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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022 Page 17 REAL ESTATE TRANSAC TIONS Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. BUYER1 BUYER2 BHRC | FROM PAGE 16 and towns. They argued the House should wait until an attempt is made to change the formula so that the additional $100 million will be distributed in a fairer manner. “Local offi cials across the state continue to advocate for an increase to the Chapter 90 program, which provides direct funding to cities and towns SELLER1 for maintaining and repairing 30,000 miles of municipal roadways in Massachusetts,” said Geoff Beckwith, the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. “The state has kept Chapter 90 funding fl at at $200 million for the past 10 years, while the cost of repairing roads has increased by more than 40 percent. Without a permanent increase in Chapter 90 aid, local roads will crumSELLER2 Lam, Yuk HTom, Kwok CAnthony Curtis TStaff -Fraga, Cindy ble at a faster rate and taxpayers will bear the burden of even more expensive repairs in the years ahead.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $100 million. A “No” vote is against the $100 million). Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Donald Wong Yes VETERANS’ HOMES OVERSIGHT BILL (S 2739) Senate 39-0, approved a bill that would make major changes to the oversight and governance structure of the state’s veterans’ homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. The proposal follows the deaths of 77 veteran residents in 2020 as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke facility. The House has already approved its own version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will likely hammer out a compromise version. Key provisions establish a new, full-time ombudsperson to receive, investigate and assist in resolving complaints related to the health, wellbeing and rights of veterans home residents and staff ; require the Department of Public Health with regularly inspecting the two homes and making all inspection reports publicly available; elevate the Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services to a cabinet-level position; requires each home to have a full-time specialist in infection control and emergency preparedness and to adhere to medically-sound guidelines for trauma-informed care; and require state-operated veterans’ homes to accept Medicare and Medicaid payments to facilitate veterans’ access to health care. “As the daughter of a veteran, I continue to be heartbroken for the families of those who lost their lives to COVID-19 at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate will continue to lead in its eff orts to support the brave men and women who have served our country.” “The Soldiers’ Homes have long suffered from gaps in accountability and a confused chain of command, factors which left it unable to deal with a crisis like the one we saw with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sen. Michael Rush (D-Boston), the ADDRESS 36 Essex St #8 CITY DATE PRICE 23.02.2022 $300 000,00 bill, the Senate recognizes the need to prioritize accountability and oversight, establish eff ective checks and balances and ensure clear chains of command at our state’s longterm care facilities for veterans in order to prevent the tragedy at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home from ever happening again,” said Senate Ways and Means chair Sen Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport). (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes REQUIRE SOLDIERS’ HOMES TO MEET STATE STANDARDS (S 2739) Senate 38-1, approved an amendment that would require that both veterans’ homes be licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and be required to meet state standards that are currently required for nursing facilities. Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), the sponsor of the amendment, said the amendment will ensure that the homes meet high state standards. “I was proud to file an amendment to this bill to require that the Secretary of Veterans Services be notified of any violation identifi ed during a DPH inspection of a Soldiers’ Home and to require Soldiers’ homes to comply with existing, strict DPH standards for skilled nursing facilities through a process of licensure,” said Comerford. “We should not rely solely on federal standards, which is why this amendment requires Soldiers’ homes comply with state standards—the same standards skilled nursing facilities are held to. The amendment will advance … the state’s eff orts to provide the highest quality care for the individuals who have served our nation.” “Long before COVID-19, many facilities across Massachusetts failed to maintain proper infection control procedures and staffi ng levels,” said Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), the SECRETARY OF VETERANS SERVICES MUST BE A VETERAN (S 2739) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to be a veteran. “Less than one-half of one percent of our population serves in the military, and a lot of times it can be diffi cult to fully grasp what veterans have been through and the issues they face unless you have served yourself,” said Sen. John Velis (D-Westfi eld), the Senate chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Aff airs. “The secretary is going to be the position in our state with the highest obligation of representing our service members and this amendment ensures whoever fi lls that position has had these experiences and understands what it truly means to serve.” (A “Yes” vote is for requiring the secretary to be a veteran.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent BHRC | SEE PAGE 18 only senator to vote against the amendment. “They were totally unprepared for a global pandemic and thousands of our loved ones perished, including those who valiantly served this country. Under current state law, a violation of the Department’s regulations is punishable by a paltry $50 fi ne while violations of a federal standard … can result in penalties of up to $22,300. If we are going to deter cost-cutting measures that jeopardize safety, then we must absolutely implement a state fi ne structure that closely aligns with federal standards and that refl ect the pain and suff ering infl icted on these vulnerable individuals and their families. Otherwise, the law has no teeth, and more lives will be jeopardized.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes Saugus sponsor of the bill. “The bill passed by the Senate today tightens these gaps, enhances the level of oversight by elevating the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to a cabinet level position and creates a stronger governing structure that supports our veterans and provides high quality care.” “With the passage of this

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