Briefs: Family Fun Day on Sunday, Rt. 38 Resurfacing Meeting Set, Legislative Update

Residents looking to get the kids out of the house on Sunday, March 20 can stop by the Library from noon to 4 p.m. Play games including Nerf ax throwing, musical chairs, dice , darts, cornhole, ring toss, mini golf, hockey and giant Jenga. Win tickets, trade tickets for prizes!

More to do:

• Bring your teddy bear or stuffed animal for a medical check up with “Dr. H.”
• Enjoy face painting, tattoos and crafts
• Visit with Thor & Misty from Barks and Books
• Visit our giant snack shack, and more.

There will even be a special performance by Tewksbury High School Theater group of Mama Mia songs.

The cost is $5 per person with a maximum of $20 per family. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library, and all proceeds go to programming for the community.

Roadwork Season Is Coming

Residents are invited to a Main Street Resurfacing Public Information Meeting on Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m. in the main room at Town Hall.

In response to a request by Select Board vice-chair Jayne Wellman, town manager Richard Montuori scheduled the session as a forum for Mass DOT to inform residents and business on the timing of Route 38’s upcoming construction, reconstruction and sidewalk and drainage improvements. 

The meeting will be informational for all of the businesses and residents along the corridor and is open to anyone who wants to attend and learn about the project details. Montuori says work will begin at Colonial Drive and cover 2,000 linear feet of roadway at a time, with paving likely happening at night. 

This meeting is for businesses to learn when construction is due to pass by their locations so they can plan accordingly. When requesting that Montuori set up the info session, Wellman pointed out that some business owners may choose to take vacation or alter their hours.

Legislative Update from Tram Nguyen

One of Tewksbury’s three reps, Tram Nguyen, reports that last week the House passed a supplemental budget for FY22.

This bill includes $700 million for pandemic-related expenses:

• $5 million for LIHEAP fuel assistance to help with the skyrocketing cost of home heating for eligible elders and low-income families;
• $100 million to repair local roads that suffered winter damage;
• $100 million for rental assistance;
• $55 million in rate increases for human service providers; and
• $10 million to support the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees.

Additionally, the House bill extends pandemic rules for outdoor dining and take-out cocktails until April 1, 2023. It also exempts essential workers who received premium pay from having to pay personal income taxes on that amount.

“I was thrilled to vote for this bill, which would help so many people who are still struggling because of the pandemic,” said Nguyen.

She also joined Rep. Minicucci, Rep. Campbell, Senator Finegold, Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove and other state and local leaders in celebrating state grant funding that will enable public employees to get trained on cybersecurity.

Andover, Boxford, North Andover and Tewksbury all received grants to train employees to identify, avoid and defend against cyber attack techniques most commonly to gain access to government and public school IT infrastructure, networks and sensitive data.

Finally, Nguyen reminds residents that as of March 1, local MVRTA bus service is fare free.

“Fare free public transportation is extremely important for the poor, the elderly, those with disabilities and other vulnerable communities who rely on the Merrimack Valley RTA for transportation,” she said. “And it’s good for the environment, as it encourages people to use the bus and leave their cars at home!”

Visit https://www.mvrta.com/ for more information and for bus routes and schedules.