Season of giving. Season of gratitude

Holidays at the Pantry

Holidays 2021 Tina's Take Season of Gratitude In this season of giving and gratitude, as I wrap up my first year as Executive Director, I know I have a lot for which to be grateful. I am so thankful for the many ways the Franklin community supports our mission – through giving, volunteering, organizing drives, attending events and sharing our message. I am grateful to our volunteers who stood out in all types of weather, stocked our shelves, loaded our distribution bags, harvested our gardens, served on committees, and cared for our neighbors. I'm appreciative of our donors who included the Pantry in their charitable spending and committed to making monthly donations. I'm deeply indebted to our staff for working tirelessly and being flexible as we opened our first ever hybrid distribution model. I'm grateful to our neighbors for their spirit, perseverance, and bravery. I am thankful for my family who supported me as I moved from a Board member to an Executive Director and continue to learn and grow so that I can serve our community. Finally, I'm grateful to YOU for your generosity, your heart, and your commitment to help end food insecurity. I hope you can rest, reflect, and celebrate this holiday season with the traditions that are meaningful to you! I'm looking forward to a happy new year, where together, we will work to feed our neighbors and give everyone a brighter new year! Best, Tina Powderly, Executive Director Holiday Distribution On November 17, we distributed over two hundred Thanksgiving meal bags to our neighbors. This year, we were able to give our neighbors the opportunity to choose their main course with a gift card to Stop and Shop. We also provided side dishes, a bag of coffee, fresh rolls, an apple pie and a bag of fun holiday supplies! Thank you to our sponsors who help make these meals happen.   We look forward to our annual holiday Ham distribution on Monday, December 20. Please note that traffic may be heavy between 1:30 and 2:30 as we move our neighbors through the line. We appreciate your patience as we work to make the holidays happy for our community. Thank you!   10th Annual Turkey Trot! Our 10th annual Turkey Trot was an enormous success. We had over 1000 people register to run or walk the 5K course. We would like to thank all our race sponsors and a very special thank you to our race directors: Krystal Whitmore and Erin Campbell and our sponsor coordinator: Kim Cooper. Food Elves 2021 ‌ You better not cry! You better not pout! Our Food Elves are coming to town! Between December 1 and December 12, be on the lookout for a white envelope on your door (our signature purple envelopes got caught in the supply chain). Help support these wonderful Franklin area students as they raise funds to assist our neighbors all year round. Didn't have an elf visit your home? You can still support the cause by donating here.   Food Donations  We appreciate all the food donations we receive this time of year. Please deliver donations to our purple bin. We gently ask you to not donate during our curbside distribution hours (Tuesdays from 9:00 – 1:00 pm and 5:30 to 6:30 pm.) We also would like to remind you that the donation bin is locked on weekends and will be locked between December 23 and January 2. Please check out our current needs list and our donation do's and don'ts before donating! And if you are interested in holding a large donation event, please fill out our online food and fund drive form. This helps us plan and ensure that our neighbors get the food they need! Thank you!   Support us All Year Looking for a way to support The Pantry all year long? Consider becoming a monthly donor.  By making a monthly commitment to the Pantry, you will make a long-term impact, help sustain our programs and reduce our administrative costs, so that more of your money goes right to our mission: fighting food insecurity in our community You can sign up here.    Thank you for your continued support! This has been a challenging, yet fulfilling year as we continue to help our neighbors. We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.

Franklin Food Pantry | 43 WEST CENTRAL STREET, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by loften@franklinfoodpantry.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Legislature Passes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), FY21 Surplus Spending Bill

Legislature Passes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA),

FY21 Surplus Spending Bill

Investments focus on communities hard hit by COVID-19 and supporting the ongoing economic recovery

Today (Dec 3, 2021), the Massachusetts Legislature advanced a $4 billion bill to the governor's desk that directs federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) surplus funding to assist the Commonwealth's ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on making equitable investments and prioritizing communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, the legislation delivers targeted supports to workers and businesses, and the critical sectors of housing, health care, mental and behavioral health, climate preparedness, education, and workforce development.

"The one-time investments made in this bill address evident needs across all Massachusetts communities and sectors of the economy, particularly those who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "The Legislature engaged in a hearing process before appropriation, and informed by the public's feedback, this bill will help the Massachusetts economy strongly recover. I thank chairs Michlewitz and Hunt, members of the House, Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, as well as all stakeholders and residents for their input throughout this process."

"While the Commonwealth's history of saving for a rainy day allowed us to hold steady during the immediate shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, the road to full economic recovery will be long," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Rather than going 'back to normal,' to an inequitable status quo, the Senate was intentional in using both our American Rescue Plan and Fiscal Year 2021 surplus funds for transformational change to allow us to go 'back to better.' The plan passed today sets forth bold investments in housing production, public health, small business and workforce development, climate change mitigation, and many more areas, all while ensuring that the benefits are distributed equitably in every community across our state. I am particularly proud of the significant investments we have made in our mental health care system that will begin to address the growing need for access to care across the Commonwealth. with the goal of transforming the delivery of mental health care in our state—a need felt in every corner of our Commonwealth. I am grateful for the many contributions from my colleagues in the Senate, Speaker Mariano and our partners in the House, and the many members of the public who provided input to shape this first phase of implementation of the American Rescue Plan in Massachusetts."

Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Legislature voted to transfer the state's $4.8 billion allocation from ARPA, which must be allocated by 2024, into a separate fund to ensure stakeholder and resident engagement in a public process. Following six public hearings and more than a thousand pieces of testimony received, the House's and Senate's spending proposals were unanimously approved by each chamber, resulting in the comprise bill which advances to the Governor's desk today. This bill utilizes $2.55 billion in ARPA funds and $1.45 billion in FY21 surplus funds.

"This spending package makes significant, targeted investments into areas such as affordable housing, workforce development, and boosting our health care system that will give a much-needed boost to our residents who were hit the hardest by this pandemic," said Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), House Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. "Throughout this legislation, the needs of communities that were disproportionally affected by the pandemic are prioritized. By doing so, the Legislature has passed a truly equitable spending plan."

"With the passage of this important bill today, we mark another important milestone in our efforts to shape our post-pandemic future, while taking advantage of this historic opportunity that the American Rescue Plan Act funds represent to support an equitable recovery and those hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic — our residents, essential frontline workers and small businesses," said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Senate Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. "Ensuring every voice across Massachusetts had a chance to engage and be heard, this conference committee report makes it very clear - we heard the call for equitable investments in mental health, public health, workforce development, and so many other critically important areas with the goal of improving the lives of our residents and helping those disproportionately impacted during these difficult last two years. I thank Senator President Spilka, my fellow conferees, Senator Friedman and Senator O'Connor, my colleagues in the Senate, the members and staff of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, our partners in the House, Speaker Mariano and Chair Michlewitz, and the many members of the public who provided invaluable input to help us put these funds to work for our communities and support our Commonwealth as we recover from this ongoing pandemic." 

"This strong spending package is the result of many months of a robust public process as well as tireless work and collaboration with colleagues, stakeholders and residents across the state," said Representative Daniel J. Hunt (D- Boston), House Chair of the Committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight. "I am grateful to Speaker Mariano and Chair Michlewitz for their diligent work to deliver legislation that will help our Commonwealth recover stronger and equitably."

Notable investments included in the bill are as follows:                         

Economic Recovery and Workforce Development

• $500 million for premium pay bonuses for essential workers, up to $2,000 per worker
• $500 million for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, providing necessary relief to business
• $100 million for vocational school infrastructure and capacity building needs
• $37.5 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to support organizations working with people displaced from jobs during the pandemic, historically underserved populations, and individuals reentering their communities from the corrections system
• $50 million for equitable and affordable broadband access and infrastructure improvements to close the digital divide
• $135 million for Mass Cultural Council to support the cultural sector 
• $75 million for small businesses, including $50 million for direct grants to historically underserved populations and minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses and $25 million for nascent businesses
• $15 million for regional high-demand workforce training at community colleges 
• $25 million for the expansion of Career Technical Institutes
• $24.5 for workforce development and capital assistance grants to the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs, as well $4.5 million for the YWCAs
• $20 million for the resettlement of Afghan evacuees and Haitian evacuees
• $15 million to enhance and diversify the cybersecurity sector with partnerships between public higher education institutions and private businesses 
• $14 million for agricultural economy supports
• $10 million for regional tourism councils

Affordable Housing and Homeownership

• $150 million for supportive housing, including $65 million for the chronically homeless population, and $20 million to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for veterans not primarily served by the Soldiers' Homes in Chelsea or Holyoke
• $150 million for public housing authorities to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure 
• $115 million for the CommonWealth Builder Program to support housing production and promote homeownership among residents of disproportionately impacted communities

• $115 million for affordable rental housing production and preservation for the workforce and low- and moderate-income individuals
• $65 million for homeownership assistance tools, including down payment assistance, and mortgage interest subsidy supports

Mental and Behavioral Health, Public Health and Health Care

• $400 million in mental and behavioral health supports, including $122 million for workforce loan repayment programs for behavioral health and substance use professionals
• $300 million for the Home and Community-Based Services Federal Investment Fund to address workforce needs for those caring for vulnerable populations
• $200.1 million to support the state's local and regional public health infrastructure  
• $260 million for acute hospitals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
• $44.8 million for food security infrastructure, including $17 million for the Greater Boston Food Bank for regional food security network improvements across the Commonwealth, $5 million for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, $2 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to provide loans, grants and technical assistance in a regionally equitable manner to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, $1.92 million for Project Bread to better connect eligible unenrolled residents with federal nutrition programs statewide and $1 million for the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Inc. for the operation of empowerment centers and to support the distribution of food to veterans in need
• $30 million to support a robust and diverse home health care and human service workforce through recruitment, retention, and loan forgiveness programming
• $50 million for nursing facilities, including $25 million for capital support to increase the quality of patient care and $25 million for workforce initiatives
• $25million for youth-at-risk supports and grant programs for community violence prevention and re-entry organizations, focused on communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
• $25million for youth summer and school-year jobs
• $5 million for Health Care For All to conduct a community-based MassHealth redetermination and vaccination outreach, education, and access campaign targeted in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic
• $5 million for the Disabled Persons Protection Commission to study and review the interrelationship between service-providing agencies for individuals with disabilities within the Commonwealth and to design and implement a system for an interconnected network that will provide a continuum of care for those individuals
• $2 million for unreimbursed COVID-19 costs for Early Intervention providers
• $500,000 to establish transportation services for participants in the Massachusetts Veterans' Treatment Courts

Climate Preparedness

• $100 million for water and sewer infrastructure investments through the Clean Water Trust  
• $100 million for environmental infrastructure grants, including the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program 
• $90 million for marine port infrastructure investments focused on the promotion of offshore wind development
• $25 million for Greening the Gateway Cities program to support tree planting
• $15 million for parks and recreational assets 
• $7.5 million for community colleges to help train underserved populations for green jobs
• $6.5 million for clean energy retrofitting in affordable housing units
• $5 million for the advancement of geothermal technologies 

Education

• $100 million to improve indoor air-quality in schools and support healthy learning environments for grants to public school districts with high concentrations of low-income students, English language learners, and communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19
• $75 million for capital and maintenance projects for higher education
• $25 million for the Endowment Incentive Program at the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges
• $20 million for special education, including $10 million for workforce development
• $10 million for programs focused on recruiting and retaining educators of color

Accountability and Oversight

To support communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and prioritize historically underserved populations, the bill establishes an equity and accountability review panel for federal funds to track in near real-time the amount and percentage of ARPA funds spent in these communities and awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. The bill also takes steps to ensure minority-owned and women-owned business have fair participation on procurements issued under the act. 

Having passed the House and Senate, the compromise legislation now advances to the governor's desk for consideration.

Boston Globe coverage (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/02/metro/revealed-dark-night-passed-hours-later-nearly-empty-chamber-mass-house-moves-4-billion-bill-toward-governor/

 

CommonWealth Magazine coverage here ->   https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/compromise-arpa-spending-bill-emerges-18m-bigger-2/

Updated CommonWealth Magazine coverage -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/arpa-spending-bill-finally-heads-to-baker/

 The legislation itself can be found online -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4269

the Massachusetts State House, still closed and mostly inactive.EPA

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 3 - Dec 9, 2021

Holiday show season is upon us. Dean Colleges has several performances of "I Hate Hamlet" and FPAC brings "The Nutcracker" to the stage at FHS. 

Photos with Santa and Mrs Claus at the Police Station, the Garden Club's Holiday Wreath and Arrangement sale at Daddario’s and the Winters Farmers Market at Fairmount Fruit Farm on tap for Saturday.

 

Friday, December 3
7:30pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet

Saturday, December 4
9:00am - Photos with Santa, Mrs Claus
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
11:00am - Holiday Wreath and Arrangement Sale
2:00pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet
7:30pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet
7:30pm - FPAC - The Nutcracker

Sunday, December 5
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet
2:30pm - FPAC - The Nutcracker

Monday, December 6
7:30pm - Hamilton ~ Home for the Holidays

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 calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

Recap: Town Council sets tax rate at 14.05; hears of snow removal plans and issues

Quick Recap:

• Council Chair Tom Mercer announced the subcommittee appointments also including a vice-chair for each committee to help with scheduling. An ad-hoc subcommittee to look at the Rules and Procedures was also announced. The calendar of Council meetings for the upcoming year was formally approved
• The Council heard the presentation from Kevin Doyle and Chris Feeley then voted to approve the single tax rate at 14.05 for FY 2022
• DPW Director Cantoreggi provided the annual update on the snow removal plans. Coordination with School Superintendent and Police Chief Lynch is an early morning discussion to decide school opening status. Snow plow contractors are still in short supply and the cost of salt has increased over last year
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update on NationalGrids work on their infrastructure to help mitigate the potential of and recovery from power outages.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers. 

 

The Twitter hashtag #TC1201 can be found online The thread begins with  

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1466194849766559744

Photos from the event can be found in one album:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tz6ekHkG7iH7Nqhb9

• getting ready for live reporting on the Town Council meeting coming up at 7 PM - agenda and connection info -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_dec_1_2021.pdf…  #tc1201
• Chair Mercer opens meeting, reads the standard message on access, etc. #tc1201
• Council subcommittees announced, details to be added later: vice-chairs added to the subcomms to enable better subcommittee operations #tc1201 Rules and Procedures subcomm added; Pellegri to serve as member of GATRA board (replacing Dellorco)
• no citizen comments either in person or remote; #tc1201 next up, 3 mins early for public hearing - to fill in skipping to cable fund transfers https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10g._peg_3rd_qrtr.pdf… motion to approve, second, passes 9-0
• next resolution -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10h._memo_and_resolution_gifts.pdf…  on gift acceptances #tc1201 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0 Municipal Veterans Assistance fund, folks have been generous, thanks to all contributing

Public Hearing on Tax Classification

• next up - public hearing on tax classification -> documentation for the hearing, rate to drop to $14.05/thousand (dropping from 14.65 due to overall real estate valuations rising) https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6._tax_classification.pdf…  Kevin Doyle, Assessor; Chris Feeley, Chair of Board of Assessors
• in the documentation, both the memo, overview, as well as a slide set can be used to follow along  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6._tax_classification.pdf…  #tc1201
• note the median value of the single family home ($470800) is exactly that, in the listing of values, this is the middle number, not the average. #tc1201
• change in local valuation of some utility infrastructure used to be net book value, now at a higher valuation process - also being used across the state for the first time; a use value #tc1201
• a shift of a $1 from the residential rate would raise the commercial industrial personal property results in an increase of $4 #tc1201
• citizen question on appraisal vs. possible sale amount, trying to figure out how this work? #tc1201 Board would have someone visit to evaluate the individual household and property.
• the Board of assessors form for an property tax evaluation https://mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/25/form128.pdf…  #tc1201
• Chandler speaks for the single tax rate given the 80/20 split we have currently - Dellorco, thanks for explaining the single tax rate, it is a question I get all the time -  Jones, always believed in the single rate, less discriminatory than split #tc1201
• Jones - continues on Prop 2.5 set in 1980, inflation rate since then is closer to 3%, we have not been able to keep up with expenses. #tc1201 Frongillo would have made the point on 2.5; adds that the downtown business pay the most for the resources received
• Pellegri adds that while we (residents) could see the decrease on the taxes but see the increase reflected in other costs as the services provided by the businesses would increase to cover for their increase #tc1201
• https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10a._21-74_resolution_-_tax_classification_residential_factor.pdf…  #tc1201  motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10b._21-75_resolution_-_tax_classification_open_space_exemption.pdf… #tc1201 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
• https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10c._21-76_resolution_-_tax_classification_small_business_exemption_.pdf…  motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
• https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10d._21-77_resolution_-_tax_classification_residential_property_exemption_.pdf…  motion, seconded, citizen comment on reconsideration of this measure - passes 9-0
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10e._21-78_resolution_-_tax_classification_senior_means_tested_exemption_.pdf…  motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc1201
• Next up, last legislation item, calendar of meetings for Town Council https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/10f._21-79_memo_w_backup_resolution_-_2022_tc_schedule_office_hours_fin_com_cpc_sched.pdf…  #tc1201 motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0

Annual Snow Removal Presentation

• next up the annual snow removal presentation  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._presentation_-_snow_brutus.pdf…  #tc1201 special night doing taxes and snow on same night Director "Brutus" Cantoreggi providing insights on the presentation doc (in link)
• goal to have road with some asphalt and less than inch of ice snow in four hours after the storm finishes #tc1201 58.5" inches last year, about $1M using 5200 tons of salt (est $100K more for salt alone this year)
• about 35 pieces of equipment on road for storm, approx. $1600/hour  plus contractors at about $10K per hour of storm; contractor shortage with multiple reasons driving it #tc1201
• check out slide in the presentation on effects of all the issues outlined #tc1201
• for schools, easier to delay opening, hardest to send home early (parents/guardians aren't ready) #tc1201 
• be aware of the winter storm parking ban called as needed (once upon a time, used to be all winter)
• fire hydrant clearing program   https://franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/adopt-hydrant…  #tc1201 volunteer to clear a hydrant in your neighborhood
• check out the top 10 complaints received during snow storms #tc1201 will use GIS records to determine where fences and irrigation systems are located, if on Town property, not allowed no compensation
• Question on doing all roads before all sidewalks? it would be another expense, more personnel and equipment would be required; consider that during the road clearing, where does the snow go? to the sidewalks, then you'd have to clear them 2 or 3 times #tc1201
• remote work actually has increased local traffic, not decreased it; DOT and other looking at the models to adjust accordingly; also did buy salt to finish out the funding last year and leave us this year with full stock to start #tc1201
• parts and breakage an issue; DPW has trucks on order from last capital that haven't arrived yet likely won't be available for this year #tc1201 CDL is a Federal license not State; hence marijuana testing is a key factor, ok local, but not Federal
• Chandler likes the change from all winter parking ban to the storm based one; also glad to hear that it is working well; Police coordination helps; usually an issue with first storm but not ones after; #tc1201
• TA Hellen, thanks to the DPW and staff or all the good work they do; thanks to the residents for your patience  #tc1201

Town Administrator's Report

• TA Report - pole position request recently handled to help NationalGrid for the infrastructure to help detect power outages, one key piece in final phase of their committed improvements; there are have been improvements recently, hopefully noticed #tc1201

Councilor Comments

• no future agenda items around; councilor comments - Cormier-Leger, could be saving with municipal aggregation check your bill, thanks to youth hockey and DPW for the common decorations; #tc1201 plug for the FANN directory - https://franklinareanonprofitnetwork.org/p/area-non-profits.html
• Q on Red Brick School, evaluation to est/plan removal of lead paint as well as basic restorations, should be coming to CPC sometime for prioritization, may not fit some folks timelines but it is what it is #tc1201
• ability to get a contractor onsite is an issue; no matter how it is funded remains to be a problem with getting this kind of special contract services #tc1201
• Pellegri thanks to the Concerts on the Common for their work on Santa; ornaments available at Historical Museum; invite to seniors for GATRA feedback, at the Senior Center council hours 3rd Thursday at 8:30 AM  #tc1201
• Open Mic night - "Love Franklin" at THE BLACK BOX on 12/08/21 link shared earlier https://franklinmatters.org/2021/12/franklin-freedom-team-announces-events.html… sign up to read
• #thinkFranklinFirst gift cards still around (never left) https://franklingiftcard.com #tc1201
• Hamblen to represent Franklin at MMA training; winter farmer market this Saturday; #tc1201 condolences to the Michigan families of the high school shooting; 

Executive Session

• motion to enter executive session on property purchase and not to reconvene in open session passes 9-0 via roll

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

snow removal plans and issues