Lifelong Learning: Dedicate some time to yourself this month

Check out our online courses today!

Lifelong Community Learning This is a great time to learn something new! In partnership with Ed2Go, we offer online courses on a wide variety of topics. So take some time to gain business or personal skills from home. New sessions begin July 15th OR many courses also have a self-paced option that you can start anytime. We have a few suggestions below, or you can review the full array of career training and/or professional development courses using the links at the bottom of this email. Understanding Adolescents Uncover the secrets of the adolescent mind. This course provides valuable information on how adolescents feel, how their identities develop, and how you can best meet their needs. https://www.ed2go.com/franklined/online-courses/understanding-adolescents/ Introduction to Guitar Learn to play guitar, and become the musician you've always wanted to be! In these fun and informative lessons, you'll build basic guitar skills step-by-step with the help of hands-on exercises, audio and video recordings, and detailed illustrations.  https://www.ed2go.com/franklined/online-courses/guitar-introduction/ Introduction to Natural Health and Healing Would you like to learn more about natural health but don't know where to start? In this course, you'll learn about the various stages of health and illness and discover that true health means wholeness of the mind, body, and spirit. https://www.ed2go.com/franklined/online-courses/natural-health-and-healing-introduction/ Want to Learn Something Else? Career Training Programs Professional Development

Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools   218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

In the News: West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes; plastic bag prohibition delayed for Franklin

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

"About 15 minutes after the House of Representatives voted unanimously to give the executive branch new powers to run a statewide mosquito control response when the threat of mosquito-related diseases is high, public health officials announced that West Nile virus has been found in a Massachusetts mosquito for the first time this year. 

Two mosquitoes collected Tuesday in Belmont tested positive for West Nile virus, the Department of Public Health said, and no human or animal cases have been identified. 

There were five human cases of West Nile virus last year and 49 in 2018, the greatest number of cases Massachusetts has ever seen in a single year. 

West Nile can infect people of all ages, but people over age 50 and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for severe disease, according to the state."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200709/west-nile-detected-as-house-passes-mosquito-control-bill

"Earlier this year, town officials put the word out that Franklin would be banning the use of thin-film, single-use plastic shopping bags at local stores, starting in July. That was before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The town’s plastic bag ban has now been temporarily shelved. 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the delayed start of the ban is because of Gov. Charlie Baker’s late March order prohibiting the use of carry-in, reusable shopping bags while the pandemic is ongoing, to prevent the spread of the virus. All existing local bans on plastic bags were also lifted statewide. 

“Our local bylaw was to go into effect July 1, but with the governor’s order, we cannot implement the new bylaw yet,” Hellen said Tuesday. “Once he rescinds that order, we will allow for a certain time of compliance after that. That said, the bylaw is active, but is trumped by the state executive order.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200709/franklin-delays-start-of-plastic-bags-ban

In the News: MassDOT webinar released on i495/i90 interchange project

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

"Plans for the long-awaited reconstruction of the Interstate 495-Mass Pike interchange eliminate weaving movements that have caused the junction to be susceptible to crashes and congestion for years. 

State transportation leaders and project officials posted a webinar Thursday outlining the 25% design details of the project, which includes seven new direct and semi-direct ramps connecting the two interstates. The designated ramps and lanes for each traffic maneuver will make getting off the highway and merging much safer, project officials said. 

“The reason for the project is that the I-90/495 interchange is identified as a high-crash and high-congestion location,” Ryan McNeill, a state Department of Transportation project manager, said during the webinar. “The enhancements that are discussed in this presentation will improve the safety and operational efficiency at the system interchange and address chronically deficient traffic conditions for the movement of people and goods within the project area.” 

New ramps will be widened to include shoulders and will have designated speeds of 45 mph, 10 mph faster than the existing ramps. The radius of the ramps will not be as tight. Tractor-trailers currently are required to go very slow entering Interstate 495 southbound due to the tight radius of the off-ramp."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200709/i-90495-reconstruction-aims-to-ease-traffic-reduce-bottlenecks-crashes

Additional info and to provide comments during this period
https://www.mass.gov/event/hopkintonwestborough-design-public-hearing-webinar-and-comment-period-2020-07-09t000000-0400


YouTube link = https://youtu.be/xJN9_LHpzi8

Leave it to Bill Nye

Leave it to Bill Nye, The Science Guy, to make a simple and effective explanation on why to wear a facial covering (mask).

bill nye be spittin fax pic.twitter.com/5SNVd6Htct

— ErickHBMC #RIPFckYouTubersBro (@ErickHBMC) July 9, 2020

From the Franklin radar via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ReignOfApril/status/1281206861442801664?s=09

For more about Bill Nye visit his web page  https://billnye.com/

https://twitter.com/ErickHBMC/status/1281129712320839680

IRS.gov has answers about filing, paying and July 15 due date

As the July due date for filing a tax return draws closer, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers about the many resources available on IRS.gov. Whether on home computers or mobile devices, the number of taxpayers visiting IRS.gov continues to grow year after year.

Easy-to-use tools, available 24 hours a day on the IRS website, have been used more than 1.2 billion times this year.

IRS.gov is home to IRS Free File, "Where's My Refund?", the Tax Withholding Estimator and a host of other convenient applications. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, available on IRS.gov. Publication 17 is also available as an eBook.

Taxpayers who have yet to file their tax returns should file electronically now and choose direct deposit if they’re getting a refund. Taxpayers who owe for tax year 2019 can pay anytime up to the July 15 due date.

File electronically for free

Taxpayers whose income was $69,000 or less last year are eligible to use the IRS Free File software to do their taxes. Also, regardless of income, any taxpayer who is comfortable preparing their own taxes can use Free File Fillable Forms. Taxpayers can use these electronic versions of IRS tax forms to complete their taxes and file them online. Free File options are available at IRS.gov/freefile.

Get answers to tax questions

Taxpayers can find answers to many of their questions using the Interactive Tax Assistant. It’s a tax law resource that uses a series of questions and responses to help. IRS.gov also has answers to Frequently Asked Questions on a variety of topics. The IRS website also has tax information in: Spanish (Español); Chinese (中文); Korean (한국어); Russian (Pусский); Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt); and Haitian Creole (Kreyòl ayisyen).

"Where's My Refund?"

Taxpayers can easily find the most up-to-date information about their tax refund using the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov and on the IRS mobile app, IRS2Go. Within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an electronically filed return, taxpayers can start checking on the status of their refund.

Schedule a payment

Taxpayers can file now and schedule their federal tax payments up to the July 15 due date. They can pay online, by phone or with their mobile device and the IRS2Go app. When paying federal taxes electronically, taxpayers should remember:

• Electronic payment options are the best way to make a tax payment.
• They can pay when they e-file by using tax software online.
• If using a tax preparer, taxpayers should ask the preparer to make the tax payment through an electronic funds withdrawal from a bank account.
• IRS Direct Pay allows taxpayers to pay online directly from a checking or savings account for free.
• Taxpayers can choose to pay with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet option through a payment processor. No fees go to the IRS.
• The IRS2Go app provides mobile-friendly payment options, including Direct Pay and payment processors on mobile devices.
• Taxpayers may also enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System and pay online or by phone.
• They can pay with cash at a retail partner. New locations available.
• Taxpayers can go to IRS.gov/account to securely access information about their federal tax account. They can view the amount they owe, access their tax records online, review their payment history and view key information for the most recent tax return as originally filed.

Not required to file a tax return? Non-Filers tool available to register for Economic Impact Payments

People who are not normally required to file a tax return and don’t plan to do so can use the Non-Filers tool to get an Economic Impact Payment. The only way they can get this payment is to register with the IRS by using this free tool. Available in both English and Spanish, the tool was developed jointly by the IRS and the Free File Alliance. The registration deadline is Oct. 15, 2020.

More information

IRS.gov/COVIDtaxdeadlines
IRS.gov/payments
IRS.gov/account
IRS.gov/ITA
IRS.gov/estimatedtaxes

Shared from the IRS page

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irsgov-has-answers-about-filing-paying-and-july-15-due-date

Phase 2 of the Franklin Double Track project making progress

"Teams continue to make progress on Phase 2 of the Franklin Double Track project. Phase 1 was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. 

When all three phases are complete, the entire line will be double-tracked - continuing improvements to performance."

For additional project information and status visit  https://mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KeolisBoston/status/1281209931857887232?s=09

Don White Concert to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry - July 23

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is presenting an online concert by Don White, on Thursday, July 23 at 7 PM to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. Don is an award-winning singer/songwriter, a comedian, an author, and a storyteller. He’s been bringing audiences to laughter and tears for thirty years. He is a Circle of Friends regular whose songs and stories always have our crowds rolling in the aisles. http://www.donwhite.net/

Don White Concert to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin's Jamie Barrett opens the show.

A special surprise guest will be joining Don at the end of the show.

You will be able to view this show on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Zwoc7dXhnpU

There is no fee but donations will be accepted and benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

Franklin's Jamie Barrett opens the show

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Please visit  http://www.circlefolk.org/ for more information.

Franklin Federated Church rings the bell Fridays at 7 PM

If you happen to be walking in the vicinity of the Town Common at 7 PM on a Friday night, there is a good chance you will hear the ringing of a steeple bell.

Since April, a small group of volunteers from Franklin Federated Church has rotated the responsibility of ringing the bell every Friday evening.

It is FFC’s weekly reminder to the congregation and the community to continue to remember first responders and all workers who maintain essential services, taking risks every day to create some semblance of normal life and giving hope to all during this pandemic and a sincere thanks to each and every one.

Note: the schedule currently is set for the bell ringing at least through August

Franklin Federated Church rings the bell Fridays at 7 PM

Senior Center coffee hour - July 16

The latest Senior Coffee Hour is scheduled for July 16 at 8:30 AM. 

State Rep Jeff Roy and Franklin town officials will participate

The Zoom link to attend is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88465356605?pwd=Nkw3TFNNc29xVlE1T09FYXVXZWJ5dz09

Senior Center coffee hour - July 16

Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1280918785168420866?s=09

New FHS principal schedules Google meetings

From FHS' new principal, Joshua Hanna

"I'm looking forward to meeting with Parents, Students and Educators throughout the month of July on Google Meets! 

For anyone interested use this link to sign up:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdU3c9KdaqkKHdqRn9SihhKhsWBuODfq_Rfu3hwbdIl7hvN6Q/viewform

Shared from Twitter: 
 https://twitter.com/MrHanna_FHS/status/1280913979456577536?s=09

New FHS principal schedules Google meetings

Reminder: BSO Violinist Plays a Streaming Live Concert - July 12

REMINDER! Join us for a special donation-based concert!

LiveARTS presents Boston Symphony Orchestra violinist VICTOR ROMANUL in a streaming live concert on Zoom!

This Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 3 PM.

If you want to join us for this special donation-based concert, you need to go to our website, liveartsma.org, and order a free ticket.

The Zoom link will be emailed to you at about 24 hours before the concert begins. Tickets are free, but donations are always welcome!


PROGRAM

• Vieuxtemps: Moderato, Op. 48, No. 12
• Ernst: Terzetto "A Joachim"
• Ysaye: Sonata No. 4, "A Fritz Kreisler"
• Elgar: Etude Caractéristiques No. 5
• Sauret (Arr. by V. Romanul) Sauret Fantasie
• Tarrega: Memories of the Alhambra

LiveARTS has been working hard to improve the quality of the sound in these Zoom events. We know you will appreciate the difference!

You can download Zoom using this link: 
Download Zoom  (https://zoom.us/download)

Reminder: BSO Violinist Plays a Streaming Live Concert - July 12

New Fall Classes at Encore Music - register now

Please call (508) 533-7700 to register for private lessons or any of our classes at Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios (http://www.encoremusicacademy.net/). 

Check out our flyer for information on some new exciting classes coming this Fall!

Download your copy of the flyer here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13wzWrC5IilNr490HudMUJRWIUt2XqRFd/view?usp=sharing

Visual Capitalist: "How China’s Plastics Ban Threw Global Recycling into Disarray"

Good overview of the recycling problem created by changes to China's policy. This tells the story of how we got here. How we get out of the problem remains to be seen.

How China's Plastics Ban Threw Global Recycling into Disarray
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/china-plastic-ban-global-recycling-industry/

Visual Capitalist: "How China’s Plastics Ban Threw Global Recycling into Disarray"

In the News: fraudulent unemployment claims identified; funding required for ballot application mailing

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

"Massachusetts has recovered more than $158 million from fraudulent unemployment claims after identifying tens of thousands of incidents of fraud since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, officials announced Tuesday. 

Because of the rampant fraud, which officials said is part of a nationwide scheme, new identity verification efforts are being implemented by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. 

DUA officials said the additional measures may “temporarily delay the payment timeframe” for some claims. The agency is working on the verification effort with the Massachusetts State Police, the Department of Corrections, and the National Guard. 

Officials said that personal data stolen in earlier commercial data breaches is being used in the fraud."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200707/at-least-158m-in-unemployment-fraud-recovered-by-mass-dua-reveals

"The state’s top election official said Tuesday he can’t mail ballot applications to voters, as required under a time-sensitive new law, until the Legislature approves funding for the bill that Gov. Charlie Baker signed on Monday. 

The law requires Secretary of State William Galvin to send mail-in voting applications by July 15 in order to give voters time to request a ballot for the Sept. 1 primary elections, fill it out, and mail it back in.

“We had hoped to do it by that date. The legislation calls for it. But the Legislature has not sent the money. We can’t pay for the postage. We can’t pay for the printing until we have the postal permit. We can’t buy the permit until we get the money,” he told reporters outside the State House.

Galvin said a $5 million appropriation included in a more than $1 billion Senate spending bill that largely deals with COVID-19 appropriations “would probably get us going.” The House and Senate spending bills differ, and it’s unclear when legislative leaders will agree on a single bill."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200707/galvin-waiting-for-funding-to-mail-ballot-applications

In the News: ballot question signature process objected to

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

"Opponents of a proposed ballot question that would increase access to automobile data formally objected to its eligibility Wednesday, echoing an argument that has so far blocked a congressional candidate from making the ballot in a separate case. 

The Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, a manufacturer-backed group organized to fight the question, submitted a challenge Wednesday that will prompt a state panel to decide whether the proposal can go before voters on Nov. 3. 

In their challenge, the coalition argued that the third-party company used by the campaign disobeyed electronic signature-gathering requirements outlined by the Supreme Judicial Court by storing signatures in a separate file and tracking personal data without notification. 

“The signature gathering effort used by ballot question proponents not only violated public policy and failed to meet the standards outlined by the court, it also put the personal information of more than 24,000 Massachusetts voters at risk for potential misuse, hacking and identity theft,” said Conor Yunits, a spokesperson for the coalition."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200708/auto-repair-question-opponents-file-to-disqualify-question

Gov Baker: Prep for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) (video)

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today joined Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel and local officials to highlight steps the Commonwealth is taking to prepare for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) this year. Preparedness measures include ongoing and increased surveillance testing, an updated public awareness campaign, and mitigation efforts such as larvicide, spraying, and horse vaccination. The Administration also highlighted its recently-filed legislation that would authorize a coordinated, proactive, statewide approach to mosquito control activities.

Video link = https://youtu.be/Po7IX-j7IBc

New DPH mosquito and tick web page
https://www.mass.gov/mosquitoes-and-ticks





Health Director Cathleen Liberty talks about EEE in January
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/01/fm-196-cathleen-liberty-franklins.html

and more recently about tick borne diseases in May
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-271-franklin-health-director.html


Gov Baker press release
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-highlights-eee-preparedness-measures