Webinar: Health and Environmental Hazards of Artificial Turf and Safer Alternatives - Thursday, Jan 5, at noon

Topic
Health and Environmental Hazards of Artificial Turf and Safer Alternatives

REGISTER: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArfu2vqzwrEtXOhMxCBiNvslECnxAeHwdj

Description: Many schools, municipalities, and parents are faced with decisions on creating healthy and safe play spaces for children. Research on the production, use, and disposal of artificial turf and synthetic playground surfacing has raised concerns about environmental  contamination, human health hazards, and adverse effects on wildlife. This includes concerns about carcinogens and other toxic chemicals found in materials used to make these play surfacing options. 

Chemicals of concern found in these materials can include metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and 6PPD-quinone, among others. There are also concerns about heat-related illnesses, skin infections, and microplastic pollution, among other health and environmental issues. 

During this webinar, Rachel Massey and Lindsey Pollard will discuss their research on health and environmental implications of artificial turf and safer alternatives.

Time: Jan 5, 2023 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Note: A similar webinar was held last year.  Find the details ->  https://www.healthandenvironment.org/webinars/96595

Webinar: Health and Environmental Hazards of Artificial Turf and Safer Alternatives

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Jan 5, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Addressing Hate in School Sports

9:00 am ArtWeek: Art + Music

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Appetizers

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

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1

3:00 pm Joe Landry: Franklin Trivia

4:30 pm Frank Presents: Jack Boyland

5:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6

7:00 pm Senior Center Christmas 2022

8:00 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

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

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022

8:30 am Pack 92 Pinewood Derby 2022

12:30 pm Franklin Rec Basketball: 3x3 Tournament Game 4

2:00 pm FHS Band

3:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6

4:00 pm Cultural District: Brent Selby

5:00 pm FHS Winter Chorus & Orchestra 2022

6:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Taunton 01-13-22

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

8:00 am Conservation Commission: 12-15-22

2:00 pm Conservation Commission: 12-15-22

7:30 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: LIVE, Remote 841 2597 2693

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 Cultural District: the calendar of event is filling with trains, authors, live music, and more as #arthappenshere

Authors, live music, and a play spotlight the increase in events now that the major holidays are behind us and 2023 is getting into stride. 

There is HO scale recreation of the Franklin Depot station at the Historical Museum along with the history of trains in Franklin as the topic of the Second Sunday Speaker series at 1:15 pm Sunday.

Wednesday, January 4

10:00am - Veterans Monthly Coffee Social

7:00pm - Franklin Art Association - ( meeting and art demo)  (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - Maureen Johnson in conversation with Jennifer Lynn Barnes! *Virtual Author Event* (registration req’d) (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, January 5

6:30pm - Franklin LGBTQ Alliance - monthly meeting  (Franklin Public Library)

67 Degrees Brewing

7:00pm - Author Janis Robinson Daly  (Franklin Public Library)

Friday, January 6

5:30pm - Gay Perkoski (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - The Wolves (FPAC performance) (THE BLACK BOX)

Saturday, January 7

5:30pm - David Penza (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - The Wolves (FPAC performance) (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, January 8

1:15pm - Joe Landry History of Trains in Franklin (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm - The Wolves (FPAC performance) (THE BLACK BOX)

Tuesday, January 10

7:00pm - FBRTC Meeting  (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:00pm - Yankee Quilters (Emma’s Quilt Cupboard) 

7:00pm - Democracy Talks: Immigrants' Rights (Virtual Event) (Franklin Public Library)

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

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

Did you see how many ways you can help Franklin make decisions? Police station, master plan, Davis Thayer, etc...

The Town of Franklin will be looking for help to make decisions on the police station, Davis Thayer, the Master Plan and Arts and Culture. As the legislative body, the Town Council gets to make these decisions and will be soliciting help from the community through a committee and study process for recommendations.

The Town Council meeting agenda for Weds, Jan 4, sets up the initial committees. Soon, the application process for each of these will allow for community members to state their case for a role on the committee.

Even if you are not selected for a role on the committee, the meetings are public and usually allow for participation. In these cases, there are likely to be one or more opportunities for public forums as well.

The time to get involved in helping to determine is NOW!

• should we build a new police station, renovate the existing, if building new - where?
• what is the best use for Davis Thayer?
• how do we need the Master Plan to layout as objectives for the next ten years?

From the Town Council agenda for Jan 4, 2023:

f. Resolution 23-05: Police Station Building Committee Charge (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-05 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9f._23-05_police_station_building_committee.pdf

g. Resolution 23-06: Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-06 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9g._23-06_subcommittee_for_cultural_initiatives.pdf

h. Resolution 23-07: Master Plan Update Committee (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-07 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9h._23-07_master_plan_update_comm.pdf

i. Resolution 23-08: Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee Charge (Motion to Approve Resolution 23-08 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9i._23-08_davis_thayer_reuse_comm.pdf

The full agenda and remote participation info can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/jan_4_2023_tc_agenda.pdf

Franklin Police Station 911 Panther Way

Meeting coverage for Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023

Multiple meetings tonight but we'll keep you covered. Franklin TV is set to broadcast/Live stream two of the meetings. I'll be in the 3rd floor training room to record the audio of the other two.

5:00 PM - Board of Health Meeting  (audio recording)

5:45 PM - EDC Meeting  Franklin TV

6:00 PM - School Committee Budget Subcommittee (audio recording)

7:00 PM - Town Council Meeting   Franklin TV

The audio recordings should be available for listening Friday or Saturday at the latest.

Agendas for these meetings

Board of Health  

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/board-of-health-meeting-agenda-january.html

Economic Development Subcommittee
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/economic-development-subcommittee.html

School Committee budget subcommittee

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/fps-school-committee-budget.html

Town Council

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-agenda.html

Meeting coverage for Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023

FHS girls and boys Indoor track top KP; girls swim team tops Milford on Tuesday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Boys Indoor Track = Franklin, 54 @ King Philip, 46 – Final

In Boys Shot Put v KP FHS thrower @JacobBowser7  takes 1st @LukeySenn  and  @domcacc5  PR!  Great job boys.  Girls up next.   

@FHSSports  https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1610430232116199430

boys dual meet scoring

https://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter23/TRACK-NewBalance/hockomock3-bt.pdf

overall boys results

https://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter23/TRACK-NewBalance/hockomock3-b.pdf

Girls Indoor Track = Franklin, 69 @ King Philip, 31 - Final  

In girls action- @lilydeforge11  takes 1st and breaks her own indoor school record.  @elizabe82032317  takes2nd also great effort from @darbynicholson_

 and  @MichelleRay_27  who had a 2 foot PR.   Great job ladies!   https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1610446993200906243

girls dual meet scoring 

https://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter23/TRACK-NewBalance/hockomock3-gt.pdf

overall girls results

https://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter23/TRACK-NewBalance/hockomock3-g.pdf

Boys Swimming = Franklin, 77 @ Milford, 85 – Final

Girls Swimming = Franklin, 93 @ Milford, 62 – Final 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-01-03-23/

FHS Panthers

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, January 5, 7:00 PM

Hello and Happy New Year from the 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node. Our first meeting of 2023 will be on Zoom, this Thursday, January 5, starting at 7:00 PM. 

Zoom link for the meeting, Thursday, January 5, 7:00-8:30 PM.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88924607755?pwd=bHl1empTRVFxYzdZUmVBSGl1Q0p3Zz09

Meeting ID: 889 2460 7755
Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

 

Perhaps you've resolved to take action this year to address the climate challenge.

We welcome you to our organization, to learn and to participate. 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thursday, January 5, 7:00 PM

Twice-a-month, our Node, one of more than fifteen such 350 Mass groups throughout the state, holds its meetings, via Zoom. Our Node's participants come from Franklin and several towns ranging north to Sharon and south to Attleboro. You are always welcome to attend, to learn about climate and energy, politics and science, to hear about opportunities for action, and to contribute to our goals in a way that works for you. 

   

Our meetings address ongoing challenges and actions related to energy and climate. Our typical agenda includes: discussion of climate and energy developments locally, across the state, and nationally. Announcements about planned advocacy and protest actions organized by 350 Mass and other groups. And plans for activities in our Greater Franklin region. Our tone and manner are collegial and neighborly. We hope to meet you one of these Thursdays. Or you can reply to this message; we'll follow up.

 

If you have items you would like to announce or add to the agenda, please reply to our Node Co-coordinators, Carolyn Barthel (carolyncbarthel@gmail.com) and Ralph Halpern (ralph.halpern@comcast.net). 

 

We hope you receive 350 Mass' Climate Weekly email. It's a good way to keep up with key issues and actions on their behalf. You can sign up here.

 

We will send a reminder about the Node's meeting on Thursday. 

Thank you.

 

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   

Franklin Art Association: Newsletter for January 2023

Dear members and friends,

I’m looking toward 2023 with hope for new ideas, fresh starts, and renewed optimism. The phrase “tabula rasa” comes to mind, one of whose definitions is “An opportunity to begin again with no record, history, or preconceived ideas.”

But what does that mean for an artist, who relies on many of the same strategies over and over again in order to have a successful outcome. I think it means shaking things up! For example, try a new medium... paint on a different surface...paint a landscape if you always paint still lifes...try abstract vs: realism...take a workshop or class...visit the MFA... check out the local galleries...come to an FAA paint-in...enter a painting in the FAA gallery! Maybe you are already doing some of these things, and that’s great. My hope is to break some long held patterns and create pathways for new ideas to emerge. Even if I’m not that successful, it will be fun trying!

Happy New Year to all of you. May 2023 bring you new ways of seeing and interpreting the world

around you!

Warm regards,

Sue Sheridan

President

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

Reminder - Wednesday night -> Meeting & Demonstration 6:30 - 8:30pm at the Franklin Senior Center. Guest artist will be painter Katie Kindilien

Continue reading the January newsletter online ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tUIMM7kPhe_KKB9b0aWzva_rcyLnQ7l3/view

Franklin Art Association

CommonWealth Magazine: "Solving the MBTA Communities zoning puzzle" (part 2 of 5)

"IN 2021, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted the MBTA Communities zoning law requiring municipalities served by the MBTA to zone districts “of reasonable size” for multi-family housing at a “gross density” of 15 dwelling units per acre. The law applies to 175 cities and towns. Some may already have zoning that meets the requirements. For most of the municipalities, compliance will involve local legislative votes, at town meetings and city councils.

In the process of local reform, thousands of public officials, constituents, and advocates will have to become familiar with the law’s novel, complicated, and flexible concept of gross density. I am writing this article to give people a head-start in understanding it."

Part 2 of the 5 part series 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/solving-the-mbta-communities-zoning-puzzle/

Part 1

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/commonwealth-magazine-understanding-new.html

Multi-family development in Winchester, MA. (Photo by Amy Dain.)

Reminder: New Children’s Service offered at St John’s Episcopal Church in 2023

St John’s will offer a simple, informal service geared for children on two Saturdays per month, beginning January 14 and January 28 at 5 PM. 

The services will include stories, crafts or other activities, easy fun songs, and a simple Eucharist (Communion) totaling about 40 minutes.

All families are invited to join us at 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin.

For more information:
Call 508-528-2387 Email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org
Like us on Facebook  and Twitter
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

St John's Episcopal Church

Governor Baker says Goodbye (video)

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER, who often called the “block and tackling” of state government the centerpiece of his approach in office, on Tuesday began a two-day process of saying a public goodbye with a brief address that leaned into the prosaic details of his eight-year tenure while dispensing with the sort of sweeping oratory that was never his style. 

From behind the desk of his formal State House office, Baker delivered a six-minute, livestreamed address thanking Massachusetts residents. The speech was an unemotional, straightforward goodbye touting his administration’s accomplishments. "

Continue reading the article online at Commonwealth Magazine -> 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-bids-farewell/

 

watch the video goodbye -> https://youtu.be/Y8dQhGUsyDg

Governor Baker says Goodbye (video)

Franklin Senior Center: Senior Connection Newsletter for January 2023

Franklin Senior Center Senior Connection Newsletter 

January 2023

Happy New Year! 

Click here to check out our NEW Senior Connection Newsletter: January 2023!

Call to sign up for programs or for more information: 508-520-4945

Franklin Senior Center: Senior Connection Newsletter for January 2023

"It would require people to behave a bit more like creatures of the forest"

"Suzanne Simard walks into the forest with a churchgoer’s reverence. The soaring canopies of Douglas firs are her cathedral’s ceiling. Shifting branches of cedars, maples and hemlocks filter the sunlight like stained-glass windows. A songbird chorus echoes from the treetops, accompanied by the wind whistling through pine boughs and a woodpecker’s steady drumming.

But beauty alone is not what makes this place sacred to Simard. In each colossal tree, the University of British Columbia forest ecologist sees a source of oxygen, a filter for water and a home for hundreds of different creatures. To her, the lush, multilayered understory is proof of a thriving community, where a variety of species ensures that every wavelength of light is put to good use.

And although Simard cannot hear their conversation, she knows the trees are in communion with the fungi beneath her feet — bartering carbon for water and nutrients in a raucous exchange older than the forests themselves."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/interactive/2022/suzanne-simard-mother-trees-climate/

I did read Suzanne's book - "Finding the Mother Tree" ->   https://suzannesimard.com/   The process she worked through to devise her studies to capture the information is well worth the read. 

Studies have shown that when trees are removed from a landscape, it unleashes the carbon buried below.

Swearing in ceremony dates for newly elected terms of office, and yes, they do vary

For the details check the Secretary of the Commonwealth's page ->
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eledatesofoffice/datesofofficeidx.htm?s=03

MA General Law also outlines the oath of office

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVIII/Chapter125/Section10

for Town Clerks - >   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter41/Section107

(If someone has a better source, please let me know and we'll update this)

For the details check the Secretary of the Commonwealth's page ->

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features my conversation with Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Lucas Giguere https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/my-conversation-with-superintendent.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This hour features episode 20 in the Making Sense of Climate series with Ted McIntyre -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/making-sense-of-climate-20-multiple.html

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Sons & Daughters of Italy: Ciambotta

7:30 am It Takes A Village: D'Angela Alberty

8:30 am Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony

10:00 am ArtWeek: Art + Music

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Appetizers

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

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Medical Marijuana

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 11

3:30 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

4:45 pm Addressing Hate in School Sports

6:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

9:00 pm The Black Box: Beth Leavel

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

7:00 am Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

8:30 am Franklin Rec Basketball: 3x3 Tournament Game 4

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: Task Force

11:00 am FHS Winter Chorus & Orchestra 2022

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Carlsbad 12-28-22

2:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Canton 12-21-22

5:00 pm FHS Winter Chorus & Orchestra 2022

9:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v East Greenwich 01-01-23

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

8:00 am Town Council: 12-14-22

2:00 pm Town Council: 12-14-22

5:45pm Economic Development: LIVE, Chambers 886 0872 1709

2:00 pm Town Council: LIVE, Chambers 861 4238 3425

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)