Franklin News: hydrant flow testing, public health advisory

Hydrant Flow Testing

The Franklin Department of Public Works, Water Division will be conducting hydrant flow testing during the overnight hours on Monday August 5 through Wednesday August 7. Flow testing will take place between the hours of 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM each night. Residents may experience temporary water loss or discolored water while hydrants are being tested in their area. Even though the water may be discolored, it is still safe for human consumption. For more information please visit the DPW homepage at:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_DPW/index


Public Health Notice

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a horse from Belchertown in west-central Massachusetts. So far this year there have been no human cases of either West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis in humans in Massachusetts.

It is prudent however for all individuals in Massachusetts to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites no matter where they live.

Apply Insect Repellent When Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET, Permethrin, picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product labels. Remember not to use products with DEET on infants under two months of age. DEET products in concentrations above 30% should not be used on older children. Oil of eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: Mosquitos are most active between the hours from dusk to dawn. Limit your exposure out of doors during this peak biting time if possible. If you must be outside, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks will help keep mosquitos away from your skin.

Drain Standing Water on Your Property: Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing or stagnant water. Drain birdbaths, flower pots, buckets and children’s wading pools frequently.

Additional public health advisories/alerts regarding WNV and EEE will be provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Franklin Health Department as the situation warrants.

More information on mosquito-borne viruses can be found at the MADPH Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.


Note: These notices were originally posted to the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net

Franklin Public Schools: Summer Update

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello As summer vacation is winding down we wanted to send out an update as we prepare for the opening of the 2013-2014 academic year. Student Schedules and Class Placements All FHS, MS schedules and elementary class placement letters will go out in the afternoon mail on August 15.  At FHS the guidance staff will be back on  August  20 to handle scheduling conflicts. The HS Guidance Office has been staffed all summer and some counseling  staff will be available on August 1,6,7 and 8. A number of families have been contacted about scheduling conflicts and have not responded to calls and letters from guidance. If you have been contacted about a conflict please call the HS as soon as possible to set up a time to resolve the conflicts. New FHS The construction project is on time and we anticipate the official opening on the first day of the 2014-2015 academic year.  Franklin Public Schools summer programming that has been traditionally scheduled at the HS will be moved to the HMMS/Oak complex. Other recreational programs will also need to be relocated. We will be collaborating with all stakeholders  to schedule all summer 2014 events. Facilities Work Projects at Remington/Jefferson, Parmenter and Kennedy are progressing. We have been assured all work will be completed by the start of the school year. This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 613-1777.

Stop & Shop A+ update

The timeline sent to me that I shared earlier this week was a little misleading. The SCHOOLS can register as of August 1. We can register as of September 1.

Stop & Shop screenshot grabbed as of 8/2/13

For the post earlier this week, check here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/stop-shop-bonusbucks-rewards-franklin.html

In the News: couple sentenced, hospital association

Couple sentenced in doughnut shop robberies

A husband and wife accused of robbing doughnut shops with what they said was an HIV-infected syringe were sentenced following a change of plea hearing in Norfolk Superior Court on Friday.

Hospitals form regional affiliation

MetroWest Medical Center is teaming up with hospitals in Boston and Worcester to form a new affiliation aimed at improving cardiovascular care in their regions.

Farmers Market - Today, noon - 6:00 PM

on the Town Common, along the High St side.

Farmers Market today

The Pan Mass Challenge rides through Franklin

The PanMass Challenge will ride through Franklin Saturday morning. Back in January, I received this email from Martin Middelman, a regular reader of Franklin Matters. Hundreds of riders have been training for months for this weekend fund raising effort. Martin will be joined in this ride by Town Administrator Jeff Nutting, State Representative Jeff Roy and several other Franklin riders.

In a time when the TV shows negative news, it is heartening to see so many folks taking action for a worthy cause. Cancer touches all of us, directly or indirectly. Is there a person who hasn't lost a family member to this? Or doesn't know someone struggling with it?

Get up early Saturday morning and head to the Remington Jefferson School to see the riders come in. The school grounds serve as a water and rest stop on the ride.

Cheer them on!

Be encouraged by so many taking action!

Contribute to the cause.

"There is a lot riding on this!"

There's a Lot Riding on This Dear friends, Today I've committed to raising money for cancer research by riding in the 2013 Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). On the first weekend in August, I will join 5,500 cyclists in the PMC ride, an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DCFI) in Boston. I hope I can count on your support The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country, $375 million since 1980 and $37 million last year alone! This success is the result of a lot of people riding for, and caring about, a cure. And because every penny matters, 100 percent of your donation goes to DFCI. I've made a personal commitment to ride and raise $4,300. So I hope you can help me achieve this significant goal. Please donate to my PMC ride at one of the following links: Click here to make $25 donation Click here to make a $50 donation Click here to make a $100 donation Click here to make a $250 donation Click here to make a $500 donation Click here to make a $1,000 donation Every donation brings us closer by the mile. Thank you, Martin Middelmann Your donation is tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. If you prefer to write a check, please make it out to the PMC, The Jimmy Fund or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and mail it to me directly at: Martin Middelmann 257 Daniels St. Franklin, MA 02038 US If your employer has a matching gift program, ask your Human Resources department for a form, and follow the process for matches. To learn more about the PMC, please visit pmc.org. Presented by Media Partner The PMC donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. Founded in 1980, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that today raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country.

A place at the table

Myth: SNAP recipients are inner-city minorities. 

Fact: Food insecurity is neither an urban issue nor an ethnic issue. Nearly one in six people faces food insecurity, and they live in every county in the nation. In addition, 76 percent of SNAP households include a child, an elderly person or a disabled person.

Read more in this op-ed by Trish Henley






For more about the film, A Place at the Table you can visit the webpage
http://www.takepart.com/place-at-the-table