"A new grant program is available for Massachusetts businesses from @MassGCC. Applications open tomorrow at noon. Find details here https://t.co/mY1d6or3gg"
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| Town of Franklin, MA: new grant program for MA businesses |
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Town of Franklin, MA: new grant program for MA businesses
Franklin, MA: 1960 to 1969 (video)
Joe Landry provides this video about the history of Franklin, MA from 1960 to 1969.
Franklin Police: Notification of scam
We have received several reports from residents who have received text messages stating that their "Concealed Carry" permit is ready, or today is the last day to sign up.This is a SCAM. The Franklin Police Department does not text messages like this. The full application process is available on our website at: https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/license-carry-firearms-ltc
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1344307384563494912
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| Franklin Police: Notification of scam |
Boston Globe: "Workers to get a boost in 2021 as new laws take effect Jan. 1"
"The new year will be an important one for workers’ rights in Massachusetts. Here are three key pieces of legislation that will take effect in 2021. The trio is part of a large labor and wages bill passed in 2018, known as the grand bargain. Advocates say several of the measures will help workers desperately in need of relief during the pandemic. In addition, starting this year workers will be eligible for holiday pay on Juneteenth, after officials recognized it as a state holiday.
1. Paid family and medical leave
Starting next year, all employees in Massachusetts will have access to paid family and medical leave that will allow up to 12 weeks of family leave and up to 20 weeks of medical leave, with the guarantee that they would be restored to their same or equivalent positions, with the same status, pay, and employment benefits."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
"A Christmas miracle, or clever budgetary legerdemain"
The Boston Globe has the following:
"One moment, Governor Charlie Baker is asking people to lobby their legislators for some relatively modest funding as the state’s well of small-business relief funds runs dry.
The next: Baker unveils $668 million for grants, in particular to help several sectors hit hard by COVID-19 such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and hair salons.
The sharp turnabout last week surprised many small-business advocates — not to mention the budget writers in the Legislature.
A Christmas miracle, or clever budgetary legerdemain on the part of Baker’s Administration & Finance team?
Maybe a bit of both."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
CommonWealth Magazine: three articles of interest
"Baker takes stock of unprecedented pandemic"
"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S feelings about the year 2020 echoed public sentiment when he slammed his fists on a lectern at the State House Wednesday afternoon.
“As we close out 2020, finally, we’re again urging everyone if they can to stay home,” Baker said, banging both fists."
Continue reading the article online
"House, Senate seem to be in no rush"
"THE HOUSE ELECTED a new speaker on Wednesday, but otherwise the two legislative branches did little of consequence and adjourned until Monday.
That leaves just Monday and Tuesday for lawmakers to take action on a slew of pending bills, some of which have been stuck in conference committee trying to resolve differences between the two branches for months."
Continue reading the article online
"Ronald Mariano elected speaker of the Massachusetts House"
"IN A DAY filled with ceremonial pomp – but no suspense — the Massachusetts House on Wednesday selected Quincy Democrat Ronald Mariano to be the next speaker of the House.
In his inaugural address, Mariano laid out a series of major policy goals, while reiterating the philosophy of governance that he has applied until now: a focus on achieving consensus through compromise. “In the reality of governing, we must live in the world of the possible and not make perfection the enemy of progress,” Mariano said."
Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/ronald-mariano-elected-speaker-of-the-massachusetts-house/
"The Baker-Polito Administration today provided an update on the ongoing distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. Including shipments arriving today and tomorrow, the Commonwealth expects more than 287,000 vaccine doses to arrive in the state by the end of 2020"Direct video link = https://youtu.be/HQ4Lfdh4Sl8
Commuter Rail notice - New Year's Eve service
On New Year's Eve, the Commuter Rail will run on the reduced weekday schedule. There will be no adjustments made to the schedule.
Affected routes:
- Newburyport/Rockport Line
- Haverhill Line
- Lowell Line
- Fitchburg Line
- Framingham/Worcester Line
- Needham Line
- Franklin Line
- Fairmount Line
- Providence/Stoughton Line
- Middleborough/Lakeville Line
- Kingston/Plymouth Line
- Greenbush Line
Last Updated: Dec 30 2020 03:31 PM
Additional info can be found on the MBTA page for the Franklin Line
Commuter Rail notice - New Year's Eve service
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
FM #425 Fresh Start Market - 12/16/20 (audio)
FM #425 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 425 in the series.
This shares my conversation with Fresh Start Market co-owner Bonnie Corso. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the social distancing requirements of this pandemic period.
We talk about how Bonnie and her husband Mark have spent many years developing the market which will open in the near future here in Franklin. They will be located in the Liquor World Plaza, in the space where the Shiva Market had been.
We talk about the timeline how they came to bring this to reality. How they used the Market Study developed by MAPC for Franklin to confirm three was an opportunity here.
By way of disclosure: I did purchase a brick on their wall to help share the Franklin Matters Name. I did also contribute as an investor in their venture. We talk about this and how they will be part of the community in bringing a ‘farm to table’ approach to grab and go meals.
While I do believe in what they are doing, this radio program is part of my overall effort to share newsworthy goodness in Franklin. This happens to be a very good example of the stories I think are newsworthy.
Our conversation runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H13TRRHS
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Follow Fresh Start Market on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartMkt/
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fresh_start.market/
Their investment opportunity page on MainVest https://mainvest.com/b/fresh-start-market-franklin
`
EDC Meeting with the MAPC Market Study presented and discussed
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-322-edc-mapc-market-study-73030-audio.html
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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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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 or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session. Here is a cropped photo of Finian shared on the Fresh Start Market Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/p/CJIEFN7gQ29/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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| Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session |
Town of Franklin: Holiday office hours for New Year's Eve, New Year's Day
The offices will close at noon on Thursday, December 31st, and will be closed on, Friday, January 1st.
Have a happy and healthy holiday season!
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| Town of Franklin: Holiday office hours for New Year's Eve, New Year's Day |
Boston Globe: "First Night Boston cancels New Year’s Eve Fireworks"
"Boston’s traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks displays are canceled for the first time since 1975 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.In November, the First Night Boston celebration typically held around Boston and over Boston Harbor was called off by organizers, according to the website, in favor of a livestreamed and broadcast event. First Night tweeted out a reminder Monday that the cancellation includes the traditional fireworks over the city."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Youth programs starting in January at YMCA
A few updates happening at the Y. They are offering 4 programs for youths of all ages and revising the athletes conditioning program.
Everything will be starting in January.
- Kids running club https://www.hockymca.org/franklin/youth-development/youth-swim-sports-recreation/youth-recreation/youth-fitness/
- Athletic development: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5192/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?keywords=full+athletic+training
- No Jump, Jump Rope: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5192/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?keywords=jump+rope
- Up N’ Run: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5192/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?keywords=up+n+run
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| Kids running club |
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| Up N’ Run |
Town of Franklin, MA: Diner Code of Conduct
"Do you have plans to go out to eat at one of our great restaurants? (or anywhere for that matter!)
Please read the Diner Code of Conduct and #DoYourPart to keep yourself, other diners, and the employees safe!
#DoYouPartFranklin #BeKind #BeRespectful" https://t.co/NbwhgWYY2X
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| Town of Franklin, MA: Diner Code of Conduct |
Franklin, MA: 1950 to 1959 (video)
Joe Landry provides this video about the history of Franklin, MA from 1950 to 1959.
Direct video link: https://youtu.be/Bgl12IcLKLU
Town of Franklin, MA: COVID-19 Dashboard
The Town of Franklin COVID-19 Dashboard can be found here bit.ly/TOFDshbrd
new 'dashboard view' = https://t.co/jPvsvLAL0O
Shared from Twitter = https://t.co/pUiGppThKQ
The new presentation of data uses the same data previously shared
The chart below details the confirmed, recovered, and isolated cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Franklin. This data reflects the most current information available and will be updated with additional information as confirmed counts are released through the Franklin Board of Health from the state Department of Public Health (DPH). Data for this table is based on information available in the Department of Public Health surveillance database at a single point in time. Case counts for specific cities and towns change throughout the day, as data cleaning occurs (removal of duplicate reports within the system) and new demographic information (assigning cases to their city or town of residence) is obtained. Statewide data is here (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting)
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| Town of Franklin, MA: COVID-19 Dashboard |
Abortion access policies become law in MA
The Boston Globe has the following on the override of Gov Baker:
"Abortion rights will be formally codified in state law, and access to the procedure will be expanded after the Senate on Tuesday joined the House in overriding Governor Charlie Baker’s veto of the legislation.
The Senate reaffirmed its support for the abortion access measures on a 32-8 vote, one day after the House’s 107-46 vote."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
CommonWealth Magazine has the following
On Ma.gov, the actual legislative text https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H5179
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