Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - Proposal - First Reading

From the Town Council agenda document for Wednesday, April 15, 2020:


10c. 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)

 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/20-857_municipal_service_fees_-_trash.pdf




Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - Proposal - First Reading
Trash and Recycling Fee Increase - Proposal - First Reading

The full agenda can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/april-15-town-council-agenda-remote-meeting

The agenda can also be found in one LARGE PDF file (~59MB - can take time to download)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/04-15-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf


This was forecast in January. Readers may recall my "Watch List' for 2020
https://www.franklinmatters.org/search?q=%22watch+list%27%2C+2020


Exhibit one: the Town Council's proposed 'goals and objectives' doc fortunately captures most of these in the first Fiscal section:
Fiscal

● Approval of Annual Capital Improvement Plan -- FY20 and FY21
● Approval of a balanced Operating Budget -- FY21 and FY22
o Closely monitor expected budget shortfalls in both FY21 and FY22
● Establish Ad Hoc Subcommittee to evaluate storm water fee analysis
o Present analysis to the full Council
 Determine Water rate increase for FY20/FY21, notably for the water treatment plant and wells loan package
 Determine Sewer rate increase, if needed, for FY20/FY21
● Seek new borrowing capacity for municipal and school building capital improvements and sidewalks
● Discussion on the Community Preservation Act
 Discussion on Trash & Recycling account
● Continue to ask for OPEB solutions with state officials
● Explore new revenue options, generally

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/franklin-issue-on-2020-watch-list_6.html

Once Upon A Town: Flax Block - Franklin MA

Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry as the talk about "The Flax Block is located on the town bridge."
Video link => https://youtu.be/vdN-kjWSaVg



Virtual book discussion scheduled for Wednesday evenings

St John's Episcopal Church invites you to join us for a book discussion by Zoom

We will read and discuss together The Book of Joy : Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams

Wednesdays from 5:30-7 PM

  • April 29 (Day 1)
  • May 6 (Days 2 &;3)
  • May 13 (pillars 1-7)
  • May 20 (remainder, incl practices)


Please email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org to request a Zoom invitation.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Rev. Kathy McAdams, Rector
St. John's Episcopal Church, Franklin, MA
www.StJohnsFranklinMA.org


Virtual book discussion scheduled for Wednesday evenings
Virtual book discussion scheduled for Wednesday evenings

"want to be prepared to move ahead once the disease threat recedes"

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest to Franklin
"Democratic governors in the Northeast — as well as Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker — and along the West Coast on Monday announced separate state compacts to coordinate one of their biggest challenges in the weeks to come: How to begin reopening society amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The governors made separate announcements just hours after President Trump said on Twitter that it was his decision to decide when to “open up the states."

The governors did not announce specific plans on how to scale back stay-at-home orders or reopen businesses. Instead, both groups said they would coordinate those decisions while first considering the health of residents. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said it could take time."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/13/business/cuomo-says-northeast-governors-will-coordinate-reopenings-after-coronavirus-outbreak-subsides/

Gov Charlie Baker spoke during a media availability at the State House to discuss updates relating to COVID-19 on Monday in Boston, MA.Nancy Lane
Gov Charlie Baker spoke during a media availability at the State House to discuss updates relating to COVID-19 on Monday in Boston, MA.Nancy Lane


The "What Trump Can Teach Us About Constitutional Law" is a worthy and timely listen. Law Professor Elizabeth Joh discusses the separation of powers between the President and the States. Our current president may say anything he wants, but as we have heard, not all of it is actually true.   
"During a health crisis, what is the government allowed to do? As the novel coronavirus spreads across America, there have been closures and lockdowns across the country. In this episode, we look to history to understand who has the power to quarantine, and how the office of the president can be used to slow down a pandemic."   https://trumpconlaw.com/39-quarantine-powers

https://trumpconlaw.com/39-quarantine-powers
https://trumpconlaw.com/39-quarantine-powers

Please Respond Online Today to the 2020 Census

We have reached 60.6% Franklin, there is still time to go beyond 80% (actually did 79.9% in the 2010 Census)

"The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Over 70 million households have responded to date, representing 48.1% of all households in America. Make sure that you and your friends and family are included in this once-a-decade count.

Help us spread the word: Everyone can respond to the 2020 Census online in one of 13 languages, with assistance available in many more.

Please note: About 64 million households across the nation will receive a paper questionnaire in the coming days. If you receive mail after you have responded, you should disregard it. It was sent before we received your response."
https://2020census.gov/en.html


Visit the 2020 Census response rate map 
https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html? 

Please Respond Online Today to the 2020 Census
Please Respond Online Today to the 2020 Census

FTC Alert: Looking for work after Coronavirus layoffs?




Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission
by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle - Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

Have you been laid off due to the Coronavirus? Or maybe your small business shut down? Today, the FTC kicks off a series of blogs with tips about handling the financial impact of the Coronavirus. 

These days, many people start by looking for ways to make money working from home. If you're eyeing a work-at-home gig, here are some things to keep in mind.

Read more 
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/looking-work-after-coronavirus-layoffs

This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.



FTC Alert: Looking for work after Coronavirus layoffs?
FTC Alert: Looking for work after Coronavirus layoffs?

"the likely result is a generation of students forced to play catch-up"

From The Washington Post, an article of interest for Franklin
"Only weeks after the coronavirus pandemic forced American schools online, education leaders across the country have concluded that millions of children’s learning will be severely stunted and are planning unprecedented steps to help them catch up.

In Miami, school will extend into the summer and start earlier in the fall, at least for some students. In Cleveland, schools may shrink the curriculum to cover only core subjects. In Columbia, Mo., this year’s lessons will be woven into next year’s.

Some experts suggest holding back more kids, a controversial idea, while others propose a half-grade step-up for some students, an unconventional one. A national teachers union is proposing a massive national summer school program.
“We have to have a recovery plan for education,” said Eric Gordon, chief executive for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “I’m really worried that people think schools and colleges just flipped to digital and everything’s fine and we can just return to normal. That’s simply not the case.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/online-learning-summer-school-coronavirus/2020/04/11/de11c278-7adc-11ea-a130-df573469f094_story.html


Found via the Twitterverse:
https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1249669550557274113?s=09

"the likely result is a generation of students forced to play catch-up"
Terrell Bell looks at a learning guide he picked up for his little sister at John H. Webster Elementary School in Philadelphia. Philadelphia public schools are still in the process of moving students online, while districts across the country are already counting on “historic” learning loss for low-income students. (Matt Rourke/AP)

In the News: "at-times chaotic coronavirus pandemic response"; fire destroys house in Franklin

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"After the nation’s top disease response agency posted orders keeping cruise ships docked last Wednesday night, extending the ban through August, the White House Coronavirus Task Force stepped in to cut it by 20 days.

When the no-sail order reappeared on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website hours later, its language had been softened: Ships can sail again in July, and an explicit warning that they could be docked even longer had been deleted, according to emails and internal documents obtained by USA TODAY.

“Sorry to do this, but the Office of the Vice President has instructed us to pull the No Sail Order Extension from the website immediately,” a CDC senior official wrote to staff just after 7 a.m. Thursday, the morning after the notice had been posted.

The 11th-hour interference is another example of the administration’s at-times chaotic coronavirus pandemic response and a misguided decision to allow the cruise lines to police themselves during a national health crisis, critics said."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200413/white-house-task-force-quietly-softened-cruise-ship-no-sail-restrictions-after-months-of-industry-deference


"No one was injured in a fire at 84 Populatic St. on Saturday night, but the house was destroyed, said Fire Captain Chuck Allen.
At around 10 p.m. Saturday, the fire department received a call that they saw smoke coming from the second story, Allen said. 
When firefighters arrived, the family was waiting outside. Flames had engulfed both the first and second stories of the home, Allen said, and it took two hours to completely extinguish the fire.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200413/house-a-total-loss-in-franklin-fire



Monday, April 13, 2020

wake up with Mr Barrett - TuNesday morning

"Wake Up With Mr. Barrett’s TOP 10 FAVORITE SONGS - Tuesday MORNING @ 8:00 AM!!! TuNesday

https://youtu.be/DEccJVEX6e4




Shared from: https://twitter.com/MusicWithMrJHB/status/1249819707366047748?s=09

In the News: "Student Opportunity Act funding in question"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Pushed by Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in November, the $1.4 billion Student Opportunity Act aims to invest in students who have been left behind, such as those with disabilities or limited English skills. It implements the recommendations of a state commission, which reported in 2015 that the state’s outdated school funding formula, known as the foundation budget, underestimates the cost of education by $1 billion annually.

The injection of new cash from the state is meant to begin next fiscal year, which begins July 1. It was included in Baker’s FY2021 $44.6 billion budget, which was based on the projection that the state would collect an estimated $31.15 billion in tax revenue during fiscal 2021.

But economic activity has halted in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Nonessential businesses have shut down and residents are staying home to adhere to physical distancing guidelines.

As a result, financial experts expect state revenues will fall."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200412/student-opportunity-act-funding-in-question-coronavirus-pandemic-slows-state-revenues

State revenues are likely to fall, driven by the same circumstances on the local level Franklin's revenues are likely to fall as well. How much is still too early to say. Assuming the 4th quarter of Fiscal Year 2020 sees the dip, the current year budget will need looking at. The revenue forecast for FY 2021 is already in jeopardy as stated by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the most recent interview.  (4/10/20(  https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Update-from-Town-Administrator-Jamie-Hellen-eclf6n

Getting back to the school budget, the Franklin School Committee holds their budget hearing Tuesday with a remote meeting. The budget presentation and related documents were shared here on Sunday.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda.html

Presentation Link =
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/fps-fy-2021-budget-hearing-presentation-20200414 


All the documents released for this budget hearing can be found online https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

Links I would bring attention to

Franklin, MA:: School Committee Agenda & Budget Hearing April 14, 2020
Franklin, MA:: School Committee Agenda & Budget Hearing April 14, 2020
 

In the News: "Towns shutter playgrounds, recreation areas"

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

“It’s one of the hardest things I have had to do yet,” Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said last week regarding the closure of the town’s recreational areas, “especially for someone like me who is an avid outdoorsman, and loves sports and being outside.

“It’s toughest on the kids and families who all want to be outside utilizing our playgrounds and school grounds,” he wrote via email.

In Franklin, closures have included not only playgrounds and school grounds, but also Chilson Beach at Beaver Pond and the Beaver Pond field. The state forest land, though, is still open at this time, as is the Southern New England Trunkline Trail that passes on into Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge, Douglas and beyond.

“As for town forests, we have kept those open and have actually set up a new site with a challenge and used trails and walks as a way to help give people something to do and look forward to doing with the whole family,” Hellen noted."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200412/towns-shutter-playgrounds-recreation-areas


Related post on outdoor trails in Franklin
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/enter-town-of-franklin-trails-walking.html

Interview with Rec Director Ryan Jette
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-239-recreation-dept-director-ryan.html

This section of the SNETT trail you can get to from the Lake St parking area
This section of the SNETT trail you can get to from the Lake St parking area

Check out the FHS Robotics channel on YouTube!

"Check out the Franklin High School Robotics Channel! Don't forget to like and subscribe!" https://youtu.be/rPoDlmAN41M



Shared from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSRobotics3/status/1249056287708643329?s=09


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 
Website: https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fhsrobotics/home 
Email: fhsrobotics99@gmail.com 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSRobotics3

"Five months on, what scientists now know about the coronavirus"

From The Guardian, a good overview of what we know so far about the novel coronavirus called COVID-19

"Coronaviruses have been causing problems for humanity for a long time. Several versions are known to trigger common colds and more recently two types have set off outbreaks of deadly illnesses: severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers).

But their impact has been mild compared with the global havoc unleashed by the coronavirus that is causing the Covid-19 pandemic. In only a few months it has triggered lockdowns in dozens of nations and claimed more than 100,000 lives. And the disease continues to spread.

That is an extraordinary achievement for a spiky ball of genetic material coated in fatty chemicals called lipids, and which measures 80 billionths of a metre in diameter. Humanity has been brought low by a very humble assailant.

On the other hand, our knowledge about the Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is also remarkable. This was an organism unknown to science five months ago. Today it is the subject of study on an unprecedented scale. Vaccines projects proliferate, antiviral drug trials have been launched and new diagnostic tests are appearing."


Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/12/five-months-on-what-scientists-now-know-about-the-coronavirus

A model of a betacoronavirus, the virus linked to Covid-19. Photograph: NEXU Science Communication/Reuters
A model of a betacoronavirus, the virus linked to Covid-19.Photograph: NEXU Science Communication/Reuters

"In the absence of federal direction, Massachusetts last week unveiled a plan to begin building a contact tracing army"

From the Washington Post, an article on the plan coming together in the absence of one being put together by the Federal government. The MA effort to perform extensive contact tracing is referenced.
"A national plan to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the United States and return Americans to jobs and classrooms is emerging — but not from the White House.

Instead, a collection of governors, former government officials, disease specialists and nonprofits are pursuing a strategy that relies on the three pillars of disease control: Ramp up testing to identify people who are infected. Find everyone they interact with by deploying contact tracing on a scale America has never attempted before. And focus restrictions more narrowly on the infected and their contacts so the rest of society doesn’t have to stay in permanent lockdown.

But there is no evidence yet the White House will pursue such a strategy.

Instead, the president and his top advisers have fixated almost exclusively on plans to reopen the U.S. economy by the end of the month, though they haven’t detailed how they will do so without triggering another outbreak. President Trump has been especially focused on creating a second coronavirus task force aimed at combating the economic ramifications of the virus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/10/contact-tracing-coronavirus-strategy/

In some countries, the use of mobile apps to help monitor and manage the virus are being used. This is possible for the US, but would require an approach to protect privacy and personal information data more than US companies currently provide for, or some US citizens feel comfortable with.

Commuters wearing masks in Singapore, where authorities have used digital tools to combat the coronavirus. (Catherine Lai/AFP)
Commuters wearing masks in Singapore, where authorities have used digital tools to combat the coronavirus. (Catherine Lai/AFP)

"There is a crack in everything / That's how the light gets in"

The tweet contained this quote which caught my attention:
Vulnerability isn't generally the mode that is most welcome in this world, and even people who say they love Leonard Cohen's line, "There is a crack in everything / That's how the light gets in," tend to spend most of their time furiously hiding their own cracks from public display.

So I followed the link to the article to begin reading:
Our apartment window has become a television screen, and we’ve started to name the people we can see when we look out of it, as if they’re characters in a new and still-captivating show. There’s Bruce Wayne, and the Lady with the Floofy Cats, and – dearest to my heart – Shouty French Dad. SFD appears to have approximately 10 children, all of them boys, all of them requiring cheetah levels of exercise every day.

A couple of months ago, in the before-time, I used to roll my eyes at SFD when I heard him yelling at his many children in multiple languages (it did not occur to me, until this moment, that he could probably hear me screaming at my own). Now that’s all changed. He’s still shouty, but I recognize what a good dad he is, as he ties the shoes of the little ones with ragged patience, and plays soccer with the older ones after they leave the apartment for their one hour of prison-yard exercise.

He’s doing the best he can. Or maybe he’s secretly sinking. It’s hard to judge, since the great pandemic see-saw is no respecter of emotional equilibrium. It might see you coping one day, and sobbing in the bathroom behind a locked door the next. What everyone does feel, it seems to me, is raw. Raw and human and fallible, open to the possibilities of catastrophe and grace, all at once.

Continue reading the article online
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-nothing-will-be-perfect-again-and-thats-just-fine/


ILLUSTRATION BY HANNA BARCZYK
ILLUSTRATION BY HANNA BARCZYK