In Other News

Two Franklin Employer to Cut Nearly 200 Jobs

Because of the state's  WARN Act, which requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide 60
days’ written notice before a plant closing or mass layoff, upcoming cuts at two Franklin employers have been revealed. Panera, LLC (dba Panera), is closing its central bread-making facility in Franklin (off of Beaver Street), effective at the end of March, and impacting some 92 employees.  Then, Thermo Fisher Scientific Company has announced that 103 positions in Franklin will be eliminated between  Dec. 31, 2026 and Dec. 31, 2027. In an unrelated move, Saks Off 5th, an outlet of Saks 5th Avenue that offers luxury off-price fashion, will close almost all its stores across the country, including two in Massachusetts, one of which is at the Wrentham Outlet Mall

Beaver Street Interceptor (BSI) Project

Construction Updates ~ Monday (2/2) Through Friday (2/6)
> Fisher Street Easement - Monday (2/2) thru Friday (2/6) - 7AM to 4PM
The contractor will be working off the road along Fisher Street. There are no anticipated traffic impacts at this location.
> Beaver Street Pump Station: At the Franklin Recreation Center, the construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with construction of the internal building component installation and testing of the pumps. Bypass piping equipment will be onsite and protected by barriers. Access to the recreation center will NOT be affected during this time.

Speaking of Rodents, it IS Groundhog Day

You can see what Punxatawney Phil has to say or you can watch the less frenetic activities of Ms. G -- the Mass. Audubon groundhog livestreaming on Facebook from 9 to noon, here.

No Help from Frozen North

Just two weeks after Governor Maura Healey celebrated Canadian hydropower flowing into Massachusetts, that same power source has twice failed the region when it was needed most according to Mass Fiscal Alliance. During the recent cold snap that brought large snow falls and again with the current frigid temperatures, Hydro Québec suspended electricity deliveries to New England in order to meet its own internal demand, which includes extensive use of electricity for home heating in the Canadian province As a result, Massachusetts was once again forced to rely on expensive oil-fired power plants.

Keeping MBTA Locomotives Alive for Now

In
December, the MBTA Board of Directors voted to overhaul 40 diesel
locomotives to extend their lifespan into the 2030s. To watch MBTA
Director of Vehicle Engineering William Wolfgang's presentation to
the board, click
here and fast forward to 3:36:40.\

NH Tries to Dump Vehicle Inspections

N.H. lawmakers recently drafted legislation Thursday to try to counter a federal judge’s ruling that preserves the car inspection program for the foreseeable future. The proposal would reduce the fine for driving a car without a current inspection sticker to $1 and would prohibit police from pulling over a car for not having a sticker.

Franklin Volleyball Honors

Franklin
volleyball fans can celebrate  Makayla Kuykendall, who reportedly powered Franklin High to an 18-2 regular season, a run to the
Division 1 state championship, and Hockomock League co-MVP honors. 

Mass Municipal Association Podcast Stars Franklin Town Manager Jamie Hellen

Franklin
Town Administrator Jaime Hellen and Amesbury
Mayor Kassandra Gove, respectively —  go in-depth about how local leaders are often torn in
multiple directions and work to achieve success for their communities
under the constraints of time, staffing and budgets. Click here to listen.

A Key Hire

St. Mary's Parish in Franklin is welcoming a new Director of Music and Organist, Krishan Oberoi.