Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Franklin Residents: September 2020 E-Newsletter


The Town of Franklin Coronavirus Information Portal is available on our homepage and is updated frequently to provide our residents and business owners with the latest information and resources. Find Franklin specific data under the "Town of Franklin News" tab.

  • The State Primary is TODAY, September 1st! Polls are open until 8 pm at FHS.
  • The State Election will be held on November 3rd. Vote by Mail and early voting will be available in addition to in-person voting.
  • We will be holding a special town election on December 5th to fill a vacant seat on the Town Council. Please find all pertinent dates, including the deadlines and hours by clicking below.

Franklin Public Schools will open on Wednesday, September 16 for the 20-21 School year. In order to keep our families, staff and the community informed, we have published a Reopening Website. New information will be added as it becomes available. Please check back frequently for updates. Thank you!
The Franklin Senior Center is keeping very busy and holding many events, including celebrating the retirement of long-time director Karen Alves! (socially-distanced of course!) Congratulations Karen!

The Curbside Cafe is providing freshly prepared meals, distributed daily at the Senior Center for elders 60 and older.Click to find out how to order!
Green Communities Competitive Grant Award
The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a $30,000 grant towards the purchase of electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division. $15,000 is earmarked for the purchase of vehicles and $15,000 is earmarked for the purchase of Electric vehicle charging stations, which will be installed at the Municipal Building and Franklin Public Library.
We're making changes to our curbside pickup so that you can pick up your items comfortably in all kinds of weather! Curbside pickup is now in the vestibule of our new entrance at the top of the ramp! You'll be able to grab your items from this spot going forward! As a reminder, pickup is from 10AM-4:30PM Monday through Saturday!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Franklin Public Library will not be resuming Sunday hours in September.
In observance of Labor Day, Curbside Pickup will not be available Monday, September 7th.

No donations are being accepted at this time. Please do not place them in the return bins or outside the building.
Stay updated about all the FABULOUS programs happening at our library! Visit their website to find out more about the offerings for all ages!
On Monday August 3, the Department hosted a COVID-19 response meeting for the Town which included the Town Administrator, Department Heads, school officials and representatives from Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The post analysis critique allowed all departments to discuss lessons learned, identify gaps and make any adjustments to allow us all to be better prepared in the future.

On Thursday August 20, the "Start 'Em Early Foundation" donated two "sensory sacks" to the Franklin Fire Department that contain items meant to calm a nervous person or patient with autism who may be overwhelmed by an emergency situation or the noise and bright lights from first responders' vehicles. They will be assigned to both our ambulances. We are grateful for this generous donation!

On Tuesday August 25, the Department received notification of a grant award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The Office of Grants and Research received our application in July and we were awarded $48,724.96 to purchase Mobile Data Terminals (MDT's) for all our emergency response vehicles. The purchase of this technology will greatly enhance our capabilities with the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center (MECC).

Veterans Memorial Walkway Update
The next installation of engraved bricks on the Veterans Memorial Walkway is scheduled for November. The cut-off date for ordering bricks for this installation is September 14, 2020. Engraved bricks dedicated to current U.S. service members and veterans are $100 each. Brick order forms are available at: www.franklinveteransbricks.com. Thank you to all brick purchasers for your support of this project!

September VIRTUAL Coffee Social
Our monthly Veterans Coffee Social will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, September 2 at 10:00 a.m. For log-in information, go to the Veterans Services web page via the button link below and go to News and Announcements.

If any veteran, veteran's spouse, widow or dependent needs assistance or just someone to talk to, please call the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315. We are here for you!
NEXAMP Shared Solar Information

Did you miss the online Community Solar presentation from Nexamp?
You can find a recording of the presentation on our YouTube page or by clicking the video
Do you need a Recycling
Center sticker?
Visit our website to prepay all recycling fees and find information on which items are accepted. Payments are only accepted online.
Our Department Spotlight series is an ongoing project to update the community on the current processes and future plans of our many departments. Find the links on our website by clicking above.
Subscribe to our Town podcast and listen to weekly episodes detailing news and updates about our town.
Town Meetings are scheduled and are currently being conducted remotely. The links to participate can be found on our website calendar. Meetings are also available via live stream.
Town of Franklin
355 East Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 520-4949

“The most important thing to do now is to count all the votes"

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

"As Sept 2 dawned, the race for the 4th Congressional District House seat showed no sign of ending. 
According to the Associated Press tabulation, fewer than 1,000 votes separated the top two Democrats, former Brookline city councilor Jesse Mermell and Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss. Mermell had led for much of the evening, with the gap between the two dwindling as more towns reported. 
As of 12:45 a.m., 76 percent of the towns had reported results; outstanding were: Bellingham, Berkley, Dover, Franklin, Lakeville, Milford, North Attleboro, Norton, Raynham, Rehobeth and Seekonk. 
In a statement issued shortly shortly before 1 a.m, Mermell’s campaign acknowledged the tight race."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Related article from Commonwealth Magazine


“The most important thing to do now is to count all the votes"
“The most important thing to do now is to count all the votes"


“We must pass a Green New Deal”

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

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts defeated U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III in Tuesday’s hard-fought Democratic primary, harnessing support from progressive leaders to overcome a challenge from a younger rival who is a member of America’s most famous political family.

Kennedy, who represents Milford, won the town with 58.18% of the votes in the Democrats’ primary.

It was the first time a Kennedy has lost a race for Congress in Massachusetts.

Markey appealed to voters in the deeply Democratic state by positioning himself as aligned with the liberal wing of the party. He teamed up with a leading progressive, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, on the Green New Deal climate change initiative — and at one point labeled Kennedy “a progressive in name only.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Related article from Commonwealth Magazine


"When people stopped wearing masks in 1919 there was a resurgence"

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

"Just as Linda Hixon and Shawn Driscoll were finishing their book, “The Grip: The 1918 Pandemic and a City Under Siege,” last winter, another pandemic hit.

They believe that after more than 100 years have passed, the United States should have learned more about how to protect itself from COVID-19.

“I’d have to say we’ve learned nothing from the 1918 pandemic,” Hixon said. “We should have and we can, but we didn’t.”

Driscoll said the 1918 flu pandemic should have taught everyone that local, state and federal governments need to work together to implement safety measures, and decide when to shut down and reopen businesses and schools. But somehow it didn’t.

“I don’t think we’re truly taking the lessons that need to be learned from 1918-19 and applying them to the 21st century,” he said."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)


Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities in Facilities and DPW

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  


If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdfinstead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here (https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe).

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities in Facilities and DPW
Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities in Facilities and DPW


Voices of Franklin: Six Combine Voices for Markey

Voting in the Massachusetts Primary Election closes at 8:00 p.m. on September 1.  A few Franklin residents explain why they support Ed Markey as U.S. Senator in this primary.

These respondents are impressed by Sen. Markey’s record as a legislator.  Karen Landers notes  that he has long been known for his leadership and productivity.  He entered national politics in 1974.  In the succeeding 46 years he has been re-elected more than 20 times, first to the House (1974-2013) and subsequently to the Senate (2013 to present).  Clearly the Democrats in Massachusetts have recognized him as an effective congressman.  

These Franklin voters also admire Markey’s character.  They see in him a strong and visionary leader, and author of the Green New Deal, which may be the most important legislation before the Congress in our time.  Yet they also like his unpretentious, blue-collar origins and his personal modesty.  Karen Landers and Mara Downie found themselves standing beside Markey in the crowd at the Youth Climate Strike in Boston last year.  They noticed that he came to support the young strikers, not to grab the limelight.  

Markey’s causes resonate with these voters.  As Sue Cass puts it, Markey “has been indefatigable, participating on diverse committees and authoring or sponsoring hundreds of bills on diverse subjects, always focusing on improving American circumstances.”  More particularly, these voters applaud the senator’s support of racial justice, net neutrality, gun control, health care for all, women’s rights, the COVID-19 Relief Bill, and especially the Green New Deal with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  This bill addresses the twin crises of climate change and economic inequality.

There are also strategic reasons to support Markey.  Jayson Joyce admires him because, in drafting the COVID-19 Relief Bill with Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders, Markey brought both wings of the Democratic party to the table.  Likewise, the senator commands inter-generational support from both ends of the age spectrum, from young Gen Z voters to aging Baby Boomers.  According to Joyce, Markey is a visionary leader who constantly challenges the status quo.  Or as Chorr-yi Chin puts it, Markey legislates with compassion for all, including future generations.  Colin Cass thinks it’s naive to trust what politicians say.  He judges them by what they actually do.  He believes that Markey “is committed to action on the most pressing issues of our time.”

Finally, there is the uniqueness of this moment.  As Joyce says, during this pandemic when many people have lost their jobs and their health insurance; when economic depression threatens and many are facing evictions, foreclosures, and heavy debts, the moment calls for strong leadership and moral authority.  Or as Chin puts it, “The demands of today require somebody who understands the hardships we face.”   

Ed Markey has spent his life as a prolific, principled, and successful legislator.  This man has earned his place as our senator, and the voters of Massachusetts should keep him in office.

Sports Buzz: Coaches Corner with Franklin Coach Eian Bain

Tweet from jay horrigan (@jphref) announces an
All new Sports Buzz and a Coaches Corner with Franklin Coach Eian Bain.  Enjoy.  


Coach Bain 8-30 from Jay Horrigan on Vimeo.

Households May Receive Follow-Up Visits From 2020 Census Takers


Households May Receive Follow-Up Visits From 2020 Census Takers

Visits Serve as Quality Checks to Ensure Everyone Is Counted  

AUG. 31, 2020 — With door-to-door visits by census takers now underway, the U.S. Census Bureau is informing households that they may also receive a follow-up visit to ensure everyone is counted in the 2020 Census. So far, 64.9% of all housing units have responded online, by phone or by mail, and another 17.5% have been counted by census takers and other field data collection operations. In total, over 82.4% of all housing units throughout the nation have been accounted for in the 2020 Census as of Aug. 30. The Census Bureau is working to count the remaining households—about 1 in every 5 households across the nation.  (https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/2020-follow-up-visits.html)

Learn More

On a daily basis, the Census Bureau updates its list of households that have responded. It is possible that a locally hired census taker will still visit the address as part of the Census Bureau's quality assurance program for the 2020 Census even if a household has already responded. The public is encouraged to cooperate with census takers as they follow up.

For example, census takers are visiting households where there may be some confusion about the address. If the community's addresses recently changed or the household responded with an address that does not match the Census Bureau's address list, census takers will visit to verify the address and collect a response in person. Please respond when the census taker visits. If a census taker left a notice of their visit, you can respond online or by phone using the Census ID provided on the notice. This ID links your address to your response and ensures you are counted in the right place. The Census Bureau has rigorous methods and processes to resolve any duplicate responses.

In some cases, a second census taker may visit a household to conduct a short interview. This additional interview is one of the ways we check the quality of census takers' work.

In addition, other Census Bureau representatives continue visiting homes for ongoing surveys (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp.html) that are occurring at the same time as the 2020 Census, such as the American Community Survey (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs). These ongoing surveys affect only a small number of households nationwide and provide valuable information to help community leaders plan for hospitals and schools, improve emergency services, and make informed decisions about creating jobs.

Households can still respond to the 2020 Census by going online at 2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received.

No news release associated with this announcement. Tip Sheet only.



Talking the Blues: #18. Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembered

 

"Stevie Ray Vaughan - October 3, 1954 - August 27, 1990.  This week marks the 30th year of the passing of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the world has been at a loss since. Vaughan became a blues rock virtuoso in a short period of time and left a legacy that others have followed. 
This week we focus on his music, his story and his legacy.  We listen to Stevie's music as the music of some of the artists that influenced him including Jimmy Rogers, Albert Collins, Albert King and Jimi Hendrix.    
There is a little bit of something for everyone. RIP Stevie -  Rock on!"
Talking the Blues is broadcast on the internet at wfpr.fm and 102.9 on the local Franklin area radio dial on Thursday at  11:00 AM/2:00 PM/8:00 PM. The show repeats on Saturday at 5:00 PM. 


Talking the Blues: #18. Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembered
Talking the Blues: #18. Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembered


“This pandemic ... is precisely the kind of civil defense emergency"

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

"With the Supreme Judicial Court expected to hear arguments in a little over a week over a lawsuit challenging Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 executive orders, Attorney General Maura Healey has filed a lengthy defense of the governor and the legality of his actions to control the coronavirus. 
Baker has been sued by a group of business owners, religious leaders and others over the numerous executive orders he has issued since declaring a public emergency on March 10 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders have included everything from forced business and school closures to size limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings. 
The plaintiffs claim that Baker overstepped his legal authority, but Healey argued in a briefing filed with the SJC that Baker acted well within the scope of the Civil Defense Act to protect the public from the coronavirus. 
“The CDA gives the Governor extensive authority to protect the Commonwealth during a civil defense emergency,” Healey wrote. “The Act defines ‘civil defense’ broadly, and responding to the current pandemic falls within its scope because COVID-19 is a ‘natural cause’ that threatens the public health and welfare of the Commonwealth’s residents.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)


Related article on the AG filing in support of Gov Baker


What is Rhode Island doing to re-open schools?

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin: 

"What Governor Gina Raimondo announced Monday was effectively an extension of the biggest project affecting students and parents in Rhode Island: the reopening of schools. She said districts have until Oct. 13 to start in-person learning -- the day after Columbus Day.

But she made clear her plan is flexible. The districts that are ready to go can open with in-person learning on Sept. 14, but the more apprehensive superintendents – and there are plenty – have an extra month to gradually allow students to move from distance learning to in-person learning.

“We’re going to give this a try, and like everything we’ve done together over the past six months, if it doesn’t work, we’ll adjust,” Raimondo said during a press conference on Monday. “If we have problems, we’ll deal with it, but we owe it to our children to get them back into school.”

Raimondo has been clear for weeks that she believes schools should reopen to all students as soon as possible for two key reasons: 1. We don’t know this for sure, but it’s reasonable to assume that in-person learning is more effective than distance learning. 2. She wants Rhode Island’s economy to continue reopening, and that’s nearly impossible if parents have to stay home with their children all day."
Related article on re-opening in RI

School districts express concerns

In the News: task force formed to tackle car thieves; primary may see record turnout

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

"Several area communities have been targeted by two apparent separate groups of car thieves, and now a task force is seeking to catch the suspects. 
Hopkinton Police said a task force made up of themselves, Holliston, Sherborn, Franklin, Medway, Millis and Wrentham police departments, as well as the Massachusetts State Police, are searching for the suspects. 
“Our detectives have been monitoring this for quite some time,” Hopkinton Chief Joseph Bennett said Monday. 
The task force was set up about three weeks ago. The car thefts, as well as car break-ins, have been occurring for about three months, Detective Sgt. Scott van Raalten said."

 

“I think we all know this has been an extraordinary year for virtually everything about our lives, and elections are no different,” Galvin, the state’s elections overseer, said at a State House press conference. 
“We’re having an election tomorrow, I think under the most unusual circumstances.” 
On the eve of a primary election in which ways to participate have been reshaped around the COVID-19 pandemic, Galvin provided a turnout forecast -- he expects 1.2 million to 1.3 million votes, once all are tallied -- and laid out the ground rules for voters."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

Monday, August 31, 2020

Franklin, MA: Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - Sep 2 - 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting
Agenda & Meeting Packet
September 2, 2020
5:45 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building
2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street

 
The public will NOT be permitted to enter the building or participate in person. Only 
pre-approved participants on the meeting agenda will be allowed to enter the Building and participate in person.

Residents can attend and participate via the “ZOOM” Platform.
 
Agenda

1.    COVID-19 Phase 3 Update
a.    Microenterprise grant update

2.    Market Analysis & Market Position Marketing Discussion & Work Plan 


Connection info for this meeting contained in the agenda doc

 
 
Franklin, MA: Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - Sep 2 - 5:45 PM
Franklin, MA: Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - Sep 2 - 5:45 PM


Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 2 - 5:00 PM

 1) Reading and Acceptance of August 5, 2020 meeting minutes

 2)    OLD BUSINESS
•    Chairman opens the floor for any other old business

3)    NEW BUSINESS
•    Emergency Drive Through Dispensing Site Presentation
•    Penalty Provision
•    Annual Report
•    Arbovirus Update

4)    HEALTH DIRECTOR’S REPORT
•    Chairman opens the floor for any other new business
 
5)    CITIZENS COMMENTARY

6)    ADJOURNMENT
 
Agenda doc online includes the connection information

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 2 - 5:00 PM
Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 2 - 5:00 PM


Primary Election - Sep 1 - 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Franklin High School

Note, this Primary election opens at 7:00 AM. Most prior elections opened at 6. Not this time.

Election Info:  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/2020-elections-voting

Sample ballots:  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/2020-sample-ballots

:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Franklin High School
:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Franklin High School

Primary Election - Sep 1 - 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Primary Election - Sep 1 - 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM