波士頓僑領陳毓璇葬禮哀榮備至

所有圖片由陳建立提供

This past Saturday, the Post said goodbye to one of our Post members, Bill Chin. Bill was a Korean War era veteran. He was drafted by the Boston draft board into the Army at the time of the cease fire on September 8, 1953 and was sent to basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. It was in Fort Dix that Bill befriended William Bulger, former state Senate president and former president of the University of Massachusetts. After basic training, he was sent to Army Intelligence School and afterwards was sent overseas, assigned to the United Nations Command Military Assistance Corps (UNCMAC)  and served as a translator for a year and a half of duty. On August 6, 1955, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. 

In 1984, Bill join the American Legion Chinatown Post 328 and became a life member in 1994. In the Chinatown community and around Boston, Bill was called "Uncle Billy". A restauranteur of the famed China Pearl restaurant and many other food establishments, he was also a very influential and active member of the community, who had helped hundreds of businesses and organizations grow in the area and supported many charitable organizations.

We salute you and we thank you for your service to our  Nation and our Chinatown community!

 

敬悼一代宗師懷念比利陳毓璇元老

 

比利叔叔享自由

保家衛國越千秋

老中青幼爭福利

東西社會一體求

 

事業有成助宗親

我為人人願出頭

民主參選要突破

華珍磋商去籌謀

 

廣教師生育新民

頤養天年非馬牛

公所中華又長袖

七人小組喜與憂

 

各色人種海陸空

無分貴賤交朋友

五湖四海百花放

靜氣平心共飄浮

 

佳音報訊翻譯傳

打開關係有料收

幽默風趣多詭計

口若懸河把月偷



元老英名垂宇宙

陳詩舊夢大江流

毓璇談笑真善美

感恩安息上層樓

 

舜裔篤親宗弟陳建立銘記

2021年12月18日

波士頓慈濟率隊掃街 華埠商區巷道面目一新

波士頓慈濟和波士頓僑教中心，華經會和華商會合作，今(18)日動員掃街。第二排左一波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，
前排左一余麗媖，右三長金滿，第二排右一陳裕逢。(周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟志工冬季送暖。(波士頓慈濟提供)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓慈濟和波士頓僑教中心，華經會和華商會合作，18日動員掃街，華埠商區主要街道瞬間面貌一新，更加可愛。

為使掃街更有效率，波士頓慈濟特地選在週六早上8點，街道上人行稀少的時候行動，在華埠牌樓前集合，領取了掃把，畚箕，垃圾袋後，戴上藍色手套，就分頭前往必珠街，乞臣街，泰勒街，夏利臣街，好事福街，愛丁保羅街等不同街道。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，以及張小慧，華商會的余麗媖，伍國光，波士頓慈濟年輕志工，由父母帶著一起來的高中生，以及波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿，慈濟波士頓華埠服務處的陳裕逢等，這天至少有20多人參加掃街義舉，其中有些人顯然並不熟悉華埠，拿著被分配到清掃的街道名稱，還要問這條街在哪兒。

有慈濟志工站在街頭，一眼望去，嚇了一跳地說，怎麼人行道和馬路邊有那麼多紙屑，尤其是黃、藍，咖啡等各種品牌，粗細不等的菸頭，幾乎遍地皆是，甚至還有好幾個一整袋垃圾，就這樣躺在路上。余麗媖在清掃必珠街時，還掃到一堆碎玻璃。

路過的民眾，有人輕聲說感謝，也有人互傳簡訊，形容這天在華埠街道看到好多人掃地，掃得好乾淨，簡直讓人有華埠面貌煥然一新的感覺，還問是不是有人要來檢查?

波士頓慈濟志工們當天掃街完畢後，回到設在華經會內的服務處，稍事休息後，又再出發，把整理好的一袋袋補給品，送到流浪漢手中，讓他們在寒冬中得到一點溫暖。

                         波士頓慈濟表示，最近他們在華埠的夏利臣街65號7樓，設立了服務處，除了每週二、三、六的早上10點有志工駐守，為到訪者服務之外，他們還希望能為華埠提供多方面服務，掃街，清潔市容只是其中之一，希望這些平時人來人往的街道，將來常保清潔，人們也會逐漸習慣”亮晶晶”的華埠街道。 (更新版)

波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿說明華埠掃街目的及預訂清掃街道。(周菊子攝)

長金滿請華經會及華商會董事余麗媖說明各街道位置。(周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟陳裕逢(右)。

波士頓慈濟志工清掃必珠街。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮也參加掃街，以實際行動支持清潔華埠。

波士頓慈濟志工清掃好事福街。

波士頓慈濟志工清掃泰勒街。

美中醫學交流協會講座談嗎啡止疼及新冠疫苗的效力

  加州南特凱捷健生物技術公司擔任生物藥理和免疫部主任劉西平。

     (Boston Orange) 美中醫學交流協會12月11日舉辦線上學術講座，談「嗎啡類藥物在慢性疼痛的應用」，「新冠疫苗-效力和應用」。講者茅建人教授認為地方上開設 “安全吸毒中心” 的做法堪議；劉西平博士認為疫苗混打更有效。

麻省總醫院疼痛醫學部主任的茅建人

                  美中醫學交流協會鑑於新冠病毒疫情還未消散，這次的學術講座在網上舉行，並特地邀請哈佛醫學院副教授林旭，加州大學爾灣分校教授胡克勤當主持人，介紹2位講者。

                哈佛大學醫學院麻醉研究Richard J. Kitz冠名教授，曾獲美國區域麻醉和疼痛醫學學會John J. Bonica獎，編輯出版過4本書，目前是麻省總醫院疼痛醫學部主任的茅建人指出，鴉片的確有止疼功效，但卻有使人上癮的危險，自從新冠病毒大流行以來，在美國之內的鴉片致死率顯著提升，頗令人憂慮。

哈佛醫學院副教授林旭

                 茅建人表示，病人有多疼，其實很難判斷，因為疼痛是個人的主觀感受，每個人的反應不一樣，很難有客觀可操作的評分標準。使用鴉片止疼的時間一長，原有的止痛作用反而可能變成至痛因素，這道理有時還又很難和病人溝通。

               一名出席者問茅建人怎麼看美國有些地方開設所謂的”安全吸毒中”，茅建人認為那是、引狼入室”的做法，還以不明智來形容。

             目前在加州南特凱捷健生物技術公司擔任生物藥理和免疫部主任的劉西平指出，新冠病毒是一種滅活(RNA)病毒，目前有111種疫苗正在進行臨床試驗，其中43種疫苗已進入測試的最後階段，9種疫苗獲得批准，16種疫苗獲得緊急使用授權，另外還有75種以上的疫苗，正在做動物實驗中。目前獲批准的新冠疫苗中，全都經過嚴格安全性和有效性評估，均含有新冠病毒刺突蛋白做為抗原，在降低發病風險上，平均來說有80%的有效率。

主持人加州大學爾灣分校教授胡胡克勤。

             他指出，世界衛生組織(WHO)是用希臘字母命名冠狀病毒變種的，五種關鍵變種的命名為在英國發現的Alpha，南非的Beta，巴西的Gamma，印度的Delta，以及南非的Omicron。其中Delta變種已經散佈到全球各地。在比較Delta和Omicron時，研究人員發現，Delta有7種變異，Omicron卻有32種變異，而且Omicron中的突變，可能影響抗體中和功能和S蛋白功能。

美中醫學交流協會會長孔學君

             劉西平還說明，默克(Merck)已經在10月11日向FDA申請了世界上的第一款新冠口服藥，莫納皮拉韋(Molnupiravir)的緊急使用授權，輝瑞 (Pfizer)也在11月15日宣佈，在該公司研發的口服抗病毒療法，Paxlovid的第二、第三期臨床實驗中，新冠病毒患者的住院和死亡風險顯著降低。

             西平在結語中表示，病毒變異不太可能使疫苗完全無效，只是現有疫苗對病毒變異的預防效果下降，而每個人對疫苗的反應不一，因此打加強劑在所難免，但他相信不久的將來，人們一定能征服新冠病毒。

             在回答出席會議者提問時，劉西平表示，混打疫苗的效果比只打單一種疫苗好。

             美中醫學交流協會會長孔學君在會末感謝主持人，講者以及出席者，說明礙於疫情，活動在網上舉行，期待疫情早日結束，就可以再次舉行實體會議。(部分內容由牛江河提供)

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Historic Selection of Offshore Wind Projects to Bring Clean, Affordable Power to the Commonwealth

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces Historic Selection of Offshore Wind Projects to Bring Clean, Affordable Power to the Commonwealth

Two Selected Projects Will Deliver 1,600 Megawatts of Clean Energy to Massachusetts’ Grid

  

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the selection of two offshore wind projects, Mayflower Wind and Vineyard Wind, to move forward to contract negotiations to provide a combined total of 1,600 megawatts (MW) of clean and affordable energy to Massachusetts ratepayers. The selected projects, in combination with two previous projects procured since Governor Charlie Baker signed comprehensive energy legislation in 2016, bring the total amount of offshore wind procured by the Administration to approximately 3,200 MW, enough clean energy to power 1.6 million homes. Today’s announcement, made by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides at the Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown, also advances critical economic development priorities for the Commonwealth while securing significant clean, affordable, and resilient energy for Massachusetts residents and businesses.

 

“Massachusetts has been a national leader in the offshore wind industry and today’s announcement is another major milestone with the selection of two projects that double the amount of offshore wind power secured by the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The bipartisan energy legislation our Administration worked with the Legislature to pass in 2016 has unlocked record low pricing and significant economic investment through three separate procurements, and the projects selected today further illustrate the potential offshore wind presents for our climate goals, our local workforce and our port communities.”

 

“This historic procurement builds on our administration’s continued investments in climate and clean energy policies that have helped reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These procurements have increased the emphasis on environmental justice and workforce diversity, maintained cost-effectiveness and increased the size and scale of the solicitation, securing significant benefits for Massachusetts ratepayers.”

 

The selected projects include a 400 MW proposal from Mayflower Wind and a 1,200 MW proposal from Vineyard Wind.  The Mayflower Wind and Vineyard Wind bids were selected for contract negotiations based on criteria established under a Request for Proposal (RFP) released by the Administration in May 2021. In this procurement, the Administration bids included enhanced criteria for economic evaluation of the benefits for ratepayers, the project’s ability to foster employment and economic development in the Commonwealth, the project’s environmental impacts and impacts on Environmental Justice (EJ) communities, the extent to which a project demonstrates that it avoids or mitigates impacts to regional commercial fisheries, and the bidder’s proposed plans to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of the project. As a result of a stringent review, a portfolio of proposals from both bidders was determined to provide the greatest overall value to Massachusetts customers by delivering a combined total of approximately 1,600 MW of offshore wind capacity per year while providing substantial ratepayer benefits.

 

During the bidding process, both Mayflower Wind and Vineyard Wind proposed wind energy at a competitive price and with substantial economic development opportunities for the Commonwealth. By selecting a portfolio of projects from both bidders, the Commonwealth will secure impressive investments in job creation and economic development. Bidders also responded to new provisions in the solicitation, included by the Administration for the first time, that required plans to support diversity, equity and inclusion, including Workforce Diversity and Supplier Diversity Program plans. Bidders were also required to describe proposed strategies to actively promote access to employment and contracting opportunities for minority, women, veterans, LGBT and persons with disabilities. Bidders also included assessments of impacts, both positive and negative, on EJ populations in the Commonwealth, and plans for investments and engagement with affected communities. The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) will work with the winning bidders to track and report on progress towards their commitments regarding economic development, environmental justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

 

“In structuring the Commonwealth’s third offshore wind procurement, the Baker-Polito Administration focused on delivering enhanced economic benefits for Massachusetts residents, affordable pricing for ratepayers, and the development of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce, and the projects selected through this competitive process deliver on those critical priorities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Offshore wind is the centerpiece of Massachusetts’ climate goals and our effort to achieve Net Zero emissions in 2050, and this successful procurement will build on our national clean energy leadership and the continued development of a robust offshore wind supply chain in the Commonwealth.”

 

“Commonwealth Wind is more than just one project, it is part of an effort to build a clean energy infrastructure including the transformation of ports around our state as well as jobs and training that will support this clean energy industry decades to come,” said President and CEO of Avangrid Renewables Offshore, Bill White.  “We are proud that Commonwealth Wind will help realize the vision of Governor Baker and the leaders of the Massachusetts Legislature in pioneering this new American industry.”

 

“We talk often of the jobs created directly by offshore wind but just as important to the success of this industry are the jobs that can and must be created in both the US supply chain and in the overall service of the industry,” said Lars T. Pedersen, CEO of Vineyard Wind.  “Commonwealth Wind builds on both of these goals by expanding the base of the industry to both the South Coast and the North Shore including bringing the first tier 1 manufacturer to the state, in addition to investing millions of dollars to increase diversity and inclusion, not to mention innovation.  We’re very proud of this project and truly honored to be selected by the Baker-Polito Administration.”

 

“This new agreement for an additional 400MW includes over $42 million in economic development initiatives across the South Coast region,” said Michael Brown, Chief  Executive Officer of Mayflower Wind Energy LLC. “In addition to creating approximately 14,000 jobs over the life of the project, we also will build our Operations and Maintenance port in Fall River and work with Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding of Somerset to design and build our crew transfer vessel. All of this is on top of the $77.5 million in benefits expected from the first 800 MW of the project. This win is the result of the extraordinary collaboration between our team and the many communities and stakeholders we have worked with over the past six months. It also reaffirms the quality and competitiveness of our bid which delivers immense community value and low-cost renewable energy.” 

 

“Today’s announcement moves Massachusetts one step closer to achieving the ambitious offshore wind energy goals that the Legislature is continuously advancing,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano. “We look forward to continuing our progress in making Massachusetts a national leader in clean energy.”

 

“This round sees a wise balance struck between economic development, on the one hand, and protection against excessively high monthly electric bills for families, on the other,” said Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change Chairman Michael J. Barrett. “Going forward, this can serve as a model for us. So today’s announcement is important in its own right and important as a valuable precedent.”

As part of the Administration’s RFP drafting process, for the first time under a Section 83C procurement, the Distribution Companies and DOER released the draft RFP for public review and received numerous public and stakeholder comments. The RFP built on the Commonwealth’s previous national leadership for offshore wind procurements, and included changes made in response to the public comments, consultations with state agencies, and lessons learned from prior solicitations. The RFP was also amended to address recommendations DOER made at the conclusion of its offshore wind energy transmission investigation.

 

The selection of a portfolio of projects from Mayflower Wind and Vineyard Wind concludes a rigorous solicitation and evaluation by DOER and the Commonwealth’s Electric Distribution Companies: Eversource, National Grid and Unitil. Additionally, the solicitation was monitored by an Independent Evaluator that was jointly chosen by DOER and the Office of the Attorney General and was responsible for overseeing the process to ensure that all proposals were evaluated in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner. 

 

The selection of a 1,600 MW portfolio of projects represents substantial progress towards the Commonwealth’s current authorization of 5,600 MW of offshore wind energy. The first procurement resulted in executed and approved contracts with the Vineyard Wind 1 project for 800 MW, the first large-scale offshore wind procurements in the United States. The second procurement resulted in executed and approved contracts with the Mayflower Wind Low-Cost Energy project for 804 MW of offshore wind. The combined energy output of the selected and contracted offshore wind projects represents approximately 25 percent of total Massachusetts annual electricity demand. 

 

“Massachusetts has pioneered the offshore wind development on the East Coast and today’s announcement marks our third commercial-scale offshore wind procurement off the Commonwealth’s shores and highlights the diverse economic and environmental benefits from this resource,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. “Cost-effective deployment of clean electricity is imperative to reach our long-term climate requirements and we are encouraged that this portfolio of projects build upon previous leadership by enhancing economic development benefits, improving equity and environmental justice within project plans, and maximizing the utilization of our existing transmission system.”

 

The final acceptance of the bid(s) and award of contract is conditional upon successful contract negotiations between the parties and regulatory approval at the DPU. At the time of contract filing with the DPU, a public filing will be provided by the Electric Distribution Companies detailing the evaluation process. Separately, the Independent Evaluator will prepare and submit a detailed public report on the evaluation process and outcome. Final project selection as a result of successful contract negotiations will be made public following submittal for regulatory approval. More information on the selected project, process, and timeline can be found here.

 

In March of 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that increased the Administration’s authorization to solicit an additional 2400 Megawatts of offshore wind, bringing the state’s total commitment to 5,600 Megawatts.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Grants to 25 Ecological Restoration Projects and Partnerships

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards Grants to 25 Ecological Restoration Projects and Partnerships

 

BOSTON – Seeking to strengthen community preparedness for large storms, improve climate-ready infrastructure, protect fisheries, wildlife, and river habitats, and restore floodplain habitat and flood storage capabilities, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) has awarded a total of nearly $1 million in grants through three programs. DER awarded $180,472 in state funds to support three partnerships through its new Regional Restoration Partnerships Program, $708,500 in state grant funds to nine Priority Ecological Restoration Projects, and $82,000 to a project that is part of DER’s Culvert Replacement Training Initiative, which provides direct technical assistance and funding to municipalities to advance the replacement of select municipally owned culverts at strategic locations throughout Massachusetts to provide convenient, centralized learning locations for local road managers.

 

“As the impacts associated with climate change are felt throughout the Commonwealth, our Administration continues to support projects in communities across the state that increase Massachusetts’ climate resilience,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This ecological restoration work directly aligns with our goals, which will have long lasting benefits within the many regions of the state.”

 

“Ecological restoration not only helps communities respond to climate change, but also benefits the environment, wildlife and the people of Massachusetts, who can continue to enjoy and experience our outdoor spaces,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We’re proud to support this work and will continue to work with cities and towns in all corners of the Commonwealth.

 

DER’s new Regional Restoration Partnerships Program seeks to build capacity of local and regional organizations to collaboratively advance restoration work, increasing the pace and scale of ecological restoration throughout the Commonwealth. Additionally, DER Priority Ecological Restoration Projects aid local partners in removing aging dams, replacing deteriorated culverts, rejuvenating historic wetlands, and restoring floodplain habitat and flood storage. Furthermore, DER has also designated 12 new river and wetland restoration projects as Priority Projects through the Priority Projects Program. These new projects will deliver significant ecological, climate resiliency, and economic benefits to communities across the Commonwealth.

 

“The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to support these projects that will deliver significant ecological and environmental benefits to communities across the Commonwealth and support strong and healthy partnerships among municipalities, local watershed groups, and other environmental organizations,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Partnerships are the cornerstone of our restoration efforts, and these projects will advance critical local priorities such as habitat restoration, culvert replacement, and flood mitigation through the climate-ready infrastructure.”

 

“The benefits of ecological restoration are unquestionable and it has been a privilege to watch the state’s restoration work grow and expand,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ronald Amidon. “I look forward to seeing all that’s to come from these projects and partnerships.”

 

DER’s new Regional Restoration Partnerships Program helps non-profit organizations and Regional Planning Agencies increase their capacity to lead and support ecological restoration within their regions through direct financial and technical assistance. Pairing partner strengths with the state's investments will empower networks of partners to restore rivers and wetlands and help people and nature adapt to climate change. The successful partnerships are supported for at least three years through the program as they plan and carry out ecological restoration actions. The awards announced today will support the first year of this work. The following three Partnerships were awarded grants through the Regional Restoration Partnerships Program via DER’s Capital Budget:

 

Berkshire Clean, Cold, Connected Restoration Partnership

Award: Housatonic Valley Association; $59,085

This award will support a network of organizations, agencies, and communities working for healthy aquatic systems in the Hoosic, Housatonic, and Farmington River watersheds. The partnership will build local and regional capacity for planning and implementing restoration projects that restore degraded aquatic ecosystems and increase climate change resiliency, such as habitat connectivity projects and stream corridor restoration projects. This year’s funds will be used to assess and prioritize critical ecological restoration opportunities, such as road-stream crossing replacements, and to support partners contributing to planning efforts.

 

Buzzard’s Bay Watershed Restoration Partnership

Award: Buzzard’s Bay Coalition; $59,834

This award will support a network of towns, local land trusts, and private landowners throughout the Buzzard’s Bay region working to implement strategic ecological restoration and land conservation projects. The partnership will build local and regional capacity for restoration and will pursue high priority projects such as river and stream barrier removal, salt marsh restoration, and wetland restoration on retiring cranberry farms. This year’s funds will be used to evaluate restoration needs and opportunities, address information gaps, and develop a project prioritization model that weighs elements such as ecological benefit, climate resilience benefit, financial feasibility, and social readiness and other cultural benefits.

 

Merrimack Restoration Partnership

Award: Merrimack River Watershed Council; $61,553

This award will support a diverse network of partners and stakeholders to develop a strategic restoration vision at the watershed scale, implement high-visibility projects, fill a climate-resilience education gap, and increase connections between agencies, community leaders, landowners, and practitioners. The partnership will support river and stream barrier removal projects, in-stream habitat enhancement/restoration and climate resilience activities, and riparian restoration and floodplain connectivity work in the Merrimack River watershed. This year’s funds will be used to develop restoration planning and feasibility studies, public education and communication tool development, and to support partners working on implementation activities. 

 

The Priority Projects Program is one of the vehicles by which DER pursues restoration projects that present the greatest benefit to the Commonwealth ecologically, socially, and economically. The 10 established Priority Projects that are receiving funding today include wetland restoration, dam removal, floodplain reconnection, culvert replacement, and cranberry bog restoration projects which restore healthy habitat while also helping communities prevent storm damage, address aging infrastructure, and improve outdoor recreation. Once completed, these Priority Projects will provide significant social, environmental, and economic benefits to the Commonwealth and local communities. The following nine projects were awarded funds through DER’s Priority Projects Program via DER’s Capital Budget:

 

Abbey Brook Restoration & Revitalization/Bemis Pond Dam Removals, Chicopee

Award: City of Chicopee; $100,000

This award will support the design and permitting for the Abbey Brook Restoration and Revitalization Project, which includes the removal of two dams, replacement of an undersized road-stream crossing, and daylighting a culverted reach of stream along Abbey Brook in Chicopee. DER and the City of Chicopee are partnering with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission on this effort, which will eliminate the risk to public safety posed by the aging dams, reduce flood risk, restore natural river processes, improve water quality, and enhance recreational opportunities. 

 

Broad Meadow Brook Restoration, Worcester

Award: Massachusetts Audubon Society; $30,000

This award will support hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) modeling and development of restoration design options for restoration of the Broad Meadow Brook wetland and stream system in southeast Worcester. Mass Audubon, the City of Worcester, and DER are partnering to restore hydrologic connection within a degraded wetland, restore floodplain connection of the stream and its riparian corridor, reduce flooding risk to the adjacent neighborhoods, improve habitat and water quality, and enhance visitor experience of recreational trails within this vital urban open space.

 

Ipswich River Restoration/Ipswich Mills Dam Removal, Ipswich

Award: Ipswich River Watershed Association; $45,000

This award will support subsurface investigations to facilitate dam removal design advancement for the removal of the Ipswich Mills Dam, a head-of-tide dam on the Ipswich River. Its removal will provide access to spawning habitat for a range of fish species. Additional partners on this project include the Town of Ipswich, the Division of Marine Fisheries, the NOAA Restoration Center, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Manhan River Restoration/Lyman Pond Dam Removal, Southampton

Award: private dam owner; $150,000

This award will support the removal of the Lyman Pond Dam as part of the Manhan River Restoration Project. DER is partnering with the private dam owner, American Rivers, Mass Audubon, the Nature Conservancy, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on this effort. This project will eliminate the threat of dam failure and will reconnect 27 miles of high quality coldwater habitat in the Manhan River for fish and wildlife.

 

Mattapoisett Bogs Restoration, Mattapoisett

Award: Buzzards Bay Coalition; $50,000

This award will support design and permitting for the Mattapoisett Bogs Restoration project, which will restore 57 acres of retired cranberry farmland to a naturalized, self-sustaining wetland system. DER and Buzzards Bay Coalition are partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service on this effort. This project will restore connectivity to Tripps Mill Brook, improve habitat for fish and wildlife, rejuvenate wetlands, re-naturalize water flow through the site, and improve public access.

 

Mill Brook Headwaters Restoration, Chilmark

Award: Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Inc.; $33,500

This award will support the replacement of a culvert as part of the Mill Brook Headwaters Restoration project. The goals of this project are to implement one of the first culvert replacement projects on Martha’s Vineyard to restore ecological functions including fish and wildlife passage and to provide reliable access across Mill Brook.

 

Town River Restoration/High Street Dam Removal, Bridgewater

Award: Town of Bridgewater; $150,000

This award will support the removal of the of the High Street Dam, replacement of the aging High Street Bridge over Town River, and protection and enhancement of surrounding infrastructure and public utilities as part of the Town River Restoration project. The Town and DER are partnering with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the Nature Conservancy, the private dam owner, the NOAA Restoration Center, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on this effort. The project will improve fish access to historic spawning and rearing habitat, reduce area flood risk, eliminate the threat to public safety posed by sudden failure of the dam, and improve public access to the river.

 

Traphole Brook Dam Removal, Norwood

Award: Town of Norwood; $100,000

This award will support the removal of the Mill Pond Dam on Traphole Brook and will work to restore Traphole Brook through the former impoundment. Traphole Brook is a Coldwater Fishery Resource that is home to one of the few remaining wild Eastern brook trout populations in the greater Boston area. This work will also increase the storm resiliency of an important town road at the head of the impoundment.

 

Ware River Restoration/Wheelwright Pond Dam Removal, Hardwick

Award: Wheelwright Water District Commission; $50,000

This award will support pre-removal groundwater monitoring as part of the Ware River Restoration Project, which includes the removal of the Wheelwright Pond Dam. Partners include the private dam owner, the East Quabbin Land Trust, and the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. The project will open 41 upstream river miles, improve habitat for Eastern brook trout and other state-listed species, and restore natural river processes.

 

In addition to these newly funded Priority Projects, a further $82,000 in state capital funds was awarded for the following Culvert Replacement Training Site:

 

East Rindge Road Culvert Replacement Training Site, Ashburnham

Award: Town of Ashburnham; $82,000

This award will support design, engineering, and permitting-related tasks for a culvert replacement on Bluefield Brook in preparation for replacement. Upgrading this culvert will mitigate flooding, increase community resilience and improve aquatic connectivity. The site has been identified as a top 5% culvert for replacement by the Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool. This project will also provide training opportunities to the region as part of DER’s Culvert Training Initiative and is expected to inform future culvert replacements in the watershed.

 

Through the Priority Projects Program, DER selects projects that advance the mission to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. Projects are selected through a competitive process for Priority Project designation. Today, the Administration announces the designation of 12 projects to Priority Project status, which will make them eligible to receive technical assistance from DER staff, technical services by qualified contractors, and/or direct funding. These projects will restore retired cranberry bogs and wetlands, remove dams, and replace culverts. Of the 12 new projects, three will receive “provisional” status in order to determine their long-term readiness for implementation. Including these new designations, more than 65 active ecological restoration projects throughout the state are currently designated as Priority Projects. To review a list of projects, please visit the Department of Fish & Game’s DER Priority Projects Map webpage. The newly designated Priority Projects include:

 

Bayview Cranberry Bog Restoration, Yarmouth

Partner: Cape Cod Conservation District

This project will construct a wetland and stream restoration project that enhances coastal resilience, habitat, water quality, and public open space at Bayview Bogs, an approximately 90-acre parcel with almost 50 acres of uplands and 44 acres of wetlands, including 18 acres of former cranberry bogs.

 

Church Manufacturing Co. Dam Removal/Chicopee Brook Restoration, Monson

Partner: private dam owner

This project will remove a dam on Chicopee Brook. The removal will reconnect a segment of Chicopee Brook, remove unneeded infrastructure, eliminate the potential risk to public safety associated with a dam failure, and get rid of any future repair, maintenance, and dam operation liabilities.

 

Frost Fish Creek Restoration, Chatham

Partner: Chatham Conservation Foundation

This project will enhance ecosystem services and benefits within the Frost Fish Creek estuary by restoring natural tidal exchange and stream flow to extensive estuarine habitats and freshwater wetlands.

 

Larkin Road Dam Removal/Parker River Restoration, Newbury

Partner: Town of Newbury

This project will remove the Larkin Road Dam and associated structures to restore fish passage through the formerly impounded reach. It will also restore water quality, aquatic habitat connectivity, and natural riverine sediment regimes. 

 

Long Pond Brook Restoration and Dam Removals, Great Barrington

Partner: Bard College at Simon’s Rock

This project will restore a portion of Long Pond Brook by reestablishing connectivity to Seekonk Brook and Green River, extending coldwater habitat and improving movement of aquatic organisms up into Long Pond Brook.

 

Ryder’s Cove Restoration, Chatham

Partner: Massachusetts Department of Transportation

This project will restore salt marsh, increase tidal flow, and restore significant estuarine habitat in the Frost Fish Creek watershed for the natural reproduction and benefit of several public trust species including river herring, American shad, striped bass, and rainbow smelt.

 

Talbot Mills Dam Removal/Concord River Restoration, Billerica

Partner: OARS

This project will remove the Talbot Mills Dam, restore diadromous fish passage in the Concord River, improve riverine ecological health, enhance river-based recreation, eliminate a public safety hazard, and increase climate change resiliency by reducing upstream flooding.

 

Upper Bass River Restoration, Yarmouth/Dennis

Partner: Friends of Bass River

This project will replace an undersized culvert that restricts tidal flow in the upper portion of the Bass River, replace a crushed and undersized culvert that inhibits fish passage, and implement wetland and stream restoration in approximately 57 acres of abandoned cranberry farmland to restore habitat, improve water quality, increase public access to Town-owned land, and promote recreational use.

 

Whitney Pond Dam Removal, Ashburnham

Partner: Town of Ashburnham

This project will remove a hazardous dam, eliminating a liability for the town, reestablishing the hydrologic connectivity of the upper Whitman River Watershed, restoring the natural flow and temperature regimes, and providing unimpeded nutrient transport and fish and wildlife passage between upstream and downstream wetlands.

 

DER’s recommended “Provisional” Priority Projects include:

• Malden Brook Restoration/Edwards Pond Dam Removal, West Boylston, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
• Marstons Mills Cranberry Bog Restoration, Marstons Mills, Barnstable, in partnership with Barnstable Clean Water Coalition
• Old Swamp River Dam Removal, Weymouth, in partnership with the Town of Weymouth

 

“The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to support these efforts to restore and protect our waterways for the benefit of both people and the environment,” said DER Director Beth Lambert. “Investment in this work is critical and we look forward to seeing increased climate resilience, improved habitat, and all the other benefits to come.”

 

“I am very pleased the Town of Bridgewater has been selected to receive $150,000 to support the Town River Restoration project,” said Dean of the Massachusetts Senate Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton). “By removing the High Street Dam and replacing the aging High Street Bridge, this initiative will improve local infrastructure, protect the freshwater ecosystem, reduce flood risk, ensure public safety, and provide better public access to the river. Thanks and congratulations to all those who contributed to this successful grant proposal on behalf of the Town of Bridgewater.”  

 

“I am happy that Bridgewater was chosen to receive these funds for this important project,” said Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater). “This funding will help update our adjacent infrastructure. Thank you to the administration.”  

 

“I am thrilled to hear the announcement of the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game priority project grant from the Division of Ecological Restoration for the Ipswich River Restoration/Ipswich Mills Dam Removal,” said Representative Jamie Zahlaway Belsito (D-Topsfield). “This project is essential for the future health and wellness of our district’s most treasured water resource, the Ipswich River.  The $45,000 grant will allow continued work with the Ipswich River Watershed Association, the Town of Ipswich, the Division of Marine Fisheries, the NOAA Restoration Center, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to obtain the remaining necessary information on structural and technical issues on dam removal design, for us to achieve a healthy and sustainable Ipswich River.”

 

The mission of the Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is responsible for promoting the conservation and enjoyment of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land protection and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and wildlife species, and ecological restoration of fresh water, salt water, and terrestrial habitats. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

吳弭指派海地移民後裔BRIANNA MILLOR出任社區參與長

MAYOR WU APPOINTS BRIANNA MILLOR AS CHIEF OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Millor charged with bringing City Hall out of City Hall, building community connections

 

BOSTON - Friday, December 17, 2021 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that Brianna Millor will serve as the City of Boston’s next Chief of Community Engagement, effective January 3, 2021. In this role, Millor will lead the Community Engagement Cabinet, which seeks to improve the delivery of City Services as well as create opportunities for all Boston residents to participate in local government. She is charged with bringing City Hall out of City Hall and into our communities, meeting residents where they are to deliver services and drive community connection. “To deliver on the bold changes our communities need and deserve, we must connect and empower every resident to be part of shaping our collective future,” said Mayor Wu. “I’m inspired by Brianna’s love for community and for Boston. She has been a trusted advisor and passionate community advocate, and I am so excited for her leadership in this role.” A Dorchester native and the daughter of a Haitian immigrant, Millor brings years of local government experience to the Community Engagement Cabinet. Her background in community organizing has informed her work at City Hall. As a high school student, she became involved in Bold Teens, a Dorchester-based organization that focuses on environmental and social justice issues, and emphasizes community voice in public decision-making. In 2016, she joined Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign, where she worked on voter engagement strategies ahead of the New Hampshire Primary. After first joining the City Council President’s Office under Mayor Wu in 2016 as a Communications Intern, she returned in 2018 as Administrative Director and later as Civic Engagement Director. Millor has represented Mayor Wu’s Council Office on the Board of ABCD and previously served on ABCD’s Neighborhood Programs/Planning & Evaluation (NPPE) Committee. She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University with a Bachelors in Political Science and a Masters Degree in Public Relations. “I am honored and excited to lead the Office of Community Engagement, and to continue serving our city’s residents under Mayor Wu,” said Millor. “My experiences at City Hall have affirmed my love and commitment to my community and the city that raised me, and I am eager to facilitate in connecting residents to city government in new and creative ways.” The Office of Community Engagement leads our city’s work towards eliminating silos between Boston residents and City Hall and better connecting community engagement and policy-making, driving decision-making through both proactive and responsive engagement by meeting residents where they are, in the community. The Civic Engagement Cabinet also includes the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS). ONS encourages, facilitates, and maximizes citizen input and participation in all aspects of government through service requests, neighborhood meetings, mailings, and emergency responses. Millor lives in Dorchester and enjoys spending time with her family.