BOSTON - A school bus anti-idling measure filed by state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, has cleared one of its first hurdles.
The Legislature's Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture reported the bill out favorably on Tuesday afternoon. It's now expected to be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
The measure would ban commercial and personal vehicles from excessive idling on school grounds to promote cleaner air. Downing has described the tailpipe emission as being "very similar to a massive amount of cigarette smoke and that gets pumped right into the school."
"With the recent steps Massachusetts has taken to elevate the practice of energy conservation and sound environmental stewardship, this proposal is a logical and necessary step toward addressing air quality and ensuring cleaner air for our schools and the people who learn and work there," said Downing in statement Tuesday. "This is a public health measure as much as it is an environmental initiative and I am pleased that it has moved forward today."
Downing is the sponsor of the bill (S. 2357) with state Rep. Stephen R. Canessa, D-Lakeville. It's based on the anti-idling efforts of Rick Gregg of Lenox. Lenox and Williamstown are among the towns and cities that have already taken action against excessive idling.
The legislation was drafted with the intent to promote clean air at Massachusetts schools. Downing said he and Canessa worked with the Joint Committee on revisions to address concerns raised at the panel's public hearing for the bill.
The legislation released Tuedsay maintains the original intent of the bill by preserving the engine-idling ban on school grounds, while redefining "school grounds" as a 100-foot circumference encasing school property rather than the proposed 1,000-foot circumference in order to increase the likelihood of compliance in urban school districts.
The legislation also mandates every public or private elementary, vocational and secondary school to post "no idling" signs conspicuously in their loading/unloading zones so that the signs are clearly visible to motorists. Approved signs and templates for signage design may be obtained from the state's Department of Environmental Protection and must be posted effective Aug. 1, 2009.
“This anti-idling movement will assist in further educating motorists on the negative impacts of unnecessary engine idling, which in turn will help protect our health, safety and environment,†said Canessa in a statement.
Downing and Canessa filed the bill in mid-September, quickly attracting the support of 48 legislative co-sponsors.
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles.
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours.
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
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