CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker stands up vaccine call center"

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER unveiled a 500-person call center on Friday to help residents 75 and older book appointments to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The center is intended to assist those without internet access or those having trouble navigating the current two-step process, which requires using a state website to find vaccine locations near them and then going to websites for those locations to actually book an appointment. The call center, reached by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting the option for help making a vaccine appointment, will handle the booking process for the individual or put them on a call-back list if no appointments are available.

The service will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with representatives who speak both English and Spanish. Translators for over 100 other languages will also be available upon request."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-stands-up-vaccine-call-center/

 

Gov Baker's press conference = https://youtu.be/u04KusqT2FI

 

 

One of the new Public Service Announcements (PSA's) on "Trust the Facts. Get the Vax." video link = https://youtu.be/ieT9k83bDaA

 

New York Times: “It’s very clear our economy is still in trouble”

"The American economic recovery showed new signs of stalling on Friday as government data underscored the pandemic’s brutal damage to the job market.

U.S. employers added 49,000 jobs in January, the Labor Department said, dashing hopes that the new year would bring immediate relief. The private sector added just 6,000 jobs, barely enough to register against the millions of positions lost during the pandemic.

The weak showing was tallied amid a fresh effort in Washington to provide a big infusion of aid to foster a recovery and the data will almost certainly bolster the Democrats’ argument for a robust stimulus package."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/05/business/stock-market-today/the-us-economy-added-49000-jobs-in-january-a-weak-showing-after-a-virus-surge

New York Times: “It’s very clear our economy is still in trouble”

Scammers are scheming as HealthCare.gov reopens

Scammers are scheming as HealthCare.gov reopens by Colleen Tressler, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC The Coronavirus pandemic has not only had a dramatic health impact, but also an economic blow as many Americans are now unemployed — and uninsured. As a result, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has re-opened HealthCare.gov for a "Special Enrollment Period," from February 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021.  This Special Enrollment Period will give people who need health care coverage the chance to sign up. But it also gives scammers a new chance to call, email, send letters and texts, trying to get your money — and your personal and financial information. Read more -> https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/02/scammers-are-scheming-healthcaregov-reopens?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Another business on the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card listing to visit

Another local business has joined the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card program!  We welcome Lotus Lash to the list of participating businesses! 

Gift cards can be purchased at Dean Bank  right in Downtown Franklin or online at www.franklingiftcard.com 

 

#LocalBusiness #LocaSupport #ItMatters #ShopLocal #SpendLocal

Shared from Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/109645590402552/posts/451347476232360/

You can use the #ThinkFranklinFirst card make your purchase as part of the #ProjectEnvoy eat out/take out, help out effort!

 

Another business on the #thinkfranklinfirst gift card listing to visit

Franklin's Event Outlook: Feb 5 - Feb 11, 2021

Super Bowl Sunday, the weather forecast isn't all that great, and a relatively quiet weekend (and week) ahead. It is up to us all to find something to do to keep busy and stay safe (masks, social distance, etc....). 

There is hope with some lift in the restrictions coming Monday, and even more importantly, perhaps better news on the vaccine delivery front ahead as we head to Valentine's Day. 

So let's keep the faith and hope alive. We'll get through this!

Friday, February 5
3:00pm =  FPL: Girls who code (Grades 3-5)
4:00pm =  FPL: Girls Who Code! (Grades 6-12)
 

Sunday, February 7
1:00pm =  Historical Museum (open and free admission) 

Thursday, February 11
7:00pm =  Love in All its Forms: A Valentine's Reading and Performance
7:00pm =  FHS Musicians Livestream Concert

 

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

 

Community Calendar

 

 

 

Economic Development Subcommittee - meeting recap - 02/03/2021

Quick Recap:

• Very enlightening listening session this time. Good info gleaned from participants all around. Food trucks are not inanimate objects, they have people and families to support behind them
• Where did the 25% requirement for tasting space come from; the manufacturing bylaw allows 25% for a manufacturer to have that amount of space for a retail operation
• Tasting rooms as designed in the bylaw are shifting to be more than that per some of the participants; what should they have, how should they be operated, how can the service be 'safe'....
• Food requirement for tasting makes sense but then brings complications, patio space outside counted against space requirements, which then drive capacity and parking; need to be careful of making changes without considering other effects especially unintended ones
• the food truck experience is not the same as a table service, should not be considered competitive, they are distinctly different
• No pun intended but there is plenty of food for thought here, more to come as the info is reviewed and solution or options designed for next discussion (TBD)
  

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZAY5RwEoNGH37wt8

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0203

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0203&src=typeahead_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Economic Development subcommittee meeting #edc0203 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_revised_2-3-2021.pdf
• Chair Hamblen takes role call of members as she is remote (Bissanti, Jones, and Frongillo in Chambers) #edc0203 discussion to begin on bylaw of section 19 license. Agenda doc includes some historical reference points https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_revised_2-3-2021.pdf
• TA Hellen provides some of the history/background on the development of the proposal. #edc0203 recall beer garden at ArtWeek event in 2019, wanted to do more, COVID most recently has presented challenges
• Three businesses open and others in queue to do so. Use this as a listening session, open to business comment. Bob Vozella, La Cantina Winery, thanks for enabling the business, expanding the option for food trucks outside of the Town Common area would be beneficial #edc0203
• Do provide small plates and would like to provide more for the customers, do have menus and service in from the neighborhood restaurants. #edc0203 food trucks would provide another option.
• Yes it was said: "There is an appetite for food trucks to coexist with small businesses in Franklin". #edc0203 how much of difference does it make between a permanent restaurant or a temporary food truck as competition for town business?
• Food truck owner comments that she has worked for 10 years between Worcester and Boston and it is sad that she can't work in her home (Franklin) #edc0203 it doesn't just help Olivier sell their beer, it helps beyond that. Compliments the drink establishments.
• Food trucks are not inanimate objects, they also represent the business and the family behind it. The Bubbleman pivoted to do a hotdog truck in addition to bubbles, and can't work here. Board of Health won't allow this as a 'zoning issue' #edc0203 even in a private party
• Issue with bylaw as written forces larger facilities to generate enough money, corridor counts as part of the taproom. Could exclude it with a door, really. Consider patio or outdoor space as separate? #edc0203 burden placed on business re: rent and SQ footage larger than could
• Patrick D "The regs are driving residents to eat out at Patriot Place instead of downtown Franklin" Bissanti - "We don't want to hurt the existing businesses with food trucks" #edc0203
• T Padula reminds that the tasting rooms are expanding beyond what they were supposed to be, they should taste and leave; they are staying longer and competing with restaurants. #edc0203 Patrick D, Glen Pharma 25% on tasting room, not sure how derived, arbitrary #
• Burden on space, parking, safety, all make sense, but where the 25% comes from doesn't make sense. Owner has responsibly to manage the crowd. #edc0203 did look at food truck angle and ended up with a restaurant; food trucks are here to stay, folks want them
• "A food truck is not table experience, it is different." Olivier - 67 Degrees, grateful for bylaw to allow us to operate. 25% requirements hinders us operationally. Talked with Canton (Trillium, etc) parking/bathrooms required, but not limitation on tasting room size #edc0203
• #edc0203 25% clashes with other zoning requirements, needed to get 2 special permits to expand within 6 months of operation and do the same thing. A food truck at 67 should not affect other restaurants, especially in COVID times, would help now and long term
• Halligan, #edc0203 25% was designed for sample and short term visit to leave with product, it is growing into more than tasting, functions, entertainment, families, dogs, etc. Proposing larger footage if kitchen present, increases parking, drainage, etc. raises other issues
• Not an easy solution, where to go next. Need to close out discussion tonight and continue next time. #edc0203 "folks already eat out elsewhere, so improving options here will help not hurt" - Frongillo Manufacturing is only allowed 25% for retail, hence the derivation
• More to come, stay tuned, work to be done. Motion to adjourn, seconded, passes via roll call 4-0 #edc0203 

 

Economic Development Subcommittee - meeting recap - 02/03/2021

 

Board of Health meeting recap - 02/03/21

Quick Recap:

• Vaccine clinic plans ready, awaiting allocation and delivery
  
• Sharing best practices with Milford Regional Hospital
• Found assistance for Magnolia Hgts, they had been dropped from CDC coverage
• Housing Authority clinic being explored their supply separate from Town allocation
  

Audio of meeting coming soon

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #boh0203
https://twitter.com/hashtag/boh0203?src=hashtag_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Board of Health meeting #boh0203
• Chair Sweet outlines the pandemic protocol process. #boh0203 Motion to approve prior minutes 1/6/21, second passes via roll call 3-0 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-02-03-2021.pdf
• Vaccine clinic group meeting and planning for distribution, supply at minimum, ready to go when supply available. #boh0203 supply ordered for Senior Center seniors targeted for population 75+; proximity to Gillette affecting quantity
• Constraints not Town, but from State. #boh0203 https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-information
• Success of first responders clinic at FHS was so good, Milford Regional Hospital has started working with Health Dept to learn the best practices. #boh0203 exploring clinic for Housing Authority - no target date for that yet. Magnolia Heights 160+ folks ...
• Almost fell thru the cracks as they were dropped from CDC tracking, Liberty coordinated to get them covered. Note the housing authority qty is separately sourced (not part of Town allocation) #boh0203
• Motion to adjourn, passed 2-0 (3rd with tech difficulty didn't respond) #boh0203 

 

 

Board of Health meeting recap - 02/03/21