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 *
Indoor events mostly now for the autumn season. Book sale/bag sale at the Library this weekend. Rising Stars Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX Friday night. Help decorate downtown Saturday morning and then get to the Winter Farmers Market Saturday.
Close out the weekend with the Thanksgiving Service put on by the Franklin Interfaith Council either in person at St Mary's or via virtual option via live streaming.
Friday, November 19 1:00pm - Book Sale 7:30pm - Rising Stars Cabaret
Saturday, November 20 9:00am - Book Sale 9:00am - Decorating Downtown (volunteers needed) 10:00am - Winter Farmers Market 10:00am - Historical Museum (always free) 1:00pm - Bag Sale
Sunday, November 21 1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free) 7:00pm - Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed the Genocide Education Act by a vote of 157-2. The bill will require public schools to teach the history of genocides and create a fund to help support the new curriculum. When signed into law, Massachusetts will become the 20th state to have adopted mandatory Holocaust and genocide education.
This bill would require each school district to file lesson plans and program descriptions related to genocide education every year with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill’s Genocide Education Trust Fund will help schools and districts develop curriculum and host training or professional development courses for educators.
This legislation demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to providing schools across the Commonwealth with access to resources to implement genocide education programs. It provides the resources students need to recognize and stand up to injustice before it takes root and to recognize and fight hate in their communities.
“Massachusetts has always been at the forefront of human rights issues, and today, with the passage of this bill, we can do it again. We can arm our students with the knowledge they will need to recognize the warning signs and feel empowered to prevent genocides in the future,” said Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “Making genocide education a mandatory topic for teaching in our schools is a reaffirmation of the commitment of free peoples from all nations to never again permit the occurrence of another genocide, and to deter indifference to crimes against humanity and human suffering wherever they occur.”
State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) first filed a genocide education bill in 2013, which called for genocide to be included in social sciences and history frameworks. It was successful in changing frameworks and it lead to the inclusion of genocide education in social science and history frameworks. Unfortunately, over the past few years with memories of prior atrocities fading, there has a rising tide of hatred and anti-Semitic incidents requiring a legislative solution.
A recent survey found 22 percent of American millennials have never heard of the Holocaust and 66 percent of youth 18-34 didn't recognize the word Auschwitz. In Massachusetts, 35 percent of young adults didn't know what Auschwitz was and half didn't know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust.
The bill, which had over 100 cosponsors, was supported by ADL New England, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, the Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts - ANC of EM, Facing History and Ourselves, the Committee for Holodomor Genocide Awareness (https://ukrainegenocide.com), the Genocide Education Project, and over 60 coalition members.
Mass. Municipal Assn (@massmunicipal) tweeted Thu, Nov 18, 2021:
Administration awards $3.1M through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program to 268 municipalities to help them maximize recycling, composting & waste reduction programs. @MassGovernor @MassLtGov @MassEEA @MassDEP https://t.co/6GTlN0fFgr
"To mark America Recycles Day, the Baker-Polito administration on Monday announced $3.1 million in grant funding to 268 municipalities and regional solid waste districts to help them maximize recycling, composting and waste reduction programs.
The grants are made available through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program, which was created by the Green Communities Act of 2008 and has provided more than $46 million to recycling programs since 2010.
At the announcement, Gov. Charlie Baker said the new round of grant funding will aid municipal efforts “to implement innovative programs and policies” to maximize the reuse of materials, boost recycling, and reduce waste. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said the program helps municipalities and solid waste districts expand recycling and composting, while targeting new materials to remove from the waste stream."
Franklin is on the list as the recipient of $25,200.
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Stop by the Historical Museum gift shop for fun Franklin inspired gifts. From the beautiful ornaments of the Franklin Library and the Watering Trough, to mugs, pillows, note cards, and more. Looking for stocking stuffers?
Visit the Gift Shop’s Lady Bug Corner and discover the Lady Bug’s connection to Franklin.
Lady Bug Corner
Hosted by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum, the gift shop is open museum hours Saturday mornings 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons 1 PM - 4 PM.
Housing Authority, funded at State level, is limited in what they can do by funding and regulations. The list for access is long. A key part of our overall housing issue. The 60 unit senior housing at Franklin Ridge is awaiting funding. These units only make a dip into the wait list. Advocating for housing at State and Federal levels is best and only option
Elks Riders present their donation to veterans and recognized for such at same time
FY 2022 budget reduced by $454K to recognize the revenue expected won't be met. Outline of where the adjustments come from provided; on Town side some savings already recognized, Schools asked to reduce by $93K, how that will affect their $70M budget is 'minor' but would need to come from School Dept/School Committee.
Host Community agreement funding outlined as distributed among DPW, SAFE Coalition and Police Dept as mitigation for expected sales of cannabis products
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to hold two hearings in Jan 2022 (Jan 4, and Jan 18) to solicit ideas for how the expected funds could be utilized. This listing would then be further developed by CPC and ultimately approved by Town Council before the first CPA funding is received in 4Q 2022.
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers.
The Twitter hashtag #TC1117 can be found online The thread begins with
(Unidentified person) - speaking on King St and Washington St projects, meetings overlapping each other Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission with scheduled meetings for Thursday - new distribution center proposed for King St adding 500+ trips; #tc1117
motion to approve minutes of Oct 20, second, passes 9-0 #tc1117
Housing authority presentation/discussion
next up Housing Authority presentation #tc1117 George Danelo Chair of Housing Authority; introduces Lisa Audette, Executive Director, also a couple of other board members present
emergency applications take priority, needs to be validated; #tc1117 listing of 7 levels of priorities, 1 other levels of preference; over 6,000 on waiting listing; time consuming to process application to validate
average 20 units for senior housing per year; family units don't turn frequently; lists being reviewed by State to audit process; #tc1117 process time consuming on both Authority and applicant;
State maintains waiting list not the local housing authority - thousands of residents on the multiple lists; local 114 for disabled, 200 families for low income housing; local hands tied - app process through http://ma.gov site, preference and requirements set #tc1117
Pellegri concerned with out of town folks on list and the interjection of the State in the process; list process changes daily; #tc1117 if individual doesn't respond back to the list verification process, they lose their place in the line
petition legislators to change public housing regulations; #tc1117 could go via home rule petition, (which everyone would want); could check to see if general legislation has been filed - state funds source this, not Franklin funds
transfer within type of unit is an administrative transfer, if changing size, then the list comes into play; #tc1117 simple solution - need more housing, period. TA Hellen updates on Franklin Ridge project, permitted for 60 units, remains waiting for funding.
Hellen - we did identify a 3.5 acre piece of town owned land that could go for about 8 units of housing, can use the CPA funds to spec out further; #tc1117 at the end of the day, this comes down to money, takes the will of a lots of folks to get to fund it
Hellen - working with Habitant 4 Humanity on 2 other separate lots; #tc1117 we are doing this locally, we can't do it alone; the listing is applicants who have identified Franklin as a place to live - hence a happy problem (yet unfulfilled)
congregate housing while it can work, doesn't work for some and creates some problems when that comes up for someone on a list; #tc1117 6000 applicants on list for 2000 units state wide
How long will it take? No good answer for that Q. It depends. #tc1117 copy of 2 page memo used in this discussion will be shared later (have paper will convert post meeting)
Jones: what are logical viable next steps to solve this problem? #tc1117 218 units total; 165 seniors, 4 bedroom congregate, 33 family units
pull a listing for every vacancy; could pull 50-100 for 4 vacancies - work the list to validate status and eligibility for preference and priority; need to fill unit within 30 days; may close the list within 10 days depending upon circumstances #tc1117
Frongillo - how can we help? it is about land and money; age of buildings a concern, sidewalks are getting broken, (Town could help with), they apply for every grant we can get; #tc1117 average rent in a unit $450/unit, not much to work with
funding not enough to keep with the caring annually. #tc1117 folks can paint but must use Housing paint; Housing Authority is a state agency; CPA funds maybe the best option; need to be state or Federal sources to provide the funding
TA Hellen - Jan 4 and 18 Community Preservation Committee to hold hearings; Foxboro voucher process could use CPA funds but it won't increase # of units, would help with individual funding of units #tc1117
Legislation For Action
LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - a. Resolution 21-68: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Dept ($1,000), Historical Commission ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-68 - Majority Vote) - moved, seconded, passes 9-0
Elks Riders present to talk about their donation #tc1117
Resolution 21-69: General Funds Appropriation, Transfers and Adjustments FY22
(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-69 - Majority Vote) #tc1117 motioned, second, passes 9-0 - this was previewed and approved by FinCom last week (7-0)
Resolution 21-70: Appropriation of Cannabis Fees
(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-70 - Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 8-0 TA Hellen spoke to parts of this during prior discussion, 2 active host community agreements $300K each; light project designed, hopeful to do spring
Interesting that Dellorco remained in conversation (and commented) and only before vote recused himself. #tc1117 hope that doesn't cause a problem - also raised by Councilor Cormier-Leger in the discussion before the vote
Resolution 21-71: Appropriation to Pay Prior Years’ Bills
(Motion to Approve Resolution 21-71 - ⅔ Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 9-0 - Finance Dept did talk to vendors on timing of receipt for invoices #tc1117
Resolution 21-72: Order of Taking Approximately Seventy (70) Acres of Unimproved Land Off
Maple Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-72 - ⅔ Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 9-0 - formal process to ensure clear title to the Maple Hill land
Resolution 21-73: Acceptance of Open Space, Access and Parking Easements at Brookview Condominium Located Off Pond Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-73 - Majority Vote) easements for Pond St to gain access to waterfront on Mine Brook; motion, second, passes 9-0
Councilor Comments
TA report - nothing at this time
Future agenda items - all questions on FHS issues, need to be addressed via the School channels; housing items to be considered for future #tc1117Councilor Comments - veterans lunch last week was wonderful; atta boy to Rep Roy for …
passage of the genocide bill; snow and ice presentation coming next meeting; kudos to all for the luncheon last week; #tc1117 Strong Towns event well attended on Monday; monthly senior office hours at Center at 8:30 AM - volunteers needed to decorate downtown Sat
Fairmount Farm has first Winters Farmers Market on Saturday; nice to see other communities at the Strong Towns event; it was an honor to serve the veterans last week; #tc1117 congrats to FHS performances of Mamma Mia this past weekend - 65 students in the cast
good luck to FHS, only public school left in D1 for football; salt price up, let Brutus know; #tc1117 happy Thanksgiving to all, we'll be back in Dec - motion to adjourn, passes 9-0
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
Veterans Services Officer Shannon Nisbett and members of the Elks Riders
"FRANKLIN VARSITY SWIM is, once again, partnering with Boston Wick, a Franklin owned company, for their candle fundraiser.
Candles are $20 and FHS Varsity Swim earns 50% of the sales. Sale ends November 29th and candles will be delivered BEFORE Xmas.
Please consider supporting the team! PM Jill Gabel Simms (https://www.facebook.com/jill.simms.750) with questions or to place an order. Payment is collected in advance and can be made with cash or Venmo."
by Emily Wu Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC
If it takes a village to raise a child, crowdfunding may be what it takes to make that invention a reality. But scammers could be behind those crowdfunding efforts and take your money without delivering what they promise.
Crowdfunding can help raise money to develop a new product or invention. To get investors, the organizer may promise something in exchange for contributions. Investors might get a payout once the invention is profitable, be the first to get the new product, or get the new product at a discount later on.
When you give money to a crowdfunding campaign, it goes directly to the campaign organizer. But a dishonest businessperson might lie about the project, product, and timeline. And they might lie about the rewards you’ll get once the product is finished.
