2 articles from the Boston Globe on the MA housing crisis and possible solutions

(1) Via the Boston Globe:  "Opinion | How Mass. can streamline its homebuilding process"

"It’s no secret that homeownership is out of reach for many people in Massachusetts. The average sale price of a single-family home is $642,000, the third highest in the nation. Renting instead is cold comfort; the average Greater Boston apartment costs $3,058. Although the state and local communities have taken steps to increase the housing supply, more housing still needs to be built.

Massachusetts achieved its notorious reputation for unaffordability by layering barrier upon barrier to new housing. In new research published by the Pioneer Institute, we lay out what we learned about the arduous and uncertain homebuilding process by interviewing builders, planners, lawyers, and scholars from across the state."

Shared from ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/21/opinion/homebuilding-permitting-process-massachusetts/

How to access the Globe via the Library with your library card

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/how-to-access-online-resources-with.html

Go directly to the brief that lead to this article

https://pioneerinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/PNR-608-Permit-Reform-02192025.pdf

(2) via the Globe ->  "State commission on housing production targets single-family zoning, other sweeping reforms"

"Single-family neighborhoods are synonymous with the American Dream. Their driveways and grassy yards define the communities of suburban America, including Greater Boston.

But are they also compounding Massachusetts' deep housing crisis?

A state-appointed commission focused on the state’s worsening housing shortage in fact identified single-family-only zoning — the land-use rules that created suburban single-family neighborhoods — as a primary obstacle blocking the surge of construction Massachusetts desperately needs to address its housing problem.

And so the commission proposes a seemingly profound idea: get rid of single-family zoning — everywhere in Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online ->  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/21/business/massachusetts-housing-affordability/

MA housing crisis and possible solutions

How to access the Globe via the Library with your library card

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/how-to-access-online-resources-with.html

Housing commission press release on the report ->   https://www.mass.gov/doc/building-for-tomorrow-a-report-from-the-unlocking-housing-production-commission

Direct access to the Housing Commission Report ->    https://www.mass.gov/doc/building-for-tomorrow-a-report-from-the-unlocking-housing-production-commission/download

Did you know there was a "Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren?"

Neither did I. It appeared just about the time I was starting my reporting so it slipped by the radar then.

"On July 8, 2008, the Child Advocate bill was signed into law which included the establishment of the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Section 1 of Chapter 176, the Acts of 2008 M.G.L. Chapter 3, section 69). This legislation calls for a permanent commission on the status of grandparents raising grandchildren which consists of 15 individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to grandparents."

"The purpose of this Commission is to be a resource to the Commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren, and relatives, other than parents, raising kin."

Follow them on Twitter -> https://twitter.com/massachsettsgrg

Visit their web page for more info -> 

https://www.massgrg.com/massgrg_2019/about_the_commission.html#

Did you know there was a "Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren?"

Grandparents raising grandchildren: You are not alone. from kyle vining on Vimeo.

Mass. seal, motto commission asks for public input on new design

survey on seal, flag

Dear participant:

The purpose of this survey is to learn about people’s understanding of the current Massachusetts state seal and opinions about design features of a future seal. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Boston are working on this project the Special Commission Relative to the Seal and Motto.

We hope you take the time to participate.  

What is involved: If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete a short (5-10 minutes) online survey. Your participation is completely voluntary. You are free to skip any question and may stop at any time.

PLEASE FOLLOW LINK TO CONTINUE ->   https://umassboston.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cLQTE29dnADwfAy

The State Seal Commission and archive of their hearings can be found online ->   https://malegislature.gov/Commissions/Detail/565/About

2023 Disability Expo - scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023

The 2023 Disability Expo is scheduled for individuals with disability, support persons, community partners, and more. It will be held at the Franklin Senior Center on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Representatives are scheduled to be on site to share a variety of resources regarding disability services that are available.

Questions? call Disability Chairperson Mary O'Neill at 508-440-1265

Download the flyer to share or as your reminder

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X4DNe9MyhUQg6unJUrjtZwsHS71Ssbwh/view?usp=share_link

2023 Disability Expo - scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023

"The commission’s report also highlighted the many challenges that stand in the way of decarbonization efforts"

"A COMMISSION that spent the last 11 months studying ways to help the state meet its emissions reduction requirements by shifting to cleaner buildings and addressing heating fuels that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions released its final recommendations Wednesday, but was not able to come to consensus around a timeline for phasing out new fossil fuel heating equipment.

The Commission on Clean Heat’s final report recommends that Massachusetts develop and implement a “clean heat standard” that could incentivize cleaner heating technology and promote the electrification of building stock, encourage joint natural gas and electric system planning, and reorganize existing energy efficiency and clean energy transition programs to be more user-friendly for residents, businesses, and contractors.

The commission’s report attached some urgency to the recommendations. The residential and commercial building sector-specific sublimits established in keeping with the state’s 2021 climate law require a 28 percent reduction in emissions by 2025 and a 47 percent reduction by 2030, all compared to the baseline of 1990 emissions. As of 2020, the commission said, emissions for the residential and commercial buildings sector were 18 percent below 1990 levels."

Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/no-consensus-on-moving-on-from-fossil-fuel-heat/ 

Download the full report to review at your leisure

https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-commission-on-clean-heat-final-report-november-30-2022/download

This was mentioned in our recent Making Sense of Climate episode #19. State Rep Jeff Roy was anxiously looking for the report as it was due during November and indeed released on the last day.  Listen to #19 here ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/hear-about-green-banking-and-more-in.html

A heating oil truck makes a delivery in downtown Boston with the old city hall in the background. (Photo by Andy Metzger)

Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on the Norfolk Aggie solar project

I attended a public meeting of the Norfolk County Commissioners last night (Mon Aug 29, 2022).  The main topic was the solar panel project that the commissioners propose for the Norfolk Aggie campus, which would entail cutting down seven acres of forest.  

To an outsider like me, the arguments in support of the project were utterly demolished by an entire room full of impassioned and well informed citizens.  If the commissioners go ahead to approve this project in the face of such clear public opposition, the voters of Norfolk County are entitled to their cynicism.  

In that case, those voters should certainly remember to vote against Commissioner Collins for reelection this fall.

Colin Cass
Franklin, MA 02038 

Norfolk County Commissioners meeting agenda for the 8/29/22 meeting as mentioned -> https://cms5.revize.com/revize/norfolkcountyma/Norfolk_County-08-29-2022%20Walpole_Public_Hearing_Revised_Notice%20Final.pdf

To add your voice to the discussion, please follow the guidelines

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on the Norfolk Aggie solar project

Notice from the Office of the Town Administrator - volunteer positions available for town boards & committees

Notice from the Office of the Town Administrator

The Town of Franklin currently has several volunteer openings on various boards and committees. The Town is seeking residents who are interested in filling those volunteer positions that are now available, or wish to have their name for consideration when a vacancy occurs. 

This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to get more involved in our wonderful community! Available seats are listed below along with term expiration dates:

Board / Committee Name	# of Vacancies	Term Expirations
Agricultural Commission	1 (Associate)	2023
Conservation Commission	1	2025
Cultural District Committee	2	2023, 2024
Design Review Commission	1 (Associate)	2023
Finance Committee	1	2025
Franklin Disability Commission	1	2024

To apply, click the following link to submit a Volunteer Application Form

All missions and work conducted by boards and committees can be found on our website franklinma.gov

Read more ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/2022-08-29_boards_committees_vacancies_announcement.pdf

Notice from the Office of the Town Administrator - volunteer positions available for town boards & committees

Change the Mass Flag information session - 06/21/22 (audio)

FM #819 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 819 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the information session held at the Franklin Public Library on the possible change to the Commonwealth of MA seal and flag. The session was held Tuesday, June 21, 2022.  

Kathleen Trefethen, a local supporter of the Change the Mass Flag movement  introduces organization founder David Detmold who then walks through a few slides depicting some of the changes to the seal & flag over the years before 1898. The current image has not changed since then. 

The information session runs about 57 minutes. Let’s listen to the discussion and some of the pros/cons on this topic.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-819-ma-state-seal-flag-change-info-session-06-21-22

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PDF of information sheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s7_9prafUIiWB3gXgoynNpoad0CieMD3/view?usp=sharing 

Change the MA Flag web page - https://changethemassflag.com/ 

Change the MA Flag - history https://changethemassflag.com/history/ 

A copy of the flyer for the event at the Library:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Yn1C3OK4z-c4zhlVbEgMmKZJJJWvpVm/view?usp=sharing 

There is a formal commission to make recommendations that coincidentally met earlier on Tuesday. The recording of that is available -> https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/4311 

Alan Earl’s Franklin Observer recap of the session https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/84872/groups-says-now-time-change-state-flag 

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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"

current state seal/flag image and origination of elements it contains

David Detmold with one version of the seal/flag

Mass News Items of Note: 'qualified immunity' sharply divides commission; Allen unveils a 'democracy agenda'

 

"A SHARPLY DIVIDED commission established to study qualified immunity – a controversial legal doctrine that shields police officers and other public employees from liability from civil lawsuits – is recommending that lawmakers not change the law for at least two years.  

But the commission did recommend two changes that could make it easier for people to bring civil lawsuits against public employees in state courts, even with the qualified immunity doctrine unchanged. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/criminal-justice/commission-sharply-split-on-qualified-immunity-proposals/

"DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL candidate Danielle Allen unveiled a democracy agenda on Wednesday, outlining a host of initiatives to encourage greater voter participation and civic involvement and reduce the influence of money in politics.

Some of the proposals are part of the current debate on Beacon Hill — same-day voter registration, the establishment of Indigenous People’s Day as a state holiday, the creation of a new state flag, and allowing communities to embrace ranked-choice voting and a lower voting age without state approval."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/236839/ 

Allen led the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship to produce a report "Our Common Purpose "  https://www.amacad.org/ourcommonpurpose/report 

Her gubernatorial campaign -> https://allenforma.com/

Allen unveils a 'democracy agenda'

Falvey and Sherlock talk about the town Charter - P1 (audio)

FM #686 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 686 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Frank Falvey, of Frank Presents, a long time Franklin resident and cable show host. This is the first of a series on the Town Charter, the process to change it, and some of the possible revisions that Frank and I discuss.  We start our discussion by painting the picture of the development of cable and radio broadcasting in Franklin and our individual show expansion.

 

Links to the current Town charter (modified in 2013) and the charter report for 1995 (prior changes) are included in the show notes. 

The recording runs about 34 minutes: Let’s listen to this recording of Frank and I talk about the charter.  Audio file => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-686-charter-discussion-with-frank-falvey-p1

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Feedback via email -> info@franklin.tv

Current Town Charter ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/revised_2013_1.pdf 

Charter Commission Report - 1995

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeUlRYUpQeFd0QXc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-afykQfGLjmP3-DNzc-H-uA

MA General Law Chapter 34  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVI/Chapter34A/Section4 

Division of Local Services (DLS) - newsletter summarizing change change process https://www.mass.gov/doc/october4thpdf/download 

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

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"

 

Falvey and Sherlock in FHS for the first live broadcast on wfpr.fm Nov 2019

Zucchini Races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021

Here are details on the Zucchini Races, sponsored by Franklin Ag Comm Happening Sept 10th!

There is no age limit to who can submit an entry and no motors. Entries will be weighed at check in and split into three weight classes.

Fans can vote for their favorite racer in four different categories.

• Best decorated
• Best use of vegetables
• Funniest name
• Your favorite

We will race in heats, winner of heat moves on. 

When: Friday, Sep 10 at the Farmers Market!

2:30-3:30 - Check in

3:30- 4:00 - Fan Voting

4:00 - Racing begins!

Shared from Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/100000184976091/posts/4831067650242686/

Info updated 8/25/21

Zucchini races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021

MA News: weekend commuter rail volume; commissioning public art

"Weekend commuter rail off to good start"

"Weekend service on all of the MBTA’s commuter rail lines returned on July 3, and already ridership is back close to pre-COVID levels.

Saturday ridership is roughly 77 percent of what it was during the summer of 2019, while Sunday ridership is 100 percent, according to Justin Thompson, a spokesman for Keolis Commuter Services, the operator of the T’s commuter rail system.

Trains are still under-utilized, but those are strong numbers given that weekend service wasn’t even available on most commuter rail lines during the first half of the year. The numbers also represent a stark contrast with weekday ridership, which still hasn’t recovered from the pandemic and the corresponding decline in commuting to work. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/weekend-commuter-rail-off-to-good-start-2/ 

"Weekend commuter rail off to good start"

"A new way to commission public art"

"MOST MASSACHUSETTS communities use the same process to commission public art as they do to pave a sidewalk or hire a streetsweeper. They put out a call for contractors, review the bids that come in, and select one, typically the cheapest one. There is little or no public input into the process.

Lynn, with the help of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, has come up with a new approach called Lynnstallation.

The process began with two community focus groups that outlined the standards and values they wanted reflected in a piece of art: engagement, multi-generationality, education, justice, support, positivity and joy, and a colorful appearance. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/arts-and-culture/a-new-way-to-commission-public-art/