Fake check scam targets online car sellers

Fake check scam targets online car sellers By BCP Staff Are you selling a car online? If so, know that scammers may target you.  They'll pretend to be a buyer and try to trick you into sending them money. Here's how the scam works. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/02/fake-check-scam-targets-online-car-sellers?

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

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

World Economic Forum shared "The Future of Jobs Report" - what jobs are growing in demand through 2030?

what jobs are growing in demand through 2030?

World Economic Forum (@wef) posted Wed, Jan 08, 2025:

"The Future of Jobs Report 2025 is now live. 

Drawing on insights from over 1,000 of the world's largest employers, the report dives into the key areas of disruption and opportunity within the #labour market. 

https://t.co/BNd2QLT7bJ"

shared from ->   https://x.com/wef/status/1876929135722811494

Additional details on the Jobs Report ->   https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/future-of-jobs-report-2025-the-fastest-growing-and-declining-jobs/

For more about the World Economic Forum and what they do ->    https://www.weforum.org/

Voices of Franklin: J Garland says candidate's claim is "empty words"

Here’s an example of empty words: the Republican candidate for State Senate claims to run on “accountability” and yet failed to satisfy even the most basic of her own accountability requirements: timely reporting of her campaign finances.

Candidates for the legislature were required to file pre-election deposit reports with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance by October 28. That deadline came and went several days ago. Ms. Videira has failed to complete this basic task.

If voters want a real, proven champion of transparency and accountability, they should vote to reelect Senator Becca Rausch. 

Sincerely,

Julie Garland

Wrentham, MA

Correspondence with Ms Videra returned this reply:

"I thank you for the courtesy update regarding the upcoming publication. When covering the story, please highlight that a recent loss in our family has delayed our filing compliance and we are working with OCPF directly to resolve this matter. "

Screengrabs submitted to support claim of noncompliance

OCPF page with requirement for filing within 8 days of elections

OCPF page for D Videra showing no report activity as required

You can search the OCPF site -> https://ocpf.us/Home/Index

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

When is my road going to get fix? Check out the road report

The road report is newly updated and while it doesn't specifically say when it will get repaired, it does provide the status and next step as to what the repair would be. 

The repair schedule if it requires a full rebuild is coordinated with water and sewer line work and generally announced in advance as it is a 2 year process. First year is the sewer/water line work, then the second year is the rebuild and repave.

Given we would need to have approximately $2M per year to cover the $40M total over say a 20 year period, and we have less than  $1M in the "road repair" budget, and that we also failed to pass a dedicated debt exclusion in 20214 to specifically provide $1.5M for roads every year, "when" is a question that can't be answered at this time. 

Stay tuned into the regular budget cycle to find out what the priorities are and when the Town Council will vote on such priorities.

Read the road report here ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/10a._pavement_management_report.pdf

When is my road going to get fix? Check out the road report

Town Administrator's Report on the Migrant Housing Status - 09/20/23 (audio)

FM #1065 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1065 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Administrator’s Report segment from the Town Council Meeting of Sep 20, 2023. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides an update on the Migrant Housing status.  

The report segment runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1065-tc-segment-town-admin-report-09-20-23

Video link timed to start of Town Administrator's Report ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/bF13Dgn_6qs?si=P49HB-MYPrGfpeym&t=5122

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Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator

Town Council agenda doc ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_sept_20_2023.pdf 

Update from Sep 6 meeting ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html 

Notification on migrant temporary housing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/ma-notifies-franklin-of-plans-to-house.html

Franklin TV video of 09/20/23 meeting -> https://www.youtube.com/live/bF13Dgn_6qs?si=UQh6elNMORZvbLln

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

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"

Town Administrator's Report on the Migrant Housing Status - 09/20/23 (audio)

MIAA Executive Director's Report - May 25, 2023

Want an idea on what is going on within high school interscholastic sports? Check out this new edition of The MIAA Executive Director's Report. 

https://t.co/tvW9qZyOZh

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1661800528429342720

MIAA Executive Director's Report - May 25, 2023

Franklin Police: Weekly Recap from May 7 - May 13

Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) tweeted  on Mon, May 15, 2023:

WEEKLY RECAP

The attached google drive link has the Weekly Recap from May 7 - May 13, 

This recap provides some greater detail about the calls we responded to: https://t.co/TqgexwYwJm

 Shared from Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1658273388907880449

Franklin Police: Weekly Recap from May 7 - May 13

CommonWealth Magazine: "New study calls WooSox stadium a bad deal for Worcester"

"The WooSox may have hit a home run with huge attendance numbers at their new home in Worcester, but a study says the city has whiffed when it comes to shelling out public dollars to fund the team’s new stadium. 

The Red Sox Triple-A farm team moved from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Worcester in 2021, setting up shop in Polar Park, a new $160 million stadium owned and largely paid for by the city of Worcester. 

Last season, the team’s second year in Worcester, the Worcester Red Sox drew more than 500,000 fans, second among all 120 minor league teams in the country. And the WooSox arrival has unquestionably contributed to the upbeat buzz about the state’s second-largest city. 

But Robert Baumann, an economics professor at College of the Holy Cross, says the stadium still adds up to be a loser for the city’s finances. In a new paper, Baumann and co-author J.C. Bradbury, an economist at Kennesaw State University, conclude that Polar Park will cost the city $40 to $60 million over 30 years."

Continue reading the article at CommonWealth Magazine

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/new-study-calls-woosox-stadium-a-bad-deal-for-worcester-2/ 

Direct link to report ->  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4443118

Open PDF in your browser window ->   https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID4443118_code1813071.pdf?abstractid=4443118&mirid=1&type=2

CommonWealth Magazine: "New study calls WooSox stadium a bad deal for Worcester"

Franklin Police publish their weekly report for activity through April 29, 2023

Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) tweeted on Mon, May 01, 2023:

"WEEKLY RECAP

The attached google drive link has the Weekly Recap from April 23- April 29. 

This recap provides some greater detail about the calls we responded to: https://t.co/WmBxsHpe8g"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1653032602700267522

Franklin Police - weekly report through April 29, 2023

Rausch Report: Earth Month Recap (April 2023)

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of content please visit ->   https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-17043865

Your monthly Beacon Hill update from Senator Becca Rausch. 

View this email in your browser Dear Franklin, Happy Spring! April has been an exciting month, with Earth Day, holidays, committee hearings, Town Meeting season, and so much more. Whatever you celebrated this month, I hope it was joyous and meaningful. Personally, I was thrilled to celebrate Passover with friends and family, cheer on runners at the Boston Marathon, join the Town of Sherborn for the launch of Town Meetings, help clean up our district with hundreds of fellow Earth Day volunteers in Milford, Bellingham, and Franklin (check out some of our climate policy work here!) and chair the first two hearings of the Environmental Committee.  My team and I are deep into legislative work, with committee hearings on water policy, crumbling concrete, and local matters already completed, and the Senate budget debates forthcoming in May. (The House completed its budget debates earlier this week. You can view the House base budget, all 1,566 amendments, and the final House Budget as soon as all the adopted amendments are incorporated.) Over the next few weeks, I'll file numerous amendments to the Senate Budget; youth mental health, housing, education, environmental protection and preservation, local transportation, and small business supports are among the investments I'll work to advance. Also, as a board member for the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, I'm collaborating with colleagues to advance our shared priorities through meetings with legislative leadership and Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll.  Rausch Report This month's Rausch Report includes legislative updates, district visits, Earth Day highlights, town election information, an important heads up for MassHealth members, youth engagement opportunities, and details on upcoming office hours.   For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.    Yours in service,     Senator Becca Rausch

office hours Sign up for a 15-minute appointment here

Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 218 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

Board of Health efficiently conducts meeting, includes reports in Agenda doc (audio)

FM #968 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 968 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Two board members participated, 1 in room (Cochrane), 1 remote (Sweet); hence roll call votes, with 1 absent (Harris). Health Dept staff present were in the 3rd floor training room. 

Quick Recap:

• With a short Board present, shifted the tobacco regulations to the next session

• Inspector’s report, Nurse’s report, Epidemiologist report all touting volume and some issues but nothing major, copies of their report pages are now included in the meeting packet

• Question on new inspection alignment; not implemented yet, still using same process as before

• Question on when the Health Fair is scheduled? May 24 at the Franklin Library from 3 to 6 PM

The meeting runs about 15 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Apr 5, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-968-tof-board-of-health-mtg-04-05-23

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/04.05.23_agenda_and_packet.pdf 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UVJozV_zimvunaFHBADhoj2LJypzaDr3/view?usp=share_link 

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

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"

Health Dept home page provides active links to other health resources

Franklin (MA) Police - Weekly recap for 3/12 - 3/18/23

WEEKLY RECAP

The attached google drive link has the Weekly Recap from March 12- March 18. 

This recap provides some greater detail about the calls we respond to: https://t.co/asbEgTchOi  or   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ec9bXQyyrSSqrmVoloONQCPjXV1nln_y/view

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1637825071220760581

Franklin Police - Weekly recap for 3/12 - 3/18/23

UN Report: "Our world is in a state of fracture – the social contract is broken"

Local Return (@LocalReturnRI) tweeted Thu, Jan 26, 2023:

"There is perhaps no stronger evidence of the pressing need to redesign our global system than the fact that a global health crisis doubled the wealth of the 10 richest men in the world while sending upwards of 120 million people into extreme poverty."

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/LocalReturnRI/status/1618665173698629632

Direct link to the full or overview of the report ->

https://www.unrisd.org/en/library/publications/crises-of-inequality

UN Report: "Our world is in a state of fracture – the social contract is broken"