Critical Conversations: The Impact of Social Media - March 24

The Franklin Substance Abuse Task Force (SAFT) will host their second installment of their Critical Conversations series on Thursday, March 24, from 6 PM – 8 PM at the Franklin High School auditorium, via Zoom and on Franklin.TV. The night will focus on the impact of social media on the social emotional wellbeing of youth. 

As the keynote speaker, Georgia Wells, tech journalist for the Wall Street Journal, will kick off the event speaking on how the tech companies behind social media and the effects on young people. The Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Karyn Polito will provide additional remarks addressing state level initiatives regarding social media usage. 

The event will be supplemented by a panel of local school guidance counselors, Representative Jeff Roy, SAFE Coalition Director Jen Knight-Levine, an FHS student and the Franklin marketing and communications specialist. The panel was curated to offer various perspectives on the topic of social media and will be followed by an audience question and answer session.

The context from this event will pair well with film-based education program LIKE, which is being viewed this week in wellness 9 and 10 classes, as well as in the high school health and physical education electives. With the fiscal support from the SAFE Coalition, Franklin Public Schools is able to offer free district-wide access to the film for families to view in the comfort of their homes. The film was made available to stream on Monday, March 20 at 5 PM and is open until Sunday, March 27 at 11:45 PM.

The goal of these cumulative efforts is to empower families to feel confident utilizing the knowledge and resources provided from the LIKE screening and Critical Conversations event to work towards establishing a healthy relationship with social media.

FPS sent out communications internally to its constituents regarding how to access the film LIKE. All viewers will need to enter their email address and create a password to access the film. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email, access to the film, resources and post-viewing survey.

Interested in our Critical Conversations panel?
Check out our Facebook event page or our district event page.

You can learn more about LIKE here:  https://www.thelikemovie.com/

About the Franklin Substance Abuse Task Force

The SATF is proudly represented by students, parents, administration, faculty, counselors, athletics, SAFE Coalition, medical professionals, SROs, school committee members, and elected officials. The mission of the SAFT is to promote community awareness and education surrounding the issue of substance abuse in Franklin as well as develop substance abuse prevention and intervention strategies in supporting working with students & families, as well as school based and community based prevention strategies.

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> 
https://www.franklinps.net/district/substance-abuse-education/news/critical-conversations-impact-social-media-viewing

Critical Conversations: The Impact of Social Media - March 24 

For Zoom info check out the event page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/events/85546

FM #676 - "Talk Franklin" touts community preservation and economic development - 12/10/21

FM #676 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 676 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge.

We talk about: 

• Community Preservation Cmte/Finance Cmte meetings

• Public hearings, Jan 4 and Jan 18 for ‘wish list’ ideas

• Economic Development recent events

• Botera, NETA ribbon cuttings

• Lt Gov Polito visit, MassWorks

Links to the key references are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily.

** Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Upcoming-Improvements-to-Grove-Street--Economic-Growth-and-Community-Preservation-e1blnig/a-a73b7ic

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Community Preservation Committee  agenda ->  

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/community-preservation-committee.html

 

Finance Committee agenda -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/finance-committee-meeting-agenda-dec-8.html 

 

My notes and audio from the CPC meeting  -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-community-preservation-committee.html 

Recap and audio for Lt Gov Polito’s visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/lt-gov-polito-visits-franklin-to.html 

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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 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!

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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"

 

"Talk Franklin" touts community preservation and economic development

Lt Gov Polito visits Franklin to announce $2.2 Million MassWorks Award (audio)

Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito was joined by state and local officials to announce a $2.22 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program award for intersection and roadway improvements along Grove Street.  The improvements will support a local throughway that connects multiple Economic Opportunity Areas and will also support ongoing and future commercial development along the corridor, including a new $20 million industrial warehouse recently completed and leased to UPS.
 
“We are pleased to be able to offer critical support for Franklin’s efforts to make intersection improvements at this key location, which will unlock even more economic development opportunities in the future,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Congratulations to Franklin for their work in addressing this important need and for their forward-looking approach to future growth.”
 
“Thanks to infrastructure investments like this, our Administration can support communities’ efforts to advance locally-driven economic development plans,” said Lt. Governor Polito.  “As Franklin demonstrates, leveraging the MassWorks program for public infrastructure upgrades is critical to attracting high-impact projects that bring in private investment and also create jobs.”
 

Lt. Governor Polito

Franklin’s project leverages $650,000 in local and private funds and will provide immediate access and transportation benefits for a newly constructed $20 million warehouse at 206 Grove Street.  The 150,000-square-foot building was recently leased to UPS and is expected to generate 70 permanent jobs at full use. 
 
Franklin’s project is phase one of a local infrastructure improvement program aimed at stimulating new growth in the Grove Street corridor.  The MassWorks grant will fund public improvements including more than 6,000 linear feet of sidewalk, curbing, and road rehabilitation, as well as a new traffic signal at the intersection of Grove Street and Washington Street.  The improvements will support development opportunities for more than 30 properties zoned for industrial uses, several of which are undeveloped or underutilized.
 
MassWorks is a competitive program that offers cities and towns flexible capital funding to support and accelerate housing production and job growth and is the largest program in Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal and collaborative review process for grant programs launched in January 2021 to make targeted investments based on a development continuum.
 
With the addition of this year’s round, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded 326 MassWorks grants to 181 communities and has invested over $608 million in public infrastructure projects throughout the Commonwealth. These grants have directly supported the creation of 21,000 new housing units and tens of thousands of new construction and permanent jobs, while also leveraging over $13 billion in private investment. 

Including MassWorks grants, the Community One Stop for Growth program awarded $88 million for 196 projects in 122 communities across the Commonwealth in its first year.  Of the 196 projects awarded, nearly one-third were located in a rural or small town, half were located in a Housing Choice Community, and one-third were located in a Gateway City.
 
In addition to its MassWorks award, Franklin also received two other awards through programs included in the Community One Stop for Growth platform.  Franklin’s second award was a $75,000 Community Planning grant, which will fund a zoning audit as well as a process to update and modernize the town’s zoning bylaws.  For its third award, Franklin received $500,000 through the Underutilized Properties Program to convert an underutilized property into a community food pantry to address social and health disparities. By moving to a new location, the nonprofit Franklin Food Pantry will be able to operate additional hours, increase access to healthy food, and will provide office space for confidential client support. 

“We created the One Stop to offer access to a wide variety of programs through a single, streamlined process that ensures that valuable funds can be directed more effectively, to more communities, in less time,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “The One Stop gives communities and other partners the opportunity to work collaboratively with us, to pursue multiple projects simultaneously and to meet their economic development goals. Franklin has demonstrated how applicants can be creative with grant funding to maximize the impact of state investments in transformative projects.  While the first year of the One Stop has shown tremendous promise, the demand for our programs demonstrates that we can do more.” 
 
“The size and scope of what the town of Franklin will be able to accomplish with this generous award is truly noteworthy,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “With these funds, the Grove Street Improvement Project will ease traffic, improve safety, expand commercial opportunities for local business, and provide good jobs. I thank the town for its vision and commitment to making this a reality.”
 
"Robust infrastructure is key to supporting the vitality of our municipalities,” said Senator Becca Rausch. “I look forward to seeing the lasting impacts of this project on local job creation and economic development, as well as greater livability and accessibility in Franklin."
 
“I am delighted that the state is continuing to invest in and improve the quality of life for the residents of Franklin,” said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy.  "This funding will result in much needed infrastructure improvements and increase the overall condition of the roadways.  In addition, this project will help our local economy by creating not only construction jobs but hundreds more once the commercial space is developed."
 
“We are happy to have played a small part in the town of Franklin receiving the MassWorks roadway grant,” said Paul Marcus, Principal and CEO of Marcus Partners.  “The grant process is a great example of our team working together with the town of Franklin to help improve infrastructure that benefits both the residents and businesses of Franklin.  And, our ongoing collaboration with local officials will aim to create additional economic development to the Town of Franklin through strategic development opportunities.”

$2.2 Million MassWorks Award

The full list of this year’s MassWorks grant recipients can be found here. 

Press Release shared from -> https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-22-million-massworks-award-for-franklin

Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/91ab1349-0b47-4946-acee-1922780149a1

Photos from the event can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/WzmrFbcu46PpdG9o8

MMA: Gov Baker, Lt Gov Polito provide updates on forthcoming MA budget

Gov Baker spoke to the MMA meeting on Friday, Lt Gov Polito spoke on Thursday. Highlights of their remarks including insights on the State budget to be released on Wednesday as shared here:

"During the MMA Annual Business Meeting this afternoon, Gov. Charlie Baker thanked hundreds of local officials for their “invaluable” partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic and announced that he would be filing legislation next week to authorize $200 million for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program.

The governor highlighted a number of programs and recently signed laws intended to help give an economic boost to main streets and downtowns that have suffered during the pandemic, particularly a $626 million economic development bond, $16.5 billion transportation bond and a new small business relief initiative that has distributed $232 million thus far to more than 4,000 small businesses. The multi-year transportation bond law includes funding for the popular Complete Streets and Municipal Small Bridge grant programs, as well as new Municipal Pavement Partnership and Local Bottleneck Reduction grant programs. "

Continue reading the article online 

https://www.mma.org/gov-announces-200m-ch-90-bill-and-full-funding-for-student-opportunity-act/
 

"Speaking to more than 800 local leaders from across the state during the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show this morning, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced that the administration’s state budget plan for fiscal 2022, set to be released next Wednesday, will increase general municipal aid by 3.5%.

This meets the administration’s commitment to increase the Unrestricted General Government Aid account at the same rate as the projected growth in state revenues. The consensus projection of 3.5% was announced by legislative and administration budget writers late last week."

Continue reading the article online 

https://www.mma.org/lt-gov-announces-3-5-increase-in-local-aid-new-central-grant-portal/

Everyone has a role to play in doing that, especially as the weather gets better”

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

"The dual public health and economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have consumed virtually all of Beacon Hill’s attention, shifting many of the Baker administration’s pre-pandemic priorities to the back burner or off the stove altogether, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said.

For more than two months, state officials have been focused almost exclusively on responding to the highly infectious virus that has killed nearly 6,500 Massachusetts residents and blunting the major economic fallout that has pushed unemployment to record levels.

During an interview with Boston Magazine Editor Chris Vogel for the “Power Talks” series, Polito said the greatest challenge she has experienced amid the disruption is the “relentless focus” on COVID-19 response.

“It is our 100% focus - there isn’t anything else,” the Shrewsbury resident said. “I have a pile on my desk of the things I was working on before this hit, and it’s just there, and it is so secondary to what we need to focus on. I think that that’s in a way important, but really, all the things that we dream and hope for for the commonwealth are just kind of on hold. And that’s hard.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200531/polito-puts-hopes-and-dreams-on-hold

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito spoke at FHS a year ago

 

Safer-at-Home Advisory (Stay-At-Home updated)

Phase 1

• People over the age of 65 and people who have underlying health conditions – who are at high risk for COVID-19 – should continue to stay home except for essential errands such as going to the grocery store and to attend to healthcare needs
• All residents are advised to leave home only for healthcare, worship and permitted work, shopping, and outdoor activities
• When going to the pharmacy ask if you can fill your prescriptions for 90 days if possible; for some medications this is not allowed. If you are at high-risk, try to use a mail-order service
• Don’t participate in close contact activities such as pick-up sports games
• All residents are REQUIRED to cover their face when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public
• Parents should limit play dates for children
• Refrain from visiting nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, or other residential care settings
• All residents are advised to wash their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soapy water
• All residents are advised to be vigilant, monitor for symptoms and stay home if you feel sick
• Use remote modes of communication like phone or video chat instead of visiting friends or family who are high risk for COVID-19

Shared from https://www.mass.gov/news/safer-at-home-advisory

Links to what was shared earlier on the report, etc.
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/gov-baker-update-on-reopening-ma-51820.html

Safer-at-Home Advisory (Stay-At-Home updated)

In the News: "together we are developing the framework and phases"

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

"For more than five years, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito has been a near constant at the side of Gov. Charlie Baker, a partner always there for every big moment, even if she was just off center stage. 

From budget rollouts to bill-signing ceremonies and even a presidential endorsement, Polito has been there to back up whatever the administration was doing, and maybe add a few supportive words herself. 

She has famously visited all 351 cities and towns, some more than once, and is the administration’s chief liaison to municipal leaders, which has allowed her to quietly build relationships that could pay dividends in a future campaign. 

But now, with the outbreak of COVID-19 consuming the administration and Baker’s political future uncertain, Polito is getting a chance to step into the spotlight in her own right."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200516/reopening-role-puts-lt-gov-karyn-polito-on-center-stage

The Reopening Advisory Board page can be found
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/reopening-advisory-board

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito spoke at FHS 4/29/2019 about sexting legislation

From the archives on Lt Gov Polito's visit to Franklin in April 2019
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/polito-roy-tout-team-effort-to-provide.html

Reopening: Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces

From the Reopening Advisory Board page at MA.gov:

Overview

The Department of Public Health (DPH) and the COVID-19 Command Center developed new Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards in consultation with the Reopening Advisory Board. These new standards will apply universally to all workplaces that are open in Phase 1, and are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees and customers during the first phase of reopening, and are applicable to all sectors and industries.

The Administration is releasing these Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards early, in advance of the start of Phase 1, to give workplaces time to plan and prepare for reopening.

These safety standards will be supplemented by sector-specific safety protocols and recommended best practices, which will provide further details and limited exceptions.

Social Distancing

• All persons, including employees, customers, and vendors should remain at least six feet apart to the greatest extent possible, both inside and outside workplaces
• Establish protocols to ensure that employees can practice adequate social distancing
• Provide signage for safe social distancing
• Require face coverings or masks for all employees

Hygiene Protocols

• Provide hand washing capabilities throughout the workplace
• Ensure frequent hand washing by employees and adequate supplies to do so
• Provide regular sanitization of high touch areas, such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs, restrooms throughout work site

Staffing and Operations

• Provide training for employees regarding the social distancing and hygiene protocols
• Employees who are displaying COVID19-like symptoms do not report to work
• Establish a plan for employees getting ill from Covid-19 at work, and a return-to-work plan

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Establish and maintain cleaning protocols specific to the business
• When an active employee is diagnosed with COVID19, cleaning and disinfecting must be performed
• Disinfection of all common surfaces must take place at intervals appropriate to said workplace

Sector Specific Safety Protocols

• ​​​​​​The Reopening Advisory Board is developing Sector Specific Safety Standards and Best Practices that will detail how particular industries should operate upon reopening, as well as provide for limited exceptions to the mandatory standards. These sector specific standards are forthcoming.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-mandatory-safety-standards-for-workplaces

Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards

Polito, Roy tout a team effort to provide better legal alternatives for teen sexting

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

"Dozens of students appeared Monday night at Franklin High School for Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito’s discussion about “sexting.” 

Sexting is becoming more prevalent and more damaging to underaged people, Polito emphasized. 

But legislation filed by state Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, and Polito would help protect children from the harmful effects of the transmission of explicit images by modernizing the laws to reflect the realities of cyber-bullying. 

Franklin police officer Paul Guarino has been working to mitigate the practice. He said during the discussion that about 80 percent of students have either sent or received nude photos of another student, many of whom are underage."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190430/lt-gov-karyn-polito-warns-teens-about-sexting


According to my notes of the event on Monday, the social media campaign mentioned by the MDN reporter and attributed to Lt Governor Polito is called "Respectfully". The campaign will use Instagram and SnapChat to deliver 20-30 second video messages to target 7-8th graders and 9-10th graders. The message will present a potentially abusive situation and provide an alternative for a more respectful treatment of the individual to promote healthy relationships. 

The campaign is NOT directly connected to the proposed sexting legislation working its way through the process. When the campaign is released, we'll share examples of it.

3 months ago Lt Gov Polito also mentioned the upcoming campaign separately from the re-filing of the sexting legislation. 
https://storgram.com/post/BtjuWLcnk_s

I joined @jeffroy this evening in #Franklin to discuss the importance of our bipartisan, common sense legislation to update current laws and protect children from harmful visual material and cyber bullying.

It’s imperative that MA laws evolve with new technology. pic.twitter.com/0wtYPtHjbx

— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) April 29, 2019

Rep Jeff Roy, Lt Gov Karyn Polito at FHS on Monday to address teen sexting