"A WELL-KNOWN management maxim warns, if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. By that reckoning, those trying to better the state’s criminal justice system are often flying blind.
How long, for example, does the average probationer in Massachusetts stay on probation? Or how many people last year had their probation revoked?
State Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan has no idea. While each probationer has their own physical case file, the Massachusetts Probation Department has no computer-based case management system that would let state officials or researchers track information on an aggregate basis.
“A lot of things we do, we do manually,” Dolan said."
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
CommonWealth Magazine: "State slow to improve criminal justice data collection"
“listening deeply enough to be changed by what you learn"
"SD is a unique change process which (1) focuses on transforming relationships that cause problems, create conflict, and block change; and (2) emphasizes the importance of effective change over time.
Since transforming relationships requires an ongoing effort, SD gradually develops over a five-stage process. This multistage approach serves as a guidepost for SD programs and for those in conflict to create sustainable change in their relationships and communities."Find out more about the Sustained dialogue approach https://sustaineddialogue.org/our-approach/
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“listening deeply enough to be changed by what you learn" |
Reminder: School Committee meeting - Jan 26, 2021 - 7 PM
Among the choices for Tuesday evening, the Governor's State of the Commonwealth address or the Franklin School Committee meeting.
Key items on the School Committee agenda
A. HMMS School Highlight -- Ms. Rebecca Motte and Mr. Craig Williams
B. FHS Program of Study Update – Josh Hanna, Principal FHS
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/prog-studies-21-22
A. 2021-2022 School Calendar
I recommend approval of the 2021-2022 School Calendar as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-21-22-calendar
A. Reopening Status Update (January 22, 2021)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/reopening-status-update-12221
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Reminder: School Committee meeting - Jan 26, 2021 - 7 PM |
Some Dean College students back on campus for classes this semester
"It's the first day of the spring semester!
Have a wonderful day, Bulldogs! πΎπ»π https://t.co/RaBaKtcoUz"
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Some Dean College students back on campus for classes this semester |
Basics of Estate Planning - Franklin Senior Center (virtual session) - Jan 27
On 1/27/2021 @JennTaddeo is presenting a virtual program, "Basics of #EstatePlanning," to members of the Franklin Senior Center in Franklin, MA. She will cover what attendees need to know about planning their estate and more: https://t.co/xMQkSmLrGI#TrustsAndEstates https://t.co/jt6CNn7R15
Basics of Estate Planning - Franklin Senior Center (virtual session) - Jan 27 |
Basics of Estate Planning
Monday, January 25, 2021
Watch "A Roundtable Discussion of Racism in Franklin, MA" on YouTube
"On November 22, 2020 Franklin residents gathered to share their experiences as "people of color".
Since the conversation has taken place, Superintendent Ahern has met with participants to create change. Franklin High School plans on implementing a Race in American society course for the next school year. Students will be able to participate in professional development meetings with staff to further discuss how schools can support students. Also, a District Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee has been established.
Every word in this roundtable discussion has been the catapult to many changes over the span of 2 months. Our voices matter. We deserve to be represented and when we use our voice, we create change.
Thank you to Town Council member, Cobi Frongillo for moderating this conversation. Thank you to James Fredrick, Farley Asmath, Mickey Mitchell, and everyone who participated in this video."
Tri-County RVTHS’ Early Education Program - Preschool and Toddler Registration - Begins Jan 25, 2021
Hands-on education is a critical part of vocational high schools and while the Children’s Center opening is dependent on the Department of Public Health’s approval, we are hoping to welcome a new group of children at our center. The Early Education Program prepares high school students for various careers working with young children. The ability to work directly with pre-school children within the on- campus facility located in Tri-County Regional High School in Franklin at 147 Pond Street allows students to acquire skills and confidence in teaching.
Tri-County’s Children’s Center is led by three highly qualified teachers in the Tri-County Early Education Program and assisted by students in the Early Education Major. The Preschool sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:50 to 11:20 a.m. for the three-day program. Class size is limited to 30 children and tuition is $36.00* per week (*subject to change).
Placement is limited to the residents of the 11 towns within the Tri-County District, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham. Admission is decided through a random draw which will take place on Friday, March 5th, 2021. Names not selected in the drawing will be placed on a waiting list.
Due to the COIVD-19 Pandemic, registration and information sessions will be held virtually this year. Registration begins on Monday, January 25th. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, March 4th, 2021. Registration is limited to children who are at least 3 years of age by September 15, 2021. Enrollment is limited to two years or part of two years for the preschool program, as long as the child is age eligible. For more information about Tri-County’s Preschool Registration, please visit www.tcchildrenscenter.com.
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Preschool and Toddler Registration - Begins Jan 25, 2021 |
Town of Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Jan 25, 2021
138 East Central Street Adv.: Dec. 7 & Dec.14, 2020Site Plan Abuts: Dec. 7, 2020TO BE CONTINUED
515 West Central Street Adv.: Nov. 2 & Nov. 9, 2020Site Plan Abuts: Nov. 2, 2020TO BE CONTINUED
A. Bond Reduction: Maple Preserve
B. Endorsement: Maple Hill
C. Discussion: CPC Nomination
D. Meeting Minutes: December 7 & 21, 2020, January 8, 2021
The next meeting of the Planning Board is scheduled for February 8, 2021.
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Town of Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Jan 25, 2021 |
FHS gymnastics: results from Attleboro match; meet Olivia
"The girls did amazing today. Not sharing scores, Attleboro to compete on Friday night. Here is who were top 4 in each event! Shout out both freshman scores count!! Ryann Chandler & Kate Heun"
FHS gymnastics: results from Attleboro match |
Meet Olivia! @FHSSports @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters @R_Lanigan @BostonHeraldHS @MetroWestSports @HockomockSports @MyFM1013 @KatCornetta @FHSTrainingRoom @_oliviareagan pic.twitter.com/KB5uwpCaIg
— FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) January 24, 2021
Estate Planning With Attorney Jennifer Taddeo - Jan 27 - 1 PM
Q & A
In order to protect your privacy, please email questions to Ariel Doggett in advance, and they will be answered in the course of the presentation. We will end with a Q & A to answer general questions, but please remember that attorneys can not provide advice outside of a formal legal engagement.
Franklin Senior Center: Memory Cafe - Jan 25 - 2 PM
Click below to join our Memory Cafe' Monday at 2 PM
https://zoom.us/j/91674028130?pwd=NWdZS3hZTlpGOWpUNEtoN3FKZjRiZz09
Passcode: 161293
MMA: Gov Baker, Lt Gov Polito provide updates on forthcoming MA budget
Gov Baker spoke to the MMA meeting on Friday, Lt Gov Polito spoke on Thursday. Highlights of their remarks including insights on the State budget to be released on Wednesday as shared here:
"During the MMA Annual Business Meeting this afternoon, Gov. Charlie Baker thanked hundreds of local officials for their “invaluable” partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic and announced that he would be filing legislation next week to authorize $200 million for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program.
The governor highlighted a number of programs and recently signed laws intended to help give an economic boost to main streets and downtowns that have suffered during the pandemic, particularly a $626 million economic development bond, $16.5 billion transportation bond and a new small business relief initiative that has distributed $232 million thus far to more than 4,000 small businesses. The multi-year transportation bond law includes funding for the popular Complete Streets and Municipal Small Bridge grant programs, as well as new Municipal Pavement Partnership and Local Bottleneck Reduction grant programs. "
"Speaking to more than 800 local leaders from across the state during the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show this morning, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced that the administration’s state budget plan for fiscal 2022, set to be released next Wednesday, will increase general municipal aid by 3.5%.This meets the administration’s commitment to increase the Unrestricted General Government Aid account at the same rate as the projected growth in state revenues. The consensus projection of 3.5% was announced by legislative and administration budget writers late last week."
New DLS Data Visualization Tool Now Available: Municipal Finance Snapshot
“We don’t believe this is easier to do now”
"THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE between Gov. Charlie Baker and the Legislature on climate change legislation comes down to an issue where the two sides don’t seem very far apart at all.
Baker, in his roadmap for getting to net zero emissions by 2050, set a target for 2030 of a 45 percent reduction in emissions below a benchmark level. The Legislature, in the measure it passed at the end of last year’s legislation session, approved a 50 percent reduction. It was a mere 5-point difference, which lawmakers and environmental advocates dismissed as little more than a rounding error, but the Baker administration insisted it was a very big deal.
In his January 14 letter vetoing the legislation, Baker for the first time said those five percentage points would unnecessarily cost state residents $6 billion. Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington, the Senate’s point person on climate change, said he had never heard the number before, and hinted it might have been made up. Environmental advocates were also dismissive. House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka say they are determined to send the bill back to the governor as is.
Now, Kathleen Theoharides, the governor’s secretary of energy and environmental affairs, is explaining where the number came from and why the difference between 45 percent and 50 percent is so substantial. "
Continue reading the article online https://commonwealthmagazine.org/environment/theoharides-explains-6b-cost-figure/
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Franklin, MA: School Committee Meeting - Agenda - Jan 26, 2021
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 BEDHC. FHS Student Representative Comments
D. Superintendent’s Report
A. HMMS School Highlight -- Ms. Rebecca Motte and Mr. Craig Williams
B. FHS Program of Study Update – Josh Hanna, Principal FHS
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/prog-studies-21-22
A. 2021-2022 School Calendar
I recommend approval of the 2021-2022 School Calendar as discussed.
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/disc-action-21-22-calendar
A. Reopening Status Update (January 22, 2021)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/reopening-status-update-12221
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)
A. To discuss any future agenda items
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the January 12, 2021 School Committee meeting as detailed.
B. Transfers
I recommend approval of the budget transfers as detailed.
C. Remington Middle School Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,324.00 from Read-A-Thon for in-house enrichment at Remington Middle School as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/consent-c-rms
D. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,327.97 from the Parmenter PCC for supplemental supplies as detailed. https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/consent-d-parm-0
IX. Payroll Ms. Pond-Pfeffer
A) Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(2) to conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel.
FM #443 Town Council Mtg - P1 of 2 - 01/20/21 (audio)
FM #443 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 443 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
I’ve split the full two hour thirty minutes meeting into two logical segments and almost equal segments:
- First - covers the opening through the Subcommittee reports. Includes the public hearing on the new alcohol license, and on the street acceptances (1 hour and 16 minutes)
- Second - covers Legislation for Action items (including the technically off topic rant) through to the close of the meeting (1 hour and 16 mins)
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.
Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Jan 20, 2021. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrrkpbYS
--------------
Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-jan-20.html
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/town-council-meeting-recap-jan-20-2021.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"
FM #444 Town Council Mtg - P2 of 2 - 01/20/21 (audio)
FM #444 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 444 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021.
The
meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council,
selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council
Chambers, the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to
adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
I’ve split the full two hour thirty minutes meeting into two logical segments and almost equal segments:
- First - covers the opening through the Subcommittee reports. Includes the public hearing on the new alcohol license, and on the street acceptances (1 hour and 16 minutes)
- Second - covers Legislation for Action items (including the technically off topic rant) through to the close of the meeting (1 hour and 16 mins)
The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda.
Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Jan 20, 2021. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HZ1WvS5S
--------------
Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-jan-20.html
My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/town-council-meeting-recap-jan-20-2021.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"
![]() |
FM #444 Town Council Mtg - P2 of 2 - 01/20/21 (audio) |