Saturday, May 30, 2020

FPAC and THE BLACK BOX Update

Dear FPAC Community and patrons of THE BLACK BOX,

I hope you are well as we look forward to reopening and reconnecting. As many of you know and have experienced first-hand, the arts have the power to inspire us and to heal. To that end, FPAC is ready to welcome you as soon as it is safe to turn the lights back on at THE BLACK BOX, under the guidelines of the CDC and Mass.gov.

Below please find the status of shows from our 2019-2020 season; Ticket holders will be contacted separately by email:

  • Legally Blonde The Musical - New Dates TBA!
  • Electric Youth In Concert - Cancelled, See you next year!
  • Broadway In Franklin Weekend - Cancelled, See you next year!
  • Culinary Cabaret - Cancelled, See you next year!
  • FPAC 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Fun Run - New date in September TBA!
  • FPAC Golf Tournament - New date is October 5th!


Please consider donating your ticket purchase back to help support our company and venue. The outpouring of concern for FPAC and THE BLACK BOX has been heartening, and given the devastating financial impact on nonprofits like ours, we’ll be counting on you when it’s show time once again! Look for a schedule of outdoor concerts in July!

Please like Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook (if you haven’t already!), and turn in for the month of June, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 pm for “Great Performances…At Home” featuring FPAC favorite performers and special guests on Facebook Live. 

Since March FPAC has provided nightly entertainment and fun for audiences at home awaiting the opportunity to get out of our living rooms and back on stage.  
As you shop from home, please consider using AmazonSmile at https://smile.amazon.com/ and make FPAC your nonprofit of choice, thereby donating a small percentage of your purchase to FPAC. 

 Kindly join us on social media - like, follow, comment, share! Expanding our reach on social media is something we can accomplish from home with your help.

We can't wait to see your smiling faces soon!

Best,

Raye Lynn

Raye Lynn Mercer, Executive Director
Franklin Performing Arts Company
THE BLACK BOX
15 West Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-0048
Email: rlmercer@fpaconline.com
Websites: www.fpaconline.com www.theblackboxonline.com

FPAC and THE BLACK BOX Update
FPAC and THE BLACK BOX Update

FM #280 Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 - 5/28/20

FM #280 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 280 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Thursday, May 28, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the second of four budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Vice Chair Bill Dowd opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The Franklin Public School budget is the key item on the agenda. There is good discussion and Q&A to help understand the drivers of the school budget. The Finance Committee approves only the top level amount. All the details are the responsibility of the School Dept and School Committee.

The recording runs about one hour and twenty-four minutes (1:24) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of May 28.

audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDY3Z2g7




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

Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-28_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

Budget doc and Overview memo
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy21-town-administrator-budget-message

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

School budget summary
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf

Schools FY 21 recommended budget
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf


School Budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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

FM #280 Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 - 5/28/20
FM #280 Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 - 5/28/20

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast 5-29-2020


Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy and connected!  Here are some fun and interesting things to help pass the time.  

Tips and information
Curbside Cafe begins on Monday June 1st!  Click here for information on how to order and menu items available.

Guided meditation by Kerry Paulhus

World Health Organization - COVID-19 Myth busters


Music
Enjoy Franklin's own Jamie Barrett sing The Doobie Brothers

Smooth Jazz for easy listening

5 Hours of the best classical music!

Just for Fun
Build the perfect Squirrel proof bird feeder
Cat Vs. Dog
Riding an ostrich - for those of you who were on the zoom call this morning. 

Humor
Jeanne Robertson - don't snap an elephant to a tree
Jeanne Robertson - Don't mess with broom people

CBS outtakes and bloopers

Dumbest job fail awards

Kindness Matters
People who restore your faith in humanity

Random Trivia
The 100 folds in a chef's hat represent 100 ways to cook an egg.
Yes, that tall, pleated white hat that chefs wear — technically called a toque — has 100 folds for a reason! According to Reluctant Gourmet, the pleats used to signify a chef's level of experience, like the number of ways he or she knew how to prepare eggs.
You can hear a blue whale's heartbeat from more than 2 miles away.The world's largest animal's heart weighs about 400 pounds — approximately the size of a small piano.
Attached you will find:
  • Donna's activity sheet with 2 coloring pages
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9B-2N1jVfpq1QUPNcJAm_b1fQZn3uC4/view?usp=sharing

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  We are still here for you!  Please feel free to email Donna or me with questions, concerns or just to check in!
Ariel & Donna

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 


REMEMBER:
When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

MEMORY CAFE!
For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

--
Ariel Doggett

Respite Coordinator
Support Day Coordinator
Franklin Senior Center

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #2 - May 28, 2020

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0528&src=typeahead_click

Pre-Meeting Tweets
Meeting starts, Franklin Public Schools

screen grab at start of budget hearing #2
screen grab at start of budget hearing #2

  • Real-time reporting ready to get underway for the #2 budget hearing for the Finance Committee meeting covering the school budget #fincom0528
  • Roll call of Committee (6 present) along with TA Hellen, Superintendent Ahern among others of town/schools. Approx 30 total to start meeting #fincom0528
  • Bill Dowd acting as Chair tonight in absence of M Dufour. #fincom0528 no public comments at this time. Minutes of Dec 17, 2019 up for approval, moved, seconded approved 7-0 (7 for, 2 absent) via roll call
  • First up on agenda is town side of technology, #fincom0528 mostly same as last year with a minor increase for license cost increases
  • Next up is school budget, only a line item on town side, all the details are in the school budget docs. #fincom0528
  • First doc for SchComm budget is https://franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf #fincom0528 second doc https://franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf
  • Town Council meeting of June 3 will include updates from Rep Roy, Senator Spilka and senator Rausch to provide some insight from capital hill #fincom0528 agenda to be posted Friday.
  • Grappling with how to close the gap, as mentioned in SchComm meeting 5/26 it could include reduction of 25 positions on one scenario and 50 positions on the second scenario #fincom0528 teacher avg salary is Below the State avg teacher salary
  • Town contributes more than $8M towards net school spending as calculated by the State, from the town side of the budget (facility maint, custodians, etc) and reconciled annually per MOU between town and schools #fincom0528
  • Q on enrollment drop can increases in budget, what is the readers digest answer? Population has dropped, but the students coming are requiring more services, K-8 teachers have dropped, councilors have increased #fincom0528
  • Key slide on gaps to close given some of the projections on the downturn and revenue estimates #fincom0528
  • Q how closely do we vette the SPED needs of the students? We do quite well there, a lot of data via testing and observation, a formal process to follow with reviews at minimum annually #fincom0528 some kids do get off plans, they don't always stay forever
  • SPED is a special Ed term for delivery of education to those students with special needs, schools attempt to do as much in-house as possible to save on out of district placements #fincom0528
  • June 15 for non-professional (less than 3 years) and per contract the others would also be notified by June 15. #fincom0528 contract does have recall provisions that could be used
  • Question on per pupil expenditure calculated at State per their categories and requirements #fincom0528
Tri-County, Norfolk Ag line items
  • Tri-County working on plans for a refurb of the building, that would require a debt exclusion. Otherwise the charge for Franklin is based upon a per pupil expense for enrollment #fincom0528 both for Norfolk Ag and Tri-County
  • Meeting adjourned via roll call by 7-0, catch you next Tuesday for part three of the FY 21 budget hearings  #fincom0528

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will conduct a virtual general meeting on Zoom on Thursday, June 4 at 8:30 AM. This special "Re-opening Businesses" FDP General Meeting will feature updates from state and town leaders, including 

  • Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
  • Susan Nicholl from State Sen. Karen Spilka's office 
  • State Sen. Becca Rausch
  • State Rep. Jeff Roy 
  • Franklin Health Director Cathy Liberty


The link to join the Zoom meeting is: https://zoom.us/j/96287098735
Meeting ID: 962 8709 8735
One tap mobile: +16465588656,,96287098735# US

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"
Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincomm0527&src=recent_search_click

Pre-Meeting Tweets


Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020
Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020

Meeting Starts - Jamie Hellen budget message overview

Jamie Hellen budget message overview
Jamie Hellen budget message overview

  • Ready for real time reporting for the first of 4 finance committee budget hearings #fincomm0527
  • Attendance via roll call for the intro including Town Admin and staff #fincomm0527 8 present, 1 member absent to start
  • Approx 30 participating to start #fincomm0527 chair outlines meeting protocol and process to enable discussion and quality recording
  • For FY 20, approx 90% of anticipated revenues through April already in hand. Amount in free cash for Snow/ice set aside ready for reassign as winter was good to us. Chap 70 commitment from State for FY 20 will be met #fincomm0527
  • FY 21 is a different issue. #fincomm0527 some COVID-19 expenses will be covered by federal funds, cares act etc. When to be received is open
  • Some part time staff at senior center furloughed due to shut down and their funding via revolving funds that are not available due to shut down #fincomm0527 no full time affected
  • Balance budget presented, it is fluid. This is round one, there are reductions proposed. Additional may come as State aid reduction develops. Citizens need to be engaged in this discussion. #fincomm0527 FY 22 and 23 will provide additional challenges
  • Legislative delegation anticipated to be at the June 3 Town Council meeting to provide insights (Rausch, Roy, and Spilka) #fincomm0527 no rainy day fund, no revenue anticipated to help cover this
  • Town administrator Jamie Hellen provides the overview found in the budget memo shared earlier (I also recorded it) #fincomm0527 any cuts to local aid is a cut to the first line and dangerous. Will be critical to find new ways to do business in this new world
  • Question raised on override in 2007, link to override collection shared with group. #fincomm0527 http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/04/franklin-override-collection.html (Yes, the 2007 override was BEFORE franklinmatters.org came on line in Nov 2007)
  • Motion to hold off on individual budget votes, will do the vote after all the department details are reviewed : motion passed 8-0 via roll call #fincomm0527
  • One of the pluses with the virtual meeting is the screen share, all can be on the same page for the discussion of this or that number #fincomm0527
  • 2% cost of living increase part of each department budget lines for personnel, contracts negotiated for some. #fincomm0527 2% is about $400k for the municipal side. Did put this forward until such time as we need to relook at it.
  • Request for a sheet with FTE head count by department; would be helpful for schools also, Jamie will take it back to Superintendent Ahern #fincomm0527 shift of spot retiring to get an additional Assessor, they are the real ones who generate the property tax revenue
  • Cost of handling online bill payments needs to be incentivized. Handling the checks and dollars is so expensive in comparison #fincomm0527 legal funds reduced as collective bargaining is complete for this cycle
  • Town clerk budget not reduced due to multiple elections coming this year, one part time clerk moved to full time so only three full time in group, will need election workers for Sep 1 and Nov 3; #fincomm0527 esp as many of the workers were seniors and would be at risk
  • Absentee ballots and how they are expanded (or not) remains to be resolved. #fincomm0527
  • Facility line item reduction does assume Davis Thayer building would close for FY 21 year (decision to be made by schools - and not likely timewise for short term by my analysis) only accounts for the expense of the building #fincomm0527
  • Line item for iPads to help with mobile inspections. #fincomm0527 thanks to Tri-County for some work their students did (one pavilion at DelCarte - I was scheduled to meet with them to report on their work and school shutdown interrupted that)
  • Mitigation steps, cleaning and PPE, can be reimbursed via the cares act up to an amount. First 10 weeks cost approx 42k #fincomm0527

    Police Chief TJ Lynch
    Police Chief TJ Lynch

  • Moving to Public Safety section, Chief Lynch up. New shift schedule in process, something other depts need to look at to see if something like that is possible. Police at full staff currently (good health!) #fincomm0527
  • Fire chief McLaughlin here almost a year now, #fincomm0527 the coordination and cooperation among the depts for the pandemic has been great. Anticipate adding 4 paramedics in Jan 2021 (mid year) awaiting civil service removal approval by State House
  • Clear line of succession from paramedic through to chief, started new ambulance billing review effective April, each of the 4 battalion chiefs have additional duties #fincomm0527
  • Some nuances of fire head count due to the transition from civil service and the legal requirements before and after. Fire has 52 today, in Jan will be 56 per proposal aligned with battalion chiefs etc. #fincomm0527
  • Q on call volume, can get 5 years ? Check page 54 of the budget memo, it is there with some tables and pie charts #fincomm0527 had been on pace for 4800 runs/year pre covid, down slightly since (15%)
  • Comment on contract when approved by Town Council, had not heard the dept applaud a deal before. (When the fire contract was approved) Karen Bratt catches kudos twice tonight for her work on negotiations #fincomm0527
  • Moving to MECC dispatch operations, one year anniversary already, another merger coming as Mendon and Millville to join in Jan 2021, now eligible for additional grant opportunity, #fincomm0527 for 1 year of assessment getting 3 years of service
  • New stabilization fund coming for MECC full assessment in FY 25 #fincomm0527 the report gives thanks to multiple individuals for helping the MECC over the year
  • Open for final questions, motion to adjourn, vote via roll call passed 8-0. That's all for tonight! Catch you again Thursday for the school budget discussion.

One of the pluses with the virtual meeting is the screen share, all can be on the same page for the discussion of this or that number
One of the pluses with the virtual meeting is the screen share, all can be on the same page for the discussion of this or that number

What Is the Point of Chamber Membership?

Listen, friends, when society starts throwing around blanket definitions of which roles are "essential," although we can understand the meaning in this context, I think everyone starts considering their value a little.

A Chamber of Commerce is a unique thing. Many people think we are a city, probably tax funded, entity. Not true. Many people think we are a marketing agency. Not true, although we do provide marketing services. Many people think we are Downtown event planners. Not in our job descriptions, although we do believe our community is enriched by having regular activities to enjoy.

At the United Regional Chamber, we heavily consider ourselves to be customer service professionals. We exist to serve our business members, school districts, individual members, non profit partners, and the residents and visitors of our communities.

We provide word of mouth referrals on a daily basis. We manage a social media presence with broad reach. We create networking connections and new partnerships. We help your granddad find the phone number he didn't find in the yellow pages. We help high school kids navigate the steps of their community service project. We mail visitor packets out of state to people who are interested in relocating here, and we encourage them to stay in our local hotels and order our favorite menu items from local restaurants.

We help newcomers settle in by giving them useful resources accompanied by a sincere warm welcome to the community. We are an information hub.

We work closely with city leaders, local merchants, State agencies, Small Business Development Centers and more to stay in the know of things that could benefit or damage our communities. We are in a constant state of event planning, and are regularly brainstorming new things for families to do– because the truth is, if nobody enjoys living in and visiting our communities, our businesses will not thrive the way we want to see them thrive.

If you ask us "what's the point of joining the Chamber" we can rattle off a list of things we will do for you/your business, and I will explain that in some ways, we are like a gym membership– the more ways you choose to use your membership, the more benefit you will see. No two people will use the exact same combination of equipment, because we recognize that different members are seeking different results. Overall, like a gym, a Chamber cultivates a healthier community.

A Chamber is many things. We are flexible and ever evolving, because that's what it takes to be forward thinking and relevant. We offer a mix of tangible benefits and intangible benefits to our members, but a vibrant Chamber is GOOD for a vibrant community.

Before you dismiss a Chamber of commerce as non-essential for your business, please consider that Chambers are essential for community. Supporting your chamber is doing something for yourself– helping to build the quality of life in the communities where you live, work and play. #URCC #Chamberstrong

Jack Lank, IOM
President & CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone: 508-316-0861
www.unitedregionalchamber.org
"People Do Business With People They Know"
United Regional Chamber of Commerce
United Regional Chamber of Commerce

Attention Franklin: We Are a Purple Heart Community

We Are a Purple Heart Community - Honoring Those Who Served and Sacrificed

The Town of Franklin was recently named a Purple Heart Community. Along with 90 other Massachusetts communities, Franklin recognizes and honors recipients of the Purple Heart medal which is presented to U.S. military members who have been wounded or killed by enemy forces. 

Please let the Veterans Services Office know if you or a family member (residing in Franklin) is a Purple Heart recipient.







Contact info for Dale Kurtz, the Veterans Service Officer
Dale Kurtz
Veterans Service Officer
Towns of Avon and Franklin
10 Daniel McCahill Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-613-1315 (O)
508-520-4917 (F)


A recent (April 27, 2020) interview with Dale Kurtz
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-257-dale-kurtz-veterans-services.html

Franklin Municipal Building at night
Franklin Municipal Building at night

In the News: "(the scammers) can do a lot of damage"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Using information stolen in a previous data breach, scammers are using Massachusetts’ residents personal information to get unemployment benefits, something that could have far-reaching effects for victims. 
Police in Ashland, Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Natick and Sherborn have received multiple calls from residents saying they have received letters in the mail indicating that they have been approved for unemployment benefits. 
The problem is, those victims had never applied for the benefits. 
Although the victims of the identity fraud aren’t losing money, it could lead to problems."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200529/area-police-warn-of-unemployment-scam


Friday, May 29, 2020

St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

This weekend, May 30-31, we will “re-open our Parish” to Saturday/Sunday Masses. 


We begin this reopening on a special, powerful and meaningful feast: The Feast of Pentecost, the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, also called the Birthday (Beginning) of the Church. 

After this long quarantine we are at a “new beginning” of our Parish and its spiritual life. The Holy Spirit, sent by the Lord Jesus, is with us as we start the “baby steps” to begin to walk and re-open our Parish. I invite you to read this letter closely because although everyone is invited, there are many, many of you who should remain at home for health and safety reasons. 

The Apostles at Pentecost: they were brave, they will filled with faith and hope, but they also had to stumble about, back up a few times, go forward a few steps and also stop to figure it out some more. Some were able to step right along, and many were unable to come forward until later. 

Remember the great and magnificent Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome took centuries to be built as it appears today and also was torn down, added to and changed inside and out at various times. We cannot gild the lily with gold, until we plant, water, care for and grow the lily first, a lots of steps which all take time. 

So we do not start with the highest and fancy best as we begin again, we start with the basic and solid elements of Mass. Also, what is true is that the early church is a good model for us about deciding about “returning to church”. We need to remember that this decision is not about lack of faith; instead it is about being prudent and sensible and also using common sense. 

No one will get a higher seat in heaven for coming this week or in the next period of time, we receive our seat by the grace of God and then by our actions of our entire lifetime. 

We will begin with Masses at 4 PM this Saturday May 30, 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM on May 31 this Sunday. Bear in mind we need to clean and sanitize the church between each Mass.

The Mass in church for the foreseeable future will feel very different and perhaps strange to you. Further along in the letter I will explain some of the steps which we must take. Bear in mind that Cardinal Sean has continued the Dispensation for everyone about not attending Mass for any reason. This means any age. 

First I wish to address straight on a serious matter of who should consider coming to Mass and the folks who simply should not come. We are at present in Phase One in our State which means “stay safer at home.” 

This means there are categories of people who should choose not to attend Mass: People who are over the age of 70, with health issues the ages of 65-70, those who are receiving medical care, especially cancer and cardiac patients, people with emphysema, asthma or COPD, a history of pneumonia, those who use oxygen, or any respiratory complication etc. - basically any significant health reason whether physical or psychological. Good Catholics will observe this and all good Catholics will understand.

Coming to Church for Mass means cooperating with the new mandated rules and procedures, whether you like them or not. None of us will prefer them, but you, me and everyone else must care for the safety of others first. 

You may find a video of this as an example on our website (stmarysfranklin.org) or our Facebook Page 


Archdiocese of Boston: Returning to Mass from Archdiocese of Boston on Vimeo.

  • All of us must observe the rules. 
  • Please place your mask on while at the sidewalk. 
  • Entrance is only by the front middle door or the elevator side entrance. 
  • Everyone must come in and go down the main aisle to the front and circulate to side by going up to the front, across and then up the side. 
  • Benches are closed off by tape. Do not break the tape. 
  • The benches without tape on the aisle are for sitting. 
  • Tape is placed on the bench seat to show where you may sit in that bench so that six feet will be observed. 
  • If you are a household of 2 or more, you may sit as a group. 
  • The next single near your group must stay 6 feet away. 
  • There are only about 180 seats available in the church. 
  • When capacity is reached, by law we must not admit anyone else.
Sadly, you will be unable to attend Mass in the church. There will be volunteer “Ambassadors” who will remind folks, help direct traffic flow and answer questions. 

  • There will be no missalettes or singing. 
  • At Communion, the Ambassadors will direct this bench by bench. 
  • You must come down the main aisle. 
  • The sides must go to the back, come across and come down the main aisle. 
  • You must stay 6 feet apart. 
  • Only Communion in the hand is allowed. “By tongue” is expressly forbidden because it is so very, very most dangerous in spreading infection, now or at any time. 
  • Please put out one hand palm up. 
  • Then step over about 6 feet to the taped box on the rug, remove your mask, receive Communion and then re-mask. 
  • After receiving, please go down the side aisle and leave immediately by the front side door. You must leave by the two side doors in the lobby area. “Middle in, side out!” 
  • If you are coming, please realize it will take extra time and come starting a half hour before hand. 

The side stairwell and wooden door on the Rectory side will be unavailable for use for the foreseeable future. Entrance to the lower level, will be by the side glass doors towards the front. 

The Prayer Wall in our Church is available electronically via our Facebook Page and also in church. If you use in church, you must come early and put your prayer up before Mass. Because of health reasons, you must provide your own pen for church. 

Terry Kerr, our Music Director and Organist, will provide music and singing at allowed times. 

Also, please know that Private/Family Only Funeral Masses are now being held. Weekday Mass will be a few more weeks away. We are following the priorities as directed by the Archdiocese.

Please know the very spiritual and holy Masses and Services on Catholic TV (catholictv.org) are available for everyone who should be staying at home. I have received many, many emails from folks about how this great spiritual treasure of our Archdiocese has kept their faith vibrant and strong. Parishes that stream their amateur efforts just cannot compete with Bishop Reed offers on the Catholic TV Channel. 

Our Saint Vincent de Paul acknowledges your generosity to them for their caring for the needy and frail. To bring donations of food and supplies from now on, please bring them up the sidewalk between the Rectory and church building and place them inside the glass doors on the side of the church at ground level. Many have also mailed in financial donations to the Rectory. 

I admire greatly the constant and faithful generosity of all who have thoughtfully sent financial support to our Parish via on-line giving (found at stmarysfranklin.org) or mailed in or dropped through the Rectory mail slot. Your continued generosity will help us as we go slowly through the many stages over the long time of re-opening.

Our Blessed Mother Mary is our Patroness and we honor her especially in this month of May. Saint Rocco, our special Patron, intercedes for us in heaven. We are blessed to be able to begin. We have the Holy Spirit who has been sent as an Advocate and Helper to us. The Spirit empowers us as we begin and re-open. 

May the Lord bless us as we continue His command to announce “the Good News of Salvation”.

Father Brian

PS: “Dear God, please get Father Brian to write shorter letters!”

St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31
St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31

FM #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20

FM #279 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 279 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the first of four budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Chair Micheal Dufour opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The recording runs about two hour and twenty-five minutes (2:25) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of May 27.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HB7R38g7



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Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-27_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

Budget doc and Overview memo
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy21-town-administrator-budget-message

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

Town Budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

FM #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20
FM #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20

FM #278 School Committee Meeting - 5/26/20 (audio)

FM #278 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 278 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The School Committee Chairperson Anne Bergen opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The recording runs about one hour and fifty minutes (1:50) , so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of May 26.

Audio link = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HW257rH7



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Agenda document
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_5-26-20.pdf

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/may-26-2020-school-committee-packet

My notes reported in real-time during the meeting via Twitter
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/school-committee-meeting-recap-budget.html

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

FM #278 School Committee Meeting - 5/26/20 (audio)
FM #278 School Committee Meeting - 5/26/20 (audio)