Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census

We have reached a 72.7% response rate for Franklin, there is still time to get beyond 80% (Franklin actually did 79.9% in the 2010 Census).

"The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Over 70 million households have responded to date, representing 56.6% of all households in America. Make sure that you and your friends and family are included in this once-a-decade count.

Help us spread the word: Everyone can respond to the 2020 Census online in one of 13 languages, with assistance available in many more.

Please note: About 64 million households across the nation will receive a paper questionnaire in the coming days. If you receive mail after you have responded, you should disregard it. It was sent before we received your response."

https://2020census.gov/en.html

Visit the 2020 Census response rate map  
https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html

The current results for Franklin (as of Sunday, May 3, 2020):

Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census

FPD: May the 4th be with you!

Even if you are not celebrating, Franklin Police Dept. would like to wish you a very happy Star Wars Day. 

We’re lucky enough to have our very own Han Solo and Chewbacca ...

Officer Mucciarone and FPD therapy dog Ben Franklin!

FPD: May the 4th be with you! (Photo from FPD)

Podcast Recommendation: Brene Brown's "Unlocking Us"

In these challenging times, akin to the safety warning when flying, we need to put our oxygen mask on first before helping the child next to us. Taking care of ourselves, will help provide the resilience to deal with the changes each day brings.

A good nights sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet can address the physical aspects. For the mental aspects, taking only a few doses of main stream media is one step. Choosing good reading or listening also helps. 

When I walk along the side roads, I can listen to one of several podcasts. One of the new entries to my regular list is appropriate for this time. Brene Brown has introduced a new podcast "Unlocking Us". It was supposed to get a big splash entry in March at the South by Southwest Conf (SXSW) but alas the pandemic shut that down. 

Splash entry or not, Brene is a worthy listen. In this episode she talks with Dr Marc Brackett about emotional literacy. 

"Dr. Marc Brackett has dedicated his life to studying emotions and to teaching us what he’s learning. In this episode, we talk about how emotional literacy – being able to recognize, name, and understand our feelings – affects everything from learning, decision making, and creativity, to relationships, health, and performance."

Listen to the podcast here (or subscribe via one of the several podcast apps where you can find it):
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/dr-marc-brackett-and-brene-on-permission-to-feel/

Podcast Recommendation: Brene Brown's "Unlocking Us"

Brene Brown is an accomplished author and speaker. She has a couple of TED Talks among several good videos to view and get the gist of what she talks about  https://brenebrown.com/videos/

Shareworthy: A Message from President George W. Bush

Share worthy!

A Message from President George W. Bush @TheCalltoUnite pic.twitter.com/FIn9wuOPTF

— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) May 2, 2020

If the embedded Tweet doesn't display properly follow this link:
https://twitter.com/TheBushCenter/status/1256607729151619073?s=09

The Announcer: "Gymnastics in the House: Paula and Lexi Lupien Score a Perfect 10 Together"

From The Announcer, we find this good write up on the Lupien's

"On January 31, 2003, Paula Lupien brought her daughter Lexi into the world.

Paula Lupien is now the gymnastics coach at Franklin High, while Lexi Lupien is one of the gymnasts on the team.

“Never in my wildest imagination did I think she was destined for gymnastics. Her dad is 6′ 7″ and she grew very fast and even when we started out in the gym when she was two, I thought maybe we would stay in recreational gymnastics for just a few years,” Paula Lupien said. “I was impressed with her drive at such a young age. No one could tell her she couldn’t do something. Even though her fast growing height was a challenge to her throughout the sport of gymnastics, she always worked hard to overcome whatever challenge came her way. She’s been a fighter her whole life.”

Continue reading the article online
https://announcerreport.com/2020/05/03/gymnastics-in-the-house-paula-and-lexi-lupien-score-a-perfect-10-together/

Paula and Lexi Lupien

"The MS4 permit is an important step to reduce the harmful impact of polluted stormwater"

From the MA Municipal Association, we find this update on the storm water issue:

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on April 23 that it is proposing targeted modifications to the 2016 Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) general permit for Massachusetts communities.

An EPA statement said that the proposed modifications would give municipalities more tools and flexibility for permit implementation while also ensuring that the water quality goals of the Clean Water Act are met.

The proposed modifications were developed through a multi-year mediation between the EPA and parties who challenged the underlying 2016 permit.

Last December, the EPA announced that a settlement agreement had been reached between the agency and the permit litigants – including municipalities, environmental groups and other stakeholders – and initiated a public comment period. The settlement agreement was executed in mid-April. According to the EPA, the proposed modifications to the permit are identical to those contained in the settlement."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/epa-proposes-ms4-permit-modifications-for-massachusetts-communities/

The MS4 permit is the driver behind the storm water utility fee being developed. As reported and shared here over the years, Franklin has been a leader in storm water management preparing for the day when the fee take effect. The story of what Franklin accomplished over the years is summarized in the Information Session Presentation.

The first two sessions were held but the third storm water information session (March 22) was canceled as the coronavirus shutdown took place. In the new normal world we will go forward with, there will be additional sessions. The schedule at this time is not yet available.

You can listen to each of the first two session recordings

FM #223 - Stormwater Utility Fee Info Session 1 - March 6, 2020 (audio)
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-223-stormwater-session-1-3-5-20

FM #225 Stormwater Utility Session 2 - March, 11, 2020 (audio)

https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-225-stormwater-utility-session-2-3-11-20

The presentation doc was updated for the second session and available here.
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/town-of-franklin-stormwater-info-session-2 

Town of Franklin: Stormwater Info Session #2 from Franklin Matters

The second session was held at the Franklin TV studio

MassDPH video on how to cover your face (video)

"Social distancing and staying at home are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But if you must go out, be sure to cover your face. Here's how. For more information, visit mass.gov/COVID-19."

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




Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1257276203985186817?s=09