Friday, August 7, 2020

Franklin Democratic Town Committee Calls to Franklin to Eliminate Systemic Racism

The Franklin Democratic Town Committee (FDTC) proudly supports the Black Lives Matter movement and its goals of dismantling systemic racism and ensuring equality for all, in Franklin, in our Commonwealth and across our nation. 

To achieve these ends, the FDTC is dedicated to working to eliminate the social and health care inequities that have resulted in disproportionate health risks, and the historic targeting and systemic violence against Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities by pursuing equal justice within our judicial system. This is not a political issue that should divide Franklin residents, but a required step in our never-ending efforts to perfect our democracy. 

The FDTC calls on all Franklin residents and community leaders to join in the hard work of achieving true social and racial justice in Franklin through the following action steps:

  1. Support the continued movement of the Franklin Police Department toward greater community policing and the hiring of officers of color and diverse gender.
  2. Call out and oppose any voter suppression attempts by elected officials or organized groups including efforts to suppress the vote of the poor or people of color within Franklin or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  3. We support the Town of Franklin in their continued efforts to hire a diverse professional staff and we stand by the Franklin PS in their efforts to create a diverse cultural curriculum.

We stand together in the words of Civil Rights activist, Congressman John Lewis:

“Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.”

Approved and endorsed by:

The elected and associate members of the Franklin Democratic Town Committee, July 15, 2020

For more information contact the FDTC Co-Affirmative Action Officers: Joni Magee (AffirmativeActionOfficer@FranklinDemocrats.org)

Dave McNeill (AffirmativeAction@FranklinDemocrats.org)

 

www.FranklinDemocrats.org

High School Experience cancelled - Refund Processing defined

Via Twitter we share that the High School Experience scheduled for next week has been canceled due to the on-going development of plans to re-open schools. Something to replace next week's event is being planned for FHS incoming freshman. Stay tuned for further updates.
High School experience cancelled
High School Experience cancelled - Refund Processing defined

Franklin radar picked up via Twitter

You don't need a classroom to gain new skills


You don't need a classroom to gain new skills
Add caption
This is a great time to learn something new
& get ready for your future!
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 August 12th 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.
This series will help to prepare you for the SAT or ACT verbal and math sections. You'll become familiar with the exams and learn how to answer questions in the most time-efficient manner.
If you're planning to apply to graduate school, you'll likely have to take the GRE. This series is here to help!
Create an effective resume or improve the one you already have. Transform your resume into a powerful tool that will get you interviews. Learn different resume formats and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Want to Learn Something Else?


Lifelong Learning Institute - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038
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Board of Health Recap: - Weds, Aug 5, 2020


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 #boh0805

  • Real time reporting underway for the Board of Health meeting. #boh0805
  • Cathleen Liberty spending at least 6 hours per week on the school re-opening process providing guidance from the health perspective. #boh0805
  • EDS drive through discussion, plan sounding good, process handbook best seen thus far, logistics to be worked; include Senior Center and Housing Auth in planning for this flu clinic. #boh0805
  • Arbovirus report, DPH reports first human EEE case in Plymouth County, individual has recovered. Norfolk County mosquito control webpage has info on testing process. #boh0805 all applications now online for permits via ToF page
  • BOH members sharing kudos for Cathleen, Ginny and Tyler for their efforts on everything along with COVID-19 #boh0805 intern generated survey, initial results showed depression widespread among Community. New survey got over 800 responses, not related to school process
  • Food inspections found 3 problems, resulted in one establishment getting closed down (name not revealed - assumed a quick turn on issue) #boh0805 safe celebration document to be shared. 2 businesses were notified by MA DLS for non-compliance with COVID-19 violation
  • Calls on RI about their status change per MA change, work exemption applies should be only point to point and not for recreational purposes. DPH will send spreadsheet to BoH for tracking on quarantine #boh0805 next meeting, Weds Sep 2. No citizen comments/questions
  • Motion to adjourn, approved. Meeting ends. Catch you all next time #boh0805

The agenda for this meeting can be found

Board of Health Recap: - Weds, Aug 5, 2020
Board of Health Recap: - Weds, Aug 5, 2020

Franklin Food Pantry has updated their Amazon wish list

"We've updated our Amazon Wish list and would appreciate any item you could donate it from it. Thank you!"

For information on the Franklin Food Pantry visit them online at
Franklin Food Pantry has updated their Amazon wish list
Franklin Food Pantry has updated their Amazon wish list

In the News: "Candidates for Kennedy’s seat advocate views on voting, racial justice, COVID-19"

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

If one of the nine Democrats running for the state’s 4th Congressional District seat wins, voting rights, the environment, racial justice and tackling COVID-19 will be top priorities during his or her first term.

All 11 candidates vying for office, including two Republicans, discussed their experience and goals during the Aug. 5 League of Women Voters’ virtual forum. Questions came from league members and the public ahead of time.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200806/candidates-for-kennedys-seat-advocate-views-on-voting-racial-justice-covid-19?rssfeed=true

In the News: "July tax haul plugs some of state’s fiscal ’20 deficit"

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

"Massachusetts recorded $4.456 billion in tax collections in July, with just more than half of that money being counted toward the budget year that ended June 30 about $3 billion short of expectations.

The Department of Revenue said about $2.293 billion, or roughly 51% of July’s collections, came from income tax payments and refunds originally due in fiscal 2020 but received in the first month of fiscal 2021 because the Legislature and governor extended filing deadlines due to the pandemic.

About $2.163 billion in July revenue will be counted toward fiscal 2021, including an estimated $50 million in corporate and business taxes that were deferred from the spring when state waived penalties for late filing and payment, the DOR said. Once the numbers are adjusted for tax deferrals, tax collections last month were about $88 million or 4.3% higher than the equivalent tax collections in July 2019, the DOR said.

“July total collections were also boosted by corporate and business tax payments attributable to returns due in April, which will be recorded as FY21 revenue, following the waiver of late filing and payment penalties in connection with such returns,” Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said. “Sales and use tax revenue also increased as compared to the same period in 2019, despite the deferral of certain regular sales, meals, and room tax payments from FY2020 to FY2021, which are due in September.”

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200806/july-tax-haul-plugs-some-of-states-fiscal-20-deficit?rssfeed=true


Thursday, August 6, 2020

FM #324 Memory Cafe Music Session - 7/27/20 (audio)

FM #324 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 324 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin Senior Center “Memory Cafe” music session held on Monday, July 27, 2020. Ariel Doggett introduces Ray Valente who plays some toe-tapping music. He introduces each song with an anecdote or bit of interest about the song.


While everyone was muted during the concert, there was plenty of singing and dancing. At the end, Ariel took the mute off so all could thank Ray with a round of well deserved applause.


The concert runs just about 60 minutes, so let’s listen to Ray Valente play his music.


Listen here - (audio file) = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HVSJyR8K

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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"


Franklin (MA) Senior Center
Franklin (MA) Senior Center