Agenda:
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| Economic Development Subcommittee meeting - Jan 31 at 5:45 pm |
FM #989 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 989 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in the Council Chambers with all 4 members participating in the Council Chambers.
Quick recap:
Healthy discussion on the next steps for each of the outstanding remaining goals on the list:
40r was the #1 priority for MAPC, within which the specified design standards and dimensional standards (lot coverage, stories, setbacks, etc.) really need to be addressed whether we do 40r or not
Shared parking policy (maybe some incentives to entice coordination for private space)
Review sidewalk snow removal bylaw (review map put together by Brutus)
Research changes to the home occupation business bylaw (interested in but will take time to do properly)
Review the marijuana overlay district (some adjustments needed, Kenwood Circle, Amgeo on Washington St, etc.)
Review the cell phone tower overlay district and consider a 5G local permitting bylaw (maybe just research required)
Resulting priorities
GR 5 impervious coverage
Cannabis overlay district
Design stuff - Barrette contract product output
Snow removal on sidewalks (Brutus’ map)
The recording of the meeting runs just under 1 hour.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-989-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-05-03-23
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The agenda doc also includes remote participation info ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2023-05-03_edc_agenda__0.pdf
Franklin TV YouTube video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/IEFqlGhx-ho
My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting (in 1 PDF file)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROvOLHRTDdYrqJ49AYdRk6S7naue3Ylb/view?usp=share_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!
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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"
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| Economic Development Subcommittee - May 3, 2023 - Agenda |
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| Economic Development Subcommittee - May 3, 2023 - Agenda |
"A new omicron variant, referred to as BA 2, is taking hold in the US. Anthony Fauci and others have said they don’t expect a new surge in the US, but BA.2 is causing devastating surges elsewhere, and the policies and behaviors we might use to prevent a surge in the US have been widely abandoned, in part thanks to the CDC’s new system for measuring and conveying COVID risk.
In late February, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled a new COVID-19 monitoring system based on what they call “Community Levels.” By downplaying the importance of Sars-CoV-2 transmission, the new system instantly turned what was a pandemic map still red from Omicron transmission to green – creating the false impression that the pandemic is over.
Released four days before the State of the Union, the new CDC measures and the narrative they created let President Biden claim victory over the virus via sleight of hand: a switch from standard reporting of community transmissions to measures of risk based largely on contentious hospital-based metrics. The previous guidelines called anything over 50 cases per 100,000 people “substantial or high.” Now, they say 200 cases per 100,000 is “low” as long as hospitalizations are also low.
The resulting shift from a red map to a green one reflected no real reduction in transmission risk. It was a resort to rhetoric: an effort to craft a success story that would explain away hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths and the continued threat the virus poses. "
"The People’s CDC is a collective of public health practitioners, scientists, healthcare workers, educators, advocates and people from all walks of life who care about reducing the harmful impacts of COVID-19. The People’s CDC is volunteer-run and independent of partisan political and corporate interests.
A copy of the People’s CDC report on the change in the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines can be found at peoplescdc.org."
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| "We need a CDC that prioritizes the health of the people, not the health of big business" |
Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the membership of the FEA to the important issue of the budget. You've just heard Dr. Ahern's presentation.
We also support an increase in the budget and wonder if it shouldn't be a bigger increase, but for different reasons.
We've heard about the Portrait of a Graduate and the strategies for district improvement - both important topics. Over the last few pandemic years, we've seen money spent on needed upgrades in technology and facilities improvements. Both good things, things that were necessary. Things that were needed.
We're asking you now to look at how that budget money is spent. We don't need any more assessments, or new initiatives, to tell us kids have learning gaps or social trauma. We know this. This is what we do. We need bodies - people who are working with and in front of the kids, everyday, all day. We need councilors, ESPs, health care staff, teachers, guidance, team chairs, special educators, ELL educators, psychologists, etc. Let's increase that budget so we can support the students and families in Franklin the way they deserve - directly, thoughtfully, impactfully.
For more about the FEA -> https://franklin.massteacher.org/about-us/
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| Franklin Education Association (FEA) |
FM #702 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 702 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the second of two public hearings held by the Franklin, MA Community Preservation Committee. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Jan 18, 2022.
Quick Recap:
Second of two public hearings opened Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022. Residents made several suggestions for use of the CPA money to be available later this year.
Vice-Chair David McNeill opens the meeting. Chair Chris Feeley joined along later
My notes captured during the meeting were shared via Twitter and the thread doc is available in the show notes
The recording runs about 1 hour and 18 minutes, so let’s listen to the public hearing of Franklin’s Community Preservation Committee held Jan 18, 2022.
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The committee legal notice can be found -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf
The public hearing dates are:
1. January 4, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street Agenda = https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-04_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_1.pdf
2. January 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street Agenda = https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf
The Online application can be found at this link https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1097
Additional information regarding the CPC & CPA can be found at the following links:
Community Preservation Coalition -> https://www.communitypreservation.org/about
MA State Legislator - Community Preservation -> https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B
Secretary of State Page - Accepting the CPA -> https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elecpa/cpaidx.htm
Please bookmark the Franklin CPC website: https://www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee
Notes and recording of first meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/01/recap-community-preservation-committee.html
CPC Pubic Hearing #2 Twitter thread -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/124zieglzk7CPBYqAJoXqwAuNRWLAhqT7/view?usp=sharing
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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!
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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"
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| Recap: Community Preservation Committee hears more about pickleball, as well as monuments on Town Common (audio) |
The Community Preservation Committee will be holding a public hearing on January 18, 2022 at 7:10 PM regarding the use of Community Preservation Act funds as it pertains to our community needs.
Agenda:
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Public Hearing #2: a. Citizens hearing for ideas, questions or proposals on how to use the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to incorporate into the CPA Plan.
Please find the agenda and links for the meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-01-18_cpc_agenda_-_hearing_2.pdf
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| Community Preservation Committee: Public Hearing - January 18, 2022 |
"Look how much the #CommunityPreservationAct has done for the City of Pittsfield in just the 5 short years since they adopted the program in 2016 - housing, historic preservation, and even more in the future! @MayorTyer @BerkshireEagle"
https://t.co/P5y6vZionZ or directly to the Berkshire Eagle page -> https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/look_ahead/look-ahead-pittsfield-cpa-funding-requests-up-over-last-year-for-more-housing-and-preservation/article_ce69fcd4-5ac6-11ec-8049-af101b4377d9.html
Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/fPiJCx8fub
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The Community Preservation Committee decided that 11 of 13 applications for CPA funding were eligible for the program this year. The projects are vying for $715,000 in funding in a year when the committee has decided to cap allocations at $650,000. By Meg Britton-Mehlisch, The Berkshire Eagle |
The Franklin Community Preservation Committee will hold two public hearings, Hearing #1 on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:10 P.M. and Hearing #2, Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:10pm. These informational hearings will involve a discussion of Franklin’s needs, possibilities and resources regarding community preservation and the use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to address these issues, as permitted by the CPA.
This meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street and remotely via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad__0.pdf
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| Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #2 - Jan 18, 2022 |
This meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street and remotely via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2021-12-20_cpc_legal_ad_.pdf
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| Community Preservation Committee - Public Hearing #1 - Jan 4, 2022 |
Quick Recap:
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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter while I attended the meeting in the Council Chambers.
The Twitter hashtag #CPC1207 can be found online The thread begins with
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1468368023450968065
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| Recap: Community Preservation Committee |
Through the American Rescue Plan, Franklin Public School District was granted $1,046,173 in ESSER III funds to be spent through June 2024. These funds will be disbursed via a multi-year plan with the goal of supporting district response during the COVID-19 pandemic. FPS is seeking input from community stakeholders as a part of the planning process. The survey will close on Wednesday, September 15th at 4pm.
Franklin Public Schools has created this survey to inform each stakeholder group of anticipated district priorities and to collect feedback around anticipated activities involving these funds. Community Stakeholders refers to students, parents/ guardians, FPS employees, Franklin residents, groups representing the interests of school children, and more. Community Stakeholder input is encouraged and accessible through this survey, which can be accessed via the link below.
ESSER III Community Input Survey |
Link -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXcyoJIeIEIR-g2SJEW-s2fcQYs8W2uW10mUnZ0feUdgCHOA/viewform
More information regarding American Rescue/ Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund :
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, was enacted on March 11, 2021. The ARP Act provides additional funding for school districts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Education portion of ARP is known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III or ARP ESSER) Fund. The purpose of the ESSER III fund is to support the safe reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A full scope of requirements is available here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/federalgrants/esser/
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/call-community-input-fps-esser-iii-fund-survey
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| Call for Community Input: Franklin Public Schools ESSER III Fund Survey |
FM #545 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 545 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the Community Preservation Committee meeting held Tuesday, May 18, 2021
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the Committee members were in the Council Chambers, other members joined the public via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Preservation Committee meeting held Tuesday, May 18. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/33ee06e9-bb5d-4547-a818-de42694a4c65
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Meeting agenda ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/cpc_agenda_for_may_18_2021.pdf
Recreation presentation doc
Recap of the meeting ->
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/community-preservation-committee_19.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/ 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"
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| Rec Director Ryan Jette presenting to the CPC |
