Baker-Polito Administration Awards More Than $450,000 in Innovation Pathways Planning Grants

Grants will help students connect learning to industries that are in demand in the Commonwealth

 

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced nearly $452,000 in grants were awarded to 20 school districts to launch new Innovation Pathway programs, which give high school students early career experience and expertise. The grants are designed to support schools which are committed to seeking official designation for the programs from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the spring of 2022.

These early career programs provide high school students with a coherent course of study focused on a particular field, while also offering them access to college-level courses and internship opportunities to gain work experience. Students gain insight about whether the field is something they would like to pursue in college or as a career after high school.

The Baker-Polito Administration launched these early career programs in 2017 to help students develop knowledge and skills related to a chosen field of study before they graduate high school. Many of the early career programs are in STEM-related fields, including advanced manufacturing, information technology, environmental and life sciences, health care and social assistance, and business and finance.

“It is encouraging to see the strong continued interest in the Innovation Pathways program, designed explicitly to connect students to career pathways in fields like advanced manufacturing, health care and information technology,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These programs will provide students with more opportunities for future success in high-demand fields at a time during which it is increasingly important to close workforce gaps throughout the Commonwealth.”

“By providing students with rigorous learning opportunities, inside and outside the classroom, these new pathways help prepare students for future success in Massachusetts’ high-tech economy, especially in STEM-related fields,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We remain committed to closing opportunity and achievement gaps for students in communities across the state and Innovation Pathways are another tool we can use to do so.”

“Innovation Pathways forge strong partnerships created with local employers to give students exposure and experience in their chosen field of study,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “We are very appreciative of American Student Assistance’s support of Innovation Pathways so more students across the Commonwealth have expertise in a field before they graduate high school and are better prepared for their future.”

“Students in Innovation Pathways take relevant advanced courses and explore future careers in promising sectors by experiencing them firsthand,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley.

In October 2019, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito announced the availability of $1.8 million in grants over three years from American Student Assistance (ASA), a national nonprofit based in Massachusetts. The awards announced today are part of that larger grant designed to support high schools across the Commonwealth develop programs that prepare students for college and careers. The ASA funds were awarded to the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet to help fund Innovation Pathway programs at high schools, and marked the first time that ASA awarded a major grant to a state to support college and career pathways in high schools.

The grant recipients announced today are:
Agawam High School, Agawam – $11,375: The school will develop two Innovation Pathways in Information and Healthcare and Social Assistance in partnership with MassHire Hampden.

Argosy Collegiate Charter School, Fall River – $25,000:  The school will develop an Innovation Pathway in Healthcare and Social Assistance in partnership with MassHire Bristol.

Barnstable High School, South Yarmouth – $9,525:The high school will develop two Innovation Pathways in Manufacturing and Information in partnership with MassHire Cape and Islands.

Bellingham High School, Bellingham – $21,764: The school will develop Innovation Pathways with MassHire Metro South/West in Manufacturing and Healthcare.

Bourne High School, Bourne – $30,000: The school will develop Innovation Pathways with MassHire Metro South/West in Business and Finance and Environmental and Life Sciences.

Brighton High School, Boston – $25,000: The high school will develop an Innovation Pathway in Healthcare and Social Assistance, in partnership with with MassHire Boston.

Carver Middle High School, Carver – $20,000: The high school will develop a new Innovation Pathway in Environmental and Life Sciences, in partnership with MassHire South Shore.

Chelmsford High School, Chelmsford – $13,500: The high school will develop new Innovation Pathways with MassHire Greater Lowell in Environmental and Life Sciences and Manufacturing.

Collaborative for Regional Educational Service and Training, Andover – $30,000: The organization will develop new Innovation Pathways with MassHire Greater Lowell in Healthcare and Social Assistance and Manufacturing.

Excel High School, South Boston, Boston – $25,000: The school will develop an Innovation Pathways in Business and Finance, in partnership with with MassHire Boston.

Fitchburg High School, Fitchburg – $17,300: The school will develop an Innovation Pathway in Environmental and Life Sciences, in partnership with MassHire North Central.

Frontier Regional High School, South Deerfield – $18,725: The high school will develop new Innovation Pathways with MassHire Franklin Hampshire in two sectors: Manufacturing; and Healthcare and Social Assistance.
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Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School, Greenfield – $20,000: The school will develop Innovation Pathways in Information and Business and Finance.

Haverhill High School, Haverhill – $26,752: The high school will develop new Innovation Pathways with MassHire MerrimackValley in Environmental and Life Sciences and Manufacturing.

Jeremiah Burke High School, Boston – $25,000: The high school will develop an Innovation Pathway in Environmental and Life Sciences, in partnership with MassHire Boston.

Lenox Memorial High School, Lenox – $29,100: The high school will develop new Innovation Pathways with MassHire Berkshire in Healthcare and Social Assistance and Business and Finance.

Marblehead High School, Marblehead – $24,150: The high school will develop an Innovation Pathway in Manufacturing, in partnership with MassHire North Shore.

North Attleboro High School, North Attleboro – $24,739: The high school will develop an Innovation Pathway in Manufacturing, in partnership with MassHire Bristol.

Quaboag Regional High School, Warren – $30,000: The high school will develop new Innovation Pathways with MassHire Central in Manufacturing and Healthcare and Social Assistance.

Randolph High School, Randolph – $24,760: The high school will develop an Innovation Pathway in Information, in partnership with MassHire South Shore.

Mass. Home Sales Down For Second Straight Month

Analyst: Price Shock Concerns But Market Still In “Fast Trot”

Home prices in the red-hot housing market exceeded $500,000 for the fifth straight month in August, but buyers aren’t scooping up the properties as fast as they did during the previous two years as single-family home sales declined for the second straight month, The Warren Group reported on Tuesday.

Homebuyers purchased 6,318 single-family homes in August, down 6.2 percent from August 2020 and 4.6 percent from the same month in 2019.

The shrinking inventory undoubtedly played a role in the slowdown of sales in July and August, according to analysts, but Warren Group CEO Tim Warren said there may be another factor at play causing the “galloping real estate market” to slow to a “fast trot.”

“I think prices have gotten higher than a lot of people can afford. Increasingly the people who can afford to buy have already done so and the rest are ready to give up on home shopping,” Warren said.

The median price of a single-family home in August shot up 11.5 percent on a year-over-year basis to $535,000, about $55,000 more than the median price recorded in August 2020 and up from $420,000 in August 2019. The median price in August 2021 was a new all-time high for the month, and not far behind the $540,000 median price reported in July.

Gov. Charlie Baker has been pushing as recently as Monday in Roxbury to use as much as $1 billion in federal COVID-19 relief to invest in first-time homebuyer and other housing programs that would make purchasing a home more attainable for many Massachusetts families, particularly in communities of color.

Only four counties in Massachusetts – Hampshire, Hampden, Essex and Bristol – reported increases in sales this August over the same month in 2020, while Barnstable and Berkshire Counties saw declines of more than 22 percent each, exceeded only by the 55 percent drop on Nantucket.

“The decline in home sales volume for the second straight month is significant,” Warren said. “The data doesn’t lie.”

Overall, home sales for the year are up 10.3 percent through August, with the median price of the 40,047 single-family homes sold in Massachusetts climbing 17.7 percent to $512,000.

On the other side of the market, condominium sales continue to be strong with the 2,773 sales recorded in August, beating 2020 sales by 7.6 percent and exceeding condo sales from August 2019 by 6.1 percent.

The median condo sale price increased 10.6 percent on a year-over-year basis to $470,000, a new high for the month and the 13th consecutive month that median prices have exceeded $400,000.

While Barnstable County saw a similar drop of 34.9 percent in condo sales in August, Berkshire County posted a 21.7 percent uptick in condo sales last month and Suffolk County, which includes Boston, recorded an 18 percent increase in sales and a 4.1 percent increase in price.

The War for Talent

A War that North Central Massachusetts Can Not Afford To Lose

A central theme of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Regional Economic Development Plan—One North Central—prioritizes the importance of developing a strong talent pipeline and workforce development for the region. With our aging workforce and strong competition for younger, high-skilled talent, One North Central identifies strategies to help the region focus on strengthening the core of our workforce through advocacy, partnerships and resources to maintain the businesses who currently call North Central Massachusetts home while growing a strong pipeline to support new businesses locating to the region.

We call this the War for Talent. And it’s what is keeping our members up at night! Two of the most concerning challenges facing our members revolve around the talent pipeline and finding qualified workers. While we can place some blame on the pandemic, which provided the unemployed with supplemental federal unemployment benefits making going back to work less desirable, there are also challenges related to lack of affordable childcare and concerns about personal health and safety that have certainly kept some people out of the workforce.

For employers, the problem unfortunately runs deeper than the pandemic, and even as more people return to the workforce, the war for talent is expected to heat up in the years to come. It will not just be between companies, but regions, communities and even our state and country will be competing for the talent needed to help fuel economic growth and prosperity. It’s a war we must win by working collaboratively to address talent acquisition and growth while becoming more aggressive in our tactics to remain strong, viable communities for both families and businesses who live and work here.

Jeff Roberge, Executive Director of the MassHire North Central Workforce Board which is charged with helping employers develop the talent they need to grow and prosper, said this is not a regional issue, but a national one. “Businesses throughout the country are struggling to find the qualified workers they need. It’s all about the talent in today’s economic development world and how employers can competitively tap into that pipeline to bring qualified workers to their businesses.”

Our region is not immune to this issue, as a recent UMass Donahue Institute study commissioned by the Chamber indicated that by 2040, as many as 27% of residents in North Central Massachusetts may be over the age of 65, versus 12.5% in 2010. So, while baby boomers still represent a third of the workforce in the United States, there are simply not enough workers to fill their positions upon retirement.

Employers are also recognizing that some workers lack the skills or credentials they need to compete in today’s economy. According to the Center on Education and Workforce at Georgetown University, there will be millions of unfilled jobs by 2025 if the “skills gap” issue between education and talent does not match available jobs. We also live in an environment where labor has become mobile and workers are no longer tied to a particular company, industry or even geography, and the popularity of remote work opportunities intensifies the competition. From the perspective of the region, workers can also pick up and move to other regions or states which in turn puts the region at a competitive disadvantage in attracting, growing and retaining businesses.

Rocheleau Tool and Die in Fitchburg has a long history spanning four generations of bringing highly productive and efficient blow molding machinery to its customers world-wide. As a local employer, the company is working to attract youth through engagements with local vocational high schools and universities to get today’s youth excited about employment opportunities with the company. In fact, Rocheleau Tool & Die employees serve on the UMass Lowell Plastics Advisory Board and the Monty Tech Machine Technology Advisory Committee.

“We realize by engaging with our future workforce in an educational setting, we can help define a path where students can envision opportunities to establish a successful career.  When industry can share knowledge with educators, gains can be made in closing the skills gap.  The better we cooperate, the better chance we can grow our businesses and create opportunities where our local youth can grow along with us,” said Steven Rocheleau, President, Rocheleau Tool & Die.  “When educators and business owners are aligned, we both do our part to keep jobs and workers here in the region.”

The Chamber is committed to providing our members with the tools they need to combat the war for talent. We’ve always taken a leadership role by placing importance on education and workforce development to the quality of life and economic prosperity of the region. In recent years, we have expanded our advocacy efforts by joining coalitions such as the Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education.  We’ve also fostered partnerships with the region’s schools and higher education institutions while working diligently to grow the pipeline through our WorkNorthCentral.com online resource portal and WorkNorth Central Hiring events. While the chamber and our members are fighting the war for talent with eyes wide open to address these challenges, our advocacy, partnerships and resources are the ammunition to win the war.

Strong Advocacy: We believe the very foundation of our region’s talent pipeline is rooted in our strong educational system. We’ve been a longstanding advocate for an educational system that prepares our youth for success and for our state to excel in a competitive environment. Our advocacy efforts on Beacon Hill and at the city and town halls in our region aim to create career pathways in our schools, increase access to high-quality vocational education, and to implement other reforms to better align with what our businesses need while preparing the students for long-term success.

“We know the greatest asset for our region is the talent of our residents and what they bring to the industries where they work,” said Senator John Cronin (D-Lunenburg). “The Chamber is a strong advocate for improvements within our schools to create stronger college and career pathways for our youth and I am committed to standing alongside the Chamber as we work together in achieving these goals.”

Strong Partnerships: We believe strong partnerships are critically important and winning the war for talent will require a concerted effort from the public and private sector, education and business leaders, and through philanthropy and non-profits to work toward improving our schools and the talent pipeline. Since not one company, group or industry can do it alone, our efforts have included building partnerships with the Workforce Investment Board, Mount Wachusett Community College, Fitchburg State University and others, as well as partnering with local schools to host career exploration programs. We’re encouraging internships and other work-based opportunities for young adults with our members, and we have conducted research and shared our findings to keep all of our stakeholders updated on our efforts. As a way to make college more affordable for graduating seniors, we also distribute more than $50,000 each year in scholarships.

Strong Resources: We believe by providing resources to connect the unemployed and underemployed with jobs that we can respond to the immediate challenges employers face when finding qualified workers. Through creative resources to connect employers with job seekers, as well as with our existing portfolio of economic development tools, we can change the war for talent into the peace of a restful night’s sleep for business owners. Since we launched the WorkNorthCentral.com online jobs resource portal last year, more than 6,000 jobs have been posted, making it the largest, geographically-focused jobs board in the region! And, on September 28, we’re hosting a major, regional hiring event to provide face-to-face interactions for job seekers with potential employers, as well as opportunities for career coaching, free professional headshots, workshops and seminars, and more than 50 employers showcasing a variety of employment opportunities across multiple industries.

But this isn’t the end of our efforts. In fact, the war for talent is just beginning.

Together, we can continue to identify and work toward new and innovative solutions with a multi-pronged approach to address talent attraction, retention and development. We will continue to strengthen the core of our workforce through advocacy, partnerships and resources.

It’s a war the North Central Massachusetts region cannot afford to lose!

Government Affairs Update

The North Central Massachusetts remains engaged in constant communication with our local, state and federal elected officials. In July, Congressman Jim McGovern and Congresswoman Lori Trahan joined us for the Inside North Central Massachusetts podcast. The two spoke about the American Rescue Plan Act and the proposed infrastructure package. The two are also slated to join the Chamber’s Congressional Luncheon in October. In early August, the US Senate passed a bipartisan $1 trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that included hundreds of billions of dollars for areas including roads and bridges, electrical grid and power infrastructure, broadband investments and water infrastructure.

The Chamber continued to advocate for economic development and workforce development throughout the state budget negotiations. The Chamber was part of joint letters sent out to Beacon Hill from the Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills and Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education that pushed for investment into career technical institutes and the workforce pipeline. That advocacy helped to ensure the inclusion of $15.4 million for career technical institutes, $6 million for dual enrollment and $6 million dollars for regional economic development organizations as part of the Commonwealth’s $48.1 billion-dollar budget. As part of the Massachusetts Coalition for Sustainable Energy, the Chamber was a part of multiple letters sent out to members of the legislature and the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council calling for a measured approach utilizing natural gas as the Commonwealth works to meet the emission reduction timeline laid out by the Governor.

Now that budget discussions have wrapped up, state legislators are focusing on the $5.3 billion dollars the Commonwealth is receiving from Washington D.C. as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Governor Charlie Baker has put forth a plan to spend $2.9 billion dollars of the funds, along with a $1.6 billion-dollar supplemental budget with the House and Senate holding hearings on priorities prior to putting forward their own spending plans. Since the publication of the Chamber’s new One North Central regional economic development plan, we have engaged in active discussions with the region’s delegation, educating them on the strategies contained in the plan, and how ARPA funds could be used to help implement some of the bolder initiatives. The Chamber intends to continue meeting with area leaders and stakeholders in hopes that the One North Central plan can serve as a unifying voice for the region as we seek to help the region navigate economic recovery and serve as a roadmap to advance the region in the coming decades.

In Mid-August, the U.S. Census Bureau released the latest local-level population and demographic data from the 2020 Census. According to the data, Massachusetts population rose to 7.02 million people and saw an increase of 7.4 percent, outpacing the Northeast average of 4.1 percent growth. This growth was enough to ensure that Massachusetts would retain its current levels of representation in Washington D.C. Based on the new data, and population changes, parts of the Commonwealth could see a shake up when it comes to their legislative and Congressional representation once districts are redrawn in the coming months.

The Chamber is continuing to monitor city and town affairs which included Westminster promoting Stephanie Lahtinen to Town Administrator, and Townsend appointing Ross Perry as their Interim Town Administrator. Leominster welcomed Amanda Curtis, a familiar face at the Chamber, as the City’s new Economic Development Coordinator. Shortly after her appointment, Curtis met to discuss the City’s priorities and the One North Central Regional Economic Development Program. With multiple contested municipal elections this Fall, the Chamber is excited to once again host the popular Legislative & Candidates Reception on September 23 at the Chocksett Inn in Sterling.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Travis Condon, the Chamber’s public affairs manager, at (978) 353-7600, ext. 224; or via email at tcondon@northcentralmass.com .

 

How better schools can make us a better place to live and visit

The logic is sound: if our community is better educated, it’s better for everyone, correct? Although it makes sense, the national tide of funding is actually flowing away from education in favor of other things. Programs are being cut, and students are receiving less academic and personal support than they have for years. Here’s a simple fact:

Good Education and Good Communities Go Hand-in-Hand

This doesn’t mean one strong school as a flagship, as it is in many larger communities. It means significant investment in education across states, cities, towns, rural areas, and communities until children in our community and our country receive the education they deserve.

Why? The answer is simple. Education is the economic driver of success and production in our communities. It starts in Kindergarten, and on up to 12th grade. When students receive support at the beginning, they’re more likely to pursue higher education, whether as part of a trade program or a university. They’re more likely to understand civic responsibility and community engagement.

On the other side of the coin, areas where schools have been underfunded for a long time see disengaged citizens. Unsupported students grow up with a mindset that they are not highly regarded by the decision-makers in their area, because frankly, they aren’t.

What Can We Do About It?

It’s not complicated. As business owners and citizens, we often ignore the lasting effects of a strong education system in terms of our own lives. But consider this: a larger crop of successful students in our community will mean a larger pool of potential employees. The business community will benefit when strong students stay around. The ones that leave will benefit other communities near and far.

So what’s the solution? Support your local education system. Vote in favor of funding bills for education. If you run a business, use education as your outlet for philanthropy whenever possible. Ensure that the students in your community have access to school supplies, books, and other tools to maximize their education, because when the education system is strong, the community grows as a whole and becomes a better place to live.

Regional Hiring Event Connects Job Seekers With Employers in North Central Massachusetts

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is partnering with other regional organizations to host the Work North Central Hiring Event scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg, MA. The regional organizations involved include Fitchburg State University, the MassHire North Central Massachusetts Career Center, the MassHire North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, and Mount Wachusett Community College.

The event, which is free for job seekers, will connect potential applicants with local employers of all sizes and industries to discuss employment and career opportunities available in the region. Employers from diverse industries will be seeking candidates with all levels of skill and backgrounds, including entry level, and professional and technical positions in such industries as construction, distribution, education, financial services, government, healthcare, hospitality, non-profit, manufacturing, restaurants and other industries. Additionally, some employers will be offering hiring on-site, and may provide signing bonuses and other incentives.

In addition to networking and learning about available positions across the region, attendees can also take advantage of a full day of programming, including complimentary professional headshots, free career counseling, sessions on careers in advanced manufacturing and health care, and workshops on resume writing, using social media to help with your job search and how to improve your interview skills. The Chamber will also be hosting a $100 gift card prize raffle every hour throughout the event.

“As a leader in helping North Central Massachusetts compete for talent and advance the region’s economic prosperity, we realize there is currently a critical need to help our local businesses find qualified and skilled talent in order to grow and succeed,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This event is aimed to create economic opportunity, and a strong and diversified workforce for our employers, while providing the unemployed and underemployed the opportunity to meet with a number of employers in one location.”

The Work North Central Hiring Event is a complement to the Chamber’s WorkNorthCentral.com Jobs Board, which serves as an online resource to connect job seekers and local employers while also improving the talent pipeline and better connect employers to local schools.

Walk-ins are welcome, but job seekers can also pre-register by visiting the Chamber’s website at www.NorthCentralMass.com. Free parking for job seekers and attendees is available at Great Wolf Lodge, and the Montachusett Area Transit Authority will be offering an extended schedule for the event throughout the day on their Fitchburg/Route 11 that runs to Great Wolf Lodge.

Employers interested in participating and reserving a table at the Work North Central Hiring Event should contact Lauren Goulet at 978-353-7600, ext. 222, or Kat Deal at 978-353-7600, ext. 235, to inquire about availability.

As the Chamber wants to ensure a safe environment for all, attendees are asked to abide by the COVID-19 mask advisory issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health which advises those who are fully vaccinated wear a mask or face covering if they are at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in their household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is an unvaccinated adult. Visit www.NorthCentralMass.com for the Chamber’s COVID-19 event protocols or to stay informed on any changes to local or state health protocols.

 

North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce to host Legislative and Candidates Reception

Premier event connects elected officials, candidates for office, with local business and community leaders

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce announced the 2021 Legislative and Candidates Reception will be held on September 23, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chocksett Inn, 59 Laurelwood Road in Sterling.  Mount Wachusett Community College is the premier sponsor for the event.

The Legislative and Candidates Reception, held every fall, is one of the region’s premier events intended to offer local business and community leaders the opportunity to connect with the region’s elected officials, as well as those seeking public office.

“Government affairs and public policy advocacy are key components in our efforts to promote a healthy, active business climate throughout the region,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This reception offers direct access to our legislators and candidates running for office in a casual environment where our members can ask questions and learn more about the issues and opportunities for businesses in our region.”

“Mount Wachusett Community College, strives to support and meet the strategic goals of our region.  We are fortunate to be part of a local region that values collaboration and partnership,” said MWCC President Jim Vander Hooven. “The connections we make at events such as this legislative reception support our partnership work.  We are delighted to sponsor this opportunity.”

All legislators representing, and candidates running for office, in the Chamber’s 27 communities are encouraged to attend.

As of September 13th, the following officials and candidates have confirmed their attendance:

 

Confirmed Officials:

Senator Harriette Chandler, 1st Worcester District

Senator John Cronin, Worcester and Middlesex District

Senator Anne Gobi, Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex District

Representative Kim Ferguson, 1st Worcester District

Representative Tami Gouveia, 14th Middlesex District -Candidate for Lt. Governor

Representative Natalie Higgins, 4th Worcester District

Representative Meghan Kilcoyne, 12th Worcester District

Representative Michael Kushmerek, 3rd Worcester District

Representative Danillo Sena, 37th Middlesex District

Representative Jon Zlotnik, 2nd Worcester District

District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., Worcester County

Adam Costa, Assistant Register of Deeds, Worcester Northern District

Mayor Stephen DiNatale, City of Fitchburg

Mayor Dean Mazzarella, City of Leominster

Councilor Paul Beauchemin, City of Fitchburg

Councilor Andrew Couture, City of Fitchburg

Councilor Thomas Hughes, City of Fitchburg

Councilor Bernard Schultz, City of Fitchburg

Councilor Samantha Squailia, City of Fitchburg

Councilor Elizabeth Walsh, City of Fitchburg

Councilor Thomas Ardinger, City of Leominster

Councilor Mark Bodanza, City of Leominster

Councilor Susan Chalifoux-Zephir, City of Leominster

Councilor David Cormier, City of Leominster

Councilor Peter Angelini, City of Leominster

Councilor Nathan Boudreau, City of Gardner

Acting Town Administrator David Nixon, Town of Hubbardston

Town Manager Heather Lemieux, Town of Lunenburg

Town Administrator Stephanie Lahtinen, Town of Westminster

Town Manager Justin Sultzbach, Town of Winchendon

Selectwoman Alix Turner, Town of Lancaster

Selectman Anthony Beattie, Town of Pepperell

Selectman Richard Bisk, Town of Princeton

Selectman John Kilcoyne, Town of Sterling

Selectman Salvatore Albert, Town of Westminster

Selectwoman Heather Billings, Town of Westminster

Selectman James DeLisle, Town of Westminster

Nyanna Slaughter, Regional Director, US Senator Elizabeth Warren

 

Confirmed Candidates:

Danielle Allen, Candidate for Governor

Ben Downing, Former State Senator & Candidate for Governor

Bret Bero, Candidate for Lt. Governor

Chris Dempsey, Candidate for Auditor

Andrea Freeman, Candidate for Leominster Mayor

Sally Cragin, Candidate for Fitchburg At-Large City Council

Derrick Cruz, Candidate for Fitchburg Ward 6 City Council

Mark Monahan, Candidate for Gardner At-Large City Council

 

The event will feature an open bar and gourmet appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. Cost for members is $35 and non-members is $45. Registration is available online at www.northcentralmass.com. Please contact Kathleen Deal at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or kdeal@northcentralmass.com for more details.

Additionally, to ensure a safe environment for all, attendees are asked to abide by the COVID-19 mask advisory issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health which advises those who are fully vaccinated wear a mask or face covering if they are at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in their household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is an unvaccinated adult. Visit www.NorthCentralMass.com for the Chamber’s COVID-19 event protocols or to stay informed on any changes to local or state health protocols.

 

Trading Carrots for Sticks

Article Source: State House News Service

Author: Matt Murphy

 

The same day Massachusetts recorded its single largest daily COVID-19 case count since April, President Joe Biden stood in the State Dining Room of the White House and acknowledged the country was going through a “tough stretch.”

It was no longer enough, the president said, to just encourage the unvaccinated to take the shot. He would start requiring it of all federal government employees and contractors, of all health care workers, and of 80 million private sector employees working for companies with 100 or more workers.

The task of developing and implementing this new policy now falls to a familiar face – U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh – and takes some of the pressure off Gov. Charlie Baker, lawmakers and many employers who might have been wrestling with the decision.

And the Legislature doesn’t need any more decisions to make. With its fall agenda growing longer by the day, hearings resumed into how the Legislature should spend nearly $5 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

At this point it’s clear the House and Senate are not going to move quickly to get that money out the door, but that didn’t stop Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides from trying to drive home the administration’s point about urgency.

The secretary testified from the banks of Merrimack River in Lawrence where she said Tropical Storm Ida caused 130 million gallons of untreated water and sewer overflow to spill into the river, and record rains this summer have led to more than 1 billion gallons of untreated sewage flowing into water bodies since May.

The capacity of water and sewer systems to handle increasingly severe weather and the need to upgrade that infrastructure commanded a lot of attention at the ARPA hearing, just as the need to shore up sensitive networks against increasingly severe cyberattacks had the attention of the new Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity at its first hearing a day earlier.

But just as Walsh found himself at the center of the biggest story in the country this week, back at home in Boston it was the competition among the candidates who want his old job taking center stage.

Voters will settle the preliminary election for mayor next Tuesday, whittling the field from five to two. But before those final votes are cast, the candidates got on stage for two evening debates this week as City Councilor Michelle Wu emerged the clear frontrunner in a number of new polls.

The battle for that second spot on the November ballot remains tightly contested and it showed as Acting Mayor Kim Janey and City Councilor Andrea Campbell traded jabs this week over outside super PAC spending and Councilor Annissa Essaibi George – the “moderate” in the race – tried to carve out her own lane, which includes being the pro-public safety (i.e. police) candidate.

At the State House, many of Rep. Jon Santiago’s colleagues had been willing to follow him as he made a bid of his own for mayor, but since he dropped out they are no longer taking their cues from the South End Democrat.

Santiago came out in support of Janey this week, commending the job she has done over the last few months in charge, but Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz announced he would ride out the race with Wu as his choice for mayor, assuming she makes it to the final.

The North End budget chieftain joined a pair of assistant majority leaders in the House and Senate – Rep. Michael Moran and Sen. Sal DiDomenico – on team Wu, as the leadership on Beacon Hill is no longer united behind a single candidate, and members of the Boston delegation are spread around, or taking pass on the race altogether.

Wu has another powerful Democrat in her corner – her former teacher U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Warren has been amping up her activity as election day draws near, helping to raise money and headlining a get-out-the-vote rally in Chinatown on Saturday for Wu.

Warren was also in Boston this week to endorse the Coalition to Protect Workers’ Rights in their effort to defeat a proposed ballot question that would allow rideshare and food delivery app companies like Uber, Lyft and DoorDash to classify their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.

The ballot question, according to Warren and opponents, would allow these gig economy employers to skirt state labor and wage laws, and would hurt not just those who work for them, but employees in the hotel, grocery and retail industries as well.

Warren’s involvement in both campaigns will test her clout and ability to organize around local, and not just national, issues in Massachusetts ahead of a gubernatorial election cycle in 2022 when Democrats will be looking for a better showing than in 2018.

While Baker appears to be no closer to announcing his decision on 2022, Democrats in the race came out of the Labor Day holiday weekend ready to talk policy.

Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz on Tuesday rolled out an education plan that included publicly funded pre-school, a cap on family child-care spending and debt-free public higher education. The same day, former Sen. Ben Downing detailed a transportation agenda that included fare-free MBTA service, including commuter rail and ferries, by the end of his first term and East-West rail from Boston to Albany by 2030.

One thing the two plans had in common was that they were pricey. While Chang-Diaz suggested she would seek federal support and draw on the revenue expected from the “millionaires’ tax” to pay for her plan, Downing said he would do that and more.

The East Boston resident proposed congestion pricing in metro Boston, and said he would propose a gas tax increase of 10 to 15 cents to go along with a new sales tax on Uber and Lyft rides.

The third Democrat in the race, Danielle Allen, didn’t have a policy plan to release this week, but she did call on Baker to mandate that all public school students age 12 and older be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Baker has already mandated that all executive branch employees be vaccinated against COVID-19, and this week the Public Health Council approved his request to require vaccines for home care workers and rest home, assisted living, and hospice program staff. The governor previously mandated vaccines for workers in skilled nursing facilities.

But schools are where Baker has thrown up his hands.

Even with Biden urging states to mandate vaccines for teachers and staff and unions in Massachusetts saying they would support it, Baker has insisted that the decision rests with the local districts.

“The Baker-Polito Administration agrees that all teachers should be vaccinated and agrees with the President that the vaccines are the best possible tools to get life back to normal,” the governor’s press secretary Terry MacCormack said in a statement.

MacCormack said that Baker had “recently directed all cities and towns to require all municipal employees, including their school employees, to be vaccinated,” and would work with cities and towns to accomplish that goal.

Directed? Maybe “encouraged” would be more accurate. But potato, potahto. The point is Baker isn’t going there.

Nor is he going back to remote learning for K-12 students.

“I think our view at this point is in-person learning is where we should be and where we should stay…,” Baker said, when asked about an outbreak in the Melrose public schools.

The governor said that as long as people are unvaccinated, COVID-19 infections will be a part of life, but fewer people are being hospitalized or dying as a result.

September Edition of Good Morning North Central Focuses on Transportation in North Central Massachusetts

Speakers include MassDOT Highway Administrator and Fitchburg Airport Manager

Jonathan Gulliver, Highway Administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)

The next edition of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce’s popular Good Morning North Central breakfast program is scheduled for Friday, September 17, 2021, from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and will take place at Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Way, Fitchburg, MA. The September edition is sponsored by Unitil.

The Good Morning North Central breakfast series is the Chamber’s longest running program. The breakfast series started in 1984 and has evolved into a high-profile, fast-paced and educational morning program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals and business owners from throughout North Central Massachusetts. Over the years, speakers have included governors, senators, prominent business and civic leaders, authors and celebrities.

The featured speakers for the month of September are Jonathan Gulliver, Highway Administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and Peter Kettle, Manager of the Fitchburg Municipal Airport.

Gulliver, a Lancaster, Massachusetts native, was appointed Highway Administrator by Governor Charlie Baker in 2017. In this role, Gulliver is responsible for the engineering, operations and construction of the state’s entire highway and bridge system and oversees a workforce of more than 2,500 employees and a $1.2 billion annual capital program.  Prior to his appointment as Highway

Peter Kettle, Manager of the Fitchburg Municipal Airport

Administrator, he served as the MassDOT District 3 Highway Director responsible for the highways and bridges in Central Massachusetts. He has also served as the Project Development Director for MassDOT’s District 6 in Metro Boston.

Peter Kettle was appointed Manager of the Fitchburg Municipal Airport in 2020 after serving more than 15 years as a member of the Fitchburg Pilots Association and as a member of the Fitchburg Airport Commission. Since being named manager, Kettle has overseen major projects, including the construction of the airport’s new administration building; the reconstruction, reconfiguration, and expansion of the airport’s main runway; and the closure and removal of a secondary runway. These new developments resulted in the airport being able to better serve its existing customer base, as well as attract additional users and businesses. In addition, the closure of the second runway opens up nearly 45 acres of land for construction of additional facilities.

The cost to attend the event is just $27 for Chamber members/$42 non-members and includes breakfast. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Kathleen Deal at 978.353.7600 ext. 235, kdeal@northcentralmass.com or visit www.northcentralmass.com.

As the Chamber wants to ensure a safe environment for all, attendees are asked to abide by the COVID-19 mask advisory issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health which advises those who are fully vaccinated to wear a mask or face covering if they are at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in their household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is an unvaccinated adult. Visit www.northcentralmass.com for the Chamber’s COVID-19 event protocols and to stay informed on any updates for upcoming events.

 

State Council Approves Caregiver Vaccine Mandate Expansion

The Baker administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates for home care workers and staff at rest homes, assisted living residences and hospice programs got a green light Wednesday from the Public Health Council, which unanimously approved regulatory changes to implement the requirements.

The regulations were approved on an emergency basis and will be subject to a public comment period.

Introducing the measures to the council, the Department of Public Health’s Marita Callahan described caregiver vaccinations as “critical” to protecting the health of vulnerable individuals.

The Baker administration announced last week that it would seek the council’s approval to extend an existing vaccine mandate on certain long-term care staff to include additional caregivers and facilities, in an effort to protect older people from COVID-19.

Council member Mary Moscato, the president of Hebrew SeniorLife Health Care Services and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, described the mandates as a step that “really does protect our seniors and patients.”

The policy will apply to up to 100,000 home care workers, 62 freestanding rest homes, 85 hospice programs and 268 assisted living residences, according to the administration. The affected workforce will have until Oct. 31 to get vaccinated, unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption.

Kathleen Carey, a professor of health economics at the Boston University School of Public Health, said the state should keep an eye on the mandates’ potential impact on staffing levels. She said there have been cases nationally of hospital staffing shortages that have been “somewhat exacerbated” by vaccination requirements.

The council also voted 9-4 to finalize the repeal of universal mask mandate regulations that are no longer in effect.

The council repealed those regulations on an emergency basis in June, and since then some members have raised concerns around the message it would send to formally strike the mask rules while the more infectious Delta variant has led to increased spread of the coronavirus.

The widespread masking mandate in place in Massachusetts earlier in the pandemic has been replaced by an advisory for people to wear masks in indoor public places if they or someone in their household is vulnerable to the disease, along with targeted mandates applying to specific settings like schools, transit and health care settings.

“I don’t think we’re really protecting the public to the full extent if we have a piecemeal, incremental approach,” said Dr. Edward Bernstein, an emergency medicine professor at the BU medical school.

He said dynamics around the virus have changed since the June vote.

Bernstein said he was voting no “until we have something in place that proposes masking in all public spaces where you can’t maintain distance,” and Lisette Blondet, director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers, said she cast her vote against the repeal “in order to protect the entire state population.”

Blondet said that she lives on Cape Cod, where there is a large senior population, and that she sees most other shoppers unmasked when she goes to the grocery store now that face coverings are not mandated.

“We are making decisions based on what’s true for the entire state and leaving out pockets of very, very vulnerable populations who are very confused, and I think that repealing these regulations will continue to leave these people out, will fail to protect the public the way I feel we are charged to do,” she said.

Dr. Larry Madoff, the medical director for the DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, said the state’s current policy “normalizes mask-wearing” by requiring or recommending it in many situations. He said the state is “balancing risks and incentives” while keeping the importance of protecting the vulnerable “paramount in our thinking.”

“We think that the incentive for the unvaccinated to get vaccinated so that they are no longer recommended for mask-wearing in most situations is really an important component of our strategy to maximize vaccination and to maximize the protection of the community and those most vulnerable,” he said.

DPH staff said they would continue to monitor the data around COVID-19, and that the official repeal of the prior regulations would not prevent them from bringing forward any new precautionary measures in the future.

State epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown said evaluating that data will be particularly important as the seasons change and temperatures drop.

“As people come indoors, we’re really going to have to watch and see what happens,” she said. “We absolutely need to continue to monitor the data, literally on a daily basis, and to adjust and adapt the recommendations and requirements as needed.”