Saturday, November 26, 2022

Economic Development Subcommittee Steering Committee Meeting - Nov 30 at 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee Steering Committee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
November 30, 2022 - 5:45 PM


Agenda:
1. Discussion: Zoning
a. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw
Agenda doc and remote connection info

The prior meeting started this discussion and as time ran out, the discussion resumes at this session. Catch up to the discussion before the meeting:

the "Plus" Cmte gets into housing density proposal
the "Plus" Cmte gets into housing density proposal

Spend a few minutes catching up with Jennifer Knight-Levine talking about the SAFE Coalition (audio)

FM #885 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 885 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with Jennifer Knight-Levine, Executive Director and Co-founder of the SAFE Coalition. We had our conversation via conference bridge.


We caught up on a number of topics 

  • Starting with the relocation of their offices to Franklin. 

  • Service offerings; something almost everyday

  • Fund raising efforts introduces an Annual Campaign

    • Tree of Life

    • Jack Frost Jubilee


The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jen


Audio file -> 
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-885-safe-coalition-j-knight-levine-11-15-22


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


​SAFE Coalition, www.safecoalitionma.org

Visit their webpage to find the “Donate” button if you would like to contribute to the cause


Tree of Life fund raiser -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/treeoflife


Jack Frost Jubilee ->  https://www.safecoalitionma.org/jubilee


SAFE Radio podcast ->  https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vc2FmZQ


Franklin Public Schools Substance Abuse Taskforce  https://www.franklinps.net/district/substance-abuse-education


SAFE Coalition Support Line: 508-488-8105


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


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) on the Franklin (MA) FM dial at 102.9. 


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"


Spend a few minutes catching up with Jennifer Knight-Levine talking about the SAFE Coalition (audio)
Spend a few minutes catching up with Jennifer Knight-Levine talking about the SAFE Coalition (audio)


Franklin Veterans: December 2022 - Coffee Social - Dec 7 at 10 AM

Join Us for Coffee & Conversation!

Please join us for coffee and conversation with fellow veterans on Wednesday, December 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center!

The Franklin Silvertones will perform a short program of holiday and patriotic tunes for your enjoyment!

December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day...

 

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/december-2022-coffee-social

Franklin Veterans: December 2022 - Coffee Social - Dec 7 at 10 AM
Franklin Veterans: December 2022 - Coffee Social - Dec 7 at 10 AM

Reporting by walking around: Photos this week 11/21 - 11/25/22

Found a couple of the hydrants from the painting contest conducted earlier this year.  DPW page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/join-fun-and-enter-franklins-fire-hydrant-painting-event

hydrant from the painting contest 1
hydrant from the painting contest 1


hydrant from the painting contest 2
hydrant from the painting contest 2


A 10-unit apartment building under construction on Chestnut St
Project documents reviewed by the Planning Board

A 10-unit apartment building under construction on Chestnut St
A 10-unit apartment building under construction on Chestnut St

Some trees along the shoreline at DelCarte were removed, new trees are planted and picnic tables are arranged.

trees along the shoreline at DelCarte were removed
trees along the shoreline at DelCarte were removed

Friendly reminder on the Christmas Fair coming up next weekend at St John's Episcopal Church.

Friendly reminder on the Christmas Fair
Friendly reminder on the Christmas Fair

Friendly reminder on the Tree lighting and Santa's arrival to the Town Common at 4 PM on Sunday, Nov 27, 2022

Friendly reminder on the Tree lighting and Santa's arrival to the Town Common
Friendly reminder on the Tree lighting and Santa's arrival to the Town Common

Business Insider: "These 6 common vegetables are actually all the same plant"

Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) tweeted:
You may never have heard of the plant Brassica Oleracea, but six vegetables you can find in any grocery store and you eat on a regular basis are actually all from this one plant and they're all human made products of selective breeding [source, read more: https://t.co/ZFHFAjSjpT]

 Shared from Twitter ->  https://t.co/9txK8GNGWT

Friday, November 25, 2022

Franklin's Event Outlook: Nov 25, 2022 to Dec 2, 2022

Santa arrives via fire truck Sunday at 4 PM. If you miss that, the Dean College tree gets light up on Thursday at 4 PM. In between those festive events, there is plenty going on here in Franklin.


Friday, November 25 

10:30am -Santa Storywalk - (DelCarte Recreation)

6:00pm - Laura May Duo (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:00pm - FSPA Homecoming (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)


Saturday, November 26

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am - Nutcracker Storytime (cast of FPAC’s performance) (Escape Into Fiction)

1:00pm - Magic with Scott Martell (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm - Open House (free) (Creative Corner Art Studio - 15 Main Unit 6a)

4:00pm - Dom DeBaggis (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

5:30pm - John & Tyler (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)


Sunday, November 27

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

4:00pm - Santa arrives - Concerts on the Common (Franklin Town Common)


Tuesday, November 29

6:00pm - Book Club (bring your own book) (Escape Into Fiction)


Wednesday, November 30

6:00pm - Poetry for the People (Escape Into Fiction)


Thursday, December 1

4:00pm - Tree Lighting (Dean College)


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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

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

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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 School Committee meeting video available (11/22/22)

The Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting of Tuesday, November 22, 2022 is available for video replay via YouTube (thanks to Franklin.TV).

Video link -> https://youtu.be/spuii1gG-Uo

Agenda document with remote connection info ->

Meeting packet (documents released for this meeting) (note not all docs are released before the meeting) ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-22-2022-school-committee-packet

Franklin School Committee: Agenda for Nov 22, 2022 meeting
Franklin School Committee: Nov 22, 2022 meeting

FHS football comes back to top KP on Thanksgiving 29-28 to take back-to-back Hockomock titles (video)

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2022.

Franklin, 29 @ King Philip, 28 – Final 
  • 1st Quarter: (F) Jase Lyons 69-yard pass to Luke Davis, Garrett Portesi XP good; (KP) William Astorino 2-yard rush, Matthew Kelley XP good.
  • 2nd Quarter: (KP) W. Astorino 12-yard rush, M. Kelley XP good; (F) J. Lyons 6-yard pass to L. Davis, G. Portesi XP good.
  • 3rd Quarter: (KP) W. Astorino 2-yard rush, M. Kelley XP good; (KP) Tommy McLeish 26-yard pass to W. Astorino, M. Kelley XP good; (F) J. Lyons 19-yard pass to L. Davis, G. Portesi XP good.
  • 4th Quarter: (F) Mike Davide 3-yard rush, J. Lyons 2-point pass to L. Davis.

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"King Philip got the ball back up by seven points with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter of Thursday morning’s holiday matinee at Macktaz Field and went back to work with the ground game that had been nearly unstoppable for most of the game.

After running more than seven minutes off the clock, KP had first down from the Franklin 30 and looked like it was maybe one or two plays away from clinching the title-deciding showdown.

Rudy Gately (21 carries, 116 yards) was stopped for a loss of three by Emmett Lackey. Quarterback Tommy McLeish took the next snap and went on a sweep around the left side, but Franklin read the play and pried the ball loose. Devine Johnson pounced on it at the 34 to give the visitors a chance with 6:11 on the clock.

Mike Davide (11 carries, 40 yards) broke free for a 13-yard gain into KP territory and Jase Lyons (20-of-27, 232 yards) hit Josh Ribeiro on the sideline. Ribeiro refused to go out of bounds, cutting back infield and eventually gaining 17 to the KP 28. After back-to-back completions to Luke Davis, Lyons kept it himself, looking for contact in the secondary and being brought down at the three. Davide finished the drive to bring the Panthers within one."
Continue reading the game recap:

For a photo gallery from this game ->

For the video via Franklin.TV -> https://youtu.be/E9ndNLG4U6g

Boston Globe coverage (subscription maybe required)


Franklin senior Luke Davis (6) hauls in a two-point conversion with 2:46 remaining, which lifted the Panthers to a come from behind win at rival King Philip and to a second straight Kelley-Rex title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin senior Luke Davis (6) hauls in a two-point conversion with 2:46 remaining, which lifted the Panthers to a come from behind win at rival King Philip and to a second straight Kelley-Rex title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM

Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM


Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM
Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM

Reminder from DPW: Fall Curbside Yard Waste Collection Scheduled for Week of December 5, 2022.

Notice from the Department of Public Works:

Fall curbside yard waste collection will now run the week of December 5, 2022.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-dpw-fall-curbside-yard-waste-collection-scheduled-week-december-5th-2022

Notice from the DPW: Fall Curbside Yard Waste Collection Scheduled for Week of December 5, 2022.
Notice from the DPW: Fall Curbside Yard Waste Collection Scheduled for Week of December 5, 2022

No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam.


No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam

IRS impersonators have been around for a while. But as more people get to know their tricks, they're switching it up. 

So instead of contacting you about a tax debt and making threats to get you to pay up, scammers may send you a text about a "tax rebate" or some other tax refund or benefit. 




No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam
No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam

"four recommendations critical to rebuilding a state park system that meets our collective, essential needs"

"On October 14, Massachusetts Conservation Voters convened a state virtual parks summit attended by more than 20 environmental organizations from across the Commonwealth. This open letter, signed by more than 50 organizations, is the result.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE PARKS are in crisis. More than a decade of funding and staffing cuts have eviscerated the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) ability to meet its mission “to protect, promote, and enhance our Commonwealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all,” while digging a $1 billion deferred maintenance hole.

The December 2021 Legislative Special Commission report on DCR (page 51) found that Massachusetts, one of the wealthiest states in the nation,  ranks last in per capita spending on state and municipal parks.

State park visitors rarely encounter rangers, and too often find shuttered facilities, crumbling infrastructure, and dirty bathrooms. Park rules enforcement to ensure visitor safety and resource protection is virtually non-existent. Also compromised is our parkland’s ability to support our physical and mental well-being, promote environmental justice, mitigate flooding and urban heat islands, foster climate resilience, and harbor significant natural resources and biodiversity."
Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

Download a copy of the report reference to read the full story

A pond at DCR-run Nickerson State Park in Brewster.
A pond at DCR-run Nickerson State Park in Brewster

Franklin Health Department: Healthy Skin Month


"November is Healthy Skin Month. 
Wear at least SPF 30 all year long. Ultraviolet rays can penetrate skin in any kind of weather. 
Learn more: www.americanskin.org"


American Skin Association
American Skin Association

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Nov 25, 2022

  •  wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ted Reinstein
9:00 am Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
11:00 am Senior Connection: Maggie Gundersen
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 6
3:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
4:00 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
5:00 pm Franklin Interfaith Thanksgiving 2022
7:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Safe Prescribing
8:30 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021
8:30 am It Takes A Village: Ethan Dimarino
9:30 am Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium
11:00 am FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Barnstable 11-12-22
1:30 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
3:00 pm Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini
5:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
5:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Wachusett 11-11-22
8:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v St. John's Shrewsbury 11-13-22


  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 11-03-22
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 11-03-22

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Watch "How Thanksgiving Became A National Holiday" on YouTube

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

"Thanksgiving is a relatively new national holiday in America. Who made it what it is today? 
Learn about Sarah Josepha Hale: https://t.co/FvyOWTa7Ep"
Portrait of Sarah Josepha Hale, circa 1831, by James Reid Lambdin Richard's Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire
Portrait of Sarah Josepha Hale, circa 1831, by James Reid Lambdin  Richard's Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire

"A reading of Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation by WGBH News staff members." video link -> https://youtu.be/vAsmiMi1cRQ


Instead of Black Friday, let's focus on Small Business Saturday & #GivingTuesday

Yes, the commercials started a while ago. Black Friday deals available online and Before Black Friday. It is hard to avoid them they are so pervasive.

(1) Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to really spend our money wisely and locally. Consider the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card and the shops where it can be used. Check out the listing of shops here ->  https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

Don't have a #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card? You can buy one online or at Dean Bank. www.franklingiftcard.com

Did you catch the series on local Franklin businesses we are running? The first 2 are available and more are coming. Thanks to contributor Lyn MacLean!


Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable
Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable

(2) There are over 100 nonprofits based in Franklin and a number of others who service this community while based elsewhere. #GivingTuesday was developed in response to the popularity of Black Friday and an attempt to focus on supporting the nonprofits. 

You should be seeing nonprofits advertising or emailing to prompt a donation for their cause on #givingtuesday. 

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is just one of the many we can support! The Food Pantry, SAFE Coalition, HMEA, the Hockomock YMCA... the list goes on...  If you can't think of a nonprofit to support there is a listing of them based in Franklin here -> https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/area-non-profits.html

DRINKING WATER NOTICE - November 23, 2022

Attention Water Customers - Please see the public notice below: 

This is NOT a boil water notice.  During routine sampling, the sample from our Well 2 Raw (UNTREATED) water contained E.coli.  The treated (disinfected) water from Well 2 and all other samples collected through the distribution system did not have E. Coli.  The well has been offline since November 18, 2022 for maintenance and will remain offline. 

This is not an emergency, you do NOT need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time, but we are required to notify you. Please see the notice below for more information. 

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

DRINKING WATER NOTICE To all users of the Franklin Water Department  Located in Franklin, Massachusetts.  This is an important notice – please translate it for anyone who does not understand English.  

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply. On November 21, 2022 our water system was notified that a water sample collected on November 15, 2022 from Well #2 tested positive for E.coli, which is a fecal indicator. Fecal indicators are used to detect ground water sources that may be susceptible to fecal contamination which may contain harmful viruses or bacteria. This well was taken off-line for maintenance on November 18, 2022.

The water delivered to your taps through the distribution system is disinfected with chlorine to kill viruses and bacteria, including E.coli. It is important to note that samples collected on November 15, 2022 in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.

This source is one of thirteen active wells that supplies drinking water to our system. In accordance with the federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) requirements, we are notifying you of the situation and conducting additional sampling to evaluate the extent of potential fecal contamination and will take further actions as necessary.

What should you do? What does this mean?

This is NOT an emergency, you do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time.
  • The USEPA requires us to provide you with this notice and the following information on fecal indicators: "Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems." These symptoms can also be caused by issues unrelated to drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, or, if you have specific health concerns, you may want to discuss such concerns with your doctor. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-hotline
  • Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and Businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
What is being done?

The well will remain offline for further evaluation. Our system is undergoing repeat testing and evaluation to determine if the current level of treatment is adequate or if additional corrective actions are necessary to reduce the risk of potential fecal contamination in our drinking water supply. We are in contact with MassDEP during this process who will evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken and determine if any further action is required. If necessary, you will be notified again if you need to take any corrective actions. This notice does not affect persons using private drinking water wells.

where all the wells are located in Franklin
where all the wells are located in Franklin
For more information and further updates, please contact Douglas Martin, Water & Sewer Superintendent, at 508-520-4910.

PWSID#:2101000 Date Distributed: November 23, 2022

Where is Well 2?  The map as part of the Consumer Confidence Report for Fiscal Year 2021 shows where all the wells are located. ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/franklin_ma_ccr_2022_web_final_052722_0.pdf
Listen to the 3-part podcast series on the water cycle, hear how it is processed from the well to your faucet.   -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley