Announcing MassCEC’s ACT School Bus Program

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) recently released a Notice of Intent for a new Program, Accelerating Clean Transportation School Bus (“ACT School Bus”).  MassCEC intends for this program to support electric school bus deployment and complement the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. MassCEC is here to help discuss your options for school bus electrification whether you own, lease, or contract with a third-party fleet. Schedule a time to meet here!
 
The first round of applications for EPA’s Clean School Bus rebate program are open now through August 19th! School districts and other eligible applicants can receive up to $375,000 in funding per bus based on prioritization. School districts that work with a third-party school bus company are encouraged to partner with their providers and take advantage of this funding opportunity. For more information on the EPA rebates and timeline, please visit EPA’s website to access webinars and FAQ.
 

Additionally, MassCEC’s ACT School Bus will offer flexible funding for deployment projects and technical assistance for electrification planning. Eligibility and prioritization will be aligned with EPA’s program. MassCEC will be opening the funding opportunity for school bus fleets in late summer 2022, after EPA applications are due. For additional information, please visit our website, sign up for our office hours, or email our team at CleanTransportation@masscec.com! 

Announcing MassCEC’s ACT School Bus Program

Would you like to paint a Town of Franklin fire hydrant?

Fire Hydrant Painting Event Rules

The design should be appropriate for a public space and should not be political in nature, or be offensive in any way.

Potential design themes include:

• Designs inspired by the Historic Places, People and Events in Franklin
• Designs with a whimsical or humorous twist that will make viewers smile
• Context-sensitive designs that would uniquely connect a particular fire hydrant with its immediate surroundings
• Colorful, abstract designs

The public and private space immediately around the fire hydrant should be kept clean and neat when not directly working on the fire hydrant. Please respect the property.

Registration is open until Aug. 12, 2022. Proposed designs must be submitted for approval during this period, along with a completed application. Applicants will be notified by Aug. 19, 2022.

Painting of fire hydrants can begin upon notification of your assigned hydrant and must be completed by Sept. 30, 2022.

Paint only on the assigned fire hydrant. The caps must be able to open after the paint dries. You must provide your own exterior paint or sealant. Nothing can be attached to the fire hydrant.

If words are included in your design, all words must be approved as a part of the design.

You may use stencils, air brush with masking tape, or freehand your design.

You must apply the design submitted in this application. If you desire to make changes, you must seek approval from the Town of Franklin prior to changing your design.

If rules are not followed your hydrant will be painted over.

Judging will take place between Oct. 3 and Oct. 7, 2022. Winners will be announced at the DPW Touch a Truck event on Oct. 15, 2022 for most whimsical, most patriotic, most creative, and judges’ choice.

Any questions should be addressed to: Doug Martin, Town of Franklin Water & Sewer Superintendent at 508-553-5500 or domartin@franklinma.gov.

Town of Franklin will be basing their decision to approve applications for painting based on creativity, originality, imagination, and appropriateness. All decisions on applications are final. 

By participating in the Fire Hydrant Design Event you acknowledge that the Town of Franklin and its affiliates are not responsible in any way for any injury or property damage directly or indirectly associated with this event.

By signing you acknowledge that participants are aware of all rules, guidelines and criteria associated with this event

For more information including event rules, application and frequently asked questions, please visit:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/town_of_franklin_2022_fire_hydrant_painting_event_0.pdf

Would you like to paint a Town of Franklin fire hydrant? 

Legal Notice: public hearing on Beaver St interceptor project - July 21, 2022

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Protection Act) Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 7:02 PM on a Notice of Intent filed by Amy Anderson of Arcadis on behalf of Franklin Department of Public Works for the rehabilitation, replacement, and general improvements to the interceptor, as well as a new pump station on the property at 275 Beaver Street. The work will impact the Riverfront Area, Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, the 100-foot Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Buffer and the 200-foot Riverfront Area Buffer.

The Project begins at the end of an existing sewer line northwest of Franklin Village Mall and follows the line under West Central Street until Beaver Street; then along Beaver Street to Hayward Street and ends on Cottage Street. The work also involves a sewer line that runs from Beaver Street to Grove Street and along West Central Street until the intersection of Forge Parkway.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting.

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.

Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Patrick Gallagher
Chairman

Shared from Town of Franklin page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/275_beaver_street_public_hearing_notice.pdf

Additional info on the interceptor project ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9._beaver_street_materials.pdf

Legal Notice: public hearing on Beaver St interceptor project - July 21, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions: Fair Share Amendment

"Answers to all your Fair Share frequently asked questions 

Fair Share for MA has done such an incredible job putting together resources for supporting the amendment. Please go to http://fairsharema.com/faq for more in depth responses to these answers along with more answers!"

Frequently Asked Questions: Fair Share Amendment

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/350Mass/status/1545512812440686592

"more is being added to the Legislature’s joint to-do list than is being crossed off of it"

"WITH JUST 24 days left to pass significant legislation until the House and Senate hibernate until early 2023, more is being added to the Legislature’s joint to-do list than is being crossed off of it.

The House on Thursday added two issues to the pile of matters that lawmakers will try to address before the July 31 end of formal sessions: a bill extending some pandemic-era policies that diverges dramatically from the Senate’s version of that legislation, and a broad veterans bill that not only takes a different path than the Senate but would also expand legal gambling to include slot machines at veterans’ organizations. "

....

"Most significantly, the Senate approved extending policies dealing with remote or virtual participation and the ability for assisted living nurses to provide basic health services to residents until Dec. 15, 2023 but the House bill would limit the extensions to March 31, 2023. The House bill also includes provisions specific to notaries public and real estate property closings that were not in the Senate bill."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/house-approves-veterans-bill-pandemic-policy-extensions/

House legislation link -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4991 

Senate legislation link -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2985

"more is being added to the Legislature’s joint to-do list than is being crossed off of it"

"Senate early education bill could transform childcare landscape" - eventually

"IN THE 19TH CENTURY, Massachusetts pioneered the idea that K-12 education should be a public good, available and accessible to all children and families. Today we take this for granted. But at the time that Horace Mann was leading this movement, it was a revolutionary idea.

Three years ago, the Massachusetts Legislature began the process of transforming the quality of K-12 education through the Student Opportunity Act, beginning a multi-year process of significant new investments in all of our public schools to ensure every student in the state has access to high-quality learning opportunities."

Continue reading the article online -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/senate-early-education-bill-could-transform-childcare-landscape/

The Senate legislation document -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2973

"The bill is definitely better than nothing. But better than nothing is not the standard we should be holding ourselves to on Beacon Hill"  Sonia Chang-Diaz full statement via Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/SenChangDiaz/status/1545175404960530432

My statement on S.2973, regarding early education and child care, which passed the Senate today

COVID-19: "Headed in a bad direction" yet MA "State officials will scale back the frequency of COVID data reporting"

The BA.5 version of COVID-19 has become the majority variant of the virus in America in a matter of weeks, in a troubling development that comes amid what may already be America’s second-largest wave of the pandemic.

It also comes at a time when much of the US has relaxed nearly all COVID restrictions in public and life has largely returned to normal.

“COVID-19 is very clearly not over. We’re seeing dramatic increases in the number of cases and hospitalizations in many places throughout the United States,” said Jason Salemi, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health.

As BA.5, one of the Omicron sub-variants, begins buffeting the US, “we’re headed in a bad direction”, Salemi said. “We’ve seen it coming for a while … We’ve seen it go pretty unabated.”

Continue reading The Guardian article ->

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/08/usa-omicron-variant-covid-wave

State officials said Friday they will scale back the number of times each week that they post COVID-19 data to the official dashboard from five days a week to just one, an alteration they say reflects the changing nature of the pandemic.

The data will be posted every Thursday and the change takes place next week, the Department of Public Health said in a statement.

Under the new plan, the contact tracing and clusters tabs will be removed from the COVID-19 Cases category. That data, the statement said, no longer represents the situation due to changes in investigation and tracing practices. 

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscription may be required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/08/metro/state-officials-will-scale-back-frequency-covid-data-reports/

 

Town of Franklin Health Dept COVID portal ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/webforms/covid-19-dashboard-portal

Town of Franklin Health Dept COVID portal

Franklin's Event Outlook: July 8, 2022 to July 14, 2022

Summertime is upon us. The Farmers Market features live music performed by Moxie (sponsored by Franklin Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council). The Library will also have activities around a pirate theme. Musical choices also provided by a concert at THE BLACK BOX and within each of the 67 Degrees and La Cantina establishments.

 
Friday, July 8
2:00pm - Farmers Market (Town Common)
3:00pm - Moxie (live music) (Town Common)
3:30pm - Farmers Mkt Fun: Pirate ships & Pet parrots (Town Common)
5:00pm - Laura May Duo & Caribbean Press food truck (La Cantina Winery)
6:00pm - Matt Zajac (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
6:30pm - Peacheaters & Bearly Dead (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Saturday, July 9
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
3:00pm - Freak Flag (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

Sunday, July 10
12:00pm - Caribbean Press Food Truck (67 Degrees Brewery)
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
4:00pm - Art works by Amy Adams (67 Degrees Brewery)

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

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

War Monument Restoration Project FUNdraiser - Aug 6

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE AUGUST DINNER DANCE!

War Monument Restoration Project FUNdraiser 

- Saturday, August 6 - 6-10 PM

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE... BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS FOR A NIGHT OF FUN!

DINNER... DJ... DANCING... BEAUTIFUL RAFFLE BASKETS!

TICKETS ARE $20/PP AND ARE AVAILABLE IN THE VETERANS' SERVICES OFFICE AT THE SENIOR CENTER.

THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF THE THE FRANKLIN ELKS LODGE #2136, ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE WAR MONUMENT RESTORATION FUND!

WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/get-your-tickets-august-6th-dinner-dance

Download a copy of the flyer ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hK848SZZtRLLdbjwyBphvq2V8UeqrVo5/view?usp=sharing

Download a copy of the monument information sheet ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fk3kGwLiu_NxT2UYBa3smPIOfa8uWGIf/view?usp=sharing

Civil War Monument - single soldier

The Franklin Food Pantry could use your help with kid friendly summer snacks

 

Summer Snacks

With children home for the summer, the Pantry is in high need of kid-friendly snacks. Larger size options of snacks, chips, cookies, and crackers would be a wonderful treat for our families.  According to Feeding America, food insecurity is projected to increase 81% this summer for children in Massachusetts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food costs rise for families, and kids are home and hungry. Along with fresh produce, proteins, and other healthy foods, we also provide our families with kids' bags filled with some snacks and treats! If you are interested in helping to donate, we are in most need of the below items (see image).  Feel free to donate them in our purple bin between Monday and Friday. If you have a larger donation, please call to schedule a time to drop off your donation.

For more information visit the Franklin Food Pantry online -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

The Franklin Food Pantry could use your help with kid friendly summer snacks

Mill and Overlay work well underway on King St

"The Town's contractor, Massachusetts Broken Stone Company, will be starting up on the 2022 Mill and Overlay project the week of July 5. 

Streets for this project are to include:

King Street (from Union Street to East Central Street), East Central (from Ruggles to Lewis), Union (from Beaver to School St), and Beaver St (from the RR tracks to I-495 overpass).

The contractor will be starting on King Street. The project will continue through the summer. "

Shared from

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/dpw-notice-mill-and-overlay-project-begin-week-july-5th-2022

good depth at the junction with Susan's Way

the raised utility caps are marked with orange

the storm drain is covered and marked also with orange

More Perfect Union: 054 - Responsible Gun Ownership and Legislation - Part 2 (audio)

In this episode, the group continues their discussion with firearms trainers and educators Michael Cox, and Robert and Stavroula MacQuarrie, to discuss responsible firearm ownership, the future of firearm legislation in Congress, the importance of education and proper firearm safety.

Michael Cox is a firearm safety and training coordinator at Safe Insight. You can learn more about Michael and the work Safe Insight does at their website:

https://www.safeinsight.net/home

Stavroula hosts an informational YouTube channel discussing concealed carry, firearm instruction and personal safety called "She Equips Herself."

You can learn more here:

www.youtube.com/c/SheEquipsHerself

Audio file -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/053-responsible-gun-ownership-and-legislation-part-2

Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)

Mass Power Forward event: July 11 at 11 AM

Only 10 Days Left for Climate & Environmental Justice!

Monday, July 11, 11AM

We are sounding the alarm! Wake up legislators! 

Find an event near you- we are hosting many across the state!

 

Join us, Mass Power Forward, in calling on our legislators to wake up and do more for environmental and climate justice! Air Quality! Siting Reform! Housing Justice and Retrofits! 100% Renewable Energy! Just Transition for workers! Indigenous Justice! Here is the full list of bills on a letter we delivered in May. 

 

Join an Action Near you! Exact Locations to follow. Monday, July 11th at 11AM

1. Roy: Franklin (Median strip: Main St & E. Central St. (Rt. 140))

We need all of these policies before the end of the session in July- which is just around the corner, 10 days from this action. We must show up so our leaders know that we demand climate action now. The conference committee is deliberating this month and aim to have their mash-up bill out in early July. Now is the time to make noise, together in community.

Mass Power Forward event: July 11 at 11 AM

Senator Rausch: Legislature Announces Gas Tax Relief Program

 

MA LEGISLATURE ANNOUNCES GAS TAX RELIEF REBATE PROGRAM 

Taxpayer Energy and Economic Relief Fund to provide one-time rebates to eligible MA residents 

 

Today (07/07/22), the Massachusetts House and Senate announced their intention to create the Taxpayer Energy and Economic Relief Fund, an initiative to bring immediate financial relief to Bay Staters amidst rising gas prices and inflation.  

 

The fund will provide one-time rebates of $250 for Massachusetts taxpayers who filed an individual return in 2021, and $500 for taxpayers who filed joint returns. Eligibility will be determined by annual income reported in 2021. Individual filers who reported earning between $38,000 and $100,000 will be eligible, and the maximum reported income level increases to $150,000 for joint filers. Massachusetts taxpayers will receive this rebate before September 30, 2022. Bay Staters earning less than $38,000 received $500 checks to offset increased costs of living earlier this term. 

 

This type of relief program was first proposed by State Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) as a budget amendment in the FY '23 budget debate last month. Her legislation, the People's Gas Price Relief Program, was modeled after a similar proposal in California and aimed to provide Bay Staters with a $200 rebate, covering the average value of a gas tax suspension for at least an entire year. The amendment garnered bipartisan support during budget deliberations.  
 
"People are hurting – struggling to keep the lights on and put food on the table – and skyrocketing gas prices aren't helping," said Senator Becca Rausch. "Massachusetts residents deserve immediate financial support through these difficult times, and I am proud and honored that my policy proposal to offset high gas prices will put money back in Bay Staters' pockets without making them wait a year or more to realize the full benefit." 

 

"Whether it is the rising price of gas, groceries, or summer clothes for kids, the Massachusetts Legislature has heard loud and clear that increased costs due to inflation have cut into family budgets," said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, House Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael J. Rodrigues in a statement. "These rebates represent the Legislature's commitment to delivering immediate financial relief directly to residents of the Commonwealth, rather than to large oil companies that continue to profit off economic uncertainty and international conflict, and follow our efforts to provide $500 in premium pay for lower income front-line workers during the pandemic. As we recognize the need for structural change as well, we continue to work on potential changes to the tax code with the goal of providing additional relief to residents." 

Senator Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District, comprised of Attleboro, Franklin, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn, Wayland, Wellesley, and Wrentham. Senator Rausch serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture and the Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. 

CommonWealth Magazine provides coverage of this announcement from the Legislature  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/legislature-may-send-residents-250-checks/

Boston Globe provides coverage here (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/07/metro/mass-lawmakers-pledge-250-checks-taxpayers/

The proposal has to pass both legislative branches by July 31 and be signed by Governor Charlie Baker to take effect. CRAIG F. WALKER/GLOBE STAFF

Legal Notice: Conservation Commission - public Hearing July 21 concerning Mass Electric request for pole replacements/tree removal

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 131, s.40 (The Wetlands Protection Act) Franklin Conservation Commission will hold a Hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 7:03 PM on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by BSC Group, Inc. on behalf of Massachusetts Electric Company for the installation of a stub pole and replacement of a utility pole, along with the removal of 15 trees within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, as well as replacing a utility pole and removing a push brace within Bordering Vegetated Wetlands.

The Project is located along Maple Street, Map 242 between the intersections of Kimberlee Ave and Laurinda Lane, in the Rural Residential 2 Zone.

The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion. This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform and “In-person” in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 355 East Central Street. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting.

All records and files for this project can be viewed at the Conservation Office located on the first floor of the Franklin Municipal Building.

Any person or organization so wishing will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The hearing location is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If you require a translator or accommodations for a hearing impairment, contact the Conservation Department at the Municipal Building or by calling (508) 520-4929.

Patrick Gallagher

Chairman

Shared from the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/ngrid_rda_public_hearing_notice.pdf

Legal Notice: Conservation Commission - public Hearing July 21