Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 2, 2020 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen LISTEN TO BOB’S SHOW: Beacon Hill Roll Call’s publisher, Bob Katzen, hosts “ The Bob Katzen Baby Boomer and Gen X Fun and Nostalgia Show” every Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jump into Bob’s DeLorean time machine and tune in for a trip back to the simpler and happier days of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. There are many ways you can listen to the show from anywhere in the world: If you have a smart speaker, simply say, “Play WMEX on RADIO.COM” Download the free RADIO. COM app on your phone or tablet Listen online at: www.radio.com/1510wmex/listen Tune into 1510 AM if you still have an AM radio THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. This week Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on how local legislators voted on some of the bills that were approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in the 2020 session. Of the more than 6,000 bills that have been filed for consideration, only 178 have been approved and signed by the governor. Only 28 of those were bills that affected the entire state while the vast majority were either sick leave banks, local land taking measures or other local-related measures applying to just one city or town. Of those 28 bills, 13 were related directly to the COVID-19 virus and 15 were on other matters. Sick leave banks allow public employees to voluntarily donate sick, personal or vacation days to a sick leave bank for use by a fellow worker so he or she can get paid while on medical leave. Land takings are local land measures that usually only affect one city or town. Here are five of the statewide bills signed into law: $122 MILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 4502) House 154-0, Senate 37-0, approved a $122 million fiscal 2020 supplemental budget. Key provisions provide $15 million for heating energy assistance to help low-income seniors, working families and other households pay winter heating bills. Another item ensures that the Healthy Incentives Program that provides fruit and vegetables to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) is available all year-round. Other provisions include $2 million for smoking prevention and cessation programs; $300,000 for the Cannabis Control Commission; and $2.8 million for the Early Intervention Program for families of children up to three years of age who have developmental difficulties because of health or environmental conditions. Supporters said the budget is necessary to cover expenses and to fund various state programs and agencies that are running out of money. They argued the funding reflects immediate deficiencies to crucial programs that their constituents rely on every day. (A “Yes” vote is for the budget.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ CITY OF EVERETT BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 (617) 381-7445 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that a public hearing will be held on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM in regards to an application for zoning relief. In response to Governor Baker’s declaration of a public health emergency and the related Emergency Executive Order dated March 12, 2020, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be meeting remotely until further notice. The audioconferencing application Zoom will be used for this purpose. An online link and telephone access number will be provided on all meeting agendas and also on the Board’s website. This application will permit the public to access and participate in future Board meetings and hearings. Instructions for joining meetings in this manner will be provided on the City and City Clerk’s website. We extend our thanks for your understanding and participation in this manner, which is intended to keep members of the Board and the public safe. Whereas a petition has been presented by: Property Address: Map/Parcel: Person Requesting: 94 Wyllis Ave. D0-06-0000772 Mr. Sujan Kharel 94 Wyllis Ave. Everett, MA 02149 To the said Board of Appeals, the owner/applicant owns an existing single-family house, built in June 1925, and would like in to convert it to a three-family (3) dwelling. The existing 8128 sf lot is located in a Dwelling District. Permit was denied in accordance to the City of Everett Zoning Ordinance Appendix A as follows: Reason for Denial: • The floor area ratio of 0.95 is above what is allowed in the Dwelling District. Zoning Ordinance: Section 4 Dwelling Districts b) Dimensional Requirements 2 Lot Area line c which states c. All other uses--------------0.5 maximum floor area ratio (Ord. of 6-29-87; Ord. of 4-29-91 Ord. of 7/16/2002; Ord. of 11/13/2007) MARY GERACE – Chairman ROBERTA SUPPA - Clerk BOARD OF APPEALS October 2 & 9, 2020 ALLOW THE STATE TO BORROW BILLIONS OF DOLLARS (H 4677) House 157-0, Senate 38-0, approved a bill that would authorize the state treasurer to borrow billions of dollars needed to keep the state running through the end of June. The funding is needed as a result of diminishing income tax revenues during COVID-19 when the Bay State moved the tax return filing deadline from April 15 to July 15 in addition to the loss of sales tax and other revenue as a result of business shutdowns. State tax collections dropped in April by more than $2.3 billion compared to April 2019. The Legislature and the administration accomplished this by agreeing to engage in RANs — Revenue Anticipation Notes. This means that the state will borrow in fiscal 2020 the amount of money that was deferred or estimated to have been deferred by the movement of the tax filing date. Then the state would use fiscal year 2021 revenues to pay back the loan. Supporters said they anticipate the borrowing could reach up to $3 billion in order to keep the state financially afloat. They said the state is obligated to pay its bills and has no other choice. “The legislation that advanced today will help the commonwealth responsibly meet near-term budget challenges as we continue to address the impacts of COVID-19,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “In order to protect the commonwealth’s taxpayers and maintain fiscal discipline during this public health crisis, the bi-partisan legislation passed by the Senate today authorizes the commonwealth to finance the recent extension of the 2019 state individual income tax filing deadline and provides a necessary bridge to help us get through the next few months until the next fiscal year,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The passage of this bill will allow the commonwealth to meet its fiscal obligations and pay its bills without negatively affecting our residents in the midst of this pandemic.” (A “Yes” vote is for the borrowing). Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes $200 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES (H 4803) House 159-0, Senate 390, reduced from $300 MILLION 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, on a voice vote without a roll call, 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 ROLL CALL | SEE PAGE 19
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