Hello everyone,
We hope you all are shoveled out from the winter storm and were able to keep warm despite this week’s frigid temperatures. As a reminder our office remains available to assist constituents with applications for fuel assistance or to locate a nearby warming center.
A huge thank you is in order to all of the DPW crews, first responders, and utility workers who braved last weekend’s storm and worked tirelessly in the cold to clear our roads and keep our communities safe. Thank you!
While the storm unfortunately impacted our monthly office hours in Westfield on Monday, Team Velis remained hard at work. To kick off the week, Bridget joined Holyoke Community College for their annual legislative breakfast which was moved to a virtual location to ensure everyone remained safe. We are fortunate to have such a robust community college in our district. Whether providing high school students their first college experiences or helping adults learn new skills, Holyoke Community College is always making significant contributions to our communities!
This week our office was proud to join members of the Massachusetts State Senate in strongly urging the Department of Public Utilities to reject any proposal from utility companies to charge residents interest on payment deferral plans intended to provide relief. Heating assistance should be about helping families stay warm during the winter, not about turning a profit. In addition to this week’s letter, the Senator has been pushing several bills before the legislature that aim to reduce delivery charges and high rates that so many constituents are seeing on their bills each month. As everyday costs continue to rise, Senator Velis and our office remain steadfast in our commitment to focusing on policies and initiatives that prioritize affordability and support everyday families.
Prior to the weekend, Team Velis participated in the Human Service Forum Annual Legislative Reception. Each year, Senator Velis looks forward to this gathering as it brings together so many dedicated front line community providers to advocate for the issues that will best support their efforts in assisting our community’s most vulnerable residents. Although the Senator was unable to attend this year, our office greatly appreciated the opportunity to represent him and engage with attendees on his behalf. Later that day, we attended the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council’s inaugural roundtable discussion with their new President, and proud Holyoke resident, Aaron Vega. Our office and the Senator look forward to continuing to collaborate with Aaron in his new role to enhance economic opportunities not only in Holyoke but throughout Western Massachusetts.
This week Team Velis held office hours in Russell and Southampton. Next week we will be hosting office hours at the Agawam Council on Aging on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you are unable to make office hours, you can reach us by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely, 
Team Velis