Volume 6, Issue 9 (September 27, 2024) | |
|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the end of the summer months and the beginning of fall activities. September's newsletter includes recent legislative updates, news from my office, district happenings, and resources available at the state level.
We prioritize our constituent outreach and support in my office. In October, I will host four in-person office hours with me or a member of my staff. If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, you are welcome to contact my staff to schedule a meeting. 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 a wonderful October!
Very truly yours,
Joan
| |
FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | |
Rep. Meschino Attends Community Climate Bank Forum | |
On September 25th, I celebrated Climate Week by attending the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank Forum. I had the pleasure of speaking with leaders in the climate space, and learned from featured speaker Melissa Hoffer, Climate Chief, about the work the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank (MCCB) has accomplished in its first year. The MCCB was announced by Governor Healey in 2023 and provides funding to support decarbonization strategies in the residential housing sector. | |
(From Left to Right) Rep. Meschino, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Director of Policies and Programs for the MA Community Climate Bank Maggie Super Church, and Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer | |
Harbor Media Interviews Rep. Meschino | I had the pleasure of sitting down with Julie Thompson on Harbor Media's new show, "You the People.” She interviewed Senator O’Connor and me on kitchen table issues related to the South Shore. I always enjoy discussing the topics most relevant to my district; Julie and I talked through affordable housing, the importance of community media centers, youth voter engagement, constituent services, and more. You can view the whole interview on my website or online. | |
Rep. Meschino with Julie Thompson on Harbor Media's "You the People." | |
Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Celebration of Nation's 250th Anniversary | Tuesday, September 17th, marked the kickoff for MA250, a celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary. I enjoyed welcoming Deirdre Anderson, Executive Director of the Hingham Historical Society, and Art Robert, Assistant Town Manager of Hingham, to the State House. As Governor Healey put it, we are a state of firsts: “The first public school. The first public park. The first state constitution. The first shot of the American Revolution.” I am grateful that the administration has made grant funds available to our community organizations to boost local economic development and show off all that our state has to offer. You can read more about MA250, grants won by historical organizations in the district, and the kickoff event here. | |
Rep. Meschino with Deirdre Anderson and Art Robert | |
STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | |
Hull Wins $100,000 Grant for Jones Park | |
On September 23rd, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Hull won a $100,000 grant for Jones Park. The Parkland Acquisition and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will be used to repair a circular path around the park as well as adding the following elements: a new park sign, playground equipment, gathering zone with seating, fitness area with a basketball court, and benches with shade trees. The PARC Grant Program, which was established in 1977, supports cities and towns in their efforts to acquire and develop land for park and outdoor recreation purposes. | |
Cohasset and Hingham Win Municipal Road Safety Grants | |
The towns of Cohasset and Hingham both won Municipal Road Safety Grants through the Office of Grants and Research. Cohasset won $20,000, and Hingham won $32,675. These funds will allow municipal police departments to afford initiatives such as the following: traffic, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety enforcement; non-enforcement activities such as trainings and community events; and purchasing traffic safety equipment to distribute in the community such as bike helmets. | |
Rowes Wharf Construction Begins | |
On September 30th, the MBTA will begin construction on Rowes Wharf, which will continue through mid-October. The construction will not cause any changes to the ferry schedule, but ferry passengers are asked to please allow for more time to embark and disembark ferries at Rowes Wharf. You can view service alerts for the ferry here. | |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Restarts Free COVID-19 Test Program | |
As cases of a new COVID-19 variant, XEC, rise across the United States, the federal government has restarted its free at-home COVID-19 testing program in preparation for the fall and winter season. Starting on September 26th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering another round of free COVID-19 tests for families nationwide. Every U.S. household is eligible to order up to 4 at-home tests shipped for free by the USPS as soon as next week. Health officials urge residents to get an updated COVID-19 booster and their yearly flu shot ahead of the upcoming respiratory virus season. The tests will be available to order at COVIDTests.gov, which also includes additional information to learn more about COVID-19 testing. The available tests also include a more accessible option for people with disabilities to use at ACL.gov/AccessibleTests. | |
Rep. Meschino and Staff Attend Endless Summer Waterfront Festival in Hull | |
|
(Left) Rep. Meschino with Congressman Lynch
(Right) Rep. Meschino with Hull Select Board Member Jason McCann at the Hull Pride tent
| |
My team and I enjoyed attending the annual Endless Summer Waterfront Festival in Hull on September 7th. It was the perfect day to chat with neighbors, connect with local organizations, and take advantage of the wonderful food trucks dotted along Nantasket Ave. There was music in the pavilion and town vehicles for visitors to view and children to explore. Endless Summer is made possible through grants from Save the Harbor Save the Bay, Massachusetts Department of Conservation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and Hull MA Cultural Council. You can read more here. | |
Safe Harbor Cohasset Holds Overdose Awareness Vigil | |
On August 27th, I attended a Candlelight Vigil hosted by Safe Harbor Cohasset in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day. The event sought to reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, raise awareness about overdose prevention, and bring together the community to remember those lost to substance use. August 31st was International Overdose Awareness Day and September 1st marked the beginning of National Recovery Month. It is vital that we provide sufficient resources for those among us currently struggling with substance use disorders and our communities which feel the ripple effects. You can read more here. | |
Rep. Meschino and Sen. O'Connor Staff Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity | |
Construction Manager Sheri Green, her crew, Sen. O'Connor, and members of Sen. O'Connor and Rep. Meschino's staff at the Cohasset Habitat for Humanity build site | |
My team worked alongside Senator O’Connor and his staff at the Cohasset Habitat for Humanity build site on September 13th. Accompanied by Construction Manager Sheri Green and her crew, our teams helped put up the rafters for a duplex that will house two families. South Shore Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1986 and has built 63 homes in 22 communities in that time. As we work to counter the housing affordability crisis, organizations that are actively creating affordable housing are increasingly important. | |
Rep. Meschino and Sen. O'Connor Honor Veterans on Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day | |
|
(Left) Ceremonial raising of the Suicide Awareness (SAR) Flag at Hingham High School
(Right) Resolution designating 09/22/2024 as Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day
| |
|
A Proclamation from Governor Healey and a Resolution from Senator O'Connor and me designated September 22nd, 2024, as Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. Tragically, 1 in 9 suicide deaths in MA during 2020 were current or former military personnel. We must address this reality and come together within our communities.
Senator O'Connor and I took part in a ceremonial raising of the Suicide Awareness Remembrance (SAR) Flag at Hingham High School. We honor the life and memory of Hingham’s SGT Matthew P. Partyka, USMC, who died 07/03/2022.
Senator O'Connor and I have co-filed a bill that would make September 22nd an annual day of awareness and remembrance. We introduced this legislation in direct response to the tragedies that have left holes in the fabric of our communities and in order to build awareness to prevent future tragedy.
If you or someone in your community is a Veteran dealing with mental health challenges, you can dial 988, and then press 1 for 24/7 confidential, crisis support.
| |
|
Announcing Office Hours for October
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 Aides, Jane and Harrison.
- Monday, October 7, 10:00am - 11:00am, Linden Ponds, for Linden Ponds residents
- Monday, October 21, 10:00am - 11:00am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, October 28, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Willcutt Commons, 91 Sohier Street, Cohasset
- Monday, October 28, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
| |
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.
-
Homebound Vaccination Program information
- COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
-
MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov allows residents to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history
COVID-19 Tests, Cases & Treatment
| |
|
Contact my Campaign Team | Volunteer! | Donate
You are receiving this email because you signed up for our newsletter, or contacted us about a policy issue. We are pleased to share updates and other news with you.
You can unsubscribe at any time. Simply click the link below.
| | | | |
