In light of the Supreme Court’s declaration of war on female bodily autonomy, it’s more important than ever that people seeking reproductive health services get help from real health-care professionals.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has recently issued a consumer advisory warning patients seeking reproductive health services about the limited and potentially misleading nature of the services provided by crisis pregnancy centers. In Massachusetts, abortion remains legal, and people have a right to access comprehensive reproductive health care.
Unfortunately, in Clinton and other communities, many crisis pregnancy centers present themselves falsely to women in need of real help during what can be a confusing, troubling time. They do not provide comprehensive reproductive health care. Instead, despite what they advertise, they are organizations that seek to prevent people from accessing a full complement of reproductive health-care options, things like contraception and abortion care.
If you or someone you know needs reproductive health care, please make sure they seek out a licensed reproductive health-care provider by talking to their doctor or by checking this list.
At the June 1, 2022, Select Board meeting, I placed an item on the agenda that shouldn’t have been there. Once this mistake was made, however, I could’ve done things differently. I did not and, because of my mishandling of the discussion, the meeting went totally out of control.
The way I treated members of the board and members of our community was unacceptable.
I am ashamed of my actions. I apologize to my board, and to anyone who was at the meeting or watching at home. Most important, I apologize to the entire town. You elected me to serve you, and I did a poor job of doing that on Wednesday. It was by far the lowest point in my five years on the Select Board.
The town of Clinton deserves better than what it got from me on June 1. I promise I’ll learn from this mistake, and I pledge to serve you better in the days ahead.
One of my first goals as selectman was to move Clinton toward meeting the standards necessary to be named a Green Community in Massachusetts. Today, I’m proud to say that we have done it, earning nearly $170,000 in state grant funding to go along with the designation, money that will be used for energy efficiency projects going forward.
We’re also eligible for future Green Communities grant funding, all while making Clinton more energy efficient and sustainable for generations to come.
State Representative Meghan Kilcoyne, Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock, Board of Selectmen Chair Sean Kerrigan, Town Administrator Michael Ward, and Green Communities Director Brian Sullivan all joined at Central Park in Clinton.
What I’m even more proud of, however, is the team effort we undertook to get here. This work spanned nearly every town department, from facilities to schools to economic development. We had a tremendous team at the regional and state level helping us as well, from technical assistance completing the applications by the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission to guidance from our Green Communities coordinator, to support from Senator Harriet Chandler, former Senator Dean Tran and former Representative Harold Naughton. So I was especially happy when a key member of Harold’s staff during this effort and his successor in the State Legislature, Meg Kilcoyne, was able to join us and officials from the state to make this announcement earlier today.
Thanks to everyone in town who helped with this process, and who’ll help continue our Green Community journey. And thanks to the Baker-Polito administration for supporting our energy efficiency efforts with its generous grant.
It’s a great day for Clinton.
Full press release below:
CLINTON – As part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s celebration of Earth Week in the Commonwealth, today state and local officials traveled to the Town of Clinton to announce the designation of nine Massachusetts cities and towns as Green Communities. The municipalities, which have committed to clean energy and energy efficiency goals to reduce energy usage and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the program and are now eligible for grants totaling over $1.4 million. The Town of Clinton was presented with a $164,753 grant, which will support energy efficiency projects and the completion of weatherization projects at Clinton’s Town Hall and library.“
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our cities and towns have overcome significant obstacles to protect public health while continuing to make progress toward our shared energy and environmental goals,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud to support the Commonwealth’s municipalities through the Green Communities program to help them save on energy costs and contribute to the Commonwealth’s statewide efforts to achieve Net Zero emissions in 2050.”
“We are pleased to welcome the Town of Clinton and eight new municipalities to the Green Communities program and look forward to working with them to pursue energy efficient solutions that reduce emissions and energy costs,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful to our local officials for their efforts to adopt innovative clean energy measures, and we are proud to work with our Environmental Justice communities to ensure cleaner and healthier communities across the Commonwealth.”
With today’s designation, 280 of the Commonwealth’s municipalities have earned a Green Communities designation which represents 87 percent of the Commonwealth’s population. 88 percent of environmental justice communities are Green Communities, including Clinton.
The 280 Green Communities range from Great Barrington to Newburyport and are home to 87 percent of Massachusetts’ population, in municipalities as large as Boston and as small as Peru. All Green Communities commit to reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent each, and this new group of nine cities and towns have committed to reduce their energy consumption amounting to savings of 86,875 MMBtus in five years, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 673 homes, and reducing GHG emissions of 5,804 tons, equivalent to taking 1,222 cars off the road. Proposed projects include high-efficient LED lighting upgrades in schools and municipal buildings, electric vehicles for town and school fleets, and renewable thermal technologies such as air source heat pumps.
“During a challenging year, our Green Communities have demonstrated tremendous determination to reduce energy use and pursue ambitious clean energy projects,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to building on these state-local partnerships and working closely with our municipalities to pursue a cleaner, healthier future for residents in every community throughout the Commonwealth.” “State government agencies often rely on local and city government officials to help implement clean energy policy, and today’s announcement highlights that partnership and celebrates the dedication of these hardworking officials at the municipal level,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. “These nine municipalities will increase their clean energy usage and energy efficiency efforts thus helping the Commonwealth maintain its national leadership role in clean energy and enabling the state to continue making progress in its ambitious emissions targets.”
Since its inception, the Green Communities program has awarded over $137 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth’s cities and towns through designation and competitive grant rounds. Under the Green Communities Act, DOER’s Green Communities Designation and Grant Program can provide up to $20 million annually to qualified cities and towns. The goal of the Designation Grant Program is to support communities’ investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the clean energy goals determined by the designated communities. Initial designation grants are based on a $125,000 base for each designated Green Community, plus additional amounts tied to per capita income and population. Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
During this year’s Earth Week in Massachusetts, the Baker-Polito Administration is highlighting its commitment to supporting the Commonwealth’s Environmental Justice communities and ensuring that all residents are protected from environmental pollution can enjoy a clean and healthy environment. During Earth Week, the Administration is holding events throughout the Commonwealth spotlighting important initiatives, including the expansion of tree planting through the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, increasing access to healthy, nutritious food by supporting urban farms, and ensuring clean water by providing grant funding to local municipalities.
“Climate change presents an existential threat to our environment. So, I am incredibly proud that Clinton and Princeton have chosen to be designed as Green Communities in the pursuit of clean energy and to grow their local economies,” said State Senator Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “I am grateful that the state can provide this grant money to help these town achieve their goals.”
“Congratulations to the Town of Princeton on receiving a Green Community designation. I applaud their efforts and investment in energy efficiency projects which further their clean energy goals,” said State Representative Kimberly Ferguson (R-Holden). “Many thanks to the Baker-Polito Administration, DOER, and EEA for continuing to support our municipalities, and for partnering with them to help support their energy reduction plan and implementation of energy efficiency projects.”
“I am thrilled that the Town of Clinton will be a designated Green Community. This will allow the town access to critical support and funding in their efforts to invest in energy efficiency and help achieve our local green energy goals,” said State Representative Meghan K. Kilcoyne (D-Worcester). “I offer my sincere congratulations to local officials for their efforts on this achievement and look forward to partnering with both the State and town to achieve our goals for a cleaner future together.”
On March 26, 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that includes nation-leading provisions related to Environmental Justice. Recognizing the significant impact of climate change on Environmental Justice communities overburdened by poor air quality and disproportionately high levels of pollution, the legislation statutorily defines Environmental Justice and environmental burdens, including climate change as an environmental burden. The legislation also expands Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review to require an Environmental Impact Report for all projects that impact air quality within one mile of an Environmental Justice Neighborhood and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a stakeholder process to develop a cumulative impact analysis as a condition of permitting certain projects. This change would, for the first time, require the agency to evaluate not just individual project impacts but also historic environmental pollution throughout the community through the permit process.
In December of 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration released two reports – the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and an interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) – that detailed policies and strategies to reduce emissions and combat climate change. The roadmap outlined the need to enhance energy efficiency measures and decarbonize existing buildings which would include most municipal and town buildings like schools, police departments, and water facilities.
The Board of Selectmen kicks off its Fiscal Year 2022 budget review process at tonight’s board meeting.
We’ll be meeting with representatives of the following departments to hear their proposals for the next fiscal year budget, to be voted on by voters like you at June’s Annual Town Meeting:
Bigelow Public Library
Treasurer-Collector
Council on Aging
Police
Public Works
The meeting starts at 7 p.m., and budget hearings should begin around 7:30 p.m. Tune in on Clinton public access television or online at the Clinton, Mass. YouTube page.
Looking for a preview of the new streetlights coming to the High Street business district? Check out the newly installed lights on Water Street, from High to Main street.
The same type of lights will be part of our Clinton Downtown Revitalization Program, scheduled to be completed this year. These LED lights are more energy efficient and they’re adjustable, so we’ll be able to customize the areas lit. It’s all part of our effort to make downtown a safer and more pleasant place to walk, work, shop and live.
For more information on the Downtown Revitalization Program, visit the link above, check out our Facebook or Twitter feeds, or sign up for email updates as the project moves on.
And, as always, don’t forget to support our local businesses. They need our help now more than ever.
As expected, the new weekly COVID-19 numbers put Clinton firmly in the state’s red category again this week.
The data shows a steadily growing rate of infection in our town, just as we’re entering the cold holiday months. It’s not good news:
Our percent positivity rate is 7.18 percent, up 23 percent since last week and triple what it was a month ago.
Even worse, our average daily incidence rate (per 100,000) is 40.1, up 36 percent since last week and quadruple (four times) what it was a month ago.
No one wants to take away your holidays, especially after the long, hard year we’ve all had. But the fact is that, more and more, this disease is spreading through extended indoor gatherings with people outside your household. That means the big, traditional Thanksgiving dinner is a really bad idea this year. So, please, consider limiting your holiday gatherings to people within your immediate household.
If you are hosting Thanksgiving this year, please keep doing what we’ve all been doing to beat this virus and be sure to follow CDC guidelines for safe holiday celebrations:
Have a small outdoor meal with family and friends who live in your community.
Limit the number of guests.
Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
If celebrating indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible. You can use a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out of the window. This will pull fresh air in through the other open windows.
Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
Have guests bring their own food and drink.
If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils.
This summer, we came together and kept our town nearly COVID-free. Now, we have to work together again to get through the winter. We need to be safe, smart and diligent. What we do over the next few weeks will determine our fate for months to come.
From my family to yours, we wish you a safe, happy Thanksgiving.
We can still control this spike, but that will not happen if we don’t continue smart behavior and stop doing things that have shown to spread the virus.
Clinton moved into the yellow last week after the state changed its standards. Even with those new standards, however, we will be back in the red when the new metrics are released later today. Considering the substantial uptick in cases here, it’s most likely we’ll be in the red for some time.
This could ultimately impact our path to reopening local businesses and returning to in-person learning in the schools. If things do not improve, we will have no choice but to make changes to our reopening plan. The fact is that our behavior in the next few weeks and months will decide our fate, and impact the health and safety of many in our community.
I’m tired of this disease and of how it’s changed our lives for the worse. But I’m even more scared of getting it and giving it to my kids.
Clinton got the coronavirus under control this summer, and we can do it again. So, please, do your part and help us beat this thing.
This week, Clinton recorded its highest number of quarantined COVID-19 cases since mid May.
Preparations for the start of Clinton’s $4.5 million downtown revitalization project began this week, with work scheduled to start on Monday, September 21.
Today, Community and Economic Development Director Phil Duffy, project liaison Mike Tusino and I went door-to-door on High and Church streets, dropping off information and letting business owners and residents know about what’s in store over the next few months. It was great to talk to everyone, to hear their excitement and concerns, and to think about how different downtown will look in a year.
Community and Economic Development Director Phil Duffy talks with a local business owner about the town’s upcoming $4.5 million downtown revitalization project, which starts September 21.
To be clear, this is a major project, and there will be disruptions. But when it’s over, Clinton will have a better, safer, more beautiful downtown that will benefit everyone who works, lives and spends time here.
Work begins Monday with the removal of trees and testing of soil for future drainage work. The current timeline calls for a 45-week project, with a likely break as the weather gets colder. As information is available to us, we will share it online at our new Downtown Revitalization web page. There, you can see what’s in store for the next few weeks, and find contact information for questions and concerns, as well as a link to sign up to our email update list.
We are making every effort to keep everyone on the same page here. If you’re interested in learning more about this truly transformative project, visit the Downtown Revitalization page today.
Thank you, Clinton, for coming out and supporting me in a tough, tough campaign against three really great candidates. I’m encouraged, energized, and excited that you gave me another three years of working for and with you to make Clinton better.
Congratulations to Matt Kobus for running a brilliant campaign. He got his people out, explained clearly what he was about, and won a well-deserved spot on the Select Board. I’m really looking forward to working with him over the next three years.
Lastly, thanks to Dave Sargent and Joe Notaro. Doing a campaign like this, and serving in this position, takes a lot out of you. It is thankless work that, sadly, can sometimes get nasty. To sign up for all of this knowing full well what you’re in for shows a person’s true dedication to and love of our town. We’re lucky to have two former selectmen who were willing to step up again, and I thank them for pushing me to be a better candidate.
My second term starts Wednesday. I can’t wait to get started, again.
A lot of you have asked about holding signs for me tomorrow. First, I’m really humbled that anyone would take time out of their day to support me. Thank you.
You might’ve noticed that this is a different kind of campaign year. Whereas last time we backed up our good ideas with a massive door-knocking effort and multiple stand-outs, this year, during a pandemic, I found the idea of asking people to spend unnecessary time in big groups irresponsible. So I’ve tried to get our message out in different ways. Because, in my eyes, beating this public health crisis is way more important than any election.
So if you’d like to stop by and show your support on Monday, please bring a mask and be prepared to spread out. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate your offers to help, but I respect your health and safety even more.
Thank you again for all the kind words of encouragement over the past few months. They mean more than you can imagine.
Sean Kerrigan, Clinton Select Board 