Sunday, June 12, 2022

It's Here! HMEA's incredABLE Day is Today - June 12, 2022


incredABLE Day 2022
Cookout | Raffles| Community Stroll | Games & Activities for All Ages & Abilities | Giveaways | Resources | Mascots | Entertainment | Kids' Fun Run | HMEA Team Tent Decorating Contest | & More!
740 King Street, Franklin, MA 02038

incredABLE Day is coming up - Sunday, June 12, 2022! It's going to be a great time, but don't take our word for it; click the video below to see what Boston 25 News says about HMEA's 21st annual incredABLE Day!
HMEA's incredABLE Day featured on Boston 25 News!

Host Gene Lavanchy is back! Join him and the HMEA community to Celebrate the ABLE in All of Us! Special guests include Representative Jeff Roy, Wally and Tessie and the Boston Red Sox Showcase, Arthur and Massachusetts Pirates Football, the Cardi brothers, Lanie the Balloon Lady, and so many more! Be part of the live and interactive tai chi, yoga, and drumming demonstrations and the community stroll! Visit vendors for giveaways and games, try your luck at the raffles, enjoy the cookout, and have an incredABLE Day!

The fun kicks off at 10am and lasts until 2pm. See event map and schedule below to start planning your incredABLE Day today!
About HMEA's incredABLE Day
HMEA delivers high-quality lifespan services and supports to more than 4,000 children, adults, and families in 110 communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. At HMEA, our mission is to teach, support, and empower people with developmental disabilities, and their families, to live meaningful lives of their choice. We envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated and where everyone contributes. That is the spirit of incredABLE Day, delivered through inclusive and accessible activities, entertainment, resources, and more! We hope you'll join us on June 12, 2022 for incredABLE Day!

Proceeds raised through incredABLE Day fundraising are returned to our programs, to fuel our mission and make a real difference in the lives of the people we support. Thank you for your involvement with incredABLE Day 2022!
incredABLE Questions Answered!
incredABLE Day has a lot of new features, including the location and date. Click to learn about other exciting changes coming to incredABLE Day 2022, and how you can get involved!

Together, we've been celebrating the ABLE in all of us for 21 years. This year, there are some big changes coming to incredABLE Day, and we're excited to share them with you!
incredABLE Day always includes:

  • Community stroll and Kids' Fun Run
  • Dream and Elite raffles
  • All-ages, all-abilities, entertainment, activities, and fun!
incredABLE Day now features:

  • New! No fees to register or attend
  • New! Lower prices for 50/50 raffle tickets
  • New! HMEA resources area
HMEA | 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038

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More Perfect Union: 050 - A Conversation With Obama Staffer & MA State Senator Eric Lesser (audio)

"In this episode, the group is joined by MA State Senator Eric Lesser to talk about his campaign for Lieutenant Governor, time as an MA state senator, working with the Obama administration and in the White House, and what he hopes to accomplish as the LT. Governor."

Episode audio link ->  https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episode/050-a-conversation-with-obama-staffer-ma-state-senator-eric-lesser

Note: The episode was recorded before the State Democratic Convention held June 3-4, 2022.  Lesser is one of three candidates qualified for the Democratic primary ballot in September 2022.

Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)
Franklin.TV: A More Perfect Union (audio)

Saturday, June 11, 2022

ArtWALK events and FHS Playoffs on tap for today's schedule

In addition to the ArtWALK events today, there is also a sporting option. The FHS teams are scheduled for home playoff games.

ArtWALK events
ArtWALK events

Saturday, June 11 

Downtown StoryWalk!

9:30am - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary Church, lower level)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am - ArtWALK: Josh Funk and Kelly Light, story time and art (Escape Into Fiction)

10:30am - ArtWALK: LiveARTS performs (Historical Museum)

1:00pm - ArtWALK: Ammaya Dance and Drum (Town Common)

1:00pm - ArtWALK: Kids Painting Class (Expressions Enrichment - registration required)

2:00pm - The One Act Play That Goes Wrong (Franklin High School - ticketed event)

3:00pm - BANG BOOM BURN: Explosive True Crime Gun, Bombing, and Arson Cases from a Federal Agent’s Career with Author Wayne Miller (Franklin Library)

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers
7:30pm - ArtWALK: FPAC presents "Sweeney Todd"  (THE BLACK BOX  ticketed event)



FHS Playoff games

  • Boys Lax at 3:00pm
  • Girls Lax at 6:00pm
  • Baseball at 7:00pm

ALL TICKETS MUST be purchased on GoFan

Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer - a recap of the June 8, 2022 meeting (audio)

FM #816 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 816 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town Council Quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer on Thursday morning, June 9, 2022.  The Town Council meeting was held on Wednesday, June 8.


·        ok, what just happened? 

·        What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

a. Proclamation - Franklin Flyers Youth Hockey Team

b. Proclamation - Franklin High School Theatre Company


License Transactions

a. License Modification: Change of Hours - PH Franklin, Inc. d/b/a Raillery Public House, Located at 280 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA 02038 

b. New Farmer Winery-Farmers Market License - Crave Mead, LLC d/b/a Crave Mead, Located at 7 Main St., Unit 1, Blackstone, MA 01504 


PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION

a. Presentation/Discussion: North Grove Priority Development Area Redevelopment Concept - Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel & MassDevelopment


LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-32: Salary Schedule: Full-Time Elected Official - Town Clerk

b. Resolution 22-30: FY22 Capital Plan Round 2 

e. Resolution 22-39: Authorizing the Additional Borrowing of Money to Pay Additional Costs of the Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Project 


The conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Tom.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-816-town-council-quarterbacking-w-tom-mercer-06-09-22


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


Meeting agenda =>    

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_6-8-22_0.pdf 


Presentation on the Nu-Style property -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/franklin_presentation.pdf 


My notes -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c3eKOj6mOCpr1fos7dvk_N4zcoh-DyO3/view?usp=sharing 


My photos taken during the meeting are in one album   https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Rkh1UGK3MJ5Yz6S7 


YouTube video of meeting -> https://youtu.be/xQgdpRxgGOU


Keep up with events in Franklin via the Community Calendar

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html 


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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


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!

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


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer
Town Council Quarterbacking with Chair Tom Mercer 

FHS Unified basketball team brings home the Gold!

The FHS Unified Basketball team, representing Massachusetts at the Special Olympics games won the Gold Medal in the final of the High School Interscholastic Division B finals on Friday. The team topped Oregon 37-35 after reaching the finals by topping Connecticut on Thursday by a 27-26 score.

"We did it!! This team❤️🥳. GOLD! When you play as friends, with heart, and have fun, great things happen!❤️🏀. The continued support is overwhelming!"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/lburger81/status/1535293035197628416 

Special Olympics official results ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qPKFiHq532meRFCM5R6PoiaacReHslH9/view?usp=sharing


FHS Unified basketball team brings home the Gold!
FHS Unified basketball team brings home the Gold!

Support for Ukraine - Sunday, June 12 - 5 PM

"This Sunday evening at 5 PM there will be a Prayer Vigil/Service on the Town Common for the people of Ukraine

The Franklin Interfaith Council along with invited guests will be participating in the service. Please plan to come and stand with and for the Ukraine people, pray for them, and also the end of the horrible violence. You will notice that it is early evening so people may find it more convenient to attend. 

If it rains, we will use Saint Mary Church for the Service.

Everyone is welcome. You may wish to bring a “beach chair” to sit on. "

Shared from the St Mary's Facebook page

Support for Ukraine - Sunday, June 12 - 5 PM
Support for Ukraine - Sunday, June 12 - 5 PM






Town of Franklin & Franklin Public Schools - COVID-19 Dashboard updates as of June 9, 2022

The FPS weekly COVID-19 dashboard is now available to view here: buff.ly/3pQh91e

weekly FPS COVID-19 Dashboard
weekly FPS COVID-19 Dashboard

The Town of Franklin COVID-19 dashboard was updated as of June 9, 2022 and can be found online ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/webforms/covid-19-dashboard-portal

Town of Franklin & Franklin Public Schools - COVID-19 Dashboard updates
Town of Franklin & Franklin Public Schools - COVID-19 Dashboard updates

NY Times: "As the Great Salt Lake Dries Up, Utah Faces An ‘Environmental Nuclear Bomb’"

If the Great Salt Lake, which has already shrunk by two-thirds, continues to dry up, here’s what’s in store: 
The lake’s flies and brine shrimp would die off — scientists warn it could start as soon as this summer — threatening the 10 million migratory birds that stop at the lake annually to feed on the tiny creatures. Ski conditions at the resorts above Salt Lake City, a vital source of revenue, would deteriorate. The lucrative extraction of magnesium and other minerals from the lake could stop. 
Most alarming, the air surrounding Salt Lake City would occasionally turn poisonous. The lake bed contains high levels of arsenic and as more of it becomes exposed, wind storms carry that arsenic into the lungs of nearby residents, who make up three-quarters of Utah’s population. 
“We have this potential environmental nuclear bomb that’s going to go off if we don’t take some pretty dramatic action,” said Joel Ferry, a Republican state lawmaker and rancher who lives on the north side of the lake."
Continue reading the NY Times article online (subscription may be required) ->

 

Left: A satellite view of the Great Salt Lake captured in September 1987.Credit...EROS Center, U.S.G.S. - Right: The Great Salt Lake in May 2021.Credit...EROS Center, U.S.G.S.
Left: A satellite view of the Great Salt Lake captured in September 1987.Credit...EROS Center, U.S.G.S. - Right: The Great Salt Lake in May 2021.Credit...EROS Center, U.S.G.S.

MA Senate Passes Legislation Authorizing Chapter 90-Plus Funding

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday (06/09/22) passed a bill that would approve the authorization of $350 million towards transportation needs in the Commonwealth, including $200 million for Chapter 90 funds, which provides cities and towns with a funding source for investments in local transportation-related projects, including road and bridge repairs.

 

“Transportation infrastructure is a public good, and an example of an important and successful partnership between multiple levels of government,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “By incorporating decisions made by both state-level and local leaders, Chapter 90 funding ensures that many voices are heard and that new transportation projects function well at all scales of distance. I thank Chairs Crighton and Rodrigues for their work to ensure that transportation projects throughout the Commonwealth are fully funded and done so in a fiscally responsible way.”

 

“Chapter 90 funding is one of the most important resources we have to directly invest in our cities and towns, ensuring critical funds to improve the quality of our roads, increase access to public transit and enhance pedestrian safety,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I applaud Senate President Spilka and Senator Crighton for their leadership, and my colleagues for passing this bill today that infuses $350 million in funding to meet the local transportation needs of our communities and our Commonwealth.”

 

“The Commonwealth’s overall transportation system relies on the health of our roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation. “The bill we passed today represents a $350 million investment that will help cities and towns make the improvements they need so that residents can travel safely and efficiently.”

 

This legislation also authorizes $150 million in grant-based programs that will assist municipalities with various transportation-related projects. This includes $30 million for the municipal small bridge repair program, $30 million for the Complete Streets grant program, $25 million for bus-related projects, $25 million for increased access to mass transit and commuter rail stations, and $40 million for pavement and surface area improvements to non-federally aided roadways.

 

Having previously been passed in the House of Representatives, the bill will be sent to the Governor after enacting votes in each chamber.


MA Senate Passes Legislation Authorizing Chapter 90-Plus Funding
MA Senate Passes Legislation Authorizing Chapter 90-Plus Funding