HEAT Legislation Passed to Assist with the High Cost of Winter Heating

HEAT legislation passed to assist with the high cost of winter heating:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw05/s1050140.htm 

• $800 income tax deduction for home heating expenses for individuals who make less than $50,000 per year/families up to $75,000.

• Tax credit of up to $600 for the purchase of energy-saving products such as high-efficiency furnaces, home insulation, new window installation, etc.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding increases from 7.5 to 20 million. Households with incomes up to 200% of Federal Poverty level would receive a maximum benefit of $545 for electric or gas heat, and a maximum of $675 for oil, propane or kerosene heat.
• Established a 15% or $300 tax credit for businesses that install solar water heating systems.
• Extends a tax credit to developers, owners and tenants of multi-family and commercial- residential buildings who invest in measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
• Renewable Energy Trust Fund to partner with state and private entities to develop fuel cell technology.

Boxford Recycling Grant

TARR, HILL, L’ITALIEN ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE GRANT
ENHANCING BOXFORD RECYCLING PROGRAM

BOSTON – Senate Minority Whip Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Representative Bradford Hill (R-Ipswich) and Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) said today that the Town of Boxford has received a Municipal Recycling Grant administered through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Boxford will receive 3,190 consumer education mailers, valued at $574.

“Recycling is important to our environment and our quality of life, and its success depends on local initiative and leadership,” said Tarr who is a member of the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. “This grant will allow the Town of Boxford to move forward in its community recycling efforts, which will ultimately create a better environment for future generations. These programs are important in protecting the environment in the Commonwealth and throughout the country.”

“I am extremely pleased to see that Boxford has been recognized for its continued commitment to recycling,” added Hill. “Working to preserve our environment helps to ensure that future generations have access to the many natural resources unique to the region, which need to be protected.”

“I am pleased that the Town of Boxford is receiving this grant from the Department of Environmental Protection,” said L’Italien. “It is extremely important that we continue to recycle in order to preserve the beauty of Boxford for generations to come.”

Since 1990, DEP has awarded over $41 million in recycling equipment, household hazardous waste equipment, educational materials and technical assistance to municipalities. These grants play a vital role in building the state’s recycling infrastructure and making it more cost-effective for communities to recycle, thereby reducing the environmental and health impacts of waste management.

North Andover Local Funding

TORRISI AND L’ITALIEN ANNOUNCE GRANT SUPPORTING NORTH ANDOVER COUNCIL ON AGING

BOSTON – Representatives David Torrisi (D-North Andover), and Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today the North Andover Council on Aging (COA) has received a Formula Grant through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The Council advocates for older adult and works to identify and meet their health, economic, social and cultural needs, to encourage maximum independence and to improve their quality of life.

Valued at $24,538, this grant will enable the North Andover Senior Center to support its current employees and defray the mailing costs associated with the monthly newsletter. The caring staff at the North Andover senior center has been central in fostering a sense of community among the town’s elderly population and is crucial to the center’s continued success.

“This grant reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to Massachusetts seniors and the local agencies that provide them with valuable guidance and services,” Torrisi said. “North Andover’s Council on Aging has proven successful in effectively attending to the various needs of the community’s elderly population and is certainly deserving of the state’s continued financial support.

“The North Andover Senior Center provides a welcoming environment for socialization, education, health monitoring and advocacy. I am pleased that they are receiving this State grant as they have been stretched in a time of state, federal and local budget cutbacks,” remarked L’Italien. “Congratulations and keep up your exemplary service to North Andover.”

Formula Grants are calculated based on a municipality’s population over age 60, multiplied by $5.43. Each COA determines its own priorities for expenditures from a broad range of eligible costs established by Elder Affairs. The FY05 Budget included an additional $600,000 which will provide all COA programs with a funding increase of 10% over last fiscal year.