"A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony" - Franklin TV schedule for week of 12/19/22

A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony was held at the Temple Etz Chaim on Sunday, Dec 11, 2022. 

Hosted by Rabbi Tom Alpert, moderated by Rabbi Elise Winick, and instigated by jamele adams and less than 20 people participated in person. Due to technical difficulty it was not available via live stream as planned. The video was recorded by Franklin TV for future broadcast and replay.

The audio recording runs 1 hour and 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Conversation of Hope Dec 11, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-896-a-conversation-of-hope-12-11-22

The replay is available this week

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

TUESDAY = 7:00 am Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony WEDNESDAY = 6:00 pm Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony FRIDAY = 7:30 am Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony

L-R: jamele adams, Rabbi Elise Winick, Rabbi Tom Alpert

FHS gymnastics team tops Sharon on Sunday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Sunday, December 18, 2022. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Gymnastics = Franklin, 125.75 @ Sharon, 106.95 – Final 

– As a team, Franklin had a strong showing on the beam with a team score of 32.25 with top scores coming from Emma Nelson, Maia Keohane, Katie Valutkevich, and Lilly Cardin. Nelson also contributed to Franklin’s scoring on the vault (team score of 32.1), the bars (team score of 29.6), and the floor (team score of 31.7) Keohane also scored on the bars and on the floor and Ryann Chandler scored in both the vault and the floor.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-12-18-22/

Additional photos on Twitter ->

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1604678740298039297

FHS gymnastics team tops Sharon on Sunday

Reminder: NEW Language Opportunities with Lifelong Community Learning classes; register now

Happening Soon. Register Now

NEW Opportunities Coming In January Don't Miss Out REGISTER TODAY For additional details visit: www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Good Deeds: Holiday Trivia and Greetings

By: William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk County Register of Deeds

Another year has gone by, and yes, they do seem to pass faster and faster with every passing year. The holidays are upon us, and I wish all the joy and happiness of the season for you and your families.

All year long, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds releases numbers and statistics that help readers get a picture of the real estate market. However, the air is thick with the spirit of the holidays, so the numbers can wait for another day.

There have been many trivia challenges given to each of you in past "Good Deeds" articles. Trivia has involved history, such as naming the former Presidents of the United States who were born here in Norfolk County. In the past, you have been tasked with identifying residents of Norfolk County and their hometowns who were Norfolk County notables from history, sports, and culture.

Other times, given all the television shows and movies like "The Judge" and "I Care a Lot" that were filmed at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building in Dedham, there was movie trivia.

So, with Santa and his elves getting ready for Christmas, see if you can answer the following Christmas trivia questions. I hope you will enjoy this trivia, and you might find it useful at a work holiday party or family gathering. Sit back, relax, make a cup of eggnog or hot chocolate, and put your holiday knowledge to the test.

Trivia Questions

# 1: What is the name of the town in the classic Christmas movie "It’s a Wonderful Life"?

# 2: What is the most streamed Christmas song of all time?

# 3: Who wrote the poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"?

# 4: In what city do the Griswolds live in the movie "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation"?

# 5: What real-life department story is "Miracle on 34th Street" based on?

# 6: What is the name of the elf who wants to be a dentist in the movie "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"?

# 7: How many gifts were given, in total, in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?

# 8: What famous actor voiced five separate characters in the movie "The Polar Express"?

# 9: In which century was the term "Xmas" coined?

# 10 In what decade did NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command, formerly CONAD) start tracking Santa on Christmas Eve?

# 11: What controversial Christmas song’s birthplace is currently contested?

# 12: Complete the quote from the movie "Elf": "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is ___."

I cannot promise you a grand prize or that I can get you on the "Nice List" if you did well answering these trivia questions. However, I certainly hope Santa Claus is good to you. I wish everyone a joyful and happy holiday season.

Answers at Good-Deeds-Holiday-Trivia-Answers.pdf (norfolkdeeds.org).

Good Deeds: Holiday Trivia and Greetings

CommonWealth Magazine: "Marijuana content labels can’t be trusted - Testing reveals inconsistencies on THC, contaminants"

"ONE OF THE main arguments in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana was that consumers would have access to tested, regulated products, and know exactly what they are buying.

But a CommonWealth investigation reveals that the potency levels listed on websites and product labels at marijuana stores are regularly inflated, sometimes by as much as a third. The investigation also found that some products in Massachusetts cannabis stores tested positive for contaminants that would have kept them off the shelves if they were detected earlier because they were potentially unsafe for human consumption.

The findings suggest that marijuana consumers cannot rely with any confidence on product labels. Labs are performing tests using different technologies and methods, and growers are gravitating to labs that report the highest THC levels or pass the most samples for contaminants, even if their testing methods are not the most scientifically accurate. That, in turn, is creating incentives for labs to generate testing results with higher THC readings."

Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/marijuana/marijuana-content-labels-cant-be-trusted/

 

A marijuana sample is prepared for testing at Analytics Labs in Holyoke on November 30, 2022. (Photo by Shira Schoenberg)

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Dec 19, 2022

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

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Todd Monjur
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States

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

8:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

9:00 am FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Banana Bread

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 8

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10

5:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 6 - Swinging Steaks

6:00 pm Veterans' Call: PACT Act

6:30 pm Santa On The Common 2022

7:30 pm Frank Presents: Jim Derick

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Winterbloom

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

8:30 am FHS PCC: Vaping Forum

10:30 am FHS Chorus & Orchestra

12:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Oliver Ames 12-13-22

2:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

3:00 pm FHS Band

4:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Durfee 03-04-22

6:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History: Pt. 4

7:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v St. John's Prep 02-16-22

9:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Canton 02-22-22

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

8:00 am Planning Board: 12-05-22

11:00 am Finance Committee: 12-07-22

2:00 pm Planning Board: 12-05-22

5:00 pm Community Preservation: 12-06-22

7:00 pm Planning Board: LIVE, Chambers 885 5922 9392

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)

Join the "Community Conversations" at the Library, Wednesday, Dec 21 - 6 PM

Folks of all ages are welcome to join us one Thursday each month as we unpack, discuss, and engage with topics relevant both within our community and beyond. Come with an open mind, leave with plenty of food for thought!

This week, we meet on Wednesday (12/21/22) instead.

This month's topic: "I wish you knew..." Connecting through Generation Gaps

Join the "Community Conversations" at the Library, Wednesday, Dec 21 - 6 PM

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the 3 hour plus meeting to about 38 minutes 12/14/22 (audio)

FM #901 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 901 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of Dec 14, 2022: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS

a. Mark LePage - Conservation Commission

b. Alison Rheaume - Disability Commission

c. Francesca Ricci - Disability Commission

d. Lloyd (Gus) Brown - Sealer of Weights and Measures

LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

a. 2023 Annual Alcohol License Renewals - See attached 2023 Town of Franklin Alcohol Licenses Renewals

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Franklin Library Association Presentation of Gift - Scott Nolan, President, FLA

b. Snow Removal Presentation: Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi, Director of Public Works

Legislation for Action

d. Resolution 22-88: Local Acceptance of MGL Ch40, Section 5B, Fourth Paragraph

e. Resolution 22-89: Creation of the Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund, as Authorized b GL Chapter 40, Section 5B

f. Resolution 22-90: Authorization of and Appropriation for Purchase of Three Parcels of Unimproved Land 

g. Resolution 22-91: Authorization for Town Administrator to Submit American Rescue Plan Act Applications to Norfolk County 

i. Resolution 22-95: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department ($109,832.25)

Executive session, return approx. 35 mins later

b. Resolution 22-94: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk 

a. Vote on approving Administrator contract, subject to Executive Session outcome

i. Legislation for action: 1. Resolution 22-93: Approval of Town Administrator’s Contract

Our conversation runs about 38 minutes:

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Dec 15, 2022 Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-901-town-council-quarterbacking-12-14-22

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

Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/dec_14_tc_mtg_agenda-revised.pdf 

The Snow presentation ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._snow_presentation.pdf 

Watch the Franklin.TV video replay on YouTube ->  https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8 

My notes in one threaded PDF document -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TT_f9Y9eVXExUtjlcCD2XKtSTjcwG582/view?usp=share_link 

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

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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

a slide from the annual update on snow removal

Franklin.TV: "It’s All Chrimsy! Christmas everywhere you look" (video)

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 12/18/2022

The Senior Center’s Christmas Wonderland on Thursday evening was indeed an extravaganza of yuletide cheer, goodies, décor, music, along with Santa & the Mrs.. Many civic groups decorated themed trees. Christmas creativity was everywhere. One tiny toddler summed it up. It’s all Chrimsy!

Winter wonderland - 12/15/22 - P Fasciano #1

Winter wonderland - 12/15/22 - P Fasciano #2

Questions? Call us. 508-541-4118. 

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

 

Additional photos from the Winter Wonderland can be found in this album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iENrSVSpcjXyJYTm9

The Winter Wonderland was recorded and is available for replay on your schedule

https://youtu.be/LZOprkmBQuM

At about 16 minutes, PE James begins performing Christmas classics 

FHS boys hockey team tops Gloucester 5-2 on Saturday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Saturday, December 17, 2022. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 5 @ Gloucester, 2 – Final

Paterson hard forecheck being down one man beats the guy to the puck behind the next feeds Daley coming down the slot. Frankin 2-0 1:44 to go in the 1st.

Gloucester on the board at 5:25 mark in 2md. Franklin 3 Gloocester 1.

After 2 periods Franklin 3 Gloucester 1. Boys are buzzing.

One minute into the 3rd Lampasona bumps it to Daley who slides it to Paterson on the 2 on 1 Frankiin 4 Gloucester 1

Carter Balducci’s 1st varsity goal comes with 1:40 to go in the game on a breakaway to make it 5-2.

That’s a wrap Franklin 5 Gloucester 2

Player of the game goes to Ryan Sicchio, great game!

All above from @FHSPantherHocke  https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke

Franklin 5 Gloucester 2.  Sicchio 2G 1A, Paterson 1G 1A, D Daley 1G 1A, C Balducci 1G, Pasquarosa 1A, ORielly 1A and Lampasona 1A

https://twitter.com/FHS_PuckCoach/status/1604281601709559809

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ King Philip, 1 – Final

Tough 1-0 loss to KP tonight. Great hustle all around and way to outshoot them 35-10. Back at it Wednesday 12/21 @ 4 pm in our home opener vs Canton

https://twitter.com/fhsvgockey/status/1604288695519301632

Tough 1-0 loss to KP. Panthers were flying all night outshooting KP 35-10!  

Keep up the great work girls!  

https://twitter.com/FHSGirlsPuck/status/1604302333273325573

 

FHS boys hockey team tops Gloucester 5-2 on Saturday

Franklin Public School Redistricting Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Revised December 15th, 2022

Q: What is Redistricting?

A: School attendance zones define school enrollment based on residential address. Simplified, Redistricting is the action of altering school attendance zones.

Q: What is a Redistricting Analysis?

A: A Redistricting Analysis, involves the examination of projected enrollment, facility usage to support instructional capacity, geographical proximity for families and transportation related logistics across the district and town, ensuring an equitable and diverse distribution of students. The Redistricting Analysis process champions community input by soliciting feedback based on data driven scenarios facilitated by the redistricting analysis consultant (Applied Geographics) and presented to the Franklin Public Schools Redistricting Advisory Committee and Franklin Community.

Q: Why are we doing a Redistricting Analysis?

A: The decision to pursue a redistricting analysis was a result of the following findings…

• Franklin’s last redistricting effort was in 2002 with the opening of the Helen Keller/ Annie Sullivan complex, 20 years ago. The needs of the district have altered over time
• Usage of space has evolved to prepare students with the essential skills outlined in the Franklin Public School’s Portrait of a Graduate, promote student engagement and support student learning with a variety of specialized programs designed to meet evolving student needs
• The Davis Thayer School was closed in 2021, Davis Thayer students were then transferred to Helen Keller Elementary school
• Total enrollment is forecasted to decline until 2026 - 2027 and it is anticipated there will be an gradual increase anticipated in 2029 - 2030*

*Referencing the Franklin Public Schools Population and Enrollment McKibben Study (2019)*

Redistricting is a necessary process that allows public school districts to evaluate the distribution of students and optimize facility utilization to best support educational programming within the district for the foreseeable future.

Q: What is the Redistricting Advisory Committee?

A: The Redistricting Advisory Committee will participate in a redistricting analysis of Franklin Public Schools in collaboration with AppGeo Redistricting Analysis Consultant by providing input, feedback, and local context on proposed scenarios to potential updates to attendance boundaries within Franklin. The committee is composed of parents/ guardians, educators, District and building based administration and school committee members.

Q: I’m not on the Redistricting Advisory Committee, how do I provide input?

A: Once scenarios have been workshopped through the Redistricting Advisory Committee, we will present opportunities for public input as part of the Community Feedback phase.

 

Q: Who makes the decision on Redistricting?

A: The final decision regarding redistricting rests with the Franklin School Committee.

Q: When will a decision be made on Redistricting?

A: After facilitating community input and working with the redistricting advisory committee, the Space Needs Subcommittee will present findings and possible recommendations for the School Committee late Spring 2023. The School Committee will make any related decisions thereafter.

Q: Will Schools be closed?

A: There is no predetermined plan for redistricting. The purpose of the redistricting analysis is to provide a thorough examination of district needs. A data driven and community informed process will result in a recommendation(s) that will be presented to the school committee, who will make the final decision regarding redistricting that best serves distinct needs.

Q: Weren’t scenarios for projected enrollment proposed in the 2020 Facilities Assessment Report? Why aren’t we just presenting those scenarios?

A: The 2020 Facilities Assessment Report was completed by our consultant (Kaestle Boos Associates). Some scenarios proposed in the 2020 Facilities Assessment Report may be explored by our redistricting consultant to inform/guide proposed scenarios. The 2020 Facilities Assessment Report did not account for the space required by in-district specialized programming to meet the special education needs of the district which can vary from year to year. The District has done research on the use of each facility to then account for our specialized programs along with our redistricting analysis consultant, to ensure we are completing a comprehensive analysis that considers the impact of our specialized programs.

If you have additional questions, please visit our Redistricting Analysis webpage at www.franklinps.net/district/redistricting-analysis for more information. Additional questions can be directed via email to redistrictinganalysis@franklinps.net.

Franklin Public School Redistricting Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Reminder: "Train Town Franklin" display opens Sunday, Dec 18 at the Historical Museum

"An eight-foot long model of Franklin's New Haven Railroad train depot, as it looked in the 1930s, will be on view starting today, from 1-4 pm at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St.  The display will continue during museum hours through Feb. 5. 2023. Admission is free."

Shared from Franklin Observer

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/135795/honey-i-shrunk-depot 

Let’s listen to my conversation with Scott and his work on “Train Town Franklin” recorded Dec 5, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-892-train-town-franklin-with-scott-mason-12-05-22

Talking about "Train Town Franklin" with Scott Mason (audio)

New Children’s Service offered at St John’s Episcopal Church in 2023

St John’s will offer a simple, informal service geared for children on two Saturdays per month, beginning January 14 and January 28 at 5 PM. 

The services will include stories, crafts or other activities, easy fun songs, and a simple Eucharist (Communion) totaling about 40 minutes.

All families are invited to join us at 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin.

For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook  and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

St John's Episcopal Church

The Fourtet - at La Cantina, Sunday, Dec 18 (rescheduled from Friday due to the rain!)

"Excited to end the patio season with The Fourtet. Join us in our heated tent Friday 12/16 Sunday, Dec 18 for an amazing performance." (rescheduled due to the rain on Friday)

The Fourtet - at La Cantina, Sunday, Dec 18

"Citing cost increases, Avangrid asks to back out of offshore wind contracts for project off Martha’s Vineyard"

"AVANGRID PULLED OUT of a major Massachusetts offshore wind procurement at the final stage on Friday, saying its previously negotiated power purchase contract was no longer adequate to secure financing for the project given current economic conditions.

The company said it intends to resubmit the project with new pricing requirements when the state begins its next offshore wind procurement in April.

The decision is potentially a major blow to the state’s clean energy efforts and is likely to trigger a debate on Beacon Hill about whether inflation adjusters need to be incorporated going forward with future offshore wind procurements. New York and New Jersey are moving down that path now."

Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/avangrid-pulls-out-of-major-mass-offshore-wind-procurement/

 

Boston Globe coverage -> (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/16/business/citing-cost-increases-avangrid-asks-back-out-offshore-wind-project-off-marthas-vineyard/

Connecticut-based Avangrid said it intends to enter the state’s next round of bidding for wind-farm contracts in the spring. RODRIQUE NGOWI/ASSOCIATED PRESS