Senator Spilka: Senior Health and Wellness Fair - Oct 14 - Framingham

Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) will host her annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, October 14 at the Joseph P. Keefe Technical School in Framingham. All MetroWest seniors are invited to learn about ways to lead healthy and active lifestyles and enjoy a fun morning out in the community.

Co-sponsored by Senator Spilka, MetroWest Medical Center and the MetroWest Health Foundation, the Senior Fair offers a variety of workshops and presentations about senior health programs, benefits and wellness activities. Representatives from local health care and elder services organizations will share information on services and opportunities in MetroWest. 

The Senior Fair includes a continental breakfast, hot lunch and health screenings for attendees.

WHAT: Senator Karen Spilka's annual Senior Health & Wellness Fair, co-sponsored by MetroWest Medical Center and the MetroWest Health Foundation

WHEN: Saturday, October 14, 2017
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Joseph P. Keefe Technical School
750 Winter Street
Framingham, MA

Seniors in the MetroWest area are encouraged to contact Puja Mehta, Senator Spilka's District Director, at (617) 722-1640 or Puja.Mehta@masenate.gov for more information and to RSVP.

Joseph P. Keefe Technical School, 750 Winter Street

“Ultimately, I think it’s sort of a tough sell”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A grassroots campaign organizing in communities southwest of Boston hopes to draw attention to what its founder calls a “third-rail” issue: the level of influence House Speaker Robert DeLeo holds over his chamber. 

The group, called Massachusetts Voters for Legislative Reform and launched by Franklin resident Maxwell Morrongiello, plans to hold an organizing meeting at the Milford Library on Oct. 7. 

A release announcing the meeting said DeLeo has a “simply undemocratic” level of power, with House leadership in “almost absolute control” over “which bills pass and which bills die.” 

“I think the most challenging question you can ask a state representative is, Do you think the speaker of the House has too much power,” Morrongiello said in an interview. “They can never really give you a straight answer. I get the sense they sort of think he does.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170920/franklin-activist-questions-deleos-influence

Post with the original press announcement
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/09/franklin-resident-starts-political.html

Franklin Resident Starts Political Group to Challenge Speaker's Power

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

An updated Community Involvement Plan (CIP) from the EPA on the BJAT, LLC. property, 300 Fisher St.


"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this Community Involvement Plan (CIP) based predominantly upon input gathered through interviews with Town of Franklin (Franklin) officials and residents, along with other stakeholders interested in the BJAT, LLC. Superfund1 Site (Site). EPA’s goals for community involvement at the Site are:

• To provide the public with accurate, timely, accessible, and understandable information about the project as it moves forward;
• To provide opportunities for the public to become actively involved, especially when decisions about the cleanup are being made;
• To enlist the support and involvement of local officials and community leaders; and
• To encourage, respect and fully consider community input as the project moves forward.

EPA will achieve these goals through various means, including published documents, meetings, presentations, and community conversations. These activities will be based on the community’s needs, as informed by those with whom EPA met while preparing this plan, as well as all legal requirements.

The CIP is a living document and, as necessary and appropriate, it will be updated with community input. If you are interested in suggesting changes to this plan or have questions about it, please contact:

Kimberly White, P.E.
Remedial Project Manager
(617) 918-1752
white.kimberly@epa.gov

ZaNetta Purnell, MPH
Community Involvement Coordinator
(617) 918-1306
Purnell.zanetta@epa.gov

Updated Community Involvement Plan for the BJAT, LLC Superfund Site

In the News: Kennedy talks health care; new director at Voices Against Violence

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Calling the Republican-backed health care bill a piece of “zombie” legislation that will not die, U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III told the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at Dean College Wednesday that this legislation if passed would have a devastating effect on Massachusetts. 

He said that some of the mandatory protections put into place by the Affordable Care Act will be made optional instead. He estimates that there will be a 20-percent spike in premiums that first year, and that 30 to 32 million people will lose healthcare coverage altogether. 

“Pre-existing condition coverage, they might cover you, they might not,” he said of the repeal vote in the Senate slated to take place in 10 days. “The cost of getting covered for pregnancy could go up about roughly $20,000. Substance use disorder similarly would have about a $20,000 increase.” 

Kennedy, D-4th, mentioned that the new bill will essentially leech from states such as Massachusetts, New York, and California, whom have been investing in statewide healthcare for a number of years, and re-distribute those funds to states that haven’t been saving as much or at all."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170920/kennedy-talks-healthcare-at-dean-college

"After a few months on the job, Patricia Hohl finds every day both rewarding and challenging. 

As the new director of Voices Against Violence, a Framingham-based nonprofit that serves victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, she listens to tough stories each day. Then she and her staff figure out how to help and protect their clients. 

“It sounds like a cliché, but it truly means a lot to me to make a difference in my own community. It’s just something I believe in as a human being,” said Hohl, who took over as director in June. She replaced Mary Gianakis, who led the agency for two decades. 

The goal of the agency is to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse, and help survivors forge a new life. All services are free and confidential."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170920/voices-against-violence-welcomes-new-director

Voices Against Violence, a Framingham-based nonprofit that serves victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence

Clothing Drive Fundraiser for the FHS Music Dept

Help send the FHS Music Dept. to Washington, DC to compete at the Festivals of Music Performance with a Cash for Clothes Drive.

Acceptable Items Include:
• Clothing, Shoes
• Accessories (handbags, scarves, belts, ties)
• Blankets, sheets, comforters
• Potholders, dish towels
• Tablecloths, cloth napkins
• Towels, Curtains or Chair covers
NO Electronics or appliances please


Drop Off:
Home Football Games: from 6 to 7 pm
• September 22nd
• October 6th
• October 13th

Saturday Morning from 9 to 11 am
• September 23rd and 30th
• October 7th and 14th

Thank you for your support!

Clothing Drive Fundraiser for the FHS Music Dept

Franklin Garden Club: Perennial Plant Sale - Friday, Sep 29

The Franklin Garden Club will hold a perennial sale on Friday, September 29 at the Franklin Farmers Market, which takes place at the Town Common. The sale will include a variety of divided perennials from the gardens of members, as well as the Town Common. Plants will be sold for $3.00 and $5.00, a significant savings over the retail cost of perennial plants. Also available for sale will be some dried flowers and decorative moss balls.

“Fall is an excellent time to plant perennials,” noted Deb DeGrazia, Club Treasurer and one of the sale organizers. “The weather is cooler and plants have several weeks to acclimate in the garden before the winter.“

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Club’s community activities, which include an annual scholarship and the distribution of pine tree seedlings to all Franklin first graders to celebrate Arbor Day and promote environmental awareness.

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market in July

Tri-County Medical Careers Students Raise $1,125 by Participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's

The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Medical Careers students raised $1,125.00, on behalf of the residents at Compass Memory Support at Cornerstone in Milford, in the Walk to End Alzheimer's®. The students initiated this act of kindness and compassion on their own accord.

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.

Members of the Medical Careers Program Class of 2020 participated in the Walk which was held this past Saturday, September 16, 2017, in Foxborough, MA. Students receive their clinical experience through working with residents at Compass Memory Support in Hopkinton. Through working with the residents, Medical Careers students decided this would be a great opportunity to help to give back to the community.

“We are so proud of our Medical Careers students who took the initiative to not only be a part of the Alzheimer’s walk, but to get donations as well, said Jean George, Director of Vocational Education at Tri-County. “When the opportunity arose for the students to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s, there was no hesitation in their decision to slip on their sneakers, get active, and walk for the cause.”

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street in Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

Pictured from Left to right are: Halle Gavel of Franklin; Jessica Catalano of Millis; Kiara Dempsey of North Attleboro; Julia Hutchinson of North Attleboro; Hayley Hanifan of Norfolk; Alyssa Power of Franklin; and Jillian Young of Franklin.