On behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security (EOPSS), and the Department of Fire Services (DFS), we are pleased to announce the availability of $6.8 Million in Fire Department Grants.

DFS has opened the FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which reimburses fire departments for the purchase of firefighter turnout gear, hoses, nozzles, communications equipment, hand tools, etc. More than 100 types of equipment are eligible for reimbursement, with a scoring emphasis on equipment that will help departments meet current NFPA and OSHA standards. The application period opened on 1/21/26.

• Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program:
• Notice of Funding Opportunity and grant application: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/grants-for-fire-departments#firefighter-safety-equipment-grant-program

DFS is also preparing to open the FY26 Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE Grant program, which funds age-appropriate fire and life safety education for school-age children and older adults. $1.8 million will be distributed to local fire departments for overtime and equipment associated with visits to schools, senior centers, and homes. The application period is expected to open next week.

• Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grant program:
• Notice of Funding Opportunity and grant application: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/student-awareness-of-fire-education-safe

The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) are pleased to announce that the inaugural round of the Sports and Entertainment Events Fund Grant Program has opened. Established and appropriated through Chapter 73 of the Acts of 2025, this fund is designed to support a competitive matching grant program for major sports or entertainment events.  

The $10 million available in this round is dedicated to supporting uses related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Non-profit organizations and municipalities are eligible to apply, and by statute, no more than half the balance of the fund may be granted to any one recipient in any calendar year. MOTT will consider applications supporting match hosting, Fan Fests, watch parties, and team home bases. Per statute, grants will take into account both economic impact and geographic equity. 

More information and the program application can be found at https://mott.submittable.com/submit

The Governor’s Youth Advisory Council would like to invite youth ages 16-20 to Governor Healey’s second annual Youth Summit, held on Monday, February 9th, at 3:00 pm, in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House. The summit will provide a valuable opportunity for young leaders across the Commonwealth to come together and discuss important topics concerning youth, including mental health, education, and healthcare.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has posted a grant application to support collection and processing of specified target materials through the Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program. To aid in meeting the goals of the 2030 Solid Waste Master Plan, the RBDG program seeks to provide grants to companies and corporations to support creation of sustainable recycling markets and to add value to municipal and business recycling efforts.

A key element of reducing our solid waste disposal is fostering local recycling markets, particularly for targeted materials that lack strong markets and demand. Stronger local recycling markets support a robust, sustainable, and cost-effective recycling infrastructure and foster economic development and job creation.

Applications will be accepted until April 3, 2026. Additional information can be found on the RBDG webpage, here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-recycling-reuse-business-development-grant. 

MassDOT Announces New Municipal Speed Feedback Signage Program

Program will provide municipalities with solar-powered, data-capable speed feedback signs

 
BOSTON- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing the launch of the Municipal Speed Feedback Signage Program, a new $1 million initiative designed to help communities manage vehicle speeds and enhance roadway safety, particularly in speed transition zones where posted limits change. 

The program, administered cooperatively by MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning and Highway Division, will provide municipalities with solar-powered, data-capable, and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) compliant speed feedback signs (either post-mounted or portable trailer-mounted) at no capital cost to local governments.  An application form is available online at the following link, with signs distributed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. 

Participating municipalities will be responsible for installation and maintenance of the signs and will share the speed data collected from the signs to help support statewide speed management research and decision-making. The initiative is supported with federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 and aligns with MassDOT’s broader Safe System approach and Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. 

“The launch of this program strengthens our collaboration with cities and towns as we work together to increase driver awareness, reduce vehicle speeds, and make our roads safer for everyone,” said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “MassDOT’s top priority is and always will be safety so we are excited to partner with cities and towns to provide these signs to qualifying applications at no up front cost to municipalities.” 

Research shows that driver feedback signs are among the most effective tools for influencing driver behavior, reducing average speeds by 2–17% and lowering collision severity by 23–45% in urban environments. Driver feedback signs are particularly effective in speed transition zones where roadway design or context changes, such as moving from rural to suburban or urban areas. 

Details on the program overview, eligibility, application materials, FAQs, and contact information are available on MassDOT’s Municipal Planning & Support Team’s webpage: https://www.mass.gov/massdot-municipal-planning-and-support. 

Temporary lane closures scheduled on Wednesday, December 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

EVERETT – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that a temporary right lane and right shoulder closure will be in place on Route 16 (Revere Beach Parkway) eastbound between Lewis Street and 2^nd Street in Everett on Wednesday, December 10, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

These closures are necessary to allow crews to safely and efficiently perform roadway repairs.  Due to prior water main break, there was significant pavement deterioration.  The repairs are needed in advance of winter (snow and ice removal) operations. 

This work is being conducted under a District-Wide Resurfacing contract, with D&R General Contracting serving as the prime contractor. 

Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and advanced message boards will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. 

Drivers who are traveling through the area should reduce speed and use caution. 

The schedule for this work is weather dependent and is subject to change without notice. 

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to: 

• Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions. 

• Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions. 

• Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions. 

A milestone day at the State House yesterday. After years of hearings, meetings and advocating, An Act Relative to Assault and Battery Upon a Transit Worker, was signed by Governor Maura Healey yesterday. The bill adds transit workers to the public service worker protection in state law, expanding their protections. This is a huge victory for transit workers who face violence everyday just for doing their jobs. I was so thrilled to see it finally cross the finish line and celebrate with the men and women who made it possible. Thanks to the lead sponsor in the Senate, Senator Nick Collins , Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chairman Michael Day, State Senator Sal DiDomenico and many more who helped get this bill passed. And the biggest thank you of all to the men and women in our public transit industry who not only fought for this bill but provide an essential service everyday. I’d like to especially thank Billy Beradino and Boston Carmen's Union Local 589 who worked tirelessly on this issue. You got the job done. I’m honored you allowed me to sponsor this bill and fight along side you.