麻州公共衛生廳撥款10萬元給4環境正義社區組織 該善大眾健康

 Massachusetts Public Health Officials Award $100,000 to Address Environmental and Climate Justice

 

Funding supports ongoing efforts to address health equity in communities hardest hit by COVID-19

 

BOSTON (February 2, 2023) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced $100,000 in funding to four organizations working to improve public health in Environmental Justice communities. This effort furthers DPH’s commitment to promote health equity by reducing harmful levels of exposure to environmental hazards in communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

These funds are part of a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant awarded to DPH’s Bureau of Environmental Health to build on efforts to detect, prevent, and control environmental hazards through investing in evidence-based decision-making tools, workforce training, and community outreach. DPH will pilot collaborations with four organizations that work directly in underserved Environmental Justice communities: 

 

• La Colaborativa, Chelsea – will address the environmental health impacts of poor housing conditions by expanding its “Up to Code Toolkit,” a multilingual web-based toolkit for residents to document housing code violations and hazardous living conditions.
• Everett Community Growers, Everett – will build on its “Heat, Health, and Housing – Organizing for Resident-led Strategies for Development Without Displacement” project, a series of community workshops focused on developing climate-resilient solutions that do not lead to gentrification and displacement.
• Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, Springfield – will expand on its “Healthy Air Network Project,” a community air quality data collection collaboration, by developing educational materials for the public about risks and ways to reduce exposure. 
• Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Inc., Worcester – will increase awareness of environmental and public health issues that affect Southeast Asian and other immigrant, refugee, and asylee communities through the Environmental and Public Health Education program.

 

Each organization will receive $25,000 between January and June 2023 to implement interventions aimed at reducing environmental exposures and potential health impacts. DPH will provide technical assistance and solicit grantee feedback to inform the development of analytical tools, resources, and collaborative networks to better address environmental and climate justice issues across Massachusetts.

 

“This award underscores our ongoing efforts to prioritize and address disparities in social determinants of health, which include environmental health,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “These four projects will provide us with valuable insight into how community-level interventions may be leveraged to build environmental health capacity across the state.”

 

For this pilot, DPH sought proposals from organizations providing services to a select group of municipalities that have borne the disproportionate burden of both COVID-19 and exposure to environmental health hazards.

 

This funding is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a larger financial assistance award totaling $500,000. The remaining funds will be used to support project management, online public health workforce training focused on specific environmental hazards in Massachusetts, and to develop guidance to provide a framework for identifying people or populations who are the most vulnerable in Environmental Justice communities and develop best practices to achieve equitable health outcomes.

麻州公共設施廳批准降低瓦斯供應費率 預計3月民眾有感

Department of Public Utilities Approves Reductions to  
Winter Gas Supply Rates  

Approval will result in lower utility bills for Massachusetts gas customers over the winter months  

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has approved reductions in gas supply rates for most gas customers across the Commonwealth. On average, the decreases will result in a monthly bill decrease of about 4-5% for a typical residential heating customer.   

Beginning on February 1, 2023, customers served by The Berkshire Gas Company, Liberty Utilities, Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil, Boston Gas Company d/b/a National Grid, and NSTAR Gas Company d/b/a Eversource Energy can expect lower winter gas supply rates, which will be reflected in the utility bills that customers receive in March. The decreases, which are attributable to changes in the market-based price of natural gas over the course of the winter period, result in a lower gas supply rate.   

“Our administration is focused on reducing costs for Massachusetts residents and businesses,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are exploring every possible tool to ease burdens, from reductions in energy costs, fuel assistance, nutritional support, and more. With these reduced energy prices, small businesses can grow, and more families will be able to put food on the table and roofs over their heads.”  

“Families and businesses need relief, and our administration is heartened to see a downward trend in natural gas prices,” added Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our team is working with great urgency to push out fuel assistance, improve efficiency, and identify ways to boost financial support for our residents.”  

“This reduction in energy costs comes not a moment too soon for Massachusetts residents struggling to get by,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “But this adjustment is also an important reminder that we need to urgently and equitably transition away from volatile fossil fuels, which continue to threaten the financial security of our communities. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is moving swiftly to build a clean energy future to save costs and support our businesses.”  

“These reductions in winter gas supply rates will offer some much-needed relief to gas ratepayers this winter,” said Department of Public Utilities Acting Chair Cecile Fraser. “We continue to direct the utilities to work with the families and businesses across the Commonwealth through energy efficiency and fuel assistance programs to help alleviate the burdens of energy costs.”  

Under federal law, natural gas is sold in a competitive market. The Massachusetts gas distribution companies are required to purchase gas on their customers’ behalf at the market price and pass that cost on to their customers without profit to the companies. The DPU requires all gas distribution companies to revise their gas supply rates, known as the cost of gas adjustment factor, or “GAF”, whenever the companies will materially over- or under-collect costs from customers. Due to declining natural gas prices in the competitive market, the companies will decrease their GAF for gas consumed between February 1, 2023, and April 30, 2023. Each gas distribution company’s gas supply rates change at least every November 1 and May 1. Customers can shop for their own electric supplier through the DPU’s Energy Switch website: www.energyswitchma.gov.

波士頓華埠居民會2月例會討論4議程 居民關心安全、噪音，垃圾及交通問題

波士頓華埠居民會2月份往上會議有將近40人出席。

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓華埠居民會2月1日晚在網上召開2023年度第2次月例會，由居民會主席黃國威主持，共4項議程，前後約40人出席。

               華人前進會社區組織元鄺寶蓮和華埠土地信託基金會助理主任吳晰在會中協助居民提問，表達了居民們對安全、噪音、垃圾及交通是否可能阻塞等問題的關切。

綠路主任Chris Cook報告更新照明設備工程。

               當晚的4項議程分別為蘿絲甘迺迪綠路 (Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy)照明設備更新工程說明，素素小食分店陳請支持更改店面用途，位於京士頓街25號的FETE餐廳陳請支持開張，以及BioMed 地產公司說明華盛頓街1000號工程下一階段進展。

               綠路主任Chris Cook當晚親自出席會議，以示尊重居民會。他還特地情商波士頓市議會議長的助理盧善柔代為翻譯。他說綠路正斥資100萬元改善沿路燈光，預定下星期一來到陳毓禮、黃杏蓉公園施工，更新照明設備，以增加燈光亮度，改善地方安全。該燈光亮度可以調節。Chris Cook說明，整個施工過程約需二個月，施工期間會圍上藩籬，但該地區的無線網路服務不受影響。

綠路照明設備工程示意圖。

               位於泰勒街70號的素素小食店，刻正籌備在泰勒街25號地下室開張分店，請居民會支持。由於該地點原本是家髮廊，波士頓市政府拒絕了他們的牌照申請，要他們先申請變更土地用途。店東李素娥這晚由羅燕玲陪同，說明預定有10個座位，主要以外賣為主，早上11點至晚上10點開門的甜品、小食分店籌備概況，估計3月份送件，今年夏天開張。

              FETE餐廳位於京士頓街25號，之前也是餐廳，並提供現場表演，但新冠病毒疫情衝擊，前店東Shahrokh Reza支撐不下去，把生意賣了出去。

素素餐廳店東李素娥(右)在羅燕玲(左)陪同中出席居民會。

接手這家餐廳的波士頓援救任務 (Boston Rescure Mission) 主管John G. Samaan當晚在會中表示，他們希望藉由這家餐廳支持波士頓援救任務的營運，將請Shahrokh Reza繼續擔任餐廳大廚。他們強調該餐廳之前已營業16年，從無事故，之後也將一樣。由於該餐廳對面，同樣提供現場表演的Good Life，也已經支撐不住地關門了，他們相信營業時間從早上11點至凌晨2點的FETE餐廳，將努力帶旺地方經濟。

素素餐廳分店座落位置。

BioMed 地產公司由資深項目經理Ashley Myslinski和余嘉言代表出席，說明該公司一年半前已完成夏利臣街321號的改善工程後，現正著手華盛頓街1000號的第二階段改善工程。他們用了十幾張簡報圖片說明概況，包括該公司是生命科學房地產界規模最大的私營供應商，也是業主和營運者，在公司內部就能處理包括物業、設施管理，租貸，開發和建築，以及法律等其他事務。

由於辦公室市場目前充滿挑站，該公司正在把華盛頓街1000號這座辦公大樓改建為只做安全度列為第一及第二級的實驗室。目前該棟大樓內仍有許多州政府的辦公室，該公司將待所有辦公室遷出後，進行改建工程，預定2025年完工。為了做個好鄰居，該公司不但會整修大樓外的人行道等設施，還將提供估計不少於250萬元的社區福利。

該項土地發展及用途變更計畫，預定2023年冬遞交給波士頓計畫發展局 (BPDA)，並待波士頓重建局指派影響諮詢小組後，於2023年春、夏開始進一步討論。

波士頓援救任務 (Boston Rescure Mission) 主管John G. Samaan。

當晚出席會議的居民及機構代表，包括鄺寶蓮、吳晰、阿圖羅，華埠主街計畫經理何陳素貞等人，對各項陳情、說明案，都提出了關於安全、噪音，垃圾，以及是否會造成交通阻塞等的問題，最終因各項議程並無爭議，居民會基本上都同意支持。

華埠主街董事何遠光及黃光也在會中提醒出席者，該機構今夏將繼續從6月至9月的每個週六中午，邀請醒獅隊進華埠表演，巡遊。 (更新版)

華人前進會社區組織員鄺寶蓮(左)和華埠居民會主席黃國威在會中提問。

BioMed 地產公司由資深項目經理Ashley Myslinski。

波士頓市2月3至5日進入緊急寒冷狀態 BCYF週五、六開放供民眾取暖

MAYOR WU DECLARES COLD EMERGENCY FOR FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY AND SHARES SAFETY TIPS AS BRUTALLY COLD WEATHER EXPECTED AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND

BCYF Friday and Saturday locations activated as warming centers.

BOSTON - Wednesday, February 1, 2023 -  Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a cold emergency in the City of Boston for Friday, February 3 through Sunday, February 5 due to the extreme cold weather that is forecasted for this time period. Boston is forecasted to experience wind chills below zero on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4. BCYF locations will be activated as warming centers on Friday and Saturday.    “Boston is moving quickly to ensure that everyone is protected from the intense cold weather that will start Friday and last through the weekend. I want to thank the many city teams who have already begun preparations and will be responding to this weekend’s brutal cold weather,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I urge all Boston residents to take precautions, stay warm and safe, and check on your neighbors during this cold emergency.”  Wind chill values will begin dropping Friday night. On Friday, the wind chill is predicted to be as low as -21 degrees Fahrenheit, with the cold air staying through Sunday. On Saturday, the wind chill is predicted to be -27 degrees Fahreinheit, the lowest temperature this weekend. Due to the low temperatures and strong wind gusts, there is an increased risk for hypothermia and frostbite for certain populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, the elderly, and young children. Cold weather may also exacerbate health issues in high-risk populations.  The current City of Boston cold emergency threshold is 1 day or more of -10°F or below observed wind chill. Additionally, the current City of Boston cold advisory threshold is one day or more of 0°F or below observed wind chill.  Mayor Wu is advising all residents to take precautions, including reminding them to check in on older adults, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness. If you see people experiencing homelessness out in the cold, please call 911. If residents are aware of anyone staying in a vehicle or a place not intended for living during these extreme cold temperatures, they are encouraged to call 911 as well.   Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) will activate warming centers at community centers during their normal operating hours. A full list of locations and their hours can be found here.  Residents can visit the Boston Public Library Central or branch locations during their normal operating hours.  The Southampton Street Shelter for men over 18 years of age and Woods Mullen Shelter for women over 18 years of age are open 24/7. Amnesty is in effect and anyone with a non-violent restriction may come in. Pine Street Inn’s mobile outreach vehicles will also be out on the street with extended hours.   The Engagement Center on Atkinson Street will be open with expanded hours from 6am to 7pm. Outreach workers have been engaging with unhoused people in the area of Mass and Cass to inform them of the upcoming cold weather and of resources they can access.  The Boston Police Department (BPD) is making announcements on every shift reminding officers and all personnel to be on the lookout for people on the streets. BPD will conduct wellness checks or assist with transportation to available shelters and coordinate with emergency medical personnel for unsheltered individuals. The BPD Street Outreach Unit will be available as a resource to assist the districts, outreach providers and 911 dispatch as needed. They will also be passing out gloves, hats, jackets, and hand warmers.  KEY SAFETY TIPS INCLUDE:  Dress for the weather:  ·        Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, residents are required to wear face coverings in all indoor public places. ·        Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. ·        Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. ·        Wear mittens over gloves; layering works for your hands as well. ·        Always wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.   ·        Dress children warmly and set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. ·        Restrict infants' outdoor exposure when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  Watch for signs of frostbite:  ·        Signs of frostbite include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.  Watch for signs of hypothermia: ·        These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If you or someone you know shows any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms are severe, call 911.  Heating guidelines for property owners and tenants:  ·        In accordance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, the heating season officially begins on September 15 and runs through June 15. Property owners must heat habitable spaces at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees between 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and 64 degrees between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. ·        In case of emergency, property owners are encouraged to keep a list of licensed contractors (electrician, plumber and general contractor) on file. Tenants experiencing problems with their heating system should check the thermostat, ensure the dial is turned on, and report insufficient or no heat problems to the property owner or manager immediately. ·        If your landlord or property manager is unresponsive, call 311 to file a complaint.  Heating safety:  ·        Never heat your home using charcoal or gas grill, oven, or other products not specifically designed as a heater. These can cause a fire or produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.  ·        Have your heating system cleaned and checked annually. ·        Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas produced whenever any fuel is burned. Common sources include oil or gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and some space heaters. It has no smell, taste, or color. It is poisonous and can be deadly. ·        Carbon monoxide symptoms can be similar to other illnesses, including headache, dizziness, and weakness. If multiple people within a residence experience sudden onset of such symptoms, that can be a warning sign of possible carbon monoxide poisoning. ·        Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including people. ·        Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room, or go to bed.  Tips to keep water flowing and pipes unfrozen during extreme cold:  ·        The Boston Water and Sewer Commission recommends homeowners locate a home's main water shut off valve, and learn how to use it. Should a frozen pipe burst, shutting the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage. ·        Homeowners should insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages and crawl spaces. Use inexpensive hardware store materials to prevent pipes from freezing and to keep warm water flowing. ·        Circulate warm air around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open. Circulate a trickle of tap water through pipes during extreme cold to help prevent them freezing up. ·        Locate your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure basement doors and windows are shut tight. ·        If pipes freeze, slowly thaw them with a hair dryer, if possible. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes. If water is lost in all taps, call BWSC 24-hour Emergency Assistance Line at 617-989-7900    Emergency home repair resources:  ·        Income-eligible homeowners and Boston's residents over age 60 can receive assistance with winter emergencies and repairs, such as fixing storm damage, leaking roofs, furnaces and leaking/frozen pipes. For assistance, residents should call the Mayor's hotline at 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663).    ·        In addition, the Mayor's Seniors Save program helps income eligible Bostonians over the age of 60 replace old, inefficient heating systems with a brand new heating system, even before a failure occurs during the cold winter months. Older adults can also call 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663) to be connected with a City staffer to provide additional details.    For alerts, including cold-weather alerts, residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Boston. For more information, please visit the Winter in Boston guide and follow @CityofBoston on Twitter.

9 台灣社團攜手迎玉兔 500人同慶新年好熱鬧

駐波士頓經文處處長孫儉元(左九)和波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右一)，以及參與籌辦活動的各僑團會長及代表合影，包括前排右起，台灣媽媽
親子會會長張惠雯，紐英崙客家鄉親會前會長鄭玉春、曾秀梅。後排右二起，波士頓台灣龍舟隊隊長李鴻宇，中華專協會長林致中，波克萊
台商會財務羅靜春，會長李孟潔。左二起，中華專協前會長康雅雰，波克萊台商會前會長陳玉瑛，新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會會長王志維，
紐約投資貿易服務處主任丁偉，紐英崙玉山科協會長許益祥，紐約經濟秘書謝丞淵。(周菊子攝)

 

駐波士頓經文處處長孫儉元(左二起)和波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，分別發紅包和
兔年燈籠。 (.周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子布魯克蘭鎮報導) 9個台灣人社團攜手， 1月21日下午在布魯克蘭高中餐廳 (Brookline High School Cafeteria) 舉辦「玉兔迎春園遊會」。家長們帶著小朋友，共不下500人從麻州各地趕來，圍桌餐敘，歡喜暢聚，在海外傳承華人過農曆新年的傳統。

Project Emplify的弦樂團表演。

              紐英崙玉山科協會長許益祥和台灣媽媽親子會會長張惠雯，當天擔任司儀。他們和波克萊台灣商會(BTCC)會長李孟潔、波士頓台灣人醫師協會 (BTPA)會長陳思達、紐英倫客家鄉親會 (HAKKA)會長謝如鍵、新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會 (TCCNE)會長王志維，紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長林致中，以及北美台灣人醫師協會(NATMA)、Project Emplify的代表等人，雖然是第一次攜手辦活動，卻都很熱心，儘管並不完全認識彼此，卻只靠網路會議討論，就完成了工作分派。

             駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元、波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮這天應邀出席，向僑胞拜年，發吉祥紅包和兔年燈籠。和僑胞們同樂。孫儉元處長表示，近3

小朋友演唱「知足」。(周菊子攝)

年來，新冠病毒疫情擾亂人們生活，這天有機會和許多僑胞在實體活動中見面，實在讓人高興。他籲請僑胞們繼續支持經文處，有任何需要，也歡迎洽商。潘昭榮主任則表示他代表僑委會委員長童振源，僑委會及僑教中心同仁向僑胞們拜年。

           正好從紐約到波士頓轄訪的駐美投資貿易服務處主任丁偉，經濟秘書謝丞淵也順道來宣傳一下該處服務內容，歡迎有興趣買台灣商品，到台灣投資，做研發，甚至加入台灣廠商公司工作的人，和他們的辦公室聯絡。

波克萊台灣商會的陳玉瑛(左起)、羅靜春和中華專協的林致中(左四)等人為參加活動
的人辦理報到。 (主辦單位圖片)

            波士頓台灣龍舟隊隊長李鴻宇也藉機會宣傳，該隊正在招募新隊員，希望能有更多人加入，為他們將來代表台灣參加各地龍舟賽壯大陣容。

這場「玉兔迎春園遊會」的表演節目，由Project Emplify的小朋友弦樂團彈奏、演唱五月天的「知足」。台灣媽媽親子會為小朋友們安排了適合2到16歲小朋友玩的各種遊戲，包括生肖著色，舞龍，摺紙兔兔，吉祥話謎語，春聯揮毫，象棋，跳棋，圍棋，撿紅點，13張等等。

台灣媽媽親子繪的張簡憶如 (左)等人為小朋友擺攤位。 (周菊子攝)

                  在食物方面，紐英崙客家鄉親會的鄭雪卿，曾政明，鄭玉春，曾正泉，曾秀梅、黃淑芬等人親手做了客家麻糬，其他僑團有的出動熱心會員掌廚，有的掏腰包向餐廳採買，也有熱心餐廳捐贈，讓會場擺滿了蘿蔔糕，滷味拼盤，筍乾蹄膀，拌涼麵，紅豆年糕，元寶水餃，佛跳牆，台式香腸，拚小炒，高麗菜等美食，十分豐富。

當天唯一美中不足的是會場很大，音響設備不如理想，以至於出席群眾歡聚的笑談聲，竟蓋過了表演台麥克風音量。其中一名主辦者笑說，下次他們就知道了，辦活動最好自己準備音響，他們很期待將來有更多僑團來聯合辦活動。(更新版)  (部分內容轉載自僑務電子報:   https://ocacnews.net/article/330892?cid=2)

主辦單位準備了十分豐富的食物。

台灣媽媽親子會在會場安排了摺紙兔兔等遊戲攤位，給小朋友玩耍。

抗日將軍之子李台醫師 (右二起)向經文處處長孫儉元介紹從外州來的Smart Health 營運長
李式新 (右四)等人。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元發紅包給小朋友。(周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣龍舟隊隊長李鴻宇藉機會宣傳該隊招新人。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元致詞。(周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣媽媽親子會會長張惠雯(左起)和紐英崙玉山科協會長許益祥當司儀。(周菊子攝)

活動以自助餐方式辦理。(周菊子攝)

玉兔迎春園遊會菜餚名單。

會場人頭湧湧。(周菊子攝)

現場一景。(周菊子攝)

新英格蘭台灣商會前會長胡美惠秀出現場的燈籠。(周菊子攝)