Keep your personal information safe in the New Year

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year by Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC As 2021 winds down, lots of us are making resolutions for a fresh start in the New Year — maybe to exercise regularly, get our finances in order, or spend more time with friends. But your list isn't complete until you add "update my security software" and "protect my personal information" to the mix. Scammers and hackers are always looking for new ways to steal your personal information online. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/12/keep-your-personal-information-safe-new-year?utm_source=govdelivery

Keep your personal information safe in the New Year

MA Political News: Downing withdraws; Auchincloss reflects during The Codcast (audio)

Democratic gubernatorial race change 

"Ben Downing, the Democratic former state senator who staked his gubernatorial bid on progressive policies like universal child care and aggressive climate action but struggled to gain traction in fund-raising, said Tuesday that he is ending his campaign.

Downing, 40, pointed to financial challenges as the reason for dropping out of the race, adding that he made the decision “with a heavy heart.”

“You don’t get into a race with this as the intended outcome or even the expected outcome,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday. “But I’d like to think and hope we added a little bit to it along the way.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/28/metro/ben-downing-former-state-senator-ends-bid-massachusetts-governor/ 

CommonWealth Magazine coverage

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/ben-downing-ends-run-for-governor/

"REP. JAKE AUCHINCLOSS, the newest member of the state’s congressional delegation, is finishing his first year in the House. To say it’s been a tumultuous initiation to Congress would be an understatement. His first days in office saw a mob-led insurrection in the Capitol building, and he faced a vote soon after on impeachment of a sitting president. 

Auchincloss, a 33-year-old Newton Democrat who won the seat vacated by Joe Kennedy, says on The Codcast that the jarring events of his early days in office have cast into sharp relief the natural tension that exists between staying true to the values of the constituents you represent while also working to advance their priorities."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/auchincloss-reflects-on-a-first-year-in-congress-unlike-most-any-other-2

Direct link to audio for The Codcast ->  https://soundcloud.com/massinc/auchincloss-codcast-122421-940-am

Or listen via the embedded file here:

CommonWealth Magazine · A tumultuous first year in Congress for Rep. Jake Auchincloss

Auchincloss reflects during The Codcast (audio)

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Dec 29, 2021

• wfpr.fm = Wednesday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events
10:00a/1:00p/7:00p The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone
All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points
11:00a/2:00p/8:00p Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:29:00 am Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
7:30:00 am It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan
8:30 am Cultural District: Brent Selby
10:00 am The Drummers Studio: 11th Anniversary Show One
11:30 am Whole Health Visions: Life Coaches Pt. 2
12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese
12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes
1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Fire Safety
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 8
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
3:30 pm Veterans' Call: Matt Ching Pt. 1
4:30 pm The Black Box: Newsies
6:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Candy Apples
6:30 pm Ben Gardner's Boat
9:30 pm Circle of Friends: Freebo, Alice Howe & Kirsten Maxwell

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: FHS Winter Music 2021
8:30 am Public School Concert: FHS Winter Jazz 01-23-20
10:30 am FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Attleboro 12-17-21
12:30 pm Community Arts Advocacy Day: A Discussion
1:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v King Philip 12-21-21
3:01 pm Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2021
4:31 pm FHS Varsity Wrestling: v King Philip 12-22-21
8:30 pm Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2021

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am Town Council: 12-15-21
2:00 pm Town Council: 12-15-21

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

SAFE Radio: KIVA Centers (audio)

"In this episode, Jim Derrick and Anne Bergen invite Vesper Moore and Mike MacKinnis from the KIVA Centers to talk about mental health, the current mental health system, and what services KIVA Centers offer."

 What is SAFE Radio?

SAFE Radio (a product of the SAFE Coalition) will examine the disease of Substance Use Disorder. Each week the program will feature guests that are subject matter experts covering topics such as treatment options, coping strategies and recovery. The SAFE Coalition exists to provide pathways for support, education, coping mechanisms and treatment options for Substance use Disorder.

Audio file -> https://safe-coalition.captivate.fm/episode/kiva-centers 

For more about the SAFE Coalition ->  https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

SAFE Radio: KIVA Centers (audio)

Town of Franklin, MA: free COVID test kits for those who "live or work in a congregate settings"

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Mon, Dec 27, 2021:

Free lab-based PCR testing w/ home collection is available to all Massachusetts adults who...

▪️ live or work in a congregate settings

▪️ have symptoms

▪️ had a COVID-19 exposure

▪️ have been referred for testing

Learn more and request a kit here: https://t.co/viodRS3duu

Town of Franklin, MA: free COVID test kits for those who "live or work in a congregate settings"

Community Preservation Coalition: Look what CPA funds have done in Pittsfield, MA

Community Preservation Coalition (@CPA_Coalition) tweeted on Tue, Dec 28, 2021:

"Look how much the #CommunityPreservationAct has done for the City of Pittsfield in just the 5 short years since they adopted the program in 2016 - housing, historic preservation, and even more in the future! @MayorTyer @BerkshireEagle"

https://t.co/P5y6vZionZ or directly to the Berkshire Eagle page ->   https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/look_ahead/look-ahead-pittsfield-cpa-funding-requests-up-over-last-year-for-more-housing-and-preservation/article_ce69fcd4-5ac6-11ec-8049-af101b4377d9.html

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/fPiJCx8fub

The Community Preservation Committee decided that 11 of 13 applications for CPA funding were eligible for the program this year. The projects are vying for $715,000 in funding in a year when the committee has decided to cap allocations at $650,000.  By Meg Britton-Mehlisch, The Berkshire Eagle

FHS boys hockey drops match to Malden Catholic 2-3

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Monday: 

Girls Basketball = Franklin @ St. Paul – Postponed to TBD

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Malden Catholic, 3 – Final

Puck has dropped vs @MCLancersHockey

Let’s GOOO Franklin!!

https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1475624146935689216

Reception is terrible 7:23 to go in game Franklin 2 Malden Vatholic 1

https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1475646814426746885

6:28 to go MC ties ot up 2-2

https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1475647353902227458

Final: Franklin 2  @MCLancersHockey  3 

Ryan Sicchio - G

Dylan Marchand - G

Liam O’Rielly - A 

Ben Jarosz -A

Lucas Sheehan - A

https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1475650822298120198

Wrestling = George Bossi Holiday Tournament (Foxboro, Franklin, Oliver Ames), 9:00 (@ Lowell) results not yet available

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-12-27-21/

FHS Panthers

FHS Indoor track results from MSTCA Meet Dec 27, 2021

Boston Holiday Challenge - 12/27/2021

Sponsored by HOKA-Marathon Sports-MSTCA

RLTAC-Boston

Results

Girls 300 Meter Dash Varsity
22 Cliff, Anna 10 Franklin 44.64 13
46 Costa, Olivia 10 Franklin 46.81 11
64 Costa, Lainey 9 Franklin 47.94 3

Girls 600 Meter Run Varsity
3 Fenerty, Jillian 12 Franklin 1:42.32 3

Girls 1000 Meter Run Varsity
10 Peng, Charlene 12 Franklin 3:14.35 1

Girls 55 Meter Hurdles Varsity
9 Dumas, Sarah 10 Franklin 9.56 1
24 Bruno, Cailyn 10 Franklin 10.34 2

Girls 4x400 Meter Relay Varsity
3 Franklin 'A' 4:12.66 2
1) Cliff, Anna 10 2) Costa, Olivia 10
3) Fenerty, Jillian 12 4) Dumas, Sarah 10

Girls High Jump Varsity
8 Griffith, Abigail 10 Franklin J4-11.00 1.49m
11 Bruno, Cailyn 10 Franklin 4-09.00 1.44m

Girls 1 Mile Run Freshman
25 Pruitt, Emma 9 Franklin 6:00.23 1

Boys 300 Meter Dash Varsity
27 Sidwell, Luke 11 Franklin 38.85 24
96 Dunlap, Joshua 11 Franklin 40.97 8

Boys 600 Meter Run Varsity
11 Powderly, Tyler 12 Franklin 1:27.18 5

The complete meet results PDF can be found online

https://dl.airtable.com/.attachments/1111c0c17cbe70091702ad0503fca9cc/2918a2ab/bhcresults.pdf

FHS Panthers

Franklin Historical Commission: Legal Notice - Public Hearing - Jan 12, 2022

PUBLIC HEARING 1/12/22

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given  that the Town of Franklin

Historical Commission

will hold a Public Hearing,

Wednesday January 12, 2022 6:30 PM

regarding a demolition

 application for the property

 at 230 East Central Street, Franklin MA

Meeting held at the Franklin Historical Museum

80 West Central Street, Franklin

Franklin Historical Commission: Legal Notice - Public Hearing - Jan 12, 2022

Rhapsody's Victorian Coffee House - status update

"To my beloved patrons, many of which have become friends, permit me to say that nothing has made me happier, given me more purpose, than providing a community with a warm and friendly place to congregate while enjoying well prepared dishes using fresh local ingredients. As the owner of Rhapsody’s Victorian Coffee House, I’ve been blessed! 

The challenges in the food industry remain. We are closed for the time being and effectively until further notice while we sort out the numbers and weigh the business risks going into 2022. 

This holiday season has been more about the relationships than ever before. People need people. I’ve been rewarded by providing an exceptional location for people to congregate, enjoy each other’s company, while indulging on the finest food and beverages. 

Lets see what happens!" 

- Mike

Shared from Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/263757654054591/posts/1349529175477428/

Rhapsody's Victorian Coffee House - status update (photo from a warmer day - May 2021)

VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL: January 5, 2022 = CANCELLED

JANUARY 2022 COFFEE SOCIAL CANCELLED

Next Coffee Social - Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the Senior Center

 

THE SENIOR CENTER WILL BE CLOSED THE WEEKS OF 

DECEMBER 27 AND JANUARY 3.

OUR JANUARY VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 

PLEASE JOIN US AT THE SENIOR CENTER ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 AT 10:00 A.M. FOR COFFEE AND CONVERSATION!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Shared from Town of Franklin page => https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/january-2022-coffee-social-cancelled

VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL: January 5, 2022 = CANCELLED

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Dec 28, 2021

• wfpr.fm = Tuesday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM Safe – Jim Derick and Jennifer Knight-Levine
Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

7:00 am The Drummers Studio: 11th Anniversary Show One
9:00 am It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan
10:00 am Frank Presents: Greg Dowd
11:30 am Senior Connection: Cookies
12:00 pm Brooke'n'Cookin: Mac'n'Cheese
12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes
1:00:00 pm SAFE Coalition: PSA
1:30:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 8
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10
3:30 pm Arts Advocacy: Impact
4:00 pm FHS Fall Art Show 2021
4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Acoustic X
5:30 pm Santa on the Common 2021
8:30 pm U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2021
8:30 am Public School Event: FHS Winter Music 2021
10:00 am FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v St. John's Shrewsbury 12-20-21
12:00 pm ArtWeek: FHS Jazz & Kenny Hadley Band
2:00 pm It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan
3:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v King Philip 12-21-21
4:31 pm Public School Concert: FHS Winter Jazz 01-23-20
6:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Canton 12-14-21

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee: 12-14-21
2:00 pm School Committee: 12-14-21 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

More Perfect Union: 039 - Holiday Traditions; How Christmas Came To Be, The Story of Hanukkah and more (audio)

"In this episode, the group talks about holiday traditions; the story of Hanukkah and what it means to the Jewish people, how Santa and Christmas formed into what they are today, the story of St. Nicholas and more."

The More Perfect Union cast -> 

Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Natalia Linos and State Representative Jeff Roy host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

Audio file ->  https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/039-holiday-traditions-how-christmas-came-to-be-the-story-of-hanukkah-and-more

More Perfect Union:  039 - Holiday Traditions; How Christmas Came To Be, The Story of Hanukkah and more

Reminder: No scheduled Trash/Recycling delay for this holiday week

NO TRASH DELAY ~ DEC. 20-24 AND DEC. 27-31

No Trash Delay ~ Dec. 20-24 and Dec. 27-31

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/no-trash-delay-dec-20-24-and-dec-27-31 

"all heavily qualified with discussions of uncertainty"

"Despite a persistent public health emergency, the Commonwealth’s fiscal outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2022 and looking ahead to fiscal 2023 remains strong, but not without some uncertainty. 

Tax collections far exceeded benchmarks in fiscal 2021, leading to a substantial state surplus, and they are on track to do the same in fiscal 2022. 

Still, during the annual Consensus Revenue Hearing convened today by the House and Senate Ways and Means committees and the governor’s budget office, the Department of Revenue and other fiscal experts and economists offered cautious outlooks for the economy and state revenues over the second half of fiscal 2022 and for fiscal 2023."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/budget-outlook-for-fy23-is-a-balance-of-strong-revenue-and-uncertainty/ 

We enter the FY 2023 budget season. The Town of Franklin departments are working on their department level operational and capital requests. The capital budget will be first reviewed via the Finance Committee before going to the Town Council capital budget subcommittee and eventually to the full Council for approval. As with prior years, the capital budget is likely to be addressed in two phases: the first utilizes the available free cash less some amount held to cover additional snow/ice expenses this winter; after the winter expenses are finalized, then the second portion of free cash is utilized for the capital budget.

The Town budget process and documents can be found 

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

The School budget follows a similar timeline

https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget

"all heavily qualified with discussions of uncertainty"