Reminder: - May 4 - Day of Giving

The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) invites the community to join in a day of giving on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, as Franklin celebrates the birthday of public-school advocate, Horace Mann, and the amazing work of our local educators. 

Since 1997, FEF has funded hundreds of educational grants totaling well over $300,000, to inspire innovative and sustainable programs, and to further support excellence in education within Franklin Public Schools. The educational grants support engaging, diverse and sustainable preK-12 learning opportunities and resources including a Franklin Family Resource Guide, Box City, Family Astronomy Night, Franklin High School Empty Bowls Project which are just a few of the many amazing projects that have benefitted students, families, educators and the community-at-large over the decades.

 However, none of these innovative programs and resources would be possible without the financial support of area businesses, organizations, families and individuals. The Franklin Education Foundation is entirely dependent on the generosity of sponsorships, financial donations, and in-kind donations. We welcome contributions all year long and hope you will consider participation in our day of giving to the Franklin Education Foundation to support innovative programs that truly enhance student learning in Franklin Public Schools. 

Contributions can be made directly to the Franklin Education Foundation website under the donate tab https://www.franklined.org/get-involved/donate, or by mailing a check to Franklin Education Foundation at P.O. Box 531, Franklin, MA 02038. 

You can learn more about the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) on their website at https://www.franklined.org/. For more information about FEF please contact FEF co-chair, Pandora Carlucci at pandora.carlucci@gmail.com. 

The Franklin Education Foundation thanks you for your continued support.

Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) - May 4 - Day of Giving

 

The Rise of Dolley Madison - May 11

The Rise of Dolley Madison

Tuesday, May 11, 7:00 PM

Why First Lady Dolley Madison spells her name with an "e" is up to speculation. However, Mrs. Madison's legacy goes far beyond the unconventional spelling of her name. Join us for a virtual performance to learn about the twists and turns of Mrs. Madison's storied life as well as her largely unknown contributions to the evolution of our country. 

The Rise of Dolley Madison - May 11

You will learn about this "fashionista'  First Lady's  life as a Quaker child, the tragedies and serendipities she faced in Philadelphia, her unlikely marriage to James Madison, determining role in her husband's presidential-election victory 1809, transformation of the barren White House into a national treasure, strategies that united a fractured, contentious Congress and personal regrets as a mother.

Janet Parnes, founder of Historical Portrayals by Lady J, Millis will portray Mrs. Madison.

To register, please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcemhrzkjG9BPCjuFRpMMAy0GlhE... .

Shared from the Library page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/315837

FM #526 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #1 - 04/27/21 (audio)

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this budget hearing on "General government"

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d9c1b417-b587-4cee-a861-c5409f4085cf

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• April 27 Agenda = Central government, Human Services, Culture and Recreation, Debt and Interest, Benefits

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/4.27.21_fin_com_agenda.pdf

• Town budget page for FY 2022

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy-22-budget-materials

• My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/finance-committee-budget-hearing-1-of-4.html

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

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.Franklinmatters.org/   or www.franklin.news/

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 #526 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #1 - 04/27/21 (audio)

Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety

Quick Recap:

• Public safety up for review this evening; Police, Fire, Inspection, and Regional Dispatch
• Police still understaffed vs. FBI stats but at larger staff than in recent years. Takes a newbie a year to get trained and on the street. One reason transfers are preferred if available
• Fire awaiting grant status possible award in Jun/Jul. If awarded, those individuals would be in addition to staff. Only hire paramedic qualified individuals.
• MECC expanding by two more communities (Millis, Mendon) with room for one more (maybe after that).

----

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  #fincom0428

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0428&src=typed_query

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/6sggWUkqV9YYLy578

The agenda for this meeting can be found

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf 

• Part 2 of the 4 part Budget Hearing by the Finance Committee about to begin at 6:30 PM. Connection info and agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-04-28_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf   #fincom0428
• Full budget doc to follow along on Police budget -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/budget_book_ta_level_fy22_with_page_numbers_v3.pdf  #fincom0428

Police

• P 52 and following covers the Police budget currently at 53 FTE would like to get more to be aligned with similar Community size #fincom0427 1 sargent aligned with 15 patrol personnel; span of control and additional administration would be desirable. Facing retirements
• Possible 2 this year, 4 in mid 2022, senior patrol person always badge #1; incentive to get 9 months notice of retirement, to avoid gap of hiring, training and actually getting to the streets to work #fincom0428 Q on jail diversion program covered by grant joint with Medway
• FBI stats say 1.9 patrol per 1000/population, would run out to about 70. Don't need to be that high just that 53 is light and with increase in population and buildings, the call volume is going up. #fincom0427 It takes a person about a year to get training to hit the streets
• The training and salary package has been an incentive to get transfers in which allows them to get to the streets quicker #fincom0428 chief advocated for parity in the salary package and it has worked well. Cost of body cameras and particularly the storage of the video
• He would prefer to have the body first, also with police reform there are 16 Committees looking at this so why start something now and have to change it out later. #fincom0428 we are not in civil service and happy not to be, able to recruit without it.
• #fincom0428 we are an attractive Community to work for, recent hires are good examples of what we can do. A job posting generates more applications than needed to fulfill a spot. A test is done every 3 years. I love self sponsors. That shows initiative for a job.
• Self sponsors wait for seats, dept sponsors get priority. #fincom0428 

Fire

• Now onto the Fire Dept, refer to pages 57-61. Ambulance billing rates now looked at annually, grant group being very productive. 180 days notice and 90 days actual date notice req'd for retirement
• Refresh the listing of hierarchy every two years, training and reorganization attractive to new hires. We do hire paramedics and prefer to not drop to EMT level #fincom0428 results of SAFER grant due around Jun/Jul. Likely would be additional staff, would have some time
• To start building a budget to support the hires after the grant ran out. The sun, moon and stars may align on this. #fincom0428 looking to stock the 3rd ambulance to be ready if needed. We are ready to go back for a look at ISO 1, not so much a staffing thing, equipment key
• All fee revenue goes into the general fund except for that supporting the enterprise funds #fincom0428 applied again for grant, setting aside approx $600k in case grant doesn't renew. Assume it does, the these funds go to the MECC stabilization fund. There is still room for 1

MECC

• Community to add to the regional dispatch, Millville and Medway Mendon coming on as planned this summer Moving to inspection, pages 64-65  #fincom0428 
• Moving to animal control, a regional agreement with Bellingham, we provide space, they run the program without complaints
• Motion to adjourn, seconded,  passes 9-0
• Back again Thursday for DPW and stormwater among other items! #fincom0428

 

Recap - FinComm Budget Hearing #2 - 04/28/21 - Public safety

Franklin Cultural District - May Newsletter Request

Dear Franklin Cultural District Partners,

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is busy working on the May newsletter which will be published soon. Once again this month we would love for each Cultural District Partner to share one or two highlights of things that are happening with your organization during the month of May and the  first half of June. Please include a link to where readers could go to learn more about your organization. We would also like you to include a logo in a jpeg or similar format. If you have a special picture highlighting one of your articles, please feel free to include that as well.

During the next few weeks there will be  many wonderful events happening here in Franklin!  We would love to share these with the Franklin community. Please send your news, pictures, and events to:  Pandora Carlucci at pcarluccifranklinculture@gmail.com and we will work to include your story in the newsletter.

The May edition of the Franklin Cultural District Newsletter will be published on Thursday,  May 13th. We will need all of your news and information by Monday, May 10th. If you have any questions, please let us know. Your news and stories are important to us! We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Nancy Schoen

Chair, Franklin Cultural District Committee

nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com

Franklin Cultural District - May Newsletter Request

SPECIAL FORCES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP - CPT James Ahn

SPECIAL FORCES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 

CPT James Ahn Special Forces Memorial Scholarship

CPT James Ahn

 

Captain James Ahn, a graduate of UC Riverside and the Claremont McKenna College Army ROTC program, died in 2015 during a parachute training operation while participating with his Special Forces unit in Washington State. For all of those who knew and loved James, he will never be forgotten. He was the consummate person and professional who was respected by everyone he came in contact with. 

In James' honor, Gain Service Academy is sponsoring an annual scholarship of $1,000 to a Special Forces Veteran who is working towards the completion of a higher education degree. 

For more details and a scholarship application, go to the link below:   https://www.gainserviceacademyadmission.com/cpt-james-ahn-memorial-scholarship/

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/special-forces-memorial-scholarship

Senator Rausch: MA Reopening Update, Youth Legislative Forum

Senator Rausch State House Briefing  

Part 2, Chapter 7 (April 30, 2021) 

Dear friends,   

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Spring weather! As you may know, earlier this week the Governor announced updates to the Commonwealth’s reopening guidelines. Here are some key dates in the Governor's plan: 

TODAY, April 30: People are no longer required to wear masks while outdoors in most public spaces as long as they can physically distance from others. 
 
Monday, May 10: Amusement and water parks can open at 50% capacity. Road races and other organized athletic events are allowed with staggered starts, as long as event coordinators submit public safety plans to local boards of health. Large venues like indoor and outdoor stadiums can increase capacity to 25%. 
 
Monday, May 17: All high schoolers must return to in-person learning, as per Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines. 

Saturday, May 29: Gathering limits will increase to 200 indoors and 250 outdoors. Wineries, breweries, and bars can open, regardless of food service, and street festivals and parades will be allowed at 50% capacity.  

Sunday, August 1: All other businesses can fully reopen with no limits on capacity. This includes night clubs, indoor water parks, and ball pits.  

While I am hopeful that the end of this pandemic is in sight, we must heed the advice of public health experts for a safe reopening. This means achieving robust vaccine acceptance throughout the state, affordable and accessible COVID-19 testing, mask-wearing compliance when near other people or indoors, and data-informed modifications to this reopening plan as necessary to avoid another surge and keep our COVID numbers moving downward. Safeguarding our communities and protecting our public health must remain the top priority until we achieve widespread herd immunity and fully beat COVID-19. 
 
If you haven't already, make sure to sign up for your COVID-19 vaccine! Thanks to President Biden, anyone age 16+ who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts is eligible. For more information, visit www.beccarauschma.com/covidvaccine. 
  

As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office via phone (617-722-1555) or email (becca.rausch@masenate.gov). We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.    

Yours in service,  

Senator Becca Rausch   

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents, visit

https://mailchi.mp/7d87f446d321/reopeningupdate?e=0c2c9810fe

Students, please register for the forum here => https://www.beccarauschma.com/students-speak

Representative Jeffrey N. Roy: FY 22 House Budget update

Jeffrey N. Roy (@jeffroy) tweeted on Fri, Apr 30, 2021:

"Happy to report that the FY22 House budget passed this week including some great pieces of local aid for Medway and Franklin. 

The budget provides local resources for education, food security, substance use disorder, the commuter rail, and economic development. https://t.co/m4an9fNBNF"

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1388127836108636162

For more info about Rep Roy visit his page ->  https://jeffreyroy.com/

Representative Jeffrey N. Roy: FY 22 House Budget update

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - April 30, 2021

Hello Everyone!

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day 

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/ and www.franklin.news 

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Link to Mass.Gov COVID - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information 

Link to the Franklin Events Calendar - https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar 

Save the date!  Alzheimer's Association Family Conference: A free Virtual Conference for People Living with Alzheimer's and Their Family Members will be held on Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th.  We have Tom Keane from the Boston Globe as our Keynote speaker, Pam Atwood doing a special program on meaningful engagement, a panel of individuals with Early Stage Alzheimer's, and a musical performance by the South Shore Conservatory in Massachusetts on both days of the conference. Registration will open in April. Alzheimer's Association Family Conference 

Tips

How to feel great in 10 minutes - Beginner Qigong routine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAHh8uPjlHU 

Seated stretches for Seniors.  8 stretches to cover your whole body.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldUCy5KofZQ 

Paul Eugene 65th Birthday Disco Party Dance - Celebrate with Paul as he gets his  disco on in a cardigan. I love this guy's energy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOILWf4R_J0 

Music

Endless Love on the Tank Drum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqU5z1ZkN90 

Relaxing and upbeat hang drum mix 1.5 hours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9hpS3HbpDc 

Just for Fun

How to make and fly a world record paper airplanes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BNg4fDJC8A 

Turning used chopsticks into tables, tiles and more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLL4PW4LZT8 

10 Great Mysteries Hidden in Famous Paintings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-5ZPqUMgfM 

Furniture Optical Illusions - WOW!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHJ3CMWnVxY 

Humor

People Vs. Nature - Epic fails I have to admit I laughed out loud at more than a few of these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSgYQl6GZbU 

Funny animals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUdXYhdf5zQ 

Kindness Matters

Abandoned puppy follows us home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk8e3Lg5GFU 

Empathy - Best speech of all time by Simon Sinek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJyNoJCAuzA 

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Tuesday at 11am  - Cardio Strength & Balance IN PERSON (must register to attend)

*Tuesday  Tailgate Tuesday! Order your lunch through curbside cafe and then stay for a

 tailgate picnic with your friends in our parking lot. There might even be some music!

*Tuesday at 5:30pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour via zoom

*Tuesday at 1pm - Low Vision Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. At 11am - Zumba IN PERSON (must register to attend)

*Wed. Nurse Trish call to schedule your appointment for Blood pressure, sugar and more.

*Thursday  at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of socialization,

 games and activities.

Upon entering the Franklin Senior Center you will be required to scan or sign in, fill out a COVID questionnaire, have your temperature taken, wear a properly fitting mask over your mouth and nose at ALL times and remain socially distanced.  We greatly appreciate your assistance in following these rules so we can continue to move forward with our scaled and mindful opening based on the rules we MUST follow!  Please do NOT move chairs or remove signs marking appropriate social distancing.   

The rules are in place for legal and safety reasons.  Breaking them just makes you a fun ruiner for everyone! 

Attached you will find: Donna's Fun Filled Activity Pages.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rwjGNER7zLJ7rm5o7KkhsYDSPRC4bD29/view?usp=sharing

Things are starting to open!  These are exciting times but please remember to be mindful of the CDC guidelines and rules in private establishments.  We have made it this far lets keep the trend moving forward with kindness!

Ariel

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).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

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.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small