State Rep Jeff Roy: Update #4 on COVID-19

COVID-19 update #4

I continue share your concerns about the spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) and am providing these updates regularly to keep you informed. New information is coming out regularly and in great volume. To keep the information timely and manageable, I will post only new information in these update emails and ask you to visit https://jeffreyroy.com/covid-19-updates/ for a compilation of all of the updates. That site will be updated frequently to keep you up to speed on the latest developments. 

Here are the updates since my last email:

• Current cases. In Massachusetts, there are a total of 413 cases of COVID-19, out of the 4,091 individuals that have been tested. For complete details, click here (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-cases-quarantine-and-monitoring). The state's capacity to test has been expanded so we expect that number to rise as more people get tested.

• Testing ramping up. Massachusetts has a goal of conducting a minimum of 3,500 coronavirus tests each day and is on track to get to that level through an enormous increase in testing capacity by early next week (March 22-28). Quest Diagnostics in Marlborough is ramping up labs to be able to test 20,000 people per day across the country. CEO Steve Rusckowski said the company hopes to eventually be able to test 2,000 to 3,000 people a day in Massachusetts. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said that, using South Korea as a model, Massachusetts needs to be testing 3,500 people each day at a minimum. Massachusetts officials confirmed the state's first positive COVID-19 case on Feb. 1.

• Unemployment town hall Sunday, March 22 at 3:30 p.m. To help with the increased demand on the unemployment system and the increased volume or your constituent service staff, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Unemployment Assistance will be hosting virtual town hall meetings. We will take all who sign up through a step by step process of achieving a successful unemployment claim. We will also be taking questions from claimants across the Commonwealth. The first virtual town hall will be held this Sunday, March 22nd, at 3:30pm. Sign up information for the virtual town hall is available by clicking here (https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-department-of-unemployment-assistance-dua-virtual-town-halls). To further help claimants through the process of applying for benefits, DUA has made specific web page updates that include the latest guidance for employee qualifications and additional resources like contact forms and a COVID-19 specific unemployment claim handbook that can be viewed by clicking here (https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-unemployment-and-coronavirus-covid-19).

The newsletters was shortened for publication here, to review the full contents:
https://us6.campaign-archive.com/?u=a03272e278ec395d5f164106a&id=e821dd5fdd

State Rep Jeff Roy's COVID-19 page  https://jeffreyroy.com/covid-19-updates/

State Rep Jeff Roy: Update #4 on COVID-19

ArtWeek 2020 - canceled

"We assumed this might happen, but are very disappointed to cancel the 40 programs we were bringing to the community this May. 

When the time is right, we will regroup and find a way to bring these to Franklin! Thank you to all that participated in submitting proposals and had begun planning. We'll bounce back from this even stronger!"

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"Dear ArtWeek Community,

With regret that is beyond words, we are announcing the cancellation of ArtWeek 2020, our award-winning community program. We had originally hoped that a different version of the festival might be possible as we continually reassessed the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, but the ever-increasing bad news in terms of the virus and its effects, added to the increasing government restrictions on public gatherings, have led us to follow the lead of national, state, and local authorities and make this extremely difficult decision.

We realize that this is very disappointing, but we also know that many of our event hosts, partners, and sponsors are also facing similar critical decisions. Ultimately, what is most important is that you, your communities, and everyone you interact with remain safe and well, so we feel that this is the right decision to make at this time.

We have also been deeply inspired by the sense of community and creative sharing across various platforms during this time and hope that you are taking advantage of the many creative ideas that are being offered from virtual tours, online classes and activities, and the brilliant “creative acts of kindness” that are popping up everywhere.

At the same time, we know many nonprofits and creative communities are deeply suffering and urge everyone to show support however you can by making a donation or an online purchase, getting a gift certificate, or simply staying in touch to offer support. We are all in this together, and every positive action makes a big difference towards supporting a longer-term resiliency.

Sincerely,

The ArtWeek Team
artweek@bochcenter.org"

Shared from the Franklin Cultural Council Facebook update
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/photos/a.399579373729229/1110981599255666/?

ArtWeek 2020 - canceled

Internal Revenue Service - federal income tax filing date now July 15, 2020

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline, can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days.

“Even with the filing deadline extended, we urge taxpayers who are owed refunds to file as soon as possible and file electronically,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds. Although we are curtailing some operations during this period, the IRS is continuing with mission-critical operations to support the nation, and that includes accepting tax returns and sending refunds. As a federal agency vital to the overall operations of our country, we ask for your personal support, your understanding – and your patience. I’m incredibly proud of our employees as we navigate through numerous different challenges in this very rapidly changing environment.”

The IRS will continue to monitor issues related to the COVID-19 virus, and updated information will be posted on a special coronavirus page on IRS.gov (https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus).

This announcement comes following the President’s emergency declaration last week pursuant to the Stafford Act. The Stafford Act is a federal law designed to bring an orderly and systematic means of federal natural disaster and emergency assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens. It was enacted in 1988.

Treasury and IRS will issue additional guidance as needed and continue working with Congress, on a bipartisan basis, on legislation to provide further relief to the American people.

This was shared from the IRS page
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed 


Related posts on IRS:

It's that time again
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/its-that-time-again-irs-has-started.html

Tax time Guide
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/tax-time-guide-millions-make-irsgov.html

Internal Revenue Service - federal income tax filing date now July 15, 2020

Franklin Public Schools: student art works featured in digital "Youth Art Month"

"Youth Art Month at Worcester Art Museum goes digital! FPS has over 15 pieces in this show. Enjoy the video linked below."

Shared from the Tweet:
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSart/status/1241083575342153734

Video link:   https://youtu.be/gcIaPTKL2c0

"The Worcester Art Museum is pleased to present the 2020 Central MA Regional Youth Art Month Exhibit. Youth Art Month is a national celebration endorsed by Council for Art Education, the National Art Education Association, and the Massachusetts Art Education Association, and is proudly hosted by the Worcester Art Museum.

This annual celebration emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality art programs in public and private schools. This special digital video of the exhibit features each of the 461 artworks from Massachusetts students in grades K-12 that were put on display in the Higgins Education Wing of the Worcester Art Museum .

We would like to recognize the efforts of the wonderful young artists and the dedication that their teachers show in annually volunteering their time to coordinate this exhibition. The theme for 2020 was Take a Journey through Art, and I invite you to do just that through this video. The Museum’s Pick Winners, normally announced at the Exhibition Celebration, will be announced via the Worcester Art Museum’s Facebook page on March 22nd."

Please enjoy. https://www.worcesterart.org/

MA Small Business Development Center Network: Prepare For Recovery

While focused on the small business owner, the advice can apply more broadly


PREPARE FOR RECOVERY
By Cliff Robbins, MSBDC Senior Business Advisor

"NOW what do I do?" This is the question on every small business persons' mind. Well, this is the time to prepare yourself for a post-coronavirus world: Especially because you have probably been forced to shutter or otherwise change your business approach.

1) CFIMITYM - Cash Flow Is More Important Than Your Mother.
Conserve your cash. Act like you're in a turnaround crisis because you probably are [too]. If you haven't done so already, project your cash needs out for the next twelve months. (We can help with that.) Go to MSBDC.org/SEMass and contact an advisor.

2) COMMUNICATE
Talk to your customers; communicate with your bank; invest in your social media; let them know that you're still around; keep them engaged. Try selling gift certificates. This is a great time to try that for future business. Send them emails to let them know you're still here and OKAY!

3) CREATE
Most small business people don't continually create content because they say they just don't have the time. Well, now your schedule is a little more open today, so create some content. Create educational content about your products and services; create instructional videos; create stories that you can share in the near future to tell the world how great your business has been and still is!

4) ADVERTISE YOUR LOCAL SERVICES
If you work at people's homes, particularly for services like landscaping, or other home improvement services that are low-touch, get the word out that you're available. If people aren't ready today, the nicer weather will catch up with them quickly once this all starts to sort itself out.

5) PREPARE AND INVEST - Now's the time to get a leg up on the competition:

• Get that new website started, it's going to take a little time to get going, and this downtime will help you modernize.
• Optimize your business for local search, it takes a few weeks for optimizations to happen, so get the leg up once people are ready to leave the house again.
• Sort out the back-end of your business: Your CRM, your customer databases, your online store. Make sure these are all up and running so that you are prepared for the future.

"This too shall pass."

Look at this period as an opportunity to get ahead, and stay focused on growth.

The region sure needs it!

Shared from the Southeast Regional Office MSBDC
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101853174121&ca=27eb69bc-325e-4f7e-beee-d0a98b2711f6

MA Small Business Development Center Network: Prepare For Recovery

Franklin Public Schools Update from the Superintendent 3/20/2020

Please see this video update from Superintendent Sara Ahern - 3/20/2020

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9TgNtOaHbw




And the referenced video she mentions: https://vimeo.com/398230086?fbclid=IwAR3cvK731SQDtKZLL9KOtocJZS9K69sq-fl2atDuFRVEWwDEXqVaqB9FQAY



Thank you,
Franklin Public Schools

Superintendent Sara Ahern at the demographic study info session at HMMS March 5

Franklin Public Library Closure Updates

Franklin Public Library Closure Updates

Dear Franklin Community,

Thank you for your enthusiastic response to curbside pickups! Unfortunately, that service has come to an end. Thankfully, the Library still has much more to offer! 

Here are updates and information regarding the Library's services during this closure:

• The Franklin Library will be closed until April 7th.
• Our digital library is still open! Explore our collection of audiobooks, ebooks, and more at https://minuteman.overdrive.com/ . On your phone or tablet, download the Libby and Minuteman Library Network apps!
• Try out Kanopy, hoopla, Creativebug, and Universal Class on the Featured Databases page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/featured-databases (exclusively available to Franklin residents).
• Learn something new, read newspapers from across the globe, or pick up a new skill using the links on our Databases & Research Resources page. https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/databases-research-resources
• Tune in to our Facebook page for streaming storytimes, book discussions, and other live programs.
• Email reference service will remain available. Send questions to frkill@minlib.net . Questions will be answered within 24 hours.
• Please hold on to your checked out items! Due dates have been extended to April 30.
• No donations will be accepted at this time.
• The ability to place holds on physical items has been suspended.

Updates through email, our website, and social media will be provided as they become available.

Library 
Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary/
Twitter account  https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib

Shared from the Library update notification
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-closure-updates

No book or bag sale this weekend due to the pandemic closure