Showing posts with label cable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cable. Show all posts

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Franklin TV: Streaming – an Observation

Cable Cord-Cutting Continues

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/30/2023

On July-27 Alan Earls penned an insightful report in The Franklin Observer about cord-cutting and the state’s legislative efforts to ensure the viability of local media studios like Franklin●TV.

As subscribers cancel their cable subscriptions, we see our revenues drop off. Currently, Franklin.TV has seen a 15% drop in revenue over the last 5 years. We also must contend with all the same inflationary costs that everyone faces.

Crafting such legislation is a Solomonic task. The Massachusetts House and Senate have bills currently being considered on Beacon Hill. The “Act to Modernize Funding for Community Media Programming” has a version in the House, H.74. A similar measure, S.34, is moving in the Senate. The bills seek to ensure that streaming services (Netflix, Apple+, Prime, Paramount, et al) meet the same financial obligation to support local media that the cable companies (Comcast, Verizon) currently do.

Per State Rep. Jeff Roy, H. 74, “is a bill that is worth considering as it would bolster accessibility, civic engagement, and transparency of government operations,”. At a time of dwindling newspaper coverage, this legislation would help municipal TV studios to continue covering and broadcasting matters of great interest to citizens. “It would simply replace the current fees on cable companies and requiring streaming services to step up to the plate,” he continued. “I look forward to reviewing the committee’s report on the proposal,” he added.

The City of Chicago successfully enacted similar legislation 5 years ago in an effort to keep pace with changing times and technology.

We applaud the work of the Massachusetts Telecom Committee, the House and Senate and their efforts to timely and reasonably address the needs of local media centers. Without this legislation, smaller communities are at risk of seeing their local PEG media services merge into regional centers (less local) or vanish entirely.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Link to the Observer article mentioned ->

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Meeting coverage for Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023

Multiple meetings tonight but we'll keep you covered. Franklin TV is set to broadcast/Live stream two of the meetings. I'll be in the 3rd floor training room to record the audio of the other two.

5:00 PM - Board of Health Meeting  (audio recording)
5:45 PM - EDC Meeting  Franklin TV
6:00 PM - School Committee Budget Subcommittee (audio recording)
7:00 PM - Town Council Meeting   Franklin TV

The audio recordings should be available for listening Friday or Saturday at the latest.

Agendas for these meetings

Board of Health  


School Committee budget subcommittee

Town Council

Meeting coverage for Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023
Meeting coverage for Wednesday, Jan 4, 2023

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Reminder: A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony - Dec 11 at 7 PM

Seating in the Temple is limited so Franklin.TV will broadcast and live stream the event. 


Via Temple Etz Chaim: 

"December 11, 2022 at 7:00 PM. Come attend a special presentation at 900 Washington St in Franklin. 
Rabbi Alpert will be among those presenting."



A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony - Dec 11 at 7 PM
A Conversation of Hope: Black & Jewish Voices in Harmony - Dec 11 at 7 PM

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Inclusionary zoning and tax rate hearing on tap for meetings Wednesday night

Two meetings on tap for Wednesday at the Municipal Building. First up at 5:45 PM the Economic Development "Plus" subcommittee, followed by the Town Council meeting at 7 PM. I plan on reporting on both meetings. Franklin TV will be broadcasting both via cable (Verizon or Comcast), live streaming, Zoom, and YouTube. So there are multiple ways to view and/or participate in the meetings.


1 - Economic Development Agenda
1. Discussion: Zoning
a. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw
Agenda doc and remote connection info

The prior meeting started this discussion and as time ran out, the discussion resumes at this session. Catch up to the discussion before the meeting:

2 - Town Council Agenda

Full agenda and docs released ->

Charts explaining the tax rate history can be found ->


the "Plus" Cmte gets into housing density proposal
the "Plus" Cmte gets into housing density proposal

Friday, June 3, 2022

Watch the FHS Class of 2022 Graduation today

If you want to watch the Class of 2022 graduation at 7:00 PM today, there are several options to do so.

You can watch the live broadcast

Sunday, May 15, 2022

How to comment or watch the Franklin For All event Monday, May 16 at 6:30 PM

Monday, May 16, 2022 at 6:30 PM, join MAPC and the Town of Franklin for the next Franklin For All hybrid public forum

This event will take place at THE BLACK BOX (15 West Central Street) and over Zoom. Weigh in on draft zoning recommendations and learn about next steps for the rezoning effort. Doors to The Black Box open at 6:00 PM.

To participate & comment:
  • in person at THE BLACK BOX
  • via Zoom (registration required to get link (and ensure on mailing list))
To view/watch only:

Yes, it is the same broadcast starting on Zoom, then feeding out to the various channels of delivery to you at home or wherever on your device.

Yes, it would have been nice to have the recommendations in advance to review and prepare questions & comments. That has not happened; little will change that at this point. What we can do is be patient to listen to what is revealed as a recommendation or recommendations. 

Whatever is revealed may take time to digest. 

The best response may well be quiet, thoughtful absorption of what they reveal.

As mentioned in other meetings, whatever is recommended will be digested and discussed at future Economic Development meetings. 

It will take time to determine what if any changes will be made to the downtown zoning. Those zoning changes also will take time. 

How much time will it take? 

The Town will need 

  • proposal to be drafted by the Dept of Planning and Community Development
  • reviewed by the Economic Development Committee (EDC) (may be more than 1 meeting)
  • when ready EDC will forward to the Town Council
  • the Town Council discuss but decide to refer to the Planning Board for two readings & hearing before Planning Board returns the proposal with recommendation(s) to Town Council
  • the Town Council will also hold two readings and hearing to review and discuss such before final vote (to accept or reject)

So it will be good to see what MAPC proposes but this is really the START of the process if anything will change.


How to comment or watch the Franklin For All event today
How to comment or watch the Franklin For All event today

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Franklin TV: Out With the Old

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 04/03/2022

It’s my ten-year anniversary! Yay, me! (I guess I’m not the new kid anymore.) Wow!

Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday that I… (Wavy TV screen effect that takes us back to day one.)

My first Summer was a technical firefight to fix damaged, tired gear, and get our snowy Comcast channels cleaned up. We bought a building in the Fall and began our journey to modernize the facility. Old standard definition TeeVee cameras, videotape and DVD players, (remember VHS?) editing systems, audio gear, channel equipment and all the background stuff that made it all go – year-after-year, all of it was slowly being replaced with state-of-the-art, high-definition gear.

the old and new Equipment Rack 15

The images above are of the old and new Equipment Rack 15. It’s a small-ish, 2-foot high bundle of gear that connects our main studio to Panther TV’s control room in the high school. Yes, I know exactly what you’re thinking.

“ OOoooooh! Wow! OMG! What a huge difference. Srsly!”

Uh, huh! Drink it in and savor the moment – just like I did. Why? The old rack was the very last of the standard TeeVee gear to be retired, and the new rack completes our long journey to an entirely modern facility – streaming online 24/7 in Hi-Def. Retiring the last of the legacy gear was a nice moment to mark a decade of progress.

Now, if only we can get our Comcast and Verizon cable providers to do the same. 
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

Monday, March 28, 2022

Back to back School Committee meetings Tuesday, April 26

The Franklin School Committee has two meetings back to back on Tuesday evening. The first will be the deliberation on the one internal candidate they interviewed last week for Superintendent. The second is the normally scheduled 2nd meeting of the month.

First meeting - Apr 26, 2022 - 6 PM

How did the school committee get to this deliberation decision?

The meeting will be broadcast via cable and live streamed. It will not be available via Zoom.  Agenda doc with connection info ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_4-26-22_special_mtg.pdf

Second meeting - April 26, 2022 - 7 PM

The meeting will be broadcast via cable and live streamed. It will be available via Zoom. Agenda doc (includes remote connection info)

Back to back School Committee meetings Tuesday, April 26
Back to back School Committee meetings Tuesday, April 26

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Franklin.TV: Yes. It is – Complicated

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/27/2022

That was my hesitant, but honest answer. I was reluctant to admit it.

He looked at all the wires that were radiating outward in all directions from our equipment. The floor was littered with cables. These connected microphones, speakers, cameras, ethernet, computers, displays, intercom and so on. That’s what motivated a bystander’s question, ‘Is it complicated?’

I had never been asked, so I was thrown for moment. But, looking at the mess of wires, I had to admit that it was. It is. Such was my quiet epiphany.

We do what we can to minimize the complexity for our crew by customizing our equipment into configurable, flexible modules. These systems can be connected in different ways depending on need. Think ‘digital Legos’ that snap together to form whatever configuration best serves the event. Like nested Matryoshka dolls, our systems have subsystems within, and these also can have sub-subsystems. Today, our systems and simplified ‘snapping together’ (all the wires} continue to expand.

Ten years ago, it was simple. Bring camera and microphone. Record event. Leave. Lather, rinse, repeat. Simple.

What we do today? Not simple. Today, we are expected to cover civic events that are live and audience interactive via Zoom. We are expected to make engagement effortless – simple – for all participants. We are also expected to be consistently successful. These expanding expectations are reasonable enough in today’s world.

Fulfilling them? It’s complicated. 
And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.

 

Franklin.TV: Yes. It is – Complicated (part of the crew producing Critical Conversations)
Franklin.TV: Yes. It is – Complicated (part of the crew producing Critical Conversations)

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf    

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Town Council Quarterbacking with Tom Mercer - 03/03/22 (audio)

FM #744 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 744 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 March 3, 2022: 


  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


We cover the following key topics

PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS

a. Presentation: Other Post-Employment Benefits - Dan Sherman, Sherman Actuarial Services

 

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

a. Resolution 22-15: Direction for Issuance of Request for Expressions of Interest for Town Property Containing “South Franklin Congregational Meeting House” Located at 762 Washington Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-15 - Majority Vote)

b. Resolution 22-16: Authorization for Town Administrator to Negotiate and Execute New Agreement Between Town and Franklin Community Cable Access, Inc. for PEG Programming and Access Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-16 - Majority Vote)

 

Subcommittee Reports

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee – Mar 3, then to full Council likely March 16

b. Budget Subcommittee – Joint meeting – Mar 10 (Finance Cmte meeting - March 9)

c. Economic Development Subcommittee – met Weds before Council meeting, Franklin For All forum Mar 7



Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes.  The recording runs about 25 minutes.


Let’s listen to this recording of Town Council Quarterbacking Mar 3, 2022

Audio file ->  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-744-town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom-mercer-03-03-22


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Town Council Agenda document -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_-march_2_2022.pdf 


My notes for the meeting -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V68RACg-cfE7DL80uaXkOSwQhTPWL2yC/view?usp=sharing 



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

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"

 

OPEB consultant Dan Sherman participated remotely
OPEB consultant Dan Sherman participated remotely

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 2, 2022 - 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL
Agenda & Meeting Packet
March 2, 2022 - 7:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 2nd floor, Council Chambers, 355 East Central Street


1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b. Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS
a. Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask  the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

4. PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
5. APPOINTMENTS
6. HEARINGS - 7:00pm
7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

8. PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSIONS
a. Presentation: Other Post-Employment Benefits - Dan Sherman, Sherman Actuarial Services

9. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11. SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Exemption #3: Collective Bargaining (all Town unions) - To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.
15. ADJOURN

Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting



South Franklin Congregational Meeting House
South Franklin Congregational Meeting House

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

“There isn’t anything more local than a public access studio"

"If you’re one of many people in the United States who has decided to do away with cable in the last few years — or never had it to begin with — you’re not alone. 
But the exodus is cutting in to the revenue that makes certain services possible. Specifically, Public, Education and Government channels, or PEG channels. 
What are PEG channels? 
Parents who have tuned in to school committee meetings to scope out reopening plans or residents who’ve watched city council meetings for updates on construction projects— or done so after the fact — likely have PEG channels to thank. 
“If you put on your local government channel, and you watch it, I call it the best reality on television,” said Scott Mercer, executive director of Access Framingham, the nonprofit that runs the PEG channels in Framingham. “We are the ones who maintain and produce and support the citizens of Framingham to have a television station.”
Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

“There isn’t anything more local than a public access studio"
“There isn’t anything more local than a public access studio"


Monday, May 24, 2021

Franklin TV: Bob Dean (1946-2021)

Born: November, 1946, Deceased: May 16, 2021
https://www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com/obituaries.html

First, the backstory:

For many years cable carriers were legally obligated to provision and manage a local access TV studio for free use by residents. Some still do. When Verizon came to Franklin in 2006 they offered some funding to support the existing Comcast local access studio. (We don’t need two studios.) Comcast in turn wanted to do the same. So Comcast transferred its 13 Main St. studio and staff over to the Town of Franklin and ultimately, from Franklin to us, a new, independent nonprofit group at the end of 2011. 
Franklin TV: Bob Dean (1946-2021)
Franklin TV: Bob Dean (1946-2021)


Through all that time Bob was laying plans, pinching pennies, and preparing the way for the entity that would eventually become Franklin●TV. Just as things were finally coming along with the legal formation of Franklin Community Cable Access, dba Franklin●TV as a nonprofit organization with a charter, bylaws, an agreement with Franklin, etc., Bob fell ill, suffering a series of debilitating strokes early in 2012.

Bob’s work was conducted in conjunction with a Cable Advisory Board that he helped to form; recruiting volunteers who helped to chart the new studio’s future.

Most of them continue to serve as board members for Franklin●TV.

Here, in their own words – warm remembrances of Bob Dean: 

Rose Turco:
I recall the visit Bob made to my home, inviting me to become a board member of this new organization. Bob realized my hesitation in agreeing to something so new to me but for which he had a vision. Needless to say he was successful, and for that I am so appreciative. Here was my former student teaching the teacher!
Pandora Carlucci:
I remember him and the filming of town council and school committee meetings in council chambers at the Former Emmons Street town hall. He was a dedicated advocate for cable access.
Wes Rea:
Unlike some of you who knew Bob from town, I did not know him other than his name and his association with the public access studio. Once it was clear that Franklin Cable TV was going to be created and become an independent entity [from Comcast], I contacted Bob and asked to be involved. He was a little hesitant and maybe a little suspicious–  “Who was this guy that wanted to get involved in local TV?”  At the time I was a relative new comer, had only been in Franklin for 23 or 24 years. But after we talked, he welcomed me into the group. He was protecting something that was not only important to him but so important to the Town of Franklin. Bob was a ground-breaker, and Franklin was lucky to have him. And although I knew him for only a short while, I consider myself lucky for that time.
John Milot:
He started me filming at the church every other week. Really a great person!
Jay Horrigan:
I was lucky enough to have met Bob and worked with him at the old Franklin TV. And, like Ken, I remember clearly him pulling up to me in his truck asking me to help him with creating the new version of Franklin TV. Back then there were only a few of us that “worked” for Franklin TV. He and I, and also Ken spent a ton of time reading and going over by-laws Bob created to present to the town about this new TV concept. We sat in meeting after meeting with Jeff Nutting among others. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot from Bob. The big thing he taught me was to be careful saying ‘yes’ when someone pulls up alongside you, hands you an envelope with bylaw ideas inside and says, “No, no, this won’t take up any time at all!” I am so glad I did it, and I am even more thankful for the time I got to spend with Bob, and the knowledge he tried to pass along.
Ken Norman:
Jay, I cannot take any credit for the by-laws.  I came on board after the Corp was formed in Nov 2011. I do remember asking Bob if there was any heavy lifting (figuratively) about joining.  At the time I was actively involved in several projects. Bob of course said, “No, just a few meetings a year.”  Next thing I know Bob has had a stroke, and I am now the President of a new Corporation I knew nothing about. It has been one of the best jobs I have had in town. Building the new studio on Hutchinson St. with Peter was the most rewarding. I only wish Bob could have seen and enjoyed the ground work he had set out for us.
My advice: Watch out for guys in pickup trucks.

There are also a couple more reflections on Bob Dean from the archives of prior years. You can find them in the full copy of this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes    



Sunday, March 7, 2021

Franklin TV: "More Meetings"

More Open, More Engagement.
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/07/2021

Per Massachusetts Open Meeting Laws, many communities have their government meetings televised on a dedicated cable channel. In Franklin, it’s Town Hall TV on Comcast 11 and Verizon 29.
 
Back in 2019 BP – (Before Pandemic) we covered the following meetings regularly: 
  • M - Planning Board
  • T -  School Committee
  • W -  Town Council
  • T - Conservation Commission – or – Zoning Board of Appeals Finance Committee

Recently, we’ve added:
  • Economic Development Committee Town Administrator’s Review Budget Subcommittee
  • Community Preservation Committee – Their inaugural meeting was last week.  
  • Candidates’ Forum – Special meetings for Town Council Elections 
  • Agriculture Commission – May begin soon with a limited series.
Check this week’s schedule of live and replay meetings on our last page.

Today we also stream the government channel meetings live on our website. Just click on the Town Hall TV logo. Past meetings are searchable on demand as well.

Adding our live Zoom connection has been a real game chan– um, a meeting changer. Our government meetings, whether originating in town Chambers or remotely, Zoom makes citizen participation possible and convenient. What you see over Zoom is very much like what you see at home on TV, but you can participate easily. Just remember your Zoom etiquette. Please keep your microphone muted until you are addressed by the meeting chairperson during the public portion of the meeting. Place your computer in a quiet location that is well lit. Note that because you can see everyone – everyone can also see you.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching.
 
Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online
 
 
Franklin TV: "More Meetings"
Franklin TV: "More Meetings"

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

FM #420 Town Council Quarterbacking - 12/17/20 (audio)

FM #420 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 420 in the series. 


This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is the second 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: ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


‘regular business’

  • Lot lines clean up changes continue

  • Cable fund transfer authorized

  • GPS lease/purchase approved

 

‘Important business’

  • Community Preservation Committee bylaw approved

  • Authorization of emergency funds for Water Treatment plant billing (replaces spear phishing funds)


The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.


Our conversation runs about 37 minutes, so let’s listen in.

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWw2SfvS

 

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Town Council - meeting agenda and packet

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-dec-16.html 


My meeting notes

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/town-council-meeting-recap-dec-16-2020.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"

 

Town Council Chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting 12/16/20
Town Council Chair Tom Mercer opens the meeting 12/16/20