Scientific American: “science, health, the environment, evidence-based policy, and reality over disinformation."

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

"Scientific American, the magazine that has delved into scientific topics for 175 years, is endorsing a presidential candidate for the first time, picking Democrat Joe Biden over Republican incumbent President Donald Trump.

“The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people—because he rejects evidence and science,” the magazine’s editorial said. “The most devastating example is his dishonest and inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cost more than 190,000 Americans their lives by the middle of September. He has also attacked environmental protections, medical care, and the researchers and public science agencies that help this country prepare for its greatest challenges.”

The magazine said it was urging people to vote for Biden, “who is offering fact-based plans to protect our health, our economy and the environment. These and other proposals he has put forth can set the country back on course for a safer, more prosperous and more equitable future.”

“It’s time to move Trump out and elect Biden, who has a record of following the data and being guided by science,” the magazine said.

Laura Helmuth, the magazine’s editor-in-chief tweeted that a vote for Biden would support “science, health, the environment, evidence-based policy, and reality over disinformation."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/15/nation/scientific-american-makes-its-first-endorsement-its-history-picking-joe-biden/

Scientific American editorial  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientific-american-endorses-joe-biden/

"We’ve never backed a presidential candidate in our 175-year history—until now"

Get ready to ZOOM with the Franklin Art Association at upcoming meetings in Oct/Nov

Dear FAA Members,

If you haven't already Zoomed with family and friends, as well as other organizations you belong to, please download the free ZOOM app to your laptop, ipad or even your smartphone now!   If you are new to ZOOM, please check out YouTube "how to zoom" videos, along with instructions on the Zoom web-site to learn how to Zoom.   Or, of course, ask any teen or young person how to use this popular video-conferencing app! 

Yes, the FAA Franklin Art Association is going to start meeting virtually, since our "new normal" in the midst of the pandemic won't allow us to meet in person at the Franklin Senior Center, at least for the foreseeable future.  

Please mark Oct 7 & Nov 4 on your calendars for our regular FAA first Wed of the month 6:30 meetings.  We have guest artists lined up to give ZOOM demos followed by Q&A:  Karen Israel will demo on Oct 7, and Nan Hass Feldman will be presenting on Nov 4.  You will receive more info about these exciting artists shortly.

Also, a new issue of the FAA Newsletter is forthcoming, including an informative letter from our President.  We would also like to include any news from FAA members- e.g. have you been in any shows, have any artistic tidbit to share with other FAA members?   Please send any news items to me by Sep 20.

Looking forward to "seeing" everyone on Oct 7 and Nov 4!!

Susan Plume

FAA Corresponding Secretary

Get ready to ZOOM with the Franklin Art Association at upcoming meetings in Oct/Nov

In the News: lock your cars; Venus de Milo to close

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

"A group of organized thieves from Connecticut that targets unlocked cars to steal and to burglarize has hit communities not only in MetroWest and Greater Milford, but throughout the state.

They come quick. They hit fast. And they leave town often before anyone knows a crime has been committed.

A group of organized thieves from Connecticut that targets unlocked cars to steal and to burglarize has hit communities not only in MetroWest and Greater Milford, but throughout the state, as well as Rhode Island and Connecticut."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200915/dont-leave-your-car-unlocked-hundreds-may-be-taking-part-in-wide-spread-car-theft-ring?rssfeed=true

 

 

"Servers carrying massive trays laden with tureens of Venus de Milo soup will no longer be a commonplace sight at SouthCoast celebrations.

Venus de Milo owner Monte Ferris is closing the Swansea banquet facility and putting it up for sale with an asking price close to $5 million. The Venus de Milo soup and other signature fare, including baked stuffed lobster, will still be available through a new company, Venus Foods.

The closure, said Ferris, is a result of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings. With no company holiday parties or New Year’s Eve celebrations in sight, Ferris said he had no choice but to close the banquet facility, resulting in close to 100 people losing their jobs permanently. The staff had already been reduced to bare bones with what he hoped to be temporary layoffs back in March when Gov. Charlie Baker issued stay-at-home orders.

“We do a lot of revenue from that Thanksgiving to New Year’s period. The money was in events, but we do alright with takeout and we’re going to keep takeout going,” said Ferris, adding the COVID-19 pandemic and the results of it have lasted a lot longer than expected. Additionally, faced with huge overhead costs for operating such a large venue, the takeout business, which has been in operation since the shutdown, is slower in the warm weather months."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200915/famed-venus-de-milo-restaurant-in-swansea-to-be-sold-it-is-where-nationally-known-chef-emeril-lagasse-spent-his-early-days-in-kitchen?rssfeed=true

 

Commonwealth Magazine: "Health insurance premiums to rise 8% next year"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS for Massachusetts residents will rise by an average of 7.9 percent at the beginning of next year, despite insurers having profited from declining health care costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kevin Beagan, deputy commissioner for the health market at the state Division of Insurance, said the higher premiums reflect several factors, including uncertainty about what health care will look like next year. “Every company highlighted the uncertainty associated with 2021,” Beagan said during a presentation before the Health Policy Commission on Tuesday.

The biggest increase will be for the lower-cost offerings of Tufts Health Plan on the Massachusetts Health Connector. Beagan said the Division of Insurance is “definitely not happy with” Tufts’ 12.2 percent planned increase. But the division chose not to challenge the increase and conduct a hearing process because that would have prevented the plans from being available in time for October’s open enrollment period on the Health Connector.

Among the other largest health plans in the state, a Boston Medical Center plan that is also available to low-income patients on the Health Connector will see an average 2.5 percent premium increase. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s HMO Blue plan, a commercial plan that covers 80,000 members, will see a 5.4 percent premium increase. Always Health Partners and United Healthcare both are planning increases of at least 9 percent, while members with different Tufts health plans will see increases of at least 7 percent. Harvard Pilgrim’s HMO plan members will see a 5.5 percent increase on average."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/health-insurance-premiums-to-rise-8-next-year/

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Remote and Hybrid Learning Info Updates

Good afternoon,

Please use the following link to access some helpful slides and videos that will assist families on what to expect with both remote and hybrid learning this year.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAEHNKrvEmU/orgRXOsmHYVbNAvMAJPLHA/view?utm_content=DAEHNKrvEmU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer

Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1305911646032887808?s=03

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Remote and Hybrid Learning Info Updates

Reminder: Volunteers Needed to help decorate downtown Franklin

Reminder:

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is looking for volunteers to help decorate downtown center this Wednesday at 2:00 PM.

If you are available please contact Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com 

The group will be meeting at town center island.

Feel free to send this email to your contacts who you think may be interested.

Please remember to wear your mask...we will be social distancing.

Thank you everyone!

The summer flowers on the water trough (Aug 2020)

Franklin, MA: Town Council Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Sep 16, 2020

Agenda

1. FY21 Budget Update & Discussion 

The Town Budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

The agenda doc and connection info can be found here
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-09-16_budget_subcommittee_meeting.pdf

or here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NCufCklUhN3URlhkyA2YvGr_h-Loi5Kf/view?usp=sharing

 

Franklin, MA:  Town Council Budget Subcommittee Meeting - Sep 16, 2020

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 16, 2020

Agenda 

1) OLD BUSINESS

• Penalty Provision Discussion

2) NEW BUSINESS

3) HEALTH DIRECTOR’S REPORT

4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

5) ADJOURNMENT

The PDF with connection info for this meeting   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-9-16-20.pdf

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Sep 16, 2020

Franklin Post 3402 is participating in the Food4Vets Service on Oct 3

Franklin Post 3402 is participating in the VFW Day of Service on Oct  3. The State VFW is teaming up with the Mass Military Support Foundation. The food boxes will be similar to what was distributed at Gillette Stadium and other points in Western Mass earlier this year. 

This is open to all vets, but we will require proof of service (vet org ID card, VA ID card, DD-214, etc). They'll need to register in advance (link is coming). If they don't have internet access I'll be happy to take their info and get them in the system. We'll need name, branch of service, and family size. 

Anyone with questions or issues registering once the link is shared can reach me at post3402@vfwma.org or 508-533-2377. E-mail preferred. 

Pick up will be at the VFW Post (Pond St) on Oct 3 from 10 AM - 1 PM.

Get your copy of the information flyer here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11clmfF_YnJsNh_LBCvYF8EMmvf11siyd/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Post 3402 is participating in the Food4Vets Service on Oct  3

Boston Globe: "Franklin teams up to repeat as Dalton Division 1 champion"

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

"Tom Angelo can’t mask his ear-to-ear smile when discussing the success of the athletic program at Franklin High.

The Panthers produce winners consistently in a community with a rich tradition of supporting athletics, from the youth level up to varsity. Beyond the impressive numbers, and the wins and losses, Franklin prides itself in victories large and small, on and off the field, with a simple mantra . . .

“It’s all about being a great teammate, and really sticking to it," said Angelo, entering his fifth year as athletic director for the school district. “It’s a community effort.”

In a 2019-20 school year in which athletics were abruptly halted in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic — two days before the 25-0 Franklin girls' basketball team was scheduled to take on Andover in the Division 1 state final — and the spring season was cancelled entirely, Panther Pride flourished in the fall and winter months."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/13/sports/2019-20-globe-scholastic-awards-franklin-teams-up-repeat-dalton-division-1-champion/

 

Franklin High athletic director Tom Angelo (center), his coaches, and administrative staff oversee a Panther program that places a premium on teamwork.NATHAN KLIMA FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE/THE BOSTON GLOBE

Franklin Public Schools: Food Services - Updates on Reopening

Information on the Franklin Public Schools (FPS) Food Services has been updated on the FPS Reopening Site.  

Find information here: 

https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/returntoschoolplan/school-operations/food-services

Franklin Public Schools (FPS) Food Services

Tiffany Haddish interviews Dr. Fauci about COVID-19

Tiffany Haddish interviews Dr Fauci in this 35 min video. Instead of the sound bite clips here and there on the main media, this interview covers the important items in the full conversation.

"I ask Dr. Fauci about the coronavirus and the ways it specifically affects the African American community. We talk about vaccines, whether supplements and vitamins can improve your immune system to keep you safe, and the other ways people can protect themselves."

Video link = https://youtu.be/_FZXfgT_IRg

Commonwealth Magazine: “We can’t afford to run the system we ran before COVID-19.”

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"THE MBTA OVERSIGHT BOARD on Monday began formulating principles to follow as it prepares to cut the transit authority’s operating budget by $300 million to $600 million, with T officials recommending the preservation or enhancement of services that cater to minority and low-income customers without cars and a reduction in low-ridership services such as commuter rail and ferry that tend to serve wealthier people who can more easily find alternative ways to move about.

The discussion at the Fiscal and Management Control Board was fairly vague and lacked specifics – those are coming soon and will be honed over the next few months – but it appears the pre-pandemic discussion about expanding service is giving way to a debate about how best to cut service amid diminished demand.

Steve Poftak, the general manager of the T, said he and his staff want to focus available resources on customers who need the T the most and have either continued to ride the system or are likely to come back soon. “We have to be realistic,” he said. “We’re facing significant deficits.”

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack warned that the cutting process won’t be easy. “This is going to be painful because any conversation about not having enough resources is painful,” she said. “We can’t afford to run the system we ran before COVID-19.”

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/t-gears-up-for-rich-poor-divide-in-service-cuts/ 

 

 

FTC Consumer Alert: If you have federal student loans, read this

If you have federal student loans, read this by Ari Lazarus Consumer Education Specialist, FTC A few months ago, we told you that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act gave some flexibility to federal student loan borrowers. Understanding these options can help you make more informed decisions about paying your bills and prioritizing your debts. These benefits have been extended until December 31, 2020. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/09/if-you-have-federal-student-loans-read?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FM #347 Talk Franklin with Jamie Hellen - 9/11/20 (audio)

FM #347 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 347 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Election processing
• Stormwater map
• Budget subcommittee – Town Council meeting
• Re-opening: Restaurant extension
• Beaver St credit card payments

Good stuff in the news

• Police on wbz TV
• Students on wbur radio

The recording runs about 49 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b18b550a-7318-4491-9877-1e0e41daf7e2

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Town Clerk page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Stormwater impervious map  https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5 

Town budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

Beaver St recycling  https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste/news/person-credit-card-payments-accepted-recycling-center

Franklin Police clip on WBZ  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/franklin-police-take-positive-steps-to.html

Franklin students on WBUR radio   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/franklin-students-feature-in-wbur-story.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 #347 Talk Franklin with Jamie Hellen - 9/11/20 (audio)