Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 28, 2026 New England Revolution helps Feed the Funnel with Encore Boston Harbor O n Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, New England Revolution players and front office members joined with Encore Boston Harbor for its signature Feed the Funnel event, which brought together more than 1,000 volunteers from more than 65 nonprofit and community organizations to pack 600,000 nutritious meals for individuals and families throughout Greater Boston. During seven packing sessions held over three days, volunteers helped assemble, seal and prepare meals for distribution to 15 local organizations addressing hunger and supporting vulnerable members of the community. The Feed the Funnel event featured Revolution players Andrew Farrell, Mamadou Fofana and Wilson Harrison, President Brian Bilello, VP of Marketing and Public Relations Cathal Conlon and mascot Slyde the Fox. Members of the New England Revolution recently helped Feed the Funnel with Encore Boston Harbor employees and mascot Slyde the Fox. (Courtesy photo) In memory of fallen firefighters, Sen. DiDomenico advances tougher penalties for deadly code violations second firefighter safety bill of the session doubles down on penalties for injury-causing violations Special to The Advocate O n August 13, 2026, Senator Sal N. DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate advanced legislation that establishes serious criminal penalties for fire code and building code violations that cause the injury or death of a firefighter, construction worker or any member of the public. The bill, An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report, involves the commission that was formed by the Legislature to investigate public safety and licensing around hot work — including welding, plasma cutting, and spark-producing construction — following the tragic 2014 fire in Boston’s Back Bay. The fire, which killed Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy, was caused by unpermitted welding work. On June 10, 2026, the House had passed its own version of the bill. On August 17, it referred the bill to a committee for a final review. “Our top priority must be the safety of our public safety workers and members of the public, and this legislation will enAluminum Aluminum Everett Supplies 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 66 Years in Business! •Vinyl Siding Decks • • •Carpentry Work •Decks • Replacement Windows Carpentry Work • • • Fully Insured Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Free Estimates Fully Licensed • Roong •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roong Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! sure reckless behavior during the building process will not be tolerated,” said Senator DiDomenico. “We have seen how careless actions can needlessly cost the lives of parents, siblings, and spouses, and it is our responsibility to make it as hard as possible to dodge crucial fire and building codes in our state. This decisive action will hold code violators to account and protect people throughout the Commonwealth.” Under the bill, people would face a criminal penalty of up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $500,000 if they commit certain violations of the state fire code or building code that cause a death. In cases where the violation causes serious bodily injury, the penalty would include up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The bill also significantly enhances the penalty for violations of the state fire prevention law related to hot work, increasing the fine for a first offense to $1,000 from the current $100 fine. Third and subsequent offenses for hot work violations could be penalized with up to two and a half years in a house of correction and a share of the building project’s total value. This is the second bill taken up by the Legislature in 2026 intended to strengthen safety for first responders and tradespeople conducting hot work. The first bill — cosponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives — was reviewed at a public hearing last year by the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and created requirements for consistent tracking and notification of code violations. That bill went on to be signed into law by the Governor as Chapter 114 of the Acts of 2026. Summer is Here!
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