Franklin to help restaurants with outdoor dining options

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

"Several MetroWest communities are trying to help restaurants make up for lost revenue during the coronavirus pandemic by making it easier, and faster, to serve food and drink.

One strategy is to quickly review and approve temporary licenses for outdoor dining. That’s expected to start Monday as part of the state’s second phase of the reopening of the economy. Regulations include having at least 6 feet between tables and a maximum of six people per table.

Framingham started a temporary license approval process for restaurants that want to offer outdoor dining. The Licensing Commission holds a public hearing every Monday to review applications already vetted by internal departments, like police and public health. The commission is expected to make decision within six business days after getting an application.

As of Friday afternoon, Framingham received 13 applications, according to Diane Willoughby, the city’s licensing coordinator."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200606/municipalities-seek-to-help-restaurants-with-outdoor-dining-options

While Franklin did not make mention in this article, readers may recall the guidance was shared here on Saturday. They may also recall Town Administrator Jamie Hellen was granted temporary permitting authority by the Town Council on Wednesday to enable a quicker turn around for license applications than the weekly process mentioned for Framingham. https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/webforms/temporary-outdoor-dining-guidance-and-application

Franklin to help restaurants with outdoor dining options

Franklin Police Chief Lynch presents on "Use of Force" to Town Council

"Chief Lynch speaks before the Town Council on 6/3/2020, and highlights our publicly available use of force data on our website, as well as recent events:" https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/use-force-data

YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/C5St596WRQE

Use of Force Policy doc  https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/files/2018-use-force-policy





Shared via Twitter: https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1268721049421611013?s=09

"Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin on June 8"

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

"Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the state will begin Phase 2 of its economic reopening plan on Monday, June 8.

Monday marks the earliest date Phase 2 could have started under the phased reopening plan.

“This terrible virus and the terrible toll that it takes will be with us until there are medical breakthroughs with respect to treatments and vaccines,” Baker said. “But thanks to your hard work and your sacrifices, we’re bringing the fight to the virus, we’re moving forward and Massachusetts is continuing to reopen.”

Baker made the announcement during a news conference Saturday afternoon, according to media partner WCVB. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200606/gov-baker-says-phase-2-in-massachusetts-will-begin-monday

Reopening plan  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts

Phased Plan  https://www.mass.gov/doc/reopening-massachusetts-may-18-2020/download

Gov Baker COVID-19 Video file for Saturday, June 6, 2020  = https://youtu.be/5lFu234RJ8o

phtoto of the TV broadcast on Saturday

Empty bowls fund raising goes virtual June 8

On Monday EB begins a virtual "Week of Giving" for the Franklin Food Pantry with an online auction & any direct donation receives a handmade bowl. Let's do this! Below is a raku fired piece made by AP3D! @FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan #emptybowls5 #raku #ap3d #fhsclaystudio pic.twitter.com/pEIzcx86hl

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) June 6, 2020

Here's Megan Torrey, recent graduate of FHS & Empty Bowls Community Advisor talking about the upcoming EB virtual "Week of Giving" Mon, June 8th - Fri, June 12th. @FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan @FranklinHS @FHSPantherbook #emptybowls5 pic.twitter.com/DsR2z8aL9q

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) June 6, 2020

Shared via Twitter: (1)  https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1269314932300042240?s=09

(2) https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1269320932503494656

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

Empty bowls fund raising goes virtual

“the overall unemployment rate would have been about 3 percentage points higher than reported"

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

“I do think it’s a little bit of a fragile recovery at this point,” Modestino said. “We are by no means out of the woods, but I think it’s an encouraging start and really the next two, three, four months will tell us where we are.”

Nakosteen noted that the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its report that household surveyors, whose data is used to calculate the unemployment rate, misclassified “a large number” of furloughed workers as employed but absent from work rather than unemployed on temporary layoff as they were instructed.

The bureau’s standard practice is not to change survey data, but if those workers had been classified properly, “the overall unemployment rate would have been about 3 percentage points higher than reported (on a not seasonally adjusted basis),” Friday’s report said.

Like Modestino, Nakosteen urged patience until monthly figures for June and July are available and can indicate if the slight upswing is a trend that will continue or part of an uneven recovery.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200606/economists-express-caution-over-surprising-jobs-report

FTC Consumer Alert: Donating in difficult times

Donating in difficult times by Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC These days, there are just so many reasons why people want to do to something to help, to make a difference, to take action. In addition to volunteering or putting their feet to the pavement, lots of people are putting their hands in their wallets to try to make an impact.  Once again, though, scammers will be there. As ever, they follow the headlines and pop up wherever there's money to be made. So, before you make a donation to support any cause, here are a few things to think about and do. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/06/donating-difficult-times?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin, MA: Temporary Outdoor Dining Guidance and Application

In anticipation of Governor Baker's announcement to allow outdoor dining in the State, the Town of Franklin has compiled a list of temporary guidance and application process information for our local establishments. 

Please find it here, https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/webforms/temporary-outdoor-dining-guidance-and-application

We will continue to update the community on reopening procedures and guidelines as information becomes available. You can visit the Reopening Resources portal on our website here https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/reopening-resources

 

Franklin, MA: Temporary Outdoor Dining Guidance and Application

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #4 6/04/20 (audio)

FM #288 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 288 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the fourth and final budget hearing for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Chair Micheal Dufour 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 departmental budgets for Human Services, Culture and Recreation, along with that of General Government categories are reviewed.

The budget proposal is voted on to recommend for the Town Council. Capital Program Adjustments along with Municipal Borrowing Authorization are reviewed and voted upon

The recording runs about two hours (2:00) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of June 4.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrVqr9B7



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

Agenda document
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/franklin-ma-finance-committee-budget.html

Additional info
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/fincomm_additional_info_updated.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) 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"

the capital items as discussed for the Municipal Borrowing Authorization

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #3 6/02/20 (audio)

FM #287 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 287 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

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

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

This is an all DPW night. The enterprise funds for Water, Sewer, Trash/Recycling are reviewed as well as the proposal for a stormwater utility fee.

The recording runs about one hour and fifty minutes (1:50) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of June 2.  

Audio file: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyNpjYJ7




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

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

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) 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"

the Triadic approach to water management

FHS "Keeping Music Alive" #12

Congratulations to the class of 2020! We are all sorry that your year ended this way, but I am looking forward to seeing you all at the parade today. Today's FHS Music Alive is dedicated to you all.

We will be featuring John Fitzhenry, 8th grader from Horace Mann Middle School Chorus, who will be singing the National Anthem. I have also included a recording of the FHS Band, Orchestra and Chorus performing "America the Beautiful" at the 2019 graduation.

We are here with you to celebrate and we wish you all the best! We will miss you!

Love,
Mrs. Plouffe

• John Fitzhenry - National Anthem - 8th Grade Horace Mann Middle School Chorus

https://assets.adobe.com/public/21b0361d-ad28-4471-5c88-77006f34a936

• FHS Band, Orchestra and Chorus = America the Beautiful

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t-H18i97C5coMxHXcCy2U7GLYWn9f20L/view

Confronting the Challenges of Covid-19

"This Milford TV programming event, Confronting the Challenges of COVID-19 at Milford Regional Medical Center: Honoring Our Healthcare Heroes, will include a diverse cast of over twenty guests, each one presenting his or her own experience in helping to manage the pandemic in the greater Milford community and sharing personal stories of the challenges entailed in offering the best possible care for patients and their families coping with COVID-19.

This special program, created as a tribute to our community’s healthcare professionals and others working on the front lines, will air live on Tuesday, June 9 beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Milford TV (Comcast 8 and Verizon 38), MyFM 101.3, and other community access channels including Bellingham, Douglas, Franklin, Hopedale, Hopkinton, and Norfolk.

State Representatives Brian W. Murray and Jeffrey N. Roy will be your co-hosts. As Rep. Roy stated, “Extraordinary moments call for extraordinary measures, and our healthcare heroes at Milford Regional have answered the call. I’m thrilled to be a part of the effort to honor those who have stepped up, confronted the challenge, and saved lives in this process.”

Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 6 PM

Follow the Facebook event for updates
https://www.facebook.com/events/2973255016091817/

“We saw a lot of happy tears out there”

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

"Waving from a truck through town wasn’t how Chorrkin Chin envisioned celebrating his high school graduation, but it was also one car ride he’ll ever forget.

“It was crazy – I don’t even know where to start,” said Chin, vice president of the Franklin High School Class of 2020 after the high school’s first-ever car parade graduation on Friday afternoon. Wearing his blue gown with a gold graduation stole and honor cords, the 18-year-old graduate decked out his ride with silver streamers and banners for the ceremony. He saw many teachers along the 3-4 mile route, which included circling the Town Common then ending up at the high school where graduates received their diplomas from Principal Paul Peri and roaring cheers from teachers and the administration.

He even saw his kindergarten teacher.

“There was so much support for us in this community – it’s unbelievable,” he said. “Definitely one of the best times (of my life that) I’ve ever had.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200606/over-400-franklin-high-school-seniors-graduate-in-townwide-car-parade

The graduates received their diplomas over Mon-Tue-Wed as the walk across the stage was recorded and then broadcast on Friday night. Many families took the opportunity to record an audio shout-out their the class and their individual graduate. Those shout-outs were played on the wfpr.fm broadcast of the parade along with a playlist of music provided by the senior class. The recorded shout-outs will be available in a podcast in the next couple of days.

The YouTube replay of the diplomas and the graduation speeches:

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Budget SubCommittee 6/05/20 (audio)

FM #289 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 289 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget SubCommittee meeting held on Friday, June 5, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

School Superintendent Sara Ahern and Subcommittee Chair Ann Bergen open the meeting (late due to some technical difficulties). Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

There is audio distortion as a number of folks who connected did not properly mute their connection. There were about 40 or so participants initially and then another 20 or so joined the meeting so the muting advice needed to be re-done. Eventually the meeting ‘sounded’ good.

The recording runs just under an hour (58 mins) , so let’s listen to the budget SubCommittee meeting of June 5.  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZDDzsw7





--------------
SubCommittee agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/school-committee-budget-sub-committee.html

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) 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"

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Budget SubCommittee 6/05/20 (audio)

MBTA: Commuter Rail - shuttles service to Walpole; Traffic alert: Unions St closed at crossing

#1 - Walpole – Forge Park/495 - June 6-7, weekend

Shuttle buses replace trains between Walpole and Forge Park/495 to allow for work to continue on the Franklin Line Double Track project.

Learn more about the Franklin Line Double Track project
https://www.mbta.com//projects/franklin-line-double-track?

See all Franklin Line service changes  https://www.mbta.com//diversions/franklin-line?

#2 - Union St closed at the railroad crossing

The track section crossing Union St will be replaced this weekend. Union St will be closed with detours marked

MBTA: Commuter Rail - shuttles service to Walpole

track section prepared to be replace at the Union St crossing

In the News: "For area police departments, there’s never enough training"

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

“It’s like an insurance policy,” said Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch, whose department belongs to the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, which includes nearly 50 cities and towns.

Lynch acknowledged the average police officer lacks full training in areas like crowd control, formation and keeping cool under pressure.

“You try to keep as cool as you can,” he said. “It’s very difficult.”

To achieve a level of calm, Lynch said his officers participate in training exercises that simulate interaction with what Lynch called “agitators.” Franklin officers are also trained in use-of-force and de-escalation tactics, although the chief acknowledged that training is unlike real situations."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200605/for-area-police-departments-theres-never-enough-training

Chief Lynch talked about training and the use of force policy at the Town Council meeting June 3
Policy page and data as referenced https://franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/use-force-data

screen capture of Chief Lynch during the budget hearing on May 27