Joint Committee on Public Service hears three home rule petitions at 22nd hearing

BOSTON -- July 14, 2026, Massachusetts lawmakers heard testimony on home rule petitions to waive firefighter age limits and expand public retirement access at a July 14 Joint Committee on Public Service hearing. Co-chairs Representative Daniel J. Ryan and Senator Michael D. Brady presided over the 22nd hearing of the 194th General Court, where the Holbrook Fire Department's chief testified in support of Senate Bill 3165, which would allow the town to hire paramedic Patrick Dougherty despite his age under MGL Chapter 31, Section 58A; Senator John F. Keenan called the hire urgent, noting a paramedic shortage leaves no other qualified candidates on the certification list. Co-executive directors Colleen Curran and Matthew Brunel of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership asked for a favorable vote on House Bill 5499, which would give five of their public-school administrators access to the state retirement system after an oversight when the zone was established. Representative John Moran testified virtually for House Bill 5520, which would let Dudley water and sewer superintendent George Petrinos continue as a call firefighter past age 65, noting Petrinos turns 65 on October 20.