The hour to which the Senate adjourn.
Having arrived, the Senate will come to order.
The chair asks all members, guests, and staff
to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance
to the flag.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic, for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
[HITS GAVEL]
Several resolutions have been presented,
which the clerk will read.
By Mr. DiDomenico, resolutions congratulating Sandra Albano
on her retirement.
By Ms. Lovely, resolutions recognizing Dr.
Henry Mejía Oviedo's visit to the Commonwealth in celebration
of Dominican Independence Day.
And by Mr. Cyr, a resolution congratulating Mary Hill Tucker
on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
The question now comes on adoption of the resolutions.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the resolutions are adopted.
Ready?
[INAUDIBLE]
OK.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom
is referred the Senate bill to protect access
to confidential health care, Senate number 591.
Reports recommend the same ought to pass
with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title.
Senate number 2296, Karen E. Spilka for the committee.
The senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka,
has presented an order, which the clerk will read.
Order that notwithstanding Senate rule 7,
or any other rule to the contrary, the Senate bill
to protect access to confidential health, Senate
number 591, the Committee on Ways and Means
having recommended the bill be amended by substituting
the new draft, Senate number 296,
shall be placed in the orders of the day
for a second reading on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
All amendments shall be filed electronically
in the office of the clerk of the Senate
by 5:00 PM on Monday, February 12, 2018.
All such amendments shall be second reading Amendment
to the Senate number 2296, but further amendments
in the third degree to such amendment shall be in order.
The clerk shall further specify the procedure and format
for filing all amendments consistent with this order.
After the bill is amended, it is ordered to a third meeting.
It shall immediately be read a a third time,
and the question shall then immediately
be on passing it to be engrossed,
and no amendment shall be in order
at the third reading of the bill unless recommended
by the Committee on Bills in the third reading.
Under the rules, the order is referred to the Committee
on Rules.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Rules, to whom is referred,
said Senate order report recommend
the same ought to be adopted.
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
The senator from Bristol and Plymouth, Mr. Pacheco,
moves that the rules be suspended so that that matter
may be considered forthwith.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, nay.
The ayes have it and the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on adoption of the order.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, nay.
The ayes have it and the order is adopted.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Ways and Means to whom
is referred the Senate bill expanding the Community College
Training Incentive Program, Senate number 676.
Reports recommend the same ought to pass
with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title,
Senate number 2297.
Karen E. Spilka for the committee.
The senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka,
has presented an order, which the clerk will read.
Order that notwithstanding Senate rule 7 or any other rule
to the contrary, the Senate bill expanding the Community College
Training Incentive Program, Senate number 676.
The Committee on Ways and Means having recommended the bill be
amended by substituting a new draft, Senate number 2297,
shall be placed in the [INAUDIBLE] for second reading
Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
All Amendments shall be filed electronically
in the office of the clerk of the Senate by 5:00 PM.
On Monday, February 12, 2018, all such Amendments
shall be second reading Amendments
to the Ways and Means new draft, Senate number 2297.
But further Amendments to the third degree to such Amendments
shall be in order.
The clerk shall further specify the procedure and format
for filing all Amendments consistent with this order.
After the bill is amended, it is ordered to a third meeting.
It shall immediately be read a third time.
And the question shall then immediately be, on passing it,
to be engrossed.
And no Amendment shall be in order
at the third reading of the bill unless recommended
by the Committee on Bills in the third reading.
Under the rules, the order will be referred to the Committee
on Rules.
Report of a committee.
The Committee on Rules, to whom is referred,
said Senate order reports recommend
the same ought to be adopted.
Mark C. Montigny for the committee.
The senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem,
rules that the rules be suspended so that the matter
may be considered forthwith.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on the adoption of the order.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the order is adopted.
Ready?
Paper from the House.
The Senate bill authorizing the Berkshire County Regional
Housing Authority to convey a certain parcel of land
in the town of Sheffield to the Great Barrington Housing
Authority, Senate number 2102, comes
from the House with the endorsement
that the House has passed a bill to be engrossed in concurrence
with an amendment in Section 1, in lines 1 to 10 inclusive,
by striking out the paragraph contained in those lines
and inserting in place thereof a new section 1.
The senator from Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester,
Mr. Rosenberg, moves that the rules
be suspended to allow the matter be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none, and the rules are suspended.
The question comes on concurring in the House amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the Senate concurs in the House amendment.
If there is no objection, item number
117 on page 6 of the calendar, an act
providing for the purchase of the Milford Water Company
by the town of Milford, House number 3978,
will be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
Third reading of the bill.
An act providing for the purchase of the Milford Water
Company by the town of Milford, House number 3978.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
If there is no objection, item number
119 on page 6 of the calendar, an act
relative to the dissolution of the Milford Water Company
and the acquisition of its assets by the town of Milford.
House number 4055 will be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
Third reading of the bill.
An act [INAUDIBLE] relative to the dissolution of the Milford
Water Company and the acquisition of its assets
by the town of Milford, House number 4055.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Will come to order.
Is there any objection with proceeding
with the orders of the day?
The chair hears none.
On page 1, the first item is calendar item number 127,
Senate number 2245.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
The next item is calendar item number 128, Senate number 2271.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
The next item is calendar item number 129, House number 3873.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
This will be the senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr.
Humason.
The next item is calendar item number 130, House number 3942.
The question comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
The senator from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Humason,
moves that the rules be suspended so that the matter
may be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none.
Third reading of the bill.
An act relative to the retirement
benefits of certain employees of the City of Chicopee, House
number 3942.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
On page 2, the next item is calendar item number 132.
Pass!
Chair hears pass.
Brief recess now.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Come to order.
On page 2, the first item passed over is calendar item
number 132, House number 4045.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading, coming first on an amendment,
as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will come to order.
The chair recognizes the gentleman from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Why, thank you, Mr. President.
And good morning.
Good morning.
It is wonderful to be here with you and our colleagues
this morning for the very important measures
that will come before the Senate during today's session.
And Mr. President, currently on the calendar,
and now pending before the Senate,
is a very substantial bond bill, which
I know has been filtered through the Committee
on Bond and Capital Expenditures and State Assets, and also is
now has been the subject of an effort
by the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. President, I would point out that this bond bill represents
bond authorizations for over $3.5 billion.
So this is a serious exercise in allocating state assets.
So Mr. President, I'm hoping that before we
get into the several amendments--
and I know that there are many amendments-- that we can have
an explanation, preferably from the distinguished chairman
of the Committee on Ways and Means, who is presently
in consultation with the distinguished chairman
of the Committee on Bond and Capital Expenditures and State
Assets.
They may be working out the final details
and comparing notes of their analysis
of this particular bill.
So hopefully any last minute information
that can come as a result of that conversation
will be shared with us.
I know the gentle lady who was the distinguished
Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means
has a very large notebook with regard to this subject,
and she has now got that notebook open,
and so I'm hoping that she will pry it open even
further and share with us an overview of the bond bill
that now pends before the Senate.
I appreciate her work on this, and I look forward
to her explanation, and I thank you, Mr. President.
The chair recognizes the gentle lady from--
where are you from?
From Norfolk and Suffolk.
Some days I wonder.
Yeah, I wonder.
I wonder what counties.
I'm learning.
Norfolk and Suffolk--
Ms. Spilka.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I want to thank the minority leader for asking for an update
as a highlight of what this bill does.
So I will talk briefly about it, give a brief overview.
[COUGHS]
Excuse me.
Today we take up Senate 2279 to provide for the Commonwealth's
capital needs.
The bill before us authorizes the issuance
of up to $3,546,000,000.
And I will repeat that--
$3,546,000,000 in bonds.
It authorizes that for the improvement of capital
facilities of the commonwealth and for the general operations,
for general government operations,
including $475 million for state university and community
college campus improvements that's desperately
needed across our commonwealth to make sure our public higher
ed students have the best possible education that we
can give them, and they deserve nothing less.
$475 million for the University of Massachusetts
system for campus improvements--
we know that we have been continually investing
in the UMass system.
We need to continue to invest in the UMass system,
also, to make sure those campuses provide the best
education, not only for public higher ed,
but for all of the education for our students here.
$675 million for the trial court facility improvements.
We have some trial court buildings
across the commonwealth that are literally falling apart.
I know the one in my district--
believe it or not, there's four walls to a building.
We all know that.
The rear wall is separating from the rest of the other three
walls.
It has literally been separating.
It's very old.
It's fallen apart.
$85 million for the Clean Energy Investment Program
to improve the energy efficiency of state-owned facilities.
To put this all in perspective, at the close of 2017,
the Debt Affordability Committee recommended a total issuance
of $2.34 billion for fiscal year 2019.
This is an increase of approximately rightly 3.5%
over the fiscal year 2018 issuance cap of $2.26 billion.
As of August 31, the commonwealth's
total outstanding debt was $26.1 billion,
including $20.6 billion in direct debt
subject to the statutory limit.
That limit will increase from $22.9 billion in 2018
to $24 billion in fiscal year '19.
So all of the debt that we incur has that cap that we cannot
incur any other debt over that bond cap.
So the bill before us responsibly--
and I stress the word responsibly--
provides for the capital needs of the commonwealth
and assures that we are providing those capital needs
and covering every corner of the state, all around the state,
and the needs.
We must equally provide for all regions of the state.
And I believe that the bill before us
makes great strides towards this effort
to help all of the residents of our commonwealth.
Therefore, I ask for your support of this bill.
I ask that when we do the final bill that when
the vote would be taken, it be taken with a call of the yeas
and nays.
The senator from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Spilka,
has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of yeas and nays.
Those members joining with her please rise and be counted.
A sufficient number of members haven't arisen.
The yeas and nays will be ordered when the time comes.
The chair recognizes Ms. Spilka.
I do just would like to add that this has been a really
strong collective effort and acknowledge
the chair of bonding, the senator
from Quincy, who has done a yeoman's job in these efforts.
And I thank him for it.
I know that he would like to expound on the bond
cap and the other issues surrounding the state bonding,
but I also would like to thank each one of the senators who
has given their input, their priorities,
and put a lot of time towards creating
this fiscally responsible bill.
Thank you.
Recognizes the gentleman from Essex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Mr. President and [INAUDIBLE] the members.
Mr. President, I appreciate the gentlelady's explanation.
And I do appreciate the very important fact
that she cited that the passage of this bond bill
would not violate the principles that we have
in terms of an overall bond spending
cap and the fiscal discipline.
That's absolutely imperative here.
And I appreciate that.
I would sound a note of caution, that we continue
to in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
have very high levels of indebtedness per capita
versus states all across the country.
And so even as we move forward with this exercise,
I appreciate the elements of fiscal discipline
that she has cited.
But I, again, do not think it would
be proper to undertake this exercise without realizing
that we still have, as a collective situation, very high
levels of bonded indebtedness.
With that, Mr. President, I look forward
to consideration of the several amendments.
Shall I just get started, or you want to--
[INAUDIBLE] amendments have been submitted,
filed for the bill at hand.
We are going to begin with them forthwith.
Amendment number 1, filed by the gentleman from Middlesex
and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 1 by Mr. Eldridge,
Hudson Rotary reconstruction.
The question comes on adopting the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 2, filed by the gentleman from Middlesex
and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 2 by Mr. Eldridge, Bruce Freeman Rail
Trail.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 3, filed by the gentleman from Middlesex
and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 3, by Mr. Eldridge,
North-South Rail Link.
Question now comes on adoption of the amendment.
The chair recognizes the gentleman
from Middlesex and Worcester, Mr. Eldridge.
Thank you, Mr. President.
And I want to thank the lady from Ashland,
the Chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee,
for her excellent work on putting together this capital
bond bill, as well as the gentleman from Quincy, Senate
Chair of Capital Bonding.
I just want to briefly talk about this amendment, Amendment
number 3, which is $10 million to update and complete
a final environmental impact statement
in reporting on the North-South Rail Link.
I am very proud that the Senate has taking the lead,
going back to the Transportation Bond Bill of four years ago,
to pass a $2 million feasibility study for the North-South Rail
Link, which the Baker and Polito administration is currently
studying, and a study is hopefully going
to be come back to us in July.
However, Mr. President, I think the recognition
is we need an environmental impact of the North-South Rail
Link, not only to preserve that path,
but also to get a better sense of the cost of building
a North-South Rail Link.
It's a critical link, not only for improving traffic
congestion in Boston, but I would say the entire MBTA
commuter rail system in general.
And this earmark not only would provide that study,
but it sends a message, Mr. President,
that the Senate strongly stands behind the North-South Rail
Link, and we need to invest in transportation infrastructure.
Many of the earmarks, which are in this capital bond bill,
are doing just that.
Urge my colleagues to support Amendment number 3.
Thank you, Mr. President.
[INAUDIBLE] amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 4, filed by the gentleman from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 4, by Mr. Tarr, Gloucester Court Amendment.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 5, filed by the gentleman from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 5, by Mr. Tarr, Essex Public Safety Building.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 6, filed by the gentleman from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 6, by Mr. Tarr, Groveland Senior Center.
Question comes on adoption of the Amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the Amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 7, filed by the gentleman from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 7, by Mr. Tarr, Patton
Homestead Museum Restoration in Hamilton.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 8, filed by the gentleman from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 8, by Mr. Tarr, Intergenerational Community
Center in North Redding.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the Amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 9, filed by the gentleman from Plymouth
and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 9, but Mr. O'Connor, Cohasset Town Hall
Construction.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 10, filed by the gentleman from Plymouth
and Nofolk, Mr. O'Connor, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 10, by Mr. O'Connor, Hingham Town Hall
Improvement Project.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 11, filed by the gentleman from Plymouth
and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 11, by Mr. O'Connor,
Weymouth Department of Public Works Improvement Project.
The question comes on ordering on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 12 filed by the gentleman from Plymouth
and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 12 by Mr. O'Connor, Marshfield
and Situate Senior Center Improvement Projects.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 13, filed by the gentlelady from Middlesex,
Ms. Friedman, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 13 by Ms. Friedman, Southern Middlesex
Justice Complex.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 14, filed by the gentlelady from Middlesex,
Ms. Friedman, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 14 by Ms. Friedman, Ned O'Brien Ice Rink
Renovations.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 15, filed by the gentlelady from Middlesex,
Ms. Friedman, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 15 by Ms. Friedman,
Minuteman High School's Photovoltaic Overlay District.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 16, filed by the gentleman from Berkshire,
Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden, Mr. Hinds, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 16 by Mr. Hinds, Pittsfield Police
Station.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 17, filed by the gentleman from Berkshire,
Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden, Mr. Hinds, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 17 by Mr. Hinds, North Adams Public
Safety Facility.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 18, filed by the gentleman from Berkshire,
Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden, Mr. Hinds, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 18 by Mr. Hinds Health Public Safety Complex.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 19, filed by the gentleman from Berkshire,
Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden, Mr. Hinds, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 19 by Mr. Hinds, Pittsfield Parking
Garage.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 20, filed by the gentleman from Norfolk
and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 20 by Mr. Keenan, Quincy Ferry Terminal.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 21, filed by the gentleman from Norfolk
and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 21 by Mr. Keenan, Quincy Public Safety
Building.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 22, filed by the gentleman from the Cape
and Islands, Mr. Cyr, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 22 by Mr. Cyr, North Truro Center
Improvements.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 23, filed by the gentleman from the Cape
and Islands, Mr. Cyr, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 23 by Mr. Cyr, Barnstable County Regional
Government Facilities.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 24, filed by the gentleman from Suffolk
and Middlesex, Mr. Boncore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 24 by Mr. Boncore, Magazine Beach Powder
House.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 25, filed by the gentlelady from Suffolk,
Ms. Chang-Diaz, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 25 by Ms. Chang-Diaz, Jackson Square
Recreation Center.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 26, filed by the gentlelady from Suffolk,
Ms. Chang-Diaz, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 26 by Ms. Chang-Diaz,
Infrastructure Upgrades at Roxbury Community College.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 27, filed by the gentlelady from Suffolk,
Ms. Chang-Diaz, the title of the which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 27 by Ms. Chang-Diaz, Boston Fire
Department Engine 42.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 28 is on hold.
Amendment number 29, filed by the gentleman from Suffolk
and Middlesex, Mr. Boncore, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 29 by Mr. Boncore, Winthrop Fire Station.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 30, filed by the gentleman from Suffolk
and Middlesex, Mr. Boncore, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 30 by Mr. Boncore,
Parish Street Pool, East Boston.
Question comes on the adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 31, filed by the gentleman from Norfolk
and Suffolk, Mr. Rush, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 31 by Mr. Rush, Needham Public Safety.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 32, filed by the gentleman from Norfolk
and Suffolk, Mr. Rush, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 32 by Mr. Rush, Norwood Rink
and Recreation Center.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 33, filed by the gentleman from Norfolk
and Suffolk, Mr. Rush, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 33 by Mr. Rush, Municipal Reimbursement.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 34, filed by the gentlelady from Middlesex,
Ms. Donaghue, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 34 by Ms. Donaghue, Lowell Judicial
Center.
Question now comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 35, filed by the gentlelady from Middlesex,
Ms. Donaghue, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 35 by Ms. Donaghue, Lowell Public Safety.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 36, filed by the gentleman from Hampshire,
Franklin, and Worcester, Mr. Rosenberg, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 36 by Mr. Rosenberg, Turner Falls Canal
District Development and Safety Project.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
I'll just finish this page.
Only two more.
OK, [INAUDIBLE].
Amendment number 37, filed by the gentleman from Hampshire,
Franklin, and Worcester, Mr. Rosenberg, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 37 by Mr. Rosenberg,
Bank Road Development Project.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those opposed, say no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 38, filed by the gentleman from Hampshire,
Franklin, and Worcester, Mr. Rosenberg, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number of 38 by Mr. Rosenberg, South Hadley Senior
Center.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
The Senate will come to order.
The chair recognizes the gentleman
from Plymouth and Norfolk to make
an introduction of some guests.
Mr. O'Connor.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Madam President for the opportunity
to introduce you through you to the members.
I'm very fortunate today to introduce students
from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who
are members of the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Team.
The SkillsUSA Massachusetts is a state association
of SkillsUSA, which is the national organization that
serves over 300,000 high school and college
students and professional members who enrolled
in training programs in technical, skilled, and service
occupations, including health occupations.
Massachusetts proudly serves the largest membership of SkillsUSA
in the nation with more than 34,000
of our young students, teachers, and administrators
in these programs in 51 high schools and colleges.
SkillsUSA prepares Americas high performance workers
by providing quality education experiences
for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship,
and character development.
SkillsUSA builds and reinforces self-confidence,
work attitudes, and communication skills.
SkillsUSA Massachusetts programs include
local and state competitions, in which
students demonstrate occupational and leadership
skills.
During the annual State Leadership and Skills
Conference, more than 2,500 students
compete in 101 occupational and leadership skill areas.
Here with us today to my left, to your right,
sitting in the balcony area, we have a group of student leaders
and educators representing 12 towns and cities
in our commonwealth, and including
two constituents of mine.
These students were elected by their fellow members
to represent the 34,000 SkillsUSA members that we
have in our great state.
With us today is Karimah Land of Randolph,
Olivia McFarland of Sandwich, Dakota Chixarro of New Bedford,
Madison Bozaryth of New Bedford, Kenny Dela-Cruz of Lowell,
Brittany Borowski of Leominster, Adam Cavanaugh of Milford,
is Celia Wallace of Raynham, Kevin Luna-Torres of Ashland,
and staff members Dr. Nancy Houle of Leominster,
Jared Berman of Weymouth, and Karen Ward of Marshfield.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's SkillsUSA.
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you, SkillsUSA, for joining us.
[GAVEL]
Thank you, Skills USA, for joining us today,
and I hope that you will stay and watch
some of the proceedings.
This is a long day and an important day for us.
Where are we?
39.
We are on number 39 sponsored by the senator from Hampshire,
Franklin, and Worcester, Mr. Rosenberg, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 39 by Mr. Rosenberg, Amherst Senior
Services.
Where am I?
The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means
Amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
[INAUDIBLE]
What?
Rosenberg amendment.
Excuse me-- mistaken.
Let me read that over.
The ayes have it, and the Rosenberg amendment is adopted.
Brief recess.
[GAVEL]
The Senate will be in session.
We are now number 40, offered by the senator from Hampshire,
Franklin, and Worcester, Mr. Rosenberg.
The clerk will read the title.
Amendment number 40 by Mr. Rosenberg, Sweetser Park.
The question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means
amendment.
No?
Is that the Ways and Means or is that--
The question now comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
[GAVEL]
It's very difficult to hear in here.
Please subdue your conversations.
We're now on number 41, offered by the senator
from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush.
The clerk will read the amendment.
Amendment number 41 by Mr. Rush, Boston Emergency Operations
Center.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The question is adopted.
We will go on to question number 42, Amendment number 42,
offered by the senator from Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol
and Plymouth, and Bristol, and Norfolk, offered
by Senators Timilty and Feeney.
And this is on hold.
Go to number 43, offered by the senators from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth and Norfolk and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty
and Keenan, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 43 by Senators Timilty and Keenan,
Braintree Fire Department.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
OK, so we're now on 45?
44.
We're now on number 44, offered by the senators
from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth,
Mr. Timility and the senator from Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Brady, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 44 by Senators Timilty and Brady,
East Bridgewater Water Storage.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We're on number 45, offered by the senators,
again, from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth,
Mr. Timilty, and the senator from Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Brady, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 45 by Senators Timilty and Brady, Eastern
Public Safety Equipment.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
We are now on number 46, offered by the senators
from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth,
Mr. Timilty, and the senator from Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Brady, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 46 by Senators Timilty and Brady,
East Bridgewater Public Safety Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We're on to 47, offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 47 by Mr. Timilty, Local Town Services.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
On to 48, offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 48 by Mr. Timilty, Town
of Canton Facilities Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
49 is on hold.
Number 49, offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, is on hold.
Number 50, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Barstow, Mr. deMacedo, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 50 by Mr. deMacedo, Fire Station
in the Town of Falmouth.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We are now on 51, which I believe is withdrawn.
Am I correct?
Number 52, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 52 by Mr. deMacedo, Sandwich Public
Safety Complex.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 53 has been withdrawn.
Number 54, offered by the senator from Suffolk
and Middlesex, Mr. Boncore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 54 by Mr. Boncore, Revere DPW Building.
All those in favor of the amendment say, aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 55, offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 55 by Ms. Creem, Newton Senior Center.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 56, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Barrett, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 56 by Mr. Barrett, Lexington Police
Department Radio Console.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 57?
Number 57, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Barrett, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 57 by Mr. Barrett, Local Accessibility
Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 58, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Barrett, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 58 by Mr. Barrett, Local Public Safety.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 59, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Barrett, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 59 by Mr. Barrett, Chelmsford Public
Safety.
All [INAUDIBLE] of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 60, offered by the senator from the Cape
and the Islands, Mr. Cyr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 60 by Mr. Cyr, Dukes County Jail.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 61, offered by that same senator from the Cape
and Islands, Mr. Cyr, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 61 by Mr. Cyr, Armory Building Renovation.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 62, offered by the same senator from the Cape
and the Islands, Mr. Seer, the title of which the clerk will
[INAUDIBLE].
Amendment number 62 by Mr. Cyr, Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike Trail.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 63, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 63 by Mr. deMacedo, Public Safety
Facility in the Town of Bourne.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 64, by the senator from Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Pacheco, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 64 by Mr. Pacheco, Bristol County
Superior Courthouse.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 65, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Plymouth, Mr. Rodrigues, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Excuse me.
Amendment number 65 by Mr. Rodrigues, Swansea
Infrastructure Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 66, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Plymouth, Mr. Rodrigues, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 66 by Mr. Rodrigues,
Lakeville State Hospital Reuse.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 67, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Plymouth, Mr. Rodrigues, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 67 by Mr. Rodrigues, Fall River Parking
Garages.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
[INAUDIBLE]
Number 68, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Plymouth, Mr. Rodrigues, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 68 by Mr. Rodrigues, Fall River State
Pier Facility Capital Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 69, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Bristol, Mr. Brady, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 69 by Mr. Brady, Expansion
for Brockton Council on Aging.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 70, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Plymouth, Mr. Rodrigues, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 70 by Mr. Rodrigues, Somerset Wastewater
Treatment Systems Capital Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
What do you want to do?
[INAUDIBLE] 71.
OK.
Number 71, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Bristol, Mr. Brady, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 71 by Mr. Brady, Improvements
to Halifax Council on Aging.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
[INAUDIBLE]
Number 72 is withdrawn.
We will go to number 73, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Bristol, Mr. Brady, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 73 by Mr. Brady, Massasoit Community
College Science and Liberal Arts Building Renovation Project.
All those in favor of the amendment, and say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 74 has been withdrawn.
As has 75.
And 75 has been withdrawn.
We are now on 76, offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 76 by Mr. DiDomenico, Lafayette Square
Fire House Renovations.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 77, offered by that same senator from Middlesex
and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 77 by Mr. DiDomenico, Parlin Library Roof
Replacement.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We will now go to 78, offered by the senator
from Worcester, Mr. Moore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 78 by Mr. Moore, Blackstone Valley
Regional Vocational Technical High School.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Another amendment by that same senator from Worcester,
Mr. Moore, number 79, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 79 by Mr. Moore, Greater Worcester Public
Safety.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 80, offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 80 by Mr. DiDomenico, Old Everett High
School Renovations.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 81, offered by the senator from Worcester,
Mr. Moore, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 81 by Mr. Moore, Grafton Upgrades.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 82, offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Suffolk, Mr. DiDomenico, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 82 by Mr. DiDomenico,
Chelsea Department of Public Works Building Rebuilding.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 83, offered by the senator from Worcester,
Mr. Moore, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 83 by Mr. Moore, Leicester and Upton
Renovation.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
Say no.
Hearing none, the amendment is adopted.
Number 84--
Is withdrawn.
Oh, sorry.
Take a brief recess.
Brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Senate will be in session.
We will go back to number 84, offered by the senator
from Worcester, Mr. Moore, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 84 by Mr. Moore, Worcester Enhancements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 85 is withdrawn.
Number 86, offered by the senator from Worcester
and Middlesex, Mr. Tran, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 86 by Mr. Tran, Fitchburg City Hall.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 87, the senator from Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin,
and Hampden, Mr. Hinds, has offered
this amendment, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 87 by Mr. Hinds, Clarksburg School.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 88, offered by the senator from Middlesex
and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 88 by Ms. Creem, Brookline Senior Center.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 89, offered by the senator
from Middlesex and Norfolk, Ms. Creem, the title of which
the [INAUDIBLE].
Amendment number 89 by Ms. Creem, Wellesley Town Hall
Renovation.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 90, offered by the senator from Worcester
and Norfolk, Mr. Fattman, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 90 by Mr. Fattman, Sutton Singletary Ave
and Boston Road Water and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The amendment is adopted.
We go on to the next one, by the same senator,
number 91, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 91 by Mr. Fattman, Oxford Route 20 Water
and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 91-- 92--
excuse me-- offered by the senator
from that same senator from Worcester and Norfolk,
Mr. Fattman, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 92 by Mr. Fattman, South Uxbridge Water
and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 93, offered by that same senator,
again, from Worcester and Norfolk,
Mr. Fattman, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 93 by Mr. Fattman, Webster Water
Distribution Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 94, offered by senators Fattman and Moore
from Worcester, Norfolk, and Worcester,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 94 by Senators Fattman and Moore, Northbridge
Rockdale Village Fire Station.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
The 95th amendment, offered by the senator
from Essex, Ms. O'Connor Ives, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 95 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, North Andover
Community Rail Feasibility Study.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 96, offered by that same senator
from Essex, Ms. O'Connor Ives, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 96 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, Methuen Public
Works.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 97, again, by that same senator
from Essex, Ms. O'Connor Ives, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 97 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, Northern Essex
General Services Center.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Once again, in number 98, the same senator, Ms. O'Connor Ives
from Essex, offers an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 98 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, Water Main
Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Once again, by the senator from Essex, Ms. O'Connor
Ives, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 99 by Ms. O'Connor Ives, Amesbury Police
Department.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 100, offered by that same senator
from Essex, Ms. O'Connor Ives, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 100 by Ms. O'Connor Ives,
Newburyport Public Restrooms.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
We're on number 101 for those following us carefully.
Number 101 is offered by Senator from Middlesex, Mr. Lewis,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 101 by Mr. Lewis, Malden Fire Equipment.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 102, offered by the same senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Lewis, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 102 by Mr. Lewis, Winchester Town Hall
Upgrades.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 103, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Lewis, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 103 by Mr. Lewis, Redding Security
Upgrades for Municipal and School Buildings.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 104, offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 104 by Mr. Lesser, Longmeadow Landfill
Capping.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 105, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Lewis, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 105 by Mr. Lewis, Albion Cultural
Exchange.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 106, offered by the senator
from Bristol and Norfolk, the title of which--
excuse me-- the senator from Bristol and Norfolk, Mr.
Feeney--
forgive me-- the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 106 by Mr. Feeney, Foxborough Turf Field
Complex.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
[GAVEL]
You're getting a little loud again.
Number 107, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 107 by Mr. Feeney, Foxborough Fire
Substation.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 108, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 108 by Mr. Feeney, Gladys L. Hurrell
Rehobeth Senior Center Renovations.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Those against, say no.
Hearing none, the amendment is adopted.
We're now on number 109, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 109 by Mr. Feeney, Norton Council
on Aging.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 110, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Norfolk, Mr. Feeney, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 110 by Mr. Feeney, Walpole School
Infrastructure Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
Hearing none, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 111 is withdrawn.
We will then go to number 112, offered
by the senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Lesser, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 112 by Mr. Lesser, Granby West Street
School Conversion.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 113 is withdrawn.
Number 114 is withdrawn.
Number 115 is withdrawn.
Number 116 is withdrawn.
Just a moment.
Here.
Number 117 is withdrawn.
Now we go to 118, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Mr. Lewis, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 118 by Mr. Lewis, Memorial Hall
in the City of Melrose.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is upheld.
Number 119, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Ms. Jehlen, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 119 by Ms. Jehlen, Medford Square.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is passed.
Number 120, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Ms. Jehlen, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 120 by Ms. Jehlen, Somerville Parks.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 121, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 121 by Mr. deMacedo, Pembroke Public
Safety Facility.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 122, offered by the senator from Middlesex,
Ms. Jehlen, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 122 by Ms. Jehlen, Somerville Sound
Pollution.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 123, offered by the senator from Plymouth
and Barnstable, Mr. deMacedo, the title
of which the clerk read.
Amendment number 123 by Mr. deMacedo, Shining Sea Bike
Path.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 124, offered by the senators
from Plymouth and Bristol, Mr. Pacheco, Bristol and Plymouth,
Mr. Rodrigues, and Plymouth, Mr. Montigny,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 124 by Senators Pacheco, Rodrigues,
and Montigny, Bristol County Agricultural High School.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 125, offered by the senator from Hampden,
Mr. Welch, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 125 by Mr. Welch, Energy Efficiency
Improvements in the Town of West Springfield.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 126, offered by the senator
from Hampden and Hampshire--
excuse me, Hampden--
Mr. Welch, and the senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Lesser, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 126 by senators Welch and Lesser,
Infrastructure Improvements to the Paramount Theater
in Springfield.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 127, offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, and the senator
from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 127 by senators Welch and Lesser,
Critical Repairs to Building 20 at Springfield Technical
Community College.
Brief recess.
All those in favor of this amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not passed.
Number 128, offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Welch, and the senator
from Hampden and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 128 by Senators Welch and Lesser, Improvements
and Upgrades to the Springfield Technology Park.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Amendment number 129 by the senator
from Worcester and Middlesex, Mr. Tran,
the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 129 by Mr. Tran, Demolition
in the City of Fitchburg.
All those in favor of the amendment--
129?
Yeah.
I'm sorry.
129 is a hold.
All right, number 130, offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 130 by Mr. Lesser, Longmeadow Center
School Window Replacement.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment
is passed to be engrossed.
Number 131-- what?
It's withdrawn?
I'm sorry, I don't have that.
131 is withdrawn.
I'm sorry.
Number 131 is withdrawn.
We will go to 132, which has a hold.
Am I correct?
[INAUDIBLE] on hold?
That's on hold too.
Brief recess.
Where is he?
Senate will be in session.
Let's go back to 132--
senator from Worcester and Middlesex,
Mr. Tran, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 132 by Mr. Tran, Feasibility Study
Regarding a Public Safety Complex
in the Town of Westminster.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 133, offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 133 by Mr. Lesser, East Longmeadow Police
Station Renovation.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 134, offered by the senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 134 by Ms. L'Italien, Greater Lawrence
Tech Field Renovation.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 135, offered by the same senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 135 by Ms. L'Italien, Fire Station
Construction in Dracut.
All those in favor of this amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment
is passed to be engrossed.
Number 136, offered by the same senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Ms. L'Italien, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 136 by Ms. L'Italien, Reconstruction
of Intersection in Tewksbury.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Same senator, number 137, from Essex and Middlesex,
Ms. L'Italien, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 137 by Ms. L'Italien,
Renovation of the Senior Senator in Andover.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
Hearing none, the amendment is passed.
Number 138, the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, offers an amendment, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 138 by Mr. Ross, International World War
II Museum.
All those in favor, say yes.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
139 is withdrawn.
Number 139 is withdrawn.
Number 140, offered by the senator
from Hampden, Mr. Lesser, and the senator
from Hampshire and Hampshire, Mr. Welch, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 140 by Senators Lesser and Welch,
Hampden County Regional Lockup Facility.
That amendment is on hold.
141 is withdrawn.
Number 141 is withdrawn.
Number 142, offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 142 by Mr. Lesser, East-West Rail
Feasibility Study.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is passed.
Number 143, offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 143 by Mr. Ross, North Attleboro School
Wifi Expansion.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment
is passed to be engrossed.
Number 144, offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Humason, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 144 by Mr. Humason, Veteran's Chapel.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is passed to be engrossed.
Number 145, offered by the same senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Humason, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 145 by Mr. Humason, Improved Municipal
Facilities for Public Safety.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is passed to be engrossed.
Number 146, yes?
Number 146, offered by the senator from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Humason, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 146 by Mr. Humason, City Hall.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not passed.
147 is on hold.
Number 147 is on hold.
We go to number 148, offered by the senator
from Essex, Ms. Lovely, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 148 by Ms. Lovely, Peabody Senior Center.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is passed.
Number 149, offered by the same senator from Essex,
Ms. Lovely, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number one 149 by Ms. Lovely, Beverley Police
Headquarters.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is passed.
Number 150, offered by the same senator from Essex,
Ms. Lovely, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 150 by Ms. Lovely, Salem Commuter Rail
Station.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment
is passed to be engrossed.
Number one 151, offered by the same senator
from Essex, Ms. Lovely, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 151 by Ms. Lovely, Danvers Food Pantry.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is passed to be engrossed.
Number 152-- is no.
Is still a no.
Number [INAUDIBLE],, offered by the senator from Hampden,
Hampshire, and Berkshire, Mr. Humason,
and the senator from Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden,
Mr. Hinds, the title of which the clerk will read.
Brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Go ahead.
The Senate is in session.
Amendment 152 has been withdrawn.
Want to read 153?
Senate 153 is on hold.
Nope, nope, 153, offered by the senator from Worcester
and Middlesex, Mr. Tran.
Is on hold.
Is going to be a yes.
OK, I'm sorry.
Number 153, offered by the senator from Worcester
and Middlesex, Mr. Tran, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 153 by Mr. Tran,
Town of Sterling Administrative Building HVAC Repairs.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is--
same.
OK.
Same senator for 154, the title of which the clerk--
number 154 has been withdrawn.
Number 155, offered by the senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 155 by Mr. Tarr, Public-Private
Partnership Commission.
President?
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Why thank you, Madam President.
How wonderful it is to see you upon the roster.
It has been too quiet in the chamber, Madam President,
but that's because we've been speaking to ways to spend
money, and this particular amendment actually proposes
potentially a way to save money, and so
I rise to call attention to this amendment for the members.
Madam President, we have seen, in some very discreet instances
in the Commonwealth, the ability of public-private partnerships
to effectuate important capital improvements,
while making use of the skills of the private sector,
combined with the abilities of the public sector,
to be able to move forward with joint projects.
Now Madam President, up until now,
those projects have been considered fairly
on an individualized basis.
But yet, Madam President, it seems
that it might be a way, or several ways,
to develop pathways for these projects
to happen in a more routine and in a more standardized way,
that might make them even more efficient.
And so, Madam President, the pending amendment
proposes a commission to look at public-private partnerships,
that includes representatives of organized labor,
folks in the private construction industry,
as well as folks in government, to see if we can bring people
to the table and explore even more ways that we could
use public-private partnerships to generate positive results.
And Madam President, I hope the amendment is adopted.
[INAUDIBLE] you.
On this question, all those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
We are now on number 156, offered by the senator
from Essex, Ms. O'Connor Ives, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 156 by Ms O'Connor Ives, Haberl Public
Safety and Recreation.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and this amendment is adopted.
The senator from Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire,
and Middlesex, Ms. Gobi, offers 157, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 157 by Ms. Gobi, Ashby Public Safety
Complex.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 158, offered by the same senator, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 158 by Ms. Gobi, Palmer Public Works
Building.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Number 159, offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timilty, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 159 by Mr. Timilty, Blue Hills Trailside
Museum.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 160, offered by the senator from Worcester,
Hampden, Hampshire, and Middlesex, Ms. Gobi, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 160 by Ms. Gobi, Brimfield Senior Center.
All those in favor of this amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Number 161, offered by the senator from Essex
and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 161 by Mr. Tarr, Threshold Amount.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Excuse me.
The amendment was not adopted.
Number 162, offered by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 162 by Mr. Ross, Wellesley Middle School.
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it.
The amendment is not adopted.
Number 163 is on hold.
Number 164, offered by the senator--
163 [INAUDIBLE] on hold.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Let me--
No, no, it's on hold.
163 is on hold.
Is on hold.
But I said it was not--
no, I said it was hold, didn't I?
I said it was hold.
OK, now we're on 164, offered by the senator from Norfolk,
Bristol, and Middlesex, Mr. Ross, and Bristol and Norfolk,
Mr. Feeney, the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 164 by Senators Ross Feeney, Tri-County High
School Improvements.
All those in favor of the amendment--
is he coming down?
All those in favor of the amendment, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nose have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
Number 165 is on hold.
Number 166 is on hold.
Number 167 is on hold.
Number 168 is on hold.
Number 169 is on hold.
Number 169, I am reminded, is withdrawn.
Number 170 is on hold.
Number 171, offered by the senator--
It's on hold.
Number 171, I am told, is on hold.
Number 172, offered by the senator from Bristol
and Plymouth, Mr. Montigny, the title
of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 172 by Mr. Montigny, Connecting Working
Waterfront to Downtown New Bedford Arts and Cultural
Renaissance Through Mixed Use State Pier.
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
Senate will in session.
Number 172 is on hold.
We're going to go--
the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank you, Madam President and, through you, the members.
Madam President, I request unanimous consent
that the Senate consider having taken no action on Amendment
number 161.
Senate 161 you would like no action taken on?
Is there an objection?
Hearing none, there is no action will be taken.
Madam President.
Mr. Tarr?
Madam President, I further unanimous consent
to withdraw Amendment number 161.
The senator asks that number 161 be withdrawn.
Is there objection?
Hearing none, 161 is withdrawn.
And returning to 173, which is on hold.
Returning now to 173, which is on hold.
174, which is withdrawn.
175, which is offered by the senator
from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
[INAUDIBLE]
If clerk will read the title.
Amendment number 175 by Mr. Tarr, Lease Agreements.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr.
Thank| you, Madam President.
Madam President, this amendment appears
to have been reflected largely in substance
in another measure, which is contained in a special act.
And so as a result of that, I request unanimous consent
to withdraw the pending amendment.
The senator asks unanimous consent
to withdraw the amendment.
The senator asks unanimous consent
to withdraw the amendment.
If there is any objection?
Hearing none, the amendment is withdrawn.
We are now on Senate--
We [INAUDIBLE] at--
Senate 176 is withdrawn.
Senate 176, offered by the senator
from Worcester and Middlesex, Mr. Tran, has been withdrawn.
Brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
The chair will be in recess, subject
to the call of the chair, likely to return at about 1:20.
[GAVEL]
--doubt the presence of a quorum.
A quorum is not present.
We'd ask the court office to please call the members
and ask them to report to the chamber.
The Senate will come to order.
A quorum is present.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
moves that the Senate reconsider the vote by which it
had adopted, on December 4, 2017,
the Senate order filed by Mr. Tarr,
relative to the election of an acting president.
The question comes on reconsideration.
All those in favor of reconsideration,
please say aye.
Aye.
All those opposed, no.
No.
The ayes have it, and the matter is reconsidered.
The recurring question now comes on adoption of the order.
The senator from Bristol and Plymouth, Mr. Rodrigues,
and the senator from Essex and Middlesex, Mr. Tarr,
have an amendment, which the clerk will read.
Senators Rodrigues and Tarr move to amend the order by striking
out the word "acting."
That is the amendment that is before the body.
For what purpose does the gentleman rise?
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to number one, explain briefly the amendment,
and number two, Mr. President, to urge its passage
expeditiously.
Now Mr. President, this particular amendment
revises the order that we had adopted on December 4th
relative to conducting an election for the Senate
president.
The original order, which I had offered,
would have made that election for an acting Senate president.
Very simply, the amendment that I
have offered with my good friend from Fall River
removes the word "acting," having the practical effect
that the Senate president will no longer be considered acting,
and will remain the Senate president
for the duration of this term.
Mr. President the stability of the office of president,
the importance of the work that lie before us,
and the importance of focusing on the matters that
will come before the Senate in the next several months
dictate the importance and criticality
of taking this action.
And so, Mr. President, I hope that the amendment is adopted.
The question-- for what purpose does the gentleman rise?
Thank you, Mr. President, [INAUDIBLE] the members.
Mr. President, I further move that when
a vote is taken on this matter, it
be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
The senator from Essex and Middlesex
has asked that when a vote is taken,
it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays.
Those members joining him, please rise and be counted.
When the vote is taken, it will be taken
by a call of the yeas and nays.
So the question now comes on adoption of the amendment.
And we'd ask that the roll call be ordered--
be taken.
Clerk will call the roll.
Mark R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Barrett.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
[INAUDIBLE]
Yes.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriatio M. deMacedo.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donoghue.
Yes.
James B. Eldridge.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam D. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Yes.
Patricia D. Jehlen.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Jason M. Lewis.
Barbara A L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Yes.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Michael J. Roberts.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
Dean A. Tran.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Yes.
Have all members been recorded?
No.
The senator From Suffolk, Senator Chang-Diaz.
[INAUDIBLE]
Sonia Chang-Diaz, yes.
[INAUDIBLE]
Senator Spilka?
[INAUDIBLE]
Karen E. Spilka.
[INAUDIBLE]
Yes.
Senator Jehlen?
Patricia D. Jehlen votes yes.
Senator Eldridge.
[INAUDIBLE] recorded.
James B. Eldridge, yes.
The senator from Plymouth.
[INAUDIBLE]
Viriato M. deMacedo votes yes.
Senator Fattman.
Ryan C. Fattman votes yes.
Senator Lesser.
Eric B. Lesser votes yes.
Senator Lewis.
Present [INAUDIBLE].
Jason M. Lewis votes yes.
Have all members now been recorded?
Barrett?
Barrett [INAUDIBLE].
Welch voted?
No, Welch voted.
OK, that's it.
[INAUDIBLE]
[GAVEL]
[INAUDIBLE]
37 members having voted in the affirmative, none
in the negative, the order is, again, adopted--
I mean, the amendment is adopted.
Question now comes on adoption of the amendment.
All of those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the order is adopted.
The order is, again, adopted.
Brief recess.
[APPLAUSE]
[INAUDIBLE] no other words, other than, thank you.
The trust you've given to me today is very meaningful to me,
and hopefully I will use it well,
and we will get through this session,
and we will accomplish the business before us,
and we will not veer from our path.
We know what the path is.
We're all on it together.
This is a bipartisan issue, as far as I'm concerned,
that we need to get to work.
So let's begin!
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
Paper from the House.
The House bill providing the terms of certain bonds
to be issued by the Commonwealth,
printed in House number 4147, via message from his excellency
the governor, comes from the House, passed to be engrossed.
The senator from the 2nd, Plymouth and Bristol,
Mr. Brady, asks unanimous consent
that the rules be suspended to allow the matter
to be considered forthwith.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none, and the rules are suspended.
The question now comes on ordering the bill
to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading of the bill.
An act providing the terms of certain bonds
to be issued by the Commonwealth,
printed in House number 4147.
[INAUDIBLE] has been read a third time.
The question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed.
Brief recess, Madam President.
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
Senate will come to order.
The senator from Norfolk and Middlesex, Ms. Spilka,
requests no action on Amendment number 41.
Does the chair hear objection?
The chair hears none.
[INAUDIBLE]
That will be laid aside temporarily.
The following amendments have been withdrawn--
Amendment number 28, Amendment number 165, Amendment number
166, and Amendment number 168.
Those have all been withdrawn.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
[GAVEL]
Senate will come to order.
Amendment number 129, filed by the senator from Worcester
and Middlesex, Mr. Tran, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 129 for the Demolition
in the City of Fitchberg.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 140, as redrafted,
filed by the senator from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Lesser, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 140 by Mr. Lesser, Hampden County Regional
Lockup Facility.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 147, as redrafted,
filed by the gentleman from Hampden and Hampshire,
Mr. Humason, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 147 by Mr. Humason, Victory Theater.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 163, filed by the gentleman from Bristol
and Plymouth, Mr. Montigny, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 163 by Mr. Montigny, Veterans' Transition
House.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 167, redrafted, filed
the gentleman from Bristol and Plymouth,
Mr. Montigny, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 167 by Mr. Montigny, First Baptist Church
Community Theater.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 170, redrafted, filed
by the gentleman from Bristol and Plymouth,
Mr. Montigny, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 170 by Mr. Montigny, Connecting Downtown
New Bedford Arts and Cultural Renaissance
to Working Waterfront.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Amendment number 171, filed by the gentleman from Hampden
and Hampshire, Mr. Lesser, the title
of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 171 by Mr. Lesser,
Reducing Vocational Technical Education Waitlists.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Oh, those [INAUDIBLE] westerners.
Amendment number 172, redraft, filed
by the gentleman from Bristol and Plymouth,
Mr. Montigny, the title of which the clerk shall read.
Amendment number 172 by Mr. Montigny, Connecting Working
Waterfront to Downtown Arts and Culture Renaissance
Through Mixed-Use State Pier.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is adopted.
Senate will be in a brief recess.
[GAVEL]
--will come to order.
Amendment number 41, filed by the senator
from Norfolk and Suffolk, Mr. Rush,
title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 41 by Mr. Rush, Boston Emergency Operations
Center.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
The yeahs and nos having been called, the nos--
No, no, no.
Oh, no.
Question comes-- all those in favor, say aye.
OK.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the amendment is not adopted.
If there is no objection--
[LAUGHS]
If there is no objection--
The senator from Hampden, New Hampshire, Mr. Lesser,
moves that no action be taken on calendar item 171.
Senator Lesser moves that no action be taken
on calendar item number 171.
Is there an objection?
Is there objection?
The chair hears none.
A new 171 redrafted has been filed.
A new 171 item has been redrafted, the title--
Of which the clerk will read.
--the title of which the clerk will read.
Amendment number 171, Reducing Vocational Technical Education
Waitlists.
Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The yeas have it.
And the amendment is adopted.
Brief recess [INAUDIBLE].
[GAVEL]
Brief recess.
Senate will come to order.
Senator from Essex and Middlesex.
Madam President, we've been having a wonderful afternoon
together, but we seem to have had a interlude, which
has led some to perhaps have lost focus on the task at hand.
And as a result, I doubt the presence of a quorum.
The senator from Bristol and Essex
doubts the presence of a quorum.
A quorum is present, I have been advised.
Now what do I do?
Number 49, sponsored by the senator from Norfolk, Bristol,
and Plymouth, Mr. Timility.
The clerk will read the title.
Amendment number 49 by Mr. Timilty, Stoughton Train Depot.
Senator from Essex.
The senator from Essex--
are you staying there, senator from Essex and Middlesex?
Thank you, Madam President and, through you, to the members.
Madam President, I'm hoping that we
can get an explanation of the amendment that
now pends before the Senate.
Recognize the senator from Norfolk.
Recognize the senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth,
Mr. Timilty.
Please do your conversations so that we can hear what
the senator is about to say.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President and, through you, to the members.
When the B&O Railroad went out of business in the 1950s,
the MBTA took over control of the Stoughton Train Depot
without any payment.
Moreover, in the mid-1980s, the Town of Stoughton,
at their own expense, refurbished the depot
because of its value to the town's downtown area
and the great future of economic development that it promised.
With the refurbishment, Stoughton expended $300,000,
as I just mentioned, to modernize this depot.
While the Town of Stoughton paid for the improvements
to the depot, the MBTA has continued to own the building.
Following the refurbishment, the MBTA
did not perform any upkeep or maintenance on the depot.
Quite literally due to the neglect of the MBTA, this depot
is now a biohazard.
Recently, the Town of Stoughton came to a decision
to seek to acquire control of the building.
In response to the Town of Stoughton's decision,
the MBTA has asked the town to pay fair market
value for this property, despite never paying anything
for this depot themselves, or for
the subsequent refurbishment.
Consequently, the MBTA and the Town of Stoughton
have come to an agreement for the town
to purchase the building for $175,000.
However, prior to this sale, the Town of Stoughton and the MBTA
agreed to tour the facility.
This tour happened in May of 2017.
During the tour, general structural disrepair
and, more alarmingly, a large amount of asbestos
were discovered, posing significant hazards
to any [INAUDIBLE] or use of the building.
With this disturbing revelation, the Town of Stoughton
has requested that the MBTA clean up the depot.
Unfortunately, the MBTA has not done so.
They have not addressed the biohazards that exist.
Thus, the Town of Stoughton does not
believe that the depot currently is worth $175,000.
Now, there are there are two fundamental underpinnings
to the proposed redevelopment of the Town of Stoughton.
One is the postal office, which our congressman, Stephen Lynch,
currently is seeking to move, and this train depot.
With this amendment, if adopted, the purchase price
will be reduced to $1 for the Town of Stoughton,
which will allow the Town of Stoughton
to invest significant moneys in this depot,
assisting economic development and serving
the riders of the T, who use this train
station without the use of the depot, because, of course,
it is locked up, and it is a disaster, quite succinctly.
With that, I ask you to consider this amendment,
and I hope it is adopted.
Thank you very much, Madam President.
The senator from Norfolk and Plymouth, Mr. Keenan.
Thank you, Madam President, and, through you,
to the gentleman from Milton, who
I share the great town of Braintree
with, as we represent it together.
And I commend him for his advocacy for his district.
He is well known for that.
And on this matter in particular,
I know when he was over in the House of Representatives,
this was a matter of great concern to him,
and that he has worked very hard to bring
the MBTA and the Town of Stoughton
together in an effort to have them reach
an agreement for what is a property that certainly needs
some work and some attention.
What we have here before us in this amendment
is to basically negate the last agreement that they had.
Just by way of history, back in between 2000 and 2015--
I'm sorry, let me go back a little further.
So back to 2012, the property was put out
to bid So just about a little over five years ago,
the property was put out to bid.
There was no bids received on it.
And back in 2012, in Chapter 242 of the Acts of 2012,
it was called for a conveyance of the property from the MBTA
to the Town of Stoughton for fair market value
on the terms consistent with the MBTA's
public offering at the time.
So in 2012, we had these parties in agreement
for fair market value.
Subsequent to that, there were some further negotiations,
and it was determined that the market
value was about $350,000.
And so the town and the MBTA went back and worked on it,
and the MBTA agreed at that time to accept mortgage payments
of $35,000 per year for a period of 10 years
to enable the Town of Stoughton to take control
of this piece of property.
In the fall 2015, the SRA approached
the MBTA about a signed existing purchase and sale agreement
to the Town of Stoughton-- again,
another step taken to move this matter to its conclusion.
In 2015, in November of 2015, the MBTA
facilitated an open house at the site
and enabled Stoughton Town Meeting members and citizens
to inspect the property.
Following the open house, the MBTA
agreed to accept the net present value
of the property of $289,408.
On November 23, 2015, just over two years ago,
Stoughton Town Meeting approved purchase of the Stoughton Depot
with a single payment of $250,000--
again, just over about two years ago.
Subsequently, in a budget, Chapter 133 the Acts of 2016,
after further negotiation, it was
agreed that the town and the MBTA
would come to an agreement for the purchase price of $175,000.
That's chapter 133 of the Acts of 2016.
So what's happened since then?
Not much, quite frankly.
The MBTA had a proposed purchase and sale agreement.
The MBTA claims that the town has not responded to that.
They provided that draft in May of 2017, less than a year ago.
In May 26, 2017, representatives of the MBTA
and representatives of the town met
at the site, viewed the site.
There was also assistance provided to the town's surveyor
to go in there and get a good sense of what the utility
situation looked like.
That was done.
And the town, since then, has never
provided the MBTA with an updated survey
plan for the site.
The town has never approached the MBTA with any concerns
about the condition of the building,
although my colleague has been very vocal in conveying
what the condition may be.
In October, just a few months ago, the MBTA
sent a letter to the Stoughton Board of Selectmen,
asking them to schedule a vote on the transaction-- again,
the transaction that was agreed upon at $175,000, dollars
after a series of negotiations.
As of this date, while the town has confirmed receipt
of that letter from October of 2017,
the town has not entered into or engaged the MBTA
in any further discussion.
So while the MBTA and the town, on several occasions, have met,
have come together, have reached agreement--
the most recent one, October 2017--
since then, the town has not responded to the MBTA.
And we have before us a very well meaning, well intentioned
amendment to try to address that.
But rather than trying to get the parties back to the table,
this would require the MBTA to sell a piece of public property
for $1.
Now, we all know, because many of us
were here when we voted on the Transportation Reform Bill,
that we charged the MBTA with generating their own source
revenue.
We told them that they have an obligation
to go out and address revenue situation on their own,
and they have tried to do it in many different ways--
some successfully, some unsuccessfully.
They have been very aggressive in promoting advertising
in MBTA trains and on platforms.
They have, as recently as within the last week,
proposed some advertising for the entrance of the subway
stations here in the downtown area of Boston, by Park Street.
So they are doing what they can, because we
have charged them to be responsible with their assets.
We have charged them with being responsible in raising revenue
for the MBTA.
We have charged them, for instance,
to look at transit-oriented development.
And in the context of all of that,
here we are perhaps setting a precedent, whereby legislation
we go the opposite direction, and say,
there's a building that the parties agree
to is worth $175,000, and agreed to that fairly recently,
and saying that the MBTA, on behalf
of the taxpayers of the Commonwealth,
will forego that $175,000 and convey the property for $1.
Well, all our cities and towns, particularly
those in the MBTA district, are soon
going to get their cherry sheets.
And they are going to get their MBTA assessments.
And I'm not suggesting that this particular item will impact
those assessments, but if--
[GAVEL]
Excuse me, can we lower our conversations?
What the gentleman's saying is very important in this debate,
as it was for the other gentleman.
Please listen carefully.
Thank you, Madam President.
But as they get those assessments--
and I observed at the local level,
every time you get it, you say, how come my assessment went up?
Well, if we do these types of things,
where we convey valuable state property--
and maybe valuable's a relative term-- $175,000, $375,000.
But $175,000 of taxpayer value for $1--
the cumulative effect of those types of actions
will be that all of us will pay for this in our cherry sheet
assessments.
So Madam President, this sets a precedent
that runs contrary to what we have traditionally done here
in the Senate.
And I close with, again, commending my colleague
from Milton and our shared town of Braintree for his advocacy
on behalf of his district.
He is tireless in that regard.
But I think that that advocacy comes up
against established precedence here that we
don't want to bypass, because we find ourselves going down
a slippery slope.
So for those reasons, Madam President,
I urge that my members vote no.
Thank you.
Madam President?
Senator from Norfolk.
Thank you, Madam President, and, through you, to the members.
And to my dear friend from Quincy,
thank you very much for your remarks,
and for giving Speaker Pelosi's recent filibuster
a run for its money.
On a very serious note, Madam President,
are two fundamental points, number one being,
when you speak to economic development,
the MBTA has had no plans for this asset for decades--
number one.
A great potential revenue raiser has lain dormant for decades--
number one, when you talk about the MBTA being
charged with raising revenues.
Number two, the reason why the Town of Stoughton
has not addressed this issue recently with the MBTA
is because they are awaiting legislative action,
and the House has taken legislative action.
They have enacted legislation within the confines
of their bond bill, handing this over
to the Town of Stoughton for $1, so that Stoughton
may both serve T riders with an amenity
and generate revenue for the town.
Thank you very much.
All right.
The question now comes on adopting the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The nos have it, and the Ways and Means amendment
is not adopted.
Pardon me?
[INAUDIBLE]
Number 42 by Senators Timilty and Feeney
from Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth and Bristol and Norfolk.
The clerk will read the amendment.
Amendment number 42 by Senators Timilty and Feeney, Sharon Land
Conveyance.
The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it--
Nos have it.
Nos have it-- excuse me-- and the amendment is not adopted.
The next one--
And the next one is--
[INAUDIBLE] 173.
Number 173.
Please turn to 173, Middlesex and Norfolk.
Senator Spilka will speak to the corrective amendment.
Amendment number 173 by Ms. Spilka, corrective amendment.
All right, the question comes on acceptance of the amendment,
of the Ways and Means amendment.
All those--
It's the Spilka Amendment.
It's the Spilka Amendment--
I'm sorry.
All those in favor, say aye.
All those against, say no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
Now we can go right down here.
OK, the question now comes on adoption of the Ways and Means
amendment.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the Ways and Means amendment is adopted.
The question now comes on adoption of the bonding
amendment, as amended.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted.
The question now comes on ordering the bill as amended
to a third reading.
All those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no.
The ayes have it, and the bill is ordered to a third reading.
Third reading of the bill.
An act providing for capital facility repairs
and improvements in the Commonwealth, House number
4045.
The bill has been read a third time.
The question now comes on passing the bill
to be engrossed.
And a roll call has been ordered.
A roll call has been ordered.
The clerk will call the roll.
Michael J. Barrett.
Joseph A. Boncore.
Yes.
Michael D. Brady.
Yes.
William N. Brownsberger.
Harriette L. Chandler.
Yes.
Sonia Chang-Diaz.
Cynthia Stone Creem.
Yes.
Julian Cyr.
Yes.
Viriato M. deMacedo.
Yes.
Sal N. DiDomenico.
Yes.
Eileen M. Donaghue.
Yes.
James B. Eldridge.
Yes.
Ryan C. Fattman.
Yes.
Paul R. Feeney.
Yes.
Cindy F. Friedman.
Yes.
Anne M. Gobi.
Yes.
Adam G. Hinds.
Yes.
Donald F. Humason, Jr.
Yes.
Patricia G. Jehlen.
Yes.
John F. Keenan.
Yes.
Eric P. Lesser.
Yes.
Jason M. Lewis.
Yes.
Barbara A. L'Italien.
Yes.
Joan B. Lovely.
Yes.
Mark C. Montigny.
Yes.
Michael O. Moore.
Yes.
Patrick M. O'Connor.
Kathleen O'Connor Ives.
Yes.
Marc R. Pacheco.
Yes.
Michael J. Rodrigues.
Yes.
Stanley C. Rosenberg.
Yes.
Richard J. Ross.
Yes.
Michael F. Rush.
Yes.
Karen E. Spilka.
Yes.
Bruce E. Tarr.
Yes.
Walter F. Timilty.
Yes.
Dean A. Tran.
Yes.
James T. Welch.
Have all members been recorded?
No, Madam President.
The senator from the second Suffolk and Middlesex,
Mr. Brownsberger.
William N. Brownsberger votes yes.
The senator from the second Suffolk, Mrs. Chang-Diaz.
Sonia Chang-Diaz votes yes.
The senator from Hampden, Mr. Welch.
James T. Welch votes yes.
The senator from Plymouth and Norfolk, Mr. O'Connor.
Patrick M. O'Connor votes yes.
Have all members been recorded?
[GAVEL]
37 in the affirmative.
None in the negative.
On this matter, 37 in the affirmative,
none in the negative.
The bill is passed to be engrossed.
The senator from the Cape and the Islands, Mr. Cyr,
moves that when the Senate adjourns today,
it adjourn in memory of Gus Shoemaker of Orleans.
Mr. Schumacher passed away of a heart attack on September 24th.
He was 77 years old.
Mr. Schumacher was a devoted public servant
and among the loudest voices for food justice,
not solely in the Commonwealth, but nationwide.
After growing up on his family farm,
Mr. Schumacher was shocked when he
met a mother in Boston who struggled
to feed her kids healthy, balanced meals.
From there, his life work began, first in studies
at Harvard College, the London School of Economics,
and Harvard Business School, before becoming
the Massachusetts commissioner of food and agriculture.
As commissioner, he pioneered federal and state partnerships
to expand access to affordable, healthy foods,
and several programs that he oversaw in their infancy
now make up a large portion of government food assistance
nationwide.
During his tenure in state government,
Mr. Schumacher was known to chide restaurateurs
about the sources of their produce,
constantly encouraging reliance on local sources
as an early genesis of the farm-to-table movement.
Following his tenure as commissioner,
Mr. Schumacher went on to work at the World Bank,
and served as undersecretary at the US Department
of Agriculture, bringing his ideas about food justice
to the nation and to the world.
In 2007, he returned to New England
to co-found Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit dedicated
to increasing affordable access to nutritional food options.
He helped grow Wholesome Wave into a powerful catalyst
for partnerships between producers and retailers
to provide fresh produce at lower costs.
Throughout his latter years, he remained an active member
on several boards and within the National Academy of Sciences,
never turning down an opportunity
to make a difference.
Mr. Schumacher is survived by his wife of 25 years, Susan
Holaday Schumacher, stepdaughter Valerie Karasz, and two
grandchildren.
Mr. Schumacher leaves behind a loving family
and countless friends and colleagues
who are sorrowed by his loss.
He was a passionate activist and model public servant,
and his work has contributed to what we now
know as a worldwide food justice movement.
May we all reflect on and appreciate Mr. Schumacher's
life and legacy as we mourn with those who he knew
and loved him.
Thank you.
The chair asks that we offer a moment of silence
in Mr. Schumacher's memory.
[GAVEL]
What?
[INAUDIBLE]
Where is it?
Right here.
OK, All right.
All right.
The senator from fourth Middlesex, Ms. Friedman,
offers an order, which the clerk will read.
Order that when the Senate adjourns today,
it adjourn to meet again on Monday next at 11:00 AM.
The clerk be directed to dispense with the printing
of a calendar.
Question comes on adoption of the order.
Is there an objection?
The chair hears none, and the order is adopted.
[INAUDIBLE]
OK.
The senator from Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex
district, Mr. Ross, moves that the Senate do now
stand adjourned in memory of Gus Schumacher of Orleans,
to meet again on Monday next at 11 o'clock AM.
[GAVEL]
Thank you, Madam.