Asking “What is so sacred about the school experience that we would fight to keep it into the future?” is one way to decide on the vote for June 3

From: Deep Dive Into the Big Questions Question 1: What is Sacred? (Part 1)

"The ongoing disruptions in the world are forcing us to make important choices. Despite the seemingly never-ending stream of tools, programs, and methods being offered as “solutions” to what’s broken in education, pause to consider: what are the aspects of school that we want to preserve 10 or 20 years or even longer into the future? What is at the core of our purpose as schools in the world today? In other words, what matters most?

....

When we wrote the 9 Big Questions in 2021 we urged a sort of recalibration for a much different reality. We advocated for going back to the most foundational aspects of our work with children: The things that really matter. Our non-negotiable values. Those aspects of school we consider sacred.

Since that time, our work with educators and communities made it crystal clear that for meaningful, sustainable change to happen, schools must ground their work in their deepest beliefs and values. Asking “What is so sacred about the school experience that we would fight to keep it into the future?” is the first place to start. It forces us to get to the core of what’s most important about our service to children."

Continue to read the full article ->    https://ckarchive.com/b/0vuwh9h9w9q5ma7mggrmzhvleex55hn 

The Town of Franklin FY 2026 Override page can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/1089/Fiscal-Year-2026-Override-Information

If the 6 Listening Session left you with an unanswered question, then there are still at least 5 more times to get an official answer

• Finance Committee ->  April 28, April 29, May 1
• Town Council -> May 21, May 22

Asking “What is so sacred about the school experience that we would fight to keep it into the future?” is one way to decide on the vote for June 3

Economic Development Subcmte reviews and discusses priorities for the goals for this year (audio)

FM #1351 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1351 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Council Chambers. All 4 members of the subcommittee participated in Chambers (Hamblen, Sheridan, Frongillo & Chandler).

Quick recap

• Goals update, discussion on setting what priorities there should be

• Open Space plan not yet approved by State, comments sent back to Town and they will take time to adjust and incorporate

• Round among the subcommittee as they shared their priorities, except for Chandler

• After the round, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - The Crossing and 40r would probably be best to start with. Home business, taking a reasonable step forward re: water and sewer. Current bylaws restrict auto and food prep from home use, as well as medical. At scale, it gets to be a problem for the infrastructure. Possible joint discussion with Board of Health, Health Dept, along with DPW to talk about the issues they see. Attempting to provide an overview to someone to answer "How does someone start a business, and what are the triggers for the growth steps?" How to ensure the property owner is responsible for their damage that could be caused

• Frongillo comes back to offer his priority, (1) shared parking with initiatives/incentives, residential downtown parking permit, others do it; 19 Dean case for the managed shared parking - (2) downtown business use, a few minor exemptions would be good to look at to enable active store fronts (3) we stopped at downtown dimensions, didn't get into the frontage,  setbacks, etc. which are a massive difference to enabling development; has drafted starting points for each of these 3 points

• Per Jamie, If there are bylaw changes required, we would need to get those started by July in order to get those thru the process, before the Nov elections

• Cycling back to the 40r discussion, a 40r draft was prepared a year or so ago, could be picked up from there

Motion to adjourn, passes 4-0 

The recording of the meeting runs about 55 minutes.   Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1351-franklin-ma-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-01-08-25/

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Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n11fImC7CE4&t=126

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-8_edc_agenda.pdf 

My full set of notes in one PDF ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zpUk1_QkADUkb-iCbJGP9CKvXRx2yj-8/view?usp=drive_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 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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"

Economic Development Subcmte reviews and discusses priorities for the goals for this year (audio)

Economic Development Subcmte reviews and discusses priorities for the goals for this year (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met as scheduled Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Council Chambers. All four members of the subcommittee met in Chambers.

Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n11fImC7CE4&t=126  (Franklin Matters Radio will have the audio in a couple of days)

Follow along with the agenda   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2025-01-8_edc_agenda.pdf

Quick recap:

• Goals update, discussion on setting what priorities there should be
• Open Space plan not yet approved by State, comments sent back to Town and they will take time to adjust and incorporate
• Round among the subcommittee as they shared their priorities, except for Chandler
• After the round, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - The Crossing and 40r would probably be best to start with. Home business, taking a reasonable step forward re: water and sewer. Current bylaws restrict auto and food prep from home use, as well as medical. At scale, it gets to be a problem for the infrastructure. Possible joint discussion with Board of Health, Health Dept, along with DPW to talk about the issues they see. Attempting to provide an overview to someone to answer "How does someone start a business, and what are the triggers for the growth steps?" How to ensure the property owner is responsible for their damage that could be caused
• Frongillo comes back to offer his priority, (1) shared parking with initiatives/incentives, residential downtown parking permit, others do it; 19 Dean case for the managed shared parking - (2) downtown business use, a few minor exemptions would be good to look at to enable active store fronts (3) we stopped at downtown dimensions, didn't get into the frontage,  setbacks, etc. which are a massive difference to enabling development; has drafted starting points for each of these 3 points
• Per Jamie, If there are bylaw changes required, we would need to get those started by July in order to get those thru the process, before the Nov elections
• Cycling back to the 40r discussion, a 40r draft was prepared a year or so ago, could be picked up from there

My notes in one PDF file ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zpUk1_QkADUkb-iCbJGP9CKvXRx2yj-8/view?usp=drive_link

From the archives, prior discussion of 40r goes back to

40r, Dec 2022 - EDC Plus Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/12/economic-development-plus-cmte-mtg.html

40r (and home occupation) Oct 2023 - EDC Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/10/economic-development-cmte-hears-about.html

40r, Nov 2023 - EDC Mtg

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/economic-development-subcommittee.html

Economic Development discussion on priorities within the list of goals (video)

The Franklin TV video for this meeting is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMbAdzaPr0c

Agenda:

1. Discussion on EDC Goals for 2024-2025

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/2024-1-31_edc_agenda.pdf

My notes captured during the meeting ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k4_CQoXpvIpzepOKwNFXBNSySH2vCkbh/view?usp=drive_link

Economic Development Subcommittee meeting - Jan 31 at 5:45 pm

Economic Development Subcmte reviews and sets priorities for remainder of year (audio)

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

1. GR 5 impervious coverage

2. Cannabis overlay district

3. Design stuff - Barrette contract product output

4. 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 

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

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"

Economic Development Subcommittee - May 3, 2023 - Agenda

Economic Development Subcommittee reviews and sets priorities for remainder of year (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee of the Franklin (MA) Town Council met on Wednesday evening beginning their session at 5:30 PM (before the full Council meeting at 7).

Franklin TV broadcast the meeting and the video is available for replay on YouTube ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/IEFqlGhx-ho?feature=share

The meeting agenda can be found here ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2023-05-03_edc_agenda__0.pdf

My notes will be available later. I arrived late (approx. 5:50) having been recording the Board of Health meeting in the training room which began at 5 PM.

Economic Development Subcommittee - May 3, 2023 - Agenda

"We need a CDC that prioritizes the health of the people, not the health of big business"

"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. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/03/peoples-cdc-covid-guidelines 

"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."

"We need a CDC that prioritizes the health of the people, not the health of big business"

And the Boston Globe reports on a growing COVID case count
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/03/metro/amid-climbing-mass-covid-19-cases-health-experts-urge-booster-shots/

Franklin Education Association (FEA) statement at School Committee meeting 3/08/22

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.

Thank you.
Donna Grady, FEA President

 

For more about the FEA -> https://franklin.massteacher.org/about-us/

Franklin Education Association (FEA)

Recap: Community Preservation Committee hears more about pickleball, as well as monuments on Town Common (audio)

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.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-702-community-preservation-cmte-public-hearing-2-01-18-22

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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:

1.  Community Preservation Coalition -> https://www.communitypreservation.org/about

2.  MA State Legislator - Community Preservation ->   https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter44B

3.  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

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

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"

Recap: Community Preservation Committee hears more about pickleball,
as well as monuments on Town Common (audio)