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  • Framingham Firm Receives Cannabis Testing License

    Framingham Firm Receives Cannabis Testing License

    marijuana plants
    Cannabis / Marijuana products sold in Massachusetts will be labeled with a seal certifying it has passed testing for contaminants.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, (“CCC”), has voted in favor of issuing MCR Labs of Framingham its license to operate as an Independent Testing Laboratory (“ITL”) for the state’s Adult Use Marijuana Program.

    While some have complained that the State has been to slow to roll out recreational marijuana sales, the CCC regulations were designed with consumer safety in mind and specify that all retail cannabis product must be tested for and free of contaminants in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, (M.G.L. c. 94G).

    MCR Labs is accredited to perform compliance testing “and has been inspected to meet all general operation and security requirements for marijuana establishments” as outlined in the Commission’s draft regulations, but there’s still a few steps that must be completed before full commercial operation of the lab, (a walk-through and “seed-to-sale” software training).

    MCR is setup to perform safety screening of marijuana including testing for heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury), dozens of pesticides, microbial contaminants, (bacteria, yeast, molds, salmonella, E. coli, etc) as well as testing for volatile organic compounds, residual solvents, terpenes and other chemicals which should not be found in cannabis sold for human consumption.  MCR Labs will also provide cannabis potency and quality profile testing.

    Once the few final steps are completed, Massachusetts marijuana growers, cannabis product manufacturers, and others will be able to have their products tested for quality control and potential contaminants at MCR Labs, 85 Speen St. in Framingham, MA.

    About MCR Labs: Established in 2013, MCR Labs is an ISO-17025 accredited independent testing lab providing analytical cannabis product testing and R&D services to medicinal and adult use RMDs, patients, caregivers, home growers and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://mcrlabs.com

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  • Framingham and Holliston to Sign Community Compacts

    Framingham and Holliston to Sign Community Compacts

    [photo] MA Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Chair, Community Compact Cabinet
    MA Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Chair, Community Compact Cabinet
    FRAMINGHAM, MA – On Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito will join officials from the Town of Framingham, (and officials from the Town of Holliston), in the Ablondi Room of the Memorial Building located at 150 Concord Street, Framingham, MA to sign a Community Compact.

    The Executive Branch and the Town of Framingham’s Community Compact is a commitment to the implementation of new “best practice initiatives” in the categories of Information Technology: Transparency and Education; Administration and Finance.

    The Community Compact provides municipalities with incentives for state grant funds and technical assistance to refine and implement best practices in a Community’s chosen areas. The Town of Framingham’s information technology initiative is a two-tiered approach to create financial transparency: (more…)

  • MA Senate Passes Public Records Reform Bill

    MA Senate Passes Public Records Reform Bill

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Today the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed legislation reforming how the state handles public records. The legislation, originally sponsored by Senator Jason Lewis, is the first update to the public records law since the early 1970s.

    Karen Spilka
    Sen. Karen E. Spilka, (D-Ashland)

    “An accessible, transparent government is fundamental to the democratic process,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This bill strengthens our public records law to improve access and make the process of requesting records simpler, clearer and more fair. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate and advocates on all sides of this issue for engaging in a collaborative effort to bring our public records law into the 21st century, while providing flexibility for municipalities and agencies.”

    The legislation will reduce costs for records requestors and ensure timely compliance with public records requests. The bill also brings Massachusetts in line with 47 other states and the federal government in allowing attorney’s fees to be awarded to plaintiffs who are victorious in court when denied records. The bill requires attorney fees to be awarded, except in certain defined situations.

    Under the legislation, each state agency and municipality is required to appoint at least one public records access officer to serve as the point of contact for all public records requests and (more…)

  • Spilka Files Gambling Bill Amendments

    Spilka Files Gambling Bill Amendments

    Senator Karen Spilka
    Sen. Karen Spilka

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – In an effort to protect municipalities concerned about negative impacts from a bill to expand gaming in the Commonwealth, Senator Karen Spilka, (who represents Framingham and other area towns in the Massachusetts 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk districts), filed amendments today with the Senate Clerk’s Office to strengthen safeguards and provide additional protections for surrounding communities.

    “The legislature has debated and voted on expanded gambling in Massachusetts for several years now, and this year it looks closer to becoming a reality than ever before,” said Spilka. “Throughout this entire process, my main priority has always been to protect and support my district’s residents, communities, neighborhoods, and local businesses. I have filed these amendments to (more…)

  • 2010 MA Governor Candidates

    2010 MA Governor Candidates

    PHOTO - Candidates in the 2010 Mass. Gubernatorial Race
    Candidates in the 2010 Mass. Gubernatorial Race

    MASSACHUSETTS – On November 2, 2010, the people of Massachusetts will elect their next Governor. Four candidates have made it onto the ballot; Deval Patrick, Charlie Baker, Jill Stein and Tim Cahill.

    The table below provides additional information about the candidates and their Lieutenant Governor hopeful running mates. We have also provided political party affiliation, links to campaign websites, as well as each candidate’s respective state and national party websites, (for those who are (more…)

  • Overcoming Food Allergies

    Twelve-year-old Brett Nasuti’s multiple severe food allergies have brought him unexpected fame in recent months. He is the first person to successfully complete a treatment that appears to have eliminated the threat of dangerous reactions that he and his family have (more…)

  • Residents Asked to Nominate Favorite Massachusetts Places

    New program gives each community a chance to spotlight its special places

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – “1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts” is a new cultural tourism program that celebrates what is unique about our state, its communities, and its people, and also to stimulate cultural tourism. The program seeks to increase visitation to the state’s wide range of exceptional historic sites, cultural venues, and natural landscapes.

    Nominations will be considered for a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts to be announced in May.

    “Framingham is full of special historic sites, cultural landmarks, and natural landscapes”, said Representative Pam Richardson. “I hope residents of Framingham will take advantage of this opportunity to highlight these places, and tell their stories about why these places deserve to be included on the list.”

    The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has established a website to accept nominations from the public:  www.massvacation.com/1000/
    All Great Places that are nominated must be open and available to the public. Only one nomination per person will be accepted. The nomination period will close April 1, 2010. The Commission will meet later that month to draw up a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts, which will be announced in May.

    The 1,000 Great Places Commission was created by the Legislature in 2009. It is chaired by Eric Turkington of Falmouth, a former state representative and first House Chair of the Joint Committee onTourism, Arts, and Cultural Development.


  • DCR SPONSORING PUBLIC FORUMS

    METROWEST, MA – The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is sponsoring five public forums in February to discuss draft recommendations on the future stewardship and management of forest lands within the Massachusetts state parks system.

    The upcoming public forums will be at the following dates, times, and locations:

    Thursday, February 4, 2010 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

    Westborough Public Library
    55 West Main Street, Westborough
    (Snow date: Tuesday, February 16)

    Saturday, February 6, 2010 –10 a.m.- Noon

    North Adams Public Library
    74 Church Street, North Adams
    (Snow date: Saturday, February 13)

    Saturday, February 6, 2010 –2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

    Berkshire Community College
    Melville Hall Room 201
    1350 West Street, Pittsfield
    (Snow date: Saturday, February 13)

    Tuesday, February 9, 2010 –5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

    Jones Library
    43 Amity Street, Amherst

    Thursday, February 11, 2010 –5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

    Taunton Public Library
    12 Pleasant Street, Taunton
    (Snow date: Thursday, February 18)

    DCR began the Forest Futures Visioning Process last spring to determine how best to manage the myriad public benefits and values of forest land within the agency’s parks system,

    including recreation, tourism, aesthetics, renewable forest products, habitat diversity, and landscape ecology, and how to strike the appropriate balance among them.

    The process has several components, including the formation of an advisory group of stakeholders and the Technical Steering Committee. The Technical Steering Committee,which includes academics, practitioners, and scientists, is developing the draft recommendations with input from the public and the stakeholders.

    “We are committed to having an open, wide-ranging, public conversation about forests in Massachusetts,” said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. “We had three public forums and forest tours over the summer, and we look forward to the Technical Steering Committee’s recommendations and hearing public comment.”

    DCR contracted with the Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution & Public Collaboration(MODR) at the University of Massachusetts in Boston to develop a design for the public process, act as facilitators throughout its implementation, and ensure that the discussion and processes are unbiased.

    The Technical Steering Committee is composed of 11 individuals who have a high level of expertise in the issues, trends, and best practices of forest conservation and ecology, landscape ecology, natural resource economics and law, recreation, silviculture, aesthetics, watersheds, and wildlife habitat.

    The draft recommendations will be posted soon on the DCR website, WWW.MASS.GOV/DCR The public is encouraged to review the recommendations and comment on them by email to MODRDCRFFVP@umb.edu. The Technical Steering Committee is expected to make its final recommendations to DCR in late winter 2010.

    For more information on this public process, visit: http://www.mass.gov/dcr

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    The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. Led by Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr., the agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr. Contact us at mass.parks@state.ma.us.

  • Safe Prom Video Contest

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Dance. Don’t Chance. is a program of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) that aims to make the 2009 prom/graduation season safer for teens on Massachusetts roads.
    Here’s How: Write and produce a 60-second video on safe driving which may be used as a public service announcement to help keep you, your friends, and other teens in Massachusetts safer on the road during prom/graduation season and year round. You must include the tagline: “Dance. Don’t Chance.”

    Videos must also include these key messages:
    • Underage drinking/impaired driving are illegal and dangerous
    • Buckle up
    • Don’t speed or drag race
    • Avoid distracted driving, i.e. texting

    You can find all the safe driving information you need to help produce your video, including statistics on teenage motor vehicle fatalities and injuries and safe driving tips, as well as last year’s winning video at the Dance. Don’t Chance. website www.mass.gov/safety/promshorts.

    Each school can submit up to five entries. So get creative and let yours be one of them! Contact your principal, SADD advisor or class advisor to find out if your school is registered.

    Submission Rules: An authorized representative, such as the school principal or his/her designee, must send an e-mail to Ethan Tavan at ethan.tavan@state.ma.us by 5:00 p.m. February 13, 2009 indicating that the school and its students would like to participate in the contest. The e-mail must include the name, title, address, telephone number, e-mail address and fax number of the authorized representative whom the school has designated to coordinate its participation in the contest.

    Students may submit individual entries or may work as a group with up to five students in each group. Each school can submit up to five (5) entries, but each participating student/team of students may only submit one entry. Each submission must be attributed to an author(s) or else it will be assigned to the entire school.

    All submissions must be screened by the authorized representative and be submitted to Dance. Don’t Chance. c/o Argus, 280 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 by 5:00 p.m. March 13, 2009. All entries should be in QuickTime or WindowsMedia and burned onto a CD. No other formats will be accepted. Entrants must include their script in .doc format if a script is being used in the video.

    Selection of Winner: Once all videos are submitted, students will be able to go online to the Dance. Don’t Chance. YouTube Channel, accessible through www.mass.gov/safety/promshorts, and rate their favorite videos.

    The highest rated videos will be judged by JAM’N radio personalities who will select the winner on or about March 27, 2009. Winners will be notified by phone through the entrant’s school.

    Prizes: The top video will be available through www.mass.gov/safety/promshorts and possibly on other websites and on community television stations. The winning entrant’s school, through its authorized representative (see above), will receive prizes listed below as determined by the EOPSS, including but not limited to:

    • A JAM’N 94.5 DJ will play the tunes at the prom
    • $1,000 cash prize for entrants’ prom committee from AAA Southern New England
    • A 10-person limo to and from the prom, from Boston Limo
    • Five tuxedo rentals from Men’s Wearhouse and Tux
    • $100 Macy’s gift cards to be used for prom, for up to five people
    • Hair styling services provided by Dellaria Salons for the prom, for up to five people
    • Beverages from glacéau smartwater®

    Eligibility: All entrants must be fully registered juniors or seniors at the high school from which the entry is submitted at the time of submission.

    Other Rules and Regulations: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material, including television programs, videos and music. Anyone who uses copyrighted material without a license or the copyright holder’s permission may be held liable for copyright infringement. In order to ensure that your video does not infringe on someone else’s copyright, all Dance. Don’t Chance video submissions must be the original work of the entrant, including,
    but not limited to, any music used, videos shown, photographs displayed or skits performed. Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines may be disqualified from the contest.

    EOPSS reserves the right to change or cancel any or all of these prize elements with good cause. Further, EOPSS reserves the right to edit or even reject the winning entrants’ video. All entrants agree that by submitting their entries in the contest they give up the right to any compensation for their possible use as public service announcements. The winning entrants further agree to be available for media interviews, including having their images used by media outlets, which may result from publicity surrounding the contest.

    By submitting an entry (ies) the school representative agrees that they have complied with the school’s privacy and media appearance policy for students and staff.

    http://www.mass.gov/safety/promshorts