9 Communities Will Vote on CPA Adoption in November 2020 Election

"Wow! CPA advocates in the town of Lee pull off the incredible task of collecting enough signatures to add #CommunityPreservationAct adoption to their November ballot.

This means a grand total of 9 communities will vote on CPA adoption later this year."

Communities voting on CPA this November: https://t.co/jrAPw5kQ4N 

 

Picked up by the Franklin radar via Twitter:  https://t.co/Gujzvu8NEt

 

Ballot Question #3 on the Franklin ballot will be to decide on the Community Preservation Act. This was voted on in the November 2007 election and failed at that time (Yes - 1528; No - 2174) . Additional info on how the Community Preservation Act can help Franklin will be available as the election approaches.

 

Upcoming CPA Elections for Nov 2020

 

MBTA Commuter Rail: Shuttle bus for Franklin through Walpole weekends Sep 12-Oct 11

On weekends Sept 12 - Oct 11, buses replace service on the Franklin Line at Forge Park through Walpole to allow for double-track extension work. They will operate on a weekend train schedule. However, trains will operate between Walpole and South Station.

The shuttle buses will operate on the normal weekend train schedule and will be ADA accessible, though bikes will not be allowed on board. Trains may experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to the shuttle busing, please allow for additional travel time.

Visit mbta.com/FRKwork and mbta.com/FRKdoubletrack for more details.

For more information: https://mbta.com/FRKwork

Last Updated: Sep 19 2020 07:16 AM 

 

CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook

From Poynter, we share the following article of interest for Franklin:

"President Donald Trump said Tuesday we will have a vaccine in three to four weeks.

Dr. Robert Redfield, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday that even when we get a vaccine, it will not likely be available to the general public until next summer. Redfield also rolled out a playbook for how a national vaccine program might look.

The playbook is loaded with details you have not seen or heard before and it is really important for journalists to start to learn how a vaccination program might unfold. You will be vitally important to its success.

“Early in (the) COVID-19 vaccination program there may be a limited supply of vaccine and vaccine efforts may focus on those critical to the response, providing direct care and maintaining societal functions, as well as those at highest risk for developing severe illness,” Redfield told the Senate Appropriations Committee."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2020/the-first-look-at-the-u-s-governments-covid-19-vaccine-playbook/

 

Get your copy of the playbook from the CDC or below:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/downloads/COVID-19-Vaccination-Program-Interim_Playbook.pdf

 

Picked up by Franklin radar via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Poynter/status/1306590227809566722?s=03

 

CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook

Danello appointed "Temporary Town Clerk"

 September 18, 2020

Thomas D. Mercer, Chair 
Town Council
355 East Central Street 
Franklin, MA 02038

Dear Chairman Mercer:

Due to the resignation of Teresa M . Burr as the Town Clerk effective today, I have been advised by the Town Attorney that I am the appointing authority for any temporary appointment to the position of Town Clerk. Town Charter Article 3 Section 3-2 defaults to general law regarding the replacement of the Town Clerk position. Thus, state law governs both the temporary and permanent replacement of this position.

Therefore, pursuant to MGL chapter 44 section 14, MGL chapter 4 section 7, and MGL chapter 41 section 19E, I hereby appoint Nancy Danello to the position of "Temporary Town Clerk" until the next regularly scheduled town election, which falls on November 2, 2021. Additionally, pursuant to general law, an election to fill the position of Town Clerk must be held at a regularly scheduled election. There is no statutory provision to allow for a special election to fill the position.

Ms. Danello has my full confidence to lead the Town Clerk's Office through the upcoming elections. At this critical juncture, it is essential to have someone lead the upcoming elections who is familiar with the Town and has the local experience of our elections system, staff and town geography. In meetings with her this week to debrief and evaluate the most recent state primary, I am confident the appropriate measures will be taken to ensure there will not be a repeat of that event and that every ballot will be processed and counted on time and within the parameters set out by state statute governing elections.

Warm regards

Jamie Hellen
Town Administrator

Karen Bratt , Human Resources Director 
Mark Cerel, Town Attorney

-------------

Statement on Nancy Danello Temporary Appointment

“On behalf of the Town Council, I share our Town Administrator's confidence in the ability of Ms. Danello to lead the Franklin Town Clerk’s office through the upcoming elections. I believe it is crucial at this time that the Town has someone lead that office who is familiar with Franklin’s local election footprint. I am also not surprised to hear many of our current municipal staff will be temporarily reassigned to assist the Clerk’s Office through the November election. This is welcome news and I thank all of them for their incredible team spirit.

This will be one of the most important elections in our country’s history and expect record-breaking voter turnout. The Town must do whatever it takes to ensure flawless elections in November and December.”

Thomas D. Mercer, Chair 

Franklin Town Council

----------

“I am honored to serve in this temporary capacity to help lead our community in this historic election. I pledge to every voter in town that we will do whatever it takes to ensure confidence in our elections. Over the past week, I have already made many adjustments and investments in staff recruitment and equipment in order to be fully prepared. I will also be working closely with the staff at Secretary Galvin’s Office throughout the November election. I encourage any resident who may have any questions to contact the Town Clerk’s Office in

order to provide the best customer service possible.”

Nancy Danello

Temporary Town Clerk

Teresa Burr and newly appointed Temporary Town Clerk Nancy Danello as they provided an update to the Town Council Mtg, Aug 12, 2020

Both All three announcements shared from Twitter

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1307005488907911172?s=20

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1307009173369090051?s=20

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1307026815576354818?s=20

Franklin's weekend - Sep 18-19-20

Friday, Sep 18 

Farmers Market - noon to 6:00 PM

Sunday, September 20 

LiveArts virtual concert at at 3 PM  

WILLIAM RILEY, classical guitar = Music of Granados, de Falla, and more

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/join-us-for-our-2020-2021-donation.html

Franklin's weekend - Sep 18-19-20

Budget Subcommittee Meeting Recap - Sep 16, 2020

Recap:

• Current local receipts coming in per FY 2021 budget, that is good. Will look to another meeting in October to see if anything is happening with the Federal and/or State funding before making a decision in November.
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen explained the accounting for the CARES Act funding, how it is being allocated (review the details in the memo linked as part of the meeting agenda)
• This subcommittee would benefit from having someone from the School District participate to help answer the school side questions when they arise.
• Buildings getting UV filter upgrades/additions to their ventilation systems. Some will be easier (i.e. less expensive) than other older buildings (which will cost more). Specific building breakout to be gathered as they go with hope to get all work done by end of Dec 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 #bsc0916
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bsc0916&src=typed_query

• Real time reporting underway for Budget Subcommittee meeting #bsc0916
• Initial update from Town Administrator Jamie Hellen on budget, agenda doc for tonight can be found here https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/09-16-2020_budget_sub_agenda.pdf #bsc0916 on target for meeting the FY21 budget with local receipts
• Meeting via Zoom but also via Verizon and Comcast as well as live stream via http://Franklinma.gov webpage #bsc0916
• Building a/c units being updated with UV all buildings should be done before end of this year 2020. Using CARES act funds for this and other COVID-19 related expenses #bsc0916 all PPE covered this far, what happens in Jan 2021 is open at this point
• Look at memo, FinCom meeting coming Oct 8?, chromebooks purchased with CARES act. Look for pages 8-9 with the recap Jamie provides https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/09-16-2020_budget_sub_agenda.pdf #bsc0916
• Businesses with five or fewer employees eligible for grants, info on town page. Q from Pellegri on why the need for the chromebooks. Q on receipt of chromebooks? Not arrived yet, order in early. #bsc0916 current ETA possible in November to be confirmed.
• Would benefit from participation of SchComm member or Central Office to answer chromebooks question. Per my info; middle through FHS were 1-1 with systems. Middle schools had been kept in the building, FHS took them home. K-5 had units in school not 1-1 #bsc0916
• The 4,000 purchased were to bring elementary students to 1-1 ratio for remote learning #bsc0916 Q on local receipts, so far so good. Cases are the highest since Memorial Day. More at Council meeting Mercer adds to chromebooks story with background from FHS project start
• Q on PPE supply and split of #s from the UV costs. It is a fluid situation, approx 40k for municipal bldg for UV, still getting estimates and start making orders to confirm pricing, so bunched together for now, will be split later. Library will be low cost, FHS also #bsc0916
• Older buildings like Parmenter, Museum, etc. They will cost more and exactly how much remains to be seen #bsc0916 folks will need to know each building cost. CARES act may not cover it all, may need free cash to do so. Q on what about families without internet
• Jamie doesn't have answer but will get one. Jones present but can't speak as only 4 Councilors can in a subcommittee meeting #bsc0916 33 businesses have applied for the micro loans. Kelly thinks excise tax will come in ahead as dealers don't have used cars available
• We can't forget the business with more than five employees and yet aren't 'big' business. The food pantry line is not what you would think, the meals tax needs to be watched. #bsc0915 16 cases as of yesterday Motion to adjourn

 

Additional photos from the meeting can be found in this album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XV25Sa38esSyovXAA

 

Town Adminisatrator Jamie Hellen explaining at the Budget Subcommittee meeting

"Like son, like father: Alan Earls eyes the Franklin Town Council seat vacated by son"

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

“Like father, like son” is a familiar phrase that in the Earls family these days is more accurately expressed the other way around: “Like son, like father.”

It is equally as valid to turn around another familiar phrase -- the one about the apple not falling far from the tree -- and say that the tree, in this case, doesn’t stand far from the apple.

On Tuesday, Alan Earls officially announced he is seeking election to the Franklin Town Council, hoping to fill the seat vacated by his son, Eamon McCarthy Earls. The declaration comes a month after the younger Earls, 26, announced his exit from the town’s top governing board in order to pursue a law degree at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in Virginia. Eamon Earls’ resignation was effective on Sept. 6. He was on the Council for nearly three years.

A special town election has been scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, to fill the newly empty seat."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200916/like-son-like-father-alan-earls-eyes-franklin-town-council-seat-vacated-by-son?rssfeed=true