Town Council Budget Hearing videos available

The video for both of the budget hearing sessions held by the Town Council on the FHS football field are available for replay.

June 17  = http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=764

June 18  = http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=765

Town Council Budget Hearing videos available

Pantherbook: FHS "Student Finds Her Voice in Black Lives Matter Movement"

From Pantherbook we share the following:

"Many Franklin residents gathered at the Common on June 2nd, to peacefully show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and stand against police brutality.

At the protest, people knelt for nine minutes to honor George Floyd, a Black man who recently died at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

After the nine minutes of silence, several speakers came up to talk about Black Lives Matter. Two of these were FHS students Ndoumbe Ndoye and Kianna Thomas."

Continue reading the article online at Pantherbook:
https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2020/06/25/franklin-student-for-blm/#photo

Picked up by the Franklin radar via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1276178113437761536?s=09

Kianna Thomas Speaks at the Common. Credit: Kianna Thomas

Pantherbook: "The Graduation Parade: Reflecting and Looking Forward"

From Pantherbook we share the following:

"Throughout a challenging, confusing ending to their final year of high school, the class of 2020 showcased their resilience in many ways. Their effort to make the most of the year was visible in carefully crafted music videos, an Instagram account dedicated to the graduating class, and a parade and virtual graduation.

This graduation parade, which was put together with the hard work of the class officers and admin, was an amazing success. The Town Common was packed with family, friends, and community members. A fun environment of celebration was created with decorated cars, music from a radio station, and even the shooting of confetti.

When speaking with the graduates in the weeks after the parade, there was an overwhelmingly positive response. While this certainly wasn’t the expected ending to their senior year, many graduates looked on the bright side, and some even said the parade was better than a regular graduation ceremony. Graduate Megan Torrey said, “The parade was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I’m so grateful for what the Town of Franklin has done for us to make our senior year so special.”

The Franklin community certainly showed up to help these graduates celebrate, and it was well deserved. Whereas tickets are very limited in a regular graduation ceremony, the parade was beneficial because the whole town could come out to cheer on the seniors. It also offered the seniors the chance to see and reconnect with their teachers from elementary, middle, and high school years."

Continue to read the article at Pantherbook
https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2020/06/25/the-graduation-parade-reflecting-and-looking-forward/

Picked up by Franklin radar via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1276177344298979329?s=09

Franklin All-Access 
Comcast Channel 8; Verizon Channel 26

Saturday
04:30 PM FHS Graduation 2020

Franklin Pride 
Comcast Channel 96; Verizon Channel 28

Friday
01:30 PM FHS Senior Awards 2020

Saturday
03:30 PM FHS Graduation 2020
09:30 PM FHS Car Parade 2020

The full schedule can be found in the TV guide for this week
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

"The Graduation Parade: Reflecting and Looking Forward"

In the News: "Screening children for COVID-19 symptoms will be the responsibility of parents"

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

"Massachusetts released guidelines to superintendents Thursday with a goal of getting students back into classrooms this fall after the coronavirus pandemic forced districts to turn to remote learning in March.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley released the guidelines after weeks of discussion with members of the state’s Return-to-School Working Group, infectious disease physicians and pediatricians.

“Districts and schools should begin planning for a fall return that includes multiple possibilities, with a focus first and foremost on getting our students back into school buildings,” Riley said.

The suggestions are “initial guidance for school reopening this fall that prioritizes getting our students back to school in person -- safely, following a comprehensive set of health and safety requirements.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200625/what-will-massachusetts-schools-look-like-in-fall-education-commissioner-says-masks-will-be-required-but-temperature-checks-will-not

"Today, @MASchoolsK12 released initial guidance for school reopening this fall that prioritizes getting students safely back to school in person, following a comprehensive set of health and safety requirements.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3dBlFZ4"

Initial guidance  http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/return-to-school/guidance.docx

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1276190504145817601?s=09



Video update link = https://youtu.be/PGkn0y0m0VU

In the News: "Superintendent challenges Pearlstein report"

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

"The superintendent at the center of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home crisis is challenging an independent investigator’s conclusions about his qualifications for the job and hinted at potential legal action to fight his impending termination.

An attorney for Bennett Walsh, who has been on paid administrative leave since late March as COVID-related deaths in the facility mounted, said Walsh was not given an opportunity to rebut portions of the report by former prosecutor Mark Pearlstein before its publication.

Pearlstein’s report outlined management issues before the pandemic began and a series of “utterly baffling” decisions that led to the deaths of at least 76 veteran residents. The investigation concluded that Walsh was not “not qualified” to lead the facility.

Walsh’s attorney, former Hampden County District Attorney William Bennett, is “reviewing legal options” after Gov. Charlie Baker said while releasing the report that he would fire Walsh. Such a move, Bennett said, “violates the order of the Superior Court and denies Mr. Walsh the opportunity for a fair and public hearing.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200625/superintendent-challenges-pearlstein-report

Press release on report  = https://www.mass.gov/news/independent-investigation-examining-the-tragedy-at-the-holyoke-soldiers-home-released

Report itself = https://www.mass.gov/doc/report-to-governor-baker-re-holyoke-soldiers-home/download

MassInc: Small Businesses requested to reply to Recovery Survey

Statewide Small Business Recovery Survey

Having trouble viewing this? Click Here. www.msbdc.org/semass Dear Business Owner, The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center has partnered with the MassINC Polling Group and others to conduct an important statewide survey about how the coronavirus has impacted small businesses in Massachusetts. We are asking for your input to ensure that economic recovery programs and policies are informed by your current needs. This survey is for small businesses with 500 employees or less. It's available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Mandarin. It should take less than 10 minutes of your time. Your answers will be analyzed together with other responses and will never be used to identify you personally. This survey will be open for a short period of time, so please respond as soon as possible. Thank you very much for participating in this important initiative. Please feel free to share this survey with other Massachusetts business owners to ensure wide representation. Survey link = https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5668957/MASmallBiz   Take Survey Now

MA Small Business Development Center Network Southeast Regional Office | 200 Pocasset Street, Fall River, MA 02721 Sent by amfenton@msbdc.umass.edu in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Residents: Full Water Ban in effect June 25, 2020 due to drought conditions

Due to drought conditions in our region, a water ban is now in effect. Please find details on our website at https://www.franklinma.gov/public-works/news/water-ban-now-effect

FULL BAN IN EFFECT

The following water uses are NOT allowed:

• Irrigation of lawns and landscaping via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems
• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety
• Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks

The following water uses are allowed:

• Watering gardens, flowers and ornamental plants by means of a hand-held hose

Violators may be fined up to $200.00

Franklin Residents: Full Water Ban in effect June 25, 2020 due to drought conditions