Fund raiser for Teddy Gallagher's - Jan 23, 2021

Matt Zajac writes:

"MY FRIENDS....

Another local music venue is in danger... Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub
 is fighting to keep their doors open and could use your help! This Saturday, 1/23, at 3 PM, they will be streaming live from the pub, raising funds to help keep this longstanding Franklin restaurant/bar from having to close.

There will be live music from myself (Matt Zajac), Ricky Robidoux/Dan Sutton  duo, and many more! Please join us from the comfort of your own  living room and support this local business!!!

The event will be streaming live from Teddy Gallagher's  Facebook page where you will be able to donate to the cause!"

Shared from Facebook: 

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4866723210068716&id=100001932546726

Teddy Gallagher's Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teddy%20Gallagher's%20Irish%20Pub/1331198033594995

Fund raiser for Teddy Gallagher's - Jan 23, 2021

FHS Gymnastics: Meet Emma, meet Lizzie

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) tweeted:

Meet Emma! @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @R_Lanigan @BostonHeraldHS @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @MyFM1013 @KatCornetta @FHSTrainingRoom https://t.co/KpWHs5jtdK

Meet Lizzie! @FHSSports  @FranklinHS  @FranklinMatters  @R_Lanigan  @BostonHeraldHS  @MetroWestSports  @HockomockSports   @MyFM1013  @KatCornetta  @FHSTrainingRoom
 @lizziebrown36  @Mtgbrigham

Meet Emma! @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @R_Lanigan @BostonHeraldHS @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @MyFM1013 @KatCornetta @FHSTrainingRoom pic.twitter.com/KpWHs5jtdK

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) January 22, 2021

Meet Lizzie! @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @R_Lanigan @BostonHeraldHS @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @MyFM1013 @KatCornetta @FHSTrainingRoom @lizziebrown36 @Mtgbrigham pic.twitter.com/jVgcJJZSVJ

— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) January 22, 2021

 

CommonWealth Magazine: Student Opportunity Act to be funded in FY 22 budget; sports betting bill filed again

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER will propose fully funding the first year of the recently updated school funding formula when he releases his fiscal 2022 budget proposal next week – a commitment that was delayed by a year due to COVID-19.  

Baker made the announcement on Friday at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual meeting, which was conducted virtually due to COVID-19. 

Baker did not go into details other than to say the administration will “keep our commitment to local school districts by fully funding the first year of the Student Opportunity Act.” 

The governor did not give an exact dollar figure for how much additional money he will put into education aid. But based on past estimates, it will likely be more than $300 million. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/baker-will-propose-implementing-first-year-of-new-school-funding-formula/

"Sports betting is back.

State Sen. Brendan Crighton, a Lynn Democrat, reintroduced a bill this week to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts, reviving a debate that died without action at the end of the last legislative session.

“Looking at the states around us, folks are going to bet on sports whether or not we legalize this, but right now the money’s going to the black market and to other states,” Crighton said in an interview with CommonWealth. “With the black market, you’re not getting any consumer protections. We think it’s important to bring people out of the shadows into the regulated market.”

Last summer, the Massachusetts House voted on a bill to legalize sports betting. The House then included sports betting in its version of an economic development bill. But the Senate never held a vote on the policy, and it was left out of the final version of the economic development bill."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/sports-betting-bill-refiled-seeks-more-revenue-2/

 

MBTA Commuter Rail: Winter schedule now in effect, NO weekend service on Franklin Line

Winter Schedule will take effect on January 23. Weekend service will only operate on the Middleborough, Fairmount, Providence, Worcester & Newburyport/Rockport Lines. Schedules are now available at South Station, North Station, Back Bay & MBTA.com.

On January 23rd, the 2021 Winter Service Schedule will go into effect. This Schedule will introduce:

- Additional trains on the Middleborough, Fairmount and Newburyport Lines.

- A revised weekend service with trains only operating on the Fairmount, Worcester, Providence, Middleborough, and Newburyport/Rockport lines.

Paper Schedules will be available in South Station, North Station and Back Bay starting the week of January 18th.

Last Updated: Jan 22 2021 02:55 PM

For other updates and the online schedule visit https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable

MBTA Commuter Rail: Winter schedule now in effect, NO weekend service on Franklin Line

COVID Vaccines: Fact Versus Fiction

"Vince Venditto, UK College of Pharmacy, is busting myths about COVID-19 vaccines to help inform your decision to get vaccinated":

"Over the past year, a novel, highly contagious virus has spread across the world. Scientists and researchers have worked quickly to respond with vaccine development, two of which have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use so far.

As the vaccine rollout continues for frontline health care workers and others in the most vulnerable populations, it is important to separate fact from fiction with regard to the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.

Vince Venditto, PhD, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Science, has extensive expertise in vaccine design. He was trained in organic synthesis and vaccine development. He is currently working on a clinical trial with community pharmacies to understand the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Kentucky.

He is busting myths about the vaccines to help inform your decision to get vaccinated. "

Continue reading the article online:

https://uknow.uky.edu/research/covid-vaccines-fact-versus-fiction?fbclid=IwAR1nZB8LOXGaBScaCC37ouamxhVH15Oc_0NgWEgRFsaQL_J4cfsNc4Pnh8w

One in a series of COVID myth articles, early this week we shared:

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/washington-post-8-facts-about.html

Vince Venditto, UK College of Pharmacy, is busting myths about COVID-19 vaccines (University of Kentucky photo)

Franklin's Weekend Outlook: Jan 23 - Jan 25, 2021

Saturday, January 23
11:00am -  Preschool & Kindergarten Open House (Sunrise Montessori)

Sunday, January 24
1:00pm -  Historical Museum (open and free admission)

3:00pm -  Project BOE - Informational Meeting (virtual session)

Monday, January 25
7:30pm -  S.W.A.N Paint Night; Strength, Wellness & Networking (virtual session)

 

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
 

Community Calendar

 

Franklin's "Watch list" for 2021

The "watch list" for Franklin in 2021. These are the items I see facing Franklin this year. The insights developed in over fourteen years of reporting on Franklin and in particular over 100 meetings during 2020 are behind the summary of items here. This is the short story. 

If you need or want more on these, stay tuned, I'll be following these throughout the year. If you want a better explanation of one or more, send me an email. If there are enough inquires, I can also schedule a Q&A session like held Thursday for the Senior Center.

Pandemic and recovery

• This should not be a surprise, our individual health and the health of the community will begin to determine how much the economy can recover.

Town budget/School budget for FY 2022

• While we averted a real problem last year, the question remains: what will happen this year? We get a peek with the release of the Governor's budget next week (by statue required by Wednesday). Given 22% of our budget is state aid (DLS numbers via DLS Dashboard), that is a key starting point.
• The economy will help via the local receipts (assuming we recover from COVID-19). The School budget is the big unknown (from my point of view). The District is making progress on the Davis Thayer situation (but no timeline or approval yet on closing the building). While that is underway, the other buildings that could also be closed are not yet on the table for discussion.

Affordable housing

• The population of Franklin has seen slower growth recently. What is the proper mix of housing for the population we have and anticipate? Will it be affordable for the folks to live here? All good questions and the discussion will be held in earnest this year.

Franklin election (November 2021)

• Yes, the Town Council, School Committee, and many other positions are up for election in November. Who will run? What issues will they be facing? Will we see more youthful and diverse candidates?

Citizen engagement

• The voter turnout for the Sep and November 2020 elections were the highest numbers seen although by percent, we have turned out more (in 2016). The pandemic likely contributed to both the voter numbers and smaller per cent. Mail ballots were a key contributor. Will they become the 'norm'? What about early voting for a local election?
• The access to public meetings has made more engagement possible. Franklin residents can participate via Zoom, live stream, or cable channel. Less of an excuse to not be able to see and hear what is going on whether Town Council, Planning Board, School Committee or any number of other public boards and committees.

 

What would you add to this list?

What was the "watch list" for 2020?

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list_8.html

The slide deck I used for the Q&A session on Thursday can be found here

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FWJEGxU7iVSSDnlsPLrpeOK4hYfyLaeoECYGkbJ7RFA/edit?usp=sharing

Franklin's "Watch list" for 2021