Congressman Auchincloss: An Update from the last two weeks (12/19/23)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. On the Hill National Defense Authorization Act: I support a strong U.S. military, especially in this more dangerous world for democracy. I voted 'No' on the NDAA because the Pentagon, as the world's biggest bureaucracy, should do 10% more with 10% less. As I said this summer, after my previous 'No' vote, the 10% savings would be enough to fund Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Following the vote, I spoke on the House floor to call attention to Congress' failure to deliver for our democratic allies abroad before leaving Washington for the holidays. I asked that the House return to vote as soon as possible to approve the separate funding package that President Biden is requesting for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian support for Gaza. Republicans' Incoherent Impeachment Inquiry: Last week, House Republicans voted to launch a baseless impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Instead of working to lower costs and defend democracy, the House GOP is manufacturing this stunt to distract the American people from their party's inability to govern. The first year of this 118th Congress has been the least productive, in terms of laws passed, of any in recent history. Washington Bridge Closure: During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's recent hearing with the Federal Highway Administration, I asked about the closure of the Washington Bridge in Providence and called for it to be reopened with the same sense of urgency that Americans saw in recent closures in Pennsylvania and California. The closure of the bridge on I-195 is a major disruption for Bay Staters traveling to Providence, making commutes longer and limiting access to one of the biggest cities in New England. I visited the bridge to see the state of congestion for myself and will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Transportation to get the bridge reopened ASAP. Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you. Have you been affected by the Washington Bridge closure? Around the Fourth Discussing Competition with China: Congressman Ro Khanna of California and I serve on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. I always benefit from intellectual sparring with him to sharpen my own thinking about trade and industrial strategy. Two weeks ago, Ro and I dug deep on where we agree – manufacturing has importance to the U.S. political economy that is greater than just its share of GDP – and where we diverge: Ro subscribes to tariffs and industrial policy to compete with China; whereas I am skeptical of Washington's wisdom in directing the economy and would prefer policy-makers focus on getting the basics right. Investing in infrastructure, science, and education and strengthening the rule of law is the best industrial strategy. One example: American 15-year-olds have slid backward on math scores since 2018, according to the most recent Program for International Student Assessment. Bipartisan commitment to excellence in math education would do more for U.S. economic dynamism in the 21st century than the sum consequence of all tariffs and subsidies. Antisemitism on College Campuses: Antisemitism is a crisis on college campuses that has worsened since October 7th. After a recent Education and Workforce Committee hearing on campus antisemitism with the leaders of Harvard and MIT, I joined Representative Seth Moulton, a fellow Harvard alum, in making the following statement: "Harvard ranks last out of 248 universities for support of free speech. But when it comes to denouncing antisemitism, suddenly the university has anxieties about the First Amendment. It rings hollow." Universities must divorce themselves from double standards and instead lay down clear commitments to free & open discourse, with consistently enforced standards to prevent harassment. The Boards of Harvard and MIT have made their decision about who can lead their universities toward this higher ground of truth-seeking and pluralism. They now own those decisions and are accountable for meaningful & urgent progress. LigerBots STEAM Expo: Teddy and Grace got a huge thrill from playing with robots at the annual LigerBots STEAM Expo at Newton North High School. And I got a kick out of speaking with student engineers from across the district, including Newton, North Attleboro, and Franklin. When we got home, Teddy insisted that we build and program his own robot. His dad did his best but I'm not winning the Eastern Mass Championships any time soon... Happy Holidays: Wishing everyone a happy holiday season! I hope you're able to spend them with your family, friends, and loved ones. 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 LGBTQ Alliance Newsletter

Franklin Senior Center Rainbow Cafe is now today at 2:30!

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance In this newsletter we include an invitation to our next meeting and community events, including our next book club discussion, and include more opportunities to get involved. You're Invited to our Upcoming Meeting    When: Thursday, January 4th at 6pm!   Where: Franklin Public Library    Join us for a post-holiday gift swap! The goal is not to spend money, but to give a gift you do not want or household item you do not use. Gift should be wrapped and in new/near-new condition.  LGBTQ+ Book Club! Tuesday, January 9th 6pm at the Franklin Library Join us as we read the play Angels in America by Tony Kushner! (parts 1 and 2)   You can get your copy at Escape into Fiction (website) or the Franklin Library.   "In two full-length plays--Millennium Approaches and Perestroika--Kushner tells the story of a handful of people trying to make sense of the world. Prior is a man living with AIDS whose lover Louis has left him and become involved with Joe, an ex-Mormon and political conservative whose wife, Harper, is slowly having a nervous breakdown. These stories are contrasted with that of Roy Cohn (a fictional re-creation of the infamous American conservative ideologue who died of AIDS in 1986) and his attempts to remain in the closet while trying to find some sort of personal salvation in his beliefs." (goodreads)   We hope you will read with us!  Want to donate to the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance?  Click HERE or scan below to find our Givebutter! If you are not on our email list, sign up to receive future emails with this form.  View this email in your browser You are receiving this email because of your relationship with the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance.  90 Hayward Street Franklin, MA 02038

What I listened to on a podcast, led to my reading the book

While walking around town, I am frequently listening to a book on tape, or to a podcast, or on busy roads, music. One podcast in the regular queue is with Adam Grant. 

"Your brain on art" with authors Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen on the WorkLife with Adam Grant

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/your-brain-on-art-with-ivy-ross-and-susan-magsamen/id1346314086?i=1000638235681  I don't have an Apple device as the podcast is usually available via multiple podcast apps.  

The podcast episode was so good, I went to get the Audible book. The book is much more detailed (of course) and worth it.

https://www.audible.com/pd/Your-Brain-on-Art-Audiobook/B0B646D6X7

What I listened to on a podcast, led to my reading the book

Keep your money safe from gift card scammers this holiday season. Here’s how

Keep your money safe from gift card scammers this holiday season. Here's how By Cristina Miranda What's one way to keep your money safe from scammers during the holidays?  If you're in the check-out line buying gift cards, make sure they're for gifts. Only gifts.  Not because someone tells you to buy gift cards and give them the numbers off the back of the card. Only scammers say that. Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/12/keep-your-money-safe-gift-card-scammers-holiday-season-heres-how

Keep your money safe from gift card scammers this holiday season. Here’s how

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Dec 21, 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 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

8:00 am Veterans' Call: John Milot

9:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Wrentham 350

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos

12:30 pm Mrs. Claus Storytime

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 7

3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: Erin Gallagher

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

4:30 pm Parish of St. Mary Christmas Pageant 2019

6:00 pm Santa On The Common 2023

7:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 11 - Kemp Harris

8:00 pm Frank Presents: Jay Elias Pt 1

9:00 pm Frank's Musings: Israel

9:30 pm FHSTC: Legally Blonde

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

8:30 am Public School Concert: FHS Chorus & Orchestra 2023

10:00 am FHS Varsity Swimming: v Taunton 01-13-22

1:00 pm All-Town Showcase 2022: Band

2:30 pm Arts Advocacy: How-Tos

3:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

6:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Leominster 02-07-23

8:00 pm Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023

9:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Attleboro 02-14-23

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 12-14-23

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee: 12-13-23

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 12-14-23

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

Franklin Cultural District: Concert Band, Vendor show, scavenger hunt. & more as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, December 20

11:00am Franklin Q&A (Franklin Senior Center & remote)

1:00pm  Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin TV studio recording session)

6:30pm Musical BINGO: Carols Edition! (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Southeastern MA Community Concert Band (Franklin Senior Center)

Thursday, December 21

8:30am Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Senior Center)

5:00pm 4 Vendors (La Cantina Winery)

Friday, December 22

8:00am Gingerbread Character Scavenger Hunt! (Franklin Public Library)

Saturday, December 23

8:00am Girls Scout Cookies 4 Sale (outside King St Dunkin Donuts)

8:00am Gingerbread Character Scavenger Hunt! (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)  

Train Town Franklin; Part 2

10:00am Train Town Franklin; Part 2  (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:30am Pancakes and Pajamas! (and Jamie Barrett) (Franklin Public Library)

3:00pm Piano Steve (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

Sunday, December 24  Christmas Eve

10:00am Christmas Eve Services (New England Chapel)

Monday, December 25  Christmas Day

Tuesday, December 26

8:00am Gingerbread Character Scavenger Hunt! (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am Scott Martell Magic Show (Franklin Public Library)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar   https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:   https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/F/FRANKLIN/ekp.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curMode=LOGOUT&curHelp=&woof&CFID=23662954&CFTOKEN=d411d9e119c07574-BBA36F88-D4AE-528A-5350C00C60ACA17E

The Senior Center calendar of events -> https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

"We're not going to overcome this deficit anytime soon just building single-family housing."

Jonathan Berk (@berkie1) posted  Sun, Dec 17, 2023:

America's Housing Shortage Explained In One Chart 🏠

"We're not going to overcome this deficit anytime soon just building single-family housing."

"There aren't enough homes to keep up with the increase in households"

From the article quoted:

Why it matters: There aren't enough homes to keep up with the increase in households.

• Other estimates also put the size of the country's housing shortage in the millions. 

What they're saying: "We're not going to overcome this deficit anytime soon just building single-family housing," Hines managing director Ryan McCullough tells Axios.

• Between the lines: Apartment construction surged in recent years.

Yes, but: Most newly built housing is high-end, and not widely affordable.

Link to article -> https://t.co/kGUhvcuQLC   or https://www.axios.com/2023/12/16/housing-market-why-homes-expensive-chart-inventory

Shared from -> https://t.co/PJv2oBkbOh

Shared from Jonathan Berk  "Supporting a new generation of walkable neighborhoods with housing abundance, active public realms, & thriving small business ecosystems. Founder: 

@remainplaces"

MA Southeastern Community Band Holiday Concert - NEW DATE - WEDNESDAY, DEC 20 at 7 PM

MA Southeastern Community Band Holiday Concert 

- NEW DATE- WEDNESDAY, DEC 20 at 7pm

Come on out, Wednesday, December 20 at 7pm to enjoy some holiday music with the Southeastern MA Community Concert Band (postponed from Monday due to weather). At the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Shared from -> 

MA Southeastern Community Band Holiday Concert - NEW DATE - WEDNESDAY, DEC 20 at 7 PM

Beaver Street Interceptor - construction pause from Dec 21, 2023 through Jan 7, 2024

Beaver Street Interceptor

 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:

Beaver Street Interceptor Project construction will pause
Thursday Dec. 21st  through Sunday Jan. 7th.
Wishing our crews and community Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!

 

Please visit our interactive construction map for details 
https://apexmapping.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=8aa942ac0c4c4942826c3bf83ef253ae 
We will update and communicate regularly via social media,
our dedicated email list, and the construction map.

Please see our interactive map below for more details.

BEAVER STREET INTERCEPTOR HOTLINE: 508-553-5526
(PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AND WE WILL RETURN YOUR CALL)
EMAIL: BSI-info@franklinma.gov

 

 

Beaver Street Interceptor Rehabilitation/Replacement Project

This project consists of the replacement and repair of Franklin's largest piece of sewer infrastructure,
originally constructed in 1914

 

Beaver Street Interceptor - construction pause from Dec 21, 2023 through Jan 7, 2024 

 

This site and map will be updated on a weekly basis to convey upcoming construction activities for the Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Construction project.

Interested in receiving email updates regarding the
Beaver Street Interceptor Rehabilitation/Replacement Project?
Please subscribe here (select Beaver Street Interceptor from the list).

 

History
The Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) was originally constructed in 1914 and discharged to the former Franklin Wastewater Treatment Plant on Pond Street (aka, the sewer beds). Currently, the BSI conveys over 70% of the Town's sewage with an average daily flow (ADF) of approximately 1.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage flow through the pipeline. The interceptor includes 59 manholes and approximately 2.3 miles (11,932 LF) of 16-inch to 24-inch cast iron (CI) pipe, reinforced concrete (RC) pipe, and vitrified clay (VC) pipe. The BSI extends from the intersection of Cottage Street and Union Street to the easement behind Pond Street, near the Interstate 495/Route 140 interchange, where it discharges to the Mine Brook Interceptor. Due to its age, the risk and consequence of failure, and the percentage of the Town's sewer flows conveyed by the interceptor, the BSI is considered Franklin's most critical sewer asset.

The BSI, constructed in 1914, has been in continuous service for 108 years. Other than routine maintenance, no improvements to the interceptor have been made since its construction. Since 2003, the Town has contracted for cleaning, internal investigation, and condition assessment of the BSI on a recurring 5-year basis. Extensive manhole inspections and cleaning and closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection of the pipes were last completed in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Results of these investigations have shown signs of increasing deterioration and worsening conditions of the pipes and manholes, most notably increased tuberculation, cracks, manhole and pipeline infiltration, and root intrusion.

Rehabilitation/Repair Project Description
The Project is located in the Town of Franklin, MA in Norfolk County. The current interceptor is in need of replacement. Therefore, the Town proposes rehabilitation, replacement, and general improvements to the interceptor as well as a new pump station on the property at 275 Beaver Street, Franklin, MA. The proposed project provides the most cost-effective, long-term solution to the BSI's capacity and structural deficiencies, human health and environmental risks, accessibility and operation and maintenance challenges, by abandoning and rerouting sewers in the most risk-prone and problematic, inaccessible areas. The work of the Project to reroute sewers is being undertaken, in part, to move sewers out of wetland resource areas at the same time as making other improvements. 

The Project includes the following key components:

• New 6 MGD Beaver Street Pump Station and 4,000 LF of 18-inch Force Main from the pump station to discharge at Pond Street.
• Rehabilitation of 6,100 LF of BSI using Cured in Place Pipe Lining (CIPPL)
• Installation of 6,000 LF of new gravity sewers
• The work will take place at 5 MBTA/Keolis Railroad Crossings including 3 pipe replacements using jack and bore technique and 2 pipe rehabilitation locations using CIPPL.
• Abandonment of BSI from Panther Way to Franklin Village Plaza and Route 495 crossing

For additional information see links below:

Alternative Analysis:
Beaver St Interceptor Alternatives Analysis
Appendix A-Manhole Inspection Logs-May 2013
Appendix B-CCTV Inspection Logs-August 2014 to September 2014
Appendix C-Hydraulic Model Technical Memorandum
Appendix D-BSI Replacement-Franklin Town Council Meeting Presentation-10/21/20
Appendix E Project Cost Estimates

Presentations:
Beaver Street Interceptor Public Outreach Meeting October 26, 2023
Interceptor Town Council Presentation Update June 2022
Interceptor Alternatives Analysis Town Council Presentation 10/21/20

Notice of Intent-Conservation Commission:
Notice of Intent Packet-Franklin Conservation Commission Submittal
Project Site Overview Figure

Media Coverage:
What is the Beaver St Interceptor? Why does it need to be replaced? -TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022 (https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/beaver-street-interceptor )

Schedule:
December 21, 2022 - Advertise for Bids
https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/beaver-st-interceptor-rehabilitationreplacement-and-new-beaver-st-pump-station)

(https://www.milforddailynews.com/public-notices/notice/12/21/2022/bids-beaver-street-pump-station-legal-2022-12-21-the-milford-daily-news-massachusetts-0cc175) 

March 8, 2023 - Bid Opening

June 15, 2023 - Anticipated Contact Award

Fall/Winter 2023 - Anticipated Construction Start

Summer 2026 -  Anticipated Construction Completion

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/beaver-street-interceptor