Monday, August 9, 2021

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 022 - Chauvin Trial

"In this episode, Frank and the group discuss the results of the recent Derek Chauvin Trial, the work that still needs to be done on, and the future following these results."

 Direct link ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8c326236-51bc-43f8-a006-fce102ce995f


wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 022 - Chauvin Trial
wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 022 - Chauvin Trial     
 
 

MIAA - week 1 at The Hub (video series)

“The Hub” has been created as a central area on the MIAA website for video content that students, coaches, athletic directors, administrators and more can explore and access on their own time, at their own pace. 
The video presentations will cover a variety of topics including leadership, wellness, and other educational athletics content. Most videos will be approximately 15-20 minutes in duration and presented by speakers that the MIAA has partnered with through initiatives such as the New England Student Leadership Conference, Wellness Summit, Sportsmanship Summit and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit. 

Each Monday throughout the summer, a new set of six videos will be added to “The Hub”. These weekly video releases will also be organized according to the core competencies of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)."

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1415021973458100227 

Go to http://www.miaa.net/contentm/easy_pages/view.php?sid=38&page_id=354

MIAA - week 1 at The Hub (video series)
MIAA - week 1 at The Hub (video series)

 

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 10, 2021


School Committee Meeting

Municipal Building - Council Chambers (Virtual Link in Agenda)

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments
In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH
C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. Summer Curriculum Projects and Summer Learning Programs

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. none

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. FY 21 Annual Report - DRAFT
B. Back to School Status Update
C. School Committee Meeting Tentative Presentation Schedule 2021-2022

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council, Franklin Racial & Social Justice Task Force)

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the July 27, 2021 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Declare Surplus
I recommend declaring the attached lists of materials as surplus.
C. Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $325.50 from Campus Box Media for Supplemental supplies for the athletics department as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Atty. Pond-Pfeffer

X. Adjournment


Agenda doc and connection info ->

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 10, 2021
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Aug 10, 2021



Franklin TV: Oops! Change in Plan

Our Annual Meeting & Block Party – Not Happenin’. 
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 08/08/2021 

"There’s a cinematic trope that begins, “Just when you thought it was safe to go out.” It’s Ba-a-a-ack! Standard issue ‘B’ disaster and monster flicks are promoted this way.  The title for this one?  “Revenge of the Unvaccinated. ”  (They walk among us.)

Covid/Delta is on the rise. Thus, opting for abundant precaution, we are prudently cancelling our Annual Meeting and Block Party. That said; New Plan!

A mobile vaccination clinic at Davis Thayer, Wednesday, Aug 25, from 10 AM to 3 PM. This event is ably orchestrated by Franklin’s Health Director, Cathleen Liberty. It’s a great thing – the right thing – for folks 12 and up, and we’re helping out.

It’s our Franklin Health Department’s,

Socially Distant Ice-Cream Social!

Ice-Cream Social
Ice-Cream Social
Enjoy some free ice cream with your vaccination.

Flavors:  
  Vanilla Vaxx   Strawberry Shot Pfizer  Pfudge 
( J&J Jimmies, optional )

Register – and get stoked for ice-cream. Get vaxxed, too – all for free, all for fun,
~ at ~
Franklin's Socially-Distant Ice-Cream Social!

Beat the virus. Get vaccinated.

Together, We Can lick This Thing.

Please register to be vaccinated  (either Pfizer or J&J): https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/covid-19-mobile-vaccination-clinic

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 



FSPA Master Class with Nikki Wyndham scheduled for Aug 15

Get whipped into shape with Broadway’s original Brooke Wyndham @nikkisnelsonaugh
Nikki will be teaching a Legally Blonde themed dance master class on August 15th! 
Additionally, audience members can meet Nikki at the Saturday, August 14th performances of @franklin.performing.arts.co’s Legally Blonde!

FSPA Master Class with Nikki Wyndham scheduled for Aug 15
FSPA Master Class with Nikki Wyndham scheduled for Aug 15


   

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Historical Museum

Overview
It’s been a great year at the Franklin Historical Museum! And, while we have missed the public these last few months while our doors have been closed due to COVID- 19, we have been using these unprecedented times to plan ahead. We have had many successes and look forward to many more to come in the future. These include a new collections policy, successful application for a SHRAB grant, organization of dozens of collections up to professional standards, increased outreach through social media engagement, and the creation of a COVID-19 Archive Project.

Our Mission
The Franklin Historical Museum collects, preserves, and provides access to materials connected to the vibrant history of the Town of Franklin. Through its archives and various collection materials, the FHM seeks to create a greater appreciation for the people and events that came before it and cultivate an understanding that knowledge of the past brings about a better tomorrow.

Collections Policy
The new collections policy for the Museum is complete with forms and procedures that adhere to professional standards in the museum and archives world. These include a collections policy, a deaccession policy, mission and vision statements, a disaster management plan, donation procedures, a new deed of gift form, processing plan and finding aid templates, and details about the cataloging system which is being employed at the Museum.

SHRAB Preservation Grant
This year the Museum successfully applied for a preservation grant through the Massachusetts State Historic Records Advisory Board which enabled us to purchase proper storage materials for the Museum’s subject file collection. Thus far, ten linear feet of materials have been placed in archival quality folders and boxes thanks to the funds provided by the grant.

Museum Collections
This year has mostly been focused on processing the collections materials housed in the Museum and transforming the piles of collections and archives materials into various collections which can be used by researchers and staff and writing user-friendly finding aids so that they can find what they are looking for. This means working one box, one cabinet at a time, opening it up, seeing what is in there and figuring out what it needs and where it belongs. Thus far, over one hundred and fifty linear feet of materials have been fully processed and catalogued including books, postcards, sheet music, photographs, scrapbooks, letters, pamphlets, and various documents.
 
Social Media
Our social media accounts are dedicated to sharing vibrant stories from Franklin’s past as well as promoting virtual learning opportunities for all ages. To learn more about the history of the Town and how it relates to the world around you, follow us on Facebook and Instagram today!

Facebook: Franklin Historical Museum 
Instagram: @franklinhistoricalmuseum

COVID-19 Archive Project
The Franklin Historical Museum has been hard at work finding ways to preserve the historic event we are currently living through and we need your help! What has quarantine been like? What have you done to stay connected to friends and family during these times? Have you learned any new skills? What do you most want future generations to take away from this moment in history? Future researchers will appreciate the time you took to answer these questions as they study what happened and how humanity bonded together to survive the unthinkable.

To share your stories with the Franklin Historical Museum COVID-19 Archive Project, follow the link on our Instagram page (@franklinhistoricalmuseum) or email rfinnigan@franklinma.gov and we will send you a link to our survey. Thank you for your stories!

In Conclusion
I would like to thank everyone who has helped further the mission of the Museum, from donors to volunteers to visitors coming in off the street. We are here to serve you and, with your continued support, hope to continue to bolster community engagement as we work to create a safe space for learning and research.

Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Finnigan, Archivist 


The full Annual Report for 2020 can be found online
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/files/town-franklin-annual-report-2020

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Franklin Historical Museum
Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Franklin Historical Museum

Rotary Club of Franklin MA - Car Show - Sunday 9-26-21

Hello Everyone,

I am sharing an announcement that Rotary Club of Franklin MA is preparing for our 4th Annual Car Show, on Sept 26, 2021 at Dean College Campus Center. Auto Entry is $15 and Spectators can enter for FREE.

There will be music and plenty of different cars and trucks to see. Fun for the entire family.

Please feel free to share this flyer.  I appreciate your help! with spreading the word.

Diane

Diane M. Padula
Franklin, MA 02038 

Car show flyer ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iY9ctMfaOab0xz8_eowab-XNEsUmbUf5/view?usp=sharing


Rotary Club of Franklin MA - Car Show - Sunday 9-26-21
Rotary Club of Franklin MA - Car Show - Sunday 9-26-21


wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 021 - Amendments Part I

"In this episode, Frank and the group discuss the history of the U.S. constitution, amendments, and the need for more amendments in the modern age."

Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/abaccbaf-631f-44d7-a62c-344f0fa5578e

 

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 021 - Ammendments Part I
wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 021 - Ammendments Part I

 

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Franklin Food Pantry: Time for a nibble!


Franklin Food Pantry
Time for a nibble!
Hello,

Happy Summer Days!
As a much-appreciated donor, we want you to see how contribution has supported some particular programs for our neighbors in the recent months.

JULY 4th DISTRIBUTION
This first ever distribution was a huge hit with our neighbors, their families and our staff. We distributed over 175 bags of items for a summer feast, including hot dogs, hamburgers, rolls, chips, condiments and cotton candy. Fun Bags of chalk, bubbles, footballs, American flags and more brought smiles to many faces. It was a brutally hot day but so worth it. Given the immense success, we hope to secure funding to permanently add July 4th Bags to our Holiday Distributions for Thanksgiving and Winter.
JULY 4th DISTRIBUTION
JULY 4th DISTRIBUTION 1
FARMER'S MARKET at THE PANTRY
We have incredible volunteers led by Jen Kuse who care for our 11 beds at the Community Garden on King Street. We also are lucky enough to receive fresh produce from local churches who grow fresh produce on their own premises. Your funding supports the costs for this vital program, including purchasing seeds, plants and equipment; renting and maintaining the beds; packaging the produce, and more. Below you will catch a glimpse of the amazing fresh herbs and vegetables - and wild flowers - that are grown, harvested and distributed to neighbors each week!
.
FARMER'S MARKET at THE PANTRY
FARMER'S MARKET at THE PANTRY 1
Thank you for your continued support of the Franklin Food Pantry! We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and we will see you in the fall as we kick off two our largest fundraising events of the year: the annual Turkey Trot and our popular food elves program!

Franklin Food Pantry | 43 WEST CENTRAL STREET, Franklin, MA 02038

Sent by loften@franklinfoodpantry.org powered by
Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Fire Department

The Department
The Franklin Fire Department administration is led by a Fire Chief who is assisted by an Executive Assistant. The department is divided into two divisions, operations and administration, which are each under the direction of the two Deputy Chiefs. The operations division is responsible for dispatch, emergency medical services, fire suppression and hazardous materials response. The administration division is responsible for personnel, budget, training, code compliance and coordinating the Town’s emergency preparedness.

Our Mission
The Franklin Fire Department is committed to providing the highest level of public safety services for our community. We safely protect lives and property through fire suppression, training, emergency medical and transportation services, disaster and crisis management, fire prevention and public education.

Operational Objectives
Initiating advanced life support to patients within 10 minutes of receiving the telephone call at our communications center.
To access, extricate, treat and transport trauma patients to a level one trauma medical facility within one hour of the occurrence of the injury.
Interrupt the progression of fires in structures within 10 minutes of open flame ignition.
To insure response readiness remains greater than 70%.
Provide safety and survival skills for all school students in grade K through 5 consistent with the Student Awareness Fire Education (SAFE) initiative of the Commonwealth.
Provide continued valuable services to the senior population with home safety inspections and smoke/carbon monoxide battery replacement.
Develop a partnership with the Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC).
Provide educational opportunities for department members to insure optimal performance and safety.
To develop and maintain “best practice” to insure personnel and citizen safety.
Insure fire safety through timely, consistent code compliance services to all external customers.
Provide all department services in a manner that satisfies the needs of our customers.

Message from the Fire Chief
The creation of the rank of Battalion Chief, on each group, will provide a supervisory position responsible for all operations of on-duty personnel, in addition to administrative duties and individually assigned collateral duties. Operationally, the Battalion Chief will allow us to achieve a proper span of control on each group, meeting industry-wide consensus standards and ensuring for the safety of all on-scene personnel.

We have also implemented an EMS Captain position that is responsible for the emergency medical services and transportation mission. A critical role for this position is to provide efficient and consistent QA/QI of EMS incident reports, in order to maximize our transport reimbursements back to the Town. For fiscal year 2020, the Department received its largest reimbursement from rescue billing, which was over $1.5 million.

In January 2021, the Department will be adding four additional Firefighters/Paramedics to the organization to provide greater safety to the community as well as the members of the department. This additional staffing will also create more company cohesiveness and efficiency in daily operations.

Overall, the Department responded to 4,466 calls for service this past fiscal year. Emergency medical service calls accounted for 64% of those calls. While during the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for calls for service decreased by approximately 15-20%, the overall annual call volume only decreased by 20 calls total.

Thankfully, the community did not suffer any fire related deaths this year. Department members suffered five loss time work related injuries during the fiscal year which is reduced from last year.

Continue reading the report on page 93 of the printed version or page 99 of the PDF version

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Fire Department
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Fire Department

The Guardian: "COVID-19 discoveries: what we know now that we didn’t know before"

"How COVID spreads
When COVID first hit the UK, so too did sales of hand sanitiser. On 28 February, Boris Johnson said: “The best thing people can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus is wash your hands.”

The emphasis was, in part, because it was thought one of the key routes by which COVID was spread was by people touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their own face – so called “fomite transmission”. Websites even appeared designed to alert you should you reach for your features, while many people became concerned about whether to disinfect groceries and parcels.

But experts now argue that the role of tiny virus-containing particles called aerosols, emitted along with larger droplets when infected people breathe, speak or cough, were overlooked – and that ventilation in indoor settings is crucial to reduce the spread of COVID."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/06/four-areas-where-what-is-known-about-the-covid-virus-has-evolved

The Guardian: "COVID-19 discoveries: what we know now that we didn’t know before"
The Guardian: "COVID-19 discoveries: what we know now that we didn’t know before"


Reinvention Boot Camp - Thursday, Aug 26

REINVENTION BOOT CAMP:  TALK TO THE PROS  

You've set a course to reinvent yourself and made some progress.  Maybe as a freelancer, a consultant, or a business startup.  

But you could use some advice, ideas, connections or encouragement. 

That's what the Reinvention Bootcamp is all about.  

Join our panel of highly experienced Business Advisors for guidance & insight.  Then break into small groups with fellow "ReInventors" and one of our Advisors  to get specific and practical input tailored to your questions.  

You'll leave this workshop inspired and ready to jumpstart the next  phase of your reinvention journey!  

Thursday, August 26, 10-11:30 am 

REGISTER: https://bit.ly/3i0btxq 

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

Presented by the 50+ Job Seekers Networking Program and The Encore Boston Network

_._,_._,_
Reinvention Boot Camp - Thursday, Aug 26
Reinvention Boot Camp - Thursday, Aug 26

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on Masks in Schools

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka on Masks in Schools 

 

Next month, almost a million children will return to Massachusetts K-12 public schools. Of these kids, nearly half will be under 12 years old and therefore ineligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to the classroom. 

 

Throughout the spring and summer, I joined parents and teachers in the hope that our children could return to school with a sense of normalcy. With the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant, however, the situation is clear: COVID-19 case counts are rising. The number of deaths is once again rising, including among those who have been vaccinated. This means that we are not quite ready to return to our pre-pandemic 'normal.' 

 

Public health experts and the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that universal masking in schools is an effective way to keep our vulnerable children and residents safe as we continue to fight this global pandemic. Parents, school staff and students seek clear, consistent direction as the school year starts, and they deserve to get it from the state. That's why I am calling on the Baker Administration to require masks in school this fall. 

 

No one wants to go back to the dark early days of this public health crisis, and so we must do everything possible to keep people safe and our economy stable. Wearing a mask around vulnerable populations, including unvaccinated children and others, is a small and simple action we can take to do this.  

 

Our children deserve to learn, grow and thrive in a safe and healthy environment, free from the disruption, anxiety and fear of a COVID-19 outbreak in their school. Massachusetts residents have shown such amazing compassion, caring and resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to keep going until our youngest and most vulnerable can be vaccinated.  


wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 020 - Climate Change

"In this episode, Frank and the group discuss the current climate crisis, projections, and what efforts the U.S. and the rest of the world need to make to keep things under control."

Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/86371bcf-3816-42af-8a72-b1baf3fa8c25

wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 020 - Climate Change
wfpr.fm: More Perfect Union - 020 - Climate Change

 

Cake Bar update - closing Aug 14 to re-open (TBD) with new owners

"Hi everyone! It is with sadness we inform you that The Cake Bar is closing its doors. We want to thank the town of Franklin, surrounding towns, and all our customers for your loyalty and friendship throughout the years. Our last day will be Saturday, August 14th, so come in to get your treats and smoothie bowls while they last.

We know you need your smoothie fix, so look for upcoming news about Sippin’ Smoothies and bowls on Facebook or Instagram! @sippinsmoothies   
(https://www.instagram.com/sippinsmoothies/)

The new owners will continue to provide you with beautiful, delicious custom cakes and cupcakes, and will also turn it into a wonderful place for breakfast and lunch. They will be shutting down for renovations but make sure to look for the grand opening in the fall! We’ll see you there and we can all give them a big welcome!

Thank you all so much - The Cake Bar"

Cake Bar update - closing Aug 14 to re-open (TBD) with new owners
Cake Bar update - closing Aug 14 to re-open (TBD) with new owners


Friday, August 6, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Aug 6 - Aug 12, 2021

Another busy day at the Town Common with the Farmers Market; music, kids crafts, "Touch a Tractor", and then Concerts on the Common with two music sets and a movie!

Friday, August 6
2:00pm - Farmers Market
3:30pm - Kids craft activity by Library Youth Services
5:00pm - Concerts on the Common: "David Penza"
6:00pm - Concerts on the Common: "Backyard Swagger"
8:00pm - Movie Night: Frozen II

Saturday, August 7

10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)

Sunday, August 8
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

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

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
 
Community Calendar
Community Calendar

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?

From the Annual Report of 2020 is this brief section on the Board of Health:

"The three-member elected Board of Health is the policy making arm for the Health Department. The board members assist in the drafting of public health bylaws and regulations. The board also presides over administrative hearings concerning health department licensed and permitted activities. The board members are utilized for consultation on issues relative to public health as well."
One position is up for election on November 2 for a 4 year term. The other positions will be up for election in 2 years. This staggers the membership to maintain institutional knowledge. The Board of Health Chair, Bridget Sweet current holds the seat up for election this year.

What does the Health Department do?
"The Franklin Health Department is charged with protecting the public health and well-being of the community, in accordance with federal, state and local public health laws and regulations. 
The Franklin Health Department's responsibilities include inspecting and permitting new and repaired/upgraded individual septic systems, witnessing percolation testing, biannual inspections of all food service and retail food establishments, investigating complaints of public health nuisances, enforcement of the state sanitary code relative to housing, licensing of children's recreational camps, inspection of semi-public swimming pools and spas, tanning salon and manicure/pedicure establishment inspections. The Health Department also issues permits for individual private drinking water and irrigation wells."

State Required Duties of the Board of Health can be found here 
http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/pages/state-required-duties-board-health

The Board of Health can be found on the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department


Find more information on the Franklin Election Nov 2, 2021 in the "election collection"  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/franklin-election-collection-2021.html

Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?
Franklin Election 2021: What does the Board of Health do?

Head's Up: MIAA has changed their high school scheduling system

Thanks to Medway Athletics (@MedwayAthletics) for tweeting earlier this week:
"Looking for Fall Schedules

The @MIAA033  has changed its scheduling system and the MIAA App is no longer being used.

Please visit the ArbiterLive link below (a work in progress)…
https://arbiterlive.com/   or directly for Franklin High School go to  https://arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=7918


More updates including iPhone/Android App coming soon. Please be patient."
Found via Twitter: https://twitter.com/MedwayAthletics/status/1422624455109533704?s=03   Note: I swapped out the Medway High link for the FHS link.

While we are on the MIAA webpage, what are the schedules for each of the seasons (as it stands now) for the 2021-2022 school year?   http://miaa.net/gen/miaa_generated_bin/documents/basic_module/MIAASportLimitations.pdf

Head's Up: MIAA has changed their high school scheduling system
Head's Up: MIAA has changed their high school scheduling system