Senior Coffee Hour with State and Local Officials - Mar 18 - 8:30 AM

Senior Coffee Hour with State and Local Officials

We invite our seniors to join our State and local officials to discuss topics important to Franklin on Thursday, March 18th at 8:30 am via Zoom. 

Please pre-register here and you will be sent an email confirmation and link. 

We hope to "see" you! 

Shared from the Town of Franklin page:
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/senior-coffee-hour-state-and-local-officials-2

Senior Coffee Hour with State and Local Officials - Mar 18 - 8:30 AM

School Committee: Budget SubCommittee Meeting - Mar 16

Budget Sub Committee Meeting

Virtual Meeting (Link in agenda)

Mar 16, 2021 - 4:30 PM

• FY22 Budget Development

Agenda doc includes connection info:   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-bsc_3_16_2021.pdf

The first pass at the budget was previewed at the School Committee meeting Mar 9, 2021:

• Recommended Budget  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/supt-rec-budget-3-9-21
• Audio for this segment of the meeting Mar 9  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-486-school-committee-mtg-030921-p2.html

chart shows decline in elementary enrollment (bars) and associated decline in # of teachers (line)

Finance Committee Meeting Recap: Topics of interest -> capital budget, public safety, and FY 22 budget revenue estimates

Quick Recap:

• The initial capital budget proposals were reviewed, discussed and approved to bring to the Town Council at a future meeting
• An overview of public safety from the dispatch operations (MECC), including police (Chief Lunch) and Fire (Chief McLaughlin) was insightful. The answer to "How long does it take for a police new hire to actually take a working shift?" (after training, etc.) is eye opening
• FY 2022 will present a challenge, the revenue estimates are still early but the gaps will not easily be reconciled without serious discussions. The question remains, how will Franklin address its structural budget deficit? It is not only a school budget problem, it is a town problem
• Meeting calendar topics discussed and the summer meetings (July and August) were removed from the schedule

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Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/7B8yNDUwNhJueieg8

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  #fincom0310
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23finCom0310&src=typeahead_click 

• Real time reporting underway for the Finance Committee meeting tonight #fincom0310 5 of 9 members present for a quorum.   https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf  (added later (based upon conversation and questions), the five members present were Dowd, Conley, Dewsnap, Corbosiero, Riley)
• Late to capital budget due to COVID concerns and snow/ice #fincom0310 (normally starting to review in Dec) projects listed for capital are critical. After doing policy obligations (OPEB, etc.) have $1.6m to work with
• Not putting aside $ for fire trucks given the 2 recently purchased. Also not putting aside for open space due to the CPA passage and start of the CPC process. #fincom0310
• Slide down the pages of the agenda doc to bottom page 3 and top of 4 for initial school items
• #fincom0310 don't typically do trade ins for the vans, usually well beyond useful life hence surplus
• Municipal bldg had been approved for financing last year, and when out to bid getting a good price so it has come down considerably and can use the free cash instead. #fincom0310 fire dept request mostly annual type items for gradual replacement of some #s regularly
• Likely to have solution on north Franklin with radio coverage and a new tower possible. Fire happy with analog radio for guarantee of comms on site; all the radios both police and fire go both digital and analog, explanation on article sent by #FinCom0310 chair
• Tower at Keller/Sullivan will help except for those over the hill and down Populatic. Did submit request for grant with Plainville to replace radios, asking for microphones in this submission. #fincom0310
• Next up, DPW line items, while borrowing was authorized, they would like to avoid it. Also applying for a MassWorks grants with a local contribution (this amount) to help prioritize #fincom0310 Q on the other items but not in this year's request
• Next year is a longer list for DPW, #fincom0310 vehicles are usually run until they can't pass inspection. Have milled parts when parts weren't available in channels. Haven't considered using some of the smaller capital items bundled together for a bond issue.
• An unwritten policy to not use the bond for such a short term item, fire trucks bonded for 10 years, may last 20 which is okay. If it is 5 years life for a ten year bond, not a good deal, likely costing more #fincom0310 discussion at St Mary's intersection, and long waits
• #fincom0310 is there a central motor pool? DPW runs the pool and watching the life cycles, maintenance, etc. Approx 258 registered vehicles taken care of by DPW with 3 mechanics. As part of green Community, we will be purchasing 2 electric vehicles for town staff near future
• Next up, the enterprise funds and capital associated with water sewer, etc. #fincom0310 pages 6-7 has these items  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf 
• When you get a new water main, you also get a new road surface. Resolution has correct amount, narrative may have a typo. #fincom0310 Q how old are the tanks? tank is 3rd oldest in nation still in use. Can upgrade pump 4 to feed the hillside tanks and remove Pleasant st
• Rate payers support the sewer enterprise fund (along with the water  rate payers supporting the water enterprise fund). 150k to look over the Beaver St project to make sure something wasn't missed. #fincom0310 there is a minimum $1m maintained in case
• Page 8 has other capital wish list items #fincom0310 Q on snow ice use from free cash vs. putting it in the budget, raises a great question on why we are so low in roads and other accounts... 6-7" snow costs 175-250K, calling contractors costs about 8K per hour
• Does use a 5 year rolling average to start the budget; extra money in snow/ice goes to roads so it is used.  Motion to approve 1st resolution, passes 5-0. #fincom0310
• 2nd motion passes, same vote, 3rd motion, passes with same vote, 4th resolution 21-16 passes 5-0
• Next up, MECC presentation. #fincom0310
• Presentation copy at end of the agenda doc https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/revised_fin_com_agenda_complete_1.pdf …
• #fincom0310 Mendon and Millville begins dispatch in July, agreements signed work underway to make happen. Who is next after them?
• Due to development grant to allow for merger of Mendon and Millville into, did create fund to set aside to cover for when we pay the full bill again in FY 2025. As for who is next? We can bring in more with planning. #fincom0310 currently 29 FTE
• Business calls are not 911 calls but they can be an emergency call. #fincom0310 call efficiency? still too early to really see, do have efficiency within the team and still building the operations. Did just ratify the first dispatcher union contract today at the board meeting
• Next up Chief Lynch 56 total, 53 sworn officers, description of the divisions and operations. Patrol work 10 hour days four days, then off... Should have 58 for comparable dept of our size. Hired 20 in 4.5 years, yes turnover. Retirements of 6-8 in next three yrs, command staff
• From hire time to be on the street it is a year (if academy req'd). Better to find an experienced individual to cut down on the time req'd. MA police accreditation underway. Just went thru review today, should find out in month/so. #fincom0310 station study would be nice
• The building is ok but not enough space, officers dress at home, locker space insufficient. #fincom0310 cruiser fund to replace x per year would be good. Busiest time is in afternoon/evening, between 2-3 PM and 2-3 AM.
• $90k from DPH, covers the program but if necessary would fund local, Community has received it well, #fincom0310 if dealing with a mental health issues best is going along with the officer, significant savings to avoid court and criminal justice system
• Over 600 calls between Medway and Franklin last year, clinician is busy and coordinates the service and follow up. #fincom0310 trending up, mental health, domestic violence - decline of break-in, (folks are home) opioid has not gone away, deaths are down but incidents …
• Completed OneMind training for 20% of dept, want to do more, could use an other clinician, do a lot of training, 72 hours of training/year. Ben is now a certified support dog. Other depts went to the four days to save money, we went to add people back. #fincom0310
• Chief McLaughlin up next, new hires 4 starting this month so in April we'll be full staffed for the four battalions for the first time ever. #fincom0310 all four groups doing same process, nice span of control in this structure. Volunteer grant Committee, over $250k received
• Pursuing grants, close to an ISO 1 rating, new ambulance non May, trucks in July and all this during the pandemic, very productive year. #fincom0310 SAFER grant trying for, could provide support for 4 folks for three years. Next up, FY 22 assumptions
• A good start but still work and numbers to verify, the bottom line initially is about $2.7 short. Some of the delta will go with revisions to some of the assumptions. Some of the remaining will need to be adjusted on the expense side #fincom0310
• #fincom0310 budget Committee meeting scheduled for Mar 17 before the Town Council meeting. They'll go thru this sheet and any changes. Long explanation (no easy answer) on how to balance the budget ? There is a structural deficit, how do we address it?
• Aside: given the time length of this meeting, the recording will likely be split into logical segments, one clearly on BUDGET! (Yes, deliberate choice for caps) #fincom0310 the first draft of school budget was posted today, shared at SchCom 3/9 https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy22_budget_book.pdf 
• #fincom0310 about to close the meeting with last topic of future meeting topics, page 8 added earlier, OPEB April 14 at Town Council ... likely to cancel the July/August meetings. Motion to adjourn, passes 5-0. That's all for tonight, catch you next time!

 

section of the revenue forecast for FY 22, shows a negative number as the budget cycle starts

Toronto's urban center "grappling with a housing shortage and affordability crisis"

Before I retired I had the opportunity to visit Toronto a few times. As Canada largest city, they have rejected a technology based development to take a more human approach. As Franklin continues the discussion on development and affordable housing, their work may provide some ideas we can use.

"Canada’s largest city is moving towards a new vision of the future, in which affordability, sustainability and environmentally friendly design are prioritized over the trappings of new and often untested technologies.

In announcing its new vision this week for Quayside, Toronto has backed away from many of the previous plan’s most futuristic promises, a move experts say reflects growing skepticism over technology’s role in urban planning decisions."

What is the new vision?

"Waterfront Toronto today launched an international competition to secure a development partner for the Quayside lands. The first step in this effort is to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify potential development proponents with the proven experience, design portfolio, financial resources, and shared vision necessary to bring Quayside to reality.  

“The people of Toronto have told us that they want to see a bold vision realized on the waterfront that reflects the confident, welcoming, and imaginative civic spirit of our city,” said Stephen Diamond, Chair of the Board for Waterfront Toronto. 

“We are looking for leaders in the development field that will share our ambition to create a place that fuses Quayside to the water, and provides more beauty, utility, and originality than previously imagined. We want Quayside to be timeless, adaptive, and to propel us into our rightful place among the great waterfronts of the world,” Diamond concluded. 

Quayside will usher in a new chapter in Toronto development. It will remind people of everything they want from living in the city and demonstrate what is possible when vision, passion, and design excellence are brought together. " 

Continue reading about the development planning for Quayside:

https://waterfrontoronto.ca/nbe/portal/waterfront/Home/waterfronthome/newsroom/newsarchive/news/2021/march/waterfront+toronto+launches+international+competition+for+quayside+development+partner

Opening quote from The Guardian gets into more of the background on the rejected development approach: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/12/toronto-canada-quayside-urban-centre

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - March 12, 2021

Hello Everyone!

Don't forget to change your clocks!

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day 

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/ and www.franklin.news 

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Link to Mass.Gov COVID - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information 

Thursday March, 18th at 11:30am - Diabetes are you at risk? A wellness education series being offered by Enclave.  Email Emily.Chiarelli@enclaveoffranklin.com or call 508-520-1150 to register to attend via zoom. 

Friday March 19th at 2pm - Healthy Green Cooking - March is not only the month to celebrate all  things Irish, but also National Nutrition Month. Chef Edmond prepares a healthy green recipe,  with COMPLIMENTARY SAMPLING WITH SAFE  CURB-SIDE PICK-UP.  Registration is required. Email Emily.Chiarelli@Enclaveoffranklin.com for the link to attend this zoom event. 

We have a very special friend celebrating his 90th birthday on March 20th.  We would like to make his day wonderful by filling his mailbox with birthday cards.  If you would like to spread some kindness please send him a card at:

Sheldon Cohen

The Village at Hawthorne Crossing L-139

25 Cobb St.

Mansfield, MA 02048

Tips

Power March with Paul Eugene 20 minutes to get your heart pumping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfYxuQ9tNYc 

10 minute guided meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evgx9yX2Vw8 

Balance exercises to help prevent falls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN19rsYI280 

Music

3 Hours of Irish music - Celtic and traditional folk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJCxTgrbB6c 

The history and origin of the Bagpipes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V15F7iSOmMQ 

Amazing Grace on the Bagpipes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpZiPZwwXhM 

Just for Fun

Why do we celebrate St. Patrick's Day - National Geographic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfrwReAi-3k 

Elladj Balde' Canadian figure Skating Nationals 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCFrsk7W4fY 

Humor

Abbott and Costello 7 into 28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2aEfbEi7s 

A tribute to Tim Conway - His funniest clips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1IqWup_EeI 

Kindness Matters

We are the World / Heal the World - Voice's of Hope Children's Choir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tRLowGHh4c 

Kindness speech given by a 10 year old girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtCxjMdE5dM 

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday at 1pm Tele-Bingo - call the senior center to sign up

*Tuesday at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.  adoggett@franklinma.gov 

*Tuesday at 1pm - Low Vision Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wednesday at 2pm - Tom Dooley - Mr. Dooley, a fictional Chicago barkeep who "lived" from 1893 to 1926 thanks to the talented pen of journalist Finely Peter Dunne, will be the subject of a presentation by one of his many admirers, local Franklin historian Alan Earls. Alan will attempt to recount the high points of Dooley's often hilarious existence and perhaps even bits of his fantastic Irish brogue! … email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the zoom link to attend.

*Wed. at 4pm - Caregivers Support Group email elaine.owens@verizon.net 

*Thursday at 8:30am - Senior Coffee Hour - Call the senior center to sign up

*Thursday  at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Thursday at 1:30pm - Franklin Matters Q & A with Steve Sherlock.  Email 

adoggett@franklinma.gov for the link to attend.

*Friday at 2pm - Healthy Green Cooking - See description above for more info. 

*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of socialization,

 games and activities.

Attached you will find: Donna's fun filled activity pages

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IVG0qIFJQgNm61xPL-IWwHIv2S6OqCos/view?usp=sharing

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  Spring is coming and warm weather and outdoor gatherings are coming.

Ariel

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it or subscribe on the town website. . 

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Scams will follow new COVID-19 rescue plan

Scams will follow new COVID-19 rescue plan by Jennifer Leach, Associate Director, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC The pandemic is still taking a toll on every kind of well-being we have. The new American Rescue Plan, just signed into law, gets the ball rolling to help out on many people's financial well-being. Payments will soon be coming by direct deposit, checks, or a debit card to people eligible for the payment.  You can learn more about who's eligible, and the timing, at IRS.gov/coronavirus. But let me tell you what will NOT happen, so you can spot and avoid the scammers who are right now crawling out from under their rocks. Read more > https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/scams-will-follow-new-covid-19-rescue-plan?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 12 - Mar 18, 2021

The storywalk should be up to take in with the better weather (while it lasts). Farmers Market also on Saturday. And the virtual fund raising walk/run/ride for Temple Etz Chaim are highlights for this weekend.

 

Friday, March 12
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
Temple Etz Chaim: Virtual 3K Walk, Run, Ride

Saturday, March 13
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
Temple Etz Chaim: Virtual 3K Walk, Run, Ride
10:00am = Winter Farmers Market

Sunday, March 14
Temple Etz Chaim: Virtual 3K Walk, Run, Ride
Daylight Saving Time starts
1:00pm = Historical Museum (open and free admission)

Tuesday, March 16
9:00am = wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
12:00pm = wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
6:00pm = wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey

Wednesday, March 17
St. Patrick's Day
10:00am = wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/ Kim
1:00pm = wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
2:00pm = Cooking with SALMON Executive Chef Jason Wallin
7:00pm = wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:30pm = Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!

Thursday, March 18
8:30am = Town Council Office Hours
10:00am = wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
11:00am = wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
1:00pm = wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
2:00pm = wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
7:00pm = 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node
7:00pm = wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
8:00pm = wfpr.fm: "Talkin' the Blues!" - Jim/Todd

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 meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

 

Community Calendar

FM #485 - School Committee Mtg - 03/09/21 - P1 of 3 (audio)

FM #485 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 485 in the series. 

This session shares part 1 of the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Mar 9, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: some of the School Committee members, Central Office personnel, and key guests were in the Council Chambers; the remainder, along with the public, were remote via conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the just almost three hour meeting into three logical segments:

• *** First *** - covers the opening through the Keller Elementary presentation (approx. 39 minutes)
• Second - School Budget - first view- Supt Ahern and her staff walk through the budget highlights (approx. 53 mins)
• Third - from the return to in person learning plan through to the end of the public meeting (approx. 85 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda and to my notes. The meeting packet folder will hold the other documents released for the meeting.

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

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c1c406cf-24d1-4c46-a88f-9c9b9b0d4a30

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Agenda doc   https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_3-9-21.pdf 

Superintendent’s Report
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_march_9_2021.pdf 

Keller presentation doc   https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/keller-presentation 

Recommended Budget  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/supt-rec-budget-3-9-21

Return to in person plan  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/person-presentation-3-9-21 

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

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/school-committee-recap-march-9-meeting.html 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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"

FM #485 - School Committee Mtg - 03/09/21 - P1 of 3 (audio)