Introductory video on how the state's new multifamily zoning requirement for communities served by Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) will help cities and towns zone for more housing near transit, increase economic opportunity, reduce sprawl and lessen impacts on the environment.
"Mass. offshore wind developers stalling for time"
"THE STATE’S TWO leading offshore wind developers appear to be stalling for time as they explore whether the cast of new players on Beacon Hill may be more receptive to letting them back out of or tweak their existing power purchase agreements.Avangrid, the company behind Commonwealth Wind, filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging a December 30 decision of the Department of Public Utilities approving the wind farm developer’s power purchase agreements with three Massachusetts utilities even though Avangrid said the pricing is no longer sufficient to obtain financing for the project.Mayflower Wind, being developed by Shell New Energies and Ocean Winds, filed a request with the DPU seeking a greater say in deliberations over the power contracts and more time to respond."
"Governor Maura Healey, who made housing a central theme of her campaign, announced Friday that she filed an executive order to create a working group to establish the role of a new Cabinet-level housing secretary.She announced the news in front of local leaders at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual meeting in Boston — the first public step the governor has taken toward her campaign promise of creating the role. Healey committed early in her campaign to elevate the post as a way to increase focus and resources on housing production during a time when housing has become increasingly less affordable.Traditionally, the job of housing and economic development secretary has been one role in state government. So far Secretary Yvonne Hao has been serving in both capacities in the new Healey administration, though she will ultimately focus on economic development when the new housing post is filled.:
"Raised by two psychologists, Madeleine Kline had wanted to become a doctor since she was little. And when she learned in high school how human activity was fueling climate change, she concluded “it felt fundamentally like a health problem.
So it seemed the most natural thing for her to go into medicine. And once at Harvard Medical School, she combined her two interests to help produce a novel undertaking at the 350-year-old institution: embed teaching about the effects of climate change into all four years of the medical degree curriculum.“I realized that the world then,” she said of her youth, “was not the world that I was going to inhabit as an adult or raise my children in. And, if I wanted to help take care of people, I needed to understand the challenges my patients were going to face.”Now in her third year, Kline was among a small group of students and faculty who helped convince school leaders to adopt the new curriculum, which was approved earlier in January. It will include instruction on the effects of climate change on human health, the role health care systems play in contributing to climate change, and how physicians can work to be part of the solution."
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| Student Julia Malits (left), Dr. Gaurab Basu (center), and student Madeleine Kline championed the integration of climate change into Harvard Medical School's curriculum. JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF |
"Today the Franklin Police Patrol Association and the Franklin Sergeant Union hosted the annual Senior Dinner. It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to hold the event in person but we’re glad it’s back.
This event is one of our favorites because it’s an opportunity to serve a great meal and spend some time with our most senior residents. Thanks to the Franklin Elks Lodge #2136 and the Head Chef, Retired Franklin Police Officer Paul “Hoofy” Fiorio for the food!
Side note...we apologize for running out of turnips, that’s on us, we’ll do better next year!"
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| Franklin Police Patrol Association/Franklin Sergeant Union hosted the annual Senior Dinner - Jan 20. 2023 |
The Franklin Health Department received more home COVID-19 self test kits from the state. Franklin residents can call the Public Health Nurse at (508) 613-1341 to check for availability and coordinate curbside pick up outside of the Senior Center.
Pick up hours are as follows...
There is a limited supply! One test per household member, first come first serve.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/additional-covid-19-test-kits-available-franklin-residents
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| Additional COVID-19 Test Kits Available to Franklin Residents |
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"Hope PUNK with Writers Renan Bernardo, Brianna Castagnozzi, Susan Kaye Quinn, and T. K. Rex
Tuesday, January 24, 7 PM
Virtual Event in collaboration with Watertown Free Public Library
Do you wish you felt more hopeful about the state of our world? Then you'll want to hear from Renan Bernardo, Brianna Castagnozzi, Susan Kaye Quinn, and T. K. Rex—they're writing hopepunk stories that challenge us to look up from our doomscrolling and envision a future filled with defiant optimism!"
Register -> https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/webinar/register/9216709615810/WN_TV9EwW_ST...
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| Hope punk virtual event Tuesday, Jan 24, 2023 |
Friday, January 20
1:00pm - Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)
5:30pm - Heather Deary (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
Saturday, January 21
9:00am - Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm - Joey D's Wingz & Thingz (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)
1:00pm - Library Bag Sale (Franklin Public Library)
4:00pm - Electric Youth 2023 Debut (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)
5:30pm - Mike & Missy Unplugged (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
8:00pm - Electric Youth 2023 Debut (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)
Sunday, January 22
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
Monday, January 23
11:00am - Author Sue Bavey - book signing (Franklin Senior Center)
Tuesday, January 24
7:00pm - Hopepunk with Writers Renan Bernardo, Brianna Castagnozzi, Susan Kaye Quinn, and T. K. Rex (virtual event) (Franklin Public Library)
7:00pm - Franklin Public Library Book Club - Hamnet (Franklin Public Library)
Wednesday, January 25
1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group - hybrid meeting & recording session) (Franklin TV studio)
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| Community Calendar |
To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.
Motor Equipment Repair Person - Department of Public Works
Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department
Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department
Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works
Patrol Officer - Police Department
Administrative Assistant - Health Department
Administrative Assistant (Part Time) - Department of Public Works
Community Social Worker - Franklin Senior Center
Program and Volunteer Coordinator - Franklin Senior Center
If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.
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| Have you considered working for the Town of Franklin? There are Job Opportunities to be filled by DPW, Police, Health Dept, Senior Center, & Facilities |
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| Great job guys |
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| Great job tonight ladies! |
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| Town of Franklin begins planning to update the Open Space and Recreation Plan |
"The Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, Franklin is holding its Annual Free Throw Contest on Friday, 1/20/23.Registration begins at 6:00 PM and the contest follows immediately after at 6:30 PM at the Hockomock YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin, MAThe event is open for boys and girls 9-14 years old as of 1/1/23 from surrounding towns. All contestants will shoot 15 free throws and are recognized for their participation in this event.The champs are invited to compete in the district competition which will immediately follow this event. This round contestants will shoot 25 free throws."
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| Knights of Columbus Annual Free Throw Contest on Friday, Jan 20, 2023 |
"Governor Maura Healey announced Thursday that she is filing her first two pieces of legislation, one of which is a $987 million “immediate needs” bond bill targeting housing and economic development.The wide-ranging, nearly billion-dollar “immediate needs” bond bill would dedicate $400 million for MassWorks, a program created in 2010 that makes grants available to cities and towns for infrastructure projects. Her bill would continue the funding stream for MassWorks and other programs, preventing key programs from running out of money.Healey, who has highlighted economic development as a top priority for her nascent administration, said she filed the bill “to ensure critical housing and economic development programs across the state can continue to serve people in Massachusetts without interruption.”
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| 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node |
Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern
Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017
"Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin, a Democrat who chairs the Legislature’s Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee, is a big supporter of offshore wind and solar. But he, too, sees a need for nuclear power plants.
Roy, who toured the Seabrook and Millstone plants last year, said he intends to file legislation shortly that would allow the Healey administration to pursue the purchase of electricity generated by Millstone.
He acknowledges the concerns about nuclear waste, but says the plant already exists so it makes sense to take advantage of its emission-free power to help address climate change. “It would be a shame if we didn’t at least take a look at it,” he said."
"New Englanders are wearing tank tops and shorts in January and @massfiscal is hosting a climate change denial summit. See any connection?"
Read money about who is funding these folks - > https://www.masspoliticsprofs.org/2023/01/20/massachusetts-fiscal-alliance-brings-kochs-circus-to-town/
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| Millstone Nuclear Station |
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
