Frequently Asked Questions - how to deal with rising heating and utility costs

The MA Attorney General's Office has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions page on how to deal with rising heating and utility costs this winter.

"Many residents are struggling to pay their bills, including their monthly utility bills. Electricity and Gas are essential services—that’s why it is important that customers know their rights and where they can go for help if they need it."

Visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-electric-and-gas-utilities-during-covid-19

• English version PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/17QqpZ0o9fkNhv3WBLVJ2jq-KJZYmaqvG/view?usp=sharing
• Spanish version PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TQgZmfwrFKlTpi-8APKeA7sFLunvUge/view?usp=sharing

Frequently Asked Questions - how to deal with rising heating and utility costs

Tip of the hat to Tyngsborough for the info links ->

https://twitter.com/TyngsboroughMA/status/1456248576418500608

World Health Organization (WHO) shares video on the Journey of a Vaccine

World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) tweeted Thu, Nov 04, 2021:

👀 Watch and follow the journey of a vaccine from development & clinical trials ➡️ to manufacturing & cold storage ➡️ to vaccination

Video link 👉 https://t.co/oLeDZSpZj6⠀or  https://youtu.be/CrsnwQZIak8

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/lrk6SNWnkq

More info on the manufacturing of a vaccine

https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/manufacturing-safety-and-quality-control

video on the Journey of a Vaccine

Franklin's Event Outlook: Nov 5 - Nov 11, 2021

A relatively quiet weekend to enjoy the good New England weather that is forecast. Don't forget to turn back the clock to get that extra hour of sleep on Saturday night.

Friday, November 5
10:00am - Blood Drive (Franklin Elks)

Saturday, November 6
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
7:00pm - FPAC Gala and Telethon

Sunday, November 7
Daylight Saving Time ends
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

Superintendent's Letter to Franklin Community - Response #2 to School Committee Discourse

Superintendent's Letter to Franklin Community - 

Response #2 to School Committee Discourse

Outlining Immediate Actions in Response to School Committee Discourse

November 4, 2021

Dear Franklin Community,

I am writing to follow up on actions taken and planned after last week’s disruption at the Franklin School Committee meeting as well as student representative comments related to bullying and harassment at school. We have been processing the impact and have been working to solidify a safe and respectful environment for civic discourse and promote healing.

We recognize that gathering student feedback is instrumental in appropriately addressing student needs. Members of the administration met with students about becoming a “No Place for Hate School” and had a productive dialogue that assessed morale and drove hope for a better FHS for all. In attendance were student representatives from A World of Difference, the Diversity Awareness Club, and the Sexuality and Gender Alliance. Additionally, we also reviewed historical bullying and harassment data. Our data leads us to suspect that incidents are being under-reported. We also listened for more information about perceptions of inaction.

In response, we have done or are doing the following things:

● On November 2nd, all K-12 school adjustment counselors and school psychologists participated in a professional development webinar series on supporting LGBTQIA+ students and understanding legal rights. We have also disseminated DESE guidance to counselors and principals issued on October 28, 2021 related to the Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity. This will be an agenda item for an upcoming administrative meeting.

● We are developing an after school resource group for high school students to gather and talk about their experiences with bias-based incidents as well as actions that can be taken to make for a more equitable experience at school.

● We are accelerating the process of hiring a Director of Equity and Student Supports. We anticipate initiating this search within the next few weeks.

● We are accelerating plans to survey all students in Franklin High School for their perceptions of school climate and culture. We are in the process of preparing this survey with a highly regarded third-party resource (Panorama) and expect to be able to survey students the week after Thanksgiving. We anticipate surveying middle school students in the near future as well. This data will give us a greater understanding of the perspective of the student body and areas of focus for action. It will also serve as a baseline by which we can measure our improvement efforts.

● In response to potential under reporting and perception of inaction, we will revise our online reporting language and clearly define its use. Additionally, we will prioritize communicating the reporting, investigation, and response process.

● The high school administration is holding class meetings to start the beginning of quarter 2. Respectful, inclusive behavior of all will be a theme. They will also use this time to invite additional students to participate in the development of a series of activities for the school community towards becoming a “No Place for Hate School”. These activities will activate a school-wide effort that integrates productive dialogue and active learning on the topics of bias, bullying, and allyship.

 

The community can expect stronger protocols and processes during the School Committee meetings. The Chair of the School Committee will communicate the expectations for respectful civic discourse as well as the processes for handling disruptive behavior for both in person and virtual participants. These expectations will be readily available once enacted by our incoming Chairperson.

Our actions will not be limited to those above, but these actions are the ones most immediately tied to the meeting last week. We will continue to keep the community informed of our efforts to affirm diversity, promote equity and accountability, and foster inclusion throughout the year.

With continued respect for all in Franklin, 

Sara Ahern

Superintendent of Schools

Franklin Public Schools

Shared from  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/news/superintendents_letter_to_franklin_community_11.4.2021.pdf 

Franklin Matters is leaving Facebook; your alternatives to consider to remain "in the know" (part 2)

Effective Nov 30, 2021 the Franklin Matters Facebook page will go away. You are given notice to find one of the other options to obtain the valuable information shared but not longer directly by me on Facebook.

• You can subscribe via email to the daily update (an easy way)  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html
• You can subscribe via RSS and get everything as it posts (actually the best way)  The 7 best RSS Readers for 2021 (I personally use Feedly)   https://bloggingwizard.com/free-rss-feed-readers/
• You can follow Franklin Matters on Twitter    https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters

Someone can also set up a way to take what I share and share it themselves to Facebook. I have no way to stop that. Folks occasionally do so on their own today.

My personal account will remain on Facebook to maintain my family and network connections. I have limited what is posted and shared in that way and am willing to take the risk to maintain those family connections.

I can no longer take the risk exposing your information in this way. Facebook needs to change and only actions like this will get their attention to do so.

Why Nov 30?

The Franklin election is important and as divisive as Facebook is, for those who depend upon it for info, I will provide some time for them to begin to make their move to one of the alternatives.

If you need or want help setting up email subscription or RSS, I've scheduled a few Zoom sessions to walk through the options to subscribe.  There are two sessions scheduled for day time periods and two for evening time evening periods. Hopefully one of them will meet your schedule. 

Zoom options to learn about alternatives to remain "in the know"

• Monday, Nov 8 - 7:30 PM
• Wednesday, Nov 10 - 9 AM
• Monday, Nov 15 - 1:00 PM
• Tuesday, Nov 16 - 7:30 PM

If you need or want help, sign up here ->   https://forms.gle/x4gWma8PgrmDD1i66

Franklin Matters is leaving Facebook; your alternatives to consider to remain "in the know"  (part 2)

FHS boys soccer and field hockey teams both win to advance in playoffs

Via @HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS fall sports playoff action on Thursday, Nov 4, 2021  

Boys Soccer - Division 1
#39 Malden, 0 @ #26 Franklin, 5 – Final
Via FHS Boys Soccer Twitter (https://twitter.com/_FranklinSoccer)

• MOVING ON The boys dominated in a 5-0 dub vs Malden. Goals by Tyler (from Moran), Rex (from Noah), Rex again (from Kevin), Sean (from Kryzak), and Jacob (from Connor). Juice to Rex for 2 goals and lockdown defense. Next round Saturday in Framingham at 6pm.
• Correction: Max with the assist on Rex’s first goal.

Via Jen Edmunds Twitter (https://twitter.com/FHSTrainingRoom) updates we find:

• Hanging out at Pisini Stadium for the first of 5 playoff games this weekend. @_FranklinSoccer taking on Malden. 
• Powderly puts one on the board first for Franklin with an assist from Moran. 1-0 Franklin over Malden
• Rex Cinelli makes it 2-0 Franklin with an assist from Max Tobin. 
• As fast as I could tweet it, Cinelli scores again!! Assist from Kevin Proenca. 3-0 Franklin over Malden
• At the half Franklin leads Malden 3-0
• Starting off the second half, O’Leary finds the back of the net to make it 4-0 Franklin over Malden. Assist by Krysak
• In the last minute of play, Jacob Crisileo makes it 5-0. Assist from Connor Brown. 
• Final: Franklin 5 Malden 0

Field Hockey - Division 1
#29 Beverly, 0 @ #4 Franklin, 6 – Final
Via Jen Edmunds Twitter (https://twitter.com/FHSTrainingRoom) updates we find:

• Playoff game 2 of the weekend brings us over to Beaver Field for a field hockey match up between Franklin And Beverly.  After 1Q the score remains 0-0
• Franklin find the net first with a goal by Payton Crandall! Assist from Shaw Downing. 1-0 Franklin over Beverly
• Too fast for my Twitter fingers. Kaitlyn Carney makes it 2-0 Franklin over Beverly
• Kaitlyn Carney scores again! 3-0 Franklin over Beverly
• After 2Q Franklin leads Beverly 3-0
• Franklin’s Dubriske scores on a corner from a K. Carney assist. 4-0 Franklin over Beverly.
• End of the 3Q Franklin Field Hockey leads Beverly 4-0.
• Starting off the 4Q with a Goal for Franklin. Downing scores off an assist from Crandall. 5-0 Franklin over Beverl
• Sydney Rogan scores for Franklin from an assist from Emily Carney. 6-0 Franklin over Beverly with less than 3 minutes remaining.
• Field Hockey final from Beaver Field: Franklin 6 Beverly 0

For other playoff results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-11-04-21/

FHS boys soccer and field hockey teams both win to advance in playoffs

Franklin TV to "live stream" FHS playoff games

To watch the "live-stream" of Franklin HS Playoff games: Go to http://franklin.tv and then click on "Franklin Pride TV".

Go to http://franklin.tv

Town of Franklin awarded $75,000 grant for zoning audit "with a substantial public engagement process"

MA EOHED (@MassEOHED) tweeted Thu, Nov 04, 2021:

The Baker-Polito Administration recently awarded a total of $1M through the #OneStop to 16 communities for technical assistance related to land use, including help with the development of a Master Plan, Housing Production Plan, and Zoning Review & Updates. 

https://t.co/XCJoxmIOcK  or https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-planning-grant-program-awards

https://t.co/xZlUTzLGZf  or   https://twitter.com/MassEOHED/status/1456304892088303626

This appears to be the grant talked of being applied for that would fund the downtown zoning analysis. 

• Franklin, $75,000
• The Town will complete a zoning audit with a substantial public engagement process, and develop zoning bylaw amendments to modernize and update their zoning bylaw.  The Proposed Project will assure Franklin’s Zoning Bylaw reflects current best zoning practices and planning concepts and increase economic activity and the number of affordable housing units in the project area.

Town of Franklin awarded $75,000 grant for zoning audit

Board of Health Meeting - 11/03/21 (audio)

FM #652 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 652 in the series.

This session shares the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Nov 3, 2021. The meeting was conducted in person at the Municipal Building.

Chair Bridget Sweet opened the meeting and jumped into approval of the minutes to get to the 27 Winter issue with the property owner present.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda, the Board of Health page, and my notes from the meeting. 

During the citizens comment, I advocate for adding a virtual option to their meeting. They agreed to do so.

The meeting runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b9f610ff-ffb2-4d0f-8a13-bb4867b49eef

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Meeting agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_11032021.pdf 

My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-board-of-health-hears-of-vaccine.html

Board of Health page  https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department 

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

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!

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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"

Board of Health Meeting - 11/03/21 (audio)

Attn: Franklin residents -> Youth COVID Vaccine Clinic scheduled for Nov 10

Youth COVID Vaccine Clinic Scheduled

November 10 & December 1

Edited: NOVEMBER 5TH, 2021.

The vaccine clinic has filled up a day after it was announced on November 4th. Please check daily for cancellations using the link below for registration. Flyers and attachments have been updated with this notice.

Registration link: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/franklin

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age. The Town of Franklin Health Department will be running a Kids COVID-19 Clinic on Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 at the Franklin Senior Center from 2 PM - 6 PM.

A second Kids COVID-19 Clinic will be hosted on Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 at the Franklin Senior Center from 2 PM - 6 PM. This date falls on the 2nd vaccine date for those who received the vaccine on Nov 10th.  

Click here to sign up:  https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/franklin

Youth COVID Vaccine Clinic scheduled for Nov 10