News Briefs

Rodent Control and How You Can Help

The Town of Winthrop has been actively engaged in rodent control measures in various locations in the Town of Winthrop. Currently the main focus of the rodent-control program is townwide.

Some reasons the rodents are thriving even with extermination efforts are many, and this is where the residents have to do their part to deny the rodents a steady food supply. The following must be done by residents of the town to eliminate the food supply:

1. Store all trash in barrels with tight fitting lids. No trash bags can be stored exterior to the premises. All recyclables should be stored in rodent resistant barrels as well. Use the included labels to repurpose trash barrels for different uses.

All yard areas must have lawns mowed and bushes trimmed to deny cover to the rodents as they move from yard to yard.All gardens should be sized for the actual use of the family in residence. Large gardens that are not cultivated and maintained supply food and cover to the rodents.Fruit from fruit trees that bear fruit but that is inedible by humans must be continuously cleaned up and properly stored in rodent resistant containers until disposal. These trees should be removed if they are bearing inedible fruit. All stagnant water must be eliminated. Pour out empty buckets and barrels, bird baths, stagnant ornamental ponds and eliminate all ponding water. All compost piles and yard waste should be removed or properly maintained in rodent resistant containers.

 

House Passes Resolution to Honor Community Health Centers

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, Rep. RoseLee Vincent and Rep. Adrian Madaro joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to co-sponsor a resolution marking National Health Center Week. The legislation recognizes the vital role that community health centers play in providing comprehensive services that are responsive to the populations they serve.

In passing the resolution, DeLeo praised East Boston Neighborhood Health Center for the exceptional work of its medical providers and staff, high-quality medical services, and longstanding commitment to the community, local schools and non-profit organizations.

“Community health centers are essential to the fabric of the Massachusetts healthcare system,” said Speaker DeLeo. “These institutions are often the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, not only providing medical care, but also helping children and families to thrive. In fact, I am proud to say that my district is served by one of the leading community health centers in the Commonwealth, EBNHC. I thank community health centers both for the incredible work they do locally and their commitment to healthcare reform.”

“Health centers, like the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, play a vital role in serving the health needs of vulnerable populations in our communities, and I thank all local health centers for the work they perform day-in and day-out to ensure that our seniors and underserved populations are receiving access to critical services,” said Representative Vincent.  “The people of Revere are very fortunate to be served by the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, one of the leading local health centers in the region.  I am proud to stand with Speaker DeLeo and my colleagues in the House in recognizing National Health Center Week. ”

“As a lifelong resident of East Boston and a former board member of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, I know well the positive impact that Community Health Centers have on residents,” said Representative Madaro. “The EBNHC provides a range of services – from primary care and pediatrics, to the Neighborhood PACE Program and 24/7 Emergency Department – addressing the health and well-being of all our community’s needs. The Commonwealth should continue to support these important community institutions that protect our most vulnerable residents.”

Community health centers have played a central role in health reform and continue to help ensure high-quality, cost-effective healthcare for all Massachusetts residents. The nation’s first community health center was founded in Boston in 1965 and since that time they have remained committed to their founding mission of accessible and responsive healthcare.