FPAC to Present Socially Distanced Production of ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND - Nov 8

"The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present a creative and socially distanced production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on Sunday, November 8. A nomadic audience of 10 will meet Alice and follow her from venue to venue as her adventures unfold. Dressed to be outside and in, audience members will walk from vignette to vignette, on THE BLACK BOX and 38 Main Street campus. Masks are required.

The creative production was conceived and directed by Nick Paone. Paone has a BA in Theater from Occidental College. A former Equity actor, his performing credits include Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, Red Roses, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Romeo and Juliet. He has written and directed numerous shows, produced an evening of one-act plays in NYC, and traveled extensively performing with TheatreWorks USA. Nick's numerous FPAC credits include The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical, The Addams Family, Peter Pan, Les Misérables, Humbug!, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, and many more. He is the creative mind behind FPAC's original musicals Humbug!, Zero, and multiple holiday pantos."

Shared from https://www.broadwayworld.com/boston/article/FPAC-to-Present-Socially-Distanced-Production-of-ALICES-ADVENTURES-IN-WONDERLAND-20201102?

Tickets can be purchased online  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1421&month=11&year=2020

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND - Nov 8

 

Franklin Community Garden: Maintenance Day - Nov 11

We are planning on having a maintenance day on November 11th from 9am-12. By then all garden beds should be cleaned out and if you are planning on renting next year that would be a great day to amend your soil.  With beautiful weather in the forecast for the next week, we really need to spend a few minutes cleaning out the beds.  It's also a good time to plant garlic for next year as well.  

What will be doing on that day? You can care for your garden by cleaning it out and then we need help moving the picnic tables and covering them, washing the tools (important so that when we use them next year if there were any disease on the tools it will not be transferred to someone's garden), cut the grass one last time, stack all the tomato cages in the back of the shed so they don't blow away, put the hoses away, put down some clover and clean out the shed. After November 11th the water will be shut off.

It's time to clean out your garden beds of all fallen produce, perennials that do not belong (strawberries, raspberry bushes, corn stalks and mint.)  If you would like to grow mint then you need to put it in a plastic pot and then plant the pot in the garden.  This way it does not multiply throughout the whole garden.  If you ever decide not to use that garden space and the mint had been growing then it would be a big deal to remove it and this holds true for the strawberries and the bushes.

The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension offers these free one hour LEARN AT HOME webinars.  This one is perfect for us: "Putting  the Garden to Bed: Tips and Tricks for Success Next Year" . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuuAh1Ir4Es  There are others and once you visit their website you can choose whatever seems to be of interest to you.

Lastly, I want to thank all our volunteers for their hard work keeping the Community Garden going so smoothly.  Deb Schwab has really stepped up to be our liaison from the Recreation Dept to all of you.  She has been behind the scenes organizing all the eagle scout projects, managing the volunteers for the maintenance days and I can't thank her enough.  Teresa Triana, Jen Kuse (Franklin Food Pantry), Melanie Hamblen and all our eagle scouts.  This has been our best year by far and it's because of all of these individuals.  Thank you letters will be going out to our eagle scouts today.

We will open up registration to all returning gardeners for 2021 on Monday, February 1st, 8:30am. 

amend your soil link https://organicforecast.org/2015/11/five-reasons-to-amend-garden-soil-now/

Jen Kuse and Lynn Calling viewing the garden beds that the Franklin Food Pantry used this year

Franklin Public Schools: Haunted Clocks Full Virtual Performance

"Amazing performance!  Great job to ALL involved!"

Performance by Annie Sullivan, Horace Mann, and Remington Middle Schools in Franklin Massachusetts

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1324116511758364674?s=03

Video link =>   https://youtu.be/WxetbNjvm2M 

 

Franklin School Committee - Newsletter - 11/4/20

You can view the current (and prior) newsletter updates from the School Committee online  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/newsletters

 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/newsletters

 

Senator Rausch: Onward!

I am deeply honored and humbled to be re-elected as State Senator representing the great communities of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District!

 

I am deeply honored and humbled to be re-elected as State Senator representing the great communities of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District! Thank you to the voters for putting your faith in me for another term, to continue pushing for progress and delivering results.

Before I go any further, I want to say a massive thank you to my tremendous campaign team. Many of you got to meet and work with some of these incredible people over the course of this campaign, so you know just how phenomenal they are. Thank you doesn't begin to cut it here. I am so grateful for all of you, for the formidable campaign we built and ran even during a global pandemic, and for your deep dedication to justice, equity, democracy, and collaboration. Thank you to our fellows, our youth coordinators, and all of our amazing volunteers. And, thank you to my family, especially my husband Lior and our children, for your patience, love, understanding, and strength.

Friends, this victory is about all of us, and the values we share. Values of justice, fairness, and equity for all. Values that manifest in public health, reproductive freedom, election access, antiracism, education, intersectional civil rights, and so much more. Values that have been under attack seemingly everywhere we look. But yesterday and over the last few weeks, all of you here and tens of thousands of voters in our district said no to unraveling progress. This victory is a resounding YES for truth, science, civility, and policymaking that uplifts our individual and collective humanity.

We all know this is not the first time in history that our shared values have been attacked, or trampled. My grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. His 100th birthday would have been this past weekend, while all of us were busy talking to voters. He passed away when I was young, but one of the things I remember most about him is his love of music. On Monday morning, as I was dropping off our younger son at pre-K, a piece of music my grandfather loved and brought into our family came on the radio. Not just a snippet of the piece either, the whole thing. Hearing it reminded me of our unique legacies, and how those legacies influence the people we become.

I'd never been to Germany until just a few years ago, and it wasn't until that trip that I learned my great great grandfather was a local politician before Hitler rose to power. Before my ancestors' lives were taken from them. Before the values of justice and equity and decency were so horrifyingly overrun by hate and fear.

These have been dark times in our nation – a serious stain on our American story that was unthinkable before 2016. We do not yet know what the outcome will be at the top of the ticket or in other critical races across the country. That great unknown is hard. It's hard to sit in ambiguity that so drastically impacts our lives now and the brighter future we all want to build for our children and generations to come. While we do not yet know the outcome, we know this: we can do hard things. We've been doing it for years, some of us longer than others. And we know that eventually, the arc will bend our way. Good will triumph over evil. Love will triumph over hate. Truth will triumph over lies and manipulation. Democracy will triumph over the denigration of American ideals.

We also know this: whatever happens at the federal level, the sites of social change for the next several years will be state legislatures. And that's what makes our victory particularly important, and hopeful. I'm proud to have achieved many great successes in my first term, from passing two reproductive justice bills on the Senate floor by unanimous, bipartisan votes, to advancing infectious disease prevention legislation, to enhancing transparency in the legislature, to bringing real and meaningful service to every corner of my district. That's what my leadership looks like. That's what voters in this election confirmed they want. And that's exactly what I'll continue to deliver in my next term – actual progress on public health, reproductive justice, election reform, climate action, intersectional civil rights, a government and places of employment free from harassment and discrimination, and more. That's the world we're striving to achieve. That's the sense of community we're fighting to restore.

When I think about our kids, and your kids, and all the young people out there who have shown up and spoken up and reached out and gotten involved, whether through climate strikes or a teen town hall or letters to me or learning how to read… I am inspired by them, and motivated to do better and keep pushing for the brighter future they deserve. That's a legacy I hope our work together will leave for them, both the work that's brought us to this moment and the work still to come.

I hope we achieve that legacy. I hope I'm living up to the legacy my family crafted for me. And I hope I continue to make all of you proud.

To each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your incredible support and for dedicating your time, talent, and treasure to this campaign, to our values, and to hope. We have paved a path forward; let's keep pushing for progress and getting it done, together.

Thank you, everyone.

In solidarity, 

 

Becca Rausch 

 

In the News: "Mass voters reject ranked choice, but OK car repair measure"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Voters of Massachusetts said no Tuesday night to a reform that would have dramatically altered the way voters choose their elected leaders, rejecting a ballot question backed by a who’s who of current and former political leaders from both parties that would have allowed voters in future statewide elections to rank candidates in races with three or more choices on the ballot.

Voters approved the other ballot question, breaking in favor of giving independent mechanics access to wireless vehicle data to repair cars by a 3-1 margin, according to incomplete and unofficial returns.

Supporters of the auto repair question said their win at the ballot box would ensure that consumers can get their car or truck repaired wherever they want, but even after conceding defeat opponents of Question 1 said the Right to Repair Committee failed to show why the change was necessary.

Unofficial results showed voters favoring Question 1 by a 3-1 margin with over 93% of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201104/mass-voters-reject-ranked-choice-but-ok-car-repair-measure?rssfeed=true

 

For more info on the Nov 3, 2020 election check the unofficial Franklin results on the Town Clerk page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

 

In the News: 1,629 new COVID-19 cases

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,629 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 158,937.

State health officials also confirmed 27 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,836.

As of Wednesday, 502 patients confirmed of having the coronavirus were hospitalized in Massachusetts, of which 109 were reported to be in an intensive care unit.

On Monday, the DPH posted a revised daily dashboard. Key new data points include “case growth by age group” and average turnaround time for COVID-19 test results that are reported to state health officials."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201104/1629-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-mass-27-additional-deaths?rssfeed=true

The new COVID-19 dashboard can be found online https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-4-2020/download

Senator Karen Spilka: virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair - Nov 20

"The virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair will be LIVE on Friday, Nov 20, 2020! The 60-min show, which will be broadcast on local cable access TV in MetroWest, YouTube & Facebook, will offer expertise & resources from local & state experts, as well as fun!"

More about the event: https://t.co/DViNQ9UMxB 

Shared via Twitter:  https://t.co/RshOb59mAL

Senator Karen Spilka: Senior Health & Wellness Fair - Nov 20

CommonWealth Magazine: Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt nominated to SJC; State tax revenues up over last year

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S latest nominee to the Supreme Judicial Court is an Appeals Court judge with a background in intellectual property litigation who built a robot while studying engineering at MIT.

Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt spoke to reporters after Gov. Charlie Baker introduced her as his latest pick for the Supreme Judicial Court. [Matthew J. Lee/Boston Globe/Pool]

Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt, if confirmed to the post by the Governor’s Council, would be the first Latina to serve on the state’s high court.

“The daughter of immigrants from Colombia, Justice Wendlandt will bring her voice to our highest court, a voice we need now more than ever,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said at an election day press conference at the State House where she and Baker introduced Wendlandt. “She has served as a mentor for women and girls throughout her career and the impact she would make in this new position, for young girls to see the first Latina woman serving on our highest court in the commonwealth, is profound.”

Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-nominating-first-latina-to-sjc/

 

NOW PARTWAY into the second quarter of a fiscal year that budget managers expect will generate between 4 percent and 12 percent less tax revenue for the state than the last, collections are still running more than 1 percent ahead of their fiscal year 2020 pace, the Department of Revenue said Wednesday.

DOR collected $2.089 billion from Massachusetts taxpayers in October, $62 million, or 3.1 percent, more than what was collected in October 2019, the agency said. October’s tax haul is among the smallest of the calendar year and DOR said the month typically generates about 6.5 percent of the state’s annual revenue.

“October revenue was driven mostly by increases in withholding, non-withheld income tax, and regular sales tax. These increases were partly offset by decreases in meals tax, and ‘All Other’ tax,” Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said. “An increase in individual return payments, combined with a decrease in refunds, resulted in growth in non-withheld income tax in October. The moderate withholding increase reflects unemployment insurance benefits, one-time events, and timing factors.”

Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/232310/

Franklin Food Pantry Names Capital Campaign Committee

Hires Local Architect Firm and Project Manager to Renovate Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry has announced members of its Capital Campaign Committee. The Capital Campaign Committee, led by Franklin Food Pantry Board member, Suzanne Gendreau, consists of local leaders and Pantry staff and will work to raise funds to renovate 138 East Central Street into a vibrant functioning Food Pantry. In April of 2020, The Pantry purchased the building to better serve its neighbors. In addition, The Pantry has hired Franklin-based Brad Chaffee of Camford Property Group as its project manager and Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect to design the plans of the new Pantry.

Suzanne Gendreau

Along with Gendreau, the committee members include: Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry; Kim Cooper, donor relations manager; Ingrid Cornetta, public relations professional; Jeff Ellis, CPA;  Glenn Jones, town council member; Susan Morrison, realtor; Donna O'Neill, food pantry volunteer; Laura Often, communications manager; Jeff Roy, state representative and Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters editor. For more information about the committee visit the Franklin Food Pantry website (https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/campaign/).

"We couldn't be happier with the group of people who have stepped up to help us raise the money we will need to make our dream of a new building a reality," said Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "The Franklin Food Pantry is more than just a food pantry, it is a place to build community, provide resources and help our neighbors improve their quality of life. By moving into a larger building, we will be able to store more food and hold places for our neighbors to meet together to better share resources as well as offer a safer place for our neighbors, volunteers and staff."

The Pantry has also selected Camford Property Group's Brad Chaffee to project manage the build out and named Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect. The Franklin Food Pantry has conducted focus groups with staff, volunteers and neighbors to learn what they are looking for in a Pantry and the designs will reflect those suggestions and ideas.  "Brad's leadership will ensure that the project is both cost-effective and organized. With Brad, we selected Kuth Ranieri Architects because of their experience with civic projects and dedication to improving communities," continued Calling. "They also bring a local connection to the project so we know they will take extra care in ensuring that the building reflects the values of The Pantry and the Franklin Community."

The Franklin Food Pantry will launch a public capital campaign later this year. In the meantime, donors can visit here to make a donation to the campaign or can set up their own fundraising page here. For more information visit: www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,400 individuals. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Between June 2019 and July 2020, 287,691, pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.

Manufacturing Caucus Hosts Fifth Annual Manufacturing Award Ceremony ‘Reimagined’

Contollo MA Manufacturing of Franklin, Massachusetts was nominated for the Manufacturer of the Year Award at the Fifth Annual Manufacturing Award Ceremony during a virtual ceremony. Contollo was nominated by State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). Contollo supports the medical industry with products manufactured in the United States and has helped keep the community safe in battling COVID-19.

In Latin, Contollo means to bring together, and this is what exactly the manufacturer has done during the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, the founders were able to see the desperate need for personal protective equipment and were able to repurpose an old factory and start production within six weeks.  

A team of state and local officials, led by Rep. Jeff Roy and Franklin Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, worked with the company to get the infrastructure and permitting in place to begin production in just six weeks. Contollo now produces over 60,000 gowns a week and has created 50 new jobs. 

L to R, Mr. Bob Vozzella, (Chief Operating Officer) Mr. Peter Berzin (Chief Executive Officer) and Representative Jeffrey N. Roy

As part of its commitment to the community, Contollo has donated thousands of PPE Gowns to several local fire departments and Milford Regional Medical Center to aid in addressing the pandemic. 

“This year, more than ever, making it in Massachusetts has taken on a new meaning because of the commitment and endurance of our manufacturers,” said Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus.  “Massachusetts manufacturers have proudly adapted and pivoted in response to the pandemic, producing desperately needed Personal Protection Equipment and other vitally important products in response to the pandemic.”

“It has been incredible to watch as Massachusetts manufacturers have stepped up to support the fight against COVID-19, pivoting their operations to create PPE and other critical supplies that protect our healthcare workers and help businesses open safely,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “We applaud all the companies and small businesses recognized this year, and our administration looks forward to continuing to partner with the Legislature to support the skills training, equipment and infrastructure needed for continued sector growth.”

Fifth Annual Manufacturing Award Ceremony ‘Reimagined’

The event was the state’s Fifth Annual Manufacturing Award Ceremony sponsored by the Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus.  Although the event is usually held in the State House, this year it was ‘Reimagined’ thanks to MassMEP holding the ceremony via a webinar.  In all, 52 companies were recognized for truly “making it” in Massachusetts and each will be featured in a commemorative magazine.

Representative Roy, Senator Eric P. Lesser (Co-Chair of the Caucus), Secretary of Housing & Economic Development Michael Kennealy, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, Senate President Karen E. Spilka and Mr. John Killam, President and CEO of MassMEP offered remarks at the ceremony. 

“It is always a pleasure to recognize the efforts and milestones in innovation each year with my fellow Manufacturing Caucus Co-Chair Representative Roy,” said Senator Lesser. “In the early stages of the pandemic, many of the manufacturers recognized today went above and beyond to help their communities and assist in the fight against the virus by producing PPE, testing components, and connecting people with vital resources. This award is one way to thank them for the impactful and innovative work they’ve done and will continue to do.”

Formed in August 2014, the Manufacturing Caucus includes more than 60 legislators from around the Commonwealth. Lawmakers focus on training for manufacturing employees; encouraging innovation by helping start-ups access resources; and expanding apprenticeship opportunities in key manufacturing sectors.
 

Ceremony: https://www.facebook.com/MassMEP/videos/348913272880008

Commemorative magazine: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1303531-2020-massachusetts-manufacturing-awards/0?

 

Local State races: Rausch and Roy win

For the two local State races

• Senator Becca Rausch beat Matt Kelly 61.1% to 38.9% 

via Boston Globe:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/elections/2020/massachusetts/state%20senate/norfolk%2C%20bristol%20%26%20middlesex/

• Representative Jeff Roy retains his seat running officially unopposed although there was a write in campaign.

via Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/elections/2020/massachusetts/state%20house/10th%20norfolk/

Representative Jeff Roy retains his seat running officially unopposed

The unofficial election results for Franklin, MA as released Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020 by the Town Clerk Nancy Danello

To download your copy

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_sI-rdLmfxzXXdADdH5LGfdA66S9a4r8/view?usp=sharing

 

#SNETTPhoto2020 photos winners announced

"We are excited to announce the winners of the first annual photo contest #SNETTPhoto2020!

We would like to thank everyone who entered and we are looking forward to your participation again next year."

 

For the winning photos, please visit the Rail Trail Committee page

https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/2020/11/02/snettphoto2020-and-the-winners-are/

 

#SNETTPhoto2020 photos winners announced (just a photo of the new tunnel, not a winning photo)

 

Women’s Faith Formation Ministry - scheduled to meet Saturday - Nov 7

The Women’s Faith Formation Ministry at St. Mary Parish has begun. This meeting is open to ALL women.

We meet on the first Saturday of each month from 9:30-10:15am.The video/speaker presentations will last approximately 15-20 minutes and will be followed by 15-20 minutes of discussions and/or questions. No homework or preparation is involved.

If you are interested in attending our monthly meeting, please email Deacon Guy (deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org) to receive information and the Zoom link to attend. 

 

Women’s Faith Formation Ministry - meets Saturday, Nov 7

 

In the News: "Franklin voters opt to adopt Community Preservation Act"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Many projects around town that have been relegated to the back burner because of a lack of funding will have a better chance of being realized now that voters have adopted the provisions of the state Community Preservation Act.

The CPA question, which appeared on this election’s ballot along with two statewide questions regarding ranked-choice voting and right to repair, was handily passed with about 61% of those voting giving it the nod.

The measure will add a 2% surcharge to local property taxes as a means of raising money for often put-off open space and historic preservation projects, recreation projects and community housing development.

According to results reported by the Town Clerk’s Office, the ballot question decision was 11,565 in favor and 7,370 opposed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201104/franklin-voters-opt-to-adopt-community-preservation-act?rssfeed=true 

 

Community Preservation Act - election results   ("unofficial")

• Yes = 11565    
• No = 7370    
• Blanks = 862    
• total = 19797 

  

In the News: "Franklin voters opt to adopt Community Preservation Act"