Mass.gov: "Please check other locations for availability"

Mass.gov (@MassGov) tweeted at 7:10 AM on Thu, Mar 04, 2021:

"Due to limited federal supply and a large number of previously scheduled second-dose appointments, first dose appointments are no longer available today for Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, or the Reggie Lewis Center. Please check other locations for availability."

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MassGov/status/1367447256350228480

Mass.gov: "Please check other locations for availability"

FM #478 - School Committee Legislative Forum - 03/02/21 (audio)

FM #478 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 478 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the 4th Annual Franklin, MA School Committee Legislative Forum held on Tuesday, Mar 2, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a virtual format: School Committee members, key guests, and the public were all remote via conference bridge, to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Becca Rausch, and State Representative Jeffrey Roy participated in this 4th annual Forum

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 77 minutes, so let’s listen to the Legislative Forum held Mar 2, 2021.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8706a782-eddb-49cf-a655-1389554a446b

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Agenda doc 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/franklin-public-schools-school.html

My notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-of-legislative-forum-march-2-2021.html  

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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/  or www.franklin.news/

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 or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

screen capture of the Legislative Forum 03/02/21

FM #477 -Community Preservation Comm Mtg - 03/02/21 (audio)

FM #477 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 477 in the series.

 
This session of the radio show shares the inaugural meeting of the Town of Franklin, MA  Community Preservation Committee held on Tuesday, Mar 2, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a virtual format: the Committee members and key guests were along with the public, all remote via conference bridge, to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee meeting of Mar 2, 2021. 

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/79c5571a-3ccc-4825-bc1d-f5846aff61ea

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Quick Recap:

• Inaugural meeting of committee, sworn in by Town Clerk Nancy Danello, organizational votes conducted by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
• Chris Feeley voted as Chair, Dave McNeil voted as Vice-chair, Monique Doyle voted as Clerk; all votes 9-0
• After discussion consensus reached to meeting monthly, first Tuesday of month, beginning at 7 PM (to be confirmed by Town Administrator’s office)
• Info sessions to be set up with the five standing committees to get background on what's underway and /or planned in those arenas; Training session with Community Preservation Coalition also to be set up

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

My notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/community-preservation-committee-holds.html 

-------------- 

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/  or www.franklin.news/

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!

------------------

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

screen capture of the Community Preservation Meeting 3/2/21

CommonWealth Magazine: "vaccine distribution is a “complete zero sum game at this point,” given the constrained supply"

 

"AFTER WEEKS OF pressure from Massachusetts teachers — and one day after President Biden urged giving educators priority for vaccines — Gov. Charlie Baker said teachers, school staff, and early educators will be eligible to sign up for COVID-19 vaccines in Massachusetts beginning March 11. 

But Baker warned that vaccine supplies will continue to be scarce, so appointments may be hard to get. 

“People will get their vaccines, but people will need to be patient unless there’s a big change in available supply in the near future,” Baker said, speaking to the press on Wednesday morning after touring the West Parish Elementary School in Gloucester, which was celebrating 101 days of in-person learning this year. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/teachers-become-eligible-for-covid-vaccines-march-11/ 

Gov Baker's press conference: https://youtu.be/VP_noBqx8MU

Hockomock League Spectator Policy for the Fall II

Hockomock League Spectator Policy for the Fall II Season:

"In an effort to organize the safest athletics experience possible for our student-athletes, the Hockomock League will be following the most recent guidance that was issued by the MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs: “Spectators are limited to 2 adults (parents/guardians or chaperones) and siblings of a participating player.”

Only home spectators will be allowed to attend league games during the Fall II season. All away spectators are strongly discouraged from traveling to away games, especially since they will not be allowed into the host school’s facility when they arrive. The method by which each host school chooses to admit, or to not admit, their HOME fans, will be decided at the individual District level. 

Our schools are making every effort to livestream as many home games as possible this season."

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1367195819250704390

Direct link to Hockomock League  https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/03/fall-ii-wedge-season-league-statement.html

Hockomock League Spectator Policy for the Fall II

Recap of the Board of Health meeting - Mar 3, 2021

Quick Recap:

• Partnered with Housing Authority to schedule vaccine clinic for 3/5/21. Last clinic of this type anticipated due to DPH and supply restrictions
• COVID message covered by State/Federal funding
• House on Jordan Rd condemn to provide for legal recuse due to owner inaction since fire

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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  #boh0303 
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0303&src=typeahead_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Board of Health meeting https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-3-3-21_revised_0.pdf #boh0303
• #boh0303 Chair runs through the COVID protocol for the meeting.
• #boh0303 approval of minutes for Feb meeting, motion to approve, second, passes 3-0 via roll call
• #boh0303 partnering with Housing Authority to conduct vaccines for residents, delivered yesterday, scheduled for Friday 3/5 distribution. Last clinic (currently authorized) per DPH.
• Housing authority is handling the scheduling for the residents, using a roster template for MIIS entry. #boh0303 still a question on the 2nd dose possible for Apr 2. Do have backup lists to use the allocation. Staffing covered.
• Messaging covered by funding, billboard and signage, also social media piece on Town page with Cathleen http://bit.ly/BOHVac #boh0303
• #boh0303 mosquito update, yes, it is that time again targeting for Apr 5 aerial spray (weather dependent). House on Jordan Rd, no demo permit yet, State also involved. Looking to move forward with condemnation of building, wd set up for next step in due diligence, safety issue
• Propose to condemn property at 76 Jordan Road, so moved and seconded, passes 3-0 via roll call, Winter St property coming to market via foreclosure. #boh0303 reminder to members to complete the conflict of interest form.
• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0 via roll call. #boh0303 that's all for this one. Economic development coming up at 5:45 PM Stay tuned. Town Council follows at 7 PM. Yup, a busy night!

Recap of the Board of Health meeting - Mar 3, 2021

"6.1 percent more than it did during the same eight pre-pandemic months of fiscal year 2020"

 

"TAX COLLECTIONS exceeded the Baker administration’s expectations by $372 million in February and surpassed the total of collections in February 2020, a development that positions the state to end this budget year having collected more tax revenue than it did last year.

The Department of Revenue said it collected $1.874 billion in taxes last month, $359 million, or 23.7 percent, more than what was collected in February 2020 and $372 million or 24.8 percent more than what the department had been expecting."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/state-tax-collections-remain-on-a-roll/

Given this is one of the key factors that Senate President Karen Spilka referenced during the Legislative Forum on Tuesday, this is good news.