Franklin Information Q&A - Two opportunities on Dec 17

Two opportunities to find out more about what is going on here in Franklin. 

Thursday morning at 8:30 AM (pre-registration required)

• Join in on a virtual coffee hour with State & Local officials

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-senior-center-virtual-coffee.html

Thursday afternoon at 1:00 PM (email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend)

• Talk Franklin Matters = Steve Sherlock answers questions and provides insights on what he reports on in and around Franklin

virtual coffee hour with State & Local officials

CommonWealth Magazine: Gov Baker gives 'mixed messages'; "DeLeo, Spilka seek to overturn Baker abortion amendment "

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin

Baker’s deliberate mixed message on COVID-19 

"MIXED MESSAGES are not usually held up as a quality of good leadership, but a lot of things have been different about life amid a global pandemic.

That included Gov. Charlie Baker’s State House briefing on Tuesday where he offered a very calculated mix of hope and dire warning with Christmas approaching. Baker implored Massachusetts residents not to let their guard down — even as the first coronavirus vaccines are administered and it becomes easier to imagine an end to the viral nightmare that has upended life for the past nine months.

Baker’s plea for continued vigilance against the virus came after the state experienced a resurgence of COVID-19 cases that has been tied to informal family gatherings over Thanksgiving.

“That’s where the virus thrives,” he said of casual get-togethers. “And over Thanksgiving in Massachusetts it clearly did.”

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/bakers-deliberate-mixed-message-on-covid-19/ 

 

Gov Baker's press conference on Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020 = https://youtu.be/xTphOlaHquA

New info on holiday gatherings => https://www.mass.gov/holidays

 

 

 

DeLeo, Spilka seek to overturn Baker abortion amendment

"HOUSE SPEAKER Robert DeLeo said the House plans to overturn Gov. Charlie Baker’s amendment to an abortion provision in the state budget on Wednesday, and Senate President Karen Spilka said the Senate will act promptly once the House is finished.

The announcements by the two leaders on Tuesday set the stage for a high-stakes battle between the governor and the Legislature over the issue of abortion. Legislative leaders are characterizing the language they passed as necessary at a time when the US Supreme Court appears to be controlled by opponents of abortion, while Baker suggest his amended version goes far enough.

“The proposal we made, if enacted, would give Massachusetts some of the broadest and most significant reproductive health rights in the United States,” the governor said at a State House press conference."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/deleo-spilka-seek-to-overturn-baker-abortion-amendment/

 

 

New info on holiday gatherings => https://www.mass.gov/holidays

"it’s an idea that’s been ruminating for 50 years"

Interesting find via the BBC on rail trail development (hat tip to Marjorie Turner Hollman for finding this to share).

"Ryan Gardill used to love backpacking. Getting into the outdoors and covering ground was one of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, native’s favourite things to do. But as the 29-year-old former US Marine’s joints and back began struggling to carry the weight of a backpack, he decided it was time to get on a bike.

That opened up a whole new world.

“I’d always dreamed of doing a thru-hike or bike,” he said. “A guy from work talked about a trail going from Pittsburgh to DC. I said: ‘That sounds awesome!’.”

Continue reading the article online:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201213-a-new-way-to-travel-across-the-us

The Great American Rail Trail web page => https://www.railstotrails.org/greatamericanrailtrail/

Great American Rail Trail

"Iconic Framingham hotel sells for $15M at auction"

Anyone traveling into Boston up i495 to i90 and east has likely seen on the return route, the castle like structure that is/was the Sheraton Tara Hotel.

"The famed Framingham Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center was sold for $15 million at auction Tuesday.

People’s United Bank, which owns the first mortgage on the property, was the winning bidder of the iconic 376-room hotel that is designed to look like a castle and is visible from Rte. 9 and the Mass Pike.

“It was a buy-back by the mortgager,” said Justin Manning, president of JJ Manning Auctioneers. “Nobody beat the lender.”

The facility could "possibly" remain a hotel or may be sold, said Manning."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.telegram.com/story/business/real-estate/2020/12/15/framingham-sheraton-sells-15-m-auction-could-possibly-remain-hotel/3909350001/

With this building being sold at half the assessed valuation, is it any wonder why the new hotel under construction off King St/Union St has halted their construction due to these economic conditions.

"Iconic Framingham hotel sells for $15M at auction"

Senior Center Parking Lot - Holiday Sing-A-Long - Dec 16

PARKING LOT SING-A-LONG! 

With highly accomplished soprano singer, Monica Spencer! 

Hot Chocolate, Cookies and Lyric Sheets will be handed out by the one and only… Mrs. Claus! 

A fun day to be had, but space is limited; Call to sign up today! Sound will be broadcasted right to your car stereo! 

Wednesday, December 16th at 12:30 PM  

Senior Center - Parking Lot - Holiday Sing-A-Long - Dec 16

Voices of Franklin: Karen Landers questions zoning variance request

As an abutter, I received notification that there is to be a remote public hearing on Thursday, December 17th at 7:30 pm regarding an application that is requesting a variance to build a rather large 2-unit dwelling on a lot that is smaller than the zoning laws require. Instead of the required 35% impervious coverage, the builder wants to cover 50% of the lot.  This is so that the Project can be as profitable to him/them as possible.  

This dwelling will overpower the homes adjacent to it, among other things.  I thought this town was concerned with Storm water runoff.  Why do zoning laws exist if a variance request can be had without much concern to the neighbors Involved.  According to the annual town report, from 2008 to 2018, there were 315 requests for a variance for many reasons.  Only 23 were denied. 

 

While I have an appreciation for our town citizens serving on boards, giving of their time and effort, perhaps there are way too many town officials who are in the real estate business, and, therefore, may have a conflict of interest.   

If any Franklin resident is concerned about how variances are reviewed and want to get informed, go to the town website and sign up to get onto Zoom for this hearing.  We are all abutters!

Karen Landers

Franklin Resident 

 

 

 

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

 

 

United Regional Chamber issues the $50 Challenge

"I'm Issuing a $50 Dollar Challenge" A Message from Our CEO/President Jack Lank  Typically, right about now we'd be singing about "the most wonderful time of the year". It's an understatement to say that 2020 has had other plans. If you've replaced wonderful with some other choice words, I promise, you're not alone. I always ask small business owners, "What keeps you up at night?" In the past, they responded that prime concerns are regulations or the ability to retain quality employees. This year, the most common response has been, "How is my business going to survive?" The corona virus has significantly hit our communities' economy.

 

Jack Lank How can the chamber help? The chamber supports local business by advocating on their behalf and communicating their needs to elected officials. We work with local partners to provide a prepared workforce so that our member businesses have access to qualified employees. We hunt down resources designed to help them succeed in entrepreneurial ventures. We create networking opportunities and facilitate connections. THIS year, especially, shopping local is what's going to keep small businesses ALIVE. The truth is we can shop and remain safe. Shopping looks different this year, but most small businesses are still open for business. We can shop safely (masks ON please), support our community, and make a significant difference in our friends' and neighbors' lives. This isn't about politics or your opinion on wearing a mask. This is about preserving what makes our communities special before it's too late. One study found that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remained in the community. However, only $43 of $100 spent at a chain retailer remains in the community. I'll be the first to admit that I shop at the big chain retailers. Many of these businesses employ our friends and neighbors, and they're a vital part of our community. However, let's not forget the local businesses – the ones that support our children's baseball team or theater program, volunteer their time, and give to the non-profits in our community. According to the small business support organization Independent We Stand, "If every family in the country shifted $10 a month to locally owned, independent businesses instead of national chains, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to local economies." I have a challenge for you: Shift $50 of your holiday budget this month to a locally owned, independent business. If you don't have $50, shift $25. If you don't feel comfortable going inside, every shop will walk products or gift cards out to your car if you'll only ask. Post this challenge on social media with the hashtags #50 DollarChallenge, #URCC, and #Supportsmallbusiness. Check in and tag businesses on social media and post pictures to show your support. Together we can do this. This time next year, no matter where COVID takes us, we'll all be better for it.

Jack Lank, IOM
President & CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone:  508-316-0861
www.unitedregionalchamber.org
"People Do Business With People They Know"