Franklin Matters

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Franklin Public Schools Update from the Superintendent 3/20/2020

Please see this video update from Superintendent Sara Ahern - 3/20/2020

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9TgNtOaHbw

And the referenced video she mentions: https://vimeo.com/398230086?fbclid=IwAR3cvK731SQDtKZLL9KOtocJZS9K69sq-fl2atDuFRVEWwDEXqVaqB9FQAY

Thank you,
Franklin Public Schools

Superintendent Sara Ahern at the demographic study info session at HMMS March 5

Franklin Public Library Closure Updates

Dear Franklin Community,

Thank you for your enthusiastic response to curbside pickups! Unfortunately, that service has come to an end. Thankfully, the Library still has much more to offer!

Here are updates and information regarding the Library's services during this closure:

The Franklin Library will be closed until April 7th.
Our digital library is still open! Explore our collection of audiobooks, ebooks, and more at https://minuteman.overdrive.com/ . On your phone or tablet, download the Libby and Minuteman Library Network apps!
Try out Kanopy, hoopla, Creativebug, and Universal Class on the Featured Databases page https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/featured-databases (exclusively available to Franklin residents).
Learn something new, read newspapers from across the globe, or pick up a new skill using the links on our Databases & Research Resources page. https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/databases-research-resources
Tune in to our Facebook page for streaming storytimes, book discussions, and other live programs.
Email reference service will remain available. Send questions to frkill@minlib.net . Questions will be answered within 24 hours.
Please hold on to your checked out items! Due dates have been extended to April 30.
No donations will be accepted at this time.
The ability to place holds on physical items has been suspended.

Updates through email, our website, and social media will be provided as they become available.

Library
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPublicLibrary/
Twitter account https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib

Shared from the Library update notification
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/franklin-public-library-closure-updates

No book or bag sale this weekend due to the pandemic closure

Franklin Residents: NOTICE - Town &; Public Schools grounds closed

URGENT NOTICE!

All Town &; Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice.

Trails are still open.

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups.

Note: This adds the school playgrounds and fields to the Town closure notice shared earlier
Town: https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/all-municipal-recreation-facilities-are-closed-until-further-notice
Schools: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1241012389996265480
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1241012389996265480?s=20

Franklin Residents: NOTICE - Town &; Public Schools grounds closed

MBTA Commuter Rail: Reminder - Franklin line shuttle bus for weekend schedule

"We’ve made system-wide service changes to accommodate for decreased ridership and to protect our frontline employees while still enabling travel for essential workers, like hospital staff and emergency responders.

During the week, all subway lines and most bus routes are running on a Saturday schedule, and all Commuter Rail lines are on reduced service. Regular schedules for these modes are still in effect on weekends. Ferry service has been suspended entirely.

We value your feedback and are monitoring the effects of these service reductions closely. We will adjust service accordingly as the situation changes.
For the most up-to-date information, and to learn more about our response to COVID-19, visit mbta.com/coronavirus

During reduced service, our crews will continue to work on infrastructure repairs and upgrades throughout the system. This weekend, shuttles will replace trains on the Red and Green lines, and on the Green and Mattapan lines on weeknights.

Work will continue on the Commuter Rail as well. Starting Saturday morning, there will be shuttles on the Framingham/Worcester, Franklin, and Lowell lines, and the Fitchburg Line will start and end at Porter.

This work supports a number of projects as part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment program.

See how we are making the MBTA better for you https://www.mbta.com/projects?utm_source=email_digest"

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South Station – Forge Park/495
Weekends through April 2020

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work. Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line. There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay.

Learn about Positive Train Control https://www.mbta.com/projects/commuter-rail-positive-train-control-ptc
See all Franklin Line service changes https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line

MBTA Commuter Rail: Reminder - Franklin line shuttle bus for weekend schedule

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #5

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #5 Friday, March 20, 2020

"Friends,

What a week! Below you'll find further developments on the COVID-19 situation. Going forward, I plan to issue these updates on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please continue to contact my office if you need assistance or guidance in finding state resources. In addition, please remember my staff and I are publishing the latest information on the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19 on my website.

Many of the towns I represent have upcoming elections. Yesterday, the Senate President announced that we will take up a local option bill to allow towns to delay their elections. I believe we'll be doing that on Monday, and I will be at the Senate session personally. Voting access is one of my top issues. I filed a bill at the beginning of this legislative session to provide no-fault absentee voting, which would be a solution to the current problem, as would vote-by-mail. I've been having many conversations about how to hold safe and accessible elections during the pandemic period and will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to get it done, even if it happens in multiple legislative efforts.

On a positive note, we got some excellent news regarding our testing capacity. Starting on Saturday, Marlborough's Quest Diagnostics will be able to test 20,000 people per day across the country. Looking forward, the facility hopes to be able to test 2,000 to 3,000 samples per day from Massachusetts patients, which will significantly increase our capacity.

Another positive -- people have been deeply engaged in the legislative process for the municipalities bill! Thank you to everyone who provided testimony on H.4572, An Act to address challenges in town governance resulting from COVID-19. My co-chair, Representative Jim O'Day, and I received roughly 150 comments from across the Commonwealth. With the help of our tremendous staffs, we reviewed the testimony and are hard at work to get the best possible bill out of committee and to the floors of the House and Senate. Keeping our town governments functioning is vital to our democracy, so we've "fast-tracked" this bill; stay tuned for movement on that early next week.

Please remember that while my office is working remotely, we are here to help you! Please call (617) 722-1555 or email me at Becca.Rausch@masenate.gov if you have questions, comments or concerns.

Yours in service,"

This newsletter was shortened for publication here
https://mailchi.mp/5852da3f396b/covid19-update-12269366?e=0c2c9810fe

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #5

Franklin, MA: School Committee - March 24 - FY 21 budget hearing postponed; meeting canceled

The Franklin School Committee's FY 21 Budget Hearing, originally scheduled for March 24, will be postponed to a later date.

The Franklin School Committee's Regular School Committee meeting, scheduled for March 24, is canceled.