Murray Mail

July 30, 2010

Visit my website at theresemurray.com for legislative updates, community events and district information.

Pictures from the District Murray congratulating the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce on its new location Senate President Murray breaking ground at the site of the new Plymouth North High School	Dear Friends, Welcome to the newest Murray Mail, my monthly e-newsletter that provides relevant and useful information about what's going on in your communities and on the Hill. I hope you find this newsletter helpful, and that it gets you excited about all that's happening in your towns and in the Commonwealth as a whole.  You can find more details about legislation, district events and town information on my website, theresemurray.com. I'm always here to help you or to answer any questions you may have. Sincerely,    Terry Murray
In this Issue... What People are Saying about Senate President Murray Stay Connected	What's Happening in the District... August 6 - Pilgrim Progress Parade    6-6:45 p.m. on North St. August 7 - Blueberry Festival    11 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Green Briar Nature    Center in Sandwich     August 10 - Bournedale Hill Walk    10:00-11:30 a.m. Herring Run Recreation    Area    August 14 - 20th Annual Falmouth Walk for    Charities    10:00 a.m. Falmouth Town Hall Parking Lot August 14 - School House Rock Outdoor    Concert    1:00 p.m. Plymouth Waterfront August 21 - Art Explorations Family Event    7:15 - 9:00 p.m. Heritage Museums &    Gardens, Sandwich August 28 - Downtown Plymouth Waterfront    Festival    11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. PlymouthWaterfront To see more events happening around you, visit the community calendar.
At the State House
ATV Safety Bill Passes Senate School Nutrition Bill Becomes Law Senate Gives Final Approval to Legislation that Protects Against Foreclosures and Mortgage Fruad
In the District
Falmouth Wind Energy Bill Becomes Law Saturday RMV Services Open at AAA in Plymouth Taking Advantage of our Area's 'Great Places'

At the State House

ATV Safety Bill Passes Senate

On July 22 the Massachusetts Legislature, responding to alarming rates of injury and death, passed final legislation improving safety regulations for operators of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Massachusetts. The bill requires ATVs, off-road motorcycles and snowmobiles to be registered and all operators to wear helmets. It also establishes a minimum age of use for ATVs.

Since the tragic ATV-related death of their 8-year-old son Sean in 2006, Mark and Katie Kearney of Plymouth have advocated for increased ATV regulations and have worked tirelessly to get safety legislation passed.

We have to consider the safety of people, especially children, who use these vehicles. This bill will hold negligent users or owners accountable and help reduce the bad practices that harm individuals and children.

According to the National Trauma Data Bank, more than 77 percent of ATV injuries and deaths involved children under the age of 14. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found a 33 percent increase in all ATV-related injuries since 2001. In 2006 alone, at least 111 children under 16 were killed in ATV accidents.

The bill prohibits anyone under 14 from operating an ATV, unless it is for a sanctioned race supervised by adults over 18. It also establishes penalties and fines for reckless and negligent use, leaving the scene of an accident, and unauthorized use and false registration.

In order to cross a public way, public safety provisions in the bill require that crossings are marked and approved as part of an authorized recreation vehicle trail system. The bill also prohibits ATV use that does millions of dollars of damage every year to public and private property, wildlife and crops.

Further provisions of the bill include:

• Prohibits possession of a loaded firearm, rifle or shotgun while riding on a recreation or snow vehicle;
• Requires that a person between 14 and 16 years of age may only operate an ATV with an engine capacity up to 90 cubic centimeters, and such use must be directly supervised by someone over 18;
• Provides that operators of recreation vehicles under the age of 18 must complete a vehicle safety and responsibility course;
• Mandates that recreation and snow vehicle owners who knowingly allow persons to use their vehicles are liable with the operator for any damage or injuries;
• and Establishes an Off-Highway Vehicle Program Fund that collects registration fees and revenues from fines and forfeitures to pay for law enforcement activities, land acquisition, trail maintenance and development, and the development of safety and training programs.

This bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

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School Nutrition Bill Becomes Law

Legislation Improves Food Choices at Massachusetts Schools to Help Fight Childhood Obesity

The Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation in July that would ban the sale of unhealthy foods and drinks in Massachusetts public schools. The Governor signed the bill into law today.

There is a strong connection between proper nutrition and good health and learning. With this bill, we’re taking a stand against childhood obesity by establishing healthy food standards in our schools and promoting locally-grown, farm-fresh products that will create a healthier, more productive learning environment and also give a boost to local commerce.

The bill institutes nutritional guidelines, to be developed by the Department of Public Health, for foods and beverages sold to students outside of the federal meal program. The legislation establishes standards for products sold in vending machines, school stores, and cafeteria a la carte lines. 

Furthermore, the bill dictates that all school districts create school wellness and advisory committees to develop a district-wide wellness policy. The legislation also requires nutrition and exercise as subjects for instruction in schools.

The bill also includes a provision for preferential purchasing for products grown in Massachusetts and instructs the Department of Agriculture to collect data to facilitate the process of local farms and public schools doing business together.

The American Heart Association has confirmed that childhood obesity is one of the most critical public health issues facing our nation today, threatening to reverse the last half century’s gains in reducing cardiovascular disease and related deaths.

One-third of children aged two to five years are either at risk for being overweight or are already overweight. In Massachusetts, 29 percent of middle school students are overweight or obese. Studies show that these children are more likely than their peers to be absent from school, experience low self-esteem and become obese adults.

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Senate Gives Final Approval to Legislation that Protects Against Foreclosures and Mortgage Fraud

With home foreclosures continuing to rise in the Commonwealth in spite of the improving economy, the Senate and House sent final consumer protection legislation to the Governor that protects both homeowners and tenants from mortgage fraud and arbitrary evictions.

This legislation will help us get control of home foreclosures, which has been a major challenge during our economic recovery. It protects residents and helps people stay in their homes at a time when many are already struggling.

The bill requires that tenants in foreclosed buildings can only be evicted for just cause. A lender cannot evict a tenant for failure to pay rent unless a written notice with proper contact information has been posted and delivered. It does not prohibit a lender from evicting tenants for valid reasons, such as using a unit for illegal purposes or not allowing the lender to enter the unit to make repairs.

For homeowners, the legislation temporarily extends the 90-day right-to-cure period, enacted by the legislature in 2007, to 150 days. The 2007 law gave homeowners 90 days to come up with past due payments on their mortgage before the lender could require full payment of the unpaid balance. This was intended as a cooling off period for the lender and homeowner to work out a new payment plan to avoid foreclosure.

Additionally, this new provision expands the content of the notice of right-to-cure that banks must send to homeowners.

Further protecting homeowners, the legislation requires those who want to obtain a reverse mortgage on their home to meet with a counselor approved by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. It would also criminalize residential mortgage fraud.

The bill also establishes a new local option property tax exemption that permits a charitable organization that acquires a foreclosed property, and plans to create low and moderate income affordable housing there, to be exempt from property taxes until it rents or leases that property, but not for more than seven years after purchase.

A Senate-led initiative that was originally passed in April the bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

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In the District

Falmouth Wind Energy Financing Bill Becomes Law

The Legislature gave final approval to legislation that will help Falmouth make repairs and improvements to renewable energy facilities and bring down costs of other energy-related expenses in the town. It was signed by the Governor last Friday.

This legislation will be a big boost for Falmouth, and given the town’s commitment and initiative with regard to renewable energy sources, they deserve it. It will go a long way toward mitigating energy costs and advancing efficient, cutting-edge energy projects.

The bill establishes a dedicated fund for revenues generated by the town’s current and future wind-energy facilities. In addition to facility operations and maintenance, the money from the fund will also be used to pay the cost of future facility improvements, to offset the town’s other energy expenses, and to pay the principal and interest on any energy-related bonds.

Falmouth recently completed a 1.65MW turbine at its wastewater treatment facility that will save the town approximately $300,000 a year.

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Saturday RMV Services Open at AAA in Plymouth

The RMV has partnered with AAA to provide residents the opportunity to renew their licenses and registrations at the AAA located at 29 Home Depot Drive in Plymouth. 

This is a creative solution to the sometimes overburdened offices of the RMV. Now those in the Plymouth area who work during the week will have the opportunity to visit AAA on Saturday instead of trying to make it during work hours. It’s a great innovation that will result in shorter lines for everyone.

AAA in Plymouth will provide these services between regular business hours during the week, and on Saturday from 9a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Taking Advantage of our Area's 'Great Places'

Why travel the world to experience history and natural beauty, when we are fortunate to call a place home that is rich with historic, cultural and national treasures. Whether it is just around the corner, down the street or a day trip away, we have the opportunity to see, first hand, these amazing attractions. 

Just recently, the Commonwealth named the 1,000 Great Places that highlight our treasures across the Commonwealth. These designations give visitors a roadmap of what they can find when they come to Massachusetts.

But these treasures are not just for our visitors, they are for every resident to enjoy. In fact, every community in the Plymouth and Cape Area is represented on this list, demonstrating just how many distinctive wonders are all around us.

This list recognizes the incredible and varied attractions that our many communities have to offer, many of which are right in our back yards. It truly celebrates the unique aspects of our communities and the Commonwealth as a whole.

The official list of 1,000 Great Places was announced on July 12 at the Massachusetts State House. The list was compiled by the 1,000 Great Places Commission,  whose mission was to identify and recognize the 1,000 most truly special places in the Commonwealth, in order to celebrate pride in our history and culture, increase knowledge of our natural surroundings, and encourage regional and international tourism.

The following places in the Plymouth and Barnstable District were recognized in the list:

Barnstable:

• Sandy Neck Beach
• Sturgis Library

Bourne:

• Aptucxet Trading Post Museum
• Cape Cod Canal Bike Path
• Scusset Beach State Reservation
• The Herring Run Recreation Area at the Cape Cod Canal

Falmouth:

• Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bourne Farm
• Falmouth Museums on the Green
• Falmouth Shining Sea Bikeway
• Highfield Hall
• Nobska Point Lighthouse
• Spohr Garden on Fells Road
• The Knob, Woods Hole
• Woods Hole Village

Kingston:

• Historic District

Pembroke:

• Ada Hall House
• Historic District
• The Herring Run
• Tubbs Meadow

Plymouth:

• Brewster Gardens to Jenny Pond
• Ellisville Harbor State Park
• Historic Plymouth Harbor
• Jenney Grist Mill
• Myles Standish State Forest
• Pilgrim Hall Museum
• Plimoth Plantation
• Plymouth Rock
• The Cordage Historical Society in Plymouth

Plympton:

There are so many places all around us that showcase the unique beauty and history of the Cape. If you can’t get away this summer, consider taking a vacation to one of these remarkable spots that are right in our backyards.

• Village Historic District

Sandwich:

• Benjamin Nye Homestead
• Heritage Museums and Gardens
• Historic Village and Historic District
• Sandwich Glass Museum
• Sandwich Grist Mill
• The Board Walk
• Thornton W. Burgess Society

There are so many places all around us that showcase the unique beauty and history of the Cape. If you can’t get away this summer, consider taking a vacation to one of these remarkable spots that are right in our backyards.

For more information visit www.massvacation.com.

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What People are Saying about Senate President Murray

"I am proud to say that Senator Murray is my Senator. As an elected official she represents the very best of what is essential to be a successful public servant. She knows her district and the State and she always puts that first before personal political considerations." -Ellen Yaffe, Sandwich Finance Committee

Stay Connected 

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theresemurray.com

therese.murray@state.ma.us

Boston:  

State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133

Phone: 617.722.1500 Fax: 617.722.1072

Plymouth: 

10 Cordage Park Circle, Room 229, Plymouth, MA 02360

Phone: 508.746.9332 Fax: 508.746.4910

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