Kneel for Nine - June 2 - 6:30 PM

On the Town Common Tuesday, June 2

Kneel for Nine - June 2 - 6:30 PM

Follow the Facebook event here: (Note the time originally posted in a graphic was 5:30 Central - really 6:30 Eastern)  https://www.facebook.com/events/2365708187055221/

FHS: Awards Night, Senior Parade, Commencement Broadcast Schedule

Dear Class of 2020, families, and friends-

Thank you to all students and families who participated in today's Day 1 diploma distribution.  The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, families and students were excellent at adhering to all safety guidelines, and we are looking forward to even more smiles, cheers, and celebrations in the coming week!

We are excited to share additional details for this week's upcoming events. 

Thursday, June 4th - Awards Night: 5:30 PM

Our annual Awards Ceremony is scheduled to broadcast at 5:30 on Thursday night on both Access and Educational channels.

If you have Comcast, then the Access channel is Channel 8, and the Educational Channel is 96. For Verizon, the Access Channel is 26, and Educational is 28.  It will also be live-streamed on Franklin Panther TV's YouTube channel.

Please tune in to see over $150,000 in scholarships awarded to some incredibly deserving graduates!

Friday, June 5th - Graduation Parade:

On Friday afternoon, graduates are invited to participate in the 1st ever, townwide graduation parade! Under police escort, graduates will parade through town from each of their respective middle schools, and drive towards FHS.  At FHS, graduates will be greeted by Franklin Public Schools' faculty and staff. Franklin Police ask that graduates have a family member drive so they can fully enjoy the parade.

Each graduate will report to their middle school between 1:30 and 2:10 PM on Friday, June 5th.  FPS staff will assist in lining up vehicles at the middle schools.  The parades will depart each school on a staggered schedule to keep events moving on time:

• Depart from HMMS - 2:00 PM  (1:30 arrival at HMMS)
• Depart from ASMS - 2:20 PM  (1:50 arrival at ASMS)
• Depart from RMS - 2:40 PM (2:10 arrival at RMS)

BFCCS*  students are welcome to parade with RMS if there is a meet up at the new charter school, OR, they can parade from any of the three middle schools.  Students who did not attend an FPS middle school are welcome to join a parade of their choosing. 

Each parade route is different; however, all three routes will circle the Town Common and then head down Oak Street towards FHS. (See below). We anticipate the parade taking approximately 90 minutes, with the three parades eventually forming into one parade as they approach FHS. 

We hope to see the entire town out along the parade routes supporting this amazing group of Seniors! The Town Common and Senior center will be ideal for viewing locations. 

Graduates are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and wear their caps and gowns.  Maps of each route are attached below.  Please follow all town parking regulations and please follow all social distancing guidelines during this event.  

Any graduate who has concerns about securing a vehicle for this special event should complete this google form no later Tuesday, 6/2.

Friday, June 5th - Commencement Broadcast 6 PM

The student procession will be airing at 6 PM Friday on both our Access and Educational channels.  FranklinTV will be broadcasting the car parade live on Franklin Radio, which you can find at 102.9 FM.  It will also be streamed on the High School's YouTube page at the same time on Friday!

If you have Comcast, then the Access channel is Channel 8 and the Educational Channel is 96. For Verizon, the Access Channel is 26 and Educational is 28.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday afternoon!

Thank you.

FHS Graduation Committee

Horace Mann Parade Route:

Horace Mann Parade Route:

Annie Sullivan Parade Route:

Annie Sullivan Parade Route:

Remington Middle School Parade Route

Remington Middle School Parade Route

Civil Obedience & Heroism!

Are You a Hero? You Could be. And it’s Not Difficult.
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/31/2020


How many times have you seen that restaurant sign: “No shoes, no shirt, no service’? Have you ever been to an upscale club or venue where , ‘Jacket &; Tie’ was required? Golfers at many courses and clubs are expected to wear a collared shirt.

Some places of worship expect men or women to wear a hat or head covering.

These are merely norms of accepted decorum in more formal, polite social settings. No one takes issue. No one protests. There are no acts of civil disobedience. Rather, everyone chooses to be civil, obedient, even polite, and part of something better.

Then there’s, ‘No Smoking’. ‘Buckle Up for Safety’. These were public campaigns waged to benefit the public health. They eventually became accepted behavior. They saved lives. What worked? Shaming. Smokers and scofflaws were subtly excluded – isolated, embarrassed. We live in a society where the bad personal choices that each of us makes has a negative impact on society as a whole.

I am speaking to those folks who insist on venturing out in public without a mask. If we really are all in this together, then consider others; that it isn’t all about you. Yes, you have your rights. What we need from you is social courage – and empathy. Wearing a mask in public is one small thing that all of us can do for the public good.

We thank and praise our front line and infrastructure workers who keep society together by providing essential services. We call them heroes. Oprah Winfrey challenged this year’s graduates – and all of us – with one simple, riveting question.

“What is your essential service?”

A mask dramatically reduces your risk of infecting others by ninety-five percent. It also protects you from being infected by others. Will you please wear a mask? There’s a time and cause for civil disobedience. Not now, and certainly not for this.

Consider a mask as a true badge of honor. Wear it with pride of purpose; doing good. In the eyes of others – it makes you a hero.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. And, thank you for watching Franklin TV

Get a copy of the program guide from the Franklin TV page  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

or here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1itJnXDAWREOIIaww6behIolHLCRrVG9y/view?usp=sharing

Franklin TV and WFPR.fm studio

Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda - June 3, 2020

Wednesday, June 3, 2020 - 5:00 PM

Due to the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Board of Health 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: Join with Google Meet meet.google.com/mih-xiid-wrw
Join by phone+1 971-800-0597  Pin 199 069 905#

1) READING OF MINUTES 
- MAY 5, 2020 and MAY 21, 2020

2) OLD BUSINESS
A. None
Chairman opens the floor for any other old business

3) NEW BUSINESS
• Discussion of Local Beach Regulations
• Discussion of Mold and Legionnaires Guidance
• Recreational Camp Guidance
• Restaurant Safety Standards/COVID-19 Checklist Discussion
• Outdoor Restaurant Seating Discussion

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

5) ADJOURNMENT


https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/agenda-6-3-20_revised.pdf

Franklin Board Of Health - Agenda  - June 3, 2020

Franklin Department Spotlight: Historical Museum

Find out more about the Franklin Historical museum and how to participate in their current archive project!

"Rebecca Finnigan is the Archivist at the Franklin Historical Museum. She started her position in Franklin in 2019. After studying both Classics and math at Holy Cross, Rebecca discovered a love of history! Her coursework introduced her to researching manuscripts, archaeology, and brought her into the archives world.

She took the next step in her education to study archives management at Simmons College. Rebecca worked in multiple facilities as an intern, such as the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Nantucket Historical Association. She is now the Archivist for the Town of Franklin and loves what she is doing here!

Rebecca views her role as not only educating the community today, but to preserve information, facts and historical pieces for the future. When she first stared, the catalog of items and information at the Historical Museum was very backlogged. It was managed by a very dedicated, volunteer staff only, all of whom had other jobs and commitments.

Franklin has a very large collection of books, maps, historical pieces, etc... the volunteers could only do so much. Adding the position of Archivist to the Town of Franklin ensured that the history of our town will be preserved and cataloged for visitors to enjoy!"

Read more about the Historical Museum:
https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/franklin-historical-museum/home

Find all the Department Spotlights in one place:
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/department-spotlights

Franklin Department Spotlight: Historical Museum

VIRTUAL Veterans Coffee Social - June 3

June 3rd VIRTUAL Veterans Coffee Social

Join Us via Zoom!
We had a nice turnout for our first VIRTUAL Coffee Social in May.
Please join us again via Zoom on Wednesday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m.


Link to Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85828103252
Call in #: 1-929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 858 2810 3252 #


We hope to "see" you June 3!

VIRTUAL Veterans Coffee Social - June 3

"everyone be patient and respect that we are all doing the best we can"

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

"Many farmers markets across the MetroWest and Milford region are set to open in the coming weeks, but they will have a different look this year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The state Department of Public Health in late April released guidelines for farmers markets to safely open and operate during the crisis, including limiting the number of customers allowed to enter the market at one time, implementing social distancing measures, having customers and vendors wear masks and gloves at all times and minimizing cash transactions, among other measures.

...
The situation is similar in Franklin, which will open its market June 5.

“The market is going to be very different this year as it has historically been a great gathering space on the town common” said Cynthia Garboski, Franklin Farmers Market manager. “This year, the message will be to come in, but local, support your farmers and continue on with your day elsewhere.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200531/area-farmers-markets-will-open-with-different-look-this-year-amid-ongoing-coronavirus-pandemic

"everyone be patient and respect that we are all doing the best we can"

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Remote Meeting - June 3, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
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

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.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. April 22, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Annual Reappointments

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. La Cantina Winery - Farmer-Winery, Farmer’s Market License

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Franklin's State Legislative Delegation - Senate President Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy, Senator Rebecca Rausch
b. Community Preservation Act (CPA)
c. Annual Financial Audit Presentation

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 20-29: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-29 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
b. Resolution 20-30: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Fire Department (Motion to approve Resolution 20-30- Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. Coronavirus Update
b. FY21 Budget Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled

ADJOURN

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

Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/06-03-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

Agenda page for June 3
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/june-3-2020-town-council-agenda-remote-meeting

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Remote Meeting - June 3, 2020

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #3 - DPW - 6/2/20

Town Of Franklin

Finance Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:30 PM

Link to access meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89499275801
Call in Number: 1-929-205-6099 enter Meeting ID: 894 9927 5801 then press #


To view or download the FY21 Budget Message, Budget Proposal and all materials, please visit the Town’s Budget Website
 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials


AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
4. DPW Stormwater MS4 Permit Presentation
5. FY21 Budget Presentations: Dept. Tab

• DPW 422 Public Works
• Street Lights 424 Public Works
• Refuse Enterprise 434 Enterprise
• Sewer Enterprise 440 Enterprise
• Water Enterprise 450 Enterprise

6. Enterprise Fund Capital Program Update
7. Adjournment


Trust Fund Balances Update as of 4/30/20
● General Stabilization $ 6,137,832
● Recreation Field 455,151
● Open Space Acquisition 2,349,513
● Budget Stabilization 6,583
● Free Cash 834,296
● Fire Truck Stabilization 309,733
● OPEB 5,833,461
● Property Acquisition 269,958 
OPEB Obligation as of 6/30/19 (PAYGO): 68,554,870


FinComm agenda for June 2
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-06-02_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

Budget hearing #1 - 5/27/20

• audio = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-280-finance-committee-budget-hearing.html
• Notes = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/finance-committee-recap-budget-hearing.html

Budget hearing #2 - 5/28/20

• audio = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-279-finance-committee-budget-hearing.html
• Notes = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/finance-committee-recap-budget-hearing.html

screen grab of virtual session for Budget Hearing #1

 

Re-opening Guidelines for Restaurants and Hotels/lodging

As announced on Friday, Gov Baker has released the guidelines for restaurants and hotels for their review in preparation for opening in Phase 2. Note: the date for Phase 2 has not yet been determined. It could be as early as June 8 but in my reading between the lines is not likely. The data from June 1 to June 6 has been acknowledged to determine the date.

As residents and users of these services, perhaps more frequently to the restaurants than lodging, it would be good to be aware so we'll know what to expect as we venture forth.
 
Links to the guidelines are provided below.

Audio file for the Friday, May 29 COVID-19 update by Gov Baker - https://youtu.be/SYu8dLOpe0c




Restaurant Standards
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-restaurants

Restaurant Summary
https://www.mass.gov/doc/restaurants-protocol-summary/download

Restaurant Checklist
https://www.mass.gov/doc/restaurants-checklist/download

Lodging Standards
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-operators-of-lodgings#downloads-

Lodging Summary
https://www.mass.gov/doc/operators-of-lodgings-protocol-summary/download

Lodging Checklist
https://www.mass.gov/doc/operators-of-lodgings-checklist/download

The Curbside Cafe at Franklin Senior Center - June 1

The Curbside Cafe at Franklin Senior Center

Starting Monday, June 1st, the Curbside Cafe will be providing freshly prepared meals for curbside pickup, Monday through Friday, at the Franklin Senior Center from 11 am -1 pm, for elders, 60 years and older and disabled residents.  This program is funded by a grant from the Metrowest Health Foundation and generous support from the Franklin Council on Aging. 

Find out more details on our website here: https://www.franklinma.gov/curb

The Curbside Cafe at Franklin Senior Center - June 1

Everyone has a role to play in doing that, especially as the weather gets better”

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

"The dual public health and economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have consumed virtually all of Beacon Hill’s attention, shifting many of the Baker administration’s pre-pandemic priorities to the back burner or off the stove altogether, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said.

For more than two months, state officials have been focused almost exclusively on responding to the highly infectious virus that has killed nearly 6,500 Massachusetts residents and blunting the major economic fallout that has pushed unemployment to record levels.

During an interview with Boston Magazine Editor Chris Vogel for the “Power Talks” series, Polito said the greatest challenge she has experienced amid the disruption is the “relentless focus” on COVID-19 response.

“It is our 100% focus - there isn’t anything else,” the Shrewsbury resident said. “I have a pile on my desk of the things I was working on before this hit, and it’s just there, and it is so secondary to what we need to focus on. I think that that’s in a way important, but really, all the things that we dream and hope for for the commonwealth are just kind of on hold. And that’s hard.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200531/polito-puts-hopes-and-dreams-on-hold

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito spoke at FHS a year ago

 

"this is common ground that we found and we think the right way to go"

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

"Every registered voter in Massachusetts would receive an application by mid-July to request a ballot to vote by mail in the 2020 elections under a plan released Friday by House and Senate Democrats intended to create more options for voters to safely participate in the electoral process during the coronavirus pandemic.

The proposal for expanded voting-by-mail would be coupled with in-person early voting before both the primary and general elections in September and November, and traditional voting at a local polling station during both elections.

With the bill, state lawmakers are inserting themselves directly into a fiery national debate over the integrity of mail-in voting, with President Donald Trump at the center of the conflagration. Trump has suggested that mailboxes would be robbed and ballots would be forged or fraudulently signed as states moved to vote-by-mail, despite five states already using this system without trouble before the pandemic.

The co-chairs of the Election Laws Committee, Rep. John Lawn, D-Watertown, and Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, released a bill on Friday night, giving members of their committee 48 hours to review and vote on whether to recommend the bill to the full House and Senate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200530/lawmakers-offer-vast-expansion-of-voting-options

Quick summary:

• an application would be mailed to registered voters to choose ballot by mail
• early election time for both Sept primary and Nov election
• allow for only check in desk at poll to reduce poll worker staffing

voting booths and check in for Franklin voters at FHS

FPAC and THE BLACK BOX Update

Dear FPAC Community and patrons of THE BLACK BOX,

I hope you are well as we look forward to reopening and reconnecting. As many of you know and have experienced first-hand, the arts have the power to inspire us and to heal. To that end, FPAC is ready to welcome you as soon as it is safe to turn the lights back on at THE BLACK BOX, under the guidelines of the CDC and Mass.gov.

Below please find the status of shows from our 2019-2020 season; Ticket holders will be contacted separately by email:

• Legally Blonde The Musical - New Dates TBA!
• Electric Youth In Concert - Cancelled, See you next year!
• Broadway In Franklin Weekend - Cancelled, See you next year!
• Culinary Cabaret - Cancelled, See you next year!
• FPAC 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Fun Run - New date in September TBA!
• FPAC Golf Tournament - New date is October 5th!

Please consider donating your ticket purchase back to help support our company and venue. The outpouring of concern for FPAC and THE BLACK BOX has been heartening, and given the devastating financial impact on nonprofits like ours, we’ll be counting on you when it’s show time once again! Look for a schedule of outdoor concerts in July!

Please like Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook (if you haven’t already!), and turn in for the month of June, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 pm for “Great Performances…At Home” featuring FPAC favorite performers and special guests on Facebook Live. 

Since March FPAC has provided nightly entertainment and fun for audiences at home awaiting the opportunity to get out of our living rooms and back on stage.  
As you shop from home, please consider using AmazonSmile at https://smile.amazon.com/ and make FPAC your nonprofit of choice, thereby donating a small percentage of your purchase to FPAC. 

 Kindly join us on social media - like, follow, comment, share! Expanding our reach on social media is something we can accomplish from home with your help.

We can't wait to see your smiling faces soon!

Best,

Raye Lynn

Raye Lynn Mercer, Executive Director
Franklin Performing Arts Company
THE BLACK BOX
15 West Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038-0048
Email: rlmercer@fpaconline.com
Websites: www.fpaconline.com www.theblackboxonline.com

FPAC and THE BLACK BOX Update

FM #280 Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 - 5/28/20

FM #280 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 280 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Thursday, May 28, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the second of four budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Vice Chair Bill Dowd opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The Franklin Public School budget is the key item on the agenda. There is good discussion and Q&A to help understand the drivers of the school budget. The Finance Committee approves only the top level amount. All the details are the responsibility of the School Dept and School Committee.

The recording runs about one hour and twenty-four minutes (1:24) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of May 28.

audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDY3Z2g7




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

Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-28_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

Budget doc and Overview memo
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy21-town-administrator-budget-message

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

School budget summary
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf

Schools FY 21 recommended budget
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf


School Budget page 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).

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 #280 Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 - 5/28/20