FM #190 - Economic Development SubCommittee meeting - Jan 8, 2020 (audio)

FM #190

This internet radio show or podcast is number 190 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares Economic Development SubCommittee meeting held on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in the 3rd Floor Training Room at the Municipal Building at 5:45 PM. (It was listed to start at 5:30 and I covered the Board of Health meeting which finished at 5:40 so I expected to get to this one late. However, I was able to get there just for the start.)

Discussion:
1. Zoning Amendment proposal:
a. Ground Mounted Solar Bylaw Amendments in residential Zoning Districts;
b. A house cleaning items in Mixed Business Innovation (MBI) district; and .
c. A housecleaning item in Accessory uses for Agricultural with Poultry to comply with zoning setbacks.

2. Lot line Clean up #1: Areas near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets.

3. Lot Line Clean up #2: Areas near Oak Street and Daily Drive.

The full agenda and documents released for this meeting can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/20200103133120366.pdf

Good insights on the solar farm business as background for the 1a agenda item

The meeting runs about 45 minutes, so without further ado here is the Economic Development SubCommittee of Jan 8, 2020.


https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDxP56KX




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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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The solar farm being installed at Mount Saint Mary's in 2013

Franklin Children's School Open House - Jan 25

Franklin Children's School announces registration for the 2020-2021 school year!!

Registration has begun and will run through January 31, 2020.

Franklin Children's School will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, January 25, 10:00 AM - 12:00 for families interested in learning more about the school. FCS is located at 900 Chestnut Street in Franklin.

If you are interested in setting up a tour, would like an application or have any questions, please contact Executive Director, Kim Barrett at 508-528-9378 or email fcskids@verizon.net.

Franklin Children’s School was voted #1 choice for Franklin preschools in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Readers Choice Awards!!!

For more about the school, visit their web page  http://www.fcskids.com/

Franklin Children's School Open House - Jan 25

FHS girls basketball, both girls and boys swim teams post wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Friday.

Girls Basketball = Taunton, 18 @ Franklin, 66 – Final
– Ali Brigham scored 17 points and Olivia Quinn added 12 to help the Panthers continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Boys Swimming = Mansfield, 73 @ Franklin, 92 – Final

Girls Swimming = Mansfield, 56 @ Franklin, 107 – Final

Boys Basketball = Franklin, 52 @ Taunton, 83 – Final 
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:

"The Taunton boys basketball team delivered a message to the rest of the Hockomock League on Friday night.

At the expense of visiting Franklin, that message was sent loud and clear.

The Tigers, locked in at both ends of the floor from start to finish, had one of their best all-around games since joining the league nearly a decade ago, earning a dominating 83-52 win over the previously unbeaten Panthers.

“That was one of the best games we’ve played on both ends of the floor,” said longtime Taunton head coach Charlie Dacey."

Continue reading the game recap:
https://hockomocksports.com/taunton-boys-basketball-shines-knock-off-franklin/

For a photo gallery from this game.
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Taunton-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-01-10-20/

Loving the #senior banners at tonights meet against Mansfield & former swimmers who came out to supprt @fhsgvswim1 @FHSBoysSwim1 #pantherpride #fhsswimming pic.twitter.com/5uLLkQVZXl

— Coach Balliro (@coachB_fhs) January 11, 2020

I say it every meet. This is a special crew. And sorry @PaulPeri9 I deff cut you out of the team selfie!! Thank you for showing your support and your kind words about the team!! pic.twitter.com/J3nEDQLF1s

— Coach Balliro (@coachB_fhs) January 11, 2020

TWO solid wins tonight for FHS swimming!
Girls defeat Mansfield 107-56
Boys remain UNDEFEATED as they defeat Mansfield 92-73
Shout out to Sophomore Alice Taddeo for her first win in the 100 breaststroke

— CoachP_FHS_Swim (@CoachP_FHSswim) January 11, 2020

AMAZING TEAM WIN TODAY!!! Dory goes to @kathrynchew15 for qualifying for sectionals in her 500 Free!!! Also a huge thank you to @PaulPeri9 for coming to support us today, it meant a lot to our team! pic.twitter.com/n5xyCAQIHw

— FHSGVSWIM! (@fhsgvswim1) January 11, 2020

What an incredible group of FHS student-athletes! What an incredible team culture! Proud of these teams!!! #pantherpride #proudprincipal pic.twitter.com/HQYtKE39by

— FranklinHighSchool (@FranklinHS) January 11, 2020

What an incredible group of FHS student-athletes!  What an incredible team culture!   Proud of these teams!!!  #pantherpride #proudprincipal

LAUGH MORE IN 2020! Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin - Jan 14

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Tuesday, January 14 and is now FREE!

LAUGH MORE IN 2020! 

LAUGH MORE IN 2020

Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin is on Tuesday, January 14th (and every second Tuesday once a month) from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. It is now FREE! Enjoy this delightful practice, appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness. 

Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin

When we laugh, we energize our bodies and revive our spirits. All that is involved is deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. 

It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 

Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers and Laughter Ambassadors, Linda and Bill Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. If you have any questions, just e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com. 

Franklin Police: Man receives 7 years for Franklin stabbing

A 27-year-old Woonsocket, Rhode Island, man has been sentenced to 7 years in state prison after he admitted he stabbed and almost killed another man in a Franklin apartment in 2015, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

Keinan McKenna burst into the West Central Street apartment of his former girlfriend shortly before 11 p.m. on January 11, 2015 and attacked an adult male who was there visiting the woman. McKenna stabbed the unarmed man 13 times, including 10 times in the back, before fleeing the area.

"Franklin Police responded to the scene and saw evidence of a violent and bloody struggle," District Attorney Morrissey said after the suspect entered guilty pleas on each of the three indictments against him: Armed Assault in a Dwelling; Assault with intent to Murder; Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (Causing Serious Bodily Injury) on Jan. 6, 2020.

"Franklin officers administered emergency first aid to stem the loss of blood that could have cost the victim his life. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital and survived those injuries," Morrissey said. "Investigating officers quickly learned the identity of the suspect, the type of vehicle he was traveling in, and the probability that he was headed to the Woonsocket. They contacted Woonsocket PD, who intercepted the defendant, pulled him over, and took him into custody."

Assistant District Attorney David Omiunu presented evidence gathered by the Franklin Police to a Norfolk County Grand Jury, who issued the indictments in 2015. "Franklin Police did a very professional and thorough job gathering the physical and testimonial evidence in this case," Morrissey said.

"The defendant will serve seven years in state prison, followed by 4 years of probation supervision," Morrissey said. "During probation he must stay away from and have no contact with the victim, abide by any restraining order, abstain from drugs and alcohol, submit to random chemical use screening, and submit to a substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment."

Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch added "I'm proud of the work the initial responding officers did to not only save a life, but also recognize the fluid and dynamic situation as it unfolded." Lynch continued, "this incident only began on that night, countless hours of work by Franklin Police Detectives, investigators from the District Attorney's office, and Assistant District Attorney Omiunu brought this case to a successful conclusion." Chief Lynch praised all involved, and added "this job is a team effort, everyone plays a part, and in working together we can successfully bring these perpetrators to justice."

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/media-release-man-receives-7-years-franklin-stabbing

Franklin Police: Man receives 7 years for Franklin stabbing

EPA "has a long history of failing to act"

Via the Environmental Working Group:

"This week the House voted overwhelmingly to pass H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act, which President Trump has threatened to veto.

The bill would set deadlines for the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce ongoing releases of toxic fluorinated chemicals, known as PFAS, and to set a drinking water standard for two notorious PFAS chemicals.

“It’s never been clearer that it’s time for Congress to set tough deadlines to reduce PFAS releases into the air and water, set PFAS drinking water standards, and clean up legacy PFAS pollution,” said EWG Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber. “If the Trump administration won’t take the necessary steps to protect the public from PFAS, it’s up to Congress to act."

In other news about the PFAS Action Act, EWG broke down EPA’s history of inaction when it comes regulating PFAS and told the story of a military firefighter pushing for Congress to act on the PFAS crisis."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2020/01/ewg-news-roundup-110-trump-threatens-derail-pfas-action-california-fails

Related links

H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act
https://www.ewg.org/release/ewg-applauds-historic-bipartisan-pfas-vote

Trump threatens veto
https://www.ewg.org/release/trump-threatens-veto-after-missing-key-pfas-drinking-water-deadline

EPA's history of inaction on PFAS
https://www.ewg.org/news-and-analysis/2020/01/it-s-time-end-epa-s-long-history-failing-act-forever-chemicals

Environmental Working Group

In the News: college closure rules "a watershed moment"; Polar Park construction estimates rise

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

"State higher education officials on Friday approved a new set of regulations that will govern how they screen colleges and universities for financial risks and potential closures.

Education Secretary James Peyser said the Board of Higher Education’s vote marked a “watershed moment.”

“On the one hand, it’s an incremental shift,” Peyser said. “On the other hand, it’s really a major change in the nature of our relationship as a board and as a state in terms of our responsibility for ensuring the health of our higher education system writ large, not just the public system.”

The sudden 2018 closure of Mount Ida College in Newton drew new attention to the challenges faced by small, private colleges grappling with enrollment declines and other demographic trends, and sparked calls to protect current and prospective students from being blindsided by a closure."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200110/college-closure-rules-called-watershed-moment

In the News: college closure rules "a milestone"

"Construction costs for Polar Park have increased by $9.5 million over initial estimates, while costs to acquire the properties needed for the ballpark, relocate businesses and prepare the site for development have run roughly $20 million more than what was anticipated.

That has prompted city officials to negotiate changes to the agreements with the ballclub that will be playing at Polar Park starting in 2021 and for the private development that will be built as part of the overall $240 million redevelopment of the Kelley Square/Canal District area.

Those revisions, which are detailed in an 11-page report to the City Council for its meeting Tuesday night, primarily deal with actions to generate more revenue to cover those additional costs.

It also includes a bigger private development program that will be brought online and generate new tax revenues sooner."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200110/polar-park-costs-increase---adjustments-made-to-cover-added-expenses