"Blow for Uber as judge finds California’s gig-worker law unconstitutional"

A case that will have implication for MA as there is a proposed ballot question for 2022 on this issue.

"A judge on Friday struck down a California ballot measure that exempted Uber and other app-based ride-hailing and delivery services from a state law requiring drivers to be classified as employees eligible for benefits and job protections.

Alameda county superior court Judge Frank Roesch ruled that Proposition 22 was unconstitutional.

Voters approved the measure in November after Uber, Lyft and other services spent $200m in its favor, making it the most expensive ballot measure in state history.

Uber said it planned to appeal, setting up a fight that could likely end up in the California supreme court."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/aug/20/california-gig-worker-law-proposition-22-unconstitutional 

A driver holds up a sign supporting a no vote on Prop 22 in Oakland last year. The ruling sets up a fight that could likely end up in California’s supreme court. Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Harvest Festival Booth Reminder

Harvest Festival Reminder Booths Spaces are filling up quickly so don't delay! Sign up soon for your booth space. REGISTER FOR BOOTH SPACE Register for booth space -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kVIGTTp84M78KqT5ubSz_h0Kt-OCF_NT8j_1DlYcWNw/viewform?edit_requested=true Sponsors Needed Please contact the FDP office (downtown.franklin@yahoo.com) if you would like to sponsor the Harvest Festival and have your booth located on Sponsorship Row. Remember ALL participants need to register online. Even if you are a downtown business Even if you are a restaurant and have email the FDP office Even if you are a sponsor When you register online we are able to send you your booth space placement, set-up instructions, your booth space and any last minute changes due to weather. If you are not registered we can not assign you a booth space. Booth spaces are first come-first served.   If you have any registration questions, please contact Chris Peterson.(fdpevent@gmail.com)  Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

"Rain falls on peak of Greenland ice cap for first time on record"

"Rain has fallen on the summit of Greenland’s huge ice cap for the first time on record. Temperatures are normally well below freezing on the 3,216-metre (10,551ft) peak, and the precipitation is a stark sign of the climate crisis.

Scientists at the US National Science Foundation’s summit station saw rain falling throughout 14 August but had no gauges to measure the fall because the precipitation was so unexpected. Across Greenland, an estimated 7bn tonnes of water was released from the clouds.

The rain fell during an exceptionally hot three days in Greenland when temperatures were 18C higher than average in places. As a result, melting was seen in most of Greenland, across an area about four times the size of the UK."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/20/rain-falls-peak-greenland-ice-cap-first-time-on-record-climate-crisis 

Icebergs near Ilulissat, Greenland. The climate crisis is having a profound impact on glaciers. Photograph: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock

MIAA - The Hub - Week 3 - Self Management (video series)

 Week 3 at The HUB: Seek. Explore. Learn. "Self-Management"

> Kyrah Altman

@LEADInc_now

shares tools to proactively cope & manage symptoms of Reintegration Anxiety Management. Content includes mental illness, anxiety, collective trauma of COVID-19 http://ow.ly/zSE350FCduM #MIAA

or visit MIAA at http://www.miaa.net/contentm/easy_pages/view.php?sid=38&page_id=354

MIAA - The Hub - Week 3 - Self Management (video series)

MAEnergy Environment: Hurricane Safety Tips

MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:

🧵 To prepare for Tropical Storm #Henri and a potential power outage, here are some practical steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.

🔋 Make sure cellphones, laptops, and other electronics are fully charged.

⚡️ Power Outage Safety Tips:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hurricane-safety-tips

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MassEEA/status/1428790239124938761

MAEnergy Environment: Hurricane Safety Tips

Also from Boston Globe: 6 ways to prepare

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/20/metro/tropical-storm-henri-is-approaching-here-are-6-ways-prepare/

From MA Consumer Affairs -> Hurricane preparedness

http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/hurricane-preparedness-2021/

Washington Post: "Booming business at dollar stores"

"A growing number of Americans are relying on dollar stores for everyday needs, especially groceries, as the coronavirus pandemic drags into its 18th month. Chains such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree are reporting blockbuster sales and profits, and proliferating so quickly that some U.S. cities want to limit their growth. The 1,650 dollar stores expected to open this year represent nearly half of all new national retail openings, according to Coresight Research.

Foot traffic at the largest such chain, Dollar General, is up 32 percent from pre-pandemic levels, far outpacing the 3 percent increase at Walmart, one of the few retail winners of last year, according to Placer.ai, which analyzes shopping patterns using location data from 30 million devices."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/08/20/growing-number-americans-are-relying-dollar-stores/

A shopper pushes a cart through Family Dollar in Chicago. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg News)

In another shift, Baker Administration will mandate masks for K-12 school opening

Massachusetts K-12 (@MASchoolsK12) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:

PRESS RELEASE Education Commissioner to Ask Board for Authority to Mandate Masks in Public Schools to Provide Time to Increase Vaccinations - https://t.co/CLO6N5sTXC #MaEdu #COVID19MA @MassEducation

"Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley will ask the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to grant him authority to mandate masks for all public K-12 students, educators, and staff through October 1 to ensure schools fully reopen safely and to provide time for more students and educators to get vaccinated. After October 1, the commissioner’s policy would allow middle and high schools to lift the mask mandate for vaccinated students and staff only if the school meets a certain vaccination rate – at least 80 percent of students and staff in a school building are vaccinated. Unvaccinated students and staff would still be required to wear masks.

The mandate would include exceptions for students who cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions or behavioral needs.

 

The Commissioner will revisit the mandate in the near future to revise it as warranted by public health data. The purpose of the policy is to encourage higher vaccination rates among students and staff and to implement a uniform policy for all schools to begin the year."

Continue reading the full press release:  https://t.co/CLO6N5sTXC

Assuming the proposal does come to reality, the Franklin School Committee will remove from its agenda its own policy update as 'not needed'

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_policy_adoption.pdf

Press release hared from Twitter:   https://twitter.com/MASchoolsK12/status/1428737492627468290?s=03

CommonWealth Magazine coverage ->  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/in-another-shift-baker-mandates-masks-in-schools/

State education commissioner Jeff Riley. (Photo by Llyr Johansen)

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Open House Job Fair - Aug 23

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:

Please consider attending the FPS Open House Job Fair. August 23rd from 4pm-6pm. We are seeking Educational Support Professionals at various school locations, assisting our students in the classroom environment. https://t.co/apB4b9f64Q

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1428747470310449154

Franklin Public Schools, MA:  Open House Job Fair - Aug 23

Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation awards Franklin Fire Dept. $25,000 grant

Bristol County Savings (@bcsb) tweeted Thu, Aug 19, 2021:

"The Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation marked its 25th Anniversary with a $25,000 grant to the Franklin Fire Department during a check presentation ceremony held yesterday at the Franklin Town Hall.  The donation, which the Department will use for general public safety, is part of $325,000 in grants currently being awarded to fire departments in the 13 communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island where the Bank has a branch office location.  

Since the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation was formed in 1996, more than $25 million has been committed to hundreds of different local non-profits.  In 2020, the Foundation awarded $2.2 million to various 501(c)(3) organizations, many of whom were assisting local communities in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic."

Continue reading the full announcement: https://t.co/jOiT2NbS7J 

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/yq1Wbxr1bb

Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation awards Franklin Fire Dept. $25,000 grant

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Treasurer Collector

Fiscal Year 2020 brought a lot of challenges due to COVID-19. Many operational changes had to take place in order to comply with the “new normal”. Thank goodness for the drive-up window at the municipal building. The drive-up window was also utilized so that residents could return their ballots directly to an employee.

Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a municipal credit rating agency, affirmed the Town’s AA+ bond rating again this fiscal year.

Standard and Poor’s stated 

“Our opinion of Franklin’s strong and balanced finances, supported by a very strong, growing, and affluent property tax base, in addition to a strong management team that maintains a number of formalized financial policies and practices. In addition, due to conservative capital-project management through the annual budget process, the town has maintained a favorable debt profile, in our view, coupled with manageable costs.”

During FY 2020, $149,000.00 was collected in back property taxes, interest and fees. Five property owners paid off all outstanding taxes and redeemed their properties out of tax title. We continue to pursue delinquent taxes through the foreclosure process and there are currently 20 properties in Land Court.

There were 1,350 Municipal Lien Certificates issued by the Treasurer-Collector’s office generating revenue of $67,525.00. Also collected was $3,600.00 in fees for duplicate bills and files that we supplied to tax services and escrow agents. During FY20, the Treasurer- Collector’s office printed and mailed 11,818 Real Estate Tax bills, 694 Personal Property Tax bills, 30,653 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax bills, and 42,326 Utility bills. The following Demands were also printed and mailed, 590 Real Estate Tax, 124 Personal Property Tax, and 4,424 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. There were 2,984 Motor Vehicle warrants issued in FY20. There were 5 Betterment releases (water, sewer and road) generating revenue of $7,587.81. We also collected $96,213.24 for backflow testing and $56,872.83 for Sprinkler/Hydrant charges.

The Treasurer also acts as the town’s parking clerk. Our deputy collector, Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, handles the billing and collection of parking tickets. During FY20 we collected $20,393.56 for parking violations.

I would like to thank all town departments for the timely and accurate turnover of fees to the Treasurer-Collector’s office. I also would like to acknowledge my team, you made me believe once again that hard work and coordination can accomplish anything. I am really proud to be part of this team. Finally, I like to thank the citizens of Franklin for their kindness and support.

Respectfully submitted,

Kerri A. Bertone 
Treasurer-Collector 

Visit the Treasurer Collector on the ToF page

https://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector

Continue reading the Annual Report for 2020

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

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

Franklin Annual Report - 2020:  Treasurer Collector 

Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: varsity schedules for Fall 2021

Tri-County RVTHS Athletics (@TriRvths) tweeted

girls varsity soccer -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428732743714807809?s=03

boys varsity soccer -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428489860483096588

girls volleyball ->  https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428832721405718529

varsity football -> https://twitter.com/TriRvths/status/1428360850100817920 

Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: varsity schedules for Fall 2021

Senator Rausch responds to DESE Masking Guidance

Statement from Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham):

"Families across Massachusetts will finally have peace of mind sending their children back to classrooms with the protection of universal masking in K-12 schools. This victory belongs to every student, parent, teacher, school committee member, public health expert, and advocate who joined me in speaking up for science and safety. The Baker Administration owes our Commonwealth an apology for holding our communities' health and well-being in limbo until mere days before our children return to school, and I urge the Governor to extend these same protections to our early education settings. Statewide data-driven public health measures will give our children the safe, supportive, and successful school year they deserve."

Senator Rausch responds to DESE Masking Guidance

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 011 - June 2021

"Dr. Pandora Carlucci is joined by Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives. "

Direct link ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/279c12e6-1a5c-4c56-abee-9cd17d0a98c6

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 011 - June 2021

Don’t buy fake COVID-19 vaccine cards or negative test results. Here’s why

Don't buy fake COVID-19 vaccine cards or negative test results. Here's why by Colleen Tressler Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC More and more places are requiring proof that you've had a COVID-19 vaccine or have recently tested negative before giving you access. Scammers see this as an opportunity to profit by selling fake verification tools or products, like fake vaccination cards, certificates, and test results. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/08/dont-buy-fake-covid-19-vaccine-cards-or-negative-test-results-heres-why?utm_source=govdelivery

Franklin's Event Outlook: Aug 20 - Aug 26, 2021

Wet weather seems to be in the forecast for the weekend but may just leave Friday alone to allow the Farmers Market and Concerts on the Common events take place outdoors. The Library book sale is also this weekend (indoor) and The Love Dogs return to THE BLACK BOX (indoor if necessary) on Saturday.

Friday, 20 August
13:00 - Book Sale
14:00 - Farmers Market
15:30 - Kids craft activity by Library Youth Services
17:00 - Concerts on the Common: "Heather Deary Acoustic"
18:00 - Concerts on the Common: "Carolyn Rae and the Rumors"
20:00 - Movie Night: Scoobi

Saturday, 21 August
09:00 - Book Sale
10:00 -  Historical Museum (always free)
13:00 - Bag Sale
19:30 - TBB: The Love Dogs

Sunday, 22 August
13:00 - Historical Museum (always free)

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

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