"the bolder the action the broader the benefits”

 

"BEN DOWNING, a former state senator from Western Massachusetts, on Monday launched a run for governor, laying out a liberal policy platform that aims to address inequality amid the recovery from COVID-19.  

With a slogan of building a “fairer, stronger Massachusetts,” Downing, a Democrat, said in an interview that he thinks Republican Gov. Charlie Baker “lacks the urgency needed” to tackle issues like transportation, climate change, education, and housing. Downing argued that a bolder plan will be necessary as the state returns to a new normal post-pandemic. “Normal isn’t good enough for working families. It’s not good enough for our black and brown neighbors,” he said."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/former-state-senator-ben-downing-launches-gubernatorial-campaign/

 

 

“I often hear people say stimulus. This is about stability”

 

"CASH-STRAPPED MASSACHUSETTS residents may need to hold on for at least another month until help comes from Washington. US Rep. Richard Neal, appearing at a State House briefing Monday afternoon with Gov. Charlie Baker, said the next federal COVID-19 relief package is expected to pass the House “in the second or third week of March.”

Neal joined Gov. Charlie Baker at a State House Press conference on Monday afternoon, and outlined the details of what he calls the “stability” bill.  

“I often hear people say stimulus. This is about stability,” said Neal, emphasizing how crucial the legislation will be to struggling families. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/neal-touts-economic-stability-bill-in-appearance-with-baker/

 

 Gov Baker's press conference on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/esVcTQDBImA

 

“Arts and culture is inherently a social justice medium”

 

"The life story of Michael Bobbitt is probably very similar to what he would like to replicate for residents statewide as he takes over as the executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Bobbitt, as a young boy growing up in Maryland just outside Washington, DC, was exposed to the arts, took a strong interest, and built a career around music, dance, and theater. Now, as the state’s top arts official, he hopes to foster an environment in Massachusetts that would allow similar experiences for young people across the state."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/meet-michael-bobbitt-states-new-arts-leader-2/  

 

Listen to The Codcast interview with Michael: https://soundcloud.com/massinc/codcast-2021-2-8-mixdown

 

Visit MA Cultural Council on the internet at   https://massculturalcouncil.org/  

 

CommonWealth Magazine · Michael Bobbitt, state's new arts leader

 

 

FM #456 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 - P3 of 3 (audio)

FM #456 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 456 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, one member of the Council was remote along with the public via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full two hour forty five minutes meeting into three logical segments segments:

• First - covers the opening through Finance and borrowing update (53 minutes)
• Second - covers the  storm water utility fee (1 hour and 12 minutes)
• Third - covers the SubCommittee reports through to the close of the meeting (approx. 40 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 3, 2021

Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/735ef912-b78d-4d3b-8299-0592a86ab891/fm-456-tc-mtg-20210203-p3of3.mp3

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.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 #456 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 - P3 of 3 (audio)

 

FM #455 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 - P2 of 3 (audio)

FM #455 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 455 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, one member of the Council was remote along with the public via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full two hour forty five minutes meeting into three logical segments segments:

• First - covers the opening through Finance and borrowing update (53 minutes)
• Second - covers the  stormwater utility fee (1 hour and 12 minutes)
• Third - covers the SubCommitte reports through to the close of the meeting (approx. 40 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 3, 2021

Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/cbed6d02-74b8-4c9b-aaec-d1c99fec7759/fm-455-tc-mtg-20210203-p2of3.mp3

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.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 #455 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P2 of 3 (audio)

FM #454 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P1 of 3 (audio)

FM #454 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 454 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, one member of the Council was remote along with the public via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full two hour forty five minutes meeting into three logical segments segments:

• First - covers the opening through Finance and borrowing update (53 minutes)
• Second - covers the  stormwater utility fee (1 hour and 12 minutes)
• Third - covers the SubCommitte reports through to the close of the meeting (approx. 40 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 3, 2021
Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/87474f53-5502-4719-9873-025065e917e1/fm-454-tc-mtg-20210203-p1of3.mp3

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.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 #454 Town Council Mtg - 02/03/21 P1 of 3 (audio)

FM #453 Town Council 'Quarterbacking' - 02/03/21 (audio)

FM #453 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 453 in the series.

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

Our conversation runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen in.  Audio link = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/d74075ea-f5a9-41ec-a8a0-a8068827dcb5/fm-453-tc-quarterbacking-20210203.mp3

--------------
 

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Finance presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/tc_borrowing_debt_presentation.pdf

Stormwater proposal doc for discussion
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.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 #453 Town Council 'Quarterbacking' - 02/03/21 (audio)