Saturday, February 1, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 1, 2025 ???

Saturday, February 1

12:00pm Central District Jr. Music Festival auditions (Grafton High School)
1:00pm Painting for Adults (event full) (Franklin Public Library)
8:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)
8:00pm Garden of Hedon Record Release Party (THE BLACK BOX)


**  NO  Town Meetings today   **


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Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link
The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

In this Souper Bowl, everyone wins: "one quarter left, and the game is far from over"

via the Franklin Food Pantry 

In this Souper Bowl, everyone wins: "one quarter left, and the game is far from over"
"one quarter left, and the game is far from over"
"In true Panther Pride style, Franklin has reclaimed the lead in the 2025 Souper Bowl! The score now stands at Franklin Food Pantry 1,239 to Weymouth Food Pantry's 644.  
But as all New England fans know, there's still one quarter left, and the game is far from over!  
Who will emerge victorious in the 2025 Souper Bowl?!  
Get in on the action and donate cans of soup today"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry/posts/pfbid02UaSyA2RkL6ypPiE7CiVgNabyxKB54DFoBd8KSUFjCTgYFuy9KgLhEQSjrQ3DVYFdl 



2 School Committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 4; the budget hearing (at 7 PM) is the one to pay attention to

Franklin Public Schools Contractual Negotiations (executive session)
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 4:00 PM


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Franklin School Committee
February 4, 2025 - 7:00 P.M.

Municipal Building – Council Chambers



Call to Order                                             Mr. Callaghan
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence

FY26 Budget Open Hearing

Adjournment


Franklin School Committee Meeting (Budget hearing - Council Cambers)
February 4, 2025, 7:00 PM
https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5247243/SCAGENDA_2-4-25_Budget_Open_Hearing.pdf

The budget book was mentioned as being available for the budget hearing. It is not yet posted (as of late Friday, Jan 31) to the FY 2026 budget page.

2 School Committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 4; the budget hearing (at 7 PM) is the one to pay attention to
2 School Cmte meetings scheduled for Tues, Feb 4; the budget hearing (at 7 PM) is the one to pay attention to


3 Options to listen to the School Cmte Mtg; dive into Middle School Math, or to the FY 2026 Budget, or get the whole thing (audio)

FM #1364-65-66 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1364-65-66 in the series. 


This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 28, 2024. 6 of the 7 members participated (6 in Chambers,  1 absent - Sompally).


1364 is the full school committee meeting in one audio file

1365 is the start of the meeting through to the end of the Middle School Math

1366 starts with the FY 2026 budget presentation and runs to the end


Quick recap

  • The middle school math curriculum program is being revised to meet MA Curriculum Framework guidelines and to better meet the needs for a solid foundation in math for all students. 

  • The FY 2026 budget was presented and multiple questions from the committee to clarify the details. $80M is being requested, 3.78% more than prior year but within the guidelines offered by the Town Administrator which also assuming successful passage of the possible override

  • The schools do achieve significant savings with the redistricting. 34 positions are reassigned within the district, 20 positions ultimately will be reduced. For the non-redistricted budget: it would be a >$6M increase from last year. About $3M more than level service that is being requested for this year

  • The budget timeline was laid out which includes a budget hearing Feb 4, School Committee vote on Feb 11, the Joint Budget listening sessions, before the Finance Committee hearings in April and Town Council hearings in May

  • What was not discussed, but is on the timeline, is the Town Council consideration of the possible override at a March meeting AFTER the listening sessions complete. The decision for yes or no on the override, and if yes, to determine a date and an amount are to be expected

  • The decision to release the Parmenter facility to the Town was approved. Consideration of the alleged Parmenter family requirement for the land to be kept in school use was made but based upon Town Attorney advice that the deed does not include such a provision, the decision was made to proceed. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)

  • Three sets of policy modifications were made per DESE request to bring language of the policy into compliance with current requirements. Vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)

  • Motion to enter into executive session for contract negotiations, not to return to open session was made and approved. The vote on this was 6-0-1 (1 absent, 6 for)


#1364 = The full meeting recording runs about 4 hours & 13 minutes, so let’s listen in. https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1364-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-28-25-full-mtg/



#1365 = The start through the Middle School Math Curriculum  1 hour & 42 minutes

#1366 = The FY 2026 budget through to the end of the meeting  2 hours & 33 minutes
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1366-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-28-25-fy-2026-budget-to-end-og-mtg/


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Franklin TV video available for replay ->  (full meeting)

https://www.youtube.com/live/HYxJEgzxVww?&t=31  


Jump to the Start of Middle School Math Curriculum presentation & discussion

https://www.youtube.com/live/HYxJEgzxVww?&t=599 


Jump to the Start of FY 2026 Superintendent’s Recommended budget presentation & discussion

https://www.youtube.com/live/HYxJEgzxVww?&t=6047



The agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01282025-1531 


Meeting packet (other docs as they are released after the meeting will get posted here) -> https://www.franklinps.net/documents/departments/school-committee/meeting-packets/2024---25-meeting-packets/january-28%2C-2025-sc-meeting-packet/750840 


My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PHnEHNKly-gag8T04ftDUSmm2JWyBc-G/view?usp=drive_link

  

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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

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


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!

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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"


3 Options to listen to the School Cmte Mtg; dive into Middle School Math, or to the FY 2026 Budget, or get the whole thing (audio)
3 Options to listen to the School Cmte Mtg; dive into Middle School Math, or to the FY 2026 Budget, or get the whole thing (audio)

FHS boys basketball posts win, boys swim team takes 2nd Place at Hockomock Championships on Friday (video)

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on  Friday, January 31, 2025


Boys Basketball = King Philip, 42 @ Franklin, 56 – Final 
– King Philip came out and put Franklin on upset alert with a strong first quarter but the Panthers responded with a big second quarter and led the rest of the way. Jack Assini (13 points) scored nine points in the first and Tommy Kilroy (11 points) had five to help the Warriors stake a 17-8 lead after eight minutes but Franklin’s offense roared to life with a 23-point second quarter to earn a 31-26 halftime lead. Zach Allen, who ended with a career-high 15 points, gave the Panthers a big boost with eight points, including a pair of triples, while Wyatt Herndon (nine points) added two trifectas to get Franklin in front. Caden Sullivan (13 points), Jake Olmstead, and Justice Samuels (11 points) each had five points in the third to keep the hosts ahead, 46-40, going into the fourth and Franklin’s defense took over from there, limiting the Warriors to two points in the fourth. KP senior Brandon Nicastro was the third Warrior in double figures with 10 points.

Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/g3yW-UJKwlg?si=HRl2Kp-pfl5eur3O&t=914




Girls Basketball = Franklin, 42 @ King Philip, 54 – Final 
Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor provides the game recap -> 
"Throughout the first half of Friday night’s Kelley-Rex title showdown in the Wooden Gym, King Philip felt like it was on the verge of being able to pull away and put some distance between itself and Franklin, but the Panther kept finding ways to answer back.

In the third quarter, that changed. The Warriors went on a 16-0 run and outscored Franklin 18-3 overall to turn a three-point game into a comfortable 20-point cushion.

Although the Panthers responded with 16 points in the fourth, KP never looked that troubled over the final eight minutes and celebrated a 54-42 victory. It was KP’s first win over the Panthers since December 2013, a stretch of 22 games, and it moved the teams into a first-place tie with four league games remaining."
Continue reading the article online (subscription required)



Boys Swimming = Hockomock Swim Championships 

Team Results
1. Milford – 324
2. Franklin – 296

Race Results
200 Yard Medley Relay
1. Franklin (Zack Pecora, Brendan Collins, Owen Chandaria, Ollie McCarthy) – 1:41.51

200 Yard Free
1. Leo Tran, Sharon – 1:44.88*
2. Owen Chandaria, Franklin – 1:48.24

200 Yard IM
1. Brendan Collins, Franklin – 2:01.73

50 Yard Free
1. Owen Chandaria, Franklin – 22:42*
4. Ollie McCarthy, Franklin – 23.89

100 Yard Butterfly
1. Zach Pecora, Franklin – 53.15

100 Yard Free
1. Leo Tran, Sharon – 48.66
2. Ben Pezza, Milford – 51.91
3. Ollie McCarthy, Franklin – 52.62

500 Yard Free
1. Zack Pecora, Franklin – 4:45.03

200 Yard Free Relay
1. Milford (Ben Pezza, Ethan Fiedler, Aaron McIsaac, Corey Rattray) – 1:35.07
6. Franklin (Joshua Bailow, Miller Wasik, Arsh Tyagi, Amir Shakirov) – 1:45.66

100 Yard Breaststroke
1. Brendan Collins, Franklin – 1:03.31

400 Yard Free Relay
1. Franklin (Ollie McCarthy, Zack Pecora, Owen Chandaria, Brendan Collins) – 3:21.53

Franklin TV video of the meet is available -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FmUhsc9YUs



For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required) 

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com
FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

Tri-County RVTHS celebrated at State House for Small Voc School Football Championship (Part 2)

Tri-County Athletics shared 

"Thank you to our MA Representatives Roy, Scanlon, Philips, Arena-DeRosa, and Soter, along with Senators Feeney and Rausch who all visited with us.  
Your commitment to vocational education and athletics is helping us prepare the Commonwealth’s workforce of tomorrow! #savethetrades"

 

Thank you to our MA Representatives Roy, Scanlon, Philips, Arena-DeRosa, and Soter, along with Senators Feeney and Rausch who all visited with us
"Thank you to our MA Representatives Roy, Scanlon, Philips, Arena-DeRosa, and Soter, along with Senators Feeney and Rausch who all visited with us"

Shared from -> https://x.com/TriRvths/status/1885338128572915910

Part 1 was shared -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/01/tri-county-rvths-celebrated-at-state.html

Franklin, MA Town Administrator Jamie Hellen Voted as MMA President

Franklin Town Administrator voted by statewide municipal colleagues to serve as President

The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce that our Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, has been voted by his colleagues throughout Massachusetts as the 2025 President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Board of Directors. The MMA Board of Directors are made up of municipal leaders, including Town Managers, Mayors, City Councillors, Select Board and Finance Committee members from throughout Massachusetts.

“I am deeply honored that my colleagues throughout Massachusetts chose and voted to have me serve as MMA President this year”, said Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. “Make no mistake, this appointment is less about me personally, but more so recognizes the deep respect that municipal officials across the entire state have for the Town of Franklin. This is a reflection of the creativity, innovation and leadership every single member of our town and school staff have across Massachusetts. This is a team win; the entire town and school staff and Franklin Town Council should be exceptionally proud of their continuous work to distinguish Franklin.”
Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (left) will serve as president of the MMA and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove (right) will serve as vice president.
Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen (left)
will serve as president of the MMA
and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove
(right) will serve as vice president. (MMA Photo)


Mr. Hellen was appointed at a Board of Directors meeting last weekend at the Connect 351 annual conference of municipal leaders in Boston. Over a dozen officials from Franklin attended the conference, including Massachusett Municipal Councillors Association (MMCA) member and Franklin Town Councillor, Melanie Hamblen.

“I am really proud that Franklin has a leadership role in the MMA and a seat at the table with respect to state policy impacting local government” said Town Councilor, Melanie Hamblen, who serves as a member of the MMCA and on many committees, including the Nominating Selection Committee for City Councillors to the MMA Board of Directors. “It is clear many communities across Massachusetts view Franklin as a role model given the leadership the Town has demonstrated over the years. Few people have as much passion, dedication and commitment to public service as Jamie. I am personally very happy for him and our community to be recognized in this way.”

As President of MMA, Mr. Hellen will serve a one year term through next year's annual conference in 2026. The main responsibility of the President is to Chair the monthly Board of
 
Directors meetings, as well as facilitating the Local Government Advisory Council (LGAC) with Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. Each LGAC meeting features top state officials, such as state cabinet secretaries to collaborate on policy decisions at the state level that affect cities and towns.

Mr. Hellen will serve as the 49th President in MMA history. Many longtime residents may also recall that Mr. Hellen’s predecessor, Jeff Nutting, also served as the 33rd MMA President in 2009. The President role rotates between Municipal Mayors, Managers, City Councillors and Select Board members annually. Mr. Hellen will serve as the 15th Town Manager/Administrator in history. 

A list of Past MMA Presidents is here:  https://www.mma.org/about-mma/leadership/mma-past-presidents/

“I’ve been fortunate to serve this community for over four decades on both the Town Council, School Committee and many other town boards. It is never lost on me how fortunate this town has been with respect to leadership and management in our town administration, department heads and school administration” said Tom Mercer, Chair of the Franklin Town Council. “Jamie stepped in for Jeff right away, even before Day 1, and this recognition shows how respected the Town of Franklin is across Massachusetts. The entire community should be really proud of the dedication and success we have had from both Jeff and Jamie over the past 25 years.”


St Mary's update as of Jan 31, 2025: new speakers installed as part of the restoration work being done

St Mary's Parish update (1/31/25)

WE HEARD YOU AND SOON YOU WILL HEAR BETTER WHEN ATTENDING MASS!  
New speakers (and more of them) have been installed in our primary worship space. Each central column will now hold a speaker. 
 
The damage caused by the smoke was extensive. Great progress has been made. 
Here is a list of some of the work which has been accomplished:  
  • The walls and ceiling have been cleaned. 
  • The walls and ceiling have been sanitized. 
  • The walls and ceiling have been painted.  
  • New electrical wiring has been installed. 
  • New overhead ceiling fans have been installed. 
  • New sound equipment wiring has been installed. 
  • Work on putting down new flooring has begun. 
  • Many of the church furnishings have been cleaned. 
  • The scaffolding has been taken down and removed. 
  • New speakers have been installed. 
Here are a few tasks which are being worked on:  
  • New hardwood floors are currently being laid in the Sanctuary. 
  • The choir loft floor is being sanded and restored. 
  • Replacement drapery panels for the Sanctuary are being made. 
  • The Sacristy has been gutted and is now being rebuilt. 
  • A new organ has been ordered. 
  • Some of the furniture has been returned from the storage area. 
Though insurance will cover many costs, it will not cover the replacement and restoration costs of everything in our church.  

The St. Mary Parish Fire Fund has been established to help us restore our church.  

If you are able to give online, please use the following link:  

If you prefer to give by check, please make your check payable to St. Mary Parish (mention the St. Mary Parish Fire Fund).  You can mail it to; St. Mary Parish, 1 Church Square, Franklin MA, 02038 or drop it by the Rectory.  

Thank you in advance for your kind and generous financial support of this effort. 
May God continue to bless you.

🎯Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 are the target dates for our first Masses in our primary worship space “upstairs.”
Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BNHq6qQdY/ (additional photos can be found by following this link)

Garden of Hedon: Record Release party at THE BLACK BOX, Saturday, Feb 1

Garden of Hedon: Record Release party at THE BLACK BOX, Saturday, Feb 1
Garden of Hedon: Record Release party

 

SATURDAY! 
@gardenofhedonofficial returns to THE BLACK BOX! 

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