Saturday, March 12, 2022

Finance Committee gets a deep dive into all things DPW - March 9, 2022 (audio & transcript)

FM #750 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 750 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

Most of the meeting was the presentation and discussion on the overview of the DPW presentation and discussion. While Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi did not present this time, his team:

Derek Adams - Environmental Supervisor
Doug Martin - Water/Sewer Supervisor
Kathy Mooradd - Admin & Budget Manager

did more than cover for him. They expertly presented and answered questions providing a level of detail (without notes in many cases) such that was clear they knew what they were doing.

NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/

The meeting opened at 6:30 PM and ran an hour and 10 minutes.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-750-finance-committee-mtg-03-09-22

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Meeting agenda and presentation document ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/3-9-22_fin_com_meeting_agenda_0.pdf

Meeting transcript ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XClkmA0iMWJtFkA6ca5McbuhoFLcK1V4/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"

Finance Committee Agenda - March 9, 2022

FHS girls basketball game scheduled for live stream/cable broadcast - 3:30 PM

FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) tweeted Fri, Mar 11, 2022:

For anyone who can't make it to the Girls BB game tomorrow in Springfield, you may watch it on Franklin.TV.

Go to https://t.co/0XREXRHzrE and click the button for 'Pride TV'.

If you have cable, tune in to either Comcast Ch 96 or Verizon Ch 28, depending on your cable provider.

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1502368470616449024

FHS girls basketball game scheduled for live stream/cable broadcast

FHS Panthers

“There’s three criteria in this formula, and two of the three rural towns will never achieve”

For those who participated in either the Finance Committee or Joint Budget Subcommittee meetings this week, heard that Chapter 90 money from the state is technically 'grant' money targeted for roads. The formula for the grant calculation was created in 1972 and hasn't been changed since. A change is apparently on the horizon.

"THE HOUSE’S TRANSPORTATION policy leader pledged Wednesday that lawmakers will consider revising the state’s road and bridge funding formula, an indication that years of complaints by rural lawmakers may finally pay off.
“The Chapter 90 allocation is based on a population area road mile formula that was developed by MassDOT decades ago,” said Rep. William Straus, a Mattapoisett Democrat who is the House chair of the Transportation Committee. “There’s no question that some examination of how that formula is determined should occur.”
Straus said when a revision could happen is still to be determined. “That may occur at a committee level, it may occur in recommendations from House Ways and Means, it may occur during budget debate, it’s hard to tell,” Straus said."

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/lawmakers-are-revising-road-funding-formula-2/

Chapter 90 money is for roads, construction, reconstruction, and potholes

50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups -Special Zoom Event - Apr 21

50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups

Special Zoom Event

Thursday, April 21^st: 2 - 4 pm

Stephen Melanson

Personal Branding: How to use ‘Simplicity’ to differentiate, compete, and win

Personal Branding is a particularly difficult path these days with so much competition in the marketplace. Not only do you need to capture the right people’s attention, but once you do, you are often dealing with an overwhelmed and skeptical audience. Simplicity and Verbal Branding solves these and many more issues for finding your next role.

Join us as Stephen Melanson explains:

· How to apply Simplicity as a mission-critical, multi-impact business tool.

· What Verbal Branding is and why it’s a game-changer.

· Why you should eliminate the elevator pitch mindset forever.

· How to marginalize the competition.

· Why memory might be the most important issue of all.

· How to expand your networking capability and reach.

· The business math equation that drives performance.

· How to painlessly practice and see immediate results.

Stephen Melanson is the President of Melanson Consulting, which was founded in 2004. He is a management consultant, trainer, Verbal Branding expert, and – as featured on Forbes.com – originator of the only ‘Differentiation and Business Simplicity’ platform of its kind worldwide. Mr. Melanson is a service provider for individuals and small through Fortune 100 firms.

Register in advance for this special event:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtf-GopjMtGtREV5kEQqte0vH5UHAhPid0

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Download a flyer for this event as a reminder -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OorGp7zOCwrws83aTh-naV1aJUgC8b2v/view?usp=sharing

50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups -Special Zoom Event - Apr 21

MIT: The mysterious origins of COVID-19 (audio)

A new investigative series on the origins of covid-19

Dive into the mysterious origins of covid-19 with our thrilling new podcast series Curious Coincidence, hosted by MIT Technology Review investigative science reporter Antonio Regalado. Learn why it's so hard to find its origin and why it matters. Episodes 1-3 are out now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn More

View this email in your browser

Copyright © 2022 MIT Technology Review, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive newsletters and/or initiatives and events emails from MIT Technology Review.

Our mailing address is:

MIT Technology Review

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"‘Defining moment’: how can the US end its dependency on fossil fuels?"

"Environmental groups and progressive Democrats are aiming to build upon the backlash to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by ending the era of fossil fuel dependency and help address the unfolding climate crisis.

“This moment is a clarion call for the urgent need to transition to domestic clean energy so that we are never again complicit in fossil-fueled conflict,” said Ed Markey, the Democratic senator who helped devise the Green New Deal platform.

The climate measures in Biden’s moribund Build Back Better legislation may now be resurrected, Democrats hope, with several of the party’s senators unveiling a flurry of bills to ensure renewable energy replaces the banned Russian oil imports and to tax oil companies enjoying a financial bonanza from oil prices that have soared due to the crisis in Ukraine.

Green groups want Biden to go even further."

Continue reading the editorial online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/11/us-fossil-fuel-dependency-climate-joe-biden-oil-russia

‘There’s a war with a fossil fuel oligarch and we are in a climate war, so we need to attack this on a wartime footing.’ Photograph: Michael Reynolds/EPA

Fraud and older adults – what’s your story?

by Bridget Small, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Your stories help us better understand how fraud affects every community. During National Consumer Protection Week, we’re offering information and advice for some of these communities.

Today we’re focusing on scams that have an impact on older adults.

Fraud and older adults – what’s your story?

MassHire Metro South/West Is Hiring

The Norwood and Framingham Career Centers are currently not open to the public.

They are offering ALL normal services virtually, not in person at the career centers, until further notice.

Please visit www.masshiremsw.com for more information and a complete listing of services available.

MassHire Metro South/West Is Hiring! Click Here to view the FIVE great career opportunities currently available.

MassHire Metro South/West on Linked in and Facebook:

Linked In: Click HERE to visit our Linked In homepage!

Facebook: Click HERE to visit our Facebook homepage!

1671 Worcester Road, Suite 205 32 Day St and 700 Washington St

Framingham, MA 01701 Norwood, MA 02062

T 508.861.7993 T 781.269.5494
F 508.309.6598 F 781.349.8766

Mass Hire is hiring

Franklin Matters Radio at 9 AM and 3 PM, or anytime via podcast

wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Saturday

9 AM - Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock, Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

This slot features the School Committee Special Meeting on finding their next superintendent https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/franklin-school-committee-votes-to.html

3 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock, Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

This hour features two recent discussions, first up my Town Council Quarterbacking session with Council Chair Tom Mercer. Followed by my conversation with Jerika Lowry and Adam Calvert. We talk about the Franklin Neighborhood Support Team and the Shamrock Walk for Refugees to provide support for an Afghan family now living here
Town Council Quarterbacking -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/town-council-quarterbacking-with-tom.html Shamrock Walk for Refugees https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/inside-shamrock-walk-for-refugees.html

Franklin Matters Radio at 9 AM and 3 PM, or anytime via podcast

Friday, March 11, 2022

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 11, 2022 to Mar 17, 2022

A variety of this to do this weekend while we also remember to turn our clocks ahead an hour (Spring forward): Winter Farmers Market, performances of the Drowsy Chaperone, Sunday Speaker, LiveArts concert, and a twin brothers comedy show.

Was it pure coincidence that the performances of Drowsy Chaperone are scheduled for the daylight savings time change?

Saturday, March 12
9:30am - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
7:30pm - Drowsy Chaperone

Sunday, March 13
Daylight Saving Time starts
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm - Bumbling Through the Hindu Kush – A Memoir of Fear and Kindness in Afghanistan
2:00pm - Drowsy Chaperone
3:00pm - LiveARTS: Michael Lewin, piano
7:00pm - The Rescignos

Thursday, March 17

St. Patrick's Day

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours

6:00pm - Disney Trivia Night - FHS Hiking Club

7:00pm - Brad Pierce - Comedy in the Taproom (67 Degrees)

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

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

The Rescignos scheduled to perform at THE BLACK BOX - March 13 at 7 PM

Twin brothers Paul Rescigno and Robbie Rescigno write and star in a comedy show with original music. The Rescigno brothers' eponymous show has played regularly to sold-out crowds at The Duplex in NYC since 2009, winning both the 2011 Nightlife Award and the 2011 Bistro Award.

Critic Roy Sander writes of the show, "....brilliant...I would be hard put to think of anyone I would rather be entertained by for an hour than The Rescignos." Cabaret Scenes' Rob Lester says, "The Rescigno twins raise sibling squabbling to an art form." Paul and Robbie add, "We also look pretty good in our sweater vests."

This show is PG-13

Please note our safety measures to protect our artists, staff, and audience - masks will be required for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must be worn at all times, except while actively eating or drinking.

Get your tickets online -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1551

The Rescignos scheduled to perform at THE BLACK BOX - March 13 at 7 PM

Tri-County names Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2022

The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School District is pleased to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2022. Shriya Sivakumar, of Seekonk, has been named Valedictorian, and Emily Matheson, of Medway, has been named Salutatorian.

Tri-County’s Valedictorian, Shriya, is an Engineering Technology and Advanced Manufacturing student and maintains the highest cumulative GPA of 4.545. Since her sophomore year, Shriya has served on the Student Council and is currently the President. She also joined Students in Action, National Honor Society, and became a Student Representative during her junior year.

Shriya Sivakumar

In addition to mastering rigorous academic classes, Shriya volunteers at the Miriam Hospital, helping in the transport of patients. You can find Shriya working at her cooperative position at S.W. Cole Engineering or at Barnes and Noble, working as a part-time bookseller when she is not volunteering.

Shriya is looking forward to pursuing a degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from a university in the Northeast and traveling after graduation.

Tri-County’s Salutatorian, Emily Matheson, maintains a cumulative 4.504 GPA as an Engineering Technology and Advanced Manufacturing student. While maintaining a demanding academic schedule, Emily has earned real-world experience at CSI Groups as a Parts Finishing and Quality Control Intern and currently as an intern at Allurion Technologies in Natick.

Emily Matheson

In addition to being a dedicated student, Emily enjoys giving back to her community. She serves as a CCD Volunteer at St. Joseph’s in Medway and as a Girl Scout where she helped make holiday boxes for the elderly and collected debris from public parks as part of an initiative to help educate the community about environmental issues.

Emily will pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering and pursue a career in research.

Both Shriya and Emily called out the NASA HUNCH program as their favorite projects during their time at Tri-County. HUNCH is a collaboration between NASA and high schools nationwide. Working with a team and attempting to solve issues currently facing astronauts was challenging but rewarding.

“It is a pleasure to recognize Shriya and Emily as top scholars. Their hard work exemplifies our ‘Work Hard, Today Counts’ motto, and we know they will excel in their future endeavors. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of our graduates.” Karen Maguire, Superintendent.

As Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Shriya and Emily will lead the graduation procession and are scheduled to address their classmates at the Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, June 5, 2022.

School Committee hears and discusses the recommended FY 2023 school budget (audio & transcript)

FM #749 = This is the Franklin Matters Radio show, number 749 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held Tuesday, March 8, 2022.

The bulk of the meeting was the presentation and discussion on the Superintendents recommended budget for FY 2023.

NEW: A transcript of the recording is available. The transcript is part of a pilot by Franklin Matters using the transcription service provided by Otter.ai https://otter.ai/

The meeting opened at 7 PM and ran approx. 2 hours and 46 minutes.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-749-school-committee-mtg-03-08-22

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Meeting packet folder -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-8-2022-school-committee-meeting

Budget tab (with this proposed budget and prior budgets) -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget

Meeting transcript -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WeSfm-NIzFTNoFnkiwV1vHQXXdxhLLZV/view?usp=sharing

My notes -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BlZ3HbwBxRkDbcyRu6GKp6GpflnW2Tfs/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?