Strong Towns Conversation - Nov 15

RSVP for Town Hall featuring special guests Charles Marohn of Strong Towns, State Representative Jeff Roy, and Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo

Congressman Auchincloss is looking forward to bringing together local elected leaders, municipal administrators/managers, planners and economic development professionals, and grassroots advocates to discuss how to make our communities financially strong and resilient.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to staff or any other interested stakeholders in your cities and towns.

Event Details for Congressman Jake Auchincloss’s Municipal Leaders Town Hall featuring Special Guests Charles Marohn of Strong Towns, State Representative Jeff Roy, and Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo

When: Monday, November 15 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Where: THE BLACK BOX theater (Home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company) at 15 West Central St, Franklin MA 02038

• Free parking is available next to and behind the theater, and on Main Street.
• We request that participants wear face coverings at this indoor event. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available at the entrance to the event.
• Questions? Please contact Dana Hanson at dana.hanson@mail.house.gov.

RSVP at -> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzI0bJ4hSQPlAXpngN5rbv_GWUle6ghAOzKQIh47wTzwUl9Q/viewform

Strong Towns Conversation - Nov 15

Recap: Finance Committee hears of FY 2022 overall budget reduction of $454K

Quick Recap:

• New growth had been forecasted to be $1,199,593 and is being revised down to be $1,105,000; the $94,593 less revenue is one piece of several moving parts of the budget

• The State numbers (Chapter 70, etc.) were finalized in August and now those numbers become real and update what had been expected when the budget was put together in Mar/Apr. The total net change to the bottom line is a decrease of over $400K. The Town side will absorb about $300K and the school budget will be reduced by $93K. The summary of how the decrease is absorbed can be found on page 12

• Host community agreements are not considered 'general revenue', they are targeted to be mitigations for the impact of the sale of such cannabis products that generate the agreements. They are forecast for a five year revenue period, currently the max allowed under MA general law. The host community agreement funds are therefore allocated to DPW, SAFE Coalition, and Police Department as outlined in the memo/draft resolution on page 13

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter. I participated in the meeting in the Council Chambers. 
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom1110
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom1110&src=typeahead_click 
 
Agenda document -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda.html
 

• #fincom1110 meeting about to start agenda and connection info -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/franklin-ma-finance-committee-agenda.html
  
• Chair calls meeting to order with 7 members present #fincom1110
  
• Town Administrator Jamie Hellen speaks to the adjustments for FY 2022 as part of the annual budget process. Usually done about this time before the tax rate is set in late Nov/early Dec  https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/fin_com_agenda_nov_10_2021.pdf…  #finCom1110
  
• new growth amount to be reduced, use 10 year average, and things have changed since it was forecasted earlier this year #fincom1110 main item of note from memo, packet on page 2, see totals of new growth over last 10 years preparation of savings in good times, paves way
  
• "baring any unforeseen circumstances", everyone is seeing disruptions in supply chains; State revenues finalized after our budget was done, so the numbers are finalized at this time - page 7 in the packet show offsets on Charter school revenue vs. assessments #fincom1110
  
• pause for Qs on revenue sheet; none at this time -  narrative of memo that intros the doc explains these line item changes #fincom1110 Fire/Police changes due to unforeseen retirements and resulting new hire training/staffing items
  
• decrease to Schools also due to the lower revenue growth; Health Dept adjustment due to Health nurse starting later than anticipated, hence salary savings #fincom1110 health ins categories decreases reflect enrollment numbers vs. projections
  
• host community agreements are not 'general revenue', they are targeted to be mitigations for the impact of the sale of such; #fincom1110 memo on 13 outlines where the incoming funds would be used
  
• page 12 - outlines the total general operating budget adjustments #fincom1110 host agreements currently for a 5 year term;
  
• motion to approve general fund adjustments #fincom1110 seconded, passes 7-0 (Corbosiero and Keophanga absent)
  
• motion to approve resolution on host agreements, seconded, passes 7-0
• late receipt of bills from printing (performed during prior fiscal year) #fincom1110 (possible pandemic related problem, hoping it a one time problem) motion to approve, seconded, passes 7-0
  
• motion to adjourn, seconded, passes 7-0 #fincom1110
  
• stay tuned for Town Council meeting coming up at 7 #tc1110  #fincom1110

 
 Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

 

summary of how the decrease is absorbed

Franklin Public Schools, MA announces Critical Conversations - Nov 18

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted Wed, Nov 10, 2021:

"Some conversations are better to have sooner rather than later.

Start and continue the talk on Mental Health and Substance Use during our Critical Conversations panel on 11/18 at 6 PM. 

Learn more here: https://t.co/yhf1nlYD3s"

 

Critical Conversations: Identifying and addressing mental health and substance use among families and within our community. Is a collaboration between the SAFE Coalition and Franklin Public Schools. This event will be held in the FHS auditorium and live via Zoom.

Mental Health and Substance Use are two critical issues that have a wide range of impacts among our families and within our community. We invite the Franklin community to join us for an evening of learning, listening, and engaging with local panelists of diverse perspectives representing education, health care, law enforcement, parent/guardians, and people with lived experience.  
 
The evening will include: 

• Opening remarks from Jen Knight, Executive Director of the SAFE Coalition
• Panelist Discussion 
• Audience General Questions
• Breakout Sessions with each Panelist as well as a Hidden in Plain Sight display facilitated by our SATF Student Representatives

Panelists

• Detective Mike Colecchi, SAFE Coalition Board Member, Franklin Police Dept.
• Dr. Wendy Cohen, SAFE Medical Director and family practitioner
• Dan Lagarce, Person in Recovery
• Jeff Roy, State Representative
• Jim Derick, SAFE Board of Director President, co-founder and Parent
• Jen Knight-Levine, SAFE Executive Director, co-founder
• Josh Hanna, Franklin High School Principal

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/ypItJfHT3s

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOWZWc1Buc2RLZ2QxWTktaDZUWWxTbTB1YkRZ/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-5jDLyEjZLaSKlr1sJrVZfQ

Franklin Public Schools, MA announces Critical Conversations - Nov 18

School Committee Meeting - 11/09/21 (audio)

FM #654 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 654 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: the School Committee members were in the Municipal Bldg along with some of the public, other members of the public joined via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The recording of the public meeting runs about 55 minutes. The School Committee entered Executive Session not to return to the public meeting. 

 

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. The link to my notes taken during the meeting is also provided.

Let’s listen to this segment of the School Committee meeting Nov 9, 2021

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c6dad69a-3101-46c8-96b8-bc3f735ca442 

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School Committee Meeting agenda ->   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_11-9-21_org.pdf   

Meeting packet folder ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-9-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-newly-elected-school-committee.html 

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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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

School Committee Meeting - 11/09/21 (audio)

Next 50+ Jobseekers Session - Nov 23

This morning we held our first session of the program. We discussed Ageism.

The next session discusses Assessments.

We talk about why you need to know about them; why companies often require them; why you should consider taking an assessment before commencing your job search.

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

Session 2: Assessments!

Tuesday November 23rd: 10 am – 12 pm

Join us as we discuss hiring assessments and personality tests. You'll even have the chance to take a couple of assessments and decide for yourself whether they work.

 

Why you need to know about this: Completing a self-assessment before applying for jobs can help your job-search. Knowing yourself -- your values and preferences -- enables you to set realistic career goals and ultimately land the job you want. Assessments may be optional for many companies, but they are a necessity for the modern job seeker.

 

Start your journey towards self-realization, re-invention and transformation

 

1.      Ageism

2.      Assessments

3.      Networking Introductions

4.      STAR/PAR Sto

5.      Resumes Part 1: Summary & Formatting

6.      Resumes Part 2 Experience Section

7.      LinkedIn Part 1: Your Profile

8.      LinkedIn Part 2: The Job Search

9.      Branding & Marketing

10.   Interview Preparation

11.   Interview Practice

12.   Job Applications

13.   Cover Letters

14.   Closing & Negotiating the Deal

15.   Teamwork & Getting Along with Difficult People

16.   Job Success

New to the program? Registration is Required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

For more information contact Denise Magnett: 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

Next 50+ Jobseekers Session - Nov 23

Coaches Corner - playoff win vs. Braintree

Kevin papa (@kevinjpapa) tweeted Wed, Nov 10, 2021:

Coaches Corner…8-0 ... playoff win vs Braintree

Video link -> https://t.co/itloiWZ2Yb

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/kevinjpapa/status/1458622482433425415

Library of Congress: Danielle Allen to Deliver Address Nov 16

Danielle Allen to Receive Kluge Prize, Deliver Address on Educating for Democracy On Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 Danielle Allen will accept the Library's John W. Kluge Prize for the Study of Humanity in a livestreamed gala from the Great Hall of the Library of Congress. Allen will deliver an address titled "Educating for American Democracy," in which she considers the role of education in fostering a common purpose in American society. At a time when the idea of cooperation for the public good is tested by crisis and political division, Allen's work connects us and brings us together around shared goals, all while maintaining the importance of the differences that make the United States what it is. Click here for more information.   Danielle Allen, recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity. Photo credit: Laura Rose

Will you be at opening night for Mamma Mia!?

COME SUPPORT OUR CAST & CREW Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to bring this production to life. Break a leg! Mamma Mia! Presented By Franklin High School Theatre Company Nov 12th 2021, 7:00 PM Nov 13th 2021, 2:00 PM Nov 13th 2021, 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS Franklin High School 218 Oak Street Franklin, MA 02038 Visit here for more information. TICKETING BY

On The Stage · 254 West 54th Street, 13th Floor · New York, NY 10019 · USA

Franklin Police: Crash with property damage under investigation

"The Franklin Police Department is currently investigating an incident at roughly 10:43 PM November 9, with a Jordan Road resident reporting that a Ford F450 truck had crashed into her garage, damaging that structure and a vehicle within that garage.

The driver of the truck was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, treated and released. Although the investigation is ongoing and not yet completed, charges are anticipated.

The suspect driver is a sworn member of the Franklin Police Department but was not on duty at the time of the incident. The officer is being placed on paid administrative leave by the Town Administrator. Further information will be released should charges be taken."

Copy of the Police Media Release -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B6w481-au6lLe9ORd9XiQwUmpC7XgJI2/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Police: Crash with property damage under investigation

2021 Franklin Biennial Election Information Survey

To help prepare for the next local or biennial election, let's capture what you think about the information available for this one while it is still 'fresh' at hand. The original sources of information covered via this survey are the following:

• Franklin Voters Guide
• Milford Daily News/Wicked Local
• Frank Falvey's interviews for Franklin TV
• the candidate question series by Franklin Matters
• the two candidate nights (11/14/21 & 11/21/21)

If the survey form is not visible, please use this link

https://forms.gle/N3rkQhuHHrU6KUkQ6

2021 Franklin Biennial Election Information Survey