Boston Globe: All Scholastics for Fall 2020 |
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Boston Globe: All Scholastics for Fall 2020
FPS Voice: Get the Facts from the Franklin Public School Nurses (audio)
Topics covered include:
- FPS Dismissal Procedures
- Reporting of Absences
- COVID-19 Testing and Timelines
- Travel Information
- Over the Counter Medicine
- Where to find information!
FPS Voice: Get the Facts from the Franklin Public School Nurses (audio) |
St John's Episcopal - Christmas Eve Service - 9 PM
You are invited to join us for a festive Christmas Eve service at 9 PM on Facebook Live: St John's Episcopal Church (https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsfranklinma).
Blessings to you and yours in this season of light and hope.
St John's Episcopal - Christmas Eve Service - 9 PM |
Attention film buffs: TCM to Screen 2020 National Film Registry Selections - Dec 15
TCM to Host Screening Special Featuring National Film Registry SelectionsLibrarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today the annual selection of 25 of America's most influential motion pictures to be inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will host a television special Tuesday, Dec. 15, starting at 8 p.m. ET to screen a selection of motion pictures named to the registry this year. Hayden will join TCM host and film historian Jacqueline Stewart to discuss the films. Select titles from 30 years of the National Film Registry are freely available online in the National Screening Room (https://www.loc.gov/collections/national-screening-room/). Click here for more information (https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-20-082/?loclr=ealn). |
New York Times: Scope of Russian Hack Becomes Clear: Multiple U.S. Agencies Were Hit"
"The scope of a hack engineered by one of Russia’s premier intelligence agencies became clearer on Monday, when some Trump administration officials acknowledged that other federal agencies — the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and parts of the Pentagon — had been compromised. Investigators were struggling to determine the extent to which the military, intelligence community and nuclear laboratories were affected by the highly sophisticated attack.United States officials did not detect the attack until recent weeks, and then only when a private cybersecurity firm, FireEye, alerted American intelligence that the hackers had evaded layers of defenses.It was evident that the Treasury and Commerce Departments, the first agencies reported to be breached, were only part of a far larger operation whose sophistication stunned even experts who have been following a quarter-century of Russian hacks on the Pentagon and American civilian agencies."
New York Times: "2020: The Year in Sports When Everybody Lost"
"In 2020, the sports industry in North America was projected to generate $75.7 billion, according to PwC, the accounting firm. Instead, it lost more than a third of its value as leagues suspended play before returning with stripped-down seasons.Television ratings have tumbled for many top sporting events, and advertising, printing and revenue streams connected to the sports business, like concessions, have practically vanished.While the coming vaccine in the United States raises hope that fans will be able to return to stadiums by late spring or early summer, the spread of the virus this winter will only deepen an already cratered sports economy. The modern sports industry has never faced such a prolonged, devastating interruption, and it is premature to gauge when sports will return fully to their pre-pandemic state, or if they ever will."
There was a hashtag, soon there'll be tone indicators
This came across the radar last week but got dropped and is definitely share worthy.
"Tone Is Hard to Grasp Online. Can Tone Indicators Help?We all struggle to communicate on the internet. Now, young people are leading a sincere effort to clear things up.
Written language is an imperfect method for the messy, complex business of communication, where facial expressions, gestures and vocal tones transmit oceans of meaning and subtext — for those, at least, who can read them.
Words themselves offer none of that: In a famous study, Albert Mehrabian, a psychology professor at U.C.L.A., found that humans tend to perceive only a fragment of a speaker’s meaning through spoken words. Instead, he observed, most meaning is gleaned from body language and tone of voice.
In a text-only environment, how can we ever be certain other people understand what we mean when we post online? Enter tone indicators. "
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Boston Globe: "MBTA service will be cut significantly in early 2021"
"The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will curtail service next year after the agency’s oversight board finalized a plan Monday to reduce subway frequencies and eliminate weekend commuter rail trains on several lines in response to low ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic.The package, approved 3-2 by the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board, is more limited in scope than a plan the agency had presented in November that frustrated advocates and political leaders, but still represents a considerable reduction in service.The MBTA described the budget cuts as a short- to medium-term measure to take advantage of unprecedented declines in ridership, with most changes taking effect between January and March. But with ridership forecasts murky at best, officials said they have not developed plans for service levels during the fiscal year that begins in July, when coronavirus vaccines may be widely available."
"THE MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board approved a series of scaled-back service cuts on Monday and then, in an apparent swipe at Beacon Hill, voted not to raise fares on bus and subway riders until service hours and ridership on those transportation modes return to pre-COVID levels.Brian Lang, a member of the control board, proposed the fare amendment after expressing frustration about lawmakers who tell him and his colleagues not to cut service but then do nothing to provide the revenues needed to maintain service.“Taxes have turned into a dirty word,” Lang said. “The Legislature is afraid of it.”
Monday, December 14, 2020
Franklin Interact schedules clothing drive for January, 2021
Franklin Interact is partnering up with Savers to collect donations of clothes, shoes, toys, and other household items this holiday season. We will be handing out bunches of flyers to each of our members so the members can then leave flyers in mailboxes around their neighborhood.
Please fill out this form before noon on Wednesday: https://forms.gle/TPdRJKQmRJfVMv4x5
Franklin Interact scheduling clothing drive for January, 2021 |
FAQs for #ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards
- Cards can be purchased for ANY denomination if they are bought at Dean Bank. Cards purchased online at www.franklingiftcard.com have a $25 minimum, due to processing fees.
- Cards can be purchased with cash only at Dean Bank, and with credit/debit cards online.
- This program is not only running during the holiday season! It is our hope that these cards become part of the Franklin shop local mentality. The cards do not have an expiration date.
- The list of participating businesses will continue to evolve. Check the website for the most current list.
- The businesses listed have agreed to accept and honor the cards at their locations, although you may not be able to add a tip on the cards. Please be prepared for that 🙂
- A printable list of Participating Businesses is now available on our website here https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses
- And finally, this is purely an Economic Development initiative! Businesses are 100% reimbursed for any cards redeemed at their location.
- Dean Bank
- Random Smile Project
FAQs for #ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards |
FM #413 EDC Listening Session #3 - 12/09/20 (audio)
This shares the Economic Development Committee Business Listening Session #3 that was held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Note: during a period of technical difficulty, the Council Chambers dropped off the bridge so what if anything was said until they rejoined is not part of this recording.
Links to the meeting agenda, future schedule for the listening sessions, and my notes are in the show notes. The recording runs just over an hour and twenty minutes (~1:20) Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HsLdWPTS
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https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/business-listening-session-3-dec-9-2020.html
Future schedule of listening sessions
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf
My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/edc-business-listening-session-3-recap.html
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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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
School Budget info for the Finance Committee meeting Dec 15
From: Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D., Superintendent and Miriam Goodman, School Business Administrator Date:
RE: December 15th Meeting Information
(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MiE4x0OwXj2p8_bb-Fg24uVUauN2OQ2C/view)
the snow has just about disappeared since this photo was taken |
FM #412 Davis Thayer Facility Analysis - Mtg - 12/09/20 (audio)
This session shares the Franklin School Committee - Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Ad-hoc Committee meeting held on Dec 9, 2020.
The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
The recording runs just over 1 hour, so let’s listen to the Davis Thayer Ad hoc Subcommittee meeting.
Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-412-davis-thayer-facility-analysis-mtg-12-09-20
“Final” Facility Assessment report doc
https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis/files/facilities-assessment-report
Davis Thayer Facility Analysis page
https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis
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
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
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"
Give Yourself the Gift of Laughter EVERY Wednesday at 7:30pm on Zoom - FREE
Let's Laugh Today is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!
Give Yourself the Gift of Laughter! Let's Laugh Today is free on ZOOM!
Let's Laugh Today |
There is nothing like a good belly laugh to help release stress and anxiety. These laughter exercises and deep breathing help to bring more fresh oxygen into the body and brain helping you feel more energetic and healthy.
See www.letslaughtoday.com for link to the free 45 minute ZOOM Meeting EVERY Wednesday at 7:30pm. All ages are welcome. You can sit or stand the entire time. No need to get down on the floor. It's a good time to try something new and take care of our mental and emotional health!
Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers and Laughter Ambassadors, Linda and Bill Hamaker.
Linda and Bill Hamaker |
Reminder - Commuter Rail notice: Reduced Service Schedule begins today
Reduced Service Schedule is now available from MBTA.com/cr and at South Station, North Station and Back Bay.
Bikes will be allowed on board all trains.
On Friday, January 1st, The Commuter Rail will operate on a regular Sunday Schedule.
We will be reviewing staff numbers on a weekly basis to determine when we can be confident of being able to restore the full service.
Last Updated: Dec 14 2020 05:09 AM
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Dec 16, 2020
- Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
- Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting
Rudolph gets in the spirit of the season at Four Corners (East Central - King St - Chestnut St) |
Work begins on the State FY 2022 budget
With the FY 2021 state budget finally approved, work begins on FY 2022
"Next Tuesday, Dec. 15, the House and Senate Ways and Means committees and the governor’s budget office will convene the annual “consensus” revenue hearing, where the Department of Revenue and other fiscal experts and economists will discuss the prospects for the economy and state revenues over the second half of fiscal 2021 and for fiscal 2022.
The virtual hearing will start at 11:30 a.m., with streaming for the public and press available through the Hearing & Events section of Legislature’s website. The event will be closed to the public, and the participants in State House Hearing Room A-2 will be practicing social distancing."
https://www.mma.org/consensus-revenue-hearing-on-dec-15-to-kick-off-fy22-budget-season/
Work begins on the State FY 2022 budget |
Town Administrator Performance Review & Evaluation Part II - Dec 16
Performance Review & Evaluation
Part II - Dec 16 = 5:30 PM
2. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION - Continued from 12/02/2020 meeting
a. Overview of “Town Administrators Contract - Section 6 - Performance Review”b. Town Administrator Goalsc. Thoughts, Questions, and Ideas from the Town Councild. COVID - 19 Response/Protocols
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-16-20_ta_review_agenda_1.pdf
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen at a recent meeting |
Massachusetts - Electoral College Proceedings - Dec 14 - 3:00 PM
Electors of President and Vice President for Massachusetts convene to cast their votes in the Electoral College, with Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin presiding.
https://malegislature.gov/Events/SpecialEvents/Detail/371
Massachusetts - Electoral College Proceedings - Dec 14 - 3:00 PM |
Register for volleyball training at Downtown Sports
Volleyball training at Downtown Sports |
Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Subcommittee - Recap -Dec 9, 2020
- Meeting discussion jumped right into a dressing down of the KBA representative for some errors discovered in the presentation that were suspected to invalidate the report and conclusions. He admitted and apologized for the copy/paste errors in the presentation doc but the errors in no way changed/affected the conclusion. One of the inconsistencies was around the use of various capacity terms (functional capacity, building capacity, etc.) which were all defined in the appendix
- Brief update on the demographics forecast. Ultimately very close to what was forecasted and Franklin is doing better in retaining students that have left other districts due to concerns over COVID-19
- Reviewed the survey results (doc not shared yet - some photos of the results captured during the meeting)
- Budget info required is nearing completion and will be ready for the January meeting (Date TBD)
Photos captured during the remote meeting and shared with Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/pyTYQy6KW4zy3VyTA
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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 #dtfa1209
https://twitter.com/hashtag/dtfa1209?src=hashtag_click
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_12.9.2020.docx.pdf
- Davis Thayer Facility Analysis subcommittee meeting begins, Real time reporting underway. Page 11 graph a duplicate band doesn't affect final results, some other numbers were transpositions and don't affect the overall modeling or conclusions #dtfa1209
- Concerns about accuracy missed in final report, not material to overall conclusion. Committee expected not to have to go over it with a fine tooth comb. #dtfa1209 central office focused on the qualitative factors in their review. Superintendent embarrassed by miss too
- Formal apology made by KBA, a parent had done the discovery. Definitions for capacity differences found in appendix; school vs functional, vs building, did share the calculation models separately so the calculation could be seen. Page 48-52 when schools are combined #dtfa1209
- Difference on capacity calculation between middle vs elementary schools; Keller and Sullivan, Jefferson and Remington, Oak and Horace Mann; capacity changes in the combination. #dtfa1209
- Also due to the schedule difference between middle/elementary; elementary generally in a home base, and when they go to their special it leaves behind and empty room, hence a calculation difference. Think of rooms being occupied and it may help. #dtfa1209
- Moving to McKibbens update, #dtfa1209 basically a lower number of students most change in pre K and K, a situation across MA due to COVID. Other districts seeing 3.5 - 7 point loss (we are only 2.2%) housing sales 278 single family this year, actually assumed 275 annually
- The real estate makes sense under the pandemic as well with the reported move from urban to suburban areas. #dtfa1209 hence a validation of forecast and assumptions. Moving to survey results, agreement on using responses as submitted
- #dtfa1209 next up, timeline on budgetary info. Why can't we be faster about the numbers? (Getting ready for FinComm mtg next week). Could amend charter of this Committee to include Parmenter, or defer it to the full Committee (and separate team/policy study)
- Special programs not considered in the KBA report, Parmenter houses a program that has been growing and a space requirement to be considered. #dtfa1209 data is about 80-90% done just not ready for presentation tonight. Set next date to meet, early January.
- Motion to adjourn #dtfa1209 passes 3-0 via roll call
screen grab of one of the pages of survey results being analyzed by the subcommittee |
Franklin Senior Center: Virtual Coffee Hour - Dec 17
Attention Franklin Seniors!
Join in on a virtual coffee hour with State & Local officials next Thursday, December 17th at 8:30am.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://t.co/vf97BpBYPX?amp=1
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Franklin Senior Center: Virtual Coffee Hour - Dec 17 |
EDC Business Listening Session #3 - recap - Dec 9, 2020
- Disappointing turnout for session, only one business owner present, although business groups (Downtown Partnership and United Chamber) present along with Representative Jeff Roy
- Success of the tax increment financing (TIF) tool as an incentive to attract business to Franklin (i.e. Tegra Medical, Cold Chain)
- Updates on development work along Grove St and Kenwood Circle as infrastructure is critical for business relocation considerations
- tech difficulty disrupted the meeting as the Council Chamber was disconnected from the Zoom meeting but was able to reconnect in a few minutes
- Next session Jan 13, 2021
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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 #edc1209
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc1209&src=typeahead_click
Listening session #3 agenda
https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/edc-business-listening-session-3-0
Listening session schedule
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf
- Shifting to the EDC business listening session that started at 6:30PM #edc1209
- Disappointed to see such a low turnout for the listening session. #dtfa1209 Franklin is ideally positioned to pick up the 'slack' as whomever leaves the urban areas. Rep Roy adds that getting the platinum rating for biotech is helpful, continue on those lines
- TIF's are a great way to attract business. Tegra Medical, Cold Chain, these are prime examples. Contollo landed a Federal contract and is scaling up to deliver that order. #edc1209 quality of school system is key to attract a company and in turn, it attract employees
- There is industrial space available, Tegra is expanding here and expecting to expand further. #edc1209 life science companies doing well. Forge Park, Constitution blvd, and Grove St are the 3 main areas here in Franklin. Looking for traffic studies to adjust light timing
- MEMA is now located here (and a ribbon cutting when safe) #edc1209 smaller grow facilities for cannabis companies. Infrastructure is a big attraction for companies. New warehouse actually put Franklin on their intro video touting out permitting process
- New businesses coming to Grove St an indication of what can happen. Didn't get state grant but based upon feedback with Roy/Spilka offices to reattempt a grant application, including road rebuild at Kenwood Circle. #edc1209 word of mouth is out there
- Jack Lank (URCC) confirms previous comments on Franklin's reputation for the permit process. #edc1209 a neighbor town with a cannabis retail operations is generating a big check for the municipal org with sales skyrocketing.
- Blank screen for council chamber does not affect the broadcast of the session the live stream is fine screen grabs shared #dtfa1209
- #dtfa1209 the short videos are being redone to update them as they are 'aged' somewhat (i.e. done before the new FHS building came online) Franklin does have a YouTube page. https://t.co/jmFEgzdUvY?amp=1 (yes, incorrect hashtag - used prior meeting one not this one for this meeting)
- What's update on power outages affects business as well as residential. There was a Nov 18 Town Council meeting with a segment on this. The bulk of the tree removals required are private landowners. The public ways have been addressed #dtfa1209
- A new line has been installed to help address the Grove St line in the meantime. In April nationalGrid will begin another infrastructure project for the area. #dtfa1209 suggestion to do more than social media to help awareness on mask requirements (sign board, police display)
- Council chamber dropped from meeting so we lost them from the Zoom session, they eventually got another laptop to connect to rejoin the rest of us on the Zoom session #edc1209
- Next session Jan 13, 2021. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0 (Bissanti left earlier) (Hamblen, Jones, Chandler present at end) #edc1209
- That's all for tonight folks, catch you next time!
EDC Business Listening Session #3 - recap - Dec 9, 2020 |