Franklin Matters

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Help determine the future of MA mass transit

"SOME OF THE MOST encouraging news coming out of the pandemic has been the ability of Massachusetts companies to quickly pivot and meet suddenly changing needs. Shoe manufacturers are making face masks. Distillers are producing hand sanitizer. A greeting card company is using it’s die-cutters to produce face shields. Companies quickly pivoted, found ways to utilize their assets and kept their skilled employees working.
Commuter rail needs to follow the example of these firms and pivot by finding new uses for the skilled workers and the equipment that are being made surplus by the reductions in service currently taking place. Commuter rail should be experimenting with new services, particularly with extending service to additional communities outside its current service area."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/commuter-rail-should-be-experimenting/

"The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will hold a virtual public hearing Feb. 24 to discuss temporary schedule changes that will go into effect in March and April, the agency said in a statement

The meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., will allow participants to ask questions and give feedback on the changes, according to the statement."

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/17/metro/mbta-hold-feb-24-public-meeting-transit-changes-due-covid-19-pandemic/

Register for the Feb 24 meeting https://www.mbta.com/events/2021-02-24/spring-2021-service-changes-virtual-public-meeting

"It’s the megaphone that makes the government work better"

Rep. Lori Ehrlich (@RepLoriEhrlich) tweeted on Tue, Feb 16, 2021:

Terrific article by @KamiRieck with insight from @dankennedy_nu @BrendanCrighton & @jasonpramas. TY Speaker @RonMariano for this important new law and for appointing me to the new 23-member commission. I look forward to digging in! https://t.co/unm9Wgo3jF

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/RepLoriEhrlich/status/1361729045491236871

"The growth of “news deserts” in Massachusetts and the possible solutions to improving local journalism in underserved communities will be the focus of a new commission approved in the final hours of the last legislative session.

The initiative by Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, was part of the massive economic development bill approved by lawmakers and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker last month. It will examine the sustainability of local press business models and the sufficiency of news coverage in communities across the state.

“Local journalists tell the community stories that bind us together,” Ehrlich said. “They tell us who we are, and where we’ve been and where we’re going. Local news is also essential to ensuring a healthy democracy.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.gazettenet.com/Journalism-task-force-38783093?fbclid=IwAR0cBSONXdL2PwMv17xgH0a8NQ7nBcnKFO4OJz9uQs2SnEGhSOQVAX8bWu0

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

"Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy

FM #463 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 463 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:

Vaccine distribution readiness
Recent School Committee Davis Thayer decision
The Stormwater discussion continues
A preview of Town Council meeting

Complete streets
Community Preservation Committee appointments possible

"Hearts of Kindness" on the Town Common
#thinkfranklinFirst, #ProjectEnvoy

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2eee4090-a465-4a7b-a5bd-49edf5d9825e

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Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data

Storm water Division page = https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division
Check your impervious coverage =
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5

My notes from the Feb 3, 2021 Town Council meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html

#Project Envoy - February schedule = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards = https://franklingiftcard.com/

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

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How can you help?

If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

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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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"Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy

Roy appointed Chair of Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) was named by House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) as the new House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy. The committee considers all matters concerning the exploration, exploitation and development of energy sources, including the siting of energy facilities, public utilities, wind farms, and the bottle bill.

“It’s a great honor to have been chosen for this assignment,” noted Roy, who is serving his fifth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “These are challenging times and the sustainability issues, including the climate crisis, energy needs, and pollution are top priorities. I am humbled and honored that the Speaker entrusted me with this leadership post to face these challenges and help build a sustainable future.”

In the last session, Roy chaired the Higher Education Committee and led efforts to address financial issues on our campuses with the enactment of an act to support improved financial stability (Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2019) and make them safer with the enactment of an act relative to sexual violence at colleges (Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2020).

He also served on the special commission studying veteran’s tuition and the Harm Reduction Commission which addressed prevention and access to appropriate care and treatment of addiction. In addition to those duties, he serves as the House Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus which promotes making it in Massachusetts.

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy

During his years in office, Roy has also served as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Ethics, and as a member on the Committees on Ways and Means, Judiciary, Education, Mental Health, Substance Use, & Recovery, and Labor & Workforce Development.

Since 2013 Roy has been part of the legislative efforts that have addressed the issues of education, economic development, the coronavirus pandemic, health care, substance use disorder, criminal justice, veteran’s services, seniors, housing, tax relief, civil rights, social equity, gun safety, energy, and the environment.

Also appointed to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy were Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-N. Reading), and Reps. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), Joan Meschino (D-Hull), Jim Hawkins (D-Attleborough), David Robertson (D-Wilmington), Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose), Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), Steven Owens (Watertown), and Len Mirra (R-Groveland).

Looking for something to read? How about the School Committee policy manual?

Looking for reading material during school vacation? Have you checked out the policy manual for the School Committee?

"THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Franklin School Committee has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and local citizens' expectations for the education of the community's youth. It also has an obligation to determine and assess citizens' desires. When citizens elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of public education, their representatives have the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility.

The Franklin School Committee therefore affirms and declares its intent to:

Maintain two-way communications with citizens of the community. The public will be kept informed of the progress and problems of the school system, and citizens will be urged to bring their aspirations and feelings about their public schools to the attention of this body, which they have chosen to represent them in the management of public education.
Establish policies and make decisions on the basis of declared educational philosophy and goals. All decisions made by this Committee will be made with priority given to the purposes set forth, most crucial of which is the optimal learning of the student enrolled in our schools.
Act as a truly representative body for members of the community in matters involving public education. The Committee recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the state, but individual School Committees have been assigned specific authority through state law. The Committee will not relinquish any of this authority since it believes that decision-making control over the student’s learning should be in the hands of local citizens as much as possible. "

Reviewed; no revisions 4/8/2008; Reviewed; revised 5/3/2014

Shared from the Franklin Public Schools page: https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual/pages/ab-people-and-their-school-district

Top level of the policy manual https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee-policy-manual

Washington Post: What is "the future of transportation funding?"

"Bruce Starr spotted the problem right away: The hydrogen-powered cars General Motors was showing off on the Oregon Capitol grounds wouldn’t need gas. And if they didn’t need gas, drivers wouldn’t be paying gas taxes that fund the state’s roads.

It was 2001, and the problem seemed urgent. GM predicted the cars would be on the market in a few years. Starr, then a Republican state representative, created a task force to figure out the future of transportation funding."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/interactive/2021/electric-mileage-tax/?itid=hp-more-top-stories