"Prosecutors said when one witness yelled for the mother of DeAndre Scott's child to call 911, Marcus Thibodeau, 26, left the living room and said, "What was I supposed to do, he came at me."Read the full article via @milforddaily at https://t.co/prRv3xdEaC
Friday, January 22, 2021
Milford Daily News: "Man indicted in fatal Franklin shooting pleads not guilty"
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Franklin Resident Awarded the Carol A. Pizzi Scholarship
Declan Lynch, a recent graduate of Franklin High School, has been awarded the Carol A. Pizzi Scholarship by the Franklin Democratic Town Committee.
An Eagle Scout from Franklin, Declan and members of his troop recently completed a registry for Franklin’s Union Street Cemetery. He logged in more than 170 hours to make this project possible. Declan is also an active member of the Best Buddy program and has competed in many Special Olympic events. He now proudly serves on the Best Buddy board.
“To go from being coached in the pool to coaching younger children with disabilities is pretty cool. And to be able to represent kids with learning disabilities on the Best Buddies Board is quite an honor.”- Declan Lynch
Declan also volunteers his time every Friday at the Magnolia Heights Retirement Community where he plays games with the residents and enjoys bringing smiles to their faces.
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| Declan Lynch |
“Declan’s character, commitment to success, determination in spite of challenges, and tremendously positive approach to all things will make him a success wherever he may go.”- D. Soulard, Guidance Counselor at Franklin High School
The Carol A. Pizzi scholarship is named after beloved Franklin resident Carol A. (O’Connor) Pizzi who passed away in 2010. Carol was a real estate agent in town and a passionate member of the town’s Democratic committee. If you would like to learn more and/or contribute to this scholarship fund, please visit www.franklindemocrats.com.
Rotary Club of Franklin MA - "Say it with Art" A Valentines Date Night & Virtual Art Auction!
Good Afternoon,
I am writing to you today to share our upcoming fundraiser flyer with you and ask that you kindly share it via email and other, with everyone you know and encourage them to check it out! This is our very first virtual event, so this means anyone from around the globe can participate. All purchased art is framed and will be shipped to the home address, FREE within the U.S.!
In addition, we encourage folks to support local businesses by pre-ordering their custom Valentine Date Basket by February 5th for only $50. Each basket will include: A personalized Valentine, Wine or Bubbles; Chocolates & Cheeses all sourced & delivered locally by February 12. Just in time to enjoy it along with the live simulcast Virtual Art Auction that will start promptly at 8 PM EST!
Due to Covid-19, our Rotary Club of Franklin MA has struggled to provide our annual awards and community service projects. This event will support the our Rotary Club scholarship and leadership awards, as well as, the many service projects for the elderly and underserved in our area planned for 2021.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly and I thank you in advance for your support!
Diane M. Padula
Rotary Club of Franklin MA, Fundraiser Chair
508-284-9598
- Pre-order baskets by Feb 5
Support local businesses by pre-ordering our custom Valentine Date Basket by February 5th for only $50.
Each
basket will include: A personalized Valentine, Wine or Bubbles;
Chocolates & Cheeses all sourced & delivered locally by February
12.
Purchase through this link = https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3689/Event/say-it-with-art
- Virtual Live Auction - Feb 12 - 8 PM
Pre-register, PreBid and Preview: Wed., February 10 @ 10 AM, EST, Thru Fri, February 12th
Live Simulcast Auction w/ Auctioneer, February 12 @ 8 PM EST
Just in time to enjoy it along with the live simulcast Virtual Art Auction that will start promptly at 8pm EST! Just login to https://bid.marlinart.com/.
 |
| "Say it with Art" A Valentines Date Night & Virtual Art Auction! |
FHS boys hockey tops Taunton at Senior Night on Wednesday
From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:
Boys Hockey = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 13 – Final
– Franklin’s Ben Jarosz recorded a hat trick as the Panthers took a win at home over Taunton. Sean Connelly, Dylan Marchand, and Matt Gates each scored twice in the win.
For other results around the Hockomock League
Ben's Guide to Social Distancing
Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Wed, Jan 20, 2021:
"Please remember to keep your distance from others when out and about. Oh, and let's be kind too! #DoYourPartFranklin #BenKnows #KeepSpace #SocialDistancing #6FeetPlease https://t.co/zE5T6wBWdH"
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1351886952971309056
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| Ben's Guide to social distancing |
"to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside"
If you were taken by Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem "The Hill We Climb" on Wednesday, you can view the audio and read the text. The turns of phrase are impressive and memorable.
View the video and text:
CommonWealth Magazine: recent MA gaming revenue promising; questionable inaction on foreign trained medical Drs; Inauguration brings changes to MA immigrant status
"LAST WEEK’S REVENUE REPORT from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission suggested the state’s casinos are doing pretty well, given the many restrictions imposed by COVID-19.
Monthly slot revenues for the Commonwealth’s two category 2 casinos showed modest increases, with Encore Boston Harbor posting a 3.9 percent increase over November’s numbers, and MGM Springfield showing a 9.51 percent increase. Plainridge Park, the state’s lone slots-only facility, reported a 20.77 percent increase in monthly slot revenue."
Continue reading the article online
"IN EARLY APRIL, amid the first COVID-19 surge and an emerging shortage of health care workers, Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order allowing foreign-trained medical doctors to gain full licensure here in Massachusetts.
This came after a slew of legislators and immigration advocates appealed to his administration to utilize that workforce. At the end of July, when cases of COVID-19 were ebbing, Baker rescinded the order, a move that allowed those who received their license during the previous three months to continue practicing but barred any new applications.
Now, with cases rising fast and the state once again facing a shortage of health care workers, the Baker administration has gone strangely silent on why the program isn’t being resuscitated and even expanded beyond doctors."
Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/baker-goes-silent-on-foreign-trained-docs/
"HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Massachusetts immigrants could be impacted by President Biden’s immigration overhaul, which includes a massive bill sent to Congress on Wednesday that was accompanied by a series of executive orders.
Those orders, signed after Biden assumed the presidency, will reverse Trump-era travel bans that focused primarily on immigrants from Muslim countries. Another executive order allows young immigrants brought into the country without authorization to once again apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, which former president Trump suspended in 2017. A third will reverse a memo signed into law by Trump in 2020 that excluded undocumented immigrants from Census counts. "
Continue reading the article online
FM #440 Justin Bates - Empowering Candidates 01/13/21 (audio)
FM #440 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 440 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Justin Bates, one of the leaders of the Franklin Area Against Racism (FAAR) Group. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 20 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Justin.
Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVt0bVZS
--------------
INFORMATIONAL MEETING: SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 @ 3:00 PM
Follow the Facebook event for the connection info
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2587147061543240/permalink/2776472175944060/
-------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
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/
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!
------------------
You
can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or
your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
 |
| FM #440 Justin Bates - Empowering Candidates 01/13/21 (audio) |
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Project Envoy: eat out/take out, help out
When times are tough, folks get together to help out.
Many folks will recognize the Franklin Interfaith Council as the collective of our local houses of worship. Members representing many of the church communities formed a Food Security Team.
The question was: "How to help the Franklin Food Pantry and the local restaurants both of which are being challenged by this pandemic?"
Project Envoy was conceived.
Project Envoy will advertise participation for specials at the participating restaurants. Folks can eat out or take out. A portion of the meal will help the Franklin Food Pantry for a win-win.
The Franklin Food Pantry will maintain a web page with the participating restaurants and specials.
Members of the newly formed Franklin Interfaith Food Security Team have contacted all locally owned restaurants and establishments in Franklin.
At the moment, Project Envoy has 8 confirmed restaurants enrolled, there are conversations with others underway.
Project Envoy is expected to formally launch on February 1. You don't need to wait until then. You can eat out/take out and help out now.
The 8 confirmed restaurants are: Dacey's Market, Franklin Pizza and Deli, Santa Fe, Rome, Acapulco, Franklin Central Pizza; George's Pizza; and Intermission Cafe
The Food Security Team members represent: St. Mary’s Parish, St. John’s Episcopal, Temple Etz Chaim, the First Universalist Society in Franklin, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, and the Franklin Federated Church.
 |
| Project Envoy: eat out/take out, help out |
Franklin Matters Q & A - virtual session - Thursday, Jan 21
Franklin Matters Q & A with Steve Sherlock is scheduled for Thursday Jan. 21st at 1 PM
You can get a preview of my Franklin "watch list" for 2021. You can also ask questions. I'll either have the answer, or get it for you.
Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend
 |
| Franklin Matters Q & A - virtual session - Thursday, Jan 21 |
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday January 21, 7:00 PM
Hello to our members and supporters. The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, January 7th, at 7:00 pm. Here are the the Zoom details, and a preview of the meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86301333214?pwd=ZThLbEN4Ny9BOXBCdkgySlowYVFaQT09
Meeting ID: 863 0133 3214
Passcode: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 863 0133 3214
Passcode: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923
There's no need to RSVP, and we'll send a reminder on Thursday.
This week we will devote much of the meeting to consider proposals for the 2021-2022 350 Mass Campaign. The Statewide Steering Team has collected proposals from throughout the organization, and all the Nodes are now weighing in.
There are 13 proposals that we will review and rank. On the attached document you will find a form listing the proposals and providing links for more background (i.e., a video of a meeting at which the proposals were presented, the agenda from that meeting with links to descriptions of the proposals, and a file with short summaries of each).
You are welcome to give us your input on the proposals. You may join the meeting on Thursday, or—if you are unable to attend—you can spend some time before Thursday evening to review the proposals and fill out the form and return it to ralph.halpern@comcast.net.
Whether you've been active in the past or not, we are happy to include you in this important planning and our upcoming projects.
On another matter, we and our allies in the climate movement are very disappointed that Governor Baker chose to veto the Next Generation Roadmap Climate Bill, a bill that thousands of Massachusetts residents like you worked relentlessly to see passed into law. The Governor's excuses are misleading and disingenuous. Please read this article with our response.
Thankfully, all is not lost, as the House and Senate leadership have refiled this landmark legislation, promising to return it to the governor with enough votes to override a veto if it comes.
Action step: We must call, email and tweet at our representatives and state senators, urging them to resubmit the bill as is. Share this op-ed in CommonWealth Magazine and use the hashtag #VetoProofClimateBill to call on our legislators to support the bill once again.
Thanks for your participation and support.
Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern
MIAA indoor track modifications for Fall II in process of approval
"In a virtual meeting Tuesday, the MIAA’s Cross Country & Track Committee unanimously approved modifications for the upcoming Fall II indoor season, scheduled to begin on Feb. 22.The modifications must be approved by the MIAA’s Sports Medicine Committee, the COVID-19 Task Force, and the Board of Directors. Committee chair Pete Rittenburg, the athletic director at Brookline High, expects all three groups to approve the modifications by Friday, but the committee noted that finding facilities to host indoor track events would be difficult."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The MIAA Track and Cross Country Committee unanimously agreed Tuesday to modifications for the Fall 2 and Spring seasons to send to the Sports Medicine Committee for approval.Where some of those Fall 2 indoor track modifications will be implemented remains to be seen.The Reggie Lewis Center expects to be closed for the duration of the academic year due to the pandemic. Boston University also said its facilities would not be available, as is the case with several other venues in the state.Wheaton College scheduled four events this month for the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association, but told the MIAA that once students were back on campus next month, their facility would shut down.
Continue reading the article online
Can you identify signs of labor trafficking?
Mass. Municipal Assn (@massmunicipal) tweeted on Tue, Jan 19, 2021:
.@MassAGO @maura_healey's office launches new training video & digital toolkit to help people identify signs of labor trafficking & generate referrals to her office for potential investigation & prosecution.
MMA article to provide context for the new awareness campaign https://t.co/dMFDXPzpZx
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/massmunicipal/status/1351536119083528196
Video link = https://youtu.be/jKXNa824N9I
Video link = https://youtu.be/jKXNa824N9I
Washington Post: "8 facts about the coronavirus to combat common misinformation"
"Living through a pandemic in the Internet age means misinformation can sometimes spread more rapidly than facts.Faced with a deluge of claims about the coronavirus and the illness it causes, covid-19, you may be wondering whether gargling with saltwater is a cure or if the pathogen was man-made in a Chinese laboratory. (Spoiler: Saltwater doesn’t work, and scientists believe the virus occurs in nature.)To help you out, we rounded up eight facts about the coronavirus to keep in mind if you see claims to the contrary."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Boston Globe: "Kids in need of remedial support already were vulnerable before the pandemic"
"Maureen Ronayne thought 2020 would be the year when, at long last, her 10-year-old son Daniel would learn to read at grade level. She and her husband had spent six years fighting to get Daniel, who is dyslexic, the supports he needed from the Medford public schools. Those included a spot at the school with the most reading support, a separate class at the school dedicated to reading remediation, and a private tutor funded partially by the district.“He was definitely showing progress,” says his mother, who also has dyslexia, a disability that hinders a person’s ability to read words correctly and efficiently. The fourth-grader had made steady gains in the Wilson Reading System, a curriculum designed for students with reading difficulties, rising from 2.5 in the fall of 2019 to 3.2 last March. (The system has 12 steps designed to help struggling readers become able ones.)"
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Boston Globe: "a glimmer of hope for opponents to the Weymouth gas compressor"
David Abel (@davabel) tweeted on Tue, Jan 19, 2021:
"After years of protests, a glimmer of hope for opponents to the Weymouth gas compressor https://t.co/DWe9KVmz44 via @BostonGlobe"
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/davabel/status/1351704672403394561
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| The Weymouth Compressor StationJOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF |
Franklin Public Schools: Policy Subcommittee Meeting - Jan 21, 2021
Policy Subcommittee Meeting
1/21/2021 = 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)
I. Electronic Distribution of Approved Policies
1. GA - Personnel Policy Goals
2. GBA - Equal Employment Opportunity
3. Policy Distribution Folder
II. Discussion of Policies sent to School Committee
A. None
III. Policy Revisions & New Policies - New Discussion Item
A. Policy BEDB - Order of Business
B. FPS Travel Policy
C. Continued Review of F Policies
 |
| Franklin Public Schools: Policy Sub Committee Meeting - Jan 21, 2021 |
BFCCPS: Applications for 2021-2022 school year open and information session videos available
"In a traditional year, BFCCPS hosts information sessions so that interested families can meet us in person, learn more about the school and have a building tour. As a result of the continuing health crisis, in person meetings will not be possible this year so we’ve adjusted our plans accordingly.This year, we have arranged for videos featuring our staff, parents, teachers and even a BFCCPS alumna to help you learn more about the BFCCPS Experience. While these videos can’t truly replicate our traditional face to face events we hope that our enthusiasm for the school is evident.A virtual Question and Answer Session will be held in January 2021. Please stay tuned for details and registration. If you would like to watch all the videos in sequence, you can visit this YouTube playlist otherwise, you can watch selected videos below. "
Video link = https://youtu.be/FdtGxn5AKS4
Application available = http://bfccps.org/about/enrollment/?doing_wp_cron=1611099577.2429950237274169921875
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