Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates MassWorks Awards to Small Towns in Russell

Part of Community One Stop for Growth Portfolio, MassWorks is Awarding $12,690,000 to 15 Small-Town Road Projects Across the Commonwealth

RUSSELL – Today, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba, and Assistant Secretary for Communities and Programs Juan Vega were joined by state and local officials in Russell to celebrate MassWorks Infrastructure Program awards that are supporting small-town road projects in Massachusetts. This year, MassWorks awarded $12,690,000 to 15 projects in small towns for key roadway safety improvements based on criteria that reserves grant funding for this type of community (also known as STRAP). Among the awards, the Town of Russell received a $1 million grant to fund infrastructure improvements to General Knox Road to eliminate sharp curves and improve safety. “Since taking office, our administration has been proud to award over $77 million in MassWorks awards to these small-town road projects,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This funding is advancing important roadway safety improvements that will make our communities better places to live, to work and to visit.” “For our small towns, these MassWorks awards represent big investments towards improving safety and stimulating economic growth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “By creating the streamlined Community One Stop for Growth application portal, we’ve enhanced the ability for our smaller communities to access MassWorks and other state economic development grant programs.” “MassWorks has been a key state resource for helping cities and towns address public infrastructure needs to support safety improvements, housing production, and private development,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “This year we’re awarding $100 million in MassWorks grants across the Commonwealth, with more than $12.6 million dedicated to small-town road projects.” “The launch of the Community One Stop for Growth application portal has resulted in a major increase in state investment to our small and rural towns over the past two years,” said Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba. “The collaborative review process ensures we can be intentional about allocating funding across 12 state programs – including MassWorks – to communities of all sizes, all across the Commonwealth.” "Investments in rural infrastructure are investments in regional equity,” said Representative Smitty Pignatelli. “I've seen firsthand how the MassWorks Infrastructure Program (STRAP) Grants have helped our communities complete critical projects that will have an impact for generations to come. Thanks to Secretary Kennealy and the Baker Administration, Monterey, Otis, Russell, and Sheffield can begin working on important projects that will strengthen the town's infrastructure and allow for major development opportunities moving forward." MassWorks, one of the state’s largest competitive grant programs, offers cities and towns flexible capital funding to support and accelerate housing production and job growth. This year, the administration is awarding 63 grants from the infrastructure program – the largest number of awards in a single round since the program’s inception in 2011 – totaling $100 million to 60 communities. Among this year’s MassWorks’ projects, 39 are reactivating underutilized sites, 31 are supporting transit-oriented developments, and 30 have a mixed-use component. Additionally, 17 communities are receiving their first ever MassWorks award. Including this year’s round, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded 391 MassWorks grants to 197 communities, investing over $709 million in public infrastructure projects throughout the state. These grants have directly supported the creation of over 26,000 new housing units and tens of thousands of construction and new permanent jobs, while also leveraging approximately $17 billion in private investment. This includes 92 MassWorks grants dedicated to 66 small towns for road improvement projects, for a total of over $77 million. The program is part of Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal that provides a streamlined, collaborative review process of 12 state grant programs that fund economic development projects related to community capacity building, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, and infrastructure. Altogether, this round of the One Stop is awarding more than $143 million in grant awards to support 337 local economic development projects in 169 communities. The full list of grants can be found here. Through this round of the One Stop, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development received 523 applications from 207 communities representing every region of the Commonwealth. Of the 337 applications awarded, 31% are located in a rural or small town; 32% are located in a Gateway City; and 43% are located in a Housing Choice Community. This investment is expected to directly support the creation of 6,950 new housing units across the Commonwealth, including 5,068 new market-rate units and 1,882 new affordable units. MassWorks Awards for Small-Town Road Projects: Town of Ashburnham – $1 million This grant will fund Main Street improvements such as accessible concrete sidewalks and granite curbs on both sides of Upper Main Street from the main entrance of Cushing Academy to Pleasant and Lawrence Street. Town of Avon – $1 million This grant will support the STRAP project with improvements to undermined/failing culverts on both Rock Street and Gill Street, the reconstruction of 2,325 feet of road, and the installation of sidewalks on Gill Street. The town will also be replacing the water line on Rock Street. Town of Charlemont – $500,000 This grant will fund infrastructure improvements to the town’s bridge to better connect downtown Charlemont and neighboring towns. Town of Cheshire – $633,000 This grant will fund the resurfacing of 2.5 miles of Route 116 and the replacement of 9,120 feet of failing guardrail. This route is critical as it is a main emergency evacuation route for Adams and Cheshire residents.         Town of Clarksburg – $1 million This grant will fund infrastructure improvements including the replacement of drainage culverts and the implementation of traffic calming measures to enhance the safety of travelers.   Town of Colrain – $1 million This grant will fund the rehabilitation of Greenfield Road, a heavily trafficked road running south from Route 112 in the Colrain Village Center to the Town of Shelburne where it intersects Route 2. Town of Cummington – $882,000 This grant will support necessary improvements to replace existing deformed and undersized infrastructure for the Stage Road Culvert. Town of Hawley – $800,000 This grant will fund the preparation of bidding documents and costs associated with the construction and replacement of a failing, undersized culvert on State Route 8A with a Massachusetts Stream Crossings Standards compliant structure. Town of Hinsdale – $1 million This grant will fund the Schnopp Roads Restoration Project to repair substantial drainage issues, and the resurfacing of the road to allow Hinsdale to complete a full depth reclamation or cold in-place recycle within the same roadway footprint. Town of Leyden – $225,000 This grant will fund infrastructure improvements, including the removal of the existing Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) wearing surface and membrane, chip and patch of the deck as needed, the addition of new membrane and 2 1/2-inch HMA wearing surface, and the rehabilitation of the deck joints. Town of Monterey – $1 million This grant will be used to address significant accessibility and safety issues for approximately two miles of road that connect through Beartown Mountain State Forest to the Towns of Lee and Great Barrington. Town of Otis – $650,000 This grant will be used for the construction of a composite arch bridge to replace two failing steel culverts. Project upgrades will include erosion/sediment control, earthwork, road reconstruction, guardrail improvements, channel improvements, and vegetation restoration. Town of Russell – $1 million This grant will fund infrastructure improvements to General Knox Road to eliminate sharp curves and make safer roads for the motoring public. Town of Sheffield – $1 million This grant will fund improvements to Weatogue Road, an important access route for agricultural activities and cross border mutual aid. Town of Warwick – $1 million This grant will be used for the installation of new guard rails in 10 locations deemed deficient to increase road safety.

Maura Healey 當選州長 麻州女性掌權成定局

Maura Healey (左），Kim Driscoll（右）當選麻州正副州長。 (Boston Orange　圖片）

            (Boston Orange綜合報導) 11月8日，今天，麻州締造歷史，不但民主黨全面掌權，還選出全女班團隊。Maura Healey誓言要當所有人的州長，寄語同性戀者及女生，” 你可以成為任何你想要成為的人” 。準麻州副州長Kim Driscoll點出，他們締造的不只是History，更是Herstory。

Maura Healey誓言要當所有人的州長，帶麻州做出改變。(Boston Orange　圖片）

            一如人們早在9月6日麻州初選之後就預期的，這次大選，麻州締造了許多項歷史紀錄，包括選出首名女州長，以及首名同性戀州長 (Maura Healey) ，首次州長，副州長 (Kim Driscoll) ，以及總檢察長 (Andrea Campbell)都是女性。

         在連任的麻州財政長Deb Goldberg，很可能當選麻州稽核長的Diana DiZoglio也都是女性的情況下，明年的麻州政府首長幾乎清一色的是女生。

           目前在位，競選連任的威廉蓋文 (William Galvin) 也將打破紀錄，成為麻州在位時間最長的州務卿，打破麻州首名州務卿John Avery, Jr. 從1780年1月到1806年6月的在位26年紀錄。

Maura Healey喜悅之情，溢於言表。(Boston Orange　圖片）

          8日晚上8點投票一結束，開票行動立即開始，在8點38分的開票進展Maura Healey得票率65.2%時，WBUR就已認定她將當選，在她的名字旁打了個勾。美聯社 (AP)也預告了Maura Healey將當選下任麻州州長。

Maura Healey (右），Kim Driscoll（左）當選麻州正副州長，攜手向支持者致謝。勝選派對
出席人數太多，一度暫停的不讓更多人進場。 (Boston Orange　圖片）

         大約9點，麻州州長候選人Maura Healey就在Fairmont Copley Plaza的選舉夜派對中發表當選感言了，聲言不論選民票投何人，她要當所有人的州長。她感謝那些在她競選途中花時間告訴她自己需要什麼，想要什麼的人，她將竭盡所能的和每一個人合作，為每一個人解決問題，做出改變。

          Maura Healey還說，她有特別的訊息要給每一名小女孩和每一個年輕的同性戀者。她希望這晚讓她們看到，她們可以成為任何他們想要成為的人，除了自己的想像力之外，沒有任何事或任何人可以阻擋他們。

波士頓市長吳弭(後)也是Maura Healey的支持者。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

          這場勝選派對開始得很早，結束得很快，不過人們的情緒倒是一樣高昂，喜悅之情洋溢在參選人及支持者的臉上。

          人們是從8點前後陸續入場，不到9點就有政要陸續上台講話。波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) ，麻州聯邦眾議員Ayanna Pressley，聯邦眾議院副議長Katherine Clark，準副州長Kim Driscoll等人一一上台發表簡短講話。         

波士頓市長吳弭(右起)和Maura Healey，Andrea Campbell，麻州聯邦眾議員
Steven Lynch 一起爭取支持者。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

           晚上10點，Maura Healey本人發出感謝電郵給支持者，競選團隊也發佈勝選消息。在競選期間一路有Maura Healey陪同、助陣的Andrea Campbell，也在10點40分時發出電郵，感謝支持者，高興表示” 我們做到了” 。

           去年競選波士頓市長，敗在吳弭手下，如今有Maura Healey支持，當選麻州總檢察長，Andrea Campbell的經歷，似乎佐證了政治這條路的曲折迂迴。

            截至晚上11點34分，還只有48.4%的投票站回報了開票結果。州長選舉部分，Maura Healey 得 836,457票，得票率63.4%， Geoff Diehl得462,296票，得票率35%。總檢察長部分，民主黨籍的Andrea Campbell得票率62.5%，約811,014票，共和黨籍的James Mcmahon得票率37.5%，約495,304票。麻州州務卿部分，民主黨籍在位已逾20多年的William Galvin得票率67.6%，約894,070票，共和黨籍的Rayla Campbell得票率29.5%，約388,743票。 (更新版)

麻州州長候選人Maura Healey 在臉書上直播競選夜派對。(臉書截圖)

Healey Makes History as First Woman Elected Governor of Massachusetts

Pledging to move Massachusetts forward together, Healey and Driscoll will meet with Gov. Baker and LG Polito Wednesday afternoon

BOSTON –

Maura Healey visited Somerville this morning. (Photo: Boston Orange) 

Maura Healey made history tonight by becoming the first woman to be elected Governor of Massachusetts. Healey and Kim Driscoll also made history tonight by becoming one of the first all-women teams to be elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor in the United States. 

Maura Healey, Ayanna Pressley and Mayor of Somerville. (Photo: Boston Orange)

Healey also is the first openly gay person to be elected Governor of Massachusetts and the first openly gay woman to be elected Governor in the country (*Democratic candidate Tina Kotek’s race in Oregon is still yet to be called).

In a speech to supporters in Boston on Tuesday night, Healey touched on the importance of representation, saying: “Tonight, I want to say something to every little girl and every young LGBTQ person. I hope tonight shows you that you can be whatever you want to be. And nothing but your own imagination should ever get in the way. I want you to know that tonight, we made history!”

Healey also began laying out her priorities for the transition to her new administration, focusing on her commitment to bring people together and make Massachusetts more affordable. She said: 

“The people of Massachusetts have given us an historic opportunity tonight, and a mandate to act. We’ll ignore the noise and focus every day on making a difference in their lives. Our job from day one will be to make our state more affordable… It is time for us to model the kind of leadership and collaboration and, yes, the respect that we want to see elsewhere. Because in Massachusetts we lift people up. We come together. And we lead. That’s who we are.”

Her running mate, Kim Driscoll, added: “We want to bring the Get Stuff Done approach to Beacon Hill so that ALL of our hometowns have a brighter future… Today, Massachusetts voters stood proud, spoke with one, powerful, clear voice and said, ‘It’s her time.’”

Healey and Driscoll will get right to work on Wednesday, meeting with Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito to begin initial discussions about transition to a new administration. Additional details about a subsequent media availability will be available on Wednesday.

 

Ayanna Pressley 第3度連任麻州國會議員

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley Re-Elected to Third Term Representing Massachusetts’ 7th District

The Congresswoman delivered remarks at an election night celebration alongside fellow Democratic candidates and supporters 

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley。 (File Photo, Boston Orange)

Boston, MA, November 8 – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was decisively re-elected to a third term as U.S. Representative from Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District, a seat she has held since 2018, when she made history as the first woman of color elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress. 

After polls closed, Congresswoman Pressley joined Governor-elect Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor-elect Kim Driscoll, Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell, Auditor-elect Diana DiZoglio, other Democratic candidates and officeholders, and hundreds of supporters at an election night celebration. In her remarks, Congresswoman Pressley highlighted the historic nature of the election in Massachusetts, shared her gratitude to voters who made their voices heard, and emphasized our continued, collective power to create positive change for all of our communities. 

The Congresswoman’s full remarks, as delivered on election night, are below: 

Good evening Massachusetts!

It is a meaningful night to join you at home in our Commonwealth.

Four years ago, I ran on a mandate that Change Can’t Wait. And four years later, I can honestly say, change is on the way. 

That didn’t just happen. It’s because of you, Massachusetts. 

It means everything to me to be a part of this movement. This movement of innovators, of artists, of organizers, and community builders. 

And it’s very full circle. It was just four years ago that I stood on this very stage alongside Conan, Cora, my team, and supporters, and asked you if a Congresswoman could rock braids, a black leather jacket, and a bold red lip. You responded with a resounding yes. 

And today, with my re-election to a third term, you affirmed that a Congresswoman can rock a bald crown in the corridors of power. You’ve entrusted me to carry your stories and to partner with you on solutions that meet the moment.

And change is on the way. 

A shift is afoot. Beginning with the election of Andrea Campbell. 

Of Kim Driscoll. 

Of Maura Healey, our next Governor.  

That’s right y’all, hand clap yourselves. 

Everyone in this room hustled to make this night possible. But movements do not materialize from thin air. 

Women who are Black, brown, indigenous, AAPI, disabled and queer do not rise to the highest office out of manifest destiny. No, tonight’s victories are not the result of flukes, waves, or magic. They are the result of good, old fashioned hard work. The work that women have been doing for generations. Work felt deeply in community, but too often relegated to a footnote in history or erased altogether.

Tonight, there will be no hidden figures. Tonight, there will be no erasure. History is going to get it right. Because tonight, Massachusetts, we are the chapter, the verse and the whole damn title page.

Now, the path to arrive at this place tonight was not easy. 

Throughout our nation’s history, we have seen that progress is not linear. 

Progress is the shared mantle of a deep and diverse coalition of people, from every walk of life. And yet, we know that some will try to drive us backwards and try to divide us. 

I need to say this, to those who shudder and are fearful at the thought of progress, let me just say, you have nothing to lose - and we all have everything to gain. 

I want to share a story with you. It’s a painful story, but a cautionary one. A part of our nation’s history. Some towns in our country, when faced with the prospect of integrating their spaces of public accommodation, like swimming pools, were filled with such fear of progress that they responded with cruelty and hate. And instead of integrating those pools, they chose instead to fill those public pools with dirt and concrete, instead of allowing Black people to swim alongside them. 

It was a fearful and hateful knee jerk reaction to progress. While children sat there and watched these swimming pools fill with concrete, those people, those towns deprived everyone of joy. They deprived everyone of respite. They deprived everyone of community.  

Boston. Massachusetts. America. We do not – and we will not – walk in the direction of fear and hatred. 

We will not listen to those who tell us that the advancement of the marginalized is a loss for those who are doing OK. 

We reject that false narrative, that divisive narrative, that false choice.

The reality is, when one of us thrives - we all do. When our nation becomes more just and equitable, everyone benefits. 

And Massachusetts is leading the change which affirms that representation matters. That leadership matters. That vision matters. 

Tonight’s historic electoral victories are just the beginning. We are going to change the narrative of people’s lives. Massachusetts, we take our rightful place as we show the nation what is possible and advance policies that uplift the collective. 

We are building a whole new table – where those from every walk of life are centered in our policy making. 

This is about proclaiming that Massachusetts is big enough, kind enough, and caring enough for all of us. Are you with me?

Alright y’all, listen. Tonight, on TV, pundits will tell you a story. And no matter the outcome of these elections their tone will be cynical. They will minimize the stories from across this nation of resilience. Of inclusion. Of progress.

But Massachusetts, tomorrow, when you go out into that world, don’t tell them about the pundits, tell them about the people.

And Massachusetts, I’m not talking about the people who give speeches, I'm talking about the heroes who carry clipboards.

Tell them about the organizer who lost her mother to cancer and dedicated her life to electing a Democrat as Governor, because she didn’t want another grieving family to know the hardship of a broken healthcare system.

Don’t tell them about the pundits, tell them about the people. 

Tell them about the father who swore to his teenage daughters he would join them to knock doors every Saturday because he believes in their fundamental right to bodily autonomy and abortion care.

Don’t tell them about the pundits, tell them about the people. 

About the grandmother who registered her church choir to vote, got folks in mini vans, who took her grandbaby to a voting booth for the first time.

Don’t tell them about the pundits tomorrow, Massachusetts, tell them about the people. 

The laborer who after his shift each week, got on the phones to tell his brothers and sisters in the labor movement about the stakes of this election.

Don’t tell them about the pundits, tell them about the people.

About the young Pastor who, right here in the Massachusetts 7th, at the bedside of a congregant in hospice, at her request, helped her send in a ballot so she could claim her stakehold in our democracy.

Don’t tell them, tomorrow, Massahusetts, about the pundits, tell them about the people. Because we, the people, are powerful and change is on the way because of the power in this room. 

This nation is not powerful because of its legal texts or its marble institutions. It is the power of our people. 

And tonight I’m here to deliver a message of hope. Deep and lasting hope. Bone deep, ancestral hope. The kind of hope that burned in the hearts of trans folks at Stonewall. The kind of hope that steadied the footsteps of Ruby Bridges. The kind of hope that guided the advocacy of Mel King. You need to clap for these people, these foot soldiers, you are all the beneficiaries of their sacrifice.  

Hope is a discipline. For history and progress are not linear. And in each generation, the arc of justice meets the backlash of fear. But yet and still, we press on. Because we want to leave our babies a world better than the one we found. Because we want to be better ancestors than descendents. Because we believe in the power of us.

Massachusetts, this is a beautiful night to call the Commonwealth home. We are making history. We are making change. And most of all, we are rejecting the politics of fear and hatred because tonight, Massachusetts, We are showing the nation what is possible. I believe in the power of us. 

Congratulations, Massachusetts. 

BPDA launches South Boston Transportation Action Plan Agency will release existing conditions report this month

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 8, 2022 - The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) and the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) today announced the launch of the South Boston Transportation Action Plan (SBTAP), which will be completed in close partnership with the Disabilities Commission (DC) and Boston Public Works Department (PWD). The BPDA is evaluating the unique transportation challenges in the core of South Boston’s residential neighborhood, and through the South Boston Transportation Action Plan planning and engagement process, will improve transportation access, efficiency, and safety.  Building on the vision and goals in Imagine Boston 2030 and Go Boston 2030, the South Boston Transportation Action Plan will evaluate safety concerns in South Boston and focus the City’s resources on proven strategies and people-first improvements to eliminate serious and fatal traffic crashes in South Boston. The plan will study key transportation connections to and within the South Boston area and recommend improvements that can be implemented immediately, within the next 15 years, and beyond. The recommendations will reflect an understanding of South Boston as it exists currently, as well as the forecasted effects of new development. This Action Plan will develop community-driven mobility improvements and conceptualize future complete streets and transit network improvements to respond to this growth, and allow the neighborhood to reach its full potential.  The BPDA and BTD will release a detailed analysis of the existing and future multi-modal network to determine the necessary sequencing of improvements to safely meet future mobility needs. Following a future conditions analysis, the South Boston Transportation Action Plan will release recommendations aimed at eliminating serious and fatal traffic crashes, simplifying intersections for all users, and improving the transportation network. The recommendations will build upon nearby recent existing planning initiatives including, but not limited to: PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue, South Boston Seaport Strategic Transit Plan, and the South Boston Waterfront Sustainable Transportation Plan. In conjunction with the launch of this Action Plan, the BPDA and Boston Transportation Department (BTD) will be hosting a virtual public meeting on Monday, November 14, 2022. This meeting will include a presentation on the South Boston Transportation Action Plan and where South Boston’s transportation network stands today, and planners will be available to answer questions from the public. Transportation planners and engineers will describe recently completed and planned transportation and infrastructure improvements in and around the Study Area, and share what they have found out so far from their existing conditions report. The topics in the existing conditions report include bike network infrastructure, pedestrian conditions, travel patterns and trends, parking statistics, crash histories, and speed data. The BPDA is also collecting feedback from residents through a survey that will be open until December 15, 2022. This survey covers everything from transportation habits and preferences, to future improvements that could be implemented through the planning process.  The agency will host pop up opportunities at several locations in the neighborhood - including heavily trafficked bus stops and stores - during November and early December. This effort is intended to raise awareness of the planning process and the survey. The survey will also solicit volunteers for 60-minute focus groups which will help the project team identify key mobility challenges and opportunities. In addition to community meetings, the survey and focus groups will allow the BPDA to collect input from a wider swath of South Boston residents and receive targeted feedback.

Healey-Driscoll Campaign Knocked 44,000+ Doors During Final GOTV Weekend

Healey-Driscoll Campaign Knocked 44,000+ Doors During Final GOTV Weekend

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll campaign had yet another record-breaking weekend of voter contact, with volunteers knocking 44,101 doors. For the final GOTV weekend before the November 8th election, the campaign held 133 events across the state with volunteers completing a total of 1,236 canvassing and phone banking shifts for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

“We’re going to win this election in the grassroots – and we’re grateful to every single volunteer who has gone above and beyond to get the word out about Maura and Kim’s optimistic vision for Massachusetts,” said Healey Campaign Manager Jason Burrell. “The energy we’re seeing on the doors and hearing on the phones tells us that voters understand what’s at stake this Tuesday, and they’re fired up to make history by electing Maura Healey, Kim Driscoll and Democrats down the ballot.”