Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Mar 17, 2021

UPDATED 3-17-21 Town Council Agenda

 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others. 

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 3, 2021

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
    a. David Allard - Retirement Recognition, Franklin DPW
    b. Kevin Ryan - Retirement Recognition, Franklin Police Department
    c. Detective John Maloney - Retirement Recognition, Franklin Police Department
    d. Kristopher Smith - Achievement Recognition, graduation from the Massachusetts Fire Academy

5. APPOINTMENTS
    a. Rob Burchill - New Patrol Officer Ceremonial Swearing In & Badge Pinning, Police Department
    b. Derek Tetrault - New Patrol Officer Ceremonial Swearing In & Badge Pinning, Police Department
    c. Brian Armstrong - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department 
    d. Jeffrey Ward - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department 
    e. Kent Parsons - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department 
    f. Benjamin Angelo - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department

6. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott - Norfolk County Sheriff Website

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-871: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees, Amended at Section 82-6 Schedule of Service Fees, Subsection A. Administration - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-871 to a Second Reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._food_trucks.pdf

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-872: To Amend The Franklin Town Code At Chapter 185, Section 3, Definitions, Tasting Room - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 21-872 to the Planning Board - Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/21-872_tasting_room.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
COVID-19 Updates

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
I request a motion that the Board vote to convene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining, because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Board.

ADJOURN

Note: 
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/node/160/agenda/2021

Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott - Norfolk County Sheriff Website

almost spring time, DPW is busy already tidying up the Town

FSPA: "Broadway in Franklin" - Mar 21, 2021

Broadway in Franklin returns to starring Ryan Vasquez, Amanda LaMotte, and the musical theater students of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. 

Airing as a Livestream on March 21 at 3 PM and then rebroadcasted On Demand starting March 24th.

Ryan Vasquez is a California-born, New York-based actor, currently in Hamilton on Broadway. Ryan received a 2020 Drama Desk nomination for originating the role of The Man in Black in THE WRONG MAN, a musical by multi-platinum song writer Ross Golan, directed by Tony Award-winner Thomas Kail with musical arrangements by Tony and Grammy Award-winner Alex Lacamoire. Ryan is the first actor to play all the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton. He also appeared in the Original Broadway Cast of Waitress, and made his Broadway debut in Wicked.  

Amanda LaMotte made her Broadway debut in Matilda: the Musical where she performed for two years. Following Matilda, Amanda appeared in the revival of Hello, Dolly on Broadway and had the opportunity to share the stage with Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce, Bernadette Peters, Victor Garber and Donna Murphy. Most recently, Amanda was seen in the revival of Kiss Me, Kate and had the privilege of performing with the cast on the Today Show and The Tony Awards. Amanda can also be seen on last season’s Last Week with John Oliver.

Tickets available online =  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1442&month=03&year=2021

FSPA: "Broadway in Franklin" - Mar 21, 2021

Franklin TV: Scope - This is huge!

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/14/2021

While recording a recent session of our weekly radio program ‘More Perfect Union’ I noted a reaction from our roundtable panelists to my somewhat casual comment. We were discussing the nettlesome issues around the vaccine rollout. I was not criticizing either Charlie Baker or Joe Biden.  I was addressing the unprecedented enormous challenges they are facing.

The key word to keep in mind: unprecedented.

The challenges of the pandemic are indeed unprecedented in scope.

When scrambling to address today’s emergency today, it’s almost impossible to fully anticipate the downstream emergent needs of tomorrow.  “Warp Speed” was a simplistic response – throw some money at the private sector and hope. The science came through, but it wasn’t backed with a forward plan for the follow-on logistics.

Scope:

Administering the three vaccines will require ≈450MM (million) doses to ≈300MM willing Americans.  (Yes, I’m more than willing.)  At 5 minutes per, that’s ≈37.5MM person/hours or ≈4.7MM 8-hour days.  That means between now and mid-June we need at least ≈52 thousand trained personnel working 7 days/week. No slack time.

A best-case working assumption – 15 workers per site.  (Clearly not the case.)  This means that vaccines must be distributed timely as needed to ≈4K sites. Logistics. Considering small sites with 1 or more workers – it’s more like ≈20 thousand sites? That’s how Biden’s team estimated a need for 20K pharmacies and health centers. The President’s team clearly understands logistics, science and math.

Joe also recently arranged to stockpile vaccine for all Americans who want it by the  end-of  May.   Now  the  challenge  is  getting  that  vaccine  into  arms. They  are ramping up and organizing that Herculean effort as quickly as possible. The challenge? Create a temporary national organization having 50 thousand trained staff. All hands on deck who can vaccinate – from dentists to optometrists; from EMT’s to midwives; from veterans to veterinarians.

SoW – The Scope-of-Work: The pandemic – It’s big. It’s complex. It’s also unstable. We’re asking the Biden administration to work a miracle. He promised 100 million doses in arms in 100 days. A reasonable goal, It got done by day 60. Recall that when Joe took office, he asked us all to mask up for 100 days. A reasonable request. Are we all doing our part?

During our radio session I quipped –  Good,  Fast.  Cheap.  Pick two.

You want Good & Fast? It won’t be Cheap. 
You want Fast & Cheap? It won’t be Good. 
You want Good & Cheap? It won’t be Fast.

A corollary observation about shaping the scope of any endeavor. When it’s all over you’ll get to explain one thing:

High Expense Why it costs so much.
Poor Quality Why it works so bad.   (-and/or looks so ugly.) 
Late Timing Why it’s not done yet.

The first is often the easiest to explain. We are attempting to accelerate the pace, to literally buy time. In this case, time is not only money; it’s also lives. We are in an urgent fight to save lots of lives. We’re scrambling to save our national economy and personal livelihoods. Time is not on our side, yet we have no other choice but to fight the good fight. Time is a terrible taskmaster. We the electorate also can be terrible taskmasters, seeking affordable, instant perfection from political leaders.

The  total  $6,000,000,000,000.00  (trillion) government  bailout  cost  will  average $1,700.00 in annualized per capita cost for every single American over the next decade. That’s $7,000.00/year for a family of four. Scope.

Consider these numbers as well:

Total Value of U.S. Homes: $130,000,000,000,000.00 
Annual U.S. Domestic Product: $21,000,000,000,000.00
The Federal Government runs on $3,360,000,000,000.00 (16% of GDP.)

The Feds spent almost 2X their annual budget trying to save us. That’s – um, a lot? More specifically, it raises the total projected Fed budget to 19% GDP for a decade. Now, to be perfectly unclear, if all the economists were laid out end-to-end, they wouldn’t reach a conclusion.  ( – unknown)  Economics is known as the dismal science, and I’m pretty dismal at it. Thus, I can’t opine as to how our national economy will absorb the cost and continue to grow. However, that too, is actually possible.

Hopefully, it will grant us all brighter days ahead.

But, for now – the cost of salvation is dear, non-negotiable, but absolutely necessary. 

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

Listen to "Toward A More Perfect Union" on Monday’s at 11 AM, 2 PM and 8 PM at wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the local area dial.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7DywdMXeYaizxhK8onG4_PhE_3-4RT6/view?usp=sharing

Coincidently, for confirmation on this line of thought, The Hill summarizes "The Five Things That Must Be Done to Get People Vaccinated"

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/543014-five-things-that-must-happen-to-get-people-vaccinated

Franklin TV:  Scope - This is huge!

Pantherbook: "Race Relations at FHS"

 

"Diversity– “The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc” is what comes up when searched on google. But what does this really mean?

To myself and many others, diversity is being inclusive to all and not just the ones we look like; it is standing up for someone even if you don’t know them. It is being a kind human- when you see people being judged based on the color of their skin and you stand up for them. We all deserve equal kindness and respect.

In order to deep dive into race relations at Franklin High School, I interviewed Mr. Hanna and have included his thoughts."

Continue reading the article at Pantherbook

https://franklinpanthers.us/uncategorized/2021/03/12/race-relations-at-fhs/

 

Pantherbook: "Race Relations at FHS"

"I think our spring students do deserve that"

 

"After the cancellation of the entire 2020 spring season because of the coronavirus pandemic, high school sports teams and athletes across Massachusetts will have the opportunity to participate in MIAA-sponsored postseason tournaments this year.

During a virtual meeting Friday afternoon, the MIAA’s board of directors voted, 18-0, to approve sectional tournaments this spring. The board also left open the possibility that the postseason could be expanded to include traditional state semifinals and finals for sectional champions.

The board agreed to survey member schools over the next few days, gauging interest in expanding the postseason to include state tournaments and their willingness to participate. The board will meet again Wednesday afternoon to vote on that piece of the plan."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/12/sports/miaa-approves-sectional-tournaments-spring-high-school-sports/

 

LiveARTS: Two Pianos, Four Hands, all Rachmaninov! - Mar 21

LiveARTS presents Duo Pianists Cynthia Raim and David Allen Wehr on Sunday, March 21st at 3:00pm via zoom!

LiveARTS presents Duo Pianists CYNTHIA RAIM & DAVID ALLEN WEHR An all-Rachmaninov re-stream on Zoom in collaboration with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society!   Sunday, March 21st  at 3 p.m.   Pianist CYNTHIA RAIM is acclaimed for her concerto, recital, and chamber music performances throughout the United States and abroad and has recorded for Gall, Pantheon, and Connoisseur Society, including solo albums of Ravel, Schumann, Brahms, and Schubert and two-piano recordings of Rachmaninoff, Brahms, and Dvořák with David Allen Wehr. She is a native of Detroit, where she studied with Mischa Kottler, Ms. Raim studied with Rudolf Serkin and Mieczyslaw Horszowski at the Curtis Institute of Music, where she earned bachelors and masters degrees.   DAVID ALLEN WEHR's performance career has taken him on tour to over 30 countries in Europe, North and South America, and the Far East, including performances in the world musical capitals of New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Washington, Madrid, and Buenos Aires. Wehr has been soloist with the London Symphony, National Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Houston Symphony, New Zealand Symphony, and all the major Spanish and Latin American orchestras. PROGRAM All Rachmaninov program! Suite No. 1 for Two Pianos, Op. 5 Fantaisie tableaux Rachmaninov: Duets, Op. 11 [Sel.] Rachmaninov: Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17 LiveARTS and PCMS favorite Cynthia Raim is joined by her longtime piano partner, David Allen Wehr, for a rarely-heard, two-piano, four-hands, all-Rachmaninov program. Lauding the duo's recording of the Suites for Two Pianos, a Pianoforte critic raved: "Here are two fine artists who sound as if they might have stepped right out of a Russian academy. They allow the composer's melodies and phrases a natural shape without ever imposing technique on them, with a great feeling of contrast, light and shade." Join us for the fourth concert of our current season, a donation-based concert! To take advantage of this opportunity, go to our website, liveartsma.org, and order a free ticket. The Zoom link will be emailed to you 24 hours before the concert. Tickets are free, but donations are always welcome! Watch your email for more information. The all-Beethoven program featuring Nicholas Kitchen, Yeesun Kim, and Ann Sears will return for the start of next season, in person! (Restrictions permitting) This concert is a special re-stream of a concert that was originally streamed on December 4, 2020, by Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. LiveARTS is very grateful to PCMS for generously granting permission to re-stream this extraordinary event! You can download Zoom using this link: Download Zoom Copyright © 2021, LiveARTS.org.  All rights reserved.

FM #488 - Finance Committee Meeting - 03/10/21 - P1 of 3 - capital budget (audio)

FM #488 = Welcome. This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 488 in the series. 

This session shares part 1 of the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Finance Committee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

• *** First *** covers the capital budget discussion and vote to approve (approx. 75 minutes)
• Second - covers the public safety presentations and discussion; the MECC, Fire Dept and Police Dept. (approx. 67 mins)
• Third - and last but not least a look at the estimate for revenues for the FY 2022 budget. More to come on this as the budget cycle begins in earnest now meeting (approx. 30 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Finance Committee meeting of Mar 10, 2021

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4e92b9c1-e766-4516-b458-c44837dd8c2d

--------------

Agenda doc   
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.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/ or www.franklin.news/

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"

Franklin uses 'free cash' for its capital budget

FM #489 - Finance Committee Meeting - 03/10/21 - P2 of 3 - public safety (audio)

FM #489 = Welcome. This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 489 in the series. 

This session shares part 2 of the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Finance Committee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the capital budget discussion and vote to approve (approx. 75 minutes)
• *** Second *** covers the public safety presentations and discussion; the MECC, Fire Dept. and Police Dept. (approx. 67 mins)
• Third - and last but not least a look at the estimate for revenues for the FY 2022 budget. More to come on this as the budget cycle begins in earnest now meeting (approx. 30 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Finance Committee meeting of Mar 10, 2021

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ebddf331-f1ea-432d-864b-601e72d320a4

 

--------------

Agenda doc   
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.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/ or www.franklin.news/

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"

Chief Lynch answers a question during this segment of the meeting

FM #490 - Finance Committee Meeting - 03/10/21 - P3 of 3 - FY22 revenue estimates (audio)

FM #490 = Welcome. This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 490 in the series. 

This session shares part 3 of the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Finance Committee members, Town Administrator and key personnel, were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the capital budget discussion and vote to approve (approx. 75 minutes)
• Second - covers the public safety presentations and discussion; the MECC, Fire Dept. and Police Dept. (approx. 67 mins)
• *** Third *** and last but not least a look at the estimate for revenues for the FY 2022 budget. More to come on this as the budget cycle begins in earnest now meeting (approx. 30 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Finance Committee meeting of Mar 10, 2021

Audio file =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7ade95d3-e023-4a12-b4fb-72640e702aec

--------------

Agenda doc   
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/finance-committee-meeting-recap-topics.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/ or www.franklin.news/

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"

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen explaining the revenue estimates as we start the budget cycle for FY 22

Mass. Public Health: Trust the Facts! Get the Vax!

Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) tweeted on Sat, Mar 13, 2021:

"The #COVID-19 #vaccine does not contain the live virus. If you experience side effects, these are most likely signs that your body is building immunity against the virus. "

Learn more: https://t.co/Bm8ycw2dHa or https://www.mass.gov/info-details/trust-the-facts-get-the-vax

#TrustTheFacts #GetTheVax https://t.co/fs1fJWIMxk

Video link = https://youtu.be/ieT9k83bDaA

Mass. Public Health: Trust the Facts!   Get the Vax!

FHS PCC - Meeting Monday, Mar 15, changed to 7:30 PM

FHS PCC (@FHS_PCC) tweeted on Sat, Mar 13, 2021:

"Our meeting time has changed to 7:30 PM on Monday, March 15th 2021.  Sara Ahern will be in attendance at our meeting."

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/EfbMnaC4Gl  or https://twitter.com/FHS_PCC/status/1370747837282140163

FHS PCC - Meeting Monday, Mar 15, changed to 7:30 PM

MA Legislature Extends Vote-By-Mail Through June

The Massachusetts House of Representatives and state Senate on Thursday March 11, 2021, passed legislation to extend mail-in voting and early voting options for elections held through the end of June 2021. The vote-by-mail provision was previously set to expire at the end of March 2021.

“As other states across our country work to disenfranchise their voters, I am proud Massachusetts is choosing to extend and enhance efforts to ensure every eligible resident can exercise their fundamental right to cast a ballot in our local elections, stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “With a record number of ballots casted in 2020, our successful vote-by-mail system increased access and protected our most vulnerable residents from putting their health at risk. I would like to thank Senators Rodrigues, Finegold, Lewis and Creem  as well as Speaker Mariano and my colleagues in the House for their collaboration on this bill and look forward to this extension of voting options becoming law.”

“During this pandemic, our vote-by-mail system has proved to be an accessible and secure tool for voters to exercise their right to vote without putting their health at risk,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “We are glad to have passed this extension that will allow cities and towns to continue offering vote by mail and other voting options for their upcoming elections. I thank my fellow members in the House, and Senate President Spilka and our state senators for their collaboration in getting this bill to the Governor’s desk. We must continue to explore options that encourage and empower voters to be active participants in our democratic process, and I look forward to working with Chairs Aaron Michlewitz and Daniel Ryan in legislation that will make vote by mail permanent in Massachusetts.”

“Ensuring access to the polls is a vital part of democracy, and I am happy that the Legislature has taken this important step to ensure upcoming local elections can move forward safely without disruption,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka and Senator Finegold for their leadership on this issue, and thank you to my colleagues in the Legislature for supporting equitable access to voting for all residents of the Commonwealth, including individuals with disabilities.”

“By passing this short-term extension of the vote by mail reforms the Legislature enacted last year, we are ensuring that cities and towns will be able to provide voters with safe and easy access to the ballot box this Spring,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “Later this session I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to make these reforms permanent, so that these measures will continue to safeguard our elections and guarantee that our democratic process will not be hampered by this or any future public health crisis.” 

“This legislation will help ensure that residents can continue to vote safely and easily during the ongoing pandemic,” said Senator Barry R. Finegold (D-Andover), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. “Last year, the Legislature passed a common-sense, bipartisan bill to expand early voting and implement a secure vote-by-mail system for elections in 2020. These reforms protected public health, empowered voters, and helped generate record-breaking turnout. I am glad that the Legislature is temporarily extending mail-in voting through the end of June, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and local election officials on legislation to make vote-by-mail permanent.”     

‘Over this past year, the COVID pandemic has caused us to take a closer look at, and improve upon, many of our society’s systems. Voting is one of those,” said Representative Daniel J. Ryan, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws (D-Boston). “I applaud Chairman Michelwitz and my House and Senate colleagues for working swiftly to extend vote-by-mail and other safety precautions through this spring’s elections. I especially want to thank Speaker Mariano for his leadership on these ballot access measures and his bold commitment to work toward their permanency. I’m looking forward to a robust discussion on how to best move election legislation forward.’

“Voting reforms like mail-in voting and expanded early in-person voting have been critical to ensuring that all voters can safely and conveniently exercise their right to vote during the pandemic,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), lead Senate sponsor of the legislation. “I’m very grateful to my colleagues in both the House and Senate for the strong bipartisan support of this bill and look forward to working together to hopefully pass further legislation later this session to make these voting reforms permanent.”

“Vote by mail and early voting options have allowed us to conduct safe elections during the pandemic while also expanding voter participation,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton).  “By extending these options today, this bill ensures that we can conduct safe, secure municipal elections this spring without limiting anyone’s access to the ballot box.”

The bill also allows municipalities to provide residents with the option to vote early in-person in these elections. Additionally, the legislation requires local election officials to make reasonable efforts to grant accommodations for voters with disabilities who might have difficulty accessing a paper mail-in ballot and request an accommodation. Furthermore, cities and towns can postpone municipal elections and caucuses scheduled before June 30, 2021 until August 1, 2021.

The bill now advances to the Governor for consideration.

 MA Legislature Extends Vote-By-Mail Through June

Electric Youth - debut live stream broadcast March 13

Livestream airing March 13 at 7:30 PM, and rebroadcasting starting March 17 through July 1, 2021. 

Electric Youth 2021  includes Kelsey Breslin, Devin DeAngelis, Finley Doherty, Hayley Driscoll, Sami Goldman,  John Fitzhenry,  Dillon Lightbody, Audrey Miningham, Tatiana McAlpine, Maddie Rezendes, Hannah Rezendes, Abby Settle, Caroline Wilkins, and Madigan Wirkus.  

EY is backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and Van Morrison.

Don’t miss this exciting evening of timeless hits and non-stop entertainment! Tickets are $30  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1440

Electric Youth - debut live stream broadcast March 13 

Franklin Food Pantry: "If everyone gives a little - a lot of good gets done"

"Share your why with us. Learn why one donor supports The Franklin Food Pantry. #shareyourwhy"

You can read Marilyn's story here

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinFoodPan/status/1369706142545362946

Franklin Food Pantry: "If everyone gives a little - a lot of  good gets done"

FHS football drops opener to Mansfield 49-7

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:

Franklin, 7 @ Mansfield, 49 – Final 
1st Quarter: (M) Nico Holmes 6-yard rush, James Gilleran XP good; (M) Cincere Gill 52-yard rush, J. Gilleran XP good; (M) Rocco Scarpellini 25-yard interception return, J. Gilleran XP good.
2nd Quarter: (F) Jared Arone 19-yard pass to Will Tracey, Parker Cheuvront XP good; (M) Matt Boen 17-yard pass to N. Holmes, J Gilleran XP good; (M) C. Gill 20-yard rush, J. Gilleran XP good; (M) C. Gill 5-yard rush, J. Gilleran XP good.
3rd Quarter: (M) Jack Colby 35-yard interception return; J. Gilleran XP good.
4th Quarter: No scoring.

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"It had been 15 months since Mansfield last walked off the field, at Gillette Stadium, holding the 2019 Div. 2 state championship trophy. When the lights came on for Friday night’s Fall II season opener at Alumni Field, the Hornets showed no rust after such a long layoff and, in fact, it looked like they hadn’t missed a beat. 

Mansfield scored after just three plays, had six first half touchdowns, half of them by senior running back Cincere Gill, scored twice on defense, and rolled to a 49-7 victory against Franklin. 

“It’s been a long, long wait,” said Mansfield coach Mike Redding. “All fall everybody just held their breath that we maybe would get a chance to play and it was almost surreal you walk out here and it’s 60 degrees on a Friday night and it felt like September."

Continue reading the recap

https://hockomocksports.com/mansfield-football-doesnt-miss-beat-rolls-past-franklin/

– For the Photo Gallery from this game

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Fall-II-2021/Mansfield-Franklin-Football-03-12-21/

For  other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-03-12-21/

FHS' Mack Gulla gets the handoff (hockomocksports.com photo)