Police Unions Rip Reform Bill, Progress Pleases Baker | Patch PM

NEWTON, MA — It's Tuesday, Dec. 1. And it has been a seasonably warm day across greater Boston, with temperatures hovering near 60. Here's what Patch has been covering in greater Boston and across Massachusetts today.

The head of the state's largest police union called a sweeping reform bill the "final attack" on officers, but the legislation is still expected to make its way through Beacon Hill.

The bill would create a statewide certification process for officers and allow for them to be stripped of that certification for a number of offenses — including using excessive deadly force or chokeholds, not intervening if a fellow officers uses such force, falsifying timesheets and more.

Law enforcement leaders said the bill is misguided and harmful to officers.

"The final compromise is a final attack on police officers by lawmakers on Beacon Hill," Scott Hovsepian, the president of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, said in a letter to his more than 4,300 members. After months of silence from state lawmakers, Gov. Charlie Baker said he is pleased to see the issue move ahead. Read the rest of the story.

Elsewhere in greater Boston

Boston Schools Not Likely To Fully Reopen Before Christmas

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Tuesday that he would love to be able to fully reopen Boston Public Schools right now. But that's unlikely to happen until after the holiday break, he said.

Police Offer $5K Reward After Random Attacks Plague Waltham

Waltham is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the person or persons responsible for the near dozen unprovoked attacks across the city in recent weeks.

Advocates Vow To Continue To Protest Light Show At Fernald

Advocates say they want a museum and a nod to the tragic past on the site before anything else happens on the Waltham-owned property. "We're not going away," said activist Chris Hoeh.

MassDOT To Begin Construction On Needham-Newton Corridor Project

Anyone who knows the Needham, Highland street road knows it can get busy. Now, thanks to a $3 million project it's going to get a bit worse before it gets better.

Watertown PD Believe September Break-In Suspect Is Back At It
Police are still looking for the suspect in a September break-in and a series of recent break-ins show a similar pattern.

Also:

• Brookline Eyes Rank-Choice Voting For Town Elections
  
• Needham Woman Dies After Brief Illness
• Painted Doors Exhibition On View on Minuteman Bikeway
• Brookline To Ask Voters If Town Clerk Should Be Appointed

Across Massachusetts

• MA Not Planning Further Coronavirus Crackdowns Amid Surge
• 4 Worcester Telegram Reporters Announce Retirements
• WATCH: Great White Shark Chows Down On Seal In Cape Cod Harbor

And finally today:

It's right out of a Dr. Seuss book. Before the storm the house, that was being renovated looked perfectly normal. After Monday night's winds, it shifted precariously close to the home next door, prompting them to have to evacuate. Now there's a home leaning sideways on Oak Street in Somerville. Read the rest of the story.

Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.