Jake Auchincloss: An Update from Your Congressman through June 25, 2023

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. On the Hill Gun Violence Prevention Press Conference: Last week, I joined fellow veterans on the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to call for much-needed gun safety reforms. I spoke on the effectiveness of enacting common-sense safety rules. We know the policies that work: in Massachusetts, we have some of the most comprehensive gun safety legislation in the United States and we have the lowest per capita gun rate in the nation. In fact, research suggests that if Massachusetts gun legislation were adopted nationwide, tens of thousands of lives could be saved every year. Now, Republicans must find the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and support these life-saving measures. Prime Minister Modi's Joint Address: Last week, I was joined by Rakashi Chand from Newton as my guest of honor at Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi's joint address to Congress. I had an informative conversation with Rakashi about U.S.-India relations and the Indian diaspora in the Massachusetts Fourth. Rakashi is committed to promoting Indian culture in our district, including her service as a past president of United India Association of New England and her leadership in organizing Holi and Diwali celebrations in Newton. Rakashi's work and family are a testament to the depth and richness of cultural and economic ties between the United States and India. As a member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, I am also committed to working to strengthen the U.S.-India relationship as a counterweight to China's aggression, and to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations. To that end, Prime Minister Modi's vow for a U.S.-India partnership that supports democracy and a rules-based order was welcome. But it remains at odds with India's funding of Russia's war against Ukraine. That's why I led a bipartisan letter encouraging India to reassess its importation of Russian oil. I also joined a congressional letter to President Biden that encouraged him to raise human rights and political freedom as areas of concern with Prime Minister Modi. ARPA-I: Recently, I spoke about the promise of the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) at the White House's summit. Modeled after its highly-successful predecessors, ARPA-E and DARPA, the new agency can catalyze improvements in how we build, maintain, and optimize our transportation infrastructure. I also encouraged ARPA-I to have a locally-focused mindset, that does not think of local government as the lowest level of government, but as the highest level of collaboration between people who want to make a place better. You can watch my full remarks here. Make your voice heard → Do you support the mission of ARPA-I? Should funding ARPA-I be a priority for Congress? Around the Fourth Haywood House: I joined local officials, advocates, and future residents at the ribbon cutting at the Haywood House in Newton. I enjoyed speaking with Mrs. Karen (Katy) Haywood, beloved wife of longtime housing advocate Reverend Howard Haywood of Myrtle Baptist Church. The Newton Housing Authority's Haywood House will provide affordable senior housing. I spoke about how it can be a template for the public-private cooperation necessary to turbocharge housing production in Massachusetts. Taunton Pride Celebration: I celebrated Pride Month at Taunton's Pride event. In remarks, I reflected on the importance of making our state and our country a place where everyone is included and celebrated for who they are. On the federal level, I'm a strong supporter of the Equality Act. We must pass this bill to make discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation illegal in all 50 states. Day of Portugal: Grace and I attended Fall River's celebration for the Day of Portugal. I joined Mayor Coogan and organizer Tony Rodrigues at the festivities. We had a great time listening to the music, enjoying the food, and talking with everyone who came out to celebrate. Juneteenth: The newly designated federal holiday of Juneteenth is an important opportunity to reflect on our nation's new birth of freedom. I had a wonderful time with friends and neighbors at Newton's Juneteenth Celebration. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact

Franklin Police: Weekly Recap for June 18 to June 24, 2023

Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) tweeted on Tue, Jun 27, 2023:

"WEEKLY RECAP

The attached google drive link has the Weekly Recap from June 18 - June 24. This recap provides some greater detail about the calls we responded to: https://t.co/BHzrvGia1u"

 

Shared from ->   https://t.co/W60RE58UEI  or https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1673867627268120576

Franklin Police: Weekly Recap for June 18 to June 24, 2023

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, June 28, 2023

• 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 audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee as they preview the branding and marketing plan ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/economic-development-subcommittee_25.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 point.

• In this episode hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi  interview Ann Reynolds.  Ann is an expert in wine compliance and runs the Wine Compliance Alliance ->    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/wonderful-world-of-wine-www-wfprfm.html

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 What you Need to Know About Stormwater session we conducted in March to prepare for the stormwater fee beginning July 1, 2023  ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/what-you-need-to-know-about-stormwater.html

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

7:30 am     It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig

8:30 am     Memorial Day 2023

10:00 am Matt York: Highway Men

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Drink Responsibly: Craft Roots

1:00 pm     Eat Around The World: Peru

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10

3:30 pm     Franklin Disability Expo

4:00 pm Veterans' Call: Steve Crouteau

4:30 pm     FHS Graduation 2023

7:00 pm     Circle of Friends: Tracy Grammer

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

7:00 am     Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

8:30 am     All-Town Showcase 2023: Band

10:00 am Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Westwood 06-09-23

2:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball: v Milford 05-22-23

5:30 pm     FHS Varsity Baseball: State Finals v Taunton 06-18-23

9:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Lord of the Flies

10:00 pm FHS Graduation 2023

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

8:00 am Town Council: 06-21-23

12:00 pm OSRP: Public Meeting 06-20-23

2:00 pm Town Council: 06-21-23

6:30pm       Master Plan Committee:  LIVE, Training Fl3  842 7700 6388

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)

Making Sense of Climate #27 - Dave helps us understand how energize Franklin works! (video)

This is a special session of the radio show sharing my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, April 20, 2023.

We are joined by Dave Rittenhouse who helps us walk through the features of the new Energize Franklin webpage:  www.energizefranklin.org/

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

Video link -> https://youtu.be/myUzRaFXpsI

Making Sense of Climate #27 - Dave helps us understand how energize Franklin works! (video)

"What does the School Committee do?"

via Denise Spencer (@DSpencerFSC), current Franklin School Committee Chair

With a little over a month until its time to pull nomination papers (where does time go?), I thought I would once again share "What does the School Committee do?" and "just how much of a time commitment is this?" https://t.co/epya1uEEGL

The School Committee provides oversight & direction to the operation of the District. The committee's role, responsibilities & high level operating procedures are established in the context of Chapter 71, section 37 of the general laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Our primary responsibilities are to approve the budget, establish policies, and hire/evaluate the Superintendent. The implementation and achievement of these goals lies with the Superintendent and the administrative team.

School Committee meets twice a month, however December & July we usually only meet once, for the regular meeting. These run anywhere from 2 - 3 hours (generally). You receive the materials in advance so you have time to thoroughly prepare for each meeting.

The School Committee also has several subcommittees and liaison roles (you can find a full list here: https://franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/subcommittees-and-liaisons) and you are required to participate. Each committee/liaison role varies in time commitment.

There are also joint budget subcommittee meetings, town council meetings, finance committee meetings, town events, school events, etc etc that we attend. This is not a small commitment. I am available to answer any questions for folks looking for further information!

TLDR: The role of School Committee is not to run the schools, but rather to establish the policies by which the schools are run & to oversee their maintenance in a broad sense... it is also not a "light lift", it is a lot of work, requires time from family, but is rewarding

Twitter thread started here -> https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1673316652019077120

"What does the School Committee do?"

Franklin Department of Public Works - 2nd Annual Hydrant Painting Contest - submit designs by Aug 11, 2023

"The Franklin Department of Public Works is hosting their 2nd annual Fire Hydrant Painting Contest! Residents are encouraged to submit their designs by 8/11/2023. 

Learn more and access the application here: https://t.co/F2EHshXyaM"

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/pWIhYnZSko

2nd Annual Hydrant Painting Contest - submit designs by Aug 11, 2023

Pick up schedule changes for the 4th of July week

Via the Franklin DPW Facebook page ->  

Next week's holiday schedule for curbside trash/recycling pick up and the recycling center!

• Monday - picked up as normal
• Tuesday to Friday - delayed ONE day

Pick up schedule changes for the 4th of July week

https://www.facebook.com/100064487150311/posts/pfbid05iXbfybaJYbfGJrkoz7LSnsUa6nd8zyEPfE28SQB7QfMYx4SFuXTW6KTRs33rLSjl/

Rainbow Café - Tuesday, June 27 at 2:30 PM

Hello All,

It was wonderful to see many of you yesterday at Franklin's 2nd annual Pride Event on the commons.  I was lucky enough to run the booth for the Senior Center and met so many incredible and accepting folks.  

Just a reminder that Tuesday June 27 at 2:30 is our monthly Rainbow Café meeting.  

Please join us at the Franklin Senior Center for conversation and friendship with other like minded people.  Feel free to share this with anyone who may be interested in joining us. 

Ariel

Rainbow Café - Tuesday, June 27 at 2:30 PM

--

Ariel Doggett

Programming / Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: 508-520-4945

Fax: 508-520-4917

https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Town of Franklin, MA: Announces Diane Montanez as HR Benefits Coordinator

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted  on Tue, Jun 27, 2023:

"Welcome HR Benefits Coordinator Diane Montanez! She has over 20 years of experience in HR at the City of Marlborough & Mass Container Corp. 

In her role, she will support management of benefits & records for town, school, & retired employees. 

Fun fact, she is fluent in Portuguese! https://t.co/I6KTgKPHft"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1673813211328512000

Town of Franklin, MA: Announces Diane Montanez as HR Benefits Coordinator

Reminder: Little Women at THE BLACK BOX on Tuesday, June 27 - 7 PM

Since the 2005 closure of the beloved Zeotrope Theatre, there has been an absence of steady programming for our local cinephiles.

With a generous Mass Cultural Council grant from the Franklin Cultural District, Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, in collaboration with THE BLACK BOX, is piloting a 3-film monthly series to assess the local appetite for more regular independent, arthouse, foreign, and classic film screenings. The films are screened at 7 PM on the last Tuesday of the month at THE BLACK BOX (15 W Central St, Franklin, MA 02038).

The third and final film of the pilot, Little Women (2019), will be screened on Tuesday, June 27th. This most recent production of the classic Louisa May Alcott novel - partially filmed in Franklin! - garnered six Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture, Best Actress (Saoirse Ronan), and Best Supporting Actress (Florence Pugh). Greta Gerwig established herself as one of the most exciting young directors, adding a refreshing lens and rejuvenated spirit to the beloved tale. Once again, the novel itself will be in stock all month at Escape Into Fiction!

Popcorn and other refreshments will be available for purchase. This is a pilot program, so the group welcomes any feedback as they build out and improve the cinematic experience. 

Tickets will be sold at the door for a suggested $5 donation. All are welcome!

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, June 27, 2023

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

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

7:00 am     FPAC: Broadway in Franklin 2022

8:30 am         The Only Cure Is Education

9:00 am     It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig

10:00 am Frank's Musings: Joe Biden

11:00 am Senior Connection: Joe Landry

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Drink Responsibly: Craft Roots

1:00 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

1:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10

3:30 pm     Riffing with the President: Ep 1

5:00 pm Memorial Day Breakfast 2023

6:30 pm     Franklin Disability Expo

9:00 pm Circle of Friends: Tracy Grammer

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

7:00 am     Public School Event: FHS Jazz Cafe 2023

9:00 am     Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

10:30 am FHS Varsity Softball: v Milford 05-22-23

12:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig

3:00 pm Tri County Community Meeting 06-15-23

5:30 pm     All-Town Showcase 2023: Band

7:00 pm     FHS Senior Awards Night 2020

9:30 pm     FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Needham 06-08-23

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

8:00 am School Committee: 06-13-23

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee: 06-14-23

2:00 pm School Committee: 06-13-23

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)

Franklin's July 4th Coalition has a great line up for 2023

"The Franklin July 4th Coalition is made up of community volunteers.  Our sole mission is to preserve the annual celebrations for the town of Franklin.  We hope you come and enjoy yourselves.   

We rely entirely on fundraising events and donations to provide the fireworks, music and  events.  

We need your help.  A small tax deductible donation will help us reach our fundraising goal and allow us to keep the celebration an exciting town wide event."

Friday, June 30

6:00pm - Franklin's 4th of July - Carnival

Carnival Hours:  6PM - 10PM

MEGAPASS: Not Available

Wristbands: 12PM - 10PM

7:00pm - Duppy Conquerors (live music)

Saturday, July 1

12:00pm - Franklin's 4th of July - Carnival

Carnival Hours:  12PM - 10PM

MEGAPASS: 12PM - 10PM

Wristbands: 12PM - 5PM

12:00pm - Blues Festival - Ed Peabody (live music)

1:45pm - Blues Festival - Neal & the Vipers (live music)

3:30pm - Blues Festival - Mikey Junior (live music)

5:15pm - Blues Festival - Mike Crandall (live music)

7:00pm - Blue Festival - Bruce Katz (live music)

8:45pm - Blues Festival - Sugar Ray & the Bluetones (live music)

10:00pm - Fireworks

Sunday, July 2

12:00pm - Franklin's 4th of July - Carnival

Carnival Hours:  12PM - 10PM

MEGAPASS: 12PM - 10PM

Wristbands: 12PM - 6PM

12:00pm - Padula Trio Plus One (live music)

2:00pm - Attleboro School of Rock (live music)

4:00pm - The Zajac Brothers Band (live music)

7:00pm - Neon Wave (live music)

Monday, July 3

2:00pm - Franklin's 4th of July - Carnival

Carnival Hours:  2PM - 10PM

MEGAPASS: 2PM - 10PM

Wristbands: 2PM - 6PM

7:00pm - Backyard Swagger (live music)

Tuesday, July 4

12:00pm - Franklin's 4th of July - Carnival

Carnival Hours:  12PM - 6PM

MEGAPASS: 12PM - 6PM

Wristbands: 12PM - 4PM

12:00pm - Matt Zajac (live music)

1:00pm - Jamie Barrett (live music)

2:30pm - Hot Acoustics (live music)

4:30pm - Jesse Liam Band (live music)

Food booths (Open during carnival hours)

Pizza, hotdogs, water, ice cream Franklin Democrat Town Committee

Soda, ice cream sandwiches Franklin July 4th Coalition

Fried doughs, French fries Franklin Rod & Gun Club

Corn dogs, nachos, root beer floats         Republican Town Committee

Lemonade, yogurt parfait         Temple Etz Chaim

Visit the page for updates and to donate -> https://www.franklin4th.com/

Franklin's July 4th Coalition has a great line up for 2023

Celebrating with Pride (poetic photo essay)

Shooed the bug away, realizing too late

It's a ladybug, real life is exhausting 

White pickup truck, moving slow revved powerfully, 

Trying to create strife is exhausting

Joy from youthful bubble chasers challenging

The rainbow globes half-life is exhausting 

Black pickup follows the white, slowly, other direction

Still looking for wildlife is exhausting 

Many chats, introducing folks, connecting the dots 

All good work, improving our whole life is exhausting 

Painting Venus, in shaded tent, renders the gazebo

Prideful colored as still life is exhausting

Ladybug returns, that must be telling you something Sherlock 

You know reporting on good life is exhausting

Reflections on the pride celebration in Franklin, captured while on the Town Common, editing completed later that day, 06/25/23 - shared from ->   https://www.quietpoet.com/2023/06/celebrating-with-pride.html

the ladybug, that came and then returned

Second Son opened the musical entertainment

jamele with an impromptu Pride recognition

Sioo performing

Amy Adams, aka "Painting Venus" busy about her art

The Freedom Trail Band closed out the musical performances

Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) - wfpr.fm: Episode 240 - Ann Reynolds Interview - Wine Compliance & Labels (audio)

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) Episode 240

In this episode Kim and Mark interview Ann Reynolds.  Ann is an expert in wine compliance and runs the Wine Compliance Alliance. She is also a wine label expert and author of The Inside Story Of A Wine Label.

We discuss what wineries need to comply with and many wine label questions.

You can find Ann on her website www.wineconpliancealliance.com

Cheers 

Kim And Mark

Audio file -> https://soundcloud.com/user-492543397/episode-240-ann-reynolds-interview-wine-compliance-and-labels

Episode 240 - Ann Reynolds Interview - Wine Compliance & Labels

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) · Episode 240-Ann Reynolds Interview-Wine Compliance And Labels