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.”

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“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.”

Commonwealth Awards $3 Million to Northeastern University to Drive Development of Smart Sensors and Nanoscale Materials

Commonwealth Awards $3 Million to Northeastern University to Drive Development of Smart Sensors and Nanoscale Materials

Research and Development Grant to Northeastern University from Massachusetts Technology Collaborative will Support Advancement of Connected Technologies with Medical, Defense, and Energy Applications

BURLINGTON – Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $3 million grant to Northeastern University to establish the Advanced Nanomanufacturing Cluster for Smart Sensors and Materials (“ANSSeM”), a consortium of private manufacturing companies and tier-one research universities working on new methods to create smart sensors and other revolutionary materials using ‘nanoscale’ printing processes.

The five-year grant award is made by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant Program, a program supporting large-scale, long-term research projects that have high potential to spur innovation, cluster development and job growth in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth’s investment will help fund new infrastructure at Northeastern’s George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security, as well as at Tufts and UMass Boston, while helping drive commercialization of new products and driving workforce and economic development activities.

“Our administration has prioritized the growth of the Commonwealth’s nationally-leading innovation economy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through collaborative projects like the Advanced Nanomanufacturing Cluster for Smart Sensors and Materials, we are unlocking private investment and job creation in revolutionary technologies, unleashing the unmatched ingenuity of our citizens, and connecting every region in the Commonwealth to the innovation economy.”

“By partnering with academic researchers and private-sector employers, we are ensuring that the next generation of advanced manufacturing technology is developed, and deployed, in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This consortium will connect Massachusetts employers to unique nanoscale manufacturing technology, helping to ensure the long-term competitiveness of our manufacturing sector.”

The Commonwealth’s investment will be matched by nearly $11 million in outside funds, highlighting the critical partnership between industry, academia, and public partners across Massachusetts. Proposals funded under the Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant Program are reviewed by an investment advisory committee composed of executives from academia, industry, and the venture capital communities.

The Baker-Polito Administration’s economic development strategy prioritizes research and development in high-potential emerging technology areas. The administration’s economic development legislation, filed in January 2016, proposes an additional $25 million state capital investment into the Scientific and Technology Research and Development Matching Grant Fund, the fund which supports the Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant Program. 

During the event at Northeastern’s Kostas Research Institute in Burlington, Massachusetts, speakers highlighted the impact that smart sensors will have on advancing connected technologies, known as the “Internet of Things,” and the impact that increased R&D in nanomaterials could have on commercial products. Potential commercial applications range from high-precision sensors used to monitor premature babies in hospital neonatal units, to devices that track water quality, to wearable devices that monitor biometric data. A 2015 study by IDTechEx in Cambridge estimated that the market for wearable sensors and electronics would grow to $64 billion over the following decade. A June 2015 study by McKinsey found that the Internet of Things will have a total potential economic impact of $3.9 to $11.1 trillion a year by 2025. 

The cluster’s corporate partners include numerous well known manufacturers with operations across the state, including Rogers Corporation, a NASDAQ-traded public corporation that has its research headquarters at the Kostas Research Institute in Burlington; General Electric; Milara, Inc. of Medway and Milford; Raytheon, based in Waltham; HC Starck of Newton; and GloTech/OptoGlo, of Leominster and Devens.

Due to their electrical, mechanical and optical properties, nanomaterials have the potential to revolutionize the sensing industry. The ANSSeM consortium will work with the Nanoscale Offset Printing System (NanoOPS), a manufacturing technology pioneered by Northeastern University’s Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN), which will be the institutional home for the ANSSeM cluster work. NanoOPS can print nanoscale sensors and devices as small as 20 nm (or more than 1,000 times thinner than a human hair) on a variety of surfaces, and can print 100 to 1,000 times faster than current inkjet-based electronic and 3D printing.

The ANSSeM initiative has five major project tasks:

• Designing, developing and manufacturing commercial prototypes based on smart sensors and advanced materials;
• Increasing the flexibility of the nanoscale printing technology, to enable printing on a variety of soft and hard substrates;
• Studying advanced materials and product life cycle sustainability, to ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory agencies;
• Improving physical infrastructure, including the purchase of instruments and equipment for materials characterization and testing of product prototypes as well as two second-generation NanoOPS; and
• Creating commercialization programs and workforce development, such as seminars and workforce training programs to introduce and expose highly-educated individuals who are currently out of the job market to the advanced printing technology.

The Commonwealth’s award builds on a previous state grant, which awarded $2 million for the launch of Northeastern’s Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing, funds which were provided to match an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Both grants from the Commonwealth are managed by the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

“The success of the Nano OPS technology results from the extensive partnerships these researchers have built with manufacturing leaders across Massachusetts. Our continuing relationship with Northeastern University and the benefits from our earlier support are now leading breakthroughs into new fields of advanced manufacturing processes,” said Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “The state supported research that has contributed to this breakthrough can benefit manufacturing firms from Boston, to Central Massachusetts, and even to the Berkshires, demonstrating the reach of these innovations.”

麻州有意下五年禁令 不准 Uber, Lyft 在會展中心前載客

麻州議會刻正研議，為期五年的禁止 Uber 及Lyft 從波士頓會議展覽中心之類場地載客。

數以千計從外地來波士頓會議展覽中心開會的人，早已習慣招輛Uber車，載他們回酒店，到餐廳，或去機場。有關人員表示，此法一旦通過，將使波士頓會議展覽中心成為全美有此限制的少數幾個大會展中心之一。

在立法機關設法規範這類公司之際，麻州眾議會已批准一項法令，為期五年的禁止 Uber 及 Lyft 在會展中心場地載客。麻州參議會正研議中。

這一做法，將擴大羅根國際機場現有的多種禁止載客規定。會展中心人表示，他們對這提案傻了眼，正推動參議會在考慮相關法令時，廢除此一禁令。

麻州會展中心局交通主任James Folk表示，通過 Uber 及Lyft 禁令，會使波士頓會議展覽中心和海恩斯會議展覽中心在尋找會展場地的大企業集團面前，更缺乏吸引力，對那些湧到南波士頓這會展中心或D草坪參加活動的本地居民也很不方便。

有關人員表示，Uber 及 Lyft 車輛目前能從會展中心載客，但在人很多的會展舉行時，等計程車的人龍仍然很長。一家 James Folk 不願公佈名稱的公司估計，在2015年內，會展中心的載客數，達15,000次。生意量多到夠分。

不過計程車業支持者表示，對招車公司設限制是讓一些計程車司機能夠存活的唯一方法。自從 Uber 及 Lyft這類公司出現後，計程車司機眼見營收大減。從2015年的1月到6月，波士頓計程車的載客量和之前一年同期相比，就減少了22%。

有關人員表示，如果立法機關通過了不准 Uber 及 Lyft 在機場及會展中心載客的5年禁令，麻州將和全美逆勢而行，會使得波士頓對遊客來說缺乏吸引力。

機場對哪些車能在機場招客，一向有嚴格規定，意味著 Uber 及 Lyft這類公司通常是被禁止的，但近年來，這些服務越來越受歡迎，大機場也改變態度。現在洛杉磯，舊金山的國際機場，以及芝加哥的歐哈瑞（O’Hare）機場，都允許 Uber 及Lyft 從機場載客。羅根是少數幾個仍然禁止的機場之一。

目前，Uber 仍然能夠透過 UberBlack，以及 Uber SUV，那些在波士頓警察局的“出租車輛單位（Hackney Carriage unit）”登記，付了商業保險費，穿制服的車輛，派車到機場服務。不過絕大多數乘客所熟悉，最便宜，大都使用個人車輛提供服務，未買商業保險，也未向警察局登記的那些 UberX，仍然不抱括在內。