Economic Development Subcommittee: Listening Session 1 - Recap of Sep 30, 2020 Session

Recap:

• The first of several “listening sessions” was held on Weds, Sep 30.
• While the meeting was delayed in opening officially, there was a healthy interactive discussion among the non-Council Chamber folks while waiting. The conversation unfortunately did not continue when the meeting opened.
• It is a known problem with “listening sessions” where those doing the listening tend to respond to ideas rather than absorbing and asking no more than clarification questions like: please elaborate, what could work, what could be done… and that happened here too.

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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  #edcls0930
https://twitter.com/hashtag/edcls0930?src=hashtag_click

Photos (screen captures) shared via Twitter can be found in one folder

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DKJbMzaqHNqfLs5KA 

 

• Ready for EDC listening session #1 #edcls0930
• Meeting opened but they are running late due to tech difficulty #edcls0930 So we'll wait.
• While we have time to share the economic development page for Franklin https://franklinma.gov/economic-development  #edcls0930
• And the Market Study which is one of the key inputs for the listening session soon to start https://franklinma.gov/economic-development/links/mapc-town-franklin-market-study #edcls0930
• And the MetroWest study is also for consideration https://franklinma.gov/economic-development/files/495metrowest-profile #edcls0930
• Tonight is primarily for downtown Franklin, Franklin Cultural District along with the Crossing section segments of the Franklin market place #edcls0930
• Tech resolution reached, meeting formally opening #edcls0930  (20 mins late)
• Approx 21 via Zoom, some Committee and town folks in the Council chambers #edcls0930 Live stream and Verizon/Comcast cable subscribers also have access to their local channels
• Tony Dasilva of the rail trail Committee notes an increase in traffic on the SNETT #edcls0930 Jamie adds about parking lot at Beaver and Grove, access to State forest, another lot coming to Spring St for access to the SNETT desire to be complete streets enabled
• Long term plan includes work on Kenwood Circle and eventually all along Grove #edcls0930 to bring trail all the way down to the Crossing is desired. CSX owns and uses the stretch so it will take time, time, time
• Friendly reminder if anyone needs the info to join #edcls0930
• Senator Rausch in the audience #edcls0930 Lisa Piana of Downtown Partnership has some info and will be surveying their businesses.
• #ThinkFranklinFirst campaign launches Oct 1 in town social media and newsletter #edcls0930 looking for help in sharing info. Work also underway on cultural district page to reflect current events, etc.
• Recognizing that Amazon is a competitor, is there a way to develop a local delivery service to combine resources among the businesses. Would it be worth it to avoid hitting the Amazon button. #edcls0930 a grubhub for local items (not just food)
• Suggestion on adding more lights downtown around the trees, will the sled be back? #edcls0930 Q on occupancy capacity for the next step per Gov Baker announcement yesterday. Outdoor back to 100, performance venue at half capacity doesn't cover Gillette yet
• Looking to open Library, Senior Center, and Municipal building for Nov 9... #edcls0930
• Drive through expanded hours coming to enable ballot drop off at Municipal building, stay tuned for more info coming. Visit town clerk page for updates. (will also share via https://Franklinmatters.org of course) #edcls0930
• Q on how many businesses are actually represented here? Trail folks, cultural folks, citizens, and there was out reach to business owners, etc. Personal invite to all 820 businesses by ToF office. #edcls0930
• Raul of MAPC encourages use of students at Dean as a resource for helping in marketing or creation of collateral #edcls0930
• How do we create a jingle on the #thinkFranklinFirst theme? #edcls0930 next one Oct 19, restaurants, hospitality, tourism target for that discussion but open to all
• That's all for tonight, catch you all next time. #edcls0930 

EDC Chair Melanie Hamblen

 

COVID Positive Letter to ASMS Families

October 2, 2020

Dear Franklin Families,

I am writing to inform you that a person in our Annie Sullivan Middle School community has tested positive for COVID-19. This person has not been in the school building.

Our first responsibility is to keep our students and staff safe. We have been planning for this scenario during our reopening planning process and have a comprehensive plan in place to sanitize the school, inform individuals who were at risk of exposure or in close contact, and support everyone navigating this stressful experience.

Students and staff in the building have been closely adhering to the safety protocols including mask-wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing. We are grateful to our faculty/staff and families/students for continued efforts to monitor symptoms and stay home when not feeling well. These measures, taken in combination, greatly reduce the risk of transmission.

Though we cannot provide specific information about our school community member who tested positive, your child was not a close contact (defined as being within 6 feet of the person for at least 15 minutes) of the affected school member. As always, please continue to monitor your child for symptoms, and keep your child home if they show any symptoms or are not feeling well.

Parents/guardians of students who were in close contact with the community member will be notified privately. All close contacts should be tested but must self-quarantine for 14 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive, regardless of the test result. We are also following all Department of Health protocols, including collaborating with our local board of health to complete contact tracing. Additionally, we are asking those parents/guardians whose students are tested for COVID-19 to please report the results to the school nurse. Staff members are to report positive test results to their supervisor. We are working hard to understand the impact of the virus on our school community and this information is a critical piece of that puzzle.

To prevent transmission of the virus to staff and students, we sanitize the school with a focus on areas that are frequently touched/accessed. We will continue to be vigilant in adhering to all of the protocols that have been put in place.
 
As noted in a previous communication regarding COVID-19, please visit the following link for more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing:
 https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-.

You can also find a map of testing sites at
https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13. Please contact us immediately should you or someone in your home begin to show symptoms.

We are committed to continuous communication with and support of our families. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please e-mail reopening@franklinps.net.

Thank you for your continued support.


Sincerely,
Franklin Public Schools 

The COVID Communications protocol was announced previously

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/responding_to_covid_communication_expectations_sept_2020-english.pdf

 

COVID Positive Letter to ASMS Families

 

"Breweries in Pandemic Times" - #thinkFranklinfirst

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

"Chilly weather didn’t stop a devoted group of thirsty customers from huddling on the concrete patio outside the small Idle Hands brewery one evening last week. Tractor-trailers rumbled past on a busy four-lane road. The clickety-clack of the Orange Line could be heard nearby.

Despite the gritty backdrop, all six outdoor tables were occupied and replenished with India pale ale, pilsner, lagers, and other craft beer. A few steps away, drive-up customers walked just inside the empty taproom to pick up their favorite ale and cart it home.

Chris Tkach, the owner, said he has managed to weather the near-constant reinvention forced on his small business by the pandemic. Revenues are down only 10 to 15 percent so far this year, he said. But as temperatures fall, Idle Hands and the state’s 200 other breweries worry whether all the changes they have made to stay afloat since March will be enough.

“The next six months could be excruciatingly challenging,” said Jack Hendler, co-owner of Jack’s Abby in Framingham. “A lot of breweries have been able to get through the past three months, but it has yet to be seen what will happen over the next few.”

 

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/10/01/lifestyle/hard-hit-breweries-shiver-thought-winter/

This is an opportunity to #thinkFranklinfirst and consider 67 Degrees Brewing Co when looking for craft beer

https://67degreesbrewing.com/

Franklin weekend -> Oct 2 - 3 - 4, 2020

Farmers Market

Friday, Oct 2  - noon to 6:00 PM

Franklin Town Common 

Boy Scout Troop 126 bottle can drive

Sat, Oct 3 at the Franklin Elks (repeats on Sat, Oct 10)

or schedule a pick up by 5 PM on Friday

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/bottlecan-drive-to-benefit-scouts-bsa.html

THE BLACK BOX presents T.3

Two virtual performances on Sat, Oct 3  6:30 PM or 8:15 PM

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/the-black-box-presents-t3-virtual.html

Franklin weekend ->  Oct 2 - 3 - 4, 2020

THE BLACK BOX presents T.3 - virtual performance - 2 shows on Oct 3

T.3 is a New York based vocal group composed of Liam Fennecken (School of Rock), Jim Hogan (Waitress) and Brendan Jacob Smith (The Simon & Garfunkel Story).  They gained popularity on social media platforms with covers of Disney, Broadway and Pop hits. They’re excited to share their music with you tonight! Feel free to follow them on social media: @t.3official #T3Thursday #tiktoktenors

Buy Tickets to watch in person at THE BLACK BOX: Two shows on Saturday, Oct 3: 6:30 PM or 8:15 PM  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1411&month=10&year=2020

Want to watch from home?  Click here to purchase a virtual ticket and watch the Live Stream!
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1411&month=10&year=2020

Jim Hogan is a New York City based actor, singer, musician and member of viral-sensation vocal group, T.3!  His Broadway National Touring credits include Waitress, The Phantom of the Opera and Spring Awakening.  Jim has performed as a soloist with Symphony Orchestras across the US and Canada. Training: Penn State University. Follow Jim on all social media outlets: @jimhogan220!

Liam Fennecken is a proud graduate of the Penn State BA Theatre program.  He is an actor, musician, and songwriter living in NYC.  He recently toured the US and South Korea in School of Rock, and has toured North America with Once, American Idiot, and Peter Pan 360.  Follow along on social media @liamfennecken!

Brendan Jacob Smith is an Actor, Singer and Songwriter based in Brooklyn, Ny. A recent graduate of Ithaca College, Brendan will be playing Art Garfunkel in the US/ Canada Company of The Simon and Garfunkel starting this spring. He recently finished up his time as a member of Hyannis Sound, Cape Cod’s professional A capella group, and was seen as Frankie Epps in Parade at The Rev Theatre Company. Follow on Social media @Brendanjacobsmith! 

THE BLACK BOX presents T.3 - virtual performance - 2 shows on Oct 3

October 2020 E-Newsletter. Election Info, Department News and More!

Find out the latest news in your town! Stay connected & informed!

Visit Our Website Subscribe for News 2020 Election Information The Town Clerk's office is preparing for the November 3rd election. All information can be found on the Town Clerk's website. Early-voting hours Voter registration Mail-in ballot application Absentee ballot application Precinct Information 2020 Elections Schedule 2020 Elections FAQ's Please note: There is a special Town Election being held on December 5th to fill a vacant Town Council seat. Important deadlines are as follows: October 14th: Last Day to obtain nomination papers October 16th: Last Day to file nomination papers October 20th: Last day to withdraw 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. COVID-19 Information Portal Treasurer/Collector Fiscal Year 2021, 2nd Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property bills will be mailed out October 1st and are due November 2nd. You can pay online here, or visit the Municipal Building drive-thru during regular business hours. You can also drop payments in the Official Town of Franklin Mailbox (pictured above) located at Town Hall. Franklin Public School District  Franklin Public Schools is beginning the transition to a hybrid model, starting with K & 1st grade, on October 1st. In order to keep our families, staff and the community informed, we have published a Reopening Website. New information is added as it becomes available. Please check back frequently for updates. FPS will also be releasing monthly newsletters and School Committee updates. To sign up for these communications, please click the link below. Sign up for Franklin Public School & School Committee Newsletters Franklin Senior Center News The Town of Franklin celebrated the retirement of our longtime Senior Center Director, Karen Alves, and welcomed our new director, Erin Rogers. We wish Karen the very best in her retirement and thank her for her years of service to our elder community! Find out more in the Senior Center Connections October Newsletter. 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! Senior Center Website Want to learn more about the lower negotiated electric supply rate for TOF residents and small business owners? It starts in November and runs through the winter months. Click here for information and watch your mail for information! Franklin Public Library News! Curbside Pick up continues at the Library! Find out more on their website! The Franklin Library is continuing to put out a calendar FULL of fun events for all ages! Visit their website and sign up for the Library Newsletter to stay in the loop! Stay updated about all the FABULOUS programs happening at our library! Visit their website and/or social media to find out more about the offerings for all ages! Franklin Public Library Website October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Franklin Police Department wants all survivors of domestic, and sexual violence to know that there are resources available to help. We made this short video to talk about it, and suggest the following links if you or someone you know needs assistance. New Hope, Inc. and the National Domestic Violence Hotline are valuable sources of information.  As always, in an emergency please call 911. Want to know what is happening in town? Check out the updated (and ever evolving!) Franklin Cultural District Website and find local events, entertainment, happenings, restaurants, organizations and more! The Newsletter is too long for posting here, visit the Town of Franklin page for the full contents  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/newsletter-portal