SENATE SESSION – WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31, 2008
CONVENES: The Senate convened at 11 am, Sen. Timilty presiding. Sens. Hedlund and Petruccelli were present. Senators and guest recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONVENES: The Senate convened at 11 am, Sen. Petruccelli presiding. Sen. Hedlund was present. There were about 15 people in the public gallery. Senators and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
SEN. CREEDON RESIGNATION: The Senate adopted a Hedlund motion to print in the journal a statement from Sen. Robert Creedon announcing his resignation as state senator representing the Second Plymouth and Bristol District. In a Dec. 30 resignation letter to Senate President Therese Murray, Creedon said it “has been an honor and privilege serving with you and the rest of my colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate. Thank you for your kindness over the years.” Creedon won election in November as Plymouth County Clerk of Courts.
RESOLUTIONS: The Senate adopted Pacheco and Walsh resolutions.
MWRA: The Senate attached an emergency preamble to H 2682 retirement of certain employees of the MWRA.
DYS FACILITY: The Senate attached an emergency preamble to H 3231 designating the Department of Youth Services site in the town of Westborough as the Zara Cisco Brough-"Little White Flower" Facility.
SICK LEAVE BANK: The Senate attached an emergency preamble to H 5158 to authorize the Department of Correction to establish a sick leave bank for Sharon Peeler-La Fountain, an employee of said department.
TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM: The Senate adopted Sen. Hedlund’s motion to adopt the governor’s amendment (H 5142), as amended by the House to H 5143 relative to the establishment of a tax amnesty program.
TAUNTON – DRAG RACING: The Senate adopted a Pacheco amendment striking section 4 and engrossed S 1411 drag racing in Taunton.
WAREHAM – WEWANTIC SEWER PROJECT: The Senate engrossed S 2155 relative to the interest rate to be charged upon apportioned betterment assessments for the Weweantic sewer project in the town of Wareham.
WAREHAM – ALCOHOL LICENSES: The Senate adopted a Pacheco amendment and engrossed S 2741 to authorize the town of Wareham to issue eight additional licenses for the sale of all-alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises.
TEWKSBURY: The Senate ordered to third reading and engrossed S 2890 to authorize the town of Tewksbury to issue pension funding bonds or notes.
GROTON COUNTRY CLUB AUTHORITY: The Senate ordered to third reading and engrossed H 4008 relative to the Groton Country Club Authority.
LINCOLN: The Senate ordered to third reading and engrossed H 4775 that the town of Lincoln be authorized to establish a post-employment health insurance trust fund for contribution to health insurance premiums for retired employees of said town.
SOUTH HADLEY: The Senate ordered to third reading and engrossed H 4419 relative to exempting the position of school custodian in the town of South Hadley from the provisions of civil service law.
WEBSTER: The Senate ordered to third reading and engrossed H 5133 validating the actions taken by the town of Webster open town meeting and establishing a charter for the town of Webster.
SCHOOL EMERGENCY RESPONSE: The Senate ordered to third reading and engrossed S 2673 relative to a medical emergency response plan for schools. The bill was reported from Ways and Means.
MALDEN’S ASSISTANT DISTRICT COURT CLERK: The Senate ordered to third reading and engrossed H 1408 assistant clerk of the district court in the city of Malden. The bill was reported from Ways and Means.
CHARLES RIVER: The Senate adopted a Ways and Means amendment, ordered to third reading and engrossed H 5041 establishing a Charles River water quality commission.
LOW-SPEED VEHICLES: The Senate adopted a Ways and Means amendment substituting S 2898 for H 5113 relative to the operation of low-speed motor vehicles. The substitute was ordered to third reading and engrossed.
ANIMAL FIGHTING OR CRUELTY: The Senate re-enacted H 1527 penalty for spectating at or creating depictions of animal fighting or cruelty.
PROMOTING BREASTFEEDING: The Senate enacted S 2438 to promote breastfeeding, as amended.
EMT RETIREMENT BENEFITS: The Senate enacted S 2659 retirement benefits of emergency medical technicians.
NEWBURY: The Senate enacted S 2801 to establish a selectmen-administrator form of government for Newbury.
CREDIT UNIONS: The Senate enacted H 1106 relative to the conversion of credit unions to federal charters.
POLICE AUCTIONS: The Senate enacted H 1981 relative to police auctions.
MALDEN – POLICE AND FIRE: The Senate enacted H 3974 relative to the appointment of certain applicants to the police and fire departments of the city of Malden (as amended).
WILMINGTON - DARRYL SENCABAUGH: The Senate enacted H 4841 to authorize the appointment of Darryl Sencabaugh as a fire fighter in the town of Wilmington, notwithstanding the maximum age requirements.
SUDBURY – PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION: The Senate enacted H 4860 authorizing the town of Sudbury to regulate certain property tax exemption eligibility requirements.
WESTBOROUGH – ALCOHOL LICENSE: The Senate enacted H 4874 that the town of Westborough be authorized to issue a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages to Anyu Cai d/b/a Chef Sun Restaurant Inc.
PARKING IN BUS STOPS: The Senate enacted H 4891 increasing the fine for parking in posted bus stops.
LOWELL – RETAIL SPACE LEASE: The Senate enacted H 5127 that the city of Lowell be authorized to lease certain retail space in the parking garage located on Middlesex Street in said city.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES: The Senate enacted H 5164 resolving to provide for a special commission to study economic opportunities in Massachusetts.
SICK LEAVE BANK: At 11:35 am, the Senate voted to attach an emergency preamble to H 5101 to establish a sick leave bank for John Vitale, an employee of the land court.
ADJOURNS: The Senate adjourned at 11:36 am to meet next at 11 am Monday in an informal session.
