350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday, August 5, 7:00 PM

Hello to all from the  350 Mass Greater Franklin Node. Please mark your calendars for this week's   Node meeting,   Thursday, August 5, 7:00 pm.  (As a reminder, we meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.)

 

Here are the the Zoom details.

Zoom link for the meeting, August 5, 7:00 pm.

Join on Zoom.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09
Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755

Password: 350ma 

Audio by phone: +1 646 876 9923  

 

There is much to talk about. In Massachusetts, the legislature is considering numerous climate bills, including those  endorsed by 350 Mass. In Washington, the Administration and Congress are debating one infrastructure bill and determining the contents of a second, more ambitious program. Meanwhile, the fight over fossil fuels is centered in Minnesota where work on the  Line 3 tar sands pipeline continues despite protests. Internationally, the most important event in years will be the Glasgow Climate Talks on November 1, 2021; climate groups are gearing up to  call for action.  Everyone's voice is critical. See our website for  ways you can act now.

 

To further our work and outreach, 350 Mass has launched our  redesigned website. We invite you to spend a few minutes taking in the new features and structure.

 

Our Greater Franklin Node wants 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. 

 

If you cannot participate in the Node meeting on Thursday but have some information to share, e.g., notice about a community meeting or a recommended webinar, you can send it to   ralph.halpern@comcast.net.

 

We'll send a reminder on Thursday. 

 

Thanks for your participation and support.

 

Node Co-coordinators,

Carolyn Barthel

Ralph Halpern

 

 

Ralph Halpern

ralph.halpern@comcast.net

781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017 (c)

 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting, Thursday, August 5, 7:00 pm

Eviction moratorium extended

"Amid intense pressure from progressive members of Congress, the Biden administration on Tuesday renewed a federal ban on evictions for renters at risk of losing their housing, with most of Massachusetts covered by the new order.

Citing the quick spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Tuesday announced a new 60-day federal moratorium on evictions in counties where the cases are again at elevated levels. Currently, that includes all of Massachusetts, except for Franklin and Hampshire Counties."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/03/business/biden-extends-eviction-moratorium-another-two-months/

New York Times coverage (subscription maybe required) ->    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/us/politics/evictions-housing-moratorium-pelosi-yellen.html

Link to the CDC order -> https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0803-cdc-eviction-order.html

MA News: Somerville schedules a 'Yart Sale'; Weather service schedules webinars

What is a ‘Yart Sale,’ exactly? Somerville is hosting its first one 

"If you took up an artistic hobby like so many others while stuck indoors at the height of the pandemic, or if you’re a seasoned veteran with a lens, brush, or knitting needle, this might be the perfect chance to share — and perhaps even sell — your work with the community.

On August 14, Somerville is hosting its first “Yart Sale,” a citywide event that welcomes artists of all calibers to set up shop on their porches, or in their yards and driveways, and sell their artwork to passersby.

The event is a mix between the city’s annual pop-up musical gathering, PorchFest, and Open Studios, where artists open up their workspaces, in that attendees can hop from one neighborhood to the next throughout the day to see what’s on display."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/03/metro/what-is-yart-sale-exactly-somerville-is-hosting-its-first-one/

NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) tweeted on Tue, Aug 03, 2021:

[New Webinars Scheduled] Calling all weather enthusiasts! We've scheduled a few Event Review webinars coming up, in addition to *Tonight's Webinar* on the Jet Stream. Come learn something with us! Sign up at https://t.co/OWtW5yQC0K  

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/BmuBiLE31m  or  https://twitter.com/NWSBoston/status/1422684671775698945?s=03

National Weather Service webinars scheduled

Come celebrate National Farmers Market Week on the Town Common this Friday

Help celebrate National Farmers Market Week this week so we have an exciting time planned for the Farmers Market. 

The Agriculture Committee will be sponsoring "Touch a Tractor" on the common, as well as sharing information with the community. 

Halley Elwell will be performing from 2-4 PM, sponsored by Franklin Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council. 

The Franklin Public Library will be there with a craft to make "kindness rocks". 

Concerts on the Common, sponsored by the Franklin Recreation Dept. has 

• David Penza playing from 5-6
• Backyard Swagger from 6-8 
• The movie Frozen II starting at 8PM.

 

It will be a busy day, be sure to come on down and enjoy it! The market opens at 2. While the market closes at 6, the activities outlined above continue.  

Farmer Nick will have his tractor on the Town Common Friday

More from the US Dept. of Agriculture on National Farmers Market Week

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2021/08/02/celebrating-national-farmers-market-week

Dean College Announces the Dr. Pietro (Pete) Savo Criminal Justice Internship in Collaboration with the Franklin Police Department

Dean College has announced the Dr. Pietro (Pete) Pete Savo Criminal Justice Internship, a new program in partnership with the Franklin Police Department. Each semester, one student from Dean College will have the opportunity to intern with the Franklin Police Department and gain valuable experience in the field of law enforcement. Students will be exposed to a variety of aspects pertaining to working on the force and leave with a working knowledge of next steps should they be interested in further pursing a law enforcement career.

 

“Dr. Savo was a tremendous educator,” says Dean College President Dr. Paula M. Rooney. “Students, staff, and faculty are all better for having known him and we are so proud to have Pete’s name on this internship.”

 

The internship is named in honor of Dr. Pietro (Pete) Savo, who passed away unexpectedly in June 2021. A beloved member of the Dean Community, Dr. Savo was an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Criminal Justice and Homeland Security programs at the College and was coordinating the internship with the Franklin Police Department prior to his passing. Chief of Police Thomas J. Lynch approached Dean with the desire to name the internship after Dr. Savo as a tribute to his work at the College, in the community and in the field. This is the first internship at Dean to be named in honor of an individual.

 

“We are eager to work with Dean College on this exciting opportunity,” says Lynch.

 

The internship will be offered during both the Fall and Spring semesters. Dean College students will be able to earn three credits by completing 96 hours of work-based experience at the Franklin Police Department. Candidates will be nominated by faculty and staff, followed by a formal interview process with the Franklin Police Department for final approval.

 

“Dr. Savo was a teacher in every sense of the word,” says Dr. P. Gerard Shaw, Dean for the Dean College School of Business. “This internship is a tribute to his legacy and to the countless students he has impacted.”

 

For more information about the program, visit www.dean.edu.

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.

 

Dean College Announces the Dr. Pietro (Pete) Savo Criminal Justice Internship

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Town Clerk do?

From the Town Clerk's page:

"Welcome to the Franklin Town Clerk’s webpage.  It is a pleasure and honor to serve the Town of Franklin.

Our office handles many critical municipal functions, including all local, state and federal elections, dog licensing, vitals (birth, marriage death records), business certificates, and we host all of the permanent records for the Town of Franklin dating back 200 years.  The Town Clerk’s office also is a central repository for all agendas and minutes of boards and committees."

For more about the Town Clerk, visit their page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

The Town Clerk position is elected for a four year term. Our current Town Clerk, Nancy Danello, was appointed Temporary Town Clerk after Teresa Burr resigned last fall. 

Appointment announcement links:

• Town of Franklin press release ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/danello-appointed-temporary-town-clerk.html
• Milford Daily News Article -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/in-news-franklin-names-nancy-danello-to.html
• Interview in Feb 2021 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/fm-462-franklins-acting-town-clerk.html

One of the visible outputs of the Town Clerk is the production of the Franklin Annual Report for 2020 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 2, 2021 in the "election collection"  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Town Clerk do?

Senator Rausch Files Universal Masking Bill For MA Schools

This afternoon (08/02/21), Senator Becca Rausch filed SD. 2723, An Act mitigating COVID-19 transmission among children and families, a bill requiring universal masking among students and staff in all Massachusetts K-12 schools as well as childcare programs licensed under the Department of Early Education and Care. The legislation will also ensure no attendance penalty for students with vaccination appointments during school hours and provide paid time off for parents and caregivers taking students to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

This bill comes on the heels of last week's announcement from the Baker Administration of nonbinding masking recommendations for Massachusetts schools. The guidance contradicts updated CDC guidance and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidance on COVID-19 safety in schools, both of which strongly recommend in-person learning with mandatory mask-wearing indoors and vaccinations for all students, staff, and faculty.

"With less than a month before our children head back to school, this administration chooses to play Russian roulette with the health of Massachusetts students and families,” said Senator Rausch (D-Needham). “I have heard from so many parents, school committee members, teachers, and public health experts who are rightly worried, angry, and frustrated in the wake of DESE’s weak, unenforceable, and non-binding mask recommendations. This administration fails to follow the science to the detriment of every community in this Commonwealth. I filed this bill to give families and school staff the piece of mind they deserve about protecting their health and safety.”

In addition to mandating masks for students aged two and older and staff in Massachusetts early, primary, and secondary education programs, the bill also provides excused absences from school for COVID-19 vaccination appointments, as well as up to six hours of paid leave for any parent or caregiver bringing their child to get immunized against COVID-19. 

"It is the job of our government to protect our most vulnerable - which includes our Commonwealth's children," said Dr. Natalya Davis, a Quincy pediatrician who led a sign-on letter last week among medical professionals to mandate universal masking in Massachusetts schools. "Masks are a simple, safe, cheap intervention that saves lives. This is not debatable despite what opposing voices say. With Delta cases rising, masks are crucial to control the spread of COVID-19 while we vaccinate as many eligible individuals as possible." 

Today, by unanimous vote, the Massachusetts Teachers Association also called on Governor Baker to implement a mandatory mask requirement for all students and staff in all programs from pre-K through higher education.  

Direct link to SD 2723 ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1baXTWUCnszLjJP_N26OxlBkfj2oBP_jv/view?usp=sharing

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1422302120989143040

Senator Rausch Files Universal Masking Bill For MA Schools

Open Youth Track Meet scheduled for Weds, Aug 4

Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) tweeted on Mon, Aug 02, 2021:

"Youth Track is happening again this Wednesday at 5 PM at the Franklin High track! $5 for individuals and $10 for families!

Anyone that wants to volunteer should plan on getting there just after 4:30 PM"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1422316587743432705?s=03

Open Track meets return to FHS this summer

"I do think it’s a dance. It’s poetry. It’s balance. It’s grace. It’s power"

"The throwers at her school had an annual spaghetti dinner, and they said that anybody who tried their discipline could come to the dinner. “Weirdly, food was my incentive,” Allman remembered, and when she went to throw the discus, she had discovered how familiar it felt to dancing.

“I think it’s a second-and-a-half dance that you do hundreds of times and it’s really repetitive, but gosh-darn, I do think it’s a dance. It’s poetry. It’s balance. It’s grace. It’s power,” Allman said, and all of those virtues together are what defined her performance Monday night to give the U.S. track and field team its first gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics — and its first gold in women’s discus since 2008."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/08/02/valarie-allman-discus-olympics/

Watch a brief video of her winning toss -> https://youtu.be/silrPLJrvFU
   

Team USA's Valarie Allman reacts while competing in the women's discus final. (Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images)

Franklin Police: request assistance with break-in theft suspect video

On July 31, 2021, at approximately 10:13 PM the Franklin Police were notified of an alarm at Vallee Jewelers located at 68 Main Street.

Officers responded and observed the front door smashed and requested more units to the scene. Officers made entry to the building to check for suspects and found none still on scene. There was major damage to several display cases inside the store, and jewelry on the floor.

The Franklin Police K9 Unit was dispatched to scene and began a track which led down several streets and ultimately appeared to end where the suspect entered a vehicle and left the area.

 

Assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Unit was also called into to help process the scene.

 

Initial estimates place the losses in excess of $10,000.

 

At this time we are releasing video in the hopes that a member of the public will recognize the suspect. We ask that anyone with information contact the Franklin Police Detective Division at 508-528-1212.

 

• Video below or via this link  ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eSGxhUd1ZvOzKcH4ApNrLhgWS-PgDAYp/view?usp=sharing
  

 

Franklin Police: request assistance with break-in theft suspect video

 

Franklin Newcomers & Friends - meeting on the 3rd at 3 this fall

Good news!  Franklin Newcomers & Friends will be returning to in person meetings and events this fall!  We'll be changing it up and meeting the 3rd Wednesday of the month upstairs at 3 Restaurant.  Easy to remember- 3rd at 3!

We're working on planning our monthly meetings and activities for the upcoming year.  We have a couple Concerts on the Common scheduled for 8/6 and 8/20 to have as a casual event before our monthly meetings start.  

For more info or to join the Club, visit our Meetup page: https://www.meetup.com/Franklin-Newcomers-Friends

Franklin Newcomers & Friends

Franklin Election 2021: What does the School Committee do?

While the Town Council approves the overall Franklin budget including the school district top dollar amount, the oversight of the school district is the sole responsibility of the School Committee. They hire the Superintendent, who in turn is ultimately responsible (1) for the hiring of all the other school personnel and (2) the day-to-day management of the district.

Under MA law, each school principal is granted responsibility for all that happens in their building. 

 

All seven (7) positions of the school committee are up for election on November 2, 2021.

 

The School Committee faces a number of challenges. There is a structural deficiency in the funding model for schools. A 'normal' home owning household of 4; two parents, two kids contributes approx. $5-6,000 in annual taxes to the Town coffers while it costs the Town $16,000 to educate one child. Hence, the household benefits from the extra $26,000 (in education) while the Town has to fund that $26,000 from somewhere.

The School Committee has recently determined to close the Davis Thayer Elementary School. They still need to figure out what the district should look like, what other schools (if any) should close, and if redistricting is necessary. Before getting into the Davis Thayer decision, the School Committee had put aside the schools start time discussion to deal with the pandemic. The details of the start time proposal were initially worked by a special advisory committee and should still be addressed some time.

More information about the School Committee can be found on the Town of Franklin page:  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee

 

My notes from the School Committee (and several of the subcommittees) can be found in the Meeting Notes page (scroll down to find the group and either  notes or audio, in many cases both. https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html

 

The School Committee section of the Franklin Annual Report for 2020

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

 

Franklin Election 2021: What does the School Committee do?

FPAC announces cast for Legally Blonde

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) has announced the cast for their production of Legally Blonde the Musical. The production, originally scheduled for March 2020, marks the return of live theater for FPAC at THE BLACK BOX. 

Starring as sorority girl turned Harvard Law student Elle Woods will be Ali Funkhouser. A NYC based actress, this will be Funkhouser’s third production of Legally Blonde, having most recently appeared in The Lex’s production directed by Broadway’s original Elle, Laura Bell Bundy. She has been seen in many FPAC productions including Newsies, Joseph, Little Shop of Horrors, and Christopher Rice’s The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE! 

Elliott Styles will also return to the world of Legally Blonde starring as Elle’s lovable best friend and Harvard guide Emmett Forrest, a role he played with both Riverside Theatre and Walnut Street Theatre.

FPAC is excited to welcome Ryan Vona to the cast as Warner Huntington III. Vona is best known for his work on Broadway in Once and Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour. His debut album Somebody was released in 2015. 

Audrey Cardwell joins the cast as Vivienne Kensington. Cardwell is known for the First National Tours of Falsettos, Bright Star, Cinderella, Elf, and Anything Goes.

NYC’s Katie Gray returns to FPAC as Paulette. Her FPAC credits include Matilda, Christopher Rice’s The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE, The Addams Family, and more.

Also sharing the stage in Legally Blonde will be Ricky and Myrtle from William Berloni Theatrical Animals as Elle’s canine friends. Berloni and his handlers have provided animals of all species and sizes, found in shelters, humane societies or rescue leagues, for Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, regional theaters, special events, the New York City Ballet, motion pictures, television, and commercials.

The cast also features Kelsey Breslin as Brooke Wyndham, Caroline Wilkins, Hayley Driscoll, and Courtney Beyer as Elle’s best friends Serena, Margot, and Pilar, Nick Paone as Professor Callahan, Audrey Miningham as Enid, Clay Rice-Thomson as Aaron Schulz, Alexx Stachowiak as Nikos/Padamadan, Griffin Wilkins as Grandmaster Chad and others, Guy Rezendes as Kyle and Sami Goldman as Chutney. Rounding out the cast are Aaron Andrade, Blas Cerda, Tzintli Cerda, John Fitzhenry, Kim Frigon, Mariko Matsumura, Tatiana McAlpine, Hannah Rezendes, Maddie Rezendes, and Colie Vancura. 

FPAC’s production, directed by Raye Lynn Mercer, also features Jerry Mitchell’s original Broadway choreography re-staged for THE BLACK BOX and music direction by Hallie Wetzell. As a special treat for FPAC audiences, patrons at the two Saturday August 14 performances will be able to meet Broadway’s original Brooke Wyndham Nikki Snelson. Snelson has appeared in concert with FPAC and will be coaching FPAC’s Legally Blonde cast.

Legally Blonde presented by the Franklin Performing Arts Company runs August 11-15 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. Tickets can be purchased at www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

 

(clockwise from top left): Ali Funkhouser (Elle Woods), Elliott Styles (Emmett Forrest), Ryan Vona (Warner Huntington III), Audrey Cardwell (Vivienne Kensington)

Franklin High School Boys & Girls Golf Tournament - Sep 27, 2021

Thank you for your past support for the Franklin High School basketball program!  This year, we are excited to announce that the Franklin High School boys and girls teams are combining forces for our annual golf tournament. This is our program's largest fundraiser each year and we are looking forward to having a much more normal event this year.  The money raised for the tournament goes to equipment, uniforms and senior scholarships for the basketball teams. 

If you are willing and able to sponsor the golf tournament again this year, any donation would be greatly appreciated.  We are accepting monetary donations as well as gift cards or merchandise for our silent auction and raffle.  

If you would like to donate, checks should be made payable to "FHS Basketball Booster Club" and sent to Mike Vinson, 19 Stewart St., Franklin, MA 02038. If you have a gift card or merchandise, please let us know and we will arrange for one of the boys or girls to stop by to pick it up. Also, for monetary donations or to register for the tournament, you can also click here:  FHS Boys & Girls Basketball Annual Golf Tournament

For questions, please contact Greg Tracey at 774-291-9105. Thank you for your continued support!

Regards,

FHS Basketball Boosters

Franklin High School Boys & Girls Golf Tournament

MA News Updates: bailout funds create 'haves' and 'have-nots'; eviction moratorium expires

" ‘An extinction level event.’ Federal bailout funds split struggling restaurant industry"

"For 16 months, while scrambling to stay afloat, the restaurant industry has begged the federal government for money to help recover from the pandemic. But the $28.6 billion Restaurant Relief Fund didn’t play out as they’d intended. The funds became mired in legal challenges, and then ran out far too quickly, leaving more than 200,000 applicants — nearly two in every three restaurants that applied — in the lurch.

Now, food service workers say, it’s splitting the industry in two: the haves, and the have-nots.

“Imagine you live on a street and all the houses burn down, and the government says, ‘You’re going to be okay and we’re going to help you rebuild,’ ” said chef Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth in Cambridge, which didn’t receive any funds. “And then the government turns around and says, ‘We’re just going to give it to 30 percent of the houses on your block.’ They can rebuild their house. You’re [out of luck].”

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/01/business/an-extinction-level-event-federal-bailout-funds-split-struggling-restaurant-industry/ 

The Franklin restaurants (there are not many) who were among the 'haves' can be found in this listing  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/sba-restaurant-revitalization-fund.html

Lets Eat Franklin operates 3

"End of eviction moratorium brings worry"

"ANXIETY IS HIGH among tenants, landlords, and housing advocates as the midnight Saturday expiration date for the federal eviction moratorium looms, but what the end of the tenant protection will actually mean is uncertain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention imposed a nationwide moratorium on evictions 11 months ago. The state had earlier put in place its own stricter ban. The state measure, which precluded landlords from filing nearly all eviction actions, expired in October, but the federal ban remained in place until now."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/end-of-eviction-moratorium-brings-anxiety/