Norfolk Takes Different Approach on Migrants -- A Community Forum

Nearly a year ago, Franklin discovered it has been targeted to house migrants by the Healey Administration. Some of the response that followed was open to public scrutiny, but not much (though the town has subsequently maintained a 'dashboard' with some basic information, accessible through the Health Department).

In contrast, Norfolk, which learned a few weeks ago that a disused prison facility would soon be brimming with migrants, has taken a somewhat different approach.

According to a press release from Norfolk Town Administrator Justin Casanova-Davis there will be a June 4 community forum to discuss the temporary emergency shelter at the Bay State Correctional Center, which is slated to open in mid-June.

The first forum will be held tomorrow at King Philip Middle School at 7 p.m. and will focus exclusively on site plans and public safety. During the community forum, residents will hear from a variety of panelists and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Community forum panelists will include the Select Board and representatives from the Governor's Incident Command team, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Department of Correction will no longer be in attendance.

The Norfolk Public Schools, King Philip Superintendent, and district staff are continuing to work closely with the state to get more information to craft an educational plan in preparation for the opening of the temporary emergency shelter.

A second community forum will be held specifically to discuss the potential impacts on schools and the plan being worked on and will include state officials and staff from both the Norfolk Public Schools and King Philip Regional School District. The date for the second community forum will be announced once it is finalized.

The June 4 community forum will be recorded on video by NCTV and posted on YouTube but will not be livestreamed through Zoom or other platforms.

The Town has created a Temporary Emergency Shelter Dashboard on the Town's website where further resources and information concerning the site are posted. To stay informed throughout this process, residents are encouraged to sign up for the Town's E-Notify system by clicking the following link.

And, the press release added, "The Select Board and Town staff are committed to transparency and regular updates to the community as we work through this transition."