Senate Session Summary – Monday, Nov. 14, 2022
State House News Service
The Senate on Monday enacted bills striking a residency requirement for Lynn Water and Sewer Commission members and authorizing seven new liquor licenses for West Springfield. The West Springfield bill, for all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on-premises, sets aside five licenses for the town’s Economic Opportunity Zone and two for the town’s Route 20 Business Corridor district. The Senate adjourned in memory of former Springfield City Council President Daniel Walsh III, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who also served as the city’s veterans’ services director for 15 years. – Sam Doran
________________________________________
To track a bill’s legislative history or view its text, click here and enter the bill number. The News Service features gavel-to-gavel summaries of all sessions and audio of formal sessions on our web page: http://www.statehousenews.com.
________________________________________
CONVENES: The Senate convened at 11:07 a.m. with Sen. Jehlen of Somerville presiding. Sen. O’Connor of Weymouth was also present.
PLEDGE: Members, staff, and guests pledged allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
ORDERS OF THE DAY: There was no objection to taking up a matter from the Orders of the Day.
DEDHAM: The Senate ordered to a third reading and engrossed H 4999 exempting Jonathan Dillon from the maximum age requirement for original appointment as a police officer in the town of Dedham.
LYNN WATER/SEWER: The Senate enacted H 4626 removing the residency requirement for the city of Lynn’s water and sewer commission.
WEST SPRINGFIELD LIQUOR: The Senate enacted H 5253 authorizing the city known as the town of West Springfield to grant 7 additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises.
TIME OF MEETING: The Senate adopted an order scheduling its next session for 11 a.m. Thursday.
IN MEMORIAM – DANIEL WALSH III: A motion of Sens. Lesser and Gomez prevailed for Monday’s adjournment to be in memory of former Springfield City Councilor Daniel Walsh III, who died Oct. 22 at the age of 80. Sen. Jehlen read a brief eulogy. She said Mr. Walsh was fiercely proud of his Springfield roots. Dan was a standout track and field athlete, attending Cathedral High School and St. John’s Prep School. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps while enrolled at Providence College and upon graduation he served in Vietnam. In 1966 his platoon was ambushed and he was shot in the back and leg. Despite these wounds, he was credited with saving the lives of several fellow Marines and received a Purple Heart. In 1998 he was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroics. He met his future wife while recovering from his wounds in Boston. Dan was elected to the Springfield City Council in 1972 and served as council president 1974 to 1975. He also served on the city park commission and as city director of veterans’ services from 1996 to 2011.
The Senate stood in a moment of silence.
ADJOURNS ‘TIL THURSDAY: The Senate adjourned at 11:13 a.m. to meet next on Thursday at 11 a.m.
