"The MA Department of Veterans Services is looking for feedback from women who have served. "Take the survey now: https://tinyurl.com/5n6j2ybd
MA Department of Veterans Services is looking for feedback from women who have served |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
"The MA Department of Veterans Services is looking for feedback from women who have served. "Take the survey now: https://tinyurl.com/5n6j2ybd
MA Department of Veterans Services is looking for feedback from women who have served |
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
We welcome you to come join your friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends February Monthly Meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30.
We are pleased to announce that Caleigh Keating will be joining us. Caleigh is the Youth Services Librarian at the Franklin Public Library, considered to be America’s first public library. Library Director Felicia Oti may join her. We always look forward to hearing updates on programs and services at both our library and the Minuteman Library Network. This is a great opportunity to learn about this crown jewel in our community.
No need to be a newcomer to the area . . . and no need to RSVP. Come join us and have fun while you make connections in your community. We are a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. We are a member driven organization and are always excited to welcome new faces and new ideas.
Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, are welcome to join us the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Occasionally, special circumstances may cause us to switch Wednesdays. We run our meetings September through May. We also hold many fun and varied events throughout the year to stay connected. We meet at “3” Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin, upstairs in a private room. Hot and cold appetizers and beverages are provided. So come join us on the 3rd Wednesday at “3”!
Look for us on our Meetup and Facebook pages for more information.
https://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Newcomers-Friends https://facebook.com/FranklinNewcomersFriendsClub
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Franklin Newcomers and Friends meeting features Caleigh Keating/Franklin Public Library |
FM #722 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 722 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.
Our conversation covered current events
Town Council goals => Town goals, Town Administrator review base
Franklin For All -> EDC plus, MAPC planning, Forum Mar 7
Pop shop success stories
The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Town-Council-Goals--Franklin-For-All-and-Pop-Shop-Program-Success-e1e3tr8/a-a7cagii
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Finance Committee agenda -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/finance-committee-gets-lesson-on.html
Franklin For All web page -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
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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
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"
This Talk Franklin episode discusses the Town Council goals, Franklin For All, and pop up shop successes |
On Saturday March 5 at 4:00 PM Democrats will convene virtually to elect delegates and alternates to represent Franklin at the 2022 State Democratic Convention.
Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Franklin 16 years old by February 4, 2022 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/convention.
The 2022 Convention will be a hybrid convention, with in-person proceedings taking place alongside virtual participation options on June 3 and 4 at the DCU Center in Worcester. Delegates will convene to endorse candidates for statewide office ahead of the September Democratic Primary. The MassDems are closely monitoring changes in public health guidance and will update plans accordingly.
Those interested in getting involved with the Franklin Democratic Committee should contact Rachel Plukas at chair@FranklinDemocrats.org.
Franklin Democrats to caucus virtually on March 5, 2022 |
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Franklin girls won the 2022 Hockomock League Championship meet. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) |
A new opportunity for St Mary’s Women’s Faith Formation – Tuesday night, Feb 15 at 7:00 PM
For those whose schedule does not permit attending our Saturday morning Women’s Faith Formation meetings – we have a nice surprise for you.
We are adding a weekday monthly meeting. The 3rd Tuesday each month, 7:00-8:00 PM. We will cover the same speakers, videos, etc… as the Saturday meeting. This meeting will be via Zoom so you can attend in the comfort of your home. So if you can not attend the Saturday meeting, this one is for YOU.
We hope to see you on Tuesday evening, February 15, 7:00-8:00 PM via Zoom. We will be viewing Bishop Barron’s video on the topic of “Trust in God”. The Zoom meeting link can be found by going to this page stmarysfranklin.org/womens-faith-formation.
● Internal Communications including
o handling email, phone and in person inquiries,o manage and update communication tools and serve as the primary resource for congregants using these tools including Google G-Suite, fusf.org email addresses, Breeze database and Mailchimp,o Coordinate, edit, update, create, and deliver the: Google calendar, and E-Newsletter,o supporting the internal congregation and operations structure and being the initial entrance point into the church.
● External Communications responsible for our Website, and social media campaign execution and administration.● Church Office Management including Clerical Support● Bookkeeping including account updating and reconciliation via QuickBooks● Support Building and Facilities Management, including custodial supervision.
screen grab of FUSF.org webpage |
"The Health Dept. has created a push notification system for residents interested in public health updates info such as COVID-19, updates from @MassDPH, vector borne diseases, wellness information and more.
Sign up here under the Health Department Group: https://t.co/GIksgJuuA2"Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1490825453879193601
You can now set up to receive Health Department Alerts |
"Administration officials did not respond to requests for comment, but the Department of Energy Resources notified stakeholders it was releasing on Tuesday a “straw proposal” containing updates to the existing stretch code and a framework for an “opt-in specialized stretch code.”
Sources said the revisions to the state building code would deal primarily with windows, insulation, and other measures to reduce energy usage. The opt-in specialized stretch code would allow communities to voluntarily take additional measures that would accelerate energy conservation, including requiring all new construction to include rooftop solar where practicable.
The stretch code would also require new construction to be equipped for full electrification and to meet at least some passive house standards, the goal of which is to dramatically limit energy usage."
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Baker seeking major changes in building code |
"At a time when New England should be racing to bring as much clean energy online as possible to green its electricity supply, the grid moved this past week to effectively discourage major wind and solar projects for at least another two years.Like other regional power suppliers, New England’s grid operator has been asked by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to remove or change a mechanism that makes it harder for clean energy projects to enter the competitive market. But after months of saying it supported such a measure, ISO-New England reversed its stance last week and aligned with a proposal from the natural gas industry that would slow-walk any such change.“It’s another example of not meeting the moment to usher in the clean energy transition,” said Jeremy McDiarmid, of the Northeast Clean Energy Council. “It is an example of the system not being equipped to change as fast as we need it to.”
Today, the House and Senate passed An Act allowing humane transportation of K9 partners, also known as Nero’s Law, which would ensure law enforcement officers’ K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport if injured in the line of duty. The bill responds to the tragic events that took the life of New Bedford-native and Yarmouth Police K-9 Sergeant Sean Gannon and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero.
“Providing emergency medical services to police dogs injured in the line of duty is both compassionate and appropriate, especially in light of what we're asking them to do,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Service dogs play a necessary role in effective law enforcement operations, and they deserve our support. I want to thank Senator Montigny for his hard work and attention to this issue, Chair Rodrigues, and Senators Timilty and Cyr for their advocacy and collaboration on this legislation, as well as Speaker Mariano and my colleagues in the House for getting this important bill to the governor’s desk.”
“K-9 police dogs provide several indispensable services to the Massachusetts police force, and the Commonwealth as a whole. Given the sometimes dangerous jobs that police dogs are asked to undertake, providing them with any necessary emergency medical care is our moral responsibility,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D- Quincy). “I want to thank Chair Michlewitz, Chair González, and Representative Xiarhos for the efforts they made to ensure the passage of Nero’s Law, as well as Senate President Spilka and my colleagues in the Senate for advancing this critical legislation.”
In April 2018, Sergeant Gannon was shot and killed while serving a warrant in the Town of Barnstable. Despite the multiple empty ambulances on site, Nero, who had been shot and severely injured, had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser. Current Massachusetts law prohibits emergency medical personnel from treating and transporting animals. Fortunately, Nero survived his injuries, but the inability to transport him showed that reform was needed to honor working dogs who risk their lives every day to serve the Commonwealth.
Nero’s Law would authorize emergency medical service personnel to provide emergency treatment and transport of K-9 partners. This includes basic first aid, CPR, and administering life-saving interventions such as naloxone.
“K9 officers like Nero are selfless heroes who endure extreme danger in order to keep us safe,” said Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), lead sponsor of the bill. “We must honor their loyalty and service by ensuring EMS personnel can provide basic treatment and transport should they sustain serious injuries. As a native son of New Bedford, Sergeant Gannon, and by extension his K9 partner Nero, is forever a beloved part of our community. The Gannon family has been a tremendous force in ensuring this bill got done, inspiring myself and others to fight for this legislation every day. We hope this law helps honor their son’s legacy,” said Senator Mark Montigny, lead sponsor of the bill.”
“I’d like to thank Speaker Mariano, Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz, Public Safety Chair Gonzalez, and Minority Leader Jones for their leadership in getting this bill passed in the House this session,” said Representative Steve Xiarhos (R–Barnstable), who sponsored Nero’s bill in the House. “As a former Deputy Chief of Police who was there on the day K9 Nero was shot, I know personally how important this legislation is. We need to send a clear message to first responders throughout the Commonwealth that we support them and their mission.”
“Sergeant Sean Gannon was a dedicated officer of the Yarmouth Police Department known for his restraint and his quiet but firm sense of right and wrong. His tragic murder — and the life-threatening injuries sustained by his canine Nero — left the Cape and Islands in shock and grieving,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “We rely on canines to serve alongside police officers to go where we cannot, seek out what we cannot detect, and search for the vulnerable in their most trying moments, yet existing law prohibits emergency responders from treating and transporting police canines like Nero when they are most in need. I’m proud that the Legislature is honoring Sergeant Gannon’s legacy and his example by protecting our canine friends who have been our companions and partners in public safety and so much more.”
“I am grateful that Nero’s Law has been enacted. Each and every day, law enforcement professionals, including police canines, put their lives on the line to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth. It is crucial that our first responders are given the ability to treat them when they are wounded in the line of duty. Our first responders are now able to provide emergent care to wounded police canines as a result of this legislation,” said state Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “Listening to heartfelt testimony during our public hearings on this bill, I was reminded of the important, unique, and strong bond between a police officer handler and his or her police canine. This is a great day for the law enforcement community.”
"Thanks to the Speaker and members of the Public Safety Committee for advancing Nero's Law to the Governor,” said Representative Carlos González (D-Springfield), House Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “Our K-9 officers are heroes, and today we honor all those who have been injured or have lost their lives in the line of duty to protect the public. A special gratitude to Denise and Patrick Gannon for their dedication and advocacy."
Nero’s Law now advances to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Legislature Approves Nero’s Law |
25% of U.S. households have a high energy burden -- meaning they spend a a high percentage of their incomes on energy bills. @AllInEnergy helps people lower their bills through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and income-based discounts.
https://t.co/Xde1rIAt80 or https://www.mapc.org/planning101/reducing-energy-burden-resources-for-low-income-residents/
MAPC: Resources for Low-Income Residents to lower their energy bills |
Nonprofits! It's not too late to register for Wednesday's workshop on Building a Planned and Deferred Giving Program at No Cost. Learn from field expert Chuck Gordon and make this sustainable funding source a reality for your organization. https://t.co/fs6U1v4RzI
https://philanthropyma.org/events/building-planned-and-deferred-giving-program-no-cost |