Carver, Rochester win state wetland-restoration grants
Wicked Local
BOSTON - The Baker-Polito Administration has announced $285,000 in grant funding to support seven river and wetland restoration projects that will restore healthy habitat while helping to prevent storm damage, including projects in Carver and Rochester.
“Ecological restoration projects are an important part of our Administration’s efforts to build a commonwealth that is resilient to the growing impacts of climate change,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “The local projects supported through this funding will deliver substantial benefits to Massachusetts communities, residents and the wildlife that rely on these natural spaces.”
In Rochester, the Buzzards Bay Coalition has been awarded $40,000 for the wetland restoration of the Stuart Bogs. The project involves protection of approximately 240-acres, including historic wetlands now part of an active cranberry farm. Once protected, approximately 60 acres of retir
Wicked Local
CARVER – It’s not a sure thing, but Carver residents may soon be able to get the COVID vaccine locally at the Kingston mall.
Emergency Medical Services Director Michael Ryan said Tuesday that while Kingston is taking the lead planning the regional vaccination clinic at Kingston Collection, it’s not known what the cost to Carver and other towns will be.
He said he hopes to have more information to share over the next couple of weeks, but one drawback to regional centers is that they can’t turn anyone away. He said COVID PCR tests are still available to town employees but there hasn’t been a lot of testing locally recently.
Dear Governor Baker:
I hope this letter finds you well. Having been unanimously authorized by the Wareham Board of Selectmen, I write on behalf of the people of the Town of Wareham to ask you to reconsider your Administration s recent decision to stop issuing COVID-19 vaccine through the Southcoast Health System and other operators of community hospitals statewide, and instead to issue vaccines only through state-run sites and, eventually, pharmacies. In response to your Administration s decision, we have been informed that Southcoast is no longer accepting new appointments, and is awaiting word back from the state that those who have existing appointments will still be provided the vaccine.
Holden state Rep. Kimberly Ferguson joins House GOP leadership
By Katie Lannan, State House News Service
The Legislature s two top Republicans have set their leadership teams for the 2021-2022 term.
Rep. Brad Jones of North Reading and Sen. Bruce Tarr of Gloucester were re-elected as minority leaders at the start of this session. Tarr, who heads a three-man caucus in the 40-seat Senate, has tapped Sens. Ryan Fattman of Sutton and Patrick O Connor of Weymouth each as assistant minority leaders.
Jones kept his team mostly intact from last session, reappointing Rep. Brad Hill of Ipswich as first assistant minority leader and Reps. Susan Williams Gifford of Wareham and Paul Frost of Auburn as third assistant leaders.
Legislators call for more vaccination sites in Southeast Massachusetts
Wicked Local
BOSTON – Chair of the Southeastern Massachusetts Legislative Caucus Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton, has announced that 26 legislators have called for more vaccination sites in Southeastern Massachusetts.
The following legislators have signed onto a letter calling for the sites: Senators Michael D. Brady, Mark C. Montigny, Susan L. Moran, Rebecca L. Rausch, and Walter F. Timilty, and Representatives Antonio F. D. Cabral, Claire D. Cronin, Josh S. Cutler, David F. DeCoste, Angelo L. D Emilia, Carol A. Doherty, Carole A. Fiola, Susan Williams Gifford, Patricia A. Haddad, Christopher Hendricks, Steven S. Howitt, Kathleen R. LaNatra, Norman J. Orrall, Adam J. Scanlon, Paul A. Schmid, III, Alan Silvia, William M. Straus, Alyson M. Sullivan, Timothy R. Whelan, and Steven G. Xiarhos.