"Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin on June 8"

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

"Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the state will begin Phase 2 of its economic reopening plan on Monday, June 8.

Monday marks the earliest date Phase 2 could have started under the phased reopening plan.

“This terrible virus and the terrible toll that it takes will be with us until there are medical breakthroughs with respect to treatments and vaccines,” Baker said. “But thanks to your hard work and your sacrifices, we’re bringing the fight to the virus, we’re moving forward and Massachusetts is continuing to reopen.”

Baker made the announcement during a news conference Saturday afternoon, according to media partner WCVB. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200606/gov-baker-says-phase-2-in-massachusetts-will-begin-monday

Reopening plan  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts

Phased Plan  https://www.mass.gov/doc/reopening-massachusetts-may-18-2020/download

Gov Baker COVID-19 Video file for Saturday, June 6, 2020  = https://youtu.be/5lFu234RJ8o

phtoto of the TV broadcast on Saturday

Empty bowls fund raising goes virtual June 8

On Monday EB begins a virtual "Week of Giving" for the Franklin Food Pantry with an online auction & any direct donation receives a handmade bowl. Let's do this! Below is a raku fired piece made by AP3D! @FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan #emptybowls5 #raku #ap3d #fhsclaystudio pic.twitter.com/pEIzcx86hl

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) June 6, 2020

Here's Megan Torrey, recent graduate of FHS & Empty Bowls Community Advisor talking about the upcoming EB virtual "Week of Giving" Mon, June 8th - Fri, June 12th. @FHS_EmptyBowls @FranklinFoodPan @FranklinHS @FHSPantherbook #emptybowls5 pic.twitter.com/DsR2z8aL9q

— Brenna M. Johnson (@johnsonb_ms) June 6, 2020

Shared via Twitter: (1)  https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1269314932300042240?s=09

(2) https://twitter.com/johnsonb_ms/status/1269320932503494656

Auction link opens June 8:  https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls5/live-auction

Empty bowls fund raising goes virtual

“the overall unemployment rate would have been about 3 percentage points higher than reported"

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

“I do think it’s a little bit of a fragile recovery at this point,” Modestino said. “We are by no means out of the woods, but I think it’s an encouraging start and really the next two, three, four months will tell us where we are.”

Nakosteen noted that the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its report that household surveyors, whose data is used to calculate the unemployment rate, misclassified “a large number” of furloughed workers as employed but absent from work rather than unemployed on temporary layoff as they were instructed.

The bureau’s standard practice is not to change survey data, but if those workers had been classified properly, “the overall unemployment rate would have been about 3 percentage points higher than reported (on a not seasonally adjusted basis),” Friday’s report said.

Like Modestino, Nakosteen urged patience until monthly figures for June and July are available and can indicate if the slight upswing is a trend that will continue or part of an uneven recovery.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200606/economists-express-caution-over-surprising-jobs-report

FTC Consumer Alert: Donating in difficult times

Donating in difficult times by Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC These days, there are just so many reasons why people want to do to something to help, to make a difference, to take action. In addition to volunteering or putting their feet to the pavement, lots of people are putting their hands in their wallets to try to make an impact.  Once again, though, scammers will be there. As ever, they follow the headlines and pop up wherever there's money to be made. So, before you make a donation to support any cause, here are a few things to think about and do. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/06/donating-difficult-times?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin, MA: Temporary Outdoor Dining Guidance and Application

In anticipation of Governor Baker's announcement to allow outdoor dining in the State, the Town of Franklin has compiled a list of temporary guidance and application process information for our local establishments. 

Please find it here, https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/webforms/temporary-outdoor-dining-guidance-and-application

We will continue to update the community on reopening procedures and guidelines as information becomes available. You can visit the Reopening Resources portal on our website here https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/reopening-resources

 

Franklin, MA: Temporary Outdoor Dining Guidance and Application

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #4 6/04/20 (audio)

FM #288 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 288 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the fourth and final budget hearing for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Chair Micheal Dufour opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The departmental budgets for Human Services, Culture and Recreation, along with that of General Government categories are reviewed.

The budget proposal is voted on to recommend for the Town Council. Capital Program Adjustments along with Municipal Borrowing Authorization are reviewed and voted upon

The recording runs about two hours (2:00) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of June 4.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrVqr9B7



--------------

Agenda document
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/franklin-ma-finance-committee-budget.html

Additional info
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/fincomm_additional_info_updated.pdf

Budget doc and Overview memo
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy21-town-administrator-budget-message

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

School budget summary
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf

Schools FY 21 recommended budget
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf

School Budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

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!
------------------

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

the capital items as discussed for the Municipal Borrowing Authorization

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #3 6/02/20 (audio)

FM #287 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 287 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the third of four budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Chair Micheal Dufour opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

This is an all DPW night. The enterprise funds for Water, Sewer, Trash/Recycling are reviewed as well as the proposal for a stormwater utility fee.

The recording runs about one hour and fifty minutes (1:50) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of June 2.  

Audio file: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HyNpjYJ7




--------------

FinComm agenda for June 2
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-06-02_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

School budget summary
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf

Schools FY 21 recommended budget
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf


School Budget page https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget


--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.

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!
------------------

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

the Triadic approach to water management