MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CURBSIDE FOOD WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CURBSIDE FOOD WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM New pickup program will turn residents’ food waste into compost and clean energy, expanding City-wide composting options

BOSTON - Thursday, May 26, 2022 - Building on her commitment to make Boston a Green New Deal City, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Public Works Department today announced that a curbside food waste collection program with rolling online enrollment is now available. Food waste collection will align with residents’ scheduled trash and recycling collection days. This program will reduce the City’s reliance on landfills and incinerators, and make it more convenient for Boston residents to dispose of their household food waste. The food waste, which will be collected through a partnership between Garbage to Garden and Save That Stuff, will be sent to Save that Stuff's composting site in West Bridgewater to be turned into compost that will be made available to Boston parks, gardens, and schools, and sent to Waste Management's CORe Facility in Charlestown where it will be made into clean energy.  “In Boston we do big things by getting the small things right, and curbside food waste collection is an important example of how we can each have an impact in moving our city toward sustainability with how we dispose of our food scraps,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Making it easier and more accessible for residents to compost diverts our City’s waste from landfills and incineration, so Boston can be a Green New Deal city. I encourage everyone interested to sign up, and I’m excited to see how the program grows in the years to come.” Any Boston resident who lives in a residential building with six units or less is eligible to enroll in the program. The City is prioritizing enrollment in the program to residents in vulnerable communities, based on the state's criteria for environmental justice communities coupled with proximity to a Project Oscar compost drop-off site. This year’s curbside collection program will have a cap of 10,000 households for the first year, with the goal of adding 10,000 or more every year, depending on demand. Service begins August 1, 2022. In July, compost bin “starter kits” will be delivered to residents who have enrolled in the program. The “starter kits” include an onboarding manual, a roll of liners, kitchen bin, collection bin, and a magnet outlining what food scraps are and are not accepted in the program. Accepted materials include common household food scraps such as coffee grounds, fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, and eggs.  “Food waste constitutes one-third of the current waste stream, and we’re excited to introduce this program to Boston residents to help meet our zero waste goals,” said Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge. “Our goal is to educate residents on ways to reduce the amount of food waste they generate and give them ways to responsibly dispose of what they can’t use or donate.”  "Expanded composting opportunities for Boston residents is critical to meet our zero-waste goals," said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. "By centering environmental justice communities in this process, we are placing equity at the forefront of our work and helping the residents that are most impacted by the effects of climate change.”  Today’s announcement aligns with Boston’s Zero Waste Plan, outlining the City’s strategy to reduce its waste by 2035. MassDEP estimates that food waste accounts for more than 25 percent of the waste stream in Massachusetts after recycling. When sent to landfills or incinerators, food waste can generate harmful greenhouse gasses, lose potential energy, cause pollution, and lose its agricultural benefits. The City’s collection team will transform Boston’s food waste by utilizing two methods: Save that Stuff’s Composting Facility in West Bridgewater, MA: Food scraps will be turned into compost at Save that Stuff’s composting facility in West Bridgewater, MA. In the composting process, organic material is made into nutrient-rich fertilizer that helps produce more plants and food. The finished compost will be made available to Boston parks, community gardens, and schools.  Waste Management’s CORe Facility in Charlestown: At the Waste Management’s CORe Facility food waste is made into a slurry for easier combustion. The slurry is then hauled to North Andover’s Greater Lawrence Sanitary District (GLSD) where it is produced into biogas and renewable electricity which is sent to the grid.  “The benefits of food scrap recycling are undeniable,” said Garbage to Garden President and Founder Tyler Frank. “We have offered private subscription curbside composting for ten years, but this municipally-funded program is a major milestone for New England. We’re excited to be a part of this unique program, and look forward to seeing this model replicated as other communities follow Boston’s lead in the next few years.” “We look forward to recovering this important segment of the waste stream and are encouraged by the steps Boston is taking towards our One Goal. Zero Waste!” said Save That Stuff President Erik Levy. The link to sign up for the curbside food waste collection program, as well as more information about the City’s composting efforts, can be found here.  In addition to this program, the City is expanding Project Oscar, its food waste drop-off program. Launching this summer, the City will be partnering with farmers markets and community gardens to roll out nearly 25 new sites across the City. To find a drop-off nearest to you, please click here.  "As an organization that makes compost, distributes compost to neighborhood gardeners and buys in compost from regional companies, we know how important this resource is and how our local food system can be strengthened by producing more of it,” said Danielle Andrews, the Boston Farmer Manager for The Food Project. “We are thrilled to partner with the City to offer a comprehensive composting program to residents, using both our West Cottage farm and Dudley Common farmers’ market as drop off locations for food scraps and other organic matter."

麻州政府推出數據樞紐

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Launch of New Massachusetts Data Hub  

New Data Hub tool connects users to data, reports published by Massachusetts state agencies 

Browse resources by topic, check out featured data, or search by keyword. 

 

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of the Massachusetts Data Hub, a new, user-friendly data search tool developed by the Executive Office of Technology Services (EOTSS). The Data Hub allows users to search state resources and data by topic and keyword, as well as browse featured data published by state government. 

 

The Data Hub reflects the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to sharing data transparently and openly to better serve the Commonwealth’s many residents, businesses and visitors. 

 

“The Massachusetts Data Hub brings additional organization and transparency to the Commonwealth’s vast and varied data landscape,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This tool’s launch represents an important step in making state data more readily available and easy to access.” 

 

“It is critical that state data is available to municipal leaders so that they can make better informed decisions in tackling the many challenges their communities and constituents face,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The Massachusetts Data Hub will work toward these goals by making state government more inclusive and providing more intuitive access to agency data.”  

The Massachusetts Data Hub aggregates state agency-published data and web pages, and organizes content around topics that make data easier to find. As of its launch, the Hub includes more than 250 pages of content where state agencies have published datasets, dashboards and reports on subjects such as COVID-19, births and deaths, state finance and vehicle crash data.  

 

Users can search by topic – such as Health and Social Services, Energy and Environment, Transportation – or by keyword. This enhanced search feature allows constituents to review data published across state government without needing to know which state agency collects the information or where to find it on their websites. 

 

“The Massachusetts Data Hub represents a collaboration with dozens of Commonwealth agencies to make state data easier to find and understand,” said Secretary of Technology and Security Services Curt Wood. “EOTSS looks forward to continuing collaboration with our agency partners to improve the tools and technologies that enable them to better connect constituents with their data.” 

 

 

 

Over the coming months, EOTSS will continue incorporating additional datasets and making iterative changes to improve the Hub’s usability. Additionally, EOTSS will collaborate with agencies to improve webpages containing data by making them easier to find and adding plain language descriptions of the data. 

 

EOTSS was established in 2017 as the Commonwealth’s lead technology and cybersecurity agency via Article 87 government restructuring legislation filed by Governor Baker and approved by the Legislature. Its mission is to lead initiatives to modernize the Commonwealth’s IT infrastructure assets, continually strengthen government cybersecurity operations and standards, and leverage innovative technology solutions to offer user-friendly digital services to its constituents. 

 

To access the new Massachusetts Data Hub, click here. 

 

To provide feedback to help improve the Hub, click here. 

波士頓公共圖書館新添 2 董事

José Massó, III and Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten appointed by Mayor to join board

José Massó, III and Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten

May 26, 2022 – BOSTON, MA – he Boston Public Library announced today that José Massó, III and Simmons president Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten have been appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu to serve on the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees.  Mayor Wu also reappointed Trustees Evelyn Arana-Ortiz and John Hailer to the Board for additional five-year terms.    The Trustees' mission is to preserve and provide access to historical records of our society, and to serve the cultural, educational, and informational needs of the city of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.   "It is my pleasure to appoint José Massó, III and Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten to serve as Trustees of the Boston Public Library,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.  “They bring innovative vision, expansive knowledge, and a love for building community to the Board and to the residents of Boston and beyond. I’m so grateful for their service to this dynamic and historic institution in our city.”  “On behalf of my fellow trustees, we are delighted to welcome José and Lynn to the Board,” said Priscilla H. Douglas, Chair of the BPL Trustees.  “Their unique talents, expertise, and community connections will ensure that the Boston Public Library continues to be a welcoming and equitable institution, even better positioned to offer enrichment and education -- free to all.”   Incorporated in 1878, the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees establishes policies and sets the strategic goals of the library, oversees the general operating and administrative policies, and acts as an agent of public trust governing the library. The BPL Board of Trustees works together with the library president to carry out responsibilities that involve governance and policy-making, financial and development oversight, and the work of strategic planning.  “I am so humbled to be joining such an august group of servant leaders and look forward to contributing in any way I can to advance the mission of the library,” said José Massó, III. “A profound thank you to Mayor Wu for appointing me.”  "The Boston Public Library has played a key role in this city for more than a hundred and fifty years, and it is an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees. Libraries have transformed my life by contributing to my quest for knowledge and learning, and allowing me to access people, events, and places I could not experience on my own. In addition, Simmons University is proud to offer one of the nation’s top library and information science programs, and I am excited to have the opportunity to advance the BPL’s critical mission, particularly as it relates to education.”  The Board also recognized outgoing Trustees Zamawa Arenas and Joyce Linehan for their service at this week’s annual meeting.    The Board of Trustees consists of 15 trustees, all residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and appointed by the Mayor of Boston. Trustees hold their office for a term of five years and until their successor is appointed.  ABOUT DR. LYNN PERRY WOOTEN   Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, a seasoned academic and an expert on organizational development and transformation, is the ninth president of Simmons University and the first African American to lead the institution.    Specializing in crisis leadership, diversity and inclusion, and positive leadership, Dr. Wooten is an innovative leader and prolific author and presenter. She is the co-author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling book Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership, which was released in April 2022. In addition, she has authored two additional books, nearly 30 journal articles, and more than 15 book chapters.     Dr. Wooten came to Simmons from Cornell University, where she was the David J. Nolan Dean and Professor of Management and Organizations at the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. Prior to that, she served on the faculty of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business for nearly 20 years.    Dr. Wooten is actively involved in the Boston philanthropic and civic community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the International Women’s Forum of Massachusetts, the Fenway Alliance, and MASCO. In addition, Dr. Wooten serves on the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Trustee Advisory Board, the JFK Library Foundation Board of Advisors, and the WBGH Board of Trustees. Dr. Wooten is also an active member of several national volunteer leadership organizations and university boards of trustees.     ABOUT JOSÉ MASSÓ, III  José is the host and producer of “¡Con Salsa!” a weekly bilingual program that airs on WBUR 90.9FM, National Public Radio in Boston.  T   José was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2010. He has the distinction of being the first Puerto Rican/Latino to join this group of radio and television broadcasters throughout the Commonwealth.  He also received the prestigious Gold Medal for Service to National Public Radio in 2015.  h   He began as a bilingual teacher in the Boston Public Schools at Copley Square High School (now the Muriel Sutherland Snowden International School), later working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under Governor Michael Dukakis, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration; retiring from Massport in 2021 José as Director of Policy. e   José serves as principal of JCMIII Consulting LLC, providing professional consulting and change management to corporate, public, academic, and non-profit organizations in the areas of Policy, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Community Relations, and Government Affairs.     Mayor-elect Michelle Wu appointed José to her Transition Team as an advisor after the 2021 mayoral elections for his leadership and community service.     In 2022 Boston Magazine named José one of the 100 Most Influential Bostonians.   A native of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, he is fluent in Spanish and skilled in cross-cultural communications.     José and his wife Divina reside in their home in Hyde Park with Jett, their Yorkshire Terrier.

Sumner 隧道訂6月起暫封 麻州參議員 Lydia Edwards 爭取百萬元經費擴充船運

Sen. Lydia Edwards secures $1 Million for Regional Mitigation Ferry

Photo from Senator Edwards' website

Senator fulfills her promise to invest in water-based transportation after the Senate approves a $1 million regional ferry. 

MASSACHUSETTS – Spearheaded by Senator Lydia Edwards the Massachusetts State Senate passed a $1 million amendment for the operation of a water ferry connecting Winthrop, Lynn, Quincy, East Boston and the North End. This ferry will mitigate transportation as the 88-year-old Sumner Tunnel that runs a mile under the Boston Harbor is being renovated starting June 10. 

 “I was proud to work with my colleagues in the legislature to secure the funds for the necessary mitigation. The closing of the Sumner Tunnel impacts the entire region. The funds will be used to subsidize and expand ferry service within the MBTA ”

 This funding will be used next year when Sumner Tunnel is shut down for several months. Currently the Sumner Tunnel is one of three main arteries into Boston from the North Shore. The other two include the Ted Williams and the Tobin Bridge.

 “The people of Winthrop will be dramatically affected by the Sumner Tunnel renovation project.  For this reason, Senator Edwards and I have worked hard in this budget process to make $1,000,000.00 available to cover the cost of both a more regional, expanded and sustainable scope of the Winthrop Ferry," said Rep. Jeffrey Turco. 

 “I applaud Senator Edwards for her work on this important amendment that would provide much relief for our constituents who will be impacted by the Sumner Tunnel closures,”  said Sen. Brendan Crighton. “With traffic already at pre pandemic levels, we must do more to invest in our water transportation system and this amendment is a big step in the right direction. “  

 “Though we may travel through different parts of our state, Massachusetts residents all share the common experience known as the commute. As we strive toward making this experience as convenient as possible for everyone, we have to be open to new solutions like additional ferry service," said Sen. John F. Keenan.

 Sen. Edwards has also secured $50,000 for the Friends of Belle Isle to continue their preservation program’s at the marsh. Salt marshes like Belle Isle offer various environmental and economic benefits, as our region is increasingly threatened by a rising sea level & temperatures. 

 Additionally, Edwards secured:  $50,000 to combat substance abuse and homlesness in Revere, $75,000 for Revere’s Sand Sculpting Festival’s public safety support, $10,000 for Revere police department’s community outreach and programming,  $30,000 for CASA, a youth  organization in Winthrop, $50,000 for  STEAM and youth guidance programing at East Boston High School, $20,000 for Pine St. Inn’s for safe housing for women with mental health issues and $35,000 for Cambridge non profits including NAACP- Cambridge, HEART, Popportunity, and Cambridge Housing Authority's The Workforce training program.

波士頓移民辦公室主任調任市長副幕僚長

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES YUSUFI VALI AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF

file photo BOSTON - Thursday, May 26, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the appointment of Yusufi Vali as her Deputy Chief of Staff. Vali will transition from his current position as the Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) into his new role on May 31.  Vali will support Mayor Wu and Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu in leading the Mayor’s Cabinet and implementing Mayor Wu’s transformative vision of a Boston that works for all residents. Vali will play a key role in advancing Mayor Wu’s priorities, strengthening City government to be responsive to residents’ needs and voices, and ensuring strong collaboration among City departments, local organizations outside City Hall, and other levels of government to effectively deliver programs and services.  “Yusufi leads with compassion and years of experience building alongside residents in our local communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m excited for Yusufi’s experience and leadership to continue connecting all our departments and communities to City services, and grateful for his service.” “Yusufi brings a strong vision for ensuring City Hall connects with residents across all of Boston’s neighborhoods to deliver change,” said Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu. “As Deputy Chief of Staff, Yusufi will draw upon his well-known community work and leadership to drive key programs forward, and I am thrilled to work together to move the city forward”. As Director, Vali leads the MOIA team to advance stability, economic empowerment, civic ownership, and social integration for immigrants in Boston. Since Vali's appointment in 2019, MOIA has launched critical programs to ensure equity, build wealth for immigrant families, and connect immigrants in Boston with more support including Immigrants Lead Boston, the Dreamers Fellowship, and the Immigrant Professionals Fellowship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MOIA has provided crucial support with basic needs assistance to our most vulnerable immigrant residents.  “I am very excited for what Mayor Wu’s leadership and vision means for our great city at this important moment,” said Yusufi Vali. “I am honored to be part of her team focused on transforming city government to work effectively for each and every resident.“  Vali has also supported the Mayor’s legislative agenda on immigration and worked to strengthen legal infrastructure for pathways to status. In line with ensuring Boston is a city for everyone, MOIA is a fierce advocate for Boston's immigrant residents, leading the nation in supporting Haitian arrivals. Following Vali’s departure, MOIA’s interim director will be Agnes Chang, the current MOIA Chief of Staff. Prior to joining the city, Vali served as the Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, a mosque and community center that serves over 1,500 congregants of various ethnicities, the majority of which with an immigrant background. Before joining the ISBCC in 2012, Vali was a community organizer with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, where he advocated for better education and access to health care for low-income families.  Vali is an immigrant from Nagpur, India, and a proud resident of Roslindale.

AG HEALEY SUES MANUFACTURERS OF TOXIC ‘FOREVER’ CHEMICALS FOR CONTAMINATING MASSACHUSETTS DRINKING WATER AND DAMAGING NATURAL RESOURCES

 AG HEALEY SUES MANUFACTURERS OF TOXIC ‘FOREVER’ CHEMICALS FOR CONTAMINATING MASSACHUSETTS DRINKING WATER AND DAMAGING NATURAL RESOURCES

Exposure to PFAS Poses Serious Risks to Public Health; Complaint Seeks Payment for Contaminated Water Supplies and Damages to Natural Resources Caused by PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foam

 

photo by Chutze Chou

            BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today sued 13 manufacturers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) “forever” chemicals used in firefighting foam for causing millions of dollars in damages to communities across Massachusetts by knowingly contaminating drinking water sources, groundwater, and other natural resources with highly toxic PFAS chemicals that pose a serious threat to public health and the environment. The suit also names two companies that shielded assets that should be available to remedy the damages caused by PFAS contamination.

 

The AG’s complaint, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, alleges the manufacturers repeatedly violated state and federal laws protecting drinking water and prohibiting consumer deception by marketing, manufacturing, and selling PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to government entities, counties, municipalities, local fire departments, businesses and residents in Massachusetts while knowing of the serious dangers the chemicals posed.

 

“For decades, these manufacturers knew about the serious risks highly toxic PFAS chemicals pose to public health, the environment, and our drinking water—yet they did nothing about it,” AG Healey said. “As a result of this deception, our municipalities are spending millions of dollars to provide safe drinking water to their residents. I am suing today to hold these manufacturers accountable, require them to pay the growing costs these communities are shouldering, and repair our state’s precious natural resources that have been damaged by these illegal actions.”

“Since taking office, our Administration has provided over $110 million in funding to address PFAS contamination, including establishing strict standards for PFAS in drinking water and awarding funding to public water suppliers to help address PFAS contamination,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We appreciate Attorney General Healey for her partnership in this matter and appreciate everyone’s collective work to protect Massachusetts’ drinking water sources.”

“The Commonwealth continues to take a proactive approach in identifying sources of PFAS in order to protect drinking water supplies and our natural resources,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “The Baker-Polito Administration has worked directly with local communities to address the challenges associated with PFAS in our environment. The AG’s suit against these companies is another momentous step forward in safeguarding our drinking water sources and protecting public health.”

 

“PFAS contamination has affected a number of communities in Massachusetts, requiring costly immediate and long-term actions,” said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). “With this legal action, the Commonwealth is taking an important step to help us and those communities that are currently bearing the burden of addressing this pollution.”

 

According to the AG’s lawsuit, the manufacturers’ illegal actions led to the contamination of countless water supplies in Massachusetts, including more than 126 public drinking water systems in 86 communities with serious levels of PFAS contamination such as in Chicopee, Weymouth, Abington, Rockland, Cape Cod and Stow. The contamination has required massive efforts by these and other municipalities and the expenditure of millions of dollars to address the threat to the public health and the environment.

 

The 15 companies named in the lawsuit—part of multidistrict litigation that consists of hundreds of lawsuits brought by state attorneys general, municipalities, and private and public water districts—are 3M Company; AGC Chemical Americas, Inc; Archroma U.S. Inc.; Arkema, Inc.; Buckeye Fire Equipment; Chemguard Inc; Clarinet Corporation; Dynax Corporation; E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company; Kidde-Fenwal Inc.; National Foam Inc; The Chemours Company; Tyco Fire Products LP; Corteva Inc.; and DuPont de Nemours Inc.

 

According to the AG’s lawsuit, each of these manufacturers at varying times engaged in the design, manufacture, marketing, and/or selling of PFAS-containing AFFF used in Massachusetts. AFFF has been used in the U.S. since the 1960s by the military, airports, industrial facilities, and local fire departments to suppress flammable liquid fires, including aviation and jet fuel fires, and to help train firefighters and test firefighting equipment. AFFF products can cause hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of foamy water laced with PFAS to enter the environment in a variety of ways including through soils, sediment, surface water, and groundwater.

 

The AG’s complaint alleges that the manufacturers sold and produced PFAS-products and deceptively advertised them as safe without human health or environmental risk, when in fact they knew the chemicals were highly toxic and dangerous for the environment. The AG further alleges that the manufacturers also never warned the state or other buyers about the dangers of the PFAS-containing AFFF, even as they belatedly transitioned to other formulas or phased out production.

 

As alleged in the complaint, to hide negative information about the toxicity of these products, manufacturers submitted false information to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and tried to prevent workers from discussing the risks associated with the chemicals.  The complaint further alleges that some defendants then unlawfully engaged in corporate transactions in order to avoid their liability for their products. Today’s lawsuit asserts claims under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, and the Massachusetts Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, among others.

Exposure to various PFAS, including through contaminated water supplies, can lead to serious health issues, including decreased antibody responses to vaccines, increased risk of childhood infections, developmental issues for children, decreased birthweight, testicular and kidney cancers, ulcerative colitis, liver damage, and thyroid disease.

 

The AG’s complaint also alleges that the manufacturers’ PFAS-containing AFFF products have and continue to cause serious contamination to the state’s natural resources, including the state’s lakes, streams, and rivers like the Shawsheen River, a tributary of the Merrimack River; coastal zones, including Cape Cod, Cape Ann, Martha’s Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands and their estuaries which provide critical habitat for marine life; sediments, soils and submerged lands that are critical resources for a healthy ecosystem; and thousands of plant species and diverse wildlife.

 

Today’s lawsuit is seeking costs to clean up and remove, restore, treat, and monitor PFAS contamination and an order requiring the manufacturers to reimburse the state for the damages its products caused. The complaint also demands that the manufacturers remediate and restore the state’s natural resources and pay investigation fees and costs.

 

AG Healey’s Environmental Protection Division has prioritized combatting the growing public health risks associated with PFAS. Since 2019, AG Healey has repeatedly urged Congress and EPA to enact strong regulatory, reporting and monitoring standards for PFAS and to assist states and communities with the costs of drinking water treatment and other clean-up measures. AG Healey’s Office was a member of the Legislature’s PFAS Interagency Task Force that focused on addressing the state’s multifaceted ongoing PFAS-related challenges.

 

This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Andrew Goldberg, Lou Dundin, and Jillian Riley, as well as Division Chief Betsy Harper, all of AG Healey’s Environmental Protection Division and Special Assistant Attorneys General John D.S. Gilmour and William Jackson with assistance from MassDEP Deputy Commissioners Gary Moran and Paul Locke, General Counsel Benjamin Ericson, Jeffrey Mickelson, Lucas Rogers and Karen Crocker of the Office of General Counsel, Senior Officials Kathy Baskin, Elizabeth Callahan, Ann Lowery and Mark Smith, and Regional Office Directors Mike Gorski, MaryJude Pigsley, Eric Worrall and Millie Garcia Serrano.

 

Statements of support:

Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland)

“Safe drinking water is a critical resource, and today's actions by Attorney General Maura Healey are a powerful defense of this resource. Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been shown to increase the risks of cancer and infertility, as well as developmental delays in children. In 2020 the legislature created a task force to investigate PFAS contamination in our ground and our water supply, and this litigation takes further vital steps to protect our residents and the environment. I thank the Attorney General for her work to ensure that our Commonwealth’s laws and environmental protections are upheld, and I look forward to studying future developments on this issue.”

 

House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy)

“The safety of our drinking water is of paramount importance, which is why I’m proud to support the Attorney General in the effort to hold the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals accountable. In response to the ongoing work done by Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan and the PFAS Commission, the legislature allocated significant funding to support cities and towns as they work to guarantee that the Commonwealth’s public drinking water is safe for everyone. The House looks forward to engaging on this issue in the future as we learn more about the devastating impacts of PFAS chemicals on public health and our environment.”

 

State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow), co-chair of the Legislature’s PFAS Interagency Task Force

“For far too long, manufacturers have eluded responsibility for damages to public health and the environment caused by PFAS in firefighting foam. As a result of their decision to put profits ahead of people, our drinking water is contaminated with PFAS, our residents face health risks from exposure to these chemicals, and our communities are spending millions of dollars on remediation projects. The PFAS Interagency Task Force heard powerful testimony from the firefighting community on the devastating effects of PFAS in firefighting foam and turnout gear. I applaud Attorney General Maura Healey for taking this pivotal step to hold manufacturers accountable and to provide relief to impacted communities. Massachusetts is sending a clear message that the state will not tolerate endangerment of our residents and natural resources.”

 

Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), co-chair of the Legislature’s PFAS Interagency Task Force

“The widespread use of PFAS since the mid-20th century has resulted in contamination of our waters and environment and poses a risk to human health. There is an urgent need to move swiftly to phase out PFAS usage and attenuate a myriad of environmental and public health impacts. I am grateful for the leadership of Attorney General Maura Healey in holding those accountable for the PFAS contamination we see in our drinking water and environment. I am encouraged to have the Attorney General’s vision and partnership as we work together to ensure Massachusetts leads the way in tackling PFAS.”

 

Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director & CEO Geoff Beckwith

“On behalf of cities and towns in every corner of our state, we applaud Attorney General Maura Healey's leadership and resolve to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for years of harm to our environment, public health and worker safety. Municipalities and local taxpayers have been unfairly burdened with the expensive and complex task of removing toxic PFAS chemicals from our groundwater, lakes and streams, and from our public safety workplaces. Attorney General Healey’s legal intervention rightly seeks to place that burden squarely on the manufacturers who have caused this harmful pollution and exposure. Municipal leaders across Massachusetts are deeply grateful to have the Attorney General as a true partner, standing with our cities and towns in the fight to protect our environment and essential workers.” 

 

Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) President Rich MacKinnon, Jr.

“The PFFM stands with and supports our Attorney General Maura Healey in filing this lawsuit,” said the. We value our partnership with the AG in our ongoing battle against occupational cancer that plagues the firefighter profession. Large quantities of PFAS exist in the firefighting foam we use every day, and exposure to these forever chemicals has been linked to many forms of cancer. The public we took an oath to protect is not immune to this problem either, as many of these forever chemicals have made their way into the public water systems. We will continue to work closely with our AG to improve the health and safety of firefighters and the public we serve.”

 

Shrewsbury Fire Chief James Vuona, President of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts

“On behalf of the Fire Chiefs Association of MA, we fully support the Attorney General's Office and AG Maura Healey in the filing of this action. As firefighters and fire officers we accept the inherent dangers of our chosen professions, we know the risks going in. But the undisclosed, added risk of wearing our protective clothing or using fire suppressing foam should never have factored in as potential life-threatening risk for any member of the fire service.”

 

Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG Legislative Director

“For too long, our brave firefighters have had their health ironically endangered by the products they use to protect the rest of us. The Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) used to fight certain fires contains toxic PFAS, appropriately nicknamed ‘forever chemicals.’ MASSPIRG thanks Attorney General Maura Healey for suing the manufacturers of this dangerous product. Holding companies responsible for any damage their product causes is a bedrock principle of fairness, accountability and restitution. AG Healey’s action today will hold the polluters accountable and leverage the resources necessary to clean up the toxic waste left behind by this foam.”

 

Dr. Julia Brody, Executive Director and Senior Scientist at Silent Spring Institute

“We’re glad the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office is taking steps to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for the financial burden that communities are facing as they try to provide their residents with safe drinking water. It’s concerning that these highly persistent and toxic chemicals are so pervasive in drinking water given what we know about their health impacts, even at low levels, and especially among children whose developing bodies are more vulnerable to chemical exposures.”

 

Laura Spark, Senior Policy Advocate for Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund

“Clean Water Action thanks the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for its decision to join the PFAS multi-district litigation. Firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a major source of contamination of drinking water in Massachusetts communities near military installations and airports. These foams also contribute to the toxic body burden experienced by firefighters, many of whom have elevated levels of PFAS in their blood. Firefighters also have higher rates of cancer than the general population, including cancers caused by PFAS. We thank the AG’s Office for its vision and leadership in stepping forward to become part of this lawsuit.”

Governor Baker Nominates Attorney William J. Galvin as Circuit Justice of the District Court

 Governor Baker Nominates Attorney William J. Galvin as Circuit Justice of the District Court

 

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Attorney William J. Galvin as Circuit Justice of the District Court.

 

"Attorney Galvin’s many years of legal experience make him well-suited for this appointment," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I am glad to submit his nomination to the Governor's Council for their advice and consent."

 

"If confirmed, this distinguished nominee would bring significant trial experience to his new role,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am confident that he will serve as a fair and thoughtful member of the judiciary.”

 

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth.

 

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage.

 

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

 

About William J. Galvin

 

William J. Galvin began his legal career in 1995 as a legal intern at the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. He then joined the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, first as an investigator with the Senior Trial Unit, where he assisted with trial preparation and testified before grand juries and at trials until 2001.  He became an Assistant District Attorney in the Office and prosecuted cases in both District Court and Superior Court.  He also supervised prosecution teams in both the Central and Dorchester Divisions in the Boston Municipal Court. In 2008, Attorney Galvin opened his own solo practice, the Law Office of William J. Galvin, until 2011, where he worked as a litigation attorney for criminal and civil matters. Since 2011, Attorney Galvin has worked as a partner at Eisenstadt, Krippendorf and Galvin, LLP. An active member of his community, Attorney Galvin has volunteered as a coach of multiple youth sports in Norwood and as a participant of Bike MS, a charity based around multiple sclerosis. Galvin received his bachelor’s degree from Iona College in 1995 and his Juris Doctorate from New England School of Law in 2001.