Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 13, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 in jail but also establishes a process for using this money to compensate their victims as a form of restitution.” ALLOW PETS IN PUBLIC STATE-FUNDED HOUSING (H 1476) – A bill heard by the Housing Committee would reinstate the elderly state-aided housing pet program which was inadvertently eliminated when the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities was established in 2023. The program allows elderly residents of public housing to have pets. This bill would also expand the pet program to apply to all state-aided housing, without restrictions on a dog’s breed, size, weight or appearance. In addition, it would prevent state-aided public housing facilities from requiring pet declawing in line with Massachusetts law prohibiting this practice, requiring unreasonably expensive pet deposits or evicting a tenant because they own a pet. Anoth- 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. ES25P1655EA Estate of: CAROL LYNNE BENNETT Date of Death: 05/14/2024 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by John R. Bennett of Weymouth, 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: John R. Bennett of Weymouth, 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 06/23/2025. 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: May 27, 2025 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE June 13, 2025 er provision would create an advisory group to help develop and effectively implement pet-friendly policies in state-funded housing. “Elderly residents should not have to choose between access to housing and keeping their pets,” said sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). “The provisions outlined in this bill are crucial for ensuring elderly residents in state-aided housing can remain with their pets safely and without unfair restrictions.” FLY FLAG OUTSIDE CONDOS (H 1555) – Another proposal before the Housing Committee wouldprohibit any condominium association from denying a unit owner the right to fly or display the flag of the United States, the official flag of the United States Armed Forces or a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag in a window of the unit. The measure limits the size of the flag to 4.5 feet by 6 feet in size and prohibits any flag from obstructing the sightlines of other unit owners. “This bill stems from a constituent several years ago being told they could not fly the American flag- which she vehemently disagreed with,” said sponsor Rep. Dave Muradian (R-Grafton). ALLOW BUSINESSES TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS A FEE TO COVER CREDIT CARD FEES (S 194) – The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard a bill that would allow Massachusetts businesses to charge customers a fee to cover the cost of the processing fees that the credit card companies charge the business, provided that the surcharge amount is not greater than the actual cost to the seller and is posted prominently on their premises and website. “I filed this bill after hearing from a small business owner in my district whose auto repair shop is struggling to stay afloat under the weight of rapidly rising credit card processing fees,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “His experience is not unique. It reflects a growing challenge faced by small businesses across the commonwealth. Credit card fees add an unnecessary challenge to the operation of small businesses. Credit card companies and banks charge businesses for accepting credit cards by attaching a fee to transactions. These fees range from 2 to 4 percent of the transaction, despite the total cost of such transactions only being around 3.6 cents.” Comerford continued, “Large companies have leverage to negotiate better rates with these credit card companies and banks. However, small businesses do not have this luxury and are forced to bear the cost. While other states allow businesses to pass this fee to the consumer through surcharges, Massachusetts is one of two states that prohibit this. Small businesses play a vital role in the economy of Massachusetts. In 2024, these businesses comprised 99.5 percent of businesses in the commonwealth and employed 43.9 percent of Massachusetts’ employees. However, a 2025 study from the UMass Donahue Institute reported that 51 percent of retailers are likely to close or sell their business in the next five years, citing high-cost business challenges as a main factor behind their decision.” REGULATE BODY ART (H 321) – Another measure heard by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure would require the state to establish regulations and licensing for the body art and modification industry. Body art includes tattooing, piercing, branding and scarification and is currently regulated at the municipal level. Doctors who practice body art as a part of patient treatment and individuals who pierce only ears would be exempt from the bill. The bill establishes standards for businesses conducting body art, including procedures, sterilization, equipment, facilities and instruments. An individual licensed to perform body modification or body art would be required to have taken a college-level course in both anatomy and physiology, a course on the prevention of disease transmission from bloodborne pathogens, hold a certification in basic first aid and have two years of experience in the practice of body art either as part of an apprenticeship or from working in the field outside of the state. “Body art has grown in popularity, but the lack of consistent statewide standards puts both practitioners and clients at risk,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “This bill ensures proper training, health safeguards, and oversight, so that every body art procedure in Massachusetts meets the highest standards of safety and professionalism.” QUOTABLE QUOTES\ “Office to housing conversions are transformative for our main streets and downtowns. Building new housing from vacant buildings is a long-term investment in the community, providing more living options for residents, a renewed tax base and more customers for local businessBEACON | SEE PAGE 19
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