What's ahead in state government this week
Israeli Consul General to New England in Mashpee; Baker thank you event in Plymouth; Tour of Truro farmers market
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With extensive lawmaking off the table until summer's end, next week should be bookended by administration-level decision-making on the MBTA and the proposed Wynn Everett casino.
Some charged social issues - abortion, racism and the treatment of immigrants - will find outlets in Massachusetts over the next few days.
Next week will be capped by a decision Friday by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on an environmental permit that Wynn Everett needs to move ahead on its plans for a casino on the Mystic River. On Monday the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board will hold a meeting where privatization of some bus service will be on the agenda.
Both deep into the traditional August recess, the House and the Senate last held a formal session on Thursday, July 30. In the meantime, it has been Gov. Charlie Baker making news. So far in August Baker led an Ice Bucket Challenge on the front steps of the State House, met with Air Force brass, filed a solar energy bill, called out federal fishery regulators, released analysis of the former Olympic bid, went on a 25-mile charity bike ride, and feted data on Logan Airport travel. At the same time, the governor has faced questions about the death of a foster child in Auburn and agreed to a future meeting with immigrant activists.
With Labor Day still more than two weeks away, the relatively relaxed summer pace of government should continue. While state lawmakers spend time off Beacon Hill, the regular summer recess on Capitol Hill has meant more face-time for Bay Staters with their congressional delegation. This summer recess has given members of the U.S. House and Senate time to consider the Obama administration's nuclear agreement with Iran while in their districts.
Both U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey have come out in support of the Iran deal as have Congressman Stephen Lynch, Congressman James McGovern, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Congressman Seth Moulton and Congresswoman Katherine Clark. Those who have yet to announce whether they support the deal or oppose it are Congressman Michael Capuano, Congressman Bill Keating, Congressman Joe Kennedy III and Congressman Richard Neal. Though he generally favors the agreement, Capuano is keeping an open mind until the day of the vote, according to an aide. There's general belief that both branches would need veto-proof majorities in opposition to the deal in order to nix it.
While Congress doesn't return to session until Tuesday, Sept. 7, President Barack Obama's vacation on Martha's Vineyard comes to an end on Sunday when the First Family is scheduled to fly back to Washington. The Obamas arrived on Martha's Vineyard the evening of Friday, Aug. 7. The president's vacation has been spent on golf courses and at the beach, according to pool coverage.On Sunday, when the president is scheduled to fly out of Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station, Yehuda Yaakov, the Israeli Consul General to New England will be at a country club in Mashpee, in Keating's district, talking about the deal, which the Israeli government strongly opposes.
On Saturday and next week, activists opposed to Planned Parenthood, a group seeking to raise awareness of police treatment of black people and immigrant advocates will all hold events.
-Black Lives Matter has disrupted events held by Democratic candidates for president, gaining attention for the streak of publicized police killings of black individuals that began in July 2014 with the death of Eric Garner in New York City. On Saturday members of the diffuse movement will go door-to-door in Cambridge, one of the most liberal and wealthiest cities in the state. The city was also the site of the high-profile arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., a black man, at his home in 2009. "This is what happens to black men in America," Gates reportedly said as Cambridge police took him into custody.
-A nationwide protest against Planned Parenthood, the reproductive health care organization whose practice of providing fetal organ tissue for research was publicized through recently released undercover videos from opponents, will take place in Massachusetts near a local branch in Allston on Saturday. Rep. James Lyons, an Andover Republican who sought a state investigation in Massachusetts, is one of the speakers at the event, which is also taking place Saturday.
-Donald Trump, who has led in the polls of Republican candidates running for president, will be the target of immigrant rights activists at a vigil on Thursday. The activists have a list of grievances, including Trump's announcement-speech allegation that Mexico is "sending" rapists and other criminals into the U.S.; Trump's more recent hardline immigration policy proposal; and most recently, the candidate's statement that his supporters are "passionate" when told that a man facing charges in Boston for attacking a homeless Hispanic man had cited Trump's preference for deportation. On Friday, Trump will be in Norwood for a fundraiser.
SATURDAY, AUG. 22, 2015
BLACK LIVES MATTER DOOR KNOCKING: Members of Black Lives Matter will go door to door in "predominantly white neighborhoods" in Cambridge to distribute yard signs with the logo "#BlackLivesMatter" and speak with residents about racial justice efforts happening in the Boston area. The canvas event comes after Daunasia Yancey and Julius Jones of Black Lives Matter Worcester met with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during a recent campaign stop in New Hampshire.(Saturday, 1 p.m., Peet's Coffee & Tea, 100 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge)
PLANNED PARENTHOOD PROTEST: Anti-abortion organizations will hold a demonstration as part of a National Day of Protest against Planned Parenthood. The protest comes in the wake of allegations the organization profited off of the distribution of fetal tissue. Organizers are calling to de-fund, investigate, and where applicable, criminally prosecute Planned Parenthood. The rally is part of nationwide protests also happening in about 300 communities. A host of people are scheduled to speak including Rep. James Lyons (R-Andover), William Cotter of Operation Rescue: Boston, Father Michael McNamara, Rita Russo of 40 Days For Life and C.J. Doyle executive director of Catholic Action League. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Planned Parenthood, 1055 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston)
CHRISTMAS TREE SUMMIT: Christmas tree farmers from across the Commonwealth will flock to Townsend for the 57th annual meeting of the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association. The meeting will feature a discussion of weed management issue for Christmas tree growers and how to select appropriate pesticides for managing Christmas tree insect and mite pests. A barbeque chicken lunch will be provided, but event organizers strongly recommend guests bring their own chair. (Saturday, Aug. 22, 8 a.m., D.J. Hussey Farm, 20 Burgess Road, Townsend)
AUDITOR IN CHICAGO: Auditor Suzanne Bump travels to Chicago to take part in the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers annual conference. (Saturday, Aug. 22)
FOREST FIRE EXPERT, MEDIA HISTORIAN ON 'JR SHOW': Forest fire expert Chad Hanson of the John Muir Project will be a guest on "The Jordan Rich Show." Rich will also talk with historian Donna Halper about pioneering women in media. (Saturday, Aug. 22, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
BAKER AT OLYMPIC EVENT: Gov. Charlie Baker attends Family Fun Olympic Day. According to a flyer, participants can compete in "swimming, track, tennis, basketball, javelin-throwing and a road race," enjoy a barbecue, watch demonstrations of other Olympic events and attend the "Baby Olympics." The event is presented by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Friends of the Melnea Cass Facility. The U.S. Olympic Committee recently dropped Boston as its choice to represent the country in competition for the 2024 games. (Saturday, 3:15 p.m., Melnea Cass Recreational Complex, 120 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Roxbury)
SUNDAY, AUG. 23, 2015
IRAN DEAL TALK: The Israeli Consul General to New England, Yehuda Yaakov, will address an assemblage of Cape Cod business and civic leaders, members of the Jewish community and others about the international nuclear deal with Iran. The talk, titled "The Iran Deal - Is This a Good or Bad Agreement?," is expected to be "a frank discussion of the deal and an opportunity for the consul general to hear the opinions of regional leaders." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes the deal and has lobbied for Congress to block it. (Sunday, noon, Willowbend Country Club, 100 Willowbend Dr., Mashpee)
SEIU COMMUNITY FAIR: Healthcare workers from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East invite family, friends and neighbors to stop by their office for an afternoon of free food, games, raffles, workshops and health screenings during their free community fair. (Sunday, 12 p.m., 150 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester)
CONGRESSMAN MOULTON GOES 'ON THE RECORD': Congressman Seth Moulton sits down "On The Record" to discuss the Iran deal, ISIS, and Pope Francis' upcoming address to Congress. The Salem Democrat in a statement earlier this month endorsed the Iran deal and called the agreement "by far the best viable option before us." (Sunday, 11 a.m., WCVB-TV Ch. 5)
BUMP WILL RUN: Auditor Suzanne Bump is expected to participate in a 5K run/walk as part of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers annual conference. (Sunday, 7 a.m. CST, 540 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill.)
STATE TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORS CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS: The National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD) will hold its 38th annual conference and technology showcase Aug. 23 to 27 in Cincinnati. This year's conference focuses on state government partnerships and collaborative efforts. Panel discussions featuring state technology professionals and their private sector partners will include topics such as cybersecurity, information technology, service integration, hybrid cloud services, mobile device management and IT trends in state government across all four NASTD regions. The National Association of State Technology Directors represents information technology professionals from the 50 states--divided into four regions--and the private sector. (Sunday thru Thursday, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W 5th St., Cincinnati, Ohio)
MONDAY, AUG. 24, 2015
HOUSE AND SENATE: Both branches plan to meet in informal session. (Monday, 11 a.m.)
BAKER THANK-YOU EVENT, PLYMOUTH: The Massachusetts Republican Party and Gov. Charlie Baker will hold an event to thank election volunteers. Gov. Baker is expected to attend, according to a party spokesman. (Monday, 6 p.m., VFW Plymouth, Plymouth)
MOULTON DISTRICT TOUR: Freshman U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton will make the fourth of five stops on his "Congress on Your Corner" tour of the 6th Mass. district. The Congressman will speak with constituents and his staff will be available to help solve constituent problems with federal agencies. (Monday, 4:45 p.m., Rockport Library, 17 School St., Rockport)
CAHILL HOSTS 'NIGHTSIDE': Former Treasurer Tim Cahill sits in the big chair on "NightSide" filling in for Dan Rea. (Monday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
MWRA RETIREMENT SYSTEM: The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Employees' Retirement System holds its monthly meeting and is expected to discuss interviews for finalists for the executive director position, monthly transfers and to receive a presentation on its energy funds. (Monday, 10 a.m., 2 Griffin Way, Room 2D, Chelsea)
STAFF RECRUITMENT/RETENTION: Auditor Suzanne Bump will be part of a panel discussing staff recruitment and retention at the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers annual conference. (Monday, 9:55 a.m. CST, 540 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill.)
COTTONTAIL WALK: MassWildlife Habitat Biologist Marianne Piché, along with Natural Resources Conservation Services and Department of Conservation and Recreation Service Forestry staff will lead a walking tour of a cottontail habitat management project. The experts will also discuss New England cottontail conservation, habitat management planning, funding, and permitting. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Main Road east of Sheets Road, Granville)
CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCES: The Barnstable Community Horace Mann Charter Public School Finance Committee meets to discuss its financial reports for the month of July and to go over its budget for Fiscal Year 2016. (Monday, 1 p.m., BCHMCPS bookkeeper's office, 165 Bearses Way, Hyannis)
HORACE MANN CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL: Updates on enrollment, staffing and technology, and a revised expulsion policy are on the agenda for a meeting of the Barnstable Community Horace Mann Charter Public School Board of Trustees. The board will also consider hosting an event in September and changes to the dismissal pick-up procedures. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Ed-Invest office, 2nd floor conference room, 33 Bassett Lane, Hyannis)
T CONTROL BOARD: The MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board will discuss the winter resiliency plan, potential outsourcing of some bus operations, a "Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Thread Report" and the Green Line Extension, which will bring trolley service out to Somerville and Medford. MBTA workers have been upgrading tracks with heating devices after last winter's snow and cold took a devastating toll on riders' commutes. The T is testing the waters to see whether there is interest from the private sector in providing bus service on 32 routes, including express buses, less-traveled routes, and late night weekend bus service. With about $1 billion in federal money for the roughly $2.3 billion project, the Green Line Extension is in the early stages of the construction phase. An MBTA spokesman did not provide any additional information about the meeting on Friday after MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola hinted that it would be newsworthy in a meeting with reporters earlier in the week. (Monday, 1 p.m., MassDOT Board Room, 10 Park Plaza)
RIDER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: The MBTA Rider Oversight Committee will hold a meeting with planned discussions on safety, finance, marketing and service standards. (Monday, 5 p.m., 10 Park Plaza, Conference Rooms 1, 2, 3)
IMMUNOTHERAPY, VACCINE SUMMIT: The Cambridge Healthtech Institute will sponsor the tenth annual ImVacS: Immunotherapy and Vaccine Summit. ImVacS has grown over its 10 years to a multi-track event spanning vaccines, immunotherapies, and platform technologies. This year's event has been expanded to five days with coverage on adjuvants, vaccine and immunotherapy technologies, immunomodulatory therapeutic antibodies for cancer, combination cancer immunotherapy, and T cell target discovery. General admission packages range $929 to $2,699. More info: www.imvacs.com (Monday 8 a.m. thru Friday 6 p.m., Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, 296 State St., Boston)
TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL CLOSURE: All westbound lanes of the Ted Williams Tunnel will be closed from midnight through 5 a.m. to allow for paving. During the tunnel closure, vehicular traffic will be detoured to the Sumner Tunnel and trucks will be detoured towards Route 1A North to Route 16W to the Tobin Bridge. MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays. The schedule for this project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice, according to MassDOT. (Monday, midnight through 5 a.m., Ted Williams Tunnel, Boston)
TUESDAY, AUG. 25, 2015
'FEEL THE BERN' CONCERT FUNDRAISER: Grassroots political group Boston For Bernie will host their second fundraising concert in support of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) Democratic presidential campaign. Boston-based music acts Paul McCaffrey and As the Sparrow are slated to perform; more acts will be added to the bill and announced by press release Monday morning. Local political organizers, including speakers from Global Zero, will take the stage to talk about issues and ideas central to Sanders' campaign platform. Boston For Bernie is requesting $8 to $25 donations at the door and says all proceeds will be donated to the Sanders campaign. (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston)
BAKER IN HOLYOKE: Gov. Charlie Baker visits Holyoke Community College. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke
COLLEGE BOUND: Gov. Charlie Baker will attend a College Bound Dorchester event to "recognize the accomplishments of more than 50 students who are enrolled in college." The event will take place in the new Bolling Building housing Boston Public Schools office in Dudley Square. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury)
GUV, SECRETARIES TOUR COLLEGE BUILDING: Governor Charles Baker, Education Secretary James Peyser, Labor Secretary Ronald Walker, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash plan to tour Holyoke Community College's "Building G." (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke)
DORCHESTER MATRICULATION CELEBRATION: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash plans to attend College Bound Dorchester's "I Am My Future" matriculation celebration. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Bruce Bolling Building, 2300 Washington St. - 2nd floor, Roxbury)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Boston Gas Company and Colonial Gas Company doing business as National Grid for approval of mid-term modifications for its 2013-2015 energy efficiency budget. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., One South Station, Boston - 5th Floor)
POLITO WITH SERVICE DOGS: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito is scheduled to visit the National Education for Assistance Dog Services, a non-profit that trains service dogs for deaf and disabled Americans. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 305 Redemption Rock Trail, Princeton)
RUTLAND COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov Karyn Polito continues her tour of the state's municipalities by signing a community compact with Rutland Board of Selectmen Chair Leroy Clark. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Community Hall Annex, 246 Main Street, Rutland)
UPTON MUNICIPAL MEETING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will be joined by Rep. David Muradian at a municipal meeting in Upton. (Tuesday, Upton Town Hall, Great Room, One Main St., Upton)
FALL RIVER/FREETOWN STATE FOREST: Officials will gather for the second organizational Fall River/Freetown State Forest Stakeholder Meeting in Assonet. Sen. Michael Rodrigues, Rep. Paul Schmid, Rep. Carole Fiola, South Regional Director for the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Trustee of Reservation Karl Pastore are scheduled to attend. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Freetown Historical Society, 1 Slab Bridge Road, Assonet)
BUMP IN CHICAGO: Auditor Suzanne Bump participates in day two of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers annual conference. (Tuesday, 8 a.m. CST, 540 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill.)
HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND: The Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund will hold a business meeting to discuss the partnership's management and finance, its policy and program development, and to consider a loan proposal for Jefferson Park in Cambridge. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 160 Federal St., 2nd floor, Boston)
SOCIAL WORKER REGISTRATION BOARD: The Board of Registration of Social Workers holds its business meeting to meet with the Investigation Unit's chief and deputy chief, and to discuss a regulatory review. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 1000 Washington St., Hearing Room 1-D, Boston)
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: The state's Interagency Supportive Housing Working Group meets to discuss what impacts on supportive housing reforms to state regulation would have, and to talk about repurposing underutilized property. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, 1 Center Plaza, Suite 350, Boston)
'STRAIGHT OUTTA BOSTON' CONVO: The Roxbury Social Impact Center will take 30 youths to see "Straight Outta Compton" at3:30 p.m. Following the movie, at 7 p.m., they will host a "Straight Outta Boston" discussion panel with the youths at the Emerson College Jackie Liebergott Box Theatre. According to organizers, "This movie is an opportunity for much needed dialogue across multiple generations about voice, expression through art, and this historic moment of reckoning with the social injustices that bombard our society." Urban Music Project Manager Jeriel Johnson will join in the discussion via video conference. Info:http://www.eventbrite.com/e/straight-outta-boston-a-conversation-on-art-social-justice-pop-culture-tickets-18191660747 (Tuesday, 7 p.m., 559 Washington St., Boston)
TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL CLOSURE: All westbound lanes of the Ted Williams Tunnel will be closed from midnight through 5 a.m. to allow for paving. (Tuesday, midnight through 5 a.m., Ted Williams Tunnel, Boston)
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26, 2015
MEETING ON REDUCING CAPE COD NITROGEN POLLUTION: The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will hold a public meeting to seek comment on a draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report identifying the need to limit and reduce nitrogen pollution in the Cape Cod coastal waters of Allen, Saquatucket, and Wychmere harbors and in the Herring River. The restoration plan for the estuary system, formulated by MassDEP and the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology, is proposed as part of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project. According to MassDEP, population growth and increased land use development, particularly in the last several decades in southeast Massachusetts, has led to an overabundance of nitrogen in Cape Cod harbors, bays and estuaries. The primary controllable source of nitrogen is wastewater discharged from septic systems, storm water runoff, leaching lawn fertilizers and discharges from agricultural land uses. The public comment period on the draft ends at 5 p.m. on September 30. Draft TMDL Report for Total Nitrogen and further explanation of the TMDL Program:http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/tmdls.htm#draft (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Selectmen's Room, Harwich Town Hall, 732 Main St., Harwich Center)
MOULTON DISTRICT TOUR: Freshman U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton will make the fifth and final stop on his "Congress on Your Corner" tour of the 6th Mass. district. The Congressman will speak with constituents and his staff will be available to help solve constituent problems with federal agencies. (Wednesday, 4:45 p.m., The Spot, 19 West Main St., Georgetown)
DATA SCIENTISTS NETWORKING GALA: Analytics Awareness Week will sponsor a gala to facilitate dialogue, awareness, and networking within the rapidly growing data community. Interaction between data science professionals and businesses will surface several opportunities. "The evening will be packed with networking, raffles and fun." Registration: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-data-scientists-networking-gala-26aug2015-tickets-17342238101 (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Microsoft NERD, One Memorial Dr. #1, Cambridge)
POOPLOOP REVIEW: The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters meets with intentions of discussing 10 variance requests and reviewing the Metraflex PoopLoop expansion and seismic joint for sanitary waste lines. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 1000 Washington St., Boston)
TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE ADVISORY BOARD: The Taunton Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance will convene for a meeting to receive an update from the director of the department and to set future meeting agendas. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Taunton Transitional Assistance Office, 21 Spring St., Taunton)
BUMP IN SECOND CITY: Auditor Suzanne Bump participates in day three of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers annual conference. (Wednesday, 8 a.m. CST, 540 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill.)
MASSDEVELOPMENT: The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency will host a public hearing on the proposal of Greater Lawrence Community Action Council relative to the refunding of tax-exempt bonds issued by MassDevelopment to finance the purchase of a 16,000-square foot building to be used as a child care center. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 99 High St., Boston)
VIGIL FOR IMMIGRANTS: Centro Presente, a vocal group that advocates for immigrants, will take on the "dangerous, hateful rhetoric of people like Donald Trump" in a vigil on the State House steps. Trump, who is leading the pack in the polls for the Republican presidential nomination, has claimed immigrants crossing the border illegally are dangerous criminals and proposed ending birthright citizenship - a feature of the 14th Amendment. On Tuesday evening around midnight, two white men from South Boston on their way back from a Red Sox game allegedly attacked and urinated on a Hispanic man sleeping near JFK/UMass Station. Scott and Steve Leader are the brothers accused in the attack, and according to the Boston Globe Scott Leader told police it was OK to attack the man because he is Hispanic and homeless and said, "Donald Trump was right, all these illegals need to be deported." Trump, whose remarks on a variety of subjects have earned him notoriety, responded to news of the assault by saying, "It would be a shame . . . I will say that people who are following me are very passionate. They love this country and they want this country to be great again. They are passionate." Centro Presente said, "[W]e do hold people accountable for incendiary speech that not only provokes violence but nearly demands it....Donald Trump should be held responsible for the kind of hateful things he says and promotes." (Wednesday, 7 p.m., State House steps)
TRURO MARKET TOUR: Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux and Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Jeff McCue join other state and local officials on a tour of the Truro Educational Farmers' Market. It's the first stop of the third annual farmers' market tour series to highlight the markets as a source of healthy food for families receiving SNAP and WIC clients. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 20 Truro Center Rd., Truro)
TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL CLOSURE: All westbound lanes of the Ted Williams Tunnel will be closed from midnight through 5 a.m. to allow for paving. (Wednesday, midnight through 5 a.m., Ted Williams Tunnel, Boston)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of the cities of Melrose, Attleboro, Fall River and the town of Dartmouth for approval by the department of its municipal aggregation plan. (Wednesday, One South Station, Boston)
THURSDAY, AUG. 27, 2015
INSPECTOR GENERAL COUNCIL: The Inspector General Council holds its regular business meeting, with Auditor Suzanne Bump serving as chair. (Thursday, 11 a.m., One Ashburton Place, 13th floor, Room 1311, Boston)
MASS. RETIREMENT BOARD: Treasurer Deborah Goldberg will chair a meeting of the Massachusetts State Retirement Board. (Thursday, 10 a.m., MSRB Headquarters, 1 Winter St., 8th floor, Boston)
ROBOTS-EMPLOYMENT DISCUSSION ON 'NIGHTSIDE': Dan Rea on "NightSide" will look at robots' impact on employment, and take up the question, "Will robots eventually do the hiring?" (Thursday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
EAST SANDWICH DEVELOPMENT: The Cape Cod Commission will conduct a public hearing as part of a mandatory development of regional impact process to accept testimony on the proposed 36-acre Atkins Road subdivision in East Sandwich. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., 270 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich)
STATE POLICE COLONEL SWEARING-IN: Gov. Charlie Baker will swear-in Major Richard McKeon as the new superintendent and colonel of the Massachusetts State Police. Attorney General Maura Healey will attend the swearing-in ceremony. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester)
BAKER THANK-YOU EVENT, SHREWSBURY: The Massachusetts Republican Party and Gov. Charlie Baker will hold an event to thank volunteers who assisted in last year's election. Gov. Baker is expected to attend, according to a party spokesman. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Shrewsbury Italian American Victory Club, 26 Dewey Rd., Shrewsbury)
SALON/BARBER SHOP REGULATIONS: The Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering will hold a public input session as it considers changes to state regulations governing the registration and conduct of cosmetologists (including aestheticians and manicurists), barbers and electrologists. The regulatory review is being held to comply with an executive order Gov. Charlie Baker issued in March, which called for a full review of state regulations to identify whether any can be eliminated. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 1000 Washington St., Hearing Room 1-E, Boston)
McCORMACK BUILDING TELECOMM LEASE HEARING: An Asset Management Board public hearing will take public comment on a Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) proposal to site telecommunications infrastructure at the John W. McCormack Office Building at One Ashburton Pl. Lessee(s) would procure the right(s) to install wireless telecommunications equipment on a portion(s) of the building facade, roof, and accessory areas within the building through a competitive process. The estimated lease value of under-utilized portions of the proposed asset, according to a DCAMM notice, is between $574,000 and $785,000 assuming a 30 year term. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Gardner Auditorium, State House)
NEW ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SEMINAR: Massachusetts Assistant Secretary of Business Development Nam Pham will serve as a panelist at the "New England's Role in the International Business Community" seminar. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm St., Manchester, N.H.)
NORTH SUFFOLK MENTAL HEALTH FUNDRAISER: Assistant Secretary of Communities and Programs Juan Vega plans to attend a multi-chamber networking fundraiser to benefit the North Suffolk Mental Health Association. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, 20 Maverick Sq., East Boston)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds a public hearing on the petition of Chelmsford for approval by the department of its municipal aggregation plan. (Thursday, 2 p.m., One South Station, Boston)
WARE COMMUNITY COMPACT: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito travels to Ware to meet with Board of Selectmen Chair Nancy Talbot and to sign a community compact. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Town Hall, Board of Selectmen Meeting Room, 126 Main St., Ware)
BAKER AT EMC: Gov. Charlie Baker will visit EMC. The visit with employees will be open press, but the facilities tour will be closed press. (Thursday, 2:30 p.m., 50 Constitution Boulevard, Franklin)
GRANBY COMMUNITY COMPACT: The town of Granby and the state will sign a community compact. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will sign the compact with Board of Selectmen Chair Mark Bail. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., 10-B West State St., Route 202, Granby)
HOLYOKE RAIL RIBBON CUTTING: Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito is expected to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Holyoke Knowledge Corridor Rail Platform. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., 74 Main Street, Holyoke)
FRIDAY, AUG. 28, 2015
CABINET MEETING: Gov. Charles Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and members of the governor's cabinet meet. (CLOSED PRESS) (Friday, 10 a.m., Governor's Office, Room 360)
BOCH HOSTS TRUMP HOUSE-PARTY: A guest-list of over 700 are slated to "come on down" to a private fundraiser for Donald Trump at car magnate Ernie Boch Jr.'s mansion near the Automile. The Herald's Inside Track reports admission is $100 per person, cash or check at the door. Howie Carr will broadcast live from the event. (Friday, 190 Sumner St., Norwood)
WYNN PERMIT DECISION: Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton will sign a decision on the omnibus permit sought by Wynn Resorts on Friday. The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act permit would allow Wynn to undergo lower-level permitting on its plans to construct a resort casino and grounds on a polluted former chemical plant that lies in the shadow of a major natural gas power plant. Wynn has touted environmental aspects of its project in press releases in recent weeks. (Friday)
FEINBURG HOSTS 'NIGHTSIDE': Boston talker Todd Feinburg will fill in for Dan Rea on "NightSide." Formerly of WRKO, Feinburg now co-hosts the weekly "Harvard Lunch Club" political podcast online. (Friday, 8 p.m., WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
PHARMACY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The Board of Registration in Pharmacy Advisory Committee holds its regular meeting. (Friday, 10 a.m., 239 Causeway Street, Room 417, Boston)
MODEL U.N. SIMULATION AT STATE HOUSE: Ninth grade students attending the new Excel Academy Charter High School this fall will participate in a Model United Nations simulation program at the State House. The program is part of new student orientation. Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-East Boston) will attend as closing speaker. The new high school, which is part of the Excel Academy Charter Schools network, is expected to open later this month. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Hall of Flags, State House)
FIREFIGHTING ACADEMY GRADUATION: Deputy State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Director George Kramlinger will present certificates of completion to 24 graduates of the State Firefighting Academy. The 24 graduates, all men, represent the departments of Ashland, Bedford, Burlington, Devens, Easthampton, Lakeville, Melrose, Middleborough, North Attleboro, Northampton, Plainville, Westborough, Westfield, Weymouth and Woburn. Northampton Fire Chief Duane Nichols will offer a keynote address. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., Department of Fire Services, 1 State Road, Stow)
DPU HEARING: The Department of Public Utilities holds an evidentiary hearing on the petition of NSTAR Electric Company for approval of the company's 2014 distribution rate adjustment/reconciliation filing. (Friday, 10 a.m., One South Station, Boston)
SATURDAY, AUG. 29, 2015
AUBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL RIBBON-CUTTING: Mass. School Building Authority Executive Director Jack McCarthy plans to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at Auburn Middle School. The MSBA is contributing up to $20,715,999 of eligible expenses toward the new school. (Saturday, 10 a.m., 9 West St., Auburn)
BEATON IN WESTMINSTER: Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton and Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux attend the Wachusett Mountain Farm Fresh Festival. (Saturday, 11 a.m., 41 Mile Hill Road Westminster)
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The State House News Service has covered Massachusetts government news since 1911.
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