THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 26, 2025 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 ‘uninsured’ illegal aliens to fl ood our hospitals. Our healthcare system is now overwhelmed, bankrupt and broke.” (A “Yes” vote is for the budget. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes CAR RENTALS (S 2367) Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that supporters said would align the Bay State with the majority of other states by updating car rental insurance requirements to maintain liability coverage on a secondary basis, making rental companies responsible only if the renter is uninsured or underinsured. If a lessee or operator of a leased vehicle already has a valid liability policy or equivalent financial security meeting the state minimum requirements, the lessor’s coverage obligation is considered satisfi ed. Supporters said that by shifting primary liability to the renter’s personal auto insurance, the legislation helps make car rentals more aff ordable and accessible for Massachusetts residents, reducing costs while maintaining necessary protections. “When friends visited me on Cape Cod this summer, they were stunned at just how expensive it was to rent even a small sedan for the weekend,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “And they’re not wrong — rental car prices in Massachusetts are higher than almost anywhere else in the country, in part because we’ve kept an outdated insurance requirement on the books. We’re one of the only states where rental companies, not your own insurance, are required to carry primary coverage, and the cost of that policy gets passed right along to consumers. Cyr continued, “By aligning Massachusetts with the rest of the country, we’re helping lower rental car prices for families, travelers and anyone who needs to rent a car in a pinch. I’m proud the Senate has taken this step to make life just a little more aff ordable for our residents and visitors.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL MOVE 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION DATE TO SEPTEMBER 1 (H 4531) - The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation setting next year’s state primary election date for Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Supporters said this action is a standard step in the lead up to an election year to ensure the primary date complies with state and federal requirements. It ensures that local clerks are given necessary time to send and process vote-by-mail ballots for Massachusetts residents, and gives election offi cials the ability to meet a required federal timeline for sending ballots to military servicemembers and citizens overseas. “Given the calendar, holidays, requirements that we allow time for overseas ballots, including for members of the military, and to allow time for the printing of ballots, setting a date can sometimes be diffi cult,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy), Senate Chair of the Committee on Election Laws. “This legislation will put the commonwealth in position to meet these obligations and run another smooth, safe and secure primary election on September 1, 2026. Now, more than ever, our democratic process must remain steadfast in the face of unprecedented federal uncertainty.” “It is always important to be proactive in setting the primary election to ensure we select a date that encourages voter participation,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am glad that we settled the date a year in advance, giving voters ample time for public awareness and giving our hardworking election administrators ample time to prepare.” FENTANYL TEST STRIPS (S 1057) – The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would exclude fentanyl test strips and fentanyl drug testing equipment from the defi nition of drug paraphernalia. It also includes a Good Samaritan Law that would provide that anyone who, in good faith, provides, administers or utilizes fentanyl test strips or fentanyl drug testing equipment shall not be subject to any criminal or civil liability or any professional disciplinary action. The legislation expands a 2024 law that provided criminal and civil liability protections for those in the harm reduction community who provide or use fentanyl test strips in good faith. The bill would expand the liability protections beyond those just in the harm reduction community and ensure police offi - cers and others who seek to distribute the tests or others acting in good faith are aff orded legal protection. Supporters said that under current law, selling or distributing these items could be a crime. As a result, police departments and others who are interested in distributing fentanyl test strips are concerned that doing so would subject them to criminal or civil liability. They noted that MassachuBEACON | SEE PAGE 18 City of Everett PLANNING BOARD 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Frederick Cafasso- Chairman LEGAL NOTICE EVERETT PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Public Hearing on an application by 252-254 Ferry Street LLC Property located at: 252-254 Ferry Street Site Plan Review & Inclusionary Zoning Special Permit In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L Chapter 40A and with Sections 4, 19, and 33 of the Everett Zoning Ordinance, the Everett Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Monday, October 6, 2025 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 interior renovation to an existing 6-unit multifamily dwelling to convert the dwelling into a 16-unit multifamily dwelling, 3 of which shall be deed-restricted as affordable. 756 Broadway is located within the Dwelling District and is referenced by Assessor’s Department as M0-02-000158. 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 September 19, 26, 2025
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