Showing posts with label re-entry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label re-entry. Show all posts

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Franklin, MA: Temporary Outdoor Dining Guidance and Application

In anticipation of Governor Baker's announcement to allow outdoor dining in the State, the Town of Franklin has compiled a list of temporary guidance and application process information for our local establishments. 

Please find it here, https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/webforms/temporary-outdoor-dining-guidance-and-application

We will continue to update the community on reopening procedures and guidelines as information becomes available. You can visit the Reopening Resources portal on our website here https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/reopening-resources

 
Franklin, MA: Temporary Outdoor Dining Guidance and Application
Franklin, MA: Temporary Outdoor Dining Guidance and Application

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Are you ready to re-open under Phase 1?

Good Afternoon All,

We are excited to start the Governor's re-opening phase one and the United Regional Chamber is here to help.

Are you ready?

If so, we would like to feature you on our "United Regional's Back to Business" page, where we will be celebrating your grand re-opening.

As a local business this promotion is easy and free. All you need to do is take a photo of you and your team at your place of business and send it to jack@unitedregionalchamber.org

If you are running any type of special sale or promotion, have limited hours, etc. please include that information when you send it.

Let us know if there is anything we can do to help!

Thank you,
Jack


Jack Lank, IOM
President & CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone: 508-316-0861
www.unitedregionalchamber.org
"People Do Business With People They Know"

Are you ready to re-open under Phase 1?
Are you ready to re-open under Phase 1?

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will conduct a virtual general meeting on Zoom on Thursday, June 4 at 8:30 AM. This special "Re-opening Businesses" FDP General Meeting will feature updates from state and town leaders, including 

  • Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
  • Susan Nicholl from State Sen. Karen Spilka's office 
  • State Sen. Becca Rausch
  • State Rep. Jeff Roy 
  • Franklin Health Director Cathy Liberty


The link to join the Zoom meeting is: https://zoom.us/j/96287098735
Meeting ID: 962 8709 8735
One tap mobile: +16465588656,,96287098735# US

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"
Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"

Friday, May 29, 2020

St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

This weekend, May 30-31, we will “re-open our Parish” to Saturday/Sunday Masses. 


We begin this reopening on a special, powerful and meaningful feast: The Feast of Pentecost, the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, also called the Birthday (Beginning) of the Church. 

After this long quarantine we are at a “new beginning” of our Parish and its spiritual life. The Holy Spirit, sent by the Lord Jesus, is with us as we start the “baby steps” to begin to walk and re-open our Parish. I invite you to read this letter closely because although everyone is invited, there are many, many of you who should remain at home for health and safety reasons. 

The Apostles at Pentecost: they were brave, they will filled with faith and hope, but they also had to stumble about, back up a few times, go forward a few steps and also stop to figure it out some more. Some were able to step right along, and many were unable to come forward until later. 

Remember the great and magnificent Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome took centuries to be built as it appears today and also was torn down, added to and changed inside and out at various times. We cannot gild the lily with gold, until we plant, water, care for and grow the lily first, a lots of steps which all take time. 

So we do not start with the highest and fancy best as we begin again, we start with the basic and solid elements of Mass. Also, what is true is that the early church is a good model for us about deciding about “returning to church”. We need to remember that this decision is not about lack of faith; instead it is about being prudent and sensible and also using common sense. 

No one will get a higher seat in heaven for coming this week or in the next period of time, we receive our seat by the grace of God and then by our actions of our entire lifetime. 

We will begin with Masses at 4 PM this Saturday May 30, 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM on May 31 this Sunday. Bear in mind we need to clean and sanitize the church between each Mass.

The Mass in church for the foreseeable future will feel very different and perhaps strange to you. Further along in the letter I will explain some of the steps which we must take. Bear in mind that Cardinal Sean has continued the Dispensation for everyone about not attending Mass for any reason. This means any age. 

First I wish to address straight on a serious matter of who should consider coming to Mass and the folks who simply should not come. We are at present in Phase One in our State which means “stay safer at home.” 

This means there are categories of people who should choose not to attend Mass: People who are over the age of 70, with health issues the ages of 65-70, those who are receiving medical care, especially cancer and cardiac patients, people with emphysema, asthma or COPD, a history of pneumonia, those who use oxygen, or any respiratory complication etc. - basically any significant health reason whether physical or psychological. Good Catholics will observe this and all good Catholics will understand.

Coming to Church for Mass means cooperating with the new mandated rules and procedures, whether you like them or not. None of us will prefer them, but you, me and everyone else must care for the safety of others first. 

You may find a video of this as an example on our website (stmarysfranklin.org) or our Facebook Page 


Archdiocese of Boston: Returning to Mass from Archdiocese of Boston on Vimeo.

  • All of us must observe the rules. 
  • Please place your mask on while at the sidewalk. 
  • Entrance is only by the front middle door or the elevator side entrance. 
  • Everyone must come in and go down the main aisle to the front and circulate to side by going up to the front, across and then up the side. 
  • Benches are closed off by tape. Do not break the tape. 
  • The benches without tape on the aisle are for sitting. 
  • Tape is placed on the bench seat to show where you may sit in that bench so that six feet will be observed. 
  • If you are a household of 2 or more, you may sit as a group. 
  • The next single near your group must stay 6 feet away. 
  • There are only about 180 seats available in the church. 
  • When capacity is reached, by law we must not admit anyone else.
Sadly, you will be unable to attend Mass in the church. There will be volunteer “Ambassadors” who will remind folks, help direct traffic flow and answer questions. 

  • There will be no missalettes or singing. 
  • At Communion, the Ambassadors will direct this bench by bench. 
  • You must come down the main aisle. 
  • The sides must go to the back, come across and come down the main aisle. 
  • You must stay 6 feet apart. 
  • Only Communion in the hand is allowed. “By tongue” is expressly forbidden because it is so very, very most dangerous in spreading infection, now or at any time. 
  • Please put out one hand palm up. 
  • Then step over about 6 feet to the taped box on the rug, remove your mask, receive Communion and then re-mask. 
  • After receiving, please go down the side aisle and leave immediately by the front side door. You must leave by the two side doors in the lobby area. “Middle in, side out!” 
  • If you are coming, please realize it will take extra time and come starting a half hour before hand. 

The side stairwell and wooden door on the Rectory side will be unavailable for use for the foreseeable future. Entrance to the lower level, will be by the side glass doors towards the front. 

The Prayer Wall in our Church is available electronically via our Facebook Page and also in church. If you use in church, you must come early and put your prayer up before Mass. Because of health reasons, you must provide your own pen for church. 

Terry Kerr, our Music Director and Organist, will provide music and singing at allowed times. 

Also, please know that Private/Family Only Funeral Masses are now being held. Weekday Mass will be a few more weeks away. We are following the priorities as directed by the Archdiocese.

Please know the very spiritual and holy Masses and Services on Catholic TV (catholictv.org) are available for everyone who should be staying at home. I have received many, many emails from folks about how this great spiritual treasure of our Archdiocese has kept their faith vibrant and strong. Parishes that stream their amateur efforts just cannot compete with Bishop Reed offers on the Catholic TV Channel. 

Our Saint Vincent de Paul acknowledges your generosity to them for their caring for the needy and frail. To bring donations of food and supplies from now on, please bring them up the sidewalk between the Rectory and church building and place them inside the glass doors on the side of the church at ground level. Many have also mailed in financial donations to the Rectory. 

I admire greatly the constant and faithful generosity of all who have thoughtfully sent financial support to our Parish via on-line giving (found at stmarysfranklin.org) or mailed in or dropped through the Rectory mail slot. Your continued generosity will help us as we go slowly through the many stages over the long time of re-opening.

Our Blessed Mother Mary is our Patroness and we honor her especially in this month of May. Saint Rocco, our special Patron, intercedes for us in heaven. We are blessed to be able to begin. We have the Holy Spirit who has been sent as an Advocate and Helper to us. The Spirit empowers us as we begin and re-open. 

May the Lord bless us as we continue His command to announce “the Good News of Salvation”.

Father Brian

PS: “Dear God, please get Father Brian to write shorter letters!”

St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31
St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Tracy Novick: "The pit in my stomach"

Tracy Novick is a member of the Worcester (MA) School Committee, and a field director for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). While she has a bunch of disclaimers as she opens her article, from her observations she asks some questions on how to re-open schools:

"Please make no mistake: having our kids out of school is absolutely catastrophic to their education, and, in many cases, to their physical and mental health. In some cases, this has been exponentially increased by the lack of timely response, or mismanagement, or other leadership lacks.

I'm not under any illusions on how destructive this time is to many.

I also spend a good bit of time in and around schools, and schools of different types. I know what it's like in a suburban high school at lunchtime, and what it's like at an urban elementary school at recess. I've been in the closets that pass for offices for speech therapists and myriad of other support staff, the auto bays and shops of a vocational school at work, the flood of students running for buses at the end of the day.
I've also been in a lot of bathrooms.
I don't of course know it all, but know what a lot of that looks like in schools in Massachusetts right now.

I don't know how we do it without kids touching each other and breathing on each other and their teachers. I mean that, genuinely. I have tried and tried to figure out how you'd do it."
A worthy read, to continue follow this link:
http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-pit-in-my-stomach.html

Tracy's MASC profile page  https://www.masc.org/about-us-3/staff/67-about-us/staff/707-tracy-novick  (her profile needs to be updated as she got re-elected to the Worcester School Committee in Nov 2019).

Tracy Novick: "The pit in my stomach"
Tracy Novick: "The pit in my stomach"

Monday, May 25, 2020

FM #275 "Talk Franklin" with Jamie Hellen, Anne Marie Tracey 5/22/20 (audio)

FM #275 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 275 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:
  • Re-opening status, progress
Curbside caf̩ РJune 1
Jun 4 downtown partnership
New “Resource” button
  • Memorial Day
  • Budget
Finance Committee budget hearings
Agendas for each meeting posted
  • Department Spotlight, Recreation
And we close with some cultural comments continuing the Prince reference from the prior session, and new mentions of the Beatie Boys movie and country musician Margo Price

Cultural Events coming up
  • Jamie Barrett - TuNesDay - May 26 https://youtu.be/z40Drnl6GhU
  • Empty Bowls - goes virtual the week of June 8
  • Party for the Pantry- goes virtual July 15

The recording runs about 58 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hrr9zK97




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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

recreation spaces are re-opened today with restrictions
recreation spaces are re-opened today with restrictions

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - May 21

Franklin Board Of Health Agenda
Thursday, May 21, 2020
5:00 PM

Due to the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Board of Health Meeting. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by clicking on the attached link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). The attached link and phone number will be active for the duration of the meeting for citizens to ask questions/voice concerns.

Link: Join with Google Meet   meet.google.com/rxf-kpti-gfd

Join by phone  - - #


1) OLD BUSINESS
  • A. None
  • Chairman opens the floor for any other old business

2) NEW BUSINESS
  • Discussion of Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards
  • Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

3) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

4) ADJOURNMENT

Agenda doc in PDF format
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/agenda-5-21-20_revised.pdf 

 
Franklin, MA:  Board of Health - Agenda - May 21
Franklin, MA:  Board of Health - Agenda - May 21

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

CDC Guidelines for reopening are now available

From the Washington Post, we find the CDC guidelines are available
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week laid out its detailed, delayed road map for reopening schools, child-care facilities, restaurants and mass transit, weeks after covid-weary states began opening on their own terms.

The CDC cautioned that some institutions should stay closed for now and said reopening should be guided by coronavirus transmission rates.

For schools, the CDC recommended a raft of social distancing policies: desks at least six feet apart and facing the same direction, lunch in classrooms, staggered arrival times, cloth masks for staff and daily temperature screenings for everyone.

It advised that buses leave every other row empty, bars add sneeze guards and child-care centers limit sharing of art supplies.

The 60-page guidance document was posted on the CDC website over the weekend without fanfare after weeks of delay and an internal debate over whether the guidelines were too restrictive."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/cdc-guidelines-released-at-last-offer-low-key-guide-to-reopening/2020/05/19/c99eb63a-99f8-11ea-a282-386f56d579e6_story.html

Download a copy from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15wQ1d0QP48nn6Iy7pHmFNxq_1Y5F0TnG/view?usp=sharing

or directly from the CDC page
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf



CDC Guidelines are now available
CDC Guidelines are now available

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Town of Franklin: Reopening resources

A new section has been added to our Coronavirus Information Portal: REOPENING RESOURCES

We will continue to keep it updated as information becomes available. Find Governor Baker's Reopening Massachusetts Report and more here:  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/reopening-resources

Town of Franklin: Reopening resources
Town of Franklin: Reopening resources


Shared from the Town of Franklin Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1262418025875230732?s=09




Sunday, May 17, 2020

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
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
Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards


Saturday, May 16, 2020

IN the News: "must be deliberate and careful to balance economic and public health needs"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Two key strategies to maintaining progress in the fight against COVID-19 as the state begins a gradual process of reviving public activity will be use of masks and, wherever possible, employees working remotely, Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday.

During his daily coronavirus press conference -- potentially his last State House appearance before Monday, when a panel plans to file a report outlining a roadmap toward phased reopening -- Baker touted both practices and stressed that the public health threat will require an ongoing vigilant response.

About half of the employees in state government’s executive branch have been working remotely since late March, and Baker said his administration this week extended that policy “for the foreseeable future.”

He praised large employers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Raytheon who have collectively permitted about 150,000 workers to fulfill their duties from home, suggesting other fields where remote work is possible should follow their example."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200515/baker-work-from-home-if-you-can-wear-mask-when-out

https://youtu.be/gzT_iKou3zY


Thursday, May 14, 2020

"Each phase must ensure that cities and towns have full access to the resources needed to reopen"

From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
"The MMA today (5/13/20) presented a comprehensive set of municipal priorities and recommendations to the state’s COVID-19 Reopening Advisory Board, the 17-member panel drafting the state plan that will be released on May 18.

The MMA is calling for:
  • Timely notice to local government in advance of each reopening phase
  • Strong and specific health and safety standards and directives from the state on how to protect the public and employees during each phase
  • Delivery of resources to all communities to ensure equity and consistency in public services throughout the state
  • Clear affirmation of local enforcement authority and high standards for industry to follow to ensure consistency across Massachusetts

Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith presented a detailed framework for action that was developed by a special MMA Reopening Advisory Committee of municipal officials from across the state.

The MMA emphasized the need for a careful and sustainable reopening process that is driven by public health needs above all, so that Massachusetts can avoid a second shutdown, which would devastate chances for economic recovery in the near term while lives are again at risk."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/mma-presents-key-municipal-priorities-for-reopening-process/

The presentation copy can be found online
https://41g41s33vxdd2vc05w415s1e-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/MMA_Presentation_to_RAB_FinalDraft_5.12.pdf

1 page of the summary on recommendations
1 page of the summary on recommendations

"sacrificed too much over the past nine weeks to risk a second breakout"

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

"It would be “incredibly irresponsible” to send everyone back to work at the same time, Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday, pushing back against critics who have accused him of moving too slowly to restart the state’s economy as he simultaneously tries to steer the state through the COVID-19 crisis.

The governor also resisted calls for him to tease out details of his reopening strategy before Monday, urging patience as some legislators and industries, like restaurants, are clamoring to be told what businesses will be on the initial list to reopen and what might be expected of them.

“I would love to be able to open everything up tomorrow. That would be an incredibly irresponsible thing to do,” Baker said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200513/gov-baker-full-reopening-would-be-incredibly-irresponsible-as-coronavirus-is-still-present-in-massachusetts

Gov Baker Video link   https://youtu.be/guqouiPFYT8



Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Gov. Baker outlines a 4-phase reopening strategy

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Reopening swaths of public life in Massachusetts will play out across four distinct phases and involve new widespread and mandatory safety regulations for all businesses.

The approach, announced by the Baker administration on Monday, could launch as as soon as next week with an initial phase applying to businesses that are best able to limit the type of person-to-person contacts that have fueled the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The broad-stroke framework that Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito outlined would ease forced shutdowns of non-essential businesses gradually over a timeline yet to be determined, building up to a “new normal” once a vaccine or other treatment for the highly infectious disease is available.

Many details about the process are still in the works and will depend on the recommendations an advisory panel will file in one week and on the trajectory of trends in the state’s COVID-19 outbreak. If public health data shows a new spike in cases or increased risks, the administration could order a return to an earlier phase."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200511/updated-gov-baker-outlines-4-phase-reopening-strategy-for-massachusetts-to-move-to-new-normal-with-coronavirus-outbreak


4-phase reopening strategy
4-phase reopening strategy
The 4 phase overview
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-four-phase-approach

The mandatory workplace standards for Phase 1
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-mandatory-safety-standards-for-workplaces


Video link = https://youtu.be/QNIKD9DccVU



Sunday, May 10, 2020

FM #266 "Talk Franklin" TA Jamie Hellen; Anne Marie Tracey 5/08/20 (audio)

FM #266 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 266 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about the first phase of the re-entry of employees to the Town services for service with the public. No public access is allowed in the buildings at this time. The drive through window will re-open. The Library will return to the reserve and contactless pick up. Beaver St will re-open for full service but with only credit card payments. Additional details were posted to the Town web page Friday about the various department moves to re-open in this first phase.

Senior Center, Recreation are among the other departments working on plans for some of the operations to return with safety protocols in place to protect the workers and the community.

Jamie acknowledges that the Municipal Building is a social center of sorts and while he wants to get to a re-entry point, needs to proceed cautiously.

The budget gets a discussion at the Joint Budget Committee meeting on Monday, May 11. The Budget Subcommittee will meet with the Finance Committee and the School Committee budget subcommittee to coordinate the planning around the downward revision in revenue and begin to make the adjustments accordingly. These adjustments will then be reviewed in the Finance Committee sessions after Memorial Day.

We talked about the need for community engagement for this budget. The decisions will require serious discussions.

We got a preview of the department spotlight on the work of the archivist at the Historical Museum. And then close out the conversation with some reflections on the pandemic period. Jamie’s grandmother who is 101. Yes, she was born during the last pandemic in 1918-1919 and before women could vote. As well as finding time to walk, exercise, and take the mindful breaks.

The recording runs about 55 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.
https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Town-of-Franklin-Re-entry-Updates-edr25a



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

Re-entry Updates
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/town-of-franklin-department-re-entry_9.html


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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 #266 "Talk Franklin"  TA Jamie Hellen; Anne Marie Tracey 5/08/20 (audio)
FM #266 "Talk Franklin"  TA Jamie Hellen; Anne Marie Tracey 5/08/20 (audio)

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Dr Erin Bromage: "The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them"

A good read that nicely and cleanly explains how the coronavirus spreads
"It seems many people are breathing some relief, and I’m not sure why. An epidemic curve has a relatively predictable upslope and once the peak is reached, the back slope is also predictable. Assuming we have just crested in deaths at 70k, that would mean that if we stay locked down, we lose another 70,000 people over the next 6 weeks as we come off that peak. That's what's going to happen with a lockdown.

As states reopen, and we give the virus more fuel, all bets are off. I understand the reasons for reopening the economy, but I've said before, if you don't solve the biology, the economy won't recover.

There are very few states that have demonstrated a sustained decline in numbers of new infections. Indeed, the majority are still increasing and reopening. As a simple example of the USA trend, when you take out the data from New York and just look at the rest of the USA, daily case numbers are increasing. Bottom line: the only reason the total USA new case numbers look flat right now is because the New York City epidemic was so large and now it is being contained.
...
As we are allowed to move around our communities more freely and be in contact with more people in more places more regularly, the risks to ourselves and our family are significant. Even if you are gung-ho for reopening and resuming business as usual, do your part and wear a mask to reduce what you release into the environment. It will help everyone, including your own business."

Continue reading the article
https://erinbromage.wixsite.com/covid19/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them


Who is the author?

Erin S. Bromage, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Dr. Bromage graduated from the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences James Cook University, Australia where his research focused on the epidemiology of, and immunity to, infectious disease in animals. His Post-Doctoral training was at the College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science in the Comparative Immunology Laboratory of late Dr. Stephen Kaattari.

Dr. Bromage’s research focuses on the evolution of the immune system, the immunological mechanisms responsible for protection from infectious disease, and the design and use of vaccines to control infectious disease in animals. He also focuses on designing diagnostic tools to detect biological and chemical threats in the environment in real-time.

Dr. Bromage joined the Faculty of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2007 where he teaches courses in Immunology and Infectious disease, including a course this semester on the Ecology of Infectious Disease which focused on the emerging SARS-CoV2 outbreak in China.

Found via Twitter  https://twitter.com/lit_hum/status/1258748858630356993?s=09

Dr Erin Bromage: "The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them"
Dr Erin Bromage: "The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them"

Town of Franklin Department Re-entry Updates - May 8

Hello Franklin,

Our COVID-19 Information Portal is updated regularly with the latest information and resources. You can find it HERE.

Please find our Department Re-entry Updates attached below and visit our website and/or social media frequently for news and announcements.

Have a good weekend!

"Based on the escalating global COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Baker’s most recent Executive Orders, the Franklin Town and School Administration offices, as well as all Franklin public buildings will be closed to the public and most employees through May 18th, 2020. We are following the guidance coming from Governor Baker. We are working on a measured plan to initiate baby steps toward re-opening limited services that cannot be performed remotely, while keeping the safety of our employees and community at the forefront.

On May 11th, the following departments will be re-opening with limited staff and services as an initial phase in. Careful decision-making and return to work procedures will take place in the coming weeks, with safety as the top priority.

● The drive through window at the Municipal Building will be re-opening for service on May 11th for regular business hours. The window will serve as the point of contact for all municipal services for both the Town Clerk’s Office and the Treasurer/Collector. Cash will not be accepted at this time. The public will not be able to access the building in any way other than the drive through.
● The Library will be reopening with a skeleton crew for online orders and no contact pickup/dropoff of requested materials. Patrons can place material holds online or by phone. (limit of 5 items over the phone) Search our catalog at find.minlib.net , and limit the collection location to Franklin. Once you receive a text or email that your items are ready, visit the Library entrance at School Street. Hours will be Monday - Saturday 10am - 1pm. Please stay tuned to the Franklin Public Library websites for children's programming and other offerings that will be available to residents remotely.
● The DPW and Facilities Departments will begin with a soft opening on May 11th, with limited employees returning to work to assess and plan for the weeks ahead. Beginning May 18th, the DPW and custodial staff will be fully open, with work crews returning in one man vehicles where necessary. The DPW Administration Building will remain closed through May 18th.
● The Senior Center is aiming to develop a curbside lunch program for members to access Cafe prepared grab-and-go meals. The goal is to have this service available beginning June 1st, with the hope of adding the same service for breakfast in the future. More details will be released as they become available..
● On May 11th, we will begin a very limited phase in of staff at the Municipal Building. The building will not be open to the public.
● The Recycling Center is currently open regular business hours, with the addition of noon - 3pm on Thursday May 14th for yard waste only. Beginning May 18th, the Recycling Center will be open regular hours for full services. No cash or checks will be accepted. All residents who wish to use the recycling center for item drop off will need to go online prior to pay the required fee(s). A printed slip detailing the fees paid will be required to show proof of payment. The online payment portal for recycling fees is on our Viewpoint site.
● Curbside Clothing Recycling restarted the week of April 27th on your normal trash day. Please have bags out prior to 7am for pickup.
● All municipal parks and playgrounds will be closed to the public. Nature trails are OK to use.
● All public and private schools are closed through the end of the year. Childcare facilities (other than emergency centers for first responders) will be closed until June 29th.
● Trash and Recycling Pickup will continue to be picked up on their normal schedule.

While the Municipal Building and most other departments are closed for direct, in-person service, staff will be available for all regular business activities via phone, email and our online services center at www.franklinma.gov. For an emergency, please continue to dial 911."

Additional details on the Re-entry Updates: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/department_protocols_covid_19_8.pdf

Town of Franklin Department Re-entry Updates - May 8
Town of Franklin Department Re-entry Updates - May 8