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Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 10, 2020 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of June 29-July 3. MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE BY MAIL (H 4820) House 155-1, Senate 39-0, approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a bill that would direct Secretary of State Bill Galvin to send applications for a mail-in ballot to every registered voter by July 15 for the September 1 primary and by September 14 for the November 3 general election. The bill also includes expanded in-person early voting options prior to the elections. Voters who wish to vote in person are given seven days (from August 22 to August 28) to vote early in the primary and 14 days (from October 17 to October 30) to vote early in the general election. Voters can also choose to vote on Election Day. Other provisions provide pre-paid return postage for ballots and applications for ballots; set AuCity of Everett PLANNING BOARD 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 gust 26 as the deadline to apply to early vote by mail in the September 1 primary and October 28 as the deadline to apply to early vote by mail in the November 3 general election; provide for absentee voting by any person taking precaution related to COVID-19; require Galvin, in conjunction with the commissioner of the Department of Public Health, to establish emergency regulations requiring public health safeguards for in-person voting, including social distancing of voters and election officers, face coverings and personal protective equipment, frequent use of sanitizers and sanitary use of marking pens. “This bill is essential to the operation and integrity of democracy in the commonwealth during this public health crisis,” said Election Laws Committee House Chair John Lawn (D-Watertown). “I am truly proud of the team effort that led us to the finish line to complete comprehensive legislation that will safeguard elections this fall and provide many options for voters to ensure that all voices are heard. In a time where we are witnessing state election actions that are resulting in a disproportionate burden on the voter, Massachusetts must take the lead in providing safe and equitable access to the polls for its citizens. This legislation does just that.” “The Massachusetts Legislature just adopted a critical election reform package that will help ensure that no citizen has to choose between their health and their right to vote,” said Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause which has fought hard for the bill. “The bill embodies best practices from across the country and will help our election system cope with the unprecedented threat of COVID-19.” “We started this process LEGAL NOTICE EVERETT PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Hearing on the following application: 110 Tremont St Site Plan Review In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L Chapter 40A, Section 19 of the Everett Zoning Ordinance, the Everett Planning Board will conduct a virtual public hearing on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 7:00 PM online to be viewed on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdwaOnTb-geJaekx02lH54Q, to consider the above-listed application in connection with the proposal to redevelop a former industrial building into a 48-unit (two story structure) residential building as shown on plans entitled “110 Tremont St by Lafreniere Architects” (the “Site Plan”) on a parcel shown on the Site Plan, being a parcel of land referenced by Assessor’s Department as D0-04-000007. The application with narrative and the Site Plan were received on May 14, 2020. The plans are entitled “110 Tremont St” were prepared by Lafreniere Architects, 678 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 and prepared for the owner 120 Tremont St LLC. 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 at http://www.cityofeverett.com/449/Planning-Board or by request via email. All persons interested or wishing to be heard on the proposal should appear at the time and place designated above. As items may be continued to later dates, please contact Tony Sousa of the Department of Planning & Development at Tony.Sousa@ci.everett.ma.us or 617-394-2334 before attending. Frederick Cafasso, Chairman July 10 & 17, 2020 with the goal to make voting easier during COVID-19 and this bill does just that by providing voters with options,” said Election Laws Committee Senate Chair Sen. Barry Finegold (D-North Andover). “For the first time ever in Massachusetts, voters can vote by mail and vote early in both the 2020 primary and general elections. In-person voting on Election Day remains an option and is made safer in this legislation. The bill equips clerks with the tools they need to count ballots expeditiously and adapt to these election advancements.” “We applaud the House, Senate and governor for firmly moving to brace our elections for COVID-19,” said Cheryl Clyburn Crawford, Executive Director at MassVOTE. “Now we need to prepare. This means partnering with local election officials to ensure that they have the tools they need to run our elections this fall and educate voters so they may confidently cast their ballots in September and November.” Rep. Colleen Garry (D-Dracut), the lone opponent of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to explain why she voted against the measure. Back on June 3, Garry did offer the reason she voted against an earlier version of the bill: “I was very concerned about the manpower needed in the clerk’s offices especially in the smaller communities like I represent,” she said. “The expense of the expansion of the mailings and the need for more election personnel on longer early voting days and the possibility of fraud [is why I voted against the bill.] I heard loudly from my constituents that they did not agree with this proposal.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $200 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4803) House 159-0, Senate 39-0, reduced from $300 to $200 million Chapter 90 funding for cities and towns for the maintenance, repair and improvement of local roads and bridges. The House in March and the Senate in early June, approved proposals that included $300 million in Chapter 90 funding for cities and towns’ local roads and bridges. That $300 million was a $100 million increase over last year. The Senate version of the legislation also established a new seven-member MBTA Board of Directors to succeed the current Fiscal Management and Control Board. The MBTA Board of Directors would be responsible for governing and exercising the corporate powers of the MBTA. The Senate version differed from the House version which does not create a brand-new MBTA board but instead extends and expands the existing Fiscal and Management Control Board. The House and Senate changed their minds and reached an agreement to reduce the road and bridge funding to $200 million and to keep the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board in place for another year. That measure is now on Gov. Baker’s desk. Supporters of the reduction say that, in retrospect, the state cannot afford the extra $100 million while state revenues are down by billions of dollars. Despite repeated re - quests by Beacon Hill Roll Call, House Transportation Committee chair Rep. William Strauss (D-Mattapoisett) and Senate chair Joseph Boncore (D-Winthrop) did not respond when asked to explain why they both championed the original $300 million and then supported the reducBEACON | SEE PAGE 15

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