Franklin Matters

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

FCC mandates disclosure

FCC mandates disclosure for bloggers receiving freebies/payments

from Moving at the Speed of Creativity by Wesley Fryer

My disclosure statement has been updated a couple of times since I started writing online over 5 years ago. The most recent update occurred with the short-term contract position I accepted on 9/28/09. As circumstances change, the disclosure will be updated. I intend to keep this as my public service effort to provide quality information on what matters in Franklin.

We face significant challenges.

We need informed and engaged residents to make good decisions when it comes time to go to vote.

In the News - flu update, grant money

Dr. Daddario to head Franklin swine flu clinics

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News correspondent

------

Franklin, Medway awarded cultural grants

from The Milford Daily News Homepage RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

-------

H1N1 INFLUENZA UPDATE

From the Town web site:

As we begin a new month, the Franklin Health Department and the Board of Health continue to finalize our plans for large scale public H1N1 influenza clinics. To date the Health Department has recruited over 70 volunteer medical professionals to staff our flu clinics. At a September special meeting of the Franklin Board of Health, Dr. Dianne Daddario of Franklin was appointed as the Medical Director of our volunteer medical staff. Dr. Daddario will assist the Health Department with the planning and operation of all H1N1 flu clinics in Franklin, and will provide direct medical oversight of our medical volunteers.

The Franklin Health Department completed the H1N1 vaccine registration process with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in September. As a registered vaccine program, the Franklin Health Department is now eligible to receive H1N1 vaccine direct from a central vaccine distributor in order to supply our public clinics. What we do not know at the present time is how much vaccine we will be allocated, and when the vaccine will be delivered. What we do know is that the initial number of doses allocated for Massachusetts will be much reduced from what we originally expected. In addition, we can fully expect not to have sufficient supplies of H1N1 vaccine available for large public clinics until sometime in November. The first doses to be received in Massachusetts which is estimated to be approximately 30,000, will be sent to select physicians’ offices and other medical practices for healthcare workers, pregnant women and very young children. Again, the initial supply of vaccine will be only a small portion of the states total allocation. We have been assured that deliveries will continue each week or thereabouts, until all vaccine has been distributed.

Once the Franklin Health Department receives enough H1N1 vaccine to hold a public clinic, we will identify our target group as directed by the CDC and the MA DPH and schedule our clinics. Clinic dates and locations will be widely advertised and parents and individuals will receive important information such as consent forms and vaccine information statements well in advance of the clinics.

As always, if you have any questions regarding H1N1 influenza or the department’s vaccination plans, please contact the Franklin Health Department via our dedicated H1N1 email @ H1N1flu@franklin.ma.us, or you may call our office at 508-520-4905.

David E. McKearney, R.S.

Public Health Director

Franklin Health Department

Franklin Board of Health

Bruce Hunchard, Chair

Paul Cheli

Donald Ranieri, Jr.

Walk to School Wednesday

Yes, today is Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday.

Consider walking to school as part of the International Walk to School Wednesday!

Check with your local Franklin school to see what routes are set up.

Check with the MASSRides website for state level information on this program!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Fire Dept - Open House

The Franklin Fire Dept held an open house at the King Street Station on Sunday. This kicks off Fire Prevention Week.

When I arrived, they were showing how they would remove the roof to get a someone trapped in this car:

Kids could get involved and try holding the fire hose:

Kids could walk through a simulation of a fire in a school bus. The 'smoke' was safe. The demonstration reinforced the stay low and keep moving idea.

Tower 1, the newest addition to the equipment available was on hand to view.

The tool kit on the Tower is well stocked.

This looks like a top notch medical room. Actually, it rides on wheels. This is the inside of one of the EMT vehicles. Hopefully, you'll only get to see the inside on days like this Open House. If it is needed, you can rest assured that the Franklin Fire Dept is well equipped to provide good care.

Captain Frank Hagerty was at the platform end of Tower 1, letting folks climb inside and describing the equipment and tools available to them. The tower can extend up to 110 feet and from that vantage point be an effective platform to either fight a fire or rescue someone from a building.

There will be more opportunities to view the equipment and talk with the Fire Dept personnel at future Open Houses. Consider participating in the next one!

My thanks to Chief Gary B McCarraher and all the Fire Dept personnel who prepared this for us.

Additional information about the Fire Dept can be found on the Town website here

Town Council - Agenda - 10/7/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 16, 2009

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS - Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

F. HEARINGS - 2010 EPA Brownfields Grant Application – Public Hearing - 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Applebee’s – Transfer of Stock/New Officer & Director
Alumni Restaurant & Bar – Change of D/B/A
Franklin Wine & Spirits – Transfer of License

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 09-634: Amendment to the Franklin Conservation Bylaw Chapter 181-8D: Term of Years- 2nd t Reading
2. Bylaw Amendment 09-635: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Personnel Regulations – 2nd Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 09-636: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Human Resource Management – 2nd Reading
4. Resolution 09-61: Appropriation – FHS Feasibility Study
5. Resolution 09-62: Human Resources Policies and Procedures
6. Resolution 09-63: Authorizing Application for EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant
7. Resolution 09-64: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
8. Resolution 09-65: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents for this agenda can be found on the town website here (PDF)