Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Commonwealth Magazine: "Health insurance premiums to rise 8% next year"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS for Massachusetts residents will rise by an average of 7.9 percent at the beginning of next year, despite insurers having profited from declining health care costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kevin Beagan, deputy commissioner for the health market at the state Division of Insurance, said the higher premiums reflect several factors, including uncertainty about what health care will look like next year. “Every company highlighted the uncertainty associated with 2021,” Beagan said during a presentation before the Health Policy Commission on Tuesday.

The biggest increase will be for the lower-cost offerings of Tufts Health Plan on the Massachusetts Health Connector. Beagan said the Division of Insurance is “definitely not happy with” Tufts’ 12.2 percent planned increase. But the division chose not to challenge the increase and conduct a hearing process because that would have prevented the plans from being available in time for October’s open enrollment period on the Health Connector.

Among the other largest health plans in the state, a Boston Medical Center plan that is also available to low-income patients on the Health Connector will see an average 2.5 percent premium increase. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s HMO Blue plan, a commercial plan that covers 80,000 members, will see a 5.4 percent premium increase. Always Health Partners and United Healthcare both are planning increases of at least 9 percent, while members with different Tufts health plans will see increases of at least 7 percent. Harvard Pilgrim’s HMO plan members will see a 5.5 percent increase on average."

Continue reading the article online
 

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Remote and Hybrid Learning Info Updates

Good afternoon,

Please use the following link to access some helpful slides and videos that will assist families on what to expect with both remote and hybrid learning this year.

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Remote and Hybrid Learning Info Updates
Franklin Public Schools, MA: Remote and Hybrid Learning Info Updates


Reminder: Volunteers Needed to help decorate downtown Franklin

Reminder:

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is looking for volunteers to help decorate downtown center 
this Wednesday at 2:00 PM.

If you are available please contact Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com 
The group will be meeting at town center island.

Feel free to send this email to your contacts who you think may be interested.

Please remember to wear your mask...we will be social distancing.

Thank you everyone!

The summer flowers on the water trough (Aug 2020)
The summer flowers on the water trough (Aug 2020)





Franklin, MA: Town Council Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Sep 16, 2020

Agenda

1. FY21 Budget Update & Discussion 


The Town Budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget


or here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NCufCklUhN3URlhkyA2YvGr_h-Loi5Kf/view?usp=sharing


 

Franklin, MA:  Town Council Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Sep 16, 2020
Franklin, MA:  Town Council Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Sep 16, 2020


Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 16, 2020

Agenda 

1) OLD BUSINESS

Penalty Provision Discussion

2) NEW BUSINESS

3) HEALTH DIRECTOR’S REPORT

4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

5) ADJOURNMENT



Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 16, 2020
Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 16, 2020


Franklin Post 3402 is participating in the Food4Vets Service on Oct 3

Franklin Post 3402 is participating in the VFW Day of Service on Oct  3. The State VFW is teaming up with the Mass Military Support Foundation. The food boxes will be similar to what was distributed at Gillette Stadium and other points in Western Mass earlier this year. 

This is open to all vets, but we will require proof of service (vet org ID card, VA ID card, DD-214, etc). They'll need to register in advance (link is coming). If they don't have internet access I'll be happy to take their info and get them in the system. We'll need name, branch of service, and family size. 

Anyone with questions or issues registering once the link is shared can reach me at post3402@vfwma.org or 508-533-2377. E-mail preferred. 

Pick up will be at the VFW Post (Pond St) on Oct 3 from 10 AM - 1 PM.




Franklin Post 3402 is participating in the Food4Vets Service on Oct  3
Franklin Post 3402 is participating in the Food4Vets Service on Oct  3


Boston Globe: "Franklin teams up to repeat as Dalton Division 1 champion"

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

"Tom Angelo can’t mask his ear-to-ear smile when discussing the success of the athletic program at Franklin High.

The Panthers produce winners consistently in a community with a rich tradition of supporting athletics, from the youth level up to varsity. Beyond the impressive numbers, and the wins and losses, Franklin prides itself in victories large and small, on and off the field, with a simple mantra . . .

“It’s all about being a great teammate, and really sticking to it," said Angelo, entering his fifth year as athletic director for the school district. “It’s a community effort.”

In a 2019-20 school year in which athletics were abruptly halted in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic — two days before the 25-0 Franklin girls' basketball team was scheduled to take on Andover in the Division 1 state final — and the spring season was cancelled entirely, Panther Pride flourished in the fall and winter months."

 

Franklin High athletic director Tom Angelo (center), his coaches, and administrative staff oversee a Panther program that places a premium on teamwork.NATHAN KLIMA FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE/THE BOSTON GLOBE
Franklin High athletic director Tom Angelo (center), his coaches, and administrative staff oversee a Panther program that places a premium on teamwork.NATHAN KLIMA FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE/THE BOSTON GLOBE