Once Upon a Town: Chilson Block - Downtown Franklin

Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to "Find out the story of the Chilson Block, a landmark of downtown Franklin"

Video link = https://youtu.be/v4fhjIK2wAA

Senior Center Connections - April Newsletter

The April newsletter provides the latest on what is still happening (although remotely).

Get your copy at the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/apr20connection_-_copy_1.pdf

Senior Center Connections - April Newsletter

In the News: COVID-19 testing facility for first responders; how to apply for unemployment assistance

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

COVID-19 testing facility for first responders

"A COVID-19 testing facility for first responders opened Sunday in Foxborough after it was built in just four days, and Gov. Charlie Baker said conversations are underway about setting up similar sites in western Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley. 

After visiting the new drive-through testing site, set up in a Gillette Stadium parking lot, Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito provided updates on the state’s continuing efforts to prepare for the coming surge in cases of the dangerous and contagious coronavirus. 

Baker said state officials received a shipment of 100 ventilators -- a fraction of the 1,400 requested -- from the national equipment stockpile, and those ventilators will likely be distributed “over the course of the next 24 hours.” Last Monday, Baker had predicted 1,000 ventilators would arrived by week’s end."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200405/mass-continues-preparations-for-surge-in-coronavirus-cases

social distancing properly (Gov Baker's Twitter image)

how to apply for unemployment assistance

"In the past two weeks, 10 million workers have filed for unemployment, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. 

If you’re one of those 10 million workers confused on how to apply for unemployment assistance, the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been hosting Virtual Town Halls for the past week and can help you out. 

We simplified how that process works, and answered some common questions – including some questions answered during Saturday’s virtual town hall meeting conducted in Spanish."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200405/confused-on-how-to-apply-for-unemployment-during-coronavirus-outbreak-heres-simplified-guide-on-how-to-do-it

“I see a lot of pink bags at the curb awaiting (pickup) that will never come”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Jillian Wilson, Natick’s sustainability coordinator, is saddened by the number of pink recycling bags she still sees on the curbs of several Natick neighborhoods. 

Those pink recycling bags are part of Simple Recycling’s curbside clothing recycling program. 

Based out of Ohio, the for-profit recycler takes donated high quality clothing and other household goods and resells them to thrift shops or international markets. The town has been using the service for two years, and close to 20,000 to 30,000 pieces of material are collected each month, according to Wilson-Martin. 

On March 23, the company had to suspend operations in the state, following Gov. Charlie Baker’s order for all non-essential businesses to seize in-person operations to minimize the spread of the coronavirus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200405/recycling-options-still-available-during-coronavirus-order

“I see a lot of pink bags at the curb awaiting (pickup) that will never come”

"child care providers worry they may never reopen"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Dominated by small businesses, the country’s child care “system” has long been at a breaking point. Child care is expensive to operate and to provide, yet families are largely left to pay for it themselves while providers eke out a living on meager profits.

To make it through coronavirus-era closures and the economic downturn, providers say they need help.

Without it, parents juggling child care with working from home, or unable to afford care while they’re laid off, could find their provider is closed when they return to work."

This story about child care services was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.   https://hechingerreport.org/newsletters/

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200405/coronavirus-is-closing-day-cares-child-care-providers-worry-they-may-never-reopen

HMEA's incredABLE 5K Goes Virtual - May 17

We are going VIRTUAL!

These are uncertain times for all of us. HMEA is responding to the Covid-19 crisis by providing essential staff 24 hours a day in group homes; virtually connecting and teaching children with autism and adults with developmental disabilities who are staying safe at home; and offering resources to hundreds of families in need at this critical time. 

HMEA's incredABLE 5K Goes Virtual - May 17

Your contributions are vital as we work through this state of emergency together and then continue to teach, support, and empower the 5,000 members of the HMEA community. Eventually all of our supported individuals will resume their normal routines and we want to be ready for that with the resources that will be made available through the funds raised by this event.

So we are making the incredABLE 5K a VIRTUAL EVENT!


Live Virtual Event - MAY 17

10:00 am - walk and run
11:00 am - ceremonies, winners announced, raffles pulled
Tune-in to our Facebook Page


We need your help now, more than ever!
There are so many ways to do something incredABLE!

Run the Virtual 5K

You can still participate in our incredABLE 5k. Find an approved course near you at https://certifiedroadraces.com/.

Here's how it works:

1. Register as an incredABLE Virtual 5K Runner at events.hmea.org/incredABLE2020
2. Run a USATF certified course before May 10
3. Screenshot or take a photo of your time on the fitness app you used to time your run
4. Submit the screenshot/photo and the course ID# to tandryc@hmea.org by midnight May 10, 2020.
5. You may only submit timing once
6. The live virtual 5k run will be held on May 17th at 10:00 AM on our Facebook page. Join in and run at home. Can you beat last year's winner?

Registration fee is $15 for all runners.


Your time must be submitted by midnight May 10, 2020 to be entered into the competition.


Winners will be announced during the live streamed virtual event on May 17th.

• Additional info can be found online at

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/HMEA-s-incredABLE-5K-Goes-Virtual.html?soid=1114254466392&aid=EadIPPNfqmc 

 

Attention Franklin: Revised Town Budget Schedule

Due to the closure of all public buildings and delays in the Town, the scheduled budget related meetings have been rescheduled. The following schedule is subject to continued change and represents the most likely scenario based on the information we have today.

School Committee Budget Hearing

• April 14

Finance Committee Hearings

• Wednesday May 27
• Thursday May 28
• Tuesday, June 2
• Thursday June 4

Town Council Budget Hearings

• June 17 and June 18

We will continue to update the website with any changes.

Interested citizens should also check the Town Calendar and sign up for email notices  https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

For all the info on the Town of Franklin budget for FY 2021 (next year), FY 2020 (this year) and earlier  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget
 
 

Attention Franklin: Revised Town Budget Schedule