Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 17, 2023 BEACON | FROM PAGE 14 and our students deserve the same level of understanding and accommodation for mental health symptoms,” said Doherty. “This bill will help ensure that students who are struggling with mental health symptoms are not penalized, and that they receive the support they need to succeed in school. State government must rise to meet the needs of our students, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the mental health crisis many face.” ALLOW NON-CITIZENS TO VOTE (HD 3946) – Would permit cities and towns to allow non-citizens over age 18 to vote in local municipal elections. The elections in which non-citizens could vote include an election for mayor, school committee, city council, town council, board of selectmen, select board elections, a school committee referendum and a local ballot referendum. “Non-citizen residents of Massachusetts are already participating deeply in civic life by attending parent-teacher conferences, working toward college degrees, donating their time for community projects, running local businesses, and of course, paying their taxes,” said sponsor Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). “That is why I am proud to refi le this legislation to extend voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth.” A similar bill fi led by Connolly last year was shipped off to a study committee where bills are rarely actually studied and are essentially defeated. It is a way to kill a proposal without holding a vote on the bill itself. CREATE COVID-19 REMEMBRANCE DAY (HD 3281) – Would designate the fi rst Monday in March as COVID-19 Remembrance Day to honor and remember people who have died or suffered from COVID-19; the frontline and essential workers; and residents of the state who volunteered to support their neighbors and local communities. Co-sponsors Reps. Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) and Natalie Blais (D-Sunderland) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they sponsored the bill. A similar bill filed by the same duo died from inaction in the House last year after it had received a favorable report from the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight which recommended its passage. DECLARE RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS (HD 3703) – Would declare racism as a public health crisis and direct the Offi ce of Health Equity to develop policies to dismantle systemic racism impacting health and establish programs focused on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases disproportionately impacting communities of color. Sponsor Rep. Jon Santiago (D-Boston), did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he fi led the bill. DIVEST FROM COMPANIES THAT SELL FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION (HD 3225) Would require the state’s Pension Reserve Investment Management (PRIM) fund to divest state funds from companies that derive more than 15 percent of revenues from the sale or manufacturing of ammunition, fi rearms or fi rearm accessories used for civilian, non-military, non-police purposes. PRIM handles and pays retirement benefits to state employees and teachers. “When the treasurer’s Offi ce brought this bill to me for consideration, I thought it was important legislation for Massachusetts to reflect its values with its investments,” said sponsor Rep. Jay Livingston (D-Boston). “Massachusetts has enacted some of the strictest gun laws in the United States and has one of the lowest rates of gun violence as a result. The divestment proposed in this legislaBEACON | SEE PAGE 17 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Retiring Abroad? Tips and tools to help you make an informed decision Dear Savvy Senior, What are the key factors to consider when contemplating retiring abroad? My husband and I will soon be retiring and are interested in moving abroad to a country that’s cheaper and warmer than the U.S. Looking Ahead Dear Looking, Whatever your reasons for aspiring to retire abroad – a lower cost of living, a better climate or a desire for adventure – you need to do your homework and learn everything you can about the country you’re interested in because it’s not an easy move. Here are some diff erent tips and tools to help you make an informed decision. Researching Tools If you’re in the decision-making process of where to retire, InternationalLiving.com and LiveAndInvestOverseas.com are two excellent websites that provide articles, information and lists of the top retirement destinations abroad based on cost of living, climate, health care, housing, visas, infrastructure and more. Once you pick a country or LEGAL NOTICE EVERETT PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Public Hearing on an application by 445-455 Broadway Corp. Property located at: 445-455 Broadway Site Plan Review & Inclusionary Zoning Special Permit In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L Chapter 40A and with Sections 6, 19, and 32 of the Everett Zoning Ordinance, the Everett Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Monday, March 6th at 6:00PM in the Speaker George Keverian Room (Room 37, Everett City Hall) to consider the above-listed application for Site Plan Review and Inclusionary Zoning Special Permit. This proposal calls for the demolition of a smaller existing building and a portion of the Everett Associates building on a lot totaling 20,774 sq. ft. to construct a 4-story, mixed-use structure containing twenty-five (25) units, five (5) of which are proposed to be designated as deed-restricted affordable, and twenty-two (22) parking spaces located on the ground level. 445455 Broadway is a parcel of land referenced by Assessors Department as L0-01-000001 and L0-01-000005. A copy of the application and plans are on file and available in the Office of the City Clerk and the Department of Planning and Development, both located at City Hall, 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 and can be inspected online anytime at http://www.cityofeverett.com/449/PlanningBoard and/or by request during regular City Hall business hours by contacting The Planning and Development Office at 617-394-2334. All persons interested in or wishing to be heard on the applications may attend and participate in person. This project, along with all other projects to be discussed at the meeting, can be found on the posted Agenda at the following link: http://www.cityofeverett.com/AgendaCenter. Questions and comments can be directed in advance of the public hearing to Matt Lattanzi of the Department of Planning & Development at Matt.Lattanzi@ci.everett.ma.us or 617-394-2230. Frederick Cafasso Chairman February 17, 24, 2023 two that interest you, a smart move is to talk or network with some expats who have already made the move you’re thinking about making. They can give you tips and suggestions on many issues, as well as the advantages and disadvantages and day-to-day reality of living in a particular country. Facebook is a good resource for locating expat groups. But before committing, experts recommend visiting multiple times during different seasons to see whether you can envision yourself living there and not just exploring the place as a tourist. Here are some other factors you need to look into. Cost of living: Retiring abroad used to be seen as a surefire way to live beyond your means, and for many countries it still is. But depending on where you move, the U.S. dollar may not stretch as far as you think. To compare the cost of living in hundreds of cities and countries use Numbeo.com. Visa requirements: If you want to spend just part of the year living abroad or are willing to move from country to country, most countries off er a three or six-month tourist visa, which is easy to get. But if you want to set up permanent residence abroad you might have to jump over a few more hurdles depending on where you want to retire. To research visa requirements in the countries that interest you, visit VisaGuide.World. Health care: Most U.S. health insurance companies do not provide coverage outside the U.S., and neither does Medicare. Check with the embassy (see USembassy.gov) of your destination country to see how you can be covered as a foreign resident. Many countries provide government-sponsored health care that’s inexpensive, accessible and just as good as what you get in the states, or you may want to buy a policy through Medibroker.com or BupaGlobal.com. Also know that most people who retire abroad eventually return to the U.S., so experts recommend paying your Medicare Part B premiums. If you drop and resume Part B, or delay initial enrollment, you’ll pay a 10 percent premium penalty for every 12-month period you weren’t enrolled. Housing: Buying a home in a foreign country can be complicated, so it’s almost always better to rent fi rst until you’re sure you want to permanently reside there. Money matters: Opening or maintaining a bank account abroad can also be diffi - cult. You may have to establish a checking account with an institution that has international reach like Citibank or maintain a U.S. bank account that you can access online. Claiming your Social Security benefi ts, however, should not be a problem as they off er direct deposit to almost every country in the world. See SSA.gov/ international/payments.html. Taxes: You also need to research tax rules in your prospective countries and be aware that even if you’re living in another country, as a U.S. citizen you’ll still most likely need to fi le an annual U.S. tax return – see IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/ p54.pdf. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior
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