 |
| A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station |
Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.
 |
| - https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Outsider-Life-Bayard-Rustin/dp/B003LR5BBC |
Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.
 |
| Dean College to Host a Screening and Discussion of the Film “Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance” |
 |
| "Lucky Jack" POW Book Presentation by local author Sue Bavey - Jan 23 at 11 AM |
Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/lucky-jack-pow-book-presentation-local-author-sue-bavey
Franklin For All will be at the Strawberry Stroll this Friday from 4pm-8pm! Attendees will be able to connect with Franklin for All project staff regarding the proposed recommendations and enjoy a town sponsored magic mirror photo booth experience to document the fun and resident dreams of downtown revitalization. Find us at the intersection of Dean Ave and Main Street, directly across from the stage for fun and engaging photo- op!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/magic-mirror-photo-booth-strawberry-stroll-franklin-all-tabling-friday
 |
| Magic Mirror Photo Booth at the Strawberry Stroll & Franklin For All Table |
Among the items on the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening are the following for 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
And longer list than recently seen of 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
 |
| Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - May 24, 2022 - 7 PM |
FM #755 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 755 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with several members of the Economic Development “Plus” Committee to talk about the Franklin For All process. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Mar 15, 2022.
Chair, Melanie Hamblen, Town Council
Beth Wierling, member of the Planning Board
Cobi Frongillo, member of the Town Council
Bruce Hunchard, chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals
The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to the conversation about the Franklin For All project and process.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-755-franklin-for-all-discussion-03-15-22
--------------
Respond to the survey by April 1 => https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce
Franklin For All Forum - March 7, 2022
Transcript => https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WEsjmEFESie06Bx4bAOSxhMbhpY45gsL/view?usp=sharing
Audio recording => https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-748-franklin-for-all-forum-03-07-22
Video recording => https://youtu.be/9fewoumulN4
Franklin For All project page -> https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/franklin-for-all/
--------------
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"
 |
| This Franklin For All Discussion reveals insights |
The survey is open for your input -> https://mapc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDBzodBPnt8a5Ce
Visit mapc.org/franklin-for-all for additional information on Franklin For All and for ongoing updates on the planning process. You can also sign up for email updates at mapc.ma/franklin-for-all-news. Email planning@franklinma.gov if you have questions about this project or additional ideas for enhancing Franklin Center
 |
| Recap: Franklin For All Forum gets some input |
From the MA Attorney General's Office on Open Meeting Law Guidance:
Guidance Spotlight: Subcommittees and Sub-quorum Communications
This month we offer guidance on the creation of subcommittees under the Open Meeting Law, and permissible communications among members that constitute less than a quorum of a public body. We recognize that public body members want to conduct business efficiently and effectively. However, public body members must exercise caution when communicating and carrying out the public body’s responsibilities outside of a properly posted meeting. The Open Meeting Law prohibits deliberation outside of a posted meeting. “Deliberation” is communication among a quorum on a matter within the public body’s jurisdiction. Because the Open Meeting Law focuses on communications among a quorum, there is no prohibition on communications outside of a meeting that do not involve or reach a quorum of members—as long as the members are not also a quorum of a subcommittee. Therefore, it is important to understand whether members of a public body may constitute a designated subcommittee.
The Open Meeting Law defines “public body” as any “multiple-member board, commission, committee or subcommittee within the executive or legislative branch or within any county, district, city, region or town, however created, elected, appointed or otherwise constituted, established to serve a public purpose.” G.L. c. 30A, § 18. The Law further defines a “subcommittee” as “any multiple-member body created to advise or make recommendations to a public body.” Id. A public body forms a subcommittee when the body formally authorizes multiple members of the public body to advise or make recommendations to the public body. Whether a subcommittee was created hinges on the public body’s action and whether it intended to create a multiple-member body, or whether it intended to assign the task to one person, even if another member of the public body subsequently volunteers to assist. Therefore, if a single member undertakes a task, or multiple members decide on their own to communicate about a matter or prepare a recommendation without having been designated to do so, no subcommittee is created. Furthermore, the name of a group—whether called a subcommittee, a “working group,” a “task force” or something else—will still be subject to the Open Meeting Law if it is a multiple-member body created to advise or make recommendations. Even subcommittees that have members who are not part of the public body will be subject to the Open Meeting Law if they meet the Open Meeting Law’s definition of “public body.”
Subcommittees are public bodies in their own right, which means they must follow all of the Open Meeting Law’s requirements applicable to public bodies. Subcommittee members should be particularly careful about any communications they have with their fellow subcommittee members in order to avoid deliberating outside of a posted meeting, as the subcommittee has its own (smaller) quorum. The quorum of a public body, including a subcommittee, is a simple majority of its members, unless otherwise provide by law. Therefore, although it is generally permissible for public body members to communicate amongst themselves outside of a posted meeting as long as the communications do not involve or reach a quorum (whether concurrently or serially), public body members must always be cognizant of the makeup and quorum of the public body, including any subcommittees on which they serve.
Determinations Regarding Subcommittees and Sub-quorum Communications:
OML 2021-176: Finding no violation of the Open Meeting Law because text message conversations did not contain or reach a quorum of the Board. In all cases, the Board members engaged in one-on-one text exchanges during the meeting. In addition, we find no evidence of serial deliberation among a quorum of the Board.
OML 2021-115: Subcommittee deliberated outside of a posted meeting, in violation of the Open Meeting Law, when a quorum of the Subcommittee discussed the status of a matter that was clearly within the Subcommittee's jurisdiction outside of a posted meeting.
OML 2018-128: Board did not create a subcommittee where the Board took no vote after one member offered to research a topic and another member of the public body subsequently volunteered to assist.
OML 2017-111: Board did not create a subcommittee where the Board clearly intended to assign a task to one person and another member of the public body subsequently volunteered to assist.
OML 2016-96: Working Group did not create a subcommittee where two members of the Working Group, on their own initiative, worked on projects for the benefit of the Working Group, without the Working Group taking any official action to delegate that responsibility to the two members.
For more info on Open Meeting Law visit -> https://www.mass.gov/the-open-meeting-law
 |
| Open Meeting Law Guidance Spotlight: Subcommittees and Sub-quorum Communications |
FM #661 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 661 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Strong Towns Town Hall event with Congressman Jake Auchincloss, State Rep Jeff Roy, Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, and Charles Marohn from Strong Towns.
The event was held at THE BLACK BOX and broadcast via Franklin TV and Zoom.
After a round of opening remarks, there is a question and answer period with audience participation. Each question asker identifies themselves so you should be able to follow along.
The recording runs about 1 hour and 14 minutes, so let’s listen to the Strong Towns Event on Nov 15, 2021. Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9af1799e-c16d-4b73-8329-74515b343b2f
--------------
My notes from the session
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-strong-towns-event-fostering.html
More about Strong Towns can be found online -> https://www.strongtowns.org/
--------------
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"
"Every good-to-great company faced significant adversity along the way to greatness, of one sort or another. … In every case, the management team responded with a powerful psychological duality. On the one hand, they stoically accepted the brutal facts of reality. On the other hand, they maintained an unwavering faith in the endgame, and a commitment to prevail as a great company despite the brutal facts. We came to call this duality the Stockdale Paradox.
The name refers to Admiral Jim Stockdale, who was the highest-ranking United States military officer in the "Hanoi Hilton" prisoner-of-war camp during the height of the Vietnam War. Tortured over twenty times during his eight-year imprisonment from 1965 to 1973, Stockdale lived out the war without any prisoner's rights, no set release date, and no certainty as to whether he would even survive to see his family again. …"
 |
| Stockdale Paradox: stoically accepting reality while maintaining faith in the endgame |
Join us Nov. 18 along with @RappaportCenter for a Greater Boston Debate Series event exploring whether the MA public records law promotes democracy in the state, featuring @Becca_Rausch, @raylaraja, and moderated by @CommonWealthMag 's @shiraschoenberg.
Register here -> https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oVQ9MRZ-T7GaWpSvurjGbA
 |
| Interested in Public Records Law? This discussion might be for you |
"Here's our favorite non-toxic social network: Mastodon.
Why: Today's giant social networks make money on surveillance, manipulation, and amplification of toxic content. If you're tired of the garbage on Twitter and Facebook, head over to Mastodon: a decentralized, non-corporate network of Twitter-like servers. Without the constant need to monetize "engagement," Mastodon provides a more civil, low-key platform for posting and networking. And it's free.
• Web: joinmastodon.org
(On Mastodon, follow Good Reports founder Mark Hurst: @markhurst@mastodon.social)"
 |
| Non-toxic social network alternatives to Facebook |
FM #610 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 610 in the series.
This shares the Complete Streets Public Discussion meeting that was held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; Town Administration and DPW staff along with some public participants were present in the Council Chambers. Others were able to via the Zoom conference bridge.
Yes, I do participate in this session to ask about the documentation shared to those in the room and not yet available for those remote. I also raise a few points on safe walking issues around town.
Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about twenty-six minutes (~:26) . Let’s listen to the Complete Streets Public Discussion for Sep 22
-----------
Town of Franklin Complete Streets page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/engineering/pages/complete-streetsMeeting agenda (including connection info) ->
My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/franklins-complete-streets-feedback.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"
 |
| What's with Complete Streets? |
