Do you have an emergency and recovery plan? Get started or update it this National Preparedness Month

Do you have an emergency and recovery plan? Get started or update it this National Preparedness Month By Gema de las Heras With more powerful and frequent natural disasters — even affecting areas where they weren't typical — you might have something like "update or make my emergency plan" on your to do list.  The FTC has information and tools to help you avoid fraud as you prepare and recover from an emergency.  And this National Preparedness Month we're partnering with FEMA to bring you free webinars in English and Spanish with step-by-step guidance to get ready. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/08/do-you-have-emergency-and-recovery-plan-get-started-or-update-it-national-preparedness-month?

Do you have an emergency and recovery plan? Get started or update it this National Preparedness Month

MEMA shares Heat Safety Tips in advance of heat wave

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) posted on Mon, Jun 17, 2024:

Hot & humid conditions are expected Tues-Fri. Take precautions to help prevent heat-related illnesses:
💧Stay hydrated
🏃Limit strenuous activity & time outdoors
🚗Never leave kids/pets in the car
📱Call 2-1-1 to find an available cooling center
More tips: https://t.co/d3m2ctuJ5I  or -> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips

Shared from ->  https://t.co/XpjQUOdRu2

MEMA shares Heat Safety Tips in advance of heat wave

Franklin Fire shares tornado safety tips

Yes, climate change is bringing more precipitation and tornados to New England. Franklin Fire shares tornado tips.

"Tornado Safety tips from

@MassEMA

:  

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tornado-safety-tips"

Franklin Fire shares tornado safety tips

https://https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tornado-safety-tips

Hot to cool off in Town of Franklin public spaces during the heat

During these hot days the

@FranklinSrCntr

and

@FrkPublicLib are open during normal business hours for a place to cool down.

• Senior Center,10 Daniel McCahill Way, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm
• Library, 118 Main St. Tuesday & Wednesday 9am-8pm. 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1549428135850135553  

Senior Center,10 Daniel McCahill Way, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm

Library, 118 Main St. Tuesday & Wednesday 9am-8pm

MEMA: Be mindful of the water use

MEMA (@MassEMA) tweeted  on Tue, Mar 16, 2021:

State officials ask the public to be mindful of the amount of water they are using, residents are asked to reduce indoor water use, address leaks ASAP, and for larger buildings and businesses to conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation.

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MassEMA/status/1371850240370806794

MEMA:  Be mindful of the water use

Town Council meeting - Jan 6, 2021 - recap

Quick Recap:

• The Hazard Mitigation Plan was presented, discussed and ultimately approved unanimously by the Town Council. This sets objectives for mitigation of natural events (i.e. flooding) to be worked
• Authorization of funding was approved for the Beaver St interceptor project by an 8-1 vote. The cost will be $25M plus financing costs approx 2-3M, exact amounts to be determined by the final planning and funding applications made over the next two years. Sewer rates will rise for 2023. This is not paid for by real estate taxes only sewer usage fees.
• Several gifts were acknowledged as received, the largest of which was from J Vendetti ($45K) to be used to upgrade the playground at Beaver Pond.
• Planning underway to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to first responders at the FHS gym in collaboration with Bellingham, Millis, Medway and Milford. This is pilot process for further distribution as more vaccine and additional waves of eligible folks are identified.
  

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/LoQfygc5fGknAkBm6

----

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  #tc0106

https://twitter.com/hashtag/tc0106?src=hashtag_click

• Ready for real time reporting underway for the Town Council meeting tonight #tc0106
• Agenda doc for the meeting including connection info https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf #tc0106
• Opens now #tc0106
• Connection info available #tc0106
• Moving quickly thru the standard items of agenda, not much for now. The hazard mitigation plan is first up for discussion (and approval later) basically an issue with flood zone for Franklin. #tc0106 my prompts for those pre-reading the doc https://franklinmatters.org/2021/01/interesting-bits-from-hazard-mitigation.html?m=1

Hazard mitigation plan

• Planning director Bryan Taverner provides the overview following a presentation doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._hazard_mitigation_presentation_2020_update_presentation_handout.pdf
• . #tc0106
• Not an emergency response plan, already have that. This is to identify the hazards and what can be done to prepare to avoid them (i.e. avoid drainage issues). #tc0106
• Public meetings in Mar and Jul incorporated review and comments, submitted to MEMA and then FEMA for their review and comments, now needs the Council to approve the plan #tc0106 #9 & 10 were added to the prior plan
• #tc0106 adoption does provide for opportunity for grants to assist with the mitigation project efforts. FHS gym was designed as a shelter, the generator from the old FHS will be installed at Parmenter. Could also relocate that one elsewhere.
• Appropriation was made for an additional generator and it is going to bid soon for use at the municipal building. #tc0106 the session with Bellingham was good in planning for this, can we do more of them? Q from Hamblen Jamie acknowledges Q and will look into
• #tc0106 Q on how climate was incorporated into the planning. MAPC did the number crunching with FEMA input and software. FEMA has been behind on climate forecasting, does that matter? In some details perhaps, we have work to do. Fire chief is our emergency response lead
• MEMA actually coordinates the evacuation plan and coincidentally they have a location here so we will have some coverage and local planning involved. #tc0106 moving to subcommittee reports, capital no, budget no, EDC next week Jan 13

Legislation for action

• Legislation for action: #tc0106 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf motion, seconded, passes via roll call (Hamblen remote) 9-0
• Kelly tells story of Plymouth, MA, of their sewer problem, Town needed to borrow $48m to fix their break. Imagine if there is a break, 2/3 of the town couldn't flush. And if it did get to Mine Brook, add cost for cleanup. #tc0106 now is the time to do this
• #tc0106 it is not about not having the money, it is a bond, we can do this. Everybody needs this. Everybody uses this. If you can't jump on the bandwagon I don't know what your missing. Now Bissanti is raising an issue, wants to know where we are going to get the money
• Bissanti; now is not the time, can do this cheaper. #tc0106 it is lousy timing. (Sorry, doesn't understand the timing) (oh and he has done some engineering for options (sleaving)) Jones, Kelly said it well. This is the best time to borrow (confirmed as Yes).
• Oh, and after raising these issues then Bissanti says we can't change his mind. Other key item is timeline, next 2 years is "planning" before shovel hits ground. Pandemic should be done in 2 years. #tc0106
• #tc0106 it is a good thing for us to do and it will be something nice to do for the time. Q what taxes will pay for it? Not really taxes, it is a sewer rate, get the final design and can't really get to some thing real, it is two years away. The borrowing #s are good
• Sewer rates will go up, we don't know what. No tax rate increase for this at all. #tc0106 relining reduces the pipe hence capacity and that doesn't buy us much. The pipe is already at capacity, so the project will also increase the capacity.
• #tc0106 would cost half as much for the band-aid. And may still have a problem. Route along 140 to bore and minimize the disruption. Hamblen agrees with Kelly. Does have Q on draw down schedule. MBTA, DEP, EPA, etc want this as much as we do, their eyes will be on it too
• #tc0106 Kelly we could get a bond rate lower than we sit here now, if we do wait the costs will be more, and if we do nothing, it will certainly cost more. 2/3 of the town and business can open cause we can't flush! Bond capacity is not like a special assessment.
• You could have an 840 credit score and we are at 839, if we tried to do this in a hurry, it would cost more than this plan full manner outlined. #tc0106 he appreciates the opportunity to rant tonight. Bissanti fears this $25m could grow to be $35m. Let's not fly 1st class
• #tc0106 what is the cost of not doing it? Possibly double or triple. It is the right time, we have been talking of this for years. Motion on the floor to be voted via roll call, passes 8-1 (Bissanti no)
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._gift_fd.pdf #tc0106 motion to accept gift to fire dept, seconded passes 9-0 via roll call https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._gift_pd.pdf motion to accept gift to police dept, seconded passes 9-0 via roll call
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10e._gift_rec.pdf motion to accept gift to recreation dept for playground at Beaver Pond seconded, passes 9-0 acknowledges Joe Vendetti donation of $45,000! "Sometimes we should be making bigger things of these"

Town Administrator report

• Town Administrator report, application for Community Preservation Committee is out, land swap is almost ready for the land near the SNETT trail, DPW will be doing the work. #tc0106 COVID case count 91 today down from last week. I am sick of red green yellow
• Opening vaccine clinic for first responders comes next week. A critical thing to focus on, working with five other towns to coordinate this. Location at FHS is good. An excellent trial run for phase 2 in preparation for broader distribution. #tc0106 target Jan 13
• Bellingham, Milford, Millis, Medway and Franklin are together in this. #tc0106 phase 2 will be individuals with two high risk categories, or over age of 75 (could be one of the two). Guidelines are changing daily for this stat tuned. Excited to get this train moving
• Prepared for mini medical center at FHS gym, to triage individuals, prepare for all contingencies. #tc0106 we need as many as possible to get this vaccine. In the gym today visualization of the process started raising spirits of those involved
• #tc0106 lots of details and logistics underway. No mandate on vaccinations yet, will be getting an acknowledgement that you got vaccinated. To go places, i.e. international travel it may be a requirement. That is a separate issue, let's get these started
• #tc0106 Maplegate question. Dec 11 permit filed, twenty day appeal period, sometime then a purchase could be presented to the town for review. Once received, it is a 120 days once received to address.

Council comments and closing

• #tc0106 Chandler "we were actually able to work out that they are saving money on the electric bill" Frongillo shout out on the #thinkfranklinfirst gift cards, well done. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 9-0 roll call

 

timeline for Beaver St interceptor project

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others. 

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS

None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm

None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Hazard Mitigation Plan: Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development

Staff Memo’s & Materials

Proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan = (122 pages) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/franklin_hazard_mitigation_plan_2020_update_-_pending_adoption.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-01: To Adopt The Town of Franklin Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020 Update (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-01 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-02: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs of the Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Project (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-02 - Two Thirds Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._21-02_beaver_street_interceptor.pdf

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-03: Gift acceptance - Fire Department, $85 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-03 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._gift_fd.pdf

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-04: Gift acceptance - Police Department, $5025 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-04 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._gift_pd.pdf

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-05: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department, $49,806.69 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-05 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10e._gift_rec.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

COVID-19 Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

None Scheduled 

ADJOURN

Note: 

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda and released documents (except Hazard Mitigation Plan) can be found in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

The individual files can be found in the meeting folder:

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/january-6-town-council-agenda

Franklin, MA: Town Council  - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021

Town of Franklin, MA: Errant Reverse 911 notifications

October 15,2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Franklin, Massachusetts): On Sunday October 11, 2020 the Franklin Police Department had an incident in which a Reverse 911 telephone call from the Franklin system was sent. The message asked residents to shelter in place.

As resources arrived on the scene it became clear that many people had not received the message. This could be because the Franklin Reverse 911 system is a an "opt in" system. This means you must sign up to receive notifications.

Given the seriousness of the situation, a man shooting a gun in the open, the risk to innocent people was greatly heightened. Because of this, a second resource from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) was called upon. This system utilizes "Geo Fencing", which attempts to send wireless messages to mobile devices inside a defined area.

For an unknown technical reason, some of these messages were delivered to communities outside of Franklin. This problem is being investigated in the hope of avoiding problems in the future. Safety for the public and officers is at the center of every decision made.

As with all incidents lessons are learned. In the future when utilizing resources from outside agencies, such as MEMA, we will be more specific in identifying the Town, and area effected in the message itself.

We apologize for any worry that was created, and the disruptions to the Police Departments in those communities.

As a reminder to Franklin residents, you may sign up for our alert system here: franklintown.regroup.com/signup

 

Town of Franklin, MA: Errant Reverse 911 notifications

In the News: Library closed due to exposure; MEMA did send an alert - researching continues

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Staff at the Franklin Public Library will return to work on Saturday after being sent home Wednesday morning due to a possible exposure of COVID-19, town officials said in a press release Wednesday night.

In consultation with the Board of Health, the library decided to send staff members home on Wednesday morning out of an abundance of caution, town officials said. In the meantime, crews were expected to be on-site to disinfect the entire library building and, if necessary, staff will be encouraged to take a COVID-19 test and quarantine.

“Since the library has not yet been open to the public, we are confident that Franklin residents have not been exposed to the virus and the town continues to remain confident we can reopen the library on Nov. 9 as we are planning,” town officials said.

The library plans to reopen for curbside pickup and other services on Monday. The library has been closed to the public since March due to the coronavirus and has been offering curbside pickup since May. Curbside pickup is offered Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the vestibule of the entrance at the top of the parking lot ramp."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201015/franklin-public-library-closed-until-saturday-due-to-possible-covid-19-exposure?rssfeed=true

 

 

reopen for curbside pickup and other services on Monday

"There is increasing clarity as to who sent a shelter-in-place alert on Sunday that was sent to many communities around Franklin.

The alert was sent to several communities using a geo fencing process by Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Franklin police said they sent the alert to those who signed up for Reverse 911. However, because its system only sends alerts to those who sign up for it, a second “resource” sent out a similar message.

MEMA sent out the second alert, which went to several communities, including non-neighboring towns Mendon and Milford, which weren’t part of the shelter-in-place order, that was similar to the message Franklin

The MEMA system uses something called “geofencing,” which sends wireless messages to mobile devices in a defined area."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201015/mema-sent-second-shelter-in-place-alert-on-sunday-and-for-unknown-technical-reason-it-went-well-beyond-franklin?rssfeed=true

Have you checked out the Coronavirus Information Portal Updates

Have you visited the Town of Franklin portal to see the updates?

In the Current News & Alerts section

• COVID-19 MEMA Update for April 16, 2020 - Updated Daily M-F NEW
• DPH COVID-19 Count and Rate by Town - Updated weekly on Wednesdays NEW 
• MEMA COVID-19 Response Dashboard and Interactive Map NEW 

  
In the Town of Franklin News section

• Important Notice to Taxpayers (April 15, 2020) NEW

In the Community Resources and Support section

• Department of Children and Families guidance for reporting abuse and neglect NEW
• Families with loved ones in nursing homes in Massachusetts can use this new hotline to get information and resources, coordinated across state agencies. Call anytime, 9am-5pm, 7 days a week at 617-660-5399 NEW

https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=9ef7ef55e4644af29e9ca07bfe6a509f

Visit the Town of Franklin portal:

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal