Black Excellence Showcase scheduled for Saturday, Feb 15 at Dean College

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

"Highlighting the African-American culture within the local community is the inspiration behind the third annual Black Excellence Showcase that members of the Dean College Black Student Union and MyBlackSpeaks are presenting on Saturday, Feb 15.

The show, which is a celebration of Black History Month, will be staged at 7 p.m. at the Guidrey Center at Dean College, 99 Main St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

“For myself, having our culture represented at all is an honor,” said DJ Whaley, chairman of marketing for the Dean Black Student Union.

The student organization, he said, wanted to create a safe space for people of all shapes, color and sizes to shine a light on a broad variety of performances as part of a “wonderful showcasing of the black community at Dean and within Franklin.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200213/dean-college-black-student-union-students-plan-black-excellence-showcase

Tickets for the showcase are $5 for students, $7 for alumni (reception is included), and $10 for outside guests. For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/rtt58jp

Black Excellence Showcase scheduled for Saturday, Feb 15 at Dean College

MA Senate Passes Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care

Today (2/13/20), the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Mental Health ABC Act, comprehensive legislation aimed at reforming the mental health care system in Massachusetts. Senate Bill 2519, An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health, serves as the first step toward developing a more integrated system of mental health care delivery to better meet the needs of individuals and families.

Massachusetts residents have historically experienced difficulty accessing mental health services due to health inequities and persistent barriers to care—leaving many without the treatment they need and deserve. According to a 2018 report by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts, over half of a representative sample of fully insured adults who sought mental health care services reported difficulty finding services.

The Mental Health ABC Act seeks to increase access by removing barriers to timely quality care, providing the state with more effective tools to enforce existing mental health parity laws, and investing in the mental and behavioral health workforce pipeline. The legislation builds on progress made through state mental health parity laws passed in 2000 and 2008, and the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 at the federal level.

”The response to this bill has been overwhelming, and reinforces our assertion that mental health care needs to be for everyone in Massachusetts,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I would like to thank everyone involved in this effort, especially Senator Julian Cyr, Senator Cindy Friedman, and Senator Michael Rodrigues—as well as the countless advocates, activists and residents who have fought for better access to quality mental health care. We still have a ways to go to end the stigma and achieve true parity, but if any state can do it, I know that Massachusetts can. I’m excited to see us move forward.”

“The Mental Health ABC Act will expand access to mental health care for everyone that needs and deserves it,” said Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The cost of action on this issue is far less than the cost of inaction, both financially and for the wellbeing of all residents of the Commonwealth. I applaud Senate President Spilka for her consistent leadership on this, and Senators Cyr and Friedman for their diligent work and collaboration in putting forward a bill to reform our mental health care delivery system.”

“Too many people in Massachusetts struggle to access the mental health services they desperately need and deserve,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “The reasons are many and complicated: mental health care is treated differently than physical health, it is often not covered by insurance, it is difficult to access, and it is hard to talk about. By passing this bill, the Massachusetts Senate is living up to our promise to begin to transform how the Commonwealth addresses mental health. I am grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka for her leadership and example, and to Senators Rodrigues and Friedman for their partnership in this endeavor.”

“For far too long, mental health has been a forgotten component of our health care system, resulting in a broken system that has continually left patients without the critical care they need,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This bill lays an important foundation for creating a system that is accessible and equitable, and provides the state with better tools to ensure that someone with a mental health condition has the same access to care as someone with physical health needs. I want to sincerely thank Senate President Spilka for recognizing the urgency of this issue and committing to a bold step forward with the passage of this bill. I also want to thank Senator Cyr, Senator Rodrigues and all of the advocates involved in crafting this bill for their thoughtful collaboration and shared commitment to reforming our mental health care system so that it works for everyone.”

“The Senate has taken decisive steps to put us on a path to reform, revive and redouble our efforts in taking an increasingly fragmented system and helping it to connect people experiencing a mental health condition with a health care system of credentialed professionals that functions effectively to provide timely care,” said Senator Bruce E. Tarr (R- Gloucester), Senate Minority Leader.

“Senate President Spilka, Health Care Financing Committee Chair Friedman, Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee Chair Cyr, and Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues are to be commended for mental healthcare reform legislation that prominently prioritizes improved access to effective care,” said Danna Mauch, President and CEO, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH). “MAMH applauds the Senate’s actions today. Senate Bill 2519 – An Act to Address Barriers to Care for Mental Health is a significant step forward to implement the promise of parity and frame fairer terms for insurance coverage, benefits administration, provider reimbursement and plan reporting.”

“The Mental Health ABC Act acknowledges the realities that parents of children with behavioral health needs face every day in ensuring their child's safety and wellbeing,” said Mary McGeown, Executive Director, MSPCC, on behalf of the Children's Mental Health Campaign. “The Act takes steps to uncomplicate access to care by allowing both physical and behavioral health treatment to be provided in the same day, and by creating a path to that clinical decisions are made by clinicians rather than insurance companies.”

“The Mental Health ABC Act is a comprehensive bill that will have a tremendous positive impact on Massachusetts families,” said Lydia Conley, CEO, Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH). “This bill will help ABH member organizations better serve their communities by lifting barriers to accessing care, expanding coverage of critical behavioral health services, and providing new tools to attract the clinical workforce needed to deliver high-quality care.”

“An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health is an incredibly progressive and forward-thinking piece of legislation that will benefit social workers working in mental and behavioral health and the clients and communities served by social workers across the Commonwealth,” said Rebekah Gewirtz, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter. “As the crisis of mental health access has escalated both nationally and here in Massachusetts, we applaud the Senate’s proactive and comprehensive approach that will help us to finally achieve mental health parity in our state”.

“The Massachusetts Medical Society appreciates the efforts of the Senate, and applauds Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Julian Cyr, Senator Cindy Friedman and Senator Michael Rodrigues for putting forth legislation that reforms mental health care in the Commonwealth, strengthening existing mental health parity laws and ensuring that our patients will have access to quality, comprehensive mental health care,” said Dr. David A. Rosman, Mass. Medical Society President Elect.

“This bill is a tremendous step forward in the ongoing effort to enable the residents of Massachusetts gain access to the appropriate mental health care they need and deserve, said Gary Chinman, Immediate Past President, Massachusetts Psychiatric Society. “Senate President Spilka, Senator Friedman, Senator Cyr, and Senator Rodrigues deserve our gratitude and admiration for the insight, compassion and respect with which they crafted this historic legislation.”

“Massachusetts hospitals have long sought parity in coverage between behavioral health and medical/surgical care,” said Steve Walsh, President & CEO, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA). “I applaud the Senate for their leadership on an issue so critical and personal to our patients and their families. This legislation is an important step forward in ensuring that every Massachusetts resident has access to the mental health services they need and deserve.”

“Blue Cross strongly supports the Senate’s landmark mental health legislation,” said Michael Caljouw, Vice President of Government, and Regulatory Affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “We believe mental health is as central to our members’ needs as their physical health, so it’s critically important to us that they be able to find comprehensive, effective, and affordable care when they need it. This bill is another important step toward that goal. We pledge to continue to work together across the state to help improve access and ensure that our members get the high-quality care they need.”

“We applaud the Senate and, in particular Senate President Karen Spilka, for today’s action to pass this important legislation and for her unmatched commitment and leadership in seeking to end the stigma associated with mental health treatment,” said Lora Pellegrini, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP). “This bill will help to ensure that all individuals get the care they need. We also applaud Senate leadership, including Senator Cindy Friedman, Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, Senator Julian Cyr, Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, and Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for their work in developing this comprehensive legislation.”

The Mental Health ABC Act is driven by the recognition that mental health is just as important as physical health for every resident of the Commonwealth—and reflects the Senate’s overall goal of improving access to mental health care for all. The Senate has prioritized efforts in the 2019–2020 legislative session to improve the delivery of mental health services in the Commonwealth in the following ways: appropriating record funding levels for mental health services in the FY20 budget; creating and funding a $10 million Behavioral Health Outreach, Access and Support Trust Fund; ensuring that health insurer’s provider network directories are accurate and up-to-date by eliminating so-called ‘ghost networks’; and protecting clinicians from unreasonable retroactive claims denials, or ‘clawbacks’ of payments for services, from insurance providers.

Despite these achievements, there is a lot more to do. The Mental Health ABC Act builds on the Senate’s efforts to improve the Commonwealth’s mental health care system by addressing issues related to mental health parity, workforce needs, and access to care.

More on the bill:

The Mental Health ABC Act provides the state with better tools to implement and enforce mental health parity laws, which require that insurance coverage for mental health benefits be equal to and no more restrictive than coverage for physical health benefits. Mental health parity has been codified in federal and state law for decades, but enforcement of the law has been challenging. As a result, inequities persist and patients are often denied coverage for mental health treatment that is just as critical to managing their health as treatment for

conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. As such, this legislation includes quicker evaluation and resolution of parity complaints, greater reporting and oversight of insurance carriers’ processes and policies related to mental health care coverage, and penalties and alternative remedies for when an insurance company does not comply with the law.

Every day throughout the Commonwealth, adults and children arrive in emergency departments in the throes of acute mental health crises requiring immediate treatment in an appropriate setting. Due to complex and restrictive medical necessity and prior authorization review processes imposed by insurance companies, many patients experience barriers, and delays, in treatment – creating a dysfunctional system that allows insurance companies to have more leverage in determining a patient’s course of treatment than health care providers. As such, the bill mandates coverage and eliminates prior authorization for mental health acute treatment for adults and children experiencing acute mental health crises, effectively placing treatment decisions in the hands of the treating clinician in consultation with the patient rather than an insurance company.

In an effort to address the mental health workforce crisis that often limits patient access to care, the bill creates a pilot program through the Department of Higher Education aimed at creating a workforce pipeline to encourage and support individuals from diverse backgrounds to work toward careers in mental health. In addition, the bill creates an interim licensure program for Licensed Mental Health Counselors so that they can be reimbursed by insurance for their services and be eligible for state and federal grant and loan forgiveness programs, increasing the number of licensed providers able to serve patients.

The bill also calls for an academic study conducted by the Office of Health Equity to review the availability of culturally competent mental health care providers within networks of both public and private health care payers, as well as to identify potential barriers to care for underserved cultural, ethnic and linguistic populations and the LGBTQ community. The bill further directs an interagency health equity team under the Office of Health Equity to improve access to, and the quality of, culturally competent mental health services.

The bill creates a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Pilot Program in community health centers to offer additional support and training to psychiatric nurse practitioners who agree to work in community settings with underserved populations. The program will be designed to encourage these professionals to continue working in a community setting where mental health providers are sorely needed.

Currently, mental health and primary care providers are reimbursed at different rates for the same service. The bill seeks to level the playing field for reimbursement to mental health providers by requiring an equitable rate floor for evaluation and management services that is consistent with primary care.

The Mental Health ABC Act takes meaningful steps to improve access to care by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for mental health services and primary care services solely because they were delivered on the same day in the same facility. This will remove a significant financial barrier to the integration of primary care and mental health.

Additionally, the bill requires emergency departments to have the capacity to evaluate and stabilize a person admitted with a mental health presentation at all times, and to refer them to appropriate treatment or inpatient admission.

This bill authorizes the DPH, the Department of Mental Health (DMH), and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to collaborate on authorizing three pilots for tele-behavioral health services in public high schools in the Commonwealth. This pilot is based on an existing and successful model between a hospital and several school districts in western Massachusetts.

Finally, the bill directs the DMH to consider factors that may present barriers to care—such as travel distance and access to transportation—when contracting for services in geographically isolated and rural communities.

Through debate today in the Senate, the following are some of the sections added by amendment to the bill:

• A pediatric mental health care task force.
• Inclusion of veterans and aging adult populations for considerations in the cultural competency study.
• An amendment to study the further screening of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
• A comprehensive behavioral workforce commission.
• An expedited admission protocol for children under 22 who present in an emergency department with mental health needs.
• An examination of ways to ease communications, within the context of privacy laws, between health care providers.

The Mental Health ABC Act now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Kenny Hadley Big Band to return to THE BLACK BOX - Mar 1

BLACK BOX Jazz will present The Kenny Hadley Big Band Brunch on Sunday, March 1 at noon. The critically acclaimed 16-piece ensemble, led by drummer Kenny Hadley, boasts masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, and more. The Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with such notables as The Count Basie Orchestra and The Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson.

Brunch begins at 11:45 AM, with music beginning at noon. Brunch by Franklin’s Intermission Cafe includes assorted mini quiche, bacon, waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola, bagels, muffins, OJ, and coffee. In addition, there is a cash bar with mimosas and Bloody Marys available.

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in Franklin, MA.

Kenny Hadley Big Band to return to THE BLACK BOX - Mar 1

SNETT Grove Street Parking Lot Closure

SNETT Grove Street Parking Lot Closure

The Grove Street parking lot in Franklin will be closed this Thursday and Friday.
(2/13/2020 - 2/14/2020) from 7 AM - 3 PM

SNETT Grove Street Parking Lot Closure during work non the pump station

Tri-County RVTHS Recieves Donation From The Michael Simmons Charitable Foundation

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School's Education Foundation is excited to announce receiving a $40,000 donation from the Michael Simmons Charitable Foundation (MSCF) Board of Directors, which will go towards supporting the high school and its student body.

Stephen Dockray

"We truly appreciate this wonderful donation from the Michael Simmons Charitable Foundation. Every day, our teachers and staff work to provide students with a comprehensive academic education and state-of-the-art technical skills through creative and cooperative partnerships with local employers. Whether for college, the service or employment, Tri-County strives to prepare students for the twenty-first century. This donation will go towards supporting just that," said Tri-County Superintendent-Director, Stephen Dockray.

MSCF, based out of Colorado, seeks to support organizations who embody their mission "maintenance, support, health, education."

"Education is critical to the future of our youth, our country, and our world. Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Education Foundation offers students a way to enhance their skills and express their creativity through its occupational & vocational education programs and its encouragement of & participation in extra-curricular competitions. By enabling and encouraging students to learn these skills, you help each individual succeed, and, in turn, they contribute to the vitality of our communities," wrote the MSCF Board of Directors in a letter. "Thank you for your courage and vision."

Established in 1977, Tri-County RVTHS has just under 1,000 students enrolled from Bristol, Middlesex and Norfolk counties.  https://www.tri-county.us/

FHS girls hockey skates to tie Canton

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of FHS winter sports action on Wednesday

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ St. Mary’s, 4 – Final

Girls Hockey = Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 0 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap

"In two seasons of Hockomock League play, Canton and Franklin have established themselves as the teams to beat. The Bulldogs won the inaugural league championship and then last season Franklin took the crown for the first time. In year three, the two teams went into the final game of the regular season separated by just two points at the top of the standings.

As has become the standard when the two teams meet, Wednesday night’s game at Pirelli Veterans Arena was close, defensive, and physical and, in the end, Canton was able to hold out for a 0-0 tie that secured the outright league title.

“It means a lot,” Canton coach Dennis Aldrich said about not sharing the title. “Especially here. When I used to coach the [Canton] boys, anytime we came here or [Franklin] used to come to Ponky, they called it the ‘Dungeon of Doom’, it’s just something about it. The crowd wasn’t the same, but the emotion was.”

With 1:37 remaining and with the Panthers setting up for an offensive zone face-off, Franklin coach Margie Burke called timeout and pulled goalie Gabby Colace (19 saves). There were several surprised reactions from beyond the glass, but it underscored the importance of the title race and how little one point would impact Franklin’s likely seed in the playoffs."

Continue reading the game recap
https://hockomocksports.com/canton-girls-hockey-ties-franklin-to-win-outright-league-title/

For a Photo Gallery from this game:
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2019-2020/Winter-2019-2020/Franklin-Canton-Girls-Hockey-2-12-20/

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-12-20/

Canton held on for a scoreless tie at Franklin that secured the Bulldogs the outright league title. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

"any game isn’t just given. You have to win it"

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest to Franklin

"Her senior quote in the Franklin High yearbook says it all: “Stop staring at me, I know I’m tall.” 

At 6 feet, 4 inches, Ali Brigham used to feel a tad self-conscious about her height. But now, she has learned to embrace it. 

“I think that I do a good job at least holding myself tall enough,” said the 17-year-old Brigham. “I know, obviously, everyone is going to stare at me because a 6-foot-4 girl is pretty unique. 

“It’s given me a lot, so I’m grateful for it.” 

Whether she is elevating for a blocked shot, carving out space for a put-back, or creating a scoring opportunity, Brigham is one of the most physically imposing players in the state. And with skills to match, she has powered Franklin (17-0) to the No. 1 ranking in the Globe’s Top 20."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/high-schools/2020/02/12/ghoopnotes/6bS6MLMpYr8e6yzvtpnzsJ/story.html

By eschewing the lure of private school programs, Ali Brigham’s decision to remain at Franklin High has helped the No. 1 Panthers (17-0) emerge as a strong contender for the state title. “I would say that Ali’s been a transformative player for our program,” said Franklin coach John Leighton.JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF

In the News: homelessness topic at Town Council meeting; Wasik candidate for Natick principal

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

"The town, like so many other communities in Massachusetts, is struggling to find homes for the poor and disabled, underscored by the local housing authority’s waiting list of 3,500.

“The numbers are crazy – there is just not enough housing in the state of Massachusetts, in the town of Franklin and in the country for the people who need it,” Authority Executive Director Lisa Audette told the Town Council on Wednesday night. “The incomes have gone up, (and) people who are born and raised in this town, they go off to college, come back to this town – they can’t live here. You can’t afford the rent, you can’t afford to buy a house. A lot of those people with college degrees would be qualified for public housing.”

Social services coordinators from the Franklin Senior Center also spoke about transitional assistance available, saying they’ve assisted 14 Franklin families in the last year, 11 of them being adults with no children. Causes of their homelessness ranged from having mental health, substance and medical problems to joblessness. Many are left without a place to live because of natural disasters like fires or personal tragedy like being the victims of domestic violence."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200212/franklin-seeks-answers-to-homelessness 

For my notes from this segment of the meeting Wednesday night
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-housing-and-transitional.html

"A Franklin elementary principal is a finalist to be the next principal of Lilja Elementary School in Natick, interim Principal Robin Welch announced Wednesday.

Stefani Wasik, principal at the Davis Thayer Elementary School, is in the running for the Natick job with two other candidates. She is in her second year as principal of Davis Thayer, after serving as its assistant principal for the previous five years. She is expected to visit Lilja Elementary on Feb. 26, spending most of her day there before going to Town Hall to meet with Superintendent of Schools Anna Nolin and other administrators.

Wasik began her career teaching second grade in Somerville, then fourth grade in Milford and Dover. She holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a bachelor’s of arts in elementary education and psychology from Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont.

In September, the Franklin School Committee voted to hire an outside consultant to analyze whether Davis Thayer should be closed, with Superintendent of Schools Sara Ahern pointing to the building’s age and the district’s declining enrollment."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200212/franklin-principal-stefani-wasik-finalist-for-top-job-at-naticks-lilja-elementary
 

March Veterans Coffee Social - March 4

Veterans Coffee Social will be held Wednesday, March 4 at 10:00 AM at the
Franklin Senior Center Café

Come And Chat With Other Vets
Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided
All Vets Are Invited!

For More Information, Contact the Veteran Services Office At: (508) 613-1315 

March Veterans Coffee Social - March 4

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/march-coffee-social
 

Live reporting: Town Administrator's Report through to Closing

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 

10.5 down from 14.7
municipal aggregation beginning in Nov 2020
opt out
13/month; 160+ per year
30 day period mailing notification coming in Sep


12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
animal control soon, maybe April
SAFE Coalition

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
condolences to Hamblen

ISO rating
Electric aggregate, finally good job
Franklin is a rising star, other community

condolences to Hamblen

pleased that Lisa came tonight to inform us
my condolences to Hamblen

thanks for coming out, proud of the high school students for persisting

SAFE Coalition opening Thursday 4-8 PM
206 Dedham St, Norfolk

condolences to Hamblen
action packed meeting for sure
almost standing room only, we need more of that


14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- None Scheduled

ADJOURN
motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 8-0


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

The agenda and docs released for this meeting can be found in one PDF
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-02-12_tc_agenda_web.pdf

Individual docs may be available on the Town of Franklin agenda page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/february-12-town-council-agenda

Live reporting: Legislation for Action

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
march 4 meeting as mentioned earlier


10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw 20-847 As Amended: New Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-847 As Amended: Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Majority Roll Call Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

FHS students introduce themselves

motion to adopt as amended, seconded, passed 7-1 (Earls voted no via roll call)


10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-852: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Majority Roll Call Vote)

motion to adopt, seconded, passed 8-0 via roll call


10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-12: Gift Acceptance Franklin Police Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-12 - Majority Vote)

motion to adopt, seconded, passed 8-0

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-13: Gift Acceptance Franklin Fire Department - $10,000 (Motion to approve Resolution 20-13 - Majority Vote)

motion to adopt, seconded, passed 8-0


10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-Law Amendment 20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations, And Use Regulations Schedule Updates- First Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-849 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets- First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-850 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning By-law Amendment 20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive - First Reading (Motion to Move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-851 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

motion to move to second reading, seconded, passed 8-0

10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-14: The Town of Franklin Civil Discourse Pledge (Motion to approve Resolution 20-14 - Majority Vote)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-14_franklin_web.pdf


motion to table to March 4, seconded, passed 8-0

Live reporting: Housing and Transitional Assistance

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Housing Authority - Lisa Audette, Executive Director, Franklin Housing Authority

MA GL 121 B
regulated and partially funded by the State

elderly and disabled housing
4 units of congregate housing
2 and 3 bedroom, 33 units
2 dept of developmental services, 16 units of housing
3 other properties obtained to bring in 3 more units of affordable housing

State owns the application waiting list, local can view but State owns the listing
application time stamped once entered into system

applications available at Housing Authority or online at the State

eligibility requirements for elderly and handicapped housing

HUD low income standards change every two years
many fall below the listing due to Boston market rates

current waiting list over 3500 for Franklin
1075 for 1 bedroom, 100+ emergency status

172 on waiting listing for congregate housing

2500 (468 emergency) for family applications

there is not enough housing in Franklin, in MA or in our country

Q - can you explain more about the financing
A - surplus agency, covered by rents taken in
modernization money comes from the State
Affordable Housing Trust provided a grant to leverage other funding
to completely renovate the units at Central Park Terrace

Q - can we expand housing?
A - we are always looking for additional housing but the State has no money
encouraging comments from the Governor
can not afford to build a complex on our own

Q - can't you stay on the Franklin listing?
A - the code says no, once housed, no longer on the listing - they are better off than someone without

Q - Do they remain on the listing?
A - when housed, loose the emergency priority, they remain on the listing but not with emergency status

Q - could the St Mary's school be used?
A - we did re-purpose the Metcalf School for housing

Q - thanks for all the work you do, victims of domestic violence get a priority, that is good
A - a lot of people need help

Central Park Terrace, first built in 1960
expanded in 1965; up on the hill expanded, in 1975 with wheelchair units

Metcalf School, Winter St
Family units - 28 north, west, and east Park St opened in 1948

family development on Walnut Ave

Eaton Place not part of the Housing Authority

"Everyone needs to be reminded of the work you do"
housing is not affordable

turnover about 20/units/year

do have a service coordinator, one day/week to help residents
loophole with categorization on disability counting once reaching 60, they become a 'senior' but likely haven't lost their disability

Q - do you cover Sec 8?
A - Sec 8 wasn't accepted in Franklin when it was authorized

a quick plug that the CPA proposal can provide some help, our issue won't be solved with one project, or one check
we are over the 10% on 40B, it is not enough we do need to do more
March 4, EDC meeting will begin review of some bylaw changes to help with affordable housing


b. Transitional Assistance Discussion - Franklin Senior Center

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/transitional-assistance

Transitional Assistance from Franklin Matters

Karen Alves, Erin Rogers
14 households assisted in past year for homeless, declined somewhat

landlord issues

Dept of Transition Assistance (DTA)

each shelter takes applications directly, (no central routing/fulfillment agency)
shelters won't take folks who are taking substances, alcohol or other

3 churches are collaborating in Milford for weather related shelters
most folks don't want to go to a shelter

Section 8 is also a lengthy waiting list

Q - is there a mechanism for landlords? to take someone on a voucher, the education required
A - yes, we would like to help coordinate that

Q - where do they go for something like fuel assistance?
A - come to the Senior Center, we have the listing of what they need
often by coming in, for one, they find out what else we can do for them

St Vincent DePaul
186 families served in 2019, clothing, resources
(copy of doc handed out to be added later)

categories of 

1. transient
2. known homeless
3. soon to be homeless

Lynn Calling, Exec Dir, Franklin Food Pantry
6000 visits to the pantry in 2019, an increase over 2018
no funding from town or State
March 2 tour at the Pantry, if you can't make it, call so we can set up a time

Kim, New England Chapel
services available in Milford area, "Pathway to a better life"
3 churches open on a rotating basis
open at 30 degrees, Northbridge does same thing
could do the same thing here in Franklin, could get grants for assistance
Milford Police will bring the folks to the shelter when open

not a town sanctioned group, but could not have been done without their coordination

social services stake holder meeting?
we did it a year ago, have attended interfaith council meeting

Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 12, 2020

Present: Chandler, Pellegri, Dellorco, Mercer, Jones, Kelly, Earls, Bissanti
Absent: Hamblen


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

a. 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

a. 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.

Dale Kurtz, reminder for veterans to self identify for the Town Census now and the Federal Census later this year

Teresa Burr, reminder on the last day to register to vote for Presidential Primary is today through midnight online ma.gov or the Clerk's office through 8:00 PM

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- None

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
Firefighter/Paramedic: Michael McConaghy

As of March 1, ISO rating increases to Class 2, an upgrade in rating
should help with insurance
less than 2,000 departments across the country in this class, only 7 in MA are Class 1


5. APPOINTMENTS
- None Scheduled

2 minute recess

meeting resumes

6. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM
Zoning Changes:
20-849: Changes to Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System Use Regulations and Use Regulations Schedule Updates
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-849_hearing.pdf


20-850: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Highland, Maple and Lincoln Streets
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-850_hearing.pdf


20-851: Zoning Map Changes On Or Near Oak Street and Dailey Drive
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-851_hearing.pdf

open hearings but holding discussion until later in the meeting


7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

THE BLACK BOX to host 2nd annual FHS All Class Reunion - Feb 28

THE BLACK BOX will host their second annual Franklin High School All Class Reunion on Friday, February 28 from 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Alumni from any FHS class are invited to put together a group from their class, or just join in and be surprised who they see. Spouses and friends of Franklin High are also welcome. 

There will be pizza, snacks, a cash bar, music, Joe Landry's vintage videos and photo archives, a yearbook library, Panther Pride Sports Corner, and more. Proceeds support THE BLACK BOX.

Tickets for the Franklin High School All Class Reunion can be purchased at www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX, the region’s premier music, theater, and event venue, is located at 15 W. Central St. in Franklin, MA. 

 

THE BLACK BOX to host 2nd annual FHS All Class Reunion - Feb 28

FM #204 - Health Director Cathleen Liberty talks about mold (audio)

FM #204

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 204 in the series, that we are now producing in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

Health Director Cathleen Liberty talks about mold, what to be concerned about, hoping to dispel some of the misunderstanding around mold and calm some fears about mold. Mold is a naturally occurring thing.

People with sensitivity to mold can have some health issues caused by it. MA does not have a ‘mold standard’. Bleach does not get rid of mold and may actually worsen it. Mold can be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water. If mold is on cloth, it may not be worth keeping. Mold is a stubborn substance.

The Board of Health can only enforce prevention of the water source or remediation of the water source/leak.

Contact the Board of Health if there are questions about mold. Contact info for The Town of Franklin Health Dept is included in the show notes https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

As mentioned we also provide a link to the Centers for Disease Control page with information on mold https://www.cdc.gov/mold/

Without further ado, here is the recording of my conversation with Cathleen discussing mold, it runs approx 10 minutes

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXYRYvVX



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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I 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 this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
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!

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

Centers for Disease Control page with information on mold https://www.cdc.gov/mold/