Franklin Public Schools Business Administrator Miriam Goodman Awarded a 2023 Friends of MASBO Award.

Superintendent Lucas Giguere is proud to announce that on May 18th, 2023 during the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) Annual Institute conference, Franklin Public Schools School Business Administrator Miriam Goodman was bestowed a 2023 Friends of MASBO award. 

The Friends of MASBO award is given in recognition of individuals who have met one or more of the following criteria:

1. Have made a significant contribution (including but not limited to pro-active involvement in the legislative process, the creation of a model program/procedure, the establishment of an exemplary standard or practice) that facilitated a process by which school business officials contribute to educating students in their districts;
2. Have consistently, and on a long-term basis, provided significant assistance to MASBO in the implementation of its various functions and responsibilities; and/or
3. Have provided assistance to MASBO in a way that exceeds expectations.

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and former Franklin Public School Superintendent Dr. Sara Ahern co-endorsed Goodman for the award, stating that "Miriam's expertise and collaborative approach has led the district into a new era of enhanced transparency of the Franklin School Budget with the development of an extensive, engaging (student-centered) budget book while developing the story of school funding in Franklin, so that stakeholders can better understand past trends and future needs in a clear and compelling way."

Notable moments in Goodman's tenure have included her support in transitioning school business operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic; including setting up grab and go meals in collaboration with our Food Services department, appropriately applying COVID-19 relief funds in an impactful way, as well as managing transportation services, providing insight during a redistricting analysis process. 

After 15 years of dedicated service to the district and longstanding involvement with MASBO, the timing of this acknowledgment coincidentally concludes Goodman's career, as she is set to retire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Upon reflection, Franklin School Committee Chair Denise Spencer notes how "Miriam has truly blessed our district with her dedication, knowledge, work ethic, business finance savvy, friendship and sense of humor. She has always looked out for the best interest of Franklin Public School students and staff. We are grateful for the positive impact she has had in our district, and we will miss her." 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/news/franklin-public-schools-business-administrator-miriam-goodman-awarded-2023-friends

Franklin Public Schools Business Administrator Miriam Goodman Awarded a 2023 Friends of MASBO Award.

Special School Committee Meeting - May 16, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Special School Committee Meeting

May 16, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Municipal Building - Council Chambers

Agenda

Call to Order            Ms. Spencer 

I. Candidate for Interim School Business Administrator Interview 

II. Deliberation on Candidate for Interim School Business Administrator 

Adjournment

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/may_16_2023_sc_special_mtg_agenda.pdf

Note: It has been quite a while since this circumstance has arisen but in addition to hiring the Superintendent, the School Committee is also responsible for hiring the School Business Administrator. Hence as previewed in the School Committee meeting Tuesday, May 9, this set is set up for the discussion and candidate review for the interim position.

How long has it been? Actually since 2008. In March of 2008, Miriam Goodman, who is setting to retire was interviewed and hired. 

The 14 questions (2 per school committee member, 7 members) asked of the candidates at that time are still in the top 10 search results ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2008/03/school-business-administrator-interview.html

 

good message on Parmenter Elementary school sign

Maybe there is something in the Market Study for your business or prospective business?

In July 2020, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council released their Market Study for Franklin. At least one potential business read this study, determined that the numbers confirmed they had a market here in Franklin, and they are indeed open and operating here.

Maybe there is something in this report that could help your business or prospective business?

The report itself

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/8a._final_town_of_franklin_market_study_1.pdf

The discussion and presentation at the Economic Development subcommittee meeting (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-322-edc-mapc-market-study-73030-audio.html

The discussion and presentation at the Town Council meeting (audio)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-319-town-council-mapc-market-study.html

 

Maybe there is something in the Market Study for your business or prospective business?

Workplace Safety Grants of up to $25k available for businesses

"The DIA is offering Workplace Safety Grants of up to $25k to MA based businesses seeking to prevent or reduce workplace injuries. Employers covered by MA Workers’ Comp. Law may qualify. Email safety@mass.gov to start the application process. #SafetyGrantsMA"

More info online at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-industrial-accidents

Shared via Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassLWD/status/1554452462639190022 

Workplace Safety Grants of up to $25k available for businesses

Economic Development Subcommittee moves parking fee changes and restrictions forward to Council

FM #776 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 776 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in the 3rd Floor Training Room.  

Quick recap:

• Two items on the agenda, first up - parking update for the East/West & Nason Sts area; Chief Lynch and Lt Riley provided updates on parking pattern and parking fee structure in comparison to some neighboring communities, draft presented for review in agenda doc. Key discussion from community and councilors was around what amount would change the behavior of the students without creating a negative impact on businesses and residents. Ultimately passed for consideration by full council amending overtime violation to be set at $35

• Second item - changing the hours of parking zone, and setting no overnight parking, attempting to keep vehicles in movement creating space for others to use, running out of time (due to first issue) but this moved to the Council for additional discussion as well.

The recording of the meeting runs just over an hour.   Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-776-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-04-13-22

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Meeting agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-04-13_edc_agenda_packet_0.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dJ1cfHPu9_ev2IYBa8Rj1nyRad0sDj89/view?usp=sharing 

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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"

 

Economic Development Subcommittee moves parking fee changes and restrictions forward to Council

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Apr 12, 2022 (new order of business format)

Franklin School Committee

April 12, 2022 - 7:00 PM

Municipal Building – Council Chambers

Call to Order Ms. Spencer
Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Payment of Bills Ms. Spencer
C. Payroll Ms. Stokes
D. FHS Student Representative Comments
E. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. FY23 Revised Superintendent’s Recommended Budget

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy23_budget_for_sc_vote_presentation_0.pdf

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. FY23 Budget Vote
I recommend approval of the FY23 Budget in the amount of $70,216,996.00 as discussed.

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_fy23_budget_vote.pdf

B. School Choice Vote
I recommend to not accept school choice students for the 2022-23 school year as discussed.

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_school_choice_vote_0.pdf

C. Revised 2022-23 School Calendar
I recommend adoption of the Revised 2022-2023 School Calendar as discussed.

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_c_-_22-23_revised_school_calendar.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. none

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
B. School Committee Liaison Reports

VI. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes of the March 22, 2022 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
B. Executive Session Minutes
I recommend approval of the Executive Session minutes of the March 22,2022 School Committee Meeting as detailed.
C. DECA International Competition (recurring) Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Miguel Carmo to take DECA students to Atlanta, GA for the International competition from April 23-27, 2022 as detailed.
D. JFK Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Ms. Trottier to take JFK 2nd graders to Roger Williams Park Zoo, in Providence RI on May 20, 2022 as detailed.
E. Cooperstown Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Zach Brown to take the FHS Baseball players to Cooperstown, NY from April 18 - 19, 2022 as detailed

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business

To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Adjournment

 

Agenda doc -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_4-12-22.pdf

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/april-12-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

School Committee - Agenda - Apr 12, 2022 (new order of business format)

Pantherbook: interviews with DECA students reveal insights on the business program

Grace Tucceri writes on her interview with Aradhya Garg, elected to a state office for DECA:

"DECA at FHS has reached a new height this year. 87 exceptional students went to States, with 27 state finalists and an additional 24 of them placing in the Top 5, qualifying for the International Career Development Conference. Even more impressive, Aradhya Garg, a junior at FHS, got elected as a state officer for Action Team 64. I interviewed him about the experience and his future goals."

Continue reading the article ->

https://franklinpanthers.us/uncategorized/2022/03/28/student-spotlight-aradhya-garg/

FHS’s very own Aradhya Garg was elected to Mass DECA’s State Action Team 64 this year!

Sofia Smith interviews Abby Auerr and Maya Sankaran to get more info about the DECA State competition: 

"The DECA States competition took place on March 11th this year, with almost 90 Massachusetts teens attending the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

Abby Auerr and Maya Sankaran are two seniors at Franklin High School who attended the competition. The two students both joined DECA this year, and have been quite successful despite having less than a year of experience.

DECA is a non-profit student organization that prepares emerging adults and entrepreneurs in marketing and finance. "

Continue reading the article ->

https://franklinpanthers.us/clubs-activities/2022/04/05/deca-states-teens-experiencing-the-business-world/ 

DECA States: Teens Experiencing the Business World

Governor wants to reimage downtowns; offers businesses a $4K hiring bonus

“The future of downtowns is going to be different, whether we like it or not,” Gov. Charlie Baker told the breakfast gathering. “We need to start the process of reimagining the placemaking of downtowns so they can thrive and be successful in what will be a slightly different world in many cases and a significantly different world in some cases.”

Baker plans to file an economic development bill to aid downtowns struggling amid the work-from-home pattern that took hold during the pandemic – and seems here to stay, at least in some form. The Legislature deep-sixed a downtown aid package Baker filed last year. Details of the new proposal have not been revealed, but the Globe said Baker expects to propose using a combination of bonding and the $2 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan Act money to fund the plan. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/dealing-with-deserted-downtowns-now-high-on-baker-menu-2/

"FRUSTRATED AT the disconnect in Massachusetts between available jobs and available employees, the Baker administration is offering for-profit and non-profit employers $4,000 for each new worker they hire this year.

The goal of the HireNow program is to give employers an incentive to recruit and train workers who they normally would not bring in for an interview because of their lack of skills. “This is a great opportunity to say there’s no experience needed,” said Rosalin Acosta, the governor’s secretary of labor and workforce development. She unveiled the program along with Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at a press conference Wednesday at LabCentral, a Cambridge-based incubator in the biotech and life sciences sectors."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/baker-offering-employers-4000-for-each-worker-hired/ 

 

HireNow page -> https://www.mass.gov/hirenow

HireNow flyer ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZQVdbCivb7IW34wJZbVPgsovpsZiXw5a/view

FHS DECA Students take multiple awards

"Drew Mahoney ('22), Maxwell Voellmicke ('22), Sameen Shaik ('22)- ICDC Qualifiers- Financial Operations Research! Thank you "

 https://twitter.com/FranklinMA_DECA/status/1505326662837313548

"Brendan McCormick ('22), Timothy O'Keefe ('22), Evan Raider ('22)- Top 10 Business Operations Research! 2021 ICDC Qualifiers, 1st Place Districts 2022! Leadership, Character, Consistency. Any team/organization would be well served to include these 3!"

https://twitter.com/FranklinMA_DECA/status/1505323199080316928

"Nihara Lijan (‘23) ICDC Qualifier- Innovation Plan! Shout out to Mr. Bobrowsky on the collab! The power of cross-curricular project based learning on full display!"

https://twitter.com/FranklinMA_DECA/status/1504257957009178624

"Thank you FHS teachers! This experience and level of achievement doesn't happen without your support! "

https://twitter.com/FranklinMA_DECA/status/1504232979035529216

 

Thank you FHS teachers! This experience and level of achievement doesn't happen without your support!

FM #577 - Inside Wright Old School Chocolate - 06/22/21 (audio)

FM #577 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 577 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Peter Carlson.  Peter is exploring his interest in chocolates and looking to bring that old school taste to the market.  

We talk about his Franklin story. How his interest in chocolates has led to crafting some ‘bean to bar’ chocolate bars for Wright Old School Chocolate. His bars generally use only two ingredients; the nibs (minus the husk) and unrefined sugar. We discuss how the taste variations can be more than ‘subtle’. The taste honors the bean and not what you get from the standard ‘big bar’ chocolates.

The recording runs about 16 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Peter outdoors on the Town Common.

*** Audio link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0736e120-7a7c-404d-9e4d-0794e33ba342

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Wright Old School Chocolate  https://wrightoldschoolchocolate.com/  

The book by Dandelion Chocolates mentioned  https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/making-chocolate/

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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"

FM #577 - Inside Wright Old School Chocolate - 06/22/21 (audio)

New York Times: "workplaces in apartment buildings"

"Before the pandemic, Tony Dopazo leased an office in Boston and used co-working spaces in Brooklyn for his company, Metro Tech Services, an IT provider for start-ups and biotech companies. Then the pandemic lockdown forced him, like countless others, to work remotely. That meant he was on the phone with clients from his apartment building, Level, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

At first, with the common areas in his rental building closed by Covid restrictions, Mr. Dopazo, 47, hunkered down in his one-bedroom, which was “brutal,” he said, “everything mish-mashing into one big blob of time.” But after the common spaces opened in September, he started going down to a co-working area in a ninth-floor lounge every day.

The arrangement affords some “mental separation” from his home, he said, and, with other tenants working in the same space, he has companionship. When he needs to print or scan something, he heads to the ground-level business center. If he’s hungry, he returns to his apartment to make a sandwich, and for a break, he can take a dip in the building’s pool."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/realestate/coworking-rentals-condos.html

A co-working area on the ninth floor is where Mr. Dopazo often sets up shop for the day.Credit...Tom Sibley for The New York Times

FM #568 - EDC discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses (audio)

FM #568 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 568 in the series. 

This shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting that was held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; two committee members were in the Council Chambers, two participated remotely along with several others via Zoom conference bridge. 

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about 1 hour and forty (~1:40) minutes.  Let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting for June 16

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/fe96a8ad-4355-46bd-af15-42220606715b

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Meeting agenda 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/edc_agenda_6-16-2021.pdf

MAHT presentation doc

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/06022021_maht_presentation_-_dpcd.pdf

Housing Production Plan

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-economic-development-subcommittee.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/

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"

 

EDC discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses

Recap: Economic Development Subcommittee - discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses

Quick Recap:

• The housing production plan was reviewed and discussed. Key among the actions is to further obtain any and all citizen input/comment by June 25 and update this draft. The revised plan would then be approved by Planning Board and Town Council before being submitted to the State for acceptance.
• Key to specific items to address the housing would be the zoning assessment. This analysis would provide an objective 3rd party view on what we have and what we could do to allow for appropriate and affordable housing
• Discussion on home based businesses. Good to boot strap a concept, Health Dept is ok with food production as long as the ServeSafe and other related food prep requirements are adhered to. The wrinkle comes with handling the sewer waste and implementation of a grease trap which can be expensive.
• The Town is not prepared for how to address this opportunity. More research is required which they will conduct during the next couple of months and bring back to Subcommittee for further discussion.

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0616
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Edc0616&src=typed_query 

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/AayFgpTfmSzB3Y2w9

• EDC meeting to begin soon, awaiting quorum #edc0616
  
• Without quorum, may at least open meeting and have a discussion. #fincom0616
  
• Quorum achieved (with virtual participation of Frongillo and Bissanti), EDC meeting opens at 7:09 PM. #edc0616
  
• Chair Hamblen opens meeting, reads protocol statement, #fincom0616 First item, housing production plan for discussion if needed, plan can be found https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf 
  
• Feedback sought as part of the draft review process. #fincom0616
  
• Cool to be back in Municipal Bldg, Planner Amy Love provides an overview of the plan, similar to what was presented earlier in Housing Trust meeting #edc0616
  
• My notes from that (Municipal Affordable Housing Trust) meeting, for the record, can be found https://franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-municipal-affordable-housing.html?m=1 #edc0616
  
• Difference in accounting between apartment and residential units, all apartments count if only a smaller # are affordable; for owned residential units only the # affordable apply to the housing rate (i.e. 6 of 30, only the 6 - if apartments, 6 of 30 all 30 count) condos ->
• Condos count as owned units so only the # would count (like other owned residential, not like apartments). #edc0616 What is considered affordable for Franklin? Major issue
  
• Development costs are hire, art zoning would need to have incentives to allow the developers to make the money back that they give up making some of the units affordable. #edc0616
  
• Multiple discussion points on affordable and how to tackle it, the new housing behind Eaton Place will help but it won't be online soon (still needs funding) #edc0616
  
• Motion to move housing plan forward to planning board and to Council for approval incorporating the changes and comments #edc0616 passes 4-0 via roll call.
  
• Moving to home occupied businesses for next part of discussion. #edc0616
  
• How do you permit a bootstrap business from a home, some i.e. kitchens can pose health concerns, others may have traffic/delivery issues for neighbors. #edc0616 permit some level of production up to which they're good, beyond that next level up. ZBA may be an option
  
• In commercial areas, need to protect the sewer system, with grease traps, when blockages occur it stops things and that is not good. Title 5 systems are built for 3 or 4 bedrooms not commercial industry business. #edc0616 who acts the agent for volume?
  
• We can't use the ZBA or planning board and their temporary benevolence, if something is good, let's make it right. #edc0616 strict guidelines on food prep, zoning is the issue in the case of chocolate bars (as the talking point example)
  
• let's provide some time to research, see what others are doing, Boston is a whole different system. #edc0616 what might work, what would be some controls, there is no capacity at Charles River. we do need to consider the big picture of affordability
  
• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call #fincom0616 

Audio file to be available in a couple of days

discussion on housing plan and requirements for home based businesses