The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has extended the public comment period for its Straw Proposal to update the Stretch Energy Code, as well as the New Specialized Stretch Code, which were released on February 8th.

Written comments will be now accepted until 5:00 PM on Friday, March 18th.

Additional background information can be found at DOER's new Stretch Code Development webpage (click on the respective links to access each document directly):

DOER is encouraging written comments to be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments.”

On Monday, March 28th at 9:00 AM, the 495/MetroWest Partnership and the Middlesex 3 Coalition will co-host a presentation regarding the Commonwealth’s Draft Guidance for Multi-family Zoning Requirements for MBTA Communities. The presentation will feature Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, along with staff from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP). This event will be hosted virtually via Zoom; advance registration is required.

Enacted as part of the economic development bill in January 2021, state law now requires that any MBTA Community shall have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right. In December, DHCD released draft guidelines for MBTA Communities regarding these new multi-family zoning requirements. Click here to access the full text of the Draft Guidance. “MBTA Community” is defined in M.G.L. c. 161A, sec. 1; click here to access a map of MBTA Communities. For additional information regarding the Multi-family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities, click here.

DHCD is accepting public comment on the compliance guidance through March 31st.

This presentation is open to all stakeholders of the 495/MetroWest Partnership or the Middlesex 3 Coalition, and will be followed by a Question & Answer period. Advance registration is required; click here to register.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is expected to take up H.4532, An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2022 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects, which proposes $1.6 billion in supplemental appropriations for the FY22 state budget, at a net cost of $842 million to the state. This bill was filed in part to allocate a surplus of revenues in FY22 to support the Commonwealth’s ongoing response to COVID-19. 

Among the policy provisions in the bill, H.4532 seeks to extend a pandemic authorization allowing restaurants to provide outdoor dining facilities and permission to sell beer, wine, and cocktails for take-out consumption until April 1st, 2023. Permitting for outdoor dining is currently set to expire on April 1st, 2022. 

Spending proposed in the supplemental budget being considered by the House includes, but is not limited to:

Click here to access the full text of the legislation. If passed by the House as expected, the measure must next clear the state Senate, and subsequently any differences between House and Senate versions must be reconciled. The legislation then proceeds to the Governor for his signature or veto.

These events are currently in the planning phase. Employers interested in attending such a session in your region are asked to please fill out this brief online form, which is intended to gauge interest by region, industry, and topic area. 

Spark Photonics, a Waltham-based technology company, is currently expanding a K-12 STEAM program, SparkAlpha, through its Spark Photonics Foundation. SparkAlpha’s mission is to increase interest in STEAM pathways for all K-12 students, with the goal of creating the future generation of highly-skilled professionals.

SparkAlpha is a project-based learning program that introduces students to STEAM, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The program is run in existing classes, from English to Physics to Engineering, and uses a low-barrier, high-engagement curriculum with no expertise needed by school personnel.

 

While participating in the SparkAlpha program, students work in teams to determine a problem they want to tackle, conceptualize a hardware-based product to address the problem, build a business plan, and pitch the product and business to a live panel of judges. Students also take field trips to local college and industry partners to learn about real-world education and career pathways.

 

The program has been run in several Massachusetts schools, including Westborough High School. The program fee includes curriculum, in-person facilitation, and transportation. For more information, contact Robert Vigneau at rvigneau@sparkphotonics.org.

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) is now offering a $1,000 sign-on bonus for all new Fixed Route and Demand Response drivers. These positions offer competitive benefits, paid training, and flexible schedules. Interested candidates can access the "Careers" section of the MWRTA's website to view complete posting information and details.

To view all upcoming events or view recordings of past virtual events, visit the "Events & Committee Meetings" section of our website 495Partnership.org.