Town Council Mtg 05/05/21 - in 3 parts FM #537, 538, 539 (audio)

FM #537-538-539 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 537-538-539 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the almost 3 hour minute meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the opening  recognition of DPW Director Cantoreggi, public hearing on stormwater bylaw wording, license transaction for LaCantina (~43 mins)
• Second - covers the Melanson & HEath audit report and the presentation by Franklin TV (~40 minutes)
• Third - covers the Town Communications update by Anne Marie Tracey through to the end of the meeting (~70 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of May 5, 2021

Part 1 Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2de841ff-4455-4875-a8c9-9a743362aa8c

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Part 2 Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5356f1c6-0368-4267-8160-489e08f9762e

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Part 3 Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/66a992af-0500-4325-aaaa-0378d61a8988

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Agenda document folder
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/may-5-town-council-agenda

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-town-council-meeting-050521.html

 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

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For additional information, please visit   Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Town Council Mtg 05/05/21 - in 3 parts FM #537, 538, 539 (audio)

 

Town of Franklin, MA: Pop Shop Franklin

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Wed, May 12, 2021:

 

We are VERY excited to share our latest Economic Development project: Pop Shop Franklin! With RPP grant support from the @MassEOHED, we are securing two Downtown Franklin locations for small businesses to open POP UP SHOPS!

Interested? Learn more at https://t.co/jtyJz7eaqq 🎉🎉🎉

https://t.co/QSe6fQkWUl
 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1392578802455388167?s=03

Pop Shop Franklin

https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development/pages/pop-shop-franklin

Franklin Dog Park clean up - May 22

Hello pet lovers. 

 

The Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park volunteer committee are having a cleanup and spreading over 30 yards of new wood chips on Saturday, May 22nd at 9:30 AM, rain date is Sunday, May 23 at 9:30 AM. We need shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows. 

 

Refreshments will be there for all that help. 

 

                                                    Thank you, 

                                                        Gennarino D'Onofrio

 

Franklin dog park at Dacey Field

 

FHS softball and both lacrosse teams post wins vs. Milford on Wednesday

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS spring sports results:

Softball = Franklin, 16 @ Milford, 3 – Final
– Franklin’s offense stayed hot and got contributions throughout the lineup in a win on the road at Milford. Senior Gabby Colace had three hits, including a home run, while driving in three runs and scoring four times to pace the Panthers. Freshman Carly Johnson-Pellegri (two hits) also had a home run with three RBI, Georgia Harvey drove in four runs on three hits, and Lauren Cote had two hits and three RBI for Franklin. Aislinn Lavery, who added two hits and an RBI, struck out five in six innings of work.

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 19 @ Milford, 0 – Final

Girls Lacrosse = Milford, 3 @ Franklin, 20 – Final 

 – Sydney Hawkins and Riley Cross each registered their first goals of the season for the Panthers while Brigid Earley made six saves in net.

 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-12-21/

 

FHS Panthers

High School Experience Franklin calls for the Class of 2024

HSE Franklin (@HseFranklin) tweeted on Wed, May 12, 2021:

Class of 2024! Want to feel more connected to FHS, your classmates, & teachers?

Join us this summer at a transition program made just for YOU! Sign up now: https://t.co/3SY9HuEzJk

 
@FranklinHS @FranklinPSNews @FranklinMatters @FPSLearning @Fhs2024 @FHSPantherbook @fhspanthertv

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/HseFranklin/status/1392545597589176325?s=03

High School Experience Franklin calls for the Class of 2024

"Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are" via Senior Center Zoom session - May 21

Join Marjorie Turner Hollman as she discusses "Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are" via Zoom. Marjorie is a Personal Historian / FreelanceWriter and Author who forges connections between generations. 

 

When: Friday, May 21, 2021 at 12:30 PM

 

You must register to attend this free event by emailing adoggett@franklinma.gov

 

For more information on Marjorie you can go to her website:
www.marjorieturner.com

 
marjorie@marjorieturner.com
https://www.amazon.com/author/marjorieturnerhollman 

 

Shared from the Senior Center Facebook page: https://fb.me/e/EL9UqGqD

From the archives: Marjorie did an interview in 2020 that you can listen to here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-342-easy-walks-with-marjorie-turner.html 

Marjorie Turner  Hollman

MIAA sports update

To:       MIAA Superintendents, Principals and Athletic Directors From: Tara Bennett, MIAA Director of Communications

Re:       May 10, 2021 Updated MA EEA Guidelines Date:  May 11, 2021

 

The MA Energy and Environmental Affairs Office (EEA) provided an update to the WORKPLACE SAFETY and REOPENING STANDARDS FOR BUSINESSES and OTHER ENTITIES PROVIDING YOUTH and ADULT AMATEUR SPORTS ACTIVITIES, Phase IV Step 1.

 

Below are highlights from the most recent EEA guidance as they relate to high schools sports:

·         All risk level of sports will be permitted to participate in tournaments.

• Mandatory facial coverings for all sports during active play except for low or moderate risk sports when outdoors where social distancing can be consistently maintained. This update will be reviewed using the MIAA governance process before implementation.
• Participants for all sports must wear facial coverings on the bench, sidelines, start/finish lines at all times and in any huddles or time-outs from active play.
• No change to indoor spectator capacity limits. The capacity remains at no more than 50% of the facility’s maximum permitted occupancy up to a maximum capacity of 500.
•  There are no limitations on transportation out-of-state. Masks should be worn when travel extends beyond family members.
• Contact tracing is required with information available upon request by state officials, local boards of health or their authorized agents.

MIAA sport modifications are expected to be followed. As part of the MIAA governance process, a review of the updated EEA mask guideline by the Sports Medicine Committee is scheduled for later this week.

As has been the case throughout the year, the decision for a school to partake in a particular sport, as well as and their spectator and mask guidelines (in alignment with MIAA guidelines), are decided at the local level.

Additional Resources:

EEA Guidelines May 10, 2021

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Guidance

 

MIAA COVID-19 Task Force Page 

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1392472153090625540

The doc can also be found on the MIAA page

http://www.miaa.net/gen/miaa_generated_bin/documents/basic_module/Statement_Regarding_Updated_EEA_Guidelines_51121.pdf

 

HockomockSports.com: 2021 Hockomock League Lacrosse Previews

HockomockSports.com has published the Lacrosse previews for the Hockomock League for the Spring 2021 season. The FHS girls and boys team previews are shared here. The link to the complete league listings for both girls and boys teams are provided below.

 

Franklin  GIRLS
2019 Record: 20-3
2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 East Semifinal
Coach: Kristin Igoe Guarino

It may have been two years since Franklin last took the field, but the Panthers will have a lot of familiar names on the roster this season and the same set of expectations. Franklin has not lost a league game since 2012 and won the last eight Kelley-Rex division titles (sharing the title with King Philip in 2012). Heading into this spring, even with only three seniors on the roster, the Panthers will be favorites to bring home the league crown yet again.

After missing a lot of 2019 with an injury, senior Katie Jones is ready to lead the attack, while classmate Sydney Hawkins will be the leader in the defensive zone. Junior midfielders Kenzie Baker, Kate O’Rourke, Jackie O’Neil, and Stella Regan were all part of an impressive freshman group that stepped right into the lineup two years ago and are part of a dynamic group that could score a lot of goals this season. Newcomers include sophomores Kaitlyn Carney, Katie Peterson, Lindsay Atkinson, and Jamie Tanner, who just add to the abundance of attacking and midfield options that Franklin boasts. Junior Brigid Earley has taken over in goal and impressed with her athleticism.

“Once we start meshing, I think we will be a very strong team,” said Franklin coach Kristin Igo Guarino. “Offensively, any group of seven players who is in has the potential to be a threat, either as a dodger, feeder or cutter. This group is very dynamic in their stick skill and game sense. Defensively, we are athletic and have some solid leadership.” 

 

Franklin  BOYS
2019 Record: 18-3
2019 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Semifinal
Coach: Lou Verrochi

Franklin has developed not only into a league power, having won the outright Kelley-Rex division title in each of the past five seasons, but is showing that it can compete with the top programs in the state. In 2019, the Panthers reached the South semifinal and lost by just one to perennial power Duxbury. This year’s team expects to be just as skilled and athletic as usual with sights set on another league crown.

The centerpiece of the Franklin attack will be senior Matt Lazzaro, an All-American in 2019, and he will be partnered up top by sophomore Luke Davis, whose brothers Will (goalie) and Jake (attacker) are both playing college, and sophomore Jayden Consigli, who moved from Northbridge. The midfield is loaded with athletes, including Owen Kielty, Joe Consigli, Tim Walsh, and Mike Griffin. Zach Harvey will lead the defensive unit along with Ben Harvey and Kyle Palmieri. Senior Jack Maguire will step in between the pipes with freshman Matt Corvi also ready to jump in and play goal when needed. Justin Alexander will be taking faceoffs, following in the footsteps of his brother Jacob who was the league MVP in 2019.

“We have a very competitive group of lacrosse athletes this year,” said Franklin coach Lou Verrochi. “We are looking forward to see what this group can do during our Hock schedule and hopefully advance in the state tournament.”
 

Girls preview: https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-girls-lacrosse-preview/

Boys preview: https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-boys-lacrosse-preview/ 

Franklin advances on offense (HockomockSports.com photo)

What's with the "Right to repair"?

"What ever happened to Question 1?

On Election Day, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved this “right-to-repair” ballot initiative. It requires the world’s automakers to give Massachusetts consumers access to a car’s “telematic” data — diagnostic information via wireless connection. The new law, intended to let consumers have their cars repaired at their own mechanics, was supposed to take effect with the coming of the 2022 model year.

But as carmakers crank up production of their 2022 models, the right-to-repair law is in limbo.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents the top US and foreign automakers, filed suit in federal court to block the law, arguing that it conflicts with federal laws governing automotive safety."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/12/business/will-carmakers-defeat-question-1-court/

MA news: PawSox now WooSox; “It’s a weird feeling”

"The PawSox Moved, but Pawtucket Has Yet to Move On "

 

"The man entrusted with the key approached a dull-gray door flecked with rust. A turn of the wrist threw the lock to reveal a ballpark in suspension, its outfield far from true-hop ready, its billboards fading, its thousands of empty seats the hard-plastic playground of pigeons.

Maybe Pawtucket should charge the birds admission, said the employee, Chris Crawley, who is the maintenance manager for the Rhode Island city of 71,000. His joke was of the coping kind.

It was a sunny and mild Tuesday, perfect for the home opener of the spanking new Worcester Red Sox in a spanking new ballpark 40 miles to the north, in Massachusetts. That is all well and good and hooray for baseball, but — for a half-century and up until very recently — the Worcester Red Sox were known as the Pawtucket Red Sox."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/12/sports/baseball/pawtucket-worcester-red-sox.html

a night at McCoy in 2019

FTC Consumer Alert: Unwanted calls: Just block ’em and report ’em

Unwanted calls: Just block 'em and report 'em by Jim Kreidler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Unwanted calls are annoying. They can feel like a constant interruption — and many are from scammers. Unfortunately, technology makes it easy for scammers to make millions of calls a day. So this week, as part of Older Americans Month, we're talking about how to block unwanted calls — for yourself, and for your friends and family. Read more >  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/05/unwanted-calls-just-block-em-and-report-em

FTS Consumer Alert: Unwanted calls: Just block ’em and report ’em

 

Reminder: Sign up for Introductions at next FANN meeting May 24, 2021

The Franklin Area Nonprofit Network page is now live and functioning. 

https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/

Check out the listing of nonprofits   https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/area-non-profits.html

Use the form to make updates, changes, or additions

https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/directory-addchange.html

Friendly reminder: Monday, May 24 - the next meeting to continue the round of introductions. 

• Organizations can sign up for the “get to know each list”  https://forms.gle/cFTsMSu5y4fwfPkP7 

The meeting has been created in Facebook to enable sharing:

Facebook event for May 24  https://www.facebook.com/events/2997576720462809?

Zoom meeting info

Stephen Sherlock is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: FANN - Introductions2

Time: May 24, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81428844425...

Meeting ID: 814 2884 4425  Passcode: wfpr1029   

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,81428844425#,,,,*31400676# US (Chicago)

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The Franklin Area Nonprofit Network page is now live and functioning