Video link for the news this Friday, Nov 6 => https://youtu.be/jjL2GC7V8Y0
Friday, November 6, 2020
CommonWealth Magazine: "Enrollment declines crop up in public schools"
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"Two months into the new school year, some communities are beginning to report enrollment declines, presumably an offshoot of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Worcester school district lost 1,046 students, about 4.2 percent of last year’s total of 25,049, according to the Telegram & Gazette. It was the second year in a row that enrollment declined, and a large chunk of the decrease was at the prekindergarten and kindergarten levels.
Brian Allen, Worcester’s chief financial and operations officer, said more families have elected to keep younger students out of school during the coronavirus pandemic.
The drop could significantly impact the amount of state aid Worcester’s schools can expect, with a $10 million decrease in chapter 70 school aid possible next fiscal year under the state’s foundation formula."
Continue reading article online
Editor's Note: While the headline "Enrollment declines crop up in public schools" is true, the reasons behind it are not fully explained in this article which seems to focus on the COVID-19/pandemic factors and not on the overall demographics. Taking Franklin as an example, there is a "small" change due to families turning to pods or moving students to private schools, but the major decline has been seen over the years and will continue to be seen through 2027.
The October 27, 2020 School Committee meeting reviewed the October 1 enrollment numbers which can be found here https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/october_enrollment_report.pdf
The audio portion of the meeting where the enrollment report is reviewed can be found here
Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance
"Sharing an informational flyer on upcoming holiday health and safety guidance. "
Visit https://t.co/JrbsE0KEX6 for more information.
Shared via https://t.co/i1d2aKF3y4
 |
| Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance |
House Ways and Means releases budget as FY 2021 process resumes
From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
With first quarter revenue numbers in hand and a new forecast for the year, the House and Senate Ways and Means committees on Oct. 21 held a joint hearing on the revised fiscal 2021 budget submitted by the governor earlier in the month.
Legislative leaders have not announced a schedule for taking up a budget bill for the year that started on July 1. Gov. Charlie Baker asked that a final spending plan be sent to him by Thanksgiving.
So far this fiscal year, the state has been operating under a series of interim budgets approved by the Legislature, with the most recent providing funding through the end of November.
Continue reading the article online https://www.mma.org/legislature-restarts-fy21-budget-process/
From CommonWealth Magazine we share:
"MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE budget writers on Thursday released a $46 billion spending proposal for the rest of the fiscal year, which includes no sweeping changes to tax or fiscal policy and adopts some increased protections for tenants applying for rental assistance.
The budget, which adopts part of Gov. Charlie Baker’s proposal to accelerate the collection of sales taxes from large businesses, seems designed to avoid controversy with an eye toward achieving relatively quick consensus with the Senate and governor. The full House will debate and vote on the budget next week, after which it will go to the Senate.
House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, a Boston Democrat, said he has been working closely with Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, a Westport Democrat, on the framework for the budget – although the budget was not pre-negotiated or released jointly. “I think we’re both under the understanding…that time is of the essence relative to the need to get this done in a relatively quick manner, just because of the circumstances that were put on us this year,” Michlewitz said."
Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/house-budget-no-new-taxes-more-eviction-protections/
In the News: "1,761 new COVID-19 cases confirmed"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,761 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 160,698.
An estimated 18,279 cases are active across the state, the daily report shows.
State health officials also confirmed 23 new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,859."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Community Level data map https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-level-covid-19-data-reporting
 |
| COVID-19 Community-Level Data Map - 11/04/20 |
Thursday, November 5, 2020
FHS Path To Return To Play/Perform
FHS Varsity Student Athletes / Performers, Parents / Guardians, and Staff,
We know that these past few days have been frustrating with the disruptions to the anticipation of both hybrid school as well as games / performances.
Understanding that out of doors events have been determined as safe by our health and safety officials, we are writing with a solution to allow for games / performances to begin on November 9, 2020.
FHS is in the process of looking to team up with a local healthcare provider to allow for large scale Covid-19 tests to be administered on site at Franklin High School. We are aiming to hold this on Saturday, November 7, 2020. Plans are still developing with the idea that students will be given the opportunity to take the test and upon receiving a negative test result would then be cleared to play / perform in upcoming scheduled events.
Because we are still working on the feasibility of this, the workaround (in order to get testing accomplished in a timely fashion -- Rapid Test results are back within 1-2 days and PCR tests take 4-5 days), student athletes/performers may obtain Covid-19 tests independently. Upon proof of testing negative, they would be cleared to play/perform in next week’s scheduled events.
We will also ask that players/performers complete one additional step of filling out a survey each day of play to assure ourselves and others that everyone is safe. This survey screens players/performers about Covid-19 symptoms and exposure to the virus, as well as asks participants to attest that they did not attend any large gatherings over the 10/30 - 11/1 weekend that did not practice social distancing or wearing of masks including the Halloween party that resulted in the 2 week cancellation of events.
All school handbook rules regarding participation in extracurriculars still apply.
Here is a link to COVID testing sites in MA (if unable to attend 11/7/20 or if we are unable to host a testing site on the FHS campus) https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13
We wish we could offer testing to all of our students in order to return to school in hybrid instruction. At this time, it is not feasible to test approximately 600 students each week. Additionally, the outdoor nature of these activities is being considered as compared to the indoor nature of school and other clubs and activities. We sincerely hope that more robust testing is available in the future in order to facilitate as much in person teaching and learning as possible.
We wish to extend our regret that the golf tournament was held on Monday and that the timing of the event did not facilitate participation of those players. Many aspects of managing through this pandemic are out of our control and require additional time for us to develop novel responses.
We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the students who had been scheduled to play and acknowledge this loss of experience for you and your families.
Sincerely,
Joshua Hanna
FHS Principal
Tom Angelo
FHS Athletic Director
Sara Ahern
Tom Angelo
FHS Athletic Director
Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools
 |
| FHS Path to Return to Play/Perform |
Davis Thayer Facility Analysis - Community Info Session - Recap - 11/4/20
Quick Recap:
- With info gathered, they can update their five step process, they are currently in Phase 2
- Overview of the highlights of the facility analysis report and presentation as covered in the prior School Committee meeting 10/27/20
- Discussion of possible timeline for the next steps
- Survey out for community input
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in the album https://photos.app.goo.gl/MbtLUoz3KH8CFs3q9
----
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 #dtfa1104
https://twitter.com/hashtag/dtfa1104?src=hashtag_click
- #dtfa1104 meeting starting now ... Concern of too many SchComm members present although they are not deliberating, just sharing info already shared
- Menti.com being used for interaction tonight #dtfa1103
- #dtfa1104 agenda slide
- #dtfa the five step process
- #dtfa1104 overview of report on facility capacity. Educational adequacy explored and rated, schools and under capacity
- #dtfa1104 enrollment declines continue over next 7 years before turning up
- Enrollment decline more so on middle school level. (And less speculation here, the students for the most part are already in the system) (elementary students projections generally already seen in birthrates) #dtfa1104
- #dtfa1104 the budget issue worsens if nothing done (yup) and any school budget looking for more money would need to have a clear answer to this situation.
- Review of the various options #dtfa1104 focus of subcommittee remains on the DT potential closing and factors thereoff
- Considering physical distance factors in this part of the work #dtfa1104 decision will be based upon multiple reports, info, factors (hoping they don't get overwhelmed with analysis paralysis) possible 3rd info session to be considered
- Possible to work through stages 1-4 during winter and depending upon pandemic status get to point on when Stage 5 would start #dtfa1104
- Getting ready for questions, #dtfa1104 what work would be req'd for middle schools regarding firing the elementary students within (i.e. Keller using some of Sullivan)
- Title I is associated with the students more than with the building. #dtfa1104 would require a recalculation and maybe a redistribution among the schools
- Yes, getting this done within the current SchComm term (Nov 21) is a motivator but not the only key, the decision needs to be made when it can be #dtfa1104 Keller sprinkler issues raised (occured twice) should be resolved to prevent reoccurrence
- Spencer speaking as mom, not SchComm member; is concerned about loss of staff at DT, principal already gone (interim in place this year) response - staff considered within district and according to bargaining agreement #dtfa1104
- Info session coming to an end, Q&A to be posted on DT page akin to the first session. #dtfa1104
Additional info on the Facility Analysis
Davis Thayer Facility Analysis - Community Info Session - Recap - 11/4/20
Board of Health - Nov 4, 2020 meeting recap
Quick Recap:
- Motion to approve prior meeting minutes passed via roll call vote 3-0
- Motion to grant waive on leaching field/Title 5 specifications to create a working system passed by roll call 3-0 vote
- Manicure establishment regulation to be subject of a future public hearing before removing the regulation as it is duplicative with what the State already does
- Updates on recruiting for future clinic in process; building at 27 Winter condemned, proceedings appreciated by Franklin Police
- No questions from committee on Gov Baker’s updates to COVID-19 restrictions, facial covering requirements, etc.
----
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 #boh1104
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh1104&src=typeahead_click
- Busy meeting night ahead; getting ready for real time reporting for the Board of Health meeting coming at 5PM agenda and connection info here https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-11-4-20_revised.pdf. #boh1104
- Choice of School Committee Davis Thayer facility Community meeting or Town Council meeting at 7 PM, as the Franklin TV will do the Town Council, I'll audio record the DTFA info session #boh1104
- #boh1104 underway
- #boh1104 motion to accept prior 3 meeting minutes approved via roll call 3-0 next up for discussion title 5 plan for 4 Abbey Lane looking for two local upgrade approval. Tank going back in same place at 30 years ago, can't be changed otherwise. Moving leaching field higher
- Motion to grant variance as requested passes 3-0 via roll call. Chap 238 manicure establishments, already covered by State, no real value add for Franklin coverage. Should consider a public hearing to provide due diligence for removal of regulation #boh1104
- Recruiting for volunteers for clinic, 39 responses still open, when time comes we should be ready ... Look out for nursing schools to provide some students who need opportunity to help (due to the pandemic) #boh1104 paperwork processing, post shot checks, etc.
- New orders on gatherings, face coverings, etc. Don't anticipate going red, went from 11 to 14 cases. Chair to send calculation to Dir. Liberty 27 Winter st, #boh1104 condemned the dwelling due to condition, multiple complaints over recent years. Criminal charge for disturbing
- Places like this take up too much time by the Police to respond to. Doors are locked, windows on 2nd floor broken open but otherwise access is restricted. #boh1104
- Chair turned duties to vice chair, no public comments, motion to adjourn, passed 2-0 #boh1104
 |
| Board of Health - Nov 4, 2020 meeting recap |
FPAC to Present Socially Distanced Production of ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND - Nov 8
"The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present a creative and socially distanced production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on Sunday, November 8. A nomadic audience of 10 will meet Alice and follow her from venue to venue as her adventures unfold. Dressed to be outside and in, audience members will walk from vignette to vignette, on THE BLACK BOX and 38 Main Street campus. Masks are required.
The creative production was conceived and directed by Nick Paone. Paone has a BA in Theater from Occidental College. A former Equity actor, his performing credits include Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, Red Roses, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Romeo and Juliet. He has written and directed numerous shows, produced an evening of one-act plays in NYC, and traveled extensively performing with TheatreWorks USA. Nick's numerous FPAC credits include The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical, The Addams Family, Peter Pan, Les Misérables, Humbug!, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, and many more. He is the creative mind behind FPAC's original musicals Humbug!, Zero, and multiple holiday pantos."
Tickets can be purchased online https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1421&month=11&year=2020
 |
| ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND - Nov 8 |
Franklin Community Garden: Maintenance Day - Nov 11
We are planning on having a maintenance day on November 11th from 9am-12. By then all garden beds should be cleaned out and if you are planning on renting next year that would be a great day to amend your soil. With beautiful weather in the forecast for the next week, we really need to spend a few minutes cleaning out the beds. It's also a good time to plant garlic for next year as well.
What will be doing on that day? You can care for your garden by cleaning it out and then we need help moving the picnic tables and covering them, washing the tools (important so that when we use them next year if there were any disease on the tools it will not be transferred to someone's garden), cut the grass one last time, stack all the tomato cages in the back of the shed so they don't blow away, put the hoses away, put down some clover and clean out the shed. After November 11th the water will be shut off.
It's time to clean out your garden beds of all fallen produce, perennials that do not belong (strawberries, raspberry bushes, corn stalks and mint.) If you would like to grow mint then you need to put it in a plastic pot and then plant the pot in the garden. This way it does not multiply throughout the whole garden. If you ever decide not to use that garden space and the mint had been growing then it would be a big deal to remove it and this holds true for the strawberries and the bushes.
The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension offers these free one hour LEARN AT HOME webinars. This one is perfect for us: "Putting the Garden to Bed: Tips and Tricks for Success Next Year" . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuuAh1Ir4Es There are others and once you visit their website you can choose whatever seems to be of interest to you.
Lastly, I want to thank all our volunteers for their hard work keeping the Community Garden going so smoothly. Deb Schwab has really stepped up to be our liaison from the Recreation Dept to all of you. She has been behind the scenes organizing all the eagle scout projects, managing the volunteers for the maintenance days and I can't thank her enough. Teresa Triana, Jen Kuse (Franklin Food Pantry), Melanie Hamblen and all our eagle scouts. This has been our best year by far and it's because of all of these individuals. Thank you letters will be going out to our eagle scouts today.
We will open up registration to all returning gardeners for 2021 on Monday, February 1st, 8:30am.
amend your soil link https://organicforecast.org/2015/11/five-reasons-to-amend-garden-soil-now/
 |
| Jen Kuse and Lynn Calling viewing the garden beds that the Franklin Food Pantry used this year |
Franklin Public Schools: Haunted Clocks Full Virtual Performance
"Amazing performance! Great job to ALL involved!"
Performance by Annie Sullivan, Horace Mann, and Remington Middle Schools in Franklin Massachusetts
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1324116511758364674?s=03
Video link => https://youtu.be/WxetbNjvm2M
Video link => https://youtu.be/WxetbNjvm2M
Franklin School Committee - Newsletter - 11/4/20
You can view the current (and prior) newsletter updates from the School Committee online https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/newsletters
Senator Rausch: Onward!
I am deeply honored and humbled to be re-elected as State Senator representing the great communities of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District! Thank you to the voters for putting your faith in me for another term, to continue pushing for progress and delivering results.
Before I go any further, I want to say a massive thank you to my tremendous campaign team. Many of you got to meet and work with some of these incredible people over the course of this campaign, so you know just how phenomenal they are. Thank you doesn't begin to cut it here. I am so grateful for all of you, for the formidable campaign we built and ran even during a global pandemic, and for your deep dedication to justice, equity, democracy, and collaboration. Thank you to our fellows, our youth coordinators, and all of our amazing volunteers. And, thank you to my family, especially my husband Lior and our children, for your patience, love, understanding, and strength.
Friends, this victory is about all of us, and the values we share. Values of justice, fairness, and equity for all. Values that manifest in public health, reproductive freedom, election access, antiracism, education, intersectional civil rights, and so much more. Values that have been under attack seemingly everywhere we look. But yesterday and over the last few weeks, all of you here and tens of thousands of voters in our district said no to unraveling progress. This victory is a resounding YES for truth, science, civility, and policymaking that uplifts our individual and collective humanity.
We all know this is not the first time in history that our shared values have been attacked, or trampled. My grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. His 100th birthday would have been this past weekend, while all of us were busy talking to voters. He passed away when I was young, but one of the things I remember most about him is his love of music. On Monday morning, as I was dropping off our younger son at pre-K, a piece of music my grandfather loved and brought into our family came on the radio. Not just a snippet of the piece either, the whole thing. Hearing it reminded me of our unique legacies, and how those legacies influence the people we become.
I'd never been to Germany until just a few years ago, and it wasn't until that trip that I learned my great great grandfather was a local politician before Hitler rose to power. Before my ancestors' lives were taken from them. Before the values of justice and equity and decency were so horrifyingly overrun by hate and fear.
These have been dark times in our nation – a serious stain on our American story that was unthinkable before 2016. We do not yet know what the outcome will be at the top of the ticket or in other critical races across the country. That great unknown is hard. It's hard to sit in ambiguity that so drastically impacts our lives now and the brighter future we all want to build for our children and generations to come. While we do not yet know the outcome, we know this: we can do hard things. We've been doing it for years, some of us longer than others. And we know that eventually, the arc will bend our way. Good will triumph over evil. Love will triumph over hate. Truth will triumph over lies and manipulation. Democracy will triumph over the denigration of American ideals.
We also know this: whatever happens at the federal level, the sites of social change for the next several years will be state legislatures. And that's what makes our victory particularly important, and hopeful. I'm proud to have achieved many great successes in my first term, from passing two reproductive justice bills on the Senate floor by unanimous, bipartisan votes, to advancing infectious disease prevention legislation, to enhancing transparency in the legislature, to bringing real and meaningful service to every corner of my district. That's what my leadership looks like. That's what voters in this election confirmed they want. And that's exactly what I'll continue to deliver in my next term – actual progress on public health, reproductive justice, election reform, climate action, intersectional civil rights, a government and places of employment free from harassment and discrimination, and more. That's the world we're striving to achieve. That's the sense of community we're fighting to restore.
When I think about our kids, and your kids, and all the young people out there who have shown up and spoken up and reached out and gotten involved, whether through climate strikes or a teen town hall or letters to me or learning how to read… I am inspired by them, and motivated to do better and keep pushing for the brighter future they deserve. That's a legacy I hope our work together will leave for them, both the work that's brought us to this moment and the work still to come.
I hope we achieve that legacy. I hope I'm living up to the legacy my family crafted for me. And I hope I continue to make all of you proud.
To each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your incredible support and for dedicating your time, talent, and treasure to this campaign, to our values, and to hope. We have paved a path forward; let's keep pushing for progress and getting it done, together.
Thank you, everyone.
In solidarity,
Becca Rausch
In the News: "Mass voters reject ranked choice, but OK car repair measure"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Voters of Massachusetts said no Tuesday night to a reform that would have dramatically altered the way voters choose their elected leaders, rejecting a ballot question backed by a who’s who of current and former political leaders from both parties that would have allowed voters in future statewide elections to rank candidates in races with three or more choices on the ballot.
Voters approved the other ballot question, breaking in favor of giving independent mechanics access to wireless vehicle data to repair cars by a 3-1 margin, according to incomplete and unofficial returns.
Supporters of the auto repair question said their win at the ballot box would ensure that consumers can get their car or truck repaired wherever they want, but even after conceding defeat opponents of Question 1 said the Right to Repair Committee failed to show why the change was necessary.
Unofficial results showed voters favoring Question 1 by a 3-1 margin with over 93% of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
For more info on the Nov 3, 2020 election check the unofficial Franklin results on the Town Clerk page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk
In the News: 1,629 new COVID-19 cases
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,629 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 158,937.
State health officials also confirmed 27 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,836.
As of Wednesday, 502 patients confirmed of having the coronavirus were hospitalized in Massachusetts, of which 109 were reported to be in an intensive care unit.
On Monday, the DPH posted a revised daily dashboard. Key new data points include “case growth by age group” and average turnaround time for COVID-19 test results that are reported to state health officials."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
The new COVID-19 dashboard can be found online https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-4-2020/download
Senator Karen Spilka: virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair - Nov 20
"The virtual Senior Health & Wellness Fair will be LIVE on Friday, Nov 20, 2020! The 60-min show, which will be broadcast on local cable access TV in MetroWest, YouTube & Facebook, will offer expertise & resources from local & state experts, as well as fun!"
More about the event: https://t.co/DViNQ9UMxB
 |
| Senator Karen Spilka: Senior Health & Wellness Fair - Nov 20 |
CommonWealth Magazine: Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt nominated to SJC; State tax revenues up over last year
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER’S latest nominee to the Supreme Judicial Court is an Appeals Court judge with a background in intellectual property litigation who built a robot while studying engineering at MIT.
Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt spoke to reporters after Gov. Charlie Baker introduced her as his latest pick for the Supreme Judicial Court. [Matthew J. Lee/Boston Globe/Pool]
Judge Dalila Argaez Wendlandt, if confirmed to the post by the Governor’s Council, would be the first Latina to serve on the state’s high court.
“The daughter of immigrants from Colombia, Justice Wendlandt will bring her voice to our highest court, a voice we need now more than ever,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said at an election day press conference at the State House where she and Baker introduced Wendlandt. “She has served as a mentor for women and girls throughout her career and the impact she would make in this new position, for young girls to see the first Latina woman serving on our highest court in the commonwealth, is profound.”
Continue reading article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-nominating-first-latina-to-sjc/
NOW PARTWAY into the second quarter of a fiscal year that budget managers expect will generate between 4 percent and 12 percent less tax revenue for the state than the last, collections are still running more than 1 percent ahead of their fiscal year 2020 pace, the Department of Revenue said Wednesday.
DOR collected $2.089 billion from Massachusetts taxpayers in October, $62 million, or 3.1 percent, more than what was collected in October 2019, the agency said. October’s tax haul is among the smallest of the calendar year and DOR said the month typically generates about 6.5 percent of the state’s annual revenue.
“October revenue was driven mostly by increases in withholding, non-withheld income tax, and regular sales tax. These increases were partly offset by decreases in meals tax, and ‘All Other’ tax,” Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said. “An increase in individual return payments, combined with a decrease in refunds, resulted in growth in non-withheld income tax in October. The moderate withholding increase reflects unemployment insurance benefits, one-time events, and timing factors.”
Continue reading article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/232310/
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Franklin Food Pantry Names Capital Campaign Committee
Hires Local Architect Firm and Project Manager to Renovate Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry has announced members of its Capital Campaign Committee. The Capital Campaign Committee, led by Franklin Food Pantry Board member, Suzanne Gendreau, consists of local leaders and Pantry staff and will work to raise funds to renovate 138 East Central Street into a vibrant functioning Food Pantry. In April of 2020, The Pantry purchased the building to better serve its neighbors. In addition, The Pantry has hired Franklin-based Brad Chaffee of Camford Property Group as its project manager and Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect to design the plans of the new Pantry.
 |
| Suzanne Gendreau |
Along with Gendreau, the committee members include: Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry; Kim Cooper, donor relations manager; Ingrid Cornetta, public relations professional; Jeff Ellis, CPA; Glenn Jones, town council member; Susan Morrison, realtor; Donna O'Neill, food pantry volunteer; Laura Often, communications manager; Jeff Roy, state representative and Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters editor. For more information about the committee visit the Franklin Food Pantry website (https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/new-building-updates/campaign/).
"We couldn't be happier with the group of people who have stepped up to help us raise the money we will need to make our dream of a new building a reality," said Lynn Calling, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "The Franklin Food Pantry is more than just a food pantry, it is a place to build community, provide resources and help our neighbors improve their quality of life. By moving into a larger building, we will be able to store more food and hold places for our neighbors to meet together to better share resources as well as offer a safer place for our neighbors, volunteers and staff."
The Pantry has also selected Camford Property Group's Brad Chaffee to project manage the build out and named Kuth Ranieri Architects as its architect. The Franklin Food Pantry has conducted focus groups with staff, volunteers and neighbors to learn what they are looking for in a Pantry and the designs will reflect those suggestions and ideas. "Brad's leadership will ensure that the project is both cost-effective and organized. With Brad, we selected Kuth Ranieri Architects because of their experience with civic projects and dedication to improving communities," continued Calling. "They also bring a local connection to the project so we know they will take extra care in ensuring that the building reflects the values of The Pantry and the Franklin Community."
The Franklin Food Pantry will launch a public capital campaign later this year. In the meantime, donors can visit here to make a donation to the campaign or can set up their own fundraising page here. For more information visit: www.franklinfoodpantry.org.
About the Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,400 individuals. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Between June 2019 and July 2020, 287,691, pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)