Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Franklin, MA: 1960 to 1969 (video)
Franklin Police: Notification of scam
We have received several reports from residents who have received text messages stating that their "Concealed Carry" permit is ready, or today is the last day to sign up.This is a SCAM. The Franklin Police Department does not text messages like this. The full application process is available on our website at: https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/license-carry-firearms-ltc
Franklin Police: Notification of scam |
Boston Globe: "Workers to get a boost in 2021 as new laws take effect Jan. 1"
"The new year will be an important one for workers’ rights in Massachusetts. Here are three key pieces of legislation that will take effect in 2021. The trio is part of a large labor and wages bill passed in 2018, known as the grand bargain. Advocates say several of the measures will help workers desperately in need of relief during the pandemic. In addition, starting this year workers will be eligible for holiday pay on Juneteenth, after officials recognized it as a state holiday.
1. Paid family and medical leave
Starting next year, all employees in Massachusetts will have access to paid family and medical leave that will allow up to 12 weeks of family leave and up to 20 weeks of medical leave, with the guarantee that they would be restored to their same or equivalent positions, with the same status, pay, and employment benefits."
"A Christmas miracle, or clever budgetary legerdemain"
"One moment, Governor Charlie Baker is asking people to lobby their legislators for some relatively modest funding as the state’s well of small-business relief funds runs dry.
The next: Baker unveils $668 million for grants, in particular to help several sectors hit hard by COVID-19 such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and hair salons.
The sharp turnabout last week surprised many small-business advocates — not to mention the budget writers in the Legislature.
A Christmas miracle, or clever budgetary legerdemain on the part of Baker’s Administration & Finance team?
Maybe a bit of both."
CommonWealth Magazine: three articles of interest
"Baker takes stock of unprecedented pandemic"
"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S feelings about the year 2020 echoed public sentiment when he slammed his fists on a lectern at the State House Wednesday afternoon.
“As we close out 2020, finally, we’re again urging everyone if they can to stay home,” Baker said, banging both fists."
"THE HOUSE ELECTED a new speaker on Wednesday, but otherwise the two legislative branches did little of consequence and adjourned until Monday.
That leaves just Monday and Tuesday for lawmakers to take action on a slew of pending bills, some of which have been stuck in conference committee trying to resolve differences between the two branches for months."
"IN A DAY filled with ceremonial pomp – but no suspense — the Massachusetts House on Wednesday selected Quincy Democrat Ronald Mariano to be the next speaker of the House.
In his inaugural address, Mariano laid out a series of major policy goals, while reiterating the philosophy of governance that he has applied until now: a focus on achieving consensus through compromise. “In the reality of governing, we must live in the world of the possible and not make perfection the enemy of progress,” Mariano said."
Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/ronald-mariano-elected-speaker-of-the-massachusetts-house/
"The Baker-Polito Administration today provided an update on the ongoing distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. Including shipments arriving today and tomorrow, the Commonwealth expects more than 287,000 vaccine doses to arrive in the state by the end of 2020"Direct video link = https://youtu.be/HQ4Lfdh4Sl8
Commuter Rail notice - New Year's Eve service
On New Year's Eve, the Commuter Rail will run on the reduced weekday schedule. There will be no adjustments made to the schedule.
Affected routes:
- Newburyport/Rockport Line
- Haverhill Line
- Lowell Line
- Fitchburg Line
- Framingham/Worcester Line
- Needham Line
- Franklin Line
- Fairmount Line
- Providence/Stoughton Line
- Middleborough/Lakeville Line
- Kingston/Plymouth Line
- Greenbush Line
Last Updated: Dec 30 2020 03:31 PM
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
FM #425 Fresh Start Market - 12/16/20 (audio)
This shares my conversation with Fresh Start Market co-owner Bonnie Corso. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the social distancing requirements of this pandemic period.
Our conversation runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H13TRRHS
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Follow Fresh Start Market on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartMkt/
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fresh_start.market/
Their investment opportunity page on MainVest https://mainvest.com/b/fresh-start-market-franklin
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EDC Meeting with the MAPC Market Study presented and discussed
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-322-edc-mapc-market-study-73030-audio.html
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How can you help?
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For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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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Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session. Here is a cropped photo of Finian shared on the Fresh Start Market Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/p/CJIEFN7gQ29/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session |