Friday, November 25, 2022

FHS football comes back to top KP on Thanksgiving 29-28 to take back-to-back Hockomock titles (video)

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2022.

Franklin, 29 @ King Philip, 28 – Final 
  • 1st Quarter: (F) Jase Lyons 69-yard pass to Luke Davis, Garrett Portesi XP good; (KP) William Astorino 2-yard rush, Matthew Kelley XP good.
  • 2nd Quarter: (KP) W. Astorino 12-yard rush, M. Kelley XP good; (F) J. Lyons 6-yard pass to L. Davis, G. Portesi XP good.
  • 3rd Quarter: (KP) W. Astorino 2-yard rush, M. Kelley XP good; (KP) Tommy McLeish 26-yard pass to W. Astorino, M. Kelley XP good; (F) J. Lyons 19-yard pass to L. Davis, G. Portesi XP good.
  • 4th Quarter: (F) Mike Davide 3-yard rush, J. Lyons 2-point pass to L. Davis.

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"King Philip got the ball back up by seven points with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter of Thursday morning’s holiday matinee at Macktaz Field and went back to work with the ground game that had been nearly unstoppable for most of the game.

After running more than seven minutes off the clock, KP had first down from the Franklin 30 and looked like it was maybe one or two plays away from clinching the title-deciding showdown.

Rudy Gately (21 carries, 116 yards) was stopped for a loss of three by Emmett Lackey. Quarterback Tommy McLeish took the next snap and went on a sweep around the left side, but Franklin read the play and pried the ball loose. Devine Johnson pounced on it at the 34 to give the visitors a chance with 6:11 on the clock.

Mike Davide (11 carries, 40 yards) broke free for a 13-yard gain into KP territory and Jase Lyons (20-of-27, 232 yards) hit Josh Ribeiro on the sideline. Ribeiro refused to go out of bounds, cutting back infield and eventually gaining 17 to the KP 28. After back-to-back completions to Luke Davis, Lyons kept it himself, looking for contact in the secondary and being brought down at the three. Davide finished the drive to bring the Panthers within one."
Continue reading the game recap:

For a photo gallery from this game ->

For the video via Franklin.TV -> https://youtu.be/E9ndNLG4U6g

Boston Globe coverage (subscription maybe required)


Franklin senior Luke Davis (6) hauls in a two-point conversion with 2:46 remaining, which lifted the Panthers to a come from behind win at rival King Philip and to a second straight Kelley-Rex title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin senior Luke Davis (6) hauls in a two-point conversion with 2:46 remaining, which lifted the Panthers to a come from behind win at rival King Philip and to a second straight Kelley-Rex title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM

Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM


Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM
Magic with Scott Martell at the Library, Saturday Nov 26 at 1 PM

Reminder from DPW: Fall Curbside Yard Waste Collection Scheduled for Week of December 5, 2022.

Notice from the Department of Public Works:

Fall curbside yard waste collection will now run the week of December 5, 2022.

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-dpw-fall-curbside-yard-waste-collection-scheduled-week-december-5th-2022

Notice from the DPW: Fall Curbside Yard Waste Collection Scheduled for Week of December 5, 2022.
Notice from the DPW: Fall Curbside Yard Waste Collection Scheduled for Week of December 5, 2022

No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam.


No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam

IRS impersonators have been around for a while. But as more people get to know their tricks, they're switching it up. 

So instead of contacting you about a tax debt and making threats to get you to pay up, scammers may send you a text about a "tax rebate" or some other tax refund or benefit. 




No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam
No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam

"four recommendations critical to rebuilding a state park system that meets our collective, essential needs"

"On October 14, Massachusetts Conservation Voters convened a state virtual parks summit attended by more than 20 environmental organizations from across the Commonwealth. This open letter, signed by more than 50 organizations, is the result.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE PARKS are in crisis. More than a decade of funding and staffing cuts have eviscerated the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) ability to meet its mission “to protect, promote, and enhance our Commonwealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all,” while digging a $1 billion deferred maintenance hole.

The December 2021 Legislative Special Commission report on DCR (page 51) found that Massachusetts, one of the wealthiest states in the nation,  ranks last in per capita spending on state and municipal parks.

State park visitors rarely encounter rangers, and too often find shuttered facilities, crumbling infrastructure, and dirty bathrooms. Park rules enforcement to ensure visitor safety and resource protection is virtually non-existent. Also compromised is our parkland’s ability to support our physical and mental well-being, promote environmental justice, mitigate flooding and urban heat islands, foster climate resilience, and harbor significant natural resources and biodiversity."
Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

Download a copy of the report reference to read the full story

A pond at DCR-run Nickerson State Park in Brewster.
A pond at DCR-run Nickerson State Park in Brewster

Franklin Health Department: Healthy Skin Month


"November is Healthy Skin Month. 
Wear at least SPF 30 all year long. Ultraviolet rays can penetrate skin in any kind of weather. 
Learn more: www.americanskin.org"


American Skin Association
American Skin Association

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Nov 25, 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: Caron Grupposo
11:00 am Senior Connection: Maggie Gundersen
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 6
3:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
4:00 pm Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
5:00 pm Franklin Interfaith Thanksgiving 2022
7:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Safe Prescribing
8:30 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021
8:30 am It Takes A Village: Ethan Dimarino
9:30 am Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium
11:00 am FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Barnstable 11-12-22
1:30 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
3:00 pm Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini
5:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
5:30 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Wachusett 11-11-22
8:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v St. John's Shrewsbury 11-13-22


  • 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   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Watch "How Thanksgiving Became A National Holiday" on YouTube

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

"Thanksgiving is a relatively new national holiday in America. Who made it what it is today? 
Learn about Sarah Josepha Hale: https://t.co/FvyOWTa7Ep"
Portrait of Sarah Josepha Hale, circa 1831, by James Reid Lambdin Richard's Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire
Portrait of Sarah Josepha Hale, circa 1831, by James Reid Lambdin  Richard's Free Library, Newport, New Hampshire

"A reading of Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation by WGBH News staff members." video link -> https://youtu.be/vAsmiMi1cRQ


Instead of Black Friday, let's focus on Small Business Saturday & #GivingTuesday

Yes, the commercials started a while ago. Black Friday deals available online and Before Black Friday. It is hard to avoid them they are so pervasive.

(1) Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to really spend our money wisely and locally. Consider the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card and the shops where it can be used. Check out the listing of shops here ->  https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

Don't have a #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card? You can buy one online or at Dean Bank. www.franklingiftcard.com

Did you catch the series on local Franklin businesses we are running? The first 2 are available and more are coming. Thanks to contributor Lyn MacLean!


Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable
Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable

(2) There are over 100 nonprofits based in Franklin and a number of others who service this community while based elsewhere. #GivingTuesday was developed in response to the popularity of Black Friday and an attempt to focus on supporting the nonprofits. 

You should be seeing nonprofits advertising or emailing to prompt a donation for their cause on #givingtuesday. 

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is just one of the many we can support! The Food Pantry, SAFE Coalition, HMEA, the Hockomock YMCA... the list goes on...  If you can't think of a nonprofit to support there is a listing of them based in Franklin here -> https://www.franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/area-non-profits.html

DRINKING WATER NOTICE - November 23, 2022

Attention Water Customers - Please see the public notice below: 

This is NOT a boil water notice.  During routine sampling, the sample from our Well 2 Raw (UNTREATED) water contained E.coli.  The treated (disinfected) water from Well 2 and all other samples collected through the distribution system did not have E. Coli.  The well has been offline since November 18, 2022 for maintenance and will remain offline. 

This is not an emergency, you do NOT need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time, but we are required to notify you. Please see the notice below for more information. 

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

DRINKING WATER NOTICE To all users of the Franklin Water Department  Located in Franklin, Massachusetts.  This is an important notice – please translate it for anyone who does not understand English.  

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply. On November 21, 2022 our water system was notified that a water sample collected on November 15, 2022 from Well #2 tested positive for E.coli, which is a fecal indicator. Fecal indicators are used to detect ground water sources that may be susceptible to fecal contamination which may contain harmful viruses or bacteria. This well was taken off-line for maintenance on November 18, 2022.

The water delivered to your taps through the distribution system is disinfected with chlorine to kill viruses and bacteria, including E.coli. It is important to note that samples collected on November 15, 2022 in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.

This source is one of thirteen active wells that supplies drinking water to our system. In accordance with the federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) requirements, we are notifying you of the situation and conducting additional sampling to evaluate the extent of potential fecal contamination and will take further actions as necessary.

What should you do? What does this mean?

This is NOT an emergency, you do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time.
  • The USEPA requires us to provide you with this notice and the following information on fecal indicators: "Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems." These symptoms can also be caused by issues unrelated to drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, or, if you have specific health concerns, you may want to discuss such concerns with your doctor. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/safe-drinking-water-hotline
  • Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and Businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
What is being done?

The well will remain offline for further evaluation. Our system is undergoing repeat testing and evaluation to determine if the current level of treatment is adequate or if additional corrective actions are necessary to reduce the risk of potential fecal contamination in our drinking water supply. We are in contact with MassDEP during this process who will evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken and determine if any further action is required. If necessary, you will be notified again if you need to take any corrective actions. This notice does not affect persons using private drinking water wells.

where all the wells are located in Franklin
where all the wells are located in Franklin
For more information and further updates, please contact Douglas Martin, Water & Sewer Superintendent, at 508-520-4910.

PWSID#:2101000 Date Distributed: November 23, 2022

Where is Well 2?  The map as part of the Consumer Confidence Report for Fiscal Year 2021 shows where all the wells are located. ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/franklin_ma_ccr_2022_web_final_052722_0.pdf
Listen to the 3-part podcast series on the water cycle, hear how it is processed from the well to your faucet.   -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley


639 finishes helped the Franklin Food Pantry at the Franklin Turkey Trot 5K Thanksgiving morning, Nov 24, 2022

The official results show 639 finishers of the Turkey Trot 5K run/walk on Thanksgiving morning. The lollipop loop course began and ended at the Church of Later Day Saints on Jordan Road. The fund raising benefits the programs of the Franklin Food Pantry.

The official results can be found at this link ->  https://www.secondwindtiming.com/result-page/?id=226360#1_7AAEAD

Age group results -> 

Download the overall results as a PDF ->

Disclosure: Franklin Matters is a sponsor of the event and a long time supporter of the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin Turkey Trot 5K
Franklin Turkey Trot 5K

Join up with Santa for a story walk at DelCarte Friday at 10:30 AM

The Franklin Recreation Department and the Franklin Public Library are teaming up again for a cozy winter walk with our favorite Man in Red! 
Bundle up and meet us at DelCarte Park for a special story walk, followed by cookies and cocoa!

 

Join up with Santa for a story walk at DelCarte Friday at 10:30 AM
Join up with Santa for a story walk at DelCarte Friday at 10:30 AM

Nutcracker Storytime at Escape Into Fiction - Saturday, Nov 26 at 10:30 AM

Save the Date for a very special costume #storytime on a very special day!!

The Nutcracker Storytime with cast of @franklin.performing.arts.co and @escape_into_fiction reading #thenutcracker by @janbrett1 a Massachusetts author!

Saturday Nov 26th at 10:30

Come celebrate a holiday tradition with 2 local businesses and show your support on #smallbusinesssaturday


Nutcracker Storytime at Escape Into Fiction - Saturday, Nov 26 at 10:30 AM
Nutcracker Storytime at Escape Into Fiction - Saturday, Nov 26 at 10:30 AM

"Best by", "Sell by", "Use by" – Oh my!

"On average, the U.S. wastes an estimated 125 to 160 billion pounds of food each year . And where does it all end up? In a landfill, where it’s buried under mounds of toxic trash and eventually breaks down and emits methane . We bury so much organic waste that landfills are now the third-largest source  of climate-damaging methane emissions in the U.S.

But the environmental impacts of food waste don’t end there. By wasting food, we deplete precious resources, like water. In fact, agriculture in the U.S. accounts for about 80% to 90% of the nation’s water consumption . On top of that, when bad market conditions lead farmers to toss edible food aside or when sold foods go uneaten, all the resources that went into producing those crops are squandered. There’s also a massive economic downside to throwing away uneaten food, adding up to approximately $218 billion a year  in the U.S.

So, how did we start throwing out so much food? Well, several factors play into our increasing wastefulness. Here, we break down the components leading us to toss our food and offer solutions that can help solve our food waste problem."
Continue reading the article online -> https://www.clf.org/blog/why-we-waste-food/

2 MA House of Representative races appear headed for recounts; difference only 10 votes in each race

"CANDIDATES IN TWO Massachusetts House races, each apparently decided by only 10 votes, want elections officials to take another look at the thousands of ballots cast.

Kristin Kassner of Hamilton, who challenged a sitting North Shore incumbent, and Andrew Shepherd of Townsend, who bid for an open Nashoba Valley seat, submitted petitions asking for district-wide recounts in their contests, according to a spokesperson for Secretary of State William Galvin.

The recounts — and, as a result, a final decision in both districts — might not wrap up for several weeks. Galvin spokesperson Deb O’Malley said the secretary cannot order the recounts until after the Governor’s Council, which is scheduled to meet next on Nov. 30, certifies election results.

In both cases, the candidate seeking a recount appears to have fallen less than a dozen votes short. With nearly 20,000 votes counted in the First Middlesex District and more than 23,000 in the Second Essex District, the microscopic margins would both be well below the threshold — one half of one percentage point of all votes — required for a recount."
Continue reading the article online ->

The process for a recount is defined by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and can be found ->  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/Election-Recounts.pdf

Other MA election and voting information can be found online ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/

2 MA House of Representative races appear headed for recounts
2 MA House of Representative races appear headed for recounts