Showing posts with label contract. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contract. Show all posts

Monday, October 16, 2023

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee
Agenda & Meeting Packet
October 18, 2023 - 5:30 PM

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

Agenda:

1. Discussion: Home Occupation Bylaw
a. Staff memo
2. Discussion: 40R


Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM
Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda for Oct 18 meeting at 5:30 PM

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Redistricting vote fails by 6-1 vote at Franklin School Committee Meeting (audio)

FM #994 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 994 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.


The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via Zoom conference bridge.


Quick recap:

  • The School Committee met on Tuesday night at their regular meeting. They heard an update from the Keller Elementary School, an update on the District Improvement Plan, and voted 6-1 on an amendment to the original redistricting motion, to effectively do nothing for redistricting

  • The 6 votes all talked of the need for the master facility plan, but although that was included in the original proposal before them, the minor adjustment now was passed on in favor of doing nothing

  • The entered Executive Session and did return to approve a contract reached with ESP/LPN bargaining unit before closing out the full meeting


Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.


Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of May 9, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-994-fps-school-committee-mtg-05-09-23 


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Agenda document -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-9-23.pdf 


Keller presentation document

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/keller_school_may_9_school_committee_presentation.pdf 


District Improvement Plan update ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/sc_5_9_23_strategic_objective_1_-1.pdf 


Redistricting Analysis Report

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/redistricting_analysis_recommendation_report_2022-23.pdf 


Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-9-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet


Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/W-9CbY5MeDY?feature=share


My notes captured during the meeting (in one PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qB4ZIFXY9R4zNJ5hxoHrLnt242ECaUsN/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"


Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda
Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Town of Franklin: looking for services of a Cross Connection Contractor

Cross Connection Contractor

In accordance with Chapter 30B, Section (6) of the Massachusetts General Laws it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a Contractor who specialized in the management and operation of Cross Connection Control Programs for municipal water suppliers.  The contractor is to be a Massachusetts Certified Cross Connection Contractor to conduct testing.  The operation shall be in compliance with the rules and regulations as set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) M.G.L. 310 CMR 22.22 and the Town of Franklin's Rules and Regulations pertaining to Cross Connection Control. 

Additional Information:  Cross Connection Contractor

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/cross-connection-contractor-0

Town of Franklin: looking for services of a Cross Connection Contractor
Town of Franklin: looking for services of a Cross Connection Contractor

Sunday, January 1, 2023

CommonWealth Magazine: "DPU approves wind farm contracts despite financing concerns"

"THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES  on Friday approved 20-year power purchase agreements between the state’s three major utilities and the offshore wind developers behind Commonwealth Wind and Mayflower Wind, rejecting claims and concerns raised by the developers that the contracts are no longer adequate to finance their projects.

Avangrid, the developer behind Commonwealth Wind, had asked the DPU to dismiss its power purchase agreements because rising inflation and interest rates as well as supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine had driven up costs to a point where the existing pricing was no longer sufficient to finance and build the project."
Continue reading the article online -> 

Listen to the Making Sense of Climate episode discussion the wind contracts

CommonWealth Magazine: "DPU approves wind farm contracts despite financing concerns"
CommonWealth Magazine: "DPU approves wind farm contracts despite financing concerns"

Friday, December 16, 2022

Franklin Town Council closes out last meeting of 2022 with approval of an open space purchase to reach 200 acres in about 18 months (video)

The Franklin Town Council meet for the last time in the 2022 calendar year on Dec 14, 2022. The last agenda was a full one even after revising it to remote a couple of items for a future session.

After about 2 hours and 10 minutes, they entered Executive Session and returned after approx. 35 minutes to approve two more items and then close the meeting.

The Franklin TV video replay is available here -> https://youtu.be/qVbiUMlcbL8

The full agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)

The meeting audio and my recap will be shared in a day or so.

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda & Documents for Dec 14, 2022 7:00 PM

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Finance Committee gets to a better understanding of the school budget (video)

The Finance Committee got almost all they asked for at their meeting Wednesday. This was the scheduled deep dive into the school budget and while most questions were covered in detail, some were put aside for follow up.

From an observer's perspective, while this was the deepest dive by this committee, many of the topics and questions were covered during School Committee meetings, so it would seem to make sense to have more meetings like this to enhance that communication flow rather than waiting for the budget hearings or this type of 'deep dive'.

Given the focus on the hard question for why the School Committee deviated from the plan for COLA with the bargaining units that the rest of the units settled for, teacher contracts received 4/4/4% vs. town contracts of 2.5/2.5/2.5%. More communication could avoid the surprise and better understand the rationale rather than waiting.

Franklin TV video replay ->  https://youtu.be/o4vY1ekbk10

The agenda and released documents for this meeting can be found ->

My recap and full set of notes will be shared in a day or so


Franklin, MA: Finance Committee meeting
Franklin, MA: Finance Committee meeting


Thursday, September 15, 2022

Space Needs Subcmte to recommend vendor for analysis work on redistricting (audio)

FM #843 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 843 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the School Committee - Space Needs Subcommittee meeting held in the 3rd floor conference room on Tuesday, Sep 13, 2022. 

 

SubCmte Chair - Al Charles; committee members - Denise Spencer, Elise Stokes; Central office support - Supt Lucas Giguere, Business Manager Miriam Goodman

 

The meeting reviewed their analysis of the proposal received from the potential consultants for the re-districting work to be done. One vendor AppGeo stood out from the other two. Discussion on pros and cons of the vendors; recommendation to be made to the full School Committee at the regularly scheduled meeting of Sep 27, 2022. Assuming recommendation approved, the vendor contract can then be set up through Procurement and some time thereafter, work could begin.

 

They also discussed the form and wordsmithed it for use it to gather folks from the stakeholder groups (parents, teachers/staff, community, etc.) for the Advisory Committee to help this subcommittee and the vendor prepare the proposal and plan for re-districting. 

 

Communications will be key, overcommunication is not bad to ensure everyone gets the word. Aside from those on the Advisory Committee, there will be options (forums, etc.) for others to provide input, ask questions, etc. as the process develops.

 

Next meeting set as placeholder for Oct 3, 4 PM.

 

The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to the Space Needs discussion on Sep 13, 2022.  Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-843-fps-space-needs-subcmte-09-13-22

 


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Meeting agenda =>    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/spaceneedssubcom-9_13_22.pdf 

 

My notes for the meeting captured via Twitter and then combined in one PDF =>  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1edLAJ6ibNdaTAkCk_--0AIVWdvCb7MyE/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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"



With Davis Thayer closed the next analysis step is to consider redistricting
With Davis Thayer closed the next analysis step is to consider redistricting


Thursday, July 21, 2022

Recap: Town Council recognizes 100th birthday, FHS Unified Basketball team, grants TIF for Plansee, approves 6 contracts

Quick recap:
  • Margaret (Peg) Simpson was recognized for her 100th birthday. The FHS Unified Basketball Team was recognized for the Special Olympics Gold medal
  • The elections workers for the Sept primary and November election were approved. Early voting will be available the week before the Sept 6 State primary. All voting will be held at Franklin High School. The Council also approved resolutions approving for the police security coverage and other election details per recent legislation
  • The Elks Riders presented a donation of $1000 for Veterans Services
  • The Old South Meeting house expression of interest results were reviewed. The Council consensus was to proceed with an RFP for residential use with covenants to keep the property affordable, maintain the historical exterior and give priority to Franklin residents. The Town will prepare such paperwork to bring back to the Council for approval before putting it as a public offering
  • After a contested discussion, the Council approved tax increment financing (TIF) for Plansee USA LLC to expand their current location. Lack of understanding of the process and purpose of the TIF incentive apparently drove the discussion. The TIF financing is limited to specific industrial zones but the Council can expand it if they chose to do so. Vote was 7-2 for the TIF
  • The process of accepting the Davis Thayer School was formally started by the Council. The deed paperwork will proceed. Eventually a committee will be selected to determine the best use of the site
  • A "friendly 40b" application process was developed by the Town and presented to the Council for their review and understanding
  • The five year fiscal forecast was not yet ready for sharing but given the current inflation effects, it is anticipated that the FY 2023 budget will be difficult to complete as funded. An example was touted as the SNETT trail work put out to bid was expected to be in the $200K arena, the bids received back ranged from $300K to 800K. Stay tuned, we'll help to keep an eye on this inflation effect during the year as it could have major implications for future budgets
  • The Council entered executive session to discuss the status of contract negotiations and returned to open session to approve 6 contracts. Apparently with an increase of 2.5% which highlights that the School Committee's approval of 4% increases for the teachers contract is an issue to be worked as things progress
My full set of notes via Twitter from the meeting ->

Photos from the meeting can be found in one album ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/tptZmBMX44z85Px79

The Franklin TV recording of the meeting ->  https://youtu.be/xsn7kOA_S9I




Margaret (Peg) Simpson and Councilor Melanie Hamblen
Margaret (Peg) Simpson and Councilor Melanie Hamblen

Council Chair Tom Mercer and the FHS Unified Basketball team and coaches
Council Chair Tom Mercer and the FHS Unified Basketball team and coaches

Veterans Officer Shannon Nisbett with the Elks Riders accepting the donation
Veterans Officer Shannon Nisbett with the Elks Riders accepting the donation

Friday, July 8, 2022

Mill and Overlay work well underway on King St

"The Town's contractor, Massachusetts Broken Stone Company, will be starting up on the 2022 Mill and Overlay project the week of July 5. 

Streets for this project are to include:

King Street (from Union Street to East Central Street), East Central (from Ruggles to Lewis), Union (from Beaver to School St), and Beaver St (from the RR tracks to I-495 overpass).

The contractor will be starting on King Street. The project will continue through the summer. "

Shared from

good depth at the junction with Susan's Way
good depth at the junction with Susan's Way

the raised utility caps are marked with orange
the raised utility caps are marked with orange

the storm drain is covered and marked also with orange
the storm drain is covered and marked also with orange

Monday, June 27, 2022

School Committee votes to accept new 3 year teacher contract

The School Committee met mostly in Executive Session, and in the brief public session voted to accept the negotiated teacher contract terms with the Franklin Education Association (FEA) for the period September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2025.

The meeting portion of this recording should start at about 2:00 minutes with the announcement of "recording in progress". After they enter executive session via roll call, the recording stops and the wfpr.fm broadcast resumes.

You can listen to the broadcast, or skip ahead to 37:42 when they return from open session. Current Asst Superintendent Lucas Giguere provides some updates on key speaking points:
  • interest based bargaining to reach 3 year agreement
  • 4 percent increases to the salary grid for years 1, 2 and 3 
  • elementary teachers got an increase from 30 to 40 consecutive minutes for prep time
  • middle and high school teachers got a daily advisory period for purposes of consistent application of social and emotional curriculum
  • department heads and directors will formally participate in the teacher evaluation process
  • language around course approval and limitations to that
  • also bereavement language around coverage for family members that may not be art of a traditional family such as step parents or partners
In the roll call vote Dave Callahan abstained, all other committee members voted for and when asked by the Chair, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen voted no. So this is new, I have not heard of our Town Administrator participating with the vote of the school committee. 

I'll record it as 6-0-1 (7 members, 6 for, 1 abstain) all via roll call.
 

Friday, May 27, 2022

Franklin, MA School Committee hears District Improvement Plan updates, recognizes 19 retirees (audio)

FM #803 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 803 in the series. 

This session of the radio show is the audio recording of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting conducted on Tuesday, Sep 24, 2022. All seven members of the committee were present. After the set of retiree recognitions, the meeting took a break and then resumed. 

The recording runs about 2 hours and 27 minutes, so let’s listen in.

 Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-803-school-committee-mtg-05-24-22

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

Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-24-22.pdf

 

Meeting packet folder with documents released for this meeting ->   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-24-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin TV YouTube video ->    https://youtu.be/gP5hyu8WZ3I

My notes via Twitter -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pO0ZkELeiMwFcz4sZg_NGLfujYDkmuo-/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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"





Saturday, May 21, 2022

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 24, 2022 - 7 PM

Franklin Public Schools
Franklin School Committee
May 24, 2022 = 7:00 PM

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. Retiree Recognition
B. District Improvement Plan Update 2021-2022   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dip_outcomes_to_sc_2021-2022.pdf
C. Superintendent’s Evaluation – Presentation of Evidence  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/superintendents_evaluation_evidence_2021-2022.pdf

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Superintendent’s Contract
The Chair recommends approval of a 3 year contract with Lucas Giguere as Superintendent of Schools - July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/dip_outcomes_to_sc_2021-2022.pdf
B. Policy - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I recommend adoption of policy ADF - Wellness Policy as discussed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_b_-_policy_2.pdf
C. Boys Basketball Trip
I recommend approval of the request of CJ Neely to take the Boys Basketball team to Orlando, Florida from December 26-30, 2022 to participate in the 2022 KSA Events Basketball Tournament as detailed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_c_-_basketball_trip_-_orlando.pdf
D. Performing Arts Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Dianne Plouffe to take students to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida from April 15-19, 2023 to perform as detailed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_d_-_performing_arts_trip.pdf
E. Spain Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Emily Chaisson & Laura Keenan to take students to Malaga & Granada, Spain from April 14-22, 2023 as detailed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_e_-_spain_trip.pdf
F. Proposed MASC Resolution Regarding Sanctuary Laws for Trans Students
I recommend the School Committee adopt the proposed MASC Resolution regarding sanctuary laws for trans students for formal consideration by the 2022 Massachusetts Association of School Committees Delegate Assembly in November as discussed.  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_f_-_resolution.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 from the May 10, 2022 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. FHS Gifts
I recommend acceptance of the following gifts totaling $3,171.04 for FHS:
a. $2,524.66 Shutterfly, LLC Supplemental Supplies
b. $64.38 Ohiopyle Prints, Inc Supplemental Supplies
c. $402.00 MA Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Supplemental Supplies
d. $30.00 Colleen Bond In-house Enrichment
e. $150.00 Paula Marano Scholarship
D. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $905.00 from the Parmenter PCC for Field Trips as detailed.
E. JFK Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1875.00 from the JFK PCC for field trips as detailed.
F. Oak St. Recurring Field Trip
I recommend approval of the request of Brad Hendrixson for 66 2nd Grade students to travel to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI on May 31, 2022 as detailed.

VII. Citizen’s Comments

VIII. New Business
To discuss any future agenda items

IX. Executive Session
a. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA/RN unit as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.
b. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(2) to discuss strategy in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel.

X. Adjournment 

divers
Meeting packet folder with documents released for this meeting ->   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-24-2022-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 24, 2022 - 7 PM
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 24, 2022 - 7 PM