Monday, January 4, 2021

FM #426 - Franklin Matters Q&A Session - Dec 17, 2020 (audio)

FM #426 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 426 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Matters Q&A session held by the Senior Center on Thursday, Dec 17, 2020. The session was conducted virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

As I mention during the intro, there is no formal presentation for these sessions. I have at least a couple of things in mind that have changed since the prior meeting to review if folks are interested. We start with your questions, answer those, fill in appropriate background info and connections to other topics where applicable.

The Town Council and Rep Jeff Roy had held their coffee hour that morning. One of the questions to open with was around the Community Preservation Committee legislation that was just approved by the Council at their meeting the prior Wednesday night (12/16/20).

We also talk about the spear phishing incident, storm water utility fee, and the tax rate hearing before getting into the schedule for the next session, Jan 17 at 1:00 PM.

The recording runs just about an hour so let’s listen in.  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hs9vbbgS



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Franklin Senior Center newsletter
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter

Franklin Senior Center email blast for Jan 2, 2021
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/franklin-senior-center-email-blast.html


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/ 

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" 

 

FM #426 - Franklin Matters Q&A Session - Dec 17, 2020 (audio)
FM #426 - Franklin Matters Q&A Session - Dec 17, 2020 (audio)


Interesting bits from the "Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020 Update"

To help your reading of the hazard mitigation plan, I have in my own reading captured some interesting tidbits. What do you find?

Other interesting bits (and where found):

  • "Notably, 25% of Franklin’s population lives alone, and 50% of those living alone are over 65 years old." (p13)
  • "Franklin relies on local groundwater sources for all of its public water supply" (p13)
  • "Although Franklin is not a coastal community, information on sea level rise is included as an important trend that has implications for the regional economy, and considering that Franklin is on the MBTA Commuter Rail line, and a number of local residents commute to jobs in Boston." (p25)
  • "Flooding was the most prevalent natural hazard identified by local officials in Franklin" (p30)
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Did you know 46% of the land in Franklin is forest?
  • that 27.2% is residential?
  • that 10.6% is wetland?
  • that only 5.3% is classified as industrial/commercial
Check out the land use table on page 55 (Table #26)

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The Hazard Mitigation Plan  2020 Update can be found online:  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/franklin_hazard_mitigation_plan_2020_update_-_pending_adoption.pdf


 

Interesting bits from the "Hazard Mitigation Plan  2020 Update"
Interesting bits from the "Hazard Mitigation Plan  2020 Update"

FHS' Walmsley selected a "Top Ten Player to Watch"

As part of the HockomockSports.com preview of the high school boys basketball season, they share the Top Ten Players to Watch.  We share the Franklin info here and provide the link to the page with all the Hockomock League "Players to Watch."
 
Declan Walmsley, Senior – Franklin
"Franklin had a very strong senior class last season so a lot of the spotlight went there but one player that really improved and impressed by the end of the season was Declan Walmsley. Through the first 13 games of last year, Walmsley only reached double-digits in scoring once but then finished the season by reaching that point in six of the last 11 games. With an even more expanded role this season look for the senior guard to really emerge as one of the top offensive threats in the league. He showed off his touch from three-point range last year but can cause a lot of damage in and around the rim. At 6’2, he can really be a tough matchup for opposing guards. Walmsley could be the breakout player of the season. "

Hockomock League "Players to Watch" https://hockomocksports.com/boys-basketball-ten-players-to-watch-in-2020-2021/

 

FHS' Walmsley selected a "Top Ten Player to Watch"
FHS' Walmsley selected a "Top Ten Player to Watch"



Let’s Laugh Today is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!

Let’s laugh more in 2021 and Let’s Laugh Today! There is nothing like a good belly laugh to help release stress and anxiety. These laughter exercises and deep breathing help to bring more fresh oxygen into the body and brain helping you feel more energetic and healthy. 
 
See www.letslaughtoday.com for link to the free 45 minute ZOOM Meeting EVERY Wednesday at 7:30pm and also other times. 
 
All ages are welcome. You can sit or stand the entire time. 
 
 No need to get down on the floor. It’s a good time to try something new and take care of our mental and emotional health! 
 
Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers and Laughter Ambassadors, Linda and Bill Hamaker.  
 
Let’s Laugh Today is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!
Let’s Laugh Today is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!

 

Reminder: Veterans Coffee Social - Jan 6, 2021

January 2021 Coffee Social

Join us as we ZOOM into the New Year!
 
Hello Veterans!
The Veterans' Services Office will welcome the New Year with a VIRTUAL Coffee Social on Wednesday, January 6 at 10:00 Hours. We hope you will join us for veterans' updates and friendly conversation. All Veterans are welcome!
 
If you have not participated in a Zoom call yet, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your device before joining us.
 
Here is the log-in information for the January 6, 2021 meeting only:
Call in number: 1-929-205-6099
Enter Meeting ID: 899 4402 2073
 
For more information, contact the Veterans' Services Office at: (508) 613-1315.
We look forward to Zooming into the New Year with you at the January Coffee Social!
 
Shared from the Town of Franklin page
 
 
Reminder: Veterans Coffee Social - Jan 6, 2021
Reminder: Veterans Coffee Social - Jan 6, 2021

 
 

"an invitation not to mistake difference for defect"

Maria Popova (@brainpicker) tweeted on Sat, Jan 02, 2021
"I have written a children's book. It is a true story — a love story, a science story, a story about the poetry of existence, about time and chance, genetics and gender, evolution and infinity, about diversity as nature's wellspring of resilience and beauty"
"Great children’s books move young hearts, yes, but they also move the great common heart that beats in the chest of humanity by articulating in the language of children, which is the language of simplicity and absolute sincerity, the elemental truths of being: what it means to love, what it means to be mortal, what it means to live with our fragilities and our frissons. As such, children’s books are miniature works of philosophy, works of wonder and wonderment that bypass our ordinary resistances and our cerebral modes of understanding, entering the backdoor of consciousness with their soft, surefooted gait to remind us who and what we are."

Direct link to Maria's book announcement:  https://t.co/Q8NTUxqEZN

For those on Twitter, Maria is one whom I recommend to follow as being a valid source of a wealth of worthy info.

One of the several illustrations graciously shared by Maria in her announcement. Illustrations by "the uncommonly talented and sensitive Ping Zhu
One of the several illustrations graciously shared by Maria in her announcement. Illustrations by "the uncommonly talented and sensitive Ping Zhu


Speaker Ron Mariano: Climate Conference Committee Report

Speaker Ron Mariano (@RonMariano) tweeted on Sun, Jan 03, 2021:
"The climate conference committee has filed its report.

I'm grateful for the work of the House conferees, @rephaddad, @RepBradJones & especially the House's lead negotiator, @tomtipagolden.

Read the full report here: https://t.co/JAWRHJPsog "
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/A0ARnCdkdG
Direct link to MA Legislature page  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2995
 
Speaker Ron Mariano: Climate Conference Committee Report
Speaker Ron Mariano: Climate Conference Committee Report