Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - Jan 15, 2021

Hello Everyone!

 

           

 

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

"I Have A Dream" Speech August 28, 1963

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_nvqRqTiKk 

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar -https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day/2020-07-07

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Looking for something fun to do next week? Join our Favorite Franklinite, Steve Sherlock for "Franklin Matters Q & A" on Thursday Jan. 21st at 1 pm. Hear what is going on in town.  Bring your questions!

Tips

Gentle chair yoga - 18 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2ECAAIyg44 

Paul Eugene - Low impact dance fitness - 28 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45isK-1K89w 

Rainbow Meditation - guided imagery for healing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tI4LFzKrk0 

Music

Most iconic classical masterpieces - over 3 hours of music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7jjo8UICjQ 

Tuvan Throat Singing - Alash - TEDx talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V76psBrEypg 

Resonant Chamber" by animusic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNZBSZD16cY 

Just for Fun

Boston Dynamics Robot dances to "Do You Love Me"

Do You Love Me? - YouTube 

Hungarian Shadow Dancing Troupe - this will tug your heartstrings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j58fHlAmoQ0  

Painted by Chinese Artists, Dai Dudu, Li Tiezi and Zhang An, oil on canvas, 2006.

This painting is truly remarkable. Even more amazing though, is that the canvas has been computerized. When you run your cursor over the people.

The program tells you who they are - every single one of them.

If you click on the person you obtain the individual's life history.

http://cliptank.com/PeopleofInfluencePainting.htm 

The Shadow with Orson Welles - "The Hospital Murders" 8/14/1938 full episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-scB7ndNUVQ 

Humor

Jeanne Robertson - Special Delivery to Cowpens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAc7fsEeQbQ 

A compilation of President Ronald Reagan's Humor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTIfGFJqLko 

Kindness Matters

People who will restore your faith in humanity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omr6FzY-1sk 

The origins of the Kindness rocks project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK8iHsDXGvQ 

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday Jan. 18th - CLOSED

*Tuesday Jan. 19th at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday Jan. 19th at 1pm - Low Vision Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. Jan. 20th at 1pm - Writers Group - Call to sign up

*Thursday Jan. 21st at 10am- Discussion Group - call to sign up

*Thursday Jan. 21st  at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Thursday Jan. 21st at 1pm - Franklin Matters Q & A with Steve Sherlock - email 

adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend

*Friday Jan. 22nd at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of 

 games and socialization. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend. VIA ZOOM

*Friday Jan. 22nd at 1pm - Phone Games and Trivia - call to register

Plus Exercise, Yoga, Discussion Groups and more.  Check out our newsletter or online calendar for a full list of all activities available https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter

*Curbside Cafe - SPECIAL Hot Dogs and Beans order here https://www.franklinma.gov/Curb 

Attached you will find:

1. Donna's fun filled activity pages

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  We are still here for you!  Please feel free to email Donna and I with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel & Donna

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting - Jan 20, 2021

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021 - 5:30 PM

Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)

 

• Approval of past minutes (1/14/21)
• Discussion:

1. Outline next steps (including establishing a timeline and preparing a report for school committee)
2. Begin Stage 2: Evaluate Options

 

Full agenda includes connection information https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_1.20.21.pdf

 

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting - Jan 20, 2021

FHS boys basketball tops KP; boys hockey tops North Attleboro on Friday

From HockomockSports.com we share the FHS sports results: 

 

Boys Basketball = King Philip, 36 @ Franklin, 62 – Final 

– Franklin set the tone on both ends of the court early and never looked back in a big win over King Philip. The Panthers scored 18 points in the first quarter while limiting the visitors to three points. Senior Andrew Byfield anchored the strong start, scoring 10 of his team-high 16 points in the opening quarter. Franklin took a 33-17 lead into the halftime break. Franklin senior Declan Walmsley added eight of his 13 points in the third quarter. Danny Clancy led the Warriors with 10 points. 

 

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 4 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final 

"Two days after suffering its first loss to King Philip in more than 20 years, and giving up five goals in the process, Franklin coach Anthony Sarno asked for a reaction from his team when they traveled to the New England Sports Village for a non-league matchup with North Attleboro.

Sarno got his wish, as the Panthers scored inside a minute, doubled the lead in the final minute of the second period, and tacked on two more in the third, while also keeping the Rocketeers off the board, skating away with a 4-0 victory.

“We told them on the bus ride home from that KP loss, you guys got outworked and it’s never going to happen again,” Sarno said. “I give them credit, they stepped up. They played the body, they moved the puck pretty well…all-in-all I thought we bounced back in a positive way.”

Continue reading the game recap by Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-hockey-bounces-back-with-shutout-of-north-attleboro/

For a photo gallery from this game:  https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2020-2021/Winter-2020-2021/North-Attleboro-Franklin-Boys-Hockey-1-15-21/

 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-01-15-21/ 

 

Franklin senior defenseman Justin Abely looks for an opening to shoot during a 4-0 road win against North Attleboro. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

"if you believe the epidemiologists, schools do, in fact, bring risk of transmission"

"Over the past 10 months, debates have raged over how to keep the coronavirus in check. What to open? What to close? Where does the virus spread, and where are we relatively safe? Through it all, one kind of space in particular has been the subject of vigorous debate — and, starting a few months into the virus, a kind of unexpected conventional wisdom emerged: that schools were relatively safe. In the midst of the darkness, it brought some welcome light: kids are safe! They can go to school! While other institutions closed, countries around the world — particularly in Europe and the UK — kept their schools open.

And yet, in response to rising rates and a new, more contagious variant, many of those same countries have since closed their school doors. It turns out that, if you believe the epidemiologists, schools do, in fact, bring risk of transmission. How could we ever have thought otherwise? Rachel Cohen has been covering the debates around school closings and openings, most recently at The Intercept. In this week's podcast extra, she tells Brooke about how the school transmission narrative has evolved since the beginning of the pandemic, and how our understanding of the issue came to be so muddled."

Listen to the conversation

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/episodes/why-press-gets-school-transmission-so-wrong-on-the-media

Articles linked to in Summary

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/01/04/school-reopening-risk-virus/

Twitter profile for reporter Rachel Cohen  https://twitter.com/rmc031

Article at The Intercept:  https://theintercept.com/2021/01/06/school-reopening-studies-covid/ 

Podcast of the conversation

Pantherbook: Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution at FHS

Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution at FHS

"On Wednesday, January 13, Coronavirus vaccinations were officially administered at Franklin High School. The vaccines, the first of a two-session dosage, were given primarily to frontline medical workers – included were various EMTs, nurses, and other healthcare personnel.

The gym, being the largest space in the school, was utilized to maintain social distancing guidelines while vaccinations were being distributed. Miniature “booths” were set at least six feet apart from one another, with plexiglass shields in front of patients and supervisors at all times. A temperature check was required before entry to the building, along with mandatory mask usage to ensure protection for those who came."

Continue reading the article at Pantherbook:  https://t.co/tzE3PkVGAT

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1350091281817595906

A view of the Franklin High School gym during Wednesday’s COVID vaccinations.  Siddharth Chandra

Sweeping Economic Development Bill Authorizing $627 Million for COVID-19 Recovery Signed into Law

Sweeping Economic Development Bill Authorizing

$627 Million for COVID-19 Recovery Signed into Law

Prioritizes small business relief, support for workers, and housing development

On Wednesday, January 2, 2021, the Massachusetts Legislature passed $627 million in funding for a sweeping economic recovery and development bill which will provide much-needed support to businesses, investments in infrastructure, and creation of new jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was signed into law on January 14, 2021.

An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth provides the residents of Massachusetts a COVID-19 relief and recovery package that will provide support to the restaurant and tourism sectors, small businesses, and those who have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, while also creating a Future of Work Commission, establishing protections for student loan borrowers, and ushering in zoning reforms that will encourage housing development in our communities.

"This new law will help stabilize our economy and lead us to a strong economic recovery from this pandemic," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "This legislation provides immediate relief to those sectors of the economy hit hardest by the pandemic, while making key policy changes, particularly in housing, that will fuel future economic growth. I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz for his stewardship of this bill and for Chairwoman Ferrante and Representative Wong for their work on the conference committee." 

"I am thrilled this legislation is now law so that we can begin to provide a necessary boost to our economy as it recovers from the dire effects of COVID-19," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The Legislature recognizes the need to be bold when addressing the challenges facing restaurant and small business owners, cultural attractions and other key sectors that will keep our economy strong. I am particularly pleased this bill includes the long sought-after housing production reforms that the Senate has supported for years. I want to thank Senators Lesser, Rodrigues and my colleagues for their attention to this critical bill and for acting with urgency to move it forward in the legislative process."

"The economic development bill will help the Commonwealth rebuild from the devastating effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought" said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). "This legislation supports our travel and tourism industry in a number of different ways, especially for our struggling restaurants. It will also encourage the Commonwealth's housing production needs by simplifying zoning laws, encourage job creation in rural areas, and authorizes over $626 million in targeted capital investments that will reach every corner of Massachusetts. I want to thank my colleagues in the Legislature for their input and hard work on making this bill a reality."

"Tonight, our economic relief package was signed into law by Governor Baker. In a time of crisis for our Commonwealth, the Legislature completed one of the most important economic recovery and investment packages in recent history. With the inclusion of urgently needed small business and restaurant relief, new protections for over 1 million student loan borrowers, and the most progressive and far-reaching housing reform in decades, this legislation will bring needed relief to families, small businesses, and communities hit hardest by COVID-19," stated Senator Eric P. Lesser, Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies (D-Longmeadow). I want to thank my fellow Conference Committee members, Senator Michael Rodrigues of Westport and Patrick O'Connor of Weymouth, along with our partners in the House, Conference Co-Chair Rep. Aaron Michlewitz of Boston, Rep. Ann Margaret Ferrante of Gloucester, and Rep. Donald Wong of Saugus. A special thank you as well to Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ron Mariano for your commitment to this legislation. This new set of laws will help millions of people in our Commonwealth and will chart a course toward a faster, more equitable recovery."

The bill includes the following bonding authorizations and policy changes.

COVID-19 pandemic relief and recovery

Bonding Authorizations

• $30 million for the state's COVID-19 Payroll Protection Program
• $20 million for restaurant COVID-19 recovery grants

Policy Changes

• Limits fees charged by third-party delivery services for restaurants to 15% during the COVID-19 state of emergency; prohibits third-party delivery service companies from reducing rates for delivery drivers or garnishing gratuities as result of the limitation
• Creates a commission to examine and make recommendations on addressing the recovery of the cultural and creative sector, including the arts, humanities and sciences, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic 

Housing

Bonding Authorizations

• $40 million for a program to redevelop blighted buildings
• $50 million for transit-oriented housing developments
• $10 million for climate-resilient affordable housing developments
• $5 million for a Gateway Cities housing program

Policy Changes

• Implements zoning reform to help cities and towns approve smart growth zoning and affordable housing by lowering the required vote threshold for a range of housing-related zoning changes and special permits at the local level from a two-thirds supermajority to a simple majority
• Requires designated MBTA communities to be zoned for at least one district of reasonable size, in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and requires such housing to be suitable for families with children
• Increases the state low-income housing tax credit program cap from $20,000,000 to $40,000,000 

Employee protections, business growth, and equity

Bonding Authorizations

• $35 million for a Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation matching grant program to community development financial institutions for small business loans and grants
• $27.7 million for a new Employment Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program
• $20 million for a Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation small business grant program
• $14M million for travel and tourism grants
• $10 million for regional and community assistance planning grants

Policy Changes

• Enables, via local option, the creation of tourism destination marketing districts ("TDMDs"), made up of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, for the purpose of generating local revenue dedicated solely for the promotion and marketing of specific regions of the Commonwealth
• Amends the statutory definition of wait staff employee to include a person in a quick service restaurant who prepares or serves food or beverages as part of a team of counter staff
• Provides that the taking of family or medical leave shall not affect an employee's right to accrue vacation time, sick leave, bonuses, advancement, seniority, length-of-service credit or other employment benefits, plans or programs
• Exempts natural hair braiding from the definition of hairdressing, and exempts natural hair braiding from rules and regulations pertaining to aesthetics, barbering, cosmetology, electrolysis, hairdressing and manicuring
• Encourages the PRIM Board to use minority investment managers to manage PRIT Fund assets, where appropriate, and to increase the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of Fund investments
• Establishes a commission of experts, industry members, academics, and elected officials to research and propose policy solutions that ensure the future and sustainability of local journalism in Massachusetts 

Student protections

• Establishes a Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights regulating the licensing and operation of student loan servicers by the Commissioner of Banks
• Creates a Student Loan Ombudsman within the Office of the Attorney General for the purpose of receiving, reviewing and assisting in the resolution of complaints from student loan borrowers; authorizes the Ombudsman to assist with repayment options, applying for federal loan forgiveness programs, ending wage and tax refund garnishments, resolving billing disputes, and obtaining loan details

Agriculture and rural support

Bonding Authorizations

• $20 million for rural community development and infrastructure grants
• $2 million for an urban agriculture grant program

Policy Changes

• Expands the Food Policy Council to include an expert in healthy soil practices; codifies the definition of 'healthy soils;' gives the Commission for Conservation of Soil and Water the ability to establish a Massachusetts Healthy Soils Program and Fund

Technology and innovation

Bonding Authorizations

• $52 million for the Technology Research and Development and Innovation Fund
• $15 million for lottery IT infrastructure
• $10 million for the expansion of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2)
• $5 million for the Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund

Policy Changes

• Creates a special commission on the future of work to conduct a comprehensive study relative to the impact of automation, artificial intelligence, global trade, access to new forms of data and the internet of things on the workforce, businesses and economy.
• Clarifies that carsharing platforms may obtain insurance coverage from non-admitted carrier and that carsharing platforms do not need their own insurance-producer or broker licenses to offer or maintain insurance policies for carsharing vehicles or drivers.

Other bonding authorizations include

• $102,304,000 for local economic development projects;
• $12.5 million for the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation;
• $15 million for trial court virtual mediation services;
• $6 million for Massachusetts Cultural Council grants;
• $5 million for Mass Cultural Council public school grants;
• $20 million for Mass Cultural Council cultural facilities grants;
• $15 million for vocational technical school expansion grants; and
• $15 million for higher education workforce grants.

Franklin Public Schools, MA: reminder on holiday weekend

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted on Fri, Jan 15, 2021:

"Reminder: All Franklin Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 18th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. day.

Also, there is a Professional Development Day on Tuesday, January 19th.  No school for PreK-12."

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

Franklin Public Schools, MA: reminder on holiday weekend

Town of Franklin, MA: closed Monday, Jan 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

"The Town of Franklin Offices/Departments will be closed on Monday, January 18th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day."

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1350119902091374592

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

"Most surprising .. was the governor’s rejection of the Legislature’s increase in fees on ride-hail trips"

"Baker vetoes key policy initiatives in transportation bond bill
New Uber, Lyft fees and Spilka toll restriction scrapped"

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER signed the Legislature’s transportation bond bill into law on Friday, but used his line-item veto to remove proposals raising fees on Uber and Lyft rides, establishing means-tested fares on public transit, and an initiative pushed by Senate President Karen Spilka that would prohibit increases in Turnpike tolls to help pay for the Allston I-90 interchange project.

The $16 billion bond bill authorizes the state to borrow money to finance all sorts of ongoing transportation projects, including bridge repairs, road improvements, and public transit initiatives such as the Green Line extension and South Coast Rail. The bill passed by the Legislature in the wee hours of January 6 also contained a number of new policy initiatives that Baker decided to scrap. Because the Legislature that passed the bill is no longer in session, the governor’s vetoes cannot be overridden. "

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/baker-vetoes-key-policy-initiatives-in-transportation-bond-bill/

 

The Boston Globe version of this story (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/16/metro/baker-vetoes-uber-lyft-fee-increase-he-signs-off-16-billion-transportation-borrowing/

 

Spear Phishing makes the news (again)

 

"A prominent TV news anchor in India, Nidhi Razdan was looking forward to starting her new job as an associate professor of journalism at Harvard University in September.

Just one setback. Harvard doesn’t have a journalism program.

After months of delays that she attributed to the pandemic, Razdan had a jarring realization: the faculty position, it turns out, doesn’t exist. The offer she thought she had accepted was nothing more than an elaborate ploy to access her personal information, she said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/15/metro/reporter-nidhi-razdan-claims-she-was-victim-sophisticated-phishing-attack-that-led-her-believe-she-got-journalism-job-harvard/

 

Franklin Fire Dept: Open Burning Season begins - permits available

Open Burning Season begins today.  Go to the Franklin Fire Dept website to obtain your permit: https://t.co/I9J3V4gjb3 

 

Shared from Twitter:  https://t.co/Joi9sHKshl

 

Franklin Fire: Open Burning Season - permits available

 

 

Franklin's Weekend Outlook: Jan 16 - Jan 17, 2021

Heading into the long weekend for Martin Luther King Day, the weather doesn't look so great, but it is New England and it could be colder....

 

Saturday, January 16
10:00am -  Winter Farmers Market

Sunday, January 17
1:00pm -  Historical Museum (open and free admission)

Monday, January 18   Martin Luther King Jr. Day 

Library and Town offices closed

 

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
 

Community Calendar

 

Winter Farmers Market - Jan 16

Don’t forget about our winter market happening again THIS Saturday 10-2! 

Make sure to wear those rain boots, rain coats and bring those umbrellas as the forecast shows lots of rain. Never fear as we have some great vendors to help make your day great!

Fairmount Fruit Farm  https://www.facebook.com/fairmountfruitfarm

Winter Farmers Market - Jan 16 - vendor list

Winter Farmers Market - Jan 16 - schedule

GoFundMe: Jason McHenry Memorial Fund

"We are heartbroken to share that Jason Robert McHenry, 50, passed away on November 19, 2020. Jason leaves behind 2 beautiful children, Connor, 11 and Anelie, 8, along with his wife of 14 years, Kristen.

Jason was a kind, gentle man with a bright smile and great sense of humor. He had a passion for cooking and was amazing at it. Above all, Jason loved his family and cherished being a dad.

This fundraiser is set up by friends to help support Kristen, Connor, and Anelie during this devastating time. While we cannot take away their sadness, we can help alleviate their financial burden and provide support during this heartbreaking time. 

Thank you for any contribution you can make, we appreciate each and every one of you."

The GoFundMe page is here https://www.gofundme.com/f/jason-robert-mchenry

 

GoFundMe: Jason McHenry Memorial Fund

Finance Committee - Jan 13, 2021 - meeting recap = storm water utility fee and COVID-19 updates

Quick Recap:

• Storm water utility fee update provided prior to presenting to Town Council
• Overview of program as it developed, held info sessions during 2020, and is ready for Town Council discussion
• Check out the Storm water maps to check your property (link below)
• Curious to see what the credits will look like; in particular, in my own case, to see what the approved pervious pavers would be. I was to redo my driveway and to get a way from blacktop might be doable.
• COVID-19 vaccines started in distribution to first responders on Weds at FHS with over 200 delivered.

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one folder  https://photos.app.goo.gl/gXZbEs654E1F4Wgn9

----
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  #fincom0113 
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0113&src=typeahead_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Finance Committee meeting. #fincom0113 main topic tonight is storm water. Jamie touts a doc released today (maybe to the committee) that will lay out the financial impacts

storm water utility fee

• #fincom0113 DPW Director Cantoreggi reviewing the storm water presentation seen previously and adding updates where things have changed. Copy of presentation in agenda doc https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-13-2021_fincom_agenda.pdf 
• #fincom113 all of the storm water mitigation currently in the operating budget. Approx. $1.2m for storm water in budget for this.
• With roadmap and progress you can show the effort to the EPA as mitigation for the permit issued to clean up the Charles River. Residential property less impervious property #fincom0113 reducing phosphorus is key. When asked if the town forest should be raked the EPA was quiet
• #fincom0113 leaf pickup not in the first pass of the plan. Q Will we ever be done with the EPA? Maybe but these tend to be moving targets and something else could come along. So it doesn't seem like the fee would go away ever
• Utility fee is much more equitable. Post office doesn't pay taxes, but will pay this utility fee. #fincom0113 yes, there will be a previous paver listing for approved credit against the fee
• #fincom0113 Councilor Hamblen, had been chair for the ad-hoc Committee that worked on the utility fee. The fee for this will possibly be the lowest of the communities implementing a fee. Refers to the storm water page for additional info, pro/con, FAQs...
• For reference, the storm water page can be found https://franklinma.gov/stormwater-division. #fincom0113 SQ footage of impervious surface on the property would equate to billable units - check out the map for your property to see if it makes sense. There may be errors, and they should be raised
• Over a period of time, the ops budget for storm water would move to the storm water utility enterprise fund. Working to balance the sensitivity of the dollar impact. #fincom0113 discount would be equally applicable for storm water and other services for those eligible
• It will take time for the fee to settle some market forces will play, cost of services applicable, #fincom0113 storm water director and four personnel, likely some may transfer from other depts to this, and when remains to be seen.
• Initial presentation showed $2.3m and taking the leaf pickup out brought it to $1.2m #fincom0113 

COVID-19 update

• Clinic at FHS did 200 vaccines for first responders today. Bellingham Milford Millis Medway and Franklin served collaboratively
• Wait 28 days for 2nd shot for first responders, other smaller groups will be covered. Phase 2 is end of Feb/Mar. Can't answer yet as they don't have the info and guidelines to prepare yet. #fincom0113
• It is time to pay attention as the vaccine and delivery is underway, the regs are changing daily, sometimes multiple within the day. #fincom0113 This is hard, we have never done this before. Voluntary now, no mandate now. Stay tuned.
• Q schools have seen issues with staffing schools due to either contact or sickness, have we had any of that on the municipal side. Per Jamie, #s will change again as there is a 100 new cases here. #fincom0113 what the Federal govt will do after the 20th remains to be seen
• Money for CARES extended a year, so what we haven't spent we have time to do. Materials delivered for the campus school UV upgrades. #fincom0113 misc financial topics coming up next time can do an FY 2022 budget forecast in Feb, Gov Baker will have released his
• How do we compare with other similar towns re: reserve amounts or stabilization funds. #fincom0113 Motion to adjourn, passed
• Swivel seat to do listening session starting now. #edc0113
• Completing the #fincom0113 session earlier, with view provided unable to determine full attendance of Committee hence vote counts not included. All (x = ?) present voted.

The doc released for the Finance Committee meeting and background links 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/stormwater-utility-fee-recommendations.html

one slide of the presentation deck, and yes, the Charles begins here in Franklin