Legislation the Gov. filed this AM, that Assistant Town Admiistrator Nick Milano says is expected to be passed by the House today, allowing for postponement of our annual town meeting and municipal relief with respect to our impending budget issues –
Posted in Budgets, Financial, State, Town Meeting
In light of the Governor’s Declaration, Court leaders have closed the Trial Courts to the public for Monday and Tuesday, March 16 & 17.
SECOND LETTER TO GOVERNOR BAKER
Dear Governor Baker:
Thank you for your continued leadership during these uncertain times. We are grateful that you have set up an emergency response center to disseminate information and help, and we are eager to continue working with you to offer guidance and assistance to our cities and towns across the entire Commonwealth.
Over 200 communities have now closed their schools for at least two weeks. We applaud these municipalities for making such difficult decisions, as we know that school closures come with a host of impacts on our communities. But scientists and medical experts continue to warn us that for school closures to be effective at stemming the spread of coronavirus, all of the schools in the Commonwealth must close. We ask you to immediately make these closures mandatory for all schools and early education centers across the Commonwealth.
We also seek your support and guidance on an emerging set of financial and logistical issues that affect our ability to fight the virus and to overcome this crisis, including ways to address child care for essential personnel and health care workers.
Scientists and medical professionals continue to urge that residents remain at home so we give our hospital and health systems the best chance of treating existing patients and reducing the risk to vulnerable individuals. Unfortunately, this means that we must consider additional closures to further limit spread of the virus. Experts have explained that time is running out to prevent an irreversible strain on our healthcare system and significant loss of life. If we cannot make these decisions as a state, individual communities may declare states of emergency and independently take stronger action. This is far from ideal because it could serve to generate panic and confusion among our residents. In order to ensure statewide consistency and follow recommended public health guidelines, you and your Administration may need to require extensive closures, including gyms, parks, health clubs, and places of worship. Restaurants and food establishments should immediately shift to take out and delivery options only.
By way of this communication, we are requesting that you meet virtually with a delegation of mayors and managers at your earliest convenience to discuss these issues. Maximizing the sharing of information and perspectives can only lead to better decision-making.
Please continue to keep us updated and let us know how we can be helpful in addressing this issue together.
Sincerely,
Joe Curtatone
Mayor of Somerville
Adam Chapdelaine
Town Manager of Arlington
Michael P. Cahill
Mayor of Beverly
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager of Cambridge
Thomas G. Ambrosino
City Manager of Chelsea
Dr. Yvonne Spicer
Mayor of Framingham
Thomas M. McGee
Mayor of Lynn
Gary Christenson
Mayor of Malden
Paul Brodeur
Mayor of Melrose
Ruthanne Fuller
Mayor of Newton
Brian Arrigo
Mayor of Revere
Kimberley Driscoll
Mayor of Salem
Austin Faison
Town Manager of Winthrop
cc: Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito
Secretary Marylou Sudders
SECOND LETTER TO GOVERNOR BAKER
Dear Governor Baker:
Thank you for your continued leadership during these uncertain times. We are grateful that you have set up an emergency response center to disseminate information and help, and we are eager to continue working with you to offer guidance and assistance to our cities and towns across the entire Commonwealth.
Over 200 communities have now closed their schools for at least two weeks. We applaud these municipalities for making such difficult decisions, as we know that school closures come with a host of impacts on our communities. But scientists and medical experts continue to warn us that for school closures to be effective at stemming the spread of coronavirus, all of the schools in the Commonwealth must close. We ask you to immediately make these closures mandatory for all schools and early education centers across the Commonwealth.
We also seek your support and guidance on an emerging set of financial and logistical issues that affect our ability to fight the virus and to overcome this crisis, including ways to address child care for essential personnel and health care workers.
Scientists and medical professionals continue to urge that residents remain at home so we give our hospital and health systems the best chance of treating existing patients and reducing the risk to vulnerable individuals. Unfortunately, this means that we must consider additional closures to further limit spread of the virus. Experts have explained that time is running out to prevent an irreversible strain on our healthcare system and significant loss of life. If we cannot make these decisions as a state, individual communities may declare states of emergency and independently take stronger action. This is far from ideal because it could serve to generate panic and confusion among our residents. In order to ensure statewide consistency and follow recommended public health guidelines, you and your Administration may need to require extensive closures, including gyms, parks, health clubs, and places of worship. Restaurants and food establishments should immediately shift to take out and delivery options only.
By way of this communication, we are requesting that you meet virtually with a delegation of mayors and managers at your earliest convenience to discuss these issues. Maximizing the sharing of information and perspectives can only lead to better decision-making.
Please continue to keep us updated and let us know how we can be helpful in addressing this issue together.
Sincerely,
Joe Curtatone
Mayor of Somerville
Adam Chapdelaine
Town Manager of Arlington
Michael P. Cahill
Mayor of Beverly
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager of Cambridge
Thomas G. Ambrosino
City Manager of Chelsea
Dr. Yvonne Spicer
Mayor of Framingham
Thomas M. McGee
Mayor of Lynn
Gary Christenson
Mayor of Malden
Paul Brodeur
Mayor of Melrose
Ruthanne Fuller
Mayor of Newton
Brian Arrigo
Mayor of Revere
Kimberley Driscoll
Mayor of Salem
Austin Faison
Town Manager of Winthrop
cc: Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito
Secretary Marylou Sudders
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT #3
Date: March 13, 2020
Time: 4:00 PM
Re: Informational Update: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Situation
In response to the threat that COVID-19 poses to the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has formed an Interagency Planning Working Group comprised of health, human services, public safety and several other government agencies to develop continuity plans for COVID-19. This working group is broken down into three subgroups that include:
· Support to First Responders Subgroup
· Logistics Subgroup
· Mass Care Subgroup
These groups are tasked with developing strategies and coordinating support efforts related to COVID-19. This follows the Department of Public Health’s infectious disease task force that was stood up in January.
In an effort to support COVID-19 planning activities and coordinate statewide response the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Framingham has activated to Level 2 (Partial Activation). In addition, MEMA’s Regional EOCs have also been partially activated to support local communities. The SEOC and REOCs will be operational Monday – Friday, 8AM – 4PM; operational shifts are subject to change as the situation continues to develop.
Representatives from the following agencies are present in the SEOC:
COVID- 19 Cases in Massachusetts:
COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts as of March 13, 2020 (numbers updated daily by 4:00 PM): 123
Massachusetts residents subject to COVID-19 quarantine as of March 10, 2020 (this information is updated every Wednesday by 12:00 PM): 1,083
For more information visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-cases-quarantine-and-monitoring
National Emergency Declaration:
This afternoon, the President declared a National Emergency in response to the threat of the novel coronavirus. This is a process under the National Emergencies Act which would open certain authorities for the president to move around federal resources and conduct certain activities such as a nationwide quarantine.
State Actions:
Emergency Order Prohibiting Assemblages of more than 250 People:
Governor Baker has issued an emergency order prohibiting most gatherings of over 250 people in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The order includes, but is not limited to, the following events: community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, festivals, and any similar event or activity that brings together 250 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time in a venue such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theatre, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. The Governor also directed the Department of Public Health (DPH) to issue guidance implementing the terms of the Emergency Order. The full DPH guidance is available at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/guidance-regarding-the-order-by-the-governor-prohibiting-assemblages-of-more-than-250-people/download.
Modifications to the Open Meeting Law:
The Baker-Polito Administration has issued an emergency order temporarily modifying the state’s Open Meeting Law in order to allow state, quasi and local governments to continue to carry out essential functions and operations during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This emergency order suspends the requirement for public access to the physical location where a public meeting is taking place, provided there are other means of access available, such as a phone conference line, social media or other internet streaming services, or on-line meeting services. Additionally, the order relieves the requirement that a quorum of members be physically present at a public meeting. During this period, members may all participate by remote or virtual means. This order is applicable to meetings of public bodies including commissions, boards, and committees that engage in policy making at the state, quasi and local level, and it does not apply to Town Meetings or judicial and quasi-judicial hearings. The full text of the order is available at https://www.mass.gov/doc/open-meeting-law-order-march-12-2020/download
Updated Guidance for Community-Based and Congregate Care Settings:
The Baker-Polito Administration has released new policies for Assisted Living Residences, Congregate Care Settings, In-Home Caregivers and Workers (Agency Based and Non-Agency Based), and Community Day Program Settings to further protect individuals served in community-based and congregate care settings from respiratory illnesses, including Coronavirus (COVID-19). This guidance is available through the following links:
Updated Guidance to Elementary and Secondary Schools:
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), in conjunction with MDPH, has released updated guidance for school superintendents regarding COVID-19. The full guidance may be found here.
EOLWD Update:
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) recently received federal guidance allowing for flexibilities regarding unemployment compensation for individuals affected by COVID-19. EOLWD is analyzing that guidance and pursuing potential emergency regulations which further enable them to assist individuals whose employment has been affected by the virus.
Additionally, in order to reduce in-person traffic at career centers and UI walk-in centers, EOLWD has suspended requirements related to the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment for the time being. Staff are in the process of contacting customers scheduled to appear at the centers to let them know that their benefits will not be impacted as a result of this change and that they will be back in touch with them when these services are re-scheduled.
Interagency Planning Subgroup Updates:
Support to First Responders Subgroup:
Logistics Subgroup:
Mass Care Subgroup:
o Identifying facility options for quarantine.
o Identifying isolation surge space and other isolation options.
o Identifying the wrap-around services required to support populations in quarantine and isolation (i.e. feeding).
o Identifying the resources required to support these operations to include medical staffing, equipment and supplies.
o Coordinating with MEMA Logistics and Finance to identify possible vendor/ contractors needed to support these operations.
Statewide Conference Calls:
The SEOC coordinated the following conference calls today to share information and coordinate actions with key stakeholders:
Disaster/Emergency Recovery Actions:
Local Actions:
MEMA Regional offices have been in regular contact throughout the day with local officials. They report that numerous cities and towns across the Commonwealth are taking steps to limit potential exposure of residents to coronavirus, including postponing/cancelling public events and closing schools, town/city offices, and other public buildings. Local officials also report experiencing ongoing difficulties procuring supplies of PPE, hand sanitizer, and other cleaning supplies due to supply chain issues.
Local EOC Activations / States of Emergency:
EOC Activations:
States of Emergency:
School Closings:
K-12 Schools:
The SEOC is aware, via reports from local officials and the media, of approximately 110 school districts with at least one school closure as of today (3/13). Note that school closures are constantly subject to change and residents should check local media or reach out to schools directly for the most up-to-date information.
Institutions of Higher Education:
The following colleges and universities have announced or implemented schedule changes and/or plans to move classes to online formats. Additional information about these changes is available on their respective websites.
Stay Informed
In an effort to ensure you have good situational awareness and early guidance from DPH, all stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to visit the DPH website as updates and guidance changes frequently. The link for DPH website can be found here: www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.
Planning Guidance
Below are hyperlinks from DPH’s website that provide specific guidance and recommendations for: (1) emergency responders and law enforcement, (2) businesses and employers, (3) elementary and secondary schools, and (4) colleges and universities. To access the hyperlinks hold “Ctrl” and click the link.
· Guidance for emergency responders and law enforcement click here.
· Guidance for businesses and employers click here.
· Guidance for elementary and secondary schools click here.
· Guidance for colleges and universities click here
Regarding continuity planning, employers should consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illnesses and lower the potential impact of COVID-19 in workplaces in the event of an outbreak by taking steps to:
· Reduce transmission among staff
· Protect people who are at higher risk for adverse health complications
· Maintain business operations
· Minimize adverse effects on other entities in their supply chains
All private and public sector agencies are encouraged to develop or update contingency plans to ensure they can continue to carry out essential functions regardless of the threat or impact. For guidance and more information on continuity planning visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/continuity-and-safety-planning-guidance
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Posted in State
January 22, 2020
Dear Osler Peterson,
Earlier this afternoon, Gov. Charlie Baker submitted a $44.6 billion fiscal 2021 state budget plan with the Legislature, proposing a spending blueprint that would increase overall state expenditures by 2.3 percent, as the Administration deals with slow revenue growth by restraining most spending across the board and placing an estimated $310 million into the state’s rainy day fund. The budget relies on significant one-time revenues of at least $200 million from a sales tax “modernization” proposal, and an increase in the tax on transportation network companies.
UNRESTRICTED MUNICIPAL AID INCREASED BY $31.6 MILLION
As Gov. Baker pledged to local officials at the beginning of his administration, his budget includes a $31.6 million increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid, tracking the expected 2.8% increase in state tax revenues. Implementing this state-local revenue sharing framework continues to be a significant victory for cities and towns, and is good news in a budget where overall state spending is held to a 2.3% increase.
OVERALL CHAPTER 70 SCHOOL AID WOULD GO UP BY $303.5 MILLION, A 5.9% INCREASE – ALTHOUGH A LARGE NUMBER OF DISTRICTS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN AT MINIMUM AID ONLY
Fulfilling the commitments in the new Student Opportunity Act, the Governor’s fiscal 2021 budget submission would bring Chapter 70 school aid up to $5.48 billion, a $303.5 million increase in school aid. This would fund the first year of the 7-year plan to add $1.5 billion in new state funding for K-12 education. The majority of the funds would implement the improvements to the foundation budget, adding weight for low-income students, English Language Learners, special education costs, and school employee health benefits. While this is important progress for some communities, an initial look at the budget indicates that a large percentage of cities, towns and school districts would remain minimum-aid-only, and receive the minimum $30 per-student increase in the Act. MMA members from across Massachusetts have unanimously adopted resolutions calling for at least $100-per-student in minimum aid for the past several years, and the MMA will continue to strongly advocate for significantly higher minimum aid throughout the budget process.
CHARTER SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENTS WOULD INCREASE TO $138.2M – CHARTER FUNDING REMAINS A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED
The Governor’s budget would increase the charter school reimbursement account up to $138.2 million, intended to meet the commitment in the Student Opportunity Act to fund 75% of the state’s 100-60-40 statutory obligation to mitigate Chapter 70 losses to charter schools. However, this appropriation does not include $15 million in special charter school reimbursement payments included in the fiscal 2020 budget to address significant hardships, such as excess losses to charter schools that result in a net cut in Chapter 70 aid for the public school system (non-charters).
The Student Opportunity Act pledges to phase in full funding of the statutory reimbursement formula over three years, and while this plan may meet that requirement, it would not fix the serious flaws in the charter school finance system. Charter schools will continue to divert a high percentage of Chapter 70 funds away from many municipally operated school districts, and place greater strain on the districts that serve 96% of public school children. Major problems will continue unless a true resolution of the charter school funding problem is achieved, a top MMA priority.
SPECIAL EDUCATION CIRCUIT BREAKER INCREASED TO $362.5M
The Governor’s budget would add $17.4 million to fund the Special Education Circuit Breaker program at $362.5 million, an increase of 5%. The Student Opportunity Act expanded the SPED circuit breaker by including out-of-district transportation, a good win for cities and towns. This new transportation component is being implemented over four years, and the Governor’s budget proposal includes the 25% phase-in amount for the coming fiscal year.
However, the $362.5 million appropriation amount does not include $18 million that has traditionally been provided to support administration and state agency transportation costs for special education students, and these funds will need to be added in order to ensure full funding.
REGIONAL SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENTS LEVEL FUNDED
Gov. Baker’s budget submission would level-fund regional transportation reimbursements at the $75.8 million. This will be a hardship for virtually all communities in regional districts. Reimbursements for transportation of out-of-district vocational students remains significantly underfunded at $250K. Increasing these accounts is a priority for cities and towns and the MMA.
McKINNEY-VENTO REIMBURSEMENTS LEVEL FUNDED
The Governor’s budget would level-fund reimbursements for the transportation of homeless students at $11.1 million. The impact of this funding level will vary from community-to-community depending on the number of homeless families that remain sheltered in local hotels and motels. The Administration has been successful in reducing the number of homeless students who are dislocated from their original district, but those communities that continue to provide transportation to many students may continue to see shortfalls.
PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU-OF-TAXES (PILOT) LEVEL FUNDED
The Governor’s budget would level fund PILOT payments at $30 million, which would be a significant hardship for many smaller, rural communities with large amounts of state-owned land. This is a key account due to the major impact that PILOT payments have on budgets in very small communities.
Please contact your legislators today and ask them to support the $31.6M increase in municipal aid and the $303.5M increase in Chapter 70 aid.
Please ask your legislators to address the serious flaws in charter school funding, increase minimum Ch. 70 aid to $100 per student, and increase funding for school transportation, PILOT payments, and ensure full funding for the SPED Circuit Breaker
THANK YOU!
Medfield Select Board member
I started this blog to share the interesting and useful information that I saw while doing my job as a Medfield select board member. I thought that my fellow Medfield residents would also find that information interesting and useful as well. This blog is my effort to assist in creating a system to push the information out from the Town House to residents. Let me know if you have any thoughts on how it can be done better.
For information on my other job as an attorney (personal injury, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and real estate), please feel free to contact me at 617-969-1500 or Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.
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