Franklin Matters

Monday, March 16, 2020

Town of Franklin: Coronavirus Department by Department - Customer Services Update

Updated: March 16, 2020 4:00 PM

Coronavirus Department by Department

Customer Services Update

Based on the information provided in Governor Baker’s press conference this evening, effective today, March 16, 2020, the Franklin Town and School Administration offices, as well as all Franklin public buildings will be closed to the public through April 6th, 2020.

While the Municipal Building and other departments are closed for direct, in-person service, staff will be available for all regular business activities via phone, email and our online services center at www.franklinma.gov .

For an emergency, please continue to dial 911.

Call the Statewide hotline at 211 or visit www.mass211.org for the most up-to-date information.

Reminder of Best Practices
All employees, whether at work or at home, should read CDC guidelines for personal hygiene and social distancing. These are the most important things any employee can do to help stop the spread and transmission of the coronavirus (or any virus!).

Center for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/Coronavirus/

Most up to date information in at the Town of Franklin website https://www.franklinma.gov/

Continue reading the update below or download your own copy of the PDF file:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t3i902Q8pe9yQLYCrnqVjTdBYXZkjDuN/view?usp=sharing

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

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 18, 2020

Agenda Meeting Date - March 18, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 12, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission Associate Member: Charles J. Koshiva
b. Planning Board Associate Vacancy: Joint Meeting with the Planning Board
i. Town Administrator Memo & Candidates

6. HEARINGS
- 7:10 PM - - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Animal Control Department
b. S.A.F.E Coalition Update
c. Purchasing Department Presentation on Procurement

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854: Changes to §185-40. Water Resource District - First Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-17: Acceptance of Conservation Restriction to Protect Well 3A (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-17 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-855: Chapter 82, Water Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-855 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-856: Chapter 82, Sewer Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-856 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-857: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-857 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. Coronavirus Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The meeting agenda and associated documents can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N3bRsizwge7IW-Ks_U-JGM503kYs4FRA/view?usp=sharing

https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

School Committee meeting - March 10, 2020 - Recap

Among the key updates from the School Committee meeting of March 10,2020 were

presentation from Parmenter students on their "passion projects"
Elementary school principals provided updates on their School Improvement Plans
Superintendent Ahern provided an update from the FY 2021 budget discussion at the Town Council meeting the prior week
Superintendent Ahern presented the first pass at the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) commitment required by April 1
The consent agenda was approved without the Oak St trip item which was held for a future meeting
The Committee entered executive session not to return to open meeting

School Committee actions taken:
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_3-10-20_actions_taken.pdf

Superintendent's Report:
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_march_10_2020.pdf

Additional details can be found in my notes captured during the meeting

Live Reporting: Information Matters through to Closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-information-matters.html

Live Reporting: Discussion/Action Items - Discussion Only Items

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-discussionaction-items.html

Live Reporting: Guests/Presentations

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-guestspresentations.html

Live reporting: School Committee - March 10, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-school-committee-march.html

Elementary school principals provided updates on their School Improvement Plans

Parmenter students presented on their "passion projects"

Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #2

From Representative Jeff Roy:

There continue to be concerns about the spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) and new information is coming out regularly. I am updating you on the latest news, as there have been some major developments over the weekend. You can also check the special state website for latest updates at https://www.mass.gov/covid19. Here is the latest info I have:

Current cases. As of today, there are 164 COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts out of only 799 people who have been tested. The state's capacity to test has been expanded so we expect that number to rise as more people get tested. There is also now evidence of community spread in seven Massachusetts counties, including Berkshire, Essex, Hampden, Norfolk, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Worcester.
Governor Charlie Baker announced this evening that all bars and restaurants in Massachusetts would no longer be permitted to offer on-premise consumption starting Tuesday, March 17 and through April 17. Restaurants are allowed to serve take-out only.
The Governor also banned gatherings larger than 25 people.
The Governor also ordered a three-week suspension of all public and private schools, effective through April 7.
Retail stores can stay open as long as they have 25 people or less in them.

Continue reading the details
https://mailchi.mp/b18c331a8c72/ux2l17im8a-2478217

Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #2

MA Senate President Karen Spilka: Coronavirus Update as of March 15, 2020

From Senate President Karen E. Spilka:

"Greetings,

As you are undoubtedly aware, Governor Baker announced a number of emergency measures this evening. I have been in touch with the Governor and the Administration about a number of the issues he addressed, and I would like to thank everyone who has contacted my office to let me know the questions and concerns residents have in their communities. It has helped my discussions with state and local leaders immensely.

I am particularly glad to see that the Governor took strong action around school closings, social distancing and telemedicine, which I have persistently pushed for this week. The measures we are taking now are in the best interest of preserving public health & our healthcare system. But we know they will have an impact on our residents, communities & businesses. That's why the Massachusetts State Senate is working now to tee up legislation to help with these impacts. "

Continue reading the update
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Coronavirus-Update-as-of-March-15--2020.html

Encore Music: COVID-19 Announcement

Dear Valued Encore Families:

We here at Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios have been very closely monitoring the rapidly changing developments globally, nationally, and locally surrounding COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. With the health and safety of our students, families, faculty, and staff our highest priority, we have made the unprecedented decision to shift all private music lessons to an online platform.

The facility at 3 Bent St. will be closed as of March 13, for all in-person lessons and classes. We are currently working around the clock to move all private lessons to an online format, and it is our expectation that regularly scheduled lessons can begin to occur online as early as Monday, March 16.

Classes will cease for the interim, but resume once our facility is again open at 3 Bent St.

We are in direct communication with all of our families to ensure a smooth transition to the online format, so we urge everyone to keep a close eye on their email for further instructions. We ask for your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we move forward, and we pledge the same to you.

Online private lessons can offer many benefits to our students. Our philosophy at Encore has always been not only to teach students how to play an instrument, but to teach students the language of music, thereby ensuring that we are developing well-rounded musicians literate in the language of music. This temporary shift to online education will not only permit students to continue with the study of their instrument, it will also open the door for increased creativity between student and instructor as they explore ear-training, rhythm, composition, music theory, and sight-reading concepts.

Please contact us with any questions you may have: (508) 533-7700, ext. 101.

It is our fervent hope that we all can return to routine in the near future, but until then, we wish everyone to stay healthy, stay safe, and stay in touch!!

Thank you for your continued support of Encore.

Sincerely,

Lisa Ostrow

----

Laura Ostrow
Director of Marketing and Development
Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios and Encore Music Education Foundation, Inc.
www.encoremusicacademy.net./ www.wesupportmusic.org
3 Bent St. Franklin | 508-533-7700
lauraostrowencore@gmail.com

"testing capacity at the state lab will increase to approximately 400 patients per day"

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

"Gov. Charlie Baker said there are currently no plans for a statewide shelter-in-place order, but he has put a number of unprecedented measures in place across Massachusetts.

Just after 6:20 p.m. Sunday, Baker ordered a more restrictive public gathering plan, banning all gatherings of 25 or more people. The governor’s initial ban was on gatherings of 250 or more people, which was put into place on Friday.

“These gatherings include all community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions and any similar event or activity that brings together 25 or more people in single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues like fitness centers, private clubs and theaters,” Baker said.

Baker also banned bars and restaurants from serving food and drinks on site, but will allow them to serve food via takeout and delivery services. The on-site service ban begins Tuesday and is scheduled to last until April 17."