Franklin Matters

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Franklin DLI - January 2022 Newsletter available

Check out the Franklin Public Schools January DLI newsletter.
#FPSDigitalLearning @FranklinPSNews #franklin
https://t.co/oeqhG1NcuH

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/DliFranklin/status/1487098034055954439

Franklin DLI - January 2022 Newsletter available

Conned on social media? It’s not just you

Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

Conned on social media? It's not just you

by Rosario Méndez
Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

In 2021, more than 95,000 people told the FTC that they'd been scammed with a con that started on social media. Today's Data Spotlight gives us insights into how scammers use social media to con people.

If you see or experience scam on social media, report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Social Security’s Top 5 Data Privacy Resources

From the Social Security Administration:

"Are you looking for better ways to stay safe online? As you know, Security is in our name. We are committed to protecting your personal information and take this responsibility seriously. We keep this commitment in mind when we collect information from you to carry out our mission.

As we celebrate Data Privacy Week, we are sharing our top five privacy resources:"

Continue reading about the 5 resources

https://blog.ssa.gov/social-securitys-top-5-data-privacy-resources/

Social Security’s Top 5 Data Privacy Resources

Town of Franklin: MBTA proposed fare changes for 2022

Since Franklin is an @MBTA community, we wanted to share some information regarding the MBTA's proposed fare changes for 2022.

For more information about the changes, and how you can provide feedback, please visit the MBTA website at https://t.co/156LcjvLL8 or -> https://www.mbta.com/fares/2022-proposed-fare-changes.

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/C2fyp2mfkm

Town of Franklin: MBTA proposed fare changes for 2022

Friday, January 28, 2022

Update: parking ban for this weekend in advance of the forecasted blizzard

Parking Ban, 1AM Sat to 8AM Sun

Schools,
Library,
Recycling

all closed Sat and Sun.

All recreation events cancelled also canceled this weekend

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/parking-ban-129-1am-130-8am

Be safe!

Will we see snow like we did in 2015? Stay tuned!

Franklin's Event Outlook: Jan 28, 2022 to Feb 3, 2022

Between COVID-19 shutting the Historical Museum and LiveARTS, and the approaching snow storm rescheduling the remaining events, the calendar is quiet and clear.

The Winter Farmers Market moved to Sunday.
St Mary's canceled Saturday services.
LiveARTS postponed their concert Sunday

We'll likely hear of additional changes as the storm impact gets more clear. Be safe.

Saturday, January 29
10:00am - CLOSED - Historical Museum

Sunday, January 30
10:00am - Changed-> Winter Farmers Market
1:00pm - CLOSED -> Historical Museum
3:00pm - Postponed -> LiveARTS String Quartet

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

The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

Recap: Procedure review completed; Town Administrator review previewed

Quick Recap:

In back to back meetings on Wednesday, two subcommittees of the Town Council completed discussion on their tasks
First, the Procedural Review picked up from their Dec meeting to complete review of the current document and make mostly minor and/or technical revisions. One key component is to expand the remote participation up to "no more than 4". Pre-pandemic only one councilor was allowed to participate via phone remotely. Now, with Zoom in place, the limit can be raised to 4. Still need to maintain a physical quorum in the room
This is also pending further review depending upon what the State House does with the Open Meeting Law requirements with the current pandemic exceptions expiring in April (or June?)
The procedure doc changes as drafted by the subcommittee will be reviewed at a meeting Feb 2, before the full council session at 7, and scheduled for full discussion with the Council
Second, the Ad Hoc Town Administrator Review subcommittee met to review the performance and accomplishments of Jamie Hellen
Jamie insisted that his review is a reflection of the overall town personnel in providing service to the community. When pressed if he had any plans to leave, he said no. Paraphrasing - I don't take things for granted, it has been most rewarding here, we are rooted in MA, if I had my druthers, I'd stay here. I am still young. #tctar0126 I'd be more than honored to serve here at your discretion.
The full review write up is currently planned to be brought to the Town Council for the Feb 16 meeting for their full discussion and approval

The combined Twitter thread for the two meetings is located here (below).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MBd3ieaUnIBVv8rrJ9zV_Bo2e8FBhJK9/view?usp=sharing

The audio recording of the TA review meeting will be available in a couple of days.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen updating the Council at a recent meeting

St Mary's schedule change for this weekend/snowstorm

Due to the snow storm forecasted for this weekend, and also for public safety reasons, St. Mary Parish, Franklin, will be closed on Saturday, January 29, 2022.

There will be no Masses, confessions, or funerals on Saturday.

St. Mary's will reopen on Sunday, January 30 for the 7:30 AM Mass. There will also be a 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM Mass on Sunday.

Stay safe!

St Mary's schedule change for this weekend/snowstorm

Panther News: Friday, January 28, 2022 (video)

Watch this week's episode of Panther News featuring insights on Haiti https://youtu.be/usewYfUKXnk

Franklin Line Double Track project update from MBTA, via State Representative Jeff Roy

Via State Representative Jeff Roy, sharing this response to our legislative delegation's query on the status of the Franklin Line double track. (BOLD and italics added by me for speed reading the key parts)

"Dear Honorable Members of the General Court,
Thank you for your attention regarding the Franklin Line Double Track project. We understand and recognize the importance of this initiative to you and your constituents. Please note that despite the reallocation of funding due to the pandemic, the MBTA remains steadfast in its commitment to completing this project. The Franklin Line had one of the highest ridership numbers on the Commuter Rail network prior to March 2020 and the aim of this project was to alleviate some of the capacity constraints that come with sharing the rail with freight trains. Improving service to make it more reliable is not just a stated goal of this project, but also a core focus for the MBTA throughout its network.
As a reminder, this work will create a continuous second track along nearly all of the Franklin Line—helping to keep Commuter Rail trains on schedule and supporting potential opportunities for increased service in the future. This is as much of a priority for the MBTA as it is for the delegation. However, during the onset of the pandemic difficult decisions had to be made by our team with regards to the Capital Budget. As stated to members of your team, there were several competing projects that required the same limited resources during that time namely around signal staff, materials, and necessary PTC design. The reallocation of these material resources and the funding are the primary factors for the delay in the project.
Please note that all major work on Phase 1 (Walpole to Norfolk) was completed in April 2020. The finished track serves as the foundation for phases 2 and 3 of the project. As you know in Phase 2 we’re adding 3.5 miles of track extending from Norfolk Station to near Franklin Station and then subsequently in Phase 3 we will extend the second track between Walpole and Norwood Central by 4 miles. This will connect to the existing double track that runs from Norwood Central to just south of Readville Station. Upon completion of Phase 3, the Franklin Line will have double track from slightly north of Franklin Station to the southern limits of the City of Boston.
The current cost to complete the project is approximately $23.3M which includes Keolis outlays, PTC/ATC expenses, and Amtrak dispatching expenditures. Our team will work to submit this funding for this project in the upcoming CIP process so that we can restart the necessary work to complete the work.
Thank you,
Steve Poftak
General Manager"

Letter from delegation to MBTA

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j7h4Xp-H0n1l0NDSNHV_7u9LvVClwtas/view?usp=sharing

Response PDF (shared here)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j7h4Xp-H0n1l0NDSNHV_7u9LvVClwtas/view?usp=sharing

On a walk in DelCarte in May 2021, popped out of the woods to view the tracks heading to Franklin Station. This is the double set that doesn't go all the way into the Stations

Franklin, MA School Committee - audio recording - 01/25/22 - FHS program of studies

FM #711 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 711 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, other members the public joined via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording of the public meeting runs about one hour and forty-five minutes. The School Committee enters Executive Session and does not return to a public meeting.

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of Jan 25, 2022

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-711-school-committee-mtg-01-25-22

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Meeting agenda doc ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_1-25-22.pdf

Documents released for this meeting can be found in the packet folder ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-25-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-school-committee-hears-about-fhs.html

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FHS program of studies

Distinguished Young Women - info session scheduled for Feb 4, 2022

Calling all high school juniors who want to earn scholarship money and join our female empowerment program - zoom info meeting February 4 at 7:30 PM!

Shared from Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3085838531686152/

Distinguished Young Women - info session scheduled for Feb 4, 2022

COVID-19 coming down from this hill

Franklin, MA COVID-19 case counts continue to be driven by the omicron variant. This week the positivity rate is at 15.0% down from last week at 21.54% (week prior was 22.83%). While on the downward trend, we are not done yet. Be careful.

the positivity rate is at 15.0% down from last week at 22.83%

Town-by-town COVID-19 data

Reminder via Medicare.gov -> "3 things you can do to protect yourself from Omicron (vax, boost, mask!)" https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/medicaregov-3-things-you-can-do-to.html

Make your own data visualization from this
https://app.flourish.studio/visualisation/4817758/

Boston Globe community coverage

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/15/nation/massachusetts-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-by-city/

Mass.gov COVID-19 page -> https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

The CDC page for COVID-19 tracking -> https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

CommonWealth Magazine: "House stands firm against same-day voter registration"

"THE STATE’S MOSTLY successful experiment with voting-by-mail during the COVID-19 pandemic would become a permanent option for voters in future elections, but House lawmakers on Thursday passed a major voting access bill that omitted voter registration rule changes sought by advocates and the Senate.
The House voted 124-34 to pass a new version of the VOTES Act that establishes rules for voting-by-mail in all future state and presidential elections and expands early in-person voting opportunities.
Those voting reforms were deployed during the pandemic to try to keep people safe from the virus, and led to record turnout in the 2020 elections, though MassGOP Chairman Jim Lyons on Thursday called it “an invitation for fraud” that would make it “easier to cheat.”
Assistant Majority Leader Michael Moran said that if signed into law the House version of the VOTES Act would put Massachusetts “head and shoulders above every other state” in terms of voting access. The Senate passed a similar bill in October, and the two branches must now negotiate a final bill."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/house-stands-firm-against-same-day-voter-registration

Find the House legislation language and votes here -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4359

The Senate version can be found here -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2554

CommonWealth Magazine: "House stands firm against same-day voter registration"

Registry Chief Information Officer (CIO) - update

January 26, 2022

Dear Friend of the Norfolk County Registry of Deed and Registry Stakeholders,
Re: Registry Chief Information Officer (CIO)

On June 30, 2021 the Norfolk County Commissioners voted not to replace a retiring Registry CIO even though this essential position was funded in the Registry of Deeds budget and has been in existence for decades. As a result of a law suit filed in July 2021 the Norfolk County Commissioners designated a Registry CIO as “temporary”. This “temporary” status Registry CIO handed in his letter of resignation effective January 21, 2022. Please review the attached correspondence to the Norfolk County Commissioners dated January 19, 2022.

I have spoken and wrote to the Norfolk County Commissioners that the “temporary employee” designation does not help in retaining or attracting qualified information technology employees and job candidates. Once again because of bad decision making despite pleas from those tasked by law with managing the Norfolk Registry of Deeds the Registry operations are left without ANY Registry Chief Information Officer (CIO).

I do not know what motivates such an unsound public policy decision to not keep an on-site permanent direct report Registry CIO working for and with the Registry staff, Registry users and the general public. It is unimaginable in this day and age of technology as well as cybersecurity risks and ransomware.

You can only manage and overcome these poor public policy decisions for so long in striving to produce quality services. Thank you for your patience as the Norfolk Registry of Deeds deals with this unfortunate situation.

Sincerely yours,

William P. O’Donnell,
Norfolk Register of Deeds

Registry Chief Information Officer (CIO) - update

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Jan 28, 2022

wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Advocates for Children
8:29:00 am Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
9:00:00 am Frank Presents: Michael Walker-Jones
10:00 am Physician Focus: Too Much Medicine?
10:30:00 am SAFE Coalition: PSA
11:00:00 am Senior Connection: Hearing Loss
11:30 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Advocates for Children
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm Sandhya: Macaroons
1:00:00 pm Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
1:30:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Black Bean, Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pizzetta
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1
3:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Dave Kaphammer
7:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Task Force
8:00 pm Senior Connection: Hearing Loss
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Phil Ochs

Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: Jazz Night 01-23-19

8:30 am It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig

9:30 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 0-12-22

11:30 am FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v Taunton 01-18-22

5:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v King Philip 01-22-22

8:30 pm Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2021

Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-13-22

11:00 am Finance Committee 01-12-22: 01-12-22

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-13-22

5:00 pm Finance Committee 01-12-22: 01-12-22

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Thursday, January 27, 2022

FPAC presents "Our Town" - February 4-6, 2022

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Our Town, February 4-6, 2022.

Through the everyday lives of its citizens, this Pulitzer-Prize-winning play tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens.

Please note our safety measures to protect our artists, staff, and audience - masks will be required for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must be worn at all times, except while actively eating or drinking.

Produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals and Samuel French, Inc. Artwork designed by Gene Sweeney

Tickets available online -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1544

FPAC presents "Our Town" - February 4-6, 2022

Recap: Charles River Meadowlands Initiative - 01/24/22 (audio)

FM #710 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 710 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Alan Earls, Franklin resident, local historian, and open space advocate as we recap the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, Jan 24, 2022.

Links in the show notes include the BETA Report on the Meadowlands Initiative as well as many of the links for the reporting shared by Franklin Matters since 2016 as the initiative made progress.

The recording runs about 21 minutes, so let’s listen to this recap of the Charles River Meadowland Initiative audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-710-charles-river-meadowlands-recap-01-24-22

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Home page for the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative -> https://www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org/

BETA Report finally received early 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/in-news-charles-river-meadowlands-study.html

Conservation Commission Annual Report for 2019 references

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-annual-report-2019.html

Info session series in 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/05/charles-river-meadowlands-initiative.html

Forum schedule for April 2019

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/charles-river-meadowlands-initiative.html

BETA surveyed in 2018