| | Dear Friends,
The 194th Session of the Massachusetts General Court is in full swing, and we’ve been hard at work to bring the concerns and most pressing needs of Cape Codders and Islanders to the State House. We began the month by convening the Cape and Islands Legislative Delegation, including newly-minted Senator Dylan Fernandes and freshly elected Representatives Hadley Luddy and Thomas Moakley, to map out shared priorities for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. The energy and excitement among members — new and returning— gives me renewed faith in what we can accomplish for the region in the next two years. As I begin my fifth term as senator for the Cape and Islands District, I am reminded of my first days in office when I was taken under the wing of colleagues like Sarah Peake, Dave Vieira, Vinny deMacedo, among others. They all helped instill in me the collaborative solution-oriented spirit that the small but mighty Cape and Islands Legislative Delegation proudly continues to this day. I take very seriously my responsibility to support my new colleagues as they acclimate to their roles. Indeed, in government, no one gets anything done on their own.
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|  | Collaboration and problem-solving are clearly not the vibe of the new administration in Washington. My first four years in elected office coincided with the first Trump Administration, so this isn’t my first rodeo. Still, the last two weeks have been jarring. A bevy of executive orders and actions, many unlawful and unconstitutional, have wrought havoc and fear. I heard from the CEO of a community health center who told me they couldn’t provide services for long if federal funds were withheld. Absentee rates at Vineyard schools doubled in tandem with false rumors of an ICE raid. Parents have reached out to my office wondering if healthcare for their LGBTQ+ children will be interfered with in Massachusetts. There’s mounting worry that a vengeful Trump Administration will try to withhold the previously awarded $1.7 billion in federal dollars for the replacement of the Sagamore Bridge. Hopefully, much of this overreach will be thrown out by the courts, but it’ll be stormy seas for the foreseeable future.
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| Make no mistake, this is all designed to overwhelm and distract. I’m staying focused on what I can control: helping to ensure that Massachusetts lives up to being a shining example of what remains possible when a federal administration insists on chaos and a hateful political agenda. And hell no, are we going to change who we are because of unlawful and vengeful edicts from Washington. No matter what happens, you can rest assured that we will continue to work diligently on the issues that matter most to Cape Codders and Islanders: housing, affordability, the climate crisis, access to healthcare, environmental stewardship, and affirming the dignity of all people no matter who they are.
To that end, we’re tackling some new policy issues in this legislative session, such as increasing the availability of flood insurance in Massachusetts and proposing a grant program for residents who take steps to make their homes more resilient to climate change. We also refiled many of our bills from the previous legislative session, including legislation that supports the financial health of our community health centers – a vital source of primary care in our geographically isolated district. We’re taking a second pass at omnibus PFAS legislation, filed bills to further reform of mental health care, thwart book bans, and attempting to finally raise the glass on local option happy hour. And, of course, we’re still in pursuit of the ability of towns to deploy a transfer fee on high-end real estate transactions to fund affordable housing for year-round residents.
As much as we’ve been up to recently, there is still so much more work to do to get us to where we want to be. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me with this work, especially at such a trying time in our politics.
Yours in service, |
|  | | | | Keeping Schools Distraction-Free Mass. AG pushes for bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions in schools "You have this constant distraction with the pinging, with messages, news, TikTok," said state Sen. Julian Cyr, a co-sponsor of the bill. He said the bill will protect kids from social media's influence. "[Digital technology and social media can be] harmful to education and is also harmful to the mental health and well-being of young people," Cyr said.
AG Campbell Introduces "The STUDY Act" To Promote Safe Technology Use and Distraction-Free Education For Youth "I'm so glad I went to middle school and high school before the advent of social media. I truly believe my education and social development were all the better for not having a smart phone on me at all times. By creating a 'bell-to-bell' policy, we're giving students the opportunity to engage with their education unfettered by digital distraction. Our bill also sets important standards for social media companies, holding these corporations accountable for the safety and mental health of the youth who use their products. I'm proud to stand with Attorney General Campbell, Representative Peisch, Representative Lipper-Garabedian and my colleagues in the Legislature to pass common-sense legislation to protect the health and future of the next generation,” said Senator Julian Cyr.
Lawmakers Move to Ban Cellphones in Schools A group of Massachusetts lawmakers and MA Attorney General Andrea Campbell have filed legislation aimed at cracking down on student cellphone use at public schools through the state. The legislation is being referred to as the “STUDY Act,” which “seeks to implement a “bell-to-bell" restriction on access to cell phones and personal electronic devices during school hours to improve the overall learning environment and school culture.” Similar bans are gaining popularity in both red and blues states across the country…” |
|  | Climate and Environment Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $25,000 for Saltwater Recreational Fishing Access Projects “As a proud advocate for our coastal communities, I’m thrilled to see these investments in public access for recreational fishing," said State Senator Julian Cyr (D—Cape and Islands). "By making these activities safer and more convenient for our residents and visitors alike, we ensure that outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy our world-class marine resources for the next generation.”
EPA finds possible health risks associated with PFAS in sewage sludge - January 16, 2025 – WBUR "There aren't easy solutions when it comes to PFAS," said state Sen. Julian Cyr, a Democrat who represents the Cape and Islands District. Cyr said he's focused on eliminating the sources of PFAS. He co-sponsored legislation last year aimed at addressing PFAS in consumer products, food packaging and fertilizer. The bill fizzled before a vote, but Cyr expects to refile it this year. "We're hopeful we can get this comprehensive legislation across the finish line and onto the governor's desk this session," he said.
'That ends now.' NJ congressman wants to end offshore wind. Cape, MA leaders respond State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Provincetown, who supports offshore wind development as part of combatting climate change while also boosting the economy, said Van Drew's statement raises many questions. There's a "spectrum of these projects," from those at conceptual stages to those that are approved and underway, he pointed out. "I'm unclear what steps are going to be taken against projects that are either under construction or nearly completed," he said. Cyr asserted that most people "want to be part of the climate solutions," which offshore wind offers. "Just because Donald Trump won a second election doesn't mean we will abandon our objectives and stop taking on a climate crisis that we have created," he said. What happens next, with less or no federal participation, Cyr said, "remains to be seen," and "certainly this will complicate offshore wind projects in the medium term." But the state needs to continue to be a leader on addressing climate change, he said.
Local bright spots against a dark background “Fortunately, we had a head start in Massachusetts in terms of investing in offshore wind power. The Trump Administration’s order will frustrate projects that are still in the planning stages but should not immediately affect those that are already leased and permitted. We do expect further action from the Trump Administration, but intervention in projects that are leased and permitted will end up in court,” State Senator Julian Cyr, a Democrat who represents the Cape and Islands, wrote in response to questions.
'Much uncertainty.' Cape, Mass. leaders see political shifts that may slow offshore wind In the next few years, Cyr said, "certainly, the change in federal administration brings much uncertainty for offshore wind, particularly projects that are quite far out or at the early stage of development" and require federal support, and he expects the pacing "is likely to be slowed." For example, he doesn't expect to see any movement on the Gulf of Maine lease sites. Less clear is how new federal policies may affect already approved projects like SouthCoast Wind and Vineyard Wind 1, which has seen construction setbacks in the aftermath of the turbine blade that collapsed in July. But Cyr pointed out, "the resolve and the commitment are there from almost all leaders in Massachusetts to address the climate crisis."
Offshore wind in crosshairs of fermenting Trump executive order “I think we can expect the incoming administration will seriously delay and thwart early-stage proposals,” Cyr said, pointing to offshore wind lease areas in the Gulf of Maine that were auctioned off only a few months ago, in October. “Most all Islanders and Cape Codders I speak to are quite worried about a climate crisis playing out right before our very eyes,” Cyr said. “We live by the water’s edge. Rising seas, worsening storms are already making it all that much harder to live on the Island and across the region.” He said the state will be tackling climate change “head-on with honesty” to transition to net-zero carbon emissions. “And offshore wind is a part of that solution,” Cyr said.
Housing State Senators focus remains on housing Cape and Islands state Senator Julian Cyr, a Democrat from Provincetown, was sworn in last week for what will be his fifth term representing the Vineyard, Nantucket and much of the Cape. “Housing remains my first, second, third and fourth priority,” Cyr said. “Islanders and Cape Codders are not going to be able to sustain a year-round community if we don’t change course on housing.”
Also among other priorities going forward, Cyr said that lawmakers and the governor are poised to pass an environmental bond bill that will help with coastal resiliency, which he expects will bring money to the Cape and Islands region. Cyr is also hopeful to pass comprehensive PFAS legislation, which he has been working on for several years. There is also hope to find a revenue source for the replacement of the Bourne Bridge on the Cape, after funding has been solidified for the Sagamore Bridge replacement. And Cyr is also interested in seeing improvements to the Steamship Authority.
Provincetown Ups Year-Round Rental Incentives State Sen. Julian Cyr told the Independent that the residential tax exemption for year-round rentals was not in the state’s initial group of new tools for “seasonal communities” — a designation that includes all the towns on the Outer and Lower Cape — but that it could be added later. “A year-round rental RTE seems like something that would fit well within that umbrella,” Cyr said.
“Provincetown has pioneered a number of crucial policies,” Cyr added. Towns on the Cape and Islands “need to figure out how to subsidize housing for almost all working people who don’t own a home or stand to inherit one.”
Year–round housing subsidies top agenda for Seasonal Communities Helping towns make year-round housing more affordable will be a top priority this winter for the state’s newly established Seasonal Communities Advisory Council.
State Sen. Julian Cyr said one of the first topics the group will address is the creation of community trusts to subsidize housing for year-round residents who don’t qualify for traditional affordable housing. “The year-round housing trust is the fiscal mechanism by which a town can actually realize … subsidy of attainable housing, of year-round housing,” he said. Defining “attainable” housing will be part of the council’s work. “A year-round housing trust, which Nantucket and Provincetown already have, will enable towns to deploy resources for year-round housing across the income spectrum,” he said.
On Cape Cod, part-time residents want a voice on state seasonal communities council Cyr, a Democrat who represents the Cape and Islands district, said the council will hold public meetings around the relevant regions and is "eager to hear feedback and contributions from everyone as it relates to the housing crisis."
"We certainly welcome them (part-time residents) being a part of the solution and many second-home owners I know across the region have already been part of the efforts...We truly welcome year-round residents and part-time residents to be participating in these public meetings that the council will hold," said Cyr.
He said he hopes one of the first priorities of the council will be "setting up the regulations to establish the year-round housing trust," a fiscal and administrative mechanism for a town to provide subsidies for year-round housing.
News from the District New state rep ready to hit the ground running - January 9, 2025 – Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror “I’ve been having lots of conversations with my predecessor, and Sen. Julian Cyr and his staff have been amazing in helping me learn. We’re going to be partnering on a lot of legislation.”
Last-ditch push for higher Cape ferry fee comes up short on Beacon Hill Committee members at 11 a.m. Monday were given one hour to vote on the bill (S 3016), and it was pushed through the Senate on a voice vote by 1:30 p.m. The branches met until after 1 a.m. Tuesday, moving dozens of bills to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk, but the so-called embarkation fee bill never returned from the House. Sen. Julian Cyr, a Democrat, who represents the Cape and Islands, supported the fee increase in testimony submitted to the Revenue Committee. |
| Barnstable Fire receives Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant The Barnstable Fire Department is happy to report that the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and Massachusetts Department of Fire Services has awarded the department $12,368.92 in State Fiscal Year 2025 funding for the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. These funds will be use to purchase much needed personal protective equipment for their members. The Barnstable Fire Department would like to thank EOPPS and DFS as well as Mass. Gov. Maura Healey, State Senator Julian Cyr, State Representative Kip Diggs, the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) and the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts for their hard work and support making this equipment grant possible. |
| | LEGISLATIVE CORNER An Update From Beacon Hill |
|  | Bill filing deadline We had a busy month on Beacon Hill! Under Rule 12 of the Joint Rules of the Legislature, the bill filing deadline is at 5:00 p.m. on the third Friday of a new legislative session. My team and I worked furiously up until this deadline, which, this year, fell on January 17. I filed 78 bills for the 194th legislative session.
Housing related policies continue to top the list of priorities. We filed a local option transfer fee bill to give the municipalities in my district the local revenue source that’s so sorely needed to build and preserve attainable housing for year-round residents. One way or another, I’m determined to deliver a transfer fee to my communities and appreciate that so many across the Cape & Islands are speaking in unison in support of this critical tool.
We also filed a bill that expands upon the seasonal community toolkit that we secured in last year’s passage of the Affordable Homes Act. This bill seeks to give the towns in my district – all of which I expect to receive the seasonal community designation, whether by statute or by the discretion of the executive office of housing and livable communities – even more tools that will hopefully be funded by a local option transfer fee. Some of these tools include: establish housing contribution programs under which the municipality may require for-profit real estate developers to pay specified fees for large-scale construction projects; increase the minimum threshold of the circuit breaker tax credit (a tax credit for seniors who rent or own residential property in the Commonwealth); implement right of first refusal programs for properties subject to foreclosure; expand the AMI for housing projects funded through Community Preservation Act funds – and so much more.
I’ve also teamed up with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Representative Alice Peisch to introduce the STUDY Act, legislation that aims to reduce the negative impacts of excessive technology use and social media for school age children in Massachusetts. Prioritizing students’ mental health and academic success, the bill would require schools to adopt bell-to-bell prohibitions on cell phone use and require social media companies operating within Massachusetts to establish youth accounts with default restrictions for minor users. This legislation reflects a growing recognition of the challenges our students face in navigating a technology-driven world, and I’m looking forward to partnering with our Attorney General and my colleagues in advancing this legislation. With so many exciting policy initiatives, please stay tuned for the next few installments of this monthly newsletter; we’ll continue to share details of legislative priorities. We’ll also get to work on filing (or re-filing) any needed home rule petitions, which aren’t subject to that Joint Rule 12 deadline.
Bills signed into law The Governor also finished up business from the 193rd legislative session by holding bill signing ceremonies for An Act Relative to Treatments and Coverage for Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Coach Licensure, An Act Relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs, and Transparency, and An Act Enhancing the Market Review Process. I contributed to several provisions in each of these bills, and was glad cheer on that they are now law. If you’d like to learn more about any of these important pieces of legislation, please revisit my January newsletter, where we delve into the important policy initiatives carried through these newly minted laws.
State of the Commonwealth On January 16, Governor Maura Healey delivered her 2025 State of the Commonwealth address. Her speech emphasized some of the most pressing challenges in our state - transportation, housing, and education - while ensuring opportunity for all residents. A centerpiece of her address was a transformative proposal to invest $2.5 billion over the next decade in our state’s aging higher education infrastructure. This funding would address deferred maintenance and decarbonization efforts at the University of Massachusetts, state universities, and community colleges. Governor Healey also highlighted her commitment to leveraging the state’s Fair Share amendment, which was approved by voters in 2022, to fund this initiative. This initiative builds on the Healey Driscoll administration's broader strategy to strengthen public institutions and make Massachusetts a leader in higher education and economic competitiveness.
Building on the Administration’s success over the past two years to obtain more federal and state funds to improve roads, bridges and the MBTA, Governor Healey outlined a strategy to invest $8 billion into the state’s transportation infrastructure and stabilizing MBTA finances. This plan, which acts upon the recommendations of the Governor’s Transportation Funding Task Force, is not expected to raise taxes and represents the largest state transportation investment in 20 years. Transportation will be a significant topic in this session. With Cape Codders and Islanders reliant on bridges and ferries, we’re gearing up to make sure our issues are on the agenda.
Governor Healey, during her address, also highlighted our shared accomplishments over the last two years, including the state’s first tax cuts in 20 years ($1 billion!) and groundbreaking support for affordable early education. She celebrated crucial strides in housing through the Affordable Homes Act, which has already created new homes and opportunities for first-time homeownership. While this newsletter often focuses on the seasonal community designation and the ADU by-right provisions of the Affordable Homes Act, the larger bill created a whopping 49 new housing policies that will help achieve the state’s housing production goals. We need to build 270,000 housing units by the end of the decade — no easy feat!
Governor Healey closed her address by calling on us to honor Massachusetts’ revolutionary history as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Together, she said, we can build a future that reflects our shared values of resilience, innovation, and inclusion. Amen! |
| | LATEST EVENTSFrom the District & Beyond! |
| | Cape & Islands Electeds This month, with the General Court reconvening for a new two-year session, I joined with the newly minted Dean of our Cape and Islands Legislative Delegation, Rep. Dave Vieira of Teaticket, to convene a meeting of the eight of us who represent Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket with us in the Legislature. This meeting was an opportunity for the legislative delegation to continue to work together in the collaborative bipartisan tradition that long preceded my tenure in the Legislature. We took time to discuss our shared legislative agenda, coordination of our efforts, and identifying the key challenges and opportunities confronting the region as we move forward in 2025. We hashed out shared regional priorities – environment, transportation, economic development, and housing – and reiterated our shared commitment to advocating and delivering for everyone who lives in this special place. I’m grateful for the collaborative spirit of our delegation. At a time when national politics is bitterly partisan and rancorous, I’m grateful to serve alongside colleagues who are focused on the people’s business. |
| | Police Chiefs I joined my colleagues in the Cape and Islands Legislative Delegation for a meeting with our region’s police chiefs. These annual gatherings are valuable in understanding the challenges, needs, and opportunities facing law enforcement in our unique coastal and island communities.
What followed was a robust conversation between the delegation and police chiefs from Bourne to Provincetown, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. We pulled apart the challenges facing law enforcement in terms of funding, officer recruitment and retention, particularly amidst implementation of the requirements of police reform passed into law in 2020. The challenges facing law enforcement in many ways mirror those facing our community at large – with housing being a driving factor in the difficulty Island and Cape towns have in ensuring a steady flow of local officers entering and advancing through their careers in our District. I’m grateful to our police chiefs for their dedication and for taking the time to share their perspectives with me and my colleagues. |
| |  | Housing Advocates Housing is, has been, and will remain my number one priority. With that top of mind, we brought together housing advocacy and development stakeholders covering all of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket for a meeting for the Cape and Islands Legislative Delegation members. We have a number of wins to celebrate in our work to build and preserve affordable and attainable housing on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
We started our discussion with an overview of the Seasonal Communities Designation, a provision which I was proud to author and is now law in the Affordable Homes Act. This designation provides a toolkit specifically designed to be used by seasonal communities – like those in the Cape & Islands District – to conserve, convert, and construct year-round housing. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is currently working to issue draft regulations to implement Seasonal Communities, and this meeting was an opportunity to get early feedback to inform my input to that process as the Senate member of the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council.
We also dedicated a good portion of our conversation to the need for a dedicated revenue stream to support housing in our communities. I remain committed to pushing for and securing a local-option transfer fee to fund this work. We need a transfer fee now; the funds needed to meet our housing costs cannot be generated by any means currently available to our towns – bonding or property tax increases are not designed to meet this need. The transfer fee asks those who drive up housing costs with their purchase of luxury seasonal homes to pay for the right to enjoy vibrant, sustainable year-round communities. The local-option transfer fee is the mechanism to do just that. |
| |  | Superintendents & School Committees |
| This month, the Cape and Islands Delegation continued our proud tradition of meeting with the region’s school superintendents and school committee members. The meeting was organized by the Cape Cod Collaborative, a vital organization that pools resources across school districts in the region to ensure students with special education needs receive the quality education and support they deserve. Under the leadership of Dr. Hope Hanscom, the Collaborative continues to be a vital special education resource.
I participated in a breakout session focused on facilities, where we discussed ongoing conversations in the Legislature to allow collaboratives like Cape Cod Collaborative to bond and access Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funds. This change would be significant for the viability of collaboratives, and I urged school leaders to make their voices heard and weigh in now as these conversations take shape.
Another break out session focused on interdependence highlighted shifts in school enrollment, with a decline in overall numbers but a rise in the number of English Language Learner (ELL) students across the region. This raises questions about how we manage enrollment and dis-enrollment during the seasonal population flux on the Cape and Islands as this greatly affects state aid levels apportioned to Districts. We also discussed the importance of expanding shared programming between districts to provide students with tangible workforce opportunities.
Like many sectors, our schools face workforce challenges, with districts looking to the Commonwealth and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for both guidance and support. The Collaborative also highlighted the challenges of housing for municipal employees, including our teachers. With the ongoing work to implement the Seasonal Communities Designation, I remain committed to finding solutions that will enable towns to provide housing options for the workforce we all rely on. |
| I also had the opportunity to share my thinking about recently amplified challenges facing our schools, including how to best support students regardless of their immigration status, background, or identity. From book bans to attacks on LGBTQ+ students, we are seeing troubling interference in our public schools that runs counter to the values of inclusion and free expression that voters have fought hard to uphold. These challenges underscore the need to protect the significant investments made in our schools.
This meeting was a timely reminder of the interconnected nature of our schools and communities. Whether through state investments in facilities or policies that support all students, regardless of their background, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to quality public education. |
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| | |  | The CLAMS Library Network was our second stop on a day of Delegation meetings, hosting us at the vibrant Eldredge Public Library in Chatham. The Eldredge Public Library, like libraires across Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, is an example of how our libraries are more than just a place to borrow and return materials, but community centers that serve as a source of learning, support, and engagement with those all around us. |
| | I was delighted to learn more about the programing available at libraires in each of our communities – designed to engage our spirits and mind through the long winter months. And I spoke about my work to address the troubling trend of banning books we are seeing across the county. Massachusetts is not immune; alarmingly, we have the 4th highest number of book challenges in the county! I was proud to reintroduce An Act regarding free expression to address this very issue. |
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| My bill declares unequivocally that it is the view of the General Court and the Commonwealth that book bans do not belong in our libraries – be they open to the general public or within the walls of a school. And sets out reasonable standards to ensure that where material is age appropriate, it can not be restricted by narrow views of its contents which would impose the values of others on us all. I look forward to continuing to support libraires, librarians, and library patrons in having safe and reliable access to materials and supports in these essential community centers. |
| | Cape and Islands Fire Chiefs The Cape and Islands Delegation rounded out our day of in-person Delegation meetings by sitting down with members of the Cape and Islands Fire Chiefs Association at Chatham Fire and Rescueto hear from our first responders of their priorities and concerns. In the hour and a half we all spent together we discussed a number of priorities – from ensuring continued access to free health screenings and guidance firefighters and EMTs can share with their own physicians, to critical legislation which will ensure the health and safety of those tasked with running into fires where the rest of us are urged to run away. And we previewed the new tools that will become available to them through the Seasonal Communities Designation. As with employers from every other sector of our economy, fire departments are struggling to find and retain staff because of the persistent and pervasive housing crisis. |
| | OUT AND ABOUT IN THE DISTRICT |
| Meeting with Barnstable Leaders This month, I was pleased to be able to sit down and speak with the new leaders of the Barnstable Town Council – Council President Craig Tamash, Precinct 4, and Council Vice President Kris Clark, Precinct 11. We discussed the challenges and opportunities facing Barnstable and their goals and aspirations for the coming year. Our local select boards and town councils are the crucial component of municipal governance and the most readily accessible component of government. While I represent 19 communities, even with how present I am in the district I don’t always get to have those crucial interactions at the transfer station or grocery store in all our communities to get your most immediate feedback.
Top of our collective list of priorities were housing, PFAS mitigation, and ensuring maximum benefit to towns who host offshore wind infrastructure. We discussed raising the threshold for veteran property tax work off, a priority that Kris Clark has worked with me to champion. We also spoke about the opportunity that will be afforded to towns that will be designated as Seasonal Communities under the Affordable Homes Act and my continued steadfast commitment to advance a local option transfer fee which the Town can use to build its own future when it comes to housing.
I’m grateful to Craig and Kris for making time to sit down with me, and I look forward to a fruitful and productive partnership in the year to come with Craig and Kris and so many of our leaders and partners at the local level. |
| | | Chief Beal / Barnstable Fire Department Barnstable Fire Chief Christopher Beal was kind enough to spend part of his afternoon giving me a tour of the Barnstable Fire Station on Main Street in Barnstable Village and briefing me on the long-awaited plans for a new fire station. Since its founding in 1935, Barnstable Fire has made the most of every square inch of its original site. Over the past 40 years, the department has transitioned from an all-volunteer force to a fully staffed professional department, with six firefighters on duty during the day and five at night, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
Chief Beal walked me through the details of the upcoming project, which will relocate Barnstable Fire to a new, state-of-the-art facility on Phinney’s Lane at the current site of the Barnstable Water Department. This $35 million, 28,854-square-foot station is designed to meet the department’s needs for the next 50 to 70 years, allowing for growth to 10 firefighters per shift and offering on-site training facilities for both Barnstable Fire and other departments across the region. These investments will ensure that first responders on the Cape have the tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe.
I look forward to the project leaping from the drafting board into reality in the coming year. |
| |  | West Barnstable Civic Association Annual Meeting The annual general membership meeting of the West Barnstable Civic Association was a chance to hear about the important work they’re doing and share updates on efforts to support communities across Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. With a flurry of legislative activity as the 193rd General Court drew to a close, I highlighted key victories for our state. We passed major health care reforms to rein in the harmful effects of private equity in hospital networks, control the rising cost of prescription medications, and combat the opioid epidemic that continues to devastate families in our community. Housing remains one of our most urgent challenges—not just in Barnstable but across the Commonwealth. The passage of the Affordable Homes Act provides a comprehensive suite of policies and tools, including the Seasonal Communities Designation, to address our housing shortage. Massachusetts needs 270,000 new homes to meet demand, and I remain committed to working with local and state partners to expand affordable and attainable housing options. Efforts to secure funding for critical infrastructure needs were top of mind. While we’ve made progress in securing $1.7 billion in federal funding, we must think creatively about how to finance the replacement of the Bourne Bridge, as this level of federal support is unlikely to be repeated. Meanwhile, the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund continues to be a major success, saving Cape Cod taxpayers $204 million in wastewater project costs. |
| | | Meet Bob! Along with the first day of my fifth term in the Senate, the new year brought to my office our new Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Bob Keary. Bob is a Provincetown-based writer, community organizer, and lifelong hospitality professional. If you have been to a bar or restaurant in Provincetown in the last 20 years, chances are you have experienced his warmth, humor, and top-notch service, traits that will serve him well in his new role. |
| Or maybe you’ve caught an episode of his weekly morning news program “Wake Up! in Provincetown” on YouTube or Facebook, on which he and his team interview members of the Outer Cape community and promote upcoming events in town. I’ve been a guest on “Wake Up!” many times, and I have always been impressed by how Bob’s love for his community shines through in each interview. As someone who has spent the last two decades toiling away on the seasonal seesaw that is the Provincetown economy, Bob understands firsthand many of the challenges that face the residents of the Cape and Islands, particularly the housing and affordability crises that have intensified dramatically since he washed ashore in 2005. |
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| “During my first 10 years in Provincetown, I lived in five different apartments,” Bob said recently. "None of those apartments are available to rent to a worker anymore. Most were turned into condos and are currently being used as second homes or vacation rentals, sitting empty most of the year. I’ve witnessed the housing shortage and decimation of the rental market worsen in real time, and I am very excited to work with Senator Cyr, whose top priority is expanding the availability and affordability of housing for year-round residents. It’s a message and a mission statement I will work tirelessly to amplify and share.” |
| | | | Almost a year ago to the day, we said goodbye and good luck to my friend Dan Gessen, the Deputy Speaker and Falmouth representative to the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, as he embarked on a year-long deployment to Iraq with the Army National Guard. To no one’s surprise, Dan insisted on remotely performing his duties as Falmouth’s representative to Barnstable County while simultaneously serving his country abroad (talk about multitasking!)
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| A couple weeks ago, Dan safely returned home, and I was delighted when he accepted a fellowship in our office thru the summer before he heads off to law school (maybe I’ll luck out and he’ll come back to work after graduating, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it). I’ve worked with Dan off and on since he volunteered on my first campaign as a fifteen-year-old high school student in 2016. I am so glad to have such a passionate public servant and diligent organizer back on the team! |
| | Heidi Nelson Retirement Party On January 3rd, I was happy to attend the retirement party for Duffy Health Center CEO Heidi Nelson. For the past 15 years, Heidi’s leadership at Duffy has been nothing short of extraordinary, building an enduring legacy, guiding the center with compassion, vision, and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of so many in Barnstable and beyond. Heidi's tireless commitment to addressing homelessness and healthcare disparities has inspired us all and made a lasting impact on the community. I hope that as Heidi steps into this next chapter that it is filled with joy, relaxation, and plenty of time to spend with those she loves most. Thank you for everything you’ve done for some of the most vulnerable people on Cape Cod and shared with us! |
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