"eliminating the chemicals that cause cancer in firefighting gear is paramount"

"A SPECIAL TASK FORCE is recommending that Massachusetts regulate and gradually phase out the sale of consumer products that use PFAS chemicals, one of a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the health and environmental impacts of the commonly used chemicals.  

“As we get our hands around the issue, you realize how widespread PFAS is,” said task force co-chair Sen. Julian Cyr, noting that the chemicals are used in everything from clothing to cookware.  

PFAS, formally called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their long-lasting environmental impacts. They are widely used for industrial applications, such as manufacturing, and in consumer products including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, and water-repellent clothing.  "

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/task-force-seeks-to-phase-out-use-of-forever-chemicals/

Firefighters-in-training battle a blaze. (Photo courtesy of Department of Fire Services)

Matthew Sheehan running for Norfolk County Commissioner

Dear Norfolk County,

My name is Matthew J. Sheehan, and I’m running for Norfolk County Commissioner. I'm a Dedham resident and graduated from the Norfolk County Agricultural School in 2003. I am a pilot for American Airlines and volunteer at the Above the Clouds kids flying charity in Norwood. We take kids who face adversity flying out of Norwood Airport. I also serve on the Board of Trustees at “Norfolk Aggie”. Norfolk County has a commissioner position up for re-election this year, and I would like the opportunity to be considered!

I have attended some Commissioner meetings. There is a dispute between the Norfolk County Registry and the commissioners over hiring a full-time IT director. This position would be on-site and would handle over $80,000,000.00 worth of Real Estate transactions. The incumbent is against this position, which has resulted in a lawsuit at the expense of our taxpayer dollars. Our future is online and we need to start treating cybersecurity seriously.

Matthew Sheehan

Norfolk County offers veterans services that include rides to the VA and meals during the holiday season. Each city and town has a Veterans agent who I would like to work closely with not only expanding these services but focusing on suicide prevention. I have many friends and family who have served in all branches of the military. This is extremely important to me, and I would be honored to help where I can.

Norfolk Aggie sits on some of the most beautiful land in the county. The students learn about Agricultural Mechanics, Animal, Plant, and Environmental Science. There is currently a solar project which would potentially destroy 30 acres of irreplaceable green space. I support solar panels on existing structures but not the clearing of forests and fields. The constituents, students, and the aggie community are overwhelmingly against this. The town of Walpole has stopped this project due to the public outcry. In response, the county government has hired a lawyer to appeal and push the project through

It's time to end these lawsuits that equal $200,000.00 worth of taxpayer money. May 2nd at 7 pm at Norfolk County Agricultural High School is the town hearing regarding the solar panels. Everyone in the county has a right to attend. Join My campaign! We’re on social media and will have a website soon. It’s time for a new Generation of Leadership!

Download a copy of Sheehan's flyer can campaign info ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f8NURyF5_6oesLaBoa8Nj8R4pcaf1RvE/view?usp=sharing

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Apr 21, 2022

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

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

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

7:30 am Cooking Thyme: Spring

8:00 am Veterans' Call: Social Security

9:00 am Veterans Oral History Project: Warren Sayer Green

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Chicken Salad

12:30 pm Sandhya: Cupcakes

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Alzheimer's

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7

3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 1

3:30 pm Cooking Thyme: Spring

4:00 pm Once Upon A Town: Franklin 500

4:30 pm Frank Presents: Alberto Correia

5:30 pm Arts Advocacy: Impact

6:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 5 - Matt Stubbs Antiguas

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

9:00 am Community Arts Advocation: Action & Impact

11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Canton 04-08-22

1:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Oliver Ames 04-08-22

5:00 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22

6:30 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

8:30 pm Track and Field: v Taunton 05-18-21

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 04-14-22

11:00 am Economic Development: 04-06-22

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 04-14-22

7:30 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: LIVE, Remote, 818 9691 3884

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)

Are you an Earth Buddy?

FM: What is Save Soil?
KP: The Save Soil movement is being initiated by Sadhguru, a yogi, mystic, and visionary who has 9 million volunteers across the globe. He initiated this movement because to address the oil crisis by bringing together people from around the world to stand up for Soil Health, and supporting leaders of all nations to institute national policies and actions toward increasing the organic content in cultivable Soil.

FM: You are a notary and presidential volunteer award recipient from Point of Light. How did you get involved with this Save Soil Movement?
KP: The Save Soil movement is not a protest, this is the responsibility of every human who lives on this planet. This is the movement to turn world attention to our dying soil. I am an earth buddy to help this effort.

FM: What could be a solution for Save Soil?
KP:  We have to bring back at least 3-6% organic content in the soil, by bringing the land under shade from vegetation, and enriching the soil through plant litter, and animal waste.

FM:  What can we do?
KP: Let's make the awareness of Save Soil to all. This has been a journey from GreenHeads to GreenHands to GreenHearts. Each and every one of us. Let us make it happen!!

FM: Is there any website?
KP: yes please see www.savesoil.org or sign your pledge at                  https://pledge.save-soil.co/kpsompally

FM:  Is there any action plan?  are you creating Save Soil awareness in New England area or Franklin?
KP: In Franklin, we haven't started yet, we will start soon. We just started a campaign to join to become earth buddies in Boston, let's make it happen!!!!

View the video message here -> https://youtu.be/SCHqnkR7600

Are you an Earth Buddy?

Senior Center: Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials - Apr 21 - 8:30 AM

"Please join our Town Administrator, State Rep, and Town Council Member for coffee and open office hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month. "

Shared from Town of Franklin calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/events/357201

Senior Center: Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials - Apr 21 - 8:30 AM

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, April 21, 7:00

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting will be on Zoom, this Thursday, April 21, 7:00-9:00 PM. (We schedule two hours to leave time for discussion and conversation, but we understand if you need to sign off early.)  

Join on Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755
Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923 

During the meeting, we will update the status of climate bills in the state legislature, actions to promote national and regional changes, and local developments.

Whether or not you can join the meeting, there are a few worthwhile virtual events on Thursday, all scheduled for noon. You can consider each of these programs:

• Burning Question: Climate Action Call. Thursday April 21. 12:00-12:45. Organized by 350 Mass and Mothers Out Front. Take action to pass visionary climate legislation this year.  Information here.   RSVP & Registration here.
• Webinar: Setting a Standard for Cleaner Buildings.  Thursday April 21. 12:00-1:00. Green Energy  Consumers Alliance. Learn how performance standards work, policies currently in place, and proposed performance standards legislation.  Information and Registration here. 
• Webinar: The Carbon-Free House of 2030. Thursday April 21. 12:00-12:45. Boston Globe Sustainability Week 2022. An expert panel describes what environment-saving homes of the future look like, and steps we can take to get to an environmentally-friendly future.  Information and RSVP here.  Sustainability Week; full schedule here.    

We hope you can join us Thursday at 7:00 pm. We'll send a reminder Thursday afternoon. 

Thank you for your commitment to the struggle for a transition to a just, equitable, and clean energy economy.

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel

Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c) 

It's Time to Do Something incredABLE!

This newsletter was shortened, for a full set of contents, check this file

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ePX7ROVcscTHr-toRfH0juz7gXOKqGwN/view?usp=sharing

Or go directly to HMEA for all the details on their web pages ->   https://www.hmea.org/incredABLEday/

HMEA's incredABLE Day is Back - June 12!

incredABLE Day 2022 incredABLE Day Together, we've been celebrating the ABLE in all of us for 21 years. This year, there are some big changes coming to incredABLE Day, and we're excited to share them with you! incredABLE Day always includes: Community stroll and kids' fun run Dream and Elite raffles Fundraising, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities All-ages, all-abilities, entertainment, activities, and fun! incredABLE Day now features: New! No fees to register or attend New! Lower prices for 50/50 raffle tickets New! Official incredABLE Day gear on sale April 18-May 18 New! HMEA resources area Featured incredABLE Opportunity: Become an incredABLE Sponsor! Sponsorship opportunities in support of incredABLE Day start at just $500 and come with exclusive benefits. Click to learn more about how you can have an incredABLE impact on incredABLE Day with your sponsorship pledge today. Become a Sponsor - Click Here!

HMEA | 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by hmea@hmea.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

"We are two months into the outbreak now, and the safety protocols haven’t worked"

"The price of eggs has soared in recent weeks in part because of a huge bird flu wave that has infected nearly 27 million chickens and turkeys in the United States, forcing many farmers to “depopulate” or destroy their animals to prevent a further spread.

The virus has impacted many different bird species, including penguins and bald eagles. But its spread among poultry has been tremendous, particularly among chickens raised for their eggs.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yet another outbreak, this one in two flocks in Idaho, making that the 27th state in which the virus has been found since February. 

The illness affects commercial birds, hobbyists’ backyard chicken flocks and wild birds, and is spread via secretions and leads to paralysis, swelling and diminished egg production. There have been no human cases of these avian influenza viruses detected in the United States."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/04/16/bird-flu-egg-prices/ 

Weekly average price for a dozen large eggs, Grade A

"a village is going to help them stay in their homes"

"For many older Americans and their families, the devastating COVID-19 outbreak — which caused more than 200,000 deaths in nursing homes nationally — was a persuasive argument for living at home as long as possible.

Now, as the pandemic grinds into its third year, a loose-knit band of tech gurus, gerontology researchers, and volunteer-powered elder support groups, called “villages,” is seeking to overcome the obstacles to aging in place. Among the toughest: a worsening shortage of home care workers, who can assist the oldest residents with walking, dressing, or showering.

Coronavirus sped up the deployment of “age-tech,” technology that helps older people age in place, by seven to 10 years, said Joe Coughlin, director of MIT AgeLab in Cambridge. "

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/18/metro/pandemics-lesson-many-older-folks-stay-your-home-long-you-can/ 

Dale Orzalli, a Seaglass Village volunteer, arrived at Maureen Neumann's front door to take her to a doctors appointment at Lahey Medical Center in Peabody.MATTHEW J LEE/GLOBE STAFF

Town of Franklin - Health Department: COVID-19 Test Kits

Franklin Health Dept. received 68 At-Home COVID-19 test kits. Call 508-570-8433 for a free kit & location pickup.  

Limited Supply. 1 test per household member.

 

Town of Franklin - Health Department: COVID-19 Test Kits