FHS girls swim team takes First, boys take Second in Hock Swim Championships

Via HockomockSports.com we share the following:

GIRLS - TEAM RESULTS

1. Franklin – 394.5

2. Oliver Ames – 351

3. King Philip – 240

4. Canton – 216

5. Attleboro – 146

T6. Taunton – 142

T6. Foxboro – 142

8. Mansfield – 124.5

9. Sharon – 111.5

10. Milford – 110.5

11. North Attleboro – 74

12. Stoughton – 36

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-swim-championships-2021-results/

BOYS - TEAM RESULTS

1. Sharon – 315

2. Franklin – 280.5

3. Attleboro – 227

4. Taunton – 219

5. Oliver Ames – 203

6. Mansfield – 177

7. Canton – 161

8. King Philip – 153

9. Milford – 125

10. Foxboro – 114

11. North Attleboro – 68

12. Stoughton – 52

https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-boys-swim-championships-2021-results/

https://secureservercdn.net/50.62.172.113/3ea.72d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Complete-HOCK-Swim-resutls-2021-Covid.pdf

Franklin's event results

**Event # 1 GIRLS 200Y MEDLEY RELAY
3 Franklin A FRA  2:03.84
1 C. Tang; 2 M. Lawlor; 3 E. Tang; 4 K. Chew

EX Franklin B FRA 2:17.00
1 K. Liberman; 2 A. Taddeo; 3 A. Kaplan; 4 V. Loukota

**Event # 2 BOYS 200Y MEDLEY RELAY
4 Franklin A FRA      1:55.48
1 D. Gurge; 2 S. Brooks; 3 L. Cashin; 4 J. Wu

EX Franklin B FRA    2:18.21
1 A. Simmons; 2 J. Copeland; 3 R. O'Rourke; 4 J. Dimarzio

**Event # 3 GIRLS 200Y FREESTYLE
3  Bourgeois, S         FRA 2:06.48
6  Ferreira, Emma         FRA 2:08.04
8  Wainwright, Maia FRA 2:12.26

**Event # 4 BOYS 200Y FREESTYLE
2    Titmuss, Bleddyn FRA 1:58.03
12   Simms, Zachary FRA 2:10.71

**Event # 5 GIRLS 200Y I.M.
2   Tang, Christine FRA 2:20.49
7   Sinotte, Faye         FRA 2:38.10
8   Lawlor, Madison FRA 2:39.52

**Event # 6 BOYS 200Y I.M.
4   Cashin, Luke      FRA 2:15.74
8   Cashin, Dillon     FRA 2:27.73

** Event # 7 GIRLS 50Y FREESTYLE
2 Tang, Elizabeth FRA 27.23
6 Chew, Kathryn FRA 27.96
9 Lapuma, Alyssa FRA 28.52

** Event # 8 BOYS 50Y FREESTYLE
14 Simmons, Anderew FRA 28.79
21 Dimarzio, Jacob   FRA    30.31
29 Tulloch, Luke FRA 34.29

** Event # 9 GIRLS 100Y BUTTERFLY
4 Tang, Elizabeth FRA 1:04.57
6 Bourgeois, S FRA 1:08.82
17 Elkins, Julia FRA 1:22.23

** Event # 10 BOYS 100Y BUTTERFLY
5  Cashin, Luke      FRA 1:00.89
6  Titmuss, Bleddyn    FRA 1:02.07
10  Gurge, Daniel      FRA 1:07.47

** Event # 11 GIRLS 100Y FREESTYLE
5  Lapuma, Alyssa FRA 1:00.66
8  Desroches, A FRA 1:02.16
11  Kaplan, Abby FRA 1:03.73

** Event # 12 BOYS 100Y FREESTYLE
8 Wu, James FRA 56.74
11 Brooks, Simon FRA 59.47
19 O'Rourke, Rowan FRA 1:09.01

** Event  # 13 GIRLS 500Y FREESTYLE
3 Ferreira, Emma FRA 5:42.71
6 Wainwright, Maia FRA 5:47.37
10 Remillard, L FRA 6:03.05

** Event # 14 BOYS 500Y FREESTYLE
6 Simms, Zachary FRA 6:01.79
9    Simmons, Anderew FRA 6:43.80
15 Copeland, Joseph FRA 8:00.18

** Event # 15 GIRLS 200Y FREE RELAY
1 Franklin A FRA 1:51.59
1 E. Ferreira; 2 L. Remillard; 3 S. Bourgeois; 4 K. Chew

Franklin B FRA   2:07.56
1 S. Choudhury; 2 J. Cheuvront; 3 M. Bryant; 4 F. Ellin

** Event # 16 BOYS 200Y FREESTYLE RELAY
6 Franklin A FRA    1:45.31
1 J. Wu; 2 D. Gurge; 3 D. Cashin; 4 B. Titmuss

EX Franklin B FRA 2:16.44
1 T. Soni; 2 A. Savant; 3 J. Dimarzio; 4 L. Tulloch

** Event # 17 GIRLS 100Y BACKSTROKE
3 Tang, Christine FRA   1:05.58
5 Chew, Kathryn FRA   1:06.84
9 Sinotte, Faye FRA   1:09.42

** Event # 18 BOYS 100Y BACKSTROKE
8 Cashin, Dillon FRA 1:07.23
9 Gurge, Daniel FRA 1:09.45
23 O'Rourke, Rowan FRA 1:30.42

** Event # 19 GIRLS 100Y BREASTSTROKE
4 Lawlor, Madison FRA 1:18.78
7  Taddeo, A         FRA 1:21.79
9  Peng, Charlene         FRA     1:22.85

** Event # 20 BOYS 100Y BREASTSTROKE
1  Lapuma, Brendan FRA     1:07.51
6 Wu, James FRA     1:14.01
7 Brooks, Simon    FRA 1:14.86

** Event # 21 GIRLS 400Y FREE REL
2 Franklin A FRA    4:01.02
1 E. Ferreira; 2 E. Tang; 3 S. Bourgeois; 4 C. Tang

EX Franklin B FRA   4:35.72
1 V. Loukota; 2 K. Liberman; 3 F. Ellin; 4 M. Bryant

** Event # 22 BOYS 400Y FREESTYLE RELAY
2 Franklin A FRA  3:46.94
1 L. Cashin; 2 B. Titmuss; 3 S. Brooks; 4 B. Lapuma

EX Franklin B FRA DQ
1 R. O'Rourke; 2 A. Simmons; 3 Z. Simms; 4 D. Cashin

FHS girls swim team takes First, boys take Second in Hock Swim Championships

FHS Gymnastics shares the overall results for the Hockomock Cup

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) tweeted on Sun, Feb 21, 2021:

Standings for The Hockomock Cup. Details and placements will be posted this week!  Great job by ALL teams. Thank you @Coach_Angelo for championing this event!! 

@FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @MyFM1013 @KatCornetta @fhsgymboosters https://t.co/tK4lgTxNHe

Shared from Twitter https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1363661683605012483  and

https://twitter.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1363820893701562371

FHS Gymnastics shares the overall results for the Hockomock Cup

Still in AWE of these girls! Recap of our meet vs Mansfield coming soon!!

Register O’Donnell Reports Increased Real Estate Numbers in Norfolk County

Despite continuing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell reported increased numbers in many real estate categories during the month of January, 2021.

“The Norfolk County real estate market” noted Register O’Donnell, “has continued to be busy.  Historically, January as one of the winter months does not see as much real estate activity.  However, there were 15,494 documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds which is a 36% increase over last year’s January document volume.  There were 1,285 deeds recorded out of this document volume, representing a 2% increase over January of last year.  Average sale price, again including both residential and commercial sales, increased 6% over 2019 to $951,679.85.  The real estate numbers are robust especially considering that last year’s January real estate numbers were prior to the onset of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 emergency declarations.”

In addition to real estate sales, the Norfolk County lending market has been busy in January.  There were 4,189 mortgages recorded during the month which is a 75% increase over 2019.  Total amount of money borrowed for mortgages county wide was over 1.8 billon, a 42% increase compared to January 2019.  “While some of the mortgages are due to purchases and sales of real estate, there are a large number of individuals and families taking advantage off historically low interest rates by refinancing existing mortgages.  Individuals have different motivations to refinance.  Some refinance to reduce their monthly payments, others to take some years off their debt while still others are using the money to pay for home improvements and other capital expenditures” said Register O’Donnell.  

Register O’Donnell went on to state, “There has been a strong demand for housing, single family housing particular, coupled with a limited supply of available housing stock and historically low interest rates which could be motivating buyers to do what is necessary to secure housing.  Lending activity was up.  The growth in numbers seen in 2020 continues into 2021.  However, there are expectations that for 2021 many of the numbers may not be as expansive as what took place in 2020.”

Register O’Donnell Reports Increased Real Estate Numbers in Norfolk County

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has been closely watching the foreclosure market.  A moratorium on foreclosures in place during the pandemic in 2020 was lifted on October 17, 2020.  This moratorium was in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  O’Donnell stated, “During January of 2021 there was only 1 foreclosure deed recorded as a result of foreclosure processes taking place in Norfolk County.  Additionally, there were 7 Notices to Foreclosure Mortgages, the first step in the foreclosure process, recorded here in Norfolk County.  A foreclosure recording is very impactful on those being foreclosed on.  These numbers are extremely low especially when you consider in January of 2019 pre-COVID here were 46 Notices to Foreclosure Mortgages and 15 foreclosure Deeds.  The foreclosure numbers in the future bear watching given the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.”

“The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has also been working in close cooperation with Attorney General Maura Healey’s office to ensure there are no abuses being perpetrated against homeowners while the COVID-19 state of emergency is ongoing,” noted O’Donnell.

Additionally, for the past several years, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has partnered with Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, 508-587-0950 to help anyone facing challenges paying their mortgage. Another option for homeowners is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400. Register O’Donnell stated, “If you are having difficulty paying your monthly mortgage, please consider contacting one of these non-profit agencies for help and guidance.”

Homestead recordings by owners of homes and condominiums continue to occur at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in January.  “A Homestead,” noted O’Donnell, “provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual’s primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000. I would urge anyone who has not availed themselves of this important consumer protection tool to consider doing so.  Please visit the Registry website at www.norfolkdeeds.org  to get more information on homestead protection.”

In conclusion, Register O’Donnell stated, “Many small businesses and specific sectors of our economy, such as restaurant and hospitality, have been negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. One sector that has continued to thrive during the pandemic is the real estate market, particularly the residential market. There have been many factors that have kept the Norfolk County real estate market viable. Motivated buyers and sellers, low interest rates, and the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds remaining open for the recording of land documents. While the Registry of Deeds building in Dedham remains closed to the general public, we at the Registry remain open operationally to serve our customers, the residents of Norfolk County and real estate professionals alike. By listening to public health officials, practicing social distancing, making sure all staff are wearing masks and taking any and all other steps necessary, the Registry of Deeds has remained open for business. Land documents are being recorded electronically for many of our institutional users. We are also receiving documents via regular mail, Federal Express and from those placed in our drop-off box located just outside our main entrance at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA. As your Norfolk County Register of Deeds, I want to thank all of you for the cooperation, patience and understanding you have shown myself and the Registry staff while this pandemic has been ongoing. Be healthy. Be safe.”

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

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.

 

50+ Program Resume session this week and next

I'm writing to point out how sessions 4 and 5 of our sessions discuss how to write a resume.
Part one deals specifically with writing bullets and a profile summary.
Part two will deal with other sections of a resume.
Part 4 starts this week;  Part 5 will be in a couple of weeks.

These sessions are not the usual type presentations one sees with resumes.
These sessions--like all the ones Melody Beach and I present--are interactive.
You work in breakout rooms for almost half the session.

I hope you will consider joining us--this week and for other sessions, well. The program runs through June.
Thanks,
Ed L

Interactive Workshop Series: Session #4
The Résumé: Bullets and Summary Statements

Offered: 

• Tue Feb 23rd 10-12N
• Fri Feb 26th 1-3pm
• Mon Mar 4th 6:30-8:30pm

Virtual Doors open 15 minutes before session begins.
Workshops begin promptly at the listed start time.
Facilitators: Melody Beach and Ed Lawrence

50+ Program Resume session this week and next

Boston Globe: "Federal government drops legal battle over Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's reservation status"

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe scored a legal victory Friday when the US Interior Department withdrew a Trump administration appeal that aimed to revoke federal reservation designation for the tribe’s land in Massachusetts.

A federal judge in 2020 blocked the Interior Department from revoking the tribe’s reservation designation, saying the agency’s decision to do so was “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to law.” The Trump administration appealed the decision, but the Interior Department on Friday moved to dismiss the motion.

In a filing in a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., the Interior Department said it had "conferred with the parties and none opposes this motion." A judge granted the motion and dismissed the case.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/02/20/nation/federal-government-drops-legal-battle-over-mashpee-wampanoag-tribes-reservation-status/

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 23, 2021

Franklin School Committee 

February 23, 2021

7:00 PM

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 BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. John F. Kennedy Elementary School Highlights - Dr. Linda Ashley, Principal; Dr. Sarravy Connolly, Assistant Principal

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/sc_meeting_2_23.pdf

B. Vaccine Update -- Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator; Cathleen Liberty, Franklin Board of Health Agent; Chief McLaughlin, Deputy Chief Barbieri, Captain Blanchard, Franklin Fire Department
C. HVAC Ventilation Upgrades Update - Mike D’Angelo, Facilities Director, Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Refund of Lunch Fees for Seniors
I recommend approval of the request of Miriam Goodman, School Business Administrator, to refund Senior’s lunch balances for the 2020-2021 school year as discussed.

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_refund_fees.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Reopening Status Update (2/18/2021)

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, 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, Franklin Racial & Social Justice Task Force)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your February 9, 2021 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Atty. Pond-Pfeffer

X. Executive Session
A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.
B. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(2) to conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel.

XI. Adjournment

Agenda doc  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_2-23-21.docx.pdf

Meeting packet folder (with all docs for this meeting - note - some released after the meeting)  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/february-23-2021-school-committee-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Feb 23, 2021

FM #468 - Town Council Meeting - 02/17/21 - P3 of 4 (audio)

FM #468 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 468 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour fifty minute meeting into four logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Community Preservation Committee appointments and a two minute recess (51 minutes)
• Second - returns from the recess to cover the Complete Streets presentation/discussion as well as the Town Administrator review and discussion (58 minutes)
• *** Third segment *** opens with the Legislation for Action and covers the items through the authorization of the fire trucks (40 minutes) 
• Fourth - covers the technical adjustments to the three Storm Water Articles I, II, and III with the discussion running off course (again - with confusion around the proposed storm water utility fee - not in these three articles) through to the close of the meeting (approx. 1 hour and 13 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 17, 2021. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5cb9bf23-4c60-4d66-9582-bcf04cb65cb8

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-17-21_town_council_agenda_0_0.pdf

Community Preservation Committee appointments
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/cpc_updated_memo.pdf 

Complete Streets presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._complete_streets_web.pdf 

Town Administrator review/discussion
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/9a._ta_eval_docs.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-recap-of-feb-17-2021.html

Town Council ‘quarterbacking session’ with Chair Tom Mercer
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/couldnt-spend-hours-with-town-council.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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"

one of the fire trucks to be replaced by the purchase authorized at the Town Council meeting

FM #469 - Town Council Meeting - 02/17/21 - P4 of 4 (audio)

FM #469 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 469 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour fifty minute meeting into four logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Community Preservation Committee appointments and a two minute recess (51 minutes)
• Second - returns from the recess to cover the Complete Streets presentation/discussion as well as the Town Administrator review and discussion (58 minutes)
• Third - opens with the Legislation for Action and covers the items through the authorization of the fire trucks (40 minutes) 
• *** Fourth segment *** covers the technical adjustments to the three Storm Water Articles I, II, and III with the discussion running off course (again - with confusion around the proposed storm water utility fee - not in these three articles) through to the close of the meeting (approx. 1 hour and 13 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 17, 2021. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/229a86d5-2de2-4dbe-bbfd-5c41364ce181

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-17-21_town_council_agenda_0_0.pdf

Community Preservation Committee appointments
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/cpc_updated_memo.pdf 

Complete Streets presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._complete_streets_web.pdf 

Town Administrator review/discussion
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/9a._ta_eval_docs.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-recap-of-feb-17-2021.html

Town Council ‘quarterbacking session’ with Chair Tom Mercer
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/couldnt-spend-hours-with-town-council.html 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/ or www.franklin.news

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"

visit the Stormwater Division to check on your impervious coverage https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division

FPS Parents - Pool Testing/Physical Distance Survey reminder due 2/22/21

FHS PCC (@FHS_PCC) tweeted on Fri, Feb 19, 2021:

"FPS Parents reminder to complete the survey by Monday, February 22nd link for survey https://t.co/5fvhdHIpXB 

and link for reopening page https://t.co/sxXkmeBV6j"

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/2OVv1HxiRJ

Pool testing presentation shared at the Feb 9, 2021 School Committee meeting

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/fps-pooled-testing-presentation-2092021

FPS Pooled Testing Presentation 2/09/2021 from Franklin Matters

FPS Parents - Pool Testing/Physical Distance Survey reminder due 2/22/21

Vaccine, Anyone? Oops!

If only –    Our Instant Gratification is Offline. 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 02/21/2021

Soooooo, the C19 vaccine distribution in Massachusetts was expanded to include folks aged 65 and up, and another 50K doses would be available as of Thursday. The good news – and the bad news – it made another million folks eligible.

The Wednesday 11PM newscasts noted that appointments for the doses would go online Thursday at 8AM. Come 7:30AM – the state’s website collapsed. Oops!

There has been much blaming, shaming, finger pointing and general frustration expressed in the media. The pundits were quick to hang blame on the Governor. Yes, he’s the guy at the top. Yes, things could have gone better with planning phone banks and website design. However, launching an instant phone crew to answer 100,000 frantic callers or handle a million appointment requests (for those 50,000 doses). Not easy. Not at all.

Everyone is needling Charlie about shots that can’t come fast enough. However – even the seemingly infinite resources of our vast Internet are not actually – infinite. It has very physical limits. Anyone with techno-geek skills can use a home computer as a small internet server to host a website online. But, your typical ‘high speed’ Comcast connection would be swamped by only a few hundred people trying to access that awesome site. Oops!

Even with a farm of hosting servers and very wide Internet backbone bandwidth, the Massachusetts vaccination website was statistically doomed by the million new eligible applicants, all trying to squeeze through that digital doorway at once. How does Google do it? They own fifteen percent of the Internet. They are everywhere. Same with Amazon. These organizations grew over time – no instantaneous demand.

Many years ago I produced a TeeVee Bingo program. We aired only one episode. Turns out we took down the city-wide phone exchange by folks constantly redialing our call-in number so they would be ready to yell, “ Bingo!”    Oops!

This is a time for patience and persistence. Charlie is doing all he can. And if you were a lucky vaccine winner this week? Bingo!

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

or for archive purposes  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NKs1_-GOoBiWKNB12gprQVfqtII166tc/view?usp=sharing

http://franklin.tv/

Franklin Senior Center: Memory Cafe - Feb 22 - 2 PM

Please join us at our "Where's The Toast?" Memory Cafe' on Monday Feb. 22 at 2 PM.  Shelley Otis will be entertaining us with her beautiful harp music. 

Listen to Shelley play "Heaven" by Bryan Adams  https://youtu.be/q508lMfNEZg

We look forward to seeing you Monday at 2 PM!

Click below to join "Where's The Toast?" Memory Cafe' with Shelley Otis
https://zoom.us/j/98625081878?pwd=d05HMzFKd09kaldIcjhGWXNBRE1sUT09

Meeting ID: 986 2508 1878
Passcode: 059521

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

#ThinkFranklinFirst adds businesses to the listing!

"We are excited to share that 2 new businesses are accepting the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card! You can now use your card at Mirchi Indian Cuisine and at Night Owl Farm!  

Do you have a Franklin Gift card?  Check out the 40 different businesses where you can redeem them!  These cards are helping our local economy by boosting local spending AND covering processing costs thanks to our generous sponsor, Dean Bank!  

Businesses are redeemed 100% of the funds spent at their locations! Random Smile Project has helped make this initiative possible by donating their time and energy to assist with administrative tasks.  We are so lucky to live in such a supportive community! 

Gift cards are always available both online and at Dean Bank.  www.franklingiftcard.com #supportlocal #shoplocal #giftlocal"

Shared from the Town of Franklin page on Facebook: 

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=461047405262367&id=109645590402552

A full listing of the participating businesses can be found

https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

#ThinkFranklinFirst adds businesses to the listing!

CDC: "Essential Elements of Safe K-12 School In-person Instruction"

From the Executive Summary of the CDC guidance on reopening schools released recently: (RED text for my emphasis)

"As communities plan safe delivery of in-person instruction in K-12 schools, it is essential to decide when and under what conditions to help protect students, teachers, and staff and slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It is critical for schools to open as safely and as soon as possible, and remain open, to achieve the benefits of in-person learning and key support services. To enable schools to open safely and remain open, it is important to adopt and consistently implement actions to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 both in schools and in the community. This means that all community members, students, families, teachers, and school staff should take actions to protect themselves and others where they live, work, learn, and play. In short, success in preventing the introduction and subsequent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools is connected to and facilitated by preventing transmission in the broader community."

There is no easy short list, the essential elements to reopen safely are complex. Take time to read through them to understand them.

Find and read the full CDC guidance doc

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html

“We are colliding with a future of extremes”

 

"Even as Texas struggled to restore electricity and water over the past week, signs of the risks posed by increasingly extreme weather to America’s aging infrastructure were cropping up across the country.

The week’s continent-spanning winter storms triggered blackouts in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and several other states. One-third of oil production in the nation was halted. Drinking-water systems in Ohio were knocked offline. Road networks nationwide were paralyzed and vaccination efforts in 20 states were disrupted.

The crisis carries a profound warning. As climate change brings more frequent and intense storms, floods, heat waves, wildfires and other extreme events, it is placing growing stress on the foundations of the country’s economy: Its network of roads and railways, drinking-water systems, power plants, electrical grids, industrial waste sites and even homes. Failures in just one sector can set off a domino effect of breakdowns in hard-to-predict ways."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/20/climate/united-states-infrastructure-storms.html

Remember H1N1? There are more, one is H5N8

"A H5N8 strain of bird flu has been detected in humans for the first time, among seven workers who were infected at a Russian poultry plant in December.

There is no evidence of the strain being transmitted between humans, but Russia has reported the transmission to the World Health Organization.

The workers now feel well, and “the situation did not develop further”, according to Dr Anna Popova, head of consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. She said the workers had been infected during an outbreak of the strain at the plant."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/20/bird-flu-humans-infected-with-h5n8-strain-for-first-time-in-russia