News Briefs

CCS Vaccinates Over 500 and Continues Weekly Clinics

Commonwealth Clinical Services, Inc., (CCS) Winthrop’s Visiting Nurse Asso-ciation/Home Health Care Agency, will be hosting another vaccination clinic at St. Michael’s Gym (formerly St. John’s) offering both Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations for first, second, third, and booster doses.  CCS is offering the Pfizer vaccine to ages 5+, 12-18, and Moderna vaccine will also be offered to adults 18+.  Those who do not have computer access to register can call our offices at 617-846-7676 (RNRN).

When:  Thursday, February 10, 2022

Time:    3pm-7pm

Where:  Saint Michael’s Gymnasium (formerly St. John’s), 229 Lincoln Street, Winthrop, MA

“We are thrilled that we have been able to vaccinate over 500 people.  We look forward to con-tinuing our work to help eradicate this pandemic,” said Sandra Hurley, RN, MBA, NE-BC, Execu-tive Director of Commonwealth Clinical Services, Inc.

 How to Register:  Go to Commonwealth Clinical Services, Inc. website at ccscare.com and click on the link on our homepage OR follow the link at: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/ccs

Public Hearing for MBTA Fare Tariff Changes

 The MBTA will host a virtual public hearing on Thursday, February 17, at 6 p.m. to discuss fare change proposals that aim to improve equity by closing gaps in existing fare structures for Reduced Fare Riders, to minimize pandemic-related revenue implications and budget uncertainties while increasing ridership where possible, and to simplify fare tariff rules as the MBTA’s Fare Transformation Program moves forward. These changes include:

• Making the 5-Day FlexPass on mTicket for Commuter Rail permanent;

• Reducing the price of the 1-Day LinkPass;

• Expanding second transfers on Local Buses, Express Buses, and/or Subway; and

• Proposed changes for Reduced Fare Riders that include:

• Introducing the 7-Day LinkPass for Reduced Fare Riders;

• Introducing Monthly Passes for Reduced Fare Riders on Commuter Rail, Ferry, and Express Bus; and

• Expanding the validity of the LinkPass for Reduced Fare Riders to Commuter Rail Zone 1A and Inner Harbor Ferry.

The MBTA welcomes public comment on these proposals. During the meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

The meeting will be held via Zoom. Members of the public can register for the meeting online. The meeting will be recorded and posted online for those who cannot attend.

A virtual public meeting will also be held next Thursday, February 10, at 6 p.m..

If approved by the full MBTA Board in March, these fare changes would go into effect on July 1, 2022. The public is welcome to submit comments online through Thursday, March 3, 2022, at mbta.com/2022FareChanges or by email to publicengagement@mbta.com. The Title VI analysis will be shared with the MBTA’s Board and posted to mbta.com prior to the scheduled March 24, 2022, Board meeting. 

MCU Introduces New Mortgage

Metro Credit Union, Massachusetts’ largest state-chartered credit union, today announced it will begin offering a 40-year mortgage to its members, which includes options for jumbo loans and bi-weekly payments.

“Metro is very excited to add the 40-year mortgage to our existing line-up of mortgage offerings” said Robert Cashman, CEO and President of Metro Credit Union. “The 40-year mortgage will be attractive not only to first-time homebuyers, but also to anyone having difficulty meeting loan qualifications, as well as for existing homebuyers who want to trade up to a bigger home.”

This new program will make becoming a homeowner a reality for more individuals, including first-time homebuyers who are having difficulty getting into the market. Extending the mortgage term to 40 years results in a lower monthly mortgage payment, offering housing affordability for many who are currently priced out of the market, or those having difficulty refinancing an existing loan.

For more information about Metro Credit Union, please visit MetroCU.org or follow Metro on LinkedIn.