Saturday, December 18, 2021

GoFundMe for Shirley In Our Hearts Memorial Fund

GoFundMe for Shirley Owens "Shirley In our Hearts" has been set up. Consider donating for this cause. 


Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1471998076122447888

Mrs. Claus has canceled her photo session at the Historical Museum

Unfortunately, the photo session on Sunday at the Historical Museum has been canceled out of an abundance of caution for Mrs. Claus, all of the children, and their families. 

Mrs. Claus wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and hopes to see all again next year. She also would like to remind the children to read over their school holiday break and remain safe.

Mrs. Claus to Visit the Franklin Historical Museum
Mrs. Claus to Visit the Franklin Historical Museum
Come to the Historical Museum Sunday, December 19 from 1:00-3:00 PM for a visit with Mrs. Claus. She’s making another special visit from the North Pole just before Christmas.  

Children can listen to her read a story, pose with her for a picture and enjoy making a holiday craft. Certainly, if you have a message for Santa, Mrs. Claus will be happy to help relay it. Enjoy this annual tradition with your family. 

Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry. 


FHS Chorus and Orchestra Winter Concert - Dec 1, 2021 (video)

Did you miss the concert? Now, you can catch up to view it via video.

"FHS Chorus and Orchestra Winter Concert, December 1, 2021  @FranklinHSMusic @FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS"
https://t.co/h6smTFldAt   or  https://youtu.be/bzC_IG1rpoU
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1471890925953638402


FHS gymnastics team and both boys and girls basketball teams post wins on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Friday:

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 59 @ Attleboro, 32 – Final 
– Katie Peterson had 27 points and Franklin outscored the Bombardiers 30-14 in the second half to pull out a second win to start the season. The junior forward had eight points in each of the second and third quarters and buried a pair of threes. Olivia Quinn scored six points, all in the first half, helping Franklin jump out to a 29-18 lead by halftime. Sasha Tracey knocked down a pair of threes in the fourth quarter to finish with six points as well. Lindsey Perry was Attleboro’s top scorer with 14 points, scoring six points in each of the second and third quarters. Meghan Gordon was also in double digits, finishing with 10 points.

Gymnastics = North Attleboro, 116.8 @ Franklin, 143.6 – Final

Boys Basketball = Attleboro, 47 @ Franklin, 52 – Final 
Ryan Lanigan, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"Franklin sophomore Sean O’Leary rallied the Panthers back into the game and senior Sean Vinson put on the finishing touch. 
Franklin overcame a slow second quarter, surged past the Bombardiers in the third, and stayed ahead for good in the fourth for a 52-47 win over visiting Attleboro.

The Panthers went without points for the final seven minutes of the first half, seeing a seven-point lead turn into a nine-point deficit by halftime.

O’Leary, who had a strong first quarter but was held scoreless in the second, exploded for 17 of his career-high 23 points in the second half. He scored 12 points in the third, helping the Panthers to a 14-point swing and a 38-33 lead going into the fourth."


For other results around the Hockomock League

Franklin senior Sean Vinson goes up for a layup against Attleboro in the first half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin senior Sean Vinson goes up for a layup against Attleboro in the first half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)


FHS individual performance results for the Indoor Track & Field meet vs. KP - Dec 17, 2021


"Live results from today's meet against KP at the Reggie Lewis Center
https://t.co/aOJg7MYNe3"


FHS individual indoor track meet results - Dec 17, 2021


Note the overall teams scores are not yet available as soon as they are, they will be shared.


FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards a great way to shop locally

"Trying to find the perfect gift can be tough, but it doesn't have to be! With over 35+ participating businesses in town, you can give the gift of Franklin this holiday season.
#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards a great way to shop locally
#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards a great way to shop locally

 

Get your card in hand today with no processing fees in person at Dean Bank or online at https://franklingiftcard.com/"

 


#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards a great way to shop locally
gift cards a great way to shop locally



Superintendent Ahern one of four finalists for Barnstable position

The Franklin radar picked up this notice via the Twitter stream:

"The Barnstable Superintendent Search Subcommittee and the Barnstable School Committee on Friday announced four finalists for Barnstable Public Schools' new superintendent. 
The final candidates are, in alphabetical order: 
Sara Ahern, current superintendent of the Franklin, MA Public Schools, who earned her Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration at Boston College and a Master's of Science from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. "


 

Superintendent Ahern provides an update to the SchComm in October 2021
Superintendent Ahern provides an update to the SchComm in October 2021

FM #680 - Town Council Procedures Review - 12/15/21 (audio)

Quick Recap:

  • A review of the procedures doc began with this session. Coordination on aspects of this to help with better consistency between School and Town meetings will be done aside with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Attorney Mark Cerel and Superintendent Sara Ahern
  • No major changes foreseen at this time, better consistency in procedure and language being worked. Not all of the doc was addressed in this session. No date yet set for the next meeting
  • And yes, you do hear my contribution to this session. As I do attend multiple meetings across the Town and School functions, I do see opportunity for improvements. While this is focused on Town Council meetings, it can have ripple effects to the others, especially to the Town Council subcommittee meetings

-------


As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the 3rd Floor Training Room. 

 

The Twitter hashtag #tcpr1215  can be found online The thread begins with

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1471253969351675914   


  • getting ready for the Town Council procedures review committee meeting to begin at 6 PM agenda doc (including procedure doc) -> https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/december_15_rules_of_procedure_review_committee_meeting_agenda_0.pdf  #tcpr1215
  • the recording will be available later. May not be as active tweeting what's up during this to keep track of the discussion. This wont the only meeting on this topic; action already assigned for the 'preamble' to be coordinated with Schools to bring consistency #tcpr1215
  • the consistency would help residents as they approach this Council or any meeting to have as similar a process as possible; expectations once set, can then be better managed and followed #tcpr1215
  • Finding terminology inconsistencies and the discussion around which term to use is good, and helpful #tcpr1215 removing 'not' from one phrase is an option, removing 'only' is a better option in sec 18
  • looking to define "Councilor Comments" better than it is (which is not well) currently... #tcpr1215
  • motion to adjourn, and move to the formal Council meeting #tcpr1215


FM #680 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 680 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA Town Council Procedures Review Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

The budget workshop was conducted in the third floor training room of the Municipal Building. Three Town Councilors (Chair Tom Mercer, Councilors Debbie Pellegri, and Glenn Jones) were present along with the Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Town Attorney Mark Cerel and Admin Assistant Alecia Alleyne. 

The recording of the public meeting runs about 53 minutes. 

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this session of the Town Council Procedures Review Subcommittee meeting Dec 15, 2021 




--------------


--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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 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!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


FM #680 - Town Council Procedures Review - 12/15/21
FM #680 - Town Council Procedures Review - 12/15/21


Boston Globe: "Man charged with murdering ex-wife, setting her home on fire in Franklin"

Initial report:
"The Franklin Police Department, the State Police homicide detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, and investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are currently investigating the fire in Franklin this morning and the single fatality associated with the incident.
The matter is currently being investigated as a homicide. Substantial additional information is expected to be released later this morning. Continue to follow the department’s social media pages for additional updates. There is no threat to the public at this time.
Twitter: @franklinpolice"
Boston Globe summary article: 
"In a horrific case of domestic violence, a woman was allegedly murdered in her home Friday by her ex-husband, who then set fire to the house where the victim was living with her mother and the former couple’s two teenage children, according to authorities and court records.

Brendon J. Owen, 47, is charged with murdering Shirley Branco Owen, his wife of 11 years before she filed for divorce in 2014, citing years of verbal and physical abuse, police and prosecutors said.

He was ordered held without bail at his arraignment Friday afternoon in Wrentham District Court.

“The facts of this matter are incredibly egregious,” Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Anne Yas said during the brief hearing."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)


District attorney press release after hearing at Wrentham District Court. https://www.facebook.com/162770995915/posts/10157969674855916/


Firefighters from several towns along with police and SWAT members converged at Grace Lane in Franklin Friday morning after a fire.MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
Firefighters from several towns along with police and SWAT members converged at Grace Lane in Franklin Friday morning after a fire.MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Panther TV: News for Dec 17, 2021

"On this week's show, we've got a sports update, winter concert reviews, and a surprise visitor from the north pole! 
@FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinMatters @FranklinHS @MusicBoostersFr @fhsmusicdept" 
https://t.co/rJmyiCLquc  or  https://youtu.be/L8uKmJkwn-c

Shared via Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1471828052497817614


Friday, December 17, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 17 - Dec 23, 2021

The weather outlook while warmer than normal may not be delightful, there are things to do this weekend. The Winter Farmers Market is happening. The Library has visitors from Whoville. The FPSA performs Humbug!

With next week very light on official meetings, consider taking in a school music concert on Monday or Tuesday.

Saturday, December 18
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
10:30am - Meet the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who!
7:30pm - Humbug!

Sunday, December 19
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
2:30pm - Humbug!

Monday, December 20
6:00pm - String School of Franklin Winter Concert

Tuesday, December 21
6:00pm - Band AND Chorus School of Franklin Winter Concert

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
Community Calendar

FM #679 - Franklin, MA: School Committee Mtg - 12/14/21 (audio)

FM #679 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 679 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.


The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: six of the School Committee members were in the Council Chambers along with some of the public, one member was remote (M Whitmore) along with some members the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.


The recording of the public meeting runs about one hour and thirty minutes. The School Committee enters Executive Session and does not return to a public meeting. 


Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.


Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting Dec 14, 2021

 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-679-franklin-ma-school-committee-mtg-12-14-21


--------------


Meeting agenda doc ->   

https://franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_12-14-21.pdf


School Committee Meeting packet folder ->  

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/december-14-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet 


My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-school-committee-hears-lifelong.html

--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


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 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!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Franklin, MA: School Committee Mtg - 12/14/21 (audio)
Franklin, MA: School Committee Mtg - 12/14/21 (audio)

School Committee Budget Workshop - 12/14/21 (audio)

FM #678 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 678 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee budget workshop held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.


The budget workshop was conducted in the third floor training room of the Municipal Building. Six of the seven School Committee members were present along with the Superintendent, and other Central Office personnel. 


The recording of the public meeting runs about 51 minutes. 


Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.


Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee budget workshop Dec 14, 2021  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-678-school-committee-budget-workshop-12-14-21



--------------


Meeting agenda doc ->  

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_budget_workshop_12-14-2021.pdf 


My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/recap-school-committee-budget-workshop.html 


--------------


We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


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 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!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


School Committee Budget Workshop - 12/14/21 (audio)
School Committee Budget Workshop - 12/14/21 (audio)


FHS girls and boys swim teams top Mansfield on Thursday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Thursday 

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 vs. Algonquin, 10 – Final

Boys Swimming = Mansfield, 69 @ Franklin, 80 – Final 
– For Mansfield, Rico Palanza took first in both the 50 free and the 100 fly and 200 free relay team of Ryan Morley, Neil Dalpe, Jack Friedman and Xavier Gwynne. Palanza was just shy of the South Sectional qualifying time in the 50 free, swimming the fourth fastest time in Mansfield program history.

Girls Swimming = Mansfield, 63 @ Franklin, 99 – Final 
– Mansfield’s Sofia Seifert had a second and third finish individually and helped the 200 medley relay to a second place finish. Seifer took second in the 50 free and third in the 100 breaststroke, and teamed up with Carla Guirguis, Katherine Elliott, and Dana Guirguis for second in the 200 medley relay. For diving, Caitlyn Zajac was first with a score of 179.92 and Paige Pushee took second with a 140.40.

For other results around the Hockomock League


FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers