State Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - August 2020 newsletter

Voting has begun With mail-in voting that was approved by the legislature in July, voting for the September 1, 2020 primary has begun. Vote-by-mail applications were mailed to every person who was registered to vote by July 1 and who had not already requested an absentee ballot for the State Primary. The applications are pre-addressed to your local election official and no postage is necessary. If you did not get one, you can download an application by clicking here. For the State Primary ballot, your application must reach your local election office no later than August 26. If you wish to vote by mail, you are strongly encouraged to return your application earlier than that to make sure that you will receive your ballot in time to return it and have it be counted. And you can drop off your completed ballots in specially marked boxes at Town Hall. You can even track the progress of your ballot here. You can also take advantage of early voting. In-person voting for the September 1 State Primary will take place over 8 days, with 7 days of early voting being held August 22-28. All cities and towns are required to offer early voting on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. The early voting schedule for Franklin is here. The early voting information for Medway is here. Finally, you can vote in person on Tuesday, September 1 at the regular polling places. Your vote is essential for our democracy, so I hope you will take advantage of one of the three available methods to let your voice be heard. As always, please stay safe and keep in touch. Copyright © 2020 State Rep Jeff Roy, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. Our mailing address is: State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 43 Boston, MA 02133

This newsletter was shortened for publication here, to review the full contents, follow this linkhttps://mailchi.mp/8bd09176759f/august-2020-newsletter

Franklin Residents: A Message from the Town Clerk's Office

A Message from the Town Clerk's Office

Hello Franklin, 

Please know that we are processing ballot requests as quickly as possible. Our office is currently processing 1,000's of requests each day; be assured that you will receive your ballot. 

We will be returning phone calls to citizens who have left messages after the workday. Also, we are requesting our residents to return their ballots to the 24-hour white mailbox located on the left side of the Municipal Building  This is the best place to return your ballot for guaranteed on-time delivery. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding!

Thank you and have a great day!

Franklin Residents: A Message from the Town Clerk's Office

'Talk Franklin' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - 8/14/20 (Audio)

FM #329 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 329 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Re-opening

• Election

• Recap/set up

• Stormwater - Sep 9 next meeting; 

• #thinkBlueFranklin extension to 8/23

• EDC/ MAPC 

• Aug 20 next meeting, listening sessions scheduled

• MECC grant

• Senior center office hours 8/20

• Councilor Earls leaves for law school

The recording runs about just over an hour, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie. Audio Link = https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Town-Updates-and-News-Reopening--Elections-and-more-ei9f85/a-a2vir6h

 

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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.  

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"

'Talk Franklin' with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - 8/14/20 (Audio)

FM #330 Conversation with Rabbi Tom - 8/11/20 (audio)

FM #330 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 330 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Rabbi Tom Alpert of Temple Etz Chaim here in Franklin. Our conversation was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

In this introductory conversation, I learn from Rabbi Tom of the history of the Temple and of his different path to this role. Did you know Rabbi Tom was a lawyer? Along the way, we talk of the shift from in person to virtual during this pandemic and yet still being present in spirit and community. I found the conversation easy going, informative and insightful. I hope you do too.

The recording runs just about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Rabbi Tom. Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-330-conversation-with-rabbi-tom-8-11-20

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Temple Etz Chaim  https://temple-etzchaim.org/

InterFaith Council  http://franklininterfaith.org/

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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. 

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"

FM #330 Conversation with Rabbi Tom - 8/11/20 (audio)

In the News: Trump administration blocked by ruling; US House calls Postmaster General to testify

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

"A federal judge blocked the Trump administration on Monday from enforcing a new regulation that would roll back health care protections for transgender people.

Finalized days after the Supreme Court barred sex discrimination against LGBT individuals on the job, the regulation from the federal Department of Health and Human Services was to have taken effect Tuesday.

Monday’s preliminary injunction from U.S. District Court Judge Frederic Block in Brooklyn bars the administration from enforcing the regulation until the case can be heard in court and decided. Block indicated he thought the Trump administration’s so-called transgender rule is invalid in light of the Supreme Court ruling in June on a case involving similar issues in the context of job discrimination.

“When the Supreme Court announces a major decision, it seems a sensible thing to pause and reflect on the decision’s impact,” Block wrote in his order, suggesting the agency may want to reconsider. “Since HHS has been unwilling to take that path voluntarily, the court now imposes it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200817/trump-rule-on-transgender-health-blocked-at-11th-hour?rssfeed=true

"Facing a public backlash over mail disruptions, the Trump administration scrambled to respond Monday as the House prepared an emergency vote to halt delivery delays and service changes that Democrats warned could imperil the November election.

The Postal Service said it has stopped removing mailboxes and mail-sorting machines amid an outcry from lawmakers. President Donald Trump flatly denied he was asking for the mail to be delayed even as he leveled fresh criticism on universal ballots and mail-in voting.

“Wouldn’t do that,” Trump told reporters Monday at the White House. “I have encouraged everybody: Speed up the mail, not slow the mail.”

Embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will testify next Monday before Congress, along with the chairman of the Postal Service board of governors."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200817/amid-outcry-postmaster-general-to-testify-before-house?rssfeed=true

US House calls Postmaster General to testify

WFPR.FM: 4th District Candidate Interviews with Frank Falvey

"Our own Frank Falvey has been interviewing the many candidates running for the Fourth District seat. Listen to wfpr●fm Tuesdays from now until the primary election. 

Each week we will feature three of the candidates on Tuesday morning, afternoon and evening. Listen and learn all about the candidates – in their own words – on 102.9 FM.

------ Tuesday 8/18/20 ---------
JESSE MERMELL - 9 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
ALAN KHAZEI - 10 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
BEN SIGEL - 11 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM


------ Tuesday 8/25/20 ---------
JESSE MERMELL - 9 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM
NATALIA LINOS - 10 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
BEN SIGEL - 11 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM

For more about the wfpr.fm and Franklin.TV programming schedule  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/zooming-into-future-part-6.html

WFPR.FM: 4th District Candidate Interviews with Frank Falvey

Ballot question 2 - ranked choice voting

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin:

Beyond picking winners this fall, Massachusetts voters will be asked to consider something very meta: Should they change how they choose them?

After centuries of residents picking one candidate per office, a question on November’s ballot proposes they instead rank their preferred choices in both primary and general elections for an array of elected seats. Should it pass, Massachusetts would have the second statewide — and most extensive — ranked-choice voting system in the country.

Implementing the new system would mean the person who receives the most first-place votes in a race with several candidates could, in fact, lose. If there is no candidate with a majority of votes, the last-place candidate is eliminated and his or her voters’ second and subsequent choices are re-distributed.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/22/metro/should-person-with-most-number-one-votes-always-win/

The summary of Ballot Question 2

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/09/04/FINAL%20SUMMARY%2019-10.pdf

"Ranked-choice voting would be used only in races where a single candidate is to be declared the winner and not in races where more than one person is to be elected."

Hence ranked choice voting would NOT be used for the Franklin Town Council or School Committee elections.

For other information to prepare for the Primary (on Sep 1) and Election (on Nov 3) visit the 2020 Election Collection https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

Ballot question 2 - ranked choice voting