Below are the official 20020 Hockomock League Girls Soccer All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Briley Harnois, Attleboro
Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
Erin Quaile, Franklin
Sydney St. Marie, Franklin
Julia Bertone, Franklin
Honorable Mention
Anya Zub, Franklin
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| FHS' Quaile, St Marie, Bertone, and Zub named Hockomock girls soccer all-stars |
Legislature Passes Policing Reform Legislation
Bill emphasizes police accountability and transparency by creating a new, independent commission; increases de-escalation protocols and puts in place procedures to address structural racism
Today (12/01/20), Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, along with their colleagues in the Senate and House, voted to pass An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth. The legislation represents the most comprehensive and intentional legislative response to incidents involving police practices in Massachusetts communities. It creates an independent, civilian-led commission to standardize the certification, training and decertification of police officers, bans the use of chokeholds, limits the use of deadly force, creates a duty to intervene for police officers when witnessing another officer using force beyond what is necessary or reasonable under the circumstances, and takes steps to break the school-to-prison pipeline. It also creates a first-in-the-nation statewide moratorium on biometric surveillance systems, which include facial recognition technology.
"As I've said many times, achieving meaningful police reform and dismantling systemic racism is both a marathon and a sprint," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This was the sprint, and I'm very proud of the foundation of justice, equity and accountability that this bill creates. I'm looking forward to getting this bill signed by the Governor so we can begin the marathon and fulfill our promises to those who called on us to meet this moment. I am incredibly grateful to Senators Brownsberger and Chang-Diaz for their incredible work on this bill, to Speaker DeLeo for his partnership, the conferees, all of the legislators, and the advocates and activists who worked with us to get this done."
"Over the summer, we vowed to make change, and, with today's vote, the Legislature acted on its promise to ensure fairness and equality," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). "I'm proud of the House conferees, Chair Cronin and Chair of the MBLCC Representative González, for their persistent effort to improve our law enforcement system and for the work of the House as a whole. I'd also like to thank Senate President Spilka, Senators Brownsberger and Chang-Diaz and my colleagues in the Legislature for their action on this crucial bill."
"This is a great package," said Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. "It's going to make a real difference in the Commonwealth. I think its accountability and transparency provisions are strong enough to really improve policing."
"This compromise piece of legislation creates, for the first time, an independent agency for the statewide certification of law enforcement officers and establishes uniform training and standards," said Representative Claire Cronin (D-Easton), House Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. "This legislation is about justice and fairness. Fairness for those that interact with police, and fairness for police as well."
"This is a big day," said MBLLC Member Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz (D-Boston). "This final bill scores meaningful wins for accountability, civilian oversight from communities of color, and a vision of public safety that prioritizes de-escalation over force. This is the first time any state has combined this kind of real oversight authority with meaningful community membership at the table of power. I'm grateful to Senate President Spilka and Speaker DeLeo for their commitment to getting this legislation done this session. And I'm grateful for the Senate President's pledge to continue the focus on racial justice into next session--acknowledging this work extends well beyond law enforcement."
"This is a landmark decision that was demanded by the people and led by Black and Latino Legislators (MBLLC) of this state," said Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus Chair Representative Carlos González (D-Springfield). "Our demands were agreed to by the Speaker of the House and Senate President. Today we begin to address police accountability and transparency. We are making great strides to address racism in police departments and provide them the adequate training and support to address the daily and difficult challenges they have."
A summary and outline of the bill's provisions is as follows.
The bill creates a Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (MPOSTC)—an independent state entity, the majority of which is composed of civilians—to standardize the certification, training and decertification of police officers. The commission will have independent power to investigate misconduct and will serve as the civil enforcement agency to certify, restrict, revoke, or suspend certification for officers, agencies and academies, among other duties regarding regulations regarding use of force standards, and the maintenance of a publicly available database of decertified officers. Within the Commission, there will be two divisions: The Division of Police Training and Certification, under the management and control of the newly established Committee on Police Training and Certification, and the Division of Police Standards.
The bill establishes strong guardrails governing the use of force, prohibiting certain actions and requiring the use of de-escalation tactics. The Committee on Police Training and Certification will promulgate regulations for use of force standards in areas including the use of physical or deadly force, the discharge of a firearm into a fleeing motor vehicle and the use of tear gas, rubber pellets and dogs. The legislation also bans the use of chokeholds.
The legislation establishes a duty to intervene, requiring that an officer intervene if he or she sees another officer using physical force beyond that which is necessary or objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances, unless intervening will result in imminent harm to the officer or another identifiable person.
In addition, the legislation requires a police department with advance knowledge of a planned mass demonstration or protest to attempt, in good faith, to communicate with the organizers of the event. The department will be required to make plans to avoid and de-escalate potential conflict and designate an officer in charge of these plans.
The legislation establishes a special legislative commission to study and examine the civil service law. This commission will study the hiring procedures, personnel administration rules, employment, promotion, performance evaluation, and disciplinary procedures for civil service employees, municipalities not subject to the provisions of the civil service law, and the Massachusetts State Police to improve diversity, transparency and representation in the recruitment, hiring and training of these groups.
The legislation also creates three special legislative commissions to study the presence of institutional racism in the criminal justice system and make policy or legislative recommendations to eliminate disparities.
The legislation also sets standards for qualified immunity under which qualified immunity would not extend to a law enforcement officer who, while acting under color of law, violates a person's right to bias-free professional policing if that conduct results in the officer's decertification by MPOSTC. It also establishes a commission to investigate and study the impact to the administration of justice of the qualified immunity doctrine in the Commonwealth.
The legislation bans a public agency or employee from acquiring, accessing, or using any software that captures biometric data, including facial recognition, except by the Registry of Motor vehicles. A law enforcement agency may only request that the RMV perform a search of its facial recognition database in cases of immediate danger or pursuant to a warrant based on probable cause. The legislation also establishes a special legislative commission to study the use of facial recognition technology by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Included in the legislation are a number of measures relating to reforms within the Massachusetts State Police, including a provision that requires MPOSTC to approve training by the state police and certify state police officer and allows the colonel of the state police to be appointed from outside the ranks of the state police.
The legislation sets limits on student record sharing by schools, directs the Committee on Police Training and Certification to develop an in-service training program for school resource officers, and gives the MPOSTC the power to issue a specialized certification for school resource officers.
In addition, the legislation includes the following provisions:
The legislation establishes the following commissions, task forces and studies:
The bill now goes to the Governor.
The MBTA is facing budget problems and looking to reduce services. They are also looking for feedback on the proposed reductions and possible restorations as the funding and economy recovers.
Last public meeting scheduled for:
Forging Ahead Virtual Public Meeting: System-Wide Service
Date: December 2, 2020 at 6 PM - 8 PM
Location: Virtual • Zoom • Boston, MA
Attendees: General Public
Commuter Rail:
Commuter Rail Capital Projects placed “On Pause:”
Learn more about Commuter Rail changes
RIDE: - Starting in summer 2021:
Buses: Starting in summer 2021, MBTA plans to:
Ferry: Starting as early as March 2021, MBTA plans to:
Learn more about ferry changes
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| You can (and should) provide feedback to the MBTA if you use the Franklin Line |
"Mo Willems, he of the wildly popular books for young people like the Pigeon series and Elephant & Piggie Biggie series, thinks the kids are all right.
“I think the kids are fine. I really do,” he said to Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in an exclusive video interview. I think it’s us, the old people, that need some help, that need to stop and look and listen to these ambassadors, these ambassadors of exploration, of creativity, of asking questions.”
The three-time Caldecott Medal winner spoke about his creative process and the “idea garden” of random doodles that inspires his stories and art. He launched his recent books, “An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 3” (Hyperion) and “Unlimited Squirrels: I Want to Sleep Under the Stars” (Hyperion), at the 2020 National Book Festival."
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From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin:
"A FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE recommended on Tuesday that the initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccines expected to become available starting in two weeks should go to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities before being rolled out to other high-priority groups over the coming months.
Gov. Charlie Baker said the anticipated arrival of the vaccines means there is “light at the end of the tunnel,” but he cautioned that most of the general public won’t gain access to the shots until April, May, or June at the earliest.The two vaccines awaiting emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration have been developed by Pfizer and Moderna. Both vaccines are said to be 94 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 and 100 percent effective in warding off severe cases of the disease. Each vaccine requires two shots, administered roughly four weeks apart, so even if someone is given an initial dose in December the final dose is unlikely to be taken until January.
“It’s going to take awhile before people literally start finishing the vaccine process and start to generate antibodies,” Baker said."
"IT’S BEEN SIX MONTHS since members of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus hung their heads in silence over the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man killed beneath the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.
The moment spurred nationwide calls for specific and targeted police reform, including on Beacon Hill. Those calls were heard on Tuesday as both the House and Senate passed a compromise police reform bill heralded by many top legislators, including members of the caucus, as groundbreaking. The House voted to pass the measure 92-67, and the Senate 28-12.
“This landmark legislation will begin to address the inequities we’ve seen for years,” said Springfield Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, chair of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus."
To Receive This Newsletter Monthly or Other Town Notifications, Please Click Here.
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| Franklin Senior Center: Connection Newsletter for December 2020 |
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| Franklin (MA) Board Of Health - Agenda - Dec 2, 2020 |
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| "Give 2020 the Boot(camp) December Fitness Challenge" |
Below are the official 20020 Hockomock League Field Hockey All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Amanda Lewandowski, Franklin
Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
Amanda Lewandowski, Franklin
Kaitlyn Carney, Franklin
Stephanie Bell, Franklin
Honorable Mention:
Sara Carney, Franklin
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| FHS' Lewandowski, K Carney, Bell, and S Carney named field hockey Hockomock League All-stars |
Library News
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Franklin Public Library is currently closed to the public. Curbside Pickup is available Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the vestibule of the entrance at the top of the parking lot ramp. Library Staff are available by phone (508-520-4941) and email (frkill@minlib.net) Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday hours are not available at this time.
The Library will be closed and Curbside Pickup will not be available on December 25-27, 2020 and January 1-3, 2021. The Library will be closing at 2:00 p.m. on December 24th & December 31st.
No donations are being accepted at this time. Please do not place them in the return bins or outside the building.
Curbside Pickup
Not sure how Curbside Pickup works? Unsure how to return your materials? Follow these steps to get started!
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/curbside-pickup
How to Get a Library Card While the Library is Closed
Apply for a Minuteman Library Card Online! Your card allows you to place requests and provides access to our online resources.
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/get-library-card
Curbside Printing
The Franklin Public Library is now offering Curbside Printing! Library staff will now print black and white documents up to ten pages in length free of charge. Send your file to frkill@minlib.net . Your document will be printed and placed in a sealed envelope for your privacy. Once you have been notified that your document is ready, pick it up under your last name on the Cubside Pickup carts in the glass vestibule at the top of the parking lot ramp. For documents over ten pages or in color, please email frkill@minlib.net for further information.
New Materials
See the latest additions to the Franklin Public Library's collection of books, movies, and music for all ages!
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/new-materials
Programs for Children and Teens
Weekly Virtual Events for Kids!
Teen Advisory Board, 2nd Wednesday of the Month on Zoom @7:30PM!
Teens! Want to get involved at the library from a distance? Join us as we plan teen-centric events, book displays, revamp our website and more! The perfect way to earn community service hours remotely! Email ckeating@minlib.net to get involved!
Special Programs for Families
Winter StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation!
The Franklin Recreation Department and the Franklin Public Library are teaming up again for a cozy winter StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation! Bundle up, mask up, and check out this season's story, Got to Get To Bear's! by Brian Lies! The StoryWalk will be up from early December to mid-January!
Zoom Cooking Class: Holiday Cupcakes! Saturday December 19th, 1:00 p.m.
Join Miss Sandhya of Sandhya's Kitchen for a special zoom cooking class for kids and their grown-ups! We will be making holiday themed cupcakes! To register and receive the recipe and zoom link, please email ckeating@minlib.net!
Teen Noon Year's Eve Mystery Party! December 31st, 12:00 p.m.
Join us on Zoom for a teen-centric celebration, as we ring in 2021 with an interactive mystery! To register and receive the zoom link, please email ckeating@minlib.net!
Adults
Kitchen Table Art Workshop: Secret Pockets, Sunday, December 6, 3:00 p.m.
Got a secret? Secret Pockets are collage card creations that become secret pockets for more images, messages, quotes, and treasures, keepsakes and whatever else you might like. They can be created as intuition or inspiration cards, as mini-diaries, or artists' trading cards – the possibilities are endless. This workshop is for adult and young adult artists and non-artists, no experience needed. A limited number of kits containing materials and tools to be used in the workshop will be available for pick up curbside at the library. More info and registration at www.thecreativitycurator.com. Please register early if you would like to receive one of the kits since quantities are limited. Priority for Franklin residents. Registrants who don't receive a kit will be provided with a supply list to assemble their own. Contact Jacqueline Burke Volpe thecreativitycurator@gmail.com .
Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are with Marjorie Turner Hollman,Wednesday, December 9, 7:00 p.m.
Getting outdoors can be exciting and challenging. For some, it's especially challenging. You, or those you love, may have health and/or mobility issues that preclude venturing onto rocky or rooty trails. Your children may have special needs. You may have toddlers, or older parents who can no longer venture onto the demanding trails they used to.
If you are like many these days, you are spending a lot more time outdoors. Getting out on trails has taken on new appeal. But do you worry about finding a safe place to park when you consider visiting a local trail? What are the best clothes to wear? Things to bring with you? Regardless of your challenges, the outdoors is not off-limits.
"How do you find all these trails?" Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are is the answer. You'll learn how to discover Easy Walks when visiting a new area, find new places to walk nearby as well, and so much more. Author Marjorie Turner Hollman loves the outdoors, and has completed three guides to Easy Walking trails in Massachusetts. With limited mobility, she uses hiking poles when heading outdoors. She has been published in local, regional, and national publications. For more information, please visit https://marjorieturner.com/easy-walks/ .
To register for this Zoom program, please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkfu6tqz8vH9WgKXxj1R0STVp13y6...
Franklin Public Library Book Club, Tuesday, December 22, 7:00 p.m.
The book for discussion is Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah.
Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa's tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.
Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother--his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.
To reserve a copy of the book or for more information, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net . To register, please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscuqupjgoGd0XAfQuUAIIChGwkzL... .
Online Resources
Even though we are closed to the public, the Library still has so much to offer! Here are updates and information regarding the Library's services during this closure:
“Today, we are pleased to announce the filing of An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth, the result of the deliberations of the conference committee on police reform and racial justice.
The compromise reached, which is intentional in bringing better transparency and accountability to policing in Massachusetts, represents one of the most comprehensive approaches to police reform and racial justice in the United States since the tragic murder of George Floyd.
Our approach strikes a balance that will provide greater protections for the rights of all residents through a strong police officer certification process via a new, independent agency, and setting clear standards for training and use of force, while providing a wider range of tools for law enforcement to provide for the safety of the public.
While there is still much work to be done, we are proud of the foundation laid by this bill as we continue to build toward racial justice and equity.
We would like to sincerely thank Senators Brownsberger and Chang-Díaz and Representatives Cronin and González for their efforts in advancing this important legislation.”
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| https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2963 |
