Franklin Matters

Thursday, April 2, 2020

FM #234 Franklin Fire Chief McLaughlin - COVID-19 Updates 3/31/20

FM #234 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 234 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s Fire Chief James McLaughlin and Firefighter/paramedic Laurie Roy. Laurie serves the Fire Dept as the Infection Control Officer. This was conducted via conference bridge to help maintain ‘social distance’ during this pandemic period.

Chief McLaughlin shares the modifications taken by the Fire Dept in order to continue to serve the community in responding to 911 calls. The firefighters are taking extra precautions as they respond to the call to minimize exposure on both sides and help prevent any spread of COVID-19.

This conversation runs about 11 minutes, so settle in and listen to my conversation with Chief McLaughlin and Firefighter Roy.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-234-fire-chief-j-mclaughlin-lroy-3-31-20

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Link to Franklin Fire Dept letter 3/30/20
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/town_letter_-_ffd.pdf

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

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
If you don't like something here, please let me know

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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin Fire Dept Station 1 - downtown at night

Franklin Neighbor Brigade Update

In these times of uncertainty we know one thing clearly, that love never has to be rationed or quarantined. The truth is, we all need each other more than ever right now. We need each other in so many ways, both big and small. We need to rely and lean on one another and to be compassionate, understanding, and patient with one another. We need to focus on being there for one another in the best and safest way we can.

Please read on to see how you can help whether it be from your home or in the community.

Challenge for all Volunteers

Here is a FUN family project. Who's up for a Letter Writing Challenge! All you have to do is wash your hands and put your love on. If we can't thank, visit a sick person or give gratitude in person, we can do it in a personal note. The list is endless on who you can send a note to. Here are some ideas of people/neighbors we can offer hope, kindness and a smile to:

a neighbor you have not seen or you know can use a positive note

those who are bereaved or supporting the bereaved

those who are anxious or feeling afraid

people alone and isolated

those working at risk jobs and essential workers

a teacher

the local food pantry

a medical professional

our fire and police

The challenge is to send two notes within two days to the people of your choice. One could be to say hello/thinking of you and another could be a thank-you/gratitude note. We have 173 active volunteers. Let's see if we can get at least half of our volunteers to participate. If you accept the challenge please let us know by signing-up through the volunteer system. Happy Writing!

Important NEW Volunteer Requirements due to COVID-19

While we wait for our services to be called upon from location organizations such as senior center, food pantry, police, fire, and of course our neighbors in need please make sure you have met the NEW volunteer requirements. They include reading the NB Handbook, Food Handler Training, COVID-19 Preparedness, and have a current CORI check on file. You can check to see if you met this criteria by logging into your account and clicking on Profile on the top right heading and selecting Qualifications. It should look like the highlighted areas below. If it doesn't then you will need to complete those tasks by clicking on the information button circled in red and following the instructions. If you have any questions or need help accessing your account please feel free to reach out.

Franklin Neighbor Brigade Update

Community Opportunities

YMCA - Growing demand for families in need of food is happening. Drop off box at YMCA is outside from 9am-6pm daily. Recommended following food items: oatmeal cups/packets, macaroni & cheese boxes/cups, granola bars (nut free whole grain preferred), applesauce or mandarin orange cups (no added sugar), whole grain crackers, tuna pouches in water (low sodium), Progresso chicken soup (low sodium), rice boxes/cups, Barilla Ready Pasta and pasta boxes.

Franklin Food Pantry needed wish list items can be ordered on Amazon using the following link https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share

Tri Valley Meals on Wheels is in need of temporary volunteers to drive meals to residents in Franklin, Medway and Bellingham. They have a volunteer sign up time from 11:00-12:30 Monday-Friday at the Grace Baptist church on Beaver street. You will need to bring your license and front page of your car insurance with line 5 highlighted. Any questions, call Gail Hamilton 508-520-1422.

Stay home when you can, find joy in the small moments and spread kindness when it's needed greatly!
Linda Gagnon and Cheryl Ferri
Franklin MA Neighbor Brigade Chapter Co-Leaders
FranklinMA@neighborbrigade.org
www.neighborbrigade.org

Volunteer Login: http://volunteer.neighborbrigade.org

Beaver Street Recycling Center - re-opening with restrictions

In order to meet the needs of our residents and still follow the Governor’s directive, as well as provide the appropriate level of safety to our residents and public works employees, we are going to re-open the Beaver Street Recycling Center with the following guidelines.

• The Recycling Center opens for the drop-off of yard waste and brush only
• No other recycling products will be accepted
• The Center will be open as scheduled presently, Friday and Saturday 8-3 and Sunday 9-1
• The Recycling Center will be staffed with only one worker just to check that folks have a Recycling Center Sticker and are only dropping off yard waste or brush
• The Employees will practice established personal space guidelines and “Social Distancing” and will not assist residents in any way with the unloading of their vehicles
• Only five vehicles will be allowed in the Recycling Center at one time
• There will be no credit card or check transactions
• If a resident needs a recycling sticker, they will need to contact and arrange to get one from the Public Works Administration Office (508 520-4910) prior to going to the Recycling Center

Shared from the DPW page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDPW/posts/2993760784041705

Beaver Street Recycling Center - re-opening with restrictions

Let's beat our 2010 Census rate this time around

"Recently, you should have received a census form. The US Census determines both State & Federal funding based on the information collected! Be counted! The census is quick, easy, and important, and all of your answers are confidential.

Visit http://my2020census.gov today!"

We are currently (as of March 31) at 49.3%

In 2010 we responded with a 79.9% rate. Let's get well into the 80% rate this year!

The 2020 Census rate response interactive page
https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html

Let's beat our 2010 Census rate this time around

Jamie Barrett: new song - Sisu Ubuntu (YouTube)

"Jamie Barrett asked folks to give him one word each and around 100 (+/-) participated to create this song. Jamie created the music to go with the words that were given to him. He also arranged the words. Hope you like...?"

https://youtu.be/HVP2eDzQGnQ

For more music and story videos by Jamie Barrett
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiitAGAChXLE-lzyzPxauhg

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

The Franklin High School selections for the 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards are shared here. Follow the link below for the complete HockomockSports.com listing

Second Team
Chris Edgehill – Franklin – Guard

Franklin senior Chris Edgehill finished his career as one of the best ever to put on a Panther uniform. A four-year starter, Edgehill set a new program for scoring with 1,408 points, eclipsing the mark set by Matt Palazini in 2011, leading Franklin back to a third sectional final appearance in his four years. He was the Panthers’ leading scorer this season with 15 points per game along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. “Chris is an explosive talent who once again took his game to a new level in the state tournament run we had this season making big shots time after time when we needed them the most,” said Franklin coach CJ Neely.

Defensive Player of the Year

"Franklin senior Brayden Sullivan has been named the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Defensive Player of the Year for the 2019-2020 season, the ninth year the award has been given out. Sullivan is the third straight Panther to win the award and fifth overall.

Sullivan was a pest defensively, not just on the ball but off of it too. His ability to deny players the ball was a real strength for the Panthers defensively, who allowed a league-low 52.8 points per game this season. Night in and night out, he matched up with the top players in the league and from around the state. This season, he held 14 of the 16 Hockomock players he defended under their scoring average.

“Brayden has been a force in the defensive end all season,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “He always got the toughest assignments and was ready for the challenge. We won so many games because of a late game block, steal or charge forced by Brayden.”

Brayden Sullivan has been named the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Defensive Player of the Year

For the complete listing of awards, and to continue reading the write up on Brayden: https://hockomocksports.com/awards/boys-basketball/2019-2020/

Rally ’round the Restaurants

"We created a Facebook page -> United Regional’s Rally ’round the Restaurants for any and all restaurants in the region to share their operating hours, menus, specials, etc. This is open to the public, members and non-members, to post their favorite take out spots or pictures of their favorite dishes. Anything that can help the local restaurants during these crazy times.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce (http://www.unitedregionalchamber.org/) created this page as a platform for our community, which includes 16 towns, to promote area restaurants. During this Coronavirus pandemic, our restaurants are struggling. Some, thankfully, are still open for take-out orders.

If you own, or have a favorite restaurant, please post about it here. Let us know if you’re open for take-out, and the hours. We encourage our community to promote their favorite restaurants on this page, including your pictures and positive comments.

The purpose of this page is to support our restaurants, so please only post positive content. Negative comments or reviews will be deleted. Now is the time for our community to pull together and support one another. We are all in this together. Let’s show our restaurants how much we appreciate them!"