Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Dec 22, 2020

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance 

Moment of Silence

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
B. Citizen’s Comments

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made…. A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment…. The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report

II. Guests/Presentations
A. ECDC Highlights - Kelty Kelley  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/ecdc_update_to_school_committee_12_22_20.pdf
B. Performing Arts Events - Diane Plouffe  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/franklin_performing_arts_department_presentation_2020.pdf

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Superintendent’s Goals 2020-21
I recommend approval of the Superintendent’s Goals for 2020-2021 as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/discussion_action_a_-_supt._goals_20-21.pdf

IV. Discussion Only Items
A. School Calendar Draft - 2021-22  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/calendar_2021-22_draft.pdf
B. School Reopening Status Update (as of 12/18/20)  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/files/reopening-status-update

V. Information Matters

A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation, Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis, Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, School Wellness Advisory Council, Franklin Racial & Social Justice Task Force)

VI. New Business

A. To discuss any future agenda items

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the December 8, 2020 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Budget Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,625.00 from the Parmenter PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed.
D. Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from Sean Jobin for a FHS Scholarship as detailed.
E. Keller Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $296.45 from the Keller PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed.
F. Air Purifiers
I recommend acceptance of the donation of 650 Air Purifiers from the DESE valued at $175,500.00 as detailed.

VIII. Payment of Bills Dr. Bergen

IX. Payroll Ms. D’Angelo

X. Executive Session

A. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the FEA as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the School Committee and the chair so declares.
B. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(2) to conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel.

XI. Adjournment

The documents released for this meeting can be found in the meeting packet folder https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/pages/december-22-2020-school-committee-meeting-packet

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Dec 22, 2020

FM #417 Town Administrator Review - 12/16/20 (audio)

FM #417 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 417 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Administrator Review. A subcommittee of the Town Council conducts this, the second session of the review (I missed the first one) on Wednesday, Dec 16, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick Recap:

• Since I missed the first of these review sessions, it was interesting to try and make sense of what was being done. The Town Council goals and objectives (set in a working session at the beginning of the year) become Jamie's goals. This review was to mark and discuss progress on them. More of the discussion seemed to be on the next steps or what's left to be done than, this is what you did and how well you (we) did. (my two cents)
• The document (linked to)  picked up on the Recreation/Open space section and was completed during this session. The report from the subcommittee will come before the Council sometime in the near future.
• No surprise and I think most folks would agree, the work done by the Town executed by Jamie (and overseen by the Council) has done quite well during this challenging pandemic year.
• "Your performance has been commendable"

The recording runs almost about an hour and 15 minutes, so let’s listen to the SubCommittee meeting discussing the Town Administrator Review

Audio file => https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrXHsXrS

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

Agenda doc
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-16-20_ta_review_agenda_1.pdf 

My notes:
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/town-administrator-review-session-dec.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"

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen talking with the subcommittee on the details of his review

Nikki Giovanni: "We find the song in the darkest days"

From the New York Times:

"Over the course of her 52-year career, Nikki Giovanni has written 12 children’s books and eight nonfiction books, and she has released 10 spoken word albums. But the genre for which she is best known is poetry.

When you flip through a stack of her 19 collections (it’s a tall stack), you find her face, still radiant and smiling at 77, staring back at you from the covers. This is an unusual choice for the jacket of a poetry book, but Giovanni is the rare poet whom a good number of people will actually recognize — a distinction that is all the more noteworthy considering how long it has been true.

She was name-checked in the 1980 Teena Marie song “Square Biz,” featured in the Afropunk Festival in Brooklyn in 2016, and both seen and heard reading her poem “Dream” last fall in a campaign ad for Joseph R. Biden Jr. It was 1972 when Ebony magazine first called her “a personality, a star.” Her staying power over half a century comes from a stream of acclaimed work, her proclivity for a punishing schedule of tours and readings, and a fearlessness born of not caring what foolish people think.

“The best thing you can do for yourself is to not pay attention,” Giovanni said during a video interview from her home in Christiansburg, Va."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/16/books/nikki-giovanni-make-me-rain.html

Listen to a wonderful interview with Nikki Giovanni and Neil Pasricha   https://www.3books.co/chapters/65

Franklin Cultural District Committee - Year-end Message

December 18, 2020

Dear Cultural District Partners,

As 2020 draws to a close the Franklin Cultural District Committee looks back with gratitude on some of the brighter spots in a challenging year. Since March we have been amazed at the creativity of our Cultural District Partners. We were inspired as partners developed a variety of virtual performances for members of the community. When spring arrived, many outdoor spaces were transformed into performance venues and casual dining spots. Circles were drawn on the Franklin Town Common so that families could gather safely at a social distance to enjoy some fun summer concerts and movies. When the cold weather returned many restaurants re-designed their indoor spaces to comply with the state's guidelines. The Franklin Public Library has transitioned many of their existing programs online and created many new digital classes and events for young students as well as adults.

The Franklin Cultural District would like to thank all of the partners for your creative work throughout this COVID pandemic.  While this year has been very different than any year we have known before, we are grateful for the many wonderful cultural opportunities you worked hard to provide for all to enjoy right here in Franklin.

The FCDC is looking forward with excitement to the new year. On January 11th we will be having the first 2021 Franklin Cultural District Partners' meeting, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. At this meeting we will be discussing plans for the Cultural District and laying the groundwork for the future. Our guest speaker for the January FCD Partners' meeting will be Athena Pandolf. Athena is the Executive Director of the Natick Center Cultural District. Athena will speak about some successes and challenges of the Natick Center Cultural District, as well as some of the exciting projects they are currently working on. We hope that you will all attend to meet Athena and to share your thoughts and ideas.

On behalf of the Franklin Cultural District Committee (Nancy Schoen, John LoPresti, Pandora Carlucci, Amy Adams, Jamie Barrett, Evan Chelman, Roberta Trahan), I would like to wish each of you a very happy, healthy and safe holiday season. We hope that you will have time to relax and enjoy some special times with your families. We look forward to working together with you in the New Year.

Sincerely,

Nancy Schoen

Chair, Franklin Cultural District Committee 

Franklin Cultural District Committee  - Year-end Message

COVID-19 hits US with "a new 9/11 day after day"

When 9/11 occurred the US lost the lives of just over 3,000 people. COVID-19 has seen four days with as many US deaths in a single day, and yet the outrage and the rally to address the loss is not here. 

From the Washington Post:

"As the number of coronavirus cases ticked upward in mid-November — worse than the frightening days of spring and ahead of an expected surge after families congregated for Thanksgiving — four doctors on President Trump’s task force decided to stage an intervention.

After their warnings had gone largely unheeded for months in the dormant West Wing, Deborah Birx, Anthony S. Fauci, Stephen Hahn and Robert Redfield together sounded new alarms, cautioning of a dark winter to come without dramatic action to slow community spread.

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, among the many Trump aides who were infected with the virus this fall, was taken aback, according to three senior administration officials with knowledge of the discussions. He told the doctors he did not believe their troubling data assessment. And he accused them of outlining problems without prescribing solutions."

....

"The story of how America arrived at this final season of devastation, with the reported death toll some days surpassing 3,000 people — a new 9/11 day after day — is based on interviews over the past month with 48 senior administration officials, government health professionals, outside presidential advisers and other people briefed on the inner workings of the federal response."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/politics/trump-covid-pandemic-dark-winter/?itid=hp-top-table-main

Charts from the US COVID tracker

https://www.us-covid-tracker.com/?field=newDeaths&per100k=0&time=all

daily total COVID-19 deaths in US year to date 2020 (as of 12/18/20)

daily COVID-19 deaths in US last 14 days (as of 12/18/20)

Register now for new youth programs starting at the YMCA in January

Youth programs that will be starting in January at the YMCA: 

• Youth Running Club: https://www.hockymca.org/franklin/youth-development/youth-swim-sports-recreation/youth-sports/youth-running-triathlon/

• Athletic development: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5192/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?keywords=full+athletic+training

• No Jump, Jump Rope: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5192/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?keywords=jump+rope

• Up N' Run: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5192/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?keywords=up+n+run

New youth programs starting at the YMCA in January, register now

Collection of Relevant Tweets - Saturday, Dec 19, 2020

A collection of relevant Tweets.

• Via Karen Spilka (https://twitter.com/KarenSpilka):

As President of the @MA_Senate, I am proud to have authored this piece with @SpeakerDeLeo on the need for federal stimulus to help our residents face the economic impact of #COVID19 in Massachusetts.  #mapoli 1/3

Even a state like Massachusetts, with a significant rainy-day fund, cannot unilaterally absorb all of the pain of an unprecedented public health crisis. #mapoli 2/3

Congress must remember its duty to the American people and pass a bill that will provide states with much-needed funds. Our constituents facing unemployment and our struggling small-business owners deserve nothing less. #mapoli 3/3

The piece referenced =>  https://t.co/uTwUfwEsUE

Or directly to The Hill => https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/531001-states-need-stimulus-and-we-need-it-now

• Via the FBI (https://twitter.com/FBI/)

#Scammers are taking advantage of fear and uncertainty during the #COVID19 pandemic to steal money and launder it through the complex cryptocurrency ecosystem. Protect yourself, and report #fraud to the #FBI at https://t.co/MWss57C5gI. 

FBI press release => https://t.co/YoxbsBHvHa  
Link to tweet =>  https://t.co/opEyy3pImF

• Via Wired

"The goal of Russian disinformation is not to make you believe in anything, but to destroy your trust in everything." Journalist Maria Ressa explains the real goal of disinformation operations—and how they're weakening democracy:

Link to the Wired video clip => https://t.co/knUd9vEF1b
Link to the tweet => https://t.co/t32HYnRvXC

• Via Boston.com (https://twitter.com/BostonDotCom)

Alaska Airlines parodied an '80s song to promote COVID-19 safety https://t.co/r8CVKpLsRV https://t.co/2LF7U9nCir

Or directly to YouTube  https://youtu.be/b9w_paUjzKs

Dr. Fauci vaccinated Santa

From The Guardian:

"Children around the world should not worry about the logistics of Christmas present delivery while the coronavirus pandemic rages, Dr. Anthony Fauci said – because he vaccinated Santa himself.

“I took care of that for you,” the top US infectious diseases expert told CNN. “Because I was worried that you’d all be upset.

“So what I did a little while ago, I took a trip up there to the North Pole. I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go. He can come down the chimney. He can leave the presents, he can leave, and you have nothing to worry about. Santa Claus is good to go.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/19/anthony-fauci-vaccinate-santa-claus-coronavirus

Memorable Toys Presentation - Dec 21

Hello, 

I just wanted to share that Alan Earls is going to give a presentation on Monday, December 21 at 11:00 AM via Zoom. The presentation is on the most memorable and in-demand toys of the 1950s. It should be fun, please join us! 

 

The link to join is below: 

Franklin Senior Center is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Memorable Toys
Time: Dec 21, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

To Join Zoom Meeting Click Below: 
https://zoom.us/j/97976861534?pwd=Z1JGMzJJQ3VHazh6UWxFOTA0VCtPZz09

Meeting ID: 979 7686 1534
Passcode: 787126
 

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,97976861534#,,,,,,0#,,787126# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,97976861534#,,,,,,0#,,787126# US (New York)

Thank you, 

Erin Rogers 

Director, Franklin Senior Center

10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038

508-520-4945 (phone)

508-520-4917 (fax)

Memorable Toys Presentation - Dec 21

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast Dec 18, 2020

Hello Everyone! Hard to believe is Christmas in a week.

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/2020-07-07

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

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

Tips

Wine buying guide for the Holidays - Wine podcast discussing wines.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-141-holiday-wine-buying-guide/id1352715204?i=1000502244767 

Paul Eugene - Chair cardio dance - half hour of fun and exercise!

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

Tai Chi for beginners 36 minutes standing or sitting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEC357DTNnA 

Music

Marcin Patrzalek - Because last week's song blew me away, so here is more incredible guitar!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfAw7IwUq3E 

Toccata & fuga in D minor J.S. Bach on the Nyckelharpa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od-fBowDaL0 

Christmas Music in front of the fire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mab5Zh9XQY8 

Just for Fun

Have you ever wondered who is behind all the information when you search Google?  Here is the story of how millions of people, speaking hundreds of different languages get trillions of answers in under a second. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFq6Q_muwG0&utm_source=hpp&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=howsearchworks 

Kids share their favorite snacks with their Great Grandparents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RglbrQ7NjAc 

Night of a million lights - 3 million Christmas lights show set to music 

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

Heroic Police Dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqnAD_8pna0 

Humor

Jeanne Robertson - Don't Ho Ho Ho in the Dark!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuyBcpDa2LU 

Brighten your day in just 2 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKGH8AVFW6g 

Kindness Matters

Waitress with dying husband gets the tip of her life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8mXRe8mvpo 

Cops pull over parents for the best reason ever!

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

Attached you will find:

1. Donna's activity pages "TOYS" https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ftSkb2osJwmReWXFTgX5QG2SNR630_L/view?usp=sharing

2. Christmas Crossword https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V8RcCCp4-RSidqZ1gbE48dFfpV0BNjwO/view?usp=sharing

3. Fruitcake Crossword https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ksL1V7y2JvECNlCr2kGmf8sOg89xDdcN/view?usp=sharing

4. Wacky Wordies https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KVekF53FtIwopxoXBBzzAS02hnfNxp6_/view?usp=sharing

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

*Monday Dec. 21st at 1pm Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Monday Dec. 21st at 2pm Grateful Days Memory Cafe Email adoggett@franklinma.gov 

*Tuesday Dec. 22nd at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday Dec. 22nd at 1pm - Low Vision Group - email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. Dec. 23rd at 1pm - Caregivers Support Group email elaine.owens@verizon.net 

*Thursday Dec. 24th -  CLOSED

*Friday Dec. 25th - CLOSED Merry Christmas!

Plus Exercise, Yoga, Discussion Groups and more.  Check out our newsletter or online calendar for a full list of all activities available https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter

*Curbside Cafe - SPECIAL- Ham Dinner

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  We are still here for you!  Please feel free to email Donna and I with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel & Donna

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. 

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

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast Dec 18, 2020

FM #416 Finance Committee Meeting - 12/15/20 (audio)

FM #416 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 416 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Finance Committee meeting held Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the remainder participated virtually via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick Recap:

• The promised 'deep dive' into the school budget almost happened. "almost" in that if one viewing the meeting had fully read all the pre-released documents, they could sorta follow the questions and answers. Unfortunately, a key question answer was interrupted. I think (yes, my observation) the Central Office (Sara and Miriam) missed a couple of opportunities to make a better case for the budget details and what the district has done.
• That said - the new monthly format for the FinCom meetings is a work in process and holds great promise. As an adjunct for the Town Council, the opportunity for detailed discussions on particular departments has only really occurred in these meetings. The Council used to get full presentations from each department as part of the budget hearings before more recently switching to their shorted 'hold' and question process.
• The transfer from the water enterprise 'emergency fund' to make the payment for the water treatment plant was authorized. This was the payment that ended up mis-directed as part of the spear phishing incident.
• Preliminary discussion on topics for the next few meetings and a review of the current stabilization fund balances was covered before the meeting closed.

The recording runs two hours and seven minutes, so let’s listen to the Finance Committee meeting of Dec 15, 2020.  Audio file =   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HycL9GLS

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

Meeting agenda and related files  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-15-20_fincom_agenda_2.pdf

My notes:  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/finance-committee-recap-of-dec-15-2020.html

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

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/

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"

Finance Committee member Susan Dewsnap

Town Administrator Review session Dec 16, 2020 - recap

Quick Recap:

• Since I missed the first of these review sessions, it was interesting to try and make sense of what was being done. The Town Council goals and objectives (set in a working session at the beginning of the year) become Jamie's goals. This review was to mark and discuss progress on them. More of the discussion seemed to be on the next steps or what's left to be done than, this is what you did and how well you (we) did. (my two cents)
• The document (linked to)  picked up on the Recreation/Open space section and was completed during this session. The report from the subcommittee will come before the Council sometime in the near future.
• No surprise and I think most folks would agree, the work done by the Town executed by Jamie (and overseen by the Council) has done quite well during this challenging pandemic year.
• "Your performance has been commendable"

Photos captured during the remote/hybrid session and shared via Twitter can be found in one folder https://photos.app.goo.gl/eWz9heepLMZcgmWUA

 

----

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  #tarjh1216 

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tarjh1216&src=typeahead_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Town Administrator Review, a continuation from the Dec 2 meeting (I missed that one) #tarjh1216
•  Picked up on the Recreation/Open space section which straddles pages 6-7 of the doc linked #tarjh1216 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-16-20_ta_review_agenda_1.pdf
• Question on the remediation of the invasive plants floating at DelCarte (actually a meeting for me in queue to talk with Conservation agent on this item) concern about keeping this in the radar as it will take time #tarjh1216
• The SNETT section between Grove and Union is owned by CSX. Until it is available, can do much planning for it. #tarjh1216 shouldn't it be part of the open space or rec or master plan?
• If we at least layout the desire and plan for the trail section. It is something to refer to. #tarjh1216 how do you get from Grove St to DelCarte? The map could at least provide some options. (Aside: since I didn't get 2 the first one, this seems like an odd approach 2 a review)
• ( aside: cont'd - There seems to be more discussion on what should be for futures rather then an evaluation of what was done);  adding the netting to the high school fields. #tarjh1216 next set - Community
• Acceptance of public ways, funded for take over but that doesn't include the road rebuild if required. #tarjh1216 a map of where to find the electric charging stations. Maybe future subdivisions get set for private ways so owners would maintain
• Finalizing the three year collective bargaining cycle is a great goal accomplished. Makes sense to have them together. Municipal aggregation in place, less than 5% opted out. Substantial amount of Community still don't understand it #tarjh1216 look at ways to improve comms
• #tarjh1216 question on the 5G bylaw, requires additional equipment, smaller range but better signal. Have Verizon in to present an overview of what it is and how it works. There is not a lot we can do, the bylaw is to protect private property from the installation of equipment
• In the research to avoid ending up in court, it needs to be simple. Protects public property and so we know what is around the Community. #tarjh1216 moving to civic engagement. Civic academy on hold, survey possible (sometime)
• #ThinkFranklinFirst has been a success in the early days. Investing in cloud based technology has positioned us to do business online, which saved us during COVID. Unipay does allow for online payment of water, sewer, trash, etc. #tarjh1216
• #tarjh1216 what is a citizens academy? Seen elsewhere, structured differently to get into more of the municipal process and workings of town government. BTW subcommittee is Jones (chair), Mercer, Kelly, and Pellegri. Next up presentations and discussions list completed
• Except for master plan update and charter review which is likely up for 1Q. #tarjh1216 next up thoughts, etc. Added to the prior listing during the year. EPA still cleaning up 300 Fisher st, it will take another 3-5 years. National Grid has made improvements already
• Clearly not the items scheduled to start in April. #tarjh1216 we are as far along as we could be in these circumstances. What is vision or priority not historical homes? List provided by the Assessors. Try to get a priority listing from historical commission.
• #tarjh1216 let's talk COVID, there is a lot into addressing the goals this past year. Everyone was flexible and continues to be so. The COVID section was added as it was not planned for but was a key workload during the recent months. $4.5m in Federal aid, it expires 12/31/20
• Not likely to get additional with the rumored help from Congress possible before year end. UV project being worked this week. Three campus schools possible to be completed by 12/31 micro grants processed should have some participation locally. #tarjh1216
• Thanks to the Council for supporting the fee reduction. This chamber is upgraded with tech to support the meetings, other Communities come here to see how we do it. #tarjh1216 it is an incredibly difficult environment but we have come together and be successful
• Kudos to Chrissy for work on the micro grants. Feel bad we couldn't help some of our small businesses but that was set by others. Folks may have a hard time understanding the coordinating to get things accomplished during COVID #tarjh1216
• Concern over expense of the PPE required for 1Q, where will the money come from for that? #tarjh1216 everybody has stepped up to make it through 2020. "Your performance has been commendable" motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 

 

Town Administrator Review subcommittee Chair Glenn Jones