Arts & Culture Listening Tour Updated; Your feedback is needed

The Town Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives is seeking input from residents and community stakeholders on all things arts and culture. Take the survey today: https://buff.ly/3mEA7Kh 

Access event details here: https://buff.ly/3F9YoOv

Shared from Twitter- > https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1633603520065863680 

Arts & Culture Listening Tour Updated; Your feedback is needed

You're Invited to the Franklin Arts & Culture Listening Tour!

You're Invited to the Franklin Arts & Culture Listening Tour!

Help shape the future of Arts & Culture (A&C) during the town's Master Plan update process.

The Franklin Town Council has established an Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee will host 3 sessions as part of their listening tour. The purpose of these tours is to gather community input to help inform the direction of arts and culture for the next 10 -15 years as part of the town's Master Plan Update process.

Your input will help define what Arts and Culture (A&C) is to Franklin and shape where we as a community want it to be. By embedding our communal vision for the arts into long range planning, we can ensure our vision for the arts is developed further and well maintained by the creative community as it continues to evolve.

You're invited to join one of the three sessions ... 

Arts & Culture Listening Tour

• A&C Listening Session 1

March 7, 2023 - 5 PM - 7 PM
Dean College, Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center 1st floor in the Campanella Boardroom. (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar) 

You may access a map of Dean College here.

• A&C Listening Session 2

April 28, 2023 - 9 AM - 11 AM
Franklin Public Library, Meeting Room (School St. entrance). (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar)

• A&C Listening Session 3

May 19, 2023 - 10 AM - 12 PM
Escape Into Fiction, 12 Main St. Franklin, MA (Click here to add this event to your Google Calendar)

The Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives is composed of the following Town Council members:

• Cobi Frongillo, Chair
• Ted Cormier-Ledger, Vice Chair
• Melanie Hamblen, Clerk

See the attached poster or click here to learn more!

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/events/421731

Franklin's Event Outlook: Nov 4, 2022 to Nov 10, 2022

On the civic duty front, the last in person voting happens today at the Town Clerk's office. The last of the early opening of mail ballots also happens today in the 3rd floor training room at the Municipal building. On Saturday. the ballots thus processed will be 'early deposited' into the voting machines. 'Early deposit' reads the ballots into the voting machines but doesn't run the tape of the results until Tuesday, Election day

Dean students have three sessions scheduled for their Ats Mosaic Friday/Saturday. Celebrate Diwali at the Library Saturday or check out the Newcomers Craft Fair which returns for the first time since COVID. Want to have a say in future events the Library is planning, stop by or join virtually on Saturday for a brief session. 

Close out the day by viewing (or participating) in the Gala and Telethon for the benefit of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC). Broadcast available via YouTube on either the FPAC channel or the Franklin TV channel.

Sunday you can chose cornhole tournament or classical piano concert among the #artshappeninghere in Franklin.

Friday, November 4

8:00am - Early Voting (Town Clerk Offices) 9:00am - Advanced Removal Of Early Voted Ballots From Envelopes (3rd floor Training room, Municipal Building)

5:30pm - JP Royer (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - David Rak (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm  - Arts Mosaic (Dean College)

Saturday, November 5

9:00am - Newcomers & Friends Craft Fair (Tri-County RVTHS)

9:00am - Advanced Depositing Of Early Voted Ballots (Franklin High School)

10:00am - Tri-County RVTHS Open House (targeted for middle school students)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm - Diwali Celebration (Franklin Library)

2:00pm - Arts Mosaic (Dean College) 4:00pm - 2023 Library Events Round Table (Franklin Library)

7:30pm  - Arts Mosaic (Dean College)

Sunday, November 6 -  Daylight Saving Time ends

12:00pm - Cornhole Tournament  (67 Degrees Brewery)

12:00pm - Thee Taco Dude (food truck)  (67 Degrees Brewery)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

3:00pm - LiveARTS: Artists of the Year, Victor Rosenbaum (FUSF, 262 Chestnut St)

Tuesday, November 8

6:00am - State Election at Franklin High School (all precincts)

7:00pm - Yankee Quilters (Emma’s Quilt & Cupboard)

7:00pm - FBRTC Meeting  (67 Degrees Brewery)

Wednesday, November 9 7:00pm - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group

Thursday, November 10 6:00pm - Dave Penza (live music) (La Cantina Winery) 7:00pm - Opening Reception - Franklin Art Association (Escape Into Fiction)

This is a static summary of the calendar. Visit the 'live' calendar for any updates.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Community Calendar

Finance Committee: Budget Hearing #1 - General Government - May 9, 2022 - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee 

Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Monday, May 9, 2022  - 6:30 PM

 
Agenda
1. Call to Order

2. Public Comments

3. Approval of Minutes

a. March 9, 2022

4. 2022 Capital Budget Round 2

5. FY23 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing:

FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-23-budget-materials

a. General Government - Accounts 111 Town Council, 123 Town Administrator, 131 Finance Committee, 135 Comptroller, 141 Assessors, 147 Treasurer-Collector, 151 Legal, 152 Human Resources, 155 Information Technology, 161 Town Clerk, 164 Elections & Registration, 176 Appeals Board (ZBA), 177 Planning & Growth Management, 184 Agricultural Commission, 192 Public Properties & Buildings, 196 Central Services

b. Human Services - 510 Board of Health, 541 Council on Aging, 543 Veterans Services

c. Culture & Recreation - 610 Library, 630 Recreation, 690 Historical Museum, 691 Historical Commission, 695 Cultural Council, 696 Cultural District Committee.

d. Debt & Interest - 710 Debt Service - Principal, 750 Debt Service - Interest

e. Employee Benefits: 910 Retirement & Pension, 945 Risk Management (Liability Insurance)

6. Future Agenda Items

7. Adjourn

The agenda document includes remote connection info -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2022-05-09_finance_committee_agenda_1.pdf

FY23 Town Administrator Budget Materials website

Metrowest Arts & Culture Symposium 2022 - at FHS on May 14

Join us for a signature cultural event in Franklin, MA!  Come get inspired with discussions focused on Arts Advocacy, Equity and Community!

View this email in your browser Community Connections through the Arts. You don't want to miss this special regional event. Join us in Franklin for an incredible morning of inspiration to take back to your communities. There will be live music. Inspiring speakers. Opportunities to connect. And lunch, to remember what it feels like to be together. Keynote speaker, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council, Michael Bobbitt will kick off the morning! After a quick break, you'll be invited to participate in several different clinics of your choice. Executive Director of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Kelly Grill will lead a session on "Building Community through the Arts". Mass Cultural Council will lead sessions on "Arts Advocacy" and "Arts Equity". Steve Sherlock, of Franklin Matters will host a session based on boosting the social media presence of your organization or brand. A boxed lunch will be served by our local "Birchwood Bakery" and give us a chance to reconnect with one another. Join us on Saturday, May 14 from 9-1:30 PM at Franklin High School. It's a one-of-a-kind event that will re-engage you with your artistic mission, your artistic goals, and leave you inspired and invigorated. Tickets can be purchased for $15 on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/270070025717 Copyright © 2022 Franklin Cultural Council, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin Cultural Council 355 East Central Street Franklin, Ma 02038

Yes, I am participating to facilitate a discussion around use of social media to help with awareness. I have already purchased my ticket to attend! 

MAPC: "Across the region, arts and culture has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic"

MAPC (@MAPCMetroBoston) tweeted on Wed, Feb 17, 2021:

"Artists and creative workers from Arlington, Beverly, Boston, and Franklin are sharing how they're impacted by COVID-19."

Learn more: https://t.co/Db4iREyE1T  

 

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/PwQj6QGJot

MAPC: "Across the region, arts and culture has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic"

MetroWest Visitors Bureau to Offer Mini-Grants - applications open Feb 15

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau (MWVB) announced today a new mini-grant program funded through the MWVB and the Mass Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). The MWVB will consider mini-grant applications for projects devoted to marketing a MetroWest event, attraction, business, service, or cultural or recreational offering including virtual and online projects.

Grant applications open Feb. 15, 2021, and close April 1, 2021. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2021. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.

One of sixteen Regional Tourism Councils in Massachusetts, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau participates in the state’s MyLocalMA campaign encouraging Massachusetts residents to eat, shop and stay local. The Bureau’s mini-grant program aligns with that mission and calls for marketing proposals that will increase revenue generation for MetroWest’s designated region: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland and Westborough.

“Many of our region’s attractions, hospitality and retail operations have been hard hit during the Covid pandemic. These grant funds provide some much-needed assistance as we work together to promote local businesses and stimulate economic recovery,” says Erin Lynch, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau. “Unlike previous years, there is no match required for grant funding, making it even easier for organizations to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Grant applications and program information can be found online at http://bit.ly/MWVBmini-grants. For questions or more information, please email Erin Lynch at erin@metrowestvisitors.org.

About the MetroWest Visitors Bureau — As the only regional organization with the mission of stimulating the MetroWest economy by marketing the region's assets, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau has served hundreds of businesses, nonprofit agencies, and municipalities since its founding. This independent nonprofit organization markets the region’s cultural and recreational venues, retailers, restaurants, accommodations, and educational and other services to visitors and residents alike. These marketing efforts also serve to brand the region, to build collaborations across sectors and towns, to support jobs-producing enterprises, and to celebrate the diverse and vibrant MetroWest community. Learn more about the MWVB by visiting www.metrowestvisitors.org or by following on social media @visitmetrowest.

 

MetroWest Visitors Bureau to Offer Mini-Grants

“Arts and culture is inherently a social justice medium”

 

"The life story of Michael Bobbitt is probably very similar to what he would like to replicate for residents statewide as he takes over as the executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Bobbitt, as a young boy growing up in Maryland just outside Washington, DC, was exposed to the arts, took a strong interest, and built a career around music, dance, and theater. Now, as the state’s top arts official, he hopes to foster an environment in Massachusetts that would allow similar experiences for young people across the state."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/meet-michael-bobbitt-states-new-arts-leader-2/  

 

Listen to The Codcast interview with Michael: https://soundcloud.com/massinc/codcast-2021-2-8-mixdown

 

Visit MA Cultural Council on the internet at   https://massculturalcouncil.org/  

 

CommonWealth Magazine · Michael Bobbitt, state's new arts leader

 

 

FM #450 - The 'Radio Gang' recaps 2020, and looks out to 2021 (audio)

FM #450 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 450 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the conversation that the “Radio Gang” had during the winter break. We took the time to look back at 2020 and ahead to 2021. We did have our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The “Radio Gang” as you’ll hear in order of appearance,

• Pete Fasciano (Executive Director of Franklin TV)
• Jay Horrigan, sports announcer extraordinaire
• Jim Derick, host of Chapters, co-host of “Talking the Blues” (with Todd Monjour) and along for the ride with Franklin Falvey on “Frank’s Music” and “Music to lift the Spirit”
• Dr. Anne Bergen, host of “It Takes a Village”
• Pandora Carlucci co-facilitator with Jay Horrigan on “A Priest, a Minister and a Rabbi”

The recording runs about about 1 hour and 14 minutes, so let’s listen to the “Radio Gang”   Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6FlpGMS

Note: A slightly shorter version of this will be aired on wfpr.fm 

 

 

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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 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!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #450 Radio Gang Recap Outlook 2020-2021 (audio)

Davis Thayer Facility Analysis Subcommittee to recommend closure of building to full School Committee

Quick Recap:

• Review of the 5 options as discussed at the meeting last week. Committee should have had time since then to review and prepare, final questions, clarifications asked of each option as they went through each one
• The three members got to outline their background and approach to decision and what the factors were for them; Superintendent and Business Administrator also asked for their views
• Consensus across the group for recommending to close in September, acting now to start planning for a good transition. Recognizing not an easy decision to close, or even in the pandemic period, but it is the best for the students across the district
• Next meeting to work on the proposal and outline of decision factors for the full committee to decide at a future meeting (time TBD, could be as early as the Feb 9 meeting - stay tuned.)

Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one folder
https://photos.app.goo.gl/71thcyJaDWXNoWqC7

The audio recording of this meeting will be available soon

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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  #DTFA0128
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23dtfa0128&src=typed_query 

Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis = DTFA

• Davis Thayer Facilities Analysis SubCommittee Meeting - Jan 28, 2021 about to begin at 6:00 PM Full agenda (including connection info) https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda_dt_subcom_1.28.21.docx.pdf 
• #dtfa0128 getting ready for real time reporting of this meeting (what is the difference between ‘real time’ vs. live reporting’? Glad you asked - I did prepare an answer "Live" reporting is used when I am in the room. "Real time" is when I report via the live cable or internet feed.  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/07/note-of-distinction.html
• Meeting opens, minutes from prior meeting approved 3-0 via roll call. #dtfa0128
• Protocol and process for meeting reviewed, status of where they are in the process grounds the start #dtfa0128
• Recap of the 5 options under consideration, three shown here #dtfa0128
• #dtfa0128 graduation of about 150 more students than are entering the district that year, hence the enrollment decline. Study of 2013 had touted renovation costs of $23m and build new at $28m, clearly dated numbers but for reference. BTW approx. 60+ participate via zoom
• #dtfa0128 decision needed sooner than later for budget planning as well as planning for the transition to Keller. Moving boxes, changing bus routes, 'easy'; the soft and fuzzy stuff also done regularly, getting ahead of it can better ensure success of the transition
• #dtfa0128 schools are buildings but there is much more to the building too! Keller built with 5 classes/grade, plans show use of 4 per with some exception but middle school population declines and rooms from Annie Sullivan would be used to assist.
• Concern of new housing project to tax school population, not really, it is a phased project if it comes to fruition. (Numbers should already have been included in overall forecast). Capacity is not the issue at Keller. (Over capacity is what we are trying to solve) #dtfa0128
• #dtfa0128 there is a policy on attendance area, a request form is also available, serious consideration is done in case of an exception. Traffic issue? Keller used to have more students several years ago, so it has been seen before (as did Sullivan)
• #dtfa0128 could be a potential issue with staffing if kept open another year, not to say the existing staff is not dedicated, it is. But the longer the decision, the more uncertainty, the more likely a problem with staffing.
• #dtfa0128 if keeping open next year could some students/families now rather than later to avoid multiple transitions (K, VLA, etc. )? Would already cover this scenario in Option 4, hard to do for efficiency and cost perspectives esp if for a small #of students
• #dtfa0128 by staggering the transition, could also make the cultural adjustments more of a challenge; bus routes could get complicated with routes going to a street and students going two ways.
• K registration is ongoing, it usually is from Feb to May but do get movins over the summer, and after September starts. This year had increase in two schools in K and added staff accordingly. Q on siblings during staggering xfer, transportation would be a factor
• #dtfa0128 there are many options when you consider the permutations, need to reduce change and simply not increase complexity and increase expense. Option 5 close DT  and redistrict. Summary was to look at the stand alone schools (Parmenter and Kennedy).
• SchComm needs to look at developing a master facilities plan, and down the road possibly look at redistrict. #dtfa0128 the master plan would likely begin after the DTFA work is done (at least decided).
• #dtfa0128 Judy for closure in Sep, provides brief history of Franklin roots including graduation from DT earlier in her life. MJ only in Franklin 31 years. SchComm 97-2007, and then re-elected 6 years ago, involved with youth soccer. "Compensated so well for it" (actually $0)
• #dtfa0128 the benefits are not financial. Making a good decision for the community. We simply can't afford it. Or fix it. 1st to close DT in Sep, 2nd to close and consider redistricting. Can't wait longer? Chair asked Superintendent and Business director for their (views) before her…
• #dtfa0128 other member objected, so Chair provides her analysis, get ready it will be long (her words) thru lens evaluated the options (will need to listen to the recording, not going to do justice to this)
• #dtfa0128 so bottom line, chair is on closing train for Sep. 
• Superintendent, some facts are hard to overlook, decisions do need to be made, facts align support closure of DT, same footprint with 20% less students, an opportunity to invest in the kids of the district
• #dtfa0128 if decision made soon, we could make a thoughtful transition. We have a structural deficit to address and hard to avoid. Not an easy decision, difficult time in pandemic, but not any easier later.
• #dtfa0128 Goodman; accessibility, budgeting, facts are what others have referenced and I agree to close sooner than later to be most helpful for everyone. Chair to put together draft recommendations for review next meeting (Feb 3).
• #dtfa0128 reminder 7 people with 7 votes. Opening up for citizen comments. 1 optics on bullets and negativity apparent and from parent point of view most depressing. 2 question on staffing (raised from someone who hasn't heard the answer in prior meeting) oh and yes, staff …
• Would move as much as possible to support the students in the combined building. #dtfa0128 3 - kids haven't been in school for a normal day for a year. (Also answered in prior meeting; recordings available) 4 - to ask to close and pack up a building at this time?
• #dtfa0128 5 - so conflicted right now, agree with decision but things to be explored in depth to make this happen. Support may need to be increased to help the kids. 6 - a Keller parent says the community is welcoming 7 - we have little bandwidth, so how can it be a …
• Thoughtful transition? #dtfa0128 8 - could you consider keeping DT kids in their own classrooms to help the transition? 9 - came in from another school, not easy but it has moved on, interesting to see that none of the options kept DT open. Email to subcommittee an option
• #dtfa0128 motion to adjourn, second, passes via roll call 3-0,
• That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

Davis Thayer Facility Analysis SubCommittee

Jan 20, 2021 recap = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/schcomm-davis-thayer-facility-analysis.html  (audio)  = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-442-davis-thayer-fa-subcomm-012021.html 

Jan 14, 2021 recap = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis-sub.html  (audio) = https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/fm-438-schcomm-davis-thayer-fa-mtg.html

My meeting notes for sessions during 2020 can be found here

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/meeting-notes.html (scroll down to 2020 section)

The Davis Thayer Subcommittee page also has the link to send a question to the subcommittee
https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis

DTFA Subcommittee to recommend closure of building to full School Committee

Reminder: Arts and Culture Roundtable - Nov 21

Franklin Cultural District Partners and Franklin residents and business owners are invited to join the Franklin Cultural District Committee (FCDC), the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in discussing culture, arts, the humanities, and economic development in Franklin’s Cultural District. 

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 21 at 7 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street.

Luis Edgardo Cotto, Cultural Districts Program Manager for MCC, and Annis Whitlow Sengupta, PhD, Assistant Director of Arts & Culture for MAPC, will be the featured speakers. Their presentations will focus on the mission of Franklin’s Cultural District. They will provide information about contributing to culture, arts and the humanities and supporting economic development in Franklin.

For questions and/or additional information, please contact Nancy Schoen, Chair, at nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com.

 

Reminder: Arts and Culture Roundtable - Nov 21

Cultural Connections: "Engaging Your Community" roundtable on Oct 10

Cultural Connections is a free arts and culture roundtable. We will meet Oct 10 to discuss engaging your organization's community.

Join us! Cultural Connections, a free arts and culture roundtable, will be held Oct. 10 at 7pm in the Community Room at the Franklin Public Library (118 Main Street, Franklin). Anyone interested in arts and culture, from any organization in any town, is invited to attend. The subject of this roundtable will be Engaging Your Community, which will build on our May meeting of Defining Your Community (though attendance at the previous meeting is not required!)  How do you effectively engage with those in your community? What have you tried that has worked well, and what has not? How is your engagement different through social media vs email vs in person at an event? Is it enough to engage with those already committed to your cause or organization?  We will discuss all of these questions and more, plus share some creative ways you may not have thought of to encourage community participation. Come share your thoughts on the subject. A great opportunity to network!  Please RSVP using the link below.   RSVP Now! The Franklin Cultural Council will again be the community collaborator for ArtWeek in Franklin! This year's ArtWeek will be held April 26-May 5. For more information, visit www.artweekma.org Live or work in Franklin? Take our Community Input survey, and share your thoughts on the programs and events you think we should be funding through our grant programs. Copyright © 2018 Franklin Cultural Council, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Questions? Contact FCC Chair Stacey David at franklinculturalcouncil02038 [at] gmail.com