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

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 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

Graduation! It’s a Happening Thing

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/24/2020

"There are some things that just can’t not happen. High School Graduation is one of them. It’s an undeniable rite of passage, and our FHS Panthers will not be denied. Normally, we celebrate this milestone in the FHS gym for a few hours. This year’s graduation will happen in like manner, but it will take place over several days.

We are working with school officials to record each and every student’s moment. One-by-one, with safe social distancing, each student will walk the stage as per usual to receive his/her diploma. Each student, accompanied by his/her family, will experience that well-deserved, special moment of accomplishment. Their families deserve this celebratory moment of achievement as well.

This will take several days to record each student safely and edit all of their moments into the graduation program, scheduled to air on Friday June 5th at 7PM, and repeated several times thereafter.

Our 2020 Graduation may be happening in slow motion, but we hope and trust that all good things that spring from dedication and accomplishment will come to each and every student – not just in the fullness of time, but in the fullness of youth.

Even when we must be separately prerecorded, community television can bring us all together.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. And, thank you for watching Franklin.tv

Note: There is also a planned car parade for graduating students and families. We are in the midst of planning our coverage of this unique and fun event. As they say – stay tuned.

This event might become one memorable example of a new tradition – a new way that we can all celebrate the good moments in new ways, not just this year, but every year. I’m good with that.

Our heartiest congrats to all of our 2020 Panthers on Parade. Panthers rule!"

For the complete Franklin.TV and WFPR.FM radio schedule check out the program guide  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

Additional updates will be posted to the FHS graduation page as they become available https://www.franklinps.net/fhs/pages/graduationsenior-end-year-info-class-2020

Graduation! It’s a Happening Thing

"there are so many details that go into planning an election"

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

"Legislation outlining vote-by-mail procedures for the September and November elections in Massachusetts “absolutely cannot wait another month,” electoral reform advocates said Wednesday as they renewed their push for action on Beacon Hill.

Under normal circumstances, local departments need several months to prepare fully for major statewide elections, particularly in a presidential year. But with the COVID-19 pandemic upending most aspects of public life - and with voters broadly supporting mail-in ballots - reform advocates argued it is critical for lawmakers to quickly find consensus on the myriad proposals before them.

The Sept. 1 primary is less than 100 days away, and Secretary of State William Galvin wants to begin printing ballots as soon as June 2.

“Election officials need to prepare for the fall, and they need to do it as soon as possible,” said Common Cause Massachusetts Executive Director Pam Wilmot during a virtual press conference alongside about a dozen groups. “We’ll see what the Legislature decides, but time is absolutely of the essence and it needs to go now.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200523/vote-by-mail-forces-growing-anxious-about-timeline

"there are so many details that go into planning an election"

"Sports Buzz" :Jay Horrigan and Kevin Papa talk with Mike Masto (video)

Jay Horrigan and Kevin Papa talk with Mike Masto in this episode of "Sports Buzz"

"Here is an interview we were able to do today with Natick HS head basketball coach and Franklin HS Health and Wellness teacher Mike Masto. We hope you enjoy it."

Video link = https://vimeo.com/420939450?


Mike v2 from Jay Horrigan on Vimeo.

Shared from Twitter https://twitter.com/CoachMastoPE/status/1263426868591632384?s=09

Franklin TV - Memorial Day 2020 - Program Schedule

The schedule for the broadcast of the Memorial Day 2020 program is as follows:

• Monday, 11:00 AM
• Wednesday, 03:30 PM
• Thursday, 08:00 AM
• Saturday, 08:00 AM 

For the complete Franklin.TV and WFPR.FM radio schedule check out the program guide  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

 
 

Franklin TV - Memorial Day 2020 - Program Schedule

Senator Spilka: Memorial Day Message

Happy Memorial Day

As this holiday weekend approaches, I am more grateful than ever for all Americans who have served our country—especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the bonds of community we hold so dear.

Memorial Day is an opportunity to reflect, to remember, and to say thank you. We commemorate the legacy that our fallen heroines and heroes have left behind, and also offer our condolences to our Gold Star families.

The freedoms established and preserved by those who died for us come with responsibilities. We must live our lives, and be in community with one another, in a way so that those who died did not do so in vain. It is the best way we can honor their legacy.

Wishing you all safety and health this holiday weekend.

Warm regards,



For additional updates, visit her update page  https://karenspilka.com/updates
For the latest on COVID-19, visit her COVID-19 page
https://karenspilka.com/covid

Video link = https://youtu.be/mcGPYbYz-5g

Senator Spilka: Memorial Day

Bill seeks to get meals to medically vulnerable seniors

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

"A bill that would establish a Medicare pilot program to address the link between diet, chronic illness and senior health has been introduced by a bipartisan group including U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern.

The Massachusetts Democrat said the bill would ensure that nutritious meals reach medically vulnerable seniors in their homes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing data to help build a more resilient health care system.

“There is no doubt that what we eat plays a huge role in our overall health, yet our federal policies are decades behind the science on this,” McGovern said in a press release. “We prioritize treatment instead of prevention.”

Other lawmakers backing the measure including Republican U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski of Indiana and Roger Marshall of Kansas and Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200523/bill-seeks-to-get-meals-to-medically-vulnerable-seniors


For the resources available locally, check out the Coronavirus portal on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/community-resources-and-support

check out the Coronavirus portal on the Town of Franklin page

Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census

We have reached a 75.6% response rate for Franklin, there is still time to get beyond 80% (Franklin actually did 79.9% in the 2010 Census).

"The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Over 88 million households have responded to date, representing 60.0% of all households in America. Make sure that you and your friends and family are included in this once-a-decade count.

Help us spread the word: Everyone can respond to the 2020 Census online in one of 13 languages, with assistance available in many more."

https://2020census.gov/en.html

Visit the 2020 Census response rate map
https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html

The current results for Franklin (as of Saturday, May 23, 2020):

Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census