Historic Drought Conditions Continue for Commonwealth, Cape and Islands Downgraded to Drought Advisory

Historic Drought Conditions Continue for Commonwealth, Cape and Islands Downgraded to Drought Advisory
Monitoring of Water Resources to Continue, Water Conservation by Public Necessary

 BOSTON – November 9, 2016 – While portions of Massachusetts have experienced measurable amounts of rainfall in the past month, large portions of the state continue to experience rainfall amounts remaining below average. As a result, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton today declared the following drought levels throughout the Commonwealth: a Drought Warning for the Connecticut River Valley, Western, Central, Northeast, and Southeast Massachusetts, unchanged for the Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast and Southeast Regions, and up from a Drought Watch for the Western Region in October; and a Drought Advisory for the Cape and Islands, down from a Drought Watch in October. The declaration was the result of a recommendation issued from a recent meeting of the Drought Management Task Force, comprised of state, federal and local officials, and will remain in effect until water levels return to normal in the affected regions.

“While many communities throughout the Commonwealth have received rain during the month of October, it is important to remember that over 80% of the state continues to experience historic drought conditions, and several months of significant precipitation are needed for water sources to truly rebound,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The Baker-Polito Administration asks that residents and communities continue to remain diligent in their efforts to conserve water in order to ensure our reservoirs, groundwater, and stream flow systems return to a more sustainable water level.”

“While we are grateful that four of the state’s six regions received above-average precipitation in October, and that the public has taken conservation requests and restrictions seriously and has significantly reduced water consumption, drought conditions continue throughout the state and the need to conserve water remains a priority,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Kurt Schwartz.

A Drought Warning, as outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, indicates consecutive months of groundwater, stream flow, and reservoir levels being below normal, and initiates a much more concerted set of government responses including instating water restrictions, and more intensified monitoring and coordination between the agencies. Areas within the Drought Warning are currently experiencing precipitation levels below normal for six out of seven consecutive months. The declaration of a Drought Advisory indicates a level of dry conditions that warrants closer tracking by government agencies. 

While certain sub-regions within Central Massachusetts are experiencing much more severe impacts, and areas within the Cape and Islands region are experiencing almost normal conditions, the state continues to intensely monitor and assess the drought situation, and any associated environmental and agricultural impacts. Furthermore, the state asks the public to be mindful of the amount of water they are using, and to eliminate or greatly reduce outdoor water use to ensure essential needs such as drinking water, fire protection, and crop hydration are being met.

For Regions in Drought Warning:

·         Outdoor water use should be eliminated.  

For Regions in Drought Advisory:

·         Outdoor watering with irrigation systems and sprinklers should be limited to no more than one day per week; and

·         Watering with a handheld hose should be limited to after 5pm or before 9am (to avoid evaporative losses).

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) permits exempt certain water uses from mandatory restrictions, including: for health or safety reasons; the production of food and fiber; the maintenance of livestock; and to meet the core functions of a business. MassDEP continues to provide technical assistance to communities on managing systems, including assistance on use of emergency connections and water supplies, as well as assisting towns on how to request a declaration of drought emergency.

“The month of October has experienced generally good rainfall amounts, but we are still in a significant drought that will take time to get back to normal,” said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “People should continue to use water wisely, and in particular, as the outdoor water-use season ends, people should look to efforts within the home to conserve water. Fixing leaky faucets, toilets and showerheads is a great way to conserve water and save money.”

To aid farmers and other small businesses, the Baker-Polito Administration launched the Massachusetts Drought Emergency Loan Fund, and continues to work closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency. As a result of USDA primary agricultural disaster designations due to losses caused by drought, all Massachusetts counties are now eligible for federal emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency to help recover from crop losses. Additionally, all Massachusetts counties are eligible for federal emergency loans as a result of a USDA primary agricultural disaster designation due to crop losses of tree fruits like peaches that were caused by frost and freeze occurring between February and May.

“Despite having received some much needed rainfall and the fall harvest winding down, the ongoing drought conditions continue to adversely affect farmers across Massachusetts,” said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux. “We are committed to working with farmers not only through this difficult time, but also to helping farmers adapt their operations in anticipation of future droughts and environmental challenges. We encourage residents to buy local and continue to support our hard-working farmers.”

Task Force officials noted that while reservoir levels, especially smaller systems, are low for this time of year, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not currently experiencing drought conditions, as defined within its individual plan.

“The Quabbin Reservoir is still within normal levels,” said MWRA Executive Director Fred Laskey. “Although we still have a long way to go before we get to a drought stage, we continue to encourage residents and businesses within our service area to conserve water in their daily routines.”

The declaration of a Drought Warning and Drought Advisory requires the Drought Management Task Force to meet on a regular basis to more closely assess conditions across the state, coordinate dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal and local agencies prepare any responses that may be needed in the future. The Task Force will next meet in December. For further information on water conservation and what you can do, visit the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ drought page, the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s drought management page, and the MassDEP Water Conservationpage.

AARP王淑縈獲美華協會亞太裔企業成就獎

OCA Honors AARP’s Susan Wang

for Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement

AARP高級顧問王淑縈榮獲美華協會

頒發亞太裔企業成就獎

Left to right: Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience; Susan Wang, AARP Senior Advisor, ITS Mainframe; and Leslie Moe-Kaiser, OCA National President. Photo credit Rui Barros. Download photo here.

從左到右：AARP多元文化引領亞太裔受眾副總裁Daphne Kwok（郭為婉）、AARP的信息科技服務系統高級顧問Susan Wang（王淑縈）、以及美華協主席Leslie Moe-Kaiser。Photo credit Rui Barros. 點擊此處下載圖片.

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 9, 2016 – AARP’s Susan Wang received a National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Award last Friday in Arlington, VA. Organized by OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national membership-driven organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, the award recognizes individuals who exemplifies the accomplishments of the employee within their corporation as well as their commitment to community service.

As senior advisor of AARP’s ITS mainframe, Wang and her team manage the organization’s database of nearly 38 million members on a 24/7 basis. She co-founded AARP’s Asian American Employee Resource Group which has enhanced employees’ personal and professional experiences and helped AARP engage the Asian American communities around the country. Since 2002, Susan has also served as a staff mentor to AARP’s only all-Chinese chapter located in Los Angeles. With her help, the chapter has grown to 500 members.

“AARP is privileged to have an outstanding leader like Susan who has been with AARP for years. We honor her for not only excellence managing AARP’s database but also for passionately and energetically connecting the greater Los Angeles Chinese American community to AARPs assets like technology training, fraud prevention, caregiving resources and so much more! AARP needs to replicate more leaders like Susan Wang!” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. At the gala, Kwok also received the OCA Executive Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions to the Asian Pacific American community.

Wang is also actively involved with many organizations in Southern California. She served as the secretary of the Eden Foundation for People with Disabilities, a board member of the California State Polytechnic University’s Alumni Association, a member of Los Angeles County Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, and the VP of the Educational Foundation of American Association of University Women (AAUW) Arcadia branch.

“We congratulate Susan and thank her for her valuable contributions that strengthen our community. She and the other awardees share a positive and proactive work ethic that deserves to recognized and should be emulated,” said Ken Lee, CEO of OCA.

【華盛頓哥倫比亞特區2016年11月9日訊】AARP高級顧問Susan Wang（王淑縈）上週五在弗吉尼亞州阿靈頓榮獲美華協會總會頒發全國亞太裔企業成就獎。美華協會全名為“美華協會－美國亞太裔倡導組織”（OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates），是一個由全國各地會員推動成立的機構，宗旨是提高美國亞太裔在社會、政治和經濟等各方面的福祉。該會每年頒發“全國亞太裔企業成就獎”，以表揚個人在企業內成就卓越、但同時致 力貢獻社區。

作為AARP的信息科技服務系統高級顧問，王淑縈和其團隊每天24小時管理該組織接近3800萬會員的數據庫。她並共同創辦AARP亞裔員工資源組，除了提升企業員工的個人和專業經驗，並幫助AARP接觸全國各地的亞裔民眾。自2002年以來，王淑縈便擔任AARP唯一一個全華人組成、位於洛杉磯的AARP 分會職員導師。在她的幫助下，此分會成員已經增長至500個。

“AARP很榮幸擁有一位像王淑縈這樣傑出的領導者。她在AARP工作多年，我們不僅感謝她在管理AARP據庫方面的卓越表現，還有她積極、大力地將AARP資源帶給大洛杉磯的華人社區，例如技術培訓、防止詐騙、照護資源等 等 的信息。AARP需要培養更多類似王淑縈的人才！”AARP多元文化引領亞太裔受眾副總裁Daphne Kwok（郭為婉）說。與此同時，郭為婉也在晚會上獲得美華協會頒發行政卓越獎，以表揚她對亞太裔社區的傑出貢獻。

除此之外，Susan Wang還積極參與南加州的許多組織。她曾經擔任Eden Foundation for People with Disabilities（伊甸園殘疾人基金會）秘書、California State Polytechnic University’s Alumni Association（加州州立理工大學校友會）董事會成員、Los Angeles County Long-Term Care Coordinating Council（洛杉磯縣長期護理協調委員會）成員、Educational Foundation of American Association of University Women（美國大學婦女協會教育基金會）Arcadia分會副會長。

“ 我們祝 賀 Susan Wang和感謝她為強化我們社區作出  的寶貴貢獻。她和其他獲獎者都擁有積極和主動的工作態度，值得人們表彰和效仿。” 美華協會行政總監Ken Lee（李健良）說。

Operation Exit graduates young, at-risk residents into building trade apprenticeships

Operation Exit graduates young, at-risk residents into building trade apprenticeships

The "second chances" job training program has placed 89% of graduates into living-wage union apprenticeships

BOSTON – The newest class of Operation Exit, Mayor Martin J. Walsh's intensive career preparation program for at-risk young adults, has achieved a high-water mark of success for the program. The participants – all young men of color with some history of court involvement – achieved a 100 percent graduation rate. Of the 19 graduates, 17 have secured union apprenticeships in the building trades at starting wages of $19-24 per hour. Robert K. Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group and New England Patriots, provided the funding for this class of Operation Exit.

"The young men in Operation Exit have made the commitment to change the direction of their lives," Mayor Walsh said. "Our commitment to them is to provide the tools they need to sustain that change. When it comes to making our communities safer and more productive, these young people are showing the way."

Over half of the Operation Exit graduates, whose average age is 24, shoulder parenting responsibilities. Most reside in Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, or the lower South End. 

“Operation Exit is the best evidence that none of us are just one thing and that with the right opportunity and support, success is possible for any one of us. Mayor Walsh has insisted that we think of public safety outside of the parameters of enforcement only. This initiative is evidence of that philosophy!” said Daniel Mulhern, Director of the Mayor's Office of Public Safety. 

Mayor Walsh established Operation Exit in 2014 to help at-risk residents gain knowledge and skills for new careers. The program is co-administered by the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and YOU Boston, an organization that helps young people who present with multiple barriers achieve success in education and employment. Four previous cycles of Operation Exit have focused on the culinary industry, web development, and the building trades. Thus far, 90% of the 49 young people who have graduated from the building trades cycles have been successfully placed in internships.

Over a three-week period from July to August 2016, Operation Exit's most recent cohort spent 8-hour days working to ready themselves for entry in the building trades. Participants conducted site visits to construction jobs, logged shop time with unions, earned OSHA and CPR certifications, received individualized support services, and worked on job readiness skills such as interviewing, conflict resolution, and financial literacy. Graduates have been placed in apprenticeships with the sheet metal workers', carpenters', laborers', painters', and ironworkers' unions. 

A recent report commissioned by the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD) found that the construction industry poses promising career pathways for low-income residents. The industry is projected to grow by 27 percent between 2012 and 2022 and strong union membership has promoted opportunities for career and wage advancement. 

On Wednesday evening, Mayor Martin J. Walsh will join representatives of the building trades community to congratulate the newest graduates of Operation Exit at a celebratory dinner at Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #17 in Dorchester. In addition to Mayor Walsh, other speakers will include Daniel Mulhern, Director of the Mayor's Office of Public Safety, and Brian Doherty, General Agent of the Building & Construction Trades Council.   

"We're particularly excited to celebrate this cohort of Operation Exit for the program's highest graduation rate and swiftest apprenticeship placements yet," said Freddie Velez, Deputy Director of YOU Boston. "With each successive cycle, we continue to refine the program model to meet participants' needs. We're proud to see that investment paying off in these graduates' success."

YOU Boston is a sub-agency of the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, an affiliate of the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

MAYOR WALSH ISSUES STATEMENTS ON BALLOT QUESTIONS 2 AND 5

MAYOR WALSH ISSUES STATEMENTS ON BALLOT QUESTIONS 2 AND 5

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today issued the following statements based on election results for ballot question 2 to lift the charter school cap and ballot question 5, the Community Preservation Act: Question 2 "The election results show that the majority of voters agree that it is financially irresponsible to increase the number of charter schools in our state without identifying a steady stream of funding to cover the cost. Boston has the best charter schools and the best district schools of any major city in the nation, and I look forward to our important work ahead in continuing to improve our schools." Question 5 "I am proud that the residents of Boston have voted to join 161 other cities and towns across the Commonwealth in approving the Community Preservation Act. The CPA will allow us to invest in making our neighborhoods more equitable and beautiful by unlocking tens of millions of dollars each year for affordable housing, while protecting open space and investing in historic preservation projects. I look forward to the increased community benefits that will be shared across the City of Boston as a result of the passage of this  act."

Governor Baker Issues Statement on Presidential Election

Governor Baker Issues Statement on Presidential Election

BOSTON—Today, Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement on the results of the 2016 Presidential Election:

“The people of Massachusetts deserve a federal government that works collaboratively to solve our nation’s problems and it is my hope that President-elect Donald Trump works quickly to unite our country after a divisive election. Our administration is eager to partner with the next administration to tackle the most pressing issues for our state, region and country.”

Piantedosi Bakery Celebrates 100 Years

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Joe Piantedosi recently welcomed Mayor Gary Christenson along with elected officials and local celebrities to a celebration in honor of Piantedosi Bakery’s 100th anniversary. The event took place at the Danversport Yacht Club.

Being celebrated is that 100 years ago, Salvatore Piantedosi, an immigrant from Avellino, Italy, founded the Piantedosi Baking Co., Inc. Salvatore, the “Midnight Baker” delivered breads and pasta, anytime day or night. He and his wife Mary worked tirelessly to build an enduring family business for future generations. Although the original bakery was built on Main Street in Everett next door to the family’s home, they ultimately moved into a bigger, newly built facility on Commercial Street in Malden. In 1995 they opened a “specialty division” that specializes in partially baked products and became the home of the Research and Development Department. Many of the 250 employees have worked for the Piantedosi family for 20 years and more. Today, grandsons Tom, Bob and Joe, Jr. are in charge of operations and continue to promote the legacy of Salvatore and Mary.

Governor Baker Issues Statement on Massachusetts Ballot Question 4

Governor Baker Issues Statement on Massachusetts Ballot Question 4

BOSTON—Tonight, Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement on Massachusetts Ballot Question 4, to legalize the recreational use of marijuana:

“Lt. Governor Polito and I are proud to have worked with an unprecedented bipartisan coalition that has voiced concerns with this proposal, and our administration will work closely with lawmakers, educators, and public safety and public health professionals to ensure this transition protects the interests of our communities and families."

Governor Baker Issues Statement on Massachusetts Ballot Question 2

Governor Baker Issues Statement on Massachusetts Ballot Question 2

​BOSTON—Tonight, Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement on the results of Massachusetts Ballot Question 2, to lift the cap on charter schools:

“I am proud to have joined with thousands of parents, teachers and education reformers in a worthwhile campaign to provide more education choices for students stuck in struggling districts, and while Question 2 was not successful, the importance of that goal is unchanged. I am proud that our administration has made historic investments in our public schools, expanded support for vocational schools and  proposed new solutions to make college more affordable.  I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders toward our common goal to ensure a great education for every child in Massachusetts, regardless of their zip code.”