Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #14

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #14

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Dear friends,

A few quick updates for you about your government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Expansion: Many workers who previously did not qualify for traditional or extended unemployment insurance are now eligible to apply for Massachusetts' PUA program. The system finally opened yesterday. These workers include:

• Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
• Individuals seeking part-time employment
• Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
• Claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law

School Closures: Today Governor Baker announced that all Massachusetts public and private schools will remain closed through the end of the school year due to the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, all non-emergency childcare programs will remain closed until June 29, with the exception of those that are serving first responders, grocery store employees, and other essential workers. The Governor had previously ordered schools remain closed until May 4th.

Eviction Moratorium: The Governor signed into law a bill temporarily pausing evictions and certain foreclosures during the coronavirus pandemic, which the House and Senate passed last week. The moratorium will remain in effect for 120 days, or 45 days after the coronavirus state of emergency expires, whichever is sooner.

As always, my team and I are here for you. Call us at 617-722-1555 or email me directly at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and one of us will get back to you as quickly as we can. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents
https://mailchi.mp/9fbcac98dea3/covid19-update-12316418?e=0c2c9810fe

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #14

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News Update

Franklin Earth Day (50th Anniversary)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/earth_day_flyer_final.pdf

Site Map
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2020_earth_day.pdf

Playgrounds

All Town and Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice.

On April 21, the Recreation Advisory Board and Director of Recreation will discuss the spring sports season through a virtual meeting. An official decision should be announced on April 27th with the assistance of all youth sports presidents.

Hello Franklin! We have created a Trails and Walking Paths site to serve as a resource to our community. During these unprecedented times, it is important to get outside and de-stress, while practicing social distancing! We hope you find it useful. Be well! https://bit.ly/3bDgozC

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups

Challenges and Contests

The Franklin Recreation Department is hosting the following challenges and contests to ALL residents during this stay at home quarantine. PRIZES will be awarded to the top winners and all winning videos and/or photographs will be posted on our website and social media.

https://sites.google.com/view/recdeptcovid-19contests/home?authuser=1

**REMEMBER these contests are to be done following the guidelines of social distancing. They are not to be done with a group of friends.**

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News Update

50+ Job-seeker Virtual Group Meeting - Monday 4/27/20

Monday, April 27  1– 4 PM

• Video Interview Preparation and Strategy
• How do I Land on the Short List?

Facilitator: Edward Lawrence; Career Coach
Co-facilitator: Ashley Shaheen; Asst. Director of Senior Services
Guest Speaker: David Bayuk, Business Development Manager at Experis.

David is one of our most popular guest speakers. With over 28 years of experience as a Business Development Manager, recruiter, team manager and trainer in the talent acquisition industry, David has a wealth of experience providing clients and candidates the best of all worlds.

David has worked with all career levels and has successfully placed hundreds of candidates into the next phase of their careers. David has strong relationships with hiring managers throughout the area and is prepared to help both clients and candidates fulfill their needs. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Dale Carnegie Sales training course, President's Clubs and many other achievements. He lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and two children.

This session focuses on two aspects of the interview process.

First, we will focus on interview preparation, including the types of interviews, key components of an interview, and types of interview questions.

Then we will discuss interview strategy: How do you distinguish yourself from the field of other candidates? What must you do to navigate the weeding out process and ensure you are one of the finalists? What should you do after the interview to ensure you remain under consideration?

Program Pre-Registration (once per town location) is required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

Registration is required for this specific online meeting:

• After you register for the 50+ Program, we will place you on a list to receive promos that contain a meeting's registration information.
• If you have registered previously with the town that virtually hosts the session, there is no need for you to register again.

For additional information about this program, please contact Ashley Shaheen Assistant Director, Hopkinton Senior Center; ashaheen@hopkintonma.gov; (508) 497-9730.

50+ Job-seeker Virtual Group Meeting - Monday 4/27/20

In the News: A new job in a time of chaos; school buildings to remain closed for school year

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

"Ann Mariano had just settled into her role as the district’s new technology chief when she unexpectedly had to get computers into the hands of some 2,000 students as fast as possible.

Schools were shuttered temporarily at first due to the COVID-19 threat, but most school officials realized the closures would become long-term. On March 20, she and other officials scrambled to get thousands of Chromebooks out to students who would need them to take part in remote learning. Devices were readied for distribution that evening, with school officials rapidly crafting a way to keep track of which student had what device.

“Everyone was chipping in. We were constantly trying to think of what the next thing would be,” said Mariano, of Franklin. “The biggest lesson I’ve taken away from this is how everyone is part of the puzzle.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200421/new-job-in-time-of-chaos-as-framingham-schools-tech-chief-franklin-woman-fills-tall-order

"School buildings in Massachusetts will remain closed through the end of the academic year, but remote learning will continue, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday.

There hasn’t been any strong guidance about how to operate schools safely as the state works to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the Republican governor said.

“We believe therefore that students cannot safety return to school,” Baker said.

All non-emergency child care programs will remain closed until June 29, he added. Right now, there are 523 emergency child care programs statewide serving families of essential workers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200421/updated-massachusetts-schools-closed-for-rest-of-academic-year-as-coronavirus-cases-surge

school buildings to remain closed for school year

Town of Franklin: Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

Remote Meeting - Held on “ZOOM” Platform 4:30 - 6:30 PM

A NOTE TO RESIDENTS: Due to the growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we will be conducting a remote/virtual Town Council Meeting. In an effort to ensure citizen engagement and comply with open meeting law regulations, citizens will be able to dial into the meeting using the provided phone number (Cell phone or Landline Required) OR citizens can participate by clicking on the attached link (Phone, Computer, or Tablet required). The attached link and phone number will be active for the duration of the meeting for citizens to ask questions/voice concerns.

● Link to access meeting: April 22, 2020 Town Council Meeting Link HERE* -- Then click “Open Zoom”

● Call-In Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID # 928 8757 4249 --Then press #

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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. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION

a. Coronavirus Updates: When will Franklin Businesses Reopen, when and how?

A Community Conversation with a Town Department Head Roundtable including Town Administrator Jamie Hellen; Town Attorney Mark Cerel; Board of Health Chair, Bridget Sweet; Health Department Staff, Cathy Liberty and Ginny McNeil; Chief of Police TJ Lynch; Fire Chief Jim McLaughlin; and Building Inspector Gus Brown.

3. ADJOURN


*For meeting security, residents should take the extra step to find the access code in the Town of Franklin PDF (this should eliminate all but the seriously nefarious folks)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-04-22_town_council_agenda_1.pdf

Town of Franklin: Special COVID-19 Town Department Roundtable

FM #248 Franklin Public Library Staff Discuss Virtual Services - 4/14/20 (audio)

FM #248 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 248 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the entire Franklin Public Library staff. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about how the Library has become virtual continuing to provide services. I learned that in addition to the Library page, Facebook, and Instagram, they also have a TikTok and YouTube presence.

There are 75 databases that are online and available to us. Virtual storytelling, 2 minute book reviews, scavenger hunts, and the re-introduction of “doggie tales” scheduled for a virtual event are among the topics covered.

The Library is so much more than the 4 walls (really more than 4 anyway) as the services and resources they provide online we become aware of and can utilize during this period (and beyond).

Many of the online resources are available with your library card and pin. If you don’t have one, you can apply for a virtual one which will be good for 6 months.

The recording runs about 40 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Felicia and all the librarians  

Audio Link = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-248-franklin-public-library-staff-talk-virtual-svcs/

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Franklin Public Library page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library
Twitter account https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib
YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAzwQ_NxELskMbJw1yWMpjQ/featured
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary/
Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/franklinpubliclibrary/


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"

FM #248 Franklin Public Library Staff Discuss Virtual Services - 4/14/20 (audio)

Once Upon A Town: Metcalf Block, Butman Bldg, Franklin Diner - Franklin MA

Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to learn about the Metcalf Block, Butman Building, and Franklin Diner on Main Street.

https://youtu.be/11_7zClTM8Y