Friday, July 28, 2023

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, July 28, 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

7:30 am     Commonwealth Heroines
9:00 am         Frank Presents: James Ginley
11:00 am Senior Connection: Public Health
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm Drink Responsibly: Flat Breads
1:00 pm     Physician Focus: Oral Health
1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 5
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2
3:30 pm     Riffing on Main Street: Catherine Kennedy
4:30 pm     Second Sunday Speaker Series: Mary Olsson
8:30 pm 4th of July 2023: Backyard Swagger

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

7:00 am     Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
8:30 am     It Takes A Village: Community College
10:30 am FHS Varsity Softball: v North Attleboro 04-24-23
12:30 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep
1:30 pm     FHS Chamber Music 2023
3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Longmeadow 04-28-23
8:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

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

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 07-20-23
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 07-20-23

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

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Franklin Police ask residents to respond to the "Community Survey on Public Safety & Law Enforcement"

The Franklin, MA Police Department (FPD) invites you to take this "Community Survey on Public Safety & Law Enforcement." It will take approximately five minutes of your time and is completely confidential.


Your participation will help the police department improve its services, processes, and reputation.

The survey is designed for a law enforcement agency to gather opinions and experiences from members of its community. The survey assesses five key components that involve the FPD
  • Community involvement
  • Safety
  • Procedural Justice
  • Performance
  • Contact and satisfaction
You may come into contact with multiple law enforcement agencies, but please answer the questions thinking only about the Franklin, Massachusetts Police Department.

Please indicate your response to each item by selecting the appropriate answer based on your feelings, opinions, and experiences. You may skip any survey items you do not feel comfortable responding to or know how to answer, but we encourage you to respond to as many items.


All about the Town of Franklin Sewer Services - part 3 of 3 (audio)

FM #1028 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1028 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent. 


We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St. This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water & Sewer Division. During 2021, we did a 3-part series on the water supply. With the Beaver St interceptor project starting later this year, we decided to cover the sewer side of the business. A little more dirty talk although we do start out with some updates on water.


Part 1 - approx. 25 minutes


  • PFAS - the EPA is looking to update their regulation

    • Mitigation of PFAS for Well 7 is costly and starting later this year

    • If the proposed regulations go through, it will be more costly as "60% of our water sources are currently above that (proposed) threshold"

    • Likely water rate increase coming in a future year (TBD)

  • New diagram shows lines of responsibility for water (and sewer) between Town and property owners

  • What to flush or not flush (3 p's - poop, pee & (toilet) paper)

Part 1 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer.html


Part 2 - approx. 42 minutes

  • We get into the core of the sewer system, historical design (or lack thereof)

  • Beaver St interceptor, construction overview and project plan

  • System capacity (both water & sewer), annual conservation measures

  • Oct 14 - Touch a Truck, hydrant painting, snow plow naming contest, and reveal of communication plan for the Beaver St construction project


Part 3 - approx. 27 minutes

  • We get to the sewer budget and rate increases approved for FY 2024, FY 2025, FY 2026

  • Review of the projects being completed or being worked, and planned for near term

    • Sahlin circle (final touches)

    • Monterrey Dr off Pleasant St (Jan/Feb - awaiting pump delivery)

    • Phase 7 lining - this summer

    • next level of I&I study

    • asset mgt grant

    • easement clearing & mapping

  • Good things about the community cooperation

  • Last but not least mention of the lead service connections (not supposed to be many)


The final section includes a budget recap which summaries as the following:

  • $500K for expenses, 

  • approx. $1M for personnel

  • $3.4M for Charles River flow and assessment

  • $1M for project debt and interest payments


The show notes include links to the Franklin water & sewer division page 


Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s sewer services. Audio Part 3 -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1027-tof-all-about-sewer-series-06-14-23-part-2-of-3




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Water Sewer Division - https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division

Water Smart program ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/welcome-watersmart-program


Leak or Blockage diagram of lines of responsibility between Town and property owners for water and sewer service  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/have-leak-or-blockage


Consumer Confidence Reports -> archive   = https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/consumer-confidence-reports


Charles River Pollution Control https://www.franklinma.gov/charles-river-pollution-control   and https://www.charlesriverpcd.org/ 


Charles River Update to Town Council begins at 57:50 in the Franklin TV meeting video for May 3, 2023  ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og


Beaver St interceptor update to Town Council begins at 1:36:30  in the same meeting video https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og


The most recent PFAS update to Town Council begins at 1:52:56 in the same meeting video https://www.youtube.com/live/mhRDmkdk7og


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 


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"


"Let's continue to put love out there"

jamele adams, the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Scituate School District, was the target of an incident at Museum Beach in Scituate. The Patriot Ledger story provides an overview of this unacceptable act.

jamele is a Franklin resident. 

Limited Openings Available at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School for Grade Eight


July 26, 2022
The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS), located in Franklin, Massachusetts, has a limited number of openings for students to join the Grade 8 class for the 2023-2024 school year. BFCCPS is a regional public charter school for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight.  Founded in 1995, BFCCPS is one of the oldest and most successful charter schools in the state of Massachusetts. 
If the number of applications exceeds the number of spaces available, a lottery will be held on August 25th.  As a regional public charter school there is no tuition to be paid if your applicant receives an offer of enrollment. Please note that applications for other grades are not available at this time, but will open on November 1st for the 2024-2025 school year. 
The school provides a well-rounded, rigorous academic program designed to educate the whole child providing courses in art, music, languages, technology, and physical education. The school's integrated character education, community service, and strong parent partnerships, have led to local, state and national recognition. BFCCPS alumni continue to excel during their attendance at local public high schools as well as independent high schools. 
Please visit the school's website  for enrollment details, including applications.   
If you'd like to learn more about the educational mission of the school or have enrollment related questions please contact the school's Communication Coordinator, Joanne Basile at jbasile@bfccps.org or 508-541-3434 x104.

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School's mission is to assist parents in their role as primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does.

 

Limited Openings Available at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School for Grade Eight
Limited Openings Available at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School for Grade Eight

Town Clerk Nancy Danello announces that the Nomination Papers are NOW Available

Notice from the Office of the Town Clerk: 

Nomination Papers NOW Available August 1st, 2023

The Biennial Town Election is November 7th, 2023. Which means it's almost time to pull nomination papers! Nomination papers will be available Thursday, July 27 August 1st, 2023 and must be returned by September 6th, 2023 no later than 5PM to the Town Clerk's Office of the. The following is a complete list of available seats.

Board/ Committee/ Position# of Open SeatsCurrent OfficialTerm of Office
Board of Assessors2 4 Year 2019 - 2023
Board of Health2 4 Year 2019 - 2023
Constables3 4 Year 2019 - 2023
Planning Board3 4 Year 2021 - 2023
School Committee7 2 Year 2021 - 2023
Town Council9 2 Year 2021 - 2023

Questions? Contact the Office of the Town Clerk at 508-520-4900 or email ndanello@franklinma.gov

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/nomination-papers-are-ready-now-call-clerks-office-or-just-stop-file

Franklin Election Collection - 2023
Franklin Election Collection - 2023

Congressman Jake Auchincloss: An Update for the past 2 weeks in review (7/26/23)


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LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW

I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed.


On the Hill

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Opposing the NDAA: I voted against the House version of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). While considering this year's NDAA, I was willing to change my past opposition and support measures that increased Pentagon spending so long as those additional funds were directed to Ukraine. I was also committed to protecting service members' reproductive freedom. This NDAA did the opposite.

This NDAA repeats the same mistakes from years prior by encouraging the Pentagon to spend more, instead of forcing it to spend smarter. Further, it misses the mark on America's most urgent national security imperative: providing Ukraine the material necessary to defeat Russia. Our support for Ukraine has the highest return on investment of any national security funding of the 21st century. Congress can't ask Ukraine to do more with less while the Pentagon does less with more.

House Republicans should have used this NDAA to stand up to autocrats – in Russia and in China. By failing to fully fund Ukraine, they are not standing up to Vladimir Putin and they are sending the message that they will not stand up to Xi Jinping.

Additionally, I opposed an amendment to the NDAA that would restrict women's access to abortion. Our service members deserve reliable access to healthcare, regardless of where they are stationed.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Israeli President's address to a joint session of Congress. President Herzog spoke movingly of his deep personal attachment to the US-Israel relationship and of his commitment to our common democratic future. I share President Herzog's commitment to the U.S.-Israel partnership. I also share his concern that it continues based upon shared values.

A strong and independent judiciary is foundational to Israel's democracy, which for 75 years has been an inspiration to people the world over. As Americans well know through our constitutional amendment process, there are times when change may be necessary. Big change, though, requires deep consensus. I am disappointed that the coalition government did not seek consensus before passing the "reasonableness" component of its platform yesterday.

I have expressed my concerns to the Israeli Embassy regarding the process and the importance of an independent judiciary. I will continue to use my voice and vote to help realize a strong and healthy relationship between the United States and Israel, refreshed by tough conversations and grounded in shared democratic values.

Reducing Airport Delays: I also joined my colleagues in passing a bipartisan reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I helped shape this legislation to ensure it reduces airport delays for travelers, promotes cleaner travel by modernizing our airline infrastructure, and shores up aviation safety.

Specifically, the reauthorization works to improve air travel for passengers by boosting the hiring of air traffic controllers to reduce delays. It also requires airlines to plan for reimbursements for hotel and meal costs when there are mass cancellations. Further, the legislation works to allow young families to sit together at no extra cost. I am committed to supporting legislation that makes air travel easier and more fair for the flying public.

Outcompeting China: During hearings of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party, I spoke about how the United States can outcompete China and own the economic future.

While Xi Jinping inserts the Chinese Communist Party into ever-more elements of the economy, which struggles with high youth unemployment and massive debt, the United States should focus on the basics: rule of law, education, science, infrastructure, and a more fair and dynamic economy. We should also seek to strengthen trade relationships outside of China, which is why I argued for reauthorizing the Generalized System of Preferences, which would reduce the tariff burden (and thereby consumer prices) on imports from non-Chinese developing nations that wish to partner with the United States.

I also made it clear that Republicans' proposed cuts to federal science and education funding will hamstring our nation's competitiveness in STEM-led research and innovation. I strongly support, and will continue to advocate for, a doubling of our national R&D intensity, because science and education are critical drivers of social and economic progress.

Make your voice heard → Should Congress continue to provide funding to Ukraine in their fight against Russia?

Do you support Congress providing aid to Ukraine?

 

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Around the Fourth

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Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club: Recently, I visited the Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club with State Representative Soter and State Senator Fattman. The visit highlighted the importance of this organization in our community, and I remain as committed as ever to ensuring it has financial support for decades to come. The Club serves hundreds of children in the region by providing activities like fishing, swimming, games, and more.

Most impressively, the Club does it all while using a 150+ year old facility that, put simply, isn't up to par. Because of this, I am working to secure the funding it needs by including it as one of my FY24 Community Project Funding requests.

Southwick's Zoo: Teddy and I had a fantastic time visiting Southwick's Zoo, a landmark of our district. (Teddy's favorite animals were the monkeys). Beyond seeing all of the animals, we enjoyed hearing about the zoo's history as a family business, its conservation efforts, and owner Betsey Brewer's vision for future educational programming and community engagement.

ImageSharon Meet and Greet: I hosted a meet and greet in Sharon to hear from constituents about their priorities and how I can best represent them in Congress. It was a great conversation covering everything from unfair tactics by drug-pricing middlemen to the current government-funding debates in Congress. I look forward to more events like this in the future. Keep an eye out for upcoming meet and greets throughout the district later this summer.

Everwood Day Camp: On Friday, I also visited Everwood Day Camp in Sharon. I met with Jaime Pickles and her team, who have built a wonderful community of campers and counselors for hundreds of families throughout the district.

ImageSt. Mary of Carmen Festival: I also spoke at the St. Mary of Carmen Society's 88th annual festival. I had a wonderful time enjoying the rich culture and community that Nonantum brings to the Fourth District and Massachusetts as a whole. Thank you to Frank Battista, Carl Pasquarosa, Chuck Proia, and countless others for their tireless work to bring this great event to us each year.

Onwards,

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Jake

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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





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Master Plan Update Committee meeting 07/26/23 - video replay available

The Master Plan Update Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, July 26 in the 3rd floor training room. 


Franklin TV video replay -> https://youtu.be/fkUlJ1BAHGg

Master Plan Committee on the Town of Franklin page ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee


Next Master Plan Update Committee meeting scheduled for Aug 23, 2023 at 6:30 PM.

La Cantina schedules Charcuterie Workshop on Aug 16 at 6 PM

shaar·koo·tr·ee 
If you can’t say it, you can learn the techniques to make it @lacantinawinery. Check out this exciting event we have planned for August 16th with @red.apron.charcuterie. 
Purchase tickets at https://lacantinawinery.square.site


La Cantina schedules Charcuterie workshop on  Aug 16 at 6 PMna schedules 2 hour workshop on "Charcuterie" - Aug 16 at 6 PM
La Cantina schedules Charcuterie workshop on  Aug 16 at 6 PM