Garballey named to Special Joint Committee on Redistricting

Rep. Sean Garballey, Democrat of Arlington, has been appointed to the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting. After the latest 10-year US census is released, the US Constitution requires changes to boundaries of House, Senate, Governor’s Council and congressional districts to accommodate shifts in population and to provide equal representation to its citizens. 

The redistricting committee will solicit testimony at a minimum of 12 hearings throughout the commonwealth. The committee will also host a website to provide redistricting information to the public, publicize the hearing and meeting schedule, and provide a means to contact the committee to submit questions, comments or materials.

“This is an extremely important committee, and I very much appreciate being appointed to it and look forward to the work ahead,” Garballey said in a news release. “This process must be a transparent one that will allow every single citizen of the commonwealth to testify publicly or electronically. This committee will work directly with its citizens as we work to redraw the district lines across the state.”

Special Joint Committee on Redistricting hearing schedule:

May 2, 6 p.m., Massasoit Community College, Massasoit Conference Center, 770 Crescent St.

May 14, 10 a.m., Joseph Lee Elementary School, Perkins Community Center, 155 Talbot Ave., Boston. 

May 16, 6 p.m., New Bedford Public Library, 613 Pleasant St., New Bedford.

May 3, 6 p.m., Greenfield Community College, Sloan Theater 1 College Drive, Greenfield.

June 6, 6 p.m., Quincy High School, 52 Coddington St., Quincy.

June 11, 10 a.m., Pittsfield City Hall, City Council Chambers, 70 Allen St., Pittsfield.

June 13, 6 p.m., Lawrence High School, Lecture Hall, 71 N. Parish Road, Lawrence.

June 18, 10 a.m., Framingham State University, Forum Room at the McCarthy Center, 100 State St., Framingham.

June 20, 6 p.m., Lynn City Hall, City Council Chambers, 3 City Hall Square, Lynn.

June 27, 6 p.m., Cape Cod Community College, Tilden Arts Center, 2240 Iyannough Road, Barnstable.

Members of the public can also testify on the Redistricting Committees website.

Rep. Sean Garballey to host office hours on House budget

Rep. Sean Garballey will be hosting office hours this coming week at the Arlington Town Hall.  He will be at the 2^nd Floor Selectman’s Hearing Room at the Town Hall on: Tuesday April 19^th, 7pm to 8:30pm; Wednesday April 20^th, 7pm to 8:30pm; and Thursday April 21^st, 6pm to 7pm.  He will also be inviting anyone who cannot make the times to meet at an additional office hour on Friday April 22^nd, from 8am to 9am, at the Panera Bread Coffee House, 1398 Massachusetts Ave, in Arlington.

With the FY2012 budget soon to be released from the House Ways and Means committee, Representative Garballey would like to hear all concerns and comments from constituents.  If you have any other questions about the office hours, feel free to contact his office at 617-722-2090.  Representative Garballey also can always be reached on his cell phone 781-859-7781, or at his email address of Sean.Garballey@mahouse.gov.

House Passes Bill Authorizing $200 Million for Municipal Road and Bridge Maintenance

Last Thursday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation to authorize $200 million for the maintenance and upkeep of municipal roads and bridges across the Commonwealth.  This bill represents an overall increase of 29% more than last year’s allocation.

The town of Arlington will receive $783,973 and the city of Medford will receive over $956,798. Arlington will be allocated an increase of $174,475 as Medford will receive an increase of $209,156. Both of these increases represent 28% more than last years allocations. The money from this legislation will help to improve public infrastructure, thereby keeping our residents on the roads safer throughout the Commonwealth.

Representative Garballey receives a score of 103 on his Environmental Scorecard!

The Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters comes out with an “Environmental Scorecard” for each legislative year.  During this past legislative year, one major environmental bill along with two smaller bills were passed and signed into law.  Several anti-environmental amendments were also defeated in the legislature.  Some examples of environmental successes include the passing of the Off-highway Vehicle Regulation (S. 2257), the Oil-Spill Prevention legislation (S. 4247), as well as the Creation of the Food Policy Council (H. 4568).  The MLEV Environmental Scorecard’s voting score is determined by calculating the number of pro-environment votes cast out of the total votes scored.  Legislators could receive extra points for sponsoring or co-sponsoring environmental bills.  Representative Garballey received a score of 103% for his outstanding record on environmental issues and legislation in the Commonwealth.  Representative Garballey is proud of his score and will look forward to working with the environmental community and fellow legislators in the future to advance more environmentally friendly bills into law.

Boil Order in effect for Arlington and Medford – 5/1/2010

Water service to all MWRA customer communities east of Weston has been interrupted by a major water pipe break in Weston.  Due to this break, A BOIL WATER ORDER IS BEING ISSUED FOR DRINKING WATER FOR ALL MWRA COMMUNITIES EAST OF WESTON UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. In addition, emergency water conservation measures are being implemented for all impacted communities.  A complete list of MWRA water communities is attached.

MWRA is activating its emergency water supplies such as the Sudbury Aqueduct, Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Spot Pond Reservoir. THIS WATER WILL NOT BE SUITABLE FOR DRINKING, but can be used for bathing, flushing and fire protection.

The leak is located at the location where the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel meets the City Tunnel on Recreation Road. This 120-inch diameter pipe transports water to our communities east of Weston – as far north as Wilmington and south to Stoughton.  Water is leaking into the Charles River at rate of over 8 million gallons an hour. MWRA crews are on site; engineers are assessing the situation to determine next steps.

Updates will be posted on Mass.gov and MWRA’s website atwww.mwra.com throughout the event.