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2023 Disability Expo - scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023 |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, April 13, 2023
2023 Disability Expo - scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023
Thursday, December 1, 2022
"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."
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A heating oil truck makes a delivery in downtown Boston with the old city hall in the background. (Photo by Andy Metzger) |
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on the Norfolk Aggie solar project
Colin Cass
Franklin, MA 02038
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Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on the Norfolk Aggie solar project |
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
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
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Notice from the Office of the Town Administrator - volunteer positions available for town boards & committees |
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
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.
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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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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current state seal/flag image and origination of elements it contains |
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David Detmold with one version of the seal/flag |
Thursday, January 6, 2022
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. "
"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."
Allen led the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship to produce a report "Our Common Purpose " https://www.amacad.org/ourcommonpurpose/report
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Allen unveils a 'democracy agenda' |
Thursday, December 30, 2021
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
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 |
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Zucchini Races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021
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 in3:30- 4:00 - Fan Voting4:00 - Racing begins!
Thursday, August 19, 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. "
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"Weekend commuter rail off to good start" |
"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. "