Franklin DPW: Avoid Frozen Pipes

Dear Customer,   As New England is now well and truly into the winter months, with regular overnight temperatures staying well below freezing, the Water Department wanted to send out a reminder to stay vigilant for frozen pipes in your homes.  If you have concerns or a history of frozen pipes remember to leave a COLD faucet running at a trickle through the nights where temperatures fall well below 32 degrees, this continuous water movement will help to prevent your pipes from freezing. If you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to the Water Department. Thanks for caring about your water use, Jake Standley Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent Town of Franklin Water Dept.

HMEA Inc: Giggles for Good virtual comedy show - Feb 26

"Need a good laugh? @cyrussteele0613 has you covered! He has performed everywhere from @AGT to @ABFF. We're so excited to have him at this month's Giggles for Good virtual comedy show in support of HMEA's programs. "

Get your tickets here: https://t.co/PypJATEUdR

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

 HMEA Inc: Giggles for Good virtual comedy show

Wicked Local: "On World Read Aloud Day, locals share their favorite stories"

Franklin area folks like Library Director Felicia Oti, State Rep Jeff Roy, Superintendent Sara Ahern, Cultural Council member Pushpa Jangareddi, Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, and yours truly provided some stories that were their favorite read-aloud for this article put together by Heather McCarron:

"Often they begin with "Once Upon a Time," but there are other beginnings, too, like "Once there was a tree," and "All children, except one, grow up." 

No two are exactly alike, but they all have something in common: A way of creating memories of childhood and family traditions. 

Most people have special memories of being read aloud to -- moments spent in havens of love and comfort, immersed in  myriad stories where bears can talk, boys can fly, and frogs can turn into princes with a kiss. 

Today it's World Read Aloud Day, a world-wide effort started by the non-profit LitWorld 13 years ago as part of its mission "to strengthen kids and communities through the power of stories." Sponsored by Scholastic, World Read Aloud Day calls attention to "the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read aloud," according to scholastic.com."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2022/02/02/its-world-read-aloud-day-do-you-have-favorite-story/9304861002/ 

among the favorites: book one

among the favorites: book two

NWS Boston: webinars on the meteorology behind ocean effect snow and how weather forecast models work

"Interested in learning about the meteorology behind ocean effect snow? How weather forecast models work? Join us for our upcoming public webinars on February 3rd and 10th at 7pm! "

Register here: https://t.co/OWtW5yz19c ❄️💻

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/y8rDNAH7pH

NWS Boston: webinars on the meteorology behind ocean effect snow and how weather forecast models work

How to tell if someone is using your identity

How to tell if someone is using your identity by Alvaro Puig Consumer Education Specialist, Division of Consumer and Business Education Taking steps to protect your personal information can help you minimize the risks of identity theft. But what if a thief gets your information anyway?  Here are some of the ways thieves might use your stolen information and signs you can look out for.  Read more >  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/02/how-tell-if-someone-using-your-identity?utm_source=govdelivery

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Feb 3, 2022

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

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

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

7:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lasagna
8:00 am Veterans' Call: Veterans' Treatment
9:00 am Arts Advocacy: How-Tos
10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force
11:30:00 am SAFE Coalition: PSA
12:00:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm Sandhya: Macaroons
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Too Much Medicine?
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 2
3:00 pm ArtWeek: Games
3:30 pm Cooking Thyme: Lasagna
4:00 pm Once Upon A Town: Morse Block
4:30 pm Frank Presents: Michael Walker-Jones
5:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6
6:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Alice Wallace

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021

8:30 am Tri-County: Vaping Forum

11:00 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 0-12-22

1:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v King Philip 01-28-22

3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v King Philip 01-22-22

5:00 pm Public School Event: Jazz Cafe 02-07-20

9:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming v King Philip 01-19-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 01-20-22

11:00 am Town Administrator Evaluation: 01-26-22

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 01-20-22

7:00 pm Conservation Commission: LIVE, Chambers

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)

FSPA presents a student production of CATS, and "Kittens"

FSPA will present an all-student production of CATS February 11 and 12th at THE BLACK BOX!  The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year—the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

FSPA presents a student production of CATS

Additionally, FSPA will present a youth production of "Kittens," a musical revue inspired by CATS, February 12th at 2 and 4 pm at THE BLACK BOX!

In-person AND live-stream tickets available for both productions! Visit FSPAonline.com or call the office at 508-528-8668.

 

FSPA presents a youth production of "Kittens"

CATS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. www.concordtheatricals.com 

Tickets for CATS -> https://www.fspaonline.com/news.php?id=1663

Tickets for "Kittens" -> https://www.fspaonline.com/news.php?id=1662

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thurs, Feb 3, 7:00 PM

Our next 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node meeting will be this Thursday, February 3, 7:00-9:00 pm. (We schedule two hours to leave time for discussion and conversation, but feel free to leave early if necessary.)  

Here are the Zoom details.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755

Password: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

During the meeting, we will address climate bills being considered by the state legislature, actions to promote national changes, and local developments.

We will also continue to discuss the 350 Mass campaign, Building the Green New Deal, that promotes energy efficiency in houses and buildings, retrofitting and electrification of homes, updated building codes, and other actions by individuals, communities, and the Commonwealth. We'll consider opportunities we can pursue in our region.

 

We hope you can join us Thursday at 7:00. We'll send a reminder Thursday afternoon. 

Thank you for your commitment to the struggle for a transition to a just, equitable, and clean energy economy.

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel

Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c) 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thurs, Feb 3, 7:00 PM

Horace Mann Middle School collection for Franklin Food Pantry a success!

"Huge thank you to ⁦@HMMSLightning⁩ for all of the donations to ⁦@FranklinFoodPan⁩" https://t.co/M6WOOInTn7

Shared from Twitter  https://twitter.com/CDonahue48/status/1488641699425492996

Coincidentally, I was leaving Horace Mann after working on a story and walked out the door to witness the final load of the collection to the Food Pantry truck, Well done HMMS!

loading the truck

ready to load

loading done, ready to return to class

FHS boys and girls basketball teams and boys hockey team all post wins on Tuesday

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

Boys Basketball = Sharon, 57 @ Franklin, 75 – Final 

– Sharon had a one-point lead after the first quarter, Franklin surged ahead by 10 at the halftime break, the Eagles cut it back to eight going into the fourth, and then the Panthers poured in 24 points in the final frame to run away with the win. Senior Sean Vinson (14 points) sank four three-pointers in the fourth quarter and sophomore Henry Digiorgio (game-high 25 points) had five three-pointers in the second half, two in the fourth, to help Franklin pull away. Sophomore Sean O’Leary scored 12 of his 18 points in the opening half as Franklin staked a 35-25 lead at halftime. Sharon’s Donyae Pierre scored eight of his 13 points in the opening quarter and both Will Hippler (10 points) and Matt Baur (10 points) hit first quarter threes to help the Eagles take a 17-16 edge into the first intermission.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 61 @ Sharon, 27 – Final 

– Franklin had 10 players get on the score sheet and the Panthers held their fourth straight opponent under 30 points to improve to 10-0 on the season. Sharon was held to just four points in the first quarter and Franklin broke the game open by scoring 20 in the second for a 29-12 halftime lead. An 18-6 third quarter put distance between the teams. Stefany Padula and Olivia Quinn each scored 14 points. Padula scored all of her points in the middle two quarters and buried four threes. Quinn had five of Franklin’s nine points in the first and another six in the second. Katie Peterson added nine points in the win. Jasmine Davis led the Eagles with nine points and Tess Letendre scored eight.

Boys Hockey = Oliver Ames, 1 @ Franklin, 8 – Final 
– Franklin came out hot right from the opening puck drop, scoring five goals in the opening period in a league win over visiting Oliver Ames. Dylan Marchand scored twice while Christian Shabbick, Ben Paterson, and Domenic Lampasona each found the back of the net once as Franklin established a 5-0 lead. Shabbick, Logan Marchand, and Dylan McEvoy tacked on goals in the third period for the Panthers. Ryan Sicchio assisted on half of Franklin’s goals, Paterson added three helpers, and Justin Magazu recorded two assists. Andrew Livingstone (from Jack Corey and Sean Kearns) scored a second period goal for OA. Junior Brandon Burke turned away 27 saves for OA while sophomore Cole Pouliot-Porter had 16 saves in the win for the Panthers.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-01-22/

FHS Panthers

WBZ Radio: Tri-County Students Help NASA Build Space Hardware

In case you missed the piece on the Tri-County students working with the NASA HUNCH program on cable ties for the space shuttle, WBZ did a radio piece of this Tuesday.

The WBZ radio piece ->  https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/franklin-students-help-nasa-build-space-hardware/

The post January 16, 2022 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/tri-county-students-complete-wire-ties.html  

L to R are: Maxwell Rounds (Franklin), Tony Botteri (Walpole), Rick Hamilton (North Attleboro), Stacy Hale (NASA), Tyler McKinnon (Franklin), James Gingras (Millis), Brian Belanger (Plainville)

Community Relations Subcommittee - meeting 2/01/22 (audio)

 FM #715 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 715 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Community Relations Subcommittee meeting held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the subcommittee members were in the 3rd floor training room, at least one other member the public joined via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Denise Spencer, Al Charles, Camille Bernstein, Superintendent Sara Ahern, Communications/Marketing Specialist Lily Rivera

The recording of the public meeting runs just 55 minutes 

The link to the meeting agenda is included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to the Community Relations subcommittee meeting of Feb 1, 2022

Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-715-school-cmte-community-relations-subcom-mtg-02-01-22

--------------

Meeting agenda doc ->   

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/community_relations_sub_comm_agenda_2-1-22.pdf 

My notes captured during the meeting (via ThreadReader)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mrr40dEwuavAiGdmLea1BHLwsKz-9tnl/view?usp=sharing 

--------------

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Community Relations Subcommittee - meeting 2/01/22 (audio)

Health Director Cathleen Liberty talks about COVID and other important Health Dept. work - 01/25/22 (audio)

FM #714 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 714 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Health Director Cathleen Liberty  January 25, 2022. We had our conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about 

New year, some things remain the same, some things are new

• Where are we at, 2 years in

• COVID-19, vaccine clinics

• Kids survey open now

• At home kits, reporting skew

Metacomet Regional

• Nurse, epidemiologist now in temporary office at the Senior Center

• Inspector

The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cathleen. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-714-franklin-ma-health-director-cathleen-liberty-01-25-22

--------------

Health Dept page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

Link to survey -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1p4-syf7lDV6JcvpeY518Fli57fWurGIDg6G7oN8F6X-PLw/viewform 

--------------

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!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Health Director Cathleen Liberty

MASS Consumer Affairs: "Protect Yourself from Fraudulent COVID-19 At Home Tests"

"Beyond knowing what signs to look for in COVID scams, there are a few steps to take to protect yourself from purchasing a fake COVID test online.

1. Make sure that you are buying an FDA authorized test
2. Do your research
3. Pay with your credit card

To make sure that the test you are purchasing is FDA approved, see if it is on the FDA’s lists of approved antigen diagnostic tests or their list for molecular diagnostic tests. "

Continue reading the article online
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/how-to-protect-yourself-from-fraudulent-covid-19-at-home-tests/

 "Protect Yourself from Fraudulent COVID-19 At Home Tests"

Identity theft can happen to anyone

"It’s the second day of Identity Theft Awareness Week and today we’re talking about steps that can help reduce your risk of identity theft. 

Many of us access our online accounts — credit cards, investments, insurance, or checking and savings accounts — nearly every day. In our digital world, bits of our personal information are everywhere. Identity thieves know this and look for ways — both high-tech, like lifting our passwords, or low-tech, like stealing our mail — to get their hands on our money and personal information. "

Continue reading about tips to help protect your identity

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/02/identity-theft-can-happen-anyone?utm_source=govdelivery

Identity theft can happen to anyone

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Feb 2, 2022

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features the Senior Center Leadership interview combined with the Charles River Meadowlands Recap 
• The original post for the Senior Center discussion ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/introductory-conversation-with-new.html
• The original post for the Charles River Meadowlands recap ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-charles-river-meadowlands.html 

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This slot features  the meeting audio for the Town Administrator Ad Hoc Review    ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/ad-hoc-committee-for-town.html
   

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

7:29:00 am Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19

7:30:00 am It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig

8:30 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Dennis Sardella

10:00 am Franklin Art Association: Dave Kaphammer

11:30 am Whole Health Visions: Cheryl Bagangan

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm Sandhya: Macaroons

1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Advocates for Children

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 2

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 12

3:30 pm Veterans' Call: Veterans' Treatment

4:30 pm Arts Advocacy: How-Tos

6:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Lasagna

6:30 pm Concerts on the Common: Pub Kings & Padula Band

9:30 pm Circle of Friends: Windborne

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19

8:30 am Public School Concert: FHS Winter Music 2018

10:30 am FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v King Philip 01-28-22

12:30 pm Arts Advocacy: Fundraising

1:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Norwood 01-22-22

3:01 pm Public School Event: Jazz Cafe 02-07-20

4:31 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 0-12-22

8:30 pm Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council: 01-19-22

11:00 am Town Administrator Evaluation: 01-26-22

2:00 pm Town Council: 01-19-22

5:45 pm Economic Development, LIVE, Chambers, 813 8796 5201

7:00 pm Town Council: LIVE, Chambers, 898 2200 4377

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)

Senior Center: Veterans Coffee Social - February 2, 2022. 10 AM

February 2022 Coffee Social

Join Us for Coffee & Conversation!

VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL 

Wednesday ▪ FEBRUARY 2, 2022 ▪ 10:00 A.M. 

FRANKLIN SENIOR CENTER CAFÉ

ALL VETS ARE INVITED!

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED BY OUR WONDERFUL FRIENDS AT STARBUCKS!

Please let us know if you have suggestions for guest speakers at future Socials.

 A suggestion box will be set up at the name tag table.

Per Town policy, please bring proof of full COVID vaccination or wear a mask to the Social.

 

Senior Center: Veterans Coffee Social - February 2, 2022. 10 AM

MetroWest Visitors Bureau Announces Mini Grant Program

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau (MWVB) announced today that their annual mini grant program is now accepting applications. Designed for marketing projects that will promote tourism in MetroWest, mini grants are available for funds up to $5,000 each. The MWVB will consider applications for projects devoted to marketing a MetroWest event, attraction, business, service, or cultural or recreational offering. 

The applicant does not need to be a 501(c)3 charitable organization, but must be based in one of the 19 towns that comprise MetroWest or be devoted to attracting potential visitors to those 19 towns.

Eligible projects include brochures, print or online advertising, social media, websites, apps, and other print materials. The marketing project must be targeted, at least partially, at potential visitors who live more than 50 miles from the event or business location. 

Grant applications can be submitted at www.bit.ly/minigrant2022 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis from now until April 1. Awarded grant funds must be spent prior to June 30, 2022. 

For questions, or to discuss your project idea prior to submitting an application, please contact MWVB Executive Director Erin Lynch at erin@metrowestvisitors.org.

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau promotes travel and tourism throughout the 19 towns of the MetroWest region: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough. For more information, please visit the MWVB website at www.metrowestvisitors.org.

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/VisitMetroWest
• Twitter: twitter.com/VisitMetroWest
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/visitmetrowest

MetroWest Visitors Bureau Announces Mini Grant Program