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Tuesday, November 24, 2020
FTC Consumer Alert: Holiday shopping season 2020
Staying Safe This Thanksgiving during COVID-19
"As the coronavirus pandemic intensifies, is there any safe way to celebrate Thanksgiving? We asked four experts to tell us about their plans and the science that shaped them."Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
MBTA: Thursday - Commuter Rail notice for Thanksgiving
The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, 11/26. Regular weekday train service will resume on Friday, 11/27.
On the Lowell and Franklin Lines, Sunday train service without disruptions will run on 11/26. Weekend bus shuttles will resume on both lines on Saturday 11/28.
On the Rockport Line, bus shuttles will continue to operate between West Gloucester and Rockport.
Last Updated: Nov 23 2020 10:02 AM
https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/timetable
MBTA: Thursday - Commuter Rail notice for Thanksgiving
Monday, November 23, 2020
FM #395 Town Council - Budget SubComm Meeting- 11/18/20 (audio)
FM #395 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 395 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Town Council Budget Subcommittee meeting held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Budget Subcommittee and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Quick recap:
- "incredibly good news" on FY 2021 budget compared to what had been feared in June 2020
- Added back $75K to both Town Clerk and Recreation budgets based upon requirements and changes due to the pandemic
- Adjusted new growth number back upwards and then recommended to set aside $850K in the Budget Stabilization account. This had been emptied by withdrawals to balance the recent budgets
The full show notes also include my notes taken via Twitter during the meeting as well as the agenda and associated budget documents released for this meeting.
The meeting runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWHd5tyS
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Budget Subcommittee agenda and supporting documents: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf
Town of Franklin Budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
My meeting notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/town-council-budget-subcommittee.html
Photos captured during the meeting and shared with the Twitter thread can be found online https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ksn5Q4qwUrcJ3Eq36
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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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"
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| sheet showing the two additions of $75 and the set aside of $850K |
FM #394 Finance Committee Mtg - 11/17/20 (audio)
FM #394 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 394 in the series.
This session shares the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Quick Recap:
- The Finance Committee gets an update on the Beaver St interceptor, effectively a shorter and concise review of what the Town Council received at their Oct 21, 2020 meeting.
- The finance options are expected to be ready in January 2021. It is likely that the sewer rate payers will absorb the cost of the project as the sewer fee is user based. A better understanding of how much will be revealed in January.
- The balance of the meeting was discussion on topics for future meetings.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and my notes.
The meeting runs about 70 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting for Nov 17, 2020. audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HNC3mSdS
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The Finance Committee posted agenda including the interceptor project presentation document https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda_14.html
My notes of the meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/finance-committee-meeting-recap-nov-17.html
The Oct 21, 2020 Town Council meeting segment with the Beaver St interceptor presentation and discussion https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-372-town-council-mtg-102120-part-2.html
Photos of the meeting shared via Twitter can be found in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fHPczB9FKC5P67U16
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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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"
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| key graphic depicts the sewer gravity flow along with the depth of the access points |
Reminder: Candidate Night - Nov 23 - 7:00 PM
The
four candidates for the open Town Council seat will meet in a live
broadcast for a candidates night moderated by former police chief Larry
Benedetto.
The candidates (ballot order)
- Alan R. Earls
- Cobi Frongillo
- Gregory R. Chiklis
- KP Sompally
- Three options for watching the candidates night - Monday, Nov 23 - 7:00 PM This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29 #SECN1123 1/3
- Three options for watching the candidates night - Monday, Nov 23 - 7:00 PM = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #SECN1123 2/3
- Three options for watching/participating in the candidates night - Monday, Nov 23 - 7:00 PM = Connect via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83643671854 ) #SECN1123 3/3
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| Reminder: Candidate Night - Nov 23 - 7:00 PM |
"Healing Power of Gratitude Challenge”
Dear Residents of Franklin,
This week many will be away from family and friends, unable to join together for the holidays. This week, let's spread gratitude & thanks and help each other remember the good!
Recently, Russell M. Nelson, global faith leader, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a message of hope and healing while calling upon the world to increase prayer and gratitude.
I am excited to share his brief message with you, and ask that as a member of the Franklin community, you consider taking part in his "Healing Power of Gratitude Challenge".
The challenge from Nelson began with, "I invite you—just for the next seven days—to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for, and why you are grateful. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace. Use the #GiveThanks
This week many will be away from family and friends, unable to join together for the holidays. This week, let's spread gratitude & thanks and help each other remember the good!
Recently, Russell M. Nelson, global faith leader, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a message of hope and healing while calling upon the world to increase prayer and gratitude.
I am excited to share his brief message with you, and ask that as a member of the Franklin community, you consider taking part in his "Healing Power of Gratitude Challenge".
The challenge from Nelson began with, "I invite you—just for the next seven days—to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for, and why you are grateful. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace. Use the #GiveThanks
The next part of the challenge encouraged those of faith to offer daily prayers of gratitude.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlcILxGmVrI
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/videos/2150464655087765
The challenge has 2 parts.
For 7-days during November 21, 2020 through the 28:
Turn your social media page into a gratitude journal using #GiveThanks. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are grateful for, or why you are grateful. Share experiences, remembrances, and people you are grateful for. At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace. Use the #GiveThanks.Say daily prayers of gratitude.
I will be participating in the #GiveThanks campaign and sincerely hope you will consider joining with me to share a message of hope and gratitude with others in our community.
With appreciation,
Alisa Hansen
Inside the "district comprehensive review"
Ok, so my last name is Sherlock, and with a title like "The dog that didn't bark in Brockton", I'll admit that the article caught my eye.
That it was also about the DESE district review process got to me read it.
That it steps through a serious argument that highlights the dysfunction among the various agencies of MA government responsible for "education", makes this a worthy read.
"So it was that I was interested to read an article that the Brockton Public Schools District Review Report was out (three weeks ago: I am behind!) from the Department's pre-pandemic visit in early March.
Brockton, of course, is the fourth largest school district in Massachusetts and home of the plaintiffs of both the McDuffy and the Hancock legal decisions. When it comes to gaps in school funding, thus, Brockton is a kind of ground zero. Brockton also was the nationally lauded district for closing the achievement gap without becoming a "drill and kill" sort of school system. What happens when those two things are true of the same system, decades or so on?"
Continue reading Tracy's article online
Franklin is not listed as having a recent DESE review published (Franklin County is but we all know that is not us). https://www.doe.mass.edu/accountability/district-review/
I do have in the archives a "Coordinated Program Review" being announced in Oct 2015. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/10/department-of-education-review-to-be.html
I also have in the archives note of a DESE visit in Dec 2009 for a 'fiscal review' https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/05/fm-68-week-ending-51610.html and here https://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/01/fm-54-week-ending-11710.html
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| From the 2018 "Tale of Four Cities" presentation You are reading correctly that it is a 414 teacher gap. |
Register O’Donnell Promotes Registry’s Social Media
Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell today reiterated the importance he places on the Registry’s use of social media platforms to communicate directly with the citizens of Norfolk County.
“At the Registry of Deeds,” noted O’Donnell, “we put a priority on communicating with Registry users. Just because our doors close at the end of the business day doesn’t mean the Registry has to stop working for you. For example, our website www.norfolkdeeds.org allows people to look up and view scanned images of over 8 million land documents dating back to the Registry’s beginnings in 1793. Additionally, users can access our website to learn about our latest consumer protection programs. I also want people to know that Registry information is accessible not just from workstations and laptops, but also from their smartphones and tablets.”
Register O’Donnell further noted that you can print out an application of the popular Homestead Act. A Homestead provides a homeowner with limited protection against the forced sale of their primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000.
Norfolk County residents can also sign-up on-line for its free Consumer Notification Service. This program will alert a person anytime a land document has been recorded against their name in Norfolk County. Additionally, there is valuable county real estate information that can be researched and tracked. Someone interested in the number of residential and commercial properties sold or the average prices of property sold can find that information.
Besides the Registry website, other forms of social media utilized by the Registry of Deeds include Facebook, facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds and Twitter, twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. “The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds,” noted the Register, “has utilized Facebook and Twitter to provide information to the general public. By utilizing these platforms, Norfolk County residents can learn more about home ownership and other consumer initiatives like protecting themselves against Deed Scam rip-offs, along with other outreach services, including learning about Registry office hours in their local community.”
The Registry has also filmed multiple public service announcements (PSA’s) which are available on the Registry’s website and YouTube. These PSA’s have touched on a variety of issues such as assistance for residents who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage from a lender.
Concluding, Register O’Donnell stated, “At the Registry of Deeds, we recognize the value of using social media platforms to forward important information to Norfolk County residents. If you have questions related to real property, I urge you to take a look at our social media offerings. As important as these social media offerings are, the Registry of Deeds has a Customer Service Center at 1-781-461-6101 where members of the public can seek assistance.”
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org
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| Register O’Donnell Promotes Registry’s Social Media |
St. Mary's Women’s Faith Formation Group - Dec 5
The St. Mary's Women’s Faith Formation Group invites all interested women to attend our monthly Zoom meeting, held the first Saturday of each month. The next meeting will take place on December 5th from 9:30-10:15 AM.
Fr. Vin Dailey will speak on the topic of "Hope during a pandemic Christmas". There will be time at the end of the program for attendees to share your thoughts and ideas.
If you are interested in attending, please email Deacon Guy (deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org) to receive the link to the zoom meeting.
St. Mary's Women’s Faith Formation Group - Dec 5
What about a Marshall Plan for today?
The writers are the mayors of Pittsburgh; Youngstown, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati; Huntington, W.Va.; Morgantown, W.Va.; and Louisville.
"Every four years, voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky are told how important they are to American industry, but once the election is over, nothing happens. The United States now has a president-elect who comes from our region originally and is more likely to understand what we need to revive it. We, the mayors of eight cities, are banding together to demand real investment in our shared region, which has fueled the U.S. economy for generations yet never gets the attention it deserves.
It’s why we’re asking for an ambitious federal response to save our industries and communities from destruction: a Marshall Plan for Middle America.
In the post-World War II recovery period, the Marshall Plan was a $13 billion ($143 billion today) investment strategy to rebuild Europe and foster economic and democratic institutions. Like postwar Europe, Middle America faces similar issues of decline — a shared crisis of aging infrastructure, obsolescence of business and government institutions, and the need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/22/marshall-plan-middle-america-eight-mayors/
The Marshall Plan https://www.marshallfoundation.org/marshall/the-marshall-plan/history-marshall-plan/
Note: how can we get out of the pandemic and fix some of the major ills across the board? A modern version of the Marshall Plan might just be the thing to do so.
The Guardian: "Here's what interviewing voters taught me about the slogan 'defund the police'"
From The Guardian, an article of interest to Franklin:
"Joe Biden won the electoral college, leads the popular vote by millions, and will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. Taking down an incumbent president is no easy feat and Biden deserves credit for his disciplined and effective campaign.
But there is no question Biden underperformed vis-Ã -vis the consensus of pollsters and pundits. In Congress the underperformance was even more stark. Democrats expected to make gains in the House of Representatives. Instead, they are poised to return to Washington with an unexpectedly pared-down majority. In the Senate, Democrats were considered favorites to retake the chamber and deliver their party unified control of the federal government. Instead, they made only modest gains. This isn’t where the party wanted to be.
I run a Democratic political consulting firm and wanted to immediately get to work to understand why this underperformance happened. While there are certainly multiple answers to that question and various dynamics at play, we decided to start our inquiry with voters who leaned towards voting for Joe Biden in the last weeks of the election, but ultimately voted to re-elect Donald Trump. We put together a focus group to discuss the election with these voters and explore what changed their minds.
It will be easy for some to dismiss these participants as Trump voters (and they are!) but 70% of them told us they have a negative view of Donald Trump and at some point they supported Joe Biden before ultimately casting their vote for Trump. These aren’t Maga hat-wearing folks. "
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/20/heres-what-interviewing-voters-taught-me-about-the-slogan-defund-the-police
Note: words matter, what they mean, and how they are used matters. If we are going to come together to resolve the serious divide, recognizing how much we do have in common will be important. We can gather round the 'motherhood and apple pie' when we take time to understand what we mean when we say something. Mind reading not permitted, proper use of words is required. Not easy, but necessary.
New York TImes: "Designed to Deceive: Do These People Look Real to You?"
From the New York Times, an article of interest for Franklin:
"There are now businesses that sell fake people. On the website Generated.Photos, you can buy a “unique, worry-free” fake person for $2.99, or 1,000 people for $1,000. If you just need a couple of fake people — for characters in a video game, or to make your company website appear more diverse — you can get their photos for free on ThisPersonDoesNotExist.com. Adjust their likeness as needed; make them old or young or the ethnicity of your choosing. If you want your fake person animated, a company called Rosebud.AI can do that and can even make them talk.
These simulated people are starting to show up around the internet, used as masks by real people with nefarious intent: spies who don an attractive face in an effort to infiltrate the intelligence community; right-wing propagandists who hide behind fake profiles, photo and all; online harassers who troll their targets with a friendly visage."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/21/science/artificial-intelligence-fake-people-faces.html
This is scary and realistic. As careful as I am, this is alarming how realistic these photos appear. Note: you do need to view this article on a large screen device to get all the interactive features of it. Simply amazing!
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| 1 of a series of NY Times photos depicting a gender change |
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 24, 2020
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDHC. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report
II. Guests/Presentations
A. None
III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy - First Readings
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading as discussed https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-policy-1
1. JJEA-Crowdfunding Policy
2. GE-Telework Policy
B. Portrait of a Graduate Skills and Descriptors
I recommend adoption of the Franklin Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate Skills and Descriptors. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-b-pog-1
C. Portrait of a Graduate Graphic
I recommend adoption of the Franklin Public schools Portrait of a Graduate
Graphic #3 as discussed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-c-pog-2
D. Superintendent’s Evaluation 2019-2020
The Chair recommends approval of the Superintendent’s Evaluation for 2019-2020 as detailed.
IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Reopening of Schools -- Status Update 11/20/2020
V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)
VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items
VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the Minutes from the November 10, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/consent-b-transfers-3
C. FEF Donation
I recommend acceptance of a check for $10,000.00 from the Franklin Education Foundation for in-house enrichment, Supplemental Supplies and Supplemental Curriculum Materials as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/consent-c-fef-donation
D. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Supplemental Supplies as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/consent-d-parm
E. Music Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $320.00 from Franklin Music Parents for in-house enrichment as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/consent-e-music
F. FEF Grant
I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,500.00 from the Franklin Education Foundation for Supplemental supplies as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/consent-f-fef-grant
VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen
IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo
X. Adjournment
The agenda and other documents released for this meeting can be found in the meeting packet folder
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| Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Nov 24, 2020 |
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