Franklin's own Carly Alston participates in this video

"Members of the New England Revolution's Special Olympics Unified Team congratulate veteran defender and longtime SOMA partner Andrew Farrell on signing a new contract with the Revs."

Franklin's own Carly Alston participates in this video

MBTA: Commuter Rail notice for schedule on July 3

On Friday, July 3rd the Commuter Rail will run on a regular Saturday schedule in observance of the July 4th Independence Day holiday.

For more information please visit https://www.mbta.com/holidays.

Last Updated: Jun 24 2020 05:01 PM

Franklin's Forge Park Station platform

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Update Your Business Info

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) is publicizing changes to Franklin business during the pandemic. 

If you have an update your business would like to share with the community, please complete this online form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiqm09_ToizP-tpx80CUZ2pJWrl2LaTzm8IRZzzWroquyKfg/viewform). 

If you have already completed the form once, remember to update the submission as needed.

View the updates on the FDP website!

Find other updates from the Downtown Partnership in their newsletter
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/FDP-Newsletter--What-s-Happening-Late-June-2020.html?soid=1120641810412&aid=56B_KrP-bpA

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

In the News: "Union says 2,000 educators received layoff notices at the end of this school year"

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

"In 47 school districts where staff are represented by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, layoff and non-renewal notices were sent recently to more than 2,000 teachers and education support professionals, the union announced Tuesday.

The list of 2,030 notices only includes districts where local union officials reported that 10 or more educators received notices that haven’t been rescinded. The union said some notices are issued annually due to enrollment and program changes, but there’s a “spike” this year due to government funding issues.

State officials, in the face of historic revenue declines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, are continuing fiscal 2020 local aid levels through July and August but have not made decisions about full fiscal 2021 local aid levels, which supplement property taxes to form the basis of K-12 education budgets."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200624/union-says-2000-educators-received-layoff-notices-at-end-of-this-school-year

While Franklin did give notices to over 100, approx 54 have not yet been returned to work status. The School Committee just voted on Tuesday to approve the budget acknowledging 19.5 cuts so the situation is still fluid.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/school-committee-relutantly-approves.html

In the News: "Union says 2,000 educators received layoff notices at the end of this school year"

"Yes, kids should be going back to school in the fall"

When Dr Erin Bromage says that he had wished he had written an article like this, it is share worthy. The one aspect author Joseph G. Allen doesn't cover in this opinion piece is the impact/risk for the school personnel (teachers, administrators, etc.) who are more at risk than the children.

"I’ve spent more than 10 years as a forensic investigator of “sick buildings.” The stakes were often extraordinarily high: a hospital where four people had died and hundreds were at risk; a factory where workers were at risk of getting an irreversible respiratory disease called “Popcorn Lung”; a military base where housing was suspected in the deaths of 11 infants.

In all of these investigations, I was asked, “Is it safe to go back in the building?” If, after the appropriate controls were in place, my answer was “yes,” I always paused for one final gut-check question: Would my answer be any different if my family was involved?

When people ask me whether schools are safe during the coronavirus pandemic, I ask the same question: Would I let my kids go back to school in the fall? The answer is yes.

Let’s first acknowledge a hard truth: Widespread school closures come with devastating costs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/24/yes-kids-should-be-going-back-school-fall/

Dr Bromage's tweet: https://twitter.com/ErinBromage/status/1275953245555433472?s=09

An empty playground outside the Achievement First charter school in Providence, R.I., on March 7. (David Goldman/AP)

New 2021 Beaver St Recycling Center Sticker Procedure

Also applies to other fees charged for items at the Recycling Center

The Town of Franklin Recycle Center

The Recycling Center is open regular hours for full services. No cash or checks will be accepted. All residents who wish to use the recycling center for item drop off will need to go online prior to pay the required fee(s). 

A printed receipt detailing the fees paid will be required to show proof of payment. The Viewpoint online payment portal for recycling fees is on the Towns Website under Payments & Permits.

https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1078

The current FY20 Recycle Center Permit expiration date will be extended to July 31, 2020.

After July 1, 2020 the new FY21 stickers will be available: To purchase a FY21 sticker go to the Town of Franklin Website and pay online through VIEWPOINT. Make sure to print your receipt dated after July 1 and bring it to the Recycle Center to pick up your sticker.

Residents who purchased a sticker online between June 1 - June 30, 2020 will be MAILED a FY21 sticker.

If you have questions or need help with the payment process please contact the DPW Administration Office Monday– Friday at 508-553-5500.

 

New 2021 Beaver St Recycling Center Sticker Procedure

In the News: Tax Free Weekend - Aug 29-30

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

"The state’s 6.25% sales tax will be waived on many purchases the weekend of Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30, the Baker administration announced Tuesday.

This summer’s sales tax holiday weekend will take place as retailers regain their footing after weeks of government-forced shutdowns, and Gov. Charlie Baker said he hopes people will take advantage of the tax savings to support local businesses.

“The annual sales tax holiday is an opportunity for us to support small businesses and consumers, and this year, it’s a great way to support our economy that’s been impacted by COVID-19,” the governor said. “This pandemic has created enormous challenges for the Commonwealth’s small businesses, and the sales tax-free weekend is one way that we can encourage more economic activity to help Main Street businesses and local economies.”

The annual tax holiday, made a permanent fixture as part of a 2018 “grand bargain” law addressing multiple topics, allows shoppers to avoid paying the tax on most retail items - excluding food and drink at restaurants - that cost less than $2,500. The state agrees to give up tens of millions of dollars in taxes in a bid to spur buying and consumer savings."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200623/state-sets-aug-29-30-as-sales-tax-holiday-weekend/1

"We're pleased to announce that the annual #TaxFreeWeekend will take place August 29-30.

The #SalesTaxHoliday is a great way to support consumers and small businesses. This year it’s a great way to support our economy that’s been impacted by #COVID19MA"

Gov Baker's press release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-sales-tax-holiday-to-take-place-august-29-30


Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1275427725843607552?s=09

In the News: Tax Free Weekend - Aug 29-30