Give blood, help a great cause

Please call us at (508) 384-0033 to learn more about this COVID-19 research study and to enroll. 

We, at MRN Diagnostics, would like you to be a part of our journey in creating the next generation of diagnostic tests. Without individual contributors like you, these critical diagnostics tests will not be available to patients seeking rapid and accurate diagnoses. 

For more information on how you can take part, please contact us at (508) 384-0033 or email collections@mrndx.com

Shared from ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/CywOfOSpXIw/

Give blood, help a great cause

For additional info, listen to the my interview and discussion with MRN Diagnostics CEO Dr. Greg Chiklis. Our discussion was conducted on site at the MRN facility in the Forge Park Industrial Park.  

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/take-part-in-mrn-clinical-trial-to.html

Franklin Residents: Join our iNaturalist Project!

Join our iNaturalist Project!

The Conservation Department has recently created a project in iNaturalist to help track species throughout our conservation areas and open spaces. We invite you to download the iNaturalist app on your mobile device, join our project called "Franklin, MA Conservation Areas and Open Spaces", and start documenting species! We are looking for any species that you observe - whether that be birds, mammals, amphibians, plants, native or invasive - you get the picture. You see it, we want to know about it. 

Visit www.inaturalist.org/projects/franklin-ma-conservation-areas-and-open-spaces to join the project. Visit www.inaturalist.org/pages/getting+started to learn how to navigate the iNaturalist app. Questions? Contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov. 

Read more

Franklin Residents: Join our iNaturalist Project!

Franklin TV: Candidate Night Video available for Replay (video)

Franklin Observer conducted a candidate night last week. 

Franklin TV recorded the event and the video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWA_AjUYEDk

SAFE Coalition: Self-Care Saturdays scheduled through Nov 18, 2023

JOIN US for Self-Care Saturdays!   Greetings!   The holiday season can be difficult for those that have a family member suffering from substance use disorder, mental health concerns, or have an empty chair at the table. Imagine having four weeks devoted to your own Self-Care before the start of the holiday season?   Beginning Saturday October 28th, from 9:00 am - 10:30am, SAFE's Family Support Center will host Self-Care Saturdays.  Each Saturday will provide an opportunity to experience a new modality for healing while experiencing the power of group fellowship.    All are welcome!    Please RSVP to info@safecoalitionma.org There is no cost for this event (donations are voluntary and will be gladly accepted).   For more information, please email Jim Derick   jderick@safecoalitionma.org or call 508-488-8105   Warmly,  Jim Derick Director, Family Support\ Cofounder  SAFE Coalition

Franklin Interfaith Council adds subscription option to their webpage

"We’ve been doing quite a bit of maintenance on our website to make it more readable and user friendly.  

One of the major new features is that you can subscribe to get email updates. Check it out! And, subscribe to get the latest news and updates from the Franklin Interfaith Council. "

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the Subscribe option ->  https://franklininterfaith.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3545117755758225/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Franklin Interfaith Council adds subscription option to their webpage

CommonWealth Magazine: "Healey administration backs Somerset project"

"WITH A CRITICAL vote nearing in a divided town, the Healey administration urged officials in Somerset to keep moving forward with a factory at Brayton Point that could become a major supplier to the US offshore wind industry.

At a press conference on Monday, Gov. Maura Healey was asked if she has a message for Somerset this week. She referred the questioner to Rebecca Tepper, her secretary of energy and environmental affairs, but added: “Clean energy is something this administration has been very invested in and making that work for all involved is something we’re invested in.”

Tepper issued a statement of support for the project Monday night. “The proposed Prysmian manufacturing facility is a chance for tremendous economic development that will supply wind projects along the entire East Coast,” she said. “A former dirty coal power plant can be transformed into a cutting-edge cable manufacturing facility, bringing good-paying jobs, tax revenue, and economic growth to Somerset and the South Coast region.”

Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/healey-administration-backs-somerset-project-2/ 

This happens to be one of the topics Ted McIntyre and I cover in our latest "Making Sense of Climate" episode -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/in-this-making-sense-of-climate-episode.html

A rendering of the Prysmian subsea cable manufacturing facility proposed for Brayton Point in Somerset

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Oct 25, 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 our new Chalkboard Chat with School Committee member Dave Callaghan  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/this-chalkboard-chat-recaps-school-cmte.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 talk Nancy Clancy about biodynamics  ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.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 our new Talk Franklin episode with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/this-talk-franklin-episode-with-town.html

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am Mental Health: Shannon Nesbitt

8:30 am Addressing Hate in School Sports

10:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Rob Lawson

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Sweet Corn Risotto

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm Senior Center Chef Showdown

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

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 6

3:30 pm Franklin Observer: Candidates Night 2023

5:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Northeast Groove

8:00 pm Circle of Friends: She Grooves

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2022

8:30 am Public School Concert: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-14-19

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Danny Lagarce

11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Molly Driscoll & Nick Gangemi

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer: v North Attleboro 10-19-23

2:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v King Philip 10-16-23

4:35 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball: v 10-20-23

8:00 pm FHS Varsity Football: v Attleboro 10-20-23

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council: 10-18-23

12:00 pm Davis Thayer Re-Use Advisory 10-17-23

2:00 pm Town Council: 10-18-23

6:30 pm  Master Plan Committee:  LIVE Rm 326 Fl3  816 2233 1999

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Tri-County Election Results - School approved by 5364 to 3229 vote

The Tri-County election results are in via the local Franklin totals from our Town Clerk Nancy Danello, and for the overall results from Peter Wiernicki, one of the Franklin members of the Tri-County School Committee.

3 of the 11 communities voted against the new school but not by enough that the other 8 weren't able to cover.

Only 6.4% of the total registered voters across the 11 communities turned out. Franklin had the largest vote total but not the largest percent turnout.

Tri-County Election Results - School approved by 5364 to 3229 vote (updated)

The PDF version of this table is available for download

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahrckGnO9rWoFpLfx8mGxBfCQLxV97c-/view?usp=drive_link

From the Franklin Town Clerk page via Tri-County

https://drive.google.com/file/d/142BgzYhNNepIscgMAj8zUhpdMehFWUpH/view?usp=drive_link

Tri-County Election Results - School approved by 5364 to 3229 vote

Friendly Reminder to cast your vote on the Tri-County election today (10/24/23 from noon to 8 PM) at Franklin High School

Why is there a vote for Tri-County today?

The Tri-County Regional VTHS is looking to replace their old and falling apart building with a new one. Today's vote is for the 11 Tri-County communities to say "Yes" or "No" to the project.

The vote for all 11 communities occurs at the same time on Tuesday, October 24, from noon to 8 PM. Franklin votes at Franklin High School. 

The one question ballot simply asks yes or no to authorize building the new school.

How will it be paid for?

Each of the 11 communities will make that determination separately. Franklin has chosen to use a debt exclusion to fund the Franklin portion of the replacement cost.

One question will be on the Nov 7 ballot to authorize Franklin's funding for the project with a debt exclusion (estimated to be $2.1 for 30 years). 

Additional information on the Tri-County project can be found in one place ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/tri-county-election-information-for.html

rendering of the new Tri-County Building

#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid UPDATE - 10/23/23

Hello!

Thank you for being patient as we took a brief pause to evaluate our process to make sure that we are asking for donations people actually need. There have been a lot of disparate community asks for donations and many of those asks overlapped which created a glut of some things and a scarcity of others. 

While the outpouring of donations is immensely appreciated, we want to make sure 1) that we receive things that will be used in a timely manner and 2) that we don't put too many asks out at one time and burn people out. 

This is not a "short term project." This is a long-term effort. We need to make sure that the process of assessing and meeting needs is sustainable. So, we needed to take a pause, meet with all the stakeholders, and create a new procedure. 

Here is how we are operating as we move forward:

1. The SAFE Coalition will do intake interviews for new placements and assess needs upon arrival. They will also be giving out welcome/hospitality bags that will provide basic supplies. Most people arrive with little to nothing.
2. Needs will be regularly communicated to the Franklin Interfaith Council who will then ask for donations via its email list and through the various communities of faith. Drop-off points will be at St. Mary's and the Franklin United Methodist Church (details of hours will be provided when the ask is issued). Note: moving forward please do not drop-off clothing donations at the Franklin Federated Church. No donations should be dropped off at the hotel.
3. Items will be sorted and stored at the Franklin United Methodist Church.
4. Volunteers will gather needed items from the Franklin United Methodist Church and deliver them directly to the individuals/families.
5. The SAFE Coalition will do regular visits to individuals/families to assess any new or changing needs. They will also remove items that may no longer be of use. Remember: there isn't a lot of room for storing accumulated items in the hotel rooms. At that point, we loop back to step two (2) and the process keeps repeating.

If you have any questions about this process, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll do my best to answer any/all your questions. The Franklin Interfaith Council, SAFE Coalition, and others are meeting weekly, outside of the town-called stakeholders meeting, to communicate and collaborate with one another. I hope to send out an updated call for donations by the end of this week.

In the meantime, we are continuing to train volunteers for the After-school Program which is anticipated to begin on Wednesday. If you'd like to help with that, please contact Rev. Kathy McAdams (rector@stjohnsfranklinma.og). 

We will need volunteers to help sort and put things in storage at Franklin United Methodist Church. We are finalizing lists of donations for the welcome/hospitality bags. And, we are making plans for a weekly sit-down meal for emergency shelter residents that will include a "carry-out" option for those not able to be seated for the meal (space is limited).

Thank you for your patience during this pause. And, most importantly, thank you for your generosity as seek to meet the needs of those placed in the emergency shelter so that they might come to #LOVEfranklin as much as we do.

Peace.

Jacob

#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid UPDATE - 10/23/23

Franklin (MA) Police Press Release: Missing Person Update - Jazlyn Rodrigues Found Safe

October 23, 2023

Jazlyn Rodrigues, a 15-year-old Franklin, MA resident who has been missing since October 10th was found safe on October 21st.  She has been reunited with family.

Based upon our investigation, it appears that Jazlyn left her residence on October 10, 2023 on her own free will as a run-away.  Based on a tip, she was found at a residence in Hopkinton, MA on October 21, 2023.  It appears that Jazlyn had adult assistance throughout the entirety of her disappearance and nothing indicates that she was abducted or kept against her will.

Detectives are still investigating and charges may be filed at a later date for those who assisted in harboring or assisting her.  

The Franklin Police Department would like to thank the community and the following agencies for their assistance during this investigation:

• New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN)

• Hopkinton Police Department

• Mansfield Police Department

Franklin (MA) Police Press Release: Missing Person - Jazlyn Rodrigues Found Safe

Holiday Hand Soap Drive launched by the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry is collecting donations of hand soap for the 1,300 individuals who rely on The Pantry each year. 

According to the CDC, germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, tabletops, or toys, and then transferred to another person's hands. Removing germs through handwashing therefore helps prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections and may even help prevent skin and eye infections. 

Donations can be brought to the Franklin Food Pantry, 341 West Central Street Franklin, Massachusetts, and placed in the large purple bin ("The Purple People Feeder") on The Pantry’s loading dock. Donations must be unused, unopened, and undamaged.  

Monetary donations can also be made online at: https://bit.ly/45LjrS5

For more information, contact Marsha Tait at 508-528-3115 or donations@franklinfoodpantry.org.

Holiday Hand Soap Drive launched by the Franklin Food Pantry

FHS girls soccer, volleyball, and field hockey teams post wins vs. Attleboro on Monday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Monday, Oct 23, 2023. 

Boys Soccer = Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 1 – Final

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"The postseason doesn’t begin until late next week, but the Attleboro and Franklin boys soccer teams provided a preview of what’s to come on Monday night.

The Bombardiers became the first team to take a lead on the Panthers this season on a goal in the 45th minute from sophomore Corvengdjimy Thomas but the hosts rallied for the equalizer in the 59th minute off of the foot of senior Gustavo Martinez to earn a draw 1-1 draw.

With the result, Franklin stays one point ahead of Attleboro in the Kelley-Rex division with one game left apiece.

“I was very happy with them,” said Franklin head coach Fran Bositis. “That was the first time we’ve really faced that kind of adversity and they responded in a good way. I don’t like to tie, no one likes to tie, but we still control our own destiny. The best thing about tonight was that they found a way to come back, which is a good sign.”

Continue reading the game recap  (subscription required):

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-soccer-ties-attleboro-to-keep-division-lead/

For a photo gallery from this game -> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2023-2024/Fall-2023/Franklin-Attleboro-Boys-Soccer-10-23-23/

Girls Soccer = Franklin, 4 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final

– Franklin took a while to get things going offensively but Kelly O’Connor recorded a hat trick and the Panthers pulled out a win that keeps them tied with King Philip atop the Kelley-Rex division. Ava Workman added the fourth for Franklin, while Ava Villella (two) and Maddie Horton recorded assists.

Field Hockey = Franklin, 7 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final

– Haley Wernig netted a hat trick while Chloe Essam scored a pair to help Franklin get a win on the road and clinch the Kelley-Rex division title outright. Essam scored Franklin’s two goals in the second while Emily Carney had one in the opening quarter to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead at halftime. Wernig scored once in the third and twice in the fourth while Raena Crandall added one in the third to push the final to 7-0. Devon Barry and Chloe Strassner (three saves) combined for the shutout.

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap

"While Franklin was in position to win a sixth straight league title whether the Panthers won at Attleboro on Monday night or not, but beating the Bombardiers would seal the outright Kelley-Rex crown. It would be only the second time in this six-year run that Franklin sat alone atop the league standings and the Panthers weren’t in the mood to share that spot.

Trailing Attleboro 2-1, with the Bombardiers on the verge of a season sweep and a share of the league title, Franklin found another gear. The Panthers held off the Bombardiers in the fourth set and carried the momentum into the fifth, jumping out a 10-0 lead and winning the decisive set in decisive fashion, 15-2, capping off a 3-2 (25-22, 24-26, 22-25, 25-20, 15-2) victory.

“We talked a lot about how sets one, two, and three weren’t the volleyball that we can play,” Franklin coach Samantha Redmond said. “It was trying to manage emotions, work together, and play like we can play. It took until the fourth set to play Franklin volleyball again.”

Senior hitter Taylor Lacerda added, “Especially since we lost at home, we definitely wanted to come out strong. We knew they’d have a pretty big fanbase coming here. We wanted to show them who Franklin is and come out super strong.”

Continue reading the game recap  (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-volleyball-rallies-to-beat-attleboro-in-five-clinch-title/

For a photo gallery from this game.

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2023-2024/Fall-2023/Attleboro-Franklin-Volleyball-10-23-23/

Golf - D1 Sectionals

Panthers with good showing at sectionals but fall short on qualifying for states, finishing 6th out of 18

CJ Steel shot an even par 72 & qualified for the individual bid to states next Monday.

Liam Lewandowski & Tyler O'Brien 82, 

Caden Sullivan 85, 

Jack Nelson 86, 

Ben Paterson 95

https://twitter.com/FHSGolfTeam/status/1716548625604505833

For other results around the league (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-10-23-23/

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Reminder that HockomockSports.com changed to a subscription model in July. I have a subscription to view and share the FHS results that they provide. If you want to view all the worth Hockomock League reporting they do, subscribing is a good thing. It is quite reasonable. The subscription link is provided below.

To subscribe to HockomockSports.com ->

https://hockomocksports.com/sign-up/#utm_source=HockomockSports&utm_medium=HomepageDesktop&utm_campaign=20232024

FHS Panther sports results shared via subscription to HockomockSports.com

Town Council observes Police new hires, hears of SAFE Coalition updates & migrant housing updates (audio)

FM #1086 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1086 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. All 9 members  of the Council participated, 1 remotely (Frongillo). 

Quick recap:

(1) Town Clerk provided updates on the upcoming Oct 24 election for the new Tri-County school building and the Biennial Town election on Nov 7. Both votes will take place at the High School. Folks can vote early in the Town Clerk's office during business hours

(2) the swearing in of the new round of hires (backfill replacements) for the Police Dept. along with the introduction of Kallie Montagano who returns to the Dept in a new role as the Co-Response Program continues to grow. And last but not least, the introduction of Frankie, the departments new therapy dog

(3) approval of the license changes to enable Bob Vozzella to expand into his new space and operate with his farmers licenses for wine and beer

(4) impactful and moving update from Jennifer Knight-Levine, CEO and cofounder of the SAFE Coalition on their work. The audio segment of her presentation along with the Q&A with the Council is shared separately. Her update includes the expansion of their work in meeting the needs of our community into handling the migrant housing needs  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/jen-knight-levine-updates-council-on.html

(5) Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's update on the migrant status will also be shared separately as an audio segment

5. APPOINTMENTS

a. Police Department - Swearing In of New Patrol Officers

i. Officer Parker Luther

ii. Officer Joseph Medina

iii. Officer Robert Young

iv. Officer Martin Zimei

b. Police Department - Introductions

i. Kallie Montagano, Co-Response Program Manager

ii. Frankie, Therapy Dog

The recording runs 1 hour and 47 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on Oct 18, 2023.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1086-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-10-18-23

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The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-7D1fTJLhY 

  

Town Council agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_10.18.23.pdf 

Photo album of the police introductions and swearing in ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qanQvXdNFAvbQQN76

Jen Knight-Levine's update for the SAFE Coalition was shared separately as an audio  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/jen-knight-levine-updates-council-on.html

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen's report including the migrant housing update was shared separately  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/town-council-segment-migrant-housing.html

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x70Z0z2GHI0n98J3Ybgu_Thk_TTo4Ese/view?usp=drive_link 

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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!

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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"

The expansion of La Cantina Winery is progressing & the license transfers were approved at this session