State Moves To Address ‘Frustrating’ Vaccine Rollout: Patch PM

BURLINGTON, MA — It's Thursday, January 28. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Gov. Charlie Baker acknowledged a "very frustrating day" for those 75 years old and older who registered for a coronavirus vaccination appointment.
• School districts can expect more in state aid as Baker’s proposed budget included full funding for the once-delayed Student Opportunity Act.
• Boston’s mayoral race got another candidate, while questions surround another potential candidate who is resigning from the head of the police department.

Scroll down for those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Wednesday's Top Story

Gov. Charlie Baker acknowledged a "very frustrating day" on the first day that those 75 and older were able to register for a coronavirus vaccination appointment in Phase Two of the state's vaccine rollout on Wednesday.

Baker said that 10,000 appointment spots at the mass vaccination sites in Danvers and Springfield were "booked within hours" and 40,000 openings for the Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium sites released Thursday morning were booked by noon. He said 15,000 additional spots in Danvers and Springfield were "being booked" as of midday Thursday.

The 100,000 openings for next week represent a 20,000 increase in the federal allotment expected for next week and are in addition to the 8,000 appointments available through eight CVS sites statewide.

Read the full story.

Today’s Other Top Stories In Massachusetts

This race is just getting started: Hours after another city councilor declared her candidacy to become Boston’s next mayor, the city’s police commissioner retired amid speculation that he’ll be running as well. City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi George celebrated her kickoff event at East Boston High School Thursday morning, right before Mayor Marty Walsh’s administration announced Commissioner William Gross would be retiring Friday.

If you gotta go, you gotta go: Worcester City Councilors at Tuesday's meeting asked city leaders to explore ways to increase public restroom options in the downtown area after several reliable bathrooms closed in the pandemic. The effort is backed by a key business group because people are using doorways and other outdoor spaces as a substitute, creating a health hazard.

No you can’t, yes we can: The Melrose School Committee has asked a state agency to dismiss the teachers' union's motion to suspend in-person learning. The Melrose Education Association argues certain coronavirus metrics the city has already surpassed should trigger full remote learnings, but the district says an agreement between the two sides clearly states it’s the superintendent’s call.

By The Numbers

$197.7 million: That’s how much Chapter 70 state aid would increase to local school districts in Baker’s proposed FY22 budget. That money is meant to help with costs associated with low-income students, special education services, English language learners, guidance and psychological services and employee health benefits.

• Aid To Andover Schools To Increase 1% Under Baker Budget Proposal

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