“The biggest thing is that they’re cost-effective”

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

“Cutter #2” - the 81-year-old die-cutter inside the Contollo Mass Manufacturing factory in Franklin - has been churning out roughly 2,500 medical gowns a week less than a month after previously collecting dust for four years. The new operators of the previously-vacant facility, which reopened in the middle of May, said there are 40-50 institutions in Massachusetts alone that are interested in placing orders for the gowns, with the smallest order received requesting 500,000 of them.

The largest order requested – by the Defense Logistics Agency – was 110 million.

The factory, housed in the building once operated by the Clark-Cutler-McDermott company at 5 Fisher St., has bid on about 14.2 million of those gowns, said Contollo Mass Manufacturing CEO Peter Berzin.

“Our phones have been ringing off the hook,” said the Pennsylvania resident, who joined forces with Chief Engineer Norb Jankowski, a former Michigan resident, and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bob Vozzella, a Franklin resident and business owner, to run the operation. They’ve received constant calls for gowns from institutions across the state, including from the Seven Hills Pediatric Center in Groton, Boston EMS, the Boston Medical Center, local Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals, and intuitions in New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Maine and California.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200611/franklin-factory-churning-out-2500-medical-gowns-week-plans-to-expand-operation

 

“The biggest thing is that they’re cost-effective”

"Without baseball, PawSox turn McCoy Stadium into a field of eats"

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

“Take me out to the ballgame!” ... Well, that won’t be happening for awhile, if at all this summer, but the next best thing might be taking yourself out to the ballpark for some Diamond Dining. The Pawtucket Red Sox are turning McCoy Stadium into a giant outdoor restaurant starting June 5. The team is slated to move to Worcester next year, where it will become the WooSox (groan).

The PawSox season is on hold, like every other sports team in America right now, but with Rhode Island easing its quarantine restrictions, the Red Sox’ triple-A affiliate is offering fans a unique opportunity. All your favorite ballpark foods and beverages are available for curbside pickup with online ordering and for designated weekend nights fans can dine in the stadium on the infield.

The Pawtucket infield will be dotted with 20 tables, seating up to five people each and safely distanced 14 feet apart from each other. A long lineup of ballpark food is available, from the quintessential hot dog, to hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and veggie tenders for the more health-conscious.

Most of the items are priced in the $5 to $6 range with a few special delicacies like eggplant Parmesan or the BBQ Platter or the bacon-wrapped hot dogs priced at $10.The full menu of McCoy Stadium beverage options is available, from soft drinks to beers, including Wormtown Hoppy IPA, from the future home city of the WooSox. There are even three varieties of wines, available by the bottle for $15."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/entertainmentlife/20200611/digging-into-home-plate-without-baseball-pawsox-turn-mccoy-stadium-into-field-of-eats

To reserve your table at McCoy  https://www.milb.com/pawtucket
  

"Without baseball, PawSox turn McCoy Stadium into a field of eats"

Save our teachers: override the Franklin Public School's budget cuts

"All eleven schools in Franklin are being deprived of their special education, arts classes, music and more, with a new budget that has laid off 103 teachers.

Parents please let them hear your voice! Our children's education is in danger. I know many of us have moved to Franklin because of it's excellent schools. I don't want to see this town and our families suffer. Help us get this to the Town Council!"

Sign the petition online
https://www.change.org/p/town-of-franklin-massachusetts-save-our-teachers-override-the-franklin-public-school-s-budget-cuts

The number of signers was crossing 1400 when I posted this Friday AM

Share from Twitter:https://twitter.com/carlyrosealston/status/1271161830879236098?s=09

Save our teachers: override the Franklin Public School's budget cuts

@MA_Senate will a public listening session on #COVID19 reopening

Karen Spilka (@KarenSpilka) tweeted at 11:07 AM on Thu, Jun 11, 2020:

Tomorrow, the @MA_Senate will host its first public listening session on #COVID19 reopening. This session will focus on economic development, reinvestment & our workforce. TY @EricLesser , @senjehlen & @adamghinds for hosting! Info + agenda here: https://t.co/2HqX6usout #mapoli

"The Massachusetts State Senate will engage in a listening session hosted by Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senator Eric P. Lesser, Senator Patricia D. Jehlen, and Senator Adam G. Hinds on Massachusetts’ economic recovery, reinvestment and workforce on Friday, June 12 beginning at 11AM.

“As we reopen the state’s economy, the Senate remains focused on the actions we need to take to support residents, businesses and communities,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This listening session, the first in a series, will serve as an important tool to address the many challenges we will face as a result of COVID-19. I want to thank my colleagues Senators Lesser, Jehlen, Hinds, and their committee members for their collaboration in gathering this session. I am equally thankful to those in the Administration, and our businesses and labor sectors for their participation in this important effort.”

“It is vital that we hear from the people in the community that are experiencing the economic impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak as well as other members of the administration who may provide valuable insight, said Senator Eric P. Lesser (D-Longmeadow). “We are facing an unprecedented time with nearly 1 million individuals out of work across the Commonwealth, and these conversations will help inform how we can work together on recovery efforts as a Legislature and as a state.”

The listening session will be a chance for the Senate to hear from the administration, labor, the business community, and other important stakeholders as we continue the discussion on the future of the Commonwealth's economy and workforce. This listening session will aim to help inform the Senate’s work on an economic development and jobs bill and what is needed to put people back to work and stimulate Massachusetts’ economy. 

"As we begin to re-open Massachusetts, my constituents, my colleagues, and I have many questions about what recovery will look like,” said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville). “The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 shutdown were felt deeply across many industries from restaurants to healthcare and we need to be very intentional about supporting people more than ever."

“COVID has created incredible challenges for the Commonwealth, but it has also revealed many shortcomings in our society,” said Senator Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield). “We must prepare for the new normal and these sessions are central to that process.”

Below is the full agenda:

11AM-12PM – Retail and restaurants

• Jon Hurst, Massachusetts Retailers Association
• Bob Luz, Massachusetts Restaurants Association

12PM-1PM – Administration and Reopening Advisory Board

• Secretary Kennealy, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
• Secretary Acosta, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

1-2PM – Labor

• Tim Foley, SEIU 1199
• Carlos Aramayo, Unite Here
• Yamila Ruiz, One Fair Wage

2PM-3PM – Business

• John Regan, Associated Industries of Massachusetts
• Segun Idowu, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts
• Jim Rooney, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

3-4PM – Unemployment Insurance

• Monica Halas, Greater Boston Legal Services

Friday’s listening session will be broadcast on the malegislature.gov website.



Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarenSpilka/status/1271096753941549057?s=03

Mrs Pennell talks about story time (5/20/20)

FM #294 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 294 in the series.

This session shares my conversation with Kathleen Pennell, Mrs Pennell. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about Kathy’s background in education, over 30 years teaching at the early elementary levels, and her love of reading to children is still alive.

During these difficult times, she wanted to do something to help the children knowing that some parents are challenged with both working at home as well as supporting the kids with remote learning.

You believe Kathy when she says: “It is something that I truly love”

The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Mrs Pennell. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXK9jjZ7



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If you want to pull up a comfy spot for a reading, follow Mrs Pennell on Facebook for her live readings, Mon-Weds-Fri at noon https://www.facebook.com/kathy.pennell.10/videos?lst=595187372%3A1321843896%3A1590527320

Follow the YouTube channel as well = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM1oSDYrHOI


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!
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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"

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #23

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #23

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Dear friends,

The current national conversation and activism on police brutality, racial justice, and the indisputable importance of Black lives is absolutely vital and long overdue. That fight continues in our district, across the Commonwealth, and throughout the country in solidarity with our Black, Indigenous, and all PoC neighbors. I am all in, and will continue working with and amplifying the leadership of my colleagues of color in the Legislature to enact statewide structural change legislation.

We are fighting two pandemics at the same time: structural racism and inequity, manifesting not only in law enforcement but also in health care, education, housing, and nearly every other facet of society; and also the coronavirus.

This week marks 3 months since the Governor issued the COVID-19 state of emergency. These months have been deeply difficult for all of us and our loved ones. I remain steadfast in my efforts to protect public health and provide our residents, business owners, and communities with the support they both need and deserve. In particular, I am very concerned about child care. The recently issued guidance leaves little room for daycares and summer camps to actually reopen, and several that hoped to operate this summer are now unable to do so, despite solid planning to protect the health and safety of children, parents, and staff. 

Child care is infrastructure, and our economy cannot truly rebound without it. Our schools are in the same boat, as the recently issued guidance indicates that every school or district will need to procure their own PPE in order to reopen. We can't function like this. I'm working on it, and I'll keep you posted. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

If you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this public health crisis and need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. My team and I are hard at work connecting constituents with resources they need, whether it is collecting unemployment benefits, accessing food stamps, reaching state agencies, and more. My office line is 617-722-1555 and my email is becca.rausch@masenate.gov. We are here to help.

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

Yours in service,

Senator Becca Rausch

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #23

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of contents follow this link: https://mailchi.mp/4b09b4639ddd/covid19-update-12541527?e=0c2c9810fe

FM #295 School Committee Mtg - 6/09/20 (audio)

FM #295 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 295 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Chair Anne Bergen opens the meeting outlining the protocol for how the meeting will be conducted. Each person is announced so you can follow who is saying what.

The school budget discussion was a good portion of the meeting including many public comments. The school committee has not yet determined a date for their vote on the 'final' budget. The one they are on record voting for, is more than the Town can afford. They acknowledged during the meeting work remains to be done. There is one more School Committee meeting this fiscal year, June 23. There will be continued discussion on the budget for several months.

The recording runs long, almost 4 hours, so settle in to listen to the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting of Tuesday, June 9.  

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6Y6rrp7



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The agenda for the meeting is posted
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_6-9-20.pdf

Meeting packet for this session (including proposed reductions)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/june-9-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

The budget for FY 20201 is available
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"

screen grab of virtual meeting held June 9, 2020