Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Washington Post: "Genetic data show how a single superspreading event sent coronavirus across Massachusetts — and the nation"

The quote that caught my eye: 

"analysis of virus sequences shows that the coronavirus was introduced into Boston and its surrounding area more than 80 separate times by international and domestic travelers — most of whom were probably unaware of the germs they carried" https://t.co/j76lcbki2c
Read the article from the beginning:
"None of the biotech executives at the meeting noticed the uninvited guest. They had flown to Boston from across the globe for the annual leadership meeting of the drug company Biogen, and they were busy catching up with colleagues and hobnobbing with upper management. For two days they shook hands, kissed cheeks, passed each other the salad tongs at the hotel buffet, never realizing that one among their number carried the coronavirus in their lungs.

By the meeting’s end on Feb. 27, the infection had infiltrated many more people: a research director, a photographer, the general manager for the company’s east division. They took the virus home with them to the Boston suburbs, Indiana and North Carolina, to Slovakia, Australia and Singapore.

Over the following two weeks, the virus that circulated among conference attendees was implicated in at least 35 new cases. In April, the same distinctive viral sub-strain swirled through two Boston homeless shelters, where it infected 122 residents."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 


Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Business Listening & Networking Sessions Scheduled


"The Franklin (MA) Town Council Economic Development subcommittee invites business owners, key community stakeholders, and citizens to a series of a Business Listening & Networking Sessions."
Please find the flyer and RSVP link here https://t.co/hcbqrS6xpz https://t.co/Ffr74x1rFq

You can get a copy of the flyer here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xV_-aylOsYilUpwhXta-8f2fSxAQqYRG/view?usp=sharing

The Market Study can be found here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._final_town_of_franklin_market_study_1.pdf


 

Business Listening & Networking Sessions Scheduled
Business Listening & Networking Sessions Scheduled

September Veterans VIRTUAL Coffee Social - Sep 2

September VIRTUAL Coffee Social

Join us! Wednesday, September 2 at 10:00 a.m.

HELLO VETERANS!

It's hard to believe summer is almost over!

We hope all of you are remaining healthy and safe by wearing face coverings and observing social distancing guidelines when you are out in public. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after going to the store or appointments. Keeping hand sanitizer in your car is a good idea too!

We will once again be hosting our monthly coffee social via Zoom on Wednesday, September 2 at 10:00 AM.

We hope you can join us for veterans' updates and friendly conversation!

If you have not participated in a Zoom call yet, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your device before joining us.

Here is the log-in information for the September meeting only:

Join Zoom via URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83567071777
Call in number: 1-929-205-6099

Enter Meeting ID 83567071777 and press #

For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315.

We look forward to "seeing" you at the September Coffee Social!

September Veterans VIRTUAL Coffee Social - Sep 2
September Veterans VIRTUAL Coffee Social - Sep 2

Lifelong Music Academy: Private Music Lesson Registration Open For 2020-2021!

There is still one fantastic activity people can do despite the pandemic – make music!
Lifelong Music Academy
Lifelong Music Academy

The Lifelong Music Academy (https://www.franklinlifelonglearning.com/music_academy/index.php) is pleased to announce our Private Music Lesson program is now open for registration! Any child, teen, or adult who would like to learn an instrument or improve their skills can sign up for weekly virtual lessons with one of our experienced and enthusiastic instructors. 

Residents from Franklin and other nearby towns are all welcome!

Here are highlights of our program. Please read our complete policies online (
https://www.franklinlifelonglearning.com/music_academy/private_music_lesson_program/important_policies.php).

  • Talented instructors give one-on-one weekly lessons.
  • For all ages (children, teens, adults), and from beginner to advanced.
  • Lessons will be virtual, via video chat, to start the year.
  • Monday through Thursday afternoons and evenings.
  • Lessons begin September 8th and enrollment is ongoing throughout the school year.
  • Choice of 30, 45, or 60 minute lessons.
  • Cost is $35, $50, or $65 per lesson.
  • Instruments: Cello, Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Guitar (acoustic, electric, ukulele), Low Brass (baritone, trombone, tuba), Percussion, Saxophone, Trumpet, Viola, Violin, Voice.

CLICK HERE to be taken directly to our registration system!

We look forward to seeing you this year!

Lifelong Music Academy = 
MusicAcademy@franklinps.net

Download your copy of the flyer info here

Franklin Residents: Purchase Your FY 2021 Recycling Center Permit and Pre-Pay for Item Drop Off Online

Purchase Your FY21 Recycling Center Permit and Pre-Pay for Item Drop Off Here!

Attached is listing of accepted materials, hours of operation and fees


The Recycling Center is open regular hours for full services. No cash or checks will be accepted. 

  1. All residents who wish to use the recycling center for item drop off will need to go online prior to pay the required fee(s). 
  2. The online payment portal for recycling fees is on our Viewpoint site (https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1078).  If you do not have a Viewpoint account, please follow the instructions to create one.
  3. A printed slip detailing the fees paid will be required to show proof of payment at the Recycling Center.
  4. No material that includes a fee will be accepted at the Recycling Center without prior payment online with printed receipt.

Attached is a copy of materials accepted, fees and hours at the Recycling Center and Curbside costs.

For additional information or to purchase your Recycling sticker over the phone, please call the DPW Administration office during regular office hours at 508-553-5500.

Please observe social distancing guidelines.



Franklin Residents: Purchase Your FY 2021 Recycling Center Permit and Pre-Pay for Item Drop Off Online
Franklin Residents: Purchase Your FY 2021 Recycling Center Permit and Pre-Pay for Item Drop Off Online


Franklin Commuter Line: Commuter Rail to run regular Sunday schedule on Labor Day - Sep 7

All Commuter Rail lines will operate on a regular Sunday schedule on Labor Day, Monday September 7.

Please note that there is no Sunday service for the Stoughton and Needham lines.


Last Updated: Aug 24 2020 02:36 PM

Franklin Commuter Line: Commuter Rail to run regular Sunday schedule on Labor Day - Sep 7
Franklin Commuter Line: Commuter Rail to run regular Sunday schedule on Labor Day - Sep 7 


Response Rates | 2020 Census Franklin at 80.2% (beating 2010 response rate) !!!

We have reached a 80.2% response rate for Franklin!  Franklin actually did 79.9% in the 2010 Census.
"The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Over 90 million households have responded to date, representing 76.5% of all households in America. Make sure that you and your friends and family are included in this once-a-decade count."

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

The current results for Franklin (as of Sunday, Aug 23, 2020):

Response Rates | 2020 Census Franklin at 80.2%
Response Rates | 2020 Census Franklin at 80.2%