Archive for the ‘Accomplishments’ Category
Governor to sign the Autism Insurance Legislation
Please join Representative L’Italien & Senator Berry
Tuesday August 3rd at 2:30pm @ Fenway Park
Please enter through GATE E SECTION 32
Parking lots around the park are as follows:
The Trilogy parking garage on Kilmarnock St.
The Landmark Center garage on Fullerton Street.
The 1330 Boylston Garage on Boylston Street (on the Jersey Street side.)
There are also a number of open-air lots on Boylston Street.
Please forward the updated gate and parking information to whomever you feel will be attending
In the meantime should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jen Barrelle at Jennifer.Barrelle@state.ma.us or X 7793
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2010
Protects Tenants, Seeks to Prevent Foreclosures
State Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives yesterday in passing legislation aimed at protecting tenants in foreclosed properties and helping lenders and homeowners avoid foreclosure.
“In this economy, we need to do everything we can to help keep people in their homes,” said Atkins. “This bill helps tenants and homeowners find new ways to avert foreclosure and keep their families together.”
The bill establishes protections for tenants living in properties that have been taken over by a lender after foreclosure. Under this legislation, lenders must post their contact information – including an address where tenants can mail their rent – within 30 days of foreclosure. A lender cannot evict a tenant for failure to pay rent unless it has provided this notice.
In the event that a property is taken over by a lender after foreclosure, this bill stipulates that tenants can only be evicted for just cause or if the building is purchased by a third party.
The bill extends the right to cure period to 150 days from 90 days in some circumstances. This period, which allows lenders and homeowners a window to work out a new payment plan to avoid foreclosure, gives homeowners time to come up with past due payments on their mortgage before the lender can require full payment of the unpaid balance.
The bill institutes new provisions to govern interaction between a lender and homeowner during the right to cure period. Additionally, the bill allows the 150-day right to cure period to be granted once every 3 years. Currently, the 90-day right to cure period is available once every 5 years.
The legislation also adds new requirements to the right to cure notice that lenders must provide to homeowners.
The bill also establishes a new local property tax exemption for charitable organizations that acquire a foreclosed property with plans to create low and moderate income affordable housing on the property. This provision would exempt the organization from property taxes until it sells or rents the property, but not for more than 7 years after the purchase.
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Farmers Market opens in Acton
July 25, 2010
ACTON
The weekly Acton-Boxborough Farmers Market is open for the season. The market will convene on Pearl Street in West Acton, one block from the intersection of Route 111 and Central Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31. The market has a variety of goods including vegetables, fruit, honey, eggs, meat, and specialty products such as artisan breads, jams, bagels and handmade soaps. — Jennifer Fenn Lefferts
CARLISLE
PUBLIC SCHOOL BID ACCEPTED — Selectmen have accepted a bid of $343,495 from D’Amico Inc. for preconstruction utility work at the Carlisle Public School after the bid was recommended by the School Building Committee. D’Amico was employed for the recent implementation of the school’s waste-water treatment facility. Construction of a new building for kindergarten and Grade 1 students, along with related renovations on the campus, is expected to begin next winter, with an anticipated completion date of fall 2012. — Nancy Shohet West
CONCORD
THOREAU SOCIETY GETS GRANT — The Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities awarded a $3,500 grant to the Thoreau Society of Concord. State Representative Cory Atkins of Concord said the society will use the grant to create an online interactive map of Henry David Thoreau’s travels in Massachusetts in the mid-19th century. The foundation supports programs that use history, literature, and philosophy to enhance and improve community life throughout the state. — Jennifer Fenn Lefferts
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/07/25/farmers_market_opens_in_acton?mode=PF
By Chloe Gotsis/ Staff Writer
GateHouse News Service
Posted Jul 16, 2010 @ 09:39 AM
Chelmsford —
Students at the Parker Middle School will soon be the recipients of green friendly energy from a 30 kw solar panel system planned for its roof.
Town Manager Paul Cohen said the Green Communities Division of the state Department of Energy Resources notified him this week that the town is receiving a $187,224 grant to fund solar panels at the Parker Middle Schools.
“The Division reviewed the Town of Chelmsford’s grant application and has determined that the proposed activity/activities meet the eligibility requirements of the Green Communities Act and are viable, well developed projects,” read the letter DOER sent to Cohen. “…The Green Communities Division looks forward to working with the Town of Chelmsford on your grant project.”
The grant is part of the $8.1 million in grant funding Chelmsford is now eligible for since it received Green Community status from the state in May.
The Green Communities program evolved from the Green Communities Act of 2008, intended to encourage towns to move toward clean energy by meeting five guidelines: Adopting zoning bylaws for renewable energy facilities, creating an expedited permitting process for those facilities establishing energy use benchmarks and a plan to reduce it by 20 percent, purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles and adopting the Stretch Energy Code for new buildings.
Chelmsford Town Meeting adopted the Stretch Code in April and the town’s zoning requirements already complied.
According to the letter, the regional Green Communities regional coordinator will be contacting the town for the next steps including developing a scheduling plan for the project.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/newsnow/x1814120220/Chelmsford-to-recieve-state-grant-money-for-solar-panels-at-Parker-Middle-School
By Patrick Ball/Staff Writer
Jeffrey Clements, a Concord attorney and chief counsel for Free Speech for People, believes corporations should not have the same Constitutional rights as the people who create them.
GateHouse News Service
Posted Jun 25, 2010 @ 06:00 AM
Concord —
The Massachusetts Corporate Political Accountability Act is strong start but doesn’t fix the problem created by the Citizens United decision, according to Concord lawyer Jeffrey Clements.
Along with the legislation — filed June 21 by state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, state Rep. Cory Atkins, D-Concord, and Rep. William Straus, D-Bristol — the Free Speech for People.org resolution calling on Congress to amend the Constitution to put people ahead of corporations was unveiled this week on Beacon Hill.
“Senator Eldridge and Representative Atkins are aware that this legislation is important, but we also need to tackle on the bigger problem,” said Clements, who is chief counsel for the national Free Speech for People campaign. “We’re grateful that they’re also taking the lead in our Massachusetts legislature calling for a constitutional amendment.”
Read More »
By Jennifer Fenn Lefferts, Globe Correspondent | June 24, 2010
The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail received an unexpected boost last week when state officials announced $931,500 in funding to design its stretch between Westford and Concord.
Supporters said they had no idea the money, which will allow the next two phases of the multiuse recreational trail to be designed simultaneously, was coming through.
“I was not expecting it,’’ said Acton resident Tom Michelman, president of the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. “It would’ve been a long process to get both projects funded. Design should be going forward very quickly now.’’
The money is part of a $3.5 billion authorization for bonds to pay for state transportation projects.
State officials said the funding represents a commitment from the Patrick administration to improve transportation services across the commonwealth.
“As we continue under Governor Patrick’s leadership to make improvements to bicycle and pedestrian access, recreational trails such as the Freeman are an important part of our investment strategy to support healthy transportation options,’’ Jeffrey Mullan, secretary of the state’s Department of Transportation, said in a statement.
The Freeman trail is proposed to follow the 25-mile route of the old New Haven Railroad between Framingham and Lowell, crossing through Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury along the way. The first phase, 6.8 miles in Lowell, Chelmsford and Westford, has already opened. Partial designs have been done for the Westford, Carlisle, and Acton phase and the stretch in Concord.
The funding announced Friday by Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray at an event in Acton will pay for the final design in the four communities. It will be combined with $500,000 that the state awarded late last year to Westford, Carlisle and Acton, said Roland Bartl, Acton’s planning director.
“It came as a surprise but it’s the result of intense advocacy for the rail trail that finally produced results,’’ he said.
Bartl said the four communities have signed agreements to complete the design together. Acton will serve in the lead role, Bartl said, but all four communities will have input as the project proceeds.
If everything goes smoothly, Bartl said, the design could take up to three years to complete. He said hearings will be held and the towns must submit plans at various stages to the state for approval.
“We want to make sure we don’t rush it and that everyone has their say,’’ Bartl said. “And there will always be a glitch.’’
The design is for the construction of a roughly 12-foot-wide paved asphalt path along 13 miles, construction of a pedestrian bridge over Route 2A/119, and the rehabilitation of six rail bridges along the trail. A segment of the trail crossing Route 2 will be handled as part of the Concord rotary redesign project.
The estimated construction cost of the trail through Acton, Westford and Carlisle is $7.7 million.
Barbara Pike, Concord’s representative on the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail board, said the project is listed on the state’s plan for transportation construction funding in 2020, but that can change.
“We’re hoping once this thing is designed and is ready to go, it will move up,’’ Pike said.
Pike said the funding announcement came “out of the blue.’’
“It’s thrilling that this project has gotten this level of support from the state in this economic climate,’’ Pike said. “It means we’re ready to take that next step.’’
State Senator Jamie Eldridge, a Democrat from Acton, said the first section of the trail provides a scenic and safe transit option and is already a popular venue for bikers and pedestrians.
“The additional funding . . . will help us take the next step forward in extending this project into Acton, Carlisle, Concord and Westford, making it accessible for many more biking enthusiasts,’’ Eldridge said.
Jennifer Fenn Lefferts can be reached at jflefferts@yahoo.com.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/06/24/bruce_freeman_rail_trail_gets_funds_to_design_westford_to_concord_stretch?mode=PF
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2010
Contact: 617-722-2692
STATE HOUSING AGENCY AWARDS $1 MILLION TO CONCORD HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR PETER BULKELEY TERRACE RENOVATIONS
Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) and Senator Susan Fargo (D-Lincoln) are pleased to announce that Governor Patrick has awarded $1 million to the Concord Housing Authority (CHA) for renovations to the Peter Bulkeley Terrace building. This funding will allow the CHA to improve conditions for residents by preserving 24 affordable rental units for low- and moderate-income households. This award is part of $189.9 million that the Patrick administration is spending to support the construction of rental developments in 19 communities across the state. This spending will yield an estimated 2,400 jobs.
“This is such an exciting feat,” said Representative Atkins. “These new improvements are absolutely essential. I’m extremely happy for the residents who will enjoy a more private and independent living style in a modern environment.”
“With only 19 communities in the state receiving this kind of funding we are truly fortunate to have a boost like this to support affordable housing,” said Senator Fargo. “The $1 million will help preserve these homes and help keep people at work.”
“The Concord Housing Authority is thrilled and grateful for this award which will allow us to move forward with our plans to renovate the Peter Bulkeley Terrace building,” said Judi Lincicum, Executive Director of the CHA. “This project has been a combined effort of private donations, public housing funding, the Town of Concord, and State affordable housing programs who have diligently worked together to preserve 24 units of affordable housing. This long-awaited renovation will transform an obsolete congregate facility into 24 one bedroom fully independent units for the elderly and disabled.”
Peter Bulkeley Terrace is a former school. In 1980 it was transformed into elderly housing and offices for the housing authority, but it has suffered ongoing vacancy problems because residents did not want to live in congregate apartments with common space. The conditions of many elderly and disabled people prevent them from being able to share bathrooms and kitchens. The proposed renovations would reconfigure the building in order to create private baths and kitchens in each unit. Peter Bulkeley Terrace is conveniently located in Concord center near the train station and stores, and it helps to address a desperate need for affordable housing for elderly and disabled residents in Concord.
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For Immediate Release: Monday, June 21, 2010
Governor Patrick signed into law legislation that will transfer certain Department of Correction land in the town of Concord for affordable housing and open space. Chapter 117 of the Acts of 2010 filed by Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) and Senator Susan Fargo (D-Lincoln), conveys a 12 acre parcel of state-owned land under the control of the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) to the Concord Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) to facilitate the development of affordable housing in Concord. The CHDC is a nonprofit organization that the legislature established in 2006 by a special act sponsored by Representative Atkins.
Since this new law requires that 100 percent of the units be affordable, the conveyance of this land will go a long way toward helping the town meet its affordable housing goals. The CHDC will manage the project and determine the design and affordability guidelines. The units will likely be offered at a range of income levels, from 80 percent to 150 percent of the area median income. Using the 2010 limits for a family of four, published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), eligibility would likely be based on gross incomes ranging from $64,400 to $137,700.
Selectman Greg Howes, speaking on behalf of the Concord Board of Selectmen, praised the bill’s passage, stating, “With the enactment of this legislation, the Walden Woods Project fulfills its longstanding affordable housing commitment to the Town of Concord. A strong partnership between the Town, the Walden Woods Project, the Concord Housing Development Corporation, state and local officials yielded this successful outcome. Conveying this land to the Concord Housing Development Corporation will benefit the residents of Concord in the form of a smart growth project to help the Town reach its affordable housing goals and open up public access to a currently underutilized portion of the Assabet River.”
The proposal for the land transfer was brought to Rep. Atkins’ attention by the Walden Woods Project (WWP), which has been working collaboratively for nearly two years with the Representative, Concord town officials, the CHDC and the DOC to make the site available for affordable housing and publicly accessible open space along the Assabet River.
Representative Atkins stated, “This endeavor is a fine example of public-private partnership. The Walden Woods Project has worked hand-in-hand with Concord officials and with me to provide the resources needed to make this proposal a reality. Concord will benefit from having a smart growth, affordable housing project along with the potential for more open space and access to the Assabet River in that location.”
“Making housing more available and affordable is a wonderful goal,” said Senator Susan Fargo. “The reality of this new law came about through hard work of the town of Concord, the Walden Woods Project and the Concord Housing Development Corporation. The cooperation and coordination between the state and local leaders is an example of not only building relationships but also building homes,” said Senator Fargo.
The site is close to the West Concord commuter rail station and commercial district. In addition to being an ideal location for affordable housing, the property has considerable potential for open space and passive recreation. It abuts the proposed Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and an underutilized and currently inaccessible section of the federally-designated wild and scenic Assabet River. The property also includes a 320 foot setback from MCI Concord.
“The Massachusetts Department of Correction is pleased to have been an integral part of the Walden Woods collaborative effort,” said DOC Commissioner Harold W. Clarke.
In accordance with state law, the fair market value of the land will be determined by an independent appraiser. The WWP has agreed to help the CHDC pay the appraised market value, so town funds will not be used to buy the land. The Walden Woods Project covered the costs of environmental and preliminary site engineering. Williamson Engineering of Harvard, MA conducted two sets of environmental analysis and concluded that the site poses very low risk to human health and the environment. (See attached letter from Williamson Environmental)
Kathi Anderson, Executive Director of the Walden Woods Project, said, “For nearly twenty years, we have been a partner in Concord’s conservation and historic preservation efforts. This initiative affords another opportunity for partnership with the Town. It is a culmination of the Walden Woods Project’s commitment to affordable housing in Concord that dates back to 1990 when the organization acquired its first conservation site in historic Walden Woods. A portion of that site had been proposed for affordable housing, and we are very pleased that we have been able to identify a viable new location for affordable units. We are proud to be a part of this unique collaborative effort.”
Mike Malouf, the former Chairman of the CHDC and the member who has led this project for them, said, “The Concord Housing Development Corporation is extremely pleased to obtain this land from the Department of Correction. The work that the Walden Woods Project, Representative Atkins and Senator Fargo have done not only fulfills the Walden Woods Project’s commitment to affordable housing, but it helps continue our focus on increasing affordable housing here in Concord. This site is unusually attractive in that it provides all of the things that one would look at for affordable housing, such as ease of access to public transportation, proximity to a business district, and an economic situation that can speed completion of the project. We should be starting the first phase of the project as soon as the site transfer is complete.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2010
Bans those under 14 from Operating ATV’s
State Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation prohibiting anyone under 14 years of age from operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and imposing strict penalties upon those who ride ATV’s recklessly or negligently.
“As an elected official, I feel it is my duty to ensure the safety of my constituents,” said Atkins. “This bill will keep our children safe by increasing the age at which they may operate an ATV.”
The bill prohibits any person between the ages of 14 and 16 from operating an ATV with an engine capacity greater than 90 cubic centimeters. The legislation dictates that those between the ages of 14 and 16 years can only operate an ATV under direct adult supervision.
The bill would impose fines for operating an ATV under the influence of an intoxicating substance. The legislation would also instate fines, imprisonment – or both – for anyone operating an ATV recklessly or negligently and causing serious bodily injury to another individual.
Under this legislation, anyone under the age of 18 would have to complete a recreation vehicle and responsibility course approved by the Director of the Office of Environmental Law Enforcement before operating an ATV. In addition, the parents or legal guardian of an operator under 16 must complete at least one session of the safety course.
Protective headgear would also be required for those operating an ATV or riding an ATV.
The bill incorporates environmental safeguards by prohibiting ATV’s that emit noxious fumes or make unusual or excessive noise. Further, the legislation prohibits the operation of ATV’s in a manner that harasses or harms deer or other wildlife.
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Dear Constituent,
As a State Representative, one of my longstanding priorities has been reforming our government to make it more transparent and more accountable. I am pleased to report that the House of Representatives passed amendments to the annual state budget that will increase the openness and accessibility of the budget process. Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent. This represents a monumental change in government. This amendment creates a website that will list all state expenditures and the names of all vendors who receive state funds. This website will be free and accessible by anyone. Citizens will be able to view and compile data on state expenditures from their own computers. Massachusetts will join 32 other states that provide an online database with in-depth detail on government expenditures.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 617-722-2692 or Rep.CoryAtkins@state.ma.us. And if you know anyone who would like to receive my newsletter, please forward it to them and ask them to subscribe on my website.
Sincerely,
Cory Atkins
Citizens United Supreme Court Case
Event at First Parish in Concord
On January 21 the United States Supreme Court handed down a decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission giving corporations the right to spend unlimited funds on political ads. The decision threatens both the bi-partisan, federal McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance law and the laws of 24 states limiting corporate involvement in state and national elections. Many are concerned about the implications of this decision for the role of corporations in the political process. On May 19 at the Democracy in the Balance Part II forum, I spoke about current efforts in the state legislature to respond to the Supreme Court decision. I will send out more information as we solidify our multi-faceted approach. To get involved locally, contact Launa Zimmaro of the League of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle at 978-287-4270 or lzimmaro@alum.bu.edu.
Municipal Relief Act
On April 26 the House passed a Municipal Relief Act. This bill gives cities and towns additional flexibility in managing their finances. The bill makes it easier for cities and towns to share emergency services, and it allows them to extend pension funding schedules without reducing benefits. Additionally, the bill lets school districts reimburse parents of disabled children who drive their children to private day programs outside the municipality in which they live. To read more about the House legislation, click here.
In the picture (L to R) are Rep. Will Brownsberger of Belmont, Rep. Katherine Clark of Melrose, Speaker Robert DeLeo of Winthrop, myself, and Rep. Peter Koutoujian of Waltham
Harassment Prevention Orders
My proudest achievement this session has been the passage of An Act Relative to Harassment Prevention Orders. Earlier this year both the House and the Senate passed this bill unanimously, and Governor Patrick signed it into law on February 3. The new law affords victims of abuse or harassment the right to petition for a protection order with criminal consequences regardless of the perpetrator’s relationship to the victim. I felt humbled on April 11 when the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center presented me with their Beacon Award “for outstanding leadership in advancing the rights of sexual violence survivors.”
Bullying prevention
Bullying in schools is nothing new, but the manner in which bullying is conducted has changed dramatically in recent years. Children harass each other through facebook, text messages, and other electronic forums. Harassment has a devastating effect on a child’s ability to learn. On April 29 I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate by voting unanimously in favor of a bill to ban bullying in schools and require teachers and principals to report potentially criminal acts of bullying to the police. Governor Patrick signed the bill into law on May 3. Hopefully this law will create a safer environment for all children.
League of Women Voters Day on the Hill
In the picture are myself and Launa Zimmaro of the Concord-Carlisle League of Women Voters.
The Massachusetts League of Women Voters’ Day on the Hill took place on Wednesday, April 28. While the larger group presentation focused on transportation, league members from my district delivered support letters from Concord Academy students regarding H.3515, An Act to Improve the Recycling Rates in the Commonwealth, also known as the Bottle Bill. This bill would expand the bottle deposit to include a wider range of drink containers, including sports drinks, energy drinks, and bottled water. The bottle bill is currently before the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy. The lead sponsor of the bill, Rep. Alice Wolf of Cambridge, filed an amendment to the annual budget that would have enacted the revised Bottle Bill, but this amendment failed. As a co-sponsor of the bill, I encourage you to get involved by contacting my office so that I can illustrate the level of support to both the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications Utilities, and Energy and the Speaker of the House.
Gaming in the Commonwealth
On April 14 the House of Representatives passed legislation to expand gambling in Massachusetts by a vote of 120-37. I am pleased to report that two amendments I filed were adopted. The first requires casino security personnel to constantly monitor the parking lots to check for children who may have been left in cars. Security personnel must immediately report abandoned children to the police who are required by law to report to the Department of Social Services. The second amendment relates to gaming facilities’ access to and use of lists of self-excluded persons. People who are concerned about their gambling habits would be able to voluntarily place themselves on a self-exclusion list, and my amendment would prohibit any gaming establishment from marketing in any form to people on the self-excluded list. The Senate has indicated they intend to hold another public hearing before they write their version of the gaming bill. They hope to debate their bill in the upcoming weeks. I urge you to attend the public hearing and voice your concerns. In this newsletter I will notify you when the hearing is scheduled.
In the picture are myself and members of the Concord Water Department.
Concord Water Department wins Water Conservation Award
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a Water Conservation award to the Concord Water Department. The DEP gives these awards to towns with very well run drinking water systems. Concord is one of four towns statewide to win an award in the Water Conservation category. I attended a ceremony on the Grand Stairs at the State House in Boston on May 4 to recognize Concord and the other award winners.
Raw Milk Regulation Changes
After hearing from residents in my district regarding the legality of raw milk buying clubs, I wrote to the Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources to express my concerns and the concerns of my constituents. On May 7 the department withdrew the language that would have restricted raw milk sales. The department plans to conduct a further review of their policy in the coming months.
Unsung Heroines of Massachusetts
On behalf of our communities, thank you Denise for all your time and energy. In the picture are Denise and myself.
On May 19, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women hosted its 7th Annual Unsung Heroine Celebration to recognize 100 women who make their communities a better place to live and work without fanfare or compensation. Denise Haartz of Concord was nominated for her extraordinary efforts. She is a Director of the Board at the Louisa May Alcott Orchard House and a member of the Household Goods of Massachusetts “Fun” Committee. Denise also serves on the Executive Board of the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary, the Emerson Hospital Health Care Foundation, and the Emerson Hospital Corporation. In addition, she is the president of a private family foundation that helps nonprofits in Concord and Acton.
