What is the ONE question would you ask of each candidate for the Town of Franklin 2023 Election?

The candidates are in their final days to gather signatures for the November 2023 Biennial Town of Franklin Election. The nomination papers are due to the Town Clerk by September 6. 

It is now time for us (together) to prepare the set of interview questions. 

• Which one question would you ask of a Town Council candidate? School Committee candidate? etc...

Submit one question per elected position via the form below. 

Your email is required to avoid nefarious folks from interfering with this process. Your email will only be used (1) to verify the question if not completely understood, and (2) to ensure you get a copy of the final set of questions. 

Note: the question set would likely be similar to prior years. We would have 3-4 questions that would generally apply to all candidates and at least 1 (maybe 2) for specific positions. I want the question set short so we (the candidates and interviewers) can proceed efficiently, and concise to provide answers so Franklin voters can make an informed choice for each elected position.

Based upon feedback obtained after the last election, every effort will be made to provide interviews in all three formats (video, audio, and text transcript). The video interview would be recorded, audio extracted, and audio transcribed. This will require the coordination and willingness of the candidates to be available for this interview to be scheduled in time to turn it all around.

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

The current listing of candidates as of Thursday, August 24 can be found here ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/news/nom_in_out_november_7_2023_11.pdf

The question set used for the candidates in 2021 -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GkFh21gYukaMheQL-P4C0T_EEaItvcAu/view

Franklin Election Collection - 2023

Franklin HS XC/Track & Field Boosters looking for volunteer to serve as secretary

Franklin HS XC/Track & Field Boosters (@FranklinXCTrack)

"We are still looking for a volunteer for our open secretary position for the upcoming year. Without this position filled, it will be very difficult for us to continue to provide the services we do for the program and for the athletes and their families.

It requires uploading/maintenance of email lists on MailChimp, sending periodic email updates, creating signup genius for volunteers, monitoring/responding to boosters email, and voting on board decisions for the boosters. 1 to 2 hrs/wk with addl 1 to 2 hrs to start each season"

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/FranklinXCTrack/status/1694747638640308608

Franklin HS XC/Track & Field Boosters looking for volunteer to serve as secretary

More Perfect Union - wfpr.fm: 87 - The Headlines Coming from Florida and Texas, Rudy Giuliani and Lying (audio)

In this episode, the group sits down to discuss Florida and Texas, the backwards policy changes taking place, the stacking of the courts by both parties, the increased polarization in the country, Rudy Giuliani lying and much more.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4bbf61c2-0d0e-4dd9-9825-ee9d2c526cdb

wfpr.fm: A More Perfect Union (audio)

More Perfect Union - WFPR

Discussing American Politics and Current Events

Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

Find all the More Perfect Union episodes online -> https://more-perfect-union.captivate.fm/episodes  or subscribe with your favorite podcast app

Hurricane Franklin continues out in the Atlantic

Via the National Hurricane Center -> https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?start#contents   as of 5 AM, Sunday, August 27, 2023

Hurricane Franklin continues out in the Atlantic

Wind Speed Probabilities for Hurricane Franklin

NASA shares images from space to monitor North American air quality

via NASA

TEMPO, the first space-based instrument to continuously monitor North American air quality with the resolution of a few square miles, released its first maps: https://t.co/qJoWiM128F

TEMPO studies the effects of traffic, fertilizer, and fire to the neighborhood level.

Shared from -> https://t.co/97qUjHccUg

NASA shares images from space to monitor North American air quality

Franklin Secures Stable Electricity Rate Through Renewal of Utility Relief Program

Program has saved ratepayers an estimated $11.5 million over three years.

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program (also referred to as Municipal Aggregation) has successfully saved ratepayers an estimated 11.5 million dollars in electricity costs throughout the previous three-year contract. In an effort to continue to stabilize electricity costs and lower carbon emissions, Franklin has signed a new 24-month contract with energy consultant Colonial Power Group and renewable electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services to continue to manage and supply its electricity program for all residents in Franklin. 

Franklin Secures Stable Electricity Rate Through Renewal of Utility Relief Program

The new fixed rate is 15 cents per kilowatt-hours (kWh); which is an increase of $.043 cents per kWh over the current rate of 10.7 cents per kWh and is slated to begin with the November 2023 meter reads and end with the November 2025 meter reads. The change will be reflected in ratepayers' December 2023 bill.

Consumers actively enrolled in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program will receive a postcard. It contains information regarding the new rate + term along with a notice regarding automatic enrollment. Check your mailbox for a postcard from the Town of Franklin c/o Colonial Power, which will be mailed (to existing participating Consumers only) late September 2023.

"In these challenging fiscal times, this new contract represents a continued commitment to help stabilize electricity bills for ratepayers during this period of high inflation for all residents and small businesses," said Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator. "Also, as a certified Green Community, I know many Franklin residents are concerned about our carbon footprint. This electricity program has allowed us to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources and decrease our carbon emissions by securing a contract that relies on 100% wind renewable energy."

The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program, is an electricity aggregation program that allows a municipality to purchase electricity in bulk on behalf of its residential and small business customers. The goal of municipal aggregation is to stabilize energy costs, achieve more affordable pricing and deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service, reduce the community's carbon footprint, and enhance local control in its energy purchasing. To date 10,260 meters are participating in the program and Franklin ratepayers have saved a combined $11.5 million through March 31, 2023. 

Franklin Community Choice Program customers currently enrolled in the program will not need to re-enroll or do anything to continue to participate. Residents and business owners are eligible to opt-in or opt-out of the program at will, and those currently not enrolled in the program will need to enroll if interested in participating. There are no fees for enrollment or cancellation, however, residents and business owners with a supplier block on their account must contact National Grid to request that the block be removed to participate in Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply program, and anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching. 

Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.

As a Green Community since 2018, the Town of Franklin aims to help displace fossil fuel generation and consumption. The Franklin Community Choice Power Supply Program aligns well with the community's renewable energy program, which utilizes 100% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

For questions regarding billing or enrollment status, residents and business owners must contact Dynegy Energy Services directly by calling (866) 220-5696 or by visiting colonialpowergroup.com/franklin.

Learn more about the Town of Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program at www.franklinma.gov/MunicipalAg.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/franklin-secures-stable-electricity-rate-through-renewal-utility-relief-program

Economic Development Subcommittee agrees to proposal on zoning change for 2 lots from Residential to Business (audio)

FM #1046 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1046 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, P Sheridan, G Jones

Town Administration: J Hellen, B Taberner

Brief recap

• Brief discussion around the proposal to change the zoning of 2 lots on King St near Fire Station 2 from residential to business. 

• A few questions to clarify the matter considering the process and kind of business operation to be allowed were asked. These are more likely to be better understood/considered during the formal hearing process assuming the measure continues to get referred by the Town Council to the Planning Board. The Planning Board will review and make their recommendation back to the Council which in turn holds their own public hearings before voting on it.

• One of the nuances on the timeline, by starting now, it could get completed (i.e. a final decision by the Council) before the November election, at which point if it was still in limbo, it would need to start all over.

• The measure was approved by 4-0 to bring to the Town Council at the next meeting (Sep 6).

The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcmte discussion on Aug 23, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1046-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-08-23-23

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

You may access the agenda for this meeting here: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/edc_agenda_aug_23_2023.pdf 

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/economic-development-subcommittee-meeting-august-23rd-2023 

My notes captured via Twitter during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eVFLdGt46ZwOiBLGURB-X6aeax6QRdU3/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin TV video replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/oqw7ereD3uI 

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

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"

map showing location of the 2 lots in question on King St

School Committee approves updates to school handbooks, sets new date for FHS graduation as May 31, 2024 (audio)

FM #1045 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1045 in the series. 

The Franklin (MA) School Committee met on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 as scheduled.  Six members were present (1 absent - Whitmore).

Quick recap

• Several updates, including personnel hiring status, were provided by Superintendent Lucas Giguere

• In the first of 2 Discussion/Actions items, the 2023-24 Student & Family Handbook Approval was received. Among the elementary and middle school changes most were housekeeping, minor corrections, updates to names and roles, etc. Most of the principals were available either in person or via Zoom for questions.

• FHS Principal Josh Hanna spent some time on the updates to the high school handbook to address the Credit Attendance policy, Updated Cell Phone / Electronic Device policy, Updated Academic Dishonesty (Artificial Dishonesty), and Clarity around Bathroom Use policy

• Principal Hanna and Supt Giguere also spent time explaining the rationale behind the graduation date change. It had initial been set as the "first Friday in June" as that was the standard, then as they looked at the calendar and how the weeks and other school events (MCAS among them) fell, it made sense to change it. The Committee approved

Let’s listen to the School Committee meeting of August 22. 

The total meeting audio runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1045-franklin-ma-school-cmte-mtg-08-22-23

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

School Committee page -> https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee 

The agenda doc 

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/scagenda_8-22-23.pdf

The packet folder can be found ->

https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/august-22-2023-school-committee-meeting-packet  (Note some docs are scheduled to be updated after the meeting)

YouTube link -> https://www.youtube.com/live/OKz4ioRKmxM

My notes can be found in one PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFNh0WlWJbVT4gRJwod5ULotPRs-nhbV/view?usp=drive_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 franklin.news/ or 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"

School Committee approves updates to school handbooks

Franklin Downtown Partnership: New Murals, General Meeting, and Harvest Festival Registration

New Murals Added in Downtown Franklin The Franklin Downtown Partnership is proud to present another mural project in downtown Franklin. Thank you to these wonderful artists for donating their time and creative talent to make this beautification project a reality: Amy Adams Kelly Feeherry Sue Sheridan Special thanks to the Ferrara Family and the Franklin Cultural District Committee for helping to fund this project along withe the Franklin Downtown Partnership. "This project has been in the works for many months and we are so excited for residents to have another fun reason to visit downtown Franklin," said FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana. "The murals are another addition to the Ladybug Trail that the FDP unveiled in 2022." Save the Date The next FDP General Meeting will be held on Thurs., Sept. 7 at 8:30 a.m. Guest speakers will include Brad Chaffee from Camford Property Group who will present his new downtown project. Harvest Festival Registration If you want your businesses to have a presence at the Harvest Festival, register for a booth asap. We expect space to sell out! Register Here  If you have any questions, please contact our Vendor Relations Coordinators at fdpevent@gmail.com. Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Public Library: Special Events for Adults scheduled for Sept 2023

Author Talk: Emily Franklin “The Lioness of Boston”

September 14, 6:30 PM 

Registration Required

As our town read for 2023 you’ve enjoyed the life and times of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Join us for readings and conversation with Lioness of Boston Author Emily Franklin! As a special treat signed book plates will be available at the event for your copy of the book!

RSVP:https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curName=2023/09/14_Author_Talk_Emily_Franklin

One Step to Safety Self Defense Seminar 

Thursday September 21st 6:00 PM

Registration Required

Lead by Martial Arts Master Elijah Swan. Join us in a prevention concept program that combines basic strikes, tactics, and techniques. Our focus is on verbal and physical self-defense movements, blocks, body positions, and awareness.

This program is open to teens and adults!

RSVP: https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curName=2023/09/21_One_step_to_Safety_Self_Defense_Seminar

Wildlife Photography Workshop 

Saturday September 23rd 10:00 PM

Registration Required! Zoo admission is NOT included with this program. Discounted admission is available at the Circulation Desk!

Join Nature Photographer Steve McGrath on a Wildlife Photography Workshop where you will learn how to use your preferred digital camera like a pro and improve your wildlife photographic technique. Understand the settings of your camera and what you need to compose a professional looking photograph.

You'll have the opportunity to practice what you've learned out in the Southwick’s Zoo with Steve on hand to give you tips.  With so many great photographic opportunities and challenges at the Southwick’s Zoo, you'll have plenty of pictures and new skills to take home!

In this First Class there will be a short presentation were we will discuss tips and techniques for getting great zoo photographs that look like they were taken in the wild! Then off to the Zoo to Photograph for the day, make sure you bring the longest lens you have. There will also be opportunities to photograph at feeding times and special zoo keeper sessions were we will be able to photograph close up!

There will be a second class at the Library in October, where we will view our Images and Critique them for a show and tell! With an opportunity to show your best work!

RSVP:https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=FRANKLIN&curName=2023/09/23_Wildlife_Photography_Workshop

Adult Paint Party! Saturday 

September 23rd @1:00PM

Join local instructor Denise Palmieri for this step-by-step paint party specifically for adults! All materials will be provided and you'll get to take home your very own seasonal masterpiece!  REGISTRATION REQUIRED!! All attendees must be at least 18.

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

Library Hours

The Library’s hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Library will be closed Monday September 4^th for Labor Day. Sunday hours of 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM will resume after Labor Day.

Find the full September schedule of events on the Library page ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library

Franklin Public Library: Special Events for Adults in September, 2023