Saturday, December 7, 2019

Franklin, MA: Office of Campaign and Political Finance Meeting - December 11 - 6:00 PM

December 11Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) Meeting


The State Office of Campaign and Political Finance will make a presentation in the Council Chambers (2nd floor of the Municipal Building).


For more about the State Office of Campaign and Political Finance  https://www.ocpf.us/


Franklin, MA: OCPF Meeting December 11 - 6:00 PM
Franklin, MA: OCPF Meeting December 11 - 6:00 PM




Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, December 16 Through Wednesday, December 18

Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, December 16 Through Wednesday, December 18

The Franklin Public Library will be closed on Monday, December 16 through Wednesday, December 18, 2019 for the cleaning of its brick hallways on the first floor. 

All fines will be waived on materials returned during that week. Items on the hold shelf will be made available for pickup for an additional three days. Museum passes reserved for those dates may be picked up by Sunday, December 15th. 

For more information, please contact Library Director Felcia Oti at 508-520-4941 or foti@franklinma.gov .

brick hallway on the first floor at the entrance
brick hallway on the first floor at the entrance

The number of potential MA 2020 Ballot questions now down to 8

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Ballot questions related to electoral reform, beer and wine sales, automotive repairs and more are on track to go before voters in 2020 after supporters cleared a major signature-gathering threshold by Wednesday’s deadline.

Eight campaigns pushing for changes to state law or constitutional amendments submitted signatures from registered voters to Secretary of State William Galvin by the end of the business day on Wednesday, according to Galvin’s office.

It was not immediately clear how many of those will clear the threshold of 80,239 certified signatures required to advance, a key hurdle toward appearing on the ballot next November, but supporters of questions about ranked-choice voting, right to repair, nursing home funding and sales of beer and wine in food stores each said they submitted a sufficient amount.

This cycle’s ballot push officially ended Wednesday for proposed constitutional amendments to restore voting rights to incarcerated Massachusetts felons and rewrite the state constitution to remove language that has been interpreted as a right to an abortion for those who qualify for MassHealth. Although both campaigns submitted signatures, neither collected enough, according to organizers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191206/ballot-questions-in-galvins-hands

"In 1918, the voters of the Commonwealth approved an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, stating that “Legislative power shall continue to be vested in the general court; but the people reserve to themselves the popular initiative, which is the power of a specified number of voters to submit constitutional amendments and laws to the people for approval or rejection; and the popular referendum, which is the power of a specified number of voters to submit laws, enacted by the general court, to the people for their ratification or rejection.”
 
For stats on ballot questions going back to 1919 which is the first election after the MA Constitutional amendment that enabled the ballot question process
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elebalm/balmresults.html

To view the MA Election calendar (month by month)
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/CalendarWeb/Pages/MonthWeekCalendar.aspx


MyFM 101.3 Wins Coveted “Station of the Year” Award

“I was absolutely stunned. This is the equivalent of winning the Super Bowl or the World Series, so I was in complete shock when they announced we had won the Station of the Year Award for a record 9th time. I can’t say enough about my staff, our listeners, fans and followers, and all the local partners we’ve developed over the years” said Tom McAuliffe, owner of MyFM Media, as he accepted the 2019 Massachusetts Broadcasters Association’s Station of the Year Award. “

And to think we also won awards for Outstanding Public Service Campaign for our work with Ben Speaks, and our Summer School promotion with Dean College was also recognized. This certainly proves that our Multi-Media efforts over the past few years are resonating with our listeners and community partners. People expect to be able to access what they want, where they want, and when they want it, and My FM is fulfilling that need,” McAuliffe added.

"The Station of the Year Award is the one award that every station strives to win. It's the most cherished station award the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association presents,” explained Jordan Walton, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association. “My FM 101.3 truly epitomizes what LOCAL radio, and service to the community is all about, and we're proud to salute them with this honor for a record 9th time.”

“The Station of the Year” award is presented annually by the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association to the most outstanding radio station in the Commonwealth, and is open to all of the more than 180 radio stations.

The “Station of the Year” award is given to the top station in Massachusetts that exemplifies overall excellence in all phases of operation. The judges, members of the Iowa Broadcasters Association, cited MyFM 101.3 had experienced extraordinary growth of audience, client base, but most importantly, MyFM was providing exceptional service to their listeners, community officials, and local organizations.

To put this award into perspective, the television “Station of the Year” for 2019 was WCVB, Channel 5 Boston, considered by many to be the finest TV station in the United States. You can see the prestige that this award grants MyFM 101.3.

About MyFM 101.3  https://myfm1013.com/
My FM 101.3 and WMRC 1490AM has been on the air since 1956, making it one of the oldest, continuously locally owned and operated radio stations in Massachusetts.



MyFM 101.3 Wins Coveted “Station of the Year” Award
MyFM 101.3 Wins Coveted “Station of the Year” Award



https://youtu.be/P-y_cgvVG4Q



“It’s not likely that a single brand is responsible for this outbreak”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Health officials investigating a nationwide outbreak of vaping illnesses have listed, for the first time, the vape brands most commonly linked to hospitalizations.

Most of the nearly 2,300 people who suffered lung damage had vaped liquids that contain THC, the high-inducing part of marijuana.

In a report released Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed the products most often cited by patients, noting that some of them said they vaped more than one.

Dank Vapes was the brand used by 56% of the hospitalized patients nationwide.

Dank is not a licensed product coming from one business, it is empty packaging that can be ordered from Chinese internet sites. Illicit vaping cartridge makers can buy the empty packages and then fill them with whatever they choose."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20191206/officials-list-pot-vape-brands-reported-in-us-outbreak/1

Bold text added by Franklin Matters. This confirms the conversation shared at FHS PCC meeting where the panel reviewed the vaping issue. That audio recording is available for replay anytime.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/fm-182-fhs-pcc-everything-you-need-to.html
 
Additional information can be found on the CDC page
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html


“It’s not likely that a single brand is responsible for this outbreak”
“It’s not likely that a single brand is responsible for this outbreak”

MBTA Commuter Rail: Franklin Line using shuttle bus fpr weekends of 12/7 through 12/22

Weekends, through Dec 22, Franklin Train service is replaced by free buses between Forge Park/495 and Readville for a Fairmount Line connection while PTC is installed. There will be no service at Back Bay, Ruggles, Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot.

Additional weekends may be added to the train service suspension between Forge Park/495 and Readville as work progresses on the Franklin line.

Please visit https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork for more details about bus shuttle schedules. Visit MBTA.com/PTC for more information on how this project will improve commuter rail safety and travel. Passengers may experience delays of up to 30 minutes as a result of shuttle bus connections.

There will be no Franklin line service at Back Bay and Ruggles stations on weekends. Please travel to South Station to reach a Franklin Line station. If you are travelling inbound, please board a Worcester/Framingham line Train for direct connection to Back Bay or a Providence/Stoughton line Train for a direct connection to Back Bay or Ruggles.

We also recommend the subway: board the Red Line at South Station and transfer to the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing to reach Back Bay or Ruggles.

Due to proximity of adjacent stations, bus shuttles will not serve Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot stations:
-Endicott station customers, please use Readville or Dedham Corp stations.
-Islington station customers, please use Dedham Corp station.
-Norwood Depot customers, please use Norwood Central or Dedham Corp station.

8:40pm and 10:40pm departures from Forge Park as well as 11:20pm departure from South Station will be accommodated by a bus for the entire trip between South Station and Forge Park (including the portion between South Station and Readville).

Thank you for your patience while we improve the signal system on your Commuter Rail line.

For more information: https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork


MBTA Commuter Rail: Franklin Line using shuttle bus fpr weekends of 12/7 through 12/22
MBTA Commuter Rail: Franklin Line using shuttle bus fpr weekends of 12/7 through 12/22

Last Updated: Dec 06 2019 02:00 PM

Friday, December 6, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Dec 6 to THU - Dec 12

Friday, December 6
 MA Amazing Artists Deadline
9:00am
 Babywearing Dance Party! (FOFL)
10:00am
 Knitting Group
10:30am
 Happy Feet!
3:30pm
 Chess Club for Kids
Saturday, December 7
9:00am
 Christmas Fair
9:30am
 St. Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group
10:00am
 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)
10:30am
 Baby Sensory!
1:30pm
 PEDC presents the Nutcracker
2:00pm
 Snowman Painting Class for Adults
5:30pm
 PEDC presents the Nutcracker!
7:30pm
 FPAC presents The Nutcracker
8:00pm
 Winterbloom: Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
Sunday, December 8
12:30pm
 PEDC presents the Nutcracker!
1:00pm
 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm
 FPAC presents The Nutcracker
3:30pm
 PEDC presents the Nutcracker!
Monday, December 9
10:30am
 Move Along
3:30pm
 D&D for Kids
6:30pm
 "Krissy E" Trivia Night - Christmas
Tuesday, December 10
9:30am
 Cool Cruisers
10:30am
 Get Ready for Kindergarten
4:00pm
 Chanukah Storytime!
6:15pm
 Finance Committee Meeting
6:30pm
 Franklin Garden Club: Holiday Auction
6:30pm
 Foreign Film Night
7:00pm
 School Committee meeting
7:00pm
 FHS Concert - Band
7:30pm
 Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Public Meeting
7:30pm
 Let's Laugh Today
Wednesday, December 11
10:30am
 Terrific Toddlers
3:30pm
 Crafternoon! (FOFL)
6:00pm
 HMMS Concert
6:30pm
 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
6:30pm
 Teen Advisory Board
6:00pm
 Town Council meeting - OCPF Forum
7:00pm
 Julian Gerstin Sextet
Thursday, December 12
 Scholastic Art Deadline
9:30am
 Baby Tummy Time
10:30am
 Story Xplorers
4:00pm
 Bookworm Bounce Storytime!
7:00pm
 Frankin Music Boosters Meeting

For the interactive version, please visit
For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Dec 6 to THU - Dec 12
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Dec 6 to THU - Dec 12

Franklin Food Pantry Announces Appointments to Board of Directors

New Members Bring Community Experience to Board

The Franklin Food Pantry announced that Franklin community members, Nancy Schoen and Roberta DeBaggis Trahan have joined its Board of Directors to help reach its mission to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions within the Franklin area.

"On behalf of the Franklin Food Pantry and the Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Ms. Schoen and Ms. Trahan to the Board," said Lynn Calling, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "Both women have extensive experience serving nonprofits and have deep roots in the Franklin community that will help guide us as we continue to grow the Pantry and serve our neighbors."
Nancy Schoen
Nancy Schoen


Nancy Schoen is a retired music teacher where she spent thirty-three years in the Franklin Public Schools as a teacher and K-12 Director of Music. In 2005, she represented Franklin and the Massachusetts Teachers Association as the 2005 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Nancy continues to teach in the Franklin Lifelong Learning's String Program. She is a graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst, (BMus) and Cambridge College (MEd). Nancy continues to be an active volunteer in the Franklin community. She is currently Chair of the Franklin Cultural District Committee and is an active member of St. Mary's St. Vincent de Paul Society.

"For the last thirty five years I have enjoyed living, working and raising my family in Franklin. During the last two years, I have volunteered with the St. Mary's St. Vincent de Paul, Through my work with this group I have become more aware of the needs of so many in our community," said Ms. Schoen. "The Franklin Food Pantry is such an incredible resource for those in need. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful organization."
Roberta DeBaggis Trahan
Roberta DeBaggis Trahan

Roberta DeBaggis Trahan is a lifelong member of the Franklin community. She is a retired Critical Care Registered Nurse having worked in Adult ICU for 44 years, is a graduate of FHS, Saint Vincent Hospital School of Nursing and Worcester State University. She is actively involved as a volunteer with many community organizations: Vice President of Franklin Downtown Partnership; FPAC/TBB member; Vice President of The Franklin Education Foundation; Chair of Saint Mary Parish Council, FPS Student Wellness Advisory Council member and The Franklin Cultural District Committee. She is a past member of the Franklin School Committee having served for 10 years and has volunteered for various other community organizations in the past.

"I have always supported the Food Pantry from afar and when the opportunity presented itself for me to become more actively involved, I agreed," said Ms. DeBaggis Trahan. "I am thankful for all the blessings in my life, especially for my family and friends and for a community that embraces those less fortunate. It seemed fitting that I'd be able to give my time to assist this worthy organization, not from afar but up close. I'm looking forward to supporting the Food Pantry's mission and to work to accomplish the goals we have set for the coming year."

About the Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,000 individuals. Clients have access to a variety of fresh, frozen and nonperishable foods on monthly scheduled shopping trips as well as Walk-in Fridays. They can visit the Pantry daily for fruits, vegetables, bread and pastry. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. In 2018, 304,824 pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.

FM #184 - Town Administrator's Report to Town Council - 12/4/19

FM #184

This internet radio show or podcast is number 184 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares Town Administrator Report segment from the Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Dec 4, 2019.

Updates on:

  • New Board of Health Director, Cathy Liberty replacing David McKearnery who is retiring
  • Cindy Souza, of Animal Control is also retiring sometime in January
  • Update the turf field issue now that the DEP letter has arrived
  • Open Meeting Law special session on Dec 11
  • Thanks to the DPW and others for the look of the Town Common
  • Thanks to the DPW for their work on the first and long snow fall this week
  • Update on the Spring St issue raised by the Cochran’s in the Citizen Comments section


Maybe I am getting lazy, maybe it is just worth a try, Jamie’s update from each Town Council meeting is not covered in detail by my notes (and yes, I strive to get better on that) so I thought it important to share the audio of his report to the Town Council in a timely manner. The Town generally publishes an “Actions Taken” doc to highlight the recorded votes. So rather than wait for the full minutes to be approved and available, I’ll share the audio segment of the TA Report.

The statement runs approx 9 minutes.

Link to DEP letter as mentioned
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15WMp_zZiMXs_7MfpUQJd5hgtaVbrlkY_/view?usp=sharing

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hc0j5J4X




What we know about the "turf issue":



What we don’t know:


  • What happened to the Conservation Commission mitigation measures from when the field was first installed (in 2004?)?
  • Where was the old carpet and bags of unused infill taken?
  • What will the State and/or Federal agencies do with PFAS and the recent revelations (if anything)?

-------------

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

How can you help?

Overall:
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
  • If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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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The prior statement by Jamie Hellen can be found online


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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"


search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FHS' Atwood, Addi, Balkus named to 2019 Hockomock League Girls Soccer All Stars

HockomockSports.com has announced the official 2019 Hockomock League Girls Soccer All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

Hockomock League MVP
  • Chloe Layne, King Philip

Hockomock League All Stars
  • Breanna Atwood, Franklin
  • Sabrina Addi, Franklin
  • Anna Balkus, Franklin

For the complete listing
https://hockomocksports.com/2019-hockomock-league-girls-soccer-all-stars/

FHS' Atwood, Addi, Balkus named to 2019 Hockomock League Girls Soccer All Stars
FHS' Atwood, Addi, Balkus named to 2019 Hockomock League Girls Soccer All Stars