I hope you and your family have had a happy and restful holiday season. Jim and I were thrilled to be able to sneak in five days with all three kids in Florida right before the holidays, where I also finally got a Christmas card pic!

I am so honored to have been re-elected in November to serve as State Representative. The next legislative session begins on January 1, 2025, when members get sworn in, and we will have two weeks to file our bills for the two-year session.



Massachusetts-Ireland Trade Commission: I was appointed to serve as Minority Leader Brad Jones’ designee on the Massachusetts-Ireland Trade Commission. This newly created commission will be responsible for finding ways to strengthen the economic relationship between Massachusetts and Ireland, as well enhance mutually beneficial business and educational opportunities. My great-grandfather left Ireland for America in 1884, and I traveled to Ireland in 2023 as one of the Massachusetts co-chairs of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. I am honored to be a member of the Massachusetts-Ireland Trade Commission and look forward to continuing to build a strong relationship between Massachusetts and Ireland.

2024 Latino Excellence Awards: Congratulations to Carlos Garcia for being recognized at the Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus' 2024 Latino Excellence Awards - I was so pleased to nominate him for this award! This award celebrates Latino leaders who make a difference in their communities every day through their hard work and values. Carlos is deeply committed to the Town of Shrewsbury, and has demonstrated kindness, inclusivity, and service in all his efforts. Last year, Carlos became the first person of color, and first openly LGBTQ+ person, elected to the Shrewsbury Select Board. His outstanding character is reflected throughout his service to the community.

CAP Collaborative: The Civic Action Project (CAP) Collaborative is an initiative that brings together 20 leaders in the public and private sectors to build connections and promote opportunities for cross-sector policymaking. This seven week program includes partnering a private sector and a public sector leader together, and I was partnered with Saskia Epstein, the Senior Vice President of Client & Community Relations at PNC Bank. We spent time shadowing each other to gain a better understanding of how the public and private sectors can work together to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and support women leaders in both sectors. This was a fantastic opportunity, and I thank the CAP Collaborative for organizing this program!

Women in Government Summit: I attended this year’s Women in Government Leadership and Innovation Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference is an opportunity for women legislators to share their experiences and learn from each other, and covered healthcare, workforce development, and other policy areas. Discussing ideas and experiences helps legislators more effectively serve their constituents and advance legislation important to their districts, and as one of the state directors for WIG, I know these opportunities are valuable for women legislators across the country.

Conversations with Hannah: Secretary Jon Santiago from the Executive Office of Veterans Affairs joined me on Conversations with Hannah to discuss the HERO Act. This bill, which was signed into law in August, increases benefits available to veterans and expands access to health care, including behavioral health treatment and medical and dental benefits. Additionally, it increases the tax credit for hiring chronically unemployed and disabled veterans and expands recognition of Gold Star Families. You can learn more about the HERO Act and listen to our full conversation here.

Hannah Kane Charity Classic: We had a gorgeous fall day for our 10th Annual golf tournament, where our wonderful golfers, generous sponsors and auction/raffle donors, a fantastic host committee and volunteers together raised $60,000 to donate $20,000 to each of our three hard-working beneficiaries: Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services, Inc. (SYFS), St. Anne's Human Services and Westborough Food Pantry. In the past ten years, we have raised over $567,000! A special thank you to our incredibly generous Presenting Sponsors Howard Grossman and Christine Grossman, Tournament Director Beth NeJaime Casavant and Melissa Fahs for the great pics!

Legislative Update

Perfect Voting Record: I'm proud to have maintained my perfect voting record for the 2023-2024 legislative session, having been recorded on all roll call votes recorded by the House. These include votes on the FY24 and FY25 budgets, housing bond bill, the Massachusetts Parentage Act, wage transparency legislation, long-term care reform, and more.

Pharmaceutical Access: I voted in favor of H4891, An Act promoting access and affordability of prescription drugs, which unanimously passed the House on July 24. This bill would require health insurers offering policies in Massachusetts to limit consumers’ out-of-pockets costs for medications used to treat diabetes, asthma, and heart conditions that are most prevalent among their members. H4891 also establishes a formal licensing process for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), prohibits PBMs from using spread pricing, and requires PBMs to offer an accessible network for prescription drugs that provides patients with convenient access to pharmacies within a reasonable distance from their residence. H4891 passed the House on July 24, while the Senate passed a different version on November 15, 2023.

Salary Transparency: I voted to support H4890, An Act relative to salary range transparency. H4890 was a legislative priority for the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, which I co-chair with Senator Joan Lovely. By requiring companies with 25 or more employees to disclose pay ranges for jobs, this legislation will make it easier for women, particularly women of color, to negotiate for better salaries. Pay range disclosure will also save businesses from job applicants reaching the final stage of the interview process but declining a job offer due to the salary, which will save employers time and money. Governor Healey signed H4890 into law on July 31.

Animal Welfare: I joined my colleagues in the House to support a series of animal welfare bills. H4919, An Act to increase kennel safety, aka Ollie's Law, creates a committee to establish safety standards for the pet day care industry and establishes yearly inspections for dog kennels. H4915, An Act relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes and bears in traveling exhibits and shows, prohibits the use of exotic animals in traveling entertainment such as fairs or carnivals. H4917, An Act relative to a commission to study the intentional misrepresentation of a service animal, establishes a special legislative commission to study the use and misrepresentation of service animals in the Commonwealth. H4911, An Act relative to animal welfare and reporting of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect, includes reforms to protect animals in foster homes and make it easier for Department of Children and Families (DCF) employees to report animal abuse. H4912, An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians, establishes licensing requirements and regulations for veterinary technicians in Massachusetts. H4911, H4915, and H4919 were all signed into law, while H4912 and H4917 were passed by the House but remain pending in Senate Ways & Means.

IT Bond Bill: I voted for H4889, An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts, which authorizes $1.256 billion to improve the Commonwealth’s information technology and cybersecurity capabilities. I was able to secure $50,000 for information technology modernization in Shrewsbury and $50,000 for information technology modernization in Westborough, however these are preliminary funding authorizations, which are a first step in a multi-year process to release the funding. In addition to local earmarks, the bill includes funding to assist municipalities and tribal governments with building fiber broadband infrastructure, bond authorizations to fund the Community Compact Information Technology Grant Program and creates a new Information Technology Federal Reimbursement Fund for health and human services-related information technology projects. This bill became law on July 29, 2024.

Maternal Health: I voted to support H4773, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options. H4773 expands access to non-hospital childbirth options, establishes a licensing process for certified professional midwives and lactation consultants, requires MassHealth coverage for postpartum depression screenings, and establishes a task force on maternal health access and birthing patient safety. In addition, the bill directs the Department of Public Health to revise freestanding birth center regulations and to establish a program to conduct an in-depth review of infant and fetal mortality to inform public health policy. This bill was based on the Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health’s report, which found that the rate of severe maternal morbidity in Massachusetts doubled between 2011 and 2020, with Black women experiencing the highest rate of complications. Expanding access to midwife and doula services, birth centers, and both perinatal and postpartum care will improve health outcomes for parents and reduce racial inequities in maternal healthcare. This bill was signed into law on August 23, 2024. As a long-time cosponsor of many of the bills that were part of this legislation, and as the Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committees on Public Health and Healthcare Financing, addressing the racial inequities that exist in maternal health outcomes is critically important and long overdue.

Long-Term Care: H5033, An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care, was signed into law on September 6, 2024. I was a member of the conference committee responsible for resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. This bill strengthens the licensing oversight and review process, expands the Attorney General’s powers to penalize long-term care facilities that abuse, mistreat, or neglect patients, and requires long-term care facilities to implement safeguards against infectious disease outbreaks. H5033 also expands workforce training to improve recruitment and retention in the long-term care workforce.

Rainy Day Fund: S2954, An Act to provide for competitiveness and infrastructure investment in Massachusetts, was signed into law on September 24, 2024. This bill was a compromise between earlier versions of the legislation passed by the House and Senate, and better positions Massachusetts to compete for federal infrastructure funds. S2954 establishes a new Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund, which will be credited quarterly with the interest earned on money invested in the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy-Day Fund. The bill allows the state Comptroller to transfer the interest into the new Fund if the balance of the Stabilization Fund has not decreased in the previous year, and if the balance of the Stabilization Fund exceeds 10% of budgeted revenues for all budgeted funds for the preceding fiscal year. The bill authorizes the Executive Office for Administration & Finance (A&F) to expend up to $750 million from the Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund through December 1, 2026, to leverage federal grant opportunities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and other federal programs.

ICE Detainers: I co-sponsored legislation that would authorize Massachusetts courts to honor detainer requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for individuals arrested for violent crimes who might otherwise be released from custody. Senate Docket 3490, An Act to enhance the authority of courts to protect public safety, addresses a critical gap in current state laws by specifically allowing the courts to keep dangerous criminals who are considered removable aliens by ICE in custody for up to 12 hours if the individual is subject to an ICE detainer and is deemed to pose a threat to public safety. The bill focuses on those individuals who are convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, domestic violence, and narcotics or human trafficking.

Climate and Energy: I voted in favor of S2967, An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity and protecting ratepayers. A conference committee developed this bill after the House and Senate passed different versions of the bill. The bill streamlines the renewable energy project approval process and sets deadlines for review, making it easier to build clean energy infrastructure. As part of the compromise between the House and Senate bills, the bill also requires renewable energy developers to conduct public outreach before applying for permits, which gives communities an opportunity to voice any concerns early in the process. In addition, S2967 incentivizes solar panel installation, promotes expanded EV charger availability, and includes a new utility rate class that provides reduced electricity rates for moderate-income residents. This bill was signed into law on November 20, 2024.

Economic Development: I voted for H5100, An Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership, also known as the Mass Leads Act. This economic development bond package includes $3.96 billion in spending authorizations to support the Commonwealth’s industries, fund municipal projects, and grow the workforce. The bill also contains several policy initiatives, including SAPHE 2.0, legislation I filed to strengthen local public health systems. H5100 includes local earmarks of $75,000 to promote business development along Route 20 in Shrewsbury, $25,000 for Shrewsbury’s façade grant program, $150,000 for multimodal transportation enhancements and the construction of urban park enhancements in Shrewsbury’s town center, as well as $200,000 for the creation of a comprehensive master plan for Shrewsbury, $25,000 for a redevelopment plan for Shrewsbury’s vacant property, and $75,000 for the creation of a corridor study and economic development strategy to promote business development along Route 9 in Shrewsbury. Representative Donaghue and I also secured $1,575,000 for improved infrastructure and roadways on Otis Street in Westborough and $400,000 for economic development projects in Westborough, and the delegation also secured an earmark for $100,000 for Westborough Public Schools to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle for the Bridging Over to Right Opportunities program. This funding is still preliminary and represents only the first step in a multi-year approval process. Because the projects are supported through a bond appropriation, each earmark must be worked under the state’s annual borrowing cap and will be subject to the approval of the executive branch before any funding can be released. The Governor has signed this bill into law.

Massachusetts Parentage Act: On August 8, the Governor signed into law a unanimously supported bipartisan bill that Rep. Sarah Peake, Sen. Julian Cyr and Sen. Bruce Tarr and I filed to update Massachusetts outdated parentage laws to reflect assisted reproduction, surrogacy and LGBTQ+ parenthood to protect all families. I had the honor of joining the ceremonial bill signing, along with my daughter Caitlin, on August 12 to celebrate the passage of this crucial legislation. I am grateful to so many who worked tirelessly to get this bill passed - including Shrewsbury Selectperson Beth Casavant’s brother Doug who is a highly regarded legal expert on parentage laws and who joined us for the bill signing.

Recovery Coach Licensure: H5143, An Act relative to treatments and coverage for substance use disorder and recovery coach licensure, was enacted in the House and Senate on December 19 and is now signed into law. This bill is a compromise between the House and Senate that does not include the Senate’s controversial proposal to authorize safe injection sites. I voted in favor of this bill initially when it came before the House on June 13, where it passed on a 153-0 vote. H5143 authorizes DPH to oversee the licensure process and education and work experience requirements for recovery coaches, as well as for licensed alcohol and drug counselors I and II. In addition, the bill requires health insurance carriers offering policies in Massachusetts to provide coverage for prescribed or dispensed opioid medication used in the reversal of overdose caused by opioid use and prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization for the medication, or subjecting it to a deductible, coinsurance, copayments or out-of-pocket limits. H5143 also establishes a special commission to study and make recommendations on ways to address the public health and safety concerns posed by the proliferation of xylazine as an additive to illicit drugs, including, but not limited to, fentanyl.

Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators

MCWL Board Members: After serving as the House Chair for the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL) for the 193rd legislative session, I will serve as the House Vice-Chair for 2025-2026. Rep. Christine Barber, who served as House Vice-Chair since 2023, will be the 2025-2026 House Chair. Serving as the House Chair has been a privilege, and I am proud that the Caucus accomplished several legislative goals, including salary transparency, expanded postpartum depression screening, and more. We recently gathered to celebrate our departing members and welcome newly elected ones.

Empowering Young Cape Verdean Women Summit: On July 17, the MCWL joined a group of Cape Verdean women who visited the State House to learn about civic engagement and leadership. This was part of the Empowering Young Cape Verdean Women Summit, a program in New Bedford that connects 10 Cape Verdean women from the islands with 10 Cape Verdean-American women. It was wonderful to see women learning about political engagement!

Women’s Health Symposium: The MCWL hosted a Women’s Health Symposium on July 18 at the State House. I spoke at this event along with MCWL Senate Chair Joan Lovely, MassBio CEO Kendalle O’Connell, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and Representative Carole Fiola. This event focused on the importance of health care to women’s economic opportunity and the impact of disparities in women’s health care, particularly for mid-life women. A panel discussion featuring Dr. Tejumola Adegoke from Beth Israel Deaconess, Claire Gill of the National Menopause Foundation, and Lucy Perez from McKinsey & Company provided insight into the need for greater awareness and research into women’s health, as well as barriers to access women from underserved communities face.

Workforce Development Briefing: I had the honor of introducing Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones at the MCWL’s briefing on workforce development on September 12. Secretary Jones spoke to the MCWL about the work her office does to expand women’s participation in the workforce. One of the MCWL’s strategic priorities is elevating women’s economic opportunities and eliminating barriers, and learning about challenges and opportunities for women in Massachusetts helps the MCWL effectively advocate for women in the workplace.

National Association of Commissions for Women: The National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW) visited Boston from July 24-25. I spoke to the NACW at their welcome reception on July 24 about the work the MCWL’s three strategic priorities: elevating women’s economic opportunity and eliminating barriers, addressing racial and gender disparities in healthcare, and empowering women in government. The NACW supports state and regional commissions for women around the country, with members including the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and several county-level commissions in Massachusetts.

WorldBoston Meeting: On November 21, participants from the WorldBoston International Visitor Leadership Program from India visited the State House to learn about the policymaking process and expanding economic opportunities for women. The MCWL hosted a discussion with them to share the MCWL’s accomplishments during the 193rd legislative session and give participants the opportunity to learn from women in the Massachusetts Legislature who are working to promote gender equity.

Breast Cancer Equity: The MCWL hosted the Ellie Fund and Boston Breast Cancer Equity Coalition on October 2 for a discussion on inequities in breast cancer treatment and ways to remove barriers to care. Services such as childcare and transportation, access to clinical trials, and patient navigators and community health workers are all essential to ensuring breast cancer patients can receive the best care possible.

Briefings and Forums

Early Cancer Detection Briefing: The Cancer Awareness Caucus, which I chair, hosted a briefing with DetecTogether on the importance of early cancer detection and treatment. DetecTogether is a Westborough-based nonprofit founded by Shrewsbury residents Jim and Nancy Coghlin that provides education on early cancer symptoms and how individuals can advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, giving them the tools they need to find and treat cancer before it reaches later stages. Early detection and treatment improves health outcomes and reduces the need for more invasive treatments, saving patients money and improving their likelihood of survival.

Pancreatic Cancer Briefing: Senator Jo Comerford and I, along with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, held a briefing on pancreatic cancer awareness on November 20. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of only 13%. We filed legislation with Representative Carmen Gentile, who also spoke at the briefing, to establish a comprehensive pancreatic cancer initiative, create a Pancreatic Cancer Advisory Council within the Department of Public Health, direct the Commissioner of Insurance to ascertain coverage benefits for pancreatic cancer genetic testing, and direct the Center for Health Information and Analysis to conduct a review and update of its mandated benefit review of pancreatic cancer screenings. Unfortunately, H2182 and S1330, An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer, were sent to study on May 9, 2024. However, almost 100 legislators cosponsored this bill, showing that members support legislative action on pancreatic cancer. We intend to refile the bill, and hope that it will progress further with even more support in the next legislative session.

Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) Forum: I spoke as a panelist at the CMRPC Legislative Affairs Forum & Breakfast on July 23, which focused on food insecurity in Central Massachusetts. I updated attendees on the work in the Legislature to reduce food insecurity and strengthen the local food system, including the establishment of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, the Food System Caucus’ advocacy on legislative priorities, and the creation of the Food Security Infrastructure Grant program.

Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance: I attended a discussion at the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) on the housing crisis in Worcester County and the importance of partnerships between government, nonprofits, and businesses to address housing needs in Central Massachusetts. 59,000 renter households in Worcester County spend more than 30% of their income on rent, and the vacancy rate for the Worcester area has been less than 2% in 10 of the last 18 quarters. High housing costs put significant financial pressure on families across the Commonwealth, and limit Massachusetts' economic competitiveness as businesses struggle to recruit and retain employees. Innovative approaches to housing policy and assistance help families find and keep housing, strengthening our communities.

Westborough Affordable Housing Trust Tour: The Westborough Affordable Housing Trust hosted a tour of several project sites, as well as sites for potential future development. The housing crisis affects the entire state, and developing affordable housing locally is an important step to ensuring that seniors, families, and others can live in the communities they call home.

Summer Child Nutrition Program: My Legislative Aide, Kerry, and interns, Vasu and Lagnajeet, joined Governor Maura Healey and Congressman Jim McGovern to celebrate the Summer Child Nutrition Program in Westborough. This program brings $70 million in federal funding to Massachusetts to help low-income families with school-age children purchase food when schools are closed during the summer, ensuring that children have access to healthy food throughout the year. Congressman McGovern, and the USDA for their strong support for child nutrition!

Mass Fire District 7, 8, & 14 Legislative Breakfast: It is always wonderful to host the Fire Districts 7, 8 and 14 Legislative Breakfast here in Shrewsbury. I spoke at this event on September 24 alongside Senator Moore, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar, and Shrewsbury Fire Chief Seth Colby. We are fortunate to have two fabulous local Fire Chiefs - Shrewsbury Fire Chief Seth Colby and Westborough Fire Chief Patrick Purcell. I am grateful for the service, bravery and selflessness of all firefighters!

Diwali Celebration: The State House celebrated Diwali on October 22, an opportunity for legislators and staff to learn more about the meaning of Diwali and the importance of this holiday to Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities. Thank you to the Massachusetts House Asian Caucus and BAPS for organizing this meaningful celebration.

Agricultural Meet and Greet: At the Topsfield Fair, members of Massachusetts' agricultural community had the chance to meet and speak to members of the Food System Caucus about the challenges they're facing, as well as the future of farming and fishing in the Commonwealth. Building relationships between the Legislature and the agricultural and fishing sectors is essential to developing policy that strengthens the food system and supports local economies across Massachusetts.

Seafood Day: October 16 was Seafood Day at the State House! Fishing is an important part of Massachusetts' history and our economy, and a key part of the Commonwealth's food system. Events like this are an opportunity to learn more about the needs of seafood producers and connect with organizations that serve them. As one of the House co-chairs of the Food System Caucus, I am proud to support the seafood industry.

Speaking Engagements

Harvard Business School Conservative Club: On November 7, I spoke to the Harvard Business School Conservative Club on my career in the Legislature and the importance of local politics and being involved in public service. It’s great to see young people interested in being involved in the political process!

495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference: I spoke at the 495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Meeting, providing a legislative update related to priorities of Partnership, including tax policy, economic development, housing, and more. Thanks to the advocacy of the Partnership and members, including local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and other stakeholders in the region, the Affordable Homes Act and Mass Leads Act include provisions that support key industries, promote much-needed housing development, and alleviate workforce shortages. I am grateful for the 495/MetroWest Partnership's members engagement with the Legislature on issues that affect the region and look forward to continuing to work with them in the next legislative session. Thank you to the Partnership’s Executive Director Jason Palitsch for his terrific work leading the impactful organization.

Community Events and Celebrations

Spirit of Shrewsbury: I was pleased to once again be a major sponsor of this year’s Spirit of Shrewsbury and had a lot of fun at my booth on Saturday at Saint John’s and in the parade on Sunday seeing folks lining the parade route! Earlier in the month I presented Maria Smith and Frank Vaccaro, who were named the Grand Marshals for Spirit of Shrewsbury, a citation from the House of Representatives honoring their longstanding community involvement. Thank you to the Spirit of Shrewsbury volunteers for all they do to celebrate our community!

Shrewsbury Volunteer Heroes: Congratulations to the Shrewsbury Council on Aging’s Volunteer Heroes Awardees - Vyshnavi Donthabhaktuni, Walter Rice and Robert Koenig. Volunteers are the backbones of communities, and I was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the awards program recognizing their service.

Firefighter of the Year Awards: Congratulations to David Dutton, Chris DuBois, Sean Doherty, Patrick Sheridan, and Christopher Weinwurm! These Westborough Fire Department firefighters were awarded a Citation for Meritorious Conduct at the 35th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards Ceremony for their heroic actions to rescue two people from a building fire and prevent the fire from spreading. Thank you for your courage, selflessness, and public safety service!

Veterans Day Ceremonies: Both communities had beautiful tributes to our veterans on Veterans Day to thank all who have served our nation with honor. Westborough honored Lt. Colonel James Tepper, retired from the Marine Corps, for his selfless service and in my remarks, I also noted that Westborough had two firefighters - Matthew Stockwell and Harrison Dias -who are currently deployed overseas. God bless our veterans, U.S. Armed Forces and the United States of America.

Local funding



Fiscal Year 2025 Budget: The FY25 budget includes funding for several local earmarks in Shrewsbury and Westborough. In the House budget I was able to secure $50,000 for Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services, Inc. (SYFS), $10,000 for accessibility improvements to the main bathrooms at Dean Park, and $10,000 to restore the Shrewsbury Town Common gazebo. Representative Kate Donaghue and I also obtained $27,000 for Westborough Fire Department to modernize ambulance radios. Senator Moore successfully advocated for $50,000 for environmental police patrols on Flint Pond, $25,000 for a comprehensive code review and building assessment in Shrewsbury, $25,000 for Maple Avenue park improvements, and $57,000 for gear for the Westborough Fire Department through the Senate budget. These investments that were maintained in the final FY25 state budget will help ensure that Shrewsbury and Westborough continue to be great places to live and work, and I thank Representative Donaghue and Senator Moore for their continued partnership throughout the budget process.

Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant: The MA Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) announced over $3.7 million in grant funding in August. State and local officials visited Westborough to celebrate grant awards for municipalities to replace aging culverts, including $136,500 from the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Initiative for Westborough to replace the Jackstraw Brook Culvert. Replacing aging culverts protects natural resources and reduces flood risk.

Municipal Road Safety Grant: Shrewsbury received $40,000 and Westborough received $21,238 from the Municipal Road Safety Grant program for FY25. These funds are important for towns looking to improve road safety and reduce injuries and fatalities caused by roadway crashes.

Nonprofit Security Grant: The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security recently awarded Al-Hamra Academy $87,334 from the Nonprofit Security Grant program. These funds will allow the school to enhance their security infrastructure, improving safety for families, faculty, and staff.

Community One Stop for Growth: The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $161 million in Community One Stop for Growth awards in Worcester last week. I am pleased to share that Shrewsbury was awarded $500,000 for FY25 towards the design and construction of a connector road between Green Street and South Street through the One Stop's Housing Choice program, which will support the work along Route 20 so that traffic on South Street can exit at a signalized intersection (note this funding is at risk with Shrewsbury’s non-compliance of the MBTA Communities Act). Westborough also received $372,000 from MassWorks to fund a 25% engineering design for downtown Westborough, which will focus on traffic analysis, parking solutions, bicycle facilities, EV charging, stations, impact analysis, and public engagement. Programs like Community One Stop for Growth are an important resource for towns and cities across Massachusetts, as they provide vital support to communities working to address local housing and economic development needs.

Municipal Local Cybersecurity Grant: Westborough was awarded $40,500 from the Municipal Local Cybersecurity Grant program, which will allow the town to protect its systems from digital threats and improve its ability to respond to cybersecurity incidents.

Workplace Safety Training Grant: The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) awarded $4,250 to Elevation3D LLC, $4,500 to Tri State Truck Center, and $15,000 to Nova Leap Health MA through the Department of Industrial Accidents Workplace Safety Training Grant program. These local businesses will be able to use the grant to provide preventative workplace safety training to their employees.



Urban and Community Forestry Grant: The Department of Conservation and Recreation awarded Westborough $91,750 from the Urban and Community Forestry Environmental Justice Grant program. These funds will be used to enhance the town's tree canopy, which will improve air quality, provide shade during the summer, and improve the local ecosystem.

Municipal ADA Improvement Grant: The Massachusetts Office on Disability awarded Shrewsbury $58,000 from the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant program to improve accessibility at Edgemere Park. This grant will help pay for expanded accessible parking, a new paved walkway to the baseball field, and improved benches for viewing the basketball court and baseball field. These improvements will enable people with disabilities to enjoy more of the park.

Local Events

Shrewsbury Firefighter Promotions: Congratulations to Deputy Chief Kevin Weigold, Lieutenant Benjamin Gerber, and Firefighter Steven Ebers! Deputy Chief Weigold and Lieutenant Gerber were both promoted to their positions on September 5, and Firefighter Ebers graduated the Massachusetts Fire Academy on August 30. I am grateful for their dedication to public service and thank them for keeping Shrewsbury safe!

Boston Worcester Air Line Trail: On September 25, we celebrated the opening of the Section 5 portion of the Boston-Worcester Air Line Trail (BWALT). This is a great example of the power of public & private partnerships - thank you to the town of Westborough, MassDOT, CMRPC, Carruth Capital and Beals and Thomas, and many others, for all your work to bring the trail online.

Dean Park: I visited Dean Park with Senator Mike Moore, Select Board member Carlos Garcia, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar, and Director of Public Works Tim McInerney to see some of the park's new accessibility improvements. This newly paved area near the upper softball field and picnic area was funded by a $35,000 earmark in the FY24 budget to help improve accessibility in the park, providing people with mobility impairments with greater access to the park. Projects like this make a difference for people with disabilities, and I look forward to further improvements at Dean Park so all town residents and visitors can enjoy it.

Westborough Fire Foundation: I went to the Westborough Fire Foundation’s “Let’s Get Fired Up!” kickoff party at Arturo’s on September 29. I’m grateful for all the work firefighters do to keep us safe, and I am always happy to support them!

Good Scouts Award: Congratulations to Jim Ball for receiving the Westborough Good Scout award. It was very special seeing his dad Nelson, a former winner himself, speak about Jim and present him the award.

Westborough Family Dental: I attended the ribbon cutting for Westborough Family Dental on September 4, along with Representative Donaghue and Senator Moore. It’s always great to see new local businesses, and I wish Westborough Family Dental all the best in the future!

Nautical Bowls Opening: I joined the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber ribbon cutting for Nautical Bowls to welcome them to Lakeway Commons – lots of excited people there for the ceremony and opening!

Court Appointed Special Advocates: Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) held an opening of their newly renovated office in Worcester. CASA provides court-based advocacy for children in foster care, giving vulnerable children stability and support on their path to a permanent home. Their new office will provide additional space and privacy to staff and volunteers engaged in this critical work. I am grateful for CASA's dedication to serving vulnerable children.

Elder Services of Worcester Area Anniversary: Elder Services of Worcester Area (ESWA) celebrated their 50th anniversary on October 15. This event highlighted the important work of elder care organizations, from in-home care to nutrition programs and more. ESWA also presented their 4th Annual Community Service Award to Sheila Gerardi for her dedicated volunteer work driving for Meals on Wheels in Shrewsbury.

Community Advocate Anniversary: Congratulations to David Bagdon and the Community Advocate on their 50th anniversary of local journalism and keeping residents in our area well informed. Kerry joined them on November 12 in Westborough at Cold Harbor Brewing to celebrate their anniversary.

Caring Force Rally: Kerry attended for our office the Caring Force Rally at Clark University on October 11. Human services are essential to supporting individuals with disabilities and others, and we thank everyone who attended for standing up for human services workers and the families they serve.

Contacting My Office 

As a reminder, please reach out to my office at 617-722-2810 if we can be helpful. My Legislative Aide Kerry Shea can be reached at Kerry.Shea@mahouse.gov and I am at Hannah.Kane@mahouse.gov.

While this email is not inclusive of all my work, I hope the information is relevant and helpful. My prior update emails can be found here on my website in the “Updates from Hannah” section and I will continue to post regular updates on my State Representative Facebook page. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance. I hope you and your family have a happy and healthy 2025!

With sincere gratitude,

Hannah Kane

State Representative

11th Worcester District