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NOTICE: - While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data herein, this is NOT the official version of Senate Journal. It is published to provide information in a timely manner, but has not been proofread against the events of the session for this day. All information obtained from this source should be checked against a proofed copy of the Senate Journal. |
Monday, April 27, 1998.
Met at three minutes past eleven o'clock A.M.
A communication from the Department of Public Health relative to the inspection and plan of correction of MCI-Lancaster (received Monday, April 27, 1998),— was placed on file.
A report of the Bureau of Special Investigations (under the provisions of Section 15D(6) of Chapter 22 of the General Laws) submitting a report of its activities for the month of March 1998 (received Thursday, April 23, 1998),— was read and sent to the House for its information.
A report of the Public Employee Retirement Administration
Commission (under the provisions of Section 50 of Chapter 7 of the General Laws) submitting
proposed rules and regulations governing the investment and accounting practices of the public
pension systems in Massachusetts (Senate, No. 2188) (received Friday, April 24, 1998),—
was referred to the committee on Public Service.
Sent to the House for concurrence.
Petitions were presented and referred, as follows:
By Mr. Brewer, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Stephen M. Brewer for legislation
relative to expression by public secondary school students; and
By Mr. Montigny, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation
relative to long term care residents who are the subject of probate court proceedings;
Severally, under Senate Rule 20, to the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting
concurrently.
Bills
Further regulating waterskiing (printed as Senate, No. 1134,— on Senate, No. 1134 and
House, No. 2763);
Relative to the taxation of certain real property (House, No. 4669,— on House, No. 837);
and
Further regulating the construction of statutes (House, No. 4962,— on petition);
Were severally read and, under Senate Rule 26, referred to the committee on Steering and
Policy.
A Bill relative to a certain retired employee of the town of Reading (House, No. 5389,— on petition) [Local approval received] (Senator Moore of the committee on Public Service dissenting),— was read and, under Senate Rule 26, placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session.
A message from His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, Acting Governor, recommending legislation relative to clarifying the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court (House, No. 5449),— was referred, in concurrence, to the committee on the Judiciary.
The President announced the resignation of Senator Jacques of Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex as a member of the committee on Bills in the Third Reading and the appointment of Senator Fargo of Fifth Middlesex to fill the vacancy.
By Mr. Norton, for the committees on Rules of the two branches,
acting concurrently, that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the Senate petition of Richard R. Tisei
and Brian M. Cresta for legislation to authorize the Division of Capital Planning and Operations
to grant a strip of real property located in the town of Wakefield to the owner of the abutting
property.
Senate Rule 36 was suspended, on motion of Mr. Tisei, and the report was considered
forthwith. Joint Rule 12 was suspended; and the petition (accompanied by bill) was referred to
the committee on State Administration.
Sent to the House for concurrence.
Petitions were referred, in concurrence, as follows:
Petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5463) of Ellen Story (by vote of the town) relative to
the nomination of town meeting members in the town of Amherst;
To the committee on Election Laws.
Petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5464) of Bradley H. Jones,
Jr., and Bruce E. Tarr (by vote of the town) that the town of North Reading be authorized to
establish a special fund for the payment of costs of certain benefits of employees of said town;
and
Petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5465) of Mary Jeanette Murray (by vote of the town)
relative to the powers and duties of the town manager of the town of Cohasset;
Severally to the committee on Local Affairs.
Petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5471) of Charles A.
Murphy, James R. Miceli, Bruce E. Tarr and Brian Knuuttila relative to the noncriminal
disposition of public health violations by cities and towns;
Under suspension of Joint Rule 12, to the committee on Local Affairs.
Petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5472) of Paul E. Caron and
other members of the General Court relative to designating the song "Say Hello to Someone in
Massachusetts" as the official polka of the Commonwealth;
Under suspension of Joint Rule 12, to the committee on State Administration.
An engrossed Bill relative to construction of certain dwellings in the
town of Wilmington (see House Bill, printed as Senate, No. 992, amended) (which originated in
the House), having been certified by the Senate Clerk to be rightly and truly prepared for final
passage, was put upon its final passage.
Pending the question on passing the bill to be engrossed, on motion of Mr. Brewer, Senate Rule
49 was suspended.
An amendment, presented by Mr. Tarr, that the engrossed bill be amended by striking out, in
line 2, the word "there",— was read and adopted.
Sent to the House for concurrence in the amendment.
Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Birmingham, Havern, Tolman and
Travaglini) "honoring Pamela Thomure for her leadership and dedicated service to the
Cambridge Democratic City Committee", were referred, under the rule, to the committee on
Rules.
Subsequently, Mr. Norton, for the said committee, reported, recommending that the
resolutions ought to be adopted; and they were considered forthwith, under a suspension of the
rules, moved by Ms. Murray, and adopted.
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Brewer) "on the occasion of the retirement
of Robert Byard as Superintendent of Schools in Belchertown", were referred, under the rule, to
the committee on Rules.
Subsequently, Mr. Norton, for the said committee, reported, recommending that the
resolutions ought to be adopted; and they were considered forthwith, under a suspension of the
rules, moved by Ms. Murray, and adopted.
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Durand) "congratulating Police Chief
Thomas W. O'Dea of the Littleton Police Department on the occasion of his retirement", were
referred, under the rule, to the committee on Rules.
Subsequently, Mr. Norton, for the said committee, reported, recommending that the
resolutions ought to be adopted; and they were considered forthwith, under a suspension of the
rules, moved by Ms. Murray, and adopted.
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Durand) "congratulating Paul J. Tiernan on
the occasion of his retirement from the Littleton Board of Selectmen", were referred, under the
rule, to the committee on Rules.
Subsequently, Mr. Norton, for the said committee, reported, recommending that the
resolutions ought to be adopted; and they were considered forthwith, under a suspension of the
rules, moved by Ms. Murray, and adopted.
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Pacheco) "commending John N. DeCosta for
his many years of dedicated service to the town of Mattapoisett", were referred, under the rule,
to the committee on Rules.
Subsequently, Mr. Norton, for the said committee, reported, recommending that the
resolutions ought to be adopted; and they were considered forthwith, under a suspension of the
rules, moved by Ms. Murray, and adopted.
The President announced the resignation of Senator Fargo of Fifth Middlesex as a member of the committee on Bills in the Third Reading and the reappointment of Senator Jacques of Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex thereto.
On motion of Ms. Melconian,—
Ordered, That when the Senate adjourns today, it adjourn to meet again on Wednesday
next at eleven o'clock A.M., and that the Clerk be directed to dispense with the printing of a
calendar.
On motion of Mr. Lees, at ten minutes past eleven o'clock A.M., the Senate adjourned to meet on the following Wednesday at eleven o'clock A.M.