Recap: Franklin For All Forum gets some input amid questions on MPAC and expressions of fear

Quick recap:

• The Franklin For All Forum was a hybrid event hosted technically by MAPC in the Council Chambers. Some technical issues needed to be worked out so the meeting was slow starting
• There were approx. 40-50 in room, another 100+ via Zoom, some other number (unknown) likely watching via cable or live stream
• The Forum was meant to allow for (1) Q&A on the process and (2) input from Franklin residents to help develop a vision for downtown
• EDC Plus Steering Committee Chair Melanie Hamblen provided some homework assignments (walk around Franklin, sign up for newsletter, checkout Franklin For All page, let's all be open and treat comments with respect)
• Emma Battaglia, MAPC Project Manager, provided an overview of the project and objectives. She announced the release of the survey to enable input which will be open for at least a couple of weeks. A draft of initial zoning recommendations will come forward for review and discussion
• The EDC Plus committee will hear and review, possibly propose something to the Town Council. Assuming the proposal includes zoning changes, the zoning changes would go to the Planning Board for their review (including 2 public hearings) before coming back to the Council. The Council would also hold a public hearing and have two readings of the changes before a final vote. Bottomline - plenty of time to review and discuss whatever changes do come from this study

My notes taken via Twitter are collected in the PDF here. The audio (and possible transcript of the audio) should be available in a couple of days.

The PDF can also be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iojwdwbOUUfrvfnwuy_xn59P8yVws5Jq/view?usp=sharing

The survey is open for your input ->   https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce

Visit mapc.org/franklin-for-all for additional information on Franklin For All and for ongoing updates on the planning process. You can also sign up for email updates at mapc.ma/franklin-for-all-news.  Email planning@franklinma.gov if you have questions about this project or additional ideas for enhancing Franklin Center

Recap: Franklin For All Forum gets some input

HockomockSports.com: Player of the Week -> Emma White, Franklin Gymnastics

Franklin senior Emma White has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Feb. 27 through March 5. White is the 23rd player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2021-22 school year and the 12th of the winter season.

White continued her stellar senior season by adding another all-around title to her resume. She took home first place at the state championship meet that was held this weekend at Algonquin High, helping the Panthers finish in second place as a team and qualify for the upcoming New England meet. This title was added to the South Sectional and the Hockomock Gymnastics Championships all-around titles that White already claimed this winter.

“Emma has been a great athlete to coach these past two years,” said Franklin coach Paula Lupieb. “It’s been fun watching her gel with the team and excel in her craft! She performs with grace and power, as a senior she will be greatly missed."

Continue reading about Emma:
https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-emma-white-franklin-gymnastics/ 

HockomockSports.com: Player of the Week -> Emma White, Franklin Gymnastics

Ted helps Steve make sense of climate - part 4 - 03/03/22 (audio)

FM #747 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 747 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Mar 3, 2022.  

This is part 4 of a series on Making Sense of Climate. We talk of the weather variations, the recent MA House legislation touting wind power, the Ukraine situation, and how it ties to climate, as well recent news articles. 

Ted helps me “make sense of climate” and we hope this helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session 

The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre as he helps me “make sense of climate.” Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-747-ted-mcintyre-making-sense-of-climate-03-03-22

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Links that are our talking points for this episode

Webinar for Complete Neighborhoods Initiative -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/webinar-scheduled-for-mar-10-complete.html 

DOER Stretch goals (deadline extended to March 18 to submit input)

• Link to read the details ->  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stretch-energy-code-development-2022 

• Email to provide feedback  stretchcode@mass.gov 

Net zero proposal

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/2-senators-say-proposed-building-code-comes-up-short/

 

Brayton Point

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/17/business/site-shuttered-south-coast-coal-plant-will-become-wind-industry-factory/?event=event25

 

Baker stalling on EJ committee

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/25/science/massachusetts-roadmap-bill-created-an-environmental-justice-advisory-council-where-is-it/?event=event25

Wind legislation editorial by Rep Jeff Roy and House Speaker Mariano

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/02/opinion/offshore-wind-is-future-massachusetts/

 

Link to IPCC report page 

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ 

Bill McKibben article

https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/heat-pumps-for-peace-and-freedom 

Article on IPCC report in Globe

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/28/science/impacts-climate-change-are-worse-than-we-thought-an-unflinching-new-un-report-finds/ 

The Guardian article on the IPCC report

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/28/ipcc-issues-bleakest-warning-yet-impacts-climate-breakdown

 

Court case could limit EPA

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/28/opinion/supreme-court-case-that-could-limit-epas-power-fight-climate-change/

 

Implication of Supreme Court EPA possible decision beyond climate….

https://www.eenews.net/articles/hill-takes-notice-as-supreme-court-mulls-epa-climate-powers/

If you have a question to raise, you can use this form -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html

 

Original Climate link

The 13 point article we talk to -> From WBUR -> “What you need to know about the new MASS Climate law” https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/03/26/new-mass-climate-law-faq

 

Mass Climate Action Network -> https://www.massclimateaction.org/recs 

 

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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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Deepwater Wind's turbines off Block Island, R.I., as seen in 2019.RODRIQUE NGOWI/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Before Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball's Color Barrier with Author Ted Reinstein - Mar 15 - 7 PM

In April of 1945, exactly two years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball, liberal Boston City Councilman Izzy Muchnick persuaded the Red Sox to try out three black players in return for a favorable vote to allow the team to play on Sundays. The Red Sox got the councilman’s much-needed vote, but the tryout was a sham; the three players would get no closer to the major leagues. It was a lost battle in a war that was ultimately won by Robinson in 1947. 

This book tells the story of the little-known heroes who fought segregation in baseball, from communist newspaper reporters to the Pullman car porters who saw to it that black newspapers espousing integration in professional sports reached the homes of blacks throughout the country. It also reminds us that the first black player in professional baseball was not Jackie Robinson but Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1884, and that for a time integrated teams were not that unusual. And then, as segregation throughout the country hardened, the exclusion of blacks in baseball quietly became the norm, and the battle for integration began anew.

About the Author: Ted Reinstein has been a reporter for “Chronicle,” WCVB-TV/Boston’s award-winning—and America’s longest-running, locally-produced—nightly news magazine since 1997. In addition, he has been a contributor for the station’s political roundtable show and sits on WCVB’s editorial board. He lives just west of Boston with his wife and two daughters. He is also the author of New England Notebook (Globe, 2013) and Wicked Pissed (Globe, 2016). 

To find out more about Ted, please visit https://tedreinstein.com/ 

When - March 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Where - Franklin Public Library

Shared from Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/372451

Before  Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball's Color Barrier with Author Ted Reinstein

MBTA Commuter Rail challenges highlighted by incident on Worcester Line

"Tarang Shah of TransitMatters uses a breakdown on the Worcester commuter rail line to provide some valuable lessons on what's still missing as the MBTA tries to provide reliable service." 

Read the article online ->  https://t.co/XMTdcn1Syc  

or here ->
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/a-breakdown-provides-lessons-on-reliable-train-service/

MBTA Commuter Rail challenges highlighted by incident on Worcester Line

The climate situation is worse than we thought

"Percent of the world population currently exposed to potentially deadly heat for 20 or more days a year: 30

Percent that could be exposed to deadly heat for 20 or more days a year by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions continue growing at the present rate: up to 76

Number of people globally who could face chronic water scarcity by 2100 if temperature rise exceeds 2 degrees Celsius: up to 3,000,000,000"

Continue reading the editorial online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/07/science/its-worse-than-we-thought-15-numbers-that-show-were-not-prepared-climate-change/

Left to right, top to bottom, A wildfire near in Owens Valley, Calif., Australia's Great Barrier Reef, cars stranded in a parking lot after a flash flood in Nashville, Tenn., a herder walked past the carcasses of his forty goats that died of hunger during a drought in Dertu, Wajir County, Kenya and a winter storm Irving, Texas.

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, March 8, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen
Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Sons & Daughters of Italy: Paolo DiGregorio

9:00 am It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig

10:00 am Frank Presents: State House Pt. 3

11:30 am Senior Connection: Kitchen Gadgets Pt. 1

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 show 4

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 3

3:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7

4:00 pm The Only Cure Is Education

4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 4 - Dicenso Clark

5:30 pm Physician Focus: Unequal Treatment: Disparities in Health Care

8:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Jeff Roy

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1

8:30 am Public School Event: Lifelong Winter Music 2021

10:00 am FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Durfee 03-04-22

12:30 pm U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig

3:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Andover 03-04-22

4:31 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18

6:01 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Wellesley 03-05-22

8:01 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Braintree 03-04-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee: 02-08-22

12:00 pm Economic Development: 03-02-22

2:00 pm School Committee: 02-08-22

7:00 pm School Committee: LIVE, Chambers, 837 4835 8648, Code 279525

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Franklin looks at big week with a number of reveals (downtown zoning?, school budget?, storm water?, town budget?)

This is very important week for Franklin. 

The week starts with the Franklin For All Forum Monday night, the discussion on what changes if any should be made to downtown gets into full gear. MAPC has been conducting some focus group meetings with key stakeholders. The results of those discussions remain to be seen. Monday is touted to be a review of the current zoning and building downtown to get us to where we are. Meeting info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/events/373166

Tuesday, at the scheduled School Committee meeting, the community gets to hear the Superintendent’s recommended school budget for the FY 2023 fiscal year. The docs were released in advance for review.  Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-8-22.pdf

Wednesday, the community can listen to the DPW update for the Finance Committee. Apparently, within the details of the presentation are the rationale for implementing the talked of “storm water utility fee”. Meeting agenda -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/3-9-22_fin_com_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Thursday, the Joint Budget Committee, formally charged now with fostering discussion among the Town Council, Finance Committee, and School Committee gets to see the first release of the FY 2023 Town of Franklin budget. The numbers are still preliminary at this point but the ballpark should be good enough for a discussion on how to address the multiple priorities the Town (and Schools) face. Agenda not yet released (should be sometime Tuesday) https://www.franklinma.gov/joint-budget-subcommittee/events/372166

The meetings are open for in person or remote participation, check the Town Calendar, School Calendar, or Franklin Matters for agenda documents.

Franklin looks at big week with a number of reveals (downtown zoning?, school budget?, storm water?, town budget?)

Capital Budget Subcmte Mtg: completes review, approves to refer to Town Council

FM #746 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 746 in the series. 

This shares the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting that was held on Thursday, March 3, 2022.

The meeting was held in the 3rd floor training room. It started late as they were waiting for a quorum (their 3rd member to arrive); the fourth subcommittee member arrived shortly after the third. 

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. 

This recording runs about 1 hour 17 minutes.  Let’s listen to the Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting for Mar 3, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-746-capital-budget-subcommittee-mtg-03-03-22

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Meeting agenda 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/3-3-22_cap_budget_agenda.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-q6EIGdJW0yAddrzh0AFsAn7b8FJcLzS/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 www.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"

Capital Budget Subcmte Mtg: completes review, approves to refer to Town Council

MIAA playoff tickets sold digitally for Round of 16 thru to the Finals

MIAA (@MIAA033) tweeted  Sun, Mar 06, 2022:

As the #MIAA Basketball & Ice Hockey State games move to the Round of 16 & beyond ALL tickets sold digitally though https://t.co/2RSAg00JMV >>this is an easy/efficient manner to get your tickets

shared from Twitter->  https://t.co/hl6y5Eusar

Franklin High School -> https://gofan.co/app/school/MA14576

FHS Panthers