Voices of Franklin: Get Back To Where We Were?

This spring we have been witness to people in leadership positions emphasizing the need for our economy and society to return to “normal” as soon as possible. But getting back to where we were is complicated, and begs the question: Was where we were, where we want to be?

When there are disruptions in our lives, we don’t believe it is prudent to rush back to the way things were. Instead, such disturbances afford us the opportunity to carefully reflect on the situation by asking: Where were we? What does the shakeup reveal? What of the past do we carry forward with us? How do we move forward in a way that allows us to cope and make our lives better?

As we reflect on the COVID-19 crisis this spring and all that we and others have to do to survive, we can’t help but think of our sustenance. Some of us feel vulnerable and confused by what roles we should play for our individual and families’ sustainability, and for what personal responsibilities we can own during this crisis.

This spring’s interruption of our “normal” existence is an opportunity to not only be socially conscious, but to empower ourselves. This is the year to GROW a GARDEN. It is the time to think about digging up part of that lawn. It is about helping out in the community gardens and installing planters or raised beds. NOW is the time for a movement towards gardening so that we can learn to enjoy the intrinsic value that lies in the preparation, sowing, cultivation, and reaping.

Gardening, in all its forms, will give you back more than the labor it takes. It provides opportunities to connect with the earth, and extends to you moments of teaching and learning. If you are patient you will see that gardening is about social responsibility, confidence, and empowerment.

Gardening grants time for community and family cultivation and, on top of it all, gives you those delicious fruits and vegetables of which you can say with pride, “I grew that!”


‘Tis the season,
Vincent Fanuele and Jessi Fanuele 
VFJ Renovations, Inc.

VFJ Renovations, Inc.

Find VFJ on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/336675640619192/photos/a.550464219240332/550462509240503/?type=3&theater

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #16

View this email in your browser CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #16 Tuesday, April 28, 2020 Dear friends, A few quick updates for you about your government's response to the COVID-19 outbreak: Stay-at-Home Advisory Extension: Today, Governor Baker extended the state's stay-at-home advisory and non-essential business closure from May 4 to May 18. By way of reminder, last week all schools were closed for the duration of the school year and early education and child care centers were closed through the end of June.   Watch Out for Scammers: There have been reports of COVID-19 scams related to the state's contact tracing program. Scammers are identifying themselves as part of the Community Tracing Collaborative and asking individuals for their social security number and health insurance information, which the actual Community Tracing Collaborative will NEVER ask from you. If you receive a call like this, please reach out to your local board of public health. To learn more about what the COVID Community Team does or how a phone call works from them, please consult this resource.   COVID by the Numbers: Every day, the Department of Public Health issues a comprehensive dashboard of data, including a breakdown of coronavirus cases by county and other demographic distinctions. Town and city level data is updated weekly.   Face Mask Orders: Several municipalities throughout the Commonwealth, including some in our district, are considering or issuing local orders to wear face masks in public. Check out your local coronavirus response via links on our public health resources page.   Eating Locally During COVID-19: I know many of us are trying to limit our exposure while supporting local businesses. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources collected lists of where you can shop local, by region. Check it out along with our other food-related resources here.   In Case You Missed It: Check out Episode 3 of Low Budget Beacon Hill: Legislating in the Time of Coronavirus! We've been hearing plenty of questions from constituents about how the Massachusetts State Government has continued operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, so in this episode, Rep. Maria Robinson and I take a deep dive into the legislative response to Coronavirus. Watch here:                    As always, my team and I are here for you. Call us at 617-722-1555 or email me directly at becca.rausch@masenate.gov and one of us will get back to you as quickly as we can. Be well and stay safe. Yours in service, Senator Becca Rausch My next Virtual Office Hours will be next Friday, May 8th from 10 am - 12 pm. Sign up for a 15-minute appointment here. Residents from any part of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District are welcome to share their questions and opinions on state issues with me and my team over Google Hangouts, Skype, and phone calls. Office hours are available to discuss any matter and are not limited to discussions about COVID-19.

Senator Rausch · State House, Room 218 · 24 Beacon Street · Boston, MA 02133-1099 · USA

Veterans Virtual Coffee Social - May 6

We look forward to having our monthly Veterans Coffee Social on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00 AM.

Details for the meeting are below. You may join via the internet or call in from any phone.

Link to Join Meeting -https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84657160506

Call-in Phone Number:
Call 1-312-626-6799 and enter the Meeting ID: 846 5716 0506 then press # 

Veterans Virtual Coffee Social - May 6

FHS "Keep Music Alive" 4/28/20 - #5

This week the FHS music department will feature the following musicians:

Christopher Broyles
Christopher is a sophomore at Franklin High School and plays the viola. Chris has participated in Central Districts, All State, and is a member of the RI Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Chris also studies privately with Mr. Don Krishnaswami.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xqr03jg5BFbqLwOsGaaJU8r9bMMcgOZo/view






The Middle School Band Directors from Remington, Horace Mann and Annie Sullivan
Mickey Ireland - Clarinet, Sean Donnelly - Clarinet, Nicole Wright - Baritone and BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - Ms. Pamela Butz - previous ASMS Band Dir.!


"Girl from Inpanema"  https://youtu.be/DlqEqLxaaiY

JF Kennedy School video

"Hi Ladybugs! Check out this awesome video from your teachers and staff members at JFK! We miss you so much! We are proud of the great work you are doing to keep learning alive at Kennedy!"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1icmlmGaqWvw7wEGKDzNK3yTvVe8oIxqO/view




Shared via Twitter
https://twitter.com/jfkladybugs/status/1255189379699572738?s=09

New England Journal of Medicine: "Infection-control strategies focused solely on symptomatic residents were not sufficient"

Recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reached the following "Conclusions"

"Rapid and widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was demonstrated in this skilled nursing facility. More than half of residents with positive test results were asymptomatic at the time of testing and most likely contributed to transmission.

Infection-control strategies focused solely on symptomatic residents were not sufficient to prevent transmission after SARS-CoV-2 introduction into this facility."

This helps to explain the science behind the social distancing and stay-at-home order. Treating only those with symptoms is not sufficient. The nature of this disease is devious. We all need to treat everyone as possibly carrying the virus, hence the social distancing facial covering, washing hands, etc.


The full study can be found online  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2008457

New England Journal of Medicine: "Infection-control strategies focused solely on symptomatic residents were not sufficient"

In the News: Franklin man's marathon; credit rating agency has praised the flexibility bill; municipalities can order residents to wear face coverings

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

"Adam Calvert knows a lot about going the distance.

Recently, the Franklin resident tied on his running shoes and hit the pavement for his very own marathon - a 26.2-mile route of his own design that took more than four hours to complete cheered on along the way by many supporters and joined for part of the distance by three fellow runners.

But the long run really began last March, when his wife, Emma, was diagnosed with breast cancer while she was just a few months into her fourth pregnancy. As Calvert supported her through the cancer treatments and pregnancy, while helping to care for their three other children, he made a decision: He’d join the Dana-Farber Marathon team and finally take on the Boston Marathon — an undertaking that had already been at the back of his mind — with her as his inspiration and Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund as his cause.

He was understandably disappointed when talk of calling off the iconic April event began late in March amid concerns about the coronavirus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200426/inspired-by-wife-franklin-man-runs-his-own-marathon

credit rating agency has praised the flexibility bill

"A major credit rating agency has praised the municipal government flexibility bill Gov. Charlie Baker signed earlier this month as an advantage for cities and towns, and detailed how it will help local leaders.

In last week’s credit outlook for public finance, Moody’s Investor Service said the legislation that Baker signed into law April 3 “is credit positive for local governments because it will increase their ability to operate effectively during a period when they are managing a health emergency while also planning for the 2021 fiscal year starting in July.”

The bill got more attention for allowing restaurants to sell beer and wine with to-go orders and postponing the tax filing deadline until July, but it also provided the state’s 351 municipalities with deadline and scheduling flexibility on town meetings, tax payments and permits. Crucially, it also allowed cities and towns to tap into free cash, or remaining fiscal 2020 reserves, for fiscal 2021 budgets without having to go through the usual state approval process."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200427/rating-agency-takes-measure-of-coronavirus-law


municipalities can order residents to wear face coverings

"Attorney General Maura Healey’s office now says municipalities can order residents to wear face coverings in public.

On Monday, Healey’s office issued revised guidance on local authority when it comes to protecting public health amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the new guidance, a municipality can, through its Board of Health, require people to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of infection, per General Law Chapter 111, §§ 26-26C, 31, 104."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200428/mass-ags-office-revises-guidance-says-municipalities-can-order-face-coverings

wfpr.fm: Franklin Matters Radio show schedule Weds, Thur, Fri

For this week: 4/29/20

#254 Jamie Hellen - “Talk Franklin” - Wednesday at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM

#255 – State Rep Jeff Roy - Thursday at 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 6:00 PM

#249 -Town Clerks Teresa Burr and Nancy Danelo along with #251 - Bryan Taberner - Friday at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM 



These radio shows were previously shared here. If you have subscribed via the podcast, they should also have appeared in your listening queue.

#254 Jamie Hellen - “Talk Franklin”
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-254-talk-franklin-hellen-and-tracey.html

#255 – State Rep Jeff Roy
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-255-state-representative-jeffrey-roy.html

#249 -Town Clerks Teresa Burr and Nancy Danelo
 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-249-town-clerk-teresa-burr-asst.html

#251 - Bryan Taberner
 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-251-bryan-taberner-planning-and.html

wfpr.fm: Franklin Matters Radio show schedule Weds, Thur, Fri

 

wfpr.fm: Franklin Matters Radio show schedule

Webinars for Small Business Owners

Having trouble viewing this? Click Here. www.msbdc.org/semass NEED INDIVIDUAL HELP FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? Let our MSBDC business advisors help you navigate the SBA Debt Relief Programs. Please complete our "Request for Counseling" confidentiality form and someone will call you to schedule a telephone appointment with an advisor. https://www.msbdc.org/semass/rfc.html  Online Request for Counseling Form WEBINARS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS PPP & Debt Relief Program with the MSBDC Southeast Regional Office Wednesday, April 29, 2020 2:00 p.m. Ili Spahiu, Assistant District Director for Lender Relations in the U.S. Small Business Administration's MA District Office, will provide SBA Covid-19 Updates for Economic Relief Programs. Cliff Robbins, Sr. Business Advisor, MA Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) will discuss the benefits of utilizing the free services of the MSBDC. https://clients.msbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=110400005 REGISTER Get the latest info on supporting your business with Laurie Driscoll, South Eastern Economic Development (SEED), and Jill Beresford, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center at the next ZOOM meeting. Friday, May 1, 10 a.m. Use this link and Meeting ID to enter the live Zoom meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/316252883​​​​​​​ Meeting ID: 316-252-883 Contact Pam @ pdziura@cranberrycountry.org with questions. COVID-19 Recovery Update with City, State and Federal Officials Friday, May 1, 2020 2:00 to 3:00 pm Join us for a COVID-19 Economic recovery call update with the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Office of Business Development, Mayor of Brockton Robert F. Sullivan, and special guest Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Register online. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C_dkP-SBRTGOEnjWOKElAw  Contact Lexi at areinertson@metrosouthchamber.com with questions. REGISTER MA Small Business Development Center Network Southeast Regional Office | 200 Pocasset Street, Fall River, MA 02721 Sent by amfenton@msbdc.umass.edu in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of contents
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Webinars-for-Small-Business-Owners.html?soid=1101853174121&aid=jHXrqBJSzeA

CBD, COVID-19 and cancer: The unfounded facts

CBD, COVID-19 and cancer: The unfounded facts by Lisa Lake, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC The COVID-19 pandemic creates the perfect storm of hopes and fears that dishonest business try to exploit with fake promises of protection and healing. But when these promises are not backed by science, the consequences can often cost you money and your good health. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/cbd-covid-19-and-cancer-unfounded-facts   This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin Food Pantry Purchases Building to Expand Services

The Pantry Looks to Renovate a Bigger Franklin Space to Better Serve Its Neighbors

Today (Apr 27, 2020) the Franklin Food Pantry announced that it has purchased a building to be able to better serve its neighbors. The building formerly known as Dante’s Motors, Inc. is located on 138 East Central Street and will undergo renovations to make it into a functional and expanded Pantry.

The new building will allow The Franklin Food Pantry to increase safety, accessibility, confidentiality and robustness of its current services and help The Pantry to develop new services to better fulfill the full mission of the Franklin Food Pantry. The Pantry will announce a Capital Campaign later in the year to help fund the renovations of the new space. In the meantime, The Pantry will continue to operate at its current location and appreciates the Support of Rockland Trust.

“For the past three years, The Franklin Food Pantry has been searching for a bigger space to be able to increase our assistance to our community. We are so thankful to Rockland Trust for loaning us our space and taking such good care of us over the past ten years, but we have outgrown the building,” said Lynn Calling, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Through the generosity of our Board members and close friends of The Pantry we were finally able to make this happen. Because of the commitment of the Board - as volunteers, donors, and advisors - we have been able to secure a mortgage for this property.”

Lynn Calling, Executive Director, stands in front of the future home

“We are so grateful for the incredible outpouring of support from our community as we meet increased demand due to Covid-19 and we are happy to be able to bring some good news to them,” said Tina Powderly, Board President. “This endeavor has been a long time coming and we’d like to thank community member Christine Bracci who worked with us so closely to help create a lasting legacy for her family’s business and to ensure the growth of the pantry.”

“This building has been in my family for a long time, and I’m so glad that I was able to work with the Franklin Food Pantry to give the building new life and another chance to serve the Franklin Community,” said Christine Bracci, previous owner. “I would like to thank my attorney Michael Heaney, Heaney and Small LLP for his help with making this deal possible.”

During the pandemic, the Franklin Food Pantry continues to operate to serve all new and existing neighbors. The Pantry has changed its hours to Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. The Pantry is distributing prepackaged bags of shelf stable items as well as fresh produce and proteins through a drive up service. Since March, the Pantry has seen a weekly increase of new neighbors needing to receive services and all donations have gone toward continuing to feed its patrons.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities to over 1,100 individuals. Clients have access to a variety of fresh, frozen and nonperishable foods on monthly scheduled shopping trips as well as Walk-in Fridays. They can visit the Pantry daily for fruits, vegetables, bread and pastry. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. In 2019, 302,336 pounds of food was provided to clients. Other programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, Carts for Clients, Mobile Pantry, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. Visit www.franklingfoodpantry.org for more information.