Saturday, May 7, 2022

It's May! And time for Stamp Out Hunger & the Empty Bowls Dinner


May 2022
It's May! And time for Stamp Out Hunger & the Empty Bowls Dinner
Stamp Out Hunger
It's May! And time for Stamp Out Hunger
Stamp Out Hunger has returned to Franklin! On Saturday, May 14, Franklin letter carriers will pick up donated goods from town residents at their mailboxes and deliver them to the Franklin Food Pantry.

There are two ways you can help. You can sign up to volunteer to help unload the food, sort, and date check donations and/or you can leave specific food items at your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up and return to the Pantry. #franklincanstampouthunger
It's May! And time for the Empty Bowls Dinner
Get your tickets today and join us and the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club on Thursday, May 19. Attendees will receive a simple meal of soup and bread and leave with an empty bowl to remind them that somewhere, someone's bowl is empty. There will also be a silent auction, a giving wall, and a kids' art table! Buy your tickets here or at the door (cash or check only at the door!) The Empty Bowls Club has been generously supported by the Franklin Cultural Council.

We have a variety of Empty Bowls Sponsorships available for businesses and individuals who want to support The Pantry. Sponsorships range from "Soup Starter" at $500 to "Pot of Gold" at $3000. Visit here for more information or to sign up! #FranklinCanfillemptybowls.



Franklin Food Pantry | 43 WEST CENTRAL STREET, Franklin, MA 02038

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Finance Committee: Budget Hearing #1 - General Government - May 9, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee 
Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 
Monday, May 9, 2022  - 6:30 PM
 
Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes
a. March 9, 2022

4. 2022 Capital Budget Round 2

5. FY23 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:

FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website
a. General Government - Accounts 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135 Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources, 155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196 Central Services

b. Human Services - 510 Board of Health, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services

c. Culture & Recreation - 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.

d. Debt & Interest - 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest

e. Employee Benefits: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance)

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn



FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website
FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

Space Needs & Facilities Assessment Subcommittee - May 10 - 6 PM

Franklin Public Schools
Franklin School Committee
Space Needs & Facilities Assessment Subcommittee
May 10, 2022 = 6:00 P.M.
Municipal Building – 3rd Floor Training Room


Agenda

Call to Order

● Discussion of Data
o Current residential building projects in town
o Home and condo sales, year to date
o Specialized program space needs (current)
o Updated space utilization (K-8)
o Franklin district map layers
o Other

● Update on Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and
Davis Thayer Elementary School

● Adjourn

The agenda doc includes remote connection info

classroom at FHS when it opened
classroom at FHS when it opened

Franklin Police on FHS baseball vs Sharon incident

"Franklin Vs Sharon Baseball Game Incident 

It was brought to our attention by the Franklin School Department that fans at a Franklin High School baseball game yesterday (Thursday) allegedly made antisemitic, racist, and homophobic epithets towards players of the Sharon baseball team.

The Franklin Police Department in no way supports or condones this alleged behavior. The matter is currently being investigated by the Franklin School Department. The FPD will assist the School Department if needed but there is no current criminal investigation into the matter.

If information arises that warrants a criminal investigation one will be opened."

Shared from the Twitter thread beginning with -> https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1522753283596632064

Franklin Observer also reports on the incident
Franklin Police on FHS baseball vs Sharon incident
Franklin Police on FHS baseball vs Sharon incident

Panther News: Friday, May 6, 2022 (video)

Panther News for Friday, May 6, 2022, Video link -> https://youtu.be/d4cMEI73CYc


Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of MA, to visit St John’s on the Feast of Pentecost

The Right Reverend Gayle E Harris, Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, to visit St John’s on the Feast of Pentecost.

Right Reverend Gayle E Harris
Right Reverend Gayle E Harris
On Sunday, June 5th at 10 AM, St John’s is pleased to welcome Bishop Gayle Harris as Presider and Preacher for its Family Service on the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, is the day that Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, and it’s often thought of as the birthday of the Church. 

Bishop Harris will celebrate the Eucharist and distribute Communion, and will offer a children’s sermon. After the service, she will have an informal conversation with the congregation during a potluck lunch. 

All are welcome to attend.

St John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin
  • For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Admin@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook / See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org 

Download a copy of this information as a reminder ->

Economic Development Subcommittee discusses Franklin For All objectives (audio)

FM #789 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 789 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in the Council Chambers.  


Quick recap:

  • Next Franklin for All Forum is scheduled for May 16, at THE BLACK BOX. MAPC may provide the recommendations beforehand to enable a worthy discussion as they are looking for feedback on the high level proposals. The subcommittee expressed desire to have such documentation beforehand. While MAPC was present they did not commit to do so,

  • Much of the meeting was simply discussion among the subcommittee on the goals, how to accomplish them, etc. Towards the end of the discussion, they did get to some of the key items in that some of the process for making things “by right” need to be improved, so the discussion on what those should be can be expected to occur at subsequent meetings. 


The recording of the meeting runs about 56 minutes.   

Audio link ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-789-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-05-04-22


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Meeting agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-05-04_edc_agenda_.pdf


Franklin TV YouTube video ->  https://youtu.be/UnEXp2fNNtU 

 

My notes taken via Twitter and captured in one PDF can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sirs0iYh47R0ECMd0VBWK16NIpKNGhP8/view?usp=sharing



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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


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?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


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


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!

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


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

 

Economic Development Subcommittee discusses Franklin For All objectives (audio)
Economic Development Subcommittee discusses Franklin For All objectives (audio)

More Perfect Union: 046 - MA Attorney General Candidates (With Quentin Palfrey and Shannon Liss-Riordan) (audio)

"In this episode, the group is joined by two of the candidates running for the position of Massachusetts Attorney General; Quentin Palfrey and Shannon Liss-Riordan. The two discuss their backgrounds in government and law, the issues facing the Mass Attorney General's office currently, what they'd aim to achieve if elected and so much more. "

Audio link ->  https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/046-ma-attorney-general-with-quentin-palfrey-and-shannon-liss-riordan

More Perfect Union:  046 - MA Attorney General Candidates
More Perfect Union:  046 - MA Attorney General Candidates

 

If all we get is 5%, maybe it is time to ask what can we do better?

When most people toss a plastic bottle or cup into the recycling bin, they assume that means the plastic is recycled – but a new report lays bare how rarely that actually happens.

According to the Last Beach Cleanup and Beyond Plastics, the organization behind the report released on Wednesday, the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic was just 5% to 6% in 2021.

The Department of Energy also released a research paper this week, which analyzed data from 2019, and came to the same number: only 5% of plastics are being recycled. The researchers on that report wrote that landfilled plastic waste in the United States has been on the rise for many reasons, including “low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country”, according to a press release.

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

Last Beach Cleanup & Beyond Plastics report -> 

 

If all we get is 5%, maybe it is time to ask what can we do better?
If all we get is 5%, maybe it is time to ask what can we do better?

Friday, May 6, 2022

Franklin's Event Outlook: May 6, 2022 to May 12, 2022

May is blossoming and events are increasing, be careful as COVID is still among us. Boomer will be out at Dean as thy graduate their 156th Class. The Rail Trail 5K runs/walks on Saturday. Franklin Federated holds their silent auction and there are events at the Library and THE BLACK BOX to take in.

Friday, May 6
12:30pm - TOPS - Take off Pounds Sensibly
2:00pm - An Afternoon with Mark Twain and Stephen Foster,
8:00pm - T.3

Saturday, May 7
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
10:00am - FBRTC 11th Annual 5K
11:00am - Dean College Commencement

Sunday, May 8 = Mother's Day
11:00am - 2022 Spring Fling Silent Auction
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker

Tuesday, May 10
7:00pm - We’re Not Making This Up! Sisters in Crime New England

Wednesday, May 11
7:00pm - Physician Assisted Suicide

Thursday, May 12
6:30pm - Poor Richard’s Women: a presentation from author Nancy Rubin Stuart 

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar
Community Calendar

Franklin Downtown Traffic Alert -> Dean Commencement Saturday, May 7 at 11 AM

The Class of 2022 Commencement Ceremony will be held in front of Dean Hall (rain or shine), along Awpie Way, on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM

For more about the Commencement visit   https://www.dean.edu/alumni/commencement/ 

Dean's mascot "Boomer" out on the lawn for major events
Dean's mascot "Boomer" out on the lawn for major events

Second Sunday Speaker Series: Leigh Schoberth, "Stone Walls of New England" - May 8

Join us at the Franklin Historical Museum Sunday, May 8 as Historic New England's Leigh Schoberth presents Stone Walls of New England.

Stone walls are an iconic landscape feature of New England. They once served a functional purpose, but today they are threads through time, defining the region's historical identity. Leigh Schoberth, Senior Preservation Services Manager at Historic New England, will trace the history of stone wall building through a preservation lens. Join us to learn how to identify types of stone walls and their unique characteristics to consider when taking on repairs.

The lecture will cover the big picture history of stone walls in the region, as well as review Protections (laws) and preservation efforts and maintenance basics for homeowners. There will be time for questions as well.

Doors open at 1:00, admission is always free. The Second Sunday Speaker Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. 

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street, is wheelchair accessible and entry is always free.

You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at   http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/   

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St
Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

Making Sense of Climate #8 - discussing transportation in a climate ready Franklin - 04/27/22 (audio)

FM #788 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 789 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We are also joined by Marissa B, from the 350 MA Franklin Node group. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Apr 27, 2022.  

Ted helps me “make sense of climate” and we hope this helps with your understanding as well. Marissa joined Ted and I for this session.

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session 

The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Marissa and Ted McIntyre as he helps us “make sense of climate” regarding transportation in a climate ready Franklin.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-788-making-sense-of-climate-8-04-27-22

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Articles referenced

IPCC - Chapter 5 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/ 

The pdf of the chapter in the 2033 mitigation report

https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg3/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FinalDraft_Chapter05.pdf

Good2Go - pilot of electric vehicle rental in four locations within Boston

https://www.mapc.org/news/boston-kicks-off-new-electric-vehicle-car-share-program/

Complete streets via MASS DOT https://www.mass.gov/complete-streets-funding-program

Town of Franklin “Complete Streets” https://www.franklinma.gov/engineering/pages/complete-streets 

The day the trolley died - somewhere in the 1920’s  https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/57968/hometown-history-12-streetcar-named-expire 

Here is the Westervelt discussion

https://www.drilledpodcast.com/debunking-demand-ipcc-mitigation-report-part-1/

Here is a more pointed analysis

https://braveneweurope.com/timothee-parrique-degrowth-for-the-first-time-in-ipcc-report

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

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

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!

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

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

Franklin Historical Museum photo of trolley car from back in the day
Franklin Historical Museum photo of trolley car from back in the day