Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 2, 2020

Agenda
 

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS    
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
 

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS   
Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.
 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES   
None Scheduled
 

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS   
None Scheduled
 

5. APPOINTMENTS   
None Scheduled
 

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm   
  1  Franklin Tax Classification Hearing
     -   Legislation for Action Items: 10a., 10b., 10c., 10d.
  2  Comcast of Massachusetts II, INC. Cable Television Renewal License 12/2/2020 - 12/1/2030
        Legislation for Action Item: 10e.
  3  Bylaw Amendment 20-863: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Temporary reduction in Municipal Service Fees for Common Victualer All Alcohol and Wine & Malt Licenses for the 2021 License Renewal Season
        Legislation for Action Item: 10f.

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS   
None Scheduled
 

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS   
Cyber Fraud Spear Phishing Incident: Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen & IT Director, Tim Rapoza
 

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

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-68: Tax Classification Residential Factor (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-68 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._20-68.pdf
 

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-69: Tax Classification - Open Space Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-69 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._20-69_resolution_-_tax_classification_open_space_exemption_0.pdf
 

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-70: Tax Classification Small Business Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-70 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._20-70_resolution_-_tax_classification_small_business_exemption_0.pdf
 

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-71: Tax Classification Residential Property Exemption (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-71 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._20-71_resolution_-_tax_classification_residential_property_exemption_0.pdf
 

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-72: Comcast of Massachusetts II, Inc. Cable License Renewal (Motion to approve Resolution 20-72 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10e._20-72_cable_0.pdf
 

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Bylaw Amendment 20-863: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees - Temporary reduction in Municipal Service Fees for Common Victualer All Alcohol and Wine & Malt Licenses for the 2021 License Renewal Season - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-863 - Majority Roll Call Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10f._20-863_fees_0.pdf
 

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-73: Gift acceptance - Police Department, $2,025 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-73 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10g._20-73_gift_pd.pdf
 

10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-74: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-74 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10h._20-74_peg.pdf
 

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT   
 

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS   
 

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS   
 

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION   
None Scheduled

 

ADJOURN   

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

 

Connection info for this meeting contained in the agenda doc

• Meeting folder  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/december-2-town-council-meeting-tax-rate-hearing

 

 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 2, 2020

Stream the premiere of Christopher Rice's The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE!

Premiering November 29th 7:30 PM

Filmed in front of a LIVE studio audience in December 2019,  this hour long special features over 15 holiday favorites, a live band, and of course... TAP DANCING!

Available to stream for one week, through December 6th, 7:30PM

Click here (https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/43288) to buy a ticket for the scheduled Premiere!

NOTE:  for the scheduled premiere, you can use your access code up to 1 hour prior to the event until the end of the event. You can not rewind or rewatch the stream.

Click here (https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/43289) to watch the show at your convenience On Demand between Nov 29th and December 6th.   

NOTE: For Video On Demand, you can use your access code anytime between November 29th, 7:30 pm and December 6th, 7:30 PM  and it is valid for 48 hours from the first time it is entered/used. Please note the 48 hours will be cut short if you do not watch 48 hours prior to the end of the watch period, December 6th, 7:30 PM.   Video On Demand events allow you to rewind at any time. 

The Tappy Christmas Special: LIVE! (Premiere and on-demand recordings)

Preview/trailer -> https://youtu.be/APKYV748Giw

FM #402 School Committee Meeting - 11/24/20 part 2 of 2 (audio)

 FM #402 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 402 in the series. 

This session shares one of two segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour meeting into two logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's evaluation (about 1 hour 18 minutes)
• Second - picks up Discussion Only Items through the remainder of the meeting. (about 42 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting. (Given the holiday weekend, they won’t be available until later on Monday, Nov 30, 2020)

Let’s listen to this second segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 24, 2020. Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hck0Vw4S

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_11-24-20.pdf 

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-24-2020-school-committee-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/school-committee-meeting-recap-nov-24.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"

Superintendent Sara Ahern provides an update

FM #401 School Committee Meeting - 11/24/20 part 1 of 2 (audio)

FM #401 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 401 in the series. 

This session shares one of two segments for the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee was remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the two hour meeting into two logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Superintendent's evaluation (about 1 hour 18 minutes)
• Second - picks up Discussion Only Items through the remainder of the meeting. (about 42 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the Superintendent’s Report and Portrait of a Graduate presentation copy. Those are usually posted to the folder the day after the meeting. (Given the holiday weekend, they won’t be available until later on Monday, Nov 30, 2020)

Let’s listen to this first segment of the School Committee meeting of Nov 24, 2020. Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HV52YD4S

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_11-24-20.pdf 

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-24-2020-school-committee-packet 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/school-committee-meeting-recap-nov-24.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"

Superintendent Sara Ahern provides an update

FHS Panther Hockey: annual decorating of the Town Common

Thank you!

"Our annual decorating of the common at Christmas!  Thank you Hillside Nurseries, Beth O'Reilly,  Ryan Jette, Tina Connelly, Vanessa Blinco, Dan Sheehan, Coach Sarno, all the parents who brought ladders and all that helped today!  Awesome day! @FHSSports @FHS_Puck @PanthersJvPuck"

Shared from Twitter =  https://t.co/n9YXHmqMTo

FHS Panther Hockey: annual decorating of the Town Common

Think Franklin First - gift cards now on sale

"Today is the day! Think Franklin First gift cards are now available for purchase both online and at Dean Bank!  

You can redeem the gift cards at the local businesses pictured below beginning next week!  

www.franklingiftcard.com #thinkfranklinfirst #GivetheGiftofFranklin #localsupport #shoplocal #keepitlocal Dean Bank, Random Smile Project"

Buy your gift card online = www.franklingiftcard.com

Or in person at the Dean Bank branch office on Main St, Franklin

Use the gift cards at these participating Franklin businesses =   https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

Shared from Facebook =   https://www.facebook.com/groups/shopFranklin/permalink/3334797786630718/

Think Franklin First - gift cards now on sale

CommonWealth Magazine: child care “holding our economy hostage”

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin:

"CHILD CARE’S CRITICAL importance to our economy was obvious as the COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the Commonwealth. Some parents scrambled to work remotely while caring for children. Others rushed to secure care so they could perform essential work, much of it on the frontlines to ensure the health and well-being of Massachusetts residents. 

But even as the pandemic revealed the essential nature of child care, it’s also made it more vulnerable than ever. Lawmakers are entering a critical moment for the early education and care sector as they debate the 2021 fiscal year budget. And the pandemic may be coloring perceptions about the demand for child care that could hurt children and families in the long run. 

The fact is that the child care supply has dwindled in Massachusetts during the pandemic as providers closed in the face of fiscal challenges or limited enrollment to accommodate new safety protocols. The Department of Early Education and Care recently reported that enrollment is at 66 percent of pre-COVID numbers. This sharp drop includes parents who have chosen not to send their children or who now need very different arrangements than they did prior to the pandemic. As lawmakers account for these changes in the upcoming budget, do the current COVID-related trends signal decreased demand and justify a reduction in investments to stabilize and secure the sector? 

The simple answer? No. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/state-leaders-must-invest-in-child-care/ 

"IF THERE WAS ever any doubt that the state’s system of early education and care for very young children was on the brink of crisis with far-reaching consequences, the COVID-19 pandemic has erased it. Congresswoman Katherine Clark, whose bill to  invest $50 billion in the sector was passed by the House of Representatives in July,  recently said that a COVID-19-related lack of access to child care was “holding our economy hostage.” 

Her observation is borne out by testimony collected in September by the state’s Commission on the Status of Women. Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of women reported that COVID-19-related changes to child care arrangements had affected their ability to work. Included in this group were early care and education business owners themselves, who explained that if their own children could not attend school then they could not keep their businesses open. One reported that she was on the verge of losing her child care center, which had been serving her community for 17 years. 

Solutions such as Congresswoman Clark’s bill, which treats child care and early education programs as an essential public good requiring public investment, are key to ensuring that the sector doesn’t collapse under the weight of urgent needs from young families and their employers. Given the complex problems facing the field and early educators’ expertise and innovative approaches to problems of practice, it’s also important to center early educators in the policy making process."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/crisis-in-early-education-and-care-demands-action/

The report on childcare and the workforce referenced in this article can be found here:  https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/blogs.umb.edu/dist/3/4418/files/2020/10/UMass-Boston-EEC-Workforce-Survey-Report-October-2020-Final-Updated.pdf

“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

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

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