In the News: Stop& Shop opens early hours for seniors; Polar Park gets first steel beams

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts-based grocery store Stop & Shop, with locations in Milford, Framingham and other area towns, announced it would begin offering special shopping times to accommodate and protect older customers.

“Effective on Thursday, March 19, Stop & Shop will create hours specifically geared to accommodate customers 60 and older,” the company said in a statement. “Stop & Shop stores will open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. ONLY for customers over the age of 60 who the CDC and local health officials say are most vulnerable.”

The company said it was making the decision to allow community members in this age category to shop in a less crowded environment, which better enables social distancing.

Stop & Shop said it would not be requesting ID for entry, but added that they hope everyone would respect the purpose of the early opening, and “do the right thing for our older neighbors.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200316/stop-amp-shop-offering-special-hours-for-coronavirus-high-risk-shoppers/1

https://stopandshop.com/

"The first pieces of steel went skyward in Polar Park Monday and changed Worcester Red Sox president Dr. Charles Steinberg’s image of what will be come April 2021.

Before this, Steinberg couldn’t see much beyond the weeds, cracked asphalt and rocks above Madison Street that preceded what is becoming a ballpark.

“The vision is Larry Lucchino and Janet Marie Smith,” said Steinberg, while standing just above where the WooSox bullpen will be along the first base line. “They have 3D architectural talent that I don’t have. I imagine the cotton candy and the Cracker Jacks. I imagine where your seats will be and how many jalapeños are on your nachos.

“Larry and Janet Marie have that visual ability to see what could be, and they did it with Camden Yards. Larry had that vision, and Janet Marie was able to translate it to the architects. Larry had the vision of Petco Park in San Diego, and I did not. That’s not my area.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200316/first-steel-goes-up-at-worcesters-polar-park

MBTA: Franklin Line schedule change - (surprise!) weekend shuttle buses through April

Starting Tuesday, March 17 and until further notice, the Franklin Line will operate on a reduced schedule on weekdays in the interest of the health and safety of our riders and employees. 

Schedule details: mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin.

Weekends, through April, Franklin Train service is replaced by free buses between Forge Park/495 and Readville for a Fairmount Line connection while PTC is installed. There will be no service at Back Bay, Ruggles, Endicott, Islington and Norwood Depot.

For more information: https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin

Last Updated: Mar 16 2020 04:06 PM

MBTA: Franklin Line schedule change - (surprise!) weekend shuttle buses through April

Franklin Food Pantry: Coronavirus Update - March 16, 2020

"We want to thank our community for the amazing show of support that they have shown us over the past few days. We're so grateful for your donations to help us to continue to serve our neighbors through this crisis.

The Coronavirus poses an even bigger health threat to our community's most vulnerable populations - low-income individuals and senior citizens - who can't afford to miss work or an extra trip to the grocery store. With schools closed and many people out of work, we expect to see an increased need for our services. If you haven't had an opportunity and are able to donate, we'd appreciate your help. You can easily donate online. Thank you again for your support.

While our doors will still be open to all who need us, we are making some changes to ensure safety among our guests. We are limiting those who enter The Pantry. Effective immediately we are suspending our volunteer hours and will have less staff working. We will offer no shopping within The Pantry.

Instead, we ask that our neighbors keep their appointments and drive up to The Pantry and a staff member will bring prepackaged bags to their car or through walk up services. We will offer the prepackaged bags through April 6 and will reevaluate the situation then.

We are working closely with town officials and school administration to get the word out to the community that we are here for those that need us and also to discuss programs, such as the weekend backpack program, that are impacted by school closures. We will keep the community updated as plans are finalized.

In addition we also will be postponing two of our large Spring fundraising events: The Party for The Pantry and Empty Bowls. We know many of you look forward to these events and we will keep you updated when we are able to reschedule them. Thank you to our Sponsors for their support.

Please follow us on Facebook for regular updates.
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry/

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at lcalling@franklinfoodpantry.org"

Regards,

Lynn Calling
Executive Director
Franklin Food Pantry

Shared from the "Coronavirus Update - March 16, 2020"
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/coronavirus-update-march-16-2020/

Franklin Food Pantry: Coronavirus Update - March 16, 2020

Town of Franklin: Coronavirus Department by Department - Customer Services Update

Updated: March 16, 2020 4:00 PM

Coronavirus Department by Department

Customer Services Update

Based on the information provided in Governor Baker’s press conference this evening, effective today, March 16, 2020, the Franklin Town and School Administration offices, as well as all Franklin public buildings will be closed to the public through April 6th, 2020.

While the Municipal Building and other departments are closed for direct, in-person service, staff will be available for all regular business activities via phone, email and our online services center at www.franklinma.gov . 

For an emergency, please continue to dial 911.

Call the Statewide hotline at 211 or visit www.mass211.org for the most up-to-date information.

Reminder of Best Practices
All employees, whether at work or at home, should read CDC guidelines for personal hygiene and social distancing. These are the most important things any employee can do to help stop the spread and transmission of the coronavirus (or any virus!).

Center for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/Coronavirus/

Most up to date information in at the Town of Franklin website https://www.franklinma.gov/


Continue reading the update below or download your own copy of the PDF file:  
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t3i902Q8pe9yQLYCrnqVjTdBYXZkjDuN/view?usp=sharing

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 18, 2020

Agenda Meeting Date - March 18, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 12, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Agricultural Commission Associate Member: Charles J. Koshiva
b. Planning Board Associate Vacancy: Joint Meeting with the Planning Board
i. Town Administrator Memo & Candidates

6. HEARINGS 
- 7:10 PM - - None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Animal Control Department
b. S.A.F.E Coalition Update
c. Purchasing Department Presentation on Procurement

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854: Changes to §185-40. Water Resource District - First Reading (Motion to move Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-854 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 20-17: Acceptance of Conservation Restriction to Protect Well 3A (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-17 - Majority Vote)

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-855: Chapter 82, Water Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-855 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-856: Chapter 82, Sewer Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-856 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 20-857: Chapter 82, Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - First Reading (Motion to move Bylaw Amendment 20-857 to a second reading - Majority Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. Coronavirus Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
- None Scheduled

ADJOURN


Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The meeting agenda and associated documents can be found
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N3bRsizwge7IW-Ks_U-JGM503kYs4FRA/view?usp=sharing

https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

School Committee meeting - March 10, 2020 - Recap

Among the key updates from the School Committee meeting of March 10,2020 were 

• presentation from Parmenter students on their "passion projects"
• Elementary school principals provided updates on their School Improvement Plans
• Superintendent Ahern provided an update from the FY 2021 budget discussion at the Town Council meeting the prior week
• Superintendent Ahern presented the first pass at the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) commitment required by April 1
• The consent agenda was approved without the Oak St trip item which was held for a future meeting
• The Committee entered executive session not to return to open meeting

School Committee actions taken:
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_3-10-20_actions_taken.pdf

Superintendent's Report:
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_march_10_2020.pdf


Additional details can be found in my notes captured during the meeting

• Live Reporting: Information Matters through to Closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-information-matters.html

• Live Reporting: Discussion/Action Items - Discussion Only Items

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-discussionaction-items.html

• Live Reporting: Guests/Presentations

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-guestspresentations.html

• Live reporting: School Committee - March 10, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/live-reporting-school-committee-march.html

Elementary school principals provided updates on their School Improvement Plans

Parmenter students presented on their "passion projects"

 

Representative Jeff Roy: COVID-19 update #2

From Representative Jeff Roy:

There continue to be concerns about the spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) and new information is coming out regularly. I am updating you on the latest news, as there have been some major developments over the weekend. You can also check the special state website for latest updates at https://www.mass.gov/covid19. Here is the latest info I have:

• Current cases. As of today, there are 164 COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts out of only 799 people who have been tested. The state's capacity to test has been expanded so we expect that number to rise as more people get tested. There is also now evidence of community spread in seven Massachusetts counties, including Berkshire, Essex, Hampden, Norfolk, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Worcester.
• Governor Charlie Baker announced this evening that all bars and restaurants in Massachusetts would no longer be permitted to offer on-premise consumption starting Tuesday, March 17 and through April 17. Restaurants are allowed to serve take-out only.
• The Governor also banned gatherings larger than 25 people.
• The Governor also ordered a three-week suspension of all public and private schools, effective through April 7.
• Retail stores can stay open as long as they have 25 people or less in them. 

Continue reading the details
https://mailchi.mp/b18c331a8c72/ux2l17im8a-2478217

Representative Jeff Roy:  COVID-19 update #2