Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting scheduled for Nov 2 at 8:30 AM

The next Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 2 at 8:30 AM at the Dean College Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center.

the scene of a prior meeting at Dean

Shared from the Downtown Partnership page ->   https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/10/november-general-meeting.html

Dean College Announces New First-Year Program that Allows Students To Spend First Year Of College Abroad

Dean College is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) on an innovative new program: First Year Abroad (FYA). Launching in fall 2024, FYA offers recent high school graduates the opportunity to begin their undergraduate studies with a transformative study abroad experience during their first semester or academic year of college.

Unlike students in a gap year program, FYA participants are enrolled as first-year college students on track to complete their college degree within four years. Rather than waiting until junior year to study abroad, FYA students begin their undergraduate career with a life-changing international experience, developing the capacity to thrive on any campus, in any culture, or in any career.

New First-Year Program that Allows Students To Spend First Year Of College Abroad

With over 75 years of experience and educational hubs located in more than 28 countries around the world, CIEE has a proven track record of helping students explore new cultures, learn new skills, and achieve their academic goals. Dean College is pleased to partner with CIEE as the Academic Home and School of Record for First Year Abroad.

“It is clear that Dean College and CIEE share similar values – a focus on the student and their success, as well as high academic quality,” said Scott Sibley, vice president of academic affairs at Dean College. "This will be a wonderful opportunity for students to explore the world as they explore college.”

Students on CIEE’s First Year Abroad program earn college credit during a 12-week semester, taking intro-level classes offered in a wide range of subject areas – including arts, humanities, social sciences, STEM, business, and world languages. Students may study at one of CIEE’s 14 FYA locations for the duration of the 12-week program, or they may design their own program, studying in one location in the fall and another in the spring, or spending six-week academic blocks in multiple locations.

“The wide-ranging offerings will allow for a breadth of study that builds a solid general education framework for further exploration,” said Sibley. “First Year Abroad will allow students to see the world around them, and their place in it, in new ways.”

Semester programs are offered in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Kyoto, Monteverde, Prague, Rabat, and Seville. Semester programs allow immersion in up to four courses at once, including those with labs or language classes.

Six-week academic block programs are offered in Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, London, Paris, Rome, and Sydney. In a 12-week semester, students can combine six-week academic blocks to study in two different locations or they can spend two six-week academic blocks in a single location. Block courses are 3 or 4 credits, contain requisite contact hours and content, and count for the same credit as if they were spread out over a traditional semester. This allows for more intense study of fewer subjects at once.

FYA students benefit from on-site support provided by international education professionals with best-in-class health, safety, and security training. The program also offers academic tutoring and First Year Workshops, which focus on valuable life skills such as time and money management, resilience and self-care, goal-setting, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication. Activities and excursions organized by CIEE immerse FYA participants in the local culture as they build friendships with college peers.

"CIEE First Year Abroad offers a unique opportunity for students to begin college with a well-supported global experience that fosters personal and academic growth and lays the groundwork for a successful undergraduate career," said James P. Pellow, president and CEO of CIEE. “This program is for any student who wants to see the world and enrich their global perspective right at the outset of their college journey.”

“CIEE works with more than 400 high schools and 1,000 university partners annually to engage students in global learning experiences. So, we know very well that the first year of college plays a crucial role in a student’s academic retention,” said Alexandra Wood, vice president of global ventures at CIEE. “We are enthusiastic about collaborating with high school guidance counselors, college advisors, global education offices, and college admissions offices, to establish First Year Abroad as a pathway to college success."

Learn more about CIEE's First Year Abroad program.

Shared from ->  https://t.co/loJBAqLVer

Dean College and Franklin History Halloween Cemetery Tour, Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 5 PM

The annual Halloween Walk, meets at the Franklin Historical Museum at 5 PM, and walks down to the Union Street Cemetery on Halloween.  It is conducted by Professor Rob Lawson, History Professor at Dean College.

Dean College and Franklin History Halloween Cemetery Tour, Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 5 PM

Dean College offers classes to Franklin Senior Center members

Franklin Senior Center posted on Wed, Oct 25, 2023:

"Attention Seniors! 

Interested in taking a few college courses for FREE?! @deancollege is offering us this fantastic opportunity! 

Email Danielle (dhopkins@franklinma.gov) or call the Senior Center if interested in attending any of the classes!  #schooliscool #seniorbulldogs https://t.co/wPW048zH4m"

Dean College offers classes to Franklin Senior Center members

Dean College Football to Join MASCAC in 2025

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Council of Presidents and Commissioner Angela Baumann are excited to announce the addition of Dean College as a football affiliate beginning during the 2025 season.

Dean will join Anna Maria College, Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Plymouth State University, UMass Dartmouth, Vermont State University-Castleton, Western Connecticut, Westfield State University and Worcester State University as football programs in the MASCAC.

"The MASCAC and the Council of Presidents are delighted to welcome Dean College to the conference in football," MASCAC Council of Presidents Chair and Salem State University President John Keenan said. "It strengthens our conference footprint and the conference brand. We look forward to enhancing student-athlete opportunities."

"This is a momentous time for the MASCAC as we further solidify our competing teams in the sport of football," Commissioner Baumann said. "We are excited to welcome a Massachusetts team like Dean to the MASCAC and look forward to the kickoff of a long-term football partnership with us beginning in 2025."

Continue reading about the Dean football announcement ->

https://deanbulldogs.com/news/2023/10/10/dean-college-football-to-join-mascac.aspx

Dean College Football to Join MASCAC in 2025

Part 1: Banned Books: Libraries and Schools Talk at Dean, then Part 2 Community Conversations at the Library

"Banned Book Week Day 2! What are you reading @TOFranklinMA??"

The Library will be @DeanCollege's Banned Books: Libraries and Schools Talk on October 5th from 5-6 PM at the Atrium in the Student Center. 

Be sure to join us after at the Library for Community Conversations at 6:30! 

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FrkPublicLib/status/1708899073154072666 

Ben Franklin's books

Riffin' on Main Street: President Ken Elmore talks with Steve Sherlock (video)

Dean College President Ken Elmore talks with me, yes, we have a wonderful and fun conversation in this "Riffin' on Main Street" episode =>    https://youtu.be/QhwVdEZqRyo?si=8hvHVVLK-3__0pja

Discover Dean Difference scheduled for Sep 30

Experience the Dean Difference in action at our Discover Dean Saturday, September 30! 

Our open house will give you the opportunity to explore campus, connect with faculty and learn more about the admissions process, academic programs, student life, financial aid and more!  

Learn more and register: www.dean.edu/ddd

Meant for potential students and parents/guardians, but good to know that while Franklin is showcasing all it offers with the Harvest Festival, Dean gets to help add to the crowd, and showcase how it does what it does at the same time!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CxYfmBfuxIt/

Discover Dean Difference scheduled for Sep 30

Dean College Announces 2023-2024 Theatre and Dance Season

Dean College is proud to announce its new 2023-2024 performing arts season. Running from October to May, the lineup includes four theatre shows, four dance shows and multiple showcase performances featuring Dean College students in the School of the Arts and the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance. 

Season ticket packages and individual show tickets are now available online at at the Dean College Box Office. Packages include the Full Season Package (eight theatre and dance events), the Theatre Series Package (four events) and the Dance Series Package (four events). 

Read more about the season ->  https://t.co/e5XsmKOKMi

Dean College Announces 2023-2024 Theatre and Dance Season

Watch "Riffin' on Main Street: Michael Walker Jones" on YouTube

Ken Elmore, President of Dean College and special guest Michael Walker Jones are featured in this "Riffin' on Main Street" episode.

Video file -> https://youtu.be/Pxb7VOGeIFk?si=T7iWpsXhhGMMtWpq

Dean College Announces New Deans For School Of The Arts And Sanders School Of Business

Dean College is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Ingram, Ph.D., as the new dean for the Dean Sanders ’47 School of Business and Patsy Collins Bandes as the new dean for the School of the Arts.

Bill Ingram joins Dean from the University of North Texas Dallas, where he was on the faculty since 2016, most recently serving as the assistant dean for the School of Business. He brings 10 years of experience teaching business and hospitality operations at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as over 10 years of professional experience in hotel and restaurant management with Walt Disney World Resort, Loews Hostels and Sky Hotels and Resorts. Ingram holds a Ph.D. in hospitality management from the University of Central Florida and an MBA from the University of North Texas. He is also an alumnus of Texas Tech University, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management.

Bill Ingram

As dean of the Sanders School of Business, Ingram will oversee programs in Athletic Coaching and Recreation Management, Business Management, Communications, Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, Marketing, Sport Management and Sports Broadcasting. He is tasked with building the baccalaureate culture and raising the bar for the College’s business programs to stay current with the ever-changing industry.

“My biggest focus is aligning our business programs with what the industry wants and needs, especially in areas of cross concentration, whether that be data analysis, accounting, artificial intelligence or business ethics,” Ingram explained. “I’m also here to create business partnerships locally, maximize the relationships we already have, like with Kraft Sports + Entertainment, and think globally so that our students have opportunities that lead to careers.”

Ingram is also heavily focused on building experiential learning into every area of the Sanders School of Business.

“I want our faculty to be as innovative as possible,” he said. “I want to be able to walk through downtown Franklin and see our students out there working, getting hands-on experience and getting outside of the traditional classroom. The courses they are taking should look very similar to the jobs they’ll be doing once they graduate, so they are prepared for a seamless transition to their careers or graduate work.”

Meanwhile, Patsy Collins Bandes comes to Dean after 18 years with the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She first joined the Conservatory as the production stage manager in 2004, joined the theatre and dance faculty in 2006, and served as chair of the Conservatory's Theater Division from 2018 to 2022. As an arts administrator and academic leader with a diverse background in the management of theatre production, Collins Bandes has directed, produced and stage-managed productions for a number of companies, including the Boston Conservatory, North Shore Music Theatre, National Theatre Conservatory, Lizard Head Theatre Company, Intermezzo Chamber Opera, Prometheus Dance, Boston Children’s Chorus and Denver Center Theatre Company, which received a 1998 Tony Award for Excellence in Regional Theatre during her tenure. She holds a B.A. in theatre with an emphasis in directing from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in dramatic arts from Harvard University Extension School.

Patsy Collins Bandes

 Collins Bandes will oversee the entire School of the Arts at Dean, which includes Bachelor of Arts degree programs in Arts and Entertainment Management, Performance, Production and Design, and Theatre Studies, as well as new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs in Acting and Musical Theatre. She aims to build on the school’s foundation of holistic education while increasing the visibility of Dean’s arts programs both locally and nationally, as well as building industry-leading inclusive and diverse curriculum and practices.

“In the first semester, my focus really is getting to know the students and the culture and learning what everybody feels like they love and what they feel could change,” Collins Bandes explained. “Another priority is how we can make our performances, our season and our curriculum culturally aware and as diverse and inclusive as possible and actively engage in anti-racist theatre work. Over the course of the year, we’ll be looking at what is working really well and how we can bring some change into our curriculum and productions.”

To accomplish this, Collins Bandes is taking a holistic approach – not only training students to be artists, but to be citizen artists.

“Every student is a unique human being that has something to offer the world,” she said. “I truly believe that the goal of art is to change the world. By training students to be citizen artists, they can each go out and do so. My responsibility as an arts educator and an arts leader is to help students be a better version of who they are, not strip them down and make them into cookie cutter artists. And what’s great about Dean is that the idea of training the whole student and using a holistic approach is already built into The Dean Difference. It is perfect synergy with my own personal philosophy of how we teach theatre and the arts.”

Shared from ->  https://www.dean.edu/news-events/story/dean-college-announces-new-deans-for-school-of-the-arts-and-sanders-school-of-business/

Watch "Riffin' on Main Street: Pauline Spender" on YouTube

Dean College President Ken Elmore has a new "Riffin' on Main Street" episode to share. Watch Pauline Spender's discussion here -> https://youtu.be/xwUv0r21jFc?si=WAm5yFFAcmc7Cdxa

or via the embedded via here

Dean College Class of 2027 gives the "Wake Up Call"! (video)

Dean College (@DeanCollege)  Thu, Sep 14, 2023:

Good morning from the Class of 2027! 

video link -> https://t.co/YRadFpeYNe

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/DeanCollege/status/1702314145457057878

Town Council hears about Dean College, views Fire promotions, gets updates on Tri-County & migrant status (audio)

FM #1060 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1060 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers; Frongillo participated remotely, hence all votes were via roll call. 

Quick recap:

APPOINTMENTS

a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt

b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan 

Both appointments were approved via 9-0 votes 

c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic

d. Fire Department - Promotions

• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief

• Paul Molla: Captain

• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain

• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant

• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant

• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant 

The Fire Dept had a bunch of promotions and one new hire to swear in and recognize. The promotions are competitive and occurred over time as other members left or retired creating a domino effect, hence they were batched to be all done at once. Photo album of the ceremony can be found ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/j98XmZmpzjsg5vGZ6 

Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College 

President Elmore provided a brief update with highlights from the past year, work underway, and still working on better integration of the college within the community and the community within the college. 

Tri-County Regional Vocational School Financing

The MSBA provided formal approval of the building project committing about $90M towards the $283M total cost, leaving approx. $200M to be funded by the 11 communities sending students. The 11 communities will vote as one entity n Oct 24 to approve the project. A 50+1 percent is required for approval. The funding for the Franklin portion of the project is likely to be $2.1M per year for 30 years, so it will likely be a separate vote for a debt exclusion, possibly as early as the November election. Stay tuned for additional info. The Tri-County School Committee will be sharing info on the project advocating for it's passage.

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading 

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading 

Both the second readings of the above bylaws were approved with 9-0 votes 

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map 

This measure was referred to the Planning Board and will come back to the Council for further action at a future meeting

d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin 

The intermunicipal agreement was approved by a 9-0 vote. An interesting way to combine services and save money in so doing. 

e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street 

The private road covenant was approved by a 9-0 vote. This means the Town of Franklin will not maintain the road. 

f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525) 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT -  Migrant Housing Update 

The recording runs 2 hours and 30 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on Sep  6, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1060-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-09-06-23

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Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided an update. This audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.html

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link

Town Council agenda doc ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf

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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 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"

Ken Elmore, President of Dean College

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)

FM #1057 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1057 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of September 6, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

APPOINTMENTS

a. Design Review Commission - i. Andrew Pratt

b. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - i. Jayaprabha Vijayaraghavan

c. Fire Department - New Employee - i. Jack Lennon: Firefighter/Paramedic

d. Fire Department - Promotions

• Thomas Konieczny: Battalion Chief

• Paul Molla: Captain

• Laurie Kaye: EMS Captain

• Matthew Kelly: Lieutenant

• Michael Berthiaume: Lieutenant

• Jonathan Chalk: Lieutenant

Dean College Update - Ken Elmore, President of Dean College

Tri-County Regional Vocational School Building project and expected votes to (1) approve and (2) approve of the financing for it

LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-898: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at Chapter 185, Attachment 9, Schedule of Lot, Area, Frontage, Yard and Height Requirements - Second Reading 

b. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-899: Marijuana Use Overlay District, A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map - Second Reading 

c. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901: A Zoning Bylaw Amendment to the Code of the Town of Franklin at Chapter 185, Section 5, Zoning Map (Motion to Refer Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-901 to the Planning Board - Majority Vote) 

d. Resolution 23-49: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with County of Plymouth for County of Plymouth to Provide Parking Ticket Computerization and Processing Services to Franklin 

e. Resolution 23-50: Acceptance of Private Road Covenant with Owner-Developer of Prospect Hills Estates with Access Road Off Prospect Street 

f. Resolution 23-51: Gift Acceptance - Veterans’ Services Dept. ($1,525) 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT -  Migrant Housing Update

Our conversation runs about 49 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Sep 7, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1057-town-council-quarterbacking-09-07-23

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

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->    https://www.youtube.com/live/lUOJJj5hec8?si=IUzMbo_9nNGYa59y&t=194 

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeitng are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Go0RhESjzP4F3KWutGqZ-kxO3-Fdn0l/view?usp=drive_link 

Town Council agenda doc ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_9.6.23.pdf 

The Town Administrator Report audio segment of the meeting was shared separately. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/09/town-administrators-report-on-migrant.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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session recaps the Sep 6 meeting including the migrant status update (audio)