Tracy Novick: "The pit in my stomach"

Tracy Novick is a member of the Worcester (MA) School Committee, and a field director for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). While she has a bunch of disclaimers as she opens her article, from her observations she asks some questions on how to re-open schools:

"Please make no mistake: having our kids out of school is absolutely catastrophic to their education, and, in many cases, to their physical and mental health. In some cases, this has been exponentially increased by the lack of timely response, or mismanagement, or other leadership lacks.

I'm not under any illusions on how destructive this time is to many.

I also spend a good bit of time in and around schools, and schools of different types. I know what it's like in a suburban high school at lunchtime, and what it's like at an urban elementary school at recess. I've been in the closets that pass for offices for speech therapists and myriad of other support staff, the auto bays and shops of a vocational school at work, the flood of students running for buses at the end of the day.
I've also been in a lot of bathrooms.
I don't of course know it all, but know what a lot of that looks like in schools in Massachusetts right now.

I don't know how we do it without kids touching each other and breathing on each other and their teachers. I mean that, genuinely. I have tried and tried to figure out how you'd do it."

A worthy read, to continue follow this link:
http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-pit-in-my-stomach.html

Tracy's MASC profile page  https://www.masc.org/about-us-3/staff/67-about-us/staff/707-tracy-novick  (her profile needs to be updated as she got re-elected to the Worcester School Committee in Nov 2019).

Tracy Novick: "The pit in my stomach"

In the News: Annie's book store closes; planning underway to allow visitors to long-term care facilities

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

"Books hold a special place in the heart of Ann Durant -- so much so that they are like members of her family, each variously holding within its whispering, ink-fragrant pages memories of past times spent together or promises of new friendships, new discoveries and new adventures.

So it should come as no surprise that Durant, owner of Annie’s Book Stop on Plainville’s Man-Mar Drive, has been on a very determined mission the last couple of weeks: To leave the collection of books in her second-hand bookstore in equally loving hands.

Durant has found herself in the difficult position of having to close the business her mother -- the late Eleanor Arnold -- opened nearly four decades ago, and that she herself has been operating for nearly 25 years. While she has overcome some significant business challenges over the years, including competing with big box book stores and online book purveyors, the coronavirus pandemic has proven to be too much to surmount.

“Basically, my decision to close is directly because of the pandemic, when you count what it would cost me to stay open,” she said. “I have jumped hurdles -- the big box stores, the online stuff. I’ve always found a way around it, but this ... whether it’s my age or the length of time I’ve done this ... this I couldn’t find a way over it or under it or around it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200526/a-wonderful-journey-comes-to-end-in-plainville-as-annies-book-stop-closes-amidst-coronavirus-pandemic

"As the state’s economic reopening gets underway in earnest this week, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that COVID-19 public health data indicates “that we are trending in the right direction,” and the head of the state’s COVID-19 Command Center said plans are in the works to allow people to once again visit their loved ones in long-term care settings.

Opening his first press conference since many consumer-facing businesses were allowed to reopen Monday, the governor highlighted two of the metrics that he has said will be key considerations when deciding when to launch subsequent phases of the reopening plan.

Baker said the average positive test rate is down to about 9% and has “been pretty much in that general vicinity now for about a week.” And the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has shown “a significant decrease over the course of the past two or three weeks,” he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200526/medical-advisory-board-working-on-plan-to-allow-visitors-to-long-term-care-facilities-in-massachusetts-again-visitors-were-banned-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak

Video link for May 26 update by Gov Baker: https://youtu.be/X1Dq6fENwtI

Traffic Advisory for Union Street - Jun 6-7

Traffic Advisory for Union Street

June 6th Traffic Advisory for Union Street

The MBTA/Keolis will be performing maintenance at the track crossing on Union Street over the June 6th weekend. The work will involve closing the roadway with a detour in place. 

Work is expected to begin on Saturday June 6th and the road closure may extend into Sunday, June 7th.

Traffic Advisory for Union Street - Jun 6-7

FM #276 FY 2021 Budget Narrative 5/26/20 (audio)

FM #276 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 276 in the series.

In preparation for the Finance Committee budget hearings scheduled for

• Weds - May 27
• Thur - May 28
• Tues - Jun 2
• Thur - Jun 4

I thought it might be helpful to read the budget narrative our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen wrote and shares as part of the FY 2021 budget package.

Links to the budget documents and budget page are included in the show notes. The individual agenda documents for each of the budget hearings are also included.

The recording runs about 19 minutes, so let’s listen to the budget narrative for FY 2021   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZ16M3V7



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Town of Franklin (MA) Budget Page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Town Administrator budget message and budget summary
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/2020-05-27_fy_2021_budget_message_narrative_final.pdf

• May 27 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259774
• May 28 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259784
• June 2 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259794
• June 4 agenda https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee/events/259804

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 #276 FY 2021 Budget Narrative 5/26/20 (audio)

Reminder: School Committee Meeting - May 26, 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 Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86252499587 

Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)  Meeting ID: 813 5749 4092

A G E N D A

“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. Retiree Recognition
B. Introduce Mr. Josh Hanna, FHS Principal as of July 1, 2020

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy – 2nd Readings/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as detailed: EBAB (New) - Pest Management
EBC - Emergency Plans
B. Policy – 1st Reading
I recommend moving Policy ECAF – Security Cameras in Schools to a second reading as detailed.
C. Policy Elimination
I recommend elimination of policy JLDBB – Crisis Intervention Plan as detailed.

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. Closure Update
B. FY 21 Budget Discussion

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 May 12, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Adjournment


Agenda document
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/scagenda_5-26-20.pdf

Meeting packet folder
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/may-26-2020-school-committee-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 26, 2020

US Census Bureau - Report on Housing for Aging Population

As the School Department looks at the demographics to determine the projected enrollment over the next ten years, one aspect of the 19 assumptions provided in the report, was a given turnover in housing to "maintain" a stable population.  Higher turnover could increase population, lower turnover could lessen population. 

Given our population is also growing older, aside from services provided by the Senior Center, do we have enough housing for the older population? This report on a US perspective takes a look at that aspect.

"The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new population report on the readiness of housing to meet the needs of the nation’s aging population. The report – Old Housing, New Needs: Is America’s Housing Ready for an Aging Population? – uses data from the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS) to provide national-level estimates of housing units with aging-accessible features, such as handrails or grab bars in bathrooms, step-free entryways, and wheelchair-accessible kitchens, as well as geographic differences in the prevalence of homes with these features.

This report also examines the demographic and economic characteristics of households where older adults reported difficulty using these home features compared with households where older adults reported no such difficulty."

Shared from the US Census
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p23-217.html

Download from the US Census page:
https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p23-217.pdf

Or the Franklin Matters copy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aI3EyGi_Of0iCYvUSQKLNL7zPPlOu2VK/view?usp=sharing

US Census Bureau - Report on Housing for Aging Population

Head's Up: MTBA Commuter Rail - Shuttle Bus to Walpole Jun 6-7

On June 6 & 7, buses will replace service on the Franklin Line at Forge Park through Walpole to allow for double track extension work. The buses will operate on the weekend train schedule. Normal train service will operate at Walpole through South Station

The shuttle buses will operate on the normal weekend train schedule and will be ADA accessible, though bikes will not be allowed on board. Trains may experience delays due to the shuttle busing, please allow for additional travel time.

Visit mbta.com/FRKwork for more details.

Affected stops:

• Walpole
• Norfolk
• Norwood Depot
• Norwood Central
• Franklin
• Forge Park/495

Affected trips:
1702 (6:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1703 (7:20 am from South Station)
1704 (8:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1705 (9:20 am from South Station)
2706 (10:40 am from Forge Park/495)
2706 (10:40 am from Forge Park/495)
1706 (10:40 am from Forge Park/495)
2707 (11:20 am from South Station)
1707 (11:20 am from South Station)
2707 (11:20 am from South Station)
1707 (11:20 am from South Station)
2708 (12:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2708 (12:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1708 (12:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2709 (1:20 pm from South Station)
2709 (1:20 pm from South Station)
1709 (1:20 pm from South Station)
2710 (2:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2710 (2:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1710 (2:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2711 (3:20 pm from South Station)
2711 (3:20 pm from South Station)
1711 (3:20 pm from South Station)
2712 (4:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2712 (4:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1712 (4:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2713 (5:20 pm from South Station)
2713 (5:20 pm from South Station)
1713 (5:20 pm from South Station)
2714 (6:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2714 (6:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1714 (6:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2715 (7:20 pm from South Station)
2715 (7:20 pm from South Station)
1715 (7:20 pm from South Station)
2716 (8:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2716 (8:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1716 (8:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2717 (9:20 pm from South Station)
2717 (9:20 pm from South Station)
1717 (9:20 pm from South Station)
2718 (10:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2718 (10:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
1718 (10:40 pm from Forge Park/495)
2719 (11:20 pm from South Station)
2719 (11:20 pm from South Station)
1719 (11:20 pm from South Station)

For more information: https://mbta.com/FRKwork


Last Updated: May 22 2020 01:59 PM

Franklin Line: Double track photos via Keolis

 

MA virtual ceremony for Memorial Day 2020 (video)

"Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joined legislative leaders and local officials today to recognize Memorial Day in a virtual ceremony.

Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Ureña, Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs Co-Chairs Senator Walter F. Timility and Rep. Linda Dean Campbell provided video remarks, and the Massachusetts National Guard performed a special Tribute to the Fallen Wreath Ceremony.

The flags presented to Baker and Major General Gary W. Keefe by the Color Guard during this ceremony have flown above the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, and the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, as a mark of solemn respect and in honor of the veterans lost during the COVID-19 public health emergency."

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200525/watch-massachusetts-holds-virtual-ceremony-to-honor-our-fallen-heroes-on-memorial-day-2020

Video link = https://youtu.be/iHCFPy_URIQ

FM #275 "Talk Franklin" with Jamie Hellen, Anne Marie Tracey 5/22/20 (audio)

FM #275 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 275 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 talk about:

• Re-opening status, progress

Curbside café – June 1

Jun 4 downtown partnership

New “Resource” button

• Memorial Day
• Budget

Finance Committee budget hearings

Agendas for each meeting posted

• Department Spotlight, Recreation

And we close with some cultural comments continuing the Prince reference from the prior session, and new mentions of the Beatie Boys movie and country musician Margo Price

• Beastie Boys - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11615290/
• Margo Price - https://margoprice.net/

Cultural Events coming up

• Jamie Barrett - TuNesDay - May 26 https://youtu.be/z40Drnl6GhU
• Empty Bowls - goes virtual the week of June 8
• Party for the Pantry- goes virtual July 15

The recording runs about 58 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hrr9zK97




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

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"

recreation spaces are re-opened today with restrictions

Patriotic Singalong THIS TuNesday - May 26 - 8:00 AM

Hello!

Just an FYI... THIS TuNesday, May 26th @ 8:00 AM (or ANY time thereafter!!!) I’ll be doing an ALL PATRIOTIC morning show for about 30 minutes or so! Hope to ‘see’ many of you there and hoping you can share with all of your family and friends! I

’ll be singing ALL of the classic Memorial Day songs (and perhaps a few others) in honor of all those who have served and/or still serve but especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in one of the five branches of our country’s military... 

I’ll also be honoring those who are serving us now on the front lines during this time...

To watch the show, all you need is this link: https://youtu.be/z40Drnl6GhU

If you LOSE or forget the link, just type in Wake Up With Mr Barrett on YouTube and it’ll probably be at the top of your search...

Again, hope to ‘see’ you there!

Have a great weekend!

Jamie 🎸

James H. Barrett
General Music K - 5
Jefferson/Davis Thayer

 

Patriotic Singalong THIS TuNesday - May 26 - 8:00 AM

HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #5: 2020 Franklin Girls Basketball

Team: Franklin girls basketball
Year: 2019-2020
Record: 25-0
2020 Kelley-Rex Division Champions
2020 Division 1 State Champions

"It may still have been the regular season and there was a lot of basketball standing between the teams and a trophy, but there was a distinct sense of anticipation when Franklin and Bridgewater-Raynham met up in the first round of the Comcast Classic at Woburn High. A lot of people in the stands were wondering if the Panthers, who had been widely-considered the top team in the state since preseason, were as good as advertised.

Franklin made a statement, leading from the opening tip and pulling out a comfortable 58-41 victory over the eventual Div. 1 South champion. It was a turning point, where the 2020 Franklin girls basketball team recognized that it could play at another level, one that even the top teams in the state would struggle against. It was a confidence boost that carried the Panthers to a second straight D1 Central crown, a perfect season, and the program’s first state championship.

“That’s when we started to realize, and that was in February, that maybe it’s even beyond what we originally thought,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “Some of the kids said they wanted to go undefeated from day one, and that’s a great goal, but seeing it become a reality is a different thing.”

Continue reading the article at HockomockSports.com
https://hockomocksports.com/teams-of-the-decade-5-2020-franklin-girls-basketball/

HockomockSports.com: Teams of the Decade #5: 2020 Franklin Girls Basketball

One day delay in trash/recycling schedule this week

One day delay THIS WEEK (May 25-29) for curbside trash and recycling!

One day delay in trash/recycling schedule this week

Commuity Preservation Act update

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) still in the planning for a decision later this year by the Town Council to either put it on the ballot for the voters in November, or not. This article from the Mass Municipal Association (MMA) reveals "preliminary guidance" on the state distribution amount.

"While the COVID emergency’s impact on the Community Preservation Act Trust Fund is difficult to predict, the Division of Local Services on May 1 issued preliminary guidance, projecting an 11.2% first-round distribution to CPA communities in November.

“While current events have made estimating the state match a challenge, we have calculated a conservative estimate for use in municipal budget discussions,” the DLS stated.

Revenue for the trust fund comes from filing fees collected at the state’s registries of deeds (for home sales and mortgage filings, for example), but it’s unclear how COVID will impact the real estate market in the coming months.

A change to fees collected by the registries of deeds went into effect on January 1, 2020. This change was implemented to boost the CPA trust fund balance to provide for a greater state match."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/dls-issues-preliminary-estimate-of-11-2-for-fall-cpa-trust-fund-distribution/

The recent CPA materials used for the Town Council discussions

• Feb 5, 2020 meeting recap

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/town-council-recap-of-feb-5-2020.html

• The audio segment of the Feb 5, 2020 meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-203-community-preservation-act-feb-5.html

• CPA presentation materials

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/community-preservation-act-cpa.html

It was a sense of deja vu for Jamie as he realized that he had come to Franklin on November 7, 2001