Thursday, March 18, 2021

National News: no mail fraud in PA found; check on your IRS stimulus payment; intelligence report highlights terrorists threats

"Postal Service finds no evidence of mail ballot fraud in Pa. case cited by top Republicans"

"U.S. Postal Service investigators found no evidence to support a Pennsylvania postal worker’s claim that his supervisors had tampered with mail-in ballots, according to an inspector general’s report — allegations cited by top Republicans to press baseless claims of fraud in the presidential election."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
 "The IRS has sent out 90 million stimulus payments."
"The Internal Revenue Service told financial institutions to expect roughly 90 million direct deposits amounting to $242.2 billion on March 17 in the initial distribution of the American Rescue Plan stimulus payments, according to a banking industry group.

Following the deposits, the IRS mailed an additional 150,000 checks amounting to $442 million, with a pay date of March 19, according to the Independent Community Bankers of America, based on a briefing from the IRS.

“Additional batches of payments will be sent in the coming weeks with the vast majority sent by direct deposit,” the group said in an online update to banking members. “Payments will also be sent through the mail as a check or debit card.” 
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

"Racist extremists pose most deadly terrorist threat to US, intelligence report warns"
"Racially motivated extremists pose the most lethal domestic terrorism threats to the US, according to an unclassified intelligence report that warned that the threats could grow this year.

The blunt assessment, in a report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, echoes warnings made by US officials, including the FBI director, Christopher Wray, who testified earlier this month that the threat from domestic violent extremism was “metastasizing” across the country."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Franklin Questions and Answers - 2 opportunities - Thursday, Mar 18

There are 2 opportunities to get your Franklin questions answered on Thursday, Mar 18.

at 8:30 AM  Coffee with Rep Roy and Town officials
Please pre-register here and you will be sent an email confirmation and link


at 1:30 PM  Franklin Matters Q&A with Steve Sherlock

https://zoom.us/j/98013838833?pwd=Q3plYjg0UVNQd1BxWkgxODhhQ1cwUT09
Meeting ID: 980 1383 8833  Passcode: 156851

One tap mobile
+13017158592,,98013838833#,,,,
*156851# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,98013838833#,,,,
*156851# US (Chicago)


Questions and Answers - 2 opportunities - Thursday, Mar 18
Franklin Questions and Answers - 2 opportunities - Thursday, Mar 18


Meeting Notice, 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Thursday, March 18

The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, March 18th, at 7:00 pm.  Here is the Zoom link: 
 
Meeting ID: 544 734 092
Password: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923 
 
Residents of Franklin and nearby cities and towns are invited to attend. We will discuss ongoing legislative developments at the State House around climate action, including greater reliance on renewable sources of energy for electricity, home heating, and transportation. We are also planning local activities to educate and engage our communities about climate, renewable energy, home improvements, and related topics. We want to collaborate with groups and individuals from the region who share the same concerns, so all our cities and towns can benefit. Please join us to learn and contribute.  
 
350 Massachusetts for a Better Future (https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/) is building a powerful statewide social movement to confront the climate crisis, hold our politicians accountable and undermine the destructive influence of the fossil fuel industry. Our name comes from 350 parts per million, the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 
350 Mass is made up of several local volunteer-led chapters we call "nodes" around the state that carry out both municipal-level and statewide campaigns, coordinated by a Statewide Steering Team (SST). The Greater Franklin Node includes Franklin and close to twenty nearby communities. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, at 7:00 pm.
 
For questions and information, contact the node co-coordinators, carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or ralph.halpern@comcast.net.
 
Ralph Halpern
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c)
 

Community Conversation on Police Reform - March 24, 2021

Franklin Area Against Racism (FAAR) is hosting a Community Conversation on Police Reform.

When: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - 7:00 PM

  • Senator Becca Rausch
  • Representative Jeff Roy 
  • Franklin Police Dept. Chief Thomas J. Lynch
  • Franklin Police Dept. Deputy Chief James Mill
  • and other community leaders


More details, including the Zoom link, in the image below.

Community Conversation - Agenda:

0-5

 Introductions by FAAR and moderators

5-30

 

-         Up to 10 minutes: What is in “An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth”, and what change does it make? Why was this bill necessary/what were you hearing from your constituents?

-         Legislators (Sen Rausch, Rep Roy)

 

-         Up to 10 minutes: What has your department done to date?

How will this bill impact Franklin?

-         Chief Lynch, Deputy Chief Mill

 

-         Tentative: Taking inventory, where are we now? What are possible next steps?

-         Community Advocate

30-60

 Moderated Discussion (all participants)

60-85

 Community Q&A

85-90

 Conclusion

 

Community Conversation on Police Reform - March 24, 2021
Community Conversation on Police Reform - March 24, 2021

FHS volleyball takes match 3-0 vs. King Philip in first of two this week

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results: 

"For the past seven seasons, the road to the Kelley-Rex division title has gone through either Franklin or Wrentham, and sometimes both.
With an abbreviated season on tap this year, those head-to-head matchups take on extra importance as the Panthers and Warriors of King Philip stand as the favorites for the division crown again this year.

Round one of the home-and-home series between the two went to Franklin, who came through in key moments down the stretch in all three sets to earn a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-22) sweep of the visiting Warriors.

“It comes down to trust, trusting yourself, trusting who you’re on the court with, and trusting all of your teammates,” said first-year Franklin head coach Samantha Elliott. “It’s not a one-person sport, a one-person game…I think they showed a lot of teamwork closing those sets out. We can’t just rely on one person, we have to play our game as a team.”

Continue reading the game recap by Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com
 
For a photo gallery from this game
 
For other results around the Hockomock League
 
 
Franklin junior Cailyn Mackintosh sets the ball in the second set against King Philip. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin junior Cailyn Mackintosh sets the ball in the second set against King Philip. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)


Franklin DPW - 2021 Construction Project Updates

Construction Project Update

The Mackintosh Neighborhood Waterline project will be starting next week.  The Town contractor, CJP & Sons, will be starting on Pine Ridge Drive at the end of Sherman Ave and will then continue into the neighborhood from there.  This project will continue into the summer.  A list of project contacts can be found here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kGlc_16pxpRuOY4z3FCEWeAm03gqwLv7/view?usp=sharing)

You can also find an interactive map on the DPW website outlining current construction projects. (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/241b546cfac6423585978bf5889d23e8)

Franklin DPW - 2021  Construction Project Updates
Franklin DPW - 2021  Construction Project Updates

 

 

Two $1000 Scholarships Offered by Knights of Columbus - Applications due Apr 16, 2021

Knights of Columbus 1847 in Franklin, MA is accepting applications for 2- $1000 Scholarships. The applicants must be a registered member of St. Mary's Parish in Franklin, and must be graduating from High School in the Spring 2021 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/ university. Please submit a complete our Scholarship Application postmarked on or before the Application Deadline of Friday April 16, 2021.

The application form is available from the banner on the St. Mary's Parish, Franklin website or on the Knights of Columbus 1847 website https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847, St. Mary's Parish c/o Mike Swan, 38 Madison Ave., Franklin, MA 02038.

The award will be given to the recipients upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

Please contact Mike Swan for more information at 508-404-4792. 

https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program
https://www.kofc1847.org/scholarship-program