Representative Lisa Field

It was a beautiful and emotional ceremony today at the State House recognizing the 1st annual Military Service Members and Veterans Su***de Awareness and Remembrance Day.

Many thanks to the Partyka family who have tirelessly advocated to raise awareness about Veteran su***de and have pushed for legislative change. Their son, Sergeant Matthew Partyka, a Marine Corps Veteran, died by su***de in 2022. The Partykas worked with Senator Patrick O’Connor and Representative Joan Meschino on legislation officially designating September 22 as a day of remembrance for Veterans lost to su***de and a day to raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by members of our military.

To our Massachusetts veterans and military families: your service matters, and your mental well-being matters. Transitioning to civilian life, dealing with daily stress or carrying the invisible wounds of service can be hard, but you do not have to walk it alone.

Whether you need a confidential ear, peer support or clinical care, help is right here:

* Immediate Crisis Support: Call or text 988, then press 1, text 838255 or chat online at
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

* MassMen and Local Outreach: For specialized peer support and local programs like the Save program, connect with
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-veterans-services

* Find Local Guidance: To find local service officers, counselors, and housing or financial benefits near you, visit
https://www.mass.gov/massvetsadvisor

Reach out, check on your battle buddies and let’s break the stigma together. 💙🇺🇸



Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services

Fremont Street/Taunton Freight Rail Meeting Brings Local, State, Federal and Railroad Officials Together to Address Neighborhood Concerns

TAUNTON, MA – In response to noise, health and safety concerns raised by residents of the Fremont Street neighborhood, local, state, federal and railroad officials convened on Friday September 18 for a face-to-face meeting to discuss the issues and identify ways to address residents’ concerns.

The meeting, organized by State Representative Lisa Field, provided an opportunity for officials to have a candid discussion about the impacts of freight rail activity in the Fremont Street neighborhood. Participants shared questions, concerns, expertise and perspectives, with an agreement to continue working collaboratively in the coming months.

“I want to thank everyone who joined us today, asked insightful questions and contributed valuable expertise and perspective,” said Lisa Field, State Representative, Third Bristol. “This was an important opportunity to bring the appropriate officials together, have a candid conversation and begin working toward meaningful responses to concerns raised by neighborhood residents.”

In addition to State Representative Field, attendees included:
• Congressman Jake Aunchincloss
• State Senator Kelly Dooner
• Mayor Shaunna O’Connell
• City Council President Barry Sanders
• Representatives of the Taunton Fire Department and Health Department
• Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
• South Coast Rail
• CSX
• Mass Coastal Railroad
• SMART Transportation Division (the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers).

The elected officials will continue to engage with the participating agencies and railroad representatives as information is provided and discussions continue in the coming months.

Resources for Elders at the Attorney General’s Office The Attorney General’s Office can help with elder issues including financial exploitation, scam prevention, long-term care, housing, and more.

We will not be having our regular constituent hours at Queset House in Easton or City Hall in Taunton during the week of September 21. We will resume our regular schedule the week of September 28.

If you need assistance or want to discuss policy matters, please contact me at [email protected] or contact our office at (617) 722-2460.

Wishing our Jewish community a Yom Kippur filled with peace, forgiveness, and hope. May you be sealed for a year of goodness and light. G’mar Chatima Tovah.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has announced exciting news. Both Oliver Ames High School and Taunton High School have been awarded FY27 FC0460 funds. This targeted grant provides resources to support Designated Early College programs for both the Designated Secondary School and the Institute of Higher Education partner in the development and sustainment of the programs.

Here are the details:
Easton Public Schools (Oliver Ames High School) and Quincy College: $120,000
Taunton Public Schools (Taunton High School) and UMASS Dartmouth: $75,000

The grantees were awarded funding based on:
* High schools in year one and two of Designation are eligible for up to $120,000
* High Schools in year three and beyond of Designation are eligible for $75,000

This program is funded through the FY27 state budget which I supported. Congrats to the staff and administration from both the high schools and their higher ed partners.


Taunton Public Schools
Town of Easton, MA

It was a beautiful Friday morning to join Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias, Senator Kelly Dooner and Mayor Shaunna O’Connell for a visit to Greystar’s Whittenton Mills. It has been exciting to see the transformation as the former mill site is being redeveloped.

It was fascinating to watch the first modular unit be put into place and tour the unit. There will be ten buildings with 390 units plus green space. Each building takes about one month to complete so the entire project is expected to be completed next fall.

The project received $1.9 million in Massachusetts Housing Development incentive Program (HDIP) tax credits and a $3.69 million MassWorks grant to update the 100 year + old sewer and water pipes from the old mill buildings.

Exciting news! The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced that every school district that has Career and Technical Education programs will receive a Framework Implementation Grant. Here is what this means for schools in our region:

Bristol County Agricultural School: $30,000
Bristol Plymouth Vocational Technical High School:: $40,000
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical HIgh School: $40,000
Taunton High School: $35,000

Districts will use this funding to implement Career and Technical Education (CTE) frameworks to ensure students gain skills for college, career and civic engagement as well as integrating career-connected learning with grade-level aligned math, English and science content. This grant program is funded through Perkins Career and Technical Education funds, federal money. Congrats to all.


Bristol AggieBristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School
Taunton Public Schools

Constituent Services
Need assistance with unemployment, housing, Mass Health? We will holding constituent hours on Wednesday September 16 from 10AM to noon at Taunton City Hall. Julie will be available to assist you.
Need assistance and you are not sure if we can help or cannot attend the constituent hours? Want to meet with me to discuss a policy or other issue? Send us an email at [email protected] or contact our office at (617) 722-2460.