Two pieces of news this past week spoke to humankind traveling in different directions. On one hand, with severe weather once again gripping the planet and the dangers of our warming world becoming more apparent, present, and urgent, the infuriating antics of West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin dashed the hopes of Democrats yearning for meaningful action on climate change. As many have noted, Manchin has been playing his game of Lucy and the football (from the classic comic strip "Peanuts") since the beginning of this 50-50 Senate. Just when Democrats seem close to scoring a policy goal, he (either single-handedly or abetted by Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema) pulls the ball away, driving a stake into core objectives supported by vast majorities of the party — and often even by the country as a whole.  mary ☮️ @marynasca60 July 15th 2022 4 Retweets14 LikesIt's gotten to the point where, as we noted recently, the rallying cry for Democrats in the midterms has become some version of, "give us two more senators." Of course, the frustration with Manchin isn't new. At the same time, we would do well to remember that the blame is not his alone. The filibuster, employed in its current state by Mitch McConnell, creates a dynamic that blocks meaningful action and provides a smokescreen on accountability. As we considered in a piece titled "More Than Manchin" over a year ago: "By focusing so much attention on Manchin, we are not presenting the full narrative to the American people. The press is framing this as a fight within the Democratic Party. That lets Republicans waltz by the microphones and cameras without paying nearly enough of a political price for their cynicism and obstructionism." While all this remains true, the latest sucker punch from Manchin, who seems to treat good-faith negotiations like a private joke in which only he knows the punchline, hits particularly hard. The specter of our climate crisis hangs over this Earth with foreboding uncertainty. We know it is already bad. We don't know how bad it might get (a lot depends on what we do know). Or whether we will find a way to remediate some of the damage. It's an existential crisis, particularly for younger generations who feel it acutely and wonder, as we all should, about the health of the planet they will inherit. It is difficult to discern exactly what is motivating Manchin on this issue, but many have noted how he has benefited politically and personally (in terms of his net worth and campaign support) from his ties to the oil, gas, and coal industries. Money talks, but it is also temporal. Focusing on short-term gain at the expense of the future and the needs of others encapsulates the struggles our planet faces. Solutions require planning, rethinking, and perhaps foregoing what is easy now for what is necessary later. Although as we see, the "later" is already NOW with climate. What fixing the planet also requires is science. For all that is going wrong, we should find some hope in the fact that a global team of scientists over the last several decades has put together a picture of the precariousness of our climate that allows us — should we heed the data — to see what is happening and prepare for what needs to be done. New forms of energy and ideas for greater sustainability can help us reexamine our assumptions and reframe our perspectives. With this truth in mind, let us reflect on another news story from the past week that, as hinted at the top of this piece, points us in a different direction. The pictures coming from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have inspired the world. That we are looking back from our little home, only a speck in the vastness of space — what the astronomer Carl Sagan famously called the "pale blue dot" — at the origins of the universe is hard for most of us to comprehend. The images force us to reconsider our senses of time and space. In this framing, the workings — or more accurately, the dysfunction — of our Senate do not mean anything. Our planet itself, in but one solar system of but one galaxy, is of no consequence except to those of us who call it home. The notion that, amid the universe's vast expanse, we are the only planet of life also seems unlikely.  NASA Webb Telescope @NASAWebb July 11th 2022 97,224 Retweets381,656 LikesIn order to access these images, in order to allow science to open up our cosmos and the mysteries of life, we need people who can make it happen. And it was a welcome addition to coverage of the Webb telescope that more of us got to know about Gregory Robinson, the NASA administrator who put the troubled project back on track. Robinson, "the ninth of 11 children born to tobacco sharecroppers in rural Virginia," offers an inspiring American story.  NPR @NPR How the son of sharecroppers helped send the world's most powerful telescope to spaceGregory Robinson grew up as one of 11 children of tobacco sharecroppers in rural Virginia. He reflects on his journey to NASA, where he directed the groundbreaking James Webb Space Telescope program.n.prJuly 15th 2022 226 Retweets967 LikesIn journalism, sometimes you look for juxtapositions to help provide context for the moment — as if by choosing two events, or people, or trend lines to compare, you can allow for greater clarity on both as well as a sense of the larger picture. Pairing Manchin and the Webb telescope provides, I think, an important perspective and hopefully some sense of hope. There is a battle in this country, and in the larger world, between ignorance and knowledge, cynicism and hope. This is not new. These frictions always exist in human society. It is oftentimes too easy to focus on all that is wrong, for that provides the greatest danger and the most urgent need for action. But we would be wise to not lose a sense of balance, and of all those pushing against degradation and loss — people like Gregory Robinson. We can look up — at the cosmos and at our own futures — to find the inspiration to keep going. In the end, it is better to bet on the helpers more than the obstructionists, the builders more than the destroyers, and the dreamers more than the cynics.
Thanks for subscribing to Steady. This post is public, so please feel free to share it. © 2022 Dan Rather |
Monday, July 18, 2022
Dan Rather: Climate and the Cosmos - "In the end, it is better to bet on the helpers more than the obstructionists"
Beacon Hill recap: Conf Committee reaches agreement on FY 23 budget; Negro Election Day on Gov Baker's desk for approval
"Lawmakers strike deal for $52 billion budget, including more cash for embattled MBTA "
"More than two weeks after their fiscal year started, Massachusetts legislative leaders on Sunday unveiled an agreement on a $52 billion state budget bill they said would dedicate hundreds of millions of additional dollars to the MBTA, sock away more cash in the state’s savings account, and includes $1.8 billion more in spending than either the House or Senate initially approved.The $51.9 billion spending plan, which lawmakers expect to pass and send to Governor Charlie Baker on Monday, reflects the state’s heady fiscal times, with tax revenues flowing far above estimates and lawmakers simultaneously racing to pass a separate $1 billion tax relief proposal by month’s end."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
The details of the Conference Committee report can be found on the MA Legislature page -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/the-conference-committee-report-on-ma.html
"‘African Americans have enriched Massachusetts for centuries’: Mass. lawmakers approve Negro Election Day holiday"
"Decades before the country’s founding, some Black Americans in Massachusetts could participate in a limited form of self-governance. And on Thursday, Massachusetts lawmakers backed a new state holiday to honor that long tradition of civic power.The bill, which still needs Governor Charlie Baker’s approval, would set aside the third Saturday in July as Negro Election Day, recognizing the adoption of the first Black voting system in Massachusetts in 1741 — when Black people could still be held in bondage by white slaveholders. "
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
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| Legislative leaders beefed up spending across the budget, including setting aside $150 million more for a trust fund to help cover the cost of a $1.5 billion school funding law passed in 2019.JESSICA RINALDI/GLOBE STAFF |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, July 18, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday
9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Todd Monjur
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews
11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – with Dr. Michael Walker-Jones,
Representative Jeff Roy and Dr. Natalia Linos
Representative Jeff Roy and Dr. Natalia Linos
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
8:00 am SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini
9:00 am FHS Graduation 2022
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers
12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts
1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Lobstah
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 6
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 12
4:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media
5:30 pm Senior Connection: Hearing Loss
6:00 pm Veterans' Call: Dave Hencke
7:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Unified Basketball
7:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
8:30 pm FSPA: Spring Concert Show 1
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
10:00 am Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22
12:00 pm Public School Event: Horace Mann Spring Music '22
2:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini
3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Unified Basketball
4:00 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Catholic Memorial 04-20-22
6:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Concord-Carlisle 04-30-22
8:30 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
8:00 am Planning Board: 07-11-22
2:00 pm Planning Board: 07-11-22
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Sunday, July 17, 2022
The Conference Committee report on MA FY 2023 budget for your reading pleasure
"The House and Senate appoint three members each to a "Conference Committee" to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate proposals. One member of the minority party must be appointed by each branch. The Conference Committee reports a final compromise bill to the House and Senate for a final vote of acceptance in each branch."
From this link -> https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommittee
You can download H.5050 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H5050.pdf
11A Insides -> https://malegislature.gov/Reports/13689/FY%202023%20Conference%2011A.pdf
11A Outsides -> https://malegislature.gov/Reports/13690/FY23%20Outside%20Sections%2011A%20FINAL.pdf
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| The Conference Committee report on MA FY 2023 budget for your reading pleasure |
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Meeting Agenda - July 20, 2022 - 7 PM
FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
July 20, 2022 - 7 PM
1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.
2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. June 8, 2022https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3a._june_8_2022_tc_meeting_minutes_-draft_for_review.pdf
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a. Proclamation: Margaret (Peg) Simpsonb. Proclamation: Unified Basketball Team
5. APPOINTMENTS
a. 2022 Election Workers https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/5a._appointment_election_0.pdf
6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm - None Scheduled.
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation: Elks Rider Donation Presentation
b. Discussion: Disposition of Town-owned land containing South Franklin Meeting House https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8b._old_south_church.pdf
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 22-43: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Department ($2,000) (Motion to
Approve Resolution 22-43 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._22-43.pdf
b. Resolution 22-44: Authoring Tax Increment Financing, Plansee USA LLC, 115 Constitution
Boulevard (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-44 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._1_22-44.pdf
c. Resolution 22-45: Transfer of Care, Custody, Management and Control of Davis-Thayer
Elementary School from School Committee to Town Council (Motion to Approve Resolution
22-45 - Two Thirds Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._1_22-44.pdf
d. Resolution 22-46: Gift Acceptance - Historical Commission ($2,000) (Motion to Approve
Resolution 22-46 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d-e._memo_22-46_47_res_22-46.pdf
e. Resolution 22-47: Gift Acceptance - Disability Commission ($2,000) (Motion to Approve
Resolution 22-47 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._22-47.pdf
f. Bylaw Amendment 22-881: Chapter 7 Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Add Vice Chair and Clerk positions, 1st reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-881 to Second Reading -
g. Bylaw Amendment 22-882: Chapter 4 Admin. of Govt.: Authorize Town Clerk to make format changes, 1st reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 22-882 to Second Reading -
h. Resolution 22-55: Town Council’s Local Authorization and Approval for Conduct of 2022 State Elections, as Required by Chapter 92 of Legislative Acts of 2022 (Motion to Approve
Resolution 22-55 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9h._22-55.pdf
10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
a. “Friendly 40B” Application https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/friendly_chapter_40b_process.docx.pdf
b. Town Administrator Five Year Fiscal Forecast
11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Collective Bargainingi. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (DPW, Custodians, Facilities, Library, Firefighters, Police Sergeants) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.
15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
a. Resolution 22-48: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Public Library Staff Association and the Town of Franklin (Motion to approve Resolution 22-48 - Majority Roll Call Vote)
b. Resolution 22-49: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the DPW Union and the Town of Franklin (Motion to approve Resolution 22-49 - Majority Roll Call Vote)
c. Resolution 22-50:Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Custodians Union and the Town of Franklin (Motion to approve Resolution 22-50 - Majority Roll Call Vote)
d. Resolution 22-51: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Public Facilities Union and the Town of Franklin (Motion to approve Resolution 22-51 - Majority Roll Call Vote)
e. Resolution 22-52:Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Professional
Firefighters of Franklin and the Town of Franklin (Motion to approve Resolution 22-52 -
Majority Roll Call Vote)
f. Resolution 22-53: Ratification of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the Franklin Police Sergeants Union and the Town of Franklin (Motion to approve Resolution 22-53 - Majority Roll Call Vote)
16. ADJOURN
Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting
Agenda doc and docs released for this meeting -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/july_20_2022_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf
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| South Franklin Congregational Meeting House |
Franklin TV: SCOTUS - John Marshall Harlan, The Great Dissenter
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/17/2022
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| Peter Canellos |
They say that history is written by the victors. But not in the case of the most famous dissenter on the Supreme Court. Almost a century after his death, John Marshall Harlan’s words helped end segregation and gave us our civil rights and our modern economic freedom. Harlan’s dissents, particularly in Plessy v. Ferguson, were widely read and a source of hope for decades. Thurgood Marshall called Harlan’s Plessy dissent his “Bible”— and his legal roadmap to overturning segregation. In the end, Harlan’s words built the foundations for the legal revolutions of the New Deal and Civil Rights eras.
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| The Great Dissenter |
Spanning from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement and beyond, The Great Dissenter is a “magnificent” (Douglas Brinkley) and “thoroughly researched” (The New York Times) rendering of the American legal system’s most significant failures and most inspiring successes.
Few authors are as lucid and fluid in their effortless storytelling as Peter Canellos. You can listen (effortlessly) to his deeply cogent thoughts and insights on 102.9 wfpr, and our next edition of More Perfect Union.
I give his work at least eleven stars out of ten. (Can I do that…? I can do that. Right?)
Listen – and judge for yourself.
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching.
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
Senior Story Hour: Episode 043 - Life Advice to a Young Person, Poetry, The Story of Sherku, Christian Camp & more (audio)
In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center share stories, poems, writings plays and more about life advice for a young person in need, the story of Sherku, christian camp and more!
This episode aired on Franklin Radio for July 2022.
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| Senior Story Hour: Episode 043 |
Youth track & field meets, Jul 19 & Jul 26 at Franklin High School
"If you haven’t heard yet the Franklin Youth/Open track meets are back. Join us next Tuesday July 19th and again on the 26th!
Registration and field events start at 5:30 & running events start at 6 PM. $5 gets into as many races as you want!
Volunteers are also welcome"
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| Youth track & field meets, Jul 19 & Jul 26 at Franklin High School |
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| Youth track & field meets, Jul 19 & Jul 26 at Franklin High School 1 |
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1547985773781168128
and here -> https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1547968384976859143
and here -> https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1547968384976859143
"a housing market with no slack can’t absorb shocks like a pandemic-driven frenzy"
"Massachusetts needs another 108,000 housing units to meet the demand, according to a new national study, which ranks Massachusetts 11th among states in its housing underproduction.Up for Growth, a Washington, DC-based housing nonprofit whose members include housing developers and economic development organizations, released a report Thursday that examines housing underproduction nationwide.The problem is national. The New York Times highlighted the report’s finding that housing underproduction is no longer a coastal phenomenon but is spreading across middle America."
Continue reading the CommonWealth Magazine article ->
The New York Times article -> (subscription may be required)
The study referred to in both articles ->
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| The main driver of the housing shortfall has been the long-term decline in the construction of single-family homes |
St John's Episcopal Church: Multi-Family Yard Sale - Aug 6
Come shop at the Multi-Family Yard Sale on Saturday, August 6 from 9 AM - 2 PM
Lot’s of great bargains!
St John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin
For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 or Email Admin@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org
Franklin DPW update & reminder on water conservation measures in effect due to drought conditions
Hey friends,
Just a reminder we are still in a Level 3 drought here in Franklin. We know your lawns are going into "Dormancy" (i.e. brown) right now, as they should, but please follow the Town's Water Conservation Plan and water only on your Trash and Recycling day during outlined hours.
Remember even though our Water Conservation Plan is required by Mass DEP, it is also important to be a good environmental steward and neighbor and conserve water for all. Franklin draws all drinking water from the ground, not reservoirs or rivers and it is a very limited supply.
FYI, last week as required by DEP, we patrolled the Town looking for violators of the Water Conservation Plan and we had to send out over a 100 letters of warning with possible fines. This is an action we do not like to do, but have to. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE US BE THE WATER POLICE!
If you have a private well, remember you have to put a sign out in front of your property that is clearly visible from the road. This helps the Town and your fellow neighbors know you have a private well. If you have a private well, we recommend you follow the one day a week water plan as your fellow neighbors do because we all draw from the same aquifer.
Helpful links:
Remote meeting extension approved by Legislature, signed by Gov Baker
"On July 14, the House and Senate passed legislation (S. 3007) extending key pandemic-era accommodations, including remote meeting authorizations, to March 31, 2023. Once the governor signs the bill, cities and towns will retain the option to hold public meetings remotely, following the same guidelines that have been in place since the COVID public health emergency was first declared in March of 2020.
Back in May, a remote meeting extension was included in the final FY23 Senate Budget as an outside section, but this language was advanced by the Senate as a standalone bill last week with the July 15 expiration approaching and the final budget still tied up in negotiations. The House later passed its own version of the bill, including language that would have created a permanent mandate for remote access to all public meetings aside from those in executive session, with a provision requiring remote participation by the public if public participation is allowed or required at the meeting. This would have gone into effect on April 1, 2023."
Continue reading the article online from Mass Municipal Assoc (MMA)
Updated via email from MA AG's Division of Open Government
"On July 16, 2022, Governor Baker signed into Law An Act Relative to Extending Certain State of Emergency Accommodations, which, among other things, extends the expiration of the provisions pertaining to the Open Meeting Law to March 31, 2023. Specifically, this extension allows public bodies to continue holding meetings remotely without a quorum of the public body physically present at a meeting location, and to provide "adequate, alternative" access to remote meetings. The Act does not make any new changes to the Open Meeting Law other than extending the expiration date of the temporary provisions regarding remote meetings.
In partnership,The Attorney General’s Division of Open Government"
PDF of the email -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w9ujM7vNCcKF-RQiJ0cIWUKuXuc98FB-/view?usp=sharing
The text of the legislation just approved can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2985
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| The Franklin Town Council holds a hybrid meeting. (Photo courtesy town of Franklin) |
Say "NO" to exempt from "a slew of environmental requirements" for a stadium
"The Massachusetts House passed legislation late Thursday that could clear the way for Robert Kraft to build a long-sought soccer stadium for the New England Revolution on a waterfront property steps from the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett.Without floor debate or public input, lawmakers added language to a wide-ranging, multibillion-dollar economic development bill Thursday evening that would exempt the 43-acre industrial property straddling the Everett and Boston line from a slew of environmental requirements so it could be developed as a “sports, recreation or events center.”Two people briefed on the legislation said the amendment is designed to aid Kraft’s pursuit of a soccer stadium after more than a decade of searching, but repeatedly failing to secure a new home for the Revolution in or around Boston."
Continue reading the article online at the Boston Globe (subscription maybe required)
Seth Godin in his podcast "Akimbo" addresses Stadium subsidies
And while there is economic value to such a proposed exemption, the worth of government subsidies for such stadiums was debunked by the Brookings Institute
Disclosure: yes, I happen to follow the Revolution as a season subscriber but that doesn't change my opinion on the "one" earth we have that is already challenged by climate change. We shouldn't be creating exemptions for this kind of building.
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| construction on new lighthouse tower at Gillette in June 2022 |
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