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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 13, 2026 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 did not ensure their annual financial audits were completed, filed with required recipients, including the Auditor’s Office or made available timely to the public, in accordance with their own rules. The audit found the Senate and House processes for the procurement of goods and services, particularly financial auditing services, lack transparency, as detailed procurement information is not made available to the public. If the Senate and House do not have transparent processes for the procurement of goods and services, then they limit the public’s ability to hold the Legislature accountable. The audit found that, when compared to a sample of other states’ legislative websites, the Massachusetts legislative website lacks apparent content and ease of site navigation regarding pending and enacted legislation. If the Legislature does not work to improve its website to address these issues, it hinders the public’s ability to understand and engage in the legislative process and hold the Legislature accountable for ensuring an equitable mode of making laws. Also noted in the audit is that Massachusetts is the only state in the nation to not have a legislative services bureau or equivalent to provide legislative services to all members of the Legislature. The absence of a legislative services bureau or equivalent appears to limit the Legislature’s ability to provide comprehensive legislative services to all members, thereby potentially adversely impacting individual members’ ability to best represent their constituents. In addition to these objectives, the audit identified related issues which merit attention, including that the Senate and House lack detail and transparency regarding factors considered in appointing or nominating members to committees, committee chair positions or chamber leadership positions. This limits the public’s ability to hold the Legislature accountable for ensuring an equitable mode of making laws in accordance with the preamble of the Massachusetts Constitution and the equitable application of policies and procedures to all members and staff.” In January 2025, the Legislature changed its operating rules and made some changes that addressed some, but not all, of the issues the audit cites. HOW LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES VOTED IN FEBRUARY 2025, WHEN THE HOUSE REJECTED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW DIZOGLIO TO AUDIT THE HOUSE (H 2024) This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call looks back to February 2025 when the House 24-127, three months after voters approved the audit, rejected an amendment that would require DiZoglio to conduct an annual audit of the House. The amendment would replace a current House rule that the state auditor recommends a firm to conduct an annual audit of the House and the business manager of the House would hire that firm. During debate in February 2025, amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading) argued, “This amendment would honor the will of the voters by allowing the state auditor to conduct these annual audits of the House in compliance with Question 1.” “Every city and town in the commonwealth voted for this question to be the law,” said Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica). “Unfortunately, essentially on party lines, the House Democrats defeated the amendment and once again refused to comply with the will of the voters. Beacon Hill Democrats need to end this inter-governmental feud and finally respect the voters and give them the transparency they demand and deserve.” Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham) said this new rule would violate the separation of power in the constitution. He noted that Article 30 says the legislative department shall never exercise the executive and judicial powers, the executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, and the judicial shall never exercise the legislative and executive powers. Day also noted that the House rule that requires the House to hire a firm recommended by the state auditor is sufficient. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment requiring the state auditor to conduct an annual audit. A “No” vote is against the amendment.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No ~ Legal Notice ~ ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL CHANGE ARCHAIC LANGUAGE REFERRING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (S 2594) - The Senate approved and sent to the House a new version of a bill that would modernize and remove archaic language in state laws to reflect the evolution of terminology relating to persons with disabilities. The House and Senate had already approved different versions of the measure, and this new third version, drafted by the Senate, now goes to the House for consideration. Changes include replacing “handicapped persons” with “persons with disabilities;” replacing “the mentally retarded” with “persons with an intellectual disability;” replacing “retarded children” with “children with an intellectual disability;” and replacing “disabled American veterans” with “American veterans with disabilities.” “Several years ago, a friend told me how disrespected she felt when people called her ‘handicapped,’” said Senate sponsor Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville). “We realized there are many state laws that use that outdated language, as well as words like ‘retardation.’ When people realized how offensive the ‘R’ word is, the Department of Mental Retardation was renamed the Department of Developmental Services. So, I filed [this] bill to replace [other] words BEACON | SEE PAGE 18 CITY OF EVERETT - LEGAL NOTICE - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY, ROOM 24 EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday February 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Everett City Hall, 3rd Floor George Keverian Hearing Room. All interested parties may attend and opinions will be heard regarding the following petition. Whereas a petition has been presented by: Property Address: Map/Parcel: Building Permit: Property Owner: 141 Garland St. Everett, MA 02149 M0-06-000135 Realty Trust /Hector Angel 45 High St. Everett, MA 02149 The applicant requests modification of Condition 4 of the Zoning Board of Appeals’ Decision, filed with the City Clerk on May 02, 2024, to eliminate the requirement for use of permeable paving materials in the parking area and to approve parking area with asphalt instead of pavers and as more specifically described in said decision referenced herein. Rebecca Edmondson Korom - Chairman Roberta Suppa - Clerk of Board of Appeals February 06, 13, 2026 ~ Legal Notice ~ SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION, CARE AND PROTECTION, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, DOCKET NUMBER 25CP0099SP, Trial Court of Massachusetts, Juvenile Court Department, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Hampden County Juvenile Court, 80 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103. 413-748-7714. TO: Derrick Allyne or the Father of Niya Grace O’Brien, born on June 6, 2017 in Springfield, MA. to Shari Colleen O’Brien: A petition has been presented to this court by Department of Children and Families Springfield, seeking, as to the following child: Niya G O’Brien, that said child be found in need of care and protection and committed to the Department of Children and Families. The court may dispense the rights of the person(s) named herein to receive notice of or to consent to any legal proceeding affecting the adoption, custody, or guardianship or any other disposition of the child named herein, if it finds that the child is in need of care and protection and that the best interests of the child would be served by said disposition. You are hereby ORDERED to appear in this court, at the court address set forth above, on the following date and time: 03/31/2026 at 09:00 AM Pre Trial Conference (CR/CV) You may bring an attorney with you. If you have a right to an attorney and if the court determines that you are indigent, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. If you fail to appear, the court may proceed on that date and any date thereafter to a trial on the merits and adjudication of this matter. For further information call the Office of the Clerk-Magistrate at 413-748-7714. WITNESS: Hon. David B. Paradis, FIRST JUSTICE, DATE ISSUED: 02/04/2026, Paul R Viets, Clerk-Magistrate. February 06, 13, 20, 2026

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