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Saturday, February 6, 2021
Scammers are scheming as HealthCare.gov reopens
Another business on the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card listing to visit
Another local business has joined the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card program! We welcome Lotus Lash to the list of participating businesses!
Gift cards can be purchased at Dean Bank right in Downtown Franklin or online at www.franklingiftcard.com#LocalBusiness #LocaSupport #ItMatters #ShopLocal #SpendLocal
Shared from Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/109645590402552/posts/451347476232360/
You can use the #ThinkFranklinFirst card make your purchase as part of the #ProjectEnvoy eat out/take out, help out effort!
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| Another business on the #thinkfranklinfirst gift card listing to visit |
Friday, February 5, 2021
Franklin's Event Outlook: Feb 5 - Feb 11, 2021
Super Bowl Sunday, the weather forecast isn't all that great, and a relatively quiet weekend (and week) ahead. It is up to us all to find something to do to keep busy and stay safe (masks, social distance, etc....).
There is hope with some lift in the restrictions coming Monday, and even more importantly, perhaps better news on the vaccine delivery front ahead as we head to Valentine's Day.
So let's keep the faith and hope alive. We'll get through this!
Friday, February 5
3:00pm = FPL: Girls who code (Grades 3-5)
4:00pm = FPL: Girls Who Code! (Grades 6-12)
3:00pm = FPL: Girls who code (Grades 3-5)
4:00pm = FPL: Girls Who Code! (Grades 6-12)
Sunday, February 7
1:00pm = Historical Museum (open and free admission)
1:00pm = Historical Museum (open and free admission)
Thursday, February 11
7:00pm = Love in All its Forms: A Valentine's Reading and Performance
7:00pm = FHS Musicians Livestream Concert
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
The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
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| Community Calendar |
Economic Development Subcommittee - meeting recap - 02/03/2021
Quick Recap:
- Very enlightening listening session this time. Good info gleaned from participants all around. Food trucks are not inanimate objects, they have people and families to support behind them
- Where did the 25% requirement for tasting space come from; the manufacturing bylaw allows 25% for a manufacturer to have that amount of space for a retail operation
- Tasting rooms as designed in the bylaw are shifting to be more than that per some of the participants; what should they have, how should they be operated, how can the service be 'safe'....
- Food requirement for tasting makes sense but then brings complications, patio space outside counted against space requirements, which then drive capacity and parking; need to be careful of making changes without considering other effects especially unintended ones
- the food truck experience is not the same as a table service, should not be considered competitive, they are distinctly different
- No pun intended but there is plenty of food for thought here, more to come as the info is reviewed and solution or options designed for next discussion (TBD)
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZAY5RwEoNGH37wt8
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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 #edc0203
- Real time reporting underway for the Economic Development subcommittee meeting #edc0203 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_revised_2-3-2021.pdf
- Chair Hamblen takes role call of members as she is remote (Bissanti, Jones, and Frongillo in Chambers) #edc0203 discussion to begin on bylaw of section 19 license. Agenda doc includes some historical reference points https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_revised_2-3-2021.pdf
- TA Hellen provides some of the history/background on the development of the proposal. #edc0203 recall beer garden at ArtWeek event in 2019, wanted to do more, COVID most recently has presented challenges
- Three businesses open and others in queue to do so. Use this as a listening session, open to business comment. Bob Vozella, La Cantina Winery, thanks for enabling the business, expanding the option for food trucks outside of the Town Common area would be beneficial #edc0203
- Do provide small plates and would like to provide more for the customers, do have menus and service in from the neighborhood restaurants. #edc0203 food trucks would provide another option.
- Yes it was said: "There is an appetite for food trucks to coexist with small businesses in Franklin". #edc0203 how much of difference does it make between a permanent restaurant or a temporary food truck as competition for town business?
- Food truck owner comments that she has worked for 10 years between Worcester and Boston and it is sad that she can't work in her home (Franklin) #edc0203 it doesn't just help Olivier sell their beer, it helps beyond that. Compliments the drink establishments.
- Food trucks are not inanimate objects, they also represent the business and the family behind it. The Bubbleman pivoted to do a hotdog truck in addition to bubbles, and can't work here. Board of Health won't allow this as a 'zoning issue' #edc0203 even in a private party
- Issue with bylaw as written forces larger facilities to generate enough money, corridor counts as part of the taproom. Could exclude it with a door, really. Consider patio or outdoor space as separate? #edc0203 burden placed on business re: rent and SQ footage larger than could
Patrick D"The regs are driving residents to eat out at Patriot Place instead of downtown Franklin" Bissanti - "We don't want to hurt the existing businesses with food trucks" #edc0203- T Padula reminds that the tasting rooms are expanding beyond what they were supposed to be, they should taste and leave; they are staying longer and competing with restaurants. #edc0203 Patrick D, Glen Pharma 25% on tasting room, not sure how derived, arbitrary #
- Burden on space, parking, safety, all make sense, but where the 25% comes from doesn't make sense. Owner has responsibly to manage the crowd. #edc0203 did look at food truck angle and ended up with a restaurant; food trucks are here to stay, folks want them
- "A food truck is not table experience, it is different." Olivier - 67 Degrees, grateful for bylaw to allow us to operate. 25% requirements hinders us operationally. Talked with Canton (Trillium, etc) parking/bathrooms required, but not limitation on tasting room size #edc0203
- #edc0203 25% clashes with other zoning requirements, needed to get 2 special permits to expand within 6 months of operation and do the same thing. A food truck at 67 should not affect other restaurants, especially in COVID times, would help now and long term
- Halligan, #edc0203 25% was designed for sample and short term visit to leave with product, it is growing into more than tasting, functions, entertainment, families, dogs, etc. Proposing larger footage if kitchen present, increases parking, drainage, etc. raises other issues
- Not an easy solution, where to go next. Need to close out discussion tonight and continue next time. #edc0203 "folks already eat out elsewhere, so improving options here will help not hurt" - Frongillo Manufacturing is only allowed 25% for retail, hence the derivation
- More to come, stay tuned, work to be done. Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes via roll call 4-0 #edc0203
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| Economic Development Subcommittee - meeting recap - 02/03/2021 |
Board of Health meeting recap - 02/03/21
Quick Recap:
- Vaccine clinic plans ready, awaiting allocation and delivery
- Sharing best practices with Milford Regional Hospital
- Found assistance for Magnolia Hgts, they had been dropped from CDC coverage
- Housing Authority clinic being explored their supply separate from Town allocation
Audio of meeting coming soon
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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 #boh0203
https://twitter.com/hashtag/boh0203?src=hashtag_click
- Real time reporting underway for the Board of Health meeting #boh0203
- Chair Sweet outlines the pandemic protocol process. #boh0203 Motion to approve prior minutes 1/6/21, second passes via roll call 3-0 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-02-03-2021.pdf
- Vaccine clinic group meeting and planning for distribution, supply at minimum, ready to go when supply available. #boh0203 supply ordered for Senior Center seniors targeted for population 75+; proximity to Gillette affecting quantity
- Constraints not Town, but from State. #boh0203 https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-information
- Success of first responders clinic at FHS was so good, Milford Regional Hospital has started working with Health Dept to learn the best practices. #boh0203 exploring clinic for Housing Authority - no target date for that yet. Magnolia Heights 160+ folks ...
- Almost fell thru the cracks as they were dropped from CDC tracking, Liberty coordinated to get them covered. Note the housing authority qty is separately sourced (not part of Town allocation) #boh0203
- Motion to adjourn, passed 2-0 (3rd with tech difficulty didn't respond) #boh0203
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| Board of Health meeting recap - 02/03/21 |
Both FHS girls and boys basketball teams top Attleboro on Thursday
Boys Basketball = Attleboro, 44 @ Franklin, 60 – Final
– Franklin established a lead after a quarter, built on it by halftime, and pulled away with a dominant third quarter to avenge its loss to Attleboro. The Panthers were up 31-20 at the halftime break before winning the third quarter, 20-4, to put the game away. Declan Walmsley (13 points) hit a pair of threes in the third, Andrew Byfield (11 points) added five points and both Jake O’Brien and Zach Harvey added four as the Panthers took a 51-24 lead into the final frame.
Girls Basketball = Franklin, 47 @ Attleboro, 28 – Final
Girls Basketball = Franklin, 47 @ Attleboro, 28 – Final
– Franklin closed out is second straight unbeaten regular season with a sweep of the Bombardiers. Olivia Quinn led the Panthers in all 10 games this season, including 16 points against Attleboro. Elizabeth Wilson, who recently committed to Endicott College, chipped in with nine points for the Panthers.
For other results around the Hockomock League
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| Both FHS girls and boys basketball teams top Attleboro on Thursday |
FHS Updates to Concert Info: Concert Hour - Feb 11; Jazz Concert - Feb 12
Update from Diane Plouffe, Director of Visual and Performing Arts
"Unfortunately,
due to the snow cancellations this week, the teachers were not able to
meet with students to finish up the concert recordings for the February
5th concert. This announcement was coming out today. They will be
postponing it until next Friday, February 12th.
The link for the Concert Hour performance on February 11th is:
The link for the Jazz Concert on February 12th is:
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| FHS Jazz Concert: Livestream Concert - February 12 |
Boston Globe: "Baker to increase the capacity limit on restaurants, gyms, other businesses to 40% starting Monday"
"Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Baker administration is increasing the temporary capacity limits for a variety of businesses such as stores, gyms, and restaurants.
The state Department of Public Health informed cities and towns on Thursday that the 25-percent capacity restrictions, put in place after Christmas, would be increased to 40 percent on Monday because of recent improvements in COVID-19 data. The change includes an increase in allowed office capacity, to 40 percent, though few offices will fill to that level anytime soon with so many people still working out of their homes.
“We know that these restrictions have been and continue to be enormously difficult for large and small businesses, their employees, and for individuals everywhere,” Governor Charlie Baker said during an afternoon briefing Thursday. “But we’re making progress in this battle against COVID and everyone’s hard work and preparation is now making it possible for us to continue to step back to what we might call a new normal.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
CommonWealth Magazine coverage: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-loosens-capacity-restrictions/
Gov Baker's press conference https://youtu.be/CmbZynV4s98
Franklin has dropped down to Yellow (from Red) for the first time since December
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| Franklin has dropped down to Yellow (from Red) for the first time since December |
FTC Consumer Alerts: The top frauds of 2020
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Memory Cafe - Friday - Feb. 5 at 2 PM
Please join us Friday Feb. 5 for our memory cafe with musician P.E. James!
https://zoom.us/j/99469981115?pwd=bElqb3VmVHNEZDlEakthdW0wc1F5dz09
Meeting ID: 994 6998 1115
Passcode: 354632
Ariel Doggett
Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator
"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Norfolk County Sheriff's Office Career Information Session - Feb 23
Norfolk County Sheriff's Office Career Information Session
Are you interested in joining a multi-talented, multi-cultural and professional organization dedicated to providing the utmost in public safety to the citizens of Norfolk County?
Meet representatives from the Norfolk County Sheriff's office and learn how to prepare for a successful career. They will answer your questions on how to prepare for their career opportunities as a correction officer.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
This is a VIRTUAL Event
Event information page
Download a copy of the flyer
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| Norfolk County Sheriff's Office Career Information Session - Feb 23 |
Both FHS girls and boys hockey teams post wins on Wednesday
From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results:
Boys Hockey = Attleboro, 2 @ Franklin, 6 – Final
– Franklin erased a pair of one-goal deficits in the first half and then pulled away from Attleboro for the win. The Bombardiers struck first but Franklin’s Dom Lampasona (from Dylan Marchand and Nolan Norton) equalized for the hosts. After Attleboro scored again, Declan Lovett tied the game with assists coming from Joe LeBlanc and Sean Connelly. Justin Abely added two more goals while Will Sheehan and Sean Connelly each scored once.
Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Mansfield/Oliver Ames, 1 – Final
Girls Hockey = Franklin, 2 @ Mansfield/Oliver Ames, 1 – Final
"Every game in the Hockomock League is a grind. Games are tight, chances are at a premium, and sometimes it takes the right bounces or the puck ending up on the right stick at the right time to find the back of the net.
Twice in Wednesday night’s game at the Foxboro Sports Center, the puck bounced to the stick of sophomore Lyndsay Atkinson and she buried a pair of rebounds to lift Franklin to a 2-1 victory against Mansfield/Oliver Ames in what was another even matchup between these two teams.
Following the game, both coaches talked about how happy they were to be back on the ice. Franklin had not played since Jan. 23 and had been off the ice for a week and was without its assistant coaches due to COVID protocols. MOA was missing four players on Wednesday and hadn’t played since Jan. 18.
“It’s been a very interesting year,” said Franklin coach Margie Burke. “We’re a small league and we all know each other and we’ve all been around for a long time. We can all appreciate everyone’s situation and we all get it.”
Continue reading the game recap by Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com
For a Photo Gallery from this game
For other results around the Hockomock League
Lyndsay Atkinson (5) scored both goals, as Franklin pulled out a 2-1 win
at Mansfield/Oliver Ames. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)
Historical Museum Tour (take 2) Thursday at 1 PM
Hello All,
We hope that you can join Jim Johnston and I for a tour of the new Parlour Room exhibit at the Franklin Historical Museum tomorrow at 1pm via zoom. We will watch a 30 minute video tour of the space narrated by Jim and then have a Q & A session. Jim is a wealth of knowledge and the Parlour is stunning.
click below to join our Historical Museum Tour Thursday Feb. 4th at 1pm
https://zoom.us/j/95079501127?pwd=NzVVZWhqSXBEMGtKV1pGVjZiUlJ0UT09
Meeting ID: 950 7950 1127
Passcode: 821697
OR
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 950 7950 1127
Passcode: 821697
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https://zoom.us/j/95079501127?pwd=NzVVZWhqSXBEMGtKV1pGVjZiUlJ0UT09
Meeting ID: 950 7950 1127
Passcode: 821697
OR
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 950 7950 1127
Passcode: 821697
Ariel Doggett
Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator
"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small
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| Historical Museum Tour (take 2) Thursday at 1 PM |
MBTA: Commuter Rail notice for Franklin Line - facial coverings required to ride
All passengers over the age of two must wear a face covering when traveling on trains or at all railroad stations. Anyone who does not comply with this requirement will be denied boarding and could be subject to penalties under Federal Law.
Affected routes:
Fairmount Line
Fitchburg Line
Franklin Line
Greenbush Line
Haverhill Line
Kingston/Plymouth Line
Lowell Line
Middleborough/Lakeville Line
Needham Line
Newburyport/Rockport Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
Framingham/Worcester Line
Last Updated: Feb 03 2021 05:30 PM
Shared from the MBTA page https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts
MBTA: Commuter Rail notice for Franklin Line - facial coverings required to ride
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