"We need a CDC that prioritizes the health of the people, not the health of big business"

"A new omicron variant, referred to as BA 2, is taking hold in the US. Anthony Fauci and others have said they don’t expect a new surge in the US, but BA.2 is causing devastating surges elsewhere, and the policies and behaviors we might use to prevent a surge in the US have been widely abandoned, in part thanks to the CDC’s new system for measuring and conveying COVID risk.

In late February, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled a new COVID-19 monitoring system based on what they call “Community Levels.” By downplaying the importance of Sars-CoV-2 transmission, the new system instantly turned what was a pandemic map still red from Omicron transmission to green – creating the false impression that the pandemic is over.

Released four days before the State of the Union, the new CDC measures and the narrative they created let President Biden claim victory over the virus via sleight of hand: a switch from standard reporting of community transmissions to measures of risk based largely on contentious hospital-based metrics. The previous guidelines called anything over 50 cases per 100,000 people “substantial or high.” Now, they say 200 cases per 100,000 is “low” as long as hospitalizations are also low.

The resulting shift from a red map to a green one reflected no real reduction in transmission risk. It was a resort to rhetoric: an effort to craft a success story that would explain away hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths and the continued threat the virus poses. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/03/peoples-cdc-covid-guidelines 

"The People’s CDC is a collective of public health practitioners, scientists, healthcare workers, educators, advocates and people from all walks of life who care about reducing the harmful impacts of COVID-19. The People’s CDC is volunteer-run and independent of partisan political and corporate interests. 

A copy of the People’s CDC report on the change in the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines can be found at peoplescdc.org."

"We need a CDC that prioritizes the health of the people, not the health of big business"

And the Boston Globe reports on a growing COVID case count
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/03/metro/amid-climbing-mass-covid-19-cases-health-experts-urge-booster-shots/

Franklin Education Association (FEA) statement at School Committee meeting 3/08/22

Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the membership of the FEA to the important issue of the budget. You've just heard Dr. Ahern's presentation.

We also support an increase in the budget and wonder if it shouldn't be a bigger increase, but for different reasons.

We've heard about the Portrait of a Graduate and the strategies for district improvement - both important topics. Over the  last few pandemic years, we've seen money spent on needed upgrades in technology and facilities improvements. Both good things, things that were necessary. Things that were needed.

We're asking you now to look at how that budget money is spent. We don't need any more assessments, or new initiatives, to tell us kids have learning gaps or social trauma. We know this. This is what we do. We need bodies - people who are working with and in front of the kids, everyday, all day. We need councilors, ESPs, health care staff, teachers, guidance, team chairs, special educators, ELL educators, psychologists, etc. Let's increase that budget so we can support the students and families in Franklin the way they  deserve  -  directly,  thoughtfully, impactfully.

Thank you.
Donna Grady, FEA President

 

For more about the FEA -> https://franklin.massteacher.org/about-us/

Franklin Education Association (FEA)

Recap: Community Preservation Committee hears more about pickleball, as well as monuments on Town Common (audio)

FM #702 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 702 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the second of two public hearings held by the Franklin, MA Community Preservation Committee. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Jan 18, 2022.  

Quick Recap:

• Second of two public hearings opened Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022. Residents made several suggestions for use of the CPA money to be available later this year. 

• Vice-Chair David McNeill opens the meeting. Chair Chris Feeley joined along later

• My notes captured during the meeting were shared via Twitter and the thread doc is available in the show notes

The recording runs about 1 hour and 18 minutes, so let’s listen to the public hearing of Franklin’s Community Preservation Committee held Jan 18, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-702-community-preservation-cmte-public-hearing-2-01-18-22

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The committee legal notice can be found ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf

The public hearing dates are:

1. January 4, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street  Agenda = https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-04_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_1.pdf

2. January 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street   Agenda =   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf

The Online application can be found at this link https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1097

Additional information regarding the CPC & CPA can be found at the following links:

1.  Community Preservation Coalition -> https://www.communitypreservation.org/about

2.  MA State Legislator - Community Preservation ->   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B

3.  Secretary of State Page - Accepting the CPA ->   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elecpa/cpaidx.htm

Please bookmark the Franklin CPC website: https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee 

Notes and recording of first meeting ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-community-preservation-committee.html 

CPC Pubic Hearing #2 Twitter thread -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/124zieglzk7CPBYqAJoXqwAuNRWLAhqT7/view?usp=sharing

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Recap: Community Preservation Committee hears more about pickleball,
as well as monuments on Town Common (audio)

Community Preservation Committee: Public Hearing - January 18, 2022

Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing 

January 18, 2022

The Community Preservation Committee will be holding a public hearing on January 18, 2022 at 7:10 PM regarding the use of Community Preservation Act funds as it pertains to our community needs. 

Agenda: 

1. Approval of Minutes 

2. Public Hearing #2: a. Citizens hearing for ideas, questions or proposals on how to use the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to incorporate into the CPA Plan.

Please find the agenda and links for the meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf

Community Preservation Committee: Public Hearing -  January 18, 2022

Community Preservation Coalition: Look what CPA funds have done in Pittsfield, MA

Community Preservation Coalition (@CPA_Coalition) tweeted on Tue, Dec 28, 2021:

"Look how much the #CommunityPreservationAct has done for the City of Pittsfield in just the 5 short years since they adopted the program in 2016 - housing, historic preservation, and even more in the future! @MayorTyer @BerkshireEagle"

https://t.co/P5y6vZionZ or directly to the Berkshire Eagle page ->   https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/look_ahead/look-ahead-pittsfield-cpa-funding-requests-up-over-last-year-for-more-housing-and-preservation/article_ce69fcd4-5ac6-11ec-8049-af101b4377d9.html

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/fPiJCx8fub

The Community Preservation Committee decided that 11 of 13 applications for CPA funding were eligible for the program this year. The projects are vying for $715,000 in funding in a year when the committee has decided to cap allocations at $650,000.  By Meg Britton-Mehlisch, The Berkshire Eagle

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #2 - Jan 18, 2022

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #2

The Franklin Community Preservation Committee will hold two public hearings, Hearing #1 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:10 P.M. and Hearing #2, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:10pm. These informational hearings will involve a discussion of Franklin’s needs, possibilities and resources regarding community preservation and the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address these issues, as permitted by the CPA.

This meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street and remotely via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,
Alecia Alleyne
Licensing Administrator

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad__0.pdf

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #2 - Jan 18, 2022

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1 - Jan 4, 2022

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1

The Franklin Community Preservation Committee will hold two public hearings, Hearing #1 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:10 P.M. and Hearing #2, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:10pm. These informational hearings will involve a discussion of Franklin’s needs, possibilities and resources regarding community preservation and the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address these issues, as permitted by the CPA.

This meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street and remotely via the “ZOOM” platform.  Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,
Alecia Alleyne
Licensing Administrator

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf

Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1 - Jan 4, 2022

Recap: Community Preservation Committee approves meeting schedule, reviews sample plans/applications, sets Jan 4 and 18 as public hearings

Quick Recap:

• A short 21 minute meeting saw the introduction of new member Rick Power. He will represent the Planning Board and was unable to vote until formally approved by the Town Council.
• The proposed schedule of meetings for 2022 mostly Tuesday nights to avoid conflict with School Committee and other meetings in the Council Chambers was approved by 8-0 vote.
• Discussion on sample plans and applications used by other communities. Watertown's plan and Concord's application were touted and generally received agreement to be used as the 'template' for the Franklin version
• Public hearings scheduled for Jan 4 and Jan 18 to allow the community to provide input and suggestions to develop the 'wish list' for how the CPA funds can be used.

-------

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers. 

 

The Twitter hashtag #CPC1207 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1468368023450968065 

• getting ready for the Community Preservation Committee meeting tonight - agenda doc -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-07_cpc_packet.pdf…  #cpc1207
• meeting opens, motion to approve minutes of Oct 2021, passes 8-0 - new member representing the planning board is here listening/observing, can't officially vote yet (requires Town Council approval). #cpc1207
• discussion on proposed scheduled for meetings for 2022; motion to approve, passes 8-0 #cpc1207  (BTW - Rick Power is the representative from the Planning Board)
• discussion on CPC application and sample plans from other communities - see links in the agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-07_cpc_packet.pdf…  #cpc1207
• two public hearings scheduled for Jan 4 and 18 to enable community input for the 'wish list' for which to use the CPA funds available in Nov/Dec 2022 #cpc1207
• Watertown plan touted as a good sample (side note, Watertown leveraged our charter once upon a time) #cpc1207 Concord application touted as a good one for consideration as a guide for Franklin's development
• The Town does have their own items for the 'wish list' one can look to the capital requests and see what of those make sense to use with CPA vs. remaining on the list for use with capital funds (i.e. free cash) #ccp1207
• consideration of applications as 'rolling' but have some level of 'cutoff' to enable the due diligence and prioritization to being before CPC for approval and then the Town Council #cpc1207
• expectation of the 4th and 18th is to open the listening session for ideas of possible use of the CPA funds #cpc1207
• motion to adjourn, passes 8-0 #cpc1207

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2c5102d4-6125-4beb-8e01-6732cdff24de

Recap: Community Preservation Committee

Call for Community Input: Franklin Public Schools ESSER III Fund Survey

Call for Community Input: FPS ESSER III Fund Survey

Survey closes Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at 4pm.

Through the American Rescue Plan, Franklin Public School District was granted $1,046,173 in ESSER III funds to be spent through June 2024. These funds will be disbursed via a multi-year plan with the goal of supporting district response during the COVID-19 pandemic. FPS is seeking input from community stakeholders as a part of the planning process. The survey will close on Wednesday, September 15th at 4pm.

Franklin Public Schools has created this survey to inform each stakeholder group of anticipated district priorities and to collect feedback around anticipated activities involving these funds. Community Stakeholders refers to students, parents/ guardians, FPS employees, Franklin residents, groups representing the interests of school children, and more. Community Stakeholder input is encouraged and accessible through this survey, which can be accessed via the link below.

ESSER III Community Input Survey

Link ->  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXcyoJIeIEIR-g2SJEW-s2fcQYs8W2uW10mUnZ0feUdgCHOA/viewform

More information regarding American Rescue/ Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund :

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, was enacted on March 11, 2021. The ARP Act provides additional funding for school districts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Education portion of ARP is known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III or ARP ESSER) Fund. The purpose of the ESSER III fund is to support the safe reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A full scope of requirements is available here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/federalgrants/esser/

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/call-community-input-fps-esser-iii-fund-survey

Call for Community Input: Franklin Public Schools ESSER III Fund Survey

FM #545 - Community Preservation Committee Mtg - 05/18/21 (audio)

FM #545 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 545 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held Tuesday, May 18, 2021

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Committee members were in the Council Chambers, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee meeting held Tuesday, May 18. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/33ee06e9-bb5d-4547-a818-de42694a4c65

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Meeting agenda -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_for_may_18_2021.pdf

Recreation presentation doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/community_preservation_committee_2021_rec.pdf 

Recap of the meeting ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/community-preservation-committee_19.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 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"

Rec Director Ryan Jette presenting to the CPC

Community Preservation Committee continues to learn, this time the learning was about Recreation

Quick Recap:

• Presentation and overview of the Recreation program, how it does, what it does, what are some of the future projects that could be funded from CPA funds when available
• Committee will need to determine the overall requirements and set up an application process for formal consideration before recommending choices to Town Council for approval. Still have housing and historical areas to complete the round of subject areas
  
• Funds will not be available until 4Q 2022.
  

----

 

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  #cpc0518

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cpc0519&src=recent_search_click  

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vwT19i7LgxUavXFH8

 

• Community Preservation Committee Meeting coming up at 7; agenda has connection info https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_for_may_18_2021.pdf #cpc0518
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen opens with a quick update on the Maple Hill status. Town council has a special meeting Weds 5/19. After their executive session, an announcement and timeline for the right of first refusal will be shared #cpc0519
• Rec Director Ryan Jette provides an overview of the recreation programs. First youth field hockey program in MA started here. #cpc0518
• Community garden, disc golf; concerts on the common, movie nights, food trucks on tap for this summer #cpc0518 training for sports officials, CPR, etc... Playground monitoring done regularly, typical lifespan of 20 years.
• New playground at Beaver Pond getting wood chips on Weds should be open for the weekend, targeted for 5-12 year old kids Wish list for consideration #cpc0518
• Programs are used by young and old, it is a huge draw for the Town and well utilized by many of the residents. #cpc0518 participation of sign up usually around 6,000 and that doesn't count those where sign up is not required (pickel ball courts, hiking/walking trails)
• There will be competing demands for the CPA funds which really won't be available until 4Q 2022. #cpc0518 What will we spend on? What will we save for to have when a 'big' one comes along? All worthy discussion points for the CPC to understand and work towards a plan
• Demographics okay a role, yes. What will the post pandemic look like? Some speculation on which way it goes, should be positioned to handle what comes. Recall too that some of these changes won't be as dramatic (overnight) #cpc0518
• Committee will need to develop the balance of demands and funding. Consider diversity in fields too, i.e. a cricket field. Actually, plans underway at JFK for a cricket field this summer. #cpc0518 Application process will need to be developed ->
• Still need to hear from housing and historical to complete the round of info gathering, then you can start to look at what might be. Open applications, see what comes in and then prioritize for an eventual Town Council decision #cpc0518
• Motion to adjourn, second, meeting ends. That's all for tonight, catch you next time! #cpc0518

 

Rec Director Ryan Jette presenting to the CPC