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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Don’t buy fake COVID-19 vaccine cards or negative test results. Here’s why
Friday, August 20, 2021
Franklin's Event Outlook: Aug 20 - Aug 26, 2021
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)
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 |
State Representative Roy: What's happening in Franklin and Medway for August 2021
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Gov Baker orders state employees to be vaccinated; Senate President Spilka applauds the move
"Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday issued one of the nation’s strictest government vaccine mandates, requiring tens of thousands of state employees to prove they have been inoculated against COVID-19 by mid-October or risk being fired.
Baker’s order, which applies to about 42,000 Executive Department employees, goes a step further than the mandate in place for employees of the City of Boston, as well as state workers in New York and California, who have the option of submitting to regular COVID-19 testing if they choose not to get vaccinated.
Under the new requirement, state employees may be entitled to exemptions “due to medical disability or . . . a sincerely held religious belief,” according to an executive order signed by Baker. The mandate applies to employees under Baker’s purview working in person and teleworking."
- August 19, 2021
"I applaud Governor Baker for issuing a strong vaccination mandate for Massachusetts Executive Department employees. It underscores the message that vaccination is our best tool for ending the disruption and suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate working group is meeting to discuss updated hybrid work policies, including a vaccine mandate and other policies guided by public health best practices and designed to keep Senate employees safe. I expect this group to issue its recommendations very soon."
Gov. Charlie Baker at a State House press conference. (Pool file photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe) |
Legislative Statement on Emergency Paid COVID Leave
Statement on Emergency Paid COVID Leave
"The evidence is overwhelming: receiving the COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to keep our residents safe, end the pandemic in Massachusetts, and ensure we can continue the process of building a robust and equitable economic recovery. In order for the Governor's vaccine mandate to be successful, the Legislature will work to extend emergency paid COVID leave in the Commonwealth past the September 30, 2021 deadline and ensure that all workers have the opportunity to take time from work to receive the vaccine if and when they can."
Senate President Karen E. Spilka
Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano
Senator Jason Lewis
Representative Paul Donato
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Franklin Public Schools
While the committee meets in public twice a month throughout the school year, subcommittees and task forces meet regularly to do the work in service to the community. Below are listed some of the areas for focus over this past year:
Budget: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to the school budget. Participates with the town-wide Joint Budget Subcommittee. Committed to educating the public about the budget process in an open and transparent way.
Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to communication with the community about school policies, issues and programs. Meets on a monthly basis throughout the community at various locations including the Harvest Festival, The Farmer’s Market, The Senior Center, The Public Library, Franklin Cable TV Station, etc. in order to share information and address citizens’ concerns. Shares information on legislative matters at the federal, state and local levels. This year the committee held its third annual legislative forum. Our state senators and state representative shared updates and answered questions from citizens.
Policy: Reviews, proposes and considers matters pertaining to policies and procedures in the Franklin Public Schools. This subcommittee also maintains the Policy Manual.
Transportation: Recommends and reviews policies regarding transportation. The subcommittee also develops bids for transportation services.
In addition to the work of these subcommittees, members participate on advisory councils and as liaisons to the Joint Parent Communication Councils and Mass Association of School Committees (MASC)
The responsibilities of these members are outlined below:
School Wellness Advisory Council: Establishes annual wellness goals for the district. Reviews data, conducts data collection and sponsors professional development programs for students, faculty, parents and the community. Meets monthly throughout the school year.
Parent Communication Council Liaisons: Joining the Superintendent and other central office administrators, school committee liaisons share important information relative to policies and issues before the school committee. This is another opportunity to gain feedback, insights as to the issues/ concerns of the community. Meets every month during the school year.
MASC Liaison: Advocates at the state level for issues relative to public schools.
Substance Abuse Task Force: The School Committee has supported the work of the Substance Abuse Task Force, led by Assistant Superintendent, Lucas Giguere. The purpose of this task force is to address the serious issue of substance use disorder which is so dramatically impacting our community and communities across the country, with a focus on education, treatment and prevention. School Committee representatives contribute to the work of the task force, along with members of the Franklin Police Department; State Rep. Jeff Roy; the SAFE Coalition; the Recreation Department, teachers, principals, counselors, local doctors, nurses, students and other citizens of our community.
Comprehensive Closing Study: This year the committee began a comprehensive closing study of the Davis Thayer School. The Superintendent, per our policy, recommended that this facility justified further analysis. The work will continue this fall.
Summer Workshop: The School Committee also meets at a one-day summer workshop with the Superintendent to provide input relative to the District Improvement Plan and to plan pertinent School Committee presentations and workshops for the following school year. Throughout the year, the School Committee works with a facilitator from MASC to strengthen our skills and effectiveness as an elected body so that we may better serve the public.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Bergen,
Country Gazette: Kelly resigns from Town Council; Sponsors can help art bloom for the Cultural Festival
Thank you for your service, Councilor Kelly. https://t.co/n5m8cxU5n1 @TOFranklinMA
Help Franklin's arts scene bloom! https://t.co/kkxhsZfgaT @TOFranklinMA
"Section 8 Vacancy2-8-1 Unless recalled in accordance with Article Five, Section 4 of this Charter, a vacancy in the office of Councillor at Large shall be declared by the Town Clerk following notification of the death, permanent disability to serve, resignation, and/or failure to maintain a permanent residency within the Town of Franklin.
2-8-2 Vacancies shall be filled by special election to be called withinninety (90) days of said vacancy unless a regular or special Townelection shall occur within one hundred twenty (120) days."
wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 010 - May 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/624cf907-27ab-4cae-99ae-4d8352c2ce84
wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 010 - May 2021 |
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Tropical Storm Henri heads for New England, stay tuned for changes in the forecast
"Keep an eye on this one. The National Hurricane Center says the expected track of Tropical Storm Henri has shifted, meaning it’s more likely it will hit the Northeastern states at the end of the week.“The forecast track of Henri has shifted toward the northeast coast of the U.S. this weekend and early next week, increasing the risk of direct storm surge, wind, and rain impacts in portions of the northeastern U.S. and Atlantic Canada during that time,” the forecasters said Wednesday , noting that Henri was on the verge of reaching hurricane strength. “Interests in these areas should closely follow the progress of Henri and check for updates to the forecast.”
Tropical Storm Henri heads for New England |
Franklin Cultural Council: We want to hear from you!
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50+ Job Seekers' August/September Events
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Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Purchasing Office
The office function involves assisting other departments to ensure the highest quality of services and supplies for the best price and in compliance with applicable procurement laws.
PURCHASING UPDATE
Over the past year, the Purchasing Office has made a concerted effort to modernize the Department while also assisting Department Heads with a number of significant projects. These projects include a continued focus on improving the Town’s overall utility based infrastructure.
PROCUREMENT CHANGES
The Purchasing Office continues to oversee the implementation of various improvements in the way vendors can access bid documentation. One of the more significant advancements is the change we made to the distribution of plans & specifications. Vendors no longer need to wait for the bid packages to be mailed, emailed, or picked in person. With the web based platform, vendors can download the entire bid package from the Town website, thus improving the accessibility of the documents while at the same time cutting municipal costs in a number of areas.
This change has been very well received, particularly by those doing business with the Town. The upgrades have also further reinforced our continued approach to modernizing the way procurement is handled.
OBJECTIVES
Promote fair, prompt and courteous consideration to all suppliers. Observe the highest ethics in all transactions and correspondence.
Respectively submitted:
Chief Procurement Officer
Town of Franklin
wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 009 - March 2021
"Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join 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/4d8cda14-ed14-4686-bd64-9631a5ab459e
wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 009 - March 2021 |