H1N1 INFLUENZA UPDATE

From the Town web site:

As we begin a new month, the Franklin Health Department and the Board of Health continue to finalize our plans for large scale public H1N1 influenza clinics.   To date the Health Department has recruited over 70 volunteer medical professionals to staff our flu clinics.  At a September special meeting of the Franklin Board of Health, Dr. Dianne Daddario of Franklin was appointed as the Medical Director of our volunteer medical staff.  Dr. Daddario will assist the Health Department with the planning and operation of all H1N1 flu clinics in Franklin, and will provide direct medical oversight of our medical volunteers.

The Franklin Health Department completed the H1N1 vaccine registration process with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in September.  As a registered vaccine program, the Franklin Health Department is now eligible to receive H1N1 vaccine direct from a central vaccine distributor in order to supply our public clinics.  What we do not know at the present time is how much vaccine we will be allocated, and when the vaccine will be delivered.  What we do know is that the initial number of doses allocated for Massachusetts will be much reduced from what we originally expected.  In addition, we can fully expect not to have sufficient supplies of H1N1 vaccine available for large public clinics until sometime in November.  The first doses to be received in Massachusetts which is estimated to be approximately 30,000,  will be sent to select physicians’ offices and other medical practices for healthcare workers, pregnant women and very young children.  Again, the initial supply of vaccine will be only a small portion of the states total allocation.  We have been assured that deliveries will continue each week or thereabouts, until all vaccine has been distributed.  

Once the Franklin Health Department receives enough H1N1 vaccine to hold a public clinic, we will identify our target group as directed by the CDC and the MA DPH and schedule our clinics.  Clinic dates and locations will be widely advertised and parents and individuals will receive important information such as consent forms and vaccine information statements well in advance of the clinics.

As always, if you have any questions regarding H1N1 influenza or the department’s vaccination plans, please contact the Franklin Health Department via our dedicated H1N1 email @ H1N1flu@franklin.ma.us, or you may call our office at 508-520-4905.

David E. McKearney, R.S.

Public Health Director

Franklin Health Department

Franklin Board of Health

Bruce Hunchard, Chair

Paul Cheli

Donald Ranieri, Jr.

Walk to School Wednesday

Yes, today is Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday.

Consider walking to school as part of the International Walk to School Wednesday!

Check with your local Franklin school to see what routes are set up.

Check with the MASSRides website for state level information on this program!

Fire Dept - Open House

The Franklin Fire Dept held an open house at the King Street Station on Sunday. This kicks off Fire Prevention Week.

When I arrived, they were showing how they would remove the roof to get a someone trapped in this car:

Kids could get involved and try holding the fire hose:

Kids could walk through a simulation of a fire in a school bus. The 'smoke' was safe. The demonstration reinforced the stay low and keep moving idea.

Tower 1, the newest addition to the equipment available was on hand to view.

The tool kit on the Tower is well stocked.

This looks like a top notch medical room. Actually, it rides on wheels. This is the inside of one of the EMT vehicles. Hopefully, you'll only get to see the inside on days like this Open House. If it is needed, you can rest assured that the Franklin Fire Dept is well equipped to provide good care.

Captain Frank Hagerty was at the platform end of Tower 1, letting folks climb inside and describing the equipment and tools available to them. The tower can extend up to 110 feet and from that vantage point be an effective platform to either fight a fire or rescue someone from a building.

There will be more opportunities to view the equipment and talk with the Fire Dept personnel at future Open Houses. Consider participating in the next one!

My thanks to Chief Gary B McCarraher and all the Fire Dept personnel who prepared this for us.

Additional information about the Fire Dept can be found on the Town website here

Town Council - Agenda - 10/7/09

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 16, 2009

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS  - Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

F. HEARINGS -   2010 EPA Brownfields Grant Application – Public Hearing - 7:10 PM

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
Applebee’s – Transfer of Stock/New Officer & Director
Alumni Restaurant & Bar – Change of D/B/A
Franklin Wine & Spirits – Transfer of License

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Bylaw Amendment 09-634: Amendment to the Franklin Conservation Bylaw Chapter 181-8D: Term of Years- 2nd t Reading
2. Bylaw Amendment 09-635: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Personnel Regulations – 2nd  Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 09-636: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin, Chapter 25 – Human Resource Management – 2nd Reading
4. Resolution 09-61: Appropriation – FHS Feasibility Study
5. Resolution 09-62: Human Resources Policies and Procedures
6. Resolution 09-63: Authorizing Application for EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant
7. Resolution 09-64: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library
8. Resolution 09-65: Acceptance of Gift – Franklin Public Library

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents for this agenda can be found on the town website here (PDF)

In the News - veterans, Fire Dept

Franklin to honor World War II vets

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ashley Studley/Daily News staff

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Newest Franklin firefighter

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Ed Hopfmann/Daily News staff

Time to engage in the conversation

Gov. Deval Patrick yesterday said, "Although the private sector economy is beginning to recover, state government is still feeling the impact of the global economic collapse."

He said cuts to local aid were "certainly on the table."

 You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.

Now more than ever, this is the time to become engaged with what is going on around you. With more local aid cuts coming, this will affect Franklin more than any other community simply because a greater percent of our total revenue comes from State aid. We can not absorb cuts without sutting services. If you don't believe that, then you need to find out the details.

You can start by talking with your neighbors. Find out what they know. If they don't know much about this, send them to Franklin Matters to become better informed.

You can talk with any of the thirteen candidates for election to the Town Council this November. You did know there was an election. Of course, you are here and informed. Talk with your neighbors, are they aware?

What will be the deciding points to select nine of the thirteen?

What are the Town Council candidates positions on the issues Franklin faces? I have a series of conversations scheduled to explore this. You can find (and share) the conversation with the following here:

Scott Mason
Judith Pond Pfeffer
Glenn Jones (in draft review)
Matt Kelly (in draft)
Tina Powderly (in draft)

If you'd like to see other Town Council candidates post their views here, please contact them and let them know. I have made the offer, the ball is in their court.

I am also scheduling time with some of the School Committee candidates. There are seven for the seven positions to be voted on so there is less competition but just as much importance in finding out who these people are that are to be responsible for more than half the Franklin budget.

My public service effort here is conducted solely to create an informed electorate for Franklin. I can't do this alone. Your help is required. Individually, we don't stand a chance. All of us together can make a difference!

Fire Station Open House - today

The members of the Franklin Fire Department wish to extend an invitation to the community to our Annual Fire Prevention Open House. This yearly event coincides with National Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme “Stay Fire Smart – Don’t get Burned” Fire Prevention Week 2009 focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires.

This year’s Open House will provide demonstrations and fire safety education for all ages. The Open House will be held at Franklin’s Fire Station #2, 600 King Street on Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Originally posted on the Town website