Looking for information on MAPC’s official meetings and legal notices? Find it here.
Cities and towns are deploying a number of strategies to identify the spread of COVID-19 in their communities. One emerging method: testing sewage from households and buildings for the presence of the virus.
Knowing that COVID-19 is present in wastewater can be an important indicator of where its spread may be accelerating. In places where wastewater testing has been deployed, changes in the virus’ wastewater concentration have been observed several days before changes in reported new cases.
At this webinar, you will hear from experts on the science of wastewater testing for disease surveillance, as well as public health leaders who have deployed wastewater testing in their communities.
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMod-2sqzgoH9aWTW1FkK9U1lS39EeXLn5x
The Commonwealth recently announced that residents and staff of public and subsidized senior housing are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as part of the first tier of Phase II of the vaccine rollout. This step is anticipated to begin later this month.
With this opportunity comes the need to quickly arrange vaccination opportunities for some of state’s most vulnerable residents. This requires coordination among three groups: municipal officials and staff, including local boards of health; owners and managers of public and subsidized senior housing, including local housing authorities; and medical providers who can staff clinics and vaccinate residents.
Please join us on Tuesday, February 9 to learn how cities and towns can support vaccination in senior housing facilities.
Webinar speakers will include:
Robin Lipson, Deputy Secretary, Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Emily Cooper, Chief Housing Officer, Executive Office of Elder Affairs
There will be an opportunity to ask questions!
More information from the Commonwealth on COVID-19 vaccinations for senior housing setting is available here.
Municipal Webinar
Economic Development Administration American rescue plan act programs and funding
The Economic Development Administration received $3 billion in supplemental funding to assist communities in their economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
EDA is making funding available through six innovative “challenges.” This webinar will review those funding categories and provide guidance about eligible projects, submitting applications, and developing partnerships.
Read more about EDA’s ARPA funding and the six challenges here.
After you register for this webinar, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Municipal Webinar
How Municipalities can make meaningful investments with ARPA dollars
Massachusetts cities and towns have received $3.4 billion dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. These dollars present an opportunity to make critical investments in communities and especially those that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. This federal funding can help set the stage for an equitable and resilient recovery.
Join us for a discussion with Doug Howgate from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation on how cities and towns can make these strategic investments for a more prosperous and equitable region.
Speakers include:
- Lizzi Weyant, Director of Government Affairs, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
- Doug Howgate, Executive Vice President, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
In an effort to provide greater and more equitable access to childcare, the City of Revere is partnering with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the regional planning agency for Greater Boston, to identify existing barriers to accessing quality care and listen to ideas for the future of childcare regulations in the city.
This meeting has been postponed to a later date and time still to be determined. Once it has been determined, this posting will be updated to reflect the new date and time. Thank you for your understanding!
Revere residents:
What kinds of arts and cultural community space do you want at the old Beachmont Fire Station on Winthrop Ave? Join us for this virtual conversation to learn what we’ve heard from the project Working Group, community focus groups, and the project survey, and let us know what you think!
Join us for this virtual community-focused conversation. Register here.
Meeting materials and presentation will be in English, Spanish, and Arabic.
Find more information about this project here: mapc.ma/Beachmont-Fire-Station.