Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates COVID-19 Business Relief Program, Awards Final Round of Grants

"Today (Thursday 5/06/21), Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, legislators and key partners celebrated the success of the Baker-Polito Administration’s COVID-19 business relief program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). 

Gathering in person at the family- and minority-owned Panela Restaurant in Lowell, a program grantee, the Administration announced the end of the program, which has provided over $687.2 million in direct cash grants to 15,112 businesses across the Commonwealth. Among the awardees included in the final round were 108 additional businesses that received a total of approximately $4.8 million in COVID relief grants."

The full press release can be found online

https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-celebrates-covid-19-business-relief-program-awards-final-round-of-grants

Direct link to the press conference video -> https://youtu.be/g1m5-809pc8

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location.

Eligible entities who have experienced pandemic-related revenue loss include:

• Restaurants
• Food stands, food trucks, food carts
• Caterers
• Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
• Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
• Bakeries
• Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms
• Breweries and/or microbreweries 
• Wineries and distilleries 
• Inns 
• Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products

Learn more about on their website here https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund

"Thank you to all who registered and attended yesterday’s informative session on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund with Dan Martiniello from the SBA.  ….and the Chamber is here to help you!

Attached is Dan’s presentation.  And if you want to watch or listen, the video link is below.  Dan also provided links to help make life easier for you as well.  These links are below.  If you need further assistance or direction, please feel free to contact you local Chamber and we will direct you to the right people to help you!

RRF Registration Link:   SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund::<https://restaurants.sba.gov/requests/borrower/login/?next=/>

RRF Sample Application: SBA Form 3172 Restaurant Revitalization Funding Application (Sample only)<https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/SBA%20Form%203172%20RRF%20Application%204.20.21-508.pdf>

RRF Program Guide Updated 4/28/21: Restaurant Revitalization Funding Program Guide as of April 28, 2021 (sba.gov)<https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/Restaurant%20Revitalization%20Fund%20Program%20Guide%20as%20of%204.28.21-508_0.pdf>

RRF FAQs: Restaurant Revitalization Fund Knowledge Base – SBA Restaurant Program (zendesk.com)<https://ussbaforgiveness.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360005965311-Restaurant-Revitalization-Fund-Knowledge-Base>

RRF Website Informational Landing Page on SBA.gov: Restaurant Revitalization Fund (sba.gov)<https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund>

Video of Info Session:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wdoCyMa_3E&t=4s"

FM #531 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #4 - 05/04/21 (audio)

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Finance Committee, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder were remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this budget hearing on the three school budgets Franklin K-12, Tri-County, and Norfolk Aggie

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7caf826b-e92e-401c-923b-d6e3391c7961

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• May 4 Agenda  = Schools

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-05-04_finance_committee_agenda_.pdf

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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"

 

FM #531 - Finance Cmte Budget Hearing #4 - 05/04/21 (audio) 

State Rep Roy on climate roadmap and battery storage (audio & video)

State Representative Jeff Roy has been busy in his new role as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy (TUE).

We can share a podcast episode of The Climate Minute  (https://massclimateaction.podbean.com/) where Rep Roy discusses the roadmap of the recent climate legislation with Ted McIntyre (approx. 25 minutes)

• Podcast https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-bqmkr-8fee3

Rep Roy also hosted a meeting on the battery storage facility proposal for Medway which is now available via YouTube  (almost 2 hours)

• direct link to video -> https://youtu.be/4TU4mdIMGaI

Dean College scheduled to hold 2 Commencements on Saturday, May 8

"The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Town of Franklin have approved a safe and acceptable plan for your Commencement. The Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony will be held in front of Dean Hall, along Awpie Way, on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Attendees will be limited to degree candidates and two (2) guests per graduate. Regrettably, we cannot offer the opportunity to invite more than two guests per graduate. Livestream options will be available here the day of the ceremony for graduates, family and friends who are unable to attend in person.

Class of 2020, please visit the 154th Commencement exercises page for up-to-date information" (scheduled for 3:00 PM)

Class of 2020 info

https://www.dean.edu/alumni/commencement/commencement-for-2020-graduates/

Class of 2021 info 

https://www.dean.edu/alumni/commencement/

setting up for commencement in the rain on Wednesday

Car wash to fund raise for Franklin Unified Boosters - May 8

Kate Lynch (@kateluvs2laugh) tweeted on Wed, May 05, 2021:

THIS Saturday! Come and get the pollen washed off your car while helping @FranklinUnified Boosters Organization !!!! We appreciate your support!!!🚗🚙🛻 https://t.co/NJQ58blwSL

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kateluvs2laugh/status/1389894541650677766

Car wash to fund raise for Franklin Unified Boosters - May 8

Recap - Board of Health meeting - May 5, 2021

Quick Recap:

• No change in mask requirements for sports, may see change after May 10
• Improper demolition of building at 76 Jordan Road becoming more of a mess, asbestos found, mitigation steps with DEP and others now involved
• Winter St deed not filed yet, watching and ready for next steps
• Grant from Metacomet received, more to come on this as it makes progress
• Problem with improper addition to residence at 274 Prospect St and Title 5 documentation

----

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  #boh0505
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0505&src=typed_query 

The agenda doc for this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/agenda-5-5-21.pdf

• Real time reporting underway for the Board of Health meeting #boh0505
• Meeting agenda and connection info in doc -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/agenda-5-5-21.pdf… #boh0505
• Meeting minutes for Apr meeting approved by 3-0 vote
• No change in mask requirements for sports, may see change after May 10 but nothing til then. #boh0505
• and clarification for asbestos; it did come back positive. Needs to hire asbestos certified contractor to handle this. #boh0505 guidance being provided with building inspector; multiple items, scrap ->
• A messy situation that will take time to clear properly. An abutter to the property on the call. Asbestos needs to be treated first, then the remaining debris/junk can be addressed. #boh0505
• Winter St deed not recorded yet, following up, actions steps ready once filled #boh0505
• Metacomet grant released, we are part of the cooperative effort, more to come as it makes progress  #boh0505
• Discussion on a new addition and question on the Title 5 sizing, prior docs show different info than claimant. Include DEP to confirm approach #boh0505 274 Prospect St is address for property in question.
• Motion to adjourn, passed 3-0, meeting ends #boh0505

Audio of meeting to be available in a couple of days

Recap - Board of Health meeting - May 5, 2021