Franklin Matters

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

"The town, using Community Preservation Act money, bought the lot"

Via the Community Preservation Coalition:

"Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity wants to build a cluster of up to 20 homes on a sliver of town-owned land off Route 41 in Housatonic.

The project would create the town’s first homes designated as affordable — nearly half of the units would be reserved for households making 80 percent or less of the area’s median income.

The town acquired the 7.5-acre parcel, known as the Alden property, last year for $175,000, and entrusted its development to the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Habitat proposal was the only one submitted for the site.

The formal vetting of the plan got underway Friday, when the board heard details about the plan via Zoom. Habitat is proposing 14 to 20 homes at varying costs, to be built in phases, said Carolyn Valli, Habitat’s CEO. It would begin with seven homes, and more would be added gradually, in collaboration with Construct Inc. and the community."

Continue reading the article at the Berkshire Eagle: https://t.co/LHiuyNR0YQ

Ben knows it is important to keep your hands clean

"Ben knows it is important to keep your hands clean, even when you aren't near a sink. Have hand sanitizer with you!

#BenKnows #DoYourPartFranklin #CleanPaws #ItMatters" @franklinpolice

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/R3Oh8v7WgW

Ben knows it is important to keep your hands clean

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Via Denise Spencer:

"In June, School Committees across Massachusetts found themselves debating the anti-racism resolution outlined by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). Among the many statements in the resolution are efforts to recruit a diverse workforce, examine policies for systemic racism, and incorporate works of diverse authors into the curriculum, as well as the history of racial oppression.

Following these discussions, and approval of the Anti-Racism Resolution, in July I was happy to hear Dr. Ahern discuss her upcoming plans to form a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Last week over 50 community stakeholders (students, faculty and staff, central office and school committee) met and began working together, taking a look at who we are and what we can do better as a school community to make sure our staff, students and families feel welcome.

Franklin Public Schools will be conducting an equity audit in the coming year. MASC members are asked to ensure that diversity and inclusion are made part of the everyday culture of schools. I am looking forward to the results of this audit and learning which areas we need to improve on."

Please click on the below link to find more information regarding the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1byeie6g7-MG9-FwvFiOhI8Pbme4cEz/view?fbclid=IwAR1RplopkcOgi6m4XzVXBIdB5BvLoGjAt1KWdn1UuyWAWnLd4T_IYnc4-PY

Shared from Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=469766124409443&id=113623673357025

Franklin Public Schools: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

"employers cut 140,000 jobs in December alone and all of them were held by women"

"WOMEN ENDED 2020 with 5.4 million fewer jobs than they had in February 2020, prior to the start of the pandemic. December unemployment figures showed that employers cut 140,000 jobs in December alone and all of them were held by women. The “shecession” of 2020 has thrown into stark relief the barriers that keep the gender/racial wage gap alive for working women. The data tells a story but what paints the picture is the decades-long reality for working women laid bare for all to see in the last year.

The overwhelming inequities that make upward mobility at work such an uneven climb for women – harassment, lack of childcare and paid leave, unequal expectations compared to their male co-workers – are not new. This time, however, they are hard to ignore. Working from home on Zoom means that women are not privately managing this tightrope act anymore. And for those whose jobs don’t allow for remote work, it has meant leaving the workforce altogether, possibly setting back improvements in the wage and racial gap for years."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/shecession-means-the-jig-is-up/

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Franklin Residents: Trash / Recycling Update

Trash / Recycling Update

Curbside trash/recycling will continue to be picked up. Waste Management has caught up from all delays caused by the snow storm and the remainder of the week will proceed as scheduled. Thank you for your patience!

Shared from: https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/trash-recycling-update

Franklin Residents: Trash / Recycling Update

Tuesday, February 2nd is a Snow Day. All Franklin Public Schools are closed.

February 2, 2021

Dear Franklin Community,

Due to the lingering effects from the snow storm, Franklin Public Schools will be closed on February 2, 2021 for a snow day. The day will be made up at the end of the school year.

School offices will be closed. FPS Central Office will open on a delayed schedule at 10 AM.

Thank you and stay safe and warm.

Franklin Public Schools

Tuesday, February 2nd is a Snow Day. All Franklin Public Schools are closed

Town of Franklin: Municipal Building to Open at 10 AM

Municipal Building to Open at 10 AM

Due to the continued snow cleanup this morning, the Franklin Municipal Building and town offices will have a delayed start time. All offices will open at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

Shared from https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/municipal-building-open-10am