What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 ???

Wednesday, April 30

Library & Senior Center events

** FHS Girls Tennis Boosters fundraiser at Sante Fe Burrito Grill

9:00am Fallen Hero: John E Pasquantonio (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

1:00pm Scribblers Writing Group (recording session) (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm FHS Jazz Concert (Franklin High School)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**   Town Meetings today   **

 

Cultural District Committee — SUBCOMMITTEE Porchfest Meeting  

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5329/PorchFest-Sub-Committee-Agenda_Meeting_-April-30-2025docx?bidId=  

Town Council Meeting (Council Chambers)

Wednesday, April 30 Time:7:00 PM 

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04302025-1709 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Franklin TV: Programs? Of Course.

Where Do Program Ideas Come From?

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/12/2023

Yesterday began much like any other extraordinary day at the office. I arrived and found Citizen Frank (Falvey). “Hey, Frank. How’s it goin’?”

I sat. Two guys – talking shop. A collective meandering muse.

We talked about past programs and guests; some of the interviews that Frank has done; our mission as a public access TV channel and radio station. (Which Citizen Frank has contributed to mightily for decades). ‘Citizen Frank’ is my nod to his dedication to the cause as a volunteer, and that honorific embodies what we are about – Frank is citizen TV, writ large.

Our shared musing moved from interview techniques to our larger role as a public access channel – for everyone. Regular program producers and hosts like Frank provide a public service; a supportive platform that makes it possible for other citizens to tell their stories as guests engaged in easy conversation.

Frank and I; just relaxing in the lobby; having our own easy conversation that segued (like a lateral arabesque?) from ‘interviews’ to ‘newsworthy’; expanding to ‘press passes’; to that unwritten tension between first responders and the media.

Then – “We should discuss that topic on ‘More Perfect Union’.” Frank said it. I heard it. A knee-jerk ‘Yes’ clicked in my head.

Of course.

Then, Frank’s guests arrived. Bo and Ken are local musicians. Frank and I gave them a tour of the studio while we discussed what we do; how we do it; how their program can come together.

Then, back in the lobby – more conversation – more musing, and I offered to Bo & Ken that I was planning musical programs for 2024. We could record an album – a CD – as a one-hour TV program in our larger studio.

Of course.

Have an idea for your own program? Of course. Call us. 508-541-4118. 

And – as always –

Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 

And, thank you for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Celebrate National Poetry Month with 2 events at the Franklin Public Library - April 8 & April 29

Come celebrate National Poetry Month at the Franklin Public Library with poetry workshops and a Favorite Poem Recordings!

William Carlos Williams wrote: 

"The poem that each is trying actually to communicate to us lies in the words. It is at least the words that make it articulate. It has always been so."

• April 8, 12-3 PM

Choice of 2 Poetry Writing Workshops

1 - FOUnd POETRY with Camille Napier Bernstein

OR

2 - “I WRITE – You Do, Too”  with jamele adams

• April 29, 12-3 PM

Favorite Poem Project™  with Steve Sherlock  and Camille Napier Bernstein

Choose a favorite published poem that you have long treasured or recently discovered. Read it for a recording celebrating National Poetry Month for later inclusion on Steve’s podcast.

Note: Poems may not be ones you or family members or friends have written. 

Limit: Five minutes reading time.

Use the form here to sign up to read your favorite poem ->   https://forms.gle/yyrpREyk4BBFXGpr8 

Download and share the flyer with your friends & neighbors

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BCI2zFmVq07pmiBHU-8wnkPtuvhGxxkQ/view?usp=share_link

Two poetry events at the Library for April to celebrate "National Poetry Month" - Apr 8 & Apr 29

Schmidt's Farm Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting Recording

Schmidt's Farm Open Space and Recreation Plan Meeting Recording

In case you missed it, the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) Schmidt's Farm meeting was last Thursday, February 23, 2023 and can be viewed here or by copying/pasting the link https://www.youtube.com/live/l7c7wy_RT1Q?feature=share into your web browser. 

The Franklin Conservation Commission will be receiving public comment for Schmidt's Farm until the end of the OSRP process - around mid-August. Public comments can be submitted via this Google Form (copying/pasting https://forms.gle/UTSrtG9VgeBNdhbi6 into your web browser), by emailing bgoodlander@franklinma.gov, or by filling out this contact webform. 

https://forms.gle/isJqEyuaih4ePPDV6

Please see the QR code to the right to take the OSRP survey or visit https://forms.gle/isJqEyuaih4ePPDV6.   

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/schmidts-farm-open-space-and-recreation-plan-meeting-recording 

The Guardian: "Sound is fundamental in the ocean and Arctic animals"

"An expedition of scientists and an artist is deploying underwater microphones in the ocean off Greenland to record and preserve the soundscape of melting icebergs.

The hydrophones will record sounds every hour for two years before being collected, harvested for data and the recordings turned into an acoustic composition.

The instruments are being lowered to different levels and temperatures to record earthquakes, landslides, wildlife, pollution and meltwater, creating an archive of the “ocean’s memory”."

Continue reading The Guardian article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/oct/19/microphones-dropped-into-ocean-off-greenland-to-record-melting-icebergs

An iceberg off eastern Greenland. Hydrophones are being lowered to different levels and temperatures to record earthquakes, landslides, wildlife, pollution and meltwater, creating an archive of the ‘ocean’s memory’. Photograph: Felipe Dana/AP

Recap: Franklin Housing Authority meeting 2/07/22

Quick recap:

• The Franklin Housing Authority met on Monday, Feb 7 at 4:30 PM in the community room at Central Park terrace
• Key item - waiting list has over 8 thousand individuals, only 300 odd are from Franklin. It is good t have Franklin a desirable community but we need more housing
• The four units out of service from the fire in 2021 may be back online in March. Currently empty units being filled as applicants are vetted and arrangements confirmed
• Revenue up over this time last year, attributed to better management of rental payments coordinating with residents on the timing of the Social Security funds, etc.
• Director contract extended for 5 year term using current contract language. The DHCD template is in court being challenged on some of the provisions  and the resolution is not anticipated any time soon. Hence, the renewal of the current contract terms

 

Twitter thread of notes taken during meeting listed below

Audio of the meeting to be available in couple of days

• Franklin Housing Authority meeting underway, recording in process, assuming gremlins are kept at bay, recording will be available in day or so #fha0207
• Meeting agenda here -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/events/fha_2-7-22.pdf #fha0207
• Over 8K on waiting list for housing, 315 local residents on listing. #fha0207 revenue up about $11k year to date with 11 vacancies, 4 related to fire, a couple of units coming to use this week.
• A TV unit is on in the background for resident use, hopefully won't mess with the recording too much. #fha0207
• Motion to accept director report, second, next meeting March 7 (keeping it to Weds) motion as amended passes unanimously. #fha0207 motion to accept operation statement, seconded, auditor doing ok, passes unanimously.
• No CPC update, anything under old business? No. Checking on other listings per agenda. Furnace replacement. Amount of bids exceed DHCD award to date but trying to adjust to fit within or increase accordingly #fha0207 board approval pending DHCD funding for 9 units - passes
• Winter St emergency boiler replacement project #fha0207 may need to add a temporary unit to keep things going while replacement underway, expecting bids this week, have expedite approval motion approved unanimously
• Tenant board member to fill the next vacant seat, working with Town Clerk and tenants to communicate and prepare accordingly, tenants would file application, be reviewed by Town Administrator, and ultimately approved by Town Council #fha0207
• Ethics and DHCD training mandatory but board member is optional for tenant members #fha0207
• Mgt agreement with Norfolk, value of contract increases, approval for $66k, Norfolk Board also to approve, passes unanimously, Board can approve allowance of 30% for executive for mgt of contract, approved unanimously; prior salary based upon 39.5 hours, #fha0207 5% increase on base per DHCD, first since 2017, motion to approve as allowed by DHCD, unanimously
• Litigation regarding the DHCD template, looking to extend current agreement for Lisa for 5 years, rather than use the new template; no resolution likely to DHCD template anytime soon; best option to extend for now #fha0207 specific motion to be read in
• Motion read, moved, second, passes unanimously; motion to adjourn, passes unanimously #fha0207 That's all for tonight catch you next time!

The Twitter thread can also be found in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ORrbvLxd9uE1zgWPf8qu9EtwW-NPt5N8/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Housing Authority

FHS Playoff Action Means a Trifecta for Tuesday Night Sports on Franklin TV

The plan for Tuesday's Franklin High School fall sport playoff events is to broadcast all three games LIVE. Luckily we have three channels to go live from, our All-Access channel, our Educational channel, and our Government channel. 

1 - Field Hockey will be shown on our GOV channel, which is Channel 11 for Comcast and 29 for Verizon.  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)

This channel assignment is important because Field Hockey rarely goes beyond an hour and a half for total run time. By having Field Hockey on the GOV channel, there's less of a risk of Field Hockey going too far beyond the allotted time should it do so.

 
There is a School Committee meeting scheduled for 7PM on the GOV channel tomorrow, so the hope is that Field Hockey is done by 6:30 at the latest, otherwise we'll show Field Hockey until School Committee goes live.

Field Hockey will be shown on our GOV channel, which is Channel 11 for Comcast and 29 for Verizon.  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)

2 - Volleyball will be broadcast on the Education/ Pride channel - Channel 96 for Comcast and 28 for Verizon  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)

Volleyball will be broadcast on the Education/ Pride channel - Channel 96 for Comcast and 28 for Verizon  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)

3 - Girls Soccer will play on the All Access Channel - Channel 8 for Comcast and 26 for Verizon.   (11/09/21 - 6:00 PM)

All three games will also be recorded for later playback as well. If there is a problem with the live feed, at least the recordings should be available for replay later.

Girls Soccer will play on the All Access Channel - Channel 8 for Comcast and 26 for Verizon.   (11/09/21 - 6:00 PM)

Director Chris Flynn in a remote broadcast studio

Franklin Matters Q&A - August 26 at 1:30 PM (hybrid session - Senior Ctr and Zoom link)

Get your Franklin MA questions answered on Thursday, August 26 at 1:30 PM. 

This is a hybrid event coordinated with the Senior Center = "Franklin Matters Q&A with Steve Sherlock"

• Held at the Franklin Senior Center for those who want to meet in person
• A Zoom session is also available for remote participation

Zoom info

Topic: Franklin Matters Q&A (audio* recording session)

Time: Aug 26, 2021 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84222945542?pwd=QVhTd0lMVkh3ZVQwL1FMMEI1blMzZz09

Meeting ID: 842 2294 5542

Passcode: wfpr1029

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,84222945542#,,,,*67234032# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,,84222945542#,,,,*67234032# US (New York)

*While we do use Zoom to help with the meeting facilitation, only the audio portion of the meeting is recorded for playback via podcast and/or wfpr.fm radio

Q&A on Franklin Matters - August 26 at 1:30 PM

2020 Selections to the National Recording Registry Announced

National Recording Registry Adds 'Rhythm Nation' Among 25 New Selections 2020 Selections to the National Recording Registry Announced Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today named 25 recordings as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation's recorded sound heritage. Janet Jackson's clarion call for action and healing in "Rhythm Nation 1814" now joins other groundbreaking sounds of history and culture among the latest titles inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, including Louis Armstrong's "When the Saints Go Marching In," Labelle's "Lady Marmalade," Nas' "Illmatic," Kool & the Gang's "Celebration," and Kermit the Frog's "The Rainbow Connection." Watch the announcement video featuring several of the artists and songwriters. Click here for more information  =>  https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-21-015/?loclr=ealn Watch the announcement video featuring several of the artists and songwriters. https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9731/?loclr=ealn

Too many meeting choices for Wednesday evening Feb 3, 2021

Some meetings nights are quiet, some can be quite challenging. Which meetings shall I report on for Wednesday, Feb 3?

At this point, I'll cover the Board of Health meeting. Franklin TV has the TA meeting (or at least the Town is recording it).

I will need to make a choice between the Davis Thayer Facility (DTFA) meeting and the Economic Development (EDC) meeting. Leaning towards the EDC as the topic is revisiting a prior divisive conversation. The DTFA has already reached consensus on what their recommendation would be. This meeting would start and work the draft. The final discussion and decision is still to be determined when the School Committee takes it up (TBD). I can arrange for a copy of the DTFA recording so I can listen to later and then share.

The Town Council meeting will then be the priority for however long that goes.

And until the 'clone option' works for me, the Historical Commission is left out of the coverage. If you know some one who would want to cover it, let me know.

5:00pm = Board of Health Meeting

5:00pm = Town Administrator Evaluation Ad Hoc Subcommittee Meeting

5:30pm = Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting  (2 - second choice)

5:45pm = Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting  (1 - leaning towards)

6:30pm = Historical Commission Meeting

7:00pm = Town Council Meeting

School calendar is https://www.franklinps.net/node/260/events/day/2021-02-03

Town calendar is https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar/day/2021-02-03

Too many meeting choices for Wednesday evening Feb 3, 2021

CommonWealth Magazine: "Ruling permits citizen recordings of police"

From CommonWealth Magazine:

"While Beacon Hill legislators haven’t moved yet to address Gov. Charlie Baker’s amendments to policing reform legislation, other efforts to improve law enforcement accountability are moving forward locally and in the courts this week.

Earlier this week, the First Circuit Court of Appeals said people can’t be prosecuted under the state’s 1968 wiretapping statute for secretly recording police in a ruling that upheld part of a lower court order that countermanded a statewide ban on such recordings.

The court heard arguments back in January about whether private citizens can audio and video record police in public spaces."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/ruling-permits-citizen-recordings-of-police-2/

Ben Gardner's Boat, in the Franklin TV studio (pre-COVID-19)

In a time seemingly long ago, pre-COVID-19, Jeff Roy and his band Ben Gardner's Boat spent some time in the Franklin TV recording studio. Jeff got to post the video segments of the songs recorded. Here is one: "Collide"  https://youtu.be/TmPZULYRc-E

For more songs from the recording session, find them in Jeff's YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/jalinat/videos

 

FM #345 School Committee Meeting - 9/08/20 (audio)

FM #345 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 345 in the series. 

This shares part of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting that was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The meeting was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The audio recording of the meeting runs about 90 minutes or 1 hour and 30 minutes   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDzqdZrK

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The agenda doc, including connection info
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/sc-agenda-9-8-20 
 
The meeting packet with all docs released for this meeting
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/september-8-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet 
 
My notes taken via Twitter during the meeting are summarized here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/school-committee-recap-sep-8-2020.html
 
Photos used in the Twitter thread can be found in the Google photo album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aaVGfjybqqMDm1pu7

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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/

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 #345 School Committee Meeting - 9/08/20 (audio)

National Recording Registry Class Produces Ultimate 'Stay at Home' Playlist

"The gentle sounds of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”; Russ Hodges’ thrilling play-by-play of the National League tiebreaker between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951; the Village People’s international dance anthem, “Y.M.C.A.”; “Cheap Trick at Budokan”; and the original 1964 Broadway cast recording of “Fiddler on the Roof” are among the newest recordings inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today named these and 20 other recordings as aural treasures worthy of preservation because of their cultural, historical and aesthetic importance to the nation’s recorded sound heritage.

“The National Recording Registry is the evolving playlist of the American soundscape. It reflects moments in history captured through the voices and sounds of the time,” said Hayden. “We received over 800 nominations this year for culturally, historically or aesthetically significant recordings to add to the registry. As genres and formats continue to expand, the Library of Congress is committed to working with our many partners to preserve the sounds that have touched our hearts and shaped our culture.”

Under the terms of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Librarian, with advice from the Library’s National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB), is tasked with annually selecting 25 titles that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and are at least 10 years old. More information on the National Recording Registry can be found at loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/about-this-program/.

Continue reading about this  https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-20-023/?loclr=ealn

Listen link can be found here
https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/recording-registry/listen-to-registry-titles/
 

National Recording Registry Class Produces Ultimate 'Stay at Home' Playlist

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 23 - Budget Hearing #2

The published agenda and documents for the Franklin Town Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 23. This is the second of two budget hearings on the FY 2020 budget. The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22.

You can also find the full set of documents in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_for_may_23_2019.pdf

(Note: where there are active links in the agenda item, it will take you to the associated document)

Agenda Item	Summary
Town Council Meeting Agenda	Meeting of May 23, 2019
1. HEARINGS	FY 2020 Budget Hearing: 7:10 PM  Voting Document FY 20 Budget Message FY 20 Town Administrator Proposed Budget
2. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
2a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-32: Adoption of FY2020 Budget (Motion to Move Resolution 19-32 - Two Thirds Majority Vote (6))
2b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION	Resolution 19-33: Amendment to FY2020 Budget (Motion to Move Resolution 19-33- Majority Vote (5))
3. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
4. COUNCIL COMMENTS
5. ADJOURN

Why are there two votes to pass the budget?

As Councilor Glenn Jones is employed by Tri-County RVTHS, it would be a conflict of interest for him to vote on the Tri-County budget (effectively authorizing to pay himself). The budget votes is split so Councilor Jones can participate in and vote on the vast majority of the Franklin budget and recuse himself (properly so) for the portion that is specifically associated with Tri-County.

Depending upon how the Town Council reviews the budget this year, you may or may not get a whole lot of info on the inside story of the major departments and their cost drivers. In recent years, the Council has taken the approach of reading the totals of the voting doc department by department. 

During such reading of the totals, a councilor or more can put a 'hold' on the item which after the reading will make that item available for more detailed discussion. Sometimes this are simple questions, sometimes these get involved.

From a resident stand point, what really happens in the budget can only be found at the Finance Committee meetings. They have each department head come forward to review and answer questions on the details of their budget. Granted some of the departments budget needs are minor, some are major. 

The first budget hearing for the FY 2020 budget was held on March 18 and recorded. My notes and audio recording is available here

Notes for March 18

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/live-reporting-finance-committee-march.html

Audio recording for March 18

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/03/fm-160-fincom-budget-hearing-1-fy-2020.html

The second budget hearing held on Apr 25 unfortunately was not recorded by anyone. I was out of town on business. If there were minutes of the meeting, the FinCom has not met since the April 25 meeting and no minutes are published to their page.

https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee

Voting document

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/voting-document-fy2020

Budget Message

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/fy20-budget-message

FY 2020 Proposed Budget

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/files/fy-20-town-administrator-proposed-budget

This is the first year in many that there is no need to ask for an exception from
the state due to insufficient funding for the Library