Parents: please respond to the Health Department Parent Survey

The Franklin Health Department is seeking input from parents who have children expected to return to PreK-12 school this fall. 

All responses are anonymous and the survey will only take a few minutes. 

Thank you in advance for your feedback and participation.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck-7GnGwqwYAPrny7EQ3ZjWLSwcEB-RznaTeAstwn142K-bg/viewform

Parents: please respond to the Health Department Parent Survey

FM #318 FPS Preliminary Re-opening Plan - 7/28/20 (audio)

FM #318 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 318 in the series.

This session shares Superintendent Sara Ahern statement on the school fall re-opening status to the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Sara presents the preliminary plan. There is a lengthy discussion among the School Committee and then with the community attendees.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and reference documents.

The statement runs just about 2 hours and 5 minutes, so let’s listen to the preliminary plan as presented and discussed on July 28.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HBH3qBCK






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School Committee agenda
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/agenda-7-28-20

School Committee meeting packet
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/july-28-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin Public Schools - Re-opening page
https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/home?authuser=0

Re-opening Plan presentation doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/reopening-presentation-updated

My real time reporting via Twitter summarized
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/school-committee-recap-re-opening-fully.html

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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.

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How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
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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 #318 FPS Preliminary Re-opening Plan - 7/28/20 (audio)

Town Council Recap: reluctantly approves water rate increase

• The Town Council heard a presentation on the Market Study performed by MAPC. Details of the study will be picked up for action by the Economic Development Subcommittee (beginning July 30 6:00 PM).

• The Town Council heard a presentation on the PACE Program and voted to enroll in it so businesses (for profit or non-profit) can take advantage of this opportunity.

• The Town Council 'reluctantly' voted for the final time to approve the water rate increase which has been planned for years and most recently (March 2020) was also cause of much discussion around the 'poor timing.' Poor timing because we are in the middle of a pandemic, folks are economically stressed or hurting, and we are also in the middle of construction to fix the water treatment for wells 3 & 6 which if we didn't would result in a default on contracts and likely larger legal fees that the water rate increase will raise. Oh, and by fixing the wells we get access to over 700,000 gallons of water which we need.

• The meeting was the first conducted with Zoom installed in the Council Chambers for the Council to be physically together in person. The meeting technically was a success broadcast via Zoom, the cable channels, and live streamed via Franklin TV.

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online #tc0729
https://twitter.com/hashtag/tc0729?src=hashtag_click

The full agenda doc (162 pages) can be found here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/07-22-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/july-22-town-council-meeting

• Real time reporting underway for #tc0729 meeting
• Motion for approval mins may 6 meeting passed with 1 abstain; motion for may 20 passed, Jun 3 passed, June 17 passed #tc0729
• Appt for Ag comm, motion made, passed ; conservation comm, motion made, passed https://franklinmatters.org/2020/07/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-july-29.html? cultural council 2 individuals, motion made separately for each, both passed #tc0729

Market Study

• Next up MAPC market analysis #tc0729 good starting point to help recover from whatever is needed post COVID. EDC will pick up the details to be worked going forward.
• Data gathering all done before COVID-19, some things may change but the info should be good. Slides to be posted later #tc0729
• Full market analysis doc is posted to ToF page good reading / study material https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._final_town_of_franklin_market_study_1.pdf #tc0729
• BTW this meeting is hosted on Zoom in the Council chambers, live streamed via Franklin TV (via Town of franklin page) as well as broadcast to the two cable channels. A first !!! #tc0729 currently about 18 via Zoom but that includes the council etc in Chambers
• Chandler comment/question on how to get workers to turn right into town rather than taking the left from the industrial parks and head home #tc0729 Kelly, affordability of Franklin is an issue, commuter housing is needed
• #tc0729 Jones, thanks for the work putting the report together, push to EDC for further review (it is scheduled to do so) Hamblen, looking to complete streets and extend the rail trail downtown, how to recruit minority businesses to here?
• Bissanti, thanks, read just about all of it, not all doom and gloom on housing, need to explore the banking avenues, it is a great investment for a home owner #tc0729 Dellorco, thanks, what scares me is the COVID issue. No one wants to ride mass transit today
• Mercer, COVID has changed what the future will look like. Is there any funding to relook at the study for a COVID recap? #tc0729 Raul will look to see if there are any options
• Will go to the EDC for further action, next meeting 7/30 6 PM agenda and virtual link posted

PACE Program

• Next up PACE program up for discussion and vote later. Council does need to approve of the community entry to this program. #tc0729 https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._pace_program_presentation_-_massdevelopment.pdf
• An important economic development tool to reduce energy costs
• Property Assess Clean Energy (PACE) finance for energy improvement. #tc0729 betterment assessment aligned with the property, 22 states offer this program. Wendy is the program director
• Municipal opt in a one time requirement, hence the vote by TC tonight #tc0729 energy cost savings must be cost positive, 3rd party capital provider. Property placed on a lien if approved.
• #tc0729 Hamblen, is there a downside? Financing facilitated between parties, should work out.
• Pellegri, no fee to participate in program. Because of payment via betterment assessment need the municipal approval, just launched this week
• #tc0729 Bissanti, property owner gets energy audit or Mass development? Property owner does and then comes to us to help facilitate the financing agreement. Advantage is long term, 20 years. Assessment secured by a lien

Subcommittee reports

• Next up subcommittee reports: capital no meeting, EDC Thursday as noted, budget, nothing from the state yet. #tc0729

Legislation for Action

• https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._resolution_20-42_pace_massachusetts.pdf  #tc0729 PACE approval vote (note all 9 councilors present, confirmed via video and voice) (prior approval Committee appts were 9-0) Vote on this item passes 9-0
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._resolution_20-43_gift_acceptance_police_department.pdf  #tc0729 motion to accept donations, passed 9-0
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._resolution_20-44_gift_acceptance_historical_museum.pdf #tc0729 motion to accept donations, passed 9-0 Pellegri talks of the changes to the museum to handle/display the storage and security of the items
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._resolution_20-45_easement_overhead_system_-_final.pdf #tc0729 grant of easement to electric company/Verizon, motion to approve, passed 9-0; related to water treatment plant in construction on Grove st next item is same
• Franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10e._resolution_20-46_easement_underground_electric_system_-_final.pdf #tc0729 easement related to earlier motion to support water treatment plant construction on Grove St, motion to approve, passes 9-0 via roll call.
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10f._resolution_20-47_prior_year_solid_waste_bill.pdf #tc0729 motion for payment of prior year bill, passed 9-0 closes out FY 2020 for solid waste enterprise account, 2/3 need but not roll call needed,
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/resolution_20-48_gift_acceptance_-_fire_department.pdf #tc0729 motion to accept donation passes 9-0 thanks for their support
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10g._zoning_bylaw_amendment_20-858_beaver_and_oak_streets.pdf #tc0729 zoning bylaw changes for lot line clean up for area along Beaver and Oak sts. Motion to waive reading, passed 9-0; motion to refer to Planning Board, passed 9-0

Water Rate

• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10h._bylaw_amendment_20-855_water_fee_increase.pdf #tc0729 water rate increase up for second approval, already heard once, required to fund the water treatment plant under construction, not seeking sewer rate increase this or next year.
• #tc0729 question on water ban, would like to lift but given the weather is a consideration each week; Beaver St interceptor up for presentation Sep/Oct, difference between ban and conservation measures, wells regulations by State, Kelly concerned about the timing of this.
• #tc0729 drought condition a cause of ban, wells 3 & 6 need to be fixed to give us more water and water quality, hence the rate now is needed, 726000 gallons of capacity for water and fire safety, about half built, if we can't pay it with this increase how?
• #tc0729 is there any place we could take for this? $500,000 a year. About 40/unit. Water conservation is the annual useage with limit of once per week allowance; the water ban eliminates the once a week allowance due to drought this year and in 2016? And last year's fire
• #tc0729 it is a utility and a use, this fixes and pays for our infrastructure. Yes it is an expense. Gallon costs less than a tenth of a cent from Franklin (not the Poland spring rate) where would we find a half million to finish the projects, if we don't find it, we default
• #tc0729 people can regulate the water being used to a sense, if we don't approve we're in trouble. We're pigeon holed, for funding this. What have we done with the usage year over year, how much is there a change? What about the dual water meter option? Bring someone in
• #tc0729 Kelly, I guess I need to be a yes as our lawsuit will cost us more. Jones, a lot of families will struggle with this, this is painful. It is a far greater cost if we don't. Where can we roll back some rates down the line? Bissanti, This all came out in March
• #tc0729 we have to think of the greater good for Franklin. Chandler, this is the hardest thing we need to do. Vote on the motion (finally) 9-0 reluctantly by a few!

Town Administrator's report through to closing

• #tc0729 3 active cases of Covid in Community currently, editorial slightly, phase 3, this Community has done very well, the rest of the country is scary. Keep it up.
• Re-opening, inspections resuming! Assessor inspections resumed, recreation bball started one of few
• #tc0729 concerts on the common started last week, good to see, check the schedule, food trucks coming, do the right thing, we can continue to expand, coordination with Farmers market; about $100k through a grant process for businesses locally details coming by end of month
• #tc0729 FY 2020 revenue came in at 102% so we did cover all our bills. Thanks to fire dept for the pinning date; thanks for Pete and Franklin TV to be back here in Chambers, feels good to be here
• #tc0729 question on accept of private roads; people are happy with the nets at the high school; thanks to Franklin TV; thanks to chief McLaughlin for the ceremony last week, hybrid meeting tonight, almost normal; first class event last week, made a good decision last year
• #tc0729 masks are important, we can't fall back per Pellegri, just wear it, trying to help you. Etc. etc. Thanks to the SchComm and department for handling things in this trying time. Apologies to the town for last week's non-meeting, was a technical challenge and we did it now
• #tc0729 thanks to Pete and his crew for their work to bring this to fruition, we should be able to continue this, allows citizens to speak from their homes via the Zoom call. Being under 10 is great, thanks to the community for masks, social distance, etc
• motion to adjourn, catch you next time folks #tc0729

Chair Tom Mercer opens meeting

Raul (on left) Bryan (on right) on the Market Study

Wendy leads the PACE Program

summary work flow of PACE Program

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen cautions the Council on default of contract if water rate isn't passed

Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) Survey

We want to know what you think! GATRA is updating their Regional Transit Plan in order to create a vision for the next five years and prioritize service improvements. As a valued GATRA customer, your feedback is essential to our service and is a key ingredient in our recipe for success.

The safety and well-being of GATRA passengers and employees remains our foremost consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are taking every precaution to protect the public today, we must also continue to plan for the future when the ever-increasing demand for service improvements return. With this in mind, we ask you to take a few minutes to provide us with your feedback on how service was meeting your demands in the months leading up to the pandemic. Funding for service improvements often takes years to secure and your feedback today is vital to ensuring that we have the resources necessary for robust service improvements in the future.

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/gatra2020survey

If you did not know that Franklin has the Franklin Area Bus (FAB) check out the route information  http://www.gatra.org/

Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) Survey

 

Franklin Public Schools: Re-opening plan web page

Here is the link for the Reopen Plan for the schools
https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/home

Franklin Public Schools: Re-opening plan web page

Franklin.TV - Our Annual Open Meeting via Zoom - Aug 3

Every year per our nonprofit charter, Franklin.TV must conduct an annual board meeting that is open to the public. This year our meeting will be held online via Zoom on Monday, August 3rd at 7:00 PM and is open to all Franklin businesses and residents. During this brief event we'll review our activities of the past year, including new services. We'll also discuss plans for our future.

At our open meeting you may also vote for new and/or renewing board positions. This year we will vote to extend Wes Rea's and Pandora Carlucci's board positions for an additional term of three years. Thanks go to our board members who contribute their time and energy to help make Franklin.TV and wfpr.fm all that a public access media facility can be.

Questions? Just call. 508-541-4118.

If you plan to join our Zoom session - please RSVP.

Topic: Annual Open Meeting
Time: Aug 3, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)


Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82336006836
Meeting ID: 823 3600 6836

I do hope you can join us.

Thanks,

Pete Fasciano,
Executive Director,
Franklin.TV and wfpr.fm

Franklin.TV and wfpr.fm

In the News: “The buildings in Franklin are not the school"

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

School officials are considering either a hybrid or full remote model of learning for the reopening of school this fall.

But while school officials considered how students could return under a hybrid model, some teachers said they were more comfortable with full remote learning, and that instruction will be dramatically different if students return in the fall.

Four instructional learning models were discussed during Tuesday’s School Committee meeting - returning without restrictions, in-person learning with new safety requirements, a hybrid model and remote learning. Superintendent Sara Ahern said officials are leaning toward either the hybrid or remote models.

“In-person (learning), I think, we’re ruling out,” she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200729/hybrid-or-remote-learning-being-considered-for-fall-by-franklin-school-officials?rssfeed=true

My notes from the meeting:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/school-committee-recap-re-opening-fully.html

Here is the link for the Reopen Plan for the schools
https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/home
 

In the News: “The buildings in Franklin are not the school"