In this episode, Frank Falvey is joined by Caron Grupposo, a registered nurse at Milford Regional Physician Group teaching diabetes education, to help support patients with diabetes. The two discuss what is diabetes, warning signs, treatment and how Caron educates and cares for patients.
Audio file -> https://frank-falvey.captivate.fm/episode/035-frank-presents-caron-grupposo
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| 035 - Frank Presents - Caron Grupposo - a discussion on diabetes (audio) |
"The lack of rainfall over the past four months is being felt across Massachusetts, as 90 percent of the state is now experiencing drought conditions, officials said.
On July 12 Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Bethany Card declared that there was a “significant” drought in the Connecticut River Valley, central, northeast and southeast parts of the state, and a mild drought in western Massachusetts, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.
According to the latest map from the US Drought Monitor, the northeast part of the state is experiencing severe drought conditions. That level of dryness means specialty crops can be impacted in both yield and fruit size; trees become brittle and susceptible to insects; fish kills occur; wildlife move to farms to find food; water quality becomes poor; groundwater declines; and irrigation ponds dry up."
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| "State officials are reminding the public to limit outdoor watering" |
"The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline activates their new Mental Health Emergency Line tomorrow. If you or someone you know is suicidal or struggling with a mental health crisis, you can dial 988 to be connected to immediate support. There is Hope.
Just call or text 988"
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1548091265941614597
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| Call 988 - Mental Health Emergency Line activates on July 16, 2022 |
"This week each group went through emergency vehicle driver training through . The training included a classroom presentation followed by each member of the department operating a simulator."
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1547953456190595073
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| Franklin Fire Dept takes emergency vehicle driver training |
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/legal_notice_tax_taking.pdf
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| Town of Franklin: Legal Notice - FY2021 Tax Taking |
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 |
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| Town of Franklin Awarded 150k by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) |
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| Library Book Sale weekend |
Calling all golfers. Book your foursome to support Franklin’s boys’ and girls’ basketball programs.
When: Monday, September 26, 2022
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| FHS Boys' & Girls' Basketball Annual Golf Tournament - Sep 26, 2022 |
Southwick Public Library
Presents
Discrimination During
the Job Search
With
Career Coach Ed Lawrence
Wednesday August 17: 6:30 pm
Have you encountered discrimination during your job search?
Would you recognize subtle discrimination against you?
Join us as we discuss the many forms of discrimination you may encounter
during your job search.
We will define common terms such as prejudice, discrimination, and stereotype. We'll discuss protected groups and self-fulfilling prophecies.
You'll hear the cost to society.
And most importantly, we'll tell you what can do when you encounter discriminatory practices.
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| 50+: "Discrimination During the Job Search" - Wednesday Aug 17 at 6:30 PM |
"The Massachusetts House Thursday night passed a massive, wide-ranging economic development bill that infuses $4.2 billion into the state economy in the form of tax relief, investments in health care and environmental programs, and support to businesses, as well as a slew of policy changes and earmarks for local projects and programing.
The bill would be paid for by a combination of $2.8 billion in federal American Rescue Plan dollars and expected state surplus money, and $1.4 billion in money the state borrows through bonds.
Much of the spending is meant to target “communities that were hardest hit by the pandemic,” Representative Aaron Michlewitz, a North End Democrat who is the House’s budget leader, said while presenting the bill Wednesday morning. “This is a well-rounded spending package that will help support major sectors of our economy and help us be more competitive with other states.”
"TWO WEEKS INTO the fiscal year, legislative budget writers have reached an agreement on the fiscal 2023 state budget.Ways and Means chairs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues issued a joint statement Thursday evening saying House-Senate negotiators have “reached an agreement in principle” resolving the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget.“Staff are currently working to complete the work necessary to finalize the agreement,” Rodrigues and Michlewitz said. “We anticipate a Conference Committee Report being filed in the coming days to ensure that the House and Senate can consider the report on Monday in formal session.”
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| Beacon Hill Updates: MA House passes economic development bill; agreement in principle reached by conf cmte on State budget |
“While repairs to our transportation infrastructure will be beneficial to many communities across the Commonwealth, this bill goes much further than merely repairing but will instead actively transform our infrastructure to be more modern, environmentally sustainable, and regionally equitable,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The support for electric vehicles, regional transportation authorities, low-income fares on public transit, expanded East-West connectivity, and many other initiatives included in this bill will bring benefits to residents, visitors and businesses throughout Massachusetts. I want to thank Senator Crighton for quickly and adeptly taking on the role of Transportation Chair and for collaborating with Senators Rodrigues and Collins as well as so many Senators to produce this comprehensive legislation.”
“Today’s passage of this multi-pronged $10.84 billion transportation infrastructure investment package builds on our longstanding commitment to ensure the Commonwealth’s transportation system is more equitable, reliable, safe and modern,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Going far beyond just roads and bridges, the Senate’s transportation bond bill will stimulate our economy, increase accessibility for our residents, support local businesses, create jobs, and boost economies in all corners of our Commonwealth. Importantly, it also invests in public transit, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, regional transit authorities as well as emissions-free transportation options—like biking, walking, and multimodal investments—which are vital solutions to help us confront our climate challenges and achieve our 2050 net zero goals. I want to thank Senator Crighton for his leadership and hard work on all things transportation, Senator Collins for his meaningful contributions, and the Senate President for her continued vision, leadership and guidance.”
“This transportation bond bill provides Massachusetts with the key to unlock once-in-a-generation federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law,” Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “With these combined state and federal investments, we will be able to complete vital work on our highways, roads, bridges, and public transportation systems, improving mobility for all residents of the Commonwealth.”
“This legislation represents a collaborative effort centered on transportation safety, accessibility, and sustainability in a way that is fiscally responsible,” said Senator Nick Collins (D-Boston), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Due to smart planning and responsible budget management, we are not only positioning our state to remain competitive and prosperous post pandemic, we are able to do so in a way that continues to get a better rate for the taxpayer.”
The MassTRAC bill invests billions of dollars in improving, maintaining, and modernizing the Commonwealth’s bridges, roads, and other critical infrastructure, including sidewalks, curbs, parking spaces, and airport improvements. The legislation also takes crucial steps to make the state’s transportation system more environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change by making investments in emission reduction, low or no emission vehicles for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), climate adaptations for Massachusetts roads, and support for multimodal transportation such as bike lanes alongside roads. Building on the Drive Act, passed by the Senate in April this year, the MassTRAC bill increases support for electric vehicles for personal, commercial, and governmental use, as well as for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The breakdown of the bond authorizations included in the bill is as follows:
The legislation marks another step towards implementing East-West passenger rail in Massachusetts. In addition to the more than a quarter of a billion dollars that is granted for the project itself, this legislation creates a commission to investigate and report on creation of an East-West rail passenger authority. To promote regional equity and smart, sustainable financing of the transportation system, the bill creates a mobility commission to investigate, study, and make recommendations on the development of regionally equitable transportation pricing, roadway pricing and congestion pricing.
In addition to $1.375 billion for modernization of the MBTA, the bill authorizes $400 million for MBTA safety projects and tasks the MBTA with creating and annually updating safety improvement plans.
During the debate several notable amendments were adopted. Significantly, one amendment would create a low-income fare program to provide free or discounted transit fares to qualifying riders. Another amendment would require the MBTA to develop and implement short-, medium-, and long-term plans for electrifying the commuter rail fleet. Finally, an amendment was adopted to provide regulatory oversight for electronic bicycles, or e-bikes, to help spur their adoption.
A version of this legislation having previously been passed in the House of Representatives, a conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile any differences between the versions of this bill.
The legislation doc can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2989
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| MA Senate Passes Wide-Ranging Transportation Infrastructure Bond Bill |
The amendment adopted by the Senate directs the MBTA to create a low-income fare program through an in-depth implementation study that would engage stakeholders at all levels, ensuring a fair and financially sound program. Additionally, it opens the door for RTAs to create their own low-income fare programs, with either discounted or free transit rides for qualifying residents.
“We’re trying this again because it’s the right thing to do, we’re trying this again because so many seniors, people with disabilities and working families depend on Public Transit,” stated Senator Lydia Edwards (D-Boston), the sponsor of the amendment. “People with the least amount of money need public transit the most. They depend on it to get to work, to get to college, to doctors appointments, and to bring their children to school or day care. Thank you, Senate President Spilka, for your leadership on the Low-Income Fare program amendment.”
“Rising inflation and costs hurt low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities in particular, many of whom already struggle bring home the income necessary to house and feed their families,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Public transit is a lifeline for so many working families in the Commonwealth, who use it to get to work, school, and to bring children to childcare. I’m proud of the Senate for once again supporting this important initiative.”
"Low-income fares on the MBTA and RTAs are essential to provide affordable and equitable public transit,” stated Josh Ostroff, Interim Director of the Transportation for Massachusetts coalition. “Thank you to the Senate, particularly Senate President Spilka, Senators Crighton and Edwards, for their leadership on this issue that will lower costs for thousands of residents across the Commonwealth.”
"Many Massachusetts families are struggling with the burden of transit costs,” stated Stacy Thompson, Executive Director of LivableStreets. “A low-income fare program will make our public transit system more accessible and equitable, helping our whole Commonwealth to address climate change and traffic congestion, and promote racial justice. We applaud the Senate’s leadership in advancing this critical policy.”
“We applaud the Senate for requiring that the MBTA create a means-tested fare program,” stated Paul Broduer, Mayor of Melrose and Vice Chair of the Metro Mayors Coalition. “Low-income residents throughout the region rely on public transportation to access jobs, school, and other essential services. We saw this firsthand in the early months of the pandemic, when our busiest bus routes remained crowded with essential workers on their way to jobs that couldn't be done remotely. This program will increase transit access for people who need it most."
“We are encouraged by the Senate’s move to adopt low-income fare at the MBTA through Amendment 7 to S.2989,” stated Michael Vartabedian, Co-chair, Public Transit Pubic Good coalition, and Assistant Directing Business Representative, District 15 IAMAW. “We thank Senator Edwards and co-sponsors, as well as Senate President Spilka and leadership for championing this popular and urgent policy, which would put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income families who rely on the MBTA. Today’s vote gives us hope that this measure will be swiftly passed by the Legislature, and we urge Governor Baker to sign it into law.”
“We need a fully funded MBTA that serves all of our residents,” stated Brian Arrigo, Mayor of Revere, a member of the Metro Mayors Coalition. “This program will make the T accessible to our lowest-income riders and help ensure fairness and equity in our transit system.”
"Thank you to the Senate for including a low-income fare program in the transportation bond bill and to Senator Edwards & Senator Crighton for seeing this amendment through,” stated Sam Montaño, Director of Organizing at GreenRoots. “We desperately need a fare policy that uplifts working families across the state. It's time that our public transit system starts working for those most impacted by the burden of transit costs."
Last year, both the House and Senate approved a low-income fare program in the transportation bond bill, but both the provision and the funding were vetoed by Governor Baker. Having been passed by the Senate as part of the latest transportation bond bill, the provision now goes to conference committee for that bill.
The legislation doc can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2989
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| MA Senate Passes Amendment to Create or Allow Low Income Fare Programs for Public Transit |
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| Scammers impersonate US immigration officers |
