Thursday, October 22, 2020

FHS golf, and the girls and boys soccer teams all post wins vs Taunton

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Wednesday, Oct 21.

Boys Soccer = Taunton, 1 @ Franklin, 2 – Final

– Franklin scored a pair of first quarter goals a minute apart and held on the rest of the way to earn two points at home over visiting Taunton. Ben Moccia opened the scoring for the Panthers, finishing off a feed from Charlie Amante for a 1-0 advantage. Just a minute later, Ryan Witt set up Ethan Cain, who scored for the third straight game, for a 2-0 lead. Taunton sophomore Riley Rebello cut the deficit in half with an unassisted goal in the second quarter.

Girls Soccer = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

– Clare Bowen’s hat trick keeps the Panthers rolling along, having won all six of their games so far this season and extending their lead to six points in division standings (second-place KP plays on Thursday). Jamie Tanner and Riley Fitzpatrick also scored for Franklin. Izzy Arnold had a pair of assists, while Norah Anderson, Erin Quaile, and Tanner each had one helper apiece.

Golf = Taunton, 194 @ Franklin, 149 – Final

– Franklin earned its eighth straight win to start the season behind an impressive two-under par round of 33 from senior Jack Paterson. Sean Connelly added a 38 in the win while both Nolan Norton and Pat Dolan carded rounds of 39. Spencer Andrews was Taunton’s top performer, coming in with a team-low round of 44.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-21-20/

FHS golf, and the girls and boys soccer teams all post wins vs Taunton

In the News: another one month budget extention for FY 2021

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday filed a new temporary budget to keep state government running through the end of November, a plan that landed as lawmakers were reviewing his revised $45.5 billion annual spending plan.

The $5.4 billion bill would be the state’s third interim budget for the fiscal year that started in July, and its passage will give lawmakers a few more weeks to put together a budget for the remainder of fiscal 2021.

The governor has said he wants the House and Senate to return a finished budget to him by Thanksgiving."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201021/baker-files-interim-budget-to-cover-spending-through-november?rssfeed=true

"Without revealing how the Legislature would respond to the revised annual spending plan Gov. Charlie Baker unveiled last week, Senate President Karen Spilka on Wednesday praised Beacon Hill’s decision to “hit pause” on the state budget process.

Delaying negotiations about the fiscal 2021 state budget from the usual springtime schedule, she said, allowed legislative leaders and the Baker administration to get a clearer sense of how the pandemic will impact the state’s financial outlook before deciding on how to close any shortfall.

The delay has also meant Massachusetts is one of the last states without a budget so deep into the fiscal year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201021/budgets-very-late-but-spilka-sees-wisdom-in-waiting?rssfeed=true

CommonWealth Magazine: "Salem BOOting visitors out for Halloween"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"SALEM MAYOR Kim Driscoll and Gov. Charlie Baker urged the public to stay away from the city until Halloween is over to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and announced a series of weekend measures to discourage visitors, including the shuttering of parking garages, 8 p.m. closings of restaurants and stores, and the shutdown of the municipality’s commuter rail stop.

“This is not the year to come to Salem,” said Driscoll who, even with the unprecedented crowd control measures, insisted “Salem will not be a ghost town on Halloween.”

Baker said in the past 50,000 to 60,000 people have shown up in Salem the weekend before Halloween and Halloween weekend. “The mall area is literally shoulder to shoulder,” he said."

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/salem-booting-visitors-out-for-halloween/

Gov Baker's press conference in Salem on Wednesday: https://youtu.be/qQTiO2Kc8Z4

Scams that start on social media

Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

Scams that start on social media

by Bridget Small, Division of Consumer & Business Education

Scammers are hiding out on social media, using ads and offers to market their scams, according to people's reports to the FTC and a new Data Spotlight. In the first six months of 2020, people reported losing a record high of almost $117 million to scams that started on social media.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/10/scams-start-social-media?utm_source=govdelivery

This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Oct 21, 2020

AGENDA

1) OLD BUSINESS
2) NEW BUSINESS

Discussion of the opening of Express Enrichment
Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

3) CITIZENS COMMENTARY
4) ADJOURNMENT

The full agenda and connection info this meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-10-21-20.pdf

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Oct 21, 2020

FM #366 Franklin Lions to hold "Trunk Or Treat" - October 24, 2020 (audio)

FM #366 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 366 in the series.

This shares my conversation with the organizers of the Reverse Trunk or Treat scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2020. The conversation was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

In the conversation, I talked with Kristine Shanahan, President of the Franklin Lions, and Lions member Heather Sansoucy.

Links to the event page and contact info for businesses to sign up are in the show notes. The conversation runs about 7 minutes.

Audio link = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrDCdGjK

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Event page https://www.facebook.com/events/337652293995243

Email option for info and to register: franklinmalions@gmail.com

Facebook page for Franklin Lions https://www.facebook.com/franklinmalions

Franklin Lions web page https://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/franklinma/index.php

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

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 Lions to hold "Trunk Or Treat" - October 24, 2020

FHS golf, field hockey and both boys and girls cross country teams top Taunton

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Tuesday, Oct 20.

Field Hockey = Taunton, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final

– Franklin celebrated Senior Night with a shutout win over visiting Taunton. Holding a 1-0 lead through two quarters of play, the Panthers scored twice in a one-minute span in the third quarter to pull away from the Tigers. Kaitlyn Carney scored an unassisted goal in the second quarter and then tacked on a big insurance goal in the third quarter. Stephanie Bell (from Sara Carney) scored just over eight minutes into the third to make it 2-0. Neilee Hess made eight saves in net for the shutout.

Golf = Franklin, 161 @ Taunton, 198 – Final

– Franklin went on the road and picked up a win over Taunton at Segregansett Country Club. Jack Paterson and Nolan Norton led the way for the Panthers, each carding a low-round of 39. Sean Connelly added a 41 and CJ Steel chipped in with a 42 for Franklin. Spencer Andrews had a team-low round of 44 for the Tigers.

via Twitter to get correct top 2 scores: https://twitter.com/FHSGolfTeam/status/1318686659488133120

Boys Cross Country = Franklin, 27 @ Taunton, 28 – Final

– Franklin had five of the top nine runners, edging out a one-point win over host Taunton. Nicholas Calitri was the race’s winner, clocking in with a first-place time of 16:55. Declan Walmsley secured key points for the Panthers with a fourth-place finish (17:29). Griffin Sieczkiewicz (6th – 17:37), Josh Anderson (7th – 17:38), and Clancy Golden (9th – 18:07) rounded out Franklin’s scoring.

Girls Cross Country = Franklin, 19 @ Taunton, 42 – Final

– Franklin took the top three spots on its way to a win on the road at Taunton. Senior Angelina Perez crossed the finish line at 21:10 to win the race while freshman Angelina Batla was right behind (21:13) to take second overall. Senior Sydney Hawkins took third place for the Panthers (21:26). Taunton senior Lily Valcovic (21:45) was the top runner for the Tigers, taking fourth overall, while eighth grader Colby Dunham (22:04) was fifth overall.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-10-20-20/

FHS golf, field hockey, and both boys and girls cross country teams top Taunton

FM #367 - EDC Listening Session 2 - 10/19/20 (audio)

FM #367 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 367 in the series.

This shares the Economic Development Committee Business Listening Session #2 that was held on Monday, October 19, 2020.

The meeting started about 30 minutes late with no explanation as to why. There was an expression of ‘thanks for your patience.’ Two representatives of the Franklin legislative delegation (from the office of Senator Splika and Senator Rausch) were on and left before the meeting was opened.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants in the Council Chambers the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda, future schedule for the listening sessions, and my notes are in the show notes. The recording runs just over an hour and fifty three minutes (~1:53) Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZrzckZK

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Meeting agenda https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/restaurants-hotels-hospitality-business.html

Future schedule of listening sessions
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/economic-developemnt-committee-quick.html

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

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

How can you help?

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

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

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

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

I hope you enjoy!
------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #367 - EDC Listening Session 2 - 10/19/20 (audio)

Town of Franklin, MA: status moves to Level 3- Critical Drought

Franklin is included in the updated Level 3- Critical Drought region of Massachusetts.

"Due to five months of below normal rainfall, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides today declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought in the Southeast Region of the Commonwealth. The other six regions across the state — the Western, Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Cape Cod, and Islands regions— remain at a Level 2 – Significant Drought, unchanged from last month’s declaration. Responding to increasingly severe drought conditions in some of the Commonwealth’s river basins, Secretary Theoharides also declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought in the Charles River and Millers River watersheds."

Find the press release and additional information here https://t.co/ePS4ROsLcx

Shared from Twitter:

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1318547305205800965

Available on Town of Franklin page:

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-reaches-level-3-critical-drought-status

Town of Franklin, MA: status moves to Level 3- Critical Drought

"None of the three scenarios developed by MassDOT expect full crowds to return to public transit for at least several years"

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

"The morning rush hour on Massachusetts highways is unlikely to return to pre-COVID crowds until at least 2024, and even more drivers may not return to the fray if economic recovery drags or if working from home remains common, according to new Department of Transportation projections.

That might come as good news to commuters who are enjoying this pandemic-inflicted stretch with fewer cars on the road, but it’s bad news for the MBTA, which attracts a significant chunk of its riders by offering an alternative to grinding congestion.

The new multi-year traffic and ridership models MassDOT developed and presented Monday prompted the MBTA to downgrade its already-strained financial outlook, placing even more pressure on decision-makers as they prepare to implement a package of service cuts almost guaranteed to be unpopular.

The new models, built using Moody’s Analytics economic forecasts, Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys and travel data, outline three potential scenarios for transportation trends in Massachusetts: one in which public behaviors gradually return to pre-COVID conditions, another in which telecommuting remains common even as more businesses resume physical operations, and a third in which the pandemic’s economic damage lingers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201020/morning-rush-hour-wont-return-to-pre-covid-levels-until-at-least-2024-that-is-bad-news-for-mbta?rssfeed=true

The three scenarios presentation doc

https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-10/2020-10-19-fmcb-14-economic-scenario-planning-accessible.pdf

"None of the three scenarios developed by MassDOT expect full crowds to return to public transit for at least several years"

Commonwealth Magazine: T ridership, voc ed admissions, cannabis home delivery

From CommonWealth Magazine we share articles of interest for Franklin:

"T revising ridership projections downward"

"MBTA OFFICIALS are revising downward their ridership and revenue projections based on scenario planning that envisions telecommuting becoming “standard practice for the foreseeable future.”

State transportations officials on Monday unveiled three ridership scenarios, each with a gradual increase in ridership but different expectations about telecommuting – one with only a slight increase in telecommuting, a second with a higher level of telecommuting, and a third with some travel and business restrictions remaining in place and telecommuting becoming standard practice.

Under all three scenarios, ridership will be lower than forecasted earlier this year. The T had projected fare revenues to reach 60 percent of pre-COVID levels by mid-year 2021. Now that level will not be reached until the beginning of 2022 under the most optimistic scenario with relatively little telecommuting. Under the scenario envisioning telecommuting become standard practice, fare revenue won’t reach 60 percent of pre-COVID levels for the foreseeable future. The high point would be 55 percent in June 2022."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/t-revising-downward-ridership-projections/

"Coalition to press state ed leaders on vocational school admissions"

"A COALITION OF groups pushing for changes to the admissions policies at Massachusetts vocational technical high schools is sounding the alarm on an issue that got sidetracked by the pandemic, calling on state officials to take action on reforms that the organizations say are an urgent matter of social justice and education equity.

Admission procedures at the state’s 37 vocational high schools have become a contentious issue, with municipal leaders and other advocates calling for changes in state regulations that allow the schools to use selective entry standards to enroll students. They say vocational schools, which once provided an alternate pathway for high school students more oriented toward hands-on trades than four-year college, have become the preferred route for higher-achieving college-bound students in some communities. As a result, they say, the schools’ competitive admission systems have locked out lots of minority students, English language learners, and those from lower-income households — the very groups that might benefit the most from a voc-tech education that can put students on track for decent-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/coalition-plans-to-press-state-ed-leaders-on-voc-school-admissions/

"Marijuana regulators agree to license home delivery"

DESPITE CONCERNS BY marijuana shops, municipal officials, and some lawmakers, Massachusetts marijuana regulators voted Tuesday to go ahead with licensing marijuana delivery companies. But the Cannabis Control Commission did make some changes to limit the size of any one delivery company and avoid market domination.

“I feel very comfortable we can roll this out fairly and safely and equitably,” said Cannabis Control Commission chairman Steven Hoffman.

While the commission must still take a final vote later this month, Cannabis Control Commission executive director Shawn Collins said applications could be available in the first quarter of 2021.

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/marijuana/marijuana-regulators-agree-to-license-home-delivery/

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Economic Development Committee: Quick recap of the Business Listening Session 2 - Oct 19, 2020

Quick recap:

The meeting started about 30 minutes late with no explanation as to why.
There was an expression of ‘thanks for your patience.’
Two representatives of the Franklin legislative delegation (from the offices’ of Senator Splika and Senator Rausch) were present early in the pre-meeting and actual meeting
Owner/operators of Hampton Inn, 67 Degrees Brewing Co and Rhapsody Cafe were present to share their stories of struggle to survive

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online #edcls1019
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edcls1019&src=typeahead_click

Other photos taken during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one folder https://photos.app.goo.gl/hgVYYxKJC6ShomA8A

Real time reporting underway for the EDC listening session #edcls1019 Hampton open and underutilized, struggling to make it
#edcls1019 what can we do to help? #thinkFranklinFirst one thing. Wedding market none existing, sports market little to nothing, Dean closed so no help there... Travel is down, along with excess capacity, a problem...
Running with 9 employee on desk and a couple of house keepers, limited grab and go, could use the outdoor pool during the summer, others with indoor pools were closed. #edcls1019 extended stay have done better than hotels in this time, due to facilities
#edcls1019 discussion on hotel tax is a local option, would require legislation to defer. (domino effects to that) (a deviation to this "listening session" by attempting to resolve the issue at hand)
Suggestion from Lisa/FDP, maybe the ultimate 'staycation' space and coordinate with local restaurants for take out, #edcls1019 FDP working with local papers to get creative for holidays, etc.
Jack Lank of Chamber touts their Facebook page to 'Rally round the restaurants' https://facebook.com/United-Regionals-Rally-round-the-Restaurants-109228560731634/ #edcls1019 also the chamber has a back to business page same concept wider business spread
https://facebook.com/United-Regionals-Back-to-Business-106228444403838/ the back to business link #edcls1019 "scare the dark out of the closet"
Chamber does verify info before posting, did see 24K visitors to social media pages in last several weeks to get info #edcls1019 Taste of the region would have been 35th year
67 Degrees had just opened before the super bowl, expedited their growth plan to survive, canning had not been in the plan initially. #edcls1019 initially opened with chips/hummus was good, then shifting to real food becomes a challenge, i.e. food trucks restricted
Now looking to see what the indoor capacity req would be; currently only have 39, if 25 req that's a challenge. #edcls1019 need servesafe certified, in combo with a caterer? Looking for clarification. Hotels here don't have their own kitchen, King St has been wonderful
#edcls1019 Bissanti knows of caterers who would stay on site; caterer business is not booming right now. Motion on Town Council agenda to help with food trucks for winter time via the farm license. Local restaurants have been good help but aren't staffed for dual ops
Food truck serves a different market maybe lunch crowd but different from a dinner at a restaurant. #edcls1019 servesafe certified is a MA requirement. Rhapsody owner present, kinda holding their own doing all they can to stay afloat
Outside seating will go away with weather, surviving barely. Micro grant application for business with less than 5 employee, still accepting apps. Eligible up to 10K. A lot of work for an admin to do, extra effort, working round the clock #edcls1019 worth effort or waste of time
Rep Roy these conversations are happening every day trying to figure ways to help #edcls1019 resources are available for help, if you have trouble navigating let me know. Will see what options are for deferral
Partnership meeting Thursday Nov 5, don't have to be a partner to attend, working on holiday happening ideas, looking to advocate Franklin first. Lighting up Franklin, little money required to get lights on, for downtown and beyond, until March 1 #edcls1019
Oops, I guess I never signed off formally last night. Hope you all realized that! The meeting was interesting starting 30 minutes, late and all.. catch you next time #edcls1019

Quick recap of the Business Listening Session 2 - Oct 19, 2020

Franklin Public Schools: Reopening Status - October 20, 2020

October 20, 2020

Dear Franklin Community,

It has been delightful to welcome students in grades 2, 3, and 6 as part of cohort A yesterday and today. We also look forward to welcoming these grades for cohort B on Thursday, and eagerly anticipate hybrid students in grades 4-5 and 7-8 next week. We also look forward to welcoming students back to Franklin High School!

Designation of Yellow Status and Implications for a Red Designation

Many families are keeping informed of health data related to COVID-19. We are writing to share additional information related to how we follow health data for decision-making.

Last week, Franklin was designated as a “yellow” community in the weekly Department of Public Health health report; we are continuing with our plans to transition into a hybrid learning model while continuing to monitor health metrics on a weekly basis. DESE guides us that hybrid learning would be the expected model with a yellow designation, or remote if there were to be extenuating circumstances. Franklin’s yellow status results from the number of average daily positive cases per 100,000, which is currently 5.5 At this level, DESE guidance points us towards continuing with our transition to hybrid.

We monitor the weekly health report (published at 6 PM on Wednesdays) and take the information into consideration when making decisions among our instructional models. DESE advises us to use three weeks worth of data in our review so that we can analyze trends. Franklin recently went to a yellow designation, after having been green for the past several weeks. We are also guided to consider the demographic circumstances around which positive cases are being reported. A cluster of cases is sometimes the cause for a change in shading.

Some families have asked about our plans should Franklin move to a red status.

A red status would involve having more than 8 average daily cases per 100,000. We would continue to look at trends in data over successive weeks. We would also consider the demographic circumstances. Depending on the individuals involved and whether or not there is a cluster of cases, one option would be to continue to support hybrid instruction if, for example, the spread was contained within a certain population and does not involve schools. This is being seen in neighboring communities where they are remaining hybrid although they have been designated at the red level. If Franklin ended up with a red designation, depending on the specific details, another alternative might be to return to remote for most students, but keep in-person learning continuing for specialized programs. Alternatively, we might pivot to remote learning for all.

Decisions are made thoughtfully, based on multiple data points, in collaboration with the Health Department in Franklin.

Health and Safety Practices

This is a good time to remind everyone of our universal health and safety practices including wearing a mask, washing hands or using hand sanitizer, and maintaining physical distancing of at least 6 feet. We are vigilant about following these in our schools and encourage good health and safety practices across the community.

Families are reminded that they should contact their child’s school nurse in the event that their child tests positive for COVID-19. By doing so, we will be able to appropriately support the child and family, conduct contact tracing within the school setting, and add extra cleaning/disinfecting to the necessary school spaces.

We hope this information provides reinforcement and additional detail surrounding our decision-making among instructional models.

Sincerely,

Franklin Public Schools

Please e-mail reopening@franklinps.net with questions. https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/home

Franklin Public Schools: Reopening Status - October 20, 2020

Apply Now! Franklin Cultural Council grant applications available, due Nov 16

View this email in your browser

Apply now!

The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) has set a November 16th deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community. This funding encourages individuals, groups and not-for-profit organizations to bring to the community unique programming that centers around the arts, humanities, history or interpretive sciences for children, adults or intergenerational groups.

While the focus of the proposals should remain similar to past years—community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs—this year the FCC is encouraging new applicants to apply. All grant applications are due by Monday, November 16th. Proposals that are past the deadline will not be considered. Log on to https://www.mass-culture.org/Franklin for grant guidelines and to apply.

The Franklin Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.