Join the discussion at THE BLACKBOX for the Pride Youth Forum. Sunday, June 6 from 1 to 2:30 PM.
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| THE BLACKBOX: Pride Youth Forum - June 6 |
Friday, June 4, 2021
Town of Franklin: June 2021 Newsletter posted and ready for you to read!
The June 2021 Edition of the Town of Franklin newsletter is now posted! Stay updated and informed about what is happening in town!
Newsletter link => https://conta.cc/3iabNeY
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| June 2021 Newsletter posted and ready for you to read! |
FHS softball, boys tennis, and wrestling teams all post wins on Thursday
Baseball = Franklin, 0 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final
– Mansfield scored back-to-back runs in the bottom of the fifth and the duo of Aaron Blinn and James Gilleran combined for a shutout as the Hornets handed Franklin its first loss of the season. Gilleran reached on an error and Liam Anastasia had a bunt single to put two runners on. Junior Colby Geddis followed with a single to bring in courtesy runner Andrew Slaney, and junior Anthony Sacchetti followed with an RBI single of his own to plate Anastasia. Blinn got the start for the Hornets, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk with five strikeouts. Gilleran came on in relief to close it out, giving up just one hit in 3.2 innings of work, striking out four. Franklin starter Jacob Jette had just two unearned runs allowed on four hits and one walk, striking out four in 4.2 innings.
Softball = Mansfield, 1 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– Franklin scored twice on three hits in the first inning and was able to hold off the Hornets to earn a split of the season series. Mansfield got its lone run in the top of the second. Molly Kucharski, Ashlyn Conley, and Nicole Kobasa had three straight singles and then a fielder’s choice by Abby DeCoste plated the run. Conley, who was 3-for-3 at the plate, was strong in the circle, despite picking up the loss. She allowed only one hit after the first inning.
"Lauren Cote with the game winning double scoring Gabby Colace and Georgia Harvey. Julia White 7 IP scattering 6 Hits" https://twitter.com/CoachKatieH/status/1400654088984006659
Boys Tennis = Franklin, 4 @ Mansfield, 1 – Final
– Behind a pair of wins in both singles and doubles action, Franklin earned a 4-1 victory on the road over Mansfield. Senior Liam Marr had a strong outing at first singles with a 6-1, 6-0 win while junior Vayshnav Malhotra added a 6-1, 6-3 win at second singles. Senior Anish Gundimeda and junior Sameen Shaik battled to a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 10-6 win at first doubles while Thomas Broyles and Jay Gorgas added a 6-1, 6-2 verdict at second doubles.
Girls Tennis = Mansfield @ Franklin, 3:45
Wrestling = Mansfield, 21 @ Franklin, 43 – Final
Fantabulous victory over Mansfield 43-21. Pins from DiFilippo, Owens, Carlucci, Foley, Kuehl, and Walker. #werollin #PK @FHSSports @HockomockSports https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1400610813166206977
Outdoor Track
Congratulations to FHS Track athletes (and Javelin throwers) Colman Flynn on winning the 2021 FHS Male Hockomock Scholar Athlete Award and Nick Calitri @nick_c_1 for winning the 2021 FHS Paul Davies Sportsmanship Award. @FHSSports @FranklinHSXC https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1400648119109439488
Congratulations Declan Walmsley @declanwalmsley0 ! Multi sport FHS athlete (and FHS Discus Thrower!) on winning the 2021 FHS Career Athlete Award.https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1400642810035019776
Congratulations Katelynn Taylor @Kate22Taylor ! Multi sport FHS athlete (and FHS Thrower!) on winning the 2021 FHS Hockomock Female Scholar Athlete award, for excellence in academics, athletics, and positive impact on FHS community. @FHSSports @fhsgvbasketball @FHS_girlsXC @Franklin_VBall https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1400639707663511556
For the complete results around the Hockomock League
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| FHS Panthers |
5 FHS students receive Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy
Laura Evans (@LevansFHS) tweeted on Thu, Jun 03, 2021:
🎉Congratulations to the @FranklinHS recipients of the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy! 🎉
@FranklinPSNews https://t.co/PlzJWg0pGb
🎉Congratulations to the @FranklinHS recipients of the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy! 🎉@FranklinPSNews pic.twitter.com/PlzJWg0pGb
— Laura Evans (@LevansFHS) June 3, 2021
Register for the "Paint & Sip Class" Thursday, June 10
Expressions Enrichment is hosting an adult paint night taught by Franklin Artist Ted Cormier-Leger. Ted will teach different techniques using acrylics and we will work on a simple still life.
Enjoy wine from La Cantina Winery and light refreshments (included with your ticket).
For more about Expressions Enrichment www.expressions-enrichment.com
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| Paint & Sip Class Thursday, June 10 |
Library book sale returns - Jun 4 - 1 to 4 PM
"June is bustin' out all over ..." (No, sorry don't get me singing. See link below.)
The Library Book Sale returns today from 1 to 4 PM
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| Library book sale returns - Jun 4 - 1 to 4 PM |
The video link to the Carousal performance -> https://youtu.be/VCCuhpp3bb0
Senate President Spilka and Speaker Mariano on the Fair Share Amendment and Joint Session, Weds Jun 9
Statement from Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano:
"As Massachusetts recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we prepare for our future, we have a unique opportunity to move towards a Commonwealth that truly works for all residents.
To that end, the Legislature will be holding a Joint Session on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 with the intent of voting on the Fair Share Amendment. This will allow the measure to be placed on the ballot and put before the people for a vote.
We stand with the residents of Massachusetts in exploring new ways to increase revenue for the state as we envision and invest in an equitable and hopeful future for the Commonwealth."
On background: The Legislature advanced the Fair Share Amendment back in June 2019. A second vote is needed for it to be placed on the November 2022 ballot.
Language: Proposal for Constitutional Amendment S.5 (malegislature.gov)
Boston Globe coverage (subscription maybe required)
Link to Joint Session scheduled for Weds, Jun 9
MyFM103: Quest for the best - vote for your best selection
Please cast your ballots for your favorite Franklin businesses in the Myfm 101.3 contest!
https://myfmquestforthebest.com/vote/
#FDP
#buylocal
#questforthebest
Shared from Facebook: https://facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/photos/a.256790157835460/1772609959586798/?type=3
MA News: (1) Prepare for mosquito and ticks (2) stable housing improves health for low income
"State public health officials on Thursday released a raft of summer safety recommendations for preventing tick and mosquito bites, as well as precautions to take in the water and in cars.The tips came in a detailed statement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, or DPH.Regarding ticks, officials said the “the single most important thing” residents can do is check themselves for the blood-sucking insects once a day."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/03/metro/mass-health-officials-detail-summer-safety-tips-dealing-with-mosquito-bites-dangers-water/
Link to the DPH summer tips -> https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-offers-summer-safety-guidance
Link to the DPH summer tips -> https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-offers-summer-safety-guidance
‘It makes sense’: Stable housing improves health for low-income families, study finds
"Improving housing stability for low-income families in Boston, and assisting them in accessing social services, sharply reduced their health problems, a five-year study has found.On Tuesday, the Boston Foundation released a report on the impact of Health Starts at Home, an initiative launched in 2015 with two nonprofits, Health Resources in Action and the Urban Institute. Its goal was to establish collaborations between housing services and health care providers to offer comprehensive support to families with children who were struggling to make rent and put food on the table.“Part of the partnership between health care and housing is you have one person connecting the household to a whole range of services, whereas in the past you would have sent them to a housing specialist, and then someone who specialized in [food assistance] benefits, and then a different person doing a different thing,” said Soni Gupta, senior director of Neighborhoods and Housing for the Boston Foundation, New England’s largest community foundation. “It’s a kind of focus in service provision that we don’t typically fund at this level.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
The Boston Foundation report => https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2021/june/health-starts-at-home-evaluation-pr-20210601
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: What We Have Learned
"World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15 raises awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. This is more important than ever as cases of elder abuse have increased significantly during the pandemic. Abuser tactics—isolation, manipulation, and systemic barriers (such as ageism and racism)—put older adults at greater risk for harm.
One common tactic scammers use is to pose as Social Security employees. They may claim the older person’s Social Security number is linked to a crime. Feeling isolated and frightened, the scammers get the older person to provide them money or vital personal information that they then can use to exploit them financially. Social Security offers guidance and reporting assistance to help prevent this form of elder abuse. If you or someone you know is a target of one of these scams, we encourage you to report it on the Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General website."
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| World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: What We Have Learned |
Continue reading the article online
https://blog.ssa.gov/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day-what-we-have-learned/
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Panther TV: FHS Senior Awards - Class of 2021 - broadcast at 7:30 PM
Franklin High School's Senior Awards Ceremony premieres tonight at 7:30!!
Watch it here: https://t.co/STms2Rh0EO via @YouTube
@FHSPantherbook @FranklinHS @FranklinPSNews @FranklinMatters
Video Link => https://youtu.be/OxXsOAEX8y0
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| the FHS field is set for graduation, Senior Awards are broadcast tonight |
FM #557 - ArtWALK Artists & Business Panel - 05/26/21 (audio)
FM #557 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 557 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with a wonderful fun loving panel of business and artists on the forthcoming ArtWALK Celebration. We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Agway- Melanie Hamblen
Artist - Chris Blue Lamb Toubeau
Rockland Trust- Laurel Katsaros
Artist - Walter Spencer
We talk about the upcoming ArtWALK scheduled for June 11, 12 and 13. The events will take place on the Town Common, at THE BLACK BOX, and the Historical Museum.
Check out the Cultural District page for all the details https://www.franklinculture.org/home/pages/franklin-artwalk-celebration-escape-arts
Thanks to the Franklin Cultural District, The Franklin Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (grant), Franklin Downtown Partnership, The Franklin Art Association and the Franklin Public Library. Did we miss someone? I hope not, there are a lot collaborating on this wonderful event.
The recording runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to our conversation
Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ca85c06e-3f17-462b-a7a9-75e5abf1eee9
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ArtWALK - event page -> https://www.franklinculture.org/home/pages/franklin-artwalk-celebration-escape-arts
Cultural District page -> https://www.franklinculture.org/
Library Summer Reading page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/317406
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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!
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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"
One of the pieces of art to be displayed at Agway:
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| Artwork by Chris Blue Lamb Toubeau with Brooke J. Toubeau as her collaboration partner |
Recap - Municipal Affordable Housing Trust 06/02/21
Quick Recap:
- Presentation by Planning Director Bryan Taberner provides an overview of the Housing Production Plan as drafted for review and comment
- Some clarification questions were asked by the small audience. Who sets the affordable housing rate? The State does and each community uses the same calculation. What is calculated as affordable isn't really affordable for some.
- Before the meeting closed an overview of process from this point was provided: more meetings/public hearings coming, the public comment period closes 6/25/21, then a redraft is made to incorporate the public comments. Another schedule of hearings by the Planning Board and Town Council before they approve the HPP and it is submitted to the State for approval
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #hpp0602
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23hpp0602&src=typeahead_click
Agenda doc for this meeting -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/municipal_affordable_housing_trust_june_2_2021_01.pdf
Meeting recording to be available soon
- Live reporting underway for the Municipal Housing Trust public hearing on the housing production plan #hpp0602
- Copy of the plan can be found https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf #hpp0602
- Slides from presentation being shared by planning director Bryan Taberner #hpp0602
- (I obtained a copy of the presentation so that is available - see link below - Several tweets shared 3 photos of the slides as Bryan moved through the updates. He read much of the content. When finished, there was more discussion and that is picked up in my notes)
- Affordable rent currently in Franklin is about $1600-1800/month which in most cases is not really affordable. #hpp0602
- How do we increase density? In some zoning districts multi family is via a special permit, or we could change the current zoning bylaws to allow for more than we have #hpp0602
- Zoning changes take time but the process for housing adjustments starts now. There is a study of our overall zoning regs specifically looking at affordable and housing #hpp0602 the study will help outline some possible changes
- At one point we were comfortably over the affordable percent. Every time we build a house and add it to the inventory our percent drops if it is not affordable. So if we add a development of x units with none affordable, it makes a bigger change. #hpp0602
- #hpp0602 if a project comes on with a portion of affordable, the whole total, assuming the portion goes thru the state affordable process, can count in the inventory of affordable.
- #hpp0602 there have been projects that were good for the Town that didn't work out. We really should go for a friendly 40b where we still get a say and the affordable units.
- There are developers who are very anxious to work on affordable units, we (the Town) should have an appropriate set of an incentives available #hpp0602
- Four developments and the senior housing account for 90% of our affordable units #hpp0602 attachment D in the plan as linked before contains the details of our current inventory
- Some Q&A, overview of process from here, more meetings coming, public comment closes 6/25 and then a redraft is presented for approval by Planning Board and Town Council before submitting to state #hpp0602
- Motion to adjourn, passes 3-0. Catch you next time. #hpp0602
Membership of the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
- Present: Chris Vericker (chair), Maxine Kinheart, Judy Pfeffer
- Absent: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Mary Anne Bertone, Chris Feeley, Robert Keras
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| Planning Director Bryan Taberner |
Link to presentation doc
Pantherbook: Student Spotlight -> Carolyn Hagy and Elaine Pu
"Congratulations to Carolyn Hagy and Elaine Pu for being named Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2021!
Pantherbook reached out to both girls to hear their thoughts on this amazing accomplishment and learn more about how they achieved this!"
Continue reading the article -> https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2021/06/02/student-spotlight-carolyn-hagy-and-elaine-pu/
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| Carolyn Hagy’s Senior Photo(left) & Elaine Pu traveling to Niagara Falls(Right) |
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