|
|
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Virtual Concert features "The Accidentals" - Fri, Feb 19
Franklin Downtown Partnership Requests Your Support Of Franklin Businesses
During these challenging times for small businesses, the Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) reminds you to visit its website and social media to find out what’s going on with local businesses and find ways to support them. Please like, follow and share our social media posts! If you’re looking for contact info for a specific local business, visit our website’s member directory, located on the home page, with links to all our members.
- Website: www.franklindowntownpartnership.org
- Facebook: franklindowntownpartnership.org
- Instagram: franklindowntownpartnership
- Twitter: @FranklinDowntwn
As always, we encourage you to support our small businesses which are the lifeblood of our community. Not only do they provide essential goods and services, small businesses also support our community organizations and projects through donations of goods and sponsorships. Please remember Keep It Local - Support Franklin Businesses!
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of more than 300 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area.
Franklin Downtown Partnership Requests Your Support Of Franklin Businesses
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday, February 18, 7:00 PM
Hello to our members and supporters. The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, February 18 , at 7:00 PM. Here are the the Zoom details, and a preview of the meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting.
Meeting ID: 544 734 092
Password: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923
There's no need to RSVP, and we'll send a reminder on Thursday.
Meeting Agenda
The principal topics at this meeting will be:
- State legislative action on climate: In January the state Senate and House of Representatives passed the Next Generation Roadmap Climate Bill, only to see it vetoed by Governor Baker. The legislature proceeded to vote again and pass the same bill. The Governor sent it back with amendments. Read about it and take action here.
- In a related development, the coalition Mass Power Forward has scheduled a Lobby Day (via Zoom) for March 4th. For the new legislative session, Mass Power Forward will be advocating for 3 main groups of bills: the Environmental Justice Table's priorities; the MA Renews Alliance work to rapidly retrofit homes to be affordable, efficient, electric and climate healing; and continuing our work from last session to get Massachusetts to 100% renewable energy. Information and registration here.
- 350 Mass 2021-22 Campaign: Our priorities will include promoting energy-efficient housing and transportation. We will discuss these projects and roles for our Node within this region of the state.
As always, we'll touch on other developments in climate and energy news, and we'll identify ways that we can contribute as a Node and individually.
Thanks for your participation and support.
Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern
FHS girls hockey come back to win in 3rd period over Mansfield/OA
Girls Hockey = Mansfield/Oliver Ames, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– Trailing 1-0 after two periods, Franklin rallied with three goals in the third to pick up the victory and finish the season with a five-game win streak. Lindsay Atkinson, Amanda Lewandowski, and Libby Carter had the goals for the Panthers.
– Trailing 1-0 after two periods, Franklin rallied with three goals in the third to pick up the victory and finish the season with a five-game win streak. Lindsay Atkinson, Amanda Lewandowski, and Libby Carter had the goals for the Panthers.
For the other results around the Hockomock League
 |
| FHS girls hockey come back to win in 3rd period over Mansfield/OA |
Massachusetts HS Football Coverage: MIAA 2021 Preseason Top 50 Teams
Massachusetts HS Football Coverage (@massfball) tweeted on Tue, Feb 16, 2021:
MIAA 2021 Preseason Top 50 TeamsTeams 50-26Rankings will be updated throughout the Fall II season. https://t.co/cTMnR9C7A6
https://twitter.com/massfball/status/1361823069661237248
 |
| Massachusetts HS Football Coverage: MIAA 2021 Preseason Top 50 Teams |
ArtWalk in Planning Stages, if businesses are interested please respond by Feb 19
Dear Franklin Cultural District Partners,
The mission of the Franklin Cultural District is to foster and encourage culture and the arts in our community.
To support this mission the Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC) and the Franklin Art Association (FAA) are working collaboratively to plan an ArtWalk event through the Franklin Cultural District. These groups are excited to feature several local Franklin artists and to support our local businesses.
The hope is that by offering this visual art display we will encourage more foot traffic through the Franklin Cultural District and the downtown area.
At this point in time the project is in the planning stages. We will have more details to share when we hear about the plan of our Cultural District Partners.
Currently the FCDC and the FAA are looking for:
- Merchants/business owners who would be willing to have artwork displayed in their storefronts. The FCDC and the FAA will connect merchants with the artists
- Although most of the artwork will be hung in the storefront windows, individual businesses could also have artwork inside their establishments if agreed upon with an artist
- The artwork would be displayed by June 11th and would remain in store windows for the remainder of June and if possible during July as well
- Any materials needed to have the artwork displayed will be taken care of by the FCDC
If you would be interested in participating in this event, please contact Nancy Schoen at nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com by Friday, February 19, 2021.
We hope that many of you will be willing to participate!
Regards,
The Franklin Cultural District Committee and The Franklin Art Association
 |
| ArtWalk in Planning Stages, if businesses are interested please respond by Feb 19 |
Changes at the Franklin Food Pantry
Greetings!
We hope this email finds you well and you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Life at The Pantry remains as busy as ever as we continue to provide our neighbors with fresh fruit and vegetables, proteins, and shelf-stable items. We are so grateful for your continued support over the past year, we could not continue to do the good work we do without you. While things may look a little different at The Pantry right now, our community is still such an important part of our organization and we wanted to share some internal changes with you.
We are pleased to announce that the Chair of the Board of Directors, Tina Powderly, will become our Executive Director and that Lynn Calling will move to the newly created position of Director of Development and Community Engagement.
Tina Powderly
In her new role, Lynn will be spending her time on the new building Capital Campaign as well as work more closely with the individuals, groups and corporations who contribute to our mission. Tina will be responsible for the day-to-day Pantry operations and long-term strategic goals. Besides Tina’s move, our Board will remain the same with our current Treasurer, Jim Roche serving as the Interim Chair. These changes will take effect on March 1, 2021.
While this past year has been a challenge, we are proud of how we have continued to serve our neighbors. We surprised our neighbors with restaurant and supermarket gift cards, fresh flowers, special treats, and a choice table. We instituted weekly kids bags for families during the pandemic and still were able to do our annual Thanksgiving and winter holiday distribution. We continued a twice weekly drive-up distribution service so that even during the darkest days of the pandemic, our neighbors did not go hungry.
If you have any questions about The Pantry or just want to say hello, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at either: Tina Powderly or Lynn Calling. We look forward to a bright future and a reimagined Pantry!
Regards,
Tina Powderly and Lynn Calling
Franklin Food Pantry
Franklin Food Pantry
- Tina's email => tpowderly@franklinfoodpantry.org
- Lynn's email => lcalling@franklinfoodpantry.org
 |
| Changes at the Franklin Food Pantry |
“The pandemic really laid bare just how critical a role childcare plays"
"A COALITION OF early education advocates will introduce an ambitious proposal Tuesday to completely overhaul the state’s early education system. The legislation would provide universal, affordable early education in Massachusetts, turning childcare from a system that is now largely private pay to one that is primarily publicly funded.
The plan would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and the coalition has not yet proposed how to pay for it. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has shed a spotlight on the importance of childcare to the economy –– and the fragility of the existing childcare system – the plan, while unlikely to pass, could provide a foundation for broader discussions about how to make childcare more accessible. It is being introduced at the same time as new powerful coalitions – a business organization and a philanthropic group –– are beginning to focus intensely on how to improve early education."
Continue reading the article online
Help determine the future of MA mass transit
"SOME OF THE MOST encouraging news coming out of the pandemic has been the ability of Massachusetts companies to quickly pivot and meet suddenly changing needs. Shoe manufacturers are making face masks. Distillers are producing hand sanitizer. A greeting card company is using it’s die-cutters to produce face shields. Companies quickly pivoted, found ways to utilize their assets and kept their skilled employees working.
Commuter rail needs to follow the example of these firms and pivot by finding new uses for the skilled workers and the equipment that are being made surplus by the reductions in service currently taking place. Commuter rail should be experimenting with new services, particularly with extending service to additional communities outside its current service area."
Continue reading the article online
"The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will hold a virtual public hearing Feb. 24 to discuss temporary schedule changes that will go into effect in March and April, the agency said in a statementThe meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., will allow participants to ask questions and give feedback on the changes, according to the statement."
Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)
Register for the Feb 24 meeting https://www.mbta.com/events/2021-02-24/spring-2021-service-changes-virtual-public-meeting
"It’s the megaphone that makes the government work better"
Rep. Lori Ehrlich (@RepLoriEhrlich) tweeted on Tue, Feb 16, 2021:
Terrific article by @KamiRieck with insight from @dankennedy_nu @BrendanCrighton & @jasonpramas. TY Speaker @RonMariano for this important new law and for appointing me to the new 23-member commission. I look forward to digging in! https://t.co/unm9Wgo3jF
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/RepLoriEhrlich/status/1361729045491236871
"The growth of “news deserts” in Massachusetts and the possible solutions to improving local journalism in underserved communities will be the focus of a new commission approved in the final hours of the last legislative session.The initiative by Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, was part of the massive economic development bill approved by lawmakers and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker last month. It will examine the sustainability of local press business models and the sufficiency of news coverage in communities across the state.“Local journalists tell the community stories that bind us together,” Ehrlich said. “They tell us who we are, and where we’ve been and where we’re going. Local news is also essential to ensuring a healthy democracy.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
"Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy
FM #463 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 463 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
We talk about:
- Vaccine distribution readiness
- Recent School Committee Davis Thayer decision
- The Stormwater discussion continues
- A preview of Town Council meeting
- Complete streets
- Community Preservation Committee appointments possible
- "Hearts of Kindness" on the Town Common
- #thinkfranklinFirst, #ProjectEnvoy
--------------
Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data
Storm water Division page = https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division
Check your impervious coverage =
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5
Check your impervious coverage =
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5
My notes from the Feb 3, 2021 Town Council meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
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/
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"
 |
| "Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy |
Roy appointed Chair of Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy
State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) was named by House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) as the new House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy. The committee considers all matters concerning the exploration, exploitation and development of energy sources, including the siting of energy facilities, public utilities, wind farms, and the bottle bill.
“It’s a great honor to have been chosen for this assignment,” noted Roy, who is serving his fifth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “These are challenging times and the sustainability issues, including the climate crisis, energy needs, and pollution are top priorities. I am humbled and honored that the Speaker entrusted me with this leadership post to face these challenges and help build a sustainable future.”
In the last session, Roy chaired the Higher Education Committee and led efforts to address financial issues on our campuses with the enactment of an act to support improved financial stability (Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2019) and make them safer with the enactment of an act relative to sexual violence at colleges (Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2020).
He also served on the special commission studying veteran’s tuition and the Harm Reduction Commission which addressed prevention and access to appropriate care and treatment of addiction. In addition to those duties, he serves as the House Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus which promotes making it in Massachusetts.
State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy
During his years in office, Roy has also served as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Ethics, and as a member on the Committees on Ways and Means, Judiciary, Education, Mental Health, Substance Use, & Recovery, and Labor & Workforce Development.
Since 2013 Roy has been part of the legislative efforts that have addressed the issues of education, economic development, the coronavirus pandemic, health care, substance use disorder, criminal justice, veteran’s services, seniors, housing, tax relief, civil rights, social equity, gun safety, energy, and the environment.
Also appointed to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy were Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-N. Reading), and Reps. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), Joan Meschino (D-Hull), Jim Hawkins (D-Attleborough), David Robertson (D-Wilmington), Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose), Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), Steven Owens (Watertown), and Len Mirra (R-Groveland).
Looking for something to read? How about the School Committee policy manual?
Looking for reading material during school vacation? Have you checked out the policy manual for the School Committee?
"THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Franklin School Committee has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and local citizens' expectations for the education of the community's youth. It also has an obligation to determine and assess citizens' desires. When citizens elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of public education, their representatives have the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.
The Franklin School Committee therefore affirms and declares its intent to:
- Maintain two-way communications with citizens of the community. The public will be kept informed of the progress and problems of the school system, and citizens will be urged to bring their aspirations and feelings about their public schools to the attention of this body, which they have chosen to represent them in the management of public education.
- Establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals. All decisions made by this Committee will be made with priority given to the purposes set forth, most crucial of which is the optimal learning of the student enrolled in our schools.
- Act as a truly representative body for members of the community in matters involving public education. The Committee recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the state, but individual School Committees have been assigned specific authority through state law. The Committee will not relinquish any of this authority since it believes that decision-making control over the student’s learning should be in the hands of local citizens as much as possible. "
Reviewed; no revisions 4/8/2008; Reviewed; revised 5/3/2014
Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual/pages/ab-people-and-their-school-district
Top level of the policy manual https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual
 |
| https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual |
Washington Post: What is "the future of transportation funding?"
"Bruce Starr spotted the problem right away: The hydrogen-powered cars General Motors was showing off on the Oregon Capitol grounds wouldn’t need gas. And if they didn’t need gas, drivers wouldn’t be paying gas taxes that fund the state’s roads.It was 2001, and the problem seemed urgent. GM predicted the cars would be on the market in a few years. Starr, then a Republican state representative, created a task force to figure out the future of transportation funding."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Sections 11 & 12
Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Section 11
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:10 PM
For the specific language and changes:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_s-21-01.pdf
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/public_hearing_notice_-_s-21-01.pdf
Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Section 12
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:10 PM
For the specific language and changes:
 |
| Public Hearing Notice - Amendment to Franklin Planning Board Subdivision Rules Chapter 300, Sections 11 & 12 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)