“We’re losing revenue, but everyone is in the same boat”

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

The owners of Bruno’s Barber Shop on Pond Street in Natick feel fortunate.

The family-owned business that has existed for 60 years has a loyal clientele, and it tapped that group to sell enough gift cards online to pay the rent for May and June.

That’s a relief for Antonia Stockley, part of the family who owns Bruno’s, because the shop hasn’t had customers for weeks.

Lost revenue is a fact of life during COVID-19, but Stockley said she has no problem with the governor’s decision.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200501/for-some-non-essential-merchants-two-week-extension-on-closures-creates-more-angst

sign on the window at Pete's Emporium on Main St

 

FM #257 Dale Kurtz, Veterans Services Officer 4/27/20 (audio)

FM #257 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 257 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin's Veterans Services Officer, Dale Kurtz. We held this conversation via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Among the topics we covered in this time

• Assisting veterans with their benefits and programs at Federal, State and local level. Pension, VA benefits
• Norfolk County RSVP Rides for Veterans - could use volunteers
• Veterans Coffee Hour - going virtual after running for a year, now goes virtual in these pandemic times; May 6, 11:00 AM (bring your own coffee!)
• No Memorial Day breakfast, can’t be held during this time, hopefully to be rescheduled for some time later
• Memorial Day itself, no parade, ceremony smaller and virtual to acknowledge those who did pass with honor
• Food boxes still available for distribution - register with Dale

The recording runs approx. 30 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Dale Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6g9h147



--------------

Veterans’ Service page https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services

COVID-19 Information Portal https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal
 
Veterans Walkway Brick order form https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/files/engraved-brick-order-form

Or via the VFW page https://post3402.org/documents

Dale’s contact information:

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)

--------------

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!

------------------

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

The Franklin Senior Center at night

FM #256 Board of Health Meeting 4/27/20 (audio)

FM #256 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 256 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Board of Health Meeting held April 27, 2020 via virtual conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes provide links to the agenda, my notes taken during the meeting, and the resulting Emergency Order which was approved during the meeting and then published the next day.

The recording runs about 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Board of Health Meeting held April 27  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXmf1Q47




--------------

My meeting notes
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/board-of-health-approves-mandate-for.html

The text of the Emergency Order
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/emergency-order-face-covering-over.html

The agenda doc for this meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/franklin-ma-board-of-health-agenda.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!

------------------

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

FM #256 Board of Health Meeting 4/27/20 (audio)

Jamie Barrett: Listen To The Music (video)

Listen To The Music right here https://youtu.be/fTdofC_37m8

If you like what you hear, please consider sharing this video and subscribing to my YouTube channel! It would really be so appreciated!

Trying to get to 1000 subscribers (just shy of 800) so I can provide everyone with better quality videos! Thank you SO much for your support and for your consideration!

Let the music play ...

Jamie

Jefferson Labradors #TBT slide show

It's Throwback Thursday! Check out the TBT Jefferson Staff slideshow! https://t.co/jJlNSpQwsJ
Can you identify your favorite teachers as little kids??

YouTube Link = https://youtu.be/2rtw7G_aYO0




Shared via Twitter
(https://twitter.com/JeffersonLabs/status/1255920456957337601?s=03)

HockomockSports.com: Top Playoff Runs

 From HockomockSports.com:

"Over the past couple of months, our staff has reviewed hundreds of championship-caliber Hockomock League teams from the past decade (Fall 2010 through Winter 2020) and selected its Top 20 “Teams of the Decade.” During that process, we came across so many talented teams that accomplished so much. Below is a list of teams that just missed out on the final list but stood out for their postseason performances."

Franklin High School had three teams on this "Top Playoff Runs" listing. Their accomplishments are shown here. The link to the full listing is found
https://hockomocksports.com/teams-of-the-decade-top-playoff-runs/
 


2016 Franklin Boys Hockey
Record: 18-4-5
Division 1 State Champions
Just one year removed from a historic trip to the Super 8, and after graduating 21 seniors, Franklin showed off the depth in its program and erased its demons at the TD Garden, ending a three-decade wait for a second state title. A team without a true star, Franklin’s depth and its work rate were its greatest strengths. The Panthers were 12-3-5 and the fourth seed in Div. 1 when the playoffs began, but it felt like a wide open bracket. The tournament run began with a 2-1 win against Wellesley, followed by a 1-0 win against Walpole in a jam-packed Pirelli Rink.

After dispatching a third straight Bay State Conference team, Newton North, in the semifinal, Franklin avenged a late-season loss against highly-regarded Marshfield. In the state title game at the TD Garden, a place where Franklin and head coach Chris Spillane had come up empty three seasons in a row earlier in the decade, the Panthers led 3-1 heading into the third period against St. Mary’s (Lynn), a team that just missed out on a Super 8 berth. The game went to double overtime before senior Jake Downie assisted on sophomore Luke Downie’s dramatic game- and title-winner and secured a first state title since 1983.


2018 Franklin Baseball
Record: 21-5
Division 1A (Super 8) State Champions
It was a season that started with high expectations and ended in history, but it was hardly a straight and easy path for Franklin. Few will remember because of how the season ended, but the Panthers opened the season by being shutout by Foxboro, were swept by Taunton, and finished a game behind Mansfield in the league. Through it all, Franklin put together a good enough resume that it was selected for the Super 8 for the first time in program history. The Panthers (21-5) entered as the No. 7 seed, but once the playoffs began everything seemed to fall into place.

Thanks to the dynamic duo of Jake Noviello and Bryan Woelfel and a lineup filled with clutch hitters, Franklin beat Wachusett in the opening game and then proceeded to beat St. John’s Prep and Central Catholic (twice). The final three games were all one-run wins. In the Super 8 finale against the Raiders, head coach Zach Brown brought Noviello into the bottom of the eighth in a tie game with runners at second and third. He struck out three of the next four batters (hitting one in between) to somehow keep it tied and in the top of the ninth Evan Wendell’s perfect suicide squeeze plated Steve Luttazi with the title-winning run.


2017 Franklin Boys Basketball
Record: 22-5
Division 1 State Finalists
This Franklin boys team might not have won it all, but it packed some of the most memorable games into its great postseason run. The Panthers were good throughout the regular season, and they certainly had their fair share of impressive wins including one over league champ Mansfield, one over a very good Cardinal Spellman team, and concluded the regular season with arguably its best win, a 70-53 decision over a good Tech Boston team. But there were five losses too, including on the road at Canton, and early season tilts against Malden Catholic and Catholic Memorial.

The wins over Spellman and Tech Boston to finish the regular season were a clear sign to head coach CJ Neely that this squad was ready to make some noise in the state tournament. Junior Jalen Samuels helped the hosts knock off upset-minded Acton Boxboro in the opening round and senior Connor Goldstein gave Franklin a needed spark in its semifinal win over St. Peter Marian. In the Central final against perennial power St. John’s Shrewsbury, freshman Chris Edgehill sank a huge three with just over a minute left in overtime and then hit two from the free throw line in the final seconds to help secure Franklin’s first sectional title. In the state semifinal against Springfield Central, the Panthers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with an improbable 8-0 run in the final 20 seconds to force overtime. Four minutes later, Franklin was on its way to its first state championship. Although the Panthers ran into a juggernaut in Cambridge, the run that the Panthers had leading up to that point was a very memorable one. 

HockomockSports.com:  Top Playoff Runs

FHS Girls Hockey (@fhsvgockey) 2019-2020 season video

Franklin Girls Ice Hockey 2019-2020 Video ❗️ Thank you to everyone for an amazing season💙🤍💙
https://t.co/galLAL127e

https://youtu.be/z3bmdGZ5TD4




Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/fhsvgockey/status/1255923665574727682?s=03

Town of Franklin - Health Department: Poster for Essential Businesses

The Health Department is providing this downloadable poster for essential businesses. Find it here and on our website. https://t.co/tsqPt2qsHP https://t.co/v2jAYFyeyQ

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HvedTroaWbPdDkRDd4U8C1s32PiP2RIg/view?usp=sharing





Shared from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1255914783204872194?s=03

Town of Franklin - Health Department: Poster for Essential Businesses

COVID-19 Update on Contact Tracting from Gvernor Baker - April 30, 2020

"Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and HHS Secretary Marylou Sudders provided an update on the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19, including the latest on the Community Tracing Collaborative, the Reopening Advisory Board, and a new request related to FEMA reimbursements"

https://youtu.be/1r6MjVAtwLo




How can I verify MA COVID Team is calling?

"Our phone calls will use the prefix 833 and 857 and your phone will say the call is from “MA COVID Team.” Calls will be made daily from 8 a.m. to 8 PM"

COVID-19 Update on Contact Tracting

FM #253 Senior Ctr Nurse Trish Collatos 4/23/20 (audio)

FM #253 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 253 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Patricia (Trish) Collatos, the nurse at the Franklin Senior Center. The conversation was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talked about some of the virtual services provided by the Senior Center, some are being added, about some mental challenges to keep the synapses going. They are beginning to look at what it would look like to re-open, how many could come in, what meals and the seating would be like, etc.

WE talked about Trish’s experience giving blood recently and how the need is there to donate blood if you can. The process is set up to take blood safely and to adhere to all the requirements social distancing, etc.

The recording runs almost about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Trish   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDbXQ9s7




--------------

Senior Center updates during this pandemic
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/senior-center-resources-and-support

Most recent update: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/alerts/update4-24.pdf

The Town of Franklin Senior Center page https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

To donate blood find a location and date/time at Red Cross Blood
 https://www.redcrossblood.org/

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!

------------------

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

 

FM #253 Senior Ctr Nurse Trish Collatos 4/23/20 (audio)

Department Spotlight: Finance Department and the Treasurer/Collector

A new Department Spotlight is available! Find it here and stay informed and connected with Town operations and services! #spotlight #finance #treasurercollector #learnmore

"This Town of Franklin spotlight will cover two departments that work together very closely, the Finance Department and the Treasurer/Collector. Department Heads Chris Sandini, Finance Director and Kerri Bertone, Treasurer/Collector, manage and oversee all of the financial aspects of doing business in our Town.

Chris has been Franklin's Finance Director since January 2018, having worked in the role for 23 years and as an auditor of municipalities for 10 years prior. The main functions of the Finance Department are to maintain the general ledger, manage payroll across the municipality payroll and handle all accounts payable.

Kerri Bertone has been the Treasurer/Collector since August of 2017. Prior to her employment in Franklin, Kerri worked in the private sector at Putnam Investments for 21 years as a senior operations manager. She joined Franklin's team in 2016 as an assistant.

Franklin is known for being pro-active with staff succession planning, and Kerri was completely prepared to assume the role after the legendary Town Treasurer/Collector, Jim Dacey, retired after nearly two decades in the position."

Department Spotlight: Finance Department and the Treasurer/Collector

Find the full set of info on this Spotlight on the Town of Franklin page https://t.co/nhLAfsgdcW

This was shared from Twitter https://t.co/a4g2KXfBp1

Senior Center is collecting cards, notes and protective masks

"The Senior Center is collecting cards, notes and protective masks to distribute to our elderly and disabled community members. A donation box will be made available beginning this afternoon. Thank you in advance!"

@FranklinSrCntr #community #seniors #connections https://t.co/IFoB1y4eaN

Senior Center is collecting cards, notes and protective masks

Shared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1255488586293686273?s=03

Dr. Greg Chiklis and MRN Diagnostics in the News

From the Franklin Downtown Partnership:

"MRN Diagnostics, a Franklin-based company and a member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, has developed a rapid COVID-19 antibody test. Last week, Dr. Greg Chiklis and other researchers at MRN Diagnostics received emergency FDA approval for a tool that could be key in combating the coronavirus. The tests can determine whether you've been exposed to the virus and how much immunity you may have.

Thank you to Dr. Chiklis and his team for being part of the solution. We are excited to report this positive news story."

View the news story reported by NBC News Boston here
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coronavirus/local-chemist-helps-develop-rapid-covid-19-antibody-test/2114162/

Dr. Greg Chiklis and MRN Diagnostics in the News

Don't Forget to Respond: 2020 Census Reminder Postcards Arriving APRIL 27, 2020 — The U.S. Census Bureau is beginning to send reminder notice postcards to an estimated 69 million households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. About 53.4% of households across the country have already responded since invitations began arriving in mailboxes on March 12. Those households that have not yet responded to the census will receive an in person visit by a census taker to collect their information later this summer.   Learn More According to the Census Bureau's online response map tracking the nation's participation in the census, almost 79 million households have already responded online, by phone or by mail.  States with the highest response include, (top 5 states). Minnesota 64.0% Iowa 61.2% Wisconsin 60.8% Nebraska 60.7% Michigan 60.0% Counties with 250,000 or more population with the highest response rate include (top 5 counties). Washington County, Minnesota 73.6% Anoka County, Minnesota 72.9% Waukesha County, Wisconsin 72.5% Dakota County, Minnesota 71.8% Macomb County, Michigan 70.2% The Census Bureau strongly encourages the public to respond online at 2020census.gov. Households can respond online in English or 12 other languages or by phone. Households can also respond by mail using the paper questionnaire that was recently mailed to every non-responding address. Households that received a census invitation in the mail and have yet to respond will receive a paper questionnaire by April 30. Households will receive another reminder postcard in the mail between April 27-May 9. The Census Bureau pushed back this mailing to allow the paper questionnaire package to arrive several days ahead of the postcard. The postcard is one reminder in a series of reminders that the Census Bureau has mailed nonresponding households since mid-March urging them to respond. Census takers will visit every address that does not respond on their own to collect responses in person. Responding now to the 2020 Census will minimize the need for a census taker to visit your home later this year. For more information, visit 2020census.gov. No news release associated with this announcement. Tip Sheet only. Help us spread the word about the 2020 Census! Share this on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This Resources for the Media We're here to help you get the most out of our tipsheets, press releases, press kits, and media advisories. If you have a question, contact the Public Information Office at 301-763-3030 or pio@census.gov. TIP SHEET: CB20-CN.42

In the News: “We can’t just pretend everything is normal when we go back to school”

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

At-home schooling brings added challenges for special education students and parents

"Alexis Forgit, a Milford High School special education teacher, said some of her pupils have been automatically putting their backpacks on in the morning, not understanding why they are not going to school.

Several weeks ago, Alysia Butler’s sons could step out of class if they felt overwhelmed. One-on-one paraprofessionals, shared aides, behaviorists and other support staff helped them navigate the tough situations that would surface throughout the day.

Class has since shifted onto the online video-conferencing app Zoom in wake of the coronavirus. For the four boys and other children on the autism spectrum, the video calls can be draining.

“Fifteen minutes in, they have to check out,” said Butler, of Hopedale. “They can’t do that (on a Zoom call). You are expected to be there and present.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/for-metrowest-special-education-teachers-and-parents-at-home-schooling-brings-added-challenges


UMass Medical School to furlough 100 employees

"UMass Medical School plans to furlough 100 employees for up to six months in an effort to rein in costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The school announced the move in an internal memo on Wednesday.

The furloughed workers account for nearly 2% of the medical school’s workforce of around 6,000 employees. They could be brought back sooner than six months, and will still receive their health care coverage while they are furloughed, according to school spokeswoman Sarah Willey.

The furloughs are expected to go into effect next week. Willey did not have any information on Wednesday about which departments would be affected; Wednesday’s memo said they would happen “across all business units.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/umass-medical-school-to-furlough-100-employees

In the conversation with State Rep Jeff Roy shared here recently, we talked of his concern for the higher education institutions who were facing financial and demographic challenges before the pandemic came. UMass Medical was the first of three stops made in Worcester on the day I was fortunate to join him for his tour of all 29 higher ed state schools.

Listen to our conversation here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-255-state-representative-jeffrey-roy.html

 

State Rep Jeff Roy in one of the UMass Medical classroom with an interactive system of the body

In the News: Franklin Food Pantry lands new home; MAPC provides Community Greenhouse Inventory Tool

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

Franklin Food Pantry lands new home

"After three years of searching for a new home, the Franklin Food Pantry has finally found it - and it’s not too far from where it is now.

On Monday, the Franklin Food Pantry announced that it had purchased the former Dante’s Motors Inc. building at 138 East Central St. and that it intended to make that location its new home. The existing pantry is at 43 West Central St., just a mile away.

“It works - it’s close to where we are now and it’s an empty shell,” said pantry Executive Director Lynn Calling of the new building. She said it allows the pantry to continue serving those who find the current location convenient. The new location is just as accessible and has sidewalks leading to it, she said.

The price to acquire 138 East Central St. was $465,000, according to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The building is 5,360 square feet, according to real estate website Loopnet.com. By comparison, the current space where the pantry operates is 3,600 square feet."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/franklin-food-pantry-lands-new-home-after-decade-at-current-space

Franklin Food Pantry lands new home

MAPC provides Community Greenhouse Inventory Tool

"A regional planning agency has developed a new tool to help communities streamline the way they catalog greenhouse gases emitted in their communities.

The Boston-based Metropolitan Area Planning Council has launched its so-called “Community Greenhouse Inventory Tool” - an Excel document that provides a template for municipalities to track greenhouse gas emissions by sector and year.

Accompanying the Excel document is one that outlines how municipalities can use it.

The agency hopes that by providing centralized documents that outline the state’s approach to calculating greenhouse gas emissions, municipalities will be better equipped to accurately, consistently and uniformly track how residents are emitting greenhouse gases."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/tool-to-help-communities-get-grip-on-greenhouse-gases

The tool and guide are available at the organization’s website
https://www.mapc.org/planning101/community-ghg-assessment/

MAPC provides Community Greenhouse Inventory Tool

MBTA Commuter Rail: Starting Saturday May 2, shuttle busses return between Franklin Dean and Forge Park

"On Saturdays, May 2 and 9, shuttle buses will replace train service on the Franklin Line between Franklin and Forge Park to allow for double track extension work.

The shuttle buses will operate on the normal weekend train schedule. More information can be found via the link below."

https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track
Last Updated: Apr 29 2020 03:12 PM

Note: Yes, this is different from the notice made earlier this week about the PTC Project and I would have hoped that there would have been a little more coordination about the two announcements. For those looking to take the train to Boston on the weekend, take it from downtown's Dean Station and not Forge Park.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/mbta-starting-saturday-may-2-franklin.html

shuttle buses will replace train service on the Franklin Line between Franklin and Forge Park

EMERGENCY ORDER - "face covering over their mouth and nose"

Town of Franklin 

Board of Health

355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038

DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY - EMERGENCY ORDER

Pursuant to the declaration of a public health emergency on March 17, 2020, and all other authorizing statutes and regulations, acting by and through its agent authorized under MGL c. 111, §31 and we, the Board of Health of the Town of Franklin Massachusetts, hereby order the following:

1) All employees of all essential businesses shall wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and when the staff cannot maintain a safe social distance of six feet from any other co-worker. Nothing in this order shall require the use of a face covering by anyone for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition.

2) All essential businesses shall post on their main entrance doors that the board of health is strongly advising people to wear face coverings upon entrance of an essential business.

This emergency order shall be effective beginning Wednesday, APRIL 29, 2020 AT 12:01AM and remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Health’s judgement that the Public Health Emergency no longer exists. To the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials.
ORDERED at the Virtual Board of Health meeting this 27th day of April 2020. 

Cathleen Liberty, Director of Public Health, Franklin Board of Health


PDF of this can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/emergency_face_covering_order_2.pdf

Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1255215435148075010?s=09

Meeting notes for the April 27, 2020 session
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/board-of-health-approves-mandate-for.html

screengrab of Board of Health meeting April 27, 2020

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-Essential Business Closures to May 18th, Announces Reopening Advisory Board

Today (Apr 28, 2020), the Baker-Polito Administration extended the essential services emergency order to May 18th and launched a Reopening Advisory Board that will produce a plan to the Governor by May 18th. The Administration also announced that the Department of Public Health’s Stay At Home Advisory remains in effect and gatherings of 10 or more people remain prohibited until May 18th.

Essential Services Order: Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 18th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18th.

Stay at Home Advisory: Governor Charlie Baker announced that the Department of Public Health’s stay-at-home advisory will remain in effect. Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person to person contact during this time period. Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible. 

Executive Branch Employee Guidance: The Baker-Polito Administration today also extended the guidance issued to Executive Branch employees on protocol during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure state government can continue to provide key services while protecting the health and safety of the public and the Executive Branch workforce. Under the guidance, all employees performing non-core functions who are able to work remotely should continue to do so until May 18th.

Reopening Advisory Board: Today, Governor Baker announced the formation of the Reopening Advisory Board, which will be Co-Chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. The Board brings public health officials together with leaders from the business community and municipal government from across the Commonwealth. This group is charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics. It will meet with key stakeholders and solicit input from a variety of constituencies over the next three weeks to develop a report by May 18th that will include DPH approved workplace safety standards, industry frameworks and customer protocols and guidelines, including enforcement mechanisms and coordination with municipal leaders. This report is due on the 18th, but the administration has made clear that public health data and guidance from health care experts will dictate the timeline of the re-opening process.

The 17-member Advisory Board is composed of three public health officials, including Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel, three municipal officials, and eleven leaders from the business community, including MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. Members of the Advisory Board bring a range of perspectives to the table, such as an understanding of workplaces and workforces and insights into key areas like financial markets, education, manufacturing and transportation.

Reopening Advisory Board Members:

• Aron Ain, CEO, Kronos Inc & Ultimate Software
• Carlo Zaffanella, Vice President and General Manager, Maritime & Strategic Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
• Corey Thomas, CEO, Rapid 7
• Daniel Rivera, Mayor, City of Lawrence
• Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Girish Navani, CEO and Co-Founder, eClinicalWorks
• Joe Bahena, Senior Vice President, Joseph Abboud Manufacturing
• Kathryn Burton, Chief of Staff, City of Boston
• Laurie Leshin, Ph.D., President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Linda Markham, President, Cape Air
• Mark Keroack, President & CEO, Baystate Health
• Dr. Monica Bharel, M.D., Commissioner, Department of Public Health
• Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, City of Easthampton
• Pamela Everhart, Head of Regional Public Affairs and Community Relations, Fidelity Investments
• Stephanie Pollack, Transportation Secretary and CEO
• Steve DiFillippo, CEO, Davios Restaurants
• Wendy Hudson, Owner, Nantucket Book Partners

Shared from the MA.gov page
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-extends-non-essential-business-closures-to-may-18th-announces

screengrab of broadcast on announcement