Tuesday, October 26, 2021

October 30 2021 Committee of the Whole Saturday 9 am

 


Chamber of Commerce to Haunt Haynes Square...

 



Was Sexual Assault Covered Up By School Board in Virginia? ??? fox news using sex assault to try to help creepy Republican candidate?

 SHAMEFUL!

fox news using sex assault to try to help creepy Republican candidate? Dozens of Loudoun County students stage walkout over sexual assault by boy in girls' bathroom

A boy accused of sexually assaulting a girl in a school bathroom was found guilty by a judge

DIRTY FILTHY REPUBLCIAN CANDIDATE USING SEX ASSAULT FOR HIS CAMPAIGN. CREEPY AND DISGUSTING GREAT FALLS, Va. – Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin called for the resignations of Loudoun County Superintendent Scott Ziegler and the school board in the wake of a bombshell email this week.


"It's outrageous," Youngkin told Fox News on Saturday. He said the email "simply confirms what we know, which is we had administrators at a school board who have been covering this up. I mean, they tried to hide it from parents, they've hidden it from the public, and they actually endangered students by moving this young man – who in fact was being prosecuted for a sexual assault in another school – and enabled it to happen again."     https://www.foxnews.com/us/loudoun-county-students-plan-walkout-protest-sexual-assault

Mayor, Office of PDS Working to Bring Life Science, Biotech Companies to Medford by Jackie Piques

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Mayor, Office of PDS Working to Bring Life Science, Biotech Companies to Medford

by Jackie Piques

Expanding life science and biotech options in Medford will increase commercial tax base, bring revenue and jobs to the City.

Several developers pursuing development projects in Wellington neighborhood and Boston Avenue in Medford.

The City of Medford is actively pursuing new development that would significantly increase biotech and life science industries in the city. With its location in the greater Boston metro area, abundant commercial zones, and proximity to rapid transit and the life science corridors in surrounding communities, Medford is well positioned to capitalize on Boston Metro Area’s growing life science and biotech industry.  

“This is exactly the kind of development that we as a city should be exploring. Our existing commercial districts have incredible value – their location, lot sizes, and overall development potential – and this type of development will greatly expand our commercial tax base and bring in hundreds of new jobs to Medford, providing many benefits to our residents and to our community as a whole,” said Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. “This is an exciting opportunity to put Medford on the map and connect our city to the greater Boston area’s life science corridor, and it is no coincidence that this type of development is interested in Medford as we are working through our city’s first-ever Comprehensive Plan. Like all that we do, we will continue to be open and transparent and will provide options for community input as we continue to see interest from these types of developers. We are being strategic about the future of our community, and it is paying off.”

Developers are already moving forward on projects at several locations within the city: Oxford Properties is beginning work on a 90,000 square foot bio-manufacturing facility at 23 Sycamore Ave; RISE Together has released a proposal for a seven-story, approximately 250,000 square feet, biotech development, at 4054 Mystic Valley Parkway; and Cummings Properties already has plans underway for a 37,000 square foot expansion of their property at 200 Boston Avenue.  In addition, One Cabot Road, a 320,000 square foot office building currently owned by Davis Company, is being marketed as a life science conversion opportunity.

Medford’s Economic Development Director, Viktor Schrader - a position established by Mayor Lungo-Koehn in late 2020 - has been instrumental not only in working with potential developers to put Medford on the map for the life science industry but is also working directly with the Medford Board of Health to update the city’s policies and regulations to make sure potential development meets community and industry safety standards.

“Medford is well positioned to take advantage of the life science and biotech growth in the greater-Boston area,” said Mr. Schrader. “Medford is quickly becoming a market hot spot and developers are seeing the investment potential here. The revenue potential for the City is incredible, but we also want to make sure these developments benefit the residents by improving the city’s infrastructure and enhancing the sense of place that makes Medford so great.”

The Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability has proposed zoning changes to existing industrial areas to encourage biotech and life science development. The changes have the potential to improve large areas of the city that are designated industrial and currently allow only for low-rise buildings with large surface parking lots. In addition, the Medford Board of Health is considering regulations similar to those in surrounding communities to ensure that biotech facilities are safe and held to the highest standards.

The City is also working with the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBIO) to be designated as a “bio-ready” community, a list developed by the organization to help encourage the expansion of biotech in the region.  The City of Medford has not previously been included on the list.

“The Chamber of Commerce welcomes the new jobs and commercial investment that biotech will bring” said Maury Carroll, President of the Medford Chamber of Commerce. “We have been watching this industry grow in other places and are excited to see it finally coming to Medford.”

Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, language ability, economic situation, or immigration status.

Jackie Piques | October 26, 2021 at 4:14 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: https://www.medfordma.org/?p=28474

 

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Another Slap to Kerry Laidlaw's Failed School Committee Campaign: Boston Extends School Mask Mandate to January 15 2022

 

BREAKING NEWS ALERT
Massachusetts education leaders have extended the universal mask mandate for most public schools through Jan. 15, the state announced on Tuesday.

The mandate, which was previously set to expire on Nov. 1, requires all students and staff members 5 years and older to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, except when eating, drinking, or during mask breaks.    https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/26/metro/mass-extends-universal-mask-mandate-most-schools-through-jan-15/?s_campaign=breakingnews:newsletter

Read the full story on BostonGlobe.com.  

Mayor Lungo-Koehn's Open Letter to the Citizenry: Open Letter: CARES Act, ARPA Funds, and Medford’s Proposal by Jackie Piques

 

Open Letter: CARES Act, ARPA Funds, and Medford’s Proposal

by Jackie Piques

The following is an open letter from Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn

Since March 2020, we have endured many challenges both individually and as a community. Dealing with a rapidly evolving and unforeseen global health crisis and a resulting economic recession required a multi-tiered approach, quick thinking, and creative budgeting to keep our community and our residents safe while also protecting our financial reserves.

Thankfully, we were able to protect our city’s financial future and even secured a AA+ bond rating with a “stable outlook” from our bond rating agency, in the midst of a national recession. The great news is that our bond rating was given before we even received the assistance provided through federal funding including both Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Both of these funding sources have since allowed us to address critical health and recovery issues in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the nearly $50 million we will continue to receive over the next three years in ARPA funding will continue to aid in our recovery and rebuilding efforts across a number of areas until 2026.

While CARES Act funding must be spent by October 29, 2021 (after an extension from December 2020), Medford’s allocation from ARPA will continue to be distributed over the next three fiscal years. We are planning a series of public discussions to help us determine how to spend the rest of this funding, but first we, like many surrounding communities, are in the process of hiring a Federal Funds Manager who will be critical in diving deeply into the process, understanding each area of eligible funds and how best to propose spending those dollars in the Medford community. This is your money, and you should know how it is being spent, where it’s being spent and why it is being spent, but being guided by a dedicated staff member with the expertise and experience in these matters will be critical in helping us make the best possible decisions, together. (For a breakdown of eligible spending buckets from the US Treasury, visit www.medfordma.org/arpa_spending-buckets.) In the meantime, there are critical needs that must be met now, so we have already targeted $8.6 million of our overall allocation for the most pressing needs within our FY22 budget.

Here is a quick overview of how most of our federal funding has been spent to date:

CARES Act

  • $4.5 million invested in public schools, including:
    • 1:1 Chromebooks for students
    • Software and hardware for teachers during remote learning
    • Filtration and air quality upgrades
    • COVID-19 testing and pooled testing protocols
  • Vaccination efforts across the city and school district
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across city and school district
  • Sanitization and cleaning products for all city and school buildings
  • Launching and expanding multilingual outreach efforts
    • Citywide mailers
    • Multilingual Resource Line
  • Staffing needs
    • Hired a dedicated emergency preparedness coordinator, front desk staff, nursing staff, and a social worker
    • Brought on a communication specialist focused on public health and COVID-19

ARPA

  • $8.6 million has already been allocated for our FY22 budget, which took careful planning.
  • Currently planning on over $1 million in sewer and stormwater infrastructure improvement projects.
  • Beginning construction on selected City streets. Work includes adjusting grades, drainage upgrades, repaving of road, sidewalk and access points.
  • Generating proposals for flood mitigation efforts for vulnerable areas.
  • Expanded behavioral health outreach efforts and resources & beginning hiring process for an inhouse epidemiologist to assist with identifying and preventing future disease outbreaks.
  • Started work to establish a resiliency hub — a community emergency planning site that will assist and coordinate emergency relief efforts, as well as a substantial investment in testing infrastructure.

I have always said that a vision without a plan is just a hallucination. This is a once in a lifetime influx of funding and will have lasting effects throughout our community for decades. Creating a plan to spend almost $50 million is not something I will do overnight. It takes thoughtful, measured planning with community input, constant reevaluation and ultimately trust in the vision for a better Medford. We are on our way to making that vision a reality. This is our moment to truly re-envision our City. 

Help us do that. 

Jackie Piques | October 26, 2021 at 1:24 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: https://www.medfordma.org/?p=28418

 

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Breanna's Endorsements? McGlynn Boys Donato and Markey....Read Between The Lines

 Markey's Endorsement: Breanna J. McGlynn: Unholiest of Marriages a Week from Today


Falco's not coming!   (to the party, that is!)

But an editorial is!  Stay tuned.

John Falco, always the bridesmaid, never the bride, left at the altar! by Mike McGlynn



Election: 1 week from Today

John Falco, always the bridesmaid, never the bride, left at the altar! by Mike McGlynn


If you believe the rumors...After what Mike McGlynn's older brother did to Breanna's daddy 
she should be kicking Mike in the mid-section, not aligning with him.

Look, I like Paul Donato; Voted for Mr. Markey and we chatted outside my home two months
or so ago.  But just because I like Donato and Markey doesn't mean that they aren't best buds
with the anti-christ, Michael J. McGlynn.   They are.

With my old pal Donato (do we go back to 1971, Paul, at 183 Park st?  Yikes, how time flies)  in Haines Sq. 
with Pat Jehlen and Breanna Lungo-Koehn, and Ed Markey's endorsement, the next administration, 
which is the current administration, will have the shadow of the gremlin, Michael J. Mcglynn, watching over things.

Uggggh.   This is so bad for Medford.  Not Markey or Donato or Jehlen or Breanna, but the stain of McGlynn.
 
 Sen. Ed Markey has endorsed Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn for re-election. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

MEDFORD, MA — U.S. Sen. Ed Markey has endorsed Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn for re-election, her campaign announced Monday.

"For two decades as a city councilor and as mayor, Breanna Lungo-Koehn has shown leadership, vision, 
and an unwavering commitment to the people of Medford," Markey said. 

"There is no substitute for the experience she has demonstrated, especially during these challenging months during COVID.  I look forward to better days ahead for Medford with Breanna at the helm."
____________________________________________

Falco looks like such a buffoon right now.   
McGlynn whispered in his ear, and now that the disaster of a campaign
has one week left on life support, Mike is telling John "What?  
You believed me when you lost the primary by 1,100 votes?
You don't deserve to be mayor on the gullibility aspect alone."

Zac Bears is gearing up to run against Donato we hear.  
Don't do it, Zac, you will get as whacked as Falco is right now.
That's like going up against George Foreman.    

I mean, I can go after Paul, because I do it in an affectionate way and,
well, Mr. Donato knows me.  But you, dear boy, your life would improve 
if you signed up for Jenny Craig, not for state representative.

Why will I help Paul Donato fight the bears in the forest?   
Partly because it is the right thing to do...the other part?

It will be so much fun.    
Poking fun at Zac Bears (poke the bear!) is easier than hitting the broad side of a barn.
Because Zac is so much bigger!!!   "Our Revolution" ... Zac Bears - Che Guevara himself!

Zac thinks  ..."Who's Che Guevara?"

Che Guevara
Former Minister of Industries of Cuba

But the old geezer McGlynn trying to swap spit with pretty young thing, Breanna.   Now that is rated X,
just for the imaginative aspect of it.   Yikes indeed!

Don't be surprised if McGlynn changes the name of the Christopher Columbus school to
The McGlynn School II - for himself.

The more things change...



Joe Viglione  

Monday, October 25, 2021

For Halloween DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD, in ITALIAN

 My dear friend the late Wayne Wadhams / FIFTH ESTATE Ding Dong the Witch is Dead https://youtu.be/F8T23ZqOtrE in Italian

In the 1960s it was the highest charting song EVER for a tune from the Wizard of Oz. I believe producer Phil Ramone may have engineered it.

Wayne went on to build Studio B on Boylston St and then the ORIGINAL recording studios at Berklee College of Music.

1970s, a magical time in Boston

He owned Orson Welles Studio at the Orson Welles Theater in Cambridge

George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American director, actor, screenwriter and producer who is remembered for his innovative work in ...

William H. Fowler Temporary Director...Mayor Lungo-Koehn Throws Crumbs to a GUY in her almost all-female cabinet

10:15 pm 150 spins in 135 minutes 2,029,404 all-time page views, almost 2m30,000 WOW!                All Time 2029404  Today 150

8:50 pm   36 views in 50 minutesAll Time 2029290  Today 36

Mayor Breanna Lungo Koehn is hiring a male, after a long stretch of women only - and this only as an "interim" Finance director, go figure. Aleesha Nunley Benjamin replaced by a man, but - purportedly - only as "interim." Is this a campaign ploy eight days before an election?

Mayor Lungo-Koehn Appoints Interim Finance Director/Auditor

by Jackie Piques

William H. Fowler appointed early October, will serve as interim Director until permanent successor is appointed.

Fowler has previous experience as Finance Director, City Treasurer/Collector, Deputy Auditor, in surrounding communities.

As the City of Medford continues an active hiring process for a permanent Finance Director/Auditor, Mayor Lungo-Koehn announced this week that following a regional search she has appointed William H. Fowler, a former municipal Treasurer with deep experience in municipal financial management, to serve as Interim Finance Director for the City of Medford. Mr. Fowler has been retired from full-time employment but served in both a consulting role and as interim Treasurer/Collector for cities and towns over the last several years.

“The Finance Director/Auditor is a critically important role, and as we continue to actively pursue all avenues to fill the permanent role, we are very thankful that Mr. Fowler has agreed to step into the role on an interim basis to make sure our financial needs are met and that critical city processes and projects can continue as normal,” said Mayor Lungo-Koehn.

The City of Medford continues to actively pursue hiring a permanent director. Mr. Fowler will continue to serve in an interim role until a permanent replacement is selected.

Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, language ability, economic situation, or immigration status.

Jackie Piques | October 25, 2021 at 8:20 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: https://www.medfordma.org/?p=28411

 

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Who's the BJ's Wholesale Club attorney? Ex Solicitor Rumley?

 Who's the BJ's Wholesale Club attorney? 


 Ex Solicitor Rumley? 


 If they win the lawsuit against the city of Medford do they take over and operate out of the Mayor's office?   


John Falco to bake pizzas in the lobby?

Medford Office of Prevention and Outreach Hosting Listening Sessions in Multiple Languages to Learn About Experience in Accessing Behavioral Health Care

 8:17 pm All Time  2029262 Today 8  Yesterday  962 This Month 23437 Last Month 34910



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 22, 2021 

Contact: Jackie Piques, Director of Communications (jpiques@medford-ma.gov), 781-888-4534

 

Medford Office of Prevention and Outreach Hosting Listening Sessions in Multiple Languages to Learn About Experience in Accessing Behavioral Health Care

--

Gabinete de Prevenção e Divulgação de Medford Convida você a participar de nossas sessões de escuta da comunidade culturalmente competentes em conexões para cuidar

--

Oficina de Prevención y Difusión de Medford Lo invita a unirse a nuestras

sesiones de escucha comunitaria culturalmente competentes en conexiones

para cuidar

--

Biwo Medford pou prevansyon ak kontak envite ou rantre nan Koneksyon

Konpetan Kiltirèl nou yo pou Sesyon Swen Tande Kominotè yo

--

یدعوكم مكتب میدفورد للوقایة والتوعیة للإنضمام إلى جلسات الاستماع القدیرة

ثقافیًا المتعلقة بالصلة للرعایة

 

 

MEDFORD – The City of Medford invites community members to a series of listening sessions entitled “Culturally Competent Connection to Care,” offered in multiple languages in early November, 2021. Through the Listening Sessions, the City seeks to understand how residents from diverse culture backgrounds perceive promotional messaging related to behavioral health and substance use disorders, and challenges individuals may have in accessing healthcare.

 

Listening sessions will be held in English, Arabic, Haitian-Creole, Portuguese and Spanish, and are designed for residents of all backgrounds with a particular focus on residents who identify culturally with these backgrounds or languages, or as BIPOC, residents who have experienced behavioral health challenges and/or have lived experience with substance use disorders. Facilitators from cultural-linguistic backgrounds will lead each session. All sessions will be held via Zoom, and participants will receive a $40 gift card. Sessions will be held as follows:

 

  • Wednesday, November 3rd, 6-8pm: Arabic, BIPOC, Portuguese
  • Wednesday, November 10th, 6-8pm: Spanish, Haitian-Creole

 

Sign up/ انضم / Participar / Patisipe:  For the Zoom link and additional information, contact Collin MacGowan at cmacgowan@medford-ma.gov or 781-465-5644.

 

Through perspectives offered by residents, the City plans to work to implement changes to outreach and working with local resources to modify culturally competent practices.

 

 

Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, language ability, economic situation, or immigration status.

 

 

 

Penelope Funaiole

Prevention and Outreach Manager

Office of Prevention and Outreach,

Medford Health Department

85 George P. Hassett Dr. Room 302

Pbruce@medford-ma.gov

781-393-2449

 

 

Outreach line: 781-654-5635

If you or a loved one needs help with social supports or mental health or substance use call

 

City of Medford's Multilingual Resource line: 781.475.5644

The Board of Health has launched the Medford Multilingual Resource Line that anyone can call to get help in English, Spanish, Creole, Arabic or Portuguese.  

 

Marijuana Establishment / Cannabis Advisory Committee Fact Sheet by Jackie Piques

 6:51 pm  Oct 25, 2021 903 page visits since 8 pm last night  All Time  2029195 Today  903

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Marijuana Establishment / Cannabis Advisory Committee Fact Sheet

by Jackie Piques

This month, the City’s Cannabis Advisory Commission voted on final rankings for the nine applicants seeking to establish retail businesses in Medford. As set by the City’s zoning ordinance, which was amended and finalized in late 2020, the city may negotiate up to three Host Community Agreements with these establishments, within specified commercial or industrial zones, in Medford.

Since medical marijuana dispensaries were approved by statewide vote in 2016, the City of Medford has been working to establish policies and regulations around these establishments as well as the newer regulations for retail businesses. It has been a lengthy process, and there can be and often is confusion around the timeline, regulations, and next steps. This document is being provided by the City as a fact sheet for community use. Currently, City staff to the Cannabis Advisory Committee is assembling the final rankings and information to be presented to the Mayor for consideration.

Timeline

  • November 2012: Medical marijuana approved in MA by voters
  • December 2015: City of Medford administration presented a draft medical marijuana ordinance to City Council
  • November 2016: Recreational Marijuana legalized (with regulations) in MA by voters, and an amendment sent to the Medford City Council. Medford voters supported Question 4 with 56% voting in support of legalizing marijuana, with regulations.
  • July 2020: Proposed Zoning Amendment submitted for review to the Medford Community Development Board
  • September 2020: Final Zoning Amendment adopted by City Council
  • November 17, 2020: Cannabis Advisory Committee ordinance adopted by City Council
  • February 11, 2021: Cannabis Advisory Committee holds first meeting
  • March 5, 2021: Cannabis Advisory Committee released application requirements and scoring criteria for the marijuana retail license.
  • April 30, 2021: Applications received by the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability from 10 applicants.
  • May 20, 2021: 10 applications presented to, subsequently approved by CAC following staff review.
  • July 2021: Community outreach meetings held by applicants for proposed retail establishments
  • October 13, 2021: Cannabis Advisory Committee voted on final rankings for all nine final applicants
  • October/November 2021: Final rankings and information will be presented to the Mayor

Facts

TIMELINE CONSIDERATIONS

  • The City of Medford first began consideration of medical marijuana establishments in 2015. When the statewide referendum on recreational marijuana facilities passed, additional consideration was given and a proposal was sent by the City administration to the City Council.
  • The City Council formally voted the proposed zoning amendment out of committee in early 2020, and it was then reviewed by the Community Development Board. Once approved it was formally voted on by the City Council in September 2020.
  • The City administration formed a Cannabis Advisory Committee following its creation by the City Council in late November 2020. Its first meeting was held in mid-February 2021. The CAC held a total of 11 public meetings between February 11, 2021, and October 13, 2021.
  • Final rankings of all nine final applications before the CAC were voted on and are in the process of being submitted for the Mayor’s consideration as of late October, 2021 to early November 2021.

HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

  • Per City ordinance, recreational marijuana establishments are only allowed in districts zoned as “Commercial II” or “Industrial.”
  • Per City ordinance, recreational marijuana establishments may not be located within 500 linear feet of any K-12 school.
  • It is the Mayor’s discretion to accept rankings and to negotiate Host Community Agreements. Per City ordinance, up to three licenses may be granted.

TAX REVENUE

  • Per state regulations, the City has the option to establish a 3% excise tax on retail sales from each permitted establishment. In addition, the City may seek up to an additional 3% of gross retail sales as a Community Impact Fee through the Host Community Agreement. The Community Impact Fee, limited to a term of 5 years, is intended to mitigate any impacts from retail establishments. (For example, a community may consider using the Community Impact Fee revenue to offset permitting and inspection costs or to address roadway conditions as a result of increased traffic to the area.)

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

  • In addition to tax revenue, applicants may offer additional community benefits. Some current applicants, for example, have offered to build a community center, to make their exterior walls available for public art, or to donate additional funding to local nonprofit organizations.

Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, language ability, economic situation, or immigration status.

Jackie Piques | October 25, 2021 at 4:01 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: https://www.medfordma.org/?p=28395

 

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