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Tag: the economy

  • Senate approves bill to expand early education

    Senate approves bill to expand early education

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    BOSTON — The state Senate has approved a plan aimed at expanding access to child care and early education for parents while attracting and retaining new workers to ease persistent labor shortages in the industry.

    The measure, which was unanimously approved on Thursday, calls for boosting financial assistance for families seeking child care, establishing new funding for child care providers and higher pay and benefits for early educators.

    Backers of the plan said the changes are needed to help lower the cost of child care and early education programs with parents paying as much as 20% to 40% of their household incomes on child care, often making it their second-highest expense after housing costs.

    “Besides the high costs, families also face other barriers including a lack of available slots at their preferred providers, the hours of available care, transportation challenges and more,” Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, a primary sponsor of the bill, said in remarks on Thursday. “All this hurts families’ economic well-being.”

    It’s not clear how much the changes, if implemented, would cost and the bill doesn’t include additional funds.

    Senate leaders note that $1.5 billion is already earmarked for early education and care in the current state budget, but that new funding will be dependent on future budgets.

    Lewis said the “substantial” price tag for the plan is “justified” given the money that many families, businesses and the state are losing as a result of the spiraling early education costs.

    “The status quo is already costing us a lot of money,” he said. “We have already demonstrated that we can indeed prioritize investments in early education and child care and follow through on those commitments.”

    Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican, said it’s critical that the state take steps to improve the affordability of early education and child care in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the rising cost of early education has major implications for the state’s post-pandemic economy.

    “It is an essential part of the fabric of our state,” Tarr said in remarks. “If we do not act, it will continue to be in serious jeopardy. We cannot allow that to happen.”

    A key plank of the proposal calls for expanding eligibility for subsidized child care by raising the income level to qualify for state-backed programs.

    The current threshold is 50% of state median income for a family of four — which is about $73,000. The plan calls for “gradually” increasing that level to 85% of state median income, or $124,000 for a four-member family.

    “That means we will be opening up access to assistance to not just low-income families, but middle income families,” Lewis said in remarks.

    It would also make state funding for the Commonwealth Cares for Children program, which has provided grants to nearly 7,500 child care providers since 2021, a permanent line item in the annual state budget. Other policy changes include setting new patient-staff ratios.

    During Thursday’s debate, Tarr sought to add safeguards on spending to the bill after raising concerns about the costs and how the state will pay for it going forward.

    “Lest we make a promise that can’t be fulfilled,” Tarr said. “My concern is that making sure that … we can say with confidence that the initiatives that are proposed here are things we can afford and sustain.”

    Many child care centers are financially strained and advocates say low compensation and the rising costs of caring for children are putting some providers out of business.

    Meanwhile, care providers are struggling to retain workers in an industry where the pay is traditionally low and the risk of getting sick is now elevated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates say.

    The average cost of child care is more than $20,000 a year in Massachusetts, the most expensive state in the nation, only behind Washington, D.C., and well above the national average of $15,888, according to a recent report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

    Working families are losing an estimated $1.7 billion a year in wages from not being able to show up for work because they can’t find or afford child care services, the report noted.

    Meanwhile, employers are losing an estimated $812 million a year in productivity and worker turnover because of the shortage of child care options, according to the report, while the state government is missing out on $188 million a year in tax revenue.

    Compounding the lack of options are changes in the workforce and other factors that have seen fewer people looking to work in the child care industry.

    Gov. Maura Healey has made expanding child care options for parents a key plank of her agenda in her first term, tying the issue to a broader effort to make the state more affordable.

    Earlier this year, the state Board of Early Education and Care recently approved a plan to tap into $65 million from this year’s budget to reimburse child care providers that serve families receiving financial assistance, including a 5.5% cost of living adjustment for providers to help offset increased operating costs.

    The Senate bill must be approved by the House of Representative before heading to Healey’s desk for consideration.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Senate approves bill to expand early education

    Senate approves bill to expand early education

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    BOSTON — The state Senate has approved a plan aimed at expanding access to child care and early education for parents while attracting and retaining new workers to ease persistent labor shortages in the industry.

    The measure, which was unanimously approved Thursday, calls for boosting financial assistance for families seeking child care, establishing new funding for child care providers, and higher pay and benefits for early educators.

    Backers of the plan said the changes are needed to help lower the cost of child care and early education programs with parents paying as much as 20% to 40% of their household incomes on child care, often making it their second-highest expense after housing costs.

    “Besides the high costs, families also face other barriers, including a lack of available slots at their preferred providers, the hours of available care, transportation challenges and more,” Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, a primary sponsor of the bill, said in remarks Thursday. “All this hurts families’ economic well-being.”

    It’s not clear how much the changes, if implemented, would cost and the bill does not include additional funding.

    Senate leaders note that $1.5 billion is already earmarked for early education and care in the current state budget, but that new funding will be dependent on future budgets.

    Lewis said the “substantial” price tag for the plan is “justified” given the money that many families, businesses and the state are losing as a result of the spiraling early education costs.

    “The status quo is already costing us a lot of money,” he said. “We have already demonstrated that we can indeed prioritize investments in early education and child care and follow through on those commitments.”

    Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican, said it’s critical that the state take steps to improve the affordability of early education and child care in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the rising cost of early education has major implications for the state’s post-pandemic economy.

    “It is an essential part of the fabric of our state,” Tarr said in remarks. “If we do not act, it will continue to be in serious jeopardy. We cannot allow that to happen.”

    A key plank of the proposal calls for expanding eligibility for subsidized child care by raising the income level to qualify for state-backed programs.

    The current threshold is 50% of state median income for a family of four – which is about $73,000. The plan calls for “gradually” increasing that level to 85% of state median income, or $124,000 for a four-member family.

    “That means we will be opening up access to assistance to not just low-income families, but middle-income families,” Lewis said in remarks.

    It would also make state funding for the Commonwealth Cares for Children program, which has provided grants to nearly 7,500 child care providers since 2021, a permanent line item in the annual state budget. Other policy changes include setting new patient-staff ratios.

    During the debate Thursday, Tarr sought to add safeguards on spending to the bill after raising concerns about the costs and how the state would pay for it going forward.

    “Lest we make a promise that can’t be fulfilled,” Tarr said. “My concern is that making sure that … we can say with confidence that the initiatives that are proposed here are things we can afford and sustain.”

    Many child care centers are financially strained and advocates say low compensation and the rising costs of caring for children are putting some providers out of business.

    Meanwhile, care providers are struggling to retain workers in an industry where the pay is traditionally low and the risk of getting sick is now elevated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates say.

    The average cost of child care is more than $20,000 a year in Massachusetts, the most expensive state in the nation, only behind Washington, D.C., and well above the national average of $15,888, according to a recent report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

    Working families are losing an estimated $1.7 billion a year in wages from not being able to show up for work because they cannot find or afford child care services, the report noted.

    Meanwhile, employers are losing an estimated $812 million a year in productivity and worker turnover because of the shortage of child care options, according to the report, while the state government is missing out on $188 million a year in tax revenue.

    Compounding the lack of options are changes in the workforce and other factors that have seen fewer people looking to work in the child care industry.

    Gov. Maura Healey has made expanding child care options for parents a key plank of her agenda in her first term, tying the issue to a broader effort to make the state more affordable.

    Earlier this year, the state Board of Early Education and Care recently approved a plan to tap into $65 million from this year’s budget to reimburse child care providers that serve families receiving financial assistance, including a 5.5% cost-of-living adjustment for providers to help offset increased operating costs.

    The Senate bill must be approved by the House of Representative before heading to Healey’s desk for consideration.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • History Happenings: March 15, 2024

    History Happenings: March 15, 2024

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    On this day in 1856, George Lyon let readers know that he bought the right to manufacture and sell Boyd’s Patent Bridle Winkers. The winkers would prevent horse blindness and shying by allowing light and air to the animal. He…

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  • SENIOR LOOKOUT: Meals on Wheels delivers more than food

    SENIOR LOOKOUT: Meals on Wheels delivers more than food

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    Hunger is a very real problem in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in October that 12.8% of all U.S. households — 17 million — were “food insecure” in 2022. Food insecure is defined as uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all the members of a household because of insufficient money or other resources for food.

    In 2023, The Open Door food pantry, serving Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Topsfield, Boxford, Hamilton, and Wenham, provided more than 1.98 million pounds of food to 9,836 individuals. Beverly Bootstraps food pantry distributed more than 613 thousand pounds of food to nearly 4,884 individuals. These numbers do not include smaller food pantries throughout the towns of the North Shore or the other many food assistance programs in action. In the past few years, the need for food pantry services has increased significantly.

    One very successful program for food assistance is the Meals on Wheels home-delivered meals program for home-bound elders. In 2023, SeniorCare delivered 192,000 meals via our Meals on Wheels home-delivered meals program and our community dining rooms.

    Meals on Wheels began in the United Kingdom during the World War II “Blitz.” As the number of homeless people grew due to bombing, the Women’s Volunteer Service for Civil Defense began preparing and delivering meals — sometimes using old baby carriages to transport the food. This idea was adapted after the war to help elderly people who were having difficulties preparing their own food.

    The first home-delivered meal program in the United States began in January 1954 in Philadelphia. Since then, Meals on Wheels has grown to be a nationwide program, feeding approximately 2.4 million elders annually.

    Meals on Wheels is not just a nutrition program. In addition to lunch, the Meals on Wheels driver brings companionship and a watchful eye on the health and safety of our seniors. Some lunch recipients tell us that their driver is the only person they see on most days.

    In a survey of Meals on Wheels participants and their caregivers, SeniorCare received the following remarks.

    “By having Meals on Wheels, I have more money to pay for my medications.”

    “This is my only home-cooked meal.”

    “Helps me stretch my food stamps each month.”

    “It’s nice to have someone visit daily.”

    “It’s always nice to see a friendly face.”

    “As a caregiver, it gives me peace of mind while I’m working.”

    “Sometimes the driver is the only one I talk to all day.”

    “As a caregiver, it helps to know someone stops by every day to check.”

    “I always look forward to a visit and a meal.”

    “Gives me at least one meal per day.”

    “Seeing another person breaks up the monotony of a long, lonely day.”

    The Meals on Wheels nationwide program is being recognized with #savelunch awareness campaign during March.

    Local government officials and business and community leaders are invited to ride along with a Meals on Wheels driver to learn more about this important program.

    Yesterday, Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga joined with a volunteer Meals on Wheels driver to deliver meals to local seniors and hear their stories. Representative Kristin Kassner is scheduled to deliver meals in Ipswich next week and other members of our legislative team are likely to participate.

    For more information about SeniorCare’s Meals on Wheels or Community Dining nutrition programs, please visit our website at www.seniorcareinc.org or call 978-281-1750 and ask to speak with the Nutrition Department.

    Tracy Arabian is the communications officer at SeniorCare Inc., a local agency on aging that serves Gloucester, Beverly, Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.

    Tracy Arabian is the communications officer at SeniorCare Inc., a local agency on aging that serves Gloucester, Beverly, Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.

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    Senior Lookout | Tracy Arabian

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  • Healey wipes away prior marijuana convictions

    Healey wipes away prior marijuana convictions

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    BOSTON — With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Maura Healey is moving to wipe away the prior pot convictions of hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents.

    On Wednesday, Healey signed a “first-in-the-nation” executive order that, if approved by the Governor’s Council, would grant a blanket pardon to those with previous misdemeanor convictions for possession of marijuana, which has been legal for more than seven years.

    Healey, who estimates the pardon will impact “hundreds of thousands” of people, says those with misdemeanor pot charges on their records from prelegalization days face restricted access to jobs, housing and education.

    “The reason we’re doing this is simple, justice requires it,” the first-term Democrat told reporters at a briefing. “Massachusetts decriminalized possession for personal use back in 2008, legalized it in 2016, yet thousands of people are still living with convictions on their records.”

    If Healey’s order is approved by the council, those with previous convictions wouldn’t need to apply for pardons — which would be done automatically — but would be able to request a “certificate” from the state verifying the pardon.

    The pardons won’t apply to convictions after March 13, and would exclude charges such as possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, distribution, trafficking, or operating a motor vehicle under the influence or convictions outside the state, including federal court, the Healey administration said.

    Attorney General Andrea Campbell, the state’s top law enforcement officer, was among those who praised the move. She said it will improve racial justice, with data showing that blacks and other minorities have been “disproportionately” charged with marijuana possession in the state prior to legalization.

    “These pardons will transform the lives of thousands, remove barriers allowing them to live with economic dignity, and right past wrongs and stigma that these individuals have faced,” she said in remarks.

    Voters legalized marijuana more than seven years ago, but people previously arrested with the drug are still being haunted by past convictions.

    A 2008 ballot question made possessing an ounce or less of marijuana a civil offense, punishable by a $100 fine. Four years later, voters approved its medical use.

    Then, in 2016, nearly 54% of voters at the ballot box approved legalized recreational marijuana.

    Marijuana advocates say voters have made clear over the years that possession of small amounts should not be illegal, and people with old convictions should get a second chance.

    Other states where recreational marijuana is legal have taken similar steps to seal or expunge criminal records en masse.

    California wiped away past marijuana convictions under a bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an expungement bill in 2019 that allowed an estimated 150,000 people to have previous convictions sealed.

    In 2022, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation pardoning many federal offenses for simple marijuana possession offenses. Biden has expanded that pardon to include more offenses and has called for a review of the classification of marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law.

    But clearing records of past convictions, even in places where pot is legal, remains controversial. Washington state, which legalized pot in 2012, wrangled for several years to pass a pot expungement bill amid opposition from prosecutors.

    In Massachusetts, law enforcement officials and even some lawmakers have pushed back on efforts to retroactively wipe away previous convictions.

    Proposals to grant blanket pardons for pot convictions have been filed in the past several sessions only to languish due to lack of support.

    A 2018 law allowed Massachusetts residents with previous convictions for offenses that are no longer illegal — including marijuana possession — to have those records expunged from their records. But advocates say since then few people have benefited from the changes.

    In some cases, judges refuse to sign off on expungement of previous marijuana possession convictions, even if the individual’s records have been sealed.

    Under state law, expungement requests must be deemed to be “in the interest of justice” but the interpretation of what that might be is generally left up to judges.

    Pauline Quirion, a lawyer and director of the criminal records sealing project at Greater Boston Legal Services, said anyone who undergoes state Criminal Offender Record Information checks for housing or work can be turned down if they have marijuana charges in their past.

    “In practice, any criminal record, no matter how old or how minor, creates barriers to jobs and other opportunities,” she said. “Pardons especially matter where record sealing simply is not enough because an employer or occupational licensor is granted access to the record by state law.”

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Institution for Savings promotes 3 officers

    Institution for Savings promotes 3 officers

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    NEWBURYPORT — The Institution for Savings recently promoted three employees, according to CEO and President Michael Jones.

    David Doucette was promoted to senior vice president of commercial lending; Jeffrey Salerno was promoted to assistant vice president of residential lending; and Shannon Maloney was promoted to assistant vice president and Storey Avenue Newburyport manager.

    Doucette has spent nearly his entire professional career with the Institution for Savings. As a high school student, he worked in the bank’s educational school bank at Ipswich High School and continued as a part-time teller while in college.

    Following his college graduation, Doucette joined the bank’s residential loan department as a loan processor. In 2009, he transferred to commercial lending as a credit analyst and became a commercial loan officer in 2015.

    In 2017, Doucette was promoted to assistant vice president and to vice president in 2019. He was promoted to senior vice president earlier this year. He is based in the bank’s commercial lending office at 312 Haverhill St. in Rowley.

    With 20 years of mortgage lending experience, Salerno joined the bank in 2018 as mortgage officer and was promoted to assistant vice president earlier this year. He attended New England School of Financial Studies and the Massachusetts Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking. Salerno is based in the bank’s Amesbury office at 150 Main St.

    Maloney joined the Institution for Savings as a teller in 2015. She was promoted to head teller in 2017 and Rowley office assistant manager in 2022. In April, Maloney returned to the Storey Avenue office as assistant manager and was then promoted to manager in January.

    “We believe strongly in giving our employees the opportunities and education to advance in their careers here at the bank and these promotions are great examples of that,” Jones said. “I congratulate Dave, Jeff and Shannon on these well-deserved promotions and look forward to seeing all that they are going to do in these new positions.”

    Dating to 1820, the Institution for Savings is the largest mutual savings bank in Massachusetts. On Cape Ann, it operates branches at 4 Parker St. in Gloucester, and 37 King St. in Rockport.

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  • Police/Fire

    Police/Fire

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    In news taken from the logs of Cape Ann’s police and fire departments:

    ROCKPORT

    Monday, March 11

    7:03 p.m.: A burglar alarm reported at a Phillips Avenue address was later determined to be false.

    Medical emergencies: Individuals were taken to the hospital by ambulance from Main Street at 6:41 a.m., Granite Street at 12:45 p.m. and Rowe Point at 1:13 p.m.

    12:48 p.m.: After a report was made about an animal on Smith Street, Animal Control was notified.

    9:42 a.m.: After a well-being check, an ambulance transport was refused at a Granite Street address.

    9:19 a.m.: After a motor vehicle stop on Granite Street, a verbal warning was issued.

    MANCHESTER

    Monday, March 11

    2:11 p.m.: A report was made about a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of School and Pleasant Streets.

    11:36 a.m.: Assistance was provided to a citizen on Central Street.

    11:31 a.m.: After a motor vehicle stop on the northbound lanes of Route 128 near Exit 53, a verbal warning was issued.

    11:22 a.m.: An animal complaint was made at a Beach Street address.

    11:18 a.m.: A report of an alleged fraud/scam was made at a Desmond Avenue address.

    9:26 a.m.: A motor vehicle crash was reported on Central Street.

    4:42 a.m.: The Fire Department was dispatched to a Beach Street address.

    GLOUCESTER

    Tuesday, March 5

    9:46 p.m.: Police responded to a past break in on Spring Street.

    Crashes with property damage only: at 6:47 p.m. at Cape Ann Medical Center on Blackburn Drive; at 3:03 p.m. at East Veterans School on Webster Street.

    12:38 p.m.: Police responded to a parking complaint at Gloucester Fire Headquarters on School Street.

    12:14 p.m.: Police responded to a disturbance on Gloucester Crossing Road.

    11:34 a.m.: A resident came to the Main Street station and filed a report of harassment.

    11:08 a.m.: Larceny was reported on Fernwood Lake Avenue.

    3:26 a.m.: Peace was restored after a disturbance at the Action shelter on Main Street.

    1:02 a.m.: Four juveniles face a charge of being minors in possession of alcohol, after officers came across a car parked with all its doors open at the Dun Fudgin Boat Ramp on Leslie O. Johnson Road, according to the police report. An officer found the driver standing by the front passenger door while the three others were walking around the boat ramp parking lot. As the officer notified dispatch, three juveniles took off toward the high school nearby. A juvenile who said he was the driver asked if he was in trouble. While speaking with driver, police saw a 12-pack of Arnold Palmer Spiked malt beverage outside the driver’s side door. The driver told police the 12-pack was not his, and since he had been driving, he did not drink. The officer also saw a large marijuana smoking pipe, an open Smirnoff Ice six pack on the back passenger floor, and another large smoking pipe and two marijuana grinders with some leafy green material believe to be marijuana. Police asked the driver for his license, and he said he only had a learner’s permit, which was not on him. Other officers arrived to the front of the school and apprehended two juveniles without incident. They were brought back to the boat ramp. The juveniles said they had been out driving and hanging around since they had no school in the morning. They were asked to contact their parents to take custody of them. The officer told the parent of one juvenile he planned to file a complaint against the juvenile on a charge of being a minor in possession of alcohol. Another parent arrived and took custody of two of the juveniles. He was told his son would be summonsed on a charge of being a minor in possession. The driver, listed in the log as 16, was told he would be summonsed on charges of being a junior operator driving from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. without a parent in the vehicle, having an open container in a vehicle and being a minor in possession of alcohol. Police planned to charge the juvenile who ran away with being a minor in possession of alcohol. Police had the vehicle towed and disposed of the alcohol and the large marijuana smoking pipes and grinders. The report was forwarded to the Community Impact Unit for followup.

    Monday, March 4

    10:18 p.m.: A crash with property damage only was reported on Centennial and Emerson avenues.

    9:42 p.m.: A caller reported a small baggie containing a white substance, possibly drugs, was in the first parking spot to the left of the 7-Eleven off Maplewood Avenue. Police found this to be crushed breath mint.

    9:15 p.m.: A disturbance was reported at Ocean Crest Seafoods on Commercial Street. An intoxicated man was on a fishing vessel and a possible fight was reported to have taken place with no weapons involved. The man was given a courtesy ride to the train station.

    6:13 p.m.: A crash with property damage only was reported to police at the station.

    2:31 p.m.: A vehicle was towed after a crash with property damage only on Main and Prospect streets.

    2:27 p.m.: A 29-year-old Gloucester resident of no known address was arrested on Lincoln Avenue on a charge of distribution of a Class C drug. Police noticed a man pacing back and forth and checking his cell phone. An officer and a detective followed the man to Lincoln Avenue where he met another man and they walked into the bus stop. Police said as they drove by they could see the 29-year-old hand the other man a small object and the man hand the 29-year-old cash. Police approached the men in the bus stop and separated them. The man said he had just purchased 20 Klonopin pills for $100. Police retrieved the pills from his sweatshirt pocket. Police asked him how he contacted the 29-year-old and he said he uses his cell phone and showed police four recent calls. The detective found the 29-year-old clutching $100 in his right hand and he was arrested and charged. Police searched the suspect and reported finding over a dozen needles, tourniquets and other drug paraphernalia. Police found the suspect had a Clonazepam prescription bottle with 29 pills that had been filled yesterday. Police said it appeared the suspect was selling the medication to control seizures. He was taken to the Rockport Police Department for booking.

    1:33 p.m.: Debris in the roadway was reported on Middle and Pleasant streets. The call was referred to another agency.

    1:01 p.m.: An abandoned vehicle was reported at the Water Treatment Station on Russell Avenue. Police located a silver BMW on the side of the road, and a query found the vehicle was uninsured. Police had the vehicle towed and planned to file a criminal complaint against the owner, a 57-year-old resident, on a charge of having an uninsured vehicle on a public way.

    9:15 a.m.: A man reported he had left a black electric scooter unattended on the train station platform on Railroad Avenue while he went to a nearby convenience store, but when he returned, it was gone. He was told by others on the platform that a man with a cat on his shoulders made off with it, riding toward Maplewood Avenue. The scooter was described as having “Hot Shot” written on the side, one light at the front and a fingerprint reader which starts it. He estimated the scooter cost about $700. Police were unable to locate anyone matching the description.

    8:26 a.m.: A crash with property damage only was reported on Duncan and Rogers streets.

    2:35 a.m.: No action was required for a report of a disturbance on Bass Avenue.

    Sunday, March 3

    8:47 p.m.: No action was required for a report of a vehicle repossessed on Gould Court.

    7:17 p.m.: The Fire Department was assisted with a call from Mansfield Court.

    4:31 p.m.: A holdup alarm was reported at the Curiseport Gloucester on Rowe Square.

    3:51 p.m.: An unwelcome guest was reported at the Cape Ann Marina and Motel complex on Essex Avenue.

    1:13 p.m.: Police took a report of harassment from Millett Street.

    8:10 a.m.: A crash with property damage only at Beacon Marine Basin on East Main Street was under investigation.

    Saturday, March 2

    8:54 p.m.: Police could not locate a report of a crash with property damage only at the Flannagan Service Station.

    4:59 p.m.: A crash with property damage only was reported at 15 Washington St.

    3:22 p.m.: The Fire Department was assisted with a call from Main Street.

    2:52 p.m.: Harassment was reported at a café on Main Street.

    9:55 a.m.: Police planned to file a criminal complaint against a 21-year-old Peabody man charging him with assault and battery on a police officer during a prisoner transport to Middleton Jail. During the ride from the Rockport Police Department where he had been booked, the man became confrontational, the report said, swearing at the officers because he was not allowed to use his vape pen, which infuriated the man. He swore at officers and became agitated when he did not get much of a response from officers, the report said. As they pulled onto the highway, the officer who was a passenger saw the man had unbuckled his seatbelt and flipped his handcuffs in front of him. The officer driving was able to get off the highway at Exit 54 and pull into a dirt lot. The man continued to be confrontational and pounded on the glass in the cruiser. The officer in back got out and ordered the man to get out of the cruiser and face away from him, but the man refused. Police were able to get the man handcuffed behind his back and continue on to the jail as the man hurled insults at the officers. He again managed to unbuckle his seatbelt, flip his handcuffs in front of him, slam on the cage, all while screaming and insulting officers, the report said. The man then began untying his shoelaces and the cruiser pulled over at Exit 47 in Beverly around 10:13 a.m. The officer in back told the man that for everyone’s safety, they needed to take his shoes and glasses. When the officer went to remove the man’s glasses, the report said the man lifted his cuffed hands and swatted at the officer’s hands and grabbed his wrists. The officer was able to break away. The officer was eventually able to remove the man’s glasses, which were placed with his belongings. Police told him he would be charged with assault and battery on a police officer, and the man continued insulting officers, slamming on the cage, and ducking down in the back seat. At the jail, police said the man continued to be confrontation and refused to comply with simple commands, and kept pulling away before he went through intake at the jail.

    9:36 a.m.: Fraud was reported on Mt. Pleasant Avenue.

    9:05 a.m.: A disturbance was reported on Veterans Way.

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  • State lawmakers holding fewer recorded votes

    State lawmakers holding fewer recorded votes

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    BOSTON — The number of roll call votes by the state House of Representatives has plummeted in recent years, prompting concerns from open government groups about a lack of transparency in Beacon Hill’s often secretive legislative process.

    In the current legislative session, which got underway in January 2023, the House has held 81 roll calls that recorded how each lawmaker voted on specific bills, according to voting records from the House clerk’s office.

    But the number of recorded votes has been declining for years, with 105 roll calls held during the preceding two-year session in 2021 and 2022, according to the data. In the 2017-18 session, the House held 313 roll call votes.

    There has also been a decline of recorded votes in the state Senate, where 135 recorded votes were held during the 2021-22 session, according to the Senate clerk’s office. That’s compared to 186 roll call votes in the 2020-21 session.

    Open government groups say the declining number of recorded votes raises serious issues about transparency and accountability in state government.

    “While these numbers are outrageous, they are not entirely surprising; the sharp drop in roll call votes is part and parcel of a larger trend of concentrating power on Beacon Hill,” said Erin Leahy, executive director of the group Act on Mass., a Boston-based nonprofit that advocates for government transparency. 

    “Legislating is increasingly done with few, near-unanimous votes on mega-bills with dozens of policy items, and to request a roll call on an amendment not preordained by leadership is considered a transgression,” she said.

    Jonathan Cohn, policy director of the group Progressive Massachusetts, said the lack of recorded votes deprives people of “opportunities to make progress on the many critical challenges” facing the state.

    “So much of the legislative process occurs behind closed doors, and recorded votes are a critical opportunity for legislators to show the public where they stand,” he said in a statement.

    The issue of scuttling roll call votes came up during the state Senate’s debate on a sports betting bill in April 2022 when the Democratic-controlled chamber passed the legislation on a “voice vote” that didn’t record how individual senators voted.

    The move sparked an outcry over transparency in the Legislature and prompted criticism of Senate President Karen Spilka, who previously opposed authorizing sports wagering, for allowing the anonymous vote.

    Spilka defended the vote, saying senators were free to say how they voted. The Senate later held a roll call vote on the final version of the bill.

    Over the past two years, lawmakers pushed through several major pieces of legislation dealing with tax reforms, climate change, election reforms, transportation, sports betting, mental health and veterans affairs.

    But they also failed to pass countless stand-alone bills that remain stuck in legislative committees as lawmakers lobby behind the scenes to win support for their proposals.

    Leahy said the trend of declining legislative roll call votes is part of a much larger problem of “secrecy” by elected officials on Beacon Hill, where the governor’s office, Legislature and courts all claim to be largely exempt from the state’s public records laws.

    She said that means constituents cannot find out how their representatives and senators are voting on their behalf, which ultimately affects democracy.

    “How can a legislator represent the will of their constituents when they rarely take votes?” she said. “And how can a legislator represent their constituents when they are convinced that the votes they do take can’t change the outcome?”

    “The floor is now more a stage for political theater than it is for genuine debate and decision-making,” Leahy said.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Teachers, School Committee start contract talks

    Teachers, School Committee start contract talks

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    The Gloucester Teachers Association and the School Committee began negotiations Monday for a new contract, with School Committee having a goal of both sides reaching a deal by Sept. 1.

    “The intent is for us to have, you know, open negotiations. We want it to be a mutually beneficial discussion amongst both teams,” said William Melvin, vice chair of the School Committee and chair of the negotiating team at the start of Monday’s session.

    “We, too, are eager to collaborate in a professional and amicable manner to come to an agreement that provides the best possible learning environment for our students which would translate into the best possible working environment for our educators,” said GTA President Rachel Rex.

    The teachers’ contract runs through Aug. 31, and its terms continue if both sides have not reached agreement by then.

    Negotiations are taking place as the School Committee and Gloucester Association of Educational Paraprofessionals are in mediation over a new contract. The paraprofessionals have been pushing for a living wage while working under the terms of their old contract that expired June 30, 2023.

    Before discussion on ground rules, which included lengthening the negotiation sessions from two hours to two and a half hours, Melvin read a statement of the intentions of the School Committee:

    “The School Committee will approach negotiations with the mindset that, first and foremost, the primary purpose of our schools, all staff, and the School Committee is to work together in ways that result in more engaged student learning, higher academic achievement and deeper student belonging.”

    Melvin said the committee’s goals include both teams understanding the core concerns behind the proposals through listening, acknowledging proposals “are put forth in good faith with positive intentions” and typically need to be modified during negotiations. He said the intention is both teams work to separate people from the challenges and problems, meaning personal attacks are out of bounds.

    School Committee Secretary and Negotiating Team Vice Chair Laura Wiessen said the committee’s goal for the outcome is “an agreement that helps to strengthen student learning, meets the interests of both parties to the extent possible, and takes community interests into account.”

    Members of the GTA negotiating team read out the pillars of their platform.

    “Our first pillar is: ‘Focus on Gloucester students,’” said GTA Vice President Matthew Lewis. “The academic and emotional success of Gloucester students depends on an holistic student approach. Relationships are built over consistent time with staff. This emphasizes the need for educator flexibility in their schedules and staff-to-student ratios that promote meaningful opportunities for learning,” he said.

    “The Gloucester School Committee needs to recognize the competitive marketplace for educational professionals on the North Shore. The importance of work-life balance in the post pandemic era needs to be supported in benefits and compensation,” said East Veterans building representative Ruth Flaherty, speaking about the need for “competitive compensation policies to support 21st-century families.”

    The next negotiating session is scheduled for March 26 starting at 4:30 p.m.

    Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@gloucestertimes.com.

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    By Ethan Forman | Staff Writer

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  • State housing secretary visits renovated Beverly apartments

    State housing secretary visits renovated Beverly apartments

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    BEVERLY — As the state’s top housing official, Ed Augustus says all types of housing are needed to solve the state’s shortage. On a trip to Beverly on Friday, he visited a place where two wildly different types are playing out on the same street.

    Augustus got a tour of the Beverly Housing Authority’s newly renovated apartment complex on Balch Street for low-income seniors and for people with disabilities. Down the street, Cummings Center is planning to construct a condominium building where the going rate for a two-bedroom condo is expected to be more than $600,000.

    The contrast could hardly be bigger. But Augustus said the availability of even high-priced condos can free up houses for young families and create movement in a housing market that has virtually ground to a halt.

    “I think every new unit of housing that comes online in Massachusetts is a help,” he said.

    Augustus, who was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey last June as the state’s secretary of housing and livable communities, came to Beverly as part of a plan to tour all 240 housing authorities in the state (Beverly was his 28th). Local officials took him to Balch Street, where a nearly $4.9 million renovation of the 25-unit, three-building complex is nearing completion.

    “I was impressed,” Augustus said after his tour. “It’s great to see units that were tired be refreshed. Everybody should be able to live in a safe, healthy and dignified place. This project in Beverly is going to make sure the 25 seniors who live in these units get this kind of housing.”

    Beverly Housing Authority Executive Director Debra Roy described the project as “kitchen and bath and window and door renovations.” It also includes new fire alarms, sprinklers and heat baseboards. The complex was built in 1959.

    The Balch Street apartments have been closed since November 2022, when the project began. Roy said residents moved to other Beverly Housing Authority units during the renovations and can return to Balch Street if they want to. She’s hoping that residents can start moving back in the second week of April.

    “I’m thrilled,” Roy said. “It was a long project. We’re glad to see that it’s wrapping up and we can get folks home. It’s beautiful now.”

    The Healey administration put a lot of focus on affordable housing in its proposed Affordable Homes Act, including a $1.6 billion investment in public housing over the next five years. The state’s existing stock of 43,000 public housing units is at risk due to a backlog of $4 billion in deferred maintenance, according to a fact sheet provided by his office, Augustus said.

    “Imagine where we’d be not having the 43,000 state-owned units,” he said. “These are our most vulnerable people.”

    Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@salemnews.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.

    Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@salemnews.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.

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    By Paul Leighton | Staff Writer

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  • SAT officials warn parents to beware of scammers

    SAT officials warn parents to beware of scammers

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    ARLINGTON, VA — For parents of high school students, SAT and ACT scores are a huge deal. With college admissions and scholarships on the line, paying for tutors and test prep materials may be worth the price.

    But watch out for con artists eager to take advantage of this. Scammers – with access to kids’ names and school information – are tricking parents into paying for bogus SAT and ACT prep materials.

    How this scam works

    You get an unsolicited call from a person claiming to be from the College Board, the company responsible for the PSAT, SAT, and AP tests, or another educational organization. The caller claims to be confirming your address, so they can send test prep materials, such as books, CDs, or videos, that your child requested at school.

    It seems so believable! Several people reported to BBB Scam Tracker that the caller even had their child’s name, phone number, address, school information, and/or the date and location of their child’s scheduled test.

    Of course, there’s a catch. The caller needs you to pay a deposit, sometimes several hundred dollars, for the materials. They claim it will be refunded when the materials are returned after a set number of days.

    Unfortunately, if you provide your address and credit card details, the materials will never arrive, and your deposit will never be refunded. Scammers now have your credit card number and other personal information.

    How to avoid similar scams

    Always be wary of unsolicited callers. If someone calls out of the blue asking for payment, always research their organization before you share personal information or agree to receive services or products. Look up the business they claim to represent at BBB.org.

    Search the name along with the words “scam” or “complaint” to find out if others had negative experiences. Check BBB Scam Tracker to see if anyone else has filed a report about the company.

    Double check with your child. If scammers say they are calling because of a service your child requested, tell them you need to check with your child first and hang up. Make sure their claims are legitimate before you call back or accept a return call. Don’t send any money or make a payment if there is any doubt about the call. The same is true for emergency scams.

    Understand the College Board’s practices. The College Board will never ask you for bank or credit card information over the phone or via email. If a caller suggests otherwise, hang up. Learn more about the College Board’s policies.

    Use your credit card when possible. Credit cards may refund your money if they spot a fraudulent charge or if you report one in a timely manner. You may not be offered the same protection if you pay with your debit card or other payment options. Never agree to pay a stranger with a money wire, prepaid cards, or digital wallet, such as Cash App or Venmo.

    For more information visit www.bbb.org.

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  • New indoor pickleball facility under construction in Middleton

    New indoor pickleball facility under construction in Middleton

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    MIDDLETON — Lace up and grab your paddles — the pickleball craze is making its way to Middleton with the construction of a new indoor pickleball facility on Route 114.

    The new 15,000-square-foot venue at 329 N. Main St., run by the New England Pickleball Club, will have six dedicated, fully-fenced-in pickleball courts, set to be fully completed by the end of this year.

    For three consecutive years, pickleball has held the record for the fastest-growing sport in America, having grown 51.8% from 2022 to 2023, and an overall 223.5% since 2020, according to data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

    New courts, either dedicated specifically for pickleball or simply consisting of make-shift lines drawn over tennis or basketball courts, continue to pop up at local schools, sports complexes, retirement communities, public parks, and other recreation areas.

    Websites like Pickleheads, Masspickleballguide.com, and PlayTime Scheduler were created to ease the process of finding these courts as well as similarly-skilled players to play with. However, even with these resources, reserving a court, finding a group that is fun and fair to play with, and playing competitively can be challenging.

    There are more players looking for a game than the inventory of courts will allow. and it can be difficult to coordinate with other individuals of similar skill level. That’s part of the problem that Dave Velardo, owner of New England Pickleball Club, is looking to solve with this new location in Middleton.

    The facility will include a full pro shop selling pickleball equipment, a front desk area, viewing areas, showers, show-court seating and viewing, and fully fenced-in professional pickleball court surfaces. While there are a few indoor pickleball facilities that have popped up in recent years, such as PKL in Boston or the Newburyport Brewing Co. Pickleball Club, this location will be solely dedicated to the love of pickleball.

    “My focus is just on giving the best pickleball experience possible,” said Velardo. “My main focus isn’t on building all these crazy amenities like restaurants, but on actual club events, skill ratings, and players.”

    The development is being built from the ground up at a vacant lot on North Main Street near Rockaway Road. While the courts will be open to non-members and paying members of the club, members will be able to reserve courts 10 days ahead of time compared to the non-members who can only book ahead three days — time that can make a big difference when indoor courts become extra busy in the winter.

    Mostly taking the blueprint from New England Pickleball Club’s first location in Rye, New Hampshire, a large emphasis of the club will be placed on skill-based recreational play, comfortably evaluating and onboarding new players into the game, and maintaining “etiquette” during play. The goal is to ensure that players of any level of competitiveness, familiarity with the game, and skill can find a group to rally with, whether they are looking for social open play or competitive group play.

    “Even if it’s non-competitive, you have to have the right skill rating, and part of the reason is because of etiquette. The best example is if you’re really trying to compete in pickleball, you’re totally going to be targeting weaker players. But in recreational play, which is what most people find likable, it’s bad etiquette to be targeting the weaker players, because then the really good players aren’t gonna want to play with you if you just never hit the ball to them. So we make a point to really separate the two and educate players,” said Velardo.

    During most events, coordinators will be present to assist in setting up match-ups and help maintain a healthy environment, including etiquette. Additionally, staff have an in-depth rating system for determining a player’s competitive levels anywhere from extreme beginner to national pro level.

    The club looks at the player’s available competitive data from league or outside tournaments and constantly reviews their results, whether they are a member or non-member, to ensure that they are being consistently matched with similarly skilled players.

    For updates and further information on the facility visit https://middleton.newenglandpickleball.com/.

    Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202

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    By Michael McHugh | Staff Writer

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  • Institution for Savings promotes 3 officers

    Institution for Savings promotes 3 officers

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    NEWBURYPORT — The Institution for Savings recently promoted three employees, according to CEO and President Michael Jones.

    David Doucette was promoted to senior vice president of commercial lending; Jeffrey Salerno was promoted to assistant vice president of residential lending; and Shannon Maloney was promoted to assistant vice president and Storey Avenue Newburyport manager.

    Doucette has spent nearly his entire professional career with the Institution for Savings. As a high school student, he worked in the bank’s educational school bank at Ipswich High School and continued as a part-time teller while in college.

    Following his college graduation, Doucette joined the bank’s residential loan department as a loan processor. In 2009, he transferred to commercial lending as a credit analyst and became a commercial loan officer in 2015.

    In 2017, Doucette was promoted to assistant vice president and to vice president in 2019. He was promoted to senior vice president earlier this year. He is based in the bank’s commercial lending office at 312 Haverhill St. in Rowley.

    With 20 years of mortgage lending experience, Salerno joined the bank in 2018 as mortgage officer and was promoted to assistant vice president earlier this year. He attended New England School of Financial Studies and the Massachusetts Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking. Salerno is based in the bank’s Amesbury office at 150 Main St.

    Maloney joined the Institution for Savings as a teller in 2015. She was promoted to head teller in 2017 and Rowley office assistant manager in 2022. In April, Maloney returned to the Storey Avenue office as assistant manager and was then promoted to manager in January.

    “We believe strongly in giving our employees the opportunities and education to advance in their careers here at the bank and these promotions are great examples of that,” Jones said. “I congratulate Dave, Jeff and Shannon on these well-deserved promotions and look forward to seeing all that they are going to do in these new positions.”

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  • City’s CFO remembered as ‘seasoned and savvy municipal CFO’

    City’s CFO remembered as ‘seasoned and savvy municipal CFO’

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    John P. Dunn, the city’s chief financial officer for the past decade, died Monday, March 4, at age 71.

    Dunn served with three Gloucester mayors while also having overseen municipal finances in Beverly as The Garden’s City’s finance director for 18 years.

    Former Mayor Carolyn Kirk tapped Dunn to the job formerly held by Jeff Towne when he accepted a position in Natick, according a Jan. 3, 2014 article in the Times.

    At the time of his hiring, Kirk said Dunn came highly recommended by outgoing Beverly Mayor Bill Scanlon with now Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill bringing in his own team during the transition, freeing up Dunn to take the job in Gloucester.

    “He was by far and away the best candidate,” Kirk said at the time.

    On Thursday, Kirk said “John was a seasoned and savvy municipal CFO under three mayors here in Gloucester. Every day he carried out his role as steward of the public trust to the highest standards and with a calm demeanor.

    “We’ve been lucky to have his talents devoted to the citizens of Gloucester over the past 10 years and my sincere condolences are extended to his family and his colleagues at City Hall.”

    Dunn served the longest with former Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, who was mayor for seven years from 2015 until 2021. She called Dunn “a great friend” and that he “would be sadly missed.”

    “He was a great CFO,” Theken said, saying Dunn “worked closely with my administration with Jim Destino, the CAO, and Kenny Costa, the auditor.

    “Those three were powerhouses who started to move Gloucester forward. They worked great together to make sure that our departments and the schools always had funding that was needed for the city to survive.”

    Dunn worked well with and respected others, Theken said.

    “He had a dry sense of humor, but it was great,” she said.

    He worked steadily through the COVID-19 pandemic with Thekan’s staff “and I came in during COVID to make sure that no one was left alone in City Hall.”

    Mayor Greg Verga said of Dunn, “First of all, he was just a great guy. He was really funny in just his own way. He was one of those guys who looked serious, a numbers guy, but he was a funny guy.”

    Verga said when he came in as mayor, Dunn was helpful in boiling down the budget for him: “Budget 101 for me.” Even though Verga served on the City Council for six years, it was just a whole different story, he said, going through the budget line-by-line.

    “And he was a magician, you know,” Verga said, when it came to Dunn being able to arrange the financing for city projects.

    “He just knew how to set up all the dominoes so they just stayed perfectly,” he said.

    Dunn’s death is a big loss for the city as one of the key people he worked with, “but I think it’s a bigger loss because of him as a person,” Verga said.

    Chief Administrative Officer Jill Cahill, who served with Dunn in city government for seven years as the former director of community development and in her present role, said: “He taught me so much. John taught me a lot about municipal government, about municipal finance. He was a mentor and he was always there for everybody. His answer was always: ‘Don’t worry about it, we’ll get it done. I’ll find the money.”

    As to the city’s finances, as Dunn also served as the city’s treasurer and collector, Cahill said they are in good hands with the assistant treasurer and a consultant who the city has hired who is a seasoned CFO.

    Dunn was a native of New Providence, New Jersey, and the husband of Pat McCullough Dunn for 45 years. He lived in New Jersey until he came to Massachusetts to attend Tufts University, according to his obituary for the Campbell-Porter Funeral Home in Ipswich.

    Dunn and his wife settled in Beverly, where he worked for 18 years as the chief financial officer. He was proud of his efforts to modernize and improve Beverly schools and other capital projects there, his obituary reads.

    “Terrific guy,” said Scanlon, Beverly’s longest-serving mayor. “Extremely capable. Honest as you can be. Low-key. Well-liked, just a great guy.”

    Scanlon plans to give a eulogy at Dunn’s funeral next week, on March 13.

    He said Dunn, who had been a bank executive, first began working in Beverly in the treasurer’s office before becoming Beverly’s finance director in the mid 1990s.

    Scanlon, who was mayor in Beverly from 1994 to 2001 and then again from 2004 to 2013, said when he lost a bid for reelection during his first go as mayor, Dunn went to work in Melrose, and when Scanlon was reelected, Dunn came back. When Scanlon decided to retire in 2013, Scanlon spoke to Kirk about Dunn.

    “I told him he would be available and she hired him in a minute,” Scanlon said.

    In addition to his wife, Dunn is survived by his daughter, Abby Carmean and her husband Chris of Greenwood, Delaware, and son Andrew and his partner, Justine of Nashua, New Hampshire and grandsons Owen, Riley and Quinn, who his obituary indicates Dunn cherished as they called him, ‘Papa John.’

    A funeral service will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly, on Wednesday, March 13, at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday, March 12, from 4-7 p.m. Contributions may be made in Dunn’s memory to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.

    Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@gloucestertimes.com.

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    By Ethan Forman | Staff Writer

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  • New tool aims to enhance racial wealth gap conversations

    New tool aims to enhance racial wealth gap conversations

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    BOSTON — In their quest to close the racial wealth divide, Sen. Lydia Edwards and a Boston think tank laid a new tool in front of Statehouse insiders Tuesday to aid in what Edwards called “intentional conversations.”

    Reviewing the new Racial Wealth Equity Resource Center offered by Boston Indicators, a branch of The Boston Foundation, Edwards said the statistics it reports gave her pause. Like how, she said, Black people with college diplomas only earn an average of $29,000 more than white people without a high school diploma.

    “These kinds of numbers really make me question a lot of things, when you know that those numbers have everything to do with your access to health care, to education, can you get a good education, whether you can afford rent or own a home, that’s what we’re looking at when we think about this gap,” Edwards said.

    Peter Ciurczak of Boston Indicators presented the new website to legislative aides and a couple lawmakers on hand in a Statehouse briefing room, and framed the data on the site as information they could use to craft future policies.

    He said “real gaps start to emerge” in household median wealth across different racial groups as the result of “the legacy of state-sponsored discrimination, of enslavement, of Jim Crow-era politics, and of outright theft of Black wealth.”

    Messages such as, “Just pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” Edwards said, “aren’t real narratives.”

    “For me, this is about dealing with the vestiges of slavery, it’s about dealing with the setbacks we’ve done to women, people of color. These are all intentional conversations, all intentional policy decisions we’ve made as a country for centuries, coming to a head. So we are in the position to see it for what it is, to see America for all of its beauty and for all of its ugly,” the East Boston Democrat said.

    Keith Mahoney of The Boston Foundation said homeownership is a “key component” of addressing the issue, along with policies in the areas of stocks, insurance, retirement, and tax policy like the federal child care tax credit which “had a huge impact in alleviating poverty.”

    Rep. Sam Montaño asked if there was an estimated price tag on what it would take for government to make a “meaningful step” on closing the gap. She said, “It’s pretty vague, right?”

    “On one of my favorite podcasts, The Big Dig, it’s like — at that level, all of that money is magic, right? We don’t know,” Ciurczak replied.

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    By Sam Doran | State House News Service

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  • House Democrats seek another $245M for migrants

    House Democrats seek another $245M for migrants

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    BOSTON — House Democrats filed a proposal to pump another $245 million into the state’s emergency shelter system amid an ongoing surge of migrants.

    The supplemental budget, which is to be taken up on Wednesday, would provide more funding to workforce training programs, migrant “welcome” centers, and additional funds for resettlement agencies to connect families with housing and other services.

    The spending plan also calls for reforms to the shelter system, such as limiting the maximum length of stay in shelter to nine consecutive months, with another three months for migrants who are employed or enrolled in a job training program.

    This comes just three months after Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed a supplemental spending bill that included $250 million for migrant costs.

    “Given the challenging revenue conditions facing Massachusetts, the lack of federal support, and the severity and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the migrant crisis, the temporary reforms that we are proposing are essential for the shelter program’s long-term survival,” House Speaker Ron Mariano said in a prepared statement.

    Under the proposed reforms, pregnant women and people with a disability, among others, would also be eligible for 12 consecutive months in the program, regardless of employment status or participation in a job training program.

    The plan would also require Healey to seek federal approvals for a waiver from the Department of Homeland Security to allow expedited work authorizations, temporary work authorizations, and provisional work authorizations for newly arrived migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

    Mariano, a Quincy Democrat, said the measure would require migrants to exit the shelter system in a “timely manner,” which he said would “help to ease the strain being placed on our shelter system over time, and on the communities that are on the frontline of this crisis.

    But critics say the proposed reforms won’t go far enough to stem the tide of silent seekers who have pushed the state’s emergency shelter system to the brink of collapse.

    Paul Craney, spokesman for the conservative Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, said Mariano’s proposal just throws more money at the problem without dealing with the root cause of increased migration to the state: the “right to shelter” law.

    “It’s not going to deter people from coming here,” he said. “Right now, Massachusetts is one of the top destinations for migrants because they know in addition to all the other taxpayer benefits they get, there is a right to shelter.”

    He added, “So if the objective of this is to stop the flow of migrants, this won’t do it.”

    Massachusetts has seen an unprecedented influx of thousands of asylum seekers over the past year amid a historic surge of immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border.

    Healey declared a state of emergency in August and deployed the National Guard to help deal with the influx. Her administration also set a 7,500-family cap on the number of people eligible for emergency housing last October.

    Under the “right-to-shelter” law, Massachusetts is required to provide emergency housing to homeless families, but critics say the law was never designed to provide for a large migrant population.

    Nearly 780 families were on a wait list for emergency housing as of Tuesday, according to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

    Healey administration officials said the state has spent $360 million as of Feb. 8 from a special escrow fund set up by the state Legislature to cover migrant costs, but warned in a recent report that money would dry up soon.

    Healey has estimated the state will spend up to $2 billion to support emergency shelter for homeless families and migrants through the end of the next fiscal year. The report estimated costs through the end of the 2025 fiscal year at $915 million.

    Despite requests from Healey and members of the state’s congressional delegation for federal funding, the Biden administration has only provided about $2 million to the state for emergency shelter and other migrant needs.

    School districts have spent more than $11.4 million over the past year from a state fund to help them cover additional costs from educating newly arrived migrant children, according to a recent report.

    Rep. Alice Peisch, the House’s assistant majority leader, said proposed reforms “strike the right balance between providing emergency assistance to families who find themselves in desperate need of shelter, while ensuring that we do not significantly jeopardize the funding of other long-standing programs that serve vulnerable residents.”

    “It is unfortunate that the federal government has abdicated its responsibility to provide sufficient resources to assist states in addressing this unprecedented influx of migrants,” the Wellesley Democrat said.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Police/Fire

    Police/Fire

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    In news taken from the logs of Cape Ann’s police and fire departments:

    GLOUCESTER

    Friday, Feb. 23

    9:11 p.m.: A Poplar Street resident reported a male called her with specific personal information, demanded money be sent via Cash App and threatened to show up and ambush the house. The caller believed it may be a friend playing a prank but was unsure. The caller was advised to lock her doors and call 911 if anyone shows up and to call back with any further information.

    8:57 p.m.: Police planned to file a complaint against a 23-year-old Gloucester resident with two counts of assault and battery and threatening to commit a crime and breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. This after dispatch reported an assault involving a man making threats of having a knife running away. Police spoke to a resident who said a man broke into the apartment. Another man said the person came in through the screen door and began to punch him. The attacker reportedly hit a woman sitting next to him on the couch. The person who was attacked said the man stated he was going to stab him. The victim was able to use his foot to create distance before the man fled. Those in the apartment said they did not need medical attention. The attacker was said to be wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, a blue mask, black pants and black shoes. Police searched for the man, who was known to those who were attacked, but were unable to find him.

    4:18 p.m.: A Prospect Street resident told police he had returned to his apartment after 10 days away and saw blankets on his bed that did not belong to him, a package of Gambler cigarette filter tubes and bag labeled “APP Sampler” containing miscellaneous electronics that can be checked out of the library, the report said. The resident said his doors were locked when he left and when he returned. He said a Dell Laptop, a 10-inch Samsung tablet and a can of powdered Gatorade were stolen. Neighbors described two men who were seen in the building who might have broken into the apartment. Police planned to view surveillance footage to see if someone had entered the apartment during the resident’s absence. Police were not able to speak with the two men because they were believed to be homeless. A copy of the report was forwarded to detectives for follow up.

    3:02 p.m.: A disturbance was reported on Burhan Street.

    1:42 p.m.: Debris in the roadway was reported on Staten and Perkins streets.

    11:11 a.m.: Police took a report of a larceny at Sheedy Park on Pleasant Street.

    10:46 a.m.: Peace was restored after a report of stolen property on Pearl Street. A resident of the housing complex said that on Feb. 22 she was supposed to have a package with a knife set costing $89.99 and a blanket costing $49 delivered via FedEx, which told her the package had been delivered to the foyer. Police told her to contact the company from which she ordered the goods and submit a claim through FedEx.

    10:05 a.m.: Officers responded to a report of an assault at the Subway restaurant on Railroad Avenue.

    8 a.m.: Police responded to a parking complaint at City Hall on Dale Avenue.

    3:32 a.m.: Police could not locate suspicious activity reported on Pleasant Street.

    ROCKPORT

    Friday, March 1

    3:48 a.m.: Mini beat conducted on Main Street.

    Building and area checks conducted throughout town throughout the morning.

    Thursday, Feb. 29

    Traffic stops were made on Mount Pleasant Street at 6:18 a.m., Granite Street at 9:58 a.m.. and Thatcher Road at 6:48 and 11:09 a.m. and 7:48 p.m.. Officers issued three written warnings and two verbal warnings.

    5:52 p.m.: A person on Alpine Court was spoken to about a report received by police.

    Medical emergencies: Individuals were taken to a hospital by ambulance from Jerden’s Lane at 11:41 a.m., Parker Street at 12:57 p.m., and Pigeon Hill Street at 5:33 p.m.

    Assistance was given to other agencies by police on Main Street at 3:12 and 4:25 p.m.

    Wellness checks: Calls were made by police to residents all over town at 9:47 a.m. and an officer visited Granite Street at 2:04 p.m.

    Mini beats: Officers walked Main Street at 3:11 and 3:49 a.m.; Broadway at 7:02 a.m.; South Street and Jerden’s Lane at 7:11 a.m.; Curtis Street at 9:50 a.m.; Jerden’s Lane at 7:11, 8:51 and 11:14 a.m.; and Railroad Avenue and Main Street at 11:30 a.m.

    Public Works notified of bad road conditions all over town at 12:08 and 2:36 a.m.

    Wednesday, Feb.28

    Mini beats were conducted on Main Street at 6:33 a.m., Jerden’s Lane at 7:10 and 8:41 a.m., Broadway at 6:21 p.m., Main Street and Railroad Avenue at 6:58 and 9:10 p.m., and Railroad Avenue at 11:10 p.m.

    Traffic stops were conducted on School Street at 6:25 a.m., Thatcher Road at 6:56 a.m., T Wharf at 6:01 p.m., Broadway at 7:11 p.m., and Thatcher Road at South Street at 9:33 p.m. Officers issued verbal warnings to the five drivers.

    7:03 p.m.: A person was taken to a hospital by ambulance from King Street.

    Assistance was given to individuals on Greystone Lane at 8:10 a.m. and Main Street at 3:09 p.m.

    1:51 p.m.: A party on Sandy Bay Terrace was spoken to about noise after a complaint was lodged.

    10:24 a.m.: Police wellness check calls were to made to residents all over town.

    9:34 a.m.: A driver was given a verbal warning for operating a vehicle erratically on Main Street.

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  • Grow tasty, nutritious greens indoors

    Grow tasty, nutritious greens indoors

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    Boost the flavor and nutritional value of winter meals by growing a container of greens indoors.

    Green leafy vegetables are healthy sources of carbohydrates, typically rich in fiber and nutrients, while also being low in fat and calories. Many of these vegetables can help reduce the risk of stroke, anemia, high blood pressure, certain cancers and diabetes. They also help improve the health of your gut, heart, bone and skin while boosting your body’s immunity.

    To create your own indoor garden of greens, all you need are seeds, a container, potting mix and a sunny window or artificial lights. Select a container or planter with drainage holes or reduce maintenance with the help of self-watering containers. Their water reservoirs reduce watering frequency.

    Fill the container with a quality potting mix that is well-drained and retains moisture. Plant seeds as recommended on the seed packet. You can grow each type of green in its own container or mix them up for an attractive display in larger planters.

    Water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil moist while waiting for the seeds to sprout. Reduce the need for frequent watering by covering newly planted containers with a plastic sheet or dome. Once sprouts appear, remove the plastic and begin watering thoroughly when the top inch of soil begins to dry.

    Boost productivity and increase planting space with the help of artificial lights. You will find a variety of setups for any space in your home. Counter and tabletop light stands can be conveniently located in the kitchen or dining room. Stand-alone light shelves provide more growing space within a small footprint. Furniture-grade light stands make them easy to use in any room in the house.

    Grow greens you and your family like to use in your favorite recipes and salads. Green or red leaf lettuce is easy to grow indoors and its mild flavor is most appealing to children and picky eaters.

    Spinach is another popular and easy-to-grow leafy green used fresh in salads and smoothies or added to soups and sauces. It contains many vitamins and nutrients, including iron, folic acid and calcium.

    Kale is considered a superfood. This nutrient-dense vegetable is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. If the flavor is a bit too intense for you, try the baby leaf types or braise for a milder flavor.

    Add a bit of peppery flavor to salads, soups, pastas and other dishes with arugula. Add a spicier flavor with mustard greens. Sauté mustard greens or add them to your favorite Southern, Asian, Indian or savory dish.

    Include color and flavor in your winter meals with beet greens. The leafy part of this vegetable is often overlooked but is the most nutritious part of the plant. Use these the same way you would spinach or kale.

    Make it more fun by getting others involved. Hand family members and guests a plate and kitchen shears so they can harvest and help prepare the meal.

    Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including “The Midwest Gardener’s Handbook” and “Small Space Gardening.” 

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    By Melinda Myers | Star Tribune

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  • SENIOR LOOKOUT: It’s time to break out and enjoy spring

    SENIOR LOOKOUT: It’s time to break out and enjoy spring

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    Today is March 1, and is the first day of meteorological spring, which is based on annual temperature cycles and the Gregorian calendar. March 21 is the “official” first day of spring. But, when it gets to the end of winter, I like to consider March 1 as spring.

    I love the spring! March and April usually give us a few lovely days to tease us with the wonders yet to come in the summer. The weather might not be perfect, but it’s usually nice enough to take down some of the weather proofing and open a window for a little while and let in some fresh air. There will be a nice afternoon that’s warm enough to enjoy a walk along the waterfront without layers of heavy clothing protecting us from the wind off the water. We’ll start to see crocus and daffodil popping up.

    Many of our senior friends aren’t able to get out much in the winter. It might be because of health issues and the cold. Or, it might be because of icy conditions and fear of falling. The arrival of spring allows the world to reopen beyond the confines of what might seem like a shrinking house or apartment. If you find yourself going out to enjoy an unusually warm, spring-like afternoon, consider calling a senior friend or family member and asking them to join you.

    There are many ways a senior can enjoy early spring. If they are able to walk any distance, a walk along the waterfront, at one of the North Shore parks or on one of our beautiful beaches might be just what they need. Make sure to bring along a coat, hat and gloves —just in case it’s not as warm as you thought it would be. And, don’t forget the sunscreen! The sun might not be strong like in July, but it will still burn.

    Take a stroll and visit the local gift shops, antique dealers, and galleries. Spring is a great time to appreciate the charm of local businesses without the difficulties of summertime traffic and parking.

    A drive around Cape Ann and the North Shore is a great way to enjoy the spring. Driving through the various wooded areas — looking for the pale green of early spring leaves — or along the rocky coastline is wonderful. Stopping for an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee at your favorite café makes a drive even better.

    Gardening may be one of the best spring activities. If you don’t have a yard in which to dig, contact one of the local gardening groups, who need volunteers to continue the wonderful work they do. There also are several neighborhood group gardens. Your local Council on Aging may be able to connect you to a neighborhood garden.

    If you are one of the many people who have to be careful to avoid spring allergens, there are fun ways to celebrate the return of warmth.

    Many of our local schools offer a spring theater production. The younger students’ shows are fun and charming. The older students put on a great show. It’s amazing to see what they accomplish. Admission to school shows is usually inexpensive and worth every penny.

    If you enjoy museums, call your local library to see if they have discount coupons for area museums.

    March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb. Let’s all get out and enjoy the spring!

    Tracy Arabian is the communications officer at SeniorCare Inc., a local agency on aging that serves Gloucester, Beverly, Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.

    Tracy Arabian is the communications officer at SeniorCare Inc., a local agency on aging that serves Gloucester, Beverly, Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.

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    Senior Lookout | Tracy Arabian

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  • City councilor calls library cost estimate ‘almost dishonest’

    City councilor calls library cost estimate ‘almost dishonest’

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    BEVERLY — A city councilor accused Mayor Mike Cahill’s administration of being “almost dishonest” about the cost of a proposed library project that has ballooned to $18 million.

    In a public hearing at City Hall on Monday night, Ward 1 Councilor Todd Rotondo criticized city officials for telling city councilors two years ago that the project would cost $3.75 million. Cahill is now asking the council to approve the project at a cost of $18 million.

    “It wasn’t with malicious intent but it really was almost dishonest,” Rotondo said of the original $3.75 million estimate. “We weren’t presented a whole picture of the project originally.”

    The comment prompted a heated exchange with Mike Collins, the city’s director of public services and engineering.

    “I’m curious, were you insinuating that we were lying to you?” Collins asked Rotondo. “That’s the way I heard it.”

    “I don’t think I said that,” Rotondo responded. “What I said was, well, OK yes, I would say that then.”

    Rotondo said everyone he’s spoken with about the project assumed that the $3.75 million was a high price, but was the full scope of the project.

    “So it almost is a little distrustful, yes,” he said to Collins. “So I’m sorry if that’s the way you feel, but yes it’s not a full truth.”

    “It’s not how I feel, it’s how you feel, so I just wanted to clarify that,” Collins said.

    The City Council did not take a vote on the project Monday night, instead continuing the public hearing until its next meeting on March 18.

    The project calls for installing a new geothermal heating and cooling system at the Beverly Public Library on Essex Street as well as other improvements to the building. City officials say the HVAC system is failing and the building lacks humidity control, an important feature in the storage of historic records.

    The City Council approved an initial $2 million for the project in June 2022 based on an estimated cost of $3.75 million. But when the project came back before the council in January, councilors were told the cost was now $18 million.

    Rotondo asked Collins why the original estimate did not include such costs as accessibility upgrades and other “soft costs.” Collins said that estimate was “just a relative cost comparison of different options” and “wasn’t a fully developed project.”

    “What we were asking for was money to pursue developing the selected option out to its fullest extent so that we could then come back to the council with a fully developed project and request funding,” Collins said.

    Members of the project team hired by the city spent nearly two hours presenting details of the project. Bryant Ayles, the city’s finance director, said the city can afford to borrow money for the library as well as for two other upcoming renovation projects, to City Hall and the McPherson Youth Center.

    The library project is in line to receive about $7.8 million in grants, incentives and credits under various energy programs, significantly reducing the cost for the city, officials said. They said the proposed geothermal system, which involves installing a “geothermal well field” under the library parking lot, will reduce the city’s greenhouse gas footprint.

    “It will give us the best overall project and the lowest total operating costs and the lowest cost of ownership over the life of the project,” Collins said. “I still stand by that.”

    If the City Council approves the project, construction would start in August and the library would be closed for six to eight months during construction, according to the project team’s presentation.

    Beatrice Heinze, a Conant Street resident who spoke as part of the public hearing, said she thinks geothermal systems are “wonderful.” But she questioned the cost of the project, noting that as a taxpayer she is also paying for the credits and incentives that the city would receive.

    “I take $18 million out of this pocket to Beverly. Then I take $8 million out of this pocket to the feds to give back to Beverly. Then I pay a big added-on to my National Grid bill to give a carbon credit back to Beverly,” Heinze said.

    Ward 5 Councilor Kathleen Feldman said she believes the geothermal system “still makes the most sense long-term for our city.” “But the sticker shock was a lot for all of us to handle,” she said.

    Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@salemnews.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.

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    By Paul Leighton | Staff Writer

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