CommonWealth Magazine: "Consider the potential of water utility jobs"

 

“WHEN I GROW UP, I want to be a wastewater operator.” That is probably not a commonly heard sentiment, but we think it should be, especially for our young people who have been historically marginalized.

When it comes to “green jobs,” typically it’s the clean energy industry – solar or offshore wind – that comes to mind. Yet there are thousands of good-paying jobs related to the delivery of clean water, disposal of wastewater, and management of stormwater. And right now there is a near-crisis as more people — generally older white men — are retiring from these water, wastewater, and stormwater jobs than are entering them. Retirement eligibility in the water utility world is estimated to be as high as 30 to 50 percent."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/consider-the-potential-of-water-utility-jobs/ 

Visit the Town of Franklin Stormwater Division page for info on the program here

One of the key topics for discussion at the Town Council meeting Wednesday is the stormwater utility fee proposal. 

Department of Public Works: Stormwater Document for Feb 3 discussion  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

Link to presentation copy from one of the Stormwater Information Session in 2020   https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/town-of-franklin-stormwater-info-session-2

Town of Franklin: Stormwater Info Session #2 from Franklin Matters

Volunteer's needed for "Virtual Neighbor" program

This program is open to any senior who would like to connect with a volunteer for a  friendly conversation. Volunteers will call a senior to check in on them, carry on  conversations and just spend time getting to know each other.

• If you would like to receive phone calls from a volunteers, please call Joanna Braley at 508-949-6640 ext. 3031.
• If you would like to become a Virtual Neighbor, please sign up at www.trivalleyvolunteers.org

Download a copy of the flyer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u-eqa8lI17AenW26MZyVVCYcoULgndDw/view?usp=sharing

This program is similar to that discussed in the recent interview shared here. The Norfolk County RSVP office is offering free training for seniors to become virtual neighbors or help with literacy. If you missed the posting, the audio is available here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-439-norfolk-county-rsvp-011321-audio.html

Volunteer's needed for "Virtual Neighbor" program

Volunteer Snow Shoveler's Needed

Neighborhood volunteers are needed to help residents aged 60 and older with snow removal. Volunteers would create a path which allows the resident, emergency response personnel, Meals on Wheels delivery people, mail carriers and other visitors to get in and out of the house safely. 

The volunteer will shovel for that same resident after each snowstorm. Teenagers welcome over the age of 12 with parental waiver completed.

Volunteers needed in the following towns:

Bellingham, Blackstone, Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, E. Brookfield, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, N. Brookfield, Oxford, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Warren, Webster & W. Brookfield

Sign up at www.trivalleyvolunteers.org or call Joanna Braley at 508-949-6640 x-3031

Download a copy of the flyer:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZNjdl7bOGOUeuvZPNv7Wtb0oprjCZKwE/view?usp=sharing

Volunteer Snow Shoveler's Needed

Reminder: Franklin Cultural District Partnership Meeting - Feb 1

Dear Cultural District Partners, 

Tonight the Franklin Cultural District Partners will be meeting at 7:00 PM to discuss the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Franklin Cultural District "Recovery and Rebuilding Grant". Below you will find the Zoom link for this meeting. Attached you will find the agenda for the meeting.

We hope to see you all this evening.

Regards,

Nancy Schoen

Chair, Franklin Cultural District Committee

nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com

The Cultural District Committee is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Cultural District Partners Meeting - February 1, 2021 7:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82286340536

Meeting ID: 822 8634 0536

One tap mobile  +19292056099,,82286340536# US (New York)

Dial by your location          +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 822 8634 0536

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcM9DGAxS

Agenda doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zKrvYNyAw3jVVt7QjO8zGMigCmrUgfP6/view?usp=sharing

Reminder: Franklin Cultural District Partnership Meeting - Feb 1

5 Ways SSA.gov Saves You Time

"Our online tools and services save you time and make your life easier. Often, there’s no need to contact us. Here are five of our webpages that can make your life easier:

1. With your own personal my Social Security account, you can request a replacement Social Security card, verify your earnings, get future benefit estimates, obtain benefit verification letters."

Continue reading to find the other 4 ways SSA,gov can help

https://blog.ssa.gov/5-ways-ssa-gov-saves-you-time/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Franklin Public Schools: Half-day for Monday, Feb 1 - Stay tuned for Tuesday decision (weather dependent)

January 31, 2021

Dear Franklin community,

The weather forecast is calling for a significant snowstorm to move into our area through the day tomorrow and developing into heavy snow in the afternoon hours, and lingering into Tuesday where mixed precipitation and big wind gusts are possible. 

Therefore, we will hold school (both in-person/hybrid and remote) tomorrow, Monday, February 1, on a half-day schedule. Schools will be dismissed as follows:

• ECDC: 12:15 PM
• Elementary Schools: 11:45 AM
• Middle Schools:10:45 AM (10:50 AM at HMMS)
• High School: 10:55 AM

Although the actual impact of the storm could change, at this time, we are anticipating that the weather event will impact Tuesday. We are planning for the possibility that Tuesday, February 2, will be a traditional snow day. 

There were many strong feelings conveyed from members of the community with the call to have a remote learning day back in December and we had communicated in November that we would monitor our approach and make adjustments, as necessary. We also know that there are strong feelings among community members who feel that a remote learning day would be better for continuity in instruction. Planning for a remote day due to snow is more involved and complicated than the typical remote Wednesday, which is something we learned from December. As school will be abbreviated tomorrow, planning for a remote day on Tuesday will be more difficult. Additionally, having a snow day will result in the school day needing to be made up at the end of the year. This could yield a day with better quality instruction should health metrics related to the virus continue to improve this spring.

Snow day decisions never please everyone, but I hope that sharing this rationale provides you with a better understanding of our approach.

I will continue to keep the community apprised of a final decision for Tuesday, as winter weather can be unpredictable and the storm may not be as bad as forecasted.  For now, we will have a half-day of school on Monday and the next update will come by Monday evening. Updates will come in the form of e-mails, text messages, phone calls, posts on our Websites, posts to news outlets (TV and radio), and our Twitter and Facebook social media pages.

Kind regards,

Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools 

shared from FPS page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/bulletins/winter-storm-information

Franklin Public Schools: Half-day for Monday, Feb 1 - Stay tuned for Tuesday decision (weather dependent)

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Feb 3, 2021

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. December 16, 2020
b. January 6, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
a. Bill Murphy

5. APPOINTMENTS
None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Finance Department: Borrowing & Debt Update 
b. Department of Public Works: Stormwater   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._storm_water_presentation.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee
d. Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-869: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Section 82-6 Schedule of Service Fees, Subsection F. Fire - First Reading (Motion to Move Bylaw Amendment 21-869 to a second reading - Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._21-869_als_bls_rate_changes.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. COVID-19 Updates
b. FY22 Budget Calendar

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note: 
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting 

The agenda folder on the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/february-3-town-council-agenda

The PDF doc with the agenda and docs released  (35 pages)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-3-2021_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

new rain garden at the end of Griffin Road