Franklin TV video of Finance Committee meeting 2/08/23 is available for replay (video)

The Finance Committee met on Wednesday February 8, 2023 and continued their 'deep dive' series to hear about the permit organizations within the Town of Franklin and their first view of the storm water credit manual currently in draft. 

These departments account for the "local receipts" portion of the Town revenue stream. The departments in order of presentation were Building & Inspections, Community Planning and Development (including Conservation) and Health.

Interesting to note that while MA general law does not require us to have a police or fire department, it does mandate these other departments.

Meeting agenda ->

Franklin TV Video link ->  

https://www.youtube.com/live/cWmkflTkiMs?feature=share

My notes in one PDF (including screen grabs of the presentations)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a-PEcRqSbqUS-9YEEv4tAgGBb32ksUOo/view?usp=share_link

My recap and the meeting audio will be available in a couple of days.

multiple views of Derek Adams and Kate Sjoberg talking about storm water

MA News round up: wind developers stalling for time, housing position at cabinet level, Harvard Medical Sch incorporates climate into curriculum

"Mass. offshore wind developers stalling for time"

"THE STATE’S TWO leading offshore wind developers appear to be stalling for time as they explore whether the cast of new players on Beacon Hill may be more receptive to letting them back out of or tweak their existing power purchase agreements.

Avangrid, the company behind Commonwealth Wind, filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging a December 30 decision of the Department of Public Utilities approving the wind farm developer’s power purchase agreements with three Massachusetts utilities even though Avangrid said the pricing is no longer sufficient to obtain financing for the project.

Mayflower Wind, being developed by Shell New Energies and Ocean Winds, filed a request with the DPU seeking a greater say in deliberations over the power contracts and more time to respond."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/mass-offshore-wind-developers-stalling-for-time-2/ 

 

"Governor Healey kicks off effort to establish state housing chief with new executive order"

"Governor Maura Healey, who made housing a central theme of her campaign, announced Friday that she filed an executive order to create a working group to establish the role of a new Cabinet-level housing secretary.

She announced the news in front of local leaders at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual meeting in Boston — the first public step the governor has taken toward her campaign promise of creating the role. Healey committed early in her campaign to elevate the post as a way to increase focus and resources on housing production during a time when housing has become increasingly less affordable.

Traditionally, the job of housing and economic development secretary has been one role in state government. So far Secretary Yvonne Hao has been serving in both capacities in the new Healey administration, though she will ultimately focus on economic development when the new housing post is filled.:

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/20/metro/governor-healey-kicks-off-effort-establish-state-housing-chief-with-new-executive-order/ 

Text of the Executive Order can be found on the Governor's page ->   https://www.mass.gov/executive-orders/no-605-establishing-a-working-group-to-envision-the-creation-of-a-housing-secretariat

"Harvard Medical School votes to embed climate change in its curriculum"

"Raised by two psychologists, Madeleine Kline had wanted to become a doctor since she was little. And when she learned in high school how human activity was fueling climate change, she concluded “it felt fundamentally like a health problem.

So it seemed the most natural thing for her to go into medicine. And once at Harvard Medical School, she combined her two interests to help produce a novel undertaking at the 350-year-old institution: embed teaching about the effects of climate change into all four years of the medical degree curriculum.

“I realized that the world then,” she said of her youth, “was not the world that I was going to inhabit as an adult or raise my children in. And, if I wanted to help take care of people, I needed to understand the challenges my patients were going to face.”

Now in her third year, Kline was among a small group of students and faculty who helped convince school leaders to adopt the new curriculum, which was approved earlier in January. It will include instruction on the effects of climate change on human health, the role health care systems play in contributing to climate change, and how physicians can work to be part of the solution."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/20/metro/harvard-medical-school-votes-embed-climate-change-its-curriculum/

Student Julia Malits (left), Dr. Gaurab Basu (center), and student Madeleine Kline championed the integration of climate change into Harvard Medical School's curriculum. JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF

Additional COVID-19 Test Kits Available to Franklin Residents

Additional COVID-19 Test Kits Available to Franklin Residents

The Franklin Health Department received more home COVID-19 self test kits from the state. Franklin residents can call the Public Health Nurse at (508) 613-1341 to check for availability and coordinate curbside pick up outside of the Senior Center. 

Pick up hours are as follows...

• Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8 AM - 4 PM
• Wednesday: 8 AM - 6 PM
• Friday 8 AM - 1 PM

There is a limited supply! One test per household member, first come first serve.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/additional-covid-19-test-kits-available-franklin-residents

Additional COVID-19 Test Kits Available to Franklin Residents

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - January is Blood Donor Month

January is Blood Donor Month.  

Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.  

Find out where you can give blood today: https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - January is Blood Donor Month

Health Department: Winter Safety Month

January is Winter Safety Month.  

Follow these tips to keep yourself safe and healthy as the weather turns cold: www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/winterweather/

Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter

Conversation with Franklin's Health Director Cathleen Liberty - 11/08/22 (audio)

FM #880 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 880 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin's Health Director Cathleen Liberty  November 8, 2022. We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about 36 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cathleen. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-877-franklin-ma-health-director-cathleen-liberty-11-08-22

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Metacomet Health page -> https://www.metacometpha.org/

Health Dept page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

Health Dept - COVID reporting dashboard -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/webforms/covid-19-dashboard-portal 

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

Sign up for Health alerts via Regroup -> https://franklintown.regroup.com/signup 

The Topic podcast ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/topic-podcast-links 

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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"

Franklin Dept of Health: Health Care Resources and Services

The Topic: 005 - Caring for Dementia & Alzheimer’s (audio)

episode 005 - Caring for Dementia & Alzheimer’s 

A conversation with Tammy Pozerycki and Franklin (MA) Health Director Cathleen Liberty

Audio file ->

https://anchor.fm/franklin21/episodes/005---Caring-for-Dementia-amp-Alzheimers-e1qrs0a

Tammy’s consulting business -> https://alternativesinalzheimerscare.com/ 

She is also Outpatient Community Liaison for Westborough Behavioral Healthcare Hospital 

https://www.westboroughbehavioral.com/programs/outpatient-services 

Alzheimer's Association page - https://www.alz.org/ 

Franklin Senior Center Supportive Day Program - 

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/sunshine-club 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

For additional information, please visit  the Health Dept page at www.Franklinma.gov   

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at  cliberty@franklinma.gov 

Prior episodes of The Topic can be found on the Heath Dept page ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/topic-podcast-links

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The music for the intro and exit is called “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes Music and is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License  

Scott Holmes Music => https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes

You can also subscribe and listen to TheTopic audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "TheTopic" 

The Topic: 005 - Caring for Dementia & Alzheimer’s (audio)

Franklin Health Alert: October is Healthy Lung Month

October is Healthy Lung Month. Lung cancer kills 382 people every day - 16 per hour - 1 every 38 minutes. 

Learn about prevention: www.lung.org

Franklin Health Alert: October is Healthy Lung Month

Did you hear that the Health Department is holding a Fall Health Fair at the Library - Oct 19

Have a fun filled night and learn about health resources at the Franklin Fall Health Fair on Wednesday October 19th from 3 PM - 6 PM at the Franklin Public Library!

Shared from Town of Franklin Public Library -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/fall-health-fair

 

Vendor currently signed up for the Health Fair:

• AAA
• AcuPUNKture
• Amego
• Arcadia Dental
• Balanced Path Wellness Center
• Feet in Motion
• Forekicks
• Franklin Fire Department
• Franklin Food Pantry
• Franklin Foot Care
• Franklin Police Department with Ben Franklin
• Franklin Senior Center
• Families in Bloom
• MCR Chiropractic
• Metacomet Public Health Alliance
• Milford Regional Hospital
• Moxie Mobility Training
• Neighbor Brigade
• Night Owl Farm
• Personal Best Physical Therapy of Norfolk
• Professional Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine
• Safe Coalition
• SELF Aesthetics and Therapeutic Specialists
• Sense of Balance
• Timeless CrossFit and Fitness
• Tri-Valley
• WIC

Food Truck: Trolley Dogs

Free Bags of Night owl Farm Produce (first come first serve)

Performances: Feet in Motion, Timeless CrossFit and Fitness

Soccer Activities by Forekicks

Did you hear that the Health Department is holding a Fall Health Fair at the Library - Oct 19

Health Department: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

There is a 1 in 8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer. 

Learn more: cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The 55+ Health & Wellness Fair is Back, register now

And you and your loved ones are invited!

REGISTER NOW! REGISTER TODAY   karenspilka.com

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!

October events, parking, and Town Council agenda items discussed in this Talk Franklin episode (audio)

FM #849 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 849 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 via conference bridge.  

Topics for this session

• Fall Is here

• Oct 1 – Harvest Festival

• Oct 15 - Touch a truck, hydrants painting winners announced  (10 AM to 2 PM)

• Oct 19 - Heath fair – Library  (3 to 6 PM)

• Oct 22 – Del Carte Fall Gathering (9 AM to noon)

• EDC meeting recap

• Franklin For All prioritizations and timeline

• Downtown parking reviewed

• Dean neighborhood separate

• Proposals coming to Council for further discussion and possible action

• Town Council teasers

• Municipal aggregation 

• Thanks to Alan Earls and to me for spreading the word

The conversation runs about 34 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Fall-Festivities-and-Proposed-Changes-to-Parking-e1oel9h/a-a8jh4jc

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Franklin for All webpage 

https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/

Economic Development Subcommittee recap

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/economic-development-committee-sep-21.html 

Municipal aggregation information

https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation 

Community & Cultural District calendar https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 

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

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"

October events and Town Council agenda items discussed in this Talk Franklin episode (audio)