In the News: distracted driving legislation effective February; additional electric vehicle charging stations being installed

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts drivers will soon face fines for virtually all cellphone usage behind the wheel after Gov. Charlie Baker signed an anti-distracted driving bill into law Monday. 

Starting in three months, motorists will be prohibited from using a handheld electronic device while driving except for a single touch or tap to activate hands-free mode. Voice commands will still be allowed, as will viewing a map on a device mounted to the windshield, dashboard or console, but all other uses are banned. 

State law has forbidden texting while driving since 2010, but because other actions such as dialing a phone number were not covered, police have found it difficult to enforce and distracted driving has proliferated. 

“When a driver on an electronic device hits something or someone, that’s not an accident,” Baker said during a crowded signing ceremony in the Statehouse Library, joined by advocates and families of victims killed in collisions. “It’s a crash that was avoidable, so this is a very proud day for Massachusetts where we join the other states in New England and do more to help prevent further injuries and horrible tragedies.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191125/hands-free-law-begins-in-february

"New electric vehicle charging stations will soon be installed at the Framingham Logan Express and the Franklin Village Shopping Center. 

The Baker-Polito administration, using $2 million in state funds received as settlement money in connection with the 2015 Volkswagen emission scandal, has awarded MassEVIP grants to 49 entities for the installation of additional electric vehicle charging stations. 

The DEP made the announcement in a press release last week. 

“By putting the infrastructure in place to ensure the reliability of electric vehicles and encourage electric vehicle adoption, we can lower transportation costs for families and businesses, enhance the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness and improve the environment,” said Gov. Charlie Baker said in the release."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191125/vehicle-charging-stations-coming-to-framingham-franklin

Franklin’s first marijuana dispensary expected to open soon

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town’s first recreational marijuana dispensary has been given the green light to begin operations, although it’s unclear when its doors will open. 

Proponents of the retail establishment at 1256 West Central St. - GTE Franklin, LLC - had their proposal approved for the project by the Planning Board on Sept. 23, said Town Planner Amy Love. The shop will be located within an industrial site in the town’s Marijuana Overlay District, next door to a Milford Regional Medical Center office. 

Other shops with signs on-site include Franklin Yoga & Wellness, William Raveis Real Estate and Forge Auto Works."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191124/franklins-first-marijuana-dispensary-expected-to-open-soon

The Planning Board site plan documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board/pages/1256-west-central-st-marijuana

The community meeting held in September by GTE Franklin, LLC and facilitated by the SAFE Coalition presentation document and audio recording is available
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/09/the-audio-and-presentation-copy-for-gte.html

MBTA: Thursday - Thanksgiving Commuter Rail notice for Franklin Line

The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, 11/28.

On the Lowell and Franklin Lines, Sunday train service will run. Weekend bus shuttles will resume on both lines on Saturday 12/7.

On the Rockport Line, Sunday train service will run as well. Weekday bus shuttle will resume on Monday 12/2

Last Updated: Nov 25 2019 12:16 PM

MBTA: Thursday - Thanksgiving Commuter Rail notice for Franklin Line

Franklin Library: Zentangle for Children - Nov 26

Relax Focus Create Appreciate

Zentangle for Children Grades 1-6 Free at Franklin Public Library with Jane Tuesday, November 26, 2019 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM Through the Zentangle Method of Drawing you can: Relax Focus Expand your imagination Trust your creativity Increase your awareness Discover the fun and healing in creative expression Feel Gratitude and appreciation for all that you can do and more importantly HAVE FUN! Please arrive promptly at 3:30 so we can begin the teaching of the lesson immediately. Space is limited to 25 children.

Jane's Tangles | 18 Park Rd, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by janesframes60@gmail.com in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Preparedness: Presume the best, prepare for the worst

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director, Franklin●TV & wfpr●fm 11/24/2019

"On Wednesday 11/20, I attended an emergency readiness meeting of Bellingham and Franklin officials. The day was given to analyzing our emergency preparedness, and assessing our strengths and limitations.

What does that look like? The day produced a list of action items to improve our readiness to mitigate emergencies great and small across the municipalities, facilities, areas and neighborhoods. They addressed issues that none of us think about as we go about our day-to-day lives, but they are important issues nonetheless."

 

Preparedness: Presume the best, prepare for the worst

Questions? 508-541-4118. 

As always – Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. And, thanks for watching.


For the full program guide for Franklin●TV & wfpr●fm
 http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Library Hours for Thanksgiving Week

The Franklin Public Library will close at 2:00 PM on Wednesday. It will remain closed on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day and re-open on Friday. 

Avoid the "Black Friday" shoppers and enjoy a book or do some research in the calm and quiet of the Library.

Library Hours for Thanksgiving Week

For more about what is happening at the Library, visit their web page
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library

Please help send these girls to their first ever AYC National Championship!

"Our 14U Franklin Cheer team just qualified to compete at the AYFC National Championships in Kissimmee, Florida from December 11-16, 2019. Please help send these girls to their first ever AYC National Championship!!!

Their journey has been long, their effort...tireless, and their desire to be the best can only be topped by their dedication and commitment to “team above self”. This is more than just a competition for these girls. This is the culmination of hours and hours of practice, persistence and sacrifice. Now it’s time to show our support for all their hard work. Every donation helps no matter how small. Please consider giving.

This trip to National’s will be an experience every single one of them will remember for a lifetime. For some, this will be the first time leaving the New England. For others, this will be the first trip they take with teammates but without their families. For most, this will be the only time these girls have the opportunity to represent our community and state at a national level.

This will be a competition where they learn the value of hard work, determination, commitment, sacrifice and teamwork. They will learn , because of their work ethic, all things are possible. For those very reasons, they will return from Nationals as “winners” regardless of their scores.

The cost per cheerleader is approximately $1,300.00 inclusive of airfare, lodging, food, transportation and other costs/fees. We need to raise $18,000.00 in two short weeks to enable all of the girls on our team to go.

The team has done their hard work, practice after practice, to get this far. They’ve overcome injuries, icing noses and lips, sprains and strains, all for the sake of a team. They’ve missed social events and other opportunities for one shot at rocking a flawless 2 ½ minute routine where one mistake, one slip by one girl, can mean the end of the season for all. Please help us send them the rest of the way!! Donate now and make their dreams come true!!!"

Donate via this GoFundMe page
https://www.gofundme.com/f/franklin-cheer-2019-ayf-national-competition

Please help send these girls to their first ever AYC National Championship!