Franklin Disability Commission Disability Expo - May 4, 2024 from 11 AM to 2 PM

Come on down to the Franklin Disability Commission Disability Expo!

Stop by the Franklin Senior Center on May 4, 2024 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM for a variety of disability related resources, activities, and support!

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-disability-commission-disability-expo-may-4-2024

Franklin Disability Commission Disability Expo - May 4, 2024

9th Annual Empty Bowls Tickets on Sale for the Dinner scheduled for May 23

Get your tickets for the 9th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner! The event will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the Franklin High School cafeteria from 6 to 8 pm.

The Empty Bowls Club students have been hard at work making hundreds of bowls for this upcoming community event. There will be a simple dinner of soup and bread, music from FHS students, a ceramic bowl for each attendee, and silent auction including a special work made by Rep. Jeff Roy, and more! The Pantry will also unveil preliminary findings from our current strategic planning process at the event. 

All proceeds support the Franklin Food Pantry.

Online tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for students/children 18 years old and younger.

Ticket prices increase to $25/$15 at the door on the day of the event. 

Cash or check only, please.

9th Annual Empty Bowls Tickets on Sale for the Dinner scheduled for May 23

Town Council after much discussion votes to set June 11 as date for a $6.8M Prop 2 1/2 override (video)

The Franklin (MA) Town Council met as scheduled on May 1, 2024 in Council Chamber. All 9 Councilors were present along with a packed room. Participants were also on Zoom and YouTube.

Brief recap:

• Recognition of Chris Stearns for 20 years with Franklin TV
• Introduction of new mental health clinician Caroline Ferris 
• Approved appointment of Nicole Chiaramonte
• Presentation on the FY 2023 Financial Audit by Scott McIntire, Partner, Marcum LLP. Another clean audit result, all processes are good no issues identified, no management letter or actions.
• presentation on the possible override and pledge statement results in passage of three resolutions
1. vote of acceptance by Council of pledge (9-0)
2. sets date for override of June 11 (8-1, Pellegri no)
3. sets amount of override for $6.8 million (9-0)

Franklin TV video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9nkmKHkrxA

Agenda and supporting documents ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/fixed_tc_agenda_v4.pdf

Photo album of the presentation screen grab along with screens from the meeting

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dDxgDMFrcXDaNqR78

Recognition of Chris Stearns for 20 years with Franklin TV

FHS baseball, and girls & boys tennis teams post wins on Wednesday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Baseball = Franklin, 7 @ Milford, 6 – Final

Franklin 7, Milford 6. WP-Matt Miller (4.2inn, 4H, 1ER & 2Ks) S-Meuse (2.1inn, H, R). Offensively, Phillip (2-3, R,RBI,BB) Yuknis (1-1, GW RBI) Kryzak (1-3,2RBI,BB) Cinelli (1-3,2R,RBI,2BB) Shaughnessy (1-3,R) Caccavelli (1-1,3BB,2R). Next up:Mon. 5/6 Franklin @ Stoughton at 5pm.

Softball = Milford, 11 @ Franklin, 6 – Final

Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 11 vs. Acton-Boxboro, 16 – Final

Final  = Franklin: 11, AB: 16

⭐️ Langevin 7🍎

⭐️⭐️ McEvoy 5 🚨

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Corvi 24 saves

https://twitter.com/FranklinHSLax/status/1785834234680103250

Boys Tennis = Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final 

– Franklin won all five matches in straight sets to end a three-match losing streak and get back in the win column. Jay Gorgas (6-1, 6-0), Ahan Shetty (6-4, 6-0), and Danny Reis (6-4, 6-4) each won their singles matches. The doubles teams of Andrew Amante and Aaron Ramaswamy (6-2, 6-1) and Gabe Terry and AJ Trull (6-4, 6-2) likewise avoided dropping a set.

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 5 @ Milford, 0 – Final

Panthers beat Milford 5-0 to stay unbeaten!!

Chloe Essam, Brooke Taylor & Isabelle Simino were winners in singles.

Brooke Daniels & Sydney Tolonen 

Avalon Thomes & Mia Dewsnap both won their doubles matches.

Panthers are now 9-0 on the season.

https://twitter.com/fhs_gvtennis/status/1785785058999087615

For other results around the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-05-01-24/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Board of Health meeting: key advice, please don't drink raw milk (audio)

FM #1186 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1186 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) Board of Health Meeting conducted on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  The meeting was held at the Municipal Bldg and conducted in a hybrid manner. Chair Bridgit Sweet was remote. Members Jeff Harris and Kim Mu-Chow were in the room with the Health Department personnel.  

My notes:

Dual recording sessions underway; in board of health meeting, recording in progress for the school's comprehensive school facility subcommittee down the hall. 

Meeting in hybrid, Chair Sweet remote, members Harris & Mu-chow present with health staff

Housing task force update, work on abandoned property in conjunction with Attorney General, 21  Country Club Blvd owner passed, going to court to get a receiver assigned so outstanding  actions can be taken care of.

Avian flu update, flu now infecting cows,raw milk can spread the flu. Highly discourage consumption of raw milk. FDA, CDC advising PPE for dairy workers to help prevent spread

• Inspector report

• Nurse update

• Epidemiology update

Cassia changing role to shared coordinator next month

Regroup text weekly sent out,

Updated homeless resource tab for statewide resources

309 individuals, 89 families

Health fair next month, June 5, 2 to 5 PM at Library 

Meeting adjourn with 3-0 vote

The meeting runs about 25 minutes.    Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1186-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-05-01-24

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Board of Health page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department 

Meeting agenda ->  

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/boh_agenda_5.1.24_-_google_docs.pdf 

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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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.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"

Franklin, MA: Board of Health meeting scheduled for May 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM

Rausch Report: Springtime on Beacon Hill (April 2024)

Your monthly Beacon Hill update from Senator Becca Rausch. 

View this email in your browser Dear Neighbor, Earth Month is a beautiful time of year on Beacon Hill! If you've never been to the State House, or even if you have droves of times, I encourage you to come for a visit and check out everything the people's house offers, inside and out.  Last week I welcomed 10 talented high schoolers hailing from across our district to the State House for our Spring Youth Summit. This annual event gives young adults direct access to the workings of our democracy. The Summit featured an intro session with me and my team, a State House tour, a pizza and policy lunch, and deep discussions on a range of issues including homelessness, AI and social media, youth mental health, and health care access and coverage. With guidance from my staff, students developed and debated ideas, insights, and proposals, culminating with policy pitches to me and my Legislative Director. Take it from me: there is promise in our future leadership.       Youth Summit participants pose on the Senate rostrum with Senator Rausch (left) and present their policy pitches (right). Bringing students together to analyze the issues that matter to them is a great hands-on civics workshop, but that's not the only reason these events are so important. Hearing the concerns of our youth is a key component of representing all of my constituents' needs and interests. During a virtual youth town hall session I convened in 2021, young people spoke courageously about mental health challenges and the need for better and different supports. Working with Samaritans, Inc., within a few weeks I secured funding for a youth mental health text line called Hey Sam. This confidential, peer-to-peer resource has been a tremendous success, connecting thousands of young people to the help they need. Hey Sam is your tax dollars at work, saving lives and helping our youth, both those who text in and those who volunteer.   Read on in this month's Rausch Report for more info about Samaritans' 50th Anniversary celebration, legislative updates, a roundup of upcoming May events and activities in our district, and more.  For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.      Yours in service,     Senator Becca Rausch    Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 215 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133   This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents, please visit ->   https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-17763604?e=409dce3a6f

An Update From Congressman Jake Auchincloss for past 2 weeks (as of May 1, 2024)

Aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Voting in defense of our allies in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan  Helping Ukraine win CCP's state-sponsored fentanyl poisoning of the United States Advocating for more federal aid to address the migrant crisis           — Bringing drug-pricing policy center stage with the New England Council, Pioneer Institute, and Mass Biotech Council Upholding U.S.-Japanese ties with Consul General Suzuki Speaking to next-generation leaders at MIT Honoring MA-04's own heroic letter carrier Celebrating local talent for the Congressional Art Competition On the Hill Voting in defense of our allies in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan: During a special Saturday session, I voted to defend our fellow democracies against the axis of China, Russia, and Iran. These autocracies are working together to upend the Pax Americana that has supported freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The United States must respond by working together with our allies to fight back. The three bills, which will send $95.3 billion to aid our democratic allies, include $60.8 billion to Ukraine, $26.4 billion to Israel, and $8.1 billion to Taiwan, as well as $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and elsewhere.  Despite the big price tag, this national security bill is a bargain. For a tenth of what Congress spends annually on the military, we are investing in a free world that is more strong, self-reliant, and safe. The passage of these aid bills is even more critical following Iran's attack on Israel. As I told the Boston Globe:  "If the response to this attack is focused purely on Iran, it would miss the geopolitical reality that Iran, China, and Russia are inextricably linked in an axis opposed to the United States," Auchincloss said. "And they are working together to undermine freedom, democracy, and the rule of law." Helping Ukraine win: I joined MSNBC's "Way Too Early" before the vote to reiterate my support for our allies, and I spoke with Julie Mason afterward to remind listeners that victory in Ukraine is possible. The Ukrainians have the willpower to win, but they need Congress and the President to deliver the firepower. Victory looks like: a secure eastern border, freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, and accession to the European Union in the near term.  The House also passed a bill to increase sanctions against Russia and Iran and to allow the Biden administration to re-possess ~$5 billion in Russian assets, already frozen in the United States, to send to Ukraine. NATO should invest these assets into Ukraine's defense industrial base.  Should Speaker Johnson's job be threatened because he allowed aid to Ukraine to pass, I will vote to table the motion. My colleagues and I are in Washington to govern, and letting extremists sow chaos in the House benefits only the purveyors of clickbait. CCP's state-sponsored fentanyl poisoning of the United States: I expressed my concern about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s encouragement of fentanyl trafficking during a recent Select Committee on China hearing. The Committee released a report on April 16, which you can read here, that details how the CCP is not just facilitating, but subsidizing and abetting the manufacture and export of 97% of all fentanyl precursors. Chinese nationals are also assisting the drug cartels in laundering money from fentanyl trafficking. As I said in the hearing, an authoritarian government that can lock down its population overnight is capable of stopping fentanyl precursor manufacturers from breaking domestic and international laws. Instead, the CCP subsidizes them. The fentanyl crisis we're experiencing in the United States is tantamount to the state-sponsored poisoning of Americans by a foreign adversary. I am working in a bipartisan manner on a legislative response. Advocating for more aid to address the migrant crisis: I joined my colleagues in sending another letter to FEMA Administrator Criswell requesting the swift allocation of Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding to address the migrant crisis. Additionally, the letter requested that FEMA broaden the eligibility criteria for SSP funding, which would allow new non-profit agencies, religious organizations, and groups that have not previously applied or received grants to apply for funding.  Nearly $7 million in SSP funds are on their way to Massachusetts, but this is still not enough to address the full financial scope of shelter and services for migrants. In the second half of 2023, Massachusetts saw a significant increase in families arriving, placing an even greater strain on the shelter system. The last round of SSP funding, allocated in September 2023, did not take into account this increase and failed to provide adequate resources at the time. Today, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development is housing over 3,800 families in hotels in addition to the more than 3,600 families currently in traditional shelters.  I will continue to advocate for the rapid disbursement of remaining FY24 federal funds and work to secure additional funding for Fiscal Year 2025. More fundamentally, America desperately needs immigration reform. I am a cosponsor of the DIGNITY Act, which is bipartisan and comprehensive legislation to upgrade border security and rationalize the naturalization process. I also continue to support the bipartisan border security bill agreed in the Senate but torpedoed by former president Trump for political purposes. Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you. Do you support increased federal Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding for Massachusetts? Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact This newsletter was shortened for publication here. You need to subscribe to get your own copy to get the full contents. Or send me an email and I'll send you the full copy of this. Steve PS - You can also check online ->   https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/enewsletters  this edition is not yet posted there but it may be evntually

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, May 2, 2024

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

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   Franklin Faith Forum

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 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:00 am Town of Franklin Fallen Heroes Pt 2

8:00 am Veterans' Call: Veterans' Treatment

9:00 am Arts Advocacy: Fundraising

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Fish

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Chicken Parmesan

1:00 pm Strawberry Stroll 2022

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Shrimp, Tomato & Greens Pizzetta

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 8

3:00 pm Riffing on Main Street: Michael Walker Jones

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

5:00 pm Celebration of the Arts

6:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 6 - Swinging Steaks

8:00 pm Frank's Musings: Return to Israel

8:30 pm Frank Presents: Dom DeBaggis

9:00 pm Endless Konnections: Natasha Ward Pt 2

10:00 pm Pack 92 Pinewood Derby 2022

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am MICCA Festival 2019

8:30 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2023

10:00 am FHS Varsity Baseball v North Attleboro 04-22-24

1:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

2:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage 2

6:00 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22

7:30 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission 04-18-24

12:30 pm Master Plan Committee 04-17-24

2:00 pm Conservation Commission 04-18-24

7:00 pm  Conservation Commission  LIVE Chambers  992 4686 7224

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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