Eight meetings will be held over the next few months, adding to the 14 meetings the Cabinet has already held during the Patrick-Murray Administration.

Lt. Governor Murray chairs the Municipal Cabinet, which travels throughout the Commonwealth to hear from municipal officials, legislators and the public on a variety of issues to help strengthen the partnership between state and municipal governments. Comprised of state officials from seven agencies, the Municipal Cabinet works to promote efficiency and more effective governing. Ideas discussed at past meetings have had a direct impact on public policy, including provisions of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Municipal Partnership Act II legislation.

A new webpage launched today will include the Municipal Cabinet’s full meeting schedule. For more information, go to www.mass.gov/governor/municabinet. Plymouth will host the Municipal Cabinet’s second stop of the summer tour on Friday, July 17th, at Plymouth Town Hall at 10 a.m.

Members of the Cabinet include seven agency heads from within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, including State Purchasing Agent from Operation Services Ellen Bickelman; Commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance David Perini; Chief Human Resources Officer Paul Dietl; Chief Information Officer Anne Margulies; Executive Director of the Group Insurance Commission Dolores Mitchell; Chairman of the Civil Service Commission Christopher Bowman; and Director of the Green Communities Division Mark Sylvia.

The Municipal Cabinet, established by Executive Order Number 480 in February 2007 seeks to coordinate the ways in which state government can provide additional services and assistance to cities and towns. The Cabinet also works to implement and analyze recommendations from the Local Government Advisory Commission, which Lt. Governor Murray oversees on behalf of the Patrick-Murray Administration.

As part of Governor Patrick’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds will be distributed to shovel-ready projects listed as part of the 2009 State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. SRF funding this year totals more than $986 million, which will protect and create engineering and construction jobs in the Commonwealth.

“This is great news for cities and towns across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “Our water infrastructure needs are significant and this funding will go a long way in helping municipalities make important upgrades to their systems. My sincere thanks to our Congressional delegation for including this funding in the stimulus bill and for their great work on behalf of the Commonwealth.”

“These projects are vital to the health and vitality of communities here in Massachusetts and across the country,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Federal funds will help write down the total cost of the capital projects for cities and towns, create jobs and, with the energy investments they also make possible, reduce the cost of operating the new treatment plants. Massachusetts spearheaded this approach, and the Recovery Act has taken this program nationwide.”

“EPA is part of the solution in these challenging times. Massachusetts has been a leader in creating green jobs that grow the economy and benefit the environment, and today’s grants build on that work,” said EPA Administrator Jackson. “Keeping the water supply clean and safe for millions of people will bring new jobs and opportunities to Massachusetts communities. Protecting our health and the environment is a great way to put people to work and build a new foundation for prosperity.”

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles and Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Laurie Burt also participated with other federal, state and local officials in today’s event at the Deer Island waste water treatment plant, which highlighted the new federal requirement that at least 20 percent of federal SRF funds be devoted to “green infrastructure” investments that make water treatment facilities more cost effective and environmentally beneficial.

“Massachusetts blazed the trail in exploring the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy to make water treatment plants, which are huge energy users, both lower cost and lower impact on our environment,” said Secretary Bowles. “President Obama and Administrator Jackson have taken this idea to the entire country. The result will be cleaner water, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and lower costs for municipalities and water districts.”

“The federal stimulus funding will help to save millions of dollars for communities and water suppliers by subsidizing their SRF loans, bringing many more great environmental protection projects and jobs to more local communities than in past years,” said Commissioner Burt. “Communities that participate in the green infrastructure upgrade effort will save millions more through energy efficiency and installation of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.”

Combining state and federal funds, the Commonwealth awards low-interest loans through the SRF, which is administered by the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust, a joint effort of MassDEP, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, and the State Treasurer’s Office.

“The local water infrastructure and green projects funded by this program will create jobs and will improve the environment,” said State Treasurer Tim Cahill. “Cities and towns should move quickly to take advantage of the subsidies provided by ARRA funds.”

The SRF is comprised of two programs: the Clean Water Fund, which has awarded nearly $3.9 billion in loans since 1991; and the Drinking Water Fund, which has awarded more than $975 million to projects since 1999. The Clean Water SRF funds planning and construction projects for waste water, such as treatment plants and upgrades to existing sewer systems. This year, the Clean Water SRF list includes 80 projects, totaling more than $744 million. The Drinking Water SRF funds engineering, design and construction of drinking water projects that protect public health and strengthen compliance with state and federal drinking water requirements. This year, the Drinking Water SRF list includes 52 projects, totaling nearly $242 million.

The ARRA requires that a portion of these new funds be utilized for grants. Legislation is now pending at the state level to authorize SRF grants, which are expected to reduce the cost of these infrastructure projects by 8 to 14 percent. The bill has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is expected to go to the Governor for his signature soon.

The ARRA also requires that 20 percent of the federal stimulus funds for SRF be used for “green infrastructure” improvements at treatment facilities. One of those projects was highlighted at the Deer Island announcement today. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) will use $1.6 million of the $25 million in stimulus money allocated to the agency to install roof-top solar panels at the Deer Island facility, cutting down on the plant’s electricity costs and reducing its carbon footprint. MWRA has been a leader in the use of renewable energy at the Deer Island plant, with more than 20 percent of its energy needs met by on-site renewable generation utilizing methane produced by waste treatment, as well as hydroelectric generation at the outfall site and a 100 kilowatt solar array installed last year. Two wind turbines are currently being installed.

“This is another project to help defray our energy costs, which is great for the MWRA’s ratepayers,” said MWRA Executive Director Frederick Laskey.

The Patrick-Murray Administration will also utilize these stimulus funds to implement other green infrastructure projects at treatment plants statewide. Fourteen such projects have been identified by the state’s Energy Management Pilot Project, and others could be identified through a public solicitation now under way. The innovative pilot project, which served as a model for the ARRA green infrastructure requirement, was designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and the energy use at municipal waste water and drinking water treatment facilities.

MassDEP partnered with the state Department of Energy Resources, EPA New England, and other state agencies, academic institutions, a non-profit and the state’s electric and gas utilities to conduct comprehensive energy audits at seven drinking water and seven waste water plants. The sites were also assessed for renewable energy generation potential.

Based on the audits, MassDEP estimates that $3.7 million in annual energy savings, 7 megawatts of clean energy, and 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions reductions will result annually if the pilot projects are implemented.

To be eligible for Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF funding, municipalities, waste water districts and water suppliers filed applications with MassDEP last year demonstrating that the proposed projects offer significant public health or drinking water quality benefits. The 127 listed projects must now obtain local funding authorization by August 1, and submit final plans and specifications by August 1 to qualify for federal ARRA “shovel-ready” funding.

For a full listing of the 2009 Clean Water SRF projects, turn to: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/09cwiup.pdf

For a full listing of the 2009 Drinking Water SRF projects, turn to: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/09dwiup.pdf

“Those who have served to protect the ideals of the United States of America and keep us safe deserve to be taken care of when they return home,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “Over the next two weeks, I will travel across the Commonwealth to meet with veterans and their family members to hear about their needs and how we can better support them.”

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, under the Patrick-Murray administration, supports and advocates on the behalf of our over 430,000 veterans and families. While Massachusetts leads the nation in offering comprehensive benefits and services to our veterans, unfortunately many still do not know all of the benefits available to them,” said Secretary of Veterans’ Services Thomas Kelley. “Over the next two weeks, Lieutenant Governor Murray will be taking the time to promote these services, while listening to veterans and advocates about what else needs to be done. I am grateful to the Lieutenant Governor for his continued commitment to those of us that have served this Nation and our families.”

Staff from the Department of Veterans’ Services and/or Lieutenant Governor Murray’s Office will be available onsite at each event to answer questions about veterans’ programs and benefits in the Commonwealth.

“Victims of violence and crime must know that we stand with them as they seek to recover after traumatic, and sometimes life-threatening, incidents,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “This legislation will enable the Commonwealth to better protect the rights of victims and witnesses by giving them the safeguards they need to re-build and take part in a criminal justice system that holds offenders accountable.”

“As a Commonwealth, we must ensure protections are in place, and the needs of victims and witnesses are met,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence. “This administration will do everything within its power to bolster the safety and security of victims and witnesses in order for them to be able to participate in the system to hold offenders accountable and not to be re-victimized.”

An Act to Protect and Enhance the Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crime allows victims and witnessesof rape, sexual assault, stalking, harassment and enticement of children under 16 to seek criminally enforceable protection orders. Specific provisions include:

Harassment prevention orders

•Creates a statutory scheme parallel to c.209A to allow restraining orders for victims of harassment, including sexual assault and stalking, without the need for a household or substantive dating relationship.
Victims’ Bill of Rights

•Allows victims and witnesses who are children or who have disabilities to have a support person in the courtroom during their testimony and an orientation to the court process.
•Ensures broader notification of victim rights, including making rights available to non-English speaking victims and witnesses, and to families of victims in unsolved homicides.
•Requires that a summary of victim rights be posted conspicuously in courthouses and police stations and that police notify victims of their rights.
•Requires newly constructed courthouses to provide separate and secure waiting areas for victims and witnesses of crimes.
Strangulation statute

•Creates a new felony offense of strangling or suffocating a household or family member (maximum of 5 years), with greater punishment (maximum 10 years) for aggravating factors including causing serious bodily injury, pregnancy of the victim, active restraining orders and second or subsequent offense. This type of serious violence is difficult to prosecute under current law.
Corrections to General Laws chapter 265, section 13M

•Creates the offense of assault or assault and battery on a household member. In the last legislative session, a second offense of assault and battery on a household or family member was passed into law, allowing for felony treatment of dangerous repeat abusers; however, there was no underlying first offense. This legislation addresses that gap in current statute.
“Domestic and sexual violence affect every community in the Commonwealth. This bill provides changes needed to protect both victims and survivors,” said Public Safety Secretary Kevin M. Burke. “We are committed to a straightforward response to help those who need it during difficult times.”

The Sexual Assault Law Enforcement Model Guidelines will be a resource for law enforcement when responding to a report of an adult sexual assault. In addition to the legislation, these guidelines will help ensure that victims are protected from the very start of their interaction with the justice system.

The Lieutenant Governor made these announcements at The Women’s Center in New Bedford on the one-year anniversary of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s issuance of a public health advisory on domestic violence. The advisory sought to raise awareness and to educate the public about the resources available to aid victims. In the past year, the Governor, First Lady Diane Patrick and the Lieutenant Governor have taken steps to address domestic violence, including releasing the Massachusetts Policy for Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence guidelines, filming a public service announcement featuring the First Lady encouraging victims to seek assistance and participating in numerous events to raise awareness.

For more information about the Patrick-Murray Administration’s crime prevention package, please visit www.mass.gov/eopss.