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| Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21 |
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| Town of Franklin, MA: Reason #3 - #ThinkFranklinFirst |
Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee are in need of donations. We are a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax deductible.
Our tax # is: 82-3353876. With the fundraisers we had in the past we were able to purchase
Our next project coming up soon is a weather shed for the dog park so people can stay out of the rain and winter weather. We have set up a checking account with Dean Bank and your donation will go directly into our account. Please make your check payable to: Furry Friends of Franklin, Inc
You can either stop in at any Dean Bank location or mail your donation to: Dean Bank, 21 Main St. Franklin ,Ma. 02038.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Gennarino D'Onofrio
President of Furry Friends Franklin Dog Park
Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee
Here’s an opportunity to get rid of those unwanted bicycles cluttering up your garage or shed: donate them for a good cause at the charity bike drive being held Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Franklin Recreation Department Headquarters located at 275 Beaver Street in Franklin, MA.
The bike drive is being held by Franklin High School senior Alex Gardenier, who is an Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scout Troop 99. He is conducting the bike drive to benefit the charitable organization Bikes Not Bombs (https://bikesnotbombs.org/about).
For more details on what, when, etc. https://02038.com/2020/10/charity-bike-drive-in-franklin-oct-24/
Bicycle recycling Event - Oct 24
Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell today reminded genealogy enthusiasts and those with an interest in the rich history of Norfolk County that all Registry hand-written land documents have been transcribed and are available for viewing via our website www.norfolkdeeds.org.
Register O’Donnell noted, “Since the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic back in mid-March of this year, many have had to stay close to home. Certainly, freedom of movement has been curtailed for individuals and families who have a concern about contracting the coronavirus. Many have spent hours online catching up with family and friends via social media. If you are looking for something new to do and have always been curious about your family history or local history, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds can be a valuable source of relevant information via its online research offerings.”
“A few years back, the Registry and its vendor completed a project which transcribed all our hand-written land documents dating back from 1793 to 1900. Prior to this effort, these hand-written documents were in many cases difficult to near impossible to read. With the transcription project completed, our over 8 million land documents can be accessed for viewing from the comfort of your home via our website www.norfolkdeeds.org.”
It should be noted that while the transcribers made a best effort to translate these hard to read documents, their accuracy is not guaranteed. “These transcribed documents,” noted O’Donnell, “are not legal documents in and of itself, and are not considered binding on the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds or its employees. It is considered merely a convenient reference for Registry users. For documentation purposes, users should refer to the scanned image of the original document instead of the transcribed image.”
Concluding his remarks, Register O’Donnell stated, “While the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building in Dedham remains closed to the general public due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, our online research offerings remain a viable way for genealogists and history buffs to perform research from the comfort of their homes. Please know that as your Register of Deeds, I continue to take very seriously my core responsibility to be the custodian of land document information in Norfolk County. Myself and the Registry staff strive each and every day to ensure the accuracy and accessibility of these land documents. I am proud that future generations will be able to access these land documents and read the transcribed images with the ongoing goal of ensuring a correct record of land documents here in Norfolk County.”
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.
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| Register O’Donnell Discusses Online Research Capability for Genealogy and History Enthusiasts |
Hello All,
We hope that you can join us today for our Grateful Moments Memory Cafe featuring board certified music therapist Linda LaSalle. Linda's music is sure to lift your spirits and bring back memories. She will also share tips on how to use music to bring more peace and happiness into your life! Linda plays harp, guitar and sings.
Click below to Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86387129663?pwd=MDdmLzR6RnhnZ09SbVFMQ1JsRG4yQT09
Meeting ID: 863 8712 9663
Passcode: 614115
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Ariel Doggett
Virtual Program Coordinator
Respite Coordinator
"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll
There is no act of kindness too small
Grateful Moments Memory Cafe - Oct 19, 2020 at 2 PM
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The counting for the 2020 U.S. Census official ended last week, and now the U.S. Census Bureau will use the data it has collected to determine how many people live in each city and town in the United States.
The U.S. Census Bureau says 69.3% of households in Massachusetts self-reported their data by the deadline (11:59 Hawaiian Standard Time on Oct. 15/5:59 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Oct. 16) and another 30.6% of households were enumerated when a census taker was sent to the home or by another nonresponse followup method. People could self-report either through the internet site, by calling the Census Bureau or completing a paper census form.
“The Census Bureau creates a master address file that is used to reach out to every household in the country. This file is compiled and verified by multiple sources including state and local governments,” according to a statement from the bureau."
How did Franklin do? The chart shows the response rate, what that will translate to in terms of population remains to be seen. For more info on the overall response rates https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates/self-response.html
2020 Census is complete
A NOTE TO RESIDENTS: Due to the continued concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus and Governor Baker’s declared State of Emergency, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Town Council Meeting for all public access and participation. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by clicking on the attached link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). The attached link and phone number will be active for the duration of the meeting for citizens to ask questions/ voice concerns. If residents are just interested in watching the meeting it will also be live-streamed by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.
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
a. Board of Registrars - Gail Karner https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/gail_karner_1.pdf
b. Election Workers https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/5a._2_appointments_election_workers.pdf
c. Finance Committee: Natalie Riley https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/fincom_natalie_riley.pdf
d. Fire Department Pinnings:
Joshua Impey, Joshua Sables, Kristopher Smith
e. Police Department:
i. Pinnings - Jonathan Giron, Nicholas Storelli
ii. Retiree - Doug Nix
6. HEARINGS
None Scheduled
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
None Scheduled
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
- National Grid Emergency Management (Trees & Power): Chief McLaughlin (Fire Chief), Brutus Cantoreggi (DPW Director)
- Beaver Street Interceptor: Brutus Cantoreggi (DPW Director), Doug Martin (Water/Sewer Superintendent) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf
9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-61: Authorization of Town Administrator to Grant Temporary Food Truck Permits to Farmers Series Licenses (Motion to approve Resolution 20-61 - Majority Vote)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/20-61_food_truck.pdf
10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-62: Acceptance of Easement on the Westerly Side of Spring Street (Motion to approve Resolution 20-62 - Majority Vote)
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10b-legislation-action-39
10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-861: Zoning Map Changes on or near Oak Street - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-861 to the Planning Board - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._20-861_oak_street_1.pdf
10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-862: Zoning Map Changes on or near Longhill Road and Pleasant Street - Referral to the Planning Board (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-862 to the Planning Board - Majority Roll Call Vote) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/20-862_longhill_and_pleasant.pdf
11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Drought Update
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled
ADJOURN
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| Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 21, 2020 |
This shares the Community Preservation Act Webinar hosted by the CPAForFranklin group on Thursday, October 15, 2020.
Video link = https://youtu.be/lM5xB9hgiuk
The webinar agenda doc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13SXYzw2QJidTitdOKVgrB8Le6I9kdC4x/view?usp=sharing
The main presentation doc
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_qVhDBTTr3FzfPL6AeftTNiVbAczGJXS/view?usp=sharing
More about the CPAForFranklin group and the Community Preservation Act can be found at https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/
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| Restaurants, Hotels & Hospitality Business Listening Session Meeting - Oct 19 |
FPS Voice:
Our Middle School curriculum now includes the important subjects of the United States and Massachusetts Government & Civic Life. We talked with Jeff Anthony and Jonathan Mello, 8th-grade teachers from Annie Sullivan Middle School, about the topics covered, their approach in the classroom, and how they are connecting their lessons to what is happening today.
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| FPS Voice: Learn more about the new 8th Grade Civics Curriculum (audio) |
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| Ad Hoc Superintendent's Evaluation Sub Committee Meeting - Oct 28, 2020 |
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
THE UNVEILING of Gov. Charlie Baker’s revised fiscal year 2021 budget raised eyebrows. Some called it a “miracle budget” because he proposed a balanced budget without large-scale cuts and — notably — without raising taxes.
To be clear, raising taxes on families and businesses already facing financial hardship is not the right thing to do — on this point, we agree with the governor.
Where we disagree is the idea that the state can get through this storm without raising any taxes. The wealthiest households and large, profitable corporations should be paying more taxes to support communities in this time of dire need.
We commend the administration for some proposals, like delaying the state charitable deduction, and for its overall budget-balancing prowess. However, there are many areas where this budget falls short of our communities’ needs.
.......
The prime example is K-12 school funding. A new law, the Student Opportunity Act, recognized the need to dramatically increase state support for students in low-income families, English Language Learners, and those receiving special education.
Not only does the governor’s new budget delay the Student Opportunity Act’s implementation, it also cuts the amount of K-12 school funding from his January proposal by $195.5 million. (The slight increase in his budget compared with last year accounts only for inflation and normal enrollment growth.) The pain of these cuts will fall hardest on our students, particularly from Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities, which the new law was intended to support.
On top of these challenges, schools are trying to retrofit buildings for safe ventilation, ensure all students have access to online learning, and support children facing trauma. Federal relief will cover some of these unexpected costs, but that relief is insufficient, often restrictive, and contingent upon a mercurial Congress.
| Chapter 70 | Unrestricted Gen'l Gov't Aid | ||
| FY 2021 - January 2020 | 5,479,534,540 | 1,160,218,724 | |
| FY 2021 - October 2020 |
5,283,651,632
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1,128,617,436 | |
| Difference | -195,882,908 | -31,601,288 |
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported an additional 550 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 139,903.
There were 12,395 new molecular tests conducted, with an approximately 4.44% daily positive rate. This marks the second straight day the daily positivity rate is above 4%.
State health officials also confirmed 21 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,503."
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| In the News: "the statewide rate of average daily cases is also in the red" |
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| Franklin is contributing to these numbers |
During the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period (October 15th-December 7th), you will have a chance to change your plans for next year.
SHINE's certified Medicare counselors can help you understand your plan changes, as well as other options you may have.
For the link to join, email: adoggett@franklinma.gov.
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| Franklin Senior Center: Medicare Update with SHINE - Oct 19 - 2:00 PM |
