Saturday, February 4, 2023

Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing - February 7, 2023

Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing 
February 7, 2023

The Franklin Community Preservation Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 7pm.

This informational hearing will involve a discussion of Franklin's needs, possibilities and resources regarding community preservation and the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address these issues, as permitted by the CPA.


Agenda:
1. Approval of Minutes: December 6, 2022
2. Approval of Executive Session Minutes: December 6, 2022

3. 2023 Annual Public Hearing
a. Anyone may suggest a Community Preservation Act project 
b. To file a suggestion, idea or proposal, please visit our online permitting system, or attend in person and make a suggestion  
c. All ideas are welcome via online, in person or a simple email to the Town Administrator at jhellen@franklinma.gov
4. CPA Budget financial review
5. Adjourn

You may access the agenda and links here:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_-_feb_7_2023.pdf

The audio recording of the public hearing held Jan 2022 can be found here ->

Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing - February 7, 2023
Community Preservation Committee Public Hearing - February 7, 2023

Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for Feb 7, 2023 at 6 PM at FHS Media Center (hybrid)

Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting
FHS Media Center (link in Agenda)
February 7, 2023 - 6:00 PM

A G E N D A
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
● Call to Order
● Resetting Redistricting Expectations
● Revising Guiding Principles
● Upcoming Timeline of events
● Story Map Review
● Adjourn

Agenda doc includes remote connection info ->

Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for Feb 7, 2023 at 6 PM at FHS Media Center (hybrid)
Redistricting Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for Feb 7, 2023 at 6 PM at FHS Media Center (hybrid)



Capital Budget Subcommittee takes time reviewing details, ultimately approves what's requested (audio)

FM #933 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 933 in the series. 


This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting conducted on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.


Present:

All four members of the subcommittee were present: Chair Debbie Pellegri, Vice Chair Bob Dellorco, Ted Cormier-leger, Brian Chandler.  Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandinni, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone, and Finance Committee Chair George Conley were also present in the 3rd Floor Training Room.


Recap: 

This was the second meeting on the first round of capital budgeting. The first meeting was not recorded or reported on. This second meeting was well attended by members of the Fire Dept, Police Dept, and DPW whose budget items were up for discussion.


Beginning on Page 4, item #12, each line item in the meeting agenda was reviewed, some questions and discussions were more detailed and involved than others. After some clarifications on each item, they were each approved in turn by 4-0 voice votes to recommend to the Town Council. 


It was acknowledged at the beginning of the session that there was a philosophical question (raised last meeting) and continuing this meeting on some items currently on the “capital” budget that at least a couple of members of the subcommittee believe should be in the operational budget. Jamie indicated a couple of times during this session that for the regular budget discussions coming later this year, those items would be included in the operational budget to clearly show the impact.


The recording runs an hour and xx minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio file ->



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

Agenda document ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-02-01_capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda_1.pdf 


My notes via Twitter ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13O3jj_Kjqgus8lQnu3FUAHlQfRw_K2Wy/view?usp=share_link 



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

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"


Capital Budget Subcommittee takes time reviewing details, ultimately approves what's requested (audio)
Capital Budget Subcommittee takes time reviewing details, ultimately approves what's requested (audio)

FHS girls and boys basketball teams top King Philip on Friday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, February 3, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.


Boys Basketball = King Philip, 38 @ Franklin, 56 – Final
– Franklin built a 10-point lead by halftime and never looked back, running away with a big win over rival King Philip. Geino Scaringello (11 points) hit a trio of first half three-pointers and Andrew Benoit added a triple of his own as the Panthers staked a 31-21 lead at halftime. Junior Sean O’Leary was a perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line, including 11-for-11 in the second half and finished with a game-high 20 points for Franklin, who extended its lead to 46-29 at the end of the third. Tommy Kilroy and Grant Kinney each scored 11 points for the Panthers and Tommy McLeish added 10 points.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 65 @ King Philip, 51 – Final
– Franklin led by four points at halftime, but the Panthers exploded for 26 points in the third to open up a comfortable advantage. Kylie Watson scored a career-high 13 points, knocking down a trio of threes, for KP and her 10 first-half points helped the Warriors stay close at the break. Bridget Leo (eight points), Katie Peterson (seven), Caelyn Leonard (six), and Chloe Fales (five) turned the game around in the third quarter, combining for 26 points, doubling up KP in the frame and going ahead by 17 heading to the fourth. Peterson would be the high scorer for the Panthers with 17. Leo added 14 points and Leonard and Fales each finished with 11 for the Kelley-Rex leaders. Emily Sawyer led KP with 16 points (nine in the first half). Jackie Bonner hit three from beyond the arc and had 10 points and Leah Santoro hit a pair of threes for six points.

For other results around the Hockomock League


FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Notice of Public Hearing - Street Acceptances: Maple Tree Lane and Oak Tree Lane - Feb 15

Notice of Public Hearing - Street Acceptances: Maple Tree Lane and Oak Tree Lane


The Franklin Town Council will hold a public hearing to determine whether it is in the public interest to accept Maple Tree Lane and Oak Tree Lane as public ways, and related drainage easements. This hearing will be held during the Town Council Meeting at 7:00 PM on February 15, 2023 and will provide an open forum for discussion. 
Location: Municipal Building, 2nd floor Council Chambers, 355 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA, and also via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town calendar on franklinma.gov on and after February 10, 2023 for up to date meeting information. 
Please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949 if you require further information or to make arrangements for translation services.
Submitted by,
Julie McCann


Street Acceptances: Maple Tree Lane and Oak Tree Lane - Feb 15
Street Acceptances: Maple Tree Lane and Oak Tree Lane - Feb 15

CommonWealth Magazine: "Vocational school admissions debate at center of New Bedford stand-off"

"CRITICS OF VOCATIONAL school admissions in the state are now literally making a federal case of the issue with yesterday’s filing of a civil rights complaint with the US Department of Education alleging discriminatory practices in the admissions policies at Massachusetts vocational high schools. 

It’s another step in a long-running debate that started at the local level, and nowhere has that debate been more contentious than in New Bedford, the place where the push to reform state admission policies first began more than five years ago – and where it continues to inflame passions.

State regulations allow vocational schools to rank applicants based on middle school grades, attendance, and other factors. Admission to the schools has become increasingly competitive, with more than 18,000 applicants vying for 10,616 seats in the 2020-21 school year. "
Continue reading the article at CommonWealth Magazine ->

Franklin Observer also covers this topic with input from Tri-County Superintendent Karen McGuire and Tri-County School Cmte member Jen D'Angelo

Night Owl Farm: Farm Fact Friday - 02/03/23


Logo

✨Farm Fact Friday✨

(Before I get into this, I want to say that this is a watered down, straight to the point email, even given its length. I could talk about this topic for hours! If you have questions, or want to know more, please don't hesitate to reach out!)

This week's highlight is our farming practices!

We are a small farm growing our food on about 1/4 acre, looking to expand to just under 1/2 acre this year.

All of what we do is by hand - no sprays, no tractors, just delicious food!

And no, we haven't just lost our minds and decided to make everything harder for no reason! 😂 It turns out, that this approach is excellent for the soil.

This approach is called, "no till," or, "low till," farming. Depending on who you ask (like with everything!) they will have a different opinion on what no till actually is. Some say that you can't grow root crops in a no till system because harvesting them disturbs the soil. That's not our opinion.

For us, no till means we disturb the soil as little as possible. And in particular, avoid turning the soil over. This allows for all of the microscopic living things to thrive and support the soil. With conventional tillage, the soil gets mixed around and exposes those organisms to the air/sun which kills them.

Life in the soil is essential to a healthy crop. That life is responsible for breaking things down and feeding our crops with their waste. This helps eliminate the need for adding supplemental food for the plants in the form of pelletized fertilizers. We do add amendments to the soil, but it's stuff like kelp meal, alfalfa meal, fish fertilizer… things that you can understand the name of!

Once your soil has been restored (we are working on it by adding lots of compost, getting our soil tested, adding nutrients and minerals needed, and disturbing the soil as little as possible) this practice allows you to grow more intensely, creating a larger yield in a smaller space.

This is why we were able to support 30 CSAs and 2 farmers markets on 1/4 acre, when many farms running the same number of CSAs

need quadruple that space! We are also able to reduce the size of our walking paths and beds since we don't need to leave space for a tractor, which also helps maximize the use of space.

We also don't have the overhead, or environmental impact of a tractor. Yes, it's a lot more work to do it by hand, but it's better for our soil, the environment, our wallets, and our time. We waste no time or money on equipment repairs, which has helped our bottom line significantly.

We often get funny looks from old school farmers because this isn't "how it's been done." When in reality, agriculture has been around a lot longer than tractors have, and major tillage wasn't used until tractors became popular. So, we are actually getting back to our roots 😉 by going to till.

Again, I could talk about this for hours! I feel like I've left so much out haha so if you have an interest in this topic, there are a lot of excellent YouTube videos out there, and I would be happy to answer your questions as well!

Stay warm out there ❄️ ❤️

Night Owl Farm

Night Owl Farm · 49 Prospect Street · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp

CommonWealth Magazine: "Mass.-financed power line from Quebec clears another NextEra hurdle"

"THE COMPANY seeking to build a Massachusetts-financed transmission line carrying hydro-electricity from Quebec to Maine cleared another hurdle on its comeback trail when federal regulators dismissed objections raised by the nuclear power plant Seabrook Station.

In a 52-page ruling, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled on Wednesday that Seabrook must upgrade a circuit breaker at the nuclear power plant to accommodate hydro-electricity expected to come into the region from Canada.

FERC also ruled that Seabook’s owner, NextEra, can only charge Avangrid, the company building the power line, for the cost of replacing the circuit breaker and not for “opportunity costs” of $560,000 a day or legal fees.

Avangrid and NextEra are big competitors in the New England energy market and have been battling each other for years on a variety of fronts."
Continue reading the article online ->
 
This has been a thread in our ongoing series Making Sense of Climate ->

Seabrook Station
Seabrook Station


OCPF Reports - info for local candidates (Nov 2023 is a Franklin local election)

OCPF Reports (@OCPFReports) tweeted  Fri, Feb 03, 2023:
OCPF provides instructions for people who run for office.

Candidates who file with OCPF: https://t.co/AweKdSv6ZA

House/Senate: https://t.co/Kvy7rLAKCp

Candidates who file with local election officials: https://t.co/Ged02abZPO


#mapoli https://t.co/LUQWxPMvP3
https://twitter.com/OCPFReports/status/1621501268849037312


OCPF Reports - info for local candidates (Nov 2023 is a Franklin local election)
OCPF Reports - info for local candidates (Nov 2023 is a Franklin local election)

“which we do expect to reverse in the second half of this fiscal year”

"STATE REVENUE collections missed the mark by nearly 5 percent in January, with the $3.834 billion that the Department of Revenue reeled in landing $192 million, or 4.8 percent, shy of the previous January’s collections and $185 million or 4.6 percent below the monthly benchmark.

It is the first time since June 2020 that DOR has announced that tax collections have failed to live up to the administration’s monthly expectation. The $21.643 billion that DOR has collected through seven months of fiscal year 2023 is $229 million, or 1 percent less, than actual collections in the same period of fiscal 2022. Tax receipts are the primary source of funding for this year’s state budget, which grew by 10 percent.

The sluggish January numbers may affect the appetite of the Healey administration and the Legislature for tax cuts this year."
Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine ->

Some of the variability in forecast vs. actual is due to the "pass thru entity" or PTE accounting for which there is a good explanation of in this article.

The golden dome of the State House. (Photo by Andy Metzger)
The golden dome of the State House. (Photo by Andy Metzger)

Senator Rausch: State House Briefing - Part 3, Chapter 1 (January 31, 2023)

I hope 2023 is off to a wonderful start for you and your loved ones. The new legislative session is underway, and my team and I are working hard to advance the policies that matter most to our communities and our district. As we launch into our third term, I want to extend a warm welcome to the four new towns in our district: Bellingham, Dover, Medfield, and Milford.  

January is bill filing month, and over the past several weeks, I filed more than five dozen bills to support families, enhance reproductive rights and equity, provide better access to post-pregnancy mental health care and pediatric appointments, reduce plastics and greenhouse gas emissions, protect public health, improve voting access and elections infrastructure, promote governmental transparency and efficiency, and more. This is the work I was sent to Beacon Hill to do; I am both honored to do it and proud to share it with you here. 

February will bring debates about Senate, House, and Joint Rules, and once the rules are finalized, we’ll get committee assignments for the term. The clerks of each chamber will assign the bills to the various committees and our formal review of filed legislation will begin.  

In this newsletter, you’ll find a roundup of our legislative priorities for the 2023-2024 session, local event highlights and town election information, and upcoming Black History Month events happening throughout our district.  

For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me and my team via phone (617) 722-1555, email becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.   

I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and successful new year.  

Yours in service,  

 
Senator Becca Rausch   


Office Hours

Senator Rausch

 

My team and I host in person and virtual office hours every month. Residents from any part of the Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex District are welcome to share their questions and opinions on state issues with me and my team via video chat or phone call.
    
Upcoming office hours:    

Monday, February 27, 11:30 AM - 1 PM (in person)

Monday, March 27, 5 - 6 PM (virtual)

Sign up for a 15-minute appointment here.    


The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents, follow this link ->  https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-17019257


Friday, February 3, 2023

Urgent: Extreme Cold Temperature Forecast - February 3 - February 5, 2023: Resident Resources

Extreme Cold Temperature Forecast  

February 3 - February 5, 2023: Resident Resources

Massachusetts is predicted to experience potential record breaking cold temperatures and gusty winds Friday, February 3rd through Sunday February 5th, 2023.

Residents are reminded that the Franklin Public Library will be available as a warming center during regular business hours on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 

At this time, the Town of Franklin does not anticipate opening an emergency shelter, UNLESS there are widespread power outages in town from the wind. Any updates will be communicated via the official Town of Franklin Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram social media accounts and website. Residents can dial 2-1-1 to find warming centers and emergency shelters near you. In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Residents are encouraged to review emergency resources by visiting the Emergency information toolkit located here

Below are some tips from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for staying safe in extreme cold.

What to do during extreme cold weather:

  • Reduce outdoor activities for the whole family, including pets.
  • Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your arms, legs, hands and feet. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
  • Follow recommended safety precautions when using space heaters, a fireplace, or a woodstove to heat your home. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
  • Make sure emergency generators or secondary heating systems are well ventilated.
  • If you lose heating, move into a single room. At night, cover windows and external doors with extra blankets or sheets.
  • Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspapers covered in plastic to prevent them from freezing. Let a trickle of warm water run from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.
  • If your pipes freeze, open all faucets all the way, remove any insulation, and heat the frozen pipe with a hair dryer or wrap with towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.
  • In the event of a power outage, you may need to take extra precautions or go to an emergency shelter to stay warm.
  • Know the symptoms of and watch out for cold-related illnesses. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
  • Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need extra help.

 

Shared from Town of Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/extreme-cold-temperature-forecast-february-3rd-february-5th-2023-resident

Urgent: Extreme Cold Temperature Forecast - February 3 - February 5, 2023: Resident Resources
Urgent: Extreme Cold Temperature Forecast - February 3 - February 5, 2023: Resident Resources

Franklin's Event Outlook: Feb 3, 2023 to Feb 9, 2023

Stay warm, check in on your neighbors... this will pass quickly according to the forecast.


Friday, February 3

4:30pm - Joey D's Wingz N Thingz (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)


Saturday, February 4

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am - Train Town exhibit (HO scale replica of Depot Station) (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm - Hogwash BBQ  (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:30pm - Northeast Groove (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - James Montgomery with The Daybreakers (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)


Sunday, February 5

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm - Train Town exhibit (HO scale replica of Depot Station) (Franklin Historical Museum)


Tuesday, February 7

6:30pm - Franklin Garden Club (monthly meeting) (Franklin Senior Center)


Wednesday, February 8

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - Ladies Night: Empowerment Workshop (Virtual, registration required) (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group (virtual meeting) (St Mary's )


Thursday, February 9

7:00pm - Wine Barre 02038 (21+ event) (Intermission Cafe)

7:00pm - Q&A with author Kate Clayborn! (Virtual, registration required) (Franklin Public Library)


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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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

Board of Health hears of tobacco compliance check failures, and possible update to Franklin's code - 02/01/23 (audio)

FM #932 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 329 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. All three board members participated, 2 in room, 1 remote (hence roll call votes). Health Dept staff present were in the 3rd floor training room. 


Quick Recap:

  • Tobacco holder checks mostly resulted in violations mostly regarding paperwork and signage required, most have been abated by now. Possible modification of the Town regulations to bring inline with the current State level, copy under review by department, hearing to be scheduled for the next mtg

  • Inspector’s report, Nurse’s report, Epidemiologist report all touting volume and some issues but nothing major

  • Health Care resources map & info added to Health Dept page -> https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7a79d8f9979f4709ad5b7311c91c8258 

The meeting runs about 23 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Feb 1, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-932-town-of-franklin-board-of-health-mtg-02-01-23



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


The Board of Health agenda can be found ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/agenda_2-1-23.pdf 


Reflexology regulations as proposed

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/regulation_governing_the_practice_of_bodywork_draft_11-2-22.pdf 


My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uy9M0NJkAz_AWJ6buUInl9G6P5vQHsXK/view?usp=share_link 


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

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"