Thursday, May 6, 2021

FM #531 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #4 - 05/04/21 (audio)

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this budget hearing on the three school budgets Franklin K-12, Tri-County, and Norfolk Aggie

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7caf826b-e92e-401c-923b-d6e3391c7961


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  • May 4 Agenda  = Schools

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-05-04_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf

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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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FM #531 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #4 - 05/04/21 (audio)
FM #531 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #4 - 05/04/21 (audio) 

State Rep Roy on climate roadmap and battery storage (audio & video)

State Representative Jeff Roy has been busy in his new role as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy (TUE).

We can share a podcast episode of The Climate Minute  (https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/) where Rep Roy discusses the roadmap of the recent climate legislation with Ted McIntyre (approx. 25 minutes)

Rep Roy also hosted a meeting on the battery storage facility proposal for Medway which is now available via YouTube  (almost 2 hours)

Dean College scheduled to hold 2 Commencements on Saturday, May 8

"The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Town of Franklin have approved a safe and acceptable plan for your Commencement. The Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony will be held in front of Dean Hall, along Awpie Way, on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Attendees will be limited to degree candidates and two (2) guests per graduate. Regrettably, we cannot offer the opportunity to invite more than two guests per graduate. Livestream options will be available here the day of the ceremony for graduates, family and friends who are unable to attend in person.

Class of 2020, please visit the 154th Commencement exercises page for up-to-date information" (scheduled for 3:00 PM)

Class of 2020 info

Car wash to fund raise for Franklin Unified Boosters - May 8

Kate Lynch (@kateluvs2laugh) tweeted on Wed, May 05, 2021:

THIS Saturday! Come and get the pollen washed off your car while helping @FranklinUnified Boosters Organization !!!! We appreciate your support!!!🚗🚙🛻 https://t.co/NJQ58blwSL

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kateluvs2laugh/status/1389894541650677766

Car wash to fund raise for Franklin Unified Boosters - May 8
Car wash to fund raise for Franklin Unified Boosters - May 8


Recap - Board of Health meeting - May 5, 2021

Quick Recap:
  • No change in mask requirements for sports, may see change after May 10
  • Improper demolition of building at 76 Jordan Road becoming more of a mess, asbestos found, mitigation steps with DEP and others now involved
  • Winter St deed not filed yet, watching and ready for next steps
  • Grant from Metacomet received, more to come on this as it makes progress
  • Problem with improper addition to residence at 274 Prospect St and Title 5 documentation

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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  #boh0505
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0505&src=typed_query 


  • Real time reporting underway for the Board of Health meeting #boh0505
  • Meeting agenda and connection info in doc -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/agenda-5-5-21.pdf… #boh0505
  • Meeting minutes for Apr meeting approved by 3-0 vote
  • No change in mask requirements for sports, may see change after May 10 but nothing til then. #boh0505
  • and clarification for asbestos; it did come back positive. Needs to hire asbestos certified contractor to handle this. #boh0505 guidance being provided with building inspector; multiple items, scrap ->
  • A messy situation that will take time to clear properly. An abutter to the property on the call. Asbestos needs to be treated first, then the remaining debris/junk can be addressed. #boh0505
  • Winter St deed not recorded yet, following up, actions steps ready once filled #boh0505
  • Metacomet grant released, we are part of the cooperative effort, more to come as it makes progress  #boh0505
  • Discussion on a new addition and question on the Title 5 sizing, prior docs show different info than claimant. Include DEP to confirm approach #boh0505 274 Prospect St is address for property in question.
  • Motion to adjourn, passed 3-0, meeting ends #boh0505
Audio of meeting to be available in a couple of days

Recap - Board of Health meeting - May 5, 2021
Recap - Board of Health meeting - May 5, 2021


Meeting Notice, 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Thursday, May 6

The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts will meet this week, Thursday, May 6th, at 7:00 pm.  Here is the Zoom link: 
Password: 350ma
Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923 
 
Residents of Franklin and nearby cities and towns are welcome to attend.
Meeting Agenda: While we are seeing positive developments at both the State House and the White House, we need to keep up the pressure on our legislators to sponsor and support key bills; we'll discuss related 350 Mass efforts. We are also planning statewide and local activities to implement our 2021/2022 campaigns to achieve the Green New Deal in housing and construction, transportation, and green energy (particularly solar). We want to collaborate with groups and individuals from the region who share the same concerns, so all our cities and towns can benefit. Please join us to learn and contribute.   
 
350 Massachusetts for a Better Future (https://350mass.betterfutureproject.org/) is building a powerful statewide social movement to confront the climate crisis, hold our politicians accountable and undermine the destructive influence of the fossil fuel industry. Our name comes from 350 parts per million, the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 
350 Mass is made up of several local volunteer-led chapters we call "nodes" around the state that carry out both municipal-level and statewide campaigns, coordinated by a Statewide Steering Team (SST). The Greater Franklin Node includes Franklin and close to twenty nearby communities. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, at 7:00 pm.
 
For questions and information, contact the node co-coordinators, carolyncbarthel@gmail.com and/or ralph.halpern@comcast.net.
 
Ralph Halpern
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c)
Meeting Notice, 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Thursday, May 6
Meeting Notice, 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Thursday, May 6

MA News: walk up vaccines available, except at Gillette

 

"IN A SIGN of the vastly increased availability of COVID-19 vaccines, six mass vaccination sites in Massachusetts will begin offering walk-up vaccination appointments. 

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday that the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, the Doubletree Hotel in Danvers, the former Circuit City in Dartmouth, the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, and the Natick Mall will all open their doors to walk-ups by Monday. The only mass vaccination site not to allow walk-ups will be Gillette Stadium

“The walk-up option will make it easier for people to access vaccines,” Baker said at a press conference after touring a vaccination site at the Encore Boston Harbor casino, run in conjunction with Cambridge Health Alliance. Baker noted that on one day, Cambridge Health Alliance had around 40 appointments booked, but 700 people walked in. "

Continue reading the article online

Boston Globe coverage:  (subscription may be required)

Press conference link => https://youtu.be/XwUrU8f8ioE?t=183