“We are preparing for more confirmed cases”

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"State officials on Saturday relaxed rules on who can get tested for the coronavirus in an effort to identify more cases and slow the spread of the outbreak.

The state also announced a new command center to coordinate the response to the virus. State Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders will lead the center, which state officials said will focus on expanding testing, preventing health care equipment shortages and ensuring hospitals are ready for large numbers of patients.

“Far more people are going to get tested,” Gov. Charlie Baker said Saturday morning during a news conference called to announce the changes.

The state has tested 475 people for the virus as of Friday. Before the change announced Saturday, health professionals had to seek state approval before administering a test for the virus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200315/massachusetts-eases-virus-test-rules-creates-command-center

“We are preparing for more confirmed cases”

In the News: casino operations shutting down in response to COVID-19

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has voted to shut down operations at the state’s casinos in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the state.

An expeditious and orderly shutdown process is underway at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville.

Commissioners voted unanimously to temporarily suspend operations at the three casinos. The commission anticipates that the gaming floor at the casinos will close to patrons at 5:59 a.m. Sunday.

The decision will be reevaluated in two weeks, according to the gaming commission."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200314/mass-gaming-commission-votes-to-shut-down-casino-operations-in-response-to-covid-19

Census Bureau News: Women’s Earnings by Occupation From the 2018 American Community Survey

In honor of Women's History Month, the U.S. Census Bureau today released a graphic showing median earnings of women in certain occupations from the 2018 American Community Survey. 

The occupation table shows the percentage of women in select occupations and the earnings of full-time, year-round female workers in 2018. It compares earnings to those of men in the same occupations.

The Census Bureau collects data on industry, occupation and class of worker for the labor force.

Shared from
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/acs-womens-earnings.html

The occupation table shows the percentage of women in select occupations and the earnings of full-time, year-round female workers in 2018

Tax Time Guide: Guard personal, financial and tax information year-round

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to remain vigilant with their personal information by securing computers and mobile phones. Proper cybersecurity protection and scam recognition can reduce the threat of identity theft inside and outside the tax system.

This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide

Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax:  https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17

The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. People should be alert to scammers posing as the IRS to steal personal information. There are ways to know if it’s really the IRS calling or knocking on someone’s door.

The IRS also works with the Security Summit, a partnership with state tax agencies and the private-sector tax industry, to help protect taxpayer information and defend against identity theft. Taxpayers and tax professionals can take steps to help in this effort.

Below are a few tips to help minimize exposure to fraud and identity theft:

• Protect personal information. Treat personal information like cash – don’t hand it out to just anyone. Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, bank and even utility account numbers can be used to help steal a person’s money or open new accounts.
• Avoid phishing scams. The easiest way for criminals to steal sensitive data is simply to ask for it. IRS urges people to learn to recognize phishing emails, calls or texts that pose as familiar organizations such as banks, credit card companies or even the IRS. Keep sensitive data safe and:

• Be aware that an unsolicited email with a request to download an attachment or click on a URL could appear to come from someone that you know like a friend, work colleague or tax professional if their email has been spoofed or compromised.
• Don’t assume internet advertisements, pop-up ads or emails are from reputable companies. If an ad or offer looks too good to be true, take a moment to check out the company behind it.
• Never download “security” software from a pop-up ad. A pervasive ploy is a pop-up ad that indicates it has detected a virus on the computer. Don’t fall for it. The download most likely will install some type of malware. Reputable security software companies do not advertise in this manner.

• Safeguard personal data. Provide a Social Security number, for example, only when necessary. Only offer personal information or conduct financial transactions on sites that have been verified as reputable, encrypted websites.
• Use strong passwords. The longer the password, the tougher it is to crack. Use at least 10 characters; 12 is ideal for most home users. Mix letters, numbers and special characters. Try to be unpredictable – don’t use names, birthdates or common words. Don’t use the same password for many accounts and avoid sharing them. Keep passwords in a secure place or use password management software.

Set password and encryption protections for wireless networks. If a home or business Wi-Fi is unsecured, it allows any computer within range to access the wireless network and potentially steal information from connected devices. Whenever it is an option for a password-protected account, users also should opt for a multi-factor authentication process.

• Use security software. An anti-virus program should provide protection from viruses, Trojans, spyware and adware. The IRS urges people, especially tax professionals, to use an anti-virus program and always keep it up to date.
• Set security software to update automatically so it can be updated as threats emerge. Educate children and those with less online experience about the threats of opening suspicious web pages, emails or documents.

Back up files. No system is completely secure. Copy important files, including federal and state tax returns, onto removable discs or back-up drives and cloud storage. Store discs, drives and any paper copies in secure, locked locations.

ID Theft Central. New on IRS.gov. Designed to improve online access to information on identity theft. Serves taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses.

Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov. They can use these resources to get help when it’s needed at home, at work or on the go.

Shared from the IRS page
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-time-guide-guard-personal-financial-and-tax-information-year-round 

Tax Time Guide: Guard personal, financial and tax information year-round

Town Council meeting Feb 12, 2020 - recap

Quick summary:

• Plastic bag prohibition finally approved
• Zoning changes to reduce solar farms introduced
• Zoning changes on continuation of plot line clean up first hearing
• Transitional assistance and homelessness discussed
• Municipal aggregation deal announced (effective Nov 1, 2020)
• First discussion on 'civil discourse pledge'

Audio segment on municipal aggregation  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVJSJ7GX

Audio segment on 'civil discourse pledge' https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hy6gCj6X

Audio segment on Transitional assistance and homelessness
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HcdPW36X

Transitional Assistance from Franklin Matters

Additional details can be found in my notes recorded live during the meeting

Live reporting: Town Administrator's Report through Closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-town-administrators_12.html

Live reporting: Legislation for Action

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-legislation-for-action_12.html

Live reporting: Housing and Transitional Assistance

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-housing-and-transitional.html

Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 12, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-town-council-feb-12-2020.html

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer with proclamation recognizing the FHS student for their work on the plastic bag prohibition

Town Council meeting of Feb 5, 2020 - Recap

Quick summary:

• Randy LaRosa appointed to Historical Commission
• beer/wine license approved for Maks
• Community Preservation Act presentation and discussion
• first pass at the capital budget was approved

Community Preservation Act Adoption 20200130 from Franklin Matters

Audio segment - Community Preservation Act (Audio)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-203-community-preservation-act-feb-5.html

My notes reported live during the meeting

• Live reporting: Town Administrator's Report to Closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-town-administrators.html

• Live reporting: Legislation for Action

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

• Live reporting: License transaction - Norfolk County Sheriff - CPA

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-license-transaction.html

• Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 5, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-town-council-feb-5-2020.html

Franklin Cultural Council: Town Wide Art Contest - week of March 16, 2020

The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is announcing a town-wide ONLINE ART CONTEST the week of March 16 geared towards elementary and middle school students! 

There will be two winners per day; one elementary school student and one middle school student. Prizes will be hand delivered to your mailbox!

• Monday, Make Art with Nature
• Tuesday, Create Art with Paint
• Wednesday, Create Art with Recycles
• Thursday, Create a Collage of your Pet
• Friday, Create Sculpture Art

Photo examples will be available at the beginning of each day! 

Photo of your child's artwork should be submitted on the "post of the day" on the Franklin Cultural Council Facebook page with their name (or alias) and grade. 

Find the "post of the day" at  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/


One entry per student. 
Entries must be posted by 5pm each day.
Winners will be announced at 7pm each day!

Franklin Cultural Council: Town Wide Art Contest - week of March 16, 2020

Shared from the FCC Facebook posting
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/1105816116438881?