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Regional Issues

School Building Assistance

Legislation spearheaded by Treasurer Tim Cahill was recently signed by the Governor to fund all 425 school building projects on the SBA waitlist by FY07 and open the list to new projects.  Senator Resor worked continuously with the Treasurer’s office and Senate Ways and Means to promote successful passage of this legislation to assist all of her district communities that have school building projects on the waitlist.   

FYI: Senator Resor and state Treasurer Tim Cahill will be hosting two informational forums next month regarding the new SBA regulations.  These will be held on September 9, 2004 in Littleton from 9:00-11:00am and September 17, 2004 at Assabet Valley from 11:00am-1:00pm.  The Senator encourages anyone who may be interested to attend.

Transportation Assistance

Late in July the Legislature completed work on the comprehensive Transportation Bond Bill.  The bill authorizes $450 million dollars for Chapter 90 funding, specifically $120 million for FY05.  

Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge both supported a provision in the bill that provided that $9,500,000 in matching funds to the MBTA for costs associated with the design, acquisition, renovation, construction, reconstruction, and other improvements for the improvement and extension of commuter rail service on the Fitchburg rail commuter line, provided that such improvements shall be included, but not limited to the installation of double track and signaling upgrades. The reintroduction of the Express train from Acton, a priority of Senator Resor and Rep Eldridge’s, has also helped ease the commute to Boston by area residents.   

Fitchburg Line Advisory Commission 2002

In the FY2003 budget, Senator Resor established this advisory commission in an effort to bring various state and local officials together to work on critical service issues along the Fitchburg Rail line.

I-495 Technology Initiative

Senator Resor worked with her Senate and House colleagues to secure $100,000 in funding for the I-495 Technology Corridor Initiative (ARC of Innovation) that was include in the budget.  Senator Resor also took the lead in organizing her colleagues to override the Governor’s veto of this money, so that this organization could continue to serve the communities along the I-495 corridor.  

Senior Property Tax Relief

Senator Resor filed several bills relative to senior property tax relief, including several home rule petitions.  After lengthy consideration of many diverse proposals, the Joint Committee on Taxation brought forward a package of provisions for local property tax relief, and in July the Legislature passed a local option tax relief proposal in the FY05 budget.  Unfortunately, an amendment by the Governor killed the proposal.  It is unclear whether any further proposals will prevail in this Legislative Session.

Centers for Excellence

Despite Governor Romney’s veto of funding for the Technology Initiative of Metro South/West Regional Employment Board for their Center of Excellence program, Senator Resor was able to successfully secure $75,000 in funding for the program.

Acton

Pothole Grants

Senator Resor aided both the Town of Acton and the Minuteman Regional High School, in obtaining grants from the FY2004 Foundation Reserve (“pothole”) program.    Each grant was $200,000.  Acton was one of only forty-seven towns in the Commonwealth that received these grants.

Lease land

The Senator, working with Representative Atkins and Representative Eldridge, has filed legislation to allow Acton to lease Town-owned land to a private party for a parking lot near the Exchange Building in South Acton.  Senate Bill 1981 has been engrossed in the Senate and is awaiting third reading in the House.

Fire Setters Law

Following a fire in an Acton School, Senator Resor cooperated with District Attorney Martha Coakley to file legislation requiring school administrators to notify local fire departments within 24 hours in the case of any fire, regardless of size or origin.  Senate Bill 1372 has been engrossed in the Senate and is awaiting third reading in the House.

Voter Information Bill

The Town of Acton filed a home rule petition to seek authorization for town official to present additional information to voters in town-wide referenda such as school overrides and debt exclusion votes.  As the bill made its way through the Legislature, the original language was amended to make the bill a state-wide enabling act, allowing any town to seek such authorization from its residents.  Senate Bill 2221 has been engrossed in the Senate, and is in second reading in the House.

Transportation Issues

Late in July the Legislature completed work on the comprehensive Transportation Bond Bill.  The bill authorizes $450 million dollars for Chapter 90 funding, specifically $120 million for FY05.  The bill also included the following items of interest to Acton, requested by Senator Resor, Representative Eldridge, and Representative Atkins:

• Funding for the installation of signal lights at the intersection of Great Road and Concord Road in Acton and sidewalk and traffic calming features between Concord Road and the Concord town line
• Funds for the design of the Bruce Freeman Trail

• Over $9 million in matching funds to the MBTA for costs associated with the design, acquisition, renovation, construction, and reconstruction and other improvements to improve and extend commuter rail service on the Fitchburg rail line.

• $15,000 for the installation of opticon equipment on Route 2 at the intersection of Piper and Taylor Roads language limiting liability on rail trails over $9 million for the Fitchburg commuter rail line, including track and signaling upgrades

Friends of the Acton Arboretum Grant 1999

A grant of $2800 was awarded to the Arboretum to assist in the development of the Arboretum Master Plan.

Sewer Betterment Bill and DEP Grant

The Senator and Representative Atkins worked hard to pass the Town’s sewer betterment assessment bill which gave Acton more flexibility in financing the sewer project.  The Senator also assisted the Town in obtaining continuances, permits, loans, and a grant to complete the town’s first municipal sewer system.   

Acton Economic Development Committee

Assisted in the passage of a home rule petition to establish an Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) in Acton.

Boxborough

Boxborough Residency

H. 4721 is currently in the House Steering Committee.  This bill, filed as a home rule petition pursuant to a town meeting vote, will allow any member of the Boxborough Fire Department to live up to 40 miles from Boxborough.

Election Issues

H. 4997 is in the Joint Committee on Election Laws.  This bill, filed at the request of the town, will validate all acts taken by the town at its annual town election held May 17, 2004, notwithstanding an error on the date printed incorrectly on the ballot.  

Conservation Land Expansion 2002

Senator Resor worked with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and town officials to secure self-help grant funds that would allow the town to purchase two additional conservation properties.  The “Howe/ Panek” and “Richard” parcels represent two valuable additions to Boxborough’s open space estate.   

Post Office 2003

Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge assisted the town in keeping their local storefront post office open.  The closure of this post office would have created unnecessary hardship for all Boxborough residents.