Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 5, 2024 GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSt erlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https:// lp.constantcontactpages. Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen com/su/aPTLucKs THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of March 25-29. There were no roll calls in the House last week. DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES (S 2713) Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would make some changes in the current state laws about debt collection practices. The measure includes reducing from 12 percent to 3 percent the maximum interest rate that can be charged for judgments on consumer debt; increasing from $750 per week to $975 per week the amount of a person’s wages that is protected from garnishment because of a debt; reducing from six years to five years, the time in which a company can bring suit to collect a consumer debt; and ensuring that no one is imprisoned for failure to pay a consumer debt. “In Massachusetts, no family should have to choose between putting food on the table or making a minimum payment on a ballooning debt,” said Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), Senate Chair of the Committee on Financial Services. “Debt collection practices can, at times, be predatory, unlawful and designed to squeeze every dime out of middle-class and low-income families, especially 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 April 22, 2024 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: 141 Garland St. M0-06-000135 Person Requesting: Realty Trust /Hector Angel 45 High St. Everett, MA 02149 PROPOSAL: The applicant seeks to add 1 (one) unit in the basement and 1 (one) unit in the third floor to a current 2 (two) family home to increase the total amount of units to 4 (four). The property of 141 Garland St is a 10,000 S.F. lot according to Medford Engineering and Survey. The plans provided by David Choi, a Massachusetts registered architect, state that the gross floor area is 4,270 S.F. The plans indicate that eight (8) parking spaces will be provided. Reason for Denial: 1. Section 4.A.1 of the Zoning Ordinance limits conversions of buildings that predate zoning in the city to no more than three dwelling units. A variance is required. 2. The structure is lawfully nonconforming as to the rear setback of 25 feet required pursuant to Section 4.B.7.a of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed alteration and change of use require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, pursuant to Section 3.F of the Zoning Ordinance. 3. The proposal does not satisfy the parking design requirements of Section 17 of the Ordinance. Specifically, a. The plans indicate that the eight parking spaces provided will consist of four sets of tandem spaces. Tandem parking is prohibited pursuant to Section 17.J. A variance is required. b. The plans submitted do not indicate how the screening requirements of Section 17.L will be satisfied. The Applicant should submit a landscaping and fencing plan. c. Section 17.M prohibits parking spaces within eight feet of a window to a habitable room. It appears that the two parking spaces closest to the structure will be less than eight feet from such a window. The Applicant must either demonstrate compliance with this requirement or seek a variance. d. Section 17.O requires submission of a detailed parking plan for parking lots designed to contain more than five vehicles. No such plans have been provided. e. Section 17.O.5 requires an access driveway of at least 18 feet in width for any parking lot designed to contain more than five vehicles. According to the plans submitted, the existing driveway is only 14 feet wide. A variance is required. Please also note that Site Plan Review by the Planning Board is required, pursuant to Section 19.A of the Zoning Ordinance. MARY GERACE- Chairman ROBERTA SUPPA - Clerk of Board of Appeals April 5, 12, 2024 with the added burden of accumulating interest and additional fees that are designed to push families over a financial cliff. The [legislation] will not eliminate debt or an obligation to pay, but it will add needed guardrails to protect hard-working families from financial ruin, give a lifeline to those caught in a debt spiral and help deliver hope to those in a vicious cycle.” “This bill aims to implement stricter regulations on debt collectors in order to prevent financial mistreatment of Massachusetts residents,” said chief sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “It seeks to safeguard consumers’ economic security during debt repayment, prohibit excessively high interest rates and eliminate the possibility of consumers being sent to ‘debtor’s prison’ when facing legal action.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes SAFETY FOR FIREFIGHTERS (S 2712) Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House legislation that would create a public database of violations of the state’s fire prevention laws and a public notification system to alert workers of violations. The measure is designed to boost safety for firefighters and people conducting “hot work” including welding, plasma cutting and spark-producing construction. The proposed law has been ten years in the making and was first prompted by the March 2014 deaths of firefighters Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy who perished while fighting a fire that was caused by welders, working without a city permit, on a building next door to the brownstone in which they died. “This legislation represents historic regulatory reforms that the Walsh-Kennedy Commission helped institute across the hot works and welding industry in Massachusetts,” said chief sponsor Sen. Nick Collins (D-Boston). “Passing this legislation will ensure that the critical reforms, training, oversight and accountability needed to prevent tragedies like the Back Bay fire, will be the law of the land. We do this in honor of Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy so that their sacrifices are not in vain.” “The heartbreaking loss of life in the 2014 Back Bay fire is a constant reminder of the importance of firefighter safety,” said Sen. Walter Timilty (D-Milton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “I am honored to have shepherded this crucial bill through the committee. Today, the Senate’s action represents an important step forward in ensuring that our remarkable firefighters have the resources that they need to keep themselves safe and protect our communities.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL HOUSE APPROVES SEVERAL BILLS – The House gave initial approval to sevBHRC | SEE PAGE 18
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