Local State races: Rausch and Roy win

For the two local State races

• Senator Becca Rausch beat Matt Kelly 61.1% to 38.9% 

via Boston Globe:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/elections/2020/massachusetts/state%20senate/norfolk%2C%20bristol%20%26%20middlesex/

• Representative Jeff Roy retains his seat running officially unopposed although there was a write in campaign.

via Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/elections/2020/massachusetts/state%20house/10th%20norfolk/

Representative Jeff Roy retains his seat running officially unopposed

The unofficial election results for Franklin, MA as released Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020 by the Town Clerk Nancy Danello

To download your copy

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_sI-rdLmfxzXXdADdH5LGfdA66S9a4r8/view?usp=sharing

 

#SNETTPhoto2020 photos winners announced

"We are excited to announce the winners of the first annual photo contest #SNETTPhoto2020!

We would like to thank everyone who entered and we are looking forward to your participation again next year."

 

For the winning photos, please visit the Rail Trail Committee page

https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/2020/11/02/snettphoto2020-and-the-winners-are/

 

#SNETTPhoto2020 photos winners announced (just a photo of the new tunnel, not a winning photo)

 

Women’s Faith Formation Ministry - scheduled to meet Saturday - Nov 7

The Women’s Faith Formation Ministry at St. Mary Parish has begun. This meeting is open to ALL women.

We meet on the first Saturday of each month from 9:30-10:15am.The video/speaker presentations will last approximately 15-20 minutes and will be followed by 15-20 minutes of discussions and/or questions. No homework or preparation is involved.

If you are interested in attending our monthly meeting, please email Deacon Guy (deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org) to receive information and the Zoom link to attend. 

 

Women’s Faith Formation Ministry - meets Saturday, Nov 7

 

In the News: "Franklin voters opt to adopt Community Preservation Act"

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

"Many projects around town that have been relegated to the back burner because of a lack of funding will have a better chance of being realized now that voters have adopted the provisions of the state Community Preservation Act.

The CPA question, which appeared on this election’s ballot along with two statewide questions regarding ranked-choice voting and right to repair, was handily passed with about 61% of those voting giving it the nod.

The measure will add a 2% surcharge to local property taxes as a means of raising money for often put-off open space and historic preservation projects, recreation projects and community housing development.

According to results reported by the Town Clerk’s Office, the ballot question decision was 11,565 in favor and 7,370 opposed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201104/franklin-voters-opt-to-adopt-community-preservation-act?rssfeed=true 

 

Community Preservation Act - election results   ("unofficial")

• Yes = 11565    
• No = 7370    
• Blanks = 862    
• total = 19797 

  

In the News: "Franklin voters opt to adopt Community Preservation Act"

Franklin, MA "Unofficial" results - Nov 3, 2020

The unofficial election results for Franklin, MA as released Tuesday, NOv 3, 2020 by the Town Clerk Nancy Danello

To download your copy

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_sI-rdLmfxzXXdADdH5LGfdA66S9a4r8/view?usp=sharing

 

"Unofficial"	Topic	Yes	No	Blanks	Total
Ballot Question 1	Right to repair	14018	5260	519	19797
Ballot Question 2	Ranked Choice Voting	7529	11631	637	19797
Ballot Question 3	Community Preservation Act	11565	7370	862	19797

 

 

Franklin, MA "Unofficial" results - Nov 3, 2020

 

Franklin voters: Election Day is here

Election Day is here.  Please note the following:
- The drive-thru window will be open until 8 PM on 11/3
- Ballots sent via USPS must be postmarked by 11/3
- The white mailbox will be checked for the FINAL time at 8 PM on 11/3
- Polls will be open at Franklin High School from 7 AM - 8 PM

Other election information can be found here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/franklin-voters-election-2020-reminders.html

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

 

 

Franklin voters: Election Day is here

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Nov 4, 2020

Franklin Board Of Health
Duly Scheduled Meeting and Public Hearing
Wednesday, November 4, 2020, 5:00 PM

AGENDA

1)    Reading and Acceptance of October 21, 2020 and October 28, 2020 meeting minutes

2)    OLD BUSINESS

3)    NEW BUSINESS

•    Discuss Title 5 plans for 4 Abbey Lane
•    Discus Chapter 238: Manicurist Establishments
•    Recruitment of volunteers for vaccine clinic
•    New orders regulating gatherings, early closing for certain businesses and revised face covering
•    Update on 27 Winter Street dwelling
 
Chairman opens the floor for any other new business

4) CITIZENS COMMENTARY

5) ADJOURNMENT 

 

Connection info contained in Agenda doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/agenda-11-4-20_revised.pdf

 

Franklin, MA: Board of Health - Agenda - Nov 4, 2020

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities - Firefighter/paramedic; heavy equipment operator, Recycling Center laborer; substitute custodian

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Department (4 positions) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/ff-paramedic-posting-nov22020.pdf

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-july272020.pdf

Recycling Center Laborer - Department of Public Works
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/recycling-center-laborer-posting-august172020.pdf

Substitute Custodian
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/sub.custodian-posting-july272020.pdf

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here  https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe.

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities

Please respond to the Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Survey - open now; closes Dec 2, 2020

The Franklin School Committee's Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Subcommittee is interested in gathering the thoughts and perspectives about the possible closing of Davis Thayer.  

They are collecting survey responses from current and former Davis Thayer families, FPS families, Davis Thayer and Franklin Public Schools faculty and staff, and town community members.  

If you would like to share your thoughts, please use the link below. This survey will be open until December 2 and can be found at the link below.

https://forms.gle/Y9qtAU1uMN14VmyY7

Print-based copies will also be made available at locations throughout town. More information will follow. This form was built in Google and translations are available. If you need assistance, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 508-553-4819. 

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Survey - open now; closes Dec 2, 2020

In the News: Change to remote learning at FHS; petition started

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

"Hybrid learning at Franklin High School will be halted for two weeks after an underage drinking party was held on Halloween, school officials announced on Sunday.

In a letter to families, Superintendent Sara Ahern and Principal Josh Hanna said they learned an indoor party was held on Saturday at a home with up to 50 high school students attending. Franklin police officers, who broke up the party, were able to identify a small number of students there, but many of them scattered and were not identified.

Attendees were not wearing masks and were not social distancing, said Ahern and Hanna. They said they consulted the local health department in making the decision.

“This behavior puts everyone at Franklin High School at risk and we have no choice but to remain in the remote setting for another two weeks,” wrote Ahern and Hanna."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)  https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201102/franklin-high-school-to-go-remote-until-nov-16-after-underage-drinking-party-leads-to-covid-19-concerns?rssfeed=true

 

"The Franklin High School Fall Athletes season has come to an abrupt halt due to a decision made by the Franklin Superintendent Sara Ahern.  We are asking that you sign our petition to Let Them Play!  

The decision was made to suspend the season for two weeks.   However this will ultimately cause them to forfeit the rest of the season with the teams entering playoffs starting this week. "

Full petition link available  https://www.change.org/p/dr-sara-ahern-franklin-ma-school-superintendent-let-the-franklin-high-school-fall-athletes-finish-their-season

 

  

In the News: new orders to combat COVID-19; School District to decide Davis Thayer and maybe more

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

"In an effort to quell rising COVID-19 cases across the state, Gov. Charlie Baker issued new orders Monday afternoon that will put a curfew on some businesses, require face coverings in all public spaces and limit the size of in-person gatherings.

Baker announced the new measures on Monday in an attempt to curb COVID-19 cases, which he said are up by 278% since Labor Day. Hospitalizations are up 145% in that same period.

“Too many of us have become complacent in our daily lives ... If we do nothing and stay on the track we’re on now, we’ll create a capacity issue (in hospitals) by the end of the year,” Baker said. “It’s our hope to encourage people to act responsibly. ... We can’t afford to continue to do what we’ve been doing.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201102/baker-orders-face-masks-in-public-and-930-pm-closing-time-for-many-businesses-rollback-comes-as-covid-counts-increase-in-massachusetts?rssfeed=true 

 

"An architecture firm hired by Franklin Public School officials to evaluate closing Davis Thayer Elementary School last year recently came back to them with data indicating that they should also think about closing another school, too.

Or merging two schools to create a district-wide middle school.

Architect Craig Olsen from Kaestle Boos Associates presented a comprehensive facilities analysis report to the Franklin School Committee on Oct. 27, reviewing the viability of closing Davis Thayer Elementary.

If no changes are made to any of the schools, Olsen said all of them will continue to operate under capacity, will be financially burdened by costs to maintain those underutilized facilities and would suffer “reduced educational adequacy in schools built prior to 1996.” 

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201102/franklin-school-officials-should-consider-closing-davis-thayer-elementary-but-its-not-only-school-they-need-to-address-according-to-architects-report?rssfeed=true

 

Cobi Frongillo Energizes His Base and Connects with Franklin Residents

Franklin special election Town Council candidate Cobi Frongillo kept his campaign momentum rolling on Saturday, October 31st, with a rally held at the Franklin Town Common. Volunteers and interested citizens showed up to munch on Fairmount Farm’s cider donuts and hear Frongillo speak on a chilly Halloween morning. “It was great seeing so much energy for local politics,” said Cobi Frongillo. “We look forward to a great turnout in the special election on December 5th.”

After the gathering, volunteers took to the neighborhoods of Franklin to deliver Frongillo’s handwritten letters to residents, introducing Frongillo’s history in service and vision for the community. A core tenet of Frongillo’s vision is an expansion of local civic engagement.

 

 

Cobi Frongillo Energizes His Base

Frongillo spoke to the crowd about the importance of local government, especially in an age of political unrest. “Local government is the best way for citizens to affect change in their community. Local government is what opens schools, plows roads, and supports business in Franklin. We have an opportunity this December to ensure Franklin’s local government truly represents and engages all residents in it's political process,” said Frongillo at the Common.

Frongillo drew on his extensive experience volunteering in Franklin and his academic background in public policy, with his research efforts recently earning him acknowledgements in the 2020 book “Hometown Inequality: Race, Class, and Representation in American Local Politics.”

En route to receiving his Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts- Amherst in 2019, Frongillo also authored reports on the sustainable economic development of Downtown Franklin and municipal energy aggregation programs like the one starting in Franklin this month.

 

rally held at the Franklin Town Common

 

You can learn more about Cobi Frongillo’s campaign and vision on his website (cobifrongillo.com), Facebook page (facebook.com/Frongillo4Franklin), and Twitter account (@FrongilloCobi).

 

Reason#5 to #ThinkFranklinFirst

"Reason#5: Local businesses create local jobs! Consistently supporting small businesses helps them to thrive! As they grow and expand, they often need more help, which means new local employment opportunities!" #ThinkFranklinFirst #ItMatters #KeepItLocal #ShopLocal

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1323375235622731779

 

Reason#5 to #ThinkFranklinFirst

CommonWealth Magazine: mail voting may remain; abortion access up for discussion during lame duck session

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

"Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Massachusetts allowed no-excuse mail-in voting for the first time this year as well as expanded early voting – and millions of voters took advantage.

By Saturday evening, 2.28 million voters had cast their ballots, either by mail or in person – a number equivalent to more than two-thirds of all ballots cast in the 2016 election.

For Pam Wilmot, vice president of state operations for Common Cause, said that is all the proof needed to retain no-excuse mail-in voting going forward. “This process works, and we should absolutely make it permanent,” Wilmot said.

Wilmot and state Sen. Barry Finegold, an Andover Democrat who chairs the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Election Laws, joined The Codcast to talk about the changes to voting made in this year’s elections and the implications for future elections."'

Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/mail-in-voting-may-be-here-to-stay-2/

 

"MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE SPEAKER Robert DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka announced on Monday that the two branches will take up abortion access legislation during the lame duck session that runs until the end of the year.

“We are very concerned that Massachusetts’ women’s reproductive rights are under threat at the national level,” said DeLeo and Spilka in a joint statement. “We are therefore committed to debate measures in the House and Senate this session that would remove barriers to women’s reproductive health options and protect the concepts enshrined in Roe v. Wade.”

It is not clear what removing barriers means specifically, but it’s likely the legislation would deal with at least some of the provisions in the so-called ROE Act, which would expand access to abortion, require health insurance coverage for abortions to be covered for low-income residents not eligible for MassHealth, and allow for abortions after 24 weeks in cases where the fetus has been diagnosed with a fatal birth defect. Current law only allows abortions to occur after 24 weeks when the life of the mother is at risk."

Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/deleo-spilka-promise-abortion-debate-in-lame-duck-session/

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Targeted Measures To Curb Rising COVID-19 Cases

"Today we are taking several targeted measures to curb rising #COVID19MA cases + hospitalizations.

Our goal is to disrupt this trend now, so the Commonwealth can keep our economy + schools open and prevent the need to roll back to Phase I or II."

➡️ MORE: https://t.co/FCUWR035Vf

Shared from Twitter

https://t.co/fYR37s58P0

 

Gov Baker press conf video link:  https://youtu.be/O5JMSqEuNJE

Targeted Measures To Curb Rising COVID-19 Cases

Franklin Voters: Election 2020 reminders

The early voting period completed Friday (Oct 30) at noon time.

 
If you have not sent in your mail ballot, please drop it off at the Municipal Building in the drive through (from 8 AM to 8 PM) or leave it in the dropbox at the Municipal Building.

If you plan on voting in person, all precincts vote in one location: Franklin High School. Parking should be available. It is a professional development day for the district, teachers may be around but no students.

Poll hours are from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. (Note: this is a change as most prior elections open at 6 AM but not this time. Plan accordingly.)

According to the Town Clerk, more than 50% of the registered Franklin voters have already cast their ballots (via mail or early vote) so while it will be busy (10,000 plus voters anticipated) it shouldn't be too crazy.

If you need information to prepare to cast an informed vote, the Franklin voters guide can be found here:  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/franklin-community-voting-guide.html

Info on Ballot Question 3 - Community Preservation Act can be found here

https://www.cpaforfranklin.org/

The "election collection" of all the posts from the Primary through today can be found here:  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/2020-election-collection.html

If you want to "track your ballot"   https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx

Drive through hours posted
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/extended-drive-thru-hours-begin-friday-october-9th

voting booths at FHS, taken during an observation period this weekend

If you do have vision problems, there is a special machine to help you. Check with one of the election workers as you enter the high school 

there is a special machine to help you if you have vision problems

 

FM #379 SchoolComm Davis Thayer FA Mtg - 10/29/20 (audio)

FM #379 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 379 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Subcommittee meeting held on Thursday, Oct 29, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick Recap:

• Meeting opened 7 minutes late. Prior meeting minutes approved.
• Review of current step by step process and where they are, now in Phase 2 of Stage 1 (see chart)
• Specialized programs conducted at DT and Parmenter not part of the analysis and should be considered. Concern over turnkey reference. Appearing to rush into keeping the mentioned Nov 4 community information night (when it will have conflict with the Town Council meeting, and won’t be able to be broadcast).
• Discussion around the work of this committee to complete in their term (before Nov 2021) and work of another ‘long term’ committee as separate.
• Discussion on questionnaire, what it captures, what does success look like, and communications around that survey and for the meeting itself

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to the presentation document.

The recording runs about 64 minutes, so let’s listen to the Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Subcommittee meeting of Oct 29, 2020.  

Audio file =  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-379-schoolcomm-davis-thayer-fa-mtg-10-29-20

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

Agenda doc      https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_10.29.2020_1.docx 

Comprehensive Facility Analysis presentation doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/facilities-analysis-presentation-10-27-20 

Facility Assessment report doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/facilities-assessment-report 

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/davis-thayer-facility-analysis.html  

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

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"

FM #379 SchoolComm Davis Thayer FA Mtg - 10/29/20 (audio)

FM #378 School Comm Workshop - Digital Learning Integrationist Demo - 10/28/20 (audio)

FM #378 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 378 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee workshop with the primary purpose to observe a Digital Learning Integrationist Demo on Wednesday, Oct 28, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee and Central Office personnel were in the Council Chambers, the remainder of the Committee and DLI personnel were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I have requested a copy of the presentation which was shared with one of the School Committee members to  help them follow along but have not yet received the doc. While viewing the screen images would be helpful, the conversation is more important hence this audio file.

The recording runs about 62 minutes so let’s listen to DLI demo of the School Committee workshop of Oct 28, 2020. (Note: the workshop started late and the trial and tribulations of getting folks connected was not copied here in the audio recording.)   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/Hy6KBt1K

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

Agenda doc  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda-dli_workshop_10-28-20.pdf 

Photos captured during the demo  https://photos.app.goo.gl/URDTd2cn8MU89inK8 (not many as I am expecting the presentation copy)

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

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"

Digital Learning Integrationist Demo - 10/28/20 (audio)

“It offers outdoor recreation and healthy exercise"

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

"For years, a steep hill along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail in Franklin severed the path, leading hikers and bikers to climb the hurdle and cross private property to get back on.

Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin said he knew he’d get funding to fix that in 2016.

Roy, an avid cyclist and veteran rider in the annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, took Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton for a bike ride on the path one day to show him first-hand what residents were dealing with.

Before reaching the hill, located on Prospect Street, Roy told Beaton that he was going to walk up it with his bike. Beaton said he’d ride up it."

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201101/tunnel-bridging-troublesome-gap-along-southern-new-england-trunkline-trail-snett-has-been-reconfigured-and-is-open-once-again?rssfeed=true

MA DCR SNETT Link  https://www.mass.gov/locations/southern-new-england-trunkline-trail

Rail Trail Committee page  https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Photos from a walk on the SNETT in 2013
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157636043702445/

And from a recent walk n October, actually the day the new tree identification signs were posted
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QqxR9VQA3VxhTbz48

autumn screen from a break in the treeline along the trail in Bellingham

“The holidays need to look and feel very different this year”

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

"Holidays will need to look different this year, state officials said as they recommended Thanksgiving celebrations be held virtually or limited to one household to minimize COVID-19 transmission risks.

“The science on this one’s pretty clear — gathering in groups indoors for an extended period of time with family and friends is likely the worst possible scenario for spreading the virus,” Gov. Charlie Baker said during a recent press conference.

Pointing to rising COVID-19 case numbers among Massachusetts residents under age 30, Baker again said people should stop hosting parties and other large social gatherings. He urged younger people, who may not experience severe symptoms of the respiratory disease, to think about the relatives they might infect, the health care workers gearing up for a second surge, and the children whose ability to attend in-person school hinges on the rate of virus spread.

Baker said his own Thanksgiving celebration this year will be “immediate family, and that’s it,” and said all families should “think long and hard about the well-being of your loved ones before you make your plans.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201101/baker-limited-turkey-day-is-way-to-go?rssfeed=true

The DPH guidance for Thanksgiving and the holidays

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/thanksgiving-during-covid-19.html

Thanksgiving during COVID-19