Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Master Plan Update Committee -video replay for Dec 13, 2023 meeting (video)
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Candidate Interview: Ted Cormier-Leger, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video)
Ted Cormier-Leger and I met via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 to record this candidate interview.
video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q40eu4F_PU
Candidate Interview: Ted Cormier-Leger, incumbent candidate for Town Council (video) |
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Joint Budget Subcmte hears of shortfall in new growth, hears update on School Budget, plans next session (video)
- Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provided a brief update on FY 24, change in new growth coming, reduction of $250K, implications remain TBD
- Schools updated some of their numbers, starting to plan for FY 25, to include the 4 years after, due approx.. Mar/Apr; looking into comparable communities (i.e. Hockomock League)
- Finance Committee meeting Nov 8, Town Council meeting Nov 15, Tax rate hearing set for Tuesday, Nov 21 (Yes, note it is a Tuesday!)
- Next Joint Budget Subcmte session in Jan 2024 (TBD)
one of the FPS slides used for the budget update |
Friday, October 6, 2023
Did you hear Talk Talk Boom's episode with Clay Rice Thompson? (video)
In this episode, Raye Lynn Mercer, the founder and director of Franklin School for the Performing Arts and Franklin Performing Arts Company, chats with Broadway star Clay Rice Thomson, who's currently starring in Moulin Rouge on Broadway.
He has performed in shows such as Newsies, Matilda, King Kong, and Moulin Rouge. They talk about Clay’s experience from his Broadway debut in Newsies, his experience working with different directors and choreographers, his advice for aspiring performers, and his involvement with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.Recorded at FPAC’s THE BLACK BOX theater in Franklin, MA.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Franklin School Committee hears and approves of the school improvement plans from all the schools in the District (video)
- The meeting focused on the next level of the District Improvement Plan which was introduced in the prior meeting. Administrators from the High school and middle schools, then the elementary schools presented how their goals are tied and support the overall goals
- As revealed during the presentations and follow on clarification, the goals are intended to be consistent across the district. The goals focus on the key efforts underway and refining within them, for example in social emotional learning (SEL)
- During the discussion the cost of the multi-tiered levels of support was raised, and the answer was impactful - "What is the cost of not providing it (such support)?"
- As the improvement plans came up for a vote to approve, the vote passed 6-0 on the plans as modified during the discussion (minor adjustment to a piece of the elementary section)
- ACCEPT Quarterly Report -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/accept_quarterly_report.pdfBICO Quarterly Report -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/bico_quarterly_report.pdf
Sunday, August 27, 2023
The Comcast Franklin TV Channels are Changing - Aug 29, 2023
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Economic Development Subcommittee agrees to proposal on zoning change for 2 lots from Residential to Business (video)
The measure was approved by 4-0 to bring to the Town Council at the next meeting (Sep 6).
map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St |
You may access the agenda and links for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf
Monday, August 21, 2023
Panther TV: Principal Hanna holds round table with FHS Class Presidents (video)
Mr. Hanna filmed a roundtable discussion with our three class presidents.
Watch it here: https://t.co/gtFpYp6755
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Watch "When Hate Tried a Small Town" on YouTube
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Watch "Life on Earth - So Amazing! - NYC Labor Chorus sings Hallelujah, with new words to celebrate Earth" on YouTube
Earth Movie Theater presents: Life on Earth - So Amazing! Yes, we live on a marvelous planet. These views from above align perfectly with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, with words adapted by Jeff Vogel and the NY City Labor Chorus. A glorious combination of Earth and music. ============== Earth Movie Theater – Watch Earth from space. . .and listen to joyous music. Astronauts on ISS take photos of Earth, that we convert into movies and combine with world-class music: guitar improv, Bach in Space, classical music, jazz and more. Created by Association of Space Explorers, TERC and Windows on Earth, in glorious 4K and high-quality audio, based on photos from NASA, Crew Earth Observation (CEO) and the International Space Station (ISS). These Astronaut favorite movies are great entertainment, and for Earth science and music education. Explore Earth from Space and experience the Overview Effect. See all the continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australia and the edge of Antarctica. See cities at night, clouds, islands and Aurora. New movies released about weekly. Please subscribe! #EarthMovieTheater For more visit: EarthMovieTheater.org
Thursday, August 10, 2023
School Committee hears of summer learning, approves MOU with Cafeteria workers (audio)
FM #1036 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1036 in the series.
The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 as scheduled. Five members were present (2 absent). The 5 provided quorum to enable official business. They did break for an Executive Session, and returned to open meeting to authorize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the cafeteria workers “as discussed" (in the executive session) before closing the session.
Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of August 8. The time they left the room for their Executive Session was shortened for airplay and replaced by a brief audio bit. The total meeting audio runs about 49 minutes.
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School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee
Franklin TV Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/iSxi_lTYFe4
You can find the full agenda doc
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_8-8-23.pdf
My notes captured via Twitter can be found in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QjbZCZ5vs2CHatsKM6MEUOBGdNiTFRs5/view?usp=drive_link
The Superintendent’s report and presentation are supposed to be posted to the packet folder the day after the meeting. As we go to post this, they are not yet public. https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/august-8-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet
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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/
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"
Monday, July 31, 2023
"In our darkest hour, hope lingers here"
"I will not hate, and I will not fearIn our darkest hour, hope lingers here"
"In our darkest hour, hope lingers here" |
How are boat wakes related to duck wakes? It is explained via math
"If you look at the wake behind a duck, or a kayak, or a ship, you might notice two things: first, it’s a feathery, rippled pattern, and second, that pattern looks the same regardless of whether it’s made by a duck, kayak, or ship— even though they’re all moving at different speeds and the waves are different sizes.
How is this possible? Minutephysics digs into the Kelvin wake pattern."The 4+ minute video explains the math -> https://ed.ted.com/best_of_web/kEQUGWqB?s=03#review
How are boat wakes related to duck wakes? |
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Scan these QR Codes to scan to get to each of the YouTube channels for Franklin TV
All access -> Franklin, MA All-Access TV - YouTube https://bit.ly/3JURLCl
Pride TV -> Franklin Pride TV - YouTube https://bit.ly/3JTQhYY
Town hall -> FRANKLIN TOWN HALL TV - YouTube http://bit.ly/43lBwVE
Or go to Franklin.tv and click on the individual channel image ->
Franklin.tv |
Sunday, July 16, 2023
"We gathered on the site of the great battle of our Civil War in order to prevent another one"
"On July 5, 2023—160 years after the Battle of Gettysburg—the unthinkable happened.We came to @Gettysburg to launch a movement, bringing together 650 conservatives and liberals on equal terms to clarify differences, find common ground where it exists, and strengthen our nation.It was hard to pull off.How do you bring people of opposing viewpoints together during such an intense time of division?We leaned on a small, scrappy staff and a dedicated group of volunteers who put everything they had into making the convention happen.And then, it did."
Read the full thread in this PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/188dE76N8YydAEV743jbqwyZ-aDyTAgwb/view?usp=drive_link
witf.org, the public news service for 17 communities in Central PA provides some video of some of the conventions goers. -> https://www.witf.org/2023/07/14/hundreds-gather-at-gettysburg-college-to-bridge-political-divides-through-constructive-conversations/
For more about Braver Angels, the group that organized this event -> https://braverangels.org/our-mission/
"We were led by our two co-Chairs, Erica Manuel ( @ericut ), CEO & Executive Director of @InstLocGov and Wilk Wilkinson (@wilksopinion ), host of @DeratetheHate podcast" |
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Master Plan Update Committee gets update on Open Mtg law compliance (video)
- Attorney Mark Cerel provides some background and insights in how to operate safely within the Open Meeting law. Nuances around quorum of the committee as a whole (7) and of the subcommittees (2 or 4), and what could happen if members of the main committee attend a subcommittee meeting they are not part of (watch & listen = ok; vs. actively participate = problematic).
- Subcommittees announced (not yet posted to Committee page nor part of agenda doc)
- discussion around the mission statement, potential for revision, send comments to Chair by July 19 for compilation and review at next meeting July 26
- discussion around draft timeline to be reviewed next time along with a draft outline for public engagement
Master Plan Update Committee met June 28, 2023 beginning at 6:42 PM |
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Making Sense of Climate #27 - Dave helps us understand how energize Franklin works! (video)
This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well.
If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.
Video link -> https://youtu.be/myUzRaFXpsI
Making Sense of Climate #27 - Dave helps us understand how energize Franklin works! (video) |
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
School Committee agonizes over budget cuts, hears an update from Oak St and about the middle school school civics program (video)
- Moment of silence to recognize the tragic passing of an FHS graduating senior
- During the Superintendent's Report, 2 highlights were shared. (1) a quick overview of the Spanish trip during Spring break. (2) recognition of three FHS outdoor track athletes for their accomplishments at the Meet of Champions
- Recognition of Michelle Kingsland Smith retiring for the 2nd time this year with 50 years of education experience. Recognition of Miriam Goodman's retirement as Business Administrator
- Middle school civics program provided an update on the process across the three schools and a student presentation from Horace Mann.
- The Oak St Elementary team provided and interactive question and answer update on the happenings and progress within the school this year
- The additional funds from the Town saves some positions but there are still 26.7 positions removed from the budget, 16 of which were enrollment related. The Committee agonized over the cuts, appreciating the effort and thought that went into trying to minimize the impacts of these. One member said as hard as it is this year, we'll look back to this budget next year as a good one. And that is not something to look forward to
Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting Agenda for June 13, 2023 |
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Town Council recognizes Electric Youth, approves annual appointments, authorizes additional funds for School budget (video)
- Electric Youth 2023 were recognized with a proclamation and provided song for the Council (and audience). They have a pair of 'Bob Voyage' concerts June 16 & 17 at THE BLACK BOX and then leave on their European tour the week after
- The Annual Reappointments of Boards and Committees was approved, there are a few positions still open, some are in process of being filled, some are still looking for candidates
- Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee recommendations by year end
License corporate formalities
Zoning Bylaw for Accessory Dwelling units
The set of zoning bylaws was moved to a second reading with modification to one of the three measures in the set of three. There are three as one covers the bylaw language, one covers the definition, and one covers the use table. The use table received the modification to revert the language to what originated from the EDC Plus committee.
The Town Council in their actions during the April 12, 2023 meeting modified the use table to expand coverage for 'by right' for additional residential zones. The Planning Board did not like the expansion and in turn recommended the 'original' language over the modified. The Town Council after some discussion agreed to the original language and moved that to second reading
Resolution 23-39: FY2024 Budget AdjustmentResolution 23-40: MECC Stabilization Account Transfer to MECC Appropriation FY24
- Folks may recall that at the end of the Finance Committee budget hearings and repeated at the end of the Town Council budget hearings, Town Administrator laid out the plan for providing additional funding for the school budget. The MA Senate passed their version of the State FY 2024 which set into play this "plan b" earlier than Jamie had outlined. The two resolutions passed unanimously. The additional funds restore 8 of the 30 positions targeted to balance the budget. Of the 22 that remain to be cut, some number (I recall it was 16) were going to be cut anyway as the result of declining enrollment. Stay tuned for the School Committee meeting scheduled for June 13 where they will approve the 'final' budget and confirm the number affected
- Interesting to note that while most if not all of the Town departments that gave up the funds to enable this transfer were present, only Dave McNeill, the School Committee Budget Subcmte Chair spoke to acknowledge the transfer to increase the school budget and express appreciation for this action. If other members of the School Committee were present virtually, they remained quiet. (They at least were not in the Council Chambers.)
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda for June 7, 2023 |