Franklin Matters

Yes, that tall, pleated white hat that chefs wear — technically called a toque — has 100 folds for a reason! According to Reluctant Gourmet, the pleats used to signify a chef's level of experience, like the number of ways he or she knew how to prepare eggs.

You can hear a blue whale's heartbeat from more than 2 miles away.The world's largest animal's heart weighs about 400 pounds — approximately the size of a small piano.

Attached you will find:

Donna's activity sheet with 2 coloring pages

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9B-2N1jVfpq1QUPNcJAm_b1fQZn3uC4/view?usp=sharing

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all! We are still here for you! Please feel free to email Donna or me with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel & Donna

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it. If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it.

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution! Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer. Many look like real sites. Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).

https://www.cdc.gov/

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom! There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

Ariel Doggett

Respite Coordinator

Support Day Coordinator

Franklin Senior Center

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #2 - May 28, 2020

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0528&src=typeahead_click

Pre-Meeting Tweets

Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 1/3 "This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29" #fincom0528
Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 2/3 = Follow Zoom link in FinCom agenda doc franklinma.gov/sites/franklin #fincom0528
Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 3/3 = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #fincom0528

Meeting starts, Franklin Public Schools

screen grab at start of budget hearing #2

Real-time reporting ready to get underway for the #2 budget hearing for the Finance Committee meeting covering the school budget #fincom0528
Roll call of Committee (6 present) along with TA Hellen, Superintendent Ahern among others of town/schools. Approx 30 total to start meeting #fincom0528
Bill Dowd acting as Chair tonight in absence of M Dufour. #fincom0528 no public comments at this time. Minutes of Dec 17, 2019 up for approval, moved, seconded approved 7-0 (7 for, 2 absent) via roll call
First up on agenda is town side of technology, #fincom0528 mostly same as last year with a minor increase for license cost increases
Next up is school budget, only a line item on town side, all the details are in the school budget docs. #fincom0528
First doc for SchComm budget is https://franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/02._executive_summaryrevised.pdf #fincom0528 second doc https://franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/fy21_sc_approved_budget_overview.pdf
Town Council meeting of June 3 will include updates from Rep Roy, Senator Spilka and senator Rausch to provide some insight from capital hill #fincom0528 agenda to be posted Friday.
Grappling with how to close the gap, as mentioned in SchComm meeting 5/26 it could include reduction of 25 positions on one scenario and 50 positions on the second scenario #fincom0528 teacher avg salary is Below the State avg teacher salary
Town contributes more than $8M towards net school spending as calculated by the State, from the town side of the budget (facility maint, custodians, etc) and reconciled annually per MOU between town and schools #fincom0528
Q on enrollment drop can increases in budget, what is the readers digest answer? Population has dropped, but the students coming are requiring more services, K-8 teachers have dropped, councilors have increased #fincom0528
Key slide on gaps to close given some of the projections on the downturn and revenue estimates #fincom0528
Q how closely do we vette the SPED needs of the students? We do quite well there, a lot of data via testing and observation, a formal process to follow with reviews at minimum annually #fincom0528 some kids do get off plans, they don't always stay forever
SPED is a special Ed term for delivery of education to those students with special needs, schools attempt to do as much in-house as possible to save on out of district placements #fincom0528
June 15 for non-professional (less than 3 years) and per contract the others would also be notified by June 15. #fincom0528 contract does have recall provisions that could be used
Question on per pupil expenditure calculated at State per their categories and requirements #fincom0528

Tri-County, Norfolk Ag line items

Tri-County working on plans for a refurb of the building, that would require a debt exclusion. Otherwise the charge for Franklin is based upon a per pupil expense for enrollment #fincom0528 both for Norfolk Ag and Tri-County

Meeting adjourned via roll call by 7-0, catch you next Tuesday for part three of the FY 21 budget hearings #fincom0528

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will conduct a virtual general meeting on Zoom on Thursday, June 4 at 8:30 AM. This special "Re-opening Businesses" FDP General Meeting will feature updates from state and town leaders, including

Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
Susan Nicholl from State Sen. Karen Spilka's office
State Sen. Becca Rausch
State Rep. Jeff Roy
Franklin Health Director Cathy Liberty

The link to join the Zoom meeting is: https://zoom.us/j/96287098735
Meeting ID: 962 8709 8735
One tap mobile: +16465588656,,96287098735# US

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020

Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 1/3 "This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29" #fincom0527
Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 2/3 = Follow Zoom link in FinCom agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-27_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf #fincomm0527
Three options for watching Finance Committee budget hearing tonight 3/3 = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #fincom0527

Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020

Meeting Starts - Jamie Hellen budget message overview

Jamie Hellen budget message overview

Ready for real time reporting for the first of 4 finance committee budget hearings #fincomm0527
Attendance via roll call for the intro including Town Admin and staff #fincomm0527 8 present, 1 member absent to start
Approx 30 participating to start #fincomm0527 chair outlines meeting protocol and process to enable discussion and quality recording
For FY 20, approx 90% of anticipated revenues through April already in hand. Amount in free cash for Snow/ice set aside ready for reassign as winter was good to us. Chap 70 commitment from State for FY 20 will be met #fincomm0527
FY 21 is a different issue. #fincomm0527 some COVID-19 expenses will be covered by federal funds, cares act etc. When to be received is open
Some part time staff at senior center furloughed due to shut down and their funding via revolving funds that are not available due to shut down #fincomm0527 no full time affected

Balance budget presented, it is fluid. This is round one, there are reductions proposed. Additional may come as State aid reduction develops. Citizens need to be engaged in this discussion. #fincomm0527 FY 22 and 23 will provide additional challenges
Legislative delegation anticipated to be at the June 3 Town Council meeting to provide insights (Rausch, Roy, and Spilka) #fincomm0527 no rainy day fund, no revenue anticipated to help cover this
Town administrator Jamie Hellen provides the overview found in the budget memo shared earlier (I also recorded it) #fincomm0527 any cuts to local aid is a cut to the first line and dangerous. Will be critical to find new ways to do business in this new world
Question raised on override in 2007, link to override collection shared with group. #fincomm0527 http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/04/franklin-override-collection.html (Yes, the 2007 override was BEFORE franklinmatters.org came on line in Nov 2007)

Motion to hold off on individual budget votes, will do the vote after all the department details are reviewed : motion passed 8-0 via roll call #fincomm0527
One of the pluses with the virtual meeting is the screen share, all can be on the same page for the discussion of this or that number #fincomm0527
2% cost of living increase part of each department budget lines for personnel, contracts negotiated for some. #fincomm0527 2% is about $400k for the municipal side. Did put this forward until such time as we need to relook at it.
Request for a sheet with FTE head count by department; would be helpful for schools also, Jamie will take it back to Superintendent Ahern #fincomm0527 shift of spot retiring to get an additional Assessor, they are the real ones who generate the property tax revenue
Cost of handling online bill payments needs to be incentivized. Handling the checks and dollars is so expensive in comparison #fincomm0527 legal funds reduced as collective bargaining is complete for this cycle
Town clerk budget not reduced due to multiple elections coming this year, one part time clerk moved to full time so only three full time in group, will need election workers for Sep 1 and Nov 3; #fincomm0527 esp as many of the workers were seniors and would be at risk
Absentee ballots and how they are expanded (or not) remains to be resolved. #fincomm0527
Facility line item reduction does assume Davis Thayer building would close for FY 21 year (decision to be made by schools - and not likely timewise for short term by my analysis) only accounts for the expense of the building #fincomm0527
Line item for iPads to help with mobile inspections. #fincomm0527 thanks to Tri-County for some work their students did (one pavilion at DelCarte - I was scheduled to meet with them to report on their work and school shutdown interrupted that)
Mitigation steps, cleaning and PPE, can be reimbursed via the cares act up to an amount. First 10 weeks cost approx 42k #fincomm0527

Police Chief TJ Lynch

Moving to Public Safety section, Chief Lynch up. New shift schedule in process, something other depts need to look at to see if something like that is possible. Police at full staff currently (good health!) #fincomm0527
Fire chief McLaughlin here almost a year now, #fincomm0527 the coordination and cooperation among the depts for the pandemic has been great. Anticipate adding 4 paramedics in Jan 2021 (mid year) awaiting civil service removal approval by State House
Clear line of succession from paramedic through to chief, started new ambulance billing review effective April, each of the 4 battalion chiefs have additional duties #fincomm0527
Some nuances of fire head count due to the transition from civil service and the legal requirements before and after. Fire has 52 today, in Jan will be 56 per proposal aligned with battalion chiefs etc. #fincomm0527
Q on call volume, can get 5 years ? Check page 54 of the budget memo, it is there with some tables and pie charts #fincomm0527 had been on pace for 4800 runs/year pre covid, down slightly since (15%)
Comment on contract when approved by Town Council, had not heard the dept applaud a deal before. (When the fire contract was approved) Karen Bratt catches kudos twice tonight for her work on negotiations #fincomm0527
Moving to MECC dispatch operations, one year anniversary already, another merger coming as Mendon and Millville to join in Jan 2021, now eligible for additional grant opportunity, #fincomm0527 for 1 year of assessment getting 3 years of service
New stabilization fund coming for MECC full assessment in FY 25 #fincomm0527 the report gives thanks to multiple individuals for helping the MECC over the year
Open for final questions, motion to adjourn, vote via roll call passed 8-0. That's all for tonight! Catch you again Thursday for the school budget discussion.

One of the pluses with the virtual meeting is the screen share, all can be on the same page for the discussion of this or that number

What Is the Point of Chamber Membership?

Listen, friends, when society starts throwing around blanket definitions of which roles are "essential," although we can understand the meaning in this context, I think everyone starts considering their value a little.

A Chamber of Commerce is a unique thing. Many people think we are a city, probably tax funded, entity. Not true. Many people think we are a marketing agency. Not true, although we do provide marketing services. Many people think we are Downtown event planners. Not in our job descriptions, although we do believe our community is enriched by having regular activities to enjoy.

At the United Regional Chamber, we heavily consider ourselves to be customer service professionals. We exist to serve our business members, school districts, individual members, non profit partners, and the residents and visitors of our communities.

We provide word of mouth referrals on a daily basis. We manage a social media presence with broad reach. We create networking connections and new partnerships. We help your granddad find the phone number he didn't find in the yellow pages. We help high school kids navigate the steps of their community service project. We mail visitor packets out of state to people who are interested in relocating here, and we encourage them to stay in our local hotels and order our favorite menu items from local restaurants.

We help newcomers settle in by giving them useful resources accompanied by a sincere warm welcome to the community. We are an information hub.

We work closely with city leaders, local merchants, State agencies, Small Business Development Centers and more to stay in the know of things that could benefit or damage our communities. We are in a constant state of event planning, and are regularly brainstorming new things for families to do– because the truth is, if nobody enjoys living in and visiting our communities, our businesses will not thrive the way we want to see them thrive.

If you ask us "what's the point of joining the Chamber" we can rattle off a list of things we will do for you/your business, and I will explain that in some ways, we are like a gym membership– the more ways you choose to use your membership, the more benefit you will see. No two people will use the exact same combination of equipment, because we recognize that different members are seeking different results. Overall, like a gym, a Chamber cultivates a healthier community.

A Chamber is many things. We are flexible and ever evolving, because that's what it takes to be forward thinking and relevant. We offer a mix of tangible benefits and intangible benefits to our members, but a vibrant Chamber is GOOD for a vibrant community.

Before you dismiss a Chamber of commerce as non-essential for your business, please consider that Chambers are essential for community. Supporting your chamber is doing something for yourself– helping to build the quality of life in the communities where you live, work and play. #URCC #Chamberstrong

Jack Lank, IOM
President & CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone: 508-316-0861
www.unitedregionalchamber.org
"People Do Business With People They Know"

United Regional Chamber of Commerce

Attention Franklin: We Are a Purple Heart Community

We Are a Purple Heart Community - Honoring Those Who Served and Sacrificed

The Town of Franklin was recently named a Purple Heart Community. Along with 90 other Massachusetts communities, Franklin recognizes and honors recipients of the Purple Heart medal which is presented to U.S. military members who have been wounded or killed by enemy forces.

Please let the Veterans Services Office know if you or a family member (residing in Franklin) is a Purple Heart recipient.

Proclamation on "Purple Heart" community being read to acknowledge new designation. #tc0520 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/mai/files/4a._proclamation_-_purple_heart_community_2.pdf

Contact info for Dale Kurtz, the Veterans Service Officer
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)

A recent (April 27, 2020) interview with Dale Kurtz
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-257-dale-kurtz-veterans-services.html

Franklin Municipal Building at night

In the News: "(the scammers) can do a lot of damage"

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

"Using information stolen in a previous data breach, scammers are using Massachusetts’ residents personal information to get unemployment benefits, something that could have far-reaching effects for victims.

Police in Ashland, Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Natick and Sherborn have received multiple calls from residents saying they have received letters in the mail indicating that they have been approved for unemployment benefits.

The problem is, those victims had never applied for the benefits.

Although the victims of the identity fraud aren’t losing money, it could lead to problems."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200529/area-police-warn-of-unemployment-scam

Friday, May 29, 2020

St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

This weekend, May 30-31, we will “re-open our Parish” to Saturday/Sunday Masses.

We begin this reopening on a special, powerful and meaningful feast: The Feast of Pentecost, the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, also called the Birthday (Beginning) of the Church.

After this long quarantine we are at a “new beginning” of our Parish and its spiritual life. The Holy Spirit, sent by the Lord Jesus, is with us as we start the “baby steps” to begin to walk and re-open our Parish. I invite you to read this letter closely because although everyone is invited, there are many, many of you who should remain at home for health and safety reasons.

The Apostles at Pentecost: they were brave, they will filled with faith and hope, but they also had to stumble about, back up a few times, go forward a few steps and also stop to figure it out some more. Some were able to step right along, and many were unable to come forward until later.

Remember the great and magnificent Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome took centuries to be built as it appears today and also was torn down, added to and changed inside and out at various times. We cannot gild the lily with gold, until we plant, water, care for and grow the lily first, a lots of steps which all take time.

So we do not start with the highest and fancy best as we begin again, we start with the basic and solid elements of Mass. Also, what is true is that the early church is a good model for us about deciding about “returning to church”. We need to remember that this decision is not about lack of faith; instead it is about being prudent and sensible and also using common sense.

No one will get a higher seat in heaven for coming this week or in the next period of time, we receive our seat by the grace of God and then by our actions of our entire lifetime.

We will begin with Masses at 4 PM this Saturday May 30, 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM on May 31 this Sunday. Bear in mind we need to clean and sanitize the church between each Mass.

The Mass in church for the foreseeable future will feel very different and perhaps strange to you. Further along in the letter I will explain some of the steps which we must take. Bear in mind that Cardinal Sean has continued the Dispensation for everyone about not attending Mass for any reason. This means any age.

First I wish to address straight on a serious matter of who should consider coming to Mass and the folks who simply should not come. We are at present in Phase One in our State which means “stay safer at home.”

This means there are categories of people who should choose not to attend Mass: People who are over the age of 70, with health issues the ages of 65-70, those who are receiving medical care, especially cancer and cardiac patients, people with emphysema, asthma or COPD, a history of pneumonia, those who use oxygen, or any respiratory complication etc. - basically any significant health reason whether physical or psychological. Good Catholics will observe this and all good Catholics will understand.

Coming to Church for Mass means cooperating with the new mandated rules and procedures, whether you like them or not. None of us will prefer them, but you, me and everyone else must care for the safety of others first.

You may find a video of this as an example on our website (stmarysfranklin.org) or our Facebook Page

Archdiocese of Boston: Returning to Mass from Archdiocese of Boston on Vimeo.

All of us must observe the rules.
Please place your mask on while at the sidewalk.
Entrance is only by the front middle door or the elevator side entrance.
Everyone must come in and go down the main aisle to the front and circulate to side by going up to the front, across and then up the side.
Benches are closed off by tape. Do not break the tape.
The benches without tape on the aisle are for sitting.
Tape is placed on the bench seat to show where you may sit in that bench so that six feet will be observed.
If you are a household of 2 or more, you may sit as a group.
The next single near your group must stay 6 feet away.
There are only about 180 seats available in the church.
When capacity is reached, by law we must not admit anyone else.

Sadly, you will be unable to attend Mass in the church. There will be volunteer “Ambassadors” who will remind folks, help direct traffic flow and answer questions.

There will be no missalettes or singing.
At Communion, the Ambassadors will direct this bench by bench.
You must come down the main aisle.
The sides must go to the back, come across and come down the main aisle.
You must stay 6 feet apart.
Only Communion in the hand is allowed. “By tongue” is expressly forbidden because it is so very, very most dangerous in spreading infection, now or at any time.
Please put out one hand palm up.
Then step over about 6 feet to the taped box on the rug, remove your mask, receive Communion and then re-mask.
After receiving, please go down the side aisle and leave immediately by the front side door. You must leave by the two side doors in the lobby area. “Middle in, side out!”
If you are coming, please realize it will take extra time and come starting a half hour before hand.

The side stairwell and wooden door on the Rectory side will be unavailable for use for the foreseeable future. Entrance to the lower level, will be by the side glass doors towards the front.

The Prayer Wall in our Church is available electronically via our Facebook Page and also in church. If you use in church, you must come early and put your prayer up before Mass. Because of health reasons, you must provide your own pen for church.

Terry Kerr, our Music Director and Organist, will provide music and singing at allowed times.

Also, please know that Private/Family Only Funeral Masses are now being held. Weekday Mass will be a few more weeks away. We are following the priorities as directed by the Archdiocese.

Please know the very spiritual and holy Masses and Services on Catholic TV (catholictv.org) are available for everyone who should be staying at home. I have received many, many emails from folks about how this great spiritual treasure of our Archdiocese has kept their faith vibrant and strong. Parishes that stream their amateur efforts just cannot compete with Bishop Reed offers on the Catholic TV Channel.

Our Saint Vincent de Paul acknowledges your generosity to them for their caring for the needy and frail. To bring donations of food and supplies from now on, please bring them up the sidewalk between the Rectory and church building and place them inside the glass doors on the side of the church at ground level. Many have also mailed in financial donations to the Rectory.

I admire greatly the constant and faithful generosity of all who have thoughtfully sent financial support to our Parish via on-line giving (found at stmarysfranklin.org) or mailed in or dropped through the Rectory mail slot. Your continued generosity will help us as we go slowly through the many stages over the long time of re-opening.

Our Blessed Mother Mary is our Patroness and we honor her especially in this month of May. Saint Rocco, our special Patron, intercedes for us in heaven. We are blessed to be able to begin. We have the Holy Spirit who has been sent as an Advocate and Helper to us. The Spirit empowers us as we begin and re-open.

May the Lord bless us as we continue His command to announce “the Good News of Salvation”.

Father Brian

PS: “Dear God, please get Father Brian to write shorter letters!”

St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31

FM #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20

FM #279 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 279 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA Finance Committee meeting held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

This is the first of four budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21).

The Finance Committee Chair Micheal Dufour opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The recording runs about two hour and twenty-five minutes (2:25) , so let’s listen to the Finance Committee budget hearing of May 27.

Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HB7R38g7

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

Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-05-27_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

Budget doc and Overview memo
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fy21-town-administrator-budget-message

FY 2021 budget documents
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials

Town Budget page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

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

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 #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20

FM #278 School Committee Meeting - 5/26/20 (audio)

FM #278 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 278 in the series.

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The School Committee Chairperson Anne Bergen opens the meeting. Each person who speaks is announced. The show notes contain links to the meeting packet and to the individual documents referenced.

The recording runs about one hour and fifty minutes (1:50) , so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of May 26.

Audio link = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HW257rH7

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

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

My notes reported in real-time during the meeting via Twitter
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/school-committee-meeting-recap-budget.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

FM #278 School Committee Meeting - 5/26/20 (audio)

Senate Passes Legislation to Collect Vital Public Health Data, Establish a COVID-19 Diversity Task Force

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan legislation to promote equity and transparency as the Commonwealth continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill, An Act Addressing COVID-19 Data Collection and Disparities in Treatment, will increase the amount of statewide, publicly available data as it relates to the coronavirus. The legislation also establishes a task force to study and make policy recommendations to address health disparities for underserved and underrepresented communities during the pandemic. The bill advanced to the governor.

“This strong, comprehensive bill will help us begin to address the disparate impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare, especially among our communities of color and other vulnerable populations,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am proud of the thoughtful and collaborative work my Senate colleagues, as well as the Senate Working Group, did to advance this urgent piece of legislation. I look forward to it becoming law.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Senate President Spilka, the bill we passed today is a true reflection of the Senate’s teamwork,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D- Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Owing to the collaborative spirit and input of Senators Brownsberger, Comerford, Chang-Diaz, Cyr, and Jehlen, this critical legislation increases transparency and ensures we have access to the important data necessary to effectively and precisely fight this pandemic.”

“This legislation has two major wins: data transparency and government accountability,” said Senator Jo Comerford, co-chair of the Committee on Public Health and Chair of the Senate COVID-19 Working Group (D-Northampton). “Public access to comprehensive data is foundational to a strong democracy and a healthy government is one that commits publicly to address any disparities and inequities found in the data. Thank you to the advocates who organized effectively around this legislation. And thank you to the Senate President, Chair Rodrigues, and colleagues for their tenacious efforts and commitment to propelling this bill across the finish line.”

“Communities of color are more vulnerable to disease because of long-term, structural barriers to care and treatment,” said Assistant Majority Whip Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “COVID-19 has disproportionately sickened and killed underserved and underrepresented populations in Massachusetts, and the Commonwealth is obligated to respond and care for communities where the need is greatest. Collecting actionable demographic data is critical to inform policies and interventions for the duration of the pandemic. This legislation is a step towards making right the gaping equities that COVID-19 has laid bare.”

“This pandemic has been particularly devastating for Black, brown, and immigrant communities across the state, and this bill is a vital step towards helping us craft an equitable recovery,” said Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz (D-Boston), a member of the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus. The bill's data requirements are rigorous, comprehensive, and time-sensitive and — so importantly — it takes the next steps beyond data and requires the development of action steps to address COVID-19 disparities. Many thanks to Senate President Spilka, Senator Rodrigues, and Senator Comerford for ushering through such a strong bill, to the Black & Latino Caucus, and to so many in the healthcare and social services communities--in particular, the Massachusetts Public Health Association--for their dedicated and thoughtful advocacy throughout this process.”

“Overcoming the challenges of gaps in treatment and access to health care has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). “By working together, the House and Senate have responded with a comprehensive bill, with bipartisan support, that will help close those gaps while informing our future decisions to prevent inequalities from happening in the first place.”

Under the bill, the Department of Public Health (DPH) is required to compile, collect and issue daily online reports on the number of people tested for COVID-19, positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths along with the gender, race, ethnicity, primary residence, occupation, disability, age and primary language of each case.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of cases statewide, the legislation also requires that daily reports include data and demographic information from municipalities and counties with more than 25 positive cases, elder care facilities, as well as state and county correctional facilities. Facility-specific information will be made publicly available while maintaining individual privacy. In addition to requiring greater data collection, the bill requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to describe the actions it is taking to address disparities identified through the data collected.

In response to increasing concerns about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and disproportionately impacted populations, the legislation also establishes a task force to study and make policy recommendations for how to address these health disparities. The task force is required to issue an interim report by June 30, 2020, with a final report due August 1, 2020.

The bill, which is the latest action by the Senate to address the COVID-19 public health crisis and its effects on Massachusetts, now advances to the governor’s desk.

Veterans Memorial Walkway Update

Brick Sales Are Ongoing

The May 2020 brick installation has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The next installation will be in June.

Brick sales will be ongoing until all bricks have been engraved.

Brick order forms can be found on this web page. Click on the Veterans Walkway Brick Order Form link on the left side of the Veterans Services home page.
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/files/veterans-walkway-brick-order-form

Veterans or current members of the U.S. military being honored with an engraved brick do not need to be Franklin residents.

For more information, call (508) 613-1315.

Thank you for your support of this project that honors our Veterans!

Veterans Memorial Walkway Update

Franklin Recreation COVID-19 News - June 1 meeting

Recreation COVID-19 News

5/29 Update: On Monday, June 1, the Recreation Dept will be hosting a zoom meeting to discuss phase 2 approach to bringing back youth sports with all Franklin Youth Sports presidents and Recreation Advisory Board members.

5/28 Update: As of now, the Recreation dept is planning to run summer camp beginning on July 6th, pending meeting to discuss with all School and Town officials on 6/1. There will be no field trips, groups will be limited to 5:1 ratio and extreme safety measures will be in place. More information to come next week.

5/25 Update: All Town and School playing fields, courts, open space are now open with restrictions. Playgrounds are still closed until further notice. See Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen's memo https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2020-05-22_athletic_fields_reopen.pdf

https://bit.ly/3bDgozC

Franklin Matters

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast 5-29-2020

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #2 - May 28, 2020

Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting to focus on "Re-opening Businesses"

Finance Committee Recap - Budget Hearing #1 - May 27, 2020

What Is the Point of Chamber Membership?

Attention Franklin: We Are a Purple Heart Community

In the News: "(the scammers) can do a lot of damage"

Friday, May 29, 2020

St Mary's to hold Mass May 30-31

FM #279 Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #1 - 5/27/20

FM #278 School Committee Meeting - 5/26/20 (audio)

Senate Passes Legislation to Collect Vital Public Health Data, Establish a COVID-19 Diversity Task Force

Veterans Memorial Walkway Update

Franklin Recreation COVID-19 News - June 1 meeting

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