Wednesday, August 25, 2021

"a strong supply chain is vital for everyone"

The CDL or truck driver shortage reported previously as affecting the trash/recycling pickup and was also highlighted in the two open jobs that the DPW is looking to fill, is not just a US issue. This article shares the info on preparation for the Christmas season in Europe (UK and Iceland in particular). 

"The UK government must allow retailers to recruit HGV drivers from foreign countries to avoid a supply chain crisis that could ruin Christmas, a senior supermarket chain boss has warned. 
Richard Walker, Iceland’s managing director, said the UK faced a shortage of 100,000 HGV drivers that was already causing 30-40 deliveries to its stores to be cancelled daily, and would upend plans to begin building Christmas stock from next month. 
“We’ve got Christmas around the corner, and in retail we start to stock build really from September onwards, for what is a hugely important time of year,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday."

 

The Franklin DPW is hiring 2 for Heavy Motor Equipment Operator positions
The Franklin DPW is hiring 2 for Heavy Motor Equipment Operator positions

“We should not even be thinking about closing the book or backing off, but rather ratcheting up the effort”

As shared earlier this week (Virus theory vs politics: "unlikely hard answers will be provided this week"), the report did lead to no hard conclusions and more research (in the scientific manner) remains to be done. The 90 day push accomplished much but could not reach a conclusion in the time allotted.

"President Biden on Tuesday received a classified report from the intelligence community that was inconclusive about the origins of the novel coronavirus, including whether the pathogen jumped from an animal to a human as part of a natural process, or escaped from a lab in central China, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The intelligence community will seek within days to declassify elements of the report for potential public release, officials said.

The assessment is the result of a 90-day sprint after Biden tasked his intelligence agencies in May to produce a report “that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion” on the origins of a virus that has killed more than 4 million people globally and wrecked national economies. But despite analyzing a raft of existing intelligence and searching for new clues, intelligence officials fell short of a consensus, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the report is not yet public."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

New York Times coverage of this topic (subscription maybe required)

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

You can help determine the questions asked of each candidate

As the candidates are out and about completing their signature requirements, it is time for us to start gathering the questions that you would like to be asked of the candidates.

As in prior elections, I prefer to provide four or five question to all the candidates. Each position may be slightly different (their role is different) so the questions should reflect that.

You can help with the question development by submitting the ONE question you would ask of each candidate. With all of the Town Council or School Committee candidates responding to the same set of questions, we can then determine whom we would prefer.

Use the Google form here to submit your question. You can submit more than one but the final decision on the four or five questions to be asked remains with the editor.

Form link =>  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWDz7OhOu-J9dVZWtHwG6NbfTVvRQbcny66Z3rqWZLN-o6Dw/viewform?usp=sf_link

The offer to candidates to set up an interview   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/offer-to-candidates-for-town-of.html 


You can help determine the questions asked of each candidate
You can help determine the questions asked of each candidate

Prior questions and prior interview results are located in the Election Collection for each Town of Franklin local election going back to 2007 

FM #589 - The Franklin (MA) DPW Water Series 07/15/21 - P2 of 3

FM #589 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 589 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent. 


We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St. This is the second of three in the series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water Dept. 


Part 2 - approx. 38 minutes

  • Permit process 20 years, midway through this one

  • Overall water usage per capita for Franklin is among the best in the state (~45-49gpp vs ~65gpp)

  • Unaccounted for water and meter standards, Franklin is a model community for this

  • Infiltration annual testing uses a “stethoscope for the road”

  • Town owns from the water main to the curb stop (water service shut off from street); Town also owns the meter

  • Meter read via radio today, may eventually get to an automatic send to a data collector; used to take 2 guys a month to read, now it takes one only a week to read the meters

  • WaterSmart system data based upon readings monthly; billing readings are monthly

  • Rebates available for high efficiency water use appliances

  • Annual Water report - highlights by section

  • Reference to working without the incredible asset of Dave Allard, now retired; 4 hours of a brain dump didn’t catch it all but he still answers the phone when they call

  • Key items explained, testing process, negligible results are shown for 20 or so items, another 100+ are tested with no findings, PFAS testing added per state DEP regs

  • Difference between water testing done by Town vs. Water bottles available in retail (FDA vs. DEP/EPA regulations)

  • Thanks to the 61 residents for participating in the lead and copper special testing required (lead goose necks)

  • WaterSmart website, Individual usage can be monitored, Leak detection service


The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.


Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.


Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a148dcea-1db5-49f2-b11c-e302009de27f



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Water Sewer Division - https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division

Water Smart program ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/welcome-watersmart-program


Consumer Confidence Report for 2020 us what we walked through during the conversation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/franklin_ma_ccr_2020_web_final.pdf


Consumer Confidence Reports -> archive   = https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/consumer-confidence-reports


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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/  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"

 

FM #589 The Franklin (MA) DPW Water Series 07/15/21 - P2 of 3
FM #589 The Franklin (MA) DPW Water Series 07/15/21 - P2 of 3

Franklin Residents: Pay Your Real Estate, Personal Property, Motor Vehicle Excise & Water/Sewer/Trash Bills Online

Pay Your Real Estate, Personal Property, Motor Vehicle Excise & Water/Sewer/Trash Bills Online

Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31. 2021

On the Town Common from 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Follow the SAFE Coalition Facebook event for updates

Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31. 2021
Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31. 2021

Zucchini Races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021

Here are details on the Zucchini Races, sponsored by Franklin Ag Comm Happening Sept 10th!

There is no age limit to who can submit an entry and no motors. Entries will be weighed at check in and split into three weight classes.

Fans can vote for their favorite racer in four different categories.
    • Best decorated
    • Best use of vegetables
    • Funniest name
    • Your favorite

We will race in heats, winner of heat moves on. 

When: Friday, Sep 10 at the Farmers Market!

2:30-3:30 - Check in
3:30- 4:00 - Fan Voting
4:00 - Racing begins!



Info updated 8/25/21

Zucchini races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021
Zucchini races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021