Franklin Matters

Monday, January 18, 2021

"the Biden plan proposes increasing the tax credits to lower health premiums or even “eliminate” them"

"Tucked into President-elect Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan is a one-sentence provision that could drive billions in federal subsidies to help people afford to buy health insurance.

The proposal would do two things: make upper-middle-income Americans newly eligible for premium subsidies on Obamacare marketplaces, and increase the financial help that already goes to lower-income enrollees. Taken together, some experts expect these changes to drive more sign-ups for Healthcare.gov plans after they fell in the Trump era.

Democrats have spent much of the last two years pressing for these policies, outlining ideas in candidate platforms and fine-tuning them in congressional legislation. The House even passed a similar proposal this past summer, but none of it had a shot at becoming law with President Trump in office and a Republican majority in the Senate.

Now, control of the White House and a slim majority in Congress mean the first real prospect of significantly strengthening Obamacare since it became law in 2010. President-elect Biden’s inclusion of policies to shore up the health law in his first major legislative package has raised those hopes further. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/upshot/biden-obamacare-stimulus.html

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 20, 2021

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. December 2, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Bill Murphy

5. APPOINTMENTS
None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
    a. PH Franklin d/b/a Public House - New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License, 480 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin MA 02038
    b. Street Acceptances - Crystal Drive, Woodhaven Drive, Dena Drive, Skyline Drive, Charles Drive, Baron Road, Cobblestone Drive, and Woodstock Circle

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
PH Franklin d/b/a Public House - 480 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin MA 02038, New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
None Scheduled

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommitte
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
d. Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report
e. Stormwater Ad Hoc Committee Report

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-06: Order of Acceptance of Skyline Drive and Charles Drive as Public Ways and Related Drainage and Utility Easements (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-06 - Majority Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-07: Order of Acceptance of Baron Road, Cobblestone Drive and Woodstock Circle as Public Ways and Related Drainage Easements (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-07 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-08: Order of Acceptance or Crystal Drive, Woodhaven Drive, and Dena Drive as Public Ways, and Lot 21, Detention Area Lot (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-08 - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-865: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management Article I, General Provisions - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-865 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-866: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management Article II, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-866 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-867: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management Article III, Post Construction Stormwater Management - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-867 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-868: Chapter 185, Zoning Article V, Special Regulations - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 21-868 to the Planning Board - Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
COVID-19 Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda folder https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/january-20-town-council-agenda

Agenda doc (PDF) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-20-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 20, 2021

FM #436 EDC Listening Session5 - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #436 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 436 in the series.

This shares the Economic Development Committee Business Listening Session #5 that was held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the Chair Melanie Hamblen led the meeting remotely along with many others via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The recording runs just over two hour and thirteen minutes (~2:13) Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXzHpwwS

-----------

Meeting agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/edc-business-listening-session-5-revised

Housing Summary (not yet available - view the photos captured for some of the pages)

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/edc-listening-session-jan-13-2021-recap.html

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #436 EDC Listening Session5 - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #435 Finance Committee Mtg - 01/13/21 (audio)

FM #435 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 435 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Storm water utility fee update was provided to the FinComm which included an overview of the formal utility fee program as it was developed during 2020. It is scheduled to come before the Town Council for further discussion.

The recording runs an hour and thirty minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting of Jan 13, 2021 Audio file: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDFLNlwS

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

Meeting agenda and related files

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-13-2021_fincom_agenda.pdf

Stormwater Utility fee recommendations

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/stormwater-utility-fee-recommendations.html

My notes: https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/finance-committee-jan-13-2021-meeting.html

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/

FM #435 Finance Committee Mtg - 01/13/21 (audio)

FHS girls hockey drop game to King Philip on Saturday

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:

Girls Hockey = King Philip, 5 @ Franklin, 1 – Final

– Jen Daniels scored twice and three Warriors each scored once as King Philip avenged its loss to Franklin to split the seasons series. Kara McWhinnie, Sydney O’Shea, and Kelly Holmes also scored for KP.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/saturdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-16-21/

"Tough 5-1 loss to KP. Goal by Carter. 3 stars of the game are Lindsay A, Libby, and Gabby. Let’s regroup and get ready for Boston Latin tomorrow!! "

https://twitter.com/fhsvgockey/status/1350623050266513411

FHS girls hockey drop game to King Philip on Saturday

Franklin Music Booster Calendar Raffle Tickets for sale!

Mrs. Plouffe (@FranklinHSOrch) tweeted on Fri, Jan 15, 2021:

"Please consider buying a Franklin Music Booster Calendar Raffle Ticket and support local business. https://t.co/3Px47etuju @FranklinHSMusic @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters @MrHanna_FHS"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinHSOrch/status/1350172125102034944