Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - Jan 8, 2021

Hello Everyone!

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar - https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day 

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Make sure you check out our upcoming events next week.  We have a wonderful zoom event "Nature Around Us", an in person Stampin' Up! Craft and one of my favorite monthly events "Name That Tune!"  Details are listed below in the Upcoming Events section. 

Tips

Paul Eugene - Power Hi Low chair aerobics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpjbPX7T5zk 

10 minute indoor walking workout

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkaX-YbOi3I 

15 minute guided meditation to find peace in uncertain times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W19PdslW7iw 

Music

Back to the 50's - Oldies Mix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fznknLKU44&t=42s 

Edward Yudenich (8 years old) conducting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v436IGbKL_o 

Perfect Duet - Karolina Protsenko and Daniele Vitale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af2Tff8m9Uw 

Some of the most unusual instruments in the world!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCYHMVlQezA 

Just for Fun

The history of Franklin Ma 1910-1919 by Joe Landry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPvh7OszN6A&feature=youtu.be 

Marionette Puppet Painting Skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjZVQUMJevs 

23 very cool sculptures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh6QiH9ZVSk 

The Mysterious history of Lover's Eye Jewelry

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-mysterious-history-lovers-eye-jewelry

Humor

Grandparents 100% having more fun then you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIPBgIIa090 

Jeanne Robertson - Be Careful Were You Sit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAc7fsEeQbQ 

Kindness Matters

Cop escorts 5 year old to school after his father dies in the line of duty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk-cKr6EvSo 

11 year old crochet artist Jonah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL_m5w0wS-k 

Attached you will find:

1. Donna's Puzzle packed "It's Puzzling" Activity worksheets.  Get your brain ready for these! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vMp4Pew6qqik_9L3Ij-XyxfK0fhM547O/view?usp=sharing

2. Franklin Senior Center January Connections Newsletter https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GCqt1Fx_Qn5ODuJDpQBw8cbOhPhnUhA9/view?usp=sharing

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday Jan. 11th at 1pm Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Tuesday Jan. 12th at 11am - Nature Around Us - A photo journey with Renata Gilarova. 

Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend

*Tuesday Jan. 12th at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday Jan. 12th at 1pm - Audio Book Discussion- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. Jan. 13th at 11:30am - Stampin' Up! - IN PERSON - Valentine's Day Craft and cards

Space is limited you MUST register to attend. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. Jan. 13th at 1pm - Know The Skin You're In - Via conference call with Nurse Trish 

How your skin changes with age.  Bring your questions. Call to register

*Wed. Jan. 13th at 4pm - Caregiver Support Group - email elaine.owens@verizon.net 

*Thursday Jan. 14th at 10am- Discussion Group - call to sign up

*Thursday Jan. 14th at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Thursday Jan. 14th at 6:30 - NAME THAT TUNE! Music, Fun and laughs on our zoom game 

show. Whether you know your music or just want to have fun this is sure to entertain

 You!  Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend

*Friday Jan. 15th at at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of 

 games and socialization. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend. VIA ZOOM

Plus Exercise, Yoga, Discussion Groups and more.  Check out our newsletter or online calendar for a full list of all activities available https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter

*Curbside Cafe - SPECIAL Chicken Quesadillas order here https://www.franklinma.gov/Curb 

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  We are still here for you!  Please feel free to email Donna and I with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel & Donna

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - Jan 8, 2021

Franklin Interact Club - drop off location changed

"Due to an overwhelming response of generosity and donations received, we are forced to move our collection drop off to a new location going forward.  

You may continue to arrange pick up times, but drop offs will be Saturday’s thru Feb 6, 12 - 2 PM, 249 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038. 

Thank you all for your support!!"

Shared from Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/100053899402155/posts/195631348910177/

and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100053899402155/posts/195588702247775/

Reminder info on the collection in operation through Feb 6

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/reminder-franklin-interact-schedules.html

recent collection

Franklin Interact Club donation items sought

CommonWealth Magazine: some school districts rollback opening in person; new testing plan announced

"Amid rising cases, districts roll back reopening plans"

"DOZENS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS shifted to remote learning for at least two weeks after the holidays in an effort to keep the virus out of schools in the event students and parents traveled or engaged in large-person events during the break.

Brockton, which has an 11.85 percent community positive test rate, is delaying its return to in-person learning for almost 400 high needs students, which was set for mid-January, by at least two weeks. Pre-K and kindergarten students, which have been remote, would return February 8.

Continue reading the article

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/amid-rising-cases-districts-roll-back-reopening-plans/

"A shopping bag that held the key to safe school opening"

"A LITTLE BEFORE 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Liz Ruark started out from the small Worcester County town of Harvard on the 30-mile drive to Kendall Square in Cambridge. Nestled on the floor of the backseat of her Subaru Forester was a Home Goods tote bag whose contents were key to the community’s goal of keeping its schools open while also holding the COVID-19 pandemic at bay.

Ruark, a parent of two Harvard public school students, has helped spearhead a five-month effort that culminated in this week’s launch of free weekly coronavirus surveillance testing of all students, teachers, and staff in the rural district. The cargo she was rushing to a Cambridge lab held specimens from the 713 people who showed up throughout the day to have nasal swabs taken at four outdoor testing stations set up outside the town’s combined middle-high school building."

Continue reading the article

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/state-launching-weekly-school-covid-testing-initiative/

Gov Baker's press conference on Thursday, Jan 7 announcing the new testing plan

https://youtu.be/rHWX0Ml53-M

The press release with details on the new testing plans for schools (and limited funding for this)

https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-pooled-testing-initiative-for-massachusetts-schools

New MA interactive dashboard for COVID-19 reporting  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

Town of Franklin (MA) COVID-19 status per new MA dashboard

MA hospital capacity per MA COVID-19 dashboard

FM #429 Town Council Meeting - P2of2 - 01/06/21 (audio)

FM #429 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 429 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. 

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

I’ve split the full two hour twenty-seven minutes meeting into two logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Hazard Mitigation Plan presentation/discussion to the approval of it. It includes the second Legislation action item - the authorization for the Beaver St interceptor project (1 hour and 36 minutes)
• Second - covers the remainder of the Legislation for Action items through to the close of the meeting (51 mins)

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

Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of Jan 6, 2021.  

Audio link = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hy1YpZ6S

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

Hazard Mitigation presentation doc  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._hazard_mitigation_presentation_2020_update_presentation_handout.pdf

Hazard Mitigation Plan
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf

Beaver St summary document  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._21-02_beaver_street_interceptor.pdf 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/town-council-meeting-jan-6-2021-recap.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" 

FM #429 Town Council Meeting - P2of2 - 01/06/21 (audio)

FM #428 Town Council Meeting P1of2 - 01/06/21 (audio)

FM #428 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 428 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. 

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

I’ve split the full two hour twenty-seven minutes meeting into two logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Hazard Mitigation Plan presentation/discussion to the approval of it. It includes the second Legislation action item - the authorization for the Beaver St interceptor project (1 hour and 36 minutes)
• Second - covers the remainder of the Legislation for Action items through to the close of the meeting (51 mins)

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

Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of Jan 6, 2021.  

Audio link =  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-428-town-council-mtg-p1of2-1-06-21

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

Hazard Mitigation presentation doc  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._hazard_mitigation_presentation_2020_update_presentation_handout.pdf

Hazard Mitigation Plan
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf

Beaver St summary document  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._21-02_beaver_street_interceptor.pdf 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/town-council-meeting-jan-6-2021-recap.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" 

FM #428 Town Council Meeting P1of2 - 01/06/21 (audio)

FM #427 Board of Health Meeting - 1/06/21 (audio)

FM #427 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 427 in the series.

 
This session shares the Franklin, MA Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. 

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 39 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. Audio file =   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HV06SSGS

 

--------------
Agenda doc  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-1-6-21.pdf

New COVID-19 reporting dashboard  https://www.canva.com/design/DAERJvYx-CA/RDnuYIFlWB8rUKQrGQlX0Q/view 

Prior chart and reporting format of COVID-19 data   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/covid-19_case_counts_4_1.pdf 
 
My notes from the meeting  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/board-of-health-meeting-jan-6-2021-recap.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" 

FM #427 Board of Health Meeting - 1/06/20 (audio)

School Committee: Budget SubCommittee Meeting - Jan 14, 2021

School Committee - Budget SubCommittee Meeting

Thursday, Jan 14, 2021 - 4:30 PM

Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)

Agenda

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● FY21 Budget Development

Find connection info in the Agenda PDF

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-bsc_1-14-20.pdf 

School Committee: Budget SubCommittee Meeting - Jan 14, 2021

FHS boys hockey top Foxboro 7-2 on Friday

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results: 

Boys Hockey = Foxboro, 2 @ Franklin, 7 – Final 
– Franklin’s JT Dwyer scored a hat trick to pace the Panthers to a win over visiting Foxboro. Dwyer scored three of of Franklin’s first five goals with Sean Connelly assisting on all three tallies. Conor O’Neill also scored twice in the win with Justin Abely recording assists on each goal.

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-08-21/

FHS boys hockey top Foxboro 7-2 on Friday

Panther TV News - Jan 8, 2021 (video)

Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted on Fri, Jan 08, 2021:

It's been a rough week, so we've worked hard to produce an entertaining show for you. We hope you enjoy it! 

@FHSPantherbook

@FranklinPSNews

@FranklinHS

  News, January 8 2021 https://t.co/zgUWi1fKii via @YouTube

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1347542228533653504

Two FHS sisters conduct Her Drive to collect feminine products

Hello Franklin! 

My sister Ali Hughes and I are both FHS students and we are doing a drive to collect hygiene products, menstrual products, vanity items, and new/lightly used bras for an organization called Her Drive which donates these items to those in need. The drive begins January 15th and goes to Feb. 14th. If you have any spares of these items or are willing to donate, we will be doing contactless pick-ups on weekends. 

If you are willing to donate, fill out this form to have donations picked up https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRLeYk7CZuHpyhNtH05_RcB-a5aUpjGPVpk0zti6BZl4roXQ/viewform

If you have any questions feel free to ask! We appreciate even the smallest donations 🙂

*Edit, I wanted to add that after you fill out the google form, we will email you a reminder once it gets closer to the date you selected just in case. You will also get a confirmation email in the next couple of days

Shared from Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/2810724199197588/

Two FHS sisters conduct Her Drive to collect feminine products

Franklin Cultural District Newsletter Request & January Meeting Information

Hello Franklin Cultural District Partners,

Happy New Year! We hope you are having a great start to the New Year. The January issue of the Franklin Cultural District newsletter is in the works. As we begin 2021 please let us know what is happening with your business, organization or institution.

We would love to  share all of the wonderful things that are happening here in Franklin!  Please send your news, pictures, and events to:
Pandora Carlucci at pcarluccifranklinculture@gmail.com and we will work to include your story in the newsletter.

The January edition of the Franklin Cultural District Newsletter will be published on Friday,  January 15th. We will need all of your news and information by Monday, January 11th. If you have any questions, please let us know. Your news and stories are important to us! We look forward to hearing from you.

The Franklin Cultural District Committee will be hosting the first Cultural District Partner's meeting of 2021. This meeting will be on Monday, January 11th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The featured speaker  will be Athena Pandolf, the Executive Director of the Natick Center Cultural District. Below you will find the meeting link for this meeting.

Cultural District Partners Meeting
January 11, 2021 7:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81010802205
Meeting ID: 810 1080 2205

One tap mobile
+13017158592,,81010802205# US (Washington D.C)

Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 810 1080 2205
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdjeHqOjfz  

We hope you will all join us.

Sincerely,

Nancy Schoen
Chair, Franklin Cultural District Committee
nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com
 

Franklin Cultural District Newsletter Request & January Meeting Information

 

Franklin ECDC: Applications for 2021-2022 school year being accepted now

FranklinECDC (@FranklinECDC) tweeted Thu, Jan 07, 2021:

 ECDC is now accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year! FRANKLIN families of children who will be 3 and not yet 5 by August 31st are eligible to enroll. @TOFranklinMA @FranklinPSNews @FranklinFoodPan @FrkPublicLib 

ECDC application = https://t.co/sBNZdhUKrX

Shared from Twitter https://twitter.com/FranklinECDC/status/1347286980590239747

Franklin ECDC: Applications for 2021-2022 school year being accepted now

"asymptomatic and infectious before developing their symptoms"

Via The Hill comes a CDC study showing focus should include asymptomatic individuals as they contribute to more than 50% of the cases.

Question  
What proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread is associated with transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from persons with no symptoms? 

Findings  
In this decision analytical model assessing multiple scenarios for the infectious period and the proportion of transmission from individuals who never have COVID-19 symptoms, transmission from asymptomatic individuals was estimated to account for more than half of all transmission. 

Meaning  
The findings of this study suggest that the identification and isolation of persons with symptomatic COVID-19 alone will not control the ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Continue reading the article in The Hill

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/533421-more-than-half-of-coronavirus-cases-spread-by-people-without-symptoms-cdc

Go direct to JAMA for the CDC study details

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2774707

Tree collection possible delay; put trees out anyway for week of Jan 11

The DPW has been notified of a possible delay in pickup of the Christmas trees scheduled the week of Jan 11, 2021. 

 

Go ahead and put your tree on the sidewalk and it will get picked up eventually.

 

Possible delay: https://www.facebook.com/931498886934582/posts/3778235738927535/

 

DPW Put trees out notification for Jan 11 https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDPW/posts/3773160866101689

Tree collection possible delay; put trees out anyway for week of Jan 11

Franklin's Weekend Outlook: Jan 9 - Jan 11, 2021

A quiet and cold winter weekend forecasted for Franklin. Weather should be good enough to check out the Farmers Market, and possibly explore the Historical Museum, before making a choice on Monday. Cultural District partners meeting (smaller defined audience) and a meditation demo (larger potential audience).

Saturday, January 9
10:00am = Winter Farmers Market

Sunday, January 10
1:00pm = Historical Museum (open and free admission)

Monday, January 11
7:00pm = Cultural District Partners Meeting

7:30pm = FCC Masterclass: Pranayama and Meditation Demo

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
 

Community Calendar

Town Council meeting - Jan 6, 2021 - recap

Quick Recap:

• The Hazard Mitigation Plan was presented, discussed and ultimately approved unanimously by the Town Council. This sets objectives for mitigation of natural events (i.e. flooding) to be worked
• Authorization of funding was approved for the Beaver St interceptor project by an 8-1 vote. The cost will be $25M plus financing costs approx 2-3M, exact amounts to be determined by the final planning and funding applications made over the next two years. Sewer rates will rise for 2023. This is not paid for by real estate taxes only sewer usage fees.
• Several gifts were acknowledged as received, the largest of which was from J Vendetti ($45K) to be used to upgrade the playground at Beaver Pond.
• Planning underway to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to first responders at the FHS gym in collaboration with Bellingham, Millis, Medway and Milford. This is pilot process for further distribution as more vaccine and additional waves of eligible folks are identified.
  

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/LoQfygc5fGknAkBm6

----

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  #tc0106

https://twitter.com/hashtag/tc0106?src=hashtag_click

• Ready for real time reporting underway for the Town Council meeting tonight #tc0106
• Agenda doc for the meeting including connection info https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf #tc0106
• Opens now #tc0106
• Connection info available #tc0106
• Moving quickly thru the standard items of agenda, not much for now. The hazard mitigation plan is first up for discussion (and approval later) basically an issue with flood zone for Franklin. #tc0106 my prompts for those pre-reading the doc https://franklinmatters.org/2021/01/interesting-bits-from-hazard-mitigation.html?m=1

Hazard mitigation plan

• Planning director Bryan Taverner provides the overview following a presentation doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._hazard_mitigation_presentation_2020_update_presentation_handout.pdf
• . #tc0106
• Not an emergency response plan, already have that. This is to identify the hazards and what can be done to prepare to avoid them (i.e. avoid drainage issues). #tc0106
• Public meetings in Mar and Jul incorporated review and comments, submitted to MEMA and then FEMA for their review and comments, now needs the Council to approve the plan #tc0106 #9 & 10 were added to the prior plan
• #tc0106 adoption does provide for opportunity for grants to assist with the mitigation project efforts. FHS gym was designed as a shelter, the generator from the old FHS will be installed at Parmenter. Could also relocate that one elsewhere.
• Appropriation was made for an additional generator and it is going to bid soon for use at the municipal building. #tc0106 the session with Bellingham was good in planning for this, can we do more of them? Q from Hamblen Jamie acknowledges Q and will look into
• #tc0106 Q on how climate was incorporated into the planning. MAPC did the number crunching with FEMA input and software. FEMA has been behind on climate forecasting, does that matter? In some details perhaps, we have work to do. Fire chief is our emergency response lead
• MEMA actually coordinates the evacuation plan and coincidentally they have a location here so we will have some coverage and local planning involved. #tc0106 moving to subcommittee reports, capital no, budget no, EDC next week Jan 13

Legislation for action

• Legislation for action: #tc0106 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf motion, seconded, passes via roll call (Hamblen remote) 9-0
• Kelly tells story of Plymouth, MA, of their sewer problem, Town needed to borrow $48m to fix their break. Imagine if there is a break, 2/3 of the town couldn't flush. And if it did get to Mine Brook, add cost for cleanup. #tc0106 now is the time to do this
• #tc0106 it is not about not having the money, it is a bond, we can do this. Everybody needs this. Everybody uses this. If you can't jump on the bandwagon I don't know what your missing. Now Bissanti is raising an issue, wants to know where we are going to get the money
• Bissanti; now is not the time, can do this cheaper. #tc0106 it is lousy timing. (Sorry, doesn't understand the timing) (oh and he has done some engineering for options (sleaving)) Jones, Kelly said it well. This is the best time to borrow (confirmed as Yes).
• Oh, and after raising these issues then Bissanti says we can't change his mind. Other key item is timeline, next 2 years is "planning" before shovel hits ground. Pandemic should be done in 2 years. #tc0106
• #tc0106 it is a good thing for us to do and it will be something nice to do for the time. Q what taxes will pay for it? Not really taxes, it is a sewer rate, get the final design and can't really get to some thing real, it is two years away. The borrowing #s are good
• Sewer rates will go up, we don't know what. No tax rate increase for this at all. #tc0106 relining reduces the pipe hence capacity and that doesn't buy us much. The pipe is already at capacity, so the project will also increase the capacity.
• #tc0106 would cost half as much for the band-aid. And may still have a problem. Route along 140 to bore and minimize the disruption. Hamblen agrees with Kelly. Does have Q on draw down schedule. MBTA, DEP, EPA, etc want this as much as we do, their eyes will be on it too
• #tc0106 Kelly we could get a bond rate lower than we sit here now, if we do wait the costs will be more, and if we do nothing, it will certainly cost more. 2/3 of the town and business can open cause we can't flush! Bond capacity is not like a special assessment.
• You could have an 840 credit score and we are at 839, if we tried to do this in a hurry, it would cost more than this plan full manner outlined. #tc0106 he appreciates the opportunity to rant tonight. Bissanti fears this $25m could grow to be $35m. Let's not fly 1st class
• #tc0106 what is the cost of not doing it? Possibly double or triple. It is the right time, we have been talking of this for years. Motion on the floor to be voted via roll call, passes 8-1 (Bissanti no)
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._gift_fd.pdf #tc0106 motion to accept gift to fire dept, seconded passes 9-0 via roll call https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._gift_pd.pdf motion to accept gift to police dept, seconded passes 9-0 via roll call
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10e._gift_rec.pdf motion to accept gift to recreation dept for playground at Beaver Pond seconded, passes 9-0 acknowledges Joe Vendetti donation of $45,000! "Sometimes we should be making bigger things of these"

Town Administrator report

• Town Administrator report, application for Community Preservation Committee is out, land swap is almost ready for the land near the SNETT trail, DPW will be doing the work. #tc0106 COVID case count 91 today down from last week. I am sick of red green yellow
• Opening vaccine clinic for first responders comes next week. A critical thing to focus on, working with five other towns to coordinate this. Location at FHS is good. An excellent trial run for phase 2 in preparation for broader distribution. #tc0106 target Jan 13
• Bellingham, Milford, Millis, Medway and Franklin are together in this. #tc0106 phase 2 will be individuals with two high risk categories, or over age of 75 (could be one of the two). Guidelines are changing daily for this stat tuned. Excited to get this train moving
• Prepared for mini medical center at FHS gym, to triage individuals, prepare for all contingencies. #tc0106 we need as many as possible to get this vaccine. In the gym today visualization of the process started raising spirits of those involved
• #tc0106 lots of details and logistics underway. No mandate on vaccinations yet, will be getting an acknowledgement that you got vaccinated. To go places, i.e. international travel it may be a requirement. That is a separate issue, let's get these started
• #tc0106 Maplegate question. Dec 11 permit filed, twenty day appeal period, sometime then a purchase could be presented to the town for review. Once received, it is a 120 days once received to address.

Council comments and closing

• #tc0106 Chandler "we were actually able to work out that they are saving money on the electric bill" Frongillo shout out on the #thinkfranklinfirst gift cards, well done. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 9-0 roll call

 

timeline for Beaver St interceptor project