Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
In the News: "One challenge the region faces due to its economic success is traffic congestion"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The MetroWest region’s unemployment rate has been consistently lower than the statewide numbers for the past three decades thanks in part to an influx of biopharmaceutical, information technology and analytics as well as medical device companies moving to the area.
But the increase in new businesses coming to the region has created some challenges, such as increased traffic congestion, according to a new profile of economic and demographic trends released Monday.
The Westborough-based 495/MetroWest Partnership and the Public Policy Center at UMass Dartmouth released the new profile, which indicates the region continues to enjoy a number of strategic advantages while continuing to confront challenges related to transportation and housing."
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.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
“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."
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
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."
"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."
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."
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Franklin Public Schools, MA: Remote and Hybrid Learning Info Updates
Reminder: Volunteers Needed to help decorate downtown Franklin
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is looking for volunteers to help decorate downtown center this Wednesday at 2:00 PM.
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
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-09-16_budget_subcommittee_meeting.pdf
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
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.
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."
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/13/sports/2019-20-globe-scholastic-awards-franklin-teams-up-repeat-dalton-division-1-champion/
NATHAN KLIMA FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE/THE BOSTON GLOBE |
Franklin Public Schools: Food Services - Updates on Reopening
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."
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.”
FTC Consumer Alert: If you have federal student loans, read this
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Monday, September 14, 2020
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
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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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FM #347 Talk Franklin with Jamie Hellen - 9/11/20 (audio) |
NEW DATE - October 2-4 for the PMC Franklin Kids Ride 2020 Re-imagined
In order to celebrate with the PMC Kids Ride Community, we have moved our ride to the weekend of October 2-4. Since the majority of the Massachusetts rides will be held this weekend, we can all ride VIRTUALLY together.
Cancer isn’t taking the year off so neither is the the PMC Franklin Kids Ride. Kids can ride as much or as little as they want in their own neighborhood, on a bike path or anywhere they choose! It’s a great opportunity for them to be creative, have some fun, make it their own, and raise money to help find a cure for cancer. Get family, friends, and neighbors to register too. All local communities are encouraged to participate.
There is no registration fee and no fundraising minimum and all money raised will go directly to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. These donations benefit research, treatment, and care for children and families impacted by cancer.
Since 2006, PMC Franklin Kids ride has raised over $540,000 for the Jimmy fund and we look forward to adding to the total this year. Sign up today to be a virtual rider and/or donate at: https://kids.pmc.org/franklin
For more information, please contact Lisa Marchioni at lisabxyz@verizon.net
Many kids. One mission. Cure cancer.
PMC Franklin Kids Ride 2020 |