Showing posts with label 350. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 350. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting Thursday, July 18 at 7 PM

Happy Hot July, everyone! Stay cool!

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting is this Thursday, July 18! 

It will be HYBRID: both by Zoom AND in person at First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, 7:00-9:00pm!

We're coming down to the wire for a climate bill as this legislative session ends July 31! The Senate came out with their strong version in late June and the House is supposed to submit theirs today. 
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting

Here's a photo from our Mass Power Forward march from Boston Common to the State House on Sunday: 
WE CHALKED THE SIDEWALK WITH MESSAGES TO OUR LEGISLATORS TO SEE MONDAY!

WE CHALKED THE SIDEWALK WITH MESSAGES
WE CHALKED THE SIDEWALK WITH MESSAGES


We'll focus on what the rest of the legislative process is and what important actions we can take before the end of the session in two weeks, ESPECIALLY as Rep. Jeff Roy is so critical to the future of this climate bill as the House Chair of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee (TUE) and a necessary member of the Joint Conference Committee.

Come learn what you can do!  

THESE LAST TWO WEEKS ARE WHEN THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD IN A SPRINT TO THE FINISH, FOLKS! We must implement phasing out gas, and facilitate fair siting and permitting for electrical transmission infrastructure to get off gas, and pass other major climate actions this legislative session. TIME IS UP! 

For more news about ongoing and upcoming events, please sign up for the Climate Weekly email. Also, check out upcoming events on the 350 Mass website.

WE NEED YOUR VOICES TO PUSH FOR A STRONG BILL! JOIN US!

With gratitude,

Node Co-coordinators 
Carolyn Barthel and Steve Derdiarian

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, June 20

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, June 6, 2024

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this week, Thursday, June 6, 2024, 7:00-9:00 pm.

This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  

Location of the in-person meeting: First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.
 
OPTION:  Join on Zoom   
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09             
Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274
Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

As usual, we will share information about 350 Mass, and discuss and plan for local and state activities. Also, attendees at our Node meeting will share developments in their cities and towns.

This week we will highlight these events:

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, June 6, 2024
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, June 6, 2024

  • Mass Power Forward Lobby Day, Thursday, June 20. Sign up to join activists across the state. Meet with your legislators either at the State House or in their Districts, to lobby for Mass Power Forward priorities. For details and registration, sign up here.  (350 Mass is a leader in the Mass Power Forward coalition.)
  • In a related event, on Wednesday, June 12, 12:00-12:45 PM, 350 Mass will devote our monthly "Lunch.Climate.Action." Actionar to "The Art of Advocacy." Join us for more practice at how to effectively explore and enhance our lobby day skills. Information and RSVP here.
  • As context for our advocacy for strong climate action by our state's legislature, please take a moment to reflect on the severity of the climate crisis. India is suffering from extreme heat with temperatures above 120 degrees in the capital Delhi, and people and animals are dying in large numbers. In our hemisphere, record heat is impacting much of the U.S. and our neighbor Mexico.  We must cram in as much as possible in our climate bill(s)!  Massachusetts needs to do its part to push the energy transition!    
  • MA Climate Legislation Update! June 10, 7:00 PM.  For an opportunity to learn about proposed Massachusetts climate change and climate justice legislation, join this webinar by Green Energy Consumers Alliance and The Climate Reality Project, featuring an outstanding panel of advocates and policy experts. Information and registration here.
  • Franklin Strawberry Stroll.  Friday, June 7 from 4 to 8 PM. Read the description here. There will be booths providing information about organizations and businesses, including 350 Mass and Energize Franklin. At our meeting on Thursday we will go over the details of our participation.  

We will save the latter part of the meeting on Thursday for some social time, in particular to say farewell to Ralph Halpern, our Node co-coordinator (that's me). After about 6-7 years of participating in the Greater Franklin Node, I will resign from the Node because I am moving to a new home northwest of Boston. My wife and I are retired now and plan to start a new phase in a 55-plus condo community with, best or all, closer proximity to our young grandson and his parents. I expect to switch my 350 Mass affiliation to another Node, so I look forward to seeing many of you at rallies and events. As for our Greater Franklin Node, the work continues under Carolyn Barthel's tremendous leadership. In July, emails about meetings and activities will come to you from Node member Steve Derdiarian. If you're already active with the Node, thank you and keep up the good work. If you want to play a role confronting the enormous challenges we all face, I recommend 350 Mass and our Node as a great way to learn and participate.

For more news about ongoing and upcoming events, please sign up for the Climate Weekly email. Also, check out upcoming events on the 350 Mass website.

We look forward to another informative and action-oriented Node meeting. We hope you can join us, in person or on Zoom. We will send a reminder on Thursday.

Our next meeting after this week will be the 3rd Thursday of the month, June 20th.

Thank you.

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, May 16, 2024

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this Thursday, May 16, 7:00-9:00 pm.  Please add it to your calendar. 

 

This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  

 

Location of the in-person meetingFirst Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

 

OPTION:  Join on Zoom   

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09             

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923


350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, May 16, 2024
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, May 16, 2024

 

 

Here are some items for the meeting and for your attention:

 

Mini-Rallies for Climate Action on May 21! The state legislature is coming down to the wire to pass climate bills! We have about sixty days left to move forward on climate change in the state. 350 Mass and our allies invite you to rally for climate action! Our simultaneous mini-rallies will send a message to the legislature that we need them to do their jobs and pass climate legislation now. Find your local rally and join us. RSVP here.  


     One rally will be in Franklin, on Tuesday, May 21, 4:30-6:00pm. Location: Median strip: Main St & E. Central St. (Rt. 140), Franklin, in front of the Rome RestaurantWe call upon Rep. Jeff Roy, the House Chair of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee (TUE), to push to pass major climate legislation such as an environmental justice (EJ) siting bill and the Future of Clean Heat bill. Bring your enthusiasm, your bodies and your signs! (Signs can say "60 days left for Climate Justice!, We Want EJ Siting Bill!, Future of Clean Heat, etc.). Attend our Node meeting this Thursday and bring materials so we can work together to make our posters.

 

Stop Expansion at Hanscom Field! At the meeting we will each write a letter opposing the proposed expansion of private jet capacity at Hanscom Field which would allow more private jet flights with their extremely high carbon dioxide emissions. If you won't be at the meeting, it would still be helpful if you did this on your own. Here is some background information and a sample letter to send to Alexander Strysky, an environmental analyst in the state's Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA). 

Articles:  Massport's plan to expand private jet space at Hanscom is a climate debacle.   And These Massachusetts landmarks made a new list of the 'most endangered sites' in the US

     350 Mass member Jennifer Riley offers this instruction: "Some folks have expressed frustration with the guidelines for submitting comments regarding the proposed expansion of private jet capacity at Hanscom Field. I'm attaching a copy of my letter in hopes it might make it easy to modify it and send it in as your own; it needn't be this long. Please change any details that apply to me but not to you. The subject line should be: "EEA No. 16654 - L.G. Hanscom Field North Airfield Development, Bedford" and it should be sent to alexander.strysky@mass.gov."  Jennifer's letter is attached to this email. 

 

For other activities and initiatives, see the Climate Weekly email and the Event Calendar. 

 

Please try to join us for Thursday's meeting. We will maintain our schedule of meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. 

 

Thank you.

 

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern


Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   



Wednesday, May 1, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, May 2, 2024

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this week, Thursday, May 2, 2024, 7:00-9:00 pm. 

 

This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  

 

Location of the in-person meetingFirst Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

 

OPTION:     

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09             

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923


As usual, we will share information about 350 Mass, and discuss and plan for local and state activities. 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, May 2, 2024
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, May 2, 2024

Attendees at our Node meeting will share developments in their cities and towns.

IMPORTANT Legislative Update: Call/email your legislators to push our bills, using our BRAND NEW TOOLKIT! It's very informative, giving you everything you need to know. Please take these actions this week and next week.

For more news about ongoing and upcoming events, please sign up for the Climate Weekly email. Also, check out upcoming events on our website

 

We look forward to another informative and action-oriented Node meeting. We hope you can join us, in person or on Zoom. We will send a reminder on Thursday.

 

Our next meeting after this week will be the 3rd Thursday of the month, May 16. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   



Thursday, April 18, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, April 18

 
The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this Thursday, April 18, 7:00-9:00 pm.  Please add it to your calendar.

The meeting will be on Zoom: 

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

Whether or not you attend the meeting, we ask you to complete two easy but important tasks.

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node


1. Legislative Update: Call/email your legislators to push our 350 Mass priority bills, using our BRAND NEW TOOLKIT! It's very informative, giving you everything you need to know. You will find a script for a phone call and text for an email. Please take these actions this week or next week, before May 1.  

2. It's a "No Brainer" that we tell ISO-New England to stop sending our money to fossil fuel peaker plants! Read about it and sign the statement here.

Please sign up for the Climate Weekly email if you are not yet receiving it. 

Check out upcoming events on our website

 

Please try to join us for Thursday's meeting. We will maintain our schedule of meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. 

Thank you.


Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   



Wednesday, April 3, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, April 4, 2024

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this week, Thursday, April 4, 2024, 7:00-9:00 pm. 

 

This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  


Those of us who have been meeting in Franklin have enjoyed the chance to come together. We hope others will do the same. 

 

Location of the in-person meetingFirst Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

 

OPTION:     

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09             

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923


350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

As usual, we will share information about 350 Mass, and discuss and plan for local and state activities. 

We are scheduling Franklin residents to make Citizen Comments to the Franklin Town Council to advocate for a Franklin Sustainability Coordinator. When you SIGN UP, please write in your name and put an X on the date you want to speak. We really want a variety of town voices, not the same ones each meeting (4 meetings x 3 Citizen Comment speakers = 12 different voices). For those who have already signed up with Xs for all the dates, CHOOSE ONE and PUT PARENTHESES AROUND THE Xs ON THE OTHER DATES in case we need you as backup. DON'T WORRY: THE TALKING POINTS WILL COME LATER THIS MONTH (we're organizing them right now). SIGN UP HERE.

Also, attendees at our Node meeting will share developments in their cities and towns.

IMPORTANT Legislative Update: Call/email your legislators to push our bills, using our BRAND NEW TOOLKIT! It's very informative, giving you everything you need to know. Please take these actions this week and next week.

For more news about ongoing and upcoming events, please sign up for the Climate Weekly email. Also, check out upcoming events on our website

 

We look forward to another informative and action-oriented Node meeting. We hope you can join us, in person or on Zoom. We will send a reminder on Thursday.

 

Our next meeting after this week will be the 3rd Thursday of the month, April 18. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   


Wednesday, March 20, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, March 21, 2024

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this Thursday, March 21, 7:00-9:00 pm.  Please add it to your calendar. 

We will send more details about the meeting on Wednesday/Thursday. 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node


The meeting will be on Zoom:  

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923


You may be interested in an online program, this Wednesday, March 20, 7-8:30 pm. Presentation on Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change: Communities and individuals must develop strategies to deal with the effects of climate change as they happen. Join Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association, for a presentation and Q&A and learn how you can make your community safer and more secure in the face of our changing climate. Sign up here. Wed, Mar 20, 7-8:30 pm.


Please sign up for the Climate Weekly email if you are not yet receiving it. 

Check out upcoming events on our website

 

Please try to join us for Thursday's meeting. We will maintain our schedule of meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. 


Thank you.


Thank you.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   


Wednesday, March 6, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7 PM

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this Thursday, March 7, 2024, 7:00-9:00 pm. 

 

This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  

Those of us who have been meeting in Franklin have enjoyed the chance to come together. We hope others will do the same. 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

 

·  Location of the in-person meetingFirst Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

 

·   OPTION:     

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09             

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

 

This week, March 7, we'll continue our discussion about working to have our cities and towns adopt the Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code. Franklin, Sharon, and other towns in our node are taking steps to adopt the bylaw, and spring town meeting agendas are being set now. Here's some background: 

One of the recommended local actions of the 350 Mass Emissions Free Buildings campaign is adoption of the Municipal Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code. This new level of building code pushes new construction towards our Massachusetts state-mandated goals through deep energy efficiency, reduced heating loads, and efficient electrification. Here is one of many online resources that provides helpful information: Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) and Sierra Club: Fighting for Better Buildings, and Specialized Opt-In Code Toolkit


We will also catch up on legislative action as bills make their way through Committees, the House and the Senate.  

 

For more news about ongoing and upcoming events, please sign up for the Climate Weekly email. Also, check out upcoming events on our website. 350 Mass will hold its annual summit, "Organizing in a Time of Upheaval" on March 16; learn more here.

 

We look forward to another informative and action-oriented Node meeting. We hope you can join us, in person or on Zoom. We will send a reminder on Thursday.

 

Our next meeting after this week will be the 3rd Thursday of the month, March 21. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern


Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   


Wednesday, January 31, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, February 1, 2024; and Legislative Action

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this Thursday, February 1, 2024, 7:00-9:00 pm. 

 

This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  

Those of us who have been meeting in Franklin have enjoyed the chance to come together. We hope others will do the same. 

 

·       Location of the in-person meetingFirst Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin

 

·       OPTION:  Join on Zoom   

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09             

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274

Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

 

This week, Feb. 1, during the first part of the meeting, 7:00-7:45 pm, we'll have a Weston volunteer present how his town organized a campaign to successfully adopt the Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code, with Q&A following. Why is this important? Because Franklin and other towns in our node are working to adopt the bylaw, and spring town meeting agendas are being set now! Come hear his presentation!

 

BACKGROUND: One of the recommended local actions of the 350 Mass Emissions Free Buildings campaign is adoption of the Municipal Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code. This new level of building code pushes new construction towards our Massachusetts state-mandated goals through deep energy efficiency, reduced heating loads, and efficient electrification. We will also share resources that all of us can use in our own communities.

 

Here is another important matter: We ask everyone to contact your state Representative and Senator this week! All the information you need is here in this Action Alert

 

BACKGROUND: We want our Legislature to pass climate and energy bills that are priorities for 350 Mass and the larger Mass Power Forward coalition. Now is the time to push legislators to have our key climate bills reported favorably out of committee. If not reported out favorably soon (February 6 is the current deadline, although it could be extended), bills will be effectively dead for this legislative session. 

 

For more news about ongoing and upcoming events, please sign up for the Climate Weekly email. Also, check out upcoming events on our website

 

We look forward to another informative and action-oriented Node meeting. We hope you can join us, in person or on Zoom. We will send a reminder on Thursday.

 

Our next meeting after this week will be the 3rd Thursday of the month, February 15. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern


Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, January 18, 2024 - hybrid session

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this Thursday, January 18, 7:00-9:00 PM. Franklin residents, come to this meeting!  

This will be a HYBRID meeting: you can attend in person, or join on Zoom.  

Those of us who have been meeting in Franklin have enjoyed the chance to come together. Join us! 

 

  • In-person meetingFirst Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin
  •  OPTION:   

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

 

ATTENTION Franklin residents! In addition to our regular agenda, we will hear about and discuss sustainability plans for the Town of Franklin. We will be joined in-person by Gino Carlucci, chair of the Sustainability Subcommittee of the Franklin Master Plan Update Committee, from 7:15-7:35. It will be primarily an introductory discussion to one or more public meetings scheduled over the next 2-3 months, at which everyone interested will have the opportunity to provide input to the master plan in general as well as the sustainability elements in particular. We look forward to our discussion with Gino.

 

The remainder of the Node meeting will focus on the two major 350 Mass campaigns: Emissions Free Buildings and Make Polluters Pay. Read about them here.


The Emissions Free Buildings (EFB) campaign works at municipal and statewide levels to replace building systems with proven renewable energy technologies to make our buildings and homes emissions free, in alignment with the Commonwealth's emission goals.     

 

Along with statewide legislation, the 350 Mass EFB campaign promotes local action to accelerate the transition with five Local Projects that can be undertaken by single communities. We'll discuss the choices for towns within the node:

  • Better buildings: Achieving energy efficiency and electrification of buildings and homes; A project to implement Clean Green Schools; and New Building Codes to promote use of renewable energy.
  • Municipal aggregation (aka Community Choice Aggregation) where a town or city purchases electricity in bulk for its residents.
  • Opposition to proposed new gas pipelines.

Here is your opportunity to promote climate action in your town and get guidance to make that happen! The Greater Franklin Node encompasses 20 towns. We want to identify potential Local Projects for towns. Which projects make sense for your town? Who are the key players? How to engage local citizens? This is your chance to make a difference in 2024 and take on the challenges that we face in climate and energy. Join us!

 

Please sign up for the Climate Weekly email. 

Check out upcoming events on our website

 

Please try to join us for Thursday's meeting. We will maintain our schedule of meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. 

 

Note: We typically will hold a hybrid meeting on the 1st Thursday and a Zoom-only meeting on the 3rd Thursday, but this week's meeting is a hybrid event so we can welcome Gino Carlucci and residents of Franklin for an in-person discussion.  

 

If you have questions or items for the agenda, you can contact the Node coordinators, carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or ralph.halpern@comcast.net. We will send a reminder on Thursday.  

 

Thank you.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017