This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents, please visit https://clt1481579.benchmarkurl.com/c/v?e=15E1659&c=169B6B&t=0&l=8D3B5715
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Friday, March 17, 2023
Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Newsletter - March 16, 2023
Slam the Scam: Keep Your Personal Information
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| Join the millions and discover your benefits! |
Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! 5.3 million Americans today are living with a disability related to a brain injury.
Learn more about prevention, signs, and symptoms of a brain injury: https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Mar 17, 2023
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews
10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey
11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY
9:00 am Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
11:00 am Senior Connection: Public Health
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Children's Health: The Major Problems
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 6
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes
3:30 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Paolo DiGregorio
7:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Seth Glier
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Strings School 05-16-16
8:30 am It Takes A Village: Laurie Harrington
11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Pembroke 03-02-23
1:30 pm Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022
3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Brockton 03-07-23
9:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Marshfield 03-04-23
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY
8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 03-02-23
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 03-02-23
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Ribbon Cutting - March 25
On March 25 at 11 AM, residents of Franklin and Bellingham will gather for an exciting event – the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly resurfaced section of the Southern New England Rail Trail (SNETT). This project has been a long time in the making, and the community is eager to celebrate the completion of this important infrastructure upgrade.
The resurfaced section of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail was completed in late 2023 and runs from Grove Street in Franklin to Prospect St. The trail is used by walkers, joggers, cyclists, and skaters of all ages and abilities, providing a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for residents to stay active and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings.
The resurfacing of a section of the trail has been a top priority for local officials and community members alike. The previous surface was worn, uneven, and prone to flooding making it difficult for some users to navigate safely. The new surface is smooth, even, and durable, providing a comfortable and safe experience for all who use the trail.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the trailhead located at Grove Street in Franklin. Attendees can expect a festive atmosphere, with speeches from local officials and community leaders. The ceremony will culminate with the cutting of the ribbon, officially marking the opening of the newly resurfaced section of the trail. Following this there will be a group walk on the newly completed section of the trail
Local officials are thrilled about the completion of the project and the positive impact it will have on the community. "The Rail Trail is a wonderful asset for our towns, and we're proud to be part of its improvement," said Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail President Cobi Frongillo. "This project will make the trail safer and more accessible for all users, and we're excited to celebrate this important milestone with our community."
The resurfacing project was designed by Franklin Department of Public Works, and carried out by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail is a prime example of how investment in community infrastructure can have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents. The resurfaced section of the trail will provide a safe and enjoyable space for people of all ages and abilities to stay active and connect with nature.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the resurfaced section of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail is an exciting event for the community, marking the completion of an important infrastructure upgrade that will benefit residents for years to come. Attendees can look forward to a celebration of community, outdoor recreation, and the power of investment in public infrastructure.
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| the newly resurfaced section of the Southern New England Rail Trail (SNETT) |
Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy
Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy
Tax Incentives | Resource Management | Land Endowment
Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be?
These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4 PM - 6 PM at Town Hall, Council Chambers can answer for you.
Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!
Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.
RSVP for a free gift.
For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-come-learn-about-programs-allow-your-property-work
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| Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy |
Town Council whiffs on an easy layup to bring "Affordable" housing to Franklin (Video)
The Franklin, MA Town Council whiffs on an easy layup to bring more housing and "Affordable" housing to Franklin. At the Council meeting on Wednesday, March 15, the Council voted 4-5 to support a "friendly 40b" proposal. The proposal needed 6 votes to pass, it was 4 yes (Frongillo, Sheridan, Hamblen, Mercer) and 5 No (Cormier-Leger, Chandler, Pellegri, Jones, Dellorco).
Why did they blow this 'easy layup'? Ask them to explain, the short summary I have is they misunderstand
1 - the 'friendly 40b' process - one claimed to have been lied to when this vote was their one chance to have a say in the matter and what they said was "we don't want to work with developers to bring in affordable housing"
2 - they denied the opportunity to continue to work with the developer to iron out some of the issues as it went through the process. Now they have conceded all the issues to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Yes, the ZBA always had the final say, the Council never would, but this was their one chance and they failed
3 - the property has been turning in approx. $13K revenue to the Town, the proposal would have generated about $800K. Yes, a $790K increase in revenue for a vote (and they failed)
4 - the property is zoned industrial and given the topology (a bunch of wetlands, which are still being worked out with the Conservation Commission) wouldn't not actually be used for industrial development. Or it would have in the years prior. Here was a residential use that would increase revenues without additionally burdening services and they failed to pass it
5 - there is a big difference between "Affordable" (note Capital "A") defined at Federal and State levels and what is actually "affordable" (lowercase "a") . Locally we have no control over that. We do need housing, we do need "Affordable" units and while this would have brought "Affordable" units, the council failed
Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGx3TPCumWw
Details on the proposal from the agenda are found here:
b. Discussion & Project Presentation: 121 Grove Street, a “Friendly 40B” - Fairfield
i. Legislation for Action #9a
Chapter 40B PowerPoint Presentation (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/friendly_40b_presentation-pp_only.pdf) ;
Friendly 40B process (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2a._-_friendly_40b_process.pdf)
& State Median Income Qualifications (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2b._-_median_income_qualifications.pdf)
2. Proposed 121 Grove Street Application (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2c._-_121_grove_st._application_redacted.pdf)
& 121 Grove Street Site Plan (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2d._-_121_grove_st._site_plan.pdf)
3. Planning Board comment letter (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2e._-_planning_board_letter.pdf)
& Conservation Commission comment letter (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2f._conservation_commission_letter.pdf)
My notes on the full meeting are in one PDF file. The audio and full recap will be available after I calm down
4 FHS students recognized for MA Art Education Juried Exhibit entries
"Congratulations to the FHS students who were juried into the Massachusetts Art Education Juried Recognitions Exhibition.
And to Margo & Kyla who received additional awards this afternoon. So proud!
@FranklinHS @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @NAEA"https://t.co/ONbD2zreyF
Students recognized:
- Margo Savage
- Katie Sawyer
- Kyla Miller
- Isabella Kabat
Margo also received an "Art for All Award" of $250
Kyla also received a "Blick Art Award" for $100
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| 4 FHS students recognized for MA Art Education Juried Exhibit entries |
Reminder: SheGrooves to perform at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse - April 1
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Permitting Reform: The key to Unlocking Massachusetts’ Energy Revolution -Thursday, April 6
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Get your Tickets for the FPAC performance of "Something Rotten!" Fri, Sat & Sun
Franklin Performing Arts Company presents the hilarious musical comedy Something Rotten! running March 17-19 at THE BLACK BOX!
With choreography by Broadway's Tyler Hanes! Starring Robbie Rescigno and Paul Rescigno, with Broadway's Christopher Rice-Thomson and Michael Barra, and featuring Nick Paone, Katie Gray, Ali Funkhouser, and Tim Ayres-Kerr.
Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play, but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
Get your tickets online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36235/production/1134776
Note: I was able to attend last Saturday's performance and it was great entertainment
New AI development "still makes many of the errors of previous versions"
"The artificial intelligence research lab OpenAI on Tuesday launched the newest version of its language software, GPT-4, an advanced tool for analyzing images and mimicking human speech, pushing the technical and ethical boundaries of a rapidly proliferating wave of AI.OpenAI’s earlier product, ChatGPT, captivated and unsettled the public with its uncanny ability to generate elegant writing, unleashing a viral wave of college essays, screenplays and conversations — though it relied on an older generation of technology that hasn’t been cutting-edge for more than a year....In its blog post, OpenAI said GPT-4 still makes many of the errors of previous versions, including “hallucinating” nonsense, perpetuating social biases and offering bad advice. It also lacks knowledge of events that happened after about September 2021, when its training data was finalized, and “does not learn from its experience,” limiting people’s ability to teach it new things.'
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
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| New AI development "still makes many of the errors of previous versions" |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Mar 16, 2023
- 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 Veterans' Call: Ernest Carruthers
9:00 am Metrowest Symposium: Equity & Access in Arts & Culture
10:30 am SAFE Coalition: New Facility
11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Candy Apples
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Children's Health: The Major Problems
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 6
3:00 pm Once Upon A Town: Schools
4:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
6:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Student Athletes
7:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 2 - Paul Kelly
8:00 pm Arts Advocacy Day: Marketing
- 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 ArtWeek: Airmen of Note
10:30 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022
12:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Festivals & Community Celebrations
1:00 pm Public School Event: FHS Winter Music 2021
2:30 pm Tri County Vaping Forum
7:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday
8:00 am Conservation Commission 03-09-23
2:00 pm Conservation Commission 03-09-23
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
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