Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Aug 1, 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

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – with Dr. Michael Walker-Jones,
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: Task Force

9:00 am 4th of July 2022: Duppy Conquerors

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Tai Salad

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs

1:00 pm Cooking Thyme: Red Pepper Soup

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation Show 1: Show 1

3:30 pm Physician Focus: Guns and Public Health

4:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Festivals & Community Celebrations

5:30 pm Senior Connection: Danielle Hopkins

6:00 pm Veterans' Call: Stephen Meyers

7:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Unified Basketball

7:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

8:30 pm Concerts on the Common: Matt Zajac

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

10:00 am Public School Concert: FHS Concert Night 2019

12:00 pm Public School Event: Jazz Cafe 02-07-20

2:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Task Force

3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Unified Basketball

4:00 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Winchester 11-11-21

6:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer: v Reading High 11-06-21

8:30 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

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

8:00 am Planning Board: 07-25-22

12:00 pm Economic Development: 07-20-22

2:00 pm Planning Board: 07-25-22

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)

Multiple updates discussed with Town Clerk Nancy Danello in advance of the Sep 6 State Primary -07/26/22 (audio)

FM #833 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 833 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Clerk Nancy Danello and Dyan Fitzgerald, Deputy Town Clerk. We met in the Town Clerk office in the Franklin Municipal Building to discuss the preparation for the State Primary election scheduled for Sep 6, 2022.

We cover the following key topics

• Vote by mail and early voting now permanent per State legislation

• Town Council required to approve the schedule and police detail before each election

• Secretary of the Commonwealth mailed vote by mail cards to registered voters

• “Independent” voters need to check the box for which primary ballot they want (Democrat or Republican, don’t need to make that choice for the November election)

• Early voting schedule being approved by Secretary of the Commonwealth 

• in Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours

• Effectively one week before the Sep 6 primary at FHS

• Absentee ballot applications available now

• State Primary Day - Sep 6, 2022

The show notes include links to the Town Clerk page and other election information.

Our conversation runs about 14 minutes, so let’s listen in to my conversation with Nancy and Dyan. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-833-town-clerk-updates-on-the-state-primary-election-sep-2022-07-26-22

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Town Clerk’s page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk 

Register to vote ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/ 

Sample ballots for Sep 6 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/state-primary-9-6-2022-sample-ballots

In person early voting schedule for State Primary -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/state_primary_early_voting_schedule.pdf

9 precincts for Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/2022_precinct_map.pdf

  

New vote by mail drop off box at Municipal Building ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/news/new-vote-mail-drop-box

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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!

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

new vote by mail drop off box at the Municipal Building

Would you like to paint a Town of Franklin fire hydrant? Register by Aug 12, 2022

Fire Hydrant Painting Event Rules

The design should be appropriate for a public space and should not be political in nature, or be offensive in any way.

Potential design themes include:

• Designs inspired by the Historic Places, People and Events in Franklin
• Designs with a whimsical or humorous twist that will make viewers smile
• Context-sensitive designs that would uniquely connect a particular fire hydrant with its immediate surroundings
• Colorful, abstract designs

The public and private space immediately around the fire hydrant should be kept clean and neat when not directly working on the fire hydrant. Please respect the property.

Registration is open until Aug. 12, 2022. Proposed designs must be submitted for approval during this period, along with a completed application. Applicants will be notified by Aug. 19, 2022.

Painting of fire hydrants can begin upon notification of your assigned hydrant and must be completed by Sept. 30, 2022.

Paint only on the assigned fire hydrant. The caps must be able to open after the paint dries. You must provide your own exterior paint or sealant. Nothing can be attached to the fire hydrant.

If words are included in your design, all words must be approved as a part of the design.

You may use stencils, air brush with masking tape, or freehand your design.

You must apply the design submitted in this application. If you desire to make changes, you must seek approval from the Town of Franklin prior to changing your design.

If rules are not followed your hydrant will be painted over.

Judging will take place between Oct. 3 and Oct. 7, 2022. Winners will be announced at the DPW Touch a Truck event on Oct. 15, 2022 for most whimsical, most patriotic, most creative, and judges’ choice.

Any questions should be addressed to: Doug Martin, Town of Franklin Water & Sewer Superintendent at 508-553-5500 or domartin@franklinma.gov.

Town of Franklin will be basing their decision to approve applications for painting based on creativity, originality, imagination, and appropriateness. All decisions on applications are final. 

By participating in the Fire Hydrant Design Event you acknowledge that the Town of Franklin and its affiliates are not responsible in any way for any injury or property damage directly or indirectly associated with this event.

By signing you acknowledge that participants are aware of all rules, guidelines and criteria associated with this event

For more information including event rules, application and frequently asked questions, please visit:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/town_of_franklin_2022_fire_hydrant_painting_event_0.pdf

Would you like to paint a Town of Franklin fire hydrant? 

Franklin TV: Sue Wade Got Prayers?

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/31/2022

Not long after we launched Franklin Public Radio I was contacted by Sue Wade. The question: Would we consider airing a program of stories and poems written by the Senior Center Writers’ Group, (a/k/a The Scribblers) ? Yup. Yoobetcha!

Behind Sue (seated), L to R: Alice Clack, Sue Bliven,
Faith Flaherty, Carol Belcher, Pat Winiarski

We have been spinning new stories monthly ever since.

What’s not to like?

This pic is from a ‘Tea’ event celebrating the Scribblers’ 1st book. A page turner. The second book? Coming soon to a Senior Center near you.

Sue was an emergency room nurse – during the Marathon bombing. For three straight days. She was there for others in great need.

Later, confined to a wheelchair, Sue chose indefatigability over her disability. She taught us that the personal power that comes from writing is there for all of us if we just put pen to paper.

Consider writing as a journey that just gets better and better. Got stories to tell? You can join us weekly at the Senior Center, Wednesdays at 1p. We’re also on Zoom.

Currently, Sue may be down, but not out. She is in hospice, and a little prayerful help is a kindness greatly appreciated.

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   

Franklin TV  - Town Hall YouTube Channel

MIAA releases new videos for the Summer of 2022; support for coaches, students & staff

10 new video presentations to support coaches, students & staff are available on the MIAA website. Checkout THE HUB for great content from

@omaripearson

Link: https://miaa.net/the-hub/

MIAA releases new videos for the Summer of 2022; support for coaches, students & staff

"In a market badly out of kilter, many older residents are stuck in their homes" - Franklin an example

"They bought their homes when they were young, making money, and raising families. Now they’re empty nesters, in or nearing retirement, and living in houses that are too big for them.

But many older residents in Massachusetts who’d like to downsize — and turn over spacious dwellings to younger buyers desperate for room to expand —are finding it difficult, if not impossible. Even though their property values have ballooned, smaller homes or condos are scarce and carry prohibitive price tags in the state’s out-of-kilter real estate market.

“We’re just sitting tight right now,” said Mary Prosnitz, 66, of Wellesley. She and her 69-year-old husband, Jay, raised two sons, now grown, in the five-bedroom home they purchased 38 years ago and still live in."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscriptions may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/29/metro/market-badly-out-kilter-many-older-residents-are-stuck-their-homes/

From the Mass Housing Project Datatown, we find the data on the types of housing in Franklin compared to the Commonwealth of MA average.

The importance of housing diversity

A wide variety of housing types enables people of different means and at different stages of life to have viable housing options within a community. Different housing types allow for greater density in places where it is most appropriate, such as near transit and commercial, retail and business centers.

Looking at the adjacent comparison between the mix of housing types in your community and Massachusetts as a whole, do you think your community is achieving the kind of diversity that fosters a wide variety of choices? Does your mix of housing structure types foster inclusion or exclusion? Are you making the most of the land available for development?

The data chart originated with   https://mhpcenterforhousingdata.shinyapps.io/DataTown/

While a wide variety of housing is required, Franklin is heavily single family home oriented

MA Senate & MA House Pass Legislation to Strengthen Local Public Health Services

The Massachusetts State Senate on Friday passed legislation to address disparities in local and regional public health systems. The bill, also known as the Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community (SAPHE) Act 2.0, would encourage wider technical coordination among Massachusetts’ 351 separate boards of health, establish common standards among these boards, and ensure that these boards of health are funded equitably. This legislation implements the unanimous recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health and was a key recommendation of the Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management’s July 2022 report. This bill also follows the historic $200.1 million that the Legislature included in the December 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) bill to support the state’s local and regional public health infrastructure.

“All residents should be able to expect high-quality public health services regardless of where they live,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation puts into practice the lessons learned during the pandemic by increasing support for local boards of public health and ensuring that all communities in the Commonwealth are well prepared to respond to public health challenges. I want to thank Senator Comerford for repeatedly diving into the many technical aspects of public health in Massachusetts, bringing to light the importance of public health to our communities, and for crafting this legislation.”

 

“With the passage of this legislation, a person’s zip code will no longer determine the public health protections that they are afforded and local public health officials will have the resources they need to do their jobs,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of Joint Committee on Covid-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management and also of the Joint Committee on Public Health. “I am deeply grateful to Representatives Hannah Kane and Denise Garlick, Department of Public Health and Health and Human Services officials, the Massachusetts Public Health Association, and all who advocated for a better day for public health. That day has come.”

 

Currently, Massachusetts does not have a public health framework to guide local boards of health. SAPHE 2.0 directs the Department of Public Health (DPH), in consultation with municipalities and other stakeholders, to develop a set of standards for local public health systems in accordance with national standards and the recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health. Standards will be set for communicable disease control, public health nursing services, food and water protection, chronic disease and injury prevention, environmental public health, maternal, child and family health, and access to clinical care.

 

The bill also directs DPH and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide core public health educational and training opportunities and technical assistance to municipal and regional public health officials. This will help to prevent a situation from arising in which a board is unable to access health expertise from a credentialed member of the public health workforce.

 

To help ensure a sustainable state funding mechanism that addresses regional inequities and differing qualities of public health preparedness throughout the state, this legislation directs DPH to estimate annually, before the governor files a budget, the funds needed for local and regional health boards to meet the minimum standards set forth in the bill.

 

By enhancing and incentivizing cross-jurisdictional sharing, the bill will result in cost savings and more effective service delivery. The bill creates a uniform reporting system which includes metrics for inspections, code enforcement, communicable disease management, and local regulations, and will make this data available (excluding personally identifying information).

 

Having passed both Senate and the House of Representatives, this legislation will be laid before the Governor for his consideration.

Link to the legislation text can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H5104

The Massachusetts State House JESSICA RINALDI/GLOBE STAFF

MA Legislature Passes Legislation Giving Adoptees Access to Birth Certificates

The Massachusetts State Senate on Friday passed legislation to ensure that all adoptees will have access to their original birth certificates. Under current state law, an adopted person born between July 17, 1974 and January 1, 2008 cannot access their original birth certificate without obtaining a court order that unseals their record. The legislation passed by the Senate would close this gap and allow adopted individuals over the age of 18 or the adoptive parents of a child under 18 to access the adoptee’s original birth certificate.

“At this point in time, we should not deny people access to their medical information and life history simply because of when they were born, or subject them to a cumbersome process,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I want to thank Senators Gobi, Comerford, and Lovely for their work on this legislation.”

 

“Many adoptees have been waiting their whole lives to learn their history, and I am honored to have played a part in helping them access their original birth certificates,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem), Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules. “For the sake of preserving our health and well-being, it is crucial to know what physical or mental health conditions to which we may be predisposed. By giving all adoptees born in Massachusetts access to their original birth certificates, this legislation closes a 34 year gap granting generations of individuals medical knowledge they have otherwise been denied. Thank you, Senate President Spilka, Senator Gobi, Representative Garballey, and all my Senate colleagues for affirming that everyone deserves to know where and from whom they came so they can make the most informed decisions possible for themselves.”  

 

“The Joint Committee on Public Health heard powerful testimony from adoptees who could not access their original birth certificate due to a current loophole in state law addressed by this legislation,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. “I’m delighted that the Senate passed this important bill, and grateful to Senator Anne Gobi for her advocacy and to Senate President Spilka for bringing the bill to the floor.”

 

“Today, the Senate took a major step in assuring equality by guaranteeing that all adoptees, regardless of when they were born, will have access to their original birth certificate,” said Senator Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer), lead sponsor of the bill. “This would not have been possible without the strong advocacy of Senate President Spilka, Senator Joan Lovely and so many adoptees, including Jean Strauss of East Brookfield. As the lead sponsor of the bill, I have waited six years for its passage, so many have waited their entire lives, and today we tell them the wait is over and they matter.”

 

Individuals adopted before 1974 or after 2008 are already able to access their original birth certificates without going through the courts system. They can do so on their own once they turn 18, or earlier with the help of their adoptive parents.

 

The same language having previously passed the House of Representatives, the bill will be delivered to the Governor for his consideration.

The text of the legislation can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H2294

MA Legislature Passes Legislation Giving Adoptees Access to Birth Certificates

Boston Globe: "On the eve of legislative session’s end, Mass. lawmakers leave big policymaking to bitter end"

"On the penultimate day of its session, the state Legislature adjourned early — before 6 p.m. — leaving massive and high-priority pieces of legislation for eleventh-hour votes before the formal session ends Sunday.

However, lawmakers were continuing to negotiate compromise bills that will need to be voted on by Sunday. Legislative rules require conference committees to file their reports before 8 p.m. in order for the proposals to be considered the following day.

But Senator William N. Brownsberger said the rules have been suspended before, and that it could happen again. He said he “expects to go late” into Sunday night as members iron out differences in priority bills.

“We got as much business as we could get done today, and hopefully we’ll get the rest done tomorrow,” the Belmont Democrat told reporters as he left the Senate chamber for the night. “There’s no reason to stay late two nights in a row. It isn’t needed, and it doesn’t help . . . we do have a lot of work to do.”"

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscriptions may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/30/metro/eve-legislative-sessions-end-mass-lawmakers-leave-big-policymaking-bitter-end/

 

"WITH THE LEGISLATIVE session expected to end on Sunday night and a large backlog of bills in the pipeline, the House and Senate accomplished relatively little on Saturday.

House Democrats roundly rejected a Gov. Charlie Baker plan to overhaul how criminal defendants can be deemed dangerous and detained, spiking his last-minute effort to attach the measure to one of their criminal justice reform priorities.

The Senate passed its version of a measure bringing the state’s gun laws into compliance with a recent Supreme Court decision. Behind the scenes, House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on an $11.3 billion infrastructure bill and Baker returned a bill to lawmakers revamping governance of the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers’ Homes with an amendment to delay the effective date. There was little movement on a heavily rewritten climate change bill Baker returned to the Legislature on Friday and no action on sports betting, cannabis reform, mental health, or a host of other legislation." 

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/house-rejects-bakers-latest-dangerousness-gambit/

The Massachusetts State House JESSICA RINALDI/GLOBE STAFF

Franklin Food Pantry Releases Client Needs Assessment

Report Provides Overview of Food Insecurity in Franklin Community

 

The Franklin Food Pantry is proud to release its Client Needs Assessment, a comprehensive overview of food insecurity in the Franklin community with recommendations to address the crisis. In 2021 and early 2022, the Franklin Food Pantry reviewed expert literature on food insecurity, conducted research among its current neighbors, interviewed community partners and assessed third-party data sources. The report’s findings will drive programming and operational initiatives to reach more households experiencing food insecurity and related challenges.

The Franklin Food Pantry will focus on the following areas to better support its neighbors:

• Community awareness
• Nutrition
• Community garden
• Partnerships, programs and wrap around services
• Youth programs
• Transportation
• Housing

“The biggest take-away of the Community Needs Assessment is that many more people in Franklin are food insecure than we see accessing our services. We have always assumed there are those in the community whom we haven’t reached, but it was difficult to confirm this assumption with only internal data,” said Tina Powderly, executive director for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

“The report shows that in Franklin, while there are 3,284 people who receive MassHealth, only 1,508 are enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). That translates to 549 to 755 households who could benefit from The Pantry but who do not currently shop with us. We want to reach those individuals and encourage them to visit us. As we support people in becoming more food secure, we must focus on moving out of their immediate anxiety so clients can think long term. We can do that with programming to help progress along a continuum toward stability.”

The report includes answers from a weekly question that staff asked current Pantry clients. The information gathered from the clients’ answers will influence future Pantry programming. To date, the Pantry has increased community garden beds, implemented client service office hours, provided free Covid-19 test kits, offered a hybrid distribution method, and launched a new mobile pantry site.  The Pantry continues to evaluate future programming based on feedback from its neighbors.

Franklin Food Pantry Releases Client Needs Assessment

“This assessment shines a bright light on our neighbors’ struggles and what resources are available to help them,” continued Powderly. “Food insecurity is not just an individual problem. It is a community, state and national problem, and we all must work together to help lessen food insecurity. We are very grateful to our local partners for their participation in this critical research and for their collaboration and hard work addressing the issues outlined in the Community Needs Assessment.”

To read the entire report please visit our website. If you or someone you know needs additional help, please direct them to The Pantry. 

The Pantry is open on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:30 –6:30 PM for drive-up distribution (no appointment needed), and Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM for appointment-only shopping. 

About the Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to almost 1,100 individuals per year. The Franklin Food Pantry is not funded by the Town of Franklin. As a private, nonprofit organization, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other strategic partners. We are grateful for our many partnerships, including that with the Greater Boston Food Bank, that allow us to achieve greater buying power and lower our costs.  

Donations and grants fund our food purchases, keep our lights on, and put gas in our food truck. Other programs include home delivery, Weekend Backpack Program for Franklin school children in need, mobile pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. 

Visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.  

Franklin Public Library: News & Events for August 2022

Library Hours

The Library's summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Library is closed on Sundays in July and August.

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, August 12th,  1:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, August 13th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Museum Passes

Your Franklin Public Library card gives you the opportunity to receive either free or reduced cost admission to many of the areas' most popular museums and attractions! Some of the most popular destinations are the Boston Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, and the Mass State Parks Pass. Reservations may be made up to thirty days in advance on the Museum Pass page of the library's website. Be sure to check back regularly as we are continually adding more passes for you to enjoy!

New Materials

See the newest additions to our collections at the Franklin Public Library!

 

Franklin Public Library Customer Satisfaction Survey

Let us know what you think about our services, staff, programs, and collections in this brief survey!  ->  Franklin Public Library Customer Satisfaction Survey

 

From the Friends of the Franklin Library

From the friends…We have a couple items to note this month starting with an exciting announcement for a local teen. We'd like to congratulate recent Franklin High School graduate Gwenne Balcius, the 2022 Friends of the Franklin Library Scholarship recipient. This year participants were asked to reflect on the heroes in their life, we received many stellar submissions and want to thank all who participated. Gwenne's delightful essay identified the hero figures she's had throughout her life as she moved across the country and entered new schools, local librarians. Thank you, Gwenne, for sharing your story and the important role libraries and local librarians have had on you. Gwenne will be heading off to Clark University in the fall. Keep an eye out for an update and feature on Gwenne in the coming months

The annual $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a college-bound senior in memory of Wilma Winters, a dedicated Franklin Public Library volunteer. Thank you again to all applicants.

Next, how about a meet up? It's summer and there are plenty of wonderful happenings around town including the Franklin Farmers' Market. So, we thought why not join in on the fun? We invite you to stop by our Friends of the Franklin Library table on Friday, August 5 to learn more about the Friends, meet some of our members and enter our "Bucket of Summer Fun" giveaway! We can't wait to see you there.

Friends of the Franklin Library is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Franklin Public Library's collections and programs. Want to learn more about becoming a Friend? Drop us a line at FoFL02038@gmail.com for more information on the Friends.

There is so much happening at the Library, the newsletter is too long to publish here. For the full set of content, please visit the Library page ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/august-2022-franklin-public-library-news-events

The Library is also a stop on the Ladybug Trail

Governor Baker Signs Legislation Further Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services

 Governor Charlie Baker today (07/29/22) signed legislation to further protect access to reproductive health care services in Massachusetts following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The legislation codifies several measures that were first included in an Executive Order issued by Governor Baker in the hours following the Supreme Court’s decision last month. The law also adopts several new or expanded measures to protect access to reproductive health services in the Commonwealth.  All the protections in the bill apply equally to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services provided or accessed in the Commonwealth. 

“Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to protect access to reproductive health care services, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Court’s decision has major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to these services, and our administration took quick action in the hours following that decision by issuing an Executive Order to protect access here in the Commonwealth. This new legislation signed today builds on that action by protecting patients and providers from legal interference from more restrictive laws in other states. We are grateful for the compromise and dedication to the issue that our legislative colleagues demonstrated to make this important, bipartisan law a reality.”

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, it’s critical that we in Massachusetts affirm that our state will continue to ensure access to reproductive health care services,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The new protections in this law build on the steps our administration took last month and our shared bipartisan work to protect access to these services. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Legislature to provide these important safeguards.”

“Like so many others, I was devastated by this extremist Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. I am very proud that, with the signing of this legislation, Massachusetts will continue to be a national leader in protecting and defending the rights of our residents and of those people who come here seeking access to health care," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "Pregnant people, trans people, and all people must be allowed to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their physician without fear. Our fight to protect the rights and dignity of our residents cannot end today, however, and so the Senate will continue to explore ways to uphold our fundamental rights. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate who stood together to act quickly and decisively on this issue, to Speaker Mariano and the House of Representatives, and to Governor Baker for his quick action as well."

“In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to ignore nearly 50 years of judicial precedent and overturn Roe v. Wade, and as states across the country move to restrict access to abortion, I’m incredibly proud of the fact that elected officials in Massachusetts have acted to ensure that the Commonwealth can serve as a safe haven for women seeking reproductive health care services, and for providers whose licenses could be at risk because of laws passed in other states,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The protections that are codified into law with this legislation, which will help to ensure that no woman will ever be forced to leave Massachusetts to access reproductive health care services because of devastating medical news during the later stages of their pregnancy, have never been more important. I want to thank all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate and in the Administration, for their commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose, and for the hard work and cooperation that ultimately facilitated the passage of this legislation.”

The new law protects patients and providers from legal interference when they are engaged in accessing or providing reproductive and gender affirming health care services that are legally protected in Massachusetts. The law also codifies several protections that Governor Baker put in place by Executive Order last month to prohibit the Commonwealth from assisting with other states’ investigations or legal proceedings regarding health care services that may be restricted in other states. The law also includes requirements for insurers to cover reproductive health care services, provisions addressing abortions performed at 24 weeks or later and measures that expand access to contraception across the Commonwealth.

Link to Legislation document ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H5090

Gov Baker, Senate President Spilka at bill signing (photo Governors press release)