reforms.  In addition, the City of Boston and Boston Police Department have begun for police reform measures, including the creation of a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy and launch of a DEI Committee within the BPD in April; a revision of the use of force and bias-free policing policies in May; launch of a public dashboard that covers police conduct in June; de-escalation work for BPD officers; and an increase from two to eight hours of the Fair and Impartial Policing Curriculum for new recruits.

麻州首個疫苗百萬獎揭曉 還有四個等你拿

First VaxMillions Giveaway Winners Announced   For high resolution and additional photos, click here.   BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the winners for the first of five drawings for the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway. As part of the giveaway, fully vaccinated residents ages 18 and older are eligible to enter to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes. Residents between 12-17 years of age who are fully vaccinated may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.   The winner of this week’s $1 million prize is Darrell Washington of Weymouth. The winner for the $300,000 college scholarship is Daniela Maldonado of Chelsea.   “Congratulations to Darrell Washington and Daniela Maldonado on winning the first-round drawing for the VaxMillions Giveaway,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Since we launched VaxMillions, over 2.3 million residents have signed up and hundreds of thousands of residents have gotten vaccinated, building on Massachusetts’ nation-leading success in protecting our residents. Massachusetts continues to out-perform virtually every state on vaccinations, and we look forward to the remaining drawings for the VaxMillions campaign as another way to encourage more residents to get vaccinated, in addition to innovative approaches like pop-up clinics and in-home vaccinations.”   “We are excited for these first-round winners of the VaxMillions Giveaway, and look forward to seeing the positive impact these prizes will have on their lives,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful that over 4.5 million residents have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, contributing to our status as a national leader in vaccinations. As the VaxMillion Giveaway continues, our Administration remains committed to using every tool available to us to get more residents vaccinated.”   “Today’s winners are a great reminder of why it’s so important to get vaccinated. They won, but we all win too,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “And remember - they got a shot because they got the shots. So get the vax now and you could join us soon!”   “The Mass Lottery is proud to be a part of this important public health initiative and we extend our thanks to everyone who has registered thus far,” said Michael Sweeney, Executive Director, Massachusetts State Lottery. “We congratulate the first winners and are hopeful that today’s announcement will encourage additional state residents to get vaccinated.”   “I am grateful to Darrell Washington and Daniela Maldonado, as well as the over 4.3 million Massachusetts residents that made the decision to protect themselves, their families and their communities by getting vaccinated,” said Secretary Marylou Sudders, Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “Vaccine acceptance in Massachusetts is among the highest in the nation, and we will continue to make the vaccine more accessible and convenient for every eligible resident across the Commonwealth.”   "Leveraging innovative technology solutions has been a key component to the Baker-Polito Administration’s public health response to the pandemic," said Secretary of Technology Services and Security Curtis M. Wood. "We are proud to partner with the Massachusetts State Lottery and public health officials on this important vaccination initiative and we congratulate today’s winners."    The registration deadline for the next VaxMillions Giveaway is today, Thursday, July 29. Winners for that drawing will be drawn on Monday, August 2 and announced on Thursday, August 5. The full list of registration, drawing and announcement dates is listed below.     Residents must be fully vaccinated before registering, but if they are not vaccinated by the registration date for a certain drawing, they will still have the opportunity to complete vaccination and register for subsequent drawings. Residents will only have to enter once to qualify for all drawings occurring after the date of their registration.   To date, over 2.3 million people have signed up for the VaxMillions Giveaway. Since the program was announced on June 15, almost 200,000 residents have gotten a first dose of the vaccine, and over 330,000 residents have become fully vaccinated.   Massachusetts remains a national leader in vaccinations with over 4.3 million residents fully vaccinated and over 4.5 million residents with at least one dose.   How to Enter Eligible residents are able to enter the giveaway at VaxMillionsGiveaway.com.  For residents who do not have access to the internet or require assistance, a call center can be reached by calling 2-1-1 during the below hours:   Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM-6:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Saturday-Sunday: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM   Live call center workers are available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages are available through translators.   Prize Details Massachusetts residents 18 years of age and older who have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, will have a chance to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes.   Massachusetts residents between 12 and 17 years of age who have received two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will have a chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants via a 529 College Savings Plan managed by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). Funds in a 529 plan can be applied to cover tuition, room and board, and related expenses at any college, university, or technical or trade school or other post-secondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Winners with a qualifying disability may elect instead to receive an equivalent financial contribution to a special needs trust or federally qualified ABLE account to cover qualified expenses.   Only legal, permanent residents of Massachusetts who are fully vaccinated can enter the drawings. Residents must have received their vaccine doses within Massachusetts. Residents must be fully vaccinated prior to submitting their entry.   Fraud Residents can email support@vaxmillionsgiveaway.mass.gov or call 2-1-1 to report any instances of fraud or suspicious activity associated with the VaxMillions Giveaway Promotion. Residents are reminded that official prize notification emails related to the VaxMillions Giveaway will come from a Massachusetts Department of Public Health email address ending in “@mass.gov.” More information on tips for identifying suspected fraud can be found here.   Vaccination Locations There are over 900 vaccination locations across the Commonwealth, with appointments and walk-ins widely available. Residents seeking a vaccine can visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to find a vaccine location that is convenient for them.   For more information on the Mass VaxMillions Giveaway, visit VaxMillionsGiveaway.com.

波士頓環球報負面報導 Annissa Essaibi George選市長前景趨黯

Annissa Essaibi George及家人。(圖片來自競選網站)

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 現在離波士頓市長初選日的9月14日越來越近，關於各候選人的深度消息逐漸浮現。波士頓環球報7月28日的一篇負面報導，很可能讓Annissa Essaibi George與下屆市長寶座絕緣。

             這篇報導有著提醒意味，暗籲選民投票時，不要只看候選人，還得看他們身邊的人。以Annissa Essaibi George而言，關鍵在於她丈夫，Douglas R. George，在麻州州政府，波士頓市政府都有多次違規記錄的一名發展商。

             波士頓環球報的報導，先以一宗案例，彰顯Annissa Essaibi George和她丈夫Douglas R. George涉及的政府利益衝突規定。

             那是Douglas R. George在南波士頓蓋了一棟有24個單位的豪華公寓，並將之形容為有著美得令人掉下巴的美景後，另一名發展商申請要在那旁邊蓋的另一棟樓，可能擋住這棟樓的風景時，Annissa Essaibi George動用她辦公室的影響力，試圖阻止，派出員工在2019年3月時，慫恿區域規畫上訴委員會(Zoning Board of Appeal)拒絕該申請案。波士頓環球報稱，根據公聽會的錄影視頻，Annissa Essaibi George的員工並未揭露，Annissa Essaibi George的丈夫正在出售該申請案旁邊，每戶售價逾百萬元的公寓房屋。

             波士頓環球報稱，Annissa Essaibi George辦公室的這些行動，看來違反了州政府的利益衝突法，不只讓人對她市議員辦公室的行為起疑，也強調了這名市長候選人和她那發展商丈夫之間有著糾纏不清關係，而波士頓環球報的調查發現，這名發展商兼房東的地產業生意，經常違反麻州政府和波士頓市政府的房屋法，引得聲稱被詐欺的豪華公寓買家，被驅逐的低收入租客，以及城市稽查員，收稅員都感憤怒。

             波士頓環球報說，Annissa Essaibi George的競選團隊起初為她參與那區域規畫公聽會的行為辯護，稱那不是她丈夫的項目，她辦公室在該宗案件上的行為恰當，但在看到波士頓環球報秀出來的，關於麻州政府利益衝突法展延至相鄰財產時，她的競選團隊發出了第二份聲明，表示他們正在和律師，以及道德委員會聯繫，準備遞交任何必須拿出來的揭露材料。

             波士頓環球報還詳述了波士頓市稽核員針對Douglas R. George或其公司，向房屋法院提出過至少4次刑事起訴，以逼使他遵守房屋法條例，其中一宗是地下室改為居住空間未獲許可，一宗是鼠患，一宗是天花板漏水，第4宗的細節，波士頓環球報沒拿到。這幾宗件最後都解決了，並未控罪。

             過去以來，Douglas R. George不斷駁斥、忽視市政府的要求，直到今年一月，也是他太太Annissa Essaibi George宣佈參選波士頓市長的2星期以前，他才處理了過去7年來累積的116張未登記公寓的遲交費帳單，共付了5315元。然後7月份，波士頓市又發給他一疊警告信，指他另外有14個房屋單位未登記，有20個須更新登記。波士頓規定房東必須每年付費，為他們的公寓辦理登記。

             波士頓環球報指出，另有兩名波士頓市長候選人也和土地發展相關事業有關係。波士頓代理市長Kim Janey的表親創辦有一家區域性的建築公司，名叫Janey建築公司；波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)的丈夫在東波士頓儲蓄銀行做商業房地產。

             波士頓市府還發了警告信給另一名波士頓市長候選人，也是前任波士頓市經濟發展長巴洛斯(John Barros)，因為他沒有更新或登記2個出租物業；也發了警告信給吳弭，則是因為她把她的兩家庭屋中的一家庭屋，讓她母親免租住在那兒，但沒有登記。

            波士頓環球報還侃侃而談，指Annissa Essaibi George做為波士頓市不分區市議員，揚言致力解決流浪漢問題，要為有需要的家庭改善波士頓房屋局的憑證系統(voucher system)，但她丈夫的行為卻正好相反，不但經常遲繳物業稅，2019年惹得波市府威脅要沒收他的一處南波士頓物業，還曾經驅逐接受房屋局補助的租客。

波士頓疫情解封 僑青健行登山跨域交流

疫情管制解封後首度一同健行    波士頓地區僑青跨域交流

(Boston Orange)波士頓華僑文教中心和波士頓慈濟聯絡處，波士頓急難救助協會，波士頓臺灣龍舟隊，波士頓臺美菁英會（TAP-Boston），波克萊臺灣商會等團體首次於疫情管制解除後，在7月25日舉辦「大家一起來」藍山踏青活動，數十名年輕人郊山健身，歡渡一午，情誼更濃。

開始登山了。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮表示，由於新冠肺炎疫情影響，這是他到波士頓僑教中心服務1年以來，第一次舉辦戶外活動，本想趁夏天，艷陽高照天氣好的時機，邀大波士頓地區僑團歡聚、聯誼，沒想到最近天氣反常，前幾天時風時雨，只得取消原訂的野外聚餐，幸好波士頓台灣龍舟隊等年輕人活力充沛，使得登山活動仍能如常舉行。至於25日這天取消的野餐活動，將延至9月12日舉行。僑教中心將繼續以活動搭橋，推動僑社團體彼此認識，加強跨域橫向交流。

為籌備此次野餐健行活動，波士頓急難救助協會會長歐陽露，波士頓慈濟聯絡處負責人長金滿，波士頓臺灣龍舟隊隊長李鴻宇等人先後數次專程探路，瞭解哪條路平坦，老人家也適合；哪條路崎嶇有坡，難度較高，適合年輕人挑戰。不料這天下雨，午後才歇，只得舉辦年輕人登丘活動。

登上Bluehill塔台。

波士頓慈濟聯絡處仍依原訂規劃，於當天製作及提供美味素食飯糰、茶葉蛋等餐點，還拿出慈濟個人隨身筷，送給參加者每人一副，鼓勵大家出門帶備，減少感染細菌風險，並可同時實踐環保愛地球的理念。長金滿說，慈濟就是希望鼓勵人蔬食、環保、愛地球。

波士頓臺灣龍舟隊會長李鴻宇，創會會長盧信瑋都是從臺灣來美求學後留在本地工作，皆是還不到三十歲的年輕人。他們表示成立龍舟隊是為建立社群，凝聚臺灣人的向心力，還要回饋社會。波士頓臺美菁英會共同會長譚英能則指出，登山、健行，環保、愛地球，全是正合年輕人心意的活動，很高興能參加這場活動，並認識了更多新朋友。

中華公所大同村帳戶有2100萬元 選舉章程修訂9月投票

紐英崙中華公所本年度第四次董事大會線上、線下同步進行。(視頻截圖)

紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民報並主持董事大會

            (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 紐英崙中華公所 (CCBA-NE) 七月廿七日晚召開本年度第四次董事大會，為了會議記錄，章程修改又起爭論，但會議中最令人驚訝的是公所財政報告道，第一次拿到大同村帳戶資料，內有將近21,385,979.80元。

CCBA可自資在大同村南停車場蓋樓

            根據中華公所舊檔案，烽火社區有限公司(Beacon Communities LLC)去年和中華公所達成協議，在大同村南停車場蓋6層樓高，85個出租單位的發展計畫，約需耗資4500萬元。今年5月，中華公所在董事大會中說明，這發展計畫規模縮減，目前在討論2500萬元替代資金來源，若Motor Mart項目持續延宕，中華公所或需轉項波士頓市府，麻州州府尋求資金，或可於2022年動工。不過若以大同村帳戶內所有現金數額來看，身為大同村業主的中華公所，很可以自資建造，完全不需要和發展商合作，將來的出租，出售，都有自主權。

紐英崙中華公所行政主任珠蘇珊。

             會後談及此一可能性的一名中華公所董事稱，這麼做，還可避免因為不需要來自政府的包容法案連鎖金，就得撥出若干單位給特定族群人士，可能造成的困擾。

             中華公所這次的七月份會議，議程包括通過2021年的3月、5月董事大會，以及4月特別會議的會議記錄，投票修改章程，表決行政主任所提5項動議，以及財政/稽核小組，選舉/章程小組報告。

             主席鄭慧民一開始先說明自己早前出車禍，全身75%骨折，行動不便，7月21日由太太代發電郵，請公所董事們有事可和公所主任朱蘇珊聯絡。他也為自己原本不開董事大會，其後決定只在網上召開，再改為在網上與在中華公所禮堂同步舉行的經過作說明，抱怨收到具攻擊性內容郵件。

中華公所會議記錄再引爭議

紐英崙中華公所董事陳家驊。

             共有45名董事及職員的中華公所，接著花了將近一個小時，爭辯會議記錄中英文字句不符，董事是否有權要求中英文書記修訂會議記錄後，再發給董事們審閱，董事們追究會議記錄字句是否小題大作，”一塌糊塗”的形容是否人身攻擊，會議記錄到底應該先寫中文，再寫英文，還是中英文書記各寫各的，會議記錄是主觀記錄還是客觀事實，可否放入寫會議記錄者的個人評論等等。

             董事大會最後在有人棄權，有人反對中，通過了三月及四月會議記錄，五月的會議紀錄在有人提案擱置，有人贊成，有人反對後，主席鄭慧民口頭徵詢，並獲英文書記阮鴻燦，中文書記馮武成願意花一小時溝通的承諾後，決定交由中英文書記彼此核定，9月份再通過。

紐英崙中華公所和數張青梅。

             溯源公所代表董事鄺炎彬會後受訪時表示，會議記錄很重要，但審閱會議記錄可在會外進行，不應該佔用董事會太多時間。他甚至提議可向大專院校招募實習生，負責完成這一任務，就像馬英九當年曾任中華公所書記一樣。

             安良工商會董事陳仕維會後表示，中華公所五名職員團隊如果在召開董事大會前先彼此互相溝通，協商，完善會議記錄，協商議程，就不至於出現為會議記錄花很多時間的狀況。

改章程涉選舉及會員資格 9月再投票

             修改章程部分，章程小組成員提議修改中英文版本第4章第20條，以及第2章第8條，並動議兩項條文綑綁成一，即日投票表決。選舉小組主席馮武成並建議這一投票，要以明票進行。出席董事們討論後，決定請各董事將條文的修訂內容帶回各自所屬的公所、僑團，匯報及討論後，9月份再投票。

紐英崙中華公所董事梁添光。

             第4章第20條是職員職位任期及選舉。選舉小組建議把條文修訂為: 本公所設主席、中文書記、英文書記、財政及核數各一名（統稱職員）。任期兩年。職員不論職位，祇能連選連任一次。職員兩屆滿任後必須停選一屆（兩年)，之後無論隔多少年後想再參選任何職位都沒有限制。財政第一屆滿任除了不能參選下屆核數，其它跟上述一樣。職員其候選人必須由僑團會員或姓氏會員推薦，然後由董事會選舉之。凡推薦之團體，必須清繳所有會費。而且推薦之團體及被推薦之人士並無違反本公所規章者。中英文書記必須是麻省居民。同一姓氏團體在同一任期內，不得超過兩人被選為職員。在婚婦女隨夫姓。任期滿後如無法推薦上述職位候選人時,得由董事會議定解決辦法。

紐英崙中華公所董事鄺炎彬。

             第2章第8條是會員權利。選舉小組建議把條文修訂為: 會員得依法律及本章程規定享有本 會員之一切權利. 凡向本公所提出會員資格爭議者，不論出自內部還是外部，其必須具有法院明確判决，否則維持原有者為合法代表。

             董事余麗瑛表示，這兩項章程條文，一涉選舉，一關會員資格，內容不同，應分開表決。她個人就偏向贊成一項，反對另一項。如果綑綁投票，就會被迫兩項都贊成或都反對。

紐英崙中華公所提醒董事，社區每個週六，華埠有舞獅活動

             董事陳家驊認為，章程修改事關重大，選舉小組應詳列章程修改的條文內容，修改原因，過程，利弊及後果影響，交由中華公所的董事們帶回各自所代表出席的僑團，進一步研議，下次再投票。陳家驊並在會後發出電郵給中華公所董事，說明2017年時就曾經有過提案修改章程第4章第20條，但在需要全體董事的三分之二都同意，修改條文才可通過的章程規定下，當年的修改提案，未能通過。

             董事鄺元傑認為，中華公所內僑團、人才都多，應在章程內增加一條，凡是當過主席，成為顧問者，不可再參選中華公所職員，以期更多新人出頭，為公所服務。在中華公所歷屆主席中，目前擔任董事，參與中華公所事務的前主席，至少7人，包括陳家驊，阮鴻燦，黃光野，何遠光，黃國威，陳仕維，梁添光。

             謝中之，鄺炎彬，鄺元傑等董事也都認為章程應逐條表決。

             選舉小組成員梁添光表示，選舉小組提議要修定的這兩項章程條文，早就醞釀了八年、十年，董事們都是各公所派來出席中華公所的全權代表，應早已通知各公所有關章程修改一事，而選舉小組是董事大會選出來的，應有一定的代表性及權威性。既然物業小組提出的議案都可以立即投票，選舉小組的提案應該也可以才是。他認為沒必要一條一條表決。

             也是選舉小組成員的陳仕維表示，他本人支持章程條文分開來，一條一條表決，但這次的董事大會改為網上舉行，46名董事逐一投票，得92次，才完成投票一舉，太過耗時，這才同意了綑綁投票。

章程章程小組有9人

             選舉小組成員有主席馮武成，組員梁添光、陳仕維，陳建立，朱紹昌，蔡倩婷，關麗莎，李天生，梁利堂。

             財政報告部分，中華公所財政陳余寶愛在報告中華公所今年五月，六月，包括員工薪資43,433.84元，共支出36,018.58元，包括大同村管理費4萬元，薪資保護計畫43,320.00元，共收入60085.68元之餘，她第一次拿到大同村帳戶資料，竟然其中一個戶口有1700多萬元，另一個美國銀行戶口有2100多萬元，將就是否分存不同銀行，以獲保障，做進一步研議。

             一名中華公所的新進董事會後表示，27日晚的會議開了將近3小時，其中有約一個小時花在討論會議記錄上，不少董事把個人情緒帶進了會議，浪費不少時間。他認為，中華公所是僑團龍頭，格局應該更大些。開董事會，該討論有哪些事該做，要怎麼做，或已經做到了甚麼程度，例如帶頭做些對社區有利的事。不過從中華公所目前的組織架構來看，要有行政效率，還真不太容易。

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $17 Million in Funding for Dams and Coastal Infrastructure

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Over $17 Million in Funding for Dams and Coastal Infrastructure

28 cities and towns receive critical funding

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced over $17.3 million in grants to address failing dams, coastal infrastructure, and levees across the Commonwealth. The announcement was made by Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides and state and local officials at Haskell Pond Dam in the City of Gloucester. The Administration also highlighted its $2.9 billion proposal to immediately invest a portion of Massachusetts’ federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act in urgent priorities, including $300 million for climate-resilient infrastructure.

 

The grants, which were awarded by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Dam and Seawall Program, will support permitting and construction projects in Acton, Ashfield, Braintree, Brockton, Chicopee, Dracut, Dudley, Essex, Gardner, Gloucester, Hull, Ipswich, Leominster, Marshfield, New Bedford, Northborough, Oxford, Peabody, Quincy, Salem, Saugus, Somerset, Stow, Springfield, Wareham, Weymouth, the Wildlands Trust (Kingston), and Worcester.

 

“The Commonwealth’s cities and towns are seeing the impacts of climate change every day, and our Administration is committed to providing needed funding to support critical resilience projects to address these issues,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants will help municipalities make substantial progress to maintain and repair aging dams and seawalls across Massachusetts.”

 

“Ensuring dams, seawalls, and levees remain in good condition can be costly on municipal budgets, and we are pleased to provide these Dam and Seawall Program grants to help support municipalities as they make these investments,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “It is critical that we continue to foster strong partnerships with local communities and organizations to create a more resilient Massachusetts.”

 

With these 32 new grants, the Dam and Seawall Program has now provided over $95 million in grants and loans to address deficient dams, seawalls, and levees since the program began in 2013.

 

“Since coming into office in 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has delivered over $82.5 million in funding through the Dam and Seawall Program to improve critical infrastructure that protects our communities and businesses and makes our Commonwealth more resilient to the ongoing impacts of climate change,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “As we prepare for stronger storms, rising seas, and more intense precipitation, maintenance and enhancement of our aging water control structures, as well as strategies to increase natural infrastructure will help build more resilient cities and towns throughout the state.”

 

“Dams and seawalls are challenging and costly pieces of infrastructure that must be maintained for public safety, environmental protection, and the health of drinking water,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. “Yet for communities the cost of maintaining them is a heavy burden that strains municipal budgets. Thanks to this grant program and the significant resources it brings, communities don't have to go it alone in building and maintaining these critical structures. Thanks to the Baker-Polito administration for making these investments, and congratulations to Gloucester, Ipswich, Essex, and the other recipients who have designed and submitted projects worthy of the support they are receiving today.”

 

"Although Cape Ann is one of the Commonwealth's most beautiful resources, the natural landscape creates many infrastructure challenges," said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante. "I am pleased that the Commonwealth is investing and sharing the burden with the City of Gloucester of maintaining and managing Haskell Pond, one of our reservoirs, for use by current and future generations."

 

“As a coastal community, we have seen firsthand how devastating winter storms, inland flooding and sea level rise can be for everyone,” said Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “Thankfully, we have continued to work with state leadership on climate resiliency programs, including the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program (MVP) which helped us understand our needs and earn these terrific grant awards supporting the Haskell Pond Dam Repair and Gloucester High School Flood Barrier. On behalf of the City of Gloucester, we thank the Baker-Polito Administration again for their ongoing climate resiliency support and grant programs which continues to return results desperately needed for us all.”

 

Dam and Seawall Program grant recipients and awarded projects:

 

Awardee Name	Structure Name/Project Title	Award
Dam Design and Permit
Town of Acton	53 River Street Dam Removal	$75,000
City of Brockton	Ellis Brett Pond Dam Repairs	$82,725
Town of Dracut	Three Beaver Brook Dams (Navy Yard Dam, Victory Lane, Collinsville )	$250,000
Town of Dudley	Carpenter Pond Dam Removal Project	$71,903
City of Gardner	Wayside Pond Dam Repairs	$124,725
City of Gloucester	Haskell Pond Dam / Haskell Pond Dam Design Storm and Seismic Improvements	$63,300
Town of Ipswich	Ipswich Mills Dam Removal Pre-Permitting Assessment & Design Project	$75,000
City of Leominster	Colburn Pond Dam at Barrett Park	$163,500
Town of Northborough	Northborough Reservoir Dam/Dam Removal Design & Permitting	$168,750
Town of Oxford	McKinstry Pond Dam Repairs	$55,275
City of Peabody	Sidney Pond Dam Improvement Project	$84,187
City of Springfield	Upper Van Horn Reservoir Dam Improvements Design and Permitting	$249,975
Town of Somerset	Somerset Dam Resiliency and Improvements	$247,828
Town of Stow	Lake Boon Dam Rehabilitation Final Design and Permitting	$44,775
Town of Wareham	Parker Mills Dam	$175,000
City of Worcester	Patch Pond Dam Rehabilitation Project	$147,150
Dam Design and Permit Total	16	$2,079,093
Inland Flood Design and Permit
City of Chicopee	Plainfield Street Flood Control System	$126,000
Inland Flood Design and Permit Total	1	$126,000
Coastal Design and Permit
Town of Hull	Nantasket Avenue Seawall Repair	$180,750
Town of Hull	Harborview Road Seawall Repair	$111,750
Town of Marshfield	Ocean Bluff Revetment Repair	$412,500
City of New Bedford	East Rodney French Boulevard Seawall Repair	$54,000
Town of Weymouth	Fort Point Road Coastal Infrastructure Resilience Project	$102,980
Coastal Design and Permit Total	5	$861,980
DESIGN AND PERMIT TOTAL	22	$3,067,073
Dam Construction
Town of Ashfield	Ashfield Lake Dam Repair	$875,000
Town of Braintree	Armstrong Dam/Monatiquot River Restoration	$1,000,000
City of Gloucester	Haskell Pond Dam / Haskell Pond Dam Design Storm and Seismic Improvements	$1,000,000
Town of Saugus	Spring Pond Dam Rehabilitation	$261,959
Wildlands Trust	Sylvia Place Pond Dam Breach	$729,600
Dam Construction Total	5	$3,866,559
Coastal Construction
Town of Essex	Conomo Point Seawall	$1,739,915
City of Gloucester	Gloucester High School Flood Mitigation Barrier Construction	$2,379,000
Town of Marshfield	Brant Rock Seawall, Phase II	$2,349,375
City of Quincy	Manet Avenue and Babcock Street Seawall Improvements	$2,982,285
City of Salem	Columbus Avenue Seawall Reconstruction Project	$952,605
Coastal Construction Total	5	$10,403,180
Construction Total	10	$14,269,739
GRAND TOTAL	32	$17,336,812

 

 

In June 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration re-filed its plan to immediately put to use part of the Commonwealth’s direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support key priorities including housing and homeownership, economic development and local downtowns, job training and workforce development, health care, and infrastructure. As part of the Administration’s proposal to jump-start the Commonwealth’s economic recovery and support residents hardest-hit by COVID-19, such as lower-wage workers and communities of color, Governor Baker would direct $900 million to key energy and environmental initiatives, including $300 million to support climate resilient infrastructure. The funding would be distributed through programs like EEA’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program and would fund priority climate adaptation projects and investments aligned with the priorities identified in the state hazard mitigation and climate adaptation plan. Investments that would be supported through the funding include the acquisition of land specifically targeted at reducing flooding and the Urban Heat Island Effect.