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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 15, 2025 Page 19 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 to budget cuts.” MAKE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME PERMANENT (S 2157) – A bill before the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight would require Massachusetts to be on Daylight Savings Time all year, meaning people would no longer change the clocks in the spring and fall. Currently, 48 states have Daylight Savings – the exceptions being Hawaii and Arizona. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. On the fi rst Sunday in November areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at 2 a.m. When Daylight Saving Time begins in the United States you turn your clocks ahead one hour (“Spring forward”). At the end of Daylight Savings Time, you turn your clocks back one hour (Fall back.”) Sponsor Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) said, “Refl ecting the recommendations made by the Massachusetts Special Commission on the Commonwealth’s Time Zone, this bill could result in decreased energy usage; reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes, car and workplace accidents; increased workplace productivity; and less crime.” Supporters said the bill would result in a permanent increase in daylight hours in the evening, encourage more evening activities and increase physical fi tness. They noted that under the current system, changing the time even by only an hour, impacts body clocks or circadian rhythm, leading to worse sleep, particularly for infants. They noted that the mental eff ects of less daylight increase depression while compromising sleep duration and effi ciency. FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS (H 684) – A bill before the Education Committee would require all public schools, with grades 6-12 students, to maintain free menstrual products, including sanitary napkins and tampons in restrooms and to make them available in a “convenient manner that does not stigmatize any persons seeking the products.” “Requiring schools to provide free menstrual products will not only reduce distractions throughout the day but will also reduce embarrassment by guaranteeing that essential health items are readily available when needed,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin). “Such access ensures that students can attend classes and participate in extracurricular activities without interruption. Toilet paper and paper towels are available free of charge at high schools and middle schools, and menstrual products are no less essential to a student’s wellbeing. No student should face any barrier, fi nancial or otherwise, to accessing basic health essentials.” The bill was given initial approval in the House in 2024 but never advanced further and died in committee at the end of 2024. INVESTIGATE AIR QUALITY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (S 351) – Another bill before the Education Committee would establish a 17-member task force to review and investigate indoor air quality in public school buildings that provide education for K-12 children. The committee would be tasked with identifying indicators of indoor air quality by conducting an assessment of carbon monoxide detection systems within each public school, developing best practices for placement and installation of carbon monoxide detection systems and reviewing the regulation of minimum and maximum allowable air temperatures and relative humidity. By October 1, 2026, the task force would be required to fi le a report on its fi ndings, which would include recommendations for any proposed legislation. “Ensuring that our children are safe at school is of utmost importance,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “This legislation creates a task force to examine current carbon monoxide monitoring, temperature settings and the impact this has on the school setting. The taskforce would then establish new practices that are in line with the highest standards possible to ensure that air quality in schools is what is best for our children.” LOCAL PLANNING BOARDS (H 2300) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would allow associate members of local Planning Boards to act on any matter before a planning board, mirroring the current law that applies to associate members of Zoning Boards of Appeal. An associate planning board member is one that is appointed to act in place of regular members because of absence, confl ict of interest or when a seat is vacant. The bill was given initial approval by the House in the 2024 session but died in committee with no further action taken. Supporters of the bill said that the attorney general has ruled that associate members may only act on a special permit application, and none of the other many functions of a planning board. They said that the attorney general’s ruling can handicap a planning board when trying to attain a quorum to open a meeting, or when voting on other matters and permits before them, such as site plans or subdivisions. “Planning Boards have many responsibilities including but not limited to long range planning and permitting of special permits, site plans and subdivisions,” said sponsor Rep. Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton). “This will help the Planning Boards in our communities keep permitting on track and move through the business in front of them. Amendments like this clear up confusion in the law and provide needed tools for community success.” NO-COST EARLY LITERACY TUTORING IN 272 SCHOOLS – The Healey Administration announced that 272 schools in Massachusetts have been selected to receive free, early literacy tutoring this school year, designed to help students in kindergarten through third grade build foundational reading skills — with Grade 1 as the top priority. This “High-dosage tutoring” provides one-onone or small-group tutoring sessions multiple times a week for at least ten weeks. “It’s crucial for our teachers and schools to have access to the resources they need to support every young reader,” said Gov. Healey. “This initiative will help bring high-dosage early literacy tutoring directly to students who need it most, giving them the foundational skills essential for long-term success.” “When our schools have access to evidence-based, culturally sustaining tutoring options, students are more likely to achieve the critical milestone of reading profi - ciently by third grade,” said EduCITY OF EVERETT 484 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 Jacob St. Louis, Tree Warden jacob.stlouis@ci.everett.ma.us cation Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “This opportunity targets fi rst grade, a crucial year for learning to read.” “Learning to read in fi rst grade is a milestone on the pathway to future success in school, and in life,” said Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “It’s hard to overstate the importance of learning to read in the early grades, and we want each and every Massachusetts student to get the support they need to achieve that.” $865,000 SETTLEMENT FOR VIOLATING BAY STATE EMPLOYMENT LAWS – Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced that her offi ce has reached a settlement with online grocery-delivery company Weee, resolving allegations that it violated Massachusetts employment laws pertaining to employee classifi cation and earned sick time. As part of the settlement, Weee has agreed to pay over $865,000 in citations, including restitution for over 160 impacted workers and penalties. “When employers illegally misclassify workers and prevent them from accessing crucial employee protections, such as the right to earn and use sick time to care for themselves and their families, vulnerable workers are unfairly harmed and exploited,” said Campbell. “My offi ce will continue to enforce our laws to protect and empower workers, reminding employers that Massachusetts is serious about protecting workers’ rights.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Our investments in public lands and outdoor recreation are ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ TREE REMOVAL HEARING In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 87, Section 3, notice is herewith given that a public hearing will be held on, Wednesday, August 20, 2025 At 5:00 PM At Everett City Hall, Planning Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Room 27 To determine if the following public shade trees shall be removed or remain per the Tree Warden of the City of Everett. The trees are located at or near the addresses identified below: Street Address 7-9 Avon Street DBH 21” Common Name Callery Pear OBJECTIONS TO THE REMOVAL OF ANY TREE(S) MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BY THE TREE WARDEN AT THE ABOVE LISTED ADDRESS PRIOR TO OR AT THE TREE HEARING. LETTERS CAN BE MAILED OR EMAILED TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. Jacob St. Louis Tree Warden, City of Everett August 8, 15, 2025 paying off big. We are dedicated to promoting local economic growth through targeted grants for destination mountain biking and inclusive outdoor recreation events, which create more opportunities for communities to discover and enjoy the outdoors.” ---Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper on a new report that ranked Massachusetts as having the fastest-growing outdoor recreation economy. “When mortgage loan servicers like Cypress violate our critical consumer protection and foreclosure prevention laws, they aren’t just breaking the rules – they are causing real pain and instability for Massachusetts residents and families. I am proud to announce this settlement, which will help ensure compliance with meaningful consumer protections and put mortgage servicers on notice that Massachusetts will not tolerate unlawful practices that put profi t over people.” ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell announcing that her offi ce has reached a $2 million settlement with Cypress Loan Servicing, a Texas-based residential mortgage loan servicer, which violated Massachusetts’ consumer protection, foreclosure prevention and debt collection laws, putting homeowners at unnecessary and unlawful risk of foreclosure. “Our administration is delivering on building more reasonably-priced housing. Because of the Affordable Homes Act and other initiatives, seniors now BEACON | SEE PAGE 22

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