Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Re-opening rolled back statewide to Phase 3, Step 1

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

"FOLLOWING SIX DAYS of surging COVID-19 case numbers, Gov. Charlie Baker said on Tuesday that Massachusetts is taking a step backward in its reopening plan.

“We cannot simply wait for the vaccine to get here,” Baker said at a State House press conference. “The rate Massachusetts residents are getting infected and the rate at which they are needing medical care, if all continues to move at this pace, is simply not sustainable over time, and our health care system will be put at risk.”

The governor’s decision means the state as a whole will move on Sunday from Step 2 to Step 1 in Phase 3, a retrenchment that previously had been reserved for communities deemed high risk for COVID-19 three weeks in a row or those that made the decision on their own. Boston and Somerville rank among the latter, while Lawrence, Holyoke, and many other communities fall in the former category."



The Boston Globe has the following:
Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced a series of incremental steps to curb the surge of COVID-19 infections, issuing new restrictions on a range of business activities as part of an effort to “build ourselves a bridge to the vaccine,” but stopping short of more forceful mandates.

The frightening trends in the march of the virus — underscored by the 3,627 new cases and 40 additional deaths that were announced Tuesday — mean the state cannot “simply wait for the vaccine to get here,” Baker said. “We have to do more.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 


Governor Baker's press conference where the changes were introduced and discussed with a Q&A:  https://youtu.be/PJUGTR7wLrs


Franklin's COVID-19 information page can be found   https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal


Franklin's COVID-19 information page
Franklin's COVID-19 information page


"Adopt a hydrant" program returns with winter weather

Residents and civic groups (Scouts, local youth groups, Franklin High School teams, etc.) can "adopt" a hydrant or hydrants.  
This is intended to be a commitment for the 2020/2021 snow season and can be applied towards student community service hours.  
Visit our website https://www.franklinma.gov/water.../pages/adopt-hydrant to Adopt-A-Hydrant today!

GATRA Launches Innovative On-Demand Share Service - Dec 15

Passengers Can Book Same Day Trips Through Smartphone App 

The Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Agency (GATRA) is excited to announce the launch of GATRA GO United a flexible and dynamic on-demand microtransit service to operate within the towns of Foxborough, Franklin, Norfolk and Wrentham. 

Similar to ride-hailing services, GATRA GO United uses a smartphone app for riders to schedule customized curb-to-curb microtransit trips. A vehicle will pick up riders and drop them off wherever they wish to travel within the service boundaries. Along the way the shuttle may pick up other passengers who also request a ride (With COVID-19 social distancing protocols in place). This service is wheelchair accessible and all drivers are trained and certified using state and federal guidelines. 

This pilot program will operate within the towns of Foxborough, Franklin, Norfolk and Wrentham as well as portions of the towns of Bellingham and Plainville connecting employment locations, medical facilities and recreational locales. 

The service will start on December 15, 2020 and will be operated on a pilot basis. It will be free through the month of January. The service area map can be found on the GATRA GO United app or on our website, www.gatra.org/gatra-go 

GATRA is partnering with National Express, one of the largest private transportation contractors in the United States and the current operator of GATRA's services in the Franklin and Norfolk Areas. The new service is powered by Next Connect, a new mobility platform developed by National Express in cooperation with Spare, a leading on-demand Transit software provider. 

The new on-demand microtransit service will replace the fixed route bus service in these four towns with a solution that will enhance transportation options for all. To use the new ride share program passengers first need to download the free GATRA GO United app on their smart phone and then request a ride. 

Following a GATRA GO request, the microtransit app will provide passengers with an estimated pick up time, track the bus in real time and alert the person when their ride is about to arrive. GATRA GO United customers do not have to download the app, same day rides can also be requested by calling 800-698-7676. 

Wait time for service pick up will be subject to vehicle availability. GATRA realizes the importance of greater accessibility and mobility in this region and strives to work with their communities to fill public transportation gaps.

https://www.gatra.org/gatra-go-united/ starts Dec 15, 2020
https://www.gatra.org/gatra-go-united/ starts Dec 15, 2020


FHS swim fundraiser today at Chipotle


Franklin Families! Take tomorrow (12/09/20) night off from cooking and order out from Chipotle in Franklin Village to support FHS Varsity Swim! From 5-9pm, show this flyer or tell them you’re supporting the team and 33% will go to FHS swim. Thank you!

FHS swim fundraiser today at Chipotle
FHS swim fundraiser today at Chipotle


DESE publishes "Local Contribution Study"

Shared by the MASC (@MASC-SchoolCommittee) and Tracey Novick (@TracyNovick), this Local Contribution Study was mandated by the Student Opportunity Act and after public review is now "published".

Download your copy directly from DESE  https://t.co/oK8PNcZYYG?amp=1

DESE publishes "Local Contribution Study"
DESE publishes "Local Contribution Study"


Please Send A Christmas Card to a Nursing Home Resident

Hi I am the Nursing Home Administrator at Cedarwood Gardens the former Franklin Nursing and Rehab. As we all know the holiday season can be a tough time for many. If anyone in the community would like to send a holiday card to a resident please address the envelope to

Resident
Cedarwood Gardens
130 Chestnut Street
Franklin

Thank you and be well,
Lisa Rice

"Survey-based measurement of news consumption is not without its own problems"

From the Pew Research Center comes a study on measuring news consumption:

"Given the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of this news landscape and concerns around overreporting of news consumption, Pew Research Center wanted to explore how best to measure news consumption: Where do currently used survey practices still work and where might changes be in order?

This report is the culmination of this effort and is organized into three sections: Chapter 1 looks at the U.S. public’s familiarity with newer concepts related to news; Chapter 2 examines possible ways to improve survey-based measures of news consumption; and Chapter 3 compares survey results to the use of passive data that comes straight from tracking software news consumers downloaded to their digital devices.

Americans are largely familiar with new technologies but often don’t think of them as news sources."

"Survey-based measurement of news consumption is not without its own problems"
"Survey-based measurement of news consumption is not without its own problems" (Pew Research photo)