In the News: "The system isn’t broken right now"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Question 2 on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 ballot asks the Massachusetts electorate to adopt ranked-choice voting for nearly all federal and state races — excluding U.S. president — that result in a single winner.

A “yes” vote on the binding referendum supports replacing the plurality-voting system in place with ranked choice voting. A “no” vote opposes changing the existing plurality voting.

If Question 2 passes, ranked-choice voting would be implemented for the primary and general elections in 2022. It would come into play when three or more candidates compete in a single-seat election.

Yes on 2 proponents pitch ranked-choice as a remedy to plurality-voting problems — chiefly split voting and spoiler candidates — in crowded Massachusetts elections."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201005/need-help-figuring-out-question-2-on-november-ballot-proponents-says-it-brings-more-voices-and-choices-to-massachusetts-electorate?rssfeed=true

I am still not convinced of the proposed benefits for ranked choice voting. If I were to schedule a Zoom conference bridge to talk through the pros and cons would you be interested? It wouldn't be recorded, but we (whomever shows up) could discuss this topic. Let me know if you are interested via email or comment.

The Franklin Community Voting Guide for November 2020 is ready for your use to prepare to vote.

Download your copy here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fIIde4DfyieqnK2hTsZDDfMLmoFcqzoO/view?usp=sharing 

In the News: "The system isn’t broken right now"

Commonwealth Magazine: "T eyeing service cuts, budget workarounds"

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

"WITH A $300 million to $600 million budget shortfall expected next year, MBTA officials on Monday began zeroing in on service cuts that would save as much as $255 million and started exploring ways to use capital funds to cover operating expenses.

In a presentation to the Fiscal and Management Control Board, T officials indicated the service cuts are likely to fall most heavily on ferry routes, commuter rail lines, and some bus routes. Service on the ferry to Hingham and Hull and most commuter rail lines could be scaled back starting next spring. Bus service changes could begin in July 2021. The presentation also warned that many of the cuts could take years to add back and some would be permanent.

The officials said their goal is to preserve service on routes that serve low-income, minority riders with one or no cars. These riders in general have continued using the T during the pandemic and are more likely to return sooner.  Bus ridership, for example, is at 46 percent of pre-COVID levels while ridership on ferries is 11 percent, 12 percent on commuter rail, and 24 percent on subways."

 Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/t-details-possible-service-cuts/

 

The Franklin Forge Park Station

In the News: "decided a drive-through flu clinic would be safest"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Cities and towns have been hosting seasonal flu vaccination clinics for decades. But in 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, some health departments are viewing those annual clinics as dry runs for the eventual distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“I am sure that some medical providers, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, they will all be doing it eventually,” Framingham Health Director Sam Wong said of coronavirus vaccine distribution. “But for a good part of the population, I think it’s still going to fall to the local health departments.”

Wong’s guess is based on precedent.

“Looking back on H1N1, it was the local health department that organized and conducted the vaccination for H1N1,” he said. “Even back then, we used our regular seasonal flu clinic operation as a model for the H1N1 clinic. There’s a similarity here.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201005/metrowest-area-health-departments-are-viewing-flu-clinics-as-dry-runs-for-covid-19-vaccine-distribution?rssfeed=true

Franklin has a flu clinic today at the Senior Center and plans are underway for a second one to be scheduled. Listen to my conversation with Health Director Cathleen Liberty to get all the details  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/fm-355-town-of-franklin-health-director.html

 

 

 

 

FHS boys soccer game - LIVE today at 4:15 PM by Franklin TV

The virus protocols prevent parents from attending their student's games.  We've been getting many calls from parents who want us to carry these games live.  Like the work we've been doing to update the Town Chambers facility, we have also been working to develop our live remote event capability.  

 

Today at 4:15 PM will be our first attempt to carry a live Panthers game.  Our program will also be carried by Milford TV.

Visit our Franklin●TV website. Click on Franklin Pride TV. Click on “ Watch Now”.

Thanks,
Pete Fasciano

 

Franklin TV full program guide -> http://www.franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

FHS boys soccer game - LIVE today at 4:15 PM by Franklin TV

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 7, 2020

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS    
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others.

 

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS   
Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES   
September 16, 2020

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS   
- None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS   
- None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10 PM   
a. Lot Line #4: Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-858, Zoning Map Changes on or Near Beaver and Oak Streets
b. Bylaw Amendment 20-859: Sewer System Extension at 100 Daniels Street

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS   
- None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS   
    a. Planning and Community Development Department presentation: Bryan Taberner, Jen Delmore
        i. DPCD Department Presentation
        ii. Master Plan Update Materials

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS   
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-58: Request for special legislation regarding the authority for the Town of Franklin, acting through the Franklin Town Council, to grant a wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises, alcoholic beverages license in excess of the Town’s quota to Madd Deli, Inc. D/B/A Dacey’s Market (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-58 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/resolution_20-58_-_home_rule_amendment_to_authorize_an_additional_beer_and_wine.pdf

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-59: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs of Washington and Grove Streets Intersection Improvements (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-59 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/resolution_20-59_borrowing_authorization_-_washington_and_grove_streets_0.pdf

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Resolution 20-60: Gift Acceptance - Police Department, $200 (Motion to Approve Resolution 20-60 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/resolution_20-60_gift_acceptance_-_franklin_police_department.pdf

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-858: Zoning Map Changes on or Near Beaver and Oak Streets - Second Reading (Motion to adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 20-858 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/zoning_bylaw_amendment_20-858_beaver_and_oak_street.pdf

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION   
Bylaw Amendment 20-859: Sewer System Extension - 100 Daniels Street - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-859 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/bylaw_amendment_20-859_sewer_map_extension_-_100_daniels_street.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT   
COVID-19 Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

  
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS   

 
14. EXECUTIVE SESSION   
To investigate charges of criminal misconduct or to consider the filing of criminal complaints.

ADJOURN   
 

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

 

The full agenda can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/october-7-town-council-agenda

 

The PDF including materials released for this meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/10-07-2020_town_council_meeting_agenda.pdf

 

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 7, 2020

 

Franklin Community Voting Guide - November 2020

The Franklin Community Voting Guide for November 2020 is ready for your use to prepare to vote.

Download your copy here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fIIde4DfyieqnK2hTsZDDfMLmoFcqzoO/view?usp=sharing 

 

 

Franklin Community Voting Guide - November 2020

 

What can the Community Preservation Act (CPA) do for Franklin?

This month, the CPA For Franklin group  will be answering questions about the Community Preservation Act. 

The Community Preservation Act is Ballot Question 3 for Franklin. Ballot Questions 1 and 2 for the November election are state wide  questions.

For the first Q and A in a series, head over to the CPA web page for a list of what nearby towns have used their CPA funds to do for their community. https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/2020/10/what-can-community-preservation-act.html

If you have a question about how CPA works, please email CPA4Franklin@gmail.com and they will answer in a future post.  

The CPA For Franklin group has prepared a flyer with information. Get your copy here  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WTBRSlvC_HpcNpBg22mKyLDYhtpkF-S6/view?usp=sharing

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/