“Families these days want families activities"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Mendon Scoutmaster Alan Koufos has heard from girls over the years who have wanted to join the ranks of Boy Scout Troop 44. 

In fact, two of their mothers were the ones who broke the news to him this week that the Boy Scouts of America will soon allow girls into its programs. 

“I remember both of their daughters saying, ’Boy I wish I could be with my brothers,” Koufos recalled Friday. 

Now with that opportunity on the horizon, local scout leaders have mixed views on whether the change was necessary."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171015/scouting-leaders-mixed-on-boy-scout-decision

https://beascout.scouting.org/

ICYMI - 60 Minutes episode on opioid crisis

In case you missed it (ICYMI), the link to the CBS 60 Minutes episode on the opioid crisis can be found here  Ex-DEA agent: Opioid crisis fueled by drug industry and Congress 85 BILL WHITAKER CBS NEWS

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/

Twitter image for CBS

FM #133 - School Committee Budgeting Workshop - Oct 10

FM #133

This internet radio show or podcast is number 133 in the series for Franklin Matters. This captures and shares the audio recording of the Franklin (MA) School Committee Budgeting Workshop held October 10, 2017.



Chairman Kevin O’Malley opens the meeting with an overview of the meeting format on budgeting for the next fiscal year. There are no numbers to review, time would be spent on developing goals for what should be prioritized, etc.

There is reference along the way to some documents which were part of the package for the Committee. Some of the documents were also shown on the overhead projector. The documents released are contained in the PDF file associated with this post.

Much discussion was around how to communicate this information to tell the story of Franklin School Budget. What it has lost, what it needs, what can be done to prepare our students for their future.

The meeting recording runs about and hour and 20 minutes. Without further ado, here is the recording

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This brings the recording of the School Committee Budgeting Workshop to a close..

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell your friends and neighbors.
If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

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The documents for the meeting can be found here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczcTV2QldjaXg4bUdqaUlhUXkzbmI5UHJvUkxr

My notes for the meeting were also published here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/live-reporting-school-committee.html

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You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Town Council Recap - October 11, 2017

All the Town Councilors were present for their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, October 11. The meeting covered a bunch of topics and was conducted in about 50 minutes.

The change in manage for Shaw's was approved. Interesting side note, he had grown up in Milford and worked in Franklin one summer for Peter Brunelli at the Carvel Ice Cream place that used to be in the Shaw's Plaza.

The Council accepted two resolutions acknowledging donations from DCU for the Fire and Police Depts. Councilors commented that it is good to see these donations from companies operating in Franklin.

The longest discussion of the meeting was around a traffic study being formally requested of Norfolk. There is a large development in planning stages for the former Buckley and Mann location just over the line in Norfolk. It is anticipated that the truck traffic to remove materials from the site as part of the development would travel on Mill St. Mill St is a narrow and hilly road which would be come more dangerous with the reported amount of truck traffic. The trucks wold also be carry the material which would likely be contaminated. 

The request to ask for a traffic study was approved. The intent is to try and get a designated truck route for the truck traffic during at least during the construction period. 

The bylaw amendment to resolve some conflicts for setbacks required for accessory buildings received final approval.

The bylaw amendment to complete the requirements for the 'green community' application received final approval. The cost for new construction may increase but the long term benefits of the energy efficiency being built in will pay off.  

The PDF file with the "Actions Taken" from this meeting as published by the Town can be found here
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/town_council_actions_taken_for_october_11_2017.doc.pdf


My notes are reported live during the meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Legislation to Closing
• Live reporting: Town Council - October, 11, 2017

one of the scenes early Friday morning (Oct 13) at DelCarte

Harvest Festival - 2017 - photo essay

I combined my walk with the Franklin Downtown Partnership's Harvest Festival on Saturday. The rain did hold off for this event, only sprinkles here and there. I stopped here and there along the way, multiple conversations with folks I know and met quite a few new ones too.

there is only one Jamie Barrett and Jane did have two locations for Jane's Frames

part of the Main St crowd at about 1:00 PM Saturday

did you get your free book from the Friends of the Franklin Library?

BTW - bricks are still for sale. That would make a nice holiday gift for someone!
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/friends-of-franklin-library-memorial.html

Jesse Liam band rocked it on the crosswalk attracting dancers and sing along

not everything was on Main St, the Fire Station had an open house

the Historical Museum refurbished one of their old displays to showcase these
vintage postcards. Stop by to visit to get a better view

Jord Albert took over from Jamie Barrett outside Jane's

NARCAN and NARCAN training - Oct 18

"Free Narcan and Narcan training will be available to the public this coming Wednesday, October 18 from 6-8 PM at the Franklin Fire Dept, 40 W Central St Franklin. 

Narcan will be available on a first come first served basis. Hands on CPR training will also be available."

You can register for the CPR training here https://signup.com/mobileweb/2.0/vspot.html?activitykey=4169816426641080114#choose_jobs_page

SAFE Coalition

IRS Issues Reminder to Taxpayers as Scams Continue Across the Nation

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today warned taxpayers to remain vigilant to scams as they continue to be reported around the country. Phishing, phone scams and identity theft top the list of items normally reported. However, following hurricanes and other disasters, the IRS urged taxpayers to be on the lookout for schemes stemming from these recent events.

“These scams evolve over time and adjust to reflect events in the news, but they all typically are variations on a familiar theme,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Recognizing these schemes and taking some simple steps can protect taxpayers against these con artists.”

While individuals and businesses deal with the devastation of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and wildland fires in the West, criminals may take advantage of this situation by creating fake charities to get money or personal information from sympathetic taxpayers. They may also attempt to con victims by impersonating a relief agency or charity that will provide relief. Such fraudulent scams and solicitations for donations may involve contact by telephone, social media, e-mail or in person.

Below are some of the more typical scams the IRS has seen:

Email Phishing Scams

The IRS has recently seen email schemes that target tax professionals, payroll professionals and human resources personnel in addition to individual taxpayers.

In email phishing attempts, criminals pose as a person or organization that taxpayers trust and recognize. They may hack an email account and send mass emails under another person’s name. They may pose as a bank, credit card company, tax software provider or government agency. If a person clicks on the link in these emails, it takes them to fake websites created by fraudsters to appear legitimate but contain phony login pages. These criminals hope victims will take the bait and provide money, passwords, Social Security numbers and other information that can lead to identity theft.

Scam emails and websites also can infect computers with malware without the user knowing it. The malware can give the criminal access to the device, enabling them to access sensitive files or track keyboard strokes, exposing logins and other sensitive information.

If a taxpayer receives an unsolicited email that appears to be from either the IRS or a program closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), report it by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. Learn more by going to the Report Phishing and Online Scams page.

The IRS generally does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS has information online that can help protect taxpayers from email scams.

Phone Scams

The IRS does not call and leave prerecorded, urgent messages asking for a call back. In this tactic, the victim is told if they do not call back, a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

The IRS recently began sending letters to taxpayers whose overdue federal tax accounts are being assigned to one of four private-sector collection agencies. Because of this, taxpayers should be on the lookout for scammers posing as private collection firms. The IRS-authorized firms will only be calling about a tax debt the person has had – and has been aware of – for years. Taxpayers also would have been previously contacted by the IRS about their tax debt.

How to Know It’s Really the IRS Calling or Knocking on Your Door

The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.

However, there are special circumstances in which the IRS will call or come to a home or business, such as when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, to secure a delinquent tax return or delinquent employment tax payment, or to tour a business as part of an audit or during criminal investigations.

Even then, taxpayers will usually first receive several letters (called “notices”) from the IRS in the mail. For more information, visit “How to know it’s really the IRS calling or knocking on your door” on IRS.gov.

Tax Refund Fraud -- Identity Theft

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a stolen Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.

In 2015, the IRS joined forces with representatives of the software industry, tax preparation firms, payroll and tax financial product processors and state tax administrators to combat identity-theft refund fraud and protect the nation's taxpayers. This group -- the Security Summit -- has held a series of public awareness campaigns directed at taxpayers called "Taxes.Security.Together." For tax professionals, the “Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself” and “Don’t Take the Bait” campaigns encourage the tax community to take steps to protect themselves from identity thieves and cybercriminals.

Security Reminders for Taxpayers

The IRS and its Summit partners remind taxpayers they can do their part to help in this effort. Taxpayers and tax professionals should:

• Always use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections. Make sure the security software is always turned on and can automatically update. Encrypt sensitive files such as tax records stored on computers and devices. Use strong passwords.
• Learn to recognize phishing emails, threatening phone calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations, such as a bank, credit card company and government agencies. Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.
• Protect personal data. Don’t routinely carry Social Security cards, and make sure tax records are secure. Treat personal information like cash; don’t leave it lying around.

IRS Issues Reminder to Taxpayers as Scams Continue Across the Nation

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