FM #1215-1216-1217 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1215-1216-1217 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jay Horrigan, Franklin resident, Franklin TV & Radio talent and fellow Board of Directors member for the Franklin Community Cable Access organization. We met to record this conversation in the studio on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
We spent enough time in the studio discussing current events that our wives were sending out queries as to where we were. The conversation is split into 3 sections to better enable sharing via the radio time slot (less than an hour).
We talk about
Jay’s story and what he keeps busy with
Spend time to answer current issue questions
June 11 override vote
How the $6.8M was determined
What is an override vs a debt exclusion
Development of the ‘fiscal cliff’ post COVID
State vs Commonwealth (no real difference in operation)
Fund allocation from the override in FY 2025 and following
Coordination of Town and School
Explanation of the bigger ‘pie’, budget, etc.
Franklin TV video archives of Town, School, and other committee meetings
Condense the Town Council and School Committee meetings via audio as Town Council Quarterbacking and Chalkboard Chat answering the 2 questions: What just happened? What does that mean for us as residents and taxpayers?
Does the override tie to the redistricting plan?
School ‘master plan’ va Town Master Plan
Modular units helped to accommodate the school ‘population bubble’
Mr G’s analogy on how the redistricting was done, stepping back to better align students with the better school facilities
How the “Portrait of the Graduate” plays into this
Teachers are being reduced gradually to account for the decline in school enrollment
Part 1 of this conversation runs about 53 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jay. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1215-franklin-current-issues-qa-with-jay-horrigan-05-16-24
Part 2 of this conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jay.
In this second episode we answer more questions
How does the override provide funds for school teachers’ pay?
Teacher union president Donna Grady interview provides insights to teacher issues
Teacher retention issue, is it related to the ‘massive new schools’?
Better expectation for future funding of the Schools post override
Difference in level of planning for redistricting, the ‘plan’ vs the implementation plan to work out the details
Civic engagement, the parents concerned about the redistricting can be involved in the implementation plan
What is the goal of the Town “master plan”? What do we want Franklin to be when we grow up?
The issue with the middle school after school activities and late bus, how is that related to the override?
School funding of buses vs parent cost, a change from $360 to $500 if the override fails, along with other activities and sports fees will increase if the override fails
Sense of community and ‘commonwealth’ vs the divisive and personal focal points we hear
Timing of the override June vs. November, better for the students educational experience
Demise of newspapers, rise of newsletters, flyers sent home replaced by email and PDFs on the schools pages
Part 3 of this conversation runs about 38 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jay.
The possibility of an underride and what it would do
Concern of getting the message out amidst the Presidential campaign ads
School planning needed for redistricting, 2 summers needed
Disruption for school year in November if the underride succeeds
Assuming override passes, when would taxpayers see the increase?
How does the new apartment revenues flow to the Town (about 10 minutes in P3)
Tax increment financing (TIF) (Tegra Medical - 2009, Hamilton Technology - 2011, Cold Chain - 2015, Plansee - 2022)
What’s happening with Davis Thayer
Redistricting tied to override?
Redistricting tied to new police station?
Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1217-franklin-current-issues-qa-part-3-of-3-05-16-24
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Contact info for Jay -> jayhorrigan@gmail.com
Town override summary page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy25-override-information
State vs Commonwealth info -> https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/whats-the-difference-between-a-commonwealth-and-a-state
Donna Grady interview -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/05/talking-about-teaching-education-with.html
Police Station Building Committee May 13, 2024 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/01/police-station-building-cmte-agrees-on.html
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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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
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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| Jay & I cover Franklin's Current Issues in this Q&A 3 part series (audio) |
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