“It is totally reasonable to have your own beliefs, but when those beliefs get in the way of yourself, your children, parents, or other people, that’s when it becomes problematic”

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin: 

"For as long as there have been vaccines, there have been people like Winnie Harrison who shun them.

Harrison, 67, a former educator and mother of four, became an ardent disbeliever in immunizations after her first child had an adverse reaction to a measles, mumps, and rubella shot some three decades ago. But it wasn’t until recent years that she and other skeptics began to forge online connections, fostering fear about vaccines and what doctors call a growing ecosystem of health misinformation that has only ramped up amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The founder of the Connecticut Vaccine Rights League, Harrison administers her group’s Facebook page, one of hundreds, if not hundreds of thousands, nationwide that dole out testimonials from antivaccine activists and celebrities, memes of doctors sharing now discredited claims about vaccines — and, more recently, warnings about the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccines. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/28/nation/theres-big-obstacle-looming-coronavirus-vaccines-stronger-antivaccine-movement/

Someone special celebrates their 100th birthday in Dec, if you can send a card it would be great!

We have a very special lady celebrating her 100th birthday this Dec. 24th right here in Franklin.  Her name is Ethel Pizzi and her family would love nothing more than to have Ethel receive a hundred cards for her birthday!  

If you are so inclined please mail a Birthday Card to:

Ethel Pizzi
131 Wachusett St.
Franklin, MA 02038

Let’s help Ethel have the BEST birthday and know how loved she is! 

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

Franklin Senior Center

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

FM #400 Franklin (MA) Rotary Club - 11/17/20 (audio)

FM #400 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 400 in the series. 

This shares my interview and discussion with Franklin Rotary Club members Dan Genitle and Bill Koplin. Our discussion was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Dan Gentile is Co-Treasurer and Foundation Chair for the Franklin chapter of Rotary. Bill has had several titles over his years of service and is now a regular and active member.

We talk about the Franklin Interact Club, the nature of the Rotary itself as a service organization (service above self) and some examples of what they have done over the years. Some of the visible marks they have made are the annual Memorial Day parade, the benches in the Town Common, and the bronze plaques on the light poles along the Common walkways to name just a few

The recording runs about 22 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Dan and Bill and find out more about what the Rotary does for Franklin.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/57aeba14-e035-4e4b-8695-457e68f42b01

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Franklin Rotary Club page  http://www.clubrunner.ca/portal/Home.aspx?accountid=3689 

Franklin Interact Club page  https://franklinmainteract.weebly.com/ 

Franklin Interact interview  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-interact-delivers-100-masks-to.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 #400 Franklin (MA) Rotary Club - 11/17/20 (audio)

School Committee meeting recap - Nov 24, 2020

Quick Recap:

• School committee votes to approve the Portrait of a Graduate as proposed along with a graphical representation of the skills and descriptions
• The evaluation of Superintendent Sara Ahern was read word by word and then approved by unanimous vote.
• Re-opening status updated with new report summary including COVID-19 metrics.
• As school district was closed Wednesday, no additional docs were posted to the meeting packet folder after the meeting. We’ll need to wait until Monday for those.

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found online
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GDCjS13Mp2CGfkRX9

 ----

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  #schcomm1124
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23schcomm1124&src=typed_query

• Getting ready for the school Committee meeting at 7; agenda doc with connection info here  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_11-24-20.pdf #schcom1124
• Waiting #schcomm1124 and called to order at 7:03 PM
• New trend? #schcomm1124 member speaking during citizens comments touting the success of the FHS field hockey team. Maybe such comments will get on to the agenda formally some day…
• Superintendent's report, first on the budget status: state house release of cherry sheet confirms the FY 2020 levels with small increase of cost of living for FY 2021.  Student opportunity act no where to be seen at this time. #schcomm1124 state budget now in conf committee
• Fall capital is on hold (per update at FinCom last week). Invited to attend  FinCom at Dec 15 meeting. #schcomm1124 registration for winter sports opens Weds through Dec 4. Modifications still be worked. Low or moderate risk only others moved to later in winter or spring
• Photos of ECDC #schcomm1124
• FEF funding passed through from Dell $3500 for robotics program, music performance of Cabaret last weekend, very entertaining! #schcomm1124 some photos from recent visit to FHS
• Moving to discussion action items, new policy items for review. Crowd funding campaign addressed by first https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_policy_3.pdf  #schcomm1124 telework concept is covered by second policy (same link)
• Odd conversation for discussion now with so much remote and hybrid working underway. #schcomm1124 motion to move to second reading, second, passes 7-0 via roll call
• Portrait of a graduate up for approval (skills and description) first for this, second, passes 7-0  
• Second vote would be on the graphic itself with two options (4 shown prior meeting) motion to approve a graphic #3, moved, seconded, 4-3 so graphic 3 is the one #schcomm1124
• Next up, Superintendent evaluation. No doc released before hand so no indication of what's coming. #schcomm1124
• Acknowledged doc wasn't shared among Committee before now, so if a typo or wording needs to be changed. Evaluation will be read word by word. #schcomm1124
• Won't attempt to report on this section, stay tuned for audio version and doc when ready to be shared #schcomm1124 ranked as "proficient"
• (#justsaying there must be a better way) still listening to the reading of a doc we can't see #schcomm1124 Chair pauses to take a drink of water and continue reading
• "Franklin is fortunate to have Sara as Superintendent" #schcomm1124 the summative commentary is instructive and something to work with going forward. "Thanks for all the work by the Committee members, it is a team effort and I am proud of the collective effort"
• Motion to approve evaluation as detailed, second, passes 7-0 via roll call #schcomm1124 
• Moving to discussion only items, re-opening of schools, includes data from past weeks COVID counts. Quarantine requirements and impact on hybrid instruction, staff of 30 also tagged, rising#
• Report referenced https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/reopening_schools_status_update_nov_20_2020-2021.pdf #schcomm1124 acknowledged a disconnect between data locally reported and DESE data (slick accounting! by DESE)
• Bandwidth reported to be mostly ok, aside from a couple of specific times, and recognition of personnel using multiple devices to teach, will be updating bandwidth, new laptops being issued to help address. #schcomm1124 hybrid model is challenging to teach
• Adhere to guidance please if traveling, concern about post break and able to maintain operations. Did not pursue pilot test process for district, questioning application of it, only for use in school setting. #schcomm1124 making transfers from VLA to hybrid
• Concerned over lack of update on K-1 situation, more coming Dec 8th, no timeline yet, constraints to be understood and worked out #schcomm1124 chasing supply on HVAC upgrades, several changes since the initial discussion in August.  Also bumping up to spending deadline 12/31/20
• Generally timeline being pushed out for devices, carbon levels 2-600 and goal is to be under 800... #schcomm1124 still looking for substitutes, letter to college students coming home did generate interest, among student teachers
• FHS teacher glad to be back, it is a lot of work to deal with both students in person and remote #schcomm1124 budget workshop Dec 1. Community relations TBD, policy mtg scheduled, DTFA podcast  coming, meeting coming in Dec. Substance abuse task force finalize goals
• #schcomm1124 SWAC released nutrition info, meeting Dec 15. Physical activity challenge for all students, staff, families coming to give 2020 the boot! Budget work Dec 1; next meeting topics; goals for consideration, K-1 options
• Consent agenda, motion to approve, seconded, passed 7-0 via roll call items found on packet page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-24-2020-school-committee-packet #schcomm1124 thanks to FEF for their help and donation
• Motion to adjourn, second, passed 7-0 via roll call
• That's all for tonight. Happy Thanksgiving!

image on right was chosen by a 4-3 vote of the committee

"12 Days of Donating" effort is marking its 15th year

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

"Usually, a holiday elf's job is to make toys, pack Santa's sleigh and deliver presents on Christmas Eve. But there's a team of elves in Franklin with a different job: Collect donations for the Franklin Food Pantry.

They are the Franklin Food Elves, and they are about to launch their annual "12 Days of Donating" campaign, an effort that is important to the food pantry's continuing efforts to help community members in need.

The Franklin Food Elves are getting ready to launch their 2020 "12 Days of Donating" fundraiser for the Franklin Food Pantry, which will collect monetary donations to help the pantry help community members in need. From left, during filming of a pantry tour for this year's elves are: Kim Cooper, pantry donor relations manager; Laura Often, communications manager and Lynn Calling, executive director.

“Franklin Food Elves is our biggest fundraising opportunity," said Food Elves senior captain Erin McCaffrey in a video she recently prepared to promote the 2020 campaign. "Last year we raised over $30,000 and this year I think we can beat that goal, but we need your help.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2020/11/25/franklin-food-elves-12-days-donating-franklin-food-pantry/6419659002/

Franklin Food Elves ready to launch pantry fundraiser

FHS field hockey on TV

Coach Carney (@carney_coach) tweeted at 10:32 AM on Fri, Nov 27, 2020:

https://t.co/KHwLRGF6o5

https://www.boston25news.com/sports/franklin-field-hockey-overcomes-obstacles-finish-perfect-season/bef99d48-cc5b-460d-a201-f3840172e839/

FHS field hockey on TV

Town of Franklin, MA: Specimen Ballot for Special Election - Dec 5

Specimen Ballot for the December 5th Town Election https://t.co/EI9rJigls2 https://t.co/0bzU0WFHOx

The election collection with links to the candidate interviews can be found

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

Specimen Ballot for Special Election - Dec 5

"Number of high-risk communities rises to 81"

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

"THE NUMBER of communities considered high-risk for COVID-19 rose from 62 to 81 on Friday, as cases statewide continued to grow rapidly while deaths from the coronavirus grew more slowly.

The numbers followed what has become a predictable pattern during the second surge. Four weeks ago the Baker administration revised the metrics it uses to determine a high-risk, or red, community, causing the number to fall from 121 to 16. But since then the number of red communities has grown rapidly week by week, rising from 16 to 31 to 62 to 81.

Between November 8 and November 21, there were 36,194 new cases of COVID-19. More than half – 55 percent – of those infected were less than 39 years old, while those 70-plus accounted for just 7.6 percent of the cases. Deaths followed the opposite pattern: 83 percent of deaths were among those 70 or older and only 1.4 percent were 39 or less.

Deaths have been growing far more moderately than infections during this second surge. From November 8 to November 21, there were 357 deaths, up from 319 between November 1 and November 14. The deaths in the previous two-week intervals totaled 280 and 241. The Baker administration’s dashboard  for Friday, which covered Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning, reported 4,464 new cases and 29 deaths."

Continue reading online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/uncategorized/number-of-high-risk-communities-rises-to-81/

The full state report of community data can be found online, the page showing Franklin is in the photo here

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-november-27-2020/download

Franklin Community data as of 11/25/20

Franklin's weekend outlook: Nov 27 - 30, 2020

A quiet Thanksgiving weekend. The library does have Curbside Pickup available Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Santa arrives Sunday in a drive by event on the Town Common at 4:00 PM.

* Friday, November 27

Native American Heritage Day
9:00am - Town of Franklin offices CLOSED

* Sunday, November 29

1:00pm - Historical Museum (open and free admission)
4:00pm - Santa on the Common - Drive by event

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
 

Community Calendar

FM #399 Town Council Candidates Night - 11/23/20 (audio)

FM #399 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 399 in the series. 

This shares the Candidates Night for the special election to fill the open spot on the Town Council. The evening was conducted in a hybrid format. All the candidates were present in the Council Chambers along with the moderator and Town Clerk office members. The public was able to participate via conference bridge or live stream to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording runs about 41 minutes, so let’s listen to the Candidates Night held Nov 23, 2020.  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1qbWGQS

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My interviews with each of the candidates (in alpha order)

Town Council candidate - Gregory R Chiklis (audio interview) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/fm-393-town-council-candidate-greg.html

Town Council candidate - Alan R Earls (audio interview) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-369-town-council-candidate-alan.html

Town Council candidate - Cobi Frongillo (audio interview) =  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-359-town-council-candidate-cobi.html

Town Council candidate - KP Sompally (audio interview) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/fm-382-town-council-candidate-kp.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 #399 Town Council Candidates Night - 11/23/20 (audio)

“I just hope everyone stays healthy and we can finish this year right“

 Via Pantherbook, we share this article on FHS student feedback on hybrid

"Up until November 16th, FHS students hadn’t been inside the school in 248 days. A place where such kids would typically spend about seven hours five days a week had been shut down, with nobody having a clue about when it would re-open.

Although there is still no definite answer as to what the future looks like, students in Cohort C attended in-person learning at the high school this past week (excluding remote Wednesday). Let’s take a look at the things they enjoyed, the things they didn’t, and how in-person learning compares to the past two months of remote learning.

Ashley Currivan, a freshman this year and alum of Horace Mann Middle School, comments, “At school, I enjoy seeing people and getting to still go to and switch classes throughout the day. I think [the members of the FHS staff] are handling it very well and I really enjoyed it so far!”

Continue reading the article online

https://franklinpanthers.us/feature/2020/11/24/student-feedback-on-the-first-week-of-hybrid-learning/

“I just hope everyone stays healthy and we can finish this year right“

“He kind of perfected it sitting around this table”

One of our family traditions on Thanksgiving is to listen to the 18+ minute classic Arlo Guthrie performance of Alice's Restaurant. Usually while driving to one of the family gatherings. This time, pandemic induced, no drive but still time to listen. 

And then across the Twitterverse comes this article about the real Alice, yes that one.

"Arlo Guthrie's rambling, spoken-word tune “Alice's Restaurant” is a Thanksgiving Day tradition on radio stations across the country. Over the course of about 18 minutes, the folk singer unfurls a true tale involving himself and his hippie friends in 1960s Western Massachusetts.

Now — more than 50 years after the iconic song hit the airwaves — its namesake has fallen on hard times. But Alice's friends have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help her stay in the only place she's ever really wanted to be: Provincetown on Cape Cod.

But first, it helps to find out how she got there."

Continue reading about Alice online =  https://www.wbur.org/artery/2020/11/26/arlo-guthrie-alice-help

YouTube link for "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" = https://youtu.be/WaKIX6oaSLs

Phishing, spear phishing info

Via Cyber Security Intelligence:

"Spear phishing is a targeted attempt to steal sensitive information such as account credentials or financial information from a specific victim, often for criminal reasons. A highly targeted form of phishing, spear phishing involves bespoke emails being sent to well-researched victims.

Spear phishing is an email or electronic communications scam targeted towards a specific individual, organization or business. Although often intended to steal data for malicious purposes, cyber criminals may also intend to install malware on a targeted user's computer.

Barracuda Network researchers worked with leading researchers at UC Berkeley and UC San Diego, to study the growing threat to business of email account crime using Spear Phishing methods.

It is all hard to spot without close inspection and difficult to stop with technical controls alone. In 2016 the Fancy Bear attack group used spear phishing tactics to target email accounts linked to Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. They attacked more than 1,800 Google accounts and implemented the accounts-google.com domain to threaten targeted users."

Continue reading the article online  https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/blog/spear-phishing-threats-and-trends-4902.html

 

How Big Is Phishing in 2020?

"It is big. Sadly, it is growing even bigger if historical data is any indicator for the imminent future.

Not all spam consists of phishing emails, but it’s safe to assume a spam message might be a phishing attempt. And there are tons of it, cluttering inboxes far and wide, as these phishing stats clearly show.

 -   Spam is 45% of all emails sent. (Source: Propeller)
 -   About 14.5 billion spam emails are sent every day. (Source: Propeller)"

Continue reading more about the phishing trends  https://hostingtribunal.com/blog/phishing-statistics/

Additional info can be found on the FBI page  https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber

MA Consumer Affairs: "Fraud Alert: Unemployment Benefits & ID Theft"

 

"Driven by the economic downturn brought on by pandemic related restrictions, unemployment across the U.S. is at a historic high. While national and local averages slowly decline across the country, unemployment fraud is on the rise.

For many the unemployment benefit is a lifeline. Unfortunately, for some bad actors it is an opportunity. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), unemployment fraud is up significantly and there is suspicion that the culprits are based overseas. Officials say the fraud is affecting tens of thousands of Americans, slowing the delivery of benefits to those in need, and costing states hundreds of millions of dollars.

Whether you have lost your job, or not, you could be a victim of identity theft related to this unemployment scam. Authorities report that criminals are filing for unemployment benefits online using stolen information of people who have not lost their jobs. Stolen identities can be bought online, or obtained from data breaches, email phishing schemes, or from physical theft. Fraudsters also exploit public websites and social media accounts. Many victims are unaware of the identity theft unless they are notified by a state agency, the IRS, or their employer that a claim has been filed in their name."

Continue reading the article online http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/fraud-alert-unemployment-benefits-id-theft/

The Federal Trade Commission has a similar article  https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2020/06/unemployment-benefits-fraud-puts-workers-risk-more-id-theft

 

 

A Most Worthy Read: "We walked up to the edge — and did not jump"

Via Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) :

"This wondrous piece by my friend ⁦@MollyMcKew⁩ is simply the best description of where we've been, and where we must now go. Poetry, prose and truth.  Read this and be thankful we've stepped back from the edge."  

We walked up to the edge — and did not jump
A Thanksgiving message, part 1 = by Molly McKew

"I’ve spent these past weeks with breath held, fingers crossed, afraid to look away, but also afraid not to. To just put all this down for a minute, and take a breath, and look up, out, see again the horizon and the sense of movement toward it that has always defined the expansive land and spirit of America. 

America is a constantly morphing and adaptive idea. But fundamentally we are still, as we have always been, a nation of madness. Mostly good madness — but madness still. 

The people who would build this nation must have been mad to seek where there be dragons — to cross storm-riven seas, arrive on the shores of this wild and magical land, and embrace the idea of living in the haunted wilderness to have the chance — just a chance — of shaping something new. Something removed from the mental and physical confinements of history. 

In that time of wilderness, each one of us here was a zealot of some cause — a zealot of gods, commerce, ideas, quests, adventures. We came here running from things, or toward others. And this strange amalgamated zealotry was somehow integral to our survival, the good and bad forces that shaped us in their conflict. A core belief that old rules didn’t apply. That the frontier could be pushed ever outward. That we could survive against the odds. And that always, always, the sins of the past could be overcome by achieving a righteous future."

Continue reading the article online =  https://t.co/kA7TdJQbGS