“We have new procedures and protocols in place”

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

"For election security, four police officers will be staffed at Franklin High School, the town’s only polling location for all eight precincts. Two will be stationed inside, and another two will keep watch outside.

Even in a normal election cycle, this would be among the busiest times of the year for city and town clerks and other election workers. But the upcoming presidential election is unlike any other.

A variety of factors — the coronavirus pandemic, caustic political rhetoric and worries about election integrity — are forcing clerks in MetroWest and Greater Milford to take measures they’ve never before taken, and implement new policies and standards to account for what is shaping up to be the busiest election cycle for these workers.

Clerks have been so busy putting in place health and security precautions while processing mail-in ballots and early voting that it was difficult for these public servants to find time for an interview with the Daily News."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201027/metrowest-milford-area-election-workers-buckle-down-for-their-most-challenging-election-cycle-ever?rssfeed=true 

 

 

early voting was underway when I stopped by to observe the ballot opening processing on Sunday

"New York state now 'highly discourages' any non-essential travel to and from MA"

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

"Public health officials confirmed more than 1,000 new COVID-19 infections for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday and the latest report shows all four of the state’s primary COVID-19 metrics trending in the wrong direction. The Department of Public Health reported 1,025 new coronavirus infections Tuesday and announced the recent COVID-19 deaths of seven individuals.

The seven-day average of the positive test rate is now 1.7 percent -- more than double its low-point value of 0.8 percent from just more than a month ago. Despite the steady climb in the percentage of tests that come back positive, DPH said Tuesday that it still sees a “positive trend” in that metric.

There were 567 people with COVID-19 hospitalized in Massachusetts as of midday Tuesday, up by 17 patients from midday Monday. The three-day average number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is 552, up about 83 percent from its low point of 302 patients, DPH said. As with the positive test rate, DPH said that it sees a “positive trend” in the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201027/despite-coronavirus-numbers-dph-sees-positive-trend?rssfeed=true

From CommonWealth Magazine:

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER urged Massachusetts residents to celebrate Thanksgiving differently this year, limiting any gatherings to people you live with or with whom you are regularly in contact.

Any bigger gathering, the governor’s top COVID advisor said, should be done remotely. “You could actually Zoom Thanksgiving with your family and friends across the country,” said Marylou Sudders, the secretary of health and human services.

Baker and Sudders said the science is clear that a traditional Thanksgiving, with people gathering indoors for most of the day to eat, watch football, and eat some more, is not appropriate during COVID. Sudders called it “the worst possible scenario for spreading the virus.”

Pass the stuffing on Zoom this year

Gov Baker's press conference on Tuesday https://youtu.be/jHUqjwtX9Qs 

Voices of Franklin: Raymond Milici -"Have You Noticed, l Have"

"Have You Noticed, l Have"

A recent letter to the editor published in the Milford Daily News accusing Matt Kelly of using misleading campaign tactics,  specifically, "a violation of copyright and campaign integrity," got me thinking about what's happening here in Franklin. It seems to be much of the same.

In Kelly's campaign mailings circulating throughout the district, you would get the impression that Jeffrey Roy. a Democrat. is endorsing Kelly. Representative Roy was asked and his answer was no. However photos of Kelly and Roy are prominently displayed on campaign mailings. This is an obvious attempt to attract Democrats to Kelly's campaign. This is not the person I would want representing me in the State Senate.

 

Link to article mentioned: www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/20201015/opinionletter-violation-of-copyright-and-campaign-integrity


Raymond D Milici 

Franklin

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

 

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis - step by step process

From the Davis Thayer Facility Analysis page:

The Davis Thayer Elementary School was authorized for further analysis through a study as prescribed by the School Committee Policy FCB - Retirement of Facilities. The rationale for the facilities analysis includes:

1. the age and design of the facility;
2. decreased enrollment across the district; and
3. economic efficiency.

Although preliminary enrollment projections are available, the District will be obtaining more detailed and thoroughly analyzed demographic details and enrollment projections. Additionally, the District will be examining the Davis Thayer facility and space utilization/availability across the district. You can find detailed information as is becomes available on the lefthand links.

Updates related to this study will be shared at regular intervals at School Committee meetings, online and directly with the DT community, at least on a monthly basis. We recognize this process can be emotional; the District is committed to engaging in this study with the greatest of care towards students, families, and staff.

https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

 

There is no specific "time" line, there is a defined process flow and the process is still in Phase 1 as shown in this flow (below). There is no timeline in that the process will cover step by step as needed but NOT by a specific date. 

 

The discussion on the report Tuesday night gets to focus on the specifics in the report but will not reach a conclusion yet as indicated by the process there is more analysis to be done.

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis

Comprehensive Facilities Assessment 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/school-committee-comprehensive.html

 

School Committee Meeting Agenda

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-oct.html 

 

You are invited to celebrate with FPAC - Nov 14

Join us for a unique evening of entertainment, food, fun, and fundraising for FPAC and THE BLACK BOX!!

HOSTED BY BROADWAY'S BUDDY BEN CAMERON
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 8 p.m.

Enjoy at home a delicious DINNER prepared and packaged by "3"!  Your dinner can be delivered to you by one of our celebrity guests or you can drive-through at THE BLACK BOX to pick it up.
 
Dress up (OR NOT)!  Send us a picture of Your 2020 GALA LOOK and be entered to win a prize!
 
After your pre-show cocktail hour and dinner at home, get ready for our virtual event!  The fun begins when you join our LIVESTREAM at 8:00 p.m.
 
Dive into your GALA SWAG BAG and see what gifts and surprises are yours!  Dessert is included in your treasure trove!
 
Enjoy FPAC's GALA HOST and Your Broadway Buddy – Ben Cameron!!
 
Participate in our ONLINE AUCTION before and during the Gala!  The ONLINE AUCTION goes live on November 1st – start bidding!!
 
Bid on our featured "LIVE" AUCTION ITEMS!
 
Call in to our GALA TELETHON!  Make a donation and chat it up with one of our Celebrity Guests Jim Hogan, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Emily Koch, Christopher Rice or Clay Thomson!

Celebrity Guests Jim Hogan, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Emily Koch, Christopher Rice or Clay Thomson

And, of course, enjoy top-notch FPAC Gala ENTERTAINMENT featuring our Broadway Friends and FPAC Favorites!

During GALA TECH WEEK watch for daily fun including the Gala cocktail recipe and celebrity promo fun!

A special Gala pre-show production number will be premiered featuring FPAC youth, alumni, and special guests.  Students whose parents have purchased two VIP or Premium tickets are welcome to participate in the GALA VIDEO, choreographed and produced by Christopher Rice and Clay Thomson!

Gala proceeds benefit initiatives of
THE BLACK BOX and FRANKLIN PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY

 Purchase Tickets Today!

 

Mansfield tops Franklin in both girls and boys soccer and golf

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the fall sports results for Franklin High School on Monday, Oct 26.

Boys Soccer = Franklin, 0 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final 

– Mansfield scored just minutes into the second quarter and added an insurance tally with less than five minutes to play to earn a win over visiting Franklin. Tommy Lanzillo (from Ethan Scholes) scored on an indirect set piece on a shot from 25 yards out to put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute. With just under five minutes to go, junior Matt Hyland sealed the win finishing off a flick from Colin True after the original service from Dan Rowe. Eric Sullivan and Jack Lansbury-Casey combined for the shutout, each making an outstanding save to preserve the shutout. Mansfield defender Evan Eames had a big stop to deny a goal in the second half as well. 

 

Girls Soccer = Mansfield, 1 @ Franklin, 0 – Final 

– Carly Devine scored the game’s only goal to power Mansfield to a rivalry win, handing Franklin its first loss of the season. The goal came off a fourth quarter counter attack. Tarynn Smith’s first shot was saved by Rachel Welch but Devine followed up and knocked in the rebound for the game-winner, giving the Hornets the edge in an evenly-played match. 

 

Golf = Mansfield, 233 @ Franklin, 235 – Final (6 cards) 

– The battle between the top two teams in the Kelley-Rex certainly lived up to the hype, tied through both four and five cards before the Hornets prevailed on the sixth card to clinch at least a share of the division title. Mansfield’s Brian See and Nate Morreale each shot a team-low round of 36 to pace the visitors while Ryan Dow and Jason See each shot 39 in the win. Joe Gormley added a 41 to force it to a sixth card where Ryan Doherty and Cian Goulet helped earn the win, each shooting a 42. For Franklin, Nolan Norton was the match medalist with an even par round of 35. Jack Paterson and Pat Dolan each shot 38 for the Panthers, Brian Sandham chipped in with a 39 and Jack Hagerty shot a 41 for the hosts. 

 

For other results around the Hockomock League   

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-10-26-20/ 

 

Mansfield tops Franklin in both girls and boys soccer and golf

 

St John’s Pumpkin Patch in final week

This is the last week for St John’s Pumpkin Patch, so if you don’t already have your pumpkins and gourds - for eating and decorating, head on down to 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin. 

We’re open Mon - Fri from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday (Halloween) from 12 - 7:00 PM.

We’ll have a Costume Contest at 3:00 PM on Halloween. Prizes for the Scariest, Funniest, and Most Original.

 

St John’s Pumpkin Patch in final week