Earth day clean up at DelCarte - April 25 - Canceled

"It is with mixed emotion I announce the cancellation of the Earth Day Clean Up at DelCarte scheduled for Saturday, April 25.  

The Conservation Commission fully understands the current situation with COVID-19 and the effect it is having on all in Franklin and around the world.

We will not place any resident at risk for the sake of any event.

We hope to celebrate Earth Day next year and will make best efforts in the meantime to keep DelCarte one of the Town's Crown Jewels.

We wish you all good health.


William Batchelor

Chairman
Conservation Commission

Shared from the Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/2566887723581238/

the floating walkway at DelCarte recently

Once Upon A Town: Bob Catalano World War II Veteran (video)

Eamon McCarthy Earls interviews Bob Catalano 

"World War II veteran, Bob Catalano, recalls growing up in Franklin, Massachusetts, serving in the Navy, working for GM, and a fire in 2012 that nearly consumed his house--some of the key memories from a life spanning nine decades."

Video link = https://youtu.be/FIhQVt5OTVg

In the News: college refund plans monitored; delay of local elections due to COVID-19

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

Monitoring of college refund plans amid coronavirus underway

"With many college students now learning remotely off-campus or while living with their families, refunding the room and board payments for those students while they’re away is going to be a “huge issue,” according to the House chair of the Higher Education Committee.

But, state Rep. Jeffrey Roy said, it’s not one where there’s necessarily an across-the-board solution.

The new online learning surge is one of the cascading effects flowing from the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s being driven by the fact that thousands of students were abruptly sent packing from campuses mid-semester.

Massachusetts is home to more than 100 colleges and universities, including the state’s 15 community colleges, which do not have on-campus housing, nine public universities and the five-campus University of Massachusetts system.

Dorm and meal payments are unique to each school, and campus officials will need to consider the needs of their student populations as well as their own budgetary dynamics as they make unprecedented decisions around whether and how to reimburse room and board for off-campus time."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200324/ag-roy-healey-monitoring-college-refund-plans-amid-coronavirus

MA allows delay of local elections due to COVID-19

"Towns can postpone local elections this spring to help residents avoid the coronavirus, thanks to a law signed Monday night by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Spring is local election season for towns throughout Massachusetts, and town officials have been keeping a wary eye on the trajectory of the pandemic as the time to cast ballots – not typically an action associated with worldwide social distancing recommendations – looms closer.

Elections scheduled on or before May 30 may be postponed, according to a notice from the Secretary of State’s Office, and ballots printed with the original date may be used. Elections must be held by June 30.

Several voting rights activists praised the idea, but criticized the law for not going far enough."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200324/massachusetts-allows-delay-of-local-elections

Business & Employee Support during COVID-19 Restrictions

The Town of Franklin recognizes the impact the COVID-19 restrictions and closures are having on businesses and their employees. We have compiled a list of resources to guide you through the changing landscape. This document will be updated as new information and updates become available.

● Department of Unemployment Insurance (Department of Labor Relations). Read all of the information, latest updates and apply for unemployment assistance here
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance

Find the unemployment application here
https://www.mass.gov/unemployment-insurance-ui-online

● Guidance and Directives for Businesses & Employers: Updated information regarding unemployment resources can be found here:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-guidance-and-directives#businesses-&-employers-


● The Rapid Response Program works closely with companies to avoid layoffs and keep a skilled workforce engaged in the existing regional economy or industry. To find out more about how the Rapid Response Team can help businesses visit this link: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/rapid-response-layoff-aversion

● SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available statewide. Massachusetts received approval for the disaster declaration for small businesses and private non-profits to apply for the SBA EIDL loan program. Visit the SBA’s Disaster guidance web page: www.sba.gov/disaster Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications to mail in forms here https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

● MA Growth Capital Corporation:$10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund will provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits. Loans are immediately available to eligible businesses with no payments due for the first 6 months. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has capitalized on the fund and will administer it. Here is a link:
https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/what-we-offer/emergency-loan-funds/covid-19-loan-fund
How to Apply: Please complete the application found on MGCC’s website, EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org.

● The IRS extended the tax deadline to July 15, 2020. Find details here
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed

● The Center for Disease Control: CDC’s Guidance for Business during the
COVID-19 Outbreak  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.htm

● Massachusetts Department of Revenue COVID-19 Information: Important updates from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/important-covid-19-coronavirus-response-update-from-dor

● The Federal Reserve Board announced a Market Mutual Liquidity Fund
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20200320b.htm

● Bulletin 2020-05; Flexibility in the Issuance and Administration of Insurance during COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Public Health Crisis; Issued 3/23/2020
https://www.mass.gov/news/bulletin-2020-05-flexibility-in-the-issuance-and-administration-of-insurance-during-covid-19

● Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office: Resources during COVID-19 Outbreak https://www.mass.gov/guides/resources-during-covid-19

● National Grid Information for Business customers regarding the COVID-19 Outbreak https://www.nationalgridus.com/COVID-19


Shared from the Town of Franklin page:  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

Business & Employee Support during COVID-19 Restrictions

In the News: Politicians connecting remotely; Coronavirus response adjustments in new municipal bill

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

Politicians connecting remotely

On St. Patrick’s Day morning, U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III took to Twitter in a baseball cap and plain white T-shirt with his two young, pajama-clad children.

“Take care of each other, take care of yourselves, take care of your families,” he told his more than 82,000 followers, before his daughter Ellie broke into a confident rendition of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” from Disney’s “Frozen.”

As social distancing becomes the norm, several local, state and federal elected officials are turning to remote services like telephone and video to connect with their constituents.

“We’re deploying the full menu of technology,” said U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan on Friday. “Our office is very much open for business.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200324/politicians-connect-with-constituents-remotely

Coronavirus response adjustments in new municipal bill

"Restaurants would be able to sell beer and wine with to-go orders, requirements around MCAS tests could be changed and municipal governments could give residents more time to make tax payments, under new bill Gov. Charlie Baker filed Tuesday to create flexibility in local responses to the coronavirus pandemic.

Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito introduced the bill during their daily coronavirus update, with the governor saying it “cuts red tape for cities and towns” and aims to make it easier for municipalities to meet their residents’ needs and keep their governments running.

“It’s clear that we have to stick together, but stick together in a time where social distancing is becoming and is very much a real part of our lives,” Polito said, voicing appreciation for local governments offering services via remote workforces, boards of health ramping up their efforts, and first responders who continue to deal with emergencies like house fires.

Filed the same day that an emergency order closed most of the state’s businesses -- except for essential operations like grocery stores and medical facilities -- and with the Department of Public Health advising residents to stay home, the bill (HD 4974) contains a number of provisions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200324/coronavirus-response-to-go-liquor-tax-payments-mcas-requirements-part-of-municipal-bill

The text of HD 494 can be found https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/HD4974

FTC Consumer Alerts: Now more than ever, spot the scams with #FTCScamBingo

Now more than ever, spot the scams with #FTCScamBingo by Jennifer Leach  Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC During the Coronavirus outbreak, many people are working from home — and maybe even, for the first time in a long time, answering calls from unfamiliar phone numbers. It might be your colleague's cell phone…or it might be a robocaller or scammer.  So here's a way you can spot some of those scam calls you might be getting. And it's a way to spread the word to help protect others in your community. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/now-more-ever-spot-scams-ftcscambingo This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/?utm_source=govdelivery

FM #228 Superintendent Sara Ahern with Coronavirus Updates 3/22/20

FM #228 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 228 in the series.

This session of the radio show was recorded virtually. Superintendent Sara Ahern and I connected to have this conversation via a conference bridge and recording came out very well as we practiced this new ‘social distance’.

Sara provided some key updates on

• The rationale behind the decision to close Franklin schools
• Support services still being provided while closed
• Meals via the ‘grab and go’ at FHS Monday-Friday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
• Teachers reaching out to check in with their students
• To “keep learning alive”, exploring distance learning and new resources
• William James Interface Referral Service (available to all of Franklin)
• Updates made available regularly and in multiple languages

The audio segment runs about 25 minutes, so please listen in to my conversation with School Superintendent Sara Ahern.  Audio file =>
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HBlPRL2X





Link to the Superintendents’ messages in multiple languages
https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/messages-superintendent-regarding-coronavirus

The link to the main Franklin Public schools (FPS) page https://www.franklinps.net/

FPS Learning Resources page https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fpscommunitylearningresource/home (be sure to explore the links available in the top right corner of this page!)


FPS Coronavirus information portal
https://www.franklinps.net/district/urgent-alerts/updates-fps-covid-19-closure-information-portal


Important Quick Contacts Guide
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/quick_contact_list_1.pdf

The Town of Franklin Coronavirus Information Portal https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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
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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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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Important Quick Contacts Guide