FM #173

This internet radio show or podcast is number 173 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the candidate interview with current Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen. Conducted in the studios of Franklin TV and Radio, this is a product of the collaboration with the local cable and radio operations.

We reviewed the following questions, some of them were ‘crowd sourced.’ Some of you may remember the call for input solicited in August 2019 for this election. Thank you for your contributions. 

Hopefully, the information provided here, and in the other interviews, will enable a good choice among the candidates for each position.

• There are and have been many opportunities to volunteer with community groups in Franklin. Have you taken advantage of any of these? Which ones, and why did you choose that/those?
• Where do you get your news about Franklin?
• For all those running for Town Council: We are in a constant water shortage. We are adding to our population and increasing out need for water. Given that all those who live in Franklin draw their water from the same aquifer, do you support a ban on using water for what I will call cosmetic use (lawn watering) during water shortages, even for those with a private well? If not, why not, considering that those with private wells are still dangerously affecting our water level for uses other than vanity? Or put simply: Do you support the private use of wells for lawn irrigation at times when the town's aquifer is dangerously low for use by the community for essential use in homes and fire prevention?
• What degree of development do you feel is appropriate for Franklin, and how would you balance the need for affordable housing, with the need to avoid congestion?
• The Town Administrator has suggested that Franklin needs to pass an override measure. What actions will you take to support the passage of this measure?
• Why should I vote for you?

Let’s listen in to the conversation on these questions with Melanie. The recording runs approx 24 minutes.





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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

Overall:

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
• If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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 iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

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Let the Bidding Begin at The Gift of Music Fall Fundraising Gala!

The Gift of Music Fall Fundraising Gala will be held on November 10, 2019, and online bidding for our auction is open NOW! The Gift of Music Fall Fundraising Gala will help Encore Music Education Foundation Inc support our mission:

“To bring music into the lives of those who might not otherwise be able to afford lessons and classes; to purchase musical instruments for individuals and music education programs; to support students attending college to study music; to provide educational resources and materials for students of music; and, finally, to recognize, through the establishment of our scholarship awards, those students who exhibit excellence in the study of their chosen instrument.”

We are very proud that, since December, 2015, the Foundation has already awarded over $25,000 to very deserving music students, ranging in age from eight to eighteen, as well as providing financial support to music programs within the surrounding communities. Our future goal is to increase our financial impact to an annual contribution of $20,000 in scholarships and subsidies.

Our online auction is open NOW! Bidding is open from now, until 9 pm on November 10th on the night of our live event. Get ahead and preview and bid on auction items ranging from exotic vacation getaways to donated items guaranteed to delight and surprise. 

Proceeds from your auction event will go to Encore Music Education Foundation Inc. in order to support providing all with the chance to receive the gift of music. So, tell your friends, family, community, and get everyone in on the auction action!

Click here to bid on items and see our online auction!
https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=341694523

Click here to buy tickets to our in-person event!
https://www.eventbrite.com/signin/?referrer=%2Fmyevent%3Feid%3D74437308995

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVEZtMzlGTk9lbTdsbWR0WTlDSWFjRnIyVkp3/view?usp=sharing

Let the Bidding Begin at The Gift of Music Fall Fundraising Gala!

FHS girls soccer tops Mansfield 1-0

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Friday, Oct 18, 2019

** Boys Soccer = Franklin, 0 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final
– Mansfield freshman Aiden Steele scored a goal and had an assist to help the Hornets knock off Franklin to keep their postseason hopes alive. Steele set up Colin True in the 55th minute for the opener, and then scored his first career goal in the 68th minute off a corner from sophomore Matt Hyland. Mansfield coach Steve Sheridan said his defense played great, adding Peter Oldow and Colin Caridi had phenomenal games in the midfield.

** Girls Soccer = Mansfield, 0 @ Franklin, 1 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"In a game of few scoring chances, it took only one moment of skill, only one defensive lapse, to decide a winner in Friday night’s match at Pisini Stadium. 

The only goal of the game arrived with eight minutes before the break, as sophomore Riley Fitzpatrick showed a deft touch to tap in Rachel Hogan’s cross on the edge of the six-yard-box and lift Franklin to a 1-0 victory over rival Mansfield. 

“She’s awfully good athletically,” Franklin coach Tom Geysen said of Fitzpatrick. “She played far more aggressively than she has at any other point in the season and that makes a big difference. If you can put pressure up front on their backs, somebody’s going to make a mistake.” 

Most of the game was played in the middle of the pitch, as the two teams did a good job of cancelling each other out and limiting the ability for either to get into the final third. When the teams did get the ball forward, both defenses stood tall to clear their lines and keep both goalies largely untroubled."

Continue reading the game recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/fitzpatrick-nets-winner-as-franklin-girls-soccer-edges-mansfield/

For a Photo Gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Fall-2019/Franklin-Mansfield-Girls-Soccer-10-18-19/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-10-18-19/

Sophomore Riley Fitzpatrick (11) scored on a Rachel Hogan cross eight minutes before halftime to hand Franklin a 1-0 win against Mansfield. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Franklin Art Association: Meeting and Art Demonstration - Rosemarie Morelli - Nov 6

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 PM, followed by a short business meeting and an oil painting demonstration by award-winning artist and instructor, Rosemarie Morelli.

Morelli will discuss strategies of design along with some time-saving tricks of the trade. She will demonstrate the steps on how to design a well-composed scene of multiple characters in any environment. She will also demonstrate how to properly and efficiently use resources such as Plein air sketch studies, props, live models and photographs best suited to achieve a good painting that is believable, realistic and better unified in color and light.

Morelli's painting, "Sailing On the Margaret Todd," which won First Place in the Cape Cod Art Association's National Juried Exhibition will be on display with other examples of her paintings.

FAA meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month, September through May, and are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org

"Sailing On the Margaret Todd" by Rosemarie Morelli

MBTA Reminder: Franklin Line notice - shuttle bus through November 24

Weekends, through Nov 24, Franklin Train service is replaced by free buses between Forge Park/495 and Readville for a Fairmount Line connection while PTC is installed. There will be no service at Back Bay, Ruggles, Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot.

Please visit https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork for more details about bus shuttle schedules. Visit MBTA.com/PTC for more information on how this project will improve commuter rail safety and travel. Passengers may experience delays of up to 30 minutes as a result of shuttle bus connections.

There will be no Franklin line service at Back Bay and Ruggles stations on weekends. Please travel to South Station to reach a Franklin Line station. If you are travelling inbound, please board a Worcester/Framingham line Train for direct connection to Back Bay or a Providence/Stoughton line Train for a direct connection to Back Bay or Ruggles.

We also recommend the subway: board the Red Line at South Station and transfer to the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing to reach Back Bay or Ruggles.

Due to proximity of adjacent stations, bus shuttles will not serve Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot stations:
- Endicott station customers, please use Readville or Dedham Corp stations.
- Islington station customers, please use Dedham Corp station.
- Norwood Depot customers, please use Norwood Central or Dedham Corp station.

8:40 PM and 10:40 PM departures from Forge Park as well as 11:20 PM departure from South Station will be accommodated by a bus for the entire trip between South Station and Forge Park (including the portion between South Station and Readville).

Additional weekends may be added to the train service suspension between Forge Park/495 and Readville as work progresses on the Franklin line.

Thank you for your patience while we improve the signal system on your Commuter Rail line.

For more information: https://www.mbta.com/FRKwork

MBTA Update: Franklin Line notice - shuttle bus through October 20

Update: St John's Pumpkin Patch is cancelled this year

"The St John's Pumpkin Patch is cancelled this year. Unfortunately, the growers in New Mexico experienced an early freeze which left them with 300 acres of frozen pumpkins that they couldn't ship. 

We hope to be able to do this next year."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Rev. Kathy McAdams, Rector

St. John's Episcopal Church, Franklin, MA
I'm off on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but call my cell in an emergency

cell) 857-237-9428

www.StJohnsFranklinMA.org

"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." - Horace Mann, native of Franklin, MA

Update: St John's Pumpkin Patch is cancelled this year

MassBudget: Gas Tax Hikes May Challenge Long-Term Revenue Sustainability and Equity

Gas Tax Hikes May Challenge Long-Term Revenue Sustainability and Equity Read Our Latest Report Examining The Pros and Cons of Higher Gas Taxes Raising Massachusetts tax revenue by increasing the state's gas tax would hit low- and moderate-income residents hardest and may be a shrinking source for the state's long-term transportation goals. If policymakers decide to increase the gas tax, its impact could be offset with tax credits for low-and moderate-income households. Our latest report, The Pros and Cons of Higher Gas Taxes, and How They Could be Offset for Lower-Income Families, models how an increase to the state's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can create a financial buffer for low- and moderate-income families that would be most impacted by an increased gas tax. For example, a 10-cent increase in the gas tax, now at 24 cents, could be offset by an 8 percentage point increase in the EITC, which would benefit families in the lower 40 percent of household earnings. Net revenue to the Commonwealth would be lower, but the financial impact on lower-income households would be offset by the tax credit. Among the report's highlights: A 10-cent tax increase would represent almost 0.20 percent of income for the lowest-income fifth of households, while households with the highest-income 1 percent of incomes would contribute less than 0.001 percent of their income in gas taxes. Offsetting the impact of a 10-cent gas tax increase on lower-income families would require an 8-percentage point increase to the state EITC match, reducing the revenue gain by $75 million. Including all state and local taxes and fees, the U.S. average gas tax nationwide is 36.17 cents - almost 10 cents above the Massachusetts total rate of 26.54 cents. The number of gallons of gasoline taxed in Massachusetts used to grow substantially faster than the population. For the last two decades the number of gallons taxed per person has declined. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for low-income working families that supports about 400,000 households in Massachusetts. "This paper identifies how increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit could support low-income families who'd otherwise bear the greatest brunt of a gas tax increase," said Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, Executive Director of Children's HealthWatch.   https://childrenshealthwatch.org/  "The EITC is one of our most successful programs at keeping working families out of poverty, with large benefits for children's health and education and maternal mental health. If the increase to this program was large enough, it could be a win-win." There has been discussion in recent months about a potential increase to the gas tax, last increased in 2013. "Transportation for Massachusetts supports a 25-cent gas tax increase to improve roads, bridges, and transit statewide. To help address equity concerns, it makes sense to pair this increase with low-income tax credits such as a stronger state EITC," said Chris Dempsey, Director of the Transportation for Massachusetts https://www.t4ma.org/ advocacy coalition. To read the full report, click here http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=GasTax_Pro-Con_2019.html The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 1 State Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02109 Sent by pbaxandall@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Oct 18 to THU - Oct 24

Fri Oct 18, 2019

	Book Baddies Scavenger Hunt!
8am	Downtown Partnership Networking Breakfast
10am	Franklin Art Association’s Showcase
10am	Knitting Group
11:30am	St John's Pumpkin Patch
12pm	Farmers Market
1pm	Book sale
3:30pm	Chess Club for Kids
7pm	Dean College presents "Radium Girls"

Sat Oct 19, 2019

	Book Baddies Scavenger Hunt!
9am	Book Sale
9am	Franklin Federated - Yard Sale
10am	Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)
11:30am	St John's Pumpkin Patch  CANCELED
1pm	Bag Sale
2pm	Dean College presents "Radium Girls"
7pm	Dean College presents "Radium Girls"
7:30pm	FPAC presents "Matilda the Musical"
8pm	Windborne: Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

Sun Oct 20, 2019

	Book Baddies Scavenger Hunt!
11:30am	St John's Pumpkin Patch CANCELED
1pm	Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
2pm	Dean College presents "Radium Girls"
2pm	FPAC presents "Matilda the Musical"
3pm	Acrylic Pour Workshop

Mon Oct 21, 2019

10am	Franklin Art Association’s Showcase
10:30am	Move Along
11:30am	St John's Pumpkin Patch CANCELED
3:30pm	D&D for Kids

Tue Oct 22, 2019

9:30am	Cool Cruisers
10am	Franklin Art Association’s Showcase
10:30am	Get Ready for Kindergarten
11:30am	St John's Pumpkin Patch CANCELED
6pm	Chamber of Commerce: "Taste of the Region"
6pm	Franklin in Focus: Candidate Query
6:30pm	Interview Preparation Part 2 - Behavioral Interviewing
7pm	FCD: Visioning Event
7pm	Franklin Public Library Book Club

Wed Oct 23, 2019

10am	Franklin Art Association’s Showcase
10:30am	Terrific Toddlers
11:30am	St John's Pumpkin Patch CANCELED
6:30pm	Bump and Beyond
6:30pm	Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
6:30pm	Self-Care Series

Thu Oct 24, 2019

9:30am	Baby Tummy Time
10am	Franklin Art Association’s Showcase
10:30am	Story Xplorers
11:30am	St John's Pumpkin Patch CANCELED
4pm	Bookworm Bounce Storytime!
5pm	Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
6pm	Chapter Chew
6:30pm	Genealogy Club Meeting
6:30pm	Real Easte Workshop for First Time Homeowners

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Oct 18 to THU - Oct 24

Dance Faculty Concert - Oct 25-26

The Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance at Dean College will perform Dance Faculty Concert, Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, 2019.

Enjoy an energetic and exciting weekend of dance, featuring the outstanding works conceived by the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance faculty and renowned guest choreographers. Dean College Dance students will perform in a diverse variety of dance styles, from modern dance to ballet to tap and more.

The Dean College production of Dance Faculty Concert will take place in the Main Stage in the Campus Center at Dean College, 109 West Central Street, Franklin at 8:00 PM both nights. 

General admission is $22, Seniors $12 and Children $7.  To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.dean.edu/boxoffice.

Dance Faculty Concert - Oct 25-26

FHS volleyball wins, field hockey ties, Paterson takes 1st, golf team 3rd overall

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Thursday, Oct 17, 2019

** Field Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final
– Franklin’s Amanda Lewandowski scored an unassisted goal with just over five minutes left to help the Panthers grab a tie on the road and stay undefeated in league play. Mansfield’s Grace Danehy scored in the first half to put the hosts ahead. Neilee Hess made four saves in for for Franklin.

** Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final
– Mansfield pushed the Panthers to the brink in the fourth set, nearly forcing a fifth game before Franklin earned a 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-17, 30-28) win. Allyson Bonnet-Eymard led the charge offensively for Franklin with 19 kills and nine digs, Sophie Lyons had a strong game with 12 kills and 10 digs, and Bridget Jackson added nine kills and five aces. Sophomore Cailyn Mackintosh continued to play well with 45 assists, seven digs, and three blocks. Mansfield’s Sam Sternburg registered 11 digs and 11 service points while Julia Kelly added nine kills and 13 digs.

** The Hockomock League Golf Championship took place on Thursday at Blue Hill Country Club in Canton. Below are the team and individual results:

TEAMS
1. Mansfield – 238
2. Canton – 250
3. Franklin – 251
4. Sharon – 255
5. Oliver Ames – 257
6. Foxboro – 258
7. King Philip – 267
8. North Attleboro – 271
9. Attleboro – 280
10. Milford – 283
11. Taunton – 298
12. Stoughton – 306

TOP 10
1. Jack Paterson, Franklin – 76
2. Ryan Dow, Mansfield – 77
3. Brian See, Mansfield – 79
T4. Conor Hunter, Canton – 81
T4. Nathan Daley, Sharon – 81
T6. Chris Lavoie, Canton – 82
T6. Jason See, Mansfield – 82
T6. Ethan Skelly, Sharon – 82
9. Sam Becker, Oliver Ames – 83
T10. Dylan Quinn, Foxboro – 84
T10. Kayla Schuberth, King Philip – 84

INDIVIDUALS
Franklin

• Jack Paterson – 76
• Quinten Faro – 87
• Pat Dolan – 88

For photos from the Golf Championship

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Fall-2019/Hockomock-Golf-Championships-2019/

For other results around the Hockomock League on Thursday

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-17-19/

Franklin's Jack Paterson (HockomockSports.com photo)