Talk Franklin: Strong Towns, FY 2022 budget adjustments, Critical Conversations and restaurant alcohol licenses (audio)

FM #660 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 660 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation in person in Jamie’s office in the Franklin Municipal Building.

We talk about: 

The Strong Towns event at THE BLACK BOX

Finance Committee

• Budget adjustments

• Overall budget cycle, tax rate hearing coming to close, but capital budget for FY 2023 underway

Town Council

• Swearing in, re-org

• Open meeting law, Ethics, records review

• Meeting conduct reminders

Critical Conversations – Nov 18

• Substance abuse and mental health panel and breakout sessions

Links to the key references are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily.

Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/96623c72-eadb-4095-b468-70bd35dab55e

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Finance Committee meeting agenda ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-11-10_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

My meeting notes & meeting audio -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/fm-655-finance-committee-mtg-111021.html 

Town Council Agenda (98 page PDF agenda and docs released for this meeting)    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_nov_17_2021.pdf

The Worcester Regional Research Bureau restaurant license report referenced during our conversation ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/191cph8dOCd8DJnmB8xQg1rpwkfwRhqz8/view?usp=sharing 

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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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Talk Franklin:  Strong Towns, FY 2022 budget adjustments, Critical Conversations and restaurant alcohol licenses (audio)

Massachusetts Wins in The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Recently, the House of Representatives passed and sent to the president's desk The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a transformational and bipartisan law that will create good jobs and raise Massachusetts' infrastructure up to 21st century standards. It will fix roads and bridges, upgrade transit, expand high-speed internet, and invest in clean water and clean energy. I want to highlight how passage of this bill will directly impact Massachusetts: Historic Investments in Clean Water — Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Massachusetts would receive approximately $1.1 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure clean drinking water.  Repair and Rebuild Our Roads and Bridges — Massachusetts would receive approximately $4.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $1.1 billion for bridge replacement and repairs over five years. Improve Public Transit — Massachusetts would receive approximately $2.5 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state.  Invest in Sustainable and Clean Transportation Options — Massachusetts would receive approximately $63 million over five years to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network in the state. Massachusetts will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to electric vehicle charging in the bill. Expand Access to Affordable High-Speed Internet — Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Massachusetts will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 137,000 people in Massachusetts who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 1,340,000 or 19% of people in Massachusetts will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access. Prepare for Extreme Weather and Cyber Attacks — Based on historical formula funding levels, Massachusetts would receive approximately $5.8 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $15.7 million to protect against cyberattacks. Bay Staters will also benefit from the bill's historic $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization which will reduce energy costs for families. Improve Airports — Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Massachusetts would receive approximately $244 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years. From fixing roads to guaranteeing clean water, this infrastructure bill will deliver results for every American, all while creating jobs right here at home to get it done. As we work with this Administration on a build back better policy, Massachusetts can lead the way. From Taunton to Newton and beyond, we have the talent and tools to build a more fair and prosperous economy. All we need is better infrastructure. Now, we can build it. Sincerely, Jake Auchincloss Member of Congress OFFICE LOCATIONS WASHINGTON DC OFFICE • 1524 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515 • Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON DISTRICT OFFICE • 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 • Newton, MA 02458 • Phone : (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO DISTRICT OFFICE • 8 N. Main St. Suite 200 • Attleboro, MA 02703 • Phone : (508) 431-1110   WEBSITE  |   Click Here to view this email in your browser

Diwali Festival celebrated at Franklin Library

The Indian Diwali Festival was celebrated by around 400 people on Saturday afternoon. 4th District Congressman Jake Auchincloss along with District Director Dana Hanson joined the festivities at America's First Public Library. 

The significance of the Indian Festival of Lights Diwali is victory of Good over Evil.

The program started with prayer and followed by colorful Bollywood Dances and Indian traditional kid dances.

Yummy sweets and brunch boxes were served for Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians.

Photos and text submitted by community correspondent KP Sompally

Congressman Auchincloss poses with some of the gathering

Congressman Auchincloss gives remarks to the gathering

some of the sweets gathered comments

Link for Strong Towns event Nov 15 - 9:30 AM (updated)

Updated:

Event Details for Congressman Jake Auchincloss’s Municipal Leaders Town Hall featuring Special Guests Charles Marohn of Strong Towns, State Representative Jeff Roy, and Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo

When: Monday, November 15 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Where: THE BLACK BOX theater (Home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company) at 15 West Central St, Franklin MA 02038

• Free parking is available next to and behind the theater, and on Main Street.
• We request that participants wear face coverings at this indoor event. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available at the entrance to the event.
• Questions? Please contact Dana Hanson at dana.hanson@mail.house.gov.

To participate in person please RSVP at -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzI0bJ4hSQPlAXpngN5rbv_GWUle6ghAOzKQIh47wTzwUl9Q/viewform

This will be live streamed on Franklin.TV All-Access (online, Comcast 8, Verizon 26)

Remote link and live streaming info -> https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83485517073

Link for Strong Towns event Nov 15 - 9:30 AM

Strong Towns Conversation - Nov 15

RSVP for Town Hall featuring special guests Charles Marohn of Strong Towns, State Representative Jeff Roy, and Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo

Congressman Auchincloss is looking forward to bringing together local elected leaders, municipal administrators/managers, planners and economic development professionals, and grassroots advocates to discuss how to make our communities financially strong and resilient.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to staff or any other interested stakeholders in your cities and towns.

Event Details for Congressman Jake Auchincloss’s Municipal Leaders Town Hall featuring Special Guests Charles Marohn of Strong Towns, State Representative Jeff Roy, and Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo

When: Monday, November 15 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Where: THE BLACK BOX theater (Home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company) at 15 West Central St, Franklin MA 02038

• Free parking is available next to and behind the theater, and on Main Street.
• We request that participants wear face coverings at this indoor event. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available at the entrance to the event.
• Questions? Please contact Dana Hanson at dana.hanson@mail.house.gov.

RSVP at -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzI0bJ4hSQPlAXpngN5rbv_GWUle6ghAOzKQIh47wTzwUl9Q/viewform

Strong Towns Conversation - Nov 15

VIDEO: Auchincloss: BIF A Big Deal

 

VIDEO: Auchincloss: BIF A Big Deal

 

This morning (11/08/21), Jake joined "Way Too Early" on MSNBC to discuss passage of the historic bipartisan infrastructure package, what comes next for the Build Back Better Act, and how Democrats can sell a winning progressive agenda through the Midterms and beyond. Happy Infrastructure Week (for real this time)!  

 

WATCH: https://youtu.be/AdFOroQOXjc

 

KEY EXCERPTS: 

On BIF: "A Big Deal":

"It is a big win for Democrats. More importantly, it's a big win for the United States. We have just made long overdue investments in this country's infrastructure and our economic competitiveness. We are upgrading our roads and our bridges and our public transportation system; we are ensuring that every family has access to clean water; and we are providing high-speed internet to rural, suburban, and urban cities and counties throughout the country – the 21st Century version of electricity. And, by the way, we're also upgrading the electoral grid as well. This is about core, physical infrastructure. This is about allowing the United States to compete on the world stage against China, and it's also about boosting the earning potential of working and middle class families. It's a big deal.  

 

On Next Steps to Passing Build Back Better:  

"I'm confident we'll pass [the Build Back Better Act] and as you said, there's going to be twists and turns along the way. We're trying to do big things with small margins, so that's going to require intense negotiations. That's important, better policy comes out the other end of a good, vigorous back-and-forth of ideas. It's the exact opposite of what we see from the Republican Party under Donald Trump where they are really a cult of personality in lock-step with whatever their leader Tweets. Here in the Democratic Party, we want to debate ideas. And we have fashioned a Build Back Better agenda that really meets the moment. 

"It is going to provide Social Security for kids. That means expanded tax allowance for working and middle class families with kids, so they have more disposable income to spend on high-quality nutrition and other needs. That means guaranteed three and four year old early education for every kid in the country, and that means more affordable childcare for families in all fifty states. This is improving outcomes for kids across America and it's going to be historic. 

"We are also taking a big bite out of healthcare costs – what people pay at the counter for prescription drugs, what seniors pay for long term care, what Americans in states without access to Obamacare pay to get coverage. 

"And finally, we are finally going to take the big, bold action necessary to meet the climate emergency with clean energy tax credits and a host of other climate resiliency measures. The Build Back Better agenda is historic, it's necessary, and we are going to get it done."  

On Selling the Progressive Agenda: 

"[Passing this legislation is] critical. Americans need to feel, not just hear, about the legislation that Democrats are enacting. I'm from Massachusetts as you mentioned, right next to Boston. And we just saw on Election Night my friend Michelle Wu become the next Mayor of Boston. Michelle ran on a progressive platform, but with a 'get it done' attitude and agenda. And I think that is the balance that Democrats are going to want to strike nationally. We are going to be unapologetic, be big and bold about what we're trying to accomplish for this country, whether it is ensuring voting rights, whether it is investing in our infrastructure, whether it is improving outcomes for kids. But we're going to do it in a way that is concrete and really lets people feel the deliverables that we're enacting."

To learn more about  Jake Auchincloss, visit https://jakeforma.com or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.