FM #554 - Town Council Budget Hearing #2 - 05/27/21 (audio)

FM #554 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 554 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council budget hearing #2 held on Thursday, May 27, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, Attorney Cerel was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The second of two budget hearings for the FY 2022 town budget. This session runs less than the first night (only an hour and 43 minutes) as the Council gets to finish up questions from the prior night, vote to approve the $138M operating budget, and take care of a couple of other legislative items.

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of May 27, 2021

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b315015c-a3a1-46b2-93fe-1247595670a7

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Agenda document 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/5-27-21_tc_agenda.pdf 

Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-town-council-may-27-2021-138m-fy.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 www.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"

 

Superintendent Sara Ahern providing updates to the budget hearing

FHS baseball and boys lacrosse teams post wins on Monday

From HockomockSports.com and Twitter we share the FHS spring sports results:

 

Baseball = Mansfield @ Franklin
[Boys Sprg Varsity Baseball] Franklin HS defeats Mansfield HS, 6 to 1  https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1399682300607143936

 

"Franklin 6, Mansfield 1. WP-Alfred Mucciarone (5inn, 3H, 1R, 3BB & 7Ks). Voellmicke & Kuczmiec w/ scoreless innings in relief. Offensively, Chris Goode (3-4, 2R, 2B), Nate Cooke (2-3, 3RBI) & Jack Marino (2-3, R, 2B). Next up: Thursday (6/3) at Mansfield at 3:45pm. #PantherPride "

https://twitter.com/FHSCoachZBrown/status/1399553886734671874

 

 
Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 11 vs. LaSalle Academy (R.I.), 10 – Final

 

 

For other results around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-05-31-21/

 

FHS Panthers

 

"there are alternatives to the decline of local news"

"Local journalism is in crisis. “America’s local news has reached its death spiral phase” proclaimed the Columbia Journalism Review in 2018. Two years later, an oft-cited study out of the University of North Carolina found that some 2,100 community newspapers had ceased publishing since 2004, leaving the country with large swaths of “news deserts” — areas that are unserved by any local news source.

But though the collapse of community journalism is real enough, we believe that its causes are only partly understood. Researchers generally focus on the changes wrought by technology over the past quarter-century — changes that tell an important story, but not the whole story.

It’s true that classified ads offered by Craigslist, a mostly free service, wiped out what had accounted for about 40% of newspaper revenues overnight. And yes, Google and Facebook dominate digital advertising, leaving news organizations to fight over scraps."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.niemanlab.org/2021/05/the-local-news-crisis-will-be-solved-one-community-at-a-time/

Picked up by the radar on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1813701/posts/10106342307337069/

Though the collapse of community journalism is real enough, we believe that its causes are only partly understood.

By Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy

Job Search Events for you this week

1. My practice interview group meets on Wednesday at 10am. All are welcome.

When: Jun 2, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsc-2rrTIoG9YGTg5R1wwcTc-dY7EhtxJe

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

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2.  50+ Jobseeker Networking Group - Give to Get (G2G) Networking Session

When: Jun 1, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time

If you've attended any previous 50+ session this spring, just use the Zoom URL you used for that previous session.
Attend and you could win a free 20-minute coaching session!
If you've not attended a previous session, register at: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

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3.  50+ Jobseeker Networking Group - Interactive  Workshop - Practice Interviewing

When: Jun 1, 2021 6:30 PM Eastern Time

Because of the holiday, we moved this session to Tuesday evening!

A lot of people have landed recently. Even more people are finally getting interviews.
Don't go to your interview without practicing first. Come practice your answers with other jobseekers. 

Thanks,

Ed Lawrence 

Job Search Events for you this week

 

Register O'Donnell Discusses Type of Land Plan Available at Norfolk Registry of Deeds

Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell today reminded homeowners that only a certain type of land plan is recorded here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds and it is not a plot plan.

Register O’Donnell stated, “One of the questions we hear frequently from homeowners at the Registry of Deeds is, “Can I get a copy of my plot plan?” Plot plans are not recorded here at the Registry. What is recorded are land plans which simply provide the overall dimensions of a property. Sometimes a land plan may get recorded that shows a structure on the lot but more times than not at the Registry of Deeds it does not.”

There are times where homeowners require a plot plan when doing a capital improvement such as an addition to their home or installing a swimming pool. A plot plan, or site plan, contains retained and proposed buildings. Again, the Registry of Deeds does not record these types of plans here in Norfolk County. There are communities where the Building Department may have filed plot plans showing the locations of structures as well as various dimensions of those structures and the dimensions of the structures relative to the lot.

Many times, a mortgage plot plan will be compiled as part of a real estate transaction or mortgage refinancing. Homeowners should check their records first if they are in need of a mortgage plot plan. Also, in some cases, town building departments may have a copy of a property’s plot plan and/or the property’s as built plan. If not, the homeowner would have to contract with a surveyor if they are in need of the creation of a plot plan.

Land plans, which are recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, provide the overall dimensions of a property. “On property deeds,” noted the Register, “there is a section which lists the metes and bounds (description) of the property. Most deeds also contain a cross reference to land plan Book and Page numbers recorded here at the Registry. Land plans can be useful if there is a question amongst neighbors about a property line or just highlighting other dimension issues that relate to the property.”

Concluding his remarks, Register O’Donnell stated, “The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds has available for viewing documents and plans going back to the Registry’s beginnings in 1793. Non-certified copies of our documents and plans can be viewed and printed free of charge via our website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Copies of land plans that do not contain non-certified copy language are available for a fee of $1.00 per plan (size 8 ½ x 11 inches) plus an additional $1.00 per plan for postage. Larger plans, 11 x 17 inches or 18 x 24 inches, cost $2.00 per plan plus an additional $1.00 per plan for postage. 

If you desire a copy of a plan from the Registry and you know the plan Book and Page number, send in a mail request to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 along with a check made out to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds for the appropriate amount. If you are not sure of your land plan Book and Page numbers or have further questions about land plans, you can call our Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30AM-4:30PM. As always, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is more than able and willing to assist our customers, the citizens of Norfolk County.”

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. 

 

Type of Land Plan Available at Norfolk Registry of Deeds

"The current state of unpredictability has would-be candidates already feeling out plans"

A blockbuster showdown for governor. A wide-open race to be the state’s top prosecutor. A primary between a secretary of state on the verge of history and a fellow Democrat trying to unseat him.

As summer unofficially dawns, each scenario is possible as Massachusetts’s 2022 state election cycle quietly hums to life. It’s greased by uncertainty, and fueling the potential for a gamut of history-making races and possibly, widespread change at the top of state government.

The prospects depend heavily on the decisions of the six statewide constitutional officers. Five, including Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, and Secretary of State William F. Galvin, have not said whether they’ll run again, and many in office remain undecided on whether to seek reelection, according to advisers and the officeholder themselves.

Continue reading the article online (Subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/31/metro/changing-guard-massachusettss-2022-election-cycle-could-be-primed-history-turnover/

BFCCPS is hiring for the 2021-2022 school year

BFCCPS is a regional public charter school for students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight.  We are exited to announce that we're hiring for the 2021-2022 school year!

You may notice that several new positions are available as a result of the expansion of our Grade 7 class from 52 to 96 students next year!

You can learn more about the school's mission and history and see available openings on this page of our website.   http://bfccps.org/about/employment

Shared From the Charter School Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/2910830272520313/

BFCCPS is hiring for the 2021-2022 school year

Farmers Market opening day -> June 4 from 2 to 6 PM

"We are excited to announce a partnership with Franklin Cultural Council this year. They will be sponsoring entertainment throughout the season.  

Join us in welcoming The Soul Estate Band on opening day! Come down and enjoy the afternoon.  

@franklinculture @thesoulestateband "

 

For more about the Soul Estate Band -> https://www.thesoulestate.com/

Find the vendor line up for 2021 -> https://www.franklinfarmersmarketma.com/

 

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/533086900084632/posts/4260210407372244/

 

Farmers Market opening day -> June 4 from 2 to 6 PM

 

“Taps Across America” today at 3 PM

"Last year, CBS’s Steve Hartman asked musicians to play taps at 3 o'clock sharp. With Memorial Day parades and ceremonies canceled because of the pandemic, tens of thousands of buglers and trumpeters played to honor America’s patriots. It became one of the largest musical performances of all time.

From coast to coast, the musicians of all skill levels created “Taps Across America.” Hartman says, “I was not surprised, I was blown away that everybody felt as I did, that this is what America needed right now.”

Continue reading the article online

https://www.wfsb.com/news/taps-across-america-honors-america-s-fallen-service-members-on-memorial-day/article_f3d1079e-bfba-11eb-b7b6-7f42c09cf5c5.html

 

Taps Across America -  https://youtu.be/TxLEJbLmf6g

FM #549 - School Committee Mtg - 05/25/21 (audio)

FM #549 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 549 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin, MA School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

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

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. My notes taken during the meeting are also linked to.

The recording runs about 66 minutes (1 hour 6 minutes), so let’s listen to the School Committee meeting for May 25. 

 Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2922530c-fc6a-4666-bb0a-91596b7ec91d

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School Committee agenda

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/scagenda_5-25-21.pdf 

Meeting packet folder

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/may-25-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet 

My notes captured during the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-school-committee-meeting-may-25.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"

 

FM #549 - School Committee Mtg - 05/25/21 (audio)

Town Council Budget Hearing - 4 part audio - 05/26/21 (#550, 551, 552, 553)

FM = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number #550, 551, 552, 553 in the series. 

This session shares the 4 audio parts of Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, Attorney Cerel was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The first of two budget hearings for the FY 2022 town budget.

I’ve split the just over 4 hour minute meeting into 4 logical segments:

• First - covers the opening and Information Technology, Elections, Facilities (1 and 10 mins)

• Second - covers Police, Fire (~56 minutes)

• Third - Regional Dispatch, they break for 5 minutes, just before and then for a bit, there is some audio lost due to the storm, they resume with Board of Health and Historical Museum (~35 mins)

• Fourth - covers the Schools and DPW portions of the budget. Audio is also lost as we hit 11 PM and the live stream broadcast is cut. By the time I switched back to Zoom, some was missing. (70 minutes)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of May 26, 2021

P1 of 4 - 550 => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3eb6d75c-a338-4415-937c-02557faa4470

P2 of 4 - 551 => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d0f823b-2fd7-4b35-9ff0-cb8a17a9544c

P3 of 4 - 552 => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d0f823b-2fd7-4b35-9ff0-cb8a17a9544c

P4 of 4 - 553 => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/86c171c3-797b-458e-9071-3a59438b639a

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Agenda document 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/05-26-2021_franklin_town_council.pdf

Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 

Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

My notes from the meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/05/recap-town-council-takes-4-hours-to.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 www.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"

 

Town Council Budget Hearing - 4 part audio - 05/26/21 (#550, 551, 552, 553)

FHS girls track take 1st in MSTCA Div. 1 Girls discus

"From Peabody, MA.  Your 2021 MSTCA Div. 1 Girls discus champions!  Franklin! Great job overcoming the elements today! Congratulations @Kate22Taylor   @lilydeforge11   @kenzie_peters2  @FranklinMatters   @FHSSports "

Congratulations

@Kate22Taylor

@lilydeforge11

@kenzie_peters2

 

The full FHS girls outdoor track results for the MSTCA Division 1 meet held on Saturday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vUjO92CYH2EcV_nU-bkCe_6G9k0nx2O6/view?usp=sharing

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/fhs_throwers/status/1398724661186281472

Tri-County Students Selected as Finalists in NASA HUNCH Program

The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School District is pleased to announce all six teams that participated in this year's NASA HUNCH Program were selected as semi-finalists. The NASA HUNCH Program asks vocational students to help solve problems facing astronauts. Each year a set of approximately ten issues are presented in September. Students select the issue they would like to work on and form teams. All juniors in the Engineering Program participate. (www.hunchdesign.com)

The students in the NASA HUNCH Program work with mentors, college professors, national companies, engineers from NASA, and other organizations to help hone their ideas. In addition, each student is encouraged to include their work with NASA on their resume. The students' fresh perspective, time, and energy assists the Research and Integration Office out of the Johnson Space Center.

This year, the students worked to provide a preliminary design review in February. After this review, teams refine their ideas and have a critical design review. Critical Design Review typically takes place in New Jersey but was held remotely this year. The finalists are invited to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, to present to NASA and anyone interested. 

 

This year the students will be presenting virtually but, Kristen Magas, an Engineering Teacher, hopes this will give them a wider audience of people who typically wouldn't be able to attend the presentation in person. "I wish these kids could have the experience of going to Houston to work with NASA, hopefully being recognized and having a chance to present virtually to anyone at Johnson Space Center will be memorable," says Kristen Magas, Engineering Technology Instructor.

The three teams of finalists include:

• Matt Gorton (Seekonk), John Greener (North Attleboro), Rick Hamilton (North Attleboro), Emily Anne Matheson (Medway), Tyler Fiore (North Attleboro), Shriya Sivakumar (Seekonk), Kyle Hughes (North Attleboro) created a No Heat Shield, allowing a package to reenter the atmosphere without burning up safely. In addition, this team was able to work with a local fire department to drop test their prototypes from the top of a fire truck ladder and got licensed as HAM radio operators to test their radio transmitter.
• Owen Fedele (Medway), Lucas Celeste (North Attleboro), Nolan Angliss (Franklin) designed a Lunar Food Bite Dispenser to allow astronauts to eat while on long spacewalks with ease. This trio was selected as finalists last year as well.
• Anthony Botteri (Medway), Max Rounds (Franklin), James Gingras (Millis), Brian Belanger (Plainville), Tyler McKinnon (Franklin) (with help from Elijah DePaolo (North Attleboro) and Eric Conway (Millis) collaborated on the Lunar Dust Baffle to help keep lunar soil on habitats to protect astronauts from radiation and micrometeorites. This team pulled together their various strengths and made an incredible impact.

The teams presented their projects to NASA in late April. Next steps include one team developing their idea or blending ideas to create a solution. Through the HUNCH Program, Tri-County designed hardware for storage lockers used in space by the Advanced Manufacturing students.

 

Lunar Food Bite Dispenser

Lunar Dust Baffle

No Heat Shield

 

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Registration Begins June 1

Summer Reading Sign-ups go Live on the Franklin Public Library Website beginning Tuesday, June 1st! Visit our Summer Reading Portal and sign up each of your children using our convenient Google form!

The Portal will also contain:

•  Our complete summer schedule
•  Links to the school summer reading lists
•  FAQs
•  A google form to help us track your reading!
•  Downloadable activities!
•  And more!

Summer Reading Bags will be available for curbside pickup at 10AM beginning on June 1st! Call the Children’s Room when you arrive at the library, and we will help make sure you’re signed up/check you off our list, and bring your summer reading bags out to you! Inside the summer reading bags you’ll find everything you need to have an awesome summer with the library, including:

• Reading logs and stickers (and instructions) to track your reading progress!
• A jam packed event calendar to hang on the fridge!
• Special activity packets that correspond with each themed week of the summer!
• Fun surprises!

The Summer Reading Theme this year is: Tails and Tales, with a fun focus on Animals and Habitats, and we’ve got a great calendar of events that correspond with weekly themes, from Woodland story-walk romps and Savannah STEAM challenges, to Desert Animals and Under the sea ‘Seek-N-Finds’! We can’t wait to make this an epic summer! 

Summer Reading Portal -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/summer-reading-2021-0

Shared from the Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/317406

 

Franklin Library: Summer Reading Registration Begins June 1