Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
"many hopeful aspects in the fight against global warming"
A discussion about climate change gleaned "surprisingly pleasant" results yesterday, one participant noted during an afternoon Global Warming Cafe.
About 20 people took part in the Franklin Area Climate Team's roundtable discussion to trade ideas on fears and hopes for the planet's future.
"We want to work together to reduce our personal and collective carbon footprint," said Ted McIntyre, co-captain of Franklin Area Climate Team.
Members of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) joined the local "climate team" yesterday at the First Universalist Society of Franklin to talk to residents from Franklin, Bellingham, Millis, Wrentham, Foxborough and more.
"Be inspired, and take action in the future," Susan Altman of MCAN told the audience as they broke into small groups.
The groups compiled lists of concerns about and solutions to climate change.
Read the remainder of the article in the Milford Daily News here
"not 'welfare' - it is an entitlement"
Worried about seniors living paycheck to paycheck this winter, area senior center directors say they are making an all-out effort to help them.
Now, more than ever, it is crucial that struggling seniors take advantage of programs they are entitled to, said Bellingham Outreach Coordinator Sheila Ronkin: tax abatements, fuel and food assistance, and circuit breakers.
"It was very important before the economy fell apart, but now, some of these folks live really threadbare lives. Without some help, they're not going to have enough heat or food. Even folks more well-heeled may not be able to buy Christmas presents or birthday presents for their loved ones," said Franklin Senior Center Director Karen Alves.
Many seniors don't realize they qualify for tax credits or other assistance, so they don't even bother to apply, Alves said. But that is a mistake.
Through the state's circuit breaker program, seniors can get up to $900 a year in real estate tax abatements if they pay more than 10 percent of their gross income in taxes, and that includes water and sewer fees, Alves said.
So if a senior makes $30,000 a year, pays $3,000 in real estate tax, plus $500 for water and sewer ($3,500 in taxes), they can get $500 back from the state, she said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
King St - construction progress
Sunday, October 19, 2008
FM #18 - Asst Supt M Sabolinski Interviewed - Part 2
Part 1 - Maureen reviewed her resume and how she has developed and is prepared to cover all aspects of the role of the Superintendent.
Part 2 - This is the Q&A session with Maureen and members of the School Committee starting with the FHS Student Representative Pat Slight.
Time: 28 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
The notes that I took as I was "live reporting" this meeting can be found here
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This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
FM #17 - Asst Supt M Sabolinski Interviewed - Part 1
This is Part 1: The School Committee listens as Maureen reviews her resume and educational development.
Part 2 will cover the Q&A session that follows.
Time: 33 minutes, 36 seconds
MP3 File
The notes that I took as I was "live reporting" this meeting can be found here
---- ---- ----
This podcast has been a public service provided to my fellow Franklin citizens and voters by Steve Sherlock
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.blogspot.com/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The musical intro and closing is from the Podsafe Music Network
Jon Schmidt - Powerful Exhilarating Piano Music
"sometimes kids come to school in the dead of winter with no coats"
Lindy Conroe always knew Jen Ballarino was amazing and special, but when the much-loved Franklin resident died in May following a long battle with brain cancer, Conroe was still deeply moved by the stories she heard.
"I've since heard such amazing stories she never told people," Conroe reflected recently.
For example, when Ballarino was working as a substitute teacher, she would often bring in coats and other necessary items for children she'd noticed were going without.
So it seems only fitting there is now an effort to collect coats and other outerwear for donation to homeless children and their families, all in Ballarino's memory.
It's part of the ongoing mission behind the newly formed Jen's Jackets, organized by Conroe and other friends and family of Ballarino. It's also the charity that has been adopted by Postal Center U.S.A. in Franklin, as well as its other area locations, in recognition of and leading up to Make A Difference Day on Oct. 25.
read the full article in the Milford Daily News here