Friday, February 19, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2021

Be safe in this slow moving snow storm. You can be inside to enjoy a virtual concert tonight and then get rid of some bottles/cans Saturday morning. A small choice of this to do during these pandemic days. The storywalk at DelCarte should be nice in the snow. You might need to blaze the trail - be careful!


Friday, February 19
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
3:00pm - FPL: Girls who code (Grades 3-5)
4:00pm - FPL: Girls Who Code! (Grades 6-12)
8:00pm - The Accidentals - virtual concert

Saturday, February 20
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
10:00am - Scout Troop 126 - Bottle/can drive

Sunday, February 21
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
1:00pm - Historical Museum (open and free admission)

Monday, February 22
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation

Tuesday, February 23
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
7:00pm - Franklin Public Library Book Club

Wednesday, February 24
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
7:00pm - Medway Marches presents "Allies in Action"
7:30pm - Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!

Thursday, February 25
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation


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
Community Calendar


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Couldn't spend hours with the Town Council meeting Weds? Take 30 minutes to catch up now

FM #465 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 465 in the series.
 
This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. 

This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Town Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: 
  • ok, what just happened? 
  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

Our conversation runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen in this "quarterbacking" session with Tom.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/48d35912-d30d-4362-b980-35cabe6696e7


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Topics from the meeting covered in our conversation:
  • Appointments = Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Nominee Ratification
  • HEARINGS =  MADD Deli, Inc. d/b/a Dacey’s Market and Deli:  Special legislative process for this license
  • PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS = Complete Streets Program 
  • SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS =  Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee
  • LEGISLATION FOR ACTION = Resolution 21-11: Appropriating Funds by Borrowing and Transfer to Pay Costs of Purchasing Fire Apparatus 
  • LEGISLATION FOR ACTION = Bylaw Amendment 21-870: Chapter 170, Vehicles And Traffic, Section 170-22, Subsection A, Location of Stop Signs - First Reading 
  • LEGISLATION FOR ACTION  = Bylaw Amendment 21-865: Chapter 153, Stormwater Management Article I. II, III 
Agenda documents
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-feb-17.html

My notes from the meeting 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Couldn't spend hours with the Town Council meeting Weds? Take 30 minutes to catch up now
Couldn't spend hours with the Town Council meeting Weds? Take 30 minutes to catch up now


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Franklin's COVID-19 case count continue the downward trend

 

"The state releases a map on a weekly basis that uses coronavirus case counts to show which Massachusetts communities are at high, moderate, and low risk for COVID-19 infection. The state’s latest report lists a total of 66 Massachusetts communities now considered high risk for the spread of COVID-19.

The statewide average daily rate of infection per 100,000 residents was at 30, down from 38.5, last week, and Boston’s average daily rate was at 30.4, down from 38.8 last week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 


Tucked in an updated at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, the revelation that Franklin lost 38 residents (85% over the age of 75) to COVID-19 thus far in the pandemic. As you read this, let's stop for a moment to remember those who have left us.

As for COVID-19 cases, we have dropped again to 2.4% (percent positivity test results). This continues the downward trend (from 3.7 last week and 4.7 the week before).

Franklin's COVID-19 case count continue the downward trend
Franklin's COVID-19 case count continue the downward trend


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"the system did not scale fast enough to accommodate the increased volume."

 

"Massachusetts is a global leader in heavy-duty technology fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence, yet the state government continues to have a nightmarish time running a simple website to let residents easily book COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

The latest and most spectacular failure occurred Thursday morning, when the state’s main vaccine scheduling site repeatedly crashed under heavy traffic from thousands of newly eligible residents chasing the few available appointments. It resumed service later in the day.

The state issued a statement Thursday evening from PrepMod, one of its vendors for the online appointments, in which the company took responsibility for the site crash. “As public health servants and your partner, we are sorry for not meeting expectations,’' the PrepMod statement said. “We accept full responsibility for the problem today."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

"THE STATE WEBSITE for finding an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine crashed Thursday morning as a torrent of people 65 and above rushed to sign up, the latest chapter in the Baker administration’s ongoing difficulty responding to the pandemic.

Many people who logged on to the website at 8 a.m. were met with a message saying “this application crashed” and to try again later. By about 8:25 a.m. it was possible to get into the website, but it appeared all the appointments had been booked at major mass vaccination sites and other locations. Later in the morning the website was accessible but no appointments were available except in Greenfield."
Continue reading the article online

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Tweet from MIAA - Updated Communications on Fall II Season

MIAA (@MIAA033) tweeted on Thu, Feb 18, 2021:
Read #MIAA updated communication regarding general & sport modifications for Fall II Season. #patience #OneTeamOneMIAA #maskupMIAA😷

MIAA web page = https://t.co/7BHpt3Q2lf 
Shared from Twitter = https://t.co/kh17FId6A4

Note: The FAQ doc linked to is updated. The doc shown in the Twitter image I could not find.

Tweet from MIAA - Updated Communications on Fall II Season
Tweet from MIAA - Updated Communications on Fall II Season


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Town Council - recap of Feb 17, 2021 Meeting

Quick Recap:
  • Special alcohol license approved for Dacey's Market. Not part of the Town pool of such licenses.
  • Community Preservation Committee appointments approved. 30 candidates for the four at large residents spots. Thanks to all for stepping up. A good team to go forward
  • Complete Streets approach presented to Council, will return for a formal approval as a 'policy' not a bylaw. Will also provide some bonus points for applications to State for grants for work on roads, sidewalks and the like
  • Annual review of Town Administrator presented and report approved by 8-1 vote (Bissanti no). Will come to Council again for formal approval and there will also be a 'goals setting session' and discussion on how to better improve the overall review process
  • Fire Dept found a good deal on two pumper trucks saving a bunch of money, purchase authorized. They will arrive later this year, replace two front line units, which will then move to reserve and the two current reserve units (2000 and 2007 vintage) will be marked surplus and sold.
  • Storm water bylaw articles I, II, and III returned for their second reading. Elongated and misplaced discussion again ensued as folks were getting wrapped around these are setting up for the possible utility fee coming up later this year. They were all passed by 8-1 vote (Bissanti no on all)
  • Sad to hear that 38 Franklinites have lost their lives during this COVID-19 pandemic. 85% of them were over 75 years old

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album    https://photos.app.goo.gl/D5ZBXuVmqXWBKwv68

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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  #tc0217
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0217&src=typeahead_click 


Public Hearing - Dacey's Market
  • Moving to public hearing on MADD Deli/ Dacey's Market 
  • Special home rule legislation passed by state house. This is unique to the site, can't be moved or reused without special legislation, Bissanti recuses
  • #tc0217 "feels good to be help a neighborhood business" hearing closes via roll call 8-0-1 (8 yes, 1 recused). License transaction, motion to approve. Passes via roll call same vote as above 8-0-1
Community Preservation Committee appointments
  • Community preservation Committee nominations, 30 at large applied for 4  seats, selected 4 which we see tonight #tc0217 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/cpc_updated_memo.pdf 
  • Nice diverse group, have work to do! 4 chosen deliberate to have Community knowledge ... All have shown support/interest
  • FYI approx 26 via Zoom, another 7 on live stream, and some unknown # via Comcast/Verizon #tc0217 all also committed to approach it is this an open mind, management of open space, willing to build a program from scratch for the community and preservation/development efforts
  • #tc0217 TA Jamie Hellen thanks the 5 Committees for their public discussion and selection. Nominated individuals contained in the doc linked here https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/cpc_updated_memo.pdf
  • These appointments would come back in June for the annual renewal on the 1 or 2 year appointment to enable the staggering terms per the bylaw #tc0217 something for everyone, many new folks just starting to get involved, affordable housing a trend item
  • #tc0217 why only released on Tuesday? Just timing with holiday and 30 folks to contact. Many thanks for the number of volunteers to come forward. CPC in Hyde Park has a project on the Dedham line, good story, like to see something like that hear.
  • #tc0217 there will be nine individual votes, one per nominee, all will be via roll call (assuming the votes are the same, I'll be concise) if there is a difference it will be noted; first 9-0 for Livingstone, second 9-0 Malcolm, third 9-0 Feeley, fourth 9-0 Halligan …
  • #tc0217 fifth 9-0 Simarian, sixth 9-0 Giardino, seventh 9-0 Oxford, eighth 9-0 McNeill, ninth 9-0 Doyle. 
  • That completes the community preservation Committee approvals! 
  • A good team to take on some challenges. Thank you!
2 minute recess 
  • Two minutes recess #tc0217
  • #tc0217 resuming meeting.
Complete Streets presentation
  • Presentation on Complete Streets https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._complete_streets_web.pdf …. Five straight appearances for DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi, engineer Mike Maglio also presenting #tc0217
  • #tc0217  doesn't have to be everything done on the right side of the slide, major piece is the approach of transportation as a whole not just cars first
  • #tc0217 signage and markings are an easy less expensive approach to integrate. State grant applications can be helped with this designation, also a housing Community. An opportunity loss rather than a money loss. Was part of Master Plan (but not prioritized)
  • Part of overall planning for downtown development, ease of access, sidewalks, etc. #tc0217 
  • Sidewalk on Beaver St from RT 140 to the parks already funded, had this been available it could have applied. Washington St survey of the sidewalk planning is being done
  • #tc0217 battle with impervious coverage and we are talking about adding sidewalks. It is connectivity where there are none, not like taking or reducing them in the cul-de-sac. 
  • Where are the gaps? Input from Planning dept, and Police where accidents occur.
  • General consensus thumbs up to develop a policy to bring back to Council in April for one vote (not a bylaw) #tc0217 
Town Administrator review
  • Annual review of Town Administrator  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/9a._ta_eval_docs.pdf asking council for approval to go to review file.
  • #tc0217 subcommittee section usually is empty, this time it contains the TA evaluation report https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/9a._ta_eval_docs.pdf 
  • There will be a goal session in future to include the evaluation process adjustments. Looking for TC to accept report as presented.
  • #tc0217 "it is easy to be critical of everybody but yourself" he works hard, settling into role, good for the community. Need to figure out a better eval process for future.
  • #tc0217 Mercer has worked closely with Jamie over the past 2 years, talking regularly, his admin team has worked well together, look at how much we have done during this challenge! The evaluation is not the TA, it is the entire staff, it is true, you are going to find this …
  • Anywhere else. #tc0217 an incredible team here with a service level like no other. 
  • Motion and second to accept the report, via roll call 8-1 (Bissanti no)
Legislation for Action
  • Moving to legislation for action. #tc0217  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._lib_gift_web.pdf 
  • Gift to the library, motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0 via roll call
  • Appropriation for fire trucks #tc0217  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._fire_borrowing_web.pdf 
  • Using $300k from funds set aside, and financing $800k. Motion and second; Chief McLaughlin speaking for, good timing for purchase. Order price for 2019 but completing now, good opportunity
  • Engine 4 since 2000 has served us well, has been in reserve. Local vendor. Corroded frame rail to replace $105k for engine 3 from 2007. Could save $ now, avoid maintenance in next several years. #tc0217 Engine 1 would go into reserve at King St Station. Stars aligned
  • #tc0217 could save some free cash for a few years instead of putting aside the fire truck fund. A choice, let's continue to put it aside per Kelly. "It is a great deal" these are stock trucks, all the hose and stuff from the existing trucks will go to these.
  • Came up during a regular discussion with vendors and found these as an opportunity via one of the vendors. Cab space, length of the truck, all considerations for us and our environment, given space on the streets how used etc. 30' long #tc0217 disposition of surplus …
  • State process defined for surplus, funds do come back to general funds. #tc0217 motion and second, vote passes 9-0 via roll call. Chief thanks council for support on behalf of the department.
  • Stop sign listing updated #tc0217 Chief Lynch here to answer questions on the proposed amended street listing https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._stop_signs_web_0.pdf 
  • Kelly advocates for stop sign at Main St, Eamons St. Missing one there is a problem
  • If someone calls for a stop sign, where does the process start? It can start at Police,  DPW will coordinate with Police and engineering before placement. #tc0217 motion, second to move to second reading passes via roll call 9-0
Stormwater extended discussion
Town Administrator report through to closing
  • #tc0217 grants applied for Museum, COVID update, cases down, status yellow again, capacity increases for business, 38 have died in Franklin from COVID-19. 85% of the deaths were over 75. 65+ can start on 2/18 for appts for vaccine. Teachers next after 65+
  • Our local clinic is not likely to be active as we are so close to Gillette. #tc0217 
  • Pre-budget what have we given for raises town and school
  • Reminder Senior Center coffee hour via Microsoft Teams in the morning (2/18).
  • How is the snow budget doing? About $900K to date, about $200K per storm so we'll be over after this weekend. Not just snow, the salting events. #tc0217 Chair Mercer apologizes for late hour, motion to adjourn, passes 9-0
  • That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

 

For all the documents released for this meeting

Town Council - recap of Feb 17, 2021 Meeting
Town Council - recap of Feb 17, 2021 Meeting


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Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka - Feb 18, 2021

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka

"I am deeply disappointed that today (2/18/21) so many Massachusetts residents are feeling frustration and anger on a day when we should be experiencing hope. I hear it and I feel it too. The Senate and House are holding a public, livestreamed oversight hearing on Thursday, February 25 and we expect answers from those responsible for this failure. The Administration must deliver a better experience for our residents, who have already dealt with so much anxiety and disruption."


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