Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
FM #404 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 404 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Dec 2, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the Health Dept were in the Municipal Building, the remainder, Committee, (and public) were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes.
The recording runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Dec 2. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrszndkS
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-ma-board-of-health-agenda-dec.html
Health Dept/Board of Health page https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-ma-board-of-health-meeting.html
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FHS' Paterson, Norton, Dolan, and Sandham named Hockomock golf all-stars |
Tri-County will be the areas first school to complete installation of an upgraded HVAC System that includes UV lights in ducts
FM #403 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 403 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Workshop held on Tuesday, Dec 1, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee and public were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Due to my own tech issues, I missed recording approx 6 minutes of the opening and overview for the workshop. We join in as Chair Anne Bergen turns the meeting to Superintendent Sara Ahern to begin the detailed walk through.
The recording runs approx 90 minutes. Let’s listen to the School Committee budget workshop of Dec 1, 2020.
Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-403-school-comm-budget-workshop-12-01-20
Agenda doc
https://franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/budget_workshop_agenda_0.pdf
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/school-committee-budget-workshop-recap.html
The following is a statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Conference Committee Report:
"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Ways & Means Chairs, Senator Rodrigues and Representative Michlewitz, as well as the members of the Ways & Means committee, especially Senate Vice Chair Friedman and Assistant Vice Chair Lewis, for the hard work they put into crafting the Fiscal Year 2021 budget under very difficult circumstances.
This budget makes important investments in key areas to steady the Commonwealth and assist our most vulnerable residents as we continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am also thrilled that Massachusetts will be taking a vital step to protect reproductive rights with the inclusion of the Senate ROE provision, which has been preserved in the final budget."
The Conference Committee Report can be found https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommittee
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Budget Conference Committee Report |
With some schools temporarily shuttered or on a staggered schedule because of the ongoing pandemic, many kids are learning from teachers conducting lessons remotely or through a mix of in-class and remote schooling.
With that in mind, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program created several new online resources for teachers, parents and caregivers to keep children engaged while distance learning.
Among them: the Home and Distance Learning Activities page, which provides easy-to-use materials — videos, fun facts, warmup activities and more — for different grade levels.
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 #BoH1202
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BoH1202&src=typeahead_click
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screen grab of process for prescription for health diet |
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Town Administrator Jamie Hellen presenting to the Town Council on 12/02/20 |
Quick Recap:
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School Committee Budget Workshop - Recap - Dec 1, 2020 |
Clue is based on the iconic 1985 movie inspired by the Hasbro Board Game. The plot has to do with a mysterious invitation from an anonymous host at a mansion where six strange guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. The murder is solved by a detective, while the actual ending differs between productions. The play has three different endings.
When is the play?
The play is occurring on December 3rd and 4th at 7pm.
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Via Pantherbook: FHS to live stream "Clue" Dec 3 and Dec 4 |
Be that as it may, I really would prefer that people think in terms of the truer diversity our candidacies represent, namely diversity of experience, outlook, and ideas. We have a budding expert on government, an IT professional, a PhD researcher and entrepreneur, and a writer to choose from. And, I suspect that short litany of characteristics doesn't begin to properly credit the diversity in thought that we represent.
Returning to the more conventional view of diversity and identity politics, I would have to say that my own "identity" as Latino is neither comfortable nor meaningful. My grandparents, from whom that identity springs, were grateful to leave "the old country" and never looked back. Not that they didn't carry a heritage with them but they viewed language and ethnicity as incidentals, which love of family and capacity for personal growth trumped entirely.
Their story was one of enthusiasm for a new national identity. They had found their promised land and spent a lifetime embracing it and loving it. So, even though the experts in Washington call me Latino, I will continue to think of myself as the proud descendant of immigrants who voted for democracy over autocracy, and opportunity and economic freedom over autarky and a corporative dictatorship. They became American, and I am the proud heir of their choice.Alan Earls
Candidate for Town Council
Independent Writer
Below are the official 20020 Hockomock League Girls Cross Country All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.
Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Emma Lawrence, Milford
Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
Alexandra Batla, Franklin
Angelina Perez, Franklin
Honorable Mention
Sydney Brady, Franklin
For the full listing of the Hockomock League girls cross country all-stars https://hockomocksports.com/2020-hockomock-league-girls-cross-country-all-stars/
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FHS' Batla, Perez, Brady named Hockomock girls cross country all-stars |
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FHS' Calitri, Walmsley, Sieczkiewicz, and Anderson named Hockomock boys cross country all-stars |
Statement on Winter Sports pic.twitter.com/iEchbxzqAH
— Tri-County RVTHS Athletics (@TriRvths) December 2, 2020