Baker-Polito Administration Awards Drinking Water Supply Protection Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Drinking Water Supply Protection Grants

$1.1 Million Awarded to Five Massachusetts Water Suppliers

BOSTON – April 21, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to five Massachusetts water suppliers through the Drinking Water Supply Protection (DWSP) Grant Program.  The funding, announced during Earth Week, will enable water suppliers to protect existing or new wells, as well as surface drinking water supply systems, such as reservoirs.

“Clean drinking water is vital to the health of all Massachusetts residents, and these grants help protect land around the wells and reservoirs that provide water to thousands of people, ensuring safe, healthy water resources for generations to come,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is pleased to partner with Municipalities and Water Districts to jointly fund initiatives which will ensure the protection of public water supplies for Massachusetts residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

The Drinking Water Supply Protection (DWSP) Grant Program, overseen by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, has provided grants to municipal and public water systems and fire districts for the acquisition of land in fee, a conservation restriction, or a watershed preservation restriction for water supply protection and land conservation purposes since 2004. Land acquired must be located in existing Department of Environmental Protection-approved drinking water supply areas, or in estimated protection areas for new sources, or in an area identified through an appropriate planning process as suitable for groundwater recharge to an aquifer. 

“The Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program ensures that Massachusetts residents have access to safe, clean drinking water, said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The grants awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration will enable municipalities to permanently protect their water drinking sources.”

The Fiscal Year 2016 DWSP grant awards are:

·         Amherst Department of Public Works - $175,625 to preserve 141 acres of land that  contain Amethyst Brook,  which is located approximately 150 feet from the Hills Reservoir (part of Amherst’s Pelham Reservoirs that provide almost a quarter of Amherst’s drinking water).

·         Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire District - $197,000 to protect 11 acres of land to help create a wildlife corridor and protect the municipal water supply for 12,500 households.

·         Marshfield Department of Public Works – $274,125 to protect almost six acres of land to prevent the contamination of the Furnace Brook Wells. This project also consists of open fields, forest, and wetlands that connect to other protected parcels and contain Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program-mapped habitat of rare wildlife. 

·         Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Department – $ 327,063 to protect 114 acres of land within the Mattapoisett River watershed, which is a drinking water supply source for five surrounding municipalities.

·         Westfield Water Resource Department –$203,000 to acquire 80 acres of watershed land located on high ground between two major tributaries that feed the Granville Reservoir.

“I am quite pleased with the Administration’s decision to award the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Department a Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant,” said State Representative William Straus (D-Mattapoisett). “This important grant program is vital to ensuring that all residents of the Commonwealth have clean and safe drinking water for generations to come.”  

“This grant will help Amherst preserve and protect the area around Amethyst Brook and the Hills Reservoir, which supplies us with fresh, clean drinking water,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “I thank the Administration, and in particular Secretary Beaton, for their continued recognition of the importance of conservation and watershed protection.”

“The Mattapoisett River watershed provides drinking water for tens of thousands of local residents across five South Coast communities,” said State Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “These funds will protect adjoining lands of this vital natural resource, and I would like to thank Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton for their commitment to ensuring access to clean, safe water supplies.”

“I am so pleased Marshfield won this competitive grant to enhance protections for our local water supply,” said State Representative James Cantwell (D-Marshfield). “I commend local officials, like Marshfield DPW Director Tom Reynolds and Karen O’Donnell from the Open Space Committee, for submitting an outstanding proposal. Along with protecting the local water supply, this grant will conserve open space critical to the character of our town and the well-being of rare wildlife. I want to thank Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton for their continued attention to public health and water quality.”

Baker Administration, Higher Education Leaders Announce NewCommonwealth Commitment Plan to Increase Affordability, Drive Degree Completion

Baker Administration, Higher Education Leaders Announce NewCommonwealth Commitment Plan to Increase Affordability, Drive Degree Completion

New “2+2” Plan Based on Transfer from Community College to UMass or State U’s Will Offer Per-Semester Rebates, Freeze Costs for Qualifying Students

LOWELL – Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined public higher education leaders today to announce the Commonwealth Commitment, an innovative college affordability and completion plan to help more students achieve the dream of a college degree.

The Commonwealth Commitment commits every public campus to providing 10% rebates at the end of each successfully completed semester to qualifying undergraduate students, in addition to the standard MassTransfer tuition waiver received upon entering a four-year institution from a Community College. Students who meet the program requirements will, depending on the transfer pathway they choose, be able to realize an average savings of $5,090 off the cost of a baccalaureate degree.

This plan is the first agreement of its kind in the nation and was signed by University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan, Worcester State University President Barry Maloney and Middlesex Community College President James Mabry, representing the three segments of the public higher education system, at a ceremony held this morning at Middlesex Community College.

As part of the Commonwealth Commitment's goal to increase cost savings and predictability, tuition and mandatory fees will be frozen for program participants as of the date they enter the program.  Students will begin their studies at one of the state's 15 community colleges, enrolling in one of 24 Commonwealth Commitment/ Mass Transfer Pathways programs that will roll out in fall 2016 (14 programs) and fall 2017 (10 additional programs). They must attend full-time, and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. After earning an associate's degree in two and a half years or less, students will transfer to a state university or UMass campus to earn a baccalaureate degree.

  

“This program was designed to decrease the cost of a college degree and accelerate on-time completion for students across the Commonwealth, creating more opportunities and helping more people get into the workforce with the skills they need,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Commonwealth Commitment will make it even easier for students to go to school full-time and begin their careers with less debt and we are pleased that our higher education officials have worked collaboratively to make this program a reality.”

“The Commonwealth Commitment is a win-win for students, employers, and our public higher education campuses,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our hope is that through programs like the Commonwealth Commitment,  not only will students get the benefit of a lower cost degree, but also be able to fill more of the high-demand job of the future, including in STEM.”

“The Commonwealth Commitment is an important plan which we believe will help move the needle on our administration’s two overarching education objectives: to close the achievement gap and strengthen the global competitiveness of Massachusetts’ workforce and economy,” said Education Secretary Jim Peyser. “I thank the leaders of the Department of Higher Education, UMass, and State Colleges and universities for their hard work in reaching this agreement and for their commitment to putting students first.”

“The signing of this agreement represents a new day for our state system of public colleges and universities,” said Carlos E. Santiago, Commissioner of Higher Education. “It was not easy or simple to hammer out an agreement among 28 undergraduate institutions with different missions and programs, but I was extremely proud to see how presidents, provosts, faculty and staff worked together with a sense of common purpose to get this done. What unites us is a dedication to students and to the Commonwealth, a realization that when it comes to preparing the state's future citizenry and workforce, our public institutions need to lead.”

“Community college students seeking pathways to an affordable, high-quality, four-year degree will now be able to look to the Commonwealth Commitment for critical support – and UMass is proud to be part of this innovative effort,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “This program advances public higher education’s core beliefs and will help to transform lives and strengthen our future. We look forward to welcoming the students who take advantage of this creative initiative to our campuses.”

"The Commonwealth Commitment unites the Massachusetts public higher education sector in an energized drive to promote access and success for our diverse communities as we work together to build an educated workforce that will drive the Commonwealth's high-tech community in the 21st Century.  Community colleges are proud to play a pivotal role in this strategy," said Middlesex Community College President Dr. James Mabry.

"When we talk about a 'best value' college experience, it doesn't get any better than this,” said Worcester State University President Barry Maloney. “Those who transfer into state universities under this program will see small classes taught largely by full-time, Ph.D. faculty members who put their students first. The state university degree prepares them well, either for careers or graduate school."

At the end of every successfully completed semester, students will earn a 10% rebate on tuition and fees, payable in the form of a check, or may opt to receive a voucher to use for books or other education-related expenses. The program does not discount room and board, although students may choose to use their Commonwealth Commitment savings or other resources to offset some of those costs. Students' rebates or vouchers will be calculated based on the total cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the institutions they choose to attend. Additionally, students who enroll in free or reduced cost dual enrollment programs, taking college courses while still in high school, may be able to apply the credits they earn toward theirCommonwealth Commitment degrees, thus reducing costs even further.

Further information is available at www.Mass.edu/MAComCom. 

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波士頓同源會 Surging Waves Symposium 4/30

C.A.C.A. Boston is hosting 2 events on 4/29 & 4/30.
1. Arthur Talk and Book Signing: Forbidden Citizens by Martin Gold @ Tufts University Behrakis Auditorium, Jaharis Building
2. Surging Waves Symposium @ Harvard University Fairbank Center 
Please see flyers below.
Please join us and share our events with all your friends !!

 

Baker-Polito Administration Expands Greening the Gateway Cities Tree Planting Program

Baker-Polito Administration Expands Greening the Gateway Cities Tree Planting Program

New Communities Include Brockton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn, Leominster, New Bedford, Pittsfield and Quincy

HAVERHILL – April 20, 2016 – Today, at an Earth Week tree planting ceremony at Riverside Park in Haverhill, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Leo Roy announced the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP) to include the cities of Brockton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn, Leominster, New Bedford, Pittsfield and Quincy. The program, which targets the Commonwealth’s 26 Gateway Cities, is designed to utilize tree plantings as a way to reduce energy use in urban neighborhoods by lowering heating and cooling costs for residents and businesses.

“The Greening the Gateway Cities Program serves as an excellent example of a strong partnership between state government, local municipalities, and dedicated organizations working together to ultimately benefit generations of people,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

To support the GGCP, the state will invest over $12 million in energy efficiency and state capital funds over a three year time span to plant 20,000 trees averaging six feet in height within the eight gateway cities.  The program will not only produce energy savings, but will also benefit the local economy and create jobs by hiring foresters and tree planting crews from the cities where planting takes place. The GGCP is expected to yield more than twice the investment made by the Administration as the trees mature.

“By adding the cities of Brockton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, and Quincy into the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, our Administration continues to invest in the future of these cities to further enhance our environmental resources, which will benefit us all on a local and global scale,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

“With the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, communities will enjoy lower energy consumption, cleaner air, reduced noise, and the beautification of neighborhoods,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Tree planting is also a great energy efficiency tool to boost the local economy with all aspects of the program occurring in the region from jobs at local nurseries to jobs within the neighborhoods planting trees.”

With a defined goal to increase the urban tree canopy to 5-10 percent in select neighborhoods in each Gateway City, the program is expected to reduce heating and cooling costs by approximately $230 a year for an average household, once the trees reach maturity. In less than two years, the program has planted 3,700 trees streets in Chelsea, Revere, Fall River, Chicopee and Holyoke.  Planting will continue in those cities in addition to the new cities being added this spring. Residents who sign-up for the GGCP will be provided planted trees at no cost as long as they commit to water the trees for two summers. 

“The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is proud to work with municipalities to find opportunities to save energy and reduce costs,” said DOER Commissioner Judith Judson. “Expanding the Greening the Gateway Cities Program will strengthen these efforts.”

Under the program, DCR is spearheading the tree planting efforts in Brockton, Haverhill, Leominster, Lynn, and Pittsfield. The DCR, working in partnership with local municipalities and organizations in each city, has developed a successful approach to planting the appropriate number of trees required to have a long lasting energy impact by focusing on high-density urban neighborhoods.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is proud to support this worthwhile program by partnering with the cities of Brockton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, and Quincy,”said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “Programs, such as the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, serve as a wonderful example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s dedication to developing the necessary tools needed to effectively implement an urban forestry plan. Planting trees is, after all, the best thing that we can do to improve the environment.”

Aimed at improving the tree canopy found in the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities, the program’s benefits are not isolated to energy efficiency. By planting trees, communities will see a reduction in storm water runoff, higher air quality, an increase in property values and tax receipts, and a safer, healthier environment for residents. For example, in Chelsea, over 1,200 trees have been planted so far with over 5,000 residents living within 50 feet of these trees – the average canopy size of the trees when mature in 20-30 years.

“Pittsfield is a city in the middle of a beautiful rural region,” said Senator Benjamin Downing (D – Pittsfield). “Preserving green space and investing in making the city greener are perfectly in line with the city's values and vision.”

“The Greening the Gateways Cities project is a perfect example of how the Commonwealth partners with cities, and I'm thrilled to see Pittsfield be part of this year's award,” said State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield). “Planting trees in the WestSide and Morningside Neighborhoods brings beauty, improves quality of life, cools our city and helps absorb carbon, making it a win all around.”

“I am grateful to Secretary Beaton for selecting Pittsfield to participate in the Greening the Gateway Cities program,” said State Representative Paul Mark (D-Peru). “As an urban island in rural Berkshire County, Pittsfield is always seeking ways to balance its natural beauty with the demands of a city environment.  This program will help us enhance that beauty and make our city greener than ever.”

“Thank you to Governor Baker and Secretary Beaton, Brockton is grateful for the opportunity to provide a better living environment for the city of champions,” said State Senator Michael Brady (D-Brockton). “My hope is that the redistribution of plants and trees will provide a healthier level of air quality and emphasize a welcoming environment for those who wish to come out with their families and enjoy the parks and playgrounds in the city of Brockton.”

“Brockton is an urban, industrial city that cares a great deal about the environment and its effect on our health,” said State Representative Michelle DuBois (D-Brockton). “Brockton has one of the highest asthma hospitalization rates for children in the state, due to the poor quality of air we breathe. This tree grant will improve the City's physical appearance by planting trees but will also help clean the air we breathe which is critical to all who live in the City of Champions.”

“Brockton will greatly benefit from the Greening the Gateway Cities Tree Planting Program,” said State Representative Claire Cronin (D-Easton). “The planting of new trees will add to the aesthetic of Brockton, and is a positive step towards reducing pollution and improving air quality in our city. In addition, our city will be more visually appealing for our residents and will look more attractive to outside investors.”

“It's wonderful that Brockton has this opportunity to plant more public trees,” said State Representative Gerard Cassidy (D-Brockton). “Brockton has long been a leader in recognizing the importance of public green spaces, as evidenced by the work of D.W. Field who provided the citizens of Brockton with a superb park, designed by Frederick Olmsted and named in Mr. Field's honor. We all know the crucial benefits that trees provide to the health and beauty of our city.”

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Gateway Cities Park Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Gateway Cities Park Grants

Projects in Attleboro, Fitchburg and Leominster, Haverhill, and Methuen to Receive Funding

HAVERHILL – April 20, 2016 – At an Earth Week tree planting ceremony in Haverhill’s Riverside Park, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton today announced grants totaling $5.3 million to help the cities of Attleboro, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Leominster and Methuen design and build four park and trail projects.  

“These grants provide paths for people to commute and exercise and parks for people to enjoy close to home for generations to come,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Opportunities for outdoor recreation improve quality of life and respect for our environment, so our administration is working with municipalities and other partners across the Commonwealth to allow all Massachusetts residents access to the beautiful outdoors.”

“Public parks are essential to the health and economic well-being of urban areas, but cities often lack the resources to plan and develop them,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Through this program, we are able to invest in important park projects and help municipalities provide outdoor spaces for their citizens.”

The grants, funded through the Environmental Bond Bill, are awarded through EEA’s Gateway City Parks Program. The program funds the creation or restoration of significant urban parks and trails in the 26 Gateway Cities, often projects that would otherwise be difficult to build.  Priority is given to projects that support broader urban revitalization efforts; are ineligible for other funding sources; address critical park infrastructure needs; have strong support from city leaders; engage local businesses, neighbors and others in park financing, programming and stewardship; or are accessible to environmental justice populations.

“This funding was awarded to projects that not only provide recreational opportunity, but also contribute to the overall revitalization of these communities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is dedicated to providing access to open space to all Commonwealth residents, regardless of zip code.”

City of Attleboro - Ten Mile Riverwalk ($1.1 million)

The City of Attleboro will utilize this grant and Community Development Block Grant funding to extend the Ten Mile Riverwalk from Wall Street to County Street.  This section will include a bridge and a section of boardwalk, made necessary by a narrow and steeply sloped site.  Improvements related to the Riverwalk include signage, lighting, state of the art “green” stormwater features, pervious pavement, fencing, bike racks and full handicap accessibility.  Upon completion, the City will enjoy a continuous path from Olive Street through Balfour Park, and onward along the Ten Mile River. The design, completed by the Horsley Witten Group, was funded by a prior Gateway City Parks Grant.

Cities of Fitchburg & Leominster – Twin Cities Rail Trail ($2.4 million)

This grant will be used for designing, engineering and permitting the 4.5 mile trail connection project from Fitchburg Center to Leominster Center.  The trail will run along the former Fitchburg Secondary rail line between downtown Leominster in the south and the MBTA station in downtown Fitchburg.  Thus, it enables commute travel in addition to recreational use.  The trail will be fully accessible and provide for convenient walking and biking access along its entire route. 

City of Haverhill – Riverside Park ($180,000)

This grant will be matched by $180,000 from the City of Haverhill for the renovation and reconstruction of Riverside Park. Grant and city funds will be used to develop, widen and improve the multi-use trail network throughout the Park and along the Merrimack River bank to encourage more bicycling and walking around the park including the addition of bike racks, signage and striping. The grant will also improve Americans with Disabilities Act access to the park, especially at the eastern entryway by the shopping plaza, and provide better designation and spaces for handicapped parking, Additionally, funding from the grant will be used to add exercise stations geared toward older adults and senior citizens, as well as plant up to 150 additional trees in the park to provide greater shade, especially along the walking/biking paths.

City of Methuen – Methuen Rail Trail ($1.65 million)

This grant provides funding for design and construction documents for the Methuen Rail Trail, as well as money to pave and add related amenities to this multi-use path from the Manchester Street Park in Lawrence at the city line through downtown Methuen to the border with Salem, New Hampshire. With this grant, the City of Methuen will be able to hire a firm to design and permit the project, as well as a construction contractor, with the intent to complete construction by July 1, 2017.   This trail, 2.4 miles in length with only one at-grade crossing, will run along the former Manchester and Lawrence Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad.  The surface is presently mostly gravel or crushed stone, and this grant will enable the surface to be paved. 

“This grant will improve and enhance Riverside Park by creating greater accessibility and usability for everyone,” said State Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill).  “It’s important that we continue to provide our residents with open space and opportunities for healthy living by investing in our parks and green space.”

“This funding through the state Gateway City Parks Program will result in improved recreational opportunities in Haverhill and Methuen by investing in the parks and trails right here in the Merrimack Valley,” said State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport).

“This investment in Methuen by the Commonwealth will connect the rail trail from Lawrence, North to Concord NH and then north west to the NH / Vermont border,” said State Representative Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen). “Here in the Merrimack Valley it will spur economic development in downtown Methuen and the region.  It will also provide local residents with a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors.”

“The projects made possible through these grants not only contribute to the growing beauty and overall enrichment of our Commonwealth, but also serve to increase the livelihood and health of our gateway cities by investing in outdoor spaces that truly benefit everyone in those communities,” said State Representative Lenny Mirra (R-West Newbury). “As both a legislator and an avid cyclist, I am thrilled on two fronts about today’s announcement.”

“I stand with my fellow colleagues in the Methuen and Haverhill legislative delegations in celebrating the announcement of these important Gateway Cities Park Grants,” said State Representative Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen). “These funds will be immensely helpful in supporting construction efforts at both the Methuen Rail Trail and Riverside Park.”

“I am very pleased that the City of Attleboro has received funding to help them extend and improve the Ten Mile Riverwalk,” said State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham). “Prioritizing our recreational areas and public parks is essential for the well-being of our residents as well as the economic revitalization of our communities. I am grateful that the Baker-Polito Administration is working with our municipalities to ensure that the people of the Commonwealth can enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors right in their own backyard.”

“The Gateway Cities Park Grant and the Community Development Block Grant funding are extremely beneficial to the Attleboro community and the region,” said State Senator James E. Timilty (D-Walpole). “Expanding handicap accessibility beyond the fully ADA compliant Balfour Riverwalk Park will further revitalize the city’s downtown while preserving Attleboro’s natural history.”

“I am so thrilled that the citizens of Attleboro will be able to enjoy these wonderful beautification improvements of the Ten Mile Riverwalk,” said State Representative Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleboro). “What a great opportunity for individuals and families to explore and enjoy the outdoors in an effort to improve their quality of life as well as experiencing positive health benefits.”

“This grant comes at a critical time for an important part of the Attleboro Redevelopment plans,” said State Representative Paul Heroux (D-Attleboro). “I am thankful to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs for selecting Attleboro, and to my colleagues in the House and Senate for making this money available to Gateway communities.”

“The City of Attleboro is elated by this grant disbursement,” said Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas. “The ‘10 Mile Riverwalk Project’ is complementary to our vast redevelopment efforts in our Intermodal Transit Oriented Development District that also includes the creation of Riverfront Drive and Park. The ‘10 Mile Riverwalk Project’ will connect this newly created area along the banks of the river, extending up to the existing Balfour Riverwalk. This will complete another section of our own Emerald Necklace in the heart of Downtown Attleboro. This ‘10 Mile Riverwalk Project’ will entail a bridge and boardwalk that will create a continuous urban walking and bicycle trail, championing green space and aquatic preservation with a harmonious balance of growth and development.”

“I want to thank Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, Secretary Beaton and our legislative delegation for their continued commitment to Haverhill and for giving us the ability to enhance our parks and recreation areas for the betterment of our community,” said Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini. “The additional tree plantings and exercise equipment for our children and adults will add tremendous value to our parks and help our community enjoy family time while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

“As the Mayor of Leominster for 22 years, we have continually pursued the Twin City Rail Trail (TRCT),”said Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella. “The cities of Fitchburg and Leominster have worked together on this for a very long time to overcome many obstacles.  The TCRT will provide people and families a chance to get more exercise as well as connecting people with local businesses. To see it happening after all these years is the result of positivity and persistent team work through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs with many other agencies in our efforts to provide connectivity in all areas in and around Leominster.”

“This is wonderful news,” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale. “The Twin Cities Rail Trail will provide a much needed recreation amenity to residents of Fitchburg and the entire region. This trail is the first dedicated safe means of access for pedestrians and bicyclist to and from the two cities and will also link a network of interconnected trails along the Nashua River.  The trail will eventually connect to both cities’ inter-modal transportation facilities and spur economic activity along its entire 4.2 mile length.” 

“The City of Methuen is extremely grateful to our leaders at the state level for recognizing the importance of the Rail Trail Project in the city and providing this funding,” said Methuen Mayor Stephen N. Zanni.  “We can now move forward with exciting plans for the development of the Rail Trail as a catalyst for additional investment in our downtown.”

華林戰士精神獎學金籌款會 4/23

“Jerry” from Ben & Jerry’s visits Bunker Hill Community College

“Jerry” from Ben & Jerry’s visits Bunker Hill Community College 

BOSTON, April 20, 2016—Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., addressed a packed audience of students, faculty, staff and guests in the gymnasium at Bunker Hill Community College on April 14, 2016. His talk, accompanied with some tasty ice cream treats, was part of the College’s highly regarded Compelling Conversations speaker series.  

“The real power of any business is in how it conducts its operations,” said Greenfield, who told the audience the story of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade from its uncertain start in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978 to the $300 million ice cream empire it has become today. Along the way, the company learned how to integrate social and environmental values into its business model, Greenfield explained. The business today is known for its commitment to social responsibility and creative management.

Before his talk Greenfield visited with students from Introduction to Business and Organizational Behavior/Design classes as well as members of the College’s Entrepreneur and Sustainability Clubs. The students peppered him with questions about combining idealism with successful business practices and the effect on a socially responsible company of going public and being absorbed by a large corporation. Greenfield provided straightforward answers and complimented the students on getting quickly to the fundamental questions. Greenfieldalso  enjoyed lunch prepared by BHCC Culinary Arts students.

Greenfield grew up on Long Island and attended Oberlin College. With Ben Cohen, he co-authored the best-seller Ben & Jerry’s Double-Dip: Lead with Your Values and Make Money. The two have won the Council on Economic Priorities Corporate Giving Award and have been honored as U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

For more than a decade, the Compelling Conversations series has brought high-profile speakers to Bunker Hill Community College to discuss their professional experience and provide inspiration for students—from activist Gloria Steinem to boxer Laila Ali, filmmaker Ken Burns, journalist Tavis Smiley and actress America Ferrera. Learn more about the BHCC Compelling Conversations Series at bhcc.edu/cc.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS SERVICES IN FY17 BUDGET

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES NEW FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS SERVICES IN FY17 BUDGET

BOSTON - Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today significant investment for homelessness services Boston to further the goals of the city's Action Plan to End Veteran and Chronic Homelessness in Boston. The increased funding for homelessness services is included in the Mayor's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17). The $1.3 million allocation to support the implementation of the Mayor's Homelessness Action Plan covers three main areas:  Supporting front door triage; rapid rehousing rental assistance; and increasing assistance to Family Aid.  The FY17 budget also includes an increase of $2 million in federal funds to provide low barrier permanent supportive housing for the homeless. Taken together, these allocations further the goals of the Action Plan and help provide a safety net for Boston's most vulnerable residents. "I'm proud that through thoughtful savings and finding new efficiencies, we are able to increase funding to help our homeless residents not only find safe, stable housing, but to access the supports and services they need," said Mayor Walsh. Front Door Triage: The budget allocation will fund the creation of additional full-time triage staff, who will complement the triage staff at the City's Southampton Street shelter.  Across those two sites, the staff members will form a unified triage program and act as intake workers for individuals who are first entering the homeless system. The workers will assess the specific needs of individuals in crisis, and will rapidly direct them to the appropriate resources such as referrals to appropriate substance abuse or mental health treatment programs, moving costs, temporary storage costs, or transportation to reunify individuals with family and friends. Enhancing and expanding the number of these staff members is critical to ensuring that individuals receive the resources that meet their unique needs. In addition, the budget allocation includes flexible funds to help homeless individuals to return to their communities of origin. Rapid Rehousing: The data upon which the homelessness plan is based clearly demonstrates that the longer individuals remain in shelter, the more difficult it is for them to leave shelter.  Rapid Rehousing is an approach that moves homeless households to housing as quickly as possible by providing the amount, type, and duration of assistance needed to stabilize the household.  Rapid rehousing reduces reliance on the shelter system, and prevents individuals from becoming chronically homeless.   Family Aid assistance: Family Aid provides emergency shelter to families who become homeless and are not eligible for state assistance by placing these families in area hotel and motel rooms for a short time while they search for longer term housing.  Although the family shelter system is managed by the Commonwealth, the City recognizes that occasionally, families may not qualify for the state shelter system; these funds will help Family Aid stabilize these families in crisis so that they have time to find safe, stable housing. The program focuses on those who would otherwise be eligible but are typically working and over income for state funded shelter.   In addition, in FY17, the City is investing an additional $1M in resources to enhance safety and service at the Woods Mullen and Southampton Street shelters. The investments, which include hiring a mix of coordinators, assistant coordinators, counselors, and security staff, will enable the Public Health Commission to efficiently operate the shelters on 24/7 basis and better assist Boston's most vulnerable population with case management, medical and behavioral health services, career counseling, job training, substance abuse prevention, and housing support. The Walsh Administration's action plan to end veteran and chronic homelessness set forth the goal of ending veterans homelessness by 2015 and chronic individual homelessness by 2018. In his January 2016 State of the City speech, Mayor Walsh announced that Boston had effectively ended chronic homelessness among veterans.  At the time of the launch of the effort to end veterans homelessness, there were 414 homeless veterans in Boston. Since then, more than 600 homeless veterans have been housed, at a rate of approximately one per day. The total number of homeless veterans on a given night has declined 44 percent since December 2013. The City will now scale up its efforts around ending chronic homelessness. In February, Mayor Walsh announced the selection of Green River, a Brattleboro technology company, to create a centralized platform that will allow shelters, housing companies and emergency facilities to engage on a single tech platform, in order to help match homeless people in Boston to housing and resources best suited to their needs. View the Mayor's entire FY17 recommended budget atboston.gov/recommendedbudget.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Land Protection Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Land Protection Grants

Department of Conservation and Recreation to Acquire Conservation Restriction for Sagamore Hill in Hamilton

HAMILTON – April 20, 2016 – During an Earth Week event at Sagamore Hill in Hamilton, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton announced more than $3 million in awards to four large-scale conservation projects through the Landscape Partnership Grant Program.

“Through this funding, we can help sustain the integrity and resilience of land that totals over 2,700 acres and contains critical habitat for native species,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These investments are part of our administration’s efforts to address climate change and conserve the land and natural resources of the Commonwealth.”

“Supporting partnerships to conserve natural resources and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities will help us protect the Commonwealth’s rich natural heritage for generations to come,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are pleased to be able to work with local communities and organizations to meet their local goals to conserve land and protect water quality and habitat.”

EEA’s Landscape Partnership Grant Program was created in 2011 to facilitate large acreage land conservation projects that sustain the integrity and resilience of ecosystems, enhance the viability of farm and forest economies, and expand public outdoor recreational opportunities, while expanding partnerships among state, municipal and non-profit entities. The grant program encourages a partnership between local communities and non-governmental organizations with interest in large landscape-scale land protection investments. Eligible projects include those that demonstrate a partnership between at least two eligible entities, including municipalities, non-profits and state agencies, for the acquisition of a minimum of 500 acres of contiguous land.

“With this round of grants and the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s acquisition of a conservation restriction on Sagamore Hill, we are able to help protect Massachusetts’ wildlife, forests and heritage, and strengthen our agricultural sector,” said EEA Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to supporting local efforts to protect the environment and ensure the highest quality of the Commonwealth’s air, water and other natural resources.”

At the same event, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Leo Roy announced the Department will acquire a conservation restriction for over 340 acres of the Sagamore Hill property in Hamilton at a cost of $300,000.

“The acquisition of over 340 acres of the Sagamore Hill property will not only benefit the people of Hamilton, but the entire region, by ensuring additional land is conserved for natural habitats and for the public to use,”said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “The Baker-Polito Administration continues to invest in Massachusetts’ rich natural resources that will benefit the public now and for years to come.”

The Fiscal Year 2016 Landscape Partnership grant awardees are:

·         Gardner and Winchendon Landscape Connection Project – $578,075

Recipients: North County Land Trust, Department of Fish and Game, Town of Winchendon, City of Gardner, and Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.

Description: Landscape Partnership Grant Funding will be used to ensure the protection of 914 acres of critical natural landscape that connects two existing conservation landscapes to create 3,714 contiguous acres of protected land.

·         Mormon Hollow Working Lands Corridor Project – $790,300

Recipients: Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Town of Wendell, Town of Montague, and Department of Fish and Game.

Description: Landscape Partnership Grant funding will help create a 30,000 acre corridor of protected land that extends from the Connecticut River to the Quabbin Reservoir.

·         Tidmarsh Farm Conservation Project – $1,000,000

Recipients: Mass Audubon, and Town of Plymouth

Description: Landscape Partnership Grant funding will be used to help protect 608 acres of land, currently part of an ongoing freshwater wetlands restoration project, from encroaching development.

·         Sagamore Hill Conservation Project – $1,020,925

Recipients: Essex County Greenbelt Association, Trust for Public Land, Town of Hamilton, and Hamilton Wenham Open Land Trust

Description: Landscape Partnership Grant funding will help conserve 525 acres of recreation resources which include hilltop landscape, farmland, and core habitat land.

“The Sagamore Hill property in Hamilton and Essex is an extraordinary place, offering invaluable benefits to the community,” said State Representative Brad Hill (R-Ipswich). “The opportunity to conserve this piece of land could not be missed, as it will protect wildlife and ensure the conservation of irreplaceable environmental resources.”

“I am excited to see a portion of these funds go to the Essex County Greenbelt Association,” said State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “They have done excellent work in protecting and preserving the green space that typifies coastal Massachusetts- land that has been so important in our shared history. The Sagamore Hill Conservation Project will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

“Sagamore Hill presents us with an unparalleled opportunity to acquire, protect and preserve hundreds of acres of open space that will dramatically benefit people in our region and throughout the state,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Capturing this opportunity couldn't be done without strong partnerships, and the support provided today by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Baker-Polito Administration will make those partnerships successful in reaching a goal that will last forever, for all of us.”

“Conserving open space and protecting the natural resources of Western Massachusetts is our collective responsibility. These grants will enable Wendell and Montague to preserve thousands of acres of land for future generations to enjoy while also preserving our ecosystem and environment,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “I thank Secretary Beaton and the Baker-Polito Administration for their leadership and commitment to conservation and environmental protection across the Commonwealth.”

“I am very pleased that the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, the Towns of Wendell and Montague, and Department of Fish and Game will receive $790,300 through the Landscape Partnership Grant Program,” said State Representative Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington). “I congratulate them for receiving this competitive award, and want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration, as well as Secretary Beaton, for recognizing how important it is that we conserve these 30,000 acres of land, stretching from the Connecticut River to the Quabbin Reservoir, for our children and grandchildren.”

“We’re happy to receive this Landscape Partnership Grant,” said State Representative Susannah Whipps Lee (R-Athol). “This 700-acre working landscape will protect five iconic and historical working farms, including the scenic Diemand Farm.  All nine properties have great ecological, historical, cultural, and economic significance, and hold great importance for our region.   It has been a pleasure to partner with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust to create this conservation corridor that extends from the Connecticut River to the Quabbin Reservoir.”