"One mural done, and more to come! The FDP continues to coordinate the installations of murals on Flower Alley off East Central St. Stop by to see this amazing mural by artist Peg Munson."Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/243620642485745/posts/1787627298085064/
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| Flower Alley has its first mural |
"News headlines and health experts on social media are sounding the alarm over another variant of the coronavirus, this time Delta, claiming it is much more contagious and perhaps more lethal than any other variant seen so far. It’s easy to understand why: New variants of the virus continue to emerge, and cases are rising in many countries. But whether new variants pose a unique or substantial risk is still unknown, and as virologists, we are concerned that misunderstanding variants and the risk they pose can cause confusion and panic.As the coronavirus spread globally, its genome changed — mutated — as expected for any virus. These mutations may affect the virus’s “fitness,” its ability to reproduce and spread. Some mutations weaken a virus, some have no measurable effect, and some make it stronger.As a virus becomes more fit, it will outcompete less fit viruses — and Delta is not the first variant that has beat its predecessors and competitors in certain areas. There’s the Alpha variant that first became dominant in Britain, and the Gamma variant that first became dominant in Brazil. Such changes are not unique to the coronavirus. Increased viral fitness happens during every flu season and is why some flu variants may circulate more widely than others.Just because a variant displaces another does not necessarily mean it is more infectious or more deadly to the people who become infected with it. As has been true for the past year and a half, human behavior is far more important in shaping the course of the pandemic than any variant."
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| Peter van Agtmael/Magnum Photos |
For the month of July as we kick off the new "Lion Year", you can buy a "Lions Club Donut" at the Franklin Honey Dew locations. All proceeds will benefit the local charities of the Franklin Lions Club.PURPLE: stands for loyalty to friends and to one's self, and for integrity of mind and heart. GOLD: symbolizes sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgement, purity in life and generosity in mind, heart and purpose toward humanity.
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| Get your "Lions Club Donut" at the Franklin Honey Dew locations |
"AFTER 16 MONTHS of work, members of a commission tasked with updating the state’s laws for reporting child abuse have failed to reach an agreement and will not make any recommendations to the Legislature.
The report of the mandated reporter commission is scheduled to be released Wednesday. At a meeting Monday, commission members decided to include in that report a summary of their deliberations and of feedback obtained in a public comment period – but not to vote on any legislative recommendations.
“There’s no recommendations,” confirmed the state’s child advocate, Maria Mossaides, who chairs the commission, after the meeting.
Asked why the commission decided not to make any recommendations, Mossaides said she was “unwilling to speak for the commission on that matter,” and she would let the document speak for itself when it is released. "
Franklin's current zoning doesn't allow for triple-deckers. Might this be one option for consideration?
"At the turn of the 20th century, working-class Boston residents faced a lack of affordable housing and, as a result, the diverse working class struggled to live close to where they worked and faced low rates of homeownership. One of Boston’s most iconic architectural styles, the triple-decker, was a solution to these challenges, not unlike many of the challenges Boston faces today.
Between 1880 and 1930, Boston responded to the needs of the working class by constructing an estimated 15,000 triple-deckers. This type of housing was popular with immigrants and Black Bostonians as Boston experienced different migration patterns. It also offered an affordable path to homeownership, since a family could live in one unit and rent out the other two, often to relatives. Triple-deckers became a popular and economically viable example of multigenerational housing throughout the region.
But triple-deckers, with their diverse working-class residents, soon became a lightning rod for racist and anti-immigrant sentiment that fueled policy and building code changes."
I'll admit to some bias for triple-deckers having grown up in one in Pawtucket, RI
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| A triple-decker renovation-in-progress in Dorchester. The finished project was featured on “This Old House” in May. KEVIN O'CONNOR |
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| 350 Mass Takes Climate Action In Franklin |
FM #574 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 574 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?
We cover the following key topics
4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Police Department Recognition: Patrol Officer David Mellor
b. Fire & Police Department Recognition: Winter Street Incident
5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Annual Reappointments
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
· S&J Restaurant, LLC d/b/a Sierra’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pub, New Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Manager, located at 648 Old West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
· Proof Restaurant, LLC d/b/a Proof, New Common Victualer All Alcohol License and Approval of Manager, located at 862 West Central Street, 2nd Floor, Franklin, MA 02038.
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
Open Meeting Law (OML) Complaint from Patrick Higgins: Failure to approve Town Council meeting minutes in a timely manner.
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-33: Expenditure - Recreation Department Expenses, Fletcher Fund (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-33 - Majority Vote)
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-34: Appropriation - Franklin Downtown Zoning and Marketing Capital Account (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-34 - Majority Vote)
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-35: FY21 Appropriation Transfers (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-35 - Majority Vote)
10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-37: Termination of the Veteran’s Services Agreement (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-37 Majority Vote)
10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 21-874: Amendment to CH. 185 Section 21 Parking, Loading, and Driveway Requirements - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Bylaw Amendment 21-874 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote)
The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.
Our conversation runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.
Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/156236b0-6ad8-4480-8d90-7071777e55ef
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Franklin Community Profile => https://mecc.memberclicks.net/assets/2021CommunityProfiles/FRANKLIN.pdf
Agenda folder -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/june-23-town-council-agenda
Agenda doc (including connection info) -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-23-21_town_council_agenda.pdf
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-town-council-meeting-deserved.html
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
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/ or www.franklin.news
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"
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| Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - 06/24/21 |