"For decades, Edwin's gift store was a staple in Franklin, becoming a community landmark and the go-to place for unique gifts.
Now the former Edwin's will take on a new life, this time providing the staples -- and more -- to residents who find themselves struggling to put food on the table and pay the bills.
After sitting vacant for about four years, Edwin's will become the new home of the rapidly expanding Franklin Food Pantry. The 4,992-square-foot building at 341 W. Central St. was recently sold to the pantry by SVN Parsons Commercial Group, Boston for $950,000. "
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 *
Monday, March 21, 2022
Milford Daily News: Franklin Food Pantry completes purchase of new home
MA topics recap - pilot payments, infrastructure funding, land preservation, and remote meeting access
“It’s about fairness. It’s about how do you want to participate in this city that you get city services from: police, fire, public works. I think you should share in those costs.”
So spoke Boston’s late former mayor, Thomas Menino, back in 2010, when talking about nonprofit universities and hospitals—”eds and meds” in popular parlance—and their community responsibilities.
House Bill 3080 (Senate Bill 1874) authored by Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville and cosponsored by 19 fellow state legislators, would finally realize Menino’s vision and empower cities to set common rates. Under the legislation, cities could require payments of up to 25 percent of commercial property tax rates for nonprofits with over $15 million in property and could include provisions for in-kind community benefit contributions in lieu of cash."
"EFFORTS TO REPLACE the MBTA’s entire Green Line trolley fleet, a statewide move toward electric vehicle adoption, and projects to make infrastructure more resilient in the face of climate change impacts would all get a boost under a $9.7 billion bond bill Gov. Charlie Baker outlined on Thursday.Nearly two months after he first hinted at plans to file a new transportation bond bill, Baker offered an initial glimpse at a proposal the head of the MBTA expects will play a “catalytic role” to maximize money headed to Massachusetts under a new federal infrastructure law.Once filed, the legislation will kick off debate over years of investments in the state’s pothole-dotted roads and bridges, aging public transit, and infrastructure ill-equipped to withstand the brunt of climate change."
"WE OFTEN THINK of floods, hurricanes, snowstorms and the like as threats to our normal way of life, but the COVID pandemic has shown us a unique threat that affects everyone in a very different way — isolation and inability to gather together. What brought many of us through the last few years was the availability of nearby open spaces for outdoor passive recreation. As much as we need to plan for 100-year floods, we also need to plan for 100-year pandemics. Enter the Public Lands Preservation Act.Massachusetts has a wonderful collection of State Parks with a huge variety of sites and activities along with Mass Audubon, The Trustees, The Trust for Public Land, and many local and regional private land trusts. Most of the publicly owned open spaces are nominally protected in perpetuity under Article 97 of the Commonwealth Constitution. However, the protection can be removed by a two-thirds vote of each branch of the Legislature. Forty to fifty laws are enacted every legislative session removing protection from parcels protected “in perpetuity.” How can we prevent this erosion of public land? Enter the Public Lands Preservation Act."
"THE DARKNESS OF the pandemic brought a surprise element of transparency to government, and a range of groups, including those representing individuals with disabilities, this week are calling on the Governor’s Council to resume online streaming of meetings where elected officials vet judicial candidates.“In the case of government entities based in Boston, like the Governor’s Council, live streaming enables people to tune in from every corner of the state; discontinuing remote access is devastating for regional equity,” eight groups wrote in a letter Thursday that was sent to the eight-member council and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who chairs council meetings where Gov. Charlie Baker’s judicial nominees are considered. “Remote access is the latest instance of universal design — alongside curb cuts, elevators, closed captioning, audiobooks, and other features — that began as accommodations and expanded to universal popularity. Like these innovations and others emerging during the pandemic, remote access to public meetings should become a permanent feature.”
MA issues recap - pilot payments, infrastructure funding, land preservation, and remote meeting access |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Mar 21, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews
Representative Jeff Roy and Dr. Natalia Linos
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
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) |
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Shamrock Walk for Refugees raises over $7,000 on a foggy morning (photo essay)
Lead by members of the Franklin Neighborhood Support Team, about 100 people gathered to walk (and run) around the Franklin High School track Saturday morning.
Shamrock Walk for Refugees |
registration for the non-competitive walk, conversations were encouraged |
sponsor listing for the Shamrock Walk for Refugees |
Adam Calvert thanked those participating and the sponsors |
group photo before starting the walk/run |
Donations are still accepted through the website https://walkforrefugees.org/
at the start of the walk |
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/inside-shamrock-walk-for-refugees.html
Empty Bowls fund raising dinner scheduled for May 19
"Save the DATE! Empty Bowls cannot wait to host its annual fundraiser for the first time in TWO years. Let's do this Franklin!"
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1504844524882903053
Where: FHS cafeteria
Empty Bowls fund raising dinner scheduled for May 19 |
Franklin.TV: Our Normal Returneth?
We are facing more technical changes, and with those, more operational changes. We also have to carefully consider how our staff (God bless ‘em.) can best balance a more flexible work schedule that now includes WFH. With our studio shuttered, they responded in time of COVID-crisis to get out there and cover as many live civic, school and sports events as possible. That meant working many more random nights and weekends. They made it happen without missing a beat.
We geared up, building small, portable TV control systems as ‘Flypaks’ that enable us to originate live from wherever with minimal setup effort. Our systems were also designed to be Zoom-friendly. We installed new systems in Town Chambers for effortless Zoom integration there as well.
Our radio operation became totally remote, with up to a dozen volunteers working, conducting guest interviews and producing programs from home via Zoom.
Now we’re headed back the other way, technically. We’re opening up studios that have been shuttered for the most part. But, they won’t be the same. They also must be Zoom-enabled. Our new normal brings new expectations. We also have to enable Zoom in the FHS auditorium, a very large venue with its own challenges.
The beginning of the pandemic forced us into technical overdrive for months in order to meet the challenges of TV and radio production in 2020.
Now, at the end of the pandemic in 2022 (hopefully) we need to rework our studios, our gear and production skills to integrate Zoom on demand – whenever, wherever. We also plan to work on integrating radio and TV programming where possible. Life in 2019 B.C. (Before COVID) feels like quaint ancient history. Now, in 2022 A.D. (After Disaster) our lives are filled with change.
The only constant in life – is change. - Heraclitus
Do we simply succumb to it, or – do we master it?
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.
Franklin.TV: Our Normal Returneth? |
This Franklin For All Discussion reveals insights on process and accessory dwelling units - 03/15/22 (audio)
FM #755 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 755 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with several members of the Economic Development “Plus” Committee to talk about the Franklin For All process. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Mar 15, 2022.
Chair, Melanie Hamblen, Town Council
Beth Wierling, member of the Planning Board
Cobi Frongillo, member of the Town Council
Bruce Hunchard, chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals
The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to the conversation about the Franklin For All project and process.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-755-franklin-for-all-discussion-03-15-22
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Respond to the survey by April 1 => https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce
Franklin For All Forum - March 7, 2022
Transcript => https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WEsjmEFESie06Bx4bAOSxhMbhpY45gsL/view?usp=sharing
Audio recording => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-748-franklin-for-all-forum-03-07-22
Video recording => https://youtu.be/9fewoumulN4
Franklin For All project 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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
This Franklin For All Discussion reveals insights |
FHS's Red Cross Club's First Aid Kit fundraiser - Mar 25 and/or Mar 26, 2022
The FHS Red Cross Club will be partnering with Pokemoto: Hawaiian Poke, in order to raise money for first aid kit supplies.
Come by and purchase a poke bowl or some dole whip! 40% of the sales will go towards the first aid kits, which will be going to members of the Franklin community and homeless shelters in the area.
To order online -> https://order.snackpass.co/Pokemoto-Franklin-270-Franklin-Village-Dr-60ff13ca92ea1201100d12b8
FHS's Red Cross Club's First Aid Kit fundraiser - Mar 25 and/or Mar 26, 2022 |
Deep drilling for geothermal: "It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation"
"Miles below ground, where pressures are intense and temperatures far exceed the boiling point of water, dense layers of super-hot rocks offer the promise of a natural, inexhaustible supply of clean energy.
Environmentalists have long dreamed of a way to reach those depths to tap the potential geothermal energy in those rocks, but the technological and financial barriers have been too great.
Now, officials at an MIT spinoff say they believe they’ve figured out how to drill as deep as 12 miles into the Earth’s crust, using a special laser that they say is powerful enough to blast through granite and basalt. "
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/18/science/an-effort-rid-world-fossil-fuels-an-mit-spinoff-plans-dig-deepest-holes-earth/
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“By drilling deeper, hotter, and faster than ever before possible, Quaise aspires to provide abundant and reliable clean energy for all humanity" |
https://apps.bostonglobe.com/science/environment/climate/graphics/2022/03/deep-geothermal-drilling/
DOER stretch building codes get comments from Attorney General Healey
The comment period on the proposed stretch goals for building codes closed on Friday, Mar 18, 2022. There had been news articles reporting that Attorney General Maura Healey's office had turned down some local legislation for Brookline because the State rules did not allow them to go that far. Her office issued comments on Friday that confirmed DOER had the right to continue with the stretch goals to allow a community to go all electric.
"Attorney General Maura Healey told state officials today they have the authority to create an energy code that allows municipalities to ban the use of oil and gas in future construction projects"
AG's office comments on stretch building code goals |
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 22, 2022
Call to Order Ms. Spencer
- Presentation doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy23_public_budget_hearing.pdf
- Budget documents link -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/1-fy-2023-budget
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made …. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment …. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH
Agenda document -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_3-22-22.pdf
Agenda packet -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/march-22-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - March 22, 2022 |
Ted McIntyre helps me with Marking Sense of Climate - Part 5 - 03/15/22 (audio)
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Mar 15, 2022.
This is part 5 of a series on Marking Sense of Climate. Ted helps me “make sense of climate” and we hope this helps with your understanding as well.
If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session
The recording runs about 49 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre as he helps me “make sense of climate.”
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-754-making-sense-of-climate-5-03-15-22
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Links that are our talking points for this episode
Transit system electrification
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/state-news-roundup-health-care-costs.html
NY Times article on induction cookers -> https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-induction-cooktop/
DOER Stretch goals (deadline extended to March 18 to submit input)
- Link to read the details -> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stretch-energy-code-development-2022
- Email to provide feedback stretchcode@mass.gov
- WBUR’s explainer -> https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/03/17/massachusetts-energy-environmental-building-code-proposal-explainer
Good first step wind bill, but Baker objects over fees…
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/02/opinion/offshore-wind-is-future-massachusetts/?event=event12
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/regional/2022/03/04/mass-house-offshore-wind-bill-faces-headwinds-baker/9373537002/
Municipal Light Plants (MLP) and the Peabody Peaker
New studies find cheaper to 'buy from market'
Hunger strikers oppose construction
Ukraine…
Debate No-fly zone etc….
Hundreds of millions to Russia every day for gas.
daily payment to Russia for EU gas
https://www.voanews.com/a/despite-sanctions-europe-continues-to-bankroll-russia-for-gas-oil/6465223.html
McKibben’s piece on “heat pumps for peace” https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/heat-pumps-for-peace-and-freedom?s=r
If you have a question to raise, you can use this form -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html
Original Climate link = The 13 point article we talk to -> From WBUR -> “What you need to know about the new MASS Climate law” https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/03/26/new-mass-climate-law-faq
Mass Climate Action Network -> https://www.massclimateaction.org/recs
--------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Easy Rose Care - Apr 5
The Franklin Garden Club, in conjunction with the Franklin Public Library, will co-sponsor a program on “Easy Rose Care” on Tuesday, April 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin Library, 118 Main Street, Franklin, MA.
The program, open to the public free of charge, will be presented by Teresa Mosher, one of the leading garden and rose consultants in New England. This presentation features information on uncovering winter protected roses, pruning various types, planting, fertilizing and choosing hardy roses. Photos from Mosher’s highly regarded Zone 5 garden in Methuen are incorporated into the presentation. Handouts will be available.
Mosher is past President of the New England Rose Society, a Horticulture Rose Judge and Master Rosarian for the American Rose Society. An avid gardener for more than 40 years, she cares for and maintains 42 flower beds, over 200 roses, more than 1500 perennials, shrubs and trees in her garden. She has served as a past Judge in Floral Design and Horticulture for the Massachusetts Garden Federation and has designed and maintained gardens in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Mosher has garnered numerous awards, including the Bronze Honor Medal for Outstanding Service, 2012 – New England Rose Society; Outstanding Horticulture Judge, 2016 - Yankee District, American Rose Society; and Outstanding Consulting Rosarian, 2018- Yankee District, American Rose Society. She has served as President of the New England Rose Society - 2012-2019 and vice president – 2011-2012. She is a member of several rose organizations, including the Hybridizers Rose Association, Heritage Rose Foundation, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and Massachusetts Garden Study Council and Landscape Design Council.
Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Easy Rose Care - Apr 5 |
Use These Scam Tools to Spot Fraud
- Check out our Fraud Prevention and Reporting page to learn about Social Security fraud – and how we fight scammers -> https://www.ssa.gov/fraud/
- Read our Scam Alert factsheet to learn what tactics scammers use and how to protect yourself -> https://www.ssa.gov/fraud/assets/materials/EN-05-10597.pdf
Team Massachusetts USA Games Training Camp (video)
"Team Massachusetts got together for a weekend in March for a USA Games Training Camp. We got to know each other with team building games, bowling & even a freezing cold New England Revolution Game! On Sunday we learned a team dance and sat in on classroom sessions that taught us more about the Games. We can't wait for Orlando!"
The FHS Unified Basketball team is part of Team Massachusetts, You might recognize a few faces in the video. Thanks to KateLuvs2Laugh for the tip to the video!