An Artsy Box Project comes to Franklin! - Deadline for submissions is February 15

The Franklin Cultural District committee are thrilled to share that the Mass Cultural Council and Town of Franklin have provided funding to support a new form of public art on identified utility boxes! 

The Artsy Box Project invites you to share your interpretation of Franklin’s incredible beauty and diversity. 

Selected artists would receive a stipend between $500-$1,000 (dependent upon location) to cover time, transportation, supplies, artistic development and labor. 

Submissions will be reviewed and accepted until February 15 at 3 PM. Please follow this Artsy Box link to review the submission guidelines. We look forward to receiving your submissions. 

Three of the boxes are shown here: 

An Artsy Box Project comes to Franklin

The Artsy Box Project guidelines & submission form -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/13kpI3aoez8LMJHwKKtn37v-HUBxaDkFC/view?usp=share_link

Last Chance to be Included in Franklin Downtown Partnership Holiday Gift Guide

FINAL CALL FOR HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS & GIFT GUIDE We'll be emailing out our annual Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide soon. If you'd like to include your holiday event, promotion or product in the Gift Guide, email us the details by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16. If you'd like to support this holiday initiative to promote Franklin Downtown Partnership members and get your company listed as a sponsor, please email us by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.! See the sponsorship levels here. Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

MBTA Communities Zoning Guidelines Webinar - Sep 8 at 1 PM

The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced final guidelines outlining how MBTA communities can comply with the new multifamily zoning requirement. Learn more and register for an informational webinar on September 8: http://mass.gov/MBTAcommunities

Register for the webinar ->   https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KBSNAXLuR9yrnmklDPFx-g 

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassEOHED/status/1565428813999312896

Recall that the Mass Housing Partnership has a series of webinars on this topic (Wednesday's at noon) ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/massachusetts-housing-partnership.html

Franklin's statistics per MA EOHED calculation:

Franklin's statistics per MA EOHED calculation

MBTA Communities Zoning Guidelines Webinar - Sep 8 at 1 PM

Massachusetts Housing Partnership schedules webinar series on MBTA community housing guidelines

Via the Massachusetts Housing Partnership @mhphousing:

"Our webinar series on new MBTA community guidelines features experts on topics ranging from infrastructure basics to community engagement to messaging strategies. Sept. 21 kickoff: 9 consecutive Wednesdays.  

Registration is open. http://bit.ly/3T7Mfiz #HousingCrisis #housing"

Massachusetts Housing Partnership schedules webinar series on MBTA community housing guidelines

For more about the Massachusetts Housing Partnership visit their page ->

https://www.mhp.net/

COVID Updates: State quarantine guidelines change; FPS COVID dashboard

 "State drops quarantine for close COVID contacts in schools, childcare"

"IN A SIGN of the continually evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Health on Wednesday quietly updated its guidelines for educational settings to no longer require children to quarantine if they are asymptomatic but exposed to COVID, even if they are unvaccinated.  

The change in guidance will affect schools, camps, and daycares, but will have particular relevance for parents of children too young to be vaccinated, who have until now been subject to frequent quarantines."

Continue reading the CommonWealth Magazine article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/state-drops-quarantine-for-close-covid-contacts-in-schools-childcare/

The weekly FPS COVID-19 Dashboard is now available to view here: https://buff.ly/3pQh91e

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1529940196778819605

FPS COVID dashboard

MBTA Communities Upzoning Guidelines, Explained (and yes, Franklin is one)

MBTA Communities Upzoning Guidelines, Explained
@BosIndicators @bostonfdn

"This law represents an important shift, with the state taking action to ensure that most eastern Mass. cities and town contribute to addressing our regional housing shortage."

Guidelines -> https://t.co/RVtXX3zeBW 

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/KQCPlC1an1

MBTA Communities Upzoning Guidelines, Explained (and yes, Franklin is one)

The Franklin Voters Guide is available

The Franklin Voters Guide is a "work in progress". 

"The Franklin Area Voting Guide is intended to be a non-partisan resource created by private individuals to allow the people of Franklin, Massachusetts, and surrounding communities to cast an educated vote on issues that impact our community.

Information contained in this guide is provided by candidates and taken verbatim from their survey responses, or sourced from candidate websites/social media accounts, public statements, town halls, and past achievements."

It is a collaborative effort: 

• As the Franklin Matters interviews (email and audio) are completed, they are being shared there. 
• Frank Falvey, is recording interviews with candidates. Those audio files will be part of the Voter Guide repository. 

So do we have everyone accounted for yet? No

• There are some candidates completed and there are some in the edit/publishing mix
• There are candidates with interviews scheduled for next week 
• There are candidates working to confirm the scheduled for their interviews 

And yes, there are some that have not yet reached out to either the folks behind the Voters Guide or Frank Falvey, or myself to provide information to share.

 

What can you do between now and the time you cast your vote

• Read up on what the candidates have shared
• If you find a candidate, who doesn't have info, prompt them to reach out to get their info into the mix
• If you find a candidate you want to follow up with on a topic or two, the info to contact them is available with what they have published. Go for it. Don't be bashful

If you haven't registered to vote, please do so by October 13. 

Absentee ballot applications are available. 

Vote by mail applications are available. 

Early voting in the Town Clerk's office will be available once the printed ballots are available (possibly the week of Oct 12).

Early voting is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 23 and Sunday, Oct 24 from 10 AM to 1 PM on both days.

On of course, all precincts vote at Franklin High School on Nov 2, 2021 from 6:00 AM to 8 PM.

The Franklin Voter Guide ->  

https://www.franklinvoterguide.org/2021-voter-guide

The Franklin Voters Guide is available

Sen. Rausch slams DESE/DPH non-binding masking recommendations

SENATOR RAUSCH'S STATEMENT ON DESE/DPH MASK WEARING GUIDANCE 

"Today, Governor Baker and his administration failed our Commonwealth's children and families. The DESE/DPH masking guidance falls far short of the data-driven recommendations of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and hundreds of Massachusetts medical and public health experts: everyone age 2 and up in every school setting – from childcare through grade 12 – must wear masks indoors. Kids, parents, teachers, and school committees have been through enough; they deserve better than weak, unenforceable, non-binding guidelines that further endanger their health and safety."

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1421158746273849352

Sen. Rausch slams DESE/DPH non-binding masking recommendations

DESE releases fall guidance for school districts

MASC-School Committee (@MASCSchoolComm) tweeted on Fri, Jul 30, 2021:

"Just released fall guidance from the @MASchoolsK12. 

Please note:

"Today's guidance is a recommendation for districts, and individual districts should make decisions based on their own particular circumstances." 

https://t.co/w4lpqGbr1v"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1421132978516860934?s=03

Full document available -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/199tR2n52qh_thBKIXUF7KTN2RuQqTCp7/view?usp=sharing

https://twitter.com/MASchoolsK12

DESE issues guidance for school in Fall

"All coronavirus-related protocols, including social distancing, will be lifted at schools for the start of the 2021-22 academic year, and every school will be required to be back fully in person, state education officials told superintendents on Thursday.

School districts will not be allowed to offer remote learning as a standard learning model, according to the new guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“Pathways that existed prior to the pandemic for offering virtual learning to individual students in limited cases will remain available to districts and schools,” including single-district virtual schools or home- or hospital-based tutoring programs for documented medical conditions, the state education agency said."

Continue reading the article online  (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/27/metro/all-covid-19-restrictions-will-be-lifted-mass-schools-this-fall-fully-in-person-learning-will-be-required-state-says/

Read the full set of guidelines here ->  https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1398213566981943298

and here ->  https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1398213566981943298

Reopening Update: State to Lift Most COVID Restrictions May 29

Face covering order to be rescinded, replaced with CDC guidance

Reopening Update: State to Lift Most COVID Restrictions May 29th, Face Covering Order to be Rescinded & Replaced with CDC Guidance Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that business and capacity restrictions will be lifted effective May 29th. The Commonwealth's face covering order will be also be rescinded on May 29th, and the Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated guidance. Face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings. Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers. Governor Baker will end the State of Emergency on June 15th. Business Restrictions Lifted Effective May 29th, all industries will be permitted to open. With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for public and private transportation systems and facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted. Capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded. All industries are encouraged to follow CDC guidance for cleaning and hygiene protocols. Face Covering Guidance The Administration will rescind the current face covering order and the Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory effective May 29th. The new advisory will be consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated guidance. Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings. The new advisory will recommend fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors except for in certain situations. Face coverings will still be required for all individuals in the following settings: On public and private transportation (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations) In healthcare facilities/ healthcare providers In congregate care settings, including health and rehabilitative day services. Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers Youth and Amateur Sports Face Covering Guidance: Effective May 18th, the youth and amateur sports guidance will be updated to no longer require face coverings for youth athletes ages 18 and under while playing outdoor sports. Effective May 29th, all youth and amateur sports restrictions will be lifted. Click here for complete Youth Sports guidance. K-12, Early Education and Summer Camp Guidance: Effective May 18th, guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care will be updated to no longer require masks for outdoor activities like recess and to allow for the sharing of objects in classrooms, in both K-12 and childcare settings. This guidance will remain in effect beyond May 29th. Click here for DESE Guidance Click here for EEC Guidance The Administration will release updated guidance for summer camps, effective May 29th, which will include no longer requiring masks for outdoor activities. State of Emergency Order Governor Baker will end the State of Emergency on June 15th, and the Administration will work with legislative and municipal partners during this period in order to manage an orderly transition from emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation during the period of the State of Emergency. Complete reopening information can be found online at Mass.gov/Reopening. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the Partnership can be of any assistance to you: Jason Palitsch, Executive Director (774) 760-0495 x105 Jason@495Partnership.org Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening our region.

The 495/MetroWest Partnership | 200 Friberg Parkway, Suite 1003, Westborough, MA 01581 Sent by jason@495partnership.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Senator Becca Rausch: Navigating the mask guidelines for Families

Senator Becca Rausch (@BeccaRauschMA) tweeted on Mon, May 17, 2021:

ATTN fellow confused parents! Wondering how to keep our younger, not-yet-#vaccine-eligible children safe? Me too. I've got a team of experts to help give us some answers. Join me, Dr. @bethlinas @DrNataliaLinos + Dr. Lael Yanger. Drop your Qs in the replies!
#MApoli #COVID19  -BR https://t.co/FTSaJU33FX

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1394387015894974466

Senator Becca Rausch: Navigating the mask guidelines for Families

Patience still needed, but there is hope on the horizon after folks are vaccinated

 

"Americans got their first peek Monday at what life may be like in a post-vaccinated world with new federal guidelines that say people who are fully vaccinated can gather privately indoors without masks and without physical distancing.

The much-anticipated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, described as a first step toward returning to everyday activities, identify someone as fully vaccinated two weeks after their final shot. The timing of the announcement — just weeks before the beginning of spring — comes as many people are tempted to visit family or interact with friends after months of careful isolation." 

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/09/metro/new-cdc-guidelines-stir-hope-return-almost-normal-after-covid-19-vaccination/

 

Direct link to the CDC guidance

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

Related article on the guidance (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/08/nation/fully-vaccinated-people-can-gather-without-masks-cdc-says/

CDC guidance summary table

M.A.S.S. (@massupt): DESE updates guidance on singing indoors

M.A.S.S. (@massupt) tweeted on Tue, Mar 02, 2021:

"DESE has received approval for schools to allow singing indoors if in-person school is occurring. Singers must wear a mask & be at least 10 feet away from each other plus more.... The updated guidance is here: "

https://t.co/02ffh6vw7M  or via this link:  https://mailchi.mp/doe.mass.edu/commissioners-weekly-update-3-1-21-board-recap-pooled-testing-indoor-singing#updatedgui

Shared via Twitter:  https://twitter.com/massupt/status/1366768316132581389

M.A.S.S. (@massupt): DESE updates guidance on singing indoors

CDC: "Essential Elements of Safe K-12 School In-person Instruction"

From the Executive Summary of the CDC guidance on reopening schools released recently: (RED text for my emphasis)

"As communities plan safe delivery of in-person instruction in K-12 schools, it is essential to decide when and under what conditions to help protect students, teachers, and staff and slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It is critical for schools to open as safely and as soon as possible, and remain open, to achieve the benefits of in-person learning and key support services. To enable schools to open safely and remain open, it is important to adopt and consistently implement actions to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 both in schools and in the community. This means that all community members, students, families, teachers, and school staff should take actions to protect themselves and others where they live, work, learn, and play. In short, success in preventing the introduction and subsequent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools is connected to and facilitated by preventing transmission in the broader community."

There is no easy short list, the essential elements to reopen safely are complex. Take time to read through them to understand them.

Find and read the full CDC guidance doc

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html

The Hill: "Five things to know about new CDC coronavirus guidelines"

 

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put out a flurry of new guidance this week, with advice on topics such as mask wearing and quarantining after COVID-19 exposure.

The guidelines are in response to threats from new, more contagious virus strains, but they also indicate what life post-vaccine might look like in the U.S.

Here are five things to know about the agency's advice."

Continue reading the article online

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/538705-five-things-to-know-about-new-cdc-coronavirus-guidelines

Direct link to the CDC COVID-19 page  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Franklin (MA) Public Schools: UPDATED - Travel Guidance Flyer

UPDATED: Travel Guidance Flyer https://t.co/ggY4fVnw7x
 

Shared from Twitter:https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1359540890474328071

Franklin (MA) Public Schools: UPDATED - Travel Guidance Flyer

The Hill: "CDC issues new guidance about vaccinations for people with underlying health conditions"

From The Hill

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday issued a new guidance stating that people with underlying health conditions can receive a coronavirus vaccine.

The guidance explains that “adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.”  

Thus, the CDC added that those vaccines that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration “may be administered to people with underlying medical conditions provided they have not had a severe allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.” 

Continue reading the article online

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/531722-cdc-issues-new-guidance-about-vaccinations-for-people-with-underlying

Direct link to CDC guidance  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/underlying-conditions.html

 

 

MMA: "MBLC releases new space planning guide for libraries"

From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

"The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in mid-November released a free, 160-page guide to planning new or reconfigured public library spaces.

“This space planning guide will not only help plan flexible and efficient library buildings that meet a community’s unique needs,” said Library Building Specialist Lauren Stara, “it will also save communities time and money as they begin exploring options for a new or reconfigured library.”

“Library Space: A Planning Resource for Librarians” creates a formal set of best practices for designing library space that may be applied to libraries across the nation, according to the Board of Library Commissioners. The guide empowers librarians, administrators, space planners and architects with tools for the planning and design of public library buildings. It takes the user through the step-by-step process of determining what to consider when designing a new library for their community, and includes illustrations of different room types, adjacencies, shelving and seating that can be considered for a building project."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.mma.org/mblc-releases-new-space-planning-guide-for-libraries/

 

Visit the MA Board of Library Commissioners at https://mblc.state.ma.us/

 

Direct link to the new guide  https://mblc.state.ma.us/programs-and-support/construction/libraryspace.php

 

Franklin's Library in the sun after a snow storm

Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance

"Sharing an informational flyer on upcoming holiday health and safety guidance. "

 

Visit https://t.co/JrbsE0KEX6 for more information. 

 

Shared via https://t.co/i1d2aKF3y4

Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance