You can (and should) provide feedback to the MBTA if you use the Franklin Line

The MBTA is facing budget problems and looking to reduce services. They are also looking for feedback on the proposed reductions and possible restorations as the funding and economy recovers.

Last public meeting scheduled for:

Forging Ahead Virtual Public Meeting: System-Wide Service
Date: December 2, 2020 at 6 PM - 8 PM
Location: Virtual • Zoom • Boston, MA
Attendees: General Public

Register for the meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpduyprTwoE9ZUdW7_mTlKCOHH2ZptgAjP

Details on the commuter rail proposed changes  https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/2020-11-09-forging-ahead-commuter-rail.pdf

Below is a summary of changes:

Commuter Rail:

• Stop all weekend service (Fairmount Line replaced by bus service), starting as early as January 2021
• Stop all service after 9 PM, May 2021
• Decrease weekday peak service and some midday service, reducing from 505 trains (Fall 2019) to 430 trains  (75 less trains), May 2021
• Close six (out of 141) stations based on low ridership, operational impacts, and availability of alternatives:
• Plimptonville
• Prides Crossing
• Silver Hill
• Hastings
• Plymouth
• Cedar Park
• Take into account ridership patterns when adjusting service levels by line

Commuter Rail Capital Projects placed “On Pause:”

• Franklin Double Tracking & Signal Improvement
• Framingham/Worcester Line Track & Station Accessibility Improvements (including Third Track Feasibility)
• Worcester Union Station – Design and Construction
• Procurement of 181 Bi-level Coaches

Learn more about Commuter Rail changes

RIDE: - Starting in summer 2021:

• Some RIDE trips may become premium trips, though RIDE service boundaries would not change.
• Some trips will be able to be booked 40 minutes from request time instead of the current 30 minutes.

Learn more about RIDE changes

Buses: Starting in summer 2021, MBTA plans to:

• Stop all service after midnight (early service will continue on essential bus routes)
• Reduce frequency on essential routes by system-wide average of  5% (will vary by route, high ridership will not be changed)
• Reduce frequency on non-essential routes system-wide by 20% (will vary by route based on ridership)
• Consolidate or restructure approximately 10 routes
• Eliminate approximately 25 routes that served less than 0.5% of pre-COVID riders (about 1,700)

Learn more about bus changes

Ferry: Starting as early as March 2021, MBTA plans to:

• Stop all ferry service
• Divert Charlestown Ferry riders to Route 93, which currently has minimal crowding and can support these riders
• Divert Hingham/Hull ferry riders to the Greenbush Line

Learn more about ferry changes

  

You can (and should) provide feedback to the MBTA if you use the Franklin Line

2020 National Book Festival Highlights: Mo Willems

 

"Mo Willems, he of the wildly popular books for young people like the Pigeon series and Elephant & Piggie Biggie series, thinks the kids are all right.

“I think the kids are fine. I really do,” he said to Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in an exclusive video interview. I think it’s us, the old people, that need some help, that need to stop and look and listen to these ambassadors, these ambassadors of exploration, of creativity, of asking questions.”

The three-time Caldecott Medal winner spoke about his creative process and the “idea garden” of random doodles that inspires his stories and art. He launched his recent books, “An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 3” (Hyperion) and “Unlimited Squirrels: I Want to Sleep Under the Stars” (Hyperion), at the 2020 National Book Festival."

Continue reading the article online

https://blogs.loc.gov/national-book-festival/2020/11/2020-national-book-festival-highlights-mo-willems/

 

Giving Tuesday - Franklin Food Pantry

Yes, #GivingTuesday was yesterday but the need still exists and the Food Pantry is accepting donations for the Franklin Food Elves 12 days of giving...

The Food Elves are Coming

Join the movement & give back Corresponding with #GivingTuesday this year, The Franklin Food Pantry has launched our largest fundraiser of the year - The Franklin Food Elves! The Franklin Food Elves are middle school, high school and college students who are committed to helping to end food insecurity in their own town by raising money for the Franklin Food Pantry. The program runs from December 1 - December 12. Be on the look out for a purple envelope and flyer in your neighborhood from your local elf. If you do not receive a flyer or do not live in Franklin, you can make a direct donation to the Elves' campaign here  (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E188424&id=37). During the holiday season the Food Elves collect money to help provide food to our over 1400 neighbors throughout the year. During these hard times, we are seeing more people than ever who count on the Pantry for healthy food, proteins and shelf-stable items. Every dollar raised helps us buy what they need to help put meals on their table and have one less child go to bed hungry at night. We appreciate your generous support throughout the year and hope you can find it in your hearts to support your Food Elf during this season of giving. Thank you for your commitment to helping to end food insecurity. Donate Now Franklin Food Pantry | www.franklinfoodpantry.org ‌ ‌ ‌

Franklin Food Pantry | 43 West Central Street, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by loften@franklinfoodpantry.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

CommonWealth Magazine: vaccines priorities set by CDC; "police reform milestones and missed opportunities"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share two articles of interest for Franklin:

"A FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE recommended on Tuesday that the initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccines expected to become available starting in two weeks should go to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities before being rolled out to other high-priority groups over the coming months.

Gov. Charlie Baker said the anticipated arrival of the vaccines means there is “light at the end of the tunnel,” but he cautioned that most of the general public won’t gain access to the shots until April, May, or June at the earliest.

The two vaccines awaiting emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration have been developed by Pfizer and Moderna. Both vaccines are said to be 94 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 and 100 percent effective in warding off severe cases of the disease. Each vaccine requires two shots, administered roughly four weeks apart, so even if someone is given an initial dose in December the final dose is unlikely to be taken until January.

“It’s going to take awhile before people literally start finishing the vaccine process and start to generate antibodies,” Baker said."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/vaccine-panel-prioritizes-health-care-workers-long-term-care-residents/

The CDC page where the recommendations will land when updated can be found

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html

"IT’S BEEN SIX MONTHS since members of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus hung their heads in silence over the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man killed beneath the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.

The moment spurred nationwide calls for specific and targeted police reform, including on Beacon Hill. Those calls were heard on Tuesday as both the House and Senate passed a compromise police reform bill heralded by many top legislators, including members of the caucus, as groundbreaking. The House voted to pass the measure 92-67, and the Senate 28-12.

“This landmark legislation will begin to address the inequities we’ve seen for years,” said Springfield Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, chair of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/criminal-justice/police-reform-milestones-and-missed-opportunities/

 

Franklin Senior Center: Connection Newsletter for December 2020

CONNECTION NEWSLETTER

Your Monthly Franklin Senior Center Newsletter

To Receive This Newsletter Monthly or Other Town Notifications, Please Click Here.

Franklin Senior Center:  Connection Newsletter for December 2020

 

Shared from the Town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter

Franklin (MA) Board Of Health - Agenda - Dec 2, 2020

Franklin Board Of Health
Duly Scheduled Meeting And Public Hearing 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 5:00 PM

 

 

 

AGENDA

1)    Reading and Acceptance of November 4, 2020 meeting minutes

2)    OLD BUSINESS

3)    NEW BUSINESS
•    Discussion of Rooster residing at 145 Beech Street
•    324 Prospect Street
•    Update on 76 Jordan Street dwelling
•    Prescription Pharmacy

Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

(4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

5) ADJOURNMENT 

 

 

Connection info in the full agenda doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dMPAyM3P5P8RaenwkwfDhZ4tVYILDvR2/view?usp=sharing

 

Franklin (MA) Board Of Health - Agenda - Dec 2, 2020

SWAC invites you to "Give 2020 the Boot(camp) December Fitness Challenge"

The FPS Student Wellness Advisory Council (SWAC) invites our families and the entire Franklin community to participate in the "Give 2020 the Boot(camp) December Fitness Challenge"!  Physical activity plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being, but sometimes getting started or knowing what to do is a hurdle.  SWAC's Physical Activity Sub-Committee has curated a month of fitness challenges you can do at home; no equipment is necessary! 

Check out our "Give 2020 the Boot(camp) Fitness Challenge" calendar for links to different exercises to do each day starting tomorrow, December 1st. Keep track of your success on the attached printable calendar, or anywhere! You can also create your own fitness routine!  No matter how you do it or how you track it, we can work together and motivate each other to enter a new year stronger and healthier! 

Let's Give 2020 the Boot, Franklin! #SWACfitnesschallenge 

Find the SWAC Fitness Challenge Clickable Calendar on our website here: https://bit.ly/Swac2020

 
Find the printable SWAC Fitness Calendar here: https://bit.ly/Swac2020print

 

Shared from Facebook https://www.facebook.com/104696090899733/posts/409549653747707/

 

 

"Give 2020 the Boot(camp) December Fitness Challenge"