The EOPSS Office of Grants and Research is pleased to make $3.8 million in state funding available to assist municipal police departments implement new or expanding existing body-worn camera (BWC) programs.

Applications are due at 4:00 PM on July 31^st.  Additional information for this funding opportunity can be found below.

On behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Fiandaca, and Registrar Ogilvie, I would like to invite you to join the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) as we welcome Massachusetts residents who are newly eligible for licenses under the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA) to Service Center locations across the Commonwealth. 

We are organizing up to 6 days of “RMV Welcome Events” to create a welcoming atmosphere and to provide multilingual information and assistance to individuals newly eligible for driver’s licenses under the Work and Family Mobility Act. Through these welcome events, we hope to: 

1.) Convey a welcoming message and atmosphere from the RMV to all newly eligible individuals.  

2.) Help triage individuals who come without an appointment for a learner's permit test so they can call the dedicated contact center line or visit the website to schedule an appointment.  

3.) To make sure people feel welcome and leave with the information needed to have a successful transaction with the RMV. 

Dates: Monday - 7/03, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 7/5 through 7/7

and Saturdays - 7/08 & 7/15  

Time: 8am-6pm.

Locations:

Boston/Haymarket Service Center, 136 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA

Brockton RMV Service Center, 490 Forest Ave., Brockton, MA

Lawrence RMV Service Center, 73C Winthrop Avenue, Lawrence, MA

Worcester RMV Service Center, 50 Southwest Cutoff, Worcester, MA

Pittsfield RMV Service Center, 333 East Street, Pittsfield, MA

Revere RMV Service Center, 9C Everett Street, Revere, MA

Springfield RMV Service Center, 1250 St. James Ave., Springfield, MA

The MBTA today announced service changes in July on the Red, Green, Orange, Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush lines. The MBTA will continue working to improve service reliability across the system.

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) announcing applications for the 2023 Low Number Plate Lottery will be available online at myRMV Online Service Center beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023. To be eligible, applicants must apply for this year’s lottery by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Winners will be notified by mail if selected for a low-number plate. 

Please see following information on how to sign up for Mass 511:

For real time information about roadway conditions visit www.mass511.com or download the Mass511 mobile application. This website allows the public 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.

To learn how to create a personalized My Mass511 account, save your favorites cameras, schedule email and text alerts for your favorite routes and areas, and save your Commercial Vehicle setting here: https://www.mass511.com/help/section/how-to-create-and-manage-a-511-account.html

The EOPSS Office of Grants and Research is pleased to make available up to $1 million in reimbursement funding to offset the cost of police officers who complete the Municipal Police Training Committee’s Bridge Academy Training Program. All municipal police departments are eligible to apply for this funding. However, officers must complete the four required trainings outlined below so that they can be eligible. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is recommended municipalities apply as soon as possible.

I wanted to let you know that the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation is launching a second version of their Hotel & Motel Relief Grant Program that opens the program to smaller operators. 

Last session, the Legislature allocated $75 million through the FY23 Economic Development bill to help lodging businesses across the Commonwealth recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic. The first version of this program excluded small lodging operators, as businesses with less than 50 employees were not able to apply.

I'm delighted to let you know that the second version of this grant program launches tomorrow, June 16^th and runs until July 14^th. The minimum employee requirement of 50 people has been lifted. Smaller establishments like inns and B&Bs may now be eligible to apply

For more information on the program, including how lodging operators can apply, see the following link: https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/covid-19-recovery/hotel-motel-relief-grant-program

Registry of Motor Vehicles Announces Standard Driver's Licenses Regardless of Immigration Status Available Soon Under Work and Family Mobility Act 

Starting July 1st, newly eligible Massachusetts residents can apply for their Learner’s Permit and road test to obtain a license; RMV increasing staff, extending hours, and expanding translated materials in preparation for the implementation of the law  

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is pleased to announce plans to implement the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), effective on July 1. 

Under the new law, eligible Massachusetts residents can apply to obtain a Standard (Class D or M) driver's license, regardless of immigration status, as the WFMA removes the requirement that residents provide immigration status proof. 

please find the weekly statewide Department of Public Health (DPH) arbovirus report for the week of June 12, 2023. This report outlines the risk levels for municipalities based on both historical prevalence and recent activity of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), including information on the most recent WNV human cases.

As you will read in the attached report, Massachusetts Department of Public Health has identified zero individuals who have tested positive for WNV and zero WNV positive mosquito samples.

Community risk levels can be found on the DPH Arbovirus Update Page: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update.  

Helpful tips and links on prevention and mitigation measures are provided within the attached document and at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

Several 30 second PSA videos are available

Mosquitoes and Ticks | Mass.gov

Atlantic Hurricane Season Kicks Off June 1

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency invites residents to prioritize personal preparedness and explore digital planning resources

FRAMINGHAM – In conjunction with the beginning of Atlantic Hurricane Season today, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) announced a series of online resources for the Commonwealth’s residents to deepen their awareness of and prepare for the impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes. Residents are encouraged to go online, make a plan, and stay informed about storms that may emerge this season. 

“With severe weather events occurring more frequently due to our changing climate, it’s more important than ever that Massachusetts is prepared to respond before, during and after emergency weather situations like hurricanes,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration has a host of helpful resources available, and we encourage everyone to go online, make a plan and stay informed about potential storms to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”

“History shows that regardless of where you are in Massachusetts – on the coast or inland – a tropical storm or hurricane can have significant impacts on your area,” said MEMA Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “Ensuring Massachusetts communities are prepared for hurricane season requires immense collaboration among emergency management partners at the state and local levels, as well as participation from all residents to prioritize personal preparedness.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) seasonal outlook predicts near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year, but it only takes one storm to cause significant impacts.

The beginning of hurricane season is a timely reminder for all residents to prepare for the effects of a hurricane by learning if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone, developing an emergency plan that reflects your local conditions, building an emergency kit to meet your household needs, and staying informed before, during, and after the storm. If you have a disability or care for someone who does, it may require extra planning to handle an emergency.

Steps to Prepare

Know Your Evacuation Zone – Visit www.mass.gov/knowyourzone to learn if you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone. If you live in an area that may flood and may need assistance evacuating, plan with family, neighbors, and friends who may be able to assist, and contact your local public safety officials to make them aware of your needs.

Make an Emergency Plan – A plan should address how your family would communicate, evacuate, and shelter in place if needed. Be sure to account for the needs of all your family members, including seniors, children, individuals with access and functional needs, and pets: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/make-a-family-emergency-plan. If you receive medical treatment or home health care services, work with your medical provider to determine how to maintain care and service if you are unable to leave your home or have to evacuate.

Build an Emergency Kit – Build an emergency kit that will sustain your household for three to five days without power. For tips on what to include, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/build-an-emergency-kit

Stay Informed – Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools, including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social and traditional news media, Mass 2-1-1 and local notification systems: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/be-informed-and-receive-emergency-alerts

MEMA will share preparedness and safety information throughout hurricane season. For more resources, visit the Hurricane Safety Tips section of MEMA’s website at https://www.mass.gov/mema/hurricanes.