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You can’t make this stuff up. On this day in 1875, alongside ads for reed organs, horse harnesses, tents, flags, awnings and all manner of items, there was J.N. Frost’s ad. Our man was an ice dealer. Orders left at…
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Tag: Trade
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Biden’s nursing home rules face pushback
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BOSTON — Nursing homes would be required to meet stringent staffing requirements under new Biden administration rules that the long-term care industry says are “unattainable” and could force some facilities to close their doors.
The new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules, which were finalized last month, will require nursing facilities that receive federal funding through the programs to employ enough staff to provide at least 3.48 hours of daily care for each resident.
That includes 2.45 hours of nurse aide time and 0.55 hours of registered nurse assistance. Facilities also must have a registered nurse on site 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
The White House says the new rule will require nursing facilities with 100 residents to have at least two registered nurses and at least 10 nurse aides as well as additional care staff per shift. Facilities caring for residents with higher needs will be required to increase staffing above the minimum levels, according to the new rules.
Additionally, the Biden administration is requiring home care agencies allocate at least 80% of their Medicaid payments to staff compensation. States would have flexibility to adjust the rules for small and rural home care providers, according to the directive.
Nursing home operators that fail to meet the new federal standards could lose Medicare and Medicaid funding, effectively putting them out of business.
“Medicare and Medicaid pay billions of dollars per year to ensure that 1.2 million Americans that receive care in nursing homes are cared for, yet too many nursing homes chronically understaff their facilities, leading to substandard or unsafe care,” the White House said in a statement.
“When facilities are understaffed, residents may go without basic necessities like baths, trips to the bathroom, and meals – and it is less safe when residents have a medical emergency,” the statement said.
But the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, which represents nursing homes, said the new rules are “simply unattainable” for nearly every facility and, if implemented, “would lead to widespread disruption in accessing skilled nursing facility care.
The association said the workforce crisis — with more than 7,000 vacant positions in nursing facilities — is “directly contributing to the current instability throughout the Massachusetts health care system.”
“CMS’ failure to provide funding to hire, train and upskill the thousands of individuals necessary to meet the requirements of the final rule is projected to cost over $175 million annually in the commonwealth alone,” Tara Gregorio, the group’s president, said in a statement.
Gregorio said the association is “fully committed to working with our government partners to secure the funding necessary to hire additional direct care workers, increase wages for our deserving staff, and to promote career pathways.”
A MassHealth spokesperson said the agency, which oversees nursing homes, is “deeply committed to ensuring that members receiving services at nursing facilities across the state are getting excellent care.
“We are currently reviewing the rule and its impact and look forward to working with our federal, state, and local partners,” the statement said.
The state Department of Health’s long-term care facility regulations require a minimum of 3.580 hours of care per resident a day, 0.508 hours of which must be by a registered nurse. That’s higher than the standard for the new CMS regulation.
DPH regulations also require 24 hour nursing service with an adequate number of trained nursing personnel on duty around the clock, according to the state agency.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that roughly one-quarter of facilities would meet the minimum nursing requirement, including the onsite 24/7 rule.
But the American Health Care Association, a trade group representing for-profit nursing homes, says about nine in 10 facilities would fail to meet at least one of the new staffing requirements. One-third of facilities would fail to meet all three standards, the group said.
“While it may be well intentioned, the federal staffing mandate is an unreasonable standard that only threatens to shut down more nursing homes, displace hundreds of thousands of residents, and restrict seniors’ access to care,” AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson said in a statement. “It is unconscionable that the Administration is finalizing this rule given our nation’s changing demographics and growing caregiver shortage.”
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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Parenting 101: Mother’s Day gifts every mom will love… seriously
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As a mom, I know a good Mother’s Day gift when I see one. I mean, don’t get me wrong: we love the homemade handprint crafts, but it’s not something we can actually use. And we do a lot throughout the year – we could always use a helping hand and a little bit of spoiling too. These Mother’s Day gifts are useful, helpful, and will be greatly appreciated by any and every mom out there.
HelloFresh kits. If someone had told me being a grownup would mean coming up with dinner ideas for the rest of my life, I might have reconsidered this whole adulting thing. HelloFresh kits eliminate the guesswork, shopping, and prepping, and do all the heavy lifting for suppertime. And they don’t just have kits for dinner – they now have incredibly delicious and easy to prepare kits for dessert and brunch!
Crate & Barrel always have beautiful gifts for the home, especially the kitchen. Two of my faves that I’d LOVE to receive for Mother’s Day: their Breville Bambino Plus Stainless Steel Espresso Machine, which is possibly the cutest espresso machine on the market – it brews professional-quality espresso and steams ethereal microfoam at home. I also adore their 10-piece bakeware set in slate blue- it’s such a stately colour and it’s made of carbon steel, plus the collection includes everything a mom who loves to bake (like me!) would need or want.
Quiet reading time with kiddos can be a lovely activity. Need some title suggestions? Try My Mom Is Magical, I Love You Like Yellow, or I Really Like Mom from Manda Publishers.
Le Creuset just released a new line of beautifully coloured cookware in Pêche, the perfect shade for spring. It’s warm and vibrant, glossy and gradated, with rosy undertones that warm the spirit and brighten the palate with its easy charm.
– JC
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SENIOR LOOKOUT: Breakfast raises money for Meals on Wheels
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In 1974, World War II veteran and Gloucester House owner Michael Linquata offered the Gloucester House Restaurant to SeniorCare to use for a fundraiser benefitting the Meals on Wheels home-delivered meals program. After Mike’s retirement from the restaurant, Lennie and Dotty Linquata carried on this tradition, helping SeniorCare raise tens of thousands of dollars to ensure older people who have difficulty preparing their own food, or are unable to get out, receive a nutritious meal at their home Monday through Friday throughout the year.
For five decades, the Gloucester House in downtown Gloucester has welcomed diners for a special Breakfast Buffet in the name of Meals on Wheels. This breakfast is a community tradition, supported by dozens of sponsor organizations, students from the Gloucester High School JROTC program, and individual community members. This year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the breakfast, the need to raise money for this important program is more urgent than ever before.
SeniorCare delivers Meals on Wheels to more than 600 older adults each day. In 2025, SeniorCare expects to provide 200,000 meals in the homes of and at dining sites for older residents in Gloucester, Beverly, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Topsfield, and Wenham. The anticipated expense to provide these meals is $2 million. Funding for the program is projected to fall short by $140,000. Grant writing and fundraising events such as the breakfast will be needed to successfully deliver these meals.
According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, 1 in 3 Massachusetts adults face food insecurity and the number of people accessing its partner food pantry network doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2022 report “The State of Senior Hunger in 2020,” published by Feeding America, Massachusetts reports that 5.3% of seniors in the state were experiencing food insecurity.
Researchers who study senior hunger say the causes are complex and compounded. Many older residents no longer drive due to safety concerns or they can no longer afford the expense of owning a vehicle. Rides on public transportation may be difficult due to illness, disability, and dementia. These illnesses alone can deprive a person of the ability to feed themselves. Food insecurity can then cause worsening of health conditions — it’s a vicious circle. The bottom line is that adequate nutrition is a critical aspect of healthy aging.
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.
The 2024 Meals on Wheels Fundraiser Breakfast will be held next Friday, May 17, from 7-9:30 a.m. at the Gloucester House, 63 Rogers St in Gloucester. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased online at www.seniorcareinc.org or will be available for purchase at the door.
As mentioned earlier, the Gloucester House Restaurant has hosted this fundraiser breakfast buffet to benefit Meals on Wheels since 1974. One hundred percent of the proceeds from these amazing community breakfasts has been used to support Meals on Wheels. The Linquata family’s generosity and kindness are not lost on us. We are grateful for this long-standing tradition and we give much thanks to the Linquata family and the Gloucester House team.
For more information on SeniorCare’s nutrition programs — including how to volunteer to help or how to get assistance for an older friend in your life —contact SeniorCare at 978-281-1750 or visit our website at www.seniorcareinc.org.
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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Bankrupt Steward to sell hospitals
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BOSTON — Bankrupt Steward Health Care System said it plans to sell all its hospitals — including eight in Massachusetts — to help pay off $9 billion in outstanding liabilities.
The privately owned health care group is preparing to put its 31 U.S. hospitals up for sale as early as next month and hopes to finalize transactions by the end of the summer, the company’s attorneys said at a Tuesday hearing in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Texas.
Steward, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday, plans to keep all of its hospitals open over the long term, attorney Ray Schrock told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Chris Lopez, who is overseeing the company’s Chapter 11 proceedings.
“Our goal remains that there are zero hospitals closed on our watch,” Schrock said. “There’s going to be a change in ownership in many hospitals, we recognize that. But we don’t want to see any of these communities fail to be served.”
In court filings, Steward disclosed that it has $9 billion in liabilities, including $1.2 billion in loans, $6.6 billion in rent obligations, $1 billion owed to medical vendors and suppliers, and $290 million in unpaid employee wages and benefits.
The company plans to hold auctions on June 28 for its hospitals outside of Florida, according to court filings. The deadline was negotiated as part of a $75 million bankruptcy loan, but Schrock said Steward may seek more time to sell its hospitals if necessary.
“What we don’t want to do is have a fire sale of the assets,” Schrock told the judge, according to published reports. “There is a lot of value here.”
Steward, the largest private for-profit hospital chain in the country, operates 31 hospitals across eight states — including Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill — and employs more than 30,000 people, according to its website.
The company also operated New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton, which closed in April, leaving behind millions of dollars in unpaid rent and fees.
Steward’s management has cited an increase in operating costs and insufficient federal government-program reimbursement among the factors leading to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Gov. Maura Healey has blamed “greed and mismanagement by Steward’s management, and says the bankruptcy process will increase transparency in the company’s hospital system.
Healey has stressed that medical care will continue at the Steward hospitals throughout the bankruptcy proceedings and that patients won’t go without medical care.
“Ultimately, this is a step toward our goal to getting Steward out of Massachusetts, and it allows us to do that to protect access to care, preserve jobs, and stabilize our health care system,” she told reporters at a Tuesday briefing on the company’s bankruptcy filing.
The Healey administration has activated an “emergency operations plan” in response to Steward’s financial woes, including a command center to monitor the company’s hospitals in the state and manage the fallout of a bankruptcy filing.
In a court fling ahead of Tuesday’s bankruptcy hearing in Texas, Attorney General Andrea Campbell argued that Steward “extracted value” from its Massachusetts hospitals to “pay substantial dividends to investors and expand their network in other states.”
“These diversions have threatened to impact the debtors’ hospitals’ ability to provide health care within the commonwealth,” she wrote. “The debtors’ hospitals have been left without adequate resources to timely acquire and maintain needed equipment and infrastructure or even ensure an uninterrupted supply of emergency room drugs. Many are in disrepair.”
Healey and members of the state’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have criticized the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management’s role in Steward’s finances. Cerberus created Steward after buying St. Elizabeth’s and five other Catholic hospitals in Massachusetts in 2010, according to the company’s website.
In a statement, the company’s CEO, Ralph de la Torre, said the bankruptcy proceeding will ensure that the company is “better positioned to responsibly transition ownership of its Massachusetts-based hospitals, keep all of its hospitals open to treat patients, and ensure the continued care and service of our patients and our communities.”
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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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Cahill touts financial strength in State of City address
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BEVERLY — Mayor Mike Cahill used his annual State of the City address this week to highlight accomplishments and to reiterate that the city is in a strong financial position.
Mike Cahill
In a 30-minute speech at City Hall, Cahill said the city has built up reserves of over $30 million over the last decade — money that can be used to keep the city running smoothly in the event of an economic downturn.
“Our reserves are meant to get us through a recession when revenues fall precipitously and to do so without wholesale layoffs and drastic deep cuts to critical services,” Cahill said.
“These reserves are not meant to be used to outspend still strong and growing revenues during good economic times,” he added. “They are meant to help us keep delivering the services people need and rely on right through the worst economic times and through economic recovery from those bad times.”
In his speech in front of the City Council on Monday night, Cahill ran down the accomplishments of each city department, calling it “a great year in Beverly.”
Highlights mentioned by Cahill included:
– The hiring of the first woman as city engineer, Lisa Chandler
– Progress on upcoming traffic projects like a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Brimbal Avenue and Dunham Road, a traffic signal at the intersection of Corning, Essex and Spring streets, and the Bridge Street reconstruction project
– Daily visits to the Senior Center are up 63%
– Over 150,000 people visited the library
– Two new parks on Simon Street will be completed this summer
– New tennis courts will be built at Centerville and Cove playgrounds
– A major renovation of Holcroft Park will begin this summer
– The city’s senior tax workoff program has grown from 50 to over 90 seniors
– The city will launch its first Beverly Youth Council for young people to learn more about local government and advocate for youth issues
– The Fire Department has ordered a new pumper truck, which will replace Engine 1 in Central Fire Station when it arrives
– Five new civilian dispatchers have been hired for the combined civilian, emergency medical services, police and fire dispatch system, with the goal to be “fully civilian” by fall, freeing up uniformed police officers to serve out in the community
– The city’s veterans department prevented the eviction of three veterans from their houses
– The city received 73 of the 80 grants it applied for over the last fiscal year, bringing in over $5 million in revenue
– The mayor’s office launched an iPad translation program for visitors to City Hall whose primary language is not English
– Four applications have been submitted under the city’s new accessory dwelling unit ordinance
– The Salem Skipper rideshare program expanded into Beverly starting May 1
– The city’s community garden has moved from Cole Street to Moraine Farm, and garden plots are still available for this season
– The city’s electricity aggregation program started on May 1, providing residents and businesses with lower electricity costs while increasing the amount of clean renewable energy
– Coastal resiliency projects at Lynch Park and Obear Park are in the design and permitting phase
– Beverly Airport had its most flights since 2003 and is planning to rebuild its main runway
Cahill closed by thanking the city’s department heads and staff for their work.
“Thanks in significant part to their contributions, the state of our city remains strong,” he said to the City Council. “With their partnership and with yours, I know the state of our city will improve and become ever stronger well into the future.”
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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Police/Fire
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In news taken from the logs of Cape Ann’s police and fire departments:
GLOUCESTER
Sunday, May 5
10:02 p.m.: A crash with property damage only was reported on Washington and Mansfield streets.
5:16 p.m.: Police took a report of child abuse.
4:23 p.m.: Trash dumping was reported on Eastern Point Boulevard. A pile of cutup posts and lumber dumped in a pile off to the side of a back driveway was discovered in a homeowner’s backyard. The homeowner gave a description of a man he had confronted on his property. The man told the homeowner he was “just checking the place out,” the report said. The homeowner said the man appeared to be acting suspiciously and he believed he was casing the home. The man then walked down the driveway and left. The homeowner did not see if he got into a vehicle. A neighbor did not see anything. Police planned to check with Eastern Point security to review footage to identify the man and a possible vehicle.
3:15 p.m.: Police planned to file a criminal complaint against a 61-year-old New Hampshire woman on a charge of assault and battery on a police officer at the Rockport Police Department where people are held in custody with the Gloucester Police Department presently under renovations.
1:03 p.m.: Police provided mutual aid to Manchester police on Summer Street.
5:59 a.m.: A hypodermic needle was retrieved from Commercial Street and dispose of safely.
Saturday, May 4
7:32 p.m.: Police assisted the Fire Department with a medical emergency.
Crashes with property damage only reported on Grant Circle on Washington Street at 11:02 a.m., Washington and Addison streets at 3:03 p.m., Washington and Poplar streets at 4:02 p.m., Market Basket on Gloucester Crossing Road at 4:44 p.m., Elm Street at 5:53 p.m., andon Walker Street at 7:16 p.m.
Fire Department was assisted with calls from Walker Street at 2:05 p.m. and from McPherson Park on Prospect Street at 6:25 p.m.
5:03 p.m.: Loitering was reported at Walgreens on Main Street.
2:34 p.m.: Police responded to a disturbance on Essex Avenue.
9:12 a.m.: A crash with injuries was reported at 54 Eastern Ave. Police planned to file a criminal complaint against a 53-year-old Gloucester man on charges of driving with a suspended license, negligent operation and a marked lanes violation. A vehicle was towed from the scene.
9:07 a.m.: Debris was reported on Addison Street.
7:11 a.m.: No action was required for a report of credit card fraud from Heights at Cape Ann.
1:11 a.m.: As a result of a report of a suspicious motor vehicle at the Man at the Wheel statue on Stacy Boulevard and Western Avenue, police arrested a 61-year-old resident of Bow, New Hampshire, on charges of driving under the influence of drugs, disorderly conduct and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Police arrived to find the vehicle parked on the boulevard in the center of the Fisherman’s Memorial, between the Man at the Wheel statue and the cenotaphs — the granite blocks and bronze plaques —and the railing. Police found the driver with her eyes closed, swaying her head side to side, and mumbling to herself. When ordered to put the car in park and shut it off, the woman at first refused, but eventually did so, th police report said. The woman said she was on her way to New Hampshire from Logan Airport in Boston and decided to come to Gloucester “to speak with the ocean,” the report said. The woman became agitated as an officer asked her questions. She reportedly jumped out of her vehicle in an angry manner, telling police she could park somewhere else and there was no reason for them to be there. An officer informed the woman he had never seen a person park a vehicle in this manner in the 32 years he has lived in Gloucester. Police then asked her to submit to field sobriety tests, and after jumping up on the granite blocks and showing signs of impairment during two of the tests, police arrested her on a charge of disorderly conduct. The officer concluded the woman was driving under the influence of drugs, the report said. Police requested the vehicle be towed and saw fresh damage on both its sides. Police did not locate illegal drugs in the vehicle, but found the driver’s prescription for lorazepam. Police filed an immediate threat for her right to drive in Massachusetts.
Friday, May 3
9:14 p.m.: Police planned to file a criminal complaint with a charge of trespassing against a 49-year-old Gloucester resident of no known address. Police were dispatched for a report of a man sitting on the railroad tracks off Dory Road and refusing to move so that the inbound train could pass. While police were heading there, dispatch informed responding officers that witnesses said the man was walking toward the Cleveland Street crossing but was still on the tracks. Police walked the tracks about a half mile approaching the train but were unable to locate anyone on the tracks. The train engineer and conductor described the man as tall, balding with curly hair on the sides and wearing a red sweatshirt. This description matched that of a man police had escorted off the tracks in the same location the day before. Police eventually caught up with the man. Police reminded him of their prior conversation regarding trespassing on the tracks. He told police he has nothing to do and his family has always walked the tracks. He was not trying to harm himself, he was just bored, he told police, who told the man the tracks are posted as “No Trespassing,” and that they would be charging him for trespassing.
Crashes with property damage only reported at the Blackburn Rotary at 2:13 p.m., and on Pirates Lane at 5:38 p.m.
1:51 p.m.: Trash dumping was reported on Elm Street. A caller reported trash that has been put out a week in advance.
10:40 a.m.: A 54-year-old Gloucester resident was arrested on an active warrant for a restraining order violation. The man was taken into custody after a motor-vehicle stop of a white Ford truck on Poplar Street and Bertoni Road. The man was taken to Peabody District Court.
10:04 a.m.: A disabled vehicle was reported on Hesperus and Western avenues.
7:42 a.m.: A report of annoying phone calls was under investigation. The log refers to charges being sought.
ROCKPORT
Monday, May 6
Noon: The Fire Department was dispatched to a Drumlin Road address.
Sunday, May 5
2:48 p.m.: A medical emergency ambulance transport was conducted from a Main Street address.
8:13 a.m.: The Fire Department was dispatched to a Granite Street address.
Saturday, May 4
Medical emergencies: Individuals were taken to the hospital by ambulance from the intersection of Beach and Main Streets at 10:36 a.m., the intersection of Thatcher Road and Tregony Bow at 11:19 a.m., the intersection of Thatcher Road and Highview Road at 11:34 a.m., and a Main Street address at 2:03 p.m.
ESSEX
Monday, May 6
7:36 p.m.: A police investigation was conducted at a Pond Street address.
7:27 p.m.: An ambulance transport was conducted from the intersection of Apple Street and Western Avenue.
5:01 p.m.: A report was made about a motor vehicle crash on John Wise Avenue.
1:17 p.m.: A report was made about a motor vehicle crash on Main Street.
Sunday, May 5
5:38 p.m.: After a report of an injury, a medical ambulance transport was refused at a Western Avenue address.
9:56 a.m.: A medical ambulance transport was conducted from a Sagamore Circle address.
Saturday, May 4
7:29 a.m.: A request was made about a public utility on Martin Street.
MANCHESTER
Monday, May 6
11:07 p.m.: Suspicious activity was reported on Ancient County Way at 9:59 p.m., at the intersection of Pine and Pleasant Streets at10:20 p.m., and at the Pine Street Fields at 11:07 p.m.
4:53 p.m.: After a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Pine Street and Parsons Lane, a written warning was issued.
4:34 p.m.: A complaint was made about an animal on Allen Avenue.
2:46 p.m.: A report was made about lost and found property at a Central Street address.
1:53 p.m.: A report was made about a motor vehicle crash on Jersey Lane.
1:48 p.m.: A community policing event was attended to at a Lincoln Street address.
1:27 p.m.: A report of a structure fire was confirmed at a Boardman Avenue address. “It was just contained to an oven,” said Lt. Robert Cavender. “It was out before we even got there. It was just a small oven fire contained to the oven.”
1:17 p.m.: Acomplaint about noise at the intersection of Sea and Summer Streets was lodged.
8:27 a.m.: A transport was conducted at a Central Street address.
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Staying alive at sea: Those who work on water take safety training
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Local commercial fishermen making a living in one of the deadliest occupations in the nation learned or honed fundamental safety skills Thursday at U.S. Coast Guard Station Gloucester, 17 Harbor Loop.
The all-day session was the first of a free, two-day safety training offered by the Gloucester office of Fishing Partnership Support Services, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health, safety and economic security of fishermen.
On Thursday, fishermen and others who work on the water learned or honed fundamental skills through hands-on training on EPIRBs, signal flares, mayday calls, man overboard recovery, firefighting, flooding and damage control, dewatering pumps, immersion suits, personal floatation devices and life rafts.
Among those taking part were members of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the Beverly Harbormaster’s Office.
The training included the organization’s innovative First Responder at Sea Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program for the fishing industry. This training, designed to position fishermen as first responders at sea, was recently recognized by the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose.
Friday’s session involves drill conductor certification, with fishers digging deeper into what they learned Thursday. This involves new information in cold-water survival, helicopter rescues, vessel stability, liability, and emergency procedures.
Those who complete the two days of training are Alaska Marine Safety Education Association certified drill conductors, which meets Coast Guard requirements under 46 CFR 28.270.
Requesting opioid education and naloxone distribution training for fishermen may be done by visiting www.fishingpartnership.org.
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By Times Staff
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Tarr details ‘new threat’ to Salisbury Beach
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SALISBURY — Standing before a smattering of local officials at Blue Ocean Music Hall, state Sen. Bruce Tarr detailed what he called a “new threat” to Salisbury Beach.
Joined by town environmental consultant Tom Hughes and Town Manager Neil Harrington on Monday, the Gloucester Republican said the northern part of the beach is in serious danger of massive overwash.
Overwash is the flow of water and sediment over a coastal dune or beach crest during storms.
“The damage will be exponentially worse than what we’ve seen so far. And importantly, it will make the cost of remediation substantially higher, if it’s even within reach. This area of the beach is extremely vulnerable and it compels our action,” Tarr said.
The Senate minority leader’s speech was billed as the latest attempt to stave off severe, ongoing erosion at Salisbury Beach.
After a few minutes, Hughes took the microphone and elaborated on the latest threat.
“That overwash elevation is a little bit above 15 feet above sea level,” Hughes said.
Until last fall, according to Hughes, all of the dunes exceeded that elevation. But now there is a 1,200-foot stretch of the northern beach that is in the 13- to 14-foot range.
“This is what would happen if nothing is done is we would get a significant overwatch event, a sustained storm that essentially just flattens the barrier and exposes 1A and all of the homes behind it to risk,” Hughes said, referring to Route 1A (North End Boulevard).
The fix Hughes has been working on with Tarr would come in two phases. Phase one would look to restore the dunes to an elevation of 17 feet above sea level. The estimated cost would be $1.75 million.
“It’s a very small project. It would need to be maintained until we can do a phase two,” Hughes said.
The phase two project would bring the elevation up to 19 feet and extend the volume out further towards the water.
“That requires more significant permitting,” Hughes said.
The total cost for both phases would be approximately $6 million.
“For us to be able to act, we have to be concerned about the shorebirds that will soon be on the beach, or at least there’s the potential for them to be on the beach, which presents a significant constraint in our ability to do work,” Tarr said.
Tarr said to secure Salsibury Beach it will take the cooperation of various parties, including the Merrimack River Beach Alliance, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, state legislators, town officials, federal legislators, local stakeholders, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation and other state regulatory agencies.
“We cannot address this situation properly without everyone being at the table, and we think that we have set the stage with all the work that’s been done and all that you’ve heard today for us to have a productive path and one that will avoid significant damage,” Tarr said.
Asked where the funding would come from, he said it would come from a number of sources, including the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund.
The Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund was the idea in 2008 of former state Sen. Steven Baddour, who worked with then-state Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, to make it a law. Baddour and Costello undertook that task after devastating storms ravaged Salisbury Beach three years in a row, including the Patriots Day storm of 2008, which scoured sand from the beach that is owned and maintained by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.
“That’s in the near term, and in the long term we hope to cobble together the resources to have a sustainable beach. And again, our federal partners have identified some very promising sources,” Tarr said.
Tarr emphasized that one of the big reasons the beach is such an urgent issue is that it protects Route 1A.
“One-A is the subject of a planned project for reconstruction that literally is going to cost millions of dollars, so there’s a transportation component here, and we’re exploring the synergy potentially between investment in the road and investment in the beach that protects it,” Tarr said.
Route 1A is also an emergency route for the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station.
Regarding a timeline for securing funding, Tarr did not provide specifics but stated that for this initial short-term solution they would need to have it done by mid-June.
“That means getting dollars fast, that means executing emergency contracts, that means mobilizing equipment,” Tarr said.
He said he has continued to have in-depth conversations with Gov. Maura Healey.
“She has walked this beach. She was instrumental in getting three access points restored after they were damaged by a storm not all that long ago. She knows what we face, and we’re all trying to work together to find a path forward,” Tarr said.
Harrington shared that he hoped Healey is paying attention.
“We are here to plead with the governor to listen to the citizens of Salisbury, to follow the science about what’s going on here at the beach, and to work with our legislative delegation to get this critical, immediate funding for the beach,” Harrington said.
Erosion at Salisbury Beach has been going on for some time, dating back to December 2022 when the initial damage from nor’easter Elliott occurred.
Local leaders first learned during a Salisbury Beach Resiliency Subcommittee meeting May 4 that the Department of Conservation and Recreation had shut down Points 8, 9 and 10 for a year due to beach erosion caused by the nor’easter. Points 9 and 10 were reopened the Friday before Memorial Day, with point 8 restored just before the Fourth of July.
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By Matt Petry | mpetry@northofboston.com
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Healey signs off on migrant funding, reforms
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BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey has approved a plan to pump hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding into the state’s beleaguered emergency shelter system, which has been overwhelmed by a historic surge of asylum seekers.
Healey signed a supplemental budget late Tuesday that will divert $251 million into the shelter system and to cover housing, food and other migrant costs. The plan would also authorize a transfer another $175 million from an escrow account set up to cover emergency housing costs, if needed.
The spending bill also reforms the state’s emergency shelter system, limiting migrants to nine months beginning on June 1, with up to two, 90-day extensions for those who are employed or participating in a work-training program or are a veteran or pregnant woman, among other situations.
Healey said the spending plan “dedicates resources to balance the budget and maintain critical services and programs” and sets limits on stays in shelters, “which is a responsible step to address our capacity and fiscal constraints as Congress has continued to fail to act on immigration reform.”
“We will be finalizing details of this policy in the coming weeks and ensuring that families and providers are informed of the requirements and the services that we have available to help them secure work and stable housing,” the Democrat said in a statement.
The spending bill was approved by the House and Senate in a largely party line vote, with Republicans opposed to the changes. It comes only months after Healey signed another bill that included $250 million for migrant costs. To date, the state has spent an estimated $700 million on migrant costs.
Democrats who pushed the spending bills through both chambers on largely partisan votes argue that the additional funding and reforms are aimed at preventing a collapse of the state’s beleaguered shelter system.
Republicans have argued that record spending on emergency shelter will crowd out education spending and other priorities in the upcoming budget, with the state’s revenue benchmarks coming in below projections for several months.
Massachusetts is wrestling with a record influx of thousands of migrants 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. Hundreds of families are currently on a waiting list for housing.
The governor has set new restrictions on migrants and other homeless families who are being housed at large-scale “overflow” sites that were set up in response to the shortage of beds in state-run shelters.
Under the new rules, which went into effect on Wednesday, migrant families staying in those sites will be required to document every month that they are searching for work and permanent housing or risk being denied shelter.
Healey has estimated the state will spend nearly $1 billion to support emergency shelter for homeless families and migrants over the next year.
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.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, asked the federal agency to grant a waiver to the state for expedited work authorization for migrants “in the absence of significant financial or structural assistance” from Congress or the White House.
Healey said the state has been able to secure work authorization for nearly 3,600 migrants to date but continues to see an “unabating influx” of new arrivals.
“We need more federal assistance to support these families and connect them with job opportunities,” she wrote. “These immigrants are ready to joint the workforce and we need to support them in the process.”
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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Andover voters approve MBTA zoning
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ANDOVER — Voters approved a zoning district on Tuesday that allows for the potential construction of up to 2,121 multifamily housing units.
Only a day after more than 900 voters turned out Monday for the first day of Town Meeting, the state-mandated district was approved 434-196.
To combat the housing crisis, the state passed a law in 2021 mandating that communities with MBTA transit stations or station located nearby create a zoning district that promotes the construction of multifamily housing, with the added requirement that 50% of the housing capacity must fall within a half mile of a transit station.
Creating zoning for the units does not necessarily mean they would be built. Developers would still need to meet regulations; the town would just have less discretion to deny projects, according to planning officials. The district, crafted over the last three years, spreads the density over three sections of town – downtown, Ballardvale and the area off River Road near Old River Road.
The proposed district was debated Tuesday night on the Town Meeting floor at Andover High School, but few voters lined up to oppose the measure.
“Andover is aging and we need good housing that makes it possible for young people to live in town,” she said.
Other residents were concerned about how the new zoning might change the town.
“I moved to Andover because it is not densely populated,” said Mike Tompkins. “Andover would not be the first town to vote against this overreach.”
The new district could be formally created relatively soon. The plan will now be sent to the state Attorney General’s Office, which has 90 days to approve the new zoning.
The section of the district off River Road has sparked some concern since there is little infrastructure there. The area is dominated by parking lots, corporate buildings, restaurants and a hotel.
“The river district aims to transform the area into a vibrant village-like feel,” said Jennifer Lemmerman, who chairs the volunteer group that drew up the district proposal.
The location is not within a half mile of a MBTA transit station for the commuter rail line, though it does have a bus stop.
The downtown zone would allow for up to 1,234 units with 119 in Ballardvale and 768 off River Road. The zone would allow for a unit density of up to 23.2 units per acre, with 17 units per acre for Ballardvale and 39 units per acre for the River Road area.
Select Board Chair Melissa Danisch said the district is a “measured and thoughtful response” to the state’s requirement.
“Reflects that fellow residents were listening,” she said.
Danisch also spoke of the millions of dollars in the grants the town could lose if it does not comply with the law.
State Sen. Barry Finegold, who received the opportunity to vote on MBTA zoning for the second time, also voiced his support.
“I did vote for this because it is the right thing to do,” he said. “It has become impossible to afford to come to this community.”
The proposed district has been well-received by officials. It would boost growth in town and pave the way for more private investment in infrastructure, they said.
Some residents have voiced concerns that having more people in town would put a greater strain on school services. School and planning officials have said that would not necessarily be the case with enrollment more heavily tied to turnover of current housing stock rather than the construction of new units.
The district would allow for up to 2,121 housing units – 90 more than previously allowed. Officials have said the state recommends a small buffer.
A map of the districts can be found at andoverma.gov/1069/Multifamily-Overlay-District.
A commuter rail line snakes through town and has stations in Ballardvale and the downtown.
The state law was met with a mixed response from community officials around the state. Not complying with the law could carry serious consequences.
In addition to the potential loss of grants, municipalities could also face legal action. Milton is being sued by the state after its residents chose to vote against a proposed district.
At Town Meeting, one resident advocated for only approving the district once the legality of the state requirement was settled through the lawsuit.
Andover had until the end of this year to approve the district or face consequences from the state.
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By Teddy Tauscher | ttauscher@eagletribune.com
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Parenting 101: Elmer’s new creations hub combats parent’s crisis of creativity
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A recent survey commissioned by Elmer’s found that most kids want to partake in hands-on, screen-free activities, but don’t know where to start. Millennial parents especially know that Elmer’s isn’t just a household staple, it’s a catalyst for confidence and cognitive development – and now is the perfect time to share the Elmer’s magic with the younger generations.
Everyday, parents are overwhelmed with a “crisis of creativity” as they struggle to come up with creative, hands-on activities for their children in an effort to reduce screen time. School breaks, rainy weekends and hours of downtime, keeping your children entertained is an endless battle – and that’s why Elmer’s Glue launched ELMER’S CREATIONS, a new creative hub featuring a series of activities designed to amuse and inspire kids young and old – from making your own peelable nail polish to creating “clinging” window art.
“In our recent survey, we found that while children prefer hands-on activities, the average child reportedly spends 13 hours in front of a screen per week,” said Nikki Lesperance, Elmer’s Director of Brand Marketing (Yahoo! Finance). “In an effort to encourage hands-on development, we want to help parents confidently provide craft options that foster their children’s sense of inner creativity while intellectually stimulating them. We’re happy to roll out Elmer’s Creations to give kids the creative confidence to explore and make things themselves.”
– JC
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Andover voters OK an extra $1.8M to save school jobs
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ANDOVER — After almost three hours of debating town finances Monday night, voters approved an operating budget with an additional $1,875,000 to prevent cuts in school positions.
The new operating budget totals $235.9 million with the amended increase allocated for the school budget. Voters at the annual Town Meeting increased the budget to save 34 positions the school district is looking at cutting to eliminate a $2.7 million shortfall.
More than 900 voters turned out at Andover High School for Town Meeting, which continues Tuesday. Andover needs to balance its budget before the new fiscal year begins July 1.
The proposed cuts of 34 school positions amount to about $2.5 million in annual salary. The previous operating budget was $234 million.
During debate on the budget, which included three votes on amendments, school staff members, parents and other residents made cases for why the cuts should be prevented. Others, including community officials and some residents, stressed the importance of long-range financial planning.
“The quality of education in Andover will be diminished,” said Mary Robb, a social studies teacher at Andover High School.
As town officials work to balance the new budget, it is unclear if the extra funding would have the desired effect of preventing all or even some of the cuts. Since the extra money was appropriated for schools, the School Committee will need to decide how it will be spent.
Committee Chair Lauren Conoscenti said immediately after the meeting that the committee did not yet have a plan for the additional money.
To balance the budget, the town will need to either reduce expenses or hold a Special Town Meeting to appropriate more money, according to Town Manager Andrew Flanagan.
During the meeting, many in the community advocated for free cash to be used to save the jobs. Officials pushed back against the idea, stating it is against state Department of Revenue guidelines to use free cash for ongoing expenses.
Flanagan argued for sticking with the town’s budget and spoke against the solutions proposed by residents.
“These ideas are contrary to the guiding principles that have provided the town with financial stability,” he said. “I respectfully ask that you consider the option of adhering to our plan.”
Residents voted 488-451 against an amendment to increase the school operating budget by $2.7 million. But they also voted for the amendment to increase the school operating budget by $1.8 million.
Operating budgets tend to make up the majority of the town’s overall budget.
Votes on the operating budget are also often straightforward and residents’ ability to vote down the budget or amend it is rarely utilized. With hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to various departments, amending the budget can be a tricky task for residents.
Before the amendment, the school budget totaled $103,335,959, an increase of $3,735,035 or 3.75% in the current budget.
Personnel make up about 80% of the school budget, according to the district.
The budget deficit is mainly the result of a contract won by the teachers union during a strike, as well as an increase in costs for services such as transportation, according to the school district.
Conoscenti reinforced that fact during the meeting.
“During the strike, this point was repeatedly made,” she said. “The educators acknowledged that was something we were wrestling with.”
School budget shortfalls are not unique to Andover this year, with North Andover facing a deficit of $3.1 million.
Cutting positions is expected to affect class sizes, however, the School Committee has said it will stick to the district’s goals.
Ever since the Andover Education Association was awarded the new contract, the union has said the cuts were proposed in retaliation for a largely successful strike.
School officials have said the cuts are also in line with reductions in enrollment that total about 11% over the past decade.
School instructional assistant Holly Currier said staff are asked to do more.
“Students’ needs have grown in complexity every year,” she said. “The level of need demands more staff.”
Officials have also said larger-than-usual increases in school spending would be unwise. For each of the last few years, Andover has increased its school budget by roughly 3.75%. The norm promotes the long-term financial health of the town and stops departments from having to fight for their budgets at Town Meeting, according to officials.
Town Meeting concluded on Monday night with only a handful of the 34 articles being taken up. The meeting resumes Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Andover High School when a proposal for a state-mandated zoning district will be addressed.
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By Teddy Tauscher | ttauscher@eagletribune.com
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Supermom In Training: What do I do with all the keepsakes?
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Anyone who knows me knows that I’m the keepsake queen! Since high school I’ve kept scrapbooks, albums, and bins with everything from photos and notes to lucky coins, fortune cookie fortunes, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, etc. (etc., etc.).
It really got out of control when I had my son. Suddenly I was keeping every scrap of paper with a squiggle on it. Once he started daycare my addiction became even more serious, and I found myself stuffing shoeboxes and empty diaper boxes with artwork, schoolwork, colouring pages, and (so much) more.
Then this spring, I lost my mind (I quit smoking) and I started organizing my house. I mean really organizing it. It started with shelf liner in the bottoms of all the drawers in our kitchen and bathroom, which led to organizing what was in those drawers. Then I did cupboards. And finally, I tackled closets. The last one I did was my bedroom closet – the floor of it had been taken over with mementos. I found my high school diploma mixed in with printed photos, certificates of achievement, years of birthday and holiday cards, and umpteen arts and crafts. It was time to do something about it.
So I bought one big bin for my son’s keepsakes. Whatever fit, I’d keep, and what didn’t got thrown out. I made lots and lots of piles. Some things were thrown out, and others were donated (like colouring books that were almost brand new).
I made a small pile with my favourite three-dimensional crafts creations and displayed those in a modest square shadowbox. I also bought two pieces of posterboard and stapled together three sides to make a giant folder or portfolio, and after I weeded through all the papers my son had drawn, painted, and coloured on, I slid the rest in there.
In the end, I have the bin, portfolio, and shadowbox (instead of at least four boxes of stuff). As I add to them and have to make room, other things will have to go. But at least I have a system. And, as my professional organizer friends will tell you, it all starts with having a system!
How do you manage all your children’s keepsakes?
A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with Suburban readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.
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Daisy reports for duty, makes splash in Manchester-by-Sea
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MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Daisy, the newest hire at the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department, has already made her mark.
The 5-month-old female, yellow Labrador retriever reported for duty April 17. She’s partnered with Officer Andrea Locke, the department’s school resource officer.
Daisy will live with Locke, her husband, her two children and the family dog, Rudy.
“She is adapting,” Locke said. “We’re just working on basic commands so far. She barks but she’s right at home. She’s very calm and loves people.”
Daisy’s job will be to provide general support for Manchester Essex Regional School District students, faculty and staff, and for the town’s senior citizens.
She’ll also serve as a “department ambassador” in the downtown area, including Masconomo Park, especially during community events.
“While a comfort dog can create positive interactions within a community, it also can greatly assist with our public safety work,” Police Chief Todd Fitzgerald said. “A dog can be a calming influence when we meet with a child victim or witness, provide a sense of comfort during a mental health intervention, and reduce the stress felt by residents during a critical incident.”
Fitzgerald described Daisy as having a “great temperament.”
“That’s what they’re bred for,” he said. “It’s not only for the schools, but for the elderly, too. So far, it has worked out well.”
Training for Daisy will take place for two weeks, starting the second week of July at Professional Canine Services in Middleboro. After that, she will have follow up visits to confirm the commands and skills she has learned, Lt. Mark McCoy said.
“It just makes the relationship better between the police and the public,” he said of Daisy’s presence.
But sightings of Daisy out and about in Manchester-by-the-Sea may take some time. Locke and other Manchester Police officers want to ease her into public appearances — especially at the Manchester Essex Regional School District schools.
“We want to be low key,” Locke said. “We don’t want her to be overwhelmed. She takes it all in. She does bark.”
Manchester Essex Regional High School first-year students Cate Vendt and Scarlett Lee proposed the idea for a comfort dog at the high school to Locke. Then the two met later with Fitzgerald and McCoy to formally pitch their idea. That meeting was followed by a presentation to the Select Board, which approved the idea April 16.
The Manchester Essex Regional School Committee is slated to consider the plan for the comfort dog during its May 21 meeting.
The cost to buy and train Daisy will total about $6,200, Fitzgerald said, and eventually there will be a swearing-in ceremony for the dog.
McCoy is working with Hooper Fund officials to secure financial support for the initial costs of purchasing Daisy and for training. Additional financial support for the dog was provided by a gift from the Manchester Essex Regional High School Class of 2024, the Manchester Masons Lodge, the Manchester Rotary Club and resident Ralph Bates. Contributions of dog food and supplies were made by the Essex County Co-Op and Crosby’s Market.
The comfort dog program will be financed, in part, by the Police Department’s account with North Shore Health Outreach for mental health programming and its K-9 allocation.
Although Daisy is the Police Department’s first comfort dog, she is its second canine. The town’s first and only K-9, Kato, a German shepherd, joined the force in 2014 and retired in 2018 when his human partner went to work for another police agency.
Kato and his partner located missing people, discovered illegal narcotics, tracked criminals together, worked as part of the Cape Ann Regional Response Team, and appeared on the NBC television show “American Ninja Warrior.” K-9 Kato is enjoying his golden years as ambassador for the nonprofit K9 PTSD Center of Seekonk, a therapeutic center for dogs who have worked in law enforcement and the military.
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.
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By Stephen Hagan | Staff Writer
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New Moon Coffeehouse hosts folk duo
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HAVERHILL — The award winning duo of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly will perform at the New Moon Coffeehouse on May 18 at 7:30 p.m.
The coffeehouse at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 15 Ashland St. Admission is $25 at the door, and $15 for ages 21 and under.
Tickets are available at the door starting about6:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets may be reserved prior to the show by visiting newmooncoffeehouse.org.
Atwater and Elwood present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs and percussive dance, blending harmonies and playing an array of instruments, including guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, and other surprises, including a thrilling interpretation of freestyle Appalachian clog dancing.
Married since 1989, the due performs widely in the United States and abroad. Their 14 recordings receive international airplay and streaming.
The nonprofit New Moon Coffeehouse is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and enjoying the creative talents of acoustic performers.
It strives to bring you the best performers in a relaxing, friendly, smoke- and alcohol-free environment, where you can enjoy a great show, fair trade coffee, and desserts.
The entrance is on Ashland Street, at the back of the UU church. Two parking lots are available behind the church, on both sides of Ashland Street. Street parking is also available.
Garden Club plant sale
HAVERHILL — The Haverhill Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale from 8 a.m. to sell out May 18 on the Bradford Common.
The sale will feature a variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, and vegetable plants. Patrons can have their garden tools sharpened for a nominal fee.
The event will also feature a wheelbarrow raffle of gardening supplies and free on-site soil testing. Patrons interested in having their soil tested can visit online at tinyurl.com/37tnjppn.
Proceeds from the plant sale fund civic garden projects around the city, guest lecturers at the public library, and three education scholarships for students pursuing degrees in the agricultural sciences.
The club also invites members of the public to donate any extra plants from their yards and gardens. To request digging assistance or to arrange for a pick up of your donated plants, contact club member Dustin MacIver at tel:978-810-0337 or email DustinMacIver@gmail.com.
YMCA Legacy Gala planned
HAVERHILL — The Haverhill and Plaistow Community YMCAs will hold their 2024 Legacy Gala at 5 p.m. May 11 at the Bradford Country Club.
Proceeds support the fight against food insecurity, summer camp and educational programming for families in need of financial assistance.
Tickets are $150 each and include a surf and turf dinner, a signature cocktail, a raffle, auction, and more. The online auction goes live April 26. A link will be posted April 24 on the Y’s Facebook pages and on its website.
For tickets or sponsorship information, visit online at one.bidpal.net/2024legacygala/welcome. To donate to the online auction, contact Tracey Fuller at fullert@northshoreymca.org.
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By Mike LaBella | mlabella@eagletribune.com
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The Asian noodles Americans are crushing on right now
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Noodles — whether they’re straight or squiggly, thick or thin, served chilled or in a steaming hot broth — Americans are crazy for them. For years, noodles simply meant pasta to most people in the U.S. But lately, our growing love affair with Asian cuisine has delivered a new slate of trendy, crave-able noodle types. Discover which noodles are the most popular and how to incorporate them into your own menus to bring new life to an old standby.
From the intriguing springiness of ramen noodles to the delicateness of rice vermicelli, the satisfying chew of udon, and the playful appeal of squiggly knife-cut noodles, Asian noodles offer a vast range of distinct textures and flavors. Their stories reveal the secrets of their burgeoning popularity and illustrate the diverse influences shaping America’s food scene.
Americans’ appetite for noodles is substantial — to the tune of 5.95 billion pounds of them consumed each year, according to Grandview Research. The report predicted a market growth rate of nearly 4% per year through 2030.
The stunning variety of Asian noodle dishes means that you could easily make a new noodle recipe every meal for a month without repeating yourself.
Tracing the noodle revolution
Much of the modern noodle mania can be traced to Momofuku Ando, the man who invented the world’s first instant noodles in 1958. His instant chicken ramen was an immediate hit with customers who were dazzled by the magic of a tasty and nutritious meal that could be prepared in two minutes flat.
First celebrated as a satisfying and affordable meal, instant ramen was embraced by college students and budget-conscious families alike. Then, in 2004, David Chang opened NYC’s Momofuku Noodle Bar, elevating ramen to previously unimagined gastronomic heights.
Like most trends, the growing appreciation of ramen and other Asian noodles is being driven in large part by young adults, people in their 20s and 30s who have a bit more spending power than they did in college but are still watching their food budgets. “They wind up eating more upscale versions of the foods they ate in college like pizza and ramen,” Chef Noah Michaels told Symrise at their recent Ramen Invitational. Increasingly fast-paced lives, rising food costs and increased availability of Asian products are also driving the trend.
Diverse Asian noodles
Twenty years after David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar helped change ramen’s image from a cheap fast food to a trendy food phenomenon, Americans have their choice of a dizzying array of Asian noodle dishes. Influencers have taken to social media to show off their favorites and inspire home cooks. One trend, dubbed TikTok Ramen, has them upgrading instant noodles by adding their own sauces and toppings. Using pantry staples like soy sauce and garlic, the final dish is a piping hot plate of springy, chewy noodles in a savory sauce, reminiscent of Japanese mazemen or Indonesian mi goreng.
And it’s not just super-simple TikTok recipes that home cooks are experimenting with. Rice stick noodle recipes, for example, are increasingly popular. Take Vietnamese fresh rolls or summer rolls. To make them, quick-cook rice noodles are bundled, along with herbs, vegetables and protein, in a translucent rice paper wrapper — a great meal choice for anyone on a gluten-free diet.
Hokkien noodles are another example of a versatile and delicious dish that’s having a social media moment. Similar to Chinese chow mein or Filipino pancit bihon, it’s a stir-fry of thin egg noodles fried with meat or seafood and vegetables in an umami-rich sauce. It can be prepared in under 30 minutes and in just one pan, which makes it a perfect option for home cooks.
Versatile soba noodles are made from naturally gluten-free buckwheat, a superfood that Whole Foods recently predicted will be one of the top 10 food trends of 2024. Eaten hot or cold, soba noodles are a delicious way to enjoy the many health benefits of buckwheat.
Spotlight on knife-cut noodles
If you think making noodles is as simple as mixing flour and water, you technically wouldn’t be wrong. But, as the recent meteoric rise of squiggly noodles illustrates, some noodles are far more than the sum of their ingredients. Knife-cut noodles, or “dao xiao mian,” have surged in popularity since Trader Joe’s began selling a quick-cooking, air-dried version. The style of noodles isn’t new — A-Sha Foods has been selling a version of them in the U.S. since the 1990s — but once they hit TJ’s shelves, the internet was all over them.
These popular noodles are made using a mechanical process, but they’re meant to be eaten like the traditional Shanxi-style knife-cut noodles that are painstakingly made by hand. Trader Joe’s Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles, as well as a Momofuku-branded version made by A-Sha, are quick to cook, and they come with their own convenient and easily upgradeable packet of sauce.
The future of Asian noodles in America
The wildly popular knife-cut noodles dominating TikTok aren’t just a blip. A glance at industry trends shows that Americans can’t seem to get enough of Asian noodle dishes. Indeed, the noodle market is projected to continue growing over the next few years, largely thanks to noodles’ status as affordable and convenient staples.
So, what Asian noodles are you making next? While you’re experimenting, you can noodle over the fact that Momofuku Ando attributed his long life — living to the ripe age of 96 — in large part to a daily diet of the instant ramen he invented.
Robin Donovan is the author of more than 40 cookbooks, including the bestselling Campfire Cuisine , Ramen Obsession , and Ramen for Beginners . A food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer, she is the creator of the food blogAll Ways Delicious, where she shares easy recipes for the best dishes from around the world.
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By Robin Donovan | Food Drink Life
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State grant money to pay for green projects
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BOSTON — Nearly 100 cities and towns are sharing more than $11.8 million in state funding aimed at helping them reduce their energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change.
The state Department of Energy Resources is distributing the money to local governments through its Green Communities program, which provides funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects aimed at helping the state meet its ambitious goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Several communities north of Boston will be getting a piece of the latest round of grant funding disbursements, according to a new report to the Legislature.
Gloucester is getting $144,311 in grant money; Ipswich is getting $167,500; and Wenham is slated to receive $50,000, according to the state agency.
The grants will pay for myriad projects, including the acquisitions of hybrid police cruisers, battery-electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.
Other projects include ventilation system upgrades, weatherization, and de-carbonization of schools, municipal buildings and facilities.
Combined, the projects are estimated to produce energy savings of more than 31,000 MMBTUs, or roughly the same amount of energy consumed by more than 240 households, according to the state agency.
When completed, the projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,897 metric tons every year — equivalent to taking 383 cars off the road.
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is getting a nearly $64,000 grant for work on reducing energy consumption and costs, pollution and the development of renewable energy and alternative energy.
Meanwhile, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Ipswich, Andover, Haverhill and Methuen will each be getting $15,000 Municipal Energy Technical Assistance grants from the state to cover the cost of green projects ranging from decarbonization of buildings to energy storage.
About 290 cities and towns, accounting for about 89% of the state’s population, have been awarded a “green community” designation by the state agency.
Since 2010, the state agency has awarded more than $177 million in Green Communities grants, according to the Baker administration.
To qualify for funding, cities and towns must commit to reducing their energy consumption by 86,875 MM BTUs over the next five years.
That’s equivalent to the energy use of 673 homes, or taking 1,222 gas-powered cars off the road, according to the agency.
Massachusetts is required under a state law to meet ambitious benchmarks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” over 1990s levels by 2050.
A climate change bill signed by then-Gov. Charlie Baker in 2022 requires the state to meet incremental goals every five years to reach a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 before meeting the 2050 goal.
The plan calls for expanding the use of wind power, solar and hydropower, as well as continuing to reduce overall energy usage and reliance on fossil fuel sources to keep the lights turned on and heat and cool the state’s homes and buildings.
The state is also working to improve energy efficiency through the Mass Save program, which is funded by a surcharge tacked onto energy bills and proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade system aimed at reducing emissions from power plants.
The fees drum up about $2 billion a year, which helps pay for home efficiency audits and other programs to reduce energy consumption.
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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State grant money to fund green projects
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BOSTON — Nearly 100 cities and towns are sharing more than $11.8 million in state funding aimed at helping them reduce their energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change.
The state Department of Energy Resources is distributing the money to local governments through its Green Communities program, which provides funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects aimed at helping the state meet its ambitious goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Several communities north of Boston will be getting a piece of the latest round of grant funding disbursements, according to a new report to the Legislature.
Gloucester is receiving $144,311 in grant money; Ipswich is getting $167,500; and Wenham is slated to receive $50,000, according to the state agency.
The grants will pay for myriad projects, including the acquisitions of hybrid police cruisers, battery-electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations.
Other projects include ventilation system upgrades, weatherization, and decarbonization of schools, municipal buildings and facilities.
Combined, the projects are estimated to produce energy savings of more than 31,000 MMBTUs, or roughly the same amount of energy consumed by more than 240 households, according to the state agency.
When completed, the projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,897 metric tons every year – equivalent to taking 383 cars off the road.
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is receiving a nearly $64,000 grant to reduce energy consumption and costs, pollution and the development of renewable energy and alternative energy.
Meanwhile, Andover, Haverhill, Methuen, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Ipswich will each get $15,000 Municipal Energy Technical Assistance grants from the state to cover the cost of green projects ranging from decarbonization of buildings to energy storage.
About 290 communities, accounting for about 89% of the state’s population, have been awarded a “green community” designation by the state agency.
Since 2010, the state agency has awarded more than $177 million in Green Communities grants, according to the Baker administration.
To qualify for funding, communities must commit to reducing their energy consumption by 86,875 MM BTUs over the next five years. That’s equivalent to the energy use of 673 homes, or taking 1,222 gas-powered cars off the road, according to the agency.
Massachusetts is required under a state law to meet ambitious benchmarks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” over 1990s levels by 2050.
A climate change bill signed by then-Gov. Charlie Baker in 2022 requires the state to meet incremental goals every five years to reach a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 before meeting the 2050 goal.
The plan calls for expanding the use of wind power, solar and hydropower, as well as continuing to reduce overall energy usage and reliance on fossil fuel sources to keep the lights turned on and heat and cool the state’s homes and buildings.
The state is also working to improve energy efficiency through the Mass Save program, which is funded by a surcharge tacked onto energy bills and proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade system aimed at reducing emissions from power plants.
The fees drum up about $2 billion a year, which helps pay for home efficiency audits and other programs to reduce energy consumption.
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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Enrollment rising for Medicare savings programs
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BOSTON — The number of senior citizens enrolled in the state’s Medicare savings programs has increased since eligibility was expanded to help more beneficiaries pay for health care premiums and prescription drugs.
There were 138,313 people enrolled in the state’s federally funded programs as of June, according to the latest data from the state Department of Public Health, which administers the programs.
That includes 17,045 new seniors and disabled beneficiaries who enrolled in June under changes that expanded who qualifies for the programs.
The state has several Medicare savings programs – Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and Qualifying Individual program – that pay some or all of beneficiaries’ premiums and other health care costs, including prescriptions. To qualify, residents must be at least 65 years old and approved for the federally funded program.
Even more people are likely to qualify for the benefits under changes to the state’s new Medicare savings programs, which began March 1, with a replacement for MassHealth’s Senior Buy-In and Buy-In programs.
Under new eligibility requirements, for a person on Medicare with less than $2,824 per month in income – or less than $3,833 for a couple – the program will pay for monthly Part B premiums, Part A and D co-pays and deductibles, as well as extra help with prescription costs, according to the administration of Gov. Maura Healey.
Until now, eligibility was determined through an asset test that required individuals to have no more than $18,180 in assets, $27,260 for couples. Those assets included money in bank accounts and retirement funds, which advocates say often excluded people who would otherwise qualify based on annual income.
“MassHealth is committed to ensuring that older adults on fixed budgets have access to affordable coverage,” Mike Levine, MassHealth’s assistant secretary, said in a recent statement. “Our work expanding eligibility for the Medicare Saving Program and simplifying the application process is critical to meeting this goal.”
The Boston-based nonprofit group Healthcare for All says the new Medicare saving program will save seniors an average of $500 per month they would have otherwise spent on health care costs. The group says seniors are often having to choose between paying for food and housing or “essential” health care services.
Massachusetts is wrestling with skyrocketing health care costs that advocates say are jeopardizing medical treatment for patients.
A report in March by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission’s Center for Health Information and Analysis found health care expenditures per capita increased by 5.8% from 2021 to 2022, well above the national rate of 4.1% and nearly double the 3.1% benchmark set by the commission, based on previous years’ growth.
The center attributed the increases to a combination of high prescription drug expenses, “unprecedented” patient cost sharing, and other factors that are forcing consumers to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for health care services.
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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