Thursday, October 28, 2021

MA Senate Passes Redistricting Legislation

Today (10/27/21), the Massachusetts State Senate passed S.2560, An Act establishing senatorial districts. This bill, and the redistricting map it describes, doubles the number of majority-minority Senate districts, from three to six.

This bill divides the Commonwealth into 40 senatorial districts that will be in effect until the next redistricting cycle following the decennial census in 2030. These districts are drawn based on data from the 2020 census.

The efforts to increase majority-minority representation include the strengthening of a Black ‘ability-to-elect’ district in Boston and the creation of a Hispanic ‘ability-to-elect’ district in the Merrimack Valley, along with the creation, strengthening or preservation of four ‘opportunity-to-elect’ districts in the Chelsea area, the Brockton area, Springfield, and Boston.

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting sought broad public input, holding. 19 public hearings, including hearings in nine different languages. The Committee also held a large number of meetings with advocates and legislators and maintained a website with case law, statistics, and ultimately, draft and final maps.

“This redistricting process will ensure that everyone's voice is heard in the Massachusetts State Senate,” said Massachusetts Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). ‘By listening to residents throughout this process, we have passed a map that fairly and accurately represents the people of Massachusetts. Additionally, these districts will better reflect the diversity of people who call Massachusetts home. I'd like to thank the Joint Committee on Redistricting, the members of the Senate Committee, their staffs, my Senate colleagues, and Senate Chair William Brownsberger for his thoughtful and thorough approach to ensuring equitable representation.”

“I am deeply grateful to the New Democracy Coalition, the Drawing Democracy Coalition and the hundreds of individuals who came forward to help shape the Commonwealth’s legislative districts for the coming 10 years,” stated Senator William N. Brownsberger (D-Belmont), the Senate Chair of the Joint Redistricting Committee. “I believe that with their help we have ended up with a high-quality plan.”

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting carefully identified and sought to meet its legal obligations under the Equal Protection Clause, the Voting Rights Act, and other relevant law. It also followed traditional redistricting principals, especially emphasizing keeping municipalities whole. In a move hailed by Massachusetts municipalities, the new Senate map reduces the number of towns and cities split between two or more Senate districts from 21 to 11.

The Senate bill will now go the House of Representatives for their approval. Complete details of the Senate map can be found at malegislature.gov/redistricting

MA Senate Passes Redistricting Legislation
MA Senate Passes Redistricting Legislation

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Town Council candidate Robert Dellorco - 10/25/21 (audio)

FM #649 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 649 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with candidate for Town Council Robert Dellorco  


This is one of a series of conversations with candidates for the Franklin Election on Nov 2, 2021. I do this to provide Franklin, MA voters with accurate and timely information that they can use to cast an informed vote.  Publication of the answers or interview responses does not constitute an endorsement of this or any candidate.


We cover the candidate questions as previously developed in conjunction with the community and shared with the candidates in advance. Five of the questions are ‘general’ in nature, the sixth is specific to the role of the candidate. In this case, for the Town Council


Our conversation runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to my interview with Robert Dellorco.  Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e635b92a-3468-4c59-9df6-5bb0c5d400ec


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Candidate questions -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html 


Election Collection 2021 ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Town Council candidate Robert Dellorco
Town Council candidate Robert Dellorco

Voices of Franklin: Aaron Gouveia for candidates that support diversity

Despite seeing much lower turnout, local elections impact citizens far more than presidential contests. To that end, I implore people to pay close attention to the folks we're electing to local office in the hopes that Franklin chooses to bypass extremism and fringe candidates who represent potential harm to this community.

On Oct. 15, School Committee candidate Dashe Videira held a "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion CRT" (taken directly from her website) event that included guest speaker Rev. Steven L. Craft. Following 30 seconds of searching on Google, I found a video Rev. Craft posted on his own YouTube channel featuring him as a guest on a New Jersey television show speaking about whether or not a transgender teacher should be allowed in the classroom. He says "homosexuality in all of its forms, along with other sexual deviations, are wrong." He also goes on to say "There is child abuse here when children are being brainwashed and being taught these deviant lifestyles and making them appear normal."

It is nothing short of horrific that a School Committee candidate aligns herself with a speaker who feels gay people are "wrong" and that it's "child abuse" for students to be taught be a transgender teacher. When I followed up with Dashe directly, she confirmed that she would not allow her children (none of whom attend Franklin Public Schools) to be instructed by a transgender teacher specifically because they are trans. She cited her faith as the determining factor in this decision.

Then, a week later, I read the opening statements of the School Committee candidates who couldn't be present at a candidates night. Four of them introduced themselves, stated why they wanted to run for office, and identified important issues and potential solutions. Dashe Videira's statement, however, was singularly focused on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and why this classic should not be read by Franklin High School students. Because apparently the issue she felt to be of the highest priority is potentially banning a book by an African-American, Nobel Prize winning author.

Please do not vote for anyone who holds these archaic and damaging views regarding transgender people and whose priority is banning books instead of expanding the world view of our kids. There are gay students in Franklin. There are trans students in Franklin. There is even a trans School Committee candidate. I can't imagine how terrible it must feel for these folks to hear that a School Committee candidate thinks they are potentially harmful just because of who they are or how they identify. Or to know someone could soon hold office who would actively limit exposure to books that share the lived experiences of marginalized authors.

Unfortunately she is not the only one in this boat. Town Councilor Andrew Bissanti is up for reelection and was captured in a Milford Daily News photograph holding a sign this summer at a rally in Medway that read "Screw your critical race theory: Stop teaching racism and woke liberal politics in our schools."

First of all, Critical Race Theory (CRT) is something graduate students learn but it is not taught in our schools and there is no plan to do so. Which means Bissanti is opposed to something that isn't even happening in our schools. But more importantly, a sitting Town Councilor holding a sign that says "Screw CRT" and demeaning good faith efforts to examine how race and racism influence our laws, policies, and practices by terming them "woke liberal politics" is a monumental red flag. As is insinuating our hard-working teachers are in any way teaching racism in school. He told the paper "Parents don't want their children viewing the world through the lens of racism." But Bissanti certainly doesn't speak for all Franklin parents and I wonder if he thought about our non-white families who have no choice but to see racism on a daily basis when he made that statement.

This is not about condemning religious beliefs and this transcends left vs right or liberal vs conservative. People are free to worship however they choose and hold whatever views they want, but there's a different standard when that person's religious views and beliefs are going to be injected into policy that affects every child who attends public school in Franklin. And bigotry cloaked in religion is still bigotry.

Please don't vote for extremism and intolerance on Nov. 2 or for people who openly admit they won't separate church and state. Franklin deserves better than that because our community IS better than that. Thankfully we have a robust slate of diverse and qualified candidates, and I hope voters choose people who don't condone prejudice or align themselves with extremism.

Aaron Gouveia
Franklin Resident


To add your voice to the discussion, please follow the guidelines

Voices of Franklin: Aaron Gouveia for candidates that support diversity
Voices of Franklin: Aaron Gouveia for candidates that support diversity

What happened at the Franklin School Committee meeting? (video)

What just happened?

That is a very good question. Settle in to watch the YouTube video of the Franklin School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Oct 26, 2021 to determine for yourself.

Alan Earl's Franklin Observer reports on the first part of the meeting here:
https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/47376/what-just-happened?

My Twitter thread captured during the meeting can be found here

My notes are scheduled to be summarized Thursday and the audio will be available Friday. In the meantime, this YouTube link has the video ->   https://youtu.be/5xitDgZEHMw  Thanks Kyle Thompson!



What happened at the Franklin School Committee meeting? (video)
What happened at the Franklin School Committee meeting? (video)


FHS volleyball tops Milford 3-0 on Tuesday

Via @HockomockSports, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Tuesday, Oct 26, 2021  

Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 
– Franklin took care of business against visiting Milford, setting up a league title showdown with King Philip on Thursday. The Panthers won three straight (25-17, 25-20, 25-12) to sweep the Hawks. Taylor Lacerda had a strong showing with eight kills, five digs, and four aces. Franklin will host KP on Thursday and have a chance to earn a share of the division title with a win.


For other results around the Hockomock League

FHS volleyball tops Milford 3-0 on Tuesday
FHS volleyball tops Milford 3-0 on Tuesday


Lifelong Learning: Kids' Corner Cooking Classes - Registration open


Where fun and learning meet!
Kids' Cooking Classes
4-week session
Classes Start Nov. 17
All classes are at Franklin High School
Cut, chop, stir, and mix your way to a delicious dish. Students develop their skills: cutting, chopping, stirring, mixing, and teamwork! Each child works in partnership with another student to create a delicious dish. 
4 Wednesdays, starting November 17

$100/student

Grades 3-5.......4:30pm - 5:30pm
Grades 6-8.......5:45pm - 6:45pm

Kids' Corner aprons available - $11.99
For more class options & additional details: Click here


FPS- Lifelong Community Learning | 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Sent by lcl@franklinps.net powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.


SAFE Coalition starts a diaper bank

"DIAPER BANK IS IN FULL SWING!

Currently accepting donations of diapers and wipes in ALL sizes

Looking to utilize the diaper bank? Feel free to complete this form and we can set up a time for pick-up or delivery!"

Shared from Facebook -> 

Halloween Doggie Costume Contest - Oct 31

Halloween Costume Contest is this Sunday October 31st at 11am at the Franklin Dog Park Dacey Community Field, 700 Lincoln St. Franklin, MA.

Registration fee is a donation. Also have your pet picture taken for $5.00. Categories are Cutest, Funniest and Scariest.  

There will be awards and prizes to the winners. We have gift certificates from local pet stores, special awards, treats and toys. 

There will be free doggie ice cream given out from Pet Supplies Plus famous dog chef Gino will be giving out free dog biscuits while supplies last. 

Bring your Furry Friend's and enjoy the day.    
"RAIN DATE" is November 7th, same time and location.

Thank you,                                                                                                      

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee 

Halloween Doggie Costume Contest - Oct 31
Halloween Doggie Costume Contest - Oct 31


Franklin Police cancel Halloween event in advance of inclement weather this weekend

Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) tweeted Tue, Oct 26, 2021:

***EVENT CANCELLED***

Due to inclement weather this weekend, our annual Halloween Party is cancelled and will not be postponed at this time. We're sorry for the unfortunate news and hope to see everyone next year!
 

Shared from Twitter:  https://t.co/enUwpkrfRQ

Franklin Police cancel Halloween event in advance of inclement weather this weekend
Franklin Police cancel Halloween event in advance of inclement weather this weekend


Sen. Becca Rausch reminder on DPH vaccination rates released weekly

Sen. Becca Rausch (@Becca_Rausch) tweeted  Mon, Oct 25, 2021:
#DidYouKnow @MassDPH issues weekly #vaccination rates by town/city? 
It's true. Every Thursday.  Download here: https://t.co/h1hnSpvxky 
Here are the overall rates in communities in my current district & those that will come into the district in 2023.
#MApoli #COVID19 #transparency https://t.co/OLblEeRaOb
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/Becca_Rausch/status/1452664558506631179

Sen. Becca Rausch reminder on DPH vaccination rates released weekly
Sen. Becca Rausch reminder on DPH vaccination rates released weekly


Tuesday, October 26, 2021

school mask mandate is extended through "at least January 15, 2022"

MASC-SchoolCommittee (@MASCSchoolComm) tweeted Tue, Oct 26, 2021:
Commissioner Riley has announced that the state #MAEdu school mask mandate is extended through "at least January 15, 2022." 
Please see attached documents for more information. https://t.co/2TC9w7Mp93

Today, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced that after consulting with medical experts and state health officials, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley notified school districts in the Commonwealth that he will extend the mask requirement in all K-12 public schools through at least January 15, 2022.
 
The Department, in collaboration with medical experts and state health officials, will continue to evaluate and consider other criteria that could be used in the future to lift the mask requirement based on public health data.
 
“Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccination rates for adults and eligible children, and in anticipation of the vaccine becoming available in the coming weeks for children ages 5 to 11 years old, this extension of the mask requirement will allow time for the elementary school population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “This will be another big step forward in our efforts to keep school safe for our kids.”
 
“Masks remain a simple and effective measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep students in school safely,” said Commissioner Riley. “Together with the Test and Stay program, high vaccination rates, low transmission rates in schools and all the hard work in keeping our students safe, our kids are able to stay in school where they belong and can flourish.”
 
School officials will continue to be able to lift the mask requirement if they can demonstrate that at least 80 percent of all students and staff in a school building are vaccinated after submitting documentation to DESE. Lifting the mask mandate through the vaccination threshold is a local decision made by school and district leaders if they choose to take advantage it.
 
The following mask requirements will remain in effect:
  • Public school students ages 5 and older in all grades and staff are required to wear masks indoors in schools, except when eating, drinking or during mask breaks
  • All visitors are also expected to wear a mask in school buildings, regardless of vaccination status
  • Masks are not required outdoors
  • It is strongly recommended that students younger than 5 also wear a mask in school
  • Students and staff who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, and students who cannot wear a mask for behavioral reasons are exempted from this requirement
All districts are required this school year to provide in-person learning to all students. Since the start of the year, approximately 920,000 public school students have been learning in schools with minimal disruptions. In addition to masking, this progress has been possible thanks to school communities working together to participate in the state’s COVID-19 testing program, combined with high vaccination rates among eligible populations.
 
Massachusetts has become a national model for surveillance and rapid testing in schools. More than 2,200 public and private schools have opted into either one or multiple forms of testing that the state is providing free to all schools. DESE and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services launched a groundbreaking Test and Stay program for students identified as close contacts in school, allowing students to be tested daily and remain in class if they test negative. This innovative approach has saved students across the Commonwealth more than 48,000 days of in-person learning this school year.
 
In August, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gave the commissioner the authority to require masks for public school staff and students (ages 5 and above) in all grades through at least October 1, 2021. The commissioner said he would revise the requirement as warranted by public health data.


Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1453047563679113221?t=M3ibA_AbhgZE472tEIjmDw&s=03

school mask mandate is extended through "at least January 15, 2022"
school mask mandate is extended through "at least January 15, 2022" 


Candidate Forum video available on demand - 10/21/21

The video of the Candidate Forum held Thursday, Oct 21, 2021 is now available on demand at Franklin TV

Video link -> https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=8fe93842-cfb5-48ab-9692-e99c182eea7f

This link will also lead you to the other candidate videos available to play on demand =>  https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod


Town Councilor Brian Chandler makes a point during Forum
Town Councilor Brian Chandler makes a point during Forum



Little Free Library built by Girls Scouts

Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) tweeted Mon, Oct 25, 2021:
"Joined Girl Scouts from Troop 62394 who are spreading the gift of knowledge through the construction of a Little Free Library at the Oak Street and Horace Mann Schools complex (Charter #127996 in the https://t.co/4O5pueGqCA network). 
Amazing work and their second library in town! https://t.co/oovgX1V2fF"

https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1452587716684795908?t=zesqbgjXaiXe6A-rt2Z_Pg&s=03

Little Free Library built by Girls Scouts
Little Free Library built by Girls Scouts



FHS girls soccer post win, boys soccer post a tie on Monday

Via @HockomockSports and the Boston Globe, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Monday, Oct 25, 2021  

Boys Soccer = Franklin, 1 @ Milford, 1 – Final
"Sitting at 499 career wins, Franklin boys’ soccer coach Fran Bositis will have to wait at least one more game to reach the 500-win milestone. 
Franklin tied host Milford, 1-1, Monday under the lights in a Hockomock League battle filled with physical play in a playoff-type atmosphere. 
Bositis, who has coached the Panthers for 51 years, will get another crack at No. 500 Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the regular-season finale at King Philip. He isn’t too stressed about accomplishing the feat."
Continue reading the article in the Boston Globe (Subscription maybe required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/25/sports/milford-boys-soccer-battles-1-1-draw-denies-franklin-coach-fran-bositis-his-500th-win/


Girls Soccer = Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final 
– With the win, and KP’s draw against Attleboro, Franklin clinched the outright Kelley-Rex title. Anna Grasso scored twice to lead the Panthers on senior night. Riley Fitzpatrick and Anya Zub each had a goal and assist, while Stella Regan and Emily Reilly each had assists for the Panthers.

For other results around the Hockomock League

Franklin coach Fran Bositis took in stride his team's 1-1 draw with Milford on Monday -- even if it denied him a chance to record his 500th career win. "If it's God's will, it will be done,'' Bositis said afterward.BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF
Franklin coach Fran Bositis took in stride his team's 1-1 draw with Milford on Monday -- even if it denied him a chance to record his 500th career win. "If it's God's will, it will be done,'' Bositis said afterward.BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF


Student Spotlight: FHS junior, Amal Alkhalaf

Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted Mon, Oct 25, 2021:
Student Spotlight: FHS junior, Amal Alkhalaf, shares her story about living through the war in Syria. @FHSPantherbook https://t.co/Taa2GY3kC0
Student Spotlight: Amal Alkhalaf
Student Spotlight: Amal Alkhalaf


Climate Action in Boston, Friday, October 29

Greetings from the Greater Franklin Node of 350 Mass.  We are notifying climate activists and concerned citizens about an action in Boston, this Friday afternoon, October 29th. We encourage you to attend if possible.
 
Across the country, leading climate justice groups are teaming up to target financial institutions that are funding the fossil fuel industry. A key organizer is the Youth Climate Finance Alliance.  Young people are rising up across the world to demand an immediate end to the funding of fossil fuel expansion. As they say on their website, "We're calling out greenwashed climate commitments, uplifting frontline fights, and demanding an end to the harm. If we can stop the flow of money, we can stop the flow of oil."
 
The day of action for a Fossil Free Future includes a protest in Boston targeting Chase Bank. Here are the details: 
  • Start time: 3:45 pm, near Liberty Mutual, 157 Berkeley St Boston.
  • Rally with youth and indigenous speakers.
  • March to Chase - Downtown Crossing (arriving 4:30-4:45).
  • Bank action led by youth.
  • Action complete by 5:30.
Register  here for the Boston event.
 
Thank you for participating, considering it, and spreading the word.
 
Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c)

Climate Action in Boston, Friday, October 29
Climate Action in Boston, Friday, October 29


Franklin Athletics: FYI - high school playoff tickets will be digital only

FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) tweeted  Mon, Oct 25, 2021:
Panther Fans: Beginning with the round of 16 for ALL MIAA Playoffs, ticket sales will be online via GoFan. Digital tickets only!!! Be sure to download the GoFan App in the App Store or  https://t.co/1k19miTbHe
Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1452638843425992717?t=hOwxD6D-Uv9c9VojQP_H7g&s=03


FYI - high school playoff tickets will be digital only
FYI - high school playoff tickets will be digital only 

"Natural gas leaks in Boston are vastly underreported"


"Six times more natural gas is leaking into the skies of Boston than is officially reported, new research shows. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also suggests that gas could be escaping not only from distribution pipelines but from inside businesses and homes as well — a finding that some say may be overstated.

Natural gas is made up primarily of methane, which — when released directly into the atmosphere instead of being burned first — has more than 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.

The study monitored natural gas methane emissions in the Boston area between 2012 and 2020. It found that an average of 49,000 tons of methane leaked into the air each year. That amounts to an estimated 2.5 percent of all gas delivered to the metro area and is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of roughly a quarter-million cars operating for a year."
Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required) 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/10/25/methane-leaks-natural-gas-boston/


Crews replaced old underground gas pipes along Summit Avenue. The pipes were leaking and killing trees, adversely affecting health, and contributing to climate change.MARK LORENZ FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE/FILE
Crews replaced old underground gas pipes along Summit Avenue. The pipes were leaking and killing trees, adversely affecting health, and contributing to climate change.MARK LORENZ FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE/FILE