December 2023 | The Stanley Report | | |
|
|
Dear Friend,
Wishing everyone a healthy and happy holiday season and a peaceful 2024!
December's issue of The Stanley Report includes the latest news from Waltham and Beacon Hill.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you need assistance.
Sincerely,
Tom Stanley
| |
Rep. Stanley hosted the Waltham Youth Cheer U10 Small Level 1 and Large Level 2 at the State House. Both teams won the state championship and were recognized in the House Chamber. The cheer teams sat in the chamber during the moment of silence for Officer Tracey. | |
|
Rep. Stanley with Mayor McCarthy, Mark Rudnick, Hardy Pond Association,
Jen Ryan, CWRA Director of Advocacy, Julie Wood, CWRA Climate Resilience Director, Carren Dunn, Waltham Ward 2 City Councilor, Sonja Wadman, Waltham Land Trust Executive Director at the Hardy Pond funding announcement.
| |
Rep. Stanley visited Johnson Compounding and Wellness (JCW) in Waltham to celebrate the end of their 5th Annual Holiday Toy and Supply Drive. For the past five years, JCW has partnered with Jewish Families and Children's Services and Tom to collect toys, books and toiletries for those in need. | |
Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus visited the Waltham Housing Authority. | |
Rep. Stanley attended the procession for fallen police officer Paul Tracey, in front of the Waltham Police Station, where police and fire forces stood with hundreds of people to honor Officer Tracey. | |
Sec. Augustus was the guest speaker at the Waltham Citywide Thanksgiving Luncheon. | |
|
Chairman Stanley and Elder Affairs Committee Conclude Legislative Poll
Chairman Stanley and members of the Elder Affairs Committee wrapped up polling on priority legislation this week that would strengthen the continuum of care for older adults in the Commonwealth, including:
"An Act Authorizing Common-Sense Health Services in Assisted Living": This legislation aims to permit Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) to offer essential health services through Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), pending certification by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EoEA). The authorized health services include injections, basic wound care, oxygen management, home diagnostic tests, and more. Additionally, it proposes modernizing ALR statutes, improving transparency, consumer protection, and exploring Medicaid waivers for lower-income individuals.
"An Act to Improve Massachusetts Home Care": This bill introduces a licensing framework for home care agencies to elevate standards, prevent mistreatment of home care workers and consumers, and ensure adequate training and insurance. Notably, it mandates financial disclosures, penalties for violations, and an advisory council for stakeholder involvement during regulation development.
"An Act Relative to Intensive Case Management for Clinically Complex Older Adults": This legislation aims to codify the ANCHOR program, providing intensive case management for clinically complex older adults at risk of nursing home placement or homelessness due to challenges in accepting or retaining home care services.
"An Act Relative to Expanding the Availability of Personal Care Homes for Older Adults": This proposal seeks to establish small personal care homes for 4-6 adults requiring assistance with daily living. Based on the successful "Heart Homes" model, it aims to offer housing and long-term care services, enabling individuals to stay within the community.
"An Act Increasing the Personal Care Allowance for Long-Term Care Residents": This legislation aims to raise the monthly Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for nursing facility and residential care residents from $72.80 to $100. Increasing the PNA is crucial for residents' quality of life, enabling them to engage in social activities and enjoy simple pleasures, such as outings and personal treats.
| |
|
Rep. Thomas Stanley, City Officials, Charles River Watershed Association, and Waltham Land Trust Announce $100K for Climate Resilience in Waltham
On November 17, Rep. Stanley joined Charles River Watershed Association, Waltham Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy, Waltham City Councilor Caren Dunn, and the Waltham Land Trust to announce a $100K investment in climate resilience at Hardy Pond, a scenic, forty-five-acre pond in Waltham, MA. The Hardy Pond Project is a high-priority flood storage and ecological restoration opportunity identified using the Charles River Flood Model. The project includes green storm water infrastructure, wetland restoration, and outlet improvements at Hardy Pond, and was selected for its strong local community support and benefits for environmental justice neighborhoods.
| |
|
Neighborhood Meeting Held for Winter Street & Lincoln Street Utility and Roadway Improvements Project
On Dec. 13th, the City Council held a neighborhood meeting on the upcoming Winter Street & Lincoln Street Utility and Roadway Improvements Project. Community members, stakeholders, and residents attended to participate in discussions surrounding this project that will significantly impact the local infrastructure and daily life within the area. Construction is anticipated to begin January 2024. Roadway repaving will occur after utility work has been completed.
The utility portion of this project will consist of installation of new water main, cleaning and lining existing water mains, various sewer and drain rehabilitation along Winter St, Lincoln St, and Piety Corner Rd. The roadway portion of this work will include roadway and sidewalk repaving of Winter St in its entirety and a portion of Lincoln St including new sidewalks from Lexington St to Winter St. Learn more.
| |
 | |
State Awards $27 Million to Decarbonize Affordable Housing Across Massachusetts
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the first round of grants under its Affordable Housing Deep Energy Retrofit Grant Program, which the administration created earlier this year. A total of $27.35 million will be awarded to seven organizations for affordable housing projects. The grants will be used to fund deep energy retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades, building system electrification, and onsite renewable energy generation in 10 affordable housing developments in communities across Massachusetts.
Grants will help 10 affordable housing properties in seven communities upgrade equipment, insulation, and other features to lower energy demand and decarbonize. Program benefits include higher performing buildings that offer residents better indoor air quality and comfort, lower ongoing energy costs for residents and affordable housing providers, the opportunity for affordable housing providers to upgrade their housing stock, and healthier air in the communities were housing is located.
| |
|
Rep. Stanley Receives Home Care Ally Award
The Home Care Aide Council recently honored Rep. Stanley at its annual celebration with its Home Care Ally Award. This event celebrated the dedication and commitment of home care aides throughout the Commonwealth whose work enables so many frail elders and disabled individuals to remain in their own homes. Rep. Stanley is pictured with Representative Carmine Gentile, Julie Wat Faqir, Executive Director of the Home Care Aide Council and Senator Jehlen. Rep. Gentile and Sen. Jehlen also received Home Care Ally Awards.
| |
|
Rep. Stanley Attends Metrofire Legislators Breakfast
On Tuesday, December 5th, Rep. Stanley attended the Metrofire Legislative Breakfast and Briefing. Metrofire is an association comprised of 35 Greater Boston fire departments, including the Waltham Fire Department, to help coordinate mutual aid response and support effective fire services. During the briefing, Metrofire highlighted several fire-related bills to support fire service in the Commonwealth. Rep. Stanley is pictured above with Waltham Fire Department Chief Mullin.
| |
|
Rep. Stanley Attends Gold Star Tree Dedication
Rep. Stanley attended the 12th Annual Massachusetts Gold Star Families Tree Dedication in the Memorial Hall of the State House. The "Massachusetts Gold Star Families Tree" pays tribute to all the Commonwealth's Service Members who gave their lives in service to our nation and the families who carry their legacy forward. The tree was decorated with photographs of fallen service members to remind us of the tremendous sacrifices made for our Freedoms.
| |
|
Secretary Ed Augustus visits the Waltham Housing Authority
Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus paid a visit to the Waltham Housing Authority (WHA) on November 20th. His visit comes in light of Governor Maura Healey appointing Sec. Augustus—former Worcester City Manager—as the state’s inaugural Housing Secretary in over three decades. Notably, Augustus, known for his pivotal role in spearheading the development of numerous housing units across various income brackets during his tenure in Worcester, now heads Governor Healey’s newly established Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
| |
|
Jewish Family and Children's Service in Waltham Receives Federal Funds
Rep. Stanley congratulates Jewish Family and Children's Service (JF&CS) in Waltham on receiving a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) federal grant award in the amount of $36,753 to support their Journey to Safety Program which specializes in providing culturally competent and religiously sensitive services for Jewish and Russian-speaking survivors and offers free and confidential assistance to all who contact them. JF&CS is a caring presence in Greater Boston, on the North Shore, and on the South Shore, helping people of all faiths, races, and ages with the challenges of life.
| |
|
Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter to AG on Firefighter Turnout Gear PFAS
Rep. Stanley joined in cosigning a letter urging Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell to involve the Commonwealth in ongoing litigation concerning firefighter turnout gear allegedly exposing firefighters to harmful chemicals. The letter also calls for an investigation into potential violations of the state's prohibition on unfair trade practices regarding the sale of this gear. Given the previous lawsuit by former Attorney General Maura Healey against PFAS-containing firefighting foam manufacturers in 2022, the letter urges the Commonwealth to broaden its defense efforts to include protecting firefighters from harmful turnout gear. The emphasis is on ensuring that gear designed for firefighter safety does not pose long-term health risks.
| |
 | |
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $20 Million in Disaster Relief for Massachusetts Farmers
The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $20 million to farms impacted by several severe weather events this year. The Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Program for Agriculture provides immediate assistance to 347 farmers in Western and Central Massachusetts who experienced significant crop losses due to a deep February freeze, a late May frost event, and catastrophic flooding in July.
The arctic freeze that swept through the state in early February caused damage to the stone fruit crop in Massachusetts, wiping out this year’s peaches and plums. In May, the overnight temperatures fell to below freezing after most fruit blossoms had set, severely damaging to apple, pear, and grape crops. July’s unprecedented rainfall caused destructive flooding in Western and Central Massachusetts, impacting thousands of acres of crops cultivated by more than 110 farms across the region. For some farmers, the events meant a total loss of their crops for the season, and for others, it substantially reduced their harvest and, as a result, their revenue.
| |
|
Rep. Stanley Tours 2Life Communities' Brighton Campus
Rep. Stanley recently joined his Elder Affairs Committee co-chair, Senator Jehlen for a tour of 2Life Communities' Brighton Campus. The tour included a sneak peek of the new J.J. Carroll House that will feature over 140 affordable units for older adults and a program of all-inclusive care for the Elderly (PACE) Center. For more than 50 years, 2Life has been creating vibrant communities that invite senior adults of all income levels to live, thrive and grow. Today, it offers more than 1,320 affordable apartment homes on five campuses in the greater Boston area and serves 1,600 older adults from 30 countries.
| |
|
Rep. Stanley Attends Opportunities for Inclusion Groundbreaking
Rep. Stanley attended an Opportunities for Inclusion groundbreaking event on Wednesday, December 13th. The new group residential home will be considered affordable housing and will be renovated with an addition for five low-income individuals with developmental disabilities. The Waltham City Council approved the Community Preservation Commission funding for the new home. Photo from The Waltham Channel.
| |
Regan's Corner
Meet Regan! Rep. Stanley and his family rescued a pup and named her Regan. Regan loves long walks, playing games in the yard, making friends and lounging with Rep. Stanley!
Help an animal find a home! Learn more about The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and ways you can help.
The Animal Rescue League continues to support legislation that enhances and improves protections for animals, and to oppose reforms that endanger the welfare of animals in Massachusetts. Learn more about ARL's current legislative agenda here.
| |
|
About Rep. Stanley
State Representative
City Council
Former City Council President
State Committee:
Co-Chairperson, Joint Committee on Elder Affairs
Member of:
Massachusetts Elder Nutrition Commission
Massachusetts Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and All Other Dementias
City Council:
Veterans Committee
Economic Development Committee
Committee of the Whole
Education: Suffolk University (MPA), Bentley University (BS - Management), Mass Bay Community College (AS - Business Administration)
Community Involvement (Past & Present):
Waltham Boys & Girls Club, Waltham Youth Basketball Association, Basketball Plus Program, Central Middle School Basketball, Little Nippers Baseball, Warrendale Little League, Waltham Youth Soccer, Waltham Police Athletic League, CCD Teacher, St. Jude Church, Waltham Lions Club, Waltham Rotary Club, Reagle Players Board of Directors, Warrendale Little League Board of Directors, Waltham Partnership for Youth Board of Directors, Waltham Day Center (Homeless) Advisors Board, Waltham Family School Advisory Board, Waltham Safe & Healthy Schools YRBS Steering Committee, Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Advisory Board, Waltham Public Library Planning Committee, Waltham Sons of Italy, Middlesex Area Enough Abuse Campaign
Awards:
Work, Community, Independence - Human Service Advocate of the Year, COFAR - award recipient for support of people with mental disabilities, MassBay Community College Distinguished Alumni Award WATCH CDC - Housing Advocate Award, Minuteman Senior Services - Certificate of Appreciation, Boston Bar Assoc., Greater Boston Legal Services and MetroWest Legal Services - Pillar of Justice Award, Shining Star Award, Edinburg Center, Community Health Center Leader Award, The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Dignity Award Certificate of Appreciation,
Home Care Ally Award, Home Care Aid Council
Personal:
Married to the former Kimberly A. Bayliss
Children: Ryan, age 29, Parker, age 20 & puppy Regan
| | | | |
