Volume 7, Issue 8 (August 29, 2025) | | |
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the tail end of summer. August's edition 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 September, I will host two 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
617-722-2092
Wishing you a wonderful September!
Very truly yours,
Joan
| | FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE | | Governor Healey Announces Biodiversity Conservation Plan | | Earlier this month, I joined Governor Maura Healey, Secretary Tepper, Secretary Stolba, Commissioner O’Shea, and other environmental leaders and advocates at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The Governor announced a new plan, Biodiversity Conservation Goals for the Commonwealth, which aims to revitalize our natural habitats, sustain the health and well-being of residents, improve access to fresh food, leading to enhanced quality of life and economic well-being across the Commonwealth. It represents a critical investment in the protection of natural and working lands, biodiversity conservation, and resilience in the face of climate change. | | Massachusetts Hosts National Conference of State Legislature | | In August, Massachusetts hosted the 50th National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit. Held at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, over 8,000 elected officials, staff, and advocates convened to discuss the critical issues facing state governments across the country. Participants attended engaging panels on affordable housing, climate, healthcare, education, AI and technology, and many more tropics. Not only did the Legislative Summit offer a reference point for the areas in which Massachusetts excels, but we also learned about the ways that our state can innovate and improve. | | (Left to right) Rep. Hawkins, Rep. Meschino, Rep. Badger, and Rep. Hawkin's legislative aide, Tara Major. | | STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHLIGHTS | | Fore River Bridge Notification System | | Fore River Bridge notifications were previously listed for free on the Patriot Ledger. In June, the MBTA announced an alternate system for bridge closure notifications. Constituents can receive notifications for any bridge openings via email/SMS depending on preferences. Additionally, if the Fore River Bridge is in a lifted state, it will be displayed on the Mass511 web page and app as a Yellow Diamond over the location of the Fore River bridge. More information for signing up for this notification system can be found here. | | MBTA Announces Extended Fall Service, All Modes Free After 9 PM for Five Fridays and Saturdays | | |
Hingham/Hull Ferry - Fridays between August 29 and September 26: An additional Hingham/Hull Ferry roundtrip will be added to the schedule departing about one hour later than current schedules. This trip departs Hingham to Long Wharf at 10:15 PM; the trip departs Long Wharf to Hull and Hingham at 11 PM.
To encourage riders to take advantage of the extended service, all subway lines, bus routes, ferries, Commuter Rail lines, and the RIDE trips will be free on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 9 PM through the end of service on September 5 – 6, September 12 – 13, September 19 – 20, September 26 – 27, and October 3 – 4.
More information can be found here.
| | Construction Continues at Hingham Ferry Dock | | Construction is ongoing in the Hingham Parking lot and on Shipyard Drive in preparation for the Hingham Ferry Dock upgrades. There is reduced parking in the lot, and portions of Shipyard Drive are affected. For more information, visit this link. | | South Shore Regional School District Wins Career Technical Initative Grant | | The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has awarded South Shore Regional School District a nearly $4 million Career Technical Initiative grant. These strategic investments are a part of the ongoing effort to address the persistent demand in construction, trades, and manufacturing sectors. Funding will be used to build capacity at vocational high schools, deliver robust adult training, enhance credentialing, and provide placement services in partnership with MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards. | | Plymouth County Farm Bureau Hosts Annual Meeting | | The Plymouth County Farm Bureau plays a crucial role in advocating for and protecting our agricultural economy. The MA Farm Bureau includes over 3,000 members, of which 600 households and local businesses are located in Plymouth County. Joined by fellow South Shore legislators at their annual meeting this month, I enjoyed learning more about their work uplifting the local economy. | | Rep. Meschino Speaks at Plymouth Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. | | Hull Lifesaving Museum Celebrates Docent Graduates | | The Hull Lifesaving Museum hosted a graduation ceremony for its 8-week docent training program run in conjunction with the Arc of the South Shore. We celebrated Kathleen “Kadee” Daley and Michael “Mike” Kennedy on their successful completion of the program and received wonderful guided tours of the museum from each of them. It is a fantastic program and I send my congratulations to both Kadee and Mike for their hard work and dedication. | | Kadee and Mike with their Certificates of Completion. | | Hingham Celebrates National Farmers Market Week | | I never miss a chance to visit the Hingham Farmers Market. In honor of National Farmers Market Week (August 3rd-9th), Chairwoman Liz Klein of the Hingham Select Board read a proclamation, and we rang the bell in celebration. I also got a chance to catch up with Bev Vernon, President of the Hingham Farmers Market. We could not have asked for better weather. It is always great to see the Farmers Market in full swing with plenty of fresh produce and friendly faces. | | |
(Left) Rep. Meschino with Bev Vernon, President of the Hingham Farmers Market.
(Right) Fresh blueberries for sale at the market.
| | Hingham Holds Public Safety Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | | The Town of Hingham held the official ribbon cutting for its new public safety facility earlier this month. The project was the culmination of work that began decades ago, born from concerns about our aging public safety infrastructure. The facility will allow for more robust services and an excellent facility for first responders to operate out of. Congratulations to Hingham for the completion of this crucial project! | | Rep. Meschino offers remarks at Hingham public safety building ribbon cutting ceremony. | | |
Rep. Meschino Announces Office Hours for September
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, September 15, 10:00am - 11:00am, Hull Council on Aging, 197A Samoset Avenue, Hull
- Monday, September 22, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Hingham Public Library, 66 Leavitt Street, Hingham
To learn more about our constituent services, please visit our website.
| | Massachusetts 250th Anniversary Rev250 Events | |
- Across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, communities and institutions are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances, and much more. The 3rd Plymouth District will be celebrating its rich history with a series of events over the coming two years.
- View South Shore events here.
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