Vaccination is important for adults with underlying health conditions

"Vaccination is important for adults with underlying health conditions because they are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Vaccines for COVID-19 are recommended for people who haven’t had a bad reaction to any ingredients in the vaccine.

Get more information for certain conditions, including those that cause weakened immune systems, autoimmune conditions, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and Bell’s palsy": Vaccination Considerations for Persons with Underlying Medical Conditions | CDC

Vaccination is important for adults with underlying health conditions

Join in the town-wide cleanup on Earth Day - Saturday, Apr 24

Earth Day is celebrated across the country on Thursday, April 22 this year.  However, the Town of Franklin is sponsoring Franklin Earth Day on Saturday, April 24, 9:00-12:00 PM with a clean up of the entire Town. 

 
Employees of the Franklin Recreation Department and Franklin Public Works will be on site at Beaver Pond to distribute trash bags and gloves along with maps of the sites we recommend for clean up.  

Community service letters will be given to students that need hours for school. 

 
100 tee shirts to the first 100 volunteers.  DPW will have 100 dogwood saplings as well

Register online

https://franklinrecreation.activityreg.com/ss_t2.wcs?leaguesid=2385&teamsid=11205

Join in the town-wide cleanup on Earth Day - Saturday, Apr 24

Town of Franklin - budget growth and split between municipal and schools - FY 2012 to FY 2022

As part of the continuing series to prepare for the Finance Committee budget hearings (which begin next week) and the Town Council budget hearings (in May), check out the link to the details on the history of the budget year over year from FY 2012.

Appendix C1 - Historic Data: Budget Breakdown
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/appendix_c_historic_data_fy22.xlsx_-_budget_breakdown.pdf

The chart depicts the split between the municipal portion of the budget (police, fire, etc...) (orange color) and the school portion (both K-12 and others) (blue color) as well as showing the growth of the budget year by year.

municipal and school split over the FY 2012-FY2022 period

Prior posts

School budget, executive summary by School Superintendent Sara Ahern

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/franklin-public-schools-fy-2022-annual.html

Executive summary by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/franklin-public-schools-fy-2022-annual.html

Link to Town of Franklin budget proposal for FY 2022
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/fy-2022-town-of-franklin-budget-proposal.html

 

MA news: Mass. board of education approves two major changes

#1 

"For the first time since the MCAS became a graduation requirement in 2003, high school juniors will be exempt from having to pass the exam to receive their diploma.

The state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously approved the waiver on Tuesday. State Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said the massive academic disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic made it necessary to suspend the requirement.

If not for the pandemic, juniors would have taken their 10th grade math and English MCAS exams last year. But when the tests were canceled, it meant they would not have at least three chances to take the tests and, if needed, receive academic support before graduation."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/20/metro/mass-board-education-waives-mcas-graduation-requirement-class-2022/

DESE announcement of the proposal https://mailchi.mp/doe.mass.edu/press-release-dese-makes-changes-to-mcas-schedule-graduation-requirements-for-11th-graders

#2

"State education officials on Tuesday approved preliminary changes to the admissions process at vocational high schools aimed at giving disadvantaged students a better chance of attending.

The unanimous vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education came after members and advocates criticized the current criteria as unfair to students of color, low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities, depriving them of an important career pathway.

The draft regulations, which were recommended by education Commissioner Jeff Riley, would eliminate the current requirement that vocational schools consider grades, attendance, discipline records, and recommendations from guidance counselors. Instead, the schools would be able to set their own criteria for admissions as long as those policies follow state and federal laws, lead to student demographics that are “comparable” to their communities’ school districts, don’t disproportionately deny admission to students from marginalized groups, and “promote equitable access for all students.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/20/metro/under-pressure-state-education-officials-vote-change-admissions-requirements-vocational-schools/ 

The Board of Education recap (including links to the video)   https://mailchi.mp/doe.mass.edu/commissioners-weekly-update-4-20-21-board-recap-fafsa-completion-campaign-update-on-quarantine-guidance-for-close-contacts

FM #518-519-520 - Town Council Mtg - 04/14/21 - 3 part audio

FM #518-519-520 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 518-519-520 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Apr 14, 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 almost 3 hour minute meeting into three logical segments:

• First - covers the opening  Sheriff McDermott’s update and the OPEB update (~63 mins)
• Second - covers the GATRA discussion (~42 minutes)
• Third - covers the Downtown parking requirements discussion and the remainder of the meeting (~72 minutes)

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

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Apr 14, 2021

Audio file P1 =  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/04a7a0ac-fa31-4046-9393-621f2333bdcf

Audio file P2 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/91c1b768-60e8-4bf6-890f-fe59d6f55789

Audio file P3 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d3146fb0-0336-46c2-97ee-ba2e1ea63f4b

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

Agenda document folder
https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda

 
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-mtg-apr-14-2021.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"

"USDA extends universal free lunch through next school year"

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) tweeted on Tue, Apr 20, 2021:

"As I think this is a time for good news, here's some from @USDANutrition this afternoon:  https://t.co/E5oBYj6KWG

"The United States Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday it would extend universal free lunch through the 2021-2022 school year, in an effort to reach more of the estimated 12 million youths experiencing food insecurity.

In March, the USDA said these waivers, which made school meals more flexible to administer, would be extended only to Sept. 30, leaving schools and families uncertain about what next school year might look like."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/20/usda-extends-universal-free-lunch/

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1384596200876281856

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on Chauvin Trial Verdict

April 20, 2021

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on Chauvin Trial Verdict

The verdict reached in the Derek Chauvin trial has brought relief to many of us, and a glimpse of hope for more accountability, and ultimately, justice. This evening, I am thinking of George Floyd, the many friends and family who loved him, and the pain of their irreparable loss. I am also deeply grateful for the courage of the witnesses who testified against Chauvin, as well as the countless individuals who persisted in protesting for accountability over the past year.

Last year, we began the long process of answering calls for change by passing nation-leading legislation to improve equity, transparency, and accountability in policing in Massachusetts. I am proud of this accomplishment, but I am determined to do more. I will continue to call on the Massachusetts State Senate to be intentional in our policymaking, and view all legislation through the lens of racial justice in order to break down the systemic barriers that have unfairly burdened generations of Black and brown people. As Senate President, I am personally committed to the hard work that will be required of all of us to make our Commonwealth a more equitable and just place.

Town of Franklin, MA: drive up window closed on Wednesday, Apr 21 - come into the lobby

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Tue, Apr 20, 2021:

"The drive thru window at the Municipal Building will remain closed tomorrow, Wednesday April 21st. Residents are welcome to come into the lobby for transactions. Thank you!"

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1384616961296961536

Note: The windows are being replaced in the Municipal Bldg and the work on the drive up windows was estimated to take one day. It appears to have taken more than that hence the extension of the closure from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Original notification on Thursday April 15, 2021

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/drive-up-window-schedule-at-municipal.html

Town of Franklin, MA: drive up window closed on Wednesday, Apr 21 - come into the lobby

Franklin Public Schools: FY 2022 Annual Budget - Message to the Community

"We are pleased to present the School Committee's Approved FY2022 Budget to the community. This budget is the culmination of many steps in the  development process, beginning with the School Committee's Budget Workshop on December 1, 2020. Since then, the Superintendent, Central Office team, building principals, and School Committee have been working collaboratively to develop a budget for the 2021-2022 school year. The FY22 School Committee's Approved Budget in the amount of $67,914,184 represents an increase of $2,255,684 or 3.44% over the FY21 budget.

This budget is presented with two focal areas. First, the budget is shaped to support Franklin's Portrait of a Graduate -- the community's consensus of five essential skills each student will practice and develop through their PreK-12+ school experience. Second, the budget prioritizes services and supports for our students who will be returning to school after over a year of a disrupted educational experience as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, we anticipate that new health and safety practices and effective uses of technology will persist in our learning environments. Our budget is also aligned to the district's four strategic objectives: social-emotional well-being of students and staff; rigorous and engaging curriculum; high-quality instruction to meet the academic and SEL needs of each learner; effective two-way communication to support student learning.

The main drivers of the budget include anticipated increases for health insurance premiums and contractual obligations for salaries. Other contributing factors include a slight reduction in the amount of revolving funds used to offset the budget and an increase in other expenses like contracted services, and supplies/materials. Investments to support the social emotional and academic needs of students are prioritized in this budget. The FY22 budget detail also reflects reductions as a result of the recent decision to retire the Davis Thayer Elementary School. Overall, the FY22 budget equates to a Level Service Budget with a reallocation of $1,090,815 to support some strategic investment initiatives that have been identified by the Administrative team. These Investment Initiatives are outlined in detail on the following pages.

The development of the FY 22 budget was a challenge as the FY 21 budget was significantly complicated by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Additional federal aid is expected through FY 22 and is factored into the projections in the detail that follows. FY 22 state aid to the Town of Franklin is not yet finalized, however, we do not anticipate significant changes to this proposal. The forecast for the development of the future budgets will likely present challenges given the continued needs across the district, the local fiscal forecast, and an expected decrease in Coronavirus relief funding in the next few years.

We are thankful for the collaborative work with the Town Council and the Finance Committee. We want to thank the community of Franklin for support in the public education of Franklin's children."
 

 

This executive summary can be found on Page 4 of the full budget document

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/exec_summary_4-15-21.pdf

Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 
Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

Franklin Public Schools: FY2022 Annual Budget - Message to the Community

Download your copy of the FPS Budget Development and Facts https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SjS8GCvwlhcumoPI17Tjus6bi_paVHsz/view?usp=sharing  or view here https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget

Senator Rausch: MA Vaccine Eligibility Update

Senator Rausch State House Briefing 
Part 2, Chapter 6 (April 19, 2021)

Dear friends,  
 
The long awaited day is here! As of today, anyone over the age of 16 who lives, works, or goes to school here is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts.

Remember: you can get a COVID-19 vaccine regardless of ability to pay, insurance coverage, or citizenship. If you are asked for identification, you can decline. If at any point you are asked to provide insurance information and you are uninsured, you can skip giving that information. The vaccine itself is provided fully free of charge.

If you haven’t already, you can still pre-register for your COVID vaccine appointment at a mass vaccination site (Gillette Stadium and Natick Mall are the closest for our district). Go to mass.gov/COVIDvaccine to secure your spot in line. For all other vaccination locations, go to vaxfinder.mass.gov or mass.gov/CovidVaccineMap and search for open appointments using your zip code or click through the various vaccination sites closest to you. I also recommend following @vaccinetime on Twitter to get push notifications to your phone concerning available appointments. Individuals who are unable to schedule an appointment online or are having difficulty with the online sign-up process can call 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 for assistance.

Please note, appointments are limited due to limited vaccine supply. If you have no luck initially, check back periodically to see if appointments have opened up. More information about COVID-19 vaccinations is available on my website at www.beccarauschma.com/covidvaccine.

I still remain very concerned about decisions to relax COVID mitigation efforts too soon and the overall COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Massachusetts, particularly the lack of detail in implementation and the serious inequities in access and outreach. I continue to push our COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Act and urge the Governor to course-correct this rollout.  
 
As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office via phone (617-722-1555) or email (becca.rausch@masenate.gov). We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.    

Yours in service,   

 
Senator Becca Rausch   

 

Sign up for a 15-minute appointment here.

The email newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents, visit https://mailchi.mp/9febc556a8ea/maearlyvoting2020-13433748?e=0c2c9810fe

HockomockSPorts.com: Player of the Week -> Cailyn Mackintosh, FHS Volleyball

The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff

"Franklin junior Cailyn Mackintosh has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for April 11 through April 17. Mackintosh is the 19th player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2020-21 school year and sixth in the fall II season.

Mackintosh continued her stellar career as the Franklin setter, helping the Panthers win three times last week and bring home the first-ever Hock Cup title with a win against fellow league champion King Philip in the final. The reigning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year was one of the top setters in the league this season, pushing the Panthers to a third straight Kelley-Rex title and an overall record of 12-1.

“Cailyn is a vital part to our team, we would not have had the season we did without her,” said first-year Franklin head coach Samantha Elliott. “She is strong and consistent in every part of the game, she always wants to improve and never settles. Cailyn has the ability to be a leader on and off the court which is why she is a junior captain.”

Continue reading about Cailyn

https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-cailyn-mackintosh-franklin-volleyball-2/

 

HockomockSPorts.com: Player of the Week ->  Cailyn Mackintosh, FHS Volleyball

 

FM #516 & 517 - School Committee Mtg - 04/13/21 (audio)

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, numbers 516-517 in the series.

These sessions share part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Apr 13, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members, Central Office personnel, and key guests were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just 2 hour and 15 minute meeting into 2 logical segments:

• First - covers the opening up through the Parmenter presentation (approx. 60 mins)
• Second - picks up the district improvement plan updates through to the closing (approx. 73 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the other documents released for the meeting.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting of Apr 13, 2021

Audio file #516 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a3f13b0b-71e0-47ad-8fac-eb30fb7adf01

Audio file #517 = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7b81fd46-1a36-4eec-85c5-7ca01316eb30

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

Agenda doc   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_4-13-21.pdf

Revised Budget pages https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/budget_changes.pdf   

Budget information   https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy2022-budget

Parmenter presentation doc   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/parmenter_20-21_school_committee_update_presentation.pdf

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-13-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-school-committee-approved-fy-2022.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"

 

FM #516 & 517 - School Committee Mtg - 04/13/21 (audio)

 

FY 2022 Budget - Executive Summary

In one or my "Talk Franklin" conversations with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, he has said that the most important thing to read in the Town Budget is the Executive Summary. There are dozens of pages of detail to support the summary but the summary gives the broad overview, and highlights the key details, that you can then take a deeper dive into the supporting pages to explore.

You can find the Executive Summary as a separate doc here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WqhlP0LsIHcAY3HKTngU1gSRGQgSVnFo/view?usp=sharing

You can find the full set of documents for the FY 2022 budget on the Town of Franklin page

https://franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy-22-budget-materials 

FY 2022 Budget - Executive Summary

FM #515 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/15/21 (audio)

FM #515 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 515 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: 

• ok, what just happened? 
• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS   Diane Daddario, MD
 
8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS        

a. Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott  ~25 mins

b. Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Actuarial Update - Dan Sherman  ~15 mins

c. GATRA - Mark Sousa, Executive Director ~32 mins

d. Downtown Commercial Zoning District & Commercial Zoning District 1 Parking requirements  ~55 mins

 
10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 21-22: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Foxborough for the Town of Foxborough to Provide Emergency Motor Vehicle Technician Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-22 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.
Our conversation runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/38c6835f-451c-4709-b5e8-23c6afcbdf1b

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

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-14-town-council-agenda 

My notes from the Town Council meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-town-council-mtg-apr-14-2021.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"

FM #515 - Town Council Quarterbacking - 04/15/21 (audio)

Franklin Area Nonprofit Network (FANN) Meeting - April 19, 2021

The agenda and confirmed listing of introductions for this session. There are three open spots for this evening. Use the form to register for tonight or at least get on the listing for a future session.

Note: We will record the meeting. This will enable the capture of the introductions for each org to be prepared for sharing by the group and the org. 

April 19, 2021 - 7 PM

Meeting link info:

Topic: Franklin Area Nonprofit Network - Intros1

Time: Apr 19, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81428065871?pwd=QitpRm82NCtjaS9zRDQ5dGRXdm1JUT09

Meeting ID: 814 2806 5871

Passcode: wfpr1029

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,81428065871#,,,,*64058395# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,,81428065871#,,,,*64058395# US (New York)

Actions:

1 - Organizations can sign up for the “get to know each list”  https://forms.gle/cFTsMSu5y4fwfPkP7  There are 3 slots still available for this session

Meeting agenda for April 19, 2021

700 PM Call to order, review agenda and any housekeeping - Steve Sherlock

710 PM Introductions Friends of Franklin Elders, Inc

715 PM Franklin Neighbor Brigade

720 PM Franklin Food Pantry

725 PM Rotary Club of Franklin MA

730 PM Metacomet Land Trust, Inc.

735 PM Franklin Public Library

740 PM St. Vincent de Paul Society, St Mary Franklin

745 PM open - NPO 8 

750 PM open - NPO 9 

755 PM open - NPO 10

800 PM FANN Topic for the month Franklin TV - Franklin Public Radio

820 PM Wrap Up, Actions, Next Month agenda Steve Sherlock 

(NPO introductions on schedule, Topic for the month…)

Franklin Area Nonprofit Network (FANN) Meeting - April 19, 2021