Page 18 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 England, except Massachusetts, have banned PFAS in food packaging, fi refi ghting foam, carpets, clothing, fabric sprays and personal care products. “This is great news for Massachusetts residents,” said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG Legislative Director. “Other states have already enacted laws to restrict PFAS in some or all products,” said Laura Spark, Environmental Health Program Director at Clean Water Action. “Now it’s time for Massachusetts to act. PFAS contamination in Massachusetts will continue to worsen until PFAS restrictions go into eff ect.” PERSONNEL RECORDS (H 2112) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would expand a current law that prohibits an employer from penalizing, in any way, an employee as a result of any action on the part of the employee to seek his or her rights under the Massachusetts wage laws which are designed to ensure that workers are fairly treated and paid for all the hours they work. The bill would provide the same protection to employees who ask their employers to provide the employee with any of his or her personnel records. Under current law, an employTHE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 16, 2026 Supporters said the bill will guarantee that an employee is not penalized for making a simple and reasonable request to see his or her personnel records. Rep. Kenneth Gordon (D-Beder is required to notify an employee within 10 days of the employer placing in the employee’s personnel record any information to the extent that the information is, has been used or may be used, to negatively aff ect the employee’s qualification for employment, promotion, transfer, additional compensation or the possibility that the employee will be subject to disciplinary action. Once notifi ed, the employee can request a copy of his or her records. The bill would prohibit the employer from penalizing an employee who does so. CITY OF EVERETT ~ Legal Notice ~ ~ Legal Notice ~ ford), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to explain why he fi led the bill and to comment on its passage. QUOTABLE QUOTES SEAT BELT USE – A new study shows increased seat belt use in the Bay State for the third straight year, marking the state’s highest seat belt usage rate on record. The 2025 Annual Massachusetts Safety Belt Observational Study reported a seat belt usage rate of 85.53 percent – an increase over the state’s 2024 usage rate of 84.36 percent. The report found that the state successfully increased seat belt use among demographics that have historically had lower usage rates and experienced fewer fatal crashes (342) in 2025 than in the previous year (364). Here’s what they’re saying: “We know that seat belts save lives, and it’s so important that seat belt usage continues to increase every year in Massachusetts. We’re grateful for the hard work of our partners in transportation, public safety and local governments to enhance safety on the roads for us all.” ---Gov. Maura Healey “Whether you’re a driver or passenger, one of the most important things you can do to protect your safety is to buckle your seat belt. This study shows that we’ve made progress in increasing the safety of road users.” ---Lt Gov. Kim Driscoll “For most of us, buckling up is second nature. This study shows that more and more Massachusetts residents are using their seat belt, and we’re working with partners in law enforcement, transportation, nonprofi ts and other stakeholders to encourage everyone to wear a seat belt. It’s one simple step that could save your life.” ---Kevin Stanton, executive director of the Offi ce of Grants and Research. “It’s a known fact that seat belts save lives, and to see seat belt usage continue to increase for a third straight year is fantastic.Under the Healey-Driscoll Administration, safety has been a top priority across all agencies, and it is heartwarming to see that people are listening.Not only is it important to buckle up yourself, but please make sure your loved ones do the same, including young children and those in booster or car seats.” ---Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “We are pleased to learn that the use of seat belts has been increasing. Buckling up is the best way to prevent injuries and deaths. Be proactive in urging BEACON | SEE PAGE 19 - Legal Notice - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PUBLIC HEARING FOR PETITION FROM MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY D/B/A NATIONAL GRID OF NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS AND VERIZON, NEW ENGLAND INC To all parties interested in the public hearing. Be it hereby ordered: Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a NATIONAL GRID and Verizon New England, Inc requests permission to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the following public way: Wherefore it prays that after due notice and hearing as provided by law, it be granted a location for and permission to erect and maintain poles and wires, together with such sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary, said poles to be erected substantially in accordance with the plan filed herewith marked – Behen Street - Everett, Massachusetts. The following are the streets and highways referred to: WR# 31082476 – Behen Street - National Grid to relocate 2 JO poles on Behen Street beginning at a point approximately 260 feet Southeast of the centerline of the intersection of Beacham Street and Behen Street and continuing approximately 120 feet in a Southeasterly direction. National Grid to relocate pole #2570-0 approximately 3 feet and pole #2571-0 approximately 45 feet to accommodate the Island End River (IER) flood resilience project at 201 Beacham Street, Everett MA. Also, for permission to lay and maintain underground laterals, cables, and wires in the above or intersecting public ways for the purpose of making connections with such poles and buildings as each of said petitioners may desire for distributing purposes. Your petitioner agrees to reserve space for one cross-arm at a suitable point on each of said poles for the fire, police, telephone, and telegraph signal wires belonging to the municipality and used by it exclusively for municipal purposes. Hearing to be held with the Everett City Council, held on Monday at 7:00PM, on the 26th of January, 2026 at the Everett City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Everett City Hall. January 16, 2026 PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Plymouth Probate and Family Court 52 Obery Street Suite 1130 Plymouth, MA 02360 (508)747-6204 Docket No. PL25D0649DR ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION AND MAILING SADIAT OLAMIDE SIMMONS vs. DERRICK ROBERT SIMMONS Upon motion of plaintiff for an order directing the defendant, to appear, plead, or answer, in accordance with Mass.R.Civ.P./ Mass.R.Dom.Rel.P.Rule 4, it appearing to the court that this is an action for Divorce 1B. Pursuant to Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411, An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered against the above named parties. Defendant cannot be found within the Commonwealth and his/her present whereabouts are unknown. Personal service on defendant is therefore not practicable, and defendant has not voluntarily appeared in this action. It is Ordered that defendant is directed to appear, plead, answer or otherwise move with respect to the complaint herein on or before March 13, 2026. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this matter. /S/ Hon. Mikalen E. Howe, Justice of Probate and Family Court Date: December 31, 2025 MATTHEW J. McDONOUGH REGISTER OF PROBATE January 16, 2026
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