Sunday, May 14, 2023

Finance Committee Budget Hearing #2 gets to hear from Norfolk Aggie, Tri-County & Franklin Public Schools (audio)

FM #995 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 995 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting and second of three budget hearings for the FY 2024 budget year. The meeting was held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. 


All 9 members of the Finance Committee participated; 7 present in the Council Chambers, 2 remote. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Comptroller Chris Sandini, Treasurer/Collector Kerri Bertone. 


Norfolk Agriculture & Tri-County covered their budgets and answered questions followed by the Franklin School budget. 


Quick recap:

  • John Martin, Superintendent Norfolk Aggie; John Wallace, Business Manager, Norfolk Aggie

    • Norfolk Aggie, 365 acres, inc in 1916 first campus in Weymouth #fincom0510 four courses of study, explore frosh and soph year then choose major for junior and senior studies

    • Animal science is the most popular of the four studies, about 560 total, 16 students from Franklin this year, 3 seniors, applications are open for next year

    • 40 students from Boston making it the largest sending community. There is demand for the programs, they do have a wait list

  • Karen McGuire, Tri-County Superintendent, presenting along with Dan Haynes,  Business Manager

    • Should hear in June about the final cost of the proposed building replacement, and then in August on what MSBA will provide for reimbursement, assuming they do. At that time, the 11 sending communities have 120 days to vote to approve the building proposal

    • How the individual communities fund the cost is up to them, cost allocation based upon sending students

  • Franklin’s budget was presented by Supt Lucas Giguere, Business Manage Miriam Goodman, School Cmte budget subcmte Chair Dave McNeill


The meeting recording runs about 1 hour and 55 minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting May 10, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-995-finance-cmte-budget-hearing-2-05-10-23


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Meeting agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2023-05-10_finance_committee_agenda_2.pdf 


FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 


My notes ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gsupUzfumR385d7qcgklxMfI7enZjmVU/view?usp=share_link 


Link to Finance Committee => https://www.franklinma.gov/finance-committee 


YouTube recording =>  https://www.youtube.com/live/1-4GwOsbRNc?feature=share 


Photos captured during the meeting can be found in one album -> 

For Tri-County slides -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/6akR6TvwSyrYvkFh6 


For FPS slides -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/2WYTBKhpxisJFUuT9 


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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"


Tri-County budget is very similar to Franklin's in regards to salary & benefits as percent of total budget
Tri-County budget is very similar to Franklin's in regards to salary & benefits as percent of total budget


Saturday, May 13, 2023

Planet Fitness Supports Franklin First Responders with Donation of Cardio and Strength Equipment

Planet Fitness is committed to supporting its local communities and first responders. In 2022, 100% of equipment from Planet Fitness' corporate clubs was either donated or resold.

Local franchise group CDM Fitness Holdings, whose first location was Franklin, Mass., Planet Fitness, recently donated three treadmills, one stair-climber, and one stationary bike to the Franklin Fire Department.

Exercise and physical fitness are important for first responders’ mental health as they experience prolonged levels of high-stress, work long shifts and may not have access to workout equipment at work or at home. This Mental Health Awareness month, we’re thrilled to be giving back to local first responders. Exercise not only promotes physical and mental wellness, but it can also help ease stress.

Pictured in the group photo from left to right are: Keith Darling, Battalion Chief; Taylor Pryor, Planet Fitness; James McLaughlin, Fire Chief; Keith Schnabel, Firefighter/Paramedic; Pete Ballou, Firefighter/Paramedic; Tommy Bianco, Planet Fitness; Kevin Marshall, Captain; Jim Polito, Firefighter/Paramedic; Rich Salve, Firefighter/Paramedic
Pictured in the group photo from left to right are: Keith Darling, Battalion Chief; Taylor Pryor, Planet Fitness; James McLaughlin, Fire Chief; Keith Schnabel, Firefighter/Paramedic; Pete Ballou, Firefighter/Paramedic; Tommy Bianco, Planet Fitness; Kevin Marshall, Captain; Jim Polito, Firefighter/Paramedic; Rich Salve, Firefighter/Paramedic

stair climber
stair climber

stationary bike
stationary bike

treadmill
treadmill


About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2022, Planet Fitness had approximately 17 million members and 2,410 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. Approximately 90 percent of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

Franklin Public Schools: "current district attendance boundaries remain the same"

I am writing to inform you about the results of the School Committee's charge to conduct a redistricting analysis during the 2022-23 school year. On April 25th, 2023, the Superintendent's Redistricting Analysis Report was presented to the Franklin School Committee. This report serves as a comprehensive reference to the entire redistricting analysis process.

On May 9th, 2023, the Franklin Public School Committee voted 6-1 to approve Option 1, which proposes that "current district attendance boundaries remain the same while a School Facilities Master Plan is conducted. ASMS/Keller spaces will continue to be used flexibly. Both administrative teams at the complex will continue to work together to utilize the available space to accommodate the needs of all students."

We understand that the decision to redistrict affects families, students, staff, and the larger community. Therefore, we strived to conduct a thorough and transparent analysis process. Throughout the process, we aimed to engage our community through various outlets. This comprehensive approach allowed us to tune into our community and gather information necessary for our School Committee to make an informed decision regarding redistricting.

I would like to thank the Redistricting Analysis Advisory Committee members for generously volunteering their time during the 2022-2023 school year. Our consultant and administrative working group greatly appreciated their perspectives, ideas, and suggestions. We also want to express gratitude to those who participated in our community forums, completed surveys, and provided valuable contributions via email to the redistricting analysis working group.

In the upcoming 2023-24 school year, Franklin Public Schools will collaborate with the Franklin Facilities Department to begin a school facilities master plan. The aim is to establish a blueprint for long-term plans that will enable our facilities to meet the educational requirements of our students in line with our educational vision. As referenced in the Redistricting Analysis Report, the process of developing and implementing a plan can take multiple years.

As more information becomes available, we will be sure to provide any updates. Respectfully,
 
Lucas Giguere 
Superintendent of Schools

FHS girls & boys tennis post wins, FHS baseball tops Taunton to stay undefeated

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the spring sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, May 12, 2023. We also provide the link to the full set of Hockomock League results below.


Softball = Taunton, 13 @ Franklin, 0 – Final (5 Inn.) 
– Taunton pounded out 16 hits and had its fifth straight shutout to stay unbeaten. The Tigers broke things open with a six-run fourth inning. Kaysie DeMoura went 3-for-4 with a double, scoring twice and driving in three. Bella Bourque also was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Kyleah Plumb (two runs, RBI), Ava Venturelli (two runs, two RBI, and a homer), and Mia Fernandes each had two hits. Brooke Aldrich tripled and drove in three and Hayley Krockta had a double, run scored and RBI. Sam Lincoln made the runs stand up with another strong outing in the circle. She struck out 11 in five innings and allowed just two hits. Sarah Boozang and Hailey Fales had the hits for the Panthers.

Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 6 @ Notre Dame Academy, 15 – Final

Boys Tennis = Taunton, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final 
– Franklin earned a win that keeps it just one back in the win column in the battle for the Kelley-Rex title. Jay Gorgas won a 9-7 tiebreaker in the first set to get a straight sets win (7-6, 6-2). Tyler Fitzpatrick won the opening set 6-4, dropped the second by the same score, but then won the third set tiebreaker 11-9 to get the point. The doubles teams of Eric Tomaino and Ahan Shetty (6-4 7-5) and Andrew Amante and Aaron Ramaswamy (6-3, 6-3) each won in straight sets for the Panthers.

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 4 @ Taunton, 1 – Final 
– Franklin stayed in the running for the league title with a big road win. Izzy Trull (6-1, 6-0) and Brooke Taylor (6-0, 6-0) each won their singles matches in straight sets. Taunton also got a point at second singles with Ava Alves taking her match 6-4, 6-2. The Panthers swept doubles. Sydney Tolonen and Brooke Daniels won 6-4, 6-3 and Allison Bagley and Ava Davies won 6-3, 7-5.

Baseball = Taunton, 4 @ Franklin, 7 – Final
Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap:
"The Hockomock League runs through Franklin — again.

The Panthers clinched their fourth straight Kelley-Rex crown with a 7-4 verdict over rival Taunton, sweeping the season series against the Tigers and staying undefeated at 15-0.

The bottom of Franklin’s lineup spearheaded a six-run second inning and senior right-hander Alfred Mucciarone struck out 10 — his fifth double-digit strikeout performance in six starts — in a complete game effort.

“It’s a balancing act,” said Franklin head coach Zach Brown of dealing with all of the storylines surrounding the matchup with the Tigers, including a second rematch of last year’s Division 1 state championship. “Sometimes when you have all this motivation it can work against you in baseball. We have to trust our leadership and when you have these veterans, who are saying all the right things, it makes it easier.”


For other results around the Hockomock League


Franklin senior Alfred Mucciarone celebrates after recording his 10th strikeout to seal the win over Taunton. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Franklin senior Alfred Mucciarone celebrates after recording his 10th strikeout to seal the win over Taunton. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)


Senior Story Hour - WFPR: Episode 053 - To Have And To Hold, St. George, Memorial Day, and more (audio)

In this episode, The Franklin Senior Center Writers Group share stories, poems, and writings about Spring, Memorial Day, St. George, and much more.

This episode aired on Franklin Radio for May 2023.

Audi file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d278cf91-eabb-4b93-8aec-73ac66b8ba56

Senior Story Hour - WFPR = The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group
Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more. 
Find more episodes here (or on your favorite podcast app) ->  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/episodes

SAFE Coalition shares their growth during 2022

"We continue to hear that reaching out for support can be a more significant barrier than actively engaging in care - and we get that! 
PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 
Every day community members, schools, police, fire, and groups in between call and email us with requests for information and support. 
We are here to listen, answer your questions, and offer support on your terms."

More information about the SAFE Coalition -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/

SAFE Coalition share their growth during 2022
SAFE Coalition share their growth during 2022

Redistricting vote fails by 6-1 vote at Franklin School Committee Meeting (audio)

FM #994 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 994 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.


The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: all of the School Committee members, school district personnel along with some of the public in the Council Chambers. Some members of the public participated via Zoom conference bridge.


Quick recap:

  • The School Committee met on Tuesday night at their regular meeting. They heard an update from the Keller Elementary School, an update on the District Improvement Plan, and voted 6-1 on an amendment to the original redistricting motion, to effectively do nothing for redistricting

  • The 6 votes all talked of the need for the master facility plan, but although that was included in the original proposal before them, the minor adjustment now was passed on in favor of doing nothing

  • The entered Executive Session and did return to approve a contract reached with ESP/LPN bargaining unit before closing out the full 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 the School Committee meeting of May 9, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-994-fps-school-committee-mtg-05-09-23 


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Agenda document -> https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-9-23.pdf 


Keller presentation document

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/keller_school_may_9_school_committee_presentation.pdf 


District Improvement Plan update ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/sc_5_9_23_strategic_objective_1_-1.pdf 


Redistricting Analysis Report

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/redistricting_analysis_recommendation_report_2022-23.pdf 


Packet folder contains the documents released for this meeting 

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-9-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet


Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/W-9CbY5MeDY?feature=share


My notes captured during the meeting (in one PDF file)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qB4ZIFXY9R4zNJ5hxoHrLnt242ECaUsN/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"


Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda
Franklin, MA: School Committee Agenda

Friday, May 12, 2023

Franklin's Event Outlook: May 12, 2023 to May 18, 2023

Music & food, add a little exercise with the walk/run, and there is plenty to do in Franklin this weekend. Find out more about Horace Mann and his story on Sunday as #artshappenhere in Franklin.

Friday, May 12

3:00pm - Battuto (food) (67 Degrees Brewery)

6:00pm - Jamie Barrett (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm - FHS Music Awards Night (Franklin High School)

8:00pm - Motorboat with Phil Fox - Electric Youth "Funraiser" (THE BLACK BOX)

8:30pm - FHS Senior Movie Night (Franklin High School)


Saturday, May 13

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am - Rail Trail Race (SNETT - Grove St)

11:30am - Cornhole Tournament (67 Degrees @ The Cellar - Wrentham Village Mall)

12:00pm - Pen to Picture: A Graphic Novelist Panel! (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - Sips & Dips (67 Degrees Brewery)

4:00pm - Emily & Nick (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

4:00pm - Red Apron Charcuterie (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - The McCrites  (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Rising Stars Cabaret (THE BLACK BOX)


Sunday, May 14   Mother's Day

12:00pm - Cousins Maine Lobster (food truck) (La Cantina Winery)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker - Story of Horace Mann (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm - AK Cody (live music) (La Cantina Winery)


Monday, May 15

5:00pm - In the Newsroom with NBC10Boston/NECN's Susan Tran (virtual) (Franklin Public Library)


Tuesday, May 16

6:00pm - Dean Neighborhood Alliance (Dean College)


Wednesday, May 17

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)

5:00pm - Wine & Charcuterie Experience (tickets req'd) (La Cantina Winery)


Thursday, May 18

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Senior Center)

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space (Escape Into Fiction)

6:00pm - Kendo (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Nick Gaspar Fund raiser (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Son of Sams Pizza (food truck) (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - FHS Film Festival (FHS lecture hall)

6:00pm - Empty Bowls Dinner (tickets req'd) (Franklin High School)

6:30pm - Rain Garden Workshop (Franklin Public Library)


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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

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

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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 


Franklin's Event Outlook: April 21, 2023 to Apr 27, 2023
Franklin's Event Outlook: April 21, 2023 to Apr 27, 2023