FM #255 State Representative Jeffrey Roy 4/27/20 (audio)

FM #255 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 255 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with our State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We started by talking about the weekend and trying to take a break from COVID-19; the family of foxes that briefly lived in his backyard; the work of the Legislature and how that is progressing during this pandemic. The State budget is starting to be worked on by the House, later than normal, and it is likely that the entire State budget timeline will be later than normal. We talk about legislation on enabling voting by mail for the State primary in Sept and then the regular election in November.

We also talk about Jeff's work on the higher education committee and how that is helping to prepare for the broader discussion on what the State can do for higher education in MA; the economic impact of higher education, and then shifted into the arts and culture arena which also provides considerable economic value to the Commonwealth.

The recording runs almost 40 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jeff. Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HB8QvYQ7




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

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How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
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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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Rep Roy listening as part of the tour of the 'maker space' at Quinsigamond Community College (Nov 2019)

Note: I had the opportunity to join Rep Roy for his tour of UMass Medical, Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State College on Friday, November 1, 2019

Board of Health approves mandate for face coverings for employees of essential businesses

I took my notes with Twitter to capture the gist of what was happening at the Board of Health meeting, Monday, April 27, 2020. The meeting had two agenda items. The agenda doc can be found linked below.

Effectively, the Board of Health approved a mandate for employees of essential businesses to wear facial coverings and to reinforce the advisory that residents should wear facial coverings when visiting retail establishments. This is an interim step to be effective 4/29. There is another meeting to be scheduled for next week as a follow up and to review a new item that came up during the meeting (a clarification on golf per Governor's revised statement).

My Twitter notes were all tagged as #boh0427. As I went from this meeting to the Economic Development meeting (which had started at 5:50) I made a few mistakes by tagging some of the EDC notes with this same #boh0427 tag instead of #edc0427 - oops.

The individual tweets can be found with this search result:  
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0427&src=typed_query

• Real time reporting underway for Board of Health mtg
• New guidelines from Attorney General referenced. Consider mandate for employees of essential business to do so as a step. Reserve N95 for health and first responders
• Some of the citizen complaints to the Health Dept are around lack of grocery store employees not wearing cloth coverings (mask) #boh0427 . Health Director prefers advisory rather than mandate
• Concerns expressed about the mental health of the residents as we won't be observing the smiles of neighbors. Fear of going out because people are observed wearing masks.
• New FDA update on masks and types of just came out today. Mandate for employees, suggestion for residents to be clear. No single metric is perfect for effective of enforcement
• Questions and discussion around enforcement, in some cases would need to be by the retail business, BoH not wanting to get Franklin Police involved, they have other and better things to do
• Motion to adopt mandate for employees of essential business, recommended for posting of residents recommended to wear, motion approved; discussion on what effective date #boh0427 by close of business by April 29, notification coming, approved 3-0
• Hopefully the incremental approach will bring results, if not we can go further
• Discussion on expanding items for sale by restaurants and essential business, modify temp food permit to provide the steps/guidance for the business to do so. #boh0427 Health Director to come up with listing of items
• Motion for food establishments to sell grocery items, approved by 3-0 vote. Golf question came up in chat, can't add to this agenda. Will consider for next week meeting TBD #boh0427 motion to adjourn, passed via roll call

The new FDA update on masks as mentioned during the meeting is found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bckh-j1LwwNztxa52Jdsk4K5fVQALY_G/view?usp=sharing

screengrab of Zoom meeting early in the meeting

Attention Veterans: Project Toy Box - Response due Weds Apr 29

The United Way of Tri-County has received a major donation of new toys and games to distribute to children in out of work or low income veterans' families. We're calling this program Project Toy Box and have a goal to reach children in need who may have limited access to new activities, especially during this difficult time when many people are homebound. A variety of toys and games for children ages 5-12 will be distributed in the next few weeks.

If you are a veteran who has children and you may benefit from this, please let me know by end of day, Wednesday, Apr 29.

thanks

Dale
--

Dale Kurtz
Veterans Service Officer
Towns of Avon and Franklin

10 Daniel McCahill Street
Franklin, MA 02038

508-613-1315 (O)
508-520-4917 (F)

Attention Veterans: Project Toy Box - Response due Weds Apr 29

Beaver St. Recycling Center Open Regular Hours Now With the Addition of Thursday - Noon-3 PM

Beaver St. Recycling Center Open Regular Hours Now With the Addition of Thursday - Noon - 3 PM for This Week -- Brush and Yard Waste Drop-Off Only All Days

In order to meet the needs of our residents and still follow the Governor's directive, as well as provide the appropriate level of safety to our residents and public works employees, we are going to re-open the Beaver Street Recycling Center with the following guidelines.

• The Recycling Center opens for the drop-off of yard waste and brush only.
• No other recycling products will be accepted.
• The Recycling Center will be staffed with only one worker just to check that folks have a Recycling Center Sticker and are only dropping off yard waste or brush.
• The Employees will practice established personal space guidelines and "Social Distancing" and will not assist residents in any way with the unloading of their vehicles.
• Only five vehicles will be allowed in the Recycling Center at one time.
• There will be no credit card or check transactions.
• If a resident needs a recycling sticker, they will need to contact and arrange to get one from the Public Works Administration Office (508 520-4910) prior to going to the Recycling Center.

Recycling Center Hours This Week:

• Tuesday, April 28, Noon-3PM
• Thursday, April 30, Noon-3PM
• Friday, May 1, 8AM-3PM
• Saturday, May 2, 8AM-3PM
• Sunday, May 3, 9AM-1PM

 
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/beaver-st-recycling-center-open-regular-hours-now-addition-thursday-noon

Beaver St. Recycling Center Open Regular Hours

The Franklin Cultural District announces a "Photography Scavenger Hunt"

The Franklin Cultural District (FCD) is sponsoring a Photography Scavenger Hunt for residents of all ages! The Cultural District is building on an idea developed by the Cape Cod Arts Center in the Barnstable Village Cultural District. 

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Cultural District while using your artistic talents and skills. We invite all to exercise your creativity while maintaining a safe physical distance from others.

During this quarantine take some time to go out and explore with your phone, tablet, or camera and take pictures of scenes that you can find in the Franklin Cultural District. While exploring please make sure to practice good social distancing skills.

To find out all you need to know about the Scavenger Hunt including:

• How to enter
• The rules
• All of the Photo Categories
• A map of the Franklin Cultural District

Please visit:
https://sites.google.com/view/franklin-cultural-district/home

Winners will be posted by June 1st. Hope you will all consider participating!

Franklin Cultural District Photography Scavenger Hunt

FTC Consumer Alert: Don’t click links in unsolicited text messages

Don't click links in unsolicited text messages by Rosario Méndez, Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC You might be seeing text messages promising money – maybe the economic impact payments, loans for small businesses, or an offer for money you can get.  In fact, I recently saw a WhatsApp text message in Spanish that advertised money for people quarantined at home. If you've spotted messages like this, I hope you've also deleted them.  These text messages going around could lead you to a scam or a hacker, but not to anything helpful. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/dont-click-links-unsolicited-text-messages  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Watch "A Message From Hospitals: Don't Avoid Emergency Care" on YouTube

"At the COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, April 23, 2020, Governor Baker joined leaders from the Commonwealth's health care community to make clear that thanks to the shared work to prepare and build capacity, Massachusetts' hospitals are handling the uptick in COVID-19 cases, and are still able to care for patients with other medical conditions."

YouTube Link = https://youtu.be/IWITRRS0WZ4

U.S. Geological Survey introduces "Learning From Home" portal

The U.S. Geological Survey Youth and Education in Science (YES) Team has revamped their web presence to better assist with online and home learning.

Check the new USGS Learning From Home portal for weekly lesson plans and activities, grades K – 12.

Students of all ages can always tap into the USGS Resources for Teachers for over 140 years of USGS research in the natural sciences in the form of lesson plans and activities, maps, podcasts, online lectures, videos and animations, and much more. Browse thousands of ideas for using these resources in elementary, secondary, university, and informal education settings.

• USGS Learning From Home portal   

https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/resources-teachers/learning-home

• USGS Resources for Teachers

https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/resources-teachers/

https://edits.nationalmap.gov/tnmcorps/

FHS Senior Boys Hockey video

"We are thinking of our Seniors. Here is an awesome video celebrating them. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the program, our school and our town."

"Special thanks to Tina Connelly for putting this video together!"

https://youtu.be/7fksBTRVLdI





Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/FHSPantherHocke/status/1254430043914285058?s=09

Ali Brigham named one of the 2020 Red Auerbach Massachusetts Basketball Players of the Year

Another award for FHS' Ali Brigham

MBCA Girls’ All-Sectional Team. This list includes our Regional Players Of the year:
Makayla Graves (North)
Ali Brigham (South)
Belle Lanpher (Central)
Nora Young (West) pic.twitter.com/K5PD0qMS18

— MBCA (@mbcaorg) April 21, 2020

The MBCA is also proud to present the 2020 Red Auerbach Massachusetts Basketball Players of the Year: Ali Brigham (Franklin High School) and John West (Shrewsbury High School). @FHSSports @ColonialsAD

— MBCA (@mbcaorg) April 21, 2020

Shared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/fhsgjvlax/status/1254474332132315136?s=09

MBCA names Ali Brigham one of the 2020 Red Auerbach MA Basketball Players of the Year

“A huge piece of art is not just the creating process, but also the sharing process”

Great article in Edutopia featuring our own Ms. Doherty!

"Can the Arts Go Digital?

Christine Doherty, an elementary art teacher in Franklin, Massachusetts, said she had always shied away from using technology but realized she would have to embrace it to connect to all 540 of her students at two different schools during school closures.

Doherty created a YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsK1QTSOSHu3NiSAwDvYGtQ) where she reads books to her students or leads them through easy art activities such as drawing and coloring.

She quickly found that online platforms allow students to continue sharing and talking about their artwork, just as they would in school. During her live video instruction time, students can type an H, for hand, into the chat box to indicate they want to share their work and place it up to the screen for other students to see. “A huge piece of art is not just the creating process, but also the sharing process,” she said."

Read the full article onlinehttps://www.edutopia.org/article/show-must-go-online-arts-teachers-adapt-home-instruction

Huge thank you to ⁦@lauraelee⁩ and @Edutopia for publishing this article featuring the hard work, effort & creativity of fellow arts educators during the school closures! I am so honored to be featured and represent ⁦⁦⁦@FranklinPSart⁩ https://t.co/Wet0edRP3O

— Christine Doherty (@MsDoherty_ART) April 24, 2020

Christine Doherty @MsDoherty_ART

NY Times: "The Untold Story of the Birth of Social Distancing"

From the New York Times we find this long read but good background information on where 'social distancing' came from.

"Fourteen years ago, two federal government doctors, Richard Hatchett and Carter Mecher, met with a colleague at a burger joint in suburban Washington for a final review of a proposal they knew would be treated like a piñata: telling Americans to stay home from work and school the next time the country was hit by a deadly pandemic.

When they presented their plan not long after, it was met with skepticism and a degree of ridicule by senior officials, who like others in the United States had grown accustomed to relying on the pharmaceutical industry, with its ever-growing array of new treatments, to confront evolving health challenges.

Drs. Hatchett and Mecher were proposing instead that Americans in some places might have to turn back to an approach, self-isolation, first widely employed in the Middle Ages.

How that idea — born out of a request by President George W. Bush to ensure the nation was better prepared for the next contagious disease outbreak — became the heart of the national playbook for responding to a pandemic is one of the untold stories of the coronavirus crisis."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/us/politics/social-distancing-coronavirus.html

Shared earlier in this pandemic period but a great visual on how social distancing works.  YouTube Link = https://youtu.be/o4PnSYAqQHU

MBTA: Starting Saturday, May 2: Franklin Line no longer uses shuttle bus

"The installation of PTC has been completed on the Franklin Line. Normal weekend train service will resume on Saturday, May 2."

Last Updated: Apr 27 2020 04:30 AM 
https://mbta.com/schedules/CR-Franklin/alerts


For more about Positive Train Control (PTC)
https://mbta.com/projects/commuter-rail-positive-train-control-ptc

"Normal weekend service" really means it is under the 'new normal' reduced service of the pandemic.  https://mbta.com/covid19

MBTA: Starting Saturday, May 2: Franklin Line no longer uses shuttle bus

Boston Globe: Contact tracing background; high school 'lost year'?

From the Boston Globe, articles of interest to Franklin:

Contact tracing background

"Dr. Emily Wroe started working for Boston-based Partners in Health, the renowned global health nonprofit, while still a Harvard medical student. She worked with the government of Rwanda to build a modern hospital in the country’s poor northern region, perched on a terraced hilltop surrounded by subsistence farms. Later, in Malawi, she treated patients with tuberculosis and HIV, working with community health workers to track down sick patients by foot and, sometimes, motorbike.

Now she’s building a new squad of public health workers. Only this one is based in Massachusetts and it’s a virtual one, 1,000-people strong. Their mission is to track down every person in the state who comes in close contact with an infected person and help them isolate, thereby slowing the spread of the deadly virus.

And this time, the tracking will be done by telephone.

Wroe is part of the Partners in Health team charged with creating the state’s ambitious contact tracing program, which Governor Charlie Baker announced earlier this month. The administration, which has allotted $44 million to the program, sees contact tracing as a key piece of its plan to eventually open the economy up and allow people to venture out again, without fear of infection."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/25/metro/way-out-inside-ambitious-mass-coronavirus-contact-tracing-effort/

Hard, maybe cruel even, but better a 'lost year' than losing 'a life'

"Catari Giglio did everything she could to make the senior prom at Fenway High School picture perfect. She had the elegant gown, the handsome date; she had even designed the tickets for the big event.

Vivian Santos-Smith had a lead role in Somerville High School’s production of “As You Like It.” As winter turned to spring, and set and costumes came together, she spent hours memorizing her famous speech, the one that begins “All the world’s a stage …”

Mairead Baker, valedictorian at Boston Latin Academy, was writing the graduation speech that she would deliver to hundreds of beaming teachers and families, reflecting on the hard lessons of her past.

Like 80,000 other high school seniors across Massachusetts who learned this week that their schools will remain closed through June, they know their personal disappointments are a small price to pay to help end a global pandemic. But for young people whose lives have been defined by school since the age of 5 — who were on a path to high school graduation before they knew the word “commencement” — it was a stunning reversal of fortune, their most assured milestones disappearing in an instant."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/25/nation/lost-year-high-school-seniors-reflect-glory-days-theyll-never-have

Boston Globe: Contact tracing background; high school 'lost year'?

IR-2020-82: IRS enhances Get My Payment online application to help taxpayers

The Internal Revenue Service today announced significant enhancements to the “Get My Payment” tool to deliver an improved and smoother experience for Americans eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments.

The enhancements, which started last week and continued through the weekend, adjusted several items related to the online tool, which debuted on April 15. The additional changes will help millions of additional taxpayers with new or expanded information and access to adding direct deposit information.

“We delivered Get My Payment with new capabilities that did not exist during any similar relief program, including the ability to receive direct deposit information that accelerates payments to millions of people,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “These further enhancements will help even more taxpayers. We urge people who haven’t received a payment date yet to visit Get My Payment again for the latest information. IRS teams worked long hours to deliver Get My Payment in record time, and we will continue to make improvements to help Americans.”

“We encourage people to check back in and visit Get My Payment,” Rettig added. “These enhancements will help many taxpayers. By using Get My Payment now, more people will be able to get payments quickly by being able to add direct deposit information.”

How to use Get My Payment


Available only on IRS.gov, the online application is safe and secure to use. Taxpayers only need a few pieces of information to quickly obtain the status of their payment and, where needed, provide their bank account information. Having a copy of their most recent tax return can help speed the process.

As a reminder, Get My Payment is a U.S. Government system for authorized use only. The tool is solely for use by individuals or those legally authorized by the individual to access their information. Unauthorized use is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties.

For taxpayers to track the status of their payment, this feature will show taxpayers the scheduled delivery date by direct deposit or mail and the last four digits of the bank account being used if the IRS has direct deposit information. They will need to enter basic information including:

• Social Security number
• Date of birth, and
• Mailing address used on their tax return.

Taxpayers needing to add their bank account information to speed receipt of their payment will also need to provide the following additional information:

• Their Adjusted Gross Income from their most recent tax return submitted, either 2019 or 2018
• The refund or amount owed from their latest filed tax return
• Bank account type, account and routing numbers

Get My Payment cannot update bank account information after an Economic Impact Payment has been scheduled for delivery. To help protect against potential fraud, the tool also does not allow people to change bank account information already on file with the IRS.

A Spanish version of Get My Payment is expected in a few weeks.

Watch out for scams related to Economic Impact Payments


The IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams related to the Economic Impact Payments. To use the new app or get information, taxpayers should visit IRS.gov. People should watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments. Be careful and cautious: The IRS will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Remember, go directly and solely to IRS.gov for official information.

More information


The IRS will post frequently asked questions on IRS.gov/coronavirus and will provide updates as soon as they are available.

This was shared from
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-enhances-get-my-payment-online-application-to-help-taxpayers
 

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Apr 28, 2020

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

Per Governor Baker’s Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20, the public will not be allowed to physically access this School Committee meeting. Members of the Public can access the meeting via remote conference. The School Committee reserves the right to implement additional remote participation procedures and will notify the public of these procedures as soon as practicable.

LOCATION: Remote participation via ZOOM -- link below

Link to Join Meeting:  https://zoom.us/j/94329059693

OR Call-in Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter the Meeting ID: 94329059693 then press #

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. none

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. FY21 Budget Vote
I recommend adoption of the FY21 Budget in the amount of $68,767,873.00 as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget/pages/fy-2021-budget

B. Policy – First Readings
I recommend moving the following policies to a second reading at the next meeting as detailed:
JFABD (New) – Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services JFABF – Educational Opportunities for Children in Foster Care
JBB – (New) – Educational Equity

C. Policy Elimination
I recommend elimination of Policy JS – Education of Students Identified as Homeless as discussed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Closure Update

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 14, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the March 10, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Adjournment

The agenda and associated documents released for this meeting can be found online
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/april-28-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Apr 28, 2020

Franklin, MA: Economic Development Committee - Agenda - April 27, 2020

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

April 27, 2020 - 5:30 PM

Remote Meeting - Held on “Zoom” Platform

Announcements:
This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.

● F or link to Access the Meeting Click HERE then click “Open Zoom”
● Call-in Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID 968 2289 6271- then press “#”


Discussion:

1. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw Proposal


The full agenda and associated bylaw proposal can be found
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/04-27-2020_edc_full_agenda_.pdf
 

Memo From Town Administrator Jamie Hellen 

This evening will be an introduction to one of the Town Council’s goals for the 2020-2021 legislative session: inclusionary zoning. I have attached a copy of the proposed bylaw which we will review this evening.

We have all heard the many concerns from residents about the affordable housing crisis in the community, ranging from people who may be struggling to own a home, who may be homeless or in a transient situation, to many children and grandchildren of lifelong Franklinites who are unable to afford a house or rental for a price that a traditional middle class family can afford.

As the median income and median home value in Franklin has risen quickly in the last decade, the staff believes this is a proposal that will help achieve some of the community’s concerns.

Here are some basic points on the proposal:

● Inclusionary zoning is a way to increase affordable housing stock for middle class and low income families by requiring a set amount of units of any multi-family development to have deed restricted units at various income guidelines.

● The staff are suggesting a two tiered system equalling 25% (“Inclusionary Units”) of any project be deemed affordable:

○ “Affordable Units” are 15% of those units that would be under the federal HUD median income guidelines, which qualifies for credit on our Chapter 40B Standard Housing Index (SHI) system. In other words, we get credit for this 15% on our 40B percentage.

○ “Moderate Income Units” are 10% of those units would be under increased income guidelines commensurate with the Community Preservation Act (CPA), which are income guidelines set by CPA and are 20% higher to fit more with Massachusetts Housing markets. These units would not be credited under 40B,

but would address a major public concern of current and future generations not being able to afford Franklin.

● Subdivisions are not susceptible to this bylaw. Only multi-family dwellings over 3 units (rental complexes, condo complexes, and so on).

● An inclusionary plan is required for any project that is for 3 units or higher.

● Income guidelines are included in the bylaw proposal. Affordable units are determined by the federal government, moderate income units are defined by the CPA in state law.

● All of the communities surrounding Franklin have inclusionary zoning bylaw, including Medway, Bellingham, Wrentham and Norfolk with many other communities already accepting similar bylaws or considering them this year.

Example

To illustrate how this works, use the Dean Avenue apartments as an example, which was permitted for 257 units.

If inclusionary zoning had been in place:

● 25% of the 257 is 64.25 units, which would be affordable.

● Under the proposal this would round down to 64 units.

● Thus, 64 units would be deed restricted at income guidelines to assist people trying to afford Franklin housing.

● 25 units would be at higher income limits to CPA, which is at 100% of median income to address the middle class housing crunch.

● 39 units would be a slightly lower income amount, which is 80% of median income, but would count toward our 40B percentage with the state, helping Franklin stay at above 10% to ensure our zoning does not get overruled by development proposals.

I recognize this proposal will generate many questions and look forward to a discussion.

 

Franklin, MA: Economic Development Committee - Agenda - April 27, 2020

FM #254 Talk Franklin - Hellen and Tracey 4/24/20 (audio)

FM #254 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 254 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talked to recap the Town Council special meeting on how and when to re-open for business, the upcoming Board of Health meeting to review the current stand on masks, the Economic Development meeting getting into inclusionary zoning, the ‘spring training’ approach to the budget with a meeting on May 4, and the Department Spotlight to highlight some of the good work being done by the departments in Town.

The recording runs almost about 65 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWwCpCQ7





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The Town of Franklin COVID-19 information portal
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal



The first Dept Spotlight  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/introducing-department-spotlights


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"

FM #254 Talk Franklin - Hellen and Tracey 4/24/20 (audio)

COVID-19 Community Tracing Team: "Just answer the call"

Covid-19 Community Tracing Team https://t.co/xcA72DixSX pic.twitter.com/6HFw7uSqyI

— Franklin Police (@franklinpolice) April 25, 2020

COVID-19 Community Tracing Team: "Just answer the call"

Shared via Twitter
https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1254116321052295169?s=03

For more about Community Tracing
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-community-tracing-collaborative

“We also see little glimmers of hope all around us”

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

"It’s all going to depend on the data.

Gov. Charlie Baker would not say Friday afternoon whether he plans to extend the economic shutdown currently due to expire May 4, but he detailed what he will be looking at when it comes time to make that decision.

“We are still in this surge and we need to recognize that this insidious and often invisible virus is still making people here in Massachusetts very sick,” the governor said. He later added, “Our view going forward here is going to be that until we start to see some of that kind of information - the peaking of the surge and the move in the other direction - for some sustained period of time, we’re not going to be interested in reopening anything.”

Baker previously has pointed to White House guidance that recommended states could begin to resume greater levels of economic activity after documenting 14 days of declining case counts and on Friday said his administration plans to follow guidance from the federal government, other countries and public health experts before planning an economic reopening. He said Friday that the duration of positive trends necessary to reopen “varies depending upon who you talk to.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200425/data-trends-in-massachusetts-will-dictate-timing-of-economic-reopening

COVID-19 Update from Friday, Apr 24, 2020  https://youtu.be/m7FRXO-tLW0

Dry-land activities to do until you get in the water

From the Hockomock YMCA:

"Our YMCA Aquatics team has put together dry-land home activities—no pool required! These home activities help to develop good form and build stamina. When the skill has been mastered on land, it becomes easier to perform in the water."

Find the listing of activities on their page
https://www.hockymca.org/swim-lessons-home-activities/

Dry-land activities to do until you get in the water

Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census

We have reached a 68.4% response rate for Franklin, there is still time to get beyond 80% (Franklin 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

The current (as of Friday, April 24, 2020) results for Franklin:

 

Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census

FM #249 Town Clerk Teresa Burr; Asst Clerk Nancy Danelo 4/15/20 (audio)

FM #249 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 249 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Town Clerk Teresa Burr and Assistant Clerk Nancy Danelo. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about how the Town Clerk’s office has become virtual continuing to provide most services. They are not currently providing notary public services or accepting marriage intentions at this time. Some other services may take time to turn around but are still being processed.

The one service completion that is not being done at this time is to acknowledge the voter registrations done online or through the registry. Those records are still coming in but are not yet being acknowledged by the office.

Our discussion includes a conversation on the two censuses underway. The annual Town census was in the process of being wrapped up when the shutdown occurred. If you have not yet completed the Town census please send it back or drop it in the white box on the corner of the building.

The Federal 2020 Census is also underway and is important to complete.

The recording runs about 12 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Teresa and Nancy   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HN4DNTz7



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The Town Clerk page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk
Online Payments page  https://www.franklinma.gov/files

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"

FM #249 Town Clerk Teresa Burr; Asst Clerk Nancy Danelo 4/15/20 (audio)