MassDEP’s Bureau of Water Resources is holding a virtual Meet The Grants Workshop to provide information on grant offerings for the upcoming fiscal year for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water quality projects. This year we will also be holding an extended Applicant 101 Training for both grant and procurement opportunities after the grant showcase for those who are interested. The workshop will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. The video and slides will be made available online after the presentation. Registration and other information included below.

MassDEP Bureau of Water Resources Meet the Grants Workshop
Location: Zoom (virtual)

Date: Thursday, June 16, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM

Registration required: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4517798900328/WN_GpoARyPRQOWuX_WYpMTIaw#/registration

Attendees: Those interested in these grant offerings are welcome to attend – entities typically eligible for these grants include municipalities, local boards and commissions (Boards of Health, Conservation Commissions, etc.), stormwater coalitions, environmental justice professionals, river and watershed associations, public water suppliers, wastewater operators

DCR programming includes adaptive hiking, boating, cycling, swimming and golfing options for people of all abilities across the state 

BOSTON – As part of its commitment to ensuring residents and visitors of all abilities can connect with nature through outdoor recreation, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced the summer programming schedule for its Universal Access Program (UAP).  

UAP provides adaptive and accessible recreation opportunities at DCR parks throughout the year, helping make Massachusetts’ park system more welcoming and inclusive for all. This summer’s programming includes hiking, boating, swimming, cycling, and golfing at DCR properties located throughout the state. 

“At DCR, we’re committed to ensuring our public lands are welcoming and accessible to all,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. “We want every resident and visitor to know that our parks, trails, beaches, and waterways are spaces where they belong. Through our Universal Access Program and the support of our partners, more people are able to connect with nature, spend time on the water, and enjoy all that our parks have to offer during the summer months.”  

From June through August, free and low-cost adaptive programming will be offered at 29 DCR properties. Each activity is designed to accommodate a wide range of needs and includes adaptive equipment and support. Programs are open to individuals of all ages and abilities. Friends and family of participants are also encouraged to participate. 

DCR also supports accessible and adaptive camping needs at many of our campsites. A full list of accessible sites can be found on DCR’s accessible camping webpage. 

The following activities will be featured at multiple DCR properties on dates throughout the summer:  

• Canoeing/Kayaking: Ranking among UAP’s most popular summer activities, DCR partners with Waypoint Adventure and All Out Adventures to offer kayaking and canoeing opportunities at Cochituate State Park in Natick, Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, the Middlesex Fells Reservation in Stoneham, DAR State Forest in Goshen, Whitehall State Park in Hopkinton, the Charles River Reservation in Cambridge, Beartown State Forest in Great Barrington, Walden Pond in Concord, Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston, Quinsigamond State Park in Worcester and the Upper Charles River Reservation in Waltham. 
• Hiking: In partnership with Waypoint Adventure, UAP is hosting group hikes at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton and Beaver Brook Reservation in Waltham. Each hike will highlight the natural and historic significance of each area while taking visitors through wooded areas and alongside ponds and waterways.  
• Cycling: A variety of cycling equipment, including recumbent bikes, tandems, hand cycles, trikes and wheelchair accessible bikes will be made available by All Out Adventures and Waypoint Adventure at the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester, Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley, Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone, Nashua River Rail Trail in Ayer, and Mass Central Rail Trail. 
• Swimming: Visitors in need of support while swimming will have the chance to cool off with staff from Easterseals Massachusetts at Worcester’s Bennett Field Pool this summer. Additionally, all of DCR’s 24 swimming pools, which open on June 20, feature outdoor chair lifts that provide access to the water. Several pools also have ramps or zero-depth entry and select pools and spray decks also have beach wheelchairs for use.  
• Rowing: Holyoke Rows is once again offering trips down the Connecticut River this summer. Participants will receive an introduction to rowing and can choose between a leisurely trip or competitive activities.  
• Sailing: In partnership with Community Boating, participants will get to sail along Boston’s Charles River Esplanade with programming designed for first-time and returning sailors.   

Additional adaptive recreation activities, including cycling, kayaking, paddleboarding and yoga, will be offered at Nickerson State Park in Brewster through October with Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers. Golf For All and the Massachusetts ParaGolfer Association are hosting adaptive golf programming at Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton and Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston. Greens access in Weston will be limited due to ongoing repairs. 

DCR will also have all-terrain wheelchairs (trackchairs) available at Windsor State Forest in Windsor starting June 19 and at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport effective immediately. Maudslay State Park will also have mobility scooters available to visitors. All motorized mobility devices must be reserved at least three days in advance of visiting a DCR property.  

For a full list of DCR’s 22 accessible beaches, which feature beach mats and beach wheelchairs, visit DCR’s website.  

UAP will also be hosting summer adaptive ice skating at Porrazzo Memorial Rink in East Boston on August 24. 

Participants need to register in advance to take part in UAP programming. To register and view the full Summer Adaptive Program Schedule, including program locations, dates and times visit the UAP website. Those interested in joining the mailing list to receive notifications of upcoming events and activities can call (413) 461-7126 or email [email protected]. 

National Grid is kicking off the summer season with proactive campaigns to help customers stay cool and manage costs. These efforts include bundled solutions that combine energy savings with bill management programs, as well as opportunities to connect one-on-one with customer advocates at assistance events statewide.

Following another cold winter, these outreach efforts will help customers during the high-heat months, when increased usage can drive higher electricity costs, and provide tools to track and better understand their energy use. National Grid’s program experts can also offer solutions to help with high bills, helping alleviate financial burdens for eligible customers.

Throughout the summer season, National Grid will provide customers with text alerts that will provide timely energy-saving tips during heat waves. Below is a checklist with a few tips that can help Massachusetts residents save on energy costs throughout the hot summer:

May 29th is 529 Day, and Treasurer Goldberg’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) invites you to celebrate with free college and career savings

What’s 529 Day? 

Celebrated every year on May 29, 529 Day is about promoting the benefits of saving for college and career training costs with tax-advantaged 529 accounts. Massachusetts families can get a headstart on their savings with a free $50 deposit from BabySteps when they open a MEFA U.Fund 529 account at no cost within one year of their child’s birth or adoption. 

Learn more and get started: mass.gov/babysteps

MassDEP’s Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program is now open for applications. Technical Assistance Grants support effective public involvement during the assessment and cleanup of oil and hazardous material disposal sites under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (Chapter 21E).

Public participation is an essential part of the state's Waste Site Cleanup Program. Many may find it difficult to understand the technical and scientific information contained in the plans and reports related to the assessment and cleanup of disposal sites which can hinder effective participation by citizens in the cleanup process. TAGs are awarded to selected community and citizens’ groups to reimburse those groups to obtain expert assistance, increase public participation, and provide public education about disposal site assessment and cleanup activities. A total of $200,000 in funding is available with up to $20,000 per applicant selected.

Applications are due by Friday, August 28, 2026. More information on TAGs, FAQs, and application criteria can be found on MassDEP’s website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/technical-assistance-grants-waste-site-cleanup

MassDEP funding opportunity through the Natural Resource Damages Assessment and Restoration Program. The Program assess injuries to natural resources resulting from spills and releases of oil and hazardous materials and substances into the environment, brings claims against responsible parties for monetary damages to compensate the public for these injuries, and plans and implements projects to restore, replace or acquire the equivalent of natural resources and the services that they provide to the environment and the public. 

Over $128,000 is being made available for projects that will restore, replace or acquire natural resources that were injured (including wetlands, surface waters, sediment, shoreline and water quality and the services that these resources provide to humans and ecosystems). Proposed restoration projects must benefit the Chelsea and Mill Creek, and/or the Lower Mystic River watersheds.

Additional information can be found on MassDEP’s website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/natural-resource-damages-program-restoration-funds

U.S. Department of Transportation officially opened the next funding round for the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant, now also called the "Crossing Safety" program.

This grant helps communities advance projects that improve safety and mobility where roads and rail lines intersect, including grade separations, crossing improvements, and even planning for such work. More than $1.1 billion is available in this FY25–26 round and applications are due June 8, 2026 (45-day application window).

You can view the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) here:
https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/fy25-26-railroad-crossing-elimination-program-notice-funding-opportunity

If of interest, please also save the date for a May 6 GoRail webinar on the RCE program featuring the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration, which will provide an overview of this funding round and walk participants through the application process. 

Happy House Budget Week! I am back in your inboxes to announce service changes in May on the Red, Green, Blue, Mattapan, New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, Kingston, and Framingham/Worcester lines.  

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/PlannedWork. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.   

On the Red Line:  

As previously announced, in May, the MBTA will perform final testing and commissioning work on the Red Line’s new digital signal system, which will strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders. Pre-testing for the new signal system was completed weeks ahead of schedule earlier this month, and this upcoming work is one of the final steps to bringing the new system online. Tamping work will also take place on the Ashmont branch next month.  

To accomplish this work, the following service suspensions will take place: 

• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and Quincy Center on the Braintree branch for three consecutive days, May 2 – 4. 

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Broadway and Quincy Center. 
• Regular Ashmont branch service will operate between JFK/UMass and Ashmont, but riders will need to take shuttle bus service between Broadway and JFK/UMass. 
• Accessible van service will be available between Broadway and Quincy Center on Monday, May 4. Riders should see station personnel for assistance. 
• Riders are encouraged to consider Commuter Railservice between South Station and Braintree, which will be free during this service change. Regular fares should be purchased for travel beyond Braintree.  
• Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Braintree should budget at least an additional 40 – 50 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute. 

• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and Ashmont on the Ashmont branch beginning at approximately 6 PM on Thursday, May 14, and continuing for the next four consecutive days, May 15 – 18. 

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Broadway and Ashmont. 
• Regular Braintree branch service will operate between JFK/UMass and Braintree, but riders will need to take shuttle bus service between Broadway and JFK/UMass. 
• Riders should note that Mattapan Line service will also be suspended beginning at 6 PM on May 14 and on May 15 – 16. Additional details are below.  
• Accessible van service will be available between Broadway and Ashmont. Riders should see station personnel for assistance. 
• Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Ashmont should budget at least an additional 30 – 40 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute. 

• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and Quincy Center on the Braintree branch and Broadway and Ashmont on the Ashmont branch for three consecutive days, May 29 – 31. 

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Broadway and Quincy Center and between Broadway and Ashmont. 
• Riders are encouraged to consider Commuter Railservice between South Station and Braintree. 
• Accessible van service will be available between Broadway and Ashmont as well as Broadway and Quincy Center. Riders should see station personnel for assistance. 
• Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Braintree should budget at least an additional 40 – 50 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute. 

On the Green Line:  

The MBTA will continue the installation of critical Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) infrastructure on the C and E branches in May. When complete, GLTPS will combine vehicle and wayside equipment to avoid train-on-train collisions, incorporate speed enforcement, and more.   

To accomplish this work, the following service suspensions will take place: 

• Green Line service will be suspended between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle for twelve consecutive days, May 6 – 17.  

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace service between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle. 
• Shuttle bus service will not be available at Saint Mary’s Street, Kent Street, or Brandon Hall in both directions. Riders should instead utilize shuttle bus service at the next nearest stop. 
• Additional service will be added to the Green Line D branch during this time period. Riders who board or disembark at Cleveland Circle are encouraged to instead utilize D branch service at Reservoir, which is 0.1 miles away (or about a two- to three-minute walk),  
• Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Government Center from Cleveland Circle should budget at least an additional XXminutes of travel in additional to their regular commute. 

• Green Line service will be suspended between Government Center and Heath Street on the E branch for seven consecutive days, May 30 – June 5. 

• Riders can instead utilized parallel Route 39 bus service, which will be enhanced with additional service.  

On the Blue Line: 

During one weekend in May, the MBTA will continue essential infrastructure upgrades, track renewal, and other critical revitalization work on the Blue Line. This regular, planned renewal and revitalization work is ongoing and continuous, ensuring the long-term stability of our infrastructure and preserving the system for future generations of riders. 

To accomplish this work, the following service suspensions will take place: 

• Blue Line service will be suspended between Bowdoin and Airport during the weekend of May 9 – 10. 

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops at Airport, Maverick, and Haymarket for Orange and Green Line connections in the downtown area.   

On the Mattapan Line: 

In May, there will be a weekend Mattapan service change to perform critical power work within the MBTA’s Codman Yard facility.  

To accomplish this work, the following service suspensions will take place: 

• Mattapan Line service will be suspended between Ashmont and Mattapan beginning at approximately 6 PM on Thursday, May 14, and for the next two consecutive days, May 15 – 16.  

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace service between Ashmont and Mattapan. 

On the New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Commuter Rail Lines: 

The MBTA will perform critical maintenance work on the Old Colony Lines during weekends in April. This regular, planned renewal and revitalization work is ongoing and continuous, ensuring the long-term stability of our infrastructure and preserving the system for future generations of riders. 

To accomplish this work, the following service suspension will take place: 

• New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Line service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree (including at Quincy Center) during the weekend of May 9 – 10.  

• Passengers should instead utilize Red Line subway service between South Station and Braintree (via Quincy Center) for Commuter Rail connections beyond Braintree or Quincy Center. 
• Riders traveling to/from South Station should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to South Station from Braintree should budget at least 15 minutes of travel in addition to their regular trip time. 
• A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on com/CR. 

On the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line: 

The MBTA will perform critical infrastructure work on the Framingham/Worcester Line during one weekend in May.  

To accomplish this work, the following service suspension will take place: 

• Framingham/Worcester Line service will be suspended between Worcester and Grafton during the weekend of May 16 – 17. 

The MBTA previously announced service changes in April. More information is available here.   

For immediate release:  

April 16, 2026

Massachusetts Department of Transportation Reminds Residents to Beware of Fraudulent Text Messages

Do not open links in messages which request payment

or other information 

MassDOT will never send a text with a link for payment

of tolls or traffic violations 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding residents to beware of fraudulent text messages which ask for payment for tolls or violations by using a link sent to a person’s cell phone.  MassDOT divisions will never ask for payment at a link imbedded into a text message.  

“If you receive a text message telling you to make a payment or that you need to act quickly, do not click the link. We continue to hear disturbing accounts from the public that a text message scam is continuing,” said Colleen Ogilvie, Registrar of Motor Vehicles.  “The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will never ask for payment at a link in a text.  Recipients should immediately delete text messages saying fines are owed, licenses and registration will be revoked, or a collection agency is being notified – these are deceitful and fraudulent messages.”

Attempts have been made in Massachusetts, and several others states to trick individuals into sharing credit card numbers and other sensitive information, directing them to websites to pay outstanding balances. The RMV and MassDOT Highway Division strongly encourage customers not to click links contained in such messages.  Unfortunately, scam artists have evolved to using more believable words and phrases in their fraudulent messages, including, “Per order of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles,” and “This document constitutes a formal final demand for payment.”  These communications are all fraudulent and should be deleted immediately.

Some of the scam texts reference a false regulation that allows for license suspension of vehicle registration revocation, and convey a sense of urgency and date deadline, with a link to submit payment. MassDOT divisions never request payment via text.  Registry of Motor Vehicles customers should go to Mass.Gov/RMV for online RMV services and information about their credentials and vehicle owners should contact EZDriveMA if they have questions at www.EZDriveMA.com.

While EZDriveMA will utilize text messages to notify account holders regarding issues with their account, such as a low prepaid balance, a declined or expired credit card on file, or a malfunctioning transponder, these messages direct customers to the EZDriveMA Customer Service Center, and do not include links. EZDriveMA will never request payment via text.

Scammers will sometimes create links that mimic the names and URLs of official websites. Customers should only use Mass.Gov/RMV for online RMV services and only use www.EZDriveMA.com for the payment of tolls owed for travel on Massachusetts roadways.