Help the Franklin Downtown Partnership get your business info out to the community

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is creating a list of business updates during this period of social distancing on our website that will be easy for the community to find in one place.

We want to encourage residents to go online to buy gift cards if your business has them available. We also want residents to know if you offer delivery or if you have new hours.

By filling out the Google form linked in the FDP's March newsletter, the FDP can update its website and get your information out to the community. If you are not an FDP member and would like to have your Franklin business information listed, please email the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com and request the link to the Google form.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is here to help during this difficult time. We will continue to promote our Franklin business members and keep the community updated as things change.

Help the Franklin Downtown Partnership

FTC: Thinking critically about Coronavirus news and information

Thinking critically about Coronavirus news and information by Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC It's dizzying, the amount of information out there about the Coronavirus. You're dealing with story after story online and through social media, television, radio, and in newspapers and magazines — each with its own take — at all hours of the day and night, from all around the world. So how can we sort out what's real and what's not? Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/thinking-critically-about-coronavirus-news-and-information?  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin Public Schools: Extension Of Closure Update - 3/25/20

March 25, 2020

Dear Franklin Families and Faculty/Staff,

As you may know, Governor Baker announced earlier today that he signed an executive order that all Massachusetts schools will remain closed through April, opening no earlier than Monday, May 4, 2020.

Both the Governor and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner explained how the Department has been working to develop new guidance about Remote Learning in light of this extension. Superintendents are expecting to receive this guidance tomorrow and, after reviewing it, we will follow these guidelines and work cooperatively with the Franklin Education Association to build upon our initial engagement and enrichment since last week.

Per Commissioner Riley’s announcement this afternoon, our plan will begin in early April.

We will continue to keep the community informed as we continue to navigate these unprecedented circumstances. We sincerely hope that you are feeling well and that your families are staying safe.

Kind regards,

Sara Ahern 
Superintendent of Schools


The English language link
https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/files/3-23-20-coronavirus-update-english

Other language for each notification can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/messages-superintendent-regarding-coronavirus

 

Franklin Public Schools: Extension Of Closure Update - 3/25/20

FM #229 - Town Council Remote Mtg 3/25/20 (audio)

FM #229 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 229 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the first Town Council meeting held remotely via a conference bridge. It may not be the last as we all adhere to the new ‘social distance’ requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting was held for two reasons; one a practical agenda item, to revise the current Town Council meeting schedule; and two, to practice this new format so when the next meeting comes in April, folks would be better prepared.

The meeting runs just over 30 minutes, so let’s listen to the first remote meeting of the Franklin, MA Town Council. https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDvgbyqX




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Notes from my real time reporting of this meeting can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/real-time-reporting-town-council.html


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

not a great photo but an example of the live meeting format

You ask - we answer: Dean Ave Apartment complex - Questions posed

Dean Ave Apartment complex - Question posed:

"How many parking spots are there for all those apartments? Has there been a traffic study? How will the neighborhood be impacted. Will the 30 mph speed limit on Dean be reduced with the additional cars, pedestrians, dogs, kids, commuters on the street?"

Q - How many parking spots are there for all those apartments?
Answer: 495 parking areas total, this INCLUDES 10 x 6 bay garages (60) per Apr 24 notes (page 4 of 8) and
490 proposed at 1.9 per apartment per the May 22 notes (bottom of page 6)

Q - Has there been a traffic study?
Answer: The May 22 notes discuss at some length a parking study and impacts as well as mitigations. Refer to the details there

Q - Will the 30 mph speed limit on Dean be reduced with the additional cars, pedestrians, dogs, kids, commuters on the street?
Answer: no, per notes speed reduction was not discussed. Sidewalks and roadway discussed

For reference: Planning Board dates and meeting notes
Initial hearing - Apr 24, 2017
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/april_24_2017.pdf

May 8, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/may_8_2017.pdf

May 22, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/may_22_2017.pdf

June 12, 2017 meeting notes for this and the June 26, 2017 meetings are not posted to the Town of Franklin page. The meeting notes of July 10, 2017 show the notes from both of these meetings were approved by 5-0 votes just before the meeting adjourned.

The July 10 meeting has no mention of this project so likely it was rescheduled from a prior meeting to a future one; at least to the July 24 meeting, where a record per the minutes does allow for the thread to be followed.

Updated: did get a copy of the Planning Board minutes from the Town and confirmed that the June 12 meeting the hearing was continued to July 24 with no additional discussion. The meeting notes for Jun 12 and Jun 26 will be shortly posted to the appropriate page.

July 24, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/july_24_2017.pdf

August 7, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/august_7_2017.pdf

August 21, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/august_21_2017.pdf

Sep 11, 2017 hearing requested to be continued
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/september_11_2017.pdf

Sep 25, 2017 - hearing finally closed off and vote made to approve
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/minutes/september_25_2017.pdf



If you have a question, ask it with this form and we'll get an answer
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html

You ask - we answer: Dean Ave Apartment complex - Questions posed

State Rep Jeff Roy: Update #5 on COVID-19

COVID-19 update #5

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to test us, but our Commonwealth and communities have stepped up to the challenge. Our goals are to keep infections down and to watch out for one another. Communication is key at this time and that's why I send along these updates regularly in addition to updating my website. New information is coming out regularly and in great volume. To keep the information timely and manageable, I will continue to post only new information in these update emails. Please visit https://jeffreyroy.com/covid-19-updates/ for a compilation of all of the updates. That site will be updated frequently to keep you up to speed on the latest developments. Here are the updates since my last email:

Office hours. I will be hosting office hours on Friday morning (March 27) at 8:30 AM via Zoom. Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Town Council Chair Tom Mercer will join me this week. We will discuss state and local issues and answer your questions until 9:30 a.m. I will try to arrange a similar meeting with Medway town officials as well in the next few days. You can join the Zoom meeting at https://zoom.us/j/270806351 or dial in at 1-929-205-6099 (type in meeting ID: 270 806 351 when asked). I hope you can join us. We will record the meeting for re-broadcast as well.

....

Please look out for your friends and neighbors and stay informed with the links above.

If you have additional questions or need additional information, please let me know. I am not a medical doctor, so please contact your health care provider if you have specific health concerns. But I am happy to try and chase down any policy or state government related questions you might have. You can reach my State House office at 617-722-2030 or email me at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov. 

State Rep Jeff Roy

State Rep Jeff Roy: Update #5 on COVID-19

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of content
https://mailchi.mp/5befe9991af7/ux2l17im8a-2481317

Message from the Franklin Cultural District

Hello,

We hope this that email finds you well. We are navigating difficult times and so, the sharing of resources is most important.

On Thursday, Nancy Schoen and Pandora Carlucci attended a webinar hosted by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and facilitated by Anita Walker, Executive Director of the MCC. The webinar focused on COVID-19 and used the lens of those involved with culture and the arts.

Throughout the course of the webinar, the presenters shared a number of websites they thought might be helpful. This purpose of this email is to share those sites with you.

https://massculturalcouncil.org/ This is the homepage of the MCC. It is a good place to start and contains information relating to a variety of sources. As you scroll through the homepage, you'll come to a section titled: Data Collection on the Impact of Covid-19. There are two important surveys included: one for organizations and one for artists/independent teachers. Ms. Walker noted that she and the MCC would be advocating for culture and the arts and the data collected through these surveys would help with that effort. These surveys are currently closed but Ms. Walker noted that she would continue to survey and collect supportive data.

https://nff.org/covid-19-tools-and-resources-nonprofits This is the Nonprofit Finance Fund. The presenter was Sandi McKinley and she spoke about unknown aspects of the pandemic. She referenced the untold timeline and the need to recognize the importance of the nonprofit sector.

https://www.bphc.org/Pages/default.aspx a representative from the Boston Public Health Commission spoke about the signs of the virus and the need for social distancing, hand washing and more. This website provides some suggestions.

Many of Franklin's musicians, visual artists, and performing artists are reaching out to the community with opportunities to participate through social media. There are private lessons on a variety of subjects using video conferencing and communication tools. Additionally, the Franklin Cultural Council hosted an elementary and middle school art competition last week and issued a high school art challenge this week. People are staying engaged. We have a thoughtful and vibrant community.

We will continue to share information as it becomes available. In the meantime, the Town of Franklin has a wonderful information portal: https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

Franklin Matters is a good source of information: https://www.franklinmatters.org/

The Franklin Cultural District Committee wishes you good health and safety during these challenging days

___________________________________

Pandora Carlucci, Ed.D.
Clerk, Franklin Cultural District Committee
pcarluccifranklinculture@gmail.com

Message from the Franklin Cultural District