Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Senator Becca Rausch: "Continuing to stay safe during COVID-19"

October 16, 2020 
 
Dear friends, 

The White House Outbreak of COVID-19 is a stark reminder that even though we are all tired of pandemic-related restrictions, COVID-19 is still here, still very much our reality. In Massachusetts, in fact, case levels are rising. The most recent data report from the Department of Public Health indicates that 9 of the 12 municipalities in our district experienced notably increased levels of COVID-19 infection (reflected as green, yellow, or red on the map below). You can find more information in the weekly and daily reports available at the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard

Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard
Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard

I strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask whenever you are in a public space, practice physical distancing, and limit your social engagements to small groups, held outdoors. We should all take advantage of the last few weeks of Fall in New England, before the freezing temperatures arrive.

While COVID-19 has exposed holes in our public health infrastructure and serious gaps in social equity, this pandemic has also shined a light on the people and businesses that do the work, every day, to protect our collective health. I recently had the pleasure of visiting two businesses in our district that are aiding in the fight against COVID-19. I nominated Cold Chain Technologies, located in Franklin, for the Massachusetts Manufacturing “Making it in Massachusetts” award and had the great privilege of taking a socially distant tour of the factory. Cold Chain is a leader in thermal packaging to make sure vitally needed biomaterials, like life saving medicines and organs for transplant surgeries, arrive safely at their destinations. In a global pandemic, this work is perhaps more critical than ever before and I applaud them not only for their products and innovation, but also for preserving and creating jobs in our district through domestic manufacturing and continuing to make their products and processes safer for our environment.

In Needham, I had the pleasure of visiting Rafi Nova, a company that demonstrates outstanding innovation and adaptation in the wake of economic downturn and a public health crisis. Run by my constituents Marissa and Adam Goldstein, the business shifted its operations in the early stages of the pandemic to accommodate the growing need for personal protective equipment. They're keeping us safe and stylish with their beautiful selection of masks. Two of my favorites: their mask encouraging folks to VOTE, and a transparent mask (called the “smile mask”) enabling lip reading for folks who are deaf or hard of hearing and easing nerves for students and teachers.

As always, if you or any of your loved ones in my district have fallen on hard times during this pandemic, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. My office line is 617-722-1555 and my email is becca.rausch@masenate.gov. We are here to help. You can also find robust resources to help you navigate through COVID-19 on my website.
 
Wishing you and your families strength, health, and resilience.   
 

Yours in service, 

Senator Becca Rausch

 

The newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full content please visit
 

“This year, more than ever, we have seen the importance of the Food Pantry to our Franklin Community"

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

"The Franklin Food Pantry recently announced that the annual Franklin Turkey Trot will still happen in 2020, but will occur with a few changes to keep runners safe and provide help to pantry neighbors.

While the turkey trot will still officially run on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, each runner can run or walk their own personal 5-kilometer course when it is most convenient and can map out their favorite course anywhere throughout town. Once runners have finished the race, they can post a picture on social media sharing that they completed their run and their time while tagging the Franklin Food Pantry and using the hashtag #turkeytrot2020.

The registration fee of $25 goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry, keeping donations local to help feed those in need, and participants can register at franklinturkeytrot.org.

The Franklin Food Pantry will not be able to accept food donations in lieu of the fee. The first 100 registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Runners can also purchase a T-shirt directly from the registration page."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
2019 Turkey Trot Runners
2019 Turkey Trot Runners

 
 

In the News: "Secretary Galvin expects historical turnout to exceed 2016"

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

"Voter turnout for the Nov. 3 election is projected to be double the record-setting number of ballots cast in the Sept. 1 state primaries, and even exceed the historical 75% voter turnout in the 2016 election.

Secretary of State William F. Galvin said more will be known about the expected high turnout in the next week as early voting began Saturday and will continue through Oct. 30.

“I’m hopeful. It seems the level of interest is there,” Galvin said in a telephone interview last week. “We had 3.3 million votes in 2016. It seems we will exceed that. We’ve seen a continuing rising number of people registering to vote.”

The historical voter turnout — expected as well in some other parts of the country and driven by the hotly contested presidential race — is also the result of a massive expansion of mail-in voting due to concerns about crowded polling places during the coronavirus pandemic."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
 
When I talked with Town Clerk Nancy Danello at FHS on Monday, over 1,400 had already been to early vote on Sat-Sun and mid-day Monday. Over 12,000 mail ballots were sent out to registered Franklin voters.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 24.  Visit the Town Clerk page for office hours to register in person  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk  or register online  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm

 

the early voting schedule for Franklin
the early voting schedule for Franklin

Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020 - 10:00 AM via Zoom. This is an opportunity to get information and your questions answered.
 
Talk Franklin Matters With Steve Sherlock 
 
To join us, email: adoggett@franklinma.gov.
 
Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21
Franklin Matters - Questions and Answers via Zoom - Oct 21

 
 


Town of Franklin, MA: Reason #3 - #ThinkFranklinFirst

Everyone loves a great customer service experience! Local businesses enjoy getting to know you, love sharing their passion for their business & want to do everything possible to make you feel good about choosing to visit their establishment! #ThinkFranklinFirst #KeepItLocal  
 
Town of Franklin, MA:  Reason #3 - #ThinkFranklinFirst
Town of Franklin, MA:  Reason #3 - #ThinkFranklinFirst

 
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/GxZ6C3U7NE


Monday, October 19, 2020

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee are in need of donations. We are a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax deductible. 

Our tax # is: 82-3353876. With the fundraisers we had in the past we were able to purchase 

  • doggie poop bags (24,000 bags a year. cost is $678.56)  
  • hand sanitizer (12 bags a year cost $233.44) 
  • dog toys and tennis balls( cost $180.00)
  • and last year we purchase two park benches for the park (cost $783.00).  

Our next project coming up soon is a weather shed for the dog park so people can stay out of the rain and winter weather. We have set up a checking account with Dean Bank and your donation will go directly into our account. Please make your check payable to: Furry Friends of Franklin, Inc 

You can either stop in at any Dean Bank location or mail your donation to: Dean Bank, 21 Main St. Franklin ,Ma. 02038.

Thank you for your support.
Sincerely, 

Gennarino D'Onofrio    
President of Furry Friends Franklin Dog Park 

 

Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee
Furry Friends of The Franklin Dog Park Volunteer Committee

 

Reverse Trunk or Treat - Oct 24, 2020

"Get dressed up, pile in your car. Enter the high school through Panther’s Way and follow the signs stopping at each decorated site to collect a goody. 
 
This is a free event. Monetary donations will be accepted for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Must stay in Vehicle in order to obey COVID regulations. Truckers will be wearing masks and gloves and handing out individual bags of candy."

 
When: Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 4 PM EDT – 6:30 PM