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Sunday, August 22, 2021
Franklin Downtown Partnership: Harvest Festival Booth Reminder
"Rain falls on peak of Greenland ice cap for first time on record"
"Rain has fallen on the summit of Greenland’s huge ice cap for the first time on record. Temperatures are normally well below freezing on the 3,216-metre (10,551ft) peak, and the precipitation is a stark sign of the climate crisis.Scientists at the US National Science Foundation’s summit station saw rain falling throughout 14 August but had no gauges to measure the fall because the precipitation was so unexpected. Across Greenland, an estimated 7bn tonnes of water was released from the clouds.The rain fell during an exceptionally hot three days in Greenland when temperatures were 18C higher than average in places. As a result, melting was seen in most of Greenland, across an area about four times the size of the UK."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
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| Icebergs near Ilulissat, Greenland. The climate crisis is having a profound impact on glaciers. Photograph: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock |
MIAA - The Hub - Week 3 - Self Management (video series)
Week 3 at The HUB: Seek. Explore. Learn. "Self-Management"
> Kyrah Altman shares tools to proactively cope & manage symptoms of Reintegration Anxiety Management. Content includes mental illness, anxiety, collective trauma of COVID-19 ow.ly/zSE350FCduM #MIAAor visit MIAA at http://www.miaa.net/contentm/easy_pages/view.php?sid=38&page_id=354
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| MIAA - The Hub - Week 3 - Self Management (video series) |
Saturday, August 21, 2021
MAEnergy Environment: Hurricane Safety Tips
MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassEEA/status/1428790239124938761
🧵 To prepare for Tropical Storm #Henri and a potential power outage, here are some practical steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.
🔋 Make sure cellphones, laptops, and other electronics are fully charged.
⚡️ Power Outage Safety Tips: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hurricane-safety-tips
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| MAEnergy Environment: Hurricane Safety Tips |
Also from Boston Globe: 6 ways to prepare
From MA Consumer Affairs -> Hurricane preparedness
Washington Post: "Booming business at dollar stores"
"A growing number of Americans are relying on dollar stores for everyday needs, especially groceries, as the coronavirus pandemic drags into its 18th month. Chains such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree are reporting blockbuster sales and profits, and proliferating so quickly that some U.S. cities want to limit their growth. The 1,650 dollar stores expected to open this year represent nearly half of all new national retail openings, according to Coresight Research.Foot traffic at the largest such chain, Dollar General, is up 32 percent from pre-pandemic levels, far outpacing the 3 percent increase at Walmart, one of the few retail winners of last year, according to Placer.ai, which analyzes shopping patterns using location data from 30 million devices."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/08/20/growing-number-americans-are-relying-dollar-stores/
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| A shopper pushes a cart through Family Dollar in Chicago. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg News) |
In another shift, Baker Administration will mandate masks for K-12 school opening
Massachusetts K-12 (@MASchoolsK12) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:
Press release hared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MASchoolsK12/status/1428737492627468290?s=03
PRESS RELEASE Education Commissioner to Ask Board for Authority to Mandate Masks in Public Schools to Provide Time to Increase Vaccinations - https://t.co/CLO6N5sTXC #MaEdu #COVID19MA @MassEducation
"Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley will ask the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to grant him authority to mandate masks for all public K-12 students, educators, and staff through October 1 to ensure schools fully reopen safely and to provide time for more students and educators to get vaccinated. After October 1, the commissioner’s policy would allow middle and high schools to lift the mask mandate for vaccinated students and staff only if the school meets a certain vaccination rate – at least 80 percent of students and staff in a school building are vaccinated. Unvaccinated students and staff would still be required to wear masks.The mandate would include exceptions for students who cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions or behavioral needs.The Commissioner will revisit the mandate in the near future to revise it as warranted by public health data. The purpose of the policy is to encourage higher vaccination rates among students and staff and to implement a uniform policy for all schools to begin the year."
Continue reading the full press release: https://t.co/CLO6N5sTXC
Assuming the proposal does come to reality, the Franklin School Committee will remove from its agenda its own policy update as 'not needed'
CommonWealth Magazine coverage -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/in-another-shift-baker-mandates-masks-in-schools/
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| State education commissioner Jeff Riley. (Photo by Llyr Johansen) |
Franklin Public Schools, MA: Open House Job Fair - Aug 23
Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:
Please consider attending the FPS Open House Job Fair. August 23rd from 4pm-6pm. We are seeking Educational Support Professionals at various school locations, assisting our students in the classroom environment. https://t.co/apB4b9f64Q
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1428747470310449154
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| Franklin Public Schools, MA: Open House Job Fair - Aug 23 |
Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation awards Franklin Fire Dept. $25,000 grant
Bristol County Savings (@bcsb) tweeted Thu, Aug 19, 2021:
"The Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation marked its 25th Anniversary with a $25,000 grant to the Franklin Fire Department during a check presentation ceremony held yesterday at the Franklin Town Hall. The donation, which the Department will use for general public safety, is part of $325,000 in grants currently being awarded to fire departments in the 13 communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island where the Bank has a branch office location.
Since the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation was formed in 1996, more than $25 million has been committed to hundreds of different local non-profits. In 2020, the Foundation awarded $2.2 million to various 501(c)(3) organizations, many of whom were assisting local communities in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic."
Continue reading the full announcement: https://t.co/jOiT2NbS7J
Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/yq1Wbxr1bb
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| Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation awards Franklin Fire Dept. $25,000 grant |
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Treasurer Collector
Fiscal Year 2020 brought a lot of challenges due to COVID-19. Many operational changes had to take place in order to comply with the “new normal”. Thank goodness for the drive-up window at the municipal building. The drive-up window was also utilized so that residents could return their ballots directly to an employee.
Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating again this fiscal year.
Standard and Poor’s stated
“Our opinion of Franklin’s strong and balanced finances, supported by a very strong, growing, and affluent property tax base, in addition to a strong management team that maintains a number of formalized financial policies and practices. In addition, due to conservative capital-project management through the annual budget process, the town has maintained a favorable debt profile, in our view, coupled with manageable costs.”
During FY 2020, $149,000.00 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Five property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 20 properties in Land Court.
There were 1,350 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $67,525.00. Also collected was $3,600.00 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY20, the Treasurer- Collector’s office printed and mailed 11,818 Real Estate Tax bills, 694 Personal Property Tax bills, 30,653 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills, and 42,326 Utility bills. The following Demands were also printed and mailed, 590 Real Estate Tax, 124 Personal Property Tax, and 4,424 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,984 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY20. There were 5 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $7,587.81. We also collected $96,213.24 for backflow testing and $56,872.83 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges.
The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY20 we collected $20,393.56 for parking violations.
I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to acknowledge my team, you made me believe once again that hard work and coordination can accomplish anything. I am really proud to be part of this team. Finally, I like to thank the citizens of Franklin for their kindness and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerri A. Bertone
Treasurer-Collector
Visit the Treasurer Collector on the ToF page
Continue reading the Annual Report for 2020
Prior Annual Reports can be found online
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| Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Treasurer Collector |
Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: varsity schedules for Fall 2021
Tri-County RVTHS Athletics (@TriRvths) tweeted
girls varsity soccer -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428732743714807809?s=03
boys varsity soccer -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428489860483096588
girls volleyball -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428832721405718529
varsity football -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428360850100817920
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| Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: varsity schedules for Fall 2021 |
Senator Rausch responds to DESE Masking Guidance
Statement from Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham):
"Families across Massachusetts will finally have peace of mind sending their children back to classrooms with the protection of universal masking in K-12 schools. This victory belongs to every student, parent, teacher, school committee member, public health expert, and advocate who joined me in speaking up for science and safety. The Baker Administration owes our Commonwealth an apology for holding our communities' health and well-being in limbo until mere days before our children return to school, and I urge the Governor to extend these same protections to our early education settings. Statewide data-driven public health measures will give our children the safe, supportive, and successful school year they deserve."
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| Senator Rausch responds to DESE Masking Guidance |
wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 011 - June 2021
"Dr. Pandora Carlucci is joined by Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives. "
Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/279c12e6-1a5c-4c56-abee-9cd17d0a98c6
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| wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 011 - June 2021 |
Don’t buy fake COVID-19 vaccine cards or negative test results. Here’s why
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Friday, August 20, 2021
Franklin's Event Outlook: Aug 20 - Aug 26, 2021
Wet weather seems to be in the forecast for the weekend but may just leave Friday alone to allow the Farmers Market and Concerts on the Common events take place outdoors. The Library book sale is also this weekend (indoor) and The Love Dogs return to THE BLACK BOX (indoor if necessary) on Saturday.
Friday, 20 August
13:00 - Book Sale
14:00 - Farmers Market
15:30 - Kids craft activity by Library Youth Services
17:00 - Concerts on the Common: "Heather Deary Acoustic"
18:00 - Concerts on the Common: "Carolyn Rae and the Rumors"
20:00 - Movie Night: Scoobi
Saturday, 21 August
09:00 - Book Sale
10:00 - Historical Museum (always free)
13:00 - Bag Sale
19:30 - TBB: The Love Dogs
Sunday, 22 August
13:00 - 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 meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
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| Community Calendar |
State Representative Roy: What's happening in Franklin and Medway for August 2021
The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents -> https://mailchi.mp/ca48ce6c782b/march-2021-newsletter-5165858?e=6ead984465
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Gov Baker orders state employees to be vaccinated; Senate President Spilka applauds the move
"Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday issued one of the nation’s strictest government vaccine mandates, requiring tens of thousands of state employees to prove they have been inoculated against COVID-19 by mid-October or risk being fired.
Baker’s order, which applies to about 42,000 Executive Department employees, goes a step further than the mandate in place for employees of the City of Boston, as well as state workers in New York and California, who have the option of submitting to regular COVID-19 testing if they choose not to get vaccinated.
Under the new requirement, state employees may be entitled to exemptions “due to medical disability or . . . a sincerely held religious belief,” according to an executive order signed by Baker. The mandate applies to employees under Baker’s purview working in person and teleworking."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
Commonwealth Magazine coverage ->
- August 19, 2021
The following is a statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):
"I applaud Governor Baker for issuing a strong vaccination mandate for Massachusetts Executive Department employees. It underscores the message that vaccination is our best tool for ending the disruption and suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate working group is meeting to discuss updated hybrid work policies, including a vaccine mandate and other policies guided by public health best practices and designed to keep Senate employees safe. I expect this group to issue its recommendations very soon."
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| Gov. Charlie Baker at a State House press conference. (Pool file photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe) |
Legislative Statement on Emergency Paid COVID Leave
Statement on Emergency Paid COVID Leave
"The evidence is overwhelming: receiving the COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to keep our residents safe, end the pandemic in Massachusetts, and ensure we can continue the process of building a robust and equitable economic recovery. In order for the Governor's vaccine mandate to be successful, the Legislature will work to extend emergency paid COVID leave in the Commonwealth past the September 30, 2021 deadline and ensure that all workers have the opportunity to take time from work to receive the vaccine if and when they can."
Senate President Karen E. Spilka
Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano
Senator Jason Lewis
Representative Paul Donato
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Public Schools
The Franklin School Committee has had a busy year. The challenges posed by a global pandemic have certainly presented unique challenges to all of us. We remain committed to supporting the Strategic Plan of the Franklin Public Schools in promoting each student’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential with a safe, nurturing and respectful environment.
While the committee meets in public twice a month throughout the school year, subcommittees and task forces meet regularly to do the work in service to the community. Below are listed some of the areas for focus over this past year:
The subcommittees and their functions are outlined below:
Budget: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to the school budget. Participates with the town-wide Joint Budget Subcommittee. Committed to educating the public about the budget process in an open and transparent way.
Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to communication with the community about school policies, issues and programs. Meets on a monthly basis throughout the community at various locations including the Harvest Festival, The Farmer’s Market, The Senior Center, The Public Library, Franklin Cable TV Station, etc. in order to share information and address citizens’ concerns. Shares information on legislative matters at the federal, state and local levels. This year the committee held its third annual legislative forum. Our state senators and state representative shared updates and answered questions from citizens.
Budget: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to the school budget. Participates with the town-wide Joint Budget Subcommittee. Committed to educating the public about the budget process in an open and transparent way.
Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to communication with the community about school policies, issues and programs. Meets on a monthly basis throughout the community at various locations including the Harvest Festival, The Farmer’s Market, The Senior Center, The Public Library, Franklin Cable TV Station, etc. in order to share information and address citizens’ concerns. Shares information on legislative matters at the federal, state and local levels. This year the committee held its third annual legislative forum. Our state senators and state representative shared updates and answered questions from citizens.
Policy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to policies and procedures in the Franklin Public Schools. This subcommittee also maintains the Policy Manual.
Transportation: Recommends and reviews policies regarding transportation. The subcommittee also develops bids for transportation services.
In addition to the work of these subcommittees, members participate on advisory councils and as liaisons to the Joint Parent Communication Councils and Mass Association of School Committees (MASC)
The responsibilities of these members are outlined below:
School Wellness Advisory Council: Establishes annual wellness goals for the district. Reviews data, conducts data collection and sponsors professional development programs for students, faculty, parents and the community. Meets monthly throughout the school year.
Parent Communication Council Liaisons: Joining the Superintendent and other central office administrators, school committee liaisons share important information relative to policies and issues before the school committee. This is another opportunity to gain feedback, insights as to the issues/ concerns of the community. Meets every month during the school year.
MASC Liaison: Advocates at the state level for issues relative to public schools.
Substance Abuse Task Force: The School Committee has supported the work of the Substance Abuse Task Force, led by Assistant Superintendent, Lucas Giguere. The purpose of this task force is to address the serious issue of substance use disorder which is so dramatically impacting our community and communities across the country, with a focus on education, treatment and prevention. School Committee representatives contribute to the work of the task force, along with members of the Franklin Police Department; State Rep. Jeff Roy; the SAFE Coalition; the Recreation Department, teachers, principals, counselors, local doctors, nurses, students and other citizens of our community.
Comprehensive Closing Study: This year the committee began a comprehensive closing study of the Davis Thayer School. The Superintendent, per our policy, recommended that this facility justified further analysis. The work will continue this fall.
Other: In line with the focus on diversity and inclusion, the committee has representation on the community-wide task force (Franklin Social and Racial Justice Task Force). In support of our focus on the social, emotional health of our students, the school committee has representation on the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Use.
Summer Workshop: The School Committee also meets at a one-day summer workshop with the Superintendent to provide input relative to the District Improvement Plan and to plan pertinent School Committee presentations and workshops for the following school year. Throughout the year, the School Committee works with a facilitator from MASC to strengthen our skills and effectiveness as an elected body so that we may better serve the public.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Bergen,
Chair, Franklin School Committee
Continue reading the Franklin Public Schools section of the Annual Report for 2020
Prior Annual Reports can be found online
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| Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Public Schools |
Country Gazette: Kelly resigns from Town Council; Sponsors can help art bloom for the Cultural Festival
Country Gazette (@CountryGazette) tweeted on Thu, Aug 19, 2021:
Thank you for your service, Councilor Kelly. https://t.co/n5m8cxU5n1 @TOFranklinMA
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/CountryGazette/status/1428455044035264521?s=03
Country Gazette (@CountryGazette) tweeted on Thu, Aug 19, 2021:
Help Franklin's arts scene bloom! https://t.co/kkxhsZfgaT @TOFranklinMA
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/CountryGazette/status/1428417656869294081?s=03
In case anyone wonders if Kelly's resignation triggers a special election, no it does not as we have the regular election scheduled for Nov 2, 2021 which is within the 120 days as specified in the Town Charter. https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/revised_2013_1.pdf
"Section 8 Vacancy2-8-1 Unless recalled in accordance with Article Five, Section 4 of this Charter, a vacancy in the office of Councillor at Large shall be declared by the Town Clerk following notification of the death, permanent disability to serve, resignation, and/or failure to maintain a permanent residency within the Town of Franklin.
2-8-2 Vacancies shall be filled by special election to be called withinninety (90) days of said vacancy unless a regular or special Townelection shall occur within one hundred twenty (120) days."
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| Franklin gearing up for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 12, 2021 |
wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 010 - May 2021
"Dr. Pandora Carlucci is joined by Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives."
Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/624cf907-27ab-4cae-99ae-4d8352c2ce84
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| wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 010 - May 2021 |
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