We formed the Greater Franklin node in 2015 to fight the proposed Spectra/Enbridge Access Northeast gas project at the nexus of its two pipelines. We made connections to eleven towns along the pipeline routes, eight of which passed No Pipeline resolutions in town meetings. The gas project was eventually killed. Since then, our multi-town node has focused on supporting the 350 Mass legislative agenda, educating about the climate crisis and taking action. We’ve attended Lobby Days, held in-district meetings with legislators and otherwise emphasized our sense of urgency on specific climate bills. We’ve done some local actions, including Charlie’s Climate Catastrophe Tour, in which we highlighted gas leaks with a nine-foot Charlie Baker puppet, and the Burma Shave action, a fun event along a main thoroughfare in which we held rhyming signs that urged the legislature to support climate action. With other nodes, we attended the large Climate Strike in Boston, joining the six million marchers worldwide. We’ve had some success in outreach with local organizations. Pre-pandemic, we helped organize the well-attended presentation “Franklin 2050: The Climate Crisis” in collaboration with a local organization. In early 2020, we held a lively and informative node fundraiser with presentations and games at a local brewery; it exceeded our expectations! With so many towns in the node’s region, it can be a challenge supporting every local town initiative such as the Green Communities designation. Notably, the towns of Mendon and Upton are currently participating jointly in the Solarize Mass Plus program as the first two towns in Massachusetts to offer all the carbon-reducing technologies available: solar PV, battery storage, air source heat pumps, geothermal, solar hot water and electric vehicles. We continue to seek out opportunities to collaborate with local groups.

We’re a comfortable, friendly node, close enough to participate in climate and social justice events in the Boston metropolitan area, yet distinctly out of the city in an exurban setting. We welcome anyone who wants to help fight the climate crisis! You don’t have to be an expert; you just have to be concerned and willing to be involved. Come join us!

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” ~ Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909), American author and clergyman