Making Sense of Climate: Ted & I start 2023 with a discussion on the recent news (audio)

FM #916 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 916 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Tuesday, January 10, 2023.  

In this episode we covered the following topics: 

Happy new year, catch up on happenings since we last talked

• Healey, inauguration, Climate lead executive order

• Rep Roy video from Museum of Science (wind turbine blade testing), Rep Roy & Senator Barrett on Codcast (wind troubles)

• Fusion/ fission/ nuclear generated electrical power

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it 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 conversation runs about 48 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-916-making-sense-of-climate-21-01-10-23

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Links to articles referenced:

Climate lead via Executive Order from Governor Healey

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/healey-signs-executive-order-on-climate/ 

Rep Roy video on wind turbine blade testing visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/museum-of-science-visit-mass-clean.html  

CodCast episode with Rep Roy and Senator Barrett

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/the-codcast-lawmakers-walk-tightrope-on.html 

ISO New England grid capacity around Christmas 2022

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2023/01/07/iso-new-england-electricity-power-plant-fines-december-failure-oil-natural-gas-christmas-storm/69785296007/

Wind farm in Maine, MA to take advantage of

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/03/business/offshore-wind-falters-mass-makes-its-move-boost-giant-wind-farm-maine/ 

Fun article: driving for donuts to test electric vehicle charging stations availability

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/10/science/we-drove-around-new-england-looking-ev-chargers-best-doughnuts-it-was-easier-than-we-expected/

Fusion announcement 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/22/science/after-years-doubts-hopes-grow-that-nuclear-fusion-is-finally-real-could-help-address-climate-change/ 

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

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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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Wind turbines atop Saddleback Mountain in Maine. ROBERT F. BUKATY/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boston Globe All Scholastic awards for FHS - Fall 2022

Catching up to the Boston Globe All Scholastics awards for the Fall 2022 season, we share the Franklin student representative selected for their sport. The full listing is found in the Boston Globe linked to below.

** Football ** 

Luke Davis - FRANKLIN | SENIOR 
The Hockomock Kelley-Rex MVP caught 62 balls for 1,071 yards and 16 touchdowns, and returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns. A senior with plans to play lacrosse at Boston University, Davis recorded six interceptions as a junior.

Honorable Mention = Jase Lyons, senior, Franklin

** Field Hockey **

Kaitlyn Carney - FRANKLIN | SENIOR
The senior captain wrapped up her four-year varsity career having amassed 104 goals and 66 assists during that span. The 2019 and 2021 Hockomock League Player of the Year, she again led the Panthers to a league title.

Shaw Downing - FRANKLIN | SENIOR
A steady and strong Franklin team captain, Downing had 14 goals and 9 assists during the Panthers’ 18-2-1 season. The two-time Hockomock League All-Star is vice president of her class and will pursue Pre-Vet studies in college.

** Volleyball **

Taylor Lacerda - FRANKLIN | JUNIOR
The junior All-State outside hitter was an integral part of the Panthers’ 15-4 season, collecting 195 kills, 198 digs, and 43 aces. Lacerda was named to the honor roll twice and is a member of the Science National Honor Society.

For the complete listing for Fall 2022 ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/high-schools/all-scholastics/

FHS Panthers

Special Guest Franklin Conservation Agent scheduled for Franklin Q&A on Weds, Jan 18 at 11 AM -(hybrid event)

For the first time in 2023, your Franklin questions can get answered in this hybrid session. Either in person at the Senior Center or viz Zoom.

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

With a whole lot scheduled to happen in the Town of Franklin this year, we have a special guest to kick off the session. Franklin Conservation Agent Breeka Li Goodlander will join us to talk about the update to the Open Space and Recreation Plan just getting underway. 

• If you want the Zoom link, please use this form or check with the Senior Center front desk:      https://forms.gle/kferg18KxVKGBAk56  
• Download this flyer as a reminder -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XE8-F_whVzmrihqsVvZ-sDJ7V8woWrYZ/view?usp=share_link

Franklin Q&A scheduled for Weds, Jan 18 at 11 AM - Special Guest Franklin Conservation Agent

Stormwater Utility Update scheduled for Town Council meeting Jan 18, 2023

Perhaps you noticed the green info sheet on the forth coming storm water fee being implemented in July 2023 in the quarterly real estate mailer. The Town Council has an info session on the long awaited credits for rain barrels, etc. that were discussed during the run up to the approval of the storm water fee.

From the Council agenda for Jan 18, 2023

b. Discussion: Stormwater Utility Update

i. Update Memo & Draft Stormwater Credit Manual   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._stormwater.pdf

ii. Stormwater property specific impervious surface website portal   

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

 

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From the Franklin Matters archive originally shared in April 2021:

One of the key items in all of the budget discussions is going to be the stormwater utility question. This has been a topic that has developed since 2007 when the initial storm water bylaw was passed. The EPA and Mass DEP have continued to add requirements to how storm water should be managed. The costs for such mitigations have grown over the years. The introduction of the storm water utility fee would allow the Town to better manage the impact on the Town budget.

Why must we manage storm water?

We are part of the area feeding into the Charles River and hence are under the provisions as outlined in the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit. We have an extensive outflow system to catch and manage storm water. Check out the map here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/outfall_map.pdf 

Did the Town of Franklin sue the EPA?

Yes, and while we ultimately ‘lost’ the case, we did gain concessions on the implementation timeline that benefit all under the MS4 permit requirements.

When did the storm water bylaw pass?

The Storm water bylaw originally passed in 2007. Check out the bylaw language here -> https://ecode360.com/10434264

What is the storm water utility fee?

Article IV - storm water utility was added in Jan 2020. Bylaw #19-846 approved 9-0 vote. Check out the language here -> https://ecode360.com/FR1096/laws/LF1135684.pdf 

What is the MS4? 

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems or by the shorter name MS4. The current storm water mitigation plan - updated in 2020 ->  Stormwater Management Plan (revised 2020)

Can I find out what my impervious coverage is?

Check out the impervious coverage map for your property -> https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

If you need more info on the background and information around the storm water fee follow this link -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/the-stormwater-story-summary-for.html

The stormwater story summary for Franklin

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Newsletter + GAYme Night! - Tues, Jan 17 at 6:30 PM

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents follow this link ->    

View this email in your browser

Join us January 17th for our monthly game night 6:30 at the Franklin Library.

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance In this newsletter we included an invitation to upcoming events, our next meeting, intro to our new leaders, volunteer opportunities and events that are happening in our area.   You're Invited to our Upcoming Meeting   When: Thursday, February 2nd at 6:30 pm Where: In-person and Virtual In-person: Franklin Public Library 118 Main St, Franklin  Virtual: Please email FranklinLGBTQAlliance@gmail.com if you would like to attend via Zoom.    After our business meeting we will be painting rocks for Franklin's 'Kindness Rocks' initiative! You can find more information here: Wicked Local article   Please help us make plans for future events and volunteer opportunities by taking our amazing survey.  It should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. SURVEY Community Events Join us at the Franklin Public Library for their monthly game night. All are welcome to come and play cards/dice/board games!   We want to make this a safe, fun, inviting event monthly and the more people that join the more games we can play. Tuesday, January 17th, 6:30-8 PM Let's play some GAYmes y'all :) Escape into Fiction LGBTQIA+ Middle and High Schoolers Thursday, January 26th @ 6:00 pm Location: Escape into Fiction (12 Main St, Franklin)   And... stay tuned for our Feburary LGBTQ book club that we are co-hosting with Escape into Fiction! More details will be posted on our FB page soon. If you are not on our email list, sign up to receive future emails on this Google Form.  View this email in your browser  franklinlgbtqalliance.gmail.com@email.benchmarkapps.com 90 Hayward Street Franklin, MA 02038

FHS class of 2025 fund raiser at Sante Fe Burrito Grill - Jan 18, 2023 from 5 PM to 9 PM

"Support by going to Santa Fe this Wednesday! All money made will be going to prom and other events for the class of 2025."

FHS class of 2025 fund raiser at Sante Fe Burrito Grill - Jan 18, 2023 from 5 PM to 9 PM

Online ordering available at -> https://santafetogo.com/

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnf2hJrut0T/

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023

• 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    Veterans' Oral History Project: Dave Cargill

9:00 am    It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

10:00 am    Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

11:00 am    Sons & Daughters of Italy: Italian Cookies

11:30 am    Senior Connection: Sleep

12:10 pm    Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:40 pm    Sandya: Pasta

1:30 pm    Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:00 pm    New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 2

3:00 pm    Candlepin New Generation: Show 12

3:30 pm    FAA: Art From The Heart

4:00 pm    Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7

4:30 pm    Extended Play Sessions: Acoustic X

5:30 pm    Physician Focus: Alzheimer's

9:00 pm    The Black Box: Wicked

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

7:00 am    Lifelong Music: Band

9:00 am    Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

11:00 am    Universe of Adolescent Sleep

12:00 pm    FHS Winter Chorus & Orchestra 2022

1:30 pm    Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 7

2:00 pm    It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

3:00 pm    FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Medway 01-13-23

8:00 pm    FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v N. Attleboro 01-13-23

10:00 pm    FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Taunton 01-06-23

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

8:00 am    School Committee: 01-10-23

12:00 pm    Economic Development 01-04-23

2:00 pm    School Committee: 01-10-23

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)

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr, an excerpt from his last public speech (video)

An excerpt from the speech Martin Luther King Jr gave to striking sanitation workers the day before he was killed. 

Video link -> https://youtu.be/Oehry1JC9Rk   (2 minutes, 37 seconds)

More of excerpts from his key speeches can be found in this PBS posting: 

https://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/article/2018/04/5-of-martin-luther-king-jrs-most-memorable-speeches

Franklin Downtown Partnership networking breakfast Jan 20; General Mtg, Feb 2

(1) Join the Franklin Downtown Partnership for a networking breakfast on Friday, January 20 from 8 AM to 9 AM in the dining room of the Dean College Campus Center for a bite to eat and the opportunity to network with other FDP members!

Franklin Downtown Partnership networking breakfast Jan 20, 2023 at 8 AM

(2) The next Franklin  Downtown Partnership General Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 2 at 8:30 AM Join us in the Dean College Dr. Paula Rooney Student Center on the second floor in the Golder Room.

For more about the Franklin Downtown Partnership visit them web page ->

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

A New Exhibit at the FAA Gallery! - Feb 16, 2023

The month of January can be (and certainly has been lately) a pretty drab and gray time, when our souls long for colors to brighten our days and spirits.

To help remedy that, the Franklin Art Association Gallery, at Escape Into Fiction Bookstore, will be showcasing a new exhibit of works by our members, and we invite you join us for the opening reception on Thursday, February 16. Treat yourself to beauty, bring a friend!

Where: Escape Into Fiction Bookstore, 12 Main St, Franklin, MA

When: 6:00-8:00 PM

Free admission

Parking behind the store (enter from West Central Street)

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CnXjzAzJPGs/

A New Exhibit at the FAA Gallery! - Feb 16, 2023

Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"

"Recently, Mr. Walsh’s class had the fantastic opportunity to speak via Zoom with Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the current deputy chief of staff in the Biden administration and FHS alumnus. O’Malley Dillon talked to the class about her time at Franklin High School, her daily work, important things she has been a part of, advice she has, and of course answered a few questions.

Life as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House is full of bustling days filled with everything from hiring personnel to dealing with international affairs. According to O’Malley Dillon, she runs and oversees daily operations at the White House. This includes helping solve large-scale issues such as problems with Ukraine, climate change, and inflation, traveling with the president to support and plan his visits, and running the military office. Although this seems very stressful to most, O’Malley Dillon loves politics, and being right in the middle of it all seems to be where she is most at home. "

Continue reading the article on Pantherbook ->

https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2023/01/09/jennifer-omalley-dillon-speaks-with-mr-walshs-class/

Pantherbook: "Jennifer O’Malley Dillon speaks with Mr. Walsh’s Class"

Register O'Donnell’s "Suits for Success" Program Donates to United Parish’s Thrifty Threads

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell donated 12 winter jackets, 10 full suits, and more than 45 other articles of business attire to United Parish’s Thrifty Threads through the "Suits for Success" program last month.

The often-taken-for-granted suit or dress clothes hidden away in the back closet and only occasionally seeing the light of day may seem to some like an unfortunate necessity. However, for those struggling on the path to success, the cost of a suit can be an unsurmountable barrier.

"It’s hard to move forward if you don’t feel good about yourself, and this gives people a chance to look good, feel good, and grow as an individual," said Louise Bowler, Thrifty Threads Team Leader. Thrifty Threads provides inexpensive clothing to anyone who needs quality attire. Proceeds from the thrift store support United Parish’s outreach and social justice programs. The organization also passes on more than half of the donations it receives to nonprofit organizations working directly with people in need.

Register O’Donnell remarked, "We’re happy to assist Thrifty Threads. I thank all those who donated to our ‘Suits for Success’ program, and I hope other local residents and businesses will consider making a clothing donation. The program is truly needed, and it’s a great resource for the community."

The "Suits for Success" program, developed by Register O’Donnell, partners with groups like Father Bill's & MainSpring, Needham Community Council, Suits and Smiles, Interfaith Social Services, InnerCity Weightlifting, VA Boston Healthcare System, Voluntary Service Program, New Life Furniture Bank of Massachusetts, and United Parish’s Thrifty Threads. The mission of "Suits for Success" is to collect donations of suitable clothing to be distributed to individuals who may need appropriate attire for employment interviews.

Since the Registry started the "Suits for Success" program in February 2009, it has collected more than 9,000 articles of clothing.

"Receiving donations like this means a lot and it’s important," said Bowler. "This may give someone who is looking for a job now the confidence they need to take the next step."

Thrifty Threads is located within United Parish, is open Fridays and Saturdays, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and is fully operated by a team of dedicated volunteers.

"During the past decade, we have learned that programs like ‘Suits for Success’ work," said O’Donnell. "This program has given many people a valuable resource to help them on the path to success and may ultimately help them achieve self-sufficiency."

If you would like to stay up-to-date on upcoming Registry of Deeds events, programs, and real estate information, you can sign up for our Registry email updates at www.norfolkdeeds.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/norfolkdeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.