Cultural District planning session for ArtWALK - Mar 25, 7:00 PM

The Franklin Cultural District Committee has begun planning for the upcoming ArtWALK Celebration which will be held on the weekend of June 11th - 13th. This Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m. the committee is inviting all of our Cultural District Partners to join us in our first collaborative planning meeting. The meeting will be held via the zoom platform. Below you will find the  zoom link for this meeting.

The Cultural District Committee is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Cultural District Committee, Cultural District Partners Event Planning Meeting
March 25, 2021 7:00 PM 

Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83387368806
Meeting ID: 833 8736 8806

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Meeting ID: 833 8736 8806
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdVvZiUkbc

Attached you will find the agenda for the meeting. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12uoFiSrhvvguLpRRCMDf_RcSPpFJQWWa/view?usp=sharing

As we look forward to this event,  we hope that all of our partners will take part in the planning
by joining one of the working groups. We will discuss these groups at our meeting on Thursday.

We hope to see you all there.

Regards,
Nancy Schoen

Chair, Franklin Cultural District Committee
nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com 

Cultural District planning session for ArtWALK - Mar 25, 7:00 PM

National news: Post Office performance to slow mail; Some news orgs following Russian model

"Slower mail, fewer office hours part of Postal Service plans"

"Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Tuesday announced plans to slow mail delivery standards and cut hours at some post offices as part of a 10-year strategy to stabilize the struggling agency.

Details of the long-awaited plan come at a time of intense scrutiny on the US Postal Service over persistent delivery delays under DeJoy, a major GOP donor who took over the agency last summer. The plan also includes a proposal to consolidate underused post offices, hinted at a potential postage rate increase and detailed investments in new delivery vehicles, among other things.

Facing an expected $160 billion in losses over the next decade, DeJoy and postal executives stressed the need to cut costs and modernize the agency's operations as its workload increasingly shifts from handling letters to hauling more and more packages."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/24/business/slower-mail-fewer-office-hours-part-postal-service-plans/

 

"Specifically, Pomerantsev points to two major areas of strategic overlap. First, there’s a shared war on facts that tries to convince the viewer that accountability is a fool’s errand because true objectivity does not exist.

“There’s this kind of pop-postmodernism, where Sean Hannity will say things like objectivity doesn’t exist, everybody’s biased,” Pomerantsev says. He points to Hannity’s infamous interview with Ted Koppel, in which he contrasted his own style with what he sees as the charade of “objective” facts in other areas of the press. “I don’t pretend that I’m fair and balanced and objective,” Hannity bizarrely boasted.

“That’s exactly the same argument the Russians make,” Pomerantsev says. He recalls a famous phrase uttered by Dmitry Kiselev, a prime-time TV host who was also appointed by Vladimir Putin to run Kremlin’s international propaganda network, Rossiya Segodnya. “Objectivity is a myth that is proposed and imposed on us.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/23/he-worked-russian-media-he-recognizes-same-tactics-fox-news/

Town of Franklin, MA: A resource of available trails and paths for our community

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Mon, Mar 22, 2021:

"Hello Franklin! It's gorgeous out there today!  Perhaps you can find a bit of time to go for a walk!  Our Trails & Walking Paths Storymap is a great resource to find places to go in Town.

Enjoy the day!" https://t.co/vofhNYMjEO

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1374019648707002369

A resource of available trails and paths for our community

Community Conversation on Police Reform - Mar 24, 2021 - 7:00 PM

Franklin Area Against Racism (FAAR) is hosting a Community Conversation on Police Reform.

When: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - 7:00 PM

• Senator Becca Rausch
  
• Representative Jeff Roy 
• Franklin Police Dept. Chief Thomas J. Lynch
• Franklin Police Dept. Deputy Chief James Mill
• and other community leaders
  

More details, including the Zoom link, in the image below.

In preparation for the Community Conversation Wednesday on Police Reform, here is the collection of articles on the legislation as it passed both Senate and House in December, got returned by Gov Baker, was revised and sent back to Gov Baker who signed the legislation on Dec 31, 2020. (Note: The Boston Globe links may require a subscription. The other links will not.)

MA Legislature press release
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/legislature-passes-policing-reform.html

Boston Globe
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/01/opinion/police-reform-bill-historic-just-beginning/

Boston Globe
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/09/opinion/governor-baker-should-sign-police-reform-bill/

Gov Baker rejects, sends back
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/10/metro/baker-sends-police-bill-back-legislature-asking-changes/

CommonWealth on Senate compromise
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/senate-to-compromise-with-baker-on-police-reform-bill/

Senate press release on passage
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/senate-advances-police-reform.html

Globe/CommonWealth report on House passage
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/police-reform-and-abortion-measures.html

MA Legislation link
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2020/Chapter253

Gov Baker press release
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-police-reform-legislation

Globe on 12/31/20 after Gov Baker signs
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/31/metro/governor-baker-signs-landmark-policing-reform-law/

Globe on roadmap future
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/31/opinion/police-reform-roadmap-future/

Globe on what’s in/out
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/31/metro/heres-whats-police-reform-bill-governor-baker-signed-into-law/

 

Community Conversation on Police Reform - March 24, 2021

FHS volleyball tops Taunton 3-0

From HockomockSports.com and Twitter we share the FHS sports results:

Volleyball = Franklin, 3 @ Taunton, 0 – Final 

– Franklin bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-19) win on the road at Taunton. Cailyn Mackintosh dished out 26 assists in the win while Ally Bonnet-Eymard (eight kills) and Taylor Lacerda (six kills) paced the offense.  

 

For other results around the Hockomock League 

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-03-22-21/

 

 

FHS volleyball tops Taunton 3-0

 

MIAA updates guidelines

MIAA (@MIAA033) tweeted on Mon, Mar 22, 2021:

Read how updated @MassEEA guidelines impacts #MIAA sports ⬇️

🔗https://t.co/1VXiuzaiv1   or http://miaa.net/contentm/easy_pages/view.php?sid=38&page_id=291

#OneTeamOneMIAA #maskupMIAA😷  @MSSADA9 @MSAA_33 @PVIAC @RpearsonMIAA_MS @sbryantMIAA @Napa13 @LeagueBoston 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1374073460629114890

 

 

@MassEEA guidelines: 

https://www.mass.gov/doc/safety-standards-for-youth-and-adult-amateur-sports-activities-phase-iv-step-1-effective-32221/download

 

 

https://twitter.com/MIAA033

Polar Park will not be Fenway

"Before they built Polar Park, the Worcester Red Sox hosted 21 fan meetings and jotted down 877 ideas. One thing was crystal clear: Worcester didn’t want its new stadium to be Fenway Park.

“Worcester wanted something different. They didn’t want to be Fenway green,” says Dr. Charles Steinberg, Worcester Red Sox president. So most everything will be blue; from the understated industrial corrugated metal exterior to the blue seats and 22-foot blue Worcester Wall in right field with seats and a fan deck.

No Green Monster in left?

“There was a naturalness to the Green Monster that we didn’t want to force,” says chairman and principal owner Larry Lucchino. “And there was a hill in right field that we needed to build a wall in front of.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/22/sports/worcesters-new-stadium-polar-opposite-fenway-park/

There was still snow at Polar Park in early March as construction continued.Stan Grossfeld/Globe staff

50+ Session on LinkedIn Profiles - Starts Tuesday - Mar 23, 2021

Interactive Workshop Series: Session #6

Creating a Robust LinkedIn Profile

Offered: Tue Mar 23^rd 10-12N; Fri Mar 26^th 1-3pm;
 and Mon Apr 5^th 6:30-8:30pm

Virtual Doors open 15 minutes before session begins.

Workshops begin promptly at the listed start time.

Facilitators: Melody Beach and Ed Lawrence

 

During the 6th session in our 12-part Interactive Workshop Series, we discuss LinkedIn, specifically the elements for a powerful profile.

 

Join us---Learn the elements that will turn your passive profile into an active one. Just having a LinkedIn isn't enough---It's expected.

 

This session is the first of two sessions that focus using LinkedIn effectively during your job-search.

 

This session isn't just a one-way presentation; it's interactive; poses questions; presents real-time exercises; and challenges your mindset. In addition, it provides time for you to network with other 50+ Job Seekers.

If you have previously attended a 50+ session, to attend this LinkedIn session, use the link we sent you previously to join one of the resume sessions. 

 

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

 

New to the program? Registration is Required:
https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

FHS' Boys and Girls Hockomock League Swimming All Stars - 2021

We share the official 2021 Hockomock League Boys and Girls Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league. Here are the Franklin selections and the links to each of the boys and girls list for the complete Hockomock League  list.

** Boys All Stars

 

Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Timothy Luc, Taunton

Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
Bleddyn Titmuss, Franklin
Brendan Lapuma, Franklin
Luke Cashin, Franklin

** Girls All Stars

 

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Megan Campbell, King Philip

 

Kelley-Rex Division All Stars

Madison Lawlor, Franklin

Sydney Bourgeois, Franklin

Christine Tang, Franklin

Alyssa LaPuma, Franklin

Emma Ferreira, Franklin

Linnea Remillard, Franklin

Kathryn Chew, Franklin

For the complete listings

https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-boys-swimming-all-stars/

https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-girls-swimming-all-stars/

 

FHS' Boys and Girls Hockomock League Swimming All Stars - 2021

MA State News: unemployment insurance bill; cannabis local impact fee questioned

"Lawmakers find common ground on unemployment insurance bill"

"TIME-SENSITIVE LEGISLATION aimed at stabilizing the state’s unemployment system, providing targeted tax relief to employers and workers, and creating a COVID-19 emergency sick leave program requires one final vote in each chamber after the House and Senate reached agreement on the bill’s details Monday.

After hours of talks, lawmakers ironed out differences between the underlying versions of the bill  to produce a compromise without a formal conference committee, teeing up the roughly $351 million bill and its $7 billion borrowing authorization to reach Gov. Charlie Baker as soon as Thursday.

The branches agreed on most aspects of the bill in their respective versions, but took different approaches to tax breaks on unemployment benefits, a commission studying the unemployment system, and length of the special obligation bonds that will be issued to help the state cover massive demands on its benefits system."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/lawmakers-find-common-ground-on-unemployment-insurance-bill/

"3% cannabis impact fee covers costs that don’t exist"

"IN 2017, Massachusetts lawmakers revised the cannabis legalization ballot measure approved by voters the year before.  They made improvements, such as expanding the Cannabis Control Commission from three members to five, and increasing the local tax option from 2 percent to 3 percent.

They also made mistakes, including mandating host community agreements between municipalities and cannabis operators that allowed towns to collect an additional 3 percent of gross sales.  This stream of funds was meant to offset costs imposed upon the municipality “by the operation of the marijuana establishment.”

After more than two years of legal cannabis sales, it’s hard to make a case that towns have incurred any such costs.  There have been no reported incidents of sales to minors, no reports of increased crime around cannabis stores, no reported increase in cannabis-intoxicated driving arrests, no reported impacts on nearby businesses or neighborhoods, and no reported staffing or budget increases in police, fire, or health departments attributable to cannabis stores."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/3-cannabis-impact-fee-covers-costs-that-dont-exist/

 

The Hill: "Enemy within: Experts warn US not learning from past pandemic mistakes"

 

"When it comes to combating COVID-19, experts and officials warn the U.S. is its own worst enemy as governors across the country lift restrictions and the public grows increasingly weary of pandemic life.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned Monday that the U.S. is at “a fork in the road” on the pandemic, with the two extremes perhaps best illustrated by spring breakers partying in Florida over the weekend while about 1,000 people are dying of COVID-19 every day.

Despite an aggressive pace of vaccination, the number of new infections across the country is rising in states across the Northeast and Upper Midwest and has essentially plateaued nationally. "

Continue reading the article online

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/544427-enemy-within-experts-warn-us-not-learning-from-past-pandemic-mistakes

 

 

MA State Library: old Boston photos found and digitized

MA State Library (@mastatelibrary) tweeted on Mon, Mar 22, 2021:

During a major cataloging project at the State Library, the staff rediscovered many beautiful collections, including an album of photographs of old Boston, which was digitized and we invite you to view here:  https://t.co/xhrDKv4xKN   or https://www.flickr.com/photos/mastatelibrary/albums/72157709811009401

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/mastatelibrary/status/1373998270620520453

MA State Library: old Boston photos found and digitized

Franklin Area Non-profit Network - Mar 29, 2021 - 7:00 PM

The local businesses have their circle of friends so to speak with the Franklin Downtown Partnership, or the United Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The local cultural organizations also have a circle of friends through the Cultural District. 

How about the non-profit organizations? 

Therefore, on March 29, 2021, we'll gather together the non-profit organizations serving Franklin, MA to 

1. create awareness of the work and services being provided by each org 
2. to improve the referral capability for each org 
3. to share best practices among the orgs

The group will be called the Franklin Area Non-profit Network, or FANN, and hence it will be a fanntastic group!

Sign up for the virtual meeting link at the Facebook event  https://www.facebook.com/events/1045786169244815/

The notes for my Citizens Comment at the Town Council meeting March 17

Monday, Mar 29, 7 PM

Kick off session to gather the non-profit organizations serving Franklin for a couple of reasons

1 - to create awareness about the work and services being provided by each organization 

2 - to improve the referral  capability of each org

3 - to share best practices between organizations 

The Franklin Area Non-profit Network or FANN  will be a fanntastic organization  

What to remember  

If you manage or operate a non-profit, consider joining the kickoff. At least follow us to see what we do 

If you volunteer for one of the more than one hundred non-profits based here, thank you for volunteering. Mention the next time you do volunteer that you heard about this and see if they are participating  

While I mentioned 'based' here, we know there are other organizations serving Franklin based elsewhere,  they are also welcome 

You hear more about this as the 29th gets closer. There is a Facebook event you can find and share. There will be additional news spreading through the social channels but we wanted this group and viewers to hear it. 

Any questions,  feel free to reach out to me for now, we will have a web page and other pieces coming soon

The non-profits serving Franklin do a whole lot of good, this gathering we believe should help them do what they do

March 29, 7 pm

Franklin Area Non-profit Network - Mar 29, 2021 - 7:00 PM

Franklin Library reopens for in person hours on limited basis - Mar 22, 2021

We are pleased to announce that the Franklin Public Library will be re-opening for in-person hours beginning on Monday, March 22nd! 

 

Our hours will be as follows:
  -  Monday: 1 - 4 pm
  -  Tuesday 1 - 4 pm
  -  Wednesday 1 - 4 pm
  -  Thursday: 4 - 8 pm (Senior hour 3 - 4 pm)
  -  Friday 1 - 4 pm
  -  Saturday 1 - 4pm

Curbside services will continue with pick up hours as follows:
 -   Monday - Thursday 10am - 8pm
 -   Friday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

All returns still must be placed in the outside book drop prior to entering the building. Items will continue to be quarantined for three days before they are checked in.

No donations are being accepted at this time. Please do not place them in the return bins, outside or inside the Library.

What's available:
 -   Browsing the stacks. Please limit your visit to 30 minutes maximum.
 -   Checking out items (Please use the self-check app or self-check computers)
 -   Logging into your account to pay late fees and lost materials with your credit card. Staff will not be handling cash at this time.
 -   WIFI access
 -   Public computer workstations (May be used for up to 60 minutes only)
 -   Printing, scanning, faxing, and photocopying. Please bring exact change. Staff will not be making change or handling cash.
 -   Museum passes (Please check with the museum prior to your visit. Further action may be necessary)

What is not available:
 -   Study rooms
 -   Meeting rooms
 -   Toys
 -   Children's play area
 -   Local history collection
 -   Restrooms. Please plan your visit accordingly.

Health & Safety Practices

All patrons entering the library will be required to do the following:
 -   Wear face coverings covering their nose and mouth at all times inside the Library
 -   Use remote services – phone, email, and curbside –if you cannot wear face coverings for medical reasons.
 -   Sanitize hands upon entering and complete the contact tracing form
 -   Practice social distancing
 -   Please remember to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from other patrons and staff

Library Programming
 - All programming will continue to be either virtual or take-and-make kits.
 

If you have any questions, please contact the Franklin Public Library at 508-520-4941 or at frkill@minlib.net .

 

Shared from Town of Franklin Library page:

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/314506

Franklin Library reopens for in person hours on limited basis

Franklin (MA) School Committee - FY 2022 - Budget Hearing - Mar 23, 2021

The document scheduled for presentation and discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, March 23, 2021 for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget.

Franklin (MA) Public Schools - Budget Hearing - 03/23/21 from Franklin Matters

The full agenda and documents released for this meeting can be found on the Schools page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

FY 2022 - Budget Hearing - Mar 23, 2021