“a step in the right direction”

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

"Falling into step with many other area communities, Franklin this year will become yet another place unfriendly to thin-film, single-use plastic bags.

Town councilors on Wednesday voted to eliminate use of the ubiquitous plastic bags at checkout by all retailers, taking official action following an initial and extensive discussion of the topic last month during the first of two required readings of the bylaw.

According to Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, the ban will take effect on July 1, though local businesses will have an option to seek a three-month compliance extension if needed to use up existing stock.

The ordinance, he said is “very similar to others. It’s very close to the Medfield bylaw, which has been approved by the attorney general.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200214/franklin-adopts-plastic-bags-ban/1

The FHS students who persisted in advancing the plastic bag reduction were recognized with a proclamation for their efforts

From October 2016
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/10/we-dont-need-to-put-each-piece-of.html
 
From Nov 2017
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/nearly-60-massachusetts-municipalities.html

And more recently from 2019

• Economic Development Meeting 12/4/19

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

• Economic Development Meeting 10/23/19

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1gfBHQX

"these programs are really a win, win, win"

Via Commonwealth Magazine, we find that the State is suspending the HIP program as of Feb 24. The Farmers Market today in Franklin is not affected but the next markets in Mar and Apr will be.

"AT A MONTHLY WINTER FARMERS market run by Roots Rising in Pittsfield, shoppers can buy apples, canned tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, onions, and winter squash. A shopper using SNAP benefits can spend $1 to buy $2 of produce under the state’s Healthy Incentives Program, or HIP.

But as of Feb. 24, shoppers on public benefits will no longer get that extra money. The state is suspending HIP for the winter, with plans to restore it May 15. State officials say the program – which doubles the impact of SNAP benefits when produce is bought from a participating farm – is a victim of its own success and has outgrown its budget.

Without a temporary suspension of the program, state officials say its $6.5 million state appropriation would run out quickly and no money would be left during the busier buying and growing season this summer.

Advocates for farmers and low-income individuals say the loss of HIP will hurt shoppers and sellers. Recently, 89 legislators wrote to Department of Transitional Assistance Commissioner Amy Kershaw protesting the suspension, and the lack of notice."

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/state-suspending-farm-food-benefits-program/

Winter Farmers Market

When: Sat, February 15, 10am – 2pm

Where: Fairmount Fruit Farm, 887 Lincoln St, Franklin, MA 02038, USA (map)

Description: A winter farmers market where local farms and crafters/vendors can gather together to sell products and network within their community

 

 

"these programs are really a win, win, win"

Reminder: Shuttle bus for Franklin Line this weekend

• South Station – Forge Park/495 - bus shuttle on weekends through March

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work. Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line. There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay.

• Learn about Positive Train Control

https://www.mbta.com/projects/commuter-rail-positive-train-control-ptc?

• See all Franklin Line service changes

https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line?

MBTA - Franklin Line - Reminder: shuttle bus service on weekends through March 2020

• Saturday schedule for President's Day

The Commuter Rail will operate on a normal Saturday schedule on Monday, February 17, for President's Day. There will be no disruption on the Lowell, Fitchburg and Franklin line.

For more information: https://mbta.com/holidays

Last Updated: Feb 10 2020 10:59 AM

Senator Rausch Office Hours Schedule

Come meet with Senator Rausch in person at Office Hours!

View this email in your browser https://mailchi.mp/b8c323022b08/senator-rausch-state-house-briefing-2019-year-in-review-12204769?  Greetings from Beacon Hill! My team and I finalized my in-district office hours schedule through April 2020, and I wanted you to be the first to know! Here's the scoop: We host in-district office hours every month, rotating through the northern, central, and southern regions of the district. Residents of any part of the district are welcome to attend office hours in any region. Office hours typically run for 2 hours: the first 90 minutes is reserved for 15-minute sign-up appointments, and the last 30 minutes is open for drop-in conversations. Constituents may reserve a 15-minute slot in advance at beccarauschma.com/office-hours. Constituents without a reserved slot are encouraged to come during the final half hour for a shorter walk-in meetings, held on a first come, first served basis. Office hours will alternative between Fridays during the day and on Monday evenings to best accommodate all schedules. The next three office hours will be: SOUTHERN REGION - Attleboro: Monday, February 24, 2020, evening hours from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Tech Lab at the Attleboro Public Library. Sign up here!  https://calendly.com/senrauschofficehours CENTRAL REGION - Millis: Friday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Local History Room at the Millis Public Library. NORTHERN REGION - Wayland: Monday, April 13, evening hours from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Raytheon Room at the Wayland Public Library. Last year, I held office hours in every city and town in my district. I look forward to see you at an upcoming office hours session! As always, please follow along on Twitter and Facebook, and don't hesitate to call our office at 617-722-1555 or stop by Room 218 at the State House. Yours in service, Senator Becca Rausch Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 218 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Feb 14 to THU - Feb 20

Friday, February 14

 Valentine's Day

9:00am

 Library-Baby-Wearing Dance Party- Ages 0-12mo

10:00am

 Knitting Group

1:00pm

 Book sale

8:00pm

 The Love Dogs

Saturday, February 15

9:00am

 Book Sale

10:00am

 Winter Farmers Market

10:00am

 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)

1:00pm

 Bag Sale

2:00pm

 Everly Brothers Experience

Sunday, February 16

1:00pm

 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

3:00pm

 Young Virtuosi Ilana Zaks, violin Eric Zaks, cello with Dina Vainshtein, piano

Monday, February 17

 Library Closed

 Presidents' Day (regional holiday)

Tuesday, February 18

 Library-The Amazing Race: Library Edition- Whole Family

9:30am

 Library- Cool Cruisers- 8mo-18mo

4:00pm

 Library-Toe-Tapping Tuesdays-Ages 2-4!

6:00pm

 Library - Adults - Drop-In ESL Conversation Class

6:30pm

 Avoiding Age Discrimination: A Workbook for Baby Boomers

Wednesday, February 19

 Library-The Amazing Race: Library Edition- Whole Family

10:30am

 Library - Animal World Experience - Ages 4+

3:30pm

 Library- Creation Station!- Ages 4+

6:00pm

 Library-RAD Storytellers Club!-Grades K+

Thursday, February 20

 Library-The Amazing Race: Library Edition- Whole Family

8:30am

 Town Council Office Hours

9:30am

 Library- Tummy Time- Ages 0-12mo (pre-walkers)

10:30am

 Library-Story Xplorers- Ages 0-5

1:00pm

 Library - Miss Mac author visit! - Ages 4+

4:00pm

 Library- Bookworm Bounce Storytime!- Ages 0-5

6:00pm

 Library-Volunteens-Teens (13+)

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Feb 14 to THU - Feb 20

“We have significantly more hearts than last year"

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

"Acts of kindness are a lot like exponents in a mathematical expression. Once they are applied, they only expand in greater quantity.

That is the essential quality about kindness that students in the town’s school system are adeptly demonstrating with their Hearts of Kindness project - an endeavor to spread words of kindness and inspire kind acts.

For the past couple of weeks, children in grades K through 12 from 11 schools have been decorating hearts cut from foam board and writing notes containing references to kindness and kind acts. It fits in perfectly with Valentine’s Day, but is at its heart a recognition of Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 17-20, and an expression of a growing movement to encourage more kindness and connectedness in everyday social interactions.

On Wednesday, a crew of student volunteers descended on the town common to hang the messages for all to share, using clothespins to secure them to lines strung between the trees by the Department of Public Works."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200213/heartfelt-endeavor-franklin-students-hang-words-of-kindess-on-town-common/1


Photo album with "Hearts of Kindness" hung in Feb 2018, Feb 2019, and this year, Feb 2020:

FHS girls post win vs. Attleboro

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Thursday

Girls Basketball = Attleboro, 26 @ Franklin, 64 – Final 

"Franklin jumped out to a 39-10 lead at halftime behind a dominant performance from Ali Brigham and rolled to a big win that completes a perfect run through the Hockomock League. Brigham scored 23 of her game-high 28 points in the first half and added 15 rebounds and blocked five shots in the final league game of her career. She scored 10 points in the first quarter and 13 in the second, including a corner three. 

Olivia Quinn scored seven of her nine points in the second quarter, as the Panthers outscored Attleboro 22-3 in the frame. Meghan O’Connell scored seven points, Erin Quaile scored six, and Elizabeth Wilson added five in the win. Nyah Thomas had all of Attleboro’s seven points in the first and finished with 10 points and five rebounds to pace the Bombardiers. Meghan Gordon scored five and Lillian Froio added four. Attleboro heads into its final game against North Attleboro needing a win to secure a postseason berth."

For a Photo Gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Attleboro-Girls-Basketball-2-13-20/


Boys Basketball = Franklin, 56 @ Attleboro, 62 – Final

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the recap:

"Attleboro High School had 1,000 point fever, and the only prescription was more ‘Q.’

‘Q’ being senior Qualeem Charles, the 6’5, 290-pound center and four-year starter for the Bombardiers, who went a perfect 11-for-11 from the floor, the last bucket giving him his 1,000th career point. Charles is the second Bombardier to reach the milestone in the past nine days, joining classmate Bryant Ciccio.

Behind Charles’ 27 points, 18 coming in the second half, Attleboro grinded out a 62-56 win over a hot-shooting Franklin squad, giving the Bombardiers a season sweep of the Panthers for the first time since joining the Hockomock League.

“I was aiming for 15 in the first half, but I wasn’t mad it didn’t happen, it was a close game and Franklin is a tough team,” Charles said. “I came out hot in the third quarter and the team kept feeding me. I’ve been a pass-first guy but all of my teammates keep rooting me on to shoot it, even if I miss, they want me to keep shooting. My teammates were patient in getting me the ball."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/qualeem-charles-1000-attleboro-boys-basketball-beats-franklin/

For a photo gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Attleboro-Franklin-Boys-Basketball-02-13-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-13-20/

FHS Erin Quaile playing defense (HockomockSports.com photo)