February 2024 | The Stanley Report 

Dear Friend,

February'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 addresses attendees at the Enough Pay to Stay Coalition's Lobby Day at the State House.

Rep. Stanley and Gov. Healy in the House Chamber.

Rep. Stanley attended the Middlesex District Attorney Legislative Breakfast.

Chairman's Corner

Rep. Stanley Testifies in Support of Affordable Homes Act

Rep. Stanley voiced support for Section 103 within Governor Healy's Affordable Homes Act, endorsing the establishment of a "Commission on Making Massachusetts an Age-Friendly State." This proposed Commission, as outlined in the bill, is tasked with providing recommendations on policies, programs, and investments aimed at expanding the availability of affordable, supportive housing for senior citizens. Acknowledging the economic vulnerability of older adults in the Commonwealth, who contend not only with high housing costs but also face challenges accessing expensive home care services, the initiative seeks to address these issues comprehensively. By convening a diverse group of stakeholders, including local communities, anchor institutions, and public and private sector organizations, the Commission aims to propose robust strategies to enhance the age-friendliness of Massachusetts.

In Rep. Stanley's role as House Chair of Elder Affairs, he hears from constituents about the lack of affordable housing options for older adults who need services but can no longer stay in their homes, can't afford assisted living, and do not want to live in a nursing home. Addressing the Commonwealth’s housing crisis must include creating more affordable, service-enriched housing that meets the unique needs of older adults, and this Commission will help bring stakeholders together and recommend strategies on how to achieve this goal.

Waltham Fire Department Receives Grant

The Waltham Fire Department received a $35,000 Firefighter Safety Equipment grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. This funding helps reimburse fire departments for equipment to protect our firefighters and keep them safe. The funding is part of the Healey Administration’s recently announced $5 million in awards to 321 Massachusetts fire departments through the state’s Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program.

Fire departments across Massachusetts were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of 135 different types of eligible equipment. Eligible items include hoses and nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, and more.

Rep. Stanley Attends Waltham Playground Community Meeting

Representative Stanley participated in a community gathering concerning the proposed enhancements to the Logan & McKenna playgrounds. The event, spearheaded by Councilors Logan and Harris, Mayor McCarthy, and the Waltham Recreation Department, drew the attendance of Councilor Vidal, Councilor McMenimen, and School Committee member James Zanghi. During the meeting, community members shared their input on desired design features for the park improvements. 

Joint Committee on Public Safety Advances Waltham Home Rule Petition

The Joint Committee on Public Safety advanced H.4141, a crucial home rule petition empowering the appointment of special police officers in Waltham, enabling them to serve until the age of 70. This initiative, approved by the Waltham City Council, aims to allow experienced, retired police officers to aid in managing the city's road construction projects as special police officers. The proposed bill mandates these officers to maintain their POST certification, undergo regular physical exams, and attend mandatory in-service requirements, with their re-appointment subject to the discretion of the Police Chief on an annual basis.

Backed by the Mayor and Police Chief, the Waltham City Council endorsed the home rule petition initiated by Rep. Stanley, Rep. Lawn, and Sen. Barrett. This bill, which had a public hearing on October 31st, seeks to address the pressing need for experienced law enforcement support in managing the city's numerous planned road construction projects.

Committee Approves Rep. Stanley’s Assessor Certificate Bill

The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government recently advanced legislation filed by Rep. Stanley relative to assessor certificates. Endorsed by the Massachusetts Assessors Association, H.2112 provides added incentives for assessors to seek professional development and maintain the most up-to-date skills for municipalities to utilize. Assessors play a vital role in the financial issues of every city and town in the Commonwealth. The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hearing for the bill on Oct. 24. 

H.2112 allows communities to increase the stipend for those assessors that attain higher level certifications and designations, upon local approval by that community. More specifically, the bill acknowledges all 3 certifications are eligible for the certification and increases the “up-to” limit of each certification (typically percentage of salary up to a certain amount). The bill is local option, and it would be the decision of the community to award the higher stipends.

Rep. Stanley Attends Middlesex District Attorney Legislative Breakfast

Representative Stanley participated in the Middlesex District Attorney Legislative Breakfast, joining fellow legislators and officials from Waltham. The event, hosted by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, was the annual Superintendents and Chiefs Meeting held in January. Elected officials, along with school superintendents, police chiefs, and fire chiefs from Middlesex County, attended the gathering.

Rep. Stanley Cosigns Resolution Recognizing Rosa Parks Day

Rep. Stanley joined his colleagues in signing a resolution commemorating the one-hundred eleventh birthday of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks on February 4, 2024. The resolution highlights her pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly her courageous act on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus designated for White people, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The title "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" was bestowed upon her on November 13, 1956, following the Supreme Court's ruling against racial segregation laws. 

Gann Academy Receives State Nonprofit Security Grant

Gann Academy in Waltham received a $40,000 grant through the FY24 Commonwealth Nonprofit

Security Personnel Grant Program. The funding is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s $3.8 million in grant awards to support security enhancements for 80 Massachusetts nonprofits at high risk of hate crimes or attacks by extremists. Grant recipients include faith-based organizations, health care providers, social service providers, and other community-based organizations whose beliefs or missions make them potential targets for attack.

Gann Academy is Greater Boston’s independent Jewish high school, recognized for an innovative curriculum that combines in-depth critical analysis, experiential learning, and a focus on building a better world.

Rep. Stanley Addresses Attendees at Enough Pay to Stay Coalition Event

Rep. Stanley spoke on behalf of Massachusetts’ critical home care workforce at a State House event hosted by the Enough Pay to Stay Coalition, which is comprised of Mass Home Care, the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, and the Home Care Aide Council. The group lobbied in support of legislation that would dictate the rate-setting process used by MassHealth and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services for home health and home care services. The group also expressed support for a bill cosponsored by Rep. Stanley to create a licensing process for non-medical home care services.

Rep. Stanley Attends Grand Opening of the New Embassy Performing Arts Center

On Feb. 9, Rep. Stanley attended the grand opening of the new facility at the Embassy Performing Arts Center (EPAC) following an extensive nine-month renovation. The special occasion marked the beginning of an exciting chapter for the community, as the center is set to become a hub for creativity, entertainment, and wellness.

The historical building of the Embassy Cinema has been given a new life, under new ownership. EPAC, located at 16 Pine Street, Waltham, features two cinema screens operated by Embassy Theater Waltham and four versatile activity rooms, hosting a wide array of performances and events operated by Boston Rhythmic. The new layout ensures a great experience for all visitors, whether they are attending a film screening, participating in a class, or enjoying a live performance. Learn more. 

2024 Waltham Police Public Safety Survey



Waltham Police created a survey to better assess how they can serve the public in Waltham. Please take a few moments to fill out this survey and share it with others who would benefit from the services that this department delivers. Access the survey here.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Invests Additional $16.5 Million in Student Loan Repayments for Health and Human Service Workers

The Healey Administration announced that the third round of applications for the MA Repay Program is now open, with an additional $16.5 million available to support health and human service workers across the state. The program helps people enter and stay in the health- care field, addressing workforce shortages. The program is intended to positively impact the health and wellbeing of Massachusetts residents, strengthen our economy and competitiveness, and promote equity in the healthcare profession.

Through this additional investment, MA Repay will provide educational loan repayment to direct care professionals and supervisors of direct care professionals who provide treatment, support, or services to clients or their families in a home-based or community-based human service organization. This marks the first time that early education, childcare, home health and other home- and community-based workers are eligible to apply for educational loan repayments through the MA Repay program.

Applications opened January 29 and close on February 26 at 11:59 p.m. EST, or when applicants’ total requested award amount hits approximately twice the available award funding, whichever comes first. For information about how to apply, please visit: marepay.org..

Waltham Receives Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Program Grant

The City of Waltham received a 2024 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program award from the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security and its Office of Municipal and School Technology. The program provides 78,000 employees from 227 municipalities and public school districts across Massachusetts with critical cybersecurity training to better detect and avoid cyber threats.

The 2024 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program is designed to support local government efforts to improve overall cyber readiness through comprehensive online end-user training, evaluation and threat simulation. Awarded communities will receive licenses for end-user training, assessment and phishing simulation procured by the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS). 

Learn About the IRS’ Elective Pay Program

A new IRS program, the Elective Pay program, helps municipalities take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives as they consider implementing clean energy infrastructure projects. The Elective Pay (aka “Direct Pay”) program is a brand-new source of funding from the IRS for eligible entities (including governments & nonprofits) to be reimbursed for creating new clean energy projects. Eligible projects include investing in and constructing clean energy (wind, solar, green hydrogen, etc.); transitioning government vehicle fleets to EVs, placement of EV infrastructure; and rooftop solar. More information can be found at: Elective pay and transferability | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).

American Progress recently hosted a webinar about Elective Pay– you can review a recording of the webinar HERE. You can also view a short (~6 minute) explainer of the program shared during the MA Federal Funds Partnership’s January meeting, HERE.

AARP Massachusetts Now Accepting 2024 Community Challenge Grant Applications

AARP Massachusetts invites local eligible non-profit organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 6 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Now in its eighth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.

The Community Challenge is open to eligible nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects. All projects must be completed by December 15, 2024. To apply and view past grantees, click here.  

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