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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 12, 2025 Page 17 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 each child from 2 years and 9 months of age to 5 years of age, who is not eligible for or enrolled in kindergarten operated by a public school. The measure would also create a Pre-K Advisory Council within EEC to assist in administering the Universal Pre-K program. “Pre-K has been shown to have a significant effect on students’ linguistic, academic and social development, but it is prohibitively expensive for so many in the commonwealth,” said sponsor Rep. Danillo Sena (D-Acton). “I filed this bill because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to attend Pre-K.” UNIFORM AGE FOR KINDERGARTEN (H 510) – Another proposal before the Education Committee would require that children be at least five years old by the beginning of the school year in order to enter kindergarten that year. Under current law, the minimum age for kindergarten eligibility varies by district, as local school committees have the authority to set age requirements. Supporters said this variation has led to inconsistencies across the state regarding when children may begin their formal education. “Back in 2012, a few teachers approached me with the idea for this legislation,” said sponsor Rep. Brian Ashe (D-Longmeadow). “They emphasized the educational value of starting children’s learning as early as possible. I filed the bill based on its merits and the well-established fact that children who attend kindergarten build a stronger foundation for future learning.” $10.9 MILLION FOR DAMS, LEVEES AND COSTAL INFRASTRUCTURE – Gov. Maura Healey announced the awarding of nearly $11 million in funding for dams, levees and coastal infrastructure. Supporters said the funds will be used to repair or remove aging dams, seawalls, levees and other critical infrastructure across the state. They noted it will support 23 municipalities and nonprofit organizations in making long-overdue repairs and taking down outdated structures that put homes, roads and neighborhoods at risk. “Strong infrastructure keeps our communities running - from protecting homes during storms to keeping roads open and water secure,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “By investing in these projects now, we’re helping communities prevent future problems, save money over time and keep people and neighborhoods safe.” “As a former mayor of a coastal city, I know how hard it is to find the funding to take on major infrastructure repairs, even when the need is obvious,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “These grants help cities and towns take on big repairs they couldn’t tackle alone.” PROHIBIT “JUNK FEES” – Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced that new regulations promulgated by her office earlier this year, which make junk fees and deceptive pricing illegal, took effect on September 2. Campbell’s office explained that junk fees are hidden, surprise or unnecessary costs that increase the total price of a product beyond the advertised price. Businesses often do not disclose such fees upfront or only share them at the end of a transaction after consumers have already provided their personal billing information. Similarly, some businesses have engaged in practices related to trial offers, subscriptions and automatic and recurring charges to conceal the total cost and nature of a product or service, while making it difficult for consumers to cancel or opt-out of such features. “Today, as we build upon the commonwealth’s nation-leading legacy of consumer protection, we make clear that ‘junk fees’ and deceptive pricing are not lawful,” said Campbell. “From concert tickets and hotel bookings, to subscription services and apartment rentals – surprise and unnecessary charges have quietly cost consumers around the country tens of billions of dollars each year. Amidst rising costs, these historic regulations not only provide individuals with upfront transparency about the true cost of a good or service, but level the playing field for businesses by promoting trust and fair competition. I urge consumers and businesses to view my office’s resources to ensure compliance with the new rules, which my office stands ready to enforce starting today.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Three-in-four Massachusetts voters want to lower the income tax rate from five to four percent, with substantial public support across party lines and income brackets. The proposed tax cut could save the average Massachusetts taxpayer $1,300 annually compared to the status quo. As the cost of living continues to rise, residents are eager for forward-looking solutions that offer meaningful relief.” --- Jim Stergios, executive director of the Pioneer Institute, on his support for the possible 2026 ballot question asking voters if they favor a reduction from 5 percent to 4 percent in the income tax rate. “As we begin another school year, every parent in Massachusetts should be able to send their children to class with the knowledge and security that they will be protected from preventable diseases. No one should have to worry that low vaccination rates at their child’s school could trigger an outbreak.” --- Katie Blair, Director of MA Families for Vaccines, citing a poll she says shows that 70 percent of Massachusetts voters support legislation eliminating religious exemption for vaccines for school-aged children. “Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients in Massachusetts are hardworking members of our state economy, often filling critical roles in the health care and elder care industries. The Trump Administration’s unlawful attacks on Haiti’s TPS designation have no logical basis and are yet another example of his mistreatment of the immigrant communities that make our commonwealth and our country stronger. I will continue to fight back against illegal policies that harm our state economy and threaten the wellbeing of the roughly 15,000 Haitian TPS holders in Massachusetts and the families, patients and employers who rely on them. ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell supporting a challenge to the Trump Administration’s attempt to terminate Haiti’s TPS designation and strip legal immigration status from hundreds of thousands of Haitians living and working in the United States. “Whether we own or rent, everyone in Massachusetts should be able to afford a place to call home. But right now, there is no limit to how much rents can increase each year. Corporate real estate investors are taking advantage of this gap in our laws to buy up homes and double rents overnight, threatening the basic fabric of our neighborhoods. Massachusetts needs basic protections against excessive rent hikes to keep people in their homes, support working families and stabilize our communities. By coming together to win modern rent stabilization, we can keep Massachusetts home for all of us.” ---Noemi “Mimi” Ramos, Executive Director of New England Community Project supporting a possible 2026 ballot question asking voters if they BEACON | 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. ES25P2657EA Estate of: THOMAS JAMES CHIODI Date of Death: 06/19/2025 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 Michael Chiodi 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: Michael Chiodi of Stoneham, 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 10/06/2025. 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: September 04, 2025 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE September 12, 2025

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