"officials in town have said the override request was unlikely to be the last"

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

"The town avoided a budget crisis Wednesday, after residents approved a $430,000 tax override in a town-wide election.

The proposal was put to residents in a ballot question during an election called solely for the override.

Turnout was nearly 25 percent of all Hopedale’s registered voters, with 569 voting for the proposal, and 419 voting against.

Officials said the money is needed to fund basic services for the town. Because the number was so large, employee jobs and hours were on the chopping block. Suggested cuts included a firefighter and closing Town Hall on Fridays."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190828/hopedale-approves-tax-override

Related post before the override vote
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/08/in-news-hopedale-votes-on-override-weds.html

 

Public Health Advisory - August 28, 2019

DEAR FRANKLIN RESIDENTS:

In response to the elevated risk of mosquito-borne illness this year, the Franklin Board of Health is requesting all home owners conduct a brief survey of their property to identify sources of standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant/standing water found in clogged gutters, birdbaths, unmaintained swimming pools and swimming pool covers, tires, buckets and other containers as small as a bottle cap. Homeowners can significantly impact mosquito populations and better protect their families from mosquito-borne illness by eliminating these breeding sites on their property.

Unmaintained swimming pools must be drained, chlorinated or tightly covered to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the standing water. Alternatively, homeowners may apply BTI mosquito dunks/pellets; a safe, natural occurring soil bacteria in pellet/donut form to standing water to effectively kill mosquito larvae for up to 30 days. Property owners are also urged to drain and wipe clean bird baths at least twice per week. Children’s wading pools should be emptied and turned over after each use.

Homeowners should also carefully inspect all window and door screens for damage, and repair or replace screens as necessary to prevent mosquitoes from entering their homes.

Ultimately, the most effective preventative measures are to avoid being outdoors during peak mosquito biting times if possible. Diligently apply a bug repellent containing 25-30% DEET and wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when outside.

The current threat is expected to remain elevated until the first hard frost of the season, which typically occurs in mid to late October.

If residents have questions or concerns you may contact the Franklin Health Department @508-520- 4905 during normal business hours, or email dmckearney@franklinma.gov at any time.


David E. McKearney, R.S. 
Public Health Director 
Franklin Health Department

Public Health Advisory - August 28, 2019

Urgent for Residents: Town of Franklin EEE Update

The Town of Franklin is currently at a LOW risk threat from the State of Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The following recommendations are being made to reduce potential exposure:

1.) Wear mosquito repellent Products with 30% DEET, Permethrin, Picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus are the most effective

2.) Be aware of peak mosquito hours. Mosquitos are most active from dusk to dawn

3.) Drain standing water on your property Mosquitos lay eggs in standing or stagnant water

4.) Wear long sleeves and long pants Covering skin will limit potential exposure

The Norfolk County Mosquito Control is a great resource. Contact them HERE to schedule spraying on your property. http://www.norfolkcountymosquito.org/

Please click HERE for the EEE fact sheet and more helpful links.
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/eee_update_8_27_19_2_0.pdf

Contact the Board of Health with any additional questions.

Urgent for Residents: Town of Franklin EEE Update

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Abbie Gardner of Red Molly - Sep 7

Abbie Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile.

Abbie Gardner Sep 7 View this email in your browser ABBIE GARDNER September 7 - 8 PM $20 Please join us as we begin our 30th season! Abbie Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile. Whether performing solo or with Americana darlings Red Molly, her acclaimed tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, are propelled by her impeccable slide guitar chops. Her live show is truly unique - as both an award winning songwriter and interpreter of folk styles, a captivating vocalist, and a world class lap style dobro player, she has an unmistakable sound all her own. Her latest CD, Wishes on a Neon Sign was released in January 2018, and features twelve original songs, including a co-write with Chris Stapleton. She has opened for Lori McKenna, Hot Rize and Martina McBride. "Not only a first-rate Dobro player, but a songwriter to be reckoned with." --John Platt, WFUV https://abbiegardner.com/ The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Sorry, but our phone is not working right now. We are working to get it fixed. Upcoming Shows Sep 21       Ellis Paul with Rachael Kilgour Oct 5          The Kennedys Oct 19        Windborne Nov 2         Freebo, Alice Howe, & Kirsten Maxwell Nov 16       Peter Mulvey Dec 7         Winterbloom

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

“the best census ever, one that is complete and accurate”

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

"With just a few months left before America starts taking its biggest-ever self-portrait, the U.S. Census Bureau is grappling with a host of concerns about the head count, including how to ensure that it is secure and accurate and the challenge of getting most people to answer questions online.

All of that is on top of the main attention-grabber of the 2020 census so far — a citizenship question that was nixed by the Supreme Court, dropped by the Trump administration, resuscitated briefly and then abandoned again.

Beginning early next year, residents from Barrow, Alaska, to Key West, Florida, will be quizzed on their sex, age, race, the type of home they have and how they are related to everyone living with them.

At stake is the balance of political power in a deeply divided country, billions of dollars a year in federal funding and population data that will shape business decisions nationwide for years to come."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20190827/greatest-head-count-in-us-history-2020-census-is-nearly-ready-for-launch

Learn more at  Census 2020  https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/2020-census.html

“Adapting and changing can sometimes be scary"

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

"Carol Lynch has been packing school lunches for kids since the mid-1980s, first for her own children, then for her grandchildren. For her, buying lunch from school has never really been a consideration.

“It’s nothing against the lunches they serve,” said Lynch, who has helped raise two generations of children in the same Plymouth home. “For me, food has always been about family. No one can put personal touches on food like a parent or grandparent. (Whether it’s) a Thanksgiving meal or a quick school lunch, I just like to use food as a way of showing my love.”

But given all of the children across the state who do take part in their school’s lunch programs, food service departments have the complex task of designing menus that meet an ever-growing diverse student population. There are allergies and food restrictions, pressure to offer newer and healthier choices while also increasing participation rates (read: more revenue), and federal food guidelines that are changing under the current presidential administration.

“What’s on the menu today?” is more complicated now than ever before."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190828/school-lunches-balancing-act-to-satisfy-diverse-populations-loosened-regulations

“Adapting and changing can sometimes be scary"

The Franklin Food Services page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/food-services

The lunch menus for each school  https://franklindistrict.nutrislice.com/

Lunch payment accounts  https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home

"The new Franklin location will be their ninth"

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

"If Joseph and Mary Nocera were around today, the immigrant founders of The Chateau restaurant would probably feel right at home opening up a dining room in Franklin where they could share their beloved Sicilian cuisine.

One hundred seven years after their arrival in the states, that’s exactly what their descendants are planning, now that the Town Council has approved the necessary common victualler’s and all-alcoholic beverages license.

The councilors recently voted unanimously to grant the license to the popular family-style Italian restaurant.

Chateau President Joseph Nocera on Tuesday said the hope is to open the restaurant in the next few months."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190827/chateau-restaurant-aims-to-open-location-in-franklin

"The new Franklin location will be their ninth"