蓋茲基金會大手筆投資Tessera 鐮狀細胞病基因療法 金額上看五千萬元

           (Boston Orange 編譯) 位於尚莫維爾市 (Somerville)的一家基因編寫公司Tessera Therapeutics 18日宣佈，比爾和梅琳達·蓋茨基金會 (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) 正投資該公司，支持鐮狀細胞病 (sickle cell disease) 項目進入臨床階段。投資總額可能高達5000萬元。

Tessera Therapeutics是位於劍橋市的風險創投公司旗艦先鋒 (Flagship Pioneering)於2018年衍生出來的一家基因編寫公司，2021年時在B輪融資中募得2億3000萬元，然後在2022年再募得3億元。

這家生物技術公司位於尚莫維爾市的博因頓廣場（Boynton Yards），以一種稱為“基因寫入”的技術而聞名，該技術將治療資訊寫入基因組，從源頭上治療疾病。該公司稱其擁有一個專屬的脂質納米顆粒遞送平臺，容許RNA在人 體內遞送到目標細胞類型。

 Tessera 表示，該公司正在鑽研的鐮狀細胞病治療方法將能夠以在 “體內”，或稱在身體之內的一次性靜脈注射，來糾正鐮狀細胞突變。

Vertex 製藥和藍鳥生物 (bluebird bio Inc.) 這兩家公司最近獲得批准的鐮狀細胞病治療方法，涉及在人體之外收集並修飾病人自己的血液幹細胞，所謂的「體外」。做這種治療的病人須接受高劑量化療，以從骨髓去除細胞，好藉由造血幹細胞的移植，更換上修飾過的細胞。

Tessera 表示，該公司的目標是經由體內，而不是體外的方式，讓病人免於複雜的幹細胞大動作或毒性化療處理。

Tessera執行長 Michael Severino在一份新聞稿中表示，”全球的鐮狀細胞病人現在可有的治療選擇，仍然嚴重不足。我們很興奮藥研發出一個我們相信，對鐮狀細胞病人來說，比體外基因療法具顛覆性，更安全、容易，而且更有可擴充性的一次性根治療法”。他們期待在可能重塑全世界鐮狀細胞病治療方法的基因醫藥上更進一步。

Tessera未說明蓋茲基金會的初始投資規模。

GIFFORDS防止槍枝暴力法律中心稱麻州為全美最安全的州

 Massachusetts Ranked Safest State in the Country  

Massachusetts earned an “A” for leading gun safety laws from the GIFFORDS Law Center, lowest rate of gun deaths in country 

BOSTON – This week, the GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence named Massachusetts the safest state in the country for having the lowest rate of gun deaths. Massachusetts received an A grade for its strong gun laws, ranking 5^th in the country. 

“Massachusetts is the best state to live, work and raise a family in large part because we prioritize public safety. No parent should have to worry whether their child will be safe at school or on the playground,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re proud to be named the safest state in the nation and to receive an A grade for our strong gun laws, which was made possible by the strong leadership of our Legislature. Together, we’ll keep working to enhance safety in all of our communities and save lives.” 

"As a former Mayor, I know that partnership and collaboration are key to ensuring we move forward as a state. This ranking recognizes the work of our local, state and federal leaders who make public safety a priority and further proves that strong gun laws lead to fewer deaths,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This national recognition is a testament to the strength of the laws here in Massachusetts, and we are proud to continue the work to ensure Massachusetts remains the safest state.”  

“Massachusetts has some of the lowest gun death rates in the country, and that is no coincidence. Massachusetts’ A grade on the GIFFORDS Annual Scorecard is proof of how effective commonsense gun laws are in saving lives. Americans care about safety—every family wants to know that they are free to live peacefully without the constant fear of gun violence hanging over their heads. Fortunately, we have a roadmap to that reality,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director of GIFFORDS. 

Earlier this year, Governor Healey signed An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws (H.4885), which is the state’s most significant gun safety legislation to date. This legislation bans ghost guns, also known as 3-D printer guns, strengthens the Extreme Risk Protection Order statute to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others, and invests in violence prevention programs. GIFFORDS cited these provisions in their ranking of Massachusetts. 

“The “A” grade that Massachusetts received from the GIFFORDS Law Center is representative of the work that we have done to ensure that the Commonwealth will continue to have the lowest gun death rate in America. I’m incredibly proud of the historic gun safety law that the Legislature passed earlier this year, legislation that I hope can be a model for other states going forward,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey and our colleagues in the Senate for their partnership on this issue, as well as former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the GIFFORDS Law Center for the critical work that they continue to do to reduce gun violence across the country.” 

"This year the Legislature blazed the trail forward on gun safety, making changes to our gun laws that will save lives while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "In Massachusetts we will not waver in protecting our communities from gun violence, and I'm heartened to see our efforts be recognized by GIFFORDS, which has never ceased advocating for a country safe from gun violence." 

GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence’s Annual Gun Law Scorecard grades and ranks each state on the strength of its gun laws. The comprehensive, 50-state analysis reflects that states with stronger gun laws have lower gun death rates and save lives. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Proposes Higher Reimbursement Rates for Child Care Providers

Healey-Driscoll Administration Proposes Higher Reimbursement Rates for Child Care Providers  

Proposal boosts payment rates for providers with a focus on infant and toddler care  

LOWELL – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today made a proposal to the Board of Early Education and Care to increase the amount the state reimburses early education and care providers who accept child care financial assistance, known as rates. The proposed increase would invest $22.5 million provided in the fiscal year 2025 budget to continue the state’s progress on moving toward a rate structure and payment levels informed by the cost of providing care, with a particular focus on adjusting rates for infant and toddler care for center-based programs, while also addressing increased operational costs for all providers. 

“Our administration is committed to making child care more affordable and accessible. These proposed rates build on the transformational changes we made last year for our hardworking providers, while increasing affordability for our low-income families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re proud that Massachusetts continues to lead the way in setting rates that better reflect the cost of care so our providers can invest in their educators and programming, families can continue to access care that meets their needs, and we can reduce child care costs for families.”  

“In Massachusetts, we are investing in child care so that regardless of zip code or economic background, our youngest learners receive the high-quality education they need to succeed in school and life. Improving child care financial assistance – from rates, policies and regulations and IT systems – is an essential part of this work,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am excited to see more about the impact these important proposed changes could bring to our state, making Massachusetts a more affordable place to live, learn and work.”  

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) reimburses providers of child care and out-of-school time programs that serve families receiving child care financial assistance with a daily per child reimbursement rate. These rates provide direct needs-based financial assistance to increase families’ purchasing power in the market and help pay for the cost of care. The proposed rates package includes: 

• A 1-2 percent cost of living adjustment to rates for all child care financial assistance providers to address increasing operational costs, 
• Targeted increases to infant and toddler center-based rates in specific regions, the age groups where the rates are farthest from the cost of providing care, and 
• Raises center-based program rates to at least 73% of the cost of care based on a 2024 updated cost analysis. 

Last year, EEC, with approval from the Board, used the cost of care for the first time to inform adjustments to rates and earlier this calendar year was one of the first six states in the country federally approved to move forward with an alternative methodology when setting rates for child care financial assistance. The transformational changes made to rates last year were based on an analysis done by the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) to understand the extent to which the state’s rates covered the cost of care and ways the agency could simplify the rate structure and address geographic inequities.  

Today’s proposal continues the administration’s progress on using the cost of care to bring all rates closer to the true cost of care. This past spring, EEC contracted with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to update, refine, and expand the cost models, which informed this year’s proposal. Updated cost data reveal that program costs increased significantly over the past two years. One key finding is that almost all FY24 center-based infant and toddler rates are now below 80 percent of the 2024 cost of care.  

“Our administration believes that expanding access to more affordable, high-quality early education and care is the first step to ensuring every child has access to the education they deserve, regardless of their circumstances or background,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “These proposed rate changes continue our efforts to transform the state’s child care financial assistance system to be the system that our students, families and early education and care providers deserve.”  

“We have been focused on making our child care financial assistance programs family focused, accessible, dignified and equitable,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By continuing to make progress on our rates better reflect the cost of care, with an intentional focus on equity through targeted increases that focus on closing the biggest gaps between our rates and the cost of care, we are enabling our providers to better recruit and retain their staff and invest in high-quality initiatives without transferring those costs onto families.”  

“I am grateful for the Board and the Healey-Driscoll administration’s partnership and continued efforts to promote, and support programs to provide equitable, affordable and accessible, high-quality early education and care across Massachusetts. Together last year, and with support from the Legislature, we made transformational changes to how the state thinks about and sets rates. Thank you to Commissioner Kershaw and her team for their thoughtful, data driven rate proposal this year that builds off those changes. The Board looks forward to this continued conversation and work ahead,” said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care.  

The full list of proposed rates can be found online. The Board of Early Education and Care plans to vote on this proposal this winter. 

Relatedly, Boston University and Brandeis University, in partnership with EEC, received a federal research grant to study child care financial assistance rates and the impact of rates on family access to care and program participation in the child care financial assistance system. As part of this work, they conducted focus groups last spring with early education and care programs on the impact of the rate changes over the past two years. Many participating programs were appreciative of the new higher rates, especially for those whose reimbursement rates are now much closer to their private pay prices. Programs indicated that they used the increases for operational expenses, necessary program improvements or increased staffing. While a step in the right direction, some providers did note the increases were not yet close enough to the true price of providing care. Here is a sampling of the feedback received: 

“Last year’s [reimbursement rate increase], for us, was really helpful. To the point that the finance director for our agency said to me, ‘Is this right?’. You know this is way more than what we’ve experienced.” (Participating Center) 

“For us, [the reimbursement rates] are so much better. You know, which is great. I think for toddler or preschoolers we’re at like […] 73% or 72% of […] what our private pays. And with infants and toddlers, it’s in the 90s, which is great.” (Participating Center) 

“We have actually increased our staffing. You know, we initially had [increased our staffing] during COVID for health and safety […] reasons. And we’ve kept that, which I guess, indirectly, might enable us to be more effective with high needs children.” (Participating Center) 

黃周麗桃等人統籌 為麻州長Maura Healey舉辦今年首場亞裔籌款會

黃周麗桃(右二)、黃國麟(左一)夫婦等人為麻州州長Maura Healey(左二)舉辦籌款會。
新上任的全美黃氏宗親會美東副總長黃偉建(右一)也出席支持。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 「She has my number (她有我的號碼)」。 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 12月16日出現在波士頓黃氏宗親會婦女部，指著為她舉辦籌款會的黃周麗桃這樣說。

黃周麗桃(右一)和黃氏婦女部送給Maura Healey州長(右三)一件中式長衫，以及
多條美麗絲巾。(周菊子攝)

              奚莉州長這天十分親切，在黃周麗桃的引介下，和出席籌款會的支持者們一一握手寒暄，看到黃周麗桃特地引介，包括幾名麻省理工學院在學，或已畢業的年輕人，尤其開心，直言麻州就需要這樣年輕又有才華的年輕人來為州民們謀福利。

黃周麗桃(左一)、陳仕維(右)等人為麻州州長Maura Healey
舉辦籌款會。(周菊子攝)

              奚莉州長稱許、感謝黃周麗桃所組成，包括陳仕維、周樹昂、黃氏婦女部等人的籌款團隊，強調她和副州長Kim Driscoll每天都想著要讓華埠、波士頓市，以及整個麻州人民生活得更好，想著要多建住宅，好讓租金下降，房屋變得更可負擔，耆英也能平等的有地方居住。他們還十分關注賦能社區，和小企業攜手合作，甚至指派郝伊平 (Yvonne Hao)出任麻州有史以來第一位經濟發展廳廳長 (Secretary of Economic Development)，積極幫助少數族裔、婦女所經營的微型、小型企業。

在黃周麗桃開場後，周樹昂做州長介紹。(周菊子攝)

             奚莉州長強調，居住是個大議題，她的政府希望能讓麻州世世代代都能夠住在麻州，企業主能順利招聘到人才，讓MIT之類的人才能夠繼續拓展麻州的生命科學研發成就，還要投資進環境及氣候科技，應用型人工智慧。她要麻州成為前述各項的全球首都。

              奚莉州長也簡述了她上任以來的成就，包括人們可免費上社區學院等。

              奚莉州長直言，2025年，美國將有新政府，大家還不知道未來會如何，但她麾下的麻州政府將會和新政府合作，以俾麻州過去兩年來在基礎建設、交通上的投資，能夠繼續。她指出，過去2年來，她的政府為麻州帶回80億元的聯邦經費，她希望麻州政府能夠保持這樣的成果。

黃周麗桃(左一)招呼出席者和州長Maura Healey合影。 (周菊子攝)

              她們還將持續維護人權，保護人民的自由，尤其是人們已聽到，川普總統所指派的伊些人有歧視或不公平的行為，分裂社區，所以麻州的人必須更堅強的保護人權。

              自從陳毓璇、陳毓禮兄弟相繼於2021年、2023

左起，余寶愛、陳仕維、譚達兒，右起伍鍾美貞、伍輝民、雷國輝
等人出席麻州州長籌款會。(周菊子攝)

年辭世後，大波士頓華人社區迄今尚無一人在麻州及波士頓市政壇有他們倆一樣的政治影響力，但前人種樹，後人遮陰，這兩兄弟有如以身作則的示範了，要有政治影響力，要左右與華埠或華人相關政策，得有錢、有人，也就是能為政治人物提供政治獻金，籌募競選款項，在社區內有足夠影響力，能夠帶風向的把選票帶出來。

             基於這因素，過去這些年間，波士頓華人圈有不少人為政治人物辦過籌款會，李超榮、陳仕維等人之外，臺僑社區也有康麗雪也曾經在波士頓市長吳弭競選時，為她辦過籌款會。

麻州州長Maura Healey(左三)和波士頓華商會成員合影。 (周菊子攝)

              也有部分人士，藉由個人捐款，爭取到了當選者的格外關注，包括華盛頓街上的南北和餐廳老闆，書法家梅宇國等人。

              2024年一整年，由大波士頓華人為麻州州長奚莉舉辦的籌款會，卻只有黃周麗桃發起的這一場。

麻州長Maura Healey和到場的年輕人握手。(周菊子攝)

              據可靠消息來源，為州長級人馬舉辦籌款會，需承諾至少籌得25000元，才能邀得州長親自出席。12月16日這天，約有70人出席，不但籌得的款項超過前述額度，黃周麗桃和黃氏婦女們還送給奚莉州長一件絲繡中長外套，多條高品質絲巾，彰顯了亞裔所辦籌款會的與眾不同。

黃周麗桃找了幾名年輕人到會場幫忙。(周菊子攝)

麻州州長Maura Healey和部分出席婦女合影。(周菊子攝)

麻州州長Maura Healey和部分出席婦女合影。(周菊子攝)

新英格蘭台灣商會2024尾牙 喜見年輕人

新英格蘭大波士頓臺灣商會幹部們，右起副會長蔡高進，會長王志維，
秘書長高名震，副會長彭聲翔，財務長林鳳池等人歡迎波士頓
僑教中心主任高家富(右三)出席。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會 (TCCNE) 12月15日中午在摩頓市的火鍋自助餐廳五味樓，舉辦2024年尾牙餐會，60多人歡聚一堂，享用美食，抽獎，舊雨新知相見歡的場面十分溫馨。

新英格蘭大波士頓臺灣商會尾牙有60多人出席。(周菊子攝)

              臺商會會長王志維介紹該會副會長蔡高進、彭聲翔，秘書長高名震，以及該會財務長林鳳池，資深理事蔡明機、李台等人後，還歡迎波士頓僑教中心主任高家富，衛斯理豐田汽車代理創辦人柯乃南等嘉賓到會，說明該會資深理事蔡坤喜醫師當天因事不克出席，但特地準備了大紅包，增添尾牙的抽獎樂趣。

              該會新任秘書長，在施耐德電氣公司做全球營銷的高名震接著邀請當天到會的友會代表致詞，包括波士頓台灣影展協會新任共會長蔡景全，紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君，波士頓世衛協進會共會長Riva Chan等人。

衛斯理豐田汽車代理創辦人柯乃南勉勵年輕人參加商會。(周菊子攝)

              TCCNE跨入新年度，有意在扶持會員創業上加強力道，尾牙這天，特地請創業有成的柯乃南簡述了一下他的創業經歷。

              柯乃南表示自己創業迄今50多年，如今81歲。他覺得，不管是修車或者開洗衣店，做生意最重要的基礎就是要照顧客戶，對員工友好，生意才會蓬勃發展。他笑說商會是個分享經驗、互相學習的好平台，希望看見更多年輕人加入，希望自己明年依舊很健康，可以繼續參加台商會尾牙聚會。

TCCNE副會長蔡高進(左)把賽諾菲全球醫療主任鄭宇辰
這位青年才俊介紹給商會。(周菊子攝)

              波士頓僑教中心主任高家富在致詞時稱許台商會這活動，讓人看到臺灣人的非常團結，彼此和善相處。他代表波士頓僑教中心，以及僑委會委員長徐佳青、波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，祝福商會同仁新的一年心想事成，身體健康。

MIT電機博士生陳孟圻(右)和妻子呂佳燕(左)歡迎辦活動，
想要擺賣車輪餅的仁和他們聯繫。(周菊子攝)

              今年的臺商會尾牙還有一個特色，包括把台灣的車輪餅帶到波士頓的MIT電機工程博士生陳孟圻，才從臺灣調到波士頓僅約10個月的賽諾菲(Sanofi)製藥公司全球醫療主任鄭宇辰等，明顯的有了更多年輕人參加。

波士頓台灣影展協會共會長蔡景全(中)。(周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣世衛協進會共會長Riva Chan。(周菊子攝)

TCCNE資深理事蔡明機和財政林鳳池(左)。(周菊子攝)

TCCNE前會長歐陽露、林才民，前任副會長林思妤、現任副會長蔡高進
已共事多年。(謝開明攝)

牙醫師李台(前中)也是TCCNE資深理事。(周菊子攝)

TCCNE會長王志維(左)請新任秘書長高名震(右)介紹自己。(周菊子攝)

TCCNE尾牙的一大特色是交換禮物。(周菊子攝)

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $4 Million for Large Scale Renovations at Early Education and Out-of-School Time Programs

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $4 Million for Large Scale Renovations at Early Education and Out-of-School Time Programs

 

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) has awarded $4 million for large scale capital projects at six center-based early education and care programs that serve low-income families. These grants are through Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) capital funding to acquire property or renovate a facility, expanding capacity and promoting quality learning environments for young children. The funding will improve program facilities, add classrooms, and aim to increase the number of state-subsidized child care spots across Massachusetts, which will lower costs for families.

 

“We are focused on making early education and care more affordable, accessible and equitable across the state. Providing capital funding to programs is an essential part of that work, helping families struggling with the high cost of living make ends meet and ensuring their kids can get a high-quality education in modernized facilities. That’s why we increased funding for this program in our capital plan, and it is great to see that funding at work to build more child care programs and expand capacity,” said Governor Maura Healey.

 

“The Governor and I have had the privilege of traveling around the state and visiting some of our incredible child care programs, where kids have access to innovative and high-quality outdoor and indoor spaces that spark curiosity and promote learning and exploration. I am grateful that we are able to provide programs with the financial resources they need to invest in our youngest learners and strengthen local early education and care infrastructure,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

 

This is the first time since the pandemic that larger size grants have been available and are a part of the administration’s strategy to increase child care capacity, as well as improve the quality of spaces for children and educators. The EEOST were created in 2013 and are financed through the state's capital budget, leveraging private investments with matching funds. They are administered by EEC in partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund (CIF), an affiliate of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). The Healey-Driscoll Administration's FY24 - FY28 Capital Investment Plan increased these grants by $4 million a year for 5 years. This large-scale grant opportunity builds off the $8.5 million awarded earlier this fall for smaller scale early education and care capital projects.

 

“We know that one of the ways to reduce child care costs is to expand the number of seats available for kids. This critical capital funding will support child care centers to build new, modern and accessible spaces to serve more kids of all abilities,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “By infusing funds into our local communities to renovate, repair, and expand child care facilities, we are making Massachusetts a better place to live, go to school, work, raise a family, and build a better future.”

 

“Our goal is to increase affordability and expand access to high quality programming for all families in the Commonwealth. A critical tool in this work is providing capital opportunities for programs to create child focused spaces for children to learn and play and for their educators to work,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw.

 

“This program invests in high-quality, large-scale improvements to early childhood education facilities. We are thrilled to offer these grants of up to $1M for the first time since 2020,” said Theresa Jordan, Director of the Children’s Investment Fund.

 

Awardees were eligible to receive between $500,000 - $1,000,000 per project for major systems replacements, reconfiguration of classrooms, administrative and staff spaces, and to redesign and renovate outdoor space. Further, programs can make physical environment modifications to address accessibility or other improvements to support inclusion of children and adults with disabilities. For a program to be eligible, at least half of the children enrolled must receive a public subsidy, like child care financial assistance. Awardees:

 

People Inc. (Fall River) - $1,000,000 

People Inc purchased a 4 acre piece of land on Weaver Street in 2019, and since then has been working on plans to construct a new, purpose-built, high-quality early education center there. At 20,000 square feet, the new one story center will be larger, allowing PI to expand their program to serve 212 children (24 infants, 48 toddlers, and 140 preschoolers) in a state-of-the-art new center, with 8 infant/toddler classrooms and 7 preschool classrooms. The new site will be fully accessible, with new outdoor play spaces, a commercial kitchen, and in-classroom bathrooms. Construction began in June 2024 and completion is projected for September 2025. 

 

Leo Inc. (Lynn) - $500,000  

LEO is renovating its 29,400 square foot headquarters building to consolidate its existing child care programs, co-located with space for its administrative offices. The renovation will take place within LEO’s historic three-story building that spans a full block on Broad Street, one of Lynn’s primary commercial centers. The project entails gutting the interior of the building to the exterior walls, constructing an addition in the rear to provide an accessible entrance, creating a new layout within the building shell, and converting the existing parking area behind the building into two new playgrounds and parking. The new addition will allow for two ADA-compliant entrances and a fully accessible interior.   

 

Community Action Agency of Somerville (Cambridge) - $500,000 

As part of the second phase of construction, Community Action Agency of is redeveloping the building where the Head Start classrooms are located. The existing building will be demolished, and a new building built. The new Head Start space will include two preschool classrooms, two workstations for teachers, a flexible space, an administrative office, a conference room, laundry room, bathrooms, and circulation and storage space. The new space will be 1,000 square feet larger than its existing space. The courtyard abutting the facility will include a new fenced-in play area for the Head Start program. This second phase of construction is slated to start in early 2025, with an 18-month construction period. 

 

Harborlight and Pathways (Beverly) - $1,000,000 

The Lighthouse Center, started construction in October 2024, will include several early education classrooms on the first floor, to be fitted out and operated by Pathways for Children. Three classrooms are proposed for a total of 36 children: 20 preschoolers, 9 toddlers, and 7 infants. The center will also include other multi-purpose community rooms, a teaching kitchen, and outdoor gardens and sports courts.

 

North Star Learning Center (New Bedford) - $500,000 

NorthStar is constructing a 17,000 SF center and consolidating its licensed child care programs into one building with administrative and supportive offices. The project has been in the planning phases since 2017 and as of September 2023, is now in construction, anticipated to be completed by early November 2024. The new building will be sited on three contiguous vacant parcels located within a residential neighborhood in New Bedford’s South End.  Once completed, the new building will contain ten early education classrooms, a gross motor room, a resource center, teacher conference space, and administrative and teacher offices. There will be five infant/toddler classrooms and five preschool classrooms. The center will allow NS to double its early education capacity and center its administrative, programmatic and early education care in one facility. 

 

Square One (Springfield) - $500,000

With this project, SO is proposing to construct a 26,000 square foot building where they will operate ECE classrooms with outdoor experiential learning, and space for Square One’s other services, including workforce development, therapeutic intervention and family support services. Once the project is complete, SO will relocate one existing classroom operating out of a leased space nearby. This project replaces SO’s previous location on this site, which was destroyed in a 2011 tornado; they had since sold the property and are now acquiring it back from the interim owners. When completed, the project will have four preschool classrooms for 80 children. One classroom located near the entrance may be utilized for 24-hour care, including a full bathroom with shower for families to utilize for emergency drop-in care after hours. The building is directly across the street from MGM Grand Casino, which is open 24 hours a day.

波士頓華商會12/18開會討論區域重劃影響

 

麻州長Healey指派Peter J. Koutoujian出任MBTA董事

 Governor Healey Appoints Sheriff Peter Koutoujian as Member of MBTA Board of Directors 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey appointed Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian to serve as the newest member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Association (MBTA) Board of Directors. Sheriff Koutoujian will be the public safety designee. Earlier this year, Governor Healey appointed Tom McGee to serve as Chair of the Board, following the resignation of Chair Tom Glynn. 

“I’m proud to be appointing Sheriff Koutoujian to the MBTA Board of Directors, where he will work with this strong team of leaders to move us forward in our mission to deliver the high-quality MBTA service that riders deserve,” said Governor Healey. “As a legislator and a Sheriff, he has always prioritized the health and safety of the people of Massachusetts, which is an important perspective to have on the Board.” 

“Sheriff Koutoujian is a highly respected and trusted leader, and we are excited that he will join the team at the MBTA Board of Directors,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Board, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and General Manager Eng to make the T more safe and reliable for all of our communities.” 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration values leaders who have strong working relationships with community members, and Peter Koutoujian has demonstrated during his career that he is approachable and sensitive to the needs of the public,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We look forward to working with him as we transform the MBTA into a public transportation system that is safe, reliable, and equitable.”  

“I’ve worked with Sheriff Koutoujian for years, and I know him to be an exceptionally talented leader who is committed to the safety and wellbeing of the people of Massachusetts,” said former MBTA Board of Directors Chair Tom Glynn. “The MBTA’s top priority is delivering safe and reliable service, and his extensive experience in public safety and law enforcement will be a valuable addition to the Board.” 

About the Nominee:  

Peter Koutoujian is currently the Middlesex County Sheriff. A former public defender, prosecutor, legislator, professor, and law enforcement leader, Sheriff Koutoujian has worked on leading issues in public safety and public health throughout his career. His work has earned him local and national recognition, including being named the national Sheriff of the Year for 2023 by the Major County Sheriffs of America. 

Sheriff Koutoujian previously served as a State Representative from 1997-2011. He served as Chair of the Committee on Health Care and created the Commission on Oxycontin and Other Drug Abuse and the Commission to End Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. He holds a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, a law degree from the New England School of Law, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Bridgewater State University.  

Sheriff Koutoujian has also earned honors as one of the nation's most prominent Armenian-American officials, including the U.S. Ellis Island Medal of Honor as well as the Mkhitar Gosh Medal and Medal of Gratitude from the Armenian government. While the Sheriff still lives in his hometown of Waltham, he enjoys traveling to his wife Elizabeth's hometown in Madrid, Spain with their three children: Peter, Cristian, and Isabel. 

Sheriff Koutoujian will continue to serve as Sheriff, in addition to his new role on the MBTA Board of Directors. 

Governor Healey Issues Statement on Passing of Former Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti

 Governor Healey Issues Statement on Passing of Former Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti 

Governor Healey also ordered flags be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings  

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in remembrance of former Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti and issued the following statement. 

“Frank Bellotti was a cherished mentor, colleague and friend. In a lifetime of service, he made indelible contributions to Massachusetts law and policy, and inspired generations of legal professionals and public servants. His work to protect residents and uphold the rule of law has been widely respected and recognized across the country by the National Association of Attorneys General. We express our deepest gratitude for his legacy of advancing civil rights, defending constitutional principles, and elevating the professionalism of the People’s Law Firm. Sending my love to his family and friends and all that were fortunate to know him and share the great admiration he earned throughout his life. May we all find peace knowing he is with his beloved Maggie.”