Franklin TV: Goodbye, July

July, we hardly knew ye.  Now August is upon us.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 08/01/2021 

Print the page, hold fairly close and stare far beyond it to see it in 3D

This idyllic stereogram is how most of us envision July. 72 and sunny with a hint of sultry haze. Here, a family enjoys ice cream at Kimball Farm in Lancaster, MA.

This is the Summer we long for in the depths of February. This year? Not so much. More than the usual wet gray days, July might be in the same lingering covid funk that many are experiencing. Perhaps August will be more considerate. Whatever good weather August may bring, make the most of it, appreciating the good days and moments as they may come – as Summer slips by – again – all too soon.

It would be nice if Autumn could get it together before Winter shows up. It would be better still if we could all get it together by having everyone be vaccinated. In these impatient, aimlessly angry times it would also be especially nice if all of us could strive to be ‘72 and Sunny’ in our comportment toward others. That striving ought to be part of our new normal – and well worth the effort. So, even if you are still wearing a mask in tight quarters (thanks), smile.  It shows.

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

And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online

http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jWoh41IBrXTkD9o-6OFMa371IQP2u1VO/view?usp=sharing

Mass. Municipal Assn: "Select board group discusses the future of public meetings"

Mass. Municipal Assn (@massmunicipal) tweeted on Fri, Jul 30, 2021:

Mass. Select Board Assn concluded its annual Leadership Conference series with a webinar on the future of public meetings w/ @TOFranklinMA Town Administrator Jamie Hellen & #Stow Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski.  https://t.co/6GTFYf0aCl 

"The future of public meetings was the topic of the fourth and final webinar in the Massachusetts Select Board Association’s Leadership Conference series today.

Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen kicked off the meeting with a discussion about how the town has transitioned from all-virtual to hybrid board and committee meetings that allow for a combination of virtual and in-person participation. Hellen showed how Franklin’s Town Council chambers have been set up to allow the council, staff, presenters and meeting participants to attend meetings in-person while the public joins remotely.

Hellen covered important aspects of the set up, such as room layout and the necessary technology, as well as the town’s partnership with its local access TV provider, Franklin TV. He also emphasized the importance of trial and error in order to develop a system that works best for the community."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/select-board-group-discusses-the-future-of-public-meetings/ 

Mass. Municipal Assn: "Select board group discusses the future of public meetings"

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Town Council do?

The Town Council approves the budget and authorizes all spending. One exception is that the School Committee is responsible for managing the school budget after the Town Council approves the total amount as part of the overall Town budget. Hence, you'll often hear of the town side and the school side as the two groups provide separate oversight for their area.

The Town Council hires and reviews the Town Administrator. The Town Administrator (Jamie Hellen) is responsible for the daily operations of the Town departments (except as noted for the schools, which are overseen by Superintendent Sara Ahern (hired by the School Committee)).

The Town Council is the legislative body to approve changes to the Town bylaws. Usually there is some controversy when the Town Council 'forgets' their legislative role and attempts to intervene in the day to day operations.

There are nine members of the Town Council all elected 'at large' (they represent all the voters of Franklin as opposed to the individual precincts). The Council chooses their Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk in the first session after each election.

All nine positions are up for election on November 2, 2021. Each position has a two year term.

Additional information on the Council, their process and procedures, fiscal policies, meeting agendas, minutes and a host of other information can be found on the Town of Franklin webpage https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council

"Welcome to the webpage of the Franklin Town Council. By the Town Charter, the 9-member Town Council serves as the legislative body who sets policy for the community. The Council serves as the Local Licensing Authority for Alcoholic Beverages Licenses. The Council also has several subcommittees, including Budget, Capital Budget and Economic Development. The Council also has two liaisons, one to the S.A.F.E Coalition and for Communications.

The Franklin Town Council has established high standards for customer service for the Town staff. If you have a question, concern, or need assistance, please feel free to email us directly using the email forms below, or you can email all nine members of the Council by using that option to the left of this message."

Additional information on accomplishments of the Town Council can be found in the Town of Franklin Annual Report for 2020

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

 

My notes and audio recordings of prior Town Council meetings can be found in the Meeting Notes page (scroll down to find the "Town Council" section).

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html

 

VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL - Aug 4, 2021

August 2021 Coffee Social

Join Us for Coffee & Conversation!

 

VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL

Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

Franklin Senior Center Cafe

Coffee and Pastry will be provided

All Vets are Welcome!

Face coverings are not required but feel free to wear a face covering - with no judgment!

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/august-2021-coffee-social

VETERANS COFFEE SOCIAL - Aug 4, 2021

COVID-19 Pandemic updates: guidance on traveling; vaccine proof

Boston Globe: "With COVID on the rise, we asked disease experts how they’re traveling, dining, and gathering"

"After a lull, COVID-19 is on the rise again in Massachusetts, with new — and sometimes conflicting —warnings and guidance emerging each day from state and national authorities. So how should we react? Should we start wearing masks? Should we stop dining indoors? We asked several infectious disease experts if they are changing their behavior while traveling, dining, gathering, shopping, and schooling. All the experts are vaccinated."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/30/nation/with-covid-rise-we-asked-disease-experts-how-theyre-traveling-dining-gathering/

Washington Post: "You’re going to be asked to prove your vaccination status. Here’s how to do it."

"Congratulations, you’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus. Now you have to prove it, and your smartphone can help.

Across the world, fears about the contagious delta variant are leading more businesses, schools and travel destinations to require vaccination. Like it or not, there’s a real chance that somewhere you want to go will ask to see proof of your shots.

Let’s say you are planning to visit Hawaii — you’ll need to be vaccinated or show a negative coronavirus test if you want to avoid quarantine. You’ll need proof to work in the federal government, at tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Uber, and a growing list of other companies. And in New York and San Francisco, you’ll need it to go inside a bar, get a seat at some restaurants, or take in a show on Broadway."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/07/31/covid-vaccine-card-phone/

What are the best ways to carry your proof of vaccination with you? Here's what we found. (Washington Post illustration; iStock)

Inside the Provincetown town outbreak

"A sobering scientific analysis published Friday found that three-quarters of the people infected during an explosive coronavirus outbreak fueled by the delta variant were fully vaccinated. The report on the Massachusetts cases, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offers key evidence bolstering the hypothesis that vaccinated people can spread the more transmissible variant and may be a factor in the summer surge of infections.

The data, detailed in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, helped persuade agency scientists to reverse recommendations on mask-wearing and advise that vaccinated individuals wear masks in indoor public settings in some circumstances.

Critically, the study found that vaccinated individuals carried as much virus in their noses as unvaccinated individuals, strongly suggesting that vaccinated people could spread the virus to others. The CDC was criticized this week for changing its mask guidance without publishing the data it relied on. The report released Friday contains some of that data."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/07/30/provincetown-covid-outbreak-vaccinated/

CDC Report -> https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm?s_cid=mm7031e2_w

Boston Globe coverage -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/31/metro/closer-look-cape-cod-covid-19-cluster-data/

PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONRYAN HUDDLE

Veterans - "Tune It Out" guitar lessons underway and you can still join!

The "Tune It Out" guitar lessons program has officially started!

Music instructor Jamie Barrett is giving introductory lessons to Veterans on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center.

Guitars will be provided to those who are interested in lessons but don't have a guitar.  Call the Veterans' Services Office at (508) 613-1315 to sign-up.

Left to right: Jamie Barrett, instructor, veterans Matt Linahan, David Kast and Scott Halet

Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/tune-it-out-guitar-program-update

Sen. Rausch slams DESE/DPH non-binding masking recommendations

SENATOR RAUSCH'S STATEMENT ON DESE/DPH MASK WEARING GUIDANCE 

"Today, Governor Baker and his administration failed our Commonwealth's children and families. The DESE/DPH masking guidance falls far short of the data-driven recommendations of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and hundreds of Massachusetts medical and public health experts: everyone age 2 and up in every school setting – from childcare through grade 12 – must wear masks indoors. Kids, parents, teachers, and school committees have been through enough; they deserve better than weak, unenforceable, non-binding guidelines that further endanger their health and safety."

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1421158746273849352

Sen. Rausch slams DESE/DPH non-binding masking recommendations

DESE releases fall guidance for school districts

MASC-School Committee (@MASCSchoolComm) tweeted on Fri, Jul 30, 2021:

"Just released fall guidance from the @MASchoolsK12. 

Please note:

"Today's guidance is a recommendation for districts, and individual districts should make decisions based on their own particular circumstances." 

https://t.co/w4lpqGbr1v"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1421132978516860934?s=03

Full document available -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/199tR2n52qh_thBKIXUF7KTN2RuQqTCp7/view?usp=sharing

https://twitter.com/MASchoolsK12

Franklin Election Collection - 2021

The official results are available. A few votes are added to the totals previously shared but no major changes in positions occur.

• Town clerk = Danello - 4114; Santorsola - 1150
• Planning Board: Halligan - 1552; Padula - 1701; Wierling - 3431; Williams - 3348
• School Committee: *bottom 5 - D'Angelo - 2330; Scofield - 2487; Bisson - 1424; McCormack - 1473; Videra - 1057 *Top 7 - Spencer - 3643; Stokes - 3631; Bernstein - 3056; Callaghan - 2987; Charles - 3081; McNeill - 2806; Whitmore - 2887
• Town Council: bottom 3 - Bissanti - 1992; Callaway-Tripp - 1559; Earls - 1840;  Top 9 - Chandler - 3525; Dellorco - 3808; Frongillo - 4053; Hamblen - 3689; Jones - 3661; Mercer - 3812; Pellegri - 3734; Cormier-Leger - 3119; Sheridan - 3192
• Board of Assessors - Feeley - 4096
• Board of Health - Sweet - 4046
• Approx. turnout 5,754 for a turnout of 23.5% of the 24,456 registered voters.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/official_results_-_biennial_local_election_11-2-2021.pdf

Unofficial results

• Town clerk = Danello - 4083; Santorsola - 1145
• Planning Board: Halligan - 1535; Padula - 1685; Wierling - 3418; Williams - 3337
• School Committee: *bottom 5 - D'Angelo - 2309; Scofield - 2470; Bisson - 1418; McCormack - 1465; Videra - 1054 *Top 7 - Spencer - 3623; Stokes - 3614; Bernstein - 3045; Callaghan - 2969; Charles - 3069; McNeill - 2795; Whitmore - 2876
• Town Council: bottom 3 - Bissanti - 1976; Callaway-Tripp - 1550; Earls - 1832;  Top 9 - Chandler - 3501; Dellorco - 3786; Frongillo - 4030; Hamblen - 3668; Jones - 3637; Mercer - 3788; Pellegri - 3708; Cormier-Leger - 3106; Sheridan - 3176
• Board of Assessors - Feeley - 4065
• Board of Health - Sweet - 4017
• Approx. turnout 5700 for about 24%

** Unofficial election results:

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/unofficial-results-town-of-franklin.html

This will collect all the Franklin Matters posts with information on the Franklin Town Election scheduled for Nov 2, 2021. The most recent items will be on the top of the list with the older items below.

Note: The candidate info gathered here is shared with the Franklin Voter guide to create one place for all the info.

While called the "Town of Franklin", we operate as a city form of government with a Council, an Administrator hired by the Council to manage the town operations, and a School Committee which hires a Superintendent to manage the school district operations. 

Every two years, the entire Town Council (9 positions) and School Committee (7 positions) are up for election. There are other elected positions that have staggered terms so some of them are available every two years or four years. 

The Town Clerk is normally elected every four years, but with Nancy Danello taking on the role as "acting Town Clerk" in September 2020 when Teresa Burr resigned, the position is up for election this year.

All precincts vote in one location; Franklin High School. The precincts are used to balance the voter numbers across the town and are set at the State level. Our State Senate representation is split between two sets of precincts while we have a Representative in the House that covers all of Franklin and a few precincts in Medway. 

Election Timeline

• Early voting opened Tuesday, Oct 12, 2021 - it will run during normal business hours in the Town Clerk's Office
• Polls open 6 AM on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. They close at 8 PM. It is anticipated results could be available by 9 PM that night.
• Please visit the Town of Franklin website www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk or call the Town Clerks Office at 508-520-4900

Candidate Information: 

Candidate	Voter Guide	Franklin Matters	Frank Presents
Board of Assessors
Chris Feeley
Board of Health
Bridget Sweet	response	Audio
Planning Board
Joseph F Halligan Jr
Anthony D Padula
Beth Wierling	response	audio	video
Jennifer D Williams	response	audio	video
School Committee
Jennifer L D'Angelo		text
Mary Jane Scofield		audio
Denise Spencer	response	audio
Elise Stokes	response	audio
Camille N Bernstein	response	audio	video
Mark A Bisson		text	video
David C Callaghan	response	audio	video
Al Charles	response	audio
John McCormack		text
David J McNeill	response	audio
Dashe Videra	response		video
Meghan L Whitmore	response	audio	video
Town Clerk
Nancy Danello	response	audio	video
Lynne R Santorsola
Town Council
Andrew M Bissanti			video
Brian M Chandler
Robert R Dellorco	response	audio
Cobi Frongillo	response	audio	video
Melanie J Hamblen	response	audio	video
Glenn F Jones	response	audio
Thomas D Mercer	response	audio	video
Deborah L Pellegri
Jane Callaway-Tripp		text	video
Theodore D Cormier-Leger	response	audio	video
Alan R Earls	response	audio	video
Patrick C Sheridan	response	audio

If any of the links above don’t work for you, try going directly to each source

• Franklin Voter Guide ->  https://www.franklinvoterguide.org/2021-voter-guide 
• Franklin Matters Election Collection  ->

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html 

• Franklin TV video on Demand ->   https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/ 
• For a PDF copy of the candidate table ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ULTHljoRGWZecrBzkUkoYBeUCBfC0S2/view?usp=sharing

Election Updates:

• Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass proud of the diverse election results -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/voices-of-franklin-colin-cass-proud-of.html
• Official results - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/official-results-town-of-franklin.html
• Franklin Matters editorial comment -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/election-results-could-lead-to.html
• Unofficial results - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/unofficial-results-town-of-franklin.html
• Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm or 102.9) to broadcast results Tuesday evening, after the polls close at 8 PM - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/franklin-public-radio-election-night.html
• Voices of Franklin: Karen Landers - "Time for a change on the Planning Board" -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/voices-of-franklin-karen-landers-time.html
• MA Open Meeting Law updates -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/ma-open-meeting-law-items-of-interest.html
• Candidate link info - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/links-to-candidate-info-for-franklin-ma.html
• Franklin Public Schools complaint process for books and curriculum -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-public-schools-public.html
• Franklin Interfaith Council statement and call to pledge -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/a-call-to-our-community-lovefranklin.html
• Superintendent Dr. Sara Ahern's Letter to the Franklin Community in response to the October 26th, 2021 School Committee Meeting  -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/superintendents-letter-to-franklin.html
  
• Voices of Franklin: Alan Earls "I heard the bells on Christmas Day..."  -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-alan-earls-i-heard.html
  
• Voices of Franklin: Raymond Milici advocates Support for Franklin United  -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-raymond-milici.html
  
•  Voices of Franklin: Aaron Gouveia for candidates that support diversity -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-aaron-gouveia-for.html
•  School Committee meeting 10/26/21 (YouTube video) -    https://youtu.be/5xitDgZEHMw 

• Candidate Forum (10/21/21) video available on demand -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/candidate-forum-video-available-on.html

• Milford Daily News - Town Council candidate summaries -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/milford-daily-news-town-council.html

• Milford Daily News - School Committee & Planning Board candidate summaries -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/milford-daily-news-school-committee.html

• Milford Daily News - Town Clerk candidate summaries -   https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/country-gazette/2021/10/28/franklin-clerk-faces-challenge-posting-town-election/8552583002/

• Franklin TV broadcast schedule for Sunday (10/24) through Friday (10/29) -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-tv-candidate-interviews-and.html

• Candidate Forum Audio (10/21/21) -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/candidate-forum-audio-oct-21-2021.html

• Candidate Forum (10/21/21) - five candidate statements -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/candidate-forum-statements-oct-21-2021.html

• Voices of Franklin - Colin Cass on partisan what it means and doesn't mean - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-colin-cass-on-what.html

• Franklin United campaign launch -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-united-campaign-launch-oct-23.html

• Broadcast info for Candidates Forum - Oct 21 - 6:30 PM -https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/broadcast-info-for-candidates-forum-oct.html

• Voices of Franklin - Robert Vacca on "Education is More Than Back to Basics" - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-robert-vacca.html
• Franklin TV schedule for "Frank Presents" for week of Oct 18 -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-tv-schedule-for-frank-presents.html
• Candidate Forum - Oct 14, 2021 - YouTube link - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-ma-candidate-forum-oct-14-2021.html
• Specimen ballot sample ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/specimen-ballot-for-franklin-ma.html
• Franklin United Municipal PAC endorses candidates -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-united-municipal-pac-endorses.html
• Voices of Franklin: Jayson Joyce on "politics and baseball" -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-jayson-joyce-on.html
• Candidate night - Oct 14 at 7 PM -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/candidates-night-oct-14-2021-7-pm.html
• Voices of Franklin: Colin Cass on School Committee candidates -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-colin-cass-on-school.html
• Voices of Franklin: Robert Vacca on School Committee candidates -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/voices-of-franklin-robert-vacca-on.html
• Franklin TV: "Frank Presents" candidate interviews schedule for week of Oct 11, 2021 - https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-tv-frank-presents-candidate.html
• Franklin TV:  Candidate Forum teasers   -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-tv-are-you-candidate-theres.html
• Early voting schedule; absentee and vote by mail applications available -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-town-clerk-early-voting-begins.html
• Franklin TV schedule for week of 10/03/21 - "Frank Presents" ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/franklin-tv-view-frank-presents.html
• Franklin Voters Guide is available (and a work in progress)   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/the-franklin-voters-guide-is-available.html
• 'Almost final' listing of candidates set -   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/candidates-listing-almost-final-with.html
• Acting Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides info on the Nov 2 election (audio)  -  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/fm-601-acting-town-clerk-with-things-to.html
• Candidate interview questions finalized   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/election-2021-candidate-interview.html
• 5 candidates remain outstanding to return nomination papers  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/5-candidates-to-turn-in-nomination.html
• School Committee candidate campaign pages   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/school-committee-candidate-campaign.html
• Statement by Tracey Novick on School Committee responsibilities   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/the-governance-of-school-committee-that.html
• Wicked Local on ballots filing up and link to candidate question form  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/wicked-local-franklin-ballot-filling-up.html
• 18 candidates have turned in their nomination papers   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/18-candidates-have-turned-in-their.html
• Enough candidates file for Town Council, School Committee and Planning Board  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklins-local-election-draws-more.html
• Reminder to potential candidates, still time to pull papers   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/still-time-to-pull-papers-obtain.html
• Cobi Frongillo press release announcing his campaign for reelection  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/announcing-re-election-bid-cobi.html
• Ballot question process starts for 30 initiatives   https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/from-gig-economy-to-tci-30-ballot-questions-filed/
• Gov Bakers signs bill extending early voting through Dec 15, 2021  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/mma-gov-signs-law-extending-voting.html
• Offer to candidates for Town Election   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/offer-to-candidates-for-town-of.html

Info on the Positions for Election 

• Franklin Election 2021: What does the Town Council do?   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklin-election-2021-what-does-town.html
• Franklin Election 2021: What does the School Committee do?   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklin-election-2021-what-does-school.html
• Franklin Election 2021: What does the Town Clerk do?   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklin-election-2021-what-does-town_01476030939.html
• Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Assessors do?   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklin-election-2021-what-does-board.html
• Franklin Election 2021: What does the Planning Board do?   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklin-election-2021-what-does.html
• Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklin-election-2021-what-does-board_01439513653.html

Franklin Voters Guide - https://www.franklinvoterguide.org/2021-voter-guide

Franklin Election Collection - 2021