Senate President Spilka: From the Bottom of my Heart - Thank You

Dear Friend, As 2021 draws to a close, my heart is filled with gratitude. To everyone who has supported the work of the Massachusetts State Senate and me personally, I just want to say: thank you. Like so many of you, my 2021 was filled with ups and downs. I have been incredibly proud of the work the Massachusetts State Senate has done this year to continue to address the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including seeing a $4 billion economic recovery package signed into law, as well as passing a comprehensive bill to reform mental health care delivery in Massachusetts. But I have also had my share of struggles, including being diagnosed by my doctors as having had a mild stroke in November. I am feeling stronger every day, and my doctors expect a full recovery within a matter of weeks. As I reflect on this experience, I am so very grateful to the medical professionals I worked with for their assistance, especially as many have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to care for those with COVID-19. I am also grateful to everyone who has reached out to support me in my recovery. Because of your support, I am energized by the work ahead. We have important work to do on mental health care, childcare, our climate and much more. I look forward to working with all of you on the issues that matter most to the residents of our Commonwealth. As we move into a new year, I wish you and yours a very happy and healthy 2022! Warm regards, Sharing Awareness About Stroke In mid-November, I experienced what my doctors diagnosed as a mild stroke. I shared my story in a televised interview because I wanted people to see firsthand that I'm doing well. I also feel it would be a missed opportunity not to speak up. I hope that by telling my story, I can help raise awareness about those who have survived and thrived after experiencing stroke, and encourage those who are experiencing symptoms to seek help immediately. Watch my televised interview with Alison King of NBC Boston here. Political Harmony in Massachusetts I had a lot of fun joining in Alison King's annual tradition, 'Political Harmony' to join my colleagues and partners in government in singing "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town." Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful tradition. Watch this holiday video here. Wishing you Happy Holidays! Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2022! karenspilka.com

Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Boston Globe: "Massachusetts jobless fund is $115 million in the red"

"After months of delay, the Baker administration chose New Year’s Eve to deliver the news: The state fund that pays jobless benefits has a deficit of about $115 million.

Trying to bury bad news just before the weekend or a holiday is standard PR practice for companies and politicians alike. But you know what? Governor Charlie Baker’s team chose a sleepy Friday and last day of the year to release news that is . . . not too bad.

It’s no surprise the Massachusetts unemployment insurance trust fund is in the red after the state paid out a total of $22 billion in jobless benefits in 2020 and $11.8 billion in 2021. In 2019, payments ran about $1.6 billion."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/31/business/massachusetts-jobless-fund-is-115-million-red/

The administration of Governor Charlie Baker hasn't provided a timetable or amount for a potential sale of bonds to help replenish the state's unemployment insurance trust fund. JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF

"virus traces in the waste water have risen extremely fast over the last three weeks"

"Levels of coronavirus detected in Boston-area waste water have reached new highs, with seven-day averages that shatter previous record-breaking levels.

On Dec. 29, the seven-day average of virus traces in the waste water in the southern sample of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s territory was 8,164 RNA copies/mL. That’s up from 2,574 RNA copies/mL on Dec. 23, meaning the average has more than tripled in the last six days.

Waste-water testing serves as an early warning sign for a COVID-19 surge. Cambridge-based Biobot Analytics, which tests the waste water coming into MWRA’s Deer Island treatment plant, has said it has found the amount of virus in the waste water is correlated with newly diagnosed coronavirus cases four to 10 days later."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/31/nation/coronavirus-detected-boston-area-waste-water-reaches-startling-new-highs/

Test results from MWRA’s pilot study to track waste water at the Deer Island treatment plant for indicators of COVID-19 infection.MASSACHUSETTS WATER RESOURCES AUTHORITY

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Saturday, Jan 1, 2022

• wfpr.fm = Saturday or 102.9 on the FM dial

9:00 AM = “Franklin Matters Radio”

10:00 AM = “Frank’s Music with Frank Falvey” 

11:00 AM = “Music to Lift the Spirit “

12:00 PM = “SAFE Radio” 

1:00 PM = “The Wonderful World of Wine” 

2:00 PM = “ Chapters” 

3:00 PM  = “Franklin Matters Radio”

4:00 PM = “Senior Story Hour “

5:00 PM = “Talkin’ the Blues”  

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = SATURDAY

7:30 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Fire Safety
8:00 am Veterans' Call: Matt Ching Pt. 1
9:00 am Cooking Thyme: Candy Apples
9:30 am Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
10:00 am Once Upon A Town: Ray Block
10:30 am Santa on the Common 2021
11:30 am FHS Varsity Swimming: v Mansfield 12-16-21
1:30 pm FHS Fall Art Show 2021
2:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Canton 12-14-21
4:00 pm The Drummers Studio: 11th Anniversary Show One
5:30 pm Ben Gardner's Boat
8:30 pm Senior Connection: Cookies
9:30 pm Circle of Friends: Freebo, Alice Howe & Kirsten Maxwell

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

8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Canton 12-14-21
10:00 am FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v St. John's Shrewsbury 12-20-21
1:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Attleboro 12-17-21
3:05 pm SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports
4:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Mansfield 12-16-21
7:30 pm It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan
8:30 pm ArtWeek: FHS Jazz & Kenny Hadley Band
8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Canton 12-14-21
10:00 am FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v St. John's Shrewsbury 12-20-21
1:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Attleboro 12-17-21
3:05 pm SAFE Coalition: Youth Sports
4:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Mansfield 12-16-21
7:30 pm It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan
8:30 pm ArtWeek: FHS Jazz & Kenny Hadley Band

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)

Curbside Program Update - Anticipated delays in pickup today, to be carried over to pick up on Monday

31 December 2021

The Franklin DPW has been working with Waste Management throughout the pandemic to minimize disruption to the solid waste/single stream recycling curbside program. However, this week, Waste Management's collection team has been impacted by a severe increase in COVID related absences. At this time, it appears that 2-3 hours of Franklin's trash service will be left incomplete this week. Routes that are not completed today will resume on Monday. A map of the affected areas will be posted at the end of the day.

In the midst of the holiday season, the DPW and the Waste Management team are keenly aware of the unfortunate timing of this delay. It is always our goal to stay on track, and to ensure collection for trash and recycling occurs as scheduled. However, it must be noted that collection delays may occur from time-to-time, over the course of the next several weeks.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this causes to the residents of Franklin. Rest assured that we are working all the angles to ensure each route is collected on its scheduled collection day.

Stay safe. -- Derek Adams Town of Franklin Department of Public Works Environmental Affairs

For more about the curbside pickup program visit their page

https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/pages/curbside-pick

Updated with the maps of the areas affected (shared from Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDPW/posts/4869870146430750

A map of the affected areas will be posted at the end of the day 1

A map of the affected areas will be posted at the end of the day 2

Anticipated delays in pickup today, to be carried over to pick up on Monday

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 31, 2021 to Jan 6, 2022

This is your Community Calendar.  As we close out 2021 and open 2022, a few reminders. 

1 - This Community calendar displays both the community and Cultural events

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events  https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

2 - The Town of Franklin calendar displays the official town committee and board meetings  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

3 - School meetings and events are found on the School district calendar (and in many cases on the calendars of individual schools).

https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

4 - Action: To submit a community or cultural event, please use this form:

https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

Friday, December 31
Day off for New Year's Day
New Year's Eve
6:00pm - Light up Franklin!

Saturday, January 1, 2022

New Year's Day
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)

Sunday, January 2, 2022
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

"May this be the day We come together"

A poem? In Franklin Matters? Why? 

Sometimes the poet has the words to say what needs to be said. In this case, the new work by Amanda Gorman fits the need so very well.  

‘New Day's Lyric’ by Amanda Gorman

May this be the day

We come together.

Mourning, we come to mend, 

Withered, we come to weather,

Torn, we come to tend,

Battered, we come to better. 

Tethered by this year of yearning,

We are learning

That though we weren't ready for this, 

We have been readied by it.

Steadily we vow that no matter

How we are weighed down,

We must always pave a way forward.

This hope is our door, our portal.

Even if we never get back to normal, 

Someday we can venture beyond it,

To leave the known and take the first steps. 

So let us not return to what was normal, 

But reach toward what is next.

What was cursed, we will cure.

What was plagued, we will prove pure.

Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,

Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee, 

Where we weren't aware, we're now awake;

Those moments we missed

Are now these moments we make,

The moments we meet,

And our hearts, once all together beaten,

Now all together beat.

Come, look up with kindness yet,

For even solace can be sourced from sorrow. 

We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday, 

But to take on tomorrow.

We heed this old spirit,

In a new day's lyric,

In our hearts, we hear it:

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne.

Be bold, sang Time this year, 

Be bold, sang Time,

For when you honor yesterday, 

Tomorrow ye will find.

Know what we've fought

Need not be forgot nor for none.

It defines us, binds us as one, 

Come over, join this day just begun. 

For wherever we come together, 

We will forever overcome.

 

Shared from The Rolling Stone

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/amanda-gorman-new-poem-new-days-lyric-1276981/

and USA Today

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2021/12/29/amanda-gorman-poem-new-days-lyric-full-text-2021-2022/9045480002/

Listen to Amanda read this poem in her Instagram video ->

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CYEpCgxBTAf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

Listen to Amanda read this poem in her Instagram video 

FHS boys basketball and wrestling teams post wins on Thursday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Thursday:  

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 64 @ Framingham, 45 – Final 
– Franklin limited the hosts to just six points in the second quarter, building a double-digit advantage it never relinquished to get the win. Sophomore Henry Digiorgio scored half of his 18 points in the third and earned tournament MVP honors. Senior Sean Vinson scored a career-high 22 points to earn all tournament team honors for the Panthers. Sophomore Sean O’Leary added 13 points in the win. Franklin hit 14 two-point field goals between the second and third quarters to pull away from the Flyers.

Wrestling = Franklin, 58 @ Ashland, 24 – Final

Spectacular win over Ashland 58-24.

Pins by Carlucci, O’Leary, Owen, Fracassa, Dillon, and Sheridan.

https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1476714039489224708

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-30-21/

FHS Panthers

TUNE IT OUT Guitar Classes Resume on Tuesday, January 11, 2022

TUNE IT OUT Guitar Classes Resume on 

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

All veterans are invited. No guitar experience is needed!

Guitars will be provided to those who are interested in lessons but don't have a guitar.  Call the Veterans' Services Office at (508) 613-1315 to sign-up

Shared from Town of Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/tune-it-out-guitar-classes-resume-tuesday-january-11-2022

** This had been scheduled for 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the Franklin Senior Center. The notice of the resumption doesn't share the time so when you call the Veterans 'Services Office you can confirm.

TUNE IT OUT Guitar Classes Resume on Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Oh my! omicron driving new records

"The Department of Public Health released new town-by-town data for coronavirus cases and vaccinations on Thursday. It’s the latest set of such data showing how the virus has impacted individual communities throughout Massachusetts"

Franklin has outpaced the previous high of case counts with the latest data.  Franklin is only 82% vaccinated so we have a way to go,

The Flourish data can be found here -> https://app.flourish.studio/visualisation/4817758/

The State map on positivity can be found here ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/15/nation/massachusetts-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-by-city/

The State archive of COVID-19 data -> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

8 percent positivity means masks will return to FHS for sometime

Franklin set the wrong kind of record with the data this week

 

Walpole Police and Franklin Police declared 2021 Gingerbread contest Co-Champions

Who won the contest? It finished with co-champions declared

"What a fantastic contest we had this year!  31 departments entered their gingerbread creations!  We had some very close matches and it all came down to the last 2!  I’d like to congratulate Walpole Police Department and Franklin Police Department on being the 2021 Gingerbread contest Co-Champions!  

We had to get a little bit creative this year with the winners.  It was so close, right down to the last hours when both Walpole and Franklin had some votes come in that were not actual individual votes, but seemed to be some sort of fake votes (no fault of either department at all). So, to keep the purpose and spirit of the competition alive, both departments are this year’s champs!!!  We can’t allow a little something like this ruin the fun we’ve had and the hard work put in from all participating departments and all of the folks that followed and supported their departments throughout the competition! 

We were able to raise $1,500 toward a cause to be chosen on Saturday, January 1st!  Along with the additional awards decided by me!  Have a happy and safe New Year everyone and thank you so much for participating and for your generosity!"

Shared from Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/shelovespolice/posts/936223143702036 

Original post -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/tri-county-culinary-shop-created.html

gingerbread Franklin Police Station

Falvey and Sherlock talk about the town Charter - P1 (audio)

FM #686 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 686 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Frank Falvey, of Frank Presents, a long time Franklin resident and cable show host. This is the first of a series on the Town Charter, the process to change it, and some of the possible revisions that Frank and I discuss.  We start our discussion by painting the picture of the development of cable and radio broadcasting in Franklin and our individual show expansion.

 

Links to the current Town charter (modified in 2013) and the charter report for 1995 (prior changes) are included in the show notes. 

The recording runs about 34 minutes: Let’s listen to this recording of Frank and I talk about the charter.  Audio file => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-686-charter-discussion-with-frank-falvey-p1

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Feedback via email -> info@franklin.tv

Current Town Charter ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/revised_2013_1.pdf 

Charter Commission Report - 1995

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeUlRYUpQeFd0QXc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-afykQfGLjmP3-DNzc-H-uA

MA General Law Chapter 34  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVI/Chapter34A/Section4 

Division of Local Services (DLS) - newsletter summarizing change change process https://www.mass.gov/doc/october4thpdf/download 

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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"

 

Falvey and Sherlock in FHS for the first live broadcast on wfpr.fm Nov 2019

Senator Becca Rausch: Virtual Town Hall - Jan 24, 2022

Senator Becca Rausch (@BeccaRauschMA) tweeted on Wed, Dec 29, 2021:

SAVE THE DATE! Join me for a virtual town hall on 1/24 to reflect on 2021 and share your priorities for 2022. This event will begin with a short briefing about my legislative work then open up for a Q+A with constituents. 

Register here: https://t.co/i09yPdQgV4 #mapoli 

Shared from: https://t.co/4HISVrLdl1  or  https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1476247649577836547

Senator Becca Rausch: Virtual Town Hall - Jan 24, 2022

 

FHS boys basketball team posts win, girls hockey team gets win in OT

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Wednesday: 

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 53 vs. Worcester North, 42 – Final 

– Franklin held just a one-possession lead with just under five minutes to go in the game but limited Worcester North to just two points over the final 4:47, finishing the contest on a 10-2 run to get the win. The Panthers trailed after one (12-9) but took a one-point lead (20-19) into halftime, and a four-point lead (37-33) into the final quarter. Sophomore Henry Digiorgio scored six of his game-high 22 points in the final quarter and senior Sean Vinson added seven of his 12 points in the fourth. Franklin hit 12 three-pointers on the day, with Digiorgio sinking five, Vinson and Andrew O’Neill each with two, and Ben Harvey, Justin Allen, and Sean O’Leary all adding one.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Dedham, 1 – Final (OT) 

– Freshman Julia Flynn scored the game-winning goal in overtime to help the Panthers grab their third win of the season. Sophomore Lyndsey Dennett recorded the assist on the game-winner, setting up Flynn for her goal. Junior Dana Stott scored the other goal for Franklin while Izzy Brown had a strong game in net.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-29-21/

FHS Panthers

It is neck and neck with the Walpole Police Department in the "She Loves Police Gingerbread" Competition

"The final competition is really really close. Anyway you could help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance! "  https://t.co/3Zle1N7YjD

"Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School and Franklin Police Department need your help. It is neck and neck with the Walpole Police Department in the She Loves Police Gingerbread Competition. 

Voting closes tomorrow (Thursday, 12/30/21) at 5pm. 

Click on the picture below and like the picture. We need every vote! Let's win this thing! Share this with everyone!"

Shared from Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10224292391769589&id=1597551976

Original post -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/tri-county-culinary-shop-created.html

gingerbread Franklin Police Station

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/cjcaddy/status/1476369579299549184