As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #BoH1202
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BoH1202&src=typeahead_click
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| screen grab of process for prescription for health diet |
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| Town Administrator Jamie Hellen presenting to the Town Council on 12/02/20 |
Quick Recap:
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| School Committee Budget Workshop - Recap - Dec 1, 2020 |
Clue is based on the iconic 1985 movie inspired by the Hasbro Board Game. The plot has to do with a mysterious invitation from an anonymous host at a mansion where six strange guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. The murder is solved by a detective, while the actual ending differs between productions. The play has three different endings.
When is the play?
The play is occurring on December 3rd and 4th at 7pm.
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| Via Pantherbook: FHS to live stream "Clue" Dec 3 and Dec 4 |
Be that as it may, I really would prefer that people think in terms of the truer diversity our candidacies represent, namely diversity of experience, outlook, and ideas. We have a budding expert on government, an IT professional, a PhD researcher and entrepreneur, and a writer to choose from. And, I suspect that short litany of characteristics doesn't begin to properly credit the diversity in thought that we represent.
Returning to the more conventional view of diversity and identity politics, I would have to say that my own "identity" as Latino is neither comfortable nor meaningful. My grandparents, from whom that identity springs, were grateful to leave "the old country" and never looked back. Not that they didn't carry a heritage with them but they viewed language and ethnicity as incidentals, which love of family and capacity for personal growth trumped entirely.
Their story was one of enthusiasm for a new national identity. They had found their promised land and spent a lifetime embracing it and loving it. So, even though the experts in Washington call me Latino, I will continue to think of myself as the proud descendant of immigrants who voted for democracy over autocracy, and opportunity and economic freedom over autarky and a corporative dictatorship. They became American, and I am the proud heir of their choice.Alan Earls
Candidate for Town Council
Independent Writer
Below are the official 20020 Hockomock League Girls Cross Country All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Emma Lawrence, Milford
Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
Alexandra Batla, Franklin
Angelina Perez, Franklin
Honorable Mention
Sydney Brady, Franklin
For the full listing of the Hockomock League girls cross country all-stars https://hockomocksports.com/2020-hockomock-league-girls-cross-country-all-stars/
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| FHS' Batla, Perez, Brady named Hockomock girls cross country all-stars |
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| FHS' Calitri, Walmsley, Sieczkiewicz, and Anderson named Hockomock boys cross country all-stars |
Statement on Winter Sports pic.twitter.com/iEchbxzqAH
— Tri-County RVTHS Athletics (@TriRvths) December 2, 2020
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"A MAJORITY of Massachusetts residents believe that if the MBTA sharply cuts back on services to balance its budget next year those commuting options will not return after the state’s economy fully reopens, according to a new MassINC poll.
The MBTA has proposed a variety of service cuts as part of a plan to deal with a $579 million shortfall in a budget decimated by the decline in ridership during the pandemic. The Fiscal and Management Control Board plans to vote on the package soon, and has faced blowback from riders, legislators, and transit advocates.
The online survey of 1,340 Massachusetts residents found that 64 percent somewhat or strongly oppose the cuts in service proposed by the MBTA, including less frequent subway and commuter trains, the elimination of 25 bus routes, and the cancellation of ferry service."
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| You can (and should) provide feedback to the MBTA if you use the Franklin Line |
Dear Customer,
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is in the process of converting all exit numbers on freeways to a milepost-based numbering system, per Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements. Currently, interstates and freeways in Massachusetts utilize a sequential exit numbering method. Construction began in the Fall of 2020 and is anticipated to be completed in the Summer of 2021.
This notice is to inform you that exit numbering conversion will begin on Interstate 90 on December 13, 2020. Construction details are as follows:
• Corridor: Interstate 90 (Massachusetts Turnpike)
• Location: Boston to West Stockbridge
• Approximate start date: Dec. 13
• Approximate construction duration: 4 weeks
• Hours of operation: 8:00 PM - 5:00 AM
Please note that all work is weather dependent and construction dates may be adjusted accordingly. This work will not impact the tolls on this roadway.
For more information on the project and construction status, to leave a comment or sign up for project updates, please visit: https://www.newmassexits.com/
Video overview https://youtu.be/7gG9-Pl-fUA
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| Goodbye exit 16, ext 17; hello exit 41, exit 43 |
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| Via Franklin Police a timely reminder |
"Cookie friends (too many to tag individually), have you seen this amazing thing?" https://t.co/dMbvbiH7Ha
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| An interactive holiday cookie generator |
THE BLACK BOX will present Broadway’s Michael James Scott - A Fierce Christmas Album Release Concert on Saturday, December 5th at 7:30 PM - Virtual Livestream.
The Aladdin star is releasing his first studio album, “A Fierce Christmas,” on December 1 with a special release concert at THE BLACK BOX on December 5. “A Fierce Christmas” is giving new life to classic holiday tunes by showing off Scott's gospel and Broadway roots. Scott's debut album will be released by Scratch Seventeen and available on all music platforms.
For Scott, there was more to A Fierce Christmas than just making an album; he's making a statement. "This whole process I've been thinking about how my protest is joy," he said. "Broadway is shut down, my very close friends are out of work, and the country is in a racial awakening. This is Michael James Scott's protest; a gay, Black man out and proud from the Broadway community putting joy into the world. “That's where this album really came from. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but what's amazing is that everyone celebrates the holidays and this beautiful time of gathering. I think it's important for people to know that it's OK to put out joy. It's OK to put out love. It's OK to put out light and laughter. What better way to put it out there than at the holidays? We need some light."
Tickets for the Livestream available for $25 and include the EP download. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370.
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| Broadway Star Michael James Scott to Perform Album Release Concert in Franklin |
Chief of Police Thomas J. Lynch is pleased to announce that the Franklin Police Department is the recipient of funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant managed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research (OGR).
The monetary award of $37,500 will be used to purchase technology to help officers investigate and bring to justice offenders who undermine the safety and security of our community.
Some of this technology includes equipment that will allow for officers to have access to the Franklin Police Records Management System remotely, access to criminal offender history and Registry of Motor Vehicle information.
About Officer Byrne:
Edward R. Byrne was destined for a life in law enforcement, having a father who was an officer with the New York City Police Department. Born on February 21, 1966, Eddie-as he was known by family and friends-was an outgoing and friendly person who had a strong calling to public service and wanted to make his city, New York City, a safer place. In 1986, Eddie became a New York City Transit Police Officer, to help ensure the safety of New York City's subway commuters. In 1987, Officer Byrne joined the New York City Police Department's finest, assigned to the 103rd Precinct. Well liked by his brothers and sisters in blue, Eddie was passionate about his job and loved the opportunities it offered him to interact with the people he had sworn to protect.
In the early morning hours of February 26, 1988, Officer Byrne was on detail protecting a witness who had agreed to testify in court against local drug dealers. Officer Byrne was in his patrol car outside the witness' home around 3:30 a.m. when two armed gunmen crept up to his car from both sides. One of the men knocked on the passenger-side window to distract Officer Byrne just as a second perpetrator ran up to the driver's side window and, without uttering a sound, opened fire. Officer Byrne was shot five times in the head. Both gunmen, along with two other perpetrators who served as lookouts, fled the scene. Officer Byrne was rushed to Mary Immaculate Hospital where he died of his wounds. He was only 22 years old.
The four assailants were captured six days after the murder and were eventually sentenced to 25 years to life. They were members of a gang who had been instructed by a jailed drug kingpin to kill a police officer.
NYPD lost one of its finest that day, and Eddie's family lost a loved and cherished son and brother. Leaving behind his parents and three brothers, Eddie's brothers have continued the family tradition of law enforcement and justice by dedicating their careers to the field.
In honor of Police Officer Byrne, a major U.S. Department of Justice initiative was titled the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers this program, which allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the justice system. It has been nearly 20 years since state and local law enforcement first began applying for the program named after this young fallen hero. BJA is honored to administer "Byrne" funding to communities nationwide in memory of Officer Byrne.
Franklin Police Awarded Technology Grant
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