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Saturday, November 20, 2021
Mental Health Care Reform, Our 'Back to Better' Agenda, Veteran's Day
"COVID-19 cases are rising sharply in Mass. ahead of the holidays"
"With COVID-19 cases spiking in Massachusetts as Thanksgiving and other holidays approach, experts are urging people to stay vigilant and take steps to protect themselves and others, including measures such as rapid testing, masking, and limiting who can attend gatherings.“I think we have to be very cautious. We have to be very mindful. We can’t go into the holidays pretending that COVID is behind us. Unfortunately, it’s still very much with us,” said Dr. Philip Landrigan, director of the Global Public Health Program at Boston College.“We should be aware and cautious,” said Dr. Shira Doron, an infectious disease physician who is the hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center. “You should know there is more risk out there. You should know you need to be stepping up your game in terms of taking the precautions that are important to you.”
Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)
Boston Globe: "The long, slow return of the Mass. job market"
"The state’s economic recovery from the COVID shock of 2020 is nearly complete, with one important exception: the job market.The Massachusetts economy — the value of goods and services produced — is bigger now than it was before the pandemic. Personal incomes are higher and so are retail sales.Most key measures of employment, however, have not returned to their February 2020 marks, and the gains since the bottom of the recession have lagged behind the national average.But data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics offers some encouragement. Employment growth is continuing to rebound, albeit at a modest pace, from the summer setback caused by the Delta variant. More people are joining the workforce. The worker shortage persists but is easing."
Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/19/business/states-tight-labor-market-continues-ease-hiring-speeds-up/
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| Massachusetts employers are finding it easier to hire workers.JENNY KORNREICH |
Your Input Needed: A Brief Survey from the Greater Franklin Node of 350 Mass
Happy Holiday Season from the Greater Franklin Node of 350 Mass.
We are asking you and everyone on our email distribution list to complete a brief survey to indicate your interest in participating in our meetings and activities, regardless of your past engagement.
The Greater Franklin Node includes residents of close to 20 communities, from Sharon and Walpole, through Foxboro and Franklin, south to Attleboro, and west to Blackstone and Millville. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month (currently via Zoom). We engage in local and statewide activities to promote positive and effective responses to the climate crisis and to transform our energy system from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Our strategies align with the statewide member-led 350 Mass organization; campaigns address legislation, education, consumer choices and community programs, and protests against institutions and corporations that enable the status quo to continue.
Please try to complete this survey by Wednesday, November 23rd. Thank you.
In these critical times, all of us are called upon to raise our voices. Whether you are a veteran or a newcomer to political action, you can make a contribution. Your responses to this brief (5-minute) survey will help our Node serve as an effective force to secure the best possible future for all of us. We will also use your information to update our contact list and improve future communications.
Here is the link to the survey.
If you have questions or comments, please reply to this email.
To follow activities of our Node, join the Facebook Group.
Thank you.
Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern
Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net 781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c)
Friday, November 19, 2021
Franklin's Event Outlook: Nov 19 - Nov 25, 2021
Indoor events mostly now for the autumn season. Book sale/bag sale at the Library this weekend. Rising Stars Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX Friday night. Help decorate downtown Saturday morning and then get to the Winter Farmers Market Saturday.
Close out the weekend with the Thanksgiving Service put on by the Franklin Interfaith Council either in person at St Mary's or via virtual option via live streaming.
Friday, November 19
1:00pm - Book Sale
7:30pm - Rising Stars Cabaret
Saturday, November 20
9:00am - Book Sale
9:00am - Decorating Downtown (volunteers needed)
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm - Bag Sale
Sunday, November 21
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
7:00pm - Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
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
The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
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| Community Calendar |
Genocide Education Act Passes House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed the Genocide Education Act by a vote of 157-2. The bill will require public schools to teach the history of genocides and create a fund to help support the new curriculum. When signed into law, Massachusetts will become the 20th state to have adopted mandatory Holocaust and genocide education.
This bill would require each school district to file lesson plans and program descriptions related to genocide education every year with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill’s Genocide Education Trust Fund will help schools and districts develop curriculum and host training or professional development courses for educators.
This legislation demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to providing schools across the Commonwealth with access to resources to implement genocide education programs. It provides the resources students need to recognize and stand up to injustice before it takes root and to recognize and fight hate in their communities.
“Massachusetts has always been at the forefront of human rights issues, and today, with the passage of this bill, we can do it again. We can arm our students with the knowledge they will need to recognize the warning signs and feel empowered to prevent genocides in the future,” said Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “Making genocide education a mandatory topic for teaching in our schools is a reaffirmation of the commitment of free peoples from all nations to never again permit the occurrence of another genocide, and to deter indifference to crimes against humanity and human suffering wherever they occur.”
State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) first filed a genocide education bill in 2013, which called for genocide to be included in social sciences and history frameworks. It was successful in changing frameworks and it lead to the inclusion of genocide education in social science and history frameworks. Unfortunately, over the past few years with memories of prior atrocities fading, there has a rising tide of hatred and anti-Semitic incidents requiring a legislative solution.
A recent survey found 22 percent of American millennials have never heard of the Holocaust and 66 percent of youth 18-34 didn't recognize the word Auschwitz. In Massachusetts, 35 percent of young adults didn't know what Auschwitz was and half didn't know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust.
The bill, which had over 100 cosponsors, was supported by ADL New England, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, the Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts - ANC of EM, Facing History and Ourselves, the Committee for Holodomor Genocide Awareness (https://ukrainegenocide.com), the Genocide Education Project, and over 60 coalition members.
You can find a link to Rep. Roy’s floor remarks at: https://youtu.be/fOQLJ5NiDz8
The text of the Legislation can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2557
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| Rep. Roy’s floor remarks |
Franklin awarded Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant of $25K
Mass. Municipal Assn (@massmunicipal) tweeted Thu, Nov 18, 2021:
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/massmunicipal/status/1461335652105076737
Administration awards $3.1M through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program to 268 municipalities to help them maximize recycling, composting & waste reduction programs. @MassGovernor @MassLtGov @MassEEA @MassDEP https://t.co/6GTlN0fFgr
"To mark America Recycles Day, the Baker-Polito administration on Monday announced $3.1 million in grant funding to 268 municipalities and regional solid waste districts to help them maximize recycling, composting and waste reduction programs.The grants are made available through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program, which was created by the Green Communities Act of 2008 and has provided more than $46 million to recycling programs since 2010.At the announcement, Gov. Charlie Baker said the new round of grant funding will aid municipal efforts “to implement innovative programs and policies” to maximize the reuse of materials, boost recycling, and reduce waste. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said the program helps municipalities and solid waste districts expand recycling and composting, while targeting new materials to remove from the waste stream."
Franklin is on the list as the recipient of $25,200.
The full listing can be found -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/list-of-2021-municipalregional-grant-awards-november-2021/download
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| Franklin awarded Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant of $25K |
Panther TV: Thanksgiving Pre-Show (video)
Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted Thu, Nov 18, 2021:
https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1461380716017692674
Check out our Panther TV Thanksgiving Pre-Show! @FranklinPSNews @FHSPantherbook @FranklinHS @GraceTucceri @FHSSports @FranklinHSDrama @DiversityFHS https://t.co/xk99OLCGFy via @YouTubeShared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1461380716017692674
Coaches Corner: Playoff Win vs. Methuen, next up D1 Final Four game Saturday
Kevin papa (@kevinjpapa) tweeted Wed, Nov 17, 2021:
Coaches Corner PLAYOFF WIN vs Methuen MA STATE D1 FINAL 4Video link -> https://t.co/y8r3aN8FXp
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinjpapa/status/1461160710780637187
Franklin High School: News, Important Information, and Dates
School News: Important Information and Dates
November - December 2021
- Can't access your Aspen account? First, try using the Forgot my Password link on the Aspen log in page. An email will be sent to you with a link to get back into your account. If that does not resolve your issue, use THIS FORM to request a password reset.
- FPS District Inclement Weather Policies and Information > Click HERE
>> Winter Sports Registration information letter and registration links << click to view (last day to register on Family ID is November 22nd)
Nov 24,25,26 No School-Thanksgiving Break
Nov 29 School Photo retakes day (if you were absent on the original photo day, you can have your photo taken today as well)
Nov 30 Art Show -more details to come
Dec 7 FHS Chorus and Orchestra Concert 7 PM @ FHS Auditorium (snow date 12/10)
Dec 9 FHS Band Concert 7PM @ FHS Auditorium (snow date 12/21)
Dec 10 Half day of School PD Day
Dec 24-Jan 2 Winter Holiday Break
- New Student Registration-click HERE
- Moved? Complete a Change of Address form HERE
- Getting a driver's license or permit? Click HERE for information on obtaining the necessary documents from FHS
- Need a work permit for a new job? Click HERE for information on obtaining one
MCAS TEST DATES 2022
- ELA Grade 10 - March 22-23
- Math Grade 10 - May 17-18
- Biology Grade 9 - June 7-8
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| Franklin High School: News, Important Information, and Dates |
Holiday Gift Dilemma? Check out the ornaments on sale at the Historical Museum gift shop
Historical Museum gift shop Stop by the Historical Museum gift shop for fun Franklin inspired gifts. From the beautiful ornaments of the Franklin Library and the Watering Trough, to mugs, pillows, note cards, and more. Looking for stocking stuffers?
Visit the Gift Shop’s Lady Bug Corner and discover the Lady Bug’s connection to Franklin.
Lady Bug Corner
Hosted by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum, the gift shop is open museum hours Saturday mornings 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons 1 PM - 4 PM.
Shop local! #thinkFranklinFirst #ShopFranklin
Recap: Town Council hears about the waiting list and process for housing; approves FY 2022 budget reduction
Quick Recap:
- Housing Authority, funded at State level, is limited in what they can do by funding and regulations. The list for access is long. A key part of our overall housing issue. The 60 unit senior housing at Franklin Ridge is awaiting funding. These units only make a dip into the wait list. Advocating for housing at State and Federal levels is best and only option
- Elks Riders present their donation to veterans and recognized for such at same time
- FY 2022 budget reduced by $454K to recognize the revenue expected won't be met. Outline of where the adjustments come from provided; on Town side some savings already recognized, Schools asked to reduce by $93K, how that will affect their $70M budget is 'minor' but would need to come from School Dept/School Committee.
- Host Community agreement funding outlined as distributed among DPW, SAFE Coalition and Police Dept as mitigation for expected sales of cannabis products
- Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to hold two hearings in Jan 2022 (Jan 4, and Jan 18) to solicit ideas for how the expected funds could be utilized. This listing would then be further developed by CPC and ultimately approved by Town Council before the first CPA funding is received in 4Q 2022.
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers.
The Twitter hashtag #TC1117 can be found online The thread begins with
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1461118335224008712
Photos from the event can be found in one album:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NoqWaRJWAjg2R8qb7getting ready for the Town Council meeting #tc1117 Full agenda doc (with remote connection info) https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_nov_17_2021.pdf
- Chair Mercer opens meeting with gavel and then the 'normal' statement about access via Zoom, etc. #tc1117
- Citizen comment from Max Morrongiello speaking on property tax setting coming up on next meeting agenda; example of Brookline put forward #tc1117 recommending committee to study proposal for possible implementation next year (full text of comment -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/citizen-comment-maxwell-morrongiello.html)
- (Unidentified person) - speaking on King St and Washington St projects, meetings overlapping each other Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission with scheduled meetings for Thursday - new distribution center proposed for King St adding 500+ trips; #tc1117
- Jim Derick touting the Critical Conversation on mental health and substance abuse scheduled for for Nov 18 at 6 PM #tc1117 https://franklinmatters.org/2021/11/franklin-public-schools-ma-announces.html
- motion to approve minutes of Oct 20, second, passes 9-0 #tc1117
- next up Housing Authority presentation #tc1117 George Danelo Chair of Housing Authority; introduces Lisa Audette, Executive Director, also a couple of other board members present
- emergency applications take priority, needs to be validated; #tc1117 listing of 7 levels of priorities, 1 other levels of preference; over 6,000 on waiting listing; time consuming to process application to validate
- average 20 units for senior housing per year; family units don't turn frequently; lists being reviewed by State to audit process; #tc1117 process time consuming on both Authority and applicant;
- State maintains waiting list not the local housing authority - thousands of residents on the multiple lists; local 114 for disabled, 200 families for low income housing; local hands tied - app process through http://ma.gov site, preference and requirements set #tc1117
- Pellegri concerned with out of town folks on list and the interjection of the State in the process; list process changes daily; #tc1117 if individual doesn't respond back to the list verification process, they lose their place in the line
- petition legislators to change public housing regulations; #tc1117 could go via home rule petition, (which everyone would want); could check to see if general legislation has been filed - state funds source this, not Franklin funds
- transfer within type of unit is an administrative transfer, if changing size, then the list comes into play; #tc1117 simple solution - need more housing, period. TA Hellen updates on Franklin Ridge project, permitted for 60 units, remains waiting for funding.
- Hellen - we did identify a 3.5 acre piece of town owned land that could go for about 8 units of housing, can use the CPA funds to spec out further; #tc1117 at the end of the day, this comes down to money, takes the will of a lots of folks to get to fund it
- Hellen - working with Habitant 4 Humanity on 2 other separate lots; #tc1117 we are doing this locally, we can't do it alone; the listing is applicants who have identified Franklin as a place to live - hence a happy problem (yet unfulfilled)
- congregate housing while it can work, doesn't work for some and creates some problems when that comes up for someone on a list; #tc1117 6000 applicants on list for 2000 units state wide
- How long will it take? No good answer for that Q. It depends. #tc1117 copy of 2 page memo used in this discussion will be shared later (have paper will convert post meeting)
- Jones: what are logical viable next steps to solve this problem? #tc1117 218 units total; 165 seniors, 4 bedroom congregate, 33 family units
- pull a listing for every vacancy; could pull 50-100 for 4 vacancies - work the list to validate status and eligibility for preference and priority; need to fill unit within 30 days; may close the list within 10 days depending upon circumstances #tc1117
- Frongillo - how can we help? it is about land and money; age of buildings a concern, sidewalks are getting broken, (Town could help with), they apply for every grant we can get; #tc1117 average rent in a unit $450/unit, not much to work with
- funding not enough to keep with the caring annually. #tc1117 folks can paint but must use Housing paint; Housing Authority is a state agency; CPA funds maybe the best option; need to be state or Federal sources to provide the funding
- TA Hellen - Jan 4 and 18 Community Preservation Committee to hold hearings; Foxboro voucher process could use CPA funds but it won't increase # of units, would help with individual funding of units #tc1117
Legislation For Action
- LEGISLATION FOR ACTION - a. Resolution 21-68: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Dept ($1,000), Historical Commission ($100) (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-68 - Majority Vote) - moved, seconded, passes 9-0
- Elks Riders present to talk about their donation #tc1117
- Resolution 21-69: General Funds Appropriation, Transfers and Adjustments FY22
- (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-69 - Majority Vote) #tc1117 motioned, second, passes 9-0 - this was previewed and approved by FinCom last week (7-0)
- Resolution 21-70: Appropriation of Cannabis Fees
- (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-70 - Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 8-0 TA Hellen spoke to parts of this during prior discussion, 2 active host community agreements $300K each; light project designed, hopeful to do spring
- On last vote 8-0-1 recusal by Dellorco #tc1117
- Details on FinCom vote in their meeting last week can be found https://franklinmatters.org/2021/11/fm-655-finance-committee-mtg-111021.html… #tc1117
- Interesting that Dellorco remained in conversation (and commented) and only before vote recused himself. #tc1117 hope that doesn't cause a problem - also raised by Councilor Cormier-Leger in the discussion before the vote
- Resolution 21-71: Appropriation to Pay Prior Years’ Bills
- (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-71 - ⅔ Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 9-0 - Finance Dept did talk to vendors on timing of receipt for invoices #tc1117
- Resolution 21-72: Order of Taking Approximately Seventy (70) Acres of Unimproved Land Off
- Maple Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-72 - ⅔ Majority Vote) motion, second, passes 9-0 - formal process to ensure clear title to the Maple Hill land
- Resolution 21-73: Acceptance of Open Space, Access and Parking Easements at Brookview Condominium Located Off Pond Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-73 - Majority Vote) easements for Pond St to gain access to waterfront on Mine Brook; motion, second, passes 9-0
- TA report - nothing at this time
- Future agenda items - all questions on FHS issues, need to be addressed via the School channels; housing items to be considered for future #tc1117 Councilor Comments - veterans lunch last week was wonderful; atta boy to Rep Roy for …
- passage of the genocide bill; snow and ice presentation coming next meeting; kudos to all for the luncheon last week; #tc1117 Strong Towns event well attended on Monday; monthly senior office hours at Center at 8:30 AM - volunteers needed to decorate downtown Sat
- Fairmount Farm has first Winters Farmers Market on Saturday; nice to see other communities at the Strong Towns event; it was an honor to serve the veterans last week; #tc1117 congrats to FHS performances of Mamma Mia this past weekend - 65 students in the cast
- good luck to FHS, only public school left in D1 for football; salt price up, let Brutus know; #tc1117 happy Thanksgiving to all, we'll be back in Dec - motion to adjourn, passes 9-0
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
Veterans Services Officer Shannon Nisbett and members of the Elks Riders
FHS Swim Team fund raiser sells candles
"FRANKLIN VARSITY SWIM is, once again, partnering with Boston Wick, a Franklin owned company, for their candle fundraiser.
Candles are $20 and FHS Varsity Swim earns 50% of the sales. Sale ends November 29th and candles will be delivered BEFORE Xmas.
Please consider supporting the team! PM Jill Gabel Simms (https://www.facebook.com/jill.simms.750) with questions or to place an order. Payment is collected in advance and can be made with cash or Venmo."
Shared from Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/173205529994/posts/10151645775309995/
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| FHS Swim Team fund raiser sells candles |
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