Wednesday, August 12, 2020

2020 Election Collection

This will collect the information gathered for the elections of 2020. First for the Primary, September 1, and then for the general election on November 3. A special election is also scheduled for Dec 5 to fill the Town Council slot left open by Eamon Earls' resignation to go to law school. The most recent items will be on top, scroll down to find those that come earlier.
 
 
Special Election - Dec 5 (fill one Town Council seat)
 


Voices of Franklin: Paula & Herb Gross encourage vote for Frongillo = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/voices-of-franklin-paula-herb-gross.html

Voices of Franklin: Alan Earls  - questions diversity of election = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/voices-of-franklin-alan-r-earls-most.html

Voices of Franklin:  Paul DeBaggis "Thoughts on the current  election" = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/voices-of-franklin-paul-debaggis.html

Milford Daily News article with candidate statements = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/in-news-town-council-candidate.html
 
 
 

 
Town Council candidate - Greg Chiklis (audio interview) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/fm-393-town-council-candidate-greg.html
 
Elections: Voting for Military and Overseas US Citizens = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/elections-voting-for-military-and.html
 
 
Vote tallies required to be sent to State by Nov 18 = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/municipalities-have-until-nov-18-to.html
 
Town Council candidate - KP Sompally (audio interview) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/fm-382-town-council-candidate-kp.html

Town Council candidate - Alan R Earls (audio interview) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-369-town-council-candidate-alan.html
 
Town Council candidate  - Cobi Frongillo (audio interview) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-359-town-council-candidate-cobi.html
 
 
 

General Election - November 3

 
 
In the News: Right to Repair passes, Ranked Choice fails = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/in-news-mass-voters-reject-ranked.html
 
 
 
 
MDN article “People see the opportunity to protect the best for our town" =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/people-see-opportunity-to-protect-best.html


Voices of Franklin: Barry Kassler responds to James Gianotti Jr on the Community Preservation Act = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/voices-of-franklin-barry-kassler.html 

Voices of Franklin: James Gianotti Jr - "Just say NO to Question 3" =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/voices-of-franklin-james-gianotti-jr.html

MDN article on election processing featuring Town Clerks =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/we-have-new-procedures-and-protocols-in.html

Voices of Franklin: Raymond Milici -"Have You Noticed, l Have" =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/voices-of-franklin-raymond-milici-have.html

 
Reminder -early voting, drive through window schedule = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-of-franklin-ma-early-voting-drive.html
 
Voices of Franklin: Raymond D Milici for Senator Becca Rausch = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/voices-of-franklin-raymond-d-milici-for.html
 

 
Community Preservation Act - information webinar (video) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/community-preservation-act-webinar-oct.html

 
Town of Franklin, MA: Sample Ballots for the November 3rd election = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-of-franklin-ma-sample-ballots-for.html
 
Community Preservation Act: Frequently Asked Questions - answered by CPAForFranklin = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/community-presrvation-act-frquently.html

 
State Senate Candidates Debate Oct 6, 2020 (YouTube video) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/state-senate-candidates-debate-oct-6.html
 
 
Hold the date (Oct 15 - 7 PM) for webinar on CPA = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/hold-date-oct-15-for-webinar-on.html
 
 

Franklin Community Voting Guide for November 2020 = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/franklin-community-voting-guide.html
 
 
Official Town of Franklin business dropbox to be use for mail ballots = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-of-franklin-ma-business-drop-box.html

Three Voices of Franklin: For the Community Preservation Act = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/three-voices-of-franklin-vote-yes-for.html
 
 
Secretary of the Commonwealth's voter information mailer "the red brochure" = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/magov-information-for-voters-for-2020.html
 
 
Milford Daily News article on communities voting on Community Preservation Act (CPA) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/when-you-go-to-town-with-cpa-difference.html
 
Boston.com info to summarize Ballot Question 2 (ranked choice voting) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/bostondotcom-question-2-what-to-know.html
 
 
 
 
 
 
Scientific American endorses a candidate for first time = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/scientific-american-science-health.html
 
 
 
 
 

Primary - Sep 1, 2020

State controlled vote count completes after midnight = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/in-news-franklin-vote-completes-after.html
You can help with the voters guide for November election = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/you-can-help-with-franklin-voters-guide.html
Big day Saturday: Last Day to Register to vote; First day to Early Vote =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/big-day-saturday-last-day-to-register.html
Voices of Franklin: State Rep Jeff Roy, State Rep Brian Murray "We are with Joe Kennedy" =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/voices-of-franklin-state-rep-jeff-roy.html
4th District candidates on "ranked choice"; Pelosi endorses Kennedy =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/in-news-4th-district-candidates-for.html
FM #333 4th District Candidates Town Hall - 8/19/20 (audio) =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-333-4th-district-candidates-town.html
Voices of Franklin: Raymond D Milici - "Kennedy Supporter! Not Anymore"  =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/voices-of-franklin-raymond-d-milici.html
4th District candidate virtual Town Hall on race/racism =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/4th-district-candidates-town-hall-on.html
Frank Falvey interviews 4th District candidates  =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/wfprfm-4th-district-candidate.html
Other State Officials up for Election on Primary Ballot  =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/other-state-officials-up-for-election.html
Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on primary voting  =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/voices-of-franklin-colin-cass-on-voting.html

Early voting schedule for Franklin voters - Sep 1 Primary =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/state-primary-election-information.html


MA legislature Senate and House candidates  =    https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/ma-legislature-senate-and-house.html

Frank Falvey 4th District candidate interview broadcast schedule for wfpr.fm =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/wfprfm-radio-broadcasts-to-help-with.html

US House candidate listing and web pages with their candidate info =   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/us-house-candidates-september-1-primary.html

US Senate candidate listing and web pages with their candidate info = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/us-senate-candidates-september-1-primary.html

 

2020 Election Collection
2020 Election Collection
 


Tuesday, August 11, 2020

FM #327 Stormwater SubComm Mtg - 8/05/20 (audio)

FM #327 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 327 in the series.

This session shares the Stormwater Ad-hoc Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.


Chair Melanie Hamblen officially opened the meeting after the 3rd member to bring the committee to a quorum. She later loses her own connection to the meeting and we wait patiently while she eventually reconnects to continue the meeting. (When she lost connection, the quorum of three also broke.)


A quick summary on the timeline for the stormwater fee: Stormwater utility fee couldn't realistically appear on a homeowner bill until July 2021 due to the software changes required to get the MUNIS system set up properly. Also need to get the other items i.e. exemptions defined


The show notes contain links to the agenda doc, the Stormwater Division page, and my notes from the meeting. 


The meeting itself runs about 1 hour and 42 minutes, so let’s listen to the Stormwater Ad-hoc Subcommittee meeting.


Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrZ0XtsK




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Stormwater Division page

https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division


My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/stormwater-ad-hoc-subcommittee-meeting_9.html


The meeting agenda

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/stormwater-ad-hoc-subcommittee-meeting.html 


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

 

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


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!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


FM #327 Stormwater SubComm Mtg  - 8/05/20 (audio)
FM #327 Stormwater SubComm Mtg  - 8/05/20 (audio)


Virtual Town Hall on Race and Racism - Aug 19

Virtual Town Hall on Race and Racism for  the  candidates  of  the  4th  Congressional district race to have a discussion while answering YOUR questions on addressing racism/combating  systemic  racial  inequality.

  • Ben Sigel 
  • Natalia Linos 
  • Becky Grossman 
  • Alan Khazei 
  • Jesse Mermell 
  • Jake Auchincloss 
  • Ihssane Leckey 
  • Dave Cavell

- all Democrat and Republican candidates were invited -


Virtual Town Hall	on  Race and Racism - Aug 19
Virtual Town Hall on  Race and Racism - Aug 19

US SENATE CANDIDATES - September 1 Primary

US SENATE CANDIDATES

Our primary is September 1, but you can vote by mail now, take advantage of Early Voting beginning on August 22, or vote in person on September 1. You also have until August 22 to register to vote in this primary.

There are many people running for federal and state offices this year, and the final candidates for the November general election will be decided by this primary.

To help cut through some of the confusion, I will try to post the candidates running for offices here, along with their web sites. My goal is to do this daily if I can; today I'm showing all the candidates for US Senate.

(listed in reverse alphabetical order, because.....no reason, just felt like it)

Candidates for US SENATOR

 KEVIN J. O'CONNOR Republican https://www.kocforsenate.com/about/

 EDWARD J. MARKEY Democrat https://www.markey.senate.gov/

 JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, III Democrat https://kennedyforma.com/

 SHIVA AYYADURAI Republican https://shiva4senate.com/

 

The are no Libertarian or Green Rainbow candidates for this position

 

US SENATE CANDIDATES - September 1 Primary
US SENATE CANDIDATES - September 1 Primary

Commonwealth Magazine: "Globe ed page editor grills House candidate the paper endorsed"

 From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"THE INTERVIEW Boston Globe editorial page editor Bina Venkataraman conducted with Jake Auchincloss had all the feel of a standard quizzing of a candidate as a newspaper weighs an endorsement, as she grilled him on past statements and asked him to explain aspects of his record. Except for one small detail: The Globe already endorsed the Newton city councilor in the nine-way Democratic primary for the Fourth Congressional District seat. 

The unusual spectacle that unfolded Monday afternoon on Zoom came after the paper’s July 31 endorsement drew fierce blowback from other candidates, Globe readers, and Newton residents who decried past comments Auchincloss made on race and religious issues as well campaign finance matters.  Last week, four days after the endorsement, Venkataraman announced that she would interview Auchincloss publicly as part of the Globe’s “Op-Talk” series in order to probe more deeply concerns that have been raised about his record and the paper’s endorsement.

“It is an unusual Globe Op-Talk,” Venkataraman said, kicking off a conversation in which she was far more skeptical inquisitor than cheerleading booster of the candidate she and her editorial board colleagues concluded rose to the top of a crowded field with impressive backgrounds. “Our readers have been raising all kinds of concerns about your candidacy, frankly, and a lot of those concerns are legitimate concerns,” she told Auchincloss in a tone that seemed to convey a hint of buyer’s remorse. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/media/globe-ed-page-editor-grills-congressional-candidate-the-paper-endorsed/

Commonwealth Magazine: "Globe ed page editor grills House candidate the paper endorsed"
Commonwealth Magazine: "Globe ed page editor grills House candidate the paper endorsed"

Spier Family Issues Giving Challenge At Hockomock Area YMCA

Greg and Kathy Spier of Foxborough are issuing a $50,000 challenge grant to support the Hockomock Area YMCA’s commitment to support kids and families during this pandemic. The Spiers are matching every donation made August 10th through September 26th up to $50,000. When the Spier Family Kindness for Kids Challenge is met, it will result in $100,000 to benefit food security initiatives through the Hockomock Area YMCA.  

Since the pandemic started, when the Y’s doors were closed in March, the Hockomock Area YMCA immediately began providing food for people in need and providing emergency child care for essential personnel. As of August 7th, 152,000 meals and 15, 623 grocery bags have been provided to people in the local communities that the YMCA serves.

Every Wednesday, since March 18th, the Hockomock Y has provided free family-size grocery bags valued at $50 each at their branches in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro to anyone in need. Additionally, the Y has been working with school nutrition departments and community partners to ensure that children and families have grab and go meals for breakfast and lunch while schools have been closed and through the summer months. As the need for food access continues to grow, grab and go meals are now offered in Bellingham, North Attleboro, Milford and Wrentham.

“In these challenging times, our YMCA has been there for our community providing an important safety net for so many kids and families,” said Ed Hurley, President of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “I’m so proud of the work our Y has done – reflecting our mission and values - to provide emergency support focused on the needs of those challenged with food insecurity. Greg and Kathy Spier have been passionate partners for so many years with our Y.  This incredible challenge will help our neighbors when they need it most and is the latest example of the Spier family’s commitment to our YMCA and the communities we are so proud to serve.”   

Greg and Kathy Spier, long time Foxborough residents, Y members and volunteers, and community leaders, are committed to improving the quality of life in their community.  The Spier Family’s legacy includes the naming of the indoor and outdoor aquatics centers at the Y’s Invensys Foxboro Branch, along with their parents, Sonja and the late Alex Spier.

Through the Spier Family Kindness for Kids Challenge, Kathy Spier expressed her hope that this challenge “will inspire people to make a gift to help feed kids and families and spread kindness and a caring hand to those who need it during a difficult time in our communities.”

“Our family has always believed in giving back to the community and this YMCA.  We have learned from our mom and dad the importance of paying it forward and making your community a better place. Through this challenge, and with the support of our community, together we will make a difference providing food access to our neighbors in need during this pandemic,” said Greg Spier.

When asked why the Spiers are issuing this challenge, Greg shared, “Kathy and I give because our hearts feel good when we do so, and we advocate for the Y because we know the Y’s reputation and commitment to helping people. Now more than ever in these uncertain times, we all need to come together to support one another.”

Every gift matters. To learn more about this challenge and ways to make a gift, visit www.hockymca.org/spier-challenge

To learn about other ways to support this initiative, please contact Katie Moore at katiem@hockymca.org.

Many family and individuals have lost jobs which has an increasingly hard strain on people’s budgets for basic needs like food and other necessities and are not able to make ends meet. Through the YMCA, people will have access to healthy meals and food as a result of these philanthropic efforts and the support of a caring community of people who want to strengthen our community and make a difference.

For more information about the Y’s food securities initiatives, visit hockymca.org/food-access.

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community.  At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.


Spier Family Issues Giving Challenge At Hockomock Area YMCA
Spier Family Issues Giving Challenge At Hockomock Area YMCA

McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond

McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond

URCC Member Pawtucket Red Sox Adds a New Fan Experience


Everybody talks about pivoting during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all have to think about how people are feeling and how we can best serve our customers.

But United Regional Chamber of Commerce (URCC) member Pawtucket Red Sox hasn't just pivoted; they've reinvented; adding an experience that hometown fans will remember forever. The PawSox, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, had the 2020 season cancelled by the coronavirus in an announcement made by Minor League Baseball on June 30. You'd think the stadium would be empty, but it isn't. So, what are they doing?

Instead of hosting Minor League Baseball games, McCoy Stadium has morphed into Dining on the Diamond, a unique dining experience that the leaders of the organization created. When they heard Rhode Island Governor Raimondo say in late April that outdoor dining would soon return, they asked themselves, "Who has a better outdoor dining venue in Pawtucket than the actual field at McCoy Stadium?" And the idea was born. Of course, the club is complying with Rhode Island guidelines in light of the coronavirus pandemic and asks diners to wear masks (except when dining) and conduct self-screenings when they arrive at the stadium.

"One of my many roles is to ask families as they're exiting how they would rate the experience," says Rick Medeiros, the club's head of Fan Services and a friendly fixture at McCoy Stadium for years. "It's amazing how, on a scale of 1-10, the most frequently stated number is 11. Really. It's been so gratifying for all of us to present an experience that provokes so many stories and elicits so many emotions. As a five-generation Rhode Islander, I think Dining on the Diamond is the best thing, and the most therapeutic thing, we've done in years. It really gets to the heart of the families and fans — of all ages."

Dining on the Diamond started on June 5 and has continued most Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. During the four weekends in June, the PawSox hosted more than 900 families (which equated to more than 3,000 fans). The phenomenal response inspired more than 25 teams in Minor League Baseball to duplicate the concept. It paused in early July to see if it could co-exist with Boston Red Sox workouts at McCoy, and the big club gave its full support to continue the extraordinary innovation. And now there are more than 3,000 on the waiting list. That's 3,000 reservations; not 3,000 people. The tickets sell out each time in less than two hours, so if you're interested in sharing part of PawSox history, you have to move quickly.

To keep interaction to a minimum, you order your food online when you reserve your table. With ballpark fare and family-friendly pricing, the club added new items to the original menu, including a New England lobster roll, chicken caprese, and Rhode Island steak tips. The rest of the menu includes such specialty items as eggplant parmesan; barbequed beef brisket; pulled pork; and a Grand Slam hot dog smothered in bacon, pulled pork, and macaroni and cheese. More traditional ballpark offerings include Ballpark hot dogs, bigger better burgers, chicken tenders, French fries, and nachos. Vegetarians can enjoy not only the eggplant parmesan (with pasta), but also veggie bites. All dishes can also be prepared gluten free. A full variety of beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits, is available before and during dinner.

They've spread 33 socially distanced tables throughout the McCoy outfield. The number 33 has a real historic significance. It references the number of innings in The Longest Game in the history of professional baseball, played at McCoy in 1981 between the PawSox and the Rochester Red Wings, who were then the Triple-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Future Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken, Jr. were among those players in the legendary game that started Saturday, April 18; continued until 4:09 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 19; and then concluded on Tuesday, June 23; a three-day game that attracted an international media throng. And this month, the club is accommodating even more families by adding more tables on the beautiful outfield grass.

And don't forget that the PawSox have a new line of COVID-19 inspired merchandise for charity, with t-shirts that read "Wash Your Paws," "Safe at Home," and "Hands…Washing Hands" which, of course, is a reference to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline.

Members of the Waiting List have the first opportunity to secure the tables, and fans seeking personal service can call the PawSox at (401) 724-7300, daily, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Also, just announced this past Saturday are their Drive Through Giveaways starting on August 12, they'll be giving away bobbleheads and jerseys that they intended to give away at games this season. This Thursday, they'll be giving away a Keith Foulke Bobblehead. For more information and registration, visit their website.

They're really pulling out all stops to keep the PawSox experience alive. Awesome job!

McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond
McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond

Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development: Updates

 August 7, 2020


Good evening,

Today, the Administration announced new initiatives to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other important updates on the Commonwealth’s reopening. You can read details in the press release, while key components are highlighted below. I’ve also included resources and reminders on SBA programs for your reference.

REVISED GATHERINGS ORDER
Effective Tuesday, August 11, the Baker-Polito Administration will revise the Executive Order on gatherings to reduce the cap on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 individuals. The inside gathering limit will remain at 25 people. Please note: this will now apply to both public and private spaces. Read the revised Executive Order for more details.

PHASE III STEP 2 POSTPONED INDEFINITELY
Due to the recent increase in positive cases, Step 2 of Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan has been postponed indefinitely. Refer to the Order Authorizing the Reopening of Phase III Enterprises for a list of businesses in Phase III Step 2.

CHANGE TO RESTAURANT SECTOR-SPECIFIC PROTOCOLS
Restaurant protocols have been updated to state that alcoholic beverages may only be served for on-site consumption if accompanied by orders for food prepared on-site.

CROSS-AGENCY COVID ENFORCEMENT AND INTERVENTION TEAM
The Administration also announced a targeted cross-agency COVID Enforcement and Intervention Team that will be responsible for ramping up enforcement statewide and coordinating local intervention efforts at the local level in higher risk COVID-19 communities. Read more in the press release.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION UPDATES AND RESOURCES
  • As you know, tomorrow (August 8) is the deadline for Paycheck Protection Program applications. 
  • The SBA released a PPP Forgiveness FAQ to support borrowers seeking loan forgiveness this week.
  • The SBA Massachusetts District Office also released its Small Business Resource Guide, available online with tools and information to supports businesses in both business-as-usual and pandemic-related support.
  • A reminder that SCORE, MSBDC, the Center for Women & Enterprise, and others offer virtual counseling and workshops to support small businesses; find an SBA Resource Partner here.
  • If you have not done so already, sign up for Massachusetts District Office email updates, including information about upcoming sessions, here. (The August bulletin with scheduled events for the month is available here.)

From the beginning, we’ve said that every step of the Commonwealth’s reopening will be grounded in positive public health trends. As announced today, we’ve reached what, unchecked, could be an inflection point in the reopening and recovery process – and we all need to buckle down to hold the ground we’ve covered together.

Best,
Mike
Mike Kennealy
Secretary
Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
One Ashburton Place, Room 2101

Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development: Updates
Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development: Updates