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Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Senator Rausch: 2021 Beacon Hill Roundup (newsletter)
Angelina Silva-Perez chosen as a 2021 Scholarship by Friends Of Franklin Library
Angelina Silva-Perez was chosen as a 2021 Scholarship recipient of the Friends Of Franklin Library / In Memory of Wilma Winters.
Angelina was awarded a check for $1000.00 at the Franklin Public Library on Saturday, January 8, 2022.
It was presented by Lisa Rein and members of the Friends of Franklin Library Committee.
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| Angelina Silva-Perez (front) poses with members of the Friends |
Angelina's essay including details on the scholarship process can be found in the embedded file below or at this link -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11OSIslOAUjHuixYOk5jwURU6SO8rz-ya/view?usp=sharing
Reminder: St. Mary's Men's Faith Formation - Jan 15
The St. Mary's Men's Faith Formation group will be starting our monthly meetings again. Our first meeting of the New Year will be January 15 from 8:45 - 9:45 am virtually via Zoom and in person.
We will be learning and discussing the topic of Prayer. We really look forward to welcoming you back or hopefully welcoming you for the first time to our group. Please email Deacon Guy (deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org) if you are interested in the Zoom link contact information. Either way you join us – we are glad you are there.
All Men are welcome. https://www.
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| St. Mary's Church Franklin Men's Formation - Jan 15 |
“We have mask mandates in specific places and are not considering a universal mask mandate at this time”
"Arguing the state has been too hands-off in quelling the latest COVID-19 surge, Democratic state lawmakers on Tuesday pressed Governor Charlie Baker to take a more aggressive posture on testing in schools, masking rules, and public messaging.
The leaders of a legislative committee peppered Baker and his health secretary, Marylou Sudders, with questions over a combined 75 minutes, at times engaging in testy exchanges about the governor’s turbulent distribution of masks to educators and his administration’s resistance to a universal mask mandate.
A through-line of their requests: more."
"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER often says he and his political opponents will “agree to disagree.” That could have been the mantra of Tuesday’s oversight hearing of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management.As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surges through Massachusetts, overwhelming hospitals, lawmakers monitoring the state’s response questioned Baker and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders in a 1 1/2-hour virtual hearing. They pressed the officials on vaccination outreach, education policy, and how to help the state’s struggling health care system. "
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| Governor Charlie Baker spoke at a press conference on Tuesday.JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF |
Night Owl Farm announces a New Place to Buy Your Veggies
They have provided us with a produce display case that we will regularly fill with produce from our farm and others like us.
They are at 369 West Central Street (in the same plaza as Liquor World)
They are open Monday-Saturday, 10-7, and Sundays 10-6! Now you can shop for your produce according to YOUR schedule, rather than ours.
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| partnered with Fresh Start Market |
OCPF Reports: Training Classes available for Town Candidates
To attend, e-mail Jason at jtait@cpf.state.ma.us to request a Zoom invitation to the date of your choice:
Tuesday, Jan. 25, noon / Monday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. / Friday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m. Thursday, March 10, 6 p.m. / Friday, March 18, noon / Tuesday, April 5, noon #mapoli https://t.co/FITlQaOKHY
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| OCPF Reports: Training Classes available for Town Candidates |
Mass. has issued new guidance on when should you get a COVID test
"Massachusetts on Tuesday issued new guidance on when residents should seek COVID-19 testing, aligning the state with measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The guidance was updated as Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced that the state has secured an order to get 26 million rapid antigen COVID-19 tests over the next three months.Here’s a look at the Department of Public Health’s new guidance on COVID testing:When should you get tested?The state is recommending that residents get a COVID test when they’re experiencing symptoms of the virus or five days after a known close contact with someone who has tested positive."
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| Rapid antigen test kits.JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF |
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Jan 12, 2022
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday
Franklin and its local government, services and events
- This slot features the combined interviews Supt Sara Ahern and then the Town Council Quarterbacking session with Chair Tom Mercer.
- This slot features the audio recording of the vigil for Jan 6 held on the Town Common Jan 6, 2022. Audio on demand -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-691-jan-6-vigil-01-06-22
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Snow day conversation with Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern - 01/07/22 (audio)
FM #694 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 694 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin Public Schools Superintendent Sara Ahern. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
We talk about
School mid-year status, on first snow day
Her personal status
Much to do
Working with new School Committee
FY 2022 Budget adjustment
Administrative searches underway
Capital budget being readied
FY 2023 budget in preparation
Davis Thayer surplus decision remains along with the master facility plan work ahead of them
The recording runs about 21 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sara
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-694-franklin-public-schools-supt-sara-ahern-01-07-22
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit www.Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| FPS Superintendent Sara Ahern updates the School Committee at a meeting in Oct 2021 |
Franklin Council on Aging - Meeting Agenda - Jan 11, 2022 - 10 AM
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| Franklin Council on Aging - Meeting Agenda - Jan 11, 2022 - 10 AM |
Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - Jan 12, 2022
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comments
3. Joint Budget Subcommittee Committee Charge and Role
4. FY23 Operating Budget Revenues Sheet Analysis & Discussion
5. Biennial review of the Town of Franklin Financial Policies
6. General business:
a. Approval of Minutes: 12/08/21b. 2022 Budget Calendar & 2022 Finance Committee Schedulec. Stabilization Account updated. Future Agenda Items
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| Town of Franklin: Finance Committee - Agenda - Jan 12, 2022 |
Recap: Franklin Housing Authority meeting - 01/10/22 (audio)
Started the new year with attendance and recording of the Franklin Housing Authority meeting at Central Park Terrace. Meetings are generally scheduled for the 2nd Monday of the month.
Audio of the meeting came out well so you can listen in and follow along with my notes below. (Note: doc links provided are to my Google Drive copies of what is posted to the State page.)
Link to prior year PMR report -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JraJlxJGjpKSs1TKQ4vP2joW0MjtC7Mo/view?usp=sharing
- Reporting on the Franklin Housing Authority meeting today #fha0110 public hearing on annual plan first up on agenda (recording in process, so assuming tech gremlins kept aside can be shared later)
- Link to annual report to be added later, capital plan part of the report. Emergency work orders reqd to be processed within 24 hours, list of EWOs part of the report, preventive maintenance plan part of report. #fha0110
- Operation budget for year included in report. #fha0110 deficit of approx $82k for past year, looking forward to a slight plus for next year. Unable to collect income due to some units offline due to fire and recovery steps
- No findings in PMR which is part of the annual report #fha0110 DHCD does resident survey totally apart from the FHA survey results part of the report, good review overall.
- How does the tenant survey compare to prior year? DHCD survey results cover the period from 2016-2019. Q on meeting notification? Is it posted locally? How to let other residents know about the meeting? Meeting notices posted at the office #fha0110
- Capital plan meeting was well attended #fha0110 hard to send word to everyone re: contact protocols. Can post to the common areas. Typically the 2nd Monday of the month; aside from Jul/Aug
- Chair request for maintenance update once a quarter, minutes approved unanimously (3-0) Capital charges, motion to accept, passes unanimously (3-0) Commissioner training coming, if anyone wants let Lisa know #fha0110 training switched to remote, 9-noon Saturday
- Current waiting list over 8,000. #fha0110 congregate program removed from the 'champ' (sic) system EOEA will be working to pre approve applicants for this type of living, 3 deaths in Dec, hence openings. 11 units (4 fire) open and in process of turnover physical • • •
- No waiver for delay processing during COVID commented on the annual report to account motion to accept director report, approved 3-0 #fha0110 statements, look in line with other periods, motion to accept statements. Norfolk is 100% occupied.
- Norfolk brought from a $100k deficit to a $100k positive, primarily due to calculation of rent properly as well as timely collection of such, worked through timing issues of SSS benefits and rent payments #fha0110
- Building fire update, roof truss came in, insulation being added and inspected, wall board coming, coming along, possible in Feb; about 9 months to recovery #fha0110
- not in position of DHCD approved contract, likely 30-50 agencies will not sign the contract from DHCD Dispute on contract in court, approval of audit report passes 3-0. #fha0110
- No old business, new business, FISH contract looking for extension due to supply delays, moved seconded passes 3-0; 2nd FISH contract, completion of fire alarm cert of completion, passes 3-0
- Motion to adjourn, passes 3-0 #fha0110
PDF of Twitter thread -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19y55ky9CUtRrEZT7daSsgDMOt9XX1Fch/view?usp=sharing
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-695-franklin-housing-authority-meeting-01-10-22
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| Franklin Housing Authority - Meeting - Jan 10, 2022 |
FHS girls indoor track team posts win vs. Attleboro
Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Monday:
Franklin, 43 @ Attleboro, 56 – Final
Franklin, 89 @ Attleboro, 11 – Final
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-01-10-22/
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| FHS Panthers |
COVID Self Test Kits available for Franklin, MA residents
KP will distribute the COVID SELF TEST KITS for the cost of $11 per test kit.
Who is TANA and how are they involved?
- TANA is one of the oldest charitable organizations. They do selfless service for humanity. Providing these test kits is one service. The supply is obtained via TANA community network.
- yes either 1 or 2 test kits per request
- Since this is not a business just KP volunteer time, delivery would be after 5 PM and while supplies last. The delivery is restricted to Franklin, MA residential addresses.
- cash OR Venmo
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| COVID test kit |
KP’s Venmo account info
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| KP’s Venmo account info |
Updated: Andrew M Bissanti - Obituary link
Updated: to add obituary details/link
"Andrew Mario Bissanti, 64, of Franklin died peacefully January 7 at Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of Christina M. (Lombardi) Bissanti.
Direct link to Ginley Funeral Homes page -> https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/262044?fbclid=IwAR1Cn8MLtbkxV9UCrhw8yN03_nZX9XNAs9457-MQRXtoyqzxyl_qnbYR9zQ
PDF Copy -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11B5oansKbKq8mBZmEz-S3bQ1howYeuGV/view?usp=sharing
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| former Town Councilor Andy Bissanti at an EDC meeting in Feb 2021 |