Watch "Frank Presents Massachusetts State House Tour with Franklin Rep. Jeff Roy" on YouTube

"Franklin State Representative Jeff Roy joins Frank Falvey for a tour of the Massachusetts State House. Frank and the team from Franklin.TV came up to Beacon Hill to take an in-depth look at the building and the history that surrounds it. We hope you enjoy the tour and make it a point to come into the People's House and see it for yourself."

Video link = https://youtu.be/wOCvEh26334

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - June 10

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Meeting June 10, 2020 6:30 PM

Remote Meeting - Held on “Zoom” Platform

Announcements:
This meeting may be recorded by audio or video.

● For link to Access the Meeting Click HERE then click “Open Zoom”
○ Or copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81955187367
● Call-in Phone Number: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID 819 5518 7367 - then press “#”

Discussion:

1. Grants updates
a. Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Assessment & Hazard Mitigation Plan
b. Update Market Analysis & Market Position Summary
c. CDBG COVID with Bellingham

2. Reopening Phase 2 update

3. Lot Line #4: Zoning Map Amendment on or Near Beaver and Oak Streets

4. Snow Removal Bylaw Proposal

5. Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw Proposal

Agenda document:
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/06-10-2020_edc_agenda.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building at night

FHS 40% Club pays tribute to Mr Peri

Direct YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/QyOrRwhEkqY




Found via Twitter  https://twitter.com/FHS_40Percent/status/1270015649612529665?s=09

Statement by the Franklin Interfaith Council on the Murder of George Floyd

As religious leaders of diverse traditions we understand life to be the greatest and most sacred gift endowed by our Creator. Inherent in that gift is the inalienable right to live freely and without fear. The May 25, 2020 abhorrent killing of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, at the knee of a law enforcement official, sworn and entrusted to protect the public and keep the peace, is yet another stark reminder of humanity's blindness to the sacredness of that gift of life and society's failure, if not refusal, to act to ensure equal rights for all created beings. 

We lament the murder and death of George Floyd and pray for him, his family, loved ones and all in need of strength and comfort in this fragile time of grief. The overwhelming national response to George Floyd's death, manifested in peaceful protests, not only honors his life, but powerfully expresses that we, as Americans, will no longer tolerate injustice, systematic racism and discrimination against people of color. 

This powerful resurgence of a long overdue civil rights movement will not be silenced until structural change is realized. We lift our voices and stand in unity and solidarity with our sisters and brothers of color in proclaiming that BLACK LIVES MATTER. (Adapted from a statement by the San Francisco Interfaith Council)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
First Universalist Society in Franklin
Franklin Federated Church
Franklin United Methodist Church
St John's Episcopal Church
St Mary's Catholic Parish
Temple Etz Chaim

franklininterfaith.org

franklininterfaith.org

Rep Jeff Roy; Watch "Empty Bowls" on YouTube

Representative Jeff Roy talks about the Empty Bowls event this week

YouTube link = https://youtu.be/Ar35in5eEdY

Auction link opened June 8:  https://sites.google.com/view/emptybowls5/live-auction

FHS Class of 2020 post graduation plans

Thanks to the FHS administration for sharing the data to create the following pivot table. While some graduates are headed off to military (Army, US Coast Guard), some off to the working world, many have plans to continue their education in a two or four year college or university. 

More than 80 institutions get 2 or more graduates. Another 50+ institutions get at least one graduate. So depending upon how you count the categories, the class of 2020 is certainly spreading out!


Get a copy of the PDF file here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JfXgcp6OYJAli1_KHMK_I0r6dToecbt_/view?usp=sharing

FHS Class of 2020 post graduation plans

FM #293 Town Council - State Delegation - 6/03/20 (audio)

FM #293 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 293 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares the State delegation segment of the Franklin (MA) Town Council meeting held Wednesday, June 3, 2020. The meeting was conducted virtually to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

For budget discussion purposes, this segment only includes the State delegation updates and Town Councilor questions relative to the budget. The public question section respectfully included other topics NOT related to the FY 2021 budget discussion. That segment will be available when the full meeting video is posted for on demand play on the Town of Franklin web page.

The recording runs about 56 minutes, so let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of June 3, 2020.

Audio file - https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDqT3tZ7



-------

My full set of notes for the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/06/town-council-june-3-2020-meeting-recap.html

The Council meeting agenda
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-remote.html

-------
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!
------------------

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

screen grab of Senate President Karen Spilka

Town Council Tom Mercer

Senator Becca Rausch

Representative Jeff Roy

FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files - 5/21/20 (audio)

FM #292 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 292 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin resident and author, Aaron Gouveia. We had our conversation on the Town Common on a gorgeous day in May while adhering to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk of his popping to my Franklin radar as a dad blogger when in 2018, his son in kindergarten came home with a problem due to some of his class’s reaction to his fingernails being painted. Aaron set up a Twitter thread before he went to bed that night and woke up to find his phone exploding with notifications.

Long story short as he made the media rounds, he got an offer to write a book about toxic masculinity. His book is now due to be published June 16

We had a great conversation

• about parenting, both boys and girls,
• the needs for good role models for our youth
• the minimum wage workers who are the heroes in this pandemic.
• the nature of work is changing and
• maybe there is a silver lining in this pandemic.

The show notes include links to Aaron’s Twitter profile, the Amazon book page, his book web page, and to the quote I botched during the conversation.

The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Aaron. Audio file ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-292-aaron-gouveia-daddy-files-5-21-20

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Franklin Public Library Author Event, June 24 https://facebook.com/events/s/raising-boys-to-be-good-men-a-/2312169695751328/?ti=cl

The DaddyFiles page https://www.daddyfiles.com/

The Amazon link
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510749411?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Aaron’s Amazon author link https://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Gouveia/e/B08127Z6JN

Boston Globe article from 2018
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/10/23/this-franklin-father-has-powerful-message-anyone-who-has-issue-with-his-son-painting-his-nails/P9lPTb9IAqGtf0toIuO58K/story.html

Follow Aaron on Twitter https://twitter.com/daddyfiles

And the quote I butchered goes like this:

"Our example to our children, to our families, and to the world around us is constant. The question is not whether or not anyone is watching, the question is what are they learning as they watch." -- Kirk Weisler

-------
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!
------------------

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

FM #292 Aaron Gouveia - Daddy Files  - 5/21/20 (audio)

TuNesDay - Wake up with Mr Barrett at 8:00 AM

This is the 2nd to last one...

To view, click this link tomorrow morning at 8:00 A.M. (or anytime thereafter!):
https://youtu.be/RguN9AwSetM



Here's my latest video... a blast back to the 90s... anyone remember this one?
https://youtu.be/jyYiVwciyks



And another 90s song with my friend Chris Totten on drums:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0OgQnCVenY




And, if you like these shows and these videos, please consider liking them, sharing them (with everyone you know!), and subscribing to my channel:  https://www.youtube.com/user/Geetarmann

Thanks so much for your support!

Jamie

James H. Barrett
General Music K - 5
Jefferson/Davis Thayer

Estimated school costs for re-opening in September

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts schools are getting a better picture of what classes may look like if academic buildings reopen to onsite learning in the fall.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released initial guidance addressing key safety supplies and social distancing measures to protect students, teachers and staff from COVID-19.

The department is “operating with the best information we have as of early June about how to maintain the health and safety of our students and staff in any in-person school programs and limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” according to a memo from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley.

One big difference will be class size. Under the initial guidance, group sizes would be restricted to a maximum of 10 students, with a maximum of 12 individuals, including students and staff, in each room."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200608/guidance-from-department-of-elementary-and-secondary-education-offers-glimpse-at-what-massachusetts-schools-will-look-like-come-fall

DESE links = http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_de6l-Zq7j34YIzmG7vx2lt7tb-UlTT2/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/134Gktep3tyebWCQaCP9hIhTau1oFKMgB/view?usp=sharing

Aside from the major budget problem looming over Franklin Public Schools for three years (regular readers will know that), the estimate for additional costs for re-opening under social distancing requirement are NOT considered in the current budget.

Hence Town Administrator Jamie Hellen has been calling this budget a preseason and first pass expecting to make multiple adjustments during the year as things become more clear. This "things becomes more clear" means all of the following: State finances, local revenues, and re-opening requirements. To be more specific right now is simply not possible with so many balls in the air.

Given the number in this chart for 3600 students, Franklin with 5100 students would be in the ball park of $2,478,000

Aaaaand good morning: @AASAHQ and @ASBOIntl have released national cost estimates for reopening schools.
Single page PDF is here: https://t.co/QKiILpCMgl pic.twitter.com/5LsySyenCp

— Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) June 8, 2020

Found via Twitter - https://twitter.com/TracyNovick/status/1269975111786004481?s=09

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ_boSOXQAE0k3Q?format=jpg&name=900x900

"local performing arts centers were recently awarded grants"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Jennifer Lawless of the Mass Cultural Council said the next round of grants will tentatively open for applications in March 2021.

Through this grant, ātac was eligible to have 47 of its 145 performances reimbursed – representing about 32% of its overall performances. Through the formula, they received a grant for $1,000.

Next to ātac, two other local arts centers were awarded grants – the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) and the Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN).

FPAC was awarded $12,101, with 69 of its 90 overall performances eligible for reimbursement, or about 77% of its performances. Overall, the organization paid $104,211 in fees to their performers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200608/local-performing-arts-venues-awarded-grants-to-fund-canceled-performances

FPAC - https://www.fpaconline.com/

the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC)

Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #4 - 6/04/20 Recap

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

The Twitter hashtag can be found online #fincom0604
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom0604&src=typed_query

• Getting ready for real time reporting for final Budget hearing for FY21 tonight #fincom0604
• Agenda for today's session can be found https://franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/2020-06-04_finance_committee_agenda_2.pdf #fincom0604
• FinComm Chair Mike Dufour opens meeting, real time reporting underway #fincom0604 - he runs through Committee roll call and that of staff, as well as meeting protocol
• Motion to approve minutes of 6/2 meeting, seconded, passed via roll call 7-0 (2 absent) #fincom0604
• First up Health budget, inspections happening, this year construction underway already funded by banks, etc. Next year (FY21) would be different given the re-opening response/ramp up #fincom0604 correction on vote shd be 8-0 (1 absent)
• Currently behind on food inspections, usually do 2x year, stopped in March, behind by 67, consultant will help catch up #fincom0604
• Karen Alves retiring later this year, Erin Rogers replacing Karen and overlap for some months as transition
• Senior Center, no questions from committee tonight. #fincom0604 veteran's services, Dale in joint venture with Avon and Norfolk County, added Deborah as part of contract renewal to provide the additional support and services, added Purple Heart Community
• Next up recreation, 25% reduction due to pandemic situation, could increase depending upon opening stats and state funding #fincom0604 rec Dept is generally self funding as registration fees provide funding
• Next up, historical museum - Rebecca Finnegan, the Town archivist online tonight. Next historical commission, minor amount. Cultural Council up next, budget pays for mini grants #fincom0604
• Next up cultural district Committee, small amount $1,000.0 only 2 other communities in MetroWest so we are in select company. #fincom0604 next up debt service, chart with current line items covered shown
• Next up Library; last year got off the waiver list with increase in budget by meeting the minimum annual requirements, #fincom0604 this amount for FY 21 is exact amount for MAR, if further reductions required this would be in jeopardy
• Growth in attendance and circulation provided in data. Sign out front was changed #fincom0604
• A good health insurance advisory group helps to coordinate the plans and changes across the bargaining units, market research, plan design, cost better managed, huge uptick in HSA option from employees #fincom0604
• Next up Liability insurance, safety committee works to reduce workplace injuries through training, awareness, the success has generated awards and reductions in cost #fincom0604
• GIC is always considered as a bench mark but it generally doesn't work out better for us, they usually have less benefits and more costs, and once in you're stuck for three years. #fincom0604 we get to control our destiny better this way
• First vote to approve budget as proposed, passed 8-0 via roll call #fincom0604 additional items for vote in this doc https://franklinma.gov/town-budget/files/fin-com-docs motion made, seconded, passed 8-0. final resolution voting authorization passed 8-0 via roll call
• Next up capital funding authorization to cover $15m as detailed in the sheet shown #fincom0604 in the tech line item, Chromebooks like will not have to be funded, may be able to get a grant to cover those. This list other than top item is not a priority list order  
• Good to have the capacity for funding, a low interest rate, likely lower construction costs and a good bond rating, we could bring a project on to accomplish something for less #fincom0604 retirement assessment increase not unsurprising, concerning
• Thanks to Mike Dufour for his service with FinCom, he is not returning next fiscal year. He acknowledges a privilege to serve in this role. Motion to adjourn, via roll call 8-0.#fincom0604
• This completes reporting tonight, catch you all next time! #fincom0604

Finance Committee - Budget Hearing #4 - 6/04/20 Recap

Options for Watching the School Committee meeting 6/09/20

1/3  - Three options for watching School Committee meeting Tuesday "This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast Channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29"

2/3  - Three options for watching School Committee meeting Tuesday = Follow Zoom link in School Committee agenda doc https://www.franklinps.net/.../uploads/scagenda_6-9-20.pdf

3/3  - Three options for watching School Committee meeting Tuesday = use your web browser to watch the Live Stream https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream

Options for Watching the School Committee meeting 6/09/20

A Minister, a Priest, and a Rabbi walk into a Radio Station ...

And a scintillating discussion ensues. 

FM #291 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 291 in the series. 

This special edition shares the audio of the new Franklin Public Radio show that was broadcast for the first time Sunday morning, June 7:  “A Minister, a Priest and a Rabbi walk into a Radio Station”

This new program is an interview format with Rabbi Tom Alpert (Temple Etz Chaim), Rev. Kathy McAdams (St. John's Episcopal Church) and Rev Eric Cherry (First Universalist Society of Franklin).  Jay Horrigan and Pandora Carlucci co-facilitate the discussion. Pete Fasciano and Keith Palmieri handle the technical details.

This first conversation covers the following questions:

• What’s the latest on how your congregation is facing the COVID pandemic? 
• What are your thoughts on the social and religious response to George Floyd’s murder?

The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen to the first of this new show: https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWRz6hF7

A Priest, A Rabbi and A Minister Walk Into A Radio Station ...

Faith Flaherty: Gone But Not Forgotten

"During the COVID-19 quarantine, I have been walking for exercise. It may seem strange, but my favorite places to walk are cemeteries. I find it interesting to walk through the cemeteries in Franklin. 

The Union St. cemetery has grave stones from the 1700s. There are some very recognizable names:

• Oliver Dean, who founded Dean College
• Fletcher family, there’s a softball field named after the family
• Ray family, funded Franklin Library - the first library in the country

Then there’s the Beaver Street Cemetery. It is really called St. Mary’s Cemetery because the parishioners of St. Mary’s purchased the land in 1864 because Catholics weren’t allowed to be buried in the Union St. cemetery. But that was then and this is now. Now anyone can be buried in either the Union St. or Beaver St. cemetery. I found it interesting to notice the Irish and Italian names on the St. Mary’s grave stones in contrast to the English names on the Union St. cemetery tombstones.

Cemeteries hold the history of civilization. These two cemeteries reflect the mindset of our Puritan ancestors who left England for freedom to practice their own religion and then in turn didn’t practice what they preached. In St. Mary’s cemetery we see the oldest gravestones engraved with Irish surnames, reflecting the Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine in the mid-1800s. Soon overwhelming the Irish names are Italian names. Names that only Franklinites could pronounce:

• Mucciarone
• Bucchanio
• D’Aniello

St. Mary’s cemetery has a beautiful memorial garden and a columbarium. A columbarium is a wall of vaults containing the cremated remains of the deceased. It is a peaceful area for respectful reflection. 

There’s one more cemetery that is perhaps the most interesting of all, albeit the smallest one. It is on Green St., Franklin. The official name is the City Mills Historical Cemetery. That area is part of the City Mills section of Norfolk/Franklin, hence the name. Some of the people buried there:

• Samuel Allen 15 Mar 1778 Franklin, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA - 14 Jan 1866
• Edward Gay Jr 2 Jul 1696 Wrentham, Suffolk, Province of Massachusetts Bay - 28 Feb 1758
• Timothy Hawes 21 Jul 1722 Wrentham, Suffolk, Province of Massachusetts Bay - 8 Mar 1772
• Rhoda (Mason) Allen abt 1795 Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA - 15 Apr 1862
• James Shepardson 24 Jul 1789 Wrentham, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States - 8 Mar 1863

There are other reasons to enjoy walking in these cemeteries besides historical interest. There’s the peace and quiet. The roads are paved so one can wholly concentrate on their reflections. The epitaphs on the gravestones are interesting and some are funny. (That will be a future story.) The architecture, material, and choice of design offer imaginative stories about people’s lives. It certainly makes you wonder what happened between birth date - death date. Just imagine! An entire life is represented by a dash! 

Soon many more graves and cremains will be added to our cemeteries, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A walk through the cemeteries will put your priorities in order. What will your legacy be?"

Faith Flaherty

Union St cemetery