Washington Post: "The recession is over for the rich, but the working class is far from recovered"

From The Washington Post, an article of interest for Franklin:

"U.S. stocks are hovering near a record high, a stunning comeback since March that underscores the new phase the economy has entered: The wealthy have mostly recovered. The bottom half remain far from it.

This dichotomy is evident in many facets of the economy, especially in employment. Jobs are fully back for the highest wage earners, but fewer than half the jobs lost this spring have returned for those making less than $20 an hour, according to a new labor data analysis by John Friedman, an economics professor at Brown University and co-director of Opportunity Insights.

Though recessions almost always hit lower-wage workers the hardest, the pandemic is causing especially large gaps between rich and poor, and between White and minority households. It is also widening the gap between big and small businesses. Some of the largest companies, such as Nike and Best Buy, are enjoying their highest stock prices ever while many smaller businesses fight for survival."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/13/recession-is-over-rich-working-class-is-far-recovered/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-high_viruseconomy-630pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans

Washington Post: "The recession is over for the rich, but the working class is far from recovered"

Pour Richard's Pennywise - virtual sale through Sunday, Aug 16

"Have you ever had a great meal-and a superb bottle of wine- at a restaurant, then tried to recreate that experience at home, only to find you absolutely cannot buy that wine without going to a restaurant and paying approximately 4 times the wholesale cost of the bottle?

Well. Check this out-with restaurants closed or at limited capacity, we got our hot little hands on some of those coveted bottles. Not only that, but we're selling them at a discount! We have plenty of the usual crowd-pleasing penny-saving bargains you expect from Pennywise, but also: Magnums of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for $65. 50% off Premier Cru Burgundy. Stellar Pinot Noir. Bodacious Zinfandel. Mature vintage of an iconic Napa Cabernet. And more. SO much more. 

This is without a doubt the best Pennywise list I've ever put together. So if you love wine, know someone who loves wine, or even think you'd like to learn to love wine, tune in tomorrow at 9-you'll be glad you did!

Ordering ends Sunday @ 6PM. The orders will be ready for pickup anytime after 5 PM on Friday, August 21.

Then save some green on red, white, and pink!"

Shopping starts at 9 AM HERE

https://pourrichardswine.com/product-category/specials/

 

Pennywise: THE ‘RESTAURANT-ONLY’ EDIT

FM #328 Franklin (MA) School Comm Mtg - Reopening Plan - 8/11/20 (audio)

FM #328 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 328 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

In this almost four hour meeting, Sara presents the comprehensive plan supported by additional members of the Task Force. There is a lengthy discussion among the School Committee and then with the community attendees. 

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and reference documents. 

The recording runs just about 4 hours, so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of August 11, 2020. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZsClZsK

 

 

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• The school committee agenda  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-ma-school-committee-meeting.html

• Superintendent's message on the plan  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-public-schools-superintendents.html

• Executive summary of the plan https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/franklin-public-schools-executive.html

• Reopening presentation deck shared prior to meeting https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fps-re-opening-plan-presentation-for.html

• My notes reported live during the meeting   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/school-committee-votes-on-plan-to-begin.html

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #328 Franklin (MA) School Comm Mtg - Reopening Plan - 8/11/20 (audio)

Town Council recap: special election coming in Dec, Planning Board associate selected, Purchasing process reviewed

Quick summary:

• Councilor Eamon McCarthy Earls is leaving the Council to pursue law school in VA. A special election will be held in Dec to replace him. Additional timeline details to be shared on nomination papers, last day to register, etc.
• Town Clerk Teresa Burr and newly promoted Deputy Clerk Nancy Danelo presented updates on the forth coming primary and November election.
• Town Council and Planning Board had a unique opportunity to vote on a replacement for an associate position. Four candidates were whittled down from about a dozen, three were in person at the meeting and after three rounds of voting Jennifer Williams was selected.
• John Bugbee, the Chief Procurement Officer, presented an overview of the detailed work done mostly behind the scenes for all purchasing activities.
• The snow removal bylaw which had been deactivated in 2017 came back to the Council for a discussion to determine direction. There had been a discussion at the EDC meeting in June before this. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen will take the proposal back to work with DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi for modification before bringing back to the Council in the future.
• The State grant to fund the regional dispatch expansion to include Mendon and Millville was indeed granted. This will save some money for the budget for the next several years. We will need to put some of the savings aside to prepare for the full allocation return when the grant expires however.

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 #tc0812  https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0812&src=typeahead_click

•     Real time reporting underway for #tc0812 Town Council agenda posted to ToF page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/august-12-town-council-meeting
•     Announcement from Eamon McCarthy Earls stepping down Sep 26 (?) to start law school. Heading to VA for school hence leaving the Council for this opportunity. #tc0812
•     Town Clerk Teresa Burr making some information announcements - (1) Nancy Danelo as deputy clerk. (2) Sat Dec 5th special election for Earls' seat, additional dates for nomination papers etc to be shared #tc0812
•     They are busy processing ballot application, expect lines at the polls to ensure appropriate protection for all. #tc0812 masks, gloves and hand sanitizers to be issued. Each voter gets a pen, pens cleaned after. Early voting starts Aug 22 at the high school
•     If you did apply for a mail in ballot, and want to go in person, your mail in ballot will be deleted and then record your in person vote. #tc0812
•     Citizen comments, no hands raised, only 9 on Zoom tonight. #tc0812
•     Motion to approve minutes from 2  prior meetings, both passed via roll call 9-0 #tc0812
•     Moving to appointments, Barbara Steele as member of Library board of directors; seconded, passed 9-0 via roll call. #tc0812 of note all and participants wearing masks tonight (were not wearing masks for last meeting, this was while speaking, some did wear off camera)
•     Special appointment selection process for planning board associate, charter not explicit on process, hence multiple candidates in joint session with Planning Board tonight #tc0812 Cobi Frongillo first up.  Youngest candidate
•     Next up, Beth Wierling franklin resident, over 20 years experience in planning worked for ToF as planner, now at Kraft Group for planning and large projects. #tc0812 not opposed to change but it depends upon what the change was proposed to be
•     Next up Jennifer Williams, lives downtown, came in 5 years ago is an architect, worked on from large scale to small, master plan, so experience from a different perspective, i.e from construction side. #tc0812 well accredited professional, looking at social impact
•     Parks and rec is a huge asset that she didn't really appreciate until she had young kids, now what else do we need, how does it fit? #tc0812
•     Roll call of council and planning board, each person says one name can add a reason #tc0812 would like to hear from Planning Board as they would be working with the individual. All the applicants are qualified per Padula, Halligan torn between the three
•     After round of comments on appreciation for applicants, all quality individuals. Difficult choice recognized. #tc0812 Frongillo 6, Williams 6, Wierling 2. So top 2 go into second round; 7 - 7 in second round, also a tie
•     Williams got 3-2 both times by my count from planning board, will go to vote again: Williams 8 to 6 on third round of voting. #tc0812 request for town Council seat in Dec or planning board next year.
•     Applications are kept in file as other openings occur. Taking 3 mins recess #tc0812
•     Meetings back to order, planning board public hearing closed, #tc0812
•     Procurement presentation per request from Councilor Earls, John Bugbee covering the basics.
•     Process defined by dollar value, #tc0812 full presentation doc online at ToF page  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._franklin_procurement_overview_3.0.pdf
•     Chris Sandini, finance director adds to the presentation #tc0812 attny Mark Cerel adds also in regards to the written contract to provide legal protection for the Town (Mark remote via phone)
•     Kelly: "I don't ever want to know how the soup is made, I just want to get it done" #tc0812 criteria built into the specs may permit leeway in not taking the low bidder, if auction process do have to take low bid as long as they meet the criteria.
•     If the company/vendor is not on the state list, you can pick them. #tc0812 if procurement is not done properly or timely, things just slow down. Everything can back up behind it. All equipment is sold via municibid (sic)  (https://municibid.com/)
•     Next up the snow bylaw for discussion and possible reposition for approval https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._snow_and_ice_removal_bylaw_discussion_memo_supporting_docs_and_proposed_bylaw.pdf…
•     #tc0812 drafted a map for sidewalk clearing
•     No legislation for action yet, open discussion to help provide direction on how to proceed. Was discussed at an EDC meeting 6/10/20 #tc0812 for reference, the meeting recording and notes are found here  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/fm-297-economic-dev-subcomm-61020-audio.html
•     Link provides a good example from downtown, walking in the snow, and it shows the difference as you move from building to building, block to block, no consistency. Frankly (no pun intended) we can't afford to do it right #tc0812 h https://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/walking-franklin-in-snow.html
•     Brutus (formally DPW Director) Cantoreggi addresses some of the comments and questions on the snow issues #tc0812
•     Streets are always a priority, the route is prioritized and published. Since some Councilors are saying we won't have a bad winter, guess what we will get? #tc0812 Attny Cerel provides historical background on snow sidewalk bylaws for New England, and liability
•     Just went down a legal deadend, per Attny. #tc0812 used to have contractors doing plows, have had trouble recently obtaining help. Understaffed also at DPW. School snow days will help per Kelly (except for when teachers go to the building to teach remotely?)
•     Jennifer Williams (new planning board associate) speaks on her experience of walking in the snow downtown, hasn't been able to walk on a sidewalk safely after a storm #tc0812 (see my photo link shared earlier for proof)
•     Jamie to regroup with Brutus to see if they can make changes, no dissent on the objective, trying to do something makes sense, it will be a challenge #tc0812 will talk with Superintendent to include the schools in the conversation
•     Capital subcommittee no meeting, budget no meeting, EDC has met, will meet again on Aug 20 to work on Economic Development plan MAPC market study #tc0812
•     Motion to accept donation #tc0812 https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10a-legislation-action-35…, passes 9-0 via roll call
•     Motion to accept gift https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10b-legislation-action-36… passes 9-0 via roll call
•     8 active cases yesterday, same as last week for COVID-19, formally awarded development grant for MECC which helps our budget for next several years, Mendon and Millville will join the regional dispatch #tc0812
•     Future items, nothing at this time; Councilor comments: Chandler feels for working parents after SchCom meeting last night. Hamblen congrats on Earl's, congrats to Nancy, keep everyone safe so folks can get back to school #tc0812
•     Pellegri looking for volunteers to work in the gift store at the historical museum for when they can open. (No timeline yet) may not be far away i.e.  after Labor day #tc0812 folks getting together for CPA, if interested let Jamie know.
•     Bissanti thanks to chair for innovative leadership during this pandemic period. Kelly thanks and congrats for Earls, come back and be town attny when Mark gives up #tc0812 Jones congrats to Nancy, Earls to SchCom and school dept for their hard work on the plan
•     Dellorco congrats to Nancy and Eamon, #tc0812 (clarification on Earls' end date Sep 6: I recall puting 26 with a ???) Earls saved for next to last word tonight, close to 3 years. Will miss time here. Mercer congratulations, was honored to write a letter, glad it didn't hurt
•     Mercer echoes fellow Councilors comments, they spent many hours, made a smart decision last night, we want the kids back in school but not right now. #tc0812 important reminder of TC role is only a bottom line budget, everything else is SchCom and superintendent control
•     "thank God it is their decision" I applaud them for putting this plan together. Motion to adjourn, passed via roll call 9-0 #tc0812   So that's all for tonight, catch you next time!

The agenda doc is linked to in the thread above and repeated here for ease of finding

Photos shared via Twitter during the meeting are found online in this album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ff3xHRJisu2MtQLo8

Town Clerk Teresa Burr and newly promoted Deputy Clerk Nancy Danelo

St. Mary Franklin First Communion Update

Dear Parents,

We hope that all of our families are staying safe and healthy. We understand how hard these times are for everyone. With patience and prayer we will persevere and get through this together. The following is the new information for First Communion 2020.

After much thought, prayer, and discussion we have decided to hold First Communion on four Sundays during the month of October at 12:00 p.m. This will allow all of us to be safe and follow the COVID-19 Guidelines set forth by the Archdiocese of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There will be no practice for First Communion and each student will be sitting with his/her family households--no outside guests will be allowed.

The dates for First Communion are:

Date
Sunday, October 4 @ 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 11 @ 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 18 @ 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 25 @ 12:00 p.m.

Much more information will be coming out in the next few weeks.  We wanted you to have these dates for your future planning. As always if you have any questions, you can check the website at www.stmarysfranklin.org or give us a call at 508-528-1450.

Sincerely,

Karen Ackles

St. Mary Franklin First Communion Update

MA Legislature - Senate and House candidates

The state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is called the Massachusetts General Court (one of my college professors always called it by the original and formal name “The Great and General Court”, so that’s how I always think of it).

The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the earliest days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when the colonial assembly, in addition to making laws, sat as a judicial court of appeals. It was established in 1630, and meets in the State House in Boston.

The upper house is the Senate, which has 40 members. The lower body, the House of Representatives, has 160 members.

CANDIDATES FOR SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT

***if you need to look up your precinct, go to https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx

NORFOLK, BRISTOL & MIDDLESEX DISTRICT

Franklin precincts 1-4, and 7  

• REBECCA L. RAUSCH   Democrat https://www.beccarausch.com/

• MATTHEW T. KELLY    Republican  https://www.mattkellyforsenate.com/

There are no Libertarian or Green Rainbow nomination for this office

SECOND MIDDLESEX & NORFOLK DISTRICT

Franklin precincts 5,6 & 8

• KAREN E. SPILKA    Democrat   http://electkarenspilka.com/

There are no Republican, Libertarian or Green Rainbow nominations for this office

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT

TENTH NORFOLK DISTRICT  (all Franklin precincts)

• JEFFREY N. ROY   https://jeffreyroy.com/ 

There are no Republican, Libertarian or Green Rainbow nominations for this office

For other information to prepare for the Primary (on Sep 1) and Election (on Nov 3) visit the 2020 Election Collection https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

MA Legislature  - Senate and House candidates

St John's Paint Night, Stuff-a-Truck, and Outdoor Worship

St John's Virtual Paint Night fundraiser - Friday, Aug 28 from 7-9 PM

St John's Paint Night

Learn to paint this masterpiece by Canvas 'n Cup in Milford. $38 includes canvas, brushes, paint, and 2 hours instruction by Zoom. RSVP to Admin@stjohnsfranklinma.org or 508-528-2387 by Monday, Aug 24. 

20% of proceeds go to St John's.

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Stuff-a-truck - Sunday, September 20 (11 AM - 2 PM)

Now that we've all got our closets cleaned-out and organized, bring those extra clothes and household items to St John's. We'll take them to Savers and get paid by the pound. 237 Pleasant St, Franklin

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Join us for Outdoor Worship every Sunday at 10 AM on our lawn. Bring your own chair and mask. In the event of rain, we'll still be on Facebook Live, as we are every Sunday.

The Rev. Kathy McAdams, Rector
St. John's Episcopal Church, Franklin, MA
www.StJohnsFranklinMA.org