Volume 5, Issue 11 | November 24, 2023 | |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you well after a joyous Thanksgiving holiday! November's newsletter includes updates on the end of Formal Session for the year, district happenings, and resources available at the state level.
As always, serving our constituents is our top priority. In December, I will host three in-person office hours with a member of my staff. If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, you are welcome to contact my staff to schedule a meeting.
As a reminder, my team and I have recently moved offices within the State House—please see below for our office’s updated contact information.
State Representative Joan Meschino
State House, Room 162, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
Updated phone number: 617-722-2092
Wishing you and your loved ones continued joy and good times in the fall season!
Very truly yours, Joan
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FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | |
Rep. Meschino Joins Co-Chairs of Metropolitan Beaches Commission for Annual Hearing | |
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On October 31, I joined my fellow commissioners of the Metropolitan Beaches Commission (MBC) to host the Commission's annual hearing following the release of its “Breaking Barriers” report earlier this year. This hearing, held in a hybrid format in the State House, follows five years of fully remote hearings, with Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Brian Arrigo and City of Boston Director of Green Infrastructure Kate England as this year’s featured speakers.
This hearing provided us legislators with an opportunity to advocate for our district beach infrastructure priorities, including those on Hull’s Nantasket Beach. Thank you to all those who testified at the hearing for their continued commitment to expanding access to our treasured beachfront sites, including those in the Third Plymouth District.
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Left: Rep. Meschino joins Metropolitan Beaches Commission colleagues at the annual hearing.
Right: Rep. Meschino speaks with DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo prior to the hearing.
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House of Representatives Passes Amended Long-Term Care Legislation, Sends Supplemental Budget to Conference Committee at Conclusion of 2023 Formal Session | |
This month, the House of Representatives engrossed H.4193 related to long-term care in the Commonwealth. The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration as the Legislature heads into recess.
The Legislature also recently delivered the year's closeout supplemental budget to the conference committee between the House and Senate. Please see https://malegislature.gov/ for more information on the status of any piece of legislation.
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Rep. Meschino Hires New Legislative Aide, Joins Chief of Staff in Rep. Meschino's Office | |
Our office just made an exciting new addition to our team! Liz is my new Legislative Aide, and she will be bringing her knowledge of constituent advocacy and project management to our team. She joins my Chief of Staff Chris, who will continue to work with me on our policy priorities. Please feel free to reach out at any time to my office staff for assistance. | |
Rep. Meschino joins TUE Committee Colleagues for Roundtable COP28 Event at UMass Lowell | On November 2, I joined TUE Chairman Roy, Vice-Chairman Haggerty, UMass Lowell faculty, and students at UML's Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy for a conversation around this year's COP28 meeting and our state's adherence to our targets to decarbonize our state. Thank you to UMass Lowell for their leadership in prioritizing the Commonwealth's climate goals. | |
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Left: Rep. Meschino (second from right) with Umass Lowell students attending the COP28 event this year in Dubai.
Right: Rep. Meschino (second from right) poses for a photo with House colleagues Rep. Roy (D-Franklin) and Rep. Haggerty (D-Woburn), as well as UMass Lowell students and Rist Institute leaders.
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STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | |
MassDOT Sumner Tunnel Construction Project Still Closed on Weekends; Weekend MBTA Ferry Service Schedule to Boston Paused from Hingham and Hull Until Spring | |
The MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, which will provide structural upgrades to the century-old southbound tunnel, is now in its next phase. The Tunnel has reopened on weekdays, with certain weekend closures continuing into the fall. To learn more about the MassDOT Sumner Tunnel project, please visit https://www.mass.gov/sumner-tunnel. Please consider taking alternate modes of transit to Logan Airport on weekends to avoid travel disruptions.
All ferries are back to full pre-COVID service levels and will maintain regular service schedules in light of MassDOT's current construction project on East Boston's Sumner Tunnel. Weekend service has paused until the spring for the Hingham – Hull – Logan Airport – Long Wharf Ferry (F2H) ferry. Please plan accordingly.
To learn more and to view ferry schedules, please visit https://www.mbta.com/schedules/ferry or https://www.mbta.com/service-changes/fall-2023-service-changes.
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Mass Cultural Council Announces Individual Grant Opportunity, Applications Due December 11 | |
Mass Cultural Council (MCC) has launched a new grant program, Grants for Creative Individuals, which will provide unrestricted awards of $5,000 to Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners.
The program guidelines and key dates are available through this link.
MCC is welcoming applications from individuals in all creative fields: visual artists, literary artists, theater artists, performers, film/media artists, music artists, designers, culture bearers/traditional artists, drag artists, cross-disciplinary artists, and more. The application process is brief and inclusive, and there will be one more informational sessions on December 5 before the application deadline of December 11. As always, please reach out to my office for more information.
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Rep. Meschino Joins Plymouth County Officials at Grand Opening of Environmental Justice Education Center | |
On Friday, November 17, I joined my colleagues in Plymouth County to visit the Sheriff's new Environmental Justice Education Center and its new innovative education program on alternative food growing systems. The Sheriff’s Farm has grown food in the fields for over 100 years and will now teach justice-involved individuals, their families, and the public new ways to grow and enjoy healthy food at home while tackling food insecurity in our community. Thank you for your investment in these educational opportunities for our communities. | |
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Left: Members of the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department introduce the event and welcome attendees.
Right: Highlighted alternative food systems on display at the event.
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Rep. Meschino and Sen. O'Connor Host Meet-and-Greet with East Elementary Fifth-Graders in Hingham | Last week, I joined fifth-grade students at East Elementary School in Hingham for a meet-and-greet with me and Senator O'Connor. Thank you to the EES classes for your interest and engagement in local government, and I can't wait to see what you do in the future for our communities in Massachusetts! | |
Both photos: Rep. Meschino (left) and Senator O'Connor (right) answer questions with fifth-graders. | |
Rep. Meschino Appears on WATD Monthly Segment with Christine James | As always, I joined Christine James from WATD for my monthly segment to discuss recent happenings in the Legislature. Thanks for having me on the program to discuss our priorities for our office and upcoming district events in November and December! | |
Rep. Meschino sits down for Rep. Meschino's monthly radio segment in Marshfield. | |
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Announcing Office Hours for December
Constituent services are our top priority. We continue to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, a staff member will be present in the State House. On Mondays, I host in-person office hours in the district with me or a member of my staff.
If you would like to reserve a time slot for virtual office hours or outside of the times listed, please call the office at our new phone number 617-722-2092 or email my Legislative Aide.
- Monday, December 4, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, December 11, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, December 18, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
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General Resources
COVID-19 Vaccines
- Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment using the Vaccine Finder
- COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts for assistance / translation services.
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Homebound Vaccination Program information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
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MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov allows residents to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history
COVID-19 Tests, Cases & Treatment
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