"Building on @MassGovernor's ambitious commitment to achieve Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050, @MassEEA today (12/30/20) released its 2050 Roadmap Report & 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan to equitably & cost-effectively meet MA's #climate goals."
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| 2050 Roadmap Report & 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan |
The Department of Public Health released new town-by-town data for coronavirus cases on Thursday (12/31/20), the latest set of such data showing how the virus has impacted individual communities throughout Massachusetts.
We are not doing well Franklin. From 5.03 to 6.02, to 7.36% positivity over the last 3 weeks is movement in the wrong direction.
The full report from MA.gov https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-december-31-2020/download
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| Franklin grows its COVID-19 case count and positivity rate again |
HockomockSports.com provides a preview of the high school girls basketball teams for the Hockomock League. We share the Franklin info here and provide the link to the page with all the other team previews.
"Last winter, Franklin went start-to-finish as the top team not only in the league but in the state and capped off an undefeated season with the program’s first state championship. The graduation of center Ali Brigham, who was arguably the program’s best-ever player, is a big change for the Panthers this year but there is plenty of talent and experience on the roster to make a push for a three-peat of Kelley-Rex titles.
Junior Olivia Quinn is one of the main reasons that the Panthers are considered the favorites in the Kelley-Rex again this year. Quinn scored nearly 400 points and was one of the top three or four players in the league last season. She continues to develop and improve and will be the focal point of the offense this year. Senior Erin Quaile is the two-time Defensive Player of the Year but is also a solid point guard who limits turnovers, calms things down, and gets Franklin into its sets.
The offense will obviously look a little different this year, without a 6-foot-3 center in the middle, but the Panthers have talent on the wings to cause problems. Seniors Elizabeth Wilson and Kaleigh Houlihan, and junior Stefany Padula can all stretch the defense with their ability to knock down perimeter shots. The forward position should also be strong with Emma Sousa, Brigid Early, and Katie Peterson giving Franklin length and athleticism on the block.
“We are excited to be back on the court and I have been very impressed by our depth,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “Our girls have been committed to getting better and competing on every play.”
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| FHS - 2020-2021 Girls Basketball Preview by HockomockSports.com |
.@MASchoolsK12 has released the results of their Nov. 2-9 survey of #MAEdu district learning time. https://t.co/ulYQb43W7f
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| a screen grab of one page with Franklin highlighted |
Today I was honored to sign comprehensive, bipartisan police reform that creates a certification process for officers, increases accountability and transparency in law enforcement, and gives police departments a greater ability to hire or promote only qualified applicants. https://t.co/Mkk8x6TYL1
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| Governor Baker Signs Police Reform Legislation |
"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every #NewYear find you a better man." - Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac, 1755 https://t.co/IZTkn4PG04
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| The Freedom Trail: Ben Franklin quote for New Year |
Dear Taxpayer,
Recently you received a 3rd quarter actual real estate tax bill that incorrectly calculated one day of interest on the amount due.
If you pay your taxes through your mortgage company you do not need to take any action.
If you have already paid your bill, that interest will be reflected as a credit on your 4th quarter actual real estate tax bill in May.
If you have not paid yet, please discard that bill. A corrected 3rd quarter tax bill is currently being mailed to and will arrive by next week.
To accommodate for this inconvenience we have extended the due date to February 19, 2021 without any interest or penalties.
The online payment portal has the correct amount due. All taxpayers and citizens can pay the correct amount online.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
These bills can be paid in a variety of ways:
Shared from the Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-treasurercollectors-office-0
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| Franklin Tax Payers: A Notice from the Treasurer/Collector's Office |
On New Year's Day, Friday January 1, the Commuter Rail will operate on a regular Sunday schedule. The Rockport Line disruption will be the only disruption in effect.
Affected routes:
Last Updated: Dec 30 2020 06:57 PM
Commuter Rail notice - New Year's Day service
"Ben knows it is still important to keep space between yourself and others! #DoYourPartFranklin #SixTailsApart #ItStillMatters #BensGuide @franklinpolice @FranklinMAfire @FranklinPSNews https://t.co/5dVsBEvV4P"
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| Town of Franklin, MA: Ben's guide to social distancing |
HockomockSports.com provides a preview of the high school boys basketball teams for the Hockomock League. We share the Franklin info here and provide the link to the page with all the other team previews.
Franklin
2019-2020 Record: 18-6
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D1 Central Final
Coach: CJ Neely
"Franklin is another team that will feature plenty of new faces for the 2020-2021 season. Graduation claimed all five starters and six of the top eight players in the rotation, meaning the Panthers will be an inexperienced group when the season tips off in January.
Not only did the Panthers lose 1,000-point scorer Chris Edgehill to graduation, but they’ll also have to replace the offensive production of the likes of Brayden Sullivan (9.8 points per game), Steven Karayan (9.6), and Jack Rudolph (8.5). Head coach CJ Neely will lean on his two returners in Declan Walmsley (8.5 points per game) and Andrew Byfield, both played valuable minutes at the varsity level last year. Walmsley is the most seasoned of the group, scoring in double figures in 10 games last year, including a career-high 24 points in a win over Weston.
Both Byfield and Walmsley can score in a variety of ways, but more importantly, they are familiar with the defense-first approach the Panthers take as a program. Even with an entirely new starting lineup, and new faces coming off the bench, Neely’s high expectations for the defensive end remain the same. Franklin has ranked at or near the top of points allowed per game in every season since Neely took over and that remains the standard for the Panthers. Walmsley and Byfield can both score in a variety of ways so the Panthers will lean on them offensively, especially early, but look for Franklin to be a well-balanced offense.
“The guys have really worked hard in the offseason to improve their skills as well as their strength and conditioning and it shows on the court,” Neely said. “We have a lot of players battling each day for minutes and roles on the court which has made for very competitive practices. This is a tight group who will be fun to coach and watch grow throughout the season.”
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| FHS - 2020-2021 Boys Basketball Preview by HockomockSports.com |
"A new grant program is available for Massachusetts businesses from @MassGCC. Applications open tomorrow at noon. Find details here https://t.co/mY1d6or3gg"
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| Town of Franklin, MA: new grant program for MA businesses |
We have received several reports from residents who have received text messages stating that their "Concealed Carry" permit is ready, or today is the last day to sign up.This is a SCAM. The Franklin Police Department does not text messages like this. The full application process is available on our website at: https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/license-carry-firearms-ltc
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| Franklin Police: Notification of scam |
"The new year will be an important one for workers’ rights in Massachusetts. Here are three key pieces of legislation that will take effect in 2021. The trio is part of a large labor and wages bill passed in 2018, known as the grand bargain. Advocates say several of the measures will help workers desperately in need of relief during the pandemic. In addition, starting this year workers will be eligible for holiday pay on Juneteenth, after officials recognized it as a state holiday.
1. Paid family and medical leave
Starting next year, all employees in Massachusetts will have access to paid family and medical leave that will allow up to 12 weeks of family leave and up to 20 weeks of medical leave, with the guarantee that they would be restored to their same or equivalent positions, with the same status, pay, and employment benefits."
"One moment, Governor Charlie Baker is asking people to lobby their legislators for some relatively modest funding as the state’s well of small-business relief funds runs dry.
The next: Baker unveils $668 million for grants, in particular to help several sectors hit hard by COVID-19 such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and hair salons.
The sharp turnabout last week surprised many small-business advocates — not to mention the budget writers in the Legislature.
A Christmas miracle, or clever budgetary legerdemain on the part of Baker’s Administration & Finance team?
Maybe a bit of both."
"Baker takes stock of unprecedented pandemic"
"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S feelings about the year 2020 echoed public sentiment when he slammed his fists on a lectern at the State House Wednesday afternoon.
“As we close out 2020, finally, we’re again urging everyone if they can to stay home,” Baker said, banging both fists."
"THE HOUSE ELECTED a new speaker on Wednesday, but otherwise the two legislative branches did little of consequence and adjourned until Monday.
That leaves just Monday and Tuesday for lawmakers to take action on a slew of pending bills, some of which have been stuck in conference committee trying to resolve differences between the two branches for months."
"IN A DAY filled with ceremonial pomp – but no suspense — the Massachusetts House on Wednesday selected Quincy Democrat Ronald Mariano to be the next speaker of the House.
In his inaugural address, Mariano laid out a series of major policy goals, while reiterating the philosophy of governance that he has applied until now: a focus on achieving consensus through compromise. “In the reality of governing, we must live in the world of the possible and not make perfection the enemy of progress,” Mariano said."
Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/ronald-mariano-elected-speaker-of-the-massachusetts-house/
"The Baker-Polito Administration today provided an update on the ongoing distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. Including shipments arriving today and tomorrow, the Commonwealth expects more than 287,000 vaccine doses to arrive in the state by the end of 2020"Direct video link = https://youtu.be/HQ4Lfdh4Sl8
