|
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, September 7, 2023
Rail Trail Committee raises a Call for Volunteers!
Friday, August 18, 2023
Davis Thayer Reuse Committee hears & discusses multiple options for the building (audio)
FM #1040 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1040 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio for the Davis Thayer Reuse Committee meeting held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 in the Council Chambers.
The committee heard and discussed many ideas for possible reuse of the former school building. Police station, community arts center, housing, and recreation headquarters were among the key items mentioned. Splitting the land into 2 parcels was suggested. Another was to build a new municipal building in addition to the police station and sell off the current municipal building was a new idea.
Multiple parties apparently being invited to the next meeting proposed for Sep 19 at 7 PM. Police Chief, arts and recreation, and housing trust representatives among the key participants suggested to provide insights to the discussion.
Arrangements being finalized for movers to clear the facility to enable open houses for the community (and committee) to view the building, Open houses likely to be scheduled in October.
The recording runs about 80 minutes, so let’s listen to the Davis Thayer Reuse Committee meeting. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1040-davis-thayer-reuse-cmte-mtg-08-15-23
--------------
The meeting agenda ->
The draft facility condition report ->
The Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/HRdzWScNZCA
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nQU6e9arZuu33HTFtMjnY_eVf084AKBU/view?usp=drive_link
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
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 www.franklin.news or www.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"
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Davis Thayer Reuse Cmte hears & discusses multiple options (video)
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
"What does the School Committee do?"
With a little over a month until its time to pull nomination papers (where does time go?), I thought I would once again share "What does the School Committee do?" and "just how much of a time commitment is this?" https://t.co/epya1uEEGL
The School Committee provides oversight & direction to the operation of the District. The committee's role, responsibilities & high level operating procedures are established in the context of Chapter 71, section 37 of the general laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Our primary responsibilities are to approve the budget, establish policies, and hire/evaluate the Superintendent. The implementation and achievement of these goals lies with the Superintendent and the administrative team.
School Committee meets twice a month, however December & July we usually only meet once, for the regular meeting. These run anywhere from 2 - 3 hours (generally). You receive the materials in advance so you have time to thoroughly prepare for each meeting.
The School Committee also has several subcommittees and liaison roles (you can find a full list here: https://franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/subcommittees-and-liaisons) and you are required to participate. Each committee/liaison role varies in time commitment.
There are also joint budget subcommittee meetings, town council meetings, finance committee meetings, town events, school events, etc etc that we attend. This is not a small commitment. I am available to answer any questions for folks looking for further information!
TLDR: The role of School Committee is not to run the schools, but rather to establish the policies by which the schools are run & to oversee their maintenance in a broad sense... it is also not a "light lift", it is a lot of work, requires time from family, but is rewarding
Twitter thread started here -> https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1673316652019077120
"What does the School Committee do?" |
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Master Plan Update Committee gets sworn in, goes over introductions, will split into 5 subcommittees for detail work (audio)
FM #1015 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1015 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Master Plan Update Committee meeting held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
The Master Plan Update Committee met for the first time and 12 of the committee present were sworn in. One member was remote and will be sworn in later
During the meeting, it was revealed that the 13 member committee will split into 5 subcommittees each responsible for their own goals, workflows, and coordinating through the Planning Dept for support
While the subcommittees were announced, confirmation of the membership is schedule for the next session
Much of the meeting was laying the groundwork and ground rules for their future sessions. Much of the time was spent reading the agenda materials released before the meeting
Listen to the recording of the meeting (approx. 1 hour & 50 minutes) -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1015-master-plan-update-cmte-06-14-23
--------------
The agenda doc is rich with links to the prior master plan and associated materials https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/june_14_2023_mp_agenda_0.pdf
The Master Plan update Committee page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/master-plan-update-committee
My notes captured during the meeting can be found in one PDF file ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XUd8eMitR2P9x6RrzkNklg-lPFYqa-tm/view?usp=drive_link
The meeting video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/uQjupaOHK-o
--------------
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"
![]() |
Agenda for the initial Master Plan Committee meeting Wednesday, June 14, 2023 - 6:30 PM |
Thursday, May 18, 2023
CommonWealth Magazine: "Split-in-two committee to hold dueling hearings this week"
"Those interested in testifying on bills dealing with offshore wind and energy storage may have to do double-duty this week.The feuding House and Senate chairs of the Legislature’s Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee are splitting the panel in half, with the House members taking testimony on bills dealing with offshore wind and energy storage on Thursday and Senate members holding their own “parallel hearing” on the same bills on Friday.The two feuders – Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin and Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington – both say they are acting on principle in a fight about the rules that govern their legislative committee.Roy said his concerns trace to the end of the legislative session last year, when Barrett used the powers provided under the rules to control which bills were released from committee. He said action on major energy legislation was delayed and hundreds of other bills were blocked, which means they ended up with the label “ought not to pass.”Barrett said he is refusing to engage in any legislative business with Roy until the House chair either agrees to new rules or abides by the rules that were in force last year, which require the consent of both chairs to schedule a hearing or an executive session where legislation is acted on."
Continue reading the article online -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/split-in-two-committee-to-hold-dueling-hearings-this-week-2/
![]() |
The golden dome of the State House. (Photo by Andy Metzger) |
Thursday, February 16, 2023
MA Senate announces committee assignments for 2023-2024 session
Census Rausch VICE CHAIR
Agriculture Rausch
Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Rausch VICE CHAIR
Emergency Preparedness and Management Rausch
Education Rausch
Environment and Natural Resources Rausch CHAIR
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting Tuesday night - Feb 14, 2023
|
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee - Jan 25 - 5 PM
Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee
Agenda & Meeting PacketJanuary 25, 2023 - 5 PM
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
"Talk Franklin" gets the new year started; Jamie talks of committees authorized, compensation plan, capital budget, and more (audio)
FM #917 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 917 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge.
Topics for this session
Welcome to 2023
200 acres of open space
Town Council recap
Four committees authorized
• Arts & Culture prep for Master Plan – complete Jun 2023
• Master Plan – approx. 18 months
• Davis Thayer reuse – complete Dec 2023
• Police Station likely 3-4 years
Finance Committee recap
• Compensation plan, multi year implementation
• Capital budget for FY 2023 ( increase to debt stabilization account)
Hiring for backfills continues
Preview of Town Council
The conversation runs about 30 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie. Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/2023---A-Year-of-Planning-for-Franklins-Future-e1tjutj/a-a96jv09
--------------
Town Council meeting 1/04/23 recap (audio & video links) -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-panthers-recognized-historic.html
Finance Committee 1/11/23 recap (audio & video links) ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/finance-cmte-gets-briefed-on-1st.html
Compensation & Classification Study
i. Draft Report, Results & Methodology https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_draft_final_report.pdf
ii. Compensation & Classification Plan https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/class_and_comp_plan.pdf
Town Council agenda for 1/18/23
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/franklin-ma-town-council-january-18.html
Town Administrator page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator
--------------
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"