As a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, you know the importance of shopping small and local!
This is a video The Partnership recently produced promoting shopping local!
Video link -> https://youtu.be/V01bMdW543A
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| Shop Small, Shop Local |
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
State level election turnout for mid-term 2nd lowest in history
"Slightly more than 2.5 million registered voters cast ballots in Massachusetts for the Nov. 8 election, besting projections thanks to far more people voting in person on Election Day than expected, state officials said Monday.Precisely 2,508,298 people voted in this month’s general election, and their numbers accounted for slightly more than 51 percent of the state’s registered voters, which still was one of the lowest shares for a state election in Massachusetts history. But by sheer volume, it marked the second highest number of ballots cast in a midterm election, topped only by the 2.7 million who voted in 2018.Secretary of State William F. Galvin earlier this month had projected that 2.2 million voters would cast ballots, a number that would have marked the lowest turnout by percentage in at least seven decades."
Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscription maybe required)
CommonWealth Magazine coverage
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/in-person-election-day-voting-boosted-turnout-to-2-5m/
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| one of the lowest turnouts for a state election in Massachusetts history |
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| Franklin's turnout is on par with what recent history shows |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday
9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY
7:00 am Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ted Reinstein
9:00 am It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club
10:00 am Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
11:00 am Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta
11:30 am Senior Connection: Maggie Gundersen
12:10 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:40 pm Sandhya: Eclairs
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9
3:30 pm The Only Cure Is Education
4:00 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Roberto Morbioli
5:30 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records
6:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Festivals & Community Celebrations
7:30 pm Joe Landry: Downtown Franklin
9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY
7:00 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2021
9:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021
11:00 am Arts Advocacy: Fundraising
12:00 pm Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
2:00 pm It Takes A Village: 40 Percent Club
3:00 pm FHS Varsity Volleyball: v Barnstable 11-12-22
5:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v St. John's Shrewsbury 11-13-22
7:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
8:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer v Wellesley 11-10-22
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY
8:00 am School Committee: 11-22-22
12:00 pm Finance Committee: 11-09-22
2:00 pm School Committee: 11-22-22
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)
Monday, November 28, 2022
Hear about green banking and more in this Making Sense of Climate episode with State Rep Jeff Roy - 11/15/22 (audio)
FM #887 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 887 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. For this session we were joined by State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
In this episode we covered the following topics:
Green banking, what is it?
Smart metering, better able to manage use by knowing what and when it is being used; rebate potential for off-peak use
Grimsby, England and video segment on 60 Minutes; Franklin Sheet Metal part of the developing ecosystem being built to support green energy
Building net zero stretch code opt in, pilot with 10 communities to gain lessons learned; Clean Heat Report due Nov 2022
How Will it be working on climate legislation with the new Governor
This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well.
If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.
The conversation runs about 59 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted and Jeff Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-887-making-sense-of-climate-19-11-15-22
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Grimsby, England and 60 Minutes video segment
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/wind-energy-grimsby-england-60-minutes-video-2022-10-16/#x
Elton John “Grimsby” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7K3ddSNGbA
Link to Channel 5 piece on MassSave -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/11/representative-roy-addresses-masssave.html
See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html
--------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Franklin Police have some advice on how to "Prevent Porch Pirates"
As the cold winds and dark afternoons draw closer so do the Porch Pirates…
We’ve already experienced several calls involving swashbuckling pirates stealing packages off people's porches.
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| how to "Prevent Porch Pirates" |
To deter Porch Piracy you can:
1. Schedule delivery times to a time you know you’ll be home
2. Request a signature for high-value packages
3. Regularly track all shipments
4. Get to know your neighbors and see if they can grab your deliveries for you
5. Display a home security sign or other security deterrents
6. Get a big dog
7. Install a doorbell camera or other outdoor cameras
Remember….only you can prevent Porch Pirates this holiday season. If you find yourself victimized by these seasonal pirates or think you see these pirates in action, give us a call at 508-528-1212.
Shared from Franklin (MA) Police Dept Facebook page ->
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, Nov 28, 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 – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, Chris Woolf, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = MONDAY
8:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins
9:00 am Veterans Day Luncheon 2022
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies
12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs
1:00 pm Comfort Food: Comfort Food
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Emergency Pizza
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 7
3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 9
4:00 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records
4:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
6:00 pm Veterans' Call: PACT Act
7:30 pm Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo
9:00 pm Franklin Cultural Council: Pamela Means
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = MONDAY
7:00 am Public School Event: Horace Mann Winter Music 2021
8:30 am Sons and Daughters of Italy: Carlo Geromini
10:30 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 1 03-14-18
12:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Soccer v Wellesley 11-10-22
2:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Michelle Palladini
3:00 pm All-Town Showcase: Band
4:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer v St. John's Shrewsbury 11-13-22
6:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside the History Pt. 2
7:00 pm FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Wachusett 11-11-22
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY
8:00 am Planning Board: 11-21-22
12:00 pm Finance Committee: 11-09-22
2:00 pm Planning Board: 11-21-22
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, November 27, 2022
Conversation with Franklin (MA) School Superintendent Lucas Giguere - 11/17/22 (audio)
FM #886 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 886 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my first recorded conversation with Franklin School Superintendent Lucas Giguere. We had our conversation in person at a Central Office conference room in the Municipal Building on Thursday, November 17, 2022.
At a high level our topics were
5 months in, how are you doing?
Student behavior, reaching out to parents & community for help
Vaping, substance use
Social media and critical conversations
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) deep dive and overall program
Redistricting approach and process has started
The recording runs about 39 minutes Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-886-franklin-ma-school-supt-l-giguere-11-17-22
--------------
Superintendent’s page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent
Superintendent’s letter to parents & community -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/10_25_22_supt_report_to_sc.pdf
Critical conversations videos ->
- Substance use and Mental Health Forum - https://youtu.be/3CIOXT3BlMU
- Social media - https://youtu.be/vhhfGFJkXPI
DEI page (with link to plans, etc.) -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
Redistricting page -> https://www.franklinps.net/school-committee/2023-redistricting-advisory-committee
--------------
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!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
 |
| Franklin (MA) School Superintendent Lucas Giguere |
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for Nov 30, 2022 - 7 PM
FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
November 30, 2022 - 7:00 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 - None Scheduled.
4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS - None Scheduled.
5. APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.
6. HEARINGS - 7:00 pm
i. Legislation for Action Items: 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.
8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a. Presentation: Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department
9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 22-76: Gift Acceptance - Elks Riders Donation to Veterans’ Services Department
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-76- Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._22-76_gift_acceptance_vets.pdf
b. Resolution 22-77: Tax Classification Residential Factor
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-77 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9b._22-77_tax_classification_residential_factor.pdf
c. Resolution 22-78: Tax Classification Open Space Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-78 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9c._22-78_-_tax_classification_open_space_exemption.pdf
d. Resolution 22-79: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-79 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9d._22-79_-_tax_classification_small_business_exemption.pdf
e. Resolution 22-80: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-80 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9e._22-80_-_tax_classification_residential_property_exemption.pdf
f. Resolution 22-81: Tax Classification Senior Means Tested Exemption
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-81 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9f._22-81_-_tax_classification_senior_means_tested_exemption.pdf
g. Resolution 22-82: Declaration of Town-owned Property Containing “South Franklin
Congregational Meeting House” Located at 762 Washington Street as Surplus and Authorization for Disposition (Sale) to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-82 - Two-Thirds Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9g._22-82_old_south_church_w_proposal_redacted.pdf
h. Resolution 22-83: Downtown Parking Lot Kiosks Authorization
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-83 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9h._22-83_parking_kiosks.pdf
i. Resolution 22-84: 2023 Town Council Meeting Schedule
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-84 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9i._22-84_tc_schedule.pdf
j. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 22-887: Zoning Map Changes on or Near Lincoln Street and
Lincolnwood Drive (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw 22-887 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9j._22-887_bylaw_amendment_zoning_changes_0.pdf
k. Resolution 22-85: Public Property Naming & Memorial Installation Policy
(Motion to Approve Resolution 22-85 - Majority Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9k._22-85_naming_policy.pdf
10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommitteeb. Economic Development Subcommitteec. Budget Subcommitteed. GATRA Advisory Board
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled.
15. ADJOURN
Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting
Meeting agenda and documents released for this session ->
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| South Franklin Congregational Meeting House |
The Stanley Chilson film archives are now available online
On a random visit to the Franklin Historical Museum, you could walk in, find the movie screen down and one of the many Stanley Chilson films playing. Mostly black & white, the more recent ones in color, you could step back in time for a parade or emergency response by the Fire Dept. Now those films are available online and you can watch anytime you wish.
Via Franklin Observer:
"Lifelong resident, Stanley Grant Chilson, was a graduate of Dean Academy in Franklin and Worcester Polytechnic Institute -- and he lived for photography. Still camera images he took in profusion, capturing in detail the activities of the Franklin Fire Department -- and other departments in the region. He also assembled an annual collection of film clips for each year from 1935 to 1963. His films, preserved, and then digitized in the early 2000s, have now been made available online -- just few clicks away -- on the Franklin Library's Internet Archive page, by Reference Librarian Vicki Earls.
You can access the collection at any time by selecting Local History and Genealogy from the left hand menu on the Franklin Library website. From there, click on Stanley Chilson Films of Franklin online at the Internet Archive."
Continue reading the announcement online ->
Who was Stanley Chilson? Another posting in the Franklin Observer shares some of the background on his life in Franklin.
"The term Paparazzi was just coming into existence toward the end of Stanley Chilson’s career as a photographer chronicling Franklin, his home town, as well as other towns in the region. The credit or blame for the term goes to Federico Fellini who’s La Dolce Vita included an obsessive photographer of that surname.And while Chilson might have objected to the pejorative associations of the term, the general idea of an ever-ready photographer continually catching life as it was being lived fits him perfectly.And who was Stanley Grant Chilson? For a man with a definite public persona, not much is apparent about him other than his early and consistent passion for photography, a passion only rivaled by his interest in the fire service, a topic he chronicled exhaustively.... there are literally hundreds of photographs of fire and rescue activities in the town in the years he was active."
Continue reading about Stanley online ->
How to get to the film archives?
- From the Library home page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library
- To the Genealogy Club page https://vbuchanio.wixsite.com/franklinlibgenclub/testimonials
- To the Internet Archive page for Stanley Chilson https://archive.org/details/@stanley_chilson_films_of_franklin
There is also a direct link from the Franklin Matters "Other Resource" section
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| The Stanley Chilson film archives are now available online |
Franklin.TV: A Return to December
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/27/2022
A return to December? It’s what we do.
Our start point for all things hopeful.
Making the most of ourselves.
Or – at least we are resolved to try.
We forge on.
Through February. Through March.
Through whatever they may bring.
We take in April’s early warmth.
Same and more with pretty May.
Then – June/Jul/Aug/Sept,
We Saunter through Summer.
Making the most of its longer days.
October, nature’s last hurrah.
Ushering us on to longer nights,
and onward still – through November.
Where we pause in gratitude.
Another year behind us, spent and gone,
We return to December.
This destination month.
We return – to hopes, dreams, joys.
We return to family, friends, even strangers.
We return to ‘The Season’
To moments of kinship and glad tidings.
We return to find all that truly matters.
Questions? Call us. 508-541-4118.
Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm.And – as always – thanks for watching.
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
CommonWealth Magazine: "Time to come clean about COVID-19"
RATES OF COVID-19 vaccination in this country are too low. Less than half of those over 65 have received a second booster and ,among children under 5, the rate of vaccination with any dose is in the single digits. Uptake of the new bivalent booster is worryingly slow, with just 31 million Americans (10.1 percent of those eligible) having received it despite the Biden administration having ordered over 170 million doses. In a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, only a third of adults said they had received the new booster or planned to.
Perhaps we should have expected this for COVID. After all, these are novel vaccines that were developed and rolled out under highly politicized conditions. But childhood vaccination rates for other conditions, including influenza, polio, and measles, are dropping as well, suggesting that people who would have vaccinated their children in the past are starting to think differently about vaccines. In addition to being a critical public health concern, this represents a serious issue with trust in public health authorities and their messengers. And it is these “science communicators” who need to take ownership of their messaging failures and fix the problem before it is too late.To be clear, misinformation surrounding vaccines has had a damaging impact on vaccine acceptance. Claims that have absolutely no basis in reality, such as the presence of microchips in the formula, or the ability of the vaccine to make you magnetic, somehow gained traction among a proportion of Americans who believe those lies. Certainly, there also was already a base of true “anti-vaxxers” – often naturopathy-inclined politically left-leaning people in the years before COVID-19 vaccines came on the scene, and primarily far right-wing followers of Donald Trump since COVID vaccines became available.
But it cannot be true that the over 90 percent of parents of children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years who haven’t opted into vaccination are anti-vaxxers, or even that they have fallen prey to nefarious misinformation spreaders. The messaging from public health authorities, government officials and doctors and scientists like us who speak to the media is simply not working. What could we do better?
Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->
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| CommonWealth Magazine: "Time to come clean about COVID-19" |
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