JOHNSON & JOHNSON, DEPUY ORTHOPAEDICS PAY $120 MILLION TO SETTLE 46-STATE INVESTIGATION INTO MISLEADING MARKETING

JOHNSON & JOHNSON, DEPUY ORTHOPAEDICS PAY $120 MILLION TO SETTLE 46-STATE INVESTIGATION INTO MISLEADING MARKETING

AG Healey Secures Nearly $2.4 Million and Injunctive Relief for Massachusetts

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey has joined a coalition of 46 attorneys general in a $120 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. over allegations that the company endangered consumers by falsely advertising and misrepresenting the durability of its hip implantation devices.  

According to the complaint, filed today with a consent judgment in Suffolk Superior Court, AG Healey alleges that DePuy violated the state’s consumer protection law by misrepresenting the durability of its ASR XL and Pinnacle Ultamet hip implant devices, as well as the stability, fit, and rate of wear of the ASR XL. Under the terms of the consent judgment, which remains subject to court approval, Massachusetts is slated to receive $2,379,774.

“Surgeons and patients need all the facts when deciding on major medical procedures,” said AG Healey. “This settlement with Johnson & Johnson sends a strong message of accountability to the medical device industry.”

Some patients who required hip implant revision surgery to replace a failed ASR XL or Pinnacle Ultamet experienced persistent groin pain, allergic reactions, or tissue necrosis, as well as a build-up of metal ions in the blood. 

The ASR XL was the subject of a recall in 2010. DePuy discontinued the sale of the Pinnacle Ultamet in 2013.

As part of the consent judgment, DePuy has agreed to reform how it markets and promotes its hip implants, including: 

• Basing its claims of wear, durability, and stability of its hip implant devices on scientific information and the most recent dataset available from a registry.
• Updating and maintaining internal product complaint handling operating procedures including training of complaint reviewers.
• Disclosing DePuy’s role as a sponsor of a study referenced in any marketing materials.
• Tracking and analyzing product complaints including complaints that do not rise to a level of a federally required Medical Device Reportable Event.

The investigation was led by the Attorneys General of Texas and South Carolina with an Executive Committee consisting of the Attorneys General of Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Also participating in the settlement are Alabama, Alaska,

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

           

            The case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Michael Wong of AG Healey’s Health Care Division.

Boston 2019 LOVE YOUR BLOCK MINI-GRANTS now accepts application

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2019 LOVE YOUR BLOCK MINI-GRANTS

2018 Love Your Block volunteers in Codman Square Library BOSTON - Tuesday, January 22, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced applications are now open for the 2019 Love Your Block mini-grants. Applicants interested in transforming physical landscapes with social programs can apply here or email loveyourblock@boston.gov by Friday, March 1, 2019.  "The Love Your Block program is a fantastic way for residents and organizations to get involved in their community and continue to show why the neighborhoods of Boston are such special places to work and live," said Mayor Walsh. "I encourage all interested residents to apply for these grants."  Last year, 60 applications were received and five were chosen to receive funding. Projects included revitalizing community gardens and beautifying vacant plots of land. Neighborhood mini-grant winners are awarded up to $3,000 to either implement or revitalize a public space used to address a larger issue identified by the community. Past examples of projects include community gardens, art installations, and placemaking.  "Boston's Love Your Block grant helped the Mattapan Branch of Boston Public Library generate excitement surrounding healthy eating and gardening," said Celia Contelmo, teen librarian at the Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library. "Because of LYB's funding, library patrons of all ages were able to participate in growing fruits and vegetables in their own neighborhood." The Love Your Block mini-grant award selection committee includes representatives from the Love Your Block team, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Transportation Department, City Hall To Go Program, Department of Neighborhood Development, and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture.  THE WINNERS OF THE 2018 LOVE YOUR BLOCK MINI-GRANT WERE: Charlestown: Charlestown Sprouts Community Garden Received $800 to revitalize the community garden by updating its infrastructure: repairing a broken compost bin, creating a garden message board, repairing the water control box covering, and adding additional garden plots. Charlestown: The Charlestown Coalition Received $2,700 to create a "peace park" at Mt. Vernon Plaza with landscaping, water features, and memory rocks to help bring awareness to those suffering from trauma, and substance use disorder.  South Boston: Round Table Received $3,000 to turn a vacant lot into a community garden as an extension of a new community center that seeks to educate and engage residents of all ages in conversations around healthy eating and environmentalism. Dorchester: Mt. Bowdoin Betterment Association Received $1,000 to beautify the corner lot by planting perennials, revitalizing the garden plots, and installing trellises decorated with artwork. Mattapan: Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library  Received $500 to rebuild community garden beds, as well as raise the garden beds for easier accessibility for children and seniors. ABOUT LOVE YOUR BLOCK Originally a partnership between the City of Boston and Cities of Service, Love Your Block officially became a City department in 2018. Love Your Block aims to help transform physical landscapes with social programs that highlight the culture of community by way of mini-grants, increased volunteerism, and service-based projects.

波士頓京津同鄉豬年春晚繽紛狂歡

京津同鄉豬年春晚籌備人員及贊助嘉賓合影。(主辦單位提供)

         (Boston Orange周菊子整理報導)波士頓京津同鄉1月19日晚搶頭籌，在勒星頓鎮基督學校以將近18項精彩的歌舞，小品，相聲，京劇，武術等演出，盛大慶祝2019農曆豬年新春。數百鄉親與嘉賓，全都節不醉人人自醉，歡樂一整晚，會後狂慶愛國者隊打進超級盃。

右起，劉希純，ㄚㄚ，崔雨晨，李照原擔任主持人。(主辦單位提供)

             大波士頓的京津鄉親，一年比一年多，春晚慶祝會不但規模越來越大，表演水準也越來越高，無論是燈光，音響，舞台設計或服裝，全都媲美專業演出。加起來成員已近千的”波士頓北京人”微信群，演出後討論，也是佳評如潮，讚嘆聲不斷。

表演者謝幕。(主辦單位提供)

             今年這場農曆豬年春晚，由李照原，ㄚㄚ，劉希純，崔雨晨主持，17個表演節目由陳笑儀，王健豪指導的新英格蘭冠軍武術學校演出”中國功夫鎮天下”，拉開序幕。

潘延(右二)等人主持春晚糧草大陣。(主辦單位提供)

             劉中指導的華誼集體舞隊接著表演”歡快閃電’舞蹈，劉培藝和沈聰伴奏，Ethan演唱搖滾歌曲”花房姑娘”，高迪表演話劇片段”正紅旗下”，內科醫師吳皓男聲獨唱”我愛你，中國”，孫天霄、亢靜表演小品”3T公司”，高宏偉京胡獨奏”夜深沉”，ㄚㄚ朗誦”唐詩裏的中國”，李曉鈴表演京劇”貴妃醉酒”，梁雁文、張川表演相聲”閒聊”，華誼集體舞隊表演Amy Baker指導的拉丁舞，馮麗麗演唱”美好新年”，Stacey表演拉丁舞”夢回”，Acton 高中演唱對The Madrigal Singers演唱"Bogoroditse Devo"，”Only in Sleep”，快樂馬戲團表演POI光具成像舞。

             京津同鄉的這年度大活動，今年仍由會長趙進，劉希純負責聯絡，演出節目的統籌，安排由劉中出任的藝術總監把關，王晶，雙魚團隊的郭芸，波士頓北京人群主李會銘率義工服務，為晚會提供美食的餐館和個人包括，劍橋Freshpond 的Genkiya 壽司，Bedford的Blue Fuji，Framingham和Burlington的老四川，Lexington北京郭林，台北食坊，Arlington醉杭州，Brooklin的小龍師傅，萬麗的米線和包子，以及潘延等。金門超市胡運炤總經理贈送了一個大蛋糕，燕成都和萬家網的黃小燕會後整理相片，視頻，陳奮，施志敏，田文等人還在會場提供五色療法義診。

Department of Public Utilities Penalizes National Grid for 2017 Storm Preparation and Response

Department of Public Utilities Penalizes National Grid for 2017 Storm Preparation and Response

Utility To Pay $750,000 Penalty

BOSTON – January 22, 2019 – The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) today issued an Order that imposes a $750,000 penalty on National Grid for inadequate storm preparation and power restoration efforts related to an October 29, 2017 windstorm that affected over 330,000 National Grid electric customers in 166 communities. The investigation, which included public hearings for impacted residents, businesses, and local officials, found that National Grid failed to comply with DPU guidelines and regulations as well as the company’s own Emergency Response Plan.  

“The Department of Public Utilities is committed to ensuring electric ratepayers across the Commonwealth are provided with a high level of service, especially during times of extreme weather events,” said DPU Chairman Angela M. O’Connor. “Following a comprehensive investigation which focused on preparations before the storm, restoration efforts after the storm, and communications with affected communities, the Department found that National Grid’s storm response did not meet existing protocols and did not provide the required restoration efforts to its ratepayers. The Department will continue to work with utilities across the Commonwealth to ensure that storm response plans are focused on increasing reliability for ratepayers.”

As part of its investigation, the DPU found that National Grid did not properly classify the severity of the storm, and as a result, fewer resources were available for customers and communities which ultimately affected the restoration efforts.  Additionally, the DPU found that the company did not adequately communicate with its customers or public officials.  These communications problems hampered restoration efforts and, among other things, kept customers from having accurate information about expected restoration times.

In accordance with the Order, National Grid has 30 days to submit a proposal to the DPU outlining the mechanism by which the company will disperse the penalty of $750,000 to customers. In addition to the monetary penalty, and in an effort to help protect ratepayers, the DPU has required National Grid to change its Emergency Response Plan to include updated communication protocols designed to improve future restoration efforts.

Baker-Polito Administration Files Legislation to Improve Road Safety

Baker-Polito Administration Files Legislation to Improve Road Safety

Proposal to address distracted driving, interlock devices, pedestrian and bicyclist safety and new mobility options

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today filed legislation to improve road safety entitled, “An Act Relative to Improving Safety on the Roads of the Commonwealth.” The proposal makes a number of changes recommended in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan and updates existing statutes that were drafted before recent advances in various forms of mobility.

“Keeping the Commonwealth’s networks of roads as safe as possible for everyone using them is one of our administration’s top public safety priorities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This bill includes common sense proposals to substantially reduce distracted driving, stiffen penalties associated with operating under the influence, improve safety requirements for certain trucks and to begin establishing a regulatory framework for new forms of transportation. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Legislature to pass this comprehensive road safety bill into law.”

“Our administration believes empowering law enforcement and transportation officials with the tools contained in this bill will make a real difference in road safety for drivers, workers, bicyclists and pedestrians,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This bill will put in place important safety measures for First Responders and highway construction crews working every day to improve road conditions and overall safety for everyone travelling in Massachusetts.”

Between 2012 and 2016, 15,662 people were seriously injured and 1,820 people lost their lives on the roadways of the Commonwealth, including 14 road workers who have been killed. To protect those working, the legislation would allow the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to set up temporary mandatory speed limits in construction zones. To protect people walking, bicycling and using motorcycles on Massachusetts roadways, the legislation would require state-owned heavy trucks and state and municipally-contracted vehicles to be equipped with convex and cross-over mirrors and require the installation of side guards between the front and rear wheels of these vehicles to protect people from being caught under a truck and run over by its rear wheels. The bill expands efforts to limit distracted driving by having Massachusetts join sixteen other states, including all of our neighboring New England states, in requiring hands-free use of electronic devices while driving. Law enforcement would also be able to stop motorists who are not wearing seatbelts under this legislation.

The proposal corrects inconsistencies in the law for those convicted of Operating under the Influence (OUI) by requiring first-time offenders who apply for hardship licenses to be placed into the ignition interlock program and clarifying the ability of the Registry of Motor Vehicles to penalize those who attempt to drive after consuming alcohol, even with an ignition interlock device.

Emerging micromobility technologies like electric scooters and increased use of electric bicycles present both opportunities as a compliment to current means of transportation and challenges as an industry without any existing statutory framework. As a first step, the administration proposes treating electric scooters and pedal assist electric bicycles the same way bicycles are treated under state law and establishing a multi-party advisory group to recommend more permanent policies.

An Act Relative to Improving Safety on the Roads of the Commonwealth includes proposals on the following topics:

·       Hands-free: Requires electronic devices to be used in “hands-free” mode and would not allow anyone operating a motor vehicle to touch or hold a mobile electronic device, “except to perform a single tap or swipe to activate, deactivate, or initiate hands-free mode.” The bill would permit talking, texting and other tasks to be completed by voice commands and would allow law enforcement officers to better enforce distraction laws.

·       Primary seatbelt: Law enforcement would be permitted to stop motorists for not wearing seatbelts.

·       Work zone safety: Allows MassDOT to establish mandatory temporary lower speed limits in construction zones that would double fines when workers are present.

·       Ignition interlock, hardship licenses: Proposal would require the use of ignition interlock devices for first offenders who apply for hardship licenses, requiring an interlock device for a minimum of six months as a condition of obtaining a hardship license.

·       Ignition interlock, penalties for violating terms of interlock program: Clarifies the ability of the Registry to penalize those who attempt to drive after drinking alcohol, (even with an interlock device), or who tamper with an interlock device.

·       Side guards and additional mirrors: The proposal would require all Commonwealth-owned and operated vehicles over 10,000 pounds to have side guards, convex mirrors, and cross-over mirrors after January 1, 2020. This law would require all Commonwealth and municipal contractors to have these devices by January 1, 2022. Certain vehicle classifications would be exempt and the law grants the authority to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to grant additional exemptions, in keeping with U.S. DOT standards.

·       New technology: Electric scooters and other low speed mobility devices, such as electric bicycles, currently lack a specific vehicle classification. The proposal treats these new technology items the same as bicycles according to existing Mass General Law. For example, these operators, like bicyclists would need to wear a helmet if under the age of 16, would be required to yield to people walking and provide an audible signal when passing, and could not block vehicular or pedestrian traffic when parked. In addition, the law would require MassDOT to establish a micro-mobility advisory working group to propose future changes for safe adoption of emerging and undefined low speed mobility devices.

The proposals to increase road safety being made by the Baker-Polito Administration stem, in part, from discussions with members of the Massachusetts Legislature, strategies outlined in the 2018 Massachusetts Strategic Highway Safety Plan and input from key stakeholders like The Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition and various law enforcement professionals.

AG HEALEY FILES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS

AG HEALEY FILES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS

Bills Filed Protect Victims, Ratepayers, Workers, and the Environment

           

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced several initial bills filed for the 2019-2020 session.

The first of many of bills that AG Healey plans to file or support this session include legislation to combat human trafficking by regulating bodyworks practices, ban the competitive electric supply market for residential customers, improve the AG’s ability to address violations of wage and hour laws, allow continued use of statewide grand juries, ensure the confidentiality of sensitive victim information, and protect bees and other pollinators from dangerous insecticides.

In addition to this initial set of bills, the AG’s Office plans to work with the Legislature in the coming months on various other priorities including increasing funding across public school districts, prosecuting illegal gun dealers, expanding violence prevention education to students, ensuring access to reproductive health care, combating wage theft, and protecting students and consumers from unfair practices. 

“My office works every day to protect all Massachusetts residents,” said AG Healey “These bills will strengthen our ongoing work and improve the lives of people across the state.”

The bills filed last week, which are sponsored and supported by various legislators, District Attorneys, law enforcement organizations, and advocates, are as follows:

• An Act Regulating Bodyworks

·         An Act Relative to Protecting Residential Electric Customers

·         An Act Relative to Enhanced Enforcement of Civil Penalties

·         An Act Relative to Statewide Grand Juries

·         An Act to Protect the Privacy of Crime Victims

·         An Act Protecting Massachusetts Pollinators

[SD 1840], An Act Regulating Bodyworks

Sponsored by: Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford)

An Act Regulating Bodyworks creates a regulatory structure for bodyworks practices to prevent criminals from using these currently unregulated businesses as fronts for human trafficking. Over the past two years, the AG’s Office has pursued indictments in connection with five separate criminal enterprises involving 10 individuals who set up illicit massage or bodyworks establishments where they trafficked victims for sex. This legislation will close a loophole that exempts these businesses from state oversight by adding bodyworkers, bodywork therapy, bodywork facilities and schools to the current state licensing structure overseen by the Division of Professional Licensure. The bill also restructures the current oversight board to include membership from the bodyworks industry as well as a law enforcement representative who focuses on human trafficking. 

[HD 1204/SD 880], An Act Relative to Protecting Residential Electric Customers

Sponsored by: Representative Frank Moran (D-Lawrence) and Senator James Welch (D-West Springfield)

An Act Relative to Protecting Residential Electric Customers would ban new competitive electric supply contracts for residential customers beginning in 2020. In March 2018, the AG’s Office released a report that found that Massachusetts residential consumers paid competitive electric suppliers $176.8 million more than they would have paid for electricity from their utility between July 2015 and June 2017. A third year of data shows residential customers lost another $76.2 million, for a three-year total of $253 million. The report also found that low-income consumers are disproportionately affected. In October, AG Healey sued competitive electricity supplier Starion Energy for allegedly using unfair and deceptive marketing and sales tactics to lure more than 130,000 Massachusetts consumers into expensive contracts with high electricity rates, overcharging consumers by $30 million. To prevent further harm, this bill bans new competitive supply contracts in the residential retail market.

[SD 809], An Act Relative to Enhanced Enforcement of Civil Penalties

Sponsored by: Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett)

An Act Relative to Enhanced Enforcement of Civil Penalties allows the AG’s Fair Labor Division to better address violations of our state wage and hour laws—including those requiring payment of wages, minimum wage and overtime—by filing civil cases in Superior Court. Today, workers have a legal right to go to court to address violations of wage and hour laws, and this proposal gives the AG’s Office that same right.

[HD 2641/SD 783], An Act Relative to Statewide Grand Juries

Sponsored by: Representative Paul Tucker (D-Salem) and Senator William Brownsberger (D-Belmont)

The AG’s Office uses the statewide grand jury to present evidence and witnesses in one location, to one grand jury and with one supervising judge. The availability of a statewide grand jury is particularly important when crimes are alleged to have been committed in multiple counties and/or an investigation crosses county lines. The AG’s Office has used statewide grand juries to prosecute human trafficking, drug trafficking, theft rings, computer crimes, complex white-collar crimes, and environmental crimes. The AG’s use of the statewide grand jury will expire on December 31, 2020, so this legislation would make the statewide grand jury a permanent resource for the office. 

[HD 3377/SD 1418], An Act to Protect the Privacy of Crime Victims

Sponsored by: Representative Chynah Tyler (D-Boston) and Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton)

This bill would statutorily protect the confidentiality of information contained in a crime victim’s compensation application. These applications routinely contain considerable private information that the victim and the victim’s advocate want to keep confidential. For example, applications may include the victim’s home or work address and telephone numbers, names and addresses of the victim’s family and friends, medical history, behavior health history and doctor information.

[HD 3339], An Act Protecting Massachusetts Pollinators

Sponsored by: Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston)

In an effort to address the declining health and numbers of honeybees, wild bees and other pollinators in Massachusetts, AG Healey is cosponsoring An Act Protecting Massachusetts Pollinators. Neonicotinoids have become the most widely used insecticide and are considered systemic pesticides, meaning once sprayed or coated on plant seeds, the chemical is taken up into plant tissue and can remain in plants and soil long after application. Recent studies show that neonicotinoids can devastate both managed and wild populations of pollinators. This bill restricts sale of neonicotinoid pesticide products to certified commercial applicators, private applicators, or licensed applicators and incorporates violations into the current penalty framework. The bill also directs the Department of Agriculture to include pollinator protection in the licensing and evaluation materials for applicators.

In the last legislative session, 2017-2018, AG Healey successfully advocated for several important measures that were passed into law including sweeping criminal justice reform, automatic voter registration, protections for victims of security breaches, limitations on the ability of drug manufactures to use discount coupons for opioids and the creation of extreme risk protection orders for individuals at risk of harming themselves or others. She also successfully increased the fine corporations must pay if convicted of manslaughter. AG Healey supported legislation to better protect pregnant workers, ensure adequate contraceptive coverage and access to confidential healthcare, and to repeal outdated and unconstitutional restricted access to contraception and abortion services.

候慶辰分享生醫公司在中國市場制勝之道

主持人魏宇峰(左一)，講者侯慶辰(左五)，TECO 科技組組長謝水龍(後左七)，中華專協理事康麗雪(前右一)，中華專協副會長康雅雰(前右二)與部分出席者合影。(主辦單位提供)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導)紐英崙中華專業人員協會(NEACP)1月19日早在劍橋創新中心(CIC)舉辦講座。在台灣創辦慶辰律師事務所，目前在哥倫比亞大學做訪問學者的侯慶辰，以他同時擁有中美台三地法律學位資歷，分享”從智財面看海外生技產業前進中國大陸”。

              侯慶辰獲有台大法律，政大商學，美國賓州大學法律等三個碩士學位，2017年還在中國大陸也取得北京大學法學博士學位，嫻熟中美台三地法律。他還擁有美國與台灣的律師資格，以及台灣專利律師的執照，執業逾10年，專精公司法，證券交易法，企業併購，資本市場，稅務訴訟，智慧財產權。

              侯慶辰除了在台灣開設了律師事務所，還在中國南京創辦了中國智慧財產資訊及諮詢公司( China Intellectual Property Information and Consulting Co.)。

右起，康雅雰，魏宇峰，侯慶辰(右四)，張重華等人。
(主辦單位提供)

                        他在講座中從四個角度分享看法，包括中國專利的價值，中國目前及未來的專利權環境，外國生物製藥公司進中國市場必須要知道的事，中國生物製藥專利趨勢。侯慶辰相信，專利權的價值只有在資本市場重視專利，以及專利可以做為開發某個市場的武器時，才有價值。他認為，中國專利資訊及諮詢公司因此是很獨特的商業模式。

主持人魏宇峰(左)和講者侯慶辰(右)。

              曾任紐英崙玉山科技協會(MJNE)會長，獲有麻省理工學院電機工程博士學位，2014年和朋友合作創辦生醫類人工智能公司Vizuro的魏宇峰，回台灣時經創投業友人介紹，認識侯慶辰，當天特地出席擔任講座主持人，也分享了他參與美國、台灣企業到中國大陸開發市場的經歷。

               包括新到任的駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處科技組組長謝水龍，紐英崙中華專業人員協會副會長康雅雰，理事康麗雪，也是理事的塔芙茨大學教授張崇華，義工林致中等，當天有將近30名不同背景者出席，提了許多問題。會後講者和部分出席者意猶未盡的到木蘭餐廳繼續討論。

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES UPDATED PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER STORM

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES UPDATED PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER STORM

Urges residents to take caution, abide by snow regulations

BOSTON - Saturday, January 19, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced updated preparations for this weekend's winter storm. Snow will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday, with heaviest snow falling from midnight to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, with precipitation on Sunday accumulating at the rate of one to two inches per hour. The storm has the potential to bring six inches of snow to Boston, with the potential for low temperatures and freezing rain. All residents and businesses are encouraged to shovel and salt their sidewalks immediately Sunday morning, to ensure the precipitation does not freeze to sidewalks and driveways. Residents are reminded not to throw snow onto the street, and to shovel out catch basins and fire hydrants. There isno parking ban or snow emergency in effect. The Public Works Department currently has 42,000 tons of salt on hand. During the storm, 600 pieces of equipment will be on hand to deal with the ice and snow. Boston Public Works have also been pre-treating Boston streets with salt to prepare for the winter storm. "We are encouraging residents to use caution when traveling, assist older neighbors and those who are disabled, and keep up with the shoveling of their property throughout the storm this weekend," said Mayor Walsh. "The City of Boston and our Public Works are prepared for all storms that come Boston's way, and we ask that residents and businesses do their part, including shoveling their sidewalks and walkways, to ensure safety for all. Please remember to abide by the snow rules, stay off the roads and be safe." Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and utilize Boston's 311 call center for non-emergency related issues. To find out more information about resources and services available to residents, please visit boston.gov/snow Rules on Clearing Snow Property owners must clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight. Failure to comply will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement. Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited and will result in a fine issued by Boston Public Works Code Enforcement. Do not throw snow onto the street. Please look here for information about fines associated with improper removal of snow. As a reminder, no cars are allowed to park in Boston Public Schools parking lots during a snowstorm. Safety Tips Shoveling snow requires significant exertion; please be cautious and pay attention to any health symptoms. Stop if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheaded, nauseous/vomiting. Call 911 if those symptoms do not resolve quickly when you stop exertion. Snow piles can make navigating intersections dangerous for walkers and drivers. Please take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that might limit visibility. Pedestrians should use caution as visibility will be diminished due to blowing and drifting of the snow caused by high winds. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators. Residents should be sure to use their home heating systems wisely and safety, and have a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home. Call 911 immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Sitting in a car while idling can be deadly if the tailpipe is blocked. Do not let children sit in an idling car while shoveling. Clear any household exhaust pipes of snow. For example, gas exhaust from heating system or dryer. Remember to keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear. Please check on neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled. Have a contractor check the roof to see if snow needs to be removed. If roof snow can be removed from the ground with the use of a snow-rake, do so with caution. Avoid working from ladders and be mindful of slippery surfaces. Public Libraries & Community Centers Boston Public Libraries and Boston Centers for Youth & Families' community centers will be open normal business hours. Please check their scheduleshere. Helping the Homeless If you see homeless individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented or underdressed for the cold, please call 911. Please ask them if they need assistance. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) operates two emergency shelters at 112 Southampton St. and 794 Massachusetts Ave. open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BPHC is working closely with a network of shelter providers to ensure there is adequate shelter, food, and a warm respite from the cold. Street outreach teams providing recovery services, including the Engagement Center behind 112 Southampton St., remain operating as normal during winter weather. More information available here. Residents are encouraged to sign-up for AlertBoston to receive emergency alerts and to call 311, download the BOS:311 app, or tweet at @BOS311 with questions or concerns. Follow @CityofBoston and visit boston.gov/snow for the latest updates.