Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Town of Franklin - Health Department: COVID-19 Test Kits

Franklin Health Dept. received 68 At-Home COVID-19 test kits. Call 508-570-8433 for a free kit & location pickup.

Limited Supply. 1 test per household member.

Town of Franklin - Health Department: COVID-19 Test Kits

“Oreology” — or the “study of the flow and fracture of sandwich cookies”

"But because researchers concluded that additional “questions remain to be explored if we are to fully understand cookie flow phenomena,” the device was conceived with the idea of “enabling widespread use.” The authors also published instructions for those curious about how to build their own.
“I hope people can use this information to improve their cookie eating when they twist open an Oreo, or when they dunk it in milk,” Owens told CNN. “I hope people can also take inspiration to investigate other puzzles in the kitchen in scientific ways.
“The best scientific research, even at MIT, is driven by curiosity to understand the world around us,” Owens said. “When someone sees something weird or unknown and takes the time to think, ‘I wonder why that happens like that?’”

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/20/lifestyle/can-you-split-your-oreo-be-just-how-you-want-it-mit-researchers-devised-an-oreometer-find-out/

MIT instructions on how to build your own tester

https://github.com/crystalowens/oreometer/

A variety of Oreo cookies.TONY CENICOLA/NYT

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, April 20, 2022

wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

This slot features Conversation with FHS Gymnastics Coach Paula Lupien https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/04/my-conversation-with-paula-lupien-fhs.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

This hour features the 6th episode of my conversation with Ted McIntyre as he helps me "Making Sense of Climate" https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/04/conversation-with-ted-mcintyre-making.html

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:29:00 am Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19

7:30:00 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club
8:30 am Arts Advocacy: Fundraising
10:00 am Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini
11:30 am Whole Health Visions: Life Coaches Pt. 1
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Chicken Salad
12:30 pm Sandhya: Cupcakes
1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Fire Safety
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 5
3:30 pm Cooking Thyme: Spring
6:30 pm Concerts on the Common: Jamie Barrett & Electric Youth
9:30 pm The Black Box: Wicked

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1

8:30 am All-Town Showcase: Chorus and Orchestra

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

1:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Sharon 04-14-22

3:00 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22

4:30 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

7:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Oliver Ames 04-08-22

9:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Tennis: v Canton 04-08-22

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council: 04-13-22

12:00 pm Economic Development: 04-06-22

2:00 pm Town Council: 04-13-22

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

GoFundMe: Please help the Bertram Family displaced by loss of home/possessions in fire

The Bertram family sadly lost their home, located in Franklin, Ma, to a devastating house fire on the afternoon of Saturday, Apr. 16, 2022.

Kellee, Kyle, Connor, Samantha and the family dog, Blue, and 2 Cats Spike and Sparkle (found hours later) escaped the fire safely. Connor and Kyle were taken to Milford Hospital for Smoke Inhalation, and later released.

The fire was aggressive and quickly spread throughout destroying their home and personal belongings. The exterior of the home shows little damage, but the interior is destroyed. Only a few family possessions were able to be salvaged, everything else was lost in the fire.

While the family is grieving the loss of their home, they are grateful for their safety, as well as thankful they still have each other.

The family has been displaced by this traumatic event, and are taking things slowly, one step at a time. There is a great deal to process, and the wounds are still raw.

At the request of neighbors and friends, this GoFundMe page was created to accept the help so generously offered by the community. Through crowd-source funding, we are hoping we can give the resources to help them get back on their feet. All donations received will go directly to the Bertrams as they attempt put the pieces of their lives back together.

They are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support so many of you have offered. Family Statement :

"We are truly grateful for the kind words, thoughts, and prayers. For those checking in with us: Thank you! Knowing that community can come together in times of need makes our hearts so full. We are honored to have you in our lives.

And a HUGE THANK YOU to the first responders (FRANKLIN, MEDWAY, WRENTHAM and MILLIS FIRE DEPARTMENTS) who were so heroic, so thoughtful, and so helpful during this tragic time. We feel so blessed to have you safeguarding our community.
Our love to all of you."

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/CoachCosta88/status/1515825000145731587

Contribute to the GoFundMe here -> https://www.gofundme.com/f/bertram-family-daniels-street-fire

Bertram Family , Daniels Street Fire

Insights on the House Ways & Means budget vs. Gov Baker's H2 budget starting point

For those closely following the State budget process (it does have significance to the local budget process) Tracy Novick's analysis of the House Ways & Means budget released last week vs. the Governor's budget H2 released in January is a must read.

"The House Ways and Means budget was released Wednesday, April 13. The account by account detail can be found in sections 2 & 3, at the end of which you can find town by town and district by district allocations for local aid, including Chapter 70. The Department of Revenue Division of Local Services have likewise updated their preliminary cherry sheets; the municipal cherry sheets are here; the regional cherry sheets are here.

I have now updated my FY23 account by account spreadsheet, as well.
Let me start by highlighting a couple of things that are different than the budget proposed by Governor Baker in January, and then I'll run through the accounts."

Continue reading Tracy's analysis here ->

http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2022/04/fy23-https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=CherrySheets.CSbyProgMunis.RegSchBudgEsthouse-ways-and-means-budget.html

Links in Tracy's article

House Ways & Means budget -> https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseWaysMeansBudget
Sec 2 & 3 account detail -> https://malegislature.gov/Reports/13111/FY23%20Sections%202%20and%203.pdf
municipal Cherry sheet info -> https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=CherrySheets.CSbyProgMunis.MuniBudgEst
regional Cherry sheet info -> https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=CherrySheets.CSbyProgMunis.RegSchBudgEst
Tracy's FY 23 account by account -> https://www.dropbox.com/s/15lknvv3lgbf3po/FY23%20account%20by%20account%20updated.xlsx?dl=0

Budgets are moral documents, what we fund is what we value

HockomockSports.com Player of the Week: Vayshnav Malhotra - FHS Tennis

"Franklin senior Vayshnav Malhotra has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for April 11 through April 17. Malhotra is the 26th player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2021-22 school year and the second of the spring season.
Malhotra has been a big part of Franklin’s perfect start to the season and its quest for a third straight league title. The senior has won all six of his matches this spring, including an impressive, straight sets win on Friday afternoon in a showdown with previously unbeaten Mansfield. His point sealed a 3-2 win over the Hornets and put the Panthers up by a match in the race for the Kelley-Rex crown."

Continue reading the article online ->

https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-vayshnav-malhotra-franklin-tennis/

HockomockSports.com Player of the Week: Vayshnav Malhotra - FHS Tennis

2 FHS Senior Project Profiles & 2 Student Profiles

Franklin High School is out this week on spring break so we'll catch to share a couple of student profiles posted by Pantherbook as well as a couple of Senior Project profiles.

Student Spotlight: Olivia Reagan

https://franklinpanthers.us/feature/2022/04/14/student-spotlight-olivia-reagan/

Student Spotlight: Dan Gurge

https://franklinpanthers.us/feature/2022/04/11/student-spotlight-dan-gurge/

Erica Bain: Senior Project Profile

Senior, Erica Bain will be working with the author of the Diary of A Wimpy Kid series, Jeff Kinney, at his Unlikely Story bookstore in Plainville.
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2022/04/08/erica-bain-senior-project-profile/

Senior Projects: Ben Taylor Learns Strength & Conditioning with TB12

https://franklinpanthers.us/clubs-activities/2022/04/12/senior-projects-fhs-ben-taylor-learning-strength-conditioning-at-tb12/#photo

FHS Panthers

"In January 2022, more people ages 15 and older died of COVID-19 than of cancer"

"COVID shouldn't even be in the top 10 causes of death in the US if we consistently used all the tools available. Yet we're still now losing the lives of 500 Americans each day. "

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1516066189914501124

COVID still among top cause of death in US

"The chart above combines data on COVID-19 mortality rates from KFF’s tracker with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on weekly counts of death by jurisdiction and cause of death and monthly provisional counts of deaths by select causes. Looking at average daily deaths for each month, deaths from some non-COVID causes—for example, heart disease deaths—sometimes increased with surges in COVID-19 deaths. This could be in part directly or indirectly related to COVID. "

Source of data -> https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/covid-19-leading-cause-of-death-ranking/

"To rank COVID-19 among other leading causes of death by age groups, we looked at COVID-19 deaths for each age group and the most recent available data for other “rankable” age-specific leading causes. The number of deaths caused by COVID-19 are available for recent months, but the number of deaths from other causes in the most recent months are incomplete. Therefore, for each age group, we assume the number of deaths that arose from non-COVID-19 leading causes were an average of the first half of 2021 (or the most recent data year available). We do not include children under age 5 in age-specific COVID ranking because there are relatively few deaths from any cause, meaning that the rankings of leading causes in each month can be influenced by even a small change in the number of deaths from a given cause."

Source of data -> https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/covid-19-leading-cause-of-death-ranking/

021 - Passover And Easter & The End Of COVID (Hopefully) (audio)

A Priest, A Rabbi, and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station - WFPR

In this episode, Dr. Pandora Carlucci and Pete Fasciano are joined by Reverend Junger, Reverend McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss the topic of Passover and Easter, the move away from COVID and the return to normal in each congregation.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d1386b7f-a6d6-4db3-baa6-4b636de21292

021 - Passover And Easter & The End Of COVID (Hopefully)

Milford Daily News: "Franklin officer Tara Lagoa specializes in assisting those with mental health issues"

"Officer Tara Lagoa became a police officer because she wanted to help people.
And she gets to help those at risk due to psychological or mental health issues as part of the Franklin Police Department's Critical Incident Team.
"I just like to be able to help people," said Lagoa, 37. "I think we can rapport with people."
Last week, Lagoa was honored for her work with the Critical Incident Team, receiving an award from the Norfolk County CIT Training and Technical Assistance Center and the Brookline Police Department."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2022/04/19/franklin-ma-police-officer-tara-lagoa-uses-cit-training-help-others/7324114001/

Shared last week from the FPD Instagram account

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/04/franklin-police-officer-lagoa.html

Franklin Police Officer Lagoa recognized with CIT Award

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Apr 19, 2022

wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen
Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini

9:00 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club

10:00 am Frank Presents: Alberto Correia

11:30 am Senior Connection: Hearing Loss

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Chicken Salad

12:30 pm Sandhya: Cupcakes

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 5

3:30 pm Arts Advocacy: Impact

4:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 1

4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 5 - Matt Stubbs Antiguas

5:30 pm Physician Focus: Alzheimer's

8:30 pm ArtWeek: Airmen of Note

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

9:00 am Public School Event: Concert Hour Day 1

10:30 am FHS Varsity Baseball: v Oliver Ames 04-08-22

12:30 pm All-Town Showcase: Chorus and Orchestra

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club

6:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Attleboro 04-04-22

8:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Sharon 04-14-22

10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Tennis: v Mansfield 04-15-22

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee: 04-12-22

12:00 pm Community Preservation: 04-05-22

2:00 pm School Committee: 04-12-22

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Monday, April 18, 2022

Register to help Franklin clean up for Earth Day - Apr 23

The annual community clean up activities are scheduled for Saturday, Apr 23, 2022. For over 20 years, the Town of Franklin has conducted this event in an effort to educate the public on recycling, beautification, and general clean up of the town.

Earth Day is celebrated on Friday, April 22nd throughout the United States. Franklin will host their own Earth Day on Saturday April 23 this year!

Keep Franklin looking beautiful by helping us clean our local parks, roads, schools, and town greenery!

Come to Beaver Pond to check in for 9 AM. Activities are usually completed by noon.

Earth Day is a great opportunity for High School Students to earn their volunteer hours!

You can pre-register at: https://franklinma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29880

Register to help Franklin clean up for Earth Day - Apr 23

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - 04/14/22 (audio)

FM #779 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 779 in the series.

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of April 13, 2022:

ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Recognition: Roger Magalhaes - Recipient of The Immigrant Learning Center’s Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in Outstanding Business Growth

6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm

a. Alcoholic Beverages Licensees – Failure to Pass Compliance Check

i. TM1 Solutions, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven 37380 - 664 Union Street

ii. Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World - 365 West Central Street

iii. Jimmy D’s LLC d/b/a Jimmy D’s - 338 Union Street

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation: Community Planning: DHCD Multi-Family Housing Guidelines for MBTA Communities - Bryan Taberner, Director, Planning and Community Development

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-26: Acceptance of Easement of Property at 732 Washington Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-26 - Majority Vote)

tease on EDC parking items coming to TC in May

Our conversation runs about 26 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes.

Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking April 13, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-779-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-04-14-22

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Agenda document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_13_2022.pdf

My notes from the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tjSu0nkX9nkLF7fc3WPim7NVwH2nznJr/view?usp=sharing

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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"

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - 04/14/22 (audio)

LaCantina Winery: Live Concert with Ayla Brown and Rob Bellamy - Apr 21

Live Concert with Ayla Brown and Rob Bellamy, Thursday April 21, 6:00 - 8:00, doors open at 5:00.

The event is outside and is weather permitting, if it rains it will be canceled and you will be refunded. If you purchase a single ticket please add a comment who you will be sitting with.

Tickets -> https://lacantinawinery.square.site/?location=11ea6e9ea6b4ee039fa50cc47a2ae330&item=71