Franklin Matters

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

The Town of Franklin Recreation Department and the DPW are organizing an Earth Day clean clean up this week! We have modified our traditional approach to Earth Day, and are asking volunteers to help pick up trash in key areas across town, on their own.

See Earth Day 2020 map here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2020_earth_day.pdf

When:

Thursday, April 23, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

(no bags available on Friday, April 24th due to weather forecast)

Where:

Pick up bags and gloves at Franklin Recreation Department at 275 Beaver Street in the parking lot.

We ask all volunteers to practice social distancing and wear protective masks and gloves when picking up bags and collecting trash.

Please only take 2 per family to ensure we have enough for all participants.

Once bags are filled with trash, we ask that you tie them up and leave on the side of the curb in a visible location.

DPW workers will be picking up bags on Monday, April 27.

Let's help clean up Franklin safely and responsibly. For more information or to contact us, please email: franklinrecreation@franklinma.gov

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvG-VZZfAbBa5GJOWLwb3-SItQEMg2Ng/view?usp=sharing

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

Franklin Matters Radio Schedule for this week (4/22-24)

To listen, tune the radio dial to 102.9 or via a browser on a desktop, notebook or mobile device, go to wfpr.fm

Wednesday, Apr 22 - 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 8:00 PM

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - “Talk Franklin” (recorded 4/17/20)

Thursday: Apr 23 - 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM

Franklin Public Library Staff discuss virtual services (recorded 4/14/20)

Friday, April 24 - 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 8:00 PM

Sgt Brian Johnson, Franklin Police - COVID-19 response
Doug McPherson, HMEA Virtual 5K

These episodes are also available via the Franklin Matters podcast which you can find on iTunes, Google Podcast or many other podcast apps.

Franklin Matters Radio Schedule for this week (4/22-24)

FHS Keep Music Alive #3

Hello! The next installment of "Keep Music Alive" Please enjoy!

Ryan Padula - FHS Senior Pianist will be attending UMASS Amherst and studying Jazz performance. Misty, performed by Ryan Padula
https://youtu.be/ykVZgcDv4Xo

Mr. Mickey Ireland - Remington Middle School Band Director
Yesterday by the Beatles - Clarinet Quartet
https://mixcord.co/acapella/p/e3_3RqF_N00bdV_kJWUWRQ/

--
Diane M. Plouffe
Director of Music
Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis

Good evening,

Thank you for attending the Enrollment Forecast Event in early March. I apologize for the delay, however I want to get back to you with further information from that evening.

We have created a district webpage to curate resources related to the analysis. You can access materials from that evening here:

https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

Kind regards,
Sara

Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Franklin Public Schools

Video link to the March 5 info session at the Horace Mann Middle School cafe
https://youtu.be/b_e3O5LSESQ

Franklin Public Schools: Davis Thayer Facilties Analysis

Franklin Public Schools: Davis Thayer Faculties Analysis

"in a way that actually works and makes sense and keeps people safe"

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker hinted Tuesday that he plans to convene a group of public health, academic and business leaders to assemble a “thoughtful framework” for how Massachusetts might be able to resume more normal economic and social life once the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

At the same press conference in which he announced schools will stay closed through the end of the school year, Baker said he is more focused on the ongoing surge of COVID-19 patients than he is on making a decision about whether to extend restrictions on non-essential businesses beyond May 4. But he started his press conference by saying he wanted to address “what I think is on everybody’s mind, which is when does new normal get here?”

“Right now, the commonwealth is still in the surge ... the facts on the ground tell us that we need to stay strong, continue to socially distance and stay home. While we ask for your full cooperation to get this job done, please know that we’re working hard to think about a strategy to reopen the economy,” Baker said. “We’ll have much more to say about this in the days ahead as we pull together the best and brightest minds from our business and public health and academic communities to work together to put together a thoughtful framework that can work in Massachusetts.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200421/baker-looks-to-handle-re-entry-into-business-sensibly

Gov Baker Update on 4/21/20 = https://youtu.be/vU7DWq7Vk3o

Milford requires facial coverings in public

"Facial coverings are now a required accessory in Milford, according to an order issued Tuesday by the Board of Health.

″...the Coronavirus COVID-19 is a highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, the prevalence of which is increasing rapidly throughout the world, inclusive of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” part of the order reads.

People older than 5 years must “wear a mask, or some form of suitable covering over their nose and mouth” when entering a building open to the public, using public transportation, taxis, or ride shares, and while using outdoor self-service facilities, such as a gas station. The order also includes broader language requiring a facial covering when “engaged in any activity within a confined or enclosed facility where other members of the public are present or have routine access.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200421/milford-requires-facial-coverings-in-public

State Rep Roy: Virtual Office Hours - Apr 24 - 8:30 AM

Topic: Rep Roy office hours
Time: Apr 24, 2020 08:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99718285078
Meeting ID: 997 1828 5078

One tap mobile +19292056099,,99718285078# US (New York)

Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 997 1828 5078

Follow the Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/690286435120556/

State Rep Roy: Virtual Office Hours - Apr 24 - 8:30 AM

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #14

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #14

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Dear friends,

A few quick updates for you about your government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Expansion: Many workers who previously did not qualify for traditional or extended unemployment insurance are now eligible to apply for Massachusetts' PUA program. The system finally opened yesterday. These workers include:

Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
Individuals seeking part-time employment
Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
Claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law

School Closures: Today Governor Baker announced that all Massachusetts public and private schools will remain closed through the end of the school year due to the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, all non-emergency childcare programs will remain closed until June 29, with the exception of those that are serving first responders, grocery store employees, and other essential workers. The Governor had previously ordered schools remain closed until May 4th.

Eviction Moratorium: The Governor signed into law a bill temporarily pausing evictions and certain foreclosures during the coronavirus pandemic, which the House and Senate passed last week. The moratorium will remain in effect for 120 days, or 45 days after the coronavirus state of emergency expires, whichever is sooner.

As always, my team and I are here for you. Call us at 617-722-1555 or email me directly at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and one of us will get back to you as quickly as we can. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

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

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents
https://mailchi.mp/9fbcac98dea3/covid19-update-12316418?e=0c2c9810fe

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #14

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News Update

Franklin Earth Day (50th Anniversary)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/earth_day_flyer_final.pdf

Site Map
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2020_earth_day.pdf

Playgrounds

All Town and Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice.

On April 21, the Recreation Advisory Board and Director of Recreation will discuss the spring sports season through a virtual meeting. An official decision should be announced on April 27th with the assistance of all youth sports presidents.

Hello Franklin! We have created a Trails and Walking Paths site to serve as a resource to our community. During these unprecedented times, it is important to get outside and de-stress, while practicing social distancing! We hope you find it useful. Be well! https://bit.ly/3bDgozC

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups

Challenges and Contests

The Franklin Recreation Department is hosting the following challenges and contests to ALL residents during this stay at home quarantine. PRIZES will be awarded to the top winners and all winning videos and/or photographs will be posted on our website and social media.

https://sites.google.com/view/recdeptcovid-19contests/home?authuser=1

**REMEMBER these contests are to be done following the guidelines of social distancing. They are not to be done with a group of friends.**

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News Update

50+ Job-seeker Virtual Group Meeting - Monday 4/27/20

Monday, April 27 1– 4 PM

Video Interview Preparation and Strategy
How do I Land on the Short List?

Facilitator: Edward Lawrence; Career Coach
Co-facilitator: Ashley Shaheen; Asst. Director of Senior Services
Guest Speaker: David Bayuk, Business Development Manager at Experis.

David is one of our most popular guest speakers. With over 28 years of experience as a Business Development Manager, recruiter, team manager and trainer in the talent acquisition industry, David has a wealth of experience providing clients and candidates the best of all worlds.

David has worked with all career levels and has successfully placed hundreds of candidates into the next phase of their careers. David has strong relationships with hiring managers throughout the area and is prepared to help both clients and candidates fulfill their needs. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Dale Carnegie Sales training course, President's Clubs and many other achievements. He lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and two children.

This session focuses on two aspects of the interview process.

First, we will focus on interview preparation, including the types of interviews, key components of an interview, and types of interview questions.

Then we will discuss interview strategy: How do you distinguish yourself from the field of other candidates? What must you do to navigate the weeding out process and ensure you are one of the finalists? What should you do after the interview to ensure you remain under consideration?

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

Registration is required for this specific online meeting:

After you register for the 50+ Program, we will place you on a list to receive promos that contain a meeting's registration information.

If you have registered previously with the town that virtually hosts the session, there is no need for you to register again.

For additional information about this program, please contact Ashley Shaheen Assistant Director, Hopkinton Senior Center; ashaheen@hopkintonma.gov; (508) 497-9730.

50+ Job-seeker Virtual Group Meeting - Monday 4/27/20

In the News: A new job in a time of chaos; school buildings to remain closed for school year

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

"Ann Mariano had just settled into her role as the district’s new technology chief when she unexpectedly had to get computers into the hands of some 2,000 students as fast as possible.

Schools were shuttered temporarily at first due to the COVID-19 threat, but most school officials realized the closures would become long-term. On March 20, she and other officials scrambled to get thousands of Chromebooks out to students who would need them to take part in remote learning. Devices were readied for distribution that evening, with school officials rapidly crafting a way to keep track of which student had what device.

“Everyone was chipping in. We were constantly trying to think of what the next thing would be,” said Mariano, of Franklin. “The biggest lesson I’ve taken away from this is how everyone is part of the puzzle.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200421/new-job-in-time-of-chaos-as-framingham-schools-tech-chief-franklin-woman-fills-tall-order

"School buildings in Massachusetts will remain closed through the end of the academic year, but remote learning will continue, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday.

There hasn’t been any strong guidance about how to operate schools safely as the state works to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Republican governor said.

“We believe therefore that students cannot safety return to school,” Baker said.

All non-emergency child care programs will remain closed until June 29, he added. Right now, there are 523 emergency child care programs statewide serving families of essential workers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200421/updated-massachusetts-schools-closed-for-rest-of-academic-year-as-coronavirus-cases-surge

school buildings to remain closed for school year

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Town of Franklin: Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

Remote Meeting - Held on “ZOOM” Platform 4:30 - 6:30 PM

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

● Link to access meeting: April 22, 2020 Town Council Meeting Link HERE* -- Then click “Open Zoom”

● Call-In Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID # 928 8757 4249 --Then press #

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

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. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION

a. Coronavirus Updates: When will Franklin Businesses Reopen, when and how?

A Community Conversation with a Town Department Head Roundtable including Town Administrator Jamie Hellen; Town Attorney Mark Cerel; Board of Health Chair, Bridget Sweet; Health Department Staff, Cathy Liberty and Ginny McNeil; Chief of Police TJ Lynch; Fire Chief Jim McLaughlin; and Building Inspector Gus Brown.

3. ADJOURN

*For meeting security, residents should take the extra step to find the access code in the Town of Franklin PDF (this should eliminate all but the seriously nefarious folks)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-04-22_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

Town of Franklin: Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

FM #248 Franklin Public Library Staff Discuss Virtual Services - 4/14/20 (audio)

FM #248 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 248 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the entire Franklin Public Library staff. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about how the Library has become virtual continuing to provide services. I learned that in addition to the Library page, Facebook, and Instagram, they also have a TikTok and YouTube presence.

There are 75 databases that are online and available to us. Virtual storytelling, 2 minute book reviews, scavenger hunts, and the re-introduction of “doggie tales” scheduled for a virtual event are among the topics covered.

The Library is so much more than the 4 walls (really more than 4 anyway) as the services and resources they provide online we become aware of and can utilize during this period (and beyond).

Many of the online resources are available with your library card and pin. If you don’t have one, you can apply for a virtual one which will be good for 6 months.

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Felicia and all the librarians

Audio Link = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-248-franklin-public-library-staff-talk-virtual-svcs/

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Franklin Public Library page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library
Twitter account https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib
YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAzwQ_NxELskMbJw1yWMpjQ/featured
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary/
Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/franklinpubliclibrary/

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

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

How can you help?

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

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

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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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"

FM #248 Franklin Public Library Staff Discuss Virtual Services - 4/14/20 (audio)

Once Upon A Town: Metcalf Block, Butman Bldg, Franklin Diner - Franklin MA

Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to learn about the Metcalf Block, Butman Building, and Franklin Diner on Main Street.

https://youtu.be/11_7zClTM8Y

FPAC Presents “Great Performances...At Home” on Facebook

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) launched “Great Performances...At Home,” a nightly Facebook Live performance series on Facebook in March. Every night at 7:30 PM EST, a special guest goes live on the Franklin Performing Arts Company Facebook page for a mini-performance.

Guests to date have included Broadway’s Kara Lindsay (Newsies, WICKED, Beautiful), Emily Koch (WICKED, Waitress), Christopher Rice (currently on the tour of Hamilton), Clay Thomson (Newsies, Matilda, KING KONG), Kevin Massey (Tarzan, Gentleman’s Guide), Ben Cameron (WICKED, Footloose), Jim Hogan (tours of Waitress, Spring Awakening, Phantom of the Opera), and Liz Byrne (Baby It’s You!) as well as resident FPAC favorites Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell, Irina Fainkichen, Shauna Martin, Ali Funkhouser, and Katie Gray.

Ben Cameron

FPAC Director Raye Lynn Mercer comments, “The arts community, locally and globally, has been significantly impacted, yet artists have been the first to share their talents with the world in any way possible. It is the hope of the FPAC Board of Directors that the Metro-West community will reciprocate when venues open and performers are able to go back to work. Unlike large venues that are supported by endowments and major donors, smaller organizations like FPAC and smaller venues like THE BLACK BOX, will face an enormous financial challenge on the other side of this crisis.”

When the theater is open once again, patrons can look forward to a busy calendar of shows, concerts, and fundraising events. Currently, all are invited to join an FPAC Annual Circle in support of the company and THE BLACK BOX. For more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

To tune in to these special live performances and view past videos, “like” Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook. Audiences can also follow FPAC on Instagram (@franklin.performing.arts.co) and Twitter (@fpac_online)