November was an eventful month for the Chamber’s Government Affairs Council. The council held its regular monthly meeting on November 9, with members attending in person and via Zoom. Meeting topics included finalizing the agenda for the November 19 Cape Ann Caucus and an update on Ipswich activities and issues from Town Manager Tony Marino. Other topics discussed at the council’s November meeting included impacts of Manchester’s indoor face covering mandate on local businesses, and the upcoming meeting of the town’s Board of Health.

The fall meeting of the Cape Ann Caucus was held at Maritime Gloucester with 30 attendees, including Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and Gloucester’s Mayor-elect Greg Verga. Representative Ferrante and Senator Tarr provided a State House update, with a focus on House and Senate actions appropriating $3.65 billion from a combination of federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) and state surplus funds. A House-Senate conference committee appointed to resolve differences had not completed its work by the end of formal legislative sessions earlier in the week, so our legislators were uncertain as to when a final bill would be approved and sent to the Governor.

The Government Affairs Council leads the Chamber’s focus on economic development and public policy, one of our key platforms. This council meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30 to 9 AM, and participation is open to any Chamber member with an interest in being engaged with our state and local government and helping foster a vibrant Cape Ann economy. Currently, those who are part of our monthly meetings include representatives from Cape Ann’s industrial, tourism, government, real estate, legal, non-profit and services sectors. To learn more or join in these meetings, please contact Ken, Olivia, Peter or me. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14.

Bill Scott
Chair, Government Affairs Council
Scott Energy Company