"We are a few weeks away from Zucchini Races!!!!
Whose zucchini is coming in? What has started to plan out their car????
Can't wait to see all the creative ideas. Thank you to Franklin Ag Comm for organizing this awesome event on Aug 18"
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| Zucchini race reminder - ready, set, go Aug 18 at the Farmers Market |
The Norfolk County Agricultural High School will host the 2023 Agricultural Expo on May 20th, 2023 from 11 AM - 3 PM.
There will be a touch a truck, a petting zoo, raffles games and more!
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| 2023 Agricultural Expo on May 20 at Norfolk County Agricultural High School |
FM #995 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 995 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting and second of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year. The meeting was held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
All 9 members of the Finance Committee participated; 7 present in the Council Chambers, 2 remote. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandini, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone.
Norfolk Agriculture & Tri-County covered their budgets and answered questions followed by the Franklin School budget.
Quick recap:
John Martin, Superintendent Norfolk Aggie; John Wallace, Business Manager, Norfolk Aggie
Norfolk Aggie, 365 acres, inc in 1916 first campus in Weymouth #fincom0510 four courses of study, explore frosh and soph year then choose major for junior and senior studies
Animal science is the most popular of the four studies, about 560 total, 16 students from Franklin this year, 3 seniors, applications are open for next year
40 students from Boston making it the largest sending community. There is demand for the programs, they do have a wait list
Karen McGuire, Tri-County Superintendent, presenting along with Dan Haynes, Business Manager
Should hear in June about the final cost of the proposed building replacement, and then in August on what MSBA will provide for reimbursement, assuming they do. At that time, the 11 sending communities have 120 days to vote to approve the building proposal
How the individual communities fund the cost is up to them, cost allocation based upon sending students
Franklin’s budget was presented by Supt Lucas Giguere, Business Manage Miriam Goodman, School Cmte budget subcmte Chair Dave McNeill
The meeting recording runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 10, 2023.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-995-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-2-05-10-23--------------
Meeting agenda document -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-05-10_finance_committee_agenda_2.pdf
FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials
My notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gsupUzfumR385d7qcgklxMfI7enZjmVU/view?usp=share_link
Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee
YouTube recording => https://www.youtube.com/live/1-4GwOsbRNc?feature=share
Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album ->
For Tri-County slides -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/6akR6TvwSyrYvkFh6
For FPS slides -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/2WYTBKhpxisJFUuT9
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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!
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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"
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| Tri-County budget is very similar to Franklin's in regards to salary & benefits as percent of total budget |
i. 395 Norfolk County Agricultural School FY 2024 budget ->https://cms5.revize.com/revize/norfolkcountyma/FY24%20Norfolk%20County%20Budget%20V3%204-12-23.1.pdfii. 390 Tri-County Regional Vocational School District FY 2023 budget -> https://tri-county.us/budgets-financial-documents/iii. 300 Franklin Public School District -> FY 2024 ->https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget
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| one slide from the Tri-County update to the FinCom on Weds |
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| No rain in the forecast for this Earth Day Celebration at DelCarte - Sunday, May 7 from 9 AM to 1 PM |
"Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop on 3/29/23 from 4 PM - 6 PM at Town Hall. Come learn more about applicable tax incentive programs for your land, resource management and endowment!
Learn more and RSVP here: https://t.co/jz4DeI9egH"
Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/tkVsFuFKLu
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| Town of Franklin: Franklin land owners are encouraged to attend our Converse and Conserve workshop - Mar 29 |
Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be? These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4p-6p at Town Hall, Room 326A can answer for you.
Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!
Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.
RSVP for a free gift.
For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-come-learn-about-programs-allow-your-property-work
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| Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy |
Please note that the Converse and Conserve Workshop will now take place in Room 326A at Town Hall, instead of Council Chambers.
Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be? These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4p-6p at Town Hall, Room 326A can answer for you.
Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!
Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.
RSVP for a free gift.
For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-location-change-room-326a
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| Converse and Conserve Workshop - Location Change: Room 326A |
Your land is a part of your legacy. Deciding what will happen to your land after you are gone is the next critical step of being a good land steward and furthering that legacy. Who will own your land and how will it be used? What will your legacy continue to be?
These are questions that the "Converse and Conserve" workshop on Wednesday, March 29 from 4 PM - 6 PM at Town Hall, Council Chambers can answer for you.
Join the Franklin Conservation Department, Franklin Assessor's Office, Franklin Agricultural Commission, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Metacomet Land Trust, and DDCRW Law in learning about your options. Come learn about applicable tax incentive programs for forestland, agricultural land, and open space; learn about resource management for your natural environment; and even learn how to endow your land to ensure its lifelong protection. Estate planning, whether for now or for the future, is not just for the wealthy or for those who own "estates" – if you own land, then estate planning is a necessary and valuable step to ensure that the legacy of your land is a positive one!
Food and beverages will be provided by Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen.
RSVP for a free gift.
For more information or to RSVP contact bgoodlander@franklinma.gov/(508) 520-4847.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/converse-and-conserve-workshop-come-learn-about-programs-allow-your-property-work
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| Converse and Conserve Workshop - Come Learn About Programs That Allow Your Property to Work for You and Create a Family Legacy |
The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $1,000,000 in grants to 23 Massachusetts farms to implement practices that improve food safety within their operations. The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP), administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), is a competitive grant program that allows produce and aquaculture operations to address food safety on their farms, enabling the operations to meet buyer demands, increase consumption of local food, and protect public health by reducing food safety risks.“The Commonwealth’s agricultural industry continues to grow and upgrade its practices to both meet marketplace demands and regulatory requirements,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants underscore our Administration’s commitment to helping farmers implement important upgrades within their operations to ensure that food safety risks are managed, that their marketplace needs are addressed, and their businesses continue to grow.”“Improving food safety practices is important for Massachusetts’ farmers in order to provide the highest quality produce and protein sources for consumers across the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These food safety grants provide a proactive approach for the sector to upgrade their practices to help ensure safe local food production continues for years to come.”
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| Night Owl Farm awarded $46K grant from MA Dept of Agricultural Resources |
You may never have heard of the plant Brassica Oleracea, but six vegetables you can find in any grocery store and you eat on a regular basis are actually all from this one plant and they're all human made products of selective breeding [source, read more: https://t.co/ZFHFAjSjpT]
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| Community Preservation Committee recommends purchase of Schmidt Farm with CPA funds (video) |
1. The Agricultural Committee will meet at the Agway store on Cottage St. to work on the track for the “great zucchini” race.
2. Work will consist of assembly, needed maintenance, and disassembly.
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| Zucchini races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021 |
Quick Recap:
As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting although this time, reporting live from the 3rd floor training room.
The Twitter hashtag can be found online #boh0901
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boh0901&src=typed_query
Agenda doc (including connection info) -> https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department/agenda/boh-agenda-56
Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/08/franklintv-time-for-ice-cream-3.html
There is no age limit to who can submit an entry and no motors. Entries will be weighed at check in and split into three weight classes.Fans can vote for their favorite racer in four different categories.
We will race in heats, winner of heat moves on.When: Friday, Sep 10 at the Farmers Market!2:30-3:30 - Check in3:30- 4:00 - Fan Voting4:00 - Racing begins!
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| Zucchini races return to the Farmers Market - Sep 10, 2021 |
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| Zucchini races return on September 10 |
"National Farmers Market Week kicked off on Aug. 1. It’s an annual celebration launched in 1999 by the US Department of Agriculture to call attention to the benefits of farmers’ markets and their contribution to the community.
From sweet corn to tomatoes and raspberries picked that day, the markets offer us a host of seasonal, local foods and generate revenue for family farmers by selling directly to shoppers. Food producers — cheese and pasta makers, bakers, condiment creators, and others — benefit, too, by the direct sales.
“Farmers’ markets bring us access not only to nutritional foods, but also preserves farmland and puts money in the local economy,” says Hal Shubin, who helps run the Belmont Farmers’ Market. Customers may grumble that the foods are costlier than at supermarkets, and some are, although plenty are competitively priced. Everything is fresher, which contributes to a longer shelf life.
And the markets are a place where you see your friends and neighbors. The celebratory week brings special events, music, games for kids, giveaways, lectures, and more. To find a farmers’ market near you, visit massfarmersmarkets.org/markets."
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| Farmer Nick will have his tractor on the Town Common Friday |
