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星期一, 7月 31, 2023

吳弭市長簽署行政命令 波士頓市有樓宇即起禁用化石燃料

波士頓市長吳弭簽署減碳行政命令。(市府照片)
(Boston Orange 摘譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) (31) 日簽署即時生效的行政命令,禁止新建或大規模翻修的市府樓宇使用化石燃料

吳弭市長在簽署行政命令時,邀請了市府新綠協議 (Green New Deal)主任Oliver Sellers-Garcia,營運內閣,以及地方上的氣候及勞工倡議者一起出席誌盛。她藉此行動展現她在創建高品質工作機會、改善公共健康,以及生活品質,促進族裔及經濟平等時,在保護環境及減少排放上的加速行動。

            吳弭市長發表2023年市情咨文時,就已經透露過簽署這行政命令的意願。芝加哥市長Brandon Johnson也參加了簽署儀式。

波士頓市長吳弭(右五)和幕僚長朱為婷(Tiffany Chu,右四)、經濟
包容及機會長Segun Idowu (右三)、聯邦事務主任Sam Hynu (右一)等人歡迎
芝加哥市長Brandon Johnson(左五)。(市府照片)

            在波士頓,市府排放量約占波士頓市所有二氧化碳排放量的2.3%,而其中70%來自樓宇。這行政命令可賦予市府營運內閣權力,確保波士頓市利用這機會,經由每一棟新樓宇的建築工程,或在大約1600萬平方英尺市有物業做大型翻修時禁用化石燃料來帶頭減碳。

            波士頓市將藉由實施 PowerCorpsBOS計畫,培訓波士頓居民減少大型樓宇排放二氧化碳,並維持樓宇運作高效率的技能。這一項目由賦能工人內閣和環保局,以及青年就業及機會局,波士頓青年及家庭中心(BCYF)合作。這項目的第3組團隊上週已開始了。

            行政命令實施後,所有市府新樓宇的計畫,設計及施工,都將事先安排得冷暖氣,熱水,以及烹飪系統都不會連接或直接用化石燃料。新規定不只適用於新建樓宇,也適用於維修計畫佔原有樓宇面積75%的結構工程。任何更換樓宇暖氣,通風設備,冷氣或熱水系統,烹飪設備,都必須在受影響的系統中廢除燃燒化石。

            為實施這計畫,營運內閣將啟動設備狀況評估,以辨識除碳計畫。20242029會計年度計畫包括13251萬元,用以加強除碳的樓宇設計計畫。

            這行政命令也加強了市府樓宇的減少排放及揭露條例(BERDO),以期2050年時能達到零排放的目標。

麻州撥款150萬元資助檢察官和警察辦理暑期項目減少暴力及青少年犯罪

 

麻州州長Maura Healey和檢察官們討論加強暑期安全做法。
    (Boston Orange 摘譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) (731) 日率同公安廳長(Terrence Reidy) 等相關人員,在屋斯特 (Worcester)的男女童子軍俱樂部舉行圓桌會議,宣佈今夏撥款約150萬元,在暴力犯罪案發綠高的暑期及秋季月份,支援防止暴力及社區參與活動。

檢察官和警察們在屋斯特開圓桌會。
            麻州警察廳代理廳長John Mawn上校,以及地區檢察官和地方官員,執法人員及社區夥伴,都參加了這圓桌會。1496千餘元分別撥發給9個地區檢察官辦公室,以及波士頓、羅倫斯/布洛克頓 (Brockton)、春田/Holyoke等地的麻州警察廳分部,以及青年項目,各得6萬元到21萬元不等補助款。

            這個社區更安全計畫 (The Safer Communities Initiative)是由麻州公安廳 (EOPSS) 麾下的補助和研究辦公室 (OGR)提出的,藉由聯邦紀念Edward J. Byrner正義援助補助計畫 (JAG),撥款給地方檢察官及麻州警察廳。

            該計畫採取創新方法來處理社區暴力問題,要求地方檢察官辦公室來決定,所得補助款的一半,要用在資助預防、干預,以及/或者導流的計畫。剩下的一半補助款則用於支持執法及起訴。麻州警察獲得的補助款,有一部分要用於支持青年項目。

            麻州政府表示,社區更安全計畫過去幾年來的辦理成果,證明很成功。根據麻州警察的20227月到12月數據,在個地方檢察官辦公室和社區夥伴為瀕於危險的青少年,提供技能培訓、個人發展,以及針對個人創傷的輔導及戒毒等服務後,麻州警察從社區中掃除至少95枝非法槍枝,沒收了44千克海洛英及芬泰尼,2900克海洛因及快克(crack)4000克大麻。

            更安全社區計畫是由補助款及研究辦公室 (GR) 所管理的項目,重在預防情少年及槍枝相關的暴力犯罪。該辦公室還管理Shannon社區安全計畫,另和麻州區美國檢察官辦公室合作,管理安全鄰里計畫。

星期日, 7月 30, 2023

中華表演藝術基金會夏日系列音樂會訂8月10日登場

   (Boston Orange) 中華表演藝術基金會的年度夏日系列音樂會(Summer FREE Concerts @ NEC),今年訂810日至26日,在新英格蘭音樂學院(New England Conservatory)的威廉斯廳(Williams Hall)及喬頓廳(Jordan Hall),一連舉行15場。81920日,另有傅聰國際協奏曲比賽的複賽及決賽。

            15場音樂會,將由27位來自大、中、小提琴、鋼琴、及聲樂領域的音樂家演出,其中包括已享譽全球者,也有在紐英崙音樂學院,茱麗亞(Juilliard) 等名校任教的Bruce Brubaker潘洵歐逸青陳志毅Yukiko Sekino,以及在蕭邦、范克萊本、柴可夫斯基、Paganini等世界大賽中獲獎的郝饒,Leland KoLuke HsuMaria IoudenitchStephanie Zyzak,孫榆桐等人,還有已在職業樂團,例如費城交響樂團紐約愛樂樂團擔任首席及團員的倪海葉、Audrey Wright吳聰Nathan VickeryZachary Mowitz 等人。

            在這夏日系列音樂會中,還有在2022年度獲選為古典樂台全球3030歲以下傑出音樂家(Classical FM’s 30 Under 30),同時具有鋼琴家及女高音身份,獲得2022年國際青年音樂會藝術家文憑,締造青年音樂會藝術家 (YCA)歷史首例的郭紫堯,以及多名已獲得音樂博士或藝術家文憑,正在世界樂壇中嶄露才華的新星們。

中華表演藝術基金會指出,這些音樂家們將在這夏日系列音樂會中獨奏、雙重奏、四重奏,團員近百人的水星(Mercury)樂團也將演出。這15場音樂會的演出者介紹和曲目詳請,已公佈在官網上,http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/summer/2023/index.html

            今年傅聰國際協奏曲比賽,以柴可夫斯基第一鋼琴協奏曲為指定曲目,初選由五位分別在臺灣、中國、及美國的大學鋼琴教授擔任評委,經由參賽者所提交視頻,從來自澳大利亞、加拿大、中國、俄羅斯、韓國、台灣和美國等地的這些 35 歲及以下年輕人中,選出11名優勝者,到新英格蘭音樂學院參加訂82021日舉行的複賽及決賽。

            中華表演藝術基金會特地情商5名經驗豐富的音樂家出任評委,包括3位新英格蘭音樂學院和波士頓音樂學院的鋼琴教授,Bruce BrubakerSergey SchepkinMichael Lewin,以及水星樂團的音樂總監及指揮余建寧 (Channing Yu),曾任波士頓環球報(The Boston Globe)資深樂評,當過范克萊本、克理夫蘭、仙台(Sendai)等國際鋼琴大賽評委的 Richard Dyer等。

            獲得傅聰國際協奏曲比賽第一名者,將得獎金5000元,以及826日和水星交響樂團在喬頓廳,2024年在夏日系列音樂會中演出的機會;第二名將得獎金2000元,第三名獎金1000元。

11名獲選進入複賽者的簡介及其20分鐘獨奏曲,已公佈在中華表演藝術基金會官網上,http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/summer/2023/0819/index.html

中華表演藝術基金會的這15場夏日系列音樂會,全部免費,但建議樂捐10元。該會希望愛樂者慷慨解囊,藉以資助音樂家的演出費、旅費、住宿、音樂廳場租、錄音錄影等費用。捐款可上官網,http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/donation/index.htm,或寄支票至中華表演藝術基金會 Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts, 3 Partridge Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773

紐英崙中華公所8月系列活動 1日全美滅罪夜打頭陣

            (Boston Orange) 紐英崙中華公所8月份從81日起,將有一系列至少5項活動,分別面向社區大眾,以及該機構董事開放。

            8 1日的下午3點至6點,在波士頓市華埠大同村廣場,有華埠社區議會 (CNC)” 麾下安全小組主辦的金國滅罪夜 (National Night Out)” 活動。波士頓市長吳弭將到場頒發"世紀服務獎" 給紐英崙中華公所。

            84日下午5點,在紐英崙中華公所及波士頓華埠商會協辦中,到訪波士頓的中華民國台北市青少年民俗運動訪問團,將在華埠牌樓及陳毓禮及黃麗蓉夫婦公園表演。該訪問團在當天下午3點,將先拜訪中華公所。

            波士頓僑教中心透露,台北市青少年民俗訪問團這趟來美,訂82日至15日訪問波士頓、新澤西、紐約及華府等四個城市,並表演,以具高度趣味性的民俗運動,也是綜合性民俗藝術,做教育交流。

            今年的台北市青少年訪問團,是由弘道國中(跳繩隊)、西園國小弘道國中聯隊(踢毽隊)和弘道國中麗湖國小聯隊(扯鈴隊)挑選29人所組成。

            85日早上10點,駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處新任處長廖朝宏,將從紐英崙中華公所開始,逐一拜會中華公所麾下各僑團。

            812日下午1點,中華公所將率屬下僑團,在帝苑大酒樓安排午宴,回謝到波士頓舉辦第18屆全美懇親大會的伍胥山公所。

            813日上午10點,紐英崙中華公所將在菲利浦廣場舉辦第53界中秋節聯歡會,並邀得波士頓市長吳弭及政要出席揭幕式。中華公所財政陳余寶愛日前在中華公所董事大會中簡報說明,今年的中秋節聯歡會,安排有充氣彈跳屋等許多遊樂設施,活動更加老少咸宜。

            中華公所主席雷國輝敦促中華公所董事出席前述各項活動,也鼓勵僑界民眾參加81日,4日,以及13日的活動,同享歡樂夏日。      

星期五, 7月 28, 2023

麥德福市議員曾御宸競選連任 市長和多名眾議員到場支持

曾御宸 (Justin Tseng) 宣布競選連任。(周菊子攝)
                (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 麻州麥德福市 (Medford)歷來最年輕之一,也是首名有色人種暨亞裔市議員的曾御宸 (Justin Tseng) 724日正式宣佈競選連任。包括現任市長Breanna Lungo-Koehn,以及參選市長的市議員Richard “Rick” Caraviello在內,有七、八十名支持者到場助陣。

曾御宸和支持者合影。(周菊子攝)
               曾御宸 (Justin Tseng)在美國愛俄華州出生,3個月大搬到麻州,2歲時再隨父母來到麥德福市。他的為大眾服務生涯,早從高中開始,不但是麥德福高中學生會副會長,還被選為出席麥德福市議會的學生代表,和行政長官,老師,以及社區人士合作,通過了至少2項改善學校計畫。2018年高中畢業時,他順理成章被學校選為Valedictorian,代表畢業生致詞者,鼓勵同學要用「心」去看事情,而不是只用眼睛看表象。強調每個人都是唯一的一個,不要妄自菲薄。最後他還以多國語言鼓勵不同種族的同學,「有志者事竟成」。

曾御宸()競選連任,父親曾皇鈞()、母親徐中欣()
是當然的義務助選員。(周菊子攝)
               進入哈佛大學就讀後,基於興趣,又向校方證實了能力,曾御宸獲准雙主修社會學和東亞研究。2021年,他決定參選麥德福市議員,以實際行動,為社會服務,沒想到儘管那時他還是學生,又是首度參選,就以5978票的第4高票順利當選為麥德福市7名市議員之一,之後一邊當市議員,一邊繼續念書,並在就學期間,獲選為斐陶斐榮譽學會 (Phi Beta Kappa honor society)成員,2022再以榮譽生資格畢業。

               在哈佛大學的畢業典禮上,哈佛大學本科生院長在勉勵畢業同學致力社會服務時,也以曾御宸為例,指出他還沒畢業,就已經參政,服務社會了。

麥德福市市長Breanna Lungo-Koehn(前右)、麻州眾議員Paul Donato
(前左)都到場助陣。(周菊子攝)
               在擔任麥德福市議員期間,曾御宸致力改善市政府的包容性,為新圖書館和公校系統爭取更多經費。他還和議員同僚們推動通過麥德福市60年來的第一次區域規劃改革,為麥德福市帶來更多生命科學工作機會及行業發展,廢除了興建可負擔住宅的許多繁瑣官方流程。

曾御宸(左二)3名麻州眾議員Paul Donato (前左起)Sean Garballey
Christine Barber站台,支持他競選連任麥德福市議員。(周菊子攝)
               724日,包括Paul DonatoSean GarballeyChristine Barber3名麻州眾議員,2名麥德福市長候選人,多名麥德福市市議員和學校委員會委員,以及波士頓僑務顧問馮文鸞等來自四面八方的近百人,都趕到現場支持,曾御宸表示他競選連任是因為他想要繼續推動麥德福市增建住宅,降低房租,在因應氣候變遷上,採取更多行動,重振麥德福市的市府廣場,促進社會正義與平等。

               曾御宸的母親徐中欣透露,曾御宸還在高中念書時,就展現了協商能力,為學校委員會和公校總監斡旋。當上市議員後,也曾應市長之請,在意見不同的市議員間居間協調。

曾御宸()從幼稚園起一直同學到高中的好朋友也特地
和他母親一起趕來支持。
(周菊子攝)
               24日晚,麥德福市現任市長和已參選市長的市議員雙雙出席曾御宸的競選連任宣佈會,間接佐證了麥德福市政壇都很重視曾御宸。在包括4名在位者的今年14名市議員參選人中,117日大選時,曾御宸應無懸念的連任成為下一屆的7名市議員之一。

               麥德福市其實是麻州的一個小城市,在麻州名列美國人口外移最多州的第5名之際,麥德福市卻因為人口在2020年到2022年間增加了將近10%,達到約65000人,成為全美人口增長最快城市的第15名。麥德福市又是美國名校之一,塔芙茨 (Tufts)大學的大本營所在地,麥德福市在麻州的重要性也正日漸增加。曾御宸的未來,有如麥德福市的發展,有著無限可能。

(訂正:馮文鸞現為僑務顧問)

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $8 Million in Grants to Support Massachusetts’ Blue Economy

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $8 Million in Grants to Support Massachusetts’ Blue Economy 

CHATHAM, MASS. – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $8 million in blue economy grants for 17 projects that will support the economic vitality, tourism, and ecosystem health of Massachusetts’s waterfronts and harbors while helping the state reach its ambitious climate resiliency goals.

The awards include $3.1 million for 10 grants through the Seaport Economic Council, which advances projects that benefit commercial maritime industries, improve access to waterfronts, and mitigate the impacts of climate change; and more than $5 million for seven grants through the Massachusetts Dredging Program, which is administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development and provides construction funding to coastal municipalities for saltwater dredging. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced the awards during today’s meeting of the Seaport Economic Council in Chatham. 


“Massachusetts’ blue economy is one of our most valuable assets, and these grants will help build capacity, invest in resiliency, and expand opportunity in cities and towns up and down our shores,” said Governor Maura Healey. “As we build an economic development plan on behalf of the state, our administration is committed to putting every region and industry on a path toward economic prosperity, including by making investments in the coastal communities that play a critical role in our state’s economic future.” 

“Working waterfronts are the backbone of our maritime economy. We need to ensure our coastal communities can access the resources they need to maintain and improve their harbors for commercial fishing, recreational, and other blue economy uses,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are pleased these grants will support projects that will strengthen our maritime economy, promote economic development, and support resilient infrastructure along our waterfronts.”  

“Our coastal communities are important centers of economic activity for our state, drawing thousands of visitors each year and supporting the maritime industries that have been integral to the Massachusetts economy,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “By supporting redevelopment, infrastructure improvement, and resiliency efforts in our coastal communities, we are investing in the long-term environmental and economic health of our state.”   

“The Seaport Economic Council and the Dredging Program provide critical funding to shore up our waterfronts and support economic growth along our coasts,” said Undersecretary of Economic Foundations Ashley Stolba, Vice Chair of the Seaport Economic Council. “We are proud to work with Massachusetts’ 78 coastal communities to move key blue economy projects forward and ensure our working waterfronts have the resources they need to thrive.”  

"On the Cape and Islands, our waterfront and harbors are essential to the livelihoods of many and our overall economic vitality. I am elated that the Healey-Driscoll Administration has granted a Seaport Economic award of $1 million to the Town of Chatham that will support improvements at the Bridge Street Waterfront,” said Senator Julian Cyr, who represents the Cape and Islands District. “These funds will help ensure our waterfront is utilized as a vibrant community resource. I am also grateful that the towns of Barnstable, Chatham, Harwich, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet have been awarded $4.7 million in funds for dredging to help us maintain our harbors." 

“I’m grateful for the support from the Healey-Driscoll Administration through both the Seaport Economic Council and the Dredging Grant Program,” said Representative Sarah Peake, who represents the 4th Barnstable District. “These funds will support our harbors and help grow the harbor-side and water based economy of the outer cape towns.”

Seaport Economic Council Grants: 

Town of Chatham, Bridge Street Waterfront Improvements - $1,000,000  
The Town will use grant funds to construct and install waterfront features such as a sheetpile bulkhead, a pile supported pier with a concrete foundation for a shellfish upwelling facility, ADA accessible floats for public boating access and shellfish propagation, and an expanded timber pier with concrete float. 

Town of Dartmouth, Dartmouth Apponagansett Park & Dias Landing Master Plan - $60,000 
This project will support the development of a plan for how the Town can best use the Apponagansett Point/Dias Landing in future development. In addition to the potential effects on jobs, business sales, and household income this study will explore, the plan will also examine the extent to which sea level rise, catastrophic storm events, and other environmental concerns might impact municipal revenues. 

Town of Dartmouth, Dartmouth Rogers Street Boat Ramp Design & Permitting - $250,000 
Funding will support the design, engineering and permitting for a new municipal boat ramp, which provides access to Clarkes Cove in Dartmouth.  

Town of Kingstown, Municipal Boat Ramp Reconstruction - $344,000 
The project will reconstruct the municipal boat ramp located at the town landing, which serves multiple communities and is used by commercial fishermen, aquaculture farmers, emergency personnel, and recreational boaters. The new modular concrete ramp will be longer and deeper, making it safer and easier to launch vessels while improving the environmental impact on the Jones River, its estuary, and Kingston Bay.   

Town of Manchester, Main Channel/Proctor Cove Dredging Design and Permitting - $205,300 
Manchester will use funds to perform engineering, biological testing, permitting, and bid service for its main channel from the entrance to Norton’s Point and the Proctor Cove mooring field in advance of a future dredging project to ensure adequate depth for all visiting boaters. 

Town of Marshfield, Green Harbor Town Pier Infrastructure Improvements/Coastal Resiliency Enhancements - $337,040 
This project will support the development of the Green Harbor Town Pier, including permits to rehabilitate a revetment wall built with concrete and granite blocks, dredging permits, a pier connector deck to the current North commercial pier, commercial booms for loading and unloading, and sheet piling to allow for a new bulkhead. 

New Bedford Port Authority, Design, Engineering and Permitting for Pope's Island Marina - $500,000 
This funding will support the initial phase of a project that aims to prepare Pope’s Island Marina to reach its full potential by designing structural repairs, planning and optimizing space of slips and piers at the marina, and completing other upgrades and reconfigurations.   

Town of Swampscott, Fisherman's Beach Pier Redevelopment - $212,800 
This funding will support the design of a new town pier at Fisherman’s Beach, including funding overwater geotechnical borings, a wave and wind study, sediment and environmental information gathering, geotechnical and structural design, and regulatory and public outreach. 

Town of Swansea, Waterways Management Plan - $80,000 
The Town of Swansea will use funds to create a plan developed with stakeholder input that outlines policies governing waterways to ensure all users and uses are effectively managed and that covers assets and uses such as natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, economic development, and public facilities and services. This plan will be used as the basis for water-related policy decisions, bylaw and regulation amendments, and possible capital expenditures.   

Town of Wareham, Feasibility Study for Merchant’s Way in Wareham Village - $125,000 
The grant funds will be used to perform a survey and analysis of the creation of a coastal pathway, fishing pier, and kayak launch off state land at Merchants Way. The project aims to support the downtown revitalization proposed in the Town’s urban renewal plan.  

The Seaport Economic Council serves all 78 of the Commonwealth’s coastal communities. The Council awards grant funding to municipalities and other entities in support of projects that promote job creation and economic growth, transformative public-private partnerships, educational opportunities for young people, local economic development planning efforts, coastal infrastructure improvements, and the planning and permitting of saltwater dredging. With this latest round of grants, the Seaport Economic Council has invested approximately $90 million through 200 grants in 55 coastal communities since 2015. 

Massachusetts Dredging Program Grants:

Town of Barnstable, Cotuit Bay - $300,000  

The Town will dredge an estimated 17,000 cubic yards of material from the entrance and embayment channels of Cotuit Bay. Dredging will restore the channels to their navigational dimensions, supporting access to over 400 moorings in Cotuit Bay and more than 300 dockage slips in the larger Three Bays harbor system. All sand removed from the channels will be beneficially used to rebuild Dead Neck Island, an important barrier beach that provides protection against severe coastal storms from the Nantucket Sound. 

Town of Chatham, Stage Harbor - $500,000  
The Town will dredge an estimated 28,000 cubic yards of material from Stage Harbor, about 1,300 of which will be removed from the town’s Bridge Street pier. Dredging at the pier will support both an expansion of the existing structure and build out of the adjacent waterfront. Planned improvements include 360 square feet of additional pier for commercial landings, installation of three concrete floating docks, and construction of a second pier for a municipal shellfish lab and propagation facility. Stage Harbor operates as the southern hub of Chatham’s blue economy, providing berth and off-loading infrastructure for the third largest fishing fleet in Massachusetts. 

Town of Harwich, Allen Harbor - $50,000  
The Town will dredge an estimated 8,000 cubic yards of sand from the Allen Harbor entrance channel. Dredging will preserve all-tide navigation for commercial and recreational users, as well as three search and rescue assets that operate in the harbor. Allen Harbor hosts six commercial fishing boats and is home to a commercial marina, a public boat ramp, and over 160 moorings and dockage slips. Over $4.6 million in commercial catch was landed in Harwich in 2021. 

Town of Marshfield, Green Harbor - $400,000  
The Town will dredge an estimated 8,700 cubic yards of material from Green Harbor’s north and south fish piers. The project will restore unrestricted access to the piers, supporting off-loading for both commercial and recreational users, including sportfishing vessels. In 2021, Marshfield was the number two lobster port in Massachusetts, supporting about 50 lobster boats and generating more than $8 million in commercial catch. Additionally, Green Harbor is among the top ports in the state for recreational landings of bluefish tuna. 

Town of Mattapoisett, Mattapoisett Harbor - $20,000  
The Town will dredge an estimated 100 cubic yards of material from the Holmes Wharf basin in Mattapoisett Harbor. Current conditions make the basin inaccessible for most power and sail boats and cause small skiffs to become grounded during low tides. Dredging will maximize berth capacity in the basin, expanding daily access to about 25 dockage slips. Mattapoisett’s Harbor provides access to five wharves, a public boat ramp, and over 600 moorings. 

Towns of Orleans and Eastham, Rock Harbor - $1,300,000  
The Towns will dredge an estimated 24,000 cubic yards of material from the Rock Harbor channel. Current conditions make navigation hazardous during low tides and recently required emergency dredging to ensure public safety for boaters. Rock Harbor hosts two public boat ramps, about 100 dockage slips, and one of the largest sportfishing fleets in Massachusetts. Additionally, the harbor provides off-loading infrastructure for nearly 30 commercial fishing vessels. In 2021, these vessels contributed to over $4 million in commercial landings in Orleans and Eastham. 

Town of Wellfleet, Wellfleet Harbor - $2,500,000  
The Town will dredge an estimated 100,000 cubic yards of material from the South Anchorage in Wellfleet Harbor. Current conditions limit access to the anchorage to only a few hours either side of high tide. Dredging will restore all-tide access to the area for up to 315 commercial and recreational vessels and improve conditions for shellfish propagation. In 2021, Wellfleet Harbor was the number two shellfishing port in Massachusetts, supporting more than 90 private growers, 265 acres of shellfish farms, and over $8 million in commercial landings. 

Projects awarded through the 2023 round are anticipated to remove an estimated 186,000 cubic yards of harbor material to deepen public berths and channels for commercial, recreational, and public safety vessels. About 30 percent of all dredged material will be beneficially used to nourish beaches on Cape Cod. In addition, projects will expand or preserve the use of over 2,000 moorings and dockage slips, and navigation for more than 250 commercial vessels. Across all grantee communities, nearly 27 million pounds of commercial seafood was landed in 2021, generating more than $40 million. 

The Massachusetts Dredging Program is administered by the EOED and financed through capital funds authorized under the 2018 Economic Development Bond Bill. Applications for the 2023 grant round were evaluated in collaboration with staff at the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and the Seaport Economic Council. With this latest grant round, since 2019, the Massachusetts Dredging Program has awarded $29.4 million for 37 projects, tapping into about $31 million in matching funds. Projects have expanded or preserved the use of more than 8,000 moorings and dockage slips, and navigation for approximately 1,000 commercial vessels. Additionally, over one third of all dredged material was beneficially used to replenish Massachusetts beaches. 

麻州長Maura Healey簽行政命令 成立新組織助殘障人藉數位科技獲取資訊

麻州州長Maura Healey 簽署行政命令,協助殘障人士更全面獲取政府資訊。
(周菊子攝)
           (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 麻州州長奚莉(Maura Healey26日趁著「美國殘障法」33週年,簽署行政命令第613號,成立「數位獲取及平等治理委員會 (Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board) 」,以加強並促進麻州內殘障人士以數位科技獲取資訊上的公平程度。

簽署行政命令會現場。(周菊子攝)
麻州政府將為這新成立的委員會設立「獲取資訊科技長(Chief Information Technology Accessibility Officer,簡稱 CIAO)」職位,並由其擔任委員會主席,和科技及安全行政辦公室,以及Jason Snyder廳長合作,經由持續監控,支持測試,以及內部報告等方式,來積極參與、推動讓所有人都能充分利用數位應用程式,獲取政府資訊,同時確保州政府行政各部門遵循公佈的標準、政策及流程,部門之間的數位獲取方式和平等的標準也一致。

奚莉州長和Jason Snyder廳長指出,丕優(Pew)研究公司的一份2021年研究報告顯示,社會中80%的人都靠數位方式來獲取政府服務資訊,因此讓所有人都能夠在很公平情況下,以簡單方式來使用政府所有的網站及數位應用程式,成為非常重要的事。麻州政府將從下週起,著手增聘相關工作人員,以其政府每一部門都有專人來協助推動此事。

                   該行政命令只適用於行政部門,但鼓勵獨立機構、公立高等教育機構、其他憲法辦公室、司法機構和市政府參與該委員會,並採用與該委員會所推進的政策一致的政策,以最大程度地發揮其影響力。

「數位獲取及平等治理委員會 (Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board) 」成員包括:

             CIAO

           行政辦公室秘書

           州長的副首席幕僚,負責接觸和機會

           麻州殘疾人辦公室執行董事

           麻州聾人和重聽障人委員會委員

           麻州盲人委員會委員

           具有數字無障礙問題專業知識或生活經驗的公眾成員

Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Establishing Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board 

Order highlights Healey-Driscoll Administration’s dedication to provide a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible digital experience for everyone 

  

BOSTON – In the spirit of Disability Pride Month and on the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Governor Maura Healey, joined by Secretary Jason Snyder and representatives of the disability community, signed Executive Order #613, creating the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board to strengthen and advance digital accessibility and equity within the Commonwealth. The Board will be chaired by the newly-established position of Chief Information Technology Accessibility Officer (CIAO) within the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) and will work with Secretary Snyder to lead the active engagement in driving all digital applications to be fully functional and accessible for everyone.  Through ongoing monitoring, support for testing, and internal reporting, the Digital Accessibility and Equity Program will ensure that digital accessibility and equity standards are aligned across the executive department. 

 

“In Massachusetts, we strive to be a model for equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Through the leadership of Secretary Snyder and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, we’ve made significant progress on people-centric improvements to government digital services,” said Governor Healey. “The establishment of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board represents our commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities and making government more accessible and equitable for all.” 

 

“Our Administration remains committed to making government more inclusive and accessible, including for those who have disabilities and those who may have difficulty reading or speaking English,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This Executive Order is a major step toward achieving meaningful improvements to accessibility of government services and I look forward to supporting the Board in its important work.” 

 

“Today, a majority of people interact with state government online and everyone has unique challenges, perspectives, and life experiences that affect how they interact with state services online,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder. “When we build digital services for people with different needs, we build better for everyone.” 

 

The issue of IT Accessibility has been critically important and vital to many people within state government for over 30 years and as I always say, ‘you cannot go backwards in life,’ but I am ecstatic that we are taking this important issue forward,” said Massachusetts Office on Disability Executive Director Mary Mahon McCauley

 

Members of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board will include: 

·  The CIAO 

·  Secretaries of executive offices 

·  The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Access and Opportunity 

·  The Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability 

·  The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 

·  The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind 

·  Members of the public with expertise or lived experience with digital accessibility issues 

 

The CIAO and the Board will be supported in its mission to develop and implement strategies and platforms to promote best practices for digital accessibility and equity by the appointment of Secretariat IT Accessibility Officers (SIAOs) in each of the executive department’s secretariats. To ensure accountability and transparency with the public, metrics to track the progress of the Board will be displayed on a public-facing dashboard. 

 

While this Executive Order only pertains to the executive department, independent agencies, public institutions of higher education, other constitutional offices, the judiciaries, and municipalities are highly encouraged to participate with the Board and to adopt policies consistent with those advanced by the Board to maximize its impact. 

 

As the Commonwealth’s lead technology and cybersecurity secretariat, EOTSS is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the Administration’s information technology activities and ensuring that all executive department agencies adhere to its published standards, policies, and procedures. This enterprise approach provides a single, comprehensive framework and ensures that the Commonwealth is in alignment on all technology needs, including data privacy, cybersecurity risk management, and now digital accessibility and equity through the creation of the Digital Accessibility and Equity Program.