We Hear...

A new book, The Bay State: A Multicultural Landscape, is the source of material for an exhibit at the Franklin Public Library.  The work of noted photographer Mark Chester, celebrates Massachusetts newest citizens hailing from 195 countries around the globe and helps support MIRA, an organization that work to “protect and support the most vulnerable, especially those at risk of deportation, but also strive to expand opportunities for all foreign-born people.” The exhibit will be on display from October 1 - October 31, 2021. One more factoid of note: One of the people profiled is a Franklin resident!

MEA CULPA #1 Multiple residents corrected our statement that the town’s new Veterans’ Services Officer, Shannon Nisbett, is the first woman to fill the role. NOT SO! Multiple emails tell us the honor goes to Carmelita Healey, who had the job from around 1970 until well into the 1980s.

MEA CULPA #2 Coverage last week of a political “how-to-vote” card contained an oblique reference to a reliable source, couched in guarded language... In other words, an attempt at being a bit provocative, wondering "who dunnit," ended making some people feel accused. Not the intention! To be clear, Franklin Observer has no definitive information regarding the source of the cue card.  But  secrets are hard to keep in 02038.

A belated goodbye...At the last Town Council meeting, Councilor Debbie Pellegri shared the sad news from Florida that former Town Councilor Julio Renzi had passed away in September.

According to a very brief announcement on the website of the Neptune Society, “Julio Antonio Renzi, age 77, of Dunedin, Florida passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Julio was born September 15, 1944. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/ for the Renzi family." We recall Julio as a warm and sharp inquisitor when the Open Space Committee made its inaugural presentation to the Town Council in January of 1999. Pax.

Congrats to DPW Director Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi who recently received Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year Award from the New England Chapter of American Public Works Association. He was recognized at the NEAPWA Fall Conference Awards Dinner

Damping Down Expectations....Two readers asked about the promised National Grid rebate from the dehumidifier recycling event at Chilson Beach in September. Franklin Observer contacted National Grid Customer Service and got referred to MassSave and then got referred back to National Grid. Then we asked Dave Rappa, whose company was a cosponsor. Clarification came in an email from State Rep. Jeff Roy who said he is in touch with National Grid regularly and reminds all us restless spirits that the commitment was 30 days, which still hasn’t come to pass. Thanks for checking Jeff!

Will they, or won’t they? Stop & Shop HQ recently announced that 19 of its in-store pharmacy locations would be closing. And what of Franklin? No response to calls to media relations. Nor did Tim Melia, president of Local 328 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union respond. He had spilled the beans on two of the planned closures to the Patriot Ledger in Quincy. We finally called the Stop & Shop pharmacy. The individuals answer the phone said they could “neither confirm nor deny.”

A nice touch for upcoming Veteran’s Day...Aspen Dental is offering a free Day of Service for Veterans – Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 8 am to 1 pm at participating practices. Call 844-ASPEN-HMM (Appointments required).

And speaking of Veterans, Ernest Carruthers, the Franklin VFW Post Quartermaster and Adjutant, said the post is hosting the Dana Farber blood mobile at the Franklin VFW 1034 Pond St on Friday November 5, from 10 until 4:30 (See poster image, below).