Where does the food that we eat come from? New tool models that answer for us!

"What is this and why is it relevant?

This is a proof of concept digital twin of the United States food system. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have revealed inherent gaps in the way food systems are modeled. Particularly, these events have exposed how these shocks cascade through food systems and impact food security at an individual and community level. Digital twins of food systems hold massive potential to fill the decision making under food crises, including those caused or exacerbated by climate change.

What is this tool showing?

This tool visualizes a model designed to predict where food is grown and connecting that food to where it is consumed. Each colored point moving on the map correlates to a set number of calories from that food group. In the consumer view the map shows how the food that is consumed in a county travels to that region; in the producer view it shows where food that grows in that county is consumed and how it gets to that region. It shows the roads which that food flows down from fork to fork, and how climate shocks in one region propagate through the supply chain and impact on the availability of food in consumers food baskets."

Shared from -> https://food.theplotline.org/ 

Set up for Norfolk County, MA (screengrab)

Where does the Norfolk County, MA food that we eat come from? New tool models that answer for us!

Interactive view -> https://food.theplotline.org/?s=03#viewport=-71.162%7E42.196%7E4.454%7E30%7E0&roads=false&county=%2225021%22&foodGroup=null&flowType=%22consumer%22&allLinkedCounties=true&search=false

Picked up on the radar via Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/simongerman600/status/1733623819003113513

Boston Globe: "Governor Healey wants to ‘drive economic development.’ Her first bill puts $1 billion toward that goal"

"Governor Maura Healey announced Thursday that she is filing her first two pieces of legislation, one of which is a $987 million “immediate needs” bond bill targeting housing and economic development.

The wide-ranging, nearly billion-dollar “immediate needs” bond bill would dedicate $400 million for MassWorks, a program created in 2010 that makes grants available to cities and towns for infrastructure projects. Her bill would continue the funding stream for MassWorks and other programs, preventing key programs from running out of money.

Healey, who has highlighted economic development as a top priority for her nascent administration, said she filed the bill “to ensure critical housing and economic development programs across the state can continue to serve people in Massachusetts without interruption.”

Continue reading the article in the Boston Globe (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/19/metro/governor-healey-wants-drive-economic-development-her-first-bill-puts-1-billion-toward-that-goal/

Today, we filed legislation to make sure that critical housing, infrastructure, & community development programs continue without interruption. As part of this bill, we’re supporting efforts to expand high speed broadband & funding MassWorks, which helps create housing and jobs.

Governor Healey's letter to Legislature on the bond bill

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2023/01/19/Gov%20Filing%20Ltr%20Immediate%20Needs%20Bond%20Bill%20_%20Jan%2019%202023.pdf

Governor Healey's letter to Legislature on the Chap 90 bill

https://www.mass.gov/doc/ch-90-bond-bill-filing-letter/download

(both links via Franklin Observer) 

 

Town Council asked to review and approve a new "Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan"

October 28, 2022

To: Town Council
From:  Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Allecia Alleyne, Assistant to the Town Administrator

Re: Resolution 22-69: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs Associated with the Creation of the Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan and Authorizing the Town Administrator to File Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Application and to Take Other Action as Needed

In December 2020, the EPA issued Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) which require all Public Water Suppliers to document the material of all Lead Service Lines (LSLs) within their distribution system and produce an inventory of all pipe materials by October 16, 2024. To achieve compliance, the Town will need to organize, examine, and compile all documentation that determines pipe material into a single database which must be accessible to the public. The Town must also submit a plan to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) by October 2024 detailing how we will prioritize, fund, and fully remove any remaining lead services within the distribution system.

The Town of Franklin historically has low levels of lead and copper as represented by the regular sampling we are required to conduct (see annual water quality reports). The Town has no known full lead service lines but there are approximately 115 potential lead gooseneck locations (https://www.lslr-collaborative.org/intro-to-lsl-replacement.html) that are documented. This number decreases yearly as the Town continues to invest in the replacement of the older cast iron (CI) and asbestos cement (AC) mains.

Starting July 2022, Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and MassDEP began offering loans with 100% loan forgiveness for planning activities assisting all public water suppliers to complete planning projects for LSL inventories and for the development of LSL replacement plans. The MassDEP will accept loan applications on a rolling basis while funding is available.

As with other SRF related projects, the funding must be appropriated through borrowing. We are asking the Council to approve Resolution 22-69, to authorize the appropriation of $119,000 for this project.

Additionally, this resolution will authorize the Town Administrator to act as the authorized representative of the Town in connection with this application.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

The full memo and resolution can be found in this PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HnaCcxZMallTMhzf_5KxofN7vXvBJ7vb/view?usp=share_link

The full Town Council agenda and documents released for Wednesday's meeting ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/november_2_town_council_meeting.pdf

Town Council asked to review and approve a new "Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Plan"

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker vetoes prison moratorium"

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Thursday vetoed a five-year moratorium on new prison construction, citing concerns that it would constrain the state from moving forward with several planned prison improvement projects. The moratorium was included in a $5.1 billion bond bill for projects related to government operations, which Baker signed.

“These improvements require facility modifications that will require not only funding, but the allowance of discretion in how existing facilities are used – or not used,” Baker wrote in his signing letter."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/criminal-justice/baker-vetoes-prison-moratorium/ 

The full list of legislation acted upon by Gov Baker on Thursday

(copied from the Governor's page -> https://www.mass.gov/service-details/on-the-governors-desk)

Legislation Acted Upon by the Governor - August 4, 2022:

Bill #	Bill Title	Sponsors	Action
H5065	An Act financing the general governmental infrastructure of the Commonwealth	Governor Baker	Signed in part – 8/4/2022
H5130	An Act relative to a purchase option on a University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth leased facility in New Bedford (FY23 attach Y)	Governor Baker	Signed – 8/4/2022
H5048	An Act relative to a certain parcel of land in the town of Townsend	Rep. Kim Ferguson, Sen. Anne Gobi	Signed – 8/4/2022
H4250	An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to release easements upon certain real property in the town of Canton	Rep. William Galvin, Sen. Walter Timilty	Signed – 8/4/2022
H5106	An Act relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes	Rep. Linda Dean Campbell and Sen. Anne Gobi	Signed – 8/4/2022
H4442	An Act further regulating the enforcement of illegal hunting practices	Rep. Lori Ehrlich, Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante	Signed – 8/4/2022
H1917	An Act relative to taking or transmitting images of crime victims by first responders	Rep. Joseph Wagner and Sen. Eric Lesser	Signed – 8/4/2022
H4338	An Act relative to regular compensation for certain retirees and active retirement system members	Rep. Paul McMurtry and Rep. Colleen Garry	Signed – 8/4/2022
H5159	An Act authorizing the commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey a certain parcel in the Roxbury section of the city of Boston	Rep. Elizabeth Malia	Signed – 8/4/2022
H901	An Act protecting research animals	Rep. Carolyn Dykema	Signed – 8/4/2022

MCI-Shirley, a medium and minimum security state prison. (Photo by Department of Correction)

What is the Beaver St Interceptor? Why does it need to be replaced?

The interceptor is a critical part of the Town of Franklin sewer system that enables our sewerage to be sent to the Charles River Pollution Control facility in Medway to be treated.

The interceptor is over 100 year old, runs along the MBTA tracks parallel to RT 140, alongside Mine Brook, and behind Franklin Village Mall (Stop & Shop plaza), and under i495. A break at almost any of the key points along the way would be a rather expensive disaster for Franklin.

Multiple grants and state bond financing will help to pay for this, the largest single project the Town of Franklin has taken on (aside from a school building).

DPW presentations to the Town Council over the years as the replacement project is talked of and becomes a reality

November 2014 - Beaver St culvert

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/beaver_st_culvert_presentation_0.pdf

February 2015 - part of DPW update to Town Council

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/council_update_feb_14_2015.pdf

Oct 2021 - Town Council update (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-372-town-council-mtg-102120-part-2.html 

Oct 2021 Presentation doc https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/dpw_beaver_street_interceptor_10_21_2020.pdf 

Oct 2021 “Talk Franklin” with Jamie Hellen part of this covers the Beaver St Interceptor

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-368-talk-franklin-102320-audio.html

Jan 2021 approval by Town Council of the Beaver St project, initial funding

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-428-town-council-meeting-p1of2.html 

June 2022 authorized updated cost to fund the Beaver St project

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/06/town-council-hears-of-way-to-proceed.html

hydraulic flow diagram of the Beaver St interceptor 

“We think that’s important to provide this tax relief immediately”

"THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE released a $4 billion economic development bill on Monday that includes some key spending differences from a House bill in areas like education, human services, and housing. The House and Senate are largely in agreement on a $1 billion proposal to reduce a slew of taxes, but with two key differences, one related to the estate tax and another to the timing of when the tax breaks go into effect. 

The Senate plans to take up the bill Thursday, leaving just 11 days for the House and Senate to reconcile their differences and get a bill to Gov. Charlie Baker before the legislative session ends."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/senates-4b-economic-development-bill-provides-faster-tax-relief/

 

The legislation doc can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2989

The MA Senate press release can be found ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/ma-senate-passes-wide-ranging.html

MA  Senate Passes Wide-Ranging Transportation Infrastructure Bond Bill

MA Senate Passes Wide-Ranging Transportation Infrastructure Bond Bill

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed legislation that authorizes more than $10.84 billion in bonds for a wide array of transportation infrastructure projects and initiatives to make the Commonwealth’s transportation system more modern, safe, environmentally sound, and accessible. An Act relative to Massachusetts transportation resources and climate, also known as MassTRAC, ensures that Massachusetts is well-positioned to compete for federal grant opportunities, particularly those dollars available from the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

 

“While repairs to our transportation infrastructure will be beneficial to many communities across the Commonwealth, this bill goes much further than merely repairing but will instead actively transform our infrastructure to be more modern, environmentally sustainable, and regionally equitable,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The support for electric vehicles, regional transportation authorities, low-income fares on public transit, expanded East-West connectivity, and many other initiatives included in this bill will bring benefits to residents, visitors and businesses throughout Massachusetts. I want to thank Senator Crighton for quickly and adeptly taking on the role of Transportation Chair and for collaborating with Senators Rodrigues and Collins as well as so many Senators to produce this comprehensive legislation.”

 

“Today’s passage of this multi-pronged $10.84 billion transportation infrastructure investment package builds on our longstanding commitment to ensure the Commonwealth’s transportation system is more equitable, reliable, safe and modern,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Going far beyond just roads and bridges, the Senate’s transportation bond bill will stimulate our economy, increase accessibility for our residents, support local businesses, create jobs, and boost economies in all corners of our Commonwealth. Importantly, it also invests in public transit, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, regional transit authorities as well as emissions-free transportation options—like biking, walking, and multimodal investments—which are vital solutions to help us confront our climate challenges and achieve our 2050 net zero goals. I want to thank Senator Crighton for his leadership and hard work on all things transportation, Senator Collins for his meaningful contributions, and the Senate President for her continued vision, leadership and guidance.”

“This transportation bond bill provides Massachusetts with the key to unlock once-in-a-generation federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law,” Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “With these combined state and federal investments, we will be able to complete vital work on our highways, roads, bridges, and public transportation systems, improving mobility for all residents of the Commonwealth.”

 

“This legislation represents a collaborative effort centered on transportation safety, accessibility, and sustainability in a way that is fiscally responsible,” said Senator Nick Collins (D-Boston), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Due to smart planning and responsible budget management, we are not only positioning our state to remain competitive and prosperous post pandemic, we are able to do so in a way that continues to get a better rate for the taxpayer.”

 

The MassTRAC bill invests billions of dollars in improving, maintaining, and modernizing the Commonwealth’s bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure, including sidewalks, curbs, parking spaces, and airport improvements. The legislation also takes crucial steps to make the state’s transportation system more environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change by making investments in emission reduction, low or no emission vehicles for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), climate adaptations for Massachusetts roads, and support for multimodal transportation such as bike lanes alongside roads. Building on the Drive Act, passed by the Senate in April this year, the MassTRAC bill increases support for electric vehicles for personal, commercial, and governmental use, as well as for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

 

The breakdown of the bond authorizations included in the bill is as follows:

 

• $3.5 billion for discretionary federal grant projects
• $2.8 billion for federal highway systems projects
• $1.375 billion for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) modernization
• $1.27 billion for non-federally aided roads and bridges
• $407.7 million for local and regional transportation projects
• $400 million for MBTA safety projects
• $275 million for the East-West rail project
• $225 million for emissions reduction initiatives, including $50 million to support access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• $114 million for airport improvements
• $85 million for state-numbered routes road pavement improvements
• $82 million for the industrial rail access program
• $64.9 million for Regional Transit Authorities’ (RTAs) capital projects
• $25.5 million for the mobility assistance program
• $25 million for municipal road pavement improvements
• $20 million for the Complete Streets program
• $10 million for the public realm improvement program
• $1 million for local and regional transportation projects

 

The legislation marks another step towards implementing East-West passenger rail in Massachusetts. In addition to the more than a quarter of a billion dollars that is granted for the project itself, this legislation creates a commission to investigate and report on creation of an East-West rail passenger authority. To promote regional equity and smart, sustainable financing of the transportation system, the bill creates a mobility commission to investigate, study, and make recommendations on the development of regionally equitable transportation pricing, roadway pricing and congestion pricing.

 

In addition to $1.375 billion for modernization of the MBTA, the bill authorizes $400 million for MBTA safety projects and tasks the MBTA with creating and annually updating safety improvement plans.

 

During the debate several notable amendments were adopted. Significantly, one amendment would create a low-income fare program to provide free or discounted transit fares to qualifying riders. Another amendment would require the MBTA to develop and implement short-, medium-, and long-term plans for electrifying the commuter rail fleet. Finally, an amendment was adopted to provide regulatory oversight for electronic bicycles, or e-bikes, to help spur their adoption.

 

A version of this legislation having previously been passed in the House of Representatives, a conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile any differences between the versions of this bill.

The legislation doc can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2989

MA  Senate Passes Wide-Ranging Transportation Infrastructure Bond Bill

Conversation with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo - 05/02/22 (audio)

FM #787 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 787 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo conducted in the Franklin TV/Franklin Public Radio Studio on May 2, 2022. 

We talk about Cobi’s recent conference trip and recent bike ride around Franklin. 

The recording runs about 53 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cobi as we discuss the conference takeaways, housing, transportation, zoning, and how it applies to Franklin.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-787-conversation-with-cobi-frongillo-05-02-22

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

Conference website -> https://yimby.town/ 

Session streaming links -> https://yimby.town/streaming/ 

Day 1 conference thread - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHt5Bl16d_q-ZwnBJ57VTI8dpIYIPHQP/view?usp=sharing 

Day 2 conference thread - 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gson071ISyJ8NzmdYmigBeheJvDMjCRV/view?usp=sharing 

Day 3 conference thread -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lXmGwa7roYyLZ96LN33H-fycFGCgEY4I/view?usp=sharing 

Mass Housing Partnership’s “DataTown” highlights for Franklin

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12huqmolj_QI3GK1jOqQZGC4wQswTci2x/view?usp=sharing

Bike ride thread -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DG0iuZH0MmITC6GVDqL_zsZSV--9eq4s/view?usp=sharing 

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

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"

 

one of the data points from the Mass Housing Partnership’s “DataTown” highlights for Franklin

MA topics recap - pilot payments, infrastructure funding, land preservation, and remote meeting access

“It’s about fairness. It’s about how do you want to participate in this city that you get city services from: police, fire, public works. I think you should share in those costs.”

So spoke Boston’s late former mayor, Thomas Menino, back in 2010, when talking about nonprofit universities and hospitals—”eds and meds” in popular parlance—and their community responsibilities.

House Bill 3080 (Senate Bill 1874) authored by Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville and cosponsored by 19 fellow state legislators, would finally realize Menino’s vision and empower cities to set common rates. Under the legislation, cities could require  payments of up to 25 percent of commercial property tax rates for nonprofits with over $15 million in property and could include provisions for in-kind community benefit contributions in lieu of cash."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/pilot-payments-should-be-standardized-statewide/

"EFFORTS TO REPLACE  the MBTA’s entire Green Line trolley fleet, a statewide move toward electric vehicle adoption, and projects to make infrastructure more resilient in the face of climate change impacts would all get a boost under a $9.7 billion bond bill Gov. Charlie Baker outlined on Thursday.

Nearly two months after he first hinted at plans to file a new transportation bond bill, Baker offered an initial glimpse at a proposal the head of the MBTA expects will play a “catalytic role” to maximize money headed to Massachusetts under a new federal infrastructure law.

Once filed, the legislation will kick off debate over years of investments in the state’s pothole-dotted roads and bridges, aging public transit, and infrastructure ill-equipped to withstand the brunt of climate change."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/baker-proposes-9-7b-infrastructure-bond-bill/

"WE OFTEN THINK  of floods, hurricanes, snowstorms and the like as threats to our normal way of life, but the COVID pandemic has shown us a unique threat that affects everyone in a very different way — isolation and inability to gather together.  What brought many of us through the last few years was the availability of nearby open spaces for outdoor passive recreation.  As much as we need to plan for 100-year floods, we also need to plan for 100-year pandemics.  Enter the Public Lands Preservation Act.

Massachusetts has a wonderful collection of State Parks with a huge variety of sites and activities along with Mass Audubon, The Trustees, The Trust for Public Land, and many local and regional private land trusts.  Most of the publicly owned open spaces are nominally protected in perpetuity under Article 97 of the Commonwealth Constitution.  However, the protection can be removed by a two-thirds vote of each branch of the Legislature.  Forty to fifty laws are enacted every legislative session removing protection from parcels protected “in perpetuity.”  How can we prevent this erosion of public land?  Enter the Public Lands Preservation Act."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/protecting-the-states-protected-lands/

"THE DARKNESS OF the pandemic brought a surprise element of transparency to government, and a range of groups, including those representing individuals with disabilities, this week are calling on the Governor’s Council to resume online streaming of meetings where elected officials vet judicial candidates.

“In the case of government entities based in Boston, like the Governor’s Council, live streaming enables people to tune in from every corner of the state; discontinuing remote access is devastating for regional equity,” eight groups wrote in a letter Thursday that was sent to the eight-member council and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who chairs council meetings where Gov. Charlie Baker’s judicial nominees are considered. “Remote access is the latest instance of universal design — alongside curb cuts, elevators, closed captioning, audiobooks, and other features — that began as accommodations and expanded to universal popularity. Like these innovations and others emerging during the pandemic, remote access to public meetings should become a permanent feature.”

Continue reading the article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/groups-call-for-making-online-meeting-access-permanent/

 

MA issues recap - pilot payments, infrastructure funding, land preservation, and remote meeting access

Recap: Strong Towns event fostering discussion across rather than within a vertical and reframing a question to get at the issue

Quick Recap:

• Multi-level discussion around how to create sustainable communities. Lots of participation from area communities as well as a good representation of State legislators
• This is a time with the infrastructure bill to help correct some of the imbalance in the liabilities local communities face. Parallel noted to what was done with infrastructure spending coming out of the World War II period to help the economy shift gears from war production to goods production.
• To fix a problem it maybe important to reframe the question to address the broader issue. An example of this is around congestion. If we consider that "Congestion is a demand to be in a place", then congestion is a good thing, so let's create alternatives to get there. Let's not always use auto transportation as the first approach. Parking is heavily subsidized. Consider walking and biking as more than 'exercise'.
• A good start to enabling the conversation we need to have. Consider going across rather than always staying in a vertical approach. Need to be aware of issues with being able to utilize the grants and programs coming. The timeline and resource requirements for such may not be enough to utilize them all due to other economic constraints (i.e. supply chain issues).

-------

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I participated in the event at THE BLACK BOX. 
 
The Twitter hashtag #st1115 can be found online The thread begins with https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1460255606804201475

 

Photos from the event can be found in one album:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/T8ZRubvQKEE6Ab5x6

• Strong Towns event getting underway here at @BLACK_BOXonline with Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, State Rep Jeff Roy, Congressman Auchincloss and Charles Marohn from Strong Towns #st1115
  
• Little note of interest in that in Cobi's prep for running for the open spot last year he found Strong Towns in the bio of Congressman Auchincloss. #st1115
  
• Both Cobi and Rep Roy remark on the collaboration among the three levels of government as key to getting things done and particularly here in Franklin #st1115
  
• Congressman Auchincloss participating remotely as he needed to be in WDC for the signing of the infrastructure bill later today #st1115  part of the wonders of tech to make this happen with Franklin TV live streaming the event
  
• Charles Marohn talks of the choices to build infrastructure in the post WWII era as a way to avoid going back into the depression of the 30's. The parallel is there to what can be done today #st1115
  
• We have responsibilities to address the liabilities created at the local level. The macro economy needs to serve the needs of the local leaders. What does it look like? Pipes in the ground; walking, exercise opportunity  #st1115
• This is a moment where we can connect the macro level to the local leadership #st1115
  
• Question: how do we address messaging around what Newton saw where single family housing was proposed to restricted? #st1115 foster a mixed neighborhood and intergenerational existence
  
• Lets look at how we can allow folks to remain in their house and to gain additional income to do what they need, i.e. fix their roof #st1115
  
• Question: on how to address infrastructure and schooling costs when faced with new development? #st1115 we have lost capacity to address needs at an intermediate step or approach, need to find a way to neighborhood level growth
  
• Question: on unfunded mandates, how do we break that cycle? #st1115  infrastructure bill trying to square up with this funding to cover local liabilities. "subject to appropriation" language added to bills to ensure funding
• Auchincloss advocates looking to find more of education at a national level, special Ed is probably the largest MA local requirement #st1115  a more broad approach could create more equality in the delivery
  
• Question: what do you do to include public engagement? #st1115 four step plan mentioned (will add link to more on this later) a humble approach to address issues, cities are a co-creation, not something someone else does
  
• Question: from Attleboro resident, how do deal with nodes of congestion; #st1115 how do we connect the rest of the Town to the downtown? "Congestion is a demand to be in a place" or congestion is good, let's create alternatives to get there
  
• "No neighborhood should have radical change, nor should any neighborhood be exempt from change" #st1115
  
• Question: Rehoboth no public water, a right to farm community, no master plan and rapid growth residentially #st1115 not a sustainable process, protection of farms to avoid turnover, (master plan?)
  
• Question: from a MassBike advocate on transportation, how do we move away from an 'alternative' and 3 years out from disabilities act; #st1115 reliability of public transportation we need to make it dependable and resilient
  
• To the extent that we subsidize parking is an issue, until we change that we won't make progress; biking and walking is not just exercise, needs to be a policy shift #st1115
  
• Question on the grant requirements and capacity of being able to get things done and recognize that it will take time to do, across state and local levels; thought to make it easier to build things? #st1115
  
• Let's look to more coordination across the local levels rather than at a grant single focus level. It is a burden #st1115 Brookline Q - can't ink development with MBTA and developers bifurcation between state and local levels
  
• Q - how do we deal with an unnamed online retailer who has brought in distribution, warehouses, etc. #st1115 how do we communicate the quality of life associated with it? Need to have the local discussion
  
• Q - what about the sustainability of transit? The train station is permanently subsidized, it is not likely sustainable, only bus transportation comes close to sustainable for a node like ours. What about the regional context? Franklin got to be what it is due to problems created in other Boston neighborhoods  that got folks to move out here
• Thanks around from Rep Roy, etc. #st1115
  

More about Strong Towns can be found online -> https://www.strongtowns.org/
 

Cobi Frongillo talked about the Strong Towns four step approach in his interview preparing for the local election in Nov 2021:

A lot of people around me might hear me talk about a group called Strong Towns. I like a lot of what they say, but I particularly like their four-step approach to community leadership. The first step is to humbly observe where people struggle in your community. Second step is figure out the next small thing you can do to fix that struggle. Third is do that thing, do it right away. And the fourth is repeat that process. I do think that that's the strongest approach to public policy.

The full interview audio (and edited text) can be found ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm-611-town-council-candidate-cobi.html

 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, State Rep Jeff Roy, and Charles Marohn from Strong Towns; Congressman Auchincloss attended remotely