"As everyone is aware, the summer and early fall of 2019 has been an exceptionally severe year for mosquito-borne illness; specifically, eastern equine encephalitis. Although EEE activity is historically focused in Bristol and Plymouth counties, this dangerous virus has spread throughout the commonwealth into areas not typically impacted. A combination of wet weather and extreme heat has resulted in a high level of virus amplification in the environment. As a result, there have been 10 human cases of EEE with 3 fatalities to date.
In response, the Massachusetts department of public health began aerial spraying in Bristol and Plymouth counties in August and September. Additional aerial spraying was also conducted in Norfolk, Middlesex, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties in September. The town of Franklin was sprayed in its entirety on September 11, 2019. The combination of aerial and ground spraying, along with decreasing evening temperatures have reduced mosquito numbers; however, the threat will remain until the first hard frost of the season. A hard frost is defined as a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 consecutive hours, or a temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 consecutive hours.
Although the threat has been diminished somewhat, it is very important for residents to continue to take all steps necessary to avoid mosquito bites until the first hard frost occurs sometime in mid to late October. Please continue to use a repellent containing Deet, wear long sleeves shirts and long pants when outdoors. If possible, avoid being outside during peak mosquito biting times between dusk and dawn.
It is not unusual for areas to experience elevated EEE virus levels in consecutive years. As such, residents should be fully prepared to respond appropriately next summer as well."
David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director
Franklin Health Department
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/public-health-advisory-september-24-2019
There is additional spraying via helicopter scheduled for Sep 25 as announced in the file here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/norfolk_county-_aerial_larvicide_application.pdf
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Pet Blessing, Outdoor Worship, and Picnic on Franklin Common - Oct 6
Pet Blessing, Outdoor Worship, and Picnic on Franklin Common in honor of St Francis of Assisi scheduled for October 6 from 11 AM - 1 PM
Bring your furry friend(s) for a blessing.
Bring a dish for the potluck.
Or just show up and meet Ben Franklin, FDP's adorable new Therapy Dog.
Invite your friends and neighbors!
Sponsored by St John's Episcopal Church www.StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Bring your furry friend(s) for a blessing.
Bring a dish for the potluck.
Or just show up and meet Ben Franklin, FDP's adorable new Therapy Dog.
Invite your friends and neighbors!
Sponsored by St John's Episcopal Church www.StJohnsFranklinMA.org
 |
| Pet Blessing, Outdoor Worship, and Picnic on Franklin Common - Oct 6 |
FHS golf, boys and girls cross country, girls soccer, and volleyball teams posts wins
Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS fall sports action on Tuesday, Sep 24, 2019
Golf = Attleboro, 180 @ Franklin, 161 – Final
– Franklin’s Jack Paterson was the lone golfer to shoot under 40 in the match, earning medalist honors with a 38 to help the Panthers earn a win. Quinten Faro and Jack MacKinnon each shot a 40 while Pat Dolan added a round of 43. Jack Handy led Attleboro with a 43 while Brian Houle added a 45.
Girls Cross Country = Mansfield, 37 @ Franklin, 21 – Final
– Mansfield had the first runner cross the line but Franklin had the next four to earn a win at home. Captains Sarah Giuliano and Sidney Hawkins took second and third, respectively for the Panthers while Caitlin Casey was fourth, Charlene Peng crossed fifth, and Lily Duffy was seventh overall. Mansfield’s Tessa Lancaster won the race in 20:38.
Results: 1. Tessa Lancaster, Mans (20:38) 2. Sarah Giuliano, Frank 3. Sidney Hawkins, Frank 4. Caitlin Casey, Frank 5. Charlene Peng, Frank 6. Emma Lamson, Mans (22:26) 7. Lily Duffy, Frank 8. Anne Riley, Mans (23:04) 10. Jess Alestock, Mans (23:26)
Boys Cross Country = Mansfield, 31 @ Franklin, 24 – Final
– Franklin had the first two runners cross the finish line, and four of the top six, to pick up a win over visiting Mansfield. Senior Tyler Brogan won the race in 16:54 with junior Nicholas Calitri shortly behind for second place (16:59).
Results: 1. Tyler Brogan, Frank (16:54) 2. Nicholas Calitri, Frank (16:59) 5. Camden Harrington, Frank (17:37) 6. Declan Walmsley, Frank (17:56) 10. Clancy Golden, Frank (18:16).
Volleyball = North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– North Attleboro picked up a win in the third set to keep the match going but Franklin finished off the win in the fourth set to grab a 3-1 (25-15, 25-11, 20-25, 25-17) victory on the road. Allyson Bonnet-Eymard had a great game for the Panthers, slamming down 18 kills while sophomore Cailyn Mackintosh dished out 32 assists in the win. Grace Munley had seven kills for North while Eliza Dion added eight digs.
Girls Soccer = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– The Panthers made their possession count in the second half with a pair of goals to seal a league win. Erin Quaile opened the scoring midway through the second half and Sydney St. Marie added the second from the spot inside the final 10 minutes. Taunton goalie Grace Pimenta kept the Tigers in the game with numerous saves. Breanna Atwood made four saves to keep a clean sheet.
Boys Soccer = Franklin, 2 @ Taunton, 2 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/taunton-boys-soccer-rallies-draw-franklin/
For a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Fall-2019/Taunton-Franklin-Boys-Soccer-09-24-19
For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-09-24-19/
Golf = Attleboro, 180 @ Franklin, 161 – Final
– Franklin’s Jack Paterson was the lone golfer to shoot under 40 in the match, earning medalist honors with a 38 to help the Panthers earn a win. Quinten Faro and Jack MacKinnon each shot a 40 while Pat Dolan added a round of 43. Jack Handy led Attleboro with a 43 while Brian Houle added a 45.
Girls Cross Country = Mansfield, 37 @ Franklin, 21 – Final
– Mansfield had the first runner cross the line but Franklin had the next four to earn a win at home. Captains Sarah Giuliano and Sidney Hawkins took second and third, respectively for the Panthers while Caitlin Casey was fourth, Charlene Peng crossed fifth, and Lily Duffy was seventh overall. Mansfield’s Tessa Lancaster won the race in 20:38.
Results: 1. Tessa Lancaster, Mans (20:38) 2. Sarah Giuliano, Frank 3. Sidney Hawkins, Frank 4. Caitlin Casey, Frank 5. Charlene Peng, Frank 6. Emma Lamson, Mans (22:26) 7. Lily Duffy, Frank 8. Anne Riley, Mans (23:04) 10. Jess Alestock, Mans (23:26)
Boys Cross Country = Mansfield, 31 @ Franklin, 24 – Final
– Franklin had the first two runners cross the finish line, and four of the top six, to pick up a win over visiting Mansfield. Senior Tyler Brogan won the race in 16:54 with junior Nicholas Calitri shortly behind for second place (16:59).
Results: 1. Tyler Brogan, Frank (16:54) 2. Nicholas Calitri, Frank (16:59) 5. Camden Harrington, Frank (17:37) 6. Declan Walmsley, Frank (17:56) 10. Clancy Golden, Frank (18:16).
Volleyball = North Attleboro, 1 @ Franklin, 3 – Final
– North Attleboro picked up a win in the third set to keep the match going but Franklin finished off the win in the fourth set to grab a 3-1 (25-15, 25-11, 20-25, 25-17) victory on the road. Allyson Bonnet-Eymard had a great game for the Panthers, slamming down 18 kills while sophomore Cailyn Mackintosh dished out 32 assists in the win. Grace Munley had seven kills for North while Eliza Dion added eight digs.
Girls Soccer = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
– The Panthers made their possession count in the second half with a pair of goals to seal a league win. Erin Quaile opened the scoring midway through the second half and Sydney St. Marie added the second from the spot inside the final 10 minutes. Taunton goalie Grace Pimenta kept the Tigers in the game with numerous saves. Breanna Atwood made four saves to keep a clean sheet.
Boys Soccer = Franklin, 2 @ Taunton, 2 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"Holding a two-goal lead in the second half on Tuesday afternoon’s contest on the road at Taunton, the Franklin boys soccer team came close to padding its lead and securing two points.Continue reading the game recap
But the Panthers were unable to find the back of the net again, leaving the door open for the hosts.
The Taunton boys soccer team took full advantage, scoring a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes of play to steal a point in a 2-2 draw.
“This is a great tie for us,” said Taunton coach Taylor Whitters. “We’ve been struggling a little bit with some finishing and hustling, and in the second half they showed what they are capable of, and they are capable of a lot. They were great teammates today and they worked hard, and going forward that’s what we need to keep doing.”
https://hockomocksports.com/taunton-boys-soccer-rallies-draw-franklin/
For a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Fall-2019/Taunton-Franklin-Boys-Soccer-09-24-19
For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-09-24-19/
 |
| Taunton senior Alec Nunes takes a shot that found the back of the net for the Tigers’ first goal against Franklin. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) |
MassDOT: Rt 140 Road Construction Status Update
Rt 140 Road Construction Status Update
9/24/19
The Town had received many inquiries as to when the road work will be completed on State Highway Route 140 at the Exit 17 off ramp intersection. The Town has contacted the state to receive this update.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is anticipating completion of paving Rt 140 by the end of this week or early next week, weather dependent.
The pavement will need to cure for 3 days before painting and striping. Once the pavement has been striped, paving of Apron/Entrances will commence.
The state is looking at completing the entire project within roughly two weeks.
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/rt-140-road-construction-status-update
Higher Education Committee Embarks on Public Campus Tours
Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) and Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, begin a mission on this week to visit all 29 public colleges and universities in the commonwealth. The tour is set for every Friday starting in North Adams on September 27 and continuing until every campus has been visited.
The Higher Education Committee will be visiting each campus to get a first-hand look at the facilities, meet with faculty and administrators, and hear from students about their experiences. The tours will include meetings with campus leaders, faculty, staff, and students at each of the institutions.
"It's ambitious, but when appointed to chair this committee, one of the very first things I did was to print out a map of the 29 public institutions in the Commonwealth to plan the trip," said Representative Roy. "We want to experience what life is like on these campuses which should provide a better context for the budget and legislative decisions we make. And the tours will provide an up close and personal view of each campus to give us a better perspective on the issues faced by those in each academic community."
Senator Gobi remarked, "I look forward to visiting each campus and having the opportunity to meet with students, faculty, and staff. I am aware that there are several deficiencies within higher education, funding being one, and I expect that these visits will help myself and the committee members to find ways that we can be most helpful and propel us forward."
The tours will also include the members of the Higher Education Committee, as well as the area legislators. The Committee will have an opportunity to see what has been done on each campus, and see what remains to be done to ensure that students have an engaging learning environment which will not only ensure their success, but wi1l contribute to the success of the Commonwealth as well.
The tentative tour schedule through the end of October is as follows:
Berkshire Community College - 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, MA
Greenfield Community College - One College Drive, Greenfield, MA
North Shore Community College - One Femcroft Road, Danvers, MA
Mount Wachusett Community College - 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA
Additional info on the Joint Committee on Higher Education
https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J29
The Higher Education Committee will be visiting each campus to get a first-hand look at the facilities, meet with faculty and administrators, and hear from students about their experiences. The tours will include meetings with campus leaders, faculty, staff, and students at each of the institutions.
"It's ambitious, but when appointed to chair this committee, one of the very first things I did was to print out a map of the 29 public institutions in the Commonwealth to plan the trip," said Representative Roy. "We want to experience what life is like on these campuses which should provide a better context for the budget and legislative decisions we make. And the tours will provide an up close and personal view of each campus to give us a better perspective on the issues faced by those in each academic community."
Senator Gobi remarked, "I look forward to visiting each campus and having the opportunity to meet with students, faculty, and staff. I am aware that there are several deficiencies within higher education, funding being one, and I expect that these visits will help myself and the committee members to find ways that we can be most helpful and propel us forward."
The tours will also include the members of the Higher Education Committee, as well as the area legislators. The Committee will have an opportunity to see what has been done on each campus, and see what remains to be done to ensure that students have an engaging learning environment which will not only ensure their success, but wi1l contribute to the success of the Commonwealth as well.
The tentative tour schedule through the end of October is as follows:
- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 (START: TIME 9:30 A.M.):
Berkshire Community College - 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, MA
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 (START TIME: 9:30 A.M.):
Greenfield Community College - One College Drive, Greenfield, MA
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 (START TIME: 9:30 A.M.):
North Shore Community College - One Femcroft Road, Danvers, MA
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 (START TIME: 9:30 A.M.):
Mount Wachusett Community College - 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA
Additional info on the Joint Committee on Higher Education
https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J29
 |
| Joint Committee on Higher Education |
Charlie Baker Nine-Foot Puppet Comes To Franklin
On Thursday, September 26, at 10:00 AM, a group of climate activists and supporters from Franklin and surrounding towns, will gather at 541 West Central St. (Route 140) in front of Dunkin' Donuts with a nine-foot puppet of Governor Charlie Baker. The hour-long event is part of the Charlie's Climate Catastrophe Tour happening around the state organized by 350 Massachusetts, a statewide network of climate activists. The public is invited.
Carolyn Barthel, Coordinator of the 350 Mass Greater Franklin node, said, “Despite the disastrous Merrimack Valley explosions a year ago in which over 80 homes were damaged or destroyed and one person killed by gas line explosions, Charlie Baker continues to push new gas infrastructure in the state, including the dangerous Weymouth compressor station project. We must reduce our carbon emissions by stopping new gas infrastructure projects and transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources like solar and wind.”
The West Central location for the September 26 demonstration was chosen because it is the site of just one of 71 detected gas leaks in Franklin. Consumers pay for these gas leaks, not only monetarily in their gas bills, but in our atmosphere, adding to our growing climate crisis.
350 Mass is also sponsoring Thursday, October 17, 7:00-9:00 PM, with the Massachusetts Climate Action Network and the Franklin Democratic Town Committee a two-hour educational presentation, “Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis” at the Franklin Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond Street, Franklin. It features a short video narrated by Morgan Freeman and three speakers to talk about the causes, the effects and what we can do about the climate crisis. The public is invited.
For more detailed information, go to “Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis”
at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-2050-the-climate-crisis-tickets-65325208457
Franklin alone has 71 detected gas leaks!
Carolyn Barthel, Coordinator of the 350 Mass Greater Franklin node, said, “Despite the disastrous Merrimack Valley explosions a year ago in which over 80 homes were damaged or destroyed and one person killed by gas line explosions, Charlie Baker continues to push new gas infrastructure in the state, including the dangerous Weymouth compressor station project. We must reduce our carbon emissions by stopping new gas infrastructure projects and transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources like solar and wind.”
The West Central location for the September 26 demonstration was chosen because it is the site of just one of 71 detected gas leaks in Franklin. Consumers pay for these gas leaks, not only monetarily in their gas bills, but in our atmosphere, adding to our growing climate crisis.
350 Mass is also sponsoring Thursday, October 17, 7:00-9:00 PM, with the Massachusetts Climate Action Network and the Franklin Democratic Town Committee a two-hour educational presentation, “Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis” at the Franklin Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond Street, Franklin. It features a short video narrated by Morgan Freeman and three speakers to talk about the causes, the effects and what we can do about the climate crisis. The public is invited.
For more detailed information, go to “Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis”
at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/franklin-2050-the-climate-crisis-tickets-65325208457
Franklin alone has 71 detected gas leaks!
 |
| Franklin 2050:The Climate Crisis |
"Gov. Baker declares 4-month ban on vaping products"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190924/businesses-and-users-react-after-gov-baker-declares-4-month-ban-on-vaping-products
"Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced a four-month ban on the sale of all vaping products in Massachusetts.
Baker made the announcement at a press conference where he said he was declaring a public health emergency in connection with vaping-related lung illnesses. Hundreds of cases of the illness have been reported nationwide and Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel has already ordered all cases to be reported to the Department of Public Health for the next year.
“We as a commonwealth need to pause sales in order for our medical experts to collect more information about what is driving these life-threatening vaping-related illnesses,” Baker said.
The temporary ban will apply to flavored and non-flavored vaping products, Baker said, in retail stores and online. The ban applies to all vaping products and devices, including tobacco and marijuana. It takes effect immediately."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190924/businesses-and-users-react-after-gov-baker-declares-4-month-ban-on-vaping-products
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)