Discussing the 50th Anniversary of the Hockomock YMCA (audio)

FM #911 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 911 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation about the Hockomock Area YMCA celebrating its 50th Anniversary. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. 

At a high level our topics were:

• Introductions and background on their Franklin or Y ‘story’

• Scott Martin, Executive Director

• Jim Downs, President & CEO of Hockomock Area YMCA

• Mary Clermont, Franklin resident & critical volunteer with multiple roles over the years

• Capital campaign and growth of services

• COVID response with Food distribution first responders day care

• Good stories of folks growing with the Y

The recording runs about 44 minutes. Let’s listen in to the discussion about the Hockomock YMCA’s 50 years. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-911-hockomock-area-ymca-50th-anniv-12-20-22

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Hockomock YMCA homepage ->  https://www.hockymca.org/ 

Bernon branch in Franklin -> https://www.hockymca.org/franklin/ 

50th Anniversary page -> https://www.hockymca.org/50-years/ 

Membership page -> https://www.hockymca.org/ymca-membership/ 

Donation are welcomed -> https://www.hockymca.org/franklin/social-responsibility/giving/  

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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"

hockymca.org

Both FHS girls and boys basketball teams post wins vs. Taunton on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, January 6, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.

Boys Basketball = Taunton, 53 @ Franklin, 61 – Final 

– Franklin erased a first quarter deficit with a big second quarter, nearly pulled away in the third quarter, and then held off a late comeback bid from Taunton to stay undefeated on the year. Taunton senior Chris Perault (16 points) hit a pair of first quarter threes to give the Tigers a 14-8 lead after one but Franklin’s offense cashed in for 18 points in the second as junior Sean O’Leary started to get going. O’Leary had 10 of his career-high 34 points in the second to jump start the offense and Franklin also got points from Andrew O’Neill (10 points), Bradley Herndon, Justin Allen, and Hansy Jacques to stake a 26-21 halftime lead. An 8-1 start to the second half presented the Panthers with their first double-digit edge but the Tigers clawed back into it got it down to 47-38 going into the fourth. Taunton rallied with a 9-2 run inside the final four minutes and cut the deficit down to five in the final moments but Franklin pulled away for the win. O’Leary finished 10-for-14 from the line and hit 11 field goals — nine from 2-point range. Taunton junior Troy Santos scored 15 of his team-high 22 points after the break to keep the Tigers close.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 59 @ Taunton, 39 – Final 

– Franklin got off to a strong start, jumping out to an 18-8 lead after one quarter, extended the lead to 15 at halftime and handed Taunton its first league loss of the season. Chloe Fales scored a career-high 19 points to lead the Panthers. She scored 13 of her points in the first half and went 8-for-10 from the line. Katie Peterson added 13 points, eight in the first half, and Lizzie Newman and Caelyn Leonard each scored seven for the Panthers. Taunton was led by Cali Melo, who scored all 11 of her points in the first half. Taryn Campbell chipped in with six points for the Tigers, who also got five points apiece from Jillian Doherty and Aaliyah Yera.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-06-23/

FHS Panthers

Are you subscribed to Town of Franklin alerts and notifications? It is easy to set up

Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the Town's Regroup public safety notification system! 

Visit the link to subscribe and become aware ->   https://franklintown.regroup.com/login

Public Safety alerts are used when there is some emergency situation to bring awareness to the community of part of it. The alerts are geographically targeted so a street, or your neighborhood, or the whole Town can get an alert for something happening nearby. Accidents that close roads, or a response to a fire, or street flooding are the most common uses for these type of alerts.

You create an account for your address and sign up for notification via one or more methods; phone call, text, or email. You can choose to receive the alert in more than one way. Once the account is created, you can change the method, or add an alert to the notifications.

For example, the Health Dept now uses this service for a weekly alert on a health topic. I choose to receive these via email. The public safety alerts I choose to receive via text.

Note: signing up for these alerts is separate from signing up for the newsletter or meeting notifications. Email notifications for meeting agendas can be set up here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CnFMltdutfX/

Are you subscribed to Town of Franklin alerts and notifications? It is easy to set up

"There's unparalleled opportunity in our response to the climate crisis"

"Emerging from her initial Cabinet meeting as governor, Maura Healey on Friday issued an executive order cementing a Cabinet-level climate chief in her administration and reappointed her predecessor’s public safety secretary, marking some of her first acts in office.

The executive action, officially order No. 604, makes official a campaign promise to create the first-of-its-kind position within Healey’s inner circle in a bid to create a “whole-of-government response” to climate change in Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article in the Boston Globe (subscription may be required) ->  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/06/metro/first-acts-governor-healey-signs-order-creating-climate-chief-reappoints-bakers-public-safety-secretary/

CommonWealth Magazine coverage of the executive order ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/healey-signs-executive-order-on-climate/

"Today, I filed an executive order creating the country's first Cabinet-level climate chief."

More about Climate and the Governor's agenda ->

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/the-healey-driscoll-administrations-priorities#climate-&-clean-energy-

Stop at the Franklin Library, find a "Bookish duck" and get an entry for prizes at the end of the month

New Year Duck Hunt!

Bookish Duckies have set up shop throughout the Library! Follow us on our social media channels to get clues to where they might be! When you find a duck bring a picture of it and where you found it to the circulation desk and fill out a quick slip of paper to be entered into the Duck Hunt raffle at the end of the month!

Shared from the Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/new-year-duck-hunt

Stop at the Franklin Library, find a "Bookish duck" and get an entry for prizes at the end of the month

Health Department: Winter Safety Month

January is Winter Safety Month.  

Follow these tips to keep yourself safe and healthy as the weather turns cold: www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/winterweather/

Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter

Franklin's Event Outlook: Jan 6, 2023 to Jan 12, 2023

The first week of this new year brings more events to the calendar this weekend and for the outlook. Dramatic performance of The Wolves, plus music at 67 Degrees, and the Sunday Speaker (Joe Landry) talking about the history of trains in Franklin. The HO scale model of the Depot Station of 1930's vintage is on display through February.

And yes, the Christmas tree pick up is scheduled for curbside the week beginning Monday Jan 9 on your regularly trash day.

 

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)

Monday, January 9

7:00am - Christmas tree pickup scheduled (on regular trash day)

Tuesday, January 10

7:00am - Christmas tree pickup scheduled (on regular trash day)

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)

Wednesday, January 11

7:00am - Christmas tree pickup scheduled (on regular trash day)

11:00am - Mobile Monthly Food Pantry (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group  (virtual meeting) (St Mary’s Parish)

Thursday, January 12

7:00am - Christmas tree pickup scheduled (on regular trash day)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

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

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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 

Community Calendar

Real Estate Inventory Statistic centers my conversation on Housing with Ted Cormier-Leger (audio)

FM #912 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 912 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of my conversation with Ted Cormier-Leger. We met in the Franklin TV Studio on Wednesday, Dec 21, 2022.

Ted is a realtor here in Franklin as well as a Town Councilor. Our discussion uses a key real estate statistic he shared with me as a starting point for our conversation on housing in Franklin. 

 

The recording of our conversation on housing runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-912-real-estate-inventory-statistic-shock-12-21-23

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Ted’s realtor page on Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/TCLRealtyMass/

Ted’s LinkedIn profile page -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-cormier-leger-211aa351/ 

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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!

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

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

Real Estate Inventory Statistic centers my conversation on Housing with Ted Cormier-Leger (audio)

Did you know the National Register of Historic Districts lists 2 in Franklin, MA? (video)

This narrated PowerPoint presentation reveals details on the two National Register Historic Districts located in Franklin, Massachusetts.  The narration is presented by Reference Librarian Vicki Earls.

Video link -> https://youtu.be/KdGHozDRa1E

The National Register of Historic Districts lists 2 in Franklin, MA (video)

Board of Health reorganizes and approved Reflexology regulations (audio)

FM #909 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 909 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. All three board members participated, 2 in room, 1 remote (hence roll call votes). Health Dept staff present were in the 3rd floor training room. 

Quick Recap:

• Public hearing on proposed reflexology regulations held as scheduled, regulations approved, to be effective in 30 days to allow for posting, communications, etc.

• Reorganization of committee resulted in B Sweet remaining as Chair, and T Cochrane taking role as Vice-Chair 

• Capture of food waste pilot program made another appearance on TV, is continuing to be expanded to other schools

• Inspector’s report, Nurse’s report, Epidemiologist report all touting volume and some issues but nothing major

• Homeless data gathered for report to CHANA6 region (of which we are part)

• Development of new OPIOID dashboard almost complete, updates to COVID dashboard ongoing, new Flu dashboard also nearing competition status

The meeting runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Jan 4, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-909-town-of-franklin-board-of-health-mtg-01-04-23

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The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/1-4-23_0.pdf 

Reflexology regulations as proposed

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/regulation_governing_the_practice_of_bodywork_draft_11-2-22.pdf 

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-9VCBjQzNIFo5couL4nsGDvTxRqRQz2/view?usp=share_link 

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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!

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

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

Board of Health reorganizes and approved Reflexology regulations (audio)

School Committee Budget Subcommittee hears of capital budget request & another room needed for ECDC (audio)

FM #910 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 910 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, Jan  4, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. Remote participation was enabled for this session per their agenda. As the Chair was remote, the votes were via roll call.

Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee member Dave Callaghan was present to start, member Meghan Whitmore arrived at approx. 6:15. Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Manager Miriam Goodman, Asst Supt Paula Marano and Asst Supt Dr. Tina Rogers also participated.

Quick recap

• School Capital Budget Request was previewed with a late change to possibly reduce it from $900K to about $400K 

• ECDC Enrollment is increasing and a new classroom needs to be added for March to meet the new 17 students expected who are turning 3; can be covered from revolving funds for now but will require hiring a teacher and aides and be part of next budget request

• FY24 Budget Timeline no current adjustment due to new Governor and her budget which is not due until early March, will proceed with estimates based upon last year and adjust along the way as necessary

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about 44 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting of Jan  4, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-910-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-04-23

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Budget Subcommittee agenda

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/budget_sub_committee_agenda_1_4_2023.pdf

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tcsb-fd21ZYQzYxUsrhhCKx8RuJNswco/view?usp=share_link 

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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!

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

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

School Committee Budget Subcommittee hears of capital budget request & another room needed for ECDC (audio)

CommonWealth Magazine: "Seeking predictable permitting for new housing" (part 3 of 5)

 

"IF YOU LIVE in an affluent suburb of Boston, your municipality is probably not using as-of-right zoning to permit construction of apartments or condos. If your community is served by the MBTA, then the Massachusetts state Legislature has mandated that your municipality zone for multi-family housing as-of-right. The clock is now ticking on implementation.

The mandate was adopted because Boston’s suburbs have not allowed enough transit-oriented home development to meet the region’s needs for housing and transit-accessibility. Discretionary review processes are part of the problem. As-of-right zoning can help."

Part 3 of the 5 part series  

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/seeking-predictable-permitting-for-new-housing/

Part 2 

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

Part 1

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

A public plaza within a private development, Trio, in Newton. (Photo by Amy Dain.)