Senators Demand Answers From Burlington-Based ICE Field Office
BURLINGTON — A woman held at the ICE facility in Burlington says she has had to beg for basic necessities while confined in a small cell with seven other detainees, a claim that surfaced as U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren pressed the agency's Boston Field Office — headquartered in town — for a full accounting following a fatal shooting at a related Maine ICE facility.
TOWN HALL According to a WCVB report circulated Saturday, a woman being held inside the ICE facility in Burlington said she has been confined to a small cell alongside seven other women and has had to plead for basic needs to be met. The report surfaced the same day Sen. Markey and Sen. Warren, D-Mass., sent a letter to the ICE Boston Field Office, which is based in Burlington, demanding full answers after Markey made an unscheduled oversight visit to a Maine ICE field office following a fatal shooting there, according to a release from Markey's office. Neither the senators' letter nor the report detailed further specifics on conditions at the Burlington facility.
Separately, the town flagged the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project's activity for July in its latest News Flash post, alerting residents to the district's operations this month.
SCHOOLS Students at Marshall Simonds Middle School brought history to life through a statewide civics challenge, the district's News Flash reported, though further details on the students' project were not included in the post.
Families with incoming sixth graders can also mark two dates this week: Marshall Simonds is holding "Meet/Greet" sessions for the class on Tuesday, July 21, from 2 to 4 p.m., and again Thursday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m.
COMMUNITY & ARTS The town's calendar lists "Patriots and Potters," a storytelling program paired with a live pottery demonstration, set for Tuesday, July 21. The town's News Flash also recapped a recent "You Are Not Alone" Mental Health Awareness Night, describing how the Burlington community came together around the cause.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS "Water Main Break Delays Road Paving Project In Burlington" — Burlington Patch reports that a water main break has pushed back timing on the town's road-paving work, with officials expected to update residents on the project. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/burlington)
"Family-Owned Retailer Opens Burlington Mall Location" — per Burlington Patch, a family-owned retail business has opened a new storefront at Burlington Mall, the latest addition as the mall continues expanding its lineup this year. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/burlington)
COMING UP Tuesday, July 21: A joint Fox Hill Elementary School Building Committee/School Committee meeting convenes at 6 p.m., held via Webex only. The same day brings the Marshall Simonds Grade 6 "Meet/Greet" (2-4 p.m.) and an American History Virtual Trivia Night, per the town calendar. Monday, July 20, features a Tween Patriotic Diamond Art program on the town's community calendar. A second Marshall Simonds Grade 6 "Meet/Greet" follows Thursday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m.