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, June 6, 2023
You are invited to the Sculpture Park Rededication - Traveling School of Fish - June 7 at 5 PM
School Committee Budget Subcommittee listens and clarifies details on how to balance the budget - 06/05/23 (audio)
FM #1004 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1004 in the series.
This session shares the Franklin, MA School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting held on Monday, June 5, 2023. The meeting was conducted in the 3rd floor training room. Remote participation was enabled for this session. A few residents logged in to the meeting. 2 others were in the training room.
Chair Dave McNeill opened the meeting. School Committee members Dave Callaghan and Denise Spencer were present. Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Manager Miriam Goodman also participated.
Quick recap
Superintendent Lucas Giguere started with a recap to set the stage for where the group was coming into the discussion tonight. He outlined the Superintendent's proposed budget, increased by the School Committee, Town allocation revealed a $2.3M shortfall ($3.4M vs. 1.1M allocation). The Town Administrator has a plan to add $700K to the schools budget which is up for approval at the Council meeting Wednesday, June 7
Business Manager Miriam Goodman provided additional details updating from the prior working session where they had five categories of proposed cuts to bring about a balance, it was now down to three categories. 30 personnel were slotted for reduction, now with the additional funding, it will be 22 slotted for reduction ( a savings of 8 positions). 11 other involuntary transfers were made within the district to balance the staffing
Discussion around the middle school late bus being one of the cuts. Apparently complicated by the lateness of the bus in its return run to the middle school, and apparently reducing its ridership (folks not waiting for it). Longer term, the complexity of bus schedule needs to be adjusted but for now, cutting the bus
Discussion on the contract requirements for teachers with more seniority and equivalent (or better) certifications to ‘bump’ those without professional teacher status (PTS). Hence, while middle school has 2 music teachers this year, next year they will still have 2 music teachers, but the people will be different than this year
All notifications of personnel potentially affected by the reductions have been made. The final determination remains based upon the ultimate budget outcome
Discussion on not increasing the athletic fees as that would potentially reduce the number of athletes, and thereby reduce the athletic fee revenue. Hence the decision to reduce the number of competitions for non-varsity teams along with associated other expenses to help create the amount of reduction required
Next step, based upon the Council decision on Wednesday, the proposal will be adjusted accordingly to bring to the full committee meeting on June 13 at which point the final budget needs to be approved and notifications confirmed for those individuals affected
The show notes contain a link to the agenda and to my notes.
The recording runs just under an hour, so let’s listen to the School Committee Budget Subcommittee meeting of June 5, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1004-school-cmte-budget-subcmte-mtg-06-05-23
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Budget Subcommittee agenda for June 5
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-budgetsubcom-6-5-23.pdf
FY 2024 Budget information -> https://www.franklinps.net/fy24budget
Town FY 2024 budget information -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials
My notes in this ThreadReader PDF ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KEZdIg_g-o_U9HZ3qjeCRfKiYo5UIF-F/view?usp=drive_link
The show notes for School Committee member Dave Callaghan’s recent interview includes links to the Town Council and Finance Committee budget hearing if you need to catch up on any of those
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/school-committee-member-dave-callaghan.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.
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For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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FHS baseball, softball, and boys lacrosse teams all post wins on Monday to advance in playoffs
Franklin 5, Lexington 1. WP-Alfred Mucciarone (CG, 7inn, 5H, 0ER, 2BB & 10Ks). Offensively, Gerety (1-2, R,BB) Lyons (1-3,R, 2RBI) Chin (R, 2BB) DiGiorgio (2-4,R,RBI) Jarosz (1-2,2RBI, BB) Cinelli (3-3, R). Next up: MIAA Rnd 16: Wed. 6/7 Franklin (Home) vs Walpole at 7pm.
Great way to start playoffs!! Solid 12-2 win against Westford Academy!! Not done yet! Let’s go blue!
Sacchetti: 3G, 3ADavis: 3GConsigli: 2G, 1AO'Brien: 1G, 1AMcEvoy: 2G, 3A
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FHS Panthers |
Tri-County RVTHS schedules Community Meeting to provide a building project update - June 15 at 6 PM
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Tri-County RVTHS schedules Community Meeting to provide a building project update - June 15 at 6 PM |
Franklin LGBTQ Alliance selling t-shirts all month long
The Guardian: "'It’s like a death pit’: how Ghana became fast fashion’s dumping ground"
"It’s mid-morning on a sunny day and Yvette Yaa Konadu Tetteh’s arms and legs barely make a splash as she powers along the blue-green waters of the River Volta in Ghana. This is the last leg of a journey that has seen Tetteh cover 450km (280 miles) in 40 days to become the first person known to swim the length of the waterway.It’s an epic mission but with a purpose: to find out whatis in the water and raise awareness of pollution in Ghana.As the 30-year-old swims, a crew shadows her on a solar-powered boat, named The Woman Who Does Not Fear, taking air and water samples along the way that will be analysed to measure pollution.It is hoped that the swim will draw attention to some of the pristine environments in Ghana, in contrast with places such as Korle Lagoon in the capital city of Accra, one of the most polluted water bodies on Earth."
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The Guardian: "'It’s like a death pit’: how Ghana became fast fashion’s dumping ground" |
Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: Cougar Community Night - June 12 from 6 to 7 PM
Tri-County RVTHS Athletics: Cougar Community Night - June 12 from 6 to 7 PM
Franklin Municipal Building Interior Painting Project - canceled
Franklin Municipal Building Interior Painting Project
In accordance with MGL c. 149, it is the intention of the Town of Franklin to retain the services of a contractor to provide interior painting and construction services related to the Franklin Municipal Building Interior Painting Project.
Key update - status changed to CANCELED
Additional Information: Municipal Building Interior Painting Project
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/franklin-municipal-building-interior-painting-project-0
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Franklin Municipal Building Interior Painting Project - canceled |
50+ Job Seekers events for Week of June 4, 2023
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Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, June 6, 2023
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Monday, June 5, 2023
Many Activities and Booths set for the June 9 Strawberry Stroll in downtown Franklin
The 19th Annual Strawberry Stroll is ready to go. This town favorite is set for Friday, June 9 from 4 PM to 8 PM. The rain date is Saturday, June 10 from 4 p.m. to 8 pm. It will be held in downtown Franklin.
Start the summer at this popular event. Take pleasure in delicious strawberry shortcakes, listen to lively music, and have fun with the activities for your kids. The Fire Department and Historical Museum will welcome visitors to see some interesting items. There will be 95 booths displaying the many treats downtown Franklin has to offer. Main Street will be closed for visitors to easily and safely walk.
Dean Bank’s staff will be serving the signature strawberry shortcakes under tents in front of the bank. Fresh strawberries donated and cut by Dean College will top hundreds of shortcakes and be completed with whipped cream. Proceeds from strawberry shortcake sales are allocated to the Downtown Partnership to help fund the event.
Live music will be provided by Heath Nisbett from 4 PM to 6 PM and Dom DeBaggis from 6 PM to 8 PM.
The Franklin Fire Department will showcase its trucks and equipment on the front ramp, including an antique ladder truck. Sparky will be giving out plastic red helmets to children.
At the Historical Museum, Greenwich Bay Brass will play music on the front porch, fresh popcorn will be served, and vintage wedding dresses will be displayed.
“The Strawberry Stroll always has a ‘special vibe’ to it because it is one of the first events in town to kick off the summer season,” said Kevin Johnson, this year’s Stroll Chairman. “We ask everyone to come downtown and enjoy strawberry shortcake, live music, great food and drink choices from local restaurants and the many interesting vendors offering goods and services.”
Franklin Downtown Partnership, the organizer of this annual tradition, is grateful for the financial support from community businesses. This year’s stroll is made possible by the support of the following sponsors:
- Platinum Sponsor: Middlesex Savings Bank
- Gold Sponsors: Dean Bank, Dean College, Elizabeth’s Bagels, PhysicianOne Urgent Care
- Silver Sponsors: DCU, Elizabeth Grady-Franklin, Fenton Financial Group
- Bronze Sponsors: Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Camford Property Group, Inc., Encore Music Academy & Recording Studios, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, The Enclave of Franklin
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Many Activities and Booths set for June 9 Strawberry Stroll |