Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays and had a wonderful time with family and friends. It was wonderful to have all three kids under one roof, and we enjoyed a special week away together in the sun with family friends to close out 2023. Jim and I were also happy to watch Caitlin and the Endicott Women’s Rugby Team compete again at the National College Rugby Championship in Houston. Last year, Endicott won the championship and this year they placed third, and it is always so much fun to watch the team play! We were fortunate to have my parents and Jim’s Mom travel with us too.

August 21st was a beautiful summer day for our 9th Annual charity golf tournament, where a full field of fun 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 nine years, we have raised over $507,000! I am grateful to Howard Grossman of Grossman Development Group for being our Presenting Sponsors.

American Irish State Legislators Caucus: I traveled to Ireland in August as part of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The Caucus is designed to foster and strengthen the longstanding relationship between the United States and Ireland, and over 180 state legislators from 44 states attended this gathering. Massachusetts proudly had the largest delegation, and I am honored to be one of the Massachusetts Co-Chairs. The picture below was taken in Belfast outside the Northern Ireland Assembly.

My great-grandfather left his home in the little village of Fordston in Trim by himself in 1884 at the age of 15 for America. This trip, my second time to Ireland, was emotional - thinking of my great-grandfather heading out on his own, and me returning with legislative colleagues to meet with the various party leaders in the Northern Ireland Assembly, to sit in the Irish Parliament with U.S state and federal legislators and party leaders, to celebrate an evening with the U.S. Ambassador (our former colleague in the House) Claire Cronin at the Ambassador's residence, to attend the Notre Dame vs. Navy football Game (which resulted in the largest mobilization of people from the U.S. to Ireland since WW II), to tour Massachusetts company Alexion Pharmaceuticals Ireland headquarters, and to of course add to the local economy - I am certain my great-grandfather did not foresee his great-granddaughter coming "home." 

Women in Government Summit: In November, I attended the Women in Government (WIG) 2023 Leadership & Innovation Summit, which provided opportunities to connect with other women legislators and learn more about the work they have done to advance legislation addressing healthcare, economic development, and other important policy issues. As one of the State Directors for WIG, I find that being able to network and share knowledge is important to developing sound legislation.

Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus Awards: I was honored to receive the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus Founders Award! The MWPC has been a critical support in electing women in MA and I was thankful for the recognition of my work as a bipartisan collaborator in the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators.

Conversations with Hannah: I sat down with my two fantastic summer interns Vishnu Angiras (Shrewsbury High School rising senior) and Rohil Mohan (Saint John’s High School rising senior) on August 1^st to talk about their experiences this summer at the State House! Please watch and see how terrific Rohil and Vishnu are, what they learned this summer, and the work they did for Shrewsbury and Westborough! The episode is available online here.

I also spoke to Shrewsbury Select Board Chair Beth Casavant on December 6^th to discuss current events in Shrewsbury and provide a year-end legislative update. We covered the Rotary Club’s recent work, the opening of Maple & Main, the state tax relief bill, and other topics relevant to Shrewsbury and the state as a whole. You can watch the episode here.

Team Changes: This summer I welcomed Kerry Shea to my office as my new Legislative Aide. My previous aide, Sophia Flionis, left my office to move to Washington D.C. in July and I wish her the best in all future endeavors. Kerry is a Shrewsbury resident who graduated from UMass Amherst with a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration in 2020, and has previous experience working in government. Kerry has done a great job serving Shrewsbury and Westborough, and I look forward to continuing to work with her in 2024.

Beacon Hill

Serving as the 11^th Worcester District’s State Representative is an honor and a privilege. I am proud to have maintained a perfect voting record in 2023, having participated in all 70 roll call votes in 2023. Each of the 30 bills I filed during this session was heard, and several were reported favorably, including H4101, An Act relative to accelerating improvements to the local and regional public health system to address disparities in the delivery of public health services, and H632, An Act establishing a commission to study the financial abuse of elders. Although 2023 saw one of the least-productive opening sessions since 1995, I hope to see more action to advance legislation that benefits Massachusetts residents this year.

$1.02B Tax Relief Package: I joined my colleagues in the House to pass H4104, An Act to improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equity, which was signed into law by Governor Healey. This bill is expected to produce $561 million in savings for taxpayers this fiscal year and an estimated $1.02 billion in savings when the changes are fully implemented in 2026. The bill provides increases to the child and dependent tax credit, the rental deduction cap, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. It also doubles the Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit while raising the estate tax threshold from $1 million to $2 million and increasing the amount seniors can deduct from their property taxes when participating in the Senior Property Tax Volunteer Program. The bill also reduces the short-term capital gains tax, implements a new system that only factors in sales to replace the three-prong sales tax apportionment for Massachusetts-based businesses, and expands tax credits available to housing developers. The financial relief provided by these measures will save residents and businesses money and make Massachusetts more competitive.

$56.2B Fiscal Year 24 Budget: The state budget for FY24 was signed into law on August 9, 2023. The budget provides funding for increased local aid, universal school meals, and several education and transportation initiatives. I successfully advocated for several earmarks for Shrewsbury and Westborough in the House budget, including $75,000 for Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, $30,000 for new furniture at the Shrewsbury Public Library, and $15,000 for AEDs for Shrewsbury’s recreation programs and athletic fields. Representative Donaghue and I supported $45,000 for the Westborough Cedar Swamp Restoration project in the House budget. Along with Senator Moore, I supported $35,000 for accessibility improvements at Dean Park and $45,000 for security camera installation at the Westborough town hall and senior center in the Senate budget.

In addition to these earmarks, Shrewsbury received $20,971,468 in Chapter 70 education funding and $3,278,528 in unrestricted aid, while Westborough received $11,912,580 in Chapter 70 funding and $1,363,861 in unrestricted aid.

The budget included a provision that would allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates and state-funded financial assistance at the state’s public colleges and universities, provided they have attended schools in Massachusetts for at least three years. I joined my Republican colleagues in the House to force a debate and vote on the in-state tuition language, however, this effort failed on a recorded roll call vote of 25-132 that was split along party lines. Another provision in the budget excludes revenue deposited into the Education and Transportation Fund from being subject to the allowable state tax revenue limitations established by Chapter 62F. During the April House budget debate, I supported a Republican-sponsored amendment to strike this language from the budget, as all other taxes are included in formula and tax rate increases have not previously been held aside from the formula. I urged Governor Healey to veto this measure, but this was also included in the FY24 budget.

$3.1B Supplemental Budget: I voted against the House’s supplemental budget bill, H4167, on November 8, 2023. The bill would allocate an additional $250 million to the state’s emergency shelter system, and calls for the creation of at least one additional overflow site. The recent increase in migrants seeking shelter in Massachusetts has placed a substantial financial strain on towns and cities that house and educate these migrants, and I support reimbursing municipalities for these costs. However, the state needs a long-term plan to manage the influx of new arrivals. Otherwise, towns, cities, and state agencies will continue to struggle with increased demand for services. During floor debate on the bill, I supported an amendment filed by Representative Frost that would prospectively limit future emergency housing services to individuals who have been Massachusetts residents for at least one year and can provide proof of residency, with exemptions for victims of domestic violence and survivors of natural disasters. This would have ensured that long-term Massachusetts residents do not lose out on housing assistance to newly arrived residents, however, this amendment failed on a vote of 28-128.

The supplemental budget was signed into law on December 4, 2023, after several weeks of delays following the last formal session on November 15, 2023. In addition to the emergency assistance funding, this budget funds over 90 collective bargaining agreements for state employees, provides $15 million for disaster relief, and allocates $1 million to reimburse SNAP recipients who had benefits stolen, an effort I helped advocacy for.

$375M Municipal Transportation Bond Bill: I supported H4103, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, which provides $987,672.30 in Chapter 90 funding for Shrewsbury and $802,717.83 for Westborough. This funding can be used for road and sidewalk maintenance, crosswalks, traffic signals, bridge repair, purchase or lease of road equipment, and other projects. In addition to $200 million in Chapter 90 funding, this bill also authorized $25 million to assist rural communities, and $150 million for additional grant program funding. This bill was signed into law by Governor Healey on August 3, 2023.

Ava Roy Real Estate Tax Exemption: I filed legislation with Sen. Moore to allow Shrewsbury to exempt real estate taxes for the home in which Ava Roy lives with her grandparents. Ava’s father, Christopher Roy, was a Worcester firefighter who was killed in the line of duty in 2018. Under existing state law, real estate assessors can exempt property taxes for the surviving minor children of police or firefighters who are killed in the line of duty. However, Shrewsbury was unable to exempt real estate taxes for Ava Roy’s household, as she does not own the property nor is she a trustee of the trust that holds percentage ownership in the property. This home rule petition was unanimously passed at Shrewsbury’s May 2023 Annual Town Meeting, and the Legislature passed the legislation, and it was signed into law on August 25, 2023.

Long-Term Care Reform: I joined my colleagues in the House to pass H4178, An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care. This bill addresses workforce shortages at nursing homes, increases penalties for abuse and neglect, and improves the Department of Public Health's ability to respond to long-term care facilities that violate the law. Additionally, this legislation will require long-term care facilities to develop outbreak response plans, which will help prevent contagious disease outbreaks like those that happened in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Massachusetts seniors deserve high-quality care, and as the Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, I am proud to have worked on this legislation that will help make that a reality. The bill has now moved to the Senate for their consideration.

Salary Pay Transparency: I spoke on the House floor in support of H4109, An Act relative to salary range transparency. This bill is one of five priority pieces of legislation for the MA Caucus of Women Legislators, specifically addressing our strategic priority to elevate women's economic opportunity and eliminate barriers. As House Chair of the Caucus and as a former small business owner, I spoke to the importance of narrowing the pay gap. Latinas earn just 51 cents, Black women earn 57 cents, Native American women earn 59 cents, and white women earn 81 cents on the dollar compared to men. By requiring companies with over 25 employees to post a salary range in a job posting, we get closer to closing the gap and assuring that wages between men and women doing the same work are comparable. Following the passage of the Senate’s bill, S2484, I was assigned to the conference committee alongside Representatives Cutler and Fluker-Oakley and Senators Jehlen, Feeney, and O’Connor to negotiate language that would satisfy both the House and the Senate.

Gun Reform Bill: I opposed H4135, along with my Republican colleagues and several Democratic members. Although I support regulating ghost guns and expanding the Extreme Risk Protection Order statute, this bill does not have the support of law enforcement and would be ineffective in reducing gun violence. The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association expressed concerns that the “prohibited areas” provision lacks carve-outs for off-duty and retired police officers, and that the gun registration provision would not meaningfully address gun violence. Additionally, there were procedural issues with the bill, as House leadership did not go through the joint legislative committee process, but instead attached it to a supplemental spending bill in the House Ways & Means Committee and then reported out only the gun bill language. The bill also lacked a fiscal note, which is required under House Rules for any proposal that is expected to cost more than $100,000 to implement. Despite these objections, H4135 passed the House and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Food System Caucus

The Food System Caucus has 158 members, making it the second-largest caucus in the Legislature. All of the Caucus’ priority bills were heard in 2023, and we look forward to seeing these bills advance through the legislative process in 2024.

This was a challenging year for the state’s food system, as heavy rainfall in July caused flooding that devastated farms in Central and Western Massachusetts. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature, the Administration, and other partners for their efforts to help farms recover and rebuild. The MA Department of Agricultural Resource’s Natural Disaster Recovery program provided $20 million to over 300 farms, while the United Way of Central MA set up the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund to provide additional financial relief through private donations. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, investing in food system resiliency now will help Massachusetts meet the challenges of the future.

Food System Caucus Priority Bill Briefing: On September 27, 2023, the Food System Caucus hosted a briefing for the Legislature on the Caucus’ eight priority bills. I spoke on my bill, H1594, An Act encouraging the donation of food to persons in need, and H2852, An Act to promote urban agriculture and horticulture. Raising awareness and building support is an important part of the legislative process, and briefings like these are an important opportunity to advocate for legislation that supports the Commonwealth’s food system.

Greater Boston Food Bank: The Greater Boston Food Bank hosted a briefing on July 26, 2023 to discuss their third annual statewide report, Opportunities to Address Food Access and Equity in Massachusetts. This report found that one in three adults in MA faced food insecurity in 2022, with many households making difficult choices between purchasing food or paying for rent, medical care, or other expenses. These stark numbers highlight the need for a strong local food system, as well as the importance of the Caucus’ work.

Lovin’ Spoonfuls: Kerry and I joined Lovin' Spoonfuls for a ride-along to learn more about the work they do to reduce food waste and alleviate food insecurity in Worcester County. 38% of all food in the U.S. goes unsold and uneaten, but one third of Massachusetts residents experience food insecurity. By rescuing food that would otherwise be discarded by grocery stores and providing it to local pantries and meal programs, they are able to provide hundreds of pounds of fresh, healthy food to those in need each day.

Food System Collaborative: The Food System Collaborative held its 2023 Annual Forum on December 8, 2023 in Worcester. Although I was not able to attend, I received a 2023 Legislator of the Year award recognizing my work on the Healthy Incentives Program and food waste reduction. The Forum was a great opportunity to hear from farmers, community organizations, and other stakeholders about current issues and the future of the local food system.

Forums and Briefings

Realtor Association of Central Massachusetts: I attended the Realtor Association of Central Massachusetts 2023 Legislative Breakfast on September 15, 2023. It is always great to see so many Shrewsbury Realtors leading and attending this annual opportunity for conversation on legislation impacting housing and home sales. Thank you to Kathy McSweeney for the invitation, Lee Joseph for serving as President and Kathy and Maribeth McCauley Lynch for being major investors in advocating for the real estate industry!

Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators: The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL), of which I serve as House Chair, met to discuss our Caucus priorities with Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll this fall. We also held two briefings on policy issues relevant to women in the Commonwealth. On October 3, 2023 the MCWL hosted a briefing and panel discussion with the Ellie Fund and experts to raise awareness about inequities in care and outcomes for breast cancer patients in Massachusetts. The MCWL also hosted a briefing on November 12, 2023 alongside the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus and the House Asian Caucus about the importance of ensuring diversity in construction projects.

Women’s Rights History Trail: The Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force hosted a listening session at the Shrewsbury Public Library on October 3, 2023. Representative Domb, Representative Ferguson, and I used this opportunity to learn more about potential sites in Central Massachusetts for inclusion on the Women’s Rights History Trail. As one of the co-filers of the legislation that established the Women’s Rights History Trail Program, I was happy to hear suggestions for sites that recognize women’s’ contributions to Massachusetts history. 

Active Shooter Hostile Event Response Training: The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) invited me to observe active shooter response training at Spring Street Elementary School on July 28, 2023. I support providing law enforcement and other first responders with the training they need to respond effectively to active attacks and any other emergencies and extend my thanks to everyone who works to keep Shrewsbury and Westborough safe.

Pediatric Cancer Research: On November 15, 2023, a briefing was held at the State House on S2496/H4145, An Act improving pediatric cancer research, which would create a trust fund for pediatric cancer research. MA has the 11th highest rate of childhood cancer in the U.S., is a leader in medical research and cancer treatment, and has the opportunity to join six other states in establishing a source of funding for pediatric cancer research and resource projects. Childhood cancer is often aggressive, and 16% of pediatric cancer patients do not survive five years. Those that survive frequently experience lifelong health complications, including secondary cancers, organ damage, and impaired cognitive abilities. By investing in pediatric cancer research, we can prevent childhood cancer deaths and ensure survivors can live long, healthy lives.

Prevention and Support Network: November 7, 2023 was the first meeting of Joseph D. Early Jr., Worcester County District Attorney's Office Prevention and Support Network, a task force dedicated to addressing substance use and mental health. This meeting was focused on supporting veterans recovering from substance use disorders, and was a great opportunity to learn more about challenges veterans face and the supports available to them.

Fire Department Legislative Breakfast: The annual Legislative Breakfast for Fire Department Chiefs in Districts 7, 8 and 14 was hosted in Shrewsbury on September 13, 2023. At this breakfast, the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts outlined which bills would improve firefighting and promote public safety. I am thankful to represent two of the best Fire Chiefs – Shrewsbury’s Chief Jim Vuona and Westborough Fire Department’s Chief Patrick Purcell!

Community Harvest: Community Harvest Project Inc. hosted a tour and lunch with Congressman Jim McGovern on August 3, 2023 to show visitors how they grow, prepare, and distribute food that goes to their partner organizations. Visitors also helped prepare white onions for distribution and Kerry Shea was able to participate in this work. I am grateful for all that Community Harvest Project and their partners do to provide fresh, locally grown produce to those in need, helping to provide good nutrition and alleviating hunger in our communities.

Seafood Day: October 25, 2023 was Seafood Day at the State House, an opportunity to celebrate Massachusetts' seafood industry, learn more about the state of commercial fishing in the Commonwealth, and enjoy delicious seafood from local fisheries. Massachusetts' fishermen work hard to provide healthy and sustainable protein to consumers across the country and are an important part of the state's coastal communities.

Speaking Engagements 

Massachusetts Rare Disease Grand Rounds: I spoke at the Boston Children’s Hospital Rare Disease Grand Rounds on September 26, 2023 to provide updates on the Legislature and Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC), as well as my own experiences as a family member of individuals with chronic diseases. As one of the four legislators who are RDAC members, I recognize the importance of understanding the rare disease community’s needs and challenges, and appreciated the opportunity to discuss the Council’s current outreach efforts. 

MA Women’s Political Caucus Blue Cross Blue Shield Commonwealth Commentary: I joined Senator Lovely at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to speak about the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and our paths to public service. We enjoyed discussing the important work the Caucus does in the Legislature, the Caucus’ priority bills, and goals for the current legislative session.

495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference: I participated in a legislative panel discussion on transportation options in the region. Transportation is a key part of economic development, and building a system that serves commuters, businesses, and others is essential to a thriving MetroWest region.

Shrewsbury Rotary Club: I spoke to the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury members at their December 4, 2023 weekly meeting to give an update on my work on Beacon Hill, and in Shrewsbury and Westborough.  It was great to join the active Rotarians!

Community Events & Recognitions 

Transitions: Over the past several months, I have celebrated the service of several public employees who recently retired. Deb Mayo retired in August after 35 years at the Shrewsbury Public Library (SPL) as Outreach Librarian. Deb took over the Book Mobile 35 years ago for her Dad and has dedicated her career to SPL. After 31 years of service, Leah Talbot left her position as Town of Westborough Finance Director to enjoy a new chapter of her life. Earl Storey retired from the Westborough Department of Public Works after 24 years of service to the town. Shrewsbury and Westborough appreciate all your years of public service!

Westborough Good Scouts: Beverly and Bill Linnane received the 2023 Westborough Good Scouts award for their work in various Westborough community groups, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. It was wonderful to celebrate their service to others.

Shrewsbury Senior Heroes: Congratulations to the Shrewsbury Senior Heroes Rajoo Anath, Karen McKenzie, Dominic Ruggiere and Richard Manning! The awardees were nominated for showing through their volunteerism that they value diversity and have contributed significantly to the inclusivity in Shrewsbury. I was honored to be part of the Shrewsbury Senior Center celebration recognizing their service to others.

Spirit of Shrewsbury: Missy Hollenback had the honor of being this year’s Spirit of Shrewsbury Grand Marshal. From Missy’s work starting the Shrewsbury Farmer’s Market to her environmental advocacy, she has been an outstanding part of our community. I am proud to have again sponsored the Spirit of Shrewsbury and I am grateful to the volunteers who work hard to celebrate everything our town has to offer.

Commonwealth Heroines: Congratulations to Beth Murray and Wendy Mickel for receiving the Commonwealth Heroine award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women! These women have been incredible community leaders, and I was very happy to recognize their accomplishments.

Shrewsbury Police Department: The new Shrewsbury Police Department building held its ribbon cutting on September 12, 2023. This new facility, that I toured earlier in the summer, includes space for all divisions/bureaus, a training room, two community rooms, and a new communications system for Shrewsbury's first responders. This station will contribute to increased public safety and ensure that Shrewsbury's police officers are able to effectively assist the town's residents. Thank you to the Shrewsbury Police Station Building Committee, the Select Board, Community Supporters for Public Safety, the contractors and everyone else who helped make this new building possible. I am grateful to all who selflessly serve and protect and pleased that they now work in a building that supports the 21st century policing model.

Manufacturing Awards: Coghlin Companies was named a Manufacturer of the Year at the 8th Annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony held at Polar Park this fall. I am proud to have nominated Coghlin Companies, a locally owned company who offers world class product development and contract manufacturing services and who are committed to “Making it in Massachusetts.” I presented the Coghlin team with a citation after they received their award at the ceremony. 

Shrewsbury Firefighters: Congratulations to the Shrewsbury Fire Department’s new Firefighters Anthony Gabriele, Cole Vincequere, Dominic Sassone, Julian Quijano, and Owen Bouffard. I was happy to present them all a citation from the House of Representatives to celebrate their graduation from recruit training.

First Congregational Church: The First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury celebrated its 300th anniversary on December 3, 2023. An incredible milestone that represents a history back to the founding of our town of Shrewsbury. Jim and I have been 26-year members of the church, with former minister Reverend Paul Adkins marrying us, baptizing Maddie, Caitlin and Patrick, and burying our daughter, Caroline.

Local Funding

Innovation Career Pathways Planning Grant: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) awarded Shrewsbury $25,000 through the Innovation Career Pathways Planning Grant program, which helps schools develop Innovation Pathways programs that provide students with the skills they need to find meaningful employment and connect them with in-demand industries in Massachusetts.

MBTA Communities Direct Technical Assistance: Westborough received $24,975 from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. The funding will help the town’s planning efforts comply with the MBTA Communities law.

Library Services and Technology Grant: The Shrewsbury Public Library received $30,000 through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The Library will use these funds to offer more STEAM programs for children and teens, and expand its makerspace technology and programs.

Sustainable Materials Recovery Program: As part of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Sustainable Materials Recovery grant program, Shrewsbury was awarded $27,000 and Westborough was awarded $155,400. Shrewsbury’s funding comes from the Recycling Dividends program, which allows towns to invest in promoting recycling and reducing waste. $5,400 of Westborough’s funding is through Recycling Dividends, while the remaining $150,000 is through the Pay-As-You-Throw program.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program: The New England Sikh Study Circle in Westborough received $82,813 through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant program, which improves security enhancements for nonprofits at high risk of terrorist attacks.

Green Communities Competitive Grant: Shrewsbury has received a $185,000 grant from the state Department of Energy Resources' Green Communities program. This grant will help fund energy conservation measures, EV charging stations, hybrid vehicles, LED leading, a heat pump system and DHW heater, and Building Operator Certification training in municipal facilities.

Homeless Emergency Support Targeted Grant: DESE’s Homeless Emergency Support Targeted Grant program provided $25,000 to Shrewsbury and $50,000 to Westborough to help schools provide services for students living in an emergency assistance family shelter or hotel used as a shelter.

Municipal Road Safety Grant: The Shrewsbury Police Department was awarded $39,998.66 and the Westborough Police Department was awarded $24,133.25 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Municipal Road Safety Grant Program, which helps municipal police departments enforce traffic laws and improve road safety.

Housing Choice Grant: The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities awarded $110,000 to Westborough through the Housing Choice Grant program to study and develop guidelines for the downtown area. Westborough’s application was submitted through the new Community One Stop for Growth program, which provides a streamlined application process and helps municipalities find the best grant programs for their development goals.

Body-Worn Camera Program: The Shrewsbury Police Department received $20,895 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to expand its body-worn camera program. Senator Moore and I previously secured $50,000 for public safety improvements in the FY22 budget, which included 40 body cameras for Shrewsbury.

MyCAP Grant: DESE’s My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) grant program provides funding to schools to help students identify potential career paths and develop skills to succeed in those careers. Shrewsbury Public Schools received $5,500 from this program.

Justice Assistance Grant: The Shrewsbury Police Department was awarded $35,499 and the Westborough Police Department received $48,901 from the state through the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. These funds will go toward protective gear, training, and other investments in public safety.

Community Transit Grant: Shrewsbury received $25,000 to support the Council on Aging’s transportation operations through MassDOT’s Community Transit Grant program, which helps support mobility for seniors and people with disabilities.

Natural Disaster Recovery Program: MDAR awarded $200,168 to Paquette American Harvest Farm in Shrewsbury and $14,209 to Nourse Farm in Westborough to help farms recover from this year's disasters and improve resiliency against future natural disasters.

High Quality Instructional Materials Purchase Grant: Shrewsbury received $250,000 from DESE’s High Quality Instructional Materials Purchase Grant program, which will allow the town to invest in curriculum materials that meet the educational needs of our students and provide the skills they need for the future.

$100M Transportation Grant Funding: The state distributed additional grant funding following the passage of the Chapter 90 bond bill in August. Shrewsbury will receive $497,002 and Westborough will receive $358,995 from this funding.

Community Compact IT Grant: Shrewsbury was awarded $80,000 from the Community Compact IT Grant program, which will enable them to improve building inspection documenting processes and share performance metrics on the town's website. These investments in technology will improve efficiency and transparency, helping town government better serve residents.

Local Events and Initiatives

Cold Harbor Brewing: Had a wonderful time congratulating Will and Jen Oliveira at their official grand opening this summer. I was happy to join Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce, Doreen Goodrich representing Senator Mike Moore, Representative Kate Donaghue, Sean Keogh and Shelby Marshall from the Westborough Select Board, Jason Palitsch from the 495/MetroWest Partnership, and so many others for the official ribbon cutting.

ISW Business Pitch Contest: It was exciting to attend the India Society of Worcester (ISW) 1st Business Pitch contest on October 10, 2023 - so many amazing entrepreneurs with wonderful ideas. As a former small business owner, I am happy to support others who are putting in work to make their business successful.

Audio Journal: The Audio Journal's celebrated the important services they provide that ensure that blind and print-impaired individuals have access to news and culture, and I am proud to support their broadcasting.

Farmers Markets: To celebrate National Farmers Market Week, Kerry Shea from my office and Senator Mike Moore presented citations to the Shrewsbury Farmers Market and Westborough Farmers Market. Giving Shrewsbury and Westborough residents an opportunity to buy directly from local farms and businesses strengthens local economies and provides access to fresh, healthy food.

Puzzle Hub: Navyaa, Melina and Celia from Troop 11087 cut the ribbon for the Puzzle Hub that they conceived, designed and built for their Girl Scout Silver Award. Installed outdoors next to the Community Fridge at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, it is open to all to drop off puzzles and take puzzles.

Rakks Opening: Congratulations to Rakks Architectural Shelving and Hardware on their grand opening in Westborough on Route 9. I look forward to seeing their business grow.

MassHire: MassHire is an important resource for people looking for work or training, and the  new office they opened in Worcester will help promote economic opportunity in Central Massachusetts. Building partnerships between job seekers and employers is important to meeting workforce needs and ensuring the Commonwealth remains competitive.

Project 351: I met with Prisha Nair, Shrewsbury’s Project 351 Ambassador for 2023. Prisha was chosen by Shrewsbury educators, recognizing her hard work, caring nature, leadership skills and dedication to serving others. There is a Project 351 8th grade Ambassador chosen in each town in Massachusetts, who spend a year in enriching service opportunities. I love Project 351 and the amazing positive impact they make on young people who are dedicated to helping others.

Milk Street Gas and Auto: Jack and Nicole Fadel became the new owners of Milk Street Gas and Auto and it was fun to celebrate their opening.

Floor and Décor: Floor and Décor celebrated their grand opening on Route 9 in Shrewsbury, and it is exciting to see the new buildings come to life on this property.

Turkey Trot: I am proud to be a sponsor of the annual Turkey Trot for the Memory, which was held on Thanksgiving morning. Thank you to the families that organize the Trot, First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury for hosting bib pick-up, and to all those in our community and beyond who support it.

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.

With sincere gratitude,

Hannah Kane

State Representative

11th Worcester District