Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #23

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #23

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Dear friends,

The current national conversation and activism on police brutality, racial justice, and the indisputable importance of Black lives is absolutely vital and long overdue. That fight continues in our district, across the Commonwealth, and throughout the country in solidarity with our Black, Indigenous, and all PoC neighbors. I am all in, and will continue working with and amplifying the leadership of my colleagues of color in the Legislature to enact statewide structural change legislation.

We are fighting two pandemics at the same time: structural racism and inequity, manifesting not only in law enforcement but also in health care, education, housing, and nearly every other facet of society; and also the coronavirus.

This week marks 3 months since the Governor issued the COVID-19 state of emergency. These months have been deeply difficult for all of us and our loved ones. I remain steadfast in my efforts to protect public health and provide our residents, business owners, and communities with the support they both need and deserve. In particular, I am very concerned about child care. The recently issued guidance leaves little room for daycares and summer camps to actually reopen, and several that hoped to operate this summer are now unable to do so, despite solid planning to protect the health and safety of children, parents, and staff. 

Child care is infrastructure, and our economy cannot truly rebound without it. Our schools are in the same boat, as the recently issued guidance indicates that every school or district will need to procure their own PPE in order to reopen. We can't function like this. I'm working on it, and I'll keep you posted. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

If you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this public health crisis and need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. My team and I are hard at work connecting constituents with resources they need, whether it is collecting unemployment benefits, accessing food stamps, reaching state agencies, and more. My office line is 617-722-1555 and my email is becca.rausch@masenate.gov. We are here to help.

Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #23

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of contents follow this link: https://mailchi.mp/4b09b4639ddd/covid19-update-12541527?e=0c2c9810fe

FM #295 School Committee Mtg - 6/09/20 (audio)

FM #295 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 295 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Chair Anne Bergen opens the meeting outlining the protocol for how the meeting will be conducted. Each person is announced so you can follow who is saying what.

The school budget discussion was a good portion of the meeting including many public comments. The school committee has not yet determined a date for their vote on the 'final' budget. The one they are on record voting for, is more than the Town can afford. They acknowledged during the meeting work remains to be done. There is one more School Committee meeting this fiscal year, June 23. There will be continued discussion on the budget for several months.

The recording runs long, almost 4 hours, so settle in to listen to the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting of Tuesday, June 9.  

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6Y6rrp7



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The agenda for the meeting is posted
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_6-9-20.pdf

Meeting packet for this session (including proposed reductions)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/june-9-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

The budget for FY 20201 is available
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

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

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/
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"

screen grab of virtual meeting held June 9, 2020

Sports Buzz: Coach Baine

Jay Horrigan and Kevin Papa talk with FHS football Coach Baine

Coach Baine v3 from Jay Horrigan on Vimeo.

Tri-County Regional Student Awarded Scholarship from Sisters@Heart

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is proud to announce Connor Donovan, Class of 2020, has received a $1,000 scholarship from Sisters@Heart. The local nonprofit organization was founded to improve the lives of those affected by heart disease and stroke through funding research projects and providing financial assistance to impacted families in need.

Donovan is a graduate of Tri-County RVTHS computer information systems program. His demonstrated great strength, perseverance, and kindness while working to improves the lives of others set him apart from other applicants.

"We recognize the courage and strength involved in personally living with and overcoming heart and stroke related illnesses or having a family member impacted, and the importance of education as a means of awareness and prevention," a press release from Sisters@Heart read. "This scholarship reflects our commitment to educating our greater community and we are excited to support the recipients in their quest to better themselves and their opportunity for growth through education."

This scholarship was created in 2019 to help students who have been impacted by heart disease or stroke either personally or in their family. Donovan was selected as one of three recipients for the award.

Tri-County Regional Student Awarded Scholarship from Sisters@Heart

What does 103 teachers look like?

Photos of the teachers who raised awareness on RT Tuesday afternoon before the School Committee meeting.


The Boston 25 video brief on the article:
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/hundreds-march-support-103-franklin-teachers-who-were-laid-off-last-week/SY2JL7QSDJHW5EMGGI46BMBISA/

Note: there is a difference between "notification" and "cuts". The School Committee has not yet voted to approve either the 25 or 50 cuts that would be required to balance the budget (depending upon the planning scenario used). These notifications were made in advance of the date required per contract.

The details on the budget will be figured out over the next several months due to the fluid situation. This is not like prior years where once the budget was set, it was rarely changed. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen expects to make several revisions to the budget for FY 2021.

The discussion at the School Committee meeting did not reveal when the budget vote would be scheduled, only that there was still work to do.

The FY 2021 school budget page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget 

The FY 2021 budget collection for the Town of Franklin 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/fy-2021-budget-collection.html

What does 103 teachers look like? - 1

What does 103 teachers look like? - 2

What does 103 teachers look like? - 3

Senate President Spilka’s Message - June 9, 2020

Senate President Spilka’s Message June 9, 2020  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMtHHLkmqKk



For additional updates from Senate President Spilka visit her page
https://karenspilka.com/updates

subscribe to keep updated (sign up at the bottom of this page for her newsletter)  https://karenspilka.com/about

Senate President Spilka Forms Senate Advisory Group on Racial Justice

The Massachusetts State Senate is committed to urgently addressing racial inequities in the Commonwealth, to that end Senate President Karen E. Spilka has formed a bipartisan Senate Advisory Group on Racial Justice to review and recommend legislation to consider this session.

The Advisory Group will be chaired by Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, a member of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, and Senate President Pro Tempore Senator William Brownsberger (D-Belmont).

"I believe we have reached a history-making moment in our Commonwealth and that it should not pass without taking action on policing and racial justice this session," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "As the driving force behind that action, I have convened a bipartisan Senate Advisory Group on Racial Justice – chaired by Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, a member of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, and Senate President Pro Tempore Senator William Brownsberger (D-Belmont). The Senate group, which already met today, was tasked to review existing legislation and recommend further policies to address systemic racism."

"This moment in public consciousness, born out of tragedy, presents a rare opportunity to accomplish serious changes in public policy," stated Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz. "My hope is that this working group will help the Senate quickly digest the advocacy we're receiving and advance serious police accountability legislation in the immediate term--and keep our eye on the ball of racial justice more broadly even after this initial spike in public attention has passed. I'm grateful for President Spilka's sense of urgency on this issue, and I'm looking forward to working with Senator Brownsberger, Senator Collins, Senator Comerford, Senator Moore, and Senator Tarr on policies to provide meaningful, systemic change."

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - June 10, 2020

Announcements:

Remote Meeting - Held on “Zoom” platform January 10, 2020 - 5:30 PM
This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.


● For link to Access the Meeting Click HERE then click “Open Zoom”

○ Or copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89521197448
● Call-in Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID 895 2119 7448 - then press “#”


Discussion:

1. Review Finance Committee actions on capital request and borrowing authorization.


PDF of agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/06-10-2020_capital_budget_subcommittee_meeting.pdf

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The Finance Committee meeting of 6/04/20 provides the details to be review at this session

Budget Hearing #4 - 6/04/20

• audio =  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/franklin-ma-finance-committee-budget_55.html
• notes =  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/finance-committee-budget-hearing-4.html

 

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - June 10, 2020

Franklin Matters Radio Schedule for 6/10 - 6/11/20

Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

Wednesday 11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm

• “Talk Franklin” = 290 - Jamie Hellen and Anne Marie Tracey - (46 m)

Thursday: 9:00a/12:00p/6:00p

• 292 – Franklin author – Aaron Gouveia (29 m)
• 294 – former Franklin teacher – Kathy Pennell (20 m)

Franklin Matters Radio Schedule for 6/10 - 6/11

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting - Jun 11

Franklin Public Schools 

Franklin School Committee

DT Facility Analysis Subcommittee

Per Governor Baker’s order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20, the public will not be allowed to physically access this School Committee Subcommittee meeting. Members of the Public can access the meeting via remote conference. The School Committee reserves the right to implement additional remote participation procedures and will notify the public of these procedures as soon as practicable.

DATE: 6/11/2020
TIME: 7:00pm
LOCATION: Remote participation -- link below
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95513183676?pwd=amdlNGRiRG5LWmlhcU1sUVNIUWRGdz09

MEETING AGENDA

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

Approval of past minutes (6/1/20)

Discussion:
● draft questionnaire questions
● review email response
● receive update of Kaestle Boos facilities analysis report


Shared from the Town of Franklin schools page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/agenda/facilities-analysis-sub-committee-meeting-1

PDF version of the agenda
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_6.11.2020.pdf

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting - Jun 11

Town of Franklin: Department Protocols

Phase II Procedures and Customer Service Updates

The Town of Franklin has updated our department procedures to reflect Phase II of the Governor's Reopening Plan. This document is updated frequently, as changes arise. It can be found as part of our Coronavirus Information Portal, in the Town of Franklin News section. 

Find the detailed document here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/department_protocols_covid_19_12.pdf

Town of Franklin: Department Protocols

Friday June 12th - 50+ program virtual session

Friday, June 12th 9:00 am – Noon

Facilitator: Edward Lawrence; Career Coach
Co-facilitator: Erin Rogers; Franklin Social Services Coordinator

How are you feeling?

Odds are, you've got plenty to worry about—and your finances are probably near the top of the list. How do you pay the bills, take care of loved ones, help the kids or grandkids---let alone, protect your retirement savings?

Our guest speaker, Maria Perez is here to help.

Maria Perez is a Private Client advisor and Certified Financial Planner at JPMorgan Chase where she manages and advises Chase private-client investment relationships. In her 15 years as an advisor and banker she has grown assets under management by millions, providing excellent client care and guidance. In her private-client advisor role Maria provides financial advice, long term planning, and most importantly a trusting relationship that leads to organic growth.

In addition, to talking with Maria, you'll have ample time for networking with your 50+ job-seeking colleagues; so, you can offer your own successful stress-relieving and money-handling tips.

Pre-Registration (once per town location) is required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

For additional information about this program, please contact Erin Rogers; Social Services Coordinator, Franklin Senior Center; erogers@franklinma.gov; (508) 520-4945.

Download a copy of the flyer here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MNDFDKLddwr2fxC8qpKHF78EV9suPw-4/view?usp=sharing

Friday June 12th - 50+ program virtual session

School Committee: Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Development & Facts

The current School Committee has released their first newsletter in a new format. To subscribe follow this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/R7hHeRh/SCnews

SC Meeting tonight at 7pm

June 9th Meeting Agenda School Committee Newsletter Sign Up Contact the School Committee

Franklin Public Schools | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by traceya@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Watch "Frank Presents Massachusetts State House Tour with Franklin Rep. Jeff Roy" on YouTube

"Franklin State Representative Jeff Roy joins Frank Falvey for a tour of the Massachusetts State House. Frank and the team from Franklin.TV came up to Beacon Hill to take an in-depth look at the building and the history that surrounds it. We hope you enjoy the tour and make it a point to come into the People's House and see it for yourself."

Video link = https://youtu.be/wOCvEh26334

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - June 10

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Meeting June 10, 2020 6:30 PM

Remote Meeting - Held on “Zoom” Platform

Announcements:
This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.

● For link to Access the Meeting Click HERE then click “Open Zoom”
○ Or copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81955187367
● Call-in Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID 819 5518 7367 - then press “#”

Discussion:

1. Grants updates
a. Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Assessment & Hazard Mitigation Plan
b. Update Market Analysis & Market Position Summary
c. CDBG COVID with Bellingham

2. Reopening Phase 2 update

3. Lot Line #4: Zoning Map Amendment on or Near Beaver and Oak Streets

4. Snow Removal Bylaw Proposal

5. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw Proposal

Agenda document:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/06-10-2020_edc_agenda.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building at night

FHS 40% Club pays tribute to Mr Peri

Direct YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/QyOrRwhEkqY




Found via Twitter  https://twitter.com/FHS_40Percent/status/1270015649612529665?s=09

Statement by the Franklin Interfaith Council on the Murder of George Floyd

As religious leaders of diverse traditions we understand life to be the greatest and most sacred gift endowed by our Creator. Inherent in that gift is the inalienable right to live freely and without fear. The May 25, 2020 abhorrent killing of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, at the knee of a law enforcement official, sworn and entrusted to protect the public and keep the peace, is yet another stark reminder of humanity's blindness to the sacredness of that gift of life and society's failure, if not refusal, to act to ensure equal rights for all created beings. 

We lament the murder and death of George Floyd and pray for him, his family, loved ones and all in need of strength and comfort in this fragile time of grief. The overwhelming national response to George Floyd's death, manifested in peaceful protests, not only honors his life, but powerfully expresses that we, as Americans, will no longer tolerate injustice, systematic racism and discrimination against people of color. 

This powerful resurgence of a long overdue civil rights movement will not be silenced until structural change is realized. We lift our voices and stand in unity and solidarity with our sisters and brothers of color in proclaiming that BLACK LIVES MATTER. (Adapted from a statement by the San Francisco Interfaith Council)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
First Universalist Society in Franklin
Franklin Federated Church
Franklin United Methodist Church
St John's Episcopal Church
St Mary's Catholic Parish
Temple Etz Chaim

franklininterfaith.org

franklininterfaith.org

Rep Jeff Roy; Watch "Empty Bowls" on YouTube

Representative Jeff Roy talks about the Empty Bowls event this week

YouTube link = https://youtu.be/Ar35in5eEdY

Auction link opened June 8:  https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls5/live-auction

FHS Class of 2020 post graduation plans

Thanks to the FHS administration for sharing the data to create the following pivot table. While some graduates are headed off to military (Army, US Coast Guard), some off to the working world, many have plans to continue their education in a two or four year college or university. 

More than 80 institutions get 2 or more graduates. Another 50+ institutions get at least one graduate. So depending upon how you count the categories, the class of 2020 is certainly spreading out!


Get a copy of the PDF file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JfXgcp6OYJAli1_KHMK_I0r6dToecbt_/view?usp=sharing

FHS Class of 2020 post graduation plans

FM #293 Town Council - State Delegation - 6/03/20 (audio)

FM #293 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 293 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the State delegation segment of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held Wednesday, June 3, 2020. The meeting was conducted virtually to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

For budget discussion purposes, this segment only includes the State delegation updates and Town Councilor questions relative to the budget. The public question section respectfully included other topics NOT related to the FY 2021 budget discussion. That segment will be available when the full meeting video is posted for on demand play on the Town of Franklin web page.

The recording runs about 56 minutes, so let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of June 3, 2020.

Audio file - https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDqT3tZ7



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My full set of notes for the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/town-council-june-3-2020-meeting-recap.html

The Council meeting agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-remote.html

-------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"

screen grab of Senate President Karen Spilka

Town Council Tom Mercer

Senator Becca Rausch

Representative Jeff Roy

FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files - 5/21/20 (audio)

FM #292 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 292 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin resident and author, Aaron Gouveia. We had our conversation on the Town Common on a gorgeous day in May while adhering to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk of his popping to my Franklin radar as a dad blogger when in 2018, his son in kindergarten came home with a problem due to some of his class’s reaction to his fingernails being painted. Aaron set up a Twitter thread before he went to bed that night and woke up to find his phone exploding with notifications.

Long story short as he made the media rounds, he got an offer to write a book about toxic masculinity. His book is now due to be published June 16

We had a great conversation

• about parenting, both boys and girls,
• the needs for good role models for our youth
• the minimum wage workers who are the heroes in this pandemic.
• the nature of work is changing and
• maybe there is a silver lining in this pandemic.

The show notes include links to Aaron’s Twitter profile, the Amazon book page, his book web page, and to the quote I botched during the conversation.

The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Aaron. Audio file ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-292-aaron-gouveia-daddy-files-5-21-20

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Franklin Public Library Author Event, June 24 https://facebook.com/events/s/raising-boys-to-be-good-men-a-/2312169695751328/?ti=cl

The DaddyFiles page https://www.daddyfiles.com/

The Amazon link
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510749411?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Aaron’s Amazon author link https://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Gouveia/e/B08127Z6JN

Boston Globe article from 2018
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/23/this-franklin-father-has-powerful-message-anyone-who-has-issue-with-his-son-painting-his-nails/P9lPTb9IAqGtf0toIuO58K/story.html

Follow Aaron on Twitter https://twitter.com/daddyfiles

And the quote I butchered goes like this:

"Our example to our children, to our families, and to the world around us is constant. The question is not whether or not anyone is watching, the question is what are they learning as they watch." -- Kirk Weisler

-------
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/
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 #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files  - 5/21/20 (audio)