ATTENTION Gulf War Veterans: Do You Have Questions About Gulf War Exposures?

Do You Have Questions About Gulf War Exposures? Get the Information & Answers You Need!

A Class for Veterans

Veterans will attend VIRTUALLY through an easy to access meeting platform titled WebEx via a personal computer, smart phone or tablet.

DATE: Thursday, October 29, 1:30pm - 3:00pm EST

PRESENTERS: • Michelle Robertson, MD, MPH • Susan Santos, PhD, MS

LEARN ABOUT • Potential Exposures • Research Findings • Health Effects • Available Resources • Steps to Manage Symptoms

TO REGISTER TO ATTEND: Only Veterans who register will have course access. To register to attend and receive further information necessary to participate, please call WRIISC at: 800-248-8005 or Email: NJWRIISCEDTEAM@va.gov. Guests are welcome.

VETERANS, prior to participating in this or any educational class, please discuss the class topic with your providers to ensure they are aware and can discuss any physical and/or mental health concerns. The WRIISC promotes collaboration and communication between Veterans and their providers. If you are experiencing a mental health issue, please do not hesitate to call National Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 option 1, confidential crisis chat: http://www.veteranscrisisline.net or text: 838255. If a medical emergency occurs, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Shared from the Town of Franklin Veterans Service page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/attention-gulf-war-veterans

ATTENTION Gulf War Veterans: Do You Have Questions About Gulf War Exposures?

No trash delay this week - Regular schedule

Monday is a holiday for some but not for the trash/recycle schedule this week.

If you misplaced the Trash/Recycling mailer, you can get another copy online

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/franklin_program_guide_2020-2021.pdf

No trash delay this week - Regular schedule

Franklin, MA: Police Dept - 2020 Media Release, Spruce Pond

On Sunday October 11, 2020 at approximately 12:49pm the Franklin Police Department through the Metacomet Emergency Communication Center (MECC) received a 911 call reporting a male party experiencing a mental health crisis in the Spruce Pond Condominium complex. The caller also advised that the individual was armed with a handgun, threatening harm to himself, and anyone who approached.

Initial responding Franklin Police officers set up a perimeter and made initial contact with the party. Additional resources, including the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council’s (Metro- LEC) SWAT team were also called to the scene.

During the incident, the male party fired a multiple rounds from a handgun striking the armored truck containing the SWAT officers. Because of the availability of this kind of armored equipment, the SWAT team did not return fire with the subject.

Swat officers were then able to engage the subject from inside the armored vehicle utilizing 40mm less than lethal munitions, Taser, and a K9 team. The subject was taken into custody while still in possession of the firearm. The subject is being treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and will undergo a mental health evaluation.

One Metro-LEC SWAT officer was struck by the ricochet of a round fired by the subject. The officer thankfully was not injured and did not require further treatment.

We are thankful that this incident ended without the loss of any life. It also serves as a reminder that incidents of this type can happen anywhere, and at any time. Officers need the tools available to them to be able to respond safely, with the goal always being the preservation of all life.

At this time the investigation is ongoing. Information on potential criminal charges will be available at the conclusion of the investigation.

Chief Thomas J. Lynch stated “I am proud of the response of my officers, and the Metro- LEC team, the professionalism of all involved, and the incredible restraint shown. Results like this are not always possible but are what we strive for.” Lynch continued “We need to continue training all of our officers and must always provide them with the tools and equipment they need to do their jobs.”

The Franklin Police Department wishes to thank all our law enforcement, and fire department partners that assisted us today with this tense situation.

 

Shared from Franklin Police  https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/2020-media-release-spruce-pond

Franklin, MA: Police Dept - 2020 Media Release, Spruce Pond

"Talk Franklin" discussion on phishing incident, election prep, and PFAS testing

FM #363 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 363 in the series. 

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

We talk about: 

Phishing

• Insurance coverage
• Internal controls changed

Election prep

• Ballots mailing
• Drive thru hours, etc

PFAS testing

• By April 2021

Meetings

• Senior Coffee Hour – Oct 15
• EDC listening session  - Oct 19 #thinkFranklinfirst
• School Committee – Oct 13

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/139589c7-00c0-4654-9e10-ae99825a695

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

Phishing announcement 
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-of-franklin-spear-phishing-attack.html 

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

Business listening sessions  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf 

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

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

"Talk Franklin" discussion on phishing incident, election prep, and PFAS testing

Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Oct 13, 2020

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

 

 Agenda

“The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance  

Moment of Silence

 

I.    Routine Business

A.    Review of Agenda

B.    Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C.    FHS Student Representative Comments
D.    Superintendent’s Report

II.    Guests/Presentations
A.    Superintendent Evaluation Evidence Presentation 2019-2020  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/suptevalevidence_presentation_to_sc_10-13-20.pdf
B.    District Improvement Goals 2020-2021  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dip_initiatives_to_sc_2020-2021.pdf

III.    Discussion/Action Items
A.    District Improvement Plan
I recommend adoption of the 2020-2021 District Improvement Goals as discussed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_dip.pdf
B.    Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:
A.    EEAEC - Student Conduct on School Buses
B.    EEAJ - Motor Vehicles Idling on School Grounds  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_policy_0.pdf
C.    Reduction of Pay to Ride Fees
I recommend approval of the Pay to Ride bus fee to be set at $130 for the 2020-2021 school year as discussed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_c_-_pay_to_ride.pdf
D.    MASC Resolutions (#1, 4-6)
I recommend adoption of the following MASC resolutions as discussed:
A.    Resolution #1: MCAS and High Stakes Testing
B.    Resolution #4: Lowering the Voting Age for Municipal Elections
C.    Resolution #5:Supporting Increased Federal Support and Stimulus Funding for Public K-12 Education
D.    Resolution #6: Retention of Medicaid Revenue   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_d_-_resolutions.pdf

IV.    Discussion Only Items
A.    Resolution #2 COVID-19 State Funding
B.    Resolution #3 School Committee Anti-Racism Resolution

V.    Information Matters
A.    School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B.    School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council)

VI.    New Business
A.    To discuss any future agenda items

VII.    Consent Agenda
A.    Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from your September 22, 2020 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B.    Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the Executive Session Minutes from your September 22, 2020 School Committee meeting to be released as detailed.
C.    Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $980.00 from the Franklin Community (coordinated by Heather Sansoucy & Kristen Gillen) for supplemental supplies at Parmenter Elementary School as detailed.

VIII.    Payment of Bills    Dr. Bergen
IX.    Payroll    Ms. D’Angelo

X.    Executive Session
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), move to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation and collective bargaining with the FEA/RN Unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the School Committee and the chair so declares, and not to reconvene in an Open Session.

XI.    Adjournment

Documents released for the meeting can be found in the meeting packet folder on the Schools page   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/october-13-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

 

 

Franklin, MA:: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Oct 13, 2020

Franklin TV: Live Sports & Events - Part 2

We are attempting to cover many events - LIVE! 

 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 10/11/2020 

 

The pandemic has forced schools to make and remake some very difficult decisions. These decisions remain in flux as conditions shift. Safety dictates that crowds of parents and friends be minimal to nonexistent. For most schools, that means only one-parent-per-student is permitted to attend the event.

 

a camera operator somewhere in that plastic

Our first attempt was foiled by audio problems at our main  studio. (Sorry!) Frustrating.  Not a great start.

The emptiness of the walkway and stands is stark.

Our second attempt was during the rain and windstorm that rolled through during the game. There was a fast scramble to protect people and equipment.

There’s a camera operator somewhere in that plastic. 

We cobbled up a makeshift rain shelter. Director Chris Flynn, hanging in there.

 

Director Chris Flynn, hanging in there

Our announcers, Sam Reis and Nipun Goel got to see our cameras and call the game from the warmth and comfort of home – thanks to Zoom.

Our third game the next day at Beaver field was in better weather. We will continue refining our live game coverage efforts as best we can as winter rolls in.

You can watch our live sports on our Franklin Pride school channel, on Comcast 96 or Verizon 28. We are also now streaming our channels in high definition.
 

announcers, Sam Reis and Nipun Goel got to see our cameras and call the game from the warmth and comfort of home – thanks to Zoom

How can you find our live streams? 

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

Easy-peasy!

We are also coordinating our live programs with those of other community PEG studios across the Hockomock League and region. Lots of events are planned.

We will also post our games for Video-on-Demand replays. This may take up to a week after game time. Will we be perfect? No guarantees. The internet and the weather can be fickle. But, continue we must. Fingers crossed.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

 

 

The weekly Program Guide can be found online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   or for historical purposes use this link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/160bhnvLgsqhNSkVABzJxG5nsvbugM4FV/view?usp=sharing

 

Ben Gardner's Boat, in the Franklin TV studio (pre-COVID-19)

In a time seemingly long ago, pre-COVID-19, Jeff Roy and his band Ben Gardner's Boat spent some time in the Franklin TV recording studio. Jeff got to post the video segments of the songs recorded. Here is one: "Collide"  https://youtu.be/TmPZULYRc-E

For more songs from the recording session, find them in Jeff's YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/jalinat/videos