Town of Franklin, MA: Charles River Flood Model released

The Town of Franklin, in partnership with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and 14 other communities in the upper and middle Charles River watershed, is excited to announce the release of the Charles River Flood Model (CRFM). https://t.co/kv0FnrCMZu

Shared from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1420403438169513987

Press release document

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/crfm_press_release.pdf

The Town of Franklin, in partnership with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and 14 other communities in the upper and middle Charles River watershed, is excited to announce the release of the Charles River Flood Model (CRFM). Funded by the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs FY21 MVP Action Grant Program, and developed by Weston & Sampson, this flood model can help communities protect vulnerable populations and property from flooding.

The Charles River Flood Model visualizes the impacts of increasingly severe storm events that will become more common with climate change, then shows what happens if we invest in nature-based solutions such as land conservation, green stormwater infrastructure, and/or reducing impervious surfaces.

This model comes at an important time. Our region has seen approximately 9.5” of rain so far this month, an astounding 9” more than average for early July. Following Tropical Storm Elsa and subsequent rains; the Charles River remained above flood stage in Dover from July 12th to 17th according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Charles River Flood Model found that without intervention, a projected 2070 100-year storm will impact more than 50 critical facilities and flood up to 12,500 acres of land within the watershed. This exceeds the estimated 10,400 acres of flooding during the severe rains of March 2010, which is the most recent significant flooding event caused by rainfall to affect the region. These intense rain events will put many residents at risk, especially vulnerable populations such as low-income residents, the elderly, and those who suffer from physical or mental illness.

 

The model was also used to test the impact of developing land that is currently undeveloped but vulnerable to future development. Developing half of the watershed’s remaining undeveloped and unprotected land without flood control measures would result in a 33% increase in flooded area in the present day 10-yr storm, and a 20% increase in flooded area in the 2070 10-yr storm. Allowing undeveloped land to be developed without considerable flood protection will cause downstream flooding and directly impact vulnerable residents.

“CRWA is excited to have led this regional effort,” said Julie Wood, deputy director with the Charles River Watershed Association. “This is a critical step to taking action as a region to effectively mitigate the expected flooding impacts of climate change. The model provides valuable information that will allow communities to make informed decisions about policy changes and on the ground interventions”.

Investing in nature-based solutions brings other important co-benefits as well, including improvements in water quality in the Charles River, reduced heat island effect, cleaner air, increased biodiversity, and more.

Flooding does not follow political boundaries, and this tool will help create stronger regional collaboration between communities in the watershed to better understand and address flooding due to climate change. Participating communities include Arlington, Dedham, Franklin, Holliston, Medway, Millis, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Sherborn, Watertown, Wellesley, Weston, and Wrentham.

Charles River Watershed Association uses science, advocacy, and law to promote resilient communities and a healthy river ecosystem. CRWA was formed in 1965 in response to public concern about the declining condition of the Charles River. Since its earliest days of advocacy, CRWA has figured prominently in major clean-up and watershed protection efforts that have dramatically improved the health of the Charles.

Contacts:

Julie Wood Deputy Director

Charles River Watershed Association 617-356-5060

jwood@crwa.org

Julia Hopkins

Communications and Outreach Manager Charles River Watershed Association 781-788-0007

jhopkins@crwa.org

Storm water modeling ->   https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5e214750da174c46bf6a8b8da12630e9

https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/charles-river-flood-model

Charles River Flood Model released

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

Join for "coffee with a cop" at Franklin Nutrition, 5 West Central St on Friday, Aug 6 from 9 AM - Noon

Shared from Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/162770995915/posts/10157736051160916/

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

"Baker did acknowledge he is considering new mask rules for schools"

"Baker says Mass. is different as other states impose COVID-19 protocols" 

"Governor Charlie Baker said Wednesday that he sees no need for Massachusetts to reinstate restrictions in response to rising COVID-19 cases, striking a contrast with President Biden, who is urging Americans to mask up again and requiring many federal workers to get vaccinated. 

“Massachusetts is in a much better position than the vast majority of the states in this country with respect to how we deal with and how we’re prepared to deal with COVID,” Baker said, speaking at an environmental funding event. 

But Baker, who tussled with the state’s largest teachers unions over COVID-19 vaccination and safety measures, did say that he is considering mandating masks in public schools this fall."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/28/nation/baker-says-mass-is-different-other-states-impose-covid-19-protocols/ 

"Baker did acknowledge he is considering new mask rules for schools"

Your privacy and data protection: "If you have lots of data, you can turn that into money"

"Why should you care about protecting your privacy online? Tech critic Carissa Véliz says it’s not just a matter of personal preference: It’s a civic duty.

Véliz, associate professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, is the author of “Privacy Is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data,” which blends philosophical insight and practical advice. Véliz says that guarding your privacy promotes something akin to digital herd immunity. Many companies claim that the more data they have, the better their products will be, but Véliz argues that this personal data ultimately gets transformed into something toxic, which society should regulate much like asbestos. Last year The Economist called “Privacy Is Power” one of the best books of the year, on any subject."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/28/opinion/why-its-good-you-if-i-protect-my-privacy/

Amazon link for book "Privacy is Power"  https://www.amazon.com/Privacy-Power-Should-Take-Control/dp/1787634043

Whether using either Google or Firefox as my browser, I use DuckDuckGo to help prevent the tracking codes from gathering the data  https://duckduckgo.com/
   

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Redistricting Data: What to Expect and When? Written by Dr. Ron Jarmin, U.S. Census Bureau Acting Director Since releasing the apportionment results in April, we've had several teams working hard on the next set of 2020 Census data — the redistricting data. These data play an important role in our democracy and will begin to illuminate the changes to the local and demographic makeup of our nation over the last decade. These data include the first sub-state population counts and demographic characteristics from the census, information that states typically use for redistricting — the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries based on where their populations have increased or decreased.  Although redistricting is a state function, the U.S. Census Bureau performs an important role in the process — providing quality data to the states from the census that states may choose to use in redistricting.  Continue reading the article ->  https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/director/2021/07/redistricting-data.html Video: What is Redistricting? Video link -> https://youtu.be/O0MhAue2Tuk Hear from the Census Bureau's James Whitehorne, chief of the redistricting and voting rights data office, and Nicholas Jones, director and senior advisor of race and ethnicity research and outreach, as they answer common questions about the upcoming 2020 Census data release.  We serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. We are a scientific organization focused on data. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our information to make far-reaching decisions.

Medical Experts Urge Governor Baker To Require Masks In MA Schools

Two sign-on letters from Massachusetts physicians and public health experts urge masking to preserve in-person learning and avoid future COVID-19 outbreaks 

This evening, two coalitions totaling over 200 public health and medical experts sent sign-on letters to Governor Baker and Commissioner Jeffrey Riley, head of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, urging the administration to implement universal indoor masking in Massachusetts schools for the 2021-2022 school year. This broad support for masking comes on the heels of today’s updated CDC guidance and the American Academy of Pediatrics' interim guidance on COVID-19 safety in schools, both of which encourage in-person learning with mandatory mask-wearing indoors and vaccinations for all eligible students, staff, and faculty.  

This push by medical professionals comes in the wake of recent pressure on the Baker Administration from elected officials and public health experts. On July 21, a coalition of legislators led by Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) called on Governor Baker to require masks indoors in early education programs and grades K-6 for the upcoming school year. While Governor Baker publicly rejected any change to masking guidance, Boston Mayor Kim Janey announced on July 22 that all Boston Public School students will be required to wear masks at school in the fall. 

"Schools and school-supported programs are fundamental to children’s development and well-being, and we must take all available measures to keep children at school in person," said one letter, penned by Dr. Regina LaRocque, an infectious disease physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "The rapid, ongoing spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant in Massachusetts represents a serious risk as the 2021-2022 school year begins. Young children lack protection from disease, and vaccination rates among adolescents are insufficient to prevent outbreaks in school communities." 

The second letter, written by Dr. Natalya Davis, a Quincy pediatrician, notes that mask-optional schooling is not viable for multiple reasons, including increased risk for illness and quarantine for students, families, and staff; peer pressure and bullying due to individual mask decisions; and the creation of separate groups based on parental preferences. 

"Our goal should be to keep children at school and learning. We cannot prevent every illness, but we can certainly mitigate the risks with a simple mask,” said Dr. Davis in the letter. “This change will be beneficial, helping keep our children in school, without hybrid learning or long quarantines – but only if masks are mandatory." 

"As a mother of two young children, I understand firsthand the fear of navigating our post-lockdown world without the protection of a vaccine," said Senator Becca Rausch. "Medical and public health experts in Massachusetts and nationwide are saying it loud and clear: masks work.  Our children and families should not be forced to risk illness and future school closures due to any delay in implementing necessary public health measures." 

Prior to today's updated CDC guidance on mask wearing, large American cities including Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, and Chicago already announced mask mandates for the upcoming school year. 

Copy of letter from (attached)

• Dr. Regina LaRocque, an infectious disease physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hbKhoqih2rtCqi85vZnUCvA5zqX-LH9O/view?usp=sharing
• Dr. Natalya Davis, a pediatrician in Quincy    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wPU_sstpjm7x2n4V6Q-Kf9wbhEXz7i7i/view?usp=sharing
• PDF copy of this press release from Senator Becca Rausch's office    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DRbot4oZwUbmg8Fw_yRfKH7qgF9R_iOT/view?usp=sharing

Medical Experts Urge Governor Baker To Require Masks In MA Schools

TBB Summer Series: Jerry Garcia's Birthday Celebration - Aug 1

THE BLACK BOX Summer Series presents Eddy’s Shoe and the Peacheaters: An Allman Brothers Experience for a special event to celebrate Jerry Garcia’s Birthday! The night will include a set of Grateful Dead tunes followed by a set of Allman Brothers Music!

About the Peacheaters: Fueled by admiration and passion for the music of the Allman Brothers Band, The Peacheaters have been rocking audiences for over 15 years. The Boston Globe, WZLX, Boston's Classic Rock Radio, and many other media outlets have raved about the authenticity of the band's performances. The band's dedication to this music, and to “hitting the note” every night, has helped them build an loyal and ever-growing fan base. The “Peach” has won multiple “Best Tribute Band” awards, and shared stages with legends such as The Outlaws, Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Matt Abts (Gov’t Mule), The Zen Tricksters, and James Montgomery.

About Eddy’s Shoe: Eddy's Shoe Plays Original Music (Contemporary Blues Rock, extended Jams with a Grateful Dead Meets Frank Zappa Feel) & Jam Band Favorites which include a Heavy Dose of Some Good O'l Grateful Dead Music.

When August 1 at 4 PM.  For tickets and other information   https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1492

TBB Summer Series: Jerry Garcia's Birthday Celebration - Aug 1