THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 28, 2025 Page 19 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 er for public bodies to manage their meetings with both equity and transparency,” said Sen, Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “It’s been clear from municipalities across the commonwealth that they want to continue to offer this expanded access.” “I have heard loud and clear from my colleagues, and the communities we represent, that hybrid meetings have increased access, engagement and transparency in local government,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “There is no reason that a family obligation, a car breakdown, a disability or any other life circumstance should get in the way of making your voice heard on an issue you care about in your community.” “One of the lessons we learned from the pandemic was that using technology for public meetings expands access and civic participation across government,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “With this extension, we are removing barriers to participation and residents will continue to be able to be active participants in governmental decisions remotely.” $10.4 MILLION FOR INTERNET UPGRADES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING – The Healey Administration announced $10.4 million in grants to upgrade Internet access in some 8,000 public and affordable housing across 26 Massachusetts communities. The projects will install modern cabling in each unit, increasing residents’ access to high-quality, reliable and affordable broadband service. The Residential Retrofit Program prioritizes ISPs that offer affordable quality service to decrease the cost of access. “When residents are better connected, it opens a world of new possibilities in both their professional and private lives,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “The Residential Retrofit Program is a transformative investment in communities across the state and demonstrates Massachusetts’ commitment to advancing the Internet for everyone.” STATE’S FIRST POET LAUREATE – Gov. Healey and the Mass Cultural Council announced that the Bay State is now accepting applications to fill the new role of Poet Laureate of Massachusetts. Gov. Healey created the new position in February when she signed an executive order establishing the position. This honorary position is designed to promote poetry and creative expression across the state, serve as the governor’s ambassador of the arts and inspire the next generation of writers. The poet laureate will be eligible for an honorarium provided by the Mass Cultural Council. The Poet Laureate will be charged with encouraging the appreciation of poetry and creative expression across Massachusetts, participating in public readings and other statewide literary and cultural events, composing poetry for ceremonial occasions and advising the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on an outreach program for schools focused on the celebration and advancement of poetry. “I was proud to sign an executive order establishing our first-ever state Poet Laureate,” said Healey. “We’re excited to be opening the application so that local poets from across the state can apply for this historic position. This is an opportunity to spread the gift of poetry, celebrate the talent in our state, stoke the fires of imagination and tell our stories.” “The Mass Cultural Council, the commonwealth’s state arts agency, believes in the Power of Culture and recognizes poetry as a strong and vital art form that inspires connection, fosters empathy and gives voice to diverse experiences,” said Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt. “Poetry has the unique ability to capture the essence of human emotion, challenge perspective and build bridges between communities. This new voice will help to enrich our cultural landscape, remind us of our rich legacy of profound writers and strengthen the creative spirit of the commonwealth.” To apply for the position or for more information go to: https://massculturalcouncil. org/artists-art/poet-laureate/ application-process/ $5.7 MILLION FOR FARMLAND PRESERVATION - Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announced the granting of $5.7 million in funding for farmland preservation. The funding is aimed at protecting 400 acres of farmland through the state’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. Another $500,000 will be granted to help existing Massachusetts APR farmers restore land that was previously unsuitable for farming. “Massachusetts farmers are some of the strongest and most resilient people I’ve met,” said Tepper. “Between extreme weather, high costs and now a tariff war, our farmers deserve our support more than ever. Our programs are designed to keep existing farms strong and revive unused land for farming. This means better food security and a healthier environment for everyone in Massachusetts.” DIRECTOR OF FAIR HOUSING - Whitney Demetrius joined the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities as the state’s first Director of Fair Housing. The position was established by the Healey Administration’s Affordable Homes Act to support fair housing initiatives, including enforcement, testing, outreach and education, as well as collaborating with other state agencies to advance fair housing policies and programs. “A crucial part of ensuring our commonwealth is truly livable is addressing the barriers to fair housing and housing choice,” said Demetrius. “I am eager to work collaboratively in this role to carry out the vision of this administration, putting fair housing at the forefront of our path forward.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Hundreds of people proudly took to Beacon Hill today in a display of support and solidarity at this pivotal moment when the immigrant commuBEACON | SEE PAGE 21 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES25P0838EA Estate of: CHESTER J. HABEREK Date of Death: 01/11/2025 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Mary M. Haberek of Saugus, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: Mary M. Haberek of Saugus, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 04/22/2025. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: March 20, 2025 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE March 28, 2025
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