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Friday, November 11, 2022
SAFE Coalition: The season of giving starts with YOU!
Charity scams for veterans tug at heart strings and grab for wallets
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| Charity scams for veterans tug at heart strings and grab for wallets |
Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Open Spaces
The Massachusetts Legislature on Thursday passed legislation that protects open and public spaces throughout the Commonwealth and ensures their conservation for future generations. This legislation, known as the Public Land Preservation Act, permanently preserves and protects the amount of land designated as open spaces and prevents it from being used for other purposes.
“As we work to mitigate the effects of climate change we see and feel every day, it’s important that we do not allow the quality and acreage of open lands in Massachusetts to decrease,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Open lands protect against floods, reduce heat from man-made roads and cities, increase carbon capture from plants and soils, protect our clean drinking water, and provide residents with wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities. I want to thank all the conferees, especially Senator DiDomenico for his leadership and Senator Eldridge for his years of attention and perseverance in seeing this legislation passed, as well as Senator Rodrigues for his review and support.”
“I am thrilled that we have reached an agreement on this bill which will protect our public land so our communities can have parks, green spaces, and clean water to enjoy throughout the Commonwealth,” said Senator Sal N. DiDomenico (D-Everett), Chair of the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. “Protecting our public lands is so critically important in our state because they also help protect our residents from the effects of climate change; our forests keep our air clean, our trees cool down our streets and communities, and our wetlands mitigate the effects of flooding and storms. I am grateful for Senate President Spilka’s dedication to getting this important bill passed, Senator Eldridge and Representative Balser for their years of work on this issue, and all the conference committee members for their help getting this bill over the finish line.”
“I am extremely proud that an agreement has been reached between the House and Senate on the landmark Public Land Preservation Act (PLPA), which will strengthen the state’s commitment to ensuring that there is no net loss of open space in the Commonwealth," said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and the bill’s original sponsor. "I'm grateful to Senate President Spilka's commitment to passing this environmental legislation, the work of the conferees, and the persistent advocacy by conservation groups. I also want to acknowledge the godfather of PLPA, Phil Saunders, who dedicated his professional life to passing this bill.”
“With the passage of the Public Lands Preservation Act today, our public lands and open spaces will be preserved and protected for current and future generations to come,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her leadership and thank you to Senator Eldridge, Senator DiDomenico, and others for their leadership on this vital issue as well. Ensuring the preservation of our most important public lands, farms, recreational areas, drinking water supply lands, sensitive wildlife habitats, forests, and other conservation and open space lands is critical in our collective efforts to adapt to and confront climate change, while protecting the public health of our communities, and passage of this legislation is a testament to the Senate’s steadfast commitment to protecting our environment at all costs.”
Since its passage as a ballot initiative in 1972, Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution has recognized the importance of public lands. Lands acquired for conservation purposes under Article 97 have protected status, and such lands’ sale or conversion to other use must be approved by a two-thirds vote of each branch of the Legislature. Recognizing the importance of maintaining public lands, the Legislature, working with the Administration, has for many years ensured ‘no net loss’ of open spaces by requiring equivalent replacement land into open space when disposing of Article 97 land.
The conference report passed by the Legislature today codifies a ‘no net loss’ policy into law, making it legally binding. It ensures a public process takes place when a public entity considers disposing of Article 97 land and that replacement land is located nearby and of comparable acreage, fair market value, and natural resource value. The legislation includes a provision that allows for a cash payment in lieu of replacement land, provided that the payment amount is no less than 110 per cent of the value of the land and the money is used to purchase replacement land within three years.
Having passed the Senate and the House of Representatives, the bill now goes before the Governor for his consideration.
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| Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Open Spaces |
CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker again clashes with lawmakers on abortion-related law"
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Thursday signed a $3.76 billion economic development bill. But Baker, a Republican, once again entered into a controversy with the Democratic-led Legislature over reproductive rights by vetoing an education campaign about crisis pregnancy centers.Crisis pregnancy centers are organizations, often faith-based, that provide resources to pregnant women and counsel them about their options in a way that discourages them from getting an abortion. In some cases, these centers have run deceptive advertising, implying that they offer abortion services when they do not. Particularly since Roe v. Wade was overturned, abortion rights organizations have worried that women seeking abortions will be drawn to crisis pregnancy centers without realizing what the organizations do.The Legislature, as part of its economic development bill, appropriated $17.5 million for organizations that provide reproductive health care, including abortion care, to spend on hiring, security, and education. That money included a $1 million education campaign regarding crisis pregnancy centers.Baker left the $16.5 million earmarked for reproductive health organizations but vetoed the $1 million public awareness campaign as well as language requiring the state to publish a list of providers that offer “legitimate” family planning services. The state already maintains such a list.
Continue reading the article online ->
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| Gov. Charlie Baker addresses the media during a press conference at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center vaccine clinic at La Colaborativa in Chelsea, MA on April 1, 2021. (Pool photo by Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe) |
Health Department: Diabetes Awareness Month
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Over ⅓ of US Adults have prediabetes & more than 8 in 10 of them don't know they have it.
Lean more: diabetes.org
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| American Diabetes Association |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Nov 11, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews
10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey
11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY
7:30 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ted Reinstein
9:00 am Frank Presents: Ed Augustus
11:00 am Senior Connection: Other Activities
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Stromboli
12:30 pm Sandhya: Macaroons
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Winter is Coming
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 5
3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 7
3:30 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Healthy Communities
4:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Sullivan Winter Music 2019
8:30 am It Takes A Village: Janice Houlihan
9:30 am Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium
11:00 am FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Attleboro 10-24-22
1:30 pm Public School Concert: Elementary Winter Music Pt. 1 12-11-18
3:00 pm U. S. Army: Jazz Ambassadors 04-01-19
5:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 7
5:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Barnstable 11-04-22
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY
8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 11-03-22
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 11-03-22
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) |
Thursday, November 10, 2022
School Committee reviews timeline, reviews priorities for FY 2024 budget in workshop 11/09/22 (audio)
FM #875 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 875 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Workshop held on Tuesday, Nov 8, 2022. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room.
Chair Denise Spencer opened the meeting. All seven School Committee members were present along with Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Manager Miriam Goodman, Asst Supt for Student Services Paula Marano, and Asst Supt for Teaching & Learning Dr. Tina Rogers.
Supt Giguere provides an overview as this workshop formally starts the budget process. Miriam Goodman walks through several updates on the process, timeline, and memo from OSD announcing a projected increase of 14% to plan for.
School Committee members get to talk about their individual priorities, some conversation among them occurs as the nuances, and some consensus is built on some of the items.
There is more work to be done to build the budget. Follow the links in the agenda doc to review the supporting materials. Visit the School Budget page for the current year and prior year’s budgets.
The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.
The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen to the School Committee Budget Workshop of Nov 8, 2022.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-875-franklin-ma-school-cmte-budget-workshop-11-08-22
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Agenda doc (note contains links to other documents referenced during the discussion) -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/budget_workshop_agenda_11_8_2022.pdf
My notes in this ThreadReader PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hSroQ6RoEI6x5XZYGj7wwVwXnLRHW8dL/view?usp=share_link
School budget page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget
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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/
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"
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| School Committee reviews timeline |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Deep Dive - Nov 19, 2022
The Franklin Public School District invites our community to attend the D.E.I. Deep Dives and engage in collaborative dialogue on November 19, 2022 10 AM – 11:30 AM, at the Franklin Public Library in the 1st-floor Meeting Room (School Street Entrance).
Following a brief presentation, attendees will be able to engage in a structured, authentic and informative conversation with the District Administration, facilitated by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Heidi Harris. This session will focus on various areas of improvement related to the Culture and Climate portion of our Equity Audit.
This session will focus on various areas of improvement related to the Culture and Climate portion of our Equity Audit and will help inform the District’s Equity Action Plan as it is developed throughout the 2022-2023 school year. We encourage attendees to review the presentation slides from the October 25th, 2022 School Committee D.E.I. Presentation in advance, however, it is not required!
This is a great opportunity for families, faculty, students, and members of the greater Franklin Community to learn more about how our D.E.I. efforts support the development of the attributes associated with our Portrait of a Graduate, whilst fostering a safe and inclusive school community.
FHS field hockey and volleyball teams win to advance to Round of 8 in playoffs
Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.
** Field Hockey = Division 1 = #12 Needham, 0 @ #5 Franklin, 5 – Final
via the FHS Field Hockey twitter account:
"Wow! What a game..PROUD of my team..they played great tonight vs a FAST & talented Needham team! Franklin wins 5-0! Scoring: Payten C 1G, Kaitlyn C 1G 3A, Haley W 1G, Raena C 1G, Emily C 1G, Shaw D 1A…. Devon B had 2 saves in the Shutout…I have to add this was a TOTAL team victory… need to mention our Defense was stellar tonight in keeping Needham out of our circle!! The defensive unit of Ella G, Sophia C, Brooke T, & Lindsay D deserves a BIG SHOUT OUT!! Way to go ladies!!"https://twitter.com/FHS_FH_02038/status/1590518724007641093
Updated MIAA bracket -> http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6855
Round of 8: Franklin (#5) plays at Wachusett (#4) on Veteran Day at 11 AM
** Volleyball = Division 1 = #13 Acton-Boxboro, 1 @ #4 Franklin, 3 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"When Franklin earned the final point of the match to seal a win, their traditional jubilation was replaced by a sigh of relief.The Panthers were three points away from completing a sweep of #13 Acton-Boxborough before the visitors rattled off a late run and prolonged the match with a win in the third set.Franklin played its best volleyball in the fourth set to create its lone double-digit lead of the match. And once again, just three points away from victory, the Revolution came charging back. Acton-Boxborough used an 8-2 run, fighting off five straight match points to get within three points. But a handling error gave Franklin the final point and the Panthers closed out a 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 25-21) win in a Division 1 Round of 16 matchup.“I think across the board, we could have done better at pretty much everything,” said Franklin head coach Samantha Redmond. ”I think we all felt it, I think we’re all aware of the fact that we could have done better. At this point in the year, we should do better.”
Continue reading the game recap -> https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-volleyball-moving-on-after-hard-fought-win-over-a-b/
For a photo gallery from this game-> https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2022-2023/Fall-2022/Frankin-Acton-Boxborough-Volleyball-11-09-22/
MIAA updated bracket -> http://miaa.statebrackets.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=6847
Round of 8 game vs. Barnstable (date/time TBD)
For other results around the Hockomock League
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| Franklin junior goes up for an attack in the second set against Acton-Boxborough. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) |
Franklin Art Association Announces "Show And Tell” Program - Dec 7
The Franklin Art Association will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30 pm. Members and friends are asked to bring samples of their current artwork to talk about their techniques, inspiration and mediums.
Beverages and snacks will be served, and holiday music will create a festive atmosphere.
The public is invited to learn about the creative process and see what association members have been working on. Meetings are held at the Franklin Senior Center the first Wednesday of every month September through June.
More information can be found on the Franklin Art Association Facebook Page, Instagram, and website www.franklinart.org.
Reminder: The Franklin Art Association will hold an Opening Reception at Escape into Fiction on Thursday, November 10 at 7 PM
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| Franklin Art Association |
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Nov 18-20
FSPA faculty and alumni will appear in the Franklin Performing Arts Company's production of the stage adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time running November 18-20 at THE BLACK BOX.
15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. Now, it is 7 minutes after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world.
Tickets available online or by calling the box office
FHS volleyball alumni Lauren McGrath: "I think sports led me to be successful"
"The Endicott women’s volleyball team hadn’t lost a conference match since the 2018 season, so it came as a bit of a shock when the Gulls dropped a 3-1 result at neighboring Gordon in the final week of the regular season. It meant that Gordon would host the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament and maybe deny Endicott a third straight trip to the NCAA DIII Tournament.
“We definitely did not like losing to them,” said senior setter Lauren McGrath. “I think we’re definitely motivated since that was such a tough loss and everyone knew, you could see on our faces how upset we were. We just need to improve and fix our mistakes and we know what we need to do now.”The former Franklin standout and 2018 HockomockSports.com Player of the Year noted how much fun it would be to celebrate the conference title on Gordon’s court and, a week later, she got to do just that.Endicott swept Nichols and Western New England in the first two rounds to get a rematch with Gordon in the CCC final. McGrath finished with 35 assists, eight digs, two aces, and a kill, as the Gulls swept aside their rivals to win a third straight CCC crown and fifth in the past six years. It also secured a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance for McGrath."
Continue reading the FHS Alumni update by Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com:
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| Former Franklin standout Lauren McGrath (18) helped Endicott go on the road and win its third straight CCC Tournament title. (David Le/Endicott Athletics) |
Wine Barre 02038 - Nov 17 - check out Dina’s awesome Color Street Nail Strips inventory
The next Wine Barre 02038 is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, from 7 to 9:30 PM at Intermission Café.
Stop by for some yummy wine and charcuterie!
While there, be sure to check out Dina’s awesome Color Street Nail Strips inventory! Start your stocking stuffer shopping early – or treat yourself! (21+ welcome)
Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CktPJkYrA94/
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| Wine Barre 02038 - Nov 17 - check out Dina’s awesome Color Street Nail Strips inventory |
Hockomock Area YMCA’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Network provides a safe space
Hockomock Area YMCA (@HockomockYMCA) tweeted on Wed, Nov 09, 2022:
Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1590404013329383424
The Hockomock Area YMCA's Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Network provides a safe space for parents and caregiver discussion around youth mental well-being and strategies.
Visit https://t.co/ShifsPC9aN for more info.
To register, email BrynneK@hockymca.org.
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| Hockomock Area YMCA’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Network |
Notice from DPW: New State Waste Disposal Ban extends to include Mattresses
Mattresses MUST be recycled. Options for Franklin residents below
Notice from the Department of Public Works: Effective as of November 1st, 2022: The State of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has enacted additional "Waste Disposal Bans".
- Mattresses may not be disposed of as solid waste. They MUST be recycled.
- Waste Management will no longer be collecting mattresses through the curbside program.
- If you purchase a new mattress, request that the retailer remove and recycle your old mattress.
- Purchase a sticker to the Recycling Center (455 Beaver Street, Franklin) and utilize the mattress recycling service at this location--The Town does not provide a transportation service, the mattress must be delivered to the Recycling Center by the resident.
- Solicit the services of a private hauler to remove and recycle your old mattress. You may access a list of local Board of Health approved haulers here.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-dpw-new-state-waste-disposal-bans
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