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| When do they pick up my Christmas tree? |
"In a decision blasted by South Shore lawmakers as reckless, irresponsible and dangerous, Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration on Friday approved air quality permits for a natural gas compressor station in Weymouth, with state environmental regulators concluding the Enbridge Energy project conforms with air pollution regulations.
The project will support natural gas capacity upgrades and the expansion of a gas transmission pipeline system that runs from Mahwah, New Jersey, to Beverly, Massachusetts, for transportation and deliveries on the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline system. Collectively, it’s referred to as the Atlantic Bridge Project, which includes the siting of the compressor station, and which received federal approval in January 2017.
“This reckless and irresponsible decision is harmful to the health, safety and well-being of residents of Weymouth and the entire South Shore,” said Rep. James Murphy, D-Weymouth, in a statement released after state energy officials disclosed their decision just before 5 p.m. Friday.
“Generations of residents living in the Fore River basin have been burdened by industrial pollutants. These industries once supplied much-needed jobs to the area, while simultaneously poisoning the earth, water and air,” added state Rep. Ronald Mariano, D-Quincy. “Now, Enbridge plans to expose current and future generations of Quincy and Weymouth residents to a new source of toxins, all in the name of padding the profits of a multinational energy corporation. With today’s decision, Enbridge is one step closer to succeeding.”
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| "The Atlantic Bridge Project is designed to provide additional capacity" |
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| Franklin Library: Classics V Jazz Quintet - Jan 22 |
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| Veterans walkway: Brick Sales Update |
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| Second Sunday Speaker Series Continues at the Franklin Historical Museum |
"After seeing a large first half lead disappear, the Franklin boys basketball team was on the verge of letting a second half lead evaporate as well.
Holding a five-point lead with 1:30 to, Franklin’s advantage quickly shrunk to just one after a putback from Taunton senior Michel Quinn and a strong take from Lou Vendrell with 39.8 to go.
The Panthers, after scoring 20 points in the first quarter, had been limited to just 30 over the next 23 minutes and were in need of a spark. After a timeout, Franklin got the ball into the hands of junior Chris Edgehill (13 points, five assists), and he took advantage of a Taunton miscommunication after a double screen to get enough separation for a three with 20 seconds left, helping secure a 50-45 win over Taunton.
“It was absolutely a grind,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “Getting off to a great start helps a lot especially when you aren’t playing your best in the middle quarters. The second and third quarters we got really stagnant on offense. We stopped doing everything we did in the first quarter that was working. We weren’t running the floor as hard, we weren’t cutting or screening as hard, we weren’t reacting off screens really well. The motion got stymied, we weren’t moving the ball.”
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| Franklin’s Will Harvey (33) defends a shot from Taunton’s Michael Quinn (2) in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) |
"Gov. Charlie Baker will not sign into law a ban on certain chemical flame retardants in household goods, he told lawmakers Friday afternoon, citing concerns with the bill sent to him on the final day of the 2017-2018 legislative session.
The House and Senate sent Baker the bill on New Year’s Day, a move that was cheered by environmental advocates and firefighters who spent years pushing for passage, but which also made the bill subject to dying on the governor’s desk and precluded any opportunity for the governor to return it with an amendment or for lawmakers to override a veto.
Supporters of the bill had said the chemicals they sought to ban are unnecessary and can pose health risks to children and firefighters.
The 12,000-member Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts pushed for the bill’s signing and officials there said that while disappointed, they plan to keep advocating for the legislation."
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| Flame retardants are chemicals that are added or applied to materials in order to slow or prevent the start/growth of fire (NIEHS photo) |
"Franklin is taking its past into the future as the town seeks a part-time archivist for the Franklin Historical Museum.
Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a professional toured the museum to determine its needs. The result was a decision to hire an archivist. That person will be paid with money from a grant the town received last fall.
It’s unclear when the town will hire the archivist, but museum officials are interviewing candidates. About $30,000 is put aside for the job."
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| one of the pieces in a Ben Franklin display for his birthday in 2015 |
"In a decision affecting all 70 Big Y supermarket locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut, Big Y Foods, Inc. this week announced it will eliminate plastic bags from checkout counters.
That includes the store in Milford, off Rte. 109 and one in Franklin on Rte. 140.
The company uses 100 million plastic bags at checkout counters each year.
“Single-use plastic bags create an inordinate amount of waste,” a press release from the company says. “Big Y recognizes its responsibility to cut down on unnecessary plastic waste that contributes to litter, harms the environment and can endanger wildlife.”
The change won’t happen until 2020, allowing employees and customers to get used to the idea, and make the switch to reusable bags."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
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| FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016 |
"Prosecutors trying to get convictions for people suspected of driving drunk have seen their jobs get much more difficult after a Massachusetts judge ruled this week that Breathalyzer tests cannot be used as evidence in court.
Judge Robert Brennan, who was hearing a consolidated test case that involved more than 400 Breathalyzer exams throughout the state, ruled the tests can’t be used until the Office of Alcohol Testing proves it results are accurate.
Brennan’s ruling is being hailed by MetroWest defense attorneys as fair.
“I think it’s the right decision,” said David Levinson, a Framingham lawyer. “There have been so many issues with the various testing devices. There has to be some kind of accountability.”
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| Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI Jan 11 - THU Jan 17 |
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| All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast - Jan 13 |
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| FHS Panthers |
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| Fine Crafters Wanted! |
"In honor of the 313th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, the namesake of our town and founder of our library, the Franklin Public Library will be holding a “readathon” – a marathon reading of the full text of the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, first published in 1791. The book is considered a classic of American literature. According to the Library of Congress, “It was not only the first autobiography to achieve widespread popularity, but after two hundred years remains one of the most enduringly popular examples of the genre ever written.”
Like other readathons, this one invites the public to participate! Readers are encouraged to sign up in advance for 15-minute segments. Commencing when the library opens at 9 AM on January 17, readers will share the words of Ben Franklin with anyone interested in dropping by for all or part of the event. It is expected that the reading will be completed by the time the library closes at 8 PM. Water and other refreshments will be available for readers and audience alike."
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| Franklin Library: Ben Franklin Readathon, Jan 17 |
