School Committee hears about Oak St, FHS Program of studies, approves Cheerleader trip to Nationals, and Capital Budget request (audio)

FM #1134 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1134 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers. 

Due to a Verizon internet outage at the Franklin TV Studio, the meeting was recorded for broadcast later and available via Zoom. Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8BvAH3q6xM&list=PLNyv0AkVasIR_a80hAfFnQoFngebCICow&index=46

Quick recap:

• Internet out at TV studio, meeting via Zoom but not through to cable, it is being locally recorded for broadcast later, Audio recording also being made, Owl camera out to use for this meeting and Zoom session

• Skipped ahead to Superintendent report, will come back to the FHS student update assuming they connect successfully

• Facility planning underway, subcmte met last week. 3 piece process: (1) demographics, (2) educational adequacy and how to support it, (3) age and use of the space in the schools; More info coming as the presentation is scheduled for completion later this school year

• Workshop on executive function, 90 mins for adults only, sign up through Lifelong Learning (link to be shared later)

• Regards to the weather, please communicate also through the reverse 911 process

• Dr Dutch provided an update on the state funding for the newly arrived students, submitted not received yet. Student update on activity at the high school

• Oak St administration team to provide an update on the school activities this year so far 

• Good question on languages and how the new folks, especially the younger ones, are catching on? 'Wheels on the bus' sung in multiple languages is a thing to hear! language is building every day in K and 1

• Question to expand on trauma informed practices, some kids are having tough times, how do you handle them? Lesley Univ presenting a course on this topic for a grad level course being set up for this. 27 staff members at Oak will be taking this course

• Interview by students focused on 3, 4, and 5th grade students. Adapted also for the lower levels. Coming up later this year!

• Next up, program of studies at FHS, Mr Hanna and H McVey

• Personal finance and community service coming back for FHS graduation requirements for future classes

• Students will receive a copy of the courses available to them, as opposed to prior years advised to review the listing (turns out many didn't)

• Timeline reviewed for information process & enrollment

• Panther Pride night Feb 12, a good one for the incoming 9th graders (currently 8th graders)

• Recurring FHS Varsity Cheerleading National Competition, approved by 7-0 vote

• Capital Budget Proposal - I recommend approval of the Capital Budget Proposal as discussed. Motion to approve, second, passes 7-0; Budget subcmte had met earlier and approved this request

The meeting runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting held on Jan 9, 2024. Audio link - > https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1134-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-01-09-24

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School Committee page => https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

Meeting Agenda doc  -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/1-9-24-agenda 

Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/january-9-2024-school-committee-meeting-packet  

Oak St highlights -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/MyeaEisD1EuirtpTA 

FHS program of studies -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/aeMBP35oMNzM5QHs5 

My notes in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXpStXQX6JrK5nRluvpygt-tkT3o9GCZ/view?usp=drive_link 

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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"

FHS student providing update on FHS activities during School Cmte meeting via Zoom session

School Committee Budget Subcommittee previews capital budget requests and approves (audio)

FM #1132 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1132 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Tuesday, Jan 9, 2024. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. Remote participation was enabled for this session that no one took advantage of. 

Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee members Dr Paul Griffith and KP Sompally participated. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Manager Dr Bob Dutch also participated.

Quick recap

• Ready to live report on the FPS budget subcmte mtg about to begin, a short one before a workshop and then the full regular School committee meeting, so a busy night. Follow along with the agenda doc https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/1-9-24_agenda-budgetsubcom.pdf  

• Supt Giguere provides an overview of the capital budget process for this new group, Dr Dutch to walk through the details of the requests. This is preliminary to the FinCom meeting Weds night, and then to Town Council capital budget subcmte before final Town Council approval

• Special ed van, middle school math curriculum,and then technology (Chromebooks, laptops, etc) among the items on this request in priority order

• Have an existing 4 year plan for capital requests, looking to add the 5th year to make it formal at 5 and roll forward from that

• Discussion on options, lease vs buy, choice of extended warranty vs. purchase, at some point these will come due, period

• Motion to approve capital request as discussed, second, passes, 3-0 Motion to adjourn, second, passes 3-0

The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.

The recording runs about 27 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting of Jan 9, 2024. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1132-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-01-09-24

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Budget Subcommittee agenda

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/fps_budget_sub_comm.pdf 

FY 2024 Budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget 

Capital budget doc for Finance Committee 01/10/24

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/_2024-01-05_memo_fy24_capital_program_fin_comm.pdf 

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18tMUBEmIEbKBdO93pMSBl5OgVHJWW0HT/view?usp=drive_link 

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

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"

School Committee Budget Subcommittee previews capital budget requests and approves (audio)

Finance Committee gets first look at Capital Budget requests for FY 2024

The Town Administrator memo to the Finance Committee outlining the proposed first pass of the Capital Budget summarizes:

Please find the attached Capital Plan Round 1 for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), as well as the five-year capital plan from each department as required by the Town Charter. Included in this memo is a chart with the 20-year free cash history. The average free cash balance is $3.52 million over the past ten years and $2.89 million over the past 20 years.

From the certified total, there are several policy commitments that eat into the total right off the bat, most notably contributions to stabilization accounts (per town policy). Please note that snow and ice removal is now fully funded in the operating budget and there is no reason to “hold” any free cash for snow and ice removal. See narrative below for more specifics.

These recommendations are the FY24 Capital program Round 1. A second round will be later this Spring.

The following is an overview of certified free cash status for FY24:

Find the full memo in the agenda doc (also contains remote participation info) ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/_2024-01-05_memo_fy24_capital_program_fin_comm.pdf

Finance Committee gets first look at Capital Budget requests for FY 2024

Healey-Driscoll administration releases "$14 Billion Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-2028"

"The Healey-Driscoll administration announced today (06/22/23)  a new five-year, $14 billion capital investment plan that includes more than $1.5 billion in housing-related spending and a new program to incentivize the creation of more affordable housing.

The administration’s plan, covering fiscal years 2024 through 2028, includes $97 million a year for the new HousingWorks program, which aims to encourage the production of 200 to 300 units of affordable housing each year. In addition, the spending plan also includes $90 million annually for housing acquisition, development and rehabilitation, and $120 million a year to preserve the state’s more than 43,000 units of public housing.

Besides housing, the spending plan focuses on advancing climate and economic development goals, and administration officials said it will help preserve and modernize the state’s infrastructure, invest in cities and towns, and make government more effective."

Continue reading the article ->

https://www.mma.org/gov-healey-announces-capital-plan-affordable-housing-program/ 

The Governor's official press release ->

https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-and-lieutenant-governor-driscoll-release-14-billion-capital-investment-plan-for-fiscal-years-2024-2028

Healey-Driscoll administration releases "$14 Billion Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-2028"

Capital Budget Subcommittee approves the 4 items to complete 2nd round of Capital (audio)

FM #978 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 978 in the series. 

This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA Capital Budget Subcommittee meeting conducted on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. All four members of the subcommittee were present: Chair Debbie Pellegri, Vice Chair Bob Dellorco, Ted Cormier-leger, Brian Chandler. 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandinni, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone, Superintendent Lucas Giguere, Business Manager Miriam Goodman, Town Clerk Nancy Danello, DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi (a few minutes after start of meeting) were also present in the 3rd Floor Training Room.

This meeting covered the second round of capital budgeting. The first round was handled earlier this year. Now that the winter and snow/ice effects are behind us, what had been put aside initially can now be distributed. 

The four items on the agenda were discussed and all approved after discussion by a 4-0 vote to bring forward to the Town Council.

The recording runs about 57 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-978-capital-budget-subcmte-mtg-04-26-23

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Agenda document ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-04-26_capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf

My notes via Twitter ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DSfG9dZBVEJ9XdpwPPlfb4j9DuXHWeI_/view?usp=share_link 

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

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"

Town Council: Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - April 26, 2023 at 5:45 PM

Town Council: Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - April 26, 2023 at 5:45 PM

Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - April 26, 2023

The Capital Budget Subcommittee will meet April 26, 2023.

You may access the agenda and links here:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2023-04-26_capital_budget_subcommittee_agenda.pdf

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/capital-budget-subcommittee-meeting-april-26th-2023

Town Council: Capital Budget Subcommittee Meeting - April 26, 2023 at 5:45 PM

Town Council approves capital budget, refers inclusionary zoning bylaw to Planning Board for review (audio)

FM #947 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 947 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. 8 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers (Pellegri absent).

Quick recap:

Three key items regarding the capital budget were all approved by 8-0-1 votes (8 for, none against, 1 absent (Pellegri))

• Resolution 23-18: FY23 Capital Improvement Plan

• Resolution 23-19: Free Cash to Stabilization Accounts Transfers

• Resolution 23-20: Water Retained Earnings Transfer to Water Main Capital Project R19-05

The two referrals to the Planning Board on Inclusionary Zoning were also moved forward after some clarification questions by the Councilors were answered by TA Jamie Hellen or Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development.

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-889: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Attachment 7., Part VI, Use Regulation Schedule: Residential Uses - Referral to the Planning Board 

• Zoning Bylaw Amendment 23-890: A Zoning Bylaw to Amend the Franklin Town Code at  Chapter 185, Section 5 - Referral to the Planning Board 

The recording runs 2 and 38 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on February 15, 2023.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-947-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-02-15-23

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The complete agenda doc  ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/feb_15_2023_agenda.pdf

The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/live/TxINM8EMueg?feature=share 

One PDF with my Twitter thread of notes is available here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e3mWHu8EEyeIooV0ryedEmH-aY3hdmGY/view?usp=share_link

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

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"

Town Council approves capital budget, refers inclusionary zoning bylaw to Planning Board for review (audio)