"everyone be patient and respect that we are all doing the best we can"

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

"Many farmers markets across the MetroWest and Milford region are set to open in the coming weeks, but they will have a different look this year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The state Department of Public Health in late April released guidelines for farmers markets to safely open and operate during the crisis, including limiting the number of customers allowed to enter the market at one time, implementing social distancing measures, having customers and vendors wear masks and gloves at all times and minimizing cash transactions, among other measures.

...
The situation is similar in Franklin, which will open its market June 5.

“The market is going to be very different this year as it has historically been a great gathering space on the town common” said Cynthia Garboski, Franklin Farmers Market manager. “This year, the message will be to come in, but local, support your farmers and continue on with your day elsewhere.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200531/area-farmers-markets-will-open-with-different-look-this-year-amid-ongoing-coronavirus-pandemic

"everyone be patient and respect that we are all doing the best we can"

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Remote Meeting - June 3, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. April 22, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Annual Reappointments

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
a. La Cantina Winery - Farmer-Winery, Farmer’s Market License

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Franklin's State Legislative Delegation - Senate President Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy, Senator Rebecca Rausch
b. Community Preservation Act (CPA)
c. Annual Financial Audit Presentation

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a. Resolution 20-29: Appropriation of Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per M.G.L Ch.44, §53F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-29 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
b. Resolution 20-30: Gift Acceptance - Franklin Fire Department (Motion to approve Resolution 20-30- Majority Roll Call Vote)

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. Coronavirus Update
b. FY21 Budget Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note: Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda document
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/06-03-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

Agenda page for June 3
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/june-3-2020-town-council-agenda-remote-meeting

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Remote Meeting - June 3, 2020

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #3 - DPW - 6/2/20

Town Of Franklin

Finance Committee Meeting

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 6:30 PM

Link to access meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89499275801
Call in Number: 1-929-205-6099 enter Meeting ID: 894 9927 5801 then press #


To view or download the FY21 Budget Message, Budget Proposal and all materials, please visit the Town’s Budget Website
 https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/pages/fy2021-budget-materials


AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of Minutes
4. DPW Stormwater MS4 Permit Presentation
5. FY21 Budget Presentations: Dept. Tab

• DPW 422 Public Works
• Street Lights 424 Public Works
• Refuse Enterprise 434 Enterprise
• Sewer Enterprise 440 Enterprise
• Water Enterprise 450 Enterprise

6. Enterprise Fund Capital Program Update
7. Adjournment


Trust Fund Balances Update as of 4/30/20
● General Stabilization $ 6,137,832
● Recreation Field 455,151
● Open Space Acquisition 2,349,513
● Budget Stabilization 6,583
● Free Cash 834,296
● Fire Truck Stabilization 309,733
● OPEB 5,833,461
● Property Acquisition 269,958 
OPEB Obligation as of 6/30/19 (PAYGO): 68,554,870


FinComm agenda for June 2
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-06-02_finance_committee_agenda.pdf

Budget hearing #1 - 5/27/20

• audio = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-280-finance-committee-budget-hearing.html
• Notes = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/finance-committee-recap-budget-hearing.html

Budget hearing #2 - 5/28/20

• audio = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-279-finance-committee-budget-hearing.html
• Notes = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/finance-committee-recap-budget-hearing.html

screen grab of virtual session for Budget Hearing #1

 

Re-opening Guidelines for Restaurants and Hotels/lodging

As announced on Friday, Gov Baker has released the guidelines for restaurants and hotels for their review in preparation for opening in Phase 2. Note: the date for Phase 2 has not yet been determined. It could be as early as June 8 but in my reading between the lines is not likely. The data from June 1 to June 6 has been acknowledged to determine the date.

As residents and users of these services, perhaps more frequently to the restaurants than lodging, it would be good to be aware so we'll know what to expect as we venture forth.
 
Links to the guidelines are provided below.

Audio file for the Friday, May 29 COVID-19 update by Gov Baker - https://youtu.be/SYu8dLOpe0c




Restaurant Standards
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-restaurants

Restaurant Summary
https://www.mass.gov/doc/restaurants-protocol-summary/download

Restaurant Checklist
https://www.mass.gov/doc/restaurants-checklist/download

Lodging Standards
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-operators-of-lodgings#downloads-

Lodging Summary
https://www.mass.gov/doc/operators-of-lodgings-protocol-summary/download

Lodging Checklist
https://www.mass.gov/doc/operators-of-lodgings-checklist/download

The Curbside Cafe at Franklin Senior Center - June 1

The Curbside Cafe at Franklin Senior Center

Starting Monday, June 1st, the Curbside Cafe will be providing freshly prepared meals for curbside pickup, Monday through Friday, at the Franklin Senior Center from 11 am -1 pm, for elders, 60 years and older and disabled residents.  This program is funded by a grant from the Metrowest Health Foundation and generous support from the Franklin Council on Aging. 

Find out more details on our website here: https://www.franklinma.gov/curb

The Curbside Cafe at Franklin Senior Center - June 1

Everyone has a role to play in doing that, especially as the weather gets better”

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

"The dual public health and economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have consumed virtually all of Beacon Hill’s attention, shifting many of the Baker administration’s pre-pandemic priorities to the back burner or off the stove altogether, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said.

For more than two months, state officials have been focused almost exclusively on responding to the highly infectious virus that has killed nearly 6,500 Massachusetts residents and blunting the major economic fallout that has pushed unemployment to record levels.

During an interview with Boston Magazine Editor Chris Vogel for the “Power Talks” series, Polito said the greatest challenge she has experienced amid the disruption is the “relentless focus” on COVID-19 response.

“It is our 100% focus - there isn’t anything else,” the Shrewsbury resident said. “I have a pile on my desk of the things I was working on before this hit, and it’s just there, and it is so secondary to what we need to focus on. I think that that’s in a way important, but really, all the things that we dream and hope for for the commonwealth are just kind of on hold. And that’s hard.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200531/polito-puts-hopes-and-dreams-on-hold

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito spoke at FHS a year ago

 

"this is common ground that we found and we think the right way to go"

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

"Every registered voter in Massachusetts would receive an application by mid-July to request a ballot to vote by mail in the 2020 elections under a plan released Friday by House and Senate Democrats intended to create more options for voters to safely participate in the electoral process during the coronavirus pandemic.

The proposal for expanded voting-by-mail would be coupled with in-person early voting before both the primary and general elections in September and November, and traditional voting at a local polling station during both elections.

With the bill, state lawmakers are inserting themselves directly into a fiery national debate over the integrity of mail-in voting, with President Donald Trump at the center of the conflagration. Trump has suggested that mailboxes would be robbed and ballots would be forged or fraudulently signed as states moved to vote-by-mail, despite five states already using this system without trouble before the pandemic.

The co-chairs of the Election Laws Committee, Rep. John Lawn, D-Watertown, and Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, released a bill on Friday night, giving members of their committee 48 hours to review and vote on whether to recommend the bill to the full House and Senate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200530/lawmakers-offer-vast-expansion-of-voting-options

Quick summary:

• an application would be mailed to registered voters to choose ballot by mail
• early election time for both Sept primary and Nov election
• allow for only check in desk at poll to reduce poll worker staffing

voting booths and check in for Franklin voters at FHS